Khalèd Movies

Director Rachid Bouchareb teams with screenwriter Olivier Morelle to offer a revealing look at the brave contributions made by North African soldiers who fought for France during World War II in this emotionally-charged war drama starring Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Sami Bouajila, and Bernard Blancan. The year was 1943 and France had been bending to the will of Nazi Germany for three long years. In order to break Hitler's powerful grip, the first French Army was recruited in Africa. Comprised of 130,000 North Africans who were willing to put their lives on the line in order to defeat the Nazi death machine, the fearless fighters were contemptuously dubbed indigènes (natives) by many French, despite their remarkable sacrifice. From the noble Abdelkader (Bouajila), who is fighting strictly for the cause; to the money motivated Yassir (Naceri); the impoverished Saïd (Debbouze); and die-hard romantic Messaoud (Roschdy Zem), who longs to finally visit the country he has dreamt about from afar, the selfless efforts of these remarkable men ultimately transcend their superiors' contemptuous disregard for their service by providing invaluable aid during one of the world's darkest hours. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Set in a rent-controlled Paris suburb populated entirely by North Africans, this comedy of music and cross-culturalism centers on a battle waged between the neighborhood youth, who are seeking a way in which to integrate their native cultures with French ways, and the fundamentalist Muslim faction who insist that separatism and staunch adherence to their faith is the only way to live. Rachid and Krimo (played by popular Algerian Rai singers Khaled and Cheb Mami) are the leaders of Rap Oriental, a pop band that combines Rai music with rap/hip-hop. Their radical music gets the two in trouble with the local leader Slimane, a hypocritical bigot who makes money by strong-arming area merchants. Slimane proclaims that Islam, not music, is what modern youth need to stay out of trouble. The mayor supports him and this has a divisive effect on the band. A comedy with a satirical edge that takes many swipes at religious fundamentalism, the film has earned director Mahmoud Zemmouri, who has lived in Paris for 15 years, death threats from Islamic extremists. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide