Original subtitles

Any resemblance to persons living or dead

is purely coincidental.

Get up, boys, it's dawn.

Get up!

Out with you!

I don't want anything from you or your sons.

Ungrateful!

Bitch! Shut your mouth!

Massitan! The porter is here.

Hey, boy, my bags!

I don't have time.

Help me! My husband just threw me out.

Let go of the bags.

Help me load.

I won't come back to his house.

Sister, are you the first wife?

That's me! I've known every sorrow.

Here's your pay.

It's all right.

Unload it here.

Hey, Balla! Just arrived?

Go get the baskets!

You don't know how to make money.

- Do you know? - Yes I do.

I've been waiting for him for so long...

- There's 20 Kg. - How much a kilo?

2500 FM.

Ok, I'll pay you this afternoon.

Don't forget you owe me from before.

I won't forget, I'll pay up.

And the rest?

I'll pay you later.

Put the oranges here!

Why humiliate me? It's not exactly nice!

Balla! What are you waiting for with that sack?

You're very clumsy.

Still going to Guinea?

Bring me the money this afternoon.

I've promised you. What else do you want?

Hurry up, Balla!

Be careful!

You'll have your money this afternoon.

Porter!

Can you take two sacks?

Impossible. I'm waiting for someone.

I'll ask my mate.

- Can you make a run? - Sure!

That way.

Let me help you.

M'Batoma! The millet is over there.

- No rice today? - No! Just millet.

We can't spend our lives eating red millet.

It's just as good as the others.

God knows we're fed up of red millet.

Just cut it out!

Who do you think you are?

Traoré, I'm sorry...

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

You're complicated.

All right.

- Where are the handkerchiefs? - They're all wet.

My sister told me this morning that there's white rice...

at the Bozola Co-op.

- Boss, the millet's all set. - Wait for me, I'm coming.

- Got any money? - No.

Just 5000 FM.

Sometimes you talk as if you were illiterate.

It's not right.

Here.

10000 FM? I have no change.

Go get it!

I could waste the whole day at it.

So what do we do?

I'll be at the front of the factory...

I've never seen you.

I haven't seen you either.

- What's your name? - Balla.

- Last name? - Diarra.

- You'll be my slave, then. - Are you a Traoré?

If I had known,

I'd have carried the two sacks on my head.

Traoré, do you have a new slave?

Rather he has a new master.

All right. I'll pay you tomorrow in front of the factory.

Ok. See you!

Don't go yet, little slave!

Come with me to the Bozola Co-op.

The sale is over.

Impossible!

We need rice!

There's no more left... No more for sale.

That's the last sack.

We're out of stock.

We're out of rice.

Balla, let's go back!

Come!

Boss!

Don't call me boss, call me Balla Traoré.

I wanted a leave permit.

Did you get someone to replace you?

Then tell your boss that I sent you.

Traoré, the boss is looking for you.

I'm going to get my rice.

That's your problem.

Get to work.

You screwed up with that part.

You know it'll be three months until we get a spare part.

Make sure it doesn't happen again.

It won't.

Back to work!

I've got them very cheap. Take a look at the large one.

- How much? - 350 FM.

That's for women!

Try it on.

Too small for my girlfriend.

Look at him!

She's looking good.

How much for the trousers? I'll give you 50 FM.

No, 150!

I can't give you more than 50...

for that used rag.

I've made some progress with a serious man.

A rich man from Sarakollé.

He just needs to swallow the bait.

This has no future.

She'll end up getting married, like our sisters.

Watch out! The Director's coming.

You old whore! Who did you date yesterday?

In the afternoon, Seydow.

The ugly one?

Is the Minister in?

I'm Makan's secretary.

Fatou!

The Director wants to see you...

tomorrow at 4 pm.

Is that all right? Ok, good bye.

- Is the Director in? - Go see his secretary.

Take this to the boss's car.

Is the director in?

Don't you know how to say hello?

Yes, sorry. Is he in?

- He's not seeing anyone right now. - He called me.

- Who are you? - Balla Traoré, from the factory.

Right, Balla from the factory, he's expecting you.

It's the office on the right.

You're late, I was leaving...

Have a seat.

- Any news? - Everything's all right.

I got the quarterly report.

Truth is, this factory is going from bad to worse in red ink,

according to a report made before you arrived.

But right now,

we need to keep up appearances at all costs.

A rich man nowadays,

is like the crap that...

bees feed on.

They get pleasure,

but at the same time it makes them cry.

200 workers will be laid off,

among this mass of lazy bums.

200,

that's too many!

The factory will produce, I'll take care of it.

