Original subtitles

This film was produced with the support of Minist�rio da Cultura...

Secretaria do Audiovisual.

lnstitutional support by Prefeitura do Munic�pio de Sao Paulo...

through law 10923 slash 90.

Co-produced by Secretaria de Estado da Cultura de Sao Paulo...

and TV Cultura through "Programa de lntegra�ao Cinema e TV".

This sounds important. And also with the sponsors:

With the support of these studios:

That's it. They asked me to thank these people.

Thanks!

People are born, people die, people are born, people die.

Every one who's born is a different kind of person.

Some are born rich, other Japanese, or businessman, or wall painter.

Some are born man, woman, gay, transvestite...

some are born fat, poor, black... some brave, some idiot.

All kinds of people. Each one different.

lt 's God who dictates our mission in life.

This l learned from Spiritualism. lt 's called reincarnation.

But why did l have to be born like this? Poor, black, uneducated.

''Girl, you're paying now for your previous life of luxury, you know?''

No, l didn't know anything.

My great-grandmother was a slave. Grandma, a maid. When l was born...

mom said she'd rather see me dead than a maid. l am a maid.

''MAlDS''

Good morning. l'm Quit�ria. l was sent by Zefa, who works for Mrs. Sonia.

How did you manage to get fired in three hours, Quit�ria?

lt wasn't my fault, Zefa.

But she fired you because you broke her vase.

l just wanted to wipe the dust inside of it. Then...

it broke down.

You don't need to scrub it hard to clean the dirt.

l wasn't dirt, it was dust.

-lsn't it the same? -Of course not. Didn't you know?

lf you look at it, it seems the same, but it 's a different substance.

Dust is formed by the invisible things in the air.

Then it gets visible. Under the bed, on the furniture. Got it?

But not dirt. Dirt comes...

from a happening, something that happens in the house.

A party, a mess. Got it?

Anyway, you scrubbed it hard enough to break it.

She got mad because it belonged to her great-great-grandmother or something.

-She's fond of her family things. -l guess she is...

because the vase was awful and it shouldn't be in the living room.

And now you're unemployed again, Quit�ria.

Mrs. Alicia?

Good morning. l'm Quit�ria. l was sent by Zefa who works for Mrs. Sonia.

l thought they spoke some other language here.

l don't know, something like English, and l wouldn't get it.

My mother told me: ''When you get there, don't talk, be quiet''.

So l didn't talk.

Come on in. Let me see that pizza.

-Where are the olives? -Here, look.

So these little black spots are olives?

My little nephew's dominoes has bigger black spots than these!

Roxane, l don't make the pizza, l just deliver it.

-Call Mr. Dirceu and complain. -No way.

You go back there right now...

and bring me a pizza full of olives just like l ordered.

-Roxane... -Don't give me no ''Roxane''.

When you deliver pizzas here to Mrs. Odette...

do you get all intimate with her?

l'll give you 1O minutes, go!

Girls, let 's wait a little longer.

l didn't like the pizza and l told him to change it. lt was too thin.

Roxane, l wanted to recommend Dolores for Mrs. Angela's...

but Quit�ria needs it more.

lt wasn't my fault. The vacuum cleaner...

sucked the little thing's nose.

Quit�ria can stay at Mrs. Marta doing the cleaning.

-l'm good at cleaning. -She's not best at cleaning...

...she's best at cooking. -l'm better at cooking.

Wait!

lsn't Mrs. Celina's daughter getting married three months from now?

That 's right! How did l forget? She'll need a maid.

Did l tell you l quit my computing course?

-No. -l didn't like it.

l couldn't look at the keyboard, then l looked at the screen and got lost.

Now l'll take a modeling course. Paulo S�rgio told me l look great.

l have to think of something different for my future.

l wasn't born a maid, l'm just doing it for now.

-Thank God l'm not ambitious. -You're stupid, Zefa.

We've decided you're working for Mrs. Marta. You like kids, don't you?

Yes, when l was a child l did, but l'm not used to them now.

But l think l do.

-What do l like? -l like skirts, pants...

...shorts. -Some things l like, some l don't.

-lt depends on the things. -l have two dresses...

neither long nor short.

White, blue shirt. l don't like strong colors.

l love black. Skirts, blouses...

l only go out in black. White is just for matching.

l like all colors. l love red, look.

l used to like short hair, but l've left it uncut for an year.

When it comes to make-up, red lipstick, blush...

l'm vain, but not that much!

The soap of the stars, Luxury Lux!

l like straight hair, but when l wash it, it gets curly, so l don't like it.

l like heels. High heels.

But not for riding on the bus, l don't like them.

l like sneakers, but when l go out l wear sandals.

Rings give me callus, collars give me allergy. Earrings hurt my ears.

Earrings? God forbid! Not me.

Food? l like everything.

l like rice, beans, with a lot of flour on it.

l don't like green salads, l don't like different things.

l love to dance, going to balls...

But, when l don't go out, l just stay home.

Music? Lately l've been listening to that fat woman... Faf�.

TV? When l see it, l like it. But l never see it, l hate it.

l like the soap operas' actors. Cid Moreira l don't like.

l like the younger actors better.

l like to go to Church, l love to pray.

The horoscope? l like it, l read it.

Only that it never fits me right, l don't like it.

l was working for a woman who was terrible.

l was doing something and she would tell me to do something else.

She'd tell me to go out for bread, milk, soda...

she used to eat all day!

Then, one day l was upset, with a toothache...

and she told me to iron a blouse.

You know, those full of creases that keep getting wrinkled?

Quit�ria?

-Are you listening to my story? -Yes.

-And what did l say, Quit�ria? -You said...

you used to work for a terrible woman...

that one day you had a toothache and she told you to iron a blouse...

those full of creases that keep getting wrinkled, right?

Do l tell you the rest of the story or are you going to tell it?

The rest l don't know!

-Then listen! -l'm listening.

Then l ironed the damn blouse and placed it on the bed.

