?Absence of Amazigh artists from the Marrakech Festival... Systematic exclusion or an indication of poor production
After two years of waiting and stopping imposed by the Corona pandemic, life has returned to the International Film Festival, which is hosted by the red city, Marrakech every year, as the activities of its 19th session began, last Friday evening, on the rhythms of joy, pleasure and delight among filmmakers and their fans, as it constitutes This artistic event is a meeting place for the seventh art stars from around the world.
However, on the other hand, this return was accompanied by a discussion in the artistic arena about what some observers and those interested in Moroccan cinema described as the “exclusion” of Amazigh actors from the International Film Festival in Marrakech, as they noticed the absence of this group from this international event organized by Morocco, while other groups attended not. It has nothing to do with cinematic work.
In this context, the organizer of the 19th edition of the International Film Festival, organized in Marrakech in the week from the 11th to the 19th of November, confirmed that the attendance of the actors at the festival is basically conditional on the participation of one of their works in this event, but it refused to go into the reasons for not inviting the artists. Amazighs , as long as this rule is not respected.
“We did not receive an invitation to attend.”
In this context, Amazigh director Abdel Aziz Sayeh said that he "did not receive the invitation to attend the International Film Festival in Marrakesh, highlighting that the absence of Amazigh artists is due to the fact that they were not invited."
And Al-Sayeh added, in a statement to “Madar 21” newspaper: “I do not know if they hear about us, or that we are in Morocco. Amazigh culture in a number of official demonstrations.
And the same spokesman continued: “We hope that the workers in official institutions will remedy the matter, especially since the Moroccan Film Center knows all the directors who have professional cards, and it is necessary to suggest their names to participate in such celebrations so that the matter is not limited to the presence of those who settle between Casablanca and Rabat only.” ".
Commenting on this same issue, the Amazigh actor, Mohamed Al-Khattabi, confirmed that "he was not invited to attend, and it is not his habit to go to places where he is not a guest."
Al-Khattabi indicated, in a statement to Madar 21 newspaper, that “the absence of Amazigh artists is due, in his opinion, to the absence of any Amazigh work, whether from Morocco or abroad,” highlighting that “there are some Amazigh works that deserve to participate in the activities of this festival.”
The same speaker stressed that Amazigh artists “also deserve to be present in important demonstrations in the country, but he does not know how the organizers view Amazigh art and its people, and whether they see that there is no reason to attend them.”
Hajjaj: The “exclusion” of Amazigh cinema has been repeated in several demonstrations
For his part, the coordinator of the Amazigh Action Front, Mohieddin Hajjaj, confirms that “unfortunately, this is not the first time that the Amazigh language has been excluded from artistic demonstrations. Morocco is for the world, and whoever watches these demonstrations will conclude that Morocco does not have an Amazigh woman.”
Hajjaj stated, in a statement to Madar 21 newspaper, that “the French and English languages and a little classical Arabic are adopted, in the absence of Amazigh, the language clearly and explicitly stipulated in the constitution,” stressing that “any national institution, especially the official one, should include Amazigh, because This is not considered a personal choice or the choice of a specific administration, nor is it an opinion in the texts.
The coordinator of the Amazigh Action Front believes that “the absence of the Amazigh language from the scene, and the exclusion of the Amazigh cinema, is unacceptable, and not healthy for our country, which was decided in its culture and identity through the constitutional referendum in 2011, unless we do not respect the Moroccan people, and the laws framing the country, foremost of which is the constitution.” ”, stressing at the same time that he “does not accuse any party of intent.”
And the same speaker continued by saying: “The process of excluding Amazigh women was repeated several times, and I noticed it in previous international demonstrations organized recently in the city of Rabat, as not even one Amazigh group was summoned, and therefore the International Film Festival in Marrakesh is not an isolated case, and we unfortunately do not understand the purpose of these official institutions.” ".
Amazigh director Baidu: We do not have works worthy of participating in the festival
On the other hand, Amazigh director Ahmed Baido said that he cannot go to any artistic event without inviting him, as he does not like to impose himself on a party without an invitation, refusing to “categorize the artist or link him to his origins and nationality, especially since there are many Amazigh artists.” Those who work in dialect-speaking or international films in foreign languages.
Baidu revealed, in a statement to Madar 21 newspaper, that in the past years he had been receiving invitations to attend, but he was not attracted to the festival as long as there was no film of his own to show.
And the same speaker went on, in the context of his talk about the absence of Amazigh artists from this demonstration, saying: “We do not have works worthy of participation in the festival, so we must try to create a large artwork that the state contributes to its production in order to qualify for participation in a large demonstration, and presents a good picture of Amazigh art.” Instead of crying and talking about exclusion.
Baidu highlighted that the state is working to integrate the Amazigh language at all levels, and we must give it time to implement this goal, adding: “We have come a long way, as there are artistic productions that were not in the eighties.”
In turn, the Amazigh actress Noura Al-Waliti stated to the newspaper “Madar 21” that she does not know “whether there is an exclusion of Amazigh cinema, or whether we have cinematic films of international standards to participate in international demonstrations,” adding: “I do not think that there is an Amazigh cinematic work in Recent years live up to his presence.”
Al-Waliti believes, in her statement to the newspaper, that “it is not in the interest of the artist to attend a festival without participating in a work, even if he is invited, in light of the absence of any Amazigh work that requires attendance to support colleagues,” stressing that we should focus on and develop Amazigh cinema, and research For means to save her, to get involved in large demonstrations with works of great quality that elevate her to participate in such festivals.
Source: websites