Original subtitles

Mountain, bring me a dream, promise of happiness!

Jean Bottéro, The Epic of Gilgamesh

They were scouts,

that's to say, people who go where no one knows anything,

where others are usually afraid.

They were not afraid,

because they were always together, they did everything together.

When one drank, it quenched the other's thirst.

When one was wounded, it hurt the other,

as if they were one.

They were Corporal Hamilton and Corporal Markov,

the unit's best scouts.

They had to watch the mountains in enemy hands.

Often, there was nothing to see

because nothing happened.

"Be patient," Markov would say. "It's when it's quiet

"that you have to be vigilant."

They could walk for ages without eating, drinking or sleeping.

But they always returned to base to report what they'd seen.

Shepherds had told them about a monster

that was attacking the herds and eating all the goats.

One night, they saw it.

Hamilton thought he was dreaming. Markov said he wasn't.

Or maybe they were having the same dream.

This was it: a huge leopard

that had come over the mountain pass and was there before them.

They asked their chief if they could track it down.

He said no and forbade them to abandon their post.

But they went anyway. They couldn't help themselves.

Following its tracks,

they decided to leave the known world behind

and head into the unknown.

They walked for hours and hours...

for tens and tens of kilometres.

They came to a valley where a river flowed.

They walked up it, like the leopard.

Because like them, it had to be thirsty.

Hamilton!

Shit!

Your eyes! Open your eyes! Open them!

They had fallen into an ambush.

Hamilton was losing blood.

Maybe he was going to die.

Markov said, "No, you're not going to die."

Keep your eyes open!

Because if Hamilton died, Markov would die too.

It was as simple as that.

Look at me.

You're not going to die.

So Markov saved Hamilton.

He'd had to leave their weapons for the enemy.

Markov knew it was a mistake.

But he'd made his choice.

Legionnaires, here you are today on the threshold of a new life.

You have valiantly served the French flag,

helped to defend democracy, liberty,

equality and fraternity around the world.

Legionnaires, I am proud of you and of what you have accomplished.

I feared for you.

You have returned unscathed from Afghanistan and the Ivory Coast.

You are leaving us, and I shall miss you.

For those of you, the large majority,

who are leaving the Legion with honours,

you will join French society

with the rights your service bestows upon you.

But this right is not a given.

Some of you have forgotten that.

They will suffer the consequences.

Corporal Markov, step forward.

The rest of you, to the good-conduct award ceremony.

Right.

Attention!

Markov!

Massaev. Mourad Massaev.

As you like.

- So you're a vet now? - Yes.

You'll soon get used to it.

Let's go.

- Thanks. - Goodbye.

Come on.

There you go.

As it is, 3 months up front.

- Where do Madina and Issita live? - Who are you?

He's Khadji's daddy. You are, aren't you?

That's right. You must be Sabina.

Mummy!

Magomed.

You've grown so.

Where do you live?

Over here.

Hello!

Welcome. Did everything go OK?

Yes, it was fine.

Come in.

- Khadji, come here! - I'll get him.

Alright.

- Welcome. - May God keep you free.

I'm happy to see you. Was the journey OK?

Yes.

Take off your jacket.

- How are you? - Fine.

All day long with the kids on my back!

Any news of your family?

We speak regularly.

They're well, thank God.

Come on, tell me. Was coming back alright?

Yes, it was fine.

Are you really taking Khadji?

We're going to miss him.

But he'll be better with you than he will with us.

God only knows.

We're very fond of him, but he'll be better with his dad.

He's lucky to still have his dad.

I couldn't find him.

It doesn't matter.

Bring me that bag over there.

I'm leaving things up to God as I didn't get my papers.

What do you mean you didn't get them?

No. If I stayed another 3 years,

I could have them.

But they said I wasn't ready to be French.

That's odd...

Mourad, I don't understand.

Do you have to go back for 3 years?

I won't go. I'll manage somehow.

