All language subtitles for All.the.Dead.Ones.2020

ALL THE DEAD ONES

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Favor the birth of leaves

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Do not harm their children

The storm does not harm
the water lettuce

The lotus flowers

Dance in the waterfall

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Do not harm their children

September 1899
Independence Day

It's a pity you couldn't be
at the funeral, Ana.

It was beautiful.

So difficult and yet so beautiful.

No one will ever drink
Josefina's coffee in this house again.

That is what I will miss the most.

It is so hard to get back home

not having anyone
to help you wash your feet.

It feels like I'm bringing all the dirt
in the world in here with me.

- Sister, what is that on your hands?
- I've been gardening.

Be careful, the earth gets in the gaps
between the keys.

Have you found a new servant, Maria?

- Ana, I couldn't even...
- I thought of Iná.

Ana...

She already knows us.
We can send for her on the estate.

It is not that easy
to find someone new.

Today, I am buying provisions
at the grocery store.

- I can do that in your stead.
- No, Ana.

Listen, Josefina has died,
but the rules haven't changed.

You must not get agitated,

drink alcohol or coffee.

Remember,
the streets dull your senses.

You cannot go out.

Ana, look at me.

You are staying at home,
do you hear me?

Mother needs to keep her heart calm,
unalarmed.

And she also needs your company.

Iná would know how to look after us.

I felt a sharp pain in my back.

Now it seems impossible
for me to get up.

Impossible?

At the slightest movement,

I feel an unbearable pain.

Calm down, mother. Breathe slowly.

You don't have to move right now.

Let's wait, there's no hurry.

Prop up your head.

The cushion, Ana.

I feel trapped here,

as if I would never get up again.

Relax your body.

We will help you sit up, all right?

Not now, though.

Only when you feel ready.

At my signal,
prop her body up with the cushion.

Josefina...

Josefina would have certainly
been able to help me.

Don't worry, mama,
we will find you a better Josefina.

Ana!

- You are so beautiful!
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Do you remember my nephew Eduardo?

He's now living with me.

I wish I could play the piano.
You play very well.

- Where did you learn?
- On our estate.

It must be a pleasant place,
the air fresher.

There we had a proper home.

Don't you like this house?
It seems comfortable.

It wasn't conceived
to be our permanent home.

We came here five years ago,
planning to go back.

Nonetheless, we're still here.

But the city...

I believe it is worth living here.

São Paulo is like Europe,
more and more each day.

I have been to Europe,

and it reminded me of São Paulo.
Funny, isn't it?

Do you think those two...
together...?

I've had an intuition for a while.
I'm good at this sort of thing.

Romilda...

Are you sure?

I don't know if my intuition

says the same thing as yours.

Perhaps Ana...

Perhaps she is past the age

of dreaming of matrimony.

I don't believe so.

They would make a fine couple.

Many people don't even notice
Eduardo is of mixed race.

I think you should
let Ana pay him a visit.

We live in the house next door!

You know, Isabel, only once

has Eduardo told me,

"Aunt, what a beautiful girl!
I want to marry someone like her."

The only time he said that,
he was referring to your Ana.

I believe you.

He rarely speaks about women.

He is a man of a solitary nature.

He acquired it
because of his father's contempt.

My brother didn't even allow him
to meet his mother.

At the time,
she was a slave on his estate.

He gave him a surname and a roof.
Nothing more.

Eduardo wandered all alone
in the world,

through my brother's properties
up north.

Now he wants to settle down here.

I will read a poem I like very much
while you play.

It should form a good match
with the music.

Do you know Cruz e Sousa?

I know the circumstances of his death.

I believe he is the Brazilian poet

who best understood
the teachings of the French masters.

Are we talking about the same poet?

The one I read about in the papers
did not look French at all.

I am not referring to his features,
but to his poetry.

Ghastly Babel of tears and cries

Of sobbing, moaning,
prolonged wailing

The Pain roamed unknown worlds

The remotest and vaguest infinities

Recalling religions, recalling rites
It swept away doomed peoples

Through darkness, in horror, desperate
In Tantalus's mayhem dismayed.

Blowing horns and trumpets

All generations proclaim
The great Pain to frigid spaces

Thus, in mute times, they are like

Breeds of Prometheus
Titanic, rough, brutish and colossal

Twisting their arms.

Have you gathered everything, Antônio?

I wanted to sort her things out myself,
but I am in great pain.

Almost everything.

Dona Isabel,

I can't find
a decorated earthenware jar.

My grandmother kept it very carefully.

Have you seen it?

No.

What about Iná?

I don't know.
I tried to send her news,

but the distance doesn't help.

I want to join her and our son
as soon as possible.

I didn't suppose you would
be able to come this morning.

You had told me it would take a while

until you could
take a day off work again.

I did,
but it seems this city's open ditches

cannot let their diggers
take one day off,

not even to bury their dead.

When I arrived at work this morning,
I was...

Anyway.

I shall certainly be wanted
somewhere else.

