The Mercury cinema invites you to join them on Wednesday, January 23 at 8 PM for the documentary film: El Gusto, directed by Safinez Bousbia. A film offered by the Unified Jewish Social Fund and the Jewish Pedagogical and Cultural Center of Nice.
El Gusto is a story of diversity, friendship, and a shared love: music.
In 1920 in Algiers, Algeria, El Anka invented Chaâbi music, which is said to “make you forget misery, hunger, and thirst.” This new musical genre, which brings together Berber, Andalusian, and also religious chant influences, united Jews and Muslims within a common passion.
Safinez Bousbia successfully brought together these former musicians who had been separated by Algerian independence. Today, thanks to her, the orchestra from the film now performs on the most prestigious international music stages.
It was by chance that the film’s idea came to the director. Originally from Algiers (she has also lived in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and the United Arab Emirates), she was traveling there in 2003 and met these masters of the until-then forgotten Chaâbi music.
Moved by this fortuitous discovery, she decided to share it and, at the same time, pay tribute to Cheikh El Anka, the master of Chaâbi music.
