Original subtitles

There will always be those who came before us,

and those who will come after us.

This is part of something bigger. Much bigger.

This string of beads is so that you never forget

the link between us and the divine.

May Pambu Njila, the lord of movement,

protect and guide you, my son.

If this string of beads ever breaks, don't be afraid.

It's just the end of one cycle...

and the beginning of another.

My son...

all the struggle I fought,

all the pain I've suffered and overcome,

all the life I've lived, it pulses here.

And it pulses here in you.

As it will in your children. And in your children's children.

Blood of our blood.

Stronger with each generation.

And it is this strength that must determine

every step taken in life.

Discipline, high moral values and integrity.

These are the legacy of our ancestry.

You can put it on.

Just a second.

Look there.

Unlike many people,

we don't have time for whims or frivolities.

Because we have a mission.

Our rules may be stricter than those of other families.

But we can't deviate from the path.

We have to be vigilant.

Honor our cause. And never forget:

everything must be done out of love.

Love for us, for those who came before...

and for those who come after.

Would you have time?

For an old friend?

I didn't know how our friendship had turned out after all these years.

Why hold grudges?

We fight about everything in this life. Ever since we were children.

Better a loyal adversary than a treacherous friend, right?

I've always told you everything.

You're the only one who knows everything about my life.

I can already imagine the subject: Beja.

She won't give in. She won't let me meet my little girl.

She has her reasons.

You live with your daughter.

I have the right to live with mine. That's all I want.

So, do you think Beja will change her mind with my help?

I regret every day that I didn't take on this child when I should have,

but do you think it's fair for me to pay for it for the rest of my life?

I'll see what I can do.

The one thing in life that you never leave behind,

no matter the reason, is your offspring.

MADAM BEJA

What's with the face, João?

Beja...

I don't think it's good for Teresa, this arm-wrestling with her father.

You should let her know her father. Now that he's here in Araxá.

I don't know why you insist on interceding for Antônio.

It's nothing like that. I'm just putting myself in his shoes.

Of course, the male brotherhood.

I had the privilege of always being close to my daughter.

It's not a privilege! A woman doesn't have a child on her own.

You had responsibility.

Which is quite different from the person you're defending.

Yes.

You are...

You are right.

But what I'm trying to say is that I can imagine

the pain Antônio feels

when he can't even lay eyes on his own daughter.

Do you remember your reaction when you found out I was pregnant?

It was very different from Antônio's.

That's why Joana has a father.

Do you see the difference?

Yes, Beja.

I can tell the difference. In fact, you're just trying to get even.

Because you still love Antônio.

And this is the way you've found to make him pay for disrespecting your love.

But that's not fair on Teresa!

I don't understand why, at this point in your life,

you've become Antônio's errand boy.

Then, take this answer back to him:

She is my daughter. Only mine.

You want Antônio crawling at your feet to have control over him.

Instead of being a lawyer, you should be a writer.

What a fertile mind.

I hate Antônio. I despise him.

Well, they say that love and hate go hand in hand.

If that's the way she wants it.

Mr. Judge.

I need the law to force Beja to show me my daughter's baptismal certificate.

-Your daughter? -Yes.

All you have to do is file a lawsuit.

Calm down, Antônio.

Why don't you try to resolve this amicably?

I'm past that stage.

Can we do it now?

It's late, isn't it?

Then, we will...

Come.

I didn't think I'd see you again.

I was afraid Mother had locked you in.

Leave me alone.

-I've already told you that. -Stop it!

I've already asked you to leave me alone.

Let me go!

I've already asked you. Let go of me!

Jesus Christ

was crucified to atone for our sins.

If you deserved it, I'd nail you to the cross, but...

I think a night out in the open will have some effect.

-A whole night? -For God's sake, Mother. I...

I've tried everything to get this sinner away from me.

Please, Mother.

-Inside, all of you. -No, Mother!

Stop it, Maria.

Do I have to appear in court?

Tomorrow? Is that it?

At the time written on the paper.

And you have to bring Teresa's baptismal certificate.

What's the reason for that?

Mr. Antônio Sampaio wants to put his name on the document.

As the girl's father.

-That's very petulant. -Beja.

He's just the messenger.

I've already been notified. Thank you.

Excuse me.

Didn't I say he was going to go to court?

I thought so.

But I can guarantee he won't win this war.

What are you going to do?

I've already done it. And tomorrow you'll find out.

No, not just find out, you'll help me.

By being my lawyer.

Why do you hate me so much?

Because your sin awakens mine.

-But since when is loving a sin? -What you feel for me isn't love.

What is it, then?

What is the joy I feel when I see you,

the desire to be by your side?

I can still taste your mouth on mine. I want to feel that forever.

I don't want to feel anything else. Nothing.

I want to die, Eulália.

What I feel isn't from God.

Don't you realize that the devil is tempting us both?

The devil doesn't know love.

If you and I love each other, this can only be a gift from God.

It's pure. True.

I've never felt anything so strong for anyone.

It's not right.

It's not decent to feel that way about another woman.

The God of these nuns is all cruelty and suffering.

The God I know is love. What is your God, Maria?

Hate or love?

"Love is patient.

It bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things."

I love studying, but we've been here for hours.

Aren't you tired?

Teresa, we were supposed to be studying French.

Leave me alone, Joana.

Oh, my God! What's happening to you?

You've been quiet all day.

If you only knew how everything I hear keeps echoing in my head,

you'd talk less and shut up more.

I can't help but talk. The whole village already knows.

Antônio has filed a lawsuit to put his name on the bastard's certificate.

Calm down, my angel. What are you going to do?

I'm going to do what I promised I'd do. A scandal.

What's worse?

An outcry at the Estate of Jatobá? A statement in the newspaper?

What am I going to do to end this scoundrel's life?

Daughter. My daughter.

Daughter.

The scoundrel I love so much, mom.

I love that man so much. My God!

My God!

I can't...

I can't move a finger to disgrace Antônio.

What I feel for him,

this love, it binds me.

It weighs me down.

I can't act as I should.

Why, my God, am I being forced to watch this?

Him going back into Beja's arms?

My angel, think about it,

if Antônio had to file a lawsuit, it means that Beja isn't open to him.

You've got it wrong, they're probably arguing.

If they're arguing, it's because they still like each other.

The important thing now is to find out where Antônio is.

I hope he's in some whore's bed.

And not in Beja's.

He's probably in the tavern with uncle Felizardo.

No, Candinha. Start the next one.

No, stop it, Candinha!

Stop it!

I don't know what else to do to please you.

I've been drinking water all morning.

I think I've lost my touch.

Your manner remains the same as ever.

I'm the one who's lost the will, right?

But what about our agreement now?

After so many years, there's no point in you being my exclusive anymore.

I'll pay you.

As you wish.

I confess I didn't expect to be the one chosen tonight.

Well...

It's been a long time since the Colonel...

tried to burn down the Estate.

If you came back, it's because you regret it.

Let bygones be bygones.

So, you came back to forgive and forget?

I came back because I've never had the same pleasure with another woman.

Do you still like horseplay?

Horseplay is no longer enough. If you know what I mean.

I do.

I have something special for you.

It's not to everyone's taste,

but it might meet your needs.

Calm down, Colonel.

I know how to handle this very well.

And today you'll get what you deserve.

Gentlemen, let's proceed

with the legal action brought by Mr. Antônio Sampaio.

Prosecutor, please.

The plaintiff requests

the baptismal certificate

of Teresa Tomásia de Jesus.

Whose paternity he wishes to recognize.

The defense has the floor.

Your Excellency...

here is the Baptismal Record from the church in Desemboque,

where Teresa was baptized by Father Bento,

since, for a short time,

the church in Araxá was without a parish priest.

Thank you.

The document is clear.

The girl was really baptized there.

Here it says that the father is...

But that's not possible.

Yes, Your Excellency.

It is possible and true.

I'm Teresa’s father, that's why I made a point of registering her.

But that's a lie.

It's absurd!

Mr. Antônio Sampaio, please calm down,

or you'll have to be escorted out.

-What's that now? -What's wrong with you?

