Panafrican Festival of Algiers (Festival Panafricain d’Alger)
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Panafrican Festival of Algiers (Festival Panafricain d’Alger)

“A luminous patchwork of the aesthetics of the pamphlet, of agit-prop and of direct cinema.”—Olivier Hadouchi

The first Pan-African Cultural Festival took place in Algiers in July 1969. This historic festival brought a global spotlight to African culture and arts, celebrating the liberation of African nations from colonial rule and calling for the same freedom for the rest of the continent. William Klein’s film captures the sense of jubilation of the moment and provides historical context for understanding a continent united in its desire for freedom. 1969, Algeria/France, in French with English subtitles, 110 minutes.