Catalogue

1944-1945… The liberation of Italy, Provence, the Alps, the Rhone Valley, the Vosges and Alsace marked vital stages in the Allied victory… And in the place that France was able to take among the Allies following the Armistice. This victorious and bloody march on Germany was carried out by the 1st French Army, recruited in Africa to sidestep the German occupiers and the officials of the Vichy regime: 200,000 men, including 130,000 “natives” comprising 110,000 North Africans and 20,000 Black Africans… The rest of the force was made up of French North Africans, for two-thirds, and of young Frenchmen who had fled the Occupation. The film tells the forgotten story of the so-called “native” soldiers through the epic experiences of four among them.

Awards

2006

Cannes Film Festival
* Best Actor Award to the male ensemble cast : Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem & Bernard Blancan
* François Chalais Award

Chicago International Film Festival
* Silver Hugo – Jury Special Prize
* Audience Choice Award

Valladolid International Film Festival
* Audience Award

Festival de Cine de Saragoza
* Angel Audience Award

National Board of Review
* Top 5 Foreign Film

2007

Academy Awards 2007
* Nominated Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Cesar Awards 2007
* Best Original Screenplay
* Nominated Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Music Written for a Film, Best Sound

Independent Spirit Award
* Nominated Best Foreign Film

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
* Nominated Best Foreign Language Film

Étoiles d’or de la Presse
* Étoile d’or Best Film

Lumiere Awards
* Best Screenplay
* “Coup de Cœur” Prize

Trophées du Film Français
* Cinema Duo of the year Jean Bréhat/Rachid Bouchareb

NAACP Image Awards
* Outstanding Independent or Foreign Film

Festival di Cinema Africano di Verona
* Nigrizia Prize