Algeria, 1943.
We must free France from German occupation.
Come on everybody! Follow me!
We have to wash the French flag with our blood!
Follow me, everyone!
We must free France and control this situation!
Come on, you guys!
We have to free France!
Said!
Back!
Consider again.
Enter inside.
Your grandfather never returned. Don't worry about that, Mom.
I want to help France.
I can't stay here.
I would rather be poor than lose you!
Mother has borne such a heavy burden.
Please, allow me, ma'am. Everything will be alright.
Pray for me.
Up!
Road!
Live France!
Up!
Morocco, 1943.
Face left, walk!
I know you Ait Tserouchen, mountain people.
The best French warriors,
better than Barbarians,
And you will prove it!
Now listen carefully.
We are ordered to attack enemy areas to get food.
But don't touch women, or you will be shot.
In France, there should be no looting. We are very disciplined!
This is our home, our homeland!
Face left, walk!
Yassir, they set the line like a donkey. Let's go home.
Serve France proudly, then France will serve you.
Why did you register us? / For money...
... so you can get married.
Forward...
Road!
Sergeant communicates with his men...
Setif, Algeria - 1943
via voice commands...
and via signal...
via voice command and through signal...
used simultaneously.
We are Africans, come here from far away.
We came from the colonies to save the homeland.
We leave our family and home.
And our hearts are filled with spirit that is invincible.
Because of hope for responsibility and pride.
Great flags from beloved France.
If someone tries to divide us.
We are here willing to die on the feet.
Drums resonate as a sign of our love on our land and country.
We come from far away willing to die, We are Africans.
Rest!
Italy, 1944
Gathering!
Take a break on the spot!
Face left!
Don't respect me here.
They always choose officers as targets.
Corporal Abdel Kader, 2nd Kompani, 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment.
Report, sir!
What can your soldier do?
Don't know, sir. They're my first group.
How can you have a rank?
I was declared graduated, sir.
I'd rather go with Boche. (Boche = German name)
Corporal Leroux reports, sir.
You can go.
Thank God.
Take this German riffle. You are the best.
He will be a sniper.
Take it.
Get down!
Don't blame him, sir.
They are still beginners.
I have the right to decide!
Starting with you.
Yes... Sergeant.
German soldiers are digging up there. Calm down
Tomorrow, our mission is to go up there, and drop them.
We have to do it. It's a light duty for infantry.
You will lead your men.
Whatever the problem, take a cigarette.
Before you turn it on, will end.
Yes, Sergeant.
Make sure your troops are behind. Yes, Sergeant.
Not allowed to hit a soldier.
I know Sergeant from Tunisia. He is one of the best.
He knows his job.
Where are you from, Said?
From a very poor place.
Listen...
In this uniform, you're the same as me.
You're the same as all of us. We are one family.
In military equality.
Soon, You will be hit by a bullet tomorrow...
Corporal, are you afraid?
Okay, enough.
Tomorrow, you will know... that you are a soldier or not.
Sergeant, your coffee.
Thank you, Ali./ Be careful, it's still hot.
We will do it tomorrow.
Yes, tomorrow we will go to war.
God willing, God willing.
Forward, forward!
Abdel Kader, walk!
Abdel Kader!
Corporal! What are we doing now?
Shut up!
Road!
We will die if we stay here.
Messoud! Ahmed!
Said!
Come on!
Road!
Colonel, artillery!
Artillery number 5. 938-991.
Artillery number 5. Coordinates 938-991
Received ./903-940.
Artillery number 4. Coordinates 903-940.
Coordinates 938-991
Hold 1400, order 340. Content 5. Refill.
The first shot is ready. / The second shot is ready.
Get ready... Shoot!
Stay below! This is our side.
Larbi...
Don't be afraid, brother. We will not die today.
Forward!
Fast!
Come on, Messaoud!
Forward! Keep going!
Sergeant! Stay behind me!
Ali, are you hurt?
Keep going!
Out there!
Open his mouth.
Stop it! What are you doing?
We are soldiers, not savage humans.
Anj * ng! / Bastard!
Live France!
Colonel...
How many victims?
How many died?
This is an amazing victory.
