This is the second session of exchanges on Moroccan cinema at the festival after an open meeting attended by Moroccan directors whose films are screened in this edition of the festival (October 8-17).
Seven films have been scheduled, namely “The Blue Caftan” (2022), “Aya et la mer” and “Adam” by Maryam Touzani (2019), as well as “Queens” by Yasmine Benkirane (2022), “Rock the Kasbah” by Laïla Marrakchi (2013), and “Horses of God” (2013) and “Ali Zawa” by Nabil Ayouch (2000).
The Festival’s Artistic Director Yaron Shamir told MAP that the objective is to “emphasize on the presence of Moroccan cinema, especially women’s cinema, because it has experienced a great leap forward and qualitative development.”
According to the Israeli official, this development is reflected in the participation of many Moroccan productions and singular filmmakers in international events, alongside the multiple awards they have been granted.
Shamir added that this choice has been a success, as the attendance on Moroccan films was important, stressing that the rooms were full and that this is also explained by the fact that many Jews are from Morocco and are interested in Moroccan culture.
“We are also proud of the presence of five female directors at the festival, which will open the door to interaction between filmmakers and form the basis for future partnerships for co-productions,” he continued.
In her speech at the conference, Moroccan international producer Khadija Alami reviewed the situation of cinema and film production in Morocco, saying that Morocco has remained for 100 years the land of filming since the Lumière brothers through Hitchcock and Orson Welles until the modern cinema.
Alami highlighted that Morocco has many filmmakers, men and women, with different and important visions, revealing that these filmmakers are currently the pride of the country as are many experienced technical teams.
She also discussed the financial and tax incentives offered by the Kingdom to encourage foreign investment, filming and production in Morocco, stating that there is no censorship in Morocco.
For his part, the representative of the Ministry of Culture and Communication, Youssef Britel, said that steps are currently underway to sign an agreement between the two countries in the field of film production.
Britel presented the important potentials of Morocco in the field of film productions, namely natural film sites, in addition to three huge studios in Ouarzazate that allow the shooting of all kinds of scenes, professional technical teams and teams of qualified comparses, given the experience they have accumulated in the field of cinema.
He also emphasized the firm commitment of the Moroccan government to develop and promote the film sector, citing, in this regard, the ongoing program to rehabilitate 150 cinemas in several regions of Morocco by the end of the current year and rehabilitation of modern screens for projection in cultural centers and youth centers.
For her part, Moroccan-Israeli Filmmaker Miriam Cohen dwelt on her plans to make documentaries on the lives of Moroccan Jews, adding that the story of the history of Moroccan Jews, the aesthetics and beauty of Moroccan culture to which they are attached have not been sufficiently addressed.
She said she will focus in this documentary work on the life of Jews in Morocco under the cultural and historical aspects through the cities, the Mellahs, cemeteries and synagogues, noting that there are many tales, dreams, stories and roots that Moroccan Jews still remember with their geography, their historical sites and their colors that must be identified and discovered by the public.
As for Raphael Barbibay, head of the Moroccan-Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he urged the actors of the film industry in both countries to establish partnerships and co-productions, maintaining that both sides are determined to overcome the various obstacles and accelerate the pace of development.
“I am of Moroccan origin and my peers and I will provide a link between the two peoples by promoting dialogue and cultural interaction,” he confirmed.
