Cult Labs - Weekly Comp - The Battle Of Algiers (Special Edition)

Hi all!

Yes, this week we're giving away one of the greatest films ever made. It's even in IMDb's top 250 list!!!!!!! And if that's not enough somehow, we're giving away the SPECIAL EDITION of the film courtesy of none other than Argent Films!

HIP HIP HORRAY!

Here's some more info on....

THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS (1966)

Title: The Battle of Algiers - Special Edition
Label: Argent Films
Release date: 31st August 2009
Certificate: 15
Running time: tbc
Price: £19.99
Director: Gillo Pontecorvo
Stars: Jean Martin, Brahim Haggiag, Saadi Yacef

THE REVOLT THAT STIRRED THE WORLD!
Director Gillo Pontecorvo's highly acclaimed masterpiece THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS is regarded as one of modern cinema's finest achievements. Now, this incredible film is coming to DVD as a Special Edition release featuring a new and exclusive, recently conducted 20-minute interview with Saadi Yacef, the film's co-producer and the real-life Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) leader on whose memoir the film was based. Additionally, this version of the film has been completely restored and struck from a completely different (and superior) master to previous DVD releases meaning THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS has never looked so good.
The winner of numerous awards, including a BAFTA UN Award and both the Golden Lion and the FIPRESCI Award at the 1966 Venice Film Festival, THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS is a regular fixture in critics' and filmmakers' "Greatest Movies of All Time" lists and was also nominated for three Oscars, including Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film.

Set during the 1954 to 1962 Franco-Algerian conflict, THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS effectively and authentically recreates the pivotal political events that took place in the city of Algiers between 1954 and 1957. In an attempt to end French colonialism, which had been in place since 1830, in 1954 the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) began a war of liberation, using terrorism to highlight the plight of the Algerian people to the rest of the world. In response to the escalating terrorist violence in the city of Algiers, the French government sent in an armed force of paratroopers to crush the uprising. Authorised to use whatever force and methods were believed to be necessary in bringing an end to the revolution, the actions of the French military led to a regrettable catalogue of atrocities being committed by those on both sides of the conflict.

Shot documentary-style in grainy, newsreel quality monochrome, THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS is an extremely powerful, deeply moving and often shocking cinematic experience. The film's remarkable authenticity is helped in no small part by the Algerian government's assistance in providing the production with financial assistance and access to military resources, as well as allowing the filmmakers the run of the city. Also key to the film's effectiveness is Pontecorvo's casting of non-professional locals in the majority of the key roles (the exception being the role of Colonel Matthieu, beautifully played by French actor Jean Martin). Particularly impressive are Brahim Haggiag, who gives an unforgettable performance as FLN leader Ali La Pointe and, as the head of the FLN, the film's co-producer Saadi Yacef, himself a real-life senior FLN leader and one of the few such figures to be taken alive during the actual conflict.

Pontecorvo's astonishing film presents a poignant and admirably unbiased view of a tragic period in modern history. As powerful today as it was on its original release, THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS is, perhaps, even more relevant in today's global political climate than ever before and makes for essential viewing.

THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS – SPECIAL EDITION (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£19.99) by Argent Films on 31st August 2009. Special Features include: "The Making of The Battle Of Algiers" – an exclusive 20-minute interview with director Gillo Pontecorvo; "The Real Battle Of Algiers" – an exclusive 20-minute interview with Saadi Yacef; extensive Photo Gallery including pictures from the filmmakers' personal archives; dual audio options (French-Arabic and Italian version created for the Venice Festival) with optional English subtitles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3XsNdCqq7Q

But how do 3 lucky people actually win this DVD? Well....

War. It's all about conflict. And conflict is what a film good - there's ALWAYS some form of conflict in a film - otherwise it'll be as boring as hell. And what with the stupid amout of 'VS.' films, such as Alien Vs. Predator, Freddy Vs. Jason, not to mention the COUNTLESS Godzilla (or Godzirra!) films out there, like Godzilla Vs. King Kong.

So, below, all you need to do is create a character. A character that is completly unbeatable. One that will thrash the other members characters and wipe his ass with them.

Give your character ANY weapon or any special power etc you wish. Ie, Hannibal with an unlimited rocket launcher and wings too. Something like that. Obviously as the competition goes along, and you get more competitive your characters will become much more OTT and their list of weapons and powers will grow and grow to something crazy!

The 3 most extreme and kick-ass characters created will each DEFEAT the others and WIN this excellent film.

And you can always stick to one character but with each post add a new kick-ass weapon to them.

Once again ANYONE and EVERYONE can enter and the winner's will be announced next Friday.

Got it?

Good luck!