Don't you have a gift for me?

Of course I do!

I didn't forget you.

Thanks, but I don't play with dolls anymore.

Next time, I'll bring you something else.

We didn't tell you, we didn't get our papers either.

Even without papers, you see, you can live OK.

Yes, that's right, OK...

If this is living well...

We're not living, we're surviving.

Don't listen to her, Mourad.

The children are growing, they attend school.

All's well thanks to God!

Here's the young man!

Hello.

Where are you going, love?

I'm going outside.

Don't you want to eat something?

No, I'm not hungry.

Let him go to his room.

Don't take it badly, he's just a child.

Time has passed. And you were gone.

With no news, he forgot about you. Don't take it personally.

What could I have said to him?

That to live in peace, I had to go to war?

It isn't easy, you have to be patient.

- Where is he? - In his room.

Go talk to him.

Sabina, Magomed, get out of here.

Stay next door.

You've grown.

It's good.

For you.

It's a soft toy!

Take off your jacket.

Take off your jacket.

Your room.

Let's open it.

- No. - Why not?

- You have to put your things away. - I want to go home.

- Let's go. Put on your jacket. - No.

Look at me.

I know you're angry because you didn't see me for 5 years.

It wasn't any fun for me either.

I did my best so we could live here.

Your mother was Russian, it was very hard.

Even before you were born, we'd planned to come here.

We didn't have a big wedding, she wanted to save the money.

At the time,

back home, there was a terrible war.

We didn't want you to grow up in the ruins and deprived of freedom.

Do you remember when you were 3?

Do you remember the zatchistka?

Do you know what that is?

The Russians held me in a detention centre.

It was a terrible, violent place.

Your mum gave them our money to get me released.

Even though I wasn't there long, I suffered violent treatment.

When your mother saw me, she was shocked.

One day, your mother left the house.

Outside...

Listen to me.

She went out although there were soldiers and bombs,

and I still don't know where she was going.

She was hit by shrapnel.

You were little at the time...

Madina and Issita told me they were leaving

and offered to take you too.

I had no choice but to let you leave,

and I joined the Foreign Legion

to get papers and money. Do you understand what I'm saying?

I had school today!

Don't shout in front of everyone. It isn't done.

I only speak French!

I'm your father.

"Discipline and comradeship are your strength,

"courage and loyalty your virtues. Proud of your status,

"you'll display this by your turnout, always impeccable,

"your behaviour, ever worthy, though modest,

"your living-quarters, always tidy.

"An elite soldier: you will train vigorously,

"you'll maintain your weapons as precious possessions,

"you will keep your body in peak condition.

"Your mission is sacred, you'll accomplish it to the end

"and if need be, on operations, risk your life."

That can't have hurt!

"In combat, you'll act without relish or hatred;

"you'll respect the vanquished enemy and never abandon your dead

"or wounded, or surrender your arms."

That's the Legion's code of honour.

There, we're done.

No more lice.

- Hello, Mr Massaev. - Hello.

Hello, Khadji. Come on, you can meet your new teacher.

Let's go.

The bread is south-east.

That's right.

Come eat.

- Let's practise. - Again?

OK. Right, the protocol. What do you do if someone turns up?

I don't open.

And if you have a problem?

Not the police, the cafe.

My number?

06...

34, 26...

73 and 90.

Madina and Issita?

06...

47...

39, 54, 28.

- That's right. - I love the protocol!

Yes, but eat now.

This is Hamilton.

He isn't that tall.

He's a bit smaller than me, but has better reflexes.

Like what, for instance?

One time, in the desert,

everyone was hungry and thirsty, but not Hamilton.

Hamilton is like a lizard. He loves the sun and rocks.

He can go three days without food or drink.

When everyone cried they were hungry,

Hamilton told them to shut up.

And he listened to the desert.

No one could hear anything, but Hamilton did.

