EL GUSTO

Safinez Bousbia

algeria france ireland 2011 88 min

In the 1920s the chaâbi music scene flourished in the Casbah of Algiers bringing together Jewish and Muslim students at the same conservatory. Their shared passion created lasting friendships and a musical community that was later torn apart by war and history. Decades later filmmaker Safinez Bousbia sets out to find the surviving musicians and reunite them across Algeria and France. Their stories and memories lead to an emotional reunion through music celebrating the cultural heritage of Algiers and the bonds that endured despite decades of separation.

• About the film

  Directed by Safinez Bousbia

  Screenplay Safinez Bousbia

  Featuring Abdel Hadi Halo Mohamed El Ferkioui Luc Cherki Robert Castel Rachid Berkani Ahmed Bernaoui Mamad Haïder Benchaouchi Abdelkader Chercham Redha El Djilali Maurice El Medioni Abdelrahmane Guellati Joseph Hadjaj Liamine Haimoune Abdelmadjid Meskoud René Perez Mustapha Tahmi

  Cinematography Núria Roldós

  Editing Françoise Bonnot

  Music Orchestre El Gusto

  Sound Eric Münch

  Production Companies Quidam Productions Eikosi Productions Babylone Productions

• Festivals & Awards

  Abu Dhabi Film Festival
  2011 | Documentary Competition — World Premiere
  Best New Director — Safinez Bousbia
  FIPRESCI Prize

  International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam — IDFA
  2011 | Official Selection
  Best Music Documentary

  Tribeca Film Festival
  2012 | Official Selection

  Washington, D.C. International Film Festival — Filmfest DC
  2012 | Arabian Sights