Original subtitles

MADAME OSMANE'S HAREM

The story is set in Algiers in September 1993.

Sid-Ali! I saw you!

You can't deny it now!

Hide! Aren't you ashamed!

With a widow old enough to be your mother!

I'm as pure as gold.

-What? -Why trample things?

This garden is my joy.

I'm taking your garden back!

Wait till I'm dead

to reclaim the flat for your aid workers!

Aid workers!

That's what's eating you.

They're starting to leave. Happy now?

Your dye's running.

Oh, my God!

I'll go bald one day.

I'll cut through your flat.

This is Radio Algiers.

The ministry reports several cases of eye infection from polluted beaches.

A report from Mustapha Hospital...

Madame Costa,

did you hear about those 2 Frenchmen who were killed?

Is that how you clean?

No makeup in my house! I've told you already.

Help!

Stop it!

Look at yourself! What a spectacle!

Did you add the bleach?

- Is your nose blocked? -Quiet!

So long as I live, this house will never become a brothel.

And I'll never be your Fatma.

Enough out of you!

You obviously don't pay the water bill.

Stop, Meriem!

You know how high-strung she's been since her son left.

Her son! It's not her son she needs.

It's a man to control her!

I've always respected you, Kheira.

But as things are now, this must stop.

You know how people see evil everywhere.

You've had threats on my account?

Me?

I'm afraid of no one.

But you can't live like this with him in my house.

I won't stand for any gossip about my house.

I didn't have a chance to tell you, Zhor, but Sid-Ali and I got married.

I promise you,

he won't throw any more butts.

I didn't mean to.

And to make amends, I'll send someone to fix the phone.

It's not that I don�t trust you...

show me your license.

-We only had a religious ceremony. - Is that so?

I didn't hear any celebrating.

- It was at my mother's. -Was it?

Now that you're married, you can find a job.

He's an artist.

He can�t work.

It's your week in the Sahara, Mimish?

Yes. And I'm already late. Goodbye, all!

I'm late, too.

Best wishes, Kheira!

Ciao, Sid-Ali.

See you later, Zhor. Thanks, Mimish.

Madame Osmane...

If I can be of service, I'm here.

Go change my name plate.

- He slipped! - He almost broke a leg.

Her and her water!

Are you hurt, dear?

But you told me to add bleach!

- Shut up! - It's nothing.

-She's bored. -She's hot.

She wants the beach.

She wants to wind up

in the street! But even the street won�t have her.

There's only the asylum for her.

Only the asylum.

So long, everybody.

-Want to change? - No, gotta run.

I'm going.

It's quite a pool here. But I've got my lifeguard.

Mommy!

It's slippery. Go back up.

Your dye, Madame Osmane...

Get inside before you get too blond

and start yelling at me again.

Have a nice day, Madame Osmane.

Same to you, Mr. Stoliarov.

Goodbye, Mr. Stoliarov.

Sakina...

What?

-Come in here. -Coming, Mother.

Something wrong?

Is it Nasser?

-Called him? - Line's dead.

Hello, Nasser?

Kahina!

-There's nobody, Mommy. - I know, honey. Hang up.

Made up your mind? Want to marry him or not?

Him, not his mother! He has to decide alone, without his mother.

"I want to marry him, not his mother."

Put the phone down, sweetie.

Please.

A dial tone!

What are you two up to?

Coming, Sakina? I need you.

Yasmina would love to come to the party.

Sure you can come, Yasmina.

It'll do you good.

You won't miss your husband so much.

Come on,

we'll go talk in the bathroom.

But I don't want to go! Besides, there's no one I know.

- I don't want to go alone. -You haven't told your mother.

Coming, Sakina?

Why hide it from her?

Coming, Mother.

What's this nonsense?

It's the wolf!

What're you going to wear to the party?

I don't know, with this heat.

But you can�t go stark naked.

"What's this nonsense?"

Do you like my hair color?

It's too light.

Darker, it would harden my features.

Isn't one thicker than the other?

Meriem blew it.

Come take a look on the balcony.

I don't want to.

Come on. It's too dark in here.

Not too thin.

I don't have much left.

You've been crying.

What's the matter?

Why'd you play with the phone?

You know better than to wait for a call from your father.

He's too busy.

Did Aunt Rabia call about the party?

-You're hurting me. -That's right!

Who were you expecting?

