The Charcoal Maker

At a glance

The Charcoal Maker, is a 1973 Algerian movie, directed by Mohamed Bouamari, and starring Fettouma Ousliha-Bouamari, Youcef Hadjam, Mustapha El Anka. with a runtime of 86 minutes.

Overview

The Charcoal Maker is a social drama that follows a charcoal-burner living on the margins of poverty, barely managing to feed his family through grueling daily labor. Driven by desperation and the hope of a better income, he leaves his village and makes his way to the city in search of employment. But the urban world offers him nothing — his efforts fail, doors close, and he is left with no option but to return home empty-handed. The film is a sobering portrait of rural working-class life, exploring themes of economic hardship, failed ambition, and the crushing weight of poverty. A quiet but powerful Arabic drama that speaks to the enduring struggles of those forgotten by progress.

Tags