Original subtitles

[wind whistling]

[crickets chirping]

[birds calling]

[♪]

[horse snorts]

[horse snorts]

[barking]

[snorts]

[barks]

[barking]

[geese honking]

[people chattering]

[cattle lowing]

[radio playing light rock music]

[laughing]

Hurry up. Put it in the back.

Lift the bloody thing, man.

You wanna go work with the women?

[man 1 laughs]

Man 2: Yeah. Heh-heh.

[horn honking]

[♪]

[radio clicks]

Man [on radio]: The violence has continued unabated.

Vigilante factions have taken law into their own hands.

The government is asking for restraint.

That's the end of the news headlines.

Our next bulletin will be at 8 p.M.

[people chattering]

[snorts, whinnies]

[grunts] [snorts]

How is he?

Oh, not good.

[snorts]

He's not gonna make it.

You sort it out.

And, uh, when you've finished,

Can you park the landie at the tree there by the house?

Okay.

[snorts weakly]

[horse neighs, snorts]

[♪]

Man: They say that the condition

For a great miracle is impossibility.

But nothing on earth could help me keep my farm in zambia.

[cattle low]

But I was left with no choice.

The war, the lack of education for our children

And an uncertain future for white farmers

Has left me with no option.

[birds chirping]

[boy mimicking truck engine]

Man: Well, then I'd rather sell the farm.

They're getting worse in the bush war in zimbabwe.

I can't believe...

We're even considering this.

We belong here.

We built this place up.

We'll start again together.

We'll find another farm somewhere

Where the kids can go to school from home.

I'm not sending my kids to a boarding school in zambia.

[dishes clatter]

The farmers in south africa seem to be doing well.

[board creaks]

[mimicking tractor sounds]

God will give us a farm.

[people chattering]

And the stuff for the bank?

Yeah, well, they're as sorted as they'll ever be in zambia.

We're gonna have to smuggle in some dollars.

Is that wise?

[horn honks]

Angus, is that wise?

Yeah, well, we have to do it.

[horn honks, brakes screech]

Bloody idiot, man, look where you're going!

[people shouting]

Angus, don't. Stop it.

[people shouting]

[insects buzzing]

Stupid man. Now we really have to leave zambia, and quick.

[♪]

Boy: Dad, what other things can we take?

Anything we can fit in.

Put it in the back.

[workers chattering]

We got such a bad price for this farm.

But at least we've got each other and the kids.

I'll make it work.

I know you will.

[workers speaking in foreign language]

[♪]

[woman speaking in foreign language]

Woman: We'll miss you.

[♪]

[bird chirping]

Well, we can't afford a sugar-cane farm

Or anything fancy,

But, um, welcome to our new home.

What are we gonna farm here?

Uh, beans and maize, cattle.

And water?

What about water?

[objects clattering]

Where's our house?

Our house has wheels on it.

We're like gypsies now.

Gypsies in the garden of eden.

It's gonna stand right here.

Angus: What are we gonna call our new home?

"shalom."

Angus: Shalom?

Why shalom?

It means "peace."

[♪]

Peace.

[bird chirping]

[insects buzzing]

[tractor rumbling]

[shovel clanging]

Oh, no, man. Come on, man.

I said the stump, not the bloody rope, man.

You bloody idiot, man!

Come on, man, have you got no brains?

Hamba, man.

Get off my farm.

[in foreign language]

Angus: I need men with brains.

With some sense in their heads.

[worker mutters]

Bloody idiot.

Was that necessary? He just wanted to help.

Angus: I didn't like the look of him.

These zulus are a devious bunch.

I don't understand what they're saying.

We need the help.

If the right men come along, I'll knock some sense into them.

In the meantime, I'll do everything myself.

[water splashes]

I'll build this place up alone.

I can do it if I have to. I don't need anybody.

Love, be sensible.

No, jill.

I'll make this work my way, like I've done before.

Jill: Andy, come now. Andrew: Don't forget to take

The bucket for the water, mom. Come, let's go to the car.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[men grunting]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[grunts]

[grunting]

[speaks zulu]

[men grunting]

[speaks zulu]

[grunting]

I'll get you out, you cursed stump.

[grunting]

[grunts]

[insects buzzing, birds chirping]

Jill: The kids seem to be happy in their new school.

[radio playing]

And there's a polocrosse club in the neighborhood.

You should go and meet some people.

Man [on radio]: --Stating that there would be suspicious characters around.

In fact, these are the police

That are being sent to patrol the area.

Another white farmer was shot and killed at the weekend

Near greytown in the natal midlands.

The farmhouse was ransacked,

And the farmer's wife and children

And two of the farmer's workers

Were assaulted and tied up.

This is the second attack on farmers...

I don't know if we did the right thing.

Maybe we should just move to town.

I can sell tractors or something.

People get robbed and hijacked in towns

In this country too, love.

We'll pray that god protects us.

You pray.

Why should god listen to me?

Announcer: That was another uprising...

[radio clicks off]

[birds singing]

[water splashes]

Uh...

[speaks zulu]

Do you speak english?

Fanagalo?

[speaks zulu]

Well, can you drive one of those?

[♪]

Angus: Then what can you do, man?

[people chattering]

[horses whinny distantly]

[children chattering]

Hi there.

I'm koos smit. Welcome to greytown.

Name's buchan, angus buchan.

Do you play?

Yeah, I've played before.

Well, you can practice with us, but, uh, don't get hurt.

I-I mean, I don't want your wife on my back.

Heh. 'cause we like to play rough, us policemen.

And, uh, the farmers, they really give it stick.

But if you wanna play, there's some gear in the clubhouse.

And jonah will sort you out with a pony.

See you.

Hey, boet, it's not too late to change your mind, all right?

It's okay.

If you don't have the guts to play with us,

Go play bowls with the old people in town.

[chuckles] [horse snorts]

[people chattering]

[horse whinnying]

Referee: Horses on up.

[whistle blows]

Pawn.

[horses whinny]

[woman shouting]

[snorting]

[players chattering]

Hiya.

[horses snorting]

[whistles]

[whinnies]

[players chattering]

[horses whinny]

[spectators cheer]

[grunts]

Player: Right towards you.

