THE VALLEY
In the heart of New Guinea...
...one of the world's largest islands...
...the Australians discovered these mountains in 1954
No roads lead to them
They are inaccessible
Music composed and played by Pink Floyd
We are flying over unexplored regions
They are not on the map
Or, more accurately, they are shown only as white spots
This is the unknown
This obviously isn't for sale
This is a disaster
Horn bill feathers
- You speak French? - Yes, Madame
Oh, my God, this is terrible!
- You're hurt. - May l?
it's bleeding. How awful
Don't do that. The scarf's dirty. You might get infected
it needs to be disinfected right away. I'll take you to the hospital
You must see a doctor
not funny. Everyone knows you have to be careful here
You don't realize
hot
Come on. Everything's fine
I was so clumsy. never forgive myself
Let's talk about something else
was those feathers of yours
Oh, those feathers are nothing
Is that what you do? Sell them?
Yes, you could say that
You should see the ones I have at home
- They're quite different. - Really?
Careful. They're not for sale
Why won't he hurry? They're so slow here
Why not tell me about yourself to calm your nerves?
There's not much to tell
My husband is the French Consul in Melbourne
Since I simply hate socializing...
...I buy Oceanic crafts, feathers...
...and fabrics, for a Paris boutique
What else can I tell you?
I play the piano
I have a very pretty orchid collection
And I've got a little dog, too, if you're interested
What's his name?
Nouki
That's a pretty name
Here's the hospital at last
Are you coming in with me?
What have you done to your foot?
nothing
You've been very kind
Thank you
it was the least I could do
I'm so sorry about what happened, really
Goodbye
What about those feathers? Do you want to see them?
Yes, why not? I'd love to
it's here
Do you all live in there?
Look, Mum. Olivier's hurt his foot
Hermine, this is Vivian
Sorry
That's Monique and Gaetan
Gaetan's financing our expedition
He inherited a bit of money
I handle the practical side of things
- What's the matter? - What? Nothing
These feathers are from the Lesser Bird of Paradise
How wonderful
I've never seen anything like them
Never
I've heard about these feathers
They're found on a plateau in the middle of the island
But I heard that the bird was in danger of becoming extinct
That's true
Gaetan and I found these on our first expedition
Unfortunately, our permit wasn't in order
We had to come back, but we're going again the day after tomorrow
I finally got the permit
- Then you can get me some of these. - No way. Hunting is illegal
If you get caught, you go to prison
Then how did you get these?
From a missionary out there
He trades with the natives
Sell them to me
لا سبيل
Will you have dinner with us?
Hermine's a great cook
Tempted?
Well...
I don't know, I hadn't planned to
So?
So...
I'm expected
it's difficult
Don't you like it here?
Yes, it's charming. it's delightful
Fine. Then have dinner with us
I'll show you
These white spots mark the unexplored areas
it's there
it's not on the map
it's as if it didn't exist, except that it does
I thought there were no lands left to explore nowadays
Planes must have flown over your valley before
You can't see it
it's shrouded in mist. it's not on the map
Look
Look what's written here. This map is dated 1969
There's something I don't understand
You've mentioned similar areas before... ...which have all ended up being found
Why has this one never been discovered?
Don't you think that's strange?
it has been discovered, several times even
But those who go there never come back
They have no choice but to stay
Why?
Because it's paradise
Do you think he's serious?
it's his passion
You don't leave paradise
You can lose yourself there, or stray from it...
...which leads to your downfall and is a curse
But you don't leave paradise
it's impossible. Do you understand?
Well, if your valley's so wonderful...
...why don't you go there now?
Our senses are not yet...
...sufficiently...
...open
We're not in any hurry
Above all...
...we must destroy time to become one with it
We must first reach the tribes...
...that live in the foothills of the mountains
Their sorcerers may be able to show us which path to take
Can you take me back to the hotel?
Of course
I'd like one last look at your feathers. May l?
Unreal
Sell them to me
Then lend them to me
Just for two or three days
What harm could that do?
Is that you, darling?
Vivian. Good to hear you. Are you OK?
Yes, it's a wonderful country. I'm delighted to be here
Did you see your photo in Woman's Weekly?
I was just looking at it. I don't like it
- Do you? - Don't be silly. You look beautiful
I look like Little Miss Prim, with a spot on my chin...
...and a nose like a duck
it's awful
Don't worry. I love you as you are
What do you do all day?
Lots of things. Shopping
They'll be delighted in Paris
By the way...
...I may have found a way of getting hold of some very rare feathers
I don't like the sound of that. it's illegal
We could use your diplomatic pouch...
