Days of Glory

Aroview: Epic Algerian WW2 drama focused on a determined group of Algerian soldiers fighting to defend France with little acknowledgement of their sacrifices because of who they are.

Less of an anti-war statement than a concession of past injustice – that North African Muslims, fighting ironically for their colonial oppressors, were treated with disdain by their French recruiters – dir. Bouchareb threads blunt criticisms throughout the conventions of a war movie. With SAVING PRIVATE RYAN-esque combat sequences interspersed among pensive moments of reflection, this is rendered predictable on the battle front, though as a barometer of continuing ethnic and religious tensions, can claim unique historical and political worth.

more matches…