3 Cold Dishes (2025) Movie Script
1
(slow drumbeat begins)
(dramatic music)
(in French) They advance slowly
as if they feel something is off
but it's too late.
The desert has a way of fooling people
making them think they are alone.
Always.
Idiots!
They think they're safe
because they can't see us.
Always the same mistake.
They don't know what's waiting ahead.
All this empty land, all this dust
is just a graveyard waiting to be filled.
Do you hear that?
That rumbling, means they're approaching.
Too close to escape now.
They'll be nothing but dust when we're done with them.
They won't even know what hit them.
Let's welcome our guests to hell.
(footsteps on rock)
(suspenseful music)
(motorcycles revving)
(epic music continues)
(motorcycles roaring)
(screaming) Go, move!!! Go, drive!!! Straight!!!
They're behind! Oh my God!
Drive faster!
Turn, turn, turn, turn!!!
Pass me the rifle.
Pass me the rifle!
(motorcycle brakes squealing)
(gunshot)
(screaming) Die, motherfucker!!!
(gunshot)
(drums)
(dramatic music continues)
(in Fon language) Push. Push. Push. Push. Push.
Push! Push!
(woman straining and crying)
- Mama!
- Hmm?
- I'm scared.
- Don't be, it's going to be okay.
- I don't want to lose this one too.
- No, you won't.
(in Fon language) Push. Push. Push. Push. Push. Push.
Push, push!
(woman straining)
Push! Push!
(in Fon language) Push, push, push, push.
(newborn crying)
(newborn crying)
(woman panting) Praise God.
(placenta splashing in water)
(city traffic)
(footsteps echoing in hallway)
(in French) You're gonna touch my breasts like that.
Huh, I must warn you, they're
not as firm as they used to be.
It's show time. Are we ready?
Wilfred is afraid of touching my breasts.
(man laughing)
Give it to her.
(in French) Put it here for me.
It's okay, give it to her.
(in French) The microphone!
So, why did you choose this place?
Oh, you said you wanted it
away from the prying eyes of the police
so thought I'd get this place.
It's discreet.
So, first of all
let me remind you of the rules.
- (in French) You can't...
- (in English) I know, I know. I know.
I can't speak of the interview
without your consent
because it's an exclusive.
Fine by me.
Now first
let me thank you for doing this.
Why are you thanking me?
You are paying me.
I was reading your article about them.
Rubbish!
We write what we know.
You don't know shit,
not about my girls
and certainly not about me.
Well everybody knows they did it.
So now I'm paying you to tell me why.
(singer vocalizing)
(girls cheering)
Fatouma! Fatouma!
Fatouma!
(in French) Lou, how's it going?
It's going well, pastor.
- How did the rehearsal go?
- Good.
- You're a great alto singer.
- Thanks, Pastor Fred.
I think you'll be amazing in this choir.
You just have to stop getting to rehearsal late.
- Well, actually...
- Yes, I know, football practice.
You need to give it up.
Football is my first love.
What do you know about love?
I left Mali to come play football here.
All I know is I love it that much.
Have you ever loved a person that much?
I'm too young for that, no?
(Pastor Fred laughs)
Lou, I hope you'll be at the next rehearsal.
- Yes.
- All right, go on.
I've found you a taxi.
- Yes.
- He hasn't stopped yet.
See you, girls.
(car door opens)
Reports indicate an explosion
at the Ikeja Military Cantonment...
- Good-bye.
People around the Ikeja Cantonment
and the around people,
don't panic, stay home.
It is a question of accident
not a military invasion.
The government has reported to me
I have already deliberated with them.
What we need to do
is provide relief
provide immediate attention
connect children that are dispersed
to their parents
provide food for those who
are scattered from their homes
because their homes are being...
Why are you struggling with that boot?
Let me help you.
(children playing)
(car door closing)
(children playing)
(car door closing)
(car keys jingling)
(man sighing)
Why are you crying?
Hmm? Don't you know you're fine, girl?
Fine girls don't cry, oh. Hmm?
I will miss Tobe.
You will miss Tobe.
That's normal. He's your brother.
But listen.
When you get to Lagos
you'll become a big Lagos girl,
big sugar mama, eh.
You gon' make money, eh, make plenty moola
to take care of your brother Tobe. Eh?
Okay?
That's my girl.
(short laugh)
(in Edo language) Uncle?
Thank you!
You no eat breakfast this morning,
eh, you thank me,
for which thing, ha?
For helping me come out of this ghetto now
so I can start a new life
to take care of Tobe.
Hopefully I'll be able to take him out of here too.
And I promise I'll repay you.
(short laugh)
Don't worry about that, eh.
Don't worry your pretty little head about that, eh.
You get some rest.
It's going to be a long journey.
(lighter clicking)
(car starting)
(engine revving)
(cicadas chirping)
(footsteps approaching on gravel)
(in French) What are you doing here? Everyone's asleep.
I have good news!
Oh yeah? What?
Remember the football coach I told you about?
- Mhm.
- He's leaving for Paris!
He's taking you with him! (muffled scream)
Shh! They'll hear you if you scream!
There's not enough room for everyone.
- So, when do we leave?
- Tonight.
- What?
- Yes, right now!
But we have a football match tomorrow...
We have to leave now!
- Then I need to tell Coach Musa.
- No, no, no, no, no!
He won't let you go.
But he's my coach. And Lou is sleeping.
You can call Lou in Paris.
Fred. My coach.
A coach who made you come from Mali
and still hasn't enrolled you in a football camp?
Look at me.
I'm about to change your life.
Do you trust me?
(music playing)
Many have crossed this barren land
chasing salvation on other side
never knowing what waits.
The sun scorches their backs
but the real heat comes later
at the destination they can't yet see.
(dramatic music)
Back then, the streets were burning
Coups. Protest.
Soldiers on every corner.
The world was at war.
But here, it was chaos.
For the girls
the chaos outside was nothing
compared to the prison
they were being driven into.
Bankole.
Huh. One of Eagle's most trusted drivers.
Had made this journey countless times
from Nigeria, through Niger
then onto Burkina Faso
all the way to Cte d'Ivoire.
It was always the same
and the same promise of something far worse
waiting at the end of the line.
But, men like Bankole knew the game.
A little money exchanged
and the trucks kept rolling.
He had smuggled everything in these trucks
from drugs, livestock, to guns and diamonds.
Girls?
Huh, they were just another shipment.
For goods only.
(men yelling)
(yelling and commotion)
(truck door slams)
(yelling grows more frantic)
(girls whimpering)
(in French) All set.
Let's go!
Eagle ruled this place
like a queen running her empire
with iron fists and cold deals.
She buys and sold these girls
to the highest bidder.
Yet in her eyes, this wasn't slavery, oh no.
She called it 'salvation'.
Ah.
(man grunts)
Uncle, please.
Please, sir.
(crying)
I no please stay here, I beg!
Take me back!
Hmm? What's wrong with the people here?
Hmm? Have they got two heads? Hmm?
Please, Uncle, please!
(crying)
If I had not seen my mama and my papa die
you couldn't have taken me
and follow finish my life like this.
Uncle Bankole, please, I beg.
Uncle Bankole!
I dear god beg you, I beg! I beg!
Take me back!
I have to take care of my brother!
Please!
Your brother? Who be that?
Tobe, now!
Tobe.
(sad music)
I don't even know who that is.
I don't know who you are.
This is the first and the last time
you will ever see or hear from me.
(in French) I want to go home.
Where is home?
You can't go back to Mali.
Your parents have too many mouth to feed.
Listen!
I'll still take you to Paris
if you stay here for a few months
and make some money.
- I'll...
- No. Please.
I don't want to stay here.
Fatouma, listen.
You can't leave.
I'll come back for you two months.
When?
In one month. I promise you.
If you go out, she'll send her men
and they'll rape you!
Is that what you want?
(girl sniffs)
Don't cry.
I'll take care of you.
(sad music)
"Eagle" never wore their scars.
She didn't have to endure what they did
night after night.
How about Giselle?
She always seemed different from the others.
(in French) Please.
- Was it the same for her?
- I'm not going to touch you.
I mean, how did she end up in Serpent Street?
She wasn't just taken.
She was sold!
Betrayed by her own grandmother
to pay her son's debt.
But Giselle she had something else inside her
something powerful, something dark
something none of us could ever fully understand.
We'll come back to Giselle's story in time.
For now all you need to know
is that she survived.
(Muslim call to prayer)
(Muslim call to prayer)
(in French) Get a rag.
Huh?
Get a rag and wrap it around your arm.
Then you'll be able to climb.
It's useless though
since she owns the other side of the wall.
I don't understand.
(in French) I said, get a rag
wrap it around your hand.
I don't understand.
Are you trying to escape?
(in French) Didn't you try to run away two days ago?
You saw how it went.
Go on. Climb!
Climb!
She never climbed that wall.
She kept falling.
But she never stopped trying
and that scared me.
(in French) Stop, you're starting to piss me off
and I'm gonna end up hurting you
and then you'll be useless to both of us.
Got it?
(ominous music)
There is a ladder in Serpent Street.
You start off as travelers.
This is a bottom barrel job.
You screw construction workers,
security men, anyone who works the night
and needs company.
It's one of those trips
that brought these girls together.
(girls singing loudly in French)
(girls continue singing)
(in French) The Iron Lady.
(woman laughs)
They say that she didn't cry when
they tried to "rape" her.
(women laughing)
She must have enjoyed it.
(women laughing)
(women talking over each other)
Wow.
(women talking and laughing)
(women laughing)
(mockingly in French) Poor baby, why are you crying?
Do your legs hurt?
Or is it boiling in your panties?
(women laughing loudly)
- (weakly) Leave me alone.
- And if I refuse?
Leave her alone!
(women booing) Is that our English speaker?
Learn to speak French before opening your mouth.
Until then, go back to your seat.
(women cheering)
You want it.
- Leave them alone.
- Why?
(shocked gasps and laughter)
Ha, now she doesn't want to talk.
(women talking over each other)
- Let's go, Iron Lady!
- Iron Lady!
(women talking over each other)
Are you okay?
After the mess on the bus
Eagle made them sleep outside
for three nights.
That's when we became friends.
The girls don't belong there.
Some of us did.
I know I did.
So you knew?
It was a school or the hood.
For me, the hood
and I had a pretty good run
before the girls came
and they just took over.
They run the streets.
- You sound like a fan.
- I am!
So, I take it that you
you took them under your wings.
Ya sure, ya sure.
But not for so long. You know
Girls like that, they were made to fly.
Next thing you knew
they were no longer travelers.
They joined us on Serpent Street.
They choose their own men.
We spent time together.
During the day, Esosa was learning French
while we were learning English.
And at night, we worked.
And every other lady on Serpent Street hissed,
green with envy.
(in French) Green with envy!
Tell me about Giselle, how did she fit in,
considering where she came from?
How about the spiritual part of her?
I'm really curious.
The few years she lived with her grandmother,
that one avoided her so bad.
- Because of Nekogbame?
- (whispering) Yeah.
And I'm not kidding
The first time I saw this thing take over Giselle
- (dog barking)
- I was terrified.
(barking continues)
(ominous music begins)
(ominous music escalates)
(high-pitched scream)
(scream cuts out abruptly)
(ominous music escalates)
(loud gasping for air)
(gasping slows gradually)
Didn't that mean trouble for you too?
She's our friend.
And honestly, this thing never returned.
- Never?
- Never.
I have heard things about it
but it's not forever.
And Giselle rode her luck.
It went well for us, so.
(in French) All right, listen,
My advice, forget the police.
Join the army and become a sniper.
Then we can kill your uncle, Mr. Fred, and Abdul-Wakil.
Fatou, shut up, eh!
Killing, killing, killing, that's all you talk about.
C'mone, really?
Why not?
Beauty and revenge can go together.
And if you want my opinion, it's sweeter.
(imitates gunshot sound) (girls giggle)
At first, I didn't take them seriously.
I mean, why would I?
