The classic 1966 war film THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS got a re-release in UK cinemas back in 2007 and it was then I spoke to Saadi Yacef, who produced and starred in the film. He was one of the leaders of Algeria’s National Liberation Front during his country’s war of independence. Whilst imprisoned by the French, he wrote his memoir of the actual Battle of Algiers, which was published in 1962. After the war Saadi helped produce Gillo Pontecorvo‘s film and he even stars in it as a character based on his own experiences. With its strikingly realistic depiction of modern warfare and terrorism the film has gone on to become highly influential. So much so that the The Pentagon screened it in 2003 as a useful illustration of the problems faced in Iraq. Saadi went on to become a Senator in Algeria’s People’s National Assembly.