2024-05-06 19:12:48
This great lady of cinema, who was the first to devote herself to the production and distribution of Moroccan and African films, brilliantly succeeds in putting her emotions and her love into her films and documentaries, offering fans of the 7th art a unique artistic experience.
“The inspiration for my films comes directly from my emotions, whether by listening to certain music or by meeting specific people,” said Izza Genini, in an interview with MAP the day after the screening of her documentary film. “Mon Souk el Khmis”, as part of the “Panorama of Moroccan cinema” section of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival.
The one nicknamed “the pioneer of Moroccan cinema”, indicated in this sense that there was never a predefined plan or intellectual approach at the origin of her creations. “Each project has always been guided by emotion, and I believe that the Moroccan public perceives it that way,” she added.
For Izza Genini, documentary is the cinema of reality, and as such it must transmit the characteristic elements of cinema in general, such as emotion and knowledge. “This is how I envisioned the creation of most of my documentary films. They arise from my own emotions, thus forming the basis of each project,” she explained.
Regarding her film “Mon Souk El Khmis”, which explores through unpublished rushes her intimate relationship with places, people and events in a mutual recognition, the great filmmaker explains that “the making of this film is not not the result of chance, because, as I believe, it imposed itself.”
“During the confinement period, I decided to save my archives and my rushes, this is how I was able to review and rediscover all the material that we had filmed, and in particular what had been specifically filmed during the filming of the film ‘Retrouver Oulad Moumen’ in 1994”, she noted.
Asked about her early career, Izza Genini indicated that “when I started my career in this field, Moroccan cinema lacked visibility and there was no significant Moroccan representation in foreign festivals, adding that “I “I have always been convinced that a country like Morocco with such talent in all fields should not be deprived of film festivals.”
“The Marrakech International Film Festival, which presents in each new edition quality and great diversity in terms of films, is proof that things have changed since time,” she underlined, noting that the denominator common between the 1st edition of the Festival and the 20th is the fact that it is made with love.
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival presents a wide range of productions with 75 films from 36 countries.
These films are divided into several sections, namely “the Official Competition”, “the Gala Screenings”, “the Special Screenings”, “the 11th continent”, “the Panorama of Moroccan cinema”, “the Young Audience screenings” and the films screened as part of the tributes.
2024-05-06 19:12:48