Son of a Thousand Men, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

In a small village by the sea,

there's an old saying that goes:

"Whoever begs

for what is rightfully theirs

shall convince the world

to give it to them."

Now you know where the fish are too.

Here.

A man reached the age of 40

and succumbed

to the sorrow of not having a child.

Inside the man was an endless void,

and little or nothing within him

brought happiness.

The man kept falling inward.

The man dreamed so big that each obstacle

was but a minor setback,

never a reason to give up.

CHAPTER I

WHEN ONE DREAMS BIG ENOUGH

REALITY FOLLOWS SUIFATHER WITH NO SON

SEEKS SON WITH NO FATHER

I've never seen anyone stranger.

He never talks to us, huh, Dad?

- We're the ones who don't talk to him.

- He always keeps to himself.

Speak of the devil.

Good luck.

Not much of a talker, are you?

Why is that?

Some call it fate.

Some call it chance.

Fact is, the world put this in my hands.

The boy survived on canned tuna.

He never left the old man's side.

You can touch him. Do anything.

He'll always smile back.

Are you hungry?

What do you have?

Do you have jaboticaba jelly?

I have a tree.

- A tree?

- A jaboticaba tree.

Go and get some.

I'll make it for you.

Why don't you just buy it?

Because I know how to make it.

What's your name?

Crisstomo.

Weird.

Camilo.

No

It's better than canned fish.

Camilo?

That's it. Well done, boy!

Yeah, that's it.

When am I going back to school?

It's freezing!

Do I have to walk all that every day?

Crisstomo.

It's church today. Get up.

Ever heard of doors?

Yeah.

Why?

Never mind.

Let's go.

I'll wait here.

I never knew my mom.

I don't know anything about her.

I know a lot about my grandma,

but I never knew her either.

I wish I had a mom.

You could find someone.

Me?

Yeah.

I don't really know how to do that.

You've never dated anyone?

But isn't it good, just you and me?

Isn't it enough?

Yeah, but

It could be better.

It could be twice as good.

Do you have daisies?

I have these.

Petals are fresh, stem's still thin.

It hasn't been deflowered yet.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

A little over 80 cm,

she couldn't even see

over the lowest fences.

That's how people saw the little woman.

Good morning.

Good morning.

People thought of her as a human flower.

Good morning.

And that she needed

to be watered and cared for.

Always.

The woman didn't ask for much.

She just enjoyed what love she could get.

CHAPTER II

LOVE OF THE UNHAPPY

- Are you ready?

- Not yet.

- That's fine, we'll wait.

- No rush.

I brought some of my daughter's tops.

They should fit you.

I brought a blanket. It's windy out there.

Thanks, but I told you

there's no need to worry about me.

You did, but think

you shouldn't be going outside.

It's true.

It's been raining a lot,

and the wind out there is awful.

Your little bones can't handle that.

- No.

- Be careful.

The doctor's pills are working.

- I'm fine.

- That's great.

You know my life isn't easy either.

My husband works a lot,

and I barely see him.

Mine travels a lot.

But when he's home,

I take good care of him.

And he takes care of me.

Ever since I lost my husband,

I've been trying to find one for my girl.

- No luck yet.

- I pray for your daughter every day.

That she finds a decent man.

So many scumbags out there.

- That's right.

- We need to pray more.

Since you don't have anyone

to take care of you, let us.

No need.

I'm still looking for a man for me.

One with a big heart.

But that's dangerous.

A man will rearrange your organs.

Especially

A man with

A big heart.

If a man gets hold of her,

he'll separate her lungs,

block her throat.

He'll split her in half.

Her body's fragile,

but she keeps her brains safe.

She thinks about what she wants to.

Honestly, doctor,

what's the point of a bed that size?

It's huge.

Doctor, the idea of a dwarf

dreaming of a man

Her name is Francisca.

I'm sorry, but love

is rare enough for normal people.

Normal people?

I see a lot of people in this office,

but I've never seen one.

- Neither of them is all there, but me

- She needs our help.

- Poor thing's nauseous.

- It's true.

But that's normal

at this stage of pregnancy, ladies.

Could you all leave now?

I need to get back to work.

And if you want some real medical advice

Mind your own business.

