Original subtitles

''Camp Thiaroye''

Long live victory!

Long live France!

Long live De Gaulle!

Captain Raymond,

commanding the detachment of repatriated infantrymen.

Major August of the Dakar base.

Welcome, Captain.

Captain Raymond.

Captain Labrousse,

Commander of the transit camp of Thiaroye.

Welcome, Captain.

- Have a nice trip? - Yes, very nice.

Your infantrymen look great!

They're not regulation uniforms.

The Americans helped us out.

Otherwise, we would have been in rags.

We'll see to that.

The quartermaster will give you a sun helmet.

Adjangor! Adjangor!

God! God!

Our gods have protected you!

My nephew is a leader.

Hello.

Do you remember your cousin, Bintum?

She has grown up since you left.

She goes to school.

Meet my uncle, my aunt, and their daughter.

How do you say hello?

Kasoumay.

Kasoumay.

Very well. I'll leave you alone.

How's Effok, our village?

I'll talk to you later.

All right.

My respects, Major.

Morning, Lieutenant.

You're going to accommodate them in these huts?

It's better than in their villages.

They're only here a few days. They're going home soon.

l hope they won't be kept here for long.

We owe them a lot, you know.

In any case, it's a transit camp.

l promise they will soon be on their way home.

Right.

Lieutenant Pierre here are the forces!.

You will see with Sergeant Diatta

for the allocation of the huts.

We expect them anytime now.

Look how elegant they are.

Detachment of repatriated infantrymen in full force!

Sergeant Major Diatta at your call, Captain.

Detachment of repatriated infantrymen in full force.

At your orders, Major.

The staff have asked that you say a few words to the men.

Brave infantrymen,

you do honor to the troops.

We are proud of you.

The general, commander of the Dakar base

sends you his greetings and his encouragements.

You have been true to the reputation of your fathers in '14-'18.

Thanks to your courage,

your dedication to the fatherland

our dear France

betrayed, battered, steeped in blood,

rises from its ashes!

And thanks to the sacrifices

made by her sons and daughters,

France is standing tall.

We are glad that you are safely back on African soil.

You will soon return to your villages.

You are here in a transit camp for a short time.

Lieutenant Pierre will be the head of the camp

until your departure.

Sergeant, you will see with Lt. Pierre for your quarters.

Lieutenant, they are all yours.

- I'll come see you soon. - Thank you, Captain.

Let the men get ready for their installation.

Yes, Lieutenant.

Corporal Diarra.

Yes, sir.

Get the men ready for their installation.

Yes, sir.

- At your orders, Lieutenant. - Good. Follow me.

Tell me, l understand you are educated.

Yes, sir. I'll carry on after the war.

On my command.

Attention!

At ease!

Column number one take your baggage.

Column number two, get going!

No messing around.

Everyone in order.

Here is your baggage.

Get them inside.

How come you have two kits?

That kit is for Pays.

Pays.

Here we are on African soil.

Here you are no longer a prisoner

in Buchenwald.

It's over.

Look at Pays!

The war has destroyed him.

He is a bit cracked!

This is the warm land of Africa.

You and l will soon go home to the village.

He stayed too long in concentration camps.

Let's get out of here. He'll declare war on us soon.

He is completely crazy.

Congo, you teach me how to ride, and l give you cola nuts.

All right.

- l give you cola nuts. - How many?

Two.

One today, one tomorrow.

- You teach me well. - Me?

Congo? Me? l began riding in Germany.

- Now you teach me here. - Okay, l mount.

Look straight ahead.

Sergeant.

Morning, Sergeant.

Here is some coffee.

This sugar is mine.

Got it on the black market.

That'll do.

You don't stir?

Certainly, Sergeant.

We are cooking a great meal for great fighters.

Thank you, Sergeant.

We only have French francs.

No problem. You give your French francs.

You know the Senegalese black market.

l know the big market and the black market.

- Okay. Let's go. - We're coming too.

Welcome.

Come here! There!

Everything is fine.

Want me to play music?

We've brought you some food.

- Thank you. - Some palm wine!

Give him the bottle.

Fortunately, you've come back alive.

You'll go back to the village and plough your rice fields.

What killed my parents?

The soldiers did.

They leveled the village with cannons and guns.

They killed my parents?

Yes, the soldiers killed your parents.

When was that?

This child was born two rainy seasons ago.

But it happened when?

This child was born when it happened.

1941...'42...'43...

That was nearly three years ago.

That is correct.

Whose photo is that?

My wife and my daughter.

What did you say?

How dare you marry a woman who is one of those

who destroyed your village?

They killed your parents.

And you bring this woman to the village?

To Effok?

You dare bring her to the village?

Come on, answer me!

Bintum, take your sister.

