Original subtitles

[''Outside Looking In'' playing]

♪ Always on the wrong side ♪

-[distant screams] -♪ Always here never here ♪

-[explosion of fire] -♪ Do you even see me? ♪

[rattling sounds]

[waves rushing]

[''We Rise'' playing]

[male voice] Come on! Come on, Joshua!

Go!

-[cheering] -You got it, Joshua

-[laughing and cheering] -♪ I am not afraid to try... ♪

-[cheering] -Come on, Joshua

Come on! gosh!

♪ Stamp me like a rubber ♪ ♪ I got my house in order ♪

-♪ I'll give you what... ♪ -[laughter and friendly gestures]

♪ I will not die ♪

-[excited yelling] -♪ We'll find something ♪

[laughter]

Go!

[laughter]

[loud laughter]

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

[hooter honks, tires screech]

[cheers and laughter]

[ranting and laughter]

[Joshua] Walter!

[laughter]

Free tickets to my first competition.

[in Afrikaans]I'll be there!

Thank you!

♪ African soil, tough feet, no tech... ♪

♪ The winning side When you flipping a coin ♪

♪ Maintain the pride like a lion Walking through the land of Zion ♪

-♪ Welcome to the house of pain ♪ -[indistinct chattering]

♪ Unconditional love The heart beat through my veins ♪

-♪ Before I had those flames ♪ -[cheers and whistles]

♪ Before the sun there was rain ♪

-[cheering] -♪ Before the fight there was peace ♪

♪ Now we all want the peace ♪

♪ Bang bang they try to shoot me down ♪

-♪ Bang Bang you cut me to the... ♪ -[indistinct chattering]

-[long scream indistinct chattering] -♪ But I'm still standing... ♪

[speaking Afrkaans] Hey, leave me alone!

[laughter] ♪ Show me now than later ♪

-[howling] -♪ We rise ♪

Ola, Joshua.

[laughter and chatting]

♪ Why dont you just keep on trying ♪

[cheering, indistinct chattering]

[hooter honking]

[tires screeching]

[fire crackling]

-[street chattering] -[rap music playing]

-Hey. -[indistinct chattering]

[indistinct chattering]

[hip-hop music playing ]

[chattering and glass clinking]

[indistinct chattering]

[tin snaps]

WHITE BOY

[Door banging and chattering outside]

[sand rustling]

[water gushing]

[sand rustling, bangles clinking]

[water gushing]

[laughter]

[exhales]

-[glass clinking] -[upbeat African song playing]

-Hey, guys. -Hey, Joshua.

Thank you.

[indistinct chattering]

Hey, Josh, join us, bro.

Maybe later, guys, yeah?

I'll see you on the ramp, yeah?

Sharp!

Hello, brother. How are you?

Thank you.

Hey!

Can we get some service here?

Today, please.

Oh, wow. Wow.

Get us another round.

Don't be such a douchebag, Lerato.

Excuse me?

-I'm sorry. -Run along.

[murmurs]

Another round coming up, sir.

Bro, another round.

Olivia!

♪ No matter what, I'll never be separated from you love ♪

-[bottles clinking] -♪ I'll ever leave you... my love ♪

WHEN A CROCODILE EATS THE SUN: A MEMOIR OF AFRICA

A WHITE BOY

[Zulu ballad song playing] ♪ I'll never... ♪

Howzit, Has the letter come?

Yes, it has.

[paper rustling]

[Zulu ballad song playing]

Africa...

A wildly plumaged bird as exotic as it is unlikely.

I'm sorry?

I saw you staring.

Rather intently, if I might add.

[laughs]

The last book I ever read was by the same author.

[laugh] Well, I must say, you look too young to have stopped reading.

So...

now that Zimbabwe is free again, are you feeling our homeland's dark?

I saw you working the room. The way you handled yourself.

Classy Zimbo to the last.

[laughter]

So, tell me...

Skies?

Mutare!

[laughter]

My mother was born there!

My friend.

So, tell me, um...

three A levels? Two As and a B. Maths, English, History.

English, geography, maths: B.

But when we fled, I... couldn't finish.

Well. Are you going to finish?

What's the point?

Nothing left. Nothing that matters, anyway.

So what matters here?

[laughter]

I finally got my shot.

[bottles clinking]

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Well, was it worth it?

[laughter]

Every crash, every tumble,

every knock, break and crack, all of it worth it.

That one moment...

Flying.

Riding with sugar.

I could do that forever.

[leather bag rubs]

Freedom.

Goodnight, my young friend.

[footsteps]

[bike wheels whirring]

[Joshua screaming with joy]

[joyful shouts]

Yeah!

Yeah! Yeah!

Yeah, lion, roar!

♪ Free ♪

[shouts, laughs]

♪ Freedom... Freedom... Freee-dom! ♪

[shouts]

Lion, roar!

Walter!

-Sister, I made it! -♪ Freedom... Freee-dom! ♪

[laughter]

[brakes screeching, hooter honking]

[shouts]

-[man] Joshua! -[Joshua gasps]

Joshua!

[shouts]

[loud thud]

Speak to us!

[shouting]

Joshua! Say something.

[loud thuds]

[flames sizzling]

[female voice] Joshua!

