Algerian Ambassador Nadir Laribou on Friday thanked the people of Pakistan for their bold and unstinted support to the Algerian freedom struggle against French occupation. The Ambassador said this at a gathering of a large number of guests who came to witness the world acclaimed black and white film, 'The Battle of Algiers', screened to celebrate 'Africa Day'.
The Algerian Embassy in Pakistan is co-ordinating celebrations of Africa Day on behalf of African Embassies and High Commissions based in Pakistan.
Ambassador Laribou said that Pakistan had recognised the Algerian government 'in exile' and had supported "our solidarity from the very beginning". He said the decolonisation struggle started by his country had a massive impact on other liberation movements of Africa and Latin America.
The film 'The Battle of Algiers' was screened in Pakistan for the first time on Friday evening as Algerian Embassy's contribution to 'Africa Day'. It depicts an episode of the war of independence in Algeria from November 1954 to December 1960, during the Algerian 'war of independence', which began with springing of 'Kasbah' revolutionary cells, and the beginning of the conflict between native Algerians and European settlers in which both sides indulged in violence, and this led to the calling in of the French paratroopers under the command of General Massu and Colonel Bigeard to cut down the FLN.
The film also illustrates the tactics of the FLN insurgency and the French counter-insurgency, as well as atrocities committed from both sides against civilians. The Algerian Revolution is remembered as one of the bloodiest revolutions in history.
Although the French army defeated Algerian revolutionary forces, it led to the demise of colonialism and the final withdrawal of France from Algeria. The film is inspired from the accounts of one of the military commanders of the FLN, Saadi Yacef, based on his book 'Souvenirs of the Battle of Algiers'.
Yacef was taken prisoner by the French and did his best to boost the morale of FLN militants. After Algerian independence, Yacef became a part of the government. The Algerian government backed the decision to produce a screen film based on Yacef's book.
Salash Baazi, an exiled FLN member, persuaded the Italian director, Gillo Pontecovo, to produce, and writer Franco Solinas to write the screenplay of the film. The film 'The Battle of Algiers' has received praise from a number of international critics for its technical merit and unbiased portrayal of both sides (Algerian and French)
The release of this film in 1960s coincided with the period of decolonisation period, national liberation wars and a rising tide of left-wing radicalism.
The film raised a controversy in France, where it was banned for five years. 'Africa Day' recalls the founding of the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) in 1963. The Day is commemorated on May 25 every year in most states which are members of the African Union.
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