Sugar Cane Alley (1983) - full transcript

SUGAR CANE ALLEY

Dedicated to the world's

Black Shack Alleys.

Governorate of Martinique,

Riviére-Salée. August 1930...

It was school vacation time.

The children on

Black Shack Alley

waited impatiently

for their parents to go

to work in the cane fields

so they'd be left free

for the day.

Jose...

See how neat the shack is.

Your clothes are clean.

Don't give me reason to be mad

when I get back!

Good morning, Amantine.

Hurry, Twelve-toes!

Were you with the zombies

last night?

Yes, I was on Madame Dede.

They've gone!

Come, they've gone.

Hurry! You'll miss

the fight!

If the mongoose wins,

give me your watch.

You're crazy!

Carmen gave it to me.

I won. Give me your watch.

Miss, I didn't bet with youl

Liar! Give me your watch.

You only have bananas?

You don't even have

codfish!

Last night we ate

fruitbread and pork.

It was so very good!

So very good.

What's Gesner doing?

Hurry, Gesner,

we're eating at Jose's.

Let's eat outside.

I have flour and codfish.

But we eat outside.

Stop showing off.

Let us in.

I said we're eating outside.

Quiet!

There's the overseer!

The overseer!

He's gone.

Where's the sugar?

There's none.

Look for it.

I said there's no sugar.

You're sure your grandma

didn't hide it?

It's all gone.

Too bad! I'll look

for it anyway.

I told you, there's no sugar!

She must hide it!

If it's in Jesus' robes,

I'll find it!

If you think

it's in Jesus' robes,

then search in Heaven,

not here!

The sugar's all gone.

You look in the boxes.

I'll check the bedroom.

I'll come with you.

Don't you understand?

There's no more sugar!

I'll look under the bed.

Yes.

Nothing!

Look on the beams.

My ma hides it there.

I know! In the chamber pot!

Jose!

You're

crazy!

Take off those shoes!

Gesner, you're a liar!

You broke the bowl!

Ma Tine's bowl!

Liar! You did it!

Just say a hen did it!

Twelve-Toes' hen.

She climbed on the table

and knocked down the bowl.

Julien Twelve-Toes'

frizzy hen!

Scared that Ma Tine

will beat you?

You need a charm.

No, a chant is better.

3 dogs, 3 cats, don't let

Ma Tine beat Jose!

No. A charm is better.

It'll save you.

No sugar!

So let's eat the flour!

You pig!

We'll make a grass charm,

so Ma Tine won't beat him.

3 knots in a blade of grass,

you'll be saved.

Hold it tight!

When your grandma arrives,

toss it behind you.

She'll scream and swear,

but she won't beat you.

Don't stare at adults.

It's rude.

Amantine, I see you're

enjoying your pipe!

If I were alone I wouldn't

light the fire tonight.

I'd put a pinch of salt

oh my tongue.

To keep the worms

from attacking my heart.

Then I'd go to bed

because I'm tired.

Tired like an old mule.

What does that say?

"Splendor and development

of the bust."

"Rebuild your bosom

with oriental pills."

"Develop firm breasts.”

"No more protruding bones."

"Give graceful curves

to your bosom."

A well-brought up child

uses a spoon.

You broke my bowl!

And you had the nerve

to glue it!

You thought

I wouldn't notice?

The only thing

your dead mother left mel

Little scoundrel!

What were you looking for

in my things?

Get on your knees!

Ma Tine or not,

work faster!

Do your work properly!

The bundles must be thicker

and the cane is too short.

Do your work properly!

Make thicker bundles!

Ti Cocol

No pissing on work time!

Fine him 15 cents!

- Yes, boss.

Whitey's in his easy chair

Black man burns in the sun

Ti Coco pisses

Bossman comes along

Work!

Every day I'd go see Carmen.

He worked on the river boat

that went to Fort-de France.

Fort-de-France...

The city that all the village

children dream about...

It's you, Jose.

Isn't she cute?

And the one yesterday?

It's not my fault!

Girls won't leave me alone.

Now, the serious stuff.

All right.

The "H" is good,

so is the "L".