This man took a vow of chastity.

Aranha was a priest, but he was always more of a man than you.

You like teasing me, don't you? But I'm not going to give you that.

Your Honor...

this document is a fraud.

It was drawn up in God's house, with the Lord as witness.

And no judge can change what God has done.

I'll go to the Bishop, I'll go to Rome,

I'll go to the Holy See.

I'll go to the ends of the Earth

to prove you're lying and that this certificate is a fake.

You'll regret this trick.

My only regret was falling in love with you.

That's enough, Beja! This way you'll lose your mind.

Your Honor, I suggest we end this once and for all.

Since the documentation has been submitted.

Since the subject matter of the case is duly regulated

and there's no omission about the defendant's paternity,

Mr. Antônio Sampaio cannot claim

the same paternity.

Case closed.

Thank you.

Thank Father Bento for me.

I'm going to visit his church. After all, Teresa was baptized there.

No, Beja, please, he won't accept it.

He helped you because he likes you.

He's my friend. We went to seminary together.

Say it's a donation to the church.

-Fine. -Thanks.

But now that everything has worked out, I need to ask you:

are you sure about this?

I want Teresa away from Antônio.

Away from that family that makes people ill.

I understand that.

But know this: one day, the truth comes knocking,

and we have to face the music, Beja.

I've missed you.

I don't see you as much as I'd like.

Will you come back more often? Do you promise?

I promise, my child. I promise, Beja.

I know I should have taken in my daughter when she was born,

but I only lost this process because Beja lied.

-Blatantly. -She's a mother, Antônio.

Every mother does whatever it takes to defend her child.

Not every mother is like that.

I just want to forget what that woman did to me.

And still does.

No, Antônio.

I'm not going to let you use me anymore just to forget about Beja.

I'm a whore, but I have feelings.

I'm sorry.

I...

You're right. I'm just...

-I'm lost. -Then try to find yourself.

-Because there are people who need you. -What are you talking about?

I wash the sheets in the tavern at the convent.

And I saw Maria.

Angélica said she wasn't well, but I thought it was an exaggeration.

So if you care about anything other than Beja,

go and see your sister as soon as possible.

Or you'll end up carrying yet another regret,

in addition to the daughter you didn't take on.

Run away?

If I run away, what will become of my life?

And is this life?

Sleeping on the cold floor? Spending the whole night tied up?

To always have a wound?

I don't know if I like life anymore. I think I'd rather die.

You're saying that because, in here, you're tamed.

Suffocated.

You don't know who I was before.

I feel something in you, Maria.

An inner drive that resisted, before you were thrown into this place.

And it can save you.

Use it, Maria!

Use it to get up, to say enough.

To escape from this hell.

You and me...

together.

But what would that be like?

The cart that brings and takes the clothes. I've thought of everything.

Do you trust me?

I'll go...

I'll go with you.

You go in the front wagon, right?

I'll go afterwards. I'll go in the back.

These clothes are already dry. "The lazy woman dies of desire."

Welcome back.

I'm glad you ladies have picked up an appreciation for culture.

This will make our soirees even livelier.

Of course.

But where are the delicacies?

Didn't they let you prepare the room to welcome us as guests?

There was no time to bring in the delicacies.

Well, ladies,

there was a trial here, where they tried to take a mother's daughter.

So we didn't have time.

But I have a very special idea.

We can go to a place where we can talk,

learn a few tricks...

in the kitchen, of course.

I won't set foot in the Estate!

Me neither. Can you imagine?

If they see me going in there, my life is over.

I'll destroy Costa Pinto's life.

And Vicente, poor thing!

I'm sure Felizardo will kill me.

We guarantee:

no one will see the ladies.

With these capes...

you can become practically invisible.

And hidden,

we'll walk to the back of the town hall where there are carriages waiting.

What do you think?

Look! It's a perfect roulade.

It's perfect.

I'm going to use this sponge cake for your wedding cake.

Good idea, Severina.

Shall we try it? It must be delicious.

I'd never gotten the dulce de leche right before.

And I'd never imagined

that the filling would be much tastier with walnuts.

I'm going to bake the pudding.

