Duma (2005) - full transcript
During a nightly Porsche ride with his doting rascal Xan, white South African farmer Peter finds and adopts an orphaned cheetah cub, dubbed Duma (just Swahili for cheetah). It becomes the boy's inseparable playmate, even taking it to bed. Peter made clear from the start that the cheetah should be returned to the wild before its full adulthood. But the father is stricken down with a disease just before the cheetah could be returned. Xan's mother sells the farm and moves in with a city aunt. The cheetah escapes, but finds Xan at school, where the new boy is bullied. He decides to run away to the mountains with Duma. On the way they face countless perils, which courage, Xan's intelligence and Duma's instinct overcome.
[WOMAN SINGING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[PEEPING]
[ANIMAL CRIES IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING]
[BIRD CHIRPS]
[WINGS FLUTTERING OVERHEAD]
[BARKS]
[GROWLING]
[ROARS]
[YELPING]
[BARKS]
[CATS SNARLING]
[SHRIEKING]
[LION GROWLS]
[ROARS]
[?]
[WHIMPERING]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
We hit it.
No, we didn't hit it.
Come on.
Where is he, huh?
Listen. Over there.
See it?
Come on. Come on.
Over there.
Yeah.
Go around behind it.
[TRUCK HORN HONKS]
Got it!
Xan! Xan! Here!
Here! Here!
Here! Here!
[HORN HONKING]
Hey! Slow down, you!
All right...
All right, what's that?
[PEEPING]
FATHER: How the devil did you
get out here, fellow?
He's shaking like a leaf.
See that?
Yep.
Yeah.
You think
he's lost, what?
Yeah.
Yeah?
See his mom?
No.
Well...I think
you're right. Yeah.
Come here, you.
Here, take him,
take him, take him. Shh.
[PEEPS]
Hey, you.
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
How's he doing?
He's hungry, yeah?
What on earth are you doing?
Watch and learn,
my friend.
Ice cream
goes in here.
Flower goes on top.
Baby bottle.
Enjoy.
Cheers.
He's a feisty guy.
Yeah?
And voil?.
[CLICKING TONGUE]
He's drinking.
[CUB SQUEALS]
His face, black streaks.
Yeah?
Do you know what that means?
What?
A cheetah.
A cheetah? Yeah.
The world's fastest animal.
From zero to 60...
in two seconds!
I bet it's faster
than your Porsche.
Maybe.
You think we should
hang on to him?
Yeah.
[CUB PURRING]
Why not?
Where else
is he gonna go?
Xan?
We can't keep him forever.
Not any more than your mom and I
can keep you, huh?
He's gotta go back
to the world
he came from one day.
[CAR ARRIVES]
XAN: Mom! Mom!
FATHER:
Ah! Get it off!
Get it off!
Mom, hurry!
It's got Dad!
It's a monster!
Come on! Come on!
FATHER:
Save yourselves!
God, it's ripping me
apart!
Dad?
Stop tearing at me,
you terrible animal.
It's-- Oh, hello.
[LAUGHING]
PARROT:
Hello.
Look what we found.
And who's this?
That was a close one.
Not nearly close enough.
I was almost
torn asunder.
What is this?
See what we found?
I'm glad
I'm not his mum.
I'd be heartbroken
to lose him.
[PARROT SHRIEKS]
PARROT: Hey, sexy mama.
Your place or mine?
FATHER:
What?
Dad?
Xan.
Did I tell you about
teaching that bird
questionable phrases?
What did I
tell you, huh?
[?]
[CUB PEEPING]
[PURRING]
[XAN IMITATING PEEPS
BY WHISTLING]
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
Ah, that's a good one.
Xan.
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
[KEYS PLAYING FAINTLY]
[MULTIPLE KEYS PLAY]
Wait. Wait!
Wait.
[XAN GRUNTS]
Now go.
XAN: In Africa,
they say that when
you give someone a name,
they become
your responsibility.
A proper name should capture
the most important qualities
and point them towards
a certain kind of life.
[CUB GROWLING]
I tried different names
for the cub,
like Fuzzy, Spots, or Speedy,
but nothing stuck.
[ANIMAL SNORTS]
[SNORTING]
[ANIMAL ROARS]
[ROOSTER CROWING,
HENS CLUCKING]
XAN: As he became part
of our daily lives,
he got to know everything
around the farm.
And I think he started
to feel like
it was his place too.
[PEEPING]
Then Mom thought of "Duma,"
the Swahili word for cheetah.
We all thought
it sounded pretty good.
So then Duma
became our responsibility.
[?]
How fast does it go?
Don't worry about
how fast right now.
Don't worry
about how fast.
Just worry about
how to start, all right?
XAN: Yeah.
FATHER: A little petrol,
just a little.
Press this down.
And what
is that gear?
One down.
Yeah, one down, four up.
All right?
Put your hand on it.
Let it go. Let it go.
Go ahead.
That's it. Feel that?
Yep.
You like that, right?
All right, hold on.
You want to go fast now,
don't you?
Here, try one more time.
[REVVING]
Now, if you let it out
too fast, look...
Here, you're popping it
like that.
You don't
want to do it.
Tight.
Pull it to that side.
Tight. Tight. Tight.
Pull on it.
There you go.
Beauty.
Put one more.
There you are.
One more, one more.
Tight, tight.
All right.
Watch it,
watch it.
Don't ever underestimate
what you can do
with a bit
of baling wire.
Yeah. It's good, eh?
[?]
Hang on! You got it!
There he goes!
[SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[?]
Dad!
Dad!
XAN: It seemed impossible
that anything bad
could have happened to my dad.
Before he got sick,
he never let anything stop him.
He was always looking
at the bright side.
Mom and I took care of the farm
while Dad was in hospital.
The doctor said
he recovered really well
and that everything
was going to be okay.
[DUMA PURRING]
[?]
Come on, Duma!
Let's give it some stick!
That's 50 K!
XAN: Come on, Duma!
Look!
There it is!
Look at
that stride now.
Come on, Duma!
Come on, boy!
Hoo!
Hey, we're at 60!
Now he's overtaking us!
Seventy, man!
Hang on!
Oh! I lost my hat!
Eighty!
Ninety!
Beauty!
You beauty, you!
Go, Duma!
Whoo-hoo!
A hundred now!
Whoo!
"From too much love of living,
"From hope and fear set free,
"We thank
With brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be."
Pause...
after each line.
Read it like
you're singing a song.
The sound of the words
are the melody.
"That no life lives forever
"That dead men rise up never
"That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea"
Mom?
I'm sorry.
[KNOCKING ON LADDER]
XAN: Yeah?
Got any room for me?
Sure, Dad.
FATHER:
So...
We gotta talk
about our friend here.
He's almost grown.
But Duma's--
Hang on.
He's nearly too old
to survive out there.
Duma's got to live
the life he was born to.
So we gotta
take him back.
Now.
He doesn't want to go.
He doesn't want to be wild.
No, you can't decide that
for him, Xan.
He's a wild animal. Remember?
His wildness
is something...
he knows without
even knowing it.
It's in his bones.
It's in his blood.
Like a memory, yeah?
