Original subtitles

A morning in the second half of the 18th century,

near Arraial de Tijuco (now the city of Diamantina),

when gold and diamonds were mined from the beds of rivers

flowing down the mountains of Minas Gerais to enrich the Crown of Portugal.

Forgive me to have delayed your journey, friends.

But when I found out that you were musicians...

- And aren't you? - No.

- Of course not, Master Raimundo, it's obvious. - Mathias!

What I meant was, look at his horse, his clothes, his luggage.

He's not simple entertainers like us.

But if he were, he'd be one of the best, I'm sure.

Thank you.

We're on our way back to Villa Rica. How about you?

I've just arrived from Portugal, I'm going to the Arraial do Tijuco.

Are you looking for diamonds?

More or less.

They say diamonds are just lying around in the streets of Arraial.

- They're exaggerating, then. - No. They're not.

I don't know if everything they say is true,

but a lot of people got rich overnight in Tijuco.

Really? But diamond mining there is one person's monopoly,

authorised in contract by his majesty the King of Portugal.

Yes, they're expecting a contractor at Arraial.

But it's not only the people who find the stones that get rich,

they say Tijuco's authorities split up taxes for the Crown with defrauders.

Mathias...!

Have you heard about the safe that was stolen in the administration?

Mathias!

Some bandits were blamed,

but they say the intendant took the safe,

which was overflowing with gold dust destined for Lisbon.

People also say that the intendant...

People talk too much, don't you think?

Anyway, we're only artists and this isn't any of our business.

Artists shouldn't get involved with politics, isn't that right?

Are you in politics, by any chance?

I'm Joao Fernandes de Oliveira, the new diamond contractor.

You...your Excellency...the new contractor?

By the grace of god and the will of the King.

Cabeca...

Please stay right where you are.

I was here before you showed up.

And I'd have preferred that you'd left without ever seeing me.

But since you've turned up here sooner than expected, friends,

I'd better make sure you won't get hurt.

Good, you're here.

When we saw them over here we thought they'd gotten you.

We were ready to finish them off, Teodoro.

Teodoro?

So how did it go? Find anything?

You were right, Teodoro.

That's the most beautiful formation I ever saw.

This must be the richest mine in the region.

Where this gravel was found there are lots of diamonds.

Only Teodoro could've sniffed out those stones.

Diamonds, my friends. Lots of diamonds.

The biggest and most beautiful in the world.

Like nothing anyone's seen before.

Have you ever seen a diamond, Mr Contractor?

Besides those that hang on the neck of a lady in Lisbon, of course.

Here they live in gravel just like this, and their existence,

is independent of the leave from the King of Portugal.

Just as I don't need it to go dig them out.

Let's go, Teodoro, call the men and get to work.

My horse broke its leg on the river bank.

I'll take yours, if you don't mind.

Cabeca.

Don't worry, I'm not a horse thief, I know where to return it.

Oh, and thanks for the concert.

Master Raimundo knows what he's talking about.

You're quite talented, Excellency.

Do you know who that was?

Why don't we give a concert at Tijuco, Master Raimundo?

To rule over diamonds.

Is it possible to rule diamonds, Cabeca?

Something brought me to the Arraial do Tijuco besides the usual ambition.

Something's there for me besides the adventure that rules men's spirits.

It could be my destiny. Even my life.

No, not today.

Yes, today. And tomorrow, and every day.

Stop it! Let go!

Come here, you ugly native.

Xica...where are you?

Xica! Please.

What do you want? Didn't you call me ugly?

You know I'm joking, you're beautiful.

Where are you, beauty?

Over here.

- Don't do that. - Didn't you want to?

Not like that.

Like this.

- Like this. - No! Xica!

You done now?

I'm going.

Wait a minute.

No, your father will say I'm slacking.

I want to give you something.

You always say that.

What would you like?

- I've got to go... - Come on, tell me.

A white dress.

That's not enough.

A dress and a pair of white shoes, like real people.

What do you mean, "like real people"?

That's not right, don't be so futile.

Do you only think of nonsense?

Xica! Xica!

Ah, shit.

Where are you, you black clothhead?

When my father dies, I'll inherit everything.

I'll set you free and you won't be a slave anymore.

If he doesn't die soon, I'll buy you off him.

Doesn't matter how much.

Xica! Where are you? Damned black.

You damned slave!

Where are my pants?

Where are you, you useless wench?

Goddamnit.

Excuse this delay, sir.

I don't know where that brat put my uniform pants.

