Film critic, media man, writer and founder of the Khouribga African Film Festival, Noureddine Sail bowed out in the night of 15 December 2020 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Casablanca as a result of Covid19.
For nearly 40 years he was a major pillar in the evolution of Moroccan cinema. Writer, Film critic, Teacher, Media executive, Noureddine Sail died at the age of 73 years on the night of 15 December 2020 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Casablanca. He had been hospitalized a few days earlier following his infection with Covid19. The news of his death was confirmed by his wife Nadia Larguet on social networks. “This great cinephile, in love with Africa like no one else has bowed out. Nour-Eddine Saïl was simplicity, courage and integrity. This man ahead of his time was exceptionally brilliant. A tireless worker he will mark his country forever, ”his wife said in a Facebook post this morning.
Throughout his long career, Noureddine Sail will have profoundly contributed to the transformation of Moroccan and African cinema. Born in Tangier in 1948, he followed an academic course which led him to become a philosophy teacher. In 1970, he founded Morocco’s first film magazine: Cinema 3. Few numbers are published, but the magazine has a great influence on local newspapers, which include film pages in their publications. In 1973, he founded the National Federation of Cine-Clubs of Morocco (FNCCM), which he chaired until 1983. An initiative that will help to spread film culture in his country. The FNCCM will help him to found in 1977 the Khouribga African Film Festival, which over the years has became a major event for African cinemas.
Tribute to Noureddine Sail by the Luxor film festival in Egypt
From 1984, after having been an Inspector of philosophy teaching for almost 10 years, he began without a long career as a media Manager. From 1984 to 1986, he was Director of programmes at Moroccan Television. From 1989 to 1990, he was audiovisual consultant at Omnium Nord-Africain, and from 1990 to 2000, he was Programme Director and General Manager of Canal Horizons. In 2000, Saïl became Director of 2M television with the aim of increasing the national television production of this channel by making local television films. Their first production was called The Blind Whale, a TV film about the Moroccan police. Noureddine’s strategy works because in 2002, the station produced one TV film per month, and in 2006 two TV films per month.
In 2003, he became the Director of the Moroccan cinematographic centre. He left the post in 2014 at the same time as he retires from administration. His time at the centre was marked by his professional rigour and numerous reforms. Under his mandate, Moroccan film production increased from 5 films per to 25 films per year, the system of advance on receipts was reformed and Moroccan films took the lead at the local box office.
Noureddine Saïl was married to Journalist and Producer Nadia Larguet.
Since the announcement of his death, several filmmakers have paid tribute to him on social networks:
Tribute by Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda congolese filmmaker
Tribute of the Ecrans Noirs Festival
Tribute of Septieme Magazine
Tribute to Noureddine Sail by Cinekap a senegalese production company
Rostand Wandja
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