[indistinct chatter]

[horses snort, whinny]

[players shouting]

Player: Come on. Go.

Ha.

[radio playing light rock music]

[children chattering]

[man laughing]

The green mamba.

[laughing]

[radio playing light rock music]

Hey, angus.

You, my boet, have five seconds flat.

Starting now. Five--

Both: Five, four, three, two--

Four, three, two, one, zero. One.

[ice rattles] koos: Hey-hey.

Not bad for an englishman.

Hey, I'm a scotsman.

[koos mutters]

Welcome to greytown, boet.

Meet percy hawkins, a sugar-cane farmer.

Hello, angus.

Let me give you some good advice, old boy.

You're gonna need eyes in the back of your head

At dixon's old farm.

You probably heard the news that our zulus

Are a treacherous bunch.

I'd watch my back if I were you.

Hey, you've heard the news.

It's a bloody war out there.

Gotta have good firepower.

I carry mine every day.

Don't take any nonsense from these natives, old boy.

You've gotta show them who's boss, simple as that.

They respect that.

It's bloody, absolutely bloody.

That's the way it's done, though.

It's no different in zambia.

[ax chopping]

[angus grunting]

[panting]

[speaks zulu]

What's that?

[speaks zulu]

No, man, slower, man. Slower.

I know very little zulu. Uh...

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

I think he wants us to build a house.

He's madder than I thought.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Hi. I'm steyn.

You must be angus and jill. Hi.

Ja, we heard you guys moved in, hey.

I'm the farm manager just here across the river.

Oh, it's good to meet you, steyn.

Do you speak zulu?

I only know a few words.

Ja, I can speak zulu.

I think he wants us to build a house, but, uh...

Can you tell him that we've gotta do other work today?

When I've got more money after the first crop

Then I'll get a proper builder to do it.

Hm.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Uh-- uh-- um, angus, you know, these guys, I've seen them.

They build their own huts within a week.

They use natural materials.

They're very skilled at this.

He says

That, um, if you help him,

He could build you a nice place within three weeks.

Okay. Tell him I'll think about it tonight.

But today we're gotta clear more wattle

To make room for planting.

Come, steyn, come join us for some coffee.

Steyn [sighs]: Boet.

There you go.

[speaks zulu]

[man speaks zulu]

Uh...

[speaks zulu]

Isaiah [in zulu]:

Let me help you, nkosana.

Simeon says there is much to do on the farm.

Do you drive a tractor?

[chuckles]

Yes, nkosana, I can drive a tractor.

Okay, come and help me inside.

Simeon [in zulu]:

[chuckling]

[speaks zulu]

[chuckles]

[speaks zulu]

[both chuckle]

[♪]

[angus grunts]

[grunts]

Today we're gonna finish this.

And tomorrow, we'll try and get a contract for seed maize,

For cattle, and we can start--

Angus, take a break.

[grunts]

Love, we've done so much already.

We've found water, we've found land.

We've built, or nearly built a house.

Just take a break.

[chuckles]

What do you think you're doing, eh?

[jill chattering]

[chuckles]

[all chattering]

[laughs]

[all chattering]

[laughs]

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Angus: Well, you lot, welcome to the buchan mansion.

[♪]

[andrew making tractor noises]

[tractor noises continue]

[baby crying]

[chuckles]

My beautiful little nephew.

Joanne, it's great to have you and fergus here.

It's really good for angus to have his brother around, really.

And apart from polocrosse, he just works.

The farm attacks don't help either.

And you know what he's like when his blood's up.

[laughs]

Ladies, the water's ready.

Jill: He needs help, joanne.

He needs help.

He's strung out like a tight guitar string all the time.

And I'm just waiting for the snap.

All I can do is love him.

A friend of fergus' was in the same way,

And the doctor put him on some tranquilizers.

But it has helped.

The pills detach you from your problems.

Maybe angus needs a little help for a while,

Just to get him through.

Why don't you plant potatoes?

They say there's good money in it.

Steyn: Hey, man, planting potatoes is a very expensive exercise.

Aside from getting the seed potatoes,

You need about a ton of fertilizer per hectare.

With mealies, you put down less than half as much.

What, 3, 400 kilos, eh?

It's something like that, but that's not what bothers me.

It's the-- it's the water and the spray program.

It's expensive, and we don't have the water.

Fergus: What for, blight?

Steyn: Exactly, man.

The spray is about 6000 rand.

Angus: Ja, something like that, 6000.

Sorry. Let me get that for you, jilly.

Angus: But nobody plants potatoes here

Unless they've got a lot of water.

'cause if you don't get enough rain,

Well, you can kiss your farm goodbye.

Jill: Who wanted the black coffee?

Right here, jilly.

Chickens. Thanks.

Broiler chickens. Now, that's the future.

Ja, people love chicken.

Alistair, look here.

Alistair.

Ja, that's right.

[camera whirs]

That's it.

That's it.

Auntie angus, please can you come and play?

[angus chuckles]

We'll play later, okay? I'm just having some coffee now.

Alistair calls me auntie angus.

[chuckles]

[vehicle approaching]

[brakes screech]

Angus: Hey. What's wrong?

[speaks zulu]

Uh...

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

If there's a puncture, you run out of diesel.

Angus [in zulu]:

Ah...

[speaks zulu]

Well, show me.

[birds chirping]

[vehicle approaching]

[engine shuts off]

What the heck happened here?

No. No, no, no, man!

What happened here?

What have you done, man? Huh?

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Simeon, I expressly said you don't drive this tractor!

How many times must I tell you?

How am I supposed to farm with this?

You're supposed to be my induna!

You'd better run!

I'm gonna kill you!

Never come back!

[footsteps receding]

[speaks zulu]

Come back.

[breathing heavily, sniffs]

I'll think of something.

We'll fix this.

How am I supposed to farm with this?

[♪]

Huh? Bloody idiots! Huh?

I'm gonna kill you!

[♪]

Angus: You have to help me every night.

[speaks zulu]

We have to do this ourselves. You have to help me

Fix what you've broken.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

You're right.

[light rock music playing over speakers]

[chair rattles]

Shoot, man.

[laughing]

Sorry, koos.

