Bouchareb
LONDON -- Rachid Bouchareb's Oscar-nommed actioner "Days of Glory," about North African soldiers who helped liberate France in World War II, effected political change in France and now the campaigning helmer is hoping his pic can have a similar impact across the English Channel.
As well as doing boffo box office in France and winning a clutch of awards, "Glory" encouraged President Chirac to raise the pensions of war vets from France's former colonies in line with French vets.
And now Bouchareb and the British Gurkha Welfare Society are using the U.K. release of "Glory" to crank up the pressure on Brit Prime Minister Tony Blair to address perceived pensions injustice.
Writing in a public letter to Blair published as a full page advertisement in the Guardian newspaper, Bouchareb said, "The Gurkhas have fought for Britain since the 19th century and are still serving in the British forces. But despite their renown as some of the bravest soldiers in your army, they receive just one fifth of the pension awarded to their British national counterparts."
"It is our hope that you will now honor your country's heroes and treat them with equality. Your government has the power to change the law, to invoke Britain's humanitarian responsibility and to give these men back the respect of a nation and the dignity they justly deserve."
The Guardian letter invites Blair to the screening of "Glory" as Human Rights Watch Festival closer at Brixton's Ritzy cinema on March 29, the day before indie distrib Metrodome release the pic on 50 prints.
And if Blair chooses to show his face he should allow plenty of time to park. According to a Metrodome spokesperson, a protest march is being organized that see upwards of 1,000 Gurkhas gather outside the cinema in full regalia.
A law change announcement boosting the pensions of Gurkhas was made on March 8 but Bouchareb and the British Gurkha Welfare Society are disappointed it does not apply to vets who served prior to July 1, 1997.
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