The Battle of Algiers. Algerian revolution against the French

The Battle of Algiers
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The Battle of Algiers is a film is about the Algerian revolution against the French between the years 1954 and 1962. Both the French and the rebels, National Liberation Front (FLN) employ ruthless means leading to the loss of lives and destruction of property. The attacks begin when the rebels shoot the French policemen and several government officials after which the French retaliate by torturing criminals. The battle continues for months and eventually, Algeria gains independence. This paper looks deep into different aspects of the film such as the terrorism acts by FLN and counter-terrorism attacks by the French troops. The paper also presents a personal opinion on these acts.
At certain point, the film appears to be one sided in favor of the FLN, portraying the idea that they had no alternative to curb the oppression from their colonizers other than the use of violence. Pontecorvo’s main intention is to portray the struggle of the Algerian freedom fighters to gain independence and be free from the French oppression. As Daulatzai (2016) notes, following the assassination of the French policemen by the FLN, Pontecorvo is quick to indicate that the attack was not directed towards the French civilians. Consequently, the French troops responded by setting a bomb eventually causing harm to the Algerians and their families. The FLN was provoked and as a result, sent three women portrayed as Europeans with bomb filled shopping baskets to place them strategically at places frequented by young people.
The film also appears to be justifying FLN acts of terrorism as necessary evils without the intention to glorify them. Daulatzai (2016) elaborates Pontecorvo’s point of view that rebels used terrorism means since they had no other means to fight for their freedom and oppression by the French. Nevertheless, he is not afraid of indicating the atrocities committed by the Algerians and he states that they too should face the consequences of their actions.
The French actions to counter the terrorist attacks including humiliations, bombing and torture of prisoners. One can argue that these actions may have made them to win the battle of Algiers but led to the loss of Algeria as their colony. Drif (2017) states that Algeria was an opp...