HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zariouh
The Amazigh film "A Corpse on the Shores of Marchica" by director Axel Rifmann has achieved a new milestone in Moroccan cinema, winning the Best Director award during the activities of the Cinema and Migration Festival in the Dutch city of Utrecht. This festival, organized by the Communication Foundation for Culture and Media, witnessed, in its sixth edition, which extended between April 10 and 12, a distinguished screening of films that addressed issues of migration and cultural diversity. This crowning achievement has shed light on the ability of Moroccan cinema, spoken in the Rif Amazigh language, to reach a wide international audience.
This award highlights the distinctive experience of the film's director, Axel Rifmann, who not only directed the work but also wrote the screenplay. The film is independently produced by the "Arras" company, an experience that reflects a new trend towards self-production in Moroccan cinema. This step seeks to present works that carry a special cultural and aesthetic identity, aimed at presenting cinematic creations that transcend geographical boundaries and reach a global audience. The events of the film "A Corpse on the Shores of Marchica" revolve around the discovery of a man's body near Lake Marchica, which raises police investigations led by Officer Said, known for his expertise in solving complex cases. Initially, the most likely hypothesis was an accident, but the development of the investigations reveals new surprises that lead to opening the hypothesis of a possible murder. The victim is an architect named Badr, which makes the case take a mysterious and complex turn. The film relied on a tight police plot, where the events gradually escalate towards a climax of suspense and mystery. With each development in the investigation, the film raises fundamental questions about the truth, the apparent, and the hidden in criminal cases. The work captivates with its style that combines drama and crime, making the viewer follow every detail of the story with passion and anticipation. Participating in this cinematic work is a group of talented actors from the Rif region, such as Said Al-Morsi, Abdelwahed Zouki, Tariq Al-Salehi, and Farouk Aznabit. These actors brought honesty and realism to their characters, which added additional depth to the film and made each scene a visual experience worth following. The film's strength lies in the ability of these actors to express the suffering and conflict that each character experiences within the context of the story. After this crowning achievement, the film "A Corpse on the Shores of Marchica" opens new doors for Moroccan cinema, especially those spoken in the Rif Amazigh language, to participate in international festivals. This global appreciation will enhance the film's path in the upcoming editions of film festivals, and give the opportunity for many creators in the Moroccan cinematic field to present their works to an international audience interested in issues of identity and cultural diversity.
