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Marrakech 2015: Spending a Week in a Cinematic Oasis | The Film Stage
A film journalist visits Morocco for the first time to witness the 15th Marrakech International Film Festival:
In its 15th year of existence, the Marrakech International Film Festival has become a cross section of global cinema, celebrity spectacle, and royal opulence. Situated centrally in the Northern African country of Morocco, Marrakech is an oasis hidden in the middle of the desert. This city has a rich cultural history, with architecture dating back to the 12th century and a bustling medina that will give you an experience you won’t soon forget. Upon receiving the invitation for the festival, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but a few rave endorsements from a handful of journalists who had made the voyage years prior piqued my curiosity. In short, I’m extremely happy with the decision to go, for the amazing journey to the country offered a vast societal experience equally as important as the unique films in the festival.
The whole experience reminded me a bit of the Cannes Film Festival, considered by many to be the Super Bowl of cinema, only operating on a slightly smaller scale. Film International Festival du Marrakesh — or FIFM as it’s known on social media — uses a bit of the red-carpet glamour to capture the romantic feeling of old Hollywood, where the presence of international stars elevates the experience of each screening or gala. This is exemplified by the high-caliber star power of the jury, which included Olga Kurylenko, Anton Corbijn, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and had the Godfather himself, Francis Ford Coppola, leading the team as president…[FULL STORY]