Zemmouri has keen eye and uses humor when looking at North
Africans living in Paris. "100% Arabica"celebrates the people and also the
popular music Rai which expresses the subtle and obvious conditions in this
complex modern world.
THE INTERVIEW
Talk about your experience as an Algerian immigrant living in Paris. Has it
been good or bad?
I came to France - Paris- in 1968, just after Algeria gained its
independence. At that time, to immigrate meant that one had to integrate a
country that had just lost a war and was still resentful. I was often told,
"You wanted your independence, so why don't you stay in your country." At
the beginning, I had to muster a strong conviction to stay in a country that
was mostly hostile, but it was the only way I could study films - a field of
study that did not exist in Algeria. I was raised in a French school, so the
French culture was not foreign to me. I was able to express my passion for
cinema. So, in the end, I don't see any negative aspects about living in
France. On the contrary, France has allowed me to make films and gave me
freedom of speech.
Is it difficult to maintain your Arabic cultural identity while living in
another country?
No, it is not difficult. To live in another country, whichever one, one has
to accept the rules of the country and assimilate. Otherwise, one is
condemned to remain marginal. I maintain my culture and traditions with my
family and I stay in touch with all the cultural events related to Algeria.
Has it been difficult to maintain your safety since receiving death threats?
No. While living in France, I didn't feel threatened. I simply avoid certain
"hot" neighborhoods. On the other hand, because of the threats, I was not
able to travel to Algeria for six years and was not able to attend my
father's funeral. I was deeply affected by that experience.
Do you live in the "100% Arabica"neighborhood?
The "100% Arabica"neighborhood is fictitious. I live in a housing complex
that does not look like the "100% Arabica" neighborhood, but in terms of the
exchanges, the warmth, and the spontaneity of its inhabitants, I can say my
complex does resemble "100% Arabica."
Has the popularity and/or presentation of Rai changed since the killing of
the popular singer, Cheb Hasni?
Rai has not lost its popularity since the killing of Cheb Hasni, on the
contrary. Rai music is more frequently listened to now, and in families
where, traditionally, that music was forbidden. The killers wanted to
eradicate Rai music, but their action resulted in the reverse effect, with
Rai music becoming recognized and appreciated more and more internationally.
Did his death spur you on to write and direct this film?
No, it is the Rai itself, which symbolizes the modernization of the Algerian
culture and a shift in values of a rural, Muslim, traditional society. Rai
music sings to love, desire, drinking, partying but most of all to the
joie de vivre of a vibrant youth.
Did you study film? When you begin your career?
In the 60's, just after the independence, I use to attend screenings at the
Algiers' cinemateque. I met people like Elias Kazan and other great
filmmakers who were coming to pay respect to our newly formed independent
nation. The debates were animated and I met a lot of people who had a passion
for cinema. That experience was a real schooling for me. While in France,
after two years of optometry studies, I audited for a year (1971-1972) at the
Institute of Graduate Cinematography studies. I interned during the shooting
of several films and directed my first short called "La Breche"in 1975.
Right after that, I started writing the script for my first feature film
called "Get 10,000 Bucks and get the hell out"but I started shooting only in
1980.
How much support do you get from the French artistic community? From your
home Algeria?
I cannot talk about "support" from the French artistic community. What has
helped me a lot is my career as an actor and to have been with Coluche in
"Tchao Pantin",a film that had a lot of success in France. As far as the
Algerian artistic community is concerned, the situation is the same. Being a
director is a lonely occupation. The only support a director can expect is
that of the audience who comes see his or her film. In that regard, the
Algerian community has been very supportive, all my films, except for one,
have been very popular.
Are you religious?
No. My parents are Muslims but I am not religious.
What are you working on next?
My next project -- we are currently in development seeking funding -- is
called "Couscous Connection." It's a comedy, which pokes fun at the arranged
weddings, which are more and more often imposed on the young "Beurs"(French
people of North African origin) who live in France.
