Original subtitles

Where am I?

I hear strange sounds.

Was it pride that led my steps?

Who takes care of mine?

Wait, there's something there.

My God, what have I done?

Hey, hey, hey!

Eh eh!

Hey!

Dad!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hold her back. If she moves, she could hurt herself.

We are almost there.

Slowly slowly...

It's nothing.

It's nothing, it's nothing.

So.

It's good.

Give the fabric.

So.

Its burrow must not be far away.

The herd disturbed him.

He came to stand guard.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Dad!

- Not too tired? - No. Thank you.

It's good.

Isn't it clean?

- And now? - No...

- It's clean! - No.

And now?

Eat!

I cut you a piece?

- Do you want lemon? - Yes.

Thank you.

They caught 4 young people in Mawoundou.

Now, that's 10 villages rounded up.

If we don't give our sons, the French imprison the chiefs.

We must refuse.

Yes.

You have to negotiate.

They have weapons. It's impossible.

We can't let them.

We have to hide our sons.

- God will help us. - Inshallah.

- Again? - No.

Take.

Thierno. Come.

The French arrive.

Come come.

Come, let's go.

Thierno, may God keep you.

I'll be back before dark. Come.

- Will you stay one night with him? - I'll do my best.

Stay hidden until I return. You understood?

Yes.

Come quickly!

Course!

Leave!

Don't stop!

Run, Thierno! Course!

Dad,

where is Thierno?

He will be back.

- Yes. - Yes.

Hey...

Look at me.

For the love of God, don't be mistaken.

Come on, come on, let's go.

Open the mouth.

Your name.

- What's your name? - Bakary.

Surname?

- Dieye. - How do you write that?

D-I-E-Y-E, chief.

Your age.

Your age?

30 years.

30 years old, chief.

Incorporated.

Bravo, soldier, for your drive

to come and defend my motherland.

- It's good? - Get up!

- Come on.

Hurry up. Hurry up.

Thierno.

It's me.

Here we go, get up.

Go, go! Goes.

Over there, over there.

Go for it.

Come on!

Alert!

Don't say I'm your father.

On your knees! Don't move!

My brother, help me!

We need men in the village...

Screw these morons in the hole.

We will get out of this.

Get away. Get away.

Boo, come on, boo!

Boo!

Behind, up!

Come on, faster.

Take your things.

Take your things, hurry up.

OK.

- Stay here. You understood? - Yes.

What do you want?

Clear!

You are waiting for me here.

I will be back.

Thierno.

Adama.

Good morning.

Do you understand Fulani?

You don't understand. And him? You understand?

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Do you speak Fulani? - I understand a little.

Are you Fulani?

Do you understand or not?

I just arrived, but I know someone.

- You know someone? - Muhammad.

He works there, in the canteens.

- Muhammad, in the canteens? - In the canteens.

Does anyone speak Fulani?

What do you want?

- Do you know a Muhammad? - Even several.

The one who renders services to the Fulani brothers.

Muhammad Sarr. But he is no longer there.

- How so? - He's resting.

And where is he?

In this shit!

I am Fulani. I don't speak Wolof.

You speak French?

- Yes. - It's good.

We will protect you.

And you pay us.

Who is he?

I do not know him.

Your pay.

Give your pay!

Hey!

- Close the door. - What?

Close the door.

What do you want?

I'm looking for Muhammad Sarr. You know him?

Get up! Go see him, go ask.

Hey! Hey!

Wait there.

Soldier, standing.

Get up, soldier!

Soldier!

- Sergeant? - Pick him up.

Who did this to you?

Soldiers.

Take him there.

Install it here.

Go eat.

Then come play. I'm going to rob him.

You can go, soldier.

You speak French?

Where did you learn?

At the white school.

What's your name?

Thierno.

Is that your first name or your last name?

My name.

Do you want to eat something? It's for me.

Here you do what you want.

In this café, there is no hierarchy. We are all equal.

There are only comrades here!

My lieutenant!

We live and eat together.

We fight together and we will die together.

Rather than abandon one of our own.

Just go.

He's there.

Thank you.

Who is Muhammad?

- It's me. - Good morning.

- How are you? - Spare me your niceties.

I'm tired.

I am looking for a solution so as not to go up to the front.