Many girls are forced to work for Eagle.
They were not the first.
But I guess
there's no telling how tasty a cold dish can be
when you've been starving.
So, how did you get involved with it?
The girls and I, we lost touch for a while
(thunder rumbling)
It's raining.
That reminds me
Remember the military raid in Marcoury?
Operation Appo?
- Appo 13.
- That one.
They thought we were causing more harm
than their rotten fools
stealing money in their cabinet.
So they raided our zone.
We run for our lives.
Eagle was killed in that raid.
I went back to my village.
I didn't know where the girls went.
Honestly I thought I will never see them again
until
the "Honey Heist", happened.
(dramatic music)
(TV reporter in French) The
police are asking for help to find, uh
excuse my language, the pseudonym is @Kissmyass,
the owner of this YouTube video
who has since deleted their channel.
The police are asking the public to share.
More news on the celebration of World Ocean Day
and anti-demonic measures...
Good morning, chief.
Where did your team go?
They're on daytime patrol.
- Oh?
- Mhm.
- Is everything okay?
- Yeah.
When I leave home in the morning
I think about really nice things
like going home and eating my wife's cooking. Twice.
Not coming here and waiting
for fucking Soumare to want me to chase a honey truck.
As if we're at his service.
In my next life
I'll never work for politicians.
Next life?
I'll rather I, myself, be a politician.
Ah, okay. So it's an issue of benefits.
- (laughs)
- Not yours.
Good morning, chief.
Hey, boss!
We all know, there's no honey in that truck
Ah, so he thinks we're idiots.
Locally processed honey?
Ha, ridiculous. Bullshit!
I'm sure it's drugs.
That's why he's desperate.
(speaking foreign language)
What do we do?
First we'll find the idiot
who filmed that video and put it on YouTube.
- That's what we'll do.
- Okay. Thank you, boss.
(footsteps approaching)
You finally showed up.
I was busy cleaning up your mess.
Where is he?
He's dead.
He said he put the video on YouTube
because he thought it was cool.
Good thing he didn't follow us.
But anyway, you know all that.
Soumare surely told his friends, and the police.
And I think for the next while I'll make myself scarce.
You guys should get out of town.
Okay.
Listen,
I'm going to Paris. Wanna come?
Paris? (laughing) Paris is for lovers.
Me, I'm a warrior. (laughing)
(dramatic music)
(wrenches clinking)
(wrenches clinking)
(in French) Where were you?
I went to town to get parts for the vintage car.
You think that thing will run someday?
Have you ever seen me fail? Eh?
Yes. Right now.
(dolly scraping on floor)
Girls
You know very well it's hard
to fix this type of machine.
You know cars aren't easy.
I don't give a shit what's in there.
Have you not seen the news? What the hell?
(in French) What's wrong with her?
Soumare's truck.
You're being reckless.
Look, we don't get in the way of your drug shit
But this? This is gonna cost us.
- (in French) How?
- How?
You think your Sugar Daddy is stupid?
(laughing) Yeah, he's really stupid.
You think this is funny?
Relax, General.
This just means we need to speed things up.
Before the police (imitates sound of handcuffs)
Eh?
Go home, Grandma.
You won't be able even if you try.
(laughing)
(laughing) You still haven't heard from them?
What's your problem? Why do you care?
I don't care, I just want to be sure they're dead.
Especially the witch. (laughing)
Shut the fuck up.
And time to get back to work.
How much do you have?
I don't want you.
Oh yeah?
Go get the lady sitting over there.
The old one?
She's not fuckable.
I never said it was to fuck her.
Just call her over here.
Go get her yourself.
(car horn honking nearby)
(man honks car horn)
(man honks again)
Old but gold.
Fine wine gets better with age.
(car keys jingling)
(in French) French or English?
French or English?
I speak French.
So
where do you want me to take you?
You should ask where I'm taking you.
Hmm?
Money first.
Don't worry about your money.
(club music playing on car radio)
Tell me, the drive
is it going to take a while?
You're not a chatty one.
(club music continues in foreground)
(music fades out)
Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir!
My brother, please, look, listen!
(woman panting, breathlessly)
Even if you have to kill me,
no one in my family will come looking for me.
But please, my breasts,
you can't cut them off, please.
(laughing) I would have kept those breasts too.
Esosa!
Giselle!
Get out of my way!
Esosa! Giselle!
Oh, my girls, my girls, my girls!
(exclamations of joy)
Look at me, girls!
Janice, ah, I can't believe it!
Come here!
(laughing)
Girls, what are you both up to?
Well, we put on engines for a living.
Nuh-uh, don't tell me you are
no longer in touch with Fatouma!
She's in the bathroom.
- That crazy girl.
- She can't wait to see you.
(laughing)
She's been screaming about wanting to jump on you too.
That crazy girl.
I'm sure she came up with the idea
of sending this silly guy
to just scare me.
But guess what?
I'm too Janice
to be scared of that little rat.
(laughing)
All right, I'll walk you to your room
so you can shower and you can freshen up.
Whoo, what a living!
(sigh of contentment)
(in French) It feels good to take a shower.
It's about time, you stunk of Zone 4.
Hey, shut it, Fatouma.
Okay, girls, you need to tell your Zadi
that I'm not afraid of them.
Of him.
You don't need to be afraid of him.
(gentle guitar music)
Do you want anything to eat or drink?
What what is this?
What is this?
You know what it is.
G!
Okay, girls, come on.
What
what are you up to?
- I thought...
- We'd forgotten?
That we'd be married with a couple kids?
And we'd have forgotten those bastards?
Well, there's been no time for marriage. Or kids.
But you had time to keep this in your hearts?
It's not about time.
It's about reason.
And there's three of them.
Esosa!
Kill?
- It's been 17 years...
- And it's still fresh!
Do you know, two weeks ago
they intercepted a truck from Lagos
bringing in girls.
Yeah, I heard about it
I wish they intercepted my truck
17 years ago.
That sparked something in us:
Revenge!
We bring them here
To kill them!
I told you:
this girl is too diplomatic.
It pisses me off!
You are not murderers!
(laughs)
All I've ever wanted
was to own a salon,
make a little bit of money
and take care of my little brother
like I promised my late mother.
But I don't even know what he looks like.
I don't even know where he is.
Yet, my uncle, hmm?
He sleeps soundly at night!
Janice!
It's not okay.
It's not okay.
(in French) The point is, I'll never be at peace
until these men are dead,
until we've stopped them from
destroying other girls' dreams!
They must pay.
But you can't eliminate them!
That's true,
but when we're done,
there will be three less bastards on this planet!
All right, okay.
Why did you bring me here? Huh?
Because we trust you.
And we know things can
and probably will, get complicated.
And because we'll need someone
to cover our backs when we've left.
(sarcastically) And we need someone to tell our story.
What's with these dramatic expressions?
You think this is a game?
We're talking about a kidnapping!
(slow, sad music)
I guess I'm here to watch them
when you bring them in, right?
Okay, okay, okay.
That works.
I like to feel important.
(hip-hop music)
Gasoline to my fire, rhythm to my melody
Object of my desire, did you put a spell on me?
(car engine starting) and it's moving all over me
(singer vocalizing)
I'm under your lock and key.
(car drives off)
My Mr. Lover, ooh Casanova.
Love me forever and ever, oh nana.
My Mr. Lover, ooh Casanova.
Love me forever and ever.
(suspenseful music)
(car brakes squealing)
(in French) Get out. Get out of the car!
- I don't want to repeat myself, get out!
- Okay!
Get out! I won't say it again, get out!
I won't say it again, get out!
Get back!
Get back in the car!
Get back in the car!
Move! Move! Move!
Get out!
Look here, bitch! Get out of the car!
Get in.
Move!
Inside. Get inside!
(intense music)
Let's go!
Let's go!
What the fuck was that about?
Thanks for having my back.
I said tomorrow morning is Lagos!
Damn it!
(in French) We're still going to Lagos as planned.
Nothing changes.
What I wanted, is for him to be here.
Now that he's here, it's all good.
Bullshit.
Esosa was very angry.
And with good reasons too.
Her anger was tempered by discipline
forged in the fires of her military training.
Back in the days
(rifle being loaded)
when the girls left the Barbie Camp
and Serpent Street ended
they morphed into bigger players in the game.
They became escorts,
mingling with politicians,
musicians,
and athletes.
Esosa met a general,
a man who adored her.
He often took her to a secured island
with an abandoned airplane on the beach,
a place that became their secret haven.
One day,
she asked him to help her join the military.
- The general pulled some strings,
- (alarm sounding)
but her stay was brief
due to her false identity.
(machine gun firing)
Yet, she gained a valuable training,
escaping just in time
to carry that strength with her.
(water rushing)
Fatouma's path intertwined with the general
through Esosa
during one of his requests for a threesome.
Impressed with her fluency in French
and her sharp mind
the general brought her into his secret operations
training her in the world of drug smuggling.
With her love for playing the tough cookie
quickly rose to handling logistics
for the general,
learning the smuggling routes
and making powerful contacts
along the borders.
As for Giselle, she was the wild card.
With a mystic touch
from her spirit battles,
her journey gave her an edge
that none of us fully understood
but always respected.
Together they became an unstoppable force.
And me? Ha.
When I moved into their mansion,
- (car squealing)
- I became an accomplice
watching over Pastor Fred,
ensuring the girls could carry out their mission.
(Drumbeat echoing)
Have you found my truck?
Unfortunately, no.
Then why have you come to bother me?
We tried to find someone
with a link to the YouTube guy
but so far nothing.
And his family?
They just buried their son, so
they don't want to talk to us.
I don't give a shit.
I have over 100 kilos of cocaine in that truck.
Someone must know where it is.
I mean
Did anyone else know the honey truck's itinerary?
No.
I keep my business tidy, you know that.
You're sure no one else knew?
Absolutely.
Well, the only person who was
with me that evening was my
my escort,
but she was sleeping.
What?
She's a charming lady!
I
I think we might need to question this charming lady.
I don't want you to embarrass her, okay?
Listen, we won't make it stressful,
just a quick meeting, that's all.
(birds chirping)
No comment.
(birds chirping)
Where does she live?
In an apartment I bought her.
But, what are you suggesting?
Listen, we won't make it stressful,
just a quick meeting, that's all.
Do you have a picture of her?
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
She's a charming lady.
(hip-hop music starting)
Tryna live la vida loca
no thinking, no consideration for tomorrow
I know when to recalculate, bring the 42
Pull it up, pull it up, til it
feels like I just might fall over
But I stand fit, tough, go on
(car engine shutting off)
(car door opening)
(traffic sounds in distance)
(car door shutting)
(footsteps on pavement)
- Good morning, Ma.
- Good morning.
- Welcome.
- I'll like to buy 20 engines.
20 engines. Please come in, Ma. Come in.
Hey, I have to say,
you're a very beautiful woman.
I hope you don't mind me complimenting you like this.
A beautiful woman like you
don't need to come to market
in this early morning.
You know we do deliveries?
Have you seen our banner?
Banky & Sons immediate delivery.
So my boy tells me you want 20 engines.
- Yes.
- Ah.
Would that be a problem?
Problem? Problem?
Have you seen our banner?
It's not a problem
We deliver it for you, we deliver it for you.
But, uh, are you ready now with the...
No.
But I can come back tomorrow morning.
Is this something you could arrange?
Arrange it? Of course we can arrange it
Madam,
come here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow
and if it's not ready, you can go to another shop
- I can guarantee you that.
- (Laughing)
You are welcome.
(engine running)
(dramatic music)
(children playing)
(car approaching)
(suspenseful music)
(car door slamming)
(suspenseful music)
(children playing)
(door opening)
(door shutting)
How was it?
Well
(sigh) Okay.
He said the engines will be ready tomorrow.
But knowing him,
he'll probably deliver earlier.
We'll be ready.
(demonic gasping)
(labored inhaling)
Giselle, are you okay?
(ominous music)
(brief exhale)
Hey!