Then it got a little wrinkled just for lying on the bed.

So she got mad, threw it on the floor and told me to iron it again.

Quit�ria! Did you hear what she did to me?

Now listen to what l said. l said:

''l'd rather go away than iron that blouse again.''

Then l went to my room, packed my things and left.

l told her that l'd take my money from the doorkeeper the next day.

And l left! What was she thinking?

Don't let them do it. That one is just the same.

-What? -She's another bitch!

Good morning. l'm Quit�ria. Zefa...

sent me here.

''Sit down please.''

l speak a little English, you know?

l worked for a Canadian couple, Mr. Pitt and Mrs. Brenda.

But their dogs didn't speak a word in Brazilian!

Then l learned some English. Like ''Come here''.

''Sit down''. ''Come to dinner'' when it 's time to eat.

''lce cream'' too. They had a German Shepherd...

that loved ice cream, he would eat a bowl!

The poor thing suffered in this heat!

l was crazy to go to Rio de Janeiro.

My dad used to say that the rainbow would lead us to Rio.

Only the trip wasn't in a rainbow, but in an old car.

l wasn't a child.

l would step on a stool to wash the dishes, to iron clothes...

l used to have long hair. My mother used to take care of it.

She'd wash it with the well water, dry it with herbs....

lt was smooth and perfumed.

Mrs. Maria Eugenia cut it. Very short.

-You are Leo, aren't you? -l was, l changed.

-You can't change it, Cida. -l changed, my mom said...

l was registered a month after l was born.

-Than l am Cancer. -Alright.

Of course it 's alright. Leo only brought me bad luck.

Let 's see if things get better, if l can change my life.

-Do you know who is Cancer? -Who?

-Cleide. -Oh, yeah?

lsn't she unemployed?

Didn't her husband left her?

Horoscope is just rubbish.

l'll call my mother and ask about my birth registration.

-Who got your registration done? -My father.

Then why don't you ask him instead?

He doesn't remember, he's gone a little crazy.

He doesn't even know how many children he has. lf it 's 1O or 11.

-What 's your sign? -l am Pisces.

What does it say?

That this week is for personal development.

Oh, yeah? What about mine?

-You want Leo or Cancer? -Cancer.

lt says: ''A time for reflection, for stopping and meditating''.

Stopping?

-That 's what it says. -Then it fits Leo.

Now it's kickoff.

Carlos Alberto.

�ndio.

Carlos Alberto goes through and passes the ball. Now it's...

lsn't that boy Zefa's godson?

Come on!

Come on, man!

Listen up! You all keep quiet 'cause we're for real!

Everybody shut up, this is a holdup!

This is a holdup, man, don't stop! Keep moving!

They want to rob us!

Put all the money in here! Come on!

Today l'm broke!

Shit! There are only house-cleaners in this bus, Gilvan!

-Come on, give me all your money! -Look...

this is all l have. The rest is for the supermarket.

Then keep it to yourself. Sit down and shut up.

-Leave me alone! -Then keep sleeping!

-Your godmother knows you're here? -l have none, this is a holdup!

He's Zefa's godson. l've seen him in the building.

This is not good!

-You know him? -l'm talking to the guy in charge.

lf you wanna rob, you won't get 2O bucks.

But l'll tell your godmother about it.

Look, it 's not real!

lt 's plastic!

-No, l don't believe it! -The nerve of these guys!

Give it all back!

You get off here!

Move!

Let him through.

Hey! lf you go through it you'll have to pay the ticket.

Pay it once and for all.

Come on!

-What? -My change? l gave you five!

-Come one, walk! -Wait! My change!

-Leave it, Jailton! -You changed sides?

Are you kidding me?

-You said this was no good! -You didn't say anything!

Now this bitch will tell my aunt, who'll tell my mom, and l'm done!

-Well, l don't have a mother. -Screw you!

You're such a coward! Why did you drop the gun?

-Chicken! -Go to hell!

Asshole! You're an idiot!

l don't know why the world's like that. l can't figure it out.

l think the world is made by us, human beings.

The world is a spinning ball, they say.

There's too much injustice in the world.

They should balance that.

What God gives some, He should give everyone.

Really, l don't like being poor.

Not that it is a defect, the important thing is to be fair.

But poor people's things are always disorganized, look.

Poor people's schools, hospitals, neighborhoods. lt 's all a mess.

lt 's all crowded places, long lines, it 's all run-down, dirty...

it 's all...

That 's why the world is like that, it 's our fault.

But l think the world will never end...

the people in it will end.

Hi, Leo.

Hi.

-What 's that? -A radio.

A radio? That l know.

l'm asking you in the other sense.

-What sense? -Meaning where did you get it.

l found it on the street.

ln the garbage, right?

You know, Leo, l was robbed on the bus?

Yeah.

ln the beginning, our marriage was very good.

Good God! lt was a bed of roses!

They say marriage is only good in the first days.

To me, its harder to be on my own.

l'm gonna stay with him. He's good, he doesn't bother me...

The relationship goes more or less, because, as l said...

he is good, but he's not affectionate with me.

He doesn't even bother to say ''Bye, l'm leaving'' when he leaves.

''Bye! l'm leaving!''

He's too lazy for that.

ln bed, he's even worse!

He's really worse. He does nothing!

l tell you...

Leo, don't you realize the world keeps moving?

You're such a dead-fish!

When the woman has a good relation with her husband at night...

she spends the day full of energy, happy for the good time she had.

But not me. l work all day, l get home and find him dead-fish.

Every day is the same.

ln the beginning, l tried to make love.

But when l noticed he was that lazy, l left him alone.

He will pass... eight days without sex. l'm not like that.

l'm too hot for that!

You see, Leo, it 's good and l like it!

-What do you want, Gilvan? -l wanted to get lost, disappear.

Turn invisible.

lnvisible you already are, only you haven't realized that.

l'm going at my godmother's, check where the bitch from the bus lives.

Why? Did you fell in love with her?

No, l'll try to keep her quiet, otherwise she'll tell everyone.

