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Weekly highlights

International Film Festival

Less glitter and still as much cinema

I N this period of global crisis, dence: “I believe in the mission of
water stress, galloping infla-
art in general. Art creates empathy
tion… the nineteenth edition of
the International Film Festival has and humanizes certain subjects that
the public might ignore or feel less
chosen to play the moderation card. concerned about. We lift the veil on
A very sober opening ceremony, no the struggle of other people. This is
gala evening, no bling bling parties why we have a very important role to
or champagne afloat. Those who play in current political and societal
came for the rhinestones and sequins conflicts or issues”, explained the
will be disappointed. Moviegoers, director of the Capharnaüm movie,
on the other hand, will have plenty during the press conference of the
of time to enjoy the eclectic pro- festival jury, a conference during
gram this year. Despite the econo- which were hot topics in the news
mic situation, a host of international and particularly the war in Ukraine
stars responded. James Gray, Marion were discussed, but the public, pres-
Cotillard, Jim Jarmush, Isabelle Hu- ent, did not hide its pleasure and re-
pert , Tilda Swinton, Paolo Sorren- served a warm welcome to national
tino, Nadine Labaki, Tahar Rahim, and international stars. The screening
Asghar Farhadi… and many others rooms are full. The tributes, competi-
have walked the red carpet, where Mélita Toscan du Plantier, advisor to the president of the foundation, surrounded by Rémi tion, master classes, workshops, and
are expected during this decade of ci- Bonhomme, artistic director, and Ali Hajji, general coordinator. The kingpin of the festival screenings continue throughout the
nema in the Ocher City. As a sign of of identity and the need to have role quite simply love. For the Lebanese week, making the Marrakech festi-
the times, the movies in competition models, the place of women in our director and member of the jury, val a true celebration of the so-called
mainly deal with subjects echoing contemporary societies, but also the Nadina Labaki, the world of movies “seventh art”, accessible to all.o
the concerns of younger generations emerging questions of transmission, must be engaged in an era where A.Bo
around the world: the construction be it tradition, political heritage, or political correctness takes prece-

A film lesson made in Bollywood

RANVEER Singh still has his head
a bit in cloud nine. After receiving
a Gold Star, as a tribute, during the
opening ceremony of this nineteenth
edition of the Marrakech Internatio-
nal Film Festival on Friday, Novem-
ber 11, and an extremely warm wel-
come at the Jemaa el-Fna square for
the screening of the film “Bakhiro
Bastani”, the Bollywood superstar
offered, on Saturday, November 12,
a great cinema lesson in front of a A cheering crowd welcomed the Indian star to
young and conquered audience. It is Jemaa el-Fna square. The actor said he was
within the framework of the program very touched by such a welcome in Morocco
called “In conversation with…” that
the Bollywood actor lent himself to young boys, gathered yesterday, at the role in Band Baaja Baaraat which was an unforgettable character for the big
the game of questions and answers. Jemaa el-Fna square, performing my a hit and launched his career. “Wit- screen, the anti-hero Khilji. “(Sanjay
Being a true “chameleon”, the self- signature gesture together”, recalls hin only one weekend I had become Leela Bhansali) was the director who
taught actor and perfect outsider, is the actor. Ranveer Singh talks about a star. The immense Shahrukh Khan taught me the most, it was him who
one of the most popular icons for the his film debut. The 30-year-old actor even called me. He congratulated me influenced me enormously in terms of
youth of the Indian subcontinent and has always dreamed of becoming a for my role and encouraged me to cinema and art in general. He taught
far beyond. Donning an open leopard movie star and embodying the quin- pursue my career”, recalls the actor me that the realm of creativity is li-
shirt, matching shoes and dark glasses, tessence of the hero of Indian films. with emotion. The film represented mitless”. With Sanjay Leela, the actor
the star made a sensational entrance, A bet that was far from being won in the beginning of a series of collabo- became more and more confident, he
performing a few dance steps in the advance! After a difficult start (it must rations with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, learned to live his roles rather than
purest Bollywood tradition. The tone be said that it was very complicated to who directed the actor in three suc- play them. The director allowed
was set, and the conversation conti- break into the world of cinema at that cessive films: Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ranveer Singh to interpret his roles
nued between humorous traits, per- time without being part of one of the Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and the more freely, and to contribute to the
formances, and emotional sessions. Bollywood dynasties), the actor still magnificent Padmaavat, where he writing of his roles. “There is a before
“I’m still on cloud nine, I’ve been very managed to establish himself in this revisited the role of the antagonist of and an after when I met Sanjay Lee-
impressed and touched to see all these very closed environment from his first contemporary Indian films, and built la”, says Raveer . o
Thursday 17 November 2022