Algerian preview of the fiction El Akhira in Algiers: Zaphira, between myth and history
Lasting 113 minutes, this film is a production of the Algerian Center for the Development of Cinema, which explores the stormy fate of this colorful character, who belongs to the legend of the city of Algiers, the last survivor of the family. of King Salim Toumi, played by Mohamed Tahar Zaoui, coveted by the new master of the place Aroudj Barberousse and who will stand up to the new king and the new established order.
After freeing Algiers from the tyranny of the Spaniards, Aroudj Barbarossa, camped by Dali Bensalah, and his men gradually settled in this city governed by the descendant of Sidi Abderrahmane Ethaâlbi, before he was assassinated, and the rumor do not accuse the corsair. This period of trouble which reigns in the Casbah of Algiers will push the first wife of Salim Toumi, Chegga (Imen Noel), his children and his guards, to withdraw to organize the recovery of the city, and the dignitaries of other regions to plot to assassinate the corsairs.
At this moment, Zaphira, played by Adila Bendimerad, is forced to agree to marry Aroudj with the aim of killing him to take back the city and avenge the death of her husband and her son. work of fiction, which approaches with a touch of contemporary freshness a troubled period and a character whose legend exists without historical support, presents a cast of choice with among others actors Mina Lachter, Tenou Khilouli, Tarik Bouarrara, Slimane Benouari, Rabie Oudjaout or again Ahmed Zitouni. Released at the last Venice Film Festival where it was awarded, El Akhira breathes the city of Benou Mezghenna and evolves in the shadow of its patron saint Sidi Abderrahmane Ethaâlbi who is omnipresent in the film.
The large audience present at this first screening is also unanimous on the high level of technical performance of the film crew, but also on the colossal efforts to recreate sets and period costumes. While the traditional Algerian costume is present throughout the 113 minutes of the film, the shooting had taken up residence in high places of Algerian cultural heritage such as the El Mechouar Palace in Tlemcen, the Dar Mustapha Pacha Palace, the Palais des Raïs Bastion 23, the villa Dar Abdeltif and the streets and mosques of La Casbah of Algiers, reflecting a secular architectural heritage. The decorations created by the architect and designer Feriel Gasmi Issiakhem have also greatly contributed to immersing the spectator in what El Djazaïr would have been at the beginning of the 16th century.
This film presented in the presence of the Advisor to the President of the Republic, in charge of culture and audiovisual, Ahmed Rachedi, has won awards in Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia and more recently in Switzerland, mainly for the performance of actress of Adila Bendimerad. After having been distributed in France and Switzerland, El Akhira will be visible in theaters in Algeria from June 23 according to the program communicated by its distributor Md Ciné.
Source: websites