A fascinating look at a little-known chapter in the French Resistance during World War II, Ismaël Ferroukhi’s second film highlights the courage of a group of Muslim agents who provided North African Jews with false identification papers and assassinated Vichy informants. Free Men focuses specifically on the political awakening of Younes, an illiterate Algerian immigrant who makes his living selling goods on the black market. To avoid prison after he’s arrested for his illegal peddling, Younes agrees to serve as a spy for the police, reporting on the suspicious activities at a mosque in Paris. But Younes is soon inspired by the men and women he meets at the mosque, particularly its noble rector, Ben Ghabrit (the distinguished veteran actor Michael Lonsdale), and a charismatic singer, Salim, who’s involved in various underground affairs. A taut, suspenseful, and impassioned thriller, Ferroukhi’s film rousingly depicts Younes’s transformation from apathetic criminal to fully committed freedom fighter.

Drama
RATING: Not yet rated

The Tournees Festival is made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S. and the Centre National de la Cinématograpahie et de I'Image Animée.  Funding is provided by the Florence Gould Foundation, CampusFrance, Grand Marinier Foundation and highbrow entertainment.

This event is free and open to the campus and community.