You have my trust.

- Here's the sack. - Leave it there.

That's everything. You owe me 215 FM.

Go, I'll pay you later.

I can't start the day...

with debts.

So what do you want?

I also start the day with debts...

What am I working for, then?

I don't give a damn.

Beat it! I have no money.

What do you want? Come back later!

Just think a bit, I have to earn a living.

Go on, beat it! I won't flee...

Hi, Korotoumou.

You could wait until the morning is over.

Korotoumou... do you have my money?

Don't insult me!

- Aren't you a bitch! - Yes, I am.

I have your money, but I won't pay you.

You'll pay me.

Is the Mecca wall painted...

with your shit?

And yours?

Fucking bitch!

You old whore!

Calm down! Have you no shame?

Traoré, breakfast is ready.

What's the matter?

I don't feel like talking.

I'm worried.

- You know them well. - Not at all.

Do you think we're alone in life?

I get criticized because I...

don't take care of my family.

You know my parents have nothing.

I can't support...

two families.

Go back to your parents if you want.

You talk to me like that...

precisely now?

How can you want me away from my parents?

Besides, it's you who forced me to work.

From now on, I will work.

Did you find an employer?

That's my problem.

Also mine.

Anyway, it'll happen soon.

My only frustration in this relationship,

is not having children.

And also mine!

If we don't have kids,

I can't do anything.

I don't want to hear you...

talking that way.

Let's stop this discussion,

we're too nervous.

Smarten up,

tonight we'll be having dinner at the Director's house.

I don't want to go.

Your hosts look down on everybody.

You're only coming with me.

I know, but I don't feel like it.

Get ready!

- Djénéba... hi! - Sinaté... hi!

- Is you husband in? - Yes, he's expecting you.

- How much is this sack? - 20700 FM.

You've done a lot of shopping today.

These days we're playing tag again...

with the tax agents,

to avoid any delays.

True. We have to solve the problem...

one way or another.

How much do we owe them?

200 million!

Is that the total?

What's our cash flow?

75 million!

I'll ask Djénéba to write a check.

It's always better...

to pay off debts to the state,

so we can make projects...

in the best conditions.

Put the money away!

Write a check for 125 million.

I don't have so much money in the bank.

It's not about your bank account.

Is it you who feeds him?

No use complaining.

Do as you're told.

You're unbearable.

I can't take it any longer!

Just leave if you can't take it!

Sissoko, calm down.

What do you want me to do?

My woman treats me like a nobody.

You don't have to spit on me...

every time you get into debt.

Leave me alone!

If you don't do it, I'll beat you up.

Too much anger...

for just one man.

By God and Sinaté, I forgive you.

I've had enough. Here, Sinaté.

Djénéba, give us five minutes.

Sinaté, I'm preparing a little trip.

Hey, you, what about your papers?

I don't have any.

Hey, get up! Come on!

You, there! Get up!

Your ID?

The guy asked him for a "hit".

As the baker didn't understand,

the Sarakollé showed him a loaf of bread...

Then the baker and his wife started to laugh.

That's funny!

Our Sarakollé fathers...

in Europe,

make fun of white people...

Really funny!

Leave that!

What have I done now?

You're provoking me! Come on, M'Batoma, let's go to the room.

Founé! See the children off to bed!

Is this your little girl?

Time to go to bed.

Excuse me, Balla...

it's better to be alone.

Women are indiscreet.

- What do you do? - Nothing.

After returning from Europe, my husband won't let me work.

What about your degrees?

Young men are jealous.

In a week you'll have your car.

I'll go and see Bathily for your coverage.

You'll have all the privileges of your rank.

It's very pretty.

It's a gift.

Don't be surprised,

it's nothing special.

You want to reorganize the factory.

It will only be possible...

if you're in charge.

Put it in the other room.

A bit further behind.

Djénéba!

We have to see each other less frequently.

Why?

I'm not afraid of gossip.

People stick their noses into other people's business.

Do you mean my husband?

Of course. You'll regret...

the day when...

he catches you.

There's nothing to be worried about.

Sure there is!

He's already been divorced four times.

Right now he loves you, make the best of it.

Enough. I know what I want.

Don't get angry.

Let's change the subject. What are you doing on Thursday?

I don't know yet.

What's your plan?

Come over by my house.

I won't be able to.

Sing to Fakoli!

Praise his majesty!

Fakoli's worthy descendant.

Great Griot! Please accept...

to pay them all this morning.

Good! And so it shall be.

Get behind me, sons of Fakoli.

You deserve a tribute...

O worthy son of your father.

