Roqia (2025) Movie Script
1
The Messenger of Allah said:
"Satan flows through men as
blood flows through his veins."
"I feared, therefore, that he
might sow evil in your hearts."
[rumbling builds]
[whispering]
[footsteps]
[distant dog barking]
ALGERIA, EARLY NINETIES
[dogs barking]
[hurried footsteps]
[men yelling]
-They're coming!
-Let go of me!
-Mom!
Mom!
-Don't touch her!
Let go of her!
-Mom!
[men yelling]
-Oh my God!
-Oh my God! My children!
-Let them go! Leave her alone!
-Move it!
-Dad!
-Let them go!
-Dad!
-Don't move!
Keep him down!
[child whimpering]
Move! Move it!
[crowd clamoring]
-Let us go!
[women crying]
-In the name of God--
[distant crying]
[distant yelling]
[women screaming]
[creepy music]
ROQIA
PART 1: THE EXORCIS(PRESENT DAY)
-Shit!
[slime squishing]
-Shh.
-"In The Name of Allah,
I seek refuge in Allah."
[roaring]
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
[hissing]
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
[growling]
-Ladies, are any of you
on your period?
Please leave.
Give me the veil.
-"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful,
The Possessor of
the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship,
and You only do we
beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Alif, Lam, Meem."
"This is the Book
about which there is no doubt"
"a guidance for those
conscious of Allah"
"Who believe in the unseen,
establish prayer"
"and spend out of what
We have provided for them."
"And..."
"And..."
-"Allah is Great."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship, and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful.
Allah! There is no
deity except Him."
"The Ever-Living,
the Sustainer of all existence."
"Neither drowsiness
overtakes Him nor sleep."
"To Him belongs
whatever is in the heavens
and whatever is on the Earth."
"Who is it that can
intercede with Him
except by His permission?"
"He knows what is
presently before them
and what will be after them"
"and they encompass not
a thing of His knowledge
except for what He wills."
"His Kursi extends over
the heavens and the earth"
"and their preservation
tires Him not."
"And He is the Most High
and the Most Great."
"Allah is Great."
"Allah is Great."
It took longer this time.
[car starting]
[car jingle]
-Mustapha Zeghnoun plays
at a consistently high level.
He always delivers.
ES Stif are getting a throw-in
every now and then.
-Thanks, man.
Thanks.
[motorbike honks]
[car starting]
[distant call to prayer]
"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you,
incha'Allah."
[faint voicemail]
[starter clicking]
[thud]
Cheikh?
What's going on?
Let's go back upstairs.
You need to rest.
[MRI whirring]
[MRI whirring]
[street chatter]
-Here you go. Sure, bro.
-Thanks, bro.
-A piece like this?
-Perfect, thanks.
[distant screaming]
-Get him!
-Get him!
-What happened?
-Bastard went that way!
-I saw him kill him!
-What's going on?
-He's dead!
-May his soul rest in peace.
-Out of the way!
-God is great.
Call an ambulance!
-Cheikh!
Cheikh.
-What happened?
-Where were you?
-It's nothing.
[car horn honking]
-Morning.
-How's my favorite neighbor?
Come.
-Hello, my dear.
Didn't I tell you to
wait until you'd given birth?
-I'm bored at home.
Cooking doesn't tire me out.
-As you wish.
I'm sick of pizza, anyway.
I miss your cooking.
-He'd bought
a phone at the market.
When he got home,
the phone didn't work.
He went back and asked
for a replacement or refund.
They argued
and the guy knifed him.
-Stuff like this happens
too often these days.
Last week there
was this poor girl.
A man burned her alive
because she wouldn't marry him.
He said if he couldn't have her
then neither could anybody else.
You know old Kaddour?
One of his cousins beat
his uncles brains out.
Over an inheritance.
-Good lord.
-[sighs, gasps]
-All this talk of murder
and death is scaring your baby.
-Give me one.
-Fat chance. Mind your laundry.
Wait till your husband
gets back and I tell on you.
-I'm scared.
I'm scared it happens again.
I can't go through that again.
You can feel the evil inside
you, but you remember nothing.
I'd rather die
than be possessed again.
-Who took it?
Give it back!
Give me back my Quran!
Where is it?! Who took it?!
-Whats going on?
-Where is it?
-What did you lose?
-My book.
-What book?
-I lost it.
-Your Quran?
-Yes.
-Maybe you left it upstairs.
-You think I'm lying?!
Are you calling me a liar?
-No, maybe you misplaced it,
thats all.
-Help me look for it.
-You're sure its not here?
-No, it has to be here.
-Its fine,
we'll look for it later.
Cheikh.
Go back to bed.
I'll get you a new one.
-Who took it?
-No one took it.
-I'll get you a new one.
-I need it.
-I'll get you another one.
Go back to bed.
I'll get you a new one.
-You'll buy me a new one?
You won't forget?
-I won't.
-Don't forget.
-I won't.
-You'll buy me a new one.
-Don't worry. Get some sleep.
-Whats going on?
Come on, spit it out.
-He has Alzheimers.
[sighs]
-Is there anything we can do?
-Nothing.
It's old age, nothing strange.
[sighs]
Don't worry.
[sobbing]
-I'd like a copy
of the Hafs Quran.
-Sure, no problem.
-Since when can you read French?
-Excuse me.
Here you go.
-I'd prefer a smaller one,
if you have.
-Sure.
-May he rest in peace.
-May God protect us from Satan.
You haven't heard?
He got into
a fight with his son,
and once home
he slit his throat.
In front of his own child
and the boy's brother.
-I didn't know it
went down like that.
-You can watch it on YouTube.
-Sir?
-Thank you.
-I don't get it:
is he even human?
How can you slit a child's
throat in front of your kids
and his brother?
His wife helped him
cut up the body.
It's like a movie,
but this stuff
doesn't even happen in movies.
A child butchered
for a fight over a ball!
This is unacceptable!
It's no use blaming
the government or poverty.
No, no, no.
You can't understand
unless it happens to you.
If it were my kid,
I'd go berserk.
I'd tear that monster apart.
-I was too hungry to
wait for you.
