The Marrakech National Film and History Festival has successfully concluded its second edition, which took place from May 20 to 24 under the compelling theme of “Cinema and the Ancient City.” This year's festival featured a diverse program that included film screenings, intellectual seminars, training workshops, and open discussions with key players in the cultural and cinematic fields, all designed to enrich the attendees' understanding of the intersection between cinema and historical narratives.
This edition, expertly managed by writer and researcher Amal Abbassi, honored the esteemed Moroccan artist Mohamed Maftah. The event also showcased the film “The Thread of the Soul,” directed by Hakim Belabbas, which explored themes of self, memory, and identity through a poignant visual and humanistic lens. During the tribute segment, film critic and journalist Hassan Nraiss reflected on key moments from Maftah's artistic journey, emphasizing his significant contributions to acting within both cinema and Arab drama.
The festival kicked off with a tribute to artist Rabii Al-Qati, who presented the film “Nubat Al-Ashaq” by director Kamal Kamal. This work evokes the collective memory and social transformations present within Moroccan society. Additionally, the program included artistic workshops held in educational institutions throughout Marrakech, facilitated by artist Habib Ahmedan and film critic Bouabkar El-Hihy. These workshops focused on image issues, visual writing, and performance techniques, aiming to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and artists.
On the intellectual front, the festival hosted a masterclass titled “Cinema and the Memory of the City,” featuring contributions from writer and president of the Cinema and Memory Festival in Nador, Abdel Salam Boutib, alongside Mustafa Ghlam, president of the Marrakech Film and History Festival. Participants engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the relationship between cinema and the collective memory of cities, highlighting the important role that film plays in shaping cultural narratives.
Moreover, the event included a national symposium on “The Representation of the Ancient City in Moroccan Cinema,” featuring critics and researchers such as Ashraf Al-Hassani, Abdessamad Kabbas, and Rashid Naeem. The session was moderated by researcher Abdel Latif Laqlida and focused on the presence of the ancient city in Moroccan cinema as a space for memory and social change. The program also featured the presentation of the book “Bjaad... The Architectural and Urban Heritage of the Ancient City” by engineer Abdel Ghani Khaldoun, with participation from Mohammed Ait Lamim and Mohammed Salah Bouchtala. Additionally, the narrative film “Small Joys” directed by Mohammed Rashid Al-Tarbiq was screened, accompanied by a discussion led by film critic Mohammed Ashouika.
As reported by hespress.com.
