Bong Joon Ho, the acclaimed Korean filmmaker, reminisced about his film school days as he took on the role of Jury President at the 22nd Marrakech Film Festival, joining a esteemed panel alongside Jenna Ortega and Anya Taylor-Joy. In a captivating opening ceremony, Joon Ho reflected on his own journey as a filmmaker, asking the audience to imagine their lives at age 22. He shared, 'At 22, I was a cinema student, devouring movies with a passion. I questioned every shot, every decision behind the camera. Those questions fueled my desire to create my own films.'
The festival's jury, comprising Celine Song, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, Karim Aïnouz, Hakim Belabbes, Julia Ducournau, and Payman Maadi, will judge 14 films over the next eight days, with the Golden Star Award as the coveted prize. Joon Ho's own filmmaking journey began with a similar intensity, as he delved into the craft with curiosity and drive.
Marrakech has a special connection to Korean cinema, having awarded the Golden Star twice to Korean films. Park Jung-bum's 'The Journals of Musan' won in 2010, followed by Lee Su-jin's 'Han Gong-ju' in 2013, both under the guidance of a jury led by Martin Scorsese. Joon Ho, the festival's first Asian jury president, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, 'I feel Marrakech's energy as it enters its 22nd year, buzzing with the same passion for cinema that I once felt as a student.'
Festival director Mélita Toscan du Plantier revealed the efforts to secure Joon Ho's presence, saying, 'He's always busy, but he committed a year in advance. It's a rare honor.' The director also credited Martin Scorsese, Tilda Swinton, and Lee Su-jin for their influence on Joon Ho's decision to attend. The opening ceremony also celebrated veteran Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi with a career achievement award, honoring his diverse roles and contributions to cinema over 50 years.
The Marrakech Film Festival, running from November 28 to December 6, promises to be a celebration of diverse talents, with Joon Ho's jury adding to the festival's prestige and global appeal.
