For Breaking Down Barriers in World Cinema, Tilda Swinton Applauds Marrakech

The Marrakech Film Festival's nine-person jury which is presided by British actor, Tilda Swinton were in a conference recently where they talked about choosing the Best Film from the official competition of 12 first films and two second films. At the conference, president Swinton said, "Art can never be a competition. This is more like a gathering. We all have the privilege to put on our psychic pajamas and sit together and perhaps find a gem and shed a little light on it. It’s not about saying that one film is better than the others.”

What is more important and needs to be highlighted is the global representativeness of the 14 films in the competition which come around from the whole world. The jury emphasized upon it where Swinton said, “I am not a great believer in national cinema. We’re all here because we’re film fans. We wear psychic pajamas when we go to see a film, and that’s what we’ll be doing this week. But it’s also true that different parts of the world have different relationships with funding structures and with government support, and festivals can also shed light on some countries.”

Australian director David Michod echoed this idea saying that: “One of the things I love about movies is the beautiful confluence of different art forms in one big soup. What I’m always looking for is movies that excite me, where I can feel a distinctive voice. The director is the person who gives the talent its singular voice. I get most excited when that voice is strong and singular.”

Swinton added that one of the things she senses in the films in Official Selection is the “wide and eclectic choice of characters, and the willingness to take risks” which she identifies within her own career as an actor. “People have talked to me before about my willingness to take risks. But what one person sees as a risk for me is a comfort zone. I’m just following my nose. I personally don’t choose characters. I choose my comrades and this then leads to the choice of material.”

Swinton rounded off the discussion saying, “We’ve talked this morning about national identity, gender identity, and the differences between fiction and documentary. But I suggest we dissolve these divisions entirely. What interests us is the state of cinema. Entirely free and entirely subjective. This is a great opportunity from this wonderful festival dedicated to supporting cineastes’ visions. Let’s go for freedom here.”