Dutch Filmmakers Trace Moorish Diaspora in Spain-Morocco Documentary

This documentary tells the story of the descendants of the Moors expelled from Spain in 1612 by King Felipe III. It will be filmed in part in Hornachos, the town from which the Moors were expelled, in Cordoba and Granada in Spain, and in the Moroccan cities of Tangier, Chefchaouen and Rabat. Rick Leeuwestein and Hicham Ghalbane are leading this project which will be completed in the coming months, reports Hoy.

To read: Spanish Political Party Urges Citizenship for Moorish Descendants, Calls for Historical Education Reform

Rick Leeuwestein is the producer and director of this project on which he has been working since 2008. "In 2005, I lived in Huelva for a few months and fell in love with Spanish culture. My interest in history and culture led me to the era of Al-Andalus, the expulsion of this people and their arrival in North Africa," he explains.

"More than 3,000 people had been expelled from Hornachos, this enclave of Extremadura, and settled at the mouth of the Bouregreg river, becoming strong in the medina and founding an independent republic," says the director, who adds that many of these descendants, who considered themselves an elite, still retain their Spanish surnames. This is the case of the Pérez, Molina, Carrión, Vargas.

To read: Descendants of Expelled Spanish Muslims Seek Recognition from Government

But with globalization, modernization and immigration, the identity and way of life of the Moorish communities in Morocco are "threatened with disappearance forever. The old family stories that can still be told today are so beautiful and unique that we wanted to capture them," says Rick Leeuwestein. "Our mission from the first day has been to share these stories, memories and portraits with the world before they disappear," he says.

The production company is also working on the realization of photo exhibitions taken during the filming of the documentary, as well as the organization of a concert, in collaboration with "the prestigious musical formation Marmoucha" and the recording of a special music album for the project, which will include a song by the singer Montse Cortés.