Original subtitles

I am on my way home to start the life I always believed I wanted.

I just finished my law degree at Wits University...

in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I grew up in a tiny village surrounded by the foothill of the Drakensberg,

Memel.

On the border of the Free State and Natal provinces of South Africa.

My mother passed away when I was a child.

Her passing away was a massive setback to my father

and he has not made his peace with God for losing her.

He is the local reverend.

Thus, for most of my childhood...

Maria, our Zulu maid, raised me.

The learning of my father

the wisdom of Maria prompted me to embark upon higher education.

Being at university also meant being closer to my high school sweetheart...

Christoff.

Soon after graduating from medical school...

he was called up to report for his two-year military service.

Growing up in Memel...

I was a political innocent.

As a child, one evening,

I witnessed the violent arrest of polite Indian

who explained that he simply ran out of gas.

I was told no Indians were allowed in Free State after dark.

I didn't believe that.

He must have been involved in something else.

Later, as a law student...

I learned that it was, in fact, the law.

One of many cruel laws.

It was also a crime...

for a white person to have an intimate relationship with a non-white person.

South Africans were formally classified...

according to the color of their skin...

and a legal wall was erected...

which could only be crossed at pains...

of punishment and social scandal.

So, I have come to doubt...

the values of the people amongst whom I so happily spent my entire life.

But it this 1979.

A new decade is dawning...

maybe change...

hopefully a new beginning...

for now.

I'm going home to Memel.

Life is simple there.

I'm not going to practice anyway.

Christoff and I will marry as soon as he finally finishes his military service.

Please, Jeanette, you can't be serious!

What a waste.

You're a top law student.

I want to be loved.

Careers, the law, everything else...

besides, Christoff is a doctor, I don't need to work.

A housewife, really?

God's sake, it's the seventies, women can do whatever we want

and you choose to be a housewife.

Exactly, I choose.

And it's not that I want to be a housewife...

I want a family...

I want to be loved and I want to be a mother and for that...

I'll make the sacrifice.

You haven't seen him, for what has it been now, a year?

I've been on dates with a few men.

Come on, guys, seriously!

I've been on dates with a few men that have returned from Angola...

and I can tell you this much...

you don't know what you gonna get.

When last did you receive a letter from him?

Just keep your options open.

I think you're more in love with the idea of this fellow.

Maybe. But I'm not married to him yet.

Okay...

Okay, this is me.

Back to the Free State.

If you change your mind, let me know. We can get a flat.

But you're not.

I think you know me better than that.

Take care.

Please write.

But always remember...

Rock the boat!

Alright, gentlemen, let's finish this over. I have to run.

Two balls left, one wicket, six runs. Let's do this!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Yeah!

Every dog gets his day.

You were brave enough to go for the win.

I respect that.

Bye, Ravi! - See you later.

Everyone's waiting for you. Again.

Oh shit! - Satish!

Look sir, I can explain...

I can explain... I'm sorry.

We'll deal with him later.

Lock the door, we can't be late for your sister's engagement.

We have to renegotiate the dowry.

Don't start. They are Kshatriyas, we are Vaisyas.

He is marrying down in cost, okay?

I don't want to hear about this again, that's how it works.

Really, mom?

He's getting married soon he's not a baby anymore.

You look very handsome. She's a lucky lady.

Will you still be able to do the delivery in Vrede after the meeting?

You'll have your van back on Monday.

You can borrow my car while we're gone.

When are you gonna stop this nonsense?

It's dangerous.

What if they catch you?

I don't want to read about my sister

'jumping' out of the fourth floor window

from a police building in Joburg or PE.

Without action, you aren't going anywhere.

Gandhi. Smart man.

They'll be here soon.

Ravi's a good man.

I want to see your sister happy,

I want her to have everything of the best, don't you?

Yes.

But the dowry's too much. We can't afford it.

I can't see why we would risk going out of business

just to uphold a fucking caste system.

Listen, have some respect.

It's important to me and it was important to your mother.

This is your sister's future.

This is her fourth engagement. This one has to work.

You understand?

Her happiness depends on it.

For me, my children's happiness means everything.

That's why I worked all my life.

But you're still young.

One day when God blesses you with children, then you'll understand.

Come, let's get dressed.

Sir...

Jeanette phoned from a payphone, she's in Heidelberg.

Well, she should be here way before nightfall then.

Can't wait to see her, is her room ready?

Yes, it's perfect,

I've cleaned all the family photos they in a box, in the study.

Thank you, Maria. What will I ever do without you?

The date is set, just the dowry's left now.

Well Sahil and I, we've agreed on the amount.

Because they are Kshatriyas, the amount is a bit more than usual...

for Ravi is marrying down in caste.

Is that correct, Sahil?

Will you steal from our shop again?

What?

Please, I won't steal from your shop again.

Good boy.

Next time you steal from me...

that door will be the last thing you see.

Are you okay? - I don't know.

Oh shit, I took the spare out to make space.

Where are you going?

Home... Home in Memel.

I can give you a ride, but I have to make a delivery first,

I have to be back in Natal before sunset.

I'm Jeanette, by the way. I'm Ravi.

Get your car off the road.

I just want to get some of my stuff out of the car.

We can get your stuff on the way back.

What do you do for a living?

I work in our family shop.

You?

I just finished my studies.

What did you study?

Law.

Are you married?

No.

But soon, I suppose.

Me too.

Thank you.

I'll just take the most important stuff, then we can go.

Will someone be able to help you with your spare Tyre tomorrow?

It's Sunday, but I'll ask my dad.

Dad, this is Ravi.

I had a flat Tyre and he tried to help me, but I didn't have a spare,

so he offered to bring me home.

Nice to meet you Ravi, and thank you.

Thank you very much.

You know the law, what are you doing here?

Can you see the sun?

I don't.

Sergeant, this is Ravi.

He, he gave Jeanette a lift, she had a flat Tyre, that's all.

That's nice.

Now get in your car and leave before I arrest you.

That's the law!

Thank you.

I'm just glad you're here! I was so looking forward to this.

How are things going, Dad? Alright?

Where were you? We were supposed to leave an hour ago.

Sorry, I had to help someone with a flat Tyre.

Give me the keys.

Who are you looking for?

I'm looking for Jeanette.

I fixed her flat Tyre and I brought the car back.

How do you know Jeanette?

I don't, I just helped.

I'm gonna go wait in the car.

I was afraid that nobody would be able to help you.

With it being a Sunday and all.

I had a spare Tyre at home and, well...

I had nothing else to do this morning.

And I was afraid that they might steal your books.

Well. Here's your car back.

That's very kind of you, young man. What do we owe you?

No money, please. Honestly.

I had nothing else to do.

How did... how did you get there?

I mean... is someone picking you up here?

I... I didn't really think about that.

My car is where your car was.

I'll quickly take you back to your car, it's the least I can do.

Well, thank you very much.

Well, I have to go.

Thanks again.

No trouble.

I had nothing else to do.

I'll probably never see you again.

So let me say...

you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in real life.

Where have you been?

I went to help a friend who had car trouble.

Eh, Ravi?

No... no, thank you. I'm not hungry.

In love already?

No, I only met her yesterday.

Can I help?

It's all organized chaos, I'll sort it out.

How's Christoff?

I don't know.

Ever since he became an ops medic, I haven't heard much.

Don't worry, I'm sure he's safe, dear.

That's the problem... I don't.

When he first went to the border, I couldn't sleep.

I couldn't eat.

But he wrote letters.

And then he stopped.

I don't feel butterflies anymore.

Everything will come back, once he's back home.

You'll see.

Do you remember when I was a little girl...

and you told me that falling in love was something magical?

Something you can't control.

It just happens.

It wasn't like that with Christoff.

Other people rooted for us...

saying we would be this beautiful couple...

and next thing we were this trophy couple.

And now we're about to be married...

and he feels like a stranger to me.

A memory of someone I knew a long time ago.

I think I should buy him something nice to say thank you.

I mean, he really went out of his way to help me.

I know his shop.

In Newcastle? - Yes.

My sister stays there. They buy there all the time.

Morning ma'am, can I help you?

Morning. Does Ravi work here?

Yes... who can I say wants to see him?

I'm Jeanette.

