Original subtitles

THE FILM WAS SHOT AT THE TOWN OF SAO JOAO DEL REY

STATE OF MINAS GERAIS, 1940s

America's united forces shall win at the end.

- Today is February 2nd, 1942... - Claudina?

Russian troops have just liberated...

the town of Stalingrad from the Germans, in a cruel...

This is Gymnastics Hour, your morning show.

Luizinho?

Luizinho, my son.

Wake up. You have to go to school.

Oh, mom...

I already learned the ABC's!

I know.

I know you learned the ABC's.

But now you are going to have new friends,

and a real teacher,

at a school I bet you will really like to go to.

But I don't wanna go... I'd rather stay here!

Don't you be such a grumpy boy.

This is me: Luizinho.

Have you noticed I'm just a little lazy?

Well, I guess you have.

Do I have to wear these shoes?

Of course you do!

I liked the idea of going to the town's school.

But, would I really have to wear shoes?

Would I?!

Luiz!

You be careful with your clothes, son!

Do you hear me, Luiz?

Your blessing, dad.

Your blessing, mom.

Maybe it's a regular day

A day just like any other day

Maybe it's under your bed Or beyond the farm gate

You name it It will be there

Maybe it comes by Like a morning wake up kiss

Or later in the afternoon When you go back home

Maybe it's just like A ripened fruit

or a word Hidden in a verse

But one thing is for sure

It will transform your life Oh, yes...

Little did I know that my first day at school...

would be the beginning of a great adventure!

Of one of these stories that we can never forget.

Oh, but I'm not the hero of this adventure.

The main character of this story is a heroine.

A heroine who is more beautiful than Wonder Woman!

You go and eat your breakfast, girl!

What's got into you?

But, aunt... today is my first day at school!

Calm down! You are gonna be fine.

Is this the only song you can play?

You know that your mother was the family's pianist!

As you know, all heroes have their faithful squires...

Come on, Cate!

Just like Robin is to Batman.

And this is Miriam, our heroine's faithful squire.

Cate!

Are you coming or not?

"Morning, Miriam!

The girl is a bundle of nerves!

I felt like that on my first day too.

But you wait right there. She'll come in a minute.

All right.

And this is my town.

The most beautiful place in the whole world!

This is where my story will take place.

Miriam!

Hang in there. She is coming!

Why are you standing there?

We are late already! Come on!

But... You are nutty, girl!

Come on.

Won't you say goodbye to your aunt?

Let's go...

Wait! Wait! Oh, nuts.

Hey, watch where you're going!

You hick-a-billy!

Hey, take it back!

You are a hick-a-billy, I said!

Take it back!

Or else I'll fling my shoe at you!

Come on and fight!

Hey, can we do it after class?

But why?

My mom told me not to mess my clothes up.

Ok, after class. Meet me behind the church!

- Who is the hick-a-billy? - What did you say?

Oh, here we go again...

I challenge you to a fight!

Now?

No. After class, behind the church.

Ok. After class, behind the church.

Mrs. Carminha? Oh, she's obnoxious like hell.

And Mrs. Bemvinda? She is like a monster.

And you don't wanna know about Mrs. Izilda...

And all of them got to be "Mrs.", Miriam?

Of course, girl!

All teachers got to be "Mrs.".

"Mrs. Catarina"!

"Mrs. Catarina"...

Well, let's see about that!

- Let's go, Mada! - I'm coming!

Got yourself a new horseshoe, hick-a-billy?

- I am no hick-a-billy! - Of course you are!

I challenge you for a fight.

- Where? - After class, behind the church.

‘Morning!

Pardon me.

Oh, sure. All heroes must have their villains too.

How do you call a female villain, by the way?

Mrs. Catarina?

Your class is right here.

PROFESSOR. CATARINA - CLASS 3

The moment she entered our class,

all the girls wished they grew up to be that beautiful.

And all the boys wished they grew up real soon, just to to marry her.

Good morning!

Good morning!

Sit down.

My name is...

Catarina Roque.

But you can call me Cate.

Mrs. Cate.

Now, where did I put that roll list?

Can all of you read?

We can read and write!

And you are...?

Ana Maria Cibele.

Cibele, you hand out these, please.

I want you all to write your names on those papers,

and bring them to my desk, please.

Just a sec! Just a sec!

You'll each write down the name of the classmate at your side instead.

There is no much use knowing to write only your own names, right?

Hello!

Here you are!

This is Monsignor. He is our teacher's uncle.

I brought some rolls and a new brand of cheese.

What took you so long?

He has to follow a strict diet.

I had a tough night, Aparecida...

But would you look at the feast his sister prepared?

This looks delicious!

And where's the girl?

She went to work at the school already!

So young, isn't she?

Well, her mother was already engaged at that age.

Pacheco!

Where's my butter?

Butter, he said?

I brought you a low fat cheese, Monsignor.

You know you're not allowed to eat butter!

You frighten me out when you speak in that tone!

