Father & Soldier

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.

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.

Another "awesome" moment of the French history... Not only did we colonise countries that didn't need us there, but we also kidnapped their kids, forced them into our armies, and sent them to the French front during World War I. "Fun" fact, we had promised them French nationality and help with their life later on... Which we never actually did. And to add to all this, we of course never talk about it in our History books. The movie is based on this premise, how a father, followed his kidnapped son, to a training camp, where he saw his son being manipulated into thinking it was his fight, and sacrifice his life for the greater good of a France he only saw to be weaponised. The story is a very sad one, but most of all, a story that needs to be told a lot more. Omar Sy is incredible in this movie, a great actor, with a depth that we are not used to see him play, as he is usually a lot more in comedy movies. His son is played by his nephew, which helps a lot in the relationship that you see on screen. All actors are very good in the movie. However, the movie is very long, and very slow, which is a shame for a movie with a great story and great actors. Do you need to see it? Yes, it's a piece of History that tends to be forgotten. Will you like it? No clue, but I came out of the cinema being quite disappointed.

When you watch this movie, you of course think of Rachid Bouchareb's cinema, his movies HORS LA LOI and INDIGENES are totally in the line of this one. A great tribute to African or North African men who fought and die for many of them for the sake of France. Omar Sy is the actor that no director can avoid for such topics, especially with a big budget. It is moving, poignant but it was made to be this way. It could not be shown as a comedy or light hearted story. It's good to tell such fates, show how things were during WW1 for those Africans who gave their life for France, how they were used, sacrified.... It can be seen as an anti war feature but that's not PATHS OF GLORY either.