Disappearing cinemas in Algeria

01/05/2006

The number of cinemas around Algiers has decreased from 54 to five. While more than 400 cinemas existed at independence in 1962, only 15 stand today.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 01/05/06

[File] Algerian cinemas have had a makeover.

The loss of Algerian interest in cinema was aggravated by the decade of terrorism and deterioration of the facilities; most of which are closed for building work or have been destroyed or abandoned. Some cinemas have been converted for watching video films, which are gradually taking over from 35mm film. Even families have deserted the cinema, making do with their satellite dishes, videos and DVDs.

The situation has led some town halls such as Algiers Centre to initiate a cultural policy with the renewal of 35mm film production as a top priority, as well as the renovation of cinema halls. The initiative could gain ground with various town halls in the capital.

Local elected representatives have joined the campaign to save and renovate cinemas. The campaign led to the "Algeria" and "ABC" being allowed to re-open by the Justice Ministry in 2002. Abdelhamid Rabia, vice chairman in charge of culture and social affairs at the town hall in Algiers Centre, told Magharebia that the cinemas are being run by town hall-appointed managers.

For the "Afrique" cinema, work on painting the exterior is under way, but the interior is still a construction site. According to Faïza Renaï, who is in charge of cultural affairs at the town hall in Sidi M'hamed, "Our town hall manages four cinemas, namely the 'Musset,' the 'Sierra Maestra,' the 'Africa,' and the 'French', which will be operational with the 'Sierra Maestra' in June, while the 'Afrique' will open in December 2006 and the 'Musset' in a year-and-a-half." She notes that "the laws of the Republic forbid the sale of cinemas".

Bab El-Oued Town Hall Vice Chairman Smaïl Kadri says that of the four cinemas under his jurisdiction, only one is operational (Tamghout), while two are being renovated ("El Houria", "El Maghreb" ), and one is destroyed (the "Lynx").

The "Atlas" cinema is also within the Bab El-Oued area, but is being looked after by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The ministry's Office for Cultural and Artistic Promotion press attaché reckons "This 600-seat cinema, which re-opened in 2001 after the fire of 27 February 1977, is the only one in Algeria showing family films in Dolby, offering previews as well as running film days."

Culture Ministry representative El Hadj Tahar Ali says that a law is being drawn up in collaboration with those working in the national audiovisual industry. Cinemas in the public sector are being renovated and modernised. Town halls with a large number of cinemas under their jurisdiction are being encouraged to renew them.