Original subtitles

DOWN TO EARTH

Leão.

Leão.

That guy Leão...

- What do you want? - The tall guy's had a fall.

- Give her a sedative. - I just did.

Mariana.

This one won't sleep. And they say cirrhosis gets them all sleepy...

- My skin is so dry. - It's not cirrhosis.

You vicious girl.

I just don't know how you can cope with all of them.

Can I borrow it a second?

I always get home a mess.

She's strong.

Guess she's in her sixties, right?

If you saw the gallons of blood I got off her sheets...

He's alive. Barely.

A laborer from the Cape Verde Islands, about 30 years old.

No ID, no family, no friends, nothing.

At work they say he didn't talk much.

No one knows what happened. He just fell.

Seems he's a sad fellow.

His name is Leão.

Two months in a deep coma. Oddly, he's been discharged.

The plane ticket has been bought.

Leão's going home.

A check and a letter

from his village,

all anonymous.

A woman's handwriting.

What a pity.

Put him in the shade.

Someone should meet us. It was all arranged.

Not our business. We're on a schedule.

He already feels at home.

Good luck.

- Are you leaving me? - Our mission's not over yet.

- There's no war here. - What about me?

Your dream came true and we're off. We're due in Angola by nightfall.

Relax. They'll come for the medicine, if not for him.

- Back within a week. - What?

In seven days we'll be back.

I thought you'd forgotten.

- Is he dead? - Are you a relative?

Sidonio Pais.

- Do you want medicine? - Don't need no medicine.

He isn't dead, see? His name is Leão.

You know best, miss.

Don't you know him?

I'm from Lisbon. Just came to see the wife.

- Where's the hospital? - On the other side.

Too fast?

Is it shaking you up?

Amalia, you knew they were coming. You knew it all along, you witch.

I did know.

Don't worry, Mariana. He's in good hands.

You know my name, but you don't know Leão?

Maybe brother Leão is up from the mountain.

Someone should be expecting him.

Welcome committee, band and all.

He's lying there, can't you see? He's not my invention.

I was told to bring him over.

While there's war, there's hope.

You from Lisbon? I was at the General Hospital for six years.

- I'm at Saint Mary's. - Now that's another world.

I was having nightmares. Craved for these.

Plusenix, Paviomix, Rimpamix.

It's Triplice, brand new and modern.

Nice and modern.

- And who shall we thank? - Thank you, Mr. Smith.

Thank you, Mr. Kline. Thank you, Mr. French. Thank you, Miss Mariana.

It's strange. No one comes back.

Every day I see them leave, but they never return.

Well, someone wanted him back.

No good comes of being sick here. I can't do much for him.

What are the visiting hours?

Don't hold your breath. This was a leper colony.

People came. And never left.

Everyone had a mum or a dad rotting here.

No one wants to remember.

The Slow Death Camp.

- Where did you find him? - Down by the market.

Bring me that new Triplice.

What a pain. I've so much to do today.

You're a mess, boy.

Just chores. Damned vaccines. I still have to make couscous and a cake...

- What's for lunch? - Soup.

If you all want to be fed, leave me in peace.

Out. Out.

Darkie, come here, boy.

Mariana. Wait till I get my hands on you.

I knew trouble was coming.

Amalia, the new vaccines for Tina and Tano.

Mega-doses for both.

And clean the needles, will you?

Can you trust her?

Amalia? She holds the place together.

- Does she sleep here? - No. I close the door at night.

Well, he closes it. The boy is our guardian.

The girl's his soul mate.

- What about Leão? - Amalia, are the needles clean?

You bitch. Off my bed.

Mariana, just you wait.

It's all right now.

Sorry.

Mariana.

Good sandals for the volcano.

Mariana.

Some bay leaf, a bit of beef. It's very good.

Try some.

What are you doing?

- Where's his serum? - A hot meal is what he needs.

What happened?

She slept under a tree. She left everything open.

He's stable, same condition.

- There's no serum. - Calm down, Mariana.

- Tell her he can't be cold. - This girl's crazy.

Leave him to me.

Amalia, give her some Xanax.

My fault, that leper business...

Are you staying till the soldiers return?

It's a few days yet. Please, I'd like you to stay with me.

You'll be safer.

I live nearby on the Square.

Where did you spend the night?

- I told you, together we could do it. - You deserve it, girl.

But I've waited for ages, Edith. I'm the youngest.

And I'm too old. I can't wait any longer.

- You promised. - Is it really him?

What about his face?

Ugly as sin.

Those eyes...

