Original subtitles

WINNER OF THE GOLDEN PALM AT THE 1975 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

I swear before you all and before God, I'm leaving this land!

This land where my brother died over a drop of water, I'm leaving it!

-I'm leaving for France. -Are you mad?

I'm going to France.

-Be reasonable! -I'm going.

And your ancestors?

-Your kids? -I'm leaving them to God.

-Your land? -It's cursed.

-What about our history? -What about me, Ali?

I'm going to enlist! I want to enlist!

-What's wrong with you? -Nothing!

-What about your family? -I have none left!

-Your wife? -She'll re-marry.

-Your land? -Take it!

With its drought and its misery! I'm enlisting!

Let me sign, sir.

Be patient, Kouider. God will come to our aid.

He won't help us! He doesn't care about us anymore!

Don't blaspheme.

Kouider, just be patient. We've seen worse.

True, but look at this land, it's a wasteland.

I'm tired of being hungry, and of all this poverty!

I'm sick and tired of misery. I've had enough!

-Be reasonable. -That's what I'm doing.

-What about your children? -It's for them that I'm leaving.

My exile is for their sake!

Look at you, how miserable you all are! How miserable I am!

Ahmed, look at me and listen carefully,

the day will come when we...

When we...

O.N.C.|.C. PRESENTS

CHRONICLE OF THE YEARS OF FIRE

YORGO VOYAGIS

LARBI ZEKKAL

Ll LIK.:'lk_

HASSAN EL-HASSANI

LEILA SHENNA

SID ALI KOUIRET

MOHAMED SISSANI

ABDULHALIM RAIS

TAHA EL-AMIRI

YAHIA BEN MABROUK

THE CHILDREN OF LAKHDAR-HAMINA

"MILOUD": M. LAKHDAR-HAMINA

BASED ON A STORY BY M. LAKHDAR-HAMINA

SCREENPLAY BY M. LAKHDAR-HAMINA

Don't. FARES AND R. BOUJDERA

FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR A. BOUGUERMOUH

SCRIPT CONTINUITY ANITA STRIZZI

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MARCELLO GATTI

CAMERA OPERATOR M. LAKHDAR-HAMINA

SOUND ENGINEER VARTAN KARAKESIAN

FILM EDITOR YOUCEF TOBNI

PRODUCTION MANAGER PIERRE GOUT

MUSIC PHILIPPE ARTHUYS

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY MOHAMMED LAKHDAR-HAMINA

I've lost three more sheep.

If this drought continues, we'll lose them all.

We're going to pray to the Desert Spirit for help.

THE YEARS OF ASHES

If God doesn't help us...

It will be another dark day.

You have done your duty. God will bless you!

You can go home now.

It's in God's hands now.

Leave some water for your brothers! We're all thirsty.

Hey!

Boulakhras!

-Answer me! -Where did you get that water?

The waterhole at Sidi M'barek.

It's so muddy.

If you want water, go now. There's not much left.

It's a whole day's walk.

Fudil!

Fudil.

Listen, I think I hear thunder over towards Sellat.

If there's thunder in Sellat, then water will soon come.

What are you all waiting for?

For Aissa to let us know.

Let you know what? The water is coming.

I can smell it.

So, Aissa, any news?

I'm waiting here.

Let's go see.

It's coming. I can hear it.

Stop fooling around. Get up.

Playing water diviner?

You were right.

I told you, Ahmed!

If there's thunder in Sellat, the water always comes!

Look at this blessing! Look, Ahmed!

Wait!

Look, the water is flowing to their side!

There's hardly any on our side.

We should clear the canal.

Don't touch the canal. It's the boundary!

How can you say that? All the water is on your side.

That's not our fault.

It's the will of God.

The will of God is never unjust. We deserve our share.

-God is just. -You must obey Him,

or He will punish you.

It can't be any worse than now, you tyrant!

Look, it's raining!

Move it.

Come help me with the carpet.

Help me spread it out.

Sit down.

What's the matter, Auntie?

What is it?

Ahmed, my son...

I've come here...

for a marriage proposal.

I don't understand.

Your sister, Kheira, and your cousin, Said.

We are one family.

It's completely dry. Not a single drop left.

It's the same every year.

Come!

What's up with him?

Pack your things.

Said,

talk to your cousin and make him change his mind.

What's gotten into you, Ahmed? Be patient like us.

Have you lost your mind?

-You're giving up? -Yes.

-And your possessions? -I don't have any.

-Your land? -I don't have any.

-Your ancestors? -You can have them.

