Barren Lives (1963) - full transcript
A poor family in the Northeast of Brazil (Fabiano, the father; Sinhá Vitória, the mother; their 2 children and a dog called Baleia) wander about the barren land searching for a better place to live, with food and work. But the drought and misery destroy their hopes.
Anyway, it was worthless.
Couldn't even speak.
There...there ain't much.
Get up.
It's crazy to go on.
We' ll never get there.
We' ll never get there this way.
You' re so stubborn.
Try going back.
There's no end to it.
We should have arrived
at midday.
The sand's hard on the feet.
Keep walking,
you lazy critter!
Come on! It's there!
It's going to rain.
God willing
and the Holy Virgin too!
It's a sturdy house.
Good pasture.
Good for fattening up.
Good pasture.
What happened to Tom?s?
He went out on his own,
like us.
Think he took everything
with him?
I bet he left
the grinding wheel.
Think he took the leather bed?
It was so lovely.
So soft and cozy
in the corner of the room.
Tom?s of the sugar-mill
had the best.
Tom?s was a worthy man.
Nice smell of tanned leather.
All it needed
was a bit of lace
and it would look
like a chapel.
A man of letters.
He always said
the right things
even when it was
going to rain.
He knew how to do things.
He could always mend everything
even other people's lives.
Even that! But he could never
forgive the drought.
The farm has died
without Tom?s and the mill.
On day we' ll have a leather bed
like Tom?s's.
Get your tools and go back.
I don't want anybody here.
I told you to leave!
And now!
I' m a good cowhand.
I' m a good cowhand.
I can do anything.
Maybe...
Are these your men?
That's all?
And the dog.
I' ll do any job.
How much do you charge?
My usual.
One calf of each four born.
A quarter's fine.
You can stay.
Let's go, girl!
Spotty...you' ll grow,
my lovely!
100,000 r?is per head.
Isn't that fair?
The boss says
it's 100,000 per head.
The money will do to settle
accounts with the boss.
We' ll buy the leather for
the bed with what's left over,
just like Tom?s's.
We could spend less.
Yes. We' ll spend less.
We' ll sleep in a leather bed.
We' ll be real dandies!
Do you want to settle today?
How much do I owe you?
Well...I mean...
Get the book.
It's on top of the desk.
Sorry, but that's not
quite enough.
No, it's right.
What my wife said is more.
There must be some mistake.
It's the interest.
Haven't I been lending you money
all year?
There's no mistake.
My wife knows her business.
She knows accounts.
That's not enough.
Here's your pay.
There's no more.
This isn't right!
I' m no slave!
There are no slaves here.
Take your money.
Otherwise,
look for work elsewhere.
I don't employ
impertinent upstarts!
No need for arguments.
Sorry, I didn't mean it.
It was my wife's fault, Boss.
I can't read.
She told me, it was that.
And I believed her.
All right, Fabiano.
Get to work.
But I won't fall for it again.
Sorry, sir.
I tell you Manezinho's wife
betrayed him.
I tried her,
but she wouldn't.
Do you have the tax form?
You have to pay taxes,
you know.
Never heard of taxes.
Is this pig yours?
Is it for sale?
Then you must pay taxes.
But that's not a pig.
It's a bit of a pig.
If you sell, you pay tax,
you trickster!
You offend me!
Sorry. I thought I could just
sell off my belongings.
I didn't know about no taxes.
Well, now you know.
I didn't know the Town Hall
owned part of my pig.
But as you said, it's over.
I' ll give the meat to my family.
Can I eat the meat?
Can l, or not?
Stop gabbing and go home!
Come on!
Don't dirty your clothes.
Give me one.
How much?
400 r?is.
Why do you
water it all down?
See you later.
The party' ll be good?
Shall we play a hand inside?
Yes or no.
Let's see.
Go away...There's people here.
Sit down.
Take another.
Give another.
Give another.
What's the card?
Turn it over.
- Whose turn?
- Wait a minute.
Hold on, mister.
You have no right
to harass the law-abiding.
Back off,
you low-down critter!
That's no way
to treat your partners,
to turn away and leave.
Is it my fault you threw in
all your belongings?
That's bad manners.
Please take your foot away.
Son of a bitch!
Mummy, where's Baleia?
I don't know.
Has Baleia come back?