We are two. Me and a man from my village.

I can appoint you to the canteens.

It's 300 francs.

- Pardon? - 300 francs per head.

You are the fifteenth to come tonight.

I don't have all that money.

- But if you want, in the country... - We're not in the country any more!

You have money? You have a place.

If not, get it and come back.

My friend will never hold out.

I have 170 francs. Give me an advance.

Pity.

I will pay.

Go get your 170

and your guy.

I don't know how to thank you. - You want to help me?

Let me sleep!

Good night.

Diallo! We go to the 1st line. Gathering.

Hurry up!

Thierno, follow me. I have a plan.

He said we were going to the front.

No. You have a place in the canteens.

Give me your money.

- Come on, let's go. - Some soldiers stole everything from me.

What?

- What happened to you? - Weapons on the shoulder.

- What is this blood? - Salif!

- Form the ranks. - Soldiers, form ranks.

Thierno... We're off to face the beast.

- Why does he know your name? - I got treated there.

We are on the 1st line.

All those who don't have their gear...

He said to take his things.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, you are a good person.

Hurry up!

Faster, faster! Form the ranks!

Sergeant, gather!

tomorrow's battle

will be one of the most decisive since the beginning of this war.

You, Africans of Upper Niger,

from Senegal, Guinea,

of Sudan, you are going to

contribute to this resounding victory.

This hill is the last rampart that separates us from victory.

If you take it, you will be considered heroes

by all the inhabitants of this country.

soldiers,

it is not I who speak to you, but the entire country.

Don't listen to your fear, your cowardice, your confusion.

Listen only to your courage.

After this battle, you will no longer be natives...

...you will be French!

Call me a stretcher-bearer.

In place.

First wave in position!

First wave in position!

Let's pray. Let's pray.

Get ready!

Come on, for France!

Second wave with me! In position!

In position!

No matter what, we're not breaking up.

You understood? We don't separate!

Don't fear the Germans, fear God!

On my signal!

Ahead!

Stay behind me!

Thierno!

Thierno! Thierno!

Thierno!

Wait for me!

Wait for me!

Thierno!

Stay here!

Adama! Stay here!

Hey, Thierno, Thierno!

Stay here!

Where are you?

Thierno!

Adama!

Thierno! Where are you?

- What's wrong with him? - Adama?

- What's wrong with him? - Oh my God, Adama!

- Adama! - It'll be OK.

What happened to you?

It'll be fine, my little one.

Dad...

- He is dead? - He's not dead! He's not dead.

Stay with us! Stay with us!

Adam? Adama, stay with us.

Adam?

Hey! Come on, come on!

Come on!

Thierno!

Thierno!

Thierno!

Come on! Come on!

Come on! Down!

Grenade!

Let go of me! Let go of me!

Calm down!

Hey! Stay here!

Fall back! Fall back!

- Come. - Stay in position.

- Fall back! - We hold the position!

You have to retreat immediately.

Thierno, stay there!

Fall back.

Sergeant Diatta, where is he?

Sergeant Diatta has fallen, my lieutenant.

Corporal Ndiaye has fallen, my lieutenant.

Saidou, Saidou!

Come on stand up. Upright!

To the machine gun. Come on, courage, soldier.

Paul! At the outpost.

You fought like lions and no one supported us!

He is crazy.

There are no more survivors.

I want sentries everywhere.

You, over there, go.

And someone else there! Come on!

We keep the position!

I want everyone to hold their own and we're waiting for orders!

You are lions!

Diallo.

We gotta go join the sentries.

You fought well, soldier.

Thierno!

Come.

We're going to get little Adama.

I thought of him.

Let us pass.

Where are you going?

Hold on!

- Hold on! - Leave it, we pass.

You are sick!

You are going to die.

It's him.

Come on.

Come on.

There, there.

The tarp... The tarp...

The tarpaulin.

Take her feet.

What?

Calm down! Sit down.

Put that down.

- What is happening? - Put that down.

Put down your rifle.

Stay at your posts.

Diallo!

The lieutenant wants to see you.

I will be back.

- Hi! - Hi.

- How are you doing? - I'm OK, thank you.

I am looking for Muhammad.

He is under there.

The poor... Wait!

Hold on...

He had promised me a place in the canteens.