Sergeant Major, you're receiving my wife, remember!

What? Excuse me, forgive me.

God, where could she be? Xica!

He's coming without his wife, isn't he?

What?

I heard she stayed in Lisbon because she's ill.

And she probably wouldn't have lasted the trip.

What sort of man is this new contractor?

I don't know. But if he was chosen by the Crown,

he must be a nobleman of good family.

The son of important people.

Nice people, you mean?

Handsome.

What was that?

Just a moment, I've almost found them.

Would you like a little refreshment?

No, Sergeant Major, we can't be late.

My husband's the supreme authority here.

He should see the contractor first.

Did you call me?

What's a contractor?

It's a man appointed by the King of Portugal to take what's not theirs.

He's just joking, sir.

God, what a kidder Jose is.

We've always been loyal subjects to the Crown.

Long live his majesty, Don John I.

Xica! Where the hell did you put my pants?

Under your mattress to keep them pressed.

Are you coming to see the new contractor?

How long has she been your father's slave?

I don't know. Ever since she was a girl, I guess.

Nice piece of work, isn't she?

You like her?

Come here.

Sit down.

Her teeth aren't very strong.

Bit better here.

Not much meat on the bones, but she's okay.

For some things.

I mean, like a nurse, for example.

Bring some refreshments for the intendant.

And for madam, Dona Hortensia.

No, no, it's time we got going.

Yes, you're right. I'm ready now.

He's here!

Do we take the hollow statues the gold smugglers use?

Yes. No! Of course not.

This is just supposed to be a welcome.

My hat.

Xica, where'd you put my hat, for god's sake?

Welcome, sir. Welcome to our town.

You're very welcome here!

Well, he's had a long trip.

Have you thought about how sore his ass is right now?

Better than I thought.

What was that?

The turnout. Much better than I thought it would be.

Not for you!

Here, look out here.

See how the people love those who exploit them.

This guy will take away everything that's theirs, and they'll applaud him.

Idiots.

Allow me to present my wife, Dona Hortensia,

who offers you these flowers in the name of the town.

Here are some other dignitaries: Dr Jarbas.

He's different, this contractor.

Have a good look at him, Xica.

If all the riches they talk about are really here,

then you're seeing the most powerful man in the Kingdom.

He's nice looking.

So he told the indendant he'd heard about him,

and Mr Indendant was very flattered.

Then he greeted me, and even offered his hand.

I'm sure he took a liking to me.

Where could he have heard about the intendant?

This damn contractor is pretty well informed.

Just think, he's only gotten here and he's already asked who Teodoro is.

What do you make of that?

We should've taken those smugglers' statues.

I want to meet this contractor.

You what?

Tomorrow you can take me to meet him.

Not possible.

Oh, come here, little Xica, ruin of my life.

Do that. Do...

I want to meet the contractor.

Do that, you know...do it!

Madam, Dona Hortensia.

He didn't say who sent him, he just left the horse here.

And told me to ask how your flute was.

Well, let's get back to business.

So far the only person the contractor's seen is my husband.

He's been in there for hours.

For sure, Joao Fernandes already knows who he can trust in this town.

My men confiscated this the other day.

The bandits fill it with stones and take it right under the noses of the guards.

As if they were carrying a statue for a new church.

So they take the diamonds to the coast and then on to Holland.

The Crown not only loses its property,

but another Country makes a profit out of it.

And this Teodoro you asked about, he's one of the worst.

They're very crafty, it's hard to find them.

And when we do, they always get away.

That's because we're under-equipped!

We need more men, but that costs money.

What we need is more diamonds.

We have to find out where to dig.

Get their scent, then go out and get them.

For example, what do you think of this gravel?

Well, I'm no expert but it looks like a good formation to me.

There must be a lot of diamonds where this came from.

Where's the last place Teodoro was found working?

As far as we know, at Hell's Slope.

But his gang hasn't been there for a long time now.

All right. We'll start working there.

These miners know their work, and Teodoro's one of the best.

But he's an outlaw and lives on the run,

so he has no time, men, or enough tools to extract everything that's in the gravel.

You mean we should let them find the mines.

And then...

We'll go in there and extract what they didn't have time to do.

The lion's share.

The King's, you meant to say.

God, that's a mighty fine arrangement.

Watch Teodoro's gang.

- Follow them everywhere. - Right.

- But don't arrest them. - No.

Not that you probably could.

I don't think Lisbon's going to agree to this.

