Too little variety in French cinema

French director François Dupeyron's latest film "Aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera" (With a Little Help from Myself), which is set in a black community, has just come out in France. Rue89 newsblog asks why so few black actors grace the silver screen in France. "Alexandre Michelin chairs the commission 'Images de la diversité', which has ... fostered diversity in smaller and larger productions since 2007. ... And he does not mince his words, citing 'prejudice', 'discrimination', 'conscious and unconscious inhibitions'. ... Thanks to films like 'Indigènes', 'La graine et le mulet' and 'Entre les murs' ... things are finally happening. And following the lead of crowd-puller Jamel Debbouze [of Moroccan origin] (one of the most bankable actors in today's industry) finally actors like Roschdy Zem and Sami Bouajila ... are being recognised for their talent rather than just for their origins. But that still has to happen for black actors."

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