Kangamba (2009) - full transcript
Presents
A Film By
Rogelio Paris
1983, Africa,
People's Republic of Angola,
Combat units
of the National Union for Total
Independence of Angola (UNITA)
organized, trained, and supplied
by the South African army
operate in the Moxico province
and increase their attacks
against the Peoples Army for
Angola's Liberation (FAPLA)
loyal to the national government.
Angola asks Cuba
to increase military aid.
In response to the request,
Cuban troops are deployed
in different regions across
the vast African country,
including a village
named Cangamba.
One of the most distant
and difficult to reach spots
in Angola's eastern heartland.
Southern Angola,
August 5 1983
How long can a man resist
under constant bombing?
Without any water, sleepless,
the air infested with
the stench from the corpses.
Sieged by thousands of enemies,
waiting for a final offensive.
How long can
a human being endure?
Kangamba
Luanda
5 months earlier
Mayito, Mayito.
Your friend, Lt. Colonel Lorenzo,
needs you.
Fuck you, man.
I can't believe it,
flying South
when I was almost in Cuba.
Lorenzo screwed me.
And he says he's my friend.
We're only two Cubans on board.
A cameraman,
known as Pepe el Loco.
And me, but I'm in no mood
for wackies.
I've been fooling around
with the landscape, the animals,
and the vegetation,
but now I'm fully-equipped,
I have a hunch that
something big is coming,
I've got a good photo camera
and a 16mm one.
Come on, run!
Get in line!
Cangama, a village
built by the Portuguese.
Scarcely 8000 people,
including those in the quimbos.
A FAPLA brigade and a small
group of Cuban advisors.
Mainly reservists like me.
One, two, one, two,
one, two, one, two;
I just met with the FAPLA,
Captain Lino and I
agree on the whole issue.
Obviously, Savimbi thinks
that in this forsaken spot,
he can count on the safety
of the South African rear guard,
to establish his
so called Black Republic.
You can see it in the way
his troops are moving.
Excuse me, Lt. Colonel.
Meanwhile, what happens?
Meanwhile, we'll dig holes, engineer.
That's why I sent for you.
You'll have to help Rogelio.
You, with the camera,
don't take one more picture,
unless I say so. Right!
You should be more careful
with your kid.
I'm looking for Joao.
-That's me.
I'm Captain Mario.
Glad to meet you, Captain.
I need to speak with you, primo.
I'm in trouble, primo.
-You can tell me, Captain.
I need full discretion.
No problem, Captain.
I'm with...you know...
You know what.
What is it, comrade?
-That!
Please, Joao.
Where are you sick?
Right here, damn it!
There it is.
-I'm out.
You didn't get it?
You can have it!
One.
This is yours.
Blank.
-What's going on?
No, I'm out.
No, I don't carry any.
Four.
Lions, don't go near people
just for nothing.
They need to be hungry.
There's Lino, stop!
What happened last night
was an alert, Lino.
They're getting ready
to move with their artillery.
Primo. they want to bury us here.
We, in the FAPLA know it.
Right. Good work, Captain.
This comes from the North!
They fucking started again!
Get over there! Quick!
Run over here, asshole!
Hurry, damn it!
Calm down!
What's wrong?
I sent for you because
I'm in trouble.
We ran out of gas.
-Should I bring the tanker?
Calm down, everything's
going to be fine.
Training the troop
isn't that bad.
The worst part is the 40 degree heat!
On the other hand,
at night, it gets freezing cold.
Artemiso and Sobrado
are like father and son.
They're always working
to make us feel better.
First, it was a garden.
Now, it's an oven to bake bread.
We have to rush it, Rogelio.
We need shelter for the people,
and the engines.
I got a radio from Luena,
they can't reach us by land.
We depend on the aviation.
We can't push them any harder.
They're working too hard.
We've got no choice.
To what do we owe
the Chief's presence?
I was remembering
the battle where you got
that shitty wound.
It was a fucking ugly sight.
But the devil looks after his own.
That's why you're alive.
You tell me, brother,
why did you send for me
just when
I was leaving for Cuba?
I got orders, Mayito.
-Fuck me, man!
I've known you for ages
and we've shared a few missions.
You wanna hear the truth?
Shit, there I was thinking
you were my friend.
I need you, Mayito.
Things are getting rough.
My men don't know
anything like this.
You know, we can do this
if we dig deep enough.
We gotta help Rogelio.
He can't do it on his own.
Mayito, they're scheming
something big.
Get to the point, Lorenzo.
We'll have to bury
ourselves like moles.
Before they do it for us!
Captain, I don't like to mind
anybody's business.
I guess you don't know
because nobody mentioned it.
Lorenzo, too,
should've left for Cuba,
yet, here's still here.
Move quietly. We'll snatch
the quimbo from the FAPLA.
Fire!
Turn yourselves in!
We won't! This is our quimbo
and we're going to keep it.
Our people want peace
to grow their crops and live.
If you join us we'll give you
a lot of money.
I owe you one, doc.
Are you feeling better?
Man, it was a rocket
that you put in that shot.
You gotta be careful
with women, Captain.
Speaking of women,
what's her name?
Long live, Angola!
-Long live!
Maria.
Long live Agostinho Neto!
-Long live!
Long live President Dos Santos!
-Long live!
Tell me about your defences, Primo.
The FAPLA is in charge of
the northern defense ring.
Our firing lines,
mortars, everything,
including heavy machines guns,
are fortified.
But I worry about the people.
They don't see why
they need to dig shelters
to protect themselves
from the artillery fire.
They can't see why a shelter's
better than hiding in the jungle.
How about the Soba, primo?
The Soba's working with us.
-That's good!
Sobrado, get more logs inside
this shit, it's not hot enough.
Holy shit, that's something!
We're on television again!
People only come here
when they're hungry.
Francisco and the chief
have been my pals
for a long time
and they never stop by.
Maybe they figure I went back
to my hometown.
Where's that, Artemiso?
-In Artemisa, can't you tell?
Let's try to get this batch out.
Keep working.
Come on, guys, hurry!
