Original subtitles

What was that? - A tribe member.

Why is he shooting at us? Accelerate. - At that distance he won't touch us.

A great start to the day, Hameed.

This is Afghanistan, friend.

The city of Kandahar

I had asked Islamabad to arrange a Mercedes.

They never listen either. -Steve, hello.

Had a good journey? - Except for the bureaucracy.

Nice to have you back. - I'm glad about it too.

Jamilah, Aysha. - Good to have you back, Richard.

We were shot at when we first arrived over the Spin Boldak Pass.

Welcome to Kandahar.

The Northern Alliance? - Angry tribesmen.

They shoot at every van in the desert. That happens all the time.

Things have escalated since your last visit.

It was probably risky in Africa too.

I was on the beach for three weeks. - Your wife must have been frantic?

This is life, friend. This is life.

Everyone in Africa, from high to low, is out for profit.

Here also. Everyone thinks that the Islamists are less corrupt.

Nonsense. I was here in '94, right before the Taliban took Kabul.

The government was crazy, but these guys...

In Pakistan everyone knows that. Our government is totally corrupt.

The Taliban don't care about ethnic ones reduce tensions.

Are you leaving? - The new driver is very strict.

Aysha may work for us, but for her and Jamilah are under a curfew.

Thanks, ladies.

They still allow it that Jamilah interprets...

but she is no longer allowed to leave the region. Ridiculous.

Where has the old leader gone?

They got that three weeks ago executed.

He screwed young boys. To do that all of them, usually with impunity.

The new one is called Ashiq Khan. A fat bastard.

One of the first Taliban. Ex-Mujaheddin.

He fought the Russians. He wants to know exactly what we're doing.

He plays from a hill in charge of the tribes.

I hear all kinds of things about General Massoud.

Ahmed Shah Massoud. - The Lion of Panjir.

He also fought against the Russians.

Without American help they will never get Kabul.

That can take a long time.

So we clear their mines so that the government can kill even more Afghans.

Not so negative. It's still good if the infrastructure is being built?

The Taliban now control the roads and oil pipelines.

They really don't bring any food to villages in Helmand.

They don't bring fuel to Jalalabad, where the farmers are starving.

Those guys want to weigh in to take on the Alliance.

And the Tajiks, the Uzbeks, and anyone who does not follow their Islam.

Also against Westerners who want to do good.

You have no problem with it to work for the Taliban?

I have nothing to do with it. Genco sends me to clear mines.

So that's my job. I put my principles aside for that.

Ever since Alexander the Great they fight in Afghanistan.

It doesn't change anyway, so let them have their way.

Put on your bulletproof vest.

Not me. I'm going to sleep, guys. Sleep tight.

Good night, buddy.

Another rebel attack? - They are becoming more and more common.

A bunch of Americans in Helmand wants to buy stuff.

Which company? - From New York.

Isn't that where you come from, Jamilah? - I am from Afghanistan.

I lived in Boston and New York as a child lived.

New York isn't what it used to be anymore has been. It's safer here.

Hameed, reprimand him.

I have to pee. - That's possible now.

If he keeps driving like this, we keep having problems.

He keeps driving too fast. Tell him that.

That's how we get into trouble with the tires.

I already see what's going on.

What is it?

I can not hear you.

I'm sorry. Put away that gun.

Steve.

Calm down.

Calm. What have you done? - I was just pissing.

Put away that gun.

Put away that gun. It's a misunderstanding.

What is he saying? - I don't understand his dialect.

Wait, man. Guard. - It's loaded.

Put away that gun.

Do not shoot.

Goddamnit.

Get out. Run.

Come on, hurry up. In the car. Come on.

To ride.

We are safe. - I was pissing.

With a woman. - They'll kill you for that.

I hadn't seen her. - She could see you.

You have to be more careful. You have to think.

If you dishonor their women, they will shoot you.

Are you OK? - Let's get to work, okay?

Are you okay?

I'm quite shocked just like everyone else.

Jamilah is a great asset.

You were great friends, before you went to Africa.

Not really. In Helmand we could get along well.

Jamilah and Aysha, good team.

Because of that Khan she will won't be working for us much longer.

The country is changing. The Alliance is in the north.

And the government makes it foreign teams more difficult. Its a shame, but there is nothing to do about it.

