Dominique Cabrera

Director

Dominique Cabrera is a French director, screenwriter, and actress whose work is characterized by a unique combination of social realism, political awareness, and personal intimacy. Born in Relizane, Algeria, in 1957, she is one of the most important voices in French auteur cinema, which repeatedly addresses issues of origin, belonging, and social responsibility. With CORNICHE KENNEDY (2016, directed by Dominique Cabrera), she created a sensitive adaptation of the novel of the same name by Maylis de Kerangal. Set in Marseille, the film tells the story of young people caught between social contrasts and the longing for freedom. In this work, Cabrera combines documentary observation with poetic imagery, once again demonstrating her flair for authentic characters and social tensions. The film was screened at several international festivals, including the International Women's Film Festival Dortmund/Cologne. Cabrera had already made a name for herself with works such as Nadia et les hippopotames (1999, directed by Dominique Cabrera) and L’autre côté de la mer (1997, directed by Dominique Cabrera). Both films deal with political and cultural divisions in modern France and have won several awards, including at the Locarno Festival and the San Sebastián Film Festival. In Folie ordinaire d'une femme de chambre (2015, directed by Dominique Cabrera), she again focuses on the social reality of women's lives with a precise, empathetic gaze. Dominique Cabrera was honored for her lifetime achievement at the DOK Leipzig Festival in 2024. Her cinematic work is characterized by humanistic depth and the courage to combine personal stories with social relevance.

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.