-No problem.
-Ah, thanks.
-Still haven't found it?
-It's vanished.
-Look.
It reads like gibberish.
Poor man.
[call to prayer]
"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"All praise to You, Allah."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you."
-"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you."
-I don't understand it.
To be honest...
I'm afraid to.
But you can't just
sit on your hands.
I'm the one who needs
your help, not him.
-He made his choice.
He knew the risks.
Theres nothing we can do.
-You realize he might
have saved the country?
-A decade of terror.
Tens of thousands dead.
Were it not for him back then,
hundreds of thousands
would have died.
You know it very well,
every one of you.
Why are you doing this?
You won't do anything.
-Theres nothing we can do.
Theres nothing anyone can do.
-What if they come back?
-We'll do what must be done.
The word of God
is our only weapon.
[crosstalk]
-[alien tongue] "Rakfa hanaka
dayba ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
[banging on door]
-Hello. Is El Hadj here?
-Hi. He's unwell.
-The exorcist.
-He's unwell.
Come back another time.
-Please, I beg you.
Wait, Hamid.
Please, he must see us.
My son has been like this
for a week.
Yesterday he begged me
to bring him to El Hadj.
He even showed us the way here.
-How did he know?
-Do you know my son?
-Has he been here before?
-We don't know him.
But he knows me.
-You know him, Cheikh?
Who is this guy?
"In The Name of Allah,
The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship,
and You only do we
beseech for help."
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba..."
"...ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala..."
-Hamid, he's reading
the Quran backwards!
[growls]
-"I seek refuge
with Allah from Satan"
"I ask forgiveness of Allah,
I seek refuge
with Allah from Satan"
[roaring]
-"Allah is Great."
-[screaming]
[roaring]
-We'll go to a doctor,
not some fucking quack!
-Come, let's go.
-Let's go home, Mom. I'm done.
-Cheikh!
-Let's go!
-Cheikh, what's wrong?
-Come, let's go!
-Go help them.
-El Hadj, what's wrong?
-Cheikh! Give me a hand.
Easy, easy.
-What's going on?
-Go in front.
PART 2: AHMED
(EARLY NINETIES)
-They don't know what happened.
They found skid marks and pieces
of broken glass, but no car.
-Ahmed, buddy,
don't you remember anything?
-Not a thing.
But he should
get his memory back soon.
-I missed you, Dad.
-Let's go, kids.
-I missed you so much, Dad.
-Look, Islam my boy, it's Dad.
-This one's for you, Dad,
you used to like oranges.
Look, Dad,
I did it how you taught me.
-We got married at your folks'.
It's where we lived at first
and where Hichem
and Acha were born.
Later we moved here.
Don't you remember me?
My face.
My scent.
My hair?
You liked playing with my hair
when we were alone,
like tonight.
-What are you doing?
-What you always liked doing
since we got married.
-And even before.
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
Help your father up.
[knocking on door]
Islam, go with
your brother and sister.
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
-Police! Open up!
-Open the door.
-Evening.
-Hello.
-Does Ahmed Lekhal live here?
-I'm here.
-Come with us.
We know you had an accident.
We found the skid marks
and the broken glass
that injured you.
Where were you going?
-I honestly don't know.
What have I done, officer?
Why are you interrogating me?
-Why weren't you
driving your own car?
What was it doing at home?
How do you explain that?
-The car?
I honestly don't know.
[light knocking]
-Evening, boss.
It's him.
His prints are a match.
The doctor made it very clear
we mustn't remove his bandages.
-The blow to
his head caused amnesia.
-That's what the doctor told me.
Why did you say "it's him"?
What have I done?
-And your finger?
Forgotten that too?
-You think I cut it?
-Let go of me!
Let go of me!
-Boss...
-We know all about you
and what you're up to.
[knocking]
-Good morning.
-Morning.
-Hello, Krimou.
-Hi.
I brought the car registration.
-You can hold on to it,
he can't drive yet.
-I'll let you know if I need it.
Ahmed! Hey, buddy.
-Abdelkrim's here, Ahmed.
-Feel like going for a walk?
Get some fresh air.
-Go.
You two used to
go walking together.
Maybe it'll help you remember.
Give your father a hand.
-They wanted to
know what happened.
Its suspicious
when someone disappears
and suddenly reappears.
But I don't remember a thing
and couldn't tell them anything.
-Did they ask you anything else?
-What do you mean?
-About the accident,
where you were going, the car.
-Sorry, Ahmed.
-Never mind.
-You really don't
remember anything?
Are you trying to remember
or just waiting for
your memory to come back?
-I don't remember anything.
Why do you all want me to
remember things
I have no clue about?
Are you trying to
drive me insane?
-Who's "you all"?
-Take me home, Abdelkrim.
-Wait a bit. Theres no rush.
Wait a bit.
-Abdelkrim, take me home.
Abdelkrim?
Abdelkrim?
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-Selma!
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba ansala..."
-Selma!
-"...qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-Ahmed!
-I'm here, don't worry.
-Selma? Selma?
-You okay, buddy?
-Why did you let me go?
-I'm right beside you.
-It's alright.
-Selma?
-What's the matter?
What's wrong?
-Selma, take me home.
-I'm right here.
-Take me home.
-Nothing's wrong.
-Take me home.
I don't know any of you.
I don't recognize anyone.
I don't even know who I am.
My ID says
I'm Ahmed Lekhal, but...
I can't stay...
I'm scared.
-Islam.
Stay with your father.
-Wheres my dad?
-I'm your father,
aren't I?
-You're not my dad.
Where is he?
-I don't know
where he is either, my son.
I don't think Islam
likes me much.
-Hes just a child.
He doesn't understand
whats going on.
Before the accident
he was your shadow.
-I can't wait to
finally be rid of this.
-Tomorrow we'll go to
the hospital.
And then they'll
come off at last.
But what if once they come off
we find someone else underneath?
-Under the bandages?
-[chuckles]
-I can't even laugh.
Let's take a taxi tomorrow.
-What about Abdelkrim?
-We'll take a taxi.
How do I know Abdelkrim?
-You work together in Algiers.
