Bora Bora (1968) - full transcript

[TIRES SCREECHING]

This is the beach.

[YAWNS]

Morning.

-Mrs. Ferris.
-Ferris, monsieur?

Margo Ferris, yes.

I'll check, monsieur.

MadameFerris checked out
over a month ago, monsieur.

Month ago?

Yes, monsieur.

She moved out
unexpectedly and left
no forwarding address.



I see.

Just moved out.

-Have you got a room?
-A bungalow is
vacant, monsieur.

It's a little more
expensive...

Ina. And more comfortable.

Please show this gentleman
to number 10.

-How long will you be here?
-Till tomorrow.

-Work here for long?
-Just a year.

Did you know the young
American lady who used
to live in this bungalow?

Yes, she was very kind.

Uh, did she say
where she was going?

Margo!

Like our museum?

Sure.



If you happen to like Gauguin.

Did you know
that in all Tahiti,

there isn't one
authentic Gauguin.

All reproductions.

Seems fair.
Everything in Tahiti is phony.

I don't understand
why people come here.

You will.

What don't you understand
about Tahiti?

Just Tahiti.

Explain why someone
who came here on vacation
wouldn't go back home?

-Like Gauguin.
-[CHUCKLES]

It's easy to explain.

We decided
we like living here.

[CHUCKLING]

Bravo!

But what exactly
was your reason?

-I like the Tahitians.
-Oh, yes?

You mean there wasn't
anybody you liked at home?

What's the enchantment
of these islands?

Don't expect to find
the answer to Tahiti
in a museum.

Get to know the Tahitians.

Maybe I'll just do that.

[WOMEN GIGGLING]

[NATIVE MUSIC PLAYING]

And, uh, where did
you come from?

I live in the bungalow
next to yours.
I saw you yesterday.

-Don't tell me
you're a tourist.
-No, no.

I'm the manager's daughter.

Can you dance?
Get up, I'll teach you.

Some other time.

-Are you an American?
-Yeah.

Do you remember a woman
in this bungalow last...

[GASPS] The one
that left so suddenly
for Moorea, that one?

That's right.

-Where is that?
-It's not far.

You can see it from here.

Many of the tourists
go there.

It's very pretty.

Wouldn't you like
to learn how to dance?

How do I book
passage for Moorea?

[PLAYING MUSIC]

[NATIVE MUSIC PLAYING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[MUSIC CONTINUES
PLAYING IN DISTANCE]

How are you?

Fine. And you?

Aren't you guarding those
phony Gauguins today?

Have you taken the advice
I gave you yet?

-What?
-To look for your answer
outside the museum.

Are you impressed
with Polynesia?

-Mmm?
-About as much as any tourist.

You're not a tourist
and you don't
like Polynesians.

You like to know what
my intuition tells me.

-Sure, tell me.
-You'll find her here.

No one disappears.
She may hide a while but...

-Who is she?
-A friend.

Is that what you tell people?

It's not good enough for you,
I take it.

For the moment, yes.

How 'bout a drink?
We can watch the finest
dance company in Moorea.

I can't get very excited about
grass skirts and tom toms.

It'll be a good three hours
until the boat comes.

I won't miss it this way.

Come on, I have a boat,
come back with me.

Thanks, I'm fine.
I'm perfectly happy to sit
and wait right here.

[CHUCKLES] I wouldn't
want you to have to
wait here alone

next to a load of bananas.

-Thanks for the ride.
-Where are you going?

The hotel.

Is your friend
anything like me?

Very much.

Well, then, let's be friends.

I wouldn't be very good
company right now.

Why don't I judge
your company?

Look here, maybe I can
spare you looking
all over these islands.

I'm willing to see what
my friends can do to help you.

How? You're friendly
with the natives?

[CHUCKLES] I'm friendly
with everybody.

Come on.

Sunset is the best
part of the day
for swimming.

The lagoon's warmer
and much nicer.

Why do you wear those
stupid Tahitian rags?

Part of the enchantment?

Well, somehow it gives
me a feeling of freedom
in the water.

And I like that feeling.

-Then why not just
swim in the nude?
-[CHUCKLES]

Good question.
I don't know.

What now?

I like a little privacy
when I'm making love.

