Original subtitles

Madam, this child is a witch.

From the time that this child

came into the village,

Lots of strange things have been happening,

things that never used to happen.

Strange things have been happening in the village

since she got here.

We don't know where she came from.

She has no friends,

she has no relatives,

she wanders around like a lost person.

This is what I'm saying, madam. She's a witch.

This child is a witch.

From the day it happened,

no-one draws water from that well,

not for drinking, not for bathing,

because we're scared,

because of this witch.

This child is a witch.

I'm telling you, this girl is a witch.

This is the water?

This is what I'm saying, madam.

She's a witch.

You're making noise? What do you want?

I have something to say as well.

I'm a witness.

Yes, I am a witness. This girl is a witch.

I was ploughing my field,

like I always do,

when I noticed a small shadow.

It came above me, on top of my head.

I didn't take any notice,

I thought it was just a cloud.

Then... I heard laughter.

I looked around...

and I saw this girl.

The child sitting here?

The same one... just standing there.

What was she doing?

She was just standing there.

Yes, she was just standing there.

And what did you do?

Then I looked again and realised she had an axe.

Now, do you know what happened next?

She hit me with the axe!

She hit me across the arm.

Then my arm fell to the ground.

Then all my blood splashed on the ground.

So what did you do after your arm fell off?

Well...

Ever since I had that dream...

It was just a dream!

Now my wife is the one that goes to the field...

alone.

Are you done?

Yes. Aren't you going to write down my statement?

- Leave! We've heard you. - OK. I'll go.

See all those people outside... and her?

They're saying you're a witch.

What's your name?

Answer!

She's a witch.

Yes, she's a witch.

Your back?

Let me...

Just turn a little bit.

It's fine.

Is that my phone?

Is that the phone ringing?

- Is that my phone? - Yes.

I'm coming. I'm coming, baby.

I don't know the number. I don't know who it is.

I am a witch doctor, a real one.

I'm very well-known.

I've helped a lot of people.

I've helped lots of people.

Children have been healed.

So you know that I am a real witch doctor,

I'll take all my clothes off.

There, I've taken them off.

See, I don't have anything to hide.

See? I don't have anything. Nothing.

Now you see I'm a witch doctor.

This chicken,

if it dies inside the circle, it means she's not a witch.

If it dies outside the circle,

it means she is a witch.

Go on. Dance.

The way you were doing it before.

Are you tired?

Keep going.

Why are you so surprised?

This is your new member.

Aren't you happy?

How can you run away?

Bring her here.

A little child like you, causing us all this trouble...

You should be grateful.

So, working together, witches, civil servants...

You should teach this girl

how you live as witches in cooperation with the Government.

Now, I want you to sing that song

we always sing on these occasions,

so she feels welcome,

like we usually do.

Where's that woman that leads?

We're soldiers for the Government and we're used to it.

We're used to it and don't get tired.

We're soldiers for the Government and we're used to it.

We're used to it and don't get tired...

Stand up, little girl.

I believe the ladies have explained everything.

Now it's up to you,

whether to be a goat or a witch.

If you choose to be a goat, cut the ribbon.

But, if you choose to be a witch,

keep your ribbon intact.

Then you'll join this witch camp.

- Mannaseh! - Sir?

Bring the knife.

Here's the knife.

Go into that little house.

In the morning,

we'll know which you've chosen.

Go.

Make some noise, ladies.

Hello.

Is there a witch in there?

Yes, there's a witch in here.

Come out, you witch!

There is the witch.

Come out, come out, come out.

What I'm doing here is just a little bit of scarring.

It'll heal quickly. Don't worry.

It's just like a tattoo I'm giving you.

Don't worry, it'll heal.

They're just tattoos. They'll heal.

Don't worry, you don't have to be scared.

Don't be scared.

They are just like little cuts.

I'll put some of this on to make it heal quickly.

I'm exhausted, I can't.

Mr Tembo!

How can you wake me up this early for work?

Mr Tembo!

You're so mean, Mr Tembo.

How can I go farming? I'm too tired.

- Mr Tembo! - This is too much.

You, little girl.

You're so lucky.

Mrs Dettol only had a short ribbon, like this.

She couldn't turn around. She couldn't go anywhere.

You're really lucky,

you have a long ribbon.

You're free to go this way and that,

you can go here and there with your long ribbon.

You're so lucky.

You should be eating.

This girl...

I've named her Shula.

It's a nice name.

