Harkis (Les Harkis)

Harki: Algerian auxiliary in the French Army

in the Algerian War of Independence ,

member of a "harka" unit .

Fellagha: Pejorative French Army term for Algerian independence fighters

.

ALGERIA, 1959

The National Liberation Front's war against France

has been raging for four years...

When will you be back?

I’ll see you at noon.

My son!

My son!

My son!

HARKIS

Come with me.

Contract and enlistment bonus. Sign here and here.

Your brother's gun.

Wait over there. We'll get you kitted out.

Thank you.

- What is it? - Bread and milk.

It's warm.

We have to eat it now.

Thank you, my son.

Hello, Uncle.

Hello, Kadir.

Go on, son.

Come on, Larhi.

I’ll finish up first.

Kaddour.

Hello, Mr. Fabri.

I don't need to tell you

how behind you are.

You've got until Friday to pay up.

Or you leave the plot Saturday.

You can't pay by Friday.

September 2

We're happy for you.

And we're proud.

Thank you, Father. Say hello to my mother and sisters.

The poor woman!

She's grief stricken.

These are tough times.

We need you.

Try to come home this month.

I’ll have leave soon.

Thank you, son.

I advise you to follow your fathers' example.

Conduct yourselves like French citizens.

As you know, my son,

we could be victims of maliciousness.

Including myself,

a war veteran,

naturalized French 15 years ago.

I hope you have understood

you are French.

Work for France.

If she does not reward you, God will.

As I have told you,

God's rewards are eternal

and you shall receive them.

Fear not, Father.

Let's go, the bus is leaving.

September 18

Take this kachabia.

It can get cold at night.

Kadir, come here.

I entrust my family to you.

Above all, be careful.

Regards to my brother Hassan.

You can stay with him when you get to Saida.

I promise to be home soon, son.

Be good to your mother.

I’ll bring you back a soccer ball.

Be brave.

Show me your hands.

Your eyes are red.

I went out with friends.

- Surname? - Salah.

- Where d'you live? - Douar El Arhi.

- Which family? - Melihi.

- Do you want one? - No, thank you.

How are things?

Everything's fine.

Has she slept?

- She's tired. - My daughter!

She just woke up.

Has she eaten?

Have you eaten?

No work today.

They hired the men they knew.

I’ll worry day and night.

I’ll count the hours!

I’ll stay awake at night,

stay up,

weary, waiting for you to come home.

- I'll be fine. - I'm afraid for you!

The French send our men in first.

They send ours in first, to spare theirs!

I have to provide for my family.

I don't want you to go off

and be killed.

And end up with your body.

You are my son, hot theirs.

I gave birth to you, and they're taking you.

What will I do if they send your body home?

Who will your wife wait up for?

Who will we keep dinner for?

As they say, we say yes!

They always trample us.

My son, I'm afraid for you. I know what I'm saying.

Don't be afraid, Mom.

I won't be gone long.

My son, I know what I'm saying. I have a bad feeling.

Mom, we have nothing.

God keeps watch, son.

I have a bad feeling.

If you go, I'll never see you again.

- I'll come back. - No, son, I don't think so.

If you go, they'll send you back dead.

And what will I do?

I'm responsible for my wife, my daughter and you.

I have a bad feeling.

Can you write?

No.

Give me your finger.

Come here.

Next.

- Do you speak French? - A little.

What's your surname?

Ben Yahia.

- First name? - Kaddour.

- Date of birth? - 1926.

September 22

Young Algerians, who have chosen to serve France...

Today, terrorists,

manipulated by foreign nations, have brought misery to your country.

We will not let criminals disturb your families' peace.

The army needs you,

your courage,

your faith in France,

to fight these murderers.

Inhabitants of the douars,

each time the fellaghas came, they did you harm.

They took your money, they took your sons,

they burned the crops.

Whereas France builds.

She educates,

feeds you and cares for you.

She employs your youth.

Help France build a new Algeria.

Stand behind the French Army,

the army of pacification.

The French have enlisted minions.

They pay them with spuds.

What do they pay you with, asshole?

Fathia, come on! Fatima!

Good evening.

Watch carefully.

And follow each movement.

Look at the gun, not me!

Grip it here, with this hand.

With the other, cock the lever.

Rotate and lift.

You can now insert the cartridge.

The gun is ready to fire.

Always be in control of your gun.

This rifle...

doesn't have a safety.

Only load it to fire.

Except on operations.

Keep your hand here.

Butt against your shoulder.

Trust in God.

Re-cock the lever.

Lower the gun.

Fire at the ground.

Your harka is no. 534.

It will guide French troops and help fight the outlaws.

When not on ops, you may go home to your families.

For their safety, they will live at the base.

My brother...

you know me well.

And I know you.

We've spent so much time together.

I only tell you what's best for you.

I advise you to join us.

Look at me.

I am with France.

The fellaghas bring nothing but misery.

You believed in their cause

and you joined them.

But you will never achieve anything.

Why do you hide in holes,

starving, anxious, wretched,

while your leaders are safe in Morocco?

They send you to die for nothing.

They are the real woe of Algeria.

They cannot agree among themselves.

General de Gaulle has promised

to give all Algerians