For the first time since failure in 1940,
Our army defeated the German army.
France is back,
and trusted allies. Write it down.
One photo of the Colonel?
Write what I said earlier.
Road.
Slow down...
OK!
Yes?
Take a break.
What do you want? / I want to say thank you.
You saved my life, Sergeant./ Do you want to say thank you?
Make me coffee. You can replace Ali.
If I am satisfied, I will increase your rank to the main class.
How is it? What did he say? Are we going home?
As soon as possible, God willing! / Really?
Thank you, friend.
Where is my chocolate?
This. Thank you.
There are no tomatoes for you.
Why? / Not for you. Go!
What do you mean?
Let him go!
You cooked while he fought.
Yes, Sergeant.
Go away.
Why isn't the tomato for everyone?
She's right. We also want tomatoes!
She's right!
Shut up!
Are you not happy?
Nothing at all now... Sergeant.
They are willing to die for us, but injustice will cause rebellion.
You know indigenous people, Martinez... / Avoid that term, sir.
Muslims... / That's just as bad.
So what did I call them?
People, sir. People.
What happened here? / Captain...
We fought together with French brothers...
on the same battlefield, against the same enemy.
We should also be distributed tomatoes.
German bullets do not distinguish between shooting targets, Captain.
Sergeant, when we have tomatoes... share for everyone.
Ready, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Friends... My best friends!
So many dreams people have sacrificed for him,
... finally came true.
Your wounds and suffering, all pain...
and spilled blood,
is the price to pay for this trip.
We will see France soon! Our homeland!
We will return home!
Provence, August 1944.
Kiss it.
This is not like home.
French soil, more fertile.
Look!
Live France!
France!
Do you speak French? / Yes, I understand.
What's your name? / Messaoud.
And what's your name? / Irene.
Sergeant said, "Go to the mountain."
I'm afraid, but I still go to the mountain.
I climbed the mountain, I ran and ran.
Messaoud to my right, Abdel Kader to my left.
I'm not afraid anymore.
But the Germans shot at us, the right side, the left side, on each side.
Messaoud says, "Enter the hole".
I didn't say anything, Sergeant looked at me.
I saw Sergeant, I know what he wants.
I took the grenade, pulled the pin, then threw it right in the direction of Germany.
All German soldiers die.
I freed this country, freed my country.
A country that I have never seen before.
This is my country.
Which country do you love?
God willing, we will defeat Germany. Thank you very much.
= (Words of Wisdom in the Movies) =
See. Iron cross. Germany
Very beautiful.
The army is dangerous...
Take this.
Very beautiful. Best quality!
Iron cross.
"Bad luck"
Why aren't you lucky?
I will not tell you
Sorry. Good night.
Why are you scared?
Germany will not return.
You have driven them away.
Not that. But...
In my country, we are not allowed to go with a French woman.
Don't!
Don't touch it! It's a sin!
I swear to God. Are you not shy?
Why, Yassir? Does this belong to God?
Don't touch it.
See...
Their Lord suffered so much.
Very suffering.
Tell me, Yassir... When I was little,
The French army has killed all our families.
They committed massacres?
How do they call that action? / They call it...
Pasification (security / peace).
Pasification?
Corporal, can you read? / Yes.
I can't read.
I have never been to school.
You can study.
Listen... / Said...
Corporal, come here!
What is that? / Army manual, sir.
"Infantry Officer Guide." / Do you want to be a Colonel?
First Sergeant, Sergeant.
Let me read some parts.
"In theory..."
"There should be no soldiers returning from the military with illiteracy."
"Course is an obligation for everyone..."
"... when they started registering."
There are no African soldiers who can read and write.
Said, do you want to learn to read?
It's too late, Sergeant.
And what should I read?
Bring me clean clothes.
Messaoud.
Will you be back?
Yes, I promise I'll be back. Will you wait for me?
Yes.
Rhone Valley, October 1944.
I have never loved a girl like this.
I want to marry her, have children, and build a family with her.
You have to act fast.
Marseille is heaven. Here, Corporal... They respect me. I'm not a stranger.
I swear, I will live in France.
You will always be a stranger.
Shut up! Ever slept on a bed before?
Said! Get on!
