LION D'OR
17th International Festival of Venice 1966
1st Prize, International Critic 1966
Prize of the City of Venice 1966
Couldn't you have talked sooner? It would have been better for you
So, he's finally talked. Give him some coffee
All right, don't worry. Drink up, it'll do you good
Buck up now. Here
At ease
Is it true? - Probably. 3 Rue des Abderames
Dress him
Come on, it's all over now, I assure you
Can you stand?
Let go of him
Here, put it on
It'll fit you well
They won't recognise you like this in the Kasbah, understand?
Show us where La Pointe is hiding and then you'll be free
Give him a cap
Nationalised!
Don't be a fool
Let's go
Shut up. Do you want us to start again?
Come on now. Pull yourself together
THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS
Who wants to go out?
Ali la Pointe, the house is surrounded. It's useless
Surrender. Let the boy and the woman come out first
Then your companion and yourself
Leave your weapons there
No tricks, you're beaten
We've got you covered. You don't stand a chance. Understand?
Do you hear me, Ali?
Listen, you're the last one. There's nothing you can do
The organization's finished
Everyone's dead, or in prison
If you come out now, you'll have a proper trial. Surrender, Ali!
Algiers, 1954
The European city
The Kasbah
National Liberation Front (FLN), Communiqu No.1
Citizens of Algeria, our fight is against colonialism
The aim- Independence and restoration of the Algerian state...
...based on Muslim precepts and respect for fundamental rights...
...regardless of race or religion
In order to avoid bloodshed, we propose to the French...
...fair talks bringing recognition of our right to self-government
Algerians, it is your duty to restore your country's freedom.
You will win.
Unite, brothers! The National Liberation Front calls you to arms.
The King loses, the Queen wins...
Place your bets
50 francs
Your turn, Madame
This one wins, this one loses
There he is!
He's in a rush - Stop him
Illiterate.
Occupation: general labourer, boxer. Presently unemployed.
Previous record as follows...
1942. Algiers Juvenile Court: one year's reformatory for vandalism.
1944. Orane Juvenile Court: two years for public disorder.
1949. Algiers Assizes: sentenced to eight months'prison...
...for resisting arrest.
God is mighty!
Long live Algeria!
Here he comes.
Keep quiet.
Five months later.
Scram! - Men have two faces...
They sent you?
Yes, they sent me.
Come here.
Can you read? Read it.
"There's a Moorish caf at 40, Rue Randon.
"Merabi, the owner, is a police informer.
"Every day at five a French policeman goes to see him.
"He stays a few minutes, pretending to have a cup of coffee.
"Then he leaves. You must kill the policeman."
-Not Merabi? -No, the policeman.
OK!
"You can't go wrong."
"Right next to the café you'll see a girl...
"...and a policeman nearby.
"At the right moment she'll give you...
"...a gun...
"...and you shoot him."
Right, I give the orders now.
Look, brothers! Look at this piece of dirt.
You bitch! You set me up. - Let's get away.
Now explain! - See if they followed us.
Who planned this? Take me to him.
He's waiting. - Where?
I'll take you there if we don't get caught.
Move. You go first, I'll follow.
We had to be sure you weren't a spy.
With an empty gun?
Let's suppose you were a spy.
The FLN contact you in prison. You pretend to be for the cause...
...and the French let you escape.
Shooting at me?
It could be fixed. You escape, go to the address given you in prison...
...and get to know me.
What's your name?
Jaffer. Lahadi Jaffer.
To join us you had to do a job.
The barman is an Algerian.
The cops would let you kill him...
...even though he's a "stool."
But this would prove your loyalty.
That's why I chose the cop.
The French wouldn't allow that.
If you were one of them...
...you wouldn't have done it.
I didn't.
You couldn't, but you tried, that's the important thing.
And nearly got caught
Come on. You're exaggerating. Your orders were to shoot in the back.
I didn't know.
You don't understand.
Explain. Why didn't you let me kill him?
Well, we're not ready yet.
We need a safe place to go from and to hide in.
There's the Kasbah, but it's still not safe.
Too many drunks, whores, junkies. People who talk too much.
