Little Jaffna (2024)

[bunniefuu]

The civil w*r in Sri Lanka

began 40 years ago.

Thousands of Tamils

have been driven into exile.

To create the state of Eelam

in the north of the island,

exiled Tamil Tigers

fund the liberation movement.

Since 2006, the EU has defined

the group as a t*rror1st organisation.

In France,

the intelligence services work

to dismantle it.

Your posting?

Clermont-Ferrand Police HQ.

- Your rank?

- Police officer.

Your name?

Michael Beaulieu.

So what's Sebamalai?

My father's name.

Why did you change names?

My grandmother wanted us

to fit in here.

You'll be Michael Sebamalai again

for us.

Tea, please.

Michael, how's it going at the theatre?

Everything's good.

I told you so.

When your wife arrives,

she'll take over.

She'll get cleaning work.

The theatre boss hires illegals.

May God hear you.

Kid!

Coming, Aya.

Serve the guys eight teas.

Ok, Aya.

- Where were you?

- With a chick.

Kabee, come see, the trailer's online.

- Where's your helmet?

- Who cares?

He never wears one.

Screw that, it'll f*ck up my hair.

Take it in.

Look at him, the guy's on fire.

That's pure class, man.

Check this out.

You suck, bro!

Get me some smokes.

Cousin! I want some shark curry!

Get ready to chop up a fishmonger!

This isn't Paris,

it's Little Jaffna!

- Puvi, we need to talk.

- What's up?

Not here. Let's move.

Talk to me here.

My sister.

What about her?

Forget her. It won't work.

It's your decision?

When the Killiz come,

the Sura run.

What are you staring at?

Who do you think you are?

Your sister will be my wife.

What, f*ck?

She'll be my wife.

Your sister will be my wife.

Selvi will be my wife!

Sheriff, you got the wrong Indians!

Go back to your fish shop!

f*ck off back home!

Go f*ck your mothers!

Don't talk to Whites.

Don't talk to them.

Calm down!

Clear this away.

Good night.

Thank you.

Is your grandma ok?

The hide's tough, she wants to go back

to Clermont-Ferrand.

Tell me about them.

They call themselves the Killiz.

A species of Sri Lankan parakeets.

Who's this?

The lumberjack is Puviraj,

one of Aya's closest henchmen.

He's my way to Aya.

They're together 24/7.

All orphans who fled the w*r.

Everyone coughs up to fund the Tigers.

200 euros per family,

1,000 per shopkeeper.

Aya has deals with some,

but those are the rates.

With the incidents back home,

the levy will rise.

How regular are the Swiss runs?

I don't think they are regular.

Aya sets the dates

according to the Tigers' needs.

What about Aya?

Does he collect funds himself?

He plays the humble grocer,

but everyone fears him.

Aya, the fishmonger didn't pay in full.

He's the Tamil Tigers'

biggest backer in France.

His main money-maker

is migrant trafficking.

He uses them as cheap labour.

Get out.

Their truck was spotted south of Paris.

I'll send you the info.

Your suffering ends here.

In heaven,

your road will be easier.

Rest in peace.

May our love carry you.

He's right.

As long as we finance them,

the fighting will never end.

Don't talk about what you don't know.

I've seen it all my life.

Meanwhile, they cause havoc here.

When army tanks enter your village

and destroy everything,

will you fight with a stick

or die in silence

without doing a thing?

When people lose their land,

they lose their identity.

And then everything vanishes.

This whole struggle is for that.

I love seeing you eat.

Give me that.

- I saw her yesterday.

- Who?

That girl I showed you.

Spicy, bro!

Whitey!

A nice, hot fritter.

Breaking news:

shelling in Vanni...

These attacks deprive

communities of medical care.

For the UN,

attacking a health care centre

violates

international humanitarian rights.

The endless shelling has damaged

50 schools

and 12 hospitals have been destroyed.

Dozens of victims

are still under the rubble.

It drives me mad seeing that.

Your name again?

Michael.

Eat with your hands.

We're Tamils.

Found a smuggler for your family?

Yes, but he's asking

for a lot of money.

Don't worry, it'll all go well.

I hope so.

Sendhil,

we're expecting fish from Sri Lanka.

Put two kilos by for me.

- Why're you here?

- You didn't pay.

Midhu, it's not easy for us

this month.

I don't give a sh*t.

Let's go!