The doctor assured me the baby's fine.

And that he'll grow

like just about anybody else.

You left your bedroom door open

the other day, and we

We saw your new bed.

It's big, isn't it?

That's not a bed for sleeping peacefully.

Yes, I'm pregnant.

But this child is not the fruit of love.

There were always men coming by,

trying to get into my bed.

When I didn't want to,

I wouldn't open the door.

If my body wanted it, I would.

I'd take care of it quickly,

because at least it felt

a little bit like affection.

When one of them touched me

Even if he was only thinking of himself

Or another woman

It was enough to fool the heart.

The heart is needy.

And it cherishes every

Embrace.

Every touch.

Every kiss.

So

It was a man

With a small heart.

You do know you don't get pregnant

just by walking around.

I'm small in size, not in judgment.

So you were r*ped?

Nobody harmed me.

Here.

I wrote down the names

of the men I could recall.

One of them must be the father.

I don't know if you have to arrest them,

or make them take a test.

I don't want anything

but a little financial help.

I'll raise this child on my own.

But this is

almost every man in the village.

Even my dad's name is on here.

"Put on the full armor of God,

so that you can take your stand

against the devil's schemes."

Ephesians 6:11.

The armor of God

protects us and helps us win victory.

The victory we find here,

with the Father, in the house of God.

The house that is yours.

That is yours,

that is ours.

Because God

is infinite love.

Doctor, what if my baby isn't ready yet?

It's going to be okay, sweetheart.

I'm right here with you.

If it's not,

I want his name to be Camilo.

- The bleeding, doctor.

- Camilo. Let's go.

Cut.

He isn't breathing.

Starting resuscitation.

One. Two. Three.

- One. Two.

- One. Two. Three.

Heartbeat?

One.

- Two.

- Still nothing.

One. Two.

One. Two. Three.

One. Two.

- One. Two. Three.

- Heartbeat?

No.

As a boy, he'd rest

his head on his mother's lap

while she stroked his hair.

She believed life was

about raising her son to be a man,

then waiting on grandchildren,

confident that the laws were fulfilled.

But the boy

The boy grew up frail.

And his mother's warm lap drifted away.

CHAPTER III

IT WAS THOUGHT HE WAS

AS FRAGILE AND USELESS AS FLOWERS

Mom, can I go to the bathroom?

Is your face better?

You could catch a disease

touching that filth of his.

He's delicate. It's not sexual.

That's what you think.

Folks around here beat that out of you.

One time, they shoved a thick pole

up a woman who liked other women.

Hung her up in the square,

right next to the church, for all to see.

The police did nothing.

Not for her,

nor for the others who rotted there.

Because no matter what the law says,

people know what's right.

What if I kick him out?

Some kids are born to misbehave, Matilde.

How long are you going to

keep scrubbing bloody towels?

God wanted you to have that boy.

What if He changed His mind?

Take a knife and put an end to this.

If you don't,

someone else in the village will.

You'll never understand a mother's heart.

What if this is God's will?

I never want to disappoint you again.

The fever's back.

Take a pill.

All men's tears dry up.

It's cold. Don't you want a jacket?

Hi. Do you know how to get to the market?

Just go straight ahead.

Need a ride?

You in a hurry?

You're late.

There are plenty of girls in the village.

Pick one.

Get married, have children.

I need a grandchild.

It's what life's about.

Do you take Antonino

as your lawfully wedded husband,

to love and cherish,

in good times and in bad, in sickness?

I do.

Antonino.

Antonino?

- Do you...?

- I do.

You may kiss the bride.

Ever since she was

promised to marry her neighbor,

the girl had learned

that freedom lay in marriage

and between her legs.

She thought that between her legs,

a hook would latch onto the boy's p*nis.

An imaginary hook that would ensure

loyalty and lifelong companionship.

CHAPTER IV

MEN WERE ALL THE SAME

DIFFERENCES WERE ONLY FOR WOMEN

THE STARS FLEW LIKE FIREFLIES.

I told you not to waste your time

with silly things.

Maybe you'll be able to enjoy

a little happiness before you die, dear.

- A little, if you're very lucky.

- No. I like my hair down.

When I was your age,

I didn't get that kind of freedom.

