Messali Hadj - A Life In Service To The Algerian People

A sober, informative documentary that traces a political life through archival material and testimony, rewarding viewers with historical context.

Directed by

Benny Malapa

Genres

Documentary, History

Starring

Messali Hadj, Jean-Marc Schiappa, Émilie Busquant

Overview

The life and political activism of Messali Hadj (1898-1974), an Algerian internationalist politician who played a pioneering role in the process leading to Algerian independence, which he demanded as early as 1927. He was initially secretary of the North African Star (ENA), then in 1937 he founded the Algerian People's Party (PPA), in 1946 he founded the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Liberties (MTLD), and finally in 1954, the Algerian National Movement (MNA). In 1937, the leadership of the North African Star (ENA) created its flag, green with a white star and crescent. Messali Hadj's wife, Emilie Busquant-Messali, simply sewed this ENA flag by machine; it would later become the flag of the PPA. In 1943, Messali Hadj, in conjunction with the party leadership, created the ENA-PPA flag, green and white with a red star and crescent, which would later become the current flag of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

How it feels

Earnest, melancholic and tense. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Politics, colonialism, freedom, identity

Content

Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)