Put on your shirts
and wear them right,
we can't look like a wreck,
before the camera.
Come on, speed it up! Move!
Artemiso. How are you?
I have some vegetables
for your school.
Thank you, Artemiso.
When it comes to flowers,
I can tell you for sure
they might be like a treasure
but here in Cangamba, man,
they grow better for you.
Movie maker!
Don't you want to take good shots?
-Yes, of course!
Join us.
They've been harassing us
with mortars for months
and in the last few days
they're bringing them closer,
I promised Lorenzo to find them.
I'll bring Primo and Loco
to train them.
Let's go!
Unita Territory
You can get it
but you won't get out.
Savimba's Territory
I've seen this before.
I don't need another crappy wound.
What did you bring?
-Supplies and mail.
Shit, at last.
Mortar!
-Get away from the plane!
Run for the trenches,
before they fucking kill us!
Fire!
Pepe! Hold it right there!
Fire!
Damn it!
Keep crying and you'll
end up alone in this jungle.
Aren't you a soldier?
Then get back there,
shit, beat it!
Battery 1, hold your fire!
Battery 4, cease fire!
Battery 3, cease fire!
Battery officers!
We change our positions
in 15 minutes.
I can't do it, Captain.
They won't be screwing us
anymore today.
Get moving.
I miss a good cup
of coffee, damn it!
Why don't you try
drinking tangerine tea?
I don't go for that stuff!
Did you see anything?
-We found their mortars.
Clearly that's just a fraction
of what they have,
because they're blasting us
from everywhere.
How did the men behave?
-FAPLA soldiers did fine.
Guess who almost shits on...
Did he freak out?
-No...
Mayito, don't forget
he's just a kid.
He's got no experience.
-I didn't say anything.
I'll go check that first batch.
I hope its better than yesterday.
July
Primo!
What's that, brother?
Let me have it.
Watch me do it. You see?
Primo, don't worry,
you're doing great.
That's it, partner.
Keep at it, you can do it.
Come on, guys!
We gotta hurry!
The Soba and Lino,
as chief of the regiment
made them see that either we
bury ourselves or they'll do it.
I was speaking with Luena.
Carry on Rogelio.
Including Mayito's area
we have 1.14 miles
with trenches and shelters.
0.55 miles in the defense ring and
0.19 for communication trenches.
That's not enough!
-We have to keep digging.
Listen, Lorenzo...
Don't you celebrate any
birthdays around here?
If you like,
we'd invent you one.
Francisco, why don't we make
some tangerine tea.
and hand it out to the men?
Mayito can drink all he wants.
Seriously, Lt. Colonel.
I think we should let them
have their share of rum.
Right!
Naturally, those on duty
will get their fill tomorrow.
When are you on duty?
Today or tomorrow?
-Any time you say, chief.
You'll just have
to be on duty today.
I mean to have
my share of booze now.
Joao, have a drink with me.
I can't, Captain.
Why not?
-Because I'm on duty!
I know it,
but back in Cuba,
when I ask my buddy
to have a drink with me,
he can't turn me down.
That drink is,
because you're my brother.
I know you'll go to Cuba
and become a hell of a doctor.
Captain, don't play with that!
When will you ever
be serious with me?
Joao, I might be a screwball
and everything, but...
I'm telling you this
from the bottom of my heart.
Attention!
Soldier, let me see your canteen.
Don't you know that your share
is one-seventh litre,
just like everyone else?
Where did you get so much rum?
How long have
you been here in Cangama?
A few months, right?
You shouldn't steal
rum from your comrades.
You deserve a black mark
on your record.
This better be the last time.
Carry on.
Joao?
-Who wants him?
Captain Mario.
Good morning, Captain.
-Good morning, Maria.
Come in. Sit down.
Where can I find Joao
and Captain Lino?
They went to the quimbo
but should be here any time.
This is tangerine tea.
I like tangerine tea.
Any sugar?
How about your kids?
-My kids? They're good.
Mind if I smoke?
-No problem.
How's the digging going?
-Great!
Here is Joao!
Wait for me over there.
I went looking for you
in the hospital.
They needed me in the quimbos.
After you eat with your wife,
see me in the green house.
I'll meet you there.
Drive on.
Joao.
-I'm starving, Maria!
Why did you say
that to the Captain?
What?
-That I'm your wife.
Because he says you're hot.
-I'm hot?
I don't understand.
-He means you're really pretty.
Joao, no one in this quimbo
calls me that.
That's funny!
I think you're jealous!
You're my sister!
My brother's jealous!
-The Captain likes to play!
Don't pay any attention
to his games.
Run to the trenches, now!
Come on! Hurry!
Run, damn it!
Get inside the trenches!
Nobody shoots until I say so!
Fire!
Base, here 00.
Base, here 00.
We got here on time.
The first ring is still
under FAPLA control.
Ever since this morning report,
they've been shooting us.
It's been going on all day long.
Roger.
They're blasting us
with all they have.
This time is for real.
The MIGs saved our day.
Roger and out.
This afternoon was confirmed
that after a hard struggle
UNITAs forces headed by
Jonas Savimbi captured Cangamba,
striking a final blow
to Cuban and MPLA forces,
usurpers of the power in Angola.
Have some booze, engineer.
That was a close call today.
Rogelio, do you know Maria,
Joao's wife?
Joao's not married.
Maria is his sister.
August 3rd.
Attention everybody!
City of Havana, Cuba.
Positive.
The Head Staff's confirmed
the information from Luanda.
Starting at 5:55 hours on August 2.
UNITA launched an artillery attack
against the positions
of the 32nd FAPLA Brigade
and a team of Cuban advisors
in Cangamba.
August 3rd
Of course! UNITA is singing
happy birthday to their boss.
Today is Dr. Savimbi's
49th birthday.
I'm leaving for Angola right now.
I'm scared too,
many of my people are dead
and can't speak their mind.
I spent all my life with them,
and now I feel empty.
that's all I have left.
From now on, I'll just have
to speak with corpses,
If God grants me the privilege.
I'm on my own.
My two children
were killed by the bombs.
Don't say that. We're not alone.