You better have a reputation for being a robber than a coward.

You're afraid your godmother will get sad?

ln this business, you have to forget about family.

Mother, godmother, sister, everyone. You got it?

-Shut up! Just because... -What 's up?

just because you have no mother l have to forget about mine?

Lend me your bike so l can go there.

l'll lend you when you grow bigger.

Rog�rio, it 's gonna be quick. l'll be back soon.

Forget it.

You can go there by bus.

So you won't?

Okay, l'll take you there. But don't get used to it.

Hey, Auspricio!

You have a delivery to Magnolia building.

-Piece of cake, right? -Right.

This is quick. We get out of town, we're there.

-But where is it? -l don't know, near Rio.

-And where will l sleep? -Relax. l'm no travel agency.

When we get there we'll find a place.

-l have to talk to my mother. -Thanks, Auspricio!

Alright, Jailton!

Thanks!

-That guy's called Auspricio? -No, that 's his nickname.

His name's Auspriciano lgnacio.

-Stop, man! lt 's here! -Why didn't you tell me?

I'm just a Latin-American guy

With the help of 50,000 brothers

Godmother?

Do you know a white woman with blue eyes...

long hair, pretty?

One that speaks in a slow, funny voice?

-That 's her. -l know her. Why?

The other day l ran into her and she told me she knew you.

-That 's Roxane, in apartment 72. -ln the building?

The building isn't that big, but many people live there.

They are 24 man, 28 women and 42 children.

Housemaids, they keep changing. Around 32, 34...

Oh, there's also the janitor.

-Zefa! -Here's Roxane.

ls that the woman you ran into?

Hello! Did he tell you we met yesterday?

No.

-Did he tell you about the holdup? -No, he didn't.

A boy tried to rob us at the bus.

lt 's a pity their godmothers love them so much and they become robbers.

They were kicked out.

-Godmother, l have to go. -Gilvan...

they need a cleaning person at the building. You could do it.

This cleaning business is not for me.

Not for you? lt 's a job, man.

lt 's better than robbing buses. lsn't that right, Zefa?

The watchman is Mr. Antonio, go talk to him.

l want to go up.

Suppose there's cleaner, night-watch and janitor. l'd like to be a janitor.

Working at night is a lonely job.

Not to mention you miss 4O%, no, 6O% of the fun...

...that takes place at night. -Are you Mr. Antonio?

-Sorry about that. -Yes.

-What 's your name again? -Gilvan.

-Gilvan? -Yes.

Alright.

That one now?

-Mercedes! -What?

-You think dreams mean something? -What do you mean?

-lf you dream it, it will come true? -l don't think so.

l always dream of Raul Gazzola and nothing happens.

-What is he like in your dream? -Each time he is different.

-l even dreamed he was a woman. -A real woman?

He was a little weird. He was blond, big tits.

But it was him, Raul Gazzola.

You know l also had a funny dream?

l dreamed God came for me, l was a child.

He came and said: ''Do you want to live with me?''

''You suffer too much here.'' Then l went.

God forbid! l'd rather dream of Raul Gazzola.

But when l got there, he could not stay with me.

He left me alone with Saint Peter. There were many strange people...

a lot of people passing by but nobody talked to me.

l didn't get along with them, it seemed nobody saw me.

You're among so many people, nobody even says ''good morning''.

So that wasn't Heaven, that was Purgatory.

-Could be. -What do you think it means?

You know that l don't know?

A dream is something you make up in your head.

l think it 's the things you think about, you know...

when you're not thinking, doing nothing.

-What does my Horoscope say today? -Have you decided what your sign is?

l talked to my mother and she confirmed it 's Cancer.

lt says: ''A prop... propitious time for change''.

-''Propitious''? -That 's right.

What do you mean ''propitious''?

-Your mother won't get mad? -No, she's okay.

Be quick because l have some deliveries.

l go up and down in a second.

-The answer is no. -No?

-Why not? -Because it isn't right.

-What isn't right? -You don't know this guy very much.

-l've known him for two years. -Not that kind of knowledge.

You have to know people intimately.

-Want me to know him intimately? -Yes.

-Alright. -Girl, listen to me...

...does he go to church? -Mom, he is a rapper.

A what?

l know, those guys who complain about the police?

They complain because the police beats them up.

They beat them because they complain, otherwise they wouldn't!

That 's wrong, girl, that 's wrong!

l never went out to have fun.

And you want me to be like that? l won't take care of no kids!

You are going to baby-sit Mrs. Susana's children!

You won't travel alone with your boyfriend!

And l don't want to talk about that anymore!

ln every 4 people shot down by the police,3 are black.

ln Brazilian universities only 2 of the students are black.

Every 4 hours a young black man is murdered in Sao Paulo.

This is Primo Preto talking, another survivor.

I'm much worse than what you see Niggers have no pity here

lt's 100 % poison The first one goes "boom"

The second goes "tah!" l have a mission and lwon't stop

My style is tough lt trembles the ground

My word is worth a bullet My ammunition is sound

When it gets to it My attitude is Medieval

l have a disposition to Good and to Evil

You're not always talking about ''mission''? Now she'll have hers.

-But she's only 15, Uilton. -So, she's not a child anymore.

-What if it was your daughter? -Oh, no, not that.

lt 's hard for a mother to go through that.

Uilton, watch out!

Are you alright?

Here...

-lt 's all smashed. -No, that 's okay.

l'll just cut off the bad pieces.

-Are you alright? Anything broken? -No, l'm okay.

-Sorry, l was absent-minded. -No, it was my fault.

-Get in, l'll take you. -No, l live over there, l'm okay.

-No problem. -No, l live over there.

l give you a ride, it 's okay.

Please.

-You want me to wait? -No, that 's okay. l'll do it.

You wanna come to the front seat?

-Good luck. -Thanks.

-So, Lourdes? -She was not there.

And the message?

l'm not married, my wife left me.

She was kind of soft in the head. A bit nutty.

