Jean-Pascal Zadi, the Name of French Cinema

This is the story of a film that plays Cassandra, it's the story of a director who wants to make us laugh and yet makes us think. Tout simplement noir, the latest film by Jean-Pascal Zadi, tells the story of the tribulations of a black actor in France and arrives at the right time in current events where skin color is a concern.

If politicians seem to be asking the question, the film also invites the 7th art into the debate: because, indeed, what about cinema? What about French cinema? Until now protected by the unthinkable notion of an unofficial quota and the profusion of hazy supporting roles, French cinema skillfully avoids any racial taxation.

However, with Mr Zadi's film, we cannot help but notice the anonymity of some of our greatest actors: in his film, there are a host of familiar faces, voices that remind us of other films... For some, almost lucky, we would say, a name comes back to us, for others we are content to remember a scene, in the company of a more well-known actor.

Where have the names of our black French actors gone?

Despite the tense current situation on the issue and despite the fact that we like to point out their flaws, any average American can cite a Spike Lee film, rejoice in Halle Berry's Oscar, or see a film with Whoopi Goldberg. Why has there been so little effort in France to promote diversity in our society? Of course, there have been attempts: timid ones, with a female lead for the excellent Firmine Richard in Romuald et Juliette, and dazzling ones, in the superb film The Great Silence, where Vonetta McGee co-starred with Jean-Louis Trintignant in 1968! Let's mention in passing the films of director Sylvestre Amoussou, distributed in certain arthouse cinemas for lack of anything better...

Yes, I see some questioning faces; few have seen or remembered these films, and for good reason: no one has made the effort to acclaim them! A cautious press, a circumspect public, and producers reluctant to support these projects. Many points that place profitability beyond the notion of openness, so dear to the intelligentsia of the 7th art.

This is how many young directors and/or actors, condescendingly described as "from immigrant backgrounds", find themselves producing films that speak from their guts, from a France that is little known to French cinema and yet, from it. When they allow themselves to discover these films, the public often comes out with the impression of having gained 2 hours of their life, of having perceived another depth because the scenario here is much more in touch with the reality of French society. This was the case recently with Ladj Ly's Les Misérables, made of odds and ends, with the help of all friends, this film easily carved out its place among Audiard and Lelouch, without even running out of steam.

With Jean-Pascal Zadi, the method is the same: after knocking on doors, everyone is called, the best is done with next to nothing, and that's the parade, the entire college of black French actors reprise their roles for a comedy without a hitch, so young, Jean-Pascal takes on the role of the big brother and takes us by the hand to show us all the inconsistencies of society in the face of his skin color. It's a therapy through laughter, because the French public has always preferred to laugh at its contradictions for fear of having to assume them. Here, all the actors have their name in the credits (a thought for Pascal Nzonzi), here, everyone has the leading role, here, we talk about multicultural France, rich France.

While some, certainly the most self-conscious, will point to an American-style community film, United Souls chooses to highlight the generosity and talent of these actors forgotten by the lazy César Academy (a thought for Aïssa Maïga).

United Souls has chosen to support Jean-Pascal Zadi's film, hoping for more to follow. We are proud that our brother, our cousin, was generous enough to feature our T-shirts in his film, thus blending the historical figures chosen by United Souls with the actors present.

The recognition of talent, whatever it may be, wherever it comes from, is one of our primary concerns and it is with pleasure that we accompany this generation of artists while celebrating the great names of the past.

NB: Discover below all the T-shirts worn by director Jean-Pascal Zadi in his film "Tout Simplement Noir" for the first French Black protest march.