13 days 13 nights: why did the real commander want to work on the film?

Between August 15 and 28, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan, French commander Mohamed Bida and a team of 10 police officers allowed the exfiltration of more than 2,800 Afghan civilians to escape the Taliban. This operation, one of the most perilous ever carried out by France, is told in 13 days, 13 nights of Martin Bourboulon.

Before becoming a film, it is in a testimony book, 13 days, 13 nights in the hell of Kabulat Denoël editions, that Mohamed Bida told what he saw and experienced. “”There were no witnesses. No media, no NGOs, that diplomats and soldiers who are not usually toldhe explains to Allociné. I wanted to recall facts that have been passed over in silence. “

Do not “restrict initiatives”

Although the film adapts her book, the commander preferred to stay behind the production. He does not meet Roschdy Zem – who embodies his role on the screen – only once before filming.

“”I stayed back, even if an author who sees his story being seized might want to get a little more involvedsays Mohamed Bida to Allociné. This can restrict initiatives, I didn't want them to limit themselves because of me. When we met with Roschdy, he had already built his character. It's another character than me, even if there are similarities. “

Embody, not imitate

For his part, Roschdy Zem reveals that she was inspired by the book, and more particularly the game on the commander's professional career, to build this character. “”When we play someone who existed, we are not there to imitate him, we are there to bring his own vision of the character“Adds the actor.

Commander Mohamed Bida “did not stay long enough on the set“To really realize the magnitude of certain scenes that required more than 10,000 extras. Nevertheless, when he discovers his history in the cinema, he” has “the impression of reliving a reality“that he knew.

Interview by Thomas Desroches, in Paris, June 17, 2025

13 days, 13 nights, currently in the movies