The Cave: A puppeteer in Algeria | Africa Direct

by Beckypublished on 13th December 2021

AFRICA DIRECT: African stories by African filmmakers. Perspectives from a diverse continent; storytelling in the hands of local talent.

Puppeteer and artist Houcine Bensemicha is preparing a new show with his puppet, Kerkouz.

In the remote Algerian town of Sidi Bel Abbès, he and his father have created a much-needed space for artists and audiences. As they banter about costumes and string mechanics, the story of their little theatre museum unfolds.

The Cave, by filmmaker El Kheyer Zidani, tells a story of creativity, community, puppets and a son’s love for his father.

El Kheyer Zidani is an Algerian director and producer who has made several short films, including Ma Vie, Amezgun Amaziy, Protest Camp and Nice Very Nice, which were selected in more than 30 film festivals and won several awards, including the Jury award at the Luxor African Film Festival and a nomination for the African Movie Academy Awards.

Up Next

scrapyard-anoumabo
Konaté Massioudou is a scrapyard trader in Ivory Coast, whose deafness neither defines nor deters him. Konaté Massioudou repairs, rebuilds and sells some of the thousands of household items from Europe that get discarded and dumped every day in Anoumabo, a massive electronic waste scrapyard in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Throttle-Queens
This short film from filmmaker Joan Kabugu celebrates Ciku Mbithi and the women of the Throttle Queens biking club.
senegal-pink-lake
The Pink Lake in Senegal attracts tourists and is a vital local resource, but there are certain environmental issues that could threaten its existence.
wrestlers-dream
On beaches, in training grounds, and in gyms around Dakar, Kalanda sweats and strains as he trains hard for Senegal’s big-time wrestling competitions - determined to make it to the main wrestling arena. Filmmaker Oumar Ba’s intimate film, Kalanda: A Wrestler’s Dream, bears witness to his determination despite the odds, and sees him balance friendship and loyalty with hard-muscled competition.
Davido
Davido, Nigerian artist, performs a medley of his hit singles "Fall" and "Risky" alongside live piano for Fine Tuned with Audiomack.
On-the-white-nile
On the White Nile, by filmmaker Akuol de Mabior, takes us into the world of Rebecca Lith Chol. From the stern of her long wooden boat, Rebecca steers her crew down the White Nile, running her small fishing business.