There is an M36 here.

That was one. - Only 48,752 to go.

Come, Jamilah.

No, stop. Ali.

Stay there. Stay there. And you have to come from there.

She must keep a distance of 20 meters.

Aysha, stay there. Tell him to stand still.

What is his name? Ali, look at me. Stay there.

Stand still. Aysha, you come here. You have to come here.

Damn.

Aysha, calm down. - To persevere. We'll come get you.

We'll get you. Stay down. - Take her hand.

Hameed. - Do not move. Ali, look at me.

Come. We must clear the way. - Is she okay?

Do not move. - Press here.

Come here with that stuff. Hurry up.

Do not move. It'll be fine.

What are you doing? That's not how we do it here.

He could have gotten help.

Away with him. He has been fired. When we get to Kandahar, he can go.

We'll take her to the field hospital and then to Pakistan.

We drive to Quetta. A team there takes her to Islamabad.

I don't trust those Taliban doctors. You're in charge here.

Make sure you send that bastard away.

This is an important contract, so make sure everything runs smoothly.

Aysha is gone and you are not allowed to be alone working with Jamilah.

Jamilah was only allowed to interpret for us with Aysha there.

Jamilah shouldn't be alone with a man.

There must be a woman there. - Then find one.

It's not that simple. Those two come to get her.

When I called for Aysha's transportation to arrange...

they realized that you are alone at Jamilah.

They take her to Ashiq Khan. Go to him.

He will arrange a male interpreter for you. I'm going with Hameed.

I'm calling you from Quetta. If there are any problems you know what to do.

Ashiq Khan?

Where is Steve Delamore?

I'm under him. Richard Lee. I thought it would be good to have a quick chat.

Have you heard about the accident? Today?

I'm in charge now Steve Aysha to Pakistan.

I have to go to Kabul, so I have little time for you.

As you know, I am now without an interpreter. - We'll give you another one.

I was actually hoping you could make a special exception...

and me my trusted interpreter could keep. Jamilah.

Impossible. - She is your best interpreter.

She has lived in America. - We have excellent interpreters.

That's your interpreter. He speaks English very well.

Hello. I have been told that your English is good.

Put your shoulders to the wheel I need you around the clock.

Don't let yourself be fooled. Do you speak Baloch?

I speak English. My name is Shir.

Nice to meet you.

No one speaks English that well Pashtu and Balochi as Jamilah.

She is the only one who is well educated.

It's not possible. That is my final decision.

How much do we pay you? Thirty dollars a day?

We can make it $40. Than I have a good interpreter. And you get more.

A woman is not allowed to be alone with a man works that her husband is not.

You do not determine our way of life. - And Jamilah?

She will take care of children. Your new interpreter coming tomorrow. That was it.

What are you doing here? - Quiet.

Go away. - Please don't talk so loudly.

Please go away.

Relax, nothing will happen. There's no one here.

I missed you so much.

Why did you leave me here?

I had to go. I had to go to Africa.

I had to arrange something and you could do not call or write.

I came back as soon as possible.

So your feeling hasn't disappeared? - No, I feel like I want to be with you.

Please don't leave me alone. I need you.

You are no longer allowed to work for us now that Aysha is gone.

I know. Those are the rules of the Taliban. Richard...

if they find us, they will kill us. - Calm down, I'm not staying.

Remember what I said before I left? That still applies.

I mean it more than ever. This country is going to pieces.

I have a friend at Immigration spoken in London. It's possible.

I have to get you to Pakistan, across the border.

But how? I'm not allowed to work with you anymore.

I came here too, didn't I? You have to trust me.

I came back for you. I'm here now. Give me a few days.

Just stay here. As Ashiq Khan gives you work, then you take it.

Don't arouse suspicion when he asks something.

I'll pick you up in two days. Then make sure you're ready.

Do you speak English? What happened?

Her friend fought with men. - What is her name?

I don't know that woman. - What's that girlfriend's name? Ask her.

She is crazy. Don't worry about her.

Where was she taken?

Where? - They're going to stone her.

At the execution site. At the old hotel.

Stand still.

It'll be fine.

Samia... - Calm down.

Where is she?

She didn't make it. Stay still. I don't know if you broke anything.

