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Volunteers from every horizon
To erase humiliation
Ever ready to defy death
With a single desire With the same impulse
Gather around the pennant
SPECIAL MILITARY ACADEMY
You drove out the occupier
Sing, cadets!
Commandos of Africa, proud commandos
Commandos of Africa Lions on the attack
Mercilessly, you wield your knives
Louder, cadets!
Mercilessly, you defend the flag
A model of strength and faith
May your courage be our law
Under the violence of your attacks
Despite the weight of your burdens
Come on, hurry it up!
Let's speed it up!
To the end of the track!
Helmets on! Get into the water!
Come on, move it, cadets!
Helmets on! In the water!
Move it, cadets!
Faster!
Helmets on!
In the water!
The cold's all in your head!
Damn, it's cold!
I can't feel my fingers.
- I can't feel my hands! - Move!
Come on, move!
My legs are numb.
Keep moving!
Move!
Keep moving!
Hello?
Yes, I'll get him for you.
Ismaël, it's for you.
Who is it?
Your mom.
It's OK, little brother. Don't worry.
I'm so sorry, Mom.
What happened?
An accident, they said.
But how?
I don't know.
They will pick us up in an hour. We'll know more there.
We donated his organs.
What state will he be in?
Hello.
We must pray to God, sister.
Hajar.
Hello, beauty.
I'm so sorry, Auntie.
Go and sit down.
Hello, Mrs. Saïdi. My condolences.
I'm General Caillard, head of the academy.
I regret meeting in such circumstances.
It was a tragic accident.
Aïssa was a brilliant young man.
We had high hopes for him.
The Army is a family...
Hello.
Leroy, Frédéric.
I was Saïdi's... Aïssa's partner. I'm truly sorry.
What happened?
I don't know.
What do you mean?
We weren't in the same group. I didn't see.
Hello, young man.
Hello.
- May I have a quick word? - Yes.
These were your brother's effects.
They were returned after the autopsy.
Hello, ma'am, I'm Chaplain Mustaphi.
I washed your late son's body.
May God grant him grace.
May God guide you towards patience.
We belong to Him and we shall return to Him.
Mrs. Saïdi, I realize it's painful,
but we must discuss your son's funeral.
We'd like your views
on some details.
From a religious standpoint, should we follow Muslim rites?
We'll find a mosque for the janazah.
Would you like a military ceremony?
Yes, it's important for him.
Should I contact the Commander at Les Invalides
to arrange the ceremony?
Les Invalides?
Do what is necessary.
Yes, sir.
The place of burial...
Is there a family vault?
Or the military cemetery?
Ma'am?
Yes, the cemetery.
The military cemetery is fine.
No humiliation was intended. It wasn't hazing in the legal sense.
But it wasn't supervised by the academy.
It's mid-way.
It was an initiation, an induction to traditions that went wrong.
The initial investigation shows
the second-year cadets respected no safety rules.
There's a discrepancy between what the logbook says
and what actually happened
when Aïssa died.
For those reasons,
the case will be reclassified as manslaughter.
We must await the final conclusions,
but Aïssa's death was clearly avoidable.
How long must we wait?
The investigation will take time.
But I promise the law will do its job, ma'am.
ALGERIA, JUNE 1992
Swim!
What are you doing? Come here!
Listen.
What's going on? Swim.
You can't swim.
What's going on? Swim.
Swim, Ismaël! Swim, Aïssa!
I can't do it.
My nose hurts.
It hurts too much.
What?
Let me see.
Did you take them to their French class?
- No. - Why not?
We didn't go.
They need to make progress in French.
What's that?
Stop the car.
Where are you going?
Home to Blida.
Blida?
Where's your wife's hijab?
- Sorry, I forgot. - Put it on.
Control your wife.
Sorry, brother.
What's your job?
I'm in mechanics.
A mechanic?
- I work too... - Shut up!
She doesn't. She's at home with the boys.
She stays at home?
Out!
Get out!
You too!
- Get out, I said! - Easy.
Easy, she's pregnant.
She's pregnant.
- Don't touch my children! - She's pregnant.
Shut up, woman!
- A policeman? - No, he's...
- Shut up! - Are you a policeman or not?
No, I work in mechanics, I told you.
I can't stay in this country.
