On the occasion of the opening of Mustapha Boutadjine’s exhibition “Insurgés”, the Algerian Cultural Center screened the film “Bouts de vies, bouts de rêves”, by director Hamid Benamra, who graced the evening with his presence. The screening was followed by a discussion.
On Wednesday February 19, to mark Moudjahid Day, Mustapha Boutadjine paid tribute to the heroes who fought for independence and our freedoms. Among the works on display were his unpublished painting of German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg, his tribute to singer Rachid Taha and his life-size full-length portrait of Mexican fighter Emiliano Zapata.
After the opening, the public was treated to a screening of the film “Bouts de vies, bouts de rêves”, by director Hamid Benamra, who followed the artist’s journey over twenty years, camera in hand.
Film Synopsis:
“This is a film about the painter Mustapha Boutadjine, whose works evoke revolutionary figures. Pieces of paper glued together form the natures of multi-faceted characters. From luxury magazines displaying the opulence of an inaccessible world, we see figures who broke and changed history. From goods that promote a dream of extreme consumerism, the dreams and ideals of an entire people are brought to light. This is not a story about class struggle, but a way of highlighting a paradox between a South struggling for food and a North eager for expansion. It’s not about the technical curiosity of an original artist, in this case Mustapha Boutadjine, but about highlighting the comments and concerns of a citizen aware of his “history”. The aim here is not to avert our gaze, but to recall stories that have been comfortably forgotten. This is not a subject about a demanding artist, but about the demands of men and women who choose to realize their dreams.” (Hamid Benamra)