Battle of Algiers

Gillo Pontecorvo, shows the beginning of the struggle for independence in the city of Algiers. The film introduces the viewer to the French colonialism impact on society and ethnic identity; which ultimately led to the rise of the National Liberation Front lea by the Algerians. The NLF in the beginning had much negotiated with the French, but after failure to reach an agreement, the Algerians began attacks of terror. The Islamic people lived in the Casbah, a place that was segregated from the rest Algiers. The Casbah is relatively poor and is not appealing compared to the French quarters in Algiers. The police officers in the streets and governmental officials are all French man, the Algerians have very little rights running the country. The police officers at the check points, who are French, are kind to their own people, every French men or women are greeted, while every Algerian is pushed around. The French contain the Islamic nation in the Casbah, they portray every Arabic as a threat to the French, the people of the Casbahs are not treated as citizens of Algeria, the French see them as subjects.
Colonization has a negative impact on society and ethnic identity. Colonial empires come to a new land, establishing the governmental system, and imposing their culture. They expect the inhabitants of that land to follow every law handed down without representation; culture and religion are forced upon the people. The film depicts this negative impact on society and ethnic identity, the French have complete power over the Algerians and impose their views on this new country. The actions taken by the French are not justified and the Islamic nation has no rights under law, they are tortured, search without reason, and arrested without warrant. The FLN asks the Islamic nation to take a stand and go on a weeklong strike in order to make a statement to the French. However, the strike is interrupted when the French army goes into the Casbah forcing the people to open up their stores and go to work. They also arrested every Islamic man for interrogation and torture, in order to uncover the members of the FLN,
The film, The Battle of Algiers, was able to characterize colonialism and it’s impact on society and ethnic identity very well. The same way the French imposed their governmental body, culture and authority is the same way that many other colonial empires have done in the past. The same negative impact that the French had on the Algerian nation, the British had on the thirteen colonies in America. The British treated the colonist very differently than their own. The colonists were taxed without representation as well as exploited. Within every case in history, colonial empires have come to establish their rein and expand their empire with disregard to the inhabitants of that land. In almost every case, that empire has also been driven out due to that mentality of taking complete control over a land that does not belong to that empire. Although, colonial empires such as the French, have contributed to colonies during the colonial period; the establishment of a well-organized governmental system and organized society are some examples. These empires over stayed their welcome, they took something away that is held dearly by every man and woman and is an aspect of an individual’s life-freedom.