Neither has Father.
He resisted arrest and insulted
me in front of everybody.
He must learn not to poke fun
at the authorities.
Hand over the civilian.
Shut up!
Bastard!
Scum of the earth!
Where's Baleia, Mum?
She's disappeared.
Disappeared?
- Anyone home?
- Coming!
What can I do for you?
Tell the vicar
I need to talk to him.
- Your blessing, Father.
- God bless you.
Tell the doctor
I've come for my godson.
What are you doing here,
Fabiano?
Nothing,
he's getting better.
Send him away.
Get on.
I can walk.
The captain pays well.
Going farther?
St. Ilifonso, as I sew...
make flesh and bones regrow.
Hear my plea three times o'er!
To hell with you!
May God bless you.
Mum, what's hell?
It's a horrible place.
How horrible?
Put your foot here.
Out!
Father, what's hell?
What?
Hell.
It's where the damned go.
Fires and red-hot pokers.
Have you been there?
Baleia...
Hell...
Hot pokers...
Hell...
Horrible place...
Hell...
Horrible place...
Horrible place...
The damned...
With hot pokers.
With hot pokers.
Hell...
Miserable wretched life!
Working like a dog!
And what for?
Not even enough to eat.
Imagine! You earn a pittance
and lose it all gambling!
All I needed.
It's all drying up.
Devils...Hot pokers...
I want to die
and get it over with.
We' ll never have a real bed.
We were saving up.
We'd bought the leather
and the wood.
All you do is talk.
I want to see something...
I want to see!
There was money.
Who works here?
It is what it is.
It all went to gambling
and drink.
Cost less
than patent shoes.
Why expensive shoes?
To walk like a parrot?
A bad sign.
The desert will catch fire.
The sun sucks up the water
and that wretch takes the rest.
They want to kill the cattle.
They want to kill the cattle.
You drink the water...
And the cattle go thirsty
and die.
You kill the cattle.
It will catch fire.
No use waiting.
Rustle up the stragglers.
I' ll get the rest tomorrow
and settle up.
I want it all here
early tomorrow.
Go and find pasture.
We need to move tomorrow.
We can't.
We have to get the cattle.
We must move early
before the boss arrives.
Go get the orange cow' s calf.
It could be a long trip.
Baleia...
Let's find the calf.
How do we get to the road?
Which way?
The end of the trail,
to your right.
Come on, boy.
We got to go.
Baleia...
Let's go, Baleia.
Go play with Baleia.
Stay still there.
Come here.
He's going to kill Baleia!
He's going to kill Baleia!
Filthy varmint! Cry baby!
She's sick.
No use to anybody!
Baleia...
So where are we going?
Will we live
like we did before?
Maybe. Who knows?
Maybe yes, maybe no.
Maybe we' ll find
somewhere even better.
Why couldn't we be real people
one day?
People who sleep
in leather beds.
Why do we always
have to be wretched?
Running in the wild
like animals.
We could run like animals
like we've always done.
We have to walk
a long way.
But my sandals
are brand-new.
We can walk,
can't we?
Yes, we can.
You' re good for walking.
You' re strong.
You' re well.
You can walk a long way.
No matter.
I' ll just lose weight.
Down to the bone!
What are you thinking about?
Children don't think.
Them? A bit more
and they' ll put on weight.
They' ll be herding
the cattle.
Hard to imagine!
May Our Lady free them
from that misfortune.
Cow-herding?
There must be a place for us
in God's world.
Even just a poor plot of land.
As long as it gives
enough to eat all year.
The Virgin will help us
change our lives.
Nice land and plenty
of corn and beans.
More than enough
to bring up children on.
We' ll have a new life.
Without having to run after
cattle through scrub.
And then,
living in a big city.
So many things to see.
These eyes
have only seen misery.
The children will go to school
and learn.
Until they can read a book
and do arithmetic,
just like Master Tom?s.
Big dreams.
Master Tom?s knew a lot.
But when he started out
he never got there.
Did reading help him?
It didn't even get him
two leagues down the road.
Who goes running
in the scrub?
Hiding like an animal?
One day,
we' ll become real people.
We can't go on
living like animals,
hiding in the desert.
Can we?
No, we can't.
