What was the significance of The Battle of Algiers?
The Battle of Algiers provides a useful vehicle for the discussion of colonialism, wars of national liberation, and leftist politics, as well as contemporary issues regarding terrorism, torture, and the American military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Why was The Battle of Algiers controversial?
Many French people were unhappy with the representation of their army and country in the film. It was not officially censored in France, but the general public and all cinemas boycotted it. It was seen as anti-French propaganda.
What argument is the film The battle Algiers trying to make?
The Battle of Algiers gives us two important arguments on the nature and justification of terrorism. M'hidi presents the leftist standpoint; that state terrorism is the real problem, and that insurgency terrorism, by contrast, does little damage and causes little casualties.
Is The Battle of Algiers biased?
The Battle of Algiers creates the impression of total objectivity. Folks with a particular political bias will contradict this (A Parisian journalist told me that the picture was under official ban in France and that the Algerians had contributed not only their land but funds to the film's making.)
Is Battle of Algiers propaganda?
Although the film was banned in France until 1971, the final result is nothing like a propaganda movie on the FLN fighters. On the contrary, it depicts the Algerian war in the only realistic way in which war can be portrayed: as blind brutality.
How is violence employed in The Battle of Algiers?
By opening with a scene of torture, The Battle of Algiers presents the stark violence that has been at the heart of the colonial encounter: not just the violence of the act of torture itself — the electrical shock, the fists, the waterboarding, and the death — but also the violent conditions of colonialism that made a ...
How accurate is Battle of Algiers?
The Battle of Algiers debuted in 1966, reconstructing events that had taken place just a few years earlier. Generally regarded as a historically accurate and balanced film, Director Gillo Pontecorvo nonetheless considered his work to be politically motivated.
Who wins The Battle of Algiers?
Eventually, French Colonel Mathieu (Jean Martin) succeeds at methodically dismantling the FLN, as Kader and other leaders are captured and La Pointe is killed. Three years later, however, a renewed uprising breaks out, and Algeria finally wins its independence in 1962.
Is Algeria an Arab country?
Ethnically, the nation is overwhelmingly Arab-Berber, and the vast majority of citizens are Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the national language, but various Berber dialects and French also are spoken. The World Bank classifies Algeria as an upper-middle income nation.
When did Algeria gain independence?
July 5, 1962Algeria / FoundedAlgeria gained independence from France in 1962. The military overthrew Algeria's first president in 1965, marking the beginning of authoritarian military-backed rule.
What is the Casbah in Algiers?
The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة, qaṣba, meaning citadel) is the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it.