What the Day Owes the Night (Ce que le jour doit à la nuit)

If you can grasp what the waves are telling you, you can walk on water.

I've never tried to walk on water.

What can waves tell us anyway?

When age replaces time,

the world's horizons become our memory.

Today, the future is behind me.

Only the past lies ahead.

It took a while, but I tracked her down.

She's secretary to a big lawyer.

I tried to contact her, but she refused to talk to me.

She won't see anyone.

It's understandable.

All she's been through...

Is this all right?

Younès...

This is 1970. Knots aren't done like that any more.

They're bigger.

You look great.

You'll find her here.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I must go. I've a train to Paris in 2 hours.

How is it back there, Younès?

Fine.

- But it's not the same. - It's not the same here, either.

That's life.

There you are!

- Did you do well? - Three A-s!

Come on.

Happy to see Mummy? Did you really get three A-s?

- Yes! - Can I see your report?

- You want to? - Of course!

Algerian countryside 1939...

Come here!

- Take this to your father. - Thank you.

WHAT THE DAY OWES THE NIGHT

From the novel by Yasmina Khadra.

Look, son.

God be praised.

He hasn't abandoned us.

Daddy! The caid!

Allah be with you, Issa.

And you too, "Mr Caid".

I said to myself,

"I'm going to make a little detour and see my friend Issa.

"See how he's getting on".

Your field's a beautiful sight.

You'll have a fine crop.

When do you harvest?

In a week, thanks be to God.

And the money I lent you for seed.

May God return it to you.

Insha'Allah, I'll repay it in a month.

Think it over.

My mind's made up. I'm not selling.

You're a stubborn man. As stubborn as the Mahieddines.

So am I.

I'll persuade you some day.

Goodbye.

Daddy!

My God, why?

All right, Sergeant?

Fine, sir. No resistance.

Daddy, do we have to go?

Hey! Over here!

Come on!

I don't suppose you can write? Your thumb...

Here... and here.

Sorry, Mr. Mahieddine, it's the law.

We'll start a new life.

Let's hope you find work.

You don't find work in Oran. Work finds you.

- Are we done here? - Yes, we can go.

Hey!

Where we're going,

we can't take him with us.

Come on, up you get.

I was so very sad.

I had to accept it, forget this woman.

I took the boat home that night.

Early the next morning,

I was sad, but happy to see Oran as I did on that first day.

I was 10 when we came here.

It was another planet,

another world, another life.

It's already so long ago.

Mr. Mahieddine...

Come in.

I didn't know he was your brother. I didn't believe him.

Issa's in town with his family.

Really? I don't believe it.

That's what he says. I'm going to see.

I've been longing to meet him. Where are they?

I rented them a place. It's not a palace, but...

In Jenane Jato. Can you imagine?

Was there nowhere better?

Wallah, I felt sorry for them at the station.

I did what I could.

Invite them to live with us.

I'll see.

Out of the way!

Mind the well, it's deep.

A kid fell into it and died.

Poor boy.

Issa!

Why are you here?

I might ask the same question! I'm your older brother.

You come without a word! I find you in a slum!

What happened?

I lost everything.

Why didn't you say?

- I'd have helped you. - How?

What's done is done!

It's God's will.

No one steals our land!

Don't you understand?

I'm finished with the land.

Leave me alone!

Go inside.

You sure he's your brother?

Open up!

I don't need you!

This is his son and his daughter.

Really? Is that you, Younès?

I can't believe it!

Zahra!

I'm Mohamed, your uncle.

Recognise me?

How would he?

When did you last visit us?

It's 8 years since you last prayed at our parents' grave.

Listen, Issa,

I always fear offending you.

I just want to help you.

You've a wife and kids.

My family!

I'm your family!

- It's not the same! - It is!

You're my brother. Your son's like my son!

Do you want him to be a shoeshine boy?

What do you mean?

Younès is my son.

Not a dog!

You can't stay here!

Think about it.

I've made up my mind.

We don't need your money.

You know the worst thing about us? Our pride.

You're a mountain of pride.

A mountain. That's what you are.

What's that look for?

You have to trust me. I'm your father.

You hear me? Your father!

My God!

May God be your guide, Issa, and be with you.

We need men to unload flour.

4 francs a day.

How many are you taking?

Me, sir, me...!

Take him, he's all right.

I'll be back, Younès.

I'll be back!

You want some candy?

Help yourself.

Pretty boy.

Leave him alone.

Or I'll cut off your other leg!

Dog!

That's all today. Get your pay.

You said 4. I've only 2.

2 is all you get.

That's not what you said.

Go on, beat it! Next.

Beat it!

Don't worry, God is with us.

We'll get by, Insha'Allah.

Stop it, Younès!

Daddy, look.

- What is it? - It's for you.

I asked what it was?

A friend and I caught and sold them.

I swear we didn't steal them.

You want to humiliate me, too?

Daddy, I...

You know what we call a man who can't feed his family?

A dead man!

He's dead.

His heart beats, he talks and breathes, but he's dead and knows it.

Issa!

You think I'm finished? Is that what you think?

I'm hurting you!

That's the pain I feel deep inside.

Be patient, son.

God, help me!

I beg your forgiveness, God.

Good morning, Mr Makhoud.

We need to talk.

Come in.

You were right.

I can't keep him.