Nandita Das, a judge at the festival, descends the staircase to attend the premiere of John Rabe. Photo Credit: Getty Images
It’s no secret that Morocco’s film industry has been buzzing of late, with filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Oliver Stone using it as the backdrop for titanic Hollywood mega-hits while the local industry continues to gain a stronger and stronger voice.
But now, that success is on full display. This weekend saw the opening of the ninth Marrakech Film Festival in the former imperial capital, and throughout the week 100 films will be shown with fifteen up for competition for the Etoile D’Or, the jury prize, and the actor and actress awards.
Friday’s opening night fete at the Palais des Congrès saw drummers from Korea and Morocco perform “jugalbandhi” while members of the 10-person jury — including Palestinian director Elia Suleiman as well as British director Mike Figgis, French actress Fanny Ardant, and India’s gorgeous Nandita Das — walked down a winding stairway to the stage below for their introductions.
Then, a grand dinner of seven-courses alongside the Prince of Morocco, Moulay Rachid. After a tribute to American actor, Christopher Walken, there was a screening of a feel-good movie from Germany – John Rabe by Florian Gallenberger, who attended alongside his cast and crew. It centers on a book by John Rabe about a German who despite being a member of the Nazi party works against it — saving around 250,000 Chinese people in 1937 when the Japanese invaded.
Ulrich Tukur in ‘John Rabe’ Photo Credit: John Rabe
Other selections in the festival will focus on another good act in the face of hardship — those who struggle against climate change. Along with An Inconvenient Truth (USA) and The Titanic Syndrome (France), is Home – by France’s Yann-Arthus Bertrand.
“Thanks to this festival, the Moroccan public can see the world through the eyes of international film-makers,” said the festival’s artistic director, Bruno Barde. It’s “the only festival in the Maghreb without a hint of censorship”, he continued, going on to point out that all selections are subtitled in English, French and Arabic.
Palestinian director and member of the jury, Elia Suleiman, added that the fest allows cultures to come together. “What fascinates me,” Suleiman said, “is that the people who take part manage to say some very personal things.”
Opening Night
South Korean delegation Photo Credit: Getty Images
SAR Prince Moulay Rachid and American actress Kim Cattrall Photo Credit: Getty Images
Italian actress Isabella Ferrari, Spanish actress Marisa Paredes, Iranian film director and president of the jury Abbas Kiarostami, Indian film actress and director Nandita Das, French actress Fanny Ardant, (from top L) French director Christophe Honore, Moroccan dancer and choreographer Lahcen Zinoun, Argentine film producer Pablo Trapero, Palestinian director Elia Suleiman and British director Mike Figgis pose for pictures. Photo Credit: Getty Images
French actress Vahina Giocante Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mexican director Rigoberto Perezcano (R) and Mexican actor Harold Torres Photo Credit: Getty Images
Moroccans watch an open air screening of the movie Home by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand on Jemaa El Fna square Photo Credit: Getty Images
South-Korean diretor Park Chan Wook receives a tribute (Golden Star) from Iranian director and president jury Abbas Kiarostami Photo Credit: Getty Images
Serbian director Emir Kusturica Photo Credit: Getty Images
Egyptian actors Yousra El Louzy, Khaled Abol Naga and Aya Soliman pose during a photocall. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Christophe Walken attends a 'Hairspray' Screening held on Jemaa El Fna Square Photo Credit: Getty Images