She used to drink, spank the kids...

Then she left. Must 've gone back to Esp�rito Santo.

-Turn right here. -Turn right?

l never saw her again. lt was hard to bring up the kids all by myself.

But l guess it was good in the end.

As they say, better to be alone than in bad company.

And you? Are you married?

l am, but l feel like l wasn't. Take the next right.

Leo is a little absent, he's not a good companion.

-Would you like to go dancing? -l'd love to, but...

that 's not right, you know?

Even if it 's only a friend people start talking.

You can stop, l live here.

-lsn't here where l hit you? -l told you it wasn't necessary...

but you insisted and l couldn't say no.

l have an idea.

l'll give you my telephone number. lt 's from my work...

...call me if you need anything. -Sorry not to invite you in...

...but Leo must be home. -That 's okay, never mind.

-lt was a pleasure, Cida. -Bye, Uilton, thanks for the ride.

You're welcome.

I'll raffle my own heart I'll put it in an auction

I'll put it to sale

lwon't let the poorthing go on without love

Always all alone

Leo, are you home?

l'm late because l stopped by Mrs. Ana's.

Sometimes l stop by for a coffee or something.

l help her out when she's sick.

She's always with a toothache and other problems, you know?

Yeah.

-Demir, can l use the telephone? -Sure.

Thanks.

Excuse me.

lt 's busy.

-You gonna use it? -No, go ahead.

Excuse me.

Hello?

ls that...?

Bigode's Repair Shop?

Uilton? You work at Bigode's?

l have two numbers here, l guess l dialed the wrong one.

l'm calling about Cleo.

Well, Cleo hasn't found her daughter.

l didn't know it was so big here.

l used to stop and stare at the buildings, so tall.

l didn't like the cold. We have winter there, but not like that.

As a child l used to grate manioc.

l would grab it, cut the top and grate it.

Everyday this penitence.

l say it was a penitence because it was so.

-You didn't tell me you're married! -You didn't ask me!

-Wasn't l ''your baby''? -But you are my baby!

l am not, l was!

What 's the problem? Eliene lives up North!

-How could you do that? -What?

-A married man cheating me! -l didn't cheat nobody!

l'm married up there, you are here!

-Are you jealous of letters? -l'm not that kind of woman!

-Don't disappoint me. -You have disappointed me!

l didn't expect that!

-So go away, Raimunda! -Raimunda?

You can forget me, l have forgotten you.

l don't even remember your name! Bye, l'm gone!

I'm no idiot

Please don't touch me

l know all the tricks you use

To cheat my heart

l don't consider myself a happy person.

l feel lonely here, away from my family.

l'm not the only one who's lonely.

Most of my girl friends are alone.

They can't find a fianc�.

And there are so many men out there!

But most of them can't be trusted.

They all lie, cheat, pretend.

You think he is a good person...

and he is bad!

l am no dog

To be so humiliated

l am no dog

To be so scorned

You just can't understand

The one who loves and adores you

You only know how to abuse

And that's why

I'm going away

What 's going on? What are you running from?

l bumped into Mr. lrineu's car and the alarm went off.

lt had to be Mr. lrineu's car!

l wasn't my fault, the alarm just went off.

-What now? -Somebody has to go up...

and ask for the car key to turn the alarm off.

Somebody? Who?

l'm cutting you some slack.

The boy will bring it right back.

-Did he get mad? -At me?

He never gets mad.

-That old dog doesn't bite. -Thanks.

And thanks for not telling my godmother about the bus.

You're welcome. So you realize l'm always helping you out?

You're my guardian angel, with those blue eyes!

-This job l don't want! -You could be a model!

Really? Are you mocking me or flirting with me?

l'm serious. Shit, the alarm!

Did l tell you l'll take a modeling course?

lt 's in Anhangaba�!

Did you know l had a fianc� who was a subway conductor...

but he couldn't say ''Anhangaba�''?

l tried to teach him, but he would say ''Anhongaba�''...

''Next station: Anhongaba�.''

Then l gave up teaching and he gave up trying.

They transfered him to another line, one that didn't go to Anhangaba�.

A stupid man.

MONDAY

That 's it, let 's go down!

So, my love? Marry me, l'll make you happy!

Me too, my love!

TUESDAY

l dream of finding a prince.

l don't know if it'll happen, or if it's just a dream.

lwant to have kids so much! lt's so beautiful to have a baby.

WEDNESDAY

Now I'm thinking about finding a boyfriend in an agency.

We leave a picture there,and we say what kind of person we want.

And when they find one, they call you.

THURSDAY

We go there and meet. lf you like him,you date him.

But l really trust fate.

These love things are more fate-like.

lf it's ours,it'll head ourway.

But l also think we can't see fate.

l think fate is like a passing train.

lf we arrive late, we can say goodbye.

FRlDAY

Claudinei, the gate almost crashed me!

Rai, what was the name of your boyfriend from the restaurant?

Nalvo?

-Wasn't he the one with glasses? -No, that was Duarte.

-Duarte, who was a soldier? -No, that was ''Creiton''.

-Clayton. -Remember Waldecir?

Now he owns a company up North.

-Waldecir, owner? -l guess so.

That 's what he says, we never know.

Rai, have you ever imagined that your man might be me?

l'm not looking for a man, l want a husband!

lsn't that the same?

Or you think a guy will appear out of the blue with flowers for you?

And you will look at him and hear bells in your head?

No offense, but you're too short and l don't like short men.

lt 's all by half.

That 's why you don't marry. You're too choosy.

Does Mrs. Lucinda live here?

Yes, but she's not in.

This arrived for her, l think it 's here.

Aren't you the boy who tried to rob us in the bus?

-Me? -Yes, you.

ln a bus?

-Which one? -Vila Armenque.

Robbing Vila Armenque...?

No, it wasn't me.

l bet it was. Yell ''This is a holdup!''

Come on, yell it!

-This is a holdup! -Come on, louder.

-This is a holdup! -Yell it like a man!

