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      Viva Algeria

      2004 1h 57m Drama List
      Reviews 70% 100+ Ratings Audience Score In Algiers, Goucem (Lubna Azabal) leads a personal life that she keeps highly secret, out of fear that she'll provoke the wrath of local Islamic fundamentalists. For three years, she's been carrying on an affair with a man who's married to another woman. She lives with her mother, ex-cabaret dancer Papicha (Biyouna), and befriends Fifi (Nadia Kaci), a prostitute. All three women are powerful and independent, but they all must hide their behavior from their conservative neighbors. Read More Read Less

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      Viva Algeria

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Engaging, but most shots were held about 27 seconds too long Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member An appealing movie that centralizes upon the life of an elderly widow living in an apartment with her daughter in Algiers. Years before, Mrs. Sandjak once was Papicha, a former dancer in a club who left the career behind then to raise her young daughter, Goucem. Years later, she lives with the memory of once having fame, and still harbors hope that one day she will be able to go back to it. As an adult, Goucem works in a photo shop and hopes that her married lover will divorce his wife to marry her. She bonds with the prostitute next door, Fifi (who holds no shame in the choices that she has made). Great cast- Lubna Azabel, Biyouna, Nadia Kaci, Lynda Harchaoui, and Akim Isker. Worthy! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member I enjoyed this movie. I was surprised by the humor and the sadness of the story. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting movie, I loved seeing what Algiers looks like and hearing the music. The story was bittersweet. Mokneche has been touted as the Algerian Almodovar - while I love most of Almodovar's movies, this one didn't strike me as much. I didn't dislike it, but it isn't on my list of favourites. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Pretty good; not great. Good acting. Interesting to get a glimpse of life in modern Algiers. Doesn't seem to be a great place to be a woman. The city looks beautiful -- I would love to visit someday. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member assez bien fait pr un film algerien Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Viva Algeria

      Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) Viva Algeria (2004) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News One of those absorbing movies that's completely in touch with the lives it portrays. Rated: B+ Mar 18, 2005 Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post Thin but engaging. If you like your travelogue with a bit of story tossed in, it could be just the ticket. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 18, 2005 Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews The White City is subtly, memorably captured. Nov 16, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In Algiers, Goucem (Lubna Azabal) leads a personal life that she keeps highly secret, out of fear that she'll provoke the wrath of local Islamic fundamentalists. For three years, she's been carrying on an affair with a man who's married to another woman. She lives with her mother, ex-cabaret dancer Papicha (Biyouna), and befriends Fifi (Nadia Kaci), a prostitute. All three women are powerful and independent, but they all must hide their behavior from their conservative neighbors.
      Director
      Nadir Moknèche
      Production Co
      BL Prod.
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 5, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 57m
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