This meeting of cinematographic and intellectual exploration, enhanced by the presence of the Advisor to His Majesty the King and Founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, Mr. André Azoulay, the President of the Essaouira Municipal Council, Tarik Ottmani, and other Moroccan and foreign personalities from various backgrounds, was an opportunity to debate in depth the relationship between exile and artistic creation, while highlighting the crucial role of cinema in the reflection and representation of these realities.
Speaking at this meeting held under the theme “the ordeal of exile in cinema around the world”, the artistic director of the festival, Catherine Becker, underlined the centrality of the theme of exile in the context of this edition, stressing the importance of exploring how experiences of displacement influence and enrich cinematographic and artistic creation.
Ms. Becker also highlighted the diversity of perspectives offered by the participating filmmakers and actors, who, through their varied backgrounds, bring deep and nuanced reflections on the realities and challenges of exile, saying that the festival aims to create a space for dialogue and understanding, where art becomes a powerful means of connecting and sharing human experiences.
For her part, Moroccan actress Latifa Ahrar highlighted the fundamental role of cinema as a vector of memory and projection towards the future.
Sharing her personal reflections, she spoke about her own experiences of frequent travel, highlighting the impact these experiences have had on her perception of cinema.
“Cinema and cultural transmission help to recreate a sense of belonging and maintain our collective heritage,” she observed, adding that she found refuge in literature and theater, fields that allowed her to deepen her understanding of human nature.
For his part, Hamid Fardjad, a filmmaker of Iranian origin, shed light on his migratory journey to Europe before settling in Morocco, revealing the challenges and opportunities arising from this major transition in his life.
With a track record that includes several international achievements, Mr. Fardjad explained how these experiences of exile opened up new perspectives on economic and political mechanisms for him, thus enriching his artistic sensitivity and his understanding of the world.
Taking the floor in turn, Moroccan actress Soumaya Akaaboune highlighted the importance of exile and displacement in her artistic development, sharing poignant anecdotes about the different cultures and experiences that have enriched her perspective and nourished her acting.
She also discussed how her Moroccan roots continue to influence and support her creative approach, even abroad, expressing her belief that art can transcend borders and build bridges between people.
Saena Sadighian-Delacroix, a French artist and author of Iranian origin, recounted her journey of rediscovering her cultural roots, detailing how her time spent in Paris, surrounded by people from diverse backgrounds, was a source of inspiration for her creativity and artistic projects.
In this perspective, she highlighted the complexity and richness of the experience of exile, evoking the multiple facets and dynamics of artistic creation that result from it.
Other speakers thus looked in turn at the various dimensions of exile and artistic creation, offering a rich and varied panorama of the experiences and reflections of each.
In addition, they explored the emotional and psychological impacts of exile, the challenges of integrating into new cultures, and how these experiences shape and enrich their artistic work.
2024-09-08 11:15:27