Since when has the phone been working?

I don't know.

If I ever hear

you asked the widow to fix the phone, you're in for it!

You fell out?

Don't rile me, Sakina!

I want to throw her out.

I want a higher rent on it.

We can't keep living on what your father sends us.

Rent the flat downstairs.

Why go to college if you can't understand?

You don't care where your comfort comes from.

Give me that!

Your father!

Still tanning his ass

in Aix with his Frenchwoman.

I'll put your face mask on.

Pluck some more.

You didn't finish.

They're fine like that.

You're still Father's wife.

True.

But in the meantime,

it's that tramp who benefits.

Not us.

She'll get it all.

He'd put the hotels in her name.

Mother...

If you keep talking, you'll get wrinkles.

Let it dry in the sun.

Hey, there!

What is it?

What d'you want?

Is Sakina Bouchama here?

Who are you?

Doesn't Sakina Bouchama live here?

I'm her teacher. Can you get her?

You know Sakina?

Aren't you good-looking!

Ask her to come down?

I knew it!

It's always the rich who get the good-looking guys.

Maids like me...

never! Never ever!

I'm fed up with this house, this life! It's always the rich

who get it all!

I'm fed up with this life!

Why, Lord? Why?

Hey! What is it?

Meriem!

-She saw you! - I don't know.

-You're crazy to come. -Your phone's out. You look lovely.

What do I tell her? You have to leave.

We've nothing to hide. Introduce me.

- Not now. -Why not?

Meriem, there's no more water!

They shut off the water?

Stop it!

I swear, I'll put you away in an asylum.

Don't look at me like that!

Go get me a bottle of water.

Still haven�t told her?

Is that it?

Listen, Sakina,

I won't wait another three years.

Your water, Madame.

Who asked for Sakina?

I don't know, Madame.

A man, Madame.

Says he's her teacher.

What are you doing out there?

What will people say?

With the men gone, things are slipping?

Don't stay out there.

Come in... if you two have things to discuss.

Are you ashamed of me?

Won�t you introduce your mother?

Nasser Boumaaza.

Glad to meet you, Madame Bouchama.

I teach biology at Sakina's college.

Bravo, at your age!

My daughter can�t say as much.

Sakina must have told you.

My mother will be at the party.

Why? Do I know her?

Sakina didn't tell you?

His mother wants to meet you.

What for?

To ask your permission to marry.

To marry?

You spending the day in pajamas? What is it?

There's no water.

Madame Costa, do you have water?

He'll stir everyone up.

The water tanks are empty.

What?

They shut off the water in Algiers more than 3 days ago

and we weren't informed?

I'll go check the tanks.

Sure, go on.

Where are you going?

To buy ice cream, Madame.

Be quick about it!

We can�t stand here talking.

I can't ask you in.

You know how people talk.

Her father and brother are in France right now.

Your mother can come when she likes.

Everything's still in boxes.

We have to paint,

buy new furniture. We just moved upstairs.

My mother is a simple woman.

Don't go to any trouble, Madame...

Excuse me, what name do I use?

I'm still Madame Bouchama.

"Osmane" is my old combat name.

I fought so that there'd be no difference.

Madame Osmane receives everyone.

We're all Arabs.

Not everybody knows Algiers' customs.

This isn't the court of Versailles.

But things must be done

in the proper manner.

Goodbye, young man.

Were you taking me to the party for a change of air?

- No, to present your lovers! - It's easier for his mother.

Quiet! This is no time for proposals.

- I'm 25! -Quiet! Don�t argue!

A marriage proposal! That's a good one!

In a hurry to get married?

That's a laugh!

That bitch locked the door again.

Look at me.

You want to leave me?

Are you unhappy with me?

You're your father�s daughter.

Serves me right.

I pluck your father from the maquis, and civilize him.

And he leaves.

I get your brother out of military service, and he leaves.

And now you,

when you have a man,

you'll leave.

Why say that?

Because it's the truth.

Come on...

give me a kiss.

Call your father to tell him, OK?

Your Nasser will see you're not a bastard.

Tell me, daughter,

is it a good family, at least?

What does his father do?

He's dead.

Thank God.

No father-in-law on your back.

When Meriem comes back,

make her eat her ice cream.

Mother...

I'd rather you called Father.

-What's the problem? -They're full.

-What is it, then? - Dunno.

