Abandoned cinemas of Casablanca- in pictures

The ABC cinema in Casablanca, which was built in 1948, was forced to shut down in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic. All photos by AFP
The ABC cinema in Casablanca, which was built in 1948, was forced to shut down in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic. All photos by AFP
Yahla Yahla, who worked as a projectionist in Morocco for 35 years, at the empty Le Rif cinema in Casablanca.
Yahla Yahla, who worked as a projectionist in Morocco for 35 years, at the empty Le Rif cinema in Casablanca.
Despite nine million dirhams of funding for the Moroccan Centre for Cinematography, which promotes and regulates film, the industry is struggling to extract itself from the crisis.
Despite nine million dirhams of funding for the Moroccan Centre for Cinematography, which promotes and regulates film, the industry is struggling to extract itself from the crisis.
Al-Malaki cinema building has become a dumping ground for goods from the surrounding market in the working-class Derb Sultan neighbourhood in Casablanca.
Al-Malaki cinema building has become a dumping ground for goods from the surrounding market in the working-class Derb Sultan neighbourhood in Casablanca.
Al-Malaki cinema was commissioned by King Mohammed V in the 1940s, but now lies closed and derelict.
Al-Malaki cinema was commissioned by King Mohammed V in the 1940s, but now lies closed and derelict.
Al-Malaki once seated more than 1,000 moviegoers.
Al-Malaki once seated more than 1,000 moviegoers.
'I have unforgettable memories from that cinema. I learned my trade there,' says Yahla Yahla, recalling working at the Regent theatre in Meknes.
'I have unforgettable memories from that cinema. I learned my trade there,' says Yahla Yahla, recalling working at the Regent theatre in Meknes.
Today, only 27 theatres remain open across Morocco, which has a population of of 37 million.
Today, only 27 theatres remain open across Morocco, which has a population of of 37 million.