Brightness (1987) - full transcript

Ciss? Film
presents

Heat

gives fire

and the two worlds, earth
and sky, exist through light.

LIGHT

For the Bambara, the Komo
is the incarnation

of divine wisdom.

Its teaching is based on the knowledge
of "signs", times and worlds.

It embraces all the fields of life
and knowledge.

The Kor? is the seventh and last
initiation society of the Bambara.

Its symbol is the sacred vulture
"Mawla Duga",



bird of vast hunting spaces, of war,
of knowledge and of death.

Its emblem is a wooden horse,

symbol of human diligence;

its scepter is a plank with wide holes,
called Kor? "Kaman"

or Wing of the Kor?.

The "Kolonkalanni" or magic post

helps to find whatever has been lost,
and to find and punish bandits,

thieves, criminals,
traitors and betrayers.

The Wing of the Kor? and the magic post
have been used in Mali

for thousands of years.

Oh, Mari, to succeed, one
must know how to betray.

To you, from whom no one
can hide,

I sacrifice
this chicken.

Let me catch Nyanankoro,
wherever he is.



If he is hiding in the distant
brush, burn it.

Dry the lakes, strip the trees,
so I can search them.

Destroy all,
and give me Nyanankoro.

Almighty Mari,
god of the brush,

Accept this chicken
and find Nyanankoro for me.

Level the skies, that I
may search through them.

Break the sky, break the earth,

destroy towns and buildings,
find Nianankoro for me.

May men and women see him
in my hands.

Rip him from heaven or earth
and give him to me.

Break the sky, break the earth,
be their master!

Make the heavens tremble!
Shake the earth!

Destroy the land,
grow a sacred wood there.

I see Uncle Bafing
coming with his post.

Mother!

It's done.

But I dislike
what I saw.

What you saw worries you?

Son, what did I tell you?

My father is coming...

following his post.

He's only 2 villages away.

Wherever we go,
he'll find us.

My son,

your father is a terror.

You don't know him, but I do.

No one can withstand
his magic poison.

I know him.
You are different.

I braved fearsome forests,

suffered dire humiliations
to save you.

But I am worried.

Mother,

let's stop this talk.

I'm a man now.
I'll deal with it.

You make me laugh. You can't
vie with your father.

He is a terror.

It'd be like preparing
your own shroud.

In one stroke,
he'd reduce you to ashes.

He's a terror.
Enough talk. Let's go.

Let's leave this land for good.

I can't run away.

Don't say that. A mother
just wants her son to be happy.

Let's go.
We've suffered enough.

If my father didn't want me,
why did he marry you?

Ah, my son!

Such talk puts a curse on you.

Pardonne-moi.
Forgive me.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

Why speak
of your father and me?

Didn't he marry me
to father you?

There is no birth
without marriage.

Only a cursed son talks
of his parents' ties.

I wish I'd never heard
those words from you.

Will you ever amount to something?

That's what your father feared.

My fleeing will have been

as useless as my
sacrifices and suffering.

Mother,

forgive me.

I didn't mean to offend you.

My child,

I gladly forgive you.

For 10 years we've fled
and found no refuge.

You're my only comfort.

Naturally you'd like to know why
your father wants you dead.

I rely on your wisdom.

What must I do now?

My son, your words gladden me.

Follow my advice.

I shall give you a fetish.

Wear it at your neck

and keep it on
night and day.

I entrust you
with another fetish.

Deliver it to Djigui
beyond the Peul country.

Djigui is your paternal uncle.

I will go to Mand?

to ask help
of the griot Kouyat?.

If Djeli Kouyat? could
reconcile you with your father,

I would be the happiest
of mothers.

Mari, magic post!
Smash the door!

If Nyanankoro is
in this house,

break down the door.

Deliver that cur to me!

If he is hiding
in the 7 heavens, find him!

Wherever he is,
give me Nyanankoro!

Almighty and omniscient Mari,
seek him!

If he is hiding deep
in the 7 earths, find him!

Nyanankoro, get up.

Here is the object
you will give to Djigui

on my behalf.

Go,

and give your uncle
my greetings.

God of the savannahs!

God of the sands,
god of the rocks,

search the plains
and the mountains!

Almighty Mari,

dry up the ponds!

From the earth or the sky,
may he emerge for all to see,

oh magic post!

Soma!

You here, today?

Sit down.

Welcome.

How is your family?

All are well.

Where are you going?

Tell the village chief
that I must

pass through with my magic post.

I'll tell him.

Chief of the village!
Soma and his companions.

Greet them!

A hyena in broad daylight!
An ill omen!

Indeed!
How are all of yours?

They all greet you.
What's going on?

Nothing irreparable. But my
presence is a bad sign.

