THE SONG SONG THAT MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME
If you want to train a horse,
you must respect your freedom.
If you constantly mount it, you may break your mind.
All wildlife
have something bad in them.
They must keep it.
They need it to survive here.
Ready? Ready?
1, 2, 3, get down.
Don't forget to always protect yourself.
If your opponent is smaller that you will win.
But if he's taller, you better run away.
I'm hungry.
There's nothing to eat.
Oh, the head!
Can you fill it with vodka?
That'll be $25 in total.
Give me a pack of 12 beers. and what's left of your vodka.
There you go.
I'll come back to see you.
- You eat that, you, marmoset. - No. No.
- Can I have two of them? - One.
$4.57.
There you go.
Here's your money.
Will you sell me one of your cars?
I'm going to L.A. with my girlfriend. I need a crate.
It's far, isn't it?
I'm willing to sell alcohol. for you. I need some money.
You just have to be careful. to those stupid demonstrators in Whiteclay.
I'll be careful.
You fucking bastards!
Go with Sam and bring the horses in.
Hi.
What's up? What's up?
I'm taking pictures, Doesn't that bother you?
Only if I'm okay.
- What's your name? - Johnny Winters.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Angie, Bill's girlfriend.
Yeah, he told me that.
See you later.
- Hi, guys. Hi. - John! John!
- Who's the chick? Who's the chick? - Bill's girlfriend.
Cute, but a little young for him.
You went to four years of high school.
You must think about what you're going to do next.
I'm going to ask you some questions. I'll start with Jorge.
What are you going to do about it?
Setting up a ranch.
How do you make a barrier?
You have to take two poles.
And we'll make a Z in the middle.
Kevin. Let me guess. Let me guess.
I want to ride bulls.
Give me three of your qualities
that make you say you'll make it.
I don't know. I don't know. I've always made them.
I'm pretty good and I love it.
- Djayy? - Same here. Mounting bulls.
Who doesn't want to ride bulls?
Veterinarian.
- Why a veterinarian? - Because I love animals.
You like animals.
That way, I'll be able to take care of it. when I get a ranch.
Is he hungover?
Yes. He's hungover.
John?
What are you doing? What are you doing? Are you hungover?
What job would you like to do after high school?
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I don't know. I don't know.
Think about it a little.
Boxer.
You want to store things in a box? Being a storekeeper?
Working in a cubicle? Is that it? Is that it?
No.
- So what do you want to do? - Being a boxer.
All right! All right! You want to be a pugilist. Do you know that word?
Aurelia? What job would you like to do?
- Lawyer. - Fantastic!
We had a great time in high school.
But now you're adults.
We have to think about the future.
You want to ride bulls? Great. Great.
Become a lawyer? That is commendable.
But you have to get serious about it.
You're being ridiculous.
- But it's funny. - A slow-moving worm.
Make it a quick one.
The fire was violent.
We did everything we could to turn it off.
The house was devoured by the flames.
We couldn't get Karl out.
He didn't survive.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
We don't understand why he didn't wake up.
He said goodbye The rain was dripping on his face
And mingled with his tears Then he moved away
The lightning was tearing the sky apart The thunder was roaring
He said goodbye forever
It would be nice
than Karl's best friend, Bill,
to give him a toast.
To Karl. Everybody raise your glasses.
He knew how to ride bulls like no one else.
I would like to tell you a story.
It was at a rodeo in Oglala.
Karl has held up well on his horse, without a saddle.
After that, he won the prize on a saddle horse.
Then he got on the bull.
He hung in there. The bull kicked three times,
he threw it away violently and almost killed him.
That madman said: "I want to be a bull runner."
There was a young girl
who smiled at him and loved his style.
It was Thecla.
And even then
if he has 25 children
and 9 women,
he married her.
I will miss him,
that bastard.
Is that my father's jacket?
It suits you.
Do you have his name on you?
It's been my name since the beginning.
Are you named after him too?
You're kidding me!
My father-in-law raised me, I took his name.
Jorge Iron Bear.
I'll never be Jorge Winters.
Were you close to your father?
From our father, rather.
I was the closest. At least that's what it seems.
But with him, how do you know?