He listened to the east,

he listened to the west,

then suddenly, he shot out his arm

and grabbed a snake that no one had seen,

which was hiding, a huge snake.

Like that, with one hand.

He squeezed it so tight the snake's eyes popped out.

What did you do with the snake?

I cut it up with my knife and I cooked it.

I fed 10 men with it. And we all drank the snake's juice.

It was delicious.

You could have made darts with the venom.

We didn't think of that. Pity you weren't with us.

Were you always together?

Of course. We did everything together.

And what else... Hamilton?

You know that figure of yours...

Hamilton is just like it.

Sleep now. I'll be here when you wake up.

- Sure? - Sure.

Hamilton, get up!

Markov!

- You're in civvies, Markov? - How do I look?

Like a clown.

- Yes, like... a greenhog. - A greenhog!

It's "greenhorn".

Look. They inserted a bit of metal.

See? All this.

Look, feel it.

Feel that?

Look.

Great, huh? It's barely visible now.

They got it here, right here.

Jealous, huh?

I still feel it in my head when you do that. It hurts.

- No? - I swear.

The bullet stayed in too long.

- You believed me. - I didn't.

You did too! Damn, you believed me.

Exfiltration tonight?

What?

Well... I haven't been out yet.

Right...

Can I at least have a shower?

When you woke me up, I was dreaming.

I was in the middle of nowhere. I swear, it was...

It was deathly quiet and I was all alone.

I don't know why, but it freaked me out.

It was so real.

That's a good sign.

Yeah? Why?

It's a sign you're not dead. And also

it's a sign you have to get out of here.

Get a move on. I'm hungry.

Markov...

I'm not Markov anymore, I'm Mourad Massaev.

To me, you'll always be Markov.

To you, Hamilton. Another 100 years of life.

Enjoy, gentlemen.

This is on you.

So is normal life that good?

It's OK, normal.

Normal how? Come on, tell me.

Normal shit.

I live with my son. It's good, but... I've no job.

Maybe I'll get work on a building site.

I don't have papers.

What?

Too many days' detention.

Because of the leopard? It's OK, I'll pay too.

- I'll take some of your days. - It isn't only that.

It's everything I did over the 5 years.

They looked at everything and... I'm not a good legionnaire.

Yeah? Well, if you're not good..

To your pig-headedness.

- I'm not a pig. - It's an expression.

I'm not a pig.

And the company the vets set up? Have you called?

You have to start anew. It's a question of honour.

- They wanted me. I refused. - You were wrong to.

What? What is it? I said you were wrong to.

Wait for me, we'll go back together.

- And Khadji? - What about him?

My son.

He managed without you for 5 years.

And you're not irreplaceable.

Irreplaceable?

Irreplaceable... It means not replaceable.

- No one is. - No one is what?

Irreplaceable.

I must be dreaming!

Ah, right.

You're a gentleman now, huh?

Know what? You're not the only one.

I'm a gentleman too.

"Michael Hernandez." That's your real name.

No. I'm Hamilton. It says so on my military ID.

Take this.

With my social-security number, you'll be able to work.

You reckon? "What's your name?"

I say, "Michael Hernandez."

Markov in the Legion, Hernandez outside.

Go on, take it and stop freaking out.

Go on.

And smile.

Huh? Smile. Hey!

There! You look like a Hernandez.

So? Who's the gent?

How much do you want?

Hang on!

Don't insult me.

You're giving me your name, that's a lot.

It's just a name on a card. Nothing more.

OK, call the vets. I want to hear you.

Scared or what?

You are scared!

Another!

Mr Vincent?

Good evening.

Michael Hernandez speaking.

Sakis gave me your card.

I was in Saint-Christol.

I've finished my enlistment. I'm looking for work here,

in Paris.

Affirmative.

Where?

- I've got an appointment tomorrow. - See?

Hiya.

- What's your name? - Camille.

- And you? - Maeva.

