Morocco and Italy Forge New Cinematic Partnerships to Enhance Film Exchange

Monday 02 September 2024 - 08:05

In a strategic meeting focused on deepening cinematic ties, Abdelaziz Bouzdaini, Director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), and Carlo Gentile, Head of International Relations at Italy’s Rai Cinema, discussed advancing film production collaborations between Morocco and Italy. This significant dialogue took place during the 81st Venice International Film Festival and aims to boost the global presence of Moroccan cinema.

The partnership will expand the distribution of Moroccan films in Italy, allowing the vibrant cultural heritage of Moroccan cinema to reach new audiences. Bouzdaini emphasized that the collaboration includes Italy acquiring Moroccan films, particularly those produced before 2022, and distributing restored classics such as Latif Lahlou’s “Soleil du printemps” from the 1950s.

A key component of this initiative involves Rai’s production and distribution arm dubbing Moroccan films into Italian. This effort is designed to enhance the visibility of Moroccan culture and cinema among Italy’s Moroccan, Maghreb, and Arab communities.

Bouzdaini highlighted that this meeting builds on earlier discussions from the 76th Cannes Film Festival, which centered on strengthening cultural and professional bonds between the two nations and paving the way for new film and arts collaborations.

Gentile expressed strong support for Moroccan cinema’s growth, underscoring the bilateral cooperation’s aim to boost its visibility in Italy through television broadcasts, festival showcases, and Moroccan film weeks.

To further engage Italian audiences, Moroccan films will be subtitled or dubbed. Gentile also proposed organizing meetings between producers from both countries to explore co-productions and scout locations in Morocco, renowned for its stunning landscapes.

A notable Moroccan delegation, led by Bouzdaini, is participating in the Venice Film Festival from August 28 to September 7.