"The Peace Hotel Instills Fear in Attendees of the National Film Festival in Tangier"

Last night, the new film "The Peace Hotel," directed by Jamal Belmajdi, was showcased during the official competition of the National Film Festival in Tangier. The film received positive feedback from attendees, presenting a profound human story about the internal conflicts faced by its characters within a hotel setting. Critics praised its bold approach to unorthodox themes in Moroccan cinema, which contributed to its distinctive character.

The narrative explores the theme of 'jinn' as tied to Moroccan culture, detailing a tale of greed that leads characters into a confrontation with a jinn guarding treasure they unearthed, which results in their transformation from friends to foes.

Director Jamal Belmajdi explained that the challenge of creating a horror film, a genre rarely seen in Moroccan cinema, motivated him. He revealed that he found inspiration after seeing an abandoned hotel, ultimately selecting a hotel in Marrakech for filming due to its intriguing backstory.

Young actor Adam Belmajdi expressed that the role resonated with him, although he faced challenges translating his artistic emotions to the audience.

Producer Sanae Kilali shared that the film's conception arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, as their production company sought to venture into Moroccan cinema, despite the high production costs associated with horror films.

The overall budget for "The Peace Hotel" was approximately eight million dirhams, and the team celebrated the positive audience reactions as a rewarding validation of their efforts. The film features several prominent Moroccan actors, including Mohamed Choubi and Salwa Zahrahan.