Science-fiction has never taken particularly strong roots in French cinema despite being born in hands of a certain Monsieur Meliés on French soil. And Gallic helmer Phillipe Fernandez is not likely to alter the status quo with his sophomore feature Cosmodrama, set entirely inside a space ship hurling against the eternal canvas of black space. Fernandez bypasses the usual scifi genre route opting instead for the Kubrick-Tarkovsky approach though completely under his terms, no imitations included. The film opens on a white door opening with obligatory swoosh and whirl of smoke in an eager anticipation. A confused human (Bernard Blancan) totters out of the cryogenic chamber having been awaken from deep-sleep for yet unknown reason. As if by chance, the remaining crew members, "the astronauts", meet...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/26/2015
- Screen Anarchy
French-Algerian filmmaker Rachid Bouchereb, who is being honoured with a career achievement award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival this year, talked extensively about his career at a special ‘in conversation’ event.
The director, whose credits include Oscar-nominated Days of Glory and Outside the Law as well as the more recent Two Men in Town starring Forest Whitaker and Harvey Keitel, revealed his love of cinema had unusual origins.
Referring to his childhood in the run-down Parisian suburb of Bobigny, Bouchareb recounted how he and his friends used to sneak into the local cinema for free.
“It was a game for us to see if we could get in… we’d get in through the toilet,” said Bouchareb. “We saw a lot of films without paying but it meant I never saw the beginning.”
Much of Bouchareb’s early filmography, capturing the experiences of immigrants in France and beyond, was inspired by his own experiences as the...
The director, whose credits include Oscar-nominated Days of Glory and Outside the Law as well as the more recent Two Men in Town starring Forest Whitaker and Harvey Keitel, revealed his love of cinema had unusual origins.
Referring to his childhood in the run-down Parisian suburb of Bobigny, Bouchareb recounted how he and his friends used to sneak into the local cinema for free.
“It was a game for us to see if we could get in… we’d get in through the toilet,” said Bouchareb. “We saw a lot of films without paying but it meant I never saw the beginning.”
Much of Bouchareb’s early filmography, capturing the experiences of immigrants in France and beyond, was inspired by his own experiences as the...
- 10/25/2014
- ScreenDaily
The Jeanne Captive (The Silence of Joan) Teaser Trailer has premiered. Philippe Ramos‘ Jeanne Captive (The Silence of Joan) 2011 teaser trailer stars Clémence Poésy, Liam Cunningham, Mathieu Amalric, Bernard Blancan, and Christopher Craig. Jeanne Captive‘s plot synopsis: “The Silence of Joan (Jeanne Captive) takes place in 1403 with Joan a captive of a powerful French lord who sells her off to the English…Between the walls that imprison her and the stake at which she will perish, men attempt to approach this young woman who embodies the infinite.”
I have seen two Joan of Arc productions: Christian Duguay‘s Joan of Arc TV mini-series starring Leelee Sobieski and Luc Besson‘s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc starring Milla Jovovich. I have never seen Carl Theodor Dreyer‘s The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Jeanne Captive also stars Thierry Frémont, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, and Jean-François Stévenin. Watch Jeanne Captive...
I have seen two Joan of Arc productions: Christian Duguay‘s Joan of Arc TV mini-series starring Leelee Sobieski and Luc Besson‘s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc starring Milla Jovovich. I have never seen Carl Theodor Dreyer‘s The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Jeanne Captive also stars Thierry Frémont, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, and Jean-François Stévenin. Watch Jeanne Captive...
- 6/7/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
Optimum Releasing have unveiled a new UK trailer for acclaimed crime drama Outside the Law.
Written and directed by Rachid Bouchareb, Outside the Law stars Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan, Chafia Boudraa, Sabrina Seyvecou and Assaad Bouab.
A drama about the Algerian struggle for independence from France after WWII.
Outside the Law was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd annual Academy Awards, and will be released nationwide on May 6.
Check out the UK trailer below:
Iframe Embed for Youtube
Source: Facebook...
Written and directed by Rachid Bouchareb, Outside the Law stars Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan, Chafia Boudraa, Sabrina Seyvecou and Assaad Bouab.
A drama about the Algerian struggle for independence from France after WWII.
Outside the Law was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd annual Academy Awards, and will be released nationwide on May 6.