Your "0" is too fat.

Your "U" is dancing

the beguine!

Is it really dancing

the beguine?

Do it over.

A riddle!

- I'm ready.

Whenever you see her,

she's pregnant.

But she never gives birth.

The full moon.

Another riddle!

- I'm ready.

Guess it and I'll give you

a white blackbird.

Little black boy, dressed

in white, in a green castle.

Medouze, the cutter!

Ti Cocol

12 francs minus 10 cents.

A custard apple!

Cane doesn't need

your fertilizer!

Listen to that!

You're always pissing!

If you're sick

go see a doctor!

He's not sick, just lazy!

If my kidneys burst

1 still have to hold it in!

Take your money and scram!

Amantine, the Grandmal

Julien Twelve-Toes!

Is that all?

What did you expect?

You got your duel!

He broke his back!

That's all you give him?

Madame, 18 francs.

He couldn't do

that many rows in 5 days.

If it was too much,

he should've refused it.

You women always

talk nonsense!

Could anyone else

cut more cane than that?

Next!

Anastasie-Big-Belly!

Next!

Don't waste your saliva!

When you die, Whitey will stick

our money up your ass!

God damn it! All my money

went to the shop!

What can I do with no money?

It's time I died!

45 francs.

That's not enough.

You're short 6.50.

Put it on today's tab.

All right. On today's tab.

Give me 2 pig's tails...

Half a pot of flour...

And sliver of butter.

Is it you, child?

I'm not asleep, you know?

Just resting my old body.

Damn cane fields!

And cric!

And crac!

Are stories...

...worth telling? Yes! They are!

And cric!

- And crac!

Once upon a time...

...in Martinique...

there was a sad

and ugly old black man.

A liar would say,

"ugly as Jose."

But I'm not a liar, so...

...I'd say ugly as Medouze.

Everyday, the old man

spoke of his country.

Cric!

- Crac!

Misticric!

Misticrac!

That country was called...

..Africa.

My dad's country.

The country of

your father's father.

The old black...

Sad and ugly...

Who had cried during

all his youth...

...would always say to me...

"Medouze, your old father

will die soon,"

"without ever understanding

what happened..."

"when the whites

landed here."

The old black also added:

"I had a big brother,

Ousmane,"

a little sister, Sokhna."

"The white men hunted us."

"They caught us

with lassos."

"Then... after many days,

journey through the bush,"

"They took us to the edge

of the big water."

"One day, we were

unloaded here."

"We were sold to cut cane

for the whites."

"I was a young boy like you,

Medouze."

"All the blacks came down

from the hills with sticks,"

"machetes, guns and torches."

"They invaded the town

of St. Pierre."

"They burned all the homes."

"For the first time, blacks saw

whites shake with fear,"

"lock themselves

in their mansions and die."

"That was how slavery ended."

And the old black man said...

"l ran so much..."

I think I ran all around

Martinique."

"When my feet refused

to go on"

"I looked ahead and behind."

"I saw I was back

in Black Shack Alley again."

"It was back

to the cane fields."

"We were free, but our bellies

were empty."

"The Master had become

the Boss!"

"So I stayed on, like all

the other blacks"

in this cursed country."

That's how my old Papa spoke.

Nothing has changed, son.

The whites own all the land.

The law forbids

their beating us,

but it doesn't force them

to pay us a decent wage.

If you went to Africa,

Mr. Medouze...

I'd go with you.

Alas, my child...

Medouze will never go

to Africa.

Medouze has no one left

in Africa.

When I will be dead...

when my old body

is buried...

then I'll go to Africa.

But I can't take you along.

We'll all go back to Africa,

one day.

Don't you worry.

I don't like Twelve-Toes.

He keeps all his fruit

for himself.

He planted...

broken bottles all around.

Once...

he came after me

like a devil.

Careful...

He wants to hurt us!

Break it down.

Come on!

Not me!

Me, neither!

A hen's egg!

Look!

An egg!

It's pretty!

Do we eat it?

We'll cook it.

We'll taste an egg!

I want the biggest piece.

We need matches.

There aren't any.

The store has some.

But I'll take guts

to get some.