Like how I know I belong here,
on Grandpa's farm.
But there's hardly any cheetahs
left.
Where else would he go
besides our farm?
We're here, yeah?
And then all the way...
up there...
We found him here.
And just north and west...
mountains, yeah?
Little valley.
The river.
Lots of springbok
and gazelle.
Big-cat heaven.
Chase, trip, bite.
How hard could it be?
Hey?
Chase, trip, bite.
So you and I will
take him up next week.
Okay?
We'll camp out...
do a bit of fishing.
It'll be lekker, man.
Send him off.
[?]
[BIRDS CALLING]
[?]
[CAR DOORS CLOSE]
[RADIO CHATTER]
[DUMA GROWLS]
What happened?
Where's Dad?
[?]
[BIRDS CALLING]
Hey, Xan.
What?
Honey, we're making
some changes.
Like what?
I have to lease
the farm.
We'll still live
in the house, won't we?
No, we're going
to the city...
to live with Aunt Gwen
for a while.
I need
to get a job.
What about Duma?
Duma will get
a new home as well.
A big preserve where he'll have
lots of room to run around.
Xan, I have to take care of us,
and the only way I can do that
is if we--
That's not what Dad wanted!
[?]
Xan!
Xan, your father and I
talked about this.
It's the only thing
we can do.
It's the only thing
that makes sense.
I know this is scary.
I know
it won't be easy.
We can do this
if we stick together, Xan.
[DUMA SQUEALS]
[SQUEALS]
MOTHER: Thanks for
having us, Gwen.
No worries.
[DUMA SQUEALS]
The man
from the reserve
will be here
in a day or two.
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
Xan, wait.
All you have to do today
is look around and get
the lay of the land.
Those kids don't know
anything you don't know.
[DOOR SHUTS]
COACH: You want
to be a winner?
You gotta have passion.
Passion, fire!
Gentlemen,
our day is made.
COACH: So, what
have we got here?
Have we got winners,
or have we got losers?
BOYS: Winners!
Let me hear it again.
Winners or losers?
BOYS: Winners!
Right.
Bombardment.
One hit,
and you're out.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
[BOYS SHOUTING]
PARROT: Hello!
I'm going to go pick up Xan.
No worries. He's lovely.
Bye-bye.
TV:
--this incredible offer!
La-ta-ta.
WOMAN: Look how lovely
and creamy--
[GUNFIRE]
I tought
I taw a puttytat!
[SHRIEKS]
MAN:
Hello, breakfast.
[PARROT SQUAWKS]
[?]
CHILD:
Doggy!
"There are many theories
"about how the ancient Egyptians
built the pyramids.
"Some people think
they used slaves
"or unknown machines.
I think they used water."
"They could have
dug canals...
"then loaded the huge,
heavy stone blocks
using ropes."
[CHAIR SCRAPES]
Excuse me, young man,
where are you going?
Out there.
Nobody leaves my room
without my permission.
[GIRLS SHRIEKING
IN DISTANCE]
[CHILDREN CLAMORING]
"The Egyptians--"
[ALARM BLARING]
TEACHER: Fire drill!
Exit by row!
Orderly, please!
[CLAMORING CONTINUES]
[SIRENS WAILING]
Duma?
Duma?
You in here?
BOY: Who's Duma?
Is that
your boyfriend?
Give me that.
Hey, that's mine!
That?
That's very nice.
My father gave it to me.
And you are going to give it
to me
or pay me to let you keep it.
[PURRING]
[DUMA GROWLING]
[HISSES]
BOY: Run!
Good job.
Come on, Duma.
MAN: Hey, kid!
Get down!
[?]
WOMAN: This
is outrageous.
Xan!
[HORN HONKS]
[TIRES SCREECH]
Come, boy. Come.
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Come on.
[?]
We have to go far.
Go home.
Like Dad said.
[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING]
[?]
[LOCK RATTLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SHUTS ENGINE OFF]
We started here...
and went up here.
That must be the Salt Pans.
So...
we've got a lot of map to go.
Should we keep going?
[PURRS]
Yeah, that's what I think too.
[?]
[ENGINE SPUTTERING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERING]
[ENGINE BACKFIRING]
[ENGINE STOPS RUNNING]
[SIGHS]
[HOLLOW TAPPING]
It had to happen
sooner or later.
[SIGHS]
But I was hoping for later.
[WIND WHISTLING]
[PURRS]
[?]
[PURRING]
Do you even know
what "wild" means?
[PURRS]
Yeah, I thought so.
[SQUEAKS]
[PURRS]
[MOTORCYCLE STARTING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS, STALLS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
Hey.
What do you think you're doing?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
What are you
doing?
Do you hear me?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
I am going south.
Do you have a problem with that?
Yeah.
We're going west.
"We're"?
You and who else?
My buddy and I.
[GROWLS]
[KNIFE BLADE LOCKS]
Do you have any water?
Maybe.
[DUMA PURRING]
What do you got?
The motorcycle.
I could give you a ride.
You are thirsty, yeah?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
Hey, hey!
I did not say
you could give some
to your animal.
There is
not enough.
Does this thing work?
If you have gas.
[CHUCKLES]
Opuno Kjadi Ripkuna.
You?
Xan. Thanks for the water.
[CHIRPS]
XAN: A bush baby.
How did it get here?
RIPKUNA: Same as me.
Too many wrong turns.
Mashaka.
Troublemaker.
Do you know there's a big river?
It's maybe five days' walk
from here.
But to get there,
we must have food.
So which one?
So which one what?
Which one we eat first?
You understand,
for us to live...
we must eat them.
Don't worry.
We have a few days before
we have to make our decision.
[PRINTER WHIRRING]
[WIND HOWLING]
Explain to me
this idea.
Get more wood.
You know,
I don't like
your cat looking at me
like this.
Where did you
learn this, boy?
Where did you
learn these ideas?
My dad taught me.
Your dad?
Wait for me, man.
Show me the plan, what you
are going to make, man.
[WIND GUSTING]
Put it up! Put it up.
I am.
Holy smoker!
XAN: Come on, hang on. Quickly.
[?]
XAN: Let her go.
RIPKUNA: We are doing it, Xan.
We are doing it!
Hang on!
[RIPKUNA LAUGHING]
Holy smoke.
Xan, look.
[CHUCKLING]
Say goodbye, Xan.
Bye-bye, plane!
Hello, river!
To the right.
To the right!
[?]
RIPKUNA:
Whoo! Ha, ha!
Oh, Xan,
we are going to live!
[RIPKUNA CHUCKLING]
[RIPKUNA LAUGHING]
[XAN LAUGHS]
XAN: We need water.
RIPKUNA: Don't worry.
We find it.
[PANTING]
[LAUGHING]
I told you so.
This is your big chance, boy.
[PURRING]
Remember what Dad said?
Chase, trip, bite.
You can do this.
[PURRING]
Come.
Duma. Duma.
Come, boy.
Come.
[SQUAWKS]
Go get him!
[DUMA PURRING]
Yeah, yeah.
Your cheetah
is a great hunter, yeah.
I'm very impressed.
He caught an egg.
