In its most stellar edition yet, the Marrakesh Film Festival did more than just roll out the red carpet: it opened the doors of El Badi Palace, a 16th-century landmark, for a legendary dinner hosted by His Majesty Mohammed VI and hosted by His Royal Highness Prince My lord. Rachid, accompanied by his wife, Princess Lalla Umm Kulthum.
The festive evening began with greetings to Marrakech Festival jury president Luca Guadagnino and fellow judges Jacob Elordi, Andrew Garfield and Virginie Efira, as well as honorary guests Tim Burton, Monica Bellucci, Sean Penn, David Cronenberg, Justin Tritt and Justin. Kurzel, François Ozon, Philippines’ Leroy Beaulieu and Marie-Ange Luciani were presented to HRH Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Oum Kaltoum one by one.
The festival’s ambassador, Melitta Toscan du Plantier, was standing next to the prince and introduced everyone to him, even though he seemed to know them all. Although Mohammed VI created the festival 21 years ago, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid has a reputation as a lover of cinema and has been fully involved in the cultural event since 2002.
Elordi, Burton, Bellucci, Garfield, Penn and Kurzel were among 21 guests seated at the prince’s huge, round-shaped table decorated with red roses. The multi-course meal included traditional dishes such as lamb tagine, couscous and the Moroccan pie known as pastilla. The 12-piece orchestra was playing a wide-ranging repertoire, including Carl Jenkins’ “Palladio,” Richard Galliano’s “Tango,” Rolf Lofland’s “Secret Garden,” and Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane,” eliciting rousing applause throughout the evening. Besides the jury and honorary guests, the dinner also brought together industry influencers, in particular AMPAS President Janet Yang, Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch, MK2 Co-CEOs Nathaniel and Elisha Karmitz, producer and financier Stuart Ford, entertainment lawyer Elsa Huysman and producer Rosalie Varda, among others.
The festival opened with Kurzel’s “The Order” and will conclude on December 7 with an awards ceremony.