French Algerian Actress Lyna Khoudri Joins Cast of Martin Bourboulon’s Afghanistan Evacuation Drama
French Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri has officially joined the cast of Martin Bourboulon’s intense Afghanistan evacuation drama “In The Hell Of Kabul: 13 Days, 13 Nights,” which has kicked off production in Morocco this week.
Star-Studded Cast
Khoudri is one of the two new cast members revealed in a recent article by Deadline. She joins Danish Bafta-winning star Sidse Babett Knudsen, Roschdy Zem, known for his roles in “Chocolat” and “Oh Mercy!”, and theater actor Christophe Montenez in this gripping tale.
Plot and Characters
The film is set against the backdrop of the US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, as the Taliban takes control of Kabul. It follows the true story of French Commander Mohamed Bida, who supervised security at the French embassy, the last Western mission to remain open in the city.
A Story of Courage and Humanity
Commanded by Bida, the group negotiates with the Taliban to arrange an evacuation convoy with the assistance of Eva, a young French Afghan translator. Lead star Roschdy Zem, a French actor and filmmaker of Moroccan descent, expressed his excitement for this challenging role and the opportunity to portray a character based on a real-life hero.
Director’s Vision
Director Martin Bourboulon, known for his period dramas, shared his enthusiasm for this new project, stating that “13 Days 13 Nights” is a gripping account of an extraordinary exfiltration operation organized by France. Zem’s involvement in the project from the beginning made him the perfect choice for the role.
Rising Star
Lyna Khoudri, 31, gained recognition for her role as Nedjma in “Papicha,” winning the Orizzonti Award for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. She has also appeared in acclaimed projects like “Les Sauvages” and “Blood on the Docks,” and was part of Wes Anderson’s star-studded cast in “The French Dispatch” alongside A-list actors.