On June 10th the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mehdi Bensaïd, went to Salé to inaugurate a cinema in the Mohamed Hajji cultural complex. It is the first of the 150 multi-purpose auditoriums (cinema, theatre and shows) the Kingdom wants to open in the country.
For Mehdi Bensaïd, “this cinema project is important since it will strengthen the cultural possibilities, giving new dynamism to our country’s films and creating loyalty among the younger generation.” One of the project’s ambitions is to develop culture throughout Morocco and take it to every social class. To do this the government relies on a network of about 900 youth and culture centres in urban and rural areas. The cost of entry is a decisive factor; according to the Minister it will not exceed 20 dirhams (2€).
To open 150 new cinemas by December 2022 raises the issue of artistic and film creation. According to Mehdi Bensaïd, it is important to “respond to artists’ requests”, while also supporting producers. Culture is “profitable” and that’s why the Kingdom is involved, he says.
To make the project work, the private sector – both national and international – has to be involved. Something the Minister wants to develop. Since the pandemic, support for foreign film productions in the country has been increased. Attracting international productions would make it easier for Moroccan producers to collaborate and develop co-productions with foreign companies. The recent Dakhla Film Commission is an example.
Private cinema operators are also helping develop cultural venues. As the Minister explains, “An investor is encouraged to invest in 25 cultural complexes each with three cinemas. These projects would be created in medium-sized towns such as Berkane, Oujda, Ouarzazate.” These private initiatives, both for film production and for cinemas, are supported by the Centre cinématographique marocain.
The Minister explains in an interview with Info en Face that apart from the financial and partnership factors, his department is “studying the law to reform the Centre cinématographique marocain. The idea being to create a film library to preserve the work of previous generations, letting the CCM concentrate on its main role of supporting Moroccan cinema and encouraging more international studios to come and film here.”
So developing cinemas, co-production possibilities and heritage sites are ways for Morocco to make a name as an important, attractive player in the film world.
