Sean Penn praises Morocco at Marrakech Film Festival, «thanks 37 million Moroccans»

A distinguished tribute was paid to the American actor and director Sean Penn on Saturday evening at the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM 2024) in recognition of his illustrious career in the film industry. Driven by an engaged perspective that constantly questions the state of the world, his cinematic contributions blend artistic and humanistic expression—sometimes political, sometimes offbeat—serving as reflections on both individual and collective experiences, all executed with outstanding dramatic talent.
The son of actress Eileen Ryan and actor-director Leo Penn, the Santa Monica (California) native grew up immersed in cinema during the politically charged Cold War era. His father, a former World War II pilot, was blacklisted during McCarthyism for refusing to name names, intertwining Sean Penn's life with the realms of both art and politics. It is no wonder these dual influences have shaped the evolution of «Hollywood's enfant terrible».
On screen, behind the camera, or in production, the double Oscar-winning star has marked generations of film lovers with complex roles, including a death row inmate in Dead Man Walking (Tim Robbins, 1995), a jazz guitarist in Sweet and Lowdown (Woody Allen, 2000), a single father with a disability in I Am Sam (Jessie Nelson, 2002), and a Boston crime lord in Mystic River (Clint Eastwood, 2003).
This last role earned Penn his first Oscar for Best Actor in 2003, with a second following in 2009 for his portrayal of a city councilman coming out in Milk (Gus Van Sant).
Keen to explore human themes through the aesthetics of cinema, Penn has explained his motivation for filmmaking as a desire to address isolation: «I feel that people are isolating themselves today in their fears, struggles, and pains. I want to help them by showing on screen that other people feel the same things and that we are never completely alone», he remarked in television interviews during the 1990s.
Cinema against the tide of political correctness
Celebrating his career at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Penn expressed gratitude, saying, «Let me thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI, His Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, the festival director Mélita Toscan Du Plantier, my friend Valeria Golino, the audience in this room, and the 37 million Moroccans around us». He received his award emotionally from Italian actress Valeria Golino.
Penn used the opportunity to emphasize the need to continue enriching the diversity of cinema as a response to political correctness. «For those who know me, you know I never miss an opportunity to express an opinion, and I have one regarding this festival that brings together people in the diversity of their talents», he stated.
«It is our role to express our diversity in a positive sense, against political correctness (…) as a critique of what has become of liberalism in the United States and elsewhere in the world. I therefore call on everyone to be as politically incorrect as their heart desires. Keep writing and telling stories to enrich this diversity».
Directorial achievements
Sean Penn, who won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 for She's So Lovely (Nick Cassavetes), has also distinguished himself as a director. Drawing inspiration from the American cultural mosaic and global themes, his works celebrate the diversity he advocates. In 1991, he established his reputation as a filmmaker with The Indian Runner, inspired by Bruce Springsteen's song «Highway Patrolman» and an Indian legend about the rite of passage to adulthood.
Penn continued this trajectory with The Crossing Guard (1995), directing Jack Nicholson, and achieved worldwide success in 2007 with Into the Wild. In between, he directed The Pledge (2001) and more recently contributed to cinema both as an actor and director in Flag Day (2021).
The secret to his success, Penn has said, lies in the balance of «absorbing» a character without becoming completely immersed, allowing him to naturally embody roles while maintaining critical distance.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Morocco World

