L’Opium et le bâton

Mouloud Mammeri’s nove lis the source of Rachedi’s second film. The novel’s episodic structure interested him, and he was also attracted by its treatment of the Algerian revolution an dits depiction of the people. The film takes place during the war of liberation when a doctor returns to the countryside and his home, which is divided. His brothers seem to fight on opposing sides. Rachedi uses this story to demonstrate the courage and persistence of the people in their fight against colonialism. In order to attract large audiences, he adopts a Hollywood production style where the story dominates the action and the film’s messages are submerged in the action-adventure format.