Dark eyes, lying eyes.

Is he alive?

Love's hard as the goat's horns.

And laughs like a crazed monkey.

- Is he dead? - It's Leão.

Even in death he can't stop laughing.

Leave her to her sins.

Go away, you old madman.

Are you all right?

We ought to die as children and be born old.

- Your music is lovely. - Thank you.

Miss Mariana.

Everyone knows who I am.

Everyone says thank you, Mariana.

I'm Bassoe.

You look sad.

The music's fine...

...and makes me happy. It's my legs that are weak.

That lady who was listening.

The white, pale one.

Serenades, I've never sung.

Don't you believe I'm happy?

Come and see my children.

You'll see.

For Leão?

You'll see.

Take your shoes off. The ground's hot.

Tina, my youngest.

It's all for you.

When I was younger,

with these legs I went from island to island,

playing, always playing.

Funerals, weddings, from Brava to St. Antão.

Music doesn't kill hunger. Music doesn't kill misery.

Music doesn't dry tears.

Music is a bitch. I worship her.

A man needs his reward.

A worker needs consolation.

I can't remember my first child. The second's long gone.

Tcheka was born in Maio.

Kilim in St. Nicolau.

A duet is good, a trio even better.

Bassora was born in Santiago.

Tina is my only daughter.

Sons, I've more than 30.

Raulinho...

Zé...

Kilim...

- Nbelas... Tcheka... - Leão?

You fatherless bastard.

Disgraces that my sons won't endure.

- They have enough vices already. - Women vices.

Alina, you couldn't catch me because you had no nails.

But no one ever played you like I did.

Don't you paint a cross on my door.

Tina, don't you let them.

We go from place to place.

Far from houses. Away from villages.

And let the dead dance.

Safe journey, good luck.

Remember to write.

I wish you well. May you always remember us.

- Are you leaving? - That's fate.

Mariana arrives, we leave.

We're going to Portugal, to Sacavém.

Do you know it? Is it pretty?

- Will you play there? - Music is a cruel master.

We'll be laborers. We have a good contract.

The papers are all in order.

We've got a patron.

And Tina has a contract, too?

She's staying. When we've money, we'll send for her.

When you have nothing,

the tiniest thing seems a miracle.

You'll end up in a rat hole.

Or worse, dying alone in some hospital.

Nobody cares in Sacavém.

Don't give in.

Mariana ate our food,

drank our wine.

Maybe that's why you're not thinking clearly.

Not even the dead can rest here.

You should hear them like I do.

Is Leão your son?

Alina has more than 20 children.

She sold her pigs for our sake.

- In the co-op we got credit. - Stop it.

We sold three goats.

I brought you your son. You can't leave him now.

We thank you.

Bassora will show you the way down.

Maybe you have no one?

Or maybe you need no one?

It's best not to leave anything behind.

But your heart is wounded, your heart speaks with sadness.

We thank you again.

She'll bite you.

Putting the goats to sleep?

I won't hurt. I'm just checking.

It's a bit swollen.

- What about your boyfriend? - He's going to Portugal.

To be a laborer like your dad?

Would you like to go, too?

No.

- Will you miss them? - I'm still young.

I've got to fetch the donkey.

Wait, Tina. I can't see.

Do you know a thin, white lady?

- Miss Edith. - Edith? Do you know her?

I know a song she likes.

Tina. Come back.

You do all the work. It'll be a relief when they leave.

Might even be for the best.

Leave her.

It's your fault. You all killed him.

I only wanted to help.

Tell your mum I'm a nurse.

I know.

The dog was wounded.

It could be dangerous.

I saw them stare.

Or maybe it's me.

My Creole still isn't good.

She doesn't need you.

Edith.

Edith, my name is Mariana.

You're too hot.

This is lovely, but you're stifling.

You should wear something lighter so you can breathe.

Leave her. Let her be.

She doesn't want to talk to you.

Edith.

I know you can hear me.

You can't stay here.

Come to the hospital.

Try to rest a bit.

I can come by later if you want.

She only speaks Creole. Forgot all Portuguese.

Will you just let her rot there?

It's their revenge.

Last night, that dog saved my life.

I was attacked by a boy.

He was beating me, but the dog scared him off.

Whose is it?

They don't belong to anyone. Nowhere for them to go.

It's not your mother's. It was a man's dog.

Dona Alina? Good afternoon.

You see? I remember your name.

- I came for the vaccines. - No one's sick here.

They're for the kids.

This one yours?

- Have you got many? - Twenty.

