“I didn’t go back to insecure”: The true story of one of the most risky operations that France conducted

“Four years have passed and I have to leave Afghanistan yet“At the top of the most important exfiltration operation carried out by France, Muhammad Bida cannot forget what he saw and lived in Kabul in 2021. A year later, he published in the book 13 days, 13 daysIn Denoel editions. He tells the evacuation that from 15 to August 28, 2021, more than 2,800 Afghan civilians to escape the Taliban who took control of the city. Today this work becomes a movie Roschdy Zem.

The feature film, directed by Martin Bourbulon (three musketeers), is ambitious, breathing, and tells what has never been shown. “Witnesses were notExplains Commander Bida. Neither media nor NGOs, no one except diplomats and soldiers who never tell each other. We must remember the facts that were silent. Beyond sensationalist images, Afghanistan was not considered as it should be. “

Reviewing these events on screen was a real experience for high rating. “It gave me other emotions that I could not feel like a bookHe assures. The film is incredibly powerful, and what makes me a bluff is that we are immediately shot in history. I feel like I realize the reality I knew.“

When we play someone that existed, we are not there to imitate it, we are there to bring the character’s own vision.

His role is played by Roshdi Zam. For the actor, it was obvious to give the life of this story: “This is a film that we know that we know what happened with Afghanistan and these peaceful citizens. I can’t be indifferent because I still had these pictures with the people who hung on the planes. The strength of the pictures is such that they forget that they are men, women, fate.“

Wearing this story is “Debt” respectively Roschdy Zem. “Are people who are still experiencing and we are making a movie theaterHe emphasizes. We wanted to avoid spectacular and men. This story must be seen and experienced as such“To build the role, Roche Zem met Muhammad Bida only once during lunch.

The actor was mainly fed by a book: “The book is not involved in the movie: it’s his personal journey. We cannot interpret anyone unless we have some elements of experience. I had enough elements to build something. When we play someone that existed, we are not there to imitate it, we are there to bring the character’s own vision.“

The notion of hero is important in the movie 13 days, 13 nights. The character explained by Roschdy Zem has always been shown in the moments of doubts and fears. “For me it is a heroBegins to be an actor, But most importantly, he does not consider himself as himself. If this book had not been, Muhammad Bida would remain in the shadow and I can’t believe it would be unhappy. His testimony, this film today is primarily an obligation and a pact with the profession. “

Interview of Thomas Desroches in Paris on June 17, 2025

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