During WWII, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination.During WWII, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination.During WWII, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination.During WWII, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination.During WWII, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination.
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Algeria, 1943, through Italy and France, to Alsace in early 1945, with a coda years later. Arabs volunteer to fight Nazis to liberate France, their motherland. We follow Saïd, dirt poor, an orderly for a grizzled sergeant, Martinez, a pied noir with some willingness to speak up for his Arab troops; Messaoud, a crack shot, who in Province falls in love with a French woman who loves him back; and Abdelkader, a corporal, a budding intellectual with a keen sense of injustice. The men fight with courage against a backdrop of small and large indignities: French soldiers get better food, time for leave, and promotions. Is the promise of liberty, equality, and fraternity hollow? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
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War and cultures
The movie takes the viewer on a trip back to the second world war, showing how parts of the Arabic population fought with the French colonists for their freedom, against Nazi Germany trying to occupy Africa. As the movie evolves, other aspects than the fight for freedom and the brutality of war emerges. The viewer is reminded that the the social identity of the white bourgeoisie class and the stereotypes that follows not emerged with the current world of terrorism. Questions of power, humanity, religion, racism, love and honour follows the viewer through this exciting, emotional and realistic movie. Along with the plot and acting in this piece of work, the critical viewer should be satisfied.
helpful•265
- tommyant
- Feb 6, 2007
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