What do we do? - We have to leave.

When Ashiq Khan notices what happened is, he comes here. We have to leave.

I'm driving to Quetta, if we can cross the border.

With any luck he doesn't know anything yet. - That guy from our team...

knows about us. He screamed at me when I was attacked.

He said I was with an unbeliever made love.

He knows about us. That's why he stoned us.

Then we have to now escape completely.

He will tell Ashiq. I'm going to load the car.

I'll be right back. - Please don't leave me alone.

Please.

I caused this. I have to solve it.

You are a guest in Afghanistan. Behaves Do you behave this way towards your host?

Hooves.

You dishonor and threaten a woman that man with a gun.

That stoning was illegal. He has Samia killed and Jamilah kidnapped.

He is being punished. And you, Englishman, will be punished too.

And the whore... Prostitution is punishable by death.

We'll finish that man's job. And you must die too.

You're breaking our laws because of you to abuse our women...

while you know it's not allowed.

Well, Englishman. The man, the unbeliever...

who dishonors a Muslim woman, even if she is a whore, will die.

We have to go.

Jamilah, darling?

Jamilah, I'm so sorry.

Goddamnit.

Now pick up.

Genco Medical Center Quetta, Pakistan

Steve, it's Richard. - How are you?

It's not going well. I need help. Where are you?

You scared me. What is?

Jamilah is dead. The Afghan who shot that boy at the mines...

wanted to execute her. Ashiq got involved.

He's after me. - What are you doing?

Steve, come back. I have to go to Pakistan.

Stay where you are. When you cross the border cross on foot, you will be killed.

If I stay, I'm going to die. I fly home from Quetta.

I'll solve it. We have a contract with those people.

I'll make sure you get free passage. I'll arrange something.

It's too bad for that. You have to help me.

Ask the Foreign Office can help me in Pakistan.

I'm crossing the border.

Do you even know where you're going? - Someone's coming.

Damn.

This is Taliban checkpoint Spin Boldak. They keep an eye out for smugglers.

It's a bit tricky, but it's the closest.

I have to be in Pakistan for him. Tomorrow we drive to Quetta.

And Ashiq Khan? - I don't know what to do.

We enter the lion's den. - Lions cannot be bribed.

If there's anything I can do about things to save it, it has to be done now.

And Richard... - I'll do what I can.

The incredulous Englishman who dishonors an Afghan...

cannot escape Afghan law.

Richard saved her from stoning.

Why was she attacked? Because she had fucked a foreigner.

Nonsense. You love someone the hand above the head.

Jamilah's kidnapper must be punished. Stoning is prohibited.

They have been seen together.

They were intimate. That is prohibited.

That man broke our laws and he is punished.

He's a Brit who works for the Taliban. He has rights.

He has no rights. You British...

never had a say in Afghanistan.

This is not India or Pakistan.

It's the 20th century and I won't let him like shooting a dog in the street.

We will see.

Is this a money issue? - No.

What then?

You have hiding places in Kandahar. Where is he?

I don't know where he is. If I knew, I would be with him.

If you don't bring him to me, are you also a criminal?

Can you guarantee then? that he will not be executed?

That he gets a fair trial and can talk to our embassy?

For the sake of international relations I agree with that.

Then I'll make sure I find him. - Of course there is...

something else. Another way to save him.

They execute him as soon as they find him.

Khan claims otherwise, but there will be no fair trial.

He has to go to Pakistan. - What can we do?

The Taliban think he is in Kandahar is and don't expect him at the border.

This way Richard can escape and then we leave.

In one way or another.

Where is the road?

Damn.

I work for Genco and we are here to talk to Mr Mohameed.

Are you English? - From the north. Are you from Kandahar?

Yes, but I am been to many other places.

You speak good English. - I lived in America.

I was born in Afghanistan,

but my parents are in the US moved when I was little.

They had to return in 1989, when the Russians left.

I fear my Pashtu is not as good as your English.

Does not matter. You can speak English with me.

It's my job. I am an interpreter. - Do you work as an interpreter?

Before the Taliban came along, I worked for the UN.

Now I work alone if there is no male interpreter.

What's your name?

Put that gun down.

I don't speak Pashtu. No Pashtu.

Pakistani? - No no no. English.