Do you remember
you're a builder?
-A builder?
[water dripping]
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
[screaming]
-Ahmed, what are you doing here?
-The bogeyman!
[crying]
-What are you doing here?
Calm down.
-[breathing heavily]
How did I end up there?
I'm blind.
I hear voices in my head.
Whats going on?
I'm losing my mind.
-Let me explain.
The doctor said
this might happen.
In the hospital you shared
a room with another patient.
You scared him,
so they moved him.
He said you...
You'd wake up at night
and wander around muttering.
We've lived in this house
a long time.
As for the rest...
The doctor said its normal,
just your memory coming back.
-Mom!
-Try to get some sleep.
-Mom!
-Bright and early tomorrow.
Here I am, honey.
-By tonight you'll be able to
see faces. Look at me.
-Ouch, that hurts.
-That's a very good sign.
-I see you shaved his beard.
-Selma.
I'd like a word with the doctor.
Sometimes I wake up to
find myself
standing somewhere
in the house.
Even though I can't see.
-I spoke to
your wife about this.
You took quite a blow
but your head is starting
to unscramble itself.
-When, doctor?
How long will it take?
A few days ago the police
took me in for questioning.
There are things
I need to remember.
Even my neighbors--
-The police visited me
several times.
They obtained
your medical records.
-They think I'm lying,
but I don't even know
what they're talking about.
-You don't remember for now,
but it'll all come back.
You'll start to
remember certain things.
You were...
You were in Afghanistan.
Fighting the Russians.
-Me? I fought the Russians?
Doctor, I'm scared stiff.
I'm scared of my neighbors,
of my son,
my youngest who
doesn't recognize me.
I'm terrified of my own shadow!
I can't imagine
fighting the Russians.
-You don't know who you are.
Or what you're capable of.
[music playing]
-Did I take too long?
-No worries, meters running.
-This is for the kids.
Maybe you'll win Islam over.
Let's go.
-At the last beep
the time will be 6 p.m.
Today is March 11, 1992.
Now for the weather--
[music playing]
-Mind the step.
[gate creaking]
-Go on,
I can walk by myself.
Selma.
Why didn't you tell me
about Afghanistan?
The doctor told me everything.
What I was doing there.
-I wanted you to
remember the good things only.
Afghanistan wasn't one of them.
-Why?
-You came back a different man
from the one I knew before.
Sometimes I felt like the man
sleeping next to me wasn't you.
Once you get your memory back
I'd like you to stay as you are.
I feel close to you.
Things weren't going well
between us.
I was afraid of you.
So were the children.
Islam was with you
the day you vanished.
He was wandering
outside all by himself.
You were nowhere to be found.
-I feel like you're
talking about someone else.
-Not me.
The one who went to Afghanistan.
The one who
abandoned his family,
who left his son alone outside.
I don't know him.
And the one before you
asking all these questions.
Hes lost.
I'm just as scared
of him as you are.
What can I say...
-Say nothing.
I'll go fetch the kids.
Back in a flash.
[door closes]
[door opens]
-Dad!
-Dad!
-I missed you.
-We missed you!
-Look how much you've grown!
-You look well, Ahmed.
Dad, it's really you!
-Now this is for Islam.
Look what Dad got you, son!
-You like it?
-Yes.
[laughing]
-Come eat before it gets cold.
-Time for bed.
Easy now.
Close your eyes.
Close them. I see you.
Am I seeing right?
Are these hearts?
-That's right.
-Seriously?
We have pillows with hearts?
-[laughing]
Can you see better yet?
-A bit.
The light hurts less.
-What can you see?
-Shapes.
Outlines, people.
But it's all still blurry,
both near and far.
I can't make out faces.
Or written text.
Can I even read?
-[laughing]
You can forget
whatever you want.
Except this face
you can't yet see.
If once you see it
you don't recognize it...
I'll get a divorce.
-Be kind to the blind.
-They shaved your beard.
You look just like before.
I missed you, darling.
Its fine if you don't remember.
I'll remember for us both.
What about the kids?
-Shh.
-The kids.
-They're sleeping.
-[laughing]
-Want to turn your toy on?
-Yes.
-He wants to sleep in our bed.
-Back to his bad habits.
Good times.
[toy singing
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm]
-What the!
So noisy! Time for him to
go to bed too.
Here, take the battery out.
[toy stops]
You two ready for bed?
Here, I'll take that.
Something up with the neighbors?
-You didn't want us socializing.
-Earlier they gave me
the cold shoulder.
-You've changed so much
since your vanishing act.
You look out for others,
you go out.
You don't mind me
not covering my hair.
-You have lovely hair.
It's like I've met
the old Ahmed again.
-Maybe I don't want
my memory back.
-There's just one thing: Abdelkrim.
-What?
-He was your only friend.
You did everything together.
You even lost
your fingers the same day.
A work accident.
-Where does he stay?
Abdelkrim!
Abdelkrim!
Abdelkrim!
What is this?
Why are our fingers missing?
Speak!
-You're the one
who cut them off.
-What?
I didn't cut off
anyones finger.
If the police hadn't told me
I'd never have known.
-So they know.
-Yes, and so do you, so tell me!
-Everyone knows except me.
You're the source.
You're the commander.
The first one.
You were chosen in Afghanistan.
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-[screaming]
-"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha
saarou anmidha ayahloumou
el ktila yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka,
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha saarou
anmidha ayahloumou
el ktila yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha
saarou anmidha
ayahloumou el ktila
yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
[deep breathing]
Now do you know who we are?
-Call the others.
It's happening tonight.
Leave the other one to me.
I'll take care of him and
anyone who tries to save him.
The youngest's blood
must be spilled first.
[grunting]
-Ahmed! What's going on?
[knocking]
Ahmed!
Open up!
[knocking]
Ahmed! Whats wrong?
[grunting]
[knocking continues]
What's going on in there?
Ahmed! What's going on?
[knocking]
[knocking]
[thud]
[groaning in pain]
[panting]
What's going on?
Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Tell me!
-Dad, what's wrong?
-What's wrong, Dad?
-What's wrong, Dad?