You know what? I'll tell you what.
You're lucky you lived with him.
To us, this guy is a mystery. We didn't know him like you did.
He liked to drink. I don't care about that.
Where did you get that bottle?
Isn't it illegal on this reserve?
I found it. I found it. in my father's closet.
I don't really understand. why it's like this here.
They held a vote about Whiteclay.
If we legalize alcohol, it'll be even worse.
If we legalize it,
alcohol sales are going to explode.
People will continue as before....
Alcohol sales are going to explode and the crime rate as well.
And the kids who have to take care of from their drunk parents?
It's already like that.
Did you hear about Dad?
They didn't find much of him.
Shit.
I went to the funeral.
How was it? How was it?
There were plenty of cowboys. Jashaun was sad.
Why? Why?
It had a strange effect on him.
As if he had come back into our lives
now that he's dead.
Yeah, it's weird.
What's the matter with you?
I didn't tell them I was going to L.A.
I'm worried about you. for Jashaun and Mom.
- What are they going to think? - Don't worry about it. Go away.
Get off the reservation.
There are small parts to change.
The bodywork is a little damaged. Try it on.
It's a great truck.
- How much is it worth? - $800.
It was your father's.
He lost it at a horse race.
Go ahead. Turn on the ignition.
- So? - Great.
Power steering.
I would like to say a prayer for my family.
Let me see the problems I have with alcohol
and help me overcome them.
Help us all to overcome them.
He is our greatest enemy.
How many of us suffer from alcoholism? I'm the first one.
As believers,
we sometimes lose that love that we have for God.
God does not want to get out of the way.
He'll get your attention.
He will bring you back to Him and put you to the test of fire.
Whatever it takes, He will throw you into the flames.
Thus He will burn
the impurities that are in you.
Johnny looks a lot like his father.
He's doing what he can. He has a few worries, but he'll be fine.
As for Jashaun, I just want her to be happy.
What about Cody? Did you go to see him?
He doesn't want me to come.
It's been a long time since I've seen him.
When he was born, I was so happy.
She was a lovely baby,
I'd take care of him. and everything would be fine.
But after a while, it's become difficult.
He told me he preferred to be in prison than at home.
I don't blame him.
- If you take me down, I'll kill you. - But no, no, no.
- I'm letting go. - Take it easy, take it easy.
Ready? Ready?
Johnny! Johnny!
Jashaun!
- How do we do that? - You put it between your lips.
- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! - Shoot it....
And spit out the smoke.
Well done, you're doing great.
Who do you think is cute as a guy?
I don't know. I don't know.
Your brother's cute.
Yuck. Is that true?
Yes.
Why? Why?
I don't know. I don't know. Just like that. Is that a problem for you?
Yes. He's my brother.
So what? So what?
Hurry up! Hurry up!
- When did you get out of prison? - A week ago.
Nice. Nice. It's Jashaun Winters.
Are you Karl Winters' daughter?
I did several tattoos for him.
I'll make him one on the side. "Rodeo is great."
Have you seen him?
Too bad.
- I know what tattoo I want. - What is it? What is it?
A dead tree.
And birds that would fly over there.
What does it represent?
I have no idea, but I think it's cool.
How old are you? How old are you?
I just turned 17.
- She is 13 years old. - Jashaun, stop it!
In that case, I can't....
Don't worry about it.
What you're looking at, it's the mini me.
I'm all green.
He has my tattoos, two braids...
You'll make her a dress of pow-wow ?
I don't know. I don't know. I've been pretty busy.
I'm sewing something up.
What is it? What is it?
A blanket for my son made in prison.
For his birthday. He's going to be a year old.
I have one, pink and purple.
That's cool.
The moments we like to share, with the family...
We like it when we're with our family
and have dinner together.
Come to dinner!
What do you like about it?
I like....
spaghetti bolognese.
Spaghetti bolognese.
I do them very well, spaghetti bolognese.
Are you having a good time tonight?
So do I.
And you, Johnny, Are you having a good time tonight?
Come on, it's funny. We're having a great time.
Is it laundry day?
The usual.
Is that all?
Is that all you have?
That's for chicks.
