The gates are opening
Amen
The gates are opening
Are your parents late?
No.
Who's coming?
Your papa?
He's working.
Your mother?
Mama's not feeling well.
An uncle?
An aunt?
Come with me.
Don't worry. There are less costly ones.
There are all kinds of models for infants.
There is lining all around the coffin.
Sarah will look beautiful shrouded in white.
All you'll see is her pretty face.
Iris, careful.
Sarah's been sleeping all morning.
Go wake her, I want to go inside.
Wait for Mama to say so.
- Why is Sarah sleeping? - Because she's a baby.
- I want to come in! - Not now.
Let me in or I'll tell my father!
Hello, Mama.
Mr. Chauke says he'll come for Sarah at 1:00...
...and that you shouldn't worry, it will be a beautiful funeral.
Tell him not to come.
We can't afford it.
- But... - The money's gone.
- What? - Someone stole it.
I heard about Sarah.
So sad.
Jonah! It's Chanda.
He beat himself with a rock, to chase out the demons.
Not hard enough!
You're funny!
Mr. Chauke is coming for Sarah at 1:00.
One o'clock!
What are you doing?
It's to bury Sarah.
Hey! Give that back!
Give that money back!
Look who decided to come to school!
Chanda!
Where were you this morning?
It's my little sister.
She passed away.
I'm sorry.
Stay home a few days.
Becca! Calm down!
Esther!
Don't look at me like that!
You skip classes, so do I.
What is it?
Sarah?
I'm sorry.
Really sorry.
Hello, Mrs. Tafa.
Can I phone Mama's family?
I came by this morning, but nobody answered.
I'm sorry.
It's Sarah.
I heard.
Hey, you! Go play somewhere else!
Now!
Mama doesn't want them to know.
Your mother is a wise woman.
Can I call the family from your house?
It's your mama who should do the calling.
The funeral is Thursday.
Yes.
Please let them know, Mr. Kamwendo.
Goodbye.
Sarah's death is so sad.
Just like my Emmanuel's.
At least they died pure.
Everyone knows Sarah died of influenza...
...and that my Emmanuel was killed during that awful robbery.
No one can spread rumors or point fingers.
You understand what I'm saying?
Do you?
Do you or don't you?
Mama. Will Grandma recognize me?
Sure, when she sees those cheeks!
- What about my cheeks? - Let's see.
That's for sure.
The bus from Tiro is here!
I'm the only one who could come.
I'm sick of being bounced about all day.
I've had enough.
Hello.
Are these two from the new husband?
Jonah.
Hey, are you going to help me, or just stand there looking lazy?
Chanda is always helping. She's very good in school.
My back is killing me!
"My back is killing me!"
Cheeky! You're your mother's son!
Sarah is hiding. We have to find her.
How do we find her?
You have to know where to look.
I know all her hiding places.
I want to search too.
You're too little.
I have special eyes. Nothing can hide from me.
You can scrub but that dirt won't come out.
We'll see.
Lillian is always cleaning.
Ever since the day I put her up with her late husband...
...it's always spotless.
- You put them up? - Yes.
Mrs. Tafa is a real friend.
Remember when you rented this place, how we fixed it up?
"God loves a cheerful giver."
Those bracelets. How does she manage to wear them?
And her skirt!
It's so short, if she bends over, all the neighbors...
...will see her panties!
Don't you worry, I'm not wearing any panties.
What did she say?
This girl's always been a wild one!
And you tell me she's Chanda's friend?
She helps us, at least.
Let me just tell you, watch out for this Esther.
You feel sorry for her...
...since her parents died, but if she isn't careful...
...she'll meet a bad end like them.
I hope she burned their sheets!
Jonah.
Lillian!
Open up!
Open up, woman!
Let me in, you devil!
Leave him.
Open up.
Auntie Ruth is here.
Go watch the children.
You poisoned Sarah.
You're drunk!
You poisoned her with your milk.
Shut up!
You make me feel ashamed.
I'm sorry, Lillian.
Our little Sarah.
Papa!
My darlings.
- Papa loves you so much. - Papa's not feeling well.
- He needs rest. - Come play, Papa.
Go for a walk.
No!
