There are many references in the movie to "The O.A.S.," in conversation, and overheard on radio and television newscasts. OAS - or Organisation armée secrète, literally "Organization of the Secret Army" or "Secret Armed Organization," was a French nationalist terrorist organization during the Algerian War (1954-62), which ended in independence for Algeria in July 1962, which was not only the time setting for this movie, but the Algerian War was also the background conflict that propelled much of the plot of this film. Using armed struggle in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence, OAS's motto was "Algeria is French and will remain so" (L'Algérie est française et le restera).
Stéphane Rideau and Gaël Morel have worked together in two films: Wild Reeds (1994) and Loin (2001). Also, Gaël Morel has directed Stéphane Rideau in four films: La vie à rebours (1995), Full Speed (1996), Premières neiges (1999) and Three Dancing Slaves (2004).
Pierre de Ronsard was a French poet or, as his own generation in France called him, a "prince of poets".
"Substantifique moelle" is (figuratively) the very substance, the true essence, the hidden meaning, or the true meaning. It is coined by François Rabelais in the prologue of his work "Gargantua".