Your uncle will see you.

This food is disgusting.

We're not pigs.

Really!

Chief!

What is this?

What kind of food is this?

This is the food for an infantryman.

You know cartofune, rutabaga?

That's the food in German POW camps.

Even cartofune is better than that.

l am just the cook.

l can only cook what they give me.

You'd think we are prisoners here.

This isn't a German camp.

If you don't like it, go and see the lieutenant.

You'll know us!

You'll know us son of a bitch!

Shit! l have been chief for 13 years.

It's got no taste.

We're not going to eat this shit!

l am a cook not an administrative! officer.

l cook what they give me.

If you don't like it, go and see the general. Cool it.

Why no meat for us?

Meat for whites is this much.

Meat for mixed race this much.

Meat for natives that much.

As for the infantrymen,

once a week, they can have a tiny bit of meat.

You idiot!

During the war, were there, bullets this size for whites

this size for mixed race

this size for natives

and tiny, tiny bullets for fighters?

You idiot!

Call the lieutenant.

You idiot!

Corporal, what's going on?

l don't know, Lieutenant. l gave them the usual.

Get me Sergeant Major Diatta.

Sergeant, what do they want?

This food is rotten.

We heard you.

We're not going to eat this.

A dog eats this, he dies.

A pig would die.

Sergeant, you eat this, you die instantly.

A dog, a pig.. if they eat this, they die!

Now, you listen to me.

If you don't eat, l don't give a damn.

It's the usual food for you. And you won't get anything else.

Corporal Diarra.

Come with me. You too, Pays.

Come with me to the village.

This is our land. We will get something to eat.

Yes, they refuse to eat, they say it's not good for them.

What shall l do?

All right, I'll just wait for you.

Thank you, Captain.

Just a moment.

Here.

I'm going to town.

Okay.

We'll stay at camp.

This food is bad.

That's true.

We are upset.

Attention!

- What's going on? - They refuse to eat.

Chief cook!

Why won't they eat?

Captain, it's the usual rice, potatoes, and beans.

No meat?

Captain, l received no meat.

It's infantryman food.

It is foul! You can't eat that!

Can l?

The infantrymen can have meat only once a week.

At home, they only have rice and millet.

That's no reason...

Captain, these men deserve better treatment.

Who's listening to that great music?

Sergeant Major Diatta, a music lover.

An infantryman who listens to great music.

How about that!

My respects, Captain.

Well, Sergeant.

Great music speaks to you. No longer the tom-tom?

- Going out, Aloyse? - To town, sir.

Would you mind giving him a lift, Captain Labrousse?

No, of course not.

By the way, could you lend me a book?

Yes, l do.

What would you like to read? Roger Vailland?

Jules Romain? l know!

Roger Martin du Gard.

l have The Silent Sea by Vercors.

It is a very good book.

Very patriotic.

Here's your book.

Can l lend it to Captain Labrousse after?

Sure, if Captain Labrousse wants.

Let's go.

Look, they have meat.

Come, we'll slaughter the sheep.

No, I'm a Muslim. You can't slaughter it.

Marabout will do it. That way, everyone will eat.

Marabout, can you kill the sheep?

It's a beautiful film.

We'll go and see it tonight.

What does he want?

A U.S. soldier looking for the brothel.

Oh, yes, the ''Coq Hardi.''

I'll be back tomorrow.

I'm having trouble with the vehicle.

Martine, double the price. He's an American.

A Pernod.

Yes, Pernod.

You're not American!

Madam! There's a Negro here.

- Now what? - There's a Negro here.

I'll be right down, Josette.

He's only got French francs.

So what! A fuck is a fuck.

1 ,OOO French francs is 500 CFA francs.

It's fine.

Mamadou, a lemonade! I'm thirsty.

Yesterday she snatched customers from me again.

I'm no less attractive.

Now what's going on here? There's no atmosphere!

Let's have some music! It's dead here.

15 minutes isn't 2 hours.

What the hell are you doing here?

Get out!

And quick!

Those little asses are all for toubabs

not for niggers.

No niggers here! Never will be!

- Out you go! - Niggers, Madam?

We threw the Germans out of France.

Bull! Get out!

Very good. Careful, you're slow today.

What are you waiting for,

the police?

Get lost!

Come on, Madam. l wasn't even looking for a fuck.

l just wanted a drink.

l don't give a damn. Get out!

l don't believe it.

I'm an infantryman, just back from the war.

l told you, I'm an infantryman back from the war!

The European front.

What are you doing? You're playing stupidly.

Put down the right card.

And don't look at my hand.

Hey! Look!

Why is Gabon running so fast?

There's a man behind him!

Gabon, what's wrong?

The Americans beat up Sarge, and they've taken him away.