[laughing]

I'm falling apart.

What you need, boet, is a shot of whiskey,

A beserol and your bed.

[hand thumps]

[sighs]

Oh, koos, it's hectic.

[sniffs]

I've never been like this before.

I work every day.

Eighteen hours a day on most days.

I'm stressed.

I, uh...

[object clatters]

[sighs]

I feel ready for the funny farm.

I make those pit bosses on the farm

Work just as hard as I do.

You know what amazes me? They keep up to my pace.

[lighter flicks]

My induna, simeon.

[lighter thunks] what a beauty.

That's one tough zulu there.

When last did you have a holiday?

What is that?

Jill's even got me some tranquilizers.

And are you gonna take them?

I don't know, man.

[sniffs]

Those things are for fruitcakes.

I'm a pussycat.

[scoffs] but I'm not a bloody fruitcake.

Well, if it isn't mandela's little policeman

And the manic zambian in a conversation about psychiatry.

[children chattering]

Is your john deere fixed yet, buchy?

Get lost, percy.

Mm. I would've beaten the life out of those idiots,

And fired them.

They won't respect you now.

Ag, bull, percy.

Keeping the peace is the best security for our farmers.

I mean, you know what happened to engelbrecht

A couple of months ago.

The man had two kids with a zulu worker.

Wouldn't have anything to do with them.

And on top of that, he refused to pay lobola.

Mm-mm.

Let me tell you something, percy.

If there's one nation that knows how to retaliate,

It's the zulus.

These guys have been fighting blood feuds for generations.

And if they can kill each other today

For cattle that was supposedly stolen over a hundred years ago,

What chance do you have?

No, boet.

Respect the law, but above all, respect the people.

[scoffs] and I thought you afrikaner cops knew better than that.

Let me tell you something, koos,

And you'd better listen carefully.

The most dangerous job in the world

Is being a farmer in south africa.

You know, I read in the farmer's weekly

That more than 1600 farmers had been murdered

In 8000 farm attacks.

One thousand, six hundred.

And some of those were my friends.

So that is what your so-called freedom brings...

[coughs]

[vomiting]

Those were my favorite pants, you twit.

So if that is what your so-called freedom brings,

You'd better recognize the place and times.

Not me, boykie. I'm not going down without a fight.

Jill: We're doing okay here, love.

One or two big crops, and we'll pay off our debts.

Now, stop it, jill.

I'm sorry.

It feels like I'm getting nowhere. I'm trying my best.

But it's just work, work, work, and I can't stop, jill.

I hate it. I know, angus,

But it's hard on me too.

But it feels like everything's on my shoulders.

I can't go on like this.

I want my husband back.

Just take the pills. Just do something.

Okay, I'll try them.

I'll take these stupid pills.

This is how you want your husband back?

With his head full of pills?

Maybe I should go and smoke some dagga with the zulus in town.

[baby crying]

Please come back.

[door closes]

Jill: Come on.

Come, andy. Come, boy.

Come, come. Have a good day.

Have you got everything?

Come. Cheers, andy.

Don't forget your homework. Okay.

Okay, come.

Jill, how's it going at the farm?

Uh, hi, dawn. Well, thanks.

Um, things are well. Thank you.

And how's angus doing?

Oh, you know. Um...

He's okay.

Uh, we're-- yes. We're good, we're okay.

Do you have time for a cup of tea?

It's difficult. It's very difficult.

It's-- it's a lot of stress.

And, uh, angus,

I-I worry about him.

The pressure's just, you know-- it's...

[sighs]

I thought tranquilizers would help, but they...

And I wanna help, but, uh,

We've lost touch.

We just...

The local methodist church is having

A missions breakfast on Saturday.

It's a lot of fun.

Why don't you guys come along and meet a few new friends?

[thunder rumbles]

[gunshot]

[whinnying]

[insects buzzing]

[footsteps]

[panting]

Got you, fat hog.

You've been eating my corn for far too long.

Where's my horse?

Out now. Wait for us in the car.

Andrew: And we're so late. Girl: Can we eat there, daddy?

Jill: Daddy will be done now.

I'm not wearing this stupid tie. I look bloody ridiculous, man.

You look fine, love. Come, let me help you.

You know what? I'm not going.

You take the kids. I'm staying.

I'm not going without you, angus.

Please.

You go. I'm not the type for church.

You don't have to wear the stupid tie. Go without one.

Please come. I'm staying, jill.

[baby crying]

Angus, please. We need this.

Angus: Jill, just stop hassling me about the tie.

You're lucky I've come to the stupid meeting.

Jill: Angus.

Don't hush me.

Come on.

[claps]

Want me to bring the carry cot? No, love.

Angus: Come, boy. Let's go.

[people chattering]

[inaudible dialogue]

[man whistling]

[crowd applauds]

[inaudible dialogue]

Speaker: Right, thank you, everybody. Good morning.

Beautiful day today, isn't it?

I'd like to start off reading psalm 100.

Why don't you come to church tomorrow?

The local farmers are gonna be speaking.

Speaker: Make a joyful shout to the lord, all ye lands.

Serve the lord with gladness.

Come before his presence with singing.

Know that, the lord, he is god.

Know that it is he who has made us, and that we...

[loud ticking]

[bird calling]

[whispers] jill, there's no space.

Come on, let's go. There's no space.

Jill, not the front row.

Man: That's when I put my hand in front of my mouth.

I didn't want them to smell my breath, you know,

Because, uh, I was a little bit drunk.

[crowd chuckling]

But then the gentle guy asked:

"what about--? What about you?"

[♪]

I was cut to the heart.

My life was a mess.

I had nowhere to go to.

I had no interest in religion.

My heart cried out for reality.

Hey, angus. Psst, psst. Come here.

Hey, angus.

Hey, angus. Psst.

Good evening,

Ladies and gentlemen, kids.

Thanks for coming to tonight's show.

When you watch a show like that,

It just shows us there's an emptiness

In the hearts of all people.

An emptiness...

That nothing but the lord himself can fill.

For god so loved the world...

That he gave his only son,

So that whoever--

And that means whoever.

--Believes in him

Will not die,

But will have everlasting life.

And no one can deny the reality of the testimony of jesus christ

In these men's lives.

