René Vautier: a combat filmmaker inscribed in the United Souls Pantheon
On this January 15th, we pay tribute to René Vautier , a visionary filmmaker whose commitment to justice has marked the history of activist cinema. He is now one of the emblematic figures of the collection. United Souls , alongside those whose fight against injustice spans generations.
A filmmaker committed from a young age
A few years ago, with my sidekick Guillaume Marty of the association Kalakuta Productions , we had the chance to discover René's work at the bookstore Terra Nova , in Toulouse. This committed space, which I invite you to visit, offers tote bags United Souls . Why not take this opportunity to take home a tote bag featuring your favorite wrestling figure, filled with committed books? Raise your awareness while supporting this bookstore that upholds the values of solidarity and resistance.
The Courage of René Vautier: From Resistance to Cinematic Struggle
Amazed by his courage, I learned that at only 15 years old, René joined the Resistance and received several decorations for his commitment. A graduate of the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (IDHEC) In 1948, he left for Ivory Coast, my country of origin, where he made Africa 50 , a documentary film denouncing the crimes of French colonialism.
This first French anti-colonialist film, which exposed the plundering of African resources, earned him a prison sentence and over forty years of censorship. René Vautier described himself as “the most censored French filmmaker.” He never stopped fighting, whether through his works on the Algerian War or his commitment to popular and independent cinema. Until his death in 2015, René remained a militant filmmaker.
A reflection on anti-colonialist activism: a legacy that lives on
Her courage had a profound impact on me. Since then, I often reflect on the anti-colonialist activism of the 1950s, which was much more mobilizing than that of today. I realize that the The Fifth Republic , established by a “putschist” celebrated as a hero – General de Gaulle – liberated France while imposing a neocolonial system on Africans.
Today, it is African youth who are seeking to free themselves from this system. René Vautier remains a hero to this generation, and I hope he will inspire young French people of the 21st century to strive for greater humanism in a world where economic interests are ravaging the bonds of friendship and love between the peoples of the North and the South.
Jay Ramier: A chance encounter turned into a collaboration
My meeting with Jay Ramier , alias Black Picasso , seemed written in advance. This key moment took place during a private viewing at the Philharmonie de Paris, dedicated to Jean-Michel Basquiat. My friend Fab Smith , founder of the legendary Afrobeat group The Smith Brothers and saxophonist of Seun Kuti was by my side that day. He was the one who introduced us.
While I was wearing a t-shirt Frantz Fanon , Jay immediately complimented me on it. We discussed our respective projects, and that's when I told him about United Souls. What touched me was his generosity: unlike other artists, Jay gave me a portrait of René Vautier, encouraging me to circulate it in public spaces.
This wasn't our first connection, however. After that meeting, I remembered that Jay, also the magazine's artistic director, Afrikadaa , had crossed my path thanks to my cousin Jean-Pascal Zadi . His wife, close to Pascale Obolo, founder of the magazine, had invited us – with Brieuc Reckinger , member of Kalakuta Selectors – to collaborate on a special issue entitled Politics of Sounds: http://www.afrikadaa.com/2015/12/afrikadaa-10-politics-of-sound-is-online.html
With our collective of diggers in love with neoclassical African music, we offered a unique mix, composed of rare and committed grooves from the 70s. Discover this selection here: Politics of Sounds.
Jay Ramier: an artist at the crossroads of cultures
Jay Ramier is a multidisciplinary artist, comfortable in painting, installation, and video. In 1982, he co-founded a collective with Skki© and Ash, a pioneer of stencil and graffiti in France. The group, joined by JonOne between 1987 and 1991, contributed to integrating urban art into galleries, while representing a self-taught and dynamic scene.
Today, his work explores memory and archives, drawing inspiration from the texts and music that shape our history (jazz, rap, rhythm and blues, Caribbean music). With a transcultural approach, Jay explores the connections between his Creole heritage and global cultures.
René Vautier: a living memory thanks to art and solidarity
Through the portrait of Jay Ramier, René Vautier continues to embody the spirit of resistance. Its inclusion in the United Souls Pantheon testifies to the importance of his fight for social justice.
Through these collaborations, we hope to pass on his legacy to new generations and build bridges between cultures. United Souls is also this: a space where artistic visions, shared commitments and common stories intersect, inspiring a common ideal.