Oh, all the women in my life!

My mother, and Tiana, and Aparecida!

I pray that Catarina won't ever become as annoying as the others.

You spoil the kid!

I don't spoil her...

You know she was always special to myself.

Speaking of special, guess who's coming soon?

- Who? - Alberto!

Betinho! Will he come here to visit us?

No, he is going to live here.

He was chosen to be our new parish priest.

Here it is, missus.

Thank you.

What happened to you, boy?

It was a bird's egg.

Gosh, did some bird lay an egg on your chair?

- Wanderson did that! - I am no bird!

You have to punish him for it!

- Punish him! - Yeah...

Guys, but what proof do we have that Wanderson really did it?

I said I am no bird!

Just a sec! Just a sec!

How can I punish Wanderson, when 1 don't know he is the one to blame?

I am no...

I have an idea!

Both of you, come up here!

We'll sort this out by organizing a jury.

A jury?!

A court of law.

Missus! Can I be the defense lawyer?

- No! Cibele, don't... - Stop that, Mada.

Girls can be lawyers too, can't them?

Sure, come over here.

- I'll be the prosecutor! - So you go and stand right there.

And the rest of you will be the members of the jury.

Mrs. Cate?

I need to talk to you about something.

Go ahead, Cibele.

- Do you know who Luizinho is? - Of course I do.

Antonio, Paulo and Newton are going to beat him up,

right there, behind that church.

But we can't let this happen. Come on...

That's it, Newton. He's not coming.

Sorry I'm late.

What took you so long? Were you taking your shoes off?

You hick-a-billy!

And the shirt too?

My mom doesn't want me to mess my clothes up.

So, who wants to be the first?

We're gonna beat you up!

Stop that! Guys!

Don't you be such bullies!

I bet you are all very polite boys...

We are gonna teach the hick-a-billy a lesson!

But... three against one?

Have you heard the story of the Three Musketeers?

And so, what was about to be a blood shedding battle...

turned itself into the beginning of a great friendship.

The Four Musketeers!

Paulo, Newton

Antonio and Luizinho

We are the Musketeers

And our own Lady Musketeer.

Come on and sing it

One for all

And all for the girl!

- Mother! - What is it daughter?

When will we have a full moon again?

You better check the calendar to find it.

That's right.

Come back here, Otelo!

We need to find out, mother,

‘cause a new priest only comes when there's a full moon.

- A new priest? - Sure, mother!

Remember Beto, Monsignor's godson?

That boy who went to Rome to study...

and then came back to Brazil before the War started?

Now he is coming back to town!

Not only to be our priest, but also the new school supervisor.

Don't tell me.

My dear boy! I'm so glad to see youl!

- How do you do? - Nice to meet you.

You're so grown up, my friend.

I can't believe it.

Is that you, Catarina?

You've grown up to be such a beautiful young lady!

Thank you.

And you are looking great as a priest too.

- And this is...? - She is Miriam!

The daughter of Dr. Leopoldo.

Don't you remember her?

"Nice to meet you!"

"The pleasure is mine!"

Let's hear it for Father Beto!

What was that, Miriam? Have you lost your mind?

I've heard he speaks four foreign languages!

And I am the one people call a nutty...

My, my, what a hunk!

For God Almighty!

Don't you see he is an ordered priest?

We can always work around that kind of thing.

You stop that now!

- Because the mass is nice. - It?s true.

Each time I say Mass, it's like a renewed emotion.

- Here comes the Mayor! - Here he is.

My friend, the Mayor...

- That's the Mayor. - I've seen him.

- Here, for Monsignor Aristides. - I'll take it, thank you.

So, have you heard it on the radio?

The Russians have taken over Berlin.

Now it's the end for us all.

Don't you say that, Monsignor.

Communism will be the salvation for our world.

That's a delusion, my friend.

Look, there's another battle about to begin.

Monsignor is not a warrior. He is a party guy.

Isn't he, Rodolfo?

Have you been to last year's Our Lady of the Rosary festivities?

Monsignor even brought a soccer team all the way from the capital!

And whenever there's a soccer play on,

someone has to take the Mass wine away from the man!

Speaking of which...

Do you remember when we were kids...

What?

That time when we stole Monsignor's Mass wine?

It was our first binge drinking session ever!

And Carlito never stopped drinking to this day.

Don't you remember who was also there, besides Carlito?

Beto!

That Beto?

Father Beto!

I'm telling you, man.

Beto was a cool guy.

He was truly the Monsignor's godson.

Cate's mom had just passed away,

and Beto was in charge of the girl.

He was always after her, just like a puppy.

I wish I was that girl's nanny myself!

I remember it all.

Like that day at the picnic...

Father Beto was a just a boy.

There's a girl drowning!

Cate?

Cate!

Cate!

Cate!

You are my hero!

Oh, boy!

He hold Catarina so tight...

that the girl got all soaking wet.

