During the Algerian War (1954-1962), many impoverished young Algerian men, known as "Harkis", volunteered to join the French Army. Salah and Kaddour find themselves under the orders of Lieutenant Pascal. But as the conflict draws to an end, the prospect of independence looms. The outlook for Harkis seems bleak. Lieutenant Pascal confronts his superiors, insisting that every single man in his platoon must be evacuated to France.

July 1982 in Morocco. Samir, a 16-year-old fisherman, is learning English in the hope of leaving his village. Louis, a Western tourist traveling with his wife, has to explain himself in a language that is not his own. Samir is the only one who can help him, and must make an important decision when Louis faces the worst.

Touda is a Sheikha, a traditional Moroccan singer. Performing in the bars of her provincial town under the gaze of men, she plans to leave for the lights of Casablanca in search of recognition and to ensure a better future for her deaf-mute son.