Ordinary farmer folk from this district,

If you want that relationship with jesus christ,

You can have it right now.

Like these guys, you can invite jesus into your life,

And we invite you now to come forward.

Receive jesus christ today and let him change your life.

Come forward.

[♪]

Give your life to jesus.

Let him change you.

Give him an opportunity.

That's right.

You'll never be the same again.

[♪]

[church bell tolling]

Angus: My dad is a scotsman.

He moved from aberdeenshire

To zambia and then he started farming there.

And like him, I'm a little bit stubborn and crazy. Heh.

Like the scotsmen gave it to the english,

Lifting their kilts and shouting obscenities in battle. Heh.

It's in my blood and I feel it.

Now, some people think I'm a wild farmer,

But I'm proud of my roots,

And I'm still gonna go to scotland.

Yeah. Hey, I'm a scottish-african.

Talk about a crazy combination.

Heh-heh-heh. Angus.

Well, god loves wild men who are excited about him, angus.

He put that wildness in you.

He put that wildness in you because he loves you.

He loves you. He's crazy about you.

It makes me think of david, dancing naked before the lord.

Actually, not naked. He was in his jocks.

I'm...

And I wanna give you something.

I've got a little bible around here.

Or paul and the disciples.

They turned villages around.

The world upside down, it says in the bible.

Crazy men.

But holy.

You know I, um...

I have this urgency in me.

I feel it in my heart now.

I really wanna know god.

And I-I wanna know why he-- why he knows me, and, uh...

I don't know, what can I do? Is there something I can do?

That's god's spirit in you.

Tell you what.

You tell the first three friends you see today what you did.

Tell them you gave your life to jesus.

Now, that's a challenge.

[exhales]

[chuckles]

They'll think I'm a nutter.

Just do it.

This is a little bible somebody gave me

A long, long time ago.

You'll like it.

Man: Cheerio, I just have to go to the bank to draw some money

But I'll be coming back this afternoon.

Hey, angus. Angus.

What's up, boet?

You look like death warmed up.

What's wrong?

You haven't been taking those happy pills have you?

No, uh, koos, there's, um, something I gotta tell you.

Well, you're in luck. Koos is off duty.

I'll buy the drinks, you do the talking, okay?

Hey, buchy, don't look so dang serious, man.

You look like the springboks just lost against the all blacks

Or even worse, against the english.

Okay, boet, shoot.

I made a decision yesterday,

Uh, to give my whole life, my family and my farm to jesus.

[chokes]

Bliksem, buchy.

You almost had me there for a second or two.

You shouldn't joke about these things.

No, koos, really, I'm being serious.

It's like god just took me by the throat

And shook me until I listened.

You're not gonna turn all weird on me now, are you?

[speaks dutch]

Another one bites the dust.

[laughs]

[♪]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[both laughing]

Simeon [in zulu]:

[men yelling]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[both laughing]

[speaks zulu]

[fire roaring, crackling]

[♪]

No. Hey.

[speaks zulu]

[all shouting]

Jill. Jill.

Call the farmers. We need help.

We've got a runaway fire.

[♪]

[people yelling]

[♪]

[all shouting]

[grunting]

[screaming]

Angus, are you okay? Angus?

I'm burnt. Argh.

Listen up. I've got to go back into town, man.

Let me get the doctor.

No, we've gotta put the fire out first.

Okay. Where can I help?

Start here. The lion match plantation.

They'll sue me. Get it, get it out.

[shouts]

Simeon!

Simeon.

[speaks zulu]

[coughs]

[indistinct chatter]

You can stay there.

[grunting]

Angus: What things soever you desire,

When you pray, believe that you shall receive them,

And you shall have them.

What things soever you desire, when you pray,

Believe that you shall receive them,

And you shall have them.

Simeon.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[♪]

Jesus. God, please.

[grunts]

[grunts]

[♪]

[muttering]

[thunder rumbles]

[thunder crashes]

Simeon.

Angus [in zulu]:

[all cheering]

[speaks zulu]

[laughs, cheers]

[speaks zulu]

[laughs]

[♪]

[birds squawking]

How do I do this, lord?

How do I speak to people?

[sighs]

[♪]

Tell them what's in my heart?

What you've done?

You make me lie down in green pastures.

You still my soul.

Reverend: Angus?

Angus.

Rev.

Hey. Hey.

How are you? Great.

And you? Nice to see you. Good.

Well, welcome to my church.

Impressive. It's my green cathedral.

God spoke to me in there.

He said, "just trust me."

And I've seen some miracles.

I know. I heard. Heh-heh.

The fire breaks. Yeah.

That's great.

I gotta tell people, reverend.

Something's changed in my heart.

I've changed.

[chuckles]

Surely, there's gotta be people out there just like me.

Like I used to be. Hmm.

Despairing.

Working their heads off every day.

For what? Yeah.

You're right.

And another thing, when I was in there was--

It just struck me that god used ordinary people.

Everyday people.

I mean, doctors, farmers like me.

Mm-hm.

Incredible.

Those who dared to follow jesus and believe that he was god.

Yeah.

Believed that he could heal the sick and...

[sighs]

...Fix broken hearts

And brought messed up families back together again.

Yeah.

That's real faith.

And that's what I want.

That's real faith.

What you doing?

[♪]

What are you doing?

Seventeen November.

I believe this day is very significant.

I believe god called you.

Remember this date.

Seventeen November.

[♪]

[indistinct chatter]

Bongani, be careful, he's smaller than you.

We'll bring the musicians and the singers

And anything else as necessary.

All I need is for the local ministers and pastors

To tell their people to come.

I wanna tell them my story.

I've booked the town hall for a week.

A week? Really?

Well, come if you want to, but as far as I'm concerned,

The town has been over-evangelized.

They've heard it all before.

Over-evangelized? But if there's one person--

The people of ladysmith

Are just like the rocks and the thorn trees.

Hard and dry.

You will get nowhere with them.

[bell tolling]

Lord, do you really want me to do this?

Man: With absolute pleasure.

No, not at all. You know where to get hold of me.

A-anytime.

Okay. Okay, bye-bye now.

Sorry about that, mr. Buchan.

