GRAZIA MAGAZINE: MARRAKECH GETS ITS FIRST SCIENCE-FICTION FILM FROM DIRECTOR GINO MCKOY

Article originally published in Grazia Maroc on March 5th, 2021

MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - Despite the still raging health crisis and more or less closed borders, resilience is more relevant than ever. We learned in particular that Morocco was recently the scene of a new American film shoot. But not just any: it is the very first foreign science fiction film made in the country, more particularly in Marrakech and Ouarzazate.

Signed Gino Justin Hudson McKoy, the film "Lumina" unveils a nice cast, including renowned actors like Eric Roberts, the brother of Julia Roberts herself, Ken Lawson or Eleanor Williams. Crisscrossing the districts of the ocher city for weeks on end, the entire film crew benefited from the local hospitality and in particular from the Kech Boutique Hotel & Spa where she stayed. Scheduled for next summer, this “made in Morocco” film is the new gem of the talented Canadian director & screenwriter. Note that the sparkling and dynamic Gino McKoy is a complete artist. Because, he is not only a filmmaker, he is also a singer and musical producer of talent. A true enthusiast who says he is very excited to present his first feature film to the world.

At just 40 years old, it was as a family that he decided to put down his suitcases in Morocco to embark on this exciting adventure. Brilliantly mixing drama, science fiction and action, McKoy was largely inspired by the sumptuous landscapes of the Kingdom, especially in the desert for the frame of his film. To give you a taste: the story features a young college graduate whose girlfriend disappears in blinding lightning. Set off on his quest, he rushes into a dangerous network of distortions from another world… Note that most of the scenes alternate between the Atlas mountains and the Agafay desert.

As a bonus, the director has surrounded himself with an essentially Moroccan team for the realization of his project. Apart from the cultural heritage, he was also very touched by the Moroccan hospitality, even forging beautiful friendships with some locals. Following his big heart for Marrakech, which he discovered for the very first time, he even plans to return there for his next shoots. In the meantime, we can't wait to discover our red city in science fiction mode with the first images of this famous “Lumina”…