Original subtitles

- PETROBRAS AND GLAUCIA CAMARGOS PRESENT

AFILM BY PAULO THIAGO

“THE DRESS”

BASED ON A STORY BY CARLOS HERCULANO LOPES

INSPIRED ON THE POEM “CASO DO VESTIDO” BY

CARLOS DRUMMOND DE ANDRADE

I don't understand all this fear and mystery. Mom is asleep.

We'd rather not risk anything.

- It should have been beautiful. -Right.

I saw mom crying last night. She had the dress in her hands.

Crying? Could it be because of daddy?

Maybe. There's only one way to find it out.

We'll ask her today. And we'll insist on it.

Ididn t sleep well that night. And ldreamt.

My kids wanted to ask me something in the morning. Couldn't answer.

We were late for the opening of the election committee.

Icouldn't imagine I'd see my cousin Fausto...

an uncertain character in my life's saga...

who d ask me again why was still stuck in an affair that was over.

Angela! Are you here to see your candidate?

I'm sorry, Fausto. I'm in a hurry.

Relax! Look at me! 1"min no hurry for anything.

For instance, I have a debt from your husband in my office.

It's way past due.

Ulisses will cash it when he comes back.

Go ahead. I'll meet you later. Go!

FOR DECENT JOB AND SALARIES

-You know he'll pay, Fausto. -“When Ulisses comes back.”

He's an outlaw, a dangerous man, Angela. You're so naive!

You say it. And you spread it around.

No one knows for sure what's going on with Ulisses.

And you cant find out...

and you never get over this story.

You shouldn't have brought the girls. There may be riots!

These people like it! Come!

Come, Congressman Cabral wants to see you.

-How do you do, “Dona” Angela. -How do you do.

Nice girls.

Thank you. I really wanted to thank you.

Come on, that was nothing. Your husband is a valuable man.

I've heard he has faced some problems.

But who hasn't, right?

Let s have a picture! Come on, girls! Over there!

Girls, over there! Attention...

Cheese... Come on, you all!

People from Vila Dourada!

Let's hear from His Excellency, Congressman Cabral...

a future representative of our town in the Congress!

No one is to do anything until I say so.

I want to hear this crook's speech.

...and they do not accept people's sovereign will!

But God has taken fear away from me!

Bravado can not win an election. And victory is no warranty.

They 're democracy's enemies!

This holy water is for you to put at your door, every day.

I made avow for your husband.

I don't believe on charges against him.

Believe it, Ulisses will be back.

Thank you, Aunt Zila.

Put this dress away, right now!

Why, mom? What's the matter with this dress?

You were looking at it and crying, last night.

-Is it because of dad? -I want no arguments, Clara.

Put it away!

Mom...

you have always set a plate for dad at the table.

But he has never come back. Why is that?

You can't keep it from us.

Say it, mom. What dress is this?

Whose dress was it? Do we know her?

I'd rather tell you both the truth...

before you hear it from someone else.

The past can not be deleted.

I'm always hoping and waiting for news from your dad.

You're right, Clara.

This dress changed my life.

I don't know if it all happened exactly like that.

But I'll try and tell the way I remember it.

It was wonderful at first.

Your father and me, we were totally in love.

He was so handsome!

Newly graduated in accounting, from a very good family.

The owner of this house.

I had just graduated as a teacher.

Your father was everything I had always dreamt of.

VILA DOURADA THREE YEARS EARLIER

We were waiting your father to have lunch.

There's nothing like a family together around atable.

When I heard his footsteps, 1 had a strange foreboding.

Hi, love.

How was it at the bank?

My request was useless.

The manager said the decision was not in his hands.

The accounting office's debt has been postponed for a year.

He was nice. But I have one month to settle it.

One month!

Mom, Rita is making noises with the food in her mouth.

And she hasn't studied! She just played the guitar!

Taxes are the problem.

Honesty used to be something valuable.

My firm is broke. No one wants to comply with the law.

What now, love? What should we do?

I've heard your father's land is worth something.

I'm sorry.

1'll have to accept your cousin's loan.

To see if things move ahead.

The problem is that he'll want that land for collateral.

That'll be hell.

Easy, Ulisses. God will help us.

I arranged to meet him tomorrow, at his office.

-God s office? -Fausto's, you idiot.

I made it exactly as you wanted. Like the one in the magazine.

It was hard work. ll even dreamt of it.

Dreamt, auntie? It's just adifferent dress for Angela.

You re too superstitious.

-Don't forget. Send it today. -Don't worry.

Ulisses!

I have a surprise for you.

This is an enlarged picture of your parents for you.

Where did this come from?

It must have been taken shortly before mom died.

He took it! At your father's request.

I don't want it, “Seu” Pequeno. Thank you.

Il couldn't hang it on our wall.

What's up, kid?

The picture has moved you?

We 're family. You can tell us.

I'd be ashamed to face my father every day.

As if he were asking me about my mistakes.

A humiliation for the life I've lived not realizing what he wanted for me.

Come on, Ulisses. Your daughters are beautiful.

And your love for Angela...

Everybody in town know your marriage is a success.

Angela thinks so too. But it just looks like that.

We've been arguing a lot.

The kid is quite confused.

One should keep distance from husband and wife's quarrel.

Ulisses gave me the dress that night, for New Year's.

Mr. Astor! After seeing you here, I know what's coming.

I'm leaving. All papers are ready.

As a good attorney, I assure you it's in order.

All you have to do is sign.

You may go right in. The boss is waiting.

I need the loan, Fausto.

But I can't give you the land as collateral.

It's all I have left from my father.

What can I do, Ulisses?