You know, your cheetah...
he will not live long out here.
For what he would be worth,
you know
you could build a house.
You could build a lot of houses.
Maybe even buy a nice car.
With DVD.
[TWIGS CLATTER]
You don't sell a friend.
You know, the rich,
they buy animal
like him
every day.
Pay big money, make business.
You know?
Zoo, fun park.
And then they make more money.
Where are you
going, boy?
Do you know
where you are going?
[CHEEPS]
My dad and I found him
over here.
So you plan to cross
the Okavango.
Yeah, so?
"Yeah, so?"
That is a place of many teeth,
my friend.
It is a place
to die.
I'm not afraid.
Be smart.
Be afraid.
"I am not afraid."
Stupid boy.
Don't know nothing.
Don't know nothing.
[CREATURE MOANS]
You know, you could end up
in a lion's belly.
Fire.
Fire is the only thing
that scares them.
Ah...
You know, I know that place.
I could take you
a little way that way.
But then I have to
go back south, eh?
You would like that?
Okay.
I won't take you
all the whole way.
Just some of the way.
[?]
Come on, boy.
XAN: Who are they?
RIPKUNA: People.
People who never dreamed
that they would die here.
This place is full
of angry spirits, eh?
[MUTTERS]
There's a story in this.
I'm not sure
I want to know it, eh?
You know, in the right hands...
this will kill anything.
[HELICOPTER WHIRRING]
Hey. Come here.
Come. Hide.
Why?
Hide now.
Why? Who is it?
Bad people.
In here.
Come on, Duma.
[HELICOPTER APPROACHING]
We need to go farther.
There's nothing here but sand.
I can't see anything.
Come here.
Get down.
[GRUNTS]
[?]
Do you know...
how he got those black lines
on his face?
They say it's to stop
the glare from the sun
during the day
while they hunt.
There was a mother cheetah.
She loved her cub very much,
and one day...
he got lost.
And she searched,
and she searched,
and she called,
and she called.
And she cried so long
and so hard
that her tears made
black streaks...
down her face.
[PURRS]
Her face...
was stained forever...
from her crying.
[ANIMAL SQUAWKS]
[METAL SCRAPING]
An honorable weapon...
if there is such a thing.
For a real warrior, you know.
For you to face your enemies
and show your courage.
Eye to eye.
A lot of diamonds
came out of here.
I know they did not
get them all.
Always, I look.
One day, I'll get lucky.
Make rich.
You. Stay.
I want to keep going.
Just one quick look.
I'm coming, man.
[ECHOING]
Oh, it's an old one.
Lots of smelly old ghosts
in here.
Now's our chance.
Let's go.
Come, boy.
[RUMBLING]
[ROCKS CRASHING]
Rip?
Rip!
Rip!
Rip!
I'll get you out.
Just hang on!
[MUFFLED YELLING]
I'm trying, Rip.
[COUGHING]
[GASPING]
Xan. Thank God for you, Xan.
Thank God for you.
Grace, we are lucky.
This little stuff...
no big stuff.
Dig, boy. Dig.
[GRUNTING]
Why you are stopping?
Where have you been taking us?
I'm taking you
where you want to go.
No, you're not.
You're taking us north,
not west.
I am taking you
the way to the mountains.
It's the way
to town,
to the police,
and--
What are you talking about?
Collecting a reward for me
and selling Duma.
How do you get such ideas?
I am taking you north
to go west.
If you go
straight west,
it is a way to--
You're just trying to scare me.
You want me to go your way
so you can
turn us in.
Xan--
You go your way,
and I'll go mine.
Xan, where you are going?
Xan.
Come back.
You can't leave me
like this, Xan.
Xan.
Come back, Xan!
Xan.
Xan! Xan, come back!
I don't want him to follow us.
Xan, come back.
You can't leave me
like this, Xan!
[?]
We're gonna have to cross
the river tomorrow.
We're better off without him.
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Come on, Duma.
[PEEPING]
You're not gonna get wet.
[WHIMPERS]
Quickly.
Fine, you stay there.
We're going.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[GROWLS]
[RAPIDS ROARING]
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
Hang on.
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
[COUGHS]
Duma!
Duma!
[?]
[GASPING]
Duma, Duma, quickly, come out!
Come on, Duma!
Two fast cats, eh?
Mashaka,
come here, boy.
[MASHAKA CHEEPING]
[GROANS]
MAN [OVER RADIO]:
High chance of thunderstorms
due to a low-pressure system
moving into the country
from the coastal area...
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[ANIMAL BELLOWING]
[DUMA GROWLS]
Hey.
[LOWING]
[BRAYING]
[SHRIEKS]
Come on, run.
[HOOVES THUNDERING]
Duma, no!
Duma, wait!
Oh, man.
[BARKING]
[IMITATING DUMA'S PEEPING
BY WHISTLING]
[CONTINUES WHISTLING]
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
[SNAPPING]
[DUMA YELPS]
[ANIMALS SQUAWKING]
Duma?
[RUSTLING]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
XAN:
Duma!
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Duma?
[GROWLING]
[PEEPING]
[SNARLING]
[SNARLING]
[GROWLING]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
[ANIMAL SHRIEKS]
[XAN YELPS]
Well...
Mashaka.
[MASHAKA WHIMPERING]
[BOAR ROARING]
[MASHAKA SHRIEKS]
[BOAR ROARING]
[?]
[GRUNTS]
[GROANS]
[BOAR SNORTING]
[PURRING]
What happened?
You found Duma?
Yes.
He was in a poacher's trap.
You were in a hog's house.
That is better than being
in a lion's belly, no?
I'm sorry for what I did.
It was a mistake.
But you were right, eh?
I was thinking
about how much money
I could get for you both.
I had big plans, Xan.
I left my village, my wife,
my children
to be a big man.
Went to the big city
to make big money.
But I did not
find work, eh?
And soon,
I was a small man
that did
small things.
I ended up in the biggest jail
you ever see.
That is a place
I never want to go to again.
Do you understand?
My mother probably hates me.
Because I left her.
Mothers never stop
loving their children.
What do you know about mothers?
I am a father.
[?]
[WHISPERS]
This is dinner.
This way, this way.
Quickly, come.
He's got him.
[?]
RIPKUNA: We are not
going to eat tonight.
[PEOPLE SINGING
IN DISTANCE]
Now, that food...
that will be
an easy catch.
XAN: Maybe.
You have any ideas?
Yeah.
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Only blue one I've seen.
You look,
and I'll focus.
WOMAN: A green-breasted
fluffy tail.
MAN: No, I think it's
fluffy-breasted, isn't it?
WOMAN 2: And now,
what do I do now?
MAN 2: Quite wrong.
You're quite wrong.
I think it's an African...
You are ready?
Yeah.
MAN:
...distinguishes it
from the dark-capped cape.
WOMAN:
No.
MAN 2:
No, no, you're
quite wrong.
WOMAN:
No, I'm talking
about the--
WOMAN 2: That's
a water bird, darling.
Well, I don't see
anything there at all.
Are your contacts in?
They're in.
Help me!
It bit me.
[XAN GROANING]
It bit me!
What bit you?
What bit you?
