Yassine Azzouz at Cannes 2025: Redefining Identity and Storytelling on the Global Stage
- Karen Williams
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
How Multicultural Heritage and Authentic Storytelling Are Shaping Cinema’s Future
Bathed in the golden glow of the French Riviera sun, the acclaimed French actor, screenwriter, and director Yassine Azzouz reflected with Cultured Focus Magazine on his remarkable journey from the Parisian suburbs to the world’s most prestigious cinematic stages. With a career shaped by his North African heritage and a passion for authentic storytelling, Azzouz discussed how his multicultural roots, commitment to honest performance, and advocacy for greater representation are redefining the boundaries of film. As the festival buzzed with new possibilities, Azzouz reflected on the power of embracing one’s identity, the evolution of the industry, and why the next generation of artists must lead with originality and truth.
1. Your journey spans continents and cultures, from the Parisian suburbs to international sets. How has your multicultural upbringing and MENA heritage influenced your approach to storytelling and the roles you choose to portray?
I was born in France to North African parents, so my identity has always been shaped by duality—navigating between two cultures, two expectations, and often two versions of myself. That contrast informs everything I do as a storyteller.
Our stories, as specific as they may seem, speak to universal human themes—identity, love, survival, injustice, transformation. They open up intimate, honest windows into lived experiences the world of cinema hasn’t fully explored yet. I’m glad to see that changing. Institutions like the Doha Film Institute and the Red Sea Film Festival are giving space and support to emerging voices from the MENA region. They’re not just amplifying stories—they’re empowering storytellers. It’s our time to speak—and be heard.
2. The Meisner technique is central to your craft. Can you share how this method has transformed your performances, and do you find it resonates differently across the various international projects you’ve worked on?
Meisner gave me a foundation—it taught me to listen, to be truthful, to react in the moment without pretense. That honesty transcends borders. But beyond Meisner, my training was grounded in the stage. Theater gave me a connection to voice, to rhythm, to presence that I carry into every screen performance.
Of course, legends like Pacino inspired us when we were students—they gave us fire. But now the world is shifting. I find more inspiration in today’s international stage actors and emerging screen performers who are bringing raw, unfiltered perspectives to their work. Being selected for the International Actors Circle (IAC) and the 10th edition of Actors Cross Market and Actresses to Follow was a major moment—it reminded me that we are the new Pacinos. We are the ones pushing boundaries now.
3. As someone who has worked in both European and American cinema, what differences have you observed in opportunities for actors of Arab or North African descent, and how do you see the industry evolving in terms of representation and diversity?
In Europe, especially France, there’s still a lot of unconscious bias. Often, you’re boxed into stereotypical roles—immigrant, gangster, outsider. In the U.S., there’s a bit more openness to reinvention. You’re allowed to be a multi-dimensional character, not just a symbol.
That said, I believe the industry is evolving. It’s not moving fast enough, but it’s moving. We’re no longer waiting for permission. Platforms like AfroCannes are creating real momentum—highlighting talent, supporting independent voices, and connecting artists from the diaspora. We’re claiming our place in the global narrative, not just as actors, but as storytellers, producers, and creators.
4. As an ambassador for the Gatsby brand and a presence on the red carpet, how do you see the intersection of fashion and film in shaping cultural narratives and personal identity?
My collaboration with Gatsby has been a long and creative journey—one that actually began here in Cannes. This year, we proudly released our first poetic film during the festival, a cinematic piece that celebrates the meeting point between fashion and independent cinema.
It’s a two-part short story, starring myself and international actor Aksel Ustun, and it was shot entirely in Cannes—from the historic streets of Le Suquet to the ponton of the Martinez, and even during a red carpet premiere. We blended that with archival footage of old Hollywood stars in Cannes, to create a dialogue between past and present. For me, fashion is not just style—it’s storytelling. It’s a statement of identity, and it’s a way to take up space with elegance and intent.
5. You’ve cited filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and actors such as Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro as inspirations. What have you learned from their work or encounters with them that has influenced your own artistic journey?
What I admire most about directors like Paul Thomas Anderson is that they listen to their own voice. They trust their instincts. That’s what I take from them more than anything: the courage to stay authentic, to explore stories that come from within, even when they go against trends or expectations.
And that’s what we need to do too. As artists from multicultural backgrounds—and many of us coming from transclass realities—we carry stories that are just as good, if not more layered and emotionally rich, because they come from real intersections of culture, struggle, and resilience. Our personal histories, the dualities we live, the complexity of identity—we have something unique to say, and it’s time we say it boldly, with our own language, our own rhythm. That’s the real legacy: not imitation, but truth.
6. For young filmmakers and actors from multicultural backgrounds aspiring to break into international cinema, what advice would you offer based on your own experiences overcoming challenges and navigating different film industries?
Don’t wait for permission. The world needs your voice—now. Be bold, be original, and most importantly, be authentic. Your story doesn’t need to fit anyone’s formula.
Also, watch independent films—lots of them. That’s where the real soul of cinema lives. That’s where you’ll find honesty, innovation, and the freedom to fail and still say something meaningful. Surround yourself with collaborators who see you, build your own space if it doesn’t exist, and never forget—you are not here to imitate. You are here to lead.
For more, follow Yassine Azzouz here: https://www.imdb.com.
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