Be easier if they came to the hospital.

I don't mind, even if it means going round to every house.

Leão's no trouble.

He's a relative, isn't he?

I don't see any improvement.

What's going to happen when I leave?

It's all right, Mother is there.

Mariana.

I've run out. I'll come back tomorrow.

No, you don't need it.

He's his son.

Our son.

Don't take him away. He likes me.

Vicente Bento Àguas was arrested on 17 August 1958

and transferred to the penal colony

of Tarrafal, Cape Verde Islands.

The detainee died on 7 July 1962.

He won't smell now. He's dead and buried.

I only came to see how she was.

I made him a nice gravestone.

Perhaps I shouldn't.

The cemetery's only for people.

Was it wrong?

He was family.

I forgot to put flowers.

You must put some flowers.

Blackie saved your life.

His tongue was all bitten.

I tried to put it back in his mouth,

but I couldn't get it open.

His teeth were clamped down.

Do you know what I mean?

Have you ever seen it?

Is it like people?

Is it normal?

Sometimes.

You can't apologize to a dog.

Dogs can't forgive.

- Don't make fun. - I'm not.

I know who killed the dog.

It was the boy on the beach.

You know nothing.

And you've had a drink too many.

Means less for her.

Did I do right, nurse?

You're beyond anything now.

This how you treat patients?

No. I don't pity them.

Fine. Except I'm not ill and I didn't call for you.

Did I?

Why are you here?

You know why. Or didn't you hear?

You shouldn't have come.

What are you afraid of?

What do you want?

You come into my house, nosing, poking around.

I know your sort.

You've got the same expression as her.

Is it still here? Look close.

She's your mother, isn't she?

Forget her.

She's a beautiful woman, so young.

Just now, she smiled at me.

Or perhaps it wasn't a smile.

She's prettier than in the photos.

Can you speak to me in Portuguese?

See? No need to call. I'm here.

Tastes bad?

No.

Leave me alone.

Let me go.

Sleep...

- Leave me. - I have to go down and get him.

It's all right, be still.

Now let me go.

I can't breathe.

Edith, he fell asleep.

I should return to the hospital.

None of your business, old man. Shut your eyes.

Fuck me. There's nothing to guard here.

Fuck this life.

My land.

Wake up, Mariana.

Why won't you wake?

Wake up.

Dead man wants to kill...

Wants to kill Tano.

He's burning. Did you find him?

I was with my goats, at daybreak.

The dead man went for me.

- He came after Tano. - Who's Tano?

He is.

- Dead man after Tano... - What's he saying?

He says the dead man is after Tano.

- Dead man after Tano... - Who hurt you, Tano?

- You ask him. - The dead man.

Tano, look me in the eye.

Don't be afraid.

Tina, where are you? It's so dark.

Tina's here. Can't you see her?

- What's he saying? - Don't worry. He's not making sense.

This looks ugly. It needs stitches.

Mariana, the alcohol.

Amalia, get me a Xanax.

Don't you miss clean sheets and baths?

I'm fine. Tell her to stop.

Don't mind her. Amalia used to cook at the camp.

She made lunch and dinner for 150 convicts.

That changes a person.

Leão doesn't need you every night. I live alone... I'd be happy to...

I want to be here when he wakes.

Shit. I can't get this closed.

- A hell of a knife wound. - Can you see the teeth marks?

Why are you so happy? Because you're alone now?

They've gone off to Portugal?

Bassora fancies you. He wanted to stay behind.

- How old are you? - Thirteen.

Is Tano all right?

He could be worse.

But he's staying in hospital, isn't he?

Would you want him to?

That way he won't go to Portugal.

If someone comes for him, say he's very, very ill.

You know what he's like. What if he wants to go?

He doesn't.

You're the one who doesn't want him to go.

You don't either. You wouldn't wake up.

Read me this, Tina, It's in Creole.

That way I'll learn.

"Nha cretcheu... My love.

"Being together will make life beautiful for another 30 years.

"I'm growing younger and stronger.

"I'd like to give you 100,000 cigarettes,

"a dozen of those fancy dresses,

"a car, a house built of lava..."

Here, I don't understand.

"A cheap bouquet.

"But above all else I want you

"to drink a bottle of good wine and think of me.

"Here it's all work. There's more than 100 of us now.

"Day before yesterday, on my birthday,

"I thought of you.

"I hope you got my letter.

"Your reply hasn't come yet.

"Every minute of every day, I wait.

"Every day I learn new words for you.

"We'll have a language just to ourselves,

"made-to-measure, like fine silk pajamas.