Listen.

Why do you treat me like a hoodlum?

It's normal.

You could be my son.

I don�t want to be your son. Why do you dislike me?

- I admire you. -Aren't you ashamed?

It's natural.

Are you cold?

Did you check the valve?

Someone was playing a prank.

The water's running now.

Hear that?

This house will drive me mad.

Who did this?

Meriem?

I know an exorcist in Oran. When he heals, it's for keeps.

He'll drive the madness out of her.

We could go to Oran.

It's like Switzerland there.

Careful, Sid-Ali.

Someone will see us.

Are you pulling another prank?

You're a former mujahida!

If I betray you, you can treat me as you like.

Get dressed.

The water's back on?

Leave me alone.

You coming, Kahina?

I'm from a very middle-class family.

I worked for a famous firm.

As an executive?

Sort of.

When exactly did you decide to become a woman?

When I was a little boy.

You said: '�A little boy!''

- I did? - Yes, "A little boy.�'

I've had enough of that TV!

The curfew is for outside, Madame.

Meriem, turn it off.

Sakina, are you asleep?

Sid-Ali!

You're crushing me.

You're crushing me.

Look, the new veil!

Women who wear them are either very beautiful or very ugly.

She must be very ugly.

Cut it out, Meriem.

-She'll hear you. - Not with all that on her head.

Her husband might.

Look at him! He's too good-looking for her.

I heard about a good exorcist in Oran.

- Planning to go to Oran? -Sure. Why not?

Oh, Madame, I love Oran!

- Know Oran? - No, but it's like Switzerland.

-Who recommended the exorcist? - People.

They say when he cures, it's for keeps.

-Going alone? -We'll go veiled, and by plane.

I want a pink veil.

This is no time for tourism.

Hear that, Yasmina?

Sakina is worried about my reputation.

She's the man of the house now.

No, she's concerned about you. They killed 2 Frenchman in Oran.

Not in Oran, near Oran.

Their deaths won't stop us from going places.

I killed more Frenchmen than that.

At 17, I was running guns for the maquis.

Long live Algeria and its borders!

At 25, I already had 2 children.

I'm 25, and I've done none of that crap.

I have my life and I love a man.

Enjoy it!

It won�t last.

Not with what's in store for you.

I don't care. I'm finished.

After all I did for them! Father sleeps with the enemy.

-Why do French women take our men? - Be nice to your mother.

I should've done like Kheira: Sleep around. But I wouldn't.

So as not to hurt her and her brother.

We're going! We're going!

- No one forgot her ID? Meriem? - No, Madame.

-Mommy, I want to pee. - Not now, sweetie.

This is Radio Algiers. Welcome to �'Spice of Life.''

Katia will be with you until the 4 o�clock news,

presented by Jamila Moussah.

And now, here's a "chaaouine" blues....

and the unforgettable El Anka with "Ouine Saadi Ouine."

Say, Yasmina,

isn't your dress a bit short?

I have a mansouria, just in case.

It's OK, we're almost there.

It's not to vex you. It's in case of a false roadblock.

It's too hot.

Explain that to a zealot.

She'll excite them with her long legs.

We're the only ones on the road.

We've had many requests to hear that superb fado voice again.

But first, let me ask you:

Which current Portuguese politician

wrote a poem sung by Amalia Rodrigues

while in exile here?

We should close the top.

You're always afraid!

We shouldn't attract attention.

They don't arrest women.

Let me talk.

Aren't they good-looking!

Stop it.

It's true, they are.

Nasser! Nasser!

Help!

Have you noticed?

Sakina dressed up to impress Nasser's mother.

Let's go. We're late.

"Where are you, valiant peasant?

"Come to the aid of a former mujahida."

Lucky peasant, if he comes across us.

Is that what you wish for me? Poor me!

By the way, Sakina...

you didn't say...

Where's Nasser from?

Jebel Saltas.

What did you pick up?

I have no luck!

I get all the barbarians.

Couldn�t you find better

to get us out of this mire?

A general, Madame?

We think she's mad. Not at all.

She knows her interests.

Now she wants to smother us.

Give me one?

Know the "El Andalous" hall?

Idiot! Think he knows?

The El Andalous hall?

Sorry, I though you were a boy.

- Know it? - That way, on the beach.

We're suffocating.

Mommy, that's where I peed!