I'min a nice mess, I've got to be correct.

There are people depending on me. They ask for it.

A collateral has got to be something real, you know.

And all I have left is my trust in you.

Won't this money solve your problems?

We've been friends since childhood.

You re my little brother.

I'm your wife's cousin! Do you think I want the land?

I hate life out of town.

Mel I pollute the air with my little ironworks.

I love the smell of gasoline!

You can sign it. No fear. It s nothing but a document.

I have nothing to do with this. I'm just awitness.

I've heard rumors that this land would be a nice place...

to be divided into plots for mansions for rich people.

No one better than you understands this business.

I can go there whenever you want.

You should listen to every opinion you can get.

And I need an expert.

1'm going to tell you something. I envy you.

You have beautiful daughters, a gorgeous wife, good teacher...

while ll am a poor soul, living to this date at my mother 's.

But now and then...

This last time, I met a girl in Rio.

A gorgeous girl. Modern, free.

She put it in her head to visit Vila Dourada. linvited her.

She arrives tomorrow.

Ulisses, this is Barbara, the friend I talked you about.

-She came straight from Rio. -My pleasure. Ulisses Ferreira.

-Let's go? -Yeah. Barbara is not coming.

I want her to see the town.

The old mansions, the church of gold.

I don't mean to impose!

Don't even think it! Fausto had a wonderful idea.

My wife loves strolling around. While our daughter has classes...

she can present you to Vila Dourada.

Hi, love.

Angela, I remember you promised...

to tell me the town's story.

Couldn't you do this favor to my friend, Barbara...

...who came from Rio to visit us? -I'm really curious.

I've heard you're a teacher. I could be a good student.

Sure, it'll be a pleasure.

My bodyguard was trying to hide himself.

But I know what kind of work he does around here.

Your land's area is used for “making justice”.

That's what I said! They've just got rid of someone.

I had never seen that here!

Who are those hit men?

They 're former policemen, like Osmarinho.

Victims are beggars, nut cases.

Two-bit thieves who disturb commerce in the shops.

I want your honest opinion. What can I do with this?

Give me some time to see it! So, did you like my friend?

To tell you the truth, I didn't pay much attention.

I have too many problems in my head.

Stop it! I'm embarrassed! Turn it off!

Do you want me on a pose? I'll do that.

-Great! -Teacher!

Hi!

Hi, Isabela! Pedro Antonio! I've missed you!

You re very popular.

Children see us as a kind of fairy.

'When I was a child, I thought my teacher was asaint too.

Later on I found out that virtue is not easily found.

You know, I'd like to know your town.

I1°d like to go to bars, to walk along all the streets.

I love to party!

“Seu” Ulisses!

You haven't come in a while.

How about the kids? “Dona” Angela? All right?

They 're fine. But things look worse around here, Josélio.

My friend, Dr. Fausto. He came to visit the land.

This place was my father's princess.

His grandfather had gold, cattle, land.

As a public officer, he bought this land in installments...

he paid for many years, saving, investing his salary.

It was his personal battle.

He was proud to have made it with his own salary.

Right. So your father worked hard to leave you this land.

And now some bastards kill people in the area.

Do you know what this means?

All his effort and honesty are useless.

The area is devalued. No one wants to spend a weekend...

where they may get hit by a bullet...

or find a body in their yard.

Something new and mysterious is going to happen to me.

Like the beauty of this waterfall.

“My life, our lives, make only one diamond.”

And Drummond the poet said...

“I give away a secret as one who loves or smiles.”

Reciting poetry while looking for richer times.

It's useless. You re an artist, aman of pyrotechnics.

It was also my father who gave me poetry books.

I didn't have a father.

My father abandoned my mom.

She had to wash for others to pay for my studies.

It helped me to see the only thing that matters, my friend.

To make money.

It's hard to do it with art. You need a gift from God.

It's not our case.

The day God made us, he was in a bad mood.

I feel deeply peaceful here.

My love for Ulisses...

my daughters...

I've attended this church since I was a little girl.

It seems eternal. And it's such a simple life.

You re not simple nor humble, Angela.

When you talk, I can feel your deep pride for your life.

You re someone who, to save your happiness...

would bet anything

Are you always so direct?

You hardly know someone, yet you say what you think...

you give your opinion. I'm sorry, I'm not used to that.

No!I...

I was just teasing you, to break the ice.

To know each other better. L.

I think you're very nice. I hope we could be friends.

What do you say we go to a bar now and have a beer?

Barbara, I'm curious about something.

This thing between you and Fausto.

The thing I want to know is... Who are you?

I'm a woman who came from far away.

The land is beautiful, Ulisses.

But I don't see how to explore it without help from authorities.

We need infrastructure. Telephone, gas, water.

A paved road.

Hit men would run away, value would increase five times.

-What's the next step? -1t's not like that.

We've got to make plans, to calculate.

We need a wonderful plan for the area. Mansions only.

Mansions only, for rich people from the city.

You see? It s easy, isn't it?

Nothing matches a good bar where one can talk.

A bar in the middle of the day! I'm not used to that.

It's very common in Rio.

My friends love drinking. And they 're all independent.

I'm a Buddhist, for instance.

I found this religion from East, asuccess even in Hollywood.

Caetano Veloso is our guru. Listen to what he sings.

I'm just passing by

1 know that one day I'm going to die

From fear, bullet or vice

It was written by Gil and Capinam.

I feel just like that. I'm going to die. From fear, bullet or vice.

Ulisses loves music too.

Sometimes he sings to me.

That's so romantic.

I never got married. But I know men a little bit.