[indistinct whispering]

[male voice] Every scar tells a story.

[indistinct whispering]

[male voice] No two scars are the same.

[paper rustling]

[indistinct whispering]

[male voice] Some caused by hate.

[indistinct whispering]

Others by our own misguided choices.

-[inhales] -[heart beating]

[sand rustling]

[water trickling]

[Mambo] Water, more water. Just keep him cool.

[coughing]

[boy] Mombo, what's happening?

[Mambo]Gently.

[gasping for air]

We've got you.

[male voice] Only cowards have no scars.

[scars echoing]

[gasps]

[sighs]

[train horn blaring, wheels clacking]

[thunder rumbling]

[groaning]

[train horn blaring]

[pained groaning]

[groans]

[groans]

[groans]

[shallow breathing]

[coins clinking]

[heavy breathing]

[grunts]

[heavy breathing]

[pained groaning]

[banging]

[inhales deeply, gasps in pain]

[thunder rumbling]

[Afro fusion music playing]

[indistinct chattering]

Hey, Rusty, don't touch!

Let's go, let's go, let's go. Plate, plate, plate, focus, get the spices.

Get the food out of the kitchen, guys. Let's go, let's go.

[indistinct chattering]

Get your plate. Finish up, guys.

It's fine...

[indistinct chattering]

[trumpet hoots]

Come on, boys.

Time to eat.

[indistinct chattering]

Look at what we've organized.

Ah!

[Mambo] He has risen.

[Mambo] Boys, help Joshua.

[chairs shuffling]

I need to see a doctor.

-My knee... -And how are you feeling?

-Pain. -You need rest.

No, no, no, no. I...

[exhales] I can't...

I can't...

My bike... Where's my bike?

I'm sorry about your bike. It's probably in a scrapyard somewhere.

No, no. Ah, no!

[thunder rumbling]

See? I'm competing in three weeks.

[thunder rumbling]

I need to see a doctor.

Right now.

[sighs]

[sighs]

-Here. -No...

-And your... papers need renewing. -Asylum seeker temporary permit

Now, I can help you with that.

[paper rustling]

What you need is food. Hm?

Now, we can talk about doctors

or whatever else you need after you have eaten.

Come, Joshua, sit.

[grunts]

[gentle music playing]

For our home away from home, we are grateful.

[all] We are grateful.

For this food, generously provided, we are grateful.

[all] We are grateful.

For family and for protection

in these trying times, we are grateful.

[all] We are grateful.

-Amen. -[all] Amen.

-So, now, let's eat! -Yes!

Okay, guys, I've prepared something nice for us today.

What do you guys think it is?

-Meatballs! -No.

-Come on. Vetkoek... -It's fine, you'll eat tomorrow.

[laughing and chattering]

Does no one know?

-[boy 1] Come on, tell us! -[boy 2] They call it...

Maize porridge, beef stew, and spinach!

[cheering]

-Thank you. -Here you go, Joshua.

[cutlery clinking]

[chatting, laughing]

Can you believe I cooked this all by myself?

[cheerful chattering]

[cutlery clinking]

[laughter, chatting]

Okay, my boys, my boys.

Where are we going to visit tonight?

[boys shout] Kenya! China! Germany! Congo! Germany! Africa!

-[Mambo laughs] -[boy] Germany.

Okay. Come. Come, come. Everybody, come.

[indistinct chattering]

Oh! Let's go to Am'rica!

It's America, you ignoramus!

[laughter]

Okay, okay, okay.

Now, this is for some ice cream.

-Ice cream! Nice. -[Mambo] Aha! Okay.

"There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood,

leads on to fortune.

On such a fool's sea are we now afloat".

-[boys] Huh? -Any takers?

Oh! Chaucer!

-Oh! No. -[laughter]

Come on, come on, come on. This is for some delicious ice cream!

-Chunua Achebe -[indistinct chattering] -

Well, it looks like this

delicious ice cream is going to be eaten by me and me alone.

-No! -I'm sorry.

-Come on! -[Joshua mumbling] Brutus to Cassius...

[children shushing] Joshua is trying to say something, guys.

[boy] He's saying something.

[Mambo] Joshua.

Brutus...

to Cassius, in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

So...

It looks like Joshua has won ice cream for everybody!

Yeah!

-[cheering] -Joshua!

[Mambo] Well done, Joshua. Who wants ice cream?

[all] I do! Me! I want ice cream!

Ice cream there, ice cream there. You all owe Joshua some thanks.

[all] Thanks, Joshua! Thanks, Josh!

[Mambo] Well done, Joshua.

[boy] Thank you, Joshua. Thank you, man!

Peace! Shamwari!

[baby crying]

[woman] You have to accept Jesus.

Jesus is powerful!

-[doctor] I see you've cracked your knee-- -[phone ringing]

-[doctor] Cracked your knee-- -I've been waiting here for a while!

[doctor] Cracked your knee several times before.

-[baby crying] -[inaudible speech]

[doctor] Not good news, I'm afraid.

[warped echo]

[doctor] You're never going to ride again.

[child cying]

Sorry.

♪ The thoughts fade... Dark mark brewing - Light fades... ♪

♪ They rejoiced early... we're the dogs lick their own wounds.. ♪.

