Malek Bensmaïl is an Algerian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and film producer. Interview with Malek Bensmaïl.
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 AwardLa 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
External links
Videos . Aliénations (2004). Video duration 1h 42m 38s. Uploader imineo Documentaires, 2021. Entire film, voice-over in French. . Video duration 53m 18s. Uploader R. Ourrad, 2023. Entire film, voice-over in French. . Video duration 5m 2s. Uploader BFM Alsace, 2010. Bensmail explains his documentary China Is Still Far Away (2008) in French.