(labored inhale)
(labored inhale)
Are you okay?
It must be fatigue from the trip.
You know Lagos traffic is literal hell,
it must be that.
I know the call of the Nekogbame.
It's been 10 years since you felt it, so
maybe it's something else.
- Huh.
- So it must be fatigue, eh?
Yeah, maybe maybe it's just fatigue.
It's fatigue.
Breathe
(labored exhale)
(traffic noise)
She's not answering her phone.
She's not at the apartment he bought her.
And the neighbors say they haven't seen her in a while.
Yeah.
She's a goddamn lady. A charming lady.
Soumare is an idiot.
Well for that one
I'd be an idiot too.
(laughing)
Look at her breasts.
(laughing)
(cell phone vibrating and ringing)
(sighs) Who is it?
Didier.
(cell phone rings)
- Didier!
- Hm.
- That stupid journalist?
- Yeah.
- I'm sure he's calling for comments.
- Exactly.
Answer!
(cell phone buzzing and ringing)
- Hello.
- Vincent.
- Didier.
- How are you my friend?
Didier, let's get to it quickly.
Okay, we don't have any more information
on Senator Soumare's honey farm truck.
- When we do, we'll be...
- I'm not calling about that.
I want to know if the police can tell us
what's happening with the
kidnap case of Pastor Fred Britto?
Look, should you have any lead
I would appreciate it
if you could keep me in the loop.
It's a it's a case of interest.
(traffic noise)
My madam!
My madam, you're welcome.
Well, that was quick.
Quick? Quick? Ah, madam, you're funny.
You don't see our banner, eh.
Our middle name is Quick-Quick.
Not Quick oh, Quick-Quick.
This is Lagos.
As long as you have the money
we can move mountains.
Rivers, will go move out. (laughing)
Whatever, no credit, I don't do credit.
But you know, my people are ready now.
All I need to do is just make one phone call
and my boys gon' load everything.
So, um, everything is all ready for you, all
I don't understand.
You don't understand.
The, uh, you know now, the
the moola, the koko, the pepe
- Oh, like cash.
- Yes, cash.
Oh, I've got cash.
- I've got raw cash.
- Aha.
In fact, it's in my car.
Let's just go and inspect it right now.
Madam, madam, madam! Why, now, ha?
Don't make it seem like I
think the money is the only thing.
I trust you, I trust you, please.
But your truck, do you have it?
Because my boys ready to load up.
Are you sure?
Ahhh, where your truck?
Well I hired a truck but it's not here yet.
So the truck is not here yet,
but the cash is inside the car.
No worry.
Since the truck is not here
and the moola is inside the car,
Madam, let's go for the pepe! (laughter)
Raw cash!
Show me the pepe, Madam.
(mumbling to himself)
Ah, no, no, no Madam, allow me, please.
I won't allow a fine, fine
woman like you to open this boot.
Impossible.
(trunk unlatching)
Oh my Lord, when I see pepe!
Madam, you know what... what?
Don't move.
I don't, I don't understand.
Just walk to the door,
open the car, and get in gently.
Madam, I don't
Just walk to the door, open the car,
and get in gently.
Don't resist
or your wife and kids will be dead.
(suspenseful music)
Animals. What's going on, huh?
What's going on?
Pass your phone.
(car door slams)
There's a gun on your wife's head right now
(yelling) so pass your fucking phone!!!
(car door slams)
(car door slams)
(suspenseful music)
Uncle Bankole?
Good morning.
Fatouma wasn't just any player.
She was General Banda's logistics controller,
the one who knew every border and back road.
Over the years,
she has built strong ties
with border gangs across the region
Her name alone
could get anything or anyone across.
(car motor running)
Fatouma was using the same networks
she built with General Banda
to smuggle these men back to Abidjan.
(child crying)
(child crying)
(motorcycle approaching)
(bag unzipping)
(car engine sputtering)
(motorcycle engine running)
(motorcycle revving)
(motorcycle driving off)
But she wasn't alone.
Kotoko, her one-legged lieutenant
ruled the smuggling routes,
feared by all.
They called him
the Crippled King of the Underworld.
Together,
there was no border too tight,
no road too risky.
(car door slamming)
Hey Kotoko!
(in French) Fatou, how goes it?
- Good, Ko.
- How goes it?
You know I don't faff around.
Okay, okay.
Hope the car didn't give you issues.
Old car, but it's a good one.
If I revamp it, you won't even recognise it.
Ah okay, Fatou, so that's how it is when I bring my car.
Take your old car! I don't even want it, take it, go ahead!
Okay, okay. Yeah.
Listen, get me three motorbikes, three.
- Okay, okay.
Hey you, get me three motorbikes.
(yelling)
Hey, move!
(grunting)
(suspenseful music)
(grunting)
(muffled grunts) (duct tape tearing)
(gun cocking)
(wind)
(metal door clanging)
(footsteps approaching)
What, am I a dog to you?
This is how you treat a man of God?
(plate slamming on tray)
Wait.
I can change your life.
You're more than this,
more than just a servant
in this cursed place.
Think about it.
I have connections, and influence
With me, you could have people serving you.
Imagine that.
Right now,
there must be a reward out
for any info on my whereabouts.
The Church, the community,
they wouldn't just let me disappear.
Call the police.
Tell them where I am.
They'll reward you generously.
And I'll double whatever they offer you.
Think about it.
This is your chance.
(metal door creaking and clanking)
(sea waves crashing)
(faucet running)
What's up with the general?
He said we have we have it for 24 hours
And he mentioned
that you know your way around security.
So it's good.
Just twenty four hours?
(in French) After all you've done for him?
C'mone Fatou, he helped her escape military school.
I think he's done more than enough.
Huh, thanks, G.
He wants to see us too?
(exasperated sigh)
You mean he wants to see Fatou.
(sarcastic laugh)
Listen
His town
his plane
his rules.
(motorcycles approaching)
(dramatic music)
(sigh of exhaustion)
I hate this place.
(short laugh)
(in French) My beautiful.
What brings all three of you to our voodoo festival?
A simple phone call from you,
and I'd have done everything to
ensure you have a pleasant stay.
Or do you have other business
in town with your girlfriends?
(short laugh)
Of course not.
It's just a vacation.
And we thought
maybe we'll meet some high-ranking festival-goers.
You never know.
(laughing)
That's what I was thinking.
In that case
I'll take the opportunity to ask you a little favor.
Bah, nothing major.
So
(chair creaking)
give me just a few minutes.
(footsteps walking away)
(latch opening)
(plastic bag being patted)
(chair rustling)
There it is.
As I said, nothing major.
Oh, don't make that face.
Kotoko will call you in few days.
He'll give you instructions for the new delivery.
Also, Soumare is looking for you.
(short laugh)
We were expecting that anyways.
Huh.
Well me, what I didn't expect,
was this delay in getting my share.
Don't worry.
Give me a few days and you'll be paid.
(ominous laughing)
Your girlfriends are waiting for you.
Here's a little something to have fun with.
And make sure you don't forget my little delivery.
In any case, you're on vacation.
And this time I hope you won't give me a reason
to come looking for you.
Don't worry.
Relax, okay?
(laughing)
(dramatic music)
You ready, G?
As long as the Nekogbame doesn't stop me,
yeah.
Was the Nekogbame even real?
Honestly, I didn't believe it until I met her.
As you can see, she carries the cross from birth.
Her parents had lost so many before her,
miscarriages, stillbirths,
they didn't even believe she would survive.
(newborn cry) But Giselle arrived a miracle.
Patrice, her father, rejoiced, finally,
but the grandmother wasn't rejoicing
She reminded him of their family's traditions
The child must be baptized in the muddy waters
to be blessed, to be protected.
But Patrice, consumed by his new faith,
refused to perform the ritual.
The grandmother warned him
"this could cost us our lives".
And in the end, it did.
From that moment,
she carried more than just the weight
of her family's history.
(water splashing and bubbling)
She carried something darker,
something not of this world.
What was growing up like for her?
When she was 13?
She went to live with her grandmother
because both her parents died.
That woman hated her so much
Was that when she met Abdul-Wakil?
She sold her to him
so he could pay his late son's debts.
(drumbeats)
(drumbeats)
(drumbeats)
More money!
Amen!
More blessings!
Amen!
More life!
Amen!
More
Amen!
(children cheering)
(drumbeats)
(woman chanting)
(music intensifies)
(whimpering) Please!
(whimpering) Please!
(crying) Please!
I'm not going to touch you.
(crying) No, please!
Go ahead, boys. Enjoy.
(ominous trance-like music)
(singer vocalizing)
(woman chanting)
(woman chanting)
(woman shouting indistinctly)
(man chanting)
Are you okay?
I felt it again, Fatou.
Are you sure?
I think it's coming back.
But you haven't felt it in 10 years.
I know.
But when I saw them pour all that stuff on his head
it's as if the Nekogbame wanted it.
You can fight it, right?
No!
I already invoked it once.
What if it comes back to possess me?
(heavy breathing)
Hey, don't talk like that, okay?
It won't come back.
(Muslim call to prayer)
(vehicle approaching)
(vehicle approaching)
(tranquil music)
(music grows ominous)
(footsteps echoing)
(tranquil music resumes)
Okay, thank you very much.
See you in a bit.
(in French) Hi, how can I help you?
Sorry, I'm a tourist, I don't speak French
I'm sorry. How can I help you?
I would like to change $2,000.
$2,000, okay.
(short laugh)
Is that the best rate you can do?
It's the best. Trust me.
(opening bag)
Okay.
(tranquil music)
Thank you.
I would also like to change a larger sum.
Like, how much?
$20,000.
$20,000? Wait here, please.
Would you like, please, to
go inside the office (indistinct)?
Sure.
Okay, let's go.
(papers rustling)
Well
you want to change $20,000?
Yes, that is correct.
Okay.
Well, I don't have it with me here.
I thought as much.
I have it in the hotel.
Where are you living?
I'm staying at Hotel de Lom.
Hotel de Lom?
A big woman like you,
I'm thinking Radisson!
Big hotels, big robberies. (laughing)
They don't think to steal from a small hotel.
Smart lady. (laughing)
You are a very smart lady.
And when do you need it?
I need it today.
Today at what time?
Would 5:00 p.m. be okay?
At 5:00? Okay.
See you at 5:00.
See you at 5:00.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
(footsteps retreating)
(ominous drums)
- Good evening.
- Hello, ma'am.
- Yes?
- We're here for the laundry.
We're Osso & Sisters company.
We were contacted by your manager.
Okay. One second.
Hello, sir?
Uh, two ladies are here from Osso & Sisters.
Oh. Okay, sir.
(phone clicking)
All set. You can go upstairs.
He'll meet you on the second floor.
- All right, ma'am. Thanks very much.
- No problem.
(valet cart rolling)
(elevator doors opening)
(suspenseful music)
- Good evening, ma'am.
- Good evening, sir.
- How are you?
- I'm great.
I'm here to see Ms. Jennifer.
Ah, all right, one moment.
(phone dialing)
Your name, please?
Mr. Abdul-Wakil.
Hello, ma'am.
Uh, Mr. Abdul-Wakil is here.
Okay, thank you.
(phone clicks)
All set, you can go up.
- Thank you, that's very kind.
- My pleasure.
(suspenseful music)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
- Hi.
- Hi.
- You're doing well?
- Yeah.
- Which floor are you going to?
- The sixth.
The sixth? Me too.
(elevator doors close)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
(doorbell rings twice)
(door unlatches and opens)
Hi. Please, come.
(door closes) Welcome.
Thank you.
- I hope it wasn't too hard to find.
- Oh, not that hard.
Wonderful. Please have a seat.
Thanks.
Would you like some tea?
Of course, yes
(footsteps on tiles)
(teacup and saucer clinking)
(teapot clinking)
(creamer clinking)
(spoon clinking in teacup)
(teacup and saucer clinking)
- Any sugar?
- Oh, no sugar, please.