Josefina had good taste in bedsheets.

Did you know my grandmother?

What an odd question!

Of course I did.

She was there when I was born
and when my children were born.

She couldn't be there
when I was born.

My father was sold as a child
to another estate, as you know.

They couldn't stay in contact.

But you were little when you came
to our property, if I'm not mistaken.

You knew her as a boy.

I was just lucky to be taken
to the property where she was.

You mentioned her taste in sheets,
that's why I asked.

My grandmother had a taste for beauty.

Everyone who knew her knew that.

You must come out to see it.

It's worth it.
I work there.

I would simply like the noise to cease.

There's no ceasing it.
It's progress.

Up until yesterday I heard nothing.

My name is Anísio.

- Yours?
- Ana.

Nice to meet you.

If you want,

I'll show you the rails.

No.

Thank you.

You needn't be afraid.

I've been building the streetcar tracks
for months.

I've been received
at your Portuguese neighbor's house...

Very intimately.

Silva...

Where have you been, Ana?

I needed your help to get up.

I was in the garden.

Tell me what father wrote.

Goodness.

It's September already.

I didn't even notice.

They're only rehearsing today.
Tomorrow is the real thing.

Independence Day.

Mother,

Alcebíades came with Silva.

Was the new harvest good, Silva?
Profitable?

Good afternoon, Miss Ana.
It wasn't bad.

Your father sent the accounts log.
I gave it to Dona Isabel.

I know, I haven't read it yet.

I haven't seen Sister Maria
in a while.

- Is she well?
- She's been busy.

I miss her.

I still have the chaplet she gave me.
I pray with it every night.

It must be good
to have a sister who's a nun.

She can pray for you

and ask for your protection.

Silva...

Where is Alcebíades?

- Who, miss?
- Alcebíades.

I just saw him carrying a sack of coffee.

- It was me.
- No.

I'm sure it was Alcebíades.

He walked with a limp.

He died many years ago.

I was a child, I saw it.
I've never forgotten it.

He had given up life.

He already looked
more dead than alive.

So they sang for him.

They sang to heal him, didn't they?

I belonged to the Macedos at the time.
I don't know.

They sang
and brought him back to life.

Iná was the person who sang the most,
wasn't she?

I wasn't there.

Have you noticed
that my mother is decomposing?

Miss Ana!

You don't have to pretend to me.

You just need to look at her,
it's beyond any doubt.

I only delivered the letter.

November 1899
Day of the Dead

Ten years since
the Republic was proclaimed.

Eleven years
since slavery was abolished.

It is only natural, girls,

that our values should evolve.

Rosa.

Yes, Sister Maria.

Listen to what I am teaching.
It's an important subject.

Yes, Sister.

What were we talking about?

About...

the United States of Brazil.

The Republic.

Carry on.

And Ancient Romans?

What did Ancient Romans do?

They moved...

They moved from Republic to Empire.

As for us,

contrary to them,
we moved from Empire to Republic.

There's no need to hurry, Rosa.

Or to ostentatiously display
the talents we recognize in ourselves.

Dear mother,
please do not show this letter to Ana.

In my latest visits, I had
no opportunity to talk to you in private.

Working at the convent, I cannot be there
as often as I would like to.

Although I am certain
that cloistered life is my true vocation,

I must stay out in the world
to help my sister and yourself.

You have certainly noticed Ana's state.

She gets very agitated.

She even sees people
who are not present.

She gives me no respite.

She is obsessed with a memory
from life on the estate

and insists on telling me
this childhood recollection

contains the only possible remedy
to cure your pain.

Obviously, nothing of the sort would
be beneficial to your health.

However, Ana's disquiet worries me.

I shall try another solution.

Should it turn out ineffective, though,
I have the following request to you:

do not be scared
if I pretend to indulge Ana's delusions.

And help me to put on, at home,

a small act to calm her down.

Forgive me this odd request,
I only have your wellbeing in mind.

Good morning. Mrs. Giovanna?

Buongiorno.

Do you know Jorge?

Il barone.

He said he would be
on the plantation...

Is he expecting you?

Is he home?

Is he expecting you?

He is my father.

Gentlemen, could you please
excuse us for a moment?

I need to speak to my father.

We need to discuss family affairs.

Per favore.

Maria...

I have missed you, my daughter.

Is life peaceful at the convent?

I am working at the girls' school.
I teach there.

I know that.
I am asking if you are well.

Your concern surprises me.

Don't start, Maria,
don't treat me as an enemy.

Who should I treat as an enemy then?

The hours, for going by?

The roads,
for stretching out between us?

I didn't choose to stay here.

I am striving day after day
to save our property.

It is no longer ours.

That is common knowledge.

I thought long before coming here.

It isn't easy for me to get away,
many people need me in São Paulo.

But I deemed it important
to come in person

to tell you, father,
that this situation is untenable.

Mother and Ana need you.

They need resources,
this is where I can generate them.

When did you last see them?