This.
[SCREAMING]
It's a black mamba!
[SHOUTING & SCREAMING]
That's right, lad.
Ah!
Eat.
Mm!
You will
go far, Xan.
As long as you stay out
of jail, eh?
I want you to have this.
What is that?
It's for helping me.
No. I can't.
I want you to have it.
I don't want it.
You don't understand, Xan.
People die for that stuff, eh?
I can't take it.
Okay.
Then the water has it.
Five...
four, three...
two, one--
Okay, okay, okay.
I am sure I'm going to help you
at least one more time, eh?
I will safe-keep it.
Come.
Look.
You see this?
[RATTLING]
These pretty little stones...
I found
when I had to dig myself out.
Do you remember?
It's okay.
Take them.
I want you to remember
your friend Ripkuna.
I'll remember you,
Rip.
But I hope
you remember me.
Because now I'm gonna
say goodbye.
[CRACKING]
Xan?
Xan. What you are do--?
Wake up, Xan.
[LAUGHING]
Xan!
Don't do that.
That was not funny.
I'll kill you myself
next time.
Stupid boy.
Get on.
You wish.
[?]
[XAN WHISTLES PEEPING SOUND]
What is that noise
you are making?
When two cheetahs
are lost,
and they're looking
for each other,
they make that sound.
[FLIES BUZZING]
[GROWLING]
Hey.
Lions.
Not so long ago.
[SNARLING]
Come on, Duma.
You're being
selfish.
[HISSES]
[GROWLS]
Hey, hey,
hey, hey.
Leave him.
[DUMA GROWLING]
You have to remember,
it's what you wanted, eh?
That meat
is in his bones
from way back.
[GROWLING]
It's all right.
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[TWIGS SNAPPING]
RIPKUNA: My grandfather
would bring me to this place
when I was younger than you.
RIPKUNA:
The old ones,
they talk to me.
See how they lived,
feared...
who they loved.
Their world is gone.
But we are not
so different.
You know, nobody comes here
anymore.
They are all forgotten.
I myself am no better.
My own father,
I do not know whether
he lives or not.
My father...
he died recently.
How can someone
just disappear like that...
forever?
Yebo.
I too would be angry.
You know, Xan...
people go
when they are ready to go.
Not when you are.
We are all just...
travelers on the same river.
Grandparents, parents,
their sons and daughters.
We all have our time
on the river.
We just...
We do what we can
before we disappear.
This is your time, Xan...
Duma's...
and mine.
Very soon we will be
where Duma is going.
After...
I am going to go
and see my family,
see if they welcome me or not.
And you can go
and see your mother.
Your father is dead for her too.
Everything's changed.
It's not the same.
It's different.
That's it, Xan.
Change, yeah.
That's what happens.
All the time.
The little boy that left home
is not the little boy
that is with me now, eh?
See?
Change.
[?]
Xan, can you see?
Above that cliff,
in the canyon?
Yeah.
A village...my village.
Xan, stop.
XAN: What is it?
Tsetse.
Do what I say,
yeah?
You have to run.
[FLIES BUZZING]
Hey. Wait. Wait. Wait!
Now, breathe!
[CHEEPING]
Keep breathing.
[?]
[PANTING]
Rip, what is wrong?
I'm sorry, Xan.
Long time ago,
got very sick from tsetse.
Was bad.
Real bad.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
We hurry now.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[GROWLS]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
[HISSES]
[LIONS GROWLING]
[ROARING]
[GROWLING]
RIPKUNA: Fire.
We have to
build a fire.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[THUNDER CRASHING]
RIPKUNA:
They see us.
They are
coming down now.
Yeah, yeah.
It's going. Up a bit.
Yes.
[SHIVERING]
It's too wet.
[GROANING]
Hold it up.
I can't hold it.
My hands don't work.
[LIONS GROWLING]
Look. That's it.
[PLASTIC CRUNCHING]
See? They are still dry.
Easy come, easy go.
Take it.
Burn it.
Yes, yes.
Very good.
[LION GROWLS]
[WHEEZING]
Duma, you have to stay here.
[WHEEZING]
Rip.
Hang on. I'm gonna get help.
[?]
[SNARLING]
[ROARING]
[PEEPING]
[PANTING]
[GROWLING]
[PANTING]
[SNARLING]
[?]
[GROWLING]
XAN: Hello?
Is anybody here?
[MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
My friend is sick.
I need your help.
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Yeah.
[PEEPS]
[PEEP
IN DISTANCE]
[PEEP IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING IN DISTANCE]
[SQUEALS]
[SQUEALS]
[BOTH SQUEALING, PEEPING]
[PURRING]
[WHEEZING]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Duma?
[PEOPLE SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SINGING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
XAN:
Duma.
[PEEPING]
[?]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
MAN: Rip.
Ripkuna.
[GASPS]
Ripkuna!
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[ALL SPEAKING EXCITEDLY]
Otorno.
Otorno.
Ainu.
Ainu.
[SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SOBBING] I'm sorry.
[CRYING]
RIPKUNA: Oh...
I'm sorry.
Xan...
I want you
to meet my family.
This is Ainu.
Otorno, my son.
Melika, my wife.
[SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE]
I said we have been
on a long journey together.
That you are
a mad cat boy.
That we are family,
all of us together.
[WOMAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[CONTINUES SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[LAUGHING]
RIPKUNA:
Mama
Duma!
[?]
[SQUEALING, PEEPING]
[SNORTING]
Duma?
[?]
FATHER:
He's a wild animal. Remember?
His wildness
is something he knows
without even knowing it.
It's in his blood, his bones.
Like a memory, yeah?
You and I will take him up
next week.
Okay? Camp out,
do a bit of fishing.
It'll be lekker, man.
Send him off.
[PURRING]
Hey, you.
You got it, boy.
Found a buddy and everything.
[PURRING]
[?]
[PURRING]
You take care of yourself.
I'm gonna miss you.
[?]
[PEEPING, SQUEALING]
[?]
XAN:
There are things you know
without knowing.
For Duma, it was his wildness.
For Rip, his family.
For me, it was my dad.
Everything he was,
everything he believed in,
is now part of me.
I was taking Duma home,
but he took me somewhere too.
Finding Duma's true home
brought me back to mine,
and showed me that love
doesn't stop when time passes
or you live
in different places,
or somebody's gone.
And that's how it was
with me and Duma.
[THE AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM'S
"WHEN YOU'RE FALLING" PLAYING]
? Every day
? You crawl into the night
? A fallen angel
? With your wings
Set alight ?
? When you hit the ground
? Everything turns to blue
? I can't get
Through the smoke ?
? That's surrounding you ?
? 'Cause when you're falling ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
? And when you're screaming ?
? Somehow I don't
Hear a sound ?
? And when
You're seeing things ?
? Then your feet
Don't touch the ground ?
? 'Cause when you're falling ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
[SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
? And when
You're screaming ?
? Somehow I don't
Hear a sound ?
[?]
[THE WORLD BEATERS'
"INTO THE LIGHT" PLAYING]
? Let us celebrate
In harmony ?
? A chorus of joy
? Join the spirits
Now departing ?