What about their blessing?

That's the cause of all this.

I beg you not to leave, Ahmed.

Be reasonable, Ahmed.

I'm hereto ask for your blessing, Sheik.

What's the matter, Ahmed?

You haven't come alone.

Your wife, your children...

I'm doing this for their sake.

You'll cut all ties with us.

This land made sure of that long ago.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Yes, Sheikh.

Then you may leave with my blessing, and with the blessing of your ancestors.

Ask that man where your cousin lives.

They've arrived.

Can you tell me where Kouider Ben Amar lives?

They've arrived! Those tattered, famished, starving people.

They've arrived.

Please, can you tell me where Kouider Ben Amar lives?

More and more lost people arrive here,

thinking they have found paradise.

And yet here, they're only sinking deeper into the sand.

The only resting place, brothers,

on this here earth,

where you're safe from all ordeals and woes,

is here, in the cemetery.

So many

herdsmen I've seen,

chasing mirages, hoping to find the riches of life.

But in reality, they're getting more and more lost.

Here's your mirage, imprudent travelers,

where you will only find filthy water to drink.

They were free and poor, but now they're just miserable.

Follow me.

Poor man. He's gone crazy.

Crazy? Yes, I'm crazy.

I'm different.

But I know what I say, and I know where my home is.

And you, do you know where your children are spending the night?

Follow me, I will take you to Mr. Kaddour's house!

Come!

This is the city, made of stones. It attracts you like flies.

Here, you can buy anything you are able to afford.

Here, you will find those who rule us with contempt.

The prison, where you'll end up if they catch you.

There, right in front of you,

the cruel and inflexible colonel.

Here lives a man who says only crazy things.

This arrogant man passes his days

insulting his people and oppressing them.

The barracks.

The police station.

The church and its cross.

Their God watches over them, but observes us.

Look closely at our town. See how it sparkles.

See how its citizens live.

Poverty-stricken but proud.

Here's our paradise, which dazzles people

with all its misfortunes...

MIIBIITJLIMHBIITJL

Its sorrow and its anxiety.

Miloud!

Calm down! Calm down!

Behold this paradise.

Look at these flies! How charming and graceful!

With neither snot, nor trachoma! Wipe your nose!

Go away!

Get away, get away!

That goes for you too!

Don't come near us, lunatic!

Mother, Uncle Ahmed has come.

Come greet your uncle.

-How was the harvest? -"Fantastic", like every year!

You.

And you.

And you.

Always the same men.

You, come here.

I haven't seen you before. Where are you from?

I'm one of Abda||ah's tribe.

The donkey thieves!

Keep a hold of yourself, and don't respond.

Maintain your dignity, no matter what comes before you.

See? He's crazy.

I pay you to work,

not to sit around doing nothing.

Stand up!

Understand? Back to work!

Good-for-nothing!

There's no work for you! Get out of here.

Good day. May God be with you!

Come on! Wake up!

Come on, stand up, your time has come!

We need you. Your country is calling you.

Hitler's army has gathered at its borders.

Not you. You're too young.

Wake up, come on!

-Missa! -Two gives nothing.

Look at them running.

Mr. Amar!

Come and see, it'll be a catastrophe.

An announcement for all the population!

The Republic of France

has ordered a general mobilization.

As per the orders of the President of France,

all land, sea and air forces have been mobilized,

and all animals, vehicles, and resources are to be requisitioned.

Well done, Hitler!

If he rids us of the French, I promise...

-What? -I promise

-|'|| sacrifice an ox. -Come on, play!

If you're willing to sacrifice an ox, I'll throw a party.

Stop it, someone might hear us.

Never mind them and play.

Will we quit playing?

During the general mobilization...

-Like Hitler! -France is fucked.

Listen,

France is ruined.

Don't forget we're in the same boat.

All French citizens and natives eligible for military service

must comply with this official order,

or otherwise be subject to punishment.

What's he talking about?

They've ordered a general mobilization.

What's that?

The cannons will be heard.

They can go to hell, I did my service in 1931.

You're screwed. Didn't you hear what he said?

They're calling all reserves.

I've never heard of any military service.

Then shut up, or they'll send you to war.

The army is responsible for the enforcement of this decree.

Have you understood? Inform anyone who isn't here.

Arise, everyone!

Come on!

I have to inform you that you are all soldiers.

You must serve this noble cause.

All the beggars, the unemployed, the poor,

everyone's been drafted, even me,

your humble servant.

Get ready and I will prepare you for battle!

One, two. One, two...

Come on, march!

