Battle for Algiers

Watched this film today. Although having some links with the film 'Simba' i.e. indigenous people overthrowing their colonial masters the Battle for Algiers is told from the viewpoint of the people attempting to overthrow the colonialists. Not surprisingly the bias of the film is towards them although they do not shy from showing the atrocities they committed. Furthermore whereas 'Simba' concentrates on the battle between the Mau Mau and a small group of farmers 'Battle for Algiers' is a conflict between local freedom fighters (or terrorist if you are French) and a large military force.

What the film failed to take into account was the sub-plot of the French Army who suffered defeat at the hands of the Germans in the Second World War and at Dien Bien Phu in the Indo-China War. This latter battle had many similar aspects to the Battle of Algiers insofar as a colonial independence movement had successfully overthrown the rulers. It would seem that the opportunity to defeat the native population and restore French pride was an underlying cause for the behaviour of the French Army. It should also be remembered that the political leaders of France after Charles de Gaulle became President were minded to give independence to Algeria and this brought a bitter response from the Army who, it is alleged, planned to assassinate de Gaulle. Independence was achieved in 1962 but by this time the Algerians were pushing against an opening door.

A strange mix of films presumably chosen and interpreted by Dyer to aid in his search for 'whiteness'. As stated previously it is my view that he fails to do this largely because he feels that 'blackness' and 'whiteness' are the only opposing elements whereas the history of such places as Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Algiers and the recent events in other parts of the Arab World show that their are many other loyalties that people feel other than to the colour of their skin.