Screenplay: Rachid Bouchareb, Olivier Lorelle
Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Sami Bouajila, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem, Bernard Blancan, Assaad Bouab
Languages: French, Arabic
Year: 2006
UK rental release: August 2007
IMDb
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Apologies for the delay this week. So here we are for another fine selection for your weekly viewing. This time around we're delving into French Algerian cinema with the sincere and affecting Days Of Glory.
Algeria 1943. The Nazi forces have laid waste across Europe and beyond. Nations must unite to repel Hitler's forces, including the bravery of Muslims of Algeria and Morocco, who helped liberate France during World War II.
Saïd (Jamel Debbouze, Angel-A, Amelie), a goat herder from a remote Algerian village, wants to follow the mass of neighbouring men signing up to the Free French forces, even at the stern warnings of his mother. He is an emotional but magnanimous man, and feels he should manifestation his consideration to mankind through his volunteering for the front line of this despicable war.
Respectful, if tumultuous, Yassir (Samy Naceri, Taxi, The Nest) has also signed up into the 7th Berber Men regiment, yet his reasons have a different drive. He's in it for the money, not for greed's sake though but to have enough finances to marry off his brother Larbi (Assaad Bouab, Outside The Law, Kandisha). Yet, this doesn't stop them pilfering from fallen enemies post-battle.
Italy 1944, and Corporal Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila, Beautiful Lies, London River) has just passed his exams to earn his rank. He has been assigned his first platoon, of which Saïd is a member. They are given their first mission, to flush out some Nazi soldiers from a mountain range with very little men. It'll be a long haul up the hill but they must drive though.
The successful capture of the mountain leads them to Provence and the rest of France. Joining them also is Messaoud (Roschdy Zem, Live And Become, 36), an expert marksmen and expressive romantic, who craves a life in his new motherland of France. Meeting the love of his life in Marseilles drives him even further, with his claim that he will return to the city once the war is over to be reunites with the woman of his dreams.
They all serve under Sergeant Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan, Leaving, Skin Of Man, Heart Of Beast) of French Algeria. Sharp and direct, he intends to shape the squad and doesn't hold back in his desire to do so. Most of his attention is on his Corporal, Abdelkader, with both men challenging each other at every corner. But Martinez is more on their side than they sometimes realise.
Even though they are fighting with their adopted French brothers, there is still a hierarchical undertone to the relationship, with the North African volunteers being treated as underlings to the French soldier's higher status. Each of our soldier's drive to be in this war may be different, but they will all experience the same disdain from their French brethren.
Not only must they fight to assist France's hope for freedom from the Nazi regime, but they must battle discrimination from the country in which they are trying to save.
There isn't much in the way of battles and action in Days Of Glory, which is unusual for a war film, but it is what makes this picture so special. What we are here to experience is the effect of the presence of war and oppression on those who have opted to fight for a nearby country, while feeling in complete isolation from the inhabitants of this victimised nation.
Even with little action it is brilliantly paced. As we move from location to location, each is introduced with a black and white bird's eye view of the landscape, while confirming the year. It's a simple but effective way of segmenting the movie, subtly marking each act and allowing to absorb each element succinctly.
With a plethora of filming techniques on offer, some top quality editing from start to finish, all glued together by stellar performances, you enter the journey all the way from Saïd's goat farm in Algeria to it's breathtaking finale. And when there is some action this film doesn't disappoint. Effects are dynamic and real, with no reliance on CG to generate the experience. Everything happens in front of the lens, all on location, and this adds the relevant grit and gravitas this tale truly deserves.
There's a burning intensity throughout the entire movie, whether in the brief moments before a key battle scene, or the ominous waiting for terror and death that looms over the soldiers daily. It's very well felt, and tastefully portrayed making this a moving story, if only ever so gently at parts. This balance of emotion and tension is important, as it allows the exposure of the heart of this film, which comes in the form of the relationships built and strained between the key characters.
The cast is exceptional. All actors stand tall within their corner of the story, each feeding off each others natural delivery. It's their connection and sparring with each other where they get to really shine, which is prominent mainly in the two key relationships with Bernard Blancan's leading Sergeant Martinez, with Debbouze's Saïd becoming his aide and with Bouajila's Corporal Abdelkader's steadfast opposition to some of his views. With Saïd's character you see a softer, fatherly position, but with Abdelkader there is a misunderstood respect from the Sergeant, which gives this film that extra layer of depth and decency amidst the despair of war.
Seeing these personal skirmishes evolve and display so eloquently on our screen, the core theme is put on show. Equality is the crux of the whole movie, where the need to be treated as equivalents, especially when sacrificing themselves to another nation's cause, is so apparent to those undervalued.
Sometimes through wars, even ones the size of WWII, many heroes are forgotten. But it's when entire nations being swept aside that you truly see the impact of the holocaust. The Algerians and Moroccans that assisted to free France are prime examples of such exceptional men that laid down their lives in order to do what is right for humanity. Admittedly, this is what all men did but it's only when you understand how they were regarded, or lack of, that you comprehend how brilliant they truly were.
It's beautiful to see how driven a man can be for a country that is not even his, but has become a nation close to his heart. Amidst all of the oppressive behaviour and neglect to these volunteers, their adoration for France and their resolve in war are beyond comprehension. Such boldness and honour deserves remembrance and admiration. Days Of Glory manages to encompass these facts and remind us of such brilliant men while still managing to delve deep into your own soul and absorb us at the same time.
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