Original subtitles

THE VALLEY

In the heartofNew Guinea...

...one ofthe world's largest islands...

...stheAusstralians discovered these mountains in 1954

No roads lead to them

Theyare inaccessible

...and the Mapuga tribe and its leaders

Music composed and played by Pink Floyd

We are flying overunexplored regions

Theyare noton the map

Or, more accurately, theyare shown onlyas white spots

This is the unknown

This obviously isn't for sale

This is a disaster

Horn bill feathers

- You speak French? - Yes, Madame

Oh, my God, this is terrible!

- You're hurt. - May l?

lt's bleeding. How awful

Don't do that. The scarf's dirty. You might get infected

lt needs to be disinfected right away. l'll take you to the hospital

You must see a doctor

lt's not funny. Everyone knows you have to be careful here

You don't realise

lt's hot

Come on. Everything's fine

l was so clumsy. l'll never forgive myself

Let's talk about something else

lt was those feathers ofyours

Oh, those feathers are nothing

ls that what you do? Sell them?

Yes, you could say that

You should see the ones l have at home

- They're quite different. - Really?

Careful. They're not for sale

Why won't he hurry? They're so slow here

Why not tell me about yourself to calm your nerves?

There's not much to tell

My husband is the French Consul in Melbourne

Since l simply hate socialising...

...l buy Oceanic crafts, feathers...

...and fabrics, for a Paris boutique

What else can l tell you?

l play the piano

l have a very pretty orchid collection

And l've got a little dog, too, ifyou're interested

What's his name?

Nouki

That's a pretty name

Here's the hospital at last

Are you coming in with me?

What have you done to your foot?

lt's nothing

You've been very kind

Thank you

lt was the least l could do

l'm so sorry about what happened, really

Goodbye

What about those feathers? Do you want to see them?

Yes, why not? l'd love to

lt's here

Do you all live in there?

Look, Mum. Olivier's hurt his foot

Hermine, this is Vivian

Sorry

That's Monique and Gaetan

Gaetan's financing our expedition

He inherited a bit of money

l handle the practical side ofthings

- What's the matter? - What? Nothing

These feathers are from the Lesser Bird of Paradise

How wonderful

l've never seen anything like them

Never

l've heard about these feathers

They're found on a plateau in the middle ofthe island

But l heard that the bird was in danger of becoming extinct

That's true

Gaetan and l found these on our first expedition

Unfortunately, our permit wasn't in order

We had to come back, but we're going again the day after tomorrow

l finally got the permit

- Then you can get me some ofthese. - No way. Hunting is illegal

lfyou get caught, you go to prison

Then how did you get these?

From a missionary out there

He trades with the natives

Sell them to me

Will you have dinner with us?

Hermine's a great cook

Tempted?

Well...

l don't know, l hadn't planned to

So?

So...

l'm expected

lt's difficult

Don't you like it here?

Yes, it's charming. lt's delightful

Fine. Then have dinner with us

l'll show you

These white spots mark the unexplored areas

lt's there

lt's not on the map

lt's as if it didn't exist, except that it does

l thought there were no lands left to explore nowadays

Planes must have flown over your valley before

You can't see it

lt's shrouded in mist. lt's not on the map

Look

Look what's written here. This map is dated 1969

There's something l don't understand

You've mentioned similar areas before...

...which have all ended up being found

Why has this one never been discovered?

Don't you think that's strange?

lt has been discovered, several times even

But those who go there never come back

They have no choice but to stay

Why?

Because it's paradise

Do you think he's serious?

lt's his passion

You don't leave paradise

You can lose yourselfthere, or stray from it...

...which leads to your downfall and is a curse

But you don't leave paradise

lt's impossible. Do you understand?

Well, ifyour valley's so wonderful...

...why don't you go there now?

Our senses are not yet...

...sufficiently...

...open

We're not in any hurry

Above all...

...we must destroy time to become one with it

We must first reach the tribes...

...that live in the foothills ofthe mountains

Their sorcerers may be able to show us which path to take

Can you take me back to the hotel?

Ofcourse

l'd like one last look at your feathers. May l?

Unreal

Sell them to me

Then lend them to me

Just for two or three days

What harm could that do?

ls that you, darling?

Vivian. Good to hearyou. Areyou OK?

Yes, lt's a wonderful country. l'm delighted to be here

Didyou seeyourphoto in Woman's Weekly?

l was just looking at it. l don't like it

- Do you? - Don't be silly. You look beautiful

l look like Little Miss Prim, with a spot on my chin...

...and a nose like a duck

lt's awful

Don't worry. l loveyou asyou are

Whatdoyou do allday?

Lots ofthings. Shopping

They'll be delighted in Paris

By the way...

