See: Jessica Chastain, Mads Mikkelsen, Hiam Abbas ... All the action from Marrakech International Film Festival

The celebrations were muted, but the overriding sentiment was that art is a change-maker

Published: November 26, 2023 14:30 Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor

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The 20th Marrakech International Film Festival, which kicked off on November 24, was a relatively sombre affair, keeping in mind the devastating earthquake that rocked Morroco in September and the Israel-Hamas conflict. But Hollywood heavyweights like Jessica Chastain, Mads Mikkelsen and Willem Dafoe amped up the star wattage. This is the first time that women outnumbered men in the jury. There were six men women and three men who will award the Etoile d’Or to one out of 14 films in the Competition. Image Credit: AP

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Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain serves as the jury president of this year’s MIFF and will screen her film ‘Memory’ to the discerning cinephiles at the festival. She used the stage to speak about the power of art to resolve conflicts in today's world. “Films can influence behaviour by beginning to break down barriers and trigger important conversations about difficult topics such as racial justice, gender equality and other important cultural issues. We can sublimate that pain and suffering and give rise to a consciousness of healing and unification to create an equal protection for all … We must do our part by educating ourselves on the issues and create something through our individual art form,” Chastain said. Image Credit: AP

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The opening night saw seasoned Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, whose credits include ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Indian Jones and the Dial Of Destiny’, and ‘Fantastic Beasts’, being bestowed this year’s Lifetime Achievement honour. Director Willem Dafoe had the kindest words for Mikkelsen’s command over his craft and humility. Image Credit: AP

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Alexander Skarsgard, known for his roles in 'The Legend of Tarzan,' 'John Clayton,' 'Big Little Lies,' and more is one of the jury members at the MIFF. Image Credit: AP

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French-Palestinian actress Hiam Abbas’s life came alive in 'Bye Bye Tiberias,' a documentary chronicling key milestones in her life against the backdrop of the war in the Gaza Strip. The documentary received rave reviews when it premiered at the MIFF on Saturday. Image Credit: AFP

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Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi is one of the jurors at Marrakech. Image Credit: AP

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Actress Camille Cottin looked classy in a white suit as she posed for shutterbugs on the red carpet. Image Credit: AP

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Swedish television producer, director and journalist Tarik Saleh is one of the jury members at MIFF. Image Credit: AP

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American screenwriter and director Dee Rees at the festival, seen here with Camille Cottin. The festival runs until Dec. 2. Image Credit: AP

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