We have no money!

Say our ma wants them...

on credit.

Not me!

Victorine, you gol!

Me? Victorine?

No!

You know how to show off

in front of boys...

...but you don't dare go

to the store?

You're silly.

You go, Orelie.

If you don't, you won't

even get a sliver of egg!

Jose, get me a bottle.

What for?

You'll see.

Tell me.

What'll you do with it?

Something silly,

and Dad will beat us tonight.

Tell me!

What would you like?

Some rum, please.

Is your daddy home already?

He told me to get it

this morning, but I forgot.

You forgot!

A big girl like you, forget!

Shame!

You remember to play,

but you forget errands!

The matches!

Is that all?

Yes, Madame Lina...

Oh, I forgot...

I also wanted the matches.

It burns.

You're too greedy!

Give it to me!

Give me some!

Leave some for us!

When Twelve-Toes is drunk,

he walks on all fours,

and grunts...

like a pig.

When my daddy is drunk,

he says, "I'm the boss,"

"and don't go thinking

I'm drunk!"

Fire...

Fire, fire, fire...

What'll we do

with these kids?

They put rum on my bill

at the store.

Punish her!

You burned everything

I owned!

I'm a tough girl!

We'll see if you're tough!

My head is spinning!

Now Julien's stick will spin...

on your behind!

Shame on youl

Burning my garden, my chickens.

Little bastards!

Scoundrel!

Aren't you ashamed,

beating a child like that?

Listen to that!

They burned my garden,

my chickens.

Now, I'm in the wrong!

Careful!

Don't mess with me!

Sir, the manager is here.

I told you to do your job

carefully!

We sent for you

because of the fire.

Look at that!

Your cane gets dirtier

all the time.

It's more than 20% rubbish!

Look at it!

What's that?

I can't make sugar

with cane like that!

You ape!

You wrapped each cane...

...in dead leaves!

- I'll break your ass!

And what about this fire?

And I build houses

for them!

Next, they'll set fire

to my cane!

The kids shouldn't

hang around there!

What'll do with them?

We could use

some extra help.

What's that?

That's a bundle of cane?

Each cane must be

3 feet long.

You're always thirsty, scram!

Lazybones!

Your grandmother thinks

you'll get a government job.

You're not working.

Saturday we'll get paid.

You'll get nothing!

Go away, little boy!

I want to work too.

I'm the only kid

not working.

I won't let you end up

in the cane fields.

Like all blacks

without pride...

...who throw their kids

into the same misery!

Tortilla came to get Ma Tine

to deliver her ma's baby.

But it was stillborn

like her last.

Ma Tine said...

"Another kid saved from

the white man's cane fields."

I thought only of one thing.

My first meeting

with my new schoolteacher...

Mr. Stephen Roc.

Behave at Madame Leonce's.

Show that you're well

brought up.

Don't worry.

Paul, we'll be late

for school.

You're lucky she agreed...

to do us this favor.

I heard them!

Flying over the roof.

They were so noisy!

You think they're birds,

but they're witches.

Zombies, real devils!

You saw them?

You crazy?

They might break my leg...

twist my mouth,

push in my eyes.

Then what?

Grandma says to put

a wooden cross on the roof.

Breaks the wings...

and they fall down.

Some don't fly.

They become dogs,

cats and snakes.

And if you go out...

at midnight...

you've had it!

There's a 3-legged horse

that gallops every night.

It goes cloppity, cloppity, cloppity.

I'll tell you something...

But don't tell anyone.

Mr. Godisar, the druggist...

and Miss Antoine,

from the Town Hall...

They're both witches.

As for the whites...

they're devils.

Don't ever look at them

at night!

Just clench some earth

in your hand and say:

Back, Satan!

Liar! That's just stories.

Zombies don't exist!

What did you say?

Repeat it!

I said you're a liar!

You don't know about whites.

They've got everything.

They don't need

to become cats or dogs.

Ask your dad if a cat or dog

sent him to work in a factory!

The School Certificate...

is most indispensable

to the humblest of people.

Those who work hard enough

to earn it...

will be certain to lead

a decent life.

