On May 17, the Cannes Film Festival opened its doors on the occasion of a highly anticipated 75th edition, marked by the abandonment of health constraints even if the coronavirus pandemic is not really over. The stars parade every day on the red carpet, some sometimes bending the rules, and festival-goers feed on films and parties. But this glamorous event has just been marked by a tragedy: the death of an actor. This is Ahmed Benaissa.
As reported by AFP, the actor and director Ahmed Benaissaconsidered a great figure in Algerian theater and cinema, who starred in the film Drop of gold presented at Cannes, is died aged 78, announced the Algerian Ministry of Culture. It is unfortunately died Friday May 20 before the screening of the film directed by Clément Cogitore and presented as part of Critics’ Week. “Struck down by uneasiness“, he will be repatriated and buried in Algeria, according to his son, indicated the official Algerian agency APS.
In a message to the family of the deceased posted Friday on Facebook, the Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, regretted the loss of a “monument“of the Algerian culture that will leave”an indelible imprint on the world of Algerian cinema and theater“. During a 50-year career, which began in 1971, he had played in more than 120 films, including Algerian productions noticed internationally such as papicha, Blood of Wolves, From Hollywood to Tamanrasset or Outlaw.
Born in 1944 in Algiers, Ahmed Benaïssa had one of the richest careers in Algerian theater and cinema, collaborating with many directors such as Merzak Allouache and Rachid Bouchareb. Actor recognized for his exceptional talent, he had led many projects on the stage of the theater in Algiers and Oran (west). Ahmed Benaissa had also directed in 1995 the regional theater of Sidi Bel Abbes, not far from Oran, during the very difficult period of the black decade, the civil war which the country suffered between 1992 and 2002.
Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.