Euronews Culture reports from the Marrakesh Film Festival in Morocco, one of the largest in the Middle East and North Africa. As it celebrates its 21st edition, this week’s event is increasingly making its presence felt far beyond its borders.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Marrakech International Film Festival has always attracted actors and filmmakers from around the world, but now in its 21st year, Morocco’s celebration of cinema is entering a new era of maturity.
Seventy films from 32 countries are presented for film lovers. A large number of major Oscar contenders will be shown, but unlike other major events of this kind such as Venice, Cannes or Toronto, Marrakesh gives undeniably more importance to new talent from the Middle East and Africa, both emerging markets.
Luca Guadagnino, Italian-Algerian director Fag chairs the panel that will award the Golden Star for Best Picture and other prestigious awards such as Best Director and Best Actor and Actress.
The competition features 14 first or second films. The nine-member jury includes actors Virginie Efira, Patricia Arquette, Jacob Elordi, Andrew Garfield, as well as Ali Abbasi, the Iranian-Danish director Apprentice.
Among the films in competition are Saïd Hamich’s films Across the sea about the immigration of a young Moroccan to Marseille and Damian Kocur Under the volcanothe Polish Oscar for the best international feature film.
Critical Conversations
The list of actors and directors participating in this year’s talks and tributes includes Sean Penn, Alfonso Cuarón and David Cronenberg.
Remi Bonhomme, the festival’s artistic director, believes that what makes Marrakech unique is its ability to attract talent on par with the world’s biggest festivals, while also highlighting up-and-coming directors from Morocco, the Middle East and Africa.
“We pay a lot of attention to countries that are underrepresented in cinema,” he said. “We support filmmakers who have their own voice, who develop a story that is in a specific context, whether it is Iran, Morocco or the USA”
“But they don’t have to be the voice of their country. They need to have the freedom to express their personal vision,” he added.
Among the themes Bonhomme is excited about in this year’s films is family. Filmmakers, including The seed of the Holy Fig by director Mohammad Rasulof, “explore social and political influence through the scale of the family,” Bonhomme said.
The festival opened on Friday evening with The Order a gripping crime thriller starring Jude Law that follows the FBI’s pursuit of the leader of a white supremacist group.
The festival — founded by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and chaired by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid — plays a major role in presenting and promoting Moroccan films and directors.
He rarely shied away from different subjects and this year will feature Moroccan films about immigration, homosexuality, bar performers and Moroccan communist Jews.
Video editor •Joseph Allen
