The Kid from Chaaba (1997)

In the sixties, around twenty families fled their Algerian village of el-Ouricia, driven by poverty or war. Refugees in Chaâba, a French shantytown, they face the hard learning of integration.

Director:

Christophe Ruggia

Writers:

Azouz Begag (novel), Christophe Ruggia

Stars:

Bouzid Negnoug, Nabil Ghalem, Galamelah Lagra

7 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bouzid Negnoug	...	Omar
Nabil Ghalem	...	Hacène
Galamelah Lagra	...	Farid
Kenza Bouanika	...	Zohra
Khereddine Ennasri	...	Rabah
Rezlan Benamar	...	Saïda
Rabah Benamar	...	Idriss
Abdelkarim Chebel	...	Sélim
Ali Bellakhal	...	Nasser
Sonia Ayadi	...	Nadia
Sofiane Abbas	...	Kamel
Mohamed Fellag	...	Bouzid
Amina Medjoubi	...	Messaouda
Lounès Tazairt	...	Saïd
François Morel	...	Monsieur Grand

Storyline

The story takes place in France in 1965, and begins as Algeria celebrates the third anniversary of its independence. We are in "chaâba", that is to say in "village", a village inhabited by the Algerian community recently immigrated and made up of women, men and many children. The village is actually a shantytown, located on the outskirts of a metropolis. Le Gone du chaâba is a chronicle of daily life, essentially perceived from the point of view of children ("gone" means "kid" in a Lyon dialect), and particularly from the point of view of Omar, gone main. The daily life of a shanty town is first and foremost the mud, omnipresent, the only coveted fountain, the only toilet, discussions, meals, collective rites, such as circumcision, water leaks , fires, the search for treasure at the landfill and, for children, school. In the summer of 1966, the slum gradually emptied of its inhabitants, who were gradually rehoused in huge HLM bars.

---

Plot Keywords:

what happened to epilogue | taxi | adult illiteracy | illiteracy | illiterate character | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

User Reviews

Decent enough, but there are better in this realm

Decent movie, but as said above, very linear. Tends to follow pretty much exactly the storyline of the book, except for mentioning a few later events earlier on for the sake of setting things up.

The above poster did a great job of outlining this film. Young boy lives in shantytown. He is born in France to Algerian parents and seeks to improve his lot in life through school. His father constantly insists that "Il faut tout savoir 'a l'e'cole" (You must know everything for school.) Somewhat touching portrait of what is really a fairly sad life. The protagonist of course goes on to become "ministre délégué à la Promotion de l'égalité des chances." (Minister charged with the promotion of the equality of opportunity)

For a better film on people living in deplorable conditions in slums, check out "Rue Cases Negres"

Details

Country:

France

Release Date:

14 January 1998 (France)

Also Known As:

The Kid from Chaaba

Company Credits

Production Co:

Films Christiani, Orly Films, Vertigo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1