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The first-ever Algerian film
festival is being held in the Indian capital, starting Sep
18. The festival,
organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals and the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, will be held at
the Siri Fort auditorium.
Nine Algerian films,
including Lion d’or winner “The Battle of Algiers”, will be
screened in the festival that ends Sep 22. Most of the films
were made long ago and reflect the social and political
unrest in the country.
Director Yamina Bachir
Chouikh’s “Rachida”, which portrays one of the most critical
periods of the country when the Algerian society sank in
violence, will kick start the four-day festival.
Rabah Laradji’s comedy,
titled “A Roof, A Family”, will be shown. It highlights the
humorous side of a family looking for food and shelter. The
film was very successful in Algeria.
“Refusal”, made in 1982 by director Mohammed Bouamari, is
another interesting film that talks about the social and
political changes in Algeria. During that period Algerian
women were given more liberty - like right to education and
work.
Another interesting film is
“The Battle of Algiers”, co-produced by Yacef Saadi, a
former leader of FLN (Algerian Resistance Movement) and
Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo. Made in 1965, the film
is about the struggle of Algerians for independence from the
French colonial rule. It won the Lion d’or in Venice in
1966.
In “Ali in the country of
Mirages” director Ahmed Rachedi shows the mental trauma of
an Algerian immigrant in France. “The Adventures of a Hero”,
“The Man Who Watched the Windows” and “The Mill of Mister
Fabre” will also be shown. |
