Jamila, the Algerian (1958) - full transcript

Egyptian historical film about one of the most important figures in the history of Algeria, Djamila Bouhired. This film is regarded as not only highlighting the story of an important female revolutionary, but also showing the struggle of the Algerian people against the French occupation.

**translated from French subtitles**
(missing lines/scenes)

My homeland... Yours...

The homeland of every Arab...
Algeria!

My country... Your country....

The country of every Arab...
Algeria!

My land, your land...
The land of every Arab

You split it to obtain food
for your children.

To defend it wouldn't you also
split the heart of your oppressor?

It's my land. Chase me from it
to give it to my oppressors?

It's my life.
Take it from me, have me killed?

You are hungry, and they are full.



Poverty is killing you,
and they live in luxury.

World War II broke out...

Suddenly, your life became valuable

France went down on its knees...

Arab of Algeria!

Hero of History!

Us? French Soldiers?

Defend our enemy who
stole our land?

Stand by us in these hard times,
And we swear on the honor of France

We will give back your liberty.

-And they cheated us!

France cheated us.

We believed in them,
in their honor

And our men
went to liberate France



We fought,
We gave our blood...

Our lives, our youth...
for the victory of the allies.

The victory of Algeria.

They were victorious

We were victorious.

There were parades everywhere
celebrating the victory.

In France... the joy of being liberated
from the shame of the German occupation.

In Algeria, the hope that France
would keep its promise

And liberate us from the shame
of the French occupation

Didn't we pay the price?

Didn't we save them from the
shame of the occupation?

Didn't we allow them to hold
their heads high again?

And here is the price:
Scattered limbs

What's left of us...
Our wounded...

And the thousands who
never came back

You fought to the death

For France...
For Algeria

What was the price?

The liberty of Algeria...
Where is it?

We demand liberty.

In the name of our martyrs
In the name of our scattered limbs

In the name of the orphans
In the name of the disabled

We want Algeria

We want liberty. We want to live.

Algeria... belongs to France.
Liberty... is for the French.

Death... is for the Algerians.

Death... for the Algerians.

(Down with Imperialism! Out! Out! Out!)

45 thousand martyrs fell

Beneath French bullets
the day of victory.

France was on its knees in Paris
And wears a lion's skin in Algeria.

Killing, devastation,
pillage and humiliation

We pull their head out of the mud
and they throw us back into it!

We resuscitate them...
And they take our lives.

We give them freedom...
And they reduce us to slavery.

We restore their dignity

And they humiliate us.

Yes, we were tricked.

But will we let ourselves
be tricked again?

NO

We will only regain our
freedom by fighting

And sacrificing everything

And the mobilization has begun

We have assembled our forces
to prepare for combat

In order to liberate Algeria

The old...
The young...

Women...
Children...

And... Djamila!

I was still a young girl...

I had seen the French chase
us from our lands

To take possession of them

Why? What had we done?

My cousin lost his legs. Why?

How many times did I ask
myself this question: Why?

I only understood it once
I had grown up

And it's also thanks to
my Uncle

He told my father,
"Djamila needs an education"

"Education is the weapon with
which we will fight the enemy."

Uncle Mustafa came to take us,
my brother Hadi and me,

To bring us-

On the way, I saw beautiful houses

I thought that we would live there

But Uncle told me,
"They belong to the French."

Their houses? Why?

Why weren't they ours?

And I knew the response...
Here in the Kasbah

The neighborhood where I lived

The French?

They deprived us of everything.

Our land, our harvests,
our food

And how were we supposed to live?

It's my story... and yours
the story of every Arab.

The story of every Arab.

"The Napoleonic Code"

I found it on the floor in the hall

Uncle... Breakfast is ready

Thank you. Goodbye.

Djamila...
Djamila!

You aren't going to say hello to me?

Could it be?
Hello, grandfather.

I found this gun... an automatic

Thank you. Sorry to bother you.

Anything to make you happy.

Amina!

Do you always go to school with Amina?
Never anyone else?

Never. Amina!

No other friends?

Your head's not on right.
Amina!

She's coming down
-Hello, Aunt

How are you, Ali?
-I'm not talking to you anymore

Not talking to your fiancee?

Where's the rifle you promised me?

Tomorrow, darling
-You put everything off until tomorrow!

Tomorrow, the rifle,
tomorrow, our marriage...

Nothing for today?

Hello, beautiful

You're a pain!

Come on, we'll be late for school...
-There's no hurry

Don't quarrel early in the morning

Did you finish your composition?
-I had to stay up all night

For the composition or the
Voice of the Arabs?

(Traitor: Youssef
Dead or Alive, 500,000 fr)

I managed to shut him up,
that teacher

And if he had punished us?