Do you know who I can ask?

A white man has taken over the kitchens.

This bastard takes us for dogs! I advise against it.

Wait, you didn't understand. I can pay.

You are deaf? Find another plan!

I have no other plan!

Clear!

Hurry up!

Several of my corporals fell. You replace them.

I need two brave people like you.

What's meat?

I don't know.

A problem?

I don't eat pork.

You eat rice, right?

Cheers, corporals.

Salif!

My lieutenant.

I was looking for you.

The lieutenant...

offered me to become a corporal.

Fallen non-commissioned officers must be replaced.

I don't have the choice.

You have to use it.

The lieutenant got you, huh?

You have to use it.

To find a way to leave.

Open your eyes, pay attention.

Try to survey the ground.

Befriend this lieutenant and his guard dog, Salif.

All right?

But it will take...

that you play the game.

Obey me.

- What are you talking about? - If I'm your superior,

it's necessary...

I mean...

that you pretend to obey me.

At your command, Corporal.

I accept.

It's good.

Yes.

Two sweaters and two scarves.

Two coats.

A coat.

Plus a kepi.

Here, your stripes.

It's here.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

What are mom and kids doing?

At this hour...

Sidibé still owes

bother your mother,

not to go to bed.

Mariama must be snoring.

His little breathing, there.

Sometimes it sounds so loud I can't sleep.

Do you think everything will have changed when we return?

Faster, hurry up!

Firmer, Corporal. Obey yourself.

Faster! Come on!

Come on! Hurry up! To go there!

Faster!

Faster, faster!

Hey, no.

Leave him to fend for himself. If it comes to the front,

you don't risk two lives.

Sergeant, he's hurt.

Corporal, assert your authority.

You go back now!

Don't make me force you.

What are you playing at?

Thierno!

Now!

Come on, soldiers!

Hurry up, go! Come on!

Faster there!

Soldier, go to the infirmary.

We're going to do the same exercise without weapons.

You take command.

Come on, soldiers! Hurry up!

That's not how you'll escape the fight.

You know...

Don't hurt yourself on purpose to get out of it.

They always have an eye on us.

They'll put a bullet in your head.

What are you getting involved in?

Note, with a bullet in the head...

you escape even further from the front.

You escape everything!

Hmm?

Is not it?

I've seen you before.

Your father is at war too, huh?

- What are you doing here? - I was shitting.

It's forbidden?

And you?

If you think you're hiding here, you're making a big mistake, mate.

Because here,

the gendarmes make rounds every two days.

If they catch you, you'll end up at the end of a rope.

Note, at the end of a rope...

it's over, the war.

It's goodbye.

Hmm?

Isn't it?

Did you follow me?

Yes.

I was afraid that you were snooping everywhere and that

you fell on my business.

If these fools are to be trusted to eat,

we will die of hunger before wintering.

Note, if you're starving...

Hey... Yes, got it.

You want some?

I don't drink.

- You should. - Hey!

Leave me alone at the end!

Besides!

Listen to me.

You and me,

we are looking for the same thing.

A way out of this hell.

As Lieutenant Chambreau says,

there is nothing stronger

than a fellowship of fugitives.

I don't need you. I have my plans.

I know what I'm doing.

You don't know anything at all.

You know...

The police are everywhere, there are rounds, day and night.

With your head

you get caught in a day.

I know how to hide.

Alone, you will not succeed!

I miss eating fish.

In the river, at home,

there are fish everywhere.

A good grilled fish.

I would even eat the bones.

The fish,

and women.

I miss my wife.

No thank you.

Dad...

Forgive me please.

A few years ago, you were in your mother's arms.

You are not yet a man.

Does a child kill men?

There is no way out, dad.

None.

You know it well.

We have to fight and win.

That's how we'll get home.

Now I'm a corporal.

The soldiers respect me.

I could protect you.

If I accepted that you are a corporal, it's for our survival,

so that we can leave here!

You didn't accept anything at all!

It was not your choice.

I'm sorry, but it's not you who decides any more.

It's war, dad!

The war!

We do not have a choice. We fight, and God willing, we survive.

How dare you talk to me like that?

Eh? What is wrong with you?

Go outside.

Leave here.

Get out, I told you!

Right away!

Corporal... Come and have a drink.