- I'm doing all I can, I write to them.
- Eight months ago.

That's right.
Eight months ago, father.

You have deserted us.

My presence here secures the house
where your mother and sister live.

You must have forgotten what it's like
to need a house and servants.

The convent is probably luxurious
compared to our present conditions.

Well then...

could we all move
into the convent with you?

To live on tomatoes and carrots?

Yes, we have had misfortunes.

The land you grew up in is no longer ours.
Other people own it now.

But I feel no shame whatsoever.
I am useful.

When people drink our coffee,
from Rio to Salvador,

they praise our family name, Soares!
Not Vitale.

Not yet.

What keeps me here is my work,

my love for the land
and for my family.

Your love for the land
does not seem to bear fruit.

All our neighbors are thriving.
Our family alone is on the verge of ruin.

I shall look for another solution.

From you, we can only expect
sacks of coffee and failure.

Iná,

I want to offer you an opportunity.

My mother is very ill in São Paulo.

And Ana...

Do you remember her?

How couldn't I?

Ana is too sensitive.

She is very upset

about mother's illness,
she's restless.

Ana has been saying to me
over and over again

that when she was still a child,
she saw you treat

a man with swollen feet.

He couldn't even walk anymore.

Do you remember that?

No.

She says you took very good care of him.
Alcebíades was his name.

Sister Maria,
I don't know what you're talking about.

I suppose so.
Ana is probably delirious.

She has been very fragile
since we lost Josefina.

Still I think that seeing you
would please my mother

and do her a world of good...

Sister...

Josefina died?

Didn't you know?

I am sorry.

How very insensitive of me.

I assumed Antônio had told you.

It was two months ago.

It's been hard to stay in touch with him.
Messages travel slowly.

- Have you seen him?
- Yes, he attended the funeral.

He is well and healthy,
despite the grief of course.

So you know where to find him?

When Josefina was taken ill,

he asked us to send him messages
via his employer.

My invitation should sound
more appealing now.

It will be an opportunity
for the two of you to be reunited.

I want you to come with me
to São Paulo.

Tomorrow.

I don't know
what Miss Ana expects from me.

Or what she keeps in her memory.

I cannot help her.
But thank you all the same.

Iná...

Listen to me.

I'm offering to help you.

I'll pay the trip costs
for you and your son.

I can provide accommodation.

And I will give you some money
for your first days in São Paulo.

I only need your help for one night.

Think it over carefully, please.

I will stop by at dawn,
hoping to take you along with me.

Goodbye, Father.
Your devotion to the parish is admirable.

Thank you, Sister.

So, Iná?

It is difficult, Father Inácio.

I had decided never
to associate with that family again.

São Paulo is far away, isn't it?

It is, I know.

We have to stay together.

Staying apart
will only weaken us even more.

I'm going to bed, Benê.
See you tomorrow.

See you.

I want to see dad.

There will be no shelter for us there.

It can't be any worse than here.

I thought you liked it here.
With your friends.

Benedito says it is beautiful there.

He only talks nonsense.
He's never been beyond the gates.

He's seen a cartoon in the paper.
Brazil's tallest tower is there.

And I want to see dad.

We should not
let ourselves be dragged there now.

Your father will soon be back.

You yourself said
no one ever comes back from the city.

With so much good wood in the forest

The hollow tree rules

The hollow tree rules

Is this where I used to play

While grazed

The large herd

That Alceu left for me?

Are these the places?

Are these the places?

They are, but I

Am not the person I was

Marilia, are you calling?

Wait, I am coming

Wait, I am coming

Marilia, are you calling?

Wait, I am coming

Off that cliff...

Thank you.

Mama awaits her coffee.

Dona Isabel,
I was bringing your coffee.

Are you sitting
at the table or on the sofa?

- How do you feel?
- Ravenous.

Everything takes hours.

You like singing, don't you?

You sing well.

Well, the bread is delicious.

- Have you eaten some?
- I tasted it while making coffee.

My!

- Do you need anything else?
- No.

Carolina.

Don't use this dreadful
grocery store ground coffee.

Roast and grind our own coffee beans.

At night in the moonlight
To intumesce milky white breasts

Of thin and bluish veins

Of virginity, modesty, shame

May all the misty dreams be carnal
Of strange, vague, starry ways

Where visions of love, gelid, sleep

Dreams, palpitations,
desires and yearnings...

Carolina!

Do not interrupt me.

Dona Isabel asked me
to roast and grind...

Everything is fine, calm down.

They're dry.

- They are.
- Dead.

Grab the hoe by the bench
and come help me.

If we work together,

we will have finished
by the time my sister gets back.

This rends my heart,
but I don't feel able to help them.

Besides, one servant for such a house
is hardly enough.

Carolina,
we have an agreement with the Soares.

It shouldn't last long.

But you have to fulfill your duties
and obey my orders.

I know that, Dona Romilda.

You don't need to go back there today,
but I need you here.

Take a few minutes' rest,

and wash your dress,
it still has coffee on it.

