Photo : La petite dernière de Hafsia Herzi © 2025 June Films – Katuh Studio – Arte France Cinéma - ZDF - MK Productions - MK2 Films
Exhibition: A History of French Cinema - Maghrebi Legacies
For over sixty years, French cinema has been transformed under the impetus of filmmakers and actors from Maghrebi immigration. Their works have introduced new narratives, new faces, and new forms, redefining the imaginaries of the seventh art. The exhibition A History of French Cinema retraces this history by highlighting those who have helped shape and continue to shape French cinema.
Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration (Paris 12th)
About
From directors like pioneer Ali Ghanem to Mehdi Charef, Rachid Bouchareb, Hafsia Herzi, or Lina Soualem, and actors such as Jamel Debbouze, Rachida Brakni, Roschdy Zem, or Sami Bouajila, many have contributed to shaping a unique cultural history. Their journeys, between France and the Maghreb, have helped redefine, generation after generation, the imaginaries of French cinema. Their films, often pioneering, have paved the way for unprecedented narratives, blending the experience of exile, the quest for identity, and a renewal of cinematic forms.
Rather than focusing on how figures of immigration have been represented on screen, A History of French Cinema chooses to focus on the artists who, since the 1960s, have written large chapters of French cinema history without this story ever having been told.
Through film clips, posters, production photographs, storyboards, iconic film objects such as Césars, and press archives, A History of French Cinema offers a concrete and sensitive journey through this history. The exhibition brings into dialogue widely recognized works and others more rarely shown, sometimes restored or digitized for the occasion.
The exhibition concludes with a sequence looking to the future: the rise of genre cinema, the importance of women, formal freedom, the boldness of narratives, and the emergence of new voices circulating between the two shores.
This exhibition is part of the Mediterranean Season 2026.
Curatorship
Exhibition Curators
- Clémentine Deroudille, exhibition curator, author, and director.
- Lucile Humbert Beldjoudi, audiovisual project manager at the National Museum of the History of Immigration, creator of the Horizons film residency.
- Supported by Chloé Dupont, exhibition officer at the National Museum of the History of Immigration.
Scientific and Artistic Guidance
- Aurélie Cardin, creator of the CinéBanlieue Festival.
- Solange Poulet, initiator of the creation of Aflam in Marseille.
Our take on this event
Behind every masterpiece of French cinema lies a story that has long remained in the shadows, blending personal heritage with creative genius. This collection shines a light on the filmmakers and actors who have continuously reinvented the narrative landscape across generations. Expect an immersive journey filled with rare storyboards, iconic film memorabilia, and a forward-looking perspective on today's most bold artistic voices.
The Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration presents a major exhibition exploring the significant influence of Maghrebi heritage on French cinema. Running from October 30, 2026, to March 21, 2027, the display highlights how visionary artists—from pioneers like Ali Ghanem to contemporary icons like Jamel Debbouze—have reshaped the nation's cinematic landscape since the 1960s. Through a collection of rare film clips, posters, and production photographs, visitors can trace stories of exile, identity, and artistic innovation. Located in the 12th arrondissement, the exhibition is open to the public with tickets priced at 12 € for standard entry and 9 € for concessions.
As part of the 2026 Mediterranean Season, this exhibition provides an original perspective on French cinema by focusing on the artists who have historically shaped it. Instead of merely analyzing how immigrant figures have been portrayed on screen, the curation highlights the creative contributions of directors and actors who have built this unique cultural history. The journey spans from the 1960s to the present, exploring themes such as the experience of exile, the quest for identity, and the renewal of cinematic forms.
Curated by Clémentine Deroudille and Lucile Humbert Beldjoudi, the exhibit features a diverse array of artifacts, including storyboards, production stills, press archives, and iconic film awards like the César. The display bridges the gap between widely recognized masterpieces and rarely seen works, some of which have been specially restored. The final section looks toward the future, emphasizing the rise of genre cinema, the essential role of women, and the bold voices emerging between both shores of the Mediterranean.
The exhibition is hosted at the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration from October 30, 2026, to March 21, 2027. Visitors can attend for a standard price of 12 € or a reduced rate of 9 €.
19°C
Weather forecast
Légère pluie
