Their ailing president was propped up by a ruling elite, widely seen as corrupt. For almost five months, the algerian people have been demanding change. Until now, the demonstrations have been peaceful, with the army acting as referee between the people and the regime. But now it has to decide which side to back. For the first time, this film tells the full story of algerias protest movement, with exclusive footage of the demonstrations and the voices of people calling for change. Anes tina is one of algerias most daring screenwriters. Known for his outspoken critique of algerian society, his Award Winning sitcoms are a hit with the countrys youth. In 2014, he used his own Youtube Channel to speak directly to his fans. Three years later, he went on to savage the nations ruling elite in his video im angry. Within months, it had over 14 million views and anes tina was banned from appearing on algerian state media. Anes tina became a symbol of the nations disenfranchised youth, fed up with the ruling elite they saw as corrupt, old and out of touch. The country was crying out for change. When president ial elections were set for the 18th of april, it seemed the moment had finally come. Then, word spread that president Abdelaziz Bouteflika might run for an unprecedented fifth term. Defying a 20 year ban on protests, algerians across the country took to the streets. The protests were quickly dubbed the harak, or the movement. It was a tidal wave of anger that louisa ammi was there to capture. Shes one of algerias few female photojournalists, her career a visual record of its troubled past. Many saw the prospect of another term of an absent and feeble president as one humiliation too many. Among the protesters was Merouane Lounnas. Hes a veteran radio presenter and journalist but had never been a dissident. The protests were peaceful, but how would algerias rulers respond to such defiance . In 1962, the algerian people finally threw off french rule and gained independence. Two key organisations emerged a peoples party, the fln, and a popular army. Between them, theyve effectively ruled algeria ever since. But the wealth of this Oil Rich Nation has not been evenly spread, and many have grown tired of what they see as a corrupt, one party state, headed by president bouteflika since 1999. Zubaida assoul is a prominent algerian lawyer. Shes long been one of bouteflikas most vocal opponents. After the protests on the 22nd of february, zubaida put a video on social media. Two days later, determined to keep the spirit of protest alive, zubaida and many fellow activists returned to the streets. Within days, word spread that the elderly president had been rushed to geneva for medical treatment. It was now inconceivable that bouteflika would run for a fifth term. Up until now, the algerian media under tight political control hadnt even mentioned the protests. But that was about to change. Radio presenter Merouane Lounnas decided to address the subject of leadership. He quoted the french philosopher jean jacques rousseau. Very soon, merouane discovered hes crossed the line. A week later, merouane joined fellow journalists to demonstrate against state censorship. Louisa was also there covering the protests. Its not the first time louisa has witnessed nationwide protests. In 1988, when the price of oil plummeted, algeria was convulsed by riots. The government changed the constitution, allowing the first multiparty elections to take place. But when an Islamist Party looked set to win, the military intervened. The president was replaced and a state of emergency declared. The Islamist Party was outlawed, and Armed Islamic groups started a dirty war. The war lasted a decade and claimed the lives of an estimated 200,000 people. Backed by the army, bouteflika was elected president on a ticket of national reconciliation. Thousands of islamists lay down their weapons, but the trauma of that time is still etched in the collective memory of algerians. Its a memory bouteflikas declining regime was keen to exploit. With just hours remaining for the president ial candidates to declare, bouteflikas spokesperson made an unexpected announcement. Anes tina posted his own views on youtube. No, you cant. As bouteflikas regime came under attack, the head of algerias army, gaid salah, issued a warning. Three days later, it was International Womens day. Across the country, an estimated 22 Million People poured out onto the streets. The slogans echoed the demands of the arab uprising in 2011. But algerians were determined that this time, it would be different. As the protests grew in size, they also became more frequent. Algerias1. Li Million Students boycotted their classes and joined in. Mostafa benamzel is a Political Science student at algiers university. For the first time in decades, students believe they can build a truly democratic algeria and help educate the people. But as the protests continued into april, general salah surprised the nation. At first, he had supported bouteflikas election. Now, in a dramatic change of direction, he appeared to side with the people. 0n the evening of the 2nd of april, on national television, president bouteflika resigned. Abdelkader bensalah, a loyalist insider, replaced him as interim president and the upcoming president ial elections were cancelled. Time had finally run out for algerias longest serving president. The euphoria was short lived. Bensalah, the interim leader, declared thered be new president ial elections on the 11th ofjuly. But the people were now growing bolder. They were demanding a total break with the old regime. And they were determined to remain peaceful. Also calling forjustice were algerias lawyers and magistrates, including zubaida. Still seemingly siding with the protesters, general salah had ordered a series of high profile arrests. Millionaires, ministers and intelligence chiefs were all taken away for questioning, culminating with said bouteflika, brother of the former president and the second most powerful man in algeria. But the arrests were no longer enough. As ramadan began, the country was locked in stalemate. The people continued to reject a president ial election with the same discredited faces. In the event, the only candidates who dared to stand for president were unknown. The elections were postponed indefinitely. Since it began almost five months ago, algerias revolution of smiles has forced the resignation of a president and the cancellation of two elections. Many of the nations most powerful men are now behind bars. The old regime is finally being held to account. But for the millions still out demonstrating, this isjust the beginning. 0n the 5th ofjuly, algerians commemorated their independence from france in 1962. This year, the celebrations were reclaimed by the street. This generation has voiced its anger and will not be silenced. But will the peoples army, fearing an impending political vacuum, halt this momentum, or will the revolution of smiles eventually succeed . We have recorded 26 celsius for parts of kew gardens today, where he have seen warm and sunny weather. A fresherfail have seen warm and sunny weather. A fresher fail to have seen warm and sunny weather. A fresherfail to things, have seen warm and sunny weather. A fresher fail to things, though. Temperatures in the north sitting in the low to mid teens. Ahead of this front we have warmth but it is being replaced by something fresher. Cloud and patchy outbreaks of rain gradually slipping south through tonight. Where we have the cloud we will hold onto temperatures in the double figures, with clearer spells in the north, the temperatures will dip away with a few sharp showers across the far north of scotland. Into tomorrow, the showers will persist. Some brightness for scotland, northern ireland, parts of northern england, eventually feeding into northern parts of wales, midlands, east anglia. Further south, fairly cloudy with patchy outbreaks of rain, becoming drier as the day goes on. A cooler feel across the southern half of the uk, highs of around 21 celsius in the south east. This is bbc news. Im lu kwesa im lukwesa burak. The headlines at 5pm. An overwhelming vote to scrap brexit without another referendum, should the liberal democrats come to power at the next election. That is about us as liberal democrats. We have believed from the beginning that this is a fight that we must carry on, because we can win it. The ex Prime Minister accuses the present pm of only backing leave in order to further his own political career. The foreign secretary condemns the attacks on saudi oil sites, saying theyre a reckless attempt to damage Regional Security and disrupt global supplies. Police in hong kong fire tear gas and water cannon to disperse