♪ We pass through the water... beating the water ♪

♪ We pass through the water... pass it still... We pass it... ♪

[cheering, laughing] ♪ Beating the water... ♪

[chattering, cheering] ♪ Doing it to date... ♪

[sighs] Why did you bring me here?

[indistinct chattering]

[boys chatting]

[chattering, cheering]

That doctor of yours, what does he know?

I'll be back, you'll see.

I've been through worse.

[Mambo] In Zimbabwe,

my friends and I tried to warn people against Mugabe.

Too few listened and even less acted.

They acted as if

denying a nightmare existed would keep their dreams alive.

[indistinct chattering]

[Joshua] Danny Ntombo, school drop-out, foreigner, no choice.

[wheels whirring]

Wanna be a BMX pro.

Failed.

We were all supposed to be living different lives, Joshua.

And you're not a foreigner, you're a refugee.

And you don't have to be a high school drop-out.

You don't have to be on the outside, looking in.

You can have a home again, with books, a bed, regular meals.

The only thing I ask is that we all do our bit to keep the lights on

and help the wider community.

[bicycle wheels whirring]

[Mambo] So, what's it going to be?

-[defiant music playing] -[wood creaks]

[indistinct chattering]

You're leaving us?

You foreigner.

[indistinct chattering]

And where do you think you're taking that backpack?

[boy 1] It belongs to us anyway.

[boy 2] Go back to Zimbabwe!

[boy 3] You are right he should

[dramatic music plays]

[boy 4] These guys must go back to their country!

[screaming]

[in Afrikaans] Guys, come here!

-Fight. -Fight.

[shouting]

Where are you going with my bag?

This belongs to me.

-Hm? -[panting]

[shouting]

[pained groaning]

What's your name, son?

Thapelo.

[Mambo] Okay, Thapelo.

Are you coming?

[boy, in Afrikaans slang] You! Go back to your mother!

[in Afrikaans] Get out of here, you fucking immigrant.

[shouting]

[bag rustling]

GRANDMA

[grunts]

[lights shuts off]

-[chanting] -[groaning]

[chanting, cane knocking]

[Mambo] Son, step forward and be seen.

I am Dinura, aka Vetkoek.

Son of Chiqonio, from the Kikuyu tribe.

The rich and famous will eat from my hands.

And they will pay a pretty penny for my treats.

[chanting] We shall eat! We shall eat! We shall eat!

I am Ambassador, son of Phumi, of the Ashanti tribe.

The people who raise their hands in power

as our continent rises out of the ashes.

And I will rule.

[chanting] We shall rise! We shall rise! We shall rise!

[rhythmic song playing]

I am Sumiso, son of Sekayo, of the Shona tribe.

The rusty nail that took my eye should have finished the job

'cause I was blind,

but now...

Now I see!

[chanting] Rusty! Rusty! Rusty!

I am Fenu, son of Abeze.

I am Shoe.

I am Blade.

-Strenus. -Sparky.

-Mantis. -Sunshine.

I am Payo.

-[war shouting] -[stomping music plays]

[Mambo] I…

am Obert Mambo, father of this tribe,

son of Miriam, of the Shona tribe.

Ha! I shine a light

on the minds of the future.

[chanting] Shine a light! Shine a light!

Son.

Step forward and be seen.

[panting]

Who are you?

Close your eyes.

[heavy breathing]

What is your name?

Joshua.

And where are you from?

Mutare.

Mutare.

Open your eyes.

[rhythmic music playing]

I am Joshua,

son of Hondo,

of the Samenika tribe.

[in Shona] Praise, Joshua!

[chanting] Joshua! Joshua!...

[ululating]

[ululating]Praise, Joshua!

-[chanting] -[impactful music playing]

[chanting] Joshua. Joshua. Joshua.

[cheering and clapping]

Welcome home, son.

[shouts]

[chanting, cheering]

[Joshua shouts]

GRANDMA

[sand rustling]

-[dramatic music playing] -[sand rustling]

[train horn blows, wheels clanking]

[boy] You'll get used to it.

[glass clinking]

What's that?

My grandmother brought it from Zim.

[Joshua] What happened?

[Rusty] All I remember is...

is the smoke...

and flames.

The government soldier...

had a plank...

with a rusty nail in it.

[gentle music playing]

Home.

What's he like?

Mambo.

[Rusty] I've got a full stomach.

And friends.

And a bed which gives me a great night's sleep.

Which reminds me...

My friend

My friend

My friend

My friend

My friend

-[laughter] -[Mambo] Boys!

[giggling]

[boys] Shamwari!

[upbeat music playing]

Guys, wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up.

[indistinct chattering]

[Mambo] Up, boys, up, boys, up, boys. Let the day begin.

And who is going to help Mambo?

[clapping, chattering]

-It's the maroon one. -Maroon one it is.

[Kwaito song playing]

Mambo! Mambo!

[laughing]

[cheering and laughing]

-[trumpet tooting] -[laughter]

Morning, Joshua.

[indistinct chattering]

[cutlery clinking]

MUSICIANS UNITE AGAINST THE REGIME

[Joshua] Do you think things will really change?

Back home?

[Mambo] Well, we have the best education on the continent.