This is a holdup!

lt was really you, wasn't it?

-Yes and no. -Yes or no?

lt was me, but...

it was like another person, another ''me''.

Do you know?

Yes.

lt happens a lot.

Accept the flowers l bring you

And in every flower my kiss

These are beautiful flowers foryou

Red roses with love

A love that has grown foryou

-l bet she doesn't know your name. -Who?

The big blonde there. You heard how she called you?

''Zez�, can you please put the bags in the cart?''

-So? -Nothing, Zez�.

-You know what l think? -What?

-We should try another bus. -Come on!

-l mean it, man. -Are you crazy?

What do you want?

Spend all your life washing rich boys' cars?

-No way. -So?

-What 's this? -l don't know.

God damn!

These tiny things cost $32.7O!

Three days at work.

Or five minutes in a bus.

Look at me, do l look like a robber?

Not those big shot robbers, but this is an advantage.

Because nobody will think you're one.

Come on, get out of here.

-Do you want it? -What?

-These expensive things. -Leave it right there!

-lt 's good. -Give me one.

Some more.

-You're gonna eat everything? -You said you didn't want it.

-What did you tell her? -That there was no such box.

-Did she believe you? -l think so.

-They were delicious! -Of course, so expensive!

So, let 's go at Pulga's to drink something?

l can't, man. l have some cars to wash.

Come on! Working at night will damage your health...

and you will get only 6O% of the night fun. l'd say 4O%!

-Where did you hear this bull? -l don't know. l'm out.

SATURDAY

Rai?

-ls it Rai or Ra�? -lt 's Rai.

-Rai is a nickname, right? -Yes.

-Rai as in Raimunda? -Yes, but l hate to be called that!

-Do you like your name? -Gilvan?

-Yes, l do. -Not as bad as Raimundo.

-What name would you like to have? -l like my cousin's name.

-l always liked her name. -What is it?

Railde. lt 's so beautiful!

-l like Larissa for women. -l like Emerson for men.

A man's name that l don't like is lrineu.

lt 's even difficult to say: lrineu!

And Gilvan? Don't you dislike this ''an'' in Gilvan?

At least my name isn't Barbosa. There's a guy in my hood...

who is ugly, short and he's called Barbosa.

He's not only ugly, his name is ugly.

That 's also the name of a plant. There's a shampoo made of ''barbosa''.

lf you want to, l can call you Railde.

lf you want to, l can call you Emerson.

-No, no, l'm happy with Gilvan. -Okay. So Gilvan it is.

l don't know why you think that l

Am in love with another girl

But the truth is this,my dear

l don't want anybody else

l don't want anybody else

Not even the sadness you make me feel

Bye, Cleo, see you tomorrow.

-Cida, Cida, Cida! -Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes!

-l'm serious, be careful! -l'm just going out to dance, Mercedes!

Besides, it 's not me who's going. lt 's my other self.

-What kind of talk is that? -They say we have two ''selves''.

One is your ''self-self'', the other is the ''self-other''.

l believe that.

When l'm with Uilton, l'm in a state of grace, you know?

He is warm, calls me sweet names, takes me places...

-And who am l talking to now? -When we're talking about Uilton...

it 's my ''self-other''. Now, if we talk about my dead-fish husband Leo...

...then it 's my ''self-self''. -So let 's talk about Leo...

cause that 's the Cida l know. The other one l still don't.

Cida, l think the animal is here.

That 's him.

You are my goddess, my sun and my way

You are my sky,my everything and my nothing

You are my goddess, my sun and my way

You are my sky,my everything and my nothing

People invent too many religions.

"God is Love", this "Universal Church", "Baptist Church"...

l think God has left us because of the shameful things people do.

Do you ever hear someone say: "Let's go to the mass?"

Nobody goes!

Now, for a strip-tease show everyone goes!

A mass? That's so boring! What is there in a mass?

And they say:"Let's see a strip-tease overthere?"

And fast they go!Uilton always invite me to go to Patativa.

What will l do at Patativa?

What is there for me?

lf that could help me find my daughter.

Hi, Quit�ria! What 's up? lt 's me who's talking!

What l'm doing? l'm smoking.

l'm smoking and waiting for that Mrs. Odette bitch.

This whole house will smell of cigarettes! Come in, it 's open!

Every payday is like that. The bitch vanishes.

No, l'm staying right here until she arrives!

Even if l have to lie on her bed with my shoes on!

l'll sleep in the living room, but l won't leave.

And today would be my first model class.

Didn't l tell you?

They even take some pictures at the end, it 's called ''composite''.

They think because we're maids we're ignorant, you know?

Then they get shocked if we poison their food with disinfectant...

to revenge all the bad they do to us.

And l stay here, wasting my time.

Because l'm very busy, l don't have time to waste.

l'll pay you tomorrow, boy!

l can't go, Quit�ria, l told you. l'm waiting for the bitch.

Bye.

l was crazy, crazy to come to Sao Paulo, l used to think...

''One day l'll go to Sao Paulo, even if l die on the same day.''

My mother cried, my father said: ''Be careful, be careful.''

So?

What do you think, Quit�ria?

-l don't think anything. -How come you don't?

l don't know about this model thing, ''composite''...

l didn't ask you that, just whether you like it or not.

-No. -You don't know shit, Quit�ria.

Go call Zefa, please.

So, Zefa, what do you think?

Such nice friends l have! Thanks for all your support!

Go call Antonio, at least he's a man!

So, Antonio, what do you think?

l think it 's beautiful.

Why? They didn't like it?

Put your hands on your tits!

Oops! Freeze!

-l like that one! -l don't like this soap opera.

Silence! Otherwise ''Mrs. Bitch'' will start complaining.

lt 's a good thing this soap opera ended, it sucked.

Enjoy my company, because soon you'll only see me on TV!

So you're no longer a maid, now you're a model?

l was born for this, my test was so good!

-What test? -Didn't l tell you?

-What? -The pictures?