"I can only write once a month

"and still nothing from you.

"Maybe next time.

"Sometimes I'm afraid to build the walls,

"me with my pick and cement, you with your silence,

"a deep ditch pushing you

"further away. Can't you hear me calling?

"It hurts inside

"to see what I don't want to see.

"Your beautiful hair like dried grass.

"Sometimes I think I'll forget..."

That's enough.

Want to leave the lady something to remember.

You've forgotten Tano?

He's not right in the head.

He's wicked. Last night he came close...

- What did he do? - Life doesn't want him.

- What did he do? - He's in bad shape. Mariana says so.

We came for the lady, I'll never say goodbye to you.

- Let it be. It's over and done. - You can't get rid of us all.

Aren't you going?

You're staying then?

I hoped you would stay.

- We have to go. - Not for long, just finish this job.

- Why? There's no point. - It's his house.

For when he's better.

You haven't seen him.

Lots of things you don't know, miss.

He'll enter this house on his own two feet.

Maybe he doesn't want to get well.

You're a fake.

Wake up.

Are you in pain?

Can't you sleep?

Dead man there tried to kill me.

And the dog? How did you do it?

With a knife?

Speak Portuguese. Don't lie.

I'll make you talk. I'm not afraid of you.

I wasn't afraid on the beach.

You won't get away with it.

Nobody's going to help.

I think you're fine.

You've no scars. You're fine.

Dead man there...

What dead man?

Get up.

You're fine.

He's here. I can hear him.

Look at her. She reminds me of someone else.

- Shut your mouth, you fool. - Such a young lady in the old days.

Think she saw us? No. She didn't.

Shame on you, cook-woman.

You old whore, toothless hag.

You loony, toothless thing.

You never tell me what happens at that hospital.

Kill myself over couscous.

- Better get eaten. - You bore.

She's never hungry, that one.

- Where did you hide the wine, Edith? - Under the sink.

Behind the bucket.

Letters, money...

I'm losing my mind.

Let them all die.

Father and sons, for generations to come.

Letters under skirts, stoning the police, kissing the sergeant.

- Can't you fucking remember, Edith? - I remember.

No more sadness. Let's take care of you.

I'm still a pretty piece of ass. Come on, you ugly goat.

Youth on the march.

Go away.

Open up, stupid. It's me.

I thought it was her.

You're such a coward when you're sober.

If anyone asks, say it hurts a lot.

Keep an eye out.

Where are you going?

Help me, Tano.

The dead are as scary as the living.

Where are you going?

Not long now.

Let the poor bastards live as they wish.

Tina.

Let the girls do as they please.

Tina? How was it?

Once comforted, they beg for courage.

Not now, I'm tired.

Don't hide from me.

I don't like you like this.

Celestine, I'm just fine.

Everyone will see.

I'm so happy with what you did for me last night.

- It was wrong. - No.

It was right.

Remember when I was sick?

You sang under my windows.

We never slept.

I was little then.

Tonight, neither of us will sleep.

I want you to look after them.

Do what you want with them.

What's wrong?

The way you talk.

Where were you last night? Going around singing in the streets?

We don't need alms. Don't you have work to do?

- Leave her alone. She's tired. - Does Edith have anything for me?

I've been thinking about you.

Go on. Father's waiting.

- Do you like it? - It's lovely.

I could stay here with you.

Fuck Portugal.

- I must go to the hospital. - Forget the fucking hospital.

You hardly slept.

You weren't worrying about the hospital yesterday.

- Remember what you said to me? - I don't care.

- You asked me things. - I was tired.

When I'm tired, I don't make sense.

No one ever told me the things you did.

Really?

Was it me you wanted?

Forget it.

Leave me alone, OK?

Are you always like this?

What can I say? I like boys, that's all.

She came after him.

She was 20 years old. He was twice her age.

I never knew him.

He was a political prisoner.

Afterwards, she never returned home.

She's been here for years, with me.

People help her.

She likes them, they like her.

This is our home.

Now we get a check every month, his pension, from Portugal.

She pays everyone back. They know, they all wait.

They all want to leave.

Aren't you interested?

Who wants to leave now? Bassoe? Tano?

They're waiting. She promised them.

Who wants to stay? Leão?

He's dead.

- Why did he come back? - He killed himself.

For her sake?

And did the dog kill itself?

Edith doesn't think so.

Do you?

Forget it. I know what you like.

Shame on you.

Press hard.

You're shameless, all of you.

Speak Portuguese. Tell me your name.

