Photo : DR
FOCUS CINEMA on Mary Jimenez & Bénédicte Liénard
An initiative of the Wallonie-Bruxelles/Paris Center for the 2026 Documentary Film Month in partnership with the Simone de Beauvoir Audiovisual Center, where 5 films will be screened!
Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles (Paris 4th)
About
It is rare for two filmmakers, each with a substantial filmography, to decide to join forces to begin a cinematic work made together. This is the case for Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard, who have been collaborating since 2013.
PROGRAM:
■ Monday, November 16 at 6:00 PM: SUR LES BRAISES (ON THE EMBERS) by Mary Jimenez & Bénédicte Liénard, in their presence
(2013. Belgium/Peru. 1h25. OV with French subtitles)
On the fringes of the Amazon, a family survives by selling charcoal made from the wood they char. The camera undulates through both domestic spaces and vast landscapes. It envelopes the family and immerses us in the heart of all the issues that affect them: the division of daily tasks, harassment and the remuneration of work, intergenerational and marital ties, the quest for independence…
■ Monday, November 16 at 8:00 PM: SOUS LE NOM DE TANIA (BY THE NAME OF TANIA) by Mary Jimenez & Bénédicte Liénard, in their presence
(2019. Belgium/Peru. 1h25. OV with French subtitles)
Based on testimonies, this hybrid film tells the destiny of Tania, a teenager forced into prostitution in the gold mining region of Peru. Tania remembers her kidnapping following false promises of work and the gradual loss of her identity. The camera takes us from the jungle to the bars that were the site of her exploitation. The feverish gold rush, combined with the destruction of the environment, makes the film resonate as an allegory of life sacrificed on the altar of capitalism.
■ Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 PM: FUGA by Mary Jimenez & Bénédicte Liénard, in their presence
(2024 – Belgium/Netherlands/France/Peru – 1h31 – OV with French subtitles)
In the heart of the Amazon, Saor, a young shaman, comes to bury his former mistress in her native village. In her death, Valentina has taken her secrets with her. By meeting those who were her friends, Saor plunges into memories. He pierces the unspoken and will gradually come to understand the life of the woman he loved, right up to the point of horror.
■ Tuesday, November 17 at 8:00 PM: DU VERBE AIMER (OF THE VERB TO LOVE) by Mary Jimenez, in her presence
(1985 – Belgium/Peru – 1h25 – OV with French subtitles. Digital copy)
Her death makes me as crazy as her life. It is Mary who speaks. Mary Jiménez, the director of "Du verbe aimer". She talks about her mother, whom she went to look for in the Peruvian landscapes of her memory.
■ Wednesday, November 18 at 5:00 PM: Master Class by Mary Jimenez & Bénédicte Liénard.
Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard look back on their cinematic journeys, especially since they began directing together, including their immersion in the Peruvian Amazon and their way of filming and giving a voice to those who do not have one.
■ Wednesday, November 18 at 8:00 PM: UNE PART DU CIEL (A PART OF THE SKY) by Bénédicte Liénard, in her presence
(2002 – Belgium/France/Luxembourg – 1h25 – digital copy from the Cinematek)
Une part du ciel recounts the resistance of imprisoned women and a group of factory workers. Claudine, a union activist in this factory, is caught up by the past that links her to Joanna, now in prison. Joanna's lawyer asks Claudine to testify about what drove her friend to violence. But accepting this testimony would mean denouncing the union apparatus that still seems to protect her.
Our take on this event
Witness the powerful creative partnership of two filmmakers whose work delves into the rugged, complex landscapes of Peru. This spotlight captures everything from the grueling realities of labor in the Amazon to deeply personal journeys of memory and loss. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates cinema that challenges the soul.
The Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles hosts a three-day film cycle dedicated to the work of directors Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard. From November 16 to 18, 2026, audiences are invited to discover a series of feature films and a master class exploring their joint and individual artistic paths. The directors will be present to discuss their projects, which focus on themes such as social struggles, family memory, and human resilience. Tickets for these screenings are priced at 5€ or 3€ for concessions. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with deeply immersive films that highlight marginalized voices and complex societal realities.
Located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles presents a retrospective of Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard. Spanning from November 16 to November 18, 2026, the program highlights their collaborative work in the Peruvian Amazon as well as their personal filmographies, with most sessions featuring the directors themselves.
The screenings commence on Monday, November 16, with « Sur les braises » at 18:00 and « Sous le nom de Tania » at 20:00. On Tuesday, November 17, the schedule continues with « Fuga » at 18:00 and Mary Jimenez’s « Du verbe aimer » at 20:00. The final day, Wednesday, November 18, features a master class at 17:00, followed by the screening of « Une part du ciel » by Bénédicte Liénard at 20:00.
All films are presented in their original versions with French subtitles. The event is open to the public with a price of 5€ and 3€ for reduced rates. Given the presence of the filmmakers, guests are encouraged to arrive on time to participate in the discussions following the films.
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