On the rise of the RN, Roschdy Zem believes that “somewhere, we looked for it a little”

ENGAGEMENT – He came to promote his new film Elias, but did not choose language when commenting on the current political crisis. Roschdy Zem was the guest of the France Inter morning show this Wednesday, June 19. When he was questioned by Léa Salamé on the rise of the National Rally and the upcoming legislative elections, he did not beat around the bush and agreed to go beyond the framework of the strict promotional tour.

“ I believe that we are faced with something which, in my opinion, is not surprising. From a moment when a government, and those that preceded it, abandoned social policy, this is how extremes are born », he commented on France Inter this Wednesday morning. Analyzing the result of the European elections, and the score achieved by the RN led by Jordan Bardella, the 59-year-old actor went further: when, according to him, “the anger translates into a vote largely for the National Rally, somewhere, we looked for it a little. »

Roschdy Zem faced with discrimination

The Caesar-winning actor, currently in full promotion of the new feature film by Florent-Emilio Siri in which he plays the main role, also felt that it was necessary to do more “pedagogy” towards the French, and in particular those who gave their vote to the RN to the Europeans, allowing the far-right party to achieve more than 31% of the votes. “But we must also explain to these people that the answer does not lie in this party. Which for me is a xenophobic party which is already starting to take repressive measures. If we explain to you that we will get you out of trouble with measures where you will be given priority over the other, that already exists. »

Roschdy Zem is of Muslim origin and he spoke about the different forms of discrimination that “already exist”notably ” housing and hiring “. He had already, during the interview, returned to a significant episode in his career. Léa Salamé actually questioned him about the blockbuster he should have shot 25 years ago, a film from which he was ultimately fired because “ the main actress did not want to share the poster with an Arab “.

“ I was fired. I never held a grudge against her. I was angry with the director for calling me to tell me this without any complexes. At the time I did not realize what I was confronted with, but today I realize the violence of the words, of the situation. It was humiliating, I wanted to stop. Fortunately, my parents were there, told me that it was normal to be confronted with that in the cinema, in that world » explains the actor.

Putting his current success into perspective, the actor cannot help but say that he is still an exception today. “ Sometimes I ask myself the question, even if there are a few of us, aren’t we the tree that hides the forest? No director would allow himself this kind of phone call anymore. If it exists, it remains secret, in a meeting. But we must remain vigilant and stay alert”according to Roschdy Zem.

The day before on the set of Quotidien, Roschdy Zem had already returned to the political situation and the importance of the vote. An emergency that he raised again this Wednesday morning on France Inter. But it’s a situation for which we are all more or less responsible. So we have to wake up. Vote of course »concludes the actor.

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