In an Algerian museum, the Serbian filmmaker Mila Turajlić is captivated by an exhibit showcasing an old film camera. To her surprise, it once belonged to a Yugoslav cameraman named Stevan Labudović, who is celebrated as a hero in Algeria. Despite being from the same city, Belgrade, Turajlić had never heard of him. Stevan Labudović was specifically selected by Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito in 1960 to support the Algerian anti-colonial effort.
Labudović's crucial mission was to produce films that countered French propaganda in support of the Algerian cause. Self-proclaimed "artivist" Mila Turajlić delves into the archives of Yugoslav Newsreels to craft a narrative of global solidarity and resistance, challenging the rigid dichotomy of the Cold War. The selected reals can be viewed together, offering a comprehensive view, yet they also hold their own as captivating and insightful independent documentary pieces.
Turajlić traces Labudović's journey in Algeria through intimate interviews with the cameraman himself and his revolutionary peers. Crucially, she utilizes his extensive newsreel footage preserved by the company Yugoslav Newsreels, skillfully aligning it with excerpts from his personal diary. The only flaw of this documentary is its occasionally aimless pacing: Labudović has many fascinating stories to tell, but he is also a grumpy old man who complains lengthily about his life and the ills of growing old. In another context, these segments might be more interesting, but they only serve to slow this documentary about international solidarity and Algeria’s revolution.
Labudović's unique perspective emerged as he resided with the Algerian fighters, documenting their treacherous mountain journeys and, at times, their acts of sabotage. What sets him apart from other war correspondents is the unwavering trust the Algerians placed in him: Labudović is hailed as a hero alongside Algerian freedom fighters. Library patrons and students studying popular uprisings, the history of Algeria, or colonialism will find many intriguing stories and thoughtful analyses surrounding an inherently spellbinding topic. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Ciné-Guerrillas belongs alongside documentaries about journalism, war, and revolution.
What kind of film series could use this title?
If you’re programming a film series about Yugoslavia, Algeria, or war journalism, Ciné-Guerrillas would fit right in.