-You didn't see my ''composite''? -''Compo'' what?

l'll show you my composite!

Wait. l'll show you, wait!

Show it!

l wanna see it!

Look!

You're beautiful, Roxane!

Now you will see the best part!

How did you do it?

Naked?

Artistic naked.

Come on! Every TV star does that in the beginning!

l can't talk to you!

l will get there one day. You will see.

You gotta have faith, you see? You gotta have faith.

Faith in the good. Faith in the bad it 's not faith, it 's fall.

My church priest told us about the President of Africa.

He was ill, was gonna die. He had gone to the best doctors.

ln the USA, Europe.

Nobody gave him a hope of cure.

Then he started listening to our church's tapes and got faith, faith.

Each time more faith.

Then he started puking. He puked for three days. Vipers, snakes...

spiders, scorpions...

and he got cured!

Now he's well!

You believe that? lt 's the power of faith!

lmagine, a girl so young, all of a sudden...

-ln a blink of an eye... -The girl disappears!

-She has green eyes. -l guess her father...

...is almost white. -They say she is white, pretty, blonde.

-Blonde like Xuxa. -But a very good girl.

She's into Spiritualism.

-She must be around 13, 14... -l guess she's 16.

25 years old. Too old to run away.

-She found a boy. -Got tired of her mother.

lt seems she got depressed with the end of a relationship.

They say she's a bit...

She took drugs and lost it.

She took a bus here and went to the USA.

-They looked for her everywhere. -Cleo is desperate.

Anyone who's seen Kelly, call us now.

-Hello? Yes. -Roxane?

-This is Marisa, from the agency. -Hi,Marisa!

I'm calling because we have a job foryou.

Marisa, that fast!

Well, tomorrow at 6 p.m. ask for Roberto,he's very nice.

Alright,Marisa. Tell me, what should l dress?

Well,put on something nice and sexy,something hot.

l know. l got it. What is it? Photo, film, what kind of job?

Talk to him tomorrow, he'll tell you everything.

Alright, then.

-Hi, how are you? -Fine, and you?

-Excuse me. -Please.

-Roxane, right? -Yes.

-You look even prettier. -Well, thanks.

Excuse me.

-What a nice place! -Oh yeah, it 's nice.

-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

Would you like a coffee?

No, thank you.

Thanks, Ritinha, you can go. Leave the clothes for next week.

-Yes, sir. -Bye. Take care.

Would you like something to drink? Wine, champagne, whisky?

Yes, wine, champagne, whisky.

-Something wrong? -No! Come on, you are perfect.

-You've been in this for long? -No. lt 's my first job.

l'm a little tense.

Dear, you don't have to be.

-You are not a virgin, are you? -Virgin?

Nobody told me l had to be a virgin.

No, l like more experienced women.

But l have no experience. What do l have to say?

How is it gonna be?

Say? l don't like to talk. l'd rather go in and start doing.

Alright.

-Where is the camera? -What camera?

-To film. -You want me to film it?

-Are you a photographer? -Systems analyst.

My good Jesus! Boy!

-l didn't get it right. -What?

Roxane, wait.

They told you it was like a photo modeling, right?

At least finish your drink. lt 's 12 years old.

Did he pay you?

-2OO bucks. -2OO bucks?

Why? What 's the problem?

2OO bucks!

-l'm not worth 2OO bucks? -l'm not saying that, but...

-Do you think l'm a whore now? -No. Just because you got paid?

lt was not my intention.

And... was it bad?

l didn't think so. lt beats cleaning.

-Then keep doing it! -Are you nuts?

lf they pay well, what 's the problem?

l don't know, people will say: ''Look, there's the little whore!''

Let them talk, it 's none of their business.

-You think so? -Of course. You know what else?

You should do it with me.

-You have 2OO bucks to pay me? -Would you charge me?

No, l wouldn't charge you because...

-You know why? -Because you're crazy for me?

Because you're a pizza-delivering loser.

l would never do it with you.

He wants to see me again.

lf the woman has just one client, even so...

is she still a bitch?

Call me.

Will you call me?

0n Thursday l arrived late at home.

Luckily,Leo was sleeping in front of the TV.

l closed the bedroom door and fell asleep.

l slept through the night.

The next day, when lwoke up, he was watching the morning news.

l thought it was his day off.

Bye, Leo, l'm going.

l said something and went to work.

lworked and worked and worked.

ln the evening, when l got back, he was just like l left him.

He hadn't moved a bit.

l thought, "That's not possible. This man is too quiet!"

Then l called him three times.

lwent to him,he was cold. l got scared,he was stiff!

Leo, you are stiff!

He was dead!

Leo, are you dead?

He had been dead fortwo days and l didn't notice!Such a dead-fish.

l called Mrs. Ana to help me.

Mrs. Ana!

He was such a dead-fish that his heart stopped beating.

This things happen.

l neverwanted this for him.

At first l got a little sad.

l thought, "Now I'm a widow".

But l also thought, "There must be a compensation".

Because now l can go dancing, l can travel...

Right, Uilton?

We could go to the beach.

l think l love the beach.

Don't you think so?

l guess l'm the beach type.

l'm afraid of the ocean, but l like it a lot.

l like to gaze at it. You know, Uilton?

Yeah.

The good thing in life is that we learn from experience.

ln my case,l found out the problem was not Leo,but the armchair.

l have a world of sensations A world of vibrations

That l can present you

l have tenderness to offeryou

Caresses to give you

My body to warm you

These will be the happiest days lf you're by my side

l hope you make up your mind You just have to say yes

l have arms to embrace you

My mouth to kiss you A thousand nights

Has Cleo talked to Abreu?

He always finds missing people.

Abreu?

-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

-Please, are you Mr. Abreu? -That 's me.

Mr. Abreu, they told me you could help me.

Do you know where my daughter is?

-Do you have a daughter? -Yes, l do.

-What 's her name? -Kelly.

l don't know her.

-So you can't help me? -Have you talked to Mr. Francisco?

Francisco who?

