Heliopolis

At a glance

Heliopolis, is a 2021 Algerian movie, directed by Djaffar Gacem, and starring Aziz Boukrouni, Mehdi Ramdani, Souhila Mallem. with a runtime of 116 minutes.

Overview

Heliopolis is an Algerian historical drama set in the city of Guelma — once known by its ancient name Heliopolis — where the daily life of an Algerian family unfolds against a backdrop of colonial tension. On May 8, 1945, the day Europe celebrated the end of World War II, Algerian civilians took to the streets demanding independence, only to be met with brutal suppression by French military forces and settler militias. The events depicted are drawn from one of the darkest chapters of colonial history: the Sétif and Guelma massacre. The film stands as a powerful and sobering tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle for Algerian self-determination.

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