- Where will you go? - France.
What'll you do there?
There's no future for us there.
The boys have no future here.
I can't leave, I'm a soldier.
No, you're their father and I won't give birth here.
We can't afford it.
- I'll sell the house. - No, you won't.
This is my house.
You don't scare me.
It's my house, not yours.
You're not selling anything.
This is my house.
Why is she shouting?
Because they want to leave for France.
I want to stay here.
I'm leaving with the boys!
The candy's better in France.
I don't care.
- Get out of my house. - It's mine.
- Get out! - Shut up!
Get out!
Screw France.
Get out of my house! You don't understand!
Get out!
When will you come back home?
Soon.
Dad, is it true we're going to France?
Who told you that?
No one.
Dad will soon wipe out all the bad guys.
Things will get better, Inshallah.
OK.
France isn't for us, you know.
- Yeah. - You want to go to France?
- Want to go to France? - No.
Well then.
Let's cross.
LONG LIVE THE ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT
Come here, sonny.
It requires an economic project, based on science,
and the Muslim religion encourages that ideology.
A good Muslim works to advance society. That is progress.
The country deserves it and the people must strive for it.
How have other countries overtaken us?
Thanks to science and technology.
Islam...
Stay here!
Admit you stole it. Admit it!
Hands up!
Higher!
Gotcha!
What are you doing? Ismaël, get up.
- It's a game. - Get up!
It's a game.
Don't worry.
It's not a game. Give me that.
Give me that.
This isn't a plaything.
It's a toy, not a real one.
It is a plaything.
It's not even funny.
Who's your favorite player?
Mine's Dad.
Mine's Maradona.
We're off to France, Adil. My mind's made up.
I won't let my children throw away their lives here.
Things won't get better.
Adil, do what you want.
But my children won't stay in this country.
I have to go. An emergency at the clinic.
Adil, I have to go.
Boys, come here.
Ismaël, I'm waiting.
Look after your brother.
Don't open the door to anyone.
- Who is it? - Me. Open the door.
I forgot my keys.
Open up.
Come on, open the door.
Aïssa! Open up.
Open it. Go on!
- Why didn't you open it? - Sorry, Dad.
That's enough. Go to bed.
Ismaël...
Where did your mother put the passports?
I dunno.
Speak up, I didn't hear.
I don't know.
Where are the passports?
I don't know.
Come here.
I know when you lie.
You get a little smile like that.
Sweetheart...
Where did Mom put the passports?
- I don't know. - Stop!
Stop lying.
Where are the passports?
I swear I don't know.
Tell the truth.
I'll ask one last time.
Where are the passports?
I've no idea.
Did you put them away?
No.
- You put them away. - I didn't.
Yes, you did, she told me.
- Who? - Mom.
Where are the passports?
- I don't know... - Stop!
I swear I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know where the passports are.
Where are we going?
Come on!
Get in.
Where are we going, Dad?
Where are you going?
Dad, where are you going?
Climb in.
Dad.
Where are you going?
Get out.
Get out, I said.
Out!
- Come on, Aïssa. - Let go.
Run!
Ismaël, get him home!
Go to hell, Adil!
Run, boys!
He's snatching his kids, call the police!
What are you up to, Saïdi?
- Adil, we saw you! - Call the police!
Wanna snatch your kids?
Call the police, he's snatching his kids!
No, we can't take it.
Aïssa, there's no room for it.
I don't wanna go!
Aïssa, calm down.
I hate you! I despise you!
We can't take it. Calm down.
I'm furious! Leave me alone!
Aïssa.
That's enough.
Calm down, Aïssa. Calm down!
Mrs. Saïdi, I know this won't be much comfort,
but even if I were to die in France,
I'd have no right to Les Invalides.
Military funerals at Les Invalides
are for soldiers who fall during overseas operations.
Second Lieutenant Saïdi's death does not conform
to that rule.
We think a guard of honor by his comrades
at the Bobigny municipal cemetery would be a fine tribute.
- That's what we offer you. - No.
I don't want my son buried in Bobigny.
In that case, where, ma'am?
In the military cemetery.
Like all soldiers.
As you promised.
I promised nothing.
The general command has taken over
and you'll deal with me now.
How did they die?
The others in Bobigny?
