Rising Star Ambar Tesoudali: From Kickboxing Champion to Silver Screen Debut
Doha – Ambar Tesoudali, the 13-year-old Moroccan-Belgian kickboxing prodigy and promising champion from Borgerhout, Belgium, has made her debut in the highly anticipated film 'Patsers 2,' which premiered on February 17 in Antwerp.
Initially selected by actress Nora Gharib for a role that was later removed from the script, Tesoudali still contributed to the production through her boxing expertise and served as a stand-in for Gharib.
The film, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for directing 'Bad Boys for Life,' features Matteo Simoni reprising his role as Adamo.
The sequel to the 2018 film 'Patser' takes a darker turn in exploring Antwerp's drug world, with production handled by The Searchers company.
At the premiere, Tesoudali reunited with cast members including Nora Gharib, Junes Lazaar, Jennifer Heylen, and Said Boumazoughe, a Moroccan-Belgian actor who has become an inspiration for young people.
The event drew notable attendees, including Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever, Paul Jambers, and filmmaker Jan Verheyen.
Read also: Five Biggest Moroccan Athlete Wins in ONE Championship in 2024
The young athlete's involvement in 'Patsers 2' follows her recent victory at the International Fight Promotion (IFP) championship in Germany, where she claimed the youth title in the 46 kg category in December 2024.
Tesoudali began her martial arts journey with taekwondo at age five before transitioning to kickboxing at eight, earning recognition from legendary kickboxers Ernesto Hoost, who dubbed her the 'queen of the ring,' and Andy Sauwer.
'Patsers 2' is set for nationwide release in Belgian cinemas on February 19. The film's story, developed with input from crime journalist Joris van der Aa, blends fiction with real events from Antwerp's criminal underworld.
While the directors were unable to attend the premiere due to commitments in Saudi Arabia, the film showcases their evolution as filmmakers despite working with a significantly smaller budget than their Hollywood projects.
The film also features performances from Pommelien Thijs, Ward Kerremans, Louis Talpe, Geert Van Rampelberg, and Dutch actors Yolanthe Cabau and Soundos El Ahmadi. Tags: Belgian CinemaMoroccan TalentYouth Sports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
8 hours ago
- Morocco World
Newcastle and Liverpool Eye Moroccan Starlet Aït Boudlal
Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is attracting growing interest from top clubs across Europe after a solid loan spell at Amiens. According to Africa Foot, Premier League sides Newcastle United and Liverpool are both keen on the Rennes center-back. Newcastle are understood to have met with the player's camp, while Liverpool have reportedly tabled a formal offer. French clubs OGC Nice and Lille are also monitoring him closely, with two top-half La Liga teams joining the chase. Aït Boudlal joined Rennes from Morocco's Mohammed VI Academy in July 2024. He spent the first half of the 2024–25 season playing for Rennes II in Championnat National 3 before moving to Amiens on loan in February. Despite joining mid-season, Aït Boudlal quickly became a regular starter for Amiens, making nine league appearances – eight as a starter – and registering one assist in a 3–2 win over Guingamp. His physical presence, composure, and sharp positioning have been widely praised. Amiens finished the season mid-table, in 11th. At 1.90m tall, Aït Boudlal is a commanding figure in defense. He captained Morocco at U17 level, leading them to runners-up finishes in the 2022 Arab Cup and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored in the U17 AFCON final and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament. He also represented Morocco at the 2023 U17 World Cup. In October 2023, The Guardian named him among the 60 best young footballers in the world born in 2006. Still under contract with Rennes until 2028, Aït Boudlal faces a crucial summer. His next move could be a defining step in his career. Tags: Aït BoudlalAmiensLiverpoolNewcastleRennes
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Taza Hosts Cultural Week Reclaiming Its Place on Cultural Map
Fez – From May 24 to 30,, the city of Taza witnessed the launch of an unprecedented event: the first edition of Taza Cultural Week, organized by the Forum Friouato for Cinema, Culture and Creation, in partnership with the Bahitoune Foundation and with the support of the Ministry of Culture's provincial delegation. This week-long celebration aimed to reposition Taza as a vibrant center of artistic and intellectual life in Morocco. According to Dr. Boujema El Aoufi, university professor, poet, art critic, and president of the organizing association, the timing was no accident. 'We felt it was the right moment to make culture heard in Taza,' he said to Morocco World News. 'This city is rich in history and talent, yet it has remained on the sidelines of Morocco's major cultural dynamics for too long.' The ambition of the inaugural edition was clear: not to create a fleeting event, but to lay the groundwork for a long-term cultural movement. The program included cinema screenings, visual art exhibitions, musical performances, and literary discussions, all with a strong focus on inclusion and participation. Local artists and intellectuals were given space to express themselves, while guests from other Moroccan regions brought outside perspectives to enrich the exchange. 