Your Ulisses seems to be agood partner. That's rare.

Yes, he is.

It wasn't easy at first. Our families had problems.

Later, however... I never met abetter husband than Ulisses.

The other day he made me a surprise.

He gave me a dress. A beautiful dress.

A little too sexy for me, but it's beautiful.

A dress?

What took you so long? We were about to start having lunch.

-We had a little problem. -You have a very nice wife.

Il loved our tour. But I haven't seen it all. There's the diamond museum...

the Seresta composers.

-Can you take me? -Sure!

One who never comes here can't meet such nice people.

Journalist Apparicio Torelly had such a good humor...

that despite being a commie he called himself Baron of Itararé!

During Vargas dictatorship, after many times in prison...

being beaten by the police, he hung on his newspaper door...

“Come in! No beating!”

Today we laugh with jokes on communists...

but no so long ago you used to torture them, right?

That's past, Fausto!

You liberals have lost your humor after your defeat.

It's time our town gathered around only one candidate!

Personal friendship, that's what matters. We live a political crisis.

There's more corruption, and more unemployment.

Such an alliance is impossible.

We've lost some battles, but war isn't over yet.

Women gossiping over there, men here.

What an ugly thing! A bunch of “machos”!

Fausto told me you belong to a traditional family here.

And that you have avery nice land.

All right!

Let's set a date with Fausto to visit the land.

I'll take you to a very beautiful waterfall.

Things like that have a name. Look at that girl!

She's just like that, Zila. She comes from the city.

They say she's Buddhist! But in Rio that's common!

Come on, aunt. Ulisses is just being polite.

I'm going to fetch some wine.

Beware of women, my friend. They make men crazy.

My daughters, Thad another view of that girl.

They were all charmed by her.

Then your father did something unexpected.

Come on... attention...

Wait, wait, wait! Come! Come! You two!

-Just a moment. -Come closer, aunt.

Smile! Smile!

One, two...!

This is the dress Ulisses gave to me.

Put it on.

I want to see how it is on someone else.

It's very beautiful.

You'll look like a model. The queen of the party!

As soon as I have the guts to wear it.

Idont know. I think a dress should be part of someone.

Nonsense! Besides, your man gave it to you.

It's perfect!

I'll give it to you.

-You mean it? - It fits you better!

Thank you.

-But don't tell anyone. -No.

I'll send it to you.

I'm sorry...

It's just that you look like a fantasy in this dress.

It could be a dream, yes. It's not your imagination.

Ulisses, we'll make things harder this way.

1'm going to change and then 'l leave.

Love demands secrets.

Go! Go!

-Go! -Go for it, dad!

Goal!

Good boy!

It looks like the show is well succeeded.

Miss, guests pick up their lunch here. Which one?

Not Madonna! Not Madonna!

How cute! She cares for a turkey.

It could be anyone but Madonna. Right?

You re fit, man!

This guy here used to steal all my girlfriends!

Good thing you're married now. Very well married.

What now? What else can we do before lunch?

Any idea?

What about we go for awalk?

Right.

I didn't tell her you were the latest he stole from me.

Things would be quite different.

I wanted to make you happy.

It was a feeling of freedom one can't forget.

The rain on my face...

thunders...

I wasn't afraid, not at all. As if I could do everything.

Weird.

Ulisses felt the same thing, didn't you?

I ' mused to it. It scares people from outside.

Were you... under the rain?

I could have died if it were not for Ulisses.

Yeah?

Why?

It was very dark and I was about to fall into a pit.

Fortunately, Ulisses caught me in time. It was like a thriller.

So we have a hero with us. A modest one.

Heroes always are unpredictable men.

Is it Madonna?

God help us!

Didn't you think it was all too weird, mom?

All my faith was love to your father.

I met Barbara again a few days later...

when a group of actors presented in the old theater.

-Who was cut out of this picture? -It doesn't matter.

We shouldn't forget what is still here.

The rest is gone.

Alll remember is my Madonna was killed.

Silly! It wasn't Madonna.

And a turkey isn't a proper pet. But let mom finish the story.

Tell us mom. And then?

Look at Fausto's face.

I just hope there's no mess. Neco is in danger.

He knows all stories about Fausto.

Relax, Neco. As the old Baron of Itararé used to say...

“From the most unexpected place...

nothing comes out.”

Ladies and gentlemen...

we re presenting to you here the amazing story...

of Capitu and Bentinho, our Brazilian Othello!

-The passion, jealousy... -Theater is my fantasy.

Scenery, costumes, this exciting atmosphere...

I've dreamt I was on astage listening to the applause.

Life is an opera! A great opera, in which God is the poet...

and music...

is Satan's!

You have never shown any doubt about our child.

“What happened between you? -Haven't you heard what I said?

Ezequiel is not my son.

Why do you think so?

After all I've heard, I can hear what comes next.

This is what I can say to you.

Ezequiel looks after Escobar, our late friend.

I'm sure you loved him.

I was possessed by unbearable suspicion.

Today, I can totally confirm my suspicion of your betrayal.

Even from corpses!

Not even dead people are free from your jealousy!

My honorable audience...

due to illness of one of our actresses...

the number with the woman who's stabbed in the box...

Dad is like a magician!

I'm the man who cuts little girls...

and I want to know who loves big dad the most?

-I do! -I do!

That's enough. To bed. Come on! Give mommy a kiss.

Come on, time to go.

A kiss.

Ulisses...

you were never good at pretending.

I saw you looking at Barbara in the theater. What is it?

Are you impressed?

It's the old story. The traditional wife is jealous.

-You re influenced by the play. -Why not? She's pretty.