Here you are. (doorbell rings twice)
One moment please.
(ominous music intensifies)
Good-bye.
Good-bye, ma'am.
Roseline.
How are you?
(van squealing)
Why do you look surprised?
Obviously, weren't you guys fired?
No? Not at all.
But he told me he fired you.
No one said anything to us call him.
(phone clicking)
(dial tone)
He's not answering.
Well then, take me to his office.
He still owes us money.
And if he wants to fire us, he should do it to our faces.
(footsteps on tile)
(knocking on door) (muffled grunting)
(door creaks open) (grunting grows louder)
Oh no!
Who did this to you?
(calm music)
(vehicle approaching)
(birds chirping)
(car door closing)
(sea waves crashing)
(car door opening)
Fatou. How's it going?
Not bad.
- Why is there no Togo license plate?
- Don't worry.
There's a cop that's gonna let you cross.
Okay.
They won't find me, or the drugs.
They need to drink water.
Huh, St. Giselle!
Fattening the lamb for the slaughter, eh?
(laughter)
The bag, please.
(car door opening)
(sea waves crashing)
This one joined the army illegally five years ago.
She was there for three years
and the general helped her
disappear when she was found out.
They were sleeping together.
I don't know
Ah!
Soumare's baby!
(laughing) Yes.
- Yes.
From what I heard, uh
let's say she's disappeared.
No one's seen her
since the drugs disappeared.
(papers rustling)
Let's find her.
She'll lead us to Konan.
I have a feeling she's dangerous.
They are all dangerous.
Ex-military!
This one works with Konan
so, she's a drug trafficker.
- But her, her...
- Ah.
This one's not an issue, uh
After the attack on Adjameh
and the death of their pimp, Eagle,
she became a nurse.
I don't understand why
they would steal from Soumare.
Money!
Bravo.
(sighing) But
explain to me
why would they kidnap a pastor?
Uh to pray for their sins.
(laughing)
I don't know what they're cooking up
but it smells fishy.
Yeah.
(dramatic music)
Are you sure the car is up to the trip?
Yes, it's a solid one.
But, I need to tell you something, Fatou.
- What?
- The guy in the trunk
- You're taking a risk.
- What's the problem?
Yeah. I have enough connections
in the Francophone countries.
- Okay?
- But Ghana is Anglophone.
So I don't have enough connections.
- Okay.
- The border, customs, police.
So I'd rather you take the northern route.
There are bandits there, criminals.
Police don't frequent that zone much.
You can pass without much risk.
Sure, I'll take your advice, no problem.
- All right? We'll go now.
- Okay.
- (car starting)
- Thank you.
- Safe travels.
- Thank you.
If you have any issues try to contact me.
Will do! Let's go.
Ciao.
(car door closing) (vehicle driving away)
Bakare!
Yeah, group, all set.
How's it going?
Wanna make some money?
(laughing) What are you talking about?
- You're sure you wanna make money?
- Obviously! Why are you asking?
Aren't you tired of living like this?
You see how Kotoko uses us?
We do all his dirty work and what does he give us?
Crumbs! Aren't you fed up?
Why can't we play both sides?
- You see those three girls?
- Yeah.
They're wanted by the police.
There's a reward of 10 million on their heads.
10 million, I said.
- 10 million, you said?
10 million, I swear.
- Wow!
- He forgot I overhead their conversation.
He told them to take the northern route.
I have some guys up that way.
We can set an ambush for them. We grab them.
We bring them back to Cte d'Ivoire.
We let the Ivorian police know.
We take our cash and we're golden.
The 10 million is ours!
Are you in, bro?
Yeah, bro, that works!
- You're sure?
- Why not!
That's my guy!
(ominous music)
(singer vocalizing)
That way is wrong.
- This way.
(dramatic music)
(motorcycles revving)
(motorcycles revving)
(drumbeats)
(yelling) Go, go, go!
(motorcycles roaring)
Shit!
That was close!
Pass me the rifle!
(brakes squealing)
(screaming)
(gunshot)
(motorcycles revving)
(screaming)
Shit!
(gun cocking)
(brakes squealing)
(indistinct chat)
Take it back!
(dramatic music)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(motorcycles roaring)
(brakes squealing)
(gunshot)
(screaming) Die, motherfucker!!!
(screaming)
(screaming)
(motorcycles revving)
- (gunshot)
- Nooo!!!
(screaming)
(suspenseful music)
(crying)
(guns cocking)
(gunshot)
(indistinct chat)
(aggressive grunting)
(gunshots)
(gunshots)
(gunshots)
(suspenseful music intensifies)
(gunshots)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(car starting)
(gunshot)
(car revving)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(car gathering speed)
(car impacting gunman)
(motorcycles revving)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(guttural screaming)
(dramatic music)
(guttural screaming)
(crying)
(dramatic music)
(spitting)
(dramatic music intensifies)
(rifle clattering)
Girls,
I need to say this
and say it quick.
(sharp inhale)
- I think the Nekogbame...
- Ah, G, G, G, G, G, stop!
Just stop
(in French) All this rage,
I don't think I can hold it back for long.
(wavering voice) A-and I might become a danger to you.
- What's wrong with you...
- And you need to promise me
I'm worried! I'm worried it's coming back.
And when it does
- No, no, no, are you crazy?
- G, don't!
(in high-pitched voice) I can't hold it back!
I can't hold it back much longer.
- You need...
- Need what?! Don't even say it!
(in choked voice) You need to let me go.
(in French) Stop talking like that.
G, just calm down.
You are our sister!
(screaming in French) Then promise me!
(calmly, in English) Promise me that if it comes back,
and I'm a danger to any of you guys
(in French) No. No. Never!
Do you hear me?! Never!
G!
Listen.
Put the gun down. Giselle?
- G, put the gun down!
- Giselle!
(gasping for air)
- Giselle?
- Do it now!
- Giselle!
- (gasping)
- Giselle!
- (exasperated cry)
- (Giselle screaming)
- (Giselle gasping)
- Breathe!
- Breathe! Breathe!
- Giselle! Breathe!
- Breathe.
- Open your eyes.
Open your eyes, open your eyes.
Open your eyes, damn it.
Are we there yet?
- Yes, we're there.
- Breathe.
(texting keyboard sounds)
(message sent sound)
Do I have your word?
Yes! Yes, yes, yes.
Now show us!
Okay...
(small scream)
(birds chirping)
(phone dialing)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
- Where are you?
- I'm at the park.
Can you talk privately?
Yes, yes.
Any chance you've seen Kotoko near the park?
No, calls aren't going through to his line.
I even tried reaching him for a customer.
Is everything alright?
No, it's fine.
I can't say much right now, but
I'm handling things.
I just needed to talk to him urgently.
Listen
as soon as you see him
tell him plans have changed.
He'll understand
(crows cawing)
(car door opens)
(car door slams shut, engine starts)
(car door opens)
(car door shuts)
(car driving away)
(birds chirping)
(low hum of motorboat)
(jungle sounds)
(jungle sounds grow louder)
(jungle sounds continue, then fade out)
(talking in low voices)
The IT guy finally traced the owner of that phone.
We last located it online 24 hours ago.
- Where?
- The outskirts of Bassam.
The outskirts of Bassam?
But that's a ghost town.
We'll know soon enough.
Let's get them out of their hiding spot.
Let's go.
Officer!
(footsteps approaching)
(sighing)
(exhaling)
Ah.
- They're all tied up?
- Yes.
Zadi, what's the word out?
I think the police are still searching
but they still don't know where we are.
But that might change.
The housekeeper slipped my watch
and called the police.
Fred promised her some money
I'm sorry.
Mm-mm, I don't blame you.
I blame this crackhead here.
(in French) And you, for once in your life,
you can't be nice?
Can't you see I'm injured?
No.
Fatou, how is your arm?
As you can see, shitty.
Can you shoot?
Obviously.
Then, let's go.
Never had I imagined
that the girls' promise
to make these men pay
would come true.
The joke had become a terrifying reality.
(door opening abruptly)
(gunshot)
In that moment
I knew things were about to get wild.
I want you all to listen
very carefully.
You probably have pieced together
this entire situation.
And we want to apologize
for keeping you in the dark all this while.
You might think that we're all crazy
because we dragged you across six borders
to bring you right back to the place
where you sold us years ago.
We only wanted to find out why.
(frantically) Why!
(calmly) Why.
(desperately) Why!
It didn't make sense to us then,
and it doesn't make sense to us now.
We're going to ask questions.
(menacingly) And if you lie
you die!
And if we are honest?
(in French) In that case
the truth shall set you free, Pastor Fred.
(sigh)
G, you're up.
(gunshot)
(gasps and screams)
G!
(in French) I never had any questions for him.
All my questions were for my grandmother.
But she's dead, so
You girls talk too much.
Just get on with it, please
(sighing)
You'll catch flies with your
mouth open like that, Mama Janice.
Fred.
Did you ever really love me?
All this time
I assumed that the reason why
no one hears screams from Fatouma's room
was because
she was a tough cookie, you know,
the type of woman that doesn't break.
That day
that day
when she stood in front of Fred
asking him if he ever loved her,
I realized that she loved him.
She loved him.
All the sneaking out of the house
she went probably to look for him
because she loved him.
So what did Fred say?
No.
The answer is?
No.
I never loved you.
I'm sorry I lied to you!
Please, forgive me, Fatouma!
You should have lied to me.
(gunshot echoing)
(gun clattering on the floor)
(police sirens approaching)
Let's go, we're almost there!
(brakes squealing)
(police sirens)
What madness is this?
You've killed two men!
And now I'm about to kill the third.
What do you want?
Obviously not money.
(swallowing in fear)
If I'm honest do I live?
Huh?
Esosa we don't have time!
Why did you rape me?
Because I'm an animal.
And I've always wanted to touch you
since you grew breasts. (laughing)
(chains clanging)
(yelling in French) Bastard!
It's disgusting how much I hate you!
There will be another day for justice, animal.
Where is Tobe?
Girls, I hear gunshots outside,
the police are here, please.
Kill him so we can leave!
Good-bye.
Wait. Wait, wait!
Girls, we need to leave!
(labored breathing)
(two gunshots)
(crying in pain)
(screaming) Where is my brother?!
He lives with me!
He's my boy! (laughing)
I have raised him! I have raised... shut up!
I have raised him to be just like me!
Finish this, we have to leave!
Let me go! Hm?
Tobe needs a father figure!
(Esosa whimpering)
Esosa! Your brother will be fine!
He will be fine! He will!
(gunshot)
(sirens in the distance) Go. Go! Go, now! Go!
I know the whole world has
been screaming for their head
but maybe, just maybe,
this would help put things in perspective.
Look, you may not like what I'm about to say,
there is always the option of the law, you know.
Fucking shit.
Fuck the law.
And no, don't pardon my language.
Justice is slow.
And corrupt.
You sound a little tired.
I'm not tired.
You held me in this place till now.
I'm not tired. I'm just pissed.
It's been a year now.
No one has heard anything.
No one?
Not even you.
They just disappeared and didn't tell you.
Not going to be the first time
I've been away from them.
So till now,
you haven't learned a thing about me?
Even if I knew
You're not telling.
Look, the police held you for months
but they let you go because they had no proof.
Well, you have it all now.
You can use it the way you want it.
But please,
give me some time to enjoy your money, hm?
(laughing) Don't worry.
You have no use to me behind bars.
I knew you would say so.
(footsteps retreating)
It was nice meeting you.
I hope your girls find their peace.
Me too.
They found the car,
but they didn't find them.
(sniffling)
I think that's good, right?
(suspenseful music)
(singer vocalizing)
G!
(indistinct mumbling)
Giselle!
(screaming) Giselle!!! Giselle!
(screaming) Giselle! Giselle!
(screaming)
(car crashing off cliff)
(glass shattering)
(girl screaming)
(car rolling over rocks)
(ominous music)
(car crashing)
(ominous music)
(ominous music intensifies)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(footsteps retreating)
(car door opening)
(car door shuts)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(slow drumbeat begins)
(dramatic music)
(in French) They advance slowly
as if they feel something is off
but it's too late.
The desert has a way of fooling people
making them think they are alone.
Always.
Idiots!
They think they're safe
because they can't see us.
Always the same mistake.
They don't know what's waiting ahead.
All this empty land, all this dust
is just a graveyard waiting to be filled.
Do you hear that?
That rumbling, means they're approaching.
Too close to escape now.
They'll be nothing but dust when we're done with them.
They won't even know what hit them.
Let's welcome our guests to hell.
(footsteps on rock)
(suspenseful music)
(motorcycles revving)
(epic music continues)
(motorcycles roaring)
(screaming) Go, move!!! Go, drive!!! Straight!!!
They're behind! Oh my God!
Drive faster!
Turn, turn, turn, turn!!!
Pass me the rifle.
Pass me the rifle!
(motorcycle brakes squealing)
(gunshot)
(screaming) Die, motherfucker!!!
(gunshot)
(drums)
(dramatic music continues)
(in Fon language) Push. Push. Push. Push. Push.
Push! Push!
(woman straining and crying)
- Mama!
- Hmm?
- I'm scared.
- Don't be, it's going to be okay.
- I don't want to lose this one too.
- No, you won't.
(in Fon language) Push. Push. Push. Push. Push. Push.
Push, push!
(woman straining)
Push! Push!
(in Fon language) Push, push, push, push.
(newborn crying)
(newborn crying)
(woman panting) Praise God.
(placenta splashing in water)
(city traffic)
(footsteps echoing in hallway)
(in French) You're gonna touch my breasts like that.
Huh, I must warn you, they're
not as firm as they used to be.
It's show time. Are we ready?
Wilfred is afraid of touching my breasts.
(man laughing)
Give it to her.
(in French) Put it here for me.
It's okay, give it to her.
(in French) The microphone!
So, why did you choose this place?
Oh, you said you wanted it
away from the prying eyes of the police
so thought I'd get this place.
It's discreet.
So, first of all
let me remind you of the rules.
- (in French) You can't...
- (in English) I know, I know. I know.
I can't speak of the interview
without your consent
because it's an exclusive.
Fine by me.
Now first
let me thank you for doing this.
Why are you thanking me?
You are paying me.
I was reading your article about them.
Rubbish!
We write what we know.
You don't know shit,
not about my girls
and certainly not about me.
Well everybody knows they did it.
So now I'm paying you to tell me why.
(singer vocalizing)
(girls cheering)
Fatouma! Fatouma!
Fatouma!
(in French) Lou, how's it going?
It's going well, pastor.
- How did the rehearsal go?
- Good.
- You're a great alto singer.
- Thanks, Pastor Fred.
I think you'll be amazing in this choir.
You just have to stop getting to rehearsal late.
- Well, actually...
- Yes, I know, football practice.
You need to give it up.
Football is my first love.
What do you know about love?
I left Mali to come play football here.
All I know is I love it that much.
Have you ever loved a person that much?
I'm too young for that, no?
(Pastor Fred laughs)
Lou, I hope you'll be at the next rehearsal.
- Yes.
- All right, go on.
I've found you a taxi.
- Yes.
- He hasn't stopped yet.
See you, girls.
(car door opens)
Reports indicate an explosion
at the Ikeja Military Cantonment...
- Good-bye.
People around the Ikeja Cantonment
and the around people,
don't panic, stay home.
It is a question of accident
not a military invasion.
The government has reported to me
I have already deliberated with them.
What we need to do
is provide relief
provide immediate attention
connect children that are dispersed
to their parents
provide food for those who
are scattered from their homes
because their homes are being...
Why are you struggling with that boot?
Let me help you.
(children playing)
(car door closing)
(children playing)
(car door closing)
(car keys jingling)
(man sighing)
Why are you crying?
Hmm? Don't you know you're fine, girl?
Fine girls don't cry, oh. Hmm?
I will miss Tobe.
You will miss Tobe.
That's normal. He's your brother.
But listen.
When you get to Lagos
you'll become a big Lagos girl,
big sugar mama, eh.
You gon' make money, eh, make plenty moola
to take care of your brother Tobe. Eh?
Okay?
That's my girl.
(short laugh)
(in Edo language) Uncle?
Thank you!
You no eat breakfast this morning,
eh, you thank me,
for which thing, ha?
For helping me come out of this ghetto now
so I can start a new life
to take care of Tobe.
Hopefully I'll be able to take him out of here too.
And I promise I'll repay you.
(short laugh)
Don't worry about that, eh.
Don't worry your pretty little head about that, eh.
You get some rest.
It's going to be a long journey.
(lighter clicking)
(car starting)
(engine revving)
(cicadas chirping)
(footsteps approaching on gravel)
(in French) What are you doing here? Everyone's asleep.
I have good news!
Oh yeah? What?
Remember the football coach I told you about?
- Mhm.
- He's leaving for Paris!
He's taking you with him! (muffled scream)
Shh! They'll hear you if you scream!
There's not enough room for everyone.
- So, when do we leave?
- Tonight.
- What?
- Yes, right now!
But we have a football match tomorrow...
We have to leave now!
- Then I need to tell Coach Musa.
- No, no, no, no, no!
He won't let you go.
But he's my coach. And Lou is sleeping.
You can call Lou in Paris.
Fred. My coach.
A coach who made you come from Mali
and still hasn't enrolled you in a football camp?
Look at me.
I'm about to change your life.
Do you trust me?
(music playing)
Many have crossed this barren land
chasing salvation on other side
never knowing what waits.
The sun scorches their backs
but the real heat comes later
at the destination they can't yet see.
(dramatic music)
Back then, the streets were burning
Coups. Protest.
Soldiers on every corner.
The world was at war.
But here, it was chaos.
For the girls
the chaos outside was nothing
compared to the prison
they were being driven into.
Bankole.
Huh. One of Eagle's most trusted drivers.
Had made this journey countless times
from Nigeria, through Niger
then onto Burkina Faso
all the way to Cte d'Ivoire.
It was always the same
and the same promise of something far worse
waiting at the end of the line.
But, men like Bankole knew the game.
A little money exchanged
and the trucks kept rolling.
He had smuggled everything in these trucks
from drugs, livestock, to guns and diamonds.
Girls?
Huh, they were just another shipment.
For goods only.
(men yelling)
(yelling and commotion)
(truck door slams)
(yelling grows more frantic)
(girls whimpering)
(in French) All set.
Let's go!
Eagle ruled this place
like a queen running her empire
with iron fists and cold deals.
She buys and sold these girls
to the highest bidder.
Yet in her eyes, this wasn't slavery, oh no.
She called it 'salvation'.
Ah.
(man grunts)
Uncle, please.
Please, sir.
(crying)
I no please stay here, I beg!
Take me back!
Hmm? What's wrong with the people here?
Hmm? Have they got two heads? Hmm?
Please, Uncle, please!
(crying)
If I had not seen my mama and my papa die
you couldn't have taken me
and follow finish my life like this.
Uncle Bankole, please, I beg.
Uncle Bankole!
I dear god beg you, I beg! I beg!
Take me back!
I have to take care of my brother!
Please!
Your brother? Who be that?
Tobe, now!
Tobe.
(sad music)
I don't even know who that is.
I don't know who you are.
This is the first and the last time
you will ever see or hear from me.
(in French) I want to go home.
Where is home?
You can't go back to Mali.
Your parents have too many mouth to feed.
Listen!
I'll still take you to Paris
if you stay here for a few months
and make some money.
- I'll...
- No. Please.
I don't want to stay here.
Fatouma, listen.
You can't leave.
I'll come back for you two months.
When?
In one month. I promise you.
If you go out, she'll send her men
and they'll rape you!
Is that what you want?
(girl sniffs)
Don't cry.
I'll take care of you.
(sad music)
"Eagle" never wore their scars.
She didn't have to endure what they did
night after night.
How about Giselle?
She always seemed different from the others.
(in French) Please.
- Was it the same for her?
- I'm not going to touch you.
I mean, how did she end up in Serpent Street?
She wasn't just taken.
She was sold!
Betrayed by her own grandmother
to pay her son's debt.
But Giselle she had something else inside her
something powerful, something dark
something none of us could ever fully understand.
We'll come back to Giselle's story in time.
For now all you need to know
is that she survived.
(Muslim call to prayer)
(Muslim call to prayer)
(in French) Get a rag.
Huh?
Get a rag and wrap it around your arm.
Then you'll be able to climb.
It's useless though
since she owns the other side of the wall.
I don't understand.
(in French) I said, get a rag
wrap it around your hand.
I don't understand.
Are you trying to escape?
(in French) Didn't you try to run away two days ago?
You saw how it went.
Go on. Climb!
Climb!
She never climbed that wall.
She kept falling.
But she never stopped trying
and that scared me.
(in French) Stop, you're starting to piss me off
and I'm gonna end up hurting you
and then you'll be useless to both of us.
Got it?
(ominous music)
There is a ladder in Serpent Street.
You start off as travelers.
This is a bottom barrel job.
You screw construction workers,
security men, anyone who works the night
and needs company.
It's one of those trips
that brought these girls together.
(girls singing loudly in French)
(girls continue singing)
(in French) The Iron Lady.
(woman laughs)
They say that she didn't cry when
they tried to "rape" her.
(women laughing)
She must have enjoyed it.
(women laughing)
(women talking over each other)
Wow.
(women talking and laughing)
(women laughing)
(mockingly in French) Poor baby, why are you crying?
Do your legs hurt?
Or is it boiling in your panties?
(women laughing loudly)
- (weakly) Leave me alone.
- And if I refuse?
Leave her alone!
(women booing) Is that our English speaker?
Learn to speak French before opening your mouth.
Until then, go back to your seat.
(women cheering)
You want it.
- Leave them alone.
- Why?
(shocked gasps and laughter)
Ha, now she doesn't want to talk.
(women talking over each other)
- Let's go, Iron Lady!
- Iron Lady!
(women talking over each other)
Are you okay?
After the mess on the bus
Eagle made them sleep outside
for three nights.
That's when we became friends.
The girls don't belong there.
Some of us did.
I know I did.
So you knew?
It was a school or the hood.
For me, the hood
and I had a pretty good run
before the girls came
and they just took over.
They run the streets.
- You sound like a fan.
- I am!
So, I take it that you
you took them under your wings.
Ya sure, ya sure.
But not for so long. You know
Girls like that, they were made to fly.
Next thing you knew
they were no longer travelers.
They joined us on Serpent Street.
They choose their own men.
We spent time together.
During the day, Esosa was learning French
while we were learning English.
And at night, we worked.
And every other lady on Serpent Street hissed,
green with envy.
(in French) Green with envy!
Tell me about Giselle, how did she fit in,
considering where she came from?
How about the spiritual part of her?
I'm really curious.
The few years she lived with her grandmother,
that one avoided her so bad.
- Because of Nekogbame?
- (whispering) Yeah.
And I'm not kidding
The first time I saw this thing take over Giselle
- (dog barking)
- I was terrified.
(barking continues)
(ominous music begins)
(ominous music escalates)
(high-pitched scream)
(scream cuts out abruptly)
(ominous music escalates)
(loud gasping for air)
(gasping slows gradually)
Didn't that mean trouble for you too?
She's our friend.
And honestly, this thing never returned.
- Never?
- Never.
I have heard things about it
but it's not forever.
And Giselle rode her luck.
It went well for us, so.
(in French) All right, listen,
My advice, forget the police.
Join the army and become a sniper.
Then we can kill your uncle, Mr. Fred, and Abdul-Wakil.
Fatou, shut up, eh!
Killing, killing, killing, that's all you talk about.
C'mone, really?
Why not?
Beauty and revenge can go together.
And if you want my opinion, it's sweeter.
(imitates gunshot sound) (girls giggle)
At first, I didn't take them seriously.
I mean, why would I?
Many girls are forced to work for Eagle.
