Morocco and Italy Collaborate in Cinematic Production

Hespress Art and Culture – MAP Agency Monday, September 2, 2024 – 11:24

Abdelaziz El Boujdaini, Director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, met on Sunday in Venice with Carlo Gentili, Head of International Relations at the Italian production company “Rai Cinema,” to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in cinematic production as part of efforts to promote Moroccan cinema.

Abdelaziz El Boujdaini Moroccan Cinematographic Center Carlo Gentili Rai Cinema

Expanding Cinematic Collaboration

During a meeting on the sidelines of the 81st Venice International Film Festival, both parties agreed to ensure a wider presence of Moroccan cinema in Italy, opening new avenues for showcasing Morocco’s rich cinematic heritage beyond its borders.

El Boujdaini, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communication Sector, stated to the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP) that this cooperation involves Italy acquiring Moroccan productions dating back to before 2022, as well as screening restored films from the 1950s, such as the feature film Spring Sun by filmmaker Latif Lahlou.

He explained that the dubbing of these national productions into Italian will be carried out by Rai’s production, distribution, and acquisition company to promote Moroccan culture and cinema in Italy, as well as to connect with the large Moroccan, Maghrebi, and Arab communities living in this European country.

Focus on Cultural Exchange

El Boujdaini added that this meeting followed an initial discussion with the Italian representative during the 76th Cannes Film Festival, focusing on enhancing cultural and professional relations between Morocco and Italy and creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in cinema and the arts.

For his part, Gentili praised the development of Moroccan cinema, noting that the goal of this collaboration is to introduce Moroccan cinema to Italian audiences through television screenings, participation in festivals, and the organization of cultural events such as Moroccan Cinema Weeks in Italy.

He emphasized that to bring Moroccan productions closer to Italian viewers, these films will be presented with subtitles or dubbing.

Additionally, Gentili highlighted the organization of meetings between producers from both countries to explore joint productions, as well as scouting for filming locations in Morocco, which offers exceptional landscapes and environments for future productions.

Morocco is participating in this edition of the Venice Film Festival with a high-level delegation, led by El Boujdaini, from August 28 to September 7.

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