Fire and the Moth, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Saba?

Yeah

There are policemen on the way

So you know?

They can't get you

Okay

Let's go

Stop there!

It will not be well with you

Let's go

Hey!

Opa!

Boss!

Have you received my package?

- Those boys are dead.

- Oh

But did you receive the package?

I have it.

No problem, call me

when you get to Parakou

Boss, but I told you

that there will be checkpoints

today and the roads won't be safe

Come,

aren't you the one that needs the money

So those boys have just wasted their lives

Everybody will die, okay?

It was Opa that k*lled those boys

Opa will die as well,

dying comes with the job!

Okay? Bring me my package!

Walk with me

The lost city of Atlantis

That's what Leo Frobenius said

when he first saw the relics at Ife.

He was amazed at the sheer

artistry of what he'd saw

18 glorious bronze heads.

Naturally, he took some.

And then the Brits took some,

and then it gets all hazy.

It's was a fight in the

mud for these beautiful things.

Blood, bones, guts, spilled onto the open.

Why am I here?

You know Nigeria?

This idiot Ibrahim was paid to break

into the museum and get me the head.

That was seven weeks ago

God needed only seven

days to create the universe.

This idiot is definitely

up to stupid games.

Raise hell, stir the seas,

ignite the fires, I don't care!

Just get me the bronze head.

What? What is this?

I see!

- Daddy what's happening?

- Get back inside!

- What's happening?

- I said go inside!

Take it easy.

Has Saba arrived?

Hmm Saba is not reliable.

Don't wait for him

if you need to get somewhere

Okay, let me check you

It's okay, you can lie down sir

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello

Saba where are you?

Your father needs surgery!

I'm coming with the money,

something happened along the way.

Hope it's nothing serious

Don't worry about it,

I'm coming with the money

Hurry up!

I can't keep pumping him with injections!

And you didn't pay for

the last one I gave him

I've told you not to worry,

I'll pay it all.

I'll call you later,

I'm currently working.

Who's lurking around there? Leave!

Arike.

Arike!

Shh! I won't harm you

-Please don't k*ll me

-Are you deaf? I said I won't harm you

On your knees!

On your knees!

I have bandages

and antiseptic

You're not serious

She's my sister

Join her!

You're losing blood

I'm not blind

Professor

Which of you is the professor?

- Which of you is the professor?

- I am

- Go!

- Please don't hurt her

I'm going!

- Good evening, Sir.

- Good evening.

How are you?

I've been knocking for a while

I hope all is well, It's quite late.

Just a precaution

- Have you noticed anything?

- Anything like?

- Like someone running?

- No

- You didn't notice anyone move around?

- No sir

- You didn't hear any sound?

- Sir, I didn't hear anything.

I did not hear anything.

Okay. Stay alert!

Keep your eyes open

- Okay sir.

- Okay?

Goodnight sir.

Wait!

Blood!

Blood?

Officer!

We're the only ones at home

What is it?

- Where is he?

- Who?

There's no one else.

There's no one else?

Then whose blood is it?

Don't you have a daughter?

He has left.

Thank you

I'll leave before sunrise

You need help!

It's nothing

It's not a small thing.

There's blood everywhere

Okay, give it to me

It's okay.

Sit down

Your shirt.

Your shirt.

Sorry

Sorry

Who are you?

And why is the police after you?

My name is Gideon and I'm an evangelist.

What business does the police

have with an evangelist?

That's a question for the police

Maybe it's because of what's in your sack!

They are bibles

- Your turn.

- I still have some moves left.

- My guy, keep your eyes open.

- I'm still in the game.

- Let me play this way.

- I'll show you both...

- that I'm the best here.

- We are still playing.

Where's Ibrahim?

Where did this man come

from with his funny accent

I'm the only child,

please don't k*ll me sir

You don't look nothing

like your picture Ibrahim

Boss.

I know you are from Mr. Franois

See,

I've been trying to reach him all day

Of course you have

My driver should be arriving

at the border soon.

Let Mr. Franois know that he can count on

uswe will deliver without fail.

There are always unforeseen delays.

Seven weeks? That's not a delay.

That's a conscious decision

to be bad at your job

He was at Saki the last time we spoke

He will get to Parakou soon

I see you've been calling him.

Yes but he doesn't

pick calls while driving

That's why.

Maybe he found another buyer

Huh? No!

Saba?

He's my trusted worker, I trained him

He's loyal, as I am

He can't do that

He will deliver it

Please help me plead with Mr. Franois,

we will deliver by this time tomorrow

Please!

So you say he's in Saki,

enroute to Parakou, correct?