No one knew if it was because of his wet clothes...

or the tears that he shed.

The boy poured his eyes out.

But Beto always was a damn good guy!

He's a great guy!

Teacher for you.

Oh... Thank you.

Cibele, what's that?

He brought an apple for the missus.

- Why? Is she sick? - Gosh! Doesn't he know anything?

No, Luizinho! It's just a very chic thing to do.

To bring an apple for the teacher.

Oh! So that's another new thing I just learned.

Missus?

May I?

- What...? - What are you doing?

Congratulations, Cibele! Good job!

- What is that, Cibele? - Haven't you read it?

"There's a gift under the last desk in the room."

"The first student to read this phrase will earn it."

Congratulations! No go and sit down.

See? That's what you get when you don't like reading!

But now you're going to enjoy it. You're gonna love it!

Luizinho, will you hand these out?

- Are these comic books? - Sure they are. Why?

But reading comic books is a sin!

Who told you that?

Father Beto did, at Catechism class.

Oh, Gosh... So Beto did.

It is no sin, boy!

But look, even so,

when I meet Father Beto I'll ask him to forgive you.

Really?

Good morning, kids!

Good morning, Mr. Supervisor!

You don't have to call me that. Father Beto is ok.

- Morning, Cate. - Good morning.

So, are you studying hard?

Yes!

And do you do all your homework?

Father Beto?

We don't have any homework to do.

You don't?

No, they don't.

They can learn all their lessons right here during class.

They need to have time to play afterwards!

And may I ask you what were you doing till now?

Reading comics!

Oh...

I see.

And what about you, Mrs. Catarina?

"Entre Deux Ames", by M. Delly.

Have you read it?

Next time the teacher will bring you proper reading material.

Oh, come on! Beto...

I'll talk to you later.

We have much to discuss.

The goddess Who lives next door

Has the moonlight In her eyes

So you don't believe me, do you?

Oh, she inebriates herself

I do believe it, Pedro! I believe it all.

This way I'll lose my job at the bank...

‘Cause I'm so absent-minded lately.

And reaches out For the light

Wait a moment... Wait.

I got it!

With those distant eyes... You must be in love, man!

So much that it hurts!

I can't bring myself to sleep at night.

All I do is write poems for her.

I have one of them here. Let me show you...

No, no... There's no need to do this.

It can never work out this way.

Love poems are not her style.

What are you talking about?

Every woman loves poetry, Carlito. All of them.

And flowers.

Don't you agree, Rodolfo?

I myself... sent her some flowers.

- Sent whom flowers? - Cate?

Of course!

You are not the only one who is in love with that beauty.

And where have you found a flower suitable for that angel?

Where have you?

There isn't even a garden near your house.

All that you have there is a vegetable garden!

That's what you think!

This is why the church gardens are there for.

- Miriam! - Hey, Cate!

You won't believe it!

Oh, I do believe anything, my friend!...

So come over here!

Would you look at these?

Look!

The most handsome young men in town...

were all head over hills for her.

And she kept making up new ways...

to teach us about life.

Can I ask you what are you doing at my office?

We are doing homework, Mrs. Principal.

So now she decided to give you homework...

And is this your home, by any chance?

We don't have any maps or Earth globes at home.

And what are you looking for?

A country named "Kubakalan", missus.

That's what the teacher told us to do.

Kubakalan!

And you don't know where that is?

No, we don't.

So you need to study harder!

Go home now, all of youl!

Go!

Kubakalan, was it?

Is it somewhere around Asia, maybe...

By looking for a country that does not exist,

we can learn lots of things about many existing countries.

There's one new thing I learned!

What, Luizinho?

I learned that we live outside the Earth's globe...

and not inside of it!

- Inside of it? - Christ!

Like we were some fruit worms?

Exactly!

I thought that the blue sky above was like the Earth's peel,

and that we lived inside of it, with the sky on the outside.

The skies would hold a lot of people that way.

More than Earth itself!

You know, dad, I'm worried about the flying bombs.

Flying bombs?

Yeah, that the Germans are throwing around.

I've seen the Earth globe,

and the countries are all so near each other!

Oh, so you've been having Geography classes already!

But listen, son, Europe is very far from here.

No, it isn't! I used my hand to measure!

This War is about to end.

And they aren't even making flying bombs anymore.

Dad, have you been watching the sky lately?

Yesterday I saw one of them passing by.

I think it's time to tell him about shooting stars.

Why don't you let Cate do this?

Look, there's another one!

It's gone.

If there was one thing she loved to do,

it was having long talks with Monsignor.

He was like her granddad. Ever so kind and patient!

Oh, my dearest!

- How have you been, uncle? - I am fine, dear, thank you.

But my appetite is kind of down.

Don't you talk like that...

You need to nourish yourself.

Yeah... But how can I eat when I don't feel like it?

- Say, uncle? - Yes?

I don't know if you'll understand what I have to say,

but there are a few questions I need to ask.