Thats a start.

[indistinct chattering]

There's more than one way to fight for one's homeland.

[indistinct chattering]

-Okay, whose do we have here? Kundiswa. -People got to love...

Thomas, take this.

And this one is for... Let me see...

Ah, Peter Godwin.

I have a contract here to supply books to the wider community.

Now, it's nothing special,

but it puts food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

And money in our pockets!

And money in our pockets.

Get these off.

Let's go, boys.

Hey.

You have other priorities.

Now.

These books are old, but the knowledge inside them is older.

Mathematics predates the pyramids,

and some say that physics predates time.

And good grammar is timeless.

Some, sitting where you are,

would say that they are at a disadvantage, that, uh,

they don't have Internet,

a computer, a tablet.

But all Aristotle needed was a twig and some sand.

And the only tablet Shakespeare used was a piece of slate.

Now.

This is one half of what we need.

What is the other half?

-Me. -Yes! Good. Good...

Okay. So the academic year this year is halfway through.

Now, you haven't studied for a very long time.

One option is that I could take it slow and have you take exams next year.

[sighs]

And the other option?

We jump right in,

give it our all,

and you take them in a couple of months.

Second option.

Yes! Yes.

"We will not go gently into that good night."

Okay.

Define these terms. Let me see what I have to work with.

Iambic pentameter.

"But what soft light

through yonder window breaks. It is the East..."

[together] "…and Juliet is the sun!"

-William Shakespeare. -Yes, of course!

[Mambo] "Do not go gently into that good night..."

[inspirational music playing]

[groaning]

Eight, nine, ten.

[Olivia] Excuse me.

Yeah?

[exhales]

History Park.

Douchebag boyfriend?

Anyway, uh...

-You're doing that wrong. -Yeah?

Yeah, that... Whatever it is you're doing.

No offense.

Hm?

Sorry. Let me just...

Stretch and hold.

Yeah?

-Don't overstretch. -[hooter honks]

Sorry. My mom. Got to go.

[laughter]

[car engine starts]

[bright music playing]

[wind chime clinking]

[fly buzzing]

[whispers] Hey! Hey!

[whispers] What are you staring at?

Nothing.

Okay, boys, that's enough for today.

Okay?

Ah!

More vetkoek!

I swear, you want to start shitting vetkoeks!

[laughter]

You're so slow! You're going to be late for your own funeral, boy!

-[laughter] -Hold on.

Free vetkoek for anybody who catches this verbal diarrhea.

-Wait, wait, wait... -Go, boys!

-[cheering, laughter] -[upbeat song playing]

[laughter]

[shouts]

[shouts]

[laughter]

[farts]

[laughter]

[upbeat song playing]

[deep breathing]

[background chattering]

[seagulls chirping]

Thanks.

-For, you know... -I couldn't let you maim yourself.

[laughter]

[Olivia] Guessing you didn't just bruise your knee.

[background chattering]

[pained exclaims]

[Joshua] Hit and run.

I was on a bike

and some douchebag left me for dead in the street.

Also hit and run?

Not quite.

Surgeries.

Dancing.

Yes.

How did you know?

[Joshua] Oh...

-You and your gang... -Troupe.

[background chattering]

You and your troupe

were crossing the road,

-and... -And?

And it was... blocking traffic.

Oh?

Yeah. It was cool.

[feel-good music playing]

How about I show you how to stretch properly?

Yeah.

Thanks.

I'm Olivia, by the way.

Joshua.

♪ When you called, I heard my name ♪

♪ As much as I tried and I tried I couldn't ignore ♪

[groans]

♪ When you called, I heard my number ring Oh, Lord ♪

♪ My feet on the ground right now ♪

-♪ I feel the pain ♪ -[indistinc chattering]

-[shouts] -[clattering, shouts, laughter, clapping]

♪ Have to leave behind ♪

♪ Have to crash to fly ♪

♪ I am the fire, don't feel the flame ♪

♪ I am broken, ignite my flame ♪

♪ When you call, when you call So many times ♪

♪ Something inside... ♪

[background chattering]

[indistinct speech]

♪ We always will, we always will ♪

[beat changes to rap]

I am Joshua.

Son of Hondo.

Of the Samenika tribe.

[music intensifies]

♪ I am the fire, don't feel the flame ♪

♪ I am broken, ignite my flame ♪

[crutch knocking]

[laughter, chatting]

[laughs]

-[Mambo] Whoa! Too heavy? -No

-I'm good. -Okay.

-Just in case. -Ah. Ah, thank you.

You know that this is not a free-for-all, hey?

-[Joshua] Hm-mm. -It's taken me a long time

to develop this system.

Rusty has a list. I mean, books must be delivered

in accordance with that list, you understand?

Absolutely.

[Mambo] So, my young friend, go forth and make a difference!

[laughter]

[upbeat song playing]

[laughter]

[indistinct chattering]

[shouting and laughing]

[Indistinct chatters]

You did it!

[Indistinct chatters]

[Kids laughing]

[meat sizzling]

[indistinct chattering]

[boy] Hey, Joshua, hurry up! Hurry up.

[Joshua] Does she get a specific book?

[boy] What do you think?

[Joshua] What do you feel like reading?

That one.