You're pretty sure that I want
to make love to you.

All the men I know
enjoy it.

Better open the curtains
and watch the sunset.

It's the only pleasure
you'll get tonight.

[CHUCKLES]
The only one?

And besides, I don't think
I'm dark enough
to meet your standards.

You're wrong.

The climate can be
very surprising.

You people are very
quick to tan.

All right, I'll wait a bit.

You might feel like it
when you're relaxed.

Unfortunately, it takes
two to make love.

And you're already in love,

aren't you?

-With your wife.
-What wife?

Nobody'd be as anxious
as you are just to look
for an old friend.

I'll catch her.

What else are you
going to do,

assuming you do happen
to catch her?

Find out if this is
what she really wants.

If it is,
I'll let her go.

[CHUCKLES]

How middle class you are.

Perhaps something's
happened to your wife,

rather than what you think.

Why don't you just check
with the police in Papeete?

[CHUCKLING]

There's no reason
to involve the police.

She hasn't been hurt.

I don't know.

-Read it.
-No, you keep it.

I'd rather not know too much.

There isn't going
to be any bloodshed,
if that's what you think.

I just want to talk,
that's all.

And I want an explanation
pure and simple.

Explanation to what?

Your wife just became fiu.

Fiu?

It's a useful
word in Tahitian.

Fiumeans plenty.

She's had enough of you.

When a Tahitian says fiu
it means

that she's just not
interested any longer.

If you're going to try
to stop her, you'll be
wasting your time.

Margo is not a Tahitian.

A few more weeks
and she could be.

What name did you say?

You want me to
find out where she...

Margo.

-Just find out if she's...
-[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

I was right.

Nothing escapes
from Wei.

She's a Chinese friend
of mine who runs a bar
behind the pier.

Well, does she
supply Tahitians?

It took me only once
to find out that men
are no different.

Just ask your wife.

Your Chinese friend
know Margo?

You might find her at
Joel's tomorrow.

He's going to be
rehearsing his dancers.

It isn't for tourists,
but your wife might show up.

What for?

To see her lover, what else?

And he's very brown.

-Maybe you'd better explain!
-Why were you hoping
he'd be a white man?

Does it matter what
color her lover is?

You're lying.

Am I? Go ahead,
I want you to hit me actually.

[CHUCKLING]

You better find her
and take her back home,

otherwise your children
will have very dark skin.

-[SLAPS] You lying whore!
I ought to kill you!
-[CHUCKLING]

You don't want to kill anyone.
You're ready to make love now.

You're excited enough.

[CHUCKLES]

-Let me turn around.
-No, stay. You're perverted.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-How are you?
-Oh, fine, thank you, Joel.

Hold it!

[GRUNTS]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

[SHOUTING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

[MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]

Let's sit down.

Well, what's the matter?

Why do you want to find Margo?

To beat her again?

I won't anymore,

I love her too much for that.

Listen, you would be paid
for your information.

I really shouldn't say.
Really, I can't say.

I just want to talk to her.

Please, where can I find her?

With Manni.

Manni is her tane.

Meaning?

It means that he's her lover
on Bora-Bora.

-Oh, how do I get to this
Bora-Bora?
-WOMAN: By boat.

I'll tell you something else,
if you buy me a pair
of gold sandals.

I'll buy you as many
pairs as you like.

You'll find her at the pier
this afternoon.

ROBERT: Margo!

-Ticket please.
-I'll buy it onboard.

What do you want?

-I'm going to Bora-Bora.
-[BABY CRYING]

I want to see what
your lover looks like,
that all right?

-Robert go away.
-Why?

Because I don't love you.

Now, if it'll make you
feel any better,

then go ahead and hit me,
but remember the baby.

Will you let me explain?
I'm not here to hit you.

-Then what do you want?
-Nothing.

Can I speak to you?

Hold the boat I want to
speak with my tanebefore...

I'm not your tane!

You're still married,
in case you've forgot.

I'm not coming back.

All right, then just explain.

You'd only call me
a whore anyhow.

It's the word I believe.

-I didn't point it.
-Please, Robert, come on.

You haven't come thousands
of miles just to call me
names, have you?

Whore.

Come on, let's sit down.

You may not believe it,

but I'm not here
to soothe my pride,

I don't think I am anyhow.