If I won't understand, what's the use of asking them?

No, uncle, that's just a way of talking!

Then go ahead and ask.

Uncle, have you...

Have you ever been in love?

My dear, there's no human emotion...

that I haven't experienced myself.

You ask if I have been in love.

Yes, I have.

But I guess that's not what you want to know.

You are asking if I understand the ways of love.

Am I right?

Love is good only when it flourishes...

in two hearts that are bound to each other forever.

That's the kind of love you want for your life.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

One day, she decided to take the class outside.

Where do you think you are going with these kids?

I am going to take them to the world!

But students can't be taught outside the school precinct!

Well, ma'am, I don't really know what "precinct" means...

Kids, wait up!

That is disgraceful!

Look at that!

Mario, Mario...

I would never have guessed...

that you were the Geography teacher at our middle school.

I was so in need of one!

But I'd never imagine it was you.

Life is full of surprises, Cate.

It was very kind of you to come here and teach us.

This is it, kids! Here's a good spot!

Now I want you to watch this landscape,

and draw everything that you are seeing down there.

To our right, there are the hills,

and right besides them, there is the mountain range.

Far behind, you'll see the peaks,

and right here in front of us, there's the lake.

Have you seen the island at the middle of it?

Yeah!

And do you see the woods and grass all over it?

Yeah!

So start drawing it all.

That day she taught us...

that a classroom could be as large as the whole world!

Gosh! Our language can be very complex indeed.

Now I'll have to teach them...

that a "feature" isn't only what they see at the movies,

and that "landforms" may have different shapes.

I wish my Math teacher had taught me...

that a fraction is just a piece of something!

See?

And what about love, Cate?

Do you know what love is?

Of course I do, Mario!

And how do you deal with it?

I never see you with anyone...

I mean, you hang out with all of us.

I once read that we may love many times,

but there's that one and only special love...

that is assigned to us by fate.

That is engraved under our skin.

Right!

Just like a tattoo.

Yeah, it makes sense.

Mario?

Do you think that people need to talk about love?

Is it necessary to say "I love you",

or to ask if the other person loves us?

Well, Cate...

I guess not.

Of course not! Gosh...

We better talk about everything we want, right?

Because that love, that engraved-under-our-skin one,

you'll certainly know it the moment you feel it.

So I don't really need to say "I love you"?

Oh, Mario...

No, you don't.

I think that people just know it when they don't need to say things.

I'll try and remember this.

What a day, huh?

So beautiful!

One thing I know, Luizinho.

I'll never forget about today.

Yeah... Me neither.

The day when we learned Geography.

Blessing, father.

I am here to confess my sins...

I am here to confess my sins.

Monsignor!

Monsignor... Somebody help!

Here, uncle, take some water.

Drink up.

Thank you.

- Are you feeling better? - I'm ok.

Don't you worry. Take my place, son,

because we have many people to serve today.

Yes, sir.

- I'll go with you. - No, you stay here.

- I'll take care of him. - Are you sure?

Come on, Monsignor.

- You take good care of him. - I sure will.

Won't you go to confession?

To Beto?

No way!

Do you think I'm going to confess all my sins to him?

Not in a million years.

Well, I am going to confess it all.

Will you have the nerve to do it?

Well, I don't need to tell the truth.

So you are going to lie. It's a sin, you know?

Well, let's say I just won't tell the truth.

But I would never miss the opportunity...

of hearing that sweet voice of him...

giving me advice...

You really are such a big sinner!

You sinner!

Oh, I'm a sinner! A big sinner!

And there she is, Mrs. Izilda!

Always watching what Cate is up to.

I'll tell you, mother, this town is full of sin!

You are exaggerating, daughter.

Do you know that guy Rodolfo that they call "Rudolph Valentino",

after that actor all the girls here are crazy about?

Well you should see the way he is flirting with Monsignor's niece.

Look at them!

"And they were lying like that for a long time,

inebriated with happiness.

How deep and silent are the greatest of joys!"

It was a real bliss when she read those Jove stories to us,

just as if we were hearing a radio soap opera.

"And Elias' kisses were more eloquent than words."

They're too quiet in there!

It happens sometimes.

"...during those first moments...

when they felt both of their hearts beating as they were one.

Finally, a few days later..."

We'll continue tomorrow.

But it was at the best part...

You go home now.

Go!

There they are, heading to the new movie theater.

What are they up to this time?

How do you do?

Can we speak with Mr. Floriano?

Mr. Floriano is not the manager anymore.

- Mr. Palmiro took the job. - Then can we speak with him?

He did not start at the job yet.

But who is in charge of the movie theater at the moment?

That'll be Mr. Floriano. Do you want to see him?

No, she doesn't, Mr. Bidu. She came here to see God.

But this is a movie theater, not the church!

Can you tell Mr. Floriano we are here to see him?

But the manager now is Mr. Palmiro.

- I'm going to kill this guy... - Wait! Miriam...

Easy. I have an idea.