Check out the UK trailer below:
Iframe Embed for Youtube
Source: Facebook...
- 4/22/2011
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Outside the Law
Dir. Rachid Bouchareb
Algeria, 2010, 138 mins.
To watch this film is to watch memories burn and historical ghosts speak. Outside the Law is a film that simmers – it is full of stark anger, betrayal, passion, and menace, but it keeps these emotions tight and focused. Though the subject – Algerian independence – and all its associated emotions are broad, this film focuses tightly on one family. It is perhaps worthwhile to contrast Rachid Bouchareb’s film with Algeria’s most well-known cinematic epic, 1966’s The Battle of Algiers.
The Battle of Algiers is expansive in its portrayal of all the different people involved in Algerian independence, but limits itself to Algeria. Outside the Law takes the opposite approach: it limits its portrayal to one Algerian family (and a handful of important antagonists), but follows the family members from Algeria to Vietnam to France, and covers time between 1945 to 1962. The most...
Dir. Rachid Bouchareb
Algeria, 2010, 138 mins.
To watch this film is to watch memories burn and historical ghosts speak. Outside the Law is a film that simmers – it is full of stark anger, betrayal, passion, and menace, but it keeps these emotions tight and focused. Though the subject – Algerian independence – and all its associated emotions are broad, this film focuses tightly on one family. It is perhaps worthwhile to contrast Rachid Bouchareb’s film with Algeria’s most well-known cinematic epic, 1966’s The Battle of Algiers.
The Battle of Algiers is expansive in its portrayal of all the different people involved in Algerian independence, but limits itself to Algeria. Outside the Law takes the opposite approach: it limits its portrayal to one Algerian family (and a handful of important antagonists), but follows the family members from Algeria to Vietnam to France, and covers time between 1945 to 1962. The most...
- 4/7/2011
- by DaveRobson
- SoundOnSight
Another Top 10/20 list that we like featuring here on the site are the Best filmmaker and actor collaborations that have extended from one project to another, in which I like to call "Repeat Offenders". Longtime working duos such as Greengrass and Damon (Green Zone) and Burton and Depp (Alice in Wonderland) didn't figure on our list, neither did Oliver Stone reuniting with Michel Douglas for a second trip to Wall Street and worth noting: last year we mentioned the pairing of Jacques Audiard and Niels Arestrup which could have made it onto this year's list, but didn't. I'm already excited about a number of "Repeat Offenders" for next year, von Trier working with Gainsbourg on Melancholia, McQueen working with Fassbender on Shame, and this is just two pairings. Click below to begin the countdown for 2010's Best "Repeat Offenders". 10. Rachid Bouchareb and Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila and Bernard Blancan...
- 1/4/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Reviewed for Arizona Reporter
By Harvey Karten
Grade: B+
Directed By: Rachid Bouchareb
Written By: Rachid Bouchareb
Cast: Jamel Debouze, Roschdy Zem, Bernard Blancan, Sami Bouajila, Thibault de Montalembert, Samir Guesmi, Sabrina Seyvesou
Screened at: Park Ave., NYC, 10/11/10
Opens: November 3, 2010 in NY; November 10, 2010 in L.A. Wide on November 30, 2010.
While watching this film, if you had no idea who in Europe was fighting whom from 1945 to 1962, you.d likely think that Arab terrorists were doing battle today. "Outside the Law" has many scenes of violence inside Paris between Muslim groups and non-Muslim French, so people without a firm sense of history but who watch CNN deal with current topics could not be blamed for making that mistake. Actually, the relationships depicted by Rachid Bouchareb, who wrote and directs this sizzling film, pit Algerian nationalists against the French government, events that ultimately speeded up the process of independence for Algeria in...
By Harvey Karten
Grade: B+
Directed By: Rachid Bouchareb
Written By: Rachid Bouchareb
Cast: Jamel Debouze, Roschdy Zem, Bernard Blancan, Sami Bouajila, Thibault de Montalembert, Samir Guesmi, Sabrina Seyvesou
Screened at: Park Ave., NYC, 10/11/10
Opens: November 3, 2010 in NY; November 10, 2010 in L.A. Wide on November 30, 2010.