Each case is different.
Right.
Many cases of manslaughter?
Ismaël.
- The investigation is ongoing... - Your damn hazing killed my brother.
Initiation, not hazing.
What's the difference?
Initiation allows you to kill?
Emotion clouds your judgement, young man.
My judgement?
Ismaël.
Come with me.
Let's take a walk.
We understand your grief, Mrs. Saïdi. Really.
And we'll do all we can to make this ordeal less painful.
But you must be reasonable.
You can't do that!
They're messing with us.
We can't go against them.
They're scared.
Les Invalides would mean they're responsible.
You're right.
But your brother didn't die a hero.
He died because of his idiot comrades.
So they owe him Les Invalides.
Ismaël, please.
Think of your mother.
Let her bury her son in peace.
You've grown.
Why are you here?
I've come to see my son.
He said he's your brother's father.
He's my son.
I'm sorry.
Unless the gentleman or the mother give their consent,
we can't let you in.
- Thank you, you did the right thing. - What?
Adil Mohamed Saïdi.
I'm his father. Look.
Sorry about this.
Let's talk.
I know you resent me.
Just go, please.
Listen,
we have a family vault in Algeria. It's good for Aïssa.
No.
We take your brother,
we bury him in his homeland.
On a sunny hillside.
You prefer to entrust your brother to colonizers?
The French Army killed him.
Come on.
Do you have children?
Listen...
- Do you? - None of your business.
Heard of forgiveness?
I can't ask his forgiveness after burial. It's too late.
I beg you, let me see him. He's my son.
- It's too late. - He's my son.
It's too late.
He's cold.
I know he's cold.
My baby boy's cold.
This chicken is delicious.
It reminds me of Mom's.
No, hers was better than mine.
An induction exercise or hazing? Many wonder.
On the night of Monday to Tuesday, Aïssa Saïdi took part...
He came back.
He wanted to see Aïssa.
Who?
You let him in?
No.
Aïssa's his son.
He's only here to ease his conscience.
It's too late now.
You mean Dad? He's back?
Ismaël...
You can't bar him from his son's funeral.
I want to see him.
Eat.
I've never seen him. I don't even know what he looks like.
He doesn't want to see you.
That's a crazy thing to say.
It's true.
Ismaël, stop deciding for others.
Please.
I mean it.
Enjoy your food.
Proud of yourself?
Who says he doesn't want to see him?
- Please. - What?
Linda.
You won't listen to me either? What is this?
Linda, enough.
He wants to decide for everyone.
You decide for the dead, you decide for the living,
but all your decisions are wrong.
Settle your issues.
Can't sleep?
No.
Algiers?
This is you as boys in Saint-Denis.
Did you take the photo?
Yes.
Here.
Go on, I washed it.
Your father probably read it in the papers.
What's he like?
Older, greyer.
He has crutches. He limps.
Otherwise, still the same.
What Brahim said, I don't know...
I keep thinking about it.
He left 19 years ago.
No, I'm the one who left.
And Aïssa is his son too.
That night, why...
Why did he want to take Aïssa and not me?
I don't know.
Did Aïssa speak about his first weeks at the academy?
My son was proud to be at Saint-Cyr.
It was his dream.
What did he say about the initiation?
The traditions are passed on in songs
around Napoleon's tomb
or at Verdun for World War One.
As for the initiation, and its humiliations,
what should he have told me?
What did it consist of?
He said he was woken in the night to go into the forest,
deprived of food, forced to serve...
A series of stupid, humiliating games.
The second years never gave them any rest.
He was exhausted.
Was Aïssa a good swimmer?
I don't understand.
Why do you ask me that?
You have to be able to swim to get into Saint-Cyr, right?
Yes.
So why are you asking me that?
- Answer, Mrs. Saïdi. - No.
I want to know why he asks.
For the investigation, is it?
Who are you investigating?
My son or those who killed him?
TWO YEARS EARLIER
Mom, he says I've put on weight. Tell him.
You have a little.
Police! Open up!
All Arabs celebrating Christmas are under arrest!
Can't you give it a rest?
Here.
We'll drink it later.
And the presents.
Come on in.
- What's that? - Nothing.
What have you done now?
Merry Christmas, Mom. Here.
