There is a good reason why the Pentagon uses this film in counter terrorism training. In a documentary style, the film shows how and why insurgences begin, sustain themselves and often win the heart of their people.
Ali La Pointe (Brahim Haggiag, only film performance) is the face of the terrorists in the film and Col. Mathieu (Jean Martin, THE GREAT CHASE) is the face of the French imperialists. The film brilliantly looks at modern irregular warfare where any citizen could attack a police officer or military soldier or in the case of terrorists attacks innocent civilians. Because it’s set in Algeria and the terrorists are Arabs, the links to today are clear.
The film is dispassionate and doesn’t take side too much; it leans left a bit. Really, it shows history and why insurgents can succeed — and in this case did succeed. Many historians track modern terrorists’ influences to the success in Algeria. Colonialism is truly a burden that white people will bare for centuries to come. The sting of imperialism isn’t going away and often is at the core of insurgences and terrorism. People of color in impoverished areas are sick of white Westerners meddling in their countries and lives. This is at the core of why Ali joins “the freedom fighters.”
The film so brilliantly displays how perspective really is what changes a terrorist into a freedom fighter and visa versa. The film makes a great point regarding the thin lines of insanity that define what is right and wrong in warfare. In the minds of the insurgents, what makes the fire bombing of a village or city by an established government any less savage then planting a bomb in a dance hall? The hypocrisy of what we hope our motives are and what they become in the line of fire only fuels the flames of dissent and anger.
The film deals with the unnecessary murder of civilians by the military and by the terrorists. Ennio Morricone’s sad score subtly brings the tragedy of these deaths together well. In a subtle way, violence begets violence and builds more hardened, polarized stances on both sides of the conflict. I loved how the film shows the two sides of the conflict trying to win over the hearts of the people, especially the efforts of the French, which are sometimes kind and humane, but in other times they are unconsciously being demeaning and hurting their own cause with clueless, culturally insensitive platitudes.
The film is so natural it’s like being a fly on the wall of real events. The end of the film is very bittersweet. You’re torn between being happy that people can rise above oppression, but it’s sad the means and hatred that they feel they must resort to arrive at their conclusion. War is always ugly. No side leaves with their dignity completely intact.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
