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Join artist Zineb Sedira in conversation with curator Olivier Hadouchi as they delve in to Algerian cinematic history, exploring what we can learn by revisiting film from a time of utopias and great promises.
During the Algerian War of Independence, cinema became a powerful tool against colonial representation, promoting another vision. It also played a pivotal role in creating a network of international solidarity. After independence, Algiers became a centre for liberation movements – from Vietnamese FNL to African MPLA, PAIGC, FRELIMO and the US Black Panther Party.
This spirit during the sixties prompted a large number of coproductions (for example, with Italy) and the creation of a new Algerian cinema, centered around the Cinematheque (founded in 1965) where filmmakers from all over the world were invited to show their work connect with audiences.
Their discussion will include screenings and excerpts of films including Zineb Sedira’s Mise-en-Scène (2019), William Klein’s The Pan African Festival of Algeirs (1969), René Vautier’s Le Glas (1964) and Assia Djebar’s La Zerda (1983).
Zineb Sedira (b.1963) was born in Paris to Algerian parents, and moved to London to study art. She studied at Central Saint Martins, Slade School of Art, and the Royal College of Art. She now lives between London and Paris but also works in Algeria. Working between the mediums of photography, film, installation and performance, Sedira is most known for her explorations of the human effects of geography. During her earlier work, this was often grounded in her own family’s experiences, but in recent years Sedira has turned to various kinds of archives, interrogating the historical narratives that they hold.
Sedira’s work is held in several UK collections including Arts Council England, Gallery of Modern Art Glasgow, Wolverhampton Arts and Museums, Exeter University College, Whitworth Art Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Tate. She was also shortlisted for the 2021 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. Sedira is represented by Goodman Gallery in London and Mennour in Paris.
Olivier Hadouchi is an independent film curator & researcher (PhD) based in Paris. He wrote texts for Third Text (about William Klein’s PanAfrican Festival of Algiers), CinémAction, collective books (Out of the Shadows) or a booklet for MoCab-Belgrade (Algerian war of liberation seen by Yugoslav reporters). He curated film & video programs for Reina Sofía (Tricontinental, Internationalism, Utopia), Jeu de Paume (in dialogue with Zineb Sedira’s exhibition), Gulbenkian or ZdB (Lisbon) and co-curated (with Adel Ben Bella) « Images of Algerian Revolution » for Columbia & Brown Universities. Also did lectures & round-tables in Festivals (Algiers, Béjaïa, Gabes/Tunisia or Beirut).