These miners are smugglers, outlaws, bandits.

Enemies of the Crown.

One fifth of everything I find belongs to the Crown.

I'm not going to wait around to get rich.

I'm sure the King would agree with that.

But this is against the law.

Against the law?

Mr Intendant, when did you last collect taxes?

Well, it's true that we're a bit behind.

Give me the numbers.

Numbers, right.

I'll tell you something, sir.

Lisbon insists on taxes for gold and diamonds.

The Court believes the stories people tell around here.

But really, there's not that many diamonds here. People exaggerate.

By the way, I'd like some details about a story I heard.

About the theft of a safe in the intendancy.

Well now, this is...

But I have to get in!

You? You've got a nerve!

What's she want? She can't go in there!

Lord and Master! Excuse me bursting in like this.

But I had to come immediately to tell you something.

I hope I'm not intruding.

But your son Jose chases after me day and night.

Just because I lay down with him and did what you love so much.

Now he says he can't live without me any more.

He sounds like just like you when he...

When he says that life is worthless,

without those things that only Xica knows how to do.

I mean to say, you know what things I'm talking about, right?

To dance, to sing, to scratch your back.

To whip cream, to massage.

And all those things my Lord raves about when I do them.

Everything. Just the way my Lord likes.

Xica! For the love of god!

But with Jose it was only out of kindness.

Your Xica is true to her master, the only man I ever knew.

Well, besides Jose, the other day.

- Get her out of here. - Come on.

Cabeca.

What's worse, my Lord, is that your son mistreats me.

And just now he hurt me.

That's why I came here, to show you.

And the day before yesterday, here.

And another one, here.

He beats me everywhere.

My whole body's on fire.

Guards! Guards!

Please, gentlemen, wait outside.

Shut it, hurry up.

Dona Hortensia, a little fresh air...

Cookie?

- What about her, hey? - Did you see? Did you?

Get me a blanket!

A blanket?

A blanket!

A blanket!

A blanket!

A glass of water with sugar...quickly....

Wait here for your master.

Aren't you going to punish her?

200 strokes of the whip. At least 200.

That's what she deserves for disrespecting the contractor.

I'll be the first to punish her.

I mean to say...

She's mine, so I'll punish her in the way she deserves.

You know, Sergeant Major, I could use a slave like yours.

Xica? Don't even think of it, your Excellency.

She lives in a dream world...

How much do you want?

Look, I know another slave who's for sale.

Exactly the type your Excellency should have.

She's the best. She...

How much for Xica, Sergeant Major?

Excuse me, your Excellency, but I don't know...

I don't really want to sell her.

How much?

I'd really rather not.

Think about it.

I'm in no hurry.

Well, where were we?

Ah yes, the delay in tax collecting.

Depending on my report to Lisbon,

this could end up with you being exiled to Africa.

But I'm sure we'll work something out.

Of course. Sure.

How much do you want for the slave?

But...I don't want...

Come on, how much?

Speak up, man!

It's just that...I...

How much do you want for Xica?

You idiot! Come here! I'll tear your ass off!

But I didn't do anything!

I had to sell Xica because of you!

Because you had to go and hit her!

- No! - Yes, hit her!

If your mother were alive, she'd thrash you!

But I never hit Xica! I swear!

You never mistreated her?

Never.

What about this afternoon?

I haven't even seen Xica today.

How many times did you and Xica do it?

Truthfully?

Yes, of course.

About every day.

That lousy bitch.

If I could get hold of her now...

I'd beat that cheating black tart.

Oh, forget it, we both know that Xica can't be trusted.

She'll go far, very far.

She's not the type to waste any time, she's probably already started.

In the contractor's bedroom!

The bitch!

- That tart. - Shameless!

- Hypocrite! - Sinner!

Whore!

Xica...what's this?

Just a little something I can do.

No, Xica, not that.

What about it?

The little saint of the miners, is it?

Do you know what they do?

Good god...

You ruined me.

Let me have a look.

Don't be silly.

Ah, let me see.

No, Xica, no.

Let me...

What's your wife like?

My wife?

The one you left in Lisbon.

I don't know. I can't remember.

Let me see.

She's pale.

Sad.

Cold.

Morose.

And white like curdled milk.

Our Lady of the Candles.

Look at him! Who'd have thought?

Isn't he even going to have lunch?

Who knows? Doing it too much can't be good for his health.

What's that?

Wait a moment.

Yes, this looks about right.

That's not for her, is it?

Hey! I want some, too.