So it does. Look!

Carolina...

Did you sing for Ana
as I asked you to?

I did.

The very song you had chosen.

What did she say?

She wasn't keen enough
to hear the entire song.

Perhaps she doesn't like
popular songs.

I understand.

- Thank you.
- Excuse me now.

It was perhaps a mistake
to introduce you to Ana.

Ana intrigues me.

She appears not to listen to me.

However...

However, you talk to her

as you would to anyone
not interested in listening to you.

It is easier to talk to a brick wall

than to someone
who truly cares about you.

Aunt, Ana and I would be respected
as a couple.

Ana?

- Is everything all right?
- Yes.

Look whom I've brought along.

Iná!

- Miss Ana.
- It's so good to see you!

So good!
I knew you would come.

Do you remember João?

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

Iná,

make yourself and João comfortable.
The bedroom is over here.

Is this where great-grandmother
used to sleep?

It is.
For almost five years.

I wish I could remember her face,
but I can't.

You were too little.

Aren't there any pictures of her?
At all?

There was one at the estate house,
but it wasn't ours.

Josefina was holding
a Soares child in it.

What is that?

Miss Ana and her piano.

So you are the Nascimento family.

Such a shame
things turned out as they did.

Didn't he say where he was going
when he left?

He was hurt.

He left without saying goodbye.

I saw him a few times
at track-laying sites.

But they prefer white men for that job,
skills are required.

To be honest, I don't think
Antônio is cut out for building work.

We all have our own talents in life.

I tried to help,
but he was in the wrong place.

Mr. Bento,
I badly need to request your help.

If you see Antônio again,

tell him we're in town
and looking for him.

We're at the Soares' house.

I do not expect to see him again.

But it might happen.

- At the Soares'?
- Yes, in Campos Elíseos.

I shall remember.

I know you had to leave the estate
because of that.

The new lady owner told me.

Your people...

kept practicing your cult,
although it was forbidden.

That is over, Sister Maria.
It belongs in the past.

- I promised Antônio that...
- Even better.

I don't want you to do any ritual.

At any rate, no real rituals.

Ours is a Catholic house.

- It must be play-acting.
- Play-acting?

Just make Ana believe it's real.

Sister Maria, what do you want?

I think you have to talk about souls.

Ana says you people talk to the dead
to help the living.

So she wanted it to be
on the Day of the Dead.

She also says the place was beautiful,
it felt like a party.

We have to decorate the house.

Think of things we can scatter
around the living room.

And if you can sing something...

Some song in your language.

I have always spoken Portuguese.

I was born in this country.

Don't you know
any of your elders' songs?

I do.

But I don't sing them anymore.

And anyway,
they can't be sung in vain, for no reason.

Isn't saving my sister
a good enough reason?

Look, Iná, I know what faith is.

It is the core of my life.

You may have changed faiths,
but you haven't forgotten your tradition.

Why don't you alter slightly
the lyrics to your songs? Or perhaps

skip some verses,

so as to turn them meaningless.

- Ana will not notice.
- No, I can't.

I stopped practicing it, but I won't
disrespect my ancestors' faith.

The tradition I was brought up in.

Our songs don't have empty words.

Sister, would you mix up Jesus,
Saint Francis and the Holy Spirit

in a sequence
of meaningless sentences?

They will cease to be
the songs your people believe in

to become songs
Ana alone will believe in.

Songs that don't invoke
any demon whatsoever.

What are you calling a demon,
Sister?

To me, they are demons.

Forces that try to blind us
to the light of God.

You are mistaken.

They are forces
that open paths towards more light.

Do not repeat that!

Or our conversation
will become impossible.

Your request is impossible.

We have agreed on a job, Iná,
which I have partly paid for

with your train tickets.

We have a deal
you can't back out of.

Ana is waiting for us.

A sudden departure
would only make things worse.

I have brought you to São Paulo
to do this.

Please, let us not get lost
in irrelevant details.

Let's try again.

You can start
by saying something in Portuguese,

by invoking the dead.
Or rather, by pretending to do so.

Can you play?

No.

Look inside the first drawer.

Music should never be locked away.

I used to constantly say that to Ana,
but she is sometimes deaf.

The little finger...

The little finger
is the most dangerous one.

You have to be very careful with it.

Get off my piano, you brat!

João, come sit next to me.

Can we start?

Let's not hurry, Ana.
Iná has to prepare everything.

Don't you?

Yes.

How could I forget that?
It has to be done after dark.

Let's make more room.
Iná, help me move the sofa.

I was still a child,
but I remember very well.

The night was moonless.

I walked over to the slave quarters
by myself. I was so scared.

And you got a thrashing.
Papa was furious when he found out.

It was beautiful. So beautiful!

There was an old slave, he was ill.
Alcebíades.

He had been whipped.

Not many lashes,
but he was frail as he was elderly.

He no longer wanted to live.

And there was singing and praying.
Right?

