★ 7 / 10
An interesting and historical film that faithfully recreates the abandonment and fall of Kabul to the Taliban.
ma-cortes
This is an adaptation of 13 jours, 13 nuits dans l'enfer de Kaboul, a book by Mohamed Bida recounting the evacuation of Afghan civilians and French diplomats…
This is an adaptation of 13 jours, 13 nuits dans l'enfer de Kaboul, a book by Mohamed Bida recounting the evacuation of Afghan civilians and French diplomats by the police and the French army during the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Taking place after US President Joe Biden signed an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw from Afghanistan and its capital Kabul Afghan troops guard French embassy during Taliban takeover of Kabul. Tasked with evacuating 500 people to airport amid chaos, facing grave risks as they attempt desperate escape from falling city. Kabul, August 15, 2021. US troops are preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan, while the Taliban are marching on the capital to seize power. Amid the chaos, Commander Mohamed Bida (Roschdy Zem) and his men are in charge of security at the French embassy, the last Western mission to remain open. A young humanitarian worker called Eva (Lyna Khoudri) from a NGO acts as a translator for the violent Taliban, while a reporter (Sidse Babett Knudsen) tries to save some of the desperate Afghans trying to enter the embassy. Trapped along with 500 people, left to their own devices, the team must reach the airport at all costs. A perilous mission with no guarantee of success to flee the hell of Kabul and rescue what remains of humanity.A tense, intriguing, and effective thriller about the fall of Kabul, it is a film capable of reconstructing, from the epic perspective of France and with the ambition of popular cinema, a mission that involved the departure of 142 French citizens and 2,630 Afghans. Director Martin Borboulon makes a meticulous detail of the operation and its emotional stakes. The project marked Bourboulon's shift from period films to contemporary drama. An enjoyable and a tense yet uneven tribute to unsung heroes, it's worthy to praise its depiction of the evacuation from Kabul but pointing out moments where the storytelling lost focus. It was well received, getting generally positive reviews from critics, and general public who highlighted its commitment to historical accuracy, adequate musical score by Guillaume Roussel and the compelling performances from Roschdy Zem, Lyna Khoudri and Sidse Babett Knudsen. Principal photography by cameraman Nicolas Bolduc took place in Morocco, with additional scenes shot in France. Stunt sequences involved local performers and military advisors to recreate the Kabul.The motion picture was well written/produced/directed by Martin Bourboulon, getting generally favorable reviews- Bourboulon discovered Bida's novel while editing The Three Musketeers: Milady (2023). Began his career as an assistant director on a dozen feature films including laissez-passer (2002) by Bertrand Tavernier, produced by his father, or Bon Voyage (2003) by Jean- Paul Rappeneau. He then signed his first directorial film with the short film Sale Hasard (2003). He then directed a second short, Emprise (2007), before turning to advertising. At the same time, he joined the team of the program Les Guignols de l'info. While continuing to make commercials, he moved on to feature films in 2015 with Papa ou Maman. He directed the sequel in 2016 then the film Eiffel in 2021 before moving on to the diptych of the Three Musketeers, scheduled for release in 2023. 13 day, 13 nights rating: 7/10, better tahn average.
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★ 8 / 10
Intense story
tspiegs
Emotionally raw story with outstanding acting. This will grip you and leave you with many questions around the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. How did we…
Emotionally raw story with outstanding acting. This will grip you and leave you with many questions around the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. How did we leave a country so unprepared for self governing after being there for so long. We all know the high level story but this movie does a beautiful job of reminding the audience of the impact of our strategic choices and execution stone the withdrawal.
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★ 7 / 10
Intense, emotional, and beautifully real - a must-watch
Dollarcurrency21
I just finished 13 Days, 13 Nights, and honestly, I'm still processing how powerful it was. From the first scene, it pulls you right into the chaos and urgency…
I just finished 13 Days, 13 Nights, and honestly, I'm still processing how powerful it was. From the first scene, it pulls you right into the chaos and urgency of the Kabul evacuation. It's not just another war or political thriller - it's deeply human, emotional, and grounded in reality.Roschdy Zem is absolutely phenomenal. His performance as Commander Mohamed Bida feels raw and authentic - calm on the surface, but you can feel the weight of every decision behind his eyes. He doesn't just play a character; he carries the film with quiet intensity.What I loved most is how the movie balances suspense and emotion. The tension never lets up, yet it never forgets the people at the center of it all - those trying to survive, help, and hold onto hope in impossible circumstances. The direction by Martin Bourboulon is tight and purposeful, every scene feels like it matters.The cinematography and sound design are also top-tier. You can almost feel the dust, the heat, and the fear of those final days in Kabul. The pacing is perfect - sharp and immersive - and the score complements the story without ever taking over.It's one of those rare thrillers that makes you think as much as it makes your heart race.7/10 - gripping, emotional, and unforgettable. One of the best films of 2025 so far.
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6.7/10
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Open subs (com) has a single set of ENG subs that seems to be good.