Immersed in the vibrant world of creativity since childhood, Lilya Ennadre attributes her artistic upbringing largely to her parents’ unwavering dedication to their crafts. This nurturing family environment would profoundly influence her professional journey. «My mother was constantly absorbed in her work. Like many accomplished directors, her creativity was seamlessly woven into her daily life. Everything surrounding us served as fuel for her reflections on current and prospective film projects. She possessed an incredible talent for observation, and through her insights, she cultivated in me a similar lens to perceive the world», recalls the French-Moroccan actress with fondness.
«My father, who is equally passionate about filmmaking, has poured his entire life into capturing the social struggles he advocates for and the realities of the world around him. Growing up, I was continuously accompanied by this unique perspective offered by the daily gaze of a camera», Lilya Ennadre shares. From a very young age, the Paris native felt «constantly inhabited by this fervent desire for cinema, this intrinsic need to tell stories that matter».
«Today, I channel that passion as an actress, yet I approach my craft with a method that is almost documentarian. Each role I undertake involves extensive preparation—delving into the necessary background, engaging in intellectual exploration, and thoroughly understanding the character before I ever step in front of the camera. This meticulous approach is deeply rooted in my parents’ documentary lineage», she elaborates.
«My childhood was a tapestry of imaginative play, woven with the longing to be a comedian, so much so that I don’t recall the singular moment of my revelation. I spent countless hours inventing characters and was completely captivated by the film sets, absorbing the emotional stories that unfolded in front of my mother’s lens… She recognized my burgeoning passion for cinema long before I did, yet both my parents held reservations about my future in the industry. Eventually, when they grasped the depth of my commitment, they fully embraced my path with unwavering support», she reflects.
Lilya Ennadre
A Cinema of everyday people
As the daughter of renowned Moroccan documentary filmmaker Dalila Ennadre, actress Lilya Ennadre carries cherished memories and invaluable life lessons from her late mother, who sadly passed away in May 2020. «The last piece of wisdom she imparted to me was about cinema: ‘My daughter, you possess remarkable talent, but you must be willing to work hard.’ Today, I pour all my energy into this pursuit, whether through taking classes, preparing for roles, or expanding my professional network. This advice serves as my guiding principle to remain grounded», Lilya Ennadre states, expressing gratitude as she organizes a traveling retrospective of her late mother’s significant body of work across the French Institutes in Morocco.
This tour, spanning ten cities, is curated by Laya Prod, a production and distribution venture initiated by Dalila Ennadre in 2019, now spearheaded by Lilya Ennadre. The retrospective has garnered support from the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), 2M, the BMCI Foundation, and Culture Plus Conseil. The actress beams with excitement as this project comes to fruition. «I reached out to the French Institutes, who showed a tremendous warmth in their response. Things fell into place swiftly, even a bit ahead of the anticipated date I had envisioned for the five-year anniversary», she shares enthusiastically.
For Lilya, this project acts as «a heartfelt expression of gratitude to [her] mother, honoring the invaluable heritage she left behind and the films that communicate insightful life lessons». In this endeavor, «reviving her memory and recounting her story» allows the young artist to keep her connection with her late mother alive. «The resonance of memory is what sustains a person’s presence in our minds», Lilya emphasizes.
«At this point in my life, I feel confident that my mother and father are proud of my journey and the fact that I remain true to my convictions in the roles I choose», she notes. In Morocco, Lilya Ennadre has deliberately made this retrospective both a tribute to her mother and an opportunity for shared reflections that embody Dalila Ennadre’s vision of cinema. The program includes seven impactful documentaries addressing pressing social issues, «to ensure that this precious heritage reverberates through time».
Lilya Ennadre aspires that «this tour doesn’t only exist within Morocco’s borders». She harbors ambitions to extend this initiative to France, Spain, and Egypt, recognizing that the themes explored in these films «transcend cultural boundaries and resonate universally». However, initiating the event within Morocco is rooted in Dalila Ennadre’s «deep emotional ties» to her homeland. Lilya reflects on her mother’s remarkable resilience, sharing that she devoted extraordinary energy to her craft, especially during the last two challenging years of her life.
Indeed, the actress reminisces that each of her mother’s visits to Morocco served to «replenish the vital energy» needed for her creative endeavors. «In her encounters, she consistently unearthed the essence of her humanitarian mission», underlines her daughter. The opening film featured in this retrospective was Dalila Ennadre’s posthumous documentary, titled «Jean Genet, Our Father of Flowers». Lilya personally supervised the completion of this significant work, which has received awards for its artistic merit and innovative contribution to the documentary genre.
Projects between fiction and documentary approach
Previously, the young actress often accompanied her mother during filming, deeply experiencing the cultural richness of Casablanca’s medina, the area where Dalila Ennadre herself was raised. At the tender ages of 8 and 9, Lilya spent an immersive year within her maternal family’s neighborhood. There, she absorbed the daily rituals and lifestyles of the women within that historic Casablanca district, attended public school, learned Arabic, and developed a keen understanding of the social dynamics affecting her community, neighbors, and relatives.
