The Love (2022)
A tender, unflinching Dutch drama about a Moroccan-Dutch man who comes out to his family and confronts the silence that has long divided them.
The Love - Movie Information
- Original Title: El Houb
- Release Year: 2022
- Directed by: Shariff Nasr
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: Arabic
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, Dutch, English, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 13, 2022 (Netherlands - 12), April 27, 2023 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: El Houb - The Love (CA), الحب (MA)
- Production Companies: BIND, VPRO
- Production Countries: Netherlands
The Love - Plot
Rotterdam, the Moroccan-Dutch Karim tells his parents that he is attracted to men. After years of keeping up appearances, the word is finally out. The difficult days that follow evoke beautiful and poignant memories. He realizes that he has to confront his family to finally break the silence. But in order to be accepted, he must come to terms with his own feelings first.
The Love - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the emotional journey at the heart of this story:
Let love speak.
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The Love - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Shariff Nasr
Main Cast
- Fahd Larhzaoui
- Lubna Azabal
- Slimane Dazi
- Sabri Saddik
- Yahya Gaier
- Emmanuel Ohene Boafo
- Britte Lagcher
- Nasrdin Dchar
- Walid Benmbarek
- Sebastian Mrkvicka
Writers
- Shariff Nasr
- Fahd Larhzaoui
- Sahil Amar Aïssa
- Tofik Dibi
- Philip Delmaar
Producers
- Piet-Harm Sterk
- Joram Willink
The Love - FAQs
Where can you watch The Love (2022)?
The Love is available to stream on Tubi TV for free and on Kanopy. It can also be streamed via Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Digital rental and purchase options are available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Is The Love based on a true story?
The Love is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws on deeply personal and culturally authentic experiences. Co-writer Tofik Dibi, a Dutch-Moroccan politician who publicly came out as gay, contributed to the screenplay, lending the film a strong autobiographical resonance and emotional authenticity.
Who are the main actors in The Love?
The Love stars Fahd Larhzaoui as Karim Zahwani, the young Moroccan-Dutch man at the heart of the story. He is joined by acclaimed actress Lubna Azabal as his mother Fatima, Slimane Dazi as his father Abbas, Sabri Saddik as his brother Redouan, and Nasrdin Dchar as his friend Soufian.
What is The Love (2022) about?
Set in Rotterdam, The Love follows Karim, a Moroccan-Dutch man who comes out to his family as gay. The film explores the turbulent aftermath of his revelation through a blend of present-day confrontations and tender memories, examining identity, cultural expectations, family bonds, and the courage required to live authentically.
Does The Love have a happy ending?
The Love concludes on a note of cautious, hard-won hope rather than a tidy resolution. Karim does not receive immediate acceptance, but the film suggests that honest confrontation opens a path toward healing. The ending prioritizes emotional truth over easy reconciliation, leaving space for both grief and the possibility of love.
Who directed The Love and who wrote it?
The Love was directed by Shariff Nasr, making a striking feature debut. The screenplay was written collaboratively by Shariff Nasr, lead actor Fahd Larhzaoui, Sahil Amar Aïssa, Dutch-Moroccan politician and activist Tofik Dibi, and Philip Delmaar, giving the script a rich, multi-perspective authenticity.
When was The Love released and in which countries?
The Love had its initial theatrical release in the Netherlands on October 13, 2022, with a rating of 12. It subsequently opened in Germany on April 27, 2023, also rated 12. The film is a Dutch production, produced by BIND and VPRO.
What language is The Love filmed in?
The Love is primarily filmed in Arabic, reflecting the Moroccan heritage of the Zahwani family at the center of the story. The film also incorporates Dutch, English, and French, mirroring the multilingual reality of Moroccan-Dutch communities in cities like Rotterdam.
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