Ravi!

What are you doing here?

I... I wanted to give you something for helping me over the weekend.

What is that? Beef!!!

Yes, my father... - We are Hindus... and we are vegetarians.

Ravi, you know better.

I'm sorry, I didn't know. - I have customers waiting.

Ravi, you have a lot of work to do.

Engaged men don't stand around in shops with women when there's work to do.

Sorry. Let me walk you out.

Thank you for the gifts.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it.

My mother probably scared you enough to make sure

you'll never come here again but...

I'd love to. I'll send message with Maria.

Is this the friend you helped?

She had a flat Tyre and I helped her to fix it.

She came here to say thank you.

I'm not stupid.

I just helped.

It was your mother's.

Dad?

Is it true that we're gonna lose the shop because of the dowry?

Nonsense.

Your brother's still young, don't mind him.

I've seen many winters, my darling.

But summer and spring always follows.

We'll be fine.

I just don't want to be a burden.

You're gonna be the most beautiful bride the world has ever seen.

And... I love you.

Same old, same old.

Hello, Samuel!

Okay.

We had one roadblock on our way back.

Otherwise no problems.

Hello, mom. - Hi, darling.

Where's the groom? - He's in the back.

When is Aneesha coming to see the house?

I'll organize a date with Satish.

Why so urgent?

Never mind, we'll... we'll speak later.

Hello, dad. Successful trip?

It went good. Slowly but surely we'll win son.

Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it.

Gandhi. Smart man.

Will you close up today?

See you tonight, son.

Natal Indian Congress.

So...

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I like reading...

and watching movies...

and playing cricket.

And you?

I would like to travel.

Do you like movies?

Yes, I do.

What... what are your favorites?

Star Wars.

Love Story.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

To name a few.

I haven't seen any of those.

Let me show you the house.

It was lovely, we must do it again. - Bye!

I'm going to Newcastle tomorrow.

Do you want to visit your sister?

Why? What about work?

I need you to trust me.

What are you up to now, dear?

It won't end well.

Okay. I'll come with you, only once.

We have to leave early.

From Jeanette.

Can you watch the shop, for a few hours?

Yes, why? - Thanks.

Who's Jeanette?

Excuse me.

Where's Ravi?

A black lady came into the store earlier with an envelope.

Ravi read the note and left. - Just like that?

Yeah, she said it was from... Jeanette.

Do you know her?

What is this?

I don't know.

Don't worry too much about it.

It's not for us to decide.

Okay... watch.

Geez, no.

No meat... I promise.

Thank you.

Well, we have to eat.

For today.

It's wonderful here.

Do you like movies?

I love movies.

Any favorites?

I loved Star Wars.

That's my favourite new movie.

But my favourite of all time...

is Love Story.

What a wonderful thought...

never having to say you're sorry.

I want that.

If only for a day.

I have to fetch Maria.

When can we do this again?

I'll send word.

One rule...

no goodbyes.

Where were you?

What are you doing, my boy?

Since when do we just leave during business hours?

And who's Jeanette?

I'm sorry, Dad.

It's just a friend.

She's not just a friend, I saw how you were looking at her in the shop.

It's nothing to worry about.

She's not welcome here, I don't want you to see her again.

You are engaged son.

Don't dishonor yourself or our family.

Go home. We'll talk tonight.

Hi, Maria.

Maria, how is your sister? - She's better now, thank you.

I... I've invited two gentlemen for dinner,

so we'll be four.

It's okay. Anything special?

No, your food's always great, whatever you feel like.

Wits.

I don't want to hurt anyone...

especially Aneesha.

My son...

yours is not an easy decision to make.

But it is one that will define the life you live.

Everyone must find their own Dharma.

And you... decide if this karma will lead you closer to moksa...

or if it will delay your journey.

I'm going to make the deliveries. See you later.

No. - Well she said, she...

Fransien.

Let's run away.

I have some money that my mother left me.

We can start over somewhere else.

If we get caught and go to jail, my father will be destroyed.

He deserves better.

Let's just get away from here.

Let's go to Swaziland.

I have never felt...

anything...

like this before.

It feels like home.

And I never want to leave.