Move it. Quickly!

Quickly!

Take this.

Go now.

Hurry up, Mr. El Hadj! Or we'll miss it.

Can't you hear? There's interference.

Take your time searching.

Are we going to be here all night?

There's nothing I can do about it.

"We'll destroy Mulhouse, S�lestat and Strasbourg,

and we'll reinforce the artillery."

Do you hear? It's him!

"This unmerciful struggle

-will be a long one." -That's him all right.

"Fighting on land, sea and air, with guns and bombs,

our soldiers will shed their blood on the battlefields.

Should Churchill and his people continue to resist,

this will be my last warning."

France is finished.

Fantastic!

"Churchill thinks that..."

The French are playing with fire.

"I have no doubt we shall be victorious.

The future will show who was right.

Those who believe that war is the only means for a solution,

can refuse to shake my hand.

Force being the only solution left today..."

He will destroy them.

That's for sure.

"...to return dignity to the German people."

-Indeed, that's what they say! -"Our German soldiers,

patriots who are loyal to the military,

will carry out their duties until the end."

Don't worry.

"Always remain confident..."

France is finished. Our troubles are over.

"...in great Germany, patriotic Germany,

Socialist Germany."

Well said, Younis Bahri!

"I can only thank God, who has granted me..."

What a speech! It could wake the dead!

"...and shown us the path that will lead the German nation to victory."

You know what I think? Germany will surely win.

"This statement was issued by Hitler."

Make no mistake,

if Hitler wins, he'll annihilate us before the French.

Remember what he said:

"The Arabs are the 14th race, after toads."

Ahmed, come quickly!

-Our troubles are over. -Has Hitler won?

Forget about Hitler and France.

Forget about politics, Ahmed. I'm talking about a job.

A job? Are you making fun of me?

Why would I?

-I'll explain later. -No, explain right now.

Almost all of the peasants have been enlisted by France

and sent to work for Marshal P�tain.

You start tomorrow. I've arranged everything.

How?

That doesn't matter.

Ahmed, I told you, you start work tomorrow!

All right.

There is no God but Allah.

There is no God but Allah.

You and you.

And you.

You. You.

Good morning, sir.

You too.

And you. That's enough.

You, over there.

You, go harvest esparto grass.

-How much did the job cost you? -Shut up and work.

Wake up, citizens! It's your time to be free.

Don't be sad, the sun is shining once more.

I bring you great news.

France has surrendered!

Come on, get up.

Everyone, get UP-

Come on, wake up! You too! France is finished.

Wake up, citizens! It's your time to be free.

Don't be sad, the sun is shining once more.

I bring you great news.

France has surrendered!

Wake up, men!

Come on, get up! France is finished.

Listen to me.

Wake up, citizens!

It's your time to be free.

Don't be sad, the sun is shining once more.

I bring great news. France has surrendered!

Young people, you will participate in the rebirth of our nation.

France has been dishonored by treachery.

And now, Philippe P�tain, the Marshal of France,

its savior at Verdun, turns to you for help.

March now and keep your eyes fixed on the future,

be worthy of the motto he has given us:

"Work, Family, Fatherland",

and the Order of the Gallic Francisque,

the symbol of our eternal, generous and pure Fatherland.

Take part in completing this mission of rebuilding the nation,

under the Marshal's guidance, and pledge to him,

here and now:

Marshal

Here we are, in front of you The savior of France

We swear to serve And follow your steps

Marshal, here we are In front of you, the savior of France

The homeland will be reborn Marshal, Marshal, here we are

Khabatti Neimad! Khabatti Neimad!

Help him, he's had a sunstroke!

Take him away!

Khodja, the Qaid is here.

The Qaid has arrived.

Hurry up, idiots!

THE YEAR OF THE CART

Get up! Get up! Are you still sitting?

Get back! Make room!

Why don't you stand? Get up!

| said get up!

Haddaoui Ahmed!

Are you not ashamed to hand me such a filthy identity card?

Get away from me! Go and clean it!

Move! Go!

-What a beast! -Haddaoui Kouider!

Give me that, idiot!

Good afternoon, Constable.

Good afternoon, Khodja.

Forgive him.

My cousin is from the desert. He knows nothing.

How many of you are there?

Ten, Khodja.

-I'll make it 15. -May God bless you!

May God protect you.

-Here you go. -God bless you.

-Go. -Thank you.

Kouider!

He's got sunstroke.

Lie him down and give him water!

Kouider!

Help!

Help me!

Help me!

Another one has passed out!

