Rabat – Canadian film festival, Vues d’Afrique, has honored Moroccan productions in its 38th edition as part of celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The festival is “a major and unmissable event in Montreal’s cultural life,” said Moroccan Ambassador to Canada, Souriya Otmani on April 1.
From April 1 to 10, Montreal’s public has had the chance to “enjoy the latest production of my country and evolution of Moroccan cinema led by a new generation of directors and producers,” she added.
The Moroccan embassy in Canada and Moroccan Culture Center in Montreal (Dar Al-Maghreb) have partnered with the organizers of the Vues d’Afrique festival to celebrate Moroccan culture and cinema as well as the partnership between the North African country and Canada.
The festival represents the “solid and renewable partnership” between the Moroccan cultural center in Montreal and Vues d’Afrique festival, said the center’s director, Houda Zemmouri.
The festival also brings “the best of African cinema to Montreal,” said General Delegate of the festival, Géraldine Le Chêne.
This year’s edition has seen the participation of short, long, and animated African productions.
The festival’s opening was marked with the screening of Casablanca Beats or Haut et Fort by renowned Moroccan director, Nabil Ayouch.
The movie narrates the story of a former rapper Anas who started teaching young members of his community the fundamentals of hip hop, to free them from social expectations.
Cannes Film Festival selected the movie in 2021, recognizing the Moroccan cinematographic production.
Morocco-Canada relations
In 2022, Canada and Morocco are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. As part of these celebrations, the two countries are set to organize joint events to enhance economic, political, and cultural exchanges.
In February, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly reiterated their shared interest in consolidating bilateral relations in several sectors and issues, including the fight against terrorism and the preservation of global stability.
Joly has also previously reaffirmed Canada’s support of the UN Security Council-led political process with regard to the Western Sahara dispute. The chief diplomat’s statement echoed her predecessor’s confirmation of the Canadian stance on the dispute.
In 2020, Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that the two countries are “Afro-optimists” as they deeply believe in the potential and assets of the continent. Champagne also commended Moroccan efforts in finding a solution to the lingering dispute.
