The Battle of Algiers

Please watch the film “The Battle of Algiers” on Kanopy at: https://usf.kanopy.com/video/battle-algiers-0  (Links to an external site.) and anwser the following questions : 1- The movie “The Battle of Algiers” (made in 1966), reconstructs events that had taken place just a few years earlier. Generally regarded as a historically accurate and balanced film, Director Gillo Pontecorvo nonetheless considered his work to be politically motivated. In your opinion, why is that? 2- The film was banned in France for five years after its release. Explain why. 3- 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, the film was — and still is for some– highly controversial. What is your opinion? Did you like the movie? Please elaborate. 4- The film has been used to train members of the Black Panthers and Argentine intelligence units. It has been speculated that Palestinian terror groups and al Qaeda may also use Pontecorvo’s film as a guide. In 2003, The Battle of Algiers was screened at the Pentagon in order to offer some insight into the challenges surrounding the U.S. occupation of Iraq leading the press to describe the film as “a model for both insurgency and counterinsurgency tactics” rather than art. What is your personal opinion? 5-In your opinion what is the most important lesson(s) of the film—and/or of the entire French experience in Algeria (both colonization and decolonization)? Previous Next