Ramparts of Clay
Remparts d'Argile
Synopsis
In a village on the edge of the Sahara, Rima, a 19-year-old orphan, dreams of learning, of discovering, of living free while the men of the salt mine go on strike. The authorities react by sending the army, Rima decides to help the strikers by trapping the soldiers. Co-produced with the Office des Actualités Algériens and shot in the region of Téhouda, 50 kilometers from Biskra, this Franco-Algerian film is fully part of the cinematographic heritage of both shores of the Mediterranean. Bertuccelli adopts the technique of cinema verite, with non-professional actors from the village itself, giving the film a striking documentary texture and a rare force of authenticity. Carried by the moving interpretation of Leila Shenna in the role of Rima, the actor Krikèche and lulled by the music of Taos Amrouche, the film questions female emancipation, social resistance and the relationship with the territory.
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Berlin International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
February 7, 1971
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
- Screenplay & Story
- Jean Duvignaud
- Original Score
- Taos Amrouche
- Original Title
- Remparts d'Argile
- Country of Origin
- Algeria, France
- Spoken Languages
- Arabic, French
- Runtime
- 1h 25m
- Production Studios
- Uccelli Production, Office des Actualités Algériennes
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Jean Duvignaud, Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Taos Amrouche
Andréas Winding
François Ceppi
Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Department Leadership Roster
Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Director
Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina
Producer
Andréas Winding
Director of Photography
Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Producer
François Ceppi
Editor
Jean Duvignaud
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Ramparts of Clay.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Ramparts of Clay.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ramparts of Clay
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Ramparts of Clay about?
In a village on the edge of the Sahara, Rima, a 19-year-old orphan, dreams of learning, of discovering, of living free while the men of the salt mine go on strike. The authorities react by sending the army, Rima decides to help the strikers by trapping the soldiers. Co-produced with the Office des Actualités Algériens and shot in the region of Téhouda, 50 kilometers from Biskra, this Franco-Algerian film is fully part of the cinematographic heritage of both shores of the Mediterranean. Bertuccelli adopts the technique of cinema verite, with non-professional actors from the village itself, giving the film a striking documentary texture and a rare force of authenticity. Carried by the moving interpretation of Leila Shenna in the role of Rima, the actor Krikèche and lulled by the music of Taos Amrouche, the film questions female emancipation, social resistance and the relationship with the territory.
Who directed Ramparts of Clay?
Ramparts of Clay was directed by Jean-Louis Bertuccelli.
Who stars in Ramparts of Clay?
The principal cast of Ramparts of Clay includes Leila Shenna, Ahmed Kadri (Krikèche), Jean-Louis Trintignant.
When was Ramparts of Clay released and how long is it?
Ramparts of Clay was released in 1970 with a total runtime of 1h 25m.
Who composed the musical score for Ramparts of Clay?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Ramparts of Clay was composed by Taos Amrouche.
Is Ramparts of Clay based on a book or true story?
Ramparts of Clay is adapted from the following source material: Book: "Jean Duvignaud".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Ramparts of Clay?
Ramparts of Clay holds official age classifications: FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).