I'm here just to see
why you've changed,
and you have.

No, I'm the same woman.

-And I'm not what you think.
-What I think?

You don't care
what I think.

You'll hop into anyone's bed.

Even with a Polynesian.

I'm not fighting it.
Go on, go on back to him.

-That kid belong to you?
-Yes.

Well, well, if it isn't
my Polynesian loving friend.

You've got lots
of friends, I see.

Plenty.

I wasn't sure that
we'd be able to meet
each other this week.

Did I forget to tell you,
that you were right about her.

You were right,

about those colored children.

-You found your wife then?
-At the pier, yeah.

But she's back in the island
with her taneby now.

The part I don't get is
that kid she was carrying.

Well, I mean, the kid couldn't
really be hers, she's been
here for only three months.

Could it?

The reason I ask is 'cause
no one's an expert on
Polynesians like you are.

Hell, the Polynesians
aren't that prolific.

-Anyway, there's the pill.
-Ah, the pill, you're right.

[CHUCKLES] I was starting
to think that these Tahitians
were so powerful that, uh...

You know, it, uh,
doesn't work.

You know, there are women
on the island

who are willing to
console you for the night.

I've got one
picked out already.

The brown one
sitting at the bar.

She'll be my souvenir
of Tahiti.

You better be careful,
she might decide to
give you something else.

A souvenir you don't want.
[CHUCKLES]

[LAUGHING] Yeah,
it'll be my luck.

Deserted and contaminated.

I shall be
extremely careful.

I'll be all right.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHING]

Sorry. I brought
your partner back for you.

Dance.

I thought you like
these native dances.

Get closer.
Break her down.

Go on, touch her.

Kiss her. [CHUCKLING]

She looks about ready.

[LAUGHING]

[BOTH LAUGHING]

What are you laughing at?

You hypocrite.

-What did you say?
-Hypocrite.
That's what I said.

You use these natives like
some men use pornography.

It's the way you
excite yourself.

[CHUCKLES] You let a brown
get you hot, then you go
and get a white man.

-Why don't you shut up.
-Oh, she's getting nasty.

Now what?
I suppose you're
going to slap me.

I might hit you back.

In place of going to Bora-Bora
and hitting your wife,
is that it?

Oh, I'll go.
I'm going don't worry.

Yeah, but not for that,
I'm going to take her back.

At first I was going to
leave her here to rot,

because I thought
she was like you.

Sitting in a bar,
it's very easy
to be optimistic.

But the minute you see
your wife's Tahitian lover,
you'll change your mind.

No, you're wrong. Because I
respect Margo for her courage.

That's more than you've got.

She went out to do what
you only think about.

Because you wouldn't
dirty your pretty hands.

She's only been here
for three months,

she wouldn't have changed.

They change, believe me.
Faster than a man will.

A woman in Tahiti
can change overnight
as you'll soon learn.

Heh, I'll let you know
how wrong you are,

if I ever see you again.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

That's Bora-Bora.
We'll be landing in a minute.

How do I get to the village?

PILOT: Well, your best
bet is to take
the boat to Vaitape.

It's the largest
island in this group.

[MAN PLAYING GUITAR]

We'll dock at Vaitape
in 15 minutes.

You have any idea how
large the village is?

Oh, it's quite big.
It has its own church.

-Why are you looking
for someone special?
-Yes.

Know anyone called Manni?

Yes, oui.It's a common name.

His woman is an American.

The only American woman I know
around here is named Margo,

but she doesn't
live on Vaitape.

You know where?

Oh, she lives on Fatu Hiva.

There are two villages
on the island, try the one
with the football field.

You a tourist?

No.

Is Manni with them?

Manni?
No, Manni's not here today.

Are you here looking for
Margo by any chance?

Yes, you know her?

Everyone knows Margo
here on Bora-Bora.

Paul, come here a minute.

This is Margo's white tane.

-I'm her brother.
-That right?

And where would I find your
sister? She in this village?

Our village is behind
that mountain.

We live in Punta Matea.

We'll take you there
with the pirogue.

That's very nice,
but I'd rather go alone.

-It's a long walk.
-And Margo's not back.
She went to Tahiti.

Manni go with her?

No, my brother is still
in the village.

