Scott to receive Morocco’s highest honour

Director Ridley Scott, whose location film work has poured millions of pounds into Morocco, is being honoured at the Morocco film festival next month with the country’s highest award.

Scott, who filmed Black Hawk Down and parts of Gladiator in the country, is to receive the Wissam alaouite at the festival, which runs from October 3-8.

Scott told journalists at a New York press conference that he recently returned to Morocoo to visit King Mohammed VI to discuss filming much of his next project, the epic Tripoli, there.

Set in the 12th Century, Tripoli stars Russell Crowe and tells the story of Saladin and his battles in the Holy Wars.

Scott plans to begin filming early next year.