Can't a woman be really jealous? For the first time in her life?

When you went for a walk to the waterfall...

I closed my eyes so that I wouldn't think of betrayal.

But all I could think was you two, wet, in the rain...

her tongue in your mouth in an endless kiss!

I may look a saint, Ulisses, but that I am not!

So what? What if it happened?

Not really. But what if you've imagined and guessed all the desire?

I was really impressed with Barbara.

At least, it would shake up this unbearable routine!

There goes Ulisses, an honest man with empty pockets!

I'm the first one in my family who owes this much here!

I don't know why you say that. You're honest!

Too honest! It's all too right!

LI"ve got to change this insipid life, Angela!

Illove you, but there"s a world out there. ll want to know it!

You are not considering our daughters, are you?

I'm the one in charge of it all, even of our happiness.

I can't drag myself without an objective.

I'll finish by putting abullet into my head!

You have not answered me.

Has something really happened? Or not?

Mom! I'm scared!

While I lamented what seemed to be the end of our marriage...

Christmas went by without the peace of previous years.

And New Year arrived.

I'm sorry for having invited Barbara to visit Vila Dourada.

She's too cocky. Do you know what she said to me?

That I was too “square”, amama's boy.

You'll end up by stealing another girlfriend from me!

To go to the church! No, Zila!

A dinosaur like me, a commie...

to be seen in the mass!

Take alook. Your hand in the election.

The gang is all here, now.

Neco, you've promised me! No politics in the party!

Take me away from the presence of this subversive.

He appreciates tumult.

He's all cocky, feeling he's won the election.

Let it be. Soon he'll become a werewolf.

José Cipriano!

Surprise!

I bet no one has recognized me.

Except for Angela, of course, who gave me this beautiful dress.

The dress I made with so much love?

You re gorgeous.

Let's dance! Although it may be our last dance.

You re a challenge to me, Angela.

You're so sure of your happiness.

Are you jealous of me?

Tonight, my dear friend, the night is a game.

I've never needed to compete with anyone.

Excuse me.

Five, four, three...

two, one!

Happy New Year!

What is this, Ulisses?

Have you lost it? Are you nuts?

He's mad, yeah. Madly in love!

Just like you. For those homeless...

for the miserable ones, for the revolution.

Ulisses!

When night clubs close their doors, virtues vanish in the air!

I'm tired of whores!

I want a woman with a pure soul like a page in the Bible.

I love you. I'm madly in love with you.

I'm not going to be yours.

Not tonight.

Why? You drive me nuts!

Well, my dear...

if it's true that you love me, that you're so horny, listen carefully.

Passion demands a ceremony. A pact.

I will only give myself to you under one condition.

Go back home and tell your proud wife...

who's so self-conscious...

who believes in marriage and in eternal love...

that she should come looking for me and humbly ask me...

to be patient and go to bed with you.

Only this way ll be yours.

Ican't do that!

This is an impossible request! It's something twisted!

You'll never have me, then. Your rigid moral is twisted.

Desire is forbidden to you.

Don't beg, Ulisses!

What's that? An assault?

No. It's just a furious man.

I want to talk to Barbara.

Tell your friend my proposition hasn't changed.

Listen, my friend, love goes like that.

One day you kiss, the next, you don't.

You quarrel, you forgive...

Listen, she doesn't want to talk. Let it go. Go home.

It's better, "Seu" Ulisses. There's no hope tonight.

I'm going home, "Seu" Pequeno. Helena will beat me up!

You re lucky. Your wife talks, but she doesn't do a thing.

OK, then I'm going too.

How come? That's what we agreed on.

No way! You like the music. I can go by myself. Good night.

I'm going home too. The night was really bad.

Easy, Ulisses. That's a passion of your heart. It'll be over.

Go back to your wife.

As the Baron of Itararé used to say...

They got Neco!

Neco!

Neco!

Neco!

Politics and crime walked hand in hand.

Everyone knew who had ordered it, but no one spoke.

There were no evidences.

Sheriff Silveira ordered some kind of investigation...

and (Jsmarinho wasn't interrogated.

But all ll have to do is to get there and look for gold?

Of course not, Ulisses. You've got to know people...

get together with those with license to explore it.

And Gilson here can help you with that...

if you really want to try and make fortune there.

To make money is the most difficult thing in Mato Grosso.

You've got to be daring, to be licensed.

To have it clear in your mind.

Right, Gilson, I'm thinking about it.

I need some kind of business where I can make money fast...

to solve my problems.

Despite whatever was going on, 1 kept the family together.

Ulisses could barely eat, he was so tormented.

I could see madness coming out of his eyes.

On those nights without faith, Itried dreaming of happy mornings.

I talked him into closing the office and leaving town for some days.

Despair is threatening.

The boss has fallen down! The boss has fallen down!

The boss has fallen down!

I should die.

To vanish from this world.

What kind of madness is this?

MY love!

Death is the end of it all.

You don't understand, Angela.

I'm finished.

1t's not her fault.

I couldn't imagine...

by I was seduced by Barbara.

Women can hurt like a blow in your mouth.

Ilive in hell, the worst there is, a poison.

She prefers to torture me.

Unless...

Unless what? Tell me, love!

-Nothing! Nothing! -God!

It's perdition!

Angela...

do you love me?

You're everything I have in my life.

Then...

for the love you feel for me...

ask Barbara, I beg you...

ask that vicious woman to be merciful...

and to accept going to bed with me.

In that moment...

all I could think was that if he died, I' d die too.

Fate creates terrible challenges for us.

And looking at you [made up my mind.

Idecided to go looking for that devious woman...

to do what your father had asked me to.

