Netherlands-Flemish Institute to screen ‘The Battle of Algiers’

CAIRO – 2 October 2017: The Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo will screen the Italian-Algerian classic “The Battle of Algiers” on Sunday at the institute in Zamalek.

Released in 1966 and directed by Gillo Pontecrovo, the film revolves around Algeria’s epic fight for independence. The film was shot in the streets of Algeria in a documentary style featuring historical dramas.

Screening in Arabic/French, the film depicts paratrooper commander Colonel Mathieu during World War II who is assigned to censor attempts of uprisings in the Algerian war during the 1950’s.

Mathieu meets with Ali La Pointe who is a former criminal and is the leader of the Algerian Front for liberty (Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale) and is known for directing terror strategies against the French government’s occupation.

The free-entry film includes music composed by Ennio Morricone.

“The Battle of Algiers” was nominated for two Oscars in 1969 among other nominations, and has also won BAFTA Awards and the Golden Goblets Awards in Italy.