During the period when Algeria was a French colony, about 134 films were shot in Algeria. Algeria is attracting. Not only by its vast desert where emerging rare oasis - who are more military posts than paradise in the middle of the sand - but also because of the Algerian capital of a future state: Algiers. The Casbah has much to do. The 'fortress' Ottoman listed since December 1992 by UNESCO World Heritage (and who is behind the famous nickname of the city, Alger la Blanche) offers a perfect setting for filmmakers. Its maze of narrow alleyways and steep staircases winding is ideally suited to action films, gangster (very fashionable at the time) and to film noir, to show the side 'dark' of colonialism .
Algiers was a city attractive to filmmakers primarily because its construction. From 1897 to 1 November 1954 , more than 90 films were shot in Algeria. It was at first mainly action movies. In this first category of films, very few players 'indigenous' are present. Besides, the natives themselves are absent in most of these films. The white city is seen through the Casbah and terraces. For example in 1922, Louis and Rene Mercanton Hervil turn in Algiers Sarati the Terrible. Apart from a few extras, actors natives are absent. Moreover, the sociologist Abdelghani Megherbi by his research shows that this film based on a novel by Jean Vignaud, praised colonialism. Indigenous people are therefore presented as a subject people, obedient and quiet: "The Arabs admire the strength and fear."
Other films following the same pattern as the Terrible Sarati - that is to say, forgetting the indigenous population - will emerge. Among these films, we find Le Grand Rendez-Vous Jean Dreville. Made in 1949, the film deals with the American landing in Algiers. The city is without its native inhabitants. The "Group of Five," formed by the Commissioner Basketball, Baron Darvey, Father St-Michel Riel and Solal organizing the fight against Germany and the Vichy regime. They are joined by Francis, who worked in the Youth Building and sister Colette. These last two have tried to flee the colony to reach England, the symbol of resistance. The resistance group, which now contains 7 members, must neutralize the radio, the telephone network and the strategic points of the city until the soldiers of the 800 allied ships' arrival. This war film is concentrating on the two camps of World War II who are competing for possession of Africa.
In continuation of the series of war movies eclipsing the indigenous population, found Casabianca Georges Peclet, made in 1950. The film pays tribute to the submarine of the same name, the Casabianca, who escaped the sinking of the French navy at Toulon and was instrumental in fueling the underground until the liberation of Corsica island. The battalions were brought from Algiers, a city that seems, again, not wanting to show its indigenous population.
This positive view of colonial Algeria explained very simply. This period saw the Communist and Socialist parties swell their ranks. Of course, they were critical of colonialism, become a political issue. As a response, movies, and more numerous propaganda posters, reflected an ameliorative image of the colony: a beautiful city, a beautiful bay, residents happy. And most importantly, these films conceal the misery in which the indigenous people live. However
movies are there to 'make adjustments'. One of the first films to reflect the reality of indigenous life in Algeria is Pepe le Moko . Julien Duvivier depicts Jean Gabin in the role of a French gangster who found refuge in the Casbah. The Casbah is therefore in the movies, but this time in another way. The natives are present! We discover the shady neighborhoods of the Casbah, full of traffic, prostitutes, poverty and misery. So it's a realistic film begins, eager to show the reality of things. The hero is hunted by Inspector Slimane native, waiting passia to find a way to get out of his refuge Pepe. This is getting tired of Paris. His nostalgia will be accentuated when Gaby will meet a Parisian tourist. The gangster falls in love with her. Informed by its flag, the inspector decided to take Arabic is part of this. When he learns that Gaby will embark for France, Grandpa tries to join at any price, despite the danger of hounds. But he is denounced by Ines, a prostitute and companion of native Pepe, jealous to see him leave to join another woman. Slimane was believed to Gaby that Pepe was dead. Upon departure, Pepe was arrested without being able to talk to Gaby, convinced that she has left. He committed suicide on the docks. This thriller is one of the first where indigenous characters (even if played by French actors) play an important part of the plot. An American remake, Algiers Will be made elsewhere.