That's quite a village
you have here.

Everyone's related
to everyone.

How did you manage
to get here early?

You should have
listened to me.
It's faster in a pirogue.

-Are you Manni?
-Right.

You're early.
Margo hasn't returned home.

[CHUCKLES] Hasn't returned
to this island, you mean?

That's right.

You said home.

You don't mind if I wait?

-I'd like to surprise
our vahine.
-Then wait.

Did you come to take her away?

-That's right.
-Margo has already
chosen her life.

-Are you sure of that?
-Yes.

Suppose we talk alone.

MANNI: We can talk here.

Leave us.

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

I saw Margo in Tahiti.

Yes, she goes there often,

to visit the stores
and to dance.

And to visit with
her friend Joel.

And you aren't jealous
of Joel?

No, because there's
no reason to be.

You know what she did
when I found her in Tahiti?

No, but she's free to
do as she pleases.

Then you won't care
that she was with me.

[CHUCKLES] It's possible.

Oh, she was.

We spent the night making
love in my hotel.

It's possible, only it doesn't
mean she's leaving me for you.

How do you know?

You would have
stayed in Tahiti,

instead you're here
on this island.

-Why?
-[CHUCKLES]

Haven't you heard? Progress
has hit these islands.

You can save a whole day
by plane or take the boat.

None of your business.

Anyway, what's the hurry?

Oh, that's right. I forgot.

No reason to rush anymore.

Happy and tranquil.
That it? Did I get it right?

What did you think you'd
gain by telling Manni
that stupid story?

Oh, I don't know.
Mostly, I wanted
to see his reaction.

He said you were
free and wasn't
jealous or anything.

But he did check with you.

What do you want, Robert?

Nothing.

I know you too well.

No, you're mistaken.

You know, last night
in Papeete,

I sat in a bar and thought
about leaving
you here to rot forever.

A strange thing happened.

I met this woman who I was
convinced was made from
the same mold as you are.

A nympho.

When I wrote, I knew what
you'd think about me.

You were right.

Until I saw you at
the pier yesterday.

But I think a lot
differently now.

Know why?

Because I realized it
took guts to leave
everything behind.

Another one of your tricks?

[CHUCKLES] Maybe you're right.

You might not believe this,

but it would've taken
more courage to stay.

It's no one's fault.

I wanted you to know
that I understood.

You've made your decision.

That's right. I have.

Don't try to take
me back, Robert.

The only reason I'm here is to
spend a few days in Bora-Bora.

And what's the point of that?

Hmm. No point.

I'll cause no trouble.

Don't worry,
I won't get in your way.

And besides, it's too
late to be jealous.

[INDISTINCT TALKING]

You, um... You were
a dancer once.

All of us on the islands
know how to dance.

ROBERT: Huh, what
made you give it up?

Oh, I suppose
I was tired of it.

And then, true they say that
all men return to place
where they were born.

Me, I'll die here
as a fisherman.

Any money in it?

You see I have
everything I need.

And are you missing anything?

No.

Margo loves Manni.

It's better than a fairytale.

The beautiful princess
goes to a desert island.

Sees the poor but honest
fisherman, they fall in love

and lived happily ever after.

On coconuts and bananas.

Let's go, Manni.

It's early.
Where are you going?

To sleep.

It's late and I'm tired.

And I think you should
go to sleep too.

You're drunk.

I imagine you're taking
the noble savage with
you to make primitive love.

While I'm here, you're not
gonna rub my nose in
your nauseating affair.

Don't hurt him.
He's jealous, that's all.

Some men are just born fools.
Some black and some are white.

Go home, Manni.

I'll sleep in the guest
hut tonight.

I'll show you where
you will sleep.

Margo, you do that.

Come on.

This one's already taken.

So is this.

Don't worry about me.

I can sleep on the beach.

You can use this one.

Uh, what about room service?

Can I order anything I want?

What's the rush?

Why don't you come in
and keep me company
for a while.

That's not funny. I want you
to leave tomorrow, Robert.

[CHUCKLES]

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR SHUTS]

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

Are you a guest here?
Or part of Manni's family?

We're cousins, yes,
but I don't live here.

I'm just visiting.

I'm going home tomorrow.

