Lhe documentary opens with a significant scene: the death of Hassan II in 1999 and the rise to the throne of King Mohammed VI, then aged 36. The first years of the reign are analyzed from the angle of the symbolic break with the era of his father. The young king, little known to the general public at the time, quickly decided to impose himself through a radically different style of governance, based on “proximity” and the “candy”where Hassan II embodied the“authority” and the “distance”.
King Mohammed VI reveals himself “modern, closer to the people, appearing in moments of daily life which break with the rigidities of monarchical protocol”.
For Derai and Darmon, this rupture is not limited to the image, but extends to the management of power, which Mohammed VI wishes more “consensual”. Unlike the“authoritarianism” of his father, he introduced a “form of governance based on popular consent”although always framed by a “executive monarchy”with him at the center of decisions. The documentary emphasizes that the king is inspired, in this approach, in part by his grandfather, Mohammed V, and not by his father.
Social reforms
One of the central sections of the documentary is devoted to the major social reforms undertaken by King Mohammed VI, in particular those concerning women’s rights. In 2004, the reform of the Moudawana, which granted new rights to women, was seen as a “historic turning point”.
King Mohammed VI is portrayed as a resolutely reforming monarch, eager to change Moroccan society while taking into account cultural and religious sensitivities. The documentary thus highlights the “king’s efforts to modernize laws in favor of women”but also highlights the “limits and resistance to these reforms”notably “within the conservative currents of the country”.
Indeed, despite the reform of the Moudawana, Moroccan women continue to face inequalities. These reforms, although bold at the time, seem today “incomplete”inciting Mohammed VI to “encourage a new debate on an update of the Family Code”.
A king builder
The documentary then addresses one of the most emblematic aspects of the reign of King Mohammed VI: the economic modernization of Morocco. As soon as he came to power, the king undertook a profound transformation of the country’s economic landscape, launching huge infrastructure projects and modernizing strategic sectors. Under his reign, Morocco became a “regional economic hub”connecting Europe to sub-Saharan Africa. Recent infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Al Boraq TGV and the development of the port of Tangier Med, today one of the largest ports in Africa and in the world, are obviously highlighted.
Another central aspect of Mohammed VI’s reign, according to the documentary, is his ambition to reposition Morocco as a major player in Africa. The documentary traces Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017, after more than three decades of absence, a landmark decision which allowed the kingdom to strengthen its ties with many African countries. This return to Africa is not only symbolic, but is part of a real economic diplomacy aimed at “establish Morocco’s influence on the continent”.
The documentary also recalls the attacks in Casablanca in 2003 and Marrakech in 2011, which deeply marked Morocco and highlighted the threat of Islamist terrorism. In response, King Mohammed VI “strengthened the capabilities of intelligence and security services” of the country, positioning Morocco as a “key partner in the international fight against terrorism”.
However, challenges remain. The documentary points out, for example, the “persistent social inequalities”exacerbated by tragic events such as the earthquake of September 2023, which revealed the “system flaws”. If urban centers like Marrakech and Casablanca have largely benefited from the modernization of the country, rural areas “suffer from poverty and lack of infrastructure”. In this context, Mohammed VI reaffirmed the need for social reforms aimed at “strengthen the social state”.
The Sahara: a strategic and diplomatic priority
One of the most complex diplomatic issues of the reign of King Mohammed VI is undoubtedly the question of Western Sahara. The documentary devotes a large part to this sensitive issue, which remains at the heart of “political concerns of the king”.
Since his accession to the throne, Mohammed VI has made the Moroccan character of the Sahara a national priority, mobilizing all diplomatic levers to obtain international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over this region.
The documentary looks back on the American recognition of the Moroccan nature of the Sahara in 2020, under the administration of Donald Trump, as part of the Abraham Accords. This diplomatic success, considered a major victory for the kingdom, allowed Mohammed VI to consolidate his power at the regional level.
However, the Sahara issue continues to fuel tensions with Algeria, historical support of the Polisario Front, a separatist movement which campaigns for the independence of the region. The documentary also highlights that this “rivalry” with Algeria remains one of Morocco’s main geopolitical challenges, with direct repercussions on bilateral relations between the two countries.
At the same time, Mohammed VI increased initiatives to “strengthen the economic development of the Sahara”particularly through investments in local infrastructure, aimed at “improve the living conditions of the Sahrawi populations” and to “establish the Moroccan presence in the region”.
France-Morocco: end of the rupture?
The documentary does not ignore the complex relations between Morocco and France, traditionally allies but often affected by periods of tension. Several recent events, such as the visa crisis and the Pegasus affair, have undermined ties between Rabat and Paris.
The visa crisis, triggered by France’s decision to drastically reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans, was “perceived as a humiliation”especially for “economic and political elites”.
The documentary returns to these episodes while explaining that the Franco-Moroccan relationship has always been “marked by ups and downs”. However, France’s recent support for the Moroccan character of the Sahara, formalized in July 2024, could “mark lasting reconciliation” between the two countries.
