As they move from the sun-drenched fields of West Africa to the muddy, frozen trenches of Northern France, the dynamic between them shifts. While Bakary remains focused on a single goal—deserting and bringing his son home alive—Thierno begins to find a sense of purpose and status under the influence of a young French lieutenant. This tension between survival and the promise of military meritocracy drives the emotional core of the film.
The film has sparked a national conversation in France regarding its colonial past. For decades, the contributions of these soldiers were "whitened" or forgotten, and veterans often struggled to receive equal pensions or recognition. Tirailleurs FRENCH HDCAM MD 2023
Released in early 2023, the French-Senegalese film (titled Father & Soldier in English) has captivated audiences by shedding light on a long-repressed chapter of history: the colonial African soldiers who fought for France during World War I. Starring international star Omar Sy ( Lupin , The Intouchables ), the film is a moving exploration of fatherhood, sacrifice, and the brutal reality of the "Tirailleurs Sénégalais". The Story: A Father’s Desperate Mission As they move from the sun-drenched fields of
Critics from the The Hollywood Reporter note that Omar Sy delivers one of his most "dour and serious" performances to date, anchoring the film with a heart-wrenching depth. The film has sparked a national conversation in
Set in 1917, the narrative follows (Omar Sy), a Senegalese herdsman who enlists in the French army for one reason: to protect his 17-year-old son, Thierno (Alassane Diong), who has been forcibly conscripted.
The film is notable for its use of African languages, with much of the dialogue in Fula and Wolof , rather than just French. Historical Significance and Impact
Even with Omar Sy, film ‘Tirailleurs’ misses its post-colonial opportunity