...l may have found a way ofgetting hold ofsome very rare feathers

l don't like the sound ofthat. lt's illegal

We could use your diplomatic pouch...

...to do some smuggling together

Why notshouta bit louder? The phone tap will love that

l can't hear you

How's Nouki?

She had fourpuppiesyesterday. They're as cute as anything

Really? That's wonderful

Have you had the piano tuned?

Notyet. l'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow with theAmbassador

l'll be gone forabouta fortnight. l'd likeyou to be back before...

l can't hear a thing any more

l can't hear a thing

Are you digging a ditch for the rainwater?

But the rainy season's over

lt's true, though, it was so cloudy this morning...

...it was like the end ofthe world

lt's nice out

lt's hot

lt is cooler than yesterday, though. Yesterday was so muggy

l'm glad you came back

l came back for something very important

Those feathers you showed me yesterday. You know, those...

- l forget the name. - Kumul

That's it, Kumul feathers

l'm really interested in them

Since you're leaving tomorrow...

...l thought you could bring me back as many as possible from the missionaries

l have the outlets to sell them in and the money to buy them

We could do good business together

You're forgetting one thing

We're not interested in doing business

Our trip has a very different goal

What is that goal, ifyou don't mind my asking?

l told you. lt's the valley

Ofcourse

Besides, once we've gone, who knows when we'll be back, if at all

What a pity. There must be a way

l don't know. You could send them

What we could do is...

...take you with us to Watik...

...where the missionary is

ls it far?

- Two weeks. - Two weeks?

Look

We'll be coming from the coast here...

...and crossing these areas

lt will take two weeks, ifwe take our time, to reach the mission...

...and then we'll carry on

Yes, but...

Once we're at the mission, how will l get back?

The mission has a little airstrip

You can rent a plane to fly you back, ifyou can afford it

- Yes. - Gaetan?

- lt's complicated, but... - Gaetan, can you come?

- What do you say? - l don't know

l'll have to think about it

Are you really tempted?

lt's difficult

This is turning into an expedition for me, too

Let's say l did decide to come...

...you don't seem too happy at the idea

l am, but two weeks in a jeep in the bush?

lt's tough

Two weeks in a jeep doesn't scare me. l'm fit

lt's just that...

There are four ofyou. lt's a bit awkward

What?

l mean...

...you're two couples

Gaetan and Monique, you and...

- l've forgotten her name. - Hermine?

Maybe Hermine is with Gaetan, too

lt's cold

ls this where we're washing?

Yes, this is the bathroom

l'm going to wash somewhere else. Your car is making the water dirty

And l'll get some peace over here

Olivier, can you ask Gaetan to stop for a second?

- What for? - l...

What?

l just need to get out, OK?

Go on

Well, what are you waiting for?

- Nothing. - What now?

- l'm afraid ofsnakes. - There are no snakes on the road

Are you crazy? l'm not staying on the road

Look, make up your mind

Just get right up next to the car

No one will see you

Who are these people?

- They're gathering for the show. - The show?

Yes, there's a big festival

The local tribes all take part. lt's held every two years

You might find some feathers there

Be careful. lt's strictly illegal

l lost you. l've been looking for you for an hour

l thought l'd never find you. What's going on?

You go. We'll pitch camp

l can't hide the fact that l'm interested in these feathers...

...especially those... What are they called?

- Kumul. - That's it, Kumul

You wouldn't have some now, would you?

l'll pay cash, ofcourse

Alas, Madame...

...l haven't seen any for nearly a month

Just my luck!

Do you know anyone who sells them?

No, you know...

...l get my feathers...

...completely by chance

So this trip's been for nothing

Great!

Never mind. Can l ask you a favour?

Can you give me a seat on your plane when it leaves?

- Gladly, but... - Tomorrow or the next day?

My plane broke down at Port Moresby. lt will be another fortnight

- A fortnight? - Yes

ls that very inconvenient for you?

Yes, terribly

l don't know what to do. My husband will worry if l'm a fortnight late

But l thought you were husband and wife

Not at all

What you could do is go further north

As far as our last mission in Wutung

They have a plane that works

You can rent that

But that's too far

lt will take about a week, depending on the rains

A week?

Well, l have no choice

l'm sorry, Madame, but that's the best l can do

You're very kind

Well, l'll be saying goodbye, and good luck

Have a good trip. Hang on a minute

l've just remembered something

Up that mountain...

...lives an old sorcerer

He never speaks

But he has a collection offantastic feathers

Go and see him

Can we go there?

Yes

But watch out for one thing

He never sells them, he gives them away...

...and only to people he likes

Only very rarely, and one or two at a time

Hi. Look at the beautiful feathers someone gave me

Gave?

