1
[waves lapping on shore]
[child vocalizing]
MAN: Woke up this
morning From a nightmare
4:00 in the morning
With the fear in my eyes
Looked to my left
And you were right there
I started crying
'Cause it made me realize
No one is here
We are alone, babe
We are alone
With our love
No one's out there
We are alone, babe
We are alone with our love
If the world ends
I think I want to die with you
No, no-no
If the world ends
Ooh
I think I want to die with you
No, no-no
Oh, no
If the world should end
I think I want to die with you
No, no-no
When the world ends
I think I want to die with you
No, no
Oh-ohh, no, no
WOMAN: [narrating]
A very, very long time ago,
long before
the birds, cars,
and even coffee beans,
the seven gods
of the seven lands
created
the dueling truths...
Love and war.
The gods then decided
humans would need a place
away from these elements.
A small island.
This island,
in the very center of the world.
They called it Guava.
And this place, so filled
with magic of the gods
and untouched
by man's hand,
blossomed and bore fruit unlike
any other place on Earth.
But the most amazing
of all its bounty...
was the Clayworm,
a creature only found
on Guava Island
that spins the most beautiful
blue silk man had ever seen.
Every man who saw the silk
fell in love with it.
But wherever there is love,
[branch snaps]
War will follow.
The Red family
took control of the silk,
along with
the people of Guava.
[sewing machines whirring]
Greed and distrust spread
all across the island.
The gods,
fed up with our insolence,
turned their backs
on the humans
and paradise was lost.
My mother told me this story
every night before bed,
like her mother
before her.
To me, it was just
a bedtime story.
As far as I could tell,
there was nothing for me on Guava.
I longed
to leave the island...
to see the world outside.
[guitar strumming]
But one night...
I heard my path.
[strumming continues]
It was the most beautiful
song I'd ever heard.
But I was not
going to say that.
So, instead, I yelled...
Keep trying!
Practice
is perfection.
His smile,
it was like moonlight.
He said it was a shame
I didn't like the song,
because it was for me.
But he promised to come
back and play it every night
until he sang a song
as beautiful as me.
Fortunately,
no song is that beautiful.
So I got to see
and hear him every night.
I dreamed of leaving
the island with him,
starting a new life,
free from survival.
But Deni could
never imagine leaving.
He loved the people and would give
anything to be loved in return.
His dream was to one day
write a song
that would unite the people
of the island...
a song that would remind us
of the magic Guava had,
even if just for one day.
[guitar strumming]
[singers vocalizing]
So we both kept dreaming.
Because in the end...
what else do we have
but dreams?
[bell tolling, faint]
[rooster crowing]
[guitar strumming]
[man vocalizing]
[guitar continues]
[vocalizing continues]
[vocalizing]
[fumbled chord]
Practice is perfection.
I can do it
when no one is listening.
Well, the part you didn't
ruin was beautiful.
It's funny. That's what
my other girlfriends say.
I was joking.
I was joking.
[laughs]
I was joking.
[people chattering]
[meows]
[horn blows]
MAN: Good morning, Deni.
Good morning!
Late again? [Laughing]
Uh, not yet.
Hi, Deni.
Good morning.
Good morning, Deni.
Good morning, Paolo.
Blessings to you this morning.
Blessings to you.
I set aside some meat for the
party tonight. Only the best.
Oh, yes. Save me some pork.
It smells great.
The goat is even better.
WOMAN: Hey, Deni.
Make sure you play
"Casilla" for me, huh?
I will not let you down, Gladys.
I can't wait for the festival.
Good morning, horse.
Oh, no.
Gracias.
[shouting] Oh!
Hey, hey, hey! Hey. What?
Give us your money.
What?
Give us all your money now.
I can't understand you.
You have a scarf on your face.
No jokes.
Okay.
I don't have any money.
You're lying.
You play guitar on the radio.
Dodo. I know it's you.
Victor, I can see your face.
Mapi, I'm helping you at church today.
Why are you robbing me?
We work for Red now.
He said we could be soldiers.
Well, you're making me late.
And if I'm late,
I don't get paid.
And if I don't get paid,
you have nothing to take.
Come here.
Do you guys know
about the concert?
What concert?
Shh.
It's a secret.
I'm doing
a festival tonight.
If you guys let me go,
I'll let you sit by the stage.
Deal?
Okay, Deni.
You can go.
All right.
Gracias.
Oh, and the concert.
It is a secret.
S.
Secret. All right?
I'll see you guys.
Ciao, Deni.
Ciao.
This is Deni Maroon signing off,
saying Red Cargo is the best cargo.
I should know.
I'm singing about it.
[guitar playing]
Red's Cargo
Is the best cargo
I confess
It is all I use
Red's Cargo
Is the best cargo
Without Red's Cargo
I'd be blue
[vocalizing]
[radio vocalizing]
[guitar continue]
[jingle ends]
This has been the Red Radio Hour.
I'm Deni Maroon.
This last song is called
"Die with You."
[boy jabbering]
[banging on pot]
Kito, stop banging!
DENI: [singing on radio] I told you I
shouldn't have brought him to work.
The streets were burning
As I prayed to the sky
Looked to my left
And you were right there
I started crying
'Cause it made me realize
No one is here
We are alone, babe
Keisha. Turn it up.
No one's out there
[singing continues] You
know this is my song, right?
We are alone
With our love
When the world ends Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. [Laughs]
I think
I want to die with you
Get up now.
When the world ends
[singing along] I think I
want to die with you No, no-no
Yeah. Come on.
When the world ends
Oh, hell, no.
Hell, yes.
[snickers]
You're smiling now.
Baby, when the world ends
You know you want to dance.
Mama.
You know
you want to dance.
Baby
When the world ends
I think I want to die with you
No, no-no
MAN: Good work, Deni.
Thanks.
Headed to the docks?
Yeah, I got to hustle.
They don't, uh...
They don't like it when I'm late.
Then why did they hire you?
[laughs] See you this
evening for the second show.
See you!
Bye, Deni.
[vehicle horn honks]
[children chattering,
shouting]
[shouting continues]
[clears throat]
You know Red's gonna get you
if you keep coming late.
It's not late
if everyone does it.
I told you guys
to sleep in an hour.
You're gonna need your energy
for the festival. [Strums chord]
So, you want us
to skip work Sunday
after we come in late
Saturday?
You're crazy.
We're not supposed to be
working Saturday.
Well, make sure to
fill out a complaint.
The forms are in the bathroom.
[laughs]
You're hilarious.
You know
what's really funny?
You on Sunday when you have no
job, no house and no girl.
Kofi wouldn't leave me
because I was broke.
What's wrong
with you?
What's wrong with me
is that we live in paradise,
but none of us have the time or
the means to actually live here.
We work hard.
We deserve a day off.
The way I see it,
we're just taking what's ours.
Yeah, and Red's gonna take
what's his... your life.
[men laugh]
[chuckles]
Red runs the island.
You just work on it.
MAN: She's right.
I heard that it's not like this when
you get off the island. Like in America.
What do you mean?
It's different there.
I heard people
are their own bosses.
I'm saving up enough
to bribe my way off the island.
Then I'll go to America
and start my own business.
Ha!
It's funny?
This is America. Guava's no
different than any other country.
I don't know about that,
Deni.
America is a concept.
Anywhere where, in order to get rich,
you have to make someone else richer,
is America.
You're an idiot.
I'm an idiot?
You're an idiot.
I'm an idiot?
Yes, you're an idiot.
I'm an idiot?
Yes, I'm sure you are.
I'm an idiot.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please hand in your passports.
Welcome to the United States,
land of the free, where you...
Yes, even you...
Can be your own boss.
For a price.
