The Marrakech international film festival “FIFM” kicked off today in the Ocre city, celebrating cinema and showing continued solidarity with the victims of the Al Haouz earthquake, a tragedy that struck Morocco on September 8, leaving unerasable traces on the local community.
This 20th edition of the prestigious cinema celebration kicked off with an unusual Red carpet and TV line show, away from the public gaze, held in a discrete venue.
However, there were masses of film enthusiasts without entry to the festival, lining the streets for hours to get a peek at their idols.
The festival expressed its support for the Al Haouz tragedy, which struck not far from the festival’s traditional location.
At the opening ceremony hall, the festival foundation played a number of videos featuring Moroccan artists contributing to the rehabilitation and restoration of the area.
The foundation made 1.500 donations of food and basic clothing needs, in the hope of helping alleviate the damage.
With an unrivaled jury led by Jessica Chastain, who delivered a moving speech on all the tragedies changing today’s world and mentioned that there was no light months prior to the festival and that it could have been canceled, the festival is still showing national and international cinema twenty years later from the first edition.
“So grateful to be back in Morocco, one of the most enchanting places in the world to be celebrating cinema,” said the Oscar-winning actress.
She expressed her immense gratitude to King Mohammed VI, and thanked the festival foundation, chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid, for “moving forward.”
“This journey is truly historic, consisting of 6 women and three men,” emphasized Chastain.
Before ending her speech, FIFM’s jury president said “Film can influence behavior by beginning to break down barriers and start important conversations about difficult contexts, such as racial injustice, gender inequality, and other important issues. We must do our part by educating ourselves on issues. We need art that speaks truth to power and uplifts us all.”
The ceremony then moved to a more cheerful note, with an attribute to the world’s most famous Danish actor, Mads Mikkelsen.
Great Hollywood star, Willem Dafoe, handed him the “Etoile D’Or” after an emotional speech on what Mikkelsen brings to the cinematic realm.
Mads dedicated his tribute to cinema pioneers that he dearly looks up to, Martin Scorsese, Robot De Niro, and Willem Dafoe.
The Danish actor, known as a chameleon for overtaking several challenging roles, recalled his career milestones, and how they were shaped by these pioneers.
“It is definitely too much to be on the same page with them, but I am more than grateful to be on the same book, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will always cherish this,” said Mikkelsen after recalling how he used to watch De Niro and Scorsese’s films for hours, two artists that Marrakech previously paid tribute to.
While the Al Haouz region continues to attempt to heal from the tragedy, this year’s celebrations are being held in a quiet manner without big, boisterous parties or red-carpet events.
While many stars, journalists, and professionals alike, missed last year’s FIFM, they voiced their support of FIFM’s solidarity stance.
The festival aims to demonstrate that cinema endures despite all adversity, continuing in the midst of global turmoil, a genocide in Gaza, and ongoing conflicts internationally.
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