While watching this film, if you had no idea who in Europe was fighting whom from 1945 to 1962, you.d likely think that Arab terrorists were doing battle today. "Outside the Law" has many scenes of violence inside Paris between Muslim groups and non-Muslim French, so people without a firm sense of history but who watch CNN deal with current topics could not be blamed for making that mistake. Actually, the relationships depicted by Rachid Bouchareb, who wrote and directs this sizzling film, pit Algerian nationalists against the French government, events that ultimately speeded up the process of independence for Algeria in...
- 11/16/2010
- Arizona Reporter
Rachid Bouchareb’s drama Hors La Loi about the Algerian revolution caused controversy at this year's Cannes Film Festival, prompting a demonstration and armed police on the streets. Nevertheless, the Gulf state of Qatar's 2nd Doha Tribeca Film Festival will open with that film and close with The First Grader. (National Geographic picked up the U.S. rights after it won the runner-up audience prize at Toronto.) Here's the full list of films showing at Dtff from October 26-30: Opening Night Film Outside the Law (Hors la loi), directed by Rachid Bouchareb, screenplay Rachid Bouchareb, Olivier Lorelle. (France, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Belgium) - Feature Narrative Three Algerian brothers who lost their family home in France's 1945 attack on the market town, Sétif, scatter across the globe. Each embarks on a different wild adventure -- one heads off to Indochina, another gets involved with the Pigalle boxing club underworld, the third...
- 9/26/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline London
After he had made the war film Indigènes back in 2006, French director Rachid Bouchareb said that he wants to make a film about the Algerian war of independence. Well, we can now see the teaser of this anticipated film in question that will be called Hors-la-loi (Outside the Law).
The story takes place after the Second World War (1939-1945). After this war, there are many demonstrations in Algeria against the French colonial rule. Three Algerian brothers - Saïd (Jamel Debbouze), Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) and Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) - decide to immigrate in France because of their political activities. Therefore, these brothers will be separated from their mother.
Messaoud joins the French army and is sent in French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) to fight Vietnamese nationalists. In Paris, Abdelkader leads a group in favour of Algeria's independence. As for Saïd, he becomes wealthy in bars with a bad reputation and boxing clubs of Pigalle,...
The story takes place after the Second World War (1939-1945). After this war, there are many demonstrations in Algeria against the French colonial rule. Three Algerian brothers - Saïd (Jamel Debbouze), Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) and Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) - decide to immigrate in France because of their political activities. Therefore, these brothers will be separated from their mother.
Messaoud joins the French army and is sent in French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) to fight Vietnamese nationalists. In Paris, Abdelkader leads a group in favour of Algeria's independence. As for Saïd, he becomes wealthy in bars with a bad reputation and boxing clubs of Pigalle,...
- 5/27/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Ok, this is something that’s already described like “controversial and anti-French” movie. So, we are here today to talk about this Rachid Bouchareb’s movie Hors la Loi or Outside the Law which is among the 19 films competing for Cannes’ top prize and is slated to premiere at the French Riviera festival May 21.
Movie is partly set during Algeria’s bloody struggle for independence from France. And as you see, the country’s colonial period still remains a touchy subject in France…
The director has reunited with four of the five stars of “Days of Glory”: Djamel Debbouze, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem and Bernard Blancan…
Co-written by Bouchareb and his usual collaborator Olivier Lorelle, Outside the Law is set between 1945 and 1962 and traces the life of three brothers whose family has been driven off its land (in Algeria) and survived the Setif massacres.
They end up in France,...
Movie is partly set during Algeria’s bloody struggle for independence from France. And as you see, the country’s colonial period still remains a touchy subject in France…
The director has reunited with four of the five stars of “Days of Glory”: Djamel Debbouze, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem and Bernard Blancan…
Co-written by Bouchareb and his usual collaborator Olivier Lorelle, Outside the Law is set between 1945 and 1962 and traces the life of three brothers whose family has been driven off its land (in Algeria) and survived the Setif massacres.
They end up in France,...
- 5/17/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Ok, this is something that’s already described like “controversial and anti-French” movie. So, we are here today to talk about this Rachid Bouchareb’s movie Hors la Loi or Outside the Law which is among the 19 films competing for Cannes’ top prize and is slated to premiere at the French Riviera festival May 21.