You've known him since you were born.

- But you still need to be careful.

- Careful with what?

Young people today are in such a hurry.

And girls are born

with a wound between their legs.

And boys prey on that wound

in the cruelest way.

And you don't want to end up a tr*mp.

If he claims that wound too soon,

you'll grow old and lonely.

- You seem more nervous than I am.

- Nervous?

Look in the mirror.

We're women.

Folks here love to gossip.

Imagine what they'll say if you're hasty.

I just want

what's best for you, sweetheart.

You look beautiful.

He's going to love you.

Are you staying for dinner?

No. My mom said

I should eat at home tonight.

- But thank you.

- That's too bad.

I made meatballs.

I taught Isaura how to make them.

Dona Maria, I'm very absent-minded.

I hadn't noticed you were French.

She's not. She just woke up

talking like that the day we got engaged.

Right?

The doctor said it's a rare condition.

Foreign accent syndrome, he called it.

But I'm working on it.

I've been doing these amazing folk spells.

They're better

than the doctor's prescriptions.

It'll go away soon.

Well, I'll get back to the workshop.

Excuse me.

I'm going too.

That way, you two can talk a little.

No. My mom would k*ll me,

my dad would k*ll me again,

and then he'd k*ll you.

No. Your kiss would leave a mark,

and my dad would notice.

He won't, I swear.

I want you so bad.

You can't tell me you don't want me too.

I do.

But I'm not in a hurry.

You'd better go.

Open up. I don't want this door locked.

Why did he run off like that?

He was late for dinner.

Love ruins everything, Isaura.

- We were just talking...

- I'm serious.

Love ruins everything.

You drank perfume again?

Spells don't work, Mom.

Take your medicine.

Love ruins everything.

When your grandfather

taught me this craft,

I had no idea how long it would take

to get the perfect fit.

Does love ruin everything, Dad?

Who told you that? Was it your mom?

I'd rather believe

love is about waiting, sweetheart.

Was it worth waiting for Mom?

Dinner's ready!

Aren't you coming?

In a minute.

Aren't you eating?

Are you crazy?

I'm going to be your husband.

- My mother will k*ll me.

- Your mom can barely talk right.

Everyone is saying she's lost her mind.

It didn't work, did it?

Your father was right.

You're an obedient girl.

- After everything I told you?

- Everything okay in there?

Yes.

Put your middle finger in.

And feel for a

A kind of wall.

Do as I say, Isaura.

Stretch out your finger.

Careful. Don't do

what that idiot failed to do.

If you keep yourself clean and quiet,

you'll find another boy,

because you're not marrying

that idiot anymore.

We'll find you another husband.

And then,

all you have to do is cook well

and set the table for him every day,

and life goes on as usual.

Do you feel anything?

You can't even do that, Isaura?

Lotus flowers, carnations

I've tried everything.

Don't you have any daisies?

No, but I have these.

Petals are fresh, stem's still thin.

It hasn't been deflowered yet.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

But I already told you

you don't need to worry.

If you keep waiting,

even that one will stop pursuing you.

A sissy is still a husband.

Better than nothing.

And no need for touching.

Are you going to listen to me this time?

I do.

Antonino?

- Do you...?

- I do.

You may kiss the bride.

Weighed down by absence and silence,

the girl felt like a tiny atom

in the invisibility of the air.

Inside the woman was an endless void,

and little or nothing within her

brought happiness.

The woman kept falling inward.

The fisherman might have been

another man to take away her joy.

And her joy was already almost gone.

CHAPTER V

THE ALMOST HAPPY ONES

Love ruins everything.

It ruins everything.

I talk to myself sometimes too.

When it hurts, I

I come here and scream out loud.

As loud as I can.

The sea never judges...

Did it help?

I have to go home.

I live over there, see?

If you want

To scream again tomorrow

Does the doll have a name?

No.

Is that why he's so happy?

- Want some?

- No.

- I'm not hungry.

- I made it myself.

This is

This is Camilo.

This is Isaura.

You ate all the jelly?

I'll make more.

For both of you.

Are you two dating?

Looks like it.

Do you have kids?

Do you want any?

I never thought about it.

But you're a woman.

