Original subtitles

People from the northwest...

from the north of Artibonite...

people from the southwest...

people from the Great Cove...

middle class from Port-au-Prince...

intellectuals...

masters of thought and art...

professors, teachers, students...

they have decided to ignore you.

They have gone mad.

THE MAN ON THE SHORE

Three leaves

three roots

To throw away is to forget

To pick up is to remember

It was so long ago.

And yet, it was yesterday.

The little girl sitting nearthe fire...

throws ashes at her mother's ass...

throws ashes at her mother's ass.

All sea animals eat up men...

but only the shark has a bad reputation.

Sarah!

Sarah, come down!

You knovvl don'tvvant you to play in the attic.

Itvvas in the early sixties.

At the time, grandmother's attic...

was still an attic.

Iwas eight...

and my world was already starting with a disaster.

Hit him!

Enough!

Keep her quiet!

Keep her quiet!

Don't worry, darling, it's only a bad dream.

Only a bad dream.

For M.F. who introduced me to Sarah

For Fiona

TWO YEARS LATER

Let's march united

no traitor in our ranks

we alone shall be masters of our fate.

Let's march united

I dreamt of mother.

Again? V\flth her wedding dress...

And the flowers you gave her?

Come on, children. Let's get to work.

I did dream of mother!

Mother S�s�, you know the frog's story?

Sarah... please!

It's another one.

Your frog stories are not very appetizing.

Cover your ears. It's an old frog called Max.

The only thing Max knew how to do

was play the piano and smoke his pipe.

And he loved to sing the frog's song...

Morning, ladies.

Justvisiting, nothing serious.

Rebels have landed.

Some are believed to be hiding around here.

Just gossips.

I wanted to make sure you were safe.

We've known each other for too long.

Isn't that so?

What are you doing here?

What's your name?

She's an orphan.

Is she dumb?

Can't you see you're scaring her?

You have no right to...

Say that again! I didn't get it.

I don't hear a thing.

I didn't say anything.

Always talking nonsense!

I'm only scared for them.

I've done my time.

What are they scared of?

Are you scared? Are you scared? Who's scared here?

Damn it, are you scared?

Get out!

That's enough, Mr Janvier! Get out!

I'll be back!

Thanks for coming, Camille.

Did he recognize them?

He only saw Sarah. She was too young for him to remember.

But I think...

it'd be better to take them back.

They should leave the country...

don't you think so?

Of course...

Of course, sister Suzanne.

But hovfl

They've arrested 19 officers in Port-au-Prince.

They said they knew about the landing.

They were all shot.

Grandfather!

Start up.

Will you start up!

What's up, old man?

Your tractor won't back up?

One moment, my friend, I'll back it up.

Related to the captain?

Let us go, son. You can see there are children with us.

Move on!

Move on, get lost. Clear the road!

Happy birthday

with all our best wishes

May these few flowers bring you a lot of happiness

May this coming year be gentle to you

and very sweet

May the end of the year

find us all together again

to be able to sing in chorus

Happy birthday!

Morning, sir.

Morning, Jean-Claude.

Camille!

Assad!

My dear Camille. You have no idea.

This year's been the longest of them all.

It hasn't been easy for me neither...

but I'm sure you've heard about it.

I have. How do you get by?

You know me... We're struggling.

Come, sit here. It'll be quieter.

I have to take care of my grandchildren.

I had to take them out of the convent after a year of hiding.

- Where are they HOW? - At home, in the attic.

In your attic?

Yes.

What did you want me to do?

At least, they're safe there.

But for how long?

Have you seen my daughter?

Yes.

L finally managed to meet them in Venezuela.

They were about to go back... to Cuba.

And the children?

They miss them very much. Especially Sarah.

You must help me get them out.

They must leave the country.

Bad timing. Why not wait for a while?

They'll soon forget about Jansson.

It'll be too late for his daughters.

Where are you, little Jo?

