Cinema: Nabil Ben Yadir’s «Les Baronnes» gets a nationwide release in Morocco

Mokhtaria Badaoui and Nabil Ben Yadir’s latest film, «Les Baronnes», is set to premiere in Morocco on September 9, 2026, after a successful run at international festivals. This feature film tells the story of four grandmothers from Molenbeek who take the stage, transforming the lives of their families and communities. As the statement to Yabiladi explains, «Through their energy, humor, and unexpected freedom, they turn the lives of their families, their neighborhood, and far beyond upside down».

The co-directors aim to present a new perspective on mothers, highlighting them rather than sidelining them. Their goal is to honor «their quiet strength, their memory, and their fundamental role in shaping identities». This film, crafted by the Belgian-Moroccan director known for the cult classic «Les Barons» (2009), and his mother, offers a unique angle, «an intimate and deeply human vision», by focusing on mothers and grandmothers.

«For years, Mokhtaria Badaoui held a simple but crucial belief: that mothers and grandmothers are underrepresented in cinema. That intuition, that desire, that breath of life, has now materialized into a film», according to the same source. In line with this vision, the film serves as «a work of transmission and a declaration of love to cinema and family».

In Morocco, the film’s premiere is supported by the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), the Wallonia-Brussels General Delegation in Morocco, the Moroccan Cinematheque in Rabat, Cinerji, and the Cercle des Lauréats de Belgique (CLB).

Before its Moroccan release, «Les Baronnes» received the Best Film award in the «Rebels with a Cause» section at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), as well as the Audience Award and a Special Jury Mention at the Tarragona International Film Festival (REC).

The film also served as the official opening for the Namur International Francophone Film Festival (FIFF) and was featured at the Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM).