A work in constant progress (and occasional regress).
Release Date:
March 12, 2025
Original Title:
Algérie, Sections Armes Spéciales
Alternate Titles:
Алжир, разделы специального вооружения
الجزائر أقسام الأسلحة الخاصة
Genres:
Documentary | History | TV Movie
Production Companies:
France Télévisions
Solent Production
Production Countries:
France
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 55
This documentary by director Claire Billet and historian Christophe Lafaye details the massive and systematic use of chemical weapons during the Algerian War. Algerian fighters and civilians, sheltering in caves, were gassed by "special weapons sections" of the French army. The gas identified on military documents is CN2D, whose widespread use forced insurgents to flee "treated" sites, at the risk of dying there. The method is reminiscent of the "enfumades" used by the French expeditionary force during the conquest of Algeria in the 19th century. Between 8,000 and 10,000 such operations are believed to have taken place on Algerian soil between 1956 and 1962. This historical aspect is little known due to the difficulty of accessing archives, many of which are still classified, raising questions about memory, historical truth, and justice.
Cinematography:
Olivier Jobard
Color Grading:
Simon Phillipe
Director:
Claire Billet
Editor:
Yann Coquart
Music:
Siegfried Canto
Production Director:
Florian Lefebvre
Production Manager:
Léa Chollet
Sound:
Olivier Jobard
Sound Editor:
Matthieu Dallaporta
Sound Mixer:
Matthieu Dallaporta
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