What about the house?

The sand's been delivered,

the other materials are on their way.

Noumouké has promised it by the end of the month.

Hurry up,

German and French experts are coming.

Don't worry.

Hurry up!

Where's Diarra?

He's been arrested.

For lack of papers.

And where is he now?

I don't know.

What's the problem?

One of my workers has been arrested.

And I don't know why.

What's his name?

1000 FM to set him free.

I need him free.

You'll get an ID card.

Thank you, brother.

Come on, Diarraké.

Nobody's taking my son away!

I am!

Then, I'll pursue you forever!

What's going on?

This witch is after me every day,

we're going home to solve the problem.

- I have the rights to adoption. - Never!

Thanks for freeing me.

I had no means...

to get out.

Carry your papers...

and no one will hassle you.

I didn't know that.

It won't happen again, brother.

Have you finished?

- Have some more. - I'm full.

You can always eat a little more.

- Have a roll. - I can't, really.

Try the salad.

Don't refuse everything.

Have some fruit.

I'll have a banana.

- I'm leaving now. - Already?

Wait for me, I'll wash my hands.

As I foresaw,

your employment has been arranged.

Come to the factory tomorrow.

There's no need for a ride.

- How will you go back? - On foot, as usual.

- I'll show you out. - Don't bother.

Good evening!

Balla!

They set you free?

My boss paid for me.

Liar!

It's true, he freed me.

You dug a hole in the wall.

And I also have a job.

Oh! What a tall tale!

"If you think the night is nice, the day will be worse. "

Balla is a liar.

I'm not crazy. Believe me!

Balla is a joker.

It's been a long time.

Haven't seen you around lately.

Is it ready?

Yes.

Let's celebrate the reunion.

Where?

Come sit with me.

They're waiting for me.

I'm in a rush.

So, don't forget:

- Tuesday, at "3 Caïmans". - All right!

We'll have a good time.

- How much is it? - 1200 FM.

Where are you going tonight?

To the "3 Caïmans".

We could go together.

You need to rest, you've had a hard day.

Sure! There's always an excuse.

- All right, then, get dressed! - No, I'm not going.

Sometimes you're a bit complicated.

Go alone, I'm not going.

Shut the door.

If you stay out late, I'll lock it.

You're sitting there with your golden kerchiefs...

and your bald heads that signal that you're the bosses.

Your activities will be evident at the court...

You eat up all the public rights...

The police will catch you all.

- You're getting on our nerves! - So what?

Mec, get back to your place!

Let me go!

Have you gone mad?

I haven't seen your money!

Let him go!

A drunkard won't humiliate me!

The bottle holds the wine. Why can't you?

Go and let off steam over there, not here!

Calm down!

He's not drunk, he's just insolent.

What's wrong with you? You're bothering us.

Incredible!

Scandalous!

Let's settle the bill!

- Let's go home. - No!

- I'll walk you... - No, I'm staying.

You don't look good.

The harm's already done.

You behave...

like a hooligan.

That's what I had in mind.

You might have warned me.

Since you were there, it's all right.

You really have changed.

I thought you were a good citizen...

like in the days we were studying.

You change according to your place.

Because of your job...

private companies,

you work hard...

Balla, you should never treat a friend so badly.

I've never been so serious.

Private companies, then...

you work hard...

and make nothing.

Who told you that?

You've never worked...

for the public sector.

You work very little and make ten times more...

than in the private sector.

If you don't believe me, then that's that...

Listen! You know very well...

that while not in the public sector...

my salary is more than enough...

and I don't need more to get by.

You disappoint me.

Hi, Tiekoura!

Hi, boss!

How are you?

Any news?

The young ones came to tell me about a meeting.

Organized by the new engineer?

We have no confidence in him.

With or without your confidence, let's listen to him.

We'll judge him by his actions.

He doesn't have to be like the ones before.

For sure. Let's go and listen to him.

See you later.

Don't forget the meeting!

Try to be there!

What do you say?

The work is hard.

You have to get used to it.

I don't think it's that hard.

It's just getting used to it.

Try to make it to the meeting.

I'm very tired.

I'm asking you...

as the organizer.

I'll see.

I'm counting on you.

Founé, my thurible!

Founé, hand me the phone.

Good morning.

Yes, it's me.

Is the boss in?

Let me speak to him.

Hold on, I'll go and see.

Founé!

Put Sissoko on the phone.

Who is it? Zangué?

What's the matter?

Are the workers meeting...

with your permission?

Never! This is Balla's idea.

Incredible!

I can't trust anybody.

Don't wait for me.