? From these shores again
? We stroked together
? And left parts of us behind
? So we can
Find ourselves again ?
? Let me guide you
Into the light tonight ?
? This is where we are
? Into the light
? Let me guide you
Into the light ?
? Into the light
? This is who we are
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[PEEPING]
[ANIMAL CRIES IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING]
[BIRD CHIRPS]
[WINGS FLUTTERING OVERHEAD]
[BARKS]
[GROWLING]
[ROARS]
[YELPING]
[BARKS]
[CATS SNARLING]
[SHRIEKING]
[LION GROWLS]
[ROARS]
[?]
[WHIMPERING]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
We hit it.
No, we didn't hit it.
Come on.
Where is he, huh?
Listen. Over there.
See it?
Come on. Come on.
Over there.
Yeah.
Go around behind it.
[TRUCK HORN HONKS]
Got it!
Xan! Xan! Here!
Here! Here!
Here! Here!
[HORN HONKING]
Hey! Slow down, you!
All right...
All right, what's that?
[PEEPING]
FATHER: How the devil did you
get out here, fellow?
He's shaking like a leaf.
See that?
Yep.
Yeah.
You think
he's lost, what?
Yeah.
Yeah?
See his mom?
No.
Well...I think
you're right. Yeah.
Come here, you.
Here, take him,
take him, take him. Shh.
[PEEPS]
Hey, you.
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
How's he doing?
He's hungry, yeah?
What on earth are you doing?
Watch and learn,
my friend.
Ice cream
goes in here.
Flower goes on top.
Baby bottle.
Enjoy.
Cheers.
He's a feisty guy.
Yeah?
And voil?.
[CLICKING TONGUE]
He's drinking.
[CUB SQUEALS]
His face, black streaks.
Yeah?
Do you know what that means?
What?
A cheetah.
A cheetah? Yeah.
The world's fastest animal.
From zero to 60...
in two seconds!
I bet it's faster
than your Porsche.
Maybe.
You think we should
hang on to him?
Yeah.
[CUB PURRING]
Why not?
Where else
is he gonna go?
Xan?
We can't keep him forever.
Not any more than your mom and I
can keep you, huh?
He's gotta go back
to the world
he came from one day.
[CAR ARRIVES]
XAN: Mom! Mom!
FATHER:
Ah! Get it off!
Get it off!
Mom, hurry!
It's got Dad!
It's a monster!
Come on! Come on!
FATHER:
Save yourselves!
God, it's ripping me
apart!
Dad?
Stop tearing at me,
you terrible animal.
It's-- Oh, hello.
[LAUGHING]
PARROT:
Hello.
Look what we found.
And who's this?
That was a close one.
Not nearly close enough.
I was almost
torn asunder.
What is this?
See what we found?
I'm glad
I'm not his mum.
I'd be heartbroken
to lose him.
[PARROT SHRIEKS]
PARROT: Hey, sexy mama.
Your place or mine?
FATHER:
What?
Dad?
Xan.
Did I tell you about
teaching that bird
questionable phrases?
What did I
tell you, huh?
[?]
[CUB PEEPING]
[PURRING]
[XAN IMITATING PEEPS
BY WHISTLING]
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
Ah, that's a good one.
Xan.
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
[KEYS PLAYING FAINTLY]
[MULTIPLE KEYS PLAY]
Wait. Wait!
Wait.
[XAN GRUNTS]
Now go.
XAN: In Africa,
they say that when
you give someone a name,
they become
your responsibility.
A proper name should capture
the most important qualities
and point them towards
a certain kind of life.
[CUB GROWLING]
I tried different names
for the cub,
like Fuzzy, Spots, or Speedy,
but nothing stuck.
[ANIMAL SNORTS]
[SNORTING]
[ANIMAL ROARS]
[ROOSTER CROWING,
HENS CLUCKING]
XAN: As he became part
of our daily lives,
he got to know everything
around the farm.
And I think he started
to feel like
it was his place too.
[PEEPING]
Then Mom thought of "Duma,"
the Swahili word for cheetah.
We all thought
it sounded pretty good.
So then Duma
became our responsibility.
[?]
How fast does it go?
Don't worry about
how fast right now.
Don't worry
about how fast.
Just worry about
how to start, all right?
XAN: Yeah.
FATHER: A little petrol,
just a little.
Press this down.
And what
is that gear?
One down.
Yeah, one down, four up.
All right?
Put your hand on it.
Let it go. Let it go.
Go ahead.
That's it. Feel that?
Yep.
You like that, right?
All right, hold on.
You want to go fast now,
don't you?
Here, try one more time.
[REVVING]
Now, if you let it out
too fast, look...
Here, you're popping it
like that.
You don't
want to do it.
Tight.
Pull it to that side.
Tight. Tight. Tight.
Pull on it.
There you go.
Beauty.
Put one more.
There you are.
One more, one more.
Tight, tight.
All right.
Watch it,
watch it.
Don't ever underestimate
what you can do
with a bit
of baling wire.
Yeah. It's good, eh?
[?]
Hang on! You got it!
There he goes!
[SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[?]
Dad!
Dad!
XAN: It seemed impossible
that anything bad
could have happened to my dad.
Before he got sick,
he never let anything stop him.
He was always looking
at the bright side.
Mom and I took care of the farm
while Dad was in hospital.
The doctor said
he recovered really well
and that everything
was going to be okay.
[DUMA PURRING]
[?]
Come on, Duma!
Let's give it some stick!
That's 50 K!
XAN: Come on, Duma!
Look!
There it is!
Look at
that stride now.
Come on, Duma!
Come on, boy!
Hoo!
Hey, we're at 60!
Now he's overtaking us!
Seventy, man!
Hang on!
Oh! I lost my hat!
Eighty!
Ninety!
Beauty!
You beauty, you!
Go, Duma!
Whoo-hoo!
A hundred now!
Whoo!
"From too much love of living,
"From hope and fear set free,
"We thank
With brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be."
Pause...
after each line.
Read it like
you're singing a song.
The sound of the words
are the melody.
"That no life lives forever
"That dead men rise up never
"That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea"
Mom?
I'm sorry.
[KNOCKING ON LADDER]
XAN: Yeah?
Got any room for me?
Sure, Dad.
FATHER:
So...
We gotta talk
about our friend here.
He's almost grown.
But Duma's--
Hang on.
He's nearly too old
to survive out there.
Duma's got to live
the life he was born to.
So we gotta
take him back.
Now.
He doesn't want to go.
He doesn't want to be wild.
No, you can't decide that
for him, Xan.
He's a wild animal. Remember?
His wildness
is something...
he knows without
even knowing it.
It's in his bones.
It's in his blood.
Like a memory, yeah?
Like how I know I belong here,
on Grandpa's farm.
But there's hardly any cheetahs
left.
Where else would he go
besides our farm?
We're here, yeah?
And then all the way...
up there...
We found him here.
And just north and west...
mountains, yeah?
Little valley.
The river.
Lots of springbok
and gazelle.
Big-cat heaven.
Chase, trip, bite.
How hard could it be?
Hey?
Chase, trip, bite.
So you and I will
take him up next week.
