Mein Sohn, der Soldat

I feared the worst before watching this movie. But it is neither a heavy-handed humanist manifesto, nor a simplistic anti-colonialist tract. It is a poetic rendering of a quest by a African man to save his son.

A word of caution for those allergic to subtitles: 80% of the dialog is in peul, a language that Omar Sy seems to speak fluently, despite being born In Trappes, France. This is also the only language his character speaks and understands, making his comprehension of the war extremely simplistic, despite his real intelligence and moral fibre.

The character's obsession is saving his son. That's why he enlisted in the first place. (His son was enrolled by force). But his son... Well watch the movie.

There are moments of pure poetry, the sound track adds a layer of weird to the already nightmarish and foreign environment.

Some people regret the movie isn't explicit enough in denouncing the evils of colonialism. Bei'g already convinced of that, I prefer not to be lectured at.

The Senegalese Tirailleurs fought with distinction in both world wars. They were often involved in the bloodiest battles of the Great War. This film had real potential to showcase their heroic feats but unfortunately our protagonist was a deserter desperate to incite others to escape with him and undermine their officer's authority.

Whilst I agree desertion happened frequently across the front, this shouldn't have been the plot for the one rare instance we get a film about such a little known and decorated military formation...

I hope this film encourages other Directors to create more films about the Colonial units that fought in both wars. Their sacrifices often overlooked and / or forgotten.

Father & soldier is a linear and no-nonsense film, which radically positions itself "AGAINST" - war, blind obedience to orders, colonialism, the exploitation of men by other men, military and political rhetoric - which makes it actual. The direct comparison between these issues and that atavistic African wisdom that knows how to recognize and defend what is truly important - to be united, to protect one's family, to lead one's life with dignity and respect - is striking. 1917, Senegal. The French army kidnaps young people from villages to forcefully enlist them and send them to fight in the Great War. Bakary would like to protect his son Thierno but fails to free him from the French colonial gang and to stay close to him he in turn enlists and sends him to the same African platoon. Mathieu Vadepied, the director and writer, adheres to his characters and throws them into a story that seems to be developing by the minute. Omar Sy plays the role of Bakary dusting off the Fula language of his origins and takes the risk of losing the immense popularity he has in France to rigorously criticize the French colonial policy and the enormous hypocrisies in the management of the relationship with African immigrants. Father & soldier is a film of few words and few events necessary to illustrate the parable of Thierno, torn between love for his father and the desire to emancipate himself from his authority in order to become a man finally. Even the seduction of the army's promises to guarantee French citizenship to the colonized African soldiers, once the war is won, refers to current events and how African immigrants look at integration in their host country with a mixture of desire and mistrust.

Intriguing on paper, but disappointing on the big screen, "Father & Soldier" from 2022, directed by Mathieu Vadepied, presents itself as a no-frills drama that seeks to harshly denounce French military and political rhetoric during World War I. However, despite its noble intentions, the film gets lost in a wavering narrative and lacks depth. Set in Senegal in 1917, the plot follows the story of Bakary (played by Omar Sy), a man who joins the French army to protect his son Thierno (Alassane Diong), who is enlisted against his will. The promise of a direct confrontation with themes such as war, colonialism, and exploitation seemed promising, but Vadepied misses the opportunity to bring to life a story that could have resonated with the audience. The film suffers from a lack of character development, with Bakary and Thierno appearing as mere archetypes rather than nuanced individuals. The father-son relationship, a central element of the plot, lacks authenticity and emotion, leaving viewers indifferent to their struggles. Omar Sy, despite his talent, seems trapped in a role that doesn't allow him to express complex emotions. The criticism of colonialism and blind obedience to orders is present, but Vadepied addresses these themes timidly and indecisively. The plot seems geographically vague, with out-of-context elements such as the presence of a North African desert fox in a setting that should be the European continent. Alexandre Desplat's soundtrack, while stirring, often seems out of sync with the narrative, creating a disorienting experience. The trench assault scene, while well-executed technically, fails to convey the urgency and tension that should accompany such a situation. "Father & Soldier" seems to miss the opportunity to delve into the crucial themes it addresses. The issue of forced recruitment of young Africans and their use in war, while relevant, is treated superficially and lacks emotional impact. Vadepied may have aimed for realism, but the result is a flat and unengaging narrative. In conclusion, "Father & Soldier" presents itself as a cinematic work that, despite its interesting premises, fails to effectively convey its message. The lack of character development, uncertain narrative, and timidity in addressing crucial themes make this film a disappointing experience, devoid of the depth and impact one might expect from such a work.

Tirailleurs visits an often forgotten part of WWI : the fate of the African men who were kidnapped and forced to fight for the west. The premise promises to be heart-breaking, certainly, but the film adds poetry and humanity to this dark chapter in history.

Omar Sy and Alassane Diong act brilliantly as a father and son duo, making conflicting choices in a tragic situation. The film explores the many (sometimes contradicting) ways in which one can be brave; it's a story about the meaning of moral integrity and the will to survive, wether physically or in memory.

As per usual in french cinema, the movie is slow, and the themes are subtle. One has to contemplate, more than just watch. However, I do think it remains accessible to the general public, as long as you expect a drama rather than an action-packed experience. Maybe not a fun movie, but an important one.