Original subtitles

Somewhere in the Sahel.

[Fulani flute]

[desert wind]

[camel grunting]

[in Fulani] Chief, shouldn't we take a little break?

Here? We're not very far. It would be wiser to continue.

The children are tired.

The animals are starting to slow down.

Thank God, let's stop.

[Fulani flute]

-[Muslim prayer] -[wind blowing]

[wind blowing]

[Muslim prayer]

[discreet laughter]

[goat bleating]

I'll do it.

-Are you sure? -Of course.

You're not allowed.

In Allah's name.

[knife scrapping]

Sira, what are you doing?

Go help your mother in the kitchen!

Cover your head and feet!

It's your fault.

Are you okay?

Yes, Mom, I'm okay.

Seriously? Look at you!

You look like sex-starved women.

Don't start, Djamila.

But it's true. When we were cooking, we used to chat, sing.

The situation is different.

It's not a reason for life to stop.

We're together and in good health.

We've been travelling for five days.

We aren't sex-starved, we're in heat.

[laughing]

There you go. A bit of joy.

Sira, let's dance.

[happy Fulani song]

[camel grunts]

A sand storm is coming.

Is it near?

A day or two.

Will you really allow this marriage?

Moustapha, don't start.

Tidiane!

Sharia doesn't allow it.

Really?

They love each other, it's the most important thing.

No, it isn't!

Belief in the same religion is essential.

What will their children become?

Muslims or Christians?

They'll choose.

I trust this boy.

I watched him since he was a boy.

And I trust my daughter.

I've prepared her.

Moustapha.

You should care about your own situation.

Your wife left you a while ago.

When will you remarry?

What's the point?

I can't have children.

You've been pretty busy these last months.

What's keeping you busy?

Nothing important.

You know I've been very open-minded.

People say silly things.

All right.

Let's join the others.

[departing footsteps]

-I've never seen such a beautiful bride. -[laughs]

Thank you.

Remember.

To keep your man,

feed him well and satisfy him in bed.

Auntie...

What's a man with an empty belly and clotted balls worth?

Nothing.

Every night after your bath

make sure to rub

cow oil all over your body in front of him.

It drives them crazy.

You know all that

and you're on your second divorce?

Let me enjoy my life. My children are enough.

Darling, grab your man and sit on him

before he goes off elsewhere.

Don't listen to her, darling.

Be loving,

faithful,

and hard working.

Ah, love!

I don't understand.

A midwife marrying a farmer.

-My father would've disowned me. -Hmm.

[father] Aissatou.

There's a storm heading directly towards us.

We'll move early tomorrow morning.

-Understood? -Yes.

-The young bride is beautiful. -[laughs]

Can we see?

You're not sleeping?

My insomnia won't let me.

How about you?

I took a little walk. I needed to think.

The wedding is really bothering you?

It gives us a safe haven.

You would prefer the camp for displaced people?

That's exactly my problem.

They persecute us.

We should defend ourselves instead of hiding.

We should defend our rights.

Against whom exactly?

The farmers?

The hunters?

Or the government?

We're nomads.

It's always been like this.

If it doesn't work, we leave.

Nomads, yes, but not cowards!

The men are ready to fight.

Let me prepare them.

No way!

Is it because your wife is a foreigner?

Aissatou is integrated.

What's happened to you?

I always admired your authority and courage. Now you give up!

Moustapha.

Courage is a demonstration of wisdom

not of strength.

Goodnight.

[metal banging]

[camel grunts]

[car approaching]

[camel grunts]

Salem malekum.

Malekum salam.

[in French] Can we help you?

We're looking for two men.

Peuls.

The Bourikan chief has been assassinated.

Sorry, we had no idea.

We're heading to Koursa

with the women and children.

Why are you armed?

Our village has been attacked. We're protecting our families.

Who's the chief?

Wait here. I'll go find him.

[Moustapha calling out]

[men grunting]

[women screaming]

-[gunshots ringing] -[women screaming]

[Sira wailing]

-Dad! -[shooting, wailing continues]

-Dad! -[panting, sobbing]

-[gunshot] -[scream]

[sobbing] Dad!

Dad!

[Sira crying]

[in Fulani] Curse you!

Allah curses all your family!

Allah curses your children and all your descendants.

You jackal!

Scavenger!

[cries of despair]

[in French] Let me go!

Let me go!