What do I owe this to?

I'm bringing you my husband, Barbara.

And at your feet I ask you to go to bed with him...

and make his wish come true.

But didn't you tell me you believed in eternal love...

in amarriage for life, Angela?

I still do.

I'm not inventing love. Love is eternal.

And that's why I decided to come here and humiliate myself before you.

To ask you.

I don't love your husband.

But I can keep him, it it pleases you.

It's not for me. I don't want a man.

But to make you happy...

since you're begging.

That's what I'm asking you.

My God, I want to die!

Do you have any idea of your wife's sacrifice?

Can you imagine how much she loves you?

1 know she loves me very much.

Is that what you really want, Ulisses?

There's always something left from it all.

The thing I want most in the world is called Barbara.

To remember is to confess it, mom.

- It gives relief to your soul. -I know.

And you are absolutely right to want to know the truth.

What about this stain in the dress?

It looks like blood.

Is it related to the stories told around our school...

which say daddy has killed someone?

I cried all day long, hidden away.

He's a fugitive and may never return, right?

No, daughter! That's just arumor spread by bad people.

Half the truth.

What about you, Rita? What do you think?

I remember very well the day daddy left.

He packed his things in the bedroom...

hugged us tight...

looked at mom...

and slammed the door when he left.

We went to the window... and the bad girl took him away.

Hurry up!

Passion can't wait.

1 got sick.lcouldn't eat, Icouldn't speak...

I had atertian fever. But death wouldn't come.

My cousin Fausto started coming to see me.

One day, ! went with him to the street of our childhood.

My parents” house was here.

It°s possible to bring the past back.

This apartment looks like a miracle.

Our home here was so gay!

Who put this building up?

After the house was demolished, I bought the land.

And I built it on the same spot where we first saw each other.

Do you remember? When arrived in town with mom...

the spot where I fell in love with you.

It's yours.

If you want it, it's yours. It was built to...

for you to marry me and live here.

That's a romantic dream that life made impossible.

I'm a married woman.

Married, Angela?

I was your boyfriend.

I used to be the poor cousin who was left behind.

But your good family husband...

ran away with another woman.

Ulisses has gone into the world, Angela!

The world is big and small.

Alll ever wanted was to live with you. I love you.

Wait!

I know you can...

you can solve all my problems, my concerns...

but right now all ll want is to go back home.

I can wait for your decision.

!/ sold my gold rings and necklaces...

to pay for drugs and groceries needed.

Our rescue came through the hands of Uncle Jeremias, my father s brother.

The rescue angel who went after us inVila Dourada...

to have our wounds healed in his farm in the hinterland.

ONE YEAR LATER

It's so good to have your help raising the kids.

I can't stop thinking on Ulisses " return.

What if he never comes back? And your own life?

Ill have to learn to live in solitude.

Does this story end like that? What about the news around?

Why haven't you ever done anything for dad to come back?

A lot of mistakes and little information.

Yesterday...

fate made this dress come back to my hands.

Along with this journal written by Barbara.

Has she come here?

Does the journal tell everything that happened to dad?

It does.

From the moment your father left through that door.

My diary...

it s difficult to write about what I felt when I saw it had worked out.

I was proud of my victory.

For some reason, though, {wasn't happy.

The image of Ulisses leaving his family, hope in his eyes...

was pathetic.

He had decided to travel North.

! like an adventure, so /decided to go with him.

It seemed an illusion, like in the movies.

That man beside me was everything any woman wanted.

A good, handsome man, loving me.

In that moment, I visualized the possibility...

of something that would never happen.

To fall in love with Ulisses.

Stop the car.

But we've got to reach the Northwestern tonight.

It's just for a moment. Stop it.

Later. Now, move on, before it gets dark.

TONIGHT THE PAYER OF PROMISES

26, isn't the church open yet?

It is. The priest won't let me in with the cross, though.

Why? -[don't know, Rosa.

Heaven in place of a hell, demon in place of a saint.

Yes, right. Suddenly, you see you re someone else.

You've always been someone else. It's terrible.

It's not possible, Rosa.

I've always been a good man, I've always respected God.

- It looks like a punishment. -A punishment? Why?

Because I made a promise at lans&'s feet?

If Saint Barbara didn't agree, there would be no miracle.

Zé, forget Saint Barbara! Think of us!

-Us.7 -Me, your wife!

What do you want?

Zé, let s go away from here!

[wouldn't be in peace for the rest of my life.

You believe too much.

You are not considering what may happen.

More than what has happened?

It was during high school. We had a drama group.

Our teacher loved this film.

We did some scenes. And I can still remember.

You were saying it as well as the girl on screen. Even better.

Barbara, I'll offer you everything you want.

Don't make any promises. We live on and we forget.

I've waited so long for this moment!

Ulisses, I have to tell you something.

Barbara.

You gave me proof of your love.

I want to be yours, now.

The prince ran away. And left you here alone. Naked.

She sees whatever is hidden. You should listen to her.

She's a clairvoyant of good and evil, of sins and miracles.

You don't deserve happiness. That's a curse of false women.

The first fruit of your love will die.

And then you'll know misery, mother of all misfortune.

Misery!

Ulisses!

That woman! I think she's a clairvoyant.

I don't know, she said terrible things to me.

-What is it, Barbara? Easy... -You'd better leave.

There may be tumult here.

It's just a bunch of nut cases who want money.

My journal...

when he asked, I told him {used that wig as a joke.

1 had fun doing that.

What happened? I thought you'd be here yesterday.

Fausto called me up. I waited because he gave me his word.

I stopped at a camp of people fighting for land.