My first line fell and the general...

preferred to trust the second battalion.

The lieutenant offered me this bottle as a consolation.

He is promoted to captain.

And us?

- Are we going to attack the second line? - No.

Total victory, my friend!

We have advanced 300 metres, we have lost

2,000 men and there we will patiently wait.

We will keep the position.

Until the Germans decide to take

our 1st line, retake their old 1st line.

Then, the General Staff will consider that the hill has priority

and we'll start attacking again.

So.

It's the law of this war, Corporal.

Cheers.

No no.

I'm not going to order you. Come on.

Now, Thierno, listen carefully to what I am about to tell you.

Who cares what the General Staff thinks.

I don't care, it's up to them.

We, Abdoulaye, Salif,

you, me, the others, we know the terrain.

We can take the hill.

The German line has a strong point. The fort is also their weak point.

He is isolated. Communications are complicated.

If we turn the German weapons

against them, we can take the hill.

As soon as we're on the front line, we'll go scouting.

What?

Ask your question. Here, there is no hierarchy. Go ahead.

What?

Want to take the hill with 10 soldiers?

Yes! Yes!

Major offensives are butchery. We die.

I need you.

Young people listen to you.

They trust you.

If we go together, we have a chance.

Unless you tell your dad.

You want your dad in your band? I close my eyes.

But he stays away.

You, you are with me to prepare the capture of the fort.

All right.

I am with you.

Lets' go. Come on.

We take no risks. Objective: see the machine guns.

We stay focused.

Take the left flank. We, the right.

- Attentive! - Thierno,

stay with Salif. Salif, with me.

Hush...

Calme.

PS!

Are you still trying to get away?

I heard about something.

I met a Serer from another battalion.

He's in close contact with a white non-commissioned officer.

They are near the tunnel, on the other side of the hill.

He exfiltrates Africans to Le Havre.

There, we take a boat for Africa.

The boats that bring back the food.

He controls the whole chain.

It's certain.

Obviously,

it's expensive.

Are you in?

Must see.

Money...

How much do you have?

A little.

How much, I told you.

- So. - That won't be enough.

- That's already a nice sum. - Besides,

I'm talking to you about a trip to Dakar.

We meet in the village.

Where is Corporal Thierno Diallo?

Thierno Diallo? Where is he? Did you kill him?

I'm going to kill you. By God, I will kill you!

Arrest him!

Thierno!

Advance!

Hey! Doctor!

I said doctor!

I know it's over, Corporal.

I know it's over.

Doctor!

Warrior...

Salif... Hey!

Salif?

Do you know what you risk going after an officer?

We risk capital punishment.

I admire what your father does.

He does all this for you to survive.

But here is war.

He can't do that. He endangers everyone.

Your paths must diverge.

I can also demote you and transfer you both.

I did not say that.

Do you know who my father is?

The general who leads this army corps.

Who received you with his speech promising glory and recognition.

He, you see, he always despised my value.

He doesn't believe in me.

He will believe it the day I fall on the battlefield.

You and me...

we will take it, this hill.

He knows you are my father.

He will send you to another regiment.

Without denouncing you.

I won't let you die for this madman.

Never.

You do not realise.

You risk a court-martial!

- It's beautiful. - Don't touch it!

How do you say in French?

- Congratulation. - Congratulation.

Sergeant?

General Chamberau.

Rest.

I wanted to congratulate you. You and your section.

What are you doing there?

Damn, help me!

Did you find it?

Yes.

Come on!

You killed them!

Hey Bakary...

What is happening?

Are you still with me?

Yes.

Now we can't go back.

Will it be enough?

Yes, it will.

When is the appointment?

Tomorrow evening.

How many are there?

Just know that enough is enough.

You just want to taste what I tasted.

Take.

I borrowed money from the girls in my village.

That way they'll be praying for me to

come back safe and sound to pay my debts.

Me, I'll marry a white, blonde.

I don't like the smell of their skin.

You are wrong,

when fragrant, they taste like honey.

Have you ever felt white skin?

Next to Fréjus... Marie.

A pretty woman...

Sometimes she brought us food.

- Did you have sex with her? - Once.

Besides!

You're talking rubbish.

But I'm not lying!

She had soft golden hair,

slender wrists,

breasts like the dunes of the desert.

