The National Festival of Cinema and History in Marrakech has successfully concluded its second edition, which took place from May 20 to May 24. This year's theme, "Cinema and the Old City," was brought to life through a diverse program that encompassed film screenings, intellectual seminars, training workshops, and open meetings with cultural and cinematic figures, creating a vibrant dialogue around the intersection of cinema and heritage.
The festival, adeptly managed by writer and researcher Amal Abbassi, honored renowned Moroccan artist Mohamed Miftah. Among the highlights was the screening of the film "Thread of the Soul" by director Hakim Belabbes, which delved into profound issues of self, memory, and identity through a compelling visual and humanistic approach.
During the tribute segment, film critic and journalist Hassan Nraiss reflected on significant milestones in Mohamed Miftah's artistic journey, emphasizing his acting career and the roles he has portrayed in both cinema and Arab drama. The festival also commenced with a tribute to artist Rabii Kati, who presented the film "Lovers' Crisis" directed by Kamal Kamal, a work that evokes the collective memory and social transformations within Moroccan society.
The program further included the organization of artistic workshops within educational institutions in Marrakech, led by artist Habib Ahmedan and film critic Boubker Lhayhi. These workshops focused on visual storytelling, image issues, and performance techniques, fostering a deeper understanding of the cinematic arts among students.
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 Film and Memory Festival in Nador, Abdessalam Boutib, and the president of the Marrakech Cinema and History Festival, Mustafa Ghalmane. Participants engaged in discussions about the relationship between cinema and the collective memory of cities, highlighting the role of film in preserving historical narratives.
Additionally, a national symposium was held on the representation of the old city in Moroccan cinema, featuring critiques and research from Ashraf Hassani, Abdessamad Kabass, and Rashid Neaim, moderated by researcher Abdelatif Lqlyda. The discussions centered on the presence of the old city in Moroccan cinema as a space for memory and social change.
The festival also showcased the book "Bjaad: The Architectural and Urban Heritage of the Old City" by engineer Abdelghani Kheldoun, with participation from Mohamed Ait Lameem and Mohamed Salah Bouchtla. Furthermore, the narrative film "Small Joys" by director Mohamed Rashid Tarbiq was presented, with film critic Mohamed Ashwaika overseeing the discussion.
As reported by hespress.com.
