Aïssa Maïga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aïssa Maïga
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Maïga in 2017
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Aïssa Maïga
25 May 1975 Dakar, Senegal
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| Occupation | Actress, producer, activist |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Awards | Best Actress for Bianco e nero (2008) at the Festival du Cinema Italien de Bastia.[10] |
Aïssa Maïga (born 5 May 1975) is a talented actress, director, writer, producer, and activist. She was born in Senegal and is now a French citizen. Aïssa Maïga has worked with famous directors like Michael Haneke and Michel Gondry. She also starred in a film directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Aïssa Maïga is a strong supporter of fairness and equality. She has often spoken out about racial discrimination in the film industry. She created a group called DiasporAct. She did this because she noticed that she was often the only Black actress getting big roles or awards. This was despite many other talented diverse actors around her.
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Where did Aïssa Maïga grow up?
Aïssa Maïga was born in Dakar, Senegal. Her father was from Mali, and her mother was from Senegal. She spent her childhood in Dakar. During holidays, she would visit her family in Mali. Her family comes from a small town near the Sahara desert. Her father belonged to the Songhay people.
When she was four years old, Aïssa moved to France. She lived there with her aunt and uncle. Her father, Mohamed Maïga, passed away in 1987.
Aïssa Maïga's Acting Journey
How Aïssa Maïga Started (1996–2005)
Aïssa Maïga began her acting career in 1996. Her first role was in the film Saraka Bô. People liked her acting, and she soon got more roles. She played a rebellious young girl in Michael Haneke's Code Unknown (2000). She also appeared in his later film Caché (2005). Her role in Cédric Klapisch's Russian Dolls (2005) helped her become a well-known actress in French cinema.
Becoming a Star with Bamako (2005–2011)
In 2006, Aïssa Maïga was nominated for a César Award for Most Promising Actress. This was for her role in Abderrahmane Sissako’s film Bamako. She became the first French actress of African descent to receive this nomination. This made her the most recognized Black actress working in France.
That same year, she starred in a short film called Paris, je t’aime. This film was shown at the Cannes. Aïssa Maïga also won the Best Actress award in 2009. This was for her role in the Italian film Bianco e nero. This movie was important because it was one of the first successful Italian films to show an interracial romance.
International Success (2012–Present)
Aïssa Maïga continued to gain fame. In 2014, she starred in Michel Gondry's unique film Mood Indigo. In 2016, she appeared in the Netflix movie The African Doctor.
In 2018, she joined the cast of the Irish TV crime series Taken Down. Her performance in this show was highly praised. Aïssa Maïga also co-starred with Chiwetel Ejiofor in his film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019). This movie, set in Malawi, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She played the main female character, Agnes Kamkwamba.
Aïssa Maïga's Activism
Aïssa Maïga is a key leader in a new movement. This movement aims to increase the representation of people of color in French cinema. There are very few roles for Black actors and actresses in the industry. Often, these roles are based on stereotypes. Aïssa uses her voice to challenge this and push for change.
The DiasporAct Collective
Aïssa Maïga teamed up with fifteen other Black actresses and French public figures. Together, they created the DiasporAct collective. This group includes well-known names like Sonia Rolland and Karidja Touré.
The Book 'Black is Not My Job'
Before filming The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind in 2017, Aïssa Maïga started writing an essay. This essay later became the introduction to a book. After filming, she worked on the book. She invited many performers to share their experiences. She often wondered why she was one of the only Black actresses working in France, a country with so many different people.
The DiasporAct group published a book called Noire n’est pas mon métier. This means 'Black is not my job'. The book shares essays about the lack of Black representation in French cinema. It also talks about how Black people are often shown in stereotypical ways. The book includes personal stories and casting experiences from Black actresses. It was released during the Cannes festival, when many people were calling for more inclusion.
The book was very successful in France. It started important discussions about how minority groups are shown in films.
Anti-Racism Protest at Cannes
In 2018, Aïssa Maïga and the DiasporAct collective held a peaceful protest. This happened at the 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival. They were going to the premiere of the film Burning. The group of women stood at the top of the red carpet steps. They raised their fists and danced to Rihanna's song Diamonds. This was to protest racial bias and discrimination in the French film industry.
During a press conference, Maïga suggested that setting up a racial quota in French cinema could help. This would ensure more diversity on screen. She knew this idea might face strong opposition in France. All the women in the group wore matching black and white outfits. These were designed by Balmain's mixed-race designer Olivier Rousteing. He said that we are at a big turning point in many industries, including film and fashion. He believes in the power of women and wants to define a better future.
The protest's clear message, supported by their new book, was well received. Media reports praised their beauty, style, and courage.
Speaking Out at the 2020 César Awards
In 2020, Aïssa Maïga and 30 other actors of color spoke out. They wrote an open letter called '#BlackCesars'. This letter was published just before the 2020 César awards ceremony. It aimed to highlight the lack of Black, Arab, and Asian performers and filmmakers nominated for the awards.
On the night of the 45th César awards, Maïga gave a powerful speech. She called out the lack of diversity in French cinema. Her speech was unexpected. It stood out from the usual congratulatory speeches. The audience, mostly white, was silent and surprised.
Helping Others
Aïssa Maïga has also worked as an ambassador for AMREF's Stand Up for African Mothers Campaign (SU4AM). In 2013, AMREF Africa organized a trip to Uganda. French ambassadors, including Maïga, visited Uganda. They met with French midwives to support their colleagues in Africa. Maïga met a Ugandan midwife named Esther Madudu. She also took part in outreach missions and visited health centers and nursing schools.
Personal Life
Vogue magazine has called Aïssa Maïga their "French style crush." They say she always looks amazing. Maïga likes a glamorous and elegant look. She challenges the idea of the "just rolled out of bed" Parisian style.
See also
In Spanish: Aïssa Maïga para niños
Images for kids
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Aïssa Maïga at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival
