Original subtitles

Tajapuru River, Marajó Island, Pará, Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

Tielle.

Give me a hand.

OK.

Mom? Why did Claudinha stop writing?

Why bring that up now?

Claudinha is better off than us.

She got a good man.

You had to see it. He'd stop the barge out in front here.

Give her all sorts of presents.

Just think.

What if you get that lucky?

Mom...

Is she in Rio de Janeiro?

Farther off.

You think I look like her?

Do you even remember her?

Now you choose gold or silver?

Silver!

Gold.

Make up your mind!

- Gold! - Gold?

So, now you turn old.

Diamond.

- Diamond? - He wants diamond.

Hey, now, blind man, where'd you come from?

- From Maranhão. - Again?

- How about you? - From Brazil!

- From China. - From Pará.

Look at all that açaí over there.

Perfect, just ripe.

Go on, Tielle.

Let me go, sis.

I'll do it, Mom.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing.

You be careful, hear, Carol?

- Do it like I showed you. - I will.

It's a big bunch.

I got it!

Come down!

- Great job! - Careful.

Help us.

- Need more straw, Dad? - Let me finish here first.

Hey, we're home!

Come in.

Hey, Dad, look what I got for us!

- She's lying, it wasn't her! - Shut up.

Mmm, give me one!

It was Carol, you hear?

Put it here, Tielle.

We got a lot today, right, Mom?

Here, Mom.

You can leave it there.

Are you crazy, sis?

Carol, that açaí is for selling!

Selling?

Yeah. Tielle.

It's about time she helped out around here.

I don't want no daughter of mine out on those barges.

Let's go.

I'm going to fall over!

Stretch your leg.

You always win because you're bigger.

- You little stinker. - You old pest.

Don't let go of my hand.

Ah, that's not fair, you did that to win!

- So you get a slap. - No.

Tielle!

- Tielle! - What?

Grab my shotgun.

Danílio!

No!

You go get it and come help me.

We'll play later.

It doesn't have to come all the way out.

Just get it unscrewed. Try it.

Is it loose?

- Yeah. - That's fine, then.

That's good, right there.

So then you go like this.

Grab this part here.

Pull it. That's it.

Do it like this.

This little spring here, you've got to get it in place.

See if you can do it.

Let me hold it.

Got it?

Let me see.

Dang!

You did it, honey!

Congrats! You're a clever one!

Hey, look what I found.

For me?

Really? Thanks, Dad.

All right, now. Let Daddy finish up here.

Come on, Danílio! Let's go hunting.

That's all we got.

See ya.

God bless.

- Bye, Mr. Cotia, thanks. - Bye.

Write that down, now.

Environment.

Come on!

Write it down!

Fourth grade and up,

we've just gotten new science books from the Melgaço school.

They are Science books.

Open yours to page two.

- Here, take this. - You got it?

The human body.

Digestive system.

Marcielle! Back in your seat, honey.

Let's go, folks.

- Cynthia! Check that out. - What?

Jamilson opened the stapled page we aren't supposed to look at!

Hey, you two.

Don't open it.

- The human body. - Dang!

Pay attention, son!

Cynthia! Settle down.

They're getting on my case and all of a sudden it's my fault?

You've got to believe that nobody

Was born...

Was born a superhero

Good.

- Our dreams... - The dreams.

We're the ones who create them

Overcoming our limitations

Taking fortresses by storm

That's it, Tielle!

Doing the impossible in the name of faith

That's it. Remember your legs.

Champion

You're a bit slow.

Number one

God gives us wings...

God gives us wings

Stand still and clap your wings.

Very good, Tielle!

- Girl, my husband is so good-looking. - Hands off, he's mine!

How interesting.

Is he going to kiss her?

He's going to kiss me.

In your dreams.

Hey, Cynthia, come here.

That friend of yours from the barge sent you a message over the radio.

Yeah?

Next week his barge is coming by. I'll let you know.

What were you talking to Jaci about?

You're so nosy! You're acting like my neighbors.

I'll tell you later.

- Fine. - So nosy.

They're going to kiss now.

- No pinching, Cynthia. - Pay attention, guys!

- He just grabbed her. - They're going to kiss.

Now.

Oh, it's happening!

- Oh, no! - The power went out!

Erivaldo, the generator crapped out again!

That's the second time.

We're out of diesel. Come back tomorrow.

- Ah, no! - I knew it!

They're not going to show the kiss tomorrow!

Tomorrow's going to be a different episode.

It's not like diesel's cheap enough for us to watch soaps all day.

- Let's go, now! Get on home! - Give me a snack, then.

- A snack? Get out of here! - A lollipop, then?

No lollipop and no snack. Come on, scat!

- I'll pay you later. - Not even an egg for our lunch, auntie?

I'm not your auntie. Now scat!

Hey, sis, look what I made for you. A notebook.

You like it?

How did you make it?

Let me show you.

You've got to smooth it out. Press down hard.

Now you do one.

Oh, Lord

My prayer I address to You.

My God, I trust in You.

Save me from shame and defeat.

Never let my enemies rejoice in my undoing.

Come on, Tielle, give me a hand.

Your dad is tired. Come.

He wants to sleep. Come.

Look, mom.

I think the rope snapped.

Sleep with me, Tielle.

You can sleep here.

I'll sleep with you, Marcílio. Come Tielle.

You haven't slept here for over a month now.

Tielle can sleep here.

I'll fix it tomorrow.

- Bless me, mom. - Come, Marcéu.

You and your big belly.

God bless you.

Goodnight, you all.

God bless you, my children.

My name is Claudia Soares Rosa, I was born on April 5th and I'm 19.

See? You're ready.

My name is Claudia Soares Rosa, I was born on April 5th and I'm 19.

My name is Claudia Soares Rosa, I was born on April 5th and I'm 19.

Next, please.

Hi. Take a seat, girls.

- Is it for the both of you? - No, just her.

Let me see your nail polish.

Glow-in-the-dark.

I like your bracelet.

My mom gave it to me.

Where's your birth certificate?

Nineteen, huh, Claudia?

Yes, ma'am.

You need a duplicate?

OK, then. Are you sisters?

- No, I'm just her friend. - OK.

I'm going to ask you to wait outside. Just for a sec, OK?

What's your full name?

Claudia Soares Rosa.

Claudia Soares Rosa.

What day were you born, Claudia?

April 5th.

What year?

What's your name?

Claudia Soares Rosa.

What's your real name?

I know it's not Claudia.

Don't be afraid.

Just tell me your name.

Marcielle.

Marcielle... That's nice.

Daughter of Danielle and Marcílio. They combined the names.

Marcielle, that's pretty.

And who's Claudia?

My sister.

I wish I could take 10 years off, and you're trying to get older, huh?

That's the way it goes…

But do your mom and dad know you're here?

No?

Here's what we're going to do.

When we come back to town,

you come here with your dad or with your mom,

and we'll get your ID card made.

Yours.

- You distracted me. - I didn't.

Tielle, what's that on your face?

I can't believe you did that!

Ugh, Dad, that stinks!

I can't believe you!

Gross!

Get away!

Come, sis.

- Enough, you gave me so much! - It's to make you strong.

Thanks.

- Get some cassava flour. - OK.

- I don't want coffee. - Leave some for me.

Put some cassava flour for me, honey.

Come on, Tielle.

Lie down.

God bless you, my daughter.

Look here, look, it looks like mom and daughter, right?

This one's the mom, the dad, and the little baby.

No, it's me, you and Maceu.

I'm this one with the long hair.

Yeah.

Look at this one, sis.

It's a diamond, sis!

We're gonna get rich.

Wow!

This one is beautiful!

Where did you find it?

On that creek. Give it to me!

I'll keep it.

So nobody takes it.

Nice and safe, nobody's going to touch it.

Let's go hunting, Tielle?

- Me? Hunt? - How about it?

- Let's go? - Let's go!

Grab your boots.

We can play when I get back.

What we got today?

Rice, beans. And some meat from yesterday.

Danílio?

Stay to help your mom.

- Let's go! - Let's go.

You're going to be my lucky charm.

We're going to bag a paca today.

You hear that?

Over there.

Easy.

Get down, get down.

You see that?

Lean it up here.

Knee on the ground.

It's right over in that bush.

Hold your hand here.

Back a little bit.

I'm going to cock the hammer for you.

You keep watch, now.

Aim right here.

Easy...

Breathe...

When you see it, you shoot.

Clean shot.

Easy, don't look away.

Shoot, Tielle.

You know that's a sin, right? Wasting food.

I'll give it to you, okay? Come later.

You can have it later.

Glory to God! Hallelujah!

There is no happiness outside of God's plan.

God's plan, which is called Family.

Hallelujah!

Some will go with Abraham to the South.

Others will go North.

But wherever we go,

we will sow blessed families.

Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord!

If you've got some problem at home...

Accept... accept it and have faith.

Have faith to face the problem,

so your family won't succumb,

so you'll resist!

Hallelujah!

Praise!

Hallelujah, the word of God!

Praise the Lord!

You've got to believe, the hour of victory has come

The strength comes from within you

You might even touch the sky

If you believe

You've got to believe

That none of us

Was born a superhero

We're the ones who create our dreams

Overcoming our limits

Taking fortresses by storm

Doing the impossible through faith

Champion

Number one

God will give you wings

To fly

Champion

Number one

The faith that makes you unstoppable

Shows you what you're worth

Careful with this one.

Don't use more than you need,

for the love of God!

- I know how to do it. - You just pay attention!

- Want a bag? - No, I'll put it in my purse.

Do you sell on credit?

- What? - The rope...

You know I don't, honey.

If you went to the barges, you'd buy it.

How old are you now, Tielle?

Thirteen.

Your friend's barge is coming by again next week.

Let's go.

Can I have some?

What for? You pregnant?

Drieli got that belly on the barge, right?

No, sis, she got it at home.

Haven't you seen her dad's face?

People get all like that about us going on the barge

as if they don't know what happens at home.

I throw the salt and you mix it up.

You just go from the bottom up.

Careful not to hurt yourself.

Mom.

I want to sleep in my hammock.

Tielle...

There's no use trying to change some things.

Come on, let's finish before your dad sees it.

Come on.

Watch your step now.

Come here. Give me the açaí.

You have to get to the bottom.

- Everything's going to be fine, sis. - What do I say?

"Who wants some of Marcielle's shrimp?"

If they ask you to do anything, you ask them for money.

Let's go.

Cynthia! Can I borrow your lipstick?

Hey, what's up?

What are you selling?

Shrimp. Want some?

Let me see.

Looks good.

You really just sell shrimp?

No, my mom said we'll have açaí sometimes.

And is that it?

You're real pretty, you hear?

Thanks.

You got a boyfriend?

If you go inside with me, I'll buy all your shrimp right up.

What, you don't want it?

Don't be like that. Say something.

Relax, take a seat.

- What's your name? - Marcielle.

Marcielle?

Mine's Faguinho.

I don't have a girlfriend either.

You live down South?

Yeah. Every where’s south of here.

Where you live, do folks wear coats in the cold?

Sure they do. Let me show you.

Look.

- Where's that? - Gravatá. My hometown.

Nice, isn't it?

I can take you there someday. How about it?

- That's a nice coat. - You sure like coats, huh?

No use wearing them here, it's so hot!

You're real serious.

Too serious. How old are you?

Thirteen.

Too serious for thirteen.

What's the matter, princess?

Didn't you like our thing?

Well, I really like you.

I really do.

Want to be my girlfriend?

In two weeks, this barge is coming by again.

Get someone with a radio to let you know, OK?

It's called the Transbenevides.

Dang, sis, what's the matter?

Nothing.

Was it that bad?

Look...

Dang! He paid you with that?

Kind of...

Come on, sing!

- If you don't, I'll stand up. - You're crazy.

Because I'm from the North

Come on! I'll stand up if you don't sing.

- Don't stand up! - I'm up! Look at the shake.

- Sis, you're gonna tip us over! - So sing with me.

God! The boat…

I'm from Pará, there's no better land

I'm from Pará, I'm from here

The land of tacacá and açaí

I know what will cheer you up.

Check out those lights!

Let's get a drink.

Here.

Come on, drink it.

Good, isn't it?

Go on, chug it. Take a big gulp.

Good, isn't it?

It's awful strong, Cynthia.

Tielle, there's a cute guy checking you out!

Cut it out.

Come on silly, let's dance!

Go, go, go!

Let loose, honey!

Let's go, Tielle!

Dang!

Let go of me! I said no!

You're so fucking hot!

- Let me go! - Shut your mouth, you whore!

Hey, take it easy!

I'm leaving.

What you looking at, girl?

Pull the boat over.

Keep your voice down.

Cool it!

You're gonna fall in, sis.

- Bye. - Bye.

- Watch out! You're gonna fall. - Keep your voice down.

You're about to tip us over!

Look out, sis.

- Bye, sis. - Bye. Take care.

- You fleabag. - You are!

- Bye. - Bye!

Watch yourself. This time of night, the current is real strong!

Tielle.

What did you do to your hair?

You look like a whore.

What did you do?

Are you drunk?

Are you drunk?

Get inside!

Barge girl.

Get inside!

- Marcílio! - Get the fuck out of my way!

- Marcílio! - You goddamn barge girl!

You goddamn barge girl!

- You're hurting me. - I'm not hurting shit!

Under my roof?

Look at me! I'm talking to you.

Look at me, you whore!

- You're hurting me. - Under my roof?

Look at me, goddammit! Under my roof?

Now I'm not sparing the rod!

Leave!

- Out! - Marcílio!

- Enough. - You're a goddamn barge girl!

- Mom! - Shut your mouth!

Get in there!

Danilio!

Mom!

Shut up!

- Danilio! - Shut up.

Shut up, you barge girl.

Mom!

Goddamn whore.

Come, sis.

Mom...

I'm sorry.

You're going to look mad in your ID picture. Smile.

Smile a little, honey.

One, two, three, and...

Now I'm going to take your fingerprints.

Give me a finger.

Let me do it. Don't press down.

Turn it over.

That's it.

Clean it here.

Now write your name here in your best handwriting.

What's that?

Nothing. I fell down.

Is that it? Can we go?

No, you need the receipt

so you can come pick up her ID.

How many people live in your home with you?

- There's... - My dad...

My dad.

Me.

My mom.

My two brothers.

And my sister.

And another one on the way.

- Big family, huh? - Thank the Lord.

Jaci?

Hey, Jaci?

Hey.

How's it going?

- Hi there. - You good?

Tielle...

Jaci, I want that hammock rope.

You got the money? You know I don't do credit.

That's not enough for both.

The rope's ten, the notebook's five.

- Jaci? - Yeah?

You still got diesel?

Right.

Can you get the gallon, Tielle?

Bye, Jaci. God bless.

You too. Good luck with the delivery!

God willing.

I want the rope.

- Hurry. - Come on, Tielle!

It's fixing to storm.

Let's go, Tielle!

Tielle.

Tielle.

Such pretty hair.

I don't want it.

The barge is no place for you, sweetie.

Tielle? What's this?

What's this?

Where did you get this?

What, you dumb or something?

That'll snap right away. It's no good.

Ah, Tielle...

I'll sleep with you, Marcílio.

Tielle sleeps with me, and that's that. Nonsense!

Tielle?

Dad's calling you.

- Tielle, you're dirtying the house! - Leave her alone.

She's sad because she didn't get anything this time.

Oh, don't be sad. It's all right.

What's wrong, honey?

Tielle...

Come on, let's get you washed up.

Good night, my children.

God bless you.

Tielle, are you Daddy's wife too?

Dang it, boy, stop messing around! Get out right now! Both of you!

This is hell!

You get out too.

Out!

Jaci...

Hey, Tielle.

I need to return this and get my money back.

But did you use it? If you did, I can't help you.

- My dad said it's no good. - No good, my foot! Is he crazy?

- He's real mad at me. - On account of the rope?

Because I went out on the barge.

He takes me out hunting, Jaci.

Just me and him.

Tielle... you're not the only one.

But it'll pass.

Soon you'll have a life of your own, maybe far from here.

Like my sister?

That's right.

Just like Claudia.

Damn, we're going to get our asses kicked, man.

It's here, here.

- Is Faguinho there? - He's in the cabin.

Hey, you came.

Come on in.

You sure were hungry, huh?

So, where we going?

The barge? To Manaus.

No. Us.

Us?

Where do you live down south, again?

I live in Gravatá.

Why?

You wanna come with me, princess?

Didn't you say you'd take me?

- Did I, now? - You did.

Faguinho, the police is out there.

Faguinho!

- You gotta get out of here. - Come on, come on!

You said you'd take me! I'm going with you.

- I can't take you now. - You promised!

Are you crazy? Want to go to jail?

You promised you would take me!

- Out, right now. - Faguinho!

Did you think I was going to take you?

Get out of here, barge girl!

- Leave it! - No!

I won't screw myself for you.

- They're my things! - Leave, barge girl!

Girl.

Come with me.

Come here.

What the hell did you get up to now?!

Calm down, now.

Afternoon, Danielle.

She was at the citizenship campaign at the school.

So you're Marcílio?

I'm Police Chief Aretha. Civil Police.

- Where the hell were you? - That's what we want to know.

What was a minor doing on that barge?

I told you I wanted no daughter of mine on the barges!

Mom didn't know.

Please!

Get your IDs. I'll be waiting on the boat.

She was just selling açaí.

She was selling açaí, right Tielle?

Tell her.

You know very well what they do with those girls on the barges.

You know.

The risk they face.

You don't know?

Mrs. Danielle.

Don't take my daughter from me.

- We're not taking her from you. - You will, I know.

- We are taking care of her. - I know!

Easy, Mrs. Danielle.

Mum!

Breathe.

Fabio, head to the hospital!

- Easy. - Take me home, Marcilio.

- I want to go home, Marcílio. - I'm here with you.

Easy, mom, you'll be alright.

You ever wear lipstick?

Did you like it?

Makes you even prettier, right?

I like it.

That part you're coloring... What's it called?

Breast.

You know that breasts are private parts?

You know what that means?

Something that's just yours, nobody else's.

Has anyone ever touched your breast?

What color you going to use now?

Ah, the shorts.

This…

This is also a private part.

What do you call this part?

Paca.

And did anyone ever touch you here?

On your paca?

Did anyone ever touch your paca?

On the barge?

How about at home?

Did it ever happen at home?

Come here, Tielle.

Look at your daughter, ma'am.

Tell her what you just told me.

What did you say, Mom?

Mrs. Danielle,

We know when the abuse starts at home.

You aren't going to contradict your daughter's testimony…

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

Marcílio did the same thing with Claudia, didn't he?

With Marcielle, things can be different.

Let me help.

I trusted the police once.

I told my teacher something

and she brought me to the police station.

No use.

You know what happened?

Nothing, not to my dad. He came back home.

And I was the one who got kicked out, Ms. Aretha.

What happened to you doesn't have to happen to Tielle.

You say you'll help us, huh?

Will you confirm what she said?

Marcílio's the one who gave me shelter. He took me in.

Me and Claudinha.

It was Marcílio.

He's a good man, your dad.

A blessed man.

Tielle? Let's go home.

Mr. Marcílio,

shouldn't you be at the hospital with your wife and your newborn baby girl?

What did you do to her?

Marcielle is in our custody now.

We found a new home for her.

No. Tielle's going with me. Come on, now.

She's your daughter, but she's not your property.

You're not a mom, are you?

You think you have the right to do that, huh?

I know what you do with her.

- I'm a man of God, officer. - And she's a child.

- Let's go home, Tielle. - You get out.

She's my daughter.

Maria?

Anyone home?

Hi, Ms. Aretha. Hi, Eti.

I brought this food parcel for you.

Tielle! I missed you.

- How are you doing? - I'm fine.

Take that to the kitchen.

I want to thank you for your generosity.

Don't worry, we'll bring over a food parcel over whenever we can.

- I'm just doing the Lord's work. - Thank you.

I'm going to leave you with this number…

Tielle?

Here. It's yours.

Just got done.

It's your ID.

Let's go, Eti.

Bruninha's hungry. She's eating her toys, now.

Did you hear from your dad, Cynthia?

He's far off. Just like your sister.

- Does he write to you? - I already said he doesn't.

What you did was brave.

Crazy, but brave.

Hey, you're ruining it.

I'll make a sun.

Look what you did, Tielle.

Tielle!

Tielle!

Tielle!

Where's my daughter?

- What is this about? - What did you do to her?

Where's my daughter? Go get her now!

You can't come in here.

- She's my daughter. - She's not leaving.

The court said she has to stay here.

- You tell them what you do on the barge? - Leave my family out of it.

You want another to fill up your pockets.

What are you talking about?

My daughter is no barge girl!

You've got some nerve!

Let's go, Tielle.

She's staying!

Come on, your mom's waiting.

She's staying.

You want me to do this the hard way?

You want the hard way, Tielle?

Let's go!

Mom, he can't do that.

Tielle!

Tielle, don't go!

Eat up, so you'll get big and strong.

Come on, Carol, have some more, honey.

Is that good? Want some cassava flour?

Your plate is full of cassava flour, boy.

That's not it.

What is it then?

Eat yours. Leave your sister's alone, now.

She's gotta get strong now.

I'm already strong.

- You're already strong? - Already strong, already ready.

Eat some more, Carol.

I'll give you some more, Carol. So you'll get strong.

Don't cough on your sister's plate.

When are we gonna have paca for dinner?

I'm going to hunt us a paca tomorrow.

You want some paca, Carol?

I'm going to hunt some paca for us.

What are you doing, Tielle? Stop that!

Move.

Marcílio, where is she supposed to sleep?

On the floor.

Dad.

where's my sister?

Where is Carol?

Carol!

We thank the Manas from Marajó for their courage in telling us their stories.

Dedicated to all women who suffer abuse and violence.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO INSPIRED US BY TELLING THEIR STORIES,

SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE,

AND COLLABORATING IN THE MAKING OF THIS FILM.