Iran director to make Algerian historical film

Iran and Algeria has set to cooperate in production of a film themed on the life of the last Ottoman ruler of Algiers, Ahmed Bey (c. 1784-1850).

Iranian experts have designed costumes as well as sets for the film titled 'Ahmed Bey' and it will be directed by Iranian filmmaker Jamal Shourjeh.

The president of the Algerian Network of Businesswomen and Algerian producer, Samira Hadj-Djilani, said “A team from Iran and Algeria has already prepared the essential preliminaries to produce the film since eight months ago.”

“Jamal Shourjeh is a nice respectable man who has coordinated a team of Iranian and Algerian experts in a perfect way... The team is waiting for the shooting to start,” Hadj-Djilani added.

The screenplay for the film, which will be the first co-production between Iran and Algeria, was written by Rabih Tarif from Algeria.

The film will tell the story of Ahmed Bey’s life from 1826 to 1848 when he ruled the Regency of Algiers.

As head of state, he led the local population in fierce resistance against the French occupation forces.

In 1837, the territory was conquered by the French, who reinstated Ahmed Bey as ruler of the region.

He remained in this position until 1848, when the region became a part of the colony of Algiers and he was deposed.

Born in 1955, Shourjeh is a film director and producer who studied directing at Tehran's Art University.

He has directed a number war-themed movies, including 'The Tenth Night', 'Kirkuk Mission', 'Edge of Blade', and 'Passing Crimson Line' in his early years of directing career.

Shourjeh has also made some more recent movies such as 'The Pilot', 'Confidential Club', as well as 'Hidden Lilacs', and produced flicks such as 'The Snitch', 'The Maiden, as well as 'The Eighth Sky'.

MG/FM