MovieChat Forums > Mon colonel (2006) Discussion > Boring

Boring

posted 15 years ago by cmp_gr
8 replies | jump to latest

All films written by Gavras are the same. This one is the worst I have seen. It repeats the story of Algerian War, the tortures the French unscrupulously applied there under the cover of the French government, 110 minutes of repetition of known things, without the slightest originality.

[–] coolaree 14 years ago

hmm I see your point.
But I for one was unfamiliar with the history and found this movie quite entertaining.

[–] cmp_gr 10 years ago

In your case, it’s good that you learned history and I hope you make some thoughts about it.

French have been never punished for what they have done in Algeria. Who would bring them to trial, since they are victors? “Nürnbergs” and ICTYs are only for the defeated. Vae victis!

[–] agracier-574-436194 9 years ago

Since they are the victors?

That is a somewhat odd way of looking at the Algerian War. From almost any perspective one can say that France lost almost all it was fighting for - to retain Algeria as an integral part of the French nation and as a halfway colony at the same time. It lost the war and uprising and up to a million or more French citizens were expelled from Algeria. I don't call that winning.

Nor do I see France as a victim either. Their loss was deserved for failing to adequately prepare for a new reality after WWII and for failing to understand the aspirations of native Algerians.

[–] cmp_gr 9 years ago

"Since they are the victors?" refers to WWII and not to Algerian War. It's obvious I think.

[–] agracier-574-436194 9 years ago

Well, now that you explain, then I understand the reference to victors.

But to be a tad more accurate about WWII, maybe it's better to say that the French were friends of the victors and as such because of political exigencies, were allowed a modest part of the Allied victory to be linked to their name. If it weren't for obstinate General de Gaulle and his refusal to concede defeat, France would have been awarded status as a country liberated from German occupation without having done anything to bring liberation about.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

Well I don't agree that all films by, or involving Gavras, are the same although there are repeating themes.

This is the third film I've seen about the French activities during the war in Algeria. Some of the events are the same but each film takes a different perspective on things. Originality lies not in what is being approached but how it is approached. So I disagree with your remark about the film too. It goes without saying that I didn't find it boring.

I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.

[–] cmp_gr 10 years ago

Well, opinions may differ and I respect your point of view.

PS: First today I see your answer, as well as the above one. I do not know why I have not received any notification in my email.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

All films written by Gavras are the same.

In that many of his films have a political context.

I think this is a really well made film, but it suffers from its black and white moral perspectives. France and the Colonel are military oppressors and the Algerians are the oppressed, straight up and characterized as such throughout the film. There are quite a number of films on the war in Algeria (many French) that are far more interesting IMO, because characters representing both sides of the conflict are morally depicted in shades of grey.

One can't really describe this film has having too many surprising moments, except I was left wondering why Père had waited so long to act.🐭