Rebellion () is a 2011 French historical drama film directed, produced, co-written, co-edited, and starring Mathieu Kassovitz. Set in New Caledonia in 1988, and filmed in Tahiti, the film is a dramatised version of the Ouvéa cave hostage taking, when four policemen were murdered by separatists and 30 taken hostage. The French government refused to prolong negotiations and French forces stormed the hideout, killing 19 separatists for the loss of two soldiers and freeing all hostages. Kassovitz, Benoît Jaubert and Pierre Geller were collectively nominated for the 2012 Best Writing (Adaptation) César Award.
The sole cinema in New Caledonia refused to screen the film, leading to public suspicion that the decision was subject to pressure by New Caledonia's government.
Plot
In New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, 30 policemen are taken hostage by a group of separatists. GIGN captain Philippe Legorjus is sent to negotiate with the group's leader, Alphonse Dianou. With him are 300 French soldiers who are ready to intervene if his efforts fail to achieve a peaceful solution. Legorjus' task is made more difficult by the differing agendas of Dianou, the army, the separatist organization's leadership and the French government back in Paris.
Cast
Mathieu Kassovitz as GIGN Captain Philippe Legorjus
Iabe Lapacas as Alphonse Dianou
Malik Zidi as JP Perrot
Alexandre Steiger as Jean Bianconi
Daniel Martin as Bernard Pons
Philippe Torreton as Christian Prouteau
Sylvie Testud as Chantal Legorjus
Steeve Une as Samy
Philippe de Jacquelin Dulphé as Brigadier Vidal
Patrick Fierry as Colonel in the Dubut Army
Jean-Philippe Puymartin as the commandant of the Gendarmerie Jérôme
Stefan Godin as Lieutenant Colonel of the Gendarmerie Benson (as Stéfan Godin)
Reception
Rebellion has an approval rating of 95% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 22 reviews, and an average rating of 7.4/10.