Speaking at the opening of the second edition of “La Dolce Vita in Mogador”, a long-awaited and friendly meeting of Moroccan film buffs with the great Italian film school, Mr. Azoulay welcomed “Essaouira’s reunion with the 7th Art”, recalling in this regard that “since the birth of cinematography, nearly a hundred major productions have chosen the Cité des Alizés to be filmed there and that in a gesture that remains engraved in the memory of each of us, it was to Morocco that Orson Welles dedicated his Gold Medal won at Cannes for his legendary film Othello filmed in Essaouira”.
Highlighting the vocation and exceptional potential of Essaouira “as a land of choice for the cinema industry”, Mr. Azoulay declared that “we have every reason to aim for the highest summits by mobilizing the prescribers and decision-makers of the cinema planet to encourage them to take the right measure of the offer and the assets of Morocco in Essaouira and elsewhere”.
For his part, the Italian ambassador to Rabat, Armando Barucco, welcomed the holding of this major cinematographic event, stressing that this second edition represents a real leap forward, with a program spread over four days, full of screenings and enriching meetings.
For his part, the mayor of Essaouira, Tarik Ottmani, stressed the importance of this international event which constitutes an opportunity to reconnect with the 7th art, calling in this regard for the opening of cinemas in the city of Alizés in order to allow the population to fully enjoy the cinematographic experience and contribute to the cultural influence of the city.
Alberto d’Arco, artistic director of the festival, highlighted the immense power of cinema as a vehicle for living unique experiences, exploring captivating stories, provoking reflection and finding incomparable entertainment.
This second edition includes the screening of an exceptional selection of films, notably “Brado” (Kim Rossi Stuart, 2022), “The Blue of the Caftan” (Meryem Touzani, 2023), “La Bella Estate” (Laura Luchetti, 2023), “Mur” (Kasia Smutniak, 2023), “There’s Still Tomorrow” (Paola Cortellesi, 2023), “Ali Zaoua, Prince of the Street” (Nabil Ayouch, 2000), “CIPRIA” (Giovanni Piperno, 2023), “The Man Who Didn’t Change History” (Enrico Caria, 2017), “Sergio Leone – The Italian Who Invented America” (Francesco Zippel, 2022) and “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” (Vittorio De Sica, 1963).
Further enriching this second edition of “La Dolce Vita à Mogador”, captivating “Master classes” are also offered, exploring themes such as “History and myth”, “Cinema professions: editing” and “Why Ali?”.
In addition, several meetings and debates with the public will enhance this unique cinematographic experience, the aim being to encourage an interactive and stimulating dialogue between film enthusiasts and professionals in the field, thus allowing an in-depth exploration of the themes addressed and a more nuanced understanding of the works presented.
Organized by the Essaouira-Mogador Association, in partnership with the Italian Embassy in Morocco, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, this second edition, which continues until May 11, brilliantly confirms the return in large numbers of the 7th art in the Cité des Alizés with on the menu a selection of new films and masterpieces for the greatest pleasure of film buffs.
2024-09-16 19:13:02