Filming Othello, perhaps one of Orson Welles best films, which is no small talk was probably the most insane time of all his film career, which is also quite significant due to the long and arduous process.

This was a production funded by Scalera Film Studios, who at the time, during the first years of the fifties of the twentieth century was the most important studios inItaly, where they made the best films of the entire European continent. Exemplary for many reasons, -among them the amazing ability of Welles to alter Shakespeare text omitting an important part of the comical scenes of the play- (“It was a high quality comedy but there was no room for it in the film that I wanted to do … Why should a film get less respect than a play in an opera? “), where the keynote addressed regarding the text was admirably adjusted to media that was then available. From the first time the idea that ​​Welles and the artistic director of the film, Alexandre Taurner, had, was that the costumes of the characters were to based on the pictures by the Venetian painter Vittorio Carpaccio (1460-1525/6), however, upon arrival at Mogador, the city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco where the film would be shot, Welles received a telegram saying that the costumes were not ready and would not arrive on time. And a day after announcing that, some more bay news was awaiting: Scalera was bankrupt.

As they already had the cast, gear, film and cameras, Welles decided to shoot two rolls of film, until he used up all of his own money in a Turkish bath scene (where people do not have to wear clothes) The scenes shot there are still one of the most memorable parts of the film, it would take almost two years to complete them, depending on the money coming in and the dates on which the actors were available, and which was shot in nine different locations in Italy and Morocco, starting the myth that Welles took eternity to shoot his films.

Morocco was then almost exclusively, since Louis Lumiere filmed there in 1897, an ideal place for filmmakers, both due to the cheap costs and  the spectacular beauty of its landscapes-

about the radical changes undergone with regard to the North African country’s relationship with the world of film, this event is a testimony of the vitality of the International Film Festival of Marrakech (http://www.festivalmarrakech.info/) in its eleventh edition, chaired by Emir Kusturica (features section) and Sigourney Weaver from the 2nd to the 10th of  December.

This is an interesting and increasingly prestigious event that this year will pay tribute to Mexican cinema, presenting both films of its greatest filmmakers and movies of a new generation of cinematographers recognized by the diversity of their proposals

Paul Oilzum

If you rent one of the apartments in Marrakech around the festival time, do not miss it. It’s a great opportunity to see great films from around the world and see in how Morocco is now a much more suitable set for foreign productions

Contact Me 

Translated by: Marc
Contact Me

Morocco is a place where mystery is part of every corner, and that’s something that all of us who think that adventure and pleasure go together love. To get to know some small details of Moroccan places where all food lover should live his adventure, we’ll tell you how the local citizens enjoy it.

The first thing that you need to know is that Morocco’s typical food is based on couscous prepared with lamb meat. Couscous is a wheat semolina which is part of the culture of North Africa and it’s cooked every day in its homes. Also, there’s the tagine, which has the name of the recipient where it’s erved, and it can be of lamb meat, chicken or fish. If you like soups, there’s harira, which is prepared with legumes, tomato, saffron, parsley and beef. With this there’s a series of preparations which accompany these dishes.

The restaurant Palais Jad Maha has become a fashionable place among the young people in Morocco. As it’s customary in all restaurants in this city, its decoration is a refined mix of Arabic styles, with low tables on spectacular carpets. Like all the places of good standards, there’s animation with typical dancing, which are the delight of those who go to the Palais, and a club on the lower floor with live music. The food is an ideal mix of Moroccan food and international cuisine.

As a result, we can invite you to enjoy the informal dinners in Djemaa el-Fnaa, the square, which from 7pm installs a series of small stalls where you can try keftas, a type of meatballs which are marinated with fine spices, kebabs, and you can even try this Moroccan delicacy, lamb’s head.

With little refinement, but with the best flavours, you can live the city’s charm and feel the exotic air at affordable prices. Also, you can enjoy the show of fortunetellers, snake charmers, improvised magicians, Arabic dancers and people with monkeys on their shoulders, straight out of the novels, without spending a single cent more than what you want to give these street artists who give life to this magical city.

In this square you can find Chez Chegrouni, a place with local food and prices which range from the daily three course meal to other more elevated ones, but always within reason. It has excellent quick service and it’s a pleasant place where the locals are regulars. It also has a terrace in case you like being in the open air; and the dessert and tea are included with whatever you order.

We would like to remind you that you haggle before making any decision. Remember that in Morocco haggling is a sport which everyone practices, so don’t take pictures without haggling and agreeing a price.

For more information: http://www.jad-mahal.com/palais/

Nancy Guzman

Renting apartments in Marrakech is a privilege which can take you to live the most stimulating story of your life. Don’t miss it!

Contact Me 

Translated by: aleixgwilliam
Contact Me