Why? But why?

l have no idea.

Is he dead?

They really hit him.

When l came back, from Koffi's home

you were gone, so l ran here.

- There were four Americans. - How many?

Four.

Four against one.. that's fascism.

True.

Gabon, why did the Americans beat up Sarge?

Sarge was speaking English. l didn't understand.

English?

What are we going to do?

The Americans beat up Sarge.

We're not gonna take it sitting down like women.

Are we sissies?

The Americans beat up Sarge.

l don't like it.

Sergeant Major Diatta is educated.

He speaks excellent French.

Corporal Diarra, you are the leader now.

The French know the infantrymen.

The Germans know the infantrymen.

The English know the infantrymen.

The Italians know us.

If the Americans don't know who we are

we'll show them.

We have to think.

We have to think it over.

No need.

We attack now.

We are all fighters.

They must respect us.

We are one. Let's go now!

It's night.

Let's wait till tomorrow. We'll form a commando.

Okay.

Corporal Koffi,

Oubangui,

Gabon, and me...

- We'll go to town. - Yes!

Drink this.

Don't drink all my whisky.

You go up.

Hello, Captain.

No, everything's okay.

Sergeant Major Diatta was missing this morning.

He's on leave. He probably stayed in town.

The rest are all here.

We are expecting the paymaster anytime now.

Very well, Captain.

You are happy to go home. You will work as a tailor.

l can't wait to get home to Niger.

Want my address?

Oumarou, veteran fighter,

ace tailor.

Paris fashion

civilian and military.

Big Market. Niamey.

I'll write to you.

You're a pal.

Niger.

l want you to make clothes for my wife.

You've got the material?

You sell me this?

Leave that.

An infantryman bought it in Dakar.

Tomorrow I'll go and get one at Rachid's.

Is your wife fat or thin?

Before, she was big, but now she's lost weight.

- She is that big? - No.

Before she was but while l was away,

she missed me so much she lost weight.

l need two dresses.. one loose and one tight.

What, you have one or two wives?

l have one wife.

But as soon as l get back, she'll get fat again!

Now l get you.

- Niger, can you mend my shorts? - How did you do that?

It got torn.

Can you mend it?

- But how did you do it? - Groguet did it.

He's an idiot!

- He fell. - You made me fall.

Put a patch here.

- How did it get torn like that? - He fell.

Here, l know you like it.

That was quick.

You're a nice fellow. It's like the family.

Don't l get any cola nuts?

Congo, happy now?

- You have two bits of cola. - Thanks.

We must go now.

A loose one and a tight one.

Morning.

Morning. How are you, brother?

- What can l do for you? - l want a dress for my wife.

Is he dead?

Idiot! You must be crazy.

Moron!

You nearly hit us.

You swine!

You idiot!

You want to break my bike! If you break it, you pay.

- Silly bugger! - Bugger, yourself!

You can't even ride a bike, idiot.

You're a stupid driver.

Hey, American, come out!

- What's going on? - The Americans.

Fighting again!

The Americans are crazy!

Corporal, what is this?

It's our business.

The Americans beat up Sarge.

We are keeping their soldier.

He's a white American soldier. Let him loose immediately!

If the Americans release Sergeant Diatta,

we'll give back their soldier.

You don't understand. He's a white American.

Release him now!

White or not, no difference!

This is intolerable.

l am advising the headquarters. You'll be hearing about this.

There is trouble tonight in the camp.

l said, trouble in the camp.

The infantrymen have kidnapped a white American soldier.

White, yes, white. l don't know why.

l think American soldiers may have beaten and captured Diatta.

But where is Sergeant Diatta?

He stayed overnight in town.

l told you this morning, Captain.

I'll try and find out where he is.

They may have arms and ammunitions.

He's locked in Diatta's room. They may kill him.

Calm down!

l am calm!

Okay. I'll calm down!

l am alone with them you understand.

Don't do anything. Just try and keep them calm.

Okay, sir. I'll do just that.

Hello!

Military police?

Yes. Ah, Captain George.

Yes. This is Labrousse. Evening, Captain.

Sorry to disturb you at this hour.

l am looking for an NCO of the Senegalese infantrymen.

Remember the boat that arrived with soldiers from the war?

Right. So Sergeant Major Diatta...

That's right. Diatta.

What?

With American soldiers?

And he's in the hospital.

Nothing serious, l hope.

All right, we'll see about that tomorrow.

Yes. Thank you very much. And my regards to your wife.

Good-bye, Captain.

- Evening, Bakary. - Evening, Captain.

Major.

Major.

Captain.

- Three Cognacs, Bakary. - Yes, Captain.

Here, that makes eight.

Your infantrymen have kidnapped an American sergeant.

What's more, he's white.

They are keeping him as a hostage.

What happened?

We don't know exactly.

l called the military police.

And they told me Sergeant Diatta was in the hospital.

Sergeant Diatta? What happened to him?

He had a wrangle with an American M.P.

You know the Americans.

The staff is furious.

They want the soldier released immediately.

The Americans are racists.

Latest evening news. Africa.

Speaking on the war effort, Pierre Cournarie

governor general of French West Africa, said

''I'll do my best that West Africa, united in its faith

''take the largest share in the allies' effort

to decide the outcome and free the fatherland.''

The native representative to the higher economic council,

Abdou Salam Kane, said

''We natives are totally loyal.

''We're ready to give all our children

to chase the enemy with our allies' help.''

On the African bonds issued in 1943

Dakar has given a clear response by subscribing for 320 million.

The following week, the subscription was 600 million.

to support France's war effort.

News about France and Europe.

The leader of Free France urges the French to make more effort

to rebuild a strong, respected France

which can resume its place among civilized nations.

On the front, the Allies are at the borders of Germany.

The Red Army is pushing forward towards Berlin.

Here's to victory!

Bakary!

Drinks for everyone.

To victory!

Do you think the Americans know their man is in Thiaroye?

No, l don't think so.

They have asked Headquarters to find their sergeant tomorrow.

The staff think...

that the behavior of your infantrymen is pure lack of discipline,

banditry, something no civilized army could tolerate.

These men only responded to the Americans' aggression.

Team spirit. They fought together.

You can't compare Americans to Germans!

These infantrymen mustn't touch whites.

Diatta was at the Coq Hardi.

It's forbidden to natives.

No need to rub it in.

Tomorrow we'll get Diatta at the hospital.

The infantrymen will free the American.

A white sleeping in the same hut as them?

And why not?

Some of them spent three, four years in concentration camps with whites.

Well, it's not the same.

In Africa, there are Negroes, and in the army, discipline.

The whites are on one side... the infantrymen the other.

l certainly don't, share this view

not in Africa or anywhere else.

Major, Captain.

l go to bed early and get up early.

Good night.

This round is on me.

- Good night. - Good night, Captain.

Sarge is back. Sarge is not dead.

- The American? - There, Captain.

Come along.

Captain Raymond, translate for me.

Sergeant Diatta speaks English better than me, Captain.

- Lt. Pierre, do you speak English? - No, Captain.

Very well, Sergeant, l am listening.

''If he'd been mistreated we'd have leveled the cam' p

and the soldiers.''

Very well.

Say.. The Commander of the Dakar base

sent a letter of apology to his superiors.

The case is closed.

After all, we're allies.

What did he say?

Nothing important, Captain.

Such incidents must not occur again.

You are still soldiers!

General's orders.. you are confined to quarters.

You'll soon get your regular infantryman uniforms,

and, in a few days, you will be in your respective villages.

Before leaving, we will exchange your French francs for CFA francs

so that you can buy presents and souvenirs for your families.

Once in your villages, and only then,

you will get your gratuities and allowances.

Right.

Sarge, we're really happy about your return.

l swear to God, we are.

We are a bunch of idiots.

A black American hit Sarge, and we captured a white American.

Are you racist?

Black American or white American..

they are one and the same.

Quite logical!

True.

If they hadn't freed you, we would've kept him.

Sarge, you must be tired.

We'll leave now.

Thank you, brothers.

Darling, l am with you.

To be with you even more, to be together,

l am listening to Albinoni's Adagio, our favorite music.

Since our arrival, we have been in the transit camp Thiaroye.

A pleasant crossing of the Mediterranean.

After Gibraltar there was a heavy swell.

l read a lot.

l still have a few books I'll read later.

Today we were informed of our imminent discharge.

I'll send you some coffee via Captain Raymond, whom you know.

It's a pity l can't send you some vegetables.

In spite of shortages, the markets are full.

I'll send you some money as soon as we get our gratuities

so that Guissom and you can face the winter.

However, it won't be as bleak as the winters under Nazi rule.

Being free again warms one's heart.

My uncle and his family met me at the port.

They live in Dakar now.

However, they gave me some very sad news.

My mom and dad died in 1942.

As for little Guissom l feel guilty leaving you alone

to face the many problems of today's situation.

Whenever l mentioned it you would say..

''Aloyse, think of those mothers who wait forever

''for the return of their husbands

the children who will never know their fathers.''

l love you,

not for your body

but for the fulfillment you gave to my body.

That is a sad letter for a great love.

Lieutenant!

Yes?

There is an American soldier at the gate.

Go and get Sergeant Diatta.

Sergeant, see what this American wants.

l recognize him, Lieutenant.

It's with him l had the dispute.