What's going on? lt's weird

They're preparing for the full moon

Why did you give that to her?

Don't worry, it's OK

Don't make me angry

What did you say to her?

That you're mad to have drunk that

- Why? - lt's not for you

Stop saying that all the time

What was that stuff?

A mixture the mountain tribes make

Gaetan calls it "Dionysus' liqueur"

Why is it not for me?

Do you love me?

Yes

But you're bored

l can play

The moon

Water

The tree

lt's moving

Moving

The bird's nest

Hanging

A hole

Paradise

The nest ofthe bird of paradise

l'm in the nest

l'm in the tree

l am in the nest ofthe bird of paradise

And it is nestled here

ln the tree

The tree closes over and l am not afraid

My leaffriends

You're sensitive

You feel

l'm happy, you know

Very happy

l don't want it to stop

And it won't ever stop

You don't care, do you?

You squeeze hard, anyway

You're nice. You don't scare me

You're squeezing me

Do you want to eat my nose?

You're happy there

Me, too

We're both very happy

Don't move

Where's your plane got to?

That's not bad

Have you seen this? She's leaving a pretty souvenir for us

lt's a shame that it will get covered in mud

But that will look nice, too

lt's a dragon

For me, dragons, devils and snakes...

...stand for good

ln the decadent West, where we're from, they stand for evil and dark forces

But here they stand for the life force

Neither good nor evil

lt's a pity

She won't see the light

She won't see the mountain tribes

She won't see transcendence. She won't see the smiles

She won't see life

She won't see the light which is like a mist

She won't see the valley

lt's a shame Vivian's leaving us

There's the plane!

Have you nearly finished?

You'd better get your bags ready. We're in a hurry

l'd like to pitch camp on that mountain tonight

lt's a long way

Joy?

You're giving us good vibrations before you go

l'll get your bags

You scare me sometimes, you know

l understand now why the old man chose to give you the feathers

- Are you sure you want to go on? - Yes.

This is the last post. The road stops here

There's no way back. lt's the unknown

Yes, l know

What's that about?

What are they saying?

Keep your voice down

This is a restricted area. We're not meant to go any further

They're talking about horses

Horses? What for?

ln a while, once the track stops, we'll have to leave the car

We'll need horses and that guy knows people who might sell us some

He's telling us where to find them

Who are they?

l don't know. l've never been there

They're riper up here because they get more sun

- Have you got room in your bag? - A little, yes

- Have you run out? - Almost

- Can you open yours? - Yes. Hang on

- l don't know. ls that OK? - Yes. Wait

- We've got lots to take back. - Yes

These aren't ripe

lt's fun here. lt feels good

Do you like it?

l feel great. lt's amazing

l feel completely transformed

lt's true, you do seem to have changed a lot

- Do you think so? - Yes

- We've got enough for everyone. - Yes

- Here. Careful. - My blouse is covered!

lt's heavy

l want Olivier to taste them

- Shall l help you? - No, l'm fine

You're tall

There's a root there. That's why

- Right. Shall we go? - Yes

Do you have a rag?

- What for? - To rub this out

Oh? Why?

There's no joy here

lfyou do that, there certainly won't be any, no

lt's all phoney. lt's fake

l'm nothing to do with you

This drawing doesn't mean anything

What's going on?

- ls something up? - Yes

Where are you going?

l'm leaving

The holidays are over

One day in a Zen monastery...

...there were 20 monks and a young nun

They were studying there

The young nun was very pretty...

...so several ofthe monks fell in love with her

Then one day...

...one ofthem sent her a letter...

...requesting a secret meeting

She didn't reply

The next morning

the Zen master was reading to the group

And after the reading...

...the young nun got up...

...and in front ofeverybody...

...she said to the monk who sent her the letter...

"lfyou really love me...

"...come up and kiss me"

You see? That's free love

l'm no more with Olivier than with Gaetan

l'm not in love with Olivier either

Look, Vivian, don't ruin everything now

All l know is, l don't want to stay. l want to leave now

l know. l've been through that, too

l suffered a lot

And then one day...

One day l understood that...

Or rather, gradually, l came to understand that love...

...is something much bigger than that

The way you love Olivier...

...is for your own pleasure, your own satisfaction

lt's not for him

You take what you like, what suits you...

...but you don't give

For example, take the ocean

The ocean is love

And then...

...there's this bottle in the ocean

...with water inside it, adrift at sea

The bottle is you

But ifyou break the bottle...

...the bottle's gone but the ocean's still there

Do you understand?

You know, l love you Vivian

Really

Look, over there

lt's a bird of paradise

- ls it dead? - Yes

Get lost, you bastards!

Look at my dress!

