Viva Algeria

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Viva Algeria

2004

1h 57m

Drama

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3 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In Algiers, Goucem (Lubna Azabal) leads a personal life that she keeps highly secret, out of fear that she'll provoke the wrath of local Islamic fundamentalists. For three years, she's been carrying on an affair with a man who's married to another woman. She lives with her mother, ex-cabaret dancer Papicha (Biyouna), and befriends Fifi (Nadia Kaci), a prostitute. All three women are powerful and independent, but they all must hide their behavior from their conservative neighbors.

Michael Booth

Denver Post

Thin but engaging. If you like your travelogue with a bit of story tossed in, it could be just the ticket.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 18, 2005

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Robert Denerstein

Denver Rocky Mountain News

One of those absorbing movies that's completely in touch with the lives it portrays.

Rated: B+

Mar 18, 2005

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Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

The White City is subtly, memorably captured.

Nov 16, 2004

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Audience Member

Engaging, but most shots were held about 27 seconds too long

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

An appealing movie that centralizes upon the life of an elderly widow living in an apartment with her daughter in Algiers. Years before, Mrs. Sandjak once was Papicha, a former dancer in a club who left the career behind then to raise her young daughter, Goucem. Years later, she lives with the memory of once having fame, and still harbors hope that one day she will be able to go back to it. As an adult, Goucem works in a photo shop and hopes that her married lover will divorce his wife to marry her. She bonds with the prostitute next door, Fifi (who holds no shame in the choices that she has made). Great cast- Lubna Azabel, Biyouna, Nadia Kaci, Lynda Harchaoui, and Akim Isker. Worthy!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

I enjoyed this movie. I was surprised by the humor and the sadness of the story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Interesting movie, I loved seeing what Algiers looks like and hearing the music. The story was bittersweet. Mokneche has been touted as the Algerian Almodovar - while I love most of Almodovar's movies, this one didn't strike me as much. I didn't dislike it, but it isn't on my list of favourites.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

Pretty good; not great. Good acting. Interesting to get a glimpse of life in modern Algiers. Doesn't seem to be a great place to be a woman. The city looks beautiful -- I would love to visit someday.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

assez bien fait pr un film algerien

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Nadir Moknèche

Director

Lubna Azabal

Goucem

Biyouna

Papicha

Nadia Kaci

Fifi

Jalil Naciri

Samir

Waguih Takla

Monsieur Mouffok

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Synopsis

In Algiers, Goucem (Lubna Azabal) leads a personal life that she keeps highly secret, out of fear that she'll provoke the wrath of local Islamic fundamentalists. For three years, she's been carrying on an affair with a man who's married to another woman. She lives with her mother, ex-cabaret dancer Papicha (Biyouna), and befriends Fifi (Nadia Kaci), a prostitute. All three women are powerful and independent, but they all must hide their behavior from their conservative neighbors.

Director: Nadir Moknèche
Production Co: BL Prod.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2016
Runtime: 1h 57m

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