Mauritanian Director Says Marrakech Fest Has International Dimension
Marrakech - The International Marrakech Film Festival has rapidly developed an international dimension by offering "a cinema of diversity that you cannot see elsewhere, which is important for cinema fans," Mauritanian director, screenwriter and producer Abderrahmane Sissako said.
Source : https://www.emouaten.com/english/Mauritanian-Direc...
Sissako, who is chairing this year the Cinécole jury, a short film competition intended to discover Moroccan aspiring filmmakers, said, in an interview with MAP, that he is "very happy" to take part for the second time in this great film event that has witnessed his artistic birth and his ascension, his first participation coinciding with the first festival to which he is particularly attached as it is held in Africa.
He is also proud to present his latest hit movie "Timbuktu", screened Thursday night in the "out of competition" section of the Marrakech Festival, in addition to its mission as a member of Cinécole jury.
For him, chairing the jury or just being a member of a jury "is something touching," especially that this is a short film jury.
"This brings me back a bit, I was also a student in a film school in Moscow, I was judged and here I am the judge!", said the Mauritanian filmmaker, insisting, however, that the jury's evaluation should not be considered as a true judgment because we are talking mostly about "discovering and identifying new talents." And when an artist is spotted in a festival like Marrakech Fest, "he is well noted", he added. Beyond the challenge of the competition, he considers that the fact of being selected, "it is an encouragement for young people and that's fine."
"We are here to discover beautiful little movies," he underlined. Asked about the jury's assessment criteria, Sissako said he tries to identify "the simplicity and the strength at the same time, not extravagance, the challenge being to be able to capture what this person is trying to say, even if he is awkward because a film is never perfect".
"Personally, I do not seek perfection because it does not exist," noted the director who's interest is in "good intentions, but with still some success to convey the message.
" While emphasizing the importance of Cinécole competition to discover Moroccan cinema talents and encourage openness to other cinemas, the director hailed the emergence of young Moroccan cinema, spurred by students in cinema schools that "have their place in this competition and it is quite normal." "Cinema is not easy, you have to be brave to pick this job, while preserving one's sincerity.
But when you believe in something, you have to say it's possible," he said, praising the audacity of aspiring filmmakers who compete in the Cinécole section.
He is also proud to present his latest hit movie "Timbuktu", screened Thursday night in the "out of competition" section of the Marrakech Festival, in addition to its mission as a member of Cinécole jury.
For him, chairing the jury or just being a member of a jury "is something touching," especially that this is a short film jury.
"This brings me back a bit, I was also a student in a film school in Moscow, I was judged and here I am the judge!", said the Mauritanian filmmaker, insisting, however, that the jury's evaluation should not be considered as a true judgment because we are talking mostly about "discovering and identifying new talents." And when an artist is spotted in a festival like Marrakech Fest, "he is well noted", he added. Beyond the challenge of the competition, he considers that the fact of being selected, "it is an encouragement for young people and that's fine."
"We are here to discover beautiful little movies," he underlined. Asked about the jury's assessment criteria, Sissako said he tries to identify "the simplicity and the strength at the same time, not extravagance, the challenge being to be able to capture what this person is trying to say, even if he is awkward because a film is never perfect".
"Personally, I do not seek perfection because it does not exist," noted the director who's interest is in "good intentions, but with still some success to convey the message.
" While emphasizing the importance of Cinécole competition to discover Moroccan cinema talents and encourage openness to other cinemas, the director hailed the emergence of young Moroccan cinema, spurred by students in cinema schools that "have their place in this competition and it is quite normal." "Cinema is not easy, you have to be brave to pick this job, while preserving one's sincerity.
But when you believe in something, you have to say it's possible," he said, praising the audacity of aspiring filmmakers who compete in the Cinécole section.
Source : https://www.emouaten.com/english/Mauritanian-Direc...