Pakistani? Soldier? - No, not a Pakistani. Not a soldier.

English. I don't speak Pashtu.

I am English.

I work for Genco and clear mines. We'll blow them up.

They wonder why an unarmed Englishman...

so close to their camp walks in the mountains.

I am lost. I followed the road.

Where are you going? - To Pakistan, via the Khojak Pass.

So you are a Pakistani. - No.

I am English. - Englishman?

There are many ISI agents in our country. The Punjabis meet the Taliban here.

Who are you? - I'm not from Pakistan.

I'm from Leeds in England.

Then it is also a mystery to me why you are here.

I'm fleeing to Pakistan.

The Taliban government in Kandahar is after me.

They're going to kill me so I have to cross the border.

English? - Yes, I'm English.

Tell me, Englishman, in what year your great country...

won the football world cup.

1966.

We are also not happy with the regime.

We too are enemies of the Taliban.

I am in import and export.

Richard Lee, mine clearer. - Welcome to Balochistan.

Can you take me across the border? I have money. My company can pay more.

I am in the import and export business. If you want to screw the Taliban, I'll help you.

Come on, we have to eat. A long journey awaits us.

Come.

Headquarters, report.

Hello, headquarters.

Here's Steve Delamore, on.

Here's Steve Delamore, on.

We sleep here, in one of our many camps.

Tomorrow we will take you to the border.

Sero Khan is about this area.

Make yourself at home. This is where you sleep tonight.

We used this cave during the war against the Russians.

Did you fight the Soviets? - All of us. Hassan here...

was in the Afghan army until he deserted.

We are all Mujaheddin. - And now?

Now we fight the new one suppressor. The same corruption.

God sent them, they say. God does not allow women to be abused...

and do not kill unbelievers. Allah supports men like me.

Do you support the Northern Alliance?

Northerners. They can have Kabul.

In my country, Balochistan, they have no business.

Look. This is Iran, this is Afghanistan...

and this is Pakistan. And this... All this is Balochistan.

The English drew a line and look. This is Afghanistan, this is Pakistan.

Those boundaries mean nothing to us. We are one people. Baloch.

One day we will be a sovereign country. That's what I fight for. Balochistan.

Pakistan is not giving up on that country. Look at how they are holding on to Kashmir.

The problem with Kashmir cannot be solved. India wants Kashmir.

But this is simple. Baluchistan wants freedom and gets it.

Tell me. How does an Englishman hunt? antagonize the Taliban?

It's complicated.

Like everything in this country. There are always many sides.

I can only hope that it was not a woman.

The English only think of two things more fun than tea: Football and fucking.

No surprise, buddy. These women are the most beautiful in the whole world.

You do not understand.

You drank heavenly wine and it turned out to be poisonous.

My wife's been two months died in Africa.

We divorced last year, but it is still...

She was an aid worker in Sierra Leone.

She wanted to stay, I had to leave. So we broke up.

I went to Afghanistan and...

I didn't want it.

I thought it couldn't happen, but...

I fell in love.

A sweet woman. She was...

so strong. So full of principles. So beautiful.

I couldn't live without her.

I knew it couldn't work out...

but I was crazy about her.

My wife got malaria, but she stayed with the people she helped.

I've thought a thousand times about my wife's death.

I should have been there and I wasn't there.

I wasn't there for her when she died.

I had let her slip away and that shouldn't happen again.

I love her and...

I didn't want to lose her.

Women are the most precious beings on earth.

If you want to die for love, you must you continue to live to find love again.

You must rest, Englishman. Tomorrow will be a long day.

Good night. No problem.

Jamilah, we have to go to Naringe.

A girl died in a minefield.

Do you think our people are harsh?

Your people adapt to the environment. This country is tough, so are the people.

Our country is also very beautiful. You haven't seen much of it yet.

I've seen Kandahar and this here. The drive from Quetta...

was spectacular.

Pakistan. My mother and my brother always wanted to go there...

when the Taliban came to power.

My father didn't give permission. He said we had to stay.

That we've been in America too long had lived.

That it is important to die in Afghanistan.

And you? What do you want?

My father is dead now.

If I could go, I would go.

What is? - Nothing.

Haji thought he heard something.

You, come back.

I don't think there is anyone there.