Uncommitted people, ready to sell us out.
We must convince them or eliminate them.
We must think of ourselves first and clean out the Kasbah.
Then we can think about the French. Do you understand?
April 1956
National Liberatlon Front
Communiqu No.24
People of Algeria, the Colonial Administration...
...is responsible not only for the misery of our people...
...but also for the vices of many of our brothers and sisters.
Vices which make them lose all dignity.
The FLN has decided to wipe out this scourge.
It calls on the people to help in this struggle...
...as it is a prerequisite to gaining independence.
From today the FLN assumes responsibility...
...for the physical and moral health of the Algerian people.
The FLN has decided...
...to prohibit the sale and use of all drugs and alcoholic drink.
Prostitution and pimping are forbidden.
Offenders will be punished.
Those who persist will be put to death.
You know drugs are forbidden.
Why? - Just do without.
Have you seen Hassan el Bridi?
Seen Hassan el Bridi?
Have you seen Hassan? - No.
If you see Hassan tell him I'm looking for him.
Ali, what's the matter?
Is Hassan here? - No, he left very early. Why?
If you see him tell him I need him.
Ali, hello!
Stand still! Don't move your hands.
I never carry weapons. - I know.
Are you afraid of these?
Don't move.
Why are you afraid?
We've always been friends. I almost brought you up.
That's true.
What's happened to you? - You're condemned to death.
So that's what it's come to.
I could die of laughter.
How much do they pay you?
Nothing. They've warned you twice. This is the last time. Decide.
What? What must I decide?
To work for the FLN.
Try and convince me.
Stop! Take a good look. No one does as he likes in the Kasbah any more.
Not even Hassan, still less you scum.
Now get out.
And spread the word.
10th June 1956
Stay outside and keep watch.
Is everything all right? - Fine.
Sit down.
Let's hurry up with the formalities, you know why.
One day, weddings will be celebrated in the open again.
It is very sad that a day like this...
...should not be celebrated traditionally.
But being the first to desert the offices of the French...
To be married by the FLN...
...takes courage. It is a conscious gesture.
An act of war.
And now, Mahmoud and Fathia come forward.
Sign here.
Congratulations.
Best wishes, very best wishes.
Make yourselves comfortable.
20th June 1956. 10.32 a.m.
Come over here.
Keep calm.
Come this way.
Listen.
They want to talk to the Inspector.
Yes, sir, but they didn't get the search warrant.
They followed them but then lost them.
Of course, sir, but that depends on the Commissioner.
Democratic methods. We do have some suspects.
They favour a formal enquiry.
Yes, sir...
I don't have enough men.
I understand.
But if you could...
The Prefect can't.
But couldn't you? As you wish.
Well, they'll slaughter the lot of us.
Right...
3.00 p.m. Patrol fired on. Three soldiers wounded.
Location: Rue Luciani.
4.00 p.m. Shots fired at guards.
Location: intersection of main road and Avenue Laquiere.
In Paris, the solution is to increase police numbers...
...and close off streets. I don't agree with it.
Right, Corbiere, where were we?
Intersection of main road and Avenue Laquiere.
The Governor of Algiers decrees: Article 1...
Purchase of medicines suitable for treating gun wounds...
be authorised by the Prefecture.
Article 2: Hospitals and nursing homes...
...must inform the police...
...about all patients admitted for treatment.
The Algiers Prefecture communicates...
...that recently there have been dozens of outrages in the city.
The culprits are presumed to be Moslem...
...able to find refuge quickly and easily in the Arab quarters.
To restore order forthwith, the Prefect has decided to seal off...
...the Kasbah.
Checkpoints will be set up.
And citizens will have to show their papers.
It's nothing we need worry about.
Returning to the Kasbah? - No, two days' leave.
Never touch their women.
20th July 1956, 11.20 a.m.
What do you want?
I'm going swimming.
You're still here? - It's that way.
Come here.
Now, get out.
Always the same! - It's the government's fault.
Does it care?
There he is!
It's him!
Where? - Down there.
Get hold of him.
Murderer! Murderer!
You dirty rat!
Where are you going?
