23 reviews
Last year, we had on the big screen LES FILLES DU SOLEIL, another feature speaking of the same topic, women soldiers fighting against the barbary of ISIS. I prefered the other one, especially for the end, In this film, the ending is too lousy, too smotth, in the pure Hollywood tradition; for the sissies. I prefered the other film, also made by a female director. It was more dark, brutal and compelling. But in this one, acting and directing are more than OK, the cast awesome. I won't say this film is too simplist, manichean. IT MUST BE. How could it be other, with such ISIS garbage, and barbary. Even if we had seen the female fighters torturing ISIS prisoners, behaving in the same manner as those criminals, how could we see ISIS other than the bad guys, the evil plague which the earth should be got rid of? I would also say this movie is too didactic, but it must be, to explain how these ISIS monster proceed to spread terror. This film is too simplistic but deserves to be seen.
- searchanddestroy-1
- Oct 8, 2019
- Permalink
Acting is great, carachters are great. everything is fabolous... watching the brave women fight the bacon-haters is fantastic....
- zathan-32848
- Jan 31, 2020
- Permalink
Syria, mid-2010s. The radical jihadist group Islamic State / ISIS is gaining ground, arbitrarily murdering anyone who gets in their way and kidnapping women. Over time the people of the area start to fight back. One such unit is a group of women, who, due to the atrocities committed against women and against their families and friends by ISIS, are personally invested in the fight.
An interesting story and one that needed to be told. The fact that it is a group of women makes for particularly powerful story as the barbaric customs of ISIS saw them treating women as less than human. The women are thus fighting for more than just their homeland but for their right to exist and be treated equally. It also makes the stakes very high for the women in the unit as capture would mean a fate worse than death.
While the film has great ideals and a good central story, unfortunately the execution is quite clumsy. There's heaps of sub-plots and scenes that add nothing to proceedings. The plot is filled with trite, predictable, cheesy developments and gung ho characterisations. Some originality and grittiness would have gone a long way.
Overall, not terrible but could have been a whole lot better.
An interesting story and one that needed to be told. The fact that it is a group of women makes for particularly powerful story as the barbaric customs of ISIS saw them treating women as less than human. The women are thus fighting for more than just their homeland but for their right to exist and be treated equally. It also makes the stakes very high for the women in the unit as capture would mean a fate worse than death.
While the film has great ideals and a good central story, unfortunately the execution is quite clumsy. There's heaps of sub-plots and scenes that add nothing to proceedings. The plot is filled with trite, predictable, cheesy developments and gung ho characterisations. Some originality and grittiness would have gone a long way.
Overall, not terrible but could have been a whole lot better.
Nothing is more certain than death, taxes -- and betrayal of the Kurds.
So it is really shocking when a reviewer here blames Trump, when in fact Obama, Bush, Clinton all deeply betrayed the Kurds. In fact both the US and the Europeans have been doing so for a century or more.
There was then VP Bidens shameful August 2016 press conference in Ankara, directly threatening the Kurds and towing Ankara's line. There was also Obama's "red line" on use of chemical weapons' which did nothing about when the red line was blatantly crossed -- several times. In fact there was a piece in the NYT noting Kurds who had earlier named their newborns "Obama" where changing their kid's names in disgust at the Obama administration! so anyone blaming just one US President or administration is frankly a deranged partisan! There is no president in our lifetimes that has not betrayed the Kurds.
OK, on to this film: Yes it is a bit melodramatic, and has a run on of low credibility scenes from a military perspective. A military advisor, even in guerilla/insurgent tactics would have been helpful -- if thing other than to have the actresses hold weapons' correctly. But that said it is essentially a true story of bravery, courage and sacrifice in the face of powerful, genocidal, particularly misogynist enemies.
Well done!
OK, on to this film: Yes it is a bit melodramatic, and has a run on of low credibility scenes from a military perspective. A military advisor, even in guerilla/insurgent tactics would have been helpful -- if thing other than to have the actresses hold weapons' correctly. But that said it is essentially a true story of bravery, courage and sacrifice in the face of powerful, genocidal, particularly misogynist enemies.
Well done!
- random-70778
- Feb 21, 2021
- Permalink
There are stories that do not make the news or do not seem as big as others. Maybe people are not interested in some. I mean right now most of the news cycle is about the Corona epidemic, while there are so many other attrocities commited and done. Some of them war related. Women taking up arms and fighting for what is right and oppression - it's happening and this was quite interesting to watch.
Yes you'll get some cliches along the way (or what seems like cliches), but the journey is worth it. Not an easy watch overall, but one that seems necessary for some to be reminded of certain things going on around the world we may not be so aware of.
Yes you'll get some cliches along the way (or what seems like cliches), but the journey is worth it. Not an easy watch overall, but one that seems necessary for some to be reminded of certain things going on around the world we may not be so aware of.
Overall a worthwhile film. Yet half of their story (unless you're multilingual) is lost; the CC does not translate the foreign language, and this is an issue with many other films.
How are we supposed to understand the deeper message, the cultural differences, when there is no translation? Again, this is pervasive in many good foreign films, this is only one example.