-I love you, my babies.
-What's wrong?
-Islam, come here.
-Don't wanna!
-I'm coming back.
Selma!
I remember now. I'm so sorry.
I'll fix it and come back.
-Where are you going?
[groaning in pain]
-"Lam, Meem."
"This is the Book
about which there is no--"
[demonic screaming]
"Allah,
there is no god except He,
the Ever Living,
the One Who sustains"
"Neither slumber
nor sleep overtakes Him"
"To Him belongs all that is
in the heavens and the earth"
"Who is he that shall
intercede with Him
except by His permission"
"Allah,
there is no god except He,
the Ever Living,
the One Who sustains"
"Neither slumber
nor sleep overtakes Him"
"To Him belongs all that is
in the heavens and the earth"
"Who is he that shall
intercede with Him
except by His permission"
[demonic screaming]
[banging on door]
El Hadj!
El Hadj!
Slimane!
Hadj!
Hadj! Slimane!
Hadj!
Why did you leave me? Why?
Hadj!
Hadj!
El Hadj, they know.
They know everything.
They know I spoke to the police.
They know everything.
[demonic screaming]
-"In The Name of
Allah The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor of
the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"not that of the erring."
"In The Name of
Allah The All-Merciful"
"God! There is no except He,
the Living, the Everlasting"
"Neither slumber overtakes Him,
nor sleep"
"To Him belongs
everything in the heavens
and everything on Earth"
"Who is he that can
intercede with him
except with His permission"
-Blood will flow
from everywhere.
We've opened the gates.
We're coming in force.
[grunting in pain]
El Hadj!
El Hadj!
They're going to the village!
They'll kill Islam!
My children!
El Hadj!
My children! El Hadj!
They'll kill them all!
-You can't do this.
I won't let you
defile the zawiya.
-I know what I'm doing, brother.
-Cheikh!
What do we do
if you can't master it?
-Then you must kill me.
-For real, El Hadj?
What you're about to
do is haram.
Do you want to go to hell?
Burn in eternal flames?
[chuckling]
Your sacrifice is in vain.
Theres nothing left
to sacrifice.
I'll corrupt you.
Like I corrupted that dog.
[whispering]
[eerie music]
-Ahmed!
-[screaming]
-Ahmed!
Why, Ahmed? Why?
[eerie music]
PART 3: WAFFA
(PRESENT DAY)
-El Hadj!
-Cheikh!
[distant car honking]
-Go in front.
I've run out of strength,
my boy.
You must kill me.
Look at me. You must kill me.
-I can't do that.
-It called him.
Did you see
how he ate his finger?
-I did.
-Right?
-Don't worry, El Hadj.
-He's one of them now.
[woman gasps]
[clattering]
-What are you doing?
-Stay there. Don't move.
Cheikh.
-[demonic laugh]
-Cheikh.
"In The Name of Allah The
All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path,
The Path of the ones"
"whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
Cheikh.
Cheikh! God forgive us.
-"In The Name of Allah The
All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"Indeed Allah said the truth."
"Allah is Great."
Cheikh!
-[demonic screaming]
-[praying]
-[demonic screaming]
-[praying]
Cheikh! Can you hear me?
Tell me what to do.
-You can't.
-I can. Tell me how.
-You can't do it.
You can't do it.
-Come to me. Come out.
Come out.
Take me!
Take me.
Come out and take me!
Come to me! Come!
Come out!
-[woman gasping]
-Come out!
-Waffa...
[heartbeat thumping]
-We'll bury him according
to the Prophet's custom.
Place him on his right side.
God is great.
Hand him the stone slab.
Put it the other way around.
Pray for your brother.
May God have mercy on him.
-Amen.
-May he rest in peace.
-Amen.
-[praying]
-You'll wear yourself out, Waffa.
Let me give you a hand.
-You can put it down here.
I feared nothing
with El Hadj alive.
-May God have mercy on his soul.
-I wouldn't be alive
but for him.
-Waffa, your foot.
-Hmm?
-Your foot.
-I cut myself yesterday
when you broke the glass.
-Was El Hadj already dead?
-I don't know.
-Try to remember. Was he still
alive when you cut yourself?
-[grunting in pain]
-Sorry, Waffa.
Come, I'll call your mother.
Take it easy.
-My baby!
-I'll call your mother.
-Slimane, who are these men?
Why are the lights off?
-Who are you?
-[breathing heavily]
-Good lord!
Who are you?
-[wincing in pain]
-Come here!
-Slimane, don't leave me alone!
-I'll be right back.
What do you want?
-I'm scared!
Slimane!
-Waffa!
-Slimane!
Slimane!
-"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
-[demonic praying]
-[Waffa crying in pain]
[Waffa screaming]
-[demonic praying continues]
-[Waffa screaming continues]
-[demonic praying continues]
-Evening.
-Evening.
-Boss.
-What have we got?
-Slimane Mefteh, age 50.
Throat slit.
He worked with the house owner
the head of a zawiya
turned exorcist.
He died 2 days ago.
-Cause of death?
-It's all in the file
I sent you.
Waffa Sad,
age 25, their neighbor.
She did housework
and cooked for them.
Her husband works down south.
Hes on his way back.
Good God, boss...
They gutted her so savagely
that her leg was severed.
-Fuck, that's three crimes
of this kind in a week.
-She was pregnant.
The baby survived.
It's at the hospital.
The fire brigade
will come pick up the bodies.
-Ma'am?
Ma'am?
Please come with me.
[baby fussing]
-[humming]
"Violent fundamentalism
is not Islam
but a distorted reading
of its texts."
(Leila Ahmed)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MAMANRYDA,
WHO TAUGHT ME TO TELL STORIES
AND OF YAMINA,
WHO HELPED ME FILM THEM.
The Messenger of Allah said:
"Satan flows through men as
blood flows through his veins."
"I feared, therefore, that he
might sow evil in your hearts."
[rumbling builds]
[whispering]
[footsteps]
[distant dog barking]
ALGERIA, EARLY NINETIES
[dogs barking]
[hurried footsteps]
[men yelling]
-They're coming!
-Let go of me!
-Mom!