'This week was a call to meet, create, and reflect,' El Aoufi said. 'We wanted to break the symbolic silence surrounding Taza and present it as a living cultural hub, not a forgotten city.' One of the event's primary goals was to stimulate the local cultural scene and create a ripple effect across the city. El Aoufi and his team hope that the week will encourage the emergence of new projects, inspire young people, and persuade institutional and economic actors to view culture as a necessary pillar of development, not a luxury. 'Strong, silent, longing for a cultural space like this' The event also served as a response to a longstanding problem: Taza's marginalization in the national cultural narrative. 'Through this manifestation, we wanted to say that Taza has something to contribute, something to share,' El Aoufi explained. The initiative spotlighted not only the city's tangible heritage but also its intangible cultural wealth, including ancestral knowledge, intellectual legacies, and untold stories. Thematic coherence played a key role in the success of the week. Every lecture, book presentation, and guest selection was curated around two ideas: memory and engaged creativity. The aim was to create dialogue between disciplines and generations: writers, researchers, and citizens engaged in discussions about identity, history, and social transformation. The path, however, was not without challenges. Convincing partners to support a first edition proved difficult. Coordinating diverse venues, participants, and audiences required intense logistics. 'It took persuasion, patience, and collective passion,' El Aoufi admitted. But the turnout, energy, and feedback from the community made the effort worthwhile. The most valuable takeaway? 'A collective momentum,' said El Aoufi. 'People responded with enthusiasm. There was a strong, sometimes silent, longing for a cultural space like this.' Looking ahead, the organizers aim to strengthen partnerships, establish a permanent cultural coordination committee, expand programming throughout the year, especially in schools and rural areas, and increase media outreach to secure a lasting impact. In Dr. El Aoufi's words: 'This first edition was a founding stone. The next step is to build a solid, inclusive, and future-oriented cultural architecture around it.' Tags: Cultural activitiesCulture in TazaTaza' Cultural Week
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Hakimi, LeBlanc Pendant Speaks to Moroccan Hearts and Heritage
Doha – Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi and renowned jewelry designer Mimia LeBlanc have joined forces to create a distinctive pendant honoring their shared Moroccan heritage. The collaboration and product were officially revealed on May 21. The jewelry piece features a traditional Moroccan door design with the map of Morocco carefully carved inside. This distinctive creation represents more than mere adornment—it stands as a tribute to Moroccan culture, craftsmanship, and natural beauty. 'Conceived with pride, crafted with love, and inspired by Morocco's eternal soul,' LeBlanc described the piece on her Instagram account. The announcement included a promotional video showcasing Morocco's cities, traditions, craftsmanship, and natural landscapes, with Hakimi proudly wearing the necklace throughout. The collaboration represents a powerful fusion of athletic excellence and artistic craftsmanship. It brings together the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player and the respected jewelry creator in a project deeply rooted in their cultural identity. Hakimi's involvement extended far beyond lending his name to the project. The international right-back participated actively throughout the creative process, from initial sketches to selecting materials. Every element was carefully considered through ongoing dialogue between the athlete and the designer. LeBlanc, known for her meticulous attention to detail, transformed their shared vision into a tangible ornament that balances traditional Moroccan motifs with contemporary design elements. Her craftsmanship brings together the heritage of the past with modern sensibilities. The pendant represents a meaningful symbol of cultural identity rather than a mere fashion accessory. It speaks to Moroccans both at home and abroad, connecting generations through beauty and memory. This collaboration shows a trend where partnerships transcend commercial interests to create something profoundly personal. The Hakimi-LeBlanc jewelry piece demonstrates how luxury and authenticity can coexist, with Morocco serving as a source of creative inspiration. The campaign has electrified audiences worldwide, transforming a simple adornment into a celebration of Moroccan identity and cultural pride. Just days after this jewelry launch, Hakimi cemented his legendary status by helping PSG secure their first-ever Champions League title with a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan on May 31, further elevating his profile as both an athletic and cultural icon. Tags: Achraf Hakimimimia leblancMoroccan heritage
