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

 -  Drama  -  7 April 2004 (France)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 304 users  
Reviews: 10 user | 7 critic

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 »

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Title: Viva Algeria (2004)

Viva Algeria (2004) on IMDb 6.9/10

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Cast

Credited cast:
...
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
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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... Written by fippi2000

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Genres:

Drama

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Release Date:

7 April 2004 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Viva Algeria  »

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1.85 : 1
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User Reviews

 
I'd love to love this movie, but...
29 June 2005 | by (Belgium) – See all my reviews

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.


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Why does Goucem steal the gun? waughwa
Liked it, but confused... beavertoof
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