Mom!
-Don't touch her!
Let go of her!
-Mom!
[men yelling]
-Oh my God!
-Oh my God! My children!
-Let them go! Leave her alone!
-Move it!
-Dad!
-Let them go!
-Dad!
-Don't move!
Keep him down!
[child whimpering]
Move! Move it!
[crowd clamoring]
-Let us go!
[women crying]
-In the name of God--
[distant crying]
[distant yelling]
[women screaming]
[creepy music]
ROQIA
PART 1: THE EXORCIS(PRESENT DAY)
-Shit!
[slime squishing]
-Shh.
-"In The Name of Allah,
I seek refuge in Allah."
[roaring]
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
[hissing]
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
"In The Name of Allah.
Allah is Great."
[growling]
-Ladies, are any of you
on your period?
Please leave.
Give me the veil.
-"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful,
The Possessor of
the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship,
and You only do we
beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Alif, Lam, Meem."
"This is the Book
about which there is no doubt"
"a guidance for those
conscious of Allah"
"Who believe in the unseen,
establish prayer"
"and spend out of what
We have provided for them."
"And..."
"And..."
-"Allah is Great."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship, and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful.
Allah! There is no
deity except Him."
"The Ever-Living,
the Sustainer of all existence."
"Neither drowsiness
overtakes Him nor sleep."
"To Him belongs
whatever is in the heavens
and whatever is on the Earth."
"Who is it that can
intercede with Him
except by His permission?"
"He knows what is
presently before them
and what will be after them"
"and they encompass not
a thing of His knowledge
except for what He wills."
"His Kursi extends over
the heavens and the earth"
"and their preservation
tires Him not."
"And He is the Most High
and the Most Great."
"Allah is Great."
"Allah is Great."
It took longer this time.
[car starting]
[car jingle]
-Mustapha Zeghnoun plays
at a consistently high level.
He always delivers.
ES Stif are getting a throw-in
every now and then.
-Thanks, man.
Thanks.
[motorbike honks]
[car starting]
[distant call to prayer]
"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you,
incha'Allah."
[faint voicemail]
[starter clicking]
[thud]
Cheikh?
What's going on?
Let's go back upstairs.
You need to rest.
[MRI whirring]
[MRI whirring]
[street chatter]
-Here you go. Sure, bro.
-Thanks, bro.
-A piece like this?
-Perfect, thanks.
[distant screaming]
-Get him!
-Get him!
-What happened?
-Bastard went that way!
-I saw him kill him!
-What's going on?
-He's dead!
-May his soul rest in peace.
-Out of the way!
-God is great.
Call an ambulance!
-Cheikh!
Cheikh.
-What happened?
-Where were you?
-It's nothing.
[car horn honking]
-Morning.
-How's my favorite neighbor?
Come.
-Hello, my dear.
Didn't I tell you to
wait until you'd given birth?
-I'm bored at home.
Cooking doesn't tire me out.
-As you wish.
I'm sick of pizza, anyway.
I miss your cooking.
-He'd bought
a phone at the market.
When he got home,
the phone didn't work.
He went back and asked
for a replacement or refund.
They argued
and the guy knifed him.
-Stuff like this happens
too often these days.
Last week there
was this poor girl.
A man burned her alive
because she wouldn't marry him.
He said if he couldn't have her
then neither could anybody else.
You know old Kaddour?
One of his cousins beat
his uncles brains out.
Over an inheritance.
-Good lord.
-[sighs, gasps]
-All this talk of murder
and death is scaring your baby.
-Give me one.
-Fat chance. Mind your laundry.
Wait till your husband
gets back and I tell on you.
-I'm scared.
I'm scared it happens again.
I can't go through that again.
You can feel the evil inside
you, but you remember nothing.
I'd rather die
than be possessed again.
-Who took it?
Give it back!
Give me back my Quran!
Where is it?! Who took it?!
-Whats going on?
-Where is it?
-What did you lose?
-My book.
-What book?
-I lost it.
-Your Quran?
-Yes.
-Maybe you left it upstairs.
-You think I'm lying?!
Are you calling me a liar?
-No, maybe you misplaced it,
thats all.
-Help me look for it.
-You're sure its not here?
-No, it has to be here.
-Its fine,
we'll look for it later.
Cheikh.
Go back to bed.
I'll get you a new one.
-Who took it?
-No one took it.
-I'll get you a new one.
-I need it.
-I'll get you another one.
Go back to bed.
I'll get you a new one.
-You'll buy me a new one?
You won't forget?
-I won't.
-Don't forget.
-I won't.
-You'll buy me a new one.
-Don't worry. Get some sleep.
-Whats going on?
Come on, spit it out.
-He has Alzheimers.
[sighs]
-Is there anything we can do?
-Nothing.
It's old age, nothing strange.
[sighs]
Don't worry.
[sobbing]
-I'd like a copy
of the Hafs Quran.
-Sure, no problem.
-Since when can you read French?
-Excuse me.
Here you go.
-I'd prefer a smaller one,
if you have.
-Sure.
-May he rest in peace.
-May God protect us from Satan.
You haven't heard?
He got into
a fight with his son,
and once home
he slit his throat.
In front of his own child
and the boy's brother.
-I didn't know it
went down like that.
-You can watch it on YouTube.
-Sir?
-Thank you.
-I don't get it:
is he even human?
How can you slit a child's
throat in front of your kids
and his brother?
His wife helped him
cut up the body.
It's like a movie,
but this stuff
doesn't even happen in movies.
A child butchered
for a fight over a ball!
This is unacceptable!
It's no use blaming
the government or poverty.
No, no, no.
You can't understand
unless it happens to you.
If it were my kid,
I'd go berserk.
I'd tear that monster apart.
-I was too hungry to
wait for you.
-No problem.
-Ah, thanks.
-Still haven't found it?
-It's vanished.
-Look.
It reads like gibberish.
Poor man.
[call to prayer]
"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"All praise to You, Allah."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"Allah is Great."
-"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you."
-"May the peace and mercy
of Allah be upon you."
-I don't understand it.
To be honest...
I'm afraid to.