And you're a boy.

Shower time.

- Come on.

- Okay.

She's eaten rose thorns and animal poop.

She's drunk muddy water and rooster blood.

She's even rubbed nettles on her throat.

But the accent's still there.

Will she be all right?

I think you should keep it.

I'd rather give it to the poor.

That way we'll undo

what should've never been.

Repeat it over and over.

Only then do you feed him.

- Then he obeys.

- He's hungry.

If you teach him first and feed him after,

he'll never forget.

Want to see?

Paw.

Paw.

- Hey, paw.

- There you go. Now feed him.

He didn't use both paws.

- You learn better with a full belly.

- You, not a dog.

But if he's hungry, why can't I feed him?

Now you buy a ring.

So she'll be yours forever.

The ring shows how much you love her.

- The ring knows?

- Knows what?

How much someone loves.

That's how it works.

There's a way it works?

To make up for the other day.

It's good. But my dad's is better.

Do you love Isaura?

In a way.

That's nice.

He still has the ring on his finger.

But I don't.

It's just a ring.

- You can't date a married woman.

- We don't talk like that here.

But he can't love Isaura.

Love isn't like that. Soft.

What's it like then? Do you know?

I don't, but I know

something born out the a*s can't love.

Who told you that?

- My grandfather.

- Good thing he's not here.

I need to take care of my mom.

Hey.

Are you mad at me?

Not mad.

Are you going to punish me?

Why?

Because that's how it works.

Where did you go that night?

After his wife's death,

the old man continued raising the boy.

He thought children

could be a kind of revenge

against the finality of death.

That through the children one raised,

one could live on longer.

He believed his adopted son

was his legacy.

CHAPTER VI

THE MEMORY-CONTAMINATED BOY

Look who's here.

Carminda came to say hello.

Listen to what I'm gonna tell you, kiddo.

Carminda will always be here, close to us.

That's why I always play this record.

It was her favorite song.

That way, she'll always be close to us.

This was your grandma's special recipe.

She used fresh tuna.

But canned tuna works too.

Dinner's almost ready.

Eat it all so you grow up strong.

Because one day,

I won't be around anymore,

and you, kiddo,

you'll spread across every village

the story of a couple who loved deeply.

You'll be the messenger

of a love that will inspire many.

Especially the ones who need it most.

This time,

I'm putting in two spoons of jelly.

Just like you asked.

It's delicious.

Here.

Listen to me, kiddo.

Love is the throne of the family.

And of men and women together.

You need to understand that.

Listen to your grandpa.

And your grandma too.

When you're done, go change.

It's time for mass.

Hi, Grandma.

I'm reading a new book. It's great.

I'm not gonna die in a week.

- How long was it again?

- Don't you ever get tired of this story?

- No.

- Sit down.

Every time a patient came

to your grandma's clinic complaining,

she'd always start by asking

if they were reading anything.

If the answer was no, she'd say,

"You need a book, urgently."

"Otherwise, I'll see you at your funeral

in two weeks. Tops."

The patient would head straight

from her office to the bookstore.

You're so much like her.

And my mother, what was she like?

Aren't you ever gonna tell me?

You fell from heaven, Camilo.

You fell from heaven.

Thank you.

This was your grandma's favorite book.

Now I won't die in two weeks.

It's so nice to see you learning things.

- Grandpa, can we?

- Sure.

Thank you.

- Two churros, please.

- Sure.

Here.

Here.

Thank you.

Come here.

- I can't expose you to that.

- But he seemed so nice.

- Sit there.

- Okay.

My dad used to tell me many stories.

I'll tell you one I saw happen

in a village by the sea.

It's the story of the q*eer.

That's what people called

the woman who went after other women.

But she didn't only like women.

She had a child with a married man.

And went to live with the kid in a cave.

The villagers thought

she'd straightened out after all that.

But no, those people never change.

A few years later,

a father found the q*eer

in bed with his oldest daughter.

He dragged her by her hair

all the way here,

where the whole village was waiting.

After teaching her a lesson,

they hung her body up there,

near the tree, for all to see.

And her poor son

grew up alone in the cave.

Now listen to what I'm telling you.

Sissies and q*eers are good for nothing.

