What is the message of The Battle of Algiers?
The Battle of Algiers also explores the roots of anti-colonial violence in imperial exploitation and suppression while exposing the shortcomings of torture and repression in dealing with the aspirations of colonized populations.
What happens in The Battle of Algiers?
The French government sends the military forces under the command of the abusive Colonel Mathieu that does not respect the human rights and uses torture to destroy the NLF command. In 1962, the Algerians finally achieve their aimed independence.
Why was The Battle of Algiers important?
This was a kind of revolutionary cinema, a cinema of the “Third World”, that was designed to overthrow the systems of colonialism and capitalism. The Battle of Algiers is also an example of Italian neorealism, a major film movement coming out of mid-twentieth century Italy.
Who is the protagonist in The Battle of Algiers?
His protagonists are a French colonel (Jean Martin), who respects his opponents but believes (correctly, no doubt) that ruthless methods are necessary, and Ali (Brahim Haggiag), a petty criminal who becomes an FLN leader.
Does the Battle of Algiers condone violence?
The escalation of violence This sparks an escalation of violence which ends up in a full revolutionary war between the French and the Algerians. However, whilst the violence escalates, the director, Gillo Pontecorvo never condones violence.
Is the battle of Algiers a true story?
In fact, The Battle of Algiers was based on the memoirs of Saadi Yacef, one of the leaders of the FLN, who also starred in the film as a character modeled off his real-life role in the opposition movement.
What happens at the end of 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.
Was The Battle of Algiers biased?
The most controversial aspect of The Battle of Algiers is its promotion of moral equivalency. While the French claimed that the film was biased, Pontecorvo actually rejected the original screenplay written by director and FLN commander Saadi Yacef in order to pursue an objective account.
How did Battle of Algiers end?
On March 18, 1962, France and the leaders of the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) sign a peace agreement to end the seven-year Algerian War, signaling the end of 130 years of colonial French rule in Algeria.
Does The Battle of Algiers condone violence?
Is The Battle of Algiers a true story?
How does The Battle of Algiers end?
The film ends with a coda depicting nationalist demonstrations and riots, suggesting that although France won the Battle of Algiers, it lost the Algerian War. The tactics of the FLN guerrilla insurgency and the French counter insurgency, and the uglier incidents of the war are depicted.