The Battle of Algiers (+ talkback)

Gillo Pontecorvo's The Battle of Algiers is a landmark film — a docudrama that captures the Algerian independence struggle against French colonial rule in the 1950s with unflinching intensity. It's the kind of movie that rewires how you see resistance, violence, and the cost of freedom. The screening is part of Playback: The Brooklyn Watch Party, a curated series at BAM.

The cast includes Saadi Yacef (who was also a key figure in the actual FLN) and Brahim Hadjadj, alongside Jean Martin and Tommaso Neri. After the film, there's a talkback with award-winning actor John Turturro and guests to be announced — a chance to sit with what you've just seen and hear from people who've thought deeply about the film's legacy and its relevance now.

BAM Rose Cinemas is a proper theater space with good sightlines and sound. The screening runs just over two hours, with the talkback following. This is a serious film for a serious moment — expect a full house and a room that's ready to talk.