So you're just here enjoying
a family reunion, is that it?

GIRL: I also came to see you.

ROBERT: I see.

How old are you?

GIRL: Fifteen.

-ROBERT: Still a virgin?
-Yes.

Why'd you come then?

GIRL: I want you to
be my tane.

And you don't care if anyone
knows or hears this?

Your friend might.

But that doesn't matter very
much around here, does it?

You make love anytime
you like in Bora-Bora.

And with anyone you like.

No, no one else.

I think they're another one
of those Polynesian legends
I keep hearing.

Oh, you think so.

I've seen men go out fishing
in weather like this,

get caught in sudden squalls
outside the reef.

No one who's fallen
out of their pirogue
has ever come back.

[CHUCKLES] That would be
a great way for a man
to dump his old girlfriends.

Of course it couldn't
happen to you, could it?

I'd make sure that I stayed
inside the lagoon.

But suppose someone
threw you in outside the reef.

Why don't you have your lunch?

Robert, tell me why
you came here?

But this time the real reason.

Come on,
you know why I'm here.

I want you to see that what
you're doing is wrong.

No, not for me.

I'm not going back
with you, Robert.

Open your eyes
and look around.

So far,
it's been a big adventure.

You don't belong here.

You're living with a bunch
of savages with
cock-eyed moral values.

Because they're different
that makes it wrong?

They're honest unlike
some of the people I know.

You don't think their
values are cock-eyed.

You know who I
spent the night with?

A 15-year-old girl they sent
to me to keep me happy.

A virgin too, I'm told.

Nothing wrong with that?

As I recall we were about
14 when we started.

Or did you forget?

And then, after a year or so
of marriage,

we were bored with the ways
that were normal.

What are you saying?
That we were perverted?

No. But don't you remember
getting into bed at nights.

How we had to sweat, hours,

and only because it no longer
seemed very interesting.

Hey, I'm not impotent!

And I'm not frigid either,

but I might just
as well have been.

And here you're not,
is that it?

So, that's the reason.

All right.

Do what you want.

Stay here and rot if you want.

You think I'm nothing
but a whore, Robert.

But for the first
time in my life,
making love is beautiful.

The way I've always
known it should be.

It's funny hearing what
sex should be like...

You... From you.

Yes, from me. Now, go away.

Yes, all right, I'll go away.

But first I wanna know
more about this place,
its appeal.

Especially to you, all right.
Will you explain it to me?

Yes, yes.

I want you to show
it to me, all right?

Yes, I'll show you around,
but that's all.

-Tired?
-[CHUCKLING]

-MARGO: You're slowing down.
-ROBERT: Where are we going?

MARGO: Mount Hero, you can see
the whole island from there.

How'd you get
involved with Manni?

I don't know.
How does anyone get involved?

Don't wanna tell me?

There isn't anything to tell.
We met and liked each other.
That's all.

You were still married
or doesn't that count here?

Robert, what's
the point to this?

-When did you first meet him?
-What's the difference?

Two or three weeks
after I arrived.

-Where?
-At one of Joel's
dance rehearsals.

You slapped me there,
remember?

-Go on.
-It's hard to remember.

I didn't even notice
him right away.

Until?

Until he started to dance.

He picked out a woman,
she was a Polynesian.

Maybe it's crazy, but all I
wanted was to be in her place.

Perhaps a man can't
understand, but I envied her.

I kept hoping Manni
would look at me.

And finally he did.

And then he took
me into a hut.

Please don't do this, Robert.
Please.

It won't make any difference
in the way I feel.

Robert.

[PRIEST TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

[IN LOW VOICE] Tehina.
Hey, Tehina.

-Where's Margo?
-Wait by the door.

[INDISTINCT TALK]

I know where Margo is.

-Where? Oh.
-I'll go with you.

-I could find...
-I'll show you the way.

[STARTS JEEP]

TEHINA: Why do you
want to see her?

ROBERT: To say goodbye.
I'm going back
to the States tomorrow.

TEHINA: I never see
Margo at church.

ROBERT: Did you expect to?

TEHINA: Well, I heard
she was Catholic,

but every Sunday morning she
goes to the beach with Manni.

You didn't know that, did you?

ROBERT: You can pray
anywhere, I suppose.

