Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, oversaw the premiere of the historical film “Ahmed Bey” on Sunday evening at the “Zenith-Ahmed Bey” Grand Performance Hall in Constantine.
In her speech on the occasion, the Minister highlighted that choosing Constantine to screen this film represents a symbolic moment with deep historical and cultural significance. She noted that hosting the screening in the hall bearing Ahmed Bey’s name was not arbitrary but rather a tribute to the memory of the location and its people.
Bendouda emphasized that this cinematic work is part of an effort to reject the reduction of Algeria’s history to cold archives or neglected corners. She stated that historical awareness and diligent research into its pages constitute a fundamental pillar for highlighting the struggles of the Algerian people against colonialism.
She pointed out that the film “Ahmed Bey” sheds light on a pivotal stage in the country’s history and evokes a figure who serves as a symbol of resistance and opposition to attempts to erase national identity by French colonialism.
The film “Ahmed Bey” is a historical work that, over 124 minutes, depicts Ahmed Bey’s resistance in Constantine at the beginning of the French occupation in 1830, presenting him as a symbol of steadfastness and the defense of sovereignty.
The film was produced by the National Center for Cinema Development, directed by Iranian filmmaker Jamal Shorjeh, and written by Rabah Drif, with music by Fahir Atakoğlu. Mohamed Tahar Zaoui played the role of Ahmed Bey, while French actor Gérard Depardieu portrayed Dey Hussein, alongside several Algerian actors.
The film addresses the “Fan Affair” of 1827 as a pretext for the French invasion of Algeria and depicts pivotal battles, most notably the Battle of Constantine in 1836. Scenes were filmed in several regions, including Algiers, Constantine, and Tipaza.
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