It doesn't matter!

At least I stopped him from
trumpeting their lies...

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"
Nothing but lies!

-Let them keep Equality and Fraternity,
and leave Liberty for us!

-We'll take Liberty!

-Peacefully, Amina, not by force

-No! By force!

-Youssef!

Be reasonable, honestly!

-Youssef, a traitor?

-Let them put their posters
up everywhere

Everybody knows who Youssef is...

Is that Youssef?
-No, it's your Aunt!

How many of those 500,000 francs
did your father pay?

He can tell his masters that
they won't catch him

Even if they offer an award of
all the treasures on Earth!

My father is Judge Habib!

-Who loves France!

-You're impolite!

-It's the least one can do
with a traitor!

-I'll tell the Dean and
advise the police!

-After all, we are fellow citizens!

-She should know who her father is

-Enough of this,
I'll have you put in prison!

-Hassiba!

Don't get involved

Denounce your classmates?

Your sisters, your compatriots

Have you forgotten that you
are Algerian, Hassiba?

You'll never forgive yourself

They are excusable... One lost her
father and uncle for the country

The other saw her three brothers shot

Both of their hearts bleed

You should console them,
not denounce them

I'll go with you?

-You're so different...

Your house is a paradise

-Stay for a bit

Only five minutes

Are you afraid you'll be reproached for
having been at Judge Habib's house?

-What an idea!

Colonel Bigeard, Captain Benoit
at Judge Habib's house?

It's an occasion!

-But we come every day.

If only all Algerians were like you!

-Let's not concern ourselves
with them

You aren't responsible for
their presence here.

I always hoped to have you as a friend.

-Have you calmed down?
Will you forgive Amina?

-And I'd like her to forgive me

You have dogs?

-That's Whisky. He doesn't bite.

Azzam. What does this mean?

-You don't care for anything but
your dog anymore

You pamper it, you kiss it.
And you forget me

It's either him or me in this house.

-Jealous of Whisky?
-I'm dying of Jealousy.

-You are my cousin and my fiancé.

-And what else?

And what else?
-And my love.

-Pat my cheek.

Kiss me.

-Have some shame!
Not in front of Djamila!

Djamila. Azzam is my fiancé.

-Your name's Djamila?

-Djamila Bouhired

-You're very beautiful.

I have to pay my respects.

-Djamila doesn't like these jokes.

-I'm an Existentialist.

I lived on St Germain-des-Prés
for 10 years

-Clearly.
What work do you do?

-Why work?
I'm very rich.

-And after you've eaten
through your fortune?

-By the time my father's
inheritance dries out

My uncle, the Judge will be...

-Don't you have any blood
in your veins!

-Are you afraid of your father's death?
You're so stupid...

...And then, he'll be a martyr!

-Is that how you become a martyr?

-Nothing could be easier.

Better to live in cowardice
than die heroically

Leaving so soon?
-Because of the curfew.

-I'll take you in a car.
-Cars don't go into the Kasbah.

I must have exaggerated a little

-A little? Get lost!

-Forgive me, Hassiba!
My love, my fiancée, my cousin!

Who's there?
-Five

Who's there?

Isaac, what are you doing here?

-No news from the commandos, Haroun?

-Come here, I'll tell you

Hadi, I'm really worried

-And her brother tells her:
Pacifists are always worried

I'm going to go see Amina

Surely she'll be listening to the
Voice of the Arabs

She took too long...

-Didn't you...

No. I was at her house after 6.
She wasn't there.

I'm really worried

France has captured five of your leaders

Ben Bella, Khidir, Aït Ahmed,
Boudiaf and Ashraf

France thinks that by capturing
your leaders it will put an end to...

France thinks that by committing this
crime it will put an end to your revolt

But you have learned that everything
Imperialism believes is illusory

Amina, where were you?
-Nowhere

I'll tell you later.
Tomorrow at the university

Good night.
-Did you hear Voice of the Arabs?

Open!

I said open!

Amina went out

-Alone?
-She went for a little walk

Before going to the university

As I said, in 1830...

The French conquered Africa and Asia

And taught them the principles of
the French Revolution

"Liberty, Equality and Fraternity"

"Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"

Let's study together:

Who are the most famous heroes
of the Mainland France

And the French Overseas Territories?

Who wants to answer?

Miss Hassiba

You don't want to answer?
-I don't remember

I said I don't remember
-I'll teach you to never forget

Miss Dubois.
-Napoleon Bonaparte!

Bravo! Miss Djamila.

Miss Djamila. Who else?

Speak! Speak! Speak!

It was the police station!

Safe and sound, Mr. Robert?

-Everyone return to your seats
Quick! What are you waiting for?

