
Indigènes
Synopsis
Algeria, 1943, through Italy and France, to Alsace in early 1945, with a coda years later. Arabs volunteer to fight Nazis to liberate France, their motherland. We follow Saïd, dirt poor, an orderly for a grizzled sergeant, Martinez, a pied noir with some willingness to speak up for his Arab troops; Messaoud, a crack shot, who in Province falls in love with a French woman who loves him back; and Abdelkader, a corporal, a budding intellectual with a keen sense of injustice. The men fight with courage against a backdrop of small and large indignities: French soldiers get better food, time for leave, and promotions. Is the promise of liberty, equality, and fraternity hollow?
Production Budget Analysis
What was the production budget for Days of Glory?
Directed by Rachid Bouchareb, with Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem leading the cast, Days of Glory was produced by Tessalit Productions with a confirmed budget of $14,500,000, placing it in the low-budget category for drama films.
At $14,500,000, Days of Glory was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $36,250,000.
Budget Comparison — Similar Productions
• A Dangerous Method (2011): Budget $15,000,000 | Gross $27,462,041 → ROI: 83% • Ben-Hur (1959): Budget $15,000,000 | Gross $164,000,000 → ROI: 993% • Beyond Skyline (2017): Budget $14,000,000 | Gross $992,181 → ROI: -93% • Land of the Dead (2005): Budget $15,000,000 | Gross $47,074,133 → ROI: 214% • Rust and Bone (2012): Budget $15,400,000 | Gross $25,762,027 → ROI: 67%
Key Budget Allocation Categories
▸ Above-the-Line Talent Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances. Securing award-caliber actors and experienced directors represents the single largest budget line item, often consuming 30–40% of the total production budget.
▸ Location Filming & Period Production Design Authentic locations — whether contemporary or historical — require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period. Period dramas add the cost of era-accurate props, vehicles, and set decoration.
▸ Post-Production, Color Grading & Score The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone. Color grading, a nuanced musical score, and detailed sound mixing are critical to achieving the emotional resonance that defines the genre.
Key Production Personnel
CAST: Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan Key roles: Jamel Debbouze as Saïd Otmari; Samy Naceri as Yassir; Roschdy Zem as Messaoud Souni; Sami Bouajila as Abdelkader
DIRECTOR: Rachid Bouchareb CINEMATOGRAPHY: Patrick Blossier MUSIC: Armand Amar EDITING: Yannick Kergoat PRODUCTION: Tessalit Productions, France 2 Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma, StudioCanal, SCOPE Invest, Tassili Films, Versus Production, Kissfilms, Taza Productions, La Petite Reine FILMED IN: Algeria, Belgium, France, Morocco
Box Office Performance
Days of Glory earned $320,700 domestically and $22,643,001 internationally, for a worldwide total of $22,963,701. International markets drove the majority of revenue (99%), indicating strong global appeal.
Break-Even Analysis
Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Days of Glory needed approximately $36,250,000 to break even. The film fell $13,286,299 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Revenue: $22,963,701 Budget: $14,500,000 Net: $8,463,701 ROI: 58.4%
Profitability Assessment
VERDICT: Modestly Profitable
Days of Glory earned $22,963,701 against a $14,500,000 budget (58% ROI). Full profitability was likely achieved through ancillary revenue streams.
INDUSTRY IMPACT
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Summary: Nominated for 1 Oscar. 9 wins & 16 nominations total
Nominations: ○ Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (79th Academy Awards) ○ International Submission to the Academy Awards









































































































































































































































































































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