I'll see him with your permission.

Let him in, but l want no trouble in the camp.

You have my word, Lieutenant.

Take off your American uniform and put this on.

Belt, shoes. Go and change there.

Next.

Go and change there.

A pair of shoes, a belt, and you change there.

Next!

Take off your American uniform. Put this on.

Take your cap.

But this cap is for rank and file!

Enough. It's good for you.

I'm an NCO!

Take it, l say.

Take a pair of shoes, a belt, and you change there.

Be happy you didn't get a chechia.

Next!

Take off your American uniform. Put that on.

Next!

l didn't think they would accept so easily.

l know them. l was in Niger, Dahomey, Congo.

Ten years in the colonies counts.

Just look at them. They are big children.

By the way, the orders are lifted.

Tomorrow we will change the money.

Yes, Captain.

Belt, shoes! Next!

Belt, shoes. Change there.

Why are you so sad?

You look dejected. Why?

You are not Americans.

The Americans gave us our uniforms.

The American army gave them to us.

The French army has taken them back.

So what?

White Americans

white French

they're both exactly the same thing.

We aren't American nor French.

We're African. We're men.

We fought the war.

We even slept and ate with corpses.

We ate the same meat.

Why are you so sad?

Why so dejected?

We're not thieves.

You! You haven't brought shame on your family.

So why look so sad?

Why so sad?

Why do say these things about me?

We spent four years in Europe.

We suffered from the cold in Europe.

We suffered from the snow in Europe.

We know Europe.

We took the bombings.

Now...

we are in Africa, at home.

And we are here crying

because of American uniforms.

Shame!

Shame on you!

Why?

l am going to the village.

Who is coming with me?

Gabon?

Present.

Ivory Coast.

- Niger. - Absent.

There are women there.

We can fuck.

You dirty pigs! Get out!

What happened to your arm?

l was injured.

Your wife and your daughter?

Yes. Uncle.

We are preparing to celebrate the dead.

It's the Bukut.

The rice crop was good this year.

l will come as soon as l am discharged.

What about your family in France?

l will stay a few months in Effok.

And then l will go back and finish my studies in France.

And join your white wife?

About her...

l want you to help me find some coffee for her.

5 to 10 kilos.

Give me the money.

I'll see if l can get some.

Your late mother and l

had already picked a wife for you.. my daughter, Bintum.

l am already married,

and l am a Catholic.

In the village, they are Catholics.

They go to church on Sundays,

and they have two or three wives.

I'll see to your coffee. We'll be waiting for you.

Uncle...

Please give this to the children.

There is chocolate sugar, and milk.

Thank you.

I'll give it to your wife, Bintum.

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

l have come for you.

- Is your arm getting better? - Yes, thank you.

l have brought your book back. Labrousse has also read it.

- I'd like to know what he thinks. - Me too.

By the way, l heard about your imminent departure.

Could you take some coffee for my wife?

Not a lot. About 5 to 10 kilos. Do you mind?

Certainly not.

Even if you have other things, I'd be happy to help.

What about the cousin?

She's all right.

- Why did they do that to you? - What?

Your infantry uniform,

knowing that you're about to be discharged.

Because we're not French citizens.

We are French subjects.

Why didn't you take French citizenship?

- You're educated. - French citizenship?

No, thank you.

l remain African and l keep my education.

You still intend to continue your studies in France?

Yes.

As soon as l am discharged, I'll visit the ruins of Effok.

l intended to invite you there.

The ruins of your village?

- Don't you know? - No.

The soldiers went to Effok my village,

to commandeer rice.

Women opposed the move,

and our valiant army of shirkers fired at defenseless people.

Effok was destroyed.

My mother and my father were there.

That's horrifying! When was it?

Two years ago.

My condolences, Aloyse.

You named your daughter

after your mother, Guissom, didn't you?

1942 was the Vichy period.

Times change, mentalities as well.

Do you know about the Brazzaville conference?

It will be difficult to forget.

You see, l draw a parallel between Effok

and Oradour-sur-Glane.

You can't make such a comparison.

You can't compare Nazi barbarism with the excesses of our army.

That's not possible.

It's a colonial army; same mentality.

The officers who, in 1940 refused the rallying of African forces

to the Free French Forces and who shot the Senegalese who joined

are today beside the leader of Free France and control the colonies.

Don't get carried away. You know the French people.

You know it's not the same.

Right...

I'll leave you to your meditation.

Don't forget the coffee for your wife.

I'll bring it to the quayside.

l see Bintum there. Shall l take her back to Dakar?

Yes, thank you.

Slow down!

You son of a bitch!

You swine! Can't you see the soldiers!

Can't you drive slowly?

Shit!

Watch out!