[in Fulani] Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

-[wailing] -[engine starts]

Mom!

Mom!

[sad Fulani flute music]

[Aissatou sobbing]

Sira!

[sad Fulani flute]

[Aissatou sobbing]

-[murmur of sand] -[Aissatou chanting quietly]

[Aissatou chanting quietly, sniffing]

[wind blowing]

[man on the radio in French] More than one million people displaced to the North

this day Thursday April 24th 2022.

Military air support assets are solicited to carry...

[howling, screaming in terror]

[in Fulani] You don't deserve to die by my weapon.

-[spit] -[grunts]

[footsteps receding]

-[door opening] -[engine starts]

-[door closing] -[car driving away]

[wind blowing harder]

[distant animal noise]

[sobbing quietly]

[birds singing]

[oppressive silence]

[vulture calling]

[vulture calling]

[cries]

[cries of pain]

[panting]

[plastic rustling]

[panting]

[whimpering]

[grunting, panting]

[cracking earth]

[indistinct conversation]

[camel grunts]

[indistinct conversation]

[clapping]

Yes.

Come in.

Good evening, mother-in-law.

How are you?

I must find her.

Find her where?

We don't know who they are.

They're probably terrorists.

What use could she be to them?

If they keep her alive, she'll be their sex slave.

She's better off dead.

Don't say that.

Her brothers taught her

how to defend herself.

How to use weapons.

She can defend herself.

They weren't able to defend themselves against these people.

I'm sorry.

I'll inform the police.

Jean-Sidi.

Be careful.

Okay.

[cries in pain]

[panting]

-[car approaching] -[whimpers]

[intense music]

[distant chatter]

[panting]

[panting, shaking]

[insects chirping]

[bird cries]

[quiet rustle of fabrics]

[water trickles]

[metal creaking quietly]

[Muslim prayer in the distance]

[flies buzzing]

[indistinct conversation]

-[muffled conversation approaching] -[breathing shakily]

Yere!

[in French] You know we lost five men?

Unfortunately, yes.

When do your men arrive from Bourikan?

I've just become chief.

If I start recruiting now, they'll suspect something.

We need men.

I could have recruited Tidiane's men, but you killed them all.

[Yere] Calm down.

[man] Excuse me.

[Yere] Come in, Karim.

Welcome.

Thank you. They told me I could find you here.

Moustapha, this is Karim.

Salam malekoum.

Walekoum salam.

Where do I unload the weapons?

In this tent where you'll stand guard.

Yes, sir.

Who's this guy?

He's recommended by the eastern cell chief.

He's specialized in weapon training.

Isn't he too old?

He's experienced.

[panting]

[takes deep, shaky breath]

[sobbing quietly]

-[rock scrapping] -[car approaching]

-Salam alaikum. -Alaikum salam.

[low, distressing whistling music]

[in Fulani] Where are you?

I can't take it anymore. Come.

[cows lowing]

Yere is the man who led the attack.

He's now Bourikan chief.

Did you tell the police?

No, I don't trust them.

The rumor is that Yere had his brother killed

to take his place as leader.

There was no investigation.

-[cattle bellowing loudly] -[man in French] Get out of here!

Idiot! Look what your animals did to my crops!

It's okay now, he moved them.

Get the hell out of this village, you filthy Peul.

Terrorist!

[man whimpering]

[man whimpering]

I ordered this meeting because I noticed

clans starting to form in the village

and unfounded accusations in certain communities.

[man] My chief,

we're accused of being terrorists or of helping them.

Our animals are stolen or killed.

It has to stop.

Your animals destroy our fields.

Fence off your fields.

You've lost your mind!

-How? -Calm down.

Aissatou, this is a men's meeting.

A men's meeting?

The terrorists are around us.

Instead of protecting the village,

you're bickering about crops and animals.

This isn't the time for accusations.

Intercommunity problems have existed for a long time.

Our grandfathers always found solutions

for good social cohesion.

You spend hours in meetings

and you keep women away from all decisions.

Decisions that affect our lives

and our children's lives.

We have the right to the same information as you.

Let each community get together.

Make everyone aware.

What about Sira?

The police were informed.

Let them do their job.

[in Fulani] Aissatou? Are you there?

-How are you? -I'm okay, Khadijah.

-Aissatou, where is Jean-Sidi? -I don't know.

He's been gone since this morning.

I can't reach him on his mobile.