They were not the first.
But I guess
there's no telling how tasty a cold dish can be
when you've been starving.
So, how did you get involved with it?
The girls and I, we lost touch for a while
(thunder rumbling)
It's raining.
That reminds me
Remember the military raid in Marcoury?
Operation Appo?
- Appo 13.
- That one.
They thought we were causing more harm
than their rotten fools
stealing money in their cabinet.
So they raided our zone.
We run for our lives.
Eagle was killed in that raid.
I went back to my village.
I didn't know where the girls went.
Honestly I thought I will never see them again
until
the "Honey Heist", happened.
(dramatic music)
(TV reporter in French) The
police are asking for help to find, uh
excuse my language, the pseudonym is @Kissmyass,
the owner of this YouTube video
who has since deleted their channel.
The police are asking the public to share.
More news on the celebration of World Ocean Day
and anti-demonic measures...
Good morning, chief.
Where did your team go?
They're on daytime patrol.
- Oh?
- Mhm.
- Is everything okay?
- Yeah.
When I leave home in the morning
I think about really nice things
like going home and eating my wife's cooking. Twice.
Not coming here and waiting
for fucking Soumare to want me to chase a honey truck.
As if we're at his service.
In my next life
I'll never work for politicians.
Next life?
I'll rather I, myself, be a politician.
Ah, okay. So it's an issue of benefits.
- (laughs)
- Not yours.
Good morning, chief.
Hey, boss!
We all know, there's no honey in that truck
Ah, so he thinks we're idiots.
Locally processed honey?
Ha, ridiculous. Bullshit!
I'm sure it's drugs.
That's why he's desperate.
(speaking foreign language)
What do we do?
First we'll find the idiot
who filmed that video and put it on YouTube.
- That's what we'll do.
- Okay. Thank you, boss.
(footsteps approaching)
You finally showed up.
I was busy cleaning up your mess.
Where is he?
He's dead.
He said he put the video on YouTube
because he thought it was cool.
Good thing he didn't follow us.
But anyway, you know all that.
Soumare surely told his friends, and the police.
And I think for the next while I'll make myself scarce.
You guys should get out of town.
Okay.
Listen,
I'm going to Paris. Wanna come?
Paris? (laughing) Paris is for lovers.
Me, I'm a warrior. (laughing)
(dramatic music)
(wrenches clinking)
(wrenches clinking)
(in French) Where were you?
I went to town to get parts for the vintage car.
You think that thing will run someday?
Have you ever seen me fail? Eh?
Yes. Right now.
(dolly scraping on floor)
Girls
You know very well it's hard
to fix this type of machine.
You know cars aren't easy.
I don't give a shit what's in there.
Have you not seen the news? What the hell?
(in French) What's wrong with her?
Soumare's truck.
You're being reckless.
Look, we don't get in the way of your drug shit
But this? This is gonna cost us.
- (in French) How?
- How?
You think your Sugar Daddy is stupid?
(laughing) Yeah, he's really stupid.
You think this is funny?
Relax, General.
This just means we need to speed things up.
Before the police (imitates sound of handcuffs)
Eh?
Go home, Grandma.
You won't be able even if you try.
(laughing)
(laughing) You still haven't heard from them?
What's your problem? Why do you care?
I don't care, I just want to be sure they're dead.
Especially the witch. (laughing)
Shut the fuck up.
And time to get back to work.
How much do you have?
I don't want you.
Oh yeah?
Go get the lady sitting over there.
The old one?
She's not fuckable.
I never said it was to fuck her.
Just call her over here.
Go get her yourself.
(car horn honking nearby)
(man honks car horn)
(man honks again)
Old but gold.
Fine wine gets better with age.
(car keys jingling)
(in French) French or English?
French or English?
I speak French.
So
where do you want me to take you?
You should ask where I'm taking you.
Hmm?
Money first.
Don't worry about your money.
(club music playing on car radio)
Tell me, the drive
is it going to take a while?
You're not a chatty one.
(club music continues in foreground)
(music fades out)
Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir!
My brother, please, look, listen!
(woman panting, breathlessly)
Even if you have to kill me,
no one in my family will come looking for me.
But please, my breasts,
you can't cut them off, please.
(laughing) I would have kept those breasts too.
Esosa!
Giselle!
Get out of my way!
Esosa! Giselle!
Oh, my girls, my girls, my girls!
(exclamations of joy)
Look at me, girls!
Janice, ah, I can't believe it!
Come here!
(laughing)
Girls, what are you both up to?
Well, we put on engines for a living.
Nuh-uh, don't tell me you are
no longer in touch with Fatouma!
She's in the bathroom.
- That crazy girl.
- She can't wait to see you.
(laughing)
She's been screaming about wanting to jump on you too.
That crazy girl.
I'm sure she came up with the idea
of sending this silly guy
to just scare me.
But guess what?
I'm too Janice
to be scared of that little rat.
(laughing)
All right, I'll walk you to your room
so you can shower and you can freshen up.
Whoo, what a living!
(sigh of contentment)
(in French) It feels good to take a shower.
It's about time, you stunk of Zone 4.
Hey, shut it, Fatouma.
Okay, girls, you need to tell your Zadi
that I'm not afraid of them.
Of him.
You don't need to be afraid of him.
(gentle guitar music)
Do you want anything to eat or drink?
What what is this?
What is this?
You know what it is.
G!
Okay, girls, come on.
What
what are you up to?
- I thought...
- We'd forgotten?
That we'd be married with a couple kids?
And we'd have forgotten those bastards?
Well, there's been no time for marriage. Or kids.
But you had time to keep this in your hearts?
It's not about time.
It's about reason.
And there's three of them.
Esosa!
Kill?
- It's been 17 years...
- And it's still fresh!
Do you know, two weeks ago
they intercepted a truck from Lagos
bringing in girls.
Yeah, I heard about it
I wish they intercepted my truck
17 years ago.
That sparked something in us:
Revenge!
We bring them here
To kill them!
I told you:
this girl is too diplomatic.
It pisses me off!
You are not murderers!
(laughs)
All I've ever wanted
was to own a salon,
make a little bit of money
and take care of my little brother
like I promised my late mother.
But I don't even know what he looks like.
I don't even know where he is.
Yet, my uncle, hmm?
He sleeps soundly at night!
Janice!
It's not okay.
It's not okay.
(in French) The point is, I'll never be at peace
until these men are dead,
until we've stopped them from
destroying other girls' dreams!
They must pay.
But you can't eliminate them!
That's true,
but when we're done,
there will be three less bastards on this planet!
All right, okay.
Why did you bring me here? Huh?
Because we trust you.
And we know things can
and probably will, get complicated.
And because we'll need someone
to cover our backs when we've left.
(sarcastically) And we need someone to tell our story.
What's with these dramatic expressions?
You think this is a game?
We're talking about a kidnapping!
(slow, sad music)
I guess I'm here to watch them
when you bring them in, right?
Okay, okay, okay.
That works.
I like to feel important.
(hip-hop music)
Gasoline to my fire, rhythm to my melody
Object of my desire, did you put a spell on me?
(car engine starting) and it's moving all over me
(singer vocalizing)
I'm under your lock and key.
(car drives off)
My Mr. Lover, ooh Casanova.
Love me forever and ever, oh nana.
My Mr. Lover, ooh Casanova.
Love me forever and ever.
(suspenseful music)
(car brakes squealing)
(in French) Get out. Get out of the car!
- I don't want to repeat myself, get out!
- Okay!
Get out! I won't say it again, get out!
I won't say it again, get out!
Get back!
Get back in the car!
Get back in the car!
Move! Move! Move!
Get out!
Look here, bitch! Get out of the car!
Get in.
Move!
Inside. Get inside!
(intense music)
Let's go!
Let's go!
What the fuck was that about?
Thanks for having my back.
I said tomorrow morning is Lagos!
Damn it!
(in French) We're still going to Lagos as planned.
Nothing changes.
What I wanted, is for him to be here.
Now that he's here, it's all good.
Bullshit.
Esosa was very angry.
And with good reasons too.
Her anger was tempered by discipline
forged in the fires of her military training.
Back in the days
(rifle being loaded)
when the girls left the Barbie Camp
and Serpent Street ended
they morphed into bigger players in the game.
They became escorts,
mingling with politicians,
musicians,
and athletes.
Esosa met a general,
a man who adored her.
He often took her to a secured island
with an abandoned airplane on the beach,
a place that became their secret haven.
One day,
she asked him to help her join the military.
- The general pulled some strings,
- (alarm sounding)
but her stay was brief
due to her false identity.
(machine gun firing)
Yet, she gained a valuable training,
escaping just in time
to carry that strength with her.
(water rushing)
Fatouma's path intertwined with the general
through Esosa
during one of his requests for a threesome.
Impressed with her fluency in French
and her sharp mind
the general brought her into his secret operations
training her in the world of drug smuggling.
With her love for playing the tough cookie
quickly rose to handling logistics
for the general,
learning the smuggling routes
and making powerful contacts
along the borders.
As for Giselle, she was the wild card.
With a mystic touch
from her spirit battles,
her journey gave her an edge
that none of us fully understood
but always respected.
Together they became an unstoppable force.
And me? Ha.
When I moved into their mansion,
- (car squealing)
- I became an accomplice
watching over Pastor Fred,
ensuring the girls could carry out their mission.
(Drumbeat echoing)
Have you found my truck?
Unfortunately, no.
Then why have you come to bother me?
We tried to find someone
with a link to the YouTube guy
but so far nothing.
And his family?
They just buried their son, so
they don't want to talk to us.
I don't give a shit.
I have over 100 kilos of cocaine in that truck.
Someone must know where it is.
I mean
Did anyone else know the honey truck's itinerary?
No.
I keep my business tidy, you know that.
You're sure no one else knew?
Absolutely.
Well, the only person who was
with me that evening was my
my escort,
but she was sleeping.
What?
She's a charming lady!
I
I think we might need to question this charming lady.
I don't want you to embarrass her, okay?
Listen, we won't make it stressful,
just a quick meeting, that's all.
(birds chirping)
No comment.
(birds chirping)
Where does she live?
In an apartment I bought her.
But, what are you suggesting?
Listen, we won't make it stressful,
just a quick meeting, that's all.
Do you have a picture of her?
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
She's a charming lady.
(hip-hop music starting)
Tryna live la vida loca
no thinking, no consideration for tomorrow
I know when to recalculate, bring the 42
Pull it up, pull it up, til it
feels like I just might fall over
But I stand fit, tough, go on
(car engine shutting off)
(car door opening)
(traffic sounds in distance)
(car door shutting)
(footsteps on pavement)
- Good morning, Ma.
- Good morning.
- Welcome.
- I'll like to buy 20 engines.
20 engines. Please come in, Ma. Come in.
Hey, I have to say,
you're a very beautiful woman.
I hope you don't mind me complimenting you like this.
A beautiful woman like you
don't need to come to market
in this early morning.
You know we do deliveries?
Have you seen our banner?
Banky & Sons immediate delivery.
So my boy tells me you want 20 engines.
- Yes.
- Ah.
Would that be a problem?
Problem? Problem?
Have you seen our banner?
It's not a problem
We deliver it for you, we deliver it for you.
But, uh, are you ready now with the...
No.
But I can come back tomorrow morning.
Is this something you could arrange?
Arrange it? Of course we can arrange it
Madam,
come here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow
and if it's not ready, you can go to another shop
- I can guarantee you that.
- (Laughing)
You are welcome.
(engine running)
(dramatic music)
(children playing)
(car approaching)
(suspenseful music)
(car door slamming)
(suspenseful music)
(children playing)
(door opening)
(door shutting)
How was it?
Well
(sigh) Okay.
He said the engines will be ready tomorrow.
But knowing him,
he'll probably deliver earlier.
We'll be ready.
(demonic gasping)
(labored inhaling)
Giselle, are you okay?
(ominous music)
(brief exhale)
Hey!
