Merzak Allouache facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Merzak Allouache
Allouache in 2017
Born	(1940-10-06) 6 October 1940 (age 84) Algiers, Algeria
Occupation	Film director
Years active	1972-present
Notable work	Omar Gatlato

Merzak Allouache, born on October 6, 1940, is a famous film director and writer from Algeria. He is known for making movies that often show real life in his home country. His movie Omar Gatlato (made in 1976) won a Silver Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival. Later, his film Salut cousin! (1996) was even considered for an Oscar! Many people see him as one of the most important Algerian filmmakers. He has focused most of his film work on Algeria.

Early Life

Merzak Allouache grew up in Bab el-Oued, a neighborhood in Algiers. His father was a postal worker from the Kabyle group, and his mother was a housewife from Casbah. Merzak was only ten years old when the Algerian Liberation War started in 1954. He was eighteen when Algeria became independent in 1962.

Film Career

Starting His Studies

Merzak Allouache began studying film in 1964 at the Institute for Cinema in Algiers. While there, he directed his graduation film, Croisement. He also made a short film called Le Voleur. When this institute closed, students like Merzak went to study in other cities. He finished his studies at l’IDHEC in Paris, France.

Working in News

After his studies, Merzak returned to Algeria. He worked for a short time at the Algerian News Office. However, he and his classmates were later let go after asking for more responsibility. To help calm the situation, Merzak and other students were sent to France for a three-month training program. He stayed in France for several years. During this time, he studied "Analysis of 20th century film documents" at a special school.

Directing Movies

Merzak Allouache came back to Algeria in 1973. He helped organize "CinéBus" campaigns to support farming changes. He also worked as an advisor for the Ministry of Culture. In 1972, he directed a documentary about this work called Nous et la révolution agraire. He also co-directed Tipasa l'ancienne in 1974, a documentary about the ancient site of Tipasa.

He became famous around the world in 1977 with his first full-length movie, Omar Gatlato (1976). This film showed a realistic view of men's lives in Algerian society. It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and won a Silver Medal at the Moscow International Film Festival. After that, he directed Les Aventures d'un héros in 1978. This movie won an award at the Carthage Film Festival. He also directed L'Homme qui regardait les fenêtres in 1982.

Merzak returned to France and wrote a film script. In 1987, he directed Un amour à Paris. This was a love story about two Algerians. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

He came back to Algeria in 1988 after some big protests. He made video documentaries about the political situation. These were later put together into three documentaries for ARTE. In 1989, he directed a funny TV show for Algerian television. In 1992, he directed a documentary for the BBC called Our War, Voice of Ramadan. In 1993, as Algeria became more violent, he quickly directed Bab El-Oued City. This film showed a conflict between a young Algerian man and local religious groups. It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

He had to leave for France again in the 1990s because it was dangerous for artists. In 1996, he directed Salut Cousin. This film was about two cousins dealing with racism in Paris. It won an award at the Carthage Film Festival and was considered for an Oscar. After making several films and TV movies, he returned to Algeria in 1999.

Since 2000, Allouache has made films in both Algeria and France, where he lives. In 2003, he directed Chouchou, starring Gad Elmaleh. This movie was about a Maghrebi transgender woman who moves to Paris. In 2004, he directed Bab el-Web, a comedy about how the internet affects young people in Algeria.

In 2009, Allouache wrote and directed Harragas. This film told the story of young Algerian refugees who left their home country in small boats. His 2011 film, Normal!, won the award for Best Film at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. This movie was about a filmmaker after the December riots. In 2012, he directed Le repenti (The Repentant). This film was about a former Islamist who was released from prison. It won an award at the International Film Festival of Kerala. In 2013, Les terrasses (The Rooftops) was shown at the Venice Film Festival. In 2015, Madame courage was also shown there. In 2016, his documentary Enquête au paradis won an award at the FIPA festival. In 2017, Vent divin was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Awards

His 2011 film Normal! won the award for Best Film at the 2011 Doha Tribeca Film Festival. In 2012, his film The Repentant was shown at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Asian Film at the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala.

Personal Life

Merzak Allouache has a daughter named Bahia Allouache. She is also a filmmaker.

Selected Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Merzak Allouache para niños