A 19th-century resistance leader so legendary, even Lincoln was a fanboy.
Illustrated with archival photographs, animations and live action, this film explores the history and historical and spiritual heritage of Emir Abd El-Kader. Algerian leader of the 19th century, was admired by Abraham Lincoln and celebrated to this day by the Red Cross as a great humanitarian. Emir Abd el-Kader, the man who challenged the French armies from 1832 to 1847 before creating the bases of a real Algerian state, is today considered by independent Algeria as one of the most outstanding figures. of its history. The nobility of his attitude after his capture and the very effective protection he brought to the Christians of Damascus at the end of his life also earned him great prestige among his former adversaries. A documentary told in dialectal Arabic by the voice of Amazigh Kateb.
Direction
Salem Brahimi's seamless blend of animation and archival material
Sound
Amazigh Kateb's hypnotic dialectal Arabic narration
Production
Visual storytelling that never feels like homework
Director
Salem Brahimi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Red Cross still honors Abd El-Kader annually for his 1860 protection of 12,000 Christians in Damascus—rare recognition of Muslim humanitarian action by a Western institution.
American settlers in Iowa actually named a town 'Elkader' after him in 1846, while he was still fighting French forces—probably the only US town named for a Muslim anti-colonial leader.
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