Le Doigt dans l'engrenage (The Finger in the Gear)is an Algerian film directed by Ahmed Rachedi in 1974, from a screenplay by Rachid Boudjedra. The film was shot in France. Through archival footage and interviews, the film retraces the journey of an Algerian activist living in Paris.
Synopsis The film follows the arrival of an Algerian immigrant worker who gets lost in the Paris metro. The narrative blends fiction and archival footage to reflect the contrasts and living conditions of immigrants in France.
Technical details Title: Le Doigt dans l'engrenage Director: Ahmed Rachedi Screenplay: Rachid Boudjedra Country: Algeria (filmed in France) Year: 1974 Running time: 90 minutes
Cast Brahim Hadjadj
Production and development The film was directed by Ahmed Rachedi from a screenplay written by novelist and screenwriter Rachid Boudjedra. It is a hybrid work combining fiction and documentary elements, centered on the experience of Algerian migrant workers in Europe.
Themes The film addresses immigration, urban isolation, and the working-class condition of immigrant laborers, combining fiction with documentary materials such as testimonies and archival footage. It is part of a 1970s Algerian and Maghrebi cinematic movement that merged political reflection with a documentary aesthetic.
References
See also List of Algerian films Rachid Boudjedra