Movie is partly set during Algeria’s bloody struggle for independence from France. And as you see, the country’s colonial period still remains a touchy subject in France…
The director has reunited with four of the five stars of “Days of Glory”: Djamel Debbouze, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem and Bernard Blancan…
Co-written by Bouchareb and his usual collaborator Olivier Lorelle, Outside the Law is set between 1945 and 1962 and traces the life of three brothers whose family has been driven off its land (in Algeria) and survived the Setif massacres.
They end up in France,...
Movie is partly set during Algeria’s bloody struggle for independence from France. And as you see, the country’s colonial period still remains a touchy subject in France…
The director has reunited with four of the five stars of “Days of Glory”: Djamel Debbouze, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem and Bernard Blancan…
Co-written by Bouchareb and his usual collaborator Olivier Lorelle, Outside the Law is set between 1945 and 1962 and traces the life of three brothers whose family has been driven off its land (in Algeria) and survived the Setif massacres.
They end up in France,...
- 5/15/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Just a heads up to everyone that follows these articles each Sunday. I will be in France for the Cannes Film Festival for the next two Sundays and I have no way of predicting just how exactly this article will turn out for the next two weeks. I will certainly post something wo you have a place to post, share and discuss what you watched, but my contribution may be limited.
I may just post links to the coverage of the Festival to that point as I hope to be reviewing and watching a lot of movies, but perhaps a couple of those won't get their own article and will wind up here. Nevertheless, just a heads up so you know what to expect. Now for this week's movies...
Burnt by the Sun (1995) Quick Thoughts: I paid $10 for this one from Amazon.com's Video On Demand service thanks to a...
I may just post links to the coverage of the Festival to that point as I hope to be reviewing and watching a lot of movies, but perhaps a couple of those won't get their own article and will wind up here. Nevertheless, just a heads up so you know what to expect. Now for this week's movies...
Burnt by the Sun (1995) Quick Thoughts: I paid $10 for this one from Amazon.com's Video On Demand service thanks to a...
- 5/9/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Locarno International Film Festival
LOCARNO, Switzerland -- Yes, it's that famous whale-hunter but French director Philippe Ramos uses "Moby Dick" for only the last fifth of his film "Captain Ahab", choosing to an invent a back-story that's more Mark Twain than Herman Melville. There's much to like in the sweeping tale of how a resourceful orphan grew up to become the fearless harpoonist and seeker of the great white whale. Virgil Leclaire has terrific screen presence as the young Ahab and, being new, his tale is more engrossing than the familiar story of the fated captain.
Flawed only by some anachronistically modern songs on the soundtrack, the film's well-drawn period atmosphere and gripping tale should see it sail into rewarding boxoffice territory around the world. It screened in Competition at Locarno.
Told as a fable, the yarn follows young Ahab after his mother's death and his temporary adoption by her pious sister Rose (Mona Heftre). But then his absentee father (Jean-Francois Stevenin) takes him away to live in a log cabin in the woods where they encounter a free-spirited nymph named Louise (Hande Kodja). Ahab is as enamored of Louise as his father but she dallies with a wandering rascal named Will Adams (Bernard Blancan) and soon their idyll is ended. The boy is returned to his aunt, but before she leaves, Louise gives him a locket with her name engraved inside and that becomes his talisman.
When his aunt gets married to a dandy who likes to use his cane on the lad, Ahab runs away and has a series of huckleberry adventures before he grows up to become an obsessed sea captain.
Ramos has a good sense of what is fun in a boy's adventure and whether or not his Ahab would have turned into the man in Melville's tale is another question. Much of the appealing whimsy disappears when the stern features of Denis Lavant show up as the adult Ahab.
His love affair with the widow Anna (Dominique Blanc) is handled well and so are the seagoing trials of the Pequod with the reliable Starbuck (Jacques Bonnaffe) at the tormented captain's side. But it's the wide-eyed wonder of the young Ahab and his captivating Louise that linger when the movie is done.
