The 21st Marrakech International Film Festival is currently underway in Morocco’s vibrant city, showcasing 70 films from 32 countries. One of the highlights of the festival was the premiere of Daoud Aoulad-Syad’s ‘The Blue Lake’, a touching story about a blind orphan on a quest to photograph a blue lake in the desert. The director drew inspiration from a real-life encounter with blind Swiss photographers in the Moroccan desert, and faced challenges in casting a young blind actor for the lead role.
In addition to celebrating Moroccan cinema, the festival paid a heartfelt tribute to the late actress Naïma Elmcherqui, a key figure in Morocco’s arts scene who passed away in October 2024. Her daughter accepted the award on her behalf and reflected on her mother’s dedication to promoting Moroccan arts and empowering women, youth, and children.
The artistic director of the festival, Rémi Bonhomme, expressed the importance of honoring Elmcherqui’s memory and her contributions to Moroccan cinema, theatre, and television.
The Marrakech International Film Festival will continue until December 7th, offering movie lovers a diverse selection of films to enjoy and celebrate the rich cinematic history of Morocco and beyond.
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