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Bab El-Oued City

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In the destitute Algerian neighborhood of Bab El-Oued, Islamic fundamentalists have installed speakers throughout so they can broadcast their propaganda. But when the incessant noise drives young baker Boualem (Hassan Abdou) to tear down the speaker on his apartment building and throw it into the sea, local fundamentalist leader Said (Mohamed Ourdache) becomes determined to make an example of him, despite the fact that Boualem is romantically involved with Said's sister.

Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 01/29/2010
Merzak Allouache's feature contains one of the clearest and most persuasive depictions of the recent rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 08/22/2010
B+
An exciting, a disturbing and a lucid depiction of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in modern times. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/18/2020 One of the most important Algerian movies ever made !! It explores the brutality of the consequences of October 88 in Algeria, and can be seen as a prequel of the Algerian Civil War tragedy ! A masterpiece, and one of Allouache best films. See more 10/22/2008 I've seen a few Algerian films lately, and this one was definitely the best. Even if you don't have particular interest in Algeria I would suggest this as worthwhile. Good snapshot view of the rise of religious conservatism and the various components of Algiers society in the early 90s. See more 04/22/2008 Perhaps Allouache's best...but the kind of film that is much better the more you know about the conditions under which it was made. See more Read all reviews
Bab El-Oued City

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Cast & Crew

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Merzak Allouache

Director

Hassan Abdou

Boualem

Nadia Kaci

Yamina

Mohamed Ourdache

Said

Mourad Khen

Rachid

Mabrouk Ait Amara

Mabrouk

Movie Info

Synopsis In the destitute Algerian neighborhood of Bab El-Oued, Islamic fundamentalists have installed speakers throughout so they can broadcast their propaganda. But when the incessant noise drives young baker Boualem (Hassan Abdou) to tear down the speaker on his apartment building and throw it into the sea, local fundamentalist leader Said (Mohamed Ourdache) becomes determined to make an example of him, despite the fact that Boualem is romantically involved with Said's sister.
Director
Merzak Allouache
Producer
Merzak Allouache, Jacques Bidou, Jean-Pierre Gallepe
Screenwriter
Merzak Allouache
Distributor
Arab Films
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 1994, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Dec 27, 2006
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Stereo