DIRECTOR: Chakib Taleb-Bendiab
STARRING: Meriem Medjkane, Nabil Asli, Hichem Mesbah, Ali Namus
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 32 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic, French
The kidnapping of a little girl creates tension and suspicion in Algiers. Only Dounia, a brilliant psychiatrist, and Sami, a police inspector, can unearth the demons of the past.
***
Algiers marks the feature debut for Chakib Taleb-Bendiab. The film made its worldwide debut at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in the USA, where it won best film. The film hit theatres across Algeria at the end of September. Mad Solutions has worldwide sales to the film.
The selection of Algiers for the Oscars was made by the Algerian Commission mandated by AMPAS, under the direction of the CADC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Arts which financed this project.
The film is produced by Flirt Films Productions, along with Temple Production, Clandestino Production, and Praxis Films.
Algiers is a thriller drama and it was filmed in Algiers, Algeria
To check out all previous submissions for Algeria, click HERE.
STARRING: Meriem Medjkane, Nabil Asli, Hichem Mesbah, Ali Namus
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 32 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic, French
The kidnapping of a little girl creates tension and suspicion in Algiers. Only Dounia, a brilliant psychiatrist, and Sami, a police inspector, can unearth the demons of the past.
***
Algiers marks the feature debut for Chakib Taleb-Bendiab. The film made its worldwide debut at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in the USA, where it won best film. The film hit theatres across Algeria at the end of September. Mad Solutions has worldwide sales to the film.
The selection of Algiers for the Oscars was made by the Algerian Commission mandated by AMPAS, under the direction of the CADC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Arts which financed this project.
The film is produced by Flirt Films Productions, along with Temple Production, Clandestino Production, and Praxis Films.
Algiers is a thriller drama and it was filmed in Algiers, Algeria
To check out all previous submissions for Algeria, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“If you don’t know yourself, and if you don’t know your enemy, you will lose every battle.”
Algiers, the feature debut of Algerian writer and director Chakib Taleb-Bendiab, is a gripping investigative thriller that masterfully intertwines personal and national trauma. Set against the backdrop of a country still recovering from its civil war, the film explores the raw, emotional depth of a child kidnapping that shakes Algiers to its core. What sets Algiers apart is its careful balance of psychological complexity and suspense, offering more than just a typical crime drama. The film intelligently navigates themes of guilt, memory, and the lingering shadows of Algeria’s past, while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
At the heart of the film are Dounia, a brilliant psychiatrist, and Sami, a dedicated police inspector, who bring both emotional gravitas and intellectual rigor to their roles. Taleb-Bendiab draws these characters with remarkable nuance, ensuring that they are not just vehicles for the plot, but fully realized individuals. Dounia's expertise in unlocking the depths of the human psyche pairs perfectly with Sami's relentless pursuit of justice, making their partnership a compelling and dynamic force driving the story forward. Both characters carry personal scars, and their development throughout the film deepens the impact of the central mystery.
The film’s setting, Algiers, serves almost as a character itself. The city’s haunting atmosphere, echoing both its vibrant history and the ghosts of its civil war, creates a tense, oppressive mood that permeates every scene. Taleb-Bendiab uses the city’s streets, its crumbling architecture, and its bustling markets as vivid metaphors for a society grappling with unresolved trauma. The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the beauty and decay of Algiers in equal measure, while the score, composed by Taleb-Bendiab himself, enhances the tension with its subtle yet powerful presence.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is how it uses the kidnapping plot as a springboard to explore deeper societal issues. Algiers doesn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of a country still healing from the scars of war. The kidnapping of an innocent child becomes a symbol for Algeria’s lost innocence, and the investigation unearths far more than the identity of the culprit, it exposes the psychological wounds that remain unhealed in the people who lived through the conflict. Through Dounia and Sami's journey, the film delves into themes of memory, justice, and reconciliation, making it as much a social commentary as it is a thrilling mystery.
Algiers is a triumph for Chakib Taleb-Bendiab, whose skill as a storyteller and director shines throughout the film. It is a thought-provoking and suspenseful narrative that not only entertains but also challenges its audience to think about the larger context in which the story unfolds. With its intricate plot, richly drawn characters, and haunting setting, Algiers is an impressive debut that heralds a bright future for Taleb-Bendiab in the world of cinema.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“If you don’t know yourself, and if you don’t know your enemy, you will lose every battle.”
Algiers, the feature debut of Algerian writer and director Chakib Taleb-Bendiab, is a gripping investigative thriller that masterfully intertwines personal and national trauma. Set against the backdrop of a country still recovering from its civil war, the film explores the raw, emotional depth of a child kidnapping that shakes Algiers to its core. What sets Algiers apart is its careful balance of psychological complexity and suspense, offering more than just a typical crime drama. The film intelligently navigates themes of guilt, memory, and the lingering shadows of Algeria’s past, while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
At the heart of the film are Dounia, a brilliant psychiatrist, and Sami, a dedicated police inspector, who bring both emotional gravitas and intellectual rigor to their roles. Taleb-Bendiab draws these characters with remarkable nuance, ensuring that they are not just vehicles for the plot, but fully realized individuals. Dounia's expertise in unlocking the depths of the human psyche pairs perfectly with Sami's relentless pursuit of justice, making their partnership a compelling and dynamic force driving the story forward. Both characters carry personal scars, and their development throughout the film deepens the impact of the central mystery.
The film’s setting, Algiers, serves almost as a character itself. The city’s haunting atmosphere, echoing both its vibrant history and the ghosts of its civil war, creates a tense, oppressive mood that permeates every scene. Taleb-Bendiab uses the city’s streets, its crumbling architecture, and its bustling markets as vivid metaphors for a society grappling with unresolved trauma. The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the beauty and decay of Algiers in equal measure, while the score, composed by Taleb-Bendiab himself, enhances the tension with its subtle yet powerful presence.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is how it uses the kidnapping plot as a springboard to explore deeper societal issues. Algiers doesn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of a country still healing from the scars of war. The kidnapping of an innocent child becomes a symbol for Algeria’s lost innocence, and the investigation unearths far more than the identity of the culprit, it exposes the psychological wounds that remain unhealed in the people who lived through the conflict. Through Dounia and Sami's journey, the film delves into themes of memory, justice, and reconciliation, making it as much a social commentary as it is a thrilling mystery.
Algiers is a triumph for Chakib Taleb-Bendiab, whose skill as a storyteller and director shines throughout the film. It is a thought-provoking and suspenseful narrative that not only entertains but also challenges its audience to think about the larger context in which the story unfolds. With its intricate plot, richly drawn characters, and haunting setting, Algiers is an impressive debut that heralds a bright future for Taleb-Bendiab in the world of cinema.