But I came to follow your orders.

I'm still interested in venturing in gold washing.

Andrade is a friend of mine.

He's got a license in Alto Garimpo, in Mato Grosso.

That's where you re going to. You settle things with him.

Percentage, participation, etc.

Look, don't follow any advice in those places.

You do what you re sure of. Any decision may be mortal.

All set.

All set. I know in which town I'm going to spend some time.

They say it's dangerous.

You may go back South with Gilson.

Are you sure? You re coming with me?

Are you still in doubt?

Fromthenonlstarted feeling hot with passion.

1 had never thought this could happen. 1 had never met such a kind man.

We arrived in Mato Grosso. The river was beautiful.

Men were working, washing gold with their bowls.

Ulisses was very happy.

That's our good star.

Alto Garimpo.

Once again I write. It's been 3 months of life with Ulisses.

These were the best moments of my life.

1learned how to cook!

1 had never imagined myself at home, waiting for my man.

We decided to celebrate this time together, yesterday.

Ulisses invited Darcy to celebrate with us.

I'm happy just looking at you.

Good afternoon, ma'm. Excuse me.

We suffer like a con, here.

Gold is a passion hidden beneath the earth.

To wash gold is a sickness! An incurable vice!

Forget it! You re here because you know you can make money.

And win your freedom.

What a good rum!

Listen, I baked this cake with special care.

1t s “Dona” Madalena's recipe. Let s blow the candle together.

The first piece is for our new friend...

witness of our happiness.

I'm sorry, ma'm. I'm sorry.

Your woman worked hard but the cake is raw!

It tastes like jaguar's skin!

I can only have it with some more rum.

Come on, Darcy, your mouth is soft due to too much rum.

No, love, don't eat it. You'll have stomachache.

I know I'm a disaster in the kitchen.

But your woman can do other things well.

Well! It's time to leave. I'm one too many here.

“Seu” Ulisses...

a gorgeous woman like that for some loving care...

that's what I'm jealous of you. Take care.

Love, not in the dark. Turn the light on, Barbara.

Ulisses, my period failed.

I think I'm pregnant.

What is it?

Didn't you like the news?

Such decisions have to be made with a clear head.

Did you have a clear head when you had your daughters?

Exactly.

I don't want to be disappointed again.

In a traditional marriage with you.

Ulisses” reaction about the pregnance was really disturbing.

But my obsession is endless.

Angela must have imagined...

you fell in love with me during that walk in your land.

When it was raining as it's now.

But nothing happened.

Linsisted, though, telling her in an very exciting way

how you saved me only to make her jealous.

Don't look back.

Forget Angela! It's now that matters.

I had other lovers, Ulisses. Aren't you ever jealous?

I am jealous of your past.

Nonsense! Let's not spoil it all with such bad thoughts.

I'm afraid of this complete happiness.

It may be hiding so much!

Look, now we are each other's shadow. Our love...

between reality and dream.

You look like an artist. Even your name.

Ulisses. My Greek boyfriend.

Come here.

Let's warm up by the fire.

Nature will bless us.

Ulisses!

An emergency! An emergency, please, Dr. Espanhol!

-1t's an emergency! -Yes.

Dr. Espanhol, an emergency!

Put her on the stretcher.

What happened?

Turn the lights on!

Wait outside, you two. Outside.

Relax, Dr. Espanhol has saved many lives around here.

He doesn't speak well because he's a foreigner.

Dr. Espanhol wants to see you.

She's fine.

I did all I could. Unfortunately, I couldn't save her baby.

It was a severe bleeding. Abortion was inevitable.

She needs some rest now...

and your support. You may go.

That clairvoyant...

she said this child would die.

And you didn't want another child.

Forgive me, my dear.

Nothing makes sense.

This journal is a sincere talk 1 have with myself...

it"s a confident of my guilt and lies.

Not wanting to part from him, 1 made a serious mist ake.

During a picnic.

I took it along, in the basket, to jot down my remarks...

while my lover was asleep.

Is it asecret? Can"tlread what you wrote?

It's mine! It's part of my intimacy.

Things hidden in a person are sacred things, Ulisses.

You never reveal yourself completely.

I don't know your secrets.

I'll never know for sure who you are, Barbara.

I'm a mystery for myself as well.

I can't understand me. Ulisses...

only love can free me from this damned mess.

“With this knife...

a little knife that I can barely hold in my hand...

but that can penetrate haunted flesh and stop there...

in a spot where...

the dark root of a cry trembles.

Neighbors on their knees cry...

they cry, they cry...”

And the curtain falls!

That's how Federico Garcia Lama's "Blood Wedding" ends.

Let's drink another one for the poet.

These Brazilians...

besides rum and samba...

they know well how to fight to survive in a country...

that's so rich...

and yet so miserable.

ONE YEAR LATER

Darcy, I hid it so that I could show it to you here, at home.

People at the river would be angry at the gold nuggets...

that I've found!

One year went by but I'm finally rich, my friend! I'm rich!

Barbara, my love!

Come here, I want to show you something. Come!

Ulisses, am I still gorgeous?

My love! You're always beautiful.

-What's this dress doing here? -Nothing!

It reminds me of good moments.

Come on! Let's celebrate! Haven't you found fortune?

There's no fortune in these nuggets, "Dona" Barbara.

How come? Do you doubt what you see here?

I don't want to spoil your party, Ulisses, but these nuggets aren't gold.

Your eyes may be full of it, but it's just pyrites.

They aren't worth anything. That's why we call it here...

the gold of fools.

Are you serious?

Put that dress away! It brings me bad memories!

That's it, brother.