TEHINA: I don't think
they go there to pray.

ROBERT: I was just kidding.

TEHINA: She likes to
make love in the open.

She told me once that
it's better that way.

It makes her feel free.

ROBERT: Have you ever
seen them making love?

TEHINA: No. Why should
I watch them making love?

When I enjoy something
I'd rather do it than
watch it being done.

I know a deserted beach not
far from here. Would you like
to go there with me?

ROBERT: No,
I want to see Margo.

You know what
you're going to see.

Why bother?

It's funny watching them
load the pirogue.

You remember,
how we'd take the car

to shop every
Saturday morning.

-This is Bora-Bora.
-I know.

But, uh, don't you
miss it sometimes.

No.

Maybe you're right.

It's funny, just last night
I was thinking about how
easy life is here.

Doesn't take much money.

A man could come here, retire.

I mean, he could build
a house right out there.

And why should anyone
want to do that?

Or are you being funny again?

No, it's just that I was
thinking about getting
back to nature.

I could live with Tehina.

Or I could even live as
a hermit, for a while anyway.

Go ahead, do what you want.
You'll be tired of it
soon and you'll go.

I'll buy myself a boat

and once every week I'll use
it to come and visit you.

There's no need to visit me.

You think I'm a lousy lover.

I want a chance
to prove I'm not.

Of course I don't
compare with him.

Hey, what do you want
for this one?

-Come on.
-No.

[SIGHS]

[SPLASHES]

Am I wrong,
or is that man a waiter?

Yes, the hotel.
Mingling with lower classes.

[CHUCKLES] In Tahiti,
we don't believe
in class distinction.

And anyway,
he's a cousin of Malise.

Hello, again.

For all I know,
he's my cousin, too.

He could be.
He's almost as white as me.

You really ought
to reconsider, you know.

The brown ones
aren't too bad.

So, you found one?

I brought mine here
shopping today,

just like a regular
Saturday at home.

Come on,
I'll introduce you.

And how about the poor wife
you were going to rescue?

-I gather you gave that up.
-Right.

No more point to it.

You know what they say,
don't you?

-When in Polynesia...
-[SCOFFS] You don't look
the type to go native.

Well, we'll see.
The one wearing
the muumuu over there.

They're much cleaner
in Bora-Bora.

Or else, you've become
a little dirtier.

I've got to get back now,
look after my house.

I'm having my wife's lover
build it for me.

ROBERT:
How's the house coming?

MANNI: I just hired
some extra women.

Oh, are they the ones
in the pirogue? Hi.

-[CHUCKLES]
-You get here later
every morning now.

Got no reason to get up early.

Besides, I've learned
how to relax.

You mustn't be too relaxed.

You ought to be here
to watch them building
your house.

[CHUCKLES] But Bora
has one thing. Manni.

You're better than Manni
at making decisions.

You've managed to solve
all the problems, so far.

Just build it as though
you were going to
live in it too.

Is that what you're expecting?

No.

Not really.

[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]

Ha, this has got to be
the roof.

I hope it doesn't rain
too much.

I want these torn down.

The only house in this island
is going to be mine.

And that's it.

MAN: Poipoi.

Hello, Phillip.

When's it going
to be finished?

Not long.
A week, a month.

What, five months?

Look, Manni.
I would like to live
in this house,

-before I get to be
an old man.
-I know.

If you showed more interest,
maybe they'd work harder.

[LAUGHS ] All right.

Which problem
shall I tackle today?

Well, first, I think that
little room on the right
ought to be enlarged.

What, kitchen?
It's big enough.

It's big enough
for a kitchen.

But that room
ought to be the bedroom.

Is that so? Why?

I'll show you, Robert.

Where do you set the bed
in here?

I don't know, ask Tehina.

-She'll know
about these things.
-No, she won't.

Well, she's the one
who's going to sleep in it.
[CALLS] Tehina!

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

-Your bed's
going to face north.
-So?

You once had a fit
because I had it set wrong.

Oh, I'm not as
demanding anymore.

Darling, Margo thinks
we should change the bedroom.

That has to be the bedroom.

Because, then each morning
I'll awake and face the ocean.

MARGO: Tehina, you have to
consider the weather.

The wind will blow
the rain in.
It'll come off the roof.