AND THE DESERT WOULD GO ON
FORClNG STRONG
BUT SlMPLE FOLK LlKE
FABlANO, VlT?RlA,
AND THE TWO CHlLDREN
TO THE ClTY.
Couldn't even speak.
There...there ain't much.
Get up.
It's crazy to go on.
We' ll never get there.
We' ll never get there this way.
You' re so stubborn.
Try going back.
There's no end to it.
We should have arrived
at midday.
The sand's hard on the feet.
Keep walking,
you lazy critter!
Come on! It's there!
It's going to rain.
God willing
and the Holy Virgin too!
It's a sturdy house.
Good pasture.
Good for fattening up.
Good pasture.
What happened to Tom?s?
He went out on his own,
like us.
Think he took everything
with him?
I bet he left
the grinding wheel.
Think he took the leather bed?
It was so lovely.
So soft and cozy
in the corner of the room.
Tom?s of the sugar-mill
had the best.
Tom?s was a worthy man.
Nice smell of tanned leather.
All it needed
was a bit of lace
and it would look
like a chapel.
A man of letters.
He always said
the right things
even when it was
going to rain.
He knew how to do things.
He could always mend everything
even other people's lives.
Even that! But he could never
forgive the drought.
The farm has died
without Tom?s and the mill.
On day we' ll have a leather bed
like Tom?s's.
Get your tools and go back.
I don't want anybody here.
I told you to leave!
And now!
I' m a good cowhand.
I' m a good cowhand.
I can do anything.
Maybe...
Are these your men?
That's all?
And the dog.
I' ll do any job.
How much do you charge?
My usual.
One calf of each four born.
A quarter's fine.
You can stay.
Let's go, girl!
Spotty...you' ll grow,
my lovely!
100,000 r?is per head.
Isn't that fair?
The boss says
it's 100,000 per head.
The money will do to settle
accounts with the boss.
We' ll buy the leather for
the bed with what's left over,
just like Tom?s's.
We could spend less.
Yes. We' ll spend less.
We' ll sleep in a leather bed.
We' ll be real dandies!
Do you want to settle today?
How much do I owe you?
Well...I mean...
Get the book.
It's on top of the desk.
Sorry, but that's not
quite enough.
No, it's right.
What my wife said is more.
There must be some mistake.
It's the interest.
Haven't I been lending you money
all year?
There's no mistake.
My wife knows her business.
She knows accounts.
That's not enough.
Here's your pay.
There's no more.
This isn't right!
I' m no slave!
There are no slaves here.
Take your money.
Otherwise,
look for work elsewhere.
I don't employ
impertinent upstarts!
No need for arguments.
Sorry, I didn't mean it.
It was my wife's fault, Boss.
I can't read.
She told me, it was that.
And I believed her.
All right, Fabiano.
Get to work.
But I won't fall for it again.
Sorry, sir.
I tell you Manezinho's wife
betrayed him.
I tried her,
but she wouldn't.
Do you have the tax form?
You have to pay taxes,
you know.
Never heard of taxes.
Is this pig yours?
Is it for sale?
Then you must pay taxes.
But that's not a pig.
It's a bit of a pig.
If you sell, you pay tax,
you trickster!
You offend me!
Sorry. I thought I could just
sell off my belongings.
I didn't know about no taxes.
Well, now you know.
I didn't know the Town Hall
owned part of my pig.
But as you said, it's over.
I' ll give the meat to my family.
Can I eat the meat?
Can l, or not?
Stop gabbing and go home!
Come on!
Don't dirty your clothes.
Give me one.
How much?
400 r?is.
Why do you
water it all down?
See you later.
The party' ll be good?
Shall we play a hand inside?
Yes or no.
Let's see.
Go away...There's people here.
Sit down.
Take another.
Give another.
Give another.
What's the card?
Turn it over.
- Whose turn?
- Wait a minute.
Hold on, mister.
You have no right
to harass the law-abiding.
Back off,
you low-down critter!
That's no way
to treat your partners,
to turn away and leave.
Is it my fault you threw in
all your belongings?
That's bad manners.
Please take your foot away.
Son of a bitch!
Mummy, where's Baleia?
I don't know.
Has Baleia come back?
Neither has Father.
He resisted arrest and insulted
me in front of everybody.
He must learn not to poke fun
at the authorities.
Hand over the civilian.