My son Nyanankoro...

The ancestral fetishes,
the secrets of Bambara lore,

he has taken them
and fled the country.

Did he come through here?

Yes, with his mother.

Which way did they go?

Where does a loose goat go?

I'll find him
wherever he goes!

Even at the bottom of an anthill,
I'll find him and kill him!

Up, magic post!
Let's go after him!

Have a good journey.

Mari, almighty god,
omniscient god,

search the plains
and the mountains!

Nyanankoro!

Your road will be good,

your destination happy.

Nyanankoro,
your future is auspicious,

your life will be radiant,

your end luminous!

A thief!
After him!

- Where is he?
- I don't know!

' He got away?
' He's gone!

Catch him!

Find him!
He mustn't get away!

Grab him!

Tie him up!

Do you hear
this forlorn creature?

Goddess of the waters!

Do you hear me, mother of mothers?

Do you hear this helpless mother?

Save my son!
Keep him from harm.

Save this land from ruin!

Don't let weeds overgrow
the house of the Diarra.

Here is milk. Drink.

Drink!

This thief came to steal
our livestock.

We should cut off his head.

- Does he understand Peul?
- No.

Gueladjo! Translate.

Because you came here to steal,
we'll cut your throat.

Cut my throat?

None of you can do that.

You don't know me.

I was distracted,
or I'd have killed you all.

He says no one

has the power to kill him.
If he didn't pity us,

he'd kill us instantly!

What's happened, Bama?

I was guarding the village
with the others.

Warriors attacked us.
Only I survived.

Do something,
or they'll destroy the village.

Did you hear?

You may go.

What do you think?

The young stranger

says he has special powers.

Let's consult him

and see if he can help us.

That's my advice.

I understand.

Gueladjo, ask him his name.

The king wants to know your name.

Nyanankoro.

He says it's Nyanankoro.

Nyanankoro, come here.

Tell him to free
the warrior he bewitched.

Young man, come here.

Sit down.

Ask him to help us
fight the enemies

attacking our country.

He must do his utmost.

I understand what the king wants.

It will not be easy.

Bring me
a horse's right leg-bone...

and I'll do...

what I can.

Toufando!

Find that leg-bone.

- Where?
- Behind the pastures.

Bees!

Bees are after us!

Fire!

Victory!

What's happened?

The bees routed
the enemy,

and aided by fire

we've won!

This is a great day,

a joyous day.

Thank you, young man.

You succeeded fully.

Come.

Sit beside me.

Your work

was a triumph.

Thank you.

King, I wish to leave now.

Stay with me, friend.

I'll give you a wife,
you'll be like a son to me.

Duty calls me elsewhere.

When my mission ends,
I'll return.

Then I'll accept.

I understand, young Bambara.

DO me one more favor.

It's my youngest wife:

She is barren.

Do whatever is in your power
to help her give me a son.

A difficult task.

I'm not sure I can do it.

Please.

I'll try.

I greet you, King!

Here is fresh milk.

Drink, Nyanankoro.

You sent for me?

This man will try
to cure you.

He'll talk to you.

Nyanankoro,
explain it.

Your lord asked me
to cure you.

But it's a delicate task.

He says
the treatment will be difficult.

What do you think, Attou?

I am in your hands.

Go get ready.

Nyanankoro,
you will leave tomorrow.

Mari of the sands,
Mari of the rocks,

dry up the lakes,
that I may rake their beds!

I, Soma, summon you.

I seek Nyanankoro.

Today I shall immolate

an albino man and a red dog
for my magic post.

After this sacrifice,
my magic poison

will kill Nanankoro
so all may see!

God of the bush,
almighty Mari.

God of the bush,
almighty Mari.

Here.

Eat.

Good evening.

Glory to you, King.

What has happened?

Young man,

what has happened?

King, I must speak to you.

Leave us alone.

Speak.

I have offended you.

For redeeming the honor
of the Bambara,

I merit death,

for I violated the laws
of my country.

I have not come to ask mercy

but rather death by your hand.

What is wrong?
Speak!

Kin?"

in the name of the gods,

of the sacred woods,

of the ancestors,

I swore to help you...

to treat your wife.

But...

my cock betrayed me.

What do you mean?

Nyanankoro!

What happened?

I slept with your wife.

Attou!

You let him do it?

Come with me.

Here.

Take it!

Take her away.

She's yours.
Now leave.

King, please forgive me.

Rise and be gone.

Go away!

A stranger has come into
the village with two servants.

We couldn't stop them.
They're coming to you.

If they want to see me,

they'll find me here.

Surround them.

But don't get too close.

They may be dangerous.

They must be killed!

Hem them in!

Leave them alone!

Hello, little Peul.

When toads fly,
the world is awry.

