The Fire and the Moth (2025) Movie Script

Saba?
Yeah
There are policemen on the way
So you know?
They can't get you
Okay
Let's go
Stop there!
It will not be well with you
Let's go
Hey!
Opa!
Boss!
Have you received my package?
- Those boys are dead.
- Oh
But did you receive the package?
I have it.
No problem, call me
when you get to Parakou
Boss, but I told you
that there will be checkpoints
today and the roads won't be safe
Come,
aren't you the one that needs the money
So those boys have just wasted their lives
Everybody will die, okay?
It was Opa that killed those boys
Opa will die as well,
dying comes with the job!
Okay? Bring me my package!
Walk with me
The lost city of Atlantis
That's what Leo Frobenius said
when he first saw the relics at Ife.
He was amazed at the sheer
artistry of what he'd saw
18 glorious bronze heads.
Naturally, he took some.
And then the Brits took some,
and then it gets all hazy.
It's was a fight in the
mud for these beautiful things.
Blood, bones, guts, spilled onto the open.
Why am I here?
You know Nigeria?
This idiot Ibrahim was paid to break
into the museum and get me the head.
That was seven weeks ago
God needed only seven
days to create the universe.
This idiot is definitely
up to stupid games.
Raise hell, stir the seas,
ignite the fires, I don't care!
Just get me the bronze head.
What? What is this?
I see!
- Daddy what's happening?
- Get back inside!
- What's happening?
- I said go inside!
Take it easy.
Has Saba arrived?
Hmm Saba is not reliable.
Don't wait for him
if you need to get somewhere
Okay, let me check you
It's okay, you can lie down sir
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hello
Saba where are you?
Your father needs surgery!
I'm coming with the money,
something happened along the way.
Hope it's nothing serious
Don't worry about it,
I'm coming with the money
Hurry up!
I can't keep pumping him with injections!
And you didn't pay for
the last one I gave him
I've told you not to worry,
I'll pay it all.
I'll call you later,
I'm currently working.
Who's lurking around there? Leave!
Arike.
Arike!
Shh! I won't harm you
-Please don't kill me
-Are you deaf? I said I won't harm you
On your knees!
On your knees!
I have bandages
and antiseptic
You're not serious
She's my sister
Join her!
You're losing blood
I'm not blind
Professor
Which of you is the professor?
- Which of you is the professor?
- I am
- Go!
- Please don't hurt her
I'm going!
- Good evening, Sir.
- Good evening.
How are you?
I've been knocking for a while
I hope all is well, It's quite late.
Just a precaution
- Have you noticed anything?
- Anything like?
- Like someone running?
- No
- You didn't notice anyone move around?
- No sir
- You didn't hear any sound?
- Sir, I didn't hear anything.
I did not hear anything.
Okay. Stay alert!
Keep your eyes open
- Okay sir.
- Okay?
Goodnight sir.
Wait!
Blood!
Blood?
Officer!
We're the only ones at home
What is it?
- Where is he?
- Who?
There's no one else.
There's no one else?
Then whose blood is it?
Don't you have a daughter?
He has left.
Thank you
I'll leave before sunrise
You need help!
It's nothing
It's not a small thing.
There's blood everywhere
Okay, give it to me
It's okay.
Sit down
Your shirt.
Your shirt.
Sorry
Sorry
Who are you?
And why is the police after you?
My name is Gideon and I'm an evangelist.
What business does the police
have with an evangelist?
That's a question for the police
Maybe it's because of what's in your sack!
They are bibles
- Your turn.
- I still have some moves left.
- My guy, keep your eyes open.
- I'm still in the game.
- Let me play this way.
- I'll show you both...
- that I'm the best here.
- We are still playing.
Where's Ibrahim?
Where did this man come
from with his funny accent
I'm the only child,
please don't kill me sir
You don't look nothing
like your picture Ibrahim
Boss.
I know you are from Mr. Franois
See,
I've been trying to reach him all day
Of course you have
My driver should be arriving
at the border soon.
Let Mr. Franois know that he can count on
uswe will deliver without fail.
There are always unforeseen delays.
Seven weeks? That's not a delay.
That's a conscious decision
to be bad at your job
He was at Saki the last time we spoke
He will get to Parakou soon
I see you've been calling him.
Yes but he doesn't
pick calls while driving
That's why.
Maybe he found another buyer
Huh? No!
Saba?
He's my trusted worker, I trained him
He's loyal, as I am
He can't do that
He will deliver it
Please help me plead with Mr. Franois,
we will deliver by this time tomorrow
Please!
So you say he's in Saki,
enroute to Parakou, correct?
Yes, correct.
Sir, I know you are a good man
You and I will have a
great time when this is over!
Won't you change your shirt?
Do you have another one?
I'll wash it
Can I see the bibles?
Why?
Are you hiding something?
Pastor Gideon
Go to bed
I wonder what a pastor is
doing with the Ife Bronze head!
I caught a glimpse
It's in the news
A robbery at the Ibadan museum
- Can Ijust look at it?
- No
Boss!
Hello?
Where are you?
Who is this?
Ibrahim's boss!
Buy one bottle of palm oil
Where's your back door?
Pastor Gideon
Pastor Gideon!
Pastor Gideon!
Pastor
What about our bronze head?
I assume you want to sell
I can help you sell,
if you are looking to sell
I mean I know those that can buy
- Have you told people?
- No! Nobody!
Nobody!
You don't want to hear how much?
The police took down the museum
thieves at Saki - Lajeki to be precise
The Joint Task Force sir?
The police acted alone
They didn't find the bronze head sir?
The police want us to believe that.
- Teriba?
- Sir!
Teriba, do you know how much the
bronze head is worth?
- I think it is very valuable.
- Valuable?
Your salary is valuable.
My salary is valuable.
A million dollars?!
That can buy out to a small country or
probably feed a whole village
Are you sure the police kept it?
Look,
that is why I want you to to take a look
You're an investigator
and you're very good!
See
Turn it off.
Where are you going to?
Hello Yusuf, It's Saba
What is it?
Please I need a car.
I'm stuck in
Lajeki and I need to deliver a package
You're a fool!
When last did you speak to your boss?
- I spoke to him this morning, but
- But what?
Say what's on your mind!
Foolish man! You haven't heard?
- Hear what?
- Dude,
Your boss is dead!
He got toasted like bread.
All the boys in the workshop are all dead!
It's like you have something tainted.
You're a wanted man!
How do you know?
You are asking a me foolish question
After your boss's death,
go hideyou're being hunted!
Foolish man.
You said you can sell it?
You said you can get a buyer?
For the bibles?
Sure!
I know many people
Like who?
Lisa Brennan
She's into antiques.
Things like this
She knows people
A white woman?
She's my lecturer
Are you a student?
Phd candidate
Professor.
-We can go visit her tomorrow morning
-No!
Let's go now!
Just like that?
Without informing her first.
Besides, if we go now,
we won't be back until late,
and I don't want any
trouble with the police.
- I mean, we can't leave now.
- I went to school too.
Don't be angry
Pastor Gideon
I want 25% by the way
-You're funny
-I'm not
25% is nothing
Let me see your buyer first
I'll still want 25%
and I want to see the bronze head!
You can manage here
I will get you bed sheet
Do you have Saba?
So, you're the one looking for Saba?
- Yeah!
- Huh.
Where is he?
Are you a police or journalist
- I'm neither.
- Huh.
Take me to Saba
Where's the money?
I want to see Saba first
You want to see Saba first?
- Hmm.
- Okay that's fair
See, forget about Saba, Okay?
Forget about Saba and show me the money
Boss, I don't know where Saba is,
I won't lie to you
Please I don't know where he is.
Where are we going
Is there a route we can
follow to avoid poilcemen?
Ak?
Ha! Policemen!
That's true
I think I know a road
But it's a longer route
No problem
- Let's go.
- I'm coming.
You can use this bag
instead of that cheap sack.
Or would you rather Miss Brennan
think we're not serious?
-Pastor Gideon
-Hey
- Stop calling me that!
- Then tell me your real name
Saba!
Saba!
I'm Abike
Yes?
Excuse me? Hello? What's going on?
What's going on?
Good day!
- Good day!
- Good day, what's going on?
-Teriba Bello from special investigations
-Okay?
We came to ask you questions on
your encounter with the robbers.
Okay?
- First of all I want to say
- Hold on!
Yes, hello?
Have you found the thieves?
You have them now? Search around,
they should be there somewhere.
I'll be there in 30 minutes.
- Sorry, you were saying?
- Yes I wanted to say
First of all, I salute you.
That must have been
a very dangerous encounter.
Dangerous? No!
It was just a routine stop-and-search,
but those bastards
decided to be unfortunate.
Do you think the robbers are
the same ones who hit the museum?
This is the road you claimed
was free of policemen?
Sorry, I
- Should we turn back?
- Took you long enough
Normally, they aren't
Please, just tell them I'm your uncle and
you're taking me to Ibadan for surgery.
Go!
You didn't find anything in the car?
No, we searched the car and found nothing!
Or maybe they've handed
it over to smugglers around
Do you know any smugglers around?
All the smugglers I know are
either dead or in prison
- Hmm
- Yes!
I'm sure you know one that we can talk to
No I don't
- Good afternoon, officer.
- Good afternoon.
Who is this?
I have not seen this face before
He's my uncle
Gideon!
Don't you remember me?
I remember you very well.
Very well. That's why I'm asking
you to give me your ID card.
Uncle, it has started again? Your stomach?
Sorry, sir. We are actually going to
the teaching hospital
in Ibadan for his surgery
Madam, open your boot
I said open your boot
Sorry uncle.
Listen
Look, officer, I'm a very busy man, okay?
I already told you, I debriefed.
Can we speak
to some of your witnesses then?
No witnesses
Can we talk to your team?
Okay, happy to help.
- When can we talk to them?
- When they are off duty
- Hello
- Can you please don't do that?
When can we take a look at your report?
You don't listen, do you?
- Madam.
- Officer?
Would you allow me to do my job?
In fact, step out of the car!
Come down!
- I told you he wasn't feeling fine.
- Go!
Didn't I tell you he's not feeling well?
Yet you were still saying...
I want us to work together on this case
It's a national treasure,
and I heard it's worth a million dollars.
I really like itteamwork! Okay
So, we'll go to the scene of the shootout
- and work our way back from there.
- Okay!
Sir, is it possible that your officers
took the bronze head during the mayhem?
- Have you gone mad, Akinloye?
- What?!
What are you trying to say? Are you trying
to implicate me and my officers?
- What kind of
- Sir, I'm
Will you shut your mouth
and apologize immediately!
No, no, no! I don't need your apology-
I've already gotten what I wanted.
What kind of insubordination is this?!
No I can't take this.
Now he knows we're onto him!
I planned to break him
then
You opened your mouth
and put your foot in it!
This artifact belonged to a
king in the 14th century.
King Obalufon Alayemore
I know why you're my favorite student
You know,
when the Europeans came to steal this,
they saw them as rare ornaments.
But the Yorubas
saw them as sacred symbols of worship
for kings they regarded as gods.
The head was the Ori,
the home of man's destiny, the seat of
the soul, where man's fate is determined
You mess with the head,
you mess with destiny.
You mess with the soul.
You mess with fate.
Checks out!
200 million
Greetings
Greetings! How are you today?
Well done baba
My apologies, sir.
My question is about a recent incident
that happened here involving the police.
Did you hear about it?
You said what?
I asked about the incident that happened
recently involving the police.
Huh
That's what they said.
They said it was the smugglers
and the police again.
I don't know much about it.
You must know a little more than that!
I heard the gunfire
when the police confronted those boys,
and that's all.
Was it the police named Opa Stephen?
I don't know any Opa
They chased one of the smugglers to that
place and they shot him
- Where?
- Hey!
- Better shut your mouth!
- Baba, please let her talk
Hey
What place?
- Over there.
- Oh
What happened to the
smuggler they were chasing?
They drove his car away.
They drove his car away?
Do you remember what the car looked like?
Blue!
Blue
Blue
I just got off the phone
with an old friend in Nigeria.
She's trying to sell me a bronze
headmy bronze head!
I just sent you her address.
You know what to do.
This person knows you're about to sell?
You will disappear once you get the money
Someone very important needs me
The person?
Your father!
He's sick.
And now you can get him the help he needs.
Arike and I are moving,
once we get our share
To America or Canada
Everyone is running,
both the rich and the poor
I won't apologise for
chasing a better life for us
Thank you, Saba.
What for?
I want to make a call
Oh, sorry!
Goodnight!
Hello?
Is he dead?
He is going to die soon
This man is in pain, and I can't
keep pumping him with injections.
I have the money.
You will see first thing tomorrow morning.
I want to talk to my father.
Yes?
Dad, take it easy
I've made arrangements for
the doctor and your surgery.
I'm not asking you for money.
If God says it's time, I'm ready.
Dad, I'm not asking you to take me back.
I just want you to be fine
Saba, I want you to know that
whatever you sow, you will reap.
Dad, you have started again.
I've accepted my fate.
You believe these witnesses?
They have no reason to lie, sir.
Opa Stephen?
I had a bad feeling
the moment I met with him.
And the witnesses confirmed my fears.
Opa is feared over there.
Once you have his money you're good.
The smugglers know this,
so they come prepared with tributes.
He is quite bold and reckless.
It seems like he has some backing
from some powerful people.
So, have you found the last person
the police chased into the forest?
No, but Opa will.
I saw the glint in his eyes
the moment I told him
about the value of the bronze head.
The glint in his eyes!
You have done well.
I just think we should move on.
What about the bronze head?
No, the Joint Task Force is on it,
and they
should be ending the case anytime now.
It's over!
- They found it?
- No
So, we're just going to
let go of it like that?
Teriba, people have moved on.
I'm getting calls from people
I never get calls from
I've been told to
stay away from Opa Stephen
You will get your promotion
letter next week.
It's over!
Case closed.
Where's the white woman?
Who's that?
Answer the question.
She's not coming
Why?
Don't you have a phone?
Are you here for small talk,
or make a deal?
Drop that money and step back!
Do I look like a fool?
Where's the package?
Are you blind?
Bring it here
I'll count the money first
Alright
Keep moving until you get that bush
- Are you joking?
- Move!
Guy...
Don't try that with me,
I'll shoot your brains out.
If you take a step, I'll kill you!
It is destiny, is it not?
The white man and the black man's gold
Who are you?
I'm from Franois.
I'm here for the package.
I can't reach my associate right now,
but he's on his way.
Did you bring the cash?
You can't reach your associate,
but you want the cash.
You are pleasantly greedy.
Hello,
Did you get it?
No. Your friend wasn't very friendly.
What happens now?
I have one more stop to make.
Stop there! Don't move!
This is the guy!
Move!
Move!
I'll deal with you!
What is it?
Can't you talk? What is it?
- The Police.
- What?
They took him away
Who?
Saba?
They came looking for something.
They found him at the back
while searching and took him away
- Did they take anything from him?
- I don't know.
- Sister
- Yes?
Talk!
Queen
I'm sorry.
Arike
You
We know your work,
and we're not here to disturb your work
All I am saying is pay your tribute.
I don't have anything.
Where is it?
What?
I know you came to my house
I know you've been staying
at Abike's house
I know you have what I'm looking for.
I know everything
Where is it?
I don't know what you are talking about
Okay!
We will share the profit 70-30
I will also give you
some extra on your share.
Agreed?
I'm trying to negotiate with
you but you are unresponsive.
If I start my own
You will suffer
What a coincidence.
What are you doing here?
I should ask you the same question.
As you can see, we are working
- In the forest?
- Yes, this is my town.
I can choose to be anywhere at anytime.
But you, what are you doing here?
I can see you eventually found
a smuggler who is
neither dead nor in prison
Who told you he is a smuggler?
Then what is he?
Custom officers
should interogate a smuggler
- Let us go!
- Look here Teriba!
I'm warning you,
you are getting on my nerves!
I know the blue car you and your
boys drove away from there.
I don't know what you're talking about.
We already have a video
of you and your boys here
Beating up a smuggler in the forest
Imagine I hand this over to the
Force Disciplinary Committee or maybe
- leak it out there on social media!
- Do your worst!
Opa Stephen
I know you think you have powerful
connections that will wipe away this stain
and make everything go back to normal
But there some stains that
are too big and too wide to cover
This people,
they will dump you before you stain
them and go for hungrier police officers
Who will do their dirty laundry.
Opa Stephen!
You are replaceable.
You are not special
God punish you.
Let's go
Teriba!
Teriba, I'm warning you!
Hey... Teri the mad man.
Teriba! I'm warning Okay then!
-Hello sir,
-Opa. Yes?
Teriba, the custom officer,
is meddling in our operations
- Yes, sir.
- Why are you shouting?
I apologise for shouting
He's getting on my nerves
I'll get angry with you
-I'm sorry, sir
-Take it easy
I'm frustrated
- And why are you still on that case?
- Sir?
You have obtained the car
and the rice, what else?
- Sir? Hello?
- What are you not telling me Opa?
-Hello sir
-Hello, I can hear you
The nework is bad.
- I'll call you back sir.
- Opa?
Foolish man.
Who is this mad person?
-Hello Queen,
-Hello daddy
What is it? You are
distrubing my work. I am busy
Daddy, there's a man here to see you.
He say's he's from Belgium
- From Belgium?
- Yes daddy.
- And they are at home?
- Yes daddy
Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible.
Make them feel at home.
- Get them drinks. I'm on my way.
- Okay dad.
Where are you going?
Will you go back to base! Idiot!
Rolake, how are you?
Don't be scared
Look at his face,
don't mind the blood on his face.
Was this the man you saw?
No he's not.
Rolake, don't be scared.
Look at him well Is he the one?
- He's not.
- Rolake!
She said he's not. Leave her alone!
Let's go!
Please, come back.
How do you know Opa?
I don't know him
I know that the robbers gave you
the bronze head before they got killed.
And I know that Opa chased you
from there to the other side
I know he tried to shoot you
and he took your car away
Not me
Not you?
Opa will come back for you
But I can guarantee you safety
if you cooperate with me
I don't know Opa
You don't know him
You can go
But whatever happens from now
Is on you.
Saba! My God!
I went to the police station,
I couldn't find you anywhere.
They beat you?
Why did you come back?
What happened at the exchange?
- Did you get your share?
- No!
What happened?
She sent a killer
I don't under.. Who sent a killer?
Your white woman, sent a killer.
Killer?
Huh?
That's why you came back?
The killer is still somewhere around
Professor Brennan?
I don't wait, does this have anything
to do with the police coming here?
I should ask you that
I don't understand.
You think I called the police?
Only you know I am here
I didn't call the police
I've heard.
After everything?
No, Saba, look at me
After everything?
I didn't even know you were coming back,
how will I have called the police on you?
So how did they know?
You spent 2 nights in my house
2 nights!
I gave you food, I gave you medicine,
I had plenty of chances to
play you, why now?
Your professor tried to kill me
Saba, I don't know anything about that
But I need this money, just like you.
Why will I destroy the only
chance of me getting it?
Hello
Thank you for coming back to inform us
You still have the bronze head?
So, what happens now?
I'm leaving
But you still have to sell it
I'll find another way
I know other people
We can leave together
No.
You're bleeding again
It's probably infected
And it's late
You're just going to call
attention to yourself.
I'll be fine.
Policemen, custom, and
vigilantes are out there
And there's you, looking like this
At least, come and clean up first.
I've heard
Let's go
I'm coming
-Arike
-Yes?
There's a bag under the bed
in my room, bring it to me
- What's happening?
- Are you deaf?
Get going!
Pick your call Akinloye.
Hello sir,
Is it true?
Yes sir, I'm very close to
getting the bronze head.
But I gave you
clear instructions to stand down
Teriba, you seem to think
I'm just that nice boss
with suggestions and ideas
on how things should be done.
That you have some agency to do things
how you think they should be done.
No, Teriba!
My orders were clear.
When I ask you to go left, you go left
and ask how far left you should go.
But sir, It is not in my training
to abandon a clear lead.
Don't you dare talk to me
about your training
Your training is to listen to your
commanding officer.
Or you kiss that promotion goodbye.
Where's this girl? Queen.
What, what is this?
You kept us waiting!
Huh?
Where's the bronze head?
Who are you?
I'm in trouble!
Please, have mercy on me!
Where is the bronze head?
I have been looking for the
bronze head myself. Please.
So you're gonna waste the only
chance you have to save your daughter?
Wait!
Wait!
Wait
Good evening, sir.
Do you need first aid for that?
Aunty Arike said to ask
you if you need paracetamol.
No.
- What about hot water?
- I'm good!
-What about tea? I can make tea for you
-Don't get me angry
Are you a doctor? Leave the way
Professor, open the door!
Where's Saba?
He's inside.
Open it.
Oh!
Ha! Sir, it's not over yet.
I can still get him
Where is it?
Come here!
Where is it?
Sir, please.
We don't know what you're talking about
You know what I'm talking about!
Where is it?
I don't know
Okay.
I'm giving you two a moment to
think about life without your sister.
To think about the warmth
of gushing blood.
The taste of copper.
The rough sand in your hands as
you stand over your sister's body.
So, where is it?
Where the fuck is it?
I give you 5 seconds
He left! I swear, he left!
We just let him spend the night.
What's the rush here
Open this one here.
It's in the car
Open it.
Nothing there!
- No, no! It was there.
- You're wasting my time.
Time I don't have
Come here.
Go!
Go!
Stay here.
Aunty Abike? Aunty Abike?
Aunty Abike please stand up,
please wake up!
Wait wait. No, no, no!
Aunty Abike
Are you Saba's father?
Who is this?
Who are you?
The man who is going to kill him.
Your son was paid to
bring something of value.
And he didn't.
I've warned him
I'm sorry, it's too late for that, sir.
Please, I'm not begging for my life
I'm begging that you take me and spare him
Your life has no value to me,
it has to him.
Sons should always
listen to their fathers.
Hello,
Do you have it?
I'm working on it.
What exactly will you be working on?
Igniting the flames like you asked.
Waiting for the moth.
Can you speak like a sane person for once?
Hello? Are you there?
Speak you imbecile. Hello? Hello?