Preserving National Memory through Historical Documentary Films: An Analytical Study of the Documentary Film the Zaatcha Revolution

Abstract

This study centres on preserving the national memory of Algerian society through historical documentaries. It explores the creative process of producing these films in a way that closely reflects the realities of specific historical periods. This goal is achieved through the topics covered in the film's content and the prominent figures whose narratives are used to convey the historical events depicted. Additionally, the study examines the objectives that film producers aim to achieve in relation to the audience. To uncover these aspects, the quantitative content analysis technique was applied to the documentary film The Zaatcha Resistance 1849: The War of Extermination, which aligns with the study’s goals due to its recent production and its dual representation of historical memory: popular resistance and the genocide carried out by colonial forces in retaliation for this resistance