That's all right. It's okay. How was practice?
It was good. It was good.
Are you going to fight Chris?
Seriously? Shit. He's going to tear you down.
Don't say that.
- Here, smoke this. - It works. It works. See you later.
What the hell are you doing here?
I'm working.
Are you working? This is our territory, here.
Where did you get the alcohol?
Don't worry about it.
What did you just say?
It's none of your business.
Fuck you, man. Fuck you.
Victor! Victor! What are you doing? What are you doing?
Don't make any trouble.
Victor! Victor!
Do you want me to call your mother?
Go ahead, mama's boy.
You got lucky this time.
Don't bite me!
Is that what old ladies drink?
- I'm not old. - I was just kidding.
When I was in L.A., I couldn't stop thinking about you.
You told your family that we were going together?
I'll tell them. Very soon.
I promise.
When you were in L.A., did you see the ocean?
I went to the beach.
Why did you leave?
I'm talking to you.
I'm going to go,
you crazy little bitch.
We came to Whiteclay
for our wives and children.
They say no to alcohol.
We want to raise beautiful and strong families.
We are at their side,
in their struggle for the sobriety of our people.
For all those who have died because of the alcohol....
Are you taking this?
And this too?
I'm going to take a shot. Do you want one?
I'd like to.
Put it in there.
Fuck! Fuck!
That's disgusting.
You're an asshole.
Come on. Come on.
Ouistititi, what are you doing?
Are you going to leave with Aurelia?
What? What?
No.
Why do you say that?
I heard you talk about it.
Are you really going to leave me?
Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
Wait for me, Jashaun.
I hate you! I hate you!
Watch out for his hook. Keep your head down.
For you, Sam.
I can't believe he killed himself.
Do you remember the time where people called him Skrappy,
like in the movie?
Skrappy Coco... it pissed him off.
He liked Skrappy, but not Skrappy Coco!
He didn't like Coco.
I miss him.
I miss him too.
It's like he's still there.
It's already been a year and it looks like....
that nothing happened.
You think too much.
Third and last round.
Have a drink. It'll do you good.
Round three. We encourage boxers!
Round three.
Are you all right?
Nice game. You fought well.
Travis! Travis!
Someone stole your stuff.
Damn it! Damn it!
I told Agnes to watch.
I dozed off for two seconds.
Fuck! Fuck! That sucks.
I could help you.
I'm good at math. I'll do your accounts.
If you make me my pow-wow dress.
I do mostly clothing and art.
I do interior design, of the painting.
When people don't like bare walls, I do things like that to them.
Children's clothes....
With fringes to make it traditional.
I make paintings, posters, like this one.
The reserve is no fun.
They laugh and smoke, but it's not funny.
Sometimes we laugh about it.
- Is that okay with you? - Yes, that's good.
Here, put this over here.
Put the greens forward.
That way, it's great. They need to see the "Rez Life".
Everything is hand-sewn.
Handmade. Eight dollars for a set.
You'll never see that anywhere.
My little assistant has some change.
These are old photos.
This one in blue is my husband. He was a cowboy.
Aurelia and her aunt Barbara.
It is very small.
You don't mind if she leaves?
No, I'm fine. I'm fine.
Are you sure about that?
I'm going to miss your food, grandmother. Especially your bread.
I'll send you some.
How was your trip?
It was great. It was great.
The campus is large. You'll have to be careful.
It's a great school. There's a lot of freaks out there.
You're young and beautiful. This is going to be the great adventure.
Your brother won't be there to protect you.
It's going to be....
weird not to be with you anymore. To be there,
alone, for the first time.
Don't worry, I'll be there. I will protect you.
Oh, yeah?
Are you going to go there with her?
Aurelia, do you have something to say?
Johnny's coming to live in L.A. with me.
I don't have any room in the car.
It's okay, I have my truck. I will follow you.
Where are you going to live?
She will be housed on campus.
I'll manage.
Will you work?
Where? Where?
Do you have a plan?
You better have one.
How is your mother? What about your family? Did you tell them?
It's good that Johnny's leaving with her.
It'll be fine. It'll be fine.
Thank you, Grandma.
Come on, eat now. Everything will be fine.