Tomorrow after the puja service, we'll go to Satish.

Hi, Aneesha. - Hi.

Is your father here? - Yes, he's in the back.

Thank you.

You wait outside.

Good morning, Satish.

Sahil, I thought we were supposed to meet tomorrow?

I know but it can't wait.

The... the engagement is off.

Why?

My son is in love with someone else.

And he feels it is unfair towards your daughter...

to continue with this marriage. - This is unacceptable!

You bastard! - I'm so sorry.

Get out of my shop! Get out of my shop!

Fransien, hi!

Okay, bye.

How did she take it?

I want to spend some time with her; will you close the shop?

Sure.

Let's be there for her tonight.

But tomorrow... let's pay the little shit a visit.

Aneesha!

Aneesha!

Aneesha...

I just heard the Security Police is looking for you.

Why?

You're suspected of being a terrorist leader...

of a cell they want to close down before the weekend.

Why do they think it's Ravi?

They must have been watching my house when you dropped the letter yesterday.

Are you absolutely sure it's Ravi they want?

Did you hear the news about Satish's daughter?

It's horrible.

They said he found her.

What do you mean 'he found her'?

Her body.

She killed herself.

Thank you. Please give us a moment.

We'll have to take him over the border tonight.

What about the police? They may be watching us.

I don't care about the police.

Satish will kill Ravi.

Satish is a dangerous man.

I've heard all these stories about him and his son.

We can't compromise our entire operation just to save Ravi.

Surely the cause is bigger than some guy that cheated on his fianc�e.

Your brother made a mistake.

But surely you don't expect me to stand by and see him killed?

He's my son.

What about me, Dad?

What about when I risk my life for you

and for the cause every time we go on these missions?

While Ravi plays cricket with the boys.

While Ravi mixes his spices.

While Ravi fucks his white girlfriend.

I believe in what we were doing.

You made me believe.

Do my feelings and my sacrifices mean nothing to you?

I can't make this sacrifice.

I'm not strong enough.

Gandhi said...

take care of this moment.

That's all I can do for now.

I love all of you.

I'm leaving at nine o'clock tonight.

I'm sorry.

You deserve better.

I love you, my child... I do.

Please be here.

I'm not going to wait.

I'm going to visit Ravi tonight.

Maria, come sit with us.

You gave me...

and Maria...

the wonderful privilege to raise this amazing child.

And I praise You, Lord, because she is brave.

Brave enough to go in search of happiness and true love.

Dear Lord

may she find what she is searching for.

And may she always know you...

in her victories and in her losses.

And please guide her...

in the days that she might be unsure.

I'm sorry about your sister.

How's your father doing?

He's broken.

His princess is gone.

Is your brother... around?

It's fine.

I'll see him...

when I see him.

Be at our house before nine o'clock tonight.

Do you think she's worth it?

I love you, my dear...

no matter what happens.

And I really hope that things work out for you.

But even if it doesn't...

then... I'll be here.

Okay?

Christoff!

I'm just gonna walk, Dad.

I'll quickly go and check on your mum.

I'll be there before nine.

I forgot something in the car, one second.

No!

Don't shoot.

Get back into the car, old man.

I know you're hurt boy...

but don't do something stupid now.

Your son needs to take responsibility.

Is this her?

Police! Drop your guns!

Good.

This Indian guy fucked a white girl.

Drop your weapon.

You're fine, you're gonna be fine.

No... goodbyes...

FEW MONTHS LATER...

Dear Jeanette.

We hope this finds you well.

We are so glad to hear that you are on your way home again.

Gandhi said...

forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.

The terrible murder of our son...

showed us that we were not as strong as we thought we were.

But we are trying.

We hope you find peace and love...

and everything our Ravi wanted to give you.

Please visit us if you can.

Thank you so much for loving our son.

And seeing all the good we saw in him.

Sahil and Chatura.

The police thought they stopped the terrorist cell

the night that Ravi died.

Our relationship was a violation of the Immorality Act.

I was arrested and pleaded guilty.

I was sentenced to serve a few months in jail.

My father made his peace with God.

He came to see me every week.

Maria also came a few times.

Falling in love is magic.

I hope it happens again.