This is a really good one. I love it. There's this

-one moment, they go to... -[clears throat]

Thanks so much.

Next time,

none of your opinions. We're on a schedule.

[upbeat music playing]

Lucky for you, this is our last stop.

Come on.

-[knock on door] -[panting]

[latches screeches open]

Who's the new dog biscuit?

Joshua.

[rap music playing]

[Joshua] So why do you sound like you're South African?

[boy] You have to fit in, you know?

They call it survival of the fittest.

[feel-good song playing]

[Mambo] Well done, well done, well done.

[indistinct chatters]

[cheering]

Hard work pays, boys! I'm proud of you. Hard work.

-What does hard work do? It pays! -[boys] It pays!

[chattering, whistling]

So...

How was your first day?

[murmurs]

-Well done, Joshua. -[boy] Lord, thank you. Thank you!

♪ With my head held high ♪

♪ My pride in tact ♪

Thank you.

[laughter]

[laughter]

[Joshua] So what's next for you?

[Olivia] I don't want to study yet.

I want to backpack across Africa first.

Experience dance from the roots.

[chattering and laughter]

I want to figure stuff out for myself.

First hand.

[baby cries]

[soulful music playing]

Your parents are cool with that?

It took a lot of convincing.

[train passing]

[Joshua] So where are you allowed to go?

No war or conflict zones.

I have to call or text

every single day.

[whispers] Hush!

[sirens]

And you'll be travelling alone?

Of course.

How else am I supposed to go on a solo adventure?

Your father is letting you do this?

Well, you made it here,

by yourself.

[waves]

[waves]

You and your Dad close?

[waves]

[waves]

Joshua?

[fire, screams, gunshots]

[footsteps, bicycle]

[''Outside Looking In'' playing]

[distant screaming]

Shit.

[rumble of the surf]

I'm sorry.

[rumble of the surf]

Okay.

[rumble of the surf]

Your leg's getting so much better.

[rumble of the surf]

Soon you won't need me.

[rumble of the surf]

Thanks... for the juice.

Pleasure.

[bicycle horn]

[cutlery]

[crockery, cutlery]

Thank you.

[clears throat]

[cutlery]

So,

let me see what you've been doing.

I haven't proofread it yet...

It's okay.

[paper]

Let's see here.

[Mambo]mhhhh

Mambo [inhales]

Okay.

Read your opening paragraph.

"They should have taken over the castle quicker,

but he was afraid of what could happen.

He ought to have killed him,

but the crashing bricks did the job for him...

his castle made of sand

tumbling into the sea with him,

forever lost in the shadow of his own dillusions.

Good. Good. Good, strong start.

Now read the circled words.

[Joshua] uuh

Should... could... ought...

shall.

All good words right?

-Yeah. -We shall overcome.

We ought to demand our rights.

She could be the one.

You should finish high school.

What?

What's your story, Joshua?

The one you're not telling us.

I guess...

You guess…

Let me ask you,

would you rather Dr Wagner A -

guessed what treatment you should have;

B - guessed what treatment you ought to have; or C -

I told you exactly what treatment you..."

C, exactly what treatment I need.

Exactly.

Now read your paragraph again.

Hmm

He took over the castle...

because he was afraid of what had happened.

He crushed him with a brick.

His castle made of sand crumbling into the sea with him,

forever lost in the shadows of his own delusion.

I get it.

You're good, son.

You're ready, you've got this.

Bon appetit.

-[''Once Source'' playing] -Buy one get one free

[indistinct chatters]

[knocks]

[street noise]

[knocks]

Rusty!

-Howzit. My man! -I'm great.

So, got our gifts today, or...

Is he coming for my job?

[laughter]

Hey, hey, hey, wake up, wake up.

Where's this guy from?

Oh, the man!

Rusty...

so good to see you.

It's always a pleasure, Miss.

[kiss]

And,

who is that?

That's Joshua.

Joshua...

nice to meet you.

Come close, don't be shy.

I won't bite.

Let's get to know each other better.

Miss Kay,

you look very, very beautiful today.

Is there something that we could eat?

Sis, man.

Sorry, Miss Kay. [laughter]

Now, Joshua,

you know Miss Kay loves to read, hey?

Why don't you give me some extra books?

-Yeah... -[indistinct chatters]

Whoa, whoa, wait... Rusty...

Nice, Josh.

-[in Afrikaans] Thanks bro -[in Afrikaans] No problem

-[in Afrikaans] You are an idiot! -Come, let's go.

Hey, you'll get used to it.

Extra books?

You did...

what?

I don't understand.

What's the big deal it's just a few books.

A few books?

Yeah, I mean...

She likes to read.

Right, guys?

Right? so, I thought...

no!

No!

I do the thinking around here.

Me.

People rely on me to deliver these books without fuss

and on time. You understand me?

Yeah.

Me.

Not you.

[''Fake friends'' playing]

[''Fake friends'' playing]

Joshua...

If you want to know Mugabe...

Never to be published.

I know I've not been a very good

father, Joshua.

My father was a guard in...

Bob's government.

Never read a book in his life.

[Mambo] [exhales]

They made him do it to prove his loyalty

denounce my book

which he couldn't even read.

A book.

