The career of one of France’s most talented actors may be in ruins after his imprisonment for racial abuse, within months of winning critical acclaim in a film whose central theme, ironically, was an attack on racism.
Samy Naceri was already out on bail when he shared the best actor trophy at the Cannes Film Festival last May for his portrayal of a Moroccan soldier in Indigènes (Days of Glory), a huge box-office success that was a tribute to the forgotten Muslim heroes of World War Two, and prompted a vigorous campaign against racism in France. Naceri, 44, of mixed Algerian and French parentage, had been arrested two months previously in Boulogne for driving under the influence of drink (a mere 15 whiskies, by his own admission) and drugs. This was bad enough but after being kept in the cells overnight, he produced a stream of racial abuse against a black officer.
Despite pleading guilty, Naceri was fined more than £5,000 and given the maximum penalty, a six month jail sentence. He already had previous convictions for drink-driving, speeding, possession of drugs and assault.
Naceri was discovered by director Luc Besson, who gave him a leading role in the film Léon and the French TV action trilogy, Taxi. It remains to be seen whether the backers of French movies are willing to give him another chance.