This storm will take them for all eternity.

Disease takes away the poor and the homeless,

leaving others to atone for their sins.

Doctors are like vultures hovering around.

Night and day, they wait for the next one.

The dead arrive at the cemetery in a ballet.

And all the survivors can do is cry.

The deceased remained unburied for three days.

The neighbors don't help, because they too have just died.

The bodies are all thrown onto a cart,

and they all end up in the same hole. What a shame!

God, come to their rescue, You, who can do the impossible,

and soothe the pain in their hearts.

An announcement for the population!

Several deaths from typhoid have occurred.

Therefore, the Colonel

has given orders to quarantine the town,

and emergency sanitary measures will be undertaken.

All French citizens must report

to the military headquarters

as evacuation procedures have commenced.

The native population is warned

against any action aimed at breaking the quarantine.

Where are you going?

Nobody can leave. The town is under lockdown.

We've already told you.

We've told you again and again.

The Qaid has ordered you to return to your homes and not to leave them again.

These are government orders! The governor's orders!

Orders enforced by law!

Do not leave your homes!

It's forbidden to leave town. The gates are locked.

Do you understand?

Make way.

Return to your homes,

and wash yourselves with soap.

Burn all of your old clothes and only wear new ones.

Delouse yourselves,

and clean you houses with limewash. Do you understand?

No, not here! Go to the church.

There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.

We've run out of medicine.

-Where are you going? -To save my children.

-I asked where you're going? -To save my children.

Leave them!

I'm going to take you to my city

Where you will be safe and sound

Where there is no poverty or agony

Or sickness or worries

Miloud will come every day To update you on what happens

Shut up! How can you sing while people are dying'?

Shut up or I'll kill you!

If you kill me, who will bury them?

Tell me, who will bury them?

Are people sick inside your home?

They don't need it anymore. God is the greatest.

What are you doing, Ahmed?

Leave this darkness you live in,

and erase the delusions in your mind.

Again this year, famine has fallen upon us.

You know that in difficult times we send our strongest

to harvest for the colonialists.

Thus, we are able to provide for the needs of our village.

You should be with them, Ahmed.

Look, the Americans.

What are they doing here?

They've come to help France.

Don't worry, Hitler will deal with them!

France, Hitler, the Americans...

What difference does it make for us?

Badawi Said.

Batqa Muhammad.

Slimani Omar.

-Baradie Mussa. -Let's go.

Listen, if we go faster, we'll get to the village by dawn.

Hey, quit day-dreaming.

It's not for you!

Listen to me, everyone takes a turn.

Don't push, you'll all get a chance.

Don't push!

Don't push! Can you hear me?

Animals! A little discipline!

The master is watching.

Look at all this water. This must be what Heaven is like.

-While we live in Hell. -But we'll go to Heaven.

Allah says:

"Do not forget your share of the world."

Where have all the men gone? Only dogs are left here.

Your cattle drink all day. It's not right!

But you bring yours to drink in secret, at night.

That's a lie! Keep it up and there'll be bloodshed.

If blood is shed, yours will be too.

Stop! Stop!

Stop!

I told you to stop.

Stop! Stop!

Listen to me!

You, get back!

Lower your weapons.

-Lower your guns. -Have you gone mad?

Ahmed, they started it.

Calm down, Akli!

Misery,

war, hunger and colonization:

isn't that enough for you?

You're willing to shed your countrymen's blood

over this puddle of water the colonialists have left for you.

Have you no shame?

The day before yesterday,

we harvested plenty of wheat

for those colonialists.

They have vegetables, water,

and fertile lands.

They took Paradise, and threw us into Hell.

And here you are,

fighting each other over mud.

That's where you have to fight!

Against those who stole our land,

our water, and everything we once had.

Raise your weapons against them,

not against your countrymen.

Do you want water? It's easy.

Come.

Five men from each tribe.

-We know the way. -So do we.

My God!

My son!

So you want to be heroes, do you?

You little bastards!

How dare you act against the Law and the Government?

I swear,

whoever wants to revolt against the Government,

will have to deal with me.

A gang of scum!

Move it!

A SINGLE GOAL: VICTORY

Everybody get UP-

FRANCE, 8TH OF MAY 1945

ALGERIA, 8TH OF MAY 1945

THE YEARS OF EMBERS

No need to go searching.

There's no one left in the village.

What happened here?

Some terrible events took place during the month of May.

They claim that some free men

fought against France and against colonialism.

Here on our lands,

the soldiers attacked at dawn. What else can I say...

Atrocities occurred.