We just wanna party
Party just for you
We just want the money
Money just from you
I know you wanna have it
Party just for free
Girl, you got me dancing
Dancing shit for free
We just want the money
Money just from you
We just wanna party
Party just for you
I know you wanna have it
Party just for free
Girl, you got me dancing
Dancing shit for free, oh
[machinery clanking,
whirring rhythmically]
[rapping]
This is America
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Look what I... Hey
This is America
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Hey
This is America
Don't catch you
Slippin' up
Look how I'm livin' now
Police be trippin' now
Yeah, this is America
Guns in my area
I got the strap
Hey
I got to carry 'em
Yeah, yeah
I'm-a go into this
Yeah, yeah
This is guerrilla, whoo
Yeah, yeah
I'm-a go get the bag
Yeah, yeah
Or I'm-a get the pad
Yeah, yeah
I'm so cold like yeah
I'm so dope
Like yeah, whoo
We gonna blow like yeah
[machinery stops]
FEMALE: [chorus]
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me
Get your money
Black man
Get your money
Get your money
Black man Get your money
Get your money
Get your money, black man
[machinery resumes
clanking rhythmically]
This is America
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Look what I'm whippin' up
This is America
Yeah, yeah
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Look what I'm whippin' up
Look how I'm geekin' out
I'm so pretty
I'm on Gucci
I'm so pretty
I'm gonna get it
Watch me move
[machinery stops]
[dial tone]
[high-pitched grunting]
[high-pitched chattering]
[high-pitched grunting]
[dial tone continues]
[machinery resumes clanking] Get
it, get it Work it
Yeah, Hunnid bands
Hunnid bands, Hunnid bands
Contraband
Contraband, contraband
I got the plug on Oaxaca
Whoa
They gonna find you
Like blocka
[faint]
Whoo
This is America, whoo
Please, fill out the name tag
and place it on your shirt.
Wh-Why do I need
to write my name down?
Can't I just tell him
my name when I get in?
He can see you now.
[ice cubes
clinking in glass]
Deni Maroon.
You play the guitar,
right?
Well, I like to think I do
a little more than that.
[chuckling]
I'm a fan of yours.
Red's Cargo
Is the best cargo
[laughing]
[man laughing]
It's a good song.
Please, take a seat.
Uh, thank you.
You know, I listen to you
on my radio program sometimes.
I don't listen
to any other musician but you.
You really stand out.
Would you like
a juice?
[twittering]
Juice?
Oh. Um, no.
No, thank you.
"Health is wealth,"
as my father said.
Is that yours?
[sighs]
My grandfather
played the guitar.
I always wanted to, but my fingers
weren't quick enough, I think.
[plucking notes]
I realized there was
an easier way to enjoy life.
You see, with art,
you never know how people
are gonna feel about it.
It can be hard.
Yeah, well,
life is hard.
You know,
my grandfather used to say,
"The man who doesn't enjoy the
cracking of pistachio shells
doesn't enjoy
the work of a full life."
[chuckling]
And what would you consider
a full life?
Music? Marriage?
That girl, Kofi.
Kofi is a beautiful girl.
You have good taste.
Just like me.
[crunching]
Some kids tell me
you are performing tonight.
All night long.
Look.
If people come
to your festival tonight,
they won't come to work
tomorrow.
Taking Sunday off
is not an option.
You understand?
I like you, Deni.
[laughs]
I like you. Mmm.
$10,000 is enough
to go wherever you want.
Even enough
to bring somebody with you.
But I'm sorry.
You can't
play your festival tonight.
I'm in charge of the people
of this island.
I have to do
what's best for everyone.
Yeah, but how do you know
what's best for everyone?
Now you have an excuse.
You fell.
I'll be listening out
for your radio show.
5:00, right?
You'll say
there is no festival.
[sighs]
[drumming on metal]
[speaking Spanish]
Gracias.
[Spanish]
Sure.
[continues in Spanish]
What happened
to your face?
I fell.
Let me see.
No, I'm good.
I'm fine.
Where's your guitar?
It smashed when I fell.
So, what are you
gonna do tonight?
[stammers]
I'll figure something out.
What's going on
right now?
[laughs]
Uh, nothing. I'm on time.
That's what's going on.
No, that's what's scary.
[woman speaking Spanish]
Buenos das.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Let me look at that. No, no.
I'm okay. I'm okay.
So, how were the docks?
You know.
The docks. I moved this box
over here to over there.
What really happened today?
'Cause I feel like there's something
you're not telling me right now.
[laughs]
Like what?
Nothing.
Finished your song.
Congrats.
You feel like
Summertime
[sighs]
It's way prettier.
[steel drums playing,
faint]
[steel drums continue]
Come on.
Let me show you
something.
Come on.
This boy.
[chattering]
Hola.
Hola.
Uh, just follow
my lead.
BOY: Holy shit.
