The Last Queen (La dernière reine)

Algiers, 1516.

The city is a monarchical republic

brutally controlled by the Spanish for 6 years.

The arrival of corsair Aruj Barbarossa will change the fate of the city

and that of Queen Zaphira.

They're mocking us.

The Spaniards are invading us, but they celebrate.

Who can bite into the snow like I can?

Look at me.

As we approached Algiers,

we thought we would be saved.

But in front of the door

some people with hate in their eyes...

forbid us the entry.

We continued walking.

As we went along,

these human beasts lost their voices,

until they became mute.

The closer we got,

the smaller they became, small like fleas.

And we entered the Casbah.

We entered.

This dream,

the newcomers who made their money off us cannot understand.

But the children of Sidi Abderrahmane and Bologhine

can split seas, flatten mountains,

so that this land

may stay alive.

Long live Algiers!

Aruj!

Aruj!

My God!

Aruj!

THE LAST QUEEN

Yahia!

Zaphira.

It doesn't matter, let him go.

ACT I

"For Algiers!”

Here.

Here.

I can bring you more if you want.

Yes, please, of all colors.

Anything you wish.

Yahia!

I must go, I'm being sought after.

Why?

Come closer.

Yahia, come here!

Your mother has been looking for you since this morning.

In the Djenina Palace, you'll have to...

- Come back, I'm talking to you! - No!

Yahia?

Yahia, where are you?

Is it you, my love, who sings like a goldfinch?

Be nice.

Please come out.

Yahia...

You can't stay here with the women anymore.

You're a man now.

Everyone dreams of living in the Djenina Palace.

You will be with your father, your brother and your sisters.

My Queen, they're here!

Yahia.

- Come out! - No.

- Your father is coming! - No!

- Don't embarrass me! - No!

Enough!

- Leave me! - Have you gone mad?

What are you holding in your hands?

Leave me alone!

Good day, Yahia.

Was that your goldfinch?

Don't worry, we have hundreds at the palace.

They'll all be yours.

- So, you're coming with me today? - Yes.

Are you happy?

I have a present for you.

- Do you like it? - Yes.

This is the dagger of our ancestors.

It is yours now.

My father gave it to me,

and his father before him, Sidi Abderrahmane Thaalibi.

May God bless them.

Amen.

Welcome to the Palace of the Kings.

Kiss your mother.

Yahia.

Go ahead.

Don't worry,

he will have everything he needs.

And he will come to visit...

I'm used to being alone...

He'll be with his older brother and his sisters.

And their mother, not his own.

Yahia is my son too. If anyone wants trouble,

he'll have to come through me.

Please come wash your hands.

Lunch is ready.

I have to go.

Do you need anything?

You're not staying?

I'll leave tomorrow for Spain with the king of Ténés

to renegotiate with King Ferdinand.

I will be away for a month.

Then go and negotiate.

May God be with you.

I'll come back to see you.

Whether you're away for a month or a century,

what difference does it make for me?

Maybe nothing for you. For the fate of our country, a lot.

You can talk!

What?

Say that again.

Things are not as simple as the life you lead.

Feasting in your palace every day.

Aren't you ashamed?

Women cry for their country, and you boast.

Yes, women cry

because all men have deserted their beds since the Spanish occupation.

That doesn't deserve an answer.

This time, you will answer, Salim!

- If you can't... - Hold your tongue!

- Answer me! - Silence!

I know what you're afraid of.

That if Yahia comes with me, I'll neglect you here?

-But I... - But what?

Don't you realize?

But what do you really want?

I want you to come back to me.

I'm your wife, too.

If you leave my bedside, I'm no longer your wife in the eyes of God.

I'm no longer your wife.

I'm returning to my father in Miliana.

Whether you like it or not, you are my wife

and you will stay here.

I hate you.

Do you see?

You come back to my words.

The Andalusian Arabs are right.

Let's call on Aruj, it's the only solution.

Do you know what that means?

Yes.

It's called an alliance.

Aruj is helping the Muslims fight the Spaniards.

We have to make an alliance with him.

An alliance?

The Andalusian Arabs have nothing to say,

this is not their country.

I swear before God,

it's thanks to them Algiers grows rich!

Don't swear.

Speak for yourself.

Leave me alone.

Who gives his country to a foreigner?

Cherfaoui, be careful of what you say.

Whoever gives his country to a foreigner is called a traitor!

What?

Now!

I demand an apology or I'll leave the council.

And others will follow.

Good riddance!

- Go away! - Opportunist!

You will pay for this!

Silence!

Silence!

Never fight in this assembly again.

Not in front of me, nor in my absence.

And nobody leaves the room.

We'll stay here.

And take responsibility.

Can't we work together to protect our country?

We aren't able to, King Salim.

The Spaniards are surrounding us, no time to arm up.

It'll take the time it takes.

Salim, you are a fair man,

no one would say otherwise.

In 10 years under your reign,

Algiers has seen neither war nor raids.

You are a man of peace.

But today,

you must let the council vote on Aruj,

and trust this vote.

- Aruj freed Jijel... - He failed in Bejaia.

He even lost his arm there!

What if he fails here?

Breathe.

It will be fine.

We have no choice, Chegga.

Either you negotiate the terms of the alliance with Aruj,

or you pass your decision by force at the next council.

We have the men to support you.

Chegga, where did I go wrong?

You did your duty.

There is only so much we can do, the rest is in God's hands.

One year later

They have more men and weapons than us.

And they want to besiege our city.

We have to strike before they surround us.

We will go out through the reeds of Bab El Oued.