According to the Chinaman, this should be it

Stop sulking

l'm not sulking

l hate birds being killed too. l'd have done the same

l should have given the bird to him. lt was dead. l was stupid

Because of me, your expedition is over. We can't go on

- No. - Yes!

No, we'll find another way

l bring bad luck

Shut up

Olivier, how much does a horse cost?

Let's go back and see them

Offer them double, OK?

They won't want to, after the bird business

Do you think so?

Here's all my money

l'd be surprised ifthey turn it down. There's at least $1,200

Here

Those pigs!

Plus a few more cents

See? There. That's all l have

We'll see ifthey'll take it or not

- Shall we go? - Yes

How do you communicate with the mountain tribes?

lt must be difficult

No really, how do you do it?

See? You don't need to speak to communicate

Still, ifwe stay for a while...

...we'll need to be able to talk to them

He's going to eat my head!

ls that what you do?

Go on

Look, Vivian!

Look, Vivian, a possum!

lt's cute

Careful!

When are we going to leave?

- For the valley? - Yes, for the valley

We're ready

They've told you everything. You know the trails

So what are we waiting for?

We're not ready

We're waiting to be ready

They're calling people around here to the celebrations

- How do you know? - Gaetan told me

l'd love...

l'd love her to make me up so l can join in the celebrations

Everyone gathered here will eat the flesh ofthe pigs...

...in honour ofour ancestors

For the first time ever...

...white folk are participating in this ceremony

Our ancestors would have been amazed

l am proud...

...and l hope they will take my name...

...to the far side ofthe world

l salute the white women...

...who have crossed the greatjungle to be with us

l wish to speak, too

l am the only man present...

...from the Mul tribe...

...which could not come because ofthe swollen rivers

Prepare yourselves

The food will now be passed out

lt's amazing

We've become so close to them

We're almost like them

Look at Gaetan and Hermine. lt's wonderful

l'm so happy

We've found truth, you know

What's wrong, Olivier?

lt's just the opposite

What's the opposite?

We're lying to ourselves

Whatever Gaetan says, we're tourists here, Vivian

What do you mean, tourists?

l don't get it. What's that supposed to mean?

l hate hearing you talk like this

To think you've spent months here with Gaetan and that's all you can say

You don't understand. Are you stupid or what?

Dancing's easy, but could you work with them?

Yes, absolutely

Women are even more exploited here than elsewhere

You know, Vivian...

...in the Kombuga tribe...

...society is bound by very strict rules

So is ours

lt's not the same thing

We're trying to break our rules

When they dance...

...it's notjust for the pleasure of it...

...it's to obey something

Look, this is the cemetery

They're dancing on their dead

We're only seeking pleasure, or maybe peace

They couldn't care less about that

l don't know, Olivier, but look at this celebration

Everyone is happy together

Why is there such a tacit understanding, as ifthey truly loved one another?

Why do they understand one another? Why is everything so simple here?

But it doesn't mean much

You really disappoint me

You're just like my husband

Ofcourse we all like each other...

...but that's as far as it goes

How can you expect there to be a real rapport between us...

...when we are destroying our social laws...

...whereas they live in terror...

...and respect taboos?

l don't know, but it is possible

We are discovering something different, that's all

Don't you believe in the dark forces and all that?

Ofcourse, very much so

But not in their way

For us, that's not possible

We can't forget our past, Vivian

We can't undo our conditioning, as Gaetan would say

Once it's lost, innocence can never be retrieved

Paradise is a place with many exits but no way in

There is no way back from knowledge

Once you fall from grace, that's it

l wonder whether, in order to find it again...

...we shouldn't be doing the opposite ofwhat we have been doing...

...ifwe shouldn't be taking another bite out ofAdam's apple

Gaetan? What are you doing there?

l think we've gone the wrong way

lfthose are the Urai Mountains...

...Mount Umasa isn't over there, it's there

Have you got the compass?

We'll have to try going that way

Where is it?

See that hill there?

Beyond that, there's a high mountain

And beyond the mountain, it's further still

Further, further, further

ls it very far?

lt's very close

But l don't think the horses will make it through thatjungle

We need to go now

We'll untie them and let them find their own way back to the stable

We might be taking a chance

l know

Will you go and untie those two down there?

OK

Where are the horses?

Gone

ls something wrong?

He's asking ifwe're going to the top

He seems to be saying it's dangerous

Mum?

Are we nearly there?

Are we nearly there, Mum?

Hermine's feeling dizzy. She can't walk any more

lt's not serious. lt's just the altitude

l'm hungry. l'm thirsty

- l'm tired ofthis. - Not long now

Just a little while longer

This is the last packet

Thank you

You know...

l'm hungry

l'm hungry...

l know, but l've told you, there's nothing left to eat

The valley

l can see the valley