Why didn't you say anything?
You embarrassed me.
I hadn't told them about it yet. You knew that.
It was time to tell them.
Do you think Catlin's right?
What the hell are you doing?
Wait. Wait. I'm going to aim right.
if I concentrate.
That's it, that's it.
Try these on.
All right, but isn't it your turn to play?
I'll show you how to throw.
Take the dart.
Spread your leg a little bit. and stay well in front.
Hold it like that.
You see the target? You're aiming a little higher.
And you throw.
I can't do that.
Why? Why?
All right, wait a minute. I'll be right back.
Take it off here.
Don't look at it.
Let's pack up and go.
Why do you like the number 7?
For far too many reasons.
Way too much.
The 7 is the most important number and the most used in the Bible.
And it is the most sacred and venerated by our culture.
Crazy Horse said
that everything seems to be to stop at Wounded Knee.
But that everything will start all over again with the seventh generation.
Yours.
Hold it up straight.
There you go. Two clear points.
You have to get it wet.
Do you think I'll make it?
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
You're gonna break my bike.
I paint it green and it's mine.
No, it's mine.
I'll exchange it for you. for the dress I'm making for you.
What are you doing? What are you doing?
He was shot here.
That's why I'm here. that there's a lot of blood?
Here, the heart.
Do you want a taste?
Very romantic.
I bet you girls are falling, with this.
The first time I hunted, I had two deer in one day.
- Did you kill them? - Yes.
I killed one of them, I brought him back here, then I killed a second one.
I was looking through the viewfinder and I said:
"Dad, I got it in my neck!"
You used to go hunting a lot. with your father?
Just this one time.
You know, it's weird.
I miss that bastard.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm not doing this for my girl, I do it for my kids.
I don't care about that. I know what I did.
Nobody cares who I am. and with whom.
I don't care anymore. God doesn't really care.
Why isn't Jesus here with me?
If Jesus is a god, what am I? What am I?
A drunken bastard! We are called upon to like that. We all became it.
It's been like that since 1930,
the reserve hasn't changed.
It was called "prison camp 334" before she became Pine Ridge.
I fucking know it. That's why I'm here. that I tattooed it on my skin.
Travis! Travis! I've tidied everything up. I'm going home.
Guys, she's my little assistant. She helps me....
I totally forgot about you. and I didn't...
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I'm tired, I'm tired. I'm leaving. I'm leaving.
I'm sorry you saw us. like that.
You never have a problem when you smoke.
But every time to touch that shit,
we always end up with screw it up. No matter what happens.
I never drink in front of my son.
We need to get a babysitter.
I told my son....
It's not even necessary. to talk to them about it.
Stop your bullshit! You smoke all the time.
That's fucking life!
We're changing the atmosphere. My buddy's going to sing a Lakota song.
Who took you to this party?
My girlfriend.
A girlfriend or a boyfriend? What's your name?
How old are you? How old are you?
Almost 12 years old.
Almost 12 years old?
So you're 11 years old.
And you hang out at parties with bootleggers?
I didn't know that.
How's Johnny? How's Johnny? Doesn't he do anything stupid?
Did you find my father?
Yes, I was there.
Did you see him die?
Get off me! Get off me!
Smash it in!
You loser!
Bitch! Bitch!
It'll teach him a lesson.
Get him up.
What did I say? What did I say?
Fuck you, man. Fuck you.
Johnny?
Travis is gone.
What happened? What happened?
They fought.
There was beer everywhere. They kept drinking.
My father hit Travis.
Travis hit my father. and they ended up in jail.
Crappy! Crappy! Disgusting.
Baby, you're well covered, go to sleep.
Look at this.
Put it down. Put it down.
I thank you, Lord, for giving me so much.
You set me free and I'm not short of anything.
I'm not a slave to the whistle, the clock, or the bell.
Make me the companion of the wind and the sun,
I won't ask. a light or noble life.
Let me walk the plains,
loyal as a horse that I'm on,
free as the wind that rumbles in the rain.
Guide me on this long and dark path
which extends to the line of sharing the Rockies.
Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, in homage to Karl Winters!
Look who I found.
Hi, how are you?
