Original subtitles

"Açaï" or "wassaï". It grows on palm trees and looks like grapes.

You got my dossier? - Yes.

It's the natives who harvest the açaï, it's subsistence farming.

From Brazil, big companies export it everywhere, especially in Europe.

Surfers use it a lot. - Surfers?

They set the trend, from which my idea.

A model of social business, eco-responsible and associated to the local people, to enhance natural resources.

What happened with Cayenor? They kicked you out? - Don't you know my stage manager was murdered?

I left right away, that business is not clean at all.

I'm very sorry to hear that. Maybe we should bring you back.

No, it's ok... I'm hanging in there. I'm done with the gold business.

My gold now is the açaï. Green gold, bio-gold.

Sounds like agri-food sector to me. - Not at all.

The goal of Belaçaï company is to redevelop the gold mining sites.

Measuring ground pollution levels and checking if a certain site can be re-used.

That's geologists' work.

You could get European subsidies for this. - That would be great, I really believe in this project.

Don't forget to send me your training agreement. - Thank you very much. See you.

You were perfect.

Are we ready? - Calm down, it takes time to set up a camp.

Belaçaï... is that a real company? - It's a front.

I need an excuse to be in the forest and to dispose of the eventual profits.

The boy came up with it. Not bad, huh?

It's gotta be more than just papers, you need a real agricultural enterprise.

Of course... it's my "green" side.

Belaçaï is a standard agricultural enterprise, own by a holding from Curaçao.

You own 10% of that holding, Mr. Serra all the rest.

Ok. What about the eventual profits? - Page 8. That'll be proportional to the number of shares.

That's 10% for you. You need some time to go through it?

No, it's ok.

I'm gonna need a training agreement with Belaçaï, it's for my school.

I'd change the sheets if I were you.

Hi, mom. How are you?

I'm fine. Yes, I was gonna call you.

Will you let me speak? I'm no longer in Cayenne.

I'm in a small village, helping the natives with the harvest. It's going fine.

About that little schmuck... I don't like him.

I find him funny... one moment he's a genius, the other a total idiot.

Açaï was his idea. - I like the idea, I don't like him.

Neither one of us is a social, eco-responsible entrepreneur... he is.

Come in.

Everything ok?

How's going with the site? Are we good to go?

This is nice.

What species is it? - "Pikolet".

Don't they sing sometimes?

What did I do? - Don't touch his pikolet, it's worth 12,000 euros.

Silver medal at the Guyana Cup. It's a singing contest.

Get yourself a drink.

Who are they? - Elias, Barnabé and Patrice, the founding fathers.

1881, first gold fever in Guyana. They were already here though.

You know where they came from? The chain gang? - Yes.

The older was Elias, a big shot from Ménilmontant. 20 years.

Barnabé and Patrice were the little brothers. 10 years each.

They couldn't go back to France so they settled here.

An old Saramaka hired them to search gold and they learned the job.

Being good as they were, they started working on their own.

Two years later... the fortune. They hit the mother load.

They opened up a mine and named it Sarah Bernhardt.

Sarah Bernhardt? Isn't that a myth?

Elias came out of the jungle one day in 1886 with three mules loaded with gold.

No one dared ask him what had happened to his brothers.

You know what else he had found in the jungle? God.

It was all about the Bible from then on.

And in the meantime, he gave out so much gold the people could build a village.

This village.

Saint-Elias.

For 5 years I've been trying to convince him to help the farmers but he never listened.

The boy convinced me. There's a market for it in France: surfers.

So he mentioned açaï and you just said yes? You think I'm that stupid?

They live out of açaï. What they don't eat, they sell it to a guy named Waki.

It's an equilibrium. Poor, fragile... but still an equilibrium.

I'd hate to see someone screw that up. - Give me your plate.

We don't want the monopoly, we're looking to form a cooperative.

I have a plan to get subsidies from Brussels.

Can I have another room? They're being too noisy in the room next to mine.

All other rooms are taken.

Ok.

Goodnight. - Goodnight.

You can go back, he's done.

Yes, boss? - How's going?

We're almost ready. - It must be done before we arrive.

We'll take care if gas, equipment and garimpeiros. We'll be there in a few days.

Ok.

How's going?

Hot today, is it?

You need help? So I can learn how to use it.

Who said you'll be coming with us? - Well...

Get lost.

Let me understand... am I going to the site or not?

You won't be of any use there. - This is not what we agreed. I showed you the site.

Yes you did and we'll make good use of it.

You'll earn your 10% taking care of Belaçaï.

Hey, boss! - What?

Come see.

What can I say... she's been suspended 3 days for smoking in school.

I think she did it on purpose. Holidays start next week, she started earlier.

I already yelled at her. I haven't seen her since.

It's your daughter... obviously. Try educate her.

I can't discuss this now, I'll call you later. Bye.

Did I tell you I got a 13 in French?

You don't like me to stay at the hotel so I'll be staying here.

Nathalie is fine with it. Aren't you, Nathalie? - Of course.

I could help at the clinic or I could be the barmaid.

You're always welcome here but this is the wrong time. - Why?

Yes... why?

Did you call Waki? What does he think of Belaçai?

He says he doesn't wanna talk to you, that he's fine without you.

Ok.

Where's Waki?

Waki, can you come down a minute? - Why don't you come up?

Stop fucking around and get down here.

We're not gonna steal from you, we'll expand your business.

The boy here will get us subsidies.

Ok.

Let me explain... the idea is to centralize the açaï from all plantations and then send it everywhere.

We'll be able to get fresh fruits to Cayenne shops or make juice and ship it to Europe.

This kind of business.

I know you have doubts, I'd have them myself but don't mind him.

He's not the only one in this.

If Nathalie is on board too, will you feel more safe?

I'll set up a meeting with the farmers but I won't decide for them.

Alright.

Even if we have an airtight case there's no guarantee it's gonna work.

I'll send it to a former student from the School of Mines.

I'll just ask him a favor in the name of the old fraternity... voila.

That's what a big school is for. 9 out of 10 that it's gonna work.

What did you come here for? - And you? What are you doing here?

Have you ever seen a gold mining site? It's like the Middle Ages... with machine guns.

You'll have 10 or 15 men on your payroll and they'll spend everything on alcohol, drugs and whores.

Ok.

They're not taking me anyway, so that's settled.

200 liters of gasoline from Brazil. No taxes and total discretion.

Serra came out of retirement?

I don't like you... you know nothing and you say nothing. You deliver, cash and get the fuck out of here.

Louis!

What are you doing here?

I'm going. - Did you eat?

No. - Come, I'll make you an ox fillet.

The good woman knows the way to her man's stomach.

That makes you laugh?

Come on, I know your dad is happy to see you. Nathalie too... and me too.

Claudio as well... and Nino! Look how happy he is!

You're 16 now, you should be happier in Cayenne with your school friends.

No. - Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

It looks delicious. - Thank you.

So, when are you leaving?

Eat it while it's hot.

I need men quickly. - How many?

Eight. - Where are you taking them?

How much?

2,000 for each.

What is this...? - I'm not negotiating with you.

If you don't like it, go somewhere else.

But the more you talk, the more people will know about your business.

She's good...

You like it? - Yes.

I can do that too. You wanna see?

Claudio, where can I find some cash?

There's a cash machine right over there.

Go to the Chinese, leave your name and at the end of the month you pay back in gold.

You work for my father, isn't he paying you?

What about you dad having two wives?

My mom's in Cayenne, my dad's here. She knows people, he pays the bills. They help each other.

What about Nathalie then? - You wanna know about her, ask her.

Look. That's the step, you see?

Stop there... I'll show you the move.

See if I do it right.

I can't keep you here, you understand? - Why?

I don't have to tell you. - If you take me to Cayenne, I'll come back by myself.

Mom can't watch over me, you know it. Anyway, give me a good reason and I'll go.

Because I'm not gonna be here, that's it.

Great, I was afraid you'd give up. You're going then?

Shit...

I gotta help Waki, I'll be sleeping at Nathalie's. - We'll see.

Are they all here? - Yes, go ahead.

Good morning everyone, thanks for coming.

I know Waki told you about our project. Here you have the signing papers and the statute,

in French and Portuguese, for the ones living across the border.

Read it carefully, or have it read for you, before signing anything.

We're not forcing anyone. If you prefer to continue on your own or maybe join us later, there's absolutely no problem.

You're free to do what you want. - But if you join us now,

in exchange, we'll buy your harvest after we agreed on a price.

Any questions?

You'll pay us in gold? - No, in euros, and you'll get receipts.

You'll need them as evidence for social services.

Hello. Sign here.

I feel I'm doing something stupid. I don't like Serra.

I don't know the city boy but I trust you.

We've always been screwed, I don't see how it could change now.

Hi, Claudio. Can I sit with you? - Please.

Bon appetit. - Thank you.

Ask him to buy me a drink. - She would like a drink.

Ok. Go ahead.

Louis, Champagne. - Straight to Champagne!

Beer is not good? - Ask him why he didn't come back.

Why you didn't come back? - What'

Tell him I like him. - She likes you.

I like you too. - Tell him we can do it again when he wants.

She says you can do it again when you want. - We didn't do anything.

She remembers something. - Did we dance?

That's that. - What did we do?

Baixino.

How's going?