[Deni laughs]
[steel drums playing]
You feel like
Summertime
You took
This heart of mine
You'll be my Valentine
In the summer
In the summer
You are my only one
Just dancing
Having fun
Out in the shining sun
Of the summer
Of the summer
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
[background singer]
I love you
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me Do love me,
do Put no one else above you
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
I need you Do
love me Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
Oh-ohh Do love me Do love
me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
I love you Do
love me Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
Put no one else above you
Do love me Do love
me, do Oh
Do love me Do love
me, do I need you
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me Do love
me, do - Ooh-hoo
Is it summertime magic
That makes me wanna dance
All night long?
It's your summertime magic
[music stops]
[music resumes]
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
I love you
I want to be the one for you
Put no one else above you
Your style, your braids
Your eyes
So summertime
Do love me
Do love me, do
All I wanna do
Is let you shine
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
I love you, oh-ohh
Do love me
Do love me, do
Put no one else above you
Do love me
Do love me, do
Do love me
Do love me, do
It's your summertime
Do love me Do love me, do
It's your summertime magic
[music continues]
Yeah. There we are.
[music fades]
Look at that.
You can't be mad at that.
You can't be mad
at that.
Yeah, it's beautiful.
[dock horn blows]
I got to go.
Um...
We didn't get to talk about
what you wanted to talk about.
It's fine.
You sure?
I'll tell you
at home.
Go.
All right.
All right.
See you later.
Bye.
So, did you
tell him?
No.
Look, it's gonna
be fine.
Artists like adventures,
and...
little babies are just like
adventures, you know.
Kito!
Put it down!
Artists
also like their freedom.
Hey.
Look what I got.
Ooh! For tonight.
Oh!
Don't touch it.
[snickering]
Naeema, what you wearing tonight?
There's no festival
tonight.
What?
I heard Red is getting Deni not to
play, one way or another.
Who told you that?
The island.
She has way too much attitude.
I mean, something's up with her.
If Red said not to...
Deni's not that crazy. All right?
If it's true, then he's gonna get
on the radio and just cancel it.
Chill.
It's not good for the baby.
[drums playing]
[brass horns
playing phrase]
[man singing, faint]
CHILDREN: Stars in the
night Are really dreams
Maybe this whole world
Ain't exactly
What it seems
Maybe the sky Will
fall down On tomorrow
But one thing's
For certain, baby
We're running
Out of time
Why am I here?
You guys sound great.
Deni!
You're Deni Maroon?
I told you. I told you.
We listen to you on the radio.
Thank you.
Will you play a song
for us at the festival?
What do you want
to hear?
A new song,
a song to dance to.
MAPI: And dedicate it to us?
I'll see
what I can do.
Whoa!
Shh. Shh.
[whispers]
Whoa!
[sewing machine
whirring]
[no audible dialogue]
[on radio]
Hey, this is Deni Maroon...
telling you Red Cargo
is the best cargo.
DENI: You can feel
it In the streets
[volume increases]
On a day like this
The heat
It feel like summer
I feel like summer
This feel like summer
Seven billion souls
That move around the sun
Rolling faster
Faster
Not a chance
To slow down
Slow down
Men who made machines
That want
What they decide
[static crackling] Parents
tryin' To tell their children
Please slow down
[static crackling]
[frequency tuning]
I know
Oh
I thought this life
Would change
Oh-ohh
I really thought
This world would change
Oh, no
But it just seems the same
[song ends]
DENI: Thank you for listening.
I'll see you at the
festival, everyone.
[cheering]
[drumming]
[bell ringing]
Kofi!
Kofi!
Hey. Where's Deni?
He left.
He's getting ready for the
festival, like everyone else.
Aren't you going?
Hello.
Kofi, right?
Deni's not here.
I know.
Always on the move.
You headed
to the festival?
Yes.
I have to get my dress,
so...
That is exciting.
You tell Deni for me,
"Break a leg."
You hear?
And have fun.
[thunder rumbling]
[drumming]
[drumming continues]
Where's Deni Maroon?
I don't know. Hasn't shown up.
The concert was supposed
to start at 8:00.
[crowd applauding, cheering]
DENI: Beautiful people.
Um, I'm sorry I'm late, but...
I am always late.
[laughing]
Th-This festival
is a celebration of life.
I want everyone here
to feel as...
free as you possibly
can tonight.
This song is for Zoila and Mapi.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[drumsticks tapping out
time] [band begins playing]
DENI: Give it to me, y'all!
Hey!