What about the brothers who went with you?

May God rest their souls.

Stop worrying.

Your son, Smail, is waiting for you with your sister and aunt in the city.

Ait Ammar Akli.

Here.

Name?

-Okay. -Thanks.

Next!

Ayani Mahmoud.

Next!

Notis lssa.

Khabatti Neimad.

Mam

For your blood and your courage, they gave you this trinket.

Whereas I,

I stooped down, picked it up, and pinned it on myself.

That's the difference between you and I.

You left under blows and you came back under blows.

You can see that nothing has changed.

Even spring was a difficult season.

The prisons are overcrowded.

The villages are deserted.

Come, follow me.

Ahmed has returned!

Have you returned alone?

Winter is here, and with it cold nights and sorrow.

Good people have joined you,

and the rest will soon be here.

A lot have been released.

Others still rot in prison.

Here,

people are wandering like sheep. Nothing has changed.

The pockets of the Qaid are overflowing,

and the Khodja gets his share.

Those two have stripped the people bare.

Fear prevails everywhere.

Even the lion flees from his own shadow.

Good job.

You're doing well.

It's like you've been a blacksmith all your life.

Here's the bus.

Last stop.

Last stop.

He's not from here.

He's arrived!

-Did you see that man? -I did, he passed in front of me.

I don't like the look of him. He went straight to the police station.

I told you he was a policeman.

I can smell one from far off.

Akli usually exaggerates, but he's not wrong today.

He must be a policeman.

It's not possible.

How can an Algerian work in their police force?

I can't understand it.

The bus is full of people every day.

Good people, troublemakers, all kinds of people.

There are bees who love honey, and there are flies who love blood.

Today, a rat has arrived. God, make him awaken those sheep.

Here he comes!

Look here.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Can someone tell me the way to the hotel?

Please, can no one show me the way?

-Snitch! -Hey, Miloud.

You like Wanderers. Take him there.

Come on, snitch, follow me.

Come with me.

He sleeps at the hotel,

and every morning goes to the police station.

Then he walks around town.

He sits at the caf�, pretending to read the newspaper.

Tell me, don't you find it a bit suspicious?

I don't buy it!

It's Ramadan, quit gossiping!

You're right, I'll keep quiet.

Mahmud works at the cafe, he'll keep an eye on him and tell us.

Here he comes.

You leave your son with him?

About time you got here! Give me that.

Now get lost!

Eat slowly! Are you in a hurry'?

Animal!

I noticed that you go to the police station every morning.

-Anything important? -No, I have to report in.

What does that mean?

An exile must report to the police every day.

Forgive us.

We thought you were a snitch.

-Really? -Don't blame us.

Since the 8th of May, the situation has been getting worse.

I know.

The entire population has been affected.

It's why I was exiled here.

So, do you work in politics?

May Allah protect us from Satan and the cursed one.

In the name of Allah the Merciful.

God said:

"Obey Allah and His Messenger,

and those in authority."

You forgot "from among you".

Have you forgotten it, or did they ask you to forget it?

Believers,

Ramadan is the month of reverence.

A month of prayer and devotion to God.

We are Muslims,

yet we are surrounded by infidels.

We see, with regret and sadness,

that some of our brothers have deviated from the path of Islam,

drinking alcohol and committing other sins.

We must worship Allah even more,

in order to protect ourselves and our community

from these sins.

In the name of Allah the Merciful:

"Say to those who have been ungodly: You will be vanquished

and gathered together in Gehenna,

a detestable place indeed."

Sheikh, don't forget the verse:

"By the mount and by the scripture inscribed on parchment,

woe that day to the deniers

who amuse themselves in empty discourse,

for they will be brutally pushed into the fires of Gehenna."

Almighty God is Truth.

No politics!

That's enough!

He's right. We're in the house of Allah.

If you want to discuss politics, go elsewhere!

This is a house of reverence and prayer.

Here we worship Allah, so enough of this talk!

What is this? Are you teaching me the Quran?

No, certainly not, Sheikh.

But all of these good words and long hollow speeches,

which put people to sleep, are not interesting.

And what, in your opinion, is an interesting subject for believers,

from all the information that Allah the Almighty has provided

his worshippers with?

Tell us about Jihad.

About the men who died for their beliefs and for justice,

and for the great cause.

Everything in its own time.

There's a time for discussion, and a time for Jihad.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him...

Peace be upon Him.

...followed this method Himself.

Although I don't know you,

I feel you're a good person.

You've been warned before. No public speeches.

