“FRENCH” A Short Film By Josza Anjembe
French documentary filmmaker Josza Anjembe, brings us a short film with a universal message. As humans, we all strive to belong and identify to the country we call home. We want to belong to have a connection, to believe and live the ideals of the country that has embraced us and to connect with the country’s society and culture.
In “FRENCH” Seyna (played by a newcomer) Grace Seri has made her immigrant parents proud with a passing grade of A and received her diploma. Her hardworking father gives Seyna a gift certificate for a day spa/salon treat as her younger brother pleads to accompany her. However, this diploma begins a new phase in Seyna’s life allowing her to truly become “FRENCH”. For now, she can apply for her national ID card but she needs to show her fathers ID which he is not willing to do. Seyna proceeds to steal it and heads to the administrative offices to begin the process of belonging. Though born in France from Cameroon parents, Seyna needs to feel really “FRENCH” an ideology her father strongly opposes, in one emotional scene he declares. “I won’t give France my daughter”. With that one statement we hear so many underlying issues and when the camera pans on his face we can feel his pain that comes with his daughter’s need to be accepted by their adopted country.
There is so much to be explored in this narrative that subtly raises questions about race, social injustice and the financial struggles of many immigrants. “French ” is beautifully shot and well acted. I highly recommend seeing this film and that is why I will not tell you the ending.”
We are looking forward to seeing more films from Josza Anjembe.
About the Team
Director Josza Anjembe, is a French documentary filmmaker, and a journalist. She began her love for this field with her first documentary Cameroonian Massage, which was broadcast on French television and selected for numerous film festivals. Her award-winning film French was inspired in part by her real experience and the issues that ethnic minorities face in France.
Producer Nelson Ghrenassia, graduated from Paris La Sorbonne with a PHD in Cinema. He has produced more than 15 short films, which were widely broadcast on television and in prestigious festivals including Locarno, Cannes, Palm Springs and Clermont-Ferrand. In 2016, he produced Josza Anjembe’s award-winning short French.