I started delivering books

as a way to raise funds for my brothers and sisters back home.

I kept what I could for the...

children here, but the rest I send back to the resistance.

You know,

you will be my eighteenth child to go through high school.

And hopefully graduate university.

Eighteen.

We don't just deliver books here, Joshua.

Here you are.

[door shuts]

JOSHUA HONDO

♪ In this no mans land ♪

[footsteps]

♪ Looking in the mirror Will this be nothing ♪

♪ Where is the son of the father ♪

♪ When did it start to fade ♪

♪ I am a magical In a no man's land ♪

♪ Will the land of milk and honey show me who I am ♪

♪ Run... run run run run ♪

♪ Hide your face ♪

♪ There is a new the silence ♪

♪ Of the boy without a name ♪

[claps, kisses]

I've got something for you.

This is great, thank you!

What do I owe you?

Nothing. Just…

get rid of the cane.

You really don't like my cane?

So your parents...

Intellectual know-it-alls, really.

Seems to have its benefits.

Is Joshua your real name?

Last I remember, yes.

Olivia's not my real name.

My real name is Lukhanyiso.

That's beautiful.

How'd they come up with Olivia?

As a kid,

we moved...

five times in the first seven years of my life.

Whatever it took to make an extra buck so we could...

buy a place of our own to call home.

When we finally bought our first place, it was

the shittiest apartment,

in the shittiest part of town.

But I danced and screamed my head off.

I live here!

I live here! I live here!

I live here! I live here!

[laughter]

Lukhanyiso.

[Michael] [clears throat]

[water splashing]

Are those my shorts?

Yes.

I didn't know you had a pool.

I didn't know you existed.

Well...now you do.

Hi...I'm Rene.

And this is Michael.

I'm Joshua Hondo.

Joshua,

could you do me a favour?

Of course.

Go put some clothes on.

[]

[Afro-country playing ]

Olivia, you really should have checked with us first.

So where does he go to school?

I don't know.

Seems you don't know too much about each other.

Not true,

we know lots.

-Really? -Yeah.

I have to go

and find Joshua.

Joshua.

I'll sneak out the back.

You could.

But...they're going to want to get to know you at some point. So...

Did it have to start with me…

wearing

your dad's shorts?

Hey, hey... Nothing happened.

No, no, nothing happened.

I'm going to go get changed.

You a dancer too?

Dad,

Joshua rode pro BMX.

Oh?

Well, almost pro.

almost.

Joshua...

flew through the air, broke bones.

What did you say your name was?

Joshua Hondo, sir.

Well, Mr Joshua Hondo,

come regale us with tales...

of broken bones,

and things of that nature.

You're talking about a dispersed workforce that rarely - if ever -

have to meet face-to-face.

Dad, not everyone's interested.

Poppet, have you even decided what your varsity major is yet?

I'm going to get...

ready.

[cutlery]

Joshua,

what are your plans for the future?

Don't let him spin circles around you.

[laughs]

What?

[dog barking]

Thank you both for a lovely evening.

Bye, Dad.

[Michael]Bye.

-And Joshua... -Yes, sir?

To be continued.

Yes.

[Olivia]Sorry about my dad.

-[Joshua laughing] -You don't have to apologize.

He's your dad.

[''Castles'' playing]

[Joshua]Olivia,

[Joshua]I heard you and your mom talk about how little you know about me.

[indistinct chatters]

And I've been thinking...

that...

It feels so wrong that I know so much about

you

and yet...

[indistinct chatters ]

I want to know more.

♪ We are pushing borders We moving forward ♪

♪ Remember when they said You can never be this or do that ♪

♪ And now we are show them things they never thought of ♪

♪ We building castles to the sky ♪

♪ We are eating rascals and slices of apple pie ♪

[Joshua]We must be quiet.

[Olivia]Why?

If anyone wakes up...

well, it'll be your time to face the inquisition.

[keys rattling]

[car door slams]

Is this where you study?

Sometimes...

I help tutor the younger boys.

We deliver those.

It's...

how we make a buck.

I'm sorry.

I hope I didn't upset you.

[door shuts]

[Olivia]Okay, okay, okay!

[Joshua]Lukhanyiso...

[car engine starts]

Come on! Come on! [Joshua laughing]

Come on!

[Laughter/Chatting]

[Joshua]Woah, Woah, Woah! Okay, go!

Go, go, go for the shot! Go, go,

[Joshua]Strings, run through, run through, run through!

Goal!

[cheering]

[Joshua]Let's go, let's go!

[Joshua]Play, play, play!

Hey, this isn't some free-for-all.

We've got work to do.

-Let's go. -[boys Protesting]

You're an asshole

Joshua...

Not today.

You're nothing special, Joshua.

Just remember that.

You need the exercise.

Let's go.

What's wrong with you, man? Are you jealous or something?

I said, let's go.

[door shuts]

So...

This girl of yours.

Why haven't we been introduced?

[Joshua]uuh

I was afraid that if she saw where I lived,

she wouldn't want to see me again.

You are ashamed of us?

No.

I'm proud to call the library my home.

I was scared that...

she...

might not be the person I'd hoped her to be.

And?

She still wants to see me.

You should count yourself fortunate.

[rail squeal]

Anyway.