Same with junkies,

prostit*tes, surfers, and singers.

I don't want you

around that kind of people.

They might teach humanity

to be born out of the a*s.

I live in a hot place.

We have lots of mosquitoes

and find butterflies in the flowers.

What's wrong?

You can tell me.

My grandpa told me lots of stories.

Once, he told me about a boy

who grew up alone in a cave.

I don't know anything about you.

Who taught you what's right and wrong?

CHAPTER VII

HIS UNUSUAL ENTHUSIASM

WAS CHANGING THE WORLD

I found this makeup in your mom's room.

It's old, but I think

you'll look beautiful.

How do you like your hair?

Down.

May I?

Close your eyes.

That's it.

Look up.

Sorry.

Please, continue.

Is love

About waiting, or does it ruin everything?

I don't know.

But I'd love to read

whatever it is you're writing.

She's a sweet girl, isn't she?

Matilde needed help

around the house after you left.

The woman was strong as a bull,

but she didn't last long.

Left the poor girl alone in the world.

Matilde has raised enough beasts...

I'm no beast.

No. You're not.

Hey, Crisstomo.

Is it true you're dating the sissy's wife?

I mean, I get why she'd have another man.

A husband like that

doesn't even cover the basics.

Only a q*eer would let his wife

wander around like that.

Leave the guy alone.

He never bothers anyone.

Your girlfriend's husband

is a two-headed snake.

Screws both ways.

Watch your back, huh?

He could catch you by surprise.

You might be lying there with her

and something slips up your a*s.

Doesn't he ever say anything?

I'll take them both.

Weren't we having fish with jelly?

Yeah, but we'll

probably have company today.

I wanted to invite

Antonino's mother and the girl.

Not Antonino.

Not that stall.

- Why not?

- It's scum.

- Two, please.

- Sure.

I don't want one.

- Then I'll have both.

- All right.

Here you go.

- Here.

- No, it's paid for.

His grandfather paid and ran off.

I'm glad you're not in such a hurry.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Let's go.

That's what you call scum?

See all these people?

Everyone's the child

of different moms and dads.

We come from so many people.

We're all

half-siblings.

So many dreams

get passed from one to the next,

that no one's ever really alone.

Who taught you that?

You did.

Here.

I can't eat both.

You shouldn't have.

Come in.

- What's your name?

- Mininha.

- You're very pretty, you know?

- Thank you.

Matilde, I'm so glad you came.

You look lovely, Isaura.

It's your son's doing.

He's an artist. He did my makeup.

You can do makeup?

Hi, Mom.

Hello.

This is my son, Camilo.

You look just like your father.

I take after him in everything.

I don't know about everything.

He's happy to see you.

What's his name?

You pick one.

Will you look after him for me?

No. Thank you.

I'd like to make a toast.

It's great to share this meal with you.

- Can I drink today?

- No way.

It smells amazing.

Do you always

cook this well at home, Isaura?

I can't cook like this.

Camilo made everything,

and Crisstomo opened his home to us.

- Our.

- What?

Our home.

Hey Camilo,

I'm enrolling Mininha in school.

That's great.

I've already got her books ready.

Tell her what it's like.

The math teacher's really nice.

- Great.

- Is there a book class?

I think I'd like that.

But I can't read yet.

I've told her

how important it is to study.

- Meet new people.

- Yeah.

So I'd like you to introduce her

to some of the younger boys.

It's important that she sees

how handsome they are.

Isaura, you married Antonino.

I think you should

go back home to your husband.

He's your family now.

Family can be made

of many different things, Dona Matilde.

Antonino.

You don't belong here. Let's go.

I'm happy here, Mom.

Come. Let's go.

Mininha.

No matter what you do,

he'll always smile back at you.

I was happy to hear you like books.

I'm writing one.

- If you like, I'll read it to you someday.

- I'd like that.

Take care of my son.

I'm sorry.

They felt increasingly infinite in size.

And they were no longer falling.

They no longer needed words.

They communicated

through the intensity of their feelings.

THE SON OF A THOUSAND MEN

BASED ON THE BOOK

"O FILHO DE MIL HOMENS"

BY VALTER HUGO ME

TO HENRIQUE, IVETE E JAIRO