CAPTAIN AHAB
Sesame Films
Credits:
Writer/director/editor: Philippe Ramos
Executive producer: Florence Borelly
Director of photography: Laurent Desmet
Production designers: Ramos, Christophe Sartori, Erika von Weissenberg
Music: Pierre-Stephane Meuge, Olivier Bombarda, Tonio Matias
Co-producer: Olivier Guerpillon
Costume designer: Marie-Laure Pinsard
Cast:
Captain Ahab: Denis Lavant
Young Ahab: Virgil Leclaire
Ahab's father: Jean-Francois Stevenin
Louise: Hande Kodja
Rose: Mona Heftre
Mulligan: Carlo Brandt
Anna: Dominique Blanc
Starbuck: Jacques Bonnaffe
Minister: Jean-Paul Bonnaire
Will Adams: Bernard Blancan
Henry: Philippe Katerine
Jim Larsson: Pierre Pellet
King of England: Jean-Christophe Bouvet
Dr. Hogganbeck: Lou Castel
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating...
LOCARNO, Switzerland -- Yes, it's that famous whale-hunter but French director Philippe Ramos uses "Moby Dick" for only the last fifth of his film "Captain Ahab", choosing to an invent a back-story that's more Mark Twain than Herman Melville. There's much to like in the sweeping tale of how a resourceful orphan grew up to become the fearless harpoonist and seeker of the great white whale. Virgil Leclaire has terrific screen presence as the young Ahab and, being new, his tale is more engrossing than the familiar story of the fated captain.
Flawed only by some anachronistically modern songs on the soundtrack, the film's well-drawn period atmosphere and gripping tale should see it sail into rewarding boxoffice territory around the world. It screened in Competition at Locarno.
Told as a fable, the yarn follows young Ahab after his mother's death and his temporary adoption by her pious sister Rose (Mona Heftre). But then his absentee father (Jean-Francois Stevenin) takes him away to live in a log cabin in the woods where they encounter a free-spirited nymph named Louise (Hande Kodja). Ahab is as enamored of Louise as his father but she dallies with a wandering rascal named Will Adams (Bernard Blancan) and soon their idyll is ended. The boy is returned to his aunt, but before she leaves, Louise gives him a locket with her name engraved inside and that becomes his talisman.
When his aunt gets married to a dandy who likes to use his cane on the lad, Ahab runs away and has a series of huckleberry adventures before he grows up to become an obsessed sea captain.
Ramos has a good sense of what is fun in a boy's adventure and whether or not his Ahab would have turned into the man in Melville's tale is another question. Much of the appealing whimsy disappears when the stern features of Denis Lavant show up as the adult Ahab.
His love affair with the widow Anna (Dominique Blanc) is handled well and so are the seagoing trials of the Pequod with the reliable Starbuck (Jacques Bonnaffe) at the tormented captain's side. But it's the wide-eyed wonder of the young Ahab and his captivating Louise that linger when the movie is done.
CAPTAIN AHAB
Sesame Films
Credits:
Writer/director/editor: Philippe Ramos
Executive producer: Florence Borelly
Director of photography: Laurent Desmet
Production designers: Ramos, Christophe Sartori, Erika von Weissenberg
Music: Pierre-Stephane Meuge, Olivier Bombarda, Tonio Matias
Co-producer: Olivier Guerpillon
Costume designer: Marie-Laure Pinsard
Cast:
Captain Ahab: Denis Lavant
Young Ahab: Virgil Leclaire
Ahab's father: Jean-Francois Stevenin
Louise: Hande Kodja
Rose: Mona Heftre
Mulligan: Carlo Brandt
Anna: Dominique Blanc
Starbuck: Jacques Bonnaffe
Minister: Jean-Paul Bonnaire
Will Adams: Bernard Blancan
Henry: Philippe Katerine
Jim Larsson: Pierre Pellet
King of England: Jean-Christophe Bouvet
Dr. Hogganbeck: Lou Castel
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 8/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Well the Palmes are given out and it seems political correctness has won again. Everybody got something with the big prizes going to small films The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Flanders that would have otherwise died at the box office. Volver got two Palmes for directing and acting but should have gotten the Golden one. Also "Babel" got the directing one which I knew it would get but it will collect many awards later this year along with "Volver".As Ken Loach said we live in political times and it didn't escape the jury, specially with China banning the controversial "Summer Place". Next year will be the 60th year of the festival and you can be sure, it will be a nice anniversary. A bientot.The AwardsPalme d'Or: "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" by Ken LoachGrand Prix (runner-up): "Flanders" by Bruno DumontPrix de la Mise
- 5/28/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
This review was written for the festival screening of "Days of Glory".CANNES -- With strong visuals and even stronger emotions, Rachid Bouchareb's "Days of Glory" makes a powerful war film about a particularly unique subject. World War II historians tend to ignore the contributions and sacrifices made in the liberation of France by North African or "indigenous" soldiers in the French army. A tough offensive from the South and from Italy helped take the pressure off both the Allies following the Normandy landing and the Soviet army on the Eastern Front. Casualties were high among these French troops, many of whom were from France's colonies.
