During the Algerian War (1954-1962), many impoverished young Algerian men, known as “Harkis,” volunteered to join the French Army.
Director and co-writer Philippe Faucon, a regular presence at the Cannes Film Fest (several films, like “Fatima,” were show in Directors Fortnight) pays tribute to a chapter in French military history, which is little known to Western viewers and perhaps even to French students.
The protagonists are Salah and Kaddour, who are under the orders of Lieutenant Pascal.
There’s a urgent sense that, as the conflict draws to an end, the prospect of independence would loom larger, even if the outlook for Harkis seems bleak.
Political and personal tensions escalate, until Lieutenant Pascal confronts his superiors, insisting that every single man in his platoon must be evacuated to France.
Credits:
Director: Philippe Faucon,
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