She's all alone.
So I'll bring it to you.
Are you all right?
Have you ever been to a rodeo before?
Do you want to see something?
- Thank you for lending me your horse. - Don't worry about it.
- Do you want to come up? - I don't know. I don't know.
Sundance, it was our father's favorite.
Are you ready? Are you ready?
Slowly.
Don't worry about it. He was wild before.
Dad was the only one who could ride it.
He got older, he calmed down.
Can I try it on?
He's tall.
I wish I could have lived with you.
Dad was never there, even if I lived with him.
My mother wasn't there either.
They loved rodeo, they traveled all the time.
I don't remember when I started.
I think I really wanted to get closer to them
and the only way, was to ride a bull.
I'm glad I did it.
I love it more than anything.
Cowboys, are you ready?
Kevin Winters, from Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Kevin pays tribute to his father.
Here we go.
Johnny is fine.
He's much better now.
He shouldn't have done it. drive that truck.
I go to church.
I go there very often. It helps me.
What's helping you?
God.
You should let him help you.
No, it's okay.
I'm glad you found help.
Don't make God another guy for which you will abandon your children.
Hi, Missy.
- Is Aurelia here? - She finished yesterday. Didn't you know?
Yo, Johnny Winters!
Were you going to leave without saying hello?
Sorry, I didn't see you there.
How are you doing? How are you?
Good.
I have to go now.
Sit down. Sit down,
my brother from another mother. Come on! Come on! Sit down. Sit down.
Do you want a chili pepper doughnut? You look malnourished to me.
- You don't like it? - Yes, I like it. I like it.
But then, me and the spicy food...
Six months ago, I was barely eating two. Now I eat three.
I'm seriously starting to get used to it.
Don't tell me who beat you up.
I know very well who it is.
You have to stop trafficking.
What are you talking about?
I saw you in Whiteclay. go to bars.
Let's not talk about that now.
I don't want to lecture you, don't worry about it.
But if you need money...
My stepfather has a garage.
Come work with me.
That sounds cool, but I'm going to go with my girlfriend.
Right after the back-to-school party.
I had forgotten.
Anyway, anyway,
if you come back to the area, call me.
A little too spicy?
- No, I like it. I like it. - That's it, that's it.
You're a tough guy.
Goodbye, John.
I'm going to miss you.
See you later.
Here's your dog.
It won't be too hard. to find a job?
I hope not.
Will you come back this winter?
I don't know yet.
Maybe we'll come and see you.
I was born left-handed.
The nuns didn't like it.
They forced me to be right-handed.
It's a sign of evil.
I had a hard time learning to tie my shoes.
The day I finally made it,
I was so happy.
I ran home.
"Mom! Mom! I know how to tie my shoes!"
She smelled like beer....
she looked at me and said....
That's when I realized
that I should take care of of my little sister.
That I would be the adult.
I don't want that for you.
Not at all.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I love you so much.
Ouistititi!
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
You're crushing me.
Are you all right, little marmoset?
I'm not a marmoset.
You should check out the oil level.
I'll check the tire pressure.
- Where's the oil? - On this side.
It's okay, I see.
- So, what's the level? - He's good. He's good.
Get out of the way.
Don't crush me.
I'll try to do that.
Good thing it starts. Winter is coming and it's our only SUV.
We had a lot of flies. and sunflowers this year.
That means it's going to be a tough winter.
I know about your truck.
It's sad. Bill told me about it.
That's all right. It's okay.
I work in the garage.
If I make enough money, I'll buy another one.
Where are you going? Where are you going?
Where we live...
The plains, the arid landscapes.
Everything looks the same.
People are all parents.
<They always have the same concerns.
Sometimes it's very hard.
We're sick of it, but we're still going to do what we have to do.
<It's hard to get out of here.
Because that's all we've ever known.
<My sister, Jashaun, loves this place.
She sees things that I don't see.
<She's a beautiful person.
When a storm approaches,
the elders teach us to observe the clouds.
And when the wind is too strong,
we know how lean with him,
not to let him take us away.
THE SONG SONG THAT MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME
Adaptation: Isabelle Juhasz
Subtitles: Monal Group