So all you need is some help from the-- the local church?

Angus: Yes.

Well, let me tell you a little story, mr. Buchan.

Three months ago, two of south africa's great evangelists

Came here to hold a top-notch, bells and whistles campaign.

Thirty-nine people arrived, mr. Buchan.

Eighteen of them were from my church.

It was an exercise in futility, preaching to the choir.

Tell me, mr. Buchan, who are your great evangelists

That you've booked?

I am. Uh, in fact, I'm the only speaker.

[scoffs] yeah.

Well, brother...

Maybe the lord has brought you here.

To bend you a little.

[thunder rumbles]

They look good on the outside,

But inside they're a bunch of dead men's bones.

I couldn't believe my ears. Andrew, finish your food.

There's many churches in ladysmith.

You would think they would have--

They just sound so cold and religious.

[grunts]

Oh, I forgot to tell you. John called earlier.

John-o? How's my brother-in-law?

Oh, he says he's fine.

[thunder crashes]

That was close, eh?

Can you go check how fergus is doing?

Oh, you know, he sounds fine.

He said he'd, um, help with the posters

And he'll immortalize you on videotape.

At least that's some good news.

[phone rings]

Come, honey, I asked you to look on fergus.

Come, bedtime.

Angus: Angus buchan.

Oh, brian.

Thanks for calling back. Okay.

[chuckles]

That sounds fantastic, great.

Okay. Bye-bye now.

Jill, some great news.

That was a pastor brian jubber.

I left a note under his office door this afternoon.

He says they've been asking for the lord to send someone.

They wanna help us and they are so enthusiastic.

That's awesome. Yeah.

[woman yelling]

[thunder crashes]

[shouting]

Angus [in zulu]:

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[♪]

[indistinct chatter]

Angus [in zulu]:

Woman [in zulu]:

[speaks indistinctly]

Woman 1 [in zulu]:

Woman 2 [in zulu]:

[thunder crashes]

Woman 3 [in zulu]:

Oh, god. Lord jesus.

Lord jesus, help me.

[women chatter indistinctly]

God, I don't know what to do.

Oh, god.

[♪]

Bring healing to her body, lord.

In the name of jesus, stand up.

[thunder crashes]

[gasps]

[woman shouting]

[gasps]

[♪]

[speaks zulu]

[thunder crashes]

[indistinct chatter]

[thunder rumbles]

[speaks zulu]

Stand up, stand up, mama.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Do you understand?

Angus [in zulu]:

[♪]

[indistinct chatter]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Just like when we had the fire.

[speaks zulu]

That won't be necessary, simeon.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[women chattering]

Oh, lord, please let me speak to them simply.

Let the words you put in my heart come out.

Please, lord, speak through me.

[distant singing]

[singing]

♪ jesus, you're all I need ♪

♪ jesus, you're all I need ♪

[distant singing]

Oh, lord, don't embarrass me.

Don't embarrass me.

♪ jesus, you're all I need ♪

[music playing, singing]

[crowd chattering]

Thank you, lord.

[softly] thank you, lord.

Angus: No matter what you're facing,

God can turn your situation around like that.

[angus snaps finger]

I was speaking to a friend of mine

Who had marital and financial problems.

I was telling him, "trust god.

Just trust god. He's in control of everything."

And then suddenly out of nowhere,

This violent hailstorm came

And destroyed my entire crop of maize.

Razed it to the ground.

The whole crop was gone.

My livelihood, in a few seconds, gone.

What do you do?

[camera humming]

Angus: But you know what? I--

I decided to put my hope in god.

I decided to trust him. I-I didn't want to.

To be honest with you, I really didn't want to.

But I decided to trust god completely.

And you know what?

Three days later...

Just three days...

And the entire crop just picked itself up off the ground.

I was amazed.

Look, it had a permanent bend in it but...

[all laugh]

...Praise god.

At the end of that year,

We had a bumper crop of seed mealies.

I wanna challenge you.

If god can pick up a crop of broken maize,

How much more can he not pick up

Your precious broken heart?

Your broken life?

When god's creation's broken,

He's more than able to fix it.

So come on, what about you?

Let god pick up your broken life today.

[crickets chirping]

Hey, john.

Angus.

[sighs]

How about you?

Yes.

Yes.

[♪]

Dear lord,

Thank you for john's life

And for what he has meant to our family.

Thank you for his heart.

I pray that you make him

To amend what is not meant to be.

I pray that you protect him

And that you lift him up.

[♪]

[birds chirp]

Man [on radio]: In the southern part of the country,

Farmers say it's the worst drought in a decade.

Agricultural unions have asked the government

To declare the kwazulu-natal midlands

And other regions a disaster area.

Many farmers are facing ruin.

[music plays on radio]

Jill: Would you like some more juice?

Yeah, thanks.

Girl: Me too. Me too.

I'll have some, mommy. Please, can I have some?

Man [on radio]: On the weather front,

The weather bureau said in a statement

That the effects of el niño

Will probably continue indefinitely.

The region's heading for the worst drought

In living memory.

Farmers are losing farms at an unprecedented rate,

And this could cause a severe blow

To the gross domestic product.

And that is the end of the news.

Angus: People are making way too much of this el niño thing.

Angus, I forgot to tell you,

Um, there were two calls for you this morning.

One from a pastor in scotland.

He says he looks forward to meeting you tomorrow.

And a call asking you to come preach.

Maybe-- [giggles]

Maybe we could get someone--

[laughs]

Maybe we should get somebody to manage the farm and--

I was thinking maybe we should even consider selling it.

There we go.

Come on, fergus, finish your milk.

I'll farm for you, daddy.

Angus: In time, son, in good time.

I'll also farm for you, daddy.

Me too, me too. Angus: Whoa. Whoa.

Jilly, maybe we should get a bigger farm.

That's right, we can all farm for daddy

While he preaches all over the country.

And all over africa. And zambia, and tanzania.

All the way to cairo.

[grunts]

[speaks zulu]

Simeon, you're my induna.

[speaks zulu]

And, ah...

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[chuckles]

[speaks zulu]

[twigs crunch]

[wood creaks]

[twigs crunching]

[floor creaks]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Ah.

