**SPACE IS LIMITED** Please register as soon as possible.
The Middle East Studies Center is hosting an in-depth seminar on Algerian cinema for students, faculty, and public educators to be presented by special guests Ahmed Bedjaoui, Pofessor of Audiovisual Communication and Cinema at Algiers 3 University and Nabil Boudraa, Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Oregon State University. The seminar includes a fully catered "taste of the Mediterranean" dinner.
This seminar will provide an understanding of the history, themes, and techniques used in Algerian filmmaking, including its significant focus on social and political issues, its uses of symbolism and metaphor, and its incorporation of Algerian cultures and traditions. The seminar will consist of lectures, discussions, and screenings of classic and contemporary Algerian films.
The seminar will focus on the themes and motifs that are prevalent in Algerian cinema, from its early days of colonialism to contemporary times. These include identity, cultural heritage, social issues, and the struggle for independence. The speakers will analyze how these themes are presented and represented in Algerian films and their relevance to contemporary society.
Throughout the seminar, participants will have the opportunity to watch and analyze various Algerian films, including classics like Papicha, Rachida, Le Puits, and the most recent Nos Frangins, and The Last Queen. They will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions with the speakers and other participants, sharing their thoughts and insights on the films and topics discussed.
At the end of the seminar, the participants will have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Algerian cinema, its significance in the global film industry and how it reflects the country's history, culture, and values. The participants will be equipped with tools and insights to incorporate this knowledge into their teaching curriculum.
Ahmed Bedjaoui graduated from the Paris Institute of Cinematographic Studies and holds a Ph.D. in American studies. He is a Professor of Audiovisual Communication and Cinema at Algiers University 3. He is the artistic manager of Algiers International Film Festival. His publications include Images et visages (2012, Cinéma et guerre de libération, des batailles d’images (2014), Littérature et cinémas arabes (2016), La Guerre d’Algérie dans le cinéma mondial (2016), Le cinéma à son âge d’or ((all published by Chihab Algiers) and Cinema and the Algerian War of Independence: Culture, Politics and Society (2020, Palgrave Macmillan NY.). He has also published two articles for NHK review. He was curator for many film weeks and exhibitions (among them The Saga of the Algerian cinematheque and The Algerian films on Posters). In 2015, Bedjaoui received the UNESCO Féderico Fellini Medal for his contribution to world film culture. Bedjaoui has also been appointed President of the Feature Films Jury of the fiftieth anniversary of the The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougouu (Burkina Faso, 2019).
Nabil Boudraa is Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Oregon State University. He holds a PhD from Louisiana State University, a Research Fellowship at Harvard University, an MA from Queens College, another MA from l’Université de Caen in France, and a BA from Algiers University. Nabil has authored and edited several publications, including Algeria on Screen: Society, Culture and Politics in the Films of Merzak Allouache (2020), Women and Resistance in the Maghreb: Remembering Kahina 2021), Francophone Cultures Through Film (2013), Hommage à Kateb Yacine (2006) and North African Mosaic: A Cultural Re-appraisal of Ethnic and Religious Minorities (2007). He has published articles and translations in several journals such as The International Journal of Francophone Studies, The Journal of North African Studies, and The African Studies Review. Dr. Boudraa was a guest on several shows, namely BBC’s The Forum and NPR’s Morning Edition. Lastly, Nabil Boudraa has received several grants and awards, including the Fulbright Scholar Award (2011) and four National Endowment for the Humanities grants (2007, 2014, 2015, and 2017).
We also invite you to see "The Last Queen" at 5th Avenue Cinema the following night on Friday, May 27, 2023. See the event page for more info!
This event is made possible by a grant from the American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS). To learn more about what they do, check out their website.