But you can't just
sit on your hands.
I'm the one who needs
your help, not him.
-He made his choice.
He knew the risks.
Theres nothing we can do.
-You realize he might
have saved the country?
-A decade of terror.
Tens of thousands dead.
Were it not for him back then,
hundreds of thousands
would have died.
You know it very well,
every one of you.
Why are you doing this?
You won't do anything.
-Theres nothing we can do.
Theres nothing anyone can do.
-What if they come back?
-We'll do what must be done.
The word of God
is our only weapon.
[crosstalk]
-[alien tongue] "Rakfa hanaka
dayba ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
[banging on door]
-Hello. Is El Hadj here?
-Hi. He's unwell.
-The exorcist.
-He's unwell.
Come back another time.
-Please, I beg you.
Wait, Hamid.
Please, he must see us.
My son has been like this
for a week.
Yesterday he begged me
to bring him to El Hadj.
He even showed us the way here.
-How did he know?
-Do you know my son?
-Has he been here before?
-We don't know him.
But he knows me.
-You know him, Cheikh?
Who is this guy?
"In The Name of Allah,
The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship,
and You only do we
beseech for help."
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba..."
"...ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala..."
-Hamid, he's reading
the Quran backwards!
[growls]
-"I seek refuge
with Allah from Satan"
"I ask forgiveness of Allah,
I seek refuge
with Allah from Satan"
[roaring]
-"Allah is Great."
-[screaming]
[roaring]
-We'll go to a doctor,
not some fucking quack!
-Come, let's go.
-Let's go home, Mom. I'm done.
-Cheikh!
-Let's go!
-Cheikh, what's wrong?
-Come, let's go!
-Go help them.
-El Hadj, what's wrong?
-Cheikh! Give me a hand.
Easy, easy.
-What's going on?
-Go in front.
PART 2: AHMED
(EARLY NINETIES)
-They don't know what happened.
They found skid marks and pieces
of broken glass, but no car.
-Ahmed, buddy,
don't you remember anything?
-Not a thing.
But he should
get his memory back soon.
-I missed you, Dad.
-Let's go, kids.
-I missed you so much, Dad.
-Look, Islam my boy, it's Dad.
-This one's for you, Dad,
you used to like oranges.
Look, Dad,
I did it how you taught me.
-We got married at your folks'.
It's where we lived at first
and where Hichem
and Acha were born.
Later we moved here.
Don't you remember me?
My face.
My scent.
My hair?
You liked playing with my hair
when we were alone,
like tonight.
-What are you doing?
-What you always liked doing
since we got married.
-And even before.
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
Help your father up.
[knocking on door]
Islam, go with
your brother and sister.
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
-Police! Open up!
-Open the door.
-Evening.
-Hello.
-Does Ahmed Lekhal live here?
-I'm here.
-Come with us.
We know you had an accident.
We found the skid marks
and the broken glass
that injured you.
Where were you going?
-I honestly don't know.
What have I done, officer?
Why are you interrogating me?
-Why weren't you
driving your own car?
What was it doing at home?
How do you explain that?
-The car?
I honestly don't know.
[light knocking]
-Evening, boss.
It's him.
His prints are a match.
The doctor made it very clear
we mustn't remove his bandages.
-The blow to
his head caused amnesia.
-That's what the doctor told me.
Why did you say "it's him"?
What have I done?
-And your finger?
Forgotten that too?
-You think I cut it?
-Let go of me!
Let go of me!
-Boss...
-We know all about you
and what you're up to.
[knocking]
-Good morning.
-Morning.
-Hello, Krimou.
-Hi.
I brought the car registration.
-You can hold on to it,
he can't drive yet.
-I'll let you know if I need it.
Ahmed! Hey, buddy.
-Abdelkrim's here, Ahmed.
-Feel like going for a walk?
Get some fresh air.
-Go.
You two used to
go walking together.
Maybe it'll help you remember.
Give your father a hand.
-They wanted to
know what happened.
Its suspicious
when someone disappears
and suddenly reappears.
But I don't remember a thing
and couldn't tell them anything.
-Did they ask you anything else?
-What do you mean?
-About the accident,
where you were going, the car.
-Sorry, Ahmed.
-Never mind.
-You really don't
remember anything?
Are you trying to remember
or just waiting for
your memory to come back?
-I don't remember anything.
Why do you all want me to
remember things
I have no clue about?
Are you trying to
drive me insane?
-Who's "you all"?
-Take me home, Abdelkrim.
-Wait a bit. Theres no rush.
Wait a bit.
-Abdelkrim, take me home.
Abdelkrim?
Abdelkrim?
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-Selma!
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba ansala..."
-Selma!
-"...qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-Ahmed!
-I'm here, don't worry.
-Selma? Selma?
-You okay, buddy?
-Why did you let me go?
-I'm right beside you.
-It's alright.
-Selma?
-What's the matter?
What's wrong?
-Selma, take me home.
-I'm right here.
-Take me home.
-Nothing's wrong.
-Take me home.
I don't know any of you.
I don't recognize anyone.
I don't even know who I am.
My ID says
I'm Ahmed Lekhal, but...
I can't stay...
I'm scared.
-Islam.
Stay with your father.
-Wheres my dad?
-I'm your father,
aren't I?
-You're not my dad.
Where is he?
-I don't know
where he is either, my son.
I don't think Islam
likes me much.
-Hes just a child.
He doesn't understand
whats going on.
Before the accident
he was your shadow.
-I can't wait to
finally be rid of this.
-Tomorrow we'll go to
the hospital.
And then they'll
come off at last.
But what if once they come off
we find someone else underneath?
-Under the bandages?
-[chuckles]
-I can't even laugh.
Let's take a taxi tomorrow.
-What about Abdelkrim?
-We'll take a taxi.
How do I know Abdelkrim?
-You work together in Algiers.
Do you remember
you're a builder?
-A builder?
[water dripping]
-"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
[screaming]
-Ahmed, what are you doing here?
-The bogeyman!
[crying]
-What are you doing here?
Calm down.
-[breathing heavily]
How did I end up there?
I'm blind.
I hear voices in my head.
