ALGIERS 1970. IN THE AFTERMATH OF INDEPENDENCE, ALGERIA SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE USSR TO WELCOME OUTSTANDING ALGERIAN STUDENTS. AZZEDINE, AGED 20, LEAVES HIS NATIVE KABYLIA FOR MOSCOW TO ATTEND ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS FILM SCHOOLS. A FEW YEARS LATER, ENRICHED BY THIS HUMAN AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE, HE RETURNED TO HIS COUNTRY AND BEGAN FILMING. HIS MOVIE. BUT IN THE 1990S, ALGERIA WAS PLUNGED INTO BLOODY CIVIL WAR WHERE FREEDOM OFTEN CAME AT THE COST OF LIFE ITSELF.