- Merry Christmas. - I got a great chicken.
Stop eating, it's nearly ready.
Did Aïssa manage to get a flight?
It's not easy.
Taipei-Paris return costs too much.
- Here. - Thanks, bro.
What is it?
Look.
Thank you.
What is it?
- Auntie... - Thank you, Ismaël.
- What is it, Yacine? - An iPod.
A what?
It's an iPod.
- An iPod? - Señor...
Ismaël, thank you so much.
Thanks, Isma.
What are they?
Cigars?
You a banker now?
I won on the soccer lottery.
Beautiful.
It's magnificent.
This is for you.
Take it.
That's kind.
Very kind.
Thank you, nephew.
You're spoiling us.
- Fantastic. - So beautiful.
They certainly are.
Isn't this a bit much?
Put this back in the bag.
- More coffee anyone? - No, thanks.
Children, some juice?
No, thanks.
It's not a real Christmas without everyone.
But he couldn't be here.
Did he ask for anything?
Nothing. He's too proud, like you.
I'd have been glad to help, but I have no money.
I'm worried about him.
- I can go see him. - No.
You'll disturb him.
Leave him, he's doing important things.
Your brother has a master's to do.
We must stick to our own place.
What a good looker!
- Why're you here? - To see you.
- Pretty. - Cut it out.
- It's your girlfriend? - Let's go. Stop.
What? It's "shrimp," right?
Yeah, it's just your accent.
Didi.
He's not that funny.
Shit.
Merry Christmas.
It's from Mom.
Thanks.
And this is from me.
Do you like it?
Thanks.
An automatic.
For adventurers.
I saw.
Try it on.
Later.
- Let me see it on you. - Later, OK.
Hello.
Come on.
She never speaks.
In six months, not one hello.
Want something to drink?
Come on.
This place is freaky.
With her, it's like The Ring.
Yeah, I know.
Why hang out here?
I found a place on campus.
Sciences Po is sorting it out.
Did Dad write to me?
No.
It's been ages.
- What do you need for a place? - Nothing.
- 300, 400 euros? - No, it's OK.
- Have my room. - No.
The guest gets the bedroom.
When the Spanish colonized Taiwan,
they baptized the natives here.
People say the water is holy.
You believe in miracles?
I believe in me.
And you?
Mom worries about you.
She mustn't.
You're over 30, Isma.
Don't worry about me.
I don't mean money-wise.
You're in France, you can get the training you want.
Don't you want a job, a family, kids?
What do you want to do?
Finish my master's and try for Saint-Cyr.
The Army?
Are you serious?
Look after your own family.
If I can't become Churchill, it's not worth it!
You are closer to Saddam Hussein.
This isn't "Counter-Strike".
Could you kill someone?
For my country, yes.
I came here with Aïssa.
Before Saint-Cyr.
He kept nagging, "Eat like this, not like that.
"Tidy your shoes."
Even about my hair.
It'll feel weird now.
Don't you find it fishy?
The one dead guy at their induction is an Arab?
Don't get into that, Yacine.
"Don't get into that."
Les Invalides is too good for us?
Why bury him in Bobigny?
On TV, I heard they're all racists at Saint-Cyr.
Racists would never have recruited him.
Not eating your fries?
Excuse me.
I took a quiet moment to be alone with your brother.
How is your mother?
I don't know.
You must be present at her side.
I know how hard it is.
I lost a daughter at your age.
I'm sorry.
What was her name?
Nina.
She was three.
Nina...
On the battlefields,
we know our men are at risk.
In Kosovo,
Afghanistan, Ivory Coast...
Many have fallen.
When I was promoted to command Saint-Cyr,
I thought I was through with death.
So Dad saw you?
You will be remembered.
In your fine uniform...
Handsome...
Young...
The one who never failed.
Everyone will miss you.
Why did you go away?
They only see me...
as a disappointment.
I can tell.
I see it in her eyes.
She'd swap me for you in a heartbeat.
Dad had already chosen you.
That's how it is.
You run now?
Yes.
That's how you trim a bonsai?
Want to do it?
No.
Mom, I don't want to cause trouble.
I saw the blue sheet.
You let him in?
Should I have asked your permission?
I wanted him to see him.
To have his share of grief.
I don't know if he was crying for Aïssa...
or for himself.