I'm losing it, I'm losing faith.

This river is ungrateful. It cheats fools.

Since there's no endless luck...

the only thing I feared finally happened.

It was during an empty night in this lost region.

Dr.Espanhol had brought us some wine.

Turn it off!

I 'membarrassed! Do you want me on a pose?

Our nostalgia session is over.

Well, I come from Vigo. Do you know the song?

Vigo, Vigo.

I never went back to my land.

My youth dreams remained far away. Relatives, friends.

I never had children, but I can imagine what you feel.

What about your daughters? Are they nice kids?

That night I felt he was always thinking about her.

Everything can be changed, quickly as an electric contact.

My daughters.

I was living in paradise and, suddenly, energy was cut off.

Let me see.

How beautiful!

What about their mother? She was on the video, doctor.

Don't you carry her picture?

You'd better go to our room. You've drunk too much.

Yes, I have! So what?

There's nothing to do here in this hole!

Only drunk can one stand this boredom!

-Right, Dr. Espanhol? -Enough, Barbara!

Don't take her seriously, man.

Women are jealous, it's part of their nature.

And the Spanish ones...

If you knew a Spanish girl!

Desire, jealousy.

Men bite themselves, they corrupt themselves.

But I think she's right.

After love's fire is spent...

couples feel sick, they 're cruel.

It was only today that I'felf like writing again.

Jealousy has poisoned my heart, like avirus...

a fever that has turned me into another woman.

Does he still want me?

Now I have insomnia, I'm always scared, 1 drink too much.

“Dear daddy I don't know if this letter will reach you.”

Idont know if this letter will reach you.

Neverthelessl've decided to write.

I miss you very much. So does Ritinha.

Mom doesn't say a word.

She says you re traveling and you'll be back some day.

Is it true? That's all I want.

Is it possible that one day it will be...

“Is it possible that one day it will be as it used to be?

Kisses from your daughter, Clara.”

I'm going to fuck you, Ulisses.

You'll be fucked, you son of a bitch!

Another day in hell!

Do you know what I think?

This river here has given all it could.

There are no more nuggets. Only pebbles.

Right, Darcy, to wash gold is like gambling.

You've got to know when to start and when to get out.

I don't know when I'll be able to see my daughters again.

If you feel like that, make up your mind.

They say there are rivers full of gold in Bolivia.

-Maybe it's time to leave. -It “s all government land.

Only people in politics can get a permit.

Either you pay them a lot of money, or you beg.

I know a politician in Minas, Congressman Cabral.

I helped him is his latest election.

I could travel to Belo Horizonte and try a license through him.

Are you losing it, man?

If you know someone like that, what are you waiting for?

The one who abandons daughters and wife...

Dr. Fausto is on to her, in Vila Dourada.

His woman here bought two bottles of rum today.

You talk about him, there he is.

I'msorry, “Seu” Ulisses. I didn "t see you. What do you want?

Bring us another glass. He can drink with us.

1 don't drink with murderers.

I'm not here to listen to that. I owe nothing to no one.

Yeah, you do. You owe my friend Neco his life. And you'll pay for that.

Just in case.

Forget this revenge, Ulisses.

Those with a good heart are weak to show prowess.

I've heard you're washing gold.

I envy you! No bosses to bother you.

I'min charge of Dr. Fausto's new businesses.

What kind of business has Fausto in this area here?

Dr. Fausto is Gilson's partner in this gold thing.

They 're buying new licenses.

And he's asked about your life here.

He likes taking care of friends.

Well I've got a couple of things to check up, as we say...

but they are too dangerous to be talking about.

Wan, I know you were policemen once.

But the army is on top of smuggling and traffic.

I know that.

But I have my orders.

I have news from your family.

My family?

“Dona” Angela and the girls.

I heard they 're living ina farm somewhere.

Il don't know how they re managing.

It must be Uncle Jeremias 's.

I'm the shadow of what I used to be.

They must be laughing at my story.

Passion...

is hell, doctor.

Love becomes torture.

And the lover... Satan.

Well God is here to save you.

Come with me.

Come on.

You don't like me any more.

Maybe you're missing Christian sex with your wife!

Do you think I'm stupid?

I was stupid to fall in love!

Ulisses, if you think you'll go back to her...

There's only one solution for what we did.

And that's to be happy.

Jealousy is a monster.

You should stop drinking, respect yourself.

I hate this virtue That's so attractive to you!

I'm perdition!

You think I don't know? I know it all!

I read your little daughter's letter!

“Daddy!” “I miss you, daddy!”

If you leave me, Ulisses...

I set fire to this house!

You never really wanted me. You had desire and that's all.

The fire will light up this passion that's in the end.

That's ridiculous, Barbara! I don't deny you anything!

I've left my daughters for you! That's too much despair.

You re creating a turbulence because of a business trip!

Don't allow our adventure to end up like this.

Daddy! Daddy!

Daddy!

Run, Clara, come on! It's daddy! It's daddy!

Ulisses! My dear friend!

-Here, in Belo Horizonte! -Armando, it's been along time.

What miracle brings you here?

You re the right person for me to see.

Dad always said you re the shortest way to Mr. Cabral.

Your case is just like his.

And what would you like to have from the boss?

This is not the best moment to talk to him.

But the congressman has friends...

and they could get the license you want, close to the border.

And financing won't be difficult.

I'll talk to him. Leave it to me.

Thank you.

DRAMA THE PAYER OF PROMISES

Isn't she beautiful?

She's my only daughter. She's gone.

I come here almost every day to look at her in this poster.

She won an award in an amateur drama festival.

Would you like to have a drink? It's on me.

