Sambizanga

On February 4th 1961, a group of militants set out from Sambizanga,

a working-class district in Luanda, intending to storm the capital's prison.

At the same time, they gave the signal for the armed struggle

for national independence that has engulfed Angola ever since.

But for years before that day,

thousands of fighters in the villages and towns

had braved the police's reign of terror,

patiently paving the way for insurrection

and organizing a clandestine network of political movements.

And so, on a work site in the midst of the Angolan bush,

we find a certain Domingos Xavier...

Trouble, Domingos?

Yes, a flat tire.

We'll talk at my place tonight.

Okay?

You know Mr. Sylvester? He talks to you?

Yes, he says I'm a good tractor driver.

Where he goes, I go.

Listen to me but...

don't repeat this.

I swear not to tell a soul.

I know the Whites well.

That White's our friend. Remember that. Okay?

Maria, where you goin'?

I'm looking for Domingos.

Don't worry, he'll be back.

Thanks, I was hungry.

You're home late.

It's because of Timoteo.

Who's Timoteo?

The driver on the night shift.

So what happened today?

Nothing to tell me?

You mad at me?

More sauce?

Give me water, please.

Thanks.

A new Luanda leaflet to distribute.

"To all Angolan compatriots:

"Day after day new pains are added to our mutual suffering.

"Hunger in our homes, poverty in our huts,

"forced labor on the road gangs.

"All this is due to Portuguese colonialism.

"To end foreign exploitation and domination in our land

"we must strengthen our Movement's organization!

"Create secret groups,

"organize ourselves in order to fight better."

See you later!

Are you okay?

Continue!

Let's get that man, fast!

Tie him up good!

Shut up!

You know what you've done, right?

Courage! You must go. My son says so.

Your son So us in ha?

- So he's back? - It's a secret.

He's always here.

He says you're to go to the Administration with Bastião.

Cry and make the baby cry.

They'll tell you where he is.

Here are your things.

You can go. Be brave!

My marble! Gimme my marble!

Grampa, there's a prisoner! Come quick!

A prisoner? You saw him with your own eyes?

I saw him! He walked like this!

He walked all tied up!

You were right to come and tell me as I told you to do.

Let's go tell Chico.

There goes Old Half-Ass!

There goes Old Half-Ass!

You really don't know him?

No!

Never saw him in the museke.

This the right road?

No, this way. I know how to get there.

Say you want to go before Quint a.

Hurry up or we'll miss Chico. He goes out every morning.

Hello, brother, I'm looking for Chico,

his godfather wants him.

Chico Kafundanga, he plays for Bota.

He's gone out.

Already gone out?

He left with the receipt book,

he's distributing some letters.

- When'll he be back? - I've no idea.

When he comes in, tell him his godfather's waiting at the dock.

I'll give your message...

to Mr. Francisco Kafundanga.

Before the ferry came,

there were lots of fish here.

You threw a hook in and hauled out big ones.

Throw back the little ones.

You take him off the hook...

like this...

and toss him back in and that way...

you'll catch bigger ones. Fish are really dumb!

Hi! You wanted to see me?

I wanted to see you.

I've got important news.

Zito, you're a man now! How you've grown!

I've a lot to tell you.

I'm free for an hour.

Let's go eat. Okay?

Here's something you don't know.

This morning a prisoner arrived in the museke.

The boy saw him.

A prisoner?

They put a man in prison.

What's he like?

Big and strong.

They tied him up with ropes,

he walked like a calf.

How'd he arrive?

In a Landrover. Zito knows the number.

A land rover, ABC 27-29.

Let me write that down.

Was someone seated in the car?

A White in a white uniform?

He wore a white uniform but...

when he passed, they called him "Mr. Aspirante".

I understand.

You're a bright boy.

We're sorry you're not in school but we'll do...

all we can to get you back in again.

If you hear anything about this prisoner,

let me know it right away!

Hello, Mame Sessa.

We don't see you much, Chico.

I'm looking for Miguel.

You want Miguel? Wait!

Is Bebiana there?

I thought she was in town at the seamstress' place.

That didn't work out very good for her. She's spent the week with us.

But Miguel broke his arm.

They say he broke it fishing...

but I don't believe that.

More likely down by Fernando's store,

down there he fights with the mulattos.

You know, the kids of the White who has some boats.

He wants Miguel. Go on! You eating here?

Bebiana, go see Miguel.

He's at Mr. Vicente's.

Go get him and come eat.

Back again!

We never see you.

Don't say that… you know...

Yes, I do.

I hear you been dancing with Carlotta.

It's not like that. You know I love only you.

Liar!

My word of honor! I swear it!

There's only you, but you know...

I'm no longer like I used to be.

Since meeting Mussunda, I think with my head.

If I say I love you, it's really true.

How can I believe you?

You're seen all the time, dancing with Carlotta!

Forget all that gossip!

If you don't believe me, ask Miguel! He knows.

I'm glad to see you.

Yesterday I spoke to Vicente about you.

Hello, Vicente.

Hello. Still dancing in the bars every night?

No, that's all over with.

Miguel must've told you I'm going to marry Bebiana.

Are you crazy?

You treat women like old rags!

That'll teach you!

Miguel, I must talk to you. I'll wait for you on the rocks.

Any news?

Bad news.

They've arrested someone.

You got his name?

No, nobody knows him at the museke.

Seen him?

Zito saw him. He says he's big.

How'd he arrive?

In a Landrover.

A police car.

We got the number,

Tell me!

ABC 27-29.

A Luanda license number.

I'll ask Mussunda to find out who it is.

What do you want?

I want to find my man. I want to see the Secretary.

He's out.

When'll be back?

He'll be here soon. Wait a while.

The Secretary is out. Be patient.

It's Maria. She wants to see you.

What is it? Quick!

I want my man. You arrested him.

Domingos is a bandit.

Why a bandit?

If you don't want any trouble, go home.

My man! Domingos!

Stop screaming!