(labored inhale)
(labored inhale)
Are you okay?
It must be fatigue from the trip.
You know Lagos traffic is literal hell,
it must be that.
I know the call of the Nekogbame.
It's been 10 years since you felt it, so
maybe it's something else.
- Huh.
- So it must be fatigue, eh?
Yeah, maybe maybe it's just fatigue.
It's fatigue.
Breathe
(labored exhale)
(traffic noise)
She's not answering her phone.
She's not at the apartment he bought her.
And the neighbors say they haven't seen her in a while.
Yeah.
She's a goddamn lady. A charming lady.
Soumare is an idiot.
Well for that one
I'd be an idiot too.
(laughing)
Look at her breasts.
(laughing)
(cell phone vibrating and ringing)
(sighs) Who is it?
Didier.
(cell phone rings)
- Didier!
- Hm.
- That stupid journalist?
- Yeah.
- I'm sure he's calling for comments.
- Exactly.
Answer!
(cell phone buzzing and ringing)
- Hello.
- Vincent.
- Didier.
- How are you my friend?
Didier, let's get to it quickly.
Okay, we don't have any more information
on Senator Soumare's honey farm truck.
- When we do, we'll be...
- I'm not calling about that.
I want to know if the police can tell us
what's happening with the
kidnap case of Pastor Fred Britto?
Look, should you have any lead
I would appreciate it
if you could keep me in the loop.
It's a it's a case of interest.
(traffic noise)
My madam!
My madam, you're welcome.
Well, that was quick.
Quick? Quick? Ah, madam, you're funny.
You don't see our banner, eh.
Our middle name is Quick-Quick.
Not Quick oh, Quick-Quick.
This is Lagos.
As long as you have the money
we can move mountains.
Rivers, will go move out. (laughing)
Whatever, no credit, I don't do credit.
But you know, my people are ready now.
All I need to do is just make one phone call
and my boys gon' load everything.
So, um, everything is all ready for you, all
I don't understand.
You don't understand.
The, uh, you know now, the
the moola, the koko, the pepe
- Oh, like cash.
- Yes, cash.
Oh, I've got cash.
- I've got raw cash.
- Aha.
In fact, it's in my car.
Let's just go and inspect it right now.
Madam, madam, madam! Why, now, ha?
Don't make it seem like I
think the money is the only thing.
I trust you, I trust you, please.
But your truck, do you have it?
Because my boys ready to load up.
Are you sure?
Ahhh, where your truck?
Well I hired a truck but it's not here yet.
So the truck is not here yet,
but the cash is inside the car.
No worry.
Since the truck is not here
and the moola is inside the car,
Madam, let's go for the pepe! (laughter)
Raw cash!
Show me the pepe, Madam.
(mumbling to himself)
Ah, no, no, no Madam, allow me, please.
I won't allow a fine, fine
woman like you to open this boot.
Impossible.
(trunk unlatching)
Oh my Lord, when I see pepe!
Madam, you know what... what?
Don't move.
I don't, I don't understand.
Just walk to the door,
open the car, and get in gently.
Madam, I don't
Just walk to the door, open the car,
and get in gently.
Don't resist
or your wife and kids will be dead.
(suspenseful music)
Animals. What's going on, huh?
What's going on?
Pass your phone.
(car door slams)
There's a gun on your wife's head right now
(yelling) so pass your fucking phone!!!
(car door slams)
(car door slams)
(suspenseful music)
Uncle Bankole?
Good morning.
Fatouma wasn't just any player.
She was General Banda's logistics controller,
the one who knew every border and back road.
Over the years,
she has built strong ties
with border gangs across the region
Her name alone
could get anything or anyone across.
(car motor running)
Fatouma was using the same networks
she built with General Banda
to smuggle these men back to Abidjan.
(child crying)
(child crying)
(motorcycle approaching)
(bag unzipping)
(car engine sputtering)
(motorcycle engine running)
(motorcycle revving)
(motorcycle driving off)
But she wasn't alone.
Kotoko, her one-legged lieutenant
ruled the smuggling routes,
feared by all.
They called him
the Crippled King of the Underworld.
Together,
there was no border too tight,
no road too risky.
(car door slamming)
Hey Kotoko!
(in French) Fatou, how goes it?
- Good, Ko.
- How goes it?
You know I don't faff around.
Okay, okay.
Hope the car didn't give you issues.
Old car, but it's a good one.
If I revamp it, you won't even recognise it.
Ah okay, Fatou, so that's how it is when I bring my car.
Take your old car! I don't even want it, take it, go ahead!
Okay, okay. Yeah.
Listen, get me three motorbikes, three.
- Okay, okay.
Hey you, get me three motorbikes.
(yelling)
Hey, move!
(grunting)
(suspenseful music)
(grunting)
(muffled grunts) (duct tape tearing)
(gun cocking)
(wind)
(metal door clanging)
(footsteps approaching)
What, am I a dog to you?
This is how you treat a man of God?
(plate slamming on tray)
Wait.
I can change your life.
You're more than this,
more than just a servant
in this cursed place.
Think about it.
I have connections, and influence
With me, you could have people serving you.
Imagine that.
Right now,
there must be a reward out
for any info on my whereabouts.
The Church, the community,
they wouldn't just let me disappear.
Call the police.
Tell them where I am.
They'll reward you generously.
And I'll double whatever they offer you.
Think about it.
This is your chance.
(metal door creaking and clanking)
(sea waves crashing)
(faucet running)
What's up with the general?
He said we have we have it for 24 hours
And he mentioned
that you know your way around security.
So it's good.
Just twenty four hours?
(in French) After all you've done for him?
C'mone Fatou, he helped her escape military school.
I think he's done more than enough.
Huh, thanks, G.
He wants to see us too?
(exasperated sigh)
You mean he wants to see Fatou.
(sarcastic laugh)
Listen
His town
his plane
his rules.
(motorcycles approaching)
(dramatic music)
(sigh of exhaustion)
I hate this place.
(short laugh)
(in French) My beautiful.
What brings all three of you to our voodoo festival?
A simple phone call from you,
and I'd have done everything to
ensure you have a pleasant stay.
Or do you have other business
in town with your girlfriends?
(short laugh)
Of course not.
It's just a vacation.
And we thought
maybe we'll meet some high-ranking festival-goers.
You never know.
(laughing)
That's what I was thinking.
In that case
I'll take the opportunity to ask you a little favor.
Bah, nothing major.
So
(chair creaking)
give me just a few minutes.
(footsteps walking away)
(latch opening)
(plastic bag being patted)
(chair rustling)
There it is.
As I said, nothing major.
Oh, don't make that face.
Kotoko will call you in few days.
He'll give you instructions for the new delivery.
Also, Soumare is looking for you.
(short laugh)
We were expecting that anyways.
Huh.
Well me, what I didn't expect,
was this delay in getting my share.
Don't worry.
Give me a few days and you'll be paid.
(ominous laughing)
Your girlfriends are waiting for you.
Here's a little something to have fun with.
And make sure you don't forget my little delivery.
In any case, you're on vacation.
And this time I hope you won't give me a reason
to come looking for you.
Don't worry.
Relax, okay?
(laughing)
(dramatic music)
You ready, G?
As long as the Nekogbame doesn't stop me,
yeah.
Was the Nekogbame even real?
Honestly, I didn't believe it until I met her.
As you can see, she carries the cross from birth.
Her parents had lost so many before her,
miscarriages, stillbirths,
they didn't even believe she would survive.
(newborn cry) But Giselle arrived a miracle.
Patrice, her father, rejoiced, finally,
but the grandmother wasn't rejoicing
She reminded him of their family's traditions
The child must be baptized in the muddy waters
to be blessed, to be protected.
But Patrice, consumed by his new faith,
refused to perform the ritual.
The grandmother warned him
"this could cost us our lives".
And in the end, it did.
From that moment,
she carried more than just the weight
of her family's history.
(water splashing and bubbling)
She carried something darker,
something not of this world.
What was growing up like for her?
When she was 13?
She went to live with her grandmother
because both her parents died.
That woman hated her so much
Was that when she met Abdul-Wakil?
She sold her to him
so he could pay his late son's debts.
(drumbeats)
(drumbeats)
(drumbeats)
More money!
Amen!
More blessings!
Amen!
More life!
Amen!
More
Amen!
(children cheering)
(drumbeats)
(woman chanting)
(music intensifies)
(whimpering) Please!
(whimpering) Please!
(crying) Please!
I'm not going to touch you.
(crying) No, please!
Go ahead, boys. Enjoy.
(ominous trance-like music)
(singer vocalizing)
(woman chanting)
(woman chanting)
(woman shouting indistinctly)
(man chanting)
Are you okay?
I felt it again, Fatou.
Are you sure?
I think it's coming back.
But you haven't felt it in 10 years.
I know.
But when I saw them pour all that stuff on his head
it's as if the Nekogbame wanted it.
You can fight it, right?
No!
I already invoked it once.
What if it comes back to possess me?
(heavy breathing)
Hey, don't talk like that, okay?
It won't come back.
(Muslim call to prayer)
(vehicle approaching)
(vehicle approaching)
(tranquil music)
(music grows ominous)
(footsteps echoing)
(tranquil music resumes)
Okay, thank you very much.
See you in a bit.
(in French) Hi, how can I help you?
Sorry, I'm a tourist, I don't speak French
I'm sorry. How can I help you?
I would like to change $2,000.
$2,000, okay.
(short laugh)
Is that the best rate you can do?
It's the best. Trust me.
(opening bag)
Okay.
(tranquil music)
Thank you.
I would also like to change a larger sum.
Like, how much?
$20,000.
$20,000? Wait here, please.
Would you like, please, to
go inside the office (indistinct)?
Sure.
Okay, let's go.
(papers rustling)
Well
you want to change $20,000?
Yes, that is correct.
Okay.
Well, I don't have it with me here.
I thought as much.
I have it in the hotel.
Where are you living?
I'm staying at Hotel de Lom.
Hotel de Lom?
A big woman like you,
I'm thinking Radisson!
Big hotels, big robberies. (laughing)
They don't think to steal from a small hotel.
Smart lady. (laughing)
You are a very smart lady.
And when do you need it?
I need it today.
Today at what time?
Would 5:00 p.m. be okay?
At 5:00? Okay.
See you at 5:00.
See you at 5:00.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
(footsteps retreating)
(ominous drums)
- Good evening.
- Hello, ma'am.
- Yes?
- We're here for the laundry.
We're Osso & Sisters company.
We were contacted by your manager.
Okay. One second.
Hello, sir?
Uh, two ladies are here from Osso & Sisters.
Oh. Okay, sir.
(phone clicking)
All set. You can go upstairs.
He'll meet you on the second floor.
- All right, ma'am. Thanks very much.
- No problem.
(valet cart rolling)
(elevator doors opening)
(suspenseful music)
- Good evening, ma'am.
- Good evening, sir.
- How are you?
- I'm great.
I'm here to see Ms. Jennifer.
Ah, all right, one moment.
(phone dialing)
Your name, please?
Mr. Abdul-Wakil.
Hello, ma'am.
Uh, Mr. Abdul-Wakil is here.
Okay, thank you.
(phone clicks)
All set, you can go up.
- Thank you, that's very kind.
- My pleasure.
(suspenseful music)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
- Hi.
- Hi.
- You're doing well?
- Yeah.
- Which floor are you going to?
- The sixth.
The sixth? Me too.
(elevator doors close)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
(doorbell rings twice)
(door unlatches and opens)
Hi. Please, come.
(door closes) Welcome.
Thank you.
- I hope it wasn't too hard to find.
- Oh, not that hard.
Wonderful. Please have a seat.
Thanks.
Would you like some tea?
Of course, yes
(footsteps on tiles)
(teacup and saucer clinking)
(teapot clinking)
(creamer clinking)
(spoon clinking in teacup)
(teacup and saucer clinking)
- Any sugar?
- Oh, no sugar, please.
Here you are. (doorbell rings twice)
One moment please.
