Twelve of the 15 movies in competition, ranging from Jonas Cuaron’s “Desierto” to Brazilian Gabriel Mascaro’s singular “Neon Bull,” which won Best Direction, are first or second films.
Marrakech’s top award, the Golden Star Festival Grand Prize, went to the Beirut-set comedic crime thriller Very Big Shot from Lebanon’s Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya.
One of the most auspicious debuts at Marrakech, which bowed at Toronto Film Fest, Very Big Shot drew attention for its Argos-like tale, especially after the Paris and San Bernardino attacks.
Timely in terms of dealing with violence in the Arab world, Very Big Shot plays out for most of its length as a crime caper.