You were clearly told to keep your mouth shut.

So you like to play at politics, you piece of shit?

I'll give you politics!

Do you still like politics so much? Answer me!

Tell me...

who snitched on him?

Why? What did he do?

What did he do?

Do you want to know?

You're mistaken, my friends.

Your enemies know how to listen and think,

while your ears are blocked,

and your heads are empty like drums.

Get lost or I'll beat you.

Sit down.

Save your strength for your forge,

or to free your brother.

Look. Only one street separates you.

Come, he's on the other side of the street.

It's not that simple, Miloud.

You have to be mad like Miloud to go and knock down walls.

Hello, brother Ahmed.

Has anything happened?

Nothing. I kept watch all night.

Ahmed, look.

It's him.

What's wrong with him?

-They've beaten him. -Those bastards.

Mr. Larbi?

Mr. Larbi. Mr. Larbi!

Bastards!

Fetch some water.

Come, Lakhdar.

In the name of Allah,

in the name of our martyred brothers killed during the sacred struggle,

we begin this meeting.

Hello, Smail.

Go and play now.

Our first point of discussion is organization.

Mr. Omar,

tell us about your communication with El Hadj and his men.

I contacted them,

but they haven't changed their minds. The situation's still the same.

Let them be. One day, they'll realize they're wrong.

Forgive me, I'm new.

Where do El Hadj and his men stand regarding this,

and what disagreement is there between you and them?

Our positions are quite clear.

El Hadj and his men are still convinced

that negotiation with the colonialist

is the only solution for the future of our country.

Whenever we have met, we have tried to show them

that they are mistaken.

And it's not just us.

History and experience have proven that colonialism

relies mainly on force.

It occupies by force. Kills, demolishes and destroys by force.

That's why we told those brothers that we should resort to force,

because the time for dialogue with the colonialists is over.

The only solution is armed conflict.

In short,

the colonist came by force,

and he must leave by force.

That's the main difference between us and El Hadj.

The next point is weapons.

Ahmed has already begun. He is responsible for armed action.

We have managed to get some weapons.

Go ahead, Ahmed.

Ibrahim brought this.

Yussef brought this one.

Aissa brought this.

And this is Omar's.

The rest were bought on the black market.

Please, enlighten me...

Do you really think we can defeat France with these?

Sorry, pardon me.

You're wrong, Akli.

"If one day a people wants to regain its freedom,

it Will fulfill its destiny.

The darkness will fade,

and the chains will be broken."

"When the earth is shaken with its final earthquake,

and the earth discharges its burdens,

and man says, 'What is wrong with it?',

that day, it will report its news

because your Lord has commanded it."

THE YEAR OF THE ATTACK

As I already said,

tomorrow our candidate will arrive here

to beat the colonialist candidate.

Therefore, Mr. Khalifa, Mr. Ammer, Mr. Mahmoud,

and myself, are in charge

of welcoming him to our town.

We ask you all

to make sure to vote for us.

You must help us,

so that we can defeat colonialism,

and have our candidate for freedom elected.

My brothers,

with your belief and your effort,

righteousness shall overcome injustice!

We all agree with the need to win freedom.

God bless you, Mr. Larbi.

Concerning our help,

I can tell you on behalf of my brothers here,

that you'll receive it.

However, as for these elections,

our help will be of no use in winning freedom.

Shame on you, Mr. Larbi!

How can a militant like you say that?

I really can't believe it!

I can't believe that prison

has affected you that much.

You're mistaken, El Hadj.

All our votes combined won't change a thing.

Because these elections,

like all past and future ones,

are nothing but a charade.

And I can tell you,

that if we take this path,

we become nothing but clowns in it.

We will be helping them to achieve their goal,

and we will have annihilated the future of our people.

In the name of the martyrs of the 8th of May, I ask you to take that back!

Yours words are not worthy of a true militant!

And I say, in the name of the martyrs of the 8th of May,

that it is the best way to help the colonialists.

Very well,

suppose we agree with you,

what precisely do you propose?

Simply put, El Hadj, they came by force, so they'll leave by force.

Why are you applauding? Do you understand nothing?

Can't you tell a cat from a dog?

Do you really think

you're more intelligent

than our leaders in the capital?

Those who will bring us final victory?

Mr. Larbi,

with all respect for your commitment,

I don't agree with you,

and I can't follow you along a path that may break, destroy,

and annihilate the movement at this critical moment!

Good bye!

Mr. Governor, how do you do?

Thank you for this kind reception.

Major.

Captain.

Mr. Mayor, how do you do?

