Tamango

France is proud to have been one of the first nations

to have enacted laws against slavery. On February 4, 1794,

the National Convention declared:

"the abolition of the slavery of Black people in all colonies"

and "decrees that all men, regardless of color,

and living in colonies, are French citizens."

The 1815 treaties again condemned slavery, but slavers became outlaws

and continued their traffic secretly in spite of warships' surveillance.

"Tamango" tells the story of one of these dramatic crossings.

INSPIRED BY PROSPER MÉRIMÉE'S NOVELLA

They're here!

Send a lookout to one!

A lookout to one!

-Keep a sharp eye. -Yeah.

If you see an English boat, raise the French colors.

For a French boat raise the Union Jack.

For the rest, Portuguese.

Alright.

-Did you clean the holds? -Not yet.

What are you waiting for?

Let's go!

We're not transporting cattle.

Pull! Pull!

Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull!

Easy!

Hurry up.

Let's go!

Hop on!

Go on.

Go, go!

Aïché.

Aïché, my tobacco.

Lookout!

Nothing in sight!

Three pipes a day.

Only 120 more pipes and we'll be there.

Unless we meet a patroller.

-They never visited you? -If they had I wouldn't be here.

-Swung at the end of this mast. -Captain!

What is it, Fernando?

The man says we're not paying enough for his slaves.

He says we're thieves.

Thieves?

What's going on?

You said five barrels of rum.

It seems that there are only two.

Is that so?

This time it's not cat piss.

It's real rum!

Rum from the West Indies.

The key to Paradise!

Here, try this.

Same every day.

So?

-Two barrels? -Two barrels.

Very well.

-What else? -20 rifles.

You said 50 rifles.

Maybe, but these rifles actually shoot.

50 rifles!

Bernard?

-20 rifles! -30!

20.

You know it's again the law to pay Blacks with weapons of war.

You know I'll use them to go hunting.

Sure…

I know what that means.

We give you rifles,

and the next time we come

-you shoot us! -Yes!

20 rifles.

-30. -20.

25.

Done.

Careful, Bébé.

Those are the warriors, so I put them on a bit tighter as a precaution.

Don't hurt their ankles.

How many times have I told you not to spoil the goods?

-Well, doctor? -Ah, a fine specimen.

Wrestler's shoulders, strong legs,

large chest, and he has all his teeth.

Show him your teeth.

Good!

-What about the others? -They aren't all great.

They gave us weak and malnourished ones.

Tell me which ones will need

-double rations. -That one.

Mark him, Bébé.

Ah, here's a sorcerer.

A colleague of yours, doctor.

He's doing well.

Double ration for him anyway.

You must always have the sorcerers on your side.

Easy, don't spoil him.

Easy? As if they were in charge!

You certainly aren't!

Take him away!

Sail!

What flag?

French!

Raise the English colors.

Everybody in the hold!

In the hold! Faster!

Faster!

In the hold! In the hold!

Hurry up!

Ready the ship.

Ready the ship!

Everyone to their post.

Everyone to their post!

Hoist the jib!

Hoist the jib!

Pull the anchor!

Pull the anchor!

Go!

Go faster!

Go!

Hoist the mainsail!

Hoist the mainsail!

Go, go!

Go!

Go!

Forward! Faster!

Turn!

Everything's ready. No ship can catch up with us.

We just need to let ourselves drift to Havana.

Tamango, why did you try to kill the white man?

A warrior doesn't accept slavery.

How can you fight with that?

A warrior doesn't accept slavery.

You can count the whites on this boat on the fingers of one hand.

But us…

We're a whole village.

Tamango, only a few of us are warriors.

The others are peasants,

fishermen, weavers.

No, Oray.

The others can become warriors, too,

if we talk to them!

Captain! Captain!

Come in.

What is it, Fernando?

Some of the Blacks are refusing to eat.

Come join me on the deck.

Eat your soup!

Aïché.

Aïché, poor me some coffee.

Of course, the coffee pot is on the table,

but I find it less unbearable

when you pour it.

Tell me, Aïché.

How do you feel when you see all those Blacks?

Blacks like you, chained and made slaves?

How does it feel?

One or two sugar cubes?

Two.

You might have some white blood,

but you're a slave anyway.

You were sold by a Black chief, like them.

It was so long ago,

I was only a child.

I don't remember it.

It must have an effect on you.

Milk?

Half and half.

Your color.

What is it? Are you afraid of the captain?

I won't tell.

Do you think you and him will last forever?

Even if it does, what will you be?

A slave and nothing more.

Nothing more, you hear?

Well, kids?

It's soup time!

Well?

Homesick?

Seasick?

What are you worried about?

You're on a good strong boat

with a captain who doesn't like slaves to be beaten

or harmed for no reason.

You'll be able to rest here.

You'll gain weight.

We even have a doctor

who'll see you every day.

Not many whites can say the same.

Well?

What's wrong?

The food?

It's delicious.

It's very good.

Come on, kids.

There's nothing like a good meal to cheer you up.

Eat.

Good, huh?

Bon appétit.

Eat!