We drove in a circle? We'll hit the same roadblock.

They'll find that shady!

We'll ask them for directions.

-Where you going? -Avoiding the roadblock.

Don't know where we're going, but we're going.

It's stifling in here.

We'll die.

Where's that goddamn sea?

The sea!

Listen!

You sure it's here?

In London I saw a church turned into a nightclub.

Really? What else have you seen?

I've never seen anything like this.

Look at this, Sakina...

Your Nasser's shaved his mustache!

You going or coming?

Hello, Madame Osmane.

Sakina, pleased to meet you.

Mommy, who's the lady?

I'm glad my son found a good family.

Thank you. He's a nice boy.

He's serious. He doesn't drink, smoke, go out.

He's everything to me: father, husband, son.

I'll pick you up.

God keep you.

Sakina, who's the lady?

Be quiet. Take her.

Let's go in.

-Meriem! -Coming.

Sorry, but it's no good without the mustache.

We forgot the bouquet.

Go get it.

You forgot the flowers.

-Meriem! -Aunt Rabia!

The Osmane family.

I was scared you'd met a false roadblock.

Not at all. We got lost.

My sister Rabia.

-Are you angry? - Let's not discuss it.

We have to talk.

Can I have your father�s phone number?

What for?

For the marriage proposal.

Madame Osmane wants things done properly,

so I'll ask your father.

He's in France. Just work it out with her.

Do you have a father, Miss Bouchama?

Do you have a father or not?

I told you not to smoke in public.

I want to marry in a real community hall.

A church is bad luck.

You won't forget to invite my mother?

You nuts? Why say that?

- I saw through your game. -What game?

You don't like my mother.

-That's not true. -Stop lying!

Don't call me a liar!

-Then why were you late? -We got lost!

Not on purpose, I hope.

Honestly!

You've got a problem!

Understand this:

If we marry, you'll see my mother daily.

What about our privacy?

Afraid she'll be jealous of your moaning at night?

- Sakina! - Fadila!

-You're beautiful. - So are you. Thanks.

You shouldn't have.

I didn't see you arrive.

You've been crying.

Where were you? I sent Meriem to find you.

Thank you for coming.

Soon it'll be Sakina's turn.

Not yet!

She has to finish college first.

College or not, there's no work.

She may as well get married.

I have to change. See you later.

Coming, sweetie.

You're gorgeous, Fadila.

Thank you. Sorry, I'm a bit tired.

Change in the ladies room, please.

There's barely enough room for the bride.

You can't send us to the ladies room!

We can't help it.

See that gorgeous redhead?

She preferred a married man to staying single.

What a pity!

There are no more men in Algeria!

Silence, please.

Please keep your children on your laps.

-Where's your girl? - Let her play.

Go get her.

This song is for the bride's mother.

Let her dance alone.

Why do I stay with you?

You cause me such pain

I don't know what keeps me here.

That's too much.

So what!

It's such a vulgar custom.

Too bad for me, fate betrayed me

God gave you everything

- Thanks, you shouldn't have. - Stop it.

Come and dance?

You're sweet.

She can't dance, it's no music for her.

What music is for her?

I'll dance with her, or she won't leave us alone.

Coming, Yasmina?

Doesn't she smell bad?

No, Rabia...

And her tattoos!

What will people say?

That I gave her to a tattooed woman?

Zhor, it's the man that matters.

He's a biology teacher, after all!

So what? Algerian teachers are horse's asses.

He must've done something to her. Put a spell on her.

Why? Is he ugly?

He's a pervert. I saw it in his eyes.

He wants the mother more than the daughter.

Don't laugh, Rabia. It's serious.

I don�t want him perverting my daughter.

It may be too late.

She must enjoy getting felt up by those yokels at school.

I can't stand it.

I'm hot.

Why'd you wear that wig?

Meriem! Get us something to drink.

Not here, Madame! I'm fed up.

"Meriem, go get Kahina! Go get Sakina!" Give me a break!

We're thirsty! What's to drink?

There's nothing left.

Rashida, please...

Later.

Call this a party.

You call this a party?

Hurray for the girls from Algiers!

Hurray for the girls from Bab El Oued!

The curfew can't keep us down!

This song is dedicated to the poor girls...

There's no one to share my pain with

I'm a woman alone and defenceless

Harassed by all

What have I done wrong?