Go on.

You spilled it, you clean it.

Clean it!

Clean it!

Now clean up this mess.

Smart, hard-working ones!

35 for males!

14 for females!

Smart and hard-working.

This is a new one.

But this one isn't worth 35.

Just look.

They must find lots of diamonds.

I've never seen this place so busy.

Yes, it's been prospering a lot since the new contractor showed up.

To take part in the general looting of this poor Country.

Mr Joao Fernandes de Oliveira.

What are you going to do in Villa Rica?

What are you going to do there, loudmouth?

Do you think I don't know?

You think I don't know?

Why ask, then?

You'll get together with other stirrers for political riots, won't you?

I won't let you do it.

I'm an agent of the law, don't forget.

Oh, shit.

Teodoro finds the diamonds and the contractor lets him mine for a while.

Then Joao Fernandes builds a dam where Teodoro only scratched the surface,

which diverts the river and starts mining the dry bed.

All he has to do is pick up the pile of stones he finds,

which Teodoro of course had no way of getting.

What about his woman, who was a slave?

Sh! Don't say that out loud!

It seems that he's the slave now.

Xica can do things that only she knows about.

But many people don't like her. Lots of them.

Don't go, you'll just get into big trouble.

It's no good you carrying on, I'm leaving today.

Can you tell me where the contractor lives?

Is all this for him?

Luxuries he ordered from Paris and Lisbon.

Just go up this street.

That must be for Xica.

Your friend's taking her own part in "the looting of the poor Country".

I think my father's most disgusted.

Disgusted, me?

You useless bum, you.

Mouthy upstart!

Wigs from King Louis' Court. Laces from Paris.

Silks from China, velvet from Persia.

Hot mollifiers from the Orient.

Didn't I tell you she'd go far. She's a demon.

Brocades! Brocades from Damascus.

Golden trinkets from the empire of the sun.

Jose, stop it!

Don't forget to send me news about her to Villa Rica.

Give me half a measure of porridge, my gullet's tired.

Did you come here from the Court?

Yeah, 72 days and it rained most of the way.

Hey, my lady wants to talk to you.

She wants to ask you something.

Are you going straight back to the Court?

As soon as I deliver my load, madam.

You need to take this there for me. Secretly.

Well, I don't know, madam. If it isn't right...

I'll pay you for it, of course.

The wine! The wine!

Talk.

Wait a little.

Your success is causing a lot of envy, sir.

People talk, spies listen in.

And hear nonsense.

Of course, of course, nonsense.

Imagine, just now they say the Crown will send a revenue inspector to end certain misuses.

Certain what?

What?

I never saw anything more beautiful in my life.

We should organise banquets, processions,

lots of parties so I can use all of these lovely things.

Who's this one?

Her name's Figena, she arrived yesterday from Bahia.

She's too pretty to serve Joao Fernandes.

She can serve me.

That way I'll know what she's doing.

Very good, she's careful.

And she knows her own kind.

How's your wife, sir?

Have you had any news from Lisbon?

It's a pity her health doesn't allow her to come here,

and see our Arraial.

Mr Intendant, are you still interested in my teeth?

Yes, sure. I mean, who, me?

You thought they weren't very strong. Have a look now.

Yes, quite strong.

Did a slave called Celeste run away from you?

How much do you want for her freedom?

And you, are you free?

Do you have any doubts?

200 oitavas.

But she was just delivered.

Doesn't matter, the son's included as a present.

You can't give me a present what's already mine.

I'll give you 600 oitavas for the freedom of the mother and the son.

Want to check?

That isn't necessary.

Money used for freedom is sacred.

I'd ask you to distribute the balance among the poor.

Do you want a receipt?

That isn't necessary.

I was forced to follow your career.

It's me who found the stones for you, isn't that true?

I can't find them myself.

He took a big chance coming here to buy her freedom.

Jose promised me my freedom one day, too.

I've given you a lot more than freedom.

You've gotten everything the diamonds from Tijuco can buy.

But if you really loved me you'd set me free.

And risk losing you? No.

Anyone who really loves someone has to take that risk.

All right, I'll have the documents drawn up tomorrow.

- No, no, Xica, our guests! - Ah, let me.

- No! What's that? - Ah, my sweet!

Not here, Xica.

What's wrong with it?

- Ah, my dear... - The guests!

I feel a tingle.

Look, look there.

No, Xica! Not here!

Very good, very good.

Sir, I wish to be transferred to Villa Rica.