In his film, Bouchareb pays tribute to the heroism of these men fighting for the liberation of a mother country they had never before seen. The film should win critical praise and do solid theatrical business in all French-speaking territories and former French colonies. Elsewhere, "Days of Glory" will make a strong film for specialty venues. The film is slated for release in France in late September.
In a fairly conventional manner, Bouchareb, who wrote the script with Olivier Morelle, follows the exploits of several North Africans who enlist in the French army in 1943. Their campaign starts in Italy and continues through Provence and the Vosges before a handful of survivors fight a final battle in an Alsatian village against a German battalion.
The main focal point is Said (comic actor Jamal Debbouze ably taking on his first dramatic role), yet the other main characters get about as much screen time. Said's mother begs him not to enlist but he is determined to fight for France.
During the campaign in the south, Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) falls in love with a French woman but is unaware officers are censoring his letters to her. Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) chafes at the Moslem's second-class citizenship in the French army when it comes to promotions and leaves. Levelheaded Yassir (Samy Naceri) agrees in principle but displays loyalty and bravery under fire. Their sergeant, Martinez (Bernard Blancan), is constantly torn between devotion to his troops and his own mixed feelings about North Africans.
"Days of Glory" makes no departures from previous war films, but the tensions between the French commanders and the indigenous troops -- and the conflicts among themselves over how best to respond to provocations -- gives the film its dramatic punch.
If there is one thing you wish Bouchareb might have included is a scene or even a line in which one of his North Africans characters would explain this loyalty to a country that does not always return that loyalty.
Scenes of combat, especially the final battle in a tiny village, are well staged and shot. It is somewhat distracting though for Debbouze, who lost use of his right arm in a childhood accident, to go through an entire war with his right hand in his pocket.
Final credits make note of the shameful fact that with the decolonization of Africa, the French government froze the pensions of ex-servicemen from its former colonies. To this day the issue remains unresolved.
In his film, Bouchareb pays tribute to the heroism of these men fighting for the liberation of a mother country they had never before seen. The film should win critical praise and do solid theatrical business in all French-speaking territories and former French colonies. Elsewhere, "Days of Glory" will make a strong film for specialty venues. The film is slated for release in France in late September.
In a fairly conventional manner, Bouchareb, who wrote the script with Olivier Morelle, follows the exploits of several North Africans who enlist in the French army in 1943. Their campaign starts in Italy and continues through Provence and the Vosges before a handful of survivors fight a final battle in an Alsatian village against a German battalion.
The main focal point is Said (comic actor Jamal Debbouze ably taking on his first dramatic role), yet the other main characters get about as much screen time. Said's mother begs him not to enlist but he is determined to fight for France.
During the campaign in the south, Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) falls in love with a French woman but is unaware officers are censoring his letters to her. Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) chafes at the Moslem's second-class citizenship in the French army when it comes to promotions and leaves. Levelheaded Yassir (Samy Naceri) agrees in principle but displays loyalty and bravery under fire. Their sergeant, Martinez (Bernard Blancan), is constantly torn between devotion to his troops and his own mixed feelings about North Africans.
"Days of Glory" makes no departures from previous war films, but the tensions between the French commanders and the indigenous troops -- and the conflicts among themselves over how best to respond to provocations -- gives the film its dramatic punch.
If there is one thing you wish Bouchareb might have included is a scene or even a line in which one of his North Africans characters would explain this loyalty to a country that does not always return that loyalty.
Scenes of combat, especially the final battle in a tiny village, are well staged and shot. It is somewhat distracting though for Debbouze, who lost use of his right arm in a childhood accident, to go through an entire war with his right hand in his pocket.