«Without the influence of my mother’s films, I would not have come to appreciate Morocco in the way that I do now. She was a true voice for the people, and I am honored to carry forward her legacy. I was privileged to witness the intimate storytelling of the individuals she filmed, especially the women of the medina, highlighted in ‘El Batalett’, accessible on the French Institute of Morocco’s social networks. Her films educated me to look beyond the stereotypes that cinema often enforces. I have learned to see Moroccan women without preconceived notions or clichés», reflects Lilya Ennadre.
One can conclude that Dalila Ennadre «crafted her films to serve as a mirror for the people, allowing them to identify and connect with their stories, which is the reason she is so cherished». Step by step, while she navigates her artistic path and her mother’s legacy, Lilya finds herself increasingly inclined towards directing, particularly fiction, as it affords greater creative liberty to explore her imagination. She confides that she feels «more and more compelled by the beauty of her homeland».
«Just a year ago, the thought of stepping behind the camera never crossed my mind. I always found joy in accompanying my mother, yet I felt no urge to film myself. Now, as I deeply invest in preserving her legacy and drawing from her cinematic universe, I realize how many stories are waiting to be told and expressed», Lilya Ennadre shares.
This realization has taken root in Lilya Ennadre’s mind since last May. Following an impactful «flash» and intensely «vivid images», she now experiences a «burning desire» to create a biographical film that celebrates her mother’s extraordinary life—«the woman who dedicated herself to recording the lives of others». «I wish to gift her this cinematic tribute and unveil the more intimate aspects of her life, the influences that steered her toward cinema, and the remarkable journey that inspired her to explore the universal questions poignantly raised in her films», the actress reveals passionately.
«I hold deep admiration for her strength, her unwavering resilience, and the profound humanity she embodied. In alignment with her last film’s themes, she posed the essential question of how we navigate our pain and harness it to live meaningfully», Lilya Ennadre articulates. This poignant reflection echoes the essence of the late director’s posthumous work, in which «she captured life within a cemetery, all the while grappling with the weight of her illness».
For the heir to this cinematic legacy, «this message carries a universal undertone of hope and love». As she simultaneously engages in acting projects, she envisions her forthcoming film as a fictional narrative, telling the story of «an individual who has devoted her entire life to remaining steadfast in the face of life’s adversities».
– How has Lilya Ennadre’s upbringing shaped her perspective on storytelling and her commitment to cinema?
**Interview with Lilya Ennadre: Honoring Heritage Through Cinema**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Lilya. Your journey in film is deeply intertwined with your family background. Can you tell us how your upbringing influenced your path as an actress?
**Lilya Ennadre:** Thank you for having me! Growing up in a family where creativity was the norm shaped my perspective on storytelling from a very young age. My mother, a talented director, infused our daily life with her artistic vision. Everything became a source of inspiration, and she encouraged me to look closely at the world. My father, a passionate filmmaker, focused on capturing social issues. This unique viewpoint instilled in me a passion for cinema and a commitment to telling stories that matter.
**Editor:** Your recent project is a retrospective of your mother’s work. What does this mean to you personally?
**Lilya Ennadre:** This retrospective is not just a project; it’s a love letter to my mother. It’s my way of honoring her legacy and keeping her memory alive. Her last words to me were about the importance of hard work in our craft, and I aim to embody that in everything I do, whether it’s through preparation for a role or organizing this retrospective.
**Editor:** You mentioned the retrospective features documentaries addressing pressing social issues. Why is it important for you to highlight these themes?
**Lilya Ennadre:** My mother’s films served as a mirror for the people; they reflected their struggles and triumphs. By showcasing these documentaries, I want to ensure that her vision continues to resonate and inspires conversations about the important social issues we face. It’s crucial that we project these stories to the world, beyond Morocco, because they hold universal significance.
**Editor:** You also expressed a desire to expand this initiative internationally. What are your aspirations for this project moving forward?
**Lilya Ennadre:** I hope to take this retrospective to France, Spain, and Egypt, as I believe my mother’s work transcends cultural barriers. Starting in Morocco feels essential due to her deep-rooted connection to her homeland. I dream of spreading these narratives beyond borders so more people can engage with the powerful themes found in her films.
**Editor:** Lastly, as an actress influenced by both fiction and documentary styles, how do you see your future evolving in the industry?
**Lilya Ennadre:** I find myself increasingly drawn to directing, as it allows for greater creative freedom. While I cherish my acting roles, I want to explore the storytelling aspect more deeply. The beauty of my homeland and the stories it holds inspire me immensely. I see a blend of fiction and documentary in my future projects—capturing the essence of real life while crafting imaginative narratives.
**Editor:** Thank you, Lilya. Your passion for honoring your mother’s legacy while forging your own path is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing how your journey unfolds.
**Lilya Ennadre:** Thank you! It means the world to me to share my story and my mother’s legacy.