Mr. Governor, I'd like to introduce my son.

Make way.

Here come the collaborators.

I don't want to shake his hand.

What can we do?

Where can we go to avoid them?

The forge. It's too dirty for him in there.

Let's go.

When faced with a common enemy, we must stick together.

Come on.

This isn't even a forge!

And those are not Muslims.

That's true, Bachaga. They are pretending to pray.

And these young men here,

if it were not for this snake,

who has poisoned their minds,

they would surely vote for us.

I see.

Well, ask them to come this evening to talk.

As you say, Bachaga.

Did you understand the Bachaga?

Make sure you're all at the rally this evening,

and don't dare not come!

Especially you, old man. Do you hear me?

If you don't come, I'll close down your shop.

As for you, I'll send you back to Kabylia,

back to picking olives.

Get lost, traitor!

Damn you, you son of a bitch!

Here's the bus. Mr. Mohammad must be on it, let's go.

Come on, hurry up.

Smail.

Welcome, how are you?

Hello, how are you?

-Everything okay? -Of course.

-We||, are we going to win? -Absolutely.

-Shall we go now? -Yes, let's go.

Your papers?

Where are you staying?

The home of my friend, El Hadj.

You can pick up your identity card when you leave.

What is it?

Anything wrong?

No, everything is fine.

I'm sure you understand.

He's a reasonable man.

He is!

He surely wouldn't hold a public meeting.

-Do you think so? -Absolutely.

He wouldn't provoke us.

Well, that's all. Your friends are waiting.

You'll get your papers back when you leave,

if nothing goes wrong, of course.

-That's Mr. Mohammad. -Do you know him?

He's a good speaker.

My friends,

you saw how they greeted me.

We should avoid their traps and attempts at provocation.

They have forbidden public meetings.

But since you believe in your fight,

we must take the decision

to fight them with their own weapons.

We will all attend the Bachaga rally.

We will show that we are united.

I will provoke and humiliate him.

And may the best candidate win!

You'll win nothing.

You see? Another provocation.

You're all witnesses!

It's just like I told you!

Who is that?

Larbi? Did that come from you? I can't believe it.

Yes, Mr. Mohammad, it was me.

But it wasn't a provocation.

What are you doing there? Come up here.

I said you'd win nothing.

It's pointless talking to them.

Their candidate has already won.

You're just wasting your time,

and the people's time.

In a battle, no one can say who will win before the fight is over.

What battle? What fight?

The right to shout at them in an assembly,

while the people are oppressed.

You're nothing but a few sheep amongst wolves.

We're not collaborators!

It's the same thing!

I understand, Larbi, that prison has made you resentful.

None of us could have endured the tortures he experienced.

You're just wasting your time.

These people here will make their own choice.

We'll fight them with their own weapons,

and we'll win.

By the will of the people and militants, freedom and justice will triumph.

With words alone?

Listen to me, Mr. Mohammad.

One day, you will be judged,

if not by the colonialist,

then by history.

Listen, Larbi, I'm a militant,

and the party has its leaders. You know better than I do.

I'm here executing the party's orders in the interest of the people.

We shall go now,

along with all those who agree with us,

to challenge the colonialist candidate.

And I also say to you,

that your future is with us,

with the administration and the law,

with justice, with France.

A vote for us,

is a vote for more money,

more water and more wealth.

-What's happening? -These people just won't learn.

They're protesting.

They'll ruin the Bachaga rally.

Let's grab their candidate.

I have a better idea.

Remember,

France never forgets her children in need.

So, on election day,

you must be united in supporting what's right.

It's a trap.

Larbi!

Larbi!

Larbi, God is great!

Brothers, Mr. Larbi has been assassinated!

Go now and talk to them!

Go on!

Dogs!

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot. We're unarmed.

We only want to talk.

Don't shoot!

He warned you! He told you, but you didn't listen.

The cavalry!

We only want the leaders.

The others have nothing to fear.

Have the leaders stand to one side.

They want the leaders. They want them to step out.

The rest won't get hurt.

Lay low to avoid their swords!

Get down!

Mahmoud!

Come on!

I'll show you!

I warned you, oh people of the city!

May peace be upon our Prophet.

I appeal to His clemency.

See what happened,

here in the land of the brave.

THE YEARS OF FIRE

Peace be upon you, oh people of the city.

You have gone and we're soon to follow.

Oh people of the city,

your numbers increase while nothing changes in this world.

Two terrible summers and two terrible winters have passed.

Soldiers have murdered us in our sleep.

