2024-05-09 02:29:18
“This edition will present 75 films from 36 countries. This is a selection that highlights different film genres, including comedy, drama, mainstream films, as well as more cutting-edge arthouse films” , indicated Mr. Hajji in an interview with MAP.
According to Mr. Hajji, Moroccan cinema is widely represented this year in all sections of the festival, explaining that two Moroccan directors find themselves in competition, namely Asmae El Mudir and Kamal Lazraq.
“The two filmmakers were accompanied and supported a few years ago during the writing stage, as part of the Atlas Workshops, held on the sidelines of the Marrakech Festival,” he said. said, recalling that “the two directors were also selected and awarded during this professional program in 2019”.
In this regard, he noted that the two films “The Mother of All Lies” by Asmae El Moudir and “Les Meutes” by Kamal Lazraq, which have had very good international careers in prestigious festivals, will be premiered regional in Marrakech this week during the 20th edition of the Festival.
Mr. Hajji further noted that “for the first time in the history of the Festival, the jury is predominantly female. Six out of nine jury members are women, he said, noting that he also reflects the desire of the president of the jury, Jessica Chastain, to be at the head of a majority female jury.
Concerning the participating films, he noted that the selection committee was very attentive this year so that there was a certain parity and female representation, noting that among the 14 films selected in the competition, 8 are directed by women. .
On the other hand, the general coordinator of the Festival mentioned the tribute that will be paid to Faouzi Bensaïdi, “a major author of Moroccan cinema for more than 20 years now”, noting that his first feature film “A Thousand Months” was was presented at the opening of the Marrakech Festival in 2003.
“Faouzi Bensaïdi returns 20 years later to the Marrakech Festival with this tribute which will be paid to him both as a filmmaker and actor,” he added.
Concerning the programming of this 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, he indicated that “it will be centered on the DNA of the Festival, namely film screenings and debates, professional meetings and conversations organized with great names in world cinema.
Mr. Hajji stressed that the Marrakech Festival attracts hundreds of professionals who come each year not only to promote their films but also to participate in the meetings organized within the framework of the Atlas Workshops, adding that “the Festival is a real event professional”.
In this regard, he welcomed the worldwide recognition of the Ateliers d’Atlas following the appointment of the famous American director Martin Scorsese as sponsor, adding that “this association represents an important step for the festival, thus consolidating its position as a major event in the world of cinema.
“This year, we are presenting nine films from the Atlas Workshops, including five of Moroccan origin, notably “Animalia” by Sofia Alaoui and “Zanka Contact” by Ismaël El Iraki, he added.
2024-05-09 02:29:18