But it felt good to see him suffer.
God forgive me.
Lovely, isn't it?
Hello, Ismaël.
Hello.
- Hello, Mrs. Saïdi. - General.
Hello.
Second Lieutenant Saïdi's death has devastated us.
Now,
it's time to find a little peace.
The ministerial decree concerning Aïssa's funeral.
Colonel Mohamedi will supervise its implementation.
If you have no objection, sir, I should like Saint-Cyr
to cover the full cost
of Second Lieutenant Saïdi's burial.
- Emmanuel, no objection? - No, sir.
Sorry, it isn't enough.
Ismaël, if I may...
It's an offer entirely worthy of your brother.
Maybe.
But it's not what we asked.
Considerable efforts have been made.
It's a fine funeral.
I understand about Les Invalides.
But why withdraw the military cemetery?
Why?
There must have been a misunderstanding.
The military cemetery,
like Les Invalides,
is for soldiers who fall in overseas operations.
Those are the rules.
We are now offering a tribute at the Vincennes Fort
and a grave at Père Lachaise cemetery.
With all due respect, general,
if my son had returned from Syria or Afghanistan in a bag,
killed by the enemy,
I'd have understood.
I'd have accepted it.
He'd have chosen to go to war.
He'd have given his life for his country.
But for him to be killed in Saint-Cyr because of his comrades...
I wasn't ready for that.
But thank you
for your offer.
We will discuss it.
If you don't mind.
Yes. Well, no. Not at all.
Very good. Shall we go?
Gentlemen.
Ma'am.
I need to take a walk alone.
I'll see you later.
I must say this family,
these Saïdis are complicated.
They're very aware of the importance of symbols.
Just like us, Alexandre.
Just like us.
Sir, how do we deal
with the men responsible for Saïdi's death?
Those responsible will be suspended for two weeks.
That's inadequate, sir.
I request their expulsion, for the academy's honor.
Alexandre...
Honor, really?
Honor is also appearances.
How will we look if we dismiss cadets for a blunder?
You call it a blunder?
I call it misconduct.
Sir, given their lies and trickery,
I consider such cadets no longer worthy of Saint-Cyr.
The conclusions of our investigation. They will be handed
to the minister in a few days.
I regret that we must also discipline you, Alexandre.
Ten days' suspension.
A purely symbolic gesture. We have no choice.
I must be seen to act.
But, of course, you will remain
commander of the academy.
Please avoid being seen
outside the academy during your suspension.
"Purely symbolic"?
Not only.
You know, sir,
I can accept anything.
But I refuse to see one of my men tarnished.
The Army is offering him a fine funeral.
Celebrated by those who caused his death.
They're your men too.
Let's not take that path.
It's a road lined with thorns
leading to a dead end.
Sir.
Sorry, I can't let you in, it's not easy.
That's OK, forget it.
Don't worry.
Your Mom?
She's OK.
How's Yacine?
We've missed you, man.
It's been what?
Two years, right?
Yes.
- Isma? - What?
Any news
on the investigation?
We have to wait.
Wait for what?
They say it can take several years.
If you pinch a TV or a car, it's an instant trial and jail.
But if you ice a guy...
you're OK for years, then get a suspended sentence.
That's the law for you.
It's totally crazy.
- Hold a march. - Demand justice.
Aïssa died being hazed.
Or so they say on TV.
Organized by other cadets, without supervision?
It's hazing.
They call it initiation there.
Yeah, initiation.
Let's hold a march.
Screw marching.
All they understand is riots.
We set up barricades.
Yeah, a hell of a riot!
A riot? When you got mugged, you gave up your phone.
The local softie!
The local softie.
He's always been a romantic.
Don't believe him, he's talking crap.
Get your hands off.
We marched 250 times, for what? Nothing.
Just ammo for the fascists. Know what to do?
What?
I'm serious now.
He has to be decorated.
He has to be honored. That's important.
Those guys killed him.
They have to own up.
If he'd been a whitey called Michel or François,
he'd have been decorated no problem.
The Medal of Honor straight off.
But for him,
it'll be tough.
Your brother
will be in a Muslim plot,
not with infidels or damn heathens.
Infidels? I leave two years
and now you're a beer-drinking imam?
