European and Mediterranean cinema in the spotlight in Marrakech

Hibapress

European cinema was celebrated brilliantly in Marrakech, marking the start of the 30th edition of the European Film Weeks in Morocco.

This festival, which opened Friday evening at the Colisée cinema, began with the screening of the feature film “Anatomy of a Fall” by director Justine Triet. This 2h31 crime drama thriller has already won the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, as well as other major accolades, including the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film.

“Anatomy of a Fall” tells the tragic story of Sandra and her family in a remote town in the French Alps, where the mysterious death of her husband Samuel leads to a complex police investigation. This drama turns into a deep psychological exploration of the tensions within the couple, shedding light on the dark corners of their relationship.

The event, which will continue until March 1, will take place in several Moroccan cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier. It highlights 8 prestigious European films from 11 countries of the European Union, as well as 3 short films from the south of the Mediterranean, all awarded in major international festivals. This selection aims to highlight the diversity and richness of European culture, as well as the complementarity of cultures that stimulate creativity.

Daniele Dotto, deputy head of delegation of the European Union to Morocco, expressed his enthusiasm for this edition, emphasizing the importance of these films and short films in reaching a wide audience. On the sidelines of the festival, workshops are planned to engage the public and deepen the cultural relationship between the EU and Morocco.

Among the films screened are notable works such as “The Chimera” by Alice Rohrwacher, “Club Zero” by Jessica Hausner, and “20,000 Species of Bees” by Estibaliz Urresola Solguren, reflecting the diversity and depth of European cinema contemporary.

Organized by the European Union in Morocco in partnership with Moroccan cultural institutions, the European Film Weeks attract nearly 12,000 spectators each year. This event is part of a long tradition of cultural cooperation between the EU and Morocco, strengthening bridges between the two cultures and providing a platform for cinematic discovery.