Algerian film director, screenwriter and film producer
| 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). |
Malek Bensmaïl is an Algerian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer.
Biography
Born in 1966 in Constantine, Algeria, Bensmaïl graduated in cinematography from the École supérieure d'études cinématographiques (ESEC Film School), Paris, in 1990, and did an internship with Lenfilm production company in Saint Petersburg.
Filmography
Bensmaïl's films include:
| 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 | 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
Bensmaïl's films obtained four prizes and eight nominations, including:
| 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
- ^ Malek Bensmaïl at IMDb
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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
Videos
- 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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