It's a very nice name.

Listen, it means to be uprooted.

This girl has been uprooted.

It's a very nice name.

Keep eating. Keep eating, child.

It's a really lucky name.

Mr Tembo!

When I die, I Will kill you.

When my spirit awakens, I'll kill all your family.

I don't want Shula to work in the fields.

Hold this close to your ear.

Point it in the direction of the wind. Do you understand?

Can you hear anything?

There are kids playing over there, where the noise is coming from.

Shula, have you ever been to school?

Never been to school?

You know what? Every time we go to work on the farms,

there's always a school nearby.

If you go there, there's a school.

Everywhere we work, there's a school nearby.

So I want you to listen to these schools.

They're taking Shula away.

They can't just take her. Why would they? She's too little.

Shula is just too little.

What's the problem here?

It's about Shula, how can you take her?

When I needed someone, did they not refuse?

They did.

We didn't refuse at all.

Little girl, put it on. Just apply.

Grandpa, come and stand here.

Grandpa, just come and stand here.

Grandpa, switch off that phone...

This is a court room, you don't do that.

If you have a phone, just switch it off.

Switch them off right now.

Switch them off. Switch them off completely.

Have you switched it off, grandpa?

- What? - Wait.

Switch it off.

Anyone else with a phone...

Shut down your phones.

Your phone is ringing as if you've got credit!

Start.

I am here in court

to find out who took my money.

Grandpa,

switch off your phone.

- I can't see because of the sun. - Switch it off!

- Remove the battery. - Take out the battery.

Let me help you.

You, switch it off.

Remove the battery.

Can I start now?

I'm here in court

because someone stole my dowry money.

To whoever stole it,

what goes around comes around. Thank you.

Thank you, sit down.

What goes around...

- comes around. - Good.

All the suspects, you know who you are?

All the suspects stand up.

Suspect number one, let's go.

Did you steal the money or not?

No, I didn't.

Did you steal the money or not?

No, I didn't.

Did you steal the money or not?

No, I didn't steal it.

Did you steal the money or not?

No, I didn't.

Hello, Grandma.

It's me Shula.

What is it, Shula?

They've lined up all the suspects

but I don't know who it is.

Can you help me pick one?

Pick the dark one.

The one who looks scared.

The one who's looking up.

The one who looks down at the ground.

- But... - He'll be the one.

But there are three dark ones.

The one who looks nervous.

He's the one.

One of you is the culprit.

We will now consult the spirits.

She will point out who the culprit is.

- Do we agree? - We do.

Which one of these idiots did it?

It's the one wearing red.

The one in red? Good.

- You wearing the... - It's not me, Boss.

She's picked you. Why are you denying it?

As God is my witness, sir, it's not me.

- Who did she point to? - Him.

- Why are you refusing? - It's not me.

She pointed to say you did it.

As God is my witness...

- What? - As God is my witness.

God? Is God here?

- She picked you. - I didn't, boss.

I'm being falsely accused.

Listen, everyone, you're all still suspects.

- Suspects. - Until we've searched him.

She picked you but you're arguing,

so all of you are still suspects.

Good. Suspects!

We have surrounded the whole house.

How are you?

- Is this Nelson's place? - Yes.

Get everyone out.

- Sit over there. - Hurry, we've got work to do.

- Are you Nelson's wife? - Yes.

Sit over there.

Go over there.

Are they all coming out of this house?

Is this a house or a coach?

I said sit down over there.

Get her out as well.

Is everyone out?

Hey you, little witch, you're saying I stole the money.

It wasn't me. You're lying.

When they find out it's not me, we'll stone you or burn you alive.

You're telling lies, you and grandpa.

Once I'm cleared, we'll burn you and stone you.

Just tell the truth. This affects us all.

He's innocent, guys.

She's lying. He says he didn't do it.

He should just tell the truth.

Weren't you denying it, saying you didn't know anything?

Get out of the way.

Thief!

Go!

It's you who stole it.

You Will hurt him!

He's a thief!

Hit him!

- What? - Let me get the basket.

Shula.

How did you know that he was the thief?

Out of all of them, how did you know it was him?

You are a witch, right?

You really are a witch.

You are my little witch.

Right? My little witch.

We will leave those old ladies working on the farms.

You and I, we'll work together.

Shula, my little witch.

My little witch.

You and me, we'll work together, right?

You are very good.

You're a nice witch.

See, the offerings are now coming.