...to do some smuggling together
Why not shout a bit louder? The phone tap will love that
I can't hear you
How's Nouki?
She had four puppies yesterday. They're as cute as anything
Really? That's wonderful
Have you had the piano tuned?
Not yet. I'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow with the Ambassador
I'll be gone for about a fortnight. I'd like you to be back before...
I can't hear a thing any more
I can't hear a thing
Are you digging a ditch for the rainwater?
But the rainy season's over
it's true, though, it was so cloudy this morning...
...it was like the end of the world
it's nice out
it's hot
it is cooler than yesterday, though. Yesterday was so muggy
I'm glad you came back
I came back for something very important
Those feathers you showed me yesterday. You know, those...
- I forget the name. - Kumul
That's it, Kumul feathers
I'm really interested in them
Since you're leaving tomorrow...
...I thought you could bring me back as many as possible from the missionaries
I have the outlets to sell them in and the money to buy them
We could do good business together
You're forgetting one thing
We're not interested in doing business
Our trip has a very different goal
What is that goal, if you don't mind my asking?
I told you. it's the valley
Of course
Besides, once we've gone, who knows when we'll be back, if at all
What a pity. There must be a way
I don't know. You could send them
What we could do is...
...take you with us to Watik...
...where the missionary is
Is it far?
- Two weeks. - Two weeks?
Look
We'll be coming from the coast here...
...and crossing these areas
it will take two weeks, if we take our time, to reach the mission...
...and then we'll carry on
Yes, but...
Once we're at the mission, how will I get back?
The mission has a little airstrip
You can rent a plane to fly you back, if you can afford it
- Yes. - Gaetan?
- it's complicated, but... - Gaetan, can you come?
- What do you say? - I don't know
I'll have to think about it
Are you really tempted?
it's difficult
This is turning into an expedition for me, too
Let's say I did decide to come...
...you don't seem too happy at the idea
I am, but two weeks in a jeep in the bush?
it's tough
Two weeks in a jeep doesn't scare me. I'm fit
it's just that...
There are four of you. it's a bit awkward
What?
I mean...
...you're two couples
Gaetan and Monique, you and...
- I've forgotten her name. - Hermine?
Maybe Hermine is with Gaetan, too
it's cold
Is this where we're washing?
Yes, this is the bathroom
I'm going to wash somewhere else. Your car is making the water dirty
And I'll get some peace over here
Olivier, can you ask Gaetan to stop for a second?
- What for? - l...
What?
I just need to get out, OK?
Go on
Well, what are you waiting for?
- Nothing. - What now?
- I'm afraid of snakes. - There are no snakes on the road
Are you crazy? I'm not staying on the road
Look, make up your mind
Just get right up next to the car
No one will see you
Who are these people?
- They're gathering for the show. - The show?
Yes, there's a big festival
The local tribes all take part. it's held every two years
You might find some feathers there
Be careful. it's strictly illegal
I lost you. I've been looking for you for an hour
I thought I'd never find you. What's going on?
You go. We'll pitch camp
I can't hide the fact that I'm interested in these feathers...
...especially those... What are they called?
- Kumul. - That's it, Kumul
You wouldn't have some now, would you?
I'll pay cash, of course
Alas, Madame...
...I haven't seen any for nearly a month
Just my luck!
Do you know anyone who sells them?
No, you know...
...I get my feathers...
...completely by chance
So this trip's been for nothing
Great!
Never mind. Can I ask you a favor?
Can you give me a seat on your plane when it leaves?
- Gladly, but... - Tomorrow or the next day?
My plane broke down at Port Moresby. it will be another fortnight
- A fortnight? - Yes
Is that very inconvenient for you?
Yes, terribly
I don't know what to do. My husband will worry if I'm a fortnight late
But I thought you were husband and wife
Not at all
What you could do is go further north
As far as our last mission in Wutung
They have a plane that works
You can rent that
But that's too far
it will take about a week, depending on the rains
A week?
Well, I have no choice
I'm sorry, Madame, but that's the best I can do
You're very kind
Well, I'll be saying goodbye, and good luck
Have a good trip. Hang on a minute
I've just remembered something
Up that mountain...
...lives an old sorcerer
He never speaks
But he has a collection of fantastic feathers
Go and see him
Can we go there?
Yes
But watch out for one thing
He never sells them, he gives them away...
...and only to people he likes
Only very rarely, and one or two at a time
Hi. Look at the beautiful feathers someone gave me
Gave?
What's going on? it's weird
They're preparing for the full moon
Why did you give that to her?
