The story starts in '80s-era Timbuktu, when bookseller, historian, and
librarian Abdel Kader Haidara received an order to search for and rescue
tens of thousands of lost ancient manuscripts. He is derailed from this
formidable task when, in 2012, thousands of Al Qaeda militants take
control of Mali. After sharia law is imposed and calls for the
destruction of historical manuscripts, Haidara must organize a dangerous
clandestine operation to smuggle 300,00 manuscripts out of the occupied
city.