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Algiers, 1516.
The city is a monarchical republic
brutally controlled by the Spanish for 6 years.
The arrival of corsair Aruj Barbarossa will change the fate of the city
and that of Queen Zaphira.
They're mocking us.
The Spaniards are invading us, but they celebrate.
Who can bite into the snow like I can?
Look at me.
As we approached Algiers,
we thought we would be saved.
But in front of the door
some people with hate in their eyes...
forbid us the entry.
We continued walking.
As we went along,
these human beasts lost their voices,
until they became mute.
The closer we got,
the smaller they became, small like fleas.
And we entered the Casbah.
We entered.
This dream,
the newcomers who made their money off us cannot understand.
But the children of Sidi Abderrahmane and Bologhine
can split seas, flatten mountains,
so that this land
may stay alive.
Long live Algiers!
Aruj!
My God!
Aruj!
THE LAST QUEEN
Yahia!
Zaphira.
It doesn't matter, let him go.
ACT I
"For Algiers!”
Here.
I can bring you more if you want.
Yes, please, of all colors.
Anything you wish.
Yahia!
I must go, I'm being sought after.
Why?
Come closer.
Yahia, come here!
Your mother has been looking for you since this morning.
In the Djenina Palace, you'll have to...
- Come back, I'm talking to you! - No!
Yahia?
Yahia, where are you?
Is it you, my love, who sings like a goldfinch?
Be nice.
Please come out.
Yahia...
You can't stay here with the women anymore.
You're a man now.
Everyone dreams of living in the Djenina Palace.
You will be with your father, your brother and your sisters.
My Queen, they're here!
Yahia.
- Come out! - No.
- Your father is coming! - No!
- Don't embarrass me! - No!
Enough!
- Leave me! - Have you gone mad?
What are you holding in your hands?
Leave me alone!
Good day, Yahia.
Was that your goldfinch?
Don't worry, we have hundreds at the palace.
They'll all be yours.
- So, you're coming with me today? - Yes.
Are you happy?
I have a present for you.
- Do you like it? - Yes.
This is the dagger of our ancestors.
It is yours now.
My father gave it to me,
and his father before him, Sidi Abderrahmane Thaalibi.
May God bless them.
Amen.
Welcome to the Palace of the Kings.
Kiss your mother.
Yahia.
Go ahead.
Don't worry,
he will have everything he needs.
And he will come to visit...
I'm used to being alone...
He'll be with his older brother and his sisters.
And their mother, not his own.
Yahia is my son too. If anyone wants trouble,
he'll have to come through me.
Please come wash your hands.
Lunch is ready.
I have to go.
Do you need anything?
You're not staying?
I'll leave tomorrow for Spain with the king of Ténés
to renegotiate with King Ferdinand.
I will be away for a month.
Then go and negotiate.
May God be with you.
I'll come back to see you.
Whether you're away for a month or a century,
what difference does it make for me?
Maybe nothing for you. For the fate of our country, a lot.
You can talk!
What?
Say that again.
Things are not as simple as the life you lead.
Feasting in your palace every day.
Aren't you ashamed?
Women cry for their country, and you boast.
Yes, women cry
because all men have deserted their beds since the Spanish occupation.
That doesn't deserve an answer.
This time, you will answer, Salim!
- If you can't... - Hold your tongue!
- Answer me! - Silence!
I know what you're afraid of.
That if Yahia comes with me, I'll neglect you here?
-But I... - But what?
Don't you realize?
But what do you really want?
I want you to come back to me.
I'm your wife, too.
If you leave my bedside, I'm no longer your wife in the eyes of God.
I'm no longer your wife.
I'm returning to my father in Miliana.
Whether you like it or not, you are my wife
and you will stay here.
I hate you.
Do you see?
You come back to my words.
The Andalusian Arabs are right.
Let's call on Aruj, it's the only solution.
Do you know what that means?
Yes.
It's called an alliance.
Aruj is helping the Muslims fight the Spaniards.
We have to make an alliance with him.
An alliance?
The Andalusian Arabs have nothing to say,
this is not their country.
I swear before God,
it's thanks to them Algiers grows rich!
Don't swear.
Speak for yourself.
Leave me alone.
Who gives his country to a foreigner?
Cherfaoui, be careful of what you say.