I'm meant to be dead.

You were very sick.

For two months.

Leão.

Your name's Leão.

So what, Mariana?

Try to remember.

Make an effort. What do you remember?

Blood, black dog licking me,

your hands, the smell of you.

Sleep now, Leão.

You've made a start.

You're starting a new life.

They fooled me.

This land fooled me.

Here...

- Laugh, if you know how. - You weren't there.

- When? - When I opened my eyes.

I wasn't expecting it.

You let them kill my dog.

No one wanted to know.

I'd given up thinking... I don't know.

That you had friends, family.

A dog even.

- All your fault. - I thought you were too weak.

Or that you'd given up.

I got tired.

I assumed your eyes were black.

They are...

I was wrong.

Were you afraid of me?

I was.

You should have trusted me.

Why did you bring me here?

You were alone there. I was, too.

I felt you'd be safer here.

Why did you open your eyes?

I wasn't alone. I remember everything.

I was never alone.

I don't understand a word you're saying.

Why do you do this to me?

Come.

Beg me.

Say it in Creole.

Does it hurt?

Just a little.

Don't say a word. I might cut you.

I preferred you when you woke up.

At least we know you're not mute.

I'm not asking much.

- I just want... - Bitch.

Mind what you're doing. Stupid cow.

Who do you think I am?

You bastard.

Pile of shit with a filthy mouth.

I don't need you.

A few scars weren't enough for you. I'm not asking much, Leão.

- You don't have to... - Want it in Portuguese?

I know your fucking language. I know you backwards.

Did I ask you for this?

More than you think.

I should have known.

But no. Stupid me.

- You don't deserve that poor dog. - What's that?

I liked you better before.

What did they do to my dog? What?

You whore.

I'm not afraid of you. I've no pity, either.

You're the worst, shitty patient.

You won't go out or talk or eat.

Maybe you were better in Lisbon.

Maybe you had some woman?

You were quite happy then.

Till you got dizzy up on that scaffold.

Now you've shriveled up.

Please. Take me back.

Bitch, I'm feeling worse.

All's the same here. The day I got here, I got lost.

Take me to the hospital.

No more doctor, no more medicine.

I'm finished with all that crap.

Go by yourself.

What's wrong with me?

I can't remember anything.

Don't go. I don't want to see them.

They're playing for you.

I've had enough of your kind.

Out of my sight. I never want to hear you again.

You'll dull him with your devil's music.

Serenades I never sang.

You'll push him under, like you pushed yourself into me.

He's my son, not yours.

Alina's son Cesário has hepatitis.

Please, put your shoes on.

Cesário.

- Does it hurt? - It's fine.

I'm not stealing. I asked the doc.

Toothache.

It's for Tina.

Where is she?

- Tano. Come here. - No.

Drunkard.

I thought Tina was here.

- Where is she? - She was tired.

Edith, where is she? Tell me.

Can I help you?

My door's always open.

How can you help me?

Bassoe's little Tina has a goat called Mariana.

At night she goes to pasture,

and in the morning she returns

with milk for the coffee.

Speak Portuguese.

You're using us.

I've got something of yours.

I stole it while you slept.

I just wanted to know.

Tear it up. Promise.

A letter? I can't read.

I know it's yours.

I can't write.

Who wrote your letters then?

Nha cretcheu... My love...

Enough.

This mountain always seemed easy to climb from the village.

I'd run and run.

Now do you understand Creole?

Tell me what happened.

What is she like?

I'd cry out for her at night,

but she never came.

I could make her laugh, forget, sleep.

If you saw her laugh...

Do you understand what I'm saying?

When you speak slowly.

She has the sweetest hair.

The loveliest legs. The softest

and the longest.

Cesário, you're fine.

You'll be up and playing again in the morning.

Remember me?

Mariana.

Do you remember me?

Remember?

He's asleep. You staying in?

Good night.

If you don't understand me, miss, how can I understand you?

Mariana.

Papa. Let me play.

Play us a dance.

Dance, Mariana.

Mariana, I won't let you escape.

Are you leaving?

Am I leaving?

Are you tired?

Are you?

What have I done?

Forget it.

He doesn't need you now.

You going back to your hospital in Lisbon?

To someone?

No. There's no one.

I'd have to die for you to like me.

You don't know me.

I need to know.

Leão. Keep away from women, boy.

He's unconscious.

They both got it bad.

Remember Alina's son Cesário?

Who'll be next?

Edith. Edith.

When will my turn come? You promised.

I want to die in Portugal.