"Battle of Algiers". Are there any connections?

[volki]

Hi there

Did anyone watched a movie "Battle of Algiers"? If you did, so what was your reaction?
I had some mixed up thoughts and emotions. And I do think that there are some connections between what happened back then and what we witness right now. After all, why would Pentagon screen this movie for its staff?
Here is an interesting essay that sort of reflects on this movie and the Middle East crisis...

Working in a Mediterranean restaurant gives me a great opportunity to observe and analyze people’s perspective on issues such as cultural differences. But what amazes me the most in my observation is how incredibly varied the values of these cultures are. Based on customers conversation I realize how different people are in their interpretation of certain values and issues, how limited and ultimate they are in their reasoning, and finally how persistent and sometimes inconsiderate of the others they are in defending their point of view.

“The Arabs are cavemen”, proclaimed one of the customers sitting in our dimly lit Mediterranean restaurant. “They can not counter the existence of the western powers and their progress and this is what drives them nuts” he continued developing his thought while chewing lip-smacking tasty shish kebab. “Their inability to accept a reality of the twenty first century where they fall far behind the rest of the modern world leaves us with no choice but to stick their faces into it”, the man stated inspired by the subject on the Middle East crisis. “However, as soon as we build few McDonald’s on their territory, give them new TV sets and some other small luxuries of the western culture the victory will be completely secured” said the customer concluding his point...

the rest of the essay you can read here http://www.wrongways.com/?p=4

[goclark]

1. I saw that film in thelate 60's, powerful movie

IMO, everyone should see that film.

I have heard it flame here at DU so I'll just say my opinion.

[knowbody0]

2. i've watched the Battle of Algiers three times

it took the Algerians 47 years to get the French to leave. if anything it showed how futile it is to believe a foreign nation can occupy another. our leaders should be forced to watch it.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

6. Yes, a good analogy

Both Britain and France suffered humiliating and very costly defeats at the hands of their colonial subjects after WWII. France in Algeria, Vietnam and Egypt at the Suez, while Britain was defeated in Indonesia and Vietnam (the failed Gen. Gracey operation) in 1945, the Suez in 1956 by Egypt, by the Israelis in 1948, and by the Yemenis in the late 1960's-- defeats that destroyed the British Empire and its French counterpart. Come to think of it, the British effectively had their asses kicked in those various wars against the colonial subjects almost as badly as they were humiliated by the Japanese at Singapore and Burma, except that it was even more embarrassing since the Brits were defeated by ragtag opponents in each case.

The point being that both the French and the Brits could have saved themselves all their casualties and the tremendous cost and humiliation by recognizing the colonial peoples' desires to be free in the first place. The French in Algeria, and the British especially in Aden, were trapped in a draining guerrilla war for many years and were horrifically bloodied by it (the British while also having face IRA terrorist attacks on British soil itself), when all they had to do was to provide freedom to the people they were oppressing.

Maybe if Bush and Cheney would get a clue, they'd figure out that, no, the Iraqis really don't like being invaded, occupied and brutalized by the US and Britain, which may have something to do with the fact that they're killing more of our brave young soldiers every day. But Bush and company haven't exactly been very encouraging in the getting-a-clue department, so I anticipate more draining guerrilla fiascos over the next few years. Bush will certainly make his mark in history all right-- as the idiot who led the US into its worst disaster perhaps in a century. We've only seen the start of it, especially if Bush decides to attack Iran and Syria, who'd make it a bloodbath for us in the Middle Eastern desert.

[madrchsod]

3. yes i have seen it

the biggest difference is that france occupied that country for years and we are still trying to occupy iraq. it`s really a powerful movie about the fall of an empire and the birth of of a free nation

[philly_bob]

4. Key: The kids at the end of the movie

I remember the movie well. Key to understanding it is that at the end, when the French colonialists have managed to torture and manipulate their way into a kind of temporary victory over the nationalists, the camera finds the face of children, blankly watching their parents and older siblings being taken away.

Understated. Powerful. Somehow you know: these kids will grow up to throw out the French.

[thebaghwan]

5. Saw that movie by Pontecorvo in the 70's at a film class at U.C. Santa

Barbara. Great flick!

[slor]

7. Actually, I believe there was an article last year...

that said our generals were made to watch it, as well as a crash course on Civil war tactics.

[heidiho]

8. I Watched It a few months ago upon recommendation here

and was awestruck by the comparisons . . .

It's a must see for everyone here and in the world. I'm sure GWB has NOT seen it because it's too complicated for his little pea brain.

[volki]

9. Yes

Absolutely. A way too complicated

[newyawker99]

10. Hi volki!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[volki]

11. I feel like at home here!

Thanks a lot newyawker99! I will try to contribute to the common cause!
Are you from New York?