Malek Bensmaïl is an Algerian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer.[1][2][3][4]

Malek Bensmaïl
Born1966
Constantine, Algeria
OccupationFilm director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer
LanguageFrench, Arabic
NationalityAlgerian
Notable worksmovies Des vacances, malgré tout / Despite all holidays (2001), Aliénations (2004), and La Chine est encore loin / China Is Still Far Away (2008).

Biography

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Born 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

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Bensmaïl'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

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Bensmaïl'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

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  1. ^ a b c d Malek Bensmaïl at IMDb
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b "Malek Bensmail. Director Screenwriter Cinematographer". mubi.com. London, England: Mubi. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Odysseys 3ème long métrage / 3rd Feature Film". africine.org (in French and English). Fédération africaine de la critique cinématographique (FACC). Retrieved 1 March 2024.
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Videos

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