“It’s good to be home again,” said New York-based film director Martin Scorsese at the opening ceremony of the 13th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival.
During the press conference, the reputed filmmaker, who is also the President of the Jury, explained that he feels “very connected to the culture and the people” of Morocco, having produced some of his feature films at the film studio of Ouarzazate, including The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Kundun (1996).
This year’s festival, which runs until December 7th, hosts a first-class line-up of film industry professionals, including French actress Marion Cotillard (who attended the Dior dinner at the Festival dressed in Dior’s Fall 2013 Haute Couture, Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Japanese director Park Chan-Wook, and Turkish director Fatih Akin—all members of the jury.
“It is a treat to be at this festival in Marrakech because it is a showcase of international cinema and a good crossroads from people from all over the world, coming from Asia, North and South America, and Africa,” Scorsese continued. “This is a place for people in cinema who would not ordinarily meet to have a chance to meet.”
Arab filmmakers that are featured in this year’s international competition include film director and screen-writer Hicham Ayouch (Fevers) and Nabil Ben Yadir (La Marche). Furthermore, the Festival will include master classes hosted by internationally reputed directors, such as Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, and Palme d’Or winner and American director James Gray, amongst others.
Continuing with past years’ tradition, the 2013 Marrakech International Film Festival will also support student filmmakers and present a selection of short films in the Cinécoles competition.
“Cinema was the venue for me of the outside world. Cinema can open doors and open your mind and heart to the rest of the world,” Scorsese concluded.
