Psychic Movie Review - Days of Glory
One of the five Oscar nominated films for Best Foriegn Language was getting a lot of buzz prior to the Academy Awards based on its merit and also based on the fact that recent events in France were shaped by the effect that movie has had. The film DAYS OF GLORY (“Indigenes” the title in French which means “natives”) was submitted by Algeria and directed by French born Rachid Bouchareb - a prolific director of North African descent.
The film is about a group of North African born soldiers in World War II who fought on behalf of the French army and the sacrifices that they made in order to liberate a France that was occupied by and defeated by Germany. What makes this film unique is the diverse group of characters that comprise the film’s cast. Cast led by French comic actor in his first serious role as Said is Jamel Debbouze (who will next be seen in Fox’s BABYLON A.D. and also star of Luc Besson’s ANGEL-A and will be in limited release in the US on May 25, 2007) Said is the dimunitive kiss-ass to the troupe’s Sgt. (played by Bernard Blancan). He is joined by the stoic and good looking marksman Roschdy Zem as Messaoud and most impressively by the idealist Corporal Abdelkader (played brilliantly by Sami Bouajila).
The most remarkable aspect of this well told film is that its theme of French hypocrisy, racism and segregation is still relevant as Paris only recently burned in race and religion based rioting. The North Africans that fought for France were never treated well by the French and perhaps still aren’t, but at that time, they realized that the German Nazi army was the bigger threat to them and to the world and entire and fought valiantly alongside the French in order to defeat nazism.
The film is definitely a must see and I reccomend you check it out as it is playing currently in very limited release at Laemmle’s Sunset 5 Cinemas (8000 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA).
(4 out of 5 Crystal Balls)
Tags: Days of Glory, Indigenes, Rachid Bouchareb, review
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2 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jesse Custer
I’ll only go see a French war film if it’s in 3D. I want to really see what it feels like to surrender.
Mar 6th, 2007
Fanboy
funny. but this is a great movie. i totally agree.
Apr 7th, 2007
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