The film will be based on the novel Hadil Assaida Al Horra (Pigeon Call of Al Hurra) by actor/writer Bachir Damoun.The story is based on the life of the first Moroccan ruler, Sayyida al Hurra (whose name means “the free woman”), who was forced to flee Granada in 1492, after the Spanish reconquest of Andalusia. She became the 16^th century queen of Tétouan. She was also known as a “pirate queen” because of her alliance with Turkish corsair Barbarossa. She battled hard and waged war and diplomacy with the Spanish and Portuguese until her son-in-law eventually overthrew her in 1542. Abassi has a passionate connection with the historic female ruler. He has been handling the project for several years, since he believed it would challenge the stereotypes of Arab women. He went so far as to name his daughter after the 16^th century figure. Abassi went on to expressing his passion through film. “I’m increasingly thinking about directing and producing my Moroccan film in English. Like the Italians did in the 1970s with Spaghetti Westerns and as Luc Besson is doing in France.” He continued to explain the current climate of the film industry as a whole. “Life is particularly difficult for actresses in Morocco, against the backdrop of the position of women in Moroccan society. There are socially-conditioned perceptions of how women should live, and many see the acting profession as being too liberal.”On the subject of his most recent release, My Uncle, which makes its world premiere at Marrakech, “The main female character faces problems with her fiancé and family, but this is all shown in a funny manner. It will make people laugh and think at the same time. I think the audience will be inspired by her dream. I decided to build the film around a female lead because she symbolizes many struggles taking place not only in Morocco but also throughout the modern world. There are many issues facing Moroccan actresses – such as sexual harassment – that also arise in the US and Europe.”The 16^th Marrakech International Film Festival runs from December 2 through 10. Both of Abassi’s projects Majid and My Uncle will screen out of competition.