She had a mole under her neck.

And his legs...

When she wrapped them around me...

My brother, stop there, it's better.

What about you, Sergeant?

Have you ever smelled a girl's skin?

Never.

The girls in the military brothel accept black non-commissioned officers.

You have to negotiate, but we'll fix it for you.

Are you ashamed?

What are you going to do after the war?

I am going to go back to my house.

With your level in French, stay here.

There will be work for us after the war.

We will all become French citizens!

And we will have military pensions.

Me, I signed up for that. War volunteer.

At home, it was misery.

Here, I fight for mine.

Our life will change after all this.

You're right.

Come on, soldiers!

Look in front of you! Come on!

Come on, go on, go on!

- Faster, faster! - 30 seconds!

Alpha, faster than that.

Hurry up!

Thierno.

We leave. We run away.

What?

We go to a village in the back.

Then in Le Havre, we will take a boat for Africa.

But this is madness!

We have no chance of getting there alive!

And your suicide mission? You think I don't know?

Stop delirious!

What are you saying?

- Hey! It's finish! - What's over?

Let go of me!

I'm going to kill you!

- Hey! - What's over?

Let go of me!

I'm your father, do you understand?

I can't breathe any more! Let go of me.

Come on.

Let's go.

Hurry up!

You are late!

Here, for your nose.

- Tell him. - Rest.

Sergeant, you put it over there. Fast.

You, you follow, you put yourself there. And you,

you're going up there, hurry up.

Come on!

It's good.

Come on, let's go down, quickly!

We don't waste time.

Where is he?

Hey! The third one, where is it?

He left.

Where is he?

- He's gone, I can't help it! - That's enough!

- Calm, calm. - No time for bullshit!

Calme.

Besides!

Your friend ran away. He left.

It's too late!

Money! Give the money.

Two minutes.

What is happening?

Birama...

- It's my son. - Eh?

- It's my son. - Shit!

Bakary, we're out of time.

They are going to fight.

Tonight!

I'm sure.

White people brainwashed him.

If he wants to die, you can't stop him.

He made his choice.

Search your heart.

But make no mistake.

Come on! Hurry up!

Fast!

Go ahead.

Go in peace.

Thierno, second scale. Come on.

You wait for the signal.

What are you doing here, soldier?

I don't understand French.

I don't understand that. What section are you from?

- Eh? - Section how much?

Section?

Bedroom.

Bakary! Where are you going?

Hold on! Bakary!

Where are you going?

We have to wait for the signal!

Stay here! You are crazy!

- Leave me, I'm going. - Where are you going? Come back here!

Don't shoot!

Fast!

They will arrive!

Fast!

Dad.

What happened to you?

We hold the position.

- You shouldn't have come here. - Stay here!

To your posts!

It's an order.

Come on!

Come on...

Courage!

We are almost there.

Dad! Get up!

Dad!

Dad, get up!

Dad!

Get up.

Get up!

Get up!

No...

If you stay here...

we're both going to die.

Do you want to save me?

Leave.

Come home.

Find our family.

Leave.

Leave.

I bless you, my son.

Goes.

May God save you.

By presenting this decoration, we signify

the eternal recognition of the fatherland

to the sacrifice which was his for

the taking of the hill of Morsang.

Lieutenant Joseph Emile Eugene Chambreau,

we knight you

of the Legion of Honour posthumously.

To the dead!

In the name of the President of the Republic and the powers conferred on us,

we award him the Croix de guerre with vermeil star.

This war, who won it?

Person.

War brings only death and desolation to its soldiers.

Am I doomed to wander forever

in the ether of this country that I do not know?

far from mine,

far from you.

Come on!

Where am I?

I'm in the wind

that moves the trees and refreshes you.

Hooray! Thierno has arrived!

Hooray! Thierno has arrived!

I am in the water which flows and quenches your thirst.

I am in the land that feeds you.

I am in the flight of a bird.

You recognize me?

My son...

Even if I suffer from the cold,

even if I suffer from forgetfulness,

I am the blood that runs in your veins.

And in the veins of your children,

and your children's children.

It's perfect. Crate them.

Above me, the sounds have changed.

Where am I?

Am I in your heart?

Do I belong among you?

Remember me.

Remember us.