The rate is 1 ,OOO Metropolitan francs

for 250 CFA francs.

But Major, the normal rate is 1 ,OOO Metropolitan for 500 CFA.

I've been ordered

to pay 1 ,OOO Metropolitan francs for 250 CFA francs.

That's too much money for you.

How do we know

all that money wasn't stolen on the battlefields

from the dead?

You heard the major?

He said we stole money from dead soldiers on the battlefields!

God is great!

God sees everything from up there.

Pays says

if the Major ''cuts'' the money, we'll cut his prick!

But Major, you dare say such ineptitudes?

Can you prove the origin of that money?

Major, you insult soldiers who fought in every battle.

They belonged to the first army of Free France

which went from Fort-La, my, crossed the Tibesti

and chased Mussolini's soldiers at Kuffra in southern Libya.

They were the first to enter Tripoli.

And they were the first to enter Paris in August '44.

l am not through, Major.

Where were you in 1940?

Yes, where were you in 1939-'40?

Shirkers!

These infantrymen belong to the 7th French Army.

In Abbeville.. French soldiers, English, Dutch,

Belgians, Luxemburgers.

When we faced the 2nd Panzer Division

we fled to Dunkirk.

Do you know these men were denied access

to the ship to England?

Do you know Captain Ntchorere of the 53rd Colonial Infantry?

A black captain.

His last action as a French but black, officer?

At the concentration,camp of Buchenwald

the Germans had assembled all the prisoners...

the white officers on one side...

the other ranks on one side

and all the Negroes on the same side.

Captain Ntchorere, , as black as coal

crossed the field and joined the white officers.

For he was an officer.

The German head of the camp

ordered him to break away from white officers.

Captain Ntchorere refused.

On the spot, he was shot in front of white officers.

Yes, and none of them had the courage to protest,

nor even whisper.

A few infantrymen, risking their lives,

buried Captain Ntchorere in anonymity, without a flag.

Corporal Diarra!

Get me Pays.

This one is not quite in his right mind.

Do you think that he, too, stole his money?

We are entitled to demobilization gratuities,

to our earnings and back pay.

Our French colleagues who were with us

and who shared prisons with us confirmed it

and we believe them!

Shall we believe there are two Frances

the Metropole and the Colonial?

Here you dare accuse us of stripping corpses?

Do you know the real strippers of corpses?

We, infantrymen, saw those who opened the mouths of corpses

to take out gold, or silver teeth

those who mutilated corpses to take rings.

Shall l tell you about French collaborators of the Gestapo?

Very well, Sergeant Major!

You've given us a great lesson of history.

Mr. Intellectual!

Guard Commander!

Yes, Captain!

Throw him out of here!

Get out of here!

If they refuse, shoot!

With your metropolitan money, you can go and paper your huts.

The normal rate is 1 ,OOO French francs for 500 CFA francs.

So we must consult to know if we accept or refuse.

We'll go back to the barrack rooms and discuss it.

1 ,OOO French francs for 500 CFA.

1 ,OOO French francs for 250 CFA is robbery.

They're making fools of us.

Very well.

We must not accept 1 ,OOO French francs for 250 CFA.

Corporal, we are all Africans.

We know that everywhere it's the whites who govern.

We should accept 250 CFA for 1 ,OOO French francs.

That's what l think.

The whites are united like the fingers of the hand.

If we form a group,

the whites will have to pay us.

The officer who spoke said nothing about gratuities,

earnings, and allowances.

They want to rob us all of that.

That's fascist.

We say no!

We designate Sarge to speak to the general.

In the name of Allah, the general doesn't know what's going on here.

No!

We are not going to designate Sarge as our delegate.

The whites promoted him.

We are Africans.

Each barrack room must designate their delegate.

Sarge is educated.

He speaks French like the whites.

Can any of us make himself understood by the whites?

A delegate must talk like them.

You're stupid!

You sure are stupid!

What is French? It's a language.

Whether you speak it well or not

it's what you say that counts.

French is like a woman.

You take her the way you want, you take her, you take her...

provided you say what you want to say.

And that's all.

Let's not designate Sarge as our delegate.

Each barrack room designates a delegate right now.

We'll go and see Sarge together.

We've designated the marabout infantryman.

- Okay. - Me too.

There.

Carry on, Major.

We have to change the metropolitan money.

We have to pay them gratuities, earnings,

allowances.

In the present situation, we cannot.

What are they going to do with all that money, in their huts?

No, General l agree with the major.

We must give them half the rate.

Well, obviously, Captain Raymond doesn't share this view.

But, Captain, you don't know the natives and the colonies.

It is not a question of knowing the colonies or the natives.

It is simply a question of honoring our commitments.

White French soldiers have been paid.