-Excuse me. -Can I sprinkle cinnamon?

If Beja taught me anything, it's that I can do anything.

Absolutely anything.

Since our pudding is baking,

I think we can make ourselves at home.

Don't you think?

I've never let my hair down outside the bedroom.

I don't think it's appropriate.

Well, since we have to wait for the pudding to be ready...

Augusta?

Mrs. Ceci, we're the only ones here.

Why trouble yourself?

How delicious. I've wanted to do this for so long.

Stepping on this freezing floor feels so good.

Come here, Augusta.

Wait a minute, Genoveva.

Come on. Come on.

I don't think I've felt like this since I was a little girl.

Look.

When I was a child, I loved walking barefoot in the woods.

You know what? You've given me a good idea, Mrs. Ceci.

You're the queen of good ideas today, Mrs. Ceci.

No, no.

I have to get out of here. We shouldn't have come here.

Are you all right, Mrs. Ceci?

I want to get out of here. And Genoveva, you're coming with me.

Are you sure you don't want to stay, Ceci?

Mrs. Ceci, no one is going to force you to stay.

Relax. Severina?

We'll get your socks and shoes.

That's fine. All right.

Get up, Genoveva. Come on.

Come on, Ceci. It's a beautiful sunny day.

And I'm not leaving my friend Genoveva behind.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Come.

Enough, Teresa! This sadness is contagious!

If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll cry for you until you get better.

I heard our mother and João arguing.

My father is here...

-In Araxá. -And who is he?

They didn't say his name. All I know is that he's in the village.

Teresa...

that's nothing to be sad about.

Isn't meeting your father all you've ever wanted?

So what are we doing here? We're going to search for him.

We're forbidden to go out alone, remember?

Our mother isn't home.

-Neither she nor Severina. -But the maids are.

The maids have more to do.

They think we're staying here all day, with our faces in our books.

If we go out, no one will notice.

It must be tough knowing your mom kept everything about your dad from you.

But Teresa found out that her dad is here in Araxá.

So we need to look for him. Are you coming with us?

-Of course I'm coming with you. -I don't even know where to start.

Too bad Mrs. Augusta isn't here. She would know who your father is.

She's the biggest gossip around.

-I'm sorry, Vicente. -It's all right.

Don't worry. It's true.

But, in her absence,

I know a place where we can ask some questions.

They know more about other people's lives than my granny.

The tavern hasn't opened yet, Vicente.

-What are they doing here? -I thought you should meet them.

-These are Beja's daughters. -I know who they are.

You must be João's daughter. The smile is the same.

The name too. My name is Joana.

I've always wanted to know why men come here so much.

Just like your mom.

And you?

With those cloudy eyes.

You must be Antônio's girl.

-Antônio? -Yes.

Is that my father's name?

-Teresa? -Calm down, Teresa.

Saint Magdalene. Help me, Vicente.

No, thanks.

I'm better now.

I'm so sorry. I didn't know you didn't know.

Your father will kill me when he finds out.

Do you really know my father?

For many years.

Antônio, your father, is a good man.

With a difficult mission.

A burden too heavy to carry.

I'm glad you came.

So I can thank you for the generous donations

you've made all these years.

From what I hear, Mother, Maria needs help.

Yes.

Antônio.

And I thought you'd gone up to heaven.

Like Jesus.

But no. You just abandoned me here.

You left me here to rot.

Get out of here and forget about me.

Get out of here and forget about me.

Leave! Forget about me.

Well, she's really been like that.

Her moods are very altered.

How can I help, Mother?

Continue with the donations, of course.

But send us something...

to calm her down.

If you know what I mean.

Prayers haven't been enough.

Of course.

I'll arrange what's needed and...

have it delivered as soon as possible.

-Terese, Joana. Supper is ready. -Mom?

Dad?

Teresa is gone.

-What do you mean? -Her things aren't in the wardrobe.

Are you saying she ran away?

Good evening, mom.

Are you all right?

What happened to mom?

That girl.

That's what happened.

I'm Teresa.

My daughter.

If this string of beads ever breaks, don't be afraid.

It's just the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.