I do think we are.
You're out leader,
get us out of here.
Can't you see a way out?
-No.
Now the leader if Captain Lino.
I can't do for the people,
more than I'm doing now.
I thought we might run away,
but those who go to the jungle
bring back the same answer.
They're everywhere.
After we meet with
the FAPLA Head Staff,
we're going to the tanks unit.
They have a job to do.
According to the information
we have,
50 men are on their way
here to reinforce us.
The aircraft's ready
to accomplish mission.
00. Here Tigre.
All Melons are in the air. Your
mission is to back their landing.
01, 01.
They're shooting from the hill.
00. Here H-1
We're less than 10 minutes
from the target.
00. Here H1.
We're seeing the target.
Starting maneuver.
00 to 01, 00, to 01.
Get ready to fire.
Come on! Come on!
Let's go!
Run to the trenches!
Go on! Move on!
Come on!
Move, we're almost there!
Did you bring new instruction?
I'm taking over command.
-How's that?
Here's the order.
Unita Headquarters
I don't understand,
this doesn't say anything.
It looks like you don't think
I'm doing right.
This can't last forever,
it has to end now!
We informed the press
we'd captured the village.
If so,
why are we still fighting?
But you landed here.
Who took this landing strip?
We are everywhere.
South Africa's given us
weapons we never dreamed
and we gave them to you.
What for?
The white men are pushing us.
Thanks to them we're here.
You have 3000 men
and more than 60 artillery pieces.
Occupy means occupy, General!
Height 310!
Shift right 050!
-To the right 050!
Battery!
-Battery!
Fire!
Fire!
Lord have mercy! My God!
August 5
Fire!
-Fire!
Don't move, damn it,
everything's ok.
What's wrong, Reiner?
-Don't touch your face!
What happened?
Come on! Come on!
Leave it damn it!
You need a doctor!
Keep still.
Take it easy, primo
I can deal with this!
Tuna, shit,
don't touch your face!
INITA's just taken over
the quimbo and the river.
Our only water supply.
Lorenzo!
They killed Sobrado.
President Dos Santos ordered
to transfer to Menongue
2000 C-5 rockets sent to Havana.
This afternoon I'm flying to Luena.
To meet personally the crews
flying in the helicopters
to reinforce Cangamba.
Excuse me.
Get me the tanks column
in Menongue. Now!
Reinforcement column Menongue.
In hardly 48 hours,
FAPLA and Cubans
have two columns
on their way to Cangamba.
The fucking trenches behind
the FAPLA house, crumbled.
We have to build them again.
Get to work!
Hi Maria!
I have to leave now, Mario.
I'm going to the jungle
with my people.
Reinforcement column-HUAMBO.
Comrade Officers!
Comrades,
we have an urgent message.
The Commander is arriving.
Go ahead 29.
Are you crazy?
Why don't you shoot?
We're out of supplies, Captain!
Where are your feeders?
-We don't have any!
We're pulling out!
We're pulling out!
Base, here 00!
Based, here 00!
The enemy lines are blurred.
We can't focus the targets.
Attention!
We're attacking separately!
We're attacking separately!
Verde!
UNITA is closing in on us.
The aviation's firing their rockets
but it's not being effective.
Colonel!
I said, that the aviations shot
lots of rockets, with poor results.
The worst part is that FAPLA
troops lost the river yesterday.
It was our only water reserve.
We'll see what we can do.
Roger and out.
Manuel!
-Yes, sir!
Tell Ruben to contact with 00.
I need a prompter in Cangamba.
The aviation is firing blind.
They need to get sharper;
the enemy is too close.
If the doctor goes with them,
it'd be much better.
Permission!
Cheer up!
Come on! Come on!
When they run out of supplies,
Captain Lino and his men,
after repelling more than once
the enemy infantry
are forced to retreat
into our positions
no larger than a football field.
The town is left at the mercy
of the UNITA.
Things look bad for us,
but we know that Fidel, in person,
minute by minute
overseas the operations.
Banana stumps and toothpaste,
that's all we have
to quench the thirst.
Damn it, I'm going out!
-You can't go back there!
What the fuck's the matter.
Just lie down there.
Listen, I can still shoot!
The winking eye,
is already winked!
That's nothing, but now
you need to lie down.
Come on!
Get inside.
Today the choppers
had a hard time.
They have to drop
a Special Force company
behind UNITAs lines and bring
the doctor and the prompter.
Going down!
Henry! Guess what?
I see two targets
coming in from the south.
Judging from their speed
I'd say they're two Mirage.
Headquarters! We see 2 mirage
crafts, coming in from the south.
Attention, 01, attention 02,
here 00.
Make sure the doctor and
the prompter get to Cangamba.
Roger 00.
00 here Tiger.
Detecting two Mirage,
zone 4, heading north.
Tell me if you copy!
-Here 00, roger.
We're going into
air-air combat option.
Negative 00.
Abort mission, abort mission!
The order is to come home.
It's an order!
HO, HO, here Tigre
The path road for the 21's
is blocked.
Carry out the mission on your own.
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Doc, hurry!
Our radars detected
two enemy planes.
But beneath them were
14 South African Mirages.
Is everything clear?
Permission, chief.
It's about time you got here,
damn it.
You two are crucial
for this troop.
You want some?
-No, thanks.
We need to make sure
the aviation is effective.
On the other hand, we must
take care of the wounded.
We'll take you
to the medical post
and there you'll meet
two sanitarians
who've been our life-savers.
I brought a few medicines
and some instruments
I know it isn't much
but we're going to need it.
Right, Julio, take him over there.
Check what you need
to contact with the aviation.
First, I need our positions.
Francisco, show him.
When their aviation comes back
use the rockets.
we've got plenty of them,
when they come down
we'll fire at them with our cannons.
All the chiefs of units are waiting
for their meeting with you.
Order the officers
in charge of the artillery units
to return to the positions
and open fire.
Tomorrow we're going to
hit hard with three battalions,
and I want them
to sleep tonight.
The rest can wait.
I'll see that your orders
are carried out, General.
Have dinner with me.