Don't worry, it's OK
Don't make me angry
What did you say to her?
That you're mad to have drunk that
- Why? - it's not for you
Stop saying that all the time
What was that stuff?
A mixture the mountain tribes make
Gaetan calls it "Dionysus' liqueur"
Why is it not for me?
Do you love me?
Yes
But you're bored
I can play
The moon
Water
The tree
it's moving
Moving
The bird's nest
Hanging
A hole
Paradise
The nest of the bird of paradise
I'm in the nest
I'm in the tree
I am in the nest of the bird of paradise
And it is nestled here
in the tree
The tree closes over and I am not afraid
My leaf friends
You're sensitive
You feel
I'm happy, you know
Very happy
I don't want it to stop
And it won't ever stop
You don't care, do you?
You squeeze hard, anyway
You're nice. You don't scare me
You're squeezing me
Do you want to eat my nose?
You're happy there
Me, too
We're both very happy
Don't move
Where's your plane got to?
That's not bad
Have you seen this? She's leaving a pretty souvenir for us
it's a shame that it will get covered in mud
But that will look nice, too
it's a dragon
For me, dragons, devils and snakes...
...stand for good
in the decadent West, where we're from, they stand for evil and dark forces
But here they stand for the life force
Neither good nor evil
it's a pity
She won't see the light
She won't see the mountain tribes
She won't see transcendence. She won't see the smiles
She won't see life
She won't see the light which is like a mist
She won't see the valley
it's a shame Vivian's leaving us
There's the plane!
Have you nearly finished?
You'd better get your bags ready. We're in a hurry
I'd like to pitch camp on that mountain tonight
it's a long way
Joy?
You're giving us good vibrations before you go
I'll get your bags
You scare me sometimes, you know
I understand now why the old man chose to give you the feathers
- Are you sure you want to go on? - Yes.
This is the last post. The road stops here
There's no way back. it's the unknown
Yes, I know
What's that about?
What are they saying?
Keep your voice down
This is a restricted area. We're not meant to go any further
They're talking about horses
Horses? What for?
a while, once the track stops, we'll have to leave the car
We'll need horses and that guy knows people who might sell us some
He's telling us where to find them
Who are they?
I don't know. I've never been there
They're riper up here because they get more sun
- Have you got room in your bag? - A little, yes
- Have you run out? - Almost
- Can you open yours? - Yes. Hang on
- I don't know. Is that OK? - Yes. Wait
- We've got lots to take back. - Yes
These aren't ripe
it's fun here. it feels good
Do you like it?
I feel great. it's amazing
I feel completely transformed
it's true, you do seem to have changed a lot
- Do you think so? - Yes
- We've got enough for everyone. - Yes
- Here Careful. - My blouse is covered!
it's heavy
I want Olivier to taste them
- Shall I help you? - No, I'm fine
You're tall
There's a root there. That's why
- Right. Shall we go? - Yes
Do you have a rag?
- What for? - To rub this out
Oh? Why?
There's no joy here
If you do that, there certainly won't be any, no
it's all phoney. it's fake
I'm nothing to do with you
This drawing doesn't mean anything
What's going on?
- Is something up? - Yes
Where are you going?
I'm leaving
The holidays are over
One day in a Zen monastery...
...there were 20 monks and a young nun
They were studying there
The young nun was very pretty...
...so several of the monks fell in love with her
Then one day...
...one of them sent her a letter...
...requesting a secret meeting
She didn't reply
The next morning
the Zen master was reading to the group
And after the reading...
...the young nun got up...
...and in front of everybody...
...she said to the monk who sent her the letter...
"If you really love me...
"...come up and kiss me"
You see? That's free love
I'm no more with Olivier than with Gaetan
I'm not in love with Olivier either
Look, Vivian, don't ruin everything now
All I know is, I don't want to stay. I want to leave now
I know. I've been through that, too
I suffered a lot
And then one day...
One day I understood that...
Or rather, gradually, I came to understand that love...
...is something much bigger than that
The way you love Olivier...
...is for your own pleasure, your own satisfaction
it's not for him
You take what you like, what suits you...
...but you don't give
For example, take the ocean
The ocean is love
And then...
...there's this bottle in the ocean
...with water inside it, adrift at sea
The bottle is you
But if you break the bottle...
...the bottle's gone but the ocean's still there
Do you understand?
You know, I love you Vivian
Really
Look, over there
it's a bird of paradise
- Is it dead? - Yes
Get lost, you bastards!
Look at my dress!
