The Desert Divers
Les Plongeurs Du Désert
Synopsis
Les Plongeurs Du Désert, directed by Tahar Hannache in 1952, is considered the first entirely Algerian fiction film. It tells the story of the inhabitants of an oasis whose well has dried up. The village elder, Sheikh Messaoud, calls upon the renowned desert divers, artisans specializing in clearing sand- and silt-filled wells, to restore access to the vital water for the community. After their intervention, the water begins to flow again, bringing relief to the oasis and its inhabitants. The film depicts the contrast between the traditional techniques of the divers, embodied by Sheikh Ali and his son Mansour, and the arrival of modernity, represented by the machine that ultimately replaces their craft. This story symbolizes the marginalization of local knowledge in the face of technological progress and the social injustice of the colonial era.
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tahar Hannache
- Screenplay & Story
- Tahar Hannache
- Original Score
- Mohamed Iguerbouchène
- Original Title
- Les Plongeurs Du Désert
- Country of Origin
- Algeria
- Spoken Languages
- Arabic, French
- Runtime
- 21m
- Production Studios
- Les Films Tahar Hannache
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tahar Hannache
Tahar Hannache
Mohamed Iguerbouchène
Tahar Hannache
Tahar Hannache
Department Leadership Roster
Tahar Hannache
Director
Tahar Hannache
Director of Photography
Mohamed Iguerbouchène
Original Music Composer
Tahar Hannache
Writer
Tahar Hannache
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Desert Divers.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Desert Divers
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Desert Divers about?
Les Plongeurs Du Désert, directed by Tahar Hannache in 1952, is considered the first entirely Algerian fiction film. It tells the story of the inhabitants of an oasis whose well has dried up. The village elder, Sheikh Messaoud, calls upon the renowned desert divers, artisans specializing in clearing sand- and silt-filled wells, to restore access to the vital water for the community. After their intervention, the water begins to flow again, bringing relief to the oasis and its inhabitants. The film depicts the contrast between the traditional techniques of the divers, embodied by Sheikh Ali and his son Mansour, and the arrival of modernity, represented by the machine that ultimately replaces their craft. This story symbolizes the marginalization of local knowledge in the face of technological progress and the social injustice of the colonial era.
Who directed The Desert Divers?
The Desert Divers was directed by Tahar Hannache.
Who stars in The Desert Divers?
The principal cast of The Desert Divers includes Himoud Brahimi, Djamel-Eddine Chanderli.
When was The Desert Divers released and how long is it?
The Desert Divers was released in 1952 with a total runtime of 21m.
Who composed the musical score for The Desert Divers?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Desert Divers was composed by Mohamed Iguerbouchène.