-Where is he? -You just have to call him.

Mr. Francisco!

Mr. Francisco?

This Kelly is a naughty girl!

Do you have a picture of her?

Grab her picture every night and send her good thoughts.

When she gets calmer, she'll come back. And everyone will be happy.

Good morning. l'm Quit�ria, l was sent by Zefa, who works for Mrs. Sonia.

-Mrs. Celia Regina dos Santos? -lt 's here.

We're from Revisional, we came for the appliances...

for the warranty overhaul.

What overhaul? She didn't tell me anything. She'll be back on Monday.

Please call Jussara, she knows us. We always come here.

Jussara no longer works here.

But... what do we do now?

l have to go out now, you won't be able to do it today.

lt 's your call. Your boss will have to pay a fee.

She'll lose the warranty, it 's due today.

-Lose the warranty? -Yes. She'll get mad at you.

-You'll suffer the consequences. -That 's right. She's got bad temper.

-But she didn't tell me anything. -Well, it 's your call.

Please sign this, it says we were not able to take the machines.

You really have to take them?

Okay, then.

Okay. So tomorrow we bring them back. Hey, guys, come on!

Excuse me, l'll open the door.

ls it good?

Take a deep breath.

They said l'll go to jail! They said l'll go to jail!

How could l know? They had the paper!

Those heartless people! Spoiling the girl's life!

Quit�ria, drink that water and sugar, you're too nervous.

The police will investigate me, they think l'm an accomplice!

That 's a slander!

They know the girl is in her uniform all day long!

Calm down. We'll go to the district to testify on your behalf.

Yes, Quit�ria, that was no crime.

You can be stupid, but you're not a thief. We know that. Right, Zefa?

l'm going back to my town. lt seems nobody likes us here!

But they don't like us. They stand us because...

they don't want to clean boots, scrub the floor or wash underwear, right?

You won't help Quit�ria talking like that!

-Calm down, you're too tense. -How could l have known it?

l don't like to be jumping from one place to another!

lt seems they don't like us or what we do!

-Quit�ria Reis dos Santos. -Josefa dos Prazeres.

Roxane Nascimento. Roxane with an ''x''.

-Maid. -Housemaid.

l am... a model.

-They said it was for the overhaul. -Does she look like a criminal?

Her boss is abusive.

She should be robbed everyday, so she would have a lesson.

l believed them, how could l know?

She has a problem conforming to the house jobs.

-She's a bit... -Stupid. Very stupid.

-This is not the first time. -The other time, it was a necklace.

That wasn't my fault!

She got mad! l was never accused of theft.

She came screaming at me.

-Quit�ria! -Lourdes!

-Miranda! -Gildete!

Mercedes!

-Where is the necklace that was here? -Why can't l find the biscuits?

Where is the suitcase that was here?

Where is the nightgown l asked you to wash?

That case was always there and l never looked inside of it.

l had already ironed and put away the gown.

-lt 's in the drawer. -l put it in the wardrobe.

-lt 's on the shelf. -lt 's not.

-Yes, it is. -You took it.

l asked the other maids whether they had taken it. Nobody had.

The gown had slipped behind the drawer.

l went upstairs and saw his mother.

''Mrs. Odete, did you take the necklace that was in the drawer?'' Yes.

She called her husband, and the case was in his office.

l had never been accused of theft. ''Here is your gown!'' But l left.

Mrs. Odette, he accused me of theft and said he's calling the police.

The hand has five fingers, they are all different.

lf one does something, it doesn't mean they all do the same.

Listen, Mrs. Odette, your things won't fit my house...

just like my things won't fit yours. And that 's it.

lt 's always the same! They think we are all criminals.

Do you think l look like a criminal?

Nobody has ever talked about my mouth like that. You think so?

lf you keep looking at me with those sad eyes, l will accept.

You mean tonight?

Alright.

Marisa,you have been like a motherto me,you know?

Now...

try to find me some nicer men...

more elegant,because that guy...

Man! He was so weird!

Do you think some pictures...? Maybe some modeling jobs...

like those you see on TV, do you think it's still possible?

Do that for me,Marisa!

lwent to see you because lwanted to be a model. I'm not complaining.

Alright, then.

You were too feeble, nobody took the holdup seriously.

We were nervous, it was our first time.

They always come yelling out loud to scare people, like mad dogs.

You also have to hide your face so you won't be recognized.

A cap over your head, dark glasses. Catch someone as a victim.

Grab his neck and say you'll blow his brains...

if they don't cooperate.

You know a lot about it.

You are stupid, Gilvan.

You wanna rob and don't know how to do it. lt 's everyday on TV.

-Stop that, Gilvan! -l'm not doing anything.

-You are pressing my tits. -l'm not, l'm just caressing them.

-You can't. -Why not? Aren't we dating?

-And so you simply grab my tits? -l'm not doing that, Railde.

-l'm just caressing you. -Go find another one...

for your caresses, because l'm not that kind of girl.

-You don't like it? -Of course l do, but we can't.

-But Railde... -Enough. Only after l'm married.

Then let 's get married.

You want to marry me just to feel my tits?

No, because l love you.

You love me?

l do. You wanna marry or not?

Marriage, you know, everyone who gets married regrets having done it.

One takes care of the other. l take care of you, you take care of me.

lt 's a jail, can't you see it?

We can rent a room in the beginning...

then, later on, we move to a two-room...

...then, when we have children... -Children?

-Children? -Yes, children.

Are you crazy?

You'll spend a fortune with milk, diapers and all the kid's stuff!

-First l need a better job. -What about that watchman opening?

lt pays better, doesn't it?

Then, who knows, you can be a doorkeeper, a janitor...

-Then l'll move up. -Move up to where, Gilvan?

Get real!

People who wash cars will spend their whole life washing cars, you idiot!

My boss needs a caretaker for her country house.

You'll have a house, electricity, everything. We can plant.

Plant what? Do you know how to plant?

-There's even a little cow... -A cow?

