Farida Benlyazid Biography: Instagram, Films, Awards, Parents, Documentaries, Net Worth, Facebook, Husband

Farida Benlyazid is a trailblazing Moroccan scriptwriter, director, producer, novelist, and journalist, renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to Moroccan cinema.

As one of the first female filmmakers in Morocco, she has crafted a legacy by portraying the struggles and resilience of Moroccan women, weaving her multicultural identity and personal experiences into her work.

Profile

• Full Name: Farida Benlyazid
• Stage Name: Farida Benlyazid
• Born: March 18, 1948
• Age: 77 years old
• Birthplace: Tangier, Morocco
• Nationality: Moroccan
• Occupation: Scriptwriter, Director, Producer, Novelist, Journalist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Benlyazid
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Jillali Ferhati
• Children: Two children
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million to $3 million USD

Early Life and Education

Farida Benlyazid, a visionary scriptwriter and director, was born on March 18, 1948, in Tangier, Morocco, to Mr. and Mrs. Benlyazid.

She pursued higher education in France, earning a bachelor’s degree in Film and Literature from the University of Paris in 1976, followed by a master’s degree from the École Supérieure des Études Cinématographiques (ESEC) in Paris.

These formative years laid the groundwork for her pioneering career in cinema.

Career

Farida Benlyazid’s cinematic journey began in France in 1979 with her directorial debut, Identités de femmes, a short film about women immigrants.

Returning to Morocco in the early 1980s during the repressive “Years of Lead,” she joined a group of motivated filmmakers to strengthen the country’s nascent film industry.

She started as a producer and screenwriter, notably producing Une brèche dans le mur (1978) and writing the screenplay for Poupées de roseau (1981) with her then-husband Jillali Ferhati.

Her script for Badis (1986) and À la recherche du mari de ma femme (1992) gained attention for their cultural depth. In 1989, she directed her first feature film, Bab al-sama’ maftooh (A Door to the Sky), a seminal work exploring a woman’s spiritual and cultural reclamation.

She founded Tingitania Films in 1991, named after Tangier’s ancient name, Tingis. Her notable works include Keïd Ensa (Women’s Wiles, 1999), which reimagines an Andalusian myth to challenge gender norms, and La Vida perra de Juanita Narboni (The Wretched Life of Juanita Narboni, 2005), an adaptation reflecting Tangier’s colonial past.

Her documentaries, such as Aminata Traoré, une femme du Sahel (1993) and Contra bande (1994), highlight social issues.

Benlyazid has directed six films, written five, produced two, and created two documentaries, while also contributing political and cultural commentary to journals like Kantara, Le Libéral, El Mundo, and Autrement.

Her fearless approach, avoiding self-censorship on topics like monarchy and religion, has made her a feminist icon in the Middle East and North Africa.

Social Media

• Facebook Handle: Farida Benlyazid

Personal Life

Farida Benlyazid, a pioneering scriptwriter and director, is 77 years old and single, having divorced her second husband, Jillali Ferhati.

Her first marriage ended in 1971 after a legal struggle, leaving her with two children to raise. Her multicultural upbringing in Tangier, a former international city, deeply influences her storytelling, blending Spanish and Arabic cultural elements.

She has shared fond memories of her childhood, attending diverse film screenings with her mother, which shaped her cinematic vision.

Filmography

Filmography:

• Identité de femme (1979) – Director (Short).
• Une brèche dans le mur (1978) – Producer.
• Poupées de roseau (Cane Dolls, 1981) – Screenwriter.
• Badis (1986) – Screenwriter.
• Bab al-sama’ maftooh (A Door to the Sky, 1989) – Director, Screenwriter.À la recherche du mari de ma femme (Looking for My Wife’s Husband, 1992) – Screenwriter.
• Aminata Traoré, une femme du Sahel (1993) – Director (Documentary).
• Contra bande (1994) – Director (Documentary).
• Cinq films pour cent ans (Five Films for a Hundred Years, 1995) – Director, Screenwriter (Segment).Keïd Ensa (Women’s Wiles, 1999) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Nia taghleb (2000) – Director, Screenwriter, Producer (TV film).
• El Boukma (2001) – Director, Screenwriter, Producer (TV film).
• La Vida perra de Juanita Narboni (The Wretched Life of Juanita Narboni, 2005) – Director.
• Casanayda (Casa Is Rocking, 2007) – Director.
• Frontieras (2013) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Tamy Tazi, Créations au fil du temps (2013) – Director.
• A Travers les vallées en fleurs (2017) – Director.
• Noces nomades à Merzouga (2017) – Director.
• Anti Atlas – Souss (2016) – Director.
• Aux confins du Sahara (2016) – Director.
• Haut Atlas (2016) – Director.
• Les femmes dans la musique amazighe (2016) – Director.
• Les petits maestros (2016) – Director.
• Moyen Atlas (2016) – Director.
• Oriental et Rif (2016) – Director.

Net Worth

Farida Benlyazid, a distinguished scriptwriter and director, has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million to $3 million USD.

Her income stems from her extensive career in filmmaking, including directing, screenwriting, and producing films and documentaries.

Additional revenue comes from her journalism, short stories, and contributions to publications like Kantara and El Mundo.