Free Men

Free Men is a gripping and intense Algerian thriller unfolding during the Second World War, featuring Tahar Rahim (The Prophet). Younes, a young Algerian, is unwillingly drawn into two battles of resistance in the occupied France: one for the liberation of the country from the Germans, and the other to liberate Algeria from the French colonial rule. In the shadow of all known war history, Paris' Muslim population offers its protection to houndreds of Jews. Behind the walls of Grande Mosquée de Paris, many of the Jews find protection from the dreaded gas chambers. The director, Ismaël Ferroukhi rewrites war history with Free Men,while challenging the established French version of the colonial epoque and of the restistance movement. Ferroukhi reminds us that we need merely look back a few years to find good examples of how Muslims offered their assistance and support to civil victims during war time. uba