Film Presentation
Transcript: Revolution on Film Taking a look at three films, we will see different representations of the Algerian Revolution as seen from within the country of Algeria, from the colonial standpoint of a French director, and from an outside perspective of and Italian director. Mostefa Benboulaïd (2007) Director: Ahmed Rachedi Country: Algeria Actor: Hacene Kechache (Mostefa) This film is set up to follow the "Man of the Revolution", Mostefa Benboulaid through the various contributions he made to Algeria in the Revolution. This film ended with the death of Mostefa, and therefore doesn't cover the end of the revolution or how it eventually spread fully into major cities (like Algiers-- which didn't become prevalent until 1957). Timeline of Film: Algerian fighting in WWII for France Return back to the Berber regions in the Mountains of Algeria Political life: Member of Nationalist group, then forms the FLN with selected leaders from each region of Algeria. Revolution begins: November 1, 1954 The Aures and Kabylie posts are the main focus of the film. We see mountain region warfare--- and the French retaliation to the villages there. Mostefa travels to Tunisia to get aid, and ends up imprisoned and tortured. We see his escape and return to the Aures region, and finally his death. Le Petit Soldat (1960) Director: Jean-Luc Godard Country: France Actors: Michel Subor (Bruno), Anna Karina (Veronica) This film has a complex plot, with secret agents, party plots, and torture. Bruno is put in an impossible position because he left France to avoid being drafted. In Geneva, he is asked to commit murder to prove his allegiances, and becomes targeted by an Arab group who are looking for the same French men who are harassing him. After being tortured and escaping, Bruno goes to plan an escape for himself and his love interest, Veronica. It turns out that Veronica has helped the FLN (The National Liberation Front) of Algeria, and the French take Veronica, hold her hostage, and kill her before Bruno can get her back. Torture from both sides: The French capturing Veronica: Note: The film was banned in France until 1963, due to the scenes of torture involving the French nationals. La Bataille d'Alger (1966) Director: Gillo Pontecorvo Country: Italy Actors: Brahim Hadjadj (Ali), Jean Martin (Col. Mathieu) The film begins in Algiers in 1957. This is a contrast to Mostefa Benboulaid, which shows the beginning of the revolution and the origin of it in the mountainous regions. In La Bataille d'Alger, the people have really taken hold of the revolution and we see average citizens acting out plans within the city to take down the French and make their position known. Torture and Warfare: The opening scenes of the film portray a tortured man being mocked by his captors. Battle of Algiers is about the expansion of the FLN into Algiers and the organized guerrilla style warfare that ensued. The film highlights bombings, oppression, and torture on BOTH sides, showing the Algerians taking the initiative in public bombings of the innocent French people. Full Film: (0:48) Opening torture/humiliation (12:53) Algerian planning (37:00) Bombing in the Casbah (47:45) Women bombing French Businesses (1:54:15) After seeming defeated by the French in Algiers, two years go by and then there is outbreak in the mountains from the people Note: The film was banned for five years in France, where it was released edited of the torture scenes in 1974. Scenes-- (51:54) The beginning of the Revolution. (58:00) The French react. (2:36:00) Mountain warfare. (2:49:10) Mostefa's last moments. (1917-1956) Trailor: http://www.vidics.eu/watch/49508/Le-petit-soldat-1963.html Arabs torturing Bruno: http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4273418&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1 Within Mostefa Benboulaid, we see Algerians fighting for their revolution. In contrasting those scenes with the ones in The Battle of Algiers, how is the effect on the viewer different? Does Le Petit Soldat, by making the Algerian Revolution an kind of background issue, really offer any insight into the general populations idea about the conflict? Since they are French, are the somehow removed from the action that is taking place in North Africa? (Compare to other modern wars-- away from their "home.") When looking at the scenes of French torture versus those in Le Petit Soldat done by the Arab group, does their intention/execution seem different? Comparative Look at the Films: (1:14) (56:42)