Mr. Floriano! Are you there?

Who is it?

See?

The other teachers wouldn't understand...

why we always headed back to class so fast.

Why are they always rushing to go back from recess?

There's something really weird about that lady.

Shame on her!

Luizinho, did you bring her an apple?

No, we don't have those in the farm.

But I brought her a guava.

A guava?

From my white guava tree.

My white guava tree...

It sounds like a nice name for a book!

Luizinho?

Thank you very much.

Are all of you here?

My cousin Zequinha is missing!

His mom told us that he is sick today.

- Anyone else? - No!

So our roll calling is done.

Before I read another chapter of our book,

- I have good news for you. - What is that?

The movie theater manager told me he can put up...

a special session of the movie I saw last Sunday,

- only for our class. - When is that?

Easy, Cibele, don't you get all worked up.

I still need to set the date with him.

Well, I need to speak with you, privately.

- Oh, so we've got a secret here? - I guess so.

I need a private conversation either.

- Me too. - And me...

So we have lots of mysteries. Can't we talk about them now?

Not with all these boys around!

But we have our own secrets too.

I have an idea.

After the class is done,

the boys will go home...

and you girls can stay here and talk. Ok?

Great.

We're done for today. Off you go, boys!

Hey!

It's time to go home. Go on!

We want to stay too.

We have our secrets as well.

But today is girls' time. Go on now.

And now what?

Come on, you know that she is the boss!

That's such a coincidence!

I was just talking about it with my uncle yesterday.

- With Monsignor? - That's right.

Does he know about love?

He sure does!

But what if you like one of the boys...

but you're too embarrassed to admit it...

and you don't want anybody to know about it?

I have an idea!

I'm going to teach you a special code.

A code?!

Then you can write about anything you like...

and no one else will be able to snoop on it.

That's great!

To write an "A", you make a cross with a dot on the side.

"E" is written like this...

And "I" is this way.

Do you get it?

- Here you are, boys! - Thank you, Mr. Manoel!

You're welcome.

Hello, ladies!

This paper is very easily tore.

It's a sign of times!

Wrapping paper is not as resistant as it used to be.

Here you go. Thank you.

So I had to create this contraption myself.

Did he invented this thing himself?

He just brought it to Brazil, I guess.

What can I do for you today, Catarina?

I need a red pencil.

But does it have to be red on the inside or just the outside?

Forget it!

Can you show me how does your contraption work?

Sure! Come over here.

All you need to do is to turn the handle, see?

It's a really ingenious project.

But be careful with that, you nutty girl...

Please!

"You shall love, faithfully and proudly,

the land where you were born.

For you'll never find, o' child, any country like this one!

Look at the skies and the seas..."

See? That's how she invented her own reading machine.

"...an eternal spring-time!"

This was wonderful!

You are doing it better than... than a radio announcer!

It was just wonderful!

Hey, you!

Come here, boy!

You are one of Catarina's students, aren't you?

Mrs. Cate's? Yes, I am.

- Can you do me a favor? - Of course I can!

Please, take this poem...

I mean, this note to her.

Tomorrow, when you go to class.

Promise?

But don't you let anybody see it, right?

You can count on me.

Ok. Thanks.

- What's up? - Nothing...

The man just asked me a favor, that's all.

- Let me see it. - No way!

- Is it a note to someone? - I think it's a love poem.

Isn't he the town's poet?

Let us see it, Luizinho! I'm a big fan of love verses.

He told me I shouldn't let anybody see it.

But we are not "anybody". We're just us!

I don't know if I should...

I think you better not.

Newton, don't!

That is it!

Oh, Gosh... "Heart" and "art"?

"Love" and "glove"?

These are some very crappy rhymes!

Give it back!

Will you really take it to her?

After all the things she taught us?

Don't you have any mercy for Pedro?

We have to improve these verses.

Well, I've done the wrong thing already...

I betrayed him when I showed the poem to you.

- That poor guy! - That's right, Luizinho.

Now we need at least to try and make it better.

I have an idea!

We thought that we knew all about poetry.

After all, she used to read us a lot of poems in class,

and teach us how to rhyme.

We're done!

- It's much better now. - Yeah!

But, Luizinho... now what?

How are we gonna rewrite it and imitate his handwriting?

I know what to do!

Now guess who is this one!

Napoleon Bonaparte!

Gosh... All the tricks she used to make up...

just to help us understand the world we lived in!

A pirate!

Another one!

Camoes!

Very good! Luis de Camoes.

And now...

Tiradentes!

Good job! It's Tiradentes.

You know it all.

Let's see who gets this one right.

We even knew that one.

Very good!

I see that you learned everything I told you about them.

Now each one of you will pick one of these characters...

and write five lines about him. It can be anything.

Let's see what you can do!

But, missus... Which class is this one?

I don't have the faintest idea!

Look! The gypsies are in town!

‘Morning. I'm here to see Pedro.

- Pedro, the poet? - That's the one!