There's no one to share my pain with

I have no father or mother

No one to give me affection

Badr-Eddine, redo my hair?

On top or down below?

"Down below" was never Badr-Eddine's specialty.

You should cut 'em off.

That's going too far!

How can I work in a place like this?

Badr-Eddine!

I'm warning you:

Once the music starts I go back up.

You call this a community hall?

You're really dumb.

It's not a hall,

it's a church.

- If the French came back... - It'd be cleaner!

But we wash our asses!

Me, too.

-Who's that? -Yasmina, a friend.

Her husband's in the Sahara. I brought her along.

- Nice of you. -She an immigrant?

I'm not an immigrant.

I'm Algerian.

But born in France. That's different.

That's what you're called here.

Say...

you let your husband go off on his own like that?

She's lucky to have a man

who's always traveling.

I can't stand it anymore. He's always in my hair!

I want my man with me all the time.

I need a male present.

You're right. A male presence...

...is indispensable!

He's only away one week each month.

I'll come up with you.

You have lovely hair.

No, thanks.

Don't be afraid.

I even do Warda's hair when she's in town.

-You do know Warda? -Of course not!

Thanks for everything.

Trust him.

He's an artist.

Thanks, gorgeous.

My best customer!

Look at that stunning back.

It only gets caressed one week a month.

-What? - She took a married man.

One week for her, 3 for the other?

That's right, that's right...

And they both know?

The redhead does, sure!

She's known from the start.

I don�t think the first one does.

Never trust a man.

Thanks a lot!

The music! Quick! I warned you.

Say, what's your husband do?

Engineer with Sonatrach.

-The oil business! Great! -What do you know?

-What's the redhead's husband do? -Sonatrach, too.

What's his last name?

Mohand Ait-Selmi. But everyone calls him Mimish.

What? It's his nickname.

It's none of my business.

Zhor, look at that redhead. What a lovely back!

Too thin!

Good lemonade!

It's like medicine, it aids digestion.

It really is good.

Where will I get tattooed?

Where will I get tattooed?

On my breast to arouse his desire.

-You knew she was here! Get out! - I do as I like.

What's going on?

You're my husband's mistress?

Mistress?

-What do you take me for? -A whore!

I'm a married woman!

Married to whom?

To whom? To Ait-Selmi Mohand, alias Mimish.

Want to see my license?

Look!

I even have a son by him, so there!

Go fight it out somewhere else.

If you recognized her, why did you stay?

It wasn't me who lied to her!

- I'm no party-pooper. -You are!

Bitch!

Let me kill her!

None of that here! Calm that monster!

You can�t stay here.

I'm waiting for my husband.

Let your mother handle this.

Now you can tell your son I'm a bad girl.

Music, maestro!

All we need now are the zealots!

That'd top it off!

Don�t worry, the army will protect us.

Let's find Kahina and get going.

Where's that bitch Meriem? She's never around.

Forgive us, Fadila.

Let her go get some air.

Poor thing! Three years and she never suspected a thing.

I know how it is. I went through it, too.

Don't start!

What?

Say it's not true!

Your father didn't leave me for another woman,

abandoning you and your brother?

When an Algerian man gets rich, he takes another wife.

You all get on my nerves.

You can�t go out like that.

Wash your face, at least.

Get out.

Out!

It's nothing, Mother.

Of course not. The party goes on.

I'll redo everything.

Madame! Yasmina's gone.

Did you see Mommy?

May I look inside?

It's not a tourist site.

We pray here.

Let the lady pray.

It's one of the only Koubas still open.

He was a great saint. Very great.

Avery wise man.

But only God is wise.

Calling the Boumaaza family...

Nasser awaits his mother in the parking lot.

We didn't even have a chance to talk.

With all that's happened!

Never mind. To find my son, I always know the way.

You can keep your son!

There are men aplenty!

Sakina, sit down.

Got what you wanted?

That's enough! They aren't our kind.

Just what you needed... a tattooed mother-in-law!

Watch your step, Sakina!

Want to run your own life? Fine!

But if anything happens, don�t come crying to me.

He's not a Jew, you know!

She's getting vulgar!

Rabia...

I'm afraid.

What can I do with her?

Help me.

Tell my wife to come out. Page the Guemash family.

Or I'll murder her.

Nasser!

-Mimish. -Sakina...

Don't let Kahina go out.

I don't want my wife in there with other men.

There aren�t any. Only a blind singer...

Your mother's looking for you.

A blind singer and a queer hairdresser!

"One week a month in the Sahara!"

You think she'll play along,

act like nothing's happened?

What's done is done.

You men always have it easy.

Can I see my daughter?

Not right now.

Look what they did to me!

Look!

An occupational hazard!

Listen, Mimish, what if Yasmina wants a divorce?

I want to keep her.

But if she wants to, I won�t fight it.

And if she wants to take the child?

-She can. I'm no monster. -Yes, you are!

Let's get going.

What's his name?

Abdel-Kader.

Reason with her. Nothing has to change.

Tell her that.

You're a woman of experience.

If not for me, do it for Kahina.

Yasmina is like my daughter now.

You'll have to reckon with me!

Easy, Mimish.

Easy!

Here they come!

How lovely the bride is

Thanks to the fortune of her fathers

We count on Almighty God

For our protection

How pleasing the groom is

How handsome he is

He is her lord and master

He is the pedestal to raise her

What're you doing? Here they come!

Since when do you smoke?

What is this hole?

Want to go back to France?

What would you do for work?

Cashier?

It's about time!

Is that what you want?

Today, day of peace

Wish us peace

And leave us in peace.

Not too warm like that?

Cut it out, or I go home!

See that?

Delaying us on purpose!

We've got time.

Who knows? Death lurks at every corner.

Let me out, quick!

We can't stay here until curfew!

What time do you close?

Curfew's at 11:30. I close at 11:29.

Say...

what's your name?

Jamel.

Ciao, Jamel.

My God!

Women like that defile our country.

How long has Fadila known her fianc�?

Seven years.

She's no virgin.

Think she's a born-again virgin?

No necking in seven years?

Notice her nipples? They were pretty dark.

I dare say... it's suspect.

At 45,

my nipples are still pink.

You're 55, and your nipples are pink because no man would suck them!

Watch your mouth!

Don't, Zhor! That's dangerous!

You woke the child.

Yasmina, sleep here tonight.

I want to be alone.

Zhor, where are you?

In the Greek's flat now.

Darling, I'm here.

Listen...

Algeria won't improve.

Sooner or later, Mimish will need your French citizenship.

Nice deal! Him "French" and me "Sultana N 1."

Happy now?

Everything's set right.

Haven't I suffered?

Suffered?

Suffered!

Calm down.

I've had enough out of you for one day.

A tough day for the veteran!

You steal Kheira's man,

ruin my engagement with Nasser,

wrap Mimish around your finger, and with Yasmina...

Open up, dear!

Her favorite trick: locking herself in.

It's late! What'll the neighbors say?

I told you,

she's pigheaded!

Sakina, open up!

Don't bother.

Nasser is all that matters to her.

It's love, for sure!

Marry for love!

I married for love, too!

And what'd I get?

Tell me!

Think of your mother!

You joking?

Turn off that TV.

It's not me, it's Kahina.

Get me a hammer.

Mommy,

I want to go home.

Here it is, Madame.

Bitch!

You're not in charge here!

Stop!

I'll handle your boyfriend!

Bitch!

You'll kill her!

Come here!

Go on!

Run to him!

We'll be rid of you!

Don't say that.

Who could that be?

It's midnight.

It's curfew. Must be the army.

She didn't close the door downstairs.

See? I've lost control over her.

- I'll go speak to her. -Me, too.

Who is it?

Sid-Ali. What's going on?

-You scared us. -What's all the shouting?

-You heard? - Everyone did.

We're the laughing stock of the block.

Come in.

I've said it before: this house will drive me mad!

Can I help you?

I've made sure people would say: "Even without a man,

"Madame Osmane runs her house better than a man."

- Inform her father. -What father?

-She's his daughter, after all. - He prefers his Frenchwoman.

Men!

They think bliss is marrying a Frenchwoman!

Come on. Don't sit here on the floor.

Zhor... God is with you.

There must be fighting.

We'll sleep at my place.

Kahina's sleeping with Meriem.

Aren�t you going to apologize?

Sid-Ali will console you.

If your father were here,

he'd crush you like a roach.

I'm going back down. Good night.

Sid-Ali!

You nuts?

She misses you already?

He'd rather spend the night with Madame Osmane!

You're shameless!

What's going on?

They've gone mad.