(ominous music intensifies)
Good-bye.
Good-bye, ma'am.
Roseline.
How are you?
(van squealing)
Why do you look surprised?
Obviously, weren't you guys fired?
No? Not at all.
But he told me he fired you.
No one said anything to us call him.
(phone clicking)
(dial tone)
He's not answering.
Well then, take me to his office.
He still owes us money.
And if he wants to fire us, he should do it to our faces.
(footsteps on tile)
(knocking on door) (muffled grunting)
(door creaks open) (grunting grows louder)
Oh no!
Who did this to you?
(calm music)
(vehicle approaching)
(birds chirping)
(car door closing)
(sea waves crashing)
(car door opening)
Fatou. How's it going?
Not bad.
- Why is there no Togo license plate?
- Don't worry.
There's a cop that's gonna let you cross.
Okay.
They won't find me, or the drugs.
They need to drink water.
Huh, St. Giselle!
Fattening the lamb for the slaughter, eh?
(laughter)
The bag, please.
(car door opening)
(sea waves crashing)
This one joined the army illegally five years ago.
She was there for three years
and the general helped her
disappear when she was found out.
They were sleeping together.
I don't know
Ah!
Soumare's baby!
(laughing) Yes.
- Yes.
From what I heard, uh
let's say she's disappeared.
No one's seen her
since the drugs disappeared.
(papers rustling)
Let's find her.
She'll lead us to Konan.
I have a feeling she's dangerous.
They are all dangerous.
Ex-military!
This one works with Konan
so, she's a drug trafficker.
- But her, her...
- Ah.
This one's not an issue, uh
After the attack on Adjameh
and the death of their pimp, Eagle,
she became a nurse.
I don't understand why
they would steal from Soumare.
Money!
Bravo.
(sighing) But
explain to me
why would they kidnap a pastor?
Uh to pray for their sins.
(laughing)
I don't know what they're cooking up
but it smells fishy.
Yeah.
(dramatic music)
Are you sure the car is up to the trip?
Yes, it's a solid one.
But, I need to tell you something, Fatou.
- What?
- The guy in the trunk
- You're taking a risk.
- What's the problem?
Yeah. I have enough connections
in the Francophone countries.
- Okay?
- But Ghana is Anglophone.
So I don't have enough connections.
- Okay.
- The border, customs, police.
So I'd rather you take the northern route.
There are bandits there, criminals.
Police don't frequent that zone much.
You can pass without much risk.
Sure, I'll take your advice, no problem.
- All right? We'll go now.
- Okay.
- (car starting)
- Thank you.
- Safe travels.
- Thank you.
If you have any issues try to contact me.
Will do! Let's go.
Ciao.
(car door closing) (vehicle driving away)
Bakare!
Yeah, group, all set.
How's it going?
Wanna make some money?
(laughing) What are you talking about?
- You're sure you wanna make money?
- Obviously! Why are you asking?
Aren't you tired of living like this?
You see how Kotoko uses us?
We do all his dirty work and what does he give us?
Crumbs! Aren't you fed up?
Why can't we play both sides?
- You see those three girls?
- Yeah.
They're wanted by the police.
There's a reward of 10 million on their heads.
10 million, I said.
- 10 million, you said?
10 million, I swear.
- Wow!
- He forgot I overhead their conversation.
He told them to take the northern route.
I have some guys up that way.
We can set an ambush for them. We grab them.
We bring them back to Cte d'Ivoire.
We let the Ivorian police know.
We take our cash and we're golden.
The 10 million is ours!
Are you in, bro?
Yeah, bro, that works!
- You're sure?
- Why not!
That's my guy!
(ominous music)
(singer vocalizing)
That way is wrong.
- This way.
(dramatic music)
(motorcycles revving)
(motorcycles revving)
(drumbeats)
(yelling) Go, go, go!
(motorcycles roaring)
Shit!
That was close!
Pass me the rifle!
(brakes squealing)
(screaming)
(gunshot)
(motorcycles revving)
(screaming)
Shit!
(gun cocking)
(brakes squealing)
(indistinct chat)
Take it back!
(dramatic music)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(motorcycles roaring)
(brakes squealing)
(gunshot)
(screaming) Die, motherfucker!!!
(screaming)
(screaming)
(motorcycles revving)
- (gunshot)
- Nooo!!!
(screaming)
(suspenseful music)
(crying)
(guns cocking)
(gunshot)
(indistinct chat)
(aggressive grunting)
(gunshots)
(gunshots)
(gunshots)
(suspenseful music intensifies)
(gunshots)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(car starting)
(gunshot)
(car revving)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(car gathering speed)
(car impacting gunman)
(motorcycles revving)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(guttural screaming)
(dramatic music)
(guttural screaming)
(crying)
(dramatic music)
(spitting)
(dramatic music intensifies)
(rifle clattering)
Girls,
I need to say this
and say it quick.
(sharp inhale)
- I think the Nekogbame...
- Ah, G, G, G, G, G, stop!
Just stop
(in French) All this rage,
I don't think I can hold it back for long.
(wavering voice) A-and I might become a danger to you.
- What's wrong with you...
- And you need to promise me
I'm worried! I'm worried it's coming back.
And when it does
- No, no, no, are you crazy?
- G, don't!
(in high-pitched voice) I can't hold it back!
I can't hold it back much longer.
- You need...
- Need what?! Don't even say it!
(in choked voice) You need to let me go.
(in French) Stop talking like that.
G, just calm down.
You are our sister!
(screaming in French) Then promise me!
(calmly, in English) Promise me that if it comes back,
and I'm a danger to any of you guys
(in French) No. No. Never!
Do you hear me?! Never!
G!
Listen.
Put the gun down. Giselle?
- G, put the gun down!
- Giselle!
(gasping for air)
- Giselle?
- Do it now!
- Giselle!
- (gasping)
- Giselle!
- (exasperated cry)
- (Giselle screaming)
- (Giselle gasping)
- Breathe!
- Breathe! Breathe!
- Giselle! Breathe!
- Breathe.
- Open your eyes.
Open your eyes, open your eyes.
Open your eyes, damn it.
Are we there yet?
- Yes, we're there.
- Breathe.
(texting keyboard sounds)
(message sent sound)
Do I have your word?
Yes! Yes, yes, yes.
Now show us!
Okay...
(small scream)
(birds chirping)
(phone dialing)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
- Where are you?
- I'm at the park.
Can you talk privately?
Yes, yes.
Any chance you've seen Kotoko near the park?
No, calls aren't going through to his line.
I even tried reaching him for a customer.
Is everything alright?
No, it's fine.
I can't say much right now, but
I'm handling things.
I just needed to talk to him urgently.
Listen
as soon as you see him
tell him plans have changed.
He'll understand
(crows cawing)
(car door opens)
(car door slams shut, engine starts)
(car door opens)
(car door shuts)
(car driving away)
(birds chirping)
(low hum of motorboat)
(jungle sounds)
(jungle sounds grow louder)
(jungle sounds continue, then fade out)
(talking in low voices)
The IT guy finally traced the owner of that phone.
We last located it online 24 hours ago.
- Where?
- The outskirts of Bassam.
The outskirts of Bassam?
But that's a ghost town.
We'll know soon enough.
Let's get them out of their hiding spot.
Let's go.
Officer!
(footsteps approaching)
(sighing)
(exhaling)
Ah.
- They're all tied up?
- Yes.
Zadi, what's the word out?
I think the police are still searching
but they still don't know where we are.
But that might change.
The housekeeper slipped my watch
and called the police.
Fred promised her some money
I'm sorry.
Mm-mm, I don't blame you.
I blame this crackhead here.
(in French) And you, for once in your life,
you can't be nice?
Can't you see I'm injured?
No.
Fatou, how is your arm?
As you can see, shitty.
Can you shoot?
Obviously.
Then, let's go.
Never had I imagined
that the girls' promise
to make these men pay
would come true.
The joke had become a terrifying reality.
(door opening abruptly)
(gunshot)
In that moment
I knew things were about to get wild.
I want you all to listen
very carefully.
You probably have pieced together
this entire situation.
And we want to apologize
for keeping you in the dark all this while.
You might think that we're all crazy
because we dragged you across six borders
to bring you right back to the place
where you sold us years ago.
We only wanted to find out why.
(frantically) Why!
(calmly) Why.
(desperately) Why!
It didn't make sense to us then,
and it doesn't make sense to us now.
We're going to ask questions.
(menacingly) And if you lie
you die!
And if we are honest?
(in French) In that case
the truth shall set you free, Pastor Fred.
(sigh)
G, you're up.
(gunshot)
(gasps and screams)
G!
(in French) I never had any questions for him.
All my questions were for my grandmother.
But she's dead, so
You girls talk too much.
Just get on with it, please
(sighing)
You'll catch flies with your
mouth open like that, Mama Janice.
Fred.
Did you ever really love me?
All this time
I assumed that the reason why
no one hears screams from Fatouma's room
was because
she was a tough cookie, you know,
the type of woman that doesn't break.
That day
that day
when she stood in front of Fred
asking him if he ever loved her,
I realized that she loved him.
She loved him.
All the sneaking out of the house
she went probably to look for him
because she loved him.
So what did Fred say?
No.
The answer is?
No.
I never loved you.
I'm sorry I lied to you!
Please, forgive me, Fatouma!
You should have lied to me.
(gunshot echoing)
(gun clattering on the floor)
(police sirens approaching)
Let's go, we're almost there!
(brakes squealing)
(police sirens)
What madness is this?
You've killed two men!
And now I'm about to kill the third.
What do you want?
Obviously not money.
(swallowing in fear)
If I'm honest do I live?
Huh?
Esosa we don't have time!
Why did you rape me?
Because I'm an animal.
And I've always wanted to touch you
since you grew breasts. (laughing)
(chains clanging)
(yelling in French) Bastard!
It's disgusting how much I hate you!
There will be another day for justice, animal.
Where is Tobe?
Girls, I hear gunshots outside,
the police are here, please.
Kill him so we can leave!
Good-bye.
Wait. Wait, wait!
Girls, we need to leave!
(labored breathing)
(two gunshots)
(crying in pain)
(screaming) Where is my brother?!
He lives with me!
He's my boy! (laughing)
I have raised him! I have raised... shut up!
I have raised him to be just like me!
Finish this, we have to leave!
Let me go! Hm?
Tobe needs a father figure!
(Esosa whimpering)
Esosa! Your brother will be fine!
He will be fine! He will!
(gunshot)
(sirens in the distance) Go. Go! Go, now! Go!
I know the whole world has
been screaming for their head
but maybe, just maybe,
this would help put things in perspective.
Look, you may not like what I'm about to say,
there is always the option of the law, you know.
Fucking shit.
Fuck the law.
And no, don't pardon my language.
Justice is slow.
And corrupt.
You sound a little tired.
I'm not tired.
You held me in this place till now.
I'm not tired. I'm just pissed.
It's been a year now.
No one has heard anything.
No one?
Not even you.
They just disappeared and didn't tell you.
Not going to be the first time
I've been away from them.
So till now,
you haven't learned a thing about me?
Even if I knew
You're not telling.
Look, the police held you for months
but they let you go because they had no proof.
Well, you have it all now.
You can use it the way you want it.
But please,
give me some time to enjoy your money, hm?
(laughing) Don't worry.
You have no use to me behind bars.
I knew you would say so.
(footsteps retreating)
It was nice meeting you.
I hope your girls find their peace.
Me too.
They found the car,
but they didn't find them.
(sniffling)
I think that's good, right?
(suspenseful music)
(singer vocalizing)
G!
(indistinct mumbling)
Giselle!
(screaming) Giselle!!! Giselle!
(screaming) Giselle! Giselle!
(screaming)
(car crashing off cliff)
(glass shattering)
(girl screaming)
(car rolling over rocks)
(ominous music)
(car crashing)
(ominous music)
(ominous music intensifies)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(footsteps retreating)
(car door opening)
(car door shuts)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)