Up!
Ayesha!
Me and Mother, 1903
What is this?
Only French people can go?
We fought from Marseilles./ We fought from Italy.
We went to Paris. You must return to foreign land.
This stranger said fuck.
Do you miss home, family?
Why do you speak Arabic?
Me too, I want to go see my mother.
Is there a letter for me? / There is no letter for you.
Check again, Sergeant./ No way.
I've written 3 times, My name is Messaoud Souni.
Or maybe I was mistakenly recorded as a victim. / I said no.
Soldier! / There is no letter for you.
Here is Ayesha!
How is he? Is Sergeant Martinez rejecting you?
Married a Moroccan?
Why do you always bother me?
Go to your Marseille girl... Maybe Americans are making love to her.
That doesn't matter. Do you want to know why?
You're the only one I want, Ayesha.
Beautiful Ayesha.
He will serve us.
I swear to Allah... / Said, calm down!
If you call me Ayesha again...
Said! / If someone calls me like that again...
Don't mind, brother. Everyone understands it.
Stop. Let him go, calm down...
If someone calls me Ayesha, I will kill her.
Release him.
I'm not a kid! Let him go!
Release him, Said!
You're crazy!
Stupid, are you a soldier or what?
Embarrassing!
Get out of here!
Get out of here. Fast!
And don't do that again!
Listen to me, Said. You are not a slave.
There are no slaves here!
Nobody cares about me here, except Sergeant.
Just study your beloved book and be a Colonel!
Who wants to be a colonel? This donkey?
Or is this donkey boy?
Why can't they become colonels?
Why can't he? Why can't others?
We can try it...
Try it...
It's done! Back to your bed!
Do it!
I don't want any more problems!
Mount Vosges, November 1944.
Yes, this looks dangerous! The situation is getting worse!
It's harder than Italy. But I believe in you.
I believe you will free the land.
France's fate and people are in our hands...
and they look at us with hope.
We have to get there by night!
And, even with life, we will do it! Even though life.
What is Omar, Sergeant?
Sergeant... I've taken a position.
I'm here, Sergeant.
I'm in charge here!
I order you to return, Don't act on your own volition.
I am the one who rules. I manage you all!
We already lost Omar!
Report that we have taken a position and are waiting for orders.
OK, sir.
Sergeant?
I have news for you, Said. You have been promoted to the main army.
You have been moved to HQ. Pack your things and leave.
I don't want to be the first class, Sergeant.
I'm better like now.
I'm just kidding!
Said.
Learn to look after yourself.
One day I might die.
You will not die, Sergeant.
Don't talk like that anymore.
You will live... and become captain, God willing!
The captain is too busy at the table.
Are all French girls like this?
He said he lived with you, and then left you.
Is that right?
When you are promoted, choose the rich and beautiful.
She's very beautiful...
See the picture...
and tell me what you think honestly.
What's the name? / Irene.
lrene, good name.
We must end this war. We will return with honor.
lrene will be proud of you.
Listen to this.
"After the war, I will return to Marseille, Irene."
"I sent you a kiss. I miss you day and night, Messaoud."
Romance, huh? Like a song.
Censored They're not stupid, Captain.
They are far from home for 20 months, they are cold here...
I know, Sergeant!
France withdraws everything. / There are no ships!
There is a ship that brought them here, but none of them took them?
We want to see our family, like French soil.
This isn't fair, Captain.
And France hasn't raised the rank to anyone from North Africa!
If you do a good job, I will raise your rank.
I don't want only me to be promoted,
I don't want it. My men deserve it like me.
Corporal Abdel Kader, for example.
Don't sleep! Get up! Wake up!
May you be accepted by His side.
What is this? What did he say?
Read it.
"Islamic militants..."
"Know that you can pass through German territory."
"We will welcome you warmly and your life is guaranteed."
"Your leader sent you to die in the territory of France."
"Islamic militants, you are born not as slaves."
"Germany will give you freedom."
"Independence Day has come for Africa."
Without us, what would you do, Abdel Kader?
Do you think of something?
Don't keep it in your head.
De Gaulle says we fight for freedom.
I fought with France against fascism.
Get out of your hole! We have to go!
