Franco-Algerian War through a Twenty-First Century Lens Film and History

The Franco-Algerian War (1954?62) remains a powerful international symbol of Third Worldism and the finality of Empire. Through its nuanced analysis of the war?s depiction in film, The Franco-Algerian War through a Twenty-First Century Lens locates an international reckoning with history that both condemns and exonerates past generations. Algerian and French production partnerships?such as Hors-la-loi, (Outside the Law, Rachid Bouchareb, 2010) and Loubia Hamra (Bloody Beans, Narimane Mari, 2013)?are one of several ways citizens collaborate to unearth a shared history and its legacy. Nicole Beth Wallenbrock probes cinematic discourse to shed new light on topics including: the media revelation of torture and atomic bomb tests; immigration?s role in the evolution of the war?s meaning; and the complex relationship of the intertwined film cultures. The first chapter summarizes the Franco-Algerian War in 20th-century film, thus grounding subsequent queries with Algeria?s moudjahid or freedom-fighter films and the French new wave?s perceived disinterest in the conflict. This book is an invaluable resource for scholars seeking to understand cinema?s role in re-evaluating war and reconstructing international memory.