For the others,

as you know,

it'll be the cane fields.

With the School Certificate

some may go right to work...

or go on...

to study for the Elementary

Teacher's Certificate.

The others...

the best ones...

may try for some scholarships

in Fort-de-France.

Now take your books,

and write on the middle

of the first page...

a sentence you should read

every morning.

"Learning..."

"is the key that opens

the second door to our freedom."

Write it down.

Jose, won't you eat with us?

Ma Tine won't let me.

Too bad!

Anyway, I'm mad at you.

Hello, Madame Fusil...

how are you?

Hello, son.

How's your grandma?

Not well today.

When it rains, her knee hurts.

Here, young fellow.

Eat this.

Tell your grandma

that she needn't bother.

I'll make your lunch.

Thank you, Madame Leonce.

Will you do me a favor?

Yes, Ma'am.

Shine some shoes for me.

What did the teacher

teach you today?

Lots of things.

I learned:

"class dismissed!"

"Gesner, Albicy,

don't cheat!"

"Vireil, extend your arms!"

Ma says, "Thank you."

Thanks, dear.

That's all he taught you,

all day?

I'm just teasing you.

We learned the difference...

between counties

and districts.

Like Creuse and Aubusson.

Aubusson!

What names they have!

Madame Leonce says,

don't bother making my lunch.

She has enough food.

Did you understand right?

That's what she said,

Grandma.

Impossible! She's already

letting you eat there.

I hope it wasn't

your ideal

No, Grandma.

What is this?

It's patagon...

Patagon tea cures

a sore throat.

You didn't forget.

All things in creation

have their secrets.

The soil has a secret.

Water has a secret.

Fire has a secret!

Life!

Don't think that water and fire

are enemies. No!

They're the forces of creation.

Each needs the other

to create life!

Yes... they create life!

See that?

What? The ant?

If I step on it,

it's all over.

But try making it

go again!

No one must meddle

with life.

Man can only destroy life,

he can't recreate it!

My son...

Let creation settle

its own affairs.

We must learn to accept

the workings of creation...

without weeping or sorrow.

Since, one way or another,

it always works out best.

Young lad, forget

your own name...

but don't ever forget that.

Lisette!

Get out of there!

Finished?

Yes, Madame Leonce.

You'll do one more little job

for me, my little black boy?

But Ma'am...

I have to go to school!

I'm always late!

It'll just take 2 minutes.

You forgot your dish.

That's very good!

You're a very interesting

little boy.

Spread the dishes

in the sun.

I'll be late!

If you didn't talk so much,

you'd already be done.

Stay there, Mr. Hassam!

Albicy!

Find a word that comes

from "terra."

...Terminal...

Terminal?

That's awful!

Vireill You try.

Why are you late,

Mr. Hassam?

Territory.

Go and extend

your arms!

Territory.

Territory, sir!

Good.

Now give me the opposite

of these words.

Tortilla Saint-Louis...

go to the blackboard.

Sale?

Purchase.

Jesus!

Little brat!

The end!

Thank you,

Miss Saint-Louis. Good!

Come in, Mr. Hassam.

Don't think you can escape

the vocabulary lesson!

Mr. Hassam...

tell us the difference

between...

"cackling" and "singing."

Usually...

we use the word "sing"

for people...

when their voices

express music.

For instance...

My grandma likes a good smoke,

she loves to sing.

Quiet!

We also say

that animals sing:

Turtledoves, pipits...

And mountain larks...

Things can sing too:

The wind in the cane,

the falling rain...

the rivers, even the wheels

of carts.

Some other words describe

the type of singing:

A toad is said to croak...

Cart wheels...

Squeak...

- They squeak.

When a hen lays an egg...

it sings to announce it.

That's called cackling.

Very good, Hassam.

You defined the terms well...

but...

such a brilliant student

shouldn't be late to school.

Leopold, your father said

not to talk to those children.

Brat! I'll tell your mal

Good evening,

Madame Leonce!

Little scoundrel!

I'll spank youl

Mongoose-head!

You've been with those

black kids again.

Your father doesn't want you

to play with them.

What's that, mother?