Okay?
We'll camp out...
do a bit of fishing.
It'll be lekker, man.
Send him off.
[?]
[BIRDS CALLING]
[?]
[CAR DOORS CLOSE]
[RADIO CHATTER]
[DUMA GROWLS]
What happened?
Where's Dad?
[?]
[BIRDS CALLING]
Hey, Xan.
What?
Honey, we're making
some changes.
Like what?
I have to lease
the farm.
We'll still live
in the house, won't we?
No, we're going
to the city...
to live with Aunt Gwen
for a while.
I need
to get a job.
What about Duma?
Duma will get
a new home as well.
A big preserve where he'll have
lots of room to run around.
Xan, I have to take care of us,
and the only way I can do that
is if we--
That's not what Dad wanted!
[?]
Xan!
Xan, your father and I
talked about this.
It's the only thing
we can do.
It's the only thing
that makes sense.
I know this is scary.
I know
it won't be easy.
We can do this
if we stick together, Xan.
[DUMA SQUEALS]
[SQUEALS]
MOTHER: Thanks for
having us, Gwen.
No worries.
[DUMA SQUEALS]
The man
from the reserve
will be here
in a day or two.
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
Xan, wait.
All you have to do today
is look around and get
the lay of the land.
Those kids don't know
anything you don't know.
[DOOR SHUTS]
COACH: You want
to be a winner?
You gotta have passion.
Passion, fire!
Gentlemen,
our day is made.
COACH: So, what
have we got here?
Have we got winners,
or have we got losers?
BOYS: Winners!
Let me hear it again.
Winners or losers?
BOYS: Winners!
Right.
Bombardment.
One hit,
and you're out.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
[BOYS SHOUTING]
PARROT: Hello!
I'm going to go pick up Xan.
No worries. He's lovely.
Bye-bye.
TV:
--this incredible offer!
La-ta-ta.
WOMAN: Look how lovely
and creamy--
[GUNFIRE]
I tought
I taw a puttytat!
[SHRIEKS]
MAN:
Hello, breakfast.
[PARROT SQUAWKS]
[?]
CHILD:
Doggy!
"There are many theories
"about how the ancient Egyptians
built the pyramids.
"Some people think
they used slaves
"or unknown machines.
I think they used water."
"They could have
dug canals...
"then loaded the huge,
heavy stone blocks
using ropes."
[CHAIR SCRAPES]
Excuse me, young man,
where are you going?
Out there.
Nobody leaves my room
without my permission.
[GIRLS SHRIEKING
IN DISTANCE]
[CHILDREN CLAMORING]
"The Egyptians--"
[ALARM BLARING]
TEACHER: Fire drill!
Exit by row!
Orderly, please!
[CLAMORING CONTINUES]
[SIRENS WAILING]
Duma?
Duma?
You in here?
BOY: Who's Duma?
Is that
your boyfriend?
Give me that.
Hey, that's mine!
That?
That's very nice.
My father gave it to me.
And you are going to give it
to me
or pay me to let you keep it.
[PURRING]
[DUMA GROWLING]
[HISSES]
BOY: Run!
Good job.
Come on, Duma.
MAN: Hey, kid!
Get down!
[?]
WOMAN: This
is outrageous.
Xan!
[HORN HONKS]
[TIRES SCREECH]
Come, boy. Come.
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Come on.
[?]
We have to go far.
Go home.
Like Dad said.
[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING]
[?]
[LOCK RATTLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SHUTS ENGINE OFF]
We started here...
and went up here.
That must be the Salt Pans.
So...
we've got a lot of map to go.
Should we keep going?
[PURRS]
Yeah, that's what I think too.
[?]
[ENGINE SPUTTERING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERING]
[ENGINE BACKFIRING]
[ENGINE STOPS RUNNING]
[SIGHS]
[HOLLOW TAPPING]
It had to happen
sooner or later.
[SIGHS]
But I was hoping for later.
[WIND WHISTLING]
[PURRS]
[?]
[PURRING]
Do you even know
what "wild" means?
[PURRS]
Yeah, I thought so.
[SQUEAKS]
[PURRS]
[MOTORCYCLE STARTING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS, STALLS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
Hey.
What do you think you're doing?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
What are you
doing?
Do you hear me?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
I am going south.
Do you have a problem with that?
Yeah.
We're going west.
"We're"?
You and who else?
My buddy and I.
[GROWLS]
[KNIFE BLADE LOCKS]
Do you have any water?
Maybe.
[DUMA PURRING]
What do you got?
The motorcycle.
I could give you a ride.
You are thirsty, yeah?
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
[STARTER ENGAGING]
[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
Hey, hey!
I did not say
you could give some
to your animal.
There is
not enough.
Does this thing work?
If you have gas.
[CHUCKLES]
Opuno Kjadi Ripkuna.
You?
Xan. Thanks for the water.
[CHIRPS]
XAN: A bush baby.
How did it get here?
RIPKUNA: Same as me.
Too many wrong turns.
Mashaka.
Troublemaker.
Do you know there's a big river?
It's maybe five days' walk
from here.
But to get there,
we must have food.
So which one?
So which one what?
Which one we eat first?
You understand,
for us to live...
we must eat them.
Don't worry.
We have a few days before
we have to make our decision.
[PRINTER WHIRRING]
[WIND HOWLING]
Explain to me
this idea.
Get more wood.
You know,
I don't like
your cat looking at me
like this.
Where did you
learn this, boy?
Where did you
learn these ideas?
My dad taught me.
Your dad?
Wait for me, man.
Show me the plan, what you
are going to make, man.
[WIND GUSTING]
Put it up! Put it up.
I am.
Holy smoker!
XAN: Come on, hang on. Quickly.
[?]
XAN: Let her go.
RIPKUNA: We are doing it, Xan.
We are doing it!
Hang on!
[RIPKUNA LAUGHING]
Holy smoke.
Xan, look.
[CHUCKLING]
Say goodbye, Xan.
Bye-bye, plane!
Hello, river!
To the right.
To the right!
[?]
RIPKUNA:
Whoo! Ha, ha!
Oh, Xan,
we are going to live!
[RIPKUNA CHUCKLING]
[RIPKUNA LAUGHING]
[XAN LAUGHS]
XAN: We need water.
RIPKUNA: Don't worry.
We find it.
[PANTING]
[LAUGHING]
I told you so.
This is your big chance, boy.
[PURRING]
Remember what Dad said?
Chase, trip, bite.
You can do this.
[PURRING]
Come.
Duma. Duma.
Come, boy.
Come.
[SQUAWKS]
Go get him!
[DUMA PURRING]
Yeah, yeah.
Your cheetah
is a great hunter, yeah.
I'm very impressed.
He caught an egg.
You know, your cheetah...
he will not live long out here.
For what he would be worth,
you know
you could build a house.
You could build a lot of houses.
Maybe even buy a nice car.
With DVD.
[TWIGS CLATTER]
You don't sell a friend.
You know, the rich,
they buy animal
like him
every day.
Pay big money, make business.
You know?
Zoo, fun park.
And then they make more money.
Where are you
going, boy?
Do you know
where you are going?
[CHEEPS]
My dad and I found him
over here.
So you plan to cross
the Okavango.
Yeah, so?
"Yeah, so?"
That is a place of many teeth,
my friend.
It is a place
to die.
I'm not afraid.
Be smart.
Be afraid.
"I am not afraid."
Stupid boy.
Don't know nothing.
Don't know nothing.
[CREATURE MOANS]
You know, you could end up
in a lion's belly.
Fire.
Fire is the only thing
that scares them.
Ah...
You know, I know that place.
I could take you
a little way that way.
But then I have to
go back south, eh?
You would like that?
Okay.
I won't take you
all the whole way.
Just some of the way.
[?]
Come on, boy.
XAN: Who are they?
RIPKUNA: People.
People who never dreamed
that they would die here.
This place is full
of angry spirits, eh?
[MUTTERS]
There's a story in this.
I'm not sure
I want to know it, eh?
You know, in the right hands...
this will kill anything.
[HELICOPTER WHIRRING]
Hey. Come here.
Come. Hide.
Why?
Hide now.
Why? Who is it?
Bad people.
In here.
Come on, Duma.
[HELICOPTER APPROACHING]
We need to go farther.
There's nothing here but sand.
I can't see anything.
Come here.
Get down.
[GRUNTS]
[?]
Do you know...
how he got those black lines
on his face?
They say it's to stop
the glare from the sun
during the day
while they hunt.
There was a mother cheetah.
She loved her cub very much,
and one day...
he got lost.
And she searched,
and she searched,
and she called,
and she called.
And she cried so long
and so hard
that her tears made
black streaks...
down her face.
[PURRS]
Her face...
was stained forever...
from her crying.
[ANIMAL SQUAWKS]
[METAL SCRAPING]
An honorable weapon...
if there is such a thing.
For a real warrior, you know.
For you to face your enemies
and show your courage.
Eye to eye.
A lot of diamonds
came out of here.
I know they did not
get them all.
Always, I look.
One day, I'll get lucky.
Make rich.
You. Stay.
I want to keep going.
Just one quick look.
I'm coming, man.
[ECHOING]
Oh, it's an old one.
Lots of smelly old ghosts
in here.
Now's our chance.
Let's go.
Come, boy.
[RUMBLING]
[ROCKS CRASHING]
Rip?
Rip!
Rip!
Rip!
I'll get you out.
Just hang on!
[MUFFLED YELLING]
I'm trying, Rip.
[COUGHING]
[GASPING]
Xan. Thank God for you, Xan.
Thank God for you.
Grace, we are lucky.
This little stuff...
no big stuff.
Dig, boy. Dig.
[GRUNTING]
Why you are stopping?
Where have you been taking us?
I'm taking you
where you want to go.
No, you're not.
You're taking us north,
not west.
I am taking you
the way to the mountains.
It's the way
to town,
to the police,
and--
What are you talking about?
Collecting a reward for me
and selling Duma.
How do you get such ideas?
I am taking you north
to go west.
If you go
straight west,
it is a way to--
You're just trying to scare me.
You want me to go your way
so you can
turn us in.
Xan--
You go your way,
and I'll go mine.
Xan, where you are going?
Xan.
Come back.
You can't leave me
like this, Xan.
Xan.
Come back, Xan!
Xan.
Xan! Xan, come back!
I don't want him to follow us.
Xan, come back.
You can't leave me
like this, Xan!
[?]
We're gonna have to cross
the river tomorrow.
We're better off without him.
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Come on, Duma.
[PEEPING]
You're not gonna get wet.
[WHIMPERS]
Quickly.
Fine, you stay there.
We're going.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[GROWLS]
[RAPIDS ROARING]
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
Hang on.
[DUMA WHIMPERS]
[COUGHS]
Duma!
Duma!
[?]
[GASPING]
Duma, Duma, quickly, come out!
Come on, Duma!
Two fast cats, eh?
Mashaka,
come here, boy.
[MASHAKA CHEEPING]
[GROANS]
MAN [OVER RADIO]:
High chance of thunderstorms
due to a low-pressure system
moving into the country
from the coastal area...
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[ANIMAL BELLOWING]
[DUMA GROWLS]
Hey.
[LOWING]
[BRAYING]
[SHRIEKS]
Come on, run.
[HOOVES THUNDERING]
Duma, no!
Duma, wait!
Oh, man.
[BARKING]
[IMITATING DUMA'S PEEPING
BY WHISTLING]
[CONTINUES WHISTLING]
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
[SNAPPING]
[DUMA YELPS]
[ANIMALS SQUAWKING]
Duma?
[RUSTLING]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
XAN:
Duma!
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Duma?
[GROWLING]
[PEEPING]
[SNARLING]
[SNARLING]
[GROWLING]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING]
[ANIMAL SHRIEKS]
[XAN YELPS]
Well...
Mashaka.
[MASHAKA WHIMPERING]
[BOAR ROARING]
[MASHAKA SHRIEKS]
[BOAR ROARING]
[?]
[GRUNTS]
[GROANS]
[BOAR SNORTING]
[PURRING]
What happened?
You found Duma?
Yes.
He was in a poacher's trap.
You were in a hog's house.
That is better than being
in a lion's belly, no?
I'm sorry for what I did.
It was a mistake.
But you were right, eh?
I was thinking
about how much money
I could get for you both.
I had big plans, Xan.
I left my village, my wife,
my children
to be a big man.
Went to the big city
to make big money.
But I did not
find work, eh?
And soon,
I was a small man
that did
small things.
I ended up in the biggest jail
you ever see.
That is a place
I never want to go to again.
Do you understand?
My mother probably hates me.
Because I left her.
Mothers never stop
loving their children.
What do you know about mothers?
I am a father.
[?]
[WHISPERS]
This is dinner.
This way, this way.
Quickly, come.
He's got him.
[?]
RIPKUNA: We are not
going to eat tonight.
[PEOPLE SINGING
IN DISTANCE]
Now, that food...
that will be
an easy catch.
XAN: Maybe.
You have any ideas?
Yeah.
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Only blue one I've seen.
You look,
and I'll focus.
WOMAN: A green-breasted
fluffy tail.
MAN: No, I think it's
fluffy-breasted, isn't it?
WOMAN 2: And now,
what do I do now?
MAN 2: Quite wrong.
You're quite wrong.
I think it's an African...
You are ready?
Yeah.
MAN:
...distinguishes it
from the dark-capped cape.
WOMAN:
No.
MAN 2:
No, no, you're
quite wrong.
WOMAN:
No, I'm talking
about the--
WOMAN 2: That's
a water bird, darling.
Well, I don't see
anything there at all.
Are your contacts in?
They're in.
Help me!
It bit me.
[XAN GROANING]
It bit me!
What bit you?
What bit you?
This.
[SCREAMING]
It's a black mamba!
[SHOUTING & SCREAMING]
That's right, lad.
Ah!
Eat.
Mm!
You will
go far, Xan.
As long as you stay out
of jail, eh?
I want you to have this.
What is that?
It's for helping me.
No. I can't.
I want you to have it.
I don't want it.
You don't understand, Xan.
