After nine celebratory and educational days of master classes, screenings, workshops, awards and more, the international film festival of Marrakech (FIFM) wrapped its special 20th edition in the Ocre city this weekend.
From the festival foundation refusing to politicize the event amid shifting geo-political realities, modest fashion choices and private carpets, to international artists’ enchantment with Morocco’s beauty, this year’s FIFM was an edition to remember.
After sitting down with several A-listers, Hespress EN got to dive into why they come to Morocco and to the red city in particular, year after year.
Actor Matt Dillion for example, spoke of his great interest in Moroccan Atlas music, after recounting first discovering it years ago in a Riad in Marrakech.
The multi talented artist, who plays several music instruments, asked us about the original of tribal Moroccan music, the origin of the words « Berber and Amazigh », and about the diversity of Amazigh culture and dialects.
Tilda Swinton, on the other hand, spoke of how she grew fond of visiting Morocco.
The actress spent months filming in Tangier for a Jim Jarmush film called « Only Lovers Left Alive », has been FIFM jury president in 2019, received the festival’s « Étoile d’Or » last year, and was present this edition for a special masterclass with cinema students and professionals.
Egyptian actor Mohammed Farrag told us that Morocco feels like « home ».
The actor was taken aback by the Moroccan audience’s reception of Egyptian movies screened at several FIFM venues, and by everyone’s warm welcome.
Indian frequent FIFM visitor, director Anurag Kashyap, showed gratitude for being here while Morocco is still recovering from the Al Haouz earthquake tragedy.
His opinion was shared by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen who received a tribute on the festival’s first day, and by Hollywood cameleon, Willem Dafoe.
Jessica Chastain spoke of what a great blessing it is to be able to come to Morocco and watch movies in the middle of all the tension in the world, during her opening night speech.
When it comes to fashion choices, Western stars seemed rather modest this year, with nothing too revealing and attention grabbing, as opposed to previous editions of the festival.
American director Dee Rees was dressed in an open modern Caftan dress on the first and last day of the festival, paying tribute to Moroccan and African culture.
Moroccan artists chose to mostly show up to the Red Carpet in Moroccan traditional apparels, mostly in black, green and red.
Ever since the beginning of the event, Moroccan and international journalists alike, were advised to not ask the stars about the situation in Palestine, in order to keep the attention on cinema and cinema only.
However, some did ask various Moroccan artists about the ongoing aggression on Gaza, which the festival didn’t seem to mind.
The festival ended in two Moroccans productions, namely « Hounds » and « Mother of all lies » winning two coveted prizes, after having previously won at the Cannes film festival and continue to sweep awards left and right all over the world.
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