Viva Algeria (2004)
"Viva Laldjérie" (original title)

This movie portrays three women living in today's Algeria between modern society and Islamic fundamentalism, self-determination and dependence. Goucem, a young woman who works for a ... See full summary »

Director:

Nadir Moknèche

Writer:

Nadir Moknèche

Stars:

Lubna Azabal, Biyouna, Nadia Kaci

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lubna Azabal	...	Goucem
Biyouna	...	Papicha
Nadia Kaci	...	Fifi
Jalil Naciri	...	Samir
Abbes Zahmani	...	Chouchou
Florence Giorgetti	...	La voyante
Lounès Tazairt	...	Docteur Aniss Sassi
Akim Isker	...	Yacine Sassi
Fawzi B. Saichi	...	Le planton du cadastre (as Faouzi Saichi)
Serge Avedikian	...	Monsieur Fares
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nabil Abada	...	Le petit garçon du cortège
Kamel Abdeli	...	Nounou, le concierge
Cheb Abdou Jr.	...	Ami de M. Fares
Samir Abdoun	...	Le serveur du Rouge-Gorge
Rabah Aridj	...	Le vendeur de tableaux

Storyline

This movie portrays three women living in today's Algeria between modern society and Islamic fundamentalism, self-determination and dependence. Goucem, a young woman who works for a photographer and mistress of a rich doctor, her mother Papicha, a former cabaret star, and her best friend Fifi, a prostitute, all live in a hotel in the city center of Algiers. Their difficult personal situation and the growing influence of Islam lead to dramatic consequences...

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France Algeria Belgium

Language:

French Arabic

Release Date:

7 April 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Viva Algeria

Company Credits

Production Co:

BL Prod., Gimages, Sogécinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

I'd love to love this movie, but...

This is the type of film that I would love to love. The cast are remarkable - Lubna Azabal and the actress that plays her mother in particular. The subject is a complete reversal of what one would expect of Algeria. It's also a film with very strong female roles. So in theory, everything is in place to make an explosive combination.

So why does it drag so much? "Viva" is curiously dispassionate, despite the best efforts of the cast. Longish midrange shots film the actor's movements, without letting us get into their heads. We understand what they are doing and why, without really becoming involved.

With a firmer hand, this could have been an explosive story, à la Almodovar. As it is, I get the feeling it's a great script and cast being put through the motions.

I also have to add a word about the highly distracting plinkety-plonk piano music that adds to the lethargic direction. I presume the director wanted to avoid Arabic music to avoid clichés. But puh-lease! This sounds like a low-budget auteur chamber soundtrack when what was needed was something to drive us towards the next scene.