In a remarkable success in Algeria, “Première ligne,” the 19th feature film by the prolific master of Algerian cinema, Merzak Allouache, tells a colorful day at El Djamila beach in Algiers.
From the beach, there’s more to observe than just the horizon. Merzak Allouache’s brilliant idea for his 19th feature film, “Première ligne,” which will be in theaters this Wednesday, April 22, is to follow the Bouderbala family, a large Algerian family. From dawn, they rise early to ensure they are the first ones on El Djamila beach, securing a front row seat with a breathtaking view of the summer horizon.
It’s quite an adventure to get the family moving, with the youngest ones running around and the older ones having other desires. However, the matriarch Bouderbala knows what she wants and she gets it. It’s time for a relaxing day, or somewhat relaxing, as they immediately begin preparing lunch and must stand their ground as the beach fills up and pressure increases for the front row. But then the Kadouri family arrives, their wealthier neighbors, and the beachgoers shamelessly place them in front, right by the water, in the very front row! It’s not going to go down like that!
The beach, a microcosm of Algerian society, has been a keen observer of Algerian society since his first feature film, “Omar Gatlato,” in 1976. Merzak Allouache set his camera on the rooftops of Algiers a dozen years ago to gauge the pulse of his country. This time, at the beach, initially a light space, but as he keenly observes, it contains a bit of everything, including the expectations and difficulties of Algeria.
On a light-hearted Italian-style comedy note, “En première ligne” immerses us in the beach atmosphere, with kids running around, women cooking, men showing off, minor incivilities, big bursts of laughter and water, gossip, sentimental conversations… And subtly, through humorous scenes and vivid moments, weighty subjects like everyday corruption, injustices against women, family burdens, social and religious inertia, lack of prospects for youth, generalized disenchantment, and the lingering temptation of exile are addressed. Thus, by the water’s edge, under the Algerian sun, one will have a great time and perhaps leave just a little more tan, but enlightened, subtly, with a breath of sea air.