4 days ago

• Morocco World

RedOne, Pitbull Release 2025 Club World Cup Anthem

Fez– In a bold musical move that fuses nostalgia with high-voltage energy, Moroccan hitmaker RedOne has teamed up with American rap icon Pitbull to release the official anthem for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, taking place in the United States. And they didn't hold back. Instead of composing something entirely new, the duo went straight for the jugular of global stadium classics: 'We Will Rock You', Queen's legendary 1977 anthem. But don't expect a simple remix; this is a full reimagining, infused with RedOne's signature cinematic production and modern electronic beats that bring the old-school stomp-stomp-clap into the heart of 2025. RedOne, known for his Grammy-stacked portfolio and larger-than-life collaborations, kept the song's iconic chant intact, but spun it into something sleeker, punchier, and tailor-made for a generation raised on festival drops and TikTok loops. It's a revival, not a replica. Then comes Pitbull. Mr. Worldwide himself dives in with fiery rap verses celebrating victory, perseverance, and the kind of unshakable swagger that fuels championship dreams. His lyrics ride the beat like a victory lap, delivering the kind of hype that gets fans on their feet, whether they're in the stadium or streaming the game from across the globe. The choice of 'We Will Rock You' isn't random; it's arguably one of the most universally recognized anthems of defiance and collective adrenaline. By bringing it back with a global twist, RedOne and Pitbull have effectively built a bridge between rock royalty and 21st-century sportainment. And while the beat drops and verses blaze, let's not forget who's showing up on the field. This year's Club World Cup includes Morocco's Wydad Casablanca, representing North Africa with pride and grit. They'll be joined by four other Arab powerhouses: Egypt's Al Ahly, Tunisia's Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, and the UAE's Al Ain. So, yes, North Africa and the Middle East will have a serious presence both on the pitch and in the soundtrack. RedOne and Pitbull aren't just throwing a party; they're giving fans an anthem to rally behind. It's old-school rock, global flair, and pure sporting adrenaline in one track. The stage is set, the song is out, and the countdown to kickoff has officially begun. Let the games and the beats begin. Tags: AnthemClub World CupPitbullRedOne

Morocco World

6 days ago

• Morocco World

Philippines, Morocco Deepen 50 Years Ties Through Music and Memory

Rabat – The Philippines and Morocco marked 50 years of diplomatic ties this week with a celebration that went beyond protocol. This morning, the Embassy of the Philippines in Rabat invited Moroccans to witness a performance that embodied both of tradition and connection. Kontra-GaPi, an ensemble from the University of the Philippines, stood at the center of the gathering. For the first time in its history, the group traveled to Africa, not only as tourists, but as cultural ambassadors. Their instruments, some carved from bamboo, others stretched with skin, offered rhythms shaped by centuries. The dances they brought reflected the lives of communities who have held onto their ways through waves of colonization, war, and migration. Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja opened the event with calm conviction. 'We hope through the performances of Kontra-GaPi, we will be able to create a cultural bridge between our two countries,' he told Morocco World News (MWN) at the sidelines of the event. 'And of course, create greater awareness and understanding between the peoples of the Philippines and Morocco.' 'This is a special moment for us,' the group's founder and artistic director, Pedro Abraham Jr told MWN . 'We are here not just to perform, but to share something ancient and alive from our country.' Abraham explained that the ensemble drew on traditions from nearly 100 ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines. 'Many of these communities were barely touched by colonization. Their music holds memory, and we carry it with care,' he said. For Abraham, the performance in Morocco felt personal. 'We don't often get to stand in places so far from home and be received with this much kindness,' he said. 'And yet here we are, in North Africa, sharing something that began thousands of years ago in the Austronesian world. For a few moments, our histories sit side by side.' The performance brought warmth, silence between notes, and the slow recognition that people across continents often carry similar longings, for dignity, continuity, and friendship. The visit also marked the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence. But, the night did not revolve around dates or official speeches. It belonged to the musicians, the dancers, and the guests who leaned in to listen. The Embassy's choice to bring Kontra-GaPi to Morocco served as more than symbolic outreach. It stood as an invitation, to look beyond geography, and to find familiarity in difference. Tags: Kontra GapiMoroccoMorocco Philippines tiesmorocco ties

Ya Biladi

14-06-2025

• Ya Biladi

Moroccan Ayoub Ayache wins World Pizza Makers Championship in Naples

DR Moroccan chef Ayoub Ayache has won the top prize at the 22nd edition of the World Pizza Makers Championship, held from June 3 to 5 in Naples, Italy—the global capital of pizza. Ayache outperformed a field of top chefs from across the world to claim first place. This historic win makes Ayache the first Moroccan, Arab, and African to secure a global title in the birthplace of Italian pizza. In a post on Instagram, he shared his pride and joy: «Praise be to God, I've fulfilled a dream that has long inspired me. After taking third place in 2022 and second in 2023, I've finally reached the top this year. Long live Morocco—God, Homeland, King». ? Le #Maroc?? brille en #Italie?? ! #Ayoub_Ayache remporte la couronne mondiale de la #pizza?. #PizzaWorldChampion #Maroc — (@yabiladi_fr) June 14, 2025