Our Patriots (2017)
The true story of Addi Bâ, a Senegalese rifleman who became an unlikely hero of the French Resistance in the Vosges mountains.
Our Patriots - Movie Information
Our Patriots - Plot
After the French defeat of summer 1940, Addi Ba, a young Senegalese rifleman escapes and hides in the Vosges. Aided by some villagers, he gets false documents that allow him to live openly.
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Our Patriots - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gabriel Le Bomin
Main Cast
- Marc Zinga
- Alexandra Lamy
- Pierre Deladonchamps
- Louane
- Audrey Bastien
- Lucas Prisor
- Astrid Whettnall
- Grégory Gadebois
- Oliver Cywie
- Patrick d'Assumçao
Writers
- Gabriel Le Bomin
Producers
- Aïssa Djabri
- Farid Lahouassa
Our Patriots - FAQs
What is Our Patriots about?
Our Patriots tells the remarkable true story of Addi Bâ, a young Senegalese tirailleur who evades capture after France's devastating defeat in 1940. Taking refuge in the Vosges mountains with the help of local villagers, he gradually becomes a key figure in the French Resistance, organizing and leading a local network against the Nazi occupation.
Is Our Patriots based on a true story?
Yes, Our Patriots is rooted in real history. Addi Bâ was an actual Senegalese soldier who fought for France, escaped German captivity after the 1940 armistice, and went on to lead a genuine Resistance network in the Vosges region. He was eventually captured and executed by the Nazis in 1943.
Who plays Addi Bâ in Our Patriots?
Marc Zinga brings Addi Bâ to life in a powerful central performance. He's joined by Alexandra Lamy as Christine, Pierre Deladonchamps as Baptiste Elhinger, and singer-actress Louane as Marie, among a strong ensemble cast that grounds the film's wartime drama in genuine human warmth.
Why is Addi Bâ's story historically significant?
Addi Bâ's story challenges the conventional image of the French Resistance. As a West African soldier fighting for a country that colonized his homeland, his commitment to liberating France is both heroic and deeply complex. His story highlights the often-overlooked contributions of African soldiers to the French war effort and the Resistance movement.
Who directed Our Patriots and what is his background?
Gabriel Le Bomin directed and wrote Our Patriots. A French filmmaker with a strong interest in historical and humanist subjects, Le Bomin brings a careful, character-driven approach to this wartime story, focusing on the personal bonds and moral courage that defined the Resistance experience in rural France.
Where was Our Patriots filmed?
Our Patriots was filmed in France, with production centered on the Vosges region — the very area where the real Addi Bâ lived and organized his Resistance network. The forested landscapes and rural villages of the Vosges lend the film an authentic, immersive atmosphere that anchors its wartime drama.
What are some films similar to Our Patriots?
If Our Patriots resonates with you, consider watching Female Agents (2008), Au Revoir les Enfants (1987), Sarah's Key (2010), Waiting for Anya (2020), or Father & Soldier (2023). These films share themes of wartime courage, occupation, and the human cost of resistance in World War II France and beyond.
When was Our Patriots released in France?
Our Patriots opened in French cinemas on June 14, 2017. The release date carries symbolic weight — June 14 marks the anniversary of the German occupation of Paris in 1940, the very historical moment that sets the film's story in motion and gives Addi Bâ's journey its dramatic context.
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