And now, a third winter,

with its share of atrocity and sorrow.

My heart too is black,

clamped tight by tangled links.

But there is new hope,

that promises better days.

Rejoice, people of the city, I have good news to announce.

Scarlet is this glow

which has found a place in my heart.

Last autumn,

I saw eight sacred ghosts.

They entered my house,

they went deep into its entrails,

and they emerged with lead and steel,

weapons without forgiveness or pity.

Then they disappeared into darkness.

Not even the moon could see them.

They languished in cells for more than two years,

where not even their relatives could visit.

Then they disappeared, like shadows,

and attacked fortresses in the dark.

They were angels elected by God, their Master.

Tell me,

what can stop the advance of an army of ghosts?

Listen to me, you living-dead, wallowing in the mud.

The day of truth has arrived, as Miloud had wished.

You are flies who swarm

around the crumbs and the filth

that the colonialists have left you.

Shame on you! Shame on you!

May God curse,

punish and annihilate

those who made no effort whatsoever

and played no part in this sacred day.

Listen, oh people of the city,

listen, you traitors.

There were eight roaring lions, and people could hear them from afar.

They were put in a cage and their jailers showed no mercy.

They suffered from cold, from hunger, and they were tortured.

For two summers and two winters, their lives were hanging by a thread.

Then, autumn came and they turned into ghosts again.

They broke their chains and took to the mountaintops.

Their battle cry echoes from the peaks.

It is the sound of gunpowder, the only solution.

The only thing that can grant freedom.

The only thing that can free serfs and slaves.

May God curse, punish and annihilate

those who made no effort whatsoever and played no part in this sacred day.

Damn you, wretched man!

You pretend you're mad,

but you dare to insult your masters.

May God curse you, you traitor!

Please, leave him alone.

Leave him alone.

Leave my father Miloud alone.

Please, leave him...

You have already taken my father. Miloud is all I have.

Please,

leave me Miloud.

Miloud.

Call your friends to help you now.

Look at all the soldiers arriving.

Come on, call them, pig!

Miloud, more soldiers have come.

I must warn my father.

Warn your father?

Do you know where he is?

Yes.

Hello.

Hello.

Sir,

do you have any acorns?

It's not the season.

What about chestnuts?

Yes, I have chestnuts. Follow me.

Smail...

Where's my father?

At a meeting in the valley.

NOVEMBER 1, 1954

Father!

Your father...

You're a man now,

and you must know the truth.

Do you see this blood'?

Your father is a martyr now.

We had a meeting last night.

We've been betrayed!

I'll cover you with the automatic rifle while you escape out the back.

-Are you crazy? -Those are the orders, you know that.

Your father was a brave man. You should follow in his footsteps.

Our country needs brave men.

Listen, oh people of the city, and rejoice!

The shadows have started the fight.

They'll force open all closed doors,

doors that were bolted twice.

They are marching towards death,

led by their faith.

Their steps will awaken those who have slept since the invaders arrived.

Great shame will fall

on those who don't join their fight!

NOVEMBER 11, 1954

Those who have bravely died for their country

deserve to be honored by all,

and their names remembered among the bravest.

Nothing can ever take away their glory.

And, like a mother's voice,

the voice of a whole people sings them to sleep in their graves.

Glory to eternal France! Glory to those who died for it!

To the martyrs! To the valiant and the strong!

To those inspired by their example, who seek to join them in the temple,

and who will die as they died!

Miloud!

Oh, God.

God Almighty, glory to You.

I'm so grateful and thankful to You

for bringing Miloud,

in whom no one believed,

to this location and this place,

to engrave his name in the books of history for eternity.

Blessed be this madness

that You bestowed upon me, God Almighty.

Blessed be this madness,

by which I'm known and which made me see the light.

Blessed be this madness,

and all its promises.

Blessed be this madness,

as sharp as the blade of a plow,

which neither rust nor time can tarnish.

Blessed be this madness,

which burns hotter than the sting of a bee.

Blessed be this moment when You called me.

Blessed be the path,

on which You led me.

Blessed be the woes,

that burdened me from each and every direction.

Blessed be the Years of Ashes,

and the Years of Embers,

that passed like lightning.

Blessed be the Years of Fire,

that burn for eternity,

whose flames arose in every city,

in every town, and in every village.

Miloud!

Now,

I'm ready to sleep,

to take my rest

in Your everlasting world of peace.

Miloud!

On the 5th of July, 1962, the Algerian people,

after sacrificing more than one million martyrs,

achieved their independence.