“Desert Rose” a new short film by director Oussama Benhassine, which delves into the tragic history of French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert, had its premiere at the Cinémathèque d’Algiers on Saturday. The screening was part of the program celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of Algeria’s independence.
This 26-minute film sheds light on the dark chapter of French nuclear tests in Reggane, located in the southern part of Algeria, and the ongoing suffering inflicted upon the region since February 1960. The premiere was attended by Soraya Mouloudji, the Minister of Culture and Arts, and a large audience.
The film narrates the peaceful life and dreams of the people in the southern region, juxtaposed with the covert planning of nuclear tests by colonial France. These tests had devastating consequences for both the local population and the environment, lasting for many years.
The Main Story of Desert rose
The story centers around Abbas, an energetic and cheerful child, who roams the streets of an old town with earthen walls. He finds solace in his loyal companion, Zina the dog, while awaiting his father’s return from a trip or a letter to brighten his daily routine.
The characters in the film have diverse personalities and beliefs. Notably, Abbas’s grandfather takes on the responsibility of raising him, while his pregnant mother remains patient and gentle. On the other side, there are characters like the mujahid hostage, portrayed by Slimane Benouari, and the French officer, played by Idir Benaïbouche, representing cruelty and violence as key figures in the tragedy inflicted upon this peaceful region.
As the story unfolds, Abbas discovers the hidden truth that his father was a mujahid who sacrificed his life in one of the battles. His grandfather and mother had kept this information secret out of fear that it might lead to retaliation by the colonial forces. This revelation shocks the child, who decides to embark on a journey to find his lost dog just before the nuclear explosion.
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Another poignant scene depicts the mujahid and his captured comrades, bound to pillars, becoming unwilling participants in the colonizer’s nuclear experiment. Amidst the pain of childbirth and the cries of the newborn, a heart-wrenching silence prevails, marking a humanitarian catastrophe with enduring consequences to this day.
The film’s fast-paced scenes were expertly captured by the cinematographer, Mohamed Saadi, who skillfully adjusted their rhythm within a precise frame that captured the authentic desert setting’s aesthetics and value, both indoors and outdoors.
Through this emotionally charged human narrative, the director underscores that February 13, 1960, stands as the date of the first nuclear test, the explosion of the “Blue Gerboise” bomb, conducted by France at the Reggane site. He further highlights the numerous painful stories endured by Algerians in the Sahara, who were victims of 17 additional aerial and underground nuclear tests between February 1960 and February 1967 in the regions of Reggane and Ahaggar.
It is worth noting that the film was shot in the Timimoune region, within one of the old ksars, during the previous June. The technical team successfully conveyed the social and climatic conditions of that era through meticulous shooting schedules, resulting in an impressive artistic outcome.