The national flag was raised in the morning at the city hall to celebrate Morocco, “land of cinema and filming” which continues to distinguish itself by its capacity to inspire international film productions.
In this essential place for discovering the gems of French-language films, the public is invited to discover the diversity of Moroccan cinematographic creation and immerse themselves in the worlds of different generations of filmmakers who bring as many visions of society and the world.
Their works will be highlighted throughout the festival (August 27-September 1) through a retrospective of emblematic films, including the very first Moroccan feature film “Fils Maudit” by Mohamed Ousfour.
“This year, the Francophone Film Festival in Angoulême pays tribute to Moroccan cinema, by presenting a selection of short and feature films that reflect the essence and evolution of the Kingdom’s film industry in recent years,” said critic Jihane Bougrine in presenting the festival’s tribute section.
Noting that since the 1950s, Moroccan cinema has distinguished itself with films that “depict the social realities of the country, made by talented filmmakers with unique visions”, the person who contributed to the design of this tribute emphasizes that by celebrating this cinema, the Francophone Film Festival in Angoulême “offers the public a rare opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness and diversity of contemporary Moroccan cinema, marked by works that are both daring and deeply human”.
In addition to the work of Mohamed Ousfour, the retrospective dedicated to Moroccan cinema includes, among others, films such as “Le Grand Voyage” by Ismaël Ferroukhi, “Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue” by Nabil Ayouch, “Marock” by Leila Marrakchi and “Adam” by Maryam Touzani, also present as a member of the jury chaired by the famous actress and director Kristin Scott Thomas.
FFA d’Angoulême 2024 also offers, “as a world premiere”, the feature film “La Damnée” by Abel Danan, as well as the documentary “De quelques évènements sans signification” by Mustapha Derkaoui.
In total, more than sixty films will be presented during this 17th edition of the FFA, including ten in competition and fifteen in preview.
“Everybody Loves Touda” screened at “Cannes Première”, by Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch, will be screened as a preview, as will the comedy “A l’Ancienne” by Hervé Mimran, and “Le Choix du pianiste”, directed by Jacques Otmezguine.
On the sidelines of the FFA, which promises a rich and varied program oscillating between tributes and exhibitions, a series of photos by Moroccan photographer and videographer Leila Alaoui (1982-2016) will be exhibited, in collaboration with the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA).
In parallel with the tribute to Moroccan cinema, the Angoulême City Hall is setting up a “Moroccan Market” in the city, inviting festival-goers to “enjoy the authenticity and charm of Moroccan craftsmanship”, with basketwork, pottery, jewelry, argan oil, caftans, a tea room and henna tattoo workshops on the menu.
Created in 2008 and dedicated to French-speaking cinema, the FFA is held in the city of Angoulême, in Charente in the South-West of France.
Every year, at the end of summer, it establishes itself as the unmissable event of the cultural season in France.
2024-09-25 20:58:25