-Fine.
They should worry,
they can't take the damn village.
Home Front UNITA
August 8
General, inform all chiefs of units
to start the artillery fight
and don't stop until I say so.
Doctor!
He's alive!
Help. shit. quick!
Careful with the leg!
-Take the log off him.
Careful with the leg, damn it!
-Take is easy!
Hold on, doc!
Careful! Go ahead!
Be quiet!
I think it's the artery!
Press hard, shit!
Leave me alone, Reinier!
Take care of Moro, damn it!
Give me a fucking gun!
They won't get me alive.
Hey, Reiner, damn it!
It's us!
Let me go!
-Fuck! It's me, Francisco!
Fuck, the doctor!
UNITA troops are less than
0.037 miles away from us,
making it very difficult
for the MIGs to make fire.
00 here Pilot.
Here 00 Pilot.
Pilot, I'm copying you, answer.
00, here Pilot.
00 here Pilot.
-Go ahead Pilot.
Inside the church tower
they have a sniper who's
been giving us hell.
Attack him on combat course 720.
Combat course 720.
Roger, going to that position.
UNITA!
Fire!
-Fire!
Let me go, damn it!
-No, chief, don't!
You know you can't go out there!
Don't let them cross!
Shoot! Shoot, damn it!
Watch out!
Shit!
Shoot! Shoot! damn it!
Don't let them come near!
Shoot!
Give me room!
Give me room!
Hey, shoot! Fire!
Don't stop! Fire!
Son of a bitch, get it! Fire!
August 9
Add to the third column
a battery with
85 and 37 mm cannons.
Talk about it with Ulloa,
but you have to move fast.
If you appoint Andres
in charge, it'd be even better.
OK, move.
General!
Good news,
the General Staff
guarantees that today,
two Special Destination Companies
will be arriving here
to increase the troops fighting
behind UNITAs home front.
I guess it's time.
Let's wait until it stops raining.
It never stops.
Anyway, let's wait.
Where are we going to bury him?
Right here.
00,00.
00,00
from a warehouse
in the north side of the village
we're getting hit with mortar 82.
Roger. I'll deal with it.
Shit, I failed, damn it!
Take it easy 00.
Take it easy. You can
blast the fucking warehouse.
I'm afraid I might hit you.
-No, no, no.
Don't worry about us,
we're inside the trenches.
Go ahead, shoot!
Shit, I missed again!
If I miss again, I'll impact myself
against the warehouse!
Colorado, look after
my wife and kids.
You just hit it, damn it!
Permission.
-Come in Manuel.
Two things before I leave.
First, Special Destination troops
will keep fighting
behind UNITA's rearguard.
Don't even try to break the siege.
Those are orders from Havana.
Two. The communique sent
by the Commander in Chief
must reach the troops
at any price.
Can we get through to Cangamba?
Yesterday we spoke with
Lt. Colonel Lorenzo.
So?
-Seventeen Cubans dead,
as well as many FAPLA.
But they're holding on, General.
What about water, food
and supplies?
They don't mention it.
Four days without water
and they're holding on.
Get moving!
Special Destination troops place
mines in UNITA's rearguard.
Meanwhile, the tanks
keep moving ahead.
Kid, where you want me
to drop the candies?
Got you, I have you in sight.
I can see your blasts.
Tell me where you want me
to drop the candies.
On top of the blue house, Fatso.
Put on your party hats.
I'm ready to crash the pinata.
Very soon we'll be
the ones inside the circle,
we should view the possibility
to abort the operation.
The aviation is blasting us
very hard.
We received a letter from
the Commander in Chief.
Is it for everybody?
-For everybody.
To all Cubans and the 32nd FAPLA
Brigade fighting in Cangamba.
Dear comrades:
For days we've followed
by the hour,
your heroic resistance
against very superior forces
in number
and means as South Africa's
puppets in Cangamba.
If the enemy takes Cangamba
they will be ruthless with
the wounded and the prisoners.
Inside your positions,
well entrenched, with calmness,
self-confidence
and total determination
you must repel all enemy attacks,
endure the artillery fire
and destroy those who attempt
to take over your positions.
All Cuban means and forces
will be used if necessary
to free you from the enemy siege.
Our troops will be there soon,
in three or four days.
But if the distance,
the natural obstacles
and the enemy actions
delays them twice
or thrice that time
or even more,
You must resist.
Because they'll get there at any cost.
Cangamba will be
an everlasting symbol
of the courage showed
by Cubans and Angolans.
Cangamba will serve as
an example that the blood shed
by Cuban and Angolan men
for the sake of African's
freedom and dignity,
has not been in vain.
I'm confident in
your unbeatable courage
and I promise
that we'll
rescue you at any cost.
Motherland or Death!
We shall overcome!
Come on, Primo!
It tastes like shit.
But it is water.
Run, damn it, hurry!
Run, shit, quick!
Start giving out the water,
one cap each.
And leave two canteens
for the medical post.
He's crazy!
-He tells me he's fine.
So! That's good.
-Sure, after all the trouble.
UNITA!
I'll talk to him!
-UNITA!
Call everyone.
Maria, come on!
The struggle!
-Continues!
Victory!
-Is sure!
This silence means
that anytime now, the enemy
will launch their attack.
Everybody knows what to expect
if we fall in the hands of UNITA.
If we're going to die
we'll go fighting.
Reference point 1.
To the left 10.
Reference point 1.
To the left 10.
Height 30.
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Order the weapons we've got left
to go on shooting
to guarantee the South African
advisor's retreat.
Fire!
You're crazy, Captain!
Take cover, damn it!
-They're pulling back!
They're pulling back!
UNITA is pulling back!
Long live Angola!
-Long live!
I like tangerines.
And you wonder
how we got this far.
How did we survive when
we saw ourselves almost dead.
When will you understand?
Life is an act of faith.
Is to live beyond sadness
And to grow in your dreams.
Time won't wait.
You just have to move on.
To change all the fears
That leave us sadness.
And all that is worthless
If one day withers.
All the pride
In your eyes.
Love is all that matters.
Love is all that matters.
