Until January 9, 2015, Lassana Bathily was a young Malian like so many others: an immigrant worker with no history. Shopkeeper at the Hyper Cacher, he is waiting for the renewal of his residence permit. In a few seconds, his life is turned upside down. Initially held hostage by Amedy Coulibaly, he manages to escape and helps save those still locked up. He then becomes a “hero” in the eyes of all, “the Muslim who saved the Jews”. But is it as simple as that? Between France and Mali, the portrait of a key player in understanding our contemporary and national history (and our fractures?) is taking shape.
