Touchia (1993)

Run Time - 73 min.  |   Countries - Algeria, France  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Clarke Fountain

The contemporary version of Islamic fundamentalism has increasingly been a source of difficulty for those residents of Algeria whose views are not in entire agreement with this historically new movement, one which does not accept that any compromise or co-existence with modern values is possible. The results of at least one democratic election in Algeria were overturned because the election would have put fundamentalists (who are opposed to democracy per se) in power. This film explores this controversy from the point of view of Fella (Nabila Babli), a middle-aged professional woman, a "feminist spokeswoman" for Algeria's women. She is preparing to be interviewed on television while the new movement of the devout is demonstrating against democracy and women's freedom just outside the doors of her house. For the record it is worth noting that, while this film paints the controversy as being solely between modern non-religious, liberal, democratic values and "religion," many traditionally religious Muslims have their own difficulties with the new "fundamentalist" interpretations of Islamic belief which have swept the globe.