Good News For Moroccan Film Industry

Morocco is a country of sun and light. Its privileged geographical position and its moderate climate make it beloved with Fashion designers, Hollywood and independent film makers, who have been coming here for decades to create their works.

And there was more good news this week when Britain and Morocco signed a new statement of intent aimed at creating better and stronger opportunities for film-makers from both countries.


The Moroccan Minister of Communication Nabil Benabdallah signed the agreement with Tessa Jowell, the British Secretary of State of Sport and Culture. Talking about the history of film culture in Morocco, Nabil Benabdallah said “Morocco has a long film culture and history.The first film was made in 1897 by the Lumiere brothers who may well have been among the creators of cinema. Afterwards there was a long series of films which were made in Morocco, in Essaouira and Casablanca. Nowadays, the Kingdom offers the opportunity to produce lots of films, inspired by the country's geography: plains, mountains, sea. All film producers are attracted by this and we have one of the biggest film studios in the world.”

The agreement tends to strengthen ties between the two countries, which share a long history of diplomatic and trading links.

Since motion pictures were first invented, many foreign filmmakers have been lured by the beauty and magic of the Moroccan landscape. As early as 1897, Louis Lumiere was filming here. Later, Orson Welles, whose Othello, shot in Morocco, was his only film to be awarded with a Palm d'Or at Cannes. Other famous filmmakers have shot masterpieces here, from Alfred Hitchcock (The Man Who Knew Too Much, 1955) and David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, 1962) to Martin Scorsese (The Last Temptation of Christ, 1987).

The following titles are some of the most important productions shot in Morocco:

"The Last Temptation of Christ" (USA, 1987) of Martin SCORSESE, with Wilam DAFOE and Harvey KEITEL,

"A tea at the Sahara" (Italy, 1989) of Bernardo BERTOLUCCI with Debora WINGER and John MALKOVICH,

"Orchestra club Virginia" (Spain, 1991) of Manuel IBORRA,

"The sacred night" (Italy, 1992) of Nicolas KLOTZ, with Amina and Miguel BOSE,

"Higlander III" (GB, 1994) of Ardy MORAHEN,

"Soleil" (France, 1996) of Roger HANIN, with Sofia LOREN and Philipe NOIRET,

"Kundun" (USA, 1996) of Martin SCORSESE,

"Insh'allah" (South Korea, 1996) of Lee SEUNQJAEP, with Le YOUGAIE and Chai MINSU,

"Legionary" (USA, 1997) of Sheldon Lettich, with Jean Claude Van Damme,

"The Mummy " (USA, 1998) of Stephen Sommers,

"Rules of Engagement" (USA 1999) of William Friedkin.

Tags: Morocco, Fès, Casablanca, Moroccan