What's going on, Aissatou?

Tell me.

I think he went to find Sira.

Oh, no, God.

Khadijah...

Let me go!

How was your trip?

Very long.

Bush taxis are a nightmare.

Any news?

Not really.

Is Yere there?

No, he comes once a month.

No one knows where he goes when he leaves?

It's very difficult to get information.

[sheep bleeting]

Get some rest.

[Fulani flute music]

[Muslim prayer]

[small shearing noise]

[quiet clattering]

-[indistinct chatter] -[zipper zips]

[Muslim prayer]

[tense music]

[woman whimpers]

[tense music]

[in French] You want to run away?

Take her to my tent.

[sobbing quietly]

Do you want to die?

What's your name?

Kemi.

How old are you?

Seventeen.

From now on you'll do my chores.

You'll find food here to cook.

Take off your clothes.

[whispering]

[whispering] I am starving.

-[in English] What do you want? -Food.

Don't have any.

Please. Please.

Tomorrow I'll put some behind the fence.

-I'm Sira. And you? -Kemi.

[Kemi gasps, pants]

[in French] Where were you?

Sorry. I went to pee.

[screams, sobs]

No one should move far from the group.

Get in here now!

[clearing throat]

What are you looking for?

I left a bag, but I can't find it.

It's weird. It was under the seat.

May Allah be with you.

I was going to tell you.

Food has also disappeared.

It's impossible.

Right under our noses.

Search the camp and all around.

[war cries and cheers]

[tense music]

Search everywhere!

Karim!

Nobody's here.

Someone from the camp must have taken the bag.

Let's move back.

Everyone, let's move back!

[Fulani flute music]

Karim, let's move back!

[whimpering]

[Fulani flute music]

[whispering frantically]

We'll have big problems.

Where do you come from?

Not far from here.

There's isn't anywhere else.

You stole the food from the camp?

Kemi, they'll kill us if we help her.

Isobeth, please.

Are you pregnant?

No.

How long have you been hiding?

Almost four months.

Where are you from?

Nigeria.

We're from Solhan.

They're from Djibo in Burkina.

They're from Gao in Mali, her from Bouake,

they're from somewhere in Niger.

Can I have a burqa?

Thank you.

[in English] Excuse me, sir. The shipment has arrived.

-Salam alaikum. -Alaikum salam.

[in French] The weapons and the new recruits are here.

Allamdoulilah.

Start unloading.

It's missing 500g

A mishap.

But I'll sort it out for the next order.

-Well... -Thank you.

Have lunch with us.

No thanks. Next time Inch'Allah.

May Allah be with you.

[girls singing sweetly]

I heard singing.

Please. I'm pregnant.

Take me, sir.

Shut up!

You! Follow me!

No more noise.

Who has the keys to the armored cars?

We have to find them.

We can't approach them without permission.

They only contact we have...

is when we sleep with them.

That's when to steal them.

The men are very violent.

You think it's a simple screw?

They beat us.

They hold our heads in their hands

so they can look us in the eye and rape us.

And Moustapha.

What about him?

He's strange.

He covers our heads...

and rapes us...

from behind.

[tense music]

I'm getting water.

We have no problem here, here and here?

No, no problem.

Any defective weapons?

-Yes. -How many?

Seventeen.

Seventeen out of 50?

I'm heading to the village.

What about the provisions?

There's enough left for a few days.

Okay, Karim. Post guards around the camp.

Okay, sir.

[Fulani flute]

[soldier 1] See Ousmane for the weapons.

Have him repair the defective ones.

Okay.

Check the fuel level.

Yere and Moustapha have the keys

around their necks.

If they have them, we'll never get them.

You must try.

Go ahead. Be my guest.

They know who I am.

Kemi, why aren't you saying anything?

You're Yere's favorite.

You can easily get close to him.

[in English] No, I can't.

[in French] Kemi, you must do it.

You want to be his slave all your life?

Yere has just left.

Try with Moustapha.

If we succeed,

how far is the nearest police station?

We must try.

If we don't, we'll all die here.

Allah doesn't hear our prayers.

We need to act alone.

You must be careful.

You have a baby in there.

No, there's nothing.

You are pregnant.

No.

[man on radio] Three months after the last attack conducted

by three suicide bombers west of Koursa

hitting a mosque, a school, and a marketplace

the city has been deserted.

The residents have been placed in displacement camps.