You can sort it out with Aya.

It's not easy for us.

We won't pay.

- Get out.

- You're f*cking crazy!

What the hell?

What'll you do now?

Kasi, let the kid go!

Get the hell out!

I'll torch this place!

You hit him with a tuna?

You f*cking maniac...

Michael...

Sebamalai.

All in order.

You're new.

Killiz or Sura?

You ignore cops too?

We'll meet again.

Midhu, come with me.

Move your legs.

Thank you.

Where you from?

Jaffna. And you?

Me too.

When did you get here?

When I was four.

Your parents?

They died back there.

Screw your history.

Shut the f*ck up.

What do you know?

You have your whole family here.

You don't know about being alone,

so shut up.

- Quiet!

- Shut it.

Think you're at home here?

We always carry a cyanide capsule.

If we're captured, we'll be tortured

and no one can bear t*rture

without giving away secrets.

With cyanide,

we'll never be taken alive.

Gently, Gran.

You studied five years for this?

Is this police work?

Gently, Gran, that hurts.

No sense in taking it out on me.

Don't talk about my work.

You don't spend your life

living in fear.

Are you ready?

Yes, ready to die for our cause.

For a Tamil state?

Yes, to found Eelam.

After all we've done for you...

You've shown us your true face.

How could you have betrayed us?

Aya, forgive me.

Are the police going to help you now?

Forgive me.

Aya, forgive me.

Strip.

You heard me. Move it!

Hurry it up!

Step over there.

Move!

You came to France at the age of four.

How come I missed that?

My grandmother raised me

in Clermont-Ferrand.

Your grandmother

didn't teach you Tamil?

Why did you move to Paris?

There was no work there

for people like us.

That's why I came here.

That's a pretty story.

Puvi said you were an orphan.

In the '87 raid,

too many innocent civilians died.

My father wasn't innocent.

What was his name?

Sebamalai.

He was a Black Tiger.

Are you proud to be his son?

Yes.

That's good.

He was important back home.

I've heard of him.

I don't want to hear

about any more fighting.

Our Tamil community

has to remain discreet.

- Just go to Turkey.

- Why would I?

You know why.

Stop it, I'm fine.

You don't like my hair?

C'mon, bro, you know

you're gonna look so good with hair.

Imagine a dye job and all that?

You think so?

Believe me, it's true.

It'd really suit you.

A blue or green dye.

Grey isn't bad, silver grey.

Stop, enough!

- Pay for it.

- No, you, I'm broke.

- What you doing?

- It's for your own good.

Sendhil, can I have a fork, please.

How are you doing?

Sendhil, focus on your work.

Whitey, no forks here.

Gimme my fork.

No forks! No forks!

No forks!

This cop is classy

And he's trigger-happy

A burning fire gleams in his eyes

As sly as a fox

He's good at covert ops

A burning fire gleams in his eyes

At the police siren's sound

Everyone goes to ground

No need for a sidekick

In plain clothes, looking slick

His badge borne on his cap

His police rank on a strap

Whitey!

Niro doesn't talk much.

He's lost his tongue.

He saw stuff back home

and hasn't spoken since.

You writing a novel?

It's Selvi.

She wants me to meet her dad.

A summit meeting.

Are you scared?

Follow me.

You've come a long way.

You'll soon be safe.

The journey must have been tough.

Stay strong.

Eat.

It will do you good.

- I want to eat!

- Tell her it's bad.

- Midhu, I can hear you.

- It isn't seasoned.

- It's nicely seasoned, right?

- It's too salty.

- Aswina, do you like it?

- You bet.

Really?

- He's in the champions' league!

- What?

No guy's into you,

that's why your head hurts.

Like any chick's into you?

I'd date a whitey over a Sura anytime.

b*stard...

You're the f*ck.

- What's up?

- Why talk about Selvi?

- Just kidding, bro.

- D'you know Selvi?

I don't, I'm just ribbing you.

- What?

- We're just joking.

Let's just have a good evening.

Here we go again.

What's rattling you?

- I look like I'm rattled?

- Yeah.

Ever loved anyone?

Ever loved?

D'you know love?

- Love for my brothers.

- Yeah?

Will they follow you long?

Always, not like a chick.

They'll give you a kid?

- No need for a kid.

- No need?

No need at all.

With the guys,

we're a family till the end.

My love for you is different,

get it?

- It's not the same.