Hey, Pedro?

There's someone here to see you.

Cate!

What a nice surprise...

Would you please?

So what can I... Can I?

Oh, Pedro, I came here to thank you.

Thank me for what?

For the poem.

It's so beautiful! With such rich rhymes!

It was the most considerate thing to do.

You... You think so?

Of course I do!

And it's really well-written too.

- Is it? - Sure!

Look... It was a declaration of love!

Ow... that's so cute!

So cute...

Cute?! How come it is...

Are you all right, Pedro?

Poor Pedro...

It's the power of poetry!

He believed on the power of poetry.

Of our poetry.

Miriam!

Look at that...

Come on, Miriam!

Is it copper?

It's gold.

I'd never fool such a beautiful lady.

Genuine pure gold,

that will never darken itself,

and never vanish!

I'll go and speak to that fortune teller, ok?

Will you excuse me?

Will you take two of them, then?

No, it's too expensive...

So you can take two for the price of one.

What do you say?

You can take them both for only $45. Done?

Come on, take it...

And here it is!

Our roast piglet!

Oh, how very mean of Aunt Aparecida...

to cook all those delicious dishes when Monsignor was on a diet!

...and rice with chicken and gumbo.

What else could we pray for?

So, shall we?

What kind of dessert will you have, Beto?

Milk and eggs fondant, that's for sure!

It's his favorite dessert, after all.

I'll give a book to the kid that can look at these placards...

and find out a little spelling problem.

Go on, read them.

They misspelled the word "cup"!

Good job!

Be quiet now. The film is about to begin!

WE ARE OFF TO EGYPT

Do you think it's right to take kids to see an inappropriate movie?

An inappropriate movie?

That's just what Mrs. Catarina has done.

She took her students to see an R-rated movie!

"Cleopatra"!

Oh! The one with Rudolph Valentino!

That's not the point, mother!

And it wasn't just that.

Look! There they are, her boys are selling votes!

Is it possible to actually sell a vote?

For the election of the town's beauty queen.

For Cleopatra!

No, mother. For that Monsignor's niece!

As if they needed to do such a thing...

There aren't any other candidates!

Three times one Equals three

Three times two Equals six

Pararatimbum Three times tree

Six times eight, forty-eight,

Six times nine

I've got to learn My operations

So I'll sing them right...

I've got to learn My operations...

So I'll sing them right...

If you'll excuse me...

I'd like to know what are you doing in here?

We're studying Mathematics.

The multiplication table.

Was it the table?

It's the same lyrics!

We just made up a new arrangement to it.

An arrangement?

Mr. Mayor, will you please buy a vote for the beauty queen?

It's to raise funds for the Our Lady festivities!

Not for the festivities! It's for the church!

Our Lady does not need any help, boys.

And, besides, the town already has it's beauty queen.

These are both true.

Have you seen the band?

They are rehearsing for my party later on.

It'll be a huge party!

I am Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile!

If that's Cleopatra, then I am Julius Caesar!

But now I am a dethroned queen.

I shall die.

Farewell, Mark Antony.

Mark Anthony?

Mark!

Farewell!

Then I shall die before you do!

How come there were gunshots in Ancient Egypt?

That's just to add some dramatic effect!

It was all their idea.

I didn't interfere at all.

I'll let myself be bit by a "grasp"!

Wasn't it an asp?

Paulo! Come on...

And this was the end of a sad story lived by...

Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile!

Who are you, miss?

Cleopatra.

You'll have to excuse us, Father Beto,

but Mrs. Catarina has exceeded all the limits this time!

We have to follow the school regulations,

we have to observe a curriculum that is assigned to us!

And our teaching methodologies...

- Shall be.. - Respected!

- You'll have to take... - The proper measures!

You are right, ladies.

I've been talking to her about this.

That's not enough. We demand that you do something!

- We do count on our father! - We all count on the Lord, ladies!

No, we meant you yourself!

We count on you, boy.

Do not forget that you were one of my students.

- I shall never forget that, ma'am. - You better not.

Don't you dare doing that!

She is a very charming girl, don't you think, Beto?

This friend of Catarina's.

I don't know if she is a good influence for our girl.

What do you mean, boy?

I've been wanting to have a word with you about this.

So let's go inside and talk.

Go on, Beto. Speak up.

I didn't want to bother you with these things, Monsignor.

Today being such a festive day and all...

But there have been many complaints, you know.

- Who is complaining? - The other teachers are.

The other teachers in general or only one of them?

All of them, and the Principal also.

Catarina is subverting the rules. She is too "creative", you see?

People are starting to gossip.

What are they gossiping about?

They gossip, that's all! They say that... She is a bit...

She is a bit too flirtatious, right?

That's it.

She is always smiling to everyone.

She chats with one guy today, goes out with other one tomorrow,

and is always whispering little secrets to a third one.

This attitude is unbearable!

Unbearable, huh?

They are calling for you, sir.