The latest tune. Your father

had it sent from France.

Tamarind or plum juice?

I'll have plum.

That boy exasperates me!

Didn't I tell you

not to go out?

You've been

to Mr. Medouze's 3 times.

He's not there.

Then, what were you doing

there?

You forget there's a time

to put food in your belly.

Mr. Medouze isn't there.

He can go where he wants.

Grandma, Mr. Medouze...

God's sake!

Don't pester me about him!

It's not like

Mr. Medouze...

He's wired

his door shut!

Medouze isn't there!

He's not in bed?

No, Jose would've seen him.

He's gonel

Where could he be?

Paul, bring the torch!

Ti Coco, get up!

Medouze has disappeared!

Twelve-Toes, grab

your torch and machete!

Medouze isn't there?

Hurry! We have

to look for him.

He's here!

Mr. Saint-Louis,

where are you?

Ladies and gentlemen...

the cane fields,

ate Mister Medouze's life.

So he went to die

in the cane fields.

He layed down his hide

and his old opossum's bones.

May his soul rest in peace

in all the days to come.

Always, for time

in memoriam. Amen!

Ladies and gentlemen...

Mister Medouze is dead,

but don't let it pain

your hearts.

For guess why,

ladies and gentlemen...

why Medouze laid his old body

in the cane to die?

If he hid his body to die

in the cane fields, he did it...

so that we, his brothers...

would not inherit

his old sleeping board...

smoothed by his old bones

and the pipe,

that never left him...

night or day.

Mister Medouze didn't want

his old brothers,

to inherit his bantam,

defeated in all its fights,

or his barrels of gold

and silver,

that Whitey gave him

with a kick in the ass,

saying, go on,

old nigger,

smelling of piss,

saying, go on, old nigger,

last generation after the toads!

Now Mr. Medouze

is on his way to Africa.

...And the dead who are dead

shall return to earth.

I have an errand to do,

at the dressmaker,

I'll stop to thank

Madame Leonce.

See the fine hen...

I'm bringing here.

Go, do your homework.

Yes, Ma.

I'll be right back.

What'd you eat at hoon?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing at all?

Plum juice...

Gustard apple.

That's no nourishment!

Why didn't you tell me

what happened with Leonce?

Go get your books

and your bedding.

Where are you going?

Ask her!

Me? You're crazy!

Hurry up!

Now we'll go to town

to live with Madame Fusil.

I'll cook for you myself.

God will give me

the strength and courage...

to return

to Whitey's cane fields.

Remember, tomorrow I'll ask

again about Alpine glaciers.

Class dismissed!

Evening, Godmother Fanny.

Evening, teacher.

Where is God?

God is everywhere,

in Heaven, on earth,

and in all places.

What is man's fate?

Man's fate is...

...death, judgment,

Heaven and hell.

What is Heaven?

Heaven is...

Gesner!

...fear and respect

in God's house.

Heaven is a place

of delight,

where the Saints and God,

enjoy eternal happiness.

All together.

Once more!

What is hell?

Hell is a place

of torments...

Mr. de Thorail!

You know that white man?

He's my father!

- Your papal

Blessed by the Pope!

Specially shipped

from Lourdes to Rome.

Kneel, children...

Let us pray to thank

Mr. Auberville.

Your grandmother's sick.

Mister Saint-Louis

brought her back.

I've done everything

I could.

But if she's not better

tomorrow...

she'll have to go

to the doctor.

I made your supper.

Eat it all, now.

I'll come by for news

tomorrow.

Don't worry... Eat.

Thank you, Madame Fusil.

Good night, my boy.

Have you eaten?

Yes, Grandma.

Wash your feet.

Make your bed!

You're still here?

What do you want?

You'll see, Grandma...

Some day

I'll take care of you.

We'll have a big house...

with flowers...

hen, rabbits, pigs...

You won't have to go

to the cane fields.

Don't forget your prayers.

Good night, Grandma.

I wouldn't mind

a little smoke.

You shouldn't be here,

and you know it.

With that barefoot boy,

who can't speak French.

I told you not to see him.

Bring me the horse!

Bring that horse, dammit!

