The battle of Algiers

The famous film by Gillo Pontecorvo, The Battle of Algiers was filmed in 1966 and as the title suggests deals with the terrorist insurrection and subsequent revolution in Algeria from the years 1954 to 1962. Although the film itself glosses over some points of reality, the film can certainly be said to surface some core issues. These issues don’t just deal with those of terrorism and revolution, but also with the nature of occupation and colonial rule.
Terrorism is the tool with which the F.L.N. attempts to remove the French from power in Algiers. In the most famous scene of the film, for example, a group of three women, dressed in western garb, pass through the check points outside the Kasbah with breadbaskets. The breadbaskets contain bombs
to be set off at three civilian locations, a dance club, a bar, and an airport. Furthermore, other Algerian women are given breadbaskets that contain guns for men to shoot police officers, usually in the back. These attacks were not mil...