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Fidai (Fidaï)

Arab Feature Film Competition

Synopsis

In Arabic, ‘fidaï’ means ‘one who dedicates his life to a cause’. This documentary looks at one such selfless fighter, whose actions during the Algerian War helped throw off more than a century of colonial rule. Now 70, director Damien Ounouri’s great-uncle El Hadi was a warrior in Algeria’s National Liberation Front. Here, he remembers some of his own acts of armed resistance during the bloody revolution, bringing a humble and human dimension to events that contributed to this most important and inspiring war of decolonisation. A gift of thanks to all the unknown fighters of a revolution whose impact continues to inform contemporary Algerian society, El Hadi’s recounting of his experiences also brings to light previously unknown facts about the war. Fifty years after Algeria’s emancipation from oppressive French rule, this personal record of resistance helps ensure that this significant phase of Algerian history will not be forgotten.

Official Film Website

About the Directors

Born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Damien Ounouri is a graduate of the Sorbonne and currently conducts cinema workshops for children and teenagers in both France and Algeria. He has made the short documentaries ‘Changping Sonata’ (2007) and ‘Away From Nedjma’ (2009), and the feature-length documentary ‘Xiao Jia Going Home’ (2008), about Chinese director Jia Zhang-ke, which screened at a dozen festivals.

Credits

Director

Damien Ounouri

Screenwriter

Damien Ounouri, Linda Amiri

Producer

Alexandre Singer, Mathieu Mullier-Griffiths , Jia Zhang Ke

Editor

Matthieu Laclau, Mary Stephen

Music

Alla, Aïchi Houria, Smaïl Benhouhou, Youssef Dhafer, Hasna El Becharia

Cinematographer

Matthieu Laclau

Sound

Li Dan-Feng

Cast

Mohamed El-Hadi Benadouda

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