Octogenarian Actress Shines in Tangier-Set Drama

Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani's latest film "Calle Málaga" is set to premiere at the Venice and Toronto film festivals next month. The film is a personal love letter to the city of Tangier, inspired by Touzani's own Spanish grandmother who lived in the Moroccan city her entire life.

At the heart of the story is María Ángeles, an 80-year-old resident of the titular street, played by Spanish screen legend Carmen Maura. María's rich and complex bond with her coastal hometown is tested when her Madrileño daughter decides to sell the family home and force her to move to Spain against her wishes. Touzani mirrors her own grandmother's experience, as she watched the elderly Spanish community in Tangier struggle to remain in their adopted city.

Maura, who moved to Tangier weeks before filming to fully immerse herself in the role, brings a vibrant energy and strength of character to the part. Touzani praises the 80-year-old actress' vitality, noting that she was "always ready to push herself further" despite the physical demands of the role. The film also sensitively handles María's budding romance with a new suitor, challenging societal perceptions of aging and sexuality.

"Calle Málaga" promises to be a poignant and visually stunning exploration of identity, family, and the enduring bonds we hold to the places we call home.