And why wasn't this dispute solved in the Metropole?

They were moved from one garrison to another with false promises.

Here in Africa we can do nothing.

In Morlaix an advance was give! n to them

with the promise that they would get their money in Dakar.

l sent you a memo, General.

Yes.

Each war creates a period of austerity.

Are you saying, by robbing 1 ,OOO natives,

France will be rebuilt?

Rob?

We have been very generous.

It's not a question of generosity but justice.

France is generous with her natives.

We got them out of barbarism.

l don't know if it's ours or theirs

given the series of atrocities we've been through.

It's one way of looking at it.

l am certain these people, who are primitive, are manipulated,

even paid by the Nazis

or by the Bolsheviks to destabilize the empire.

Otherwise, how did they survive the camps?

How can you say such things, Captain Labrousse?

For Hitler Jews, communists

Freemasons, Gypsies, Negroes.. all had to be eliminated.

And we fetched these natives in their villages

to have them fight the war for you, gentlemen.

The ''yes, sir'' Negroes, gentlemen,

are finished.

They've witnessed fighting

between whites over the last five years.

To return to the point,

today we must recognize the fairness of their claims.

Captain Raymond,

if we make the decision to pay, them half what is owed them

do you, as an officer, condone this attitude of disobedience?

For me, General

an officer who does not keep his word

is not worthy of the uniform of the French army.

Very well.

l am expecting news from Paris. Tomorrow I'll visit Thiaroye.

That will be all, gentlemen.

- Captain Labrousse. - General.

Stay for a while.

- Evening, Bakary. - Captain.

- Hello there, Bakary. - Captain.

Lieutenant Edward don't stay alone.

Join us.

Gentlemen, good evening.

Those Russians want to occupy Berlin before the Allies.

l don't like communists even French.

It's the communists like you-know-who who indoctrinate our men.

Bakary, come on, hurry up a bit.

Coming, Major.

You have to separate the wheat from the chaff.

They represent risks for the empire.

He won't stay long in the colonies. He's going back.

He's not a career soldier.

l don't like these commies.

Classical music.

Hey!

Just look at that!

His wife and his daughter.

He is married to a French woman.

Look at what he reads.

Aragon.

Vercors...Aragon...

- He's a communist. - Of course.

All the intellectuals are communists.

Thank God this one won't have a career in the army.

Why keep us in the sun?

It's fascist!

Quiet!

Shit! Here, come and see this.

They must have stripped corpses.

They'll have to justify the origin of this money.

The Germans gave them all that to destabilize the empire.

Look!

Is it Arabic?

l don't know.

But they'll have to justify this money.

It's too much money for a nigger.

I'll say so in my report.

But where could the weapons be?

Here. Look.

A German helmet!

We can't leave it to them.

Let's take it.

Quiet!

All right, gentlemen. You can come out.

The general will be here soon.

Tried to kill us for a German helmet.

He's crazy. Forget it. Follow me.

Get some gasoline at Bargny with the jeep.

Yes, Captain.

You know that the army is discipline,

obedience to one's superiors.

What's more the Americans are our allies.

You can't take law into your own hands!

Because of your past

and your good and loyal services rendered to France

l will not take any sanctions,

and you will return to your respective villages.

Those from Niger, Sudan, and the Ivory Coast

will return first by train to Bamako.

The others will be divided into two groups.

The first one will join the 6th RAC.

The second will be posted to the 7th Regiment of Infantrymen.

Your money will be changed tomorrow

at the rate of 1 ,OOO French francs

for 250 CFA francs.

That is beyond question.

He is not telling the truth.

General, it's not true.

1 ,OOO French francs are worth 500 CFA francs.

That's the truth!

You, stand to attention!

Attention again.

l am already standing to attention.

Shut up!

Attention!

We will not go without our money.

1 ,OOO French francs

for 500 CFA francs.

You will be summoned before a military tribunal.

Corporal, the general is lying. We must capture him.

Captain!

''November 30, 1944 1 O..OO A.M.''

Look at our baggage.

They've searched them. Why?

We haven't stolen anything!

General, sit down!

If you try to escape, you will be tied.

We talk outside.

Each country must consult.

All out.

Sergeant Diatta, tell your men to free the general immediately.

They could face the military tribunal

and the firing squad!

No, you speak.

It's an order!

Captain, l refuse.

You're still a soldier. You must obey your superiors.

My service ended two years ago.

l was kept in by force.

- You're on their side? - Yes.

Get the guards to intervene.

They have no ammunition, Captain.

- Tell HQ immediately. - Yes, Captain.

Let us keep the general

until he pays us our gratuities

and our earnings as soldiers.

What if he refuses to pay?

If he refuses we keep him'!

How can we keep him?

