Explores the consequences and contradictions of French colonization in Algeria. Lieutenant Roque is a young French officer, tired and dispirited by the endless war that seems far from a resolution. Roque and his men have been posted to a dusty, isolated village. His official role is to pacify the locals, wave the French flag and convince the Algerians of his nation's good intentions. But in fact, his main target is the dismantling of the insurgent Algerian underground liberation army. He toils to fulfill his mission, torn between resentful villagers and his own soldiers whose morale and vigilance must be maintained at all costs. After the discovery of a notebook containing confidential information, Roque is confronted by the possible betrayal of some of his young North African recruits.