French Comedian Élie Semoun Praises Moroccan Humor, Discusses Marrakech Comedy Festival

"I’ve been participating in it since the beginning. I love Morocco and Moroccans, who have extraordinary self-deprecation and a sense of humor. I also have a strong connection with Jamel. His family and mine come from Taza. We’ve known each other for a long time, he’s incredibly kind!" Elie Semoun told TV Mag. The French comedian was born in Paris, in a Moroccan Jewish family from the city of Taza.

When asked if you can no longer laugh about everything at the Marrakech du Rire, Elie Semoun responds without filter: "No, but I’m back from the Marrakech du Rire and we have to be careful about what we say in front of the Moroccan audience: no sex, no allusion to God. It’s in the image of today’s society." And to continue: "How many artists have been censored or forced to apologize like Norman, accused of racism, or Arthus ejected from TikTok after a joke about disability. I also tell myself that we couldn’t do half of the Petites Annonces (a series of humorous videos inspired by Videokon des Inconnus, written, directed and performed by himself, editor’s note) anymore!"