Hollywood star Robert de Niro said on Thursday that he was very fascinated by the charm of Marrakech in particular and Morocco in general, “a great country” where he wants to shoot films.
“I don’t know when and how this dream will take shape and become a reality, but it can be done,” said De Niro (79), one of the most awarded actors in the world of cinema with no less than 58 prize, in an interview with MAP, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of its latest hotel “Nobu Hotel Marrakech”.
The actor, who has one of the most emblematic and rich filmographies, highlighted, in this sense, Morocco’s position as a host country for world cinema.
“Several of my friends shot their films in Morocco. A great country that I have discovered over the years and that I would like to know even more, ”he continued.
Recalling his last visit to the Kingdom in 2018 to take part in the Marrakech International Film Festival where he received the Golden Star of this unmissable meeting of world cinema, in tribute to his exceptional career as actor, the great Star of films, such as “The Godfather 2” (1974), “Taxi Driver” (1976), “Raging Bull” (1980), “The Awakening” (1990), “Goodfellas” ( 1990), “Casino” (1995) and “Heat” (1995), noted that he “heard so much about Morocco from his writer and screenwriter friends”.
Regarding the opening of the Nobu Hotel Marrakech, De Niro, who was accompanied in particular by his co-partners, the internationally renowned Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and the American Director Meir Tepper, expressed his pride and joy in inaugurate the brand’s first hotel in Morocco and Africa. “I’m glad we’re here,” he said.
With a legendary cinematographic background, De Niro has won numerous awards during his career, including the Oscar for best actor in a supporting role for his role as Vito Corleone in “The Godfather”, part 2 ( 1974) in addition to the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Jake LaMotta in the biographical drama “Raging Bull” (1980).
As a reward for his entire brilliant career, the actor notably received a Golden Lion, the Cecil B. DeMille Award or a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
In 2009, he received the Kennedy Center Honors, then in 2016, Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.