Whats going on?
I'm losing my mind.
-Let me explain.
The doctor said
this might happen.
In the hospital you shared
a room with another patient.
You scared him,
so they moved him.
He said you...
You'd wake up at night
and wander around muttering.
We've lived in this house
a long time.
As for the rest...
The doctor said its normal,
just your memory coming back.
-Mom!
-Try to get some sleep.
-Mom!
-Bright and early tomorrow.
Here I am, honey.
-By tonight you'll be able to
see faces. Look at me.
-Ouch, that hurts.
-That's a very good sign.
-I see you shaved his beard.
-Selma.
I'd like a word with the doctor.
Sometimes I wake up to
find myself
standing somewhere
in the house.
Even though I can't see.
-I spoke to
your wife about this.
You took quite a blow
but your head is starting
to unscramble itself.
-When, doctor?
How long will it take?
A few days ago the police
took me in for questioning.
There are things
I need to remember.
Even my neighbors--
-The police visited me
several times.
They obtained
your medical records.
-They think I'm lying,
but I don't even know
what they're talking about.
-You don't remember for now,
but it'll all come back.
You'll start to
remember certain things.
You were...
You were in Afghanistan.
Fighting the Russians.
-Me? I fought the Russians?
Doctor, I'm scared stiff.
I'm scared of my neighbors,
of my son,
my youngest who
doesn't recognize me.
I'm terrified of my own shadow!
I can't imagine
fighting the Russians.
-You don't know who you are.
Or what you're capable of.
[music playing]
-Did I take too long?
-No worries, meters running.
-This is for the kids.
Maybe you'll win Islam over.
Let's go.
-At the last beep
the time will be 6 p.m.
Today is March 11, 1992.
Now for the weather--
[music playing]
-Mind the step.
[gate creaking]
-Go on,
I can walk by myself.
Selma.
Why didn't you tell me
about Afghanistan?
The doctor told me everything.
What I was doing there.
-I wanted you to
remember the good things only.
Afghanistan wasn't one of them.
-Why?
-You came back a different man
from the one I knew before.
Sometimes I felt like the man
sleeping next to me wasn't you.
Once you get your memory back
I'd like you to stay as you are.
I feel close to you.
Things weren't going well
between us.
I was afraid of you.
So were the children.
Islam was with you
the day you vanished.
He was wandering
outside all by himself.
You were nowhere to be found.
-I feel like you're
talking about someone else.
-Not me.
The one who went to Afghanistan.
The one who
abandoned his family,
who left his son alone outside.
I don't know him.
And the one before you
asking all these questions.
Hes lost.
I'm just as scared
of him as you are.
What can I say...
-Say nothing.
I'll go fetch the kids.
Back in a flash.
[door closes]
[door opens]
-Dad!
-Dad!
-I missed you.
-We missed you!
-Look how much you've grown!
-You look well, Ahmed.
Dad, it's really you!
-Now this is for Islam.
Look what Dad got you, son!
-You like it?
-Yes.
[laughing]
-Come eat before it gets cold.
-Time for bed.
Easy now.
Close your eyes.
Close them. I see you.
Am I seeing right?
Are these hearts?
-That's right.
-Seriously?
We have pillows with hearts?
-[laughing]
Can you see better yet?
-A bit.
The light hurts less.
-What can you see?
-Shapes.
Outlines, people.
But it's all still blurry,
both near and far.
I can't make out faces.
Or written text.
Can I even read?
-[laughing]
You can forget
whatever you want.
Except this face
you can't yet see.
If once you see it
you don't recognize it...
I'll get a divorce.
-Be kind to the blind.
-They shaved your beard.
You look just like before.
I missed you, darling.
Its fine if you don't remember.
I'll remember for us both.
What about the kids?
-Shh.
-The kids.
-They're sleeping.
-[laughing]
-Want to turn your toy on?
-Yes.
-He wants to sleep in our bed.
-Back to his bad habits.
Good times.
[toy singing
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm]
-What the!
So noisy! Time for him to
go to bed too.
Here, take the battery out.
[toy stops]
You two ready for bed?
Here, I'll take that.
Something up with the neighbors?
-You didn't want us socializing.
-Earlier they gave me
the cold shoulder.
-You've changed so much
since your vanishing act.
You look out for others,
you go out.
You don't mind me
not covering my hair.
-You have lovely hair.
It's like I've met
the old Ahmed again.
-Maybe I don't want
my memory back.
-There's just one thing: Abdelkrim.
-What?
-He was your only friend.
You did everything together.
You even lost
your fingers the same day.
A work accident.
-Where does he stay?
Abdelkrim!
Abdelkrim!
Abdelkrim!
What is this?
Why are our fingers missing?
Speak!
-You're the one
who cut them off.
-What?
I didn't cut off
anyones finger.
If the police hadn't told me
I'd never have known.
-So they know.
-Yes, and so do you, so tell me!
-Everyone knows except me.
You're the source.
You're the commander.
The first one.
You were chosen in Afghanistan.
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
"Rakfa hanaka dayba
ansala qarza rahbala"
-[screaming]
-"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha
saarou anmidha ayahloumou
el ktila yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka,
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha saarou
anmidha ayahloumou
el ktila yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
"Fadjala sinala lanyou
lan noumahilou dab"
"law taabala laha
saarou anmidha
ayahloumou el ktila
yousafil yafif"
"mim hamda atourikna bida"
"aqabou houla saylou
sou'bana kadhaka
halouloum touharibou nakwa."
[deep breathing]
Now do you know who we are?
-Call the others.
It's happening tonight.
Leave the other one to me.
I'll take care of him and
anyone who tries to save him.
The youngest's blood
must be spilled first.
[grunting]
-Ahmed! What's going on?
[knocking]
Ahmed!
Open up!
[knocking]
Ahmed! Whats wrong?
[grunting]
[knocking continues]
What's going on in there?
Ahmed! What's going on?
[knocking]
[knocking]
[thud]
[groaning in pain]
[panting]
What's going on?
Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Tell me!
-Dad, what's wrong?
-What's wrong, Dad?
-What's wrong, Dad?
-I love you, my babies.
-What's wrong?
-Islam, come here.
-Don't wanna!
-I'm coming back.
Selma!
I remember now. I'm so sorry.
I'll fix it and come back.
-Where are you going?
[groaning in pain]
-"Lam, Meem."
"This is the Book
about which there is no--"
[demonic screaming]
"Allah,
there is no god except He,
the Ever Living,
the One Who sustains"
"Neither slumber
nor sleep overtakes Him"
"To Him belongs all that is
in the heavens and the earth"
"Who is he that shall
intercede with Him
except by His permission"
"Allah,
there is no god except He,
the Ever Living,
the One Who sustains"
"Neither slumber
nor sleep overtakes Him"
"To Him belongs all that is
in the heavens and the earth"
"Who is he that shall
intercede with Him
except by His permission"
[demonic screaming]
[banging on door]
El Hadj!
El Hadj!
Slimane!
Hadj!
Hadj! Slimane!
Hadj!
Why did you leave me? Why?
Hadj!
Hadj!
El Hadj, they know.
They know everything.
They know I spoke to the police.
They know everything.
[demonic screaming]
-"In The Name of
Allah The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor of
the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"not that of the erring."
"In The Name of
Allah The All-Merciful"
"God! There is no except He,
the Living, the Everlasting"
"Neither slumber overtakes Him,
nor sleep"
"To Him belongs
everything in the heavens
and everything on Earth"
"Who is he that can
intercede with him
except with His permission"
-Blood will flow
from everywhere.
We've opened the gates.
We're coming in force.
[grunting in pain]
El Hadj!
El Hadj!
They're going to the village!
They'll kill Islam!
My children!
El Hadj!
My children! El Hadj!
They'll kill them all!
-You can't do this.
I won't let you
defile the zawiya.
-I know what I'm doing, brother.
-Cheikh!
What do we do
if you can't master it?
-Then you must kill me.
-For real, El Hadj?
What you're about to
do is haram.
Do you want to go to hell?
Burn in eternal flames?
[chuckling]
Your sacrifice is in vain.
Theres nothing left
to sacrifice.
I'll corrupt you.
Like I corrupted that dog.
[whispering]
[eerie music]
-Ahmed!
-[screaming]
-Ahmed!
Why, Ahmed? Why?
[eerie music]
PART 3: WAFFA
(PRESENT DAY)
-El Hadj!
-Cheikh!
[distant car honking]
-Go in front.
I've run out of strength,
my boy.
You must kill me.
Look at me. You must kill me.
-I can't do that.
-It called him.
Did you see
how he ate his finger?
-I did.
-Right?
-Don't worry, El Hadj.
-He's one of them now.
[woman gasps]
[clattering]
-What are you doing?
-Stay there. Don't move.
Cheikh.
-[demonic laugh]
-Cheikh.
"In The Name of Allah The
All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path,
The Path of the ones"
"whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
Cheikh.
Cheikh! God forgive us.
-"In The Name of Allah The
All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
"The Possessor
of the Day of Doom."
"You only do we worship and You
only do we beseech for help."
"Guide us in the straight Path"
"The Path of the ones
whom You have favored"
"other than that of the ones
against whom You are angered"
"and not that of the erring."
"Indeed Allah said the truth."
"Allah is Great."
Cheikh!
-[demonic screaming]
-[praying]
-[demonic screaming]
-[praying]
Cheikh! Can you hear me?
Tell me what to do.
-You can't.
-I can. Tell me how.
-You can't do it.
You can't do it.
-Come to me. Come out.
Come out.
Take me!
Take me.
Come out and take me!
Come to me! Come!
Come out!
-[woman gasping]
-Come out!
-Waffa...
[heartbeat thumping]
-We'll bury him according
to the Prophet's custom.
Place him on his right side.
God is great.
Hand him the stone slab.
Put it the other way around.
Pray for your brother.
May God have mercy on him.
-Amen.
-May he rest in peace.
-Amen.
-[praying]
-You'll wear yourself out, Waffa.
Let me give you a hand.
-You can put it down here.
I feared nothing
with El Hadj alive.
-May God have mercy on his soul.
-I wouldn't be alive
but for him.
-Waffa, your foot.
-Hmm?
-Your foot.
-I cut myself yesterday
when you broke the glass.
-Was El Hadj already dead?
-I don't know.
-Try to remember. Was he still
alive when you cut yourself?
-[grunting in pain]
-Sorry, Waffa.
Come, I'll call your mother.
Take it easy.
-My baby!
-I'll call your mother.
-Slimane, who are these men?
Why are the lights off?
-Who are you?
-[breathing heavily]
-Good lord!
Who are you?
-[wincing in pain]
-Come here!
-Slimane, don't leave me alone!
-I'll be right back.
What do you want?
-I'm scared!
Slimane!
-Waffa!
-Slimane!
Slimane!
-"In The Name of Allah
The All-Merciful"
"Praise be to Allah,
The Lord of the worlds"
"The All-Merciful,
The Ever-Merciful"
-[demonic praying]
-[Waffa crying in pain]
[Waffa screaming]
-[demonic praying continues]
-[Waffa screaming continues]
-[demonic praying continues]
-Evening.
-Evening.
-Boss.
-What have we got?
-Slimane Mefteh, age 50.
Throat slit.
He worked with the house owner
the head of a zawiya
turned exorcist.
He died 2 days ago.
-Cause of death?
-It's all in the file
I sent you.
Waffa Sad,
age 25, their neighbor.
She did housework
and cooked for them.
Her husband works down south.
Hes on his way back.
Good God, boss...
They gutted her so savagely
that her leg was severed.
-Fuck, that's three crimes
of this kind in a week.
-She was pregnant.
The baby survived.
It's at the hospital.
The fire brigade
will come pick up the bodies.
-Ma'am?
Ma'am?
Please come with me.
[baby fussing]
-[humming]
"Violent fundamentalism
is not Islam
but a distorted reading
of its texts."
(Leila Ahmed)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MAMANRYDA,
WHO TAUGHT ME TO TELL STORIES
AND OF YAMINA,
WHO HELPED ME FILM THEM.