He says he's going to die.

Don't cry.

What'll become of us?

I'm here, Mother.

Don't stay here.

Go, do your homework.

What did he say?

Your spleen is ruptured,

and it's bleeding internally.

- So, it's all over.

Don't say that.

The doctor may be

mistaken.

My plots of land

in Baufond...

they're for Leopold.

I'm the last de Thorail

who wore it.

Now it's his.

If Leopold lost

all those properties...

what would he have

of yours?

Please, recognize him.

Having your name

would be...

the most lasting

inheritance.

De Thorail...

That name was borne

by generations of whites.

It's not for Leopold.

But he's your son!

It's not a mulatto's name.

It's a white man's.

Father!

- Leopold!

He doesn't want me!

Two days later,

Mr. de Thorail died.

All the rich whites came.

But Leopold...

hadn't returned,

and was missing from school.

The School Certificate exam

was soon upon us.

All ten pupils chosen

by Mr. Roc passed it.

May I have a word with you

both in private?

This way, please.

I chose your 2 children...

to represent our school

in the scholarship exam

next week

in Fort-de-France.

Well?

Mr. Roc...

I'm deeply moved

by what you've told me.

I can't let her continue.

I can't...

There are my other kids.

And the post-mistress...

is trying to find her

a little job.

Do you realize

how lucky she is?

I know... But I can't,

I really can't.

I understand.

And you, Madame?

I'll do all I can.

He'll have to succeed!

It won't be easy,

I warn you.

But I'm sure he'll pass.

Because he's a brilliant

student.

Clean now?

- Fine.

Now I'll find out

what's in there.

Just put it on,

and leave me in peace!

Even in Black Shack Alley...

you were sure

I'd pass the exam?

Hurry, Madame Amantine.

You're late.

We're ready, Captain!

Going to Fort-de-France?

Read all about it!

"The People's Voice"

Paper, sir?

The latest news.

"Farmers everywhere

dug up the soil,"

"to kill the locust eggs."

"Each lump of earth

was turned over,"

"carefully broken up."

"It was a pitiful sight."

"Thousands of white roots

full of sap,"

"could be seen

in the crumbling fertile soil."

Alphonse Daudet.

First question:

Explain the following words:

"disaster"...

"scourge"...

"sap".

Good! Very good!

Damn! You made a mistake

in the last question.

We did the same problem

so often!

I don't know how you did

in dictation, but...

How Ma Tine has changed!

I don't know

the right word.

At least she lets me lie

on her bed...

Ah! Grown ups!

Ladies and gentlemen.

Lucky guy!

He passed!

Thank you, Holy Mother!

Tomorrow, you register.

The courses start at once.

You'll have to ask if

he's a boarder or a day pupil.

Good luck, my boy.

The overseer's office, please?

Over there.

Morning, Mr. Overseer.

Here's Jose Hassam.

You're his mother?

No, Sir.

She's dead.

But I'm raising him.

He's been granted

a 1/4 scholarship.

But you'll have to pay

87.50 francs tuition.

87.50?

Yes, Madame,

per trimester.

Per trimester?

Yes. Every 3 months.

What about

his scholarship?

After you've paid

the tuition,

which is due within

2 weeks.

87.50!

Does he get board?

No, he's a day pupil.

But...

I don't make the rules!

87.50!

They're wicked.

1/4 scholarship!

That's like giving nothing!

They don't know

I'm a fighting woman!

I won't give up

that 1/4 scholarship!

we'll move

to Fort-de-France.

You'll attend their school!

2 large rolls.

They're stupid...

with those silly cars!

What'll we do?

School starts tomorrow.

I'll go home to get

your things ready.

Until we find a place...

you could stay

with Carmen.

He rents a room

from his bosses.

Well-roasted peanuts!

He's there.

We'll wait.

He's busy now.

Look, Grandma.

Did it all go well?

Could I sleep in your room

a few nights?

School starts tomorrow.

My bosses wouldn't allow it.

Grandma's going home.

But I have nowhere to stay,

and school starts tomorrow.

I have an idea.

Sleep on the boat after

the last trip.