According to the Chinaman, this should be it
Stop sulking
I'm not sulking
I hate birds being killed too. I'd have done the same
I should have given the bird to him. it was dead. I was stupid
Because of me, your expedition is over. We can't go on
- No. - Yes!
No, we'll find another way
I bring bad luck
Shut up
Olivier, how much does a horse cost?
Let's go back and see them
Offer them double, OK?
They won't want to, after the bird business
Do you think so?
Here's all my money
I'd be surprised if they turn it down. There's at least $1,200
Here
Those pigs!
Plus a few more cents
See? There. That's all I have
We'll see if they'll take it or not
- Shall we go? - Yes
How do you communicate with the mountain tribes?
it must be difficult
No really, how do you do it?
See? You don't need to speak to communicate
Still, if we stay for a while...
...we'll need to be able to talk to them
He's going to eat my head!
Is that what you do?
Go on
Look, Vivian!
Look, Vivian, a possum!
it's cute
Careful!
When are we going to leave?
- For the valley? - Yes, for the valley
We're ready
They've told you everything. You know the trails
So what are we waiting for?
We're not ready
We're waiting to be ready
They're calling people around here to the celebrations
- How do you know? - Gaetan told me
I'd love...
I'd love her to make me up so I can join in the celebrations
Everyone gathered here will eat the flesh of the pigs...
...in honor of our ancestors
For the first time ever...
...white folk are participating in this ceremony
Our ancestors would have been amazed
I am proud...
...and I hope they will take my name...
...to the far side of the world
I salute the white women...
...who have crossed the great jungle to be with us
I wish to speak, too
I am the only man present...
...from the Mul tribe...
...which could not come because of the swollen rivers
Prepare yourselves
The food will now be passed out
it's amazing
We've become so close to them
We're almost like them
Look at Gaetan and Hermine. it's wonderful
I'm so happy
We've found truth, you know
What's wrong, Olivier?
it's just the opposite
What's the opposite?
We're lying to ourselves
Whatever Gaetan says, we're tourists here, Vivian
What do you mean, tourists?
I don't get it. What's that supposed to mean?
I hate hearing you talk like this
To think you've spent months here with Gaetan and that's all you can say
You don't understand. Are you stupid or what?
Dancing's easy, but could you work with them?
Yes, absolutely
Women are even more exploited here than elsewhere
You know, Vivian...
...in the Kombuga tribe...
...society is bound by very strict rules
So is ours
it's not the same thing
We're trying to break our rules
When they dance...
...it's not just for the pleasure of it...
...it's to obey something
Look, this is the cemetery
They're dancing on their dead
We're only seeking pleasure, or maybe peace
They couldn't care less about that
I don't know, Olivier, but look at this celebration
Everyone is happy together
Why is there such a tacit understanding, as if they truly loved one another?
Why do they understand one another? Why is everything so simple here?
But it doesn't mean much
You really disappoint me
You're just like my husband
Of course we all like each other...
...but that's as far as it goes
How can you expect there to be a real rapport between us...
...when we are destroying our social laws...
...whereas they live in terror...
...and respect taboos?
I don't know, but it is possible
We are discovering something different, that's all
Don't you believe in the dark forces and all that?
Of course, very much so
But not in their way
For us, that's not possible
We can't forget our past, Vivian
We can't undo our conditioning, as Gaetan would say
Once it's lost, innocence can never be retrieved
Paradise is a place with many exits but no way in
There is no way back from knowledge
Once you fall from grace, that's it
I wonder whether, in order to find it again...
...we shouldn't be doing the opposite of what we have been doing...
...if we shouldn't be taking another bite out of Adam's apple
Gaetan? What are you doing there?
I think we've gone the wrong way
If those are the Urai Mountains...
...Mount Umasa isn't over there, it's there
Have you got the compass?
We'll have to try going that way
Where is it?
See that hill there?
Beyond that, there's a high mountain
And beyond the mountain, it's further still
Further, further, further
Is it very far?
it's very close
But I don't think the horses will make it through that jungle
We need to go now
We'll untie them and let them find their own way back to the stable
We might be taking a chance
I know
Will you go and untie those two down there?
OK
Where are the horses?
Gone
Is something wrong?
He's asking if we're going to the top
He seems to be saying it's dangerous
Mum?
Are we nearly there?
Are we nearly there, Mum?
Hermine's feeling dizzy. She can't walk any more
it's not serious. it's just the altitude
I'm hungry. I'm thirsty
- I'm tired of this. - Not long now
Just a little while longer
This is the last packet
Thank you
You know...
I'm hungry
I'm hungry...
I know, but I've told you, there's nothing left to eat
The valley
I can see the valley