I did not need to understand what the actors were saying in this movie; in fact, I did not. The actors were so good, I easily felt what they were going through in, what I have to tell you were some intense scenes. Among the  outstanding cast were Jamel Debbouze (Amelie, Outside the Law) as Said Otmari and Samy Naccri (The Code, Return to Algiers) as Yassir. During World War II, France was aided by enlisted men from North Africa, to help liberate France from Nazi occupation. These men hoped that with their help, in freeing the “motherland,” they would be treated as equals by the French. I never knew about this part of history and was dumbfounded that in the middle of this horrific war, where there was common ground, the North African soldiers still experienced racist encounters. They were denied promotions, time for leave–were not allowed the same food as the French soldiers who were fighting along side of them. To see these men devote themselves to the common good, in spite of such treatment, was inspiring to me. A former Oscar nominated movie, that brings to light an ugly injustice.  French/Arabic with English subtitles.

3 1/2 stars — DVD