-Careful, Mr. Robert!
Don't hit the table anymore!

Take your places.

Amina, where were you?
What's wrong?

-Not now. Don't draw attention.

Where were you?

Look after my mother and my brother.
Haroun is a traitor... a spy.

Don't worry, I took my precautions.

Poison? No!

Is everyone here today?

-There's one named Amina...

She didn't come today.

Police! Police!

There's Amina!

You won't answer?
-Where were you?

She's been shot

Youssef was with you, wasn't he?

Leave her alone!

Leave her alone! Leave her alone!

-Go back to your seats
or I'll shoot!

Djamila, don't forget my
mother and my brother!

Back to the lesson!
Take your seats!

Leyla, Zohra, Djamila!

They are Emir Kader, Emir Khaled,
El Mokrani...

And in the present day, Ben Bella,
Boudiaf, Hocine Aït Ahmed-

And Amina! Amina! Amina!

I could have made her talk

In Indochina I learned how to
make these dogs talk

I have a thousand ways.
-But these idiots...

-The only idiot is you.

-Don't be angry, Colonel Bigeard

The foreign legion will bring you
her mother and her brother.

Thank you Captain Benoit,
But don't bother

We know how to do it.

Your commander wants these papers

Jeanine, is the injection ready?

Uncle, the bathtub is full

-Did you add soap?

I'll be right there

Where were you, Djamila?

Forget her.
Go and study your lessons.

The books will instruct you.

Learn from these books?

The books are full of lies!

-Education guarantees your future.

You are completely different from Amina.

Amina had a principle and
an aim in her life

I would have liked to
be like Amina

I want to be like Amina!

I am Algerian!

Where is Algeria in these books?

I don't see any Algeria
in these books...

Or in this house

Uncle... What good is living?

Why keep quiet?

Did god create us to kill each other?

To hate each other?

Why? Why?

Why get us involved?
Stay quiet and safe.

You're a coward... a coward...

Coward!

Quick! Turn off the lights!

Youssef?

My Uncle, a commando!

They went to the other side

So it was Haroun?
-Yes, he denounced Amina.

I didn't know who to tell

-To your uncle, Mustafa

I didn't know he was a commando

Uncle, I...

-The bravest girl in the world

They're coming here!

-Come quick

Who's here with you?
-My brother and my uncle.

-Who's singing?
-My uncle is taking his bath.

Djamila, Hadi, who's making that noise?
Did a war break out?

Who are you?

-Your name!
-Mustafa Bouhired

Show me your face

Your papers?

Can I go get them from the bedroom?

-Here's the ID card

That's me... in clothes!

A great idea!
-Luckily we made it through

Go to sleep, my girl
-I'll tidy things up

Djamila is great.

-We have to quickly contact the
man from the Front.

-Any orders to take?

-With the utmost urgency...
Take this

We've decided to kill Haroun

-I'll get dressed and go see the
man from the Front

Can I stay?

She was very devoted.
-We all have this fate.

Don't be selfish...

Amina is not the only one
who deserves tears.

How many Aminas have
died for Algeria?

If we had to cry for
all those who fell...

We would spend our
whole lives crying.

-Is there no other way but war?
- We tried everything.

Blood will free Algeria...
not tears

Tears stifle the desire for vengeance

We have to fight...

And me? What can I do?

At your age every girl wants
love, home, and children

-Why tell me that?

Love is a betrayal
If it's not love for Algeria

A home in a colonized country
is a prison, a shame!

The children of slaves...

...For whom we haven't built
a more worthy life!

I am Algerian and my
uncle is a commando

I feel the same way as Amina

I'm ready to die like her

...Shouting "Long live Algeria!"

Please accept me

We'll hold a meeting right away.

We should tell Bouazza
So she can let the others know.

Djamila.
-Me? Me?

(Grand Post Office)

Miss Bouazza, telephone!

Too many people around

We're together, let's talk
before you get to the counter.

Regular mail or express?
Airmail, of course.

The lucky winner is waiting impatiently

-Could you do me a favor?

Buy me a pencil?
-A dozen!

Three by air and two for 10 francs

Where are you sending the airmail?
-To Egypt

And the 10 francs?

Two. 5 francs each.

New?

Here's the pencil.
-Keep it for yourself.

(women)

Some idiot followed me but
I managed to lose him.

What can I do for you?

If you don't want to talk, go away

My uncle is here, you'll have
to deal with him.

Get out!

The comrade we were waiting for

Always late
-I put the new one to the test.

First of all, know that Djamila
will replace Amina

Any objections?

I'll do my best to be worthy
of being your comrade.

An important message from
the man from the Front

From the Society of
Commercial Enterprises...

To its agent in Algeria.

The clients have learned
the location of

the depot of macaroni received from...