It's Mrs Janvier. The bitch!

"Lord...

"deliver us from evil and the demons...

"that profane Your name and Your church.

"May Your will be done here below."

Janvier is now the big boss around here.

I've been told.

I've seen his work all over the town.

The corpses are still rotting under the sun.

I need three passports.

Three passports?

Where will I find them?

You're the businessman!

Everybody's afraid today. Even the more corrupt ones.

Before, you could get a birth certificate for a dead man.

But now...

Morning, children.

Morning, aunt Elide.

Are you all right?

Well, shall we? Ready for the first lesson?

Our Doc living in the National Palace for life...

may Your name be blessed by the present generation...

That's not funny.

Stop m

He)', Syrien!

Do something for me.

I have nothing for you.

Not even a catalog?

What for?

I'd like to order a Vwnchester.

- AVWnchester? - Yes, man.

AWinchester, just like Jack Palance.

To blast them off!

Gracieux!

Sorel!

Knock it off!

Stop fooling around!

A piglet from the farm...

and cars won't even slow down!

Sarah, darling...

can you pay attention to the lesson?

What does it mean to you?

It's cold!

My coffee's cold because you open too late!

If it's still cold tomorrow, l'll paint you in red...

from head to toes!

I wanted to forget everything.

The moments of happiness...

and the moments of pain.

I remember godfather Sorel...

before the town called him "G racieux".

What about Mr Sorel?

He's a crook.

We've been watching him for a while.

He's covered the whole town with anti-government slogans.

Any Proof?

Proof?

Is power already going to your head?

That Sorel, your cousin...

My daughter's godfather.

Is he above the lavfl

As long as I'm here, you're not going to make the law.

I'm in charge, here.

You're tempting the devil, captain.

I remember father's beautiful uniform...

was it on my birthday?

Sometimes, I'd like to understand...

Mother was playing the piano... I think.

I love you.

Leave me alone.

He's been screwing around for too long. He asked for it!

Shame on you! Your own family.

How dare you! Your daughter's own godfather!

I couldn't do a thing for him...

You could at least have tried!

I should have acted like a macoute?

It's your duty, yourjob. You didn't have to hand him over.

Easy to say now.

Besides, I didn't hand him over.

Harping on about it won't make it any truer.

Anyway...

I did all I could.

I reallythought I could fix it later.

You coward!

Got a Lucky Strike?

Boss?

Ain't got any.

A little drink, a little cigarette

some matches

A little drink, a little cigarette

some matches

you gonna give 'em to me, honey!

Make it last.

Thanks, general!

And the fifth bullet goes in... then the cylinder is full.

I lock it and I'm ready to shoot.

You're going to shoot with papa. Now...

you put your hand on the side, there, and the other one too.

You stay calm...

Above all, you must always keep cool.

Ready?

Are you Nazaire?

I must ask you a favor.

A favor?

Yes. To bring three children to Port-au-Prince.

When?

I don't know. You tell me.

I went to see my far away friends

But I'll come back to see my nearby friends

Far away friends, dear friends

Nearby friends, hypocrite friends

"Sir, how could the answer that you expect from me be of any use to you?

"Wouldn't believing in your feelings...

"be another reason to be fearful?

"And without even attacking or defending their sincerity...

"isn't it enough for me and shouldn't it be enough for you...

"to know that I don't want to and mustn't answer you?

"Suppose that you really loved me...

'Would the spectacles that separate us be any less insurmountable?"

Obstacles!

What obstacles?

"The obstacles that separate us!" Not spectacles!

What's the matter, Jean-Claude?

What's that cowering look?

Chief Janvier wasjust here.

He wants to see you right away.

He says you are everywhere but at his office.

I'll go if I wantto!

He took 2 handkerchiefs and fancy underpants without paying.

You get nothing for nothing in life!

Don't go to the barracks, Mrs Desrouill�res.

You mustn't.

