Impressions of youth (Morocco)


  • Photographer
    Vittoria Dussoni
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Company/Studios
    Vitt
  • Date of Photograph
    january 2010
  • Technical Info
    b&w film 120

In Morocco the desire of so many young men to go to "the West" leaves on a visitor an overwhelming impression. Some will never attempt to go, therefore theirs will remain an unfulfilled desire. If a young Moroccan is not inclined to fulfill traditional social roles he will have to face paternal disappointment and, probably, personal conflict due to the religious upbringing. In fact, it is easy to feel inadequate if one is incapable of meeting these requirements and it is difficult to escape judgement especially if you live in a small town. The image of a young man looking back through the iron bars of the cale'che rightfully remains with me. Those bars are like the invisible ones that young Moroccan feel are keeping them from getting to the West. Longings, reality, myths and beauty intertwine in my images of Moroccan young men.

Story

In Morocco the desire of so many young people to go to "the West" leaves on a visitor an overwhelming impression. Some will never attempt to go, therefore theirs will remain an unfulfilled desire. If a young Moroccan is not inclined to fulfill traditional social roles he will have to face paternal disappointment and, probably, personal conflict due to the religious upbringing. In fact, it is easy to feel inadequate if one is incapable of meeting cultural and religious expectations and it is difficult to escape judgement especially if one lives in a small town.
The image of a young man looking back through the iron bars of the cale'che rightfully remains with me. Those bars are like the invisible ones that young Moroccans feel are keeping them from getting to the West.
Also, the impression lingers within me of visitors and their expectations of the "Orient". To be viewed through such a prism further confuses a young Moroccan's idea of self worth; for a young man it is difficult to be happy with his lot when he perceives that material power resides elsewhere.
Moroccan youths live in a struggle (not unfamiliar to many other countries) almost a paradox between a will to break away and a loyalty to their country and its customs.
Longings, reality, myths and beauty intertwine in my images of Moroccan young men.

You can create multiple entries, and pay for them at the same time.
Just go to your History, and select multiple entries that you would like to pay for.