Come home with me, I have lots of candy.
Leave me alone!
Papa said you made Sarah sick.
- When? - Just now, when he was yelling.
Sarah's on a trip. That's all.
Will you give us away too?
How could you think that?
You want us to go to Auntie Ruth's.
- Are you going to get rid of us? - Not in your life.
So why can't we stay?
Papa is resting.
I promised Auntie Ruth that you'd stay with her.
Just a few days. Then you can come home.
Okay?
Come to your Auntie Ruth's. I have plenty of nice things.
Ice cream, sweets, everything you want.
"They who believe in me...
...believe in God...
...and will live for eternity."
I'll always be your friend, you know.
Even if people say bad things about your family.
I'll always be your friend.
What would they say?
I don't know.
But if that should happen...
...and they say things about your family...
...I'll still be your friend.
Don't talk nonsense. It's bad luck.
You'll stay my friend or what?
Yes. I'll stay your friend.
Your best friend.
I knew you'd say that.
We're friends for life.
You won't let me down.
I know that.
Sorry about your little sister.
Thank you, Sipho.
Lillian...
...you can sew for our church.
We will support you...
...and help you get through this.
Thank you, Rose.
Lillian...
...I'm going to find work...
...and look after you.
Please, forgive me.
Forgive me, Lillian.
We're glad you came.
I know my duty.
Don't bother waiting with me.
Your Sarah paid a terrible price.
What?
As you sow, so shall you reap, sister. The sins are visited on the children.
Repent.
What is it?
What did she mean?
Tell me.
Why do they hate you?
They'll never forgive me.
They'd arranged for me to marry someone from Tiro.
But your papa and I...
...loved each other so much...
...that we stood up...
...to our families.
Your father was a good man.
May he rest in peace.
Jonah?
Look who's here!
What have you brought me?
Superb!
Your mother does the best work.
How is she?
She's been resting at the house...
...since Sarah went away.
She works hard.
Good work should be rewarded.
See you on Sunday.
Where's Jonah?
That idiot?
I haven't seen him in months.
Why are you wearing his jacket?
Jonah owes me money.
He gave it to me.
I haven't seen him in ages.
That's the truth, girl.
I don't believe you!
You shouldn't have washed Soly's sheets.
You didn't see his face, so ashamed.
It was nothing.
From Mr. Pheto.
He asked how you were.
- More gossip. - No.
He meant well.
It hurts all over.
It hurts all the time.
Except when I look at you.
I ran into Dudu.
That good-for-nothing!
She says Jonah is in Jo'burg.
Away for three months without a word!
- What are you doing? - He can go to hell.
- What if he comes back? - He's a liar!
Nothing but promises!
What are you doing with Papa's things?
- He asked for them. - What for?
He's going to Jo'burg.
- When will he come back? - I don't know.
I want Papa to come home. Now!
Iris!
- What are you doing? - I'm playing with Sarah.
- What? - Sarah lives here.
That's impossible.
Why?
Because she's an angel. She doesn't want you playing here.
How would you know?
You and Mama don't love her anymore, not like me and Papa.
Jonah?
He'd be with us if he loved us so much.
He loves Soly and me, not you.
You're jealous because he's not your father.
You'll be sorry when he comes home.
You should stay with us.
Esther is waiting for me.
You should see less of her.
I don't understand.
- I like Esther, she's nice... - I don't care what people say.
Chanda, I don't think she's a suitable friend.
You understand? I say this because I worry about you.
Worry? Is this you talking, or her?
How dare you! I saw her sell herself to truckers.
- That's a lie! - It's God's truth!
- Chanda. - Let her go, Lillian.
- Why don't you go in? - They took my key.
You want to see my new room?
- You sleep here? - They think I'm dirty.
They're crazy!
A good thing my sister and brothers are at our uncle's.
Otherwise they'd live like me.
Sorry your mother is sick.
Who says that?
Nobody. You miss school a lot.
Looking after a family is hard.
And I saw her with a cane.
Not a cane, a walking stick, to avoid stumbling at the cemetery.
You're my best friend.
- I do love you. - What do you mean?
- She's very thin. - She's fine!
You may be clever, but you can be so stupid.
