Merzak Allouache began his studies in 1964 at the Institute for Cinema in Algiers.[1] While there, he directed his graduation film, Croisement, as well as a short film, Le Voleur. When the Institute for Cinema closed, the students were redirected to Lodz or Paris. Allouache completed his studies at l’IDHEC (now called La Fémis) in Paris.[6]