I seek my nephew.

If he's hiding here,
surrender him!

Otherwise I'll set
the village on fire.

My name is Ourama Bolly,
I'm the king.

Why do you come insult me on
my land? Apologize!

Me, Bafing Diarra, take back
what I said? Never!

I'll punish you!

Your nephew was here,

but I won't tell you where he
went, for he helped us.

Bambara, if your mouth is so
fiery, spit your flames!

I'll spare no one!

Seize them!

Little Peul!

You don't know me!

Get up!

God of the whirlwinds, you
who test famous men,

you with whom none
can compete,

you are in the magic post.

You know the mysteries

of the earth and the sky,
of the abyss.

Rise, magic post!

Guide me to Nyanankoro!

Rise and find the bastard!

Let that be a lesson to you!

Never try it again,
little Peul!

The spell is broken!

- Glory to the mask!
- Hail, Master!

Nalomafaga.

Serve the millet beer,
we'll drink to the Komo.

Glory to the Komo
who knows all mysteries.

Genius of the crossroads!

Nial?, matron of the Komo,
goddess of the night,

spirit of the winds, do you
hear the blacksmiths' songs?

Chant the sacred songs.

King of the blacksmiths,

when the old goat dies,
we shall die.

The whirlpool
is treacherous,

it sucks you down
and swallows you.

Soma!

You here, with us!

Is it a good omen?

Master, it is not a good omen!

The descendants of
the sacred crocodile

have not all inherited
its qualities!

There are iguanas,
lizards and snakes.

I, Soma - my ancestors
died for the Komo.

I shall die for the Komo.
But my son

has betrayed the Komo.

I seek him. Wherever
he is, I'll kill him!

Master.

An initiate his age does
not err in this way.

Kok?!

If we had known,

the traitor would be dead.

Cena, you speak truly.

We will eliminate whoever tries
to break the Komo's laws.

Soma,
it's an honor.

Your coming in person about

such a serious matter
concerning the Komo,

that honors us.

This business moves us
deeply.

But what the young
initiates said

is absolutely right.

A bullet meant for an elephant

must not be wasted
on a rabbit.

And, to sacrifice a
chicken, first catch it.

That's true, Master.

Yet my son,

Nyanankoro,

is not like other
children.

My brother Bafing,

guided by his magic post,

chased him to Djidj?ni,

but Nanankoro
made him disappear

before everyone's eyes.

May the Komo's fetishes
protect us!

That's why I,

Soma,

set out to find him!

If he is hiding in the 7 earths,

or burrowed into an anthill,

I'll kill him with my poison.

That's why I'm here.

May the fetishes protect us!

Not all clouds bring rain.

I understand this adage,

but as the Bambara
proverb says,

if Nyanankoro is
the blade of the knife,

I, Soma, am the handle.

Not even the sharpest blade
can cut its own handle.

Glory to the eagle, the royal bird.

But an eagle can't carry off
an elephant.

You have a remedy from
the sacred fig tree.

You know time's secrets,

you can read the future,

the sex of unborn children.

Bard of the Komo!
Cry like the sacred goat,

like the divine hyena,

who abolished slavery
on both shores,

when mothers abandoned their babies
to save their lives.

Sacred ram,

shout that I may hear you.

Shout like the
Komo Nango Djago!

Sacred beast of Bala,

cry out that all may hear you!

Celestial master!

Don't implore me!

Sacred crossroads. I sing
for my spiritual mother.

I am only an initiate.
The divine mother blesses you.

Dance her dance.

May the holy site favor you.

The master blacksmiths bless you!

We ask the smiths' protection,
masters of the Komo.

Bard of the Komo!

N'Djeli!

Rid your heart of torment!

Spare your adversary!

You have asked the East
and the West,

and they have answered "yes"!

Sacred black-throated ram!

Komo, who knows all
celestial mysteries!

Who knows all the
earth's mysteries!

Who knows the sex
of unborn children!

Master of the Konyan blacksmiths!

Who knows the secrets
of the months and years!

Spirits of the crossroads!

May the sacred
site favor you!

I implore Nial?,
the great sorceress!

She cannot blame you!

I implore the sheltering
tree of N'Tomo.

It assures your protection.

Ask the stranger
what he is seeking.

The chief asks
what you are doing here.

I seek my uncle.

First, I want to purify myself
at the Bongo's sacred source.

Is this the place?

One can go there only
with the chief's

permission.

T?gu?lan!

Come here.

Take the stranger to the spring.

Follow me.

Attou!

Go and bathe.

Where is the source of the Bongo?

We have crossed Peul country

without seeing any watercourse.

This source existed even before

the mountain of Biandagara.

It springs from a bottomless well,

inexhaustible.

A bottomless well?