Goodbye, peace of heart.

We have a lot in common.

“Seu” Ulisses!

I've found it! I've found a beautiful nugget in the river!

“Dona” Barbara threw this party to celebrate!

I've found it, “Seu” Ulisses!

I tried stopping her from throwing this party.

Ulisses, don't do anything stupid. Come on!

What is this expression? Don't you like my party?

I'm just celebrating your friend's good luck.

And having some fun.

Il remember a New Year's Eve.

I was beautiful. I wore this dress that his wife gave to me.

But this man here wasn't so serious then.

He was begging for a kiss. Remember, love?

"Just one!"

"Just one! Just one!"

Listen, it's our song.

Stop it, Barbara! Stopit!

Stop it, Barbara!

Stop it, Barbara!

Come on, the party is over.

Go home! The party is over.

“At ten o clock sharp!”

“Tell the moon not to come.

It should not see the blood in the arena.

I don't want to see it!”

No!

No, the party isn't over.

You re not going home. You re not going.

The party isn't over. If you go, I'll be angry.

“Voices of dead people were heard...

at ten o'clock sharp."

That's a punishment. All dead people look alike.

-Ulisses has lost it. -Now he's condemned.

Lets go.

I'm going after Darcy. He ran away, wounded.

I had a very interesting meeting in Belo Horizonte.

By the way, I had the pleasure of meeting your father.

Many surprises, Barbara.

Say it. Say it!

Come on, Ulisses, what did the old man say?

An actress, right?

It's what actors say...

acting, characters...

life is astage...

-I want to look at you! -Do you want to know?

I admit it! I confirm it! I don't know what he said!

Fausto has always been in love with Angela and he paid me to seduce you.

To clear him the way!

But you weren't innocent.

You should have felt something weird was going on.

You liked the drama!

There's always someone who's another s fool.

It wasn't much, of course.

But it was all I had.

My family.

Family!

Family.

I know what a family is.

Like what my father did to me when he touched me...

and excited me...

After my mother died, it was even worse!

When my father went bankrupt I tried hard to help him.

But I promise, Ulisses, I turned inside out for you.

I promise I really fell in love with you. Believe me!

That's why I like wearing this dress!

I wanted to be your wife! I wanted to be like your wife.

Please, Ulisses! Let's forget all this!

I want to make you happy! For ever!

Listen carefully!

This is no final act in a play.

It's the end of a part in our life.

I am as bad as the worst man now!

I took someone's life.

Maybe because I hated you so much!

Idont know what to do.

I'm really afraid.

I'll leave by that door and I don't want to see you again.

Never more, Barbara.

Never more, Barbara.

Night ghosts go away in the morning.

Your body has to purge the poison.

I'm here to rescue you. There's something evil in this house.

It's got to go back.

It's got to leave your life the same way it came in.

Lend this journal here, 1 know idon't have much hope.

Idragged my face on earth, 1 pulled out my hair...

Ithrew myself in the current, 1 prayed 200 prayers...

Ithrew myself in the gutter, Icut myself with a knife...

Idrank bitterness, and it was all useless.

That man is gone.

Only the inevitable remains now to be done.

Something that has to be done.

“Only the inevitable remains now to be done.

Something that has to be done.”

This is the description of everything that happened.

It's here. In the pages of this journal.

It was so weird.

I was outside yesterday, reading a book...

when I saw a woman coming into our place.

She didn't look like her.

But my heart started pounding, as if it had guessed.

That woman before me didn't remind me of the other one.

I know I caused a great evil. I want your forgiveness.

I knew suffering, too.

Iloved Ulisses as I never thought I°d love someone.

And I don°t know what happened then.

But maybe you'd like to know he has left me. For good.

I don't know where he is.

I came to return the dress you gave to me.

The explanation for it all is here.

PRESENT DAY, HOURS LATER THE RALLY

Hi!

I knew you'd get your head back in place some day!

It took you along time to come back!

I heard you were back.

The lover everyone envies, Don Juan.

Even Barbara fell in love with you.

Cut it. This is a check for you, guaranteed by the bank.

I want my collateral back, and my land.

It looks good.

But I've arranged with authorities, they 're urbanization in the area.

The due date is long past. I'm not forced to accept this.

This property belongs to me.

Listen, bastard! You think you own the world.

But Barbara's father told me everything. You re finished!

Don't do anything foolish, “Seu” Ulisses.

The old man is a maniac!

You've killed someone, you could do the same to me.

I don't care. My life has always been gambling.

Is that what you want?

-What's the trap, Fausto? -1t's been here for along time.

I've always loved Angela and you knew that.

I was honest. I gave myself. I threw myself on to her.

1 did all I could so that she would come to me.

Ilost because she's another crazy one.

How come a woman can love someone like that...

and be loyal, nowadays?

You're a privileged one, Ulisses.

But I'm the romantic one.

- I need a shrink. -Okay.

We don't need this farce.

This story turned you into someone new.

Dr. Fausto is right too.

Let's put an end to this story. He has given the paper back.

There are no heroes, nor villains, Ulisses.

Just awinner and a loser.

Who's the winner here?

Look! It's your father.

Lie to me, Ulisses.

Tell me you never forgot me, during all these years.

I fought with myself all this time. Iwent to the end of the world...

to find out that I never stopped loving you.

Let's try again?

But there's one condition.

It Il be for as long as possible now...

as long as we are both really happy.

“He was still the same man.

He used to sit sideways. And he wasn't older.

The noise of food in his mouth was like a lullaby for me...

giving me peace. Astrange feeling.

As if it were all a dream.

There's no dress... and nothing.

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