Shut up!
Bastard!
Scum of the earth!
Where's Baleia, Mum?
She's disappeared.
Disappeared?
- Anyone home?
- Coming!
What can I do for you?
Tell the vicar
I need to talk to him.
- Your blessing, Father.
- God bless you.
Tell the doctor
I've come for my godson.
What are you doing here,
Fabiano?
Nothing,
he's getting better.
Send him away.
Get on.
I can walk.
The captain pays well.
Going farther?
St. Ilifonso, as I sew...
make flesh and bones regrow.
Hear my plea three times o'er!
To hell with you!
May God bless you.
Mum, what's hell?
It's a horrible place.
How horrible?
Put your foot here.
Out!
Father, what's hell?
What?
Hell.
It's where the damned go.
Fires and red-hot pokers.
Have you been there?
Baleia...
Hell...
Hot pokers...
Hell...
Horrible place...
Hell...
Horrible place...
Horrible place...
The damned...
With hot pokers.
With hot pokers.
Hell...
Miserable wretched life!
Working like a dog!
And what for?
Not even enough to eat.
Imagine! You earn a pittance
and lose it all gambling!
All I needed.
It's all drying up.
Devils...Hot pokers...
I want to die
and get it over with.
We' ll never have a real bed.
We were saving up.
We'd bought the leather
and the wood.
All you do is talk.
I want to see something...
I want to see!
There was money.
Who works here?
It is what it is.
It all went to gambling
and drink.
Cost less
than patent shoes.
Why expensive shoes?
To walk like a parrot?
A bad sign.
The desert will catch fire.
The sun sucks up the water
and that wretch takes the rest.
They want to kill the cattle.
They want to kill the cattle.
You drink the water...
And the cattle go thirsty
and die.
You kill the cattle.
It will catch fire.
No use waiting.
Rustle up the stragglers.
I' ll get the rest tomorrow
and settle up.
I want it all here
early tomorrow.
Go and find pasture.
We need to move tomorrow.
We can't.
We have to get the cattle.
We must move early
before the boss arrives.
Go get the orange cow' s calf.
It could be a long trip.
Baleia...
Let's find the calf.
How do we get to the road?
Which way?
The end of the trail,
to your right.
Come on, boy.
We got to go.
Baleia...
Let's go, Baleia.
Go play with Baleia.
Stay still there.
Come here.
He's going to kill Baleia!
He's going to kill Baleia!
Filthy varmint! Cry baby!
She's sick.
No use to anybody!
Baleia...
So where are we going?
Will we live
like we did before?
Maybe. Who knows?
Maybe yes, maybe no.
Maybe we' ll find
somewhere even better.
Why couldn't we be real people
one day?
People who sleep
in leather beds.
Why do we always
have to be wretched?
Running in the wild
like animals.
We could run like animals
like we've always done.
We have to walk
a long way.
But my sandals
are brand-new.
We can walk,
can't we?
Yes, we can.
You' re good for walking.
You' re strong.
You' re well.
You can walk a long way.
No matter.
I' ll just lose weight.
Down to the bone!
What are you thinking about?
Children don't think.
Them? A bit more
and they' ll put on weight.
They' ll be herding
the cattle.
Hard to imagine!
May Our Lady free them
from that misfortune.
Cow-herding?
There must be a place for us
in God's world.
Even just a poor plot of land.
As long as it gives
enough to eat all year.
The Virgin will help us
change our lives.
Nice land and plenty
of corn and beans.
More than enough
to bring up children on.
We' ll have a new life.
Without having to run after
cattle through scrub.
And then,
living in a big city.
So many things to see.
These eyes
have only seen misery.
The children will go to school
and learn.
Until they can read a book
and do arithmetic,
just like Master Tom?s.
Big dreams.
Master Tom?s knew a lot.
But when he started out
he never got there.
Did reading help him?
It didn't even get him
two leagues down the road.
Who goes running
in the scrub?
Hiding like an animal?
One day,
we' ll become real people.
We can't go on
living like animals,
hiding in the desert.
Can we?
No, we can't.
AND THE DESERT WOULD GO ON
FORClNG STRONG
BUT SlMPLE FOLK LlKE
FABlANO, VlT?RlA,
AND THE TWO CHlLDREN
TO THE ClTY.