When will you understand?
A Film By
Rogelio Paris
1983, Africa,
People's Republic of Angola,
Combat units
of the National Union for Total
Independence of Angola (UNITA)
organized, trained, and supplied
by the South African army
operate in the Moxico province
and increase their attacks
against the Peoples Army for
Angola's Liberation (FAPLA)
loyal to the national government.
Angola asks Cuba
to increase military aid.
In response to the request,
Cuban troops are deployed
in different regions across
the vast African country,
including a village
named Cangamba.
One of the most distant
and difficult to reach spots
in Angola's eastern heartland.
Southern Angola,
August 5 1983
How long can a man resist
under constant bombing?
Without any water, sleepless,
the air infested with
the stench from the corpses.
Sieged by thousands of enemies,
waiting for a final offensive.
How long can
a human being endure?
Kangamba
Luanda
5 months earlier
Mayito, Mayito.
Your friend, Lt. Colonel Lorenzo,
needs you.
Fuck you, man.
I can't believe it,
flying South
when I was almost in Cuba.
Lorenzo screwed me.
And he says he's my friend.
We're only two Cubans on board.
A cameraman,
known as Pepe el Loco.
And me, but I'm in no mood
for wackies.
I've been fooling around
with the landscape, the animals,
and the vegetation,
but now I'm fully-equipped,
I have a hunch that
something big is coming,
I've got a good photo camera
and a 16mm one.
Come on, run!
Get in line!
Cangama, a village
built by the Portuguese.
Scarcely 8000 people,
including those in the quimbos.
A FAPLA brigade and a small
group of Cuban advisors.
Mainly reservists like me.
One, two, one, two,
one, two, one, two;
I just met with the FAPLA,
Captain Lino and I
agree on the whole issue.
Obviously, Savimbi thinks
that in this forsaken spot,
he can count on the safety
of the South African rear guard,
to establish his
so called Black Republic.
You can see it in the way
his troops are moving.
Excuse me, Lt. Colonel.
Meanwhile, what happens?
Meanwhile, we'll dig holes, engineer.
That's why I sent for you.
You'll have to help Rogelio.
You, with the camera,
don't take one more picture,
unless I say so. Right!
You should be more careful
with your kid.
I'm looking for Joao.
-That's me.
I'm Captain Mario.
Glad to meet you, Captain.
I need to speak with you, primo.
I'm in trouble, primo.
-You can tell me, Captain.
I need full discretion.
No problem, Captain.
I'm with...you know...
You know what.
What is it, comrade?
-That!
Please, Joao.
Where are you sick?
Right here, damn it!
There it is.
-I'm out.
You didn't get it?
You can have it!
One.
This is yours.
Blank.
-What's going on?
No, I'm out.
No, I don't carry any.
Four.
Lions, don't go near people
just for nothing.
They need to be hungry.
There's Lino, stop!
What happened last night
was an alert, Lino.
They're getting ready
to move with their artillery.
Primo. they want to bury us here.
We, in the FAPLA know it.
Right. Good work, Captain.
This comes from the North!
They fucking started again!
Get over there! Quick!
Run over here, asshole!
Hurry, damn it!
Calm down!
What's wrong?
I sent for you because
I'm in trouble.
We ran out of gas.
-Should I bring the tanker?
Calm down, everything's
going to be fine.
Training the troop
isn't that bad.
The worst part is the 40 degree heat!
On the other hand,
at night, it gets freezing cold.
Artemiso and Sobrado
are like father and son.
They're always working
to make us feel better.
First, it was a garden.
Now, it's an oven to bake bread.
We have to rush it, Rogelio.
We need shelter for the people,
and the engines.
I got a radio from Luena,
they can't reach us by land.
We depend on the aviation.
We can't push them any harder.
They're working too hard.
We've got no choice.
To what do we owe
the Chief's presence?
I was remembering
the battle where you got
that shitty wound.
It was a fucking ugly sight.
But the devil looks after his own.
That's why you're alive.
You tell me, brother,
why did you send for me
just when
I was leaving for Cuba?
I got orders, Mayito.
-Fuck me, man!
I've known you for ages
and we've shared a few missions.
You wanna hear the truth?
Shit, there I was thinking
you were my friend.
I need you, Mayito.
Things are getting rough.
My men don't know
anything like this.
You know, we can do this
if we dig deep enough.
We gotta help Rogelio.
He can't do it on his own.
Mayito, they're scheming
something big.
Get to the point, Lorenzo.
We'll have to bury
ourselves like moles.
Before they do it for us!
Captain, I don't like to mind
anybody's business.
I guess you don't know
because nobody mentioned it.
Lorenzo, too,
should've left for Cuba,
yet, here's still here.
Move quietly. We'll snatch
the quimbo from the FAPLA.
Fire!
Turn yourselves in!
We won't! This is our quimbo
and we're going to keep it.
Our people want peace
to grow their crops and live.
If you join us we'll give you
a lot of money.
I owe you one, doc.
Are you feeling better?
Man, it was a rocket
that you put in that shot.
You gotta be careful
with women, Captain.
Speaking of women,
what's her name?
Long live, Angola!
-Long live!
Maria.
Long live Agostinho Neto!
-Long live!
Long live President Dos Santos!
-Long live!
Tell me about your defences, Primo.
The FAPLA is in charge of
the northern defense ring.
Our firing lines,
mortars, everything,
including heavy machines guns,
are fortified.
But I worry about the people.
They don't see why
they need to dig shelters
to protect themselves
from the artillery fire.
They can't see why a shelter's
better than hiding in the jungle.
How about the Soba, primo?
The Soba's working with us.
-That's good!
Sobrado, get more logs inside
this shit, it's not hot enough.
Holy shit, that's something!
We're on television again!
People only come here
when they're hungry.
Francisco and the chief
have been my pals
for a long time
and they never stop by.
Maybe they figure I went back
to my hometown.
Where's that, Artemiso?
-In Artemisa, can't you tell?
Let's try to get this batch out.
Keep working.
Come on, guys, hurry!
Put on your shirts
and wear them right,
we can't look like a wreck,
before the camera.