We have other ways
to get water.

Other ways?

We light the sacred pipe,

invoking the fire's spirit,

its smoke arises.

When we need water,
we invoke the god of the skies

and the god of earth.

Their forces
swirl up to the sky,

transforming into gathering
clouds.

A warm wind rises

before falling on us as rain.

Will those who come after you
also know how to make it rain?

Science is inexhaustible, and
miracles will always happen.

Who is your uncle?

Djigui Diarra?

One of our sages.

I'll take them to Djigui.

Greet him on my part.

Nyanankoro!

Your coming gives

me boundless pleasure.

I, Djigui,

thank the gods

for this favor.

I thank them

in the name of our family.

Even if I were to die
today,

and the same is true for you,

our family

would not perish.

Your wife is pregnant.

A child with lunar radiance.

It's a boy,

a child predestined

to be one of the brightest stars.

And yet

what I,

Djigui, foresee promises

nothing good for the Bambara.

The country's future hangs by
a thread.

Listen closely to what I say

and remember it
like a sacred rite.

Since the dawn of time

the Diarra family has been both
placenta and umbilical cord of

the Bambara people.

For a long time

our family has been
cursed.

I don't know why.

My mind is tormented,

for my death is near

and I don't know who,

after me, can interpret
that curse.

That worries me.

But last night

I saw a blazing light
cross the sky

and stop before me.

It said to me: "Djigui,

the threat hovering
over the Bambara

will strike the country

but spare your family."

These words gave me hope.

In the same dream

I was also told this:

"Your descendants will
undergo a great change.

Reduced to slavery,

they'll deny their race
and their faith."

All upheavals

contain hope.

And these woes

I saw in my dream, the Bambara

will turn to their advantage.
I also see

that many peoples will
covet our country.

I think one can die

without ceasing to exist.

Life and death
are like scales

overlapping each other.

My child, do you know

why I was separated from Soma,
my twin brother?

One day I asked my father to

reveal to us the

secrets of the Komo

so that all might profit
of that knowledge.

Your grandfather heard me
and in a rage

rushed into his room

and came out with
the wing of the Kor?.

It radiated such energy
that it dazzled me.

Then I could see only shadows.

Then I could see only shadows.

So I left the country, blind.

Only your mother knows my story.

Now that you have come to me,
I entrust the Kor? wing to you.

I don't know if it has preserved
its power.

Uncle.

My mother gave me this object
for you.

I rejoice.
Do you know what it is?

The Kor?'s magic eye.

Bring me the wing of Kor?
from the cave.

Here, uncle.

It's the Kor? wing.

Remove its covering.

Put the magic eye in place.

It's done.

The wing is complete.

Go and meet your father.

You'll see what the wing does.

Find him,
god of the plains and mountains.

Search the caves
and sweep the plains.

Dry up the lakes,
denude the trees.

Rise up and go.

Wait here for me.

Don't go, it's dangerous!

Don't go!
Don't be rash!

Drive him into the open!

I didn't tell
you to fall!

If he hides in heaven or under earth,
root him out!

Don't forsake me!

Let me leave.

I must settle this fight alone.

Give this to my son
when he grows up.

Stay with my uncle.

Mari, I call on you again!

You for whom the 7 heavens

and the 7 earths
have no mystery!

Search the caves and plains!

Uncle.

I'm back.

I'm glad
that you followed my advice.

Go to the cave's shelter,

for a great disaster

will strike the country.

Mari, heritage of the Bambara,

show me the way!

Reveal him to everyone!

Go on!

A rabid cat barks
like a big dog.

I, Soma, master of fetishes,
nothing will stop me

except death.

You've put a knife to your throat!

Hello, father.

Alive yesterday, you are dead today.

Even dead, I must greet you.

This is the first time
that we've talked

as father and son.

For I am no one
else's son.

You were my son in your mother's
womb! But afterward no longer!

I feared you'd deny
being my father.

For a Bambara
it's the worst fear,

shame and humiliation.

Death is but a knife
at the belt.

But before killing me,
tell me the reason.

Never mind.

You'll know it when the hyenas
and worms have devoured you!

Then you'll know
why I killed you.

Let me prepare myself.

A snake's molted skin
is not the snake.

A python's son can grow to
rival it's father.

I want to die as a true Diarra.

Get ready.

Soma, your ancestors were
great priests of the Komo,

but for centuries

they've misused my powers.

I've left only ruin and
desolation in my wake.

I was entirely faithful
to the Diarra.

But now it's over.

Your lust for revenge, your contempt

and hate for humanity
have gone too far.

I have decided to vanish.

But you, Soma, will not survive.

For you are among those who use

their power only for evil
and injustice.

My eyes! My eyes!

LIGHT

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