SPECIAL FORCES/ FORCES SPECIALES
France, 2011, 109 minutes, Colour.
Diane Kruger, Benoit Magimal, Djimon Hounsou, Denis Menochet, Mehdi Nebbou, Tcheky Karyo.
Stephane Rybojad.
Special Forces is an action story, made 10 years after the American invasion of Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11. While it is patriotically French, it is quite similar in its style and action to American action films, especially Lone Survivor, 2013, about a similar mission of American troops in Afghanistan, 2005.
The end of the film pays tribute to international journalists who risks their lives in order to report the stories from dangerous regions. Diane Kruger portrays Elsa, a journalist in Pakistan and Afghanistan who is concerned about women and their status, interviewing a young girl, getting her story, the girl wanting the story changed so that outsiders would understand what was happening. She is abducted by the Taliban chief and executed.
Elsa and her driver are also abducted in an ambush on the streets, taken to prison.
In the meantime, French authorities, including the President, take advice about what should be done, deciding to rescue mission for Elsa, part of the motivation being that they didn’t want to be humiliated by the Taliban.
Two leading members of the special forces are played by Djimon Hounsou and Benoit Magimal. The Admiral of the carrier in charge of the mission is played by Tcheky Karyo.
The film has the advantage of location photography, sometimes quite spectacular. It also has the advantage of judiciously staged an edited gun battles between the French and the Taliban.
However, the final impact is of a not unusual story, a mission, collaboration between special forces, despite the topical plot and, for many audiences, exotic locales.
1. An interesting topical film? Special mission? Action?
2. A story of 2011, Pakistan, Afghanistan, invasion, occupation, international troops, the Taliban?
3. The title, the focus, the special forces themselves, the individuals, working as a team, rescue, courage and ingenuity? The issue of backup? The short time frame for the mission, the naval carrier, the planes, helicopters, radio connection, losing contact with the group?
4. The introduction to Special Forces, the episode in Kosovo, action, rescue, the people involved? A prelude to missions in Asia?
5. Elsa, her work as a journalist, interviewing the young Muslim woman, oppression, raising her veil, allowing the interview, a reaction against oppression? The answer and her interest, her writing, communicating, the danger, with Amin, having to escape, the road being blocked, the reversing of the car? The ambush? Covering her face, trying to escape, her being taken? Incarcerated, questioned, in the cell with Amin?
6. Discussions in France, the Presodent, the board meeting, the Admiral, the special services chiefs, advisers? The decision to rescue Elsa? Public standing? Public opinion? Not being humiliated by the Taliban and authorities?
7. The preparations for the mission, the men and their backgrounds, the party sequence, the pregnant wife, the discussions? Having to leave at short notice? Their working together? The different characters, styles, skills, collaboration together? The introduction of Elias, new to the group, sniper?
8. The flight, the landing? The range of weapons? The attack, into the prison, searching the corridor and rooms, finding Elsa, taking her and Amin? The escape?
9. The numbers of Taliban warriors, the numbers killed by the special forces? Meifa and his command, his antagonism towards Elsa, the young girl, her being executed, lifting her veil? His background, Elsa defying him, his studies in western universities? His role in the Taliban, his pride? His followers, his violent attitudes, killing at whim?
10. The main part of the film the journey through the different terrains, in Pakistan, the mountains, the desert?
11. The hardships in the trek, Elsa as a woman, weaker from prison? Suspicions of Amin, trust, giving him the gun? The men themselves, camaraderie, working together, the effect of deaths and morale? The criticisms of Elsa as a journalist and the rescue?
12. The pursuit, the guns, Elias and his skill as a sniper? The village, Elsa going to ask hospitality, the villagers having to welcome the group, enemy or friend? With the women, the children being taken and trained in sharia law, the men and the hospitality, food, clothing?
13. Meifa and his group, coming into the village, the search, the vengeance, the killings? The special forces coming to the rescue of the village people?
14. The continued pursuit, the stand on the top of the cliff, the elimination of so many of the pursuers, may you have and his demanding that they go on?
15. Elias, in the rear, helping the escape, his being chased, shot and his death?
16. The other members of the group, wounded, the deaths? Carrying the wounded man, helping Elsa?
17. The two members remaining, their characters, working together, leadership? Making Elsa leave?
18. Going to the desert, her being found, rescued, healed? Yet her wanting to go on the helicopter? The search, finding the two men, the rescue?
19. The Admiral, his work on the ship, trying to make contact, his apology to Elsa?
20. The film and its action? A poster for French Special Forces? The similarity to American films such as Lone Survivor? Audience response depending on views about military presence in Afghanistan?
