Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Stage and Screen
Biography
Born on November 2, 1952, in Tunis, Michel Boujenah is a celebrated French-Tunisian Sephardi actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director whose work bridges continents, generations, and cultures. At age 11, Boujenah emigrated to France with his family, a move that would profoundly shape his identity and artistic vision. Navigating the complexities of exile and belonging, he found refuge and expression in the world of theater, co-founding the avant-garde company La Grande Cuillère in the early 1970s.
Boujenah rose to fame with a unique voice in French comedy through deeply personal one-man shows like Albert (1980) and Les Magnifiques (1984), where he channeled the struggles and humor of Tunisian Jewish immigrants. With warmth, wit, and vulnerability, he gave a human face to the North African Jewish diaspora, creating characters who were both hyperlocal and universally relatable. His ability to blend laughter with pathos earned him wide acclaim and a special place in the hearts of audiences across France.
On screen, Boujenah’s talent transcended genres. He won a César Award for Best Supporting Actor in Three Men and a Cradle (1985), a landmark French comedy that also earned an Oscar nomination. He went on to act in and direct several critically praised films, including Father and Sons (2003), Three Friends (2007), and Heartstrings (2015), often exploring themes of family, memory, and identity.
Beyond acting, Boujenah is known for his cultural advocacy and his enduring love of live performance. Since 2007, he has served as Artistic Director of the prestigious Festival de Ramatuelle, where he champions both emerging and established voices in French theater.
A proud Sephardi Jew, Boujenah often speaks publicly about antisemitism, immigration, and cultural integration in France. His voice—rooted in heritage, shaped by exile, and elevated by art—continues to inspire generations. With humor and humanity, Michel Boujenah has become not only a mainstay of French entertainment but a cultural bridge between Jewish, North African, and European identities.
