Fez — Hussein Fahmy’s salute at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival felt less like a ceremony and more like a reunion with an old friend.
The Egyptian icon traced his connection to the festival back to its origins and to one of his first films, which shot in the Red City. The moment showed how Moroccan and Egyptian cinema have long shared artists, audiences, and stories.
“I have a sentimental connection with the Marrakech Film Festival,” Fahmy told MWN. “I attended the very first edition of the festival and have been present at many subsequent editions.” He recalled attending with two towering figures of Arab cinema. “On one occasion, Youssef Chahine was with us, along with Omar Sharif,” he said, noting how those encounters deepened his attachment to the event and to the city.
That connection runs back to his early screen career. “One of my first films, ‘My Blood, My Tears, and My Smile,’ starring Naglaa Fathi, was also made in Marrakech,” he said. “So I’m very happy to be here, very happy with the festival, and very honored by this tribute.”
His remarks set the tone for an evening that celebrated a career spanning decades and a regional bridge that runs both ways between Moroccan and Egyptian screens.
For Marrakech audiences, Fahmy’s presence carried symbolic weight. The festival is known for platforming new talent while welcoming established masters. Honoring an artist whose career has crossed cinema and television aligns with that mission. It also reflects how Moroccan viewers have long embraced Egyptian films and stars, from golden age classics to contemporary series.
Fahmy stressed that his bond with the Moroccan industry is not only emotional but also professional. “I have many friends working in Moroccan cinema and have served as the president of several juries at different festivals,” he said. “I’ve watched a lot of Moroccan films and maintain strong ties with Moroccan cinema.”
His comments echoed a sentiment shared across the festival’s program this year. Screenings, conversations, and tributes spotlighted collaboration as a driver of creative growth, whether through co-productions, shared crews, or cross-border mentorship.
The tribute also arrived at a time when Moroccan cinema continues to expand its international footprint. Local filmmakers are premiering work on major festival stages, and the country’s film infrastructure is drawing global productions. Within that context, recognizing an Arab star who has championed regional film cultures felt timely. It affirmed Marrakech’s role as a meeting point for North African and Middle Eastern talent, as well as a platform where audiences can revisit cornerstone performances and discover new ones.
Fahmy’s words captured the emotional core of the evening. His memories of the festival’s first edition, his early shoot in the city, and the friends he has made across Morocco placed the honor in a living continuum.
The applause that followed recognized not only a storied career but also the enduring ties that keep artists returning to Marrakech, year after year, to share the joy of cinema with a city that knows how to celebrate it.