Yes, correct.

Sir, I know you are a good man

You and I will have a

great time when this is over!

Won't you change your shirt?

Do you have another one?

I'll wash it

Can I see the bibles?

Why?

Are you hiding something?

Pastor Gideon

Go to bed

I wonder what a pastor is

doing with the Ife Bronze head!

I caught a glimpse

It's in the news

A robbery at the Ibadan museum

- Can Ijust look at it?

- No

Boss!

Hello?

Where are you?

Who is this?

Ibrahim's boss!

Buy one bottle of palm oil

Where's your back door?

Pastor Gideon

Pastor Gideon!

Pastor Gideon!

Pastor

What about our bronze head?

I assume you want to sell

I can help you sell,

if you are looking to sell

I mean I know those that can buy

- Have you told people?

- No! Nobody!

Nobody!

You don't want to hear how much?

The police took down the museum

thieves at Saki - Lajeki to be precise

The Joint Task Force sir?

The police acted alone

They didn't find the bronze head sir?

The police want us to believe that.

- Teriba?

- Sir!

Teriba, do you know how much the

bronze head is worth?

- I think it is very valuable.

- Valuable?

Your salary is valuable.

My salary is valuable.

A million dollars?!

That can buy out to a small country or

probably feed a whole village

Are you sure the police kept it?

Look,

that is why I want you to to take a look

You're an investigator

and you're very good!

See

Turn it off.

Where are you going to?

Hello Yusuf, It's Saba

What is it?

Please I need a car.

I'm stuck in

Lajeki and I need to deliver a package

You're a fool!

When last did you speak to your boss?

- I spoke to him this morning, but

- But what?

Say what's on your mind!

Foolish man! You haven't heard?

- Hear what?

- Dude,

Your boss is dead!

He got toasted like bread.

All the boys in the workshop are all dead!

It's like you have something tainted.

You're a wanted man!

How do you know?

You are asking a me foolish question

After your boss's death,

go hideyou're being hunted!

Foolish man.

You said you can sell it?

You said you can get a buyer?

For the bibles?

Sure!

I know many people

Like who?

Lisa Brennan

She's into antiques.

Things like this

She knows people

A white woman?

She's my lecturer

Are you a student?

Phd candidate

Professor.

-We can go visit her tomorrow morning

-No!

Let's go now!

Just like that?

Without informing her first.

Besides, if we go now,

we won't be back until late,

and I don't want any

trouble with the police.

- I mean, we can't leave now.

- I went to school too.

Don't be angry

Pastor Gideon

I want 25% by the way

-You're funny

-I'm not

25% is nothing

Let me see your buyer first

I'll still want 25%

and I want to see the bronze head!

You can manage here

I will get you bed sheet

Do you have Saba?

So, you're the one looking for Saba?

- Yeah!

- Huh.

Where is he?

Are you a police or journalist

- I'm neither.

- Huh.

Take me to Saba

Where's the money?

I want to see Saba first

You want to see Saba first?

- Hmm.

- Okay that's fair

See, forget about Saba, Okay?

Forget about Saba and show me the money

Boss, I don't know where Saba is,

I won't lie to you

Please I don't know where he is.

Where are we going

Is there a route we can

follow to avoid poilcemen?

Ak?

Ha! Policemen!

That's true

I think I know a road

But it's a longer route

No problem

- Let's go.

- I'm coming.

You can use this bag

instead of that cheap sack.

Or would you rather Miss Brennan

think we're not serious?

-Pastor Gideon

-Hey

- Stop calling me that!

- Then tell me your real name

Saba!

Saba!

I'm Abike

Yes?

Excuse me? Hello? What's going on?

What's going on?

Good day!

- Good day!

- Good day, what's going on?

-Teriba Bello from special investigations

-Okay?

We came to ask you questions on

your encounter with the robbers.

Okay?

- First of all I want to say

- Hold on!

Yes, hello?

Have you found the thieves?

You have them now? Search around,

they should be there somewhere.

I'll be there in 30 minutes.

- Sorry, you were saying?

- Yes I wanted to say

First of all, I salute you.

That must have been

a very dangerous encounter.

Dangerous? No!

It was just a routine stop-and-search,

but those b*stards

decided to be unfortunate.

Do you think the robbers are

the same ones who hit the museum?

This is the road you claimed

was free of policemen?

Sorry, I

- Should we turn back?

- Took you long enough

Normally, they aren't

Please, just tell them I'm your uncle and

you're taking me to Ibadan for surgery.

Go!

You didn't find anything in the car?

No, we searched the car and found nothing!

