The Battle of Algiers (1966)
Brother, what a brutal film. The Battle of Algiers is a French production, which focuses on a situation I'm sure most Americans are wholly unfamiliar with: The French struggle to hold onto over 100 years of occupation in the African nation of Algeria, and the rebels who brought about the change.What struck me most about this film was its style. Especially considering the time in which it was conceived. You're looking at a solely black-and-white film, shot in what can only be described as a near-documentary style. As such you're shown the fight, if you want to call it that, from all points. Secondly, I was simply amazed at the total lack of bias toward either side, given that the events portrayed were only a few years old. It should also be noted that this film was actually banned outright in France, and I can't say I'm surprised. Disappointed but not surprised.
The Algerian resistance, aka the FLN, is shown to take control of Algiers in what we'd consider to be terrorist style, yet you're somehow able to identify with them and even live with their decision to bomb four market areas, including a bar and nightclub.
Then there's the French. A band of paratroopers led by Col. Mathieu comes in to restore order, and you're sure they're just going to kick ass. Yet they manage to come across no better than the "freedom fighters" in their tactics and opinions.
Bluntly, this shows the brutality and inhumanity which exists on both sides of any conflict, and does it in such a way that when its over, you're not left cheering for either side.
Is there a lot of typical war-movie shootemup style action? No, but that's not the point. I still found myself glued to this movie, wondering which choices both sides would make, and who it would hurt.
Something that also is made clear by this film, from 1965, is how much we have not learned, especially in light of other recent "occupations" (for lack of a better word) of middle-eastern nations. Really you could probably take the premise of this film and re-write it for modern Baghdad, and it would be just as relevant.
The entire film is in French and Arabic, so you'll be reading a lot of subtitles. Unavoidable, and really it doesn't detract anything from the impact of it. The acting all around was really quite good for (I think) a group of unknowns, and there isn't much of a soundtrack to speak of, which only helps the documentary feel of the thing.
The Battle of Algiers really surprised me. I found it engrossing and painful, and was shown a bit of world history that we US-ians really dont' know much about.
Technorati Tags: the battle of algiers, 1966, algeria, france, independence, revolution
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