I'll wake you

at daybreak.

Thank you, son.

God bless you.

Don't mention it, Ma Tine.

Forgive me for butting in...

There's a place on the other

side of the town.

It's only an empty car crate...

Some people move out

of it yesterday.

Holy Virgin, give me

the strength...

to hold out here

in Fort-de-France...

in this wicked town...

Too many people, too much noise,

too many cars.

You can't cross the street

without being honked at.

Listen to that!

That's no life!

Careful with your suit.

Don't get it dirty

for school.

Don't worry, Grandma.

You'll see,

a month from now...

when people ask you,

"Where are you from?"

You'll say:

"Fort-de-France,

of course!"

Me? Amantine?

In the 5th century, there were

4 great playwrights.

Aeschylus, Sophocles,

Euripides and Aristophanes.

I didn't do it!

Break it!

Go on!

I don't want to!

You'll be sorry.

It's you, Carmen.

Are you 0. K?

Old Whitey tried to ruin

my day...

but I don't let it

upset me.

Very good!

No mistakes.

Really?

Not a single mistake!

That was my biggest

SOITOW.

Now, I'm ready!

That's why I'm a houseboy

for those fancy people...

why I save on the boat,

and at the cinema...

For years, I've wanted to be

an actor.

Now I feel I'm ready.

I'll go to Hollywood.

Some day I'll be famous.

I have to get back.

Carmen is the right name

for youl

How come?

It means "charm"!

Good night!

Your paper's good,

de Chazal.

Arnaud!

Mr. Arnaud!

It's hopeless.

No imagination,

no syntax.

It's a disgrace.

And now, Hassam's paper!

Be quiet, Fontaine.

Hassam describes

his great friendship...

with a very old man

named Medouze...

who was, in a way,

his spiritual father...

and who, the cane killed.

He ends in these words...

"Although I like to chew

the ends of sugar cane,"

"a cane field will always be

an accursed place to me."

"Where blacks are doomed

at age 8 to weed and hoe,"

"in withering storms,

and the devouring sun.”

"Blacks in rags,

stinking of sweat"

"and dung,"

"fed on a handful of flour

and 2 cents worth of rum,"

"who collapse miserably

one night,"

"in a row of cane,"

"and die on a grimy plank

on the ground,"

"in an empty, filthy shack!"

Mr. Hassam...

you didn't write this.

You cheated!

No... No, sir!

Be quiet!

I don't know from where

you copied,

but I'm sure you did.

Sir, with all due respect,

you're wrong!

Don't persist.

You know you're lying.

You're wrong, Sir!

I didn't cheat!

Get back inside!

Remember, we're dining

at the Governor's.

Where have you been?

Pick me up at 2 p.m.

at Madame de la Tour's.

What are you doing here?

You've been crying?

What's wrong, Jo?

That homework

I did the other night...

The teacher said

I copied it from a book.

He said that?

I'll see the principal.

Are you crazy?

He'd never side with you.

I'd see the teacher.

Talk to him man to man.

He won't listen!

Forget it!

He's a horse's ass!

Come on...

Is this Fourachaux?

Yes, sir.

- Where's Jose Hassam?

Beyond the steps,

down below.

Thanks a lot.

You're wrong.

It's a gift from the boss

behind his back.

You've never seen anything

so fine, have you?

Welcome to Madame's

bedroom!

Look, she's getting

impatient!

I'm

h

er

n"

c

h

e

ri"

I swear to youl Look!

Think I could convince

the teacher?

Look! She bites

when she kisses me.

She says it's to make me

think of her.

The boss's wife?

- Herself!

One day,

she called, "Carmen!"

Wait! Listen!

I run...

...upstairs,

wait at the door.

"Come in, Carmen!"

"Do you think my room

is pretty?"

Yes, Ma'am.

"I seem to recall you like

the ladies."

Just stories, Ma'am.

"Then... it's not true?"

"You don't like women?"

I didn't say that, Ma'am.

"But you know

you're seductive,"

and you appeal to them."

I don't know, Ma'am.

"Come closer... quickly!"

What is it, Hassam?

Tell him I made a mistake.

Come, Jose...

The teacher told me

your homework was fine.

See you tomorrow.

Real students are so rare.

That child's crazy!

I saw district super.

He heads the scholarship

board.

Your grandma won't have to worry

about your schooling.

You'll get living

expenses, too.

Your grandma can see

the bursar.

Let's go in.

300 francs, Grandmal

I never saw so much money!

No more laundry!

No more ironing!

It's lucky they raised

your allowance.

To tell the truth,

I couldn't have gone on.

Tomorrow, God willing...

I'll see Mr. Singer,

the dressmaker.

He'll make you another suit.

Why go all that way

to the village?

Order it here.

No! We can't do that to poor

Mr. Singer.

And why enrich city folk

who can't even sew?

Mr. Singer needs

the money.

Could you be waiting

to see your shack?

What shack?

That toad-hole?

0.K. I'll deliver the laundry.

And I'll tell them you quit.

Ma Tine doesn't wash or iron

any more.

Ma Tine does no more

ironing!

Ma Tine does no more

washing!

Remember to come for me

tomorrow night...

on the last trip.

Don't worry, I'll be here.

Kiss Tortilla and the rest!

Stop, thief!

See that? The thief...

That dog!

Those people are hopeless:

I really detest that race!

You shouldn't say that.

What? I tell you,

I hate them!

How can I be proud

of my color,

when I see those people

fouling up every day?

It disgusts mel

Anyway, except for my color,

I'm not black.

My character is white.

I'm sure no white ever yelled

"I hate my race",

when another white stole,

or even murdered...

Then why, for a trifle,

are you willing to condemn

all blacks?

You don't understand...

It hurts me so to see...

someone who's already black

do something bad.

Even for a trifle...

my impulse is to hurl my race

into the fire!

Then you'd never marry anyone

but a white?

At least my kids

would be light-skinned!

I have to meet my grandma.

Good bye, Miss Flora.

Get your paper! President

Paul Doumer assassinated!

Read all about it!

Don't worry, she must have

missed the boat.

She'll come tomorrow!

She's never done that!

I must get there!

- How? By swimming?

Don't worry...

Kiss her for me.

Did they give you

the message?

What message?

I called Carmen' bosses.

Didn't the maid tell him?

I got worried.

So Carmen brought me.

My little Jose.

What's wrong with you,

Grandma?

Yesterday, the body

was hot good at all.

I weeded around the shack.

I suddenly felt as if a big

stone had hit me, here.

But it's better now.

Really?

You don't feel anything?

Old people are like

old machines.

They keep going,

purely by routine!

And they can be stronger

than new ones, right?

Let's take a little stroll.

Help me, Tortilla.

My legs are still weak.

The postmistress

will scold you for being late.

So what?

Tobacco opens the mind,

doesn't it?

Good, isn't it?

Jose. Tortilla's fiance!

They arrested Leopold!

Which Leopold?

My friend, Leopold?

He came back and stole

Whitey's ledger!

No, that's not it!

He took the ledger...

so the police came for him.

I didn't want to tell you

right away.

Where is he?

- At the factory.

The watchman caught him

at4 am.

My dad said he took

the ledger to prove...

...Whitey's cheating us all.

They set the cops on him.

- Poor child!

Will you stay with

Ma Tine?

I'll be right back...

I must see him.

Murderer! What are you doing

to that child?

Let him go...

Whitey's niggers!

Martinique you suffer...

Life is fading away...

Young folk are regressing...

The men and the women...

are desperate...

Yet we all live simply...

What we lack is money...

And, as for justice...

Don't even mention it!

I crossed over the sea...

to go and see...

What was happening

in Guadaloupe...

Their suffering

is like ours!

This deep-rooted misery,

in our guts.

Who among us

can tear it out?

How terrible it is!

The people cry famine.

Life has become

impossible...

in this land.

Yet life could be easy.

Money and justice...

are what's needed

to end our suffering.

She stopped breathing!

Go on and play outside.

Ma Tine has gone

to Mr. Medouze's Africa.

Tomorrow, I'll return

to Fort-de-France,

and I'll take my

Black Shack Alley with me.