Whoever gives his country to a foreigner is called a traitor!
What?
Now!
I demand an apology or I'll leave the council.
And others will follow.
Good riddance!
- Go away! - Opportunist!
You will pay for this!
Silence!
Never fight in this assembly again.
Not in front of me, nor in my absence.
And nobody leaves the room.
We'll stay here.
And take responsibility.
Can't we work together to protect our country?
We aren't able to, King Salim.
The Spaniards are surrounding us, no time to arm up.
It'll take the time it takes.
Salim, you are a fair man,
no one would say otherwise.
In 10 years under your reign,
Algiers has seen neither war nor raids.
You are a man of peace.
But today,
you must let the council vote on Aruj,
and trust this vote.
- Aruj freed Jijel... - He failed in Bejaia.
He even lost his arm there!
What if he fails here?
Breathe.
It will be fine.
We have no choice, Chegga.
Either you negotiate the terms of the alliance with Aruj,
or you pass your decision by force at the next council.
We have the men to support you.
Chegga, where did I go wrong?
You did your duty.
There is only so much we can do, the rest is in God's hands.
One year later
They have more men and weapons than us.
And they want to besiege our city.
We have to strike before they surround us.
We will go out through the reeds of Bab El Oued.
Knife.
The first assault here.
Then this beach, then this one.
We're going to clean out the West.
We'll be in charge of the East.
Our riders will go from Tafoura to the main beach.
We strike the roots, and you the heart.
- Before they reach the city walls. - Exactly.
Once finished, we'll meet on the main beach
to finish them off.
People of Algiers,
tribes of the Metidja, let's join the corsairs
to show them that we are one army.
We will attack at the same time.
At the sunrise, after the prayer.
At my command, on the hill, we attack and we don't stop.
Never dispersing, never retreating.
Be confident.
This is our land and God is with us!
May God be with us!
Amen.
God is mighty!
Boo!
Hey! You're always cheating!
I did this to encourage you, little goldfinch!
Who's the goldfinch?
Little goldfinch?
Brothers don't hit each other!
- Fares, you should set an example. - It was him!
- I want to fight! - Why?
I want to fight in the war!
Yahia! We must pray for our victory of our men.
- What's wrong? - I want to fight!
Why do you want to fight?
We must pray to God!
I don't want to pray with you!
I want to fight alongside my father!
Are you okay? Go inside!
- You want to fight the Spaniards? - Yes.
Why? What harm have they done to you?
They took everything from us!
You're powerless against them!
- No, I'm not! - You're too weak!
But I have rage.
- Rage? - Yes!
- Do you want to fight? - Yes!
Zaphira, calm down.
You want to fight the Spaniards?
Come and fight!
Come on, Yahia!
Long live Algiers!
Long live the Thaalibi!
How many prisoners do we keep?
None. Kill them all.
Long live Algiers!
We won!
ACT II
“I love you as deep as the sea.”
Yakout embroidered it for you.
Thank you Yakout, it is very beautiful.
It's an honor, my dear.
Algiers is liberated. But you are the King, the liberator.
Let him come to you.
- Do not march towards him. - Yes, I know.
You keep repeating yourself.
It's very important.
Enough, Cheggal!
Let me breathe.
You too, breathe.
You're a man now.
Your father is here.
What a beautiful burnous!
A real Thaalibi!
Go on.
Congratulations.
You liberated us, Salim.
I heard you were hurt.
Here.
Let me see it.
Let me smell it.
- Did you make it? - Yes.
Why are you trembling? I am here.
Our son is here. We were victorious.
Let's start again as before.
Better than before.
I'll finish the ceremony,
and come to you for a whole moon.
Promise?
Yes.
I'll be waiting for you.
My brother!
No Salim.
Do not move.
Aruj is one of us!
Long live Aruj!
Long live King Salim Toumi!
Long live Algiers!
What's wrong, Chegga?
It's a celebration, not a funeral.
Don't you see?
How could you? You were celebrating during the occupation.
We were fighting the invaders, not life.
How long will we stroll around this garden?
I'm fed up with the smell of jasmine and orange blossoms!
Why are we not at the tavern?
I'm getting dizzy.
You're laughing?
I feel dizzy!
I swear!
There is Ishak, stroking a mare!
I guess he needs a woman.
It's a stallion, you idiot!
Come on, Aruj!
Tell him to calm down SO we can go to the tavern.
You are really insufferable.
You don't understand anything about beauty.
You put out my pipe!
Zaphira! One day you will break your neck!
Give me some lemonade.
- Where is it? - Right there.
- Join us, Mount! - No.
I only swim in the summer.
Checkmate!
Where will we sleep my love when night falls?
My Queen!
We need to speak.
This palace is splendid.
I'll take it.
And his horse...
I will ride it.
And I will ride his wife.
- He said that? - Yes, it's rumored.
It's about a man.
Get up, let's go.
Will you ride the horse's wife or the king's wife?
Both of them!
It's getting complicated.
Who does he think he is? What a thug!
Does Salim know?
Of course not!
Tomorrow, when he comes, you'll inform him.
You'll do no such thing.
Salim shouldn't neglect you!
When was the last time your husband showed you his sword?
I know that deep down you love pirates like Aruj...
No.
Corsairs love tender flesh, just like I do.
Who are those who live well and rule the world?
Who fear neither king, ruler, nor sultan?
The corsairs! It's the corsairs!
Who are they? They shout like thunder strikes.
Their anger splits seas and raises winds.
The corsairs!
The sea and sky are ours! The wind's pushing our ships!
Run, hide! We are coming!
Don't you have anything better to do?
Go and study.
Brother.
I am developing a system...
to move our cannons on land.
Using sails.
Wonderful.
When do you plan to set sail?
Soon, when the tide goes down.
In the meantime,
you may ask your men to wear shirts.
And to stop causing fights in the Casbah.
Could you make that effort
before you leave?
Forgive them, they are simple corsairs.
Don't get angry.
I'm just asking you to control your men a little better.
And if you can't,
we will.
This is what we call "being guests in your own home".
Next time,
I'll strangle one of corsairs myself.
He's late.
All the better.
We have more time to get you ready.
Calm yourself.
Rose and laurel.
To relax you.
What are you making, witch?
I'm a witch?
One day, I'll bewitch you,
so you will have eyes only for me!
But you're my favorite!
I'm here now.
And I am yours.
Truly?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
No, tell me, Salim.
No one listens to me.
That's not true.
You are the king, and everyone listens to you.
As you're the only one who really listens to them.
With your ears.
Those beautiful ears!
They listen well to everyone.
But me!
You are strangling me!
- Do you love me? - Zaphira!
Do you love me?
I love you.
How much?
As big as the sky.
What about you?
I love you.
How much?
As deep as the sea.
Salim?
Help!
Younes!
Yes, my Queen?
- Has the king come? - No.
- Has he sent a messenger? - No.
- Have you heard anything? - No.
Take me to the palace!
- Why? - You must escort me there!
Something bad is happening, I must get there.
I won't take the queen through the Casbah at night.
I'll be killed.
Younes.
Calm down, I'll go to the palace. But I'm sure there's nothing wrong.
Come back! Younes!
Get up, people of Casbah!
Go to the palace!
Something terrible has happened! Wake up!
You can't pass through here.
- I am the king's wife. - His wives have been evacuated.
- No! - Go away!
- Let me pass! - Get out!
Get out!
Chegga!
What are you doing here?
Where are you going?
Guards are going to your house to evacuate everyone!
Where is Yahia?
We looked for him, | swear, but we didn't find him.
- Is that Yahia's dagger? - He lent it to me.
My son!
Don't go, please.
It's too dangerous.
Salim?
What about Salim?
They killed him. They betrayed him.
He was murdered in his hammam.
I saw him in a dream but I couldn't save him.
We are widows...
I didn't see it coming...
Zaphira, listen to me.
You are my sister.
We must stick together.
We must leave the palace, but we will be back.
Our men are inside to bring back Salim's body.
Don't go, Zaphira!
Don't go.
Go and warn people, wake them up,
tell them what happened.
Let the Algerians come!
This palace belongs to the people!
It's forbidden.
Imam, my son!
The doors are being closed!
- My son is inside! - It's forbidden!
- Imam, I... - Inside, they're may be a fight.
I am the mother of Yahia Thaalibi.
Just let me through!
I'll come with you. Wait. Put this on.
I'm coming with you. Follow me.
Let's go to the right wing.
Halt!
No one is to enter the palace!
Leave the palace!
Imam, I told you to get out.
- And this woman? - She's looking for her son.
- I must find my son! - Get out!
- My son! - Get out!
I am Zaphira, the king's wife! I am the wife of Salim Toumi.
Take me to my son!
You are supposed to be evacuated from your house.
My son!
It's too dangerous here.
Then I'm going on my own.
Yahia?
My son.
Yahia?
My child, listen to me.
He's a child, he probably went to look for his mother.
What if he went back to your house?
He doesn't like being with women.
He is always looking for his father.
We don't have time.
Come along.
There is a traitor among us. We must find him and punish him.
Yes. There is a traitor.
We will find him and we will punish him.
Salim was a brother to me.
He asked me to protect Djinina palace.
It doesn't work that way.
We are the Republic of Algiers.
Decisions have to be made unanimously.
Where is the late king's brother?
Khaled Toumi should be here.
Speak if you have something to say.
We're all members of the council.
We have traditions and you want to change everything!
Are you calling us bastards?
Open the doors, we want to see our king!
Guards!
My Queen!
Mom!
Yahia!
Yahia, are you alright?
- Mom, I don't want to die. - No, it won't happen.
I don't want you to be killed in front of me.
Mom, let's hide.
Wait.
No, my love,
we will do the opposite.
Where is the king's body?
In the people's hall.
- When will you call for prayer? - Soon.
We are not going to hide.
Open the doors, we want to see our king!
Rest in peace.
A traitor strangled him in his bath.
Let us pray.
First you have to open the doors.
That won't happen.
It's too dangerous. The traitor is still among us.
The doors must be opened.
The people of Algiers must enter. It's custom.
Let's pray.
Open the doors!
No one goes in,
no one goes out!
No one goes in,
no one goes out.
Let's pray.
Got it, bastard?
What is she doing there?
Shame on her!
This is no place for a woman.
Shut your mouth.
- Do you want to see him? - Yes.
Get up.
Order them to open the doors.
Open the doors!
ACT III
"I swear to God, before all witnesses present.”
What will become of us?
May god protect us all.
Zokha, don't leave me.
I am here.
Why did your husband forbid you from coming here?
I don't know.
And I will never forgive him.
You are my sister and I'll always be there for you.
This is the end.
Keep the faith.
Remember what Sidi Abderrahmane said about Algiers?
Algiers is gone forever.
Don't say that.
Please don't forget Sidi Abderrahmane.
"Algeria, in its trials, is a wonder.
"In its heart, misfortune on its people will not last.”
Come on Zaphira, say it.
"I a difficulty arises,
"or oppression,
"an easiness
"of the Merciful will follow.”
My Queen, your brother.
I am sorry for your loss. I missed you.
I missed you too.
Here is a letter from our father.
Read it and answer now.
Read it to me.
Just read it.
You forget that I can't read.
"My dear daughter,
"even though I am far away,
"I deeply felt your pain
"because you are the flesh of my flesh.
"Salim was like a son to me.
"Yahia is now an orphan, he must live with his grandfather.
"You too must return to Miliana.
"Yahia is too young to be your guardian.
"A woman of your rank mustn't remain without a man.
"You cannot remain without a guardian.
"Your honor and mine are at stake.
"I am waiting for you.
"Your father, Brahim Ben Omrane."
Mohcen, when was the last time you came?
Take a bath, rest,
and we'll talk over dinner.
Do you realize what's happening?
You have to go back to Miliana.
- Now? - Yes, it would be best.
I'll answer.
Tell him to write.
Write.
My dear Father,
More than anyone, you know my loyalty.
I have not stolen, nor killed, nor betrayed,
so why would I run away like a criminal?
Yahia doesn't belong to Miliana.
He has to grow up and live here,
And if God wills it, reign here as his father did.
Yahia will be my guardian.
Stop writing.
What's wrong?
Stop it.
What's wrong?
I have no place in Miliana.
Your mother has made it clear that I'm not welcome
in my late mother's house, where I was born.
I will pass it on.
But Zaphira, don't forget,
the dishonor a woman inflicts on her family will be settled in blood.
Mohcen, forgive me.
Don't be angry.
Let's go home.
Please.
I'm from the house of Sanhadja.
I've been waiting for hours to see the queen.
We've also been waiting for hours.
Forgive us ladies, the queen is overwhelmed.
She came from afar. It will be your turn soon.
Please.
My condolences, My Queen.
It's an honor to present myself to you,
on behalf of my master, Aruj, the liberator of Algiers.
Everyone has signed the act of allegiance
and recognizes him as sultan.
An act of allegiance?
I didn't sign anything.
He didn't ask you to, given your royal blood.
But he urges you to accept this gift,
as a sign of friendship.
I am in mourning.
I cannot accept any gifts.
Take back that chest,
slave.
I am not a slave.
I am a free Muslim woman.
Really?
So you are a so-called convert?
There are more and more, glory to God!
Yes, I am a Muslim.
Where were you born?
- In Tokou, Scandinavia. - Northern countries...
the snow-covered countries.
Do you like snow, My Queen?
Yes, I love it.
Here we flavor it with rose,
and lemon,
then we eat it.
Please accept the gift from my master.
Tell me, convert.
Who is your master?
Aruj.
He is not mine.
There is only one.
"He begets not, nor is he begotten and there is none like unto Him."
He is God Almighty.
And Allah reserves a great punishment for tyrants.
I will send your words to Aruj.
Such an honor meeting you.
Who does she thinks she is?
I will take care of her personally.
Unlike you, people love her.
That doesn't bother me.
Before, they didn't care about her,
and now, she has become their heroine.
Their queen.
You would benefit from making her your ally.
People consider her their queen because she stayed.
A queen?
You are my queen!
Let the forty days of mourning pass.
Meanwhile, bring any attempt at rebellion to its knees.
People will calm down and you can get rid of her.
Aye, my general!
Anything you want.
Besides,
I don't want to stay in this city.
Why?
Usually, we liberate and leave.
Why do you want to stay this time?
Aruj...
Why?
40 days after the king's death
Where is Zokha?
She can't be seen with you.
- Why? - Her husband is afraid for her.
And the women of the house of Hamza?
They are too.
We should never have gone out.
What would people think
of a woman living in a house without a man?
Queen Zaphira and Prince Yahia are coming!
Blessings be upon them!
Do you remember me, prince? I sold you a goldfinch at the palace!
Yes, I remember.
Come walk with us.
- Really? - Of course.
Don't be afraid, we are with you.
You are not alone, My Queen.
May God protect you, My Queen!
Long live the queen!
Peace on Salim Toumi's soul! There'll be revenge.
Everyone to the mausoleum!
Peace on Salim Toumi's soul!
Long live the Thaalibi!
Calm down.
No one is to go inside!
Group gatherings are forbidden!
Move away.
Calm down, Younes.
Access is prohibited.
Taking up arms in a cemetery? Shame! Sinners!
Today is the 40th day.
You can't keep us out of the Kings' mausoleum!
Move along!
Let us in!
You have no right!
The mausoleum of Sidi Abderrahmane belongs to everyone.
Let them pass.
Clear the way.
Women, come with me.
We are with you, My Queen.
Queen Zaphira asks the purpose of this visit
and why you are so numerous.
In the name of God the Merciful.
In the presence of the eminent members of the Council,
we have come to ask for an alliance.
My brother Aruj, protector of Algiers,
and defender of the lands of Islam,
wishes to marry the Queen Zaphira,
daughter of Brahim of Miliana, in accordance with the law of the Sunna.
And you,
Imam Hmadna,
her guardian in the absence of her father.
Tell us your conditions
for allowing this wedding.
This is unacceptable.
They have gone mad. We did not agree on this.
We were supposed to discuss the situation of Algiers.
I am still in mourning.
Queen Zaphira says:
"This proposal is irrelevant,
"as I am still in mourning.”
You are our queen.
And he is our liberator.
Marry him.
This land doesn't want to suffer any longer.
It is not the moment...
What is being said?
- I'm worried for you. - I'm leaving.
What's that?
Speak before me.
I'm listening.
Speak and I'll answer.
People say,
but only God knows,
that you killed Salim Toumi.
Shame on you!
This is unacceptable!
By proposing this marriage to me, your insult becomes boundless!
How dare you address our master, our liberator, in this way!
A woman raising her voice is an outrage!
Let her speak.
Let her speak!
Be quiet!
Continue, My Queen.
Speak!
The audience is over!
Speak!
On God, don't be afraid.
Please continue. Speak.
If you are really sincere,
answer my question.
Did you kill Salim Toumi? Yes or no?
I did not kill my brother.
I would die to save my brother.
Tell the truth!
"O you who have believed,
"if there comes to you a disobedient one with information,
"investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance
“and become, over what you have done, regretful.”
Prove it to me. Bring me the murderer.
And assure my son of his father's throne.
Agitator!
She wants to sow doubt and discord!
I swear to God,
before all witnesses present,
that from tomorrow,
we will investigate to find the killers of King Salim Toumi,
descendant of the Thaalibi.
The guilty will be publicly strangled.
Thereby,
justice will be served, Queen Zaphira.
I'm sad that you doubted my innocence.
It's no matter.
I forgive you.
As for him...
Tear his tongue out.
Why me?
I will kill you!
I'll gut you!
I'm going to bleed you!
You're a dead man!
I'll kill you, you bastard!
I'm going to throw you to the Kraken to be eaten!
Get off me, knave!
It's a strategy!
What do you want me to do with this woman?
She's intolerable!
Why did you decide to marry her? It wasn't planned like this!
Astrid, we need to gain of the people of Algiers' trust.
We need to calm down the crowd, so that we can settle here.
Do you understand me?
Stay here?
Never in a million years!
We will build here.
Stop wandering at sea.
This is our country now.
I'm tired of it all.
I'm tired.
My God!
I never expected to see you again.
Khaled Toumi.
We have always been there with you.
How are the girls and Fares?
Well. We're with my tribe.
Tell me quickly, I know you can't wait.
We set up an army with Chegga.
What is your plan?
We will attack hard and swift.
If we win, we'll take back Djenina Palace.
And our throne.
Inchallah.
Zaphira,
you stayed alone among the wolves.
You are brave.
And you are our pride.
Yes, it's true.
We are married to the same destiny, and for that you are my sister.
Zaphira...
For the Thaalibi,
for our sons Fares and Yahia, and for Algiers,
accept to marry him.
And Kill him.
But how?
- At night. - Which night?
The wedding night.
I know what it means to be a woman amongst all these men...
Harden your heart.
I'm raising an army and you slaughter him in your bed.
We are with you.
Where am I in all of this?
There is no you, nor I.
Only Algiers matters.
Are you with us?
I am one of you.
We've caught the criminals, the traitors
who assassinated Salim Toumi, and plotted against Aruj.
They will be executed before God and the people.
I can't believe it.
Chérif El Kamal!
- Zokha's husband? - Yes.
Chérif...
It can't be!
What a masquerade!
Mom, are they going to die?
- They will be killed? - Yes!
Because they killed your father.
It's the court's decision.
What if it's not them?
They should not be executed!
It's them!
So that no one dares approach us
or hurt us.
We are innocent!
The real culprits will face God!
And his angels will testify!
It's a frame-up!
We are being used!
Zaphira!
Open the door!
Messaouda, Yakout!
Open the door! It's me, Zokha!
They are accusing my husband of killing Salim!
You know it's not him.
Open it, Zaphira!
I'm your sister!
Mom, let's go! There's no one there!
You can stop them. Speak with Aruj.
Traitor!
You have destroyed my home. May God destroy yours.
ACT IV
“Harden your heart."”
As the walnut bark has mixed with my saliva,
as the gold makes agate shine,
let the people fear me as the lioness,
let them admire me as the sultan and the mufti.
All these jewels and gifts are offered by Aruj's brothers,
Ishak and Kheirredine,
to Sultana Zaphira.
Who invited her?
Not us, she's a guest of Aruj.
Aruj demands a luxurious wedding. All Algiers will be invited.
You must get married quickly.
Very well.
We will be married tomorrow.
- What? - Tomorrow.
No, not so fast.
Are you upset about this marriage?
No.
Don't worry. I'm even more angry than you.
Don't be so sure.
I don't whine for a man.
Liar.
Satan's bitch.
Whore.
Messaouda!
Open the chest and show the guests what Aruj has offered!
Messaouda is from my house. I will give her orders.
Open the chest.
This concerns only Aruj and me.
Let's ward off the evil eye.
We will attack on Friday,
when all the Mitidja people come to town to trade.
You hide among them.
The weapons will be hidden in the merchandise.
You will all go to pray at the great mosque.
As Aruj will close the prayer, be as close to him as possible.
Strike as we leave the mosque,
Aruj, his brother and his closest men.
The others will surrender.
I want to avoid bloodshed.
He wants to become our caliph.
Let's strike while they pray.
They will be disarmed.
We are the heirs of Sidi Abderrahmane.
We do not strike in sacred mosques. Only cursed people do that.
I'd have liked to see you again under better circumstances.
We wanted to visit you in Miliana,
but alas...
Marhoun!
- It's you! - Sister.
You're so tall.
I missed you, my Zaphira.
My sweet brother.
What's wrong?
Mohcen is waiting for you. With Yahia.
Of course.
Get comfortable, I'll be back.
Take care of them, Younes.
You will have a horse for yourself in Miliana.
Can I go anywhere with it?
Yes.
Mohcen.
Zaphira.
Mom, I'm going to Miliana with my uncle!
What?
We men are leaving. But I'll be back to see you.
- You'll be back to see me? - Yes.
Mohcen, what's this about?
Our father is dead.
He died and has been buried.
His last wish was that we bring Yahia home.
What's wrong with you?
Are you surprised?
You're the poison.
The poison that killed him.
You bring men home.
You negotiate with corsairs!
You decide to get married, without a guardian.
Mohcen, stop it!
Yahia is coming to live in Miliana with his uncles.
We don't leave kids with a woman who has shamed us.
Mohcen, it's not what you think.
Forget Miliana and die in your Algiers.
Mohcen!
- Let's go, Yahia. - Mohcen.
Let's go, Yahia.
Get away from him!
Get back, Zaphira!
Leave him!
I told you to move off!
Give my son back!
- Step aside! - He's my son!
What did I do to you?
Get back!
- That's an order! - Order?
Free my son!
An order? You really think you are a Sultana!
Give my son back.
I am your brother.
If not for Father's last wish,
I'd have killed you for honor.
Move off!
Mohcen!
Mohcen, look at me!
Mohcen!
Pray.
! believe in one God.
And Mohammed is his prophet.
My Queen!
Zaphira, what have you done?
Guards!
Let me take my brother.
Give me back my brother.
- Remove your hand. - He's my brother, too.
Come and help me!
Oh supreme humiliation,
the people of Algiers
defeated us as never before
and sent us to cry to our mothers.
But when I arrived at my mother's,
she spanked me
shouting:
"Shame on you bastard, you have lost Algiers!
Now, you only have to throw yourself into the sea!"”
Come on pirates,
let's board!
Follow me.
Are you celebrating?
In the meantime, my wife was almost killed.
Who, Astrid?
No, the queen, halfwit.
How?
Her brother came of Miliana to kill her.
In her house. Where were you?
- What happened? - She killed him.
What if she had been expecting you?
Moron.
Well, the bride of Algiers doesn't need us!
Stop your stupid jokes right now.
The worry now is that Zaphira has nine other brothers,
and I don't know how many cousins.
All Miliana will swarm around Algiers
to avenge their elder brother.
We know how to welcome them.
Listen carefully!
Meanwhile,
Khaled Toumi and the first Queen Chegga are plotting a rebellion.
Perhaps with the help of the Spaniards.
And they all promise a bloody raid on Algiers.
We will see.
Shut up, it's not over.
Khaled Toumi has visited Zaphira.
Under our noses. At night.
Nocturnal visits?
I'll scalp your head!
No, I didn't mean that!
Let's all raise a glass to our groom!
Here's to the groom! To Aruj!
God is great.
Zaphira.
Anything can happen.
If we fail Friday, you will be our last hope.
Marry him, and kill him on the wedding night.
This is our land, and God is with us.
Your faithful Chegga.
Whoever takes up arms against us,
is not one of us.
And whoever deceives us,
is not one of us.
These traitors' blood doesn't deserve to flow on our land.
ACT V
"I heard...”
Don't worry.
He knows the forest like the back of his hand.
He's very resourceful.
I don't recognize my son anymore. All he does is run away.
He will come back, he has no place to go.
Yahia!
Where are you?
Why are you doing this to me?
Yahia!
Mehdi!
Were you following us?
Miliana's court is waiting, follow me!
No, not you too!
You have dishonored us all.
My Queen, go hide!
Where were you going?
- Looking for my son. - I know.
I was informed. You should have told me yourself.
Do you know where he is?
Your brothers are looking for you.
I forbid you to make decisions alone,
to leave your house or the city.
I forbid you from all that.
Nobody forbids me anything!
And whoever comes near my son will pay bitterly, including you.
Beware,
I can do worse.
My wife never leaves her house.
I will not be your wife or anyone else's wife
if Yahia...
If Yahia is not returned to me alive.
I will bring him back.
I promise.
I heard you are not afraid of anyone,
and that you get what you want.
As the sultans do.
I heard all people fear you,
and you get what you want.
As a devil does.
It is said that when you were born
your mother bathed you with rose water and amber,
as the djins of the sky would do to their newborns.
I heard you were born in a small village in Greece,
to a potter father and a peasant mother,
whose name was Catalina.
Some people say that you don't feel the cold of the ice,
and that you bite into it,
because you ran barefoot in the snow of the mountains when you were little.
And I heard you do not feel the heat of fire,
and that in Bejaia when the cannon blew off your arm,
you did not even notice it.
Can fire warm the heart of a woman who is alone among the wolves,
even if she is a sultana?
Can snow soothe the heart of a man
who has tasted the rivers of hell
to become a conqueror
after being a slave.
This is the first time I have seen your face.
Now I have a throne.
And soon you will be my wife.
He's here.
Leave us.
Let's go.
Fucking bastard!
Cherchell is a beautiful city.
You will be fine there.
Bouchnak will come every month
to make sure you don't miss anything.
Astrid.
Understand me.
Give me that dagger.
I'm going to give it back to her.
I'll leave right after.
You don't have to.
I'm still your messenger.
I'll honor my mission until the end.
I wanted to harm this woman though she reminds me of myself...
when I was a slave and struggled alone.
Get out of the water.
It's late.
Yahia!
Get out, Yahia!
Your hands are freezing!
You think you're a fish?
My sweet boy.
What is she doing there?
Come on.
Let's go home.
- Aruj.
The kid, did you find him?
We found the camp of Zaphira's brothers.
Yahia escaped.
Escaped?
Since when have people escaped your ambushes?
Yahia!
Marhoun, leave the boy!
Yahia!
Here is Yahia's burnous.
I promise it's true.
I believe you.
Aruj and his men were able to overcome the rebellion that threatened Algiers.
This dagger, taken from the late Chegga,
is returned to you by Aruj as a promise
to find your son Yahia.
In the hopes of making you his wife tomorrow, in accordance
with the Sunna, the charia of God and his prophet.
I am leaving and will never come back.
Forgive me.
If I have hurt you.
Are you there?
Yahia...
did you see him?
Answer me.
I missed you.
A lot.
Mom.
You know, I always have this dream.
I am in Miliana.
Snow covers the ground.
Everything is white.
Eternally.
The snow covers my footsteps.
There is no longer a breath,
not even a beat.
Mom...
Yahia never wanted to rule.
I did.
I was the one who imagined myself being queen.
The groom is here.
Mom...
You have to go with him.
Mom!
I want peace, Zaphira.
Let's start a new chapter.
For Algiers.
I told you...
I want peace.
What are you looking for?
I am here.
Stop.
Kill me instead.
Kill me.
I've already seen hell.
I won't kill you, Aruj,
I want you to see your empire collapse.
Zaphira!
Watch life leave my body.
As my love escaped me.
Go...
My love...
Look at yourself, Aruj. Look at yourself disappearing with me.
For Algiers.
1 year later, in 1518, Aruj would in a siege in Tlemcen.
His head would be proudly exhibited throughout Spain
to the sound of the tocsin.
Before dying, Aruj gave the keys to his kingdom
to his brother Kheireddine,
who would unite the Ottoman Empire of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Algiers will be nicknamed for centuries to come:
"The city of a thousand cannons, the well-kept city of God".
History or legend, the very existence of Queen Zaphira
has been constantly supported and contested throughout the centuries.
THE LAST QUEEN
A film by Damien Ounouri & Adila Bendimerad