Come on, speed it up! Move!
Artemiso. How are you?
I have some vegetables
for your school.
Thank you, Artemiso.
When it comes to flowers,
I can tell you for sure
they might be like a treasure
but here in Cangamba, man,
they grow better for you.
Movie maker!
Don't you want to take good shots?
-Yes, of course!
Join us.
They've been harassing us
with mortars for months
and in the last few days
they're bringing them closer,
I promised Lorenzo to find them.
I'll bring Primo and Loco
to train them.
Let's go!
Unita Territory
You can get it
but you won't get out.
Savimba's Territory
I've seen this before.
I don't need another crappy wound.
What did you bring?
-Supplies and mail.
Shit, at last.
Mortar!
-Get away from the plane!
Run for the trenches,
before they fucking kill us!
Fire!
Pepe! Hold it right there!
Fire!
Damn it!
Keep crying and you'll
end up alone in this jungle.
Aren't you a soldier?
Then get back there,
shit, beat it!
Battery 1, hold your fire!
Battery 4, cease fire!
Battery 3, cease fire!
Battery officers!
We change our positions
in 15 minutes.
I can't do it, Captain.
They won't be screwing us
anymore today.
Get moving.
I miss a good cup
of coffee, damn it!
Why don't you try
drinking tangerine tea?
I don't go for that stuff!
Did you see anything?
-We found their mortars.
Clearly that's just a fraction
of what they have,
because they're blasting us
from everywhere.
How did the men behave?
-FAPLA soldiers did fine.
Guess who almost shits on...
Did he freak out?
-No...
Mayito, don't forget
he's just a kid.
He's got no experience.
-I didn't say anything.
I'll go check that first batch.
I hope its better than yesterday.
July
Primo!
What's that, brother?
Let me have it.
Watch me do it. You see?
Primo, don't worry,
you're doing great.
That's it, partner.
Keep at it, you can do it.
Come on, guys!
We gotta hurry!
The Soba and Lino,
as chief of the regiment
made them see that either we
bury ourselves or they'll do it.
I was speaking with Luena.
Carry on Rogelio.
Including Mayito's area
we have 1.14 miles
with trenches and shelters.
0.55 miles in the defense ring and
0.19 for communication trenches.
That's not enough!
-We have to keep digging.
Listen, Lorenzo...
Don't you celebrate any
birthdays around here?
If you like,
we'd invent you one.
Francisco, why don't we make
some tangerine tea.
and hand it out to the men?
Mayito can drink all he wants.
Seriously, Lt. Colonel.
I think we should let them
have their share of rum.
Right!
Naturally, those on duty
will get their fill tomorrow.
When are you on duty?
Today or tomorrow?
-Any time you say, chief.
You'll just have
to be on duty today.
I mean to have
my share of booze now.
Joao, have a drink with me.
I can't, Captain.
Why not?
-Because I'm on duty!
I know it,
but back in Cuba,
when I ask my buddy
to have a drink with me,
he can't turn me down.
That drink is,
because you're my brother.
I know you'll go to Cuba
and become a hell of a doctor.
Captain, don't play with that!
When will you ever
be serious with me?
Joao, I might be a screwball
and everything, but...
I'm telling you this
from the bottom of my heart.
Attention!
Soldier, let me see your canteen.
Don't you know that your share
is one-seventh litre,
just like everyone else?
Where did you get so much rum?
How long have
you been here in Cangama?
A few months, right?
You shouldn't steal
rum from your comrades.
You deserve a black mark
on your record.
This better be the last time.
Carry on.
Joao?
-Who wants him?
Captain Mario.
Good morning, Captain.
-Good morning, Maria.
Come in. Sit down.
Where can I find Joao
and Captain Lino?
They went to the quimbo
but should be here any time.
This is tangerine tea.
I like tangerine tea.
Any sugar?
How about your kids?
-My kids? They're good.
Mind if I smoke?
-No problem.
How's the digging going?
-Great!
Here is Joao!
Wait for me over there.
I went looking for you
in the hospital.
They needed me in the quimbos.
After you eat with your wife,
see me in the green house.
I'll meet you there.
Drive on.
Joao.
-I'm starving, Maria!
Why did you say
that to the Captain?
What?
-That I'm your wife.
Because he says you're hot.
-I'm hot?
I don't understand.
-He means you're really pretty.
Joao, no one in this quimbo
calls me that.
That's funny!
I think you're jealous!
You're my sister!
My brother's jealous!
-The Captain likes to play!
Don't pay any attention
to his games.
Run to the trenches, now!
Come on! Hurry!
Run, damn it!
Get inside the trenches!
Nobody shoots until I say so!
Fire!
Base, here 00.
Base, here 00.
We got here on time.
The first ring is still
under FAPLA control.
Ever since this morning report,
they've been shooting us.
It's been going on all day long.
Roger.
They're blasting us
with all they have.
This time is for real.
The MIGs saved our day.
Roger and out.
This afternoon was confirmed
that after a hard struggle
UNITAs forces headed by
Jonas Savimbi captured Cangamba,
striking a final blow
to Cuban and MPLA forces,
usurpers of the power in Angola.
Have some booze, engineer.
That was a close call today.
Rogelio, do you know Maria,
Joao's wife?
Joao's not married.
Maria is his sister.
August 3rd.
Attention everybody!
City of Havana, Cuba.
Positive.
The Head Staff's confirmed
the information from Luanda.
Starting at 5:55 hours on August 2.
UNITA launched an artillery attack
against the positions
of the 32nd FAPLA Brigade
and a team of Cuban advisors
in Cangamba.
August 3rd
Of course! UNITA is singing
happy birthday to their boss.
Today is Dr. Savimbi's
49th birthday.
I'm leaving for Angola right now.
I'm scared too,
many of my people are dead
and can't speak their mind.
I spent all my life with them,
and now I feel empty.
that's all I have left.
From now on, I'll just have
to speak with corpses,
If God grants me the privilege.
I'm on my own.
My two children
were killed by the bombs.
Don't say that. We're not alone.
I do think we are.
