CURTA-METRAGEM: UMA VISITA PARA ELIZABETH TEIXEIRA Cartela: In 1962, members of the Centro Popular de Cultura - CPC of UNE, followed by the film-maker Eduardo Coutinho, travelled to many Brazilian cities, recording the social struggle of the people on a daily basis. Legenda: "Twenty Years Later" (dir: Eduardo Coutinho, 1984) - There were many injustices in that place - What kind of injustices? - Men of the field being murdered and being tossed out of their homes not being able to do anything about it. Off: Elizabeth Teixeira was 37 years old, João Pedro Teixeira died when he was 44. Cartela: In April 2nd, 1962, João Pedro Teixeira, Elizabeth s husband, leader and founder of the peasant league of Sapé, was murdered. Days after, there was a great manifestation filmed by Eduardo Coutinho. Inspired in this registry, the idea of making the documentary Cabra Marcado Para Morrer was born. It became one of the most important films in Brazilian cinematography. Diálogo: -Is Mrs. Elizabeth there? Please come here for just a little bit. -Hi, how are you? -How s class? -There s a class with boys. -Hi, how are you Coutinho? Hi, how are you guys? - Is class ok? -Is Great. Today we ll have less students, it s the first day and they will get to know their teacher today. Do you want to get in for a little bit? Come In. -Ok. Legenda: Paraíba, 2011
OFF: In a time where many ideologies perished along the way, I ve always wondered how would Mrs. Elizabeth Teixeira be. For me the most important character in the Brazilian documentary. After becoming widowed, with eleven children, having two of them murdered, be arrested and spend 17 years hiding in the underground, would she still keep the strength and the integrity of her speech? We ve traveled through two thousand kilometers to meet her in Cruz das Armas, in Paraiba. Where she lives with part of her family. Here, she spends most of her time taking care of her garden, receiving homage from all around the world and reliving her memories. Elizabeth: -Nothing made me stop, -I haven t returned to the league in Sapé to continue the work when I came back from exile. -Where I've spent more than 2,3,4,5 years. -As soon as I arrived, Eduardo had finished the film "Twenty Years After", -bought this house and gave it to me. I came to João Pessoa -and I live here until today. The fight in the fields continue to this day, -I keep asking God for the land reform, -because the men need the land, they need it in order to survive, -to have an income, to have a life. 5th. Congress of the Movement of Landless Rural Workers - MST (Brasilia, 2007) Vídeo: The fight continues, the syndicate continues, this has been my greatest joy, when I ve joined this movement, with so many comrades that support the land reform in our country... Eduardo Coutinho, Director -She turned into an untouchable person because she became known in all country in 1985, 1986. -So what happened is that she was invited to dozen of events in Amazon and all around the world. -She must have traveled all around and Just haven t done more because of her age. -And there are thousands of people around the world that know the story of João Pedro -the story of João Pedro and hers, thanks to the movie. -If it was just an article, who would remember? -So I guess that the most important part of the movie was to turn her into someone visible, -someone that has influenced others, that made people cry, that have touched others. - May I close the door?
- And where s the cross? - Where s his name? - It s there, underneath the flowers. - I can t see it. Can you see it? My sight doesn t allow me to see it anymore. There s the house - Do you know Who built this chapel? - No, I don t. I guess it was the Landless Movement. -The landlords definitely wouldn t do this. -I get too nervous when I come here. -But I came here today. Thank God I m seeing the chapel that was built after João Pedro s assassination. -This is the house we used to live in. The doors, the windows It s all there. Our house. -I don t know how someone goes through such difficult times like I did. -Not everyone can handle this. All those years I ve spent in exile in Rio Grande do Norte, - with the name of Marta Maria da Costa, without anyone knowing me as Elizabeth Teixeira. João Pedro Stedile voice over (MST Leader): - She is one of the symbols of the landless movement in Brazil and in the Latin American. - This woman has such tenacity, courage, persistence in the fight for the democratization of the land. - It s impressive, she encouraged all of our militancy. Elizabeth Teixeira: - I assumed the leadership of the landless league, I ve confronted the landlords, - confronted the police. - I had such courage that I guess it has been given to me by God. - Then Fidel told me: Comrade, I m inviting you to live here in Cuba. - Then I told him: Fidel, I have a commitment with the struggle of João Pedro - in my country, Brazil and I can t live here. - Fidel said ok and I hugged all the comrades, Che Guevara... - and in the next day, Fidel sent me back to my home, to Paraiba (Stédile) - So her fight wasn t in vain, I think that - thousands of rural families of Paraíba owe her that right of having a land for them, a right to become citizens. Coutinho: - I think that her example was important to keep alive - the struggle for land, food and freedom. This still exists. João Pedro Stedile
National Líder of the Landless Workers - MST - When we feel discouraged in face of any difficulties, when we think we re being defeated, - we appeal to these examples, like Mrs. Elizabeth Teixeira, who fought all her life and haven t backed down. "Twenty Years Later" (dir: Eduardo Coutinho, 1984) - See you later, Mrs. Elizabeth, Thanks for everything - Are you going already? - Yes, we are. - Please forgive me for anything that I ve said - No worries. Thanks for everything. - The struggle must not end, the same needs that we ve had in 1964 still exist. - The needs of the working man, the man of the field and the students. - The fight must not end. As long as people starve and have ridiculous low income, The people must fight. -Who doesn t fight for improvements? - Perhaps the rich, the ones who have a good life, they may rest and don t fight. -It s necessary to change the regime. As long as things are bad as they are right now. - How I m still alive? - I m turning 85 and I thought I would die so young. - I ve never considered giving up on the struggle and nowadays I m still here and thinking: - where s the land reform? A MEETING WITH ELIZABETH TEIXEIRA Off -I ve fought, It was worthy, I m here telling this story. I do not regret my struggle. Song: A voice raises and speaks for his brother it vibrates, it sings that old song His outstretched hand points the way: the arm extends an embrace, against restriction and enprisonment How many people carry the green flag and the fight does not stop, oh warrior people!
My friend is tireless, she sings, she dances, she walks the walk her name is Teixeira, brave as hell! My companion, resistent flower from a arid land Brazilian women, a lover of peace! Credits dedicated to Eduardo Coutinho. written and directed by SUSANNA LIRA executive producer LUCIANA FREITAS editing and soundtrack TITO GOMES cinematographer PEDRO FAERSTEIN assistant cinematographer VLADIMIR MANCARO assistant cinematographer VLADIMIR MANCARO final song by SOCORRO LIRA production SUSANNA LIRA & JOÃO JOANNOU special thanks ANA TEIXEIRA EDUARDO COUTINHO JOÃO PEDRO STÉDILE SOCORRO LIRA thanks JACYNTHO BATALHA (internet images) RAUL CORRAL (Cuba photos) JULIA CARTIER MISLENE SANTOS