Malek Bensmaïl is an Algerian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer.[1][2][3][4]
Malek Bensmaïl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1966 Constantine, Algeria |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer |
| Language | French, Arabic |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Notable works | movies Des vacances, malgré tout / Despite all holidays (2001), Aliénations (2004), and La Chine est encore loin / China Is Still Far Away (2008). |
Biography
editBorn in 1966 in Constantine, Algeria, Bensmaïl graduated in cinematography from the École supérieure d'études cinématographiques (ESEC Film School), Paris, in 1990,[1] and did an internship with Lenfilm production company in Saint Petersburg.[2]
Filmography
editBensmaïl's films include:[1][2][3]
| Year | Film | Genre | Role | Duration (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Roumanie, l'après Ceaucescu | Sociopolitical documentary on Romania after the fall of Ceaușescu in 1989 | Director | |
| 1999 | Boudiaf, un espoir assassiné | Political documentary portrait of the assassinated Algerian politician Mohamed Boudiaf | Co-director with Noël Zurich | 58 m |
| 1999 | Territoire(s) | Political documentary short on the violence in the history of Algeria, inspired by Jacques Berque | Director, screenwriter, and producer | 28 m |
| 2001 | Des vacances, malgré tout / Despite all holidays | Documentary | Director and screenwriter | 70 m |
| 2001 | Démokratia | Political fiction short | Director and screenwriter | 17 m |
| 2004 | Aliénations | Documentary on everyday life in a psychiatric hospital | Director, screenwriter and cinematographer | 105 m |
| 2008 | La Chine est encore loin / China Is Still Far Away | Historical documentary on an Algerian village 54 years after the War of Independence | Director and screenwriter | 120 m |
| 2013 | Odysseys[5] | Fiction comedy | Director, screenwriter and producer | 110 m |
| 2015 | Contre-Pouvoirs / Checks and Balances | Political documentary on the Algerian daily El Watan | Director, screenwriter, producer, and cinematographer | 97 m |
| 2017 | La Bataille d'Alger, un film dans l'Histoire / The Battle of Algiers: a Film Within History | Historical documentary on the movie The Battle of Algiers (1966) by Gillo Pontecorvo | Director, screenwriter and producer | 117 m |
| 2021 | Toute l'Algérie du monde | Documentary on Algeria's recent history | Director | 53 m |
Awards
editBensmaïl's films obtained four prizes and eight nominations, including:[1][2]
| Film | Festival | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Des vacances, malgré tout / Despite all holidays (2001) | Cinéma du Réel, Paris | 2001 Heritage Award |
| Aliénations (2004) | Cinéma du Réel, Paris | 2004 Libraries Award |
| La Chine est encore loin / China Is Still Far Away (2008) | Three Continents Festival, Nantes | 2008 Special Jury Award |
| Filmfest München (Munich International Film Festival) | 2009 Documentary Film Award of the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation and Telepool |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Malek Bensmaïl at IMDb
- ^ a b c d "Malek Bensmaïl, Réalisateur/trice, Producteur/trice, Scénariste, Directeur/trice de la photo". africine.org (in French). Fédération africaine de la critique cinématographique (FACC). 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Malek Bensmail. Director Screenwriter Cinematographer". mubi.com. London, England: Mubi. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Malek Bensmaïl". bed.bzh (in French). Bretagne Culture Diversité, Lorient, France. Diversité culturelle & cinéma documentaire. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2024. Interview with Malek Bensmaïl.
- ^ "Odysseys 3ème long métrage / 3rd Feature Film". africine.org (in French and English). Fédération africaine de la critique cinématographique (FACC). Retrieved 1 March 2024.
External links
editVideos
edit- Journey to the heart of Algerian psychiatry on YouTube. Aliénations (2004). Video duration 1h 42m 38s. Uploader imineo Documentaires, 2021. Entire film, voice-over in French.
- Toute l'Algérie du monde, doc. de Malek Bensmail on YouTube. Video duration 53m 18s. Uploader R. Ourrad, 2023. Entire film, voice-over in French.
- Malek Bensmail : "La Chine est Encore Loin" (Cinéma) on YouTube. Video duration 5m 2s. Uploader BFM Alsace, 2010. Bensmail explains his documentary China Is Still Far Away (2008) in French.
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