Beur is Beautiful: A retrospective of Maghrebi-French Cinema
A groundbreaking program of Maghrebi-French cinema: an emerging trend reflecting upon the legacy of colonialism and the challenges of integration and assimilation of immigrant populations in France. Curated by Carrie Tarr. This exciting program premiered at ArteEast’s 2007 CinemaEast Film Festival. The term "beur" is a French slang derivation of the word Arabe, and refers to the French-born children of North African (Maghrebi) immigrants who, for the most part, grew up in the concrete wastelands of the low-income housing projects in the working-class suburbs (banlieues) of France.

February 5 - December 31, 2008

This exciting program premiered at ArteEast’s 2007 CinemaEast Film Festival. The term beur is a French slang derivation of the word Arabe, and refers to the French-born children of North African (Maghrebi) immigrants -- of Arab as well as Amazigh and Kabyle origin -- who, for the most part, grew up in the concrete wastelands of the low-income housing projects in the working-class suburbs (banlieues) of France.  While beur has been part of the European lexicon for over 20 years, the term and the culture it describes remain largely unknown in the United States.  When violent riots erupted in the banlieues of Paris and other French cities in fall 2005, questions of beur immigration and assimilation thought long buried suddenly burst back into the light, given a new urgency by the post-9/11 politics that designate Middle East and West as enemies and fan the flames of nationalism and mutual intolerance.

Although the story of Beur cinema since its beginnings in the 1980s banlieues is very specific historically, socially and politically to France, its essence is animated by themes universal to all contemporary experiences of migration, and particularly apt in our current climate: political, social, economic and cultural dislocation and adaptation, alienation and assimilation, bridging and disruption, inclusion and marginalization. “Beur” is Beautiful: A retrospective of Maghrebi-French Cinema explores these themes in 12 selected films for this unique traveling tour.

Engage your audiences in banlieue film by exploring the intriguing world of Maghrebi-French cinema.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM

Program Implementation and Terms

Films included in this selection are available for screening in various format (35 mm, Digi Beta PAL, Beta SP PAL, DV cam, VHS and DVD).  Please see the format and screening fee of the film(s) you are interested in below.  All films have English subtitles.

ArteEast will be responsible for providing participating institutions with prints/tapes/DVDs, program notes, and publicity materials (all available as downloads on our website.  If provided with this information, ArteEast will post details on its website about screenings at participating institutions and provide links to screening schedules.

Participating institutions will be responsible for covering the cost of shipping and insurance as well as the applicable screening fees as listed per film.  Institutions will also be responsible for any damage to the films while in their possession and during shipping.  Please consult your insurance carriers for details and requirements.

All publicity materials for this program must include the following acknowledgment: “A Touring Exhibition, curated by Carrie Tarri and organized by ArteEast (www.arteeast.org)” as well as feature ArteEast’s logo.

If you are interested in hosting the program, please contact Salima Semmar at filminfo@arteeast.org or +1 718 282 5938.  To secure the date(s) of your choice and coordinate print traffic we advise you to get in touch as soon as possible.

Screening Fees

All films are available in PAL and NTSC formats

Tea in the Harem (Charef, 1985):
$235 for DVD

My Lost Home (El Mahouti, 2002):            
$100 for Beta SP or DVD

Where Fig Trees Grow (Yahiaoui, 2005):    
$220 for Beta SP or DVD

Dounia (Ghorab-Volta, 1997):            
$100 for Beta SP or DVD

Cheb (Bouchareb, 1991)
$250 for DigiBeta and DVD

Memories of October 17th (Guene & Richard, 2002)
$75 for DV Cam or DVD

Living in Paradise (Guerdjou, 1998)
$200 for VHS and $400 for 35 mm. Available in North America only

Slimane Azem: A Legend of Exile (Merabet, 2005)
$150 for DV Cam and DVD: Available in French only

Wesh Wesh (Ameur-Zaïmeche, 2002)
Free – 35mm (through mid-April only) or DVD

Voisins Voisines (Chibane, 2005)
Free – 35 mm (though mid-April only) or DVD

Memories of Immigration (Benguigui, 1997/8)
Free - Beta SP or DVD

Bled Number 1 (Ameur-Zaïmeche, 2006)
Free – 35 mm (through May 1 only) or DVD

Alimentation  Generale  (Briet, 2005)
$280 for Beta SP and $250 for DVD