Sean Penn, Canadian writer-director David Cronenberg, and late Moroccan star Naïma Elmcherqui will be honoted at the 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco.
Fest organizers, in unveiling the news on Wednesday, described them as “three great artists whose contributions and influence have had a significant impact on cinema for several decades.”
For his homage, Penn will make his first appearance at the Marrakech festival and his first visit to the country of Morocco, organizers said.
“A revelation with his very first roles, Sean Penn established himself in the 1980s and 1990s as one of the most gifted actors of his generation in collaborations with prestigious filmmakers, including Brian De Palma, Oliver Stone, David Fincher, Terrence Malick, and Woody Allen,” the fest said, lauding his “intense acting, passion, and dedication to his craft” throughout his work. “Alongside being one of the greatest actors in contemporary cinema, Penn is also a renowned director whose critically acclaimed films explore themes, such as justice, communion with nature, and the conflicts that ravage the world.”
Naima Elmcherqui
Courtesy of Marrakech International Film Festival/Yassine Toumi
Elmcherqui, who died on Oct. 5, was recognized as a national treasure and one of Morocco’s most beloved personalities. “Since the 1960s, she lit up the national cultural scene with her exceptional talent, natural elegance, and legendary benevolence,” the fest said. “Her career, which led her from performances onstage to appearances on the big and small screens, allowed her to inhabit a multitude of roles, and her endearing personality touched the hearts of several generations of Moroccans.”
With a posthumous tribute, Marrakech organizers vowed to honor “the memory of an exceptional artist and deeply devoted woman who leaves behind a remarkably rich body of work.”
Cronenberg and his films have long achieved cult status. “Cronenberg’s 23 feature-length films make him one of the most recognized artists of our time, and have won numerous prizes, including awards at the Festival de Cannes and the Venice International Film Festival,” the fest highlighted.
The Marrakech fest takes place Nov. 29-Dec. 7.
David Cronenberg, courtesy of Caitlin Cronenberg