I don't want him to come back here.

He wants to see me? l'll go, thafs all.

Don't go. Wait and see what he wants.

He slipped.

You owe me 75 gourdes and 60 cents.

What?

You owe me 75 gourdes and 60 cents.

I don't sell on credit.

Mrs Desrouill�res...

You like to joke! But let's get serious.

I've had complaints about you.

Complaints?

Oh, nothing serious, but we have to talk about it.

Is it your wife?

My Wife?

Why should my wife be involved?

Sorry, I thought she was.

They say you're pushing truck drivers to go on strike.

What?

You incite people to subversion.

I went to the bus station yesterday.

Is it forbidden?

I had to order merchandise from Port-au-Prince.

Merchandise?

Yes.

I see.

For $500, right?

He says it's a debt.

I forgot.

Must have been another trip.

And you forgot!

You see what negligence can do?

My men don't fool around.

Let the man go.

He hasn't done anything.

In this office...

I'm in charge!

The little girl

sitting nearthe fire

throws ashes at her mother's ass

throws ashes

at her mother's ass!

What's this song?

Where did you learn it?

Nowhere. lfs the man's song.

Stop repeating such nonsense.

These are the words of the devil. Don't you love your mother?

No!

You don't love her?

She has forgotten us.

Sarah, don't start again.

You know your mother loves you and so does your father.

Had it been possible...

they would have come to get you all.

You must pray, my little girl...

God is almighty.

His will shall be clone.

There are spiders

You hear that?

That too, isthe music of the devil.

Creatures of the night...

come forward!

Who are you?

Your goddaughter.

What are you doing out so late at night?

Chasing crickets.

And if you don't find any what will you catch?

Cockroaches.

And what else?

Mule hooves and crushed bananas.

What is your race?

Who is your father?

I don't know.

Who is your father?

I don't know!

Sarah!

Darling...

It's only a bad dream.

Don't worry.

It's only a bad dream.

On this anniversary...

memorable day of our revolution...

the honorable doctor, our President for life...

sends you his best wishes of happiness and success...

The little girl sitting near the fire

throws ashes at her mother's ass

Bits of memories recur sometimes.

Their chronology gets mixed up in my head...

No... it wasn't on my birthday.

It happened on that small square in front of the hardware store.

Papa had taken some time off, that day...

so he could take a walkvvith me.

What does it say?

I don't... don't know how to read.

You don't?

Idiot!

Show me your hand.

The other one.

It's not your fault?

It's not your fault?

Stop trembling!

Are you scared?

Janvier, what are you doing?

Suspicious guy. Just interrogating him.

That's not the right procedure.

You want to take over?

Get up, Sorel.

Get out!

Are you really taking me to this guy?

Ifl don't, it'll be worse.

Frangois?

Keep cool.

Act like a man.

You can't do that to me!

You can't do that to me!

Frangois, you can't!

Frangois, you can't!

I said get out!

They arrested Nazaire.

I know.

It's because of you I stayed so long...

in that damned country! You know it.

I never promised you anything, Assad.

I've always been very loyal to you.

Indeed.

Poor Syrien who didn't even know how to write according to your family...

You think it would have changed anything?

I give up.

I'm going backto Lebanon. My bones are getting weary.

This country is ruthless.

You can't leave, Assad.

It's over. Everything's finished!

You want to run away?

I'm an old man now...

And I'm an old woman! Should I run away, too?

What about the children?

Men leave, the children stay.

Camille...

I'll take the girls with me.

You're also coming with us.

My grave is here.

I'm talking about life and you talk about death!

You can't fight Janvier!

Don't worry.

I'll take care of him.

This brute is only after one thing: money and power!

"One day for the hunter and one day for the game!"

He)', you! Come down!

Didn't you hear me? Come down!

Stop it, child.

Assad!

Good evening, chief.

Inspection.

Where are you going?

In town.

Get out!

I'm in a hurry...