Enough of these bourgeois girls, hey?

You have an exam to write.

[screams]

[Chaos]

-We got you. -My friend

[Joshua panting]

You're nothing special, Joshua...

special... Special...

[Woman screams]

It's okay.

-It's okay, Joshua, it's okay. -[breathing heavily]

Whatever that nightmare was,

don't bring it into the exam room with you.

It belongs in your past.

[Shoulder pats]

♪Music♪

[Olivia] So what's next?

[Joshua] You know I don't want to deliver books all my life.

[Joshua] I want more.

[Joshua shouting]

[Joshua] The things you take for granted.

[Joshua] A home;

[Joshua] family

a good life.

Not as charmed as it looks.

I'm sorry.

Sorry I was born into it.

THE ZIMBABWEAN.

You finished early, huh?

Yeah

I was taught by the best.

Come.

♪ Let's go ♪

♪ Summertime see them, girls, bubbling ♪

♪ African girls, they want to do the bubbling ♪

♪ Summertime see them, girls, bubbling ♪

♪ Bubbling ♪

♪ The way you wine my girl you cause trouble ♪

♪ Come in the middle and jiggle ♪

♪ All the men want to see you bubble ♪

♪ Tell the Dj ♪

♪ Do the bully bubble dance ♪

[indistinct chatters and laughter]

♪ Fun for the bubble, bubbling... ♪

♪ Summertime see them, girls, bubbling ♪

♪ African girls, they want to do the bubbling ♪

♪ Summertime see them, girls bubbling... ♪

[door sqeaking]

[crying, begging]

[Crying, begging]

[Mambo] You said you knew these guys.

-[female voice] I do! -[Mambo] You said you trusted them.

[female voice] I trust them, I trust them.

[Mambo] What do you mean?

[female voice] They're my boys!

[Mambo] What do you mean, they're your boys?

[female voice] I trust them.

[Mambo]Let's get these guys out of here.

[female voice murmuring]

[male voice] Come on, get a move on!

No!

Oh please, please...

[man]...only one way.

[male voice] They betrayed me, Mambo.

[Mambo] Then they also betrayed me.

[Mambo] Go.

They're fucking kids!

You know what they're like, I'll deal with them.

[woman voice] Oh, please...

[Woman crying]

[Mambo] People rely on me.

[woman crying]

This is about respect and obedience.

If you want respect, then let's walk away.

[mambo] Walk away?

[Mambo] Okay.

[exhales]

[Mambo]Then you better do your job...

Or you will find yourself kneeling beside them.

[shallow breathing]

[woman crying]

You'd better talk.

Look at me.

[crying] There's no one else!

It was them.

-[train horn] -[Mambo] Wait for the train!

(woman crying]

[train horn blaring, wheels clacking]

[Mambo] You!

[Mambo] You watch.

[train wheels clacking]

[dog barks]

[woman screams]

[yelps in pain]

-[train speeding up] -[woman begging for mercy]

[gasps rhythmically]

[gun shots]

[Joshua gasping rhythmically]

[Joshua shallow breathing]

[door slums]

[Joshua exhales]

[door opening]

[door shuts]

[footsteps]

[Mambo]Joshua.

I just got back.

[Joshua] Olivia dropped me off.

[Joshua] We were celebrating.

[Joshua] You know, writing the last exam.

[Mambo] Yes, you should celebrate.

It's getting late, Joshua, you should...

Go to bed.

Goodnight.

And you know, these bourgeois girls with their bourgeois cars...

[Mambo] They can get you into trouble.

Mm?

[Mambo] Be careful.

[Mambo laughs]

Don't let her change you, Joshua.

[train wheels clacking]

[Mambo] Don't let her change you.

-[door shuts] -[train wheels clacking]

[Chatting, laughter]

[indistinct chatters]

[Door opening]

[Laughter]

Hey! Rusty!

[Shouts]

[Upbeat]

[''Head Held High'' playing]

[male voice] Joshua!

Your roll...

[Claps, whistling, cheering]

[Olivia] Hi! I'm so glad you made it!

[Olivia Laughing]

Can we talk somewhere quiet?

Sure.

Studio.

[Joshua] I've been thinking about...

-[Joshua] everything that's happened. -I know.

[Olivia] It's crazy, right?

I like you a lot.

[Olivia] Olivia,

you and I...

It's not going to work.

Wow.

[inhales]

-Olivia, I'm sorry, it's... -Please...

[Joshua] it's--

leave.

[Olivia] What am I missing?

[Olivia] It's taken me...

a really...

long time...

to find someone...

that I actually like, not a douchebag.

[Joshua] Olivia, it's not you.

Our worlds are just too different.

[exhales]

[Olivia] I never took you...

to be a child,

or a coward.

[''Didimala'' playing]

♪ My child, stop crying ♪

[gramaphone arm clicking]

♪ My child, stop crying. May there be peace in your heart. ♪

♪ Shush... stop crying. ♪

Welcome home, Joshua.

Where have you been? We were

worried about you.

come and join us. I'm just teaching Strings the finer points of...

Definitely not a write-off.

Nor is it in the scrapyard, Mambo.

And that doesn't even come close to the biggest lies...

you've been telling us!

