Algeria, in the arid landscapes of the Aures Mountains, a little girl named Aya plowing a piece of land. A police car and two officers were to give a letter announcing the death of Belkacem, his older brother, who was in another city doing military service. As the family learns of the news, Mouloud, the father starts to collect the body of his son. Courageous and determined challenges various dangers. Although empathy and compassion for people who are located along the road, the journey is marked by loneliness and suffering. Back, Mouloud find his wife, Fatima, seized with a deep sadness. Fearing that never recovers, does his best to see her smile and try to find a remedy to unhappiness without surrendering.

Brahim a master craftsman, is one of the richest men in the country. He takes a third wife, Fadah, a young beautiful girl, hoping that she will give him an heir before he is too old.

In 1895, young journalist Albertine Auclair arrives in the Kabylie during a family visit. The beauty of the region seduces her but she soon learns of the struggles of the native Algerians. She hears in particular about Arezki El Bachir, who was recently sentenced to death by the colonial justice system, and decides to find out more about this extraordinary man.