Writer and filmmaker Assia Djebar explores Algerian history, the psychological impact of war, and post-colonial female identity in this 1979 classic of film literature. Named for (and taking its structure from) a traditional song with five distinct movements, the film combines documentary-style observation with loose narrative form to tell the story of Lila, an Algerian expatriate returning to her country 15 years after independence has been won. In comparing her life with the lives and experiences of rural Algeriennes, Lila is able to put her childhood demons to rest and discover a new history -- one written in the ongoing strength of generations of women. Like much of Djebar's writing, the film has a strong subtext dealing with resistance to patriarchy and women's desire to appropriate the means of power and expression -- one of which, of course, is the filmmaker's camera.
Re-Existences
Documentary
7.4
The Tale of King Crab
Drama
7.1
Liberation: Direction of the Main Blow
War, Drama
6.0
Scooby-Doo: Agence toutou risques, vol. 2 : Le fantôme de la télé
Animation, Family, Comedy
9.8
American Psycho II: All American Girl
Horror, Thriller
4.5
The Cave of the Golden Rose 3
Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance
6.2
Ong Bak 3
Action, Adventure, History
6.0
Moscow Mission
Crime, Action, Adventure, Thriller
6.1
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Drama
5.0
Polvotron 500
Science Fiction
6.0
Phantasm II
Action, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
6.2
Boudica
Action, War
5.9
Attack on Titan
Science Fiction, Action
6.0
Stonehearst Asylum
Thriller, Mystery, Horror
6.9
Fantomas vs. Scotland Yard
Comedy, Crime, Adventure, Fantasy
6.7
Sayen: Desert Road
Action, Thriller
6.3
In the Forests of Siberia
Adventure, Drama
6.8
Evidence
Horror, Thriller, Mystery
5.6
Foe
Science Fiction, Drama
5.7
One October
Documentary
6.3
Stumped
Documentary
0.0
Zoo
Comedy, Drama
4.3
Butch Jamie
Comedy, Documentary, Romance
3.4
Nemesis
Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
4.2
A Matter of Sex
Drama, TV Movie
7.5
Suddenly Gina
Romance, Drama, TV Movie
7.5
Mutants
Drama, Science Fiction
6.0
Earth
Drama, Romance, History
6.5
Water
Drama, Romance
6.8
Come Early Morning
Drama, Romance
5.5
Nacht vor Augen
Drama
3.8
Caramel
Drama, Comedy, Romance
6.9
Animale
Fantasy, Drama, Horror
6.9
Feng Shui
Family, Drama
7.4
The Pixar Shorts: A Short History
Animation, Family, Documentary
7.6
The Return
Drama, Romance
7.1
One Last Hug
Documentary
6.8
Handling the Undead
Horror, Drama, Mystery
5.9
Whispers
Horror, Drama, Thriller
4.4