The 317th Platoon

Amidst the backdrop of Laos in 1954, just eight days before the French defeat in the Indochina war, a group of soldiers find themselves on a perilous journey. The 317th platoon, comprising four French soldiers and 41 Laotian combatants, is ordered to retreat from their outpost towards the beleaguered French forces stationed at Diên Biên Phu. Leading this motley crew of warriors is sous-lieutenant Torrens, a recent graduate from the military academy, and adjutant Willsdorf, a battle-hardened veteran of World War II who served in the Wehrmacht.Tasked with covering 150 kilometers through dense jungle terrain, the group faces incessant rainfall, harsh conditions, and the ever-present threat of ambushes orchestrated by the cunning Viêt-minh forces. As they trudge forward on this precarious path, the soldiers must confront their individual fears, doubts, and personal demons while also forging an uneasy alliance between French and Laotian troops. The film explores themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the complexities of war through the eyes of these diverse individuals, as they navigate through a hostile landscape that is both physical and metaphorical.