Original subtitles

BRAVE NEW LAND

Antonio! Come here.

Get some men to give us a hand.

Nice shot, Captain!

Have you ever seen this animal?

I've seen it in a drawing in Coimbra.

Well, they don't need a village with wooden houses.

They say the wood is too hard to cut.

And this is slave work!

What about their slaves?

You didn't get it, Commander.

They don't want to grow corn or live in wooden houses.

If you want it send then your slaves to do it!

That's all, Commander.

Let me tell you, Sir, the problem in this land

besides those doggy Spaniards

comes from these tiny creatures with their itching bites.

The mosquitoes might bother us

but the Spaniards no longer.

After this mission, I will prove

this land up to the Paraguay River belongs to Portugal.

A map goes up, a treaty comes down...

it's tit...

for tat!

This is a boa.

A baby.

Its mother is not far... ouch!

There's a bigger one.

The anaconda. When it grips an ox, it will swallow it alive.

It won't fit in your little bottles.

Joao, come here.

Hurry up.

Let the snake go. Don't kill it.

Very interesting...

Dom Diogo,

this land doesn't belong to those who sign treaties and documents,

but to those who are unafraid of its creatures, be it God or the devil.

I think we'd better invoke God only.

Until we reach Fort Coimbra, let's Satan mind his own business.

Fort Coimbra, the Year of Grace 1778.

Your Excellency, Governor of the Captainship of Mato Grosso,

regarding the Guaicuru Indians,

I'm still optimistic about a peace treaty.

Despite their objections and refusal to our offers to be civilized,

I think we'll soon succeed in re-educating these Indians.

Holy Mother of God!

Here's my advice, Sir.

Near the fire, the mosquitoes won't bother you.

Thank you, Antonio.

We're already in the Horsemen Indians' territory.

They know all about the plants and rocks you've been collecting.

And more, but it's impossible to talk with them.

Are they really that dangerous?

I've heard a peace treaty is under way.

Peace treaty? Only in your dreams!

One day, they side with us against the Spaniards.

The next, they join them. They lie as they breathe!

The mosquitoes don't bother them.

Your thin skin, Sir

attracts the plagues of this land.

These Horsemen can hardly be seen.

Five years ago, they slaughtered some Spaniards

who were going downstream in boats full of silver.

They threw all the silver in the river

keeping only the swords and machetes.

Up till now, people plunge into the river.

Up till now...

to see if they can find silver.

I've heard of a Frenchman who'd enjoy this story.

He says the New World savage,

from the Americas, who lives in harmony with Nature,

is morally much stronger than Europeans.

-Morally stronger! -He also says

we'd better not civilize the natives.

They might end up like us killing each other out of greed,

for a handful of gold.

This Frenchman must be crazy.

He's probably never been in the colonies!

The Indians I know do nothing but to drink, eat, fuck, steal, and kill.

-People do that. -People? They're devils!

And the priests say they're sons of God...

They're not even sons of the devil.

They're all sons of bitches!

Come here!

Drink!

Drink, you animal! Repeat:

I am a son of a bitch.

-I am... -...a son of a bitch.

-...bitch. -Drink!

Antonio, wake up the little master.

Sir!

I hardly got any sleep.

I had chills and thirst.

You'll get used to it, Sir. The fever will be gone soon.

How long have you been living here, Mr. Antonio?

You know who I am, Sir?

Yes.

I know you used to be Duarte Jose Pereira's intendant.

The richest New Christian in the colony.

You knew Dom Duarte in Portugal, Sir?

No, I was but a child when he was...

Executed...

Burnt at the stake by the Inquisition.

Everyone talked about him.

He had found gold and silver mines in the colonies.

That's exactly what I'd like to talk to you, Sir.

This is a map...

to one of those mines that were never located.

May Dom Duarte's soul rest in peace, he gave it to me.

If you would be kind enough to help me, Sir...

Move on.

Thank you.

Antonio came back dreaming about the silver mountain.

I've seen so many people die trying to find it...

-What about the map? -What map!

The Jew made it up!

Everyone knows it leads nowhere.

The landmark is a bell-shaped mountain no one has ever seen.

It could be a code.

Then the secret burnt with the heretic.

It's easier to find gold and silver near the Cuiaba River,

Santana de Goias, the Almas River.

Tell me, Captain, you know this land so well,

how come you're not rich with gold, silver, or diamonds?

Hey, let's go faster! We'll stop by the waterfall.

Is that all you can do, Sir?

Have you ever grabbed some tits?

A man can either draw or grab them, Captain.

A real man has always to prove he's a man.