- It was such a long time ago.
- She remembers it all.

They used to do that often.

- Didn't you, Iná?
- Whenever someone got back hurt.

- Mama was also hurt.
- No, she wasn't.

Yes, she was.

By order of my father, I'm afraid.

What nonsense!

Mama is ill, that's all.
But she will get better.

- This is also a healing ritual, isn't it?
- Yes.

You all sang
in the language of the dead.

In our people's language.

Will you save our mother?

She is here only to do that.

- What about the torches?
- Torches?!

The torches that lit up the slaves
that night.

They didn't have any lamps back then.

Please, don't be silly, Maria.

- Fire is important. Isn't it, Iná?
- Yes, fire...

We can't have torches
in our living room.

- Let's go to the garden.
- No! We don't want the neighbors prying.

I will hold up a torch then.
It will have to be small.

It will be enough.

I think there were
some water basins as well.

What else, Iná?
It must be exactly like that night.

As far as I can see,
you remember everything.

You are so different, ma'am.

You're so...

I request permission

from the dead

to open the doors of this house

and help our dear sister Isabel.

Today she needs...

She needs...

No.

This isn't right.

I will not do this to my faith.

It won't work this way.

It won't work
without Josefina's things.

I found this when Josefina died.

Ana, do you keep those pagan objects

inside our house?

The jar.

- You have to use it, don't you?
- No, miss.

How come?

Josefina and I
do not share the same traditions.

Of course you do!

We're from different nations,
the customs vary.

What you're saying makes no sense.
Why are you trying to deceive me?

You all follow African traditions.

Africa is big.

Light the candles, Sister Maria.

- What?
- Please.

We need light.

Iná... Light?

Yes, more light.

It has to be done my way.

You can take these basins away.

What is that?

Not in our house!

It's all right, Maria.

- Iná, stop it right now.
- Maria, don't!

Let her go ahead.

I think it was exactly like this,
but there were more voices.

- Ana...
- Quiet!

She commands, she commands
Yes, she does

Old Matamba commands
since the break of dawn

Is it over?

There are more people here.

They're all coming back again.

A procession of slaves.

Right here.

In the living room.

I think we can now start.

The plantation slaves.

All the dead ones.

I recognize them.

What have you done, Iná?

There's no one here.

I only said a prayer.

What about João?

Will I see him again tomorrow?

Ask them to come back, Maria.
Now we can start.

I heard everything, mother.

You hadn't sung to Matamba
in such a long time.

Such a long time.

Yes, son.

It's beautiful when you call for her.

I like it here.

Are we staying forever?

No.

You were born free.

You know so little.

Listen to what I tell you.

We cannot stay here.

December 1899
Christmas

I think this neighborhood
will be better.

Over there is a busier road,
with people on both sides.

You got the strategy, right?

I always start asking for 3 vinténs.

Right. It's too expensive.

They'll offer 1.
You'll ask for 2 and that's settled.

A friendly price.

Only because you like the person.

I tried that last week, Francisco.
It didn't work.

Because you don't know how to sell yet.

They say
we all have our own talents in life.

Don't worry about that.
If it doesn't work,

offer them 2 for 3 vinténs.
It's still advantageous.

- 2 for 3.
- Right.

I wonder if this orange was picked
by Benedito.

- Who's Benedito?
- A friend.

An orange, sir?

Hey kid.

- Do you have pineapples?
- No.

- What do you have?
- Guavas, oranges...

- I'm back.
- You haven't sold everything.

He hasn't shown up today.

- Were you watching?
- Luiz was.

He knows everyone in the area.

- I guarantee your father hasn't come.
- Thanks.

Are you visiting your friends
at the piano house again today?

You look beautiful, mom.

João!
You're coming late every day!

Mr. Pedro gave me more fruit today.
It took long to sell out.

I've told him not to hold you up.

Also... I stayed a while
outside the Soares' house.

In case dad turned up.

Again?

- Did they see you?
- No.

I was on the other side of the street.

Don't do that again.

I've already told you,
we won't find him this way.

I've told Bento
we're not staying there anymore.

Where will Bento
tell my father to go then?

Every day we're somewhere different.

He knows I spend the whole day
by the Tamanduateí river,

washing clothes.

So when Antônio comes,
he can find me there.

The river is long.
Dad won't find you.

Can we sleep in the room
of your washerwoman friend today?

I thought Clara shared our faith.

I told her
I wanted to gather some people

and find a place
to hold our ceremonies.

But then she got moody.

She changed the way she spoke to me.

She said those things weren't
acceptable in her house.

Are we sleeping here then?

Have you cleaned these beautiful
nativity scene figurines?

Yes, I have.

We didn't get them out
of their boxes for years.

You can now
collect some leaves outside

to decorate the stable
where the infant Jesus will be born.

Forgive me, Dona Isabel,
but that is not part of my job.

I must still clean the bedrooms
before going back to Dona Romilda's.

- João.
- Yes?

Get me some pretty leaves

from the garden, would you?