What's happening to us?

- No panties? - No panties!

And you almost got your head bashed in.

We have to celebrate!

Let's go dancing!

Now that we�re single, we need men.

-Shall we dress up? - Let's dress up.

We'll leave this lousy country.

-And if we can't find work... -We'll be whores!

-You'd prefer me dead, too. - Don't say that.

What cowards there are!

What hypocrites!

What parasites!

Why have people become so wicked?

Why have hearts turned to stone?

I can't forgive you

I have no confidence in you

You speak ill of me

You spread rumors about me

I can never forgive you

You are one of our enemies

I can never forgive you

I have no confidence in you

Stop it before they take you away.

It's not me singing, Mr. Caretaker, it's the radio.

Kahina, dear, turn down the radio.

Like that?

Stop this nonsense!

Want your hair silky and smooth?

Use Cleopatra shampoo.

Kahina, dear, come on, we'll go buy that shampoo.

Got any money?

Come, sweetie.

He walked into the pole!

Beat it!

All right, but no dessert for you!

-Take my car. -You can't drive in your state!

Never mind, I'll take a cab.

Cabs won't go to the airport after nightfall.

Taking a night flight when there's a curfew!

Shut up, Rabia.

Leave me alone.

Where's Meriem?

She's still not back.

Don't just stand there.

Make me some coffee.

Go on!

Jilali!

I didn't recognize you.

-You really came to bury Sakina? -Where's the car?

What about Reda?

Your son's in Brazil. We'll talk later.

-Can't talk because of the porter? -Take us to the car.

It's the Fiat there.

Who's car is it?

Sakina's car was riddled with bullets.

There wasn�t even a warning.

I just know it.

Zhor, it was an accident.

It was no accident.

Our own army shot her.

Astray bullet! She forced a roadblock under curfew.

Afraid to face the truth?

-Wanna screw? -Go see your sister.

Wanna screw?

You lout!

Leave her!

Clear off!

-Wanna screw? -Clear off!

Even curfew can't put you in your place.

-Why are you outwit your daughter? - Her father dumped me.

Remarry, instead of wandering the streets!

You came for us, Madame?

Is Mommy really dead?

Your husband came back!

What the hell's going on here?

Who's that man?

Madame's husband!

I'll check into a hotel.

-What about the funeral? - Bring us Sakina back.

To avoid hassles, the body goes straight to the cemetery.

If I had my gun on me,

I'd shoot you like a dog.

You'd better not provoke me.

You threatening me?

With what?

Serves you right, Mr. Bouchama. You'll sleep all by yourself.

To the St Georges Hotel?

No, Madame, leave my veils.

You have lice.

The caretaker gave me lice.

We�ll be back on the air at 6 a.m.

The caretaker said I could sleep in the cinema.

No movies for you tomorrow.

You have to stay and wait for Sakina.

Does Sakina have lice, too?

It's hot! I'm still a virgin!

Excuse me.

Give Madame Osmane my condolences.

Thank you, Mr. Stoliarov.

The Bouchama residence?

No, this is the Osmane residence!

"In the name of the people and the People's Army of Algeria,

"we declare:

"Sakina Fatma-Zohra Bouchama, daughter of Jilali and Zhor Osmane,

"born 1 June 1968

"in Algiers and deceased

"on 29 September 1993

"at the wheel...

"...on 29 September 1993 at the wheel of a Golf

"registered in Greater Algiers,

"number55-189-16,

"was a victim of a terrorist attack."

The father must sign.

Are you the father of the deceased? Your ID card, please.

Your gloves, brother!

Give me your gloves!

Don't you want to look inside?

What if it's just stones?

Afraid they won't let you leave the country?

Open the coffin.

The coffin's sealed.

You call that sealed?

Meriem, bring me a hammer.

Your honor, Jilali! In the shit!

I'll bring you a crowbar.

We have orders not to open the coffin.

-Whose orders? -The authorities.

What authorities?

You must obey.

Sid-Ali, go to it!

I swear I'll shoot you and that ass!

Shoot him, Madame!

-You're asking for trouble. -Off my property!

Go on!

Let's not stay in the street.

Leave it.

Forgive me.

Madame Osmane, she must be buried today.

-Why do that? -The bride is leaving.

Subtitles: Lenny Borger/ Cynthia Schoch

Subtitling by TVS -TITRA FILM