La battaglia di Algeri

English title: Battle of Algiers (the)

Also known as: Bataille d’Alger (la)

Genre: political drama (in black and white)

With: Brahim Hadjadj (Ali la Pointe, FLN operative), Jean Martin (Lt. Col. Mathieu), Yacef Saadi (Djafar, FLN organizer), Samia Kerbash (Fathia), Tommaso Neri (Captain), Ugo Paletti (Captain), Fusia El Kader (Halima), Mohamed Ben Kassen (Petit Omar, Ali’s son), Mohammed Beghdadi (Ben M’hidi)

Director: Gillo Pontecorvo

Screenplay: Franco Solinas (from a story by Franco Solinas and Gillo Pontecorvo)

Release: 1966

Studio: Igor Film, Casbah Film

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.9/10 

 

Freedom the Hard Way 

 

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Story-line: in 1957, the capital of Algeria is a city of contrasts. Its European district is modern and rich while the casbah, home to the Muslim majority, is cramped and poor. With growing insistence, Algerians call for their independence from France and some of them – notably the Front de libération nationale – see violence as the only way to achieve it. For their part, French authorities use every means available to maintain their grip on what they consider their rightful colony. The stage is set for a long, fierce and tragic confrontation. 

Pluses: intense acting by Brahim Hadjadj and a great cast, awe-inspiring direction (particularly in the vivid crowd scenes), a brilliant and magnificently structured screenplay that documents its subject systematically through non-stop action and chilling dialogues, amazing cinematography and visuals, a heart-pumping musical score and a potent ending.

Minuses: I had heard that THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS was a great film but it’s only recently that I had a chance to see it. If such an opportunity comes your way, don’t let it slip by...

Comments: this monumental picture and deserving Golden Lion winner explores both sides of the issue unflinchingly and doesn’t hide the ruthlessness shown by Algerian and French forces through guerrilla warfare, propaganda, harassment, mass punishment, acts of terror and use of informants. While weaving its devastating narrative, THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS depicts an important world event that is still felt today in the uncomfortable relationship between France and its former colony. As a matter of history, it is estimated that the conflict cost somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million lives, mostly on the Algerian side. For this alone, Gillo Pontecorvo’s work is an essential contribution to international cinema. Its awesome power will leave you speechless and numb.   

 

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Deux jours, une nuit

Genre: workplace drama

With: Marion Cotillard (Sandra), Fabrizio Rongione (Manu), Catherine Salée (Juliette), Baptiste Sornin (Mr. Dumont), Pily Groyne (Estelle), Simon Caudry (Maxime), Alain Eloy (Willy), Lara Persain (Willy’s wife), Myriem Akheddiou (Mireille), Fabienne Sciascia (Nadine), Olivier Gourmet (Jean-Marc), Timur Magomedgadzhiev (Timur)

Directors: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne

Screenplay: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne

Release: 2014

Studio: Les Films du Fleuve, Archipel 35, BIM Distribuzione et al.

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.5/10 

 

‟I don't exist. I'm nothing. Nothing at all!” 

 

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Story-line: as she gets ready to resume work after a lengthy illness, Sandra learns that a vote has been held among her colleagues and that, given a choice between taking her back or receiving a €1000 bonus each to cover her workload, they have voted for the bonus. Undeterred by what she sees as an injustice, Sandra asks for a second vote.

Pluses: a dominant, emotionally-charged performance by Marion Cotillard, natural and measured acting by an able cast (Fabrizio Rongione, Olivier Gourmet and Timur Magomedgadzhiev are especially convincing), efficient, high-quality direction, a tight, no-frills screenplay that focuses on what’s essential and conveys crucial psychological insights, on-point dialogues, basic but eloquent cinematography, well-suited production values and a strong denouement.

Minuses: none, except for Sandra’s annoying cellphone ring (you’ll hear it often).

Comments: for some reason, I have trouble recognizing Marion Cotillard from one movie to the next – which may partly explain her status as one of France’s brightest, most versatile stars – and her performance here adds to her already fine resumé. DEUX JOURS, UNE NUIT is another low-budget marvel from the Dardenne brothers, a thoughtful and utilitarian tale about lives in jeopardy, self-interest, decency and workplace politics. This is the kind of cinema I appreciate: no superheroes, no far-flung story-lines… but real people dealing with real problems. Vital moviemaking at its best. 

 

MBiS 

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