I can't stand it here any more.

I'd prefer not to be forced to do this, Dona Xica.

Francisca. Francisca da Silva.

The thing is, I can't let you in.

Can't you?

I know slaves can't enter this church.

But I happen to be a free subject of the Crown.

Congratulations, Dona Francisca, but I still can't let you in.

Why not?

There's orders that forbid slaves to enter,

but also that only whites until the sixth generation are allowed in.

I'm sorry, but those are the rules.

Come in, come in, the Mass is about to start, come now.

Good day, your honour.

Good day, we were expecting you.

Excuse me.

To hell with you!

This church was built with my man's money!

If I want to I'll have the whole thing painted black, inside and out.

You bastards!

Sodomites!

These are the most valuable diamonds I've ever seen.

There's nothing like them in this region.

Teodoro should see this.

Excuse me sir, but the dam is leaking.

The pressure may build up.

I'm sure there's still a lot of diamonds in this gravel.

As long as they keep turning up, we'll keep looking.

Don't worry about the dam, I'll take full responsibility.

This piece of paper is useless.

You've got to force the white people to let me into their church.

So that's it. Don't worry about it.

I'll have a chapel built specially for you.

A much better one.

That church was built with your money so you should be in charge of it.

But each Order has its own rules from Rome.

I can't change that, Xica.

You could paint it black, to punish them.

What an idea!

Forget it, Xica.

Come here. Look at this.

We had this dam built.

We changed the course of the river to mine the dry bed.

A gravel nobody saw or touched before.

So diamonds grow like grass, one bigger than the other.

And all this is ours, Xica.

I mean, ours and our beloved King's.

I'll cover you with diamonds, Xica.

And these people will kneel at your feet and kiss your hand.

Do you want a church?

I'll build you a church inside a palace.

And I'll give you the whole palace, just for you.

Senor Joao Fernandes, I'm absolutely sure that this is the biggest diamond ever found on Earth.

Joao Fernandes...

When will you give me that palace?

Figena, where are the grapes?

What else do they say about me at Court?

Oh, lots of stories. You know how people talk.

- I want to know everything. - Really?

Well, they say you emasculated a white man who slept with one of your girls.

And that you sent his balls as a present to his wife.

That was so she wouldn't miss them.

Dona Xica, please don't move.

They also say you had a white woman's teeth pulled out,

because she smiled at the contractor.

I sent them to her husband so he could make a necklace for his mistress.

Dona Xica! Your shipment from Rio de Janeiro's here.

I'll see it later.

They say that you protect runaway slaves,

but that unskilled Portuguese who come here are sent to work with the slaves in the mines.

Cabeca takes care of those little beggars.

Everything's arrived, it's a lot of stuff.

Hey, don't you ever finish? What are you painting there?

The wind.

I don't want any more wind, enough!

Do you know what else they say?

That you went more than 20 times to Court.

Because I've never seen the sea before.

But it seems that in none of those journeys,

you actually left the confines of Tijuco.

You asshole! Lousy shit!

Stop that noise!

Send those blacks to work and stop that noise.

Why?

Why what?

Why did you never leave Tijuco to see the ocean?

I don't know. I hate the road, I guess.

Too much dust. The sun beating on your head, I suppose.

I don't have the patience for it.

Well, if you don't have any patience to go to the sea, have it come to you.

Get your husband to make one right here, he's rich enough.

And you, madam, you're Xica-Who-Commands.

No, no, and no.

I've given you a palace and everything else you wanted.

But this is too much.

This is the wrong time to draw attention to ourselves.

People are trying to slander me in Lisbon.

Anonymous letters, secret reports, complaints.

The Crown's getting worried about my status here.

Not to mention my power in this area.

The political situation doesn't suit any more extravagance.

If the King suspects that one of his subjects could become richer than he is,

he wouldn't allow him to stay for even one more day.

No, no, and no.

Come on, put your back into it.

The gall!

That contractor has gone too far, this is a scandal.

And for a slave as ugly as that one.

It's plain ridiculous.

What a waste...

What's so special about her anyway?

Don't you know?

You really don't know?

Dona Xica, I'd like to have some fun with Bentevi.

- Go on, then. - Come on, Bentevi.

So this is the sea.

I don't see anything special about it.

Well, maybe there'll be a little shipwreck.

You just play.

This is boring.

I think she's gone too far this time.

They've got a nerve, that's for sure.

I heard the son of our old Sergeant Major is in trouble with the Villa Rica authorities.