Still in business? - Yes.

That's good 'cause I need mercury. - We'll talk business after you solved your problem.

Don't expect many customers tonight.

Mrs. Quinteiro de Meló threw a party for the garimpeiros on the other side of the river.

Free drinks and girls.

Old man. Rum, my reserve.

You're still in business because of my family's kindness.

We let you live 'cause you're not competition, do you understand?

Merlot, your friend from Cayenor, had contacted us to sell some coordinates.

But he happened to die.

If you have that info, we are interested... at a reasonable price.

It'll be wiser then doing it on your own. - I'll think about it.

You don't need gasoline to think, do you? We're a little short.

Anyway I can help. Louis, let the gentlemen help themselves.

You three, take the whole stock.

Police are here.

Good evening. - Good evening.

Everything alright? - Everything alright.

As usual? - Yes. Old man, will you serve these gentlemen?

Quiet evening. - It's a private party.

May I introduce Clara Quinteiro de Melo,

daughter of Mrs. Silvana Quinteiro de Melo, from Oyapoqué.

We know your family, ma'am.

Goodnight. - Goodnight.

May I? - That's what they're here for.

Here... for the gas and the rest.

Thanks for your help.

Nathalie!

Nathalie!

Nathalie!

What happened? - I don't know!

Get out.

Let's go, love.

One shitty day.

Who were those? - The Quinteiro clan, Clara is the daughter.

The guy, Silva, is her boyfriend.

They live in Brazil and work here, they own 7 or 8 sites.

They want us to stop. - Tough luck.

We're done. No gasoline, no pumps. No pumps, no camp.

Come in.

I can make gasoline... biodiesel, to be exact.

Basic chemistry. 1 liter of palm oil and 10 cc of ethanol.

Soda to catalyze. You're scared of fire? - Shut up.

We warm it up to 60 degrees and wait.

We'll have 1 liter of biodiesel and 10 cc of glycerine. The trick is to separate them.

You can do the reverse process as well. You gotta be extra careful when you take out the glycerine.

Ethanol is controlled. You can get 1 or 2 liters... but where do we get 200?

Tell me when you're done playing. - Fuck you.

What? - Fuck you!

What did you say?! - Louis... it's ok.

You've done this to Merlot before killing him?

Louis, give me your gun.

Take it.

Shoot it.

Shoot! - I can't...

At the trees, idiot!

Give it. You just used the gun that killed Merlot.

You were on the crime scene so no alibi. Police get this and you're fucked, is that clear?

This is all bullshit.

Go back to Cayenne. If you talk, you're on your own.

I have a technical question.

Say we got plenty of palm oil to sell but we need ethanol...

A lot of it... is it possible?

Thank you.

Call Silva, tell him I'm not treating you well.

Tell him you got a deal for him. - What am I selling?

I filled up my application and sent an email to my contact.

That's all he needed.

How's Anita?

Excuse me...

How do I get to Cayenne? - Louis will fly you there tomorrow.

We had an agreement. Alcohol, trafficking, girls...

If it's not you, someone else will do it.

I know you're the lesser of two evils... but what are you after?

It's been 8 years since I've set a camp. - What are you looking for? Sarah Bernhardt?

Listen...

If you don't feel comfortable, we'll manage without you.

I have to think about it.

I'll take you to the lake.

They'll get you across then you can hitchhike.

There's traffic on the road to Cayenne, you'll be there in 2 days.

Unless you prefer to fly with Louis.

What... - Get off!

So he knows the coordinates? - Why, Claudio...?

Kid... it's over.

No! No!

Claudio, call the Brazilian.

If she wants her boyfriend back, I wanna see her at 2 o'clock. - Ok.

You used me. - Yes.

Get some rest, we leave tonight.

Boss, they're here.

No one's authorized to disembark.

I'll speak French... and don't waste my time, I know your mom paid for you to study in Paris.

Me and her, we know each other.

I'm listening. - I'm a good guy... I say "live and let live".

But if some idiot comes to me, ruin my business, hurt my girls... I'm forced to react.

If I let him live, he'll be back.

But maybe he listens to orders, he does what he's told.

Maybe his girlfriend is more reasonable... or his girlfriend's mother.

You tell me.

Kill someone's business, I also know how to do it.

If we start a war, I'll probably lose... but it's gonna cost you a whole lot of money.

I understand.

I'll see you then.

Good luck, dad.

You got the seeds and the CD.

Put on some Bach preludes and the rest of the time, the birdsong mix.

For any problem, talk to the old man. - Ok.

Be careful when you climb trees, you're a princess.

Vincent...

You got everything to make your gasoline?

Why that face? Didn't you wanna go with us?

ENGLISH SUBS BY BARISHNIKOV