Shocking Revelation: Ahmed Sylla Hurt by Harsh Critiques After First Movie Success 9 Years Ago!

Since his breakout role in the 2017 film “L’Ascension,” Ahmed Sylla has continued to capture the public’s attention. The film was well-received by audiences but also brought Sylla face-to-face with a deeply affecting controversy.

Born in Nantes, Ahmed Sylla first gained recognition in 2011 on the show “On n’demande qu’à en rire,” hosted by Laurent Ruquier on France 2. His comedic sketches quickly drew attention, making him a standout on the show and paving his way into the film industry. In 2014, he appeared in Benjamin Rocher’s “Goal of the Dead.” While his performance was well-received, it wasn’t enough to make a significant impact.

His major breakthrough came with “L’Ascension,” directed by Ludovic Bernard and based on the book “Un tocard sur le toit du monde.” This film marked a turning point in his career and confirmed his potential as an actor. He later appeared in “Notre tout petit petit mariage.”

A Controversy That Left Its Mark

Despite the positive reception from the audience, Ahmed Sylla revealed that he was deeply hurt by the criticisms surrounding his role in “L’Ascension.” In a September 2022 interview on “En Aparté” on Canal+ (via Télé-Loisirs), he reflected on this challenging period. Some people criticized the producer for casting a black actor to portray Nadir Dendoune, a man of Algerian descent.

Regarding this, he emotionally explained, “No one ever asked me this question before,” responding to journalist Nathalie Levy. “Yes, it was truly unsettling. It hurt me a lot.”

A Lasting Outrage

For Ahmed Sylla, the criticism regarding his heritage was unacceptable. “For some, I didn’t deserve this role,” he shared. He pointed out that when he landed the role alongside Alice Belaïdi, he wasn’t yet a “star”: “They [Nadir Dendoune, the producer, and the director] didn’t choose Ahmed Sylla because I was becoming well-known. That wasn’t the case. It’s just that I deserved more.”

The actor stressed the importance of moving beyond the issue of ethnic origins in film: “I find it indecent. What’s beautiful and magnificent about Nadir Dendoune’s story is that it was told in a film,” he stated. He concluded firmly: “Whether it’s a Chinese, a Hindu, a black person telling it, it doesn’t matter.”

Ahmed Sylla can currently be seen in “L’infiltrée”, a comedy he directed, now in theaters. His film “L’Ascension” is also available for streaming on Netflix.

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