Out!

I can explain, it's...

He won't come anymore.

We now have peace at home...

and we want to offer it as a gift to western civilization.

The country needs today the help and the experience...

Let us not overlook the great clemency measure...

taken by the President for life...

to pardon all those who went astray in a mad adventure.

Love forgives everything...

and forgiveness remains the greatest form of courage.

Inspired by the great principles of love and pardon...

the Chief wants his government...

to be a vast school where lessons are being taught...

lessons of love and nobility of soul.

What is amnesty?

It means that...

tomorrow you may be able to play outside with your friends.

What friends?

Everybody has friends.

- Me too? - You will.

Frangois for life!

Frangois for life!

Papa Doc for life!

Zippers, 2 dozen. That makes 80 gourdes.

Ties, 17 dozen.

That makes $17. Buttons, 25.

What did she write?

Ah, 47 spools... 125 bows.

Hat bands...

already done.

Where are you going?

Grandmother said to stay in.

You still didn't get it'? Papa Doc pardoned everybody.

You mustn't go out!

Come on, let's go.

Never mind her.

How was the trip?

How do I look?

A bit eccentric, no?

Here, try them on.

Funny?

You see, I'm your friend.

I'm not that bad.

How is your father?

I don't know.

Still mad at me?

It's grandma's tie!

So what? Isn't it nice on me?

Give it to me.

I'll wrap it up.

Mrs Desrouill�res.

No, thanks. I wasjust passing by...

and I decided to come see your dear girls again.

What, no flag?

You must celebrate too.

It's not nice!

People bought...

so much blackfabric lately... I'm out of it.

Take a look. I sold everything.

You know... with all the festivities...

I'm sold out.

Don't touch her!

I thought there was an amnesty.

You don't agree with the President's orders?

Aren't you happy to have your little girls again?

Take good care of them.

Accidents happen all the time.

A new hand has been dealt.

Tell that to the captain.

Don't go to the shore!

Don't go there!

Three leaves, three roots

To throw away is to forget

To pick up is to remember

My father is in Cuba.

What's Cuba?

It's over there.

My father's waiting for me.

They "disappeared" my father.

"Disappeared"?

Yes, "disappeared". That's what they call it.

No one knows where he is.

I know where he is.

Is it true your father was a macoute?

No! It's not true!

He loved me very much.

It doesn't mean anything.

It does. Macoutes kill even children.

They do?

Sarah!

What a big girl you are!

How beautiful!

You remember me?

You don't want to say hello?

Aunique...

day...

in the religious history of our country.

The meeting of two wills...

sovereign and loving.

The will of a great pope...

burning with a saintly zeal for the love...

ofGod.

The will of a great chief of State...

fulfilling the heroic dream he had conceived...

to bring even more spirit...

to the sacred heritage of our forefathers.

This agreement with Rome...

finally consecrates...

the "Haitianizing"...

of our clergy...

under the authority...

of our natural leader.

There is at last...

between State and Church...

a deep agreement.

Amen...

Fucking sun!

Out of my way! You snob!

You ape!

Beloved Haiti The fairest land on earth

To leave you is to love you more

I'm watching you!

- Gracieux, knock it off! - Watch it!

Celibra Beaubeuf!

Come on out here!

I want to ask you something.

Beloved Haiti The fairest land on earth

Who invented the macoutes?

God says it ain't him!

God says it ain't him! Satan says it ain't him!

And what about Duvalier?

Duvalier says:

Haiti...

fuck you!

You wore those shoes for over a week. I can't take them back.

I don't care. They hurt!

You wanted them so bad!

Patience, they'll stretch.

I don't have time.

A cobbler could stretch them.

No! You don't understand:

give me another pair.

You listen to me!

Stop that nonsense!

Very well.

Take them back!

Good day, madam.

You'll be sorry!

Look at that kid!

Wait for me!

Grandma! Grandma!

