Henry's Crime to open 10th Marrakech Film Festival

The 10th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival will open with US romantic comedy Henry’s Crime (pictured) on December 3.

The film’s director Malcolm Venville is expected to attend the opening night gala along with its lead actors Keanu Reeves and Godfather actor James Caan, who will also be the subject of a special tribute at this year’s festival.

Other honourees at the festival, which runs until 10 December, will include Harvey Keitel, Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Moroccan director Mohamed Abderrahmane Tazi. A posthumous tribute will also be paid to Moroccan actor Larbi Doghmi.

For its 10th edition the festival is launching its first short film competition for Moroccan film students, which carries a $37,000 prize. Actress Sigourney Weaver will head up the short film jury which also includes Palestinian actress/director Hiam Abbass, French director Xavier Beuvois, Moroccon director Adil Fadili, Iranian director Marjane Satrapi and French actress Emmanuelle Seigner.

Other big names attending the festival include Francis Ford Coppola, the Dardenne brothers and Lee Changdong, who have been lined up to give masterclasses.

As previously announced John Malkovich will be heading the Competition Jury, which includes Gabriel Byrne, Maggie Cheung, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benoit Jacquot, Eva Mendes and Faouzi Bensaidi.