13 Days, 13 Nights: Martin Bourboulon’s gripping real-life thriller airs on Canal+

Dramatic thriller directed by Martin Bourboulon, featuring Roschdy Zem and Lyna Khoudri, 13 Days 13 Nights will air on Canal+ on December 30, 2025, at 9:07 p.m.

Following The Three Musketeers, Martin Bourboulon returns with 13 Days 13 Nights, a dramatic thriller based on true events adapted from the account of Commander Mohamed Bida (Denoël Editions). Featuring Roschdy Zem and Lyna Khoudri, along with Sidse Babett Knudsen, the film revisits the chaotic evacuation of civilians from Kabul in August 2021, during the Taliban's takeover. Unveiled out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the feature will be broadcast on Canal+ on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 9:07 p.m.

On August 15, 2021, Kabul falls. As the U.S. military prepares to withdraw from the country, the Afghan capital comes under Taliban control. Amid the chaos, thousands of residents scramble to find safety and reach the airport, while the French embassy remains one of the last secure locations. On the ground, Commander Mohamed Bida and his team work tirelessly to secure the site, even as the situation continues to worsen by the hour.

The trailer for 13 Days 13 Nights

13 Days and 13 Nights

The project originated from Mohamed Bida's book, which quickly caught the attention of both Pathé and producer Dimitri Rassam before landing with director Martin Bourboulon. Early in the process, Bourboulon reached out to Roschdy Zem, even before the screenplay was written, to ensure the film was anchored by a powerful presence and a vivid, embodied approach. Co-written with Alexandre Smia, the story aims for a sense of immediacy and intimacy with real events, emphasizing the emotional tension over loud action scenes.

To be read
Top cinemas in Paris

Since filming in Kabul was impossible, the scenes were recreated in Morocco, primarily in Casablanca and Kénitra for airport-related sequences. Significant effort from the set design and VFX teams went into ensuring authenticity. Preparation involved consulting archival footage and documentary sources—including international news broadcasts, press articles, and the documentary Escape from Kabul—as well as discussions with military personnel. Mohamed Bida also visited the set, providing factual references while allowing the actors the freedom to interpret their roles naturally.

With its subject matter and approach, 13 Days 13 Nights appeals to viewers who enjoy historical dramas and thrillers set against contemporary geopolitical backdrops. Its direction centers on a camera work that emphasizes suspense, negotiation, and urgency, bringing to life a lesser-known operation for the general public and highlighting the human side of a collective rescue effort.

13 Days, 13 Nights
Film | 2025
Released in theaters on June 27, 2025
TV Broadcast: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 9:07 PM on Canal+
Drama, thriller | Runtime: 1h52
Directed by Martin Bourboulon | Starring Roschdy Zem, Lyna Khoudri, Sidse Babett Knudsen
France

13 Days and 13 Nights

Recreating the evacuation of Kabul from a ground-level perspective, the film aims to immerse viewers in the weight of the moment, capturing the constant uncertainty and the delicate nature of decisions made under pressure. Its broadcast on Canal+ sheds new light on a recent, well-documented chapter, all while embracing the conventions of a realistic thriller.

To explore even further, check out our curated list of must-see films, series, and TV shows this week. You’ll also find our guide to latest releases across all streaming platforms, plus the day's top pick what to watch today in streaming.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.