We have to get out of here! We will go home!
It's done! It is over!
These people don't go home.
Tonight, they will dance!
He didn't reply to my letter./ Be patient, soldier.
This is war, letter may not arrive.
It's arrived, but there's no letter for me.
Leroux! Martinez!
Martinez, you got promoted to Advisor Sergeant, congratulations!
Thank you, Captain.
And you're now Sergeant, Leroux. Congratulations.
Try making a front line.
Good work, Leroux. Thank you, Sergeant.
Messaoud!
Girls will go wild with you with these boots!
Do you like jackets isn't he, Corporal?
Yes, I think so.
God bless you.
Aamiin.
Said!
He called me. I have to go.
I come! / Sit down.
Whiskey? / Like in America.
Sorry, Sergeant. It feels hot!
Wait a minute...
Try cigars.
This is for me? / Of course for you.
You know... I don't smoke cigars...
But I will try it.
I like you, Said.
Me too, Sergeant. I like you.
He deserves the rank.
All units support it. But the Advisor can't do it.
They don't say it, They don't know about us.
We liberate this country, and then go home.
But, Sergeant...
This... This is also our home.
This is France.
We fight for it, for the country.
This is our home and I know...
You are also like us...
Arabs.
What are you saying?
I saw a photo of your mother in my pocket.
This can't be trusted.
I took a photo of your mother and compared it to my mother...
they look like brothers...
You messed up my things, basic brash!
I...
Damn it!
Don't talk about this anymore, or I'll kill you.
Get out!
Everything, stand up!
Sit down!
= (Words of Wisdom in the Movies) =
What is this?
Sit down!
I will take time off.
Listen!
Listen to me, brothers and sisters! Listen! Listen!
When I registered, I heard General De Gaulle...
France fights for freedom throughout the world.
I think this war...
gives us a chance for similarity with French brothers.
We all fight against Hitler...
for freedom, equality and brotherhood!
It is time for them to give us freedom, justice and...
above all, brotherhood!
We have changed the fate of France!
And it should change our fate too!
Get out of the way!
Are you asking for that ?!
You always provoke emotion. / France cares for themselves,
You're also a white African.
and we are forgotten Natives.
That's their share.
Ration?
Why didn't you tell us?
You can't understand it, so shut your mouth and come down!
Why can't I understand? Are Wog people not smarter than you?
Wog people cannot lead.
We will prove it, Sergeant...
Forgive me, Sergeant "Advisor".
What are you doing here? / I've tried going to Marseille.
The French are pulled out, we can't be anything. Is that normal?
Is that not strange? / You're trying to leave the assignment.
Are you crazy?
I have to see him.
Why are you here, Corporal?
I had a fight with Martinez, _ Sergeant Advisory Board.
Have a Gaulosie (cigarette)? / Yes.
They are at the front line. Their position is kept confidential.
You can write to him.
I have written many times, but there is no reply.
Tell me... Did he die?
Tell me the name, we will look for it.
Messaoud Souni.
He is with the 7th Algerian Infantry.
If we hear the information, we will tell you.
Thank you.
Colonel, we must be firm with the Muslim army.
The corporal's sentence is a warning.
Rambert, tell me something...
Yes, Colonel?
Before joining De Gaulle at the last moment,
Are you in Vichy?
Martinez. Yes, Colonel.
You know about Muslims, What will we do to him?
He is loyal to France, Colonel.
All of my men are patriots.
Corporal, you are at risk of facing a Military Tribunal...
There is an injustice, Colonel.
We must fight together...
with one common goal: victory.
France needs us, us all.
Do you understand? Do you understand what I said?
Yes, Colonel.
In Alsace, the 35th US Division has been defeated.
They were attacked and needed help and ammunition.
We must maintain this base...
until the attack a few days from now.
Captain Durieux needs a courageous and experienced person.
This is a very dangerous task.
I want to volunteer, Colonel.
Corporal, I pay homage to you,
I give this award to you and all brave fighters
who have contributed to this historic victory.
I will be the first to Alsace.
All French people will know and remember you.
I will fight with my body and soul, Colonel.
Like what I always fought for.
Corporal Abdel Kader, He is the person who holds his words.