- This is Michael. - Hi, Michaël.

- And who are you? - Hamilton.

No! I had a hamster called Hamilton.

- A what? - A hamster.

Come on!

Hernandez!

She gave it to me. She was pretty, huh?

- Not bad. - Nice!

- Very nice. - I'm gonna fuck her.

Good. And again.

Lift it high, go on.

Yes! Great.

- No headaches or giddiness? - Negative.

You don't have to do that constantly.

Well? What are you putting?

Nothing for the time being. Your rehab isn't over.

Relax, Hamilton. Everything will be fine.

- And your family? - What?

Your family. It helps in a situation like yours.

The lads know where I am... I'm not all alone.

Colonel.

Hello, sir.

- Corporal Hamilton. - Yes, sir!

Staff sergeant Gao, in charge of redeployment.

- Corporal, how do you feel? - Good, sir. Tip-top.

- Morale? - Perfect, sir. And physically too.

Well done.

What do you want to do?

To be reassigned to the same post.

To my regiment, sir. Saint-Christol.

Very well.

And if the answer is no, you'd consider redeployment?

I haven't thought about it. I'm staying positive.

I like to be in the field.

Very well.

Doctor?

I'm not too worried. He'll be OK. But he must relax.

He can leave hospital this weekend

and return Monday, if you agree.

You can go home this weekend.

To Saint-Christol?

No, not to Saint-Christol. Home.

- If I want to stay here, can I? - If you like.

But you must relax.

Yes?

Look at 1 o'clock.

- Is that Hernandez's bike? - Dream on!

Your keys.

What time do you get off?

I'll take you for a spin.

5pm sharp.

5pm sharp, Hernandez!

Hello.

It's weird, your place.

It's nice, though.

But weird.

Hey, don't you want...

Are you serious?

Five minutes. I really needed to unload.

- In 5 minutes... - Me too, I have to unload.

5 minutes, OK?

I'm sorry.

- Taking the piss? - Course not...

But... it's unbelievable.

You know, Maeva's mad about Michael.

- Tell her to take a ticket. - No way!

Why not?

On every continent,

there's a woman crying over Michael Hernandez.

Hang on... you're hurting me.

Fuck, I'm going to be late!

- Already? - Yeah.

Don't you want to talk?

Aren't we already?

Right, get dressed too.

We're just chatting, my dear.

Talk about what?

I don't know... What do you do?

I'm a legionnaire.

Yeah, right! I'm a Crazy Horse dancer.

No kidding?

Dummy! No, I'm studying. What about you?

I told you, I'm a legionnaire.

Here you go.

What are those scars?

Work accident. I got shot twice.

- I was repatriated. - Where from?

Afghanistan. There's a war over there.

It sounds as if you enjoy it.

Inactive soldiers get bored.

- That's horrible. - You wanted to talk.

Get a move on.

I'm having a party in 2 weeks. Fancy dress.

Come in uniform, you'll be so handsome.

It isn't fancy dress.

You're right, it's better not to talk.

And in 2 weeks, I'll be with my regiment.

- It's like in that song. - Which one?

Forget it.

Wait!

So long!

Excuse me, I'm a friend of... Hernandez, your colleague.

- Do you know where he is? - He left a while ago.

- Did he say anything? - No. Why?

No reason.

You're taking the piss! I wasn't late.

It isn't my fault. You could've waited 5 minutes.

Damn it... I won't chase after you.

If you want to go for a spin, call me back. Ciao.

Markov!

Open the door!

Are you ill?

Markov!

Are you sulking?

Markov?

Hello. I'm looking for a pal,

Mourad Massaev. Stocky, short brown hair.

I know who you mean. Where is he?

Dunno. I can't find him.

Why? What's happened?

What's happened?

His kid turned up at closing time yesterday.

His dad hadn't come home. He asked to call him.

I tried calling too, he isn't picking up.

Same for the kid. He got his voicemail.