[bird hoots]

[speaks zulu]

[bird hoots]

[speaks zulu]

[both laughing]

[speaks zulu]

Okay.

Yeah.

Mama.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Oh, hey.

[speaks zulu]

I...

[speaks zulu]

[chuckles]

Nilale kalhe, my friend.

[speaks zulu]

Are you sure about the tie?

Aye.

You do know I'm ridiculously fond of you?

[crickets chirping]

[angus clears throat]

Hey, hey, hey, you lot.

I'm a crazy scotsman, and I'm not a crazy italian.

I speak the doric of the werenvolk

Of buchan county.

[all laughing] what?

Have you never seen a kilt?

Crowd: No. A man in a skirt?

Well, I'll tell you what. This is what real men wear.

Oh.

This is what they used to wear in scotland all the time.

[exhales]

The sporran.

[speaks zulu]

[crowd laughs] angus: Hey, hey, hey.

[speaks zulu]

[angus laughs]

Somebody gave me this one as a--

As a gift when I was in scotland.

It's, ah, made of the buchan tartan,

Which is my clan's colors.

And it means the same to me as...

When you put on your-- your zulu tribal clothing.

Woman: Ohh.

[woman speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

And the people's hearts are so warm. They're so friendly.

I've taken some slides.

Light 'em up, john-o.

Oh, that's me on the bridge.

Standing near my father's family home in aberdeenshire.

Do the next one.

Aha.

The memorial to william wallace.

He was a great scottish warrior.

And that is him.

William wallace defeated the english

In the north of England.

He's a fantastic warrior.

And, of course,

Angus buchan... [all laughing]

...A warrior from africa,

In the middle of scotland.

Simeon [in zulu]:

[all chuckle]

[speaks zulu]

I've asked myself that question.

I've even prayed about it.

And you know what I finally understood?

I'm an african.

[speaks zulu]

[♪]

My heritage is scottish, and I'm proud of that.

And always will be.

Just like you're proud of being a zulu.

[speaks zulu]

There are lots of problems between--

Between black and white people.

I know.

And we all know how difficult it is in this country.

But I really hope with all my heart

That when you see me,

You see an african brother.

You see a christian brother.

[speaks zulu]

[birds cawing]

[mooing]

Simeon [in zulu]:

Hey, you honor me that you call me ubaba now.

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[moos]

[speaks zulu]

Gidli.

[chuckles]

[speaks zulu]

Simeon [in zulu]:

[cattle lowing]

[children laughing]

Jill: They brought in two more kids this morning.

Angus: Aids orphans?

Jill: No, not these two.

Their mother died of hepatitis b.

We now have almost 20 little ones to look after.

We'll need to build them a bigger house.

Well, god has looked after us,

So we can look after others.

This morning in the green cathedral,

He asked me three questions.

What did he say to you?

Are you prepared to be a fool for me?

[laughs]

That must have been an easy question to answer.

Yes, and it won't be a new experience for me.

And the second question?

Thandiwe.

Am I prepared for people to badmouth me

And persecute me because of his name?

Are you?

Yeah, I'm prepared for that.

But then he asked me:

"are you willing to spend less time with your family?"

Well?

[sighs]

I said, "I'll drink from that cup."

God help me.

I don't know, angus.

Is that really what he wants, hey?

I don't know how we'll manage with you away so often.

Are you a farmer or a preacher?

[fire crackling]

Thanks.

I know how hard it is for you

To be away from us when you're preaching.

And I really didn't want to sound negative about it.

But we miss you.

I miss you.

[♪]

I miss your arms around me.

Whenever you see the southern cross,

You can think of me and know this:

My heart is with you.

And I love you more than life itself.

[♪]

[apple splashes]

Oh, this wretched el niño.

It's a disaster. The worst drought in years.

I'm telling you, some farmers are gonna go down.

Peter and jimmy are also losing their farms.

What are we gonna do?

What can a man do?

You can't plant in dust.

[mooing] simeon: Aye, aye, aye.

[shouts in zulu]

Hey.

You know, I'm convinced that god wants me

To organize a big prayer meeting.

Get all the farmers together.

We must pray about the violence and droughts and everything

'cause, you know, th-the problem is,

Every farmer thinks he's on his own.

Well, feels like he's on his own.

And I wanna get them together and we're gonna pray.

And I've spoken to simeon and isaiah.

And they said they'll speak to farm workers in the area,

And we'll get everyone together and we'll--

We're gonna pray.

[speaks zulu]

Reverend: You know how difficult it is

To get a bunch of christians together

From different denominations?

Let alone being black and white and indian.

Hmm.

Getting it together will be a miracle.

Ah, you can have my church

If you wanna get people together.

Your church is about, what, 300 people now?

I wanna go bigger.

Well--

Come on.

--The town hall is about 700.

Why don't you take that?

No, I wanna go bigger.

How big?

[door opens]

Woman: Mr. Buchan.

Mr. Buchan, allen kruger.

Good to meet you, allen.

Have a seat. Thanks.

How can I help you?

I, uh, would like to hire king's park stadium.

Yeah? What for?

We wanna get the farmers and their workers together

For a peace gathering.

To pray about the violence and the murders.

And of course this drought we're facing.

Yeah, it sounds very interesting

But I'm not sure you've got the right place for that.

No, this-- this is the right place.

Do you know how expensive it is to hire the stadium?

Yeah, I've got some idea.

Let me put it into perspective for you.

When guys like michael jackson, and international rock stars--

Ah, they pay millions for this stadium.

We've got the b-field down the road here

Where the players practice.

Shouldn't we sort you out there?

No, allen, we gotta have king's park stadium.

Give me a few weeks, I'll get back to you.

[cheering, horns blowing]

[gasps] this is big.

Coming at you. Get it.

No ball.

[angus chuckles]

Good one.

[all shouting] catch it.

Angus: How dare we laze in front of

Our television sets--

Carol, grab the buns.

And criticize the government and laws of land

And we ourselves do nothing?

I'm tired of the church not being relevant.

That's why we're having this meeting at king's park.

Don't get so serious, love. It's my birthday.

Fergus. Fergus: Yeah?

Will you please stop your brother?

