Marrakech to Host the Cinema and History Festival
The vibrant city of Marrakech is gearing up to host the second edition of the Cinema and History Festival, which will take place from May 21 to May 24 under the theme "Cinema and the Old City." This prestigious event will feature an array of prominent artistic, cultural, and academic figures, all coming together to explore the intricate relationship between cinema and urban memory. The festival aims to highlight the representation of the old city in Moroccan cinema through thought-provoking and aesthetic approaches that intertwine art with academic research.
The festival's second edition will be overseen by Mustafa Ghalem as the president, with Mohamed Ashwaika serving as the artistic programming director and Mohamed Ait Lameem as the cultural director. This cultural endeavor is organized in partnership with Cadi Ayyad University and the Marrakech municipal council, reflecting a collaborative effort to enrich the cultural landscape of the region.
Engaging Workshops and Celebrated Guests
The festival's agenda includes three educational workshops aimed at students from local educational institutions, focusing on film directing, acting, and screenwriting. These workshops will be conducted by various specialists and will take place in several schools throughout Marrakech, providing young talents with invaluable insights into the world of cinema.
The opening ceremony, set to occur at the digital university library of Cadi Ayyad University on May 21, will honor the acclaimed actor Rabii Al-Qati and feature the screening of the film "Noubat Al-Ishaq" directed by Kamal Al-Din Ben Abid, attended by numerous guests and artists. Following this, on May 22, a master class titled "Cinema and the Memory of the City" will be led by Dr. Abdelsalam Boutaib, alongside an open discussion with actor Rabii Al-Qati about the relationship between the actor and the city.
On May 23, the festival will host a national symposium discussing "The Representation of the Old City in Moroccan Cinema," featuring various researchers and enthusiasts. Additionally, the event will include the presentation of the book "Bjaad: The Architectural and Urban Heritage of the Old City" by engineer Abdelghani Khaldoun.
The festival will conclude with a tribute to artist Mohamed Miftah and the screening of the film "Khayt Al-Rouh" by director Hakim Belabbas. This will be followed by a performance from artist Mohamed Rachidi Mufarij and a celebratory gathering honoring representatives from Marrakech who participated in national and international historical cinematic and television productions. The organizers aim to foster an intellectual and aesthetic discourse surrounding the image of the old city within Moroccan cinema, recognizing it as a space that reflects social and cultural transformations while contributing to the formation of collective memory and awareness of urban heritage.
As reported by marrakech7.com.
