Algerian Radio
Algerian-Italian Film Days opened on Saturday evening in Algiers with the screening of the film "The Battle of Algiers," directed in 1966 by the Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo.
The celebration of this film—a testament to the long-standing Algerian-Italian friendship—took place in the presence of Italy's Ambassador to Algeria, Alberto Cutillo; the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Algiers, Antonia Grande; the Director of the Algiers Cinematheque, Adel Mekhalfia; and several family members of the Moudjahid Yacef Saadi (1928-2021).
With a runtime of 121 minutes, "The Battle of Algiers" recounts one of the greatest epics of the glorious National Liberation War and the struggle of the Algerian people, alongside their valiant moudjahidine, for the country's independence.
This masterpiece sheds light on the urban organization of the moudjahidine and the heroism of the fighters, while exposing the torture and barbarity of French colonial repression to the entire world.
Censored in France and banned from screening for 38 years, this feature film was awarded the "Golden Lion" at the Venice Film Festival in 1966, ranked "among the 50 best films of all time" by the British Film Institute, and screened in numerous countries.
Running until Monday, the Algerian-Italian Film Days feature a rich program that includes, notably, the screening of two other films linked to Algeria, directed by renowned Italian filmmakers.
"The Free Hands - 1964" by Ennio Lorenzini, produced by "Casbah-Films," and "The Stranger" (1967) by Luchino Visconti, adapted from the eponymous book by Albert Camus, will be screened on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
During these days, an exhibition of posters in different languages for "The Battle of Algiers" and photos showing the moments of glory experienced by this film—which has become a cult classic worldwide—is on display in the lobby of the Algiers Cinematheque.
Furthermore, masterclasses on sound, image, and video editing techniques are also planned during these Algerian-Italian Film Days, which will also feature debates open to the public after each screening.
The Algerian-Italian Film Days are organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Arts, by the Algerian Centre for Cinema (CAC) and the production company "Casbah-Films," in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Algiers.
