As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming Marrakech Film Festival is shaping up to be a real showstopper. After last year’s more subdued edition, it’s fantastic to see this event roaring back with a lineup that rivals even Cannes or Venice.
For its upcoming edition, the Marrakech Film Festival is pulling out all the stops.
For its 21st year, this event, known for associations with prominent global filmmakers, will feature a star-studded cast similar to renowned festivals like Cannes or Venice. Despite last year’s muted edition due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and an earthquake’s aftermath, it is now scheduled to take place in the historic Moroccan city from Nov 29 to Dec 7.
Notable figures such as Sean Penn, Tim Burton, Monica Bellucci, Alfonso Cuarón, Justine Triet, Ava DuVernay, and David Cronenberg are expected to travel to Morocco. Luca Guadagnino is leading the competition jury, with Jacob Elordi and Andrew Garfield serving as distinguished members.
Below, EbMaster speaks with the fest’s artistic director Rémi Bonhomme – a former driving force behind Cannes’ Critics Week – about how he pulled it off and why having the competition titles viewed by such a strong jury “means a lot for those young filmmakers.”
In a more subdued manner last year, it reflected resilience. However, this year, Marrakech is bursting with energy once again. What changes or growth have you experienced?
Indeed, we’re returning to an unrestricted format that enables us to continue evolving our work right here, transforming Marrakech into a distinctive hub for some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers and actors. Simultaneously, we provide a platform for fresh voices in cinema through competitions featuring debut and second films from international filmmakers, as well as workshops that have been nurturing regional emerging talents effectively since their inception seven years ago. This year, we aim to intensify these efforts by fostering more interaction between these budding talents and established figures.
Speaking of big names, let’s talk about the opener, Justin Kurzel’s timely thriller “The Order,” in which Jude Law plays an FBI agent fighting neo-Nazi terrorists. Why did you want it to open the festival?
We’re thrilled to be the second festival, following Venice, to showcase the film. Justin Kurzel, whose debut film “The Snowtown Murders” was screened here and won an award, has a strong connection with us. Additionally, I have a personal relationship with him, as I programmed his first short film and “Snowtown” during my tenure at Cannes Critics Week. This return of his to open the festival and engage in conversation demonstrates the trust we’ve built with filmmakers and their desire to collaborate again with us.
This year’s jury, headed by Luca Guadagnino, boasts some heavyweight members such as Jacob Elordi and Andrew Garfield. So, what does that signify for us?
This year’s jury for Marrakech Film Festival is particularly noteworthy, standing out from previous years. It’s significant that we have Luca Guadagnino, who has a busy schedule, joining us this time around. His presence underscores the strong connection we share with filmmakers. Moreover, I’m delighted to see big-name actors like Jacob Elordi and Andrew Garfield on our jury, as they are not usually present in such international festival juries. Young filmmakers who compete in the first and second film category will greatly benefit from exposure to a star like Elordi. Additionally, Andrew Garfield, another talented actor with limited experience on major festival juries, adds to the diversity of our panel. The jury also includes Ali Abbasi, currently gaining attention for his new movie “The Apprentice”; Santiago Mitre, one of South America’s strongest voices in cinema; and Patricia Arquette, a renowned actress. This blend of established names and emerging talents makes for an exciting jury indeed.
The Conversations and Atlas Workshops also seem more integrated. How did that come to be?
Absolutely! With this latest version, we’re aiming to advance even more by fostering greater interaction between emerging talents and established figures. Our conversation program serves as a great demonstration of this, as among our esteemed guests this year, you’ll find four promising young Moroccan filmmakers – Alaa Eddine Aljem, Yasmine Benkiran, Ismaël El Iraki, and Kamal Lazraq – engaging in a dialogue. All have created captivating debut films that were nurtured by the Atlas Workshops. Showcasing these rising stars amidst such an exceptional lineup of speakers truly embodies the festival’s ethos. Furthermore, Jeff Nichols, this year’s patron of the Atlas Workshops, is a highly respected filmmaker whose work I admire deeply and has had a significant impact on emerging filmmakers. His movie “Take Shelter” serves as an inspiration for many young directors. He will be joining us to offer his insights and engage in discussions with all workshop participants.
Why do most major festivals in the Arab region occur during a particular season, typically because of the intense heat? I’m curious about your opinions on their densely packed schedule and the competition to secure premiere dates.
In essence, the local scenery is blossoming with an abundance of festivals, which is fantastic news. This growth signifies the progression of the industry not just in the Middle East, but also across Africa. Each festival, however, boasts its unique character. For us in Marrakech, this individuality aligns with what I’ve previously mentioned. The presence of renowned figures and the chance for emerging filmmakers to gain significant visibility is one of our key advantages, as well as aiding us in sourcing films. My pre-existing connections with sales agents, producers, and filmmakers have also proven beneficial. I believe that both regional and international filmmakers are drawn to Marrakech due to our distinct editorial direction and robust industry program tailored to their needs.
The strong relationship we’ve established with filmmakers is primarily thanks to our rigorous selection process and the unique opportunities our festival presents, such as regional debuts, or even world or international premieres. This year, we are proud to be showcasing nine films as world or international premieres, and we aim to expand this aspect in the future. Since I assumed the artistic leadership – this being my third year at the helm – we’ve been gradually making strides towards establishing Marrakech as not just a significant festival on the African continent and in the Middle East, but also as a potential launchpad for international films.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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2024-11-21 15:49