Morocco is undoubtedly the country that finds itself in the most uncomfortable position with regard to the events in Palestine. An embarrassment that was confirmed during the Marrakesh Film Festival, where the invited Western stars were prevented from answering questions about the war on Gaza. On, it seems, instructions from the royal palace.
The Marrakech International Film Festival is an important event for the seventh art, bringing together actors, directors and producers from around the world in the Moroccan tourist city every year. This year the event coincided with the war in Gaza, which is a major concern for the Moroccan monarchy.
While the Royal Palace does not want to anger the new Israeli ally, with which a normalization agreement was signed in 2020, the Moroccan people are showing unwavering solidarity with the Palestinians, in particular by multiplying impressive marches in the streets of Rabat, Casablanca and the other major cities of the Kingdom. Demonstrations supporting King Mohammed VI ultimately angered as some of them were repressed by the police.
In the West, the war in Gaza is dividing communities and businesses, as well as the Hollywood film industry.
The online newspaper Le Desk took advantage of the presence of foreign actors and directors in Morocco to seek their opinions on events in Palestine.
The journalist responsible for the report found that those he spoke to did not want to speak. “The organization has received instructions to dissuade the national press from raising the issue in interviews at the request of the jury,” writes the Moroccan newspaper on X.
Morocco: The war in Palestine is unwelcome at the Marrakesh film festival
Without expressing opinions about the situation in the Middle East, the journalist wrote a more than interesting report about the embarrassment that stars feel when they hear the word Palestine or Gaza.
The author of the report immediately emphasizes that the festival takes place in “a special atmosphere”. No red carpet or jury press conference.
Famed director Martin Scorsese, a regular guest, was not present this year. Those present are very embarrassed to talk about Palestine.
First we see jury president Jessica Chastain prevented from responding by her press secretary, who reminds journalists that we are there “to talk about cinema, the festival and nothing else.”
Then it was Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen who refused to talk about the situation in the Middle East. “Not today,” he replies. “The motto in Marrakesh is not to expose stakeholders to unpleasant questions,” comments Le Desk.
The organizers are keeping an eye on the matter. Iranian actress Zar Amir was exfiltrated from the cameras when a journalist asked her the unwanted question.
“I think there is nothing that could address the issue more clearly and boldly than the films we see during the festival,” replied American director De Rees. The director, who is committed to the rights of minorities in her country, refuses to address the issue on the red carpet.
“That’s not my role,” replied British director Johanna Hogg when asked to comment on the situation in Palestine. “Such restrictions have never been imposed on the media,” laments Le Desk.