Father & Soldier (Tirailleurs)

Where am I?

I hear strange sounds.

Is pride leading my steps?

Who is watching over my people?

NOVEMBER 1920 SOMEWHERE NEAR VERDUN

Hold on.

I felt something.

Dear God,

what did I do?

FUTA TOORO, SENEGAL

Papa!

Hold onto her. If she moves, she could hurt herself.

Almost there.

Easy, easy...

It's nothing.

All done.

Give me the rag.

There.

Its den must be nearby.

The herd disturbed it.

It's mounting guard.

'Evening.

- Not too tired? - No. Thanks.

There.

They're not clean?

- And now? - No.

- They're clean! - No.

And now?

Eat.

Want a piece?

- Want some lemon? - Yes.

They caught four young men at Mawoundou.

That's ten villages they've raided.

If we protect our sons, the French jail the chiefs.

We must refuse.

Yes.

We should negotiate.

They're armed. It's impossible.

We can't let this happen.

We have to hide our sons.

God will help us.

Want more?

Here.

Thierno!

Come.

The French are coming.

Hurry!

Come on. Let's go!

Thierno, may God keep you.

I'll be back before sundown. Let's go!

Spend the night with him.

I'll do what I can.

Hide until I come back, ok?

OK.

Halt!

Come on! Hurry!

Run!

Go!

Don't stop!

Run, Thierno, run!

Papa,

where's Thierno?

He'll come back.

Look at me.

For the love of God, don't get it wrong.

Open your mouth.

Your name?

Bakary.

Last name?

Die ye.

Spell it.

D-I-E-Y-E, sir.

Your age?

30 years old, sir.

Inducted.

Congratulations on your courage and drive

to go defend the mama-land.

That's it?

Stand up!

Get going-

Thierno.

It's me.

We're leaving. Get up.

This way.

Let's go!

Come on!

Get going!

Never say I'm your father.

On your knees! Don't move!

Brother, help me!

We need men in the village...

Lock the idiots up.

We'll find a way out of here.

FATHER & SOLDIER

Out of the way!

On your feet back there!

Faster.

Take your things.

Take your things. Hurry.

Wait here.

What do you want?

Get lost!

Wait here.

I'll be back.

Thierno.

Adama.

Do you understand Fula?

N0'? And him? Do you understand Fula?

Do you speak Fula?

Even a little?

Are you Fula?

Do you understand or not?

I just arrived, but I know someone.

- You know someone? - Yes, Muhammad.

He works over there at the mess.

- At the mess? - Muhammad, yes.

Anyone speak Fula?

What do you want?

- Do you know a Muhammad? - I know several.

I heard he helps Fula brothers.

That's Muhammad San. But he's not here.

How so?

He's off today.

Where is he?

Somewhere in this shithole!

I'm Fula. I don't speak Wolof.

You speak French?

- Yes. - Good.

We're going to protect you.

And you'll pay us for it.

Who's he?

I don't know him.

Your pay-

Hand it over!

What?

What do you want?

I'm looking for Muhammad Sarr. Know him?

Get up! Go ask him!

Wait here.

Private, get up.

Get up, private!

Private!

Sergeant?

Help him up.

Who did this?

Soldiers.

Take him over there.

Sit him here.

Here.

Who?

Go eat.

Then come play. I'm cleaning him out.

You can go, private.

You speak French?

Where'd you learn?

At the white people's school.

What's your name?

Thierno.

First or last name?

First name.

Want to eat something? It's on me.

You should feel at home here.

The only place with no rank. We're all equal.

We're all comrades here!

To the lieutenant!

We live together, eat together, fight together.

And we'll die together.

Rather than abandon one of our own.

Go ahead.

He's up there.

Thank you.

Who's Muhammad?

I am.

- How are you? - Get to the point.

I'm tired.

I'm looking for a way to not go to the front.

There are two of us. Me and a man from my village.

I can get you appointed at the mess.

It'll cost 300 francs.

- Excuse me? - 300 francs per person.

You're the fifteenth request tonight.

I don't have all the money.

But I promise, when I go home...

We're far from home.

If you have the money, I'll find you a spot.

If you don't, find it and come back.

My friend won't last long on the front.

I have 170 francs. Give me an advance.

Have mercy.

I'll pay.

Go get your 170

and your pal.

I can't thank you enough.

You want to help me?

Let me sleep!

Good night.

Muster on the square! Faster!

Diallo! We're going to the front. Muster on the square!

On the double!

Muster on the square. Now!