Aïssa Maïga

Actor

Aïssa Maïga is one of the most prominent actresses in French cinema and is internationally renowned for her versatile performances and social activism. Born in Dakar and raised in France, she became known for her impressive roles in both arthouse and mainstream productions. She regularly works with renowned directors and is actively committed to diversity and representation in European film. In CORNICHE KENNEDY (2016, directed by Dominique Cabrera), Maïga plays a supporting role in a coming-of-age film that highlights the social contrasts in contemporary Marseille. In it, Cabrera shows young people caught between the search for freedom and social boundaries—a theme that also characterizes Maïga's filmography to date. Her performance fits seamlessly into the realistic, observational staging and contributes to the emotional depth of the film. Maïga had already gained international recognition with works such as Les poupées russes (2005, directed by Cédric Klapisch) and Bamako (2006, directed by Abderrahmane Sissako). Bamako, in which she stars alongside Tiécoura Traoré, was particularly praised for its political relevance and won numerous awards. Films such as L'autre Dumas (2010, directed by Safy Nebbou) and Il a déjà tes yeux (2016, directed by Lucien Jean-Baptiste) also demonstrate her range – from historical dramas to socially critical comedies. Maïga is also active as a producer and activist. In 2020, she and other female artists published the book Noire n'est pas mon métier, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and made an important contribution to the diversity debate in the French film industry. Her career is thus exemplary for a cinema that not only tells stories, but also takes a stand.

Films on Sooner

Corniche Kennedy

2016

94 mins

Drama

On the Corniche Kennedy in Marseille, young people from precarious neighborhoods meet for daredevil cliff jumps.