It’s summertime! The Bouderbalas arrive early at the beach, seated close to the water in the front row, and enjoy a leisurely day. But nothing will happen as planned. The beaches in Algeria have a special atmosphere: the crowds, the noise, the minor rudeness, the meals prepared by the women, the arguments and laughter, the burkinis, the flirting.

“While some individuals may insist on focusing solely on the weightier issues related to Algeria, Allouache’s film presents something equally essential, albeit in a more understated way. Though it may not possess the overt gravitas of a drama or documentary, it captures the significant yet often overlooked vexations of daily life that we all encounter.” (www.MontageReview.com)

Merzak Allouache was born in Algeria in 1944. He studied filmmaking in Algiers at the Institut National du Cinéma and subsequently at IDHEC in Paris. In 1976, he completed his first feature, OMAR GATLATO. Since then, he has been directing films between France and Algeria, films frequently selected in prestigious international festivals such as the Cannes International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale, or the Venice International Film Festival.

Filmography (selection): 2011 NORMAL!, 2012 EL TAAIB, 2017 TAHQIQ FEL DJENNA, 2018 RIH RABANI, 2021 LA FAMILLE, 2024 FRONT ROW