Where's your grandmother?

Where's Mrs Desrouill�res?

Where is she? We've got a score to settle with her!

She's out.

- Where did she go? - I don't know.

Go look everywhere!

We came for you.

What?

For questioning.

I have nothing to tell you.

Tell those who sent you that I don't fornicate in church!

Shut up!

Don't touch me!

Get her up!

Watch your mouth!

Let's

Grandma... don't go away!

Stay with us...

Get inside the house. Quick! It won't take long.

It was so long ago...

and yet it was yesterday.

Something in my life had just fallen apart.

I remember our evening prayer.

"Sweet Jesus, make sure we see papa and mama again...

"and protect grandma from Duvalier."

Nelson Rockefeller visiting Port-au-Prince...

met with the Chief of State at the national palace.

After a rather disappointing tour in Latin America...

Mr Rockefeller, accompanied by president Duvalier...

was greatly acclaimed...

by the crowd gathered on the lawn.

Also visiting, the French minister of development and cooperation...

You're going out?

Why did papa's friends take grandma away?

They're not your father's friends. They're militiamen.

- Are they tontons macoutes? - Don't say that!

- Why not? - They don't like it.

Was papa a macoute too?

Your father was a soldier.

But a naive one.

Then why did he leave?

They wanted to hurt him.

And you, and your mother and everybody else.

Stop asking me. I don't have all the answers.

Sometimes adults don't know either.

I've got it.

What?

Papa will come back. And then, everybody...

- will chase Duvalier... - Be quiet!

They're going to hurt you too?

Of course not!

You'll see. Everything'll be all right. Come on.

I'd like to see Janvier.

He's not here.

He's not here?

Too bad. He won't like it.

Wait! I'll check.

Be quiet.

What HOW?

- I came to get my mother. - Who?

Mrs Desrouill�res.

What about her?

They arrested her yesterday.

Finally!

Can I see her?

She's not here, dear lady.

Where is she?

With the military, like all subversives.

She's innocent.

So what?

Tell me what to do.

If she talks there won't be any problem.

Chief!

Please, chief!

You're mean!

Sarah, darling, come back!

I beg you, chief.

Calm down, darling. Be quiet.

Don't call me "chief".

A pretty woman like you doesn't have to flatter me.

Your mother put herself in a mess.

She doesn't understand that things have changed.

She doesn't respect anything. Too bad for her.

Here are $500.

I'll be frank with you.

Bring the same amount for the other pocket and I'll see.

The military codes have changed: honor,

the esprit de corps.

They all want money.

Me, I'm rather the romantic type.

I'm easily satisfied...

Little fool, what are you staring at'?

Enough!

Mind your own business!

Please... What have I done?

Shut up!

I do the questioning.

What questioning?

Captain...

See that heap of meat?

Means nothing to me.

I can get rid of it like that!

Like all subversives.

Please, Janvier, spare me!

You just shut up!

Who allowed you to say my name?

Keep her quiet!

Make her shut up!

VWI you make her shut up?

You fucking bastard!

You want the state reforms to get underway...

without going through...

the useless and artificial tensions...

which breed...

the backcountry conflicts...

Hey, girls!

You bitches! Janvier, did you see them?

The little girl sitting near the fire

throws ashes at her mother's ass

throws ashes at her mother's ass.

The angry frog loses its behind

The devil scares the devil, the devil doesn't eat the devil

All sea animals eat up men

but only the shark has a bad reputation.

Hit the dog, wait for his master

Iron cuts iron.

Many years later...

while demons keep baring their teeth...

while uniforms still get stained with blood...

and even though my own story...

ceases to be my very own...

and becomes the story of all...

I still wake up sometimes at night in a sweat.

Then, my departed grandmother...

tells me tenderly:

"lt is only a bad dream, my darling...

"only a bad dream."

For the children of Haiti

Adaptation: Raoul Schelbaum

Subtitling: Eclair Group