French Colonialism in Film

Paper Summary:

Director Gillo Pontecorvo's "The Battle of Algiers" and director Regis Wargnier's "Indochine" showcase French colonialism. The paper describes how, in "Indochine", the political aspects of colonialism form a backdrop to a love story set amid gorgeous scenery, while "The Battle of Algiers" is an uncompromising look at the bloody cost of French rule in Algeria. The paper shows that, while both films are set in different times and locations, "The Battle of Algiers" and "Indochine" clearly depict the cost of colonialism.

From the Paper:

"Gillo Pontecorvo's movie, The Battle of Algiers, was first release in 1965, and chronicles the French occupation of Algiers during the 1950s. The movie shows the struggles of the Algerian independence movement to win independence from France. Filmed in black and white, The Battle of Algiers is filmed in the style of a documentary, but it is in fact not. The movie begins in 1957, as the last remaining Algerian Guerrilla leader, Ali La Pointe (Brahim Haggiag), is pinned down in his hideout by the French military. As he contemplates his fate, La Pointe recollects much of the history of the Algerian independence movement, where Muslims struggled for independence from France. Ultimately, La Pointe chooses to die rather than to surrender, and the French are apparently victorious, at least for the time being."

More papers on French Colonialism in Film:

• Essay # 137529 : "Post-Colonialism or Neo-Colonialism in the Context of Globalization"
• Analytical Essay # 142771 : "Enduring Power Of Colonialism In A Post-Colonial World"
• Narrative Essay # 93149 : "The Battle of Algiers"

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