Or maybe they've handed

it over to smugglers around

Do you know any smugglers around?

All the smugglers I know are

either dead or in prison

- Hmm

- Yes!

I'm sure you know one that we can talk to

No I don't

- Good afternoon, officer.

- Good afternoon.

Who is this?

I have not seen this face before

He's my uncle

Gideon!

Don't you remember me?

I remember you very well.

Very well. That's why I'm asking

you to give me your ID card.

Uncle, it has started again? Your stomach?

Sorry, sir. We are actually going to

the teaching hospital

in Ibadan for his surgery

Madam, open your boot

I said open your boot

Sorry uncle.

Listen

Look, officer, I'm a very busy man, okay?

I already told you, I debriefed.

Can we speak

to some of your witnesses then?

No witnesses

Can we talk to your team?

Okay, happy to help.

- When can we talk to them?

- When they are off duty

- Hello

- Can you please don't do that?

When can we take a look at your report?

You don't listen, do you?

- Madam.

- Officer?

Would you allow me to do my job?

In fact, step out of the car!

Come down!

- I told you he wasn't feeling fine.

- Go!

Didn't I tell you he's not feeling well?

Yet you were still saying...

I want us to work together on this case

It's a national treasure,

and I heard it's worth a million dollars.

I really like itteamwork! Okay

So, we'll go to the scene of the shootout

- and work our way back from there.

- Okay!

Sir, is it possible that your officers

took the bronze head during the mayhem?

- Have you gone mad, Akinloye?

- What?!

What are you trying to say? Are you trying

to implicate me and my officers?

- What kind of

- Sir, I'm

Will you shut your mouth

and apologize immediately!

No, no, no! I don't need your apology-

I've already gotten what I wanted.

What kind of insubordination is this?!

No I can't take this.

Now he knows we're onto him!

I planned to break him

then

You opened your mouth

and put your foot in it!

This artifact belonged to a

king in the 14th century.

King Obalufon Alayemore

I know why you're my favorite student

You know,

when the Europeans came to steal this,

they saw them as rare ornaments.

But the Yorubas

saw them as sacred symbols of worship

for kings they regarded as gods.

The head was the Ori,

the home of man's destiny, the seat of

the soul, where man's fate is determined

You mess with the head,

you mess with destiny.

You mess with the soul.

You mess with fate.

Checks out!

200 million

Greetings

Greetings! How are you today?

Well done baba

My apologies, sir.

My question is about a recent incident

that happened here involving the police.

Did you hear about it?

You said what?

I asked about the incident that happened

recently involving the police.

Huh

That's what they said.

They said it was the smugglers

and the police again.

I don't know much about it.

You must know a little more than that!

I heard the g*nf*re

when the police confronted those boys,

and that's all.

Was it the police named Opa Stephen?

I don't know any Opa

They chased one of the smugglers to that

place and they shot him

- Where?

- Hey!

- Better shut your mouth!

- Baba, please let her talk

Hey

What place?

- Over there.

- Oh

What happened to the

smuggler they were chasing?

They drove his car away.

They drove his car away?

Do you remember what the car looked like?

Blue!

Blue

Blue

I just got off the phone

with an old friend in Nigeria.

She's trying to sell me a bronze

headmy bronze head!

I just sent you her address.

You know what to do.

This person knows you're about to sell?

You will disappear once you get the money

Someone very important needs me

The person?

Your father!

He's sick.

And now you can get him the help he needs.

Arike and I are moving,

once we get our share

To America or Canada

Everyone is running,

both the rich and the poor

I won't apologise for

chasing a better life for us

Thank you, Saba.

What for?

I want to make a call

Oh, sorry!

Goodnight!

Hello?

Is he dead?

He is going to die soon

This man is in pain, and I can't

keep pumping him with injections.

I have the money.

You will see first thing tomorrow morning.

I want to talk to my father.

Yes?

Dad, take it easy

I've made arrangements for

the doctor and your surgery.

I'm not asking you for money.

If God says it's time, I'm ready.

Dad, I'm not asking you to take me back.

I just want you to be fine

Saba, I want you to know that

whatever you sow, you will reap.

Dad, you have started again.

I've accepted my fate.

You believe these witnesses?

They have no reason to lie, sir.

Opa Stephen?

I had a bad feeling

the moment I met with him.

And the witnesses confirmed my fears.

Opa is feared over there.

Once you have his money you're good.

The smugglers know this,

so they come prepared with tributes.

He is quite bold and reckless.

It seems like he has some backing

from some powerful people.

So, have you found the last person

the police chased into the forest?

