Original subtitles

"It has been proven before this court...

that a man was hired

to collect a debt

on behalf of Ana Jacinta de São José,

better known as Madam Beja.

As for the accusation that this lady had

Mr. Antônio Sampaio killed...

This has not been proven.

Therefore, this court acquits the defendant."

This is absurd!

- This is absurd! - Silence!

- The court is adjourned. - I can't believe this.

Mom, I was so afraid.

So afraid that you'd be stuck there forever.

You don't seem to know your mother well.

It takes a lot more than a bunch of colonels

to put a woman like me in jail.

My dear.

Hey, Costa Pinto! Beja's freedom will cost you dearly.

- Very dearly! - Col. Felizardo.

- You could be arrested for a threat. - This is absurd!

This verdict is absurd!

She is guilty!

- This is absurd! - Let me go!

- Costa Pinto! - You promised me, João.

MADAM BEJA

My son.

My dear son.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

I'm not a worthy mother.

The devil

acting through the harlot prevented justice from being done.

And I couldn't clear your reputation.

Please, forgive me.

You used your intelligence, as always,

to forge an unbreakable defense and get away.

And you succeeded.

But I didn't believe a word you said in court.

What do you want me to say?

That I'm guilty of Antonio's death?

That I should rot behind bars after being raped?

Don't say anything if you don't want to.

But listen to me.

Because there's no one I can tell what I'm feeling.

I've always loved Antônio. Even with all...

the problems and disputes. I loved him.

And that's what tore me up, first.

Him hurting you in the depths of your flesh. In your soul.

At least you recognize that.

If that wasn't enough,

you tore what was left of my chest when you had Antonio killed.

I didn't have Antonio killed.

I had him corrected. And if it happened...

My friend...

My lifelong friend assaulted the woman I had always loved.

And that woman caused his death.

On the one hand, in that courtroom, I wanted to honor my dead friend.

On the other, I couldn't ignore your pain.

And it still tears me apart.

Nothing justifies what you did.

I may never be able to forgive you.

Just as I wouldn't forgive Antônio if you had let him live.

Perhaps that would be the greatest punishment for him.

That he should be forced to live with guilt,

but you wanted to take justice into your own hands.

When a woman resorts to extremes, João.

It's because she knows

that justice will never punish one of you for attacking one of us.

I still love you.

Both of you.

My lifelong companions.

But I didn't just lose Antônio.

I lost you too, Beja. Because of your crime.

Beja, please.

I need time.

Time and distance.

Because I don't just feel pain.

I feel anger.

But I thank you.

I thank you for the great lesson in love you gave me in court.

You filth! That's what you are!

Both of you!

You killed my brother!

Beja has always tried to destroy my family!

Always.

And you, João...

You're just useless. You've always lived in Antônio's shadow.

You both deserve to rot together.

I'm pure!

I'm good!

This world isn't ready for a woman like me.

You're sinners!

You're all going to rot in hell.

You're all going to burn in hellfire.

Starting with you, Beja!

Your spell doesn't hold anyone anymore.

Bitch!

Bitch!

The news isn't good, sister.

What happened? Was it Angélica?

No, it was Maria.

It seems she caused quite a commotion. She went out throwing stones everywhere.

And then she ran off and disappeared.

- What do you mean? - We don't know.

I think she's in danger.

If you allow me, I'll take a few henchmen and go after her.

- Sure. Go. - Excuse me.

Go.

Take it easy. The inspector has already arranged a search.

There are people scouring every corner of Araxá.

And I'm going to join Valdo's men myself.

Bring Maria back home, for God's sake.

I'm not ready to bury another child.

I'm not ready.

Take a look behind that tree over there. Behind that one.

Honorato!

Hi, Joana.

Hi. Have you heard from Vicente?

Not yet. And we don't know where else to look.

If only I knew my son better, maybe I'd know where he's been.

Joana...

Carminha and I...

We're a bit worried that something has happened to him.

So if you have any news, let me know.

Of course. I will.

See you later.

Hey, I looked for you in almost every room.

But I knew you'd be here in the tavern.

- Why are you looking for me? - Are you still angry with me?

Is it because of the baby?

Keep your voice down. Nobody knows I'm here.

