Punk & Politics Movie Night #4: THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS (1967) / RODRIGO D: NO FUTURO (1990)

For our 4^th entry in the Punk & Politics film series we will screen one of the most influential political films in history, The Battle of Algiers, by Gillo Pontecorvo,  which vividly re-creates a key year in the tumultuous Algerian struggle for independence from the occupying French in the 1950s. As violence escalates on both sides, children shoot soldiers at point-blank range, women plant bombs in cafés, and French soldiers resort to torture to break the will of the insurgents. Shot on the streets of Algiers in documentary style, the film is a case study in modern warfare, with its terrorist attacks and the brutal techniques used to combat them. Pontecorvo’s tour de force has astonishing relevance today.

The Battle of Algiers (1966) trailer

The second feature is "Rodrigo D. No Futuro"  a glimpse into the lives of a group of Medellin teenagers, living a pointless existence. With no opportunity for work, or escape, they spend their days hanging out in the streets, drinking, and sometimes robbing people who they see as being in a better position than themselves. Never having money unless they rob someone or sell some stolen goods, they have nothing, and nothing to lose. Rodrigo, according to his sister, is a bum, with no ambition, and no purpose in life. This is not really true, as he does have one dream, and that is to start a punk band. To do this, he needs a set of drums…

Filmed using amateur actors taken right of the streets--several of whom were murdered before the film was released--Rodrigo D: No Futuro is a gritty and hauntingly realistic look into hopelessness of street life that won't easily be forgotten.

Rodrigo D: No Futuro trailer