Final credits make note of the shameful fact that with the decolonization of Africa, the French government froze the pensions of ex-servicemen from its former colonies. To this day the issue remains unresolved.
- 5/26/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CANNES -- With strong visuals and even stronger emotions, Rachid Bouchareb's Days of Glory makes a powerful war film about a particularly unique subject. World War II historians tend to ignore the contributions and sacrifices made in the liberation of France by North African or "indigenous" soldiers in the French army. A tough offensive from the South and from Italy helped take the pressure off both the Allies following the Normandy landing and the Soviet army on the Eastern Front. Casualties were high among these French troops, many of whom were from France's colonies.
In his film, Bouchareb pays tribute to the heroism of these men fighting for the liberation of a mother country they had never before seen. The film should win critical praise and do solid theatrical business in all French-speaking territories and former French colonies. Elsewhere, Days of Glory will make a strong film for specialty venues. The film is slated for release in France in late September.
In a fairly conventional manner, Bouchareb, who wrote the script with Olivier Morelle, follows the exploits of several North Africans who enlist in the French army in 1943. Their campaign starts in Italy and continues through Provence and the Vosges before a handful of survivors fight a final battle in an Alsatian village against a German battalion.
The main focal point is Said (comic actor Jamal Debbouze ably taking on his first dramatic role), yet the other main characters get about as much screen time. Said's mother begs him not to enlist but he is determined to fight for France.
During the campaign in the south, Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) falls in love with a French woman but is unaware officers are censoring his letters to her. Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) chafes at the Moslem's second-class citizenship in the French army when it comes to promotions and leaves. Levelheaded Yassir (Samy Naceri) agrees in principle but displays loyalty and bravery under fire. Their sergeant, Martinez (Bernard Blancan), is constantly torn between devotion to his troops and his own mixed feelings about North Africans.
Days of Gory makes no departures from previous war films, but the tensions between the French commanders and the indigenous troops -- and the conflicts among themselves over how best to respond to provocations -- gives the film its dramatic punch.
If there is one thing you wish Bouchareb might have included is a scene or even a line in which one of his North Africans characters would explain this loyalty to a country that does not always return that loyalty.
Scenes of combat, especially the final battle in a tiny village, are well staged and shot. It is somewhat distracting though for Debbouze, who lost use of his right arm in a childhood accident, to go through an entire war with his right hand in his pocket.
Final credits make note of the shameful fact that with the decolonization of Africa, the French government froze the pensions of ex-servicemen from its former colonies. To this day the issue remains unresolved.
DAYS OF GLORY
StudioCanal
Tessalit Productions
Credits: Director: Rachid Bouchareb; Screenwriters: Olivier Morelle, Rachid Bouchareb; Associate producer: Jean Brehat; Co-producer: Jamel Debbouze; Executive produer: Muriel Merlin; Director of photography: Patrick Blossier; Production designer: Dominique Douret; Music: Armand Amar, Khaled; Costumes: Michele Richer; Editor: Yannick Kergoat.
Cast: Said: Jamel Debbouze; Yassir: Samy Naceri; Messaoud: Roschdy Zem; Abdelkader: Sami Bouajila; Martinez: Bernard Blancan.
No MPAA rating, running time 125 minutes.
In his film, Bouchareb pays tribute to the heroism of these men fighting for the liberation of a mother country they had never before seen. The film should win critical praise and do solid theatrical business in all French-speaking territories and former French colonies. Elsewhere, Days of Glory will make a strong film for specialty venues. The film is slated for release in France in late September.
In a fairly conventional manner, Bouchareb, who wrote the script with Olivier Morelle, follows the exploits of several North Africans who enlist in the French army in 1943. Their campaign starts in Italy and continues through Provence and the Vosges before a handful of survivors fight a final battle in an Alsatian village against a German battalion.
The main focal point is Said (comic actor Jamal Debbouze ably taking on his first dramatic role), yet the other main characters get about as much screen time. Said's mother begs him not to enlist but he is determined to fight for France.
During the campaign in the south, Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) falls in love with a French woman but is unaware officers are censoring his letters to her. Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila) chafes at the Moslem's second-class citizenship in the French army when it comes to promotions and leaves. Levelheaded Yassir (Samy Naceri) agrees in principle but displays loyalty and bravery under fire. Their sergeant, Martinez (Bernard Blancan), is constantly torn between devotion to his troops and his own mixed feelings about North Africans.
