Marrakech Film Festival’s nine-person jury, presided by British actor Tilda Swinton, held a press conference on Saturday morning, in which the jury members talked about their difficult task choosing the best film from the Official Competition of 12 first films and two second films. The Etoile d’Or will be announced during the closing ceremony on Saturday, December 7.
Swinton noted: “Art can never be a competition. This is more like a gathering. We all have the privilege to put on our psychic pajamas and sit together and perhaps find a gem and shed a little light on it. It’s not about saying that one film is better than the others.”
Given the global representativeness of the 14 films, which come from all around the world, the jury emphasized that the festival is about the interlinks between different cultures rather than vaunting an idea of national cinema.
Swinton said: “I am not a great believer in national cinema. We’re all here because we’re film fans. We wear psychic pajamas when we go to see a film, and that’s what we’ll be doing this week. But it’s also true that different parts of the world have different relationships with funding structures and with government support, and festivals can also shed light on some countries.”
Australian director David Michod echoed this idea saying that: “One of things I love about movies is the beautiful confluence of different art forms in one big soup. What I’m always looking for is movies that excite me, where I can feel a distinctive voice. The director is the person who gives the talent its singular voice. I get most excited when that voice is strong and singular.”
Source: Tilda Swinton Praises Marrakech for Breaking Barriers in World Cinema – Variety