Goddamnit.

Taliban.

Come on, Richard. Come here.

This is how you get information.

If the Taliban find him, the message is clear.

If they don't find him, the wild dogs will find him.

Were they looking for me?

No. They had been sent by the commander in Kandahar.

They were looking for us because we had two nights attacked a Taliban base ago.

Were you behind that attack?

We don't like of the Taliban government.

And you don't show that here with demonstrations.

We blow things up. Washington does that too.

Come, we'll take you to the border. - Thank you, Omar.

You are my guest. And you pay in cash, right? Come.

When was that over? - Five hours ago.

Has he really been seen? - Yes, he escaped with the others.

Okay. Keep me informed about it.

The Genco coordinator in Kabul.

There was a gunfight, 25 kilometers from the border at Khojak.

When? - Yesterday evening. Richard was there.

Then Ashiq Khan now knows that too. - Not yet.

Only Genco knows. - Is he injured?

No. He escaped and became helped by smugglers.

He's probably going to Khojak Pass. - Dangerous. Are we going there?

I. You stay here If Ashiq Khan or the police call...

tell you I'm in town I'm looking for Richard, okay?

Fine. Good luck.

There's still a lot to be done, James.

Yes, in a month we have the contract still exists.

I know it's important. I'll solve this myself.

I'll get Richard Lee to Pakistan go. He will be in England tomorrow evening.

Ashiq Khan is not a problem. I have to hang up and will call you later.

Can I have Ashiq Khan? Steve Delamore, Genco.

Tell him to call me. Steve Delamore.

Steve Delamore of Genco. Ask him to call me, okay?

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan. - How glad I am to see that.

There is a lot of security. Taliban. Maybe they're looking for you.

You must put on these clothes, so they don't recognize you.

I can't go anywhere climb over the fence?

It's electrified and there are mines.

Go through the border post. The Pakistanis will take you to Quetta.

The weapons must stay here. Don't worry, I have a gun.

Come.

Genco Kandahar, with Steve. About.

Genco Kandahar, with Steve. About.

Hameed, report. About.

Hameed, report.

Genco Kandahar, with Steve.

Hameed, report. About.

Hameed, report.

Steve, it's Hameed.

Where were you? You have to send a fax to the head office in Kabul.

Hello, Steve. I can not hear you. - Hello, Hameed. Do you understand me?

Hameed, about. Goddamnit.

Hello, Hameed. Do you hear me? Sign in.

Steve, say something. With Hameed. Do you hear me? Steve?

Hello? -Steve, with Ashiq Khan.

Our people are at the border. The target is shot.

Where are you? - Hameed? That damn thing.

Hello, Steve? If you hear me, then come here immediately.

We are waiting for you.

Hello?

Hameed, can you hear me? Say something. Hameed, say something.

Hameed, say something. I know you're there.

With Hameed. - We need to get the radio checked.

Hameed?

I know about you and Ashiq Khan.

Poor connection. Say it again.

You told them where Richard is. They're going to stop him.

They're going to kill him and then they make him disappear.

Listen, I had no choice. He has ruined it for all of us.

Ashiq Khan had us can be thrown out of the country.

And then Genco loses the contract.

So you get your friend killed? - It's him or us.

I wanted Ashiq Khan on the line so that Richard could escape.

And what about Genco? If we escape, Genco is deported from the country.

And our people in Kabul? - Nothing will happen to them.

But Richard is killed. Because of the money. For Genco and the contract.

You're too late. - I was stuck in traffic.

There are people at the border. Your friend gets caught...

and then we can move on. This is your new interpreter.

Hello, sir.

Like I said: If there are new ones complications arise...

the future of your company runs danger in Afghanistan.

Genco takes its work here seriously. There will be no more problems.

Give me the money.

Because I like you, I only need half.

No, that's not the deal. - My brother, you're going to need it.

Thank you. - This is my job.

Import and export. Don't mention it.

What now?

Come visit us in Leeds. - Then we'll go to football.

Leeds United. Good team.

Okay? Bye.

Go now.

Are you OK?

Richard, it's going to be okay. Hang in there, brother. Richard?

Don't leave me.

Helmand Province Afghanistan, 2002

Translation: Lieuwe Osinga P2P Subtitling BV