Thank you.

She's saying hello.

Hi!

Our visitor has arrived.

It's good she's come.

Welcome.

- Let's go. - You are welcome.

It's good you brought her.

It's really good.

I'm happy that you've come.

I've been waiting for you.

I will see you.

I am so happy that you've come.

Now, listen.

I'm going to pour some gin here.

It's not disrespectful.

If any witch comes here,

I get scared that bad spirits might come in.

I don't want bad spirits entering the house,

only good spirits, do you understand?

Don't think about it in a bad way.

I only want good spirits coming in.

Do you know what I want to show you?

This is a chandelier.

Say chandelier.

When you switch on the lights at night,

it's really something to see.

Just uncover it.

You have one as well?

You're shocked.

Come and sit over here and I'll explain.

I used to be like you when I was a kid.

Like you, they used to take me out all the time.

I used to be taken around in a truck.

They used to follow me everywhere.

They said I couldn't go anywhere,

they said I couldn't cut the ribbon or do anything.

They said if I cut the ribbon,

I'd turn into a goat.

Now, I didn't turn into a goat.

And do you know why?

Respectability. Do you know what that is?

Respect through marriage.

Do you know how I became this way?

Because I did everything I was told.

I did everything I was told.

If I was told do this, do that,

go here and go there.

I did it all without question.

I had respect.

So, if you do the same,

you'll be just like me,

maybe even better.

Do you know how to hook it?

Now turn around.

Turn and look.

Can you see?

Do you want to call Grandma?

No.

- It's that one. - Which one?

This one in front.

The one with the big nose?

This one?

She's picked you. Shula's picked you.

Shula's picked you, talk.

There's no water.

Mum, how are you?

And who's that?

- Mr Phiri, a teacher, he gave me a lift. - Whatever.

Go!

You're here again?

You stupid man!

You idiot, didn't I tell you...

don't come here! You're the one who accused me of witchcraft!

You idiot!

You're brainless.

If you had any sense, you'd feel sorry for me.

I'm suffering here because he called me a witch.

You're one of the reasons why I'm suffering. You're stupid.

- He's the only man who loves me. - Shut up!

What do you want me to do, leave him?

Look in the mirror, see how nice it looks.

Just pull the fringe down in front.

See?

It's nice. Honestly, you're gorgeous.

Madam, try the "Mandonna", see how it looks.

This one has a natural curl in it.

Pull it down to hide those tattoos.

Hide those tattoos on your forehead.

Gosh, I look nice. Honestly, I really do.

Madam, what did you ask for?

- The brown one? - The brown one.

I couldn't find a brown one, it's gone out of fashion.

That's why I brought you the latest one. "Rahinna".

- You know the American musician? - Yes.

It's really fashionable. Let's have a look.

That one's nice.

This is nice.

You are gorgeous.

Check in the mirror.

- This is really nice. - It really is.

Ladies!

Mama...

I see you've all got wigs on.

How are you paying for them?

Credit.

We'll use the offerings Shula brings back from her job.

Ladies, how can you depend on Shula, on a little girl like that?

You're depending on her to get credit for your wigs?

Come on, let's not get jealous. Let's get down to business.

Now, for payment...

Auntie, for that one, the "Minny Mikaj" one,

together with the "Sim Kardashan" one,

you can give me two bottles of gin.

For the...

I've already told you, for the "Beyancey"

I'll charge you two gins.

You.

What are you doing in there?

Are you a witch?

What are you doing in there?

What are...

I've caught you, I've found you today.

You're the witch that ate all my relatives.

Come outside!

I am coming in there!

You'll see what will happen to you once I get in there!

You come outside!

Come outside!

Do you live there? Come out!

Hey!

Yes sir?

There's a witch.

- There's a witch inside! - What witch?

Haven't you seen the witch sir?

- I'll slap you. - Let the witch come out.

That is a witch!

No.

But sir, can't you see...

Add some more.

This is time to celebrate,

now we've grown old, we have grey hair.

This is the age to eat, this is the age of grey hair.

We're old, put some more for me.

Let's drink, let's drink.

Let me first drink this...

Troubled thoughts.

These troubled thoughts have conquered us.

You get the next bottle.

When they come today I'll kick you.

When we arrive, make sure you do everything I showed you at home.

You understand?

Make sure you do exactly as we did before, understand?

Don't be scared or anything like that.

Everything I taught you before. You did really well. You understand?

