Algerian cinema and its accompaniment of the war of national liberation...The film "The Battle of Algiers" as a model

Abstract

The birth of Algerian cinema is linked to armed struggle, an essential aspect of the war of national liberation. This struggle, adopted by the Algerian people as a method against colonialism, was neither optional nor random. It was scientifically planned to meet the challenges that the Algerian people faced in embracing the war of liberation. Cinema played a crucial role in exposing French colonial oppression. Thanks to their commitment, Algerians have obtained their legitimate right to independence and freedom. Algerian film production began at the same time as the popular revolution against the French occupation between 1954 and 1962. This period played a crucial role in the desire to show the lived reality and to record historical events, especially those related to the Algerian revolution. From the beginning, the revolution used all available audiovisual means to document the struggle of the Algerian people in films reflecting the daily reality of the revolution. Thus, a cinematographic art distinctly linked to struggle emerged, aimed at keeping pace with national history and becoming part of the collective memory. First, the history of cinematographic creation in Algeria is closely linked to the contemporary history of the country, the war of liberation remains the most significant event of the last century both historically and symbolically. And then, understanding the artistic dynamics in Algeria in the post-62 era necessarily involves the first source of inspiration.

Keywords

• Cinema
• Algerian cinema
• Audiovisual art
• Film Bataille d
• Film Eight days of strike
• Yassef Saadi
• Zahra Zarif

References

1. Abboud, L. (2010, June). Al-Sahifa al-Sabah al-Tunisiyya wa al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya [The Tunisian Morning Newspaper and the Algerian Revolution]. Al-Majalla al-Magharibiyya lil-Dirasat al-Tarikhiyya wa al-Ijtima‘iyya [The Maghreb Journal for Historical and Social Studies], (2), 129.
2. Abdul, M. (2006, August 3). Al-Sinima fi Muwakabat Harb al-Tahrir – Qira'at fi 'Alam al-Kutub wa al-Matbu‘at - Al-Hiwar al-Mutamaddin [Cinema in the Context of the War of Liberation – Readings in the World of Books and Publications - Civilized Dialogue], (1631).
3. Al-Aris, I. (2005, January-February). Al-Sinima al-Tarikhiyya, wa Ma‘raka Ghayr Mutakafi'a bayn al-Madi wa al-Hadir [Historical Cinema, and the Unequal Battle between the Past and the Present]. Majallat al-Thaqafa [Cultural Magazine], (12).
4. Allal, M. (2015, April 5). Al-Rahil Sid Ali Kuwairat fi Akhir Liqa' [The Late Sid Ali Kuwairat in the Last Meeting]. Al-Khabar Online.
5. Anonymous, (2007, December 24). Al-Muntada al-Maghribi al-Arabi: Al-Fann wa al-Sinima - Suwar ‘Alam al-Fann wa al-Sinima - Ta‘rif al-Sinima [Moroccan Arab Forum: Art and Cinema - Images of the World of Art and Cinema - Definition of Cinema].
6. Anonymous. (2008, August 5). Mukhtabarat al-‘Arab - Tarikh al-Sinima al-Jaza'iriyya [Arab Laboratories - History of Algerian Cinema].
7. Asli, B. (1986). Nahj al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya - al-Sira‘ al-Siyasi [The Path of the Algerian Revolution - The Political Struggle] (2nd ed.). Dar al-Nafais, p. 190.
8. Aziz, M. (2015, January 5). A‘maluhu Az‘ajat Kathiran al-Sultat al-Isti‘mariyya al-Faransiyya, Rahil al-Sinima'i Runi Futti, Sadiq al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya [His Works Greatly Annoyed the French Colonial Authorities, the Passing of Filmmaker René Vautier, Friend of the Algerian Revolution]. Al-Khabar al-Yawmi [Daily News], (6772).