Without destroying the plants.

- Pick small leaves.
- Sure.

If I depended only on you,
Carolina...

Can I get back to work?

That boy isn't your servant.

Iaiá, you want to die

If you die, we die together

I want to see how they can fit

Two bodies in one tomb

This is good, so good
So good it hurts

This is so good, so good
So good it hurts

Ana, this is actually fun,
don't you think?

It reminds me of the polka.
Play us a polka.

Play Atrevidinha.

I'll play Caçadora.

Come on, João.

Look, João.

Ana will teach you to play polka.

Place that finger there.

And this one on this key.

One, two...

Good, keep doing it.

You need to expand
your musical knowledge.

The polka comes from Europe.

One day we will go there together,

and you will get to know
the origin of everything.

Coffee, mother?

No, darling, thank you.
Later.

Mother, your back.

Come here, Maria. Come on.

Son.

Iná...

I don't understand
why you had to barge in this way,

without knocking,
through the front door?

I looked for you at the store
and Pedro's son told me,

"João must be at the ladies' house,
as usual."

As usual?

You know I come here every day.

Stop lying, João.
You've never told me you came in.

He's always lurking around
outside the house.

Sometimes he turns up
in the middle of the night,

with the others who've been hiding
in the rooms since that night.

What others?

That isn't true.
My son is always with me.

Forgive Ana.
She sometimes...

Listen, it is not true
that he's always with you.

- He spends his days out and about.
- I work. And so does he.

We both work all day long...

Why am I explaining myself to you?

This is none of your business.

I know what's on your mind, ma'am.

He comes to visit once.
Then he comes again.

A small task or favor here and there.

- Next thing, he is serving coffee.
- Iná!

Don't talk to my mother that way.

- Some respect.
- You ladies show me respect first.

He likes it here.
We like him.

- What's so wrong about helping a child?
- Helping?

Why not?

I've known you since I was born.

I would not turn to you for help
if I needed any.

You're talking about the past.

We must look at the present and ahead

into the future.

João is too often on his own

Ana and I are often
on our own as well.

We have the time and the will
to educate him.

To present things to him
he wouldn't otherwise have access to.

He can even

stay here as long as he wants,
I wouldn't mind that at all.

- Josefina's bedroom is free!
- Dona Isabel...

Please, not another word.

I came here,
I fulfilled my part of the agreement.

Now let us live.

No one wants my son
to get an education more than I do.

I will find a way
that doesn't necessarily drive us apart.

João!

Where else could he learn the piano?

- Let go of my son.
- Let him stay.

Ana, please.

Do you want mother to die?

Ana is mistaken.
This is not at all about me.

The child wants to stay.

You yourself know

that he wants to stay.

Excuse me, Miss Ana.

Iná,

do you remember the seamstress
I told you about last month?

I do.

She needs someone.

She's at 19, Lava-pés street.

Ask to see Doca.

Can I just go there?

Yes, I've told her about you.

Thank you, Carolina.

You must tell me everything, João.

If we start lying,
what is going to happen?

You and I are discovering
this city together.

I can't teach you everything,
I don't know everything myself.

There are things you pick up
faster than I do.

But I've known other things
for a long time, and you haven't.

Old things disguised as new.

We need to tell each other
what is going on.

I don't know what goes on inside you,
you never tell me.

What do you want to know?

What do you desire?

Every time I walk
in front of the Polytheama theater...

I look at the bills of the shows.

It makes me want to go in.

I've never told you that.

And just yesterday,
I stopped washing clothes a while

and allowed myself
to watch the river flow.

It's beautiful.

Even with the soap foam.

And you know how much I like rivers.

I always wonder
if the source is too far away.

I want to go find it one day.

You don't want to tell me,
but I think you've given up on dad.

Sometimes I do feel

it would be better
to know he's not coming back.

Better than go on waiting,
with no news.

It hadn't rained for a long time.

It was so hot.

I only wanted to cool.

I thought I could...

You know you can't get up
without permission.

I know, Sister Maria.

Leaving the classroom in my absence
is unacceptable.

That's why I'm apologizing.

For punishment...

You'll remain soaked
in today's classes.

This is the new pupil in our school.

Munirah.

She doesn't speak Portuguese,
she's Lebanese.

She has just arrived in Brazil.

Munirah will sit down
next to you, Rosa.

We'll now talk about discipline.

I must be failing my mission.

At my slightest display of generosity,

you exceed all acceptable limits.

They've come from Paris
just in time for Christmas.

Aren't they beautiful?

Do you own your mother?

Pardon?

Do you have any slaves?

There haven't been slaves in Brazil
for over ten years, you know it.

Were they all buried?

They're alive.
They're just not slaves anymore.

Why don't they go away
and leave us alone then?

Ana...

I accept the dresses.

I couldn't have any children with you.

I wouldn't recognize them at birth.

What are you talking about?

The builder's kiss
is better than yours.

Who?

I wasn't sure,
having nothing to compare it with.

But now I know.

I would like to see him again.

Such a white face.

A little sweaty.

It's a pity
the works have been completed.

Are you making fun of me?

No.

I wonder
if he was better in all aspects.

He told me he had visited
your aunt's house.

That's fine, a widow has the right
to carry on living.

Such a free gentleman as he is

catches the attention of who's alive.

Yes, his name is Anísio.

Anísio must still be alive.

- Aren't you surprised I know his name?
- He is alive.

His skin is fair, so he doesn't come
at night like the others.

I knew him.

He came to my aunt's
to pay a visit to me.

Not to her.

You and I have many affinities, Ana.

I believe...

I really believe we could have shared
some fragments of happiness.

The streetcar!

Come look at the streetcar!

Get off the tracks, kid!
Off the tracks!

This is good, so good

So good it hurts...

February 1900
Carnival

All this rain during carnival
is such a crying shame.

People are not made of sugar.

My mother worked at a sugar mill.

They'd say that when it rained,
so no one stopped toiling.

Our clothes aren't made of sugar either,

luckily.

Carnival won't stop,
work won't stop either.

We must be finished by 5 p.m.

In time to decorate the house
for tonight's ceremony.

Dona Doca,

I am so happy we've been
able to gather around our faith.

I felt a strong intuition
when I met you.

But before that, I was scared

of talking about it
to people I didn't know.

I've seen many people get persecuted.

I know it only too well.

17 people and I were expelled from
the estate because of our ceremonies.

Because of me.

I had become the leader
after my mother died.

After that I gave it all up.

I stopped talking about Nkisi.

I pretended to have no faith.

I made a promise
to my husband Antônio.

He was afraid of what might happen to us
if I kept doing it.

Then we joined a group of people
and built a wooden hut in Araraquara.

We stayed there for almost a year.

But there was no work.
Antônio couldn't take it.

He came to São Paulo.

I stayed there.

I couldn't come here with João,
with no guarantee.

But then our place caught fire.

Or it was set on fire, nobody knows.

We had to live in the church
for a while.

I didn't want
to leave everything behind.

What about this Antônio?

Does he follow the Nkisi faith?

No, he worships the Orishas.

Like his grandmother did.

But they were a minority
on the estate.

New people would always arrive, bought
from other estates, including my mother,

and the nations gradually mixed.

At this time of the year,
they get very agitated.

Now with the foreign pupils...

How can I teach discipline to someone
who doesn't understand my language?

At least,

they all understand the paddle.

Sister Maria,

what happened?

You have been weirdly quiet.

My mother

has decided to die.

Wasn't she getting better, though?

She was.

A brief moment of light.

A fleeting cloud

cannot undo the sun, Sister.

And God moves in mysterious ways.

What about your sister?

Also going down a path of no return,
Sister Flora.

If our mother passes...

If Ana is left alone...

The only solution might be an asylum.

Always remember

it is not up
to us to understand everything.

Some questions needn't even be asked.

We accept the mystery.

It is the only way to remain sane.

I shall pray for your family.

But I need you to appease your mind
and trust God.

Do you think
there may be other forms of souls?

What are you talking about, Sister?

Do you know the African cults?

Sister...

Your opinion

is all I'm asking for.

- My opinion about the Devil?
- The Devil...

The Devil tries to fool us, but God...

God can also take different forms

to defeat the evil in humankind.

Aren't we liable,
in our human ignorance,

to confuse the forces of the Devil
and those of God?

I will forget these words,
and I hope you will as well.

You are very troubled.

But I prefer to believe
your faith remains unshaken.

I prefer this one.

- This one?
- Yes.

I'm not sure it's the best one
in case it rains.

Iná.

João and I waited for you.

But the months went by.

Almost two years.

I would have found a way
to bring you to São Paulo.

I would have.

First I only needed to find a place...

After I arrived in this city,
I no longer knew who I was.

I had...

I needed...

Bento ran into me
the day before yesterday.

I was lighting the street lamps.

He gave me your address.

19, Lava-pés street.

So this is your work suit.

Not a carnival costume.

The best job I've ever had.

I light and put out

the street lamps.

On party nights,

the drunkards beg me to keep
the lamps on longer

into the night.

Nowadays even to fall over
on the sidewalk intoxicated,

they want light.

I don't blame them.

It is good

to be able to see.

We can find some space

at the shelter tonight.

My corner is small, but we can move
to a bigger spot in there.

We have beds here.

João and I.

Dona Doca lives upstairs.

The mattresses seem good.

This is...

Dona Josefina's jar.

I looked everywhere for it.

I went over to the house...

Iná.

Antônio.

How about João?

Is he mad at me?

He speaks about you every day.

Never stopped missing you.

It's different with me.

He does get mad at me.

We argue, then we make up.

Then we argue again.

And then we make up.

You weren't around to argue with him.

I think...

he somehow understood

it was pointless
to waste the love with anger.

This one is beautiful indeed.

Let's keep it on the side.

