RACHIDA

Algeria, 2002, 100 minutes, Colour.
Ibtissem Djouadi.
Directed by Yamina Bachir.


A glimpse into life in Algeria and the experience of local terrorists.

Rachida is a young teacher who refuses to plant a bomb in her school. The consequences are that she is shot, not fatally, and leaves with her mother to find a new life in a village. But there is no escaping the terrorists.

The point of view of the film is that of women, from the director to all the principal roles. As in more recent films from Iran, Morocco and Tunisia, there is a strong stance on the growing independence and dignity of women, a critique of the inhuman aspects of cultural patriarchy.

While the general issues and style of the film might be familiar, there is an intensity of feeling that makes demands on the audience.

1. An Algerian film, female point of view, director, characters?

2. Audience familiarity with Algerian history, war between 1991-2002?

3. Locations, Algeria, town, countryside, homes, school? Score?

4. The information about the war, the parties, political stances, use of force, 200,000 deaths? Terrorism, woundings and killings?

5. In the light of subsequent history in northern Africa and Arab Springs?

6. Rachida’s story? In herself, her work, her enjoyment of teaching? Boyfriend? Steady life? Sunni background?

7. The former student, terrorist, wounding her?

8. The consequences for Rachida, recovery, her life, support for her, stronger?

9. Rachida as symbolic of the nation of Algeria and its civil war and terrorist experiences?