“13 Days, 13 Nights” – the right to light or an island of freedom French Cinema Week

France, 2025, drama, director: Martin Bourboulon, starring: Rochdi Zem, Lina Coudry, Sidse Babette Knudsen.

When the Taliban seized control of Kabul, around 400 individuals sought refuge under the protection of the French embassy, realizing that if they didn't escape the country, they would face severe physical harm. Among them were women who refused to surrender to the Taliban's oppressive regime, which sought to strip them of their basic rights and plunge them into medieval darkness. There were also activists who had bravely resisted the Taliban's rule, as well as artists who couldn't bear to live in a climate of constant fear and intimidation.

These individuals had risked everything to stand up for their freedom and creative expression, and now they were desperate to flee the country and find safety elsewhere.

The French embassy, in this moment, was their only hope for escape and protection from the Taliban's brutal wrath. Getting everyone to the airport is a must, but it's a really tough job. The Taliban won't even let helicopters land on the embassy grounds to pick them up. So, the main guy, who's also Arab, but from Algeria - and he's played by the amazing Rochdi Zem - he decides to try and talk to the Taliban, to negotiate with them.

It's a pretty desperate move, but he's got to try something. The situation is crazy, and he's hoping to find a way out of it. He's taking a big risk, but he's got no other choice. The Taliban are being really stubborn, and it's hard to know what they'll agree to. Still, he's got to try and convince them to let the helicopters land, or come up with some other plan to get everyone to safety. It's a really tense and difficult situation, and it's hard to see how it's all going to work out.

Beyond the embassy walls, a crowd gathers, bracing themselves for the worst - either a brutal attack or a complete loss of identity. Each passing day is a grueling challenge, as diplomatic efforts crawl along at a slow pace, while the militants surrounding the building continue to tighten their grip, ramping up the pressure. The air is thick with tension, and the wait is becoming increasingly unbearable. How will this dramatic story, filmed on real events, end?

It's quite striking that the US isn't producing films like this nowadays, or at least not at the right moment. If we look at the situation with the Afghans, who had aspirations of living in a democratic country, it's clear that they were treated similarly to how the Ukrainians are being treated now - essentially, they were left to fend for themselves.

This pattern of behavior is not only disappointing, but it also raises important questions about the commitment to democratic values and the support for those who are fighting for freedom. The fact that these films are not being made now, when are needed they opportunity to spark important conversations and reflections on our role in the world.

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