Please don't
Make them do it
Oh
Ooh
God, this nine-to-five
Just keep on killing me
I wanna leave this place
Like all the time
Talking to my boss
He just can't feel the dream
If that's the choice Then
let me blow your mind Yeah
Can't take a break
And you know that's right
Money is tight
And you know that's right
It's on my mind
Can't take a break
And you know that's right
Money is tight
And you know that's right
It's on my mind
When the feeling got ya
You can't even hide it
Acting so intoxicated
When you text me "hold on"
I will be there
Girl, just hold on
[grunts]
Saturday
All I wanna do
Is make you dance, girl
And fall in line
Saturday
All I wanna do
Is make you dance, girl
And fall in line, hey
[audience cheering]
Oh!
Please don't make 'em
Do it
Whoo
Hey!
Please don't make 'em
Do it
Hey!
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
God, this nine-to-five
Just keep on killing me
I wanna leave this place
Like all the time
Oh, my aching bones
They just keep killing me
Can't afford to have them
Spend my dime, hey
When the feeling got ya
You can't even hide it
Acting so intoxicated
When you text me "hold on"
I will be there, hey
Girl, just hold on
[grunts]
Saturday, all I wanna do
Is make you dance, girl
And fall in line
Saturday, all I wanna do
Is make you dance
Ooh
Oh
You can feel it here
On a Saturday
Can you feel it?
Here we go.
[grunts] Hey!
Here we go!
Here we go!
[gasps]
One, two, three, oh!
You can feel it.
Do you feel it?
Do you feel it?
Do you feel it?
Can you feel it?
Can you feel it?
Can you feel it?
[cheering continues]
[drumming]
[grunts]
Hey!
Hey!
[drumming continues]
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
[laughing]
[cheering continues]
Deni.
Hey! [Shouts]
KOFI: Deni!
Deni! Deni!
[no audio]
[two gunshots]
[crowd screaming]
Deni!
[two gunshots]
[gasping, panting]
[muffled clatter]
[twitters]
[gunshot]
[groans]
Huh?
[humming]
[dock horn blows]
Thank you,
Margaret.
[chuckles]
Good morning,
Mr. Cargo.
Good morning, indeed.
[chuckling]
Take me to the docks.
Where the hell
are you?
[drumming in distance]
Maybe all the stars
In the night
Are really dreams
Maybe this whole world
Ain't exactly what it seems
Maybe the sky
Will fall down on tomorrow
But one thing's
For certain, baby
We're running out of time
[vocalizing, song ends]
[drumsticks tapping]
[man vocalizing]
[men shout]
[drumming]
[crowd shouting, vocalizing]
[drumming continues]
[trombones playing]
[men shouting rhythmically]
[rhythmic shouting
continues]
[brass band joins in]
We got our day.
[brass band, drums
continue playing]
[crowd singing
in native language]
[music stops]
KOFI: Now I get to tell
you a different story
from the one
my mother told me.
I get to tell you a story
about how dreams come true.
CHILD: I like that story.
KOFI: Me too.
You can feel it
In the streets
On a day like this
The heat
It feel like summer
I feel like summer
I feel like summer
You can feel it
In the streets
On a day like this
The heat
I feel like summer
She feel like summer
This feel like summer
I feel like summer
Seven billion souls
That move around the sun
Rolling faster, faster
Not a chance
To slow down
Slow down
Men who made machines
That want
What they decide
Parents tryin'
To tell the children
Please slow down
Slow down
I know
Oh
I know
You know that pain
Oh, no, no, no, no
I'm hoping that
This world will change
Ooh, I hope this world
Will change
But it just
Seems the same
It feels like the same
You can feel it
In the streets
On a day like this
The heat
It feel like summer
I feel like summer
Ooh-ooh
I feel like summer
I feel like summer
I feel like summer
Every day gets hotter
Than the one before
Running out of water
It's about to go down
Go down
Air that kill the bees
That we depend upon
Birds were made
For singing
Waking up to no sound
No sound
I know
Oh
I know you know my pain
Whoa, no, no, no, no
I'm hoping that
This world will change
This world will change
Yeah
But it just
Seems the same
Whoa
I know
Oh
I hope we change
I really thought
This world could change
But it seems
Like the same
I know
Oh
My mind
Is still the same
I'm hoping that
This world will change
But it just
Seems the same
[song fades]