Films shot in Marrakech
In 1956, Hitchcock had already surprised us in "The man who knew too much" where he appears, as in most of his films, in a scene himself. And there he is with acrobats at Jemaa el Fna square in Marrakech. More recently, "The Mummy" (1999) was partly filmed in Marrakech. The sequences shot between the Kasbah and the bazaar were meant to represent Cairo. Despite challenging temperatures (it was 40°C at dawn), the crew was charmed. The same went for "Prince of Persia" (2010) which required the delivery of some 1,114,894 bottles of water to the crew during filming, imagine that! A phenomenal publicity boost for Morocco, the filming of 'Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra' (2001) was disrupted by two sandstorms, including an eight-hour one, amidst hundreds of extras during an outdoor scene setup. With 500 workers for the Moroccan sets, 2,000 extras, and almost as many wigs, and mostly Moroccan labor, that's how Alain Chabat and his crew managed to entertain around 4 million viewers. Some extras achieved the desired success and managed to land small roles afterwards.
Regarding American blockbusters, the set designer of "Alexander" (2004) explained that it is 'because it's kind of a 'road movie', that the team went to Morocco for the exteriors'. 'Babel' (2006), found its setting naturally; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu explained his choice, aside from marketing or permit arguments: 'The vision of the desert and mountains made me want to make a film there' following a personal trip. For 'Rendition' (2008), the Palais el Badii transformed into Guantanamo Bay for a shoot with American actors (Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, and Peter Sarsgaard) and Driss Roukhe, our national actor-director. An action supposedly taking place in the Middle East: 'After the September 11 attacks, it became very difficult to import weapons just anywhere in the world, and even more so in the Middle East and North Africa. To bring them into Morocco, you need the king's approval. You have to present a list of the weapons you plan to bring and stick to it strictly. Once it's approved, you can't make any changes. ' Royal approval obtained. Finally, the four lively ladies from Sex and the City had the opportunity to enjoy themselves in the southern pearl. The film's heroine shared about the difficulties of filming, such as the market scene in the narrow streets of the Medina or dealing with homosexuality, but she was nevertheless captivated by her experience 'one of the most enriching of her career.' ' Yes it was tough but we couldn't have done it anywhere else in this way'. '
Marrakech makes its cinema
Since Marrakech has been frequented by stars on vacation, it thought why not make them walk down a red carpet? After all, Marrakech hosts stars, jet-set parties, American blockbuster shootings, and especially offers a magnificent light that attracts top directors. Having become an essential destination, it had to have ITS festival. For eleven years, the ochre city has been dressing up, rolling out the red carpet to top celebrities, and kicking off the festivities.
What is the festival?
The festival jury president is a recognized star in the field: Jean- Jacques Annaud (2005), Roman Polanski (2006), John Malkovich (2010), and even Emir Kusturica (2011) among others.
The festival honors the greats of this art, with tributes paid at each edition: Omar Sharif (2001), Martin Scorsese (2002), Alain Delon (2003), Youssef Chahine (2004) but also Mustapha Derkaoui (2007) or Abderrahmane Tazi (2010). The festival is also a good school for upcoming filmmakers. Master classes are given by the 'masters': Emir Kusturica, Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch, Francis Ford Coppola or the Dardenne brothers have had the opportunity to offer students and the Marrakech public a chance to step through the screen, discuss with them, see cinema differently, and dissect the production and filmmaking process. The festival is an occasion to honor a country. After Morocco, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Great Britain, South Korea, and France, the festival will pay tribute to Mexican cinema this year. The festival also honors our local cinema. This year, Morocco will open the dance with Narjiss Nejjar's 'The Rif Lover' and 'Death for Sale' by Faouzi Bensaïdi will be highlighted at the closing. A way to pay tributeto our national cinema, to its richness and creativity.
Edition 2011: honor to Mexico
Mexico, this country so little known cinematographically. Beyond Mexican series dubbed that air on our local channels, Mexican cinema has many otherquality productions to offer us. Skillfully balancing big productions and demanding auteur cinema, the Mexican film industry has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. And a particular feature
unique to its staging: a complex country, fragmented between wealth and precarity, where natives rub shoulders with an Amerindian colony thus creating nuances that are reflected on screen and at FIFM this year.
Selection of films shot in Marrakech
Othello - Orson Welles
Partially shot in Marrakech, even though Orson Welles was not particularly fond of the ochre city.
He finished his filming in Essaouira. A film that was screened in Cannes under the Moroccan flag.
Sex and the City 2 - Michael Patrick King
A story supposed to take place in the United Arab Emirates. After being denied by local authorities, the production ended up in Marrakech. A shoot that shocked some conservatives.
The birthday - Diane Kurys
The director found this spot so beautiful she confessed: 'All you had to do was keep your camera rolling'.
Actors driven by the environment and the accompanying heat. Perfect for the subject.
The source of women by Radu Mihaileanu
Presented at the latest Cannes Festival. The director sought to capture the ochre of the earth, the mountain, and the houses, as well as the coppery color of the faces.
Moroccan selection of the FIFM 2011
The biggest hit - DEATH FOR SALE by Faouzi Bensaïdi
Three friends decide to attempt a big heist, one out of love, another for his career, and the third in rebellion against society. They plan to rob the biggest jewelry store in town...
The most awarded - ON THE BOARD by Leïla Kilani
The story of four girls, of love and shattered fates. A dark film under the conflicting auspices of
globalist dream. Eight nominations and two awards for this drama.
The most surprising - THE END by Hicham Lasri
The End leaves no one indifferent: a black and white film, without music, and with the longest
single take in the history of Moroccan cinema. A melancholic achievement.
Text Aya Nejjai
Photo DR
