Algeria, 1972

On independence, Algeria had it written into its Constitution that all revolutionary and national freedom movements could claim political asylum. lt says: “The development of Algeria’s socialism is closely connected to the freedom struggle of people in other parts of the world. lt is imperative for any revolutionary movement to support this struggle and it should never become an object of manipulation or blackmail”. African, Latin-American and Arabic resistance groups took that invitation seriously and established themselves in Algiers. European autonomy movements as well as the Black Panthers from the USA were also given offices in the capital. At least 60 such organisations were represented there. lt was one of those rare opportunities to study the various revolutionary trends of that time, to see the interaction between the different freedom movements and to observe the Algerian government’s reaction to these political developments.

a film by Gordian Troeller and Marie-Claude Deffarge
in cooperation with Didier Baussy
original title: Algier, Hauptstadt der Revolutionäre
camera: Gordian Troeller
editor: Marguerite Oboussier
colour
45 minutes

This film only exists in the German version.