Yassine Fennane’s THE LAST REHEARSAL praised after stellar world premiere at the National Film Festival in Tangier

release date October 22 2024

Yassine Fennane's THE LAST REHEARSAL earned a great reception at its world premiere at the 24th National Film Festival in Tangier — running from October 18th to the 26th. The film captivated audiences with its compelling story and striking performances, winning over both critics and crowds.

THE LAST REHEARSAL's debut screening in its native Morocco garnered an overwhelming reception and a standing ovation from everyone in attendance.

At the film's successful premiere, several prominent figures from the film and entertainment industries attended alongside representatives from the film’s cast and crew, including actors Nabil El-Mansouri, Abdelilah Ajil, Taha Benaim, and Said Miniouli — who’s also the film’s casting supervisor. The crew in attendance also included producers Nadir Fijjaj and Kawthar Tazrouti, as well as wardrobe supervisor Hussein Benbaza.

The film lifts the curtain on both mental illness and show-business life and follows a play director as he prepares to train a troupe on Jean Genet's THE MAIDS, however, tensions escalate after he starts taking antidepressants and battling his own demons ahead of the play's scheduled performance in front of a producer and a cultural manager from the French embassy.

Directed by Fennane, lensed by Adil Ayoub, and produced by Nadir Fijjaj of Morocco Films Makers, THE LAST REHEARSAL features a star-studded cast, including Nabil El-Mansouri, who also wrote the film’s screenplay; Jamila El-Hawni, who is known for ACHING OF EARTH, THE STRANGER, and THE MISCREANTS; Hassna Tamtaoui, and Abdelilah Ajil, with MAD World handling the film’s international sales and MAD Distribution its distribution across the Arab-speaking world.

Born in Rabat, Yassine Fennane is a Moroccan director and screenwriter with a degree in Performing Arts from the Sorbonne in Paris.

He wrote and directed his first short film LITTLE WOUND in 2002, and in 2004, he directed several short films such as THE DANGER MAN, THE FUTURE IS NOW, and WHITE SHIRT, BLACK TIE.

He also directed several successful series for national TV channels, including ONE HOUR IN HELL, BNAT LALLA MENANA, and WAADI.

In 2014, he directed his first feature film KARYAN BOLLYWOOD, which won several awards at the Tangier, Malmö, and Geneva film festivals.