Cementing its status as a must-see cinematic gem, the Algerian thriller film "Algiers" won Best Film at the prestigious Flickers’ Rhode Island Film Festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday.
Directed by Chakib Taleb-Bendiab, "Algiers" received its world premiered at the festival on August 9th to a rapturous response from the audience.
Moreover, an insightful post-screening Q&A triggered a deep conversation about Algerian culture, the current state of Algerian cinema, and the brilliant work of Taleb-Bendiab as a storyteller and composer, with many praising Meriem Medjkane's portrayal of a bold and strong female character, as well.
Moreover, Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts Dr. Soraya Mouloudji released a statement to extend her heartfelt congratulations to the team behind "Algiers" for winning the top prize at a competition that participated in over 7,000 films.
“This accolade represents a significant achievement for Algerian cinema and is another indication of the revival this vital sector has experienced in recent years,” she said. “It also reflects the talent and capabilities of director Chakib Taleb-Bendiab and the cast involved in the film… as well as the entire artistic and technical team.”
She added, “It is a joint production between the Algerian Center for Cinema Development and Temple Production and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Arts, which oversaw the launch of its filming and will oversee its premiere in Algeria this month.”
Meanwhile, Flickers' Festival Executive Director Shawn Quirk expressed the festival's honor to include "Algiers" in the official competition, calling it "an undeniable film to positively represent Algeria around the world."
He continued, “(The film) is an incredible part of Algeria that we don't really see from the west, it's more human and gritty and a true-to-life portrayal of life in Algeria through the lens of a police drama.”
Quirk also expressed his thrill to celebrate the film as well as filmmaking in Algeria in general, knowing that this film will open doors for a lot of Algerian filmmakers.
He added, “We hope to see more work coming from Northern Africa in the years to come and we just wish the filmmakers all the best in the coming years as they prepare for the film's distribution and who knows maybe an Oscar race, we'll see.”
In a poignant message delivered after the film’s screening, Nabil Asli urged the festival’s attendees and filmmakers everywhere to "please stop portraying Arabs as the villains and the bad people; we are as human and nuanced as you are."
"Algiers" delves into the gripping narrative of a little girl's kidnapping, which ignites a whirlwind of tension and suspicion within the city.
The film follows the dogged efforts of Dounia, a brilliant psychiatrist, and Sami, a dedicated police inspector, as they uncover the demons of Algeria’s past and solve a perplexing mystery.
Written and directed by Bendiab, "Algiers" features a starry ensemble cast including Meriem Medjkane, Nabil Asli, Chahrazad Kracheni, Hichem Mesbah, Slimane Benouari, and Ali Namous.
ALGIERS is produced by Khaled Chikhi and Yasmine Dhoukar, executive produced by Canadian award-winning filmmaker Patricia Chica, lensed by Ikbal Arafat, edited by Bendiab and Fouad Benhammou, and distributed internationally by MAD World and in Arabic-speaking-territories by MAD Distribution.
Chakib Taleb-Bendiab's filmography includes several compelling short films such as the award-winning short flick "Black Spirit", which circulated several prestigious festivals across the globe and received the Programmers Delight Award at the 2018 Sapporo International Short Film Festival and Market in Japan, and
"Sang Froid", which won the Jury Award for Best Screenplay at the 2013 Sapporo International Short Film Festival and Market.
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