The rat! - Don't let him get away.
He's escaping! Grab him.
I saw him!
Stop him!
He's running away!
Culprit: Laknan Abdullah.
Labourer, married with 3 children, living at 8 Rue de Thebes.
How many today? - Seven incidents, three dead.
Tell me...
Where's Rue de Thebes?
Off the Kasbah, I believe.
Goodnight, mamma. - Goodnight, children.
Fatma, why aren't they in bed?
They're just going. - Goodnight.
We must go now. - Oh, there's still time.
Can't you play here? - Must you really go?
Have another drink. - All right, one more.
No, I'm sorry, we're late.
Goodnight all. Hurry up!
Goodbye, Lucien. Don't keep Henri up too late.
In the back.
Is it much further? - No.
Can we go in. - You're too late.
The curfew's in force.
Let him in. He's with me.
Yes, sir, you may go through. - Let's go.
It's all set? - Yes, hurry up.
Murderers! Murderers!
Ali! Ali, stop!
Jaffer says you must stop.
He's trying to stop the people.
Get out.
They'll kill us!
Halt!
Stay calm. Go back home or they'll kill us all.
Leave it to the FLN. We'll avenge you.
You stand guard. You come in.
OK, like this? - Perfect.
Fine.
No good? Listen.
I'll take my child. It'll work.
OK, but go by the Divan checkpoint.
It's busier and they're not so careful.
The Air France offices.
The cafeteria in Rue Michelot.
The milk bar in Rue d'Isly.
They're short-fuse bombs...
...so they'll be set outside the Kasbah. At 3, Rue del Porto.
But then you must hurry. You'll only have 25 minutes.
Now goodbye. And good luck.
Good luck.
Fathia, God be with you.
Your papers. - I've forgotten them.
Over there. Move! - They're at home.
I must go to work.
Get back! - Please, I'm late.
I said wait!
Move back or no one'll go through.
Let me through. - Wait there.
It's not fair. - Just wait.
Excuse me. Excuse me, sir.
May I pass? - Of course.
Hello! Oh, it's all right.
Hands up.
Go through, Madame.
Go on.
I'll be an hour. He's a good boy.
Thank you.
Going to the sea, Miss? - How did you know?
I guessed.
Like some company? - Not today. I've friends waiting.
What a pity!
Maybe another time?
Maybe.
Good luck.
Cola, please.
Would you like to sit down? - Thank you.
Here you are.
100 francs.
Leaving already? What a shame.
Attention please. Flight 432 to Paris...
...will be delayed for 20 minutes.
Would you like another Martini?
It's nothing, just a gas bottle.
The Paras!
10th June 1957
Jean Soreau, Inspector General...
...of the Administration...
...has presided over a special meeting...
...to combat terrorism in Algiers.
Important decisions were taken to maintain law and order...
...and to protect people and property.
It was decided that General Carelle...
...commanding the 10th Paratroop Division...
...will assume responsibility for law and order...
...using all civil and military measures...
...as well as special powers allocated to them.
Mathieu Philippe. Born 5th August 1907 in Bordeaux.
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
Campaigns: Italy and Normandy.
Member of the French Resistance.
Served in Madagascar, Suez, Indo-China and Algeria.
On average lately, there have been.
The problem, as usual, is: One, the enemy...
Two, how to destroy him.
There are 400,000 Arabs in Algiers.
Are they all our enemies? We know they're not.
There's only a minority which rules by terror and violence.
This is the enemy we have to isolate and destroy.
A dangerous enemy moving both...
...on the surface and below...
...using well-tried revolutionary tactics and original techniques.
It's an unknown, unrecognisable enemy...
...which blends in with the people.
It is everywhere. In the cafs, the Kasbah...
In the European quarter, in shops and workshops.
These films were taken by the police...
...with cameras hidden at the checkpoints.
They thought they might come in useful, and indeed they do.
To show the uselessness of certain methods!
Or at least their shortcomings.
I've chosen pictures taken shortly before...
Amongst all these Arab men and women...
...are those responsible.
But which ones?
How to recognize them?
Checking papers is ridiculous.
If anyone's is in order...