“ACROSS THE SAHARA” 1933 AMATEUR TRAVELOGUE SAHARA DESERT; ALGERIA, NORTH AFRICA HOME MOVIE 55514

About

“Across the Sahara” is an early 1930’s travelogue. It takes viewers to a sliver screen dream of desert sands and Arabian culture. Footage was captured on a 16 mm. Motorized vehicles tour across the Northern Sahara Desert to El Oued, Constantine and the Constantine Bridge; the El-Kantara. During the 1930’s Algeria was under French colonial rule. The French suppressed Islam and Arabic education. Constantine has a population of about 448,374 making it the third largest city in the country following Algiers and Oran. Constantine is often referred to as the “City of Bridges” due to its variety of picturesque bridges. In 2015, Constantine was labeled the Arab Capital of Culture. The film swings in with 1930’s motorized all-terrain vehicles rolling over sand (:09). Small shrubs dot the desert (:14). A vehicle pulls up over a steep incline (:39) as one of the explorers follows close behind. Ancient city dwellings of El Oued fill the screen (1:06). El Oued is an oasis town fueled with water via an underground river. Inhabitants of the town belong to the Teroud tribe. A mother and small child head for the covered jeep (1:17). Camels plod forward over sand (1:22); dipping necks for light grazing. The view runs over sparse grass and sands (1:51). Western dressed travelers take a pit stop (2:30). Arabic locals appear in traditional attire with heads covered by the keffiyeh (2:40). Camels cart twigs; light timber over their backs (2:48). Three locals move outside the city with a small donkey (3:14). The group stops for a reprieve (3:32). Lush foliage erupts in the sandy desert (3:43); making this area an oasis. Dwellings of the ancient city of El Oued appear again (3:52); palm trees spring between (4:30). Orchards cut between the city (5:40). A donkey moves around the fountain (5:44). Close shots watch a travelling group with camels and small goats (6:43). The Algerian El Oued market (6:48) follows. A group of small children play in the dirt (6:58). A local and Algerian police officer chat (7:14). An Arabic man guides the camels by stick at the back end (8:04). An ancient unidentified obelisk stands in the desert (8:28). The tour arrives in Touggourt (8:34); a stunning city erected near the oasis in Algeria. Locals fill the center (8:55) selling clay pots, vases (9:18) and other local crafted goods. A group uses primitive methods to make fire (9:56). Youth pose for the camera man (10:06). Equines fill up at the watering hole (10:30). A group moves out on donkeys (10:46). Stunning architecture of the city of Touggourt is highlighted (10:50). The El-Kantara bridge appears at (11:20). This is one of four famous bridges running across Rhummel River Gorge in Constantine. An advertisement for Esso Standard oil appears below. High shots show the bridge and stone cliffs below (11:05). Shell Oil advertisements (11:28) appear above the bridge. Close shots pass over buildings (11:36) showing common roof style. Rough waters push around jagged rock (12:27). Waters of the Rhummel river appear (13:21). The film concludes over rock faces (14:30) near the waterway.

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Archive

Internet Archive, in Ephemeral films

Licence or status

The Internet Archive states none for this item.

Language

English

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