After the liberation of Algeria, France is often criticized for its actions during the colonization of Algeria. It is one of these actions the use of torture and assassination of the Secret Army Organization (OAS). These "peacekeeping operations" are mentioned in some films, like the Battle of Algiers . Made in 1966, Italo-Algerian film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo. The film begins October 7, 1957 with the arrival of the paratroopers of Colonel Mathieu. The military invest the Casbah of Algiers to capture Ali "tips", became a petty criminal guerrilla leader of the FLN. They arrive home and find it in the lining of a wall, with his wife. Three years later, the indigenous population is spreading through the streets demanding independence. The film shows us the actions of the FLN: French authorities to monitor and identify strategic locations in order to perpetrate attacks. The mutual hatred exchanged between the camp and the camp native French is very noticeable. Betrayal and murder are linked. The first bombs exploded, one in a cafe and the other in a dance club. The bombs were raised by women, a technique used by the FLN for remove the suspicion of police. In response to these two explosions, 3 French blew up a building in the Casbah, violence continues to escalate. This film shock is considered the first film to show an alternative vision to that of a French director. Objectivity is nevertheless present, showing the atrocities of war in both camps: the assassination of innocent people, torture traitors etc.. The film was also honored at Venice in 1966.
the same kind found Intimate Enemy Franco-Algerian film by Florent Emilio Siri released in 2007. In June 1959 a brigade of the French army hunts of the guerrillas. The French military are in constant battle with themselves, torn between their desire to avenge their friends died in combat or respect the "rules of war." A year ago, "Colonel , French film by Laurent Herbiet seems. Torture is the main theme of the film. In 1957 at St. Arnaud, in eastern Algeria, a young officer, lawyer, Guy Rossi discovered torture. Early reluctance to apply it, it will gradually turn into "executioner" no longer feeling any emotion. His superior, Colonel Duplan, will be traveling the opposite route.
But the French colonization in Algeria has also had repercussions in the city. Thus, the film Dark Night Alain Tasma, puts the plot in 1961, October 17, where 30,000 Algerians win the heart of Paris for a peaceful demonstration at the call of the FLN. In the evening, thousands of people were arrested by French authorities. Bodies are recovered from the Seine a few days later. Each character in the film has its own vision of the situation, which allows the author to illustrate the various independence movements in Algeria. Retracing
another period of colonization of Algeria, Glory , a French film, Moroccan, Algerian and Belgian directed by Rachid Bouchareb, released in 2006 has 4 native enlisted in the French army. They are desperate to give a good image of the natives, for France to recognize their value. All the members of their faction are eliminated by the Germans. Their supervisor asks them to complete their mission, and to release the Alsatian village. Acting like real soldiers fighting for their country, they will push up the death.
French colonization in Algeria has inspired more than one director. First, a way to show the side benefactor of colonization, French cinema was then directed towards a desire to reflect the actual situation and then give way to outright criticism of the attitude of the army and the French administration.
Medhi M - Medhi C. - Saber and Aghiles
Sources:
http://www.dilap.com/
http://www.dilap.com/cinema-arabe/cinema-arabe-algerien/histoire -cinema-algerien/cinema-algerien-colonial-2.htm
http://www.coupdesoleil.net/documentation/AlgerauCinema.pdf
http://www.espaceculture.net/averroes/averroes2003/03sous_le_signe/cinema_litterature/au_commencement.html
http://www.ph-ludwigsburg.de/html/2b-frnz-s-01/overmann/baf4/algerie/alg10.htm l
http://cinema.aliceadsl.fr/film/histoire/default.aspx?filmid=FI012582
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%C3%A9gorie:Cin%C3%A9ma_fran%C3%A7ais
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%C3%A9gorie:Cin%C3%A9ma_alg%C3%A9rien
http://www.cadrage.net/dossier/colonisation.htm
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