So having watched this, and appreciating their struggle, we only get half of the story. I find this reprehensible; when will directors and producers finally wake up and give the rest of us the whole picture?
For this reason, I only give it seven stars, and that rating is more then generous.
How are we supposed to understand the deeper message, the cultural differences, when there is no translation? Again, this is pervasive in many good foreign films, this is only one example.
So having watched this, and appreciating their struggle, we only get half of the story. I find this reprehensible; when will directors and producers finally wake up and give the rest of us the whole picture?
For this reason, I only give it seven stars, and that rating is more then generous.
- blackhawks-67239
- Oct 7, 2023
- Permalink
There is no cinematic Kurdish film yet respect cinema rules but this film does. The director did a fantastic film. The idea behind the film is overwhelming the view. Despite the only problem is the religion conflict still someone can not accept it and rated it 1 that is a shame.
- umera-41364
- Apr 8, 2020
- Permalink
It's amazing, it really shows what happened to us , and there are thousands of stories worse than Zara and what happened to her family, it's so tragic and what happened to us is not forgotten, thanks to every single one, helped a little bit to us to a big
- munnijakbinlol
- Feb 3, 2020
- Permalink
While Trump decided to abandon the Kurds, it is vital to help them. This film reminds us how the won the war for us.
First real feminist war movie.
God it is so good to see powerful women
- ariyajaila
- Oct 17, 2019
- Permalink
It is a very moving that pays a well-deserved homage to all Kurdish and Yezidi fighters and resistance fighters. It also shows us the barbarism and extremism of some and of course it does not help everyone ... There are always some who want to get off a movie because some truths annoy them, do not listen to them.
For her first film, Caroline Fourest gets away with honors. A project initiated in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Fourest has had the time to refine his remarks and if one ignores his feminist projections combined with his dubious amalgamations on monotheism, one obtains a visceral and necessary cinematographic work. On the casting side, Amira Casar is an imperial Kurdish leader surrounded by combatants of various ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We will appreciate the very symbolic and moving friendship between the French Kenza (Arab Muslim of Algerian origin) and Yaël Cohen, respectively performed by Camélia Jordana and Esther Garrel. Zara (Fragile and sublime Dilan Gwyn), the Yezidi whose people were genocided by the Islamists. The American black sniper, incarnated by a super credible Nanna Blondell. Overall actresses / actors are fully invested, in accordance with the dramatic issues of the subject Photography is successful. A favorite for managing the music and more generally the sound that perfectly nourish the intensity of the film. I can only advise you to go to see this film for 2 reasons - Because it is very successful from a technical point of view - For the duty of memory towards these fighters who gave their lives to go to disillusion these ISIS fightere
- alinaalondra
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
One of thousands side of a stupid religion's brutality story. I should have loved this... great acting and characters... good storyline. If you haven't watch it, go watch it!
What an amazing film depicting the struggle of Kurds. Brilliantly made. First class acting by the girls. I am from a South East Asian country and a Buddhist and was so moved by this film. It's a shame that they were abandoned by Trump. Without their assistance and ferocity US would not have been able to destroy the Daesh so easily. If you love Kurds then you must watch this film. Some people may not like this film. Pity on them.
- cbodhinath
- Feb 3, 2020
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- ozbeymesut
- Jan 1, 2021
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A great film all should watch thankyou for making this film so so many around the world could watch and learn about what happen in 2014 sinjar shingal mountain ..
- rahmansara-56983
- Feb 5, 2020
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It shows how these courageous Kurdish girls alongside of their American and European allies fought the nightmare of ISIS
- bonjourciel
- Jun 2, 2020
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I saw it in french theatre.
This is the first film of a wonderful director. Reminds me a bit of Zero dark thirty.
The characters are is good too.
- alinaalondra
- Oct 21, 2019
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- mohamadkawakawa
- Feb 4, 2020
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If you're only going to see one movie this year, check out this movie! A real movie of a real war ... unfortunately still terribly current and which concerns us !! A film of Women too ... Existing women who fought and fight for our freedom! And moreover write and directed by a woman. And a real power in history and in pictures! A war movie that honors the genre! I left the room marked forever by these images that make more concrete and more perceptible the violence and horror that is capable of the fanaticism currently at work in the world ... But especially filled with hope and strength by the example and the testimony of his women who fight for their freedom but also for ours!
- lilaashely
- Oct 21, 2019
- Permalink
"Soeurs d'armes" (Sisters in Arms) delivers a captivating story with a 7/10 rating from me, and I found it quite likable. The acting, particularly the chemistry between the two lead characters, is a standout, bringing depth and authenticity to their complex relationship in the midst of wartime chaos. The film editing keeps the narrative engaging, while its strength lies in shedding light on the often-overlooked perspective of female fighters in conflict zones. However, a minor weakness might be occasional pacing issues. The music subtly underscores the emotional undertones of the film, and the cinematography captures both the brutality and camaraderie of the battlefield. "Soeurs d'armes" is a poignant exploration of the bonds forged in the crucible of war, reminding us of the strength and resilience of women who stand together against all odds.
- chera_khalid
- Sep 24, 2023
- Permalink
- phelpslaura
- Nov 8, 2019
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