Belleville Youth Celebrated in Documentary and Photo Exhibition

A documentary by Hugo Sobelman sheds light on the lives of young Afro-descendants in Belleville, one of Paris’s most diverse neighborhoods. Through music, humor and dance, the film captures their friendships, creativity and peaceful resilience in the face of social inequalities.

At the center of the story is photographer Souleymane Fofana, known as Commeas, whose exhibition “Les 11” accompanies the screenings of the documentary, currently presented in competition at a film festival.

The collaboration between Sobelman and Fofana began when the young photographer was looking for a mentor to develop his craft. Their friendship grew around shared artistic interests at La Perm’, a community cultural space in Belleville where residents gather to launch humanitarian, artistic and social initiatives.

Inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of this space, Fofana encouraged Sobelman to film the moments of solidarity and creativity unfolding in the neighborhood. The documentary follows a group of friends as they organize the “Belleville en vrai” festival, showing how art and collective action help them navigate social challenges.

Fofana’s passion for photography began within his large family, where his interest in photo albums eventually led him to start taking pictures after receiving a camera from his sister. Over time, this passion evolved into a professional career, bringing him recognition and new creative opportunities.

Now exhibiting his work for the third time at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights in Geneva, Fofana hopes his photography will share stories of resilience and inspire the next generation of artists.

Source: Newstimehub