There's not much time left, prepare your ammunition unit.
Captain... Soldier Messaoud is still in prison.
We need a sniper, I'll release it. Thank you, Colonel.
Order your men to stay calm. / Calm down!
We are close to the German border. Stay calm and control the horse.
Larbi!
Don't leave me, Larbi! Do not die!
Why is God? Why does it have to be Larbi?
Captain and Leroux are dead.
We lose 5 people.
You're in charge now.
That's your decision.
Are you helping America maintain a line...
... or you will come back.
Pursue the horse, we will advance. We lost ammunition, Corporal.
How are we going to advance? / He is right.
Shut up! We will be the first French army in Alsace.
If we maintain the position of the American Army, believe me...
We will get what we deserve.
You won't get anything. Don't you realize it?
I just sacrificed my sister to France. Enough!
Enough!
Corporal, calm down! Calm down!
Do you want to kill the others ?! Already enough people die!
Corporal, we must unite! Our friends are dead.
Thank God that we are still alive.
Corporal, God will bless your family.
She's right.
It's no use anymore. / What's wrong with you?
Do you want to be Sergeant? Too late!
You don't understand anything!
We have to go to Alsace, that's our mission!
Although we have to pay 10 or 100 times this price...
We still have to do it!
And they will have to admit us because of this.
Why are you this?
Listen to Yassir... Do you want to go home _ empty-handed?
We do it to the end. The death of your brother will not be in vain.
Said, come along... Take the horse back.
Don't argue anymore. It's done, hurry up!
Come here... Beautiful dress...
Come on...
Come here.
Don't bother this problem! I am tired!
Be a good child. I can't catch you anymore.
For Allah's blessings and mercy!
Yassir, watch behind!
French Army?
Are you alone? Which is the other one?
We will maintain the position, Staff Sergeant.
We will wait until help arrives.
I will do the same...
... Corporal.
I have to go see them.
I wish you were dead...
Sergeant...
Staff Sergeant!
You never knew the war had happened...
What do we do here?
After the war ends, you will remain in the military.
You will get promoted and become Sergeant.
I don't want to be Sergeant!
Some people have the right to get it, others don't.
God doesn't forget me now.
Have you ever given an command to someone else?
Never.
Tell me, honestly...
Are we going to skip this story (congratulations)?
Said, listen to me... We will be safe...
... together. Have you forgotten?
Our fate is in the hands of God.
Thank you, ma'am.
Eat a lot. Thank you, ma'am.
Who can live in the cold like this?
Frenchman.
Can I take milk for children?
Does the cow have a lot of milk?
2 to 3 buckets.
Do you want to try it?
Have you ever been afraid?
Sometimes I'm afraid...
but tonight I'm not afraid.
Messaoud!
I don't want to die here.
God... I testify that there is no god but Allah...
I'll take Martinez. Wait, Said.
Hear me... Messaoud is dead.
Be careful, brother.
Wait.
Yassir! Protect us!
1, 2... Run!
Sergeant! Sergeant! Get up!
Wake up! Sergeant.
Come on!
Yassir! Protect me!
Yassir!
Come on out, hurry up! Yassir!
Yassir! Fast! Come on!
Yassir!
Yassir! Get up! Yassir!
My brother... Don't shoot!
Don't stop! Keep going! Advanced!
Colonel...
Colonel!
Stop! / I want to meet the Colonel.
What? / I want to talk to him.
Meet your Sergeant. / He's dead! Captain too.
Then where are your units? / There aren't any, they're all dead.
Sergeant! Do you need a corporal? There is one person here.
Pack your things and come with us.
Look here.
The French army frees Alsace.
Look here! Smile.
Alsace, 60 years later.
Roger Martinez, 7th Algerian Infantry Sergeant Staff, w. 15-01-1945.
Yassir 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment w. 15-01-1945
Said Otmani 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment w. 15-01-1945
Messaoud Souni 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment w. 15-01-1945
In 1959, the law was passed to freeze retired soldiers,
France, which was previously a colonial state, will become an independent country.
In 2002, after the trial was endless,
the French government is ordered by Europe to pay retirees in full.
But the government is in a row...
... refuses to pay.