The Indians girls here smell much nicer

than the colored girls in town.

Very soon, you'll understand what I mean, Sir.

Trust the Captain's word.

Son of a bitch!

Don't let anyone escape!

Over there, hurry up!

Sons of a bitch!

Perverts!

Sodomites!

Let's show these sodomite wretches

they're dealing with real men!

This is real catechism!

For God's sake, stop crying!

You're not different from anyone else, Sir.

This is all because of you!

Prove now you're a man!

So? Are you afraid?

No! Not that one.

You dropped this...

Captain!

Look what I found hiding.

It's a boy and he's white!

These motherfuckers steal our kids and the Governor talks about peace!

Francisco!

Take care of the boy.

Let's go!

My dearest beloved,

we're near Fort Coimbra where I'll stay for a long time.

I've been crossing lands and rivers on end.

Such large rivers, dense forests, and endless fields.

It's astonishing!

Not to mention the diversity of plants and animals.

We had our first skirmish with the savages...

Antonio.

I want you to untie the boy

and start taming him.

Captain!

I'm taking her with me.

Welcome, Don Diogo de Castro e Albuquerque.

Thank you, Commander.

I'm glad you'll carry out the measurements.

Thank you very much.

But why did you bring captive Indians?

Captain Pedro can explain that to you. He's in charge of my escort troop.

They're not captives, Commander.

The boy isn't even an Indian. He's white. Look at him.

He must have been kidnapped by the savages.

The woman is Indian. Dom Diogo asked to bring her along.

Matias, Dom Diogo's lodging!

Follow me, Pedro.

How many did you kill this time?

The problem is they weren't all women. I thought they were!

But there were some "she-males" who attacked us first.

You thought they were all women...

How many did you kill?

Well, myself...

Captain Pedro!

Altogether?

About ten...

Altogether about ten! Did you forget the peace treaty?

They attacked us first!

No one ever believed in this treaty stuff.

Now besides murdering and raping Indians,

you think you know best about political matters?

I've already told you you're white.

You can't go on acting as if you were her slave.

Understand?

Whi-te!

White.

For the time being, you can keep that princess look on your face!

Hey, come here.

Take this fucking Indian to Dom Diogo.

Soon you'll understand things better.

First, I'll teach you how to speak!

No, that's not a human language.

I'll teach you a human language. You'll like it.

It's much nicer than these animal grunts.

Then you'll be able to distinguish

right from wrong.

I think you should start by measuring across the river.

So far, we can still protect you.

I'd rather take a look at the previous reports first.

Are these Horsemen really dangerous?

Dangerous?

When the Spaniards first landed,

the Guaicurus confronted the great Cabeza de Vaca.

Then they learned how to tame our horses.

Ever since, they've been hassling whoever tries to settle down here.

-The ones we saw? -No, but they're all alike.

They share the same language and traditions.

They claim to be "noble warriors."

Just like patricians and generals in ancient Rome.

The children they kidnap

and take to their villages are brought up as slaves.

Like that boy, Pedro brought.

-And they don't rebel? -No, on the contrary!

They love their masters.

Didn't you see how the boy respects his Indian mistress?

Like a faithful servant to his mistress.

As if she were a great dame.

Absolutely.

She is a great dame.

That's why her body is all adorned.

For them, it is a sign of being noble.

Consequently, Dom Diogo,

you're also marked for what you did to your "princess"

or at least what I suppose you did.

I'm still confused about what really happened.

It was as if...

I had no choice

and it was the only thing to do.

Whatever lust can do to corrupt and pervert man's nature

is practiced by these Indians.

If that wasn't enough, there are among the Guaicurus

a few men widely admired

called "Cudinhos," who serve them as women.

These "Cudinhos"

or obnoxious demons, behave just like women.

They talk and do the same chores women do. They crouch to pee.

And, once a month, they pretend conspicuously

to have their period, avoiding fish and meat

eating only fruits or hearts of palm.

Since you're mine, let's do something.

This is for you to wear.

You hold this.

As you like, your Highness...

Aknot...?

I'll show you my map.

You're beginning to understand!

Here, you see, the river bed, the waterfall

the bell-shaped mountain... Itaguaçu.

A big silver mountain! Have you seen it?

Ita-petinga, white stone.

Silver. Understand?

Silver... do you understand?

Silver just like that, silver...

Antonio!

Everybody knows

the silver they have was stolen from the Spaniards, you idiot.

You don't understand, do you?

It's useless...

Keep this, since you like it so much. Now get lost. Go...