- Talk like that is stupid! - My parents said so too.
- So what? - You think she's different?
- Will your aunt care for you? - Shut up, Esther!
- It's just that... - That's enough!
Forgive me. I'm sorry.
Esther, it's not...
Forgive me. I'm sorry, Esther.
Mama.
You still think about Papa?
It was hard, darling.
The family abandoned us.
You were already on the way.
I know you don't like Mrs. Tafa...
...but she was there for your father and me.
She helped us a lot.
It's not her. It's you who worked so hard.
I was naive, my darling.
I was in love.
A village girl.
I didn't know what would happen...
...if I disobeyed.
I was courageous...
...but I was too ignorant...
...to manage...
...to do what I wanted to do.
But you, my darling...
...you're smarter...
...than I was.
You amaze me.
She's resting.
- I have to speak to your mother. - She has a headache.
When my Emmanuel was killed, I slept all the time.
But life goes on. The headache will go away.
Hello!
- We are fine! - Fine.
Tell her I have a plan.
I won't budge until then!
Tell her I have a plan.
You're going to love Dr. Chilume.
He's a genius.
He has six degrees.
They're hanging on the walls...
...framed with gold seals and red ribbons.
He can cure anything.
Cancer, colitis, TB. He knows everything.
This other thing too. He has a secret potion.
I wonder if his potion can also cure farting.
Do you remember?
My father built that.
If he's so rich, it's because he's the best.
So smarten up.
Breathe. Again.
Again.
You're suffering from insomnia...
...depression and rheumatism.
Can you help me?
Yes. I have all sorts of remedies.
Before long, you'll be feeling better.
And you'll quickly be back to your normal life.
Doctor, how much will it cost?
Six hundred rands.
- I can't afford that. - You can't afford not to.
Dr. Chilume, are these your degrees?
Yes, indeed.
All your medicine comes from Herbatex?
You seem like a well-educated girl.
That's true. She reads my mail to me.
She's clever.
Scholarship material.
Should I read them to you?
I think I can offer an alternative remedy for your mother.
Doctor, will it be just as good?
And cheaper?
Chanda! How rude!
No, it's okay.
That I can guarantee.
Your daughter's loyalty and intelligence really touch me.
I've decided to give you a month's free treatment.
You've got nerve interrupting the doctor like that.
Is that how you raised her?
Mrs. Tafa, she did well for us.
Lillian, the garments are so beautiful.
It's good to see you at church again.
- Lillian! - You're looking good.
- I need money. - Go back to school.
It's only 100 rands an hour.
No, go away. Get lost.
What are you looking at?
Go back to your hallelujahs. Get lost.
What are you doing?
They all think I'm doing it anyway.
This way, I make money.
- You don't need to. - What are you doing here?
Go away! We don't want kids here!
Go away!
She's right. Go home.
- I want to help you. - You turned your back on me.
Come here, baby. Over here.
- I'm sorry. - Yeah, sure.
Don't bother. Go home, I need to work.
Don't play with your food.
Sorry.
Finish eating.
Take me to the bedroom.
You're feverish. You must go to the hospital.
- So the neighbors can gossip? - No, because you need help.
I just need to rest...
...then I'll be fine.
It's nothing.
It's just a bruise.
Don't say that, Mama.
You should see a doctor.
A real doctor.
To examine you.
To be tested.
What, Chanda?
What are you saying?
Nothing.
I didn't say anything.
It's just that... Let me take you.
Please, Mama.
You worry too much.
That's enough.
I just need to rest.
- Is your mother here? - She's lying down.
- I must talk to her. - She's sleeping.
I've brought Jonah back.
- What? - He was staying with us.
- He was with you? - Yes, he seems to be going mad.
He's a drunk!
We don't have all day here!
- Go inside! - Call your mama.
- Get out! - I don't want to.
Get out, I tell you!
Kill me, but don't leave me here. I'd rather die.
Get out!
Sorry, Chanda. We can't keep him anymore.
Her milk killed my daughter.
My blood is good, my seed too.
You put a curse on me.
We have children. Forgive me, brother.
Listen to me.
We'll find you a doctor.
A doctor?
I don't want your doctor.
You did this to me.