Take Kariba or Drissa with you,

and follow procedure.

Those are my orders, I can't stand hooligans.

You've come at a good time.

It's about the meeting.

I told the boss,

he wants us to follow procedure.

You know what to do, so get over there.

What are you doing here?

Take the kids, quick!

Come here, Naou.

Wait here, I'll be back in a while.

Good day, Touré.

How are you?

And the family?

Today I've come to thank you,

for the work you did with my wife.

It was a complete success.

My wife adores me.

And all thanks to God and your work.

- I thank you. - Give thanks to God! To his Grace!

Today, my main concern in this visit...

is the factory.

In these violent times,

it's enough to wear a new shirt...

to awaken envy,

even if the person...

is not concerned.

I come to you for protection.

I've told you Traoré is evil.

And now the workers have stopped working,

to go to the meeting.

Who could have lightened the work load?

It's the new engineer.

He's reduced the cloth price.

And when such a person calls a meeting,

to discuss our problems, I think it's...

something good, that we should...

all value. What do you say?

You're right.

Our union delegates are a bunch of stool-pigeons,

trust them...

and you'll bury yourself alive.

So let's fire them!

I think they should reduce the working hours.

Eight hours a day,

instead of the current ten.

They only pay us 7000 FM a month.

The people that work eight hours a day are paid better...

than us, that's the real problem.

So what do you want us to do?

I think people are spoiled here.

Did you hear?

After the first month, everyone's in debt.

You have to claim your rights.

Besides, there's tattletales among us.

They keep quiet now, and talk later.

Instead of insulting each other, let's reach an agreement.

In any case, we need to earn more.

- Speak up! - Traoré, a call for you.

- I'm at a meeting. - It's very urgent.

- What do you want? - It's not my problem.

Instead of talking, let's act.

How?

- Let's go and see the boss! - We've already seen him.

Let's go once more.

And if he doesn't see us, we stop working.

Traoré, the boss is calling.

Doumbia, carry on with the meeting, I'll be right back.

You know what we have to do.

Traoré will be back. Wait for him.

Let me go!

Where were you when my fur order arrived?

I'm worried.

You're never there when I send someone.

I don't know what to do.

You could phone.

That would make things easier.

True.

I hadn't thought of that.

Did you get my check?

Yes.

It was for my cotton business.

I'm worried about that too.

Coming.

Balla has been on the job for three months...

and he's been well received by the workers.

His salary has risen and his work rate has improved.

Therefore, management has decided...

to take special measures, though not for the first time.

The police have opened an investigation.

Nothing new!

We've heard this story before...

with all its mysteries.

The crowd you see over there is here because of your brother.

All will be known today.

How many times have we taken the blow?

Enough!

Balla, you'll see us do it.

- Hello! - Hello, Touré!

The house is quiet, where are the servants?

Madame has...

Sent them all away?

After I left?

Naré, what an embarrassment! Sissoko is at the door.

How will I explain?

I'm dead!

Hurry up! You're so slow!

My God! Sissoko! Hurry up, Niaré!

- What's going on? - Greetings, Sissoko.

- I was waiting for you. - Why?

- You called me. - I don't remember.

That must be it.

You know, Niaré, you lose your head easily in this world.

Let's go in and talk, then.

I'm very short of time.

- Come in, please. - I'm afraid I can't.

I'll send you a message by phone tomorrow. Good bye.

Do you need to whine?

Can't you see I'm not well?

Right, you're ill!

What was he doing here?

Who?

Niaré!

He came because you invited him.

You asked him to wait here.

You know very well that I didn't call him.

How could I? I wasn't there.

You're not going to cry over that.

What did he come for?

You could speak to me more gently!

Wasn't it for this shitty life that you married me?

Haven't you seen Niaré?

Don't talk to me about him. I've got a thousand like him.

And he doesn't have shit.

Sure, now you can slut around all you like,

but when I build houses...

and give your father cars,

you don't say a word.

Speak, then.

I know how you made your fortune.

Your father, a common employee, corrupted...

the public services, and you're even proud of it.

Go to hell! I'll make you choke on that!

I'll choke you...

Calm down!

Everything will be settled...

today.

Who went and told the cops?

You couldn't keep your mouths shut.

This was bound to happen.

Who could have betrayed us?

I don't know.

I'll go look for Sissoko.

Sissoko!

What's that on your pants?

- Is it here? - Yes.

Wait for me!

Come and see.

I'll report it...

Get back to work!

- Get back to work! - Never!

Until we know where Balla is.

Do you know how he got here?

Attack them!

Slit their throats!

Kill him!

Murderer!