As soon as the priest gets here,

you'll be baptized with my name,

Pedro. Got it?

Pe-dro, my own name!

Pe-dro.

Pe-lo.

That's not bad...

Because I saved your life. Right?

-"ight". -Right.

I knew you were smart.

I'm going to give you a valuable present.

This is our Lord.

Repeat that:

Our Lord Jesus Christ

-"Chlist." -Right, very good!

It's yours. Keep it.

Keep it.

This land

is gorgeous

and strange

like you.

Aknot, look.

Take it. Hold it.

Hold it!

Too heavy, alright.

How about this one?

Hold it.

Place that jug over there. Boy shoots.

There, get that jug.

Put it over there.

Good. Come back.

Let's try it.

Here, hold it.

Hold it tight! Right.

Look through here and aim over there.

One

two.

Aim.

You missed it.

Next time...

You need to practice.

One, two.

Aknot,

why do you paint your face?

Paint

face,

why?

Monkey?

You want a monkey?

I'm a monkey?

I'm a monkey...

because I have hair on my face

and you paint yours because you don't.

Because you're human...

No, I couldn't do that.

Hold on!

Aknot, look.

Aknot.

Aknot... Diogo.

Thank you, Maira. You can go.

Feeling better, Father?

Thanks for asking.

I'm really sorry, Father.

I knew this would happen sooner or later.

But it was too late to ask for reinforcements.

Not even a thousand soldiers could fight back those evil beasts!

God took pity on me

and my mission.

That's why I'm still alive.

Is cutting off the enemies' hands a tradition?

Tradition?!

How could savages have traditions?

The demons...

You mean our demon, Father...

They were used to cutting off their dead enemies' ears.

But 15 years ago an officer decided

they deserved another kind of treatment.

After defeating a bunch of Indians hunting,

he cut off their hands!

They were still alive.

He spared one to spread the news white men had a new leader.

I agree, Commander.

It wasn't a very Christian act.

But that's your problem.

The Church has no say in military affairs.

Is it loaded?

Pedro.

How could you do that to Our Lord Jesus Christ?!

I'll teach you to be respectful to Christ.

Got that?

Put this on.

Don't move until I say so.

I know you can understand me.

You know their secret.

All I want to know is where they get the silver, got it?

We'll prove to them the mines do exist.

Right, little brother?

Go get yourself some brown sugar candy. Go.

Ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew you'd lead me there.

"Animal?" That's what I am.

If you came for a masquerade

wrong palace!

And it looks like your princess lost her slave.

Where are you, boy?

Come back!

I'll give you much more

than you've ever dreamed of!

You want part of my mines? I'll give it you!

I'll do it.

Come back!

Fucking cripple! What have you been up to?

Which way did the boy go?

You wretch!

-No, Captain! -You traitor!

-He is dying! -And to think I taught you to shoot...

-Son of a bitch! -Give me the boy.

Get out of here!

He'll take me to the mines.

-Stop it, Captain! -Out...

I'm begging you...

Captain...

Don't make me do this!

Are you crazy?!

Commander, you can't release Captain Pedro!

He acted in self-defense. I'm releasing him!

You'll never reach peace with Pedro around!

I'll put it in my report to the Governor.

No one asked your opinion, not me nor the Governor!

Do your job and don't interfere with ours.

And the peace treaty?

You forgot how your romance with the Indian started?

If after that, there can still be peace

it'll make no difference whether Pedro is free or not.

If the Indians wage war, I'd rather fight with him by my side.

I read in a report you wrote

this land is for the peace makers with the Guaicurus.

It can be either ours or the Spaniards'.

This is astonishing!

The Indians may not keep their land...

but they'll decide ultimately who will.

I guess the boy meant a lot to you.

Boy

Januya.

Did you forget today is Saturday?

Forgive me, Father.

In this land, you lose track of time and the fasting precepts.

No offence to God!

I've been eating fish for days.

This is my first decent meal. My body needs it.

Then save it for tomorrow.

Very well, Father.

I've heard you're living in sin.

Well, Father...

it's also hard to tell what is really sinful here.

What do you mean "hard," Dom Diogo?

The Bible is very clear, so is the Church's doctrine!

It says nothing about these savages. No one knew about them.

You're mistaken, Dom Diogo.

The Church is reviewing its position on various issues.

As you know, there were no colored men in Noah's Ark.

But, since there has to be a reason for everything,

with some caution and plenty of research,

the Church scholars got to the conclusion

the Deluge took place in one part of the world only.

The other half,

where Indians and Negroes were probably, was not affected.

Do you know how the Horsemen describe their origin?