You know what he's like when he gets started.

[chuckles] that will be the day.

Fat chance.

The reverend buchan has mounted the pulpit

And the sermon's just started. Ha-ha-ha.

[scoffs]

I'll get something to drink.

I'll help.

Fergus: Quickly, alistair, come back.

There you go. [fergus chuckles]

Alistair: I missed the ball.

You know, angus, someone once said:

"it's not the violence of the few that scares me

As much as the silence of many."

[laughs] oooh.

Angus: That's right, sis.

If we don't get off our fat backsides

And do something and stop complaining, who's going to?

You know, god says,

If my people are called by my name,

Will humble themselves and pray,

Seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

I'll hear from heaven--

Hear from heaven, forgive their sins, heal their land.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Now, fergus, that's a promise from god.

That's it.

Girl: Get the ball, quickly, robyn.

[simeon shouts]

[sighs]

Let me sort this out.

Fergus: Come on, guys. Simeon.

[speaks zulu]

Simeon [in zulu]:

Alistair: Where you going, auntie angus?

Angus: The tractor's stuck in the field, my boy.

We have to pull it out with another tractor.

Can I go with auntie angus?

Angus: No, you're gonna have to ask your dad.

Daddy, can I go with her?

Okay, alistair. I'll see you later, son.

Kirstie: Daddy, can I go too?

Sure, my dear.

Alistair.

Angus: Okay, here we go.

[tractor revs]

Here we go. Whoo-hoo.

Steyn: Who's got the ball?

Can I go too, daddy?

I'm gonna go and see if I can help them.

Okay.

Angus and kirstie: ♪ old macdonald had a farm

♪ e-I-e-I-o

♪ happy, happy, happy happy song ♪

♪ happy, happy, happy happy, happy, happy ♪

♪ happy, happy, happy happy, happy song ♪

[both laugh]

Auntie angus, are we going to fix the tractor?

The tractor is stuck and we have to pull it out, alistair.

Where's the tractor, uncle angus?

It's in the field, kirstie.

[alistair screams, angus shouts]

[♪]

Simeon. Oh, my god.

[kristie screaming]

Angus: Take kirstie. Take her home.

Kristie: Alistair! Alistair.

Kristie: Alistair. Alistair!

[♪]

Help. No.

[breathing]

[chokes]

[screams, sobs]

[panting]

[chokes, gags]

[sobs, screams]

Steyn.

Steyn. Steyn.

Steyn: Help.

We need help, somebody. Where's the doctor?

Come. Come. Come.

[sobbing]

What happened?

We had a tractor accident.

Mr. Angus, just wait here.

Jesus. God, please.

Jesus, let him live.

God, jesus, please.

God. God, please.

Please, just let him live.

Please.

[softly] please, god.

[♪]

I'm sorry. It's too late.

No.

[sobbing]

Angus.

My son.

[sobbing] I'm so--

I'm sorry, fergie. I'm sorry.

My son.

I'm sorry.

My son.

[both sobbing]

Woman: Fergus. Fergus.

[all sobbing]

I'm sorry.

[♪]

[sobbing]

[♪]

It's not your fault.

It was an accident.

Daddy, please don't blame yourself.

All this guilt and the shame and--

Just pushes up at my gut like vomit.

It's just...

I can't keep it down.

And I think...

...I'm not supposed to be angry.

It's life.

But I am angry.

[sobs] I get so angry

And I miss him.

[sobbing]

I loved that boy.

It's not your fault, angus.

I miss him.

It's not your fault, angus.

I'm really sorry to hear about

What happened with angus and that little boy.

Thank you, it's very kind of you.

It really must have been terrible.

It's um--

Did angus pray for the little boy?

He's such a man of faith.

You know, god could have raised him from the dead.

Think what a glorious testimony that would've been.

Hi, sorry I'm late.

It's okay, I just got here myself.

What's the matter, dear?

What's wrong?

[sobbing]

He's supposed to be the one.

[sniffs]

People are so cruel

And so insensitive.

I'm sorry, joanne, I'm here to comfort you.

That's okay.

What happened?

Thanks.

Someone said a thoughtless thing.

How's fergus doing?

And the kids?

Oh, how can you bear it?

[sighs]

It's been difficult.

And fergus is really struggling.

Who can understand this?

[both sobbing]

Woman: Good morning.

Hi. Can I get you anything to drink?

Um, two teas, please.

Two teas.

Would you like to see the menu?

No, thanks.

How's angus?

[sniffs]

Reverend: Are you gonna have yours?

No.

You got a firearm?

I have a shotgun. I shoot vermin.

Give it to me.

Why?

Just give it to me for a while.

I'll be okay.

I won't do anything stupid.

[sighs]

[insects buzzing]

[angus grunting]

[♪]

[laughing]

Daddy!

[laughs]

My son.

Alistair?

[dog barks]

[phone ringing]

[clears throat]

Angus buchan.

Fergus: Angus.

I've seen him.

Uh, fergie, is that you?

I saw him, angus.

Uh, what are you talking about?

I saw alistair, angus.

He was running

In the green veld.

And I spoke to him, boet.

I asked him

If he wanted to come back.

And he said, "no, daddy.

I'm waiting for you."

[sighs]

Thank you.

Thank you.

[shouting indistinctly]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[♪]

[speaks zulu]

[all speaking in zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[shouting in zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[laughing]

[sighs]

[phone rings]

Hello?

Allen, hi. It's angus buchan speaking.

Angus. Thank you for phoning.

You won't believe it. I lost your number

And I couldn't remember your surname.

Hey, how are you doing?

Oh, fine, fine, it's just--

Uh, it's just so dry out here.

We-- we're just holding out.

Yeah, I know the farmers are struggling.

Well, that's why we wanna get

The farmer's together and just pray for rain,

Against the violence and--

Well, I've got good news for you.

You've got the stadium.

Wow, allen, that's fantastic.

I can't let you have it

For nothing, but we'll do what we can to help.

Great.

We'll speak again soon.

Okay, allen, thanks again. Bye-bye.

Yes.

Jill: You got the stadium.

We got it. Can you believe it?

Yes.

[laughing]

Yes.

