Synopsis
In Paris during WWII, an Algerian immigrant is inspired to join the resistance by his unexpected friendship with a Jewish man. Based on not very known facts about the Muslim community in Paris during WWII, when the Paris Mosque and its dynamic leader played a pivotal role in supporting the resistance and rescuing Jews.
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Cast
- Tahar RahimYounes
- Michael LonsdaleSi Kaddour Ben Ghabrit
- Lubna AzabalWarba Shlimane alias Leila
- Mahmoud ShalabySalim Halali
- Christopher BuchholzMajor von Ratibor
- Farid LarbiAli
- Stéphane RideauFrancis
- Bruno FleuryL'inspecteur
- François DelaiveLe chef de la Gestapo
- Noureddine SouliLe premier résistant
Recommendations
- 70
Variety
A satisfying wartime espionage drama focused on little-noted intersections between Arabic emigres and the French Resistance. - 70
The New York Times
Hilali and Benghabrit were real people. Mr. Ferroukhi, who wrote the script with Alain-Michel Blanc, deftly interweaves their stories with the adventures of the fictional Younes, and so contributes a worthy and interesting chapter to the tradition of World War II dramas of conscience. - 67
The A.V. Club
It's an uplifting tale, if one that gets to a slow start and muddles through scenes of exposition for longer than seems necessary before finally getting to its sequences of action and suspense. - 63
New York Post
As a French Resistance thriller, Free Men is so-so, but it is driven by a mischievously interesting idea: that Muslims and Jews have more in common than they normally allow. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Worth a look, though it's unfortunately a far too academic affair that never surges with the suspense of many a WWII drama. - 60
Time Out
Consider the movie a testament to Rahim's screen presence. If nothing else, Free Men proves that the can't-take-your-eyes-off-him charisma the Franco-Algerian actor displayed in Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet" was no fluke. - 58
Christian Science Monitor
The film benefits greatly from Rahim's subtle, effective performance. - 50
Slant Magazine
For much of its runtime, the film is simply there, decent for the most part, but at no point immersive.
