VIEWING CUE: The Battle of Algiers

A fiction film with a documentary look, The Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966) describes the war between the French and the Algerian resistance during the 1950s, recreating an important episode in that struggle. This scene immediately follows a devastating French attack on the casbah. In it, three Algerian women prepare to serve the revolutionary cause by carrying explosives into the French quarter.

Discussion Questions

After watching this clip from The Battle of Algiers, consider the questions below. Then submit your response.

Question

1. How does black-and-white cinematography contribute to the authenticity of the film?

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Question

2. How does lighting contribute to the drama of transformation?

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