|
|
Indigènes
2006 Drama / History / War
Review
Indigènes is a
remarkable work from French film director Rachid Bouchareb, who had
previously won acclaim for such films as Poussières de vie (1995) and
Little Senegal (2001).
Often labelled (unflatteringly) as a French-African version of
Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan,
Indigènes is a
compelling wartime drama that pays homage to those soldiers from the
French African colonies who contributed to the liberation of
France. The film is uncompromising in its depiction of the
flagrant prejudice which these soldiers were subjected to, both during
the war and afterwards. It is shocking to learn that once their
countries had obtained independence from France, these war veterans
(including those resident in France) had their right to an army pension
revoked by the French government. It was not until after this
film was released in 2006 and raised public awareness of the issue that
the pension rights were restored by the French government.Whilst the film does occasionally come across as awkwardly didactic, labouring its political messages somewhat in a few places, it achieves its aims admirably – to offer a convincing portrayal of warfare and expose the injustice that many soldiers experienced on account of their skin colour. The action scenes are particularly well-realised and are some of the most viscerally horrific to have ever appeared in a French war film. This film’s quieter moments are equally effective, thanks to an intelligent script and some sensitive performances from a talented cast. Unlike many war films, where writers and directors tend to focus too much on set-piece action scenes, here we do get to know the main protagonists very well. We see the world through their eyes. We see their dreams and their fears, and we sympathise with their frustration at being regarded as second rate soldiers. The five principals – Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem and Bernard Blancan – were jointly awarded the Best Actor award at Cannes in 2006, and rightly so. Indigènes may have a specific issue to address but it is also a powerful statement of the horrors of modern warfare. It portrays war in all its ugly and vicious barbarity, giving us but a shadow of a glimpse of the human cost of the conflict, the full extent of which will forever be beyond our comprehension, but not, hopefully, beyond our gratitude. © James Travers 2009 Write a review for this film... User Comments
How do you rate this film?
|
Director:
Rachid Bouchareb
Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan Synopsis
In 1943, at the height of the Second World War, around 200 thousand
natives from French colonial Africa are recruited into the French First
Army of the Free French Forces. Known as "the indigènes",
these men will play a crucial role in the liberation of Italy and
France from the Germans. But they will also face continual
discrimination from their superiors, denied the privileges that other soldiers take for
granted. Four of these men – Abdelkader, Saïd, Messaoud and
Yassir – enrolled to save France from the Nazis and to find a better
life for themselves. Will France honour the debt it owes
them...?
Credits
 More French Drama  More French War |
   |
© filmsdefrance.com 2009