The whites govern Africa!

Mosi, are you afraid or what?

We take the guns!

Idiot!

You don't know

that these guns are not loaded.

Let's take the watchtowers!

You! Here!

You and you, come with me!

HQ has been informed, Major.

Good, I'll take the money. And bring Captain Raymond.

We'll wait for you.

Jeep driver! Get ready!

Sergeant Major, we're taking the money back.

Infantrymen, load the bags.

Sergeant Major! We're all infantrymen!

No more Sergeant Major.

We all agree.

Are you with us?

Your word!

l am with you.

Brother, we keep the general

until he pays us.

- Do we agree on that? - Yes.

We keep the general, even if it costs us our lives.

We keep him!

Yes!

The white general is here!

Let us keep the general until he pays us.

To life or to death!

What the hell did you do?

You must speak to them.

They face the firing squad. You know what they risk.

You just had to pay them. They've been lied to.

They obey you. They know you.

You must speak to them.

Sergeant Major Diatta, can l see you alone?

Whatever the motives

this is an act of rebellion.

You're still wearing the military uniform.

Speak to them.

They are not aware of the seriousness of their actions.

You are educated. You know.

They've called on you to persuade us.

Since Morlaix the officers have been lying.

Are there two rules in their army?

One for blacks one for whites?

- l don't like how you speak. - How should l?

Or rather, l must not speak.

l must shut up and condone injustice.

You can call on the governor.

l will tell him your grievances.

l will see the colonial minister in Paris.

Have you become the Good Samaritan

or the Saint Bernard of these Vichyists?

A right is neither discussed nor negotiated.

We're back from Europe, where we fought your enemies.

Now we fight for Africa.

- Well? - Well, nothing.

Nothing? What do you mean, nothing?

They must release the general!

We can't negotiate with these Negroes.

The infantrymen are endangering the empire.

They were indoctrinated by the Nazis.

Let's do something.

They've acquired a great awareness of themselves.

Get down!

I'll shoot!

We know you can't.

You have no ammunitions.

If you don't, I'll come up.

Corporal!

Guard commander!

- What's going on? - The general is our prisoner.

You are a soldier; me too. l fought in Europe.

If the sentry doesn't come down, we go up and kill him.

Sentry, down!

Corporal, thank you.

You, go up there.

But what are they doing?

Occupying the field.

If you hold the summit, you hold the base.

We should ask for help quickly.

Let's wait.

Wait for what? All it takes is to pay them.

You know the camp will be stormed?

You taught us not to take war prisoners.

If ever the camp is attacked, we kill you.

We'll see who we are.

We've placed our sentries everywhere.

He means, General that we control the cam' p.

We're not fascists.

We have suffered a lot from the war.

Do you understand my French? No, you don't.

We've seen a lot massacred Jews.

Do you understand my French?

l didn't go to school.

l am an infantryman. l didn't study.

The infantryman knows only two things.. guns and orders.

At war, we saw a lot of corpses.

We are all men.. you, me, him.

You get me?

A white corpse, a black corpse, it's the same.

So why do you refuse to pay us?

Shit!

All right.

You'll get the right rate.

1 ,OOO French francs for 500 CFA francs.

What did you say?

Yes, I'll apply the right rate.

That still leaves our gratuities, earnings, and benefits

to settle before we leave Thiaroye.

l can't do anything here.

l must go to Dakar to settle that.

Pays, leave him.

The general will settle everything.

Pays says the General is lying.

What he says is not what he thinks.

Lots of lies.

You have my word as general officer.

Would you repeat that outside, in front of the soldiers?

My word.

Quiet!

The general wants to speak.

My word as general officer...

you will get your pay.

Barrier!

Thank you.

I'll bring the coffee to the port for my wife.

Farewell, Captain.

My respects, Captain. I've followed your instructions.

The local infantrymen have boarded the truck.

Yes, l see the others dancing in the yard.

I've taken all steps. l leave the camp immediately.

Yes, Captain.

Son of a bitch!

What's going on?

Can we sleep?

What is it?

Pays, what is it?

What does he say?

I'm not sure. The helmet is German. He says...

But in French?

Pays says that the Germans are invading the camp.

He really is a loony.

Germans in Africa? He sees Germans everywhere.

Germans attacking the camp! He's crazy.

He keeps us from sleeping.

We should tie him up.

Let's get back to our rooms.

Corporal, what's going on?

Pays says the Germans are invading the camp.

Get him back to the room.

Go to bed.

''December 1 , 1944 3..OO A.M.''

''5..OO A.M.''

General, your orders have been carried out.

Good.

The colonial minister

and the governor general support us.

Here.

What about the departure for France of the new recruits?

It's your responsibility, Captain.

Major August, stay with me.