People die for that stuff, eh?
I can't take it.
Okay.
Then the water has it.
Five...
four, three...
two, one--
Okay, okay, okay.
I am sure I'm going to help you
at least one more time, eh?
I will safe-keep it.
Come.
Look.
You see this?
[RATTLING]
These pretty little stones...
I found
when I had to dig myself out.
Do you remember?
It's okay.
Take them.
I want you to remember
your friend Ripkuna.
I'll remember you,
Rip.
But I hope
you remember me.
Because now I'm gonna
say goodbye.
[CRACKING]
Xan?
Xan. What you are do--?
Wake up, Xan.
[LAUGHING]
Xan!
Don't do that.
That was not funny.
I'll kill you myself
next time.
Stupid boy.
Get on.
You wish.
[?]
[XAN WHISTLES PEEPING SOUND]
What is that noise
you are making?
When two cheetahs
are lost,
and they're looking
for each other,
they make that sound.
[FLIES BUZZING]
[GROWLING]
Hey.
Lions.
Not so long ago.
[SNARLING]
Come on, Duma.
You're being
selfish.
[HISSES]
[GROWLS]
Hey, hey,
hey, hey.
Leave him.
[DUMA GROWLING]
You have to remember,
it's what you wanted, eh?
That meat
is in his bones
from way back.
[GROWLING]
It's all right.
[?]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[TWIGS SNAPPING]
RIPKUNA: My grandfather
would bring me to this place
when I was younger than you.
RIPKUNA:
The old ones,
they talk to me.
See how they lived,
feared...
who they loved.
Their world is gone.
But we are not
so different.
You know, nobody comes here
anymore.
They are all forgotten.
I myself am no better.
My own father,
I do not know whether
he lives or not.
My father...
he died recently.
How can someone
just disappear like that...
forever?
Yebo.
I too would be angry.
You know, Xan...
people go
when they are ready to go.
Not when you are.
We are all just...
travelers on the same river.
Grandparents, parents,
their sons and daughters.
We all have our time
on the river.
We just...
We do what we can
before we disappear.
This is your time, Xan...
Duma's...
and mine.
Very soon we will be
where Duma is going.
After...
I am going to go
and see my family,
see if they welcome me or not.
And you can go
and see your mother.
Your father is dead for her too.
Everything's changed.
It's not the same.
It's different.
That's it, Xan.
Change, yeah.
That's what happens.
All the time.
The little boy that left home
is not the little boy
that is with me now, eh?
See?
Change.
[?]
Xan, can you see?
Above that cliff,
in the canyon?
Yeah.
A village...my village.
Xan, stop.
XAN: What is it?
Tsetse.
Do what I say,
yeah?
You have to run.
[FLIES BUZZING]
Hey. Wait. Wait. Wait!
Now, breathe!
[CHEEPING]
Keep breathing.
[?]
[PANTING]
Rip, what is wrong?
I'm sorry, Xan.
Long time ago,
got very sick from tsetse.
Was bad.
Real bad.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
We hurry now.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[GROWLS]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
[HISSES]
[LIONS GROWLING]
[ROARING]
[GROWLING]
RIPKUNA: Fire.
We have to
build a fire.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[THUNDER CRASHING]
RIPKUNA:
They see us.
They are
coming down now.
Yeah, yeah.
It's going. Up a bit.
Yes.
[SHIVERING]
It's too wet.
[GROANING]
Hold it up.
I can't hold it.
My hands don't work.
[LIONS GROWLING]
Look. That's it.
[PLASTIC CRUNCHING]
See? They are still dry.
Easy come, easy go.
Take it.
Burn it.
Yes, yes.
Very good.
[LION GROWLS]
[WHEEZING]
Duma, you have to stay here.
[WHEEZING]
Rip.
Hang on. I'm gonna get help.
[?]
[SNARLING]
[ROARING]
[PEEPING]
[PANTING]
[GROWLING]
[PANTING]
[SNARLING]
[?]
[GROWLING]
XAN: Hello?
Is anybody here?
[MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
My friend is sick.
I need your help.
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Yeah.
[PEEPS]
[PEEP
IN DISTANCE]
[PEEP IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING]
[PEEPING IN DISTANCE]
[PEEPING IN DISTANCE]
[SQUEALS]
[SQUEALS]
[BOTH SQUEALING, PEEPING]
[PURRING]
[WHEEZING]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Duma?
[PEOPLE SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SINGING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
XAN:
Duma.
[PEEPING]
[?]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
MAN: Rip.
Ripkuna.
[GASPS]
Ripkuna!
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[ALL SPEAKING EXCITEDLY]
Otorno.
Otorno.
Ainu.
Ainu.
[SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SOBBING] I'm sorry.
[CRYING]
RIPKUNA: Oh...
I'm sorry.
Xan...
I want you
to meet my family.
This is Ainu.
Otorno, my son.
Melika, my wife.
[SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE]
I said we have been
on a long journey together.
That you are
a mad cat boy.
That we are family,
all of us together.
[WOMAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[CONTINUES SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[LAUGHING]
RIPKUNA:
Mama
Duma!
[?]
[SQUEALING, PEEPING]
[SNORTING]
Duma?
[?]
FATHER:
He's a wild animal. Remember?
His wildness
is something he knows
without even knowing it.
It's in his blood, his bones.
Like a memory, yeah?
You and I will take him up
next week.
Okay? Camp out,
do a bit of fishing.
It'll be lekker, man.
Send him off.
[PURRING]
Hey, you.
You got it, boy.
Found a buddy and everything.
[PURRING]
[?]
[PURRING]
You take care of yourself.
I'm gonna miss you.
[?]
[PEEPING, SQUEALING]
[?]
XAN:
There are things you know
without knowing.
For Duma, it was his wildness.
For Rip, his family.
For me, it was my dad.
Everything he was,
everything he believed in,
is now part of me.
I was taking Duma home,
but he took me somewhere too.
Finding Duma's true home
brought me back to mine,
and showed me that love
doesn't stop when time passes
or you live
in different places,
or somebody's gone.
And that's how it was
with me and Duma.
[THE AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM'S
"WHEN YOU'RE FALLING" PLAYING]
? Every day
? You crawl into the night
? A fallen angel
? With your wings
Set alight ?
? When you hit the ground
? Everything turns to blue
? I can't get
Through the smoke ?
? That's surrounding you ?
? 'Cause when you're falling ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
? And when you're screaming ?
? Somehow I don't
Hear a sound ?
? And when
You're seeing things ?
? Then your feet
Don't touch the ground ?
? 'Cause when you're falling ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
? I can't tell
Which way is down ?
[SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
? And when
You're screaming ?
? Somehow I don't
Hear a sound ?
[?]
[THE WORLD BEATERS'
"INTO THE LIGHT" PLAYING]
? Let us celebrate
In harmony ?
? A chorus of joy
? Join the spirits
Now departing ?
? From these shores again
? We stroked together
? And left parts of us behind
? So we can
Find ourselves again ?
? Let me guide you
Into the light tonight ?
? This is where we are
? Into the light
? Let me guide you
Into the light ?
? Into the light
? This is who we are