I'd find it unbearable if they didn't.

Say, kids. I forgot to tell you yesterday,

but I just loved your play!

I saw you learned a lot from the movie. Good job!

Missus, where else can we read about all this subject?

We want to learn more about Egypt!

Learn more?

You want to learn more?

This is what I wanted to hear!

Are there more things we can learn about?

You have a whole world to explore, girl!

This is what I wanted to hear!

And there's more. There's even more!

Are there more things we can learn about?

There are lots of books for us to read!

This is the way I love to learn things!

This is what I wanted to hear!

This is what I wanted to hear!

Are there more things we can learn about?

You have a whole world to explore!

This is what I wanted to hear!

And there's more. There's even more!

Are there more things we can learn about?

There are lots of books for us to read!

This is the way I love to learn things!

This is what I wanted to hear!

Would you please stop being so happy in here?

Uncle, I want to ask you something.

I need you to order some material all the way from the capital.

And what kind of material is that?

It's something I know my students are going to love.

Well, if I can do anything to help you with that...

Yes, you can! Yes, yes!

Then I'll order it for you.

I knew I could count on your help!

Thank you, uncle.

Say, uncle?

- You'll be at the ball, won't you? - Of course I will, my dear.

We shall dance Together

To the tune That make us happy

To the tune That we danced to

When I held you in my arms For the first time

So we danced Together

And I felt that you and me Would never be apart

Because you would Always be there

To live up to this love story

That destiny Has written for us

We shall dance Together

Together forever Just the two of us

You ought to be there, Beto!

I danced all night long!

And Cate also danced a lot.

She danced with Mario. Didn't you, Cate?

He is a very nice boy indeed!

Pedro, the poet, was also so charming and cute!

And what about Rodolfo "Rudolph Valentino"?

Did you see him, Mrs. Aparecida?

What a hunk that guy is!

And you, Monsignor!

You were very elegant up there on the stage to crown our queen!

She was astoundingly beautiful when she entered the ballroom.

Oh, and here she is!

Let me kiss my king!

Thank you, my queen.

- It's your turn, poet. - Huh?

It's your turn.

What a night!

I'll never forget that ball.

And to think she was right here in my arms!

She is a beauty, isn't she?

Catarina has grown up to be a gorgeous woman.

Don't you think, Rodolfo?

It's your turn. Go ahead.

And time goes by real quick.

I wish it would flow slowly, you know?

Like a dance...

Get it? Like a never-ending dance!

We're almost at the end of another year.

Yeah...

And all we've got is another story to tell.

Aristides is supposed to join us for breakfast.

I wonder why he is so late today!

And then there was that morning that no one would like to remember.

Hello, Pacheco, but where is...

Monsignor Aristides,

you were the heart and soul to this town.

You have taught many of us...

how to see life through a different perspective.

To see things with fresh eyes.

Wherever we look around here,

we'll see the signs of your love for us.

The time you lived among us was a crucial one,

with your essential and fundamental presence.

And that's why we are gathered here today.

To say farewell to our beloved friend.

Let us give our applause to Monsignor Aristides.

Here it is, Cibele.

This is what I asked Monsignor to order from the capital.

Weren't you eager to learn more about Cleopatra and Egypt?

Yes, I was.

And then we learned yet another lesson from her,

a very old lesson: life needs to go on.

A...

C... Cleopatra.

Here it is, Cibele. "Cleopatra".

It has everything about her.

That's right. In alphabetical order.

Nice job.

There's a teachers' meeting.

Excuse me.

Now that we are all here, this meeting can begin.

We are heading towards the end of this school year.

Here are the tests sent by the Department of Education,

with a few basic questions about each curricular topic

and also some instructions for the teachers.

Can I say something, Mrs. Principal?

Go ahead, Mrs. Catarina.

I believe there's no need for my students to go through the test.

- What? - What?

What?!

What do you mean by "there's no need"?

Izilda!

I know what each of them have learned.

I've been with this class for almost a whole year now.

I can't believe this!

They are reading like grown-ups, and their writing is nice either.

And they know all their Math tables by heart!

They are ready to learn their next lessons.

Official tests... What's the use of it?

Mrs. Principal!

If you'll excuse me, I have to go and prepare my tests.

I don't have time to listen to such nonsense!

Shame on you, I say. Excuse me.

I'll be going too.

You weird little... Never mind!

Easy...

They can't understand that I trust my kids.

Father Beto!

Come on in!

Please sit down, ladies.

Carminha!

What can I do for you?

Listen up, Mr. Supervisor!

I summoned this meeting myself.

As you know, our school has a solid tradition.

And we have a reputation to protect.

You're right, of course.

And we think that Mrs. Catarina's ideas,

that you know very well,

may put our educational principles at risk!

What did she do now?

We think that, after Monsignor Aristides passed away,

Teacher Catty is acting... How can I put this?

- She is nuts... - That she's been acting crazy!

She has declared herself against the final exams!