But I've told you, mama,
this makes no sense.

You still have a long time ahead
among us.

I have lived too much.

I have no memories left.
Not a moment or a scene.

When you met papa?

You surely remember that.

I do remember your father.

The foul smell of his clothes.

How he refused to trim his body hair.

You know, there is no wisdom.

My mother used to tell me
at the end there was wisdom.

At the end, we'd learn something

we could only learn
after bearing the cross of the years.

But the years have passed,

and I have the cross, nothing more.

Am I not here?

Before you?

Am I not the fruit of your life?

Nothing has been in vain, mother.

You can ascend a mountain
if you want to.

I would rather descend one.

Rolling downhill.

Find me a mountain.

Introduce me to her.

We shall be friends and she will

send me speeding down her side.

I've brought the wine
you like so much.

Mother, shall I bring it for you?

That one.

That is the dress
I want to be buried in.

It is the dress I want to wear
throughout the 20th century.

A beautiful era is about to come.

We will have peace and beauty.

New means of transport.

New ways of communicating.

New methods
to relieve the pains of the body.

A beautiful era indeed.

A beautiful era is coming.

And wearing that dress,
I want to welcome this new century,

which will still be ours.

We know this river well.
Mom used to work there.

We only know part of it,
there's still a lot to see.

You can mark the ones
you've already seen, dad.

We want to know them all.

I have had
to tread these streets so much.

But I was only able
to truly see very few rivers.

I want to go back there with you.

The stream I remember is
the Sapateiro.

But I don't want you to see that one.

It flows through
the slaughterhouse tanning plant.

I worked there over a year ago.

Its water is red and thick.

Dyed with blood.

And the smell...

I can still feel it now.

We can quickly pass by that one.

But since it exists, I want to see it.

Can you show me on the map
where it is?

I'll try.

I think it started around here...

No, I remember
it was far from the city center.

So perhaps it is over here...

What's that?

The name of our family.

João is teaching me.

I hail you, I hail you

Upon your arrival, O Kasanji
Upon your arrival from Angola

I hail you, blessed Angola

She commands, she commands
Yes, she does

Old Matamba commands
since the break of dawn

Mother has fallen asleep.

Good?

Good.

- Haven't you ever tasted any in secret?
- No.

Should I have?

You know nothing about me.

Of course I do!

I am your sister.

I know nothing about you.

Liar.

See? I can lie.

I haven't had any wine
for a long time.

Our father never let you do anything.

When I decided to become a nun,
he gave up on me.

But he never gave up on you.

Never.

He didn't even let you
stroll around the estate.

He wanted to protect you
from everything.

He did give up.

He's not here.

And the letters take too long.

I also miss the time
we lived on the estate.

I used to get up earlier than everyone.

It was still dark.

Not earlier than everyone.

There was always someone up.

- Earlier than you.
- Not always.

There.

They're back.

Who?

Can't you see?

There's one right there
looking at us.

Ana...

Please.

They always come back at night.

I think they're
those who weren't buried.

There's no one.

There.

They've all arrived.

Don't you think
they get lovelier after they die?

We are alone.

Listen.

No breathing.

Only mine

and yours.

They're dead.

They don't breathe.

Miss Ana, long time no see.

I saw a light
and thought about Dona Isabel.

Give her my regards.

Reveling must make you thirsty,
doesn't it?

Is your mother awake?

No.

She's asleep.

She's calling.

You'd better see what she needs.

What's wrong?

You are not like the others
who appear here.

I think you're still alive.

What are you talking about?

I'm going away,
my parents are waiting at home.

Take me to the gate.

You're no use to us anymore, indeed.

Let's go to the gate.
This way.

She stares at me empty-eyed.

One day you told me that, mom.

Her eyes became empty.

She picks up a spade.
I don't know what for.

For a second,
I realize I left my mask on the table.

It takes just a second.

The spade is already up in air.

I fall to the ground.

I feel the blood cover my eyes.

I'm dragged by her.

To the garden.

My heart stops.

I won't let you go without news, mom.

You all will always hear from me.

I'm still breathing.

Can't you see me

sitting

by the river?

Josefina?

Ana?

Good morning, Ana.

I'm sorry I've walked into your house
this way.

Just now
I thought I heard a loud noise.

Very clearly.

Followed by a scream.

Did it come from here?

Ana, have you been gardening...

This early?

The holes need to be properly sealed
so that we don't hear them.

But they never shut up.

Who?

Are you dead?

Goodness me!

How can you say such a thing?

I have to go home.

There's no coffee to make anyway.

My concern brought me here.

But your sister must be about to get up.

See you soon, dear.

I am pleased to know
everything is fine for everybody.

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Favor the birth of leaves

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Do not harm their children

The storm does not harm
the water lettuce

The lotus flowers

Dance in the waterfall

The waters of the deities

Are in the temple

The waters of divinity

Do not harm their children

English subtitles by Evaldo Medeiros

Subtitling by Parati Films - Paris