At the Thessaloniki Docs in Progress session, French-Algerian producer and first-time director Mia Bendrimia took the stage alongside producer Kira Simon-Kennedy to introduce their documentary project, Magma. Simon-Kennedy, a seasoned producer who was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary Feature category for Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension (2022), is backing the film through Paris-based Nazar Films, a company founded by Bendrimia and dedicated to “crafting impactful stories from the SWANA and Mediterranean worlds.”
Magma is a creative documentary that explores family secrets and the lasting impact of decolonisation. Now in post-production with a runtime of 87 minutes, the film has a total budget of €291,191, with €103,405 still needed to complete financing. Key partners include impact producer Khadidja Benouataf. The estimated delivery date is mid-2025.
At its core, Magma follows Bendrimia’s deeply personal quest to understand her Algerian family’s troubled past, which is entangled within both sides of the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962). As she embarks on this journey, she unexpectedly uncovers a wealth of buried, contradictory narratives. Her attempt to unravel this complex history forces her to confront the echoes of colonisation in the present.
The director describes the film as both a personal catharsis and an open invitation for others to explore their own hidden histories. She explains: “Magma serves not only as a personal catharsis, but also as a cours du soir for others inspired to embark on their own investigations. The title hints at the volatile nature of suppressed memories, as well as France’s wilful amnesia towards its colonial past: always simmering, perpetually ready to erupt and flow into the present. This documentary bridges personal and national tales, showing that hard conversations are not only possible but essential, thereby enabling our collective recovery.”
During the presentation, Simon-Kennedy highlighted the importance of documentary filmmaking as a tool to reflect on today’s world, referencing the ongoing Palestinian genocide and emphasizing the necessity of films like Magma. “This is a project I deeply believe in,” she stated.
Bendrimia, sharing her personal connection to the story, elaborated on how she, a French-Algerian born in Paris, initially doesn’t speak Arabic and has limited knowledge of her Algerian roots. “I realised that side of my family was rooted there, but then I was told that my grandfather was a harki—an Algerian who fought on the French side during the independence war. That means he was considered a traitor. As I grew older, I found out my family had connections with both sides of the war. His cousin was a hero of the revolution, nicknamed the ‘Algerian Rambo.’ At that point, I became obsessed with this story and wanted to find out more. I travelled to Algeria for the first time and met my family there, who told me a totally different version of the story I thought I knew.”
Simon-Kennedy recalled how she first met Bendrimia six years ago, and they quickly became friends. “I’m sure this documentary will resonate with people,” she said, underlining the significance of generational silence and the need to address unspoken histories.
As part of the presentation, the team showcased early scenes from Magma, which were still missing final sound design and colour grading. The team is currently seeking additional funding, distribution partners, and broadcasters to help bring the project to completion.
