Guide to cinema

ZEMMOURI, MAHMOUD

(1946- )
Actor, director, and screen-writer. Mahmoud Zemmouri was born in Algeria but came to France, where he became a director. His films, often placed under the rubricsbeur cinemaandcinéma de banlieue, explore the tensions between first-generation North African immigrants and their marginalized beur children. His100%arabica(1997), which features the raï music stars Khaled and Cheb Mami, critiques both Islamic fundamentalism and French treatment of the beur community. He also directedPrends 10.000 balles et casse-toi(1982), which explores the absurdity of the French "repatriation" incentive. His other films includeLes folles années du twist(1986),De Hollywood à Tamanrasset(1990),L'honneur de la tribu(1993), andBeur blanc rouge(2005). He worked as an actor inClaude Berri'sTchao Pantin(1983), Gérard Jugnot'sPinot simple flic(1984), Jean-Loup Hubert'sLa Smala(1984), Bernard Nauer'sNuit d'ivresse(1986),L'Oeil au beur(re)noir(1987), Philipe Galland'sLa Thune(1991), Cheikh Doukouré'sBlanc d'ébène(1992), Malik Chibane'sHexagone(1993), and his ownL'honneur de la tribuand100%arabica.
Historical Dictionary of French Cinema by Dayna Oscherwitz & Mary Ellen Higgins

  1. zemmouri, mahmoud—Actor director and screenwriter. Mahmoud Zemmouri was born in Algeria but came to France where he became a director. His films often placed under the rubrics beur cinemae...Historical Dictionary of French Cinema