The Battle of Algiers
by Sana Vasi and César Martínez
The Battle of Algiers is a visually arresting film about the Algerian insurrection against the French set in their post World War II colony. The film opens with a fade into a frame hosting dozens of French soldiers and one battered man who has been systematically tortured into betraying the whereabouts of his revolutionary leader, Ali La Pointe. With torture being one of many practices, the French soldiers used horrifying and merciless methods to eradicate any form of revolutionary resistance. However, this does not justify the terroristic acts of the Algerians themselves; who were willing to sacrifice innocent lives, namely French, in order to make a politically driven statement.
One of the directorial strengths of this movie is the sympathy the audience acquires for the Algerian revolutionaries, despite their hyper-violent and arguably unnecessary actions. We are given glimpses into their grueling existence, where they constantly have to put up with the unjust policies, regulations, and apartheid-like ethnic divide that the French implemented after conquering their country. The Battle of Algiers highlights a stark contrast between the well-paved grandeur of French-occupied areas and the claustrophobic hovels inhabited by native Algerians known as casbahs. This in a sense, allows for the justification of bombing the French as a ‘means to an end’. Our exposition to this perspective allows us to “understand” that these unwitting victims were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Throughout the movie, we are drawn to admire the Algerians for their resilience; no matter how hopeless the situation may sometimes seem. The Algerian revolutionary characters never give up fighting for their independence, and most chose to die for what they believe in. The savage passion from both sides of the revolution was eye opening; both the Algerians and the French genuinely believed in the integrity of their own cause, and the immorality of the other. Colonel Mathieu, for example, was successful in his endeavor to eradicate the resistance movement by using torture to weasel out information about key leaders. Nevertheless, from his point of view, Mathieu was doing Algeria a service by saving the country from pointless fighting and mass destruction. On the other hand, Ali La Pointe believed he was instrumental in the necessary battle to liberate his people from the oppression of the French.
The problem with this movie is its lack of accuracy in the portrayal of characters and events. Much like the characters of the film, the movie projects a Manichean world, one replete with binaries lighting the flame of passionate revolutionary or counter-revolutionary sympathies. By the end of the film, characterized by a powerful freeze frame displaying an angered woman thrusting her Algerian independence flag wrapped fist up into the air, we feel a simple but powerful emotion of sympathy, respect, and encouragement for the Algerian revolutionaries.
Reactions across the class were diverse. Some enjoyed the film, while others snored at it. Cesar Martinez, a self proclaimed film buff and fellow journalist, offered his opinion. “I thought the film was a powerful drama that played and felt like a documentary. The sweeping and grainy handheld cinematography placed you within a world with performances as stark as the reality of the events. Being a disciple of foreign and independent films, I can safely say that this film has given me a new perspective on filmmaking and the Algerian Revolution itself.” Others admitted that they were able to catch up on some much needed sleep. All in all, The Battle of Algiers is an important film in cinematic history, the history of post-revolutionary Algeria, and to our curriculum as students of revolutions across the African continent.
The Revolutionary's Narrative 