Malek Bensmail’ s feature-length documentary, “Contre-pouvoirs” (Fourth Estate), was released in France at the end of January. It lasts 97 minutes.
Contre pouvoirs a film by Malek Bensmaïl
The film is about journalists working for El Watan, a well-known Algerian newspaper. Since the 1990’s they have been housed in the Maison de la Presse but now they’re waiting to move into new premises, a symbol of their independence.
Malek Bensmaïl explains that “Having watched the struggles of the independent Algerian press during its twenty years of existence, its joys and its tears, I decided to make a film at the heart of El Watan’s editorial process as they follow the developments of this new Algerian spring, with President Bouteflika seeking a fourth term. Going deeper than media terms like “the Arab revolutions”, I want this film first and foremost to be a tribute to the women and men, young and not so young, who are fighting every day to preserve the freedom of information in a politically and socially sclerotic country.”
Among other films Malek Bensmail, a major Algerian documentary director, has made “La Chine est loin”, “Aliénations” and “Boudiaf, un espoir assassiné”.
To find out more, go to the film’s page at: http://www.maghrebdesfilms.fr/contre-pouvoirs.html
source: http://www.cinematunisien.com
