Outside the Law (2010)

Chafia Boudraa: La mère

Photos 

Quotes 

• Le caïd : I have a court order. This land has been given to the colonist Mr Guérini.

  Le père : But Kaid, this land belongs to my father and my ancestors.

  Le caïd : Do you have the deeds?

  Le père : What deeds? We have no documents.

  Le caïd : Without the deeds, I can't help you. You must leave.

  Le père : That's impossible. I was born here. My father was born here, like all my ancestors! My children too!

  Le caïd : You have three days to leave.

  Le père : If we leave, how would I feed my family?

  Le caïd : It's the law. I can't help it.

  [walks away] 

  La mère : [agitatedly]  Are they crazy? We have to leave our land based on what a piece of paper says? I'll die here and be buried here!

  [running towards departed policemen, shouting] 

  La mère : It's not fair! You're committing a sin! May God curse you! May God curse you! May God curse you!

• Saïd : We're going to France.

  La mère : I don't want to go.

  Saïd : There's a war here, they'll kill us.

  La mère : My son, you think I'm alive, but you're wrong. I died long ago. Let them kill us.

• La mère : [to Abdelkader Souni in prison]  Listen to me carefully. You're neither a thief, nor a murderer. You're not a criminal. You're in prison for your ideas.

• La mère : [to Abdelkader Souni in prison]  Abdelkader... by looking after yourself, you are looking after me.

• Saïd : Take the money and buy some clothes.

  La mère : [referring to Said Souni's ill-gotten money]  Even if I have to stay naked all my life or go barefoot, I won't take your money! God is my witness!

• La mère : [ailing, in bed, to Messaoud Souni]  In this bag is soil from our land. If we return to Algeria, we'll plant a vine in it. If I die, place it here, against my cheek.