Macaroni?

I forgot that you don't know the code

All our messages are in code

In case they fall into enemy hands

I'll translate as I go:

The French have learned the location of

The cache of arms...
(macaroni)

...received from a brotherly
Arab country

Their documents are in
Bigeard's office

I want to photograph them today

I cannot go to Bigeard's
without a reason

So I will use your decision to
kill Haroun at the Fantasio and-

I'll warn Bigeard

Like this, I will gain his confidence

And be able to photograph the documents

So the French will know in advance
that Haroun will be killed

And who will do it?

God damn him... he was my friend

The man from the Front will kill
several birds with one stone:

Photograph the documents

Get rid of Haroun

And gain the trust of the French

And if the French have been warned?

Give me a gun with a silencer

And lend me Bouazza

Rest assured it's for the mission

Hello, Colonel
-Hello, Judge Habib

I have important news

Jeanine, is the injection ready?
-Yes, Colonel

Just a moment

Dr Jeanine is punctuality incarnate

I was sure I would find her here now

Important news, I hope?

Jeanine, take care, thank you.
-Goodbye, Colonel

The commandos are going
to kill Haroun tonight

Let them kill him.
-They're going to do it at the Fantasio

How?
-I don't know, but you have to...

-arrest the assassin.

Judge Habib, if what you say
is true, you are...

Tonight, right?

-Graziani!

Good evening Colonel... Captain.

-How are you Haroun?

-The soldiers are behaving themselves:
no damage, no fights

But the ambiance is a little gloomy

-Are there any Algerians?

-Our regular, Azzam.

Azzam, my friend, take your friend
and get out of here quick

-But I like it here

-It's going to get rough...

He's drunk

That's enough, they've gone

-Let me do my job

Azzam, remember our saying:

Young, an Algerian is your daughter...

Old, she is you mother

As a young woman, she is...
-My grandfather!

-No news from the commandos, Isaac?

I couldn't find anything out

They're leaving us in peace
for the moment

Mr Graziani... Mr Bigeard
wants to see you

Good evening, Mr Benoit
You're in a good mood tonight...

My dear...
You're an ass.

What's wrong with them tonight?

You'd think we're at a funeral.

-Nervous, Haroun?

A little movement, some ambiance

-Yes, Colonel?
-Haroun, come keep me company

Sit next to me...

Azzam, it's time!

I'm worried Simone will
forget to take the gun

-Don't worry

Ah, the beautiful Simone!

-Ah, the beautiful Simone!

Why are you helping us Simone?

Anyone else in my place would
have done the same thing

Two years ago in Cyprus...

Soldiers like them killed my mother, my
father, and my three brothers

So, for you, we take the
place of your family

And for you, Azzam is...

A grandfather!

As long as the man from the Front
can photograph the documents...

The French are planning the
destruction of Beni Salah

And the massacre of all its inhabitants:

Men, women and children.
That's why...

The man from the Front's orders.
He photographed the documents...

We have to put two cases of
worn-out munitions

Into the Bond warehouse

Because that's where they
think the weapons are.

At the same time, we'll
carry out our plan.

-Once you have collected the weapons...

Each person will leave on their own,
at 2 minute intervals

And follow the indicated path

...When you have reached the
stairs of the Kasbah.

Near my uncle's house

You will wait for the
signal from Bouazza

Who will be on the balcony.

When she touches her hair like this

The person whose turn it is will go
towards the bakery

While keeping an eye
on Amina's house-

Where Youssef and I will be,
behind the shutters.

We will give a signal in case of danger

For each person who goes into the shop

There will be another who leaves,
carrying a bookbag.

If we are surprised by the patrol

And you have gone past
the carpet shop...

Do your best
to reach the bakery

A number of comrades will be in position
on the streetcorners

To advise you so that you
will be able to make it

To either the bakery or the carpet shop

Understood?

These munitions represent the
future of the country

And your role, while banal,
has its importance

The major battle is the sum of
all the smaller battles.

Good luck.
Any questions?

If the French attack

We will have to blow up the bakery.

Ali! Where did you find him uncle?

-He was wandering the streets.
His mother was imprisoned.

My darling! Did they torture you?

Bouazza, take him to the doctor.

We have to put an end to
their criminal acts!

-The man from the front
said in his message

That as in retaliation

The French plan to
destroy Beni Salah

And massacre all of its inhabitants:

Men, women and children.

We have to prevent this act of savagery.

Abdel Kader has a plan.
He has assembled his troops.

But he needs weapons.

We will supply him the weapons.

-They are the ones who
will be exterminated!

I hope we won't have to use it...

Me too. But if we are forced to...

(Bakery)

Give another signal

The sign for danger!