Today more than two million people have been displaced.

Local social services are overwhelmed.

The level of food supplies has become critical

as the insecurity on the roads leading to the region

blocks the supplies from coming through...

[crying]

[whipping sound]

Allah...

forgive me.

Forgive my sins.

[prayer, whipping continues]

Allah.

Deliver me.

Deliver me from this demon.

I beg you. Deliver me.

Deliver me.

I beg you.

Purify me.

Purify me.

[whipping]

[sobbing] I beg you, deliver me from this demon!

Allah!

[wind blowing]

What?

Moustapha called me tonight.

Yere said you're not allowed to go to the men's tent.

He wants to talk to me.

Follow me.

[clapping]

Yes.

Did you ask for one of the girls?

[Moustapha] No.

Sorry to disturb you.

[Moustapha] Wait.

She asked to see me?

Yes.

Let her in.

[woman] Are you sure?

Let her in.

All right.

What do you want?

Stop it. I'm not interested.

Get dressed.

-Don't touch me! -[Kemi screams]

Get out of here before I put a bullet in your head.

-Wait! -[Kemi sobbing, panting]

Turn around.

Open your hands.

[sobbing]

Raise your arms.

-[keys jingle] -[sobbing, in English] Sorry!

[wails, sobs] Sorry!

[tense music]

[in French] You're dead.

You're dead!

-You're dead! You're dead! -[screaming]

I want all the girls out!

[Kemi screaming]

[Kemi sobbing, screaming]

What did she do?

She tried to steal the pickup's key.

Don't do that.

Yere will be furious.

Let him decide her fate.

I'll punish her.

-[Moustapha growls] -[girls whimper]

Moustapha!

[winds and flute]

[soft but strong Fulani flute]

[Fulani flute music]

[local pop music on radio]

[car approaching]

[tsking]

-Salam malekoum. -Walekoum salam.

Salam malekoum.

I want to see the chief.

Salam malekoum.

Walekoum salam.

I don't speak More, Chief.

What do you want?

I heard that you're recruiting men.

Where did you hear that?

The young people in the village.

Did they say why I'm recruiting?

For the glory of Islam.

What's your name?

Jean-Sidi, Chief.

Are you Christian?

Not anymore.

-I want to enter Islam. -Hmm.

What are you looking for here?

I arrived a few months ago to find work.

Everybody deserted my village.

I'm staying at a friend's house.

Find four other people to join you until my return.

Thank you, Chief.

[engine starting]

[indistinct conversation]

An African player. Sadio Mané is good.

He's a good player.

[car approaching]

What did she do again?

She tried to steal the pickup's key.

Bring her.

[wind blowing in tents]

[wailing]

[crying]

[clapping]

You wanted to see me?

[grunts]

At the village.

A young Peul wanted me to recruit him.

He looked suspicious.

Find out more about him.

If I'm right, have him killed.

His name is Jean-Sidi.

What did you say? Jean-Sidi?

What?

He's the fiancé of the girl you kidnapped.

He's looking for her. Now he found you.

Isn't he a farmer? What can he do?

I'll send two men first thing tomorrow to deal with him.

I knew this kidnapping would have consequences.

It's best I do it myself.

[tsking]

You are supposed to be dead.

No one should see you for now.

It'll be sorted tomorrow.

I hope so.

[engine sputtering, stalling]

Is everything okay?

Yes.

Yere told me we're low on food supplies.

How is that possible?

Our consumption increased?

Yes. Half the girls are pregnant.

Have I made the right choice?

-What choice? -Yere. All this.

I don't understand.

His thirst for power is a risk for the whole mission.

Most recruits are thugs with no values of Islam.

I don't know how you manage to train them.

I didn't approve your arrival.

You were too pure for a cause like ours.

But I must admit you are talented...

experienced and especially discrete.

Thank you.

There's movement in each base.

People are talking.

It's over for Yere.

The eastern cell will need someone wise

and experienced like you to lead Allah's soldiers.

You would accept such a responsibility?

Karim.

Allah's cause needs someone like you.

You can count on me.

May Allah protect you.

Amen.

[crickets chirping]

[tense music]

[gasping, panting]

Who are you?

[labored breathing]

I've seen you in the camp.

Are you the girl Yere kidnapped?

Are you here to kill me?

If it were the case, you'd be dead already.

What the hell are you doing here?

Why do you stay near?