You shouldn't have come,

because I'm hiding from you, too.

Why that now, Vicente?

The child that was in your belly was mine too.

You didn't think about me for a second, before you...

did what you did.

Vicente, wait.

Ever wonder whose dreams would shatter if I became a mother now?

Would they be yours?

I'm sorry.

It's just...

I guess I was selfish. I didn't see your side.

You still are.

Go back home.

Your mother's been looking for you non-stop.

You know, I feel like getting to know my mother better.

And my father, too.

But I can't.

They left me behind.

I understand. But let me help you.

It's not good for you to be here.

- Was that the dress she was wearing? - Yes.

And the rosary? Is that hers too?

Yes. All that's left now is for you to show me where...

Where is my daughter?

Maria hasn't been found.

You need to be strong, Mrs. Ceci.

I'm sure her body was swept away by the current.

No! Good God.

No. No!

First Antonio! Then Maria!

Why so much punishment?

Why? No, no!

And her body? We need to bury her.

Unfortunately, the body wasn't found.

You two are to blame!

You didn't stop until you both destroyed my family!

Don't be unfair, Ceci.

Our family has always been involved in tragedies. It's like a curse.

Look what happened to your brother. Fortunato's father.

Take your mother upstairs.

- I don't want to. - Don't complicate things any further.

- Let's go. - No, I don't want to.

My children...

My mother's farm is huge. It has several rooms.

That's great.

Then I can stay without anyone seeing me.

At the tavern, I had to run away from every room.

And it was difficult to find food.

First we find a room

and, in the evening, I'll bring you some good food.

It's here, Candinha. Just as you asked.

The cloak you lent Antônio to go to the ball, served as evidence.

Thank you.

If I don't return them to the convent, the Mother will be a pain in the neck.

- Fine. - Candinha.

Bring me another bottle.

He's drowning his sorrows. Because of Maria.

Excuse me, Januário. Thank you.

Thank you for the coffee, Mrs. Genoveva.

It's just like my mother's.

You don't have to wait any longer.

My husband won't be coming down to say goodbye.

I'll be going, then.

Well, Mrs. Genoveva...

you spoke a little while ago about a curse that struck your family.

- Did I? - Yes.

And you said it was right after what happened to your nephew's father.

- The apothecary. - But why are you interested in this?

It's a family matter.

We're not criminals for you to investigate.

Oh, no. I'm not investigating your family.

The apothecary and I...

We've become very close friends and...

Fortunato has no friends. He never has.

He and I have many interests in common.

I also like plants and the apothecary has taught me a lot about them.

But I feel he reacts badly. Whenever I ask him a more intimate question.

As if he were hiding some secret.

Excuse me, I have a lot to do in the kitchen.

Mrs. Genoveva, you can trust me.

I just want to help a friend.

Do you swear you won't tell anyone?

It's a secret that's buried in our family.

You have my word.

The poor fella saw his mother murdered,

when he was still a youngster.

That's why he came to Araxá. To live with us.

Poor thing.

It's not an easy thing to forget.

Especially when your mother's murderer is your own father.

He caught his wife in bed with another man.

And he stabbed her to death, calling her a whore.

Yesterday it was Antônio.

Now it's Maria.

It's really sad.

Candinha, you're missing a cloak.

It was, but Januário has already returned it.

- The cloak I lent Antônio. - No.

Not that one, because I've already put it here.

Another one is missing.

Apart from the one Antônio wore that bloody night.

That's not it.

Let me see.

We've got this one.

This one.

Here we go.

And one more here.

This is so weird.

What's this?

A cufflink?

Men's.

Do you think anyone else went through

the trunk apart from you and Siá Boa?

The nuns' trunk?

Yes.

A man.

And he left a trail.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

A second man could have gone to the ball wearing the same costume as Antônio.

What do you mean?

Beja, we both know Antônio very well.

He could have all sorts of faults.

But raping a woman...

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

He told me before he died.

He told me he didn't do it. I didn't believe it.

I know you didn't.

I didn't believe it.

I didn't believe it!

I didn't...

I didn't believe it!

Oh, my God.

I'm a monster.

I'm a monster.

I'm a monster!