No, but Opa will.

I saw the glint in his eyes

the moment I told him

about the value of the bronze head.

The glint in his eyes!

You have done well.

I just think we should move on.

What about the bronze head?

No, the Joint Task Force is on it,

and they

should be ending the case anytime now.

It's over!

- They found it?

- No

So, we're just going to

let go of it like that?

Teriba, people have moved on.

I'm getting calls from people

I never get calls from

I've been told to

stay away from Opa Stephen

You will get your promotion

letter next week.

It's over!

Case closed.

Where's the white woman?

Who's that?

Answer the question.

She's not coming

Why?

Don't you have a phone?

Are you here for small talk,

or make a deal?

Drop that money and step back!

Do I look like a fool?

Where's the package?

Are you blind?

Bring it here

I'll count the money first

Alright

Keep moving until you get that bush

- Are you joking?

- Move!

Guy...

Don't try that with me,

I'll sh**t your brains out.

If you take a step, I'll k*ll you!

It is destiny, is it not?

The white man and the black man's gold

Who are you?

I'm from Franois.

I'm here for the package.

I can't reach my associate right now,

but he's on his way.

Did you bring the cash?

You can't reach your associate,

but you want the cash.

You are pleasantly greedy.

Hello,

Did you get it?

No. Your friend wasn't very friendly.

What happens now?

I have one more stop to make.

Stop there! Don't move!

This is the guy!

Move!

Move!

I'll deal with you!

What is it?

Can't you talk? What is it?

- The Police.

- What?

They took him away

Who?

Saba?

They came looking for something.

They found him at the back

while searching and took him away

- Did they take anything from him?

- I don't know.

- Sister

- Yes?

Talk!

Queen

I'm sorry.

Arike

You

We know your work,

and we're not here to disturb your work

All I am saying is pay your tribute.

I don't have anything.

Where is it?

What?

I know you came to my house

I know you've been staying

at Abike's house

I know you have what I'm looking for.

I know everything

Where is it?

I don't know what you are talking about

Okay!

We will share the profit 70-30

I will also give you

some extra on your share.

Agreed?

I'm trying to negotiate with

you but you are unresponsive.

If I start my own

You will suffer

What a coincidence.

What are you doing here?

I should ask you the same question.

As you can see, we are working

- In the forest?

- Yes, this is my town.

I can choose to be anywhere at anytime.

But you, what are you doing here?

I can see you eventually found

a smuggler who is

neither dead nor in prison

Who told you he is a smuggler?

Then what is he?

Custom officers

should interogate a smuggler

- Let us go!

- Look here Teriba!

I'm warning you,

you are getting on my nerves!

I know the blue car you and your

boys drove away from there.

I don't know what you're talking about.

We already have a video

of you and your boys here

Beating up a smuggler in the forest

Imagine I hand this over to the

Force Disciplinary Committee or maybe

- leak it out there on social media!

- Do your worst!

Opa Stephen

I know you think you have powerful

connections that will wipe away this stain

and make everything go back to normal

But there some stains that

are too big and too wide to cover

This people,

they will dump you before you stain

them and go for hungrier police officers

Who will do their dirty laundry.

Opa Stephen!

You are replaceable.

You are not special

God punish you.

Let's go

Teriba!

Teriba, I'm warning you!

Hey... Teri the mad man.

Teriba! I'm warning Okay then!

-Hello sir,

-Opa. Yes?

Teriba, the custom officer,

is meddling in our operations

- Yes, sir.

- Why are you shouting?

I apologise for shouting

He's getting on my nerves

I'll get angry with you

-I'm sorry, sir

-Take it easy

I'm frustrated

- And why are you still on that case?

- Sir?

You have obtained the car

and the rice, what else?

- Sir? Hello?

- What are you not telling me Opa?

-Hello sir

-Hello, I can hear you

The nework is bad.

- I'll call you back sir.

- Opa?

Foolish man.

Who is this mad person?

-Hello Queen,

-Hello daddy

What is it? You are

distrubing my work. I am busy

Daddy, there's a man here to see you.

He say's he's from Belgium

- From Belgium?

- Yes daddy.

- And they are at home?

- Yes daddy

Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible.

Make them feel at home.

- Get them drinks. I'm on my way.

- Okay dad.

Where are you going?

Will you go back to base! Idiot!

Rolake, how are you?

Don't be scared

Look at his face,

don't mind the blood on his face.

Was this the man you saw?

No he's not.

Rolake, don't be scared.

Look at him well Is he the one?

- He's not.

- Rolake!

She said he's not. Leave her alone!

Let's go!

