HELIOPOLIS

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The Zenati family live in HELIOPOLIS, a town located in the Guelma region. A rich Muslim landowner, Mokdad Zenati holds a certain position within French colonial society. He is in favour of the Algerian people assimilating with France. However, his son Mahfoud is against the colonial power and supports Algerian independence. Inspired by real events, director Djaffar Gacem uses a family conflict to portray the reasons for the demonstrations of 8 May 1945. A celebration of the Allies’ victory, this date is also marked by the massacres of Sétif, Guelma and Kherrata perpetrated by the French colonists and was a turning point in the fight for independence.

 

HELIOPOLIS Direction: Djaffar Gacem, DCP, arab./frz. OmeU, 116 min