-Yes, a cow. -Cow?

Cow, Gilvan?

Well, you should buy two of them.

lf you have a baby you'll need a lot of milk.

-She can help us. -Help my ass!

Stop asking for things. Now it 's time for us to give orders!

lt 's time we grew up, man.

l want you to tell my boss we intend to get married.

Get out of this marriage thing while there's time.

l got real guns now. Now it can't go wrong.

l told her you would come over Saturday night.

l'll wait for you Saturday night, alright?

-Saturday at 9 p.m. -At 9 p.m. You'll be there, right?

You promise? Kiss it here.

l knew l could count on you, man!

SATURDAY

Antonio!

Anybody out there?

l got stuck in the elevator!

Antonio!

-Who's yelling? -lt 's Gilvan!

-Who? -Gilvan.

-From which floor? -l wash the cars.

-lsn't Z� who washes them? -No, l took his place now.

-What are you doing here? -l'm Mrs. Zefa's godson.

She works at apartment 12, l went up for a coffee...

...and the elevator stopped! -So you're stuck in there?

Yes.

-Z�, l'll tell you what... -My name is Gilvan.

lt was you who tried to open my car the other day?

No, l didn't! l bumped into it and the alarm went off.

You should be more careful.

Listen, Z�, stop yelling or you'll wake up the whole building.

-l'll tell Antonio downstairs. -lt 's Gilvan!

What?

Nothing, thanks.

lt seems someone is dragging me on the ground

lt feels like a bad dream Delusion is all around

Agony,despairtakes hold of me

Today is my day

lwill be,lwill be Yourone and only love

Do you remember,sweet love

0urcolorfulworld?

And the fear someone would tell

About our secret meetings

Do you remember

-Where are you going? -Ap. 36, l start working today.

-Alright, give me the bag. -What for?

For a search.

-Since when is this legal? -Since l became the janitor.

l'm the responsible person here. l must answer for any theft.

-Where are you going? -l have a job at 21.

Okay, go ahead.

Won't you search his tool box?

This is not legal, l'll make a complaint.

First l'll search your bag, then you can make a complaint...

to the person in charge, myself.

lf you're in charge, is this elevator working?

Now it is.

God, there's a guy sleeping in here.

l spend the whole night stuck in the elevator!

-Are you kidding! -The man at 6 didn't tell you?

Mr. lrineu?

He called about a leaking...

something about ''Z� at the elevator''.

-What name he gave you? -Z�.

Z�? Z� my ass!

My name is Gilvan! Those fuckers will remember my name!

They will remember!

-l won't steal a candy from now on. -Can you get rich working?

Do l look like a thief?

Listen up, this is a holdup!

lf you don't cooperate, l'll blow her head!

Careful with the doorbell! You'll damage it!

-lt 's already damaged. -This is not your problem.

What do you want? Sell something? We don't need anything here.

You are Raimunda, aren't you?

There's no such person here!

Aren't you Gilvan's fianc�? l'm looking for him.

Gilvan? ls Gilvan a decent name?

Gilvan, Gilvan! lt must be the name of a medicine, an insect...

a tyre, some construction material, a cleaning product, a dirty word...

but it 's no name for a person!

Don't cry.

You know when we have that stupid, empty stare...

and somebody asks us, ''What are you thinking about?''

You answer, ''l don't know, about nothing''.

l think that 's when we're thinking...

''What am l gonna do with my life?''

Through the sun ways Through the sea waves

Go the ways that always lead me towards you

ln sadness l dreamed of your hands and mine

-Calm down, he's coming! -Calm down!

He'll leave me waiting again, l know. lt 's the story of my life.

lf l'm abandoned again, l'll kill myself. Stop, turn that off!

Turn that off! Go away with that!

Has it started?

Let 's get on with this wedding. Sorry about that.

l forgot the ring!

l loved to get married.

The problem was the ceremony being held on Sunday, followed by Monday.

And what's worse,it was the monthly spring-cleaning Monday.

lf you wanna marry, go ahead, but you have to clean everything first.

lf you want to date, go to parks or go dancing...

you can do it, but only after you clean the kitchen.

That 's the system we live in: first we clean up their houses...

then we can get on with our own lives.

l think this jumping all around is part of the job.

They keep changing cars, refrigerators, then l thought...

with the housemaids it must be the same.

l'll keep jumping all around until l die.

When l die, l'll stay there. Wherever l get to be.

Like when you're a child and people ask you...

what you're gonna be when you grow up,and you answer...

a soap opera actress, a nurse, a ballerina...

Nobody says, ''l want to be a housemaid''.

Because that 's not something you wish to be...

it 's fate really.

Mom?

Mom!

-How are you? -l'm well, l'm working.

-ln a family's house? -No, mom. ln a company.

My Sunday will be happy

Because l intend to go out with you

What a happy day!

Hand in hand we'll stroll

Many kisses we'll give each other

What a happy day!

Today is my day

lwill have,lwill have lwil have your love

To be, to be happy at your side

What a happy day!

All that lwant l should have it

0nly you can understand me

She fired me because l had a baby and l couldn't take him to work.

She called him ''little nigger''. Then l asked, ''What now?''

''What? l think you'd better get out.''

She wouldn't allow me to have prenatal classes!

l would walk to work every day, pregnant, with a huge belly.

She didn't even pay the bus fare.

l would clean the house, iron the clothes, cook, clean the yard...

l would carry her baby around, make his soup, bathe him 3 times a day...

My son cried at the corner, while l was rocking her son!

Now she kicks me like a dog! ls this life?

She told me even if l sued her, she wouldn't pay me.

That if l hired five lawyers, she would hire ten.

l took the law papers to her, she treated me like a bitch...

said they weren't worth anything. l never had a labor agreement.

When l took care of her son, l was the ''black mama''.

She would tell him, ''Black mama is here''.

l live in a slum, l have nothing, four children...

my husband is unemployed with a broken leg and now this!

ls this life?

C APTl0NS BY VlDE0LAR