- Right.

Not the same at all. For starters...

Listen to me.

First, don't joke about Selvi.

And don't joke about my love.

It's pure.

As pure as my love for you.

- Understand?

- Sure, I understand fine.

- Then shut the f*ck up.

- Watch your mouth.

All over a chick.

- I'll f*ck you up.

- Dream on.

Sit the f*ck down.

He's brave.

But he's still a child.

Selvi's all he thinks about,

but her father will never allow her

to marry an orphan.

And that...

Puvi can't change,

however much he loves her.

Do the Tigers still carry cyanide?

Nothing's changed.

By the way,

do you remember your father?

I don't remember a thing.

Your father died a martyr.

He gave his life for our land.

You studied here.

You're familiar with the French

and their ways.

Puvi and the others don't get all that.

I'll be going.

Stay the night.

There's plenty of room.

My grandmother's waiting,

I have to go.

Where does she live?

In La Courneuve.

At the 4000.

I know a lot of people there.

I've heard about you both.

Did I say to leave?

Take a taxi,

be careful getting back.

Don't worry, Gran, I'll go.

- What's this?

- Get ready.

- What's happened?

- Hurry up.

Grandma, my friends are here.

Hello.

Hello, Aunty.

- Are you hungry?

- No.

- I am.

- Follow me.

Try some chutney.

- Seen the news?

- What's going on?

There's been more bombing.

It's bad.

Let's go, guys.

Finish what you're eating.

Thank you, Aunty.

Goodbye.

1,800 dead in a chemical attack,

carried out by the Sri Lankan Army...

Sendhil?

Are your wife and son safe?

Hello?

Can you hear me?

Please calm down.

Puvi, take this.

Whitey!

What are you doing?

Help me with the envelopes.

Gimme all the 50s.

I'm putting the 50s here...

Blow them out!

We live for cake...

For Puvi.

Stop fighting.

She's my favourite!

No, Aya, I am!

Michael!

Come here, son.

- Why so shy?

- C'mon!

The birthday present!

What've you got me?

I'm too old to wear this!

Can I wear this at my age?

You're a Sri Lankan Tamil, right?

I'm French, sir.

And what's Sebamalai?

My father's name.

Why did you change names?

My grandmother wanted us

to fit in here.

Tell me about your father.

He was a primary school teacher.

He was k*lled in a bombing.

That was in your grandmother's

asylum application.

Things are missing from the application.

It must've been easier

to get your papers that way.

You knew.

He blew himself up at a roadblock.

He took 18 Sri Lankan soldiers with him.

What's it like to be the son

of a suicide b*mber?

Puvi, c'mon!

Go on, I'm coming.

- Lock up for me?

- Sure.

I trust you.

- Puvi, c'mon.

- Start up.

Get me the black cellophane.

Got it.

This mango looks ripe,

shall we eat it?

All you think about is eating.

Careful, not too fast.

Stop wasting time.

I heard a noise, Aya.

Move!

Not with the others?

Gotta work at the theatre,

we'll meet up later.

Here.

Once you're in Switzerland,

someone else will take over.

Ok?

What if I'm stopped?

If you're questioned,

say, "I don't know."

That's all.

"I don't know..."

Are you sure my family will come?

- Sendhil, don't go.

- Stay out of it.

Don't get involved in Aya's business.

I want my family out of that hell.

f*cking hell.

Hold on!

Go on, flick it.

This is some crazy sh*t!

You won the first game

but just you wait!

- What you doing?

- It's my turn.

Whitey, no.

Hit it there.

Hard.

It's Sendhil's truck.

- Which one?

- The first.

Careful.

Uncle, wake up.

Uncle?

We've arrived.

Excuse me,

can you hold my baby?

Your suffering ends here.

In heaven, the road will be easier.

Rest in peace.

May our love carry you.

Morning, Aya.

This is gonna be great.

I'll put my bag in.

Careful, my cakes are inside.

Pass me your bag.

Here.

Who goes to church at 8 am?

We need some f*cking sleep!

It's once a year.

This one's been up all night.

Not even once a year...

Pray by day, drink by night!

- Hello, Aya.

- Hello, Selvi.

When love stirs...

Our donations

have never been so crucial

for our homeland,

our struggle,

and the survival of our people.

You make sacrifices

to save this money every month.

I see that.

Charlie...

I've seen your hard work.

The hard work you all put in.