You're out leader,
get us out of here.
Can't you see a way out?
-No.
Now the leader if Captain Lino.
I can't do for the people,
more than I'm doing now.
I thought we might run away,
but those who go to the jungle
bring back the same answer.
They're everywhere.
After we meet with
the FAPLA Head Staff,
we're going to the tanks unit.
They have a job to do.
According to the information
we have,
50 men are on their way
here to reinforce us.
The aircraft's ready
to accomplish mission.
00. Here Tigre.
All Melons are in the air. Your
mission is to back their landing.
01, 01.
They're shooting from the hill.
00. Here H-1
We're less than 10 minutes
from the target.
00. Here H1.
We're seeing the target.
Starting maneuver.
00 to 01, 00, to 01.
Get ready to fire.
Come on! Come on!
Let's go!
Run to the trenches!
Go on! Move on!
Come on!
Move, we're almost there!
Did you bring new instruction?
I'm taking over command.
-How's that?
Here's the order.
Unita Headquarters
I don't understand,
this doesn't say anything.
It looks like you don't think
I'm doing right.
This can't last forever,
it has to end now!
We informed the press
we'd captured the village.
If so,
why are we still fighting?
But you landed here.
Who took this landing strip?
We are everywhere.
South Africa's given us
weapons we never dreamed
and we gave them to you.
What for?
The white men are pushing us.
Thanks to them we're here.
You have 3000 men
and more than 60 artillery pieces.
Occupy means occupy, General!
Height 310!
Shift right 050!
-To the right 050!
Battery!
-Battery!
Fire!
Fire!
Lord have mercy! My God!
August 5
Fire!
-Fire!
Don't move, damn it,
everything's ok.
What's wrong, Reiner?
-Don't touch your face!
What happened?
Come on! Come on!
Leave it damn it!
You need a doctor!
Keep still.
Take it easy, primo
I can deal with this!
Tuna, shit,
don't touch your face!
INITA's just taken over
the quimbo and the river.
Our only water supply.
Lorenzo!
They killed Sobrado.
President Dos Santos ordered
to transfer to Menongue
2000 C-5 rockets sent to Havana.
This afternoon I'm flying to Luena.
To meet personally the crews
flying in the helicopters
to reinforce Cangamba.
Excuse me.
Get me the tanks column
in Menongue. Now!
Reinforcement column Menongue.
In hardly 48 hours,
FAPLA and Cubans
have two columns
on their way to Cangamba.
The fucking trenches behind
the FAPLA house, crumbled.
We have to build them again.
Get to work!
Hi Maria!
I have to leave now, Mario.
I'm going to the jungle
with my people.
Reinforcement column-HUAMBO.
Comrade Officers!
Comrades,
we have an urgent message.
The Commander is arriving.
Go ahead 29.
Are you crazy?
Why don't you shoot?
We're out of supplies, Captain!
Where are your feeders?
-We don't have any!
We're pulling out!
We're pulling out!
Base, here 00!
Based, here 00!
The enemy lines are blurred.
We can't focus the targets.
Attention!
We're attacking separately!
We're attacking separately!
Verde!
UNITA is closing in on us.
The aviation's firing their rockets
but it's not being effective.
Colonel!
I said, that the aviations shot
lots of rockets, with poor results.
The worst part is that FAPLA
troops lost the river yesterday.
It was our only water reserve.
We'll see what we can do.
Roger and out.
Manuel!
-Yes, sir!
Tell Ruben to contact with 00.
I need a prompter in Cangamba.
The aviation is firing blind.
They need to get sharper;
the enemy is too close.
If the doctor goes with them,
it'd be much better.
Permission!
Cheer up!
Come on! Come on!
When they run out of supplies,
Captain Lino and his men,
after repelling more than once
the enemy infantry
are forced to retreat
into our positions
no larger than a football field.
The town is left at the mercy
of the UNITA.
Things look bad for us,
but we know that Fidel, in person,
minute by minute
overseas the operations.
Banana stumps and toothpaste,
that's all we have
to quench the thirst.
Damn it, I'm going out!
-You can't go back there!
What the fuck's the matter.
Just lie down there.
Listen, I can still shoot!
The winking eye,
is already winked!
That's nothing, but now
you need to lie down.
Come on!
Get inside.
Today the choppers
had a hard time.
They have to drop
a Special Force company
behind UNITAs lines and bring
the doctor and the prompter.
Going down!
Henry! Guess what?
I see two targets
coming in from the south.
Judging from their speed
I'd say they're two Mirage.
Headquarters! We see 2 mirage
crafts, coming in from the south.
Attention, 01, attention 02,
here 00.
Make sure the doctor and
the prompter get to Cangamba.
Roger 00.
00 here Tiger.
Detecting two Mirage,
zone 4, heading north.
Tell me if you copy!
-Here 00, roger.
We're going into
air-air combat option.
Negative 00.
Abort mission, abort mission!
The order is to come home.
It's an order!
HO, HO, here Tigre
The path road for the 21's
is blocked.
Carry out the mission on your own.
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Doc, hurry!
Our radars detected
two enemy planes.
But beneath them were
14 South African Mirages.
Is everything clear?
Permission, chief.
It's about time you got here,
damn it.
You two are crucial
for this troop.
You want some?
-No, thanks.
We need to make sure
the aviation is effective.
On the other hand, we must
take care of the wounded.
We'll take you
to the medical post
and there you'll meet
two sanitarians
who've been our life-savers.
I brought a few medicines
and some instruments
I know it isn't much
but we're going to need it.
Right, Julio, take him over there.
Check what you need
to contact with the aviation.
First, I need our positions.
Francisco, show him.
When their aviation comes back
use the rockets.
we've got plenty of them,
when they come down
we'll fire at them with our cannons.
All the chiefs of units are waiting
for their meeting with you.
Order the officers
in charge of the artillery units
to return to the positions
and open fire.
Tomorrow we're going to
hit hard with three battalions,
and I want them
to sleep tonight.
The rest can wait.
I'll see that your orders
are carried out, General.
Have dinner with me.
-Fine.