[all quacking]

Simeon [in zulu]:

Angus: I'm sure you guys are starting to get the drift,

I'm sick and tired of the drought

And the violence and stuff.

So that's why we're having this king's park gathering.

You know what, when I read my agricultural handbook...

Then, uh-- then I know what we gotta do

Is we gotta have a peace gathering.

And that's what I'm trying to organize at king's park.

[♪]

To heck with el niño.

Put your trust in god.

Not in a weather phenomenon.

Put your trust in the creator of heaven and earth.

Not in a promise of a drought from hell.

That's where el niño comes from

And that's where it belongs.

That's why I say trust god.

Trust god.

Don't be gripped by the fear of what el niño can do to you,

But be gripped by what god did for you

Through jesus on the cross.

And I know that god answers the prayers

Of his people.

And that's why,

This year at this time,

We're going back

And we're gonna plant potatoes.

And you farmers know what that means.

[speaks zulu] [laughs]

Angus: Let's ask god for a breakthrough.

That was my idea.

Angus: I know he will do it.

Potatoes in the middle of a drought.

That's impossible. Heh.

Oh, lord...

...Hear our prayer.

God, give us the rain we need.

Deliver us from the violence and the murders, god.

Bring peace in our land, lord.

And bring peace in our hearts.

Shower this land, lord, with your blessing.

It's so dry and so thirsty, god.

Bring your blessing, lord.

God says:

"that if my people who call by my name

"will humble themselves and pray...

"...Seek his face and turn from their wicked ways,

"that he will hear from heaven.

"he'll forgive their sins.

And he will heal their land."

He will heal our land.

[♪]

Well, you've been such an inspiration to all of us, angus.

I just don't want you to make

A stupid mistake, I--

You know, there's a very fine line

Between faith and foolishness.

I don't want you to--

I don't think you should plant potatoes.

What do you think, steyn?

Mm. I don't know.

But angus has been right so many times before.

There's one other possibility.

We could just wait a few days until it rains.

I mean, look at the field.

Look at the dust.

Nothing can grow in this.

If you plant the potatoes now, they're gonna die and that's it.

You know that.

If god spoke to you, I mean,

I'd be the last one who would wanna go against that, I hope.

I just don't know.

Did he speak to you?

I just--

When I prayed, I just felt god say to me:

"don't look at the weather phenomenons

And the weather conditions."

But I needed to trust him.

And then I read a scripture

In ecclesiastes and it said:

"those who observe the wind will not sow.

And he who regards the clouds will not reap."

Will not reap, yeah.

Angus, sorry.

The bank manager is on the line.

[sighs]

I just hope he doesn't burn his fingers, you know?

Harry? How are you?

Harry: Angus, I'm concerned.

About what?

I see you've placed a massive order

For seed, potatoes and fertilizer.

That's right. That's right.

And no one else is planting this year.

The scientists are saying it won't rain.

Your farm is on the line.

I don't want to see you and your family go down.

Look, thanks for your concern. It-- it really touches me.

But I'm going ahead.

Angus, if this crop fails, you're finished.

[chuckles]

When this crop comes through,

I'm gonna own the farm, not the bank.

So, uh, thanks for your concern and, uh, just relax.

I'll speak to you later.

Angus, I-- cheers.

Sorry about that, gents.

Steyn: Angus.

I still think it's gonna be impossible

Planting those potatoes.

You know what?

The condition for a miracle is difficulty.

But for a great miracle, it's impossibility.

Come on, let's go and prepare the land.

Didn't mean to make it sound like I'm doubting you.

Ah, don't worry.

[speaks zulu]

[♪]

[all singing]

Angus: We haven't had proper rain in weeks.

Soil's dry. Plants seem to be dying.

We're on our knees, reverend.

To make matters worse,

People are running from everywhere

Wanting to know how it's going with the potatoes.

They should have been formed by now.

What?

You mean, you haven't even had a look?

No, when-- when we're ready,

We'll harvest and see whatever's there.

[chuckles] they are stuck away.

How do you know there's even anything here?

Look at this.

No, it's not like maize. Maize you can see.

But potatoes...

You gotta have faith.

Simeon [in zulu]:

[speaks zulu]

We'll have to wait till tomorrow.

[speaks zulu]

And then get ready for a long day's work.

[♪]

Gidli, my friend, just before we get started

I just wanna tell you how much I appreciate you.

What you've done for me and my family.

I don't think we would've been here

If it wasn't for you.

And, uh, I know you love this land as much as I do.

I really appreciate you.

Come, let's pray.

[sighs]

God,

Thank you for this harvest

And thank you for giving us the land.

We don't know what's in this ground,

But we pray that you'll bless it.

Amen.

[♪]

[chuckles]

[gasping]

[speaks zulu]

[speaks zulu]

[both laughing]

Yes!

[speaks zulu]

Yes.

[shouting in zulu]

[speaks zulu]

Yes!

[tractor approaching]

[♪]

[laughs]

Did you not think

I'd have faith in these potatoes?

[laughing]

Koos: Hey, buchy,

Got to show us your potatoes.

Wait till you see them.

Heita, simeon.

Big potatoes here. Potatoes.

[laughing]

Angus: Hey, jabulani,

Feel this potato.

[sniffs]

Smell it.

Your faith in god must be like that.

It must be real.

You can feel it.

You can smell it.

Your faith has gotta be like--

It's gotta be like potatoes.

[all laughing]

[joe niemand's "a new day" playing]

♪ this could be

♪ my last day

♪ I am ready

♪ come what may

♪ you are love

♪ you are love

♪ you have given me

♪ a new day

♪ a new day

♪ you saw me in

♪ hard land

♪ and dared me not

♪ to grow

♪ I wonder why

♪ and underground

♪ when no one else

♪ could see

♪ you turned

♪ my shallow grave

♪ into a cradle of life

♪ in the dust

♪ in the dark

♪ you put colors

♪ inside of me

♪ this could be

♪ my last day

♪ I am ready

♪ come what may

♪ you are love

♪ you are love

♪ you have given me

♪ a new day

♪ a new day

♪ my last day

♪ I am ready

♪ come what may

♪ you are love

♪ you are love

♪ you have given me

♪ a new day

♪ a new day

[♪]