What's inside?
-Books

Did we do all that just for this junk?

Impossible...

-I swear on my honor!

This is all we found.

-Don't talk about honor...

These aren't the weapons...

These aren't the weapons!

Rudolph!

Zohra has gone
-Only Fatma and two others are left

We'll have pulled one over on Bigeard

When will we transport the
munitions to the mountain?

-Tomorrow

Youssef, a patrol!

Go back!

They saw us

A foreign legion patrol...

What are you doing?

Where are you going?
-The girls!

We have to save the others!

Fatma! Go back! Go Back!

My uncle... My uncle...

-He's alright

They've left

-Good.

-Your uncle will be released
from the camp

-Nobody leaves there alive...

-My father will intercede on his
behalf with Bigeard

I know what they say about my father...

By I have to profit from my friendship
with the French

Your uncle must be released!

-Long live Hassiba!

Excuse me

This man, Bouhired,
has he confessed?

-Nothing at all

-The Algerians asked me to
intercede on his behalf

For him to be freed.

-Impossible.
-I told them it was impossible!

Intercede on behalf of a
traitor to France?

But I'm in a delicate situation...

Judge Habib!
-I know what you're going to say

In the eyes of the Algerians
I am a traitor

But if I help one of them...

They'll change their mind about me!

And I could be of an even
greater service to you

-Yes, but Benoit will be furious.

-What does Benoit's opinion
matter to you?

You could be of an even
greater service to us...

That's French tactics!
Do you want to dance, sir?

-With pleasure...

Azzam! My darling, my cousin,
my fiancé!

What does this mean?
-We're even.

Do you have any message for me?

I'm doing well now.
-I have good news for you

-14 lots of arms made
it to the mountain

They were given to Abdel Kader

And there's more

Your uncle will be freed tomorrow.

-My uncle...

So much good news at once?

That's why you came...

-And also so you could reassure me...

For me, your tears
foretell our victory

The day when every Algerian
will shed tears of joy.

And we will forget these difficult times

Take care...

Welcome back...

I told them you were a man
and would never cry

Welcome back, Bouhired!

How was he released?

Halt!

Come here!

Isn't he the one we arrested
at the bakery?

He must have gotten away!

What else?

-Your permit.

You just took it.
-So you're here without a permit!

Move along!

Come clean up these dogs!

From now on,
no more commandos!

No more Algeria!
Nothing but France!

Nothing but France!

Abdel Kader and I have made a plan

To teach the Foreign Legion a lesson

-We have to avenge
the Kasbah's martyrs

600 killed in this massacre...

Djamila showed unbelievable bravery

If something should happen to her
it would be an irreparable loss...

Abdel Kader wants to
see you right away

Come clean up these dogs!

From now on, no more Algeria!

Nothing but France!

Ah, Youssef

I heard what happened
in the Kasbah

I couldn't act without your orders

I will kill them all in broad daylight,
in Algiers itself

I'm thinking of setting a
trap for the officers

Right in front of the French's eyes

Simone will invite them to the Milk Bar
for her birthday

When is her birthday?

- - - -

The Voice of the Arabs!
-Put it on the loudspeaker

Brother Arabs!

The Israeli aggression against Gaza...
is an aggression against Bahrain

The British aggression against Cairo
is an aggression against Damascus

The French aggression against Port Said
Is an aggression against Algeria

They want to break your hearts in Egypt
And exterminate you everywhere

-They dare to attack Egypt?

To attack the heart of the Arab Nation?

We'll teach them a lesson

Quick, call together the officers

Youssef, your plan is approved.

At dawn you will receive an
order setting the time.

Djamila, why did you get up?

Why? My uncle is dead

Because it's like I almost
killed him myself

At that moment, my heart
turned to stone

Before killing my uncle, the French
killed a million Algerians...

Rest for a week to calm your nerves

Youssef, don't ruin my life

The struggle is my faith,
my soul, my life

Don't condemn me to live without faith,
without a soul, without living

If my feelings, my heart and my soul
didn't belong to the country

There's so much I would have told you.

-I swear on God and Algeria...

I will only be happy

When my homeland is free

Lord! You who are the only support

Give me the strength to
continue the struggle!

You civilian operation will be held

at the same time as our
military operation: Sunday

Here are your orders

We have to go to the city, quickly

Can I say goodbye to Hassiba?

We'll wait for you by the rock

We're going to the city.

I promised to come see you
before we left.

Djamila, give him back the jewelry
you've keeping for me

And this ring too.

-It's from Azzam. Keep it.

There's no room in my hands
for anything but weapons now

Hassiba, Azzam is one of us!

One of us?

Tell him that I am too!

After Youssef's explanation I have
some good news for you...