I have shelter and water here.

Don't come near the camp. It's too risky.

[insects chirping]

[soft Fulanil flute]

[man vocalizes]

[in Fulani] Who are you?

[in English] It's over.

[cries of pain]

[panting]

[man vocalizing]

Jean-Sidi?

Is that you? Wait!

[labored breathing, yelping]

Wait for me!

[panting, yelping]

Don't leave me.

[liquid trickling]

[panting]

[yelping, panting]

[panting]

[muffled yelp, pants]

[muffled yelp, panting]

[muffled yelp, panting]

[muffled scream, panting]

[muffled yelp, panting]

[muffled scream, panting]

-[wet thud] -[panting]

[knife slicing]

[footsteps approaching]

[Fulani flute]

[in French] This wasn't meant to happen yet.

Look, I can't stay long.

I was getting married, you know.

With Jean-Sidi, my fiancé.

The only man of my life.

That life with him stops today.

It's Allah's decision.

Don't lose hope.

He won't want me anymore.

What will he do with a soiled woman?

You don't know, he might understand.

Maybe Allah has another destiny for you.

I didn't ask for anything.

Another reason why.

Why do we pray so much then?

So he makes the best choices for us.

Now the priority is to get you out of here.

Are the girls okay?

Yes.

But the youngest died from a miscarriage.

[in English] Sir?

They're ready for the meeting.

Okay. I'm coming.

Eh.

No sign of Jean-Sidi?

Nothing. We're still looking for him, sir.

He has left Burkan.

And I've placed a man at Karossa in case he comes home.

-Only one? -Yes. It's complicated, sir.

There are young armed men guarding the village right now.

But as soon as he enters the village, our men will act discretely.

Mmm.

[in French] Tell Moustapha about Samté's death.

[English] I told him he's been killed.

[man vocalizing]

[in French] Higher than that!

Ready, set, go!

Faster!

Come on, faster!

You chose them for the first attack?

-Yes. -Hmm.

[Moustapha] I don't think this one is ready yet.

[Karim] Why? He's the best shooter in the camp.

Look at him.

He has no self-confidence.

If he's taken, he'll give us up.

Release him. Karim!

You're the guns expert, I have my qualifications.

Replace him.

Faysal!

Come here.

You're dismissed.

But, sir, I want to do this mission.

You question orders?

No, sir.

Meet me here!

Quick!

It's time.

Do you know how to use a gun?

You know how to aim,

but do you know how to unload and load it?

Nuh-uh.

Look, it's not complicated.

[cartridge clattering]

Take this watch.

At 11:30 pm, you will place the explosives.

One here, one there and one on this side.

Avoid this place, there are fuel barrels here.

Don't forget the girls are in the camp.

Half the men will leave the camp very early on that day

to re-localize in the east and prepare a second attack.

There will be fewer men than usual.

Will Yere and Moustapha go with them?

No, they'll coordinate the first attack.

They'll leave later in the day.

Where will you be?

I'll be bringing more men.

At five a.m., you'll be on the mound of stones ready to shoot.

You'll wait for my signal.

Don't do anything else.

Just wait for my signal.

[baby crying]

[tsks, in Fulani] Be quiet.

[in French] What will you do with him?

Allah protects you.

[intense music]

[whispers]

We thought you were dead.

You gave birth? Is he okay?

I've explained everything here.

Get ready, I don't have enough time.

Wait! Your fiancé Jean-Sidi is looking for you.

What? What are you talking about?

Yere sent someone to kill him.

[Fulani flute music]

[tense, rhythmic Fulani music]

[rifle parts clattering]

[Fulani flute, tense music]

[loud bang]

[shouting]

[shouting, in French] Hands up!

Get down!

Hands behind your back!

[baby cooing]

[flies buzzing]

[grunts]

[tense music]

They escaped!

[baby cries]

They can't be very far.

I'll send men to find them.

I'm alive.

-[baby fussing] -[shushes]

[amplified baby cries]

[baby cries]

[Fulani flute]

[grunting]

[Fulani flute]

[vultures calling]

[panting and yelping]

[shouting]

Calm down.

Calm down.

Don't be afraid. We're here to help you.

Lieutenant! Get them to safety.

[baby cries]

[Jean-Sidi shouting] Sira!

[panting]

[moving Fulani music]

[baby crying]

[Fulani flute music]

[sobbing]

[♪]