No, it doesn't matter
as long as I face the ocean.

This is women's talk, brother.

You two decide,
I want everyone
to be happy.

I wish I could live
with both of you.

Guess that's impossible,
eh, Manni?

MARGO: Manni?

-Manni, it's getting late,
we'd better leave.
-ROBERT: Why so soon?

You've never tried to
cross the coral reefs in
the dark or you'd know why.

Remember the sharks
we talked about?

Oh, I'll run you back
in the motorboat.

No, thanks,
we'll go in the pirogue.

Besides, it's out of your way.

Margo, what's wrong?

It's not normal.
I don't belong here.

No more than you.

Does it matter what's normal
as long as you're happy?

-Happy living with Manni?
-Yes. And you?

Do you mean with Tehina?

I'd prefer living
with someone I love.

Were you ever in love?

I never stopped
being in love with you,
and you know it.

It's getting dark
we'd better leave, Robert.

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

[CHUCKLES]

If you get here
this late every day,

you're never
going to finish my house.

You especially.

Without you here,
nothing ever seems
to get done.

[CHUCKLES]

Really? How about her?
What's her problem?

Tehina, how about it?
Why don't you help out?

A Vahinecan't work
on her own house.
It's taboo.

Then why come out every day?

I'll stay where I want.
I like it here.

[CHUCKLES]

[HAMMERING]

I'd like to enlarge this.

What? The pilings
have already been sunk.

-Then pull them out
and sink them again.
-Start over?

You either do it properly
in the beginning,

or you'll keep doing it
till it's right.

What's wrong?
Where are you going?

-Fiu.
-MARGO: Let him go.

We'll get along.

Don't try to stop him, Robert.
He's fiu.

The men get fiutoo, you mean.
I thought women
were the only ones.

Oh, no.
Men, too.

Too bad.
He was our best carpenter.

Listen. Can you take
Margo away from here
for a while?

-Why?
-Something's
bothering her today.

She's upsetting everyone.

Pretty.

I think you'd better
start taking more interest
in your house.

Next week,
Manni and I
are leaving for Tuamotu.

Why, what for?

The men are going to fish
for a mother of pearl.

For three months.

Then why are you?

You're fishing
for mother of pearl?

The men always
take their women.

Someone has to cook,
and sew, and help the men
repair the nets.

All undertakings
which you neither qualify
nor want to do.

Is that why you've been
so nervous?

No.

You'll probably
take it all wrong,

but that's not the reason
I've been nervous.

Go on.

It's because
I'm not going to be here
to finish your house,

and it worries me.

Is it leaving the house,
or me?

Let's go back.

-Hang this on your wall.
It's good luck.
-Thanks.

Here, let's drink
to your trip.

I'll drink it later.

ROBERT: Here's to your
cooking and sewing.

MARGO: Aren't you going back
to the hotel tonight?

ROBERT:
We're spending the night here.
See you tomorrow.

[WATER SPLASHES]

[CHUCKLES] There.
You see how easy
it is to be white.

ROBERT:
Well, we're making
progress, I see.

MAN: It will be finished.

[HAMMERING]

-You're late.
-I know.

Where's Tehina?
Isn't she coming?

She'll be here tomorrow.

-She slept late again.
-It's not funny.
That woman's lazy.

[CHUCKLES]

Robert!

I'm tired, let's go.

TEHINA: Robert.

All right.

MARGO:
We're having a party
in the village tomorrow

to celebrate the fishing trip.

You'll be there, won't you?

ROBERT: Maybe. I don't know.

Tehina's been
in a strange mood this week.

She doesn't even want
to leave the hotel.

MARGO: How would you like
an extra passenger?

I need a ride to your island
this morning, Robert.

ROBERT:
I wouldn't want to leave
my foreman behind.

Isn't Manni coming
this morning?

The fishing nets
need repairing.

Oh, yes, that's right.
Mother of pearl.

May as well go.

Aren't you waiting for Tehina?

No. She won't be
going with us.

She's busy with someone.

-You mean, she...
-She left me.

She decided last night.

She's going to live
with a fellow named Turita.

You know how women are like.
The fiu,they're for you.

I tried to tell her
that the island
can hold us all,

boyfriend included.

