A Conversation with Filmmaker Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche Nov. 7

Centre Francophone invites members of the Webster community to a talk by Franco-Algerian filmmaker Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche on Nov. 7 at noon in the East Academic Building, room 252. The discussion will be in English.

Ameur-Zaïmeche will discuss his new film, Histoire de Judas (Story of Judas), which is being presented at the St. Louis International Film Festival, and share his experience growing up in France, his relation to the Biblical text, issues of diversity and the raise of nationalism. Professor Lionel Cuillé will moderate the discussion.

Ameur-Zaïmeche’s film, Histoire de Judas (Story of Judas), will be screened at St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 5:15 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

About Ameur-Zaïmeche

Born in Algeria, growing up in the  quartier sensible ("rough neighborhood ") of Montfermeil (suburb of Paris) Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche directed one of the most important films on the challenges of diversity and inclusion in France. Often compared to La Haine (Hate) by Mathieu Kassovitz, his film "Wesh wesh, qu'est-ce qui se passe" received the Prix Delluc in 2001.

Film Summary

A bold retelling of the saga of the most infamous of the 12 disciples, Histoire de Judas (Story of Judas) portrays Judas not as the betrayer of Jesus but as his most devoted and loving friend. In addition to directing, writing, and producing Story of Judas, Ameur-Zaïmeche stars in the title role. Filming in starkly beautiful desert locations in his native Algeria, Ameur-Zaïmeche immediately establishes the unshakeable bond between the two men. In this graceful reimagining of one of the Bible's best-known stories, Ameur-Zaïmeche presents both Jesus and Judas as victims of the occupying army's power plays. (In French with subtitles)