I am free creative director and not politician, says Merzak Alouache

Algerian movies director Merzak Alouache said he is a creative free artist and does not accept orders, in response to the culture ministry’s position towards his last movie.

“I am a director and not politician,” Alouache told journalists.

Asked about his position about normalization with Israel, he said he helped a group of young men who opened a movie theater in Al Qods.

He defended his creative choices by focusing on marginalized people and negative aspects in society.

“We hear slang in Algerian streets. This is because we did not solve the 1990’s problems and we still live in the terror repercussions,” he added.

Speaking about pessimism in his movies, the director said he tries to show the Algerian society reality.

“Dirt, rubbish, drug and prostitution exist in Algeria. I am trying to change Algeria’s image to a better one through my movies. I am not in charge of cleaning streets but I show them to people.”