[Child shouting
in native language]
[people chattering
in native language]
[speaking in
native language]
[native musical instruments]
[chattering continues]
[Man narrating
in foreign language]
[native musical instruments,
polyphonic vocalizing]
[Man continues]
[continues]
[Woman]
Larry, if I can hear it,
it's too loud.
[Man resumes]
This music is Beethoven
to me, Ma.
[continues]
[continues]
[chattering]
[speaks in native language]
[people respond together]
[speaks in native language]
[people respond together]
[chattering]
[continues]
[loud, harsh sound]
Ow!
[groaning]
[sustained ringing in ear]
[clicks]
[Man grunts]
[laughing]
[Man]
Chainsaws?
A ringing sound?
It's more like a whine.
That frying?
Frying and then a chopping sound
like an ax on a tree.
Ka, ka.
Tinnitus indeed.
Get dressed.
[mutters]
Doc says my liver's shot.
If I don't get a new one,
I'll die.
...for a replacement.
With luck, we'll--
we'll have one in--
in a month.
You'll have good days
and bad days.
I never have good luck
in New York.
Get undressed
from the waist down, please.
Leprosy is entirely curable.
Don't worry about the ear.
Nothing for it anyway.
It's my instrument.
They used to call me
Big Ear in Africa.
They won't be calling you
anything anymore, Larry.
Your Africa days are over.
For how long?
Forever.
Uh...
[frogs croaking]
[croaks]
[croaks]
But if I stay in America,
I'll never complete my catalog.
Only one instrument
left to get--
molimo, the holy grail
of Pygmy music.
I gotta see Lydia.
[horns honking]
[imitates horn blowing]
That's how the Bayaka
describe the sound.
Like a horn.
Like a-- a bull roar.
[chuckles]
So interesting.
Lydia, my liver is shot.
I've got one more trip
left in me.
I need the molimo.
[scoffs]
And it's not expensive.
Ughh!
Africa, Africa.
You don't have cash?
[ringing]
[Lydia shouts]
Ow!
Thank you.
Sataka.
[Man]
A-ha!
[laughing]
[African]
[Man singing
in foreign language]
[continues]
Well, you have to include
the Dogon.
The Dogon?
Yes.
You really want
to include them?
They're not
endangered peoples.
The Dogon?
Not endangered?
No.
How many of them
can there possibly be?
At least 500,000.
[speaks in native language]
[speaks French]
[speaks in native language]
[speaks French]
[thunder rumbling]
You guys tourists?
[both laugh]
Certainly not.
We despise tourists.
We are travelers.
Here. Have some tea.
Yes. Our goal is to visit
all the endangered peoples
of the world
before they disappear.
We just came
from Papua New Guinea.
Bloody amazing.
The Kirala tribe--
they use the skulls
of their ancestors
as pillows.
Where are you from?
Yamondo, Central Africa.
Yamondo. Yeah.
Yamondo...
"Formerly a small
trading village
"of forest Pygmies.
To date,
considerably compromised."
[mutters]
Are you Peace Corps?
[no audible dialogue]
What?
He's not Peace Corps.
What?
It's a perfectly
reasonable que--
[muttering]
Leave me alone.
He's really pissed off now.
Shut up.
[speaking in French]
[speaks in French]
[mutters]
[Larry]
I don't mean to contradict
your guidebook,
but if there's
one place on Earth
that will never, ever change,
it's Yamondo.
I'm sorry?
You see,
the Bayaka are different.
They spend most of their time
living in the forest,
and in the forest,
people leave them alone.
And if they
have been compromised,
it's because
of their Bantu neighbors
who treat them like slaves.
[lowing]
[shouting in native language]
Larry!
[passengers speaking
in native language]
Larry!
[shouting in native language]
Chief!
[speaking in foreign language]
[patting]
They know his name.
They know him.
[shouting]
[laughing]
[shouts]
[group responds]
[singing]
What are you all
doing here?
[speaking in foreign language]
[speaking in native language]
Yes, Sataka called me.
They've got cell phones?
Total non-starter.
[chattering]
[native drums]
[people singing
in foreign language]
[continues]
[shouting]
[shouting]
Kirikiri...
[speaks in French]
[mutters]
[speaking in
native language]
[speaks in foreign language]
[native drums]
[people singing
in foreign language]
Oh, my God.
[speaking in
native language]
It's huge.
It looks like it could swallow
the whole forest.
[speaks in
foreign language]
[Men respond in native language]
[Woman vocalizing]
[native drums]
[continues]
[exclaiming]
[chattering]
Simboki. Bobanjo.
[speaks in
foreign language]
[speaks in French]
[vehicle approaching]
[Man]
Ah, Monsieur Larry.
The white
with the earphones.
I thought it was you.
Its me, Bassoun.
The mayor.
How fortunate you are back.
Mr. Yi, meet Mr. Larry,
an expert on our country.
I told Mr. Yi you are
a very, very good friend
of our little brothers
of the great equatorial forest.
Almost a Pygmy yourself.
[chuckles]
Are you Peace Corps?
Well--
He's looking for a kind of,
uh, Pygmy horn
called the molimo,
made of ivory
and, uh, yanis.
Most people say
it doesn't even exist.
It exists.
A myth.
I hope
you haven't forgotten
a little souvenir for me
from America.
[laughs]
[speaks in French]
[Kirikiri speaks in French]
Bobanjo?
[speaks in foreign language]
[speaks in
foreign language]
[engine starts]
[brakes squeak]
[door opens]
[Mr. Yi]
What was that about?
Oh, I asked them
to put on a Pygmy dance
to welcome you to Africa.
[quietly]
Larry. Larry. Larry.
[whistles softly]
Larry.
Yeah?
[speaking in foreign language]
[native flute]
[continues]
[rooster crowing]
[clucking]
[speaking in native language]
[clucking]
[shouts]
[shouts]
Hey, what's for breakfast?
[together]
[laughter]
So, uh, when do we leave
for the forest?
[repeats in foreign language]
The mayor?
[making indistinct sound
from nose]
Huh?
Oh, no.
[Men laughing]
Okay.
[chattering]
[chattering]
[chanting]
[overlapping chatter]
I don't have any cloth.
[speaking in foreign language]
[overlapping chatter continues]
Okay.
[Larry]
Wow. She's grown up.
[grunts]
[speaks in foreign language]
OD.
Sony. Begin.
[imitating birdcall]
[bird singing]
[imitates birdcall]
[chirping]
[whistling]
[birds chirping]
[chattering]
[weapon clicks]
[chattering continues]
[laughing]
[horn blares]
[faint chatter]
Bad news.
Your request
has been denied.
I am truly sorry.
It's a long way to come
for such news.
But there are many
other areas to cut
that do not involve
the hunting grounds
of our little brothers.
I don't want the other areas.
I want here.
I would be glad to assist you
with an appeal, Mr. Yi.
How long will that take?
The problem
is the wildlife club.
They've been protecting
elephant there for 30 years.
We are poor country,
and we depend
on their resources.
Recently, they've even
given the Pygmies
their own traditional
hunting areas.
There is hope,
I think, Mr. Yi.
The Pygmy love elephant meat
as much as I do,
and if I can prove
to the wildlife club
that they are a threat
to the elephant,
then perhaps I can explain it
to all our associates
that your sawmill offers
a more stable partnership.
So you know a Pygmy
who will kill an elephant
for us?
Mm-hmm.
And the American
who lives with the Pygmies--
won't he interfere?
You mean Larry?
[laughs]
Larry's not long
for this world, Mr. Yi.
Have you looked
at him closely?
His color? The skin?
As they say,
our African climate
is entirely unsuitable
for Caucasians.
[chuckles]
[chuckles]
[chuckles]
Take it
as a down payment.
[speaking in French]
[chatter on radio]
Mulala! Mulala!
[speaking in French]
[Man continues]
Whoa, whoa.
[chattering]
Ho!
[chattering]
We don't need Bantus here.
[chattering continues]
[applause]
[children singing
in native language]
[singing in native language]
[singing continues]
[clapping continues]
[chatter, laughter]
Larry! Larry!
[mutters]
[speaking in
native language]
[speaking in foreign language]
Guys, I just got here.
I did not order a bicycle.
[speaks in foreign language]
I won't need a bike
when I go into the forest.
[speaking in foreign language]
A hundred thousand?
That's outrageous.
Larry...
[speaks in foreign language]
Larry?
[bicycle bell dings]
[Woman speaking
in native language]
Oh, God.
I can't afford this.
Okay.
[mutters]
[chattering]
[Kirikiri speaks in French]
[vehicle door closes]
Ah, there you are.
[clearing throat]
Ah, Monsieur La Mayor.
Your prolonged stay
in America--
it went well?
Not bad.
You must have brought back
some wonderful things.
Well, communication
from the president himself.
To go into the forest now,
one needs laissez-passer.
I've never needed a--
New rules.
Sure, but I--
I mean, I--
[speaking in French]
Mr. Larry, a lot has changed
since you left.
We are in the process
of systematizing our Pygmies.
No more leaf huts
or swinging in trees.
We are a modern country.
Monsieur La Mayor...
Ha!
Not even a tiny
little watch for me?
Kirikiri...
[speaks in French]
[whispering]
[bleating]
[speaking in native language]
[speaking in foreign language]
[laughing]
Larry! Larry!
[Mulala]
Larry!
[native instruments]
[Man singing
in foreign language]
Nice bike, fuck-head!
[laughing]
[Man speaking
in foreign language]
[Man continues]
[African]
[chattering]
[chickens clucking]
[Man singing
in foreign language]
[goat bleating]
[Mr. Yi]
We can expand operations
to the Congo,
but this concession
will test our mastery
of the most
forbidding frontier.
The most valuable timber
in Africa
and the hardest to get.
You like a challenge.
Ahh!
Ah, I prefer elephant meat.
Elephant is my favorite.
Please.
Why not?
It was already dead.
[laughing]
[continues]
I wonder why the French
never penetrated your forest.
Maybe because they were afraid
of the darkness.
Not the dragon
that is said to be here?
Who told you
about the Mokiliimbimi?
Our little brothers
of the forest
have a lot of imagination.
But, uh, these machines
you Chinese have--
they're so great,
so powerful.
They go over anything,
right?
Don't they?
Don't they?
[chattering]
[blowing]
Sataka.
Hmm?
[Woman]
[Sataka]
[Kids]
Larry...
[speaking in
native language]
[speaking in
foreign language]
Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
[speaks in French]
Larry.
Larry...
[speaking in French]
[Mr. Yi]
Dollars or Euros?
[Larry]
Oh, um, I only wish
I had one to sell.
I'm all out.
But, uh--
Ah.
[clears throat]
But I'm surprised, uh,
that you have an interest.
I am interested
in everything.
Do you want a grub?
They're good.
No, thank you.
But what I find strange
is our workers
are terrified to go
into the deep forest.
Uh, the Bantu are, uh,
extremely superstitious.
Even the mayor.
They speak of this,
uh, monster
that only the Bayaka
can speak to.
Mokiliimbimