Le premier homme

---

A film by Gianni Amelio

Based on an unfinished novel by

Albert Camus

What name did you say?

Cormery.

Are you a relative?

My father...

...Cormery Henri,

wounded in the battle of the Marne,

died on October 12, 1914.

Was six months old when he died

That doesn't change a thing

there's still too many dead.

But where are those from 1914?

Row C, D or P?

Excuse me, I'll go and check

25 years...

My father is 25 years old

THE FIRST MAN:

1957, beginning of summer

- How long has it been since you last

visited Algiers? - A bit over a year.

It changed a lot, don't you think?

- I bought you the newspaper.

- No, thank you.

Already read the forecast and it's

going to rain tomorrow. Algerian summer

Your last interview

caused many disputes.

Some say that your

remarks are ambiguous.

One sentence really impressed us:

"A writer can never

measure up to those that die

Do you know the road to Belcourt?

- That's where I live.

- We'll go straight to the university.

- And then we'll take you to a hotel.

- Why a hotel?

It wouldn't be safe

to sleep at home tonight

And all the other nights as well,

if you plan on staying in Algiers

- Not safe?

- It's just a simple precaution,

to avoid endangering

your mother as well.

Good day, Francois Husson,

journalist from "L'Echo d'Alger".

You declared that you're

not interested in politics,

but in today's Algeria

everything is politics.

What's your question?

Do you see yourself as a

left wing or a right wing man?

Go back home, Cormery!

We don't need people like you! Traitor!

- This is not your home!

- It's best if we go inside.

Renegade!

Long live French Algeria!

Long live French Algeria!

It is believed that the university

forms the nation's elite.

That it is the temple of knowledge.

But, instead of thinking

they insult people

and act as provokers.

Fortunately, considering the times

it's just an isolated minority.

A rather large minority, I would say.

He's about to finish

then it's your turn.

It was necessary for

the French blood

to flow through streets

and homes of Algiers,

for us to open our

eyes and see the truth.

It's no longer time for compromises.

Right now the politics

must have but one aim...

Respond to these murderers

blow for brow!

We now have the honour

to receive someone

who needs no further introduction.

Please give a warm welcome to

Jacques Cormery!

Thank you.

Good day to all of you.

The last time I came to this theatre,

I was still a student.

I used to sit up there,

in the last row.

Yes...

A lot of time has passed and

a lot of things have changed, right?

For a new Algeria...

What subject could

be more important to us

here and now, than this?

Nothing is dearer to my heart

than the destiny of our country

You're no longer Algerian!

Algeria is not France,

and it is no longer Algeria

Algeria is this forgotten land,

neglected, distant and despised

with its mysterious natives

and exotic French,

left to drown in its own blood.

Algeria is this territory,

inhabited by two peoples,

one of which is Muslim.

Not for long!

We easily accept

to believe that only blood

can make the history move forward.

The duty of a writer

is not sewing those

that create history,

but helping those affected by it

I firmly believe

in the possibility of coexistence

between Arabs and French in Algeria.

And that this coexistence,

between free and equal people

- is the only solution.

- Algeria is French!

Thought wouldn't get involved

...but I was wrong.

Don't worry, there's no danger.

How do you feel?

No, not yet,

I'll go see her tomorrow morning

No, I'll call you

No, I won't forget.

Good night.

The lady is not in.

She went to the market.

- Thank you, Said.

- Welcome home, Mr Jacques.

- Thank you.

- Would you like to wait for her here?

No, I'll catch up with her.

Mr Jacques...

Is it true

that there's a war between us?

Here you go.

Mummy!

Madam Cormery!

I thought you would arrive yesterday.

I made you a stew

with pees and chicory.

I'll eat it today.

- No, it's no good the day after

- Apologise.

I'll make another one

tonight or tomorrow.

How long will you be staying this time?

AH the time you want.

Received the

photo of your little girl

Now that she's all grown up

she doesn't look like you any more

She's the spitting image of her mother.

Is her mother alright?

Ups and downs, as always.

She needs to look after herself.

It's a nasty disease.

- How's it called? I always forget.

- Depression.

You don't have a fever,

you're always tired

and you lose the will to live.

Thank God you're alright.

I haven't told you

how beautiful you are.

I'm old.

I arranged my hair yesterday

and look at it now.

Your hair is beautiful.

Now we'll go for a walk and then

I'll take you to a restaurant.

- Later, let's stay here a while longer

- As you wish.

Look.

You started buying newspapers?

CORMERY BOOED "Uproar at the

colloquium regarding Algeria's destiny

can't read,

but can recognize my son

It's a nice photo, isn't it?

Still rummaging?

What are you looking for?

Was my father's name just Henri?

- He didn't have other names?

- Don't know. Can't remember

Do look like him?

He had bright eyes, just like you.

You told me that he lost his

father when he was little

and was put in an orphanage.

He couldn't read either.

You can't learn

anything in an orphanage

But he sent you

postcards from the front.

He learned later.

When he was 20, I think.

I don't know.

It was a long time ago.

When we got married

he was capable of doing any job.

Your father had brains, just like you.

And then?

You came,

and then he died in the war.

They sent me a piece of the grenade.

It's inside the biscuit box.

Aren't you tired?

Go lie down.

I've put clean sheets on.

I'm happy when you're here.

Where are you going?

Go back to bed!

Go back to bed!

Come on, let's free the dogs.

Open it!

Come on, open it

Open it!

Idiot!

You stink!

Please, sir, let me out!

I've got nothing to do with it!

You'll pay for

all the dogs you let loose.

It was them!

Let me out, please!

You'll be inside the cage

an hour for every dog.

Let me out!

Please, sir!

Sir, let me out!

Open the door, let me out!

Arsenal!

Moron!

Bastard!

Imbecile!

Scumbag!

They're nice.

- Come.

- Bring him here.

Is this the time to be coming home?

Where are your new sandals?

I've lost them

I've searched for them everywhere,

but haven't found them.

In that case, you'll walk

barefoot the whole summer

And you?

Why are you standing there?

Go help your brother.

He's been working hard the whole day.

But first bring me

what's necessary for your son.

Close the door.

Come closer.

Come closer.

The harder the hit,

the bigger the lie.

Go away.

Eat.

They give this to the

sick in the first wing.

The rich ones.

There was a man outside...

A man?

He's always there

when I come to see you.

He smiled at me today.

I think he knows me.

And if he knows me,

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