In Gillo Pontecorvo’s Film The Battle Of Algiers

In Gillo Pontecorvo’s film the battle of Algiers Name Institution Date Assignment: In Gillo Pontecorvo’s film The Battle of Algiers, we see representations of typically illegal behavior on the part of both the French and the Algerians (the FLN). For example, the French break their laws by using torture, while the FLN plants bombs in cafes, among other things. First, explain how the film views these acts. What is the film’s view of terrorism? How does it view France’s counterterrorist actions? Second, how do you assess the terrorist and counterterrorist actions in the film? Explain why you agree and disagree with the film’s viewpoint. Support your essay with examples from the film Between 1954 and 1957, the French troops tortured suspects belonging to the National Liberation Front (FLN), and even as some may have justified the actions during a time of war, this was against the official policy. Colonel Mathieu directed the paratrooper battalions of North Africa, and these paratroopers were commissioned to win the battle of Algiers, to end the bombings of the FLN (Pontecorvo, 1966). Officially, the soldiers sought to overcome the Algerian resistance has been all and Mathieu and the paratroopers hid the extent to which they resorted to torture and murder in the name of French Algeria. In 1957 FLN and the French Army resorted to whatever means to achieve their aims, with terrible crimes committed on both sides The film’s focus on France’s military actions reveals pain and uncertainty in one of the country’s most tragic pages of history, where the practice of torture, murdering suspect and state terrorism during the Algerian war of independence was systematic. The film highlights that the counterterrorist actions were counterproductive and the death squads led by army officers perpetrated a cycle of violence that had long-term repercussions in both Algeria and France. These were not isolated actions since the paratroopers, used torture and executed numerous victims, with top officials ordering the death of numerous suspects, without process or trial. This provokes questions about the moral, judicial and political implications and who can be held responsible for the war outcomes. It is likely that many who supported French Algeria and were hostile to independence did not know about the use of torture at the time. The opening scene begins with the captured Algerian suspect being questioned. The violence unleashed on the Algerian civilians generates more violence: As there are indiscriminate attacks against pedestrians, vehicles, against the houses, and heavy bombing, in turn, the FLN fighters and activists. In retaliation, attacks by the FLN pro-independence militants targeting French police further escalate violence by placing bombs in civilian assembly centers, both by French authorities and pro-independence militants. Over time there was acceptance among the French military leaders on the usefulness of torture and counterterrorist actions as effective strategies fighting a nonconventional enemy. The FLN did no fight a traditional war as is common in battlefields and the French army also used violence like the FLN to intimidate the enemies. While the French were also victims of ambushes and attacks, they retaliated...