Bicultural Identity Negotiation in Beur Cinéma: The Case of film Samba

Abstract

This article seeks to fill gaps in the literature on French cinema's treatment of immigration. Previous researches of this theme have tended to position immigrants as objects, individuals perceived as creating problems and as using violence to resolve problems. This article highlighted in French films under a new genre, Beur cinéma, notably in the film Samba (2014) to discuss French cinema's depiction of immigrants' experiences with cultural negotiation mainly their struggle on negotiating identity. Film Samba will be analysed by its cinematographic signs using the theory of cinematographic semiotics. This study finds that what has been understood as the cause of the lack of integration of immigrants is mainly the residence permit is not justified. This article further reveals that migrants' challenges in maintaining their cultural identity also stem from difficulties in adapting to language skills, daily life, and even difficulties in communicating with nearby communities. Faced with all these obstacles, the film Samba concludes that violence cannot be seen as a solution.