They should worry,
they can't take the damn village.
Home Front UNITA
August 8
General, inform all chiefs of units
to start the artillery fight
and don't stop until I say so.
Doctor!
He's alive!
Help. shit. quick!
Careful with the leg!
-Take the log off him.
Careful with the leg, damn it!
-Take is easy!
Hold on, doc!
Careful! Go ahead!
Be quiet!
I think it's the artery!
Press hard, shit!
Leave me alone, Reinier!
Take care of Moro, damn it!
Give me a fucking gun!
They won't get me alive.
Hey, Reiner, damn it!
It's us!
Let me go!
-Fuck! It's me, Francisco!
Fuck, the doctor!
UNITA troops are less than
0.037 miles away from us,
making it very difficult
for the MIGs to make fire.
00 here Pilot.
Here 00 Pilot.
Pilot, I'm copying you, answer.
00, here Pilot.
00 here Pilot.
-Go ahead Pilot.
Inside the church tower
they have a sniper who's
been giving us hell.
Attack him on combat course 720.
Combat course 720.
Roger, going to that position.
UNITA!
Fire!
-Fire!
Let me go, damn it!
-No, chief, don't!
You know you can't go out there!
Don't let them cross!
Shoot! Shoot, damn it!
Watch out!
Shit!
Shoot! Shoot! damn it!
Don't let them come near!
Shoot!
Give me room!
Give me room!
Hey, shoot! Fire!
Don't stop! Fire!
Son of a bitch, get it! Fire!
August 9
Add to the third column
a battery with
85 and 37 mm cannons.
Talk about it with Ulloa,
but you have to move fast.
If you appoint Andres
in charge, it'd be even better.
OK, move.
General!
Good news,
the General Staff
guarantees that today,
two Special Destination Companies
will be arriving here
to increase the troops fighting
behind UNITAs home front.
I guess it's time.
Let's wait until it stops raining.
It never stops.
Anyway, let's wait.
Where are we going to bury him?
Right here.
00,00.
00,00
from a warehouse
in the north side of the village
we're getting hit with mortar 82.
Roger. I'll deal with it.
Shit, I failed, damn it!
Take it easy 00.
Take it easy. You can
blast the fucking warehouse.
I'm afraid I might hit you.
-No, no, no.
Don't worry about us,
we're inside the trenches.
Go ahead, shoot!
Shit, I missed again!
If I miss again, I'll impact myself
against the warehouse!
Colorado, look after
my wife and kids.
You just hit it, damn it!
Permission.
-Come in Manuel.
Two things before I leave.
First, Special Destination troops
will keep fighting
behind UNITA's rearguard.
Don't even try to break the siege.
Those are orders from Havana.
Two. The communique sent
by the Commander in Chief
must reach the troops
at any price.
Can we get through to Cangamba?
Yesterday we spoke with
Lt. Colonel Lorenzo.
So?
-Seventeen Cubans dead,
as well as many FAPLA.
But they're holding on, General.
What about water, food
and supplies?
They don't mention it.
Four days without water
and they're holding on.
Get moving!
Special Destination troops place
mines in UNITA's rearguard.
Meanwhile, the tanks
keep moving ahead.
Kid, where you want me
to drop the candies?
Got you, I have you in sight.
I can see your blasts.
Tell me where you want me
to drop the candies.
On top of the blue house, Fatso.
Put on your party hats.
I'm ready to crash the pinata.
Very soon we'll be
the ones inside the circle,
we should view the possibility
to abort the operation.
The aviation is blasting us
very hard.
We received a letter from
the Commander in Chief.
Is it for everybody?
-For everybody.
To all Cubans and the 32nd FAPLA
Brigade fighting in Cangamba.
Dear comrades:
For days we've followed
by the hour,
your heroic resistance
against very superior forces
in number
and means as South Africa's
puppets in Cangamba.
If the enemy takes Cangamba
they will be ruthless with
the wounded and the prisoners.
Inside your positions,
well entrenched, with calmness,
self-confidence
and total determination
you must repel all enemy attacks,
endure the artillery fire
and destroy those who attempt
to take over your positions.
All Cuban means and forces
will be used if necessary
to free you from the enemy siege.
Our troops will be there soon,
in three or four days.
But if the distance,
the natural obstacles
and the enemy actions
delays them twice
or thrice that time
or even more,
You must resist.
Because they'll get there at any cost.
Cangamba will be
an everlasting symbol
of the courage showed
by Cubans and Angolans.
Cangamba will serve as
an example that the blood shed
by Cuban and Angolan men
for the sake of African's
freedom and dignity,
has not been in vain.
I'm confident in
your unbeatable courage
and I promise
that we'll
rescue you at any cost.
Motherland or Death!
We shall overcome!
Come on, Primo!
It tastes like shit.
But it is water.
Run, damn it, hurry!
Run, shit, quick!
Start giving out the water,
one cap each.
And leave two canteens
for the medical post.
He's crazy!
-He tells me he's fine.
So! That's good.
-Sure, after all the trouble.
UNITA!
I'll talk to him!
-UNITA!
Call everyone.
Maria, come on!
The struggle!
-Continues!
Victory!
-Is sure!
This silence means
that anytime now, the enemy
will launch their attack.
Everybody knows what to expect
if we fall in the hands of UNITA.
If we're going to die
we'll go fighting.
Reference point 1.
To the left 10.
Reference point 1.
To the left 10.
Height 30.
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Order the weapons we've got left
to go on shooting
to guarantee the South African
advisor's retreat.
Fire!
You're crazy, Captain!
Take cover, damn it!
-They're pulling back!
They're pulling back!
UNITA is pulling back!
Long live Angola!
-Long live!
I like tangerines.
And you wonder
how we got this far.
How did we survive when
we saw ourselves almost dead.
When will you understand?
Life is an act of faith.
Is to live beyond sadness
And to grow in your dreams.
Time won't wait.
You just have to move on.
To change all the fears
That leave us sadness.
And all that is worthless
If one day withers.
All the pride
In your eyes.
Love is all that matters.
Love is all that matters.
When will you understand?