Tomorrow at noon,
we'll receive the signal

The cry "Allah Akbar" relayed from
the mountain to the Kasbah

Ammar, 5 other comrades and I,
in Foreign Legion uniforms,

Will take a truck to the Milk Bar

Bouazza: at the same time,
you'll go to the cafe

About 100 meters from the Milk Bar

And leave a time bomb there.

Djamila, you cover Bouazza.

Two minutes later, we'll be
at the Milk Bar

The bomb will explode at the cafe
and all the police will go there.

Clearing the way for us.

We will kill all the men in the Milk Bar

Who will be gathered there
for Simone's birthday.

Ah, the beautiful Simone!

Azzam, you'll cover our escape
from the Milk Bar, got it?

Now let's get in disguise

So... this good news?

Hassiba is one of us.

Hassiba! My Love! My Fiancée!

---

There's Bigeard's office

50,000 francs for a kiss!

No, no, not right now!

There's Azzam's car

Parked in front of the Milk Bar

A glass of milk, please.

Did you set the clock?
-Once I've finished my drink.

Isaac is there, he could get in the way

We should exit through separate doors

We have 30 seconds once
the timer is set

Miss! Miss! You forgot your bag

Thank you, goodbye.

You should have something to drink.
-I have an important meeting

If you forgot your bag you would
have had to come back

Just two minutes...

We'll leave together.
Two lemonades please.

You forgot your meeting.
-My friend, Djamila

The lady is very nervous...

Thank you.

I'll clean this up

Djamila, get out of here!
-You'll find something in the toilet.

My co-worker from the post office...

The commandos blew up the cafe!
Send the troops quick!

Go get in the car

Turn off your horn

Only fire if we're unmasked

Watch out!

You're very busy, excuse me

---

I know where Youssef's hideout is!

They're holding a meeting

I followed them after the cafe

I'll leave you to your business

I'll come back another time. Goodbye.

Nothing but good news.
The attack on Egypt failed.

A hard lesson for France and England

We marked a victory,
And killed many officers.

Come see...

Bouazza did her duty, like Amina
and many others

I could have saved her!

You did the impossible.
Should you have been captured with her?

A commando needs to know
when to sacrifice themselves

And when to keep living!

Nothing is worse than imprisonment

It would have been better
if she had died

That would have saved her
so much suffering!

You promised not to cry anymore.

If I died or I was imprisoned...

It wouldn't make you cry?

And if I died or was imprisoned?

---

Azzam, listen!
He's one of us!

My uncle?

Judge Habib

There's no time, get out of here fast

Bigeard knows where you are

...It's the safest place

And you? Do they know?
-I don't think so.

I'll go back to Bigeard's to
slow them down. Hurry!

God help you.

How can we go out in the streets?

Death is closing in on us
from every side

Take the important documents

Djamila, I'll lead the way

Youssef, have you forgotten?
it's my most important task

But I'm your commander.

That's why you have to stay alive

...To command others after us.

Your life does not belong to you.

Abdel Kader needs you

To push back these monsters

---

---

A commando has to know when
to sacrifice themselves

And when to keep living.

Is everyone ready?

Be careful

It would be a shame if the
beautiful Djamila died

Don't worry, you won't cry for me

Order all soldiers to fire!

The route is clear

Halt!

Youssef, let's go
-And abandon Djamila?

She sacrificed herself to save us

---

The seal of the Liberation Front

Dead?

Watch out, she could commit suicide

No one else was with her?

Who was with you?

Who was with you?

Who was with you?

Take her away!

Why won't you talk?

Why do you have this seal?

You're one of the commandos

SInce you admit it, tell us
who was with you

Tell us and you are free

You won't free us...

We'll free ourselves.

Leave our country.

You dare to talk back?

You choose:
Freedom or torture

Right now I'm more free than you

Don't threaten me any more,
you groveller

Me, a groveller?

She must not be moved.

You have to heal her so she can talk

A political issue that has nothing
to do with medicine

Djamila, talk!

Heal her!

We've met somewhere before

I don't remember where...

I've lost my memory since I was arrested

I have to interrogate you
before you can be healed

I'm different from the others

I respect people who
love their country.

Then why do you stay with them?

Miss, be nice to me and I will
do the same for you...

I know your kindness...

Talk, and you will be treated
with humanity and kindness

Then you must not be
French anymore

Miss Djamila

I want to help you.

Didn't you admit that you
are a commando?

Why won't you tell us
where Youssef is?

Because I'm a commando.

You're not making it easy for me.

---

It would be better if you talk.

You won't be bale to handle torture.

Does it hurt?

Does it hurt? Where is Youssef?
Talk.

It's true, I am weak

But I have something with which I
can bear all of your torture

Something that will make me
stronger than pain or death

Something you don't know about

Belief in liberty and dignity!

