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Viva Algeria

Play trailer Viva Algeria 2004 1h 57m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 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.

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Viva Algeria

Critics Reviews

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Michael Booth Denver Post 03/18/2005
2.5/4
Thin but engaging. If you like your travelogue with a bit of story tossed in, it could be just the ticket. Go to Full Review Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News 03/18/2005
B+
One of those absorbing movies that's completely in touch with the lives it portrays. Go to Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews 11/16/2004
The White City is subtly, memorably captured. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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12/12/2011 Engaging, but most shots were held about 27 seconds too long See more 04/13/2010 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! See more 03/28/2009 I enjoyed this movie. I was surprised by the humor and the sadness of the story. See more 08/04/2008 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. See more 07/07/2008 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. See more 06/19/2008 assez bien fait pr un film algerien See more Read all reviews
Viva Algeria

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Cast & Crew

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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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Viva Algeria

Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) View more photos

Movie Info

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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