Is that true?

I don't know, I haven't heard from that windbag for ages.

Isn't the boy your godson?

Yes, that's true, Jose's my godson.

Because of the benevolence of the Sergeant Major, an old friend.

The Crown punishes subversion with exile, or even death.

If you were in your intendant's place, which punishment would you choose,

if your godson showed up here?

Sir, I just received a letter from Lisbon.

It says that your Excellency was denounced for not complying promptly with their orders.

That you use more slaves than permitted by contract.

That you didn't observe the boundaries of the lands.

That you obstructed rivers and spoiled the fields,

and destroyed everything with your dams in disrespect to the Crown.

There were also things about Dona Xica, but forget those.

Let me tell you, sir, that you don't throw stones if you live under a glass roof.

Of course.

We don't need to worry what the Crown thinks.

If I had to return to Lisbon now I'd still have enough to live comfortably the rest of my life.

I'll treat my collaborators and friends with generosity.

As I've done ever since I came here.

Of course...I just wanted to avoid them sending an inspector.

The dam's burst!

Sir, the dam broke.

The water wiped out everything, people have been killed.

The rest ran off.

- What's going on? - I don't know.

Let's go back. Jose Fernandes needs me.

There's another story I heard...

Get lost!

Pay the musicians and send them back to Villa Rica.

Why don't you want to go?

It's a challenge. A black woman, a slave...

She's not a slave, she's got an enfranchisement letter.

We've got to free Tijuco from this disgrace.

That's what people are trying to do, my dear.

And you, my husband, should be a little more intelligent,

about choosing the right moment to change sides.

What do you mean?

Now it's impossible to avoid the arrival of a Court inspector.

You want two cups of arrowroot starch, five egg yolks with orange scent,

the right amount of sugar, all mixed with butter...

Welcome, Count.

Don Jose Luis de Meneces Abrantes Castelo de Noronna,

Count of Valladares, Governor of the Capitania,

envoy of the Portuguese Crown, on special mission to Arraial do Tijuco.

A Don what's-his-name!

We're receiving an aristocrat, come on, girls, come on.

Make an effort, this guy is a real nobleman.

Do you want to try the chicken stew?

- Is that how you like it? - Better.

- What's that? - Lamb, madam.

You know I don't like lamb.

It's for Dona Hortensia.

Why doesn't she eat at her own place?

Now a few peppers...

Salt...

Maybe this one's rotten.

And the eggshell, it'll do them good.

A few more peppers, why not?

Can't have enough peppers.

That's fired it up.

What about the Count?

I'll tell him it's too spicy for him.

And that he's better off having the chicken.

Madam! They're here, madam.

The air here might not be as fresh as Lisbon but I can't do without it any more.

I'm used to living here with these stones, Count.

It's as if my body belonged to them.

Of course.

After all, that's where your palaces came from.

Your magnificent and sumptuous palaces.

About which, by the way, a lot is said back in Lisbon.

Speaking of palaces, your Excellency,

this disaster at the dam has been commented on in Court as much as the Lisbon earthquake.

I'm sure you'll come to love this strange land too.

Good morning.

Yes, really quite a strange land...

Good morning.

Welcome to our Tijuco, Count.

Have a look, Major. The black woman they talk so much about.

She's not that pretty, but they say she has a pact with the devil.

By the way, your wife in Lisbon is worried about certain embezzlements of her wealth.

It seems that you've been too excessive with your generosity.

Amongst other things, of course.

To make things very clear, Count, let me tell you:

- Xica da Silva and I... - To make things very clear?

I thought you liked them very dark.

Which means that the Count doesn't approve of my colour?

He'd prefer me to be like that pale white moth over there?

Don't worry, Joao Fernandes.

I'll do everything to please the Court inspector.

I'll do everything to please this Don what's-his-name.

Wait a moment.

Don Jose Luis de Meneces Abrantes Castelo de Noronha,

Count of Valladares.

You didn't tell me that so many people were coming.

I don't know if there's going to be enough room.

That's a good one! Very good.

Well, not really.

The bandits take the stones to the coast and then smuggle them to Holland.

Besides losing property, the Crown is seeing an enemy get rich at its expense.

And Teodoro is the worst of them, isn't he, sir?

If we want to beat him we need more men and arms.

And that costs money.

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of money around here.

One of these silver coffee pots would be enough to pay off half of my debts.

Where's Dona Xica? I mean, Francisca?

Over here. I'm right here.

I wouldn't miss this.