Cut it out.
We drink the same beer.
Think you're 2Pac? You wanted to do a Raï album, now you're 2Pac!
It's like he says, bro. We have the only junkie imam.
Junkimam.
He's a legend.
Look at that. Fantastic.
My first junkie imam.
We have interesting testimony.
- Here. - Thank you.
Notably this from one of the organizers
who says, "The first passage, that of the 9th company, was hell.
"I asked to stop, it was dangerous."
He said that to another organizer.
The latter refused to stop despite the danger.
The one who wouldn't stop, what's his name?
Hugues Ledolev.
The second-year cadets hid the activity from their superiors.
But the academy commander
should have requested a safety report.
We'll bring them all down.
We'll sue them and disgrace them.
General Caillard, the academy commander,
is the chief culprit.
We won't disgrace anyone.
I want Ledolev.
He sent Aïssa to his death.
Saint-Cyr, the Army and the system
are all responsible.
If it's the system's fault, it's no one's.
Aïssa needs to rest in peace.
Your brother has been out seven days.
I won't see him wither. I just won't.
This is war, bro!
Keep going!
One life left!
You're hopeless.
- Grow up. - We lost cos of you.
Come on, I'll feed you a snack.
- How is it with Julie? - Good.
- That's all? - No, really good.
- Yeah? - Great.
- You're in love? - Yeah. So?
What a cute puppy.
Don't start.
You should find yourself someone who'll put up with you.
Don't worry, I'm OK.
Are you OK?
Let me see.
Cut it out.
I get by.
Good.
The young people you fought with
have given us their version.
Drink made us lose control. I'm really sorry.
- I defended the girl. - Shut up.
He attacked her for no reason.
What was that?
He's sorry things took a bad turn.
You have a student visa?
Yes.
I'm at TaiDa.
TaiDa?
We don't fight like that here.
We're not savages.
You could be expelled for that.
You understand?
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
You may go.
- Why did you come? - Stop.
Go back to Paris. You just cause shit.
Yeah, it's my fault.
You bet. You're just a loser.
You screwed up your life and our family.
- You ruined it. - No, you did.
We lost Dad cos of you.
I didn't stop you from seeing him.
Too bad if Dad doesn't love you.
Shut the hell up!
Here.
I don't want it.
I'm sorry I got into that fight.
I mean it, I'm sorry.
Paint your walls.
It's like our first place in Pierrefitte.
With Yacine's crib on the table.
I want to forget that.
If Dad had stayed, it'd have been different.
Are you serious?
With Dad, it'd have been better.
Thank you.
- Enjoy. - Thanks.
There's wasabi if you want.
Think she'd have been happier?
Forget it.
You were too young to remember what he did.
Some things I don't forget.
Me neither.
What else could I have done?
He was determined to keep us in Algiers.
And Mom was determined to leave.
She took us in the end, right?
No.
He refused to come.
Dad was a soldier.
I'd have done the same.
I couldn't leave France if we were at war.
This summer, I'll go to Algiers to see him.
He didn't stay there.
He left for Spain.
He started a new life.
With another wife, other kids, a new family.
Uncle Brahim met them in Alicante a few years ago.
Just ask him.
Does Mom know?
Is that why Dad stopped writing back?
He never wrote back.
That was Mom.
You always lied to me then?
She didn't want to tell you.
She knew it would hurt you.
Here.
Thank you.
Are you OK?
Yes.
The body's been out more than a week.
To respect your brother's remains,
the visits must end.
I'm sorry.
What is it?
What's wrong, Ismaël? What is it?
Ismaël, what is it?
Mom!
I don't want the Marseillaise.
I don't want it.
We're with you, sir.
Hello, Ismaël.
Dear Mrs. Saïdi.
We're with you, ma'am.
Be brave, young man.
All men, at my command,
present arms!
Second Lieutenant Aïssa Saïdi,
on behalf of the Defence Minister,
we award you the National Defense Gold Medal.
Will you miss the flight?
No.
Hello.
- Where to? - The airport.
For my brother.
If you sing, the ride's free.
Thank you.
- What did he say? - Nothing.
- Do we sing? - No.
Come on, it's free. Sure? Free?
How does it work? Like YouTube?
The street!
Subtitling: TransPerfect Media