He ended up calling friends. Two women fetched him.

He wasn't panicking, but still.

You don't leave kids on their own.

Maybe the police picked him up.

I don't know if he has ID papers.

Hang on.

95... 55.

Great. Thank you.

Hello. I was given your number.

Because, well...

I'm calling on the off-chance. A friend of mine has disappeared.

Well, disappeared... Over 24 hours ago.

Yes. And I was wondering if something had happened to him...

an accident or something...

Ah, I don't know.

Try Hernandez. Michael Hernandez.

Great, thank you.

What?

That can't be.

No, that's impossible.

I understand, but it just isn't possible.

Check. It must be a mistake.

I said it must be a mistake!

Where?

Where?

That's crap. That's absolute crap!

Yes. Yeah, right!

Go in.

The report says RTA: road traffic accident.

Eye-witness reports say he died at the scene. Sorry.

We need to send the body. So I have to ask you

if you can formally identify him as Michael Hernandez.

Do you recognise the body of Michael Hernandez?

Open the door!

Open the door! Police!

I'm not here to hurt you.

Understand?

Do you understand me?

We'll start with your ID. That means your name.

My name is Massaev Khadji Mouradov.

Massaev: M-a-s-s-a-e-v.

I was born on November 21 2002,

in Grozny, in the Chechen Republic.

Who are they to you?

Madina and Issita.

- Are you the same family? - Almost.

What does that mean?

Who are they to you?

Aunts, cousins?

No, they were neighbours in Chechnya.

So you're not related to the Gourjievs.

Do you have family in France?

- My father. - Yes.

And where's your dad?

- I don't know. - You don't know?

Or won't tell me?

I'll explain the problem.

The Gourjiev have been issued with a OQTF. Know what it means?

Here, look.

OQTF: obligation to leave French Territory.

They haven't done anything!

They've stayed illegally in France.

They should have gone home two years ago.

They can't. It's dangerous!

That isn't the issue here. I have to decide what to do with you.

Do you understand?

And for me, at this stage,

you're a UFM:

unaccompanied foreign minor.

If you won't say where your dad is,

I'll transfer you to child welfare.

They'll put you in a home or with a family.

You'll be fine there, safe.

With your dad, it'd be better though.

So where is he?

He was supposed to pick me up. What'll he do if they're gone?

When was he supposed to come?

I don't know.

Right...

You don't want to tell me?

You prefer a home?

No! I don't want to go there!

"Sit...

"Stand...

"Faster...

"Your mission is sacred, you'll accomplish it to the end,

"and if need be, on operations, risk your life."

North-east.

Silence!

Are you his son?

Where'd you spring from?

Where is he?

He had an accident.

Dead?

THE GREAT MAN

A tube of aspirin, please.

- Is it OK for children? - No. You need paracetamol.

How old is he?

Forget it.

- How much is that? - 2.50 euros.

Thank you.

What's this?

Anti-stress pastilles made from wild plants.

To be taken when stressed, or as a precaution.

They're gums.

I'll take one.

My name's Hamilton.

OK, right, come out.

Come out!

You should've died, not him.

So you're going to die.

And your mum is. And so is your dad.

You'll all be dead.

- I don't have a dad. - Liar!

Well, I probably do but... I don't know him.

In any case, you're all going to die. You first.

Where are you going?

Are you leaving?

To get some air.

Come on!

What's your name again?

- Massaev Khadji Mouradov. - What?

Khadji.

We have to tell the people you were with.

No. The police took them away.

They told me I was a UFM.

They put me in a home in Mantes-la-Jolie.

Because Sevran was full.

- But I ran away. - What?

UFM means unaccompanied foreign minor.

You ran away from a home?

All alone?

Yeah, of course.

Is it possible for someone to die by mistake?

You know, someone's dead, but it's a mistake,

and he'll live again if we went to get him.

That'd be good.

But it isn't possible.