Help yourselves, gentlemen.

Don't wait for me, I'm on a diet.

Please, go on.

No, Count, I wouldn't have the chicken.

It's quite tasteless, only good for me and Joao, we have digestion problems.

Yes, it's a gutache.

Awful burning gassy feeling filling up the stomach,

rancid like rotten eggs.

The only thing that helps is taking castor oil.

Have some lamb.

It's a local specialty with its own taste.

Besides, when the chicken is done it turns brown.

Dark brown.

Sorry, I choked.

Very good! Spicy!

That's just how I like it. Really hot stuff.

Perfect. Best I've had in a long time.

This is a very comfortable house.

I ask myself what's the good of so much luxury.

At this far end of the world.

With a black woman.

This is for you, Count.

What the hell is it?

So many riches could go a long way to help friends...especially guests.

Put this with my things, Major.

This mountain air will do me good.

I need it.

Don't need this letter now.

There's no hurry.

I don't think I'll be using it anytime soon.

Let's bide our time, Major.

Just bide our time.

Good day. May Our Lady of Carmo protect you.

This way, please.

It would look nice painted black.

Jose!

I'm coming down.

He's my godson. The Sergeant Major asked me to look out for him.

But now only you can save him, Dona Xica.

Some of his friends have already been arrested.

If they get Jose, it'll be exile or hanging.

The Black Monastery.

I had it built only for my own people.

Nobody will look for your godson there.

Or do you have any objections?

Joao Fernandes has given him presents, money, everything.

The damn Count won't go home.

Sometimes I think he's just letting time go by to get all that he can out of it.

In Villa Rica everyone knows that he's here with orders to take Fernandes back to Lisbon.

Your Joao is losing time and money.

What can we do?

Wait and leave with the Count, or resist by force.

By force?

Joao Fernandes has enough money to raise an army.

The Black Monastery.

Be good. Take care and don't leave until things get better.

I promise. I also promise to do everything you say.

For the rest of my life.

Come see me one day.

An army, you say?

I got your message. What do you want?

To raise an army.

What for?

To defend Joao Fernandes against the Count and the King.

Does Fernandes know about this?

No, not yet.

Didn't think so.

You still here?

I'm waiting for an answer.

Listen, to me Fernandes and the King are all the same.

I'm out here alone with the stones.

Today I'm here, tomorrow down by the river, the next day in the hills.

Mining wherever I want and selling to whoever I want.

But, as Joao Fernandes has left me in peace, he's better than anyone else.

Even knowing that after getting rid of this Count,

he'll go after me when the time comes.

It doesn't matter. My life is on the run day and night.

Do you like running, Teodoro?

Tell Fernandes if he wants my help he has to come see me himself.

Not to send anybody else.

Only him.

I feel a tingle.

No, never. I'm the contractor Joao Fernandes de Oliveira.

I can't associate myself with some outlaw.

Teodoro isn't just another outlaw.

Even if he were, we need an army.

An army of outlaws, miners, and slaves.

Any general can tell you blacks aren't good soldiers.

So you fill the Count's ass with presents until he's gotten enough,

and then sends you back to Lisbon.

I don't know. I think we're blowing this out of proportion.

Maybe the Count is only here to see how things work.

If he's already seen all that then why's he still here?

He says that the mountain air is good for his health.

Well, he looks ill to me, don't you think?

It's your money that's good for his health.

Or, maybe...

He's waiting for definite proof of my loyalty.

If I could prove my loyalty to the Crown this nightmare would be over.

Go see Teodoro, he's waiting for you at the Nitre Cave.

The Nitre Cave?

The Nitre Cave.

Where do you find the diamonds?

Wherever they are, shining like stars in the sky.

From the forbidden mines.

The diamonds belong to god, only to him.

So there aren't any forbidden mines.

Who do you sell the diamonds to?

Whoever wants to buy them.

Stop this! Stop it!

You'll end up killing him.

You don't need to worry about it, I'll handle this.

This isn't the reason why I sent your men to the cave.

You seem overly concerned about this bandit, my friend.

Well, I did hear something about an agreement between the two of you.

That's not true. I had him arrested.

Only before my own men got hold of him.

Now, if you'll excuse me...

Joao Fernandes.

Mr Contractor.

You need to decide whose side you're on.

The Count's right.

Since you had Teodoro arrested you shouldn't be defending him.

You made a mistake. Don't make another one.

At least you should have gone to the end.

Your money didn't help you this time, Joao Fernandes.