Here in France,

I know what you're doing,

so that our children have

a good education

and a degree of comfort.

Our land needs our prayers.

Every day, this w*r robs us

of so many men and women,

whose only crime

is wanting to live free.

Over here, man!

- Put some here.

- I've got none.

This is the life, brothers.

Michael.

Want some?

No thanks.

Puvi's fond of you.

He's why you're here.

How's your grandmother?

She's fine.

Why?

We're all here.

She's alone at home.

Didn't you ask her to come?

These are tough times.

We must stick together.

Are you with us?

Of course, Aya.

Not true.

When you go

to your whites' theatre,

or to your home,

we don't know

where you're going,

nor what you're doing, or with whom.

We're a family.

We must stick together.

I don't want any of my children

far from me.

You and your grandmother

will come to live with us.

Michael?

And resign from the theatre.

We are Killiz!

Where's my sister?

Where is she?

Where the f*ck is my sister?

Where's my sister?

- Calm down.

- No, I won't.

f*ck you, Aya.

Where's my sister?

Watch your mouth.

Go home. She'll be back tonight.

If she's not, I'll get you all!

You can't be serious.

The best thing is for them

to get married.

So Selvi's father accepts

their decision.

It's the only way.

I'll talk to your father.

Thank you.

We're the Killiz

Flames, we rise like a phoenix

Touch us, you'll burn

Life and death, we're Killiz

Puvi is like a son to me.

They'll be happy together.

She's my daughter.

I'm afraid for her.

I understand.

Every father worries for his daughter.

Don't fret, I'll look after them.

Our children did wrong.

But they love each other.

What can we do about it?

They'll be happy together.

Let's get outta here.

Come with us.

Your suffering ends here.

In heaven, the road will be easier.

Rest in peace.

May our love carry you.

What a wedding night.

Look at the TV!

It can't be true.

The general is dead!

The general is dead!

Tamil Tiger leader dead

They slaughter us, then throw a party...

The army want us to believe

the general is dead.

They want to demoralise us.

We've been fighting 25 years.

My dear brothers and sisters,

believe me,

we will never lose hope.

A new convoy will be leaving

in the next few days.

I'll be taking the money we've raised.

Don't listen to the lies.

And above all,

never doubt.

The general is alive.

We live with him.

Forever,

a land for our people!

A land for our people!

A land for our people!

The general's been betrayed

by his deputy.

He's trying to flee the combat zone.

He won't last much longer.

They'll need arms

and ammunition at the front.

They'll have to regroup.

Aya is bound to move.

It's almost over.

The Tigers will fall soon.

Hang in there, ok?

We're a team.

You've done a hell of a job.

Know where to put a tracker?

I'll find out.

Once installed, let me know.

A SWAT team will intervene

and evacuate.

We'll use that to get you out.

You ok, Gran?

I'm fine, angel.

What's on your mind?

If your mother hadn't been k*lled,

your father would never have joined

the Tigers.

Why didn't you stop him?

It was his path.

And you're following yours.

Do what you have to do.

But come back.

GRAN

What are you doing here?

If you walk through hell, my son,

keep moving.

You're a police officer.

Are you French or Tamil?

Nothing to say?

You didn't grow up with white people.

I always wanted to be like them.

I wanted to be respected like they are.

I wanted to be their equal.

Wasn't I allowed to?

Wasn't I?

Do you think they'll accept you?

We accepted you.

Finish him off.

Stop.

That's what a son is.

Aya, we have to leave.

Go.

Did they teach you to face death

in the police?

Michael.

My struggle

ends today.

Yours begins now.

A land for our people!

A land for our people!

We are here today

to express our gratitude

and our warmest thanks

to our most courageous officers.

Every day,

I take pride in the work you do,

and I am immensely grateful

for the strength you give me

to ensure the Republic remains

one and indivisible,

unified in the secular values

on which it was founded.

Sbastien Deronzier.

Michael Beaulieu.

Clment Fleury.

The civil w*r in Sri Lanka

came to an end

after an army attack k*lled

70,000 Tamil civilians.

Today,

the Tamil people are still fighting

for an international enquiry

into the genocide

perpetrated

by the Sri Lankan government.

No peace or reconciliation

can be achieved

without recognition or justice.

Puvi! Puvi!

Selvi! Selvi!

A baby! A baby!

Ian Burley & Sophia Till