Exactly!

Did I put the gin in the car?

Maybe I left it on the table? Or where did I leave it?

Check to see if I put the gin in my handbag?

Look carefully.

No, it's not here.

There's nothing?

My God. What am I going to do?

Witch!

There's a witch!

Everyone, come and see the witch!

There it is.

Come and see.

What?

What's your problem?

Leave me alone.

What is it?

What is your problem?

No.

I've got respectability, I'm a married woman.

What is your problem?

Have you ever seen a witch looking like this?

See! I knew it!

There, you see that?

We know them.

She's the one.

Do you know that I'm married?

Go away.

Get out of the way.

You think we don't know what that is?

Kill it!

Leave me alone.

Shula.

Shula.

Look at me, cheer up.

You're fine right?

Start doing what we practised at home.

Rain! It will rain.

It will rain. It will rain.

It will rain. It will rain.

The spirits have agreed. The spirits...

The spirits have agreed that the rain will come!

My God.

It will rain!

It will rain!

The spirits have agreed.

It will rain.

Is that it?

Yes, it will rain.

Everything's fine.

Brisky Japan, I just came from Lusaka.

My friend take it easy this is my last supper.

If you give trouble I will write you using a marker.

The rap is colour purple, listen to this girl.

Have you ever heard a girl who raps like this.

Mic check one, two, three to the four.

My flow is a race, on your marks let's go.

You're using her.

You are using her.

He is asking...

How do you feel being a witch?

- How are you? - Fine.

- What's your name? - I'm Shula.

Why are you upset?

Who put you in here?

They're not here.

Have you been here long?

Yesterday.

Do you know why you're here?

Want to take a picture with her?

Shula, look here.

Look.

Look!

Shula! Shula!

No.

No.

Hey!

Now look at what's happened, she's locked us out.

How do you leave keys in there?

Come and try to open...

Try to open with something here.

Come on, lift me up.

Why didn't you open the door?

Sit up! Why didn't you open the door?

I'm asking you why you didn't open the door.

I'll toss you back to where you belong.

I look after you and now you're misbehaving... You witch!

Sit properly!

Don't look at me! Don't look at me!

Don't look at me, look somewhere else!

Do you see that big tree?

That's where I want you to go.

Understand? Start moving.

- What is your name? - I'm Shula.

Welcome, servant of the Government.

Thank you.

How is your father?

He's fine.

Is that true?

Yes, ma'am.

When was the last time you saw him?

About a week ago,

I spoke to him on the phone.

- What about your mother? - She's fine, too.

I hope your wife is fine too.

Yes, ma'am.

I've heard rumours

that we have a witch

who has the power to bring rain.

Yes, ma'am.

People in this kingdom are struggling.

They're complaining because they started planting,

but their crops are dying in the field. Where is the rain?

I heard that it's that little girl you sent to school.

According to the laws of the Government...

- The Government? - Yes.

Tell me, where was the Government when I brought the witches here?

And where was the Government when I was feeding them?

Where was the Government?

Are these the plans of the Government, that they should come here,

saying, "We'll buy you buses, we'll buy you uniforms,"

so they can get 50%?

This is my kingdom.

The Government has no right at all.

The Government requires that all children...

We do not send witches to school.

Go back and tell the Government that I'm angry.

And don't take anything out or add anything!

Unedited version!

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

He's becoming stupid.

If you are a witch,

bring us rain.

We want rain here.

Hurry up.

Sorry.

Shula!

Why are you upset child?

Tell us.

If you are upset you have to say so.

Shula, what's upset you? Why are you being so stubborn?

So what is bothering you Shula?

I was just thinking I should have chosen to be a goat.

A goat is better. It can move about freely and eat when it wants.

I should have chosen to become one.

No Shula stop it.

That's what you've been thinking in that head of yours?

You can't become a goat!

They will kill you and eat you for supper.

Come all Let's sing for Shula.

Come all Let's sing for her.

Come people Let's sing for Shula.

Come all Let's sing for her.

Come everyone, come all Let's sing for Shula.

This is the last celebration.

Come everyone, come all Let's sing for Shula.

This is the last celebration.

There's a celebration for birth There's a celebration for marriage.

But this is her last celebration.

There's a celebration for birth There's a celebration for marriage.

But this is her last celebration.

Come everyone, come all Let's sing for Shula.

This is the last celebration.

Come everyone, come all Let's sing for Shula.

This is the last celebration...