Neither did Teodoro's strength.

I'll have to finish this my own way.

I'm running out of patience.

And so is the Crown.

Prepare everything for our departure.

Discreetly.

When?

Tomorrow. We need to finish everything by tomorrow.

What's this?

A souvenir from my lady Xica da Silva.

My god.

How much could this be worth?

Xica says it was made by magic. With a good luck spell.

The ignorance of those blacks is rather amusing sometimes.

And the Major?

He's not coming. He's making preparations.

A little hastily, perhaps.

What's going on here?

I was expecting you for supper.

Where the hell is the table?

There won't be a table this evening.

We thought about doing something different tonight.

Your lordship must be tired of our local food.

Ah, I see. Just as long as it's not going to be lamb again.

Xica had an African banquet prepared.

With all the refinements of the African Courts.

Ah. How picturesque.

Please sit.

Since you mention it, the Major's heard some talk here.

That your black woman doesn't allow whites on her ship.

"Doesn't allow"?

Is that true?

Tell me. Is it true?

It's her ship, Count.

Yes, but that's overdoing it.

Try this brandy, it's made from the sugar cane here at the colony.

I ordered it specially from Bahia.

Bit strong, isn't it? But not bad.

We've got music too!

- Where's the Count? - He left.

He was furious when he woke up, kicking everyone, calling for the master.

He said he had a letter from King.

The King?

Yes, for the contractor.

It must have been serious because the Count left with all the soldiers.

Shit.

What happened to the contractor?

No, Cabeca!

I command the immediate return to Lisbon,

of Joao Fernandes de Oliveira,

up to this date invested in the office of Royal Diamond Contractor,

in order to ascertain the contraventions, irregularities, abuses, and scandals,

committed by this vassal of the Royal House...

Et cetera, et cetera.

By the order King Don John of Portugal.

Don't go.

Don't go, Joao Fernandes.

I have to follow the King's order, Xica.

But you'll never come back again. Never.

I was right. Besides the diamonds, my destiny was waiting at this place.

Don't go, don't.

But it was worth it.

Let's go.

Thanks, Xica, for everything.

For my life.

Company of the King's Dragoons, forward!

Why are you crying, you hypocrite?

It's her fault that all this happened to the contractor.

You wretch!

Snake!

He's gone.

He's gone and we'll never see him again.

Never again.

You snake!

Dona Hortensia's right.

All this shamelessness had to end like this.

Tramp.

Shameless black.

Where's Joao Fernandes now, you bitch?

Yes, without him Xica da Silva's nothing.

A black woman only good for whipping.

Tramp!

Whore.

Shameless bitch.

Goddamned slave.

Excommunicate.

Big-ass Xica!

Big-Ass Xica! Big-Ass Xica!

Big-Ass Xica! Big-Ass Xica!

You bastards, you animals!

Your mothers are big-assed white cows!

You little bastards!

"Joao Fernandes went away, Left behind his Negress"

"She's not Xica-Who-Commands any more"

"She's just Big-Assed Xica"

Just go away, for the love of god.

Leave me alone.

Xica, you should eat something.

Come on, just a little bit.

You know, Xica, I feel really good.

So calm.

I meditate my days away.

I only leave this place to walk in the forest or get water for the brothers.

I don't think I'll ever leave.

Even if I could.

The way things are you won't be able to leave too soon.

What?

Don't worry about that.

Our Country isn't made up of weaklings like your contractor.

We'll leave this place to piss on the heads of the Count, the King, the Indendant,

and his wife, of course.

And it won't take long.

It's no good, Jose, that life is over now.

Without Joao Fernandes, there's no Xica da Silva.

Only in memories.

I protest! Xica will never stop being Xica da Silva.

Because you're forever: you can't end.

Without you, diamonds will lose their shine.

The world's fires will go out.

You're the feast, the sun of the people.

Without you their freedom is nothing.

As long as there's love, Xica...

As long as there's love.

Xica! What is it?

I feel a tingle.

No, no, Xica, hold it.

This isn't the right place.

Somebody might come, we can sort this out later.

For the love of god, Xica! Somebody might come in.

This is a holy place.

Just go and take a cold shower.

Have a nice rest.

I feel a tingle.

Knock it off, can't you do without that for a while?

You're like a wild animal. This is a house of god.

The brothers might come in, and it's just not right.

Try to control yourself.

Xica! Please! Stop it!

No, not that! This is a house of god!

God isn't against this.

No, Xica, not that, wait...

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