The Battle of Algiers

Genres: Drama, War, History

Languages: Arabic, English, French

Year: 1966

Vote: 7.9

Festival & Award: Venice - Golden Lion

The Battle of Algiers

The showmakers

Gillo Pontecorvo
Brahim Hadjadj
Saadi Yacef
Fouzia El Kader
Jean Martin

Overview

Tracing the struggle of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale to gain freedom from French colonial rule as seen through the eyes of Ali from his start as a petty thief to his rise to prominence in the organisation and capture by the French in 1957. The film traces the rebels' struggle and the increasingly extreme measures taken by the French government to quell the revolt.

Indie vibes check

Despite being an Italian-Algerian co-production, this film had a strong independent spirit, using non-professional actors and a documentary style to create a raw, politically charged narrative.

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