Set in Paris in 1986, “Oussekine” recounts the true story of Malik Oussekine, a 22-year-old French-Algerian student beaten to death by police during nationwide student protests. The event exposed the deep racial and political fractures of a country still haunted by its colonial legacy. Told through the perspectives of Malik’s family, friends, and the institutions entangled in the case, the series reconstructs both the private and collective impact of the tragedy. Combining archival research and dramatic re-creation, it captures the emotional and political climate of the 1980s while resonating powerfully with today’s struggles for justice and equality. Created by Antoine Chevrollier, with research and script contributions by filmmaker Lina Soualem, “Oussekine” is a striking and necessary work that reclaims a silenced chapter of French history.

This special screening at Porto/Post/Doc features the first two episodes of “Oussekine”, preceded by the talk Series Production: An International Case – “Oussekine”, with Lina Soualem and Carole Desbarats reflecting on creation, ethics and historical memory.