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True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956

2025Movie1 h 31 min

DramaHistory
63
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6

A moving, slow-burning history movie about history and politics, with standout characters.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for laughs, comfort or warmth.

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Story

1953, colonized Algeria. Fanon, a young black psychiatrist is appointed head doctor at the Blida-Joinville Hospital. He was putting his theories of ‘Institutional Psychotherapy’ into practice in opposition to the racist theories of the Algies School of Psychiatry, while a war broke out in his own wards.

Feels like

  • Historical Drama
  • Biographical Study
  • Colonialism Critique
  • Psychiatric Reform
  • Frantz Fanon
  • Social & Political Commentary
  • Thought-Provoking
  • Challenging Themes
  • Intense Character Study
  • Algerian History

Cast

13 of 13

Crew

Directed by
Abdenour Zahzah
Written by
Abdenour Zahzah
Produced by
Abdenour Zahzah, Smail Lif
Music by
Toti Basso

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 23, 2025 · 1 h 31 min · Violence, Disturbing Imagery

Released
July 23, 2025
Runtime
1 h 31 min
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
History, Drama, Documentary
Original language
Arabic
Also spoken
French
Made in
Algeria, France
Available in
1 country

Q&A

4 questions, like "Is True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956 worth watching?"

Questions about True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956 worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63 (IMDb 6.6).

Can I half-watch True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for philosophical.

Is True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956 plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956 in English?

ArabicFrench

No, it was made in Arabic, with some French.