EUROPE IMAGES INTERNATIONAL - M5

Synopsis

In 1957 in Algiers, about fifty women between the ages of 16 and 20, commit themselves heart and soul to the urban guerrilla warfare conducted by the FLN against French colonial rule. Both fragile and cruel, these women, whom we will call "the fire carriers", became symbolic figures of the most murderous episode of the Algerian war for independence, "The Battle of Algiers".
Some of them were called "the Beretta women" and took part in attacks with hand-held weapon. Others planted bombs. One of them, known as the "Bomber", was one of the pioneers of the Algerian secret service.
These young revolutionaries were terrorists known to the colonial authorities and were hunted down mercilessly. Some of them were killed in the line of duty; others were arrested and tortured before being tried and convicted to long terms in jail.
The stories by Louiza, Fadila, Fattouma and Zohra demonstrate the commitment of these urban guerrilla fighters in a war than bathed Algeria in blood. It was a terrifying tragedy that is still affecting the country fifty years after the events. And the Franco-Algerian relations are still tinged by it.

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