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Few films can claim a change in government policy among their achievements. But Indigènes (Days Of Glory) by Rachid Bouchareb has made an impact at the highest level.
The 128-minute film focuses on the actions of Moroccan and Algerian men who fought alongside French soldiers to liberate France from the Nazis in World War II.
As well as inspiring French President Jacques Chirac to reintroduce pensions for France's North African war veterans, the lead actors gave such a strong performance, they were jointly honoured with the Best Actor award at Cannes this year.
Actor Roschdy Zem, from Morocco, said it took five years to get the film made, partly due to its subject being a part of French history that "no-one talked about".
Tribute
"After the war, nobody recognised them (the veterans) and this was a way to give them a tribute which was very important for us," he said.
"Because of a movie you can change the law. I didn't believe that before and we are very proud of that."
Reinforced by success in France, with an audience of three million, and a potential Oscar on the horizon, Days of Glory has established itself as a tour de force.
Looking back, it is hard to believe the film struggled for a such long time to secure the finance needed to go ahead.
Smiling at the irony, the 41-year-old actor said: "The movie that nobody wanted in the beginning became the movie that everyone wants to see.
"To know that people from so many different countries can be touched by this story is a beautiful happy ending."
Glory days
The ensemble cast of Indigenes won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in May, accepting the award as a group.
The actors are all of North African origin, and include French stars Sami Naceri and Jamel Debbouze, as well as Sami Bouajila and Roschdy Zem.
Until recently, the role of Magreb soldiers in the liberation of France from the Nazis was not widely recognised. Days of Glory has helped to highlight these soldiers' contribution.
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