Algerian film sparks protest in Cannes

The film Hors-la-loi (“Outside the Law”) directed by French-Algerian Rachid Bouchareb is being screened today and is in competition for the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Palme d’Or prize. Army veterans and pied-noirs (French people born in Algeria) are behind the protest which is expected to be peaceful. The group will march through the streets but well away from the Palais des Festival’s red carpet. The film crew which arrived yesterday evening is also being given protection just in case things get out of hand.

Meanwhile, another film has caused some upset in the Italian camp leading Culture Minister Sandro Bondi to refuse his invitation to the film fest, according to Reuters. The offending piece is a documentary by the Italian satirist and comedian Sabina Guzzanti entitled Draquila. It was being shown out of competition and argues that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi exploited the earthquake in Aquila which killed more than 300 people in April last year to boost his popularity.

The Cannes Film Festival wraps up this weekend on Sunday 23rd.