All live together, you mean?

It might work out.

Living alone on a stretch
of sandy beach
gets very depressing.

Then why go back?

I might as well. It's home.

And it's beautiful.

The prettiest island
in Polynesia.

Let it go for once.

I could.

But... [GRUNTS]

It's a habit now.

I'm used to going out
every morning.

You thinking about Tehina?

No. If it's over, it's over.

I was just thinking...

How quickly they become fiu.

[SIGHS] You'll find someone.

I suppose.

I'll be in tomorrow.

Maybe I'll even
ask you to help me.

You know my tastes.

Oh, I forgot,
you're busy with Manni.

You'll be leaving
on your fishing trip.

When is that? Tomorrow?

Too bad.

I forgot about that.

It's all right. I'll manage.

He must be quite a lover.

At least, he's made
you happy.

More than me.

[EXHALES]

It's getting late.
I'd better take you home.

Why don't I stay
on the island
with you, tonight?

That's really a home
over there.

You're the one who built it.

How will I ever know
if I did a good job for you,

unless I spend
the night here?

Where do we sleep?

There's no bed.

The Polynesians go out
to gather straw.

It makes a very soft bed.

[RAIN POURING]

[WIND HOWLING]

MANNI: Margo!

Margo.

[CHUCKLES]

I haven't seen Margo.

Didn't she come
with you this morning?

ROBERT: None of the workmen
have shown up either.

Maybe that storm
held them back.

Never mind.

I suppose you're right.

Might as well
explain it to him.

I spent the night.

MANNI: I know.

I couldn't come out for you
in the pirogue.

-It would have broken in two.
-It doesn't matter.

Because I wouldn't have
gone back with you, Manni.

She's come back to me.
That's why
she spent the night.

Is it true?

MARGO: It's true.

I didn't try
to fall back in love.

But I think I knew
it would happen.

Manni, I do love him.

I never thought that
Robert could prove to me

that he could be a lover
as well as a husband.

But now, I have proof.

You're staying with me.

MARGO: No.

-MANNI: Get into the pirogue.
-MARGO: Please, Manni, don't.
Robert.

You've got to try
to explain it.
Manni deserves that.

Explaining it
won't help anything.

But it will, Margo.

Manni has to understand.

Margo, go on.

The simplest explanation
is fiu.
We're fiu. Go away.

Just a minute.

It's not easy for a man
to lose everything.

-I know.
-What does he want?

Manni's very proud.
It's not going to be easy
back in the village.

So, it won't be easy.

Why should you care?

Because, unless he knows
why it's over...

He'll try to win you back.

What's past is past.
It's over and Manni knows it.

I knew it too.

I still tried and won.

I'll explain it.

Will that do?

You've got to give Manni
the same chance you gave me.

MARGO: You can't be serious.

You want him
to make love to me?

You're mad, you know that?

All right, Manni.
I think you understand.

I've got to know.

So do I.

-Go to her, Manni.
-Robert, you stand to lose.

I know it better than you.

Fine. When it's over,
one man has to leave.

I'll win.

No, you won't, Manni.

That's why
I'm willing to gamble.
We'll see.

How will you feel
if you gamble and lose?

All right, come in.
See who wins.

[INAUDIBLE WHISPER]

[STRUGGLES]

[GROANS]

[GROANS]

[MOANS]

[GROANS]

[ROBERT GROANS]

Manni, Manni!
You must kill him.
I'm yours now.

[GROANS IN PAIN]

No, don't.

He's yours to kill, Margo.

[CLATTERS]

It was a foolish gamble
you took, Robert, but you won.

No one won anything.

You weren't afraid.

I'm glad you weren't.

Because, if you had begged...

I would have let him kill you.

As soon as he touched me,
all I could think about
was Manni.

It didn't matter
which of you won or lost.

Ten minutes ago,
I thought that
I could love anyone.

Anyone at all, in bed.

Still want me back?

I do, yes.

You might regret this.
Maybe I'll change, Robert,

but maybe it's too late
for me now.

I want to be
very honest about this.

If I find I can't live
with myself anymore,

then I don't want to live.

Take me home.

It won't be very easy
but let's try.

Take the boat
around at the dock.

[FIRE CRACKLES]

[ENGINE STARTS]