They were created by a Bird to wage war on Earth.

Interesting, isn't it?

In the name of His Majesty, the King of Portugal

we celebrate mass in a most remote territory of the kingdom

to honor the engagement

between Prince Dom Joao, our heir

and Dona Carlota Joaquina of Spain.

Forgive me, Lord.

I didn't expect this outcome

but be sure he'll be a Christian.

My child shall be the best this new world will ever breed.

He will bear my capacity...

and her purity.

Everything's ready, Commander. We're leaving at dawn.

Gentlemen, let me give you my blessings.

Father.

Have a nice trip, Father.

May the Lord forgive all your sins.

Captain, this dreadful heat will follow us all the way to Vila Bela.

I thought the rain would cut off the trails.

When it rains, the Guaicurus can't ride their horses.

The expeditions can't come from the South.

But you can reach Vila Bela by boat.

Otherwise, the fort would be isolated.

Have we ever not been isolated?

This doesn't seem to bother you very much...

No, it doesn't bother me.

I don't feel guilty.

Living beyond boundaries has always fascinated me...

That's not my case. I am Portuguese.

I came here with the purpose of learning only.

I was sure to return to Portugal,

to Coimbra, to my fiancé, to the court.

How about now?

Could you return with your mestizo children?

That's impossible.

I'm not going back.

My beloved,

the work is consuming all our time.

That's why I haven't written.

Little by little, I'm understanding these civilizations.

It's an extremely pleasant feeling

as if you could be part of different worlds...

For the sake of Jesus Christ's dick pissing on me!

To Captain Pedro, who delivered us from the drought!

Listen, Dom Diogo,

new women came to Vila Bela from Rio de Janeiro.

They're white.

Truly white! They're all Portuguese.

This time, I think I'll have a Christian son.

You know what will make him different from me?

No?

He'll be a certified white Christian.

Some more wine?

Please, Dom Diogo.

My great-grandmother was an Indian,

but on my mother's side only.

She was a quad...

-What is it called? -A quadroon.

That's it, a quadroon!

But, from then on, they were all white.

So...

bear with me...

But my son's blood will be pure.

Certified white by law, the Church and the crown.

Captain Pedro, to your son!

Aknot...

Talk to me.

Aknot...

Aknot!

Where's the baby?

Aknot!

What happened?

Commander...

Aknot lost the baby and she won't tell me what happened.

Laughing, idiot! Just because she's an Indian?

Pedro!

So you don't know why your wife lost her baby?

-He doesn't... -Stop it.

Let's talk in my office.

Why? Everyone knows

-what happened. -What then?

Listen carefully and you'll learn more about these savages.

These women kill their babies when they feel like it.

They kill them in the belly or when they're born.

Liar! It can't be true!

It is, Dom Diogo! They have only one child.

And it seems like she doesn't want to have your heir.

Bastard!

You animal!

How could you do that?

You're an animal! What you've done is not human!

Do you understand?

Since when have they been doing this?

They always have!

As warriors, they can only flee carrying no more than one child.

More than one child could hinder their flight.

And all the women agree with that?

Why do you refuse to accept it as a fact?

They even prefer it that way so they won't ruin their bodies.

It's all wrong!

It's all unnatural!

The rain season will end soon

and l'll return to our land's peacefulness.

I miss it so much. It makes me restless.

The colony can be no more than a passage in our lives,

a difficult and tortuous learning experience.

Commander!

Commander, good bye.

-I'll be waiting for you, Father. -I'll be back.

They know they can't bear with Portuguese and Spaniards altogether.

They promised to bring us gifts as a token of friendship.

It is not possible to have peace here! You know that.

Yes, it is, Captain.

The rain seems to have washed away all the hatred.

Fortunately.

You will be in charge of receiving their gifts.

Captain, as a token of the Guaicurus' friendship,

they offer you pelts as gifts

as well as their women

so you get to know better each other.

As you know,

this is not very Christian.

Oidatelegute says

the Captain will enjoy the gifts very much.

PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNEY TO THE CAPTAINSHIP OF MATO GROSSO

BY DIOGO DE CASTRO E ALBUQUERQUE

So ends our old song of war.

I can sing other stories,

both good and bad, of the Guaicuru.

They are the wars of today.

In 1793, 12 years after the massacre at the fort,

the Guaicuru signed a peace treaty with the Portuguese Crown.

Of all their descendants, the Kadiweu are the only survivors.

Today, about 1,000 live in a reservation in Mato Grosso do Sul.

To the Kadiweu, who survived.

Laser subtitling: LVT - New York