Days of Gory makes no departures from previous war films, but the tensions between the French commanders and the indigenous troops -- and the conflicts among themselves over how best to respond to provocations -- gives the film its dramatic punch.
If there is one thing you wish Bouchareb might have included is a scene or even a line in which one of his North Africans characters would explain this loyalty to a country that does not always return that loyalty.
Scenes of combat, especially the final battle in a tiny village, are well staged and shot. It is somewhat distracting though for Debbouze, who lost use of his right arm in a childhood accident, to go through an entire war with his right hand in his pocket.
Final credits make note of the shameful fact that with the decolonization of Africa, the French government froze the pensions of ex-servicemen from its former colonies. To this day the issue remains unresolved.
DAYS OF GLORY
StudioCanal
Tessalit Productions
Credits: Director: Rachid Bouchareb; Screenwriters: Olivier Morelle, Rachid Bouchareb; Associate producer: Jean Brehat; Co-producer: Jamel Debbouze; Executive produer: Muriel Merlin; Director of photography: Patrick Blossier; Production designer: Dominique Douret; Music: Armand Amar, Khaled; Costumes: Michele Richer; Editor: Yannick Kergoat.
Cast: Said: Jamel Debbouze; Yassir: Samy Naceri; Messaoud: Roschdy Zem; Abdelkader: Sami Bouajila; Martinez: Bernard Blancan.
No MPAA rating, running time 125 minutes.
- 5/26/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A simmering psychological drama in which the bursts of sudden violence are all the more startling for the slow buildup that has preceded them, this French import is finally receiving a theatrical release after several years of acclaim on the festival circuit.
As with many other recent European films, the story is told through the eyes of children -- specifically, a 5-year-old girl and her older sister, who react in quite different ways to the sudden return of their uncle Coco. Coco, who disappeared for 15 years, claims to have been in the French Foreign Legion, an explanation that is readily accepted by his mother. His older brother Francky, a troubled cop who has recently been suspended from his job, and his younger brother Alex, are more suspicious.
Coco is warmly embraced by his little niece, who responds to his air of distracted vulnerability, but her older sister Christelle is disturbed by his presence. Her instincts soon prove correct, as Coco eventually proves capable of psychopathic outbursts of extreme brutality. The director stages these episodes in a rigorous, realistic style that removes them of all flashiness.
The film is occasionally heavy-handed in its examination of the way men are prone to physically abusing women -- even the genial Alex is depicted as preparing for a job as a pimp -- but its portrait of cozy domesticity undone by violence is ultimately quite haunting. Credit Helene Angel's subtle and assured direction, which gives the film an air of sustained tension, and the uniformly strong performances by the cast, especially Bernard Blancan, effectively creepy as Coco, and Serge Riaboukine, who won the best actor award at the Locarno (Switzerland) Film Festival for his portrayal of the volatile Francky.
As with many other recent European films, the story is told through the eyes of children -- specifically, a 5-year-old girl and her older sister, who react in quite different ways to the sudden return of their uncle Coco. Coco, who disappeared for 15 years, claims to have been in the French Foreign Legion, an explanation that is readily accepted by his mother. His older brother Francky, a troubled cop who has recently been suspended from his job, and his younger brother Alex, are more suspicious.
Coco is warmly embraced by his little niece, who responds to his air of distracted vulnerability, but her older sister Christelle is disturbed by his presence. Her instincts soon prove correct, as Coco eventually proves capable of psychopathic outbursts of extreme brutality. The director stages these episodes in a rigorous, realistic style that removes them of all flashiness.
The film is occasionally heavy-handed in its examination of the way men are prone to physically abusing women -- even the genial Alex is depicted as preparing for a job as a pimp -- but its portrait of cozy domesticity undone by violence is ultimately quite haunting. Credit Helene Angel's subtle and assured direction, which gives the film an air of sustained tension, and the uniformly strong performances by the cast, especially Bernard Blancan, effectively creepy as Coco, and Serge Riaboukine, who won the best actor award at the Locarno (Switzerland) Film Festival for his portrayal of the volatile Francky.
- 7/16/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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