Can you imagine that?

Look, you don't need to worry. Right?

The school year is about to end, after all.

So all I ask from you is that you be just a little patient.

For next year I will...

No!

No! We are organizing a petition right now

to stop her from applying the tests.

She shall be fired from our school immediately.

Immediately!

- Calm down, Izilda. - Don't you tell me to calm down!

I'm fed up with all this!

That pretentious little nutcase will get what she deserves!

You can mark my words for it!

You can mark my words...

Otelo? What are you doing...

Poor gal!

What have you done to yourself, I1zilda?

Now you can tell us, dear.

No, she can't.

She bit her tongue when she fell.

And do you reckon she can hear us?

Well, I guess so.

The doctor said she'll be ready to leave...

only next year, after the school break.

Well, she can definitely hear us.

Someone scratch her foot.

Go on, scratch her foot.

You wanted to see me, Father Beto?

Mrs. Catarina Roque, this time you exceeded all the limits!

We have to follow the school regulations,

we have to observe a curriculum that is assigned to us!

But that's not possible...

What's not possible is that you insist on this nonsense.

Refusing to apply the tests is totally absurd!

The things is, Beto, my kids can read very well.

And they enjoy it too!

They are curious about things,

and they know the Math tabs by heart.

They don't need to go through any tests.

I know they have learned.

But this stubborn attitude of yours

has put me in a delicate position

both with the school principal and with the other teachers.

Every week there are new complaints.

Easy, Beto... Easy.

Everything is going to work out fine.

- Cate... - I already talked with her once.

- I can try and do it again. - Cate!

I wish I could tell you that this would sort things out,

but that's not true.

Look, you have the right to study,

and to explore new methods of education,

and I know those will be very important one day.

But at the moment there's no one who can understand them.

- Why not? - Cate...

The principal and the other teachers...

have brought me this petition...

demanding that you are fired from school immediately.

And if you keep insisting,

they are going to fail all your students.

No...

my boys.

Cate...

You are our class' number one student...

In charisma.

Now I see why she bought so many gold medals...

from that handsome gypsy.

You are all number one students!

Right here at my heart.

Robertinho, you were awarded a medal!

For being the most charming one.

And you? What were you awarded for?

Well, he was the number one in...

Long Distance Spitting Competition!

In the Spitting Competition!

And then there was one morning...

when the whole town got shocked.

Our teacher had gone away with a boyfriend.

- She has gone... - With a boyfriend? But which one?

Yeah, which one of them?

Pedro, the poet, has told me.

The poet fainted when he heard the news.

He's there at the bar, pouring his eyes out.

He liked the girl a lot.

So Pedro, the poet, wasn't the chosen one.

I wonder if it was...

Teacher Mario?

But...

I heard them talking about love all the time!

Has the handsome gypsy taken the girl in his wagon?

- Have you heard the news? - What is that?

She's gone.

You're kidding!

Look how they gossip...

Shame on her, I say.

I bet they are thinking all the worst about her.

- So she ran away... - Yes, she did.

And they would be happy if it was all true.

Where is Cibele?

Does she know the true?

She might know... I think so.

Where is... Carlito?

Yeah, where is the singer, the flower guy?

Hey, you guys...

But...

Where have you been, man?

Me?

I was just wandering around.

It's Cate, man.

She is gone!

What?

So she did go away.

I knew it!

It must have been that sneaky Valentino...

Wrong, Carlito.

Rodolfo "Rudolph Valentino" was seen in town earlier today.

You have to be very brave in order to fight for true love.

You are too nutty, my friend!

Her aunt was crying,

but she said she could understand the girl's heart.

Just like aunts always do.

Cate has left a note.

A note for whom, Cibele?

For us. She's written it on her code.

- For you girls? - No, it's for all of us.

I am so nervous!

I'll try and read it...

Give it here. I know the code.

You do?

The girls didn't know it, but we had also learned the code.

"I am very happy for all of you.

But there is another kind of happiness,

a kind that we have to fight for.

You'll understand this when you grow up."

She thinks we need to be grown-ups to get it.

Yeah...

It?s love Wherever it goes

The same coloro of a day that never forgot

And cameback just to show

That our love In memory will be

We had understood the choice...

that our teacher had taught us to understand.

That was the last time we saw her.

And her smile was engraved forever into the hearts of each one of us.

With the face of the teacher who taught us what happiness is,

the one who everyone thought was just...

an extremely nutty teacher!

Girl, when you wake up tomorrow I wanna tell you this

Happiness will be poured Over everyone's heads

Will be poured over Everyone's heads

There's no way You can run from it

No use hiding Under one's bed

Happiness will be poured Over everyone's heads

Will be poured over Everyone's heads

Girl, it can be scary Girl, it sure can be

There's no way you can run Don't you even try

Girl, watch your step Girl, you beware

Don't you miss your chance Pay attention to the game

Come on

An English Version by: DANIELA P.B. DIAS