The Harvesters (Die Stropers)

Dear Father God,

make the boy strong,

make his blood strong,

make his seed strong.

Dear Lord,

help my son.

The Harvesters

Hello, Papa.

Good morning.

- It's very cold. - Yes, it's very cold.

Thank You for this food that nourishes our bodies,

in Your name. Amen.

Janno, pass me the fruit, please.

Do you want fruit salad?

Hey, little man,

finish that. I need you in the field.

Yes, Pa.

Pa.

Dear Father God,

we ask you humbly send your Holy Spirit

to work through us.

Let the Holy Spirit help us save this child.

Janno.

My Janno.

Ma?

There's a child in the living room that needs your help.

Make him feel at home.

Open your heart to him.

He doesn't know us.

He doesn't know we just want to help him.

Janno,

open your heart to him.

Lord, Marie,

did you have to choose the roughest boy?

Jan,

there's no good or bad, there's only strength.

And this new boy has that.

He's not what we prayed for.

Janno will love him.

Janno will make him whole.

You're asking too much.

From who, Jan?

From who?

That's my ma, pa and auntie in the other room.

That's my family.

I'm Janno.

And you're my brother now.

Come, we're not going to do anything to you.

That's it.

Take your shirt off.

Take your shirt off.

Auntie?

Why does he eat like that?

Is he Afrikaans?

Yes, he is Afrikaans.

Sis?

Bye.

- Strength. - Thank you.

Call me tomorrow.

Bye, Pieter.

It was really nice to meet you.

When you feel better, you can visit me and my husband on my farm.

Okay.

It's a start.

I can't sleep.

Wake up.

What do you think you're doing?

It's just a butter knife. He's scared.

He's scared?

What's his problem? Is he sick?

It's the withdrawal. They said it would happen.

Jan, I've got it. Take care of the children.

Come on, go back to bed.

Our Father in heaven...

Janno.

I know I should be outside already.

At my age you were already dressed

and working in the fields by now.

- Where have you been? - Sorry, Pa.

Get to work.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, we ask You to take all that is bad in us

and throw it away.

We are so pleased Pa has come to visit,

but we wish he'd consider living with one of us permanently.

No!

He doesn't want to live with you.

Pa?

Pa knows it's too dangerous to live alone.

They murder farmers every day and it's getting worse.

Alina, you understand?

No!

Soon we won't be able to take no for an answer, Pa.

Look who's come to say hello.

I hope Grandfather feels well today?

I don't know you.

Come.

Pa! Of course Pa knows him.

Don't mind him, he's senile.

When will Grandfather meet the new boy?

The new boy...

If you see him doing anything,

drugs or anything like that,

come tell me, okay?

Yes, Pa.

I'll keep an eye on him.

You still sick?

I wish I got breakfast in bed.

You look better.

Sleeping better?

I can speak Afrikaans.

I'm supposed to take you out.

You play rugby?

Okay.

Awesome!

Leave them.

Janno, leave them!

Are you okay to play now?

Are you fine now?

Fuck off!

Let it go.

Let's just have fun.

We ask you to guide us men when we are at man camp,

dear God, and also the women who stay at home.

Lord, help us pass our exams and tests this coming year.

And we ask for a very successful harvest.

Good day, mothers.

Good day, brother.

Is he really Afrikaans?

The boy.

I'm old enough to tell Ma how I feel.

Yes, you are.

It feels different

with him around.

I don't like it.

We've already decided, Janno.

He's not my brother.

He'll never be my brother.

There are so few of us left, Janno.

Afrikaners.

You'll understand when you're older.

Understand what?

You know what I think?

Why this boy came here,

to our house?

Here, to us?

Because God sent him.

Yes, Janno.

Open your heart to him,

like you did with your sisters.

God brought him to this house

and we can't choose which commandments to obey, can we?

Janno,

if we don't take in our own people, who will?

He's going to run away.

Then make him stay.

This is our test,

ours.

I can't let that child go alone into the dark night.

I won't face Judgment Day with that burden

in my heart.

Help me.

That's my wife with her father.

She was born in this house.

She's the posh one.

And that's her sister who's dead.

The girls were hers.

That's her grandfather.

This is...

This is our family.

That's me.

- I thought you said he was better. - He is, Jan.

Sarah, go to bed.

Wake up.

Pieter, wake up.

It's just a nightmare.

You're safe.

Today we begin like this.

We're doing this for you.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Dear Father God,

thank you for allowing us

to wake up as a family.

Every member of this family is important.

And we know for You too.

Sarah.

And thank you, Lord,

that You

have kept us together as a family.

And for making the maize grow,

so that we can harvest it,

and for keeping a roof over our heads.

And for all the cattle.

And for keeping us safe from all the farm murders,

and for all Your gifts.

And thank you for bringing Pieter to us.

Amen.

Put it here by the window.

He says he has nightmares alone in that room.