Is he in a grave?

Not yet.

Where is he, then?

In a place in the meantime.

Can we go rescue Madina, Issita, Magomed and Sabine?

Why not? You're a soldier.

I was. I'm not anymore.

- Why? - Just because!

I'll never have kids.

Good idea.

Right, come on, eat, instead of talking all the time.

I'd slept on the street the night before.

I'd been up to no good and I had to hide.

Anyway...

And your dad...

he was dirty. I remember, he was filthy from head to toe.

His trousers and shoes were all muddy.

He was strange, he didn't speak.

He sat in a corner.

And then they called us in.

So... your dad stood up and collapsed in a heap.

He was actually starving.

He hadn't eaten since... I don't know.

And...

we couldn't stand one another.

Me...

I didn't know... I thought he was Russian.

I couldn't tell the difference.

So anyway... as a joke...

to make the others laugh, I called him Popov.

"Smile, Popov!"

"Popov, come back!"

It made him mad.

So he showed me his scar:

"See what the Russians did to me!"

I only meant it as a joke.

And...

on the first manoeuvre,

in training,

we had to rescue hostages. I played the terrorist.

And he had to stop me.

And that day...

he attacked me like an animal. He grabbed me...

We fought. No one could separate us.

Till the chief turned up, and then...

we were for it. Four days in jail.

That's how we got talking.

We apologized to each other...

Then we went off to fight.

Five years...

together, day and night.

The unit's best scouts.

What's a scout?

Scouts are people who go where no one knows what there is.

They're... the first in unknown territory.

Like explorers?

Yes, a bit.

A scout who doesn't come back isn't any good.

We're at base camp. And if our scout doesn't come back,

it was pointless he went.

It's a waste and it's unfair.

Yeah. Right...

I'm off to bed.

Goodnight, then.

Goodnight.

I've been absent. We have to say why,

or I can't go. Can you write a note?

I can't do that.

Why? An adult has to do it.

Precisely. You can ask the folks at the home.

- What? - I'm not going back.

You've no choice. I can't look after you.

You don't know where it is!

In Mantes-la-Jolie, you think there are loads?

I called. They said they'll take you back.

They seem cool.

Going on my experience of homes, they're cool.

You're lucky, believe me.

- You don't know anything! - Calm down!

I'll just run away again!

And how will you live?

I'll hide out in the forest. No one will find me.

What about food? And shopping?

I'll hunt with Dad's knife, I'll pick roots

and I'll collect rain water.

What about school?

What'll you do about school?

It isn't going to work.

Stop looking at me like that.

You look just like your dad.

Stop!

Here.

For your collection.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

- Ready? - I'm going alone.

- I'll keep in touch. - OK.

Hey now. I'd have loved to have

someone waiting for me every time I messed up.

Here.

You wouldn't have got far with your knife.

Next time, equip yourself better. Alright?

Understand about the fire?

Aren't you tired?

No, I'm OK.

Here...

lay down on my jacket.

Are you staying here, Hamilton?

Where would I go?

And you?

Are you staying here?

Sometimes he appears in my dreams.

Does he in yours?

He's here.

"Describe an animal or a person you know."

He's snoring.

It's because he works nights. So during the day, he sleeps.

My friends say he's like a shadow

you can't see,

you can't hear,

and that he killed kids when he was a soldier.

Which proves they're afraid of him.

He lets me do stuff that's usually forbidden.

For example, starting the bike.

For example, using his hunting knives.

Etc, etc.

When I wonder what he's thinking, I ask him and he tells me.

He always has to tell the truth because we have a pact.

Sometimes he says, "I'm not thinking of anything."

And he's lying.

My dad was his best friend.

He was much taller and stronger

as he had more muscular shoulders.

Khadji!

- Coming? - Coming!

He's called Michael Hernandez,

or the Lizard because he loves the sun and rocks.

Subtitles - Eclair Group