This police drama is inspired by the 2012 scandal in the Marseille anti-crime squad where eighteen people were prosecuted for drug trafficking and racketeering. Considered racist by some people, this film is for me a way to show the audience the rise of crime in the cities in France, and more particularly in Marseille, with also an ever increasing aggressiveness.

... with violence, brutality and anarchy leading the police and gangs into ruthless, confrontational battles in the neighbourhoods of northern Marseille. Inspired by reality, with cinematography, direction and a great story forming a vicelike hold that's hard to escape - especially when compounded through several standout performances that bind, unite, brace and support.

Bac Nord (or The Stronghold for the English title) is a good French action movie. A bit exaggerated though but still a good almost two hours of entertainment. There are some really bad neighborhoods in France, like in every big city I would say, where police is not welcome anymore. Those ghettos have been created by the governments, by letting a certain population have no hope for a better future unless you're lucky and persistent. It's a shame but it's the truth. By creating those ghettos where the habitants have no respect for anything, no money unless doing something illegal, you create a generation of monsters. The movie is a bit exaggerated, although Marseille is just a big dump I wouldn't want to live in, but there are some scenes that looked familiar like in real life. The acting is good and that from everybody, the action is constant what makes it entertaining. Well shot as well, it all felt real. I watched it subtitled in English and that was more than welcome because that Southern French accent is just awful. My language is French but not that kind of ghetto French. Bac Nord isn't a good publicity for Marseille, nor for the police. They're both thrash, people I want to stay as far as possible away from.