THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS directed by Gillo Pontecorvo (Algeria/Italy, 1966)

Victory for the Algerian freedom fighters is merely the epilogue in this astonishing movie. The main events focus on the period 1954-7 when the first wave of violence aimed at winning independence was suppressed by the French army.

I saw this film many years ago and watching again now it still has the same powerful impact. Its resonance lies in not taking sides in the conflict but showing a degree of barbarity on both sides – the FLN (National Liberation Front) and the French army headed by Colonel Mathieu (Jean Martin).

Martin is the only professional actor in this film, all the other parts were chosen mainly for the physical presence or striking faces. The pained expression of the informer we see at the beginning and end is one of the most haunting – he suffers the added indignity of having to wear a French army uniform as they raid the hideout of guerrilla leader Ali la Pointe. Continue reading →