On December 3, at Marrakesh international film festivala vibrant tribute was paid to the memory of the late Naïma Lamcharki, a great lady of Moroccan cinema, who died on October 5, 2024. But beyond the sadness of her absence, it is a message of love, of gratitude and respect which resonated in the speeches of his friends and relatives at the Palais des Congrès. “We love you,” several of them repeated, not as a farewell, but as a living act of memory. Because, although Naima Lamcharki is no longer physically among us, she remains present through the memories, the values she transmitted, and the imprint she left in the world of Moroccan cinema and in the hearts of those close to her.
A vibrant tribute and an unaltered presence
Throughout the evening, the words spoken by his colleagues, friends and loved ones transcended the simple evocation of a missing person. Speaking of her, these voices spoke to Naïma as if she were still there, in the room, listening attentively, ready to respond with the wisdom and kindness that characterized her. The director Mohamed Mouftakirin evoking their complicity on the filming of “The Autumn of Apple Trees”, did not speak of a bygone past, but of a relationship which endures over time. “Naïma, you know how much I appreciated your generosity, your spirit of solidarity,” he said, as if he were speaking to her directly, aware that she would always understand him. Moved, he remembers this great actress’s ability to understand the story as a whole, rather than focusing solely on her character. For him, “the autumn of the apple trees” will forever remain the symbol of their collaboration, of a meeting between the artist and the director which transcended the professional framework to transform into a deep friendship. Mouftakir also praised Naïma’s commitment when she decided to give up her salary to support the film, a gesture of solidarity and dedication which says a lot about her greatness of soul.
Likewise, the director Abderrahman Tazi who collaborated with the late Lamcharki on several projects not only paid tribute to her role as an actress, but to the way she shaped the souls of her colleagues. “We were close, and you had this power to make everyone feel important,” he said, as if the late Lamcharki was always at his side, ready to comfort and inspire those who were lucky enough to know her. “Naïma knew how to take young actresses under her wing, offering them advice and encouragement, and creating a climate of trust conducive to everyone’s development,” he confided. Tazi recalled not only her qualities as an actress, but also her human qualities which made her a person who was both generous and attentive to those around her.
Her words are marked by the conviction that the essence of Naïma Lamcharki is very much alive, that her gestures, her advice, and her smiles continue to guide those she loved.
A woman of commitment and dedication
The actress Fatima Khairanother great voice of Moroccan cinema, also praised the exceptional humanity of Naïma Lamcharki. She recalls their work together, highlighting the great actress’s ability to go beyond the technical aspect to become deeply involved in the souls of her characters. She spoke of her natural kindness and ability to put anyone in her presence at ease, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and caring that went beyond simple professional relationships.
“The example that you embody, that of a great lady, in your way of managing each stage of work with remarkable humanity, natural benevolence, and an ability to act with modesty, without ever seeking to impose or dominate” , addressed Fatima Khair to the soul of the late Lamcharki.
The legacy of Naïma Lamcharki
Finally, it is Yasmine Khayatthe daughter of Naïma Lamcharki, who concluded this tribute by sharing with emotion the deep bond that her mother had with those around her. Her statement summed up the very essence of her mother: a strong, loving, and deeply human woman, who left her indelible mark on those who were lucky enough to know her. This message, bearer of wisdom and tenderness, underlines the idea that Naïma Lamcharki, in her essence, remains more present than ever, not in a simple memory, but in a living heritage, anchored in the soul of those who They liked it.
Testimony of Yasmine Khayat
“For many people, Naïma Lamcharki was a colleague, a friend, a confidante, encountered on the stage, on a film set, or even during her committed actions that she carried out in favor of the women of this country, of his children and his youth. Naïma Lamcharki is a loving woman devoted to her husband, her children and grandchildren, her brothers and sisters. In her immense heart, there was room to love all the people she met on her path. My mother was a woman close to her audience. She was part of the people she met far from the glitter and the star system. To all these people, I would like to say: keep her in your heart, because love never dies.”
