Merwan grew up in France and only speaks French, but he is a resident alien from Algeria. Because of a minor infraction of the law, he is shipped back "home" to Algeria and is immediately drafted into the army. He speaks no Arabic and is held in contempt by his fellow soldiers. It's not long before he deserts his unit and attempts to join his girlfriend, another French-raised Algerian who was tricked into visiting the country and is now being imprisoned there. Together, with almost no knowledge of the place or the culture, they attempt to flee across the border. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi