In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the Danish actor, honored with the festival's Étoile d'Or during the opening ceremony in recognition of his global artistic journey, revealed that Marrakech had been "a meeting point" where he encountered celebrities who had been "his source of inspiration" since childhood.

Far from being just another actor, Mads Mikkelsen expressed his desire to play "complex and provocative" roles, explaining that he is chosen to portray "villains" in American films and heroes in Danish films.

"After watching Taxi Driver, I realized I wanted to move away from the villain-hero duality and play something much more complex," he added.

Never dreaming of becoming an actor and dancer, Mads Mikkelsen asserted that he did not have "celebrity" as a goal, expressing happiness and privilege to belong to the artistic world.

Deeply involved in his role as an actor, the one who once dreamed of a career in high-level sports found himself propelled into a completely different career where he flourishes through experiences.

Mads Mikkelsen is one of the few contemporary actors who have successfully alternated between roles in Hollywood blockbusters and European auteur cinema.

His audacity, charisma, and ability to reinvent himself brilliantly from one film to another have made him one of the most fascinating and appreciated actors of his generation.

A flagship program of Marrakech Festival, In Conversation With series offers the audience the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in cinema from around the world.

Between delightful anecdotes and candid discussions about their vision and practice of the craft, actors, directors, writers, and producers are invited to freely exchange with the Festival's audience as part of this series.

Under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the Marrakech International Film Festival aims to be a space for expression and discovery for renowned filmmakers from various countries to present and showcase their cinematic works in an environment of exchange, sharing, and cultural and artistic enrichment.

Organized from November 24 to December 2, the 20th edition highlights national cinema this year with the presentation of a selection of five Moroccan films in the Panorama category.