Days of Glory

This film very effectively demonstrates how France screwed the N. African soldiers that fought for them during World War II. The film is about four North African soldiers in a French unit that mixed native born French and their colonial subjects.

Early on, it is shown how proud the African soldiers are to fight for France against the Nazis. Much like African-Americans who thought that they would be treated as equals after the war because they were fighting for freedom in a foreign land, these soldiers thought they deserved better treatment as they served alongside French born citizens.

Despite not even being allowed to be served tomatoes along with the other soldiers, the Africans fight valiantly and to the death for the "homeland." Directed Rachid Bouchareb focuses on the Muslim soldiers in the film. In the aftermath of the Paris riots, this film clearly is about more than just World War II.

For a war film, there aren't many battle scenes but the final one at the end is pretty damn terrifying and grim. This was nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar last year and I can clearly see why. It is a good film.

You can't tell that well from the movie poster but the guy on the far left had a real Jose Valentin of the New York Mets feel to him.

Directed by Rachid Bouchareb
2006
DVD