Moroccan film in Cannes' Palme d'Or competition for 1st time

The participation of "Casablanca Beats" in the official selection of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival shows the international reputation of Moroccan cinema.

Rabat - The movie "Casablanca Beats" (Haut et Fort) by Moroccan Nabil Ayouch will run in competition at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, a first in the history of Moroccan cinema, the Moroccan Centre for Cinematography (CCM) said.

"This is a first in the history of Moroccan cinema for a movie to compete at the official selection of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival," the CCM pointed out in a statement.

Moroccan movies have participated in different categories of the Cannes Film Festival, including "La Semaine de la critique", "Un certain regard" or "La quinzaine des réalisateurs", the same source recalled, adding that "the participation in the official selection shows the international reputation of Moroccan cinema.

"Casablanca Beats", produced by "Ali n' Productions" in 2020, benefited from the support fund for the production of cinematographic works.

The film focuses on the young people in the rough-and-tumble poor area of Morocco's financial capital and an elderly professor who arrives to teach hip-hop.

In addition to the Moroccan movie, 22 other films are in the line-up of the official selection of the 74th Cannes Film Festival, scheduled from July 6 to 17.

After being forced to cancel the 2020 edition on account of the pandemic, the 74th edition of Cannes returns with a live event.

The live stream can be seen on the Cannes website, as well as on the official Dailymotion, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.

Festival director Thierry Frémaux said there will be the usual parties and dinners as well as events to give holidaymakers on the Cote d’Azur a chance to enjoy the event, such as screenings on the beach.

COVID-19 precautions will still be in force, however. “We won’t be kissing at the top of the red carpet steps,” Frémaux said.

Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, who first walked the red carpet at Cannes as a 13-year-old when she starred in “Taxi Driver”, will be presented with an honorary Palme d’Or.