9. Bin Ammar, Q. (2012, October 31). Yasif Sa‘di Yakshif Tafasil Muthira ‘an "Ma‘rakat al-Jaza'ir" [Yacef Saadi Reveals Exciting Details About "The Battle of Algiers"]. Al-Shorouk Online.
10. Bliya, A. (2006, October 29). Bidayat al-Sinima al-Jaza'iriyya - al-Waqi‘ wa al-Afaq [The Beginnings of Algerian Cinema - Reality and Prospects]. Maghreb Blog.
11. Bouaziz, Y. (2007). Al-Mawjiz fi Tarikh al-Jaza'ir - al-Juz' al-Thani - al-Jaza'ir al-Haditha [A Brief History of Algeria - Part Two - Modern Algeria]. Diwan al-Matbu‘at al-Jami‘iyya [University Publications Office], Algeria, p. 138.
12. Butqa, S. (2012). Al-Mutakhayal al-Kuluniyali min Wahm al-Maktub ila Zayf al-Mar'i al-Mudmar wa al-Mandhur [The Colonial Imaginary from the Illusion of the Written to the Falsehood of the Hidden and Visible]. Majallat al-Mukhabbar - Abhath fi al-Lugha wa al-Adab al-Jaza'iri [The Laboratory Journal - Research in Algerian Language and Literature], University of Mohamed Khider, Biskra, (8), 10.
13. Farkous, S. (2005). Tarikh al-Jaza'ir min Ma Qabl al-Tarikh ila Ghayat al-Istiqlal - al-Marhalat al-Kubra [History of Algeria from Prehistory to Independence - Major Stages]. Dar al-‘Ulum lil-Nashr wa al-Tawzi‘ [Dar Al-Ulum Publishing and Distribution], Annaba, p. 440-467.
14. Jouiba, A. K. (2007, December). Mahatat min Nidal al-Mar'a fi Tarikh al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya [Stations from the Struggle of Women in the History of the Algerian Revolution]. Majallat al-Mawaqif [Attitudes Journal], Journal of Social and Historical Studies, Mascara, (1), 163-164.
15. Khalifi, A. (2010). Mahatat min Tarikh al-Jaza'ir al-Mujahida 1830-1962 [Stations from the History of Struggling Algeria 1830-1962]. Diwan al-Matbu‘at al-Jami‘iyya [University Publications Office], Algeria, p. 116.
16. Lahyani, O. (2015, April 5). Al-Jaza'ir Tafqid Ramz Aflam al-Thawra - Vidéos - Wafat al-Mumathil Sid Ali Kuwairat [Algeria Loses the Symbol of Revolutionary Films - Videos - Death of Actor Sid Ali Kuwairat].
17. Libération. . (2013, December 4). Mort du général Assurasses, tortionnaire en Algérie
18. Madani, A. T. (1982). Mudhakkirat Kifah [Memoirs of Struggle]. Al-Mu’assasa al-Wataniyya lil-Kitab [National Book Foundation], (3), 289.
19. Mansur, Z., Shalabi, W., & Ayad, A. (2009, October 31). Al-Mujahida Zharif Zahra Tudaafi ‘an Abtal "Ma‘rakat al-Jaza'ir", al-Khalilat Kadhiba Faransiyya li-Tashwih Jamila al-Jaza'ir [The Struggler Zohra Drif Defends the Heroes of "The Battle of Algiers", French Lies to Discredit the Beautiful Algerians]. Al-Shorouk Online.
20. Qabaili, H. (2012, December). Markaz al-Ta‘dhib Athna’ al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya. Mazra‘at Amzian Namudhajan [Torture Centers During the Algerian Revolution. Amzian's Farm as a Model]. Majallat al-Nasiriya [Nasiriya Journal], University of Mascara, Special Issue, 60.
21. Sahuli, B. (2010, June). Mawqif Jami‘at al-Duwal al-‘Arabiyya min al-Qadiyya al-Jaza'iriyya bayn 1945-1962 [The Position of the Arab League on the Algerian Issue Between 1945-1962]. Al-Majalla al-Magharibiyya lil-Dirasat al-Tarikhiyya wa al-Ijtima‘iyya [The Maghreb Journal for Historical and Social Studies], University of Djilali Liabes, Sidi Bel Abbes, (2), 112.
22. Shirazi, K. (2014, October 8). "Ali Lapointe": Batal Ma‘rakat al-Jaza'ir la Yazal Hadiran Baynana ["Ali La Pointe": Hero of the Battle of Algiers is Still Among Us]. Al-Shorouk Online.
23. Shirazi, K. (2015, March 30). Butulat "al-Fatimāt" Ataht bi: "Barbariyya" Faransa [The Heroics of "The Fatimats" Overthrew the "Barbarity" of France]. Jawahir al-Shorouk Online, (4692).
24. Shrayt, A. (1955). Al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya fi al-Sahafa al-Dawliyya - al-Juz' al-Awwal [The Algerian Revolution in International Press - Part One]. Manshurat Wizarat al-Mujahidin [Publications of the Ministry of Mujahideen], p. 45.
25. Shrayt, A., & Mili, M. (1965). Al-Jaza'ir fi al-Mar’aat [Algeria in the Mirror]. Maktabat al-Ba‘th [Renaissance Library], Constantine, p. 252.
26. Tah, S. (2012, December). Mumarisat al-Ta‘dhib fi Sujun wa Mu‘taqalāt Mantikat Masqar min Khilal al-Shahadat al-Shafawiyya lil-Mujahidin 1954-1962 [The Practice of Torture in the Prisons and Detention Centers of the Mascara Region through the Oral Testimonies of the Mujahideen 1954-1962]. Majallat al-Nasiriya lil-Dirasat al-Ijtima‘iyya wa al-Tarikhiyya [The Nasiriya Journal of Social and Historical Studies], Special Issue, University of Mascara, Algeria, p. 44.
27. Video, (2014, January 8) Les aveux posthumes du général Assurasses: "On a tué Audin".
28. Zait, K. (2013, December 4). Wafat al-Jinaral Usaris 'Arabb' al-Ta‘dhib Khilal al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya [The Death of General Aussaresses, the 'Godfather' of Torture During the Algerian Revolution]. Al-Sharq al-Awsat al-Lundaniya [Middle East London].
29. Zawi, A. (2012, July 12). Ali Lapointe: min "Ma‘rakat al-Jaza'ir" ila Ma‘rakat al-Dhil [Ali La Pointe: From "The Battle of Algiers" to the Battle of Humiliation]. Al-Shorouk Online.
30. Zubayri, M. A. (1984). Al-Thawra al-Jaza'iriyya fi ‘Amuha al-Awwal [The Algerian Revolution in its First Year]. Al-Mu’assasa al-Wataniyya lil-Kitab [National Book Foundation], Algeria, p. 89.
31. Zubayri, M. A. (1999). Tarikh al-Jaza'ir al-Mu‘asira - al-Juz' al-Thani [Contemporary History of Algeria - Part Two]. Manshurat Ittihad al-Kuttab [Union of Writers Publications], Damascus, p. 63-88.