Their Algeria

Aïcha and Mabrouk came to France from Algeria in the early 1950s, originally with the intention to only work there for a couple of years and then go back to their homeland. After over 60 years of marriage, they decide to separate. They leave their house in Thiers in central France, each of them moving to a different flat. While Aïcha enjoys her newfound independence, Mabrouk does what he does best: keeping quiet. Director Lina Soualem explores her own family's history and the eventful lives of her grandparents in her feature documentary debut. Their Algeria is a gentle and yet emotional examination of the painful loss of home and the (re)discovery of one's own roots. (pf)