Not really the sort of film to follow up my previous Movie of the Day, but one that can’t be ignored either because of the subject matter. I can’t begin to state that I am not fully into Geo-political conflicts, so my knowledge of the depiction of the Algerian War is a bit fractured, but make no mistake that the subject matter depicted in the film is a stark reminder of the current situation that we face during our military campaigns. Whenever I hear about certain world conflicts in the news, my mind wanders towards this film. It isn’t because of some knee-jerk reaction, but because the film itself is an important piece of cinema that managed to capture the spirit and impact of the beginning of a revolution.
This highly political film about the Algerian struggle for independence from France took “Best Film” honors at the 1966 Venice Film Festival. The bulk of the film is shot in flashback, presented as the memories of Ali (Brahim Haggiag), a leading member of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN), when finally captured by the French in 1957. Three years earlier, Ali was a petty thief who joined the secretive organization in order to help rid the Casbah of vice associated with the colonial government. The film traces the rebels’ struggle and the increasingly extreme measures taken by the French government to quell what soon becomes a nationwide revolt. After the flashback, Ali and the last of the FLN leaders are killed, and the film takes on a more general focus, leading to the declaration of Algerian independence in 1962. (source)
Director Gillo Pontecorvo crafted on of the most politically charged and effective films about terrorism and the consequences of fighting a guerrilla war. Utilizing styling from French New Wave and Italian Neorealism cinema, Gillo styled the film of a newsreel feel, stark black and white composition and a locked in documentary feel. Now before people start claiming I am just throwing out cinema movements to sound smart, let me explain (plus it does sound smart). French New Wave is rooted in the upheaval of the 50s and 60s from political and social problems that shaped the filmmaking into a sort of documentary style. Quick cuts or edits, long tracking shots and unique use of narrative structure were the hallmarks of French New Wave. Now Italian Neorealism influenced French New Wave which was highlights by the involvement of filmmaking in the lower and poor classes of the Italian society. The strong use of natural sets, non-professional actors and commentary on life in a post WWII era. All these techniques combined in The Battle of Algiers is used effectively to convey the desperate and intense battle for liberation.
Pontecorvo’s film is an incredible piece of work, capturing the essence of the guerrilla warfare that was conducted by the FLN and the chaos that ensues when the military tries to fight an unconventional war. The way that the film is shot adds to the realism of the film, so much so that there had to be a disclaimer on American prints that indicated the film doesn’t use newsreels as part of the film. The images are horrific and unsettling, but war and fighting for freedom is a dirty business. The struggle between the FLN and French military is highlighted differently throughout the film, but the message is the same. The documentary style of the film utilizes a certain galvanizing message that in battle for freedom and order, dirty deeds are done on both sides. The torturing of FLN members at the hands of Paratroopers or the suicide bombing of local establishments by the FLN all lead to the end game of the film.
The film has some unique techniques that all combine to form a coherent and effective film. The use of sound in the film is stark enough to showcase the oncoming conflicts, such as the sounds of gunfire and helicopters were used to signal the movements of the French military. In comparison, sounds of local drums and bombs were meant to identify the movements of the FLN. The cinematography and suedo-documentary style highlights some important scenes through heavy post processing and contrast changes when assassinations or bombings took place. These techniques used together manage to produce a riveting film and cementing the work of Pontecorvo for decades to come.
The Battle of Algiers is a live action manual on guerrilla warfare tactics and how to fight against this war tactic. Both sides are objectively shown, while the lean is more towards the FLN side. But the subject matter is as pertinent as ever in our current world state. Political uprising around the world is taking place and when you compare the struggles currently going on with the films subject matter, you realize the parallel that exists. It’s a film that hasn’t diminished since it was first released in 1966 and still to this day resonates with people around the world. It shows the struggle of those who want freedom and what must be done to win the war. Sure, the French essentially won the battle against the FLN, but the revolution that was started by their actions eventually won them the war. The Battle of Algiers is not only a powerful film, but also a film that set the standard for the docudrama style of filmmaking.