Please, come back.

How do you know Opa?

I don't know him

I know that the robbers gave you

the bronze head before they got k*lled.

And I know that Opa chased you

from there to the other side

I know he tried to sh**t you

and he took your car away

Not me

Not you?

Opa will come back for you

But I can guarantee you safety

if you cooperate with me

I don't know Opa

You don't know him

You can go

But whatever happens from now

Is on you.

Saba! My God!

I went to the police station,

I couldn't find you anywhere.

They beat you?

Why did you come back?

What happened at the exchange?

- Did you get your share?

- No!

What happened?

She sent a k*ller

I don't under.. Who sent a k*ller?

Your white woman, sent a k*ller.

k*ller?

Huh?

That's why you came back?

The k*ller is still somewhere around

Professor Brennan?

I don't wait, does this have anything

to do with the police coming here?

I should ask you that

I don't understand.

You think I called the police?

Only you know I am here

I didn't call the police

I've heard.

After everything?

No, Saba, look at me

After everything?

I didn't even know you were coming back,

how will I have called the police on you?

So how did they know?

You spent 2 nights in my house

2 nights!

I gave you food, I gave you medicine,

I had plenty of chances to

play you, why now?

Your professor tried to k*ll me

Saba, I don't know anything about that

But I need this money, just like you.

Why will I destroy the only

chance of me getting it?

Hello

Thank you for coming back to inform us

You still have the bronze head?

So, what happens now?

I'm leaving

But you still have to sell it

I'll find another way

I know other people

We can leave together

No.

You're bleeding again

It's probably infected

And it's late

You're just going to call

attention to yourself.

I'll be fine.

Policemen, custom, and

vigilantes are out there

And there's you, looking like this

At least, come and clean up first.

I've heard

Let's go

I'm coming

-Arike

-Yes?

There's a bag under the bed

in my room, bring it to me

- What's happening?

- Are you deaf?

Get going!

Pick your call Akinloye.

Hello sir,

Is it true?

Yes sir, I'm very close to

getting the bronze head.

But I gave you

clear instructions to stand down

Teriba, you seem to think

I'm just that nice boss

with suggestions and ideas

on how things should be done.

That you have some agency to do things

how you think they should be done.

No, Teriba!

My orders were clear.

When I ask you to go left, you go left

and ask how far left you should go.

But sir, It is not in my training

to abandon a clear lead.

Don't you dare talk to me

about your training

Your training is to listen to your

commanding officer.

Or you kiss that promotion goodbye.

Where's this girl? Queen.

What, what is this?

You kept us waiting!

Huh?

Where's the bronze head?

Who are you?

I'm in trouble!

Please, have mercy on me!

Where is the bronze head?

I have been looking for the

bronze head myself. Please.

So you're gonna waste the only

chance you have to save your daughter?

Wait!

Wait!

Wait

Good evening, sir.

Do you need first aid for that?

Aunty Arike said to ask

you if you need paracetamol.

No.

- What about hot water?

- I'm good!

-What about tea? I can make tea for you

-Don't get me angry

Are you a doctor? Leave the way

Professor, open the door!

Where's Saba?

He's inside.

Open it.

Oh!

Ha! Sir, it's not over yet.

I can still get him

Where is it?

Come here!

Where is it?

Sir, please.

We don't know what you're talking about

You know what I'm talking about!

Where is it?

I don't know

Okay.

I'm giving you two a moment to

think about life without your sister.

To think about the warmth

of gushing blood.

The taste of copper.

The rough sand in your hands as

you stand over your sister's body.

So, where is it?

Where the f*ck is it?

I give you 5 seconds

He left! I swear, he left!

We just let him spend the night.

What's the rush here

Open this one here.

It's in the car

Open it.

Nothing there!

- No, no! It was there.

- You're wasting my time.

Time I don't have

Come here.

Go!

Go!

Stay here.

Aunty Abike? Aunty Abike?

Aunty Abike please stand up,

please wake up!

Wait wait. No, no, no!

Aunty Abike

Are you Saba's father?

Who is this?

Who are you?

The man who is going to k*ll him.

Your son was paid to

bring something of value.

And he didn't.

I've warned him

I'm sorry, it's too late for that, sir.

Please, I'm not begging for my life

I'm begging that you take me and spare him

Your life has no value to me,

it has to him.

Sons should always

listen to their fathers.

Hello,

Do you have it?

I'm working on it.

What exactly will you be working on?

Igniting the flames like you asked.

Waiting for the moth.

Can you speak like a sane person for once?

Hello? Are you there?

Speak you imbecile. Hello? Hello?