Talk! Where is Youssef?

You refuse to tell us
where Youssef is?

Where is Youssef?

Tell us where Youssef is!

Take her below.

Officers against an Algerian woman!

Our citizens will revolt!

You deserve the Legion of Honour

Mr. Lacoste, I will capture
every last one of the commandos.

Mr. Lacoste

I know how to make her talk.

Everything ready?

What voltage?
It can char her, if you want.

I want to keep her alive
so she can speak

Did you see?

I saw many things.

Will you talk?

You had better...

Lord, you won't abandon me

It would be better to talk.

Where is Youssef?

In Algeria.

Listen.
-Any news about Djamila?

Djamila is alive, and is going to be
transfered to Barberousse Prison

Are you sure?
-I heard it from Lacoste himself!

Simone!

Her neighbor Jean is a guard
at Barberousse

Could he be of use to us?
-Why not?

Let's go

Jean, do you remember Djamila?
-Djamila?

Djamila who saved your daughter

She's going to be transferred
to Barberousse

I pity her.

Jean, could you take care of her?

I'll try.

I'm handing the prisoner over to you

From the paratrooper camp.

Put her in cell 1

Those are the orders.

Djamila Bouhired

Are you going to torture me too?

Are you going to torture me too?

Miss Djamila, don't be afraid of me

Do you want me to bring a
message to Simone?

Tell her I am alive

And that the voices of triumph

Are my consolation and my hope

What's she doing here?

He wanted to interrogate me humanely

Don't you know that provisions have
been made for this prisoner?

Djamila! God help you!

Bouazza, they brought Djamila!

Djamila

Look, here's your brother.

Djamila!

Djamila, you're an Arab!

Lord, give me strength.

Give me the power to resist.

Help me, my lord

Youssef.
-What is Jean doing?

He can't do anything.
He's sending his resignation to France

He asked me to mail it.

In the letter he protests against
what's happening here.

Jean has unknowingly done
us a great service

What he wrote is scandalous for France

We will mail copies to Egypt
and the other Arab countries

The Voice of the Arabs will
broadcast it

It will raise the world opinion

And we will save Djamila!

The document signed by Jean

On the boat there will be another person
with the same mission as you

One of you two must succeed.

And will you go to the mountain?

(Towards a return to peace in Algeria?)

(Save Djamila!)

---

---

---

Are you aware of Jean's resignation?

Did you kill him?
A great scandal for France!

Algeria will gain the support
of the entire world

Thanks to Djamila Bouhired

Let's get rid of her,
make her disappear

And turn her into a saint?

We'll say she killed herself.

No one will believe you.

Then what should we do?
-Give her a public trial

Demonstrate French justice

Prove that she was not tortured,
accuse her of the worst crimes.

I'll take care of organizing it.

Read out the charges!

Complicity in murders and attacks
against people and buildings,

Carrying explosives, and membership
in a gang of assassins

Are you a member of Youssef's gang?

I am a member of the Liberation Front

I do my duty as an Algerian

I demand the assistance of a lawyer.

I am your lawyer.
-Who told you that.

The court assigned him.
-What objection do you have?

This lawyer has been chosen
by my opponents

I'm waiting for another from Paris.

The court cannot wait!

As I do not recognize
the designated lawyer

The entire trial is null

Isn't that what the law says?

Do you know the law as well as us?

I understand it as well as you,
but not in the same way.

Hang the criminal!
Burn the criminal!

Burn the infidel!

The court directs the debate,
not the criminal!

Have you condemned me before
even giving me a trial?

Do not speak without authorization!
Raise your hand!

My hand is paralyzed from the torture

You are bound by law to look into it

All the medical reports refute torture.

Ask me yourself: I was tortured,
but the reports are more credible

This is a sabotage of justice!

Your justice is not worthy of the name,
And you must remove the spectators

The debate will continue regardless
of the accused's attitude

I protest against this judgment!

You have deprived me of all my rights!

Not just political rights,
but even simple Human Rights!

You can't prohibit me from speaking.

Here we have equal rights.

I will keep you quiet by force!

You can't block the whole world's ears

And you call this a judgment?

Bring in the witness

Bouazza, during the
investigation you said

That Djamila Bouhired
killed French citizens

Is that right?
Answer, Bouazza.

---

No, the soldiers didn't do
anything to me

The soldiers didn't do anything to me

They didn't give me injections

They didn't give me injections

Does the defence have any questions?

What do you mean no? In fact,
Bouazza is a witness against you!

For the most horrible crime in
the history of humanity:

Torture.

Nobody has the right to torture
another person

Neither physically nor mentally!

Do not speak! You have a lawyer.

I do not recognize this lawyer.

No one else will agree to defend you

I am ready to defend her.

Like anyone else with a love
for justice and the law

What right do you have to intervene?

You know who I am,
we were comrades.

Master Jacques Verges, from Paris.

I assume the defence of Djamila Bouhired

In the place of my colleague
who was arbitrarily designated.

Down with the traitor!

I think I might have had
the wrong address

This is certainly not a tribunal

More like a jungle,
where the wild beasts

Are getting ready to devour their prey!

This is an outrage to the court!
And you have no mandate.

For a mandate, all you have to
do is ask the accused.

This face that no longer has
any glimmer of life

But let her choose, she might
take me for another enemy.

Djamila Bouhired, do you accept
me to assume your defence?

---

The most eloquent of responses!

My colleague can have a clear conscience

I will defend the accused

I would like to speak privately
with the defendant

Request denied.
Consult the official report.

It won't take more than 5 minutes.

This is not a game of chess,
You're judging a human being.

If destiny put her fate in your hands

You should understand
the responsibility.

I'll say what you want to
know in front of them

At the hospital they beat me while
I was still bleeding!

Do not speak without permission!

Then they tore of my clothes

And threatened me with Senegalese
soldiers who rape Algerians

You will be thrown out of the court if
you continue these digressions

Speak, you are in the
sanctuary of justice!

Nothing in the world can
stop you from talking

Speak, my child

They put me in a cross, naked

And directed electric currents at
my ears, my, nose, my chest

And other places...

The defence wishes to question
the witnesses

Jean the prison guard
from Barberousse

And the doctors who made the reports

Jean committed suicide

Law and conscience committed
suicide, more accurately

Did the doctors kill themselves too?

They can't make statements here

...Professional confidentiality!
You wan't them to break the law?

Are all crimes committed here in
the name of the law?

Designate another doctor to
examine the defendant

The defence has the right.

We have enough reports.

The law demands that you
agree to my request

And that you postpone the hearing.

The hearing will be resumed
tomorrow at 7 PM

The final hearing... when the
sentence will be declared

Anything else?

I ask the court to protect my life.

I have no intention of
committing suicide

At least not before tomorrow

Oh, excuse me
-No, no, come in!

Medical certificate attesting
that Djamila...

From Dr. Jeannine
-You?

No.
-Who are you then?

A messenger.

Completing this mission while you...

Djamila is not alone.

I understand.

Run him over and head for the office.

Be careful.

Dr. Jeannine was run over by a car.

She is dead.

Accidental death

The same car that could
have run over me

You stifle every voice that
defends the law

We won't find any witnesses-
They'll all die before they get here!

---

---

---

There is a severe judgment
in store for you

We have written confessions.
Read Djamila's confession.

I didn't make any confession!

The defendant must be protected from

The barking of the audience.

And the confession?

I object to this confession!
The defendant says she did not write it.

We should submit it to
a handwriting expert

The confession is in the
defendant's handwriting!

Why have a trial if you have already
decided to condemn her to death?

You defy the law!
-What law?

The one that allows such a farce?

This is an insult to the court martial!

We don't have time to
listen to your plea

I request that the court-

Get out!
Out!

Before leaving, I certify...

That you have denied Djamila
her human rights

A fair investigation,
A fair trial,

And have deprived her of the
right to defend herself!

What you have done to Djamila is more
than the English did to Joan of Arc!

The defendant being guilty
of all charges

The court condemns her to death.

You laugh?

---

---

---

No my child, we should
give her encouragement

Djamila will never die,
she will live in our hearts forever.

Algeria, land of our ancestors

We will free you from your chains

Despite the enemy
we will be sovereigns

And exterminate the oppressors

Algeria, land of our ancestors

We will free you from your chains

Despite the enemy
we will be sovereigns

And exterminate the oppressors

Victims of the struggle,
we swear an oath to you

We will keep fighting until victory

Comrades, be sure that victory

Will bring a smile to our faces

Algeria, land of our ancestors

We will free you from your chains

Despite the enemy,
we will be sovereigns

And exterminate the oppressors

Salute to our mountains

They are our ramparts

They are where the holy war began

And from there we will
attack the intruders

Algeria, land of our ancestors

We will free you from your chains

Despite the enemy,
we will be sovereigns

And exterminate the oppressors

Stand up, courageous men, and shout

Long live dignity,
long live the mountain

Long live our victims,
long live the flag

And long live the blood of the revolt!

I know that you will condemn me to death

My only crime is to love my homeland

And hope for its liberty

By condemning me to death, know that
you condemn the principle of liberty

As well as the honor and
future of France

Your sentence will not stop Algeria
from gaining its independence

And its place in the sun.

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