I'm a monster! Oh, my God! I'm a monster!

Beja...

Who was the monster who did this to me?

The initials...

leave no doubt, look.

JB.

Do you want me to go with you? To talk to the inspector.

So that he can be freed on the same day just because he's a man?

No.

You went to my trial,

and saw that I was charged with murder.

And no man has ever been tried for...

for the atrocity he did to me.

I won't say anything to Belgard.

I'll take care of that monster.

Beja.

Look, I never thought you'd bring me into this room again.

Even more so during the day.

You've forgotten something from the last time you were here.

"J" for Joaquim.

"B" for Botelhinho.

Bourgeoisie.

Bootlicker.

Bastard, blatant, brotherfucker, beast!

- Are you angry? - Angry?

I want you to confess that it was you.

Go away, Botelhinho.

Beja. My dear Beja.

I'm sorry, Beja.

You heard Candinha encouraging Antônio to go to the ball,

and you saw her giving him a cloak.

The veiled nun's outfit he wore and you were just like him.

To take for yourself what life never gave you.

And would never give you.

Confess.

- Spit it out! - Why are you shouting?

If you liked it,

you are the one who should confess.

Because you've never get off that much in your life as you did that night.

You'll say it's a lie, but I know.

That's all you wanted. To be used.

Ridden like a bitch in heat.

I know it.

I felt your body trembling with pleasure,

while I satisfied myself at your expense.

Raping me wasn't the only monstrous thing you did.

There was another.

Candinha told me.

And it's because of that other one that you've come here.

Do you like news?

So, I'll give you the most important one your newspaper has ever published.

- Beja. - Write it down.

Not with all the gold in the world will I write what you want.

Write it down.

Write it, now!

- Valdo. - What's wrong?

- You've had too much drink. - What now?

You whore!

There's no more Maria.

Please, Candinha.

I'm sorry I was startled.

But I wasn't expecting your visit.

I know.

Even more so at this time of night.

It's just that I really needed to talk to someone who understands the law.

And you came to mind.

Do you have a problem?

What happens if someone sees a crime, but doesn’t do anything about it?

- Do you want to report a crime? - No.

No. It's just a question, João.

Why protect a male criminal?

Or a female criminal?

Because I understand

that she had no choice.

We women are not protected by the law.

- Are you talking about Beja? - Do you know too?

That she was raped?

And chose to take the law into her own hands?

I understand.

I understand. I feel exactly the same way.

I would never report a friend to the police.

I even think she's within her rights.

But I'm distressed. And I've been thinking about it all day.

Calm down.

Look, as a lawyer, I'd tell you to comply with the law.

But the truth is, like you, I'm not going to do anything.

Do you think we're bad people

- because of this? - No.

No, Candinha.

I think we're just learning to deal with our choices, you know.

Just like everyone else.

I think we'd better take it easy.

I know that my heart made me follow crooked paths.

I fell in love with a beauty I was taught to admire.

But today I'm happy.

Because my heart made me see you.

I need to go back to the tavern.

- I'll take you. - You don't have to.

I want to walk a bit.

Alone. To think.

Thank you.

- Good night. - Good night.

Don't you think it's going to be a problem, you being in here now?

It's late already.

I ran out of the window.

The maids must think I'm sleeping for hours.

And I didn't come just for you.

I've always wanted to see my mom performing.

Now, on stage: Mademoiselle Rouge!

Well, wasn't Madam Beja going to perform every night?

I have more flesh on my thighs than the other girls.

Isn't she...?

We came to see my mother's performance, and ended up seeing yours.

I'm fat!

I wasn't born to live on scraps.

Costa Pinto's daughter is a whore, after all.

And her husband allows it.

This world really is lost.

Yes, I live on the margins of society. Because I overflow.

I don't paint.

I don't even sew.

Like my mother once wanted.

I'm looking for a way to be happy on stage.

Because I miss my son.

I could be dancing in London, Rome or Paris.

But my heart remains in Araxá.

Apart from my son.

Loved by me.

But who doesn't want to love me.

Bravo!

Mom...

will you forgive me?

I thought you didn't want me.

How could you think that?

I came back to Araxá, even at the risk of being arrested, because of you.

It's true, Vicente. We missed you a lot.

Dad?

We love you, Vicente.

I love you both too.

I love you.

I'm going to make some tea. Do you want some?

- What's wrong? - Candinha.

She's just left.

- What did she want here so late? - Her business.

And you let her walk down the street alone?

Isn't there a murderer on the loose? Follow her.

Candinha?

Candinha?

Candinha, please talk to me.

Candinha, please talk to me!

Someone help!

She's not waking up.

How long will she stay like this?

Unfortunately, I can't say.

Could it have been another attack by that killer?

If so, the bastard failed.

Candinha is alive and will wake up soon. She'll tell us who he is.

What's missing, Fortunato? For you to confess?

- Confess to what? - The attacks against prostitutes.

Do you insist on this suspicion?

I know what happened to your mother.

What your father did to her.

Fortunato, it's not your fault

the hatred you feel for women of the night.

I don't want to talk about my parents.

Fortunato, just let me help you!

You have access to Devil's Trumpet.

You were in Campo Alegre when that girl died.

You have reason to hate prostitutes. Got it?

It's abundantly clear that the killer of those girls is an invert.

And, look, João found this on the ground with Candinha.

Fortunato, you're the main suspect.

And I don't know how long I'll be able to protect you.

You're coming with me, mister.

What have I done this time? I've just arrived at the village.

Don't lie to me. You arrived last night and you've already left your mark.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - I'll help you recall.

I didn't attack anyone, you know.

And I haven't been to the apothecary lately.

I know that.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to arrest you.

Good morning, Inspector.

I'm glad you're here. We've already got the killer.

Of the prostitutes? Alcides?

It's a mistake. I didn't do anything.

Take him to the cell before I lose my temper with him.

Come.

May God forgive me.

"Son kills his own father."

I, Joaquim Botelho, also known as Botelhinho,

got into an argument with my father.

It was an ugly fight. It made me very angry.

I demanded that he apologize.

But he refused, of course.

Which led to physical aggression.

Then, in the heat of events,

my father fell, hit his head and died.

"And I have nothing more to say.

Signed, Joaquim Botelho."

Did you see, my friend?

Your secret is safe with me.

Just as I promised.

Candinha.

My father...

Help me. We need to call the apothecary.

Do you think your father deserves it? Was he a good father to you?

No, but he's my father.

- If we leave him like this, he'll die. - For me...

Don't listen to that bitch.

- What if someone finds out? - Nobody needs to know.

- Not even the police? - No one.

Die, you bastard.

My poor friend.

At least she was lucky to be alive.

For Candinha and for all the others,

we need to find out who's behind these attacks.

Well...

Don't you think it's Botelhinho?

I heard he's been missing since yesterday.

Botelhinho wouldn't be able to kill a fly.

Forget that idiot.

I wasn't expecting you, Inspector,

at the barbecue I offered to celebrate my acquittal in the trial.

Who else but Madam Beja would hold an event like that?

That's right.

And what did you come to accuse me of this time?

Actually, I've come to apologize.

For accusing you of killing Col. Botelho.

Apparently, it was his son's doing.

Can I get you a drink?

Sure.

Do you know if Botelhinho is coming to this barbecue?

I don't know.

He was rooted in this place. But I heard he disappeared.

Yes, I heard.

Did he run away after publishing his confession?

I don't know.

But if it was a woman's confession, she'd certainly be in jail.

Right, Inspector?

You seem bitter.

Even though...

you're celebrating your innocence.

Why celebrate what should never have been questioned?

Wow.

The barbecue smells good. Excuse me.

Inspector.

We have our differences, disagreements.

But today I advise you to stick to the salad.

Make yourself at home.

Colonels! How's the meat?

Tender as a young girl.

That's a lie.

I've never eaten a woman so juicy.

Enjoy it, gentlemen.

- We have plenty of meat here. - I'll gorge myself.

Listening to these men, I'm quite sure...

there would be no better justice for that bastard.

Except by doing what I did.

And in the kitchen, everything in order?

I've cleaned up.

But what do I do with it?

Put it in my jewelry.

Are you going to be all right?

I've been doing a lot of thinking, Severina.

My choices.

My attitudes.

Have I lost my way...

my friend?