[plastic rustling]

[exhales]

[plastic rustling]

In books.

[book unfolding]

You keep them in books.

Let's see... They're there. Good reading material, isn't it?

Mm?

Books!

[furniture falling]

[books falling]

In books!

So you've...

graduated into the real world.

Welcome, Joshua.

It's coke,

so what?

[exhales]

Shamwari...

You knew?

Do you know where you could end up?

We're a family.

You're breaking it.

No. No, no, no.

You're all being used.

By him.

So...

Have any of my kids been

hurt?

Tell me where in the world it is safe

for a young, black refugee.

Were your…

townships – were they safe?

What about the people...

you killed next to the train tracks, Mambo?

Who is next?

Shoes?

Strings?

Vetkoek, Sparky?

Sunshine?

Me?

Rusty?

Who?

Who scraped you off the tarmac?

Mambo.

Who gave you an education?

Mambo.

No, no...

Who gave you a family?

No, no...

Mambo.

Every father will disappoint his son at some point.

It is part of being a father.

A father?

A father?

To who?

To you.

To them.

Grow up,

Joshua.

Grow up!

You're not a child anymore.

Grow up!

Fine.

I'll grow up.

I'll do what needs to be done.

To protect my brothers.

My family.

I'll call the police.

[Mambo exhales]

The police?

-[Joshua choking] -[kid 1]Stop him

[Mambo grunting] [Joshua choking]

[straining]

[boy] Mambo...

crowd chanting]

[Olivia] Let him go!

[Screams] Let him go!

I told you about these bougie girls.

[exhales]

[girl]Hello? Is that the police?

Joshua

Joshua! Joshua, get up!

[Olivia screams]

[Olivia] Let me go!

Joshua, please!

[crying] let me go!

[deep breaths]

-[car engine revving] -Joshua, no!

[Car speeding off]

No!

Go! Go!

Go!

Shamwari.

Leave me alone!

Leave me alone.

Shamwari!

Go.

Go.

okay

Let's go, boys!

Let's go!

[''Outside Looking In'' playing]

[crowd chanting struggle songs]

♪ Do you even see me? ♪

[straneous voice]

[screeching tyres ]

[crowd chanting]

[shouting, riots]

Let me out of the car.

[Olivia screaming]Please!

No! No!

[crying]Joshua!

[crowd chanting struggle songs]

♪ All is burning blinding range ♪

♪ Truthful words are never soft ♪

♪ All is burning blinding range ♪

♪ Truthful words are never soft ♪

Slow down!

-[Mambo] No! -[Olivia screaming] Please stop the car

-[Olivia screaming] -[car crash]

-[screaming bystanders] -Olivia!

-You okay? -[Olivia crying]

Can we go? Can we go?

[panting]

I am an English professor

I am an English professor,

and I will not spend another day of my life behind bars!

[Olivia screams] No!

No! No, we're going, we're going, I want to go.

It's okay, it's okay.

Lukhanyiso.

It's okay.

[heavily breathing]

[breathing] Joshua

Mambo.

What's the point?

[breathing]

What's the point?

[heavy breathing]

There's nothing left. Nothing that matters.

Nothing that matters.

Nothing that matters!

You matter.

Mambo. You matter.

[Joshua] You matters.

[Joshua] I matter.

[Joshua] The children.

[exhale]

[Joshua] We matter, Mambo.

We... We all matter.

[deep breaths]

[Mambo] Joshua...

I've... I've had my shot.

-No! -[shot fired]

[exhales]

[inhales]

[Joshua] The children are doing well.

[Joshua] Staying at a new shelter.

[Joshua] Olivia's parents…

[Joshua] organised a fundraiser.

[Joshua] I visit them as often as I can,

I help tutor where I can.

They're really doing well, actually.

They're all at local schools.

Vetkoek's still eating too much vetkoeks.

And Rusty?

Not so good.

He took it badly.

He moved back home.

Staying with his aunt.

[Inhales deeply]

Look, I know I shouldn't ask, but...

I'll check up on you.

Thank you.

-[exhales] -[indistinct chatters]

[''Free As A bird'' playing]

[Exhales]

[Joshua] My father told me

that every scar tells a story

Line by line. No two scars are the same

My story here really began when we crossed the border

I left behind a different life

and a different me

[Olivia] Hey. You got this.

Hm?

You got this.

[Joshua]Knowing what I do now...

I know we are propelled by our choices.

I know there'll be many more choices

and scars to come

That's the joy of the ride

I am Joshua

son of Hondo of the Samenika tribe

♪ Freedom... Freeedom ♪

♪ The future... Freedom ♪

[Record scratching]

♪ Oh we rising up ♪

♪ Bit by bit... ♪

♪ Oh we rising up ♪

♪ Thank the ancestors - thank God! ♪

♪ Oh no don't give it up ♪

[Rap rhyming]

♪ Oh we rising up ♪

♪ You're still going to rise up... ♪

♪ We are standing tall ♪

♪ We are ready for the fire ♪

♪ Oh we rising up ♪

♪ Bit by bit... ♪

♪ I ain't lying... no no ♪

♪ We are here for reason that's why we must... ♪

♪ Nothing for free - yes, we pay the toll... ♪

[''We rise'' playing]