The Battle of Algiers Movie
The Battle of Algiers (1966) directed by Gillo Pontecorvo reveals the events of the Algerian struggle for independence between 1954 and 1962. The main aim of the director is to look into the very depths of the birth of
the revolution in order to present to his viewers the ideology of people that served as a driving force for decisive actions.
Firstly, Pontecorvo depicts the desire of people of Algeria to get rid of French colonial rule that deprived them many of the rights granted to Europeans and achieve independence. Secondly, he shows that the French
forces, who are confident of their peacekeeping ideals, perceive occupation is only a huge favor from the government of France as this choice is nothing but a salvation for the Algerian Republic. Thirdly, Pontecorvo in
his movie reveals a crisis of collective self-identification and constant stay of people in a state of the eternal minority that, in turn, provokes a desire to throw off the shackles and achieve the desired self-rule (Ebert
n.p.).
In conclusion, it can be claimed that The Battle of Algiers depicts the ideology of both the Algerians and the French. Thus, it allows to look at the origins and the course of the revolution from a completely different
angle.
Works Cited
Ebert, Roger. "The Battle of Algiers Movie Review (1968) | Roger Ebert." RogerEbert.com. N.p., 10 Oct. 2004. Web. 13 Apr. 2017.
