The Panafrican Festival in Algiers
Back to browse
60% Critic Match

The Panafrican Festival in Algiers

6.0 / 10 1969 1h 50mNR Arabic
DocumentaryMusic

Storyline

Festival panafricain d'Alger is a documentary by William Klein of the music and dance festival held 40 years ago in the streets and in venues all across Algiers. Klein follows the preparations, the rehearsals, the concerts… He blends images of interviews made to writers and advocates of the freedom movements with stock images, thus allowing him to touch on such matters as colonialism, neocolonialism, colonial exploitation, the struggles and battles of the revolutionary movements for Independence.

Cast & Crew

Nina Simone

Nina Simone

Self

Lead
Archie Shepp

Archie Shepp

Self

Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba

Self

Marion Williams

Marion Williams

Self

Amílcar Cabral

Amílcar Cabral

Self

René Depestre

René Depestre

Self

AG

Armando Guebuza

Self

MK

Mazisi Kunene

Self

What People Are Saying

3.0
A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. William Klein's vision lands with breathtaking precision.
Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
3.0
Every frame feels alive. The Panafrican Festival in Algiers is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker