FLN, A Sacrifice for History (2016): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2016, FLN, A Sacrifice for History is a documentary and history film, running about 28 minutes.

What it’s about. In 1958, in the midst of the Algerian War and two months before the World Cup, the French Football Federation (FFF) discovered on April 15th that nine of its players of Algerian origin had secretly left France to join the headquarters of the National Liberation Front (FLN) in Tunis, where the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) was based. They chose to leave everything behind—careers, fame, money—to support the FLN cause: the independence of the Algerian people. Their daring escape was worthy of a thriller and made headlines across the international press. For four years, the FLN team toured the world and became the standard-bearer for a people. FIFA refused to recognize the team and threatened federations that played against it with sanctions. Nevertheless, the team made a lasting impression with 57 wins, 14 draws, and 12 losses in 83 matches. Ferhat Abbas, president of the GPRA, told them, "You have gained ten years for the cause of independent Algeria."

Who’s in it. FLN, A Sacrifice for History stars Mohamed Boumezrag as Self (archive footage), Mokhtar Arribi as Self (archive footage), Mohamed Allam as Self (archive footage) and Rachid Mekhloufi as Self, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, FLN, A Sacrifice for History sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch FLN, A Sacrifice for History page.

If you liked it. Fans of FLN, A Sacrifice for History tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.