(5 Dec 2016) LEAD IN
The 16th Marrakech International Film Festival is underway after a gala opening.
Renowned local and international actors and directors are in Morocco for the week long event.
STORY-LINE
Famous faces from film and television grace the red carpet in Marrakech for the opening of the city's premiere big screen event.
Local and international actors, entertainers and directors braved the wet conditions, including Egyptian actress Yousra.
"Morocco for me is my second country, I love Morocco very much. Morocco, God bless Morocco and Moroccan people and Morocco's King and all the Royal Family," she says.
The ceremony was followed by the Moroccan premiere of South Korean director Kim Jee-woon's film, "The Age Of Shadows".
There are 14 films running that have been included in the official competition - The Story of Mother (France), The Donor (China), The Blind Christ (France, Chile), Zoology (Russia, France, Germany), Shepherds and Butchers (South Africa, US, Germany), The Road to Mandalay (Taiwan, France, Myanmar, Germany), Parting (Iran, Afghanistan), Mister Universo (Austria, Italy), Knife in the Clear Water (China), King of the Belgians (Belguim, Netherlands, Bulgaria), Heartstone (Denmark, Iceland), The Fixer (Romania), The Fits (US) and All of a Sudden (Germany, France, Netherlands).
Controversially, there are no Moroccan films in the official selection.
When asked about this, Moroccan actor and singer Youness Migri replied: "I cannot make judgments, we can not say to the jury members of the festival why they did not choose these films (Moroccan films), so they are free to choose the films that they want."
The 14 feature films will have to convince a demanding jury, chaired by Hungarian cinematographer and producer, Bela Tarr.
Joining him on the jury are: Lisandro Alonso - director, screenwriter & producer from Argentina, Bille August - director & screenwriter from Denmark, Jason Clarke - actor from Australia, Suzanne Clemengt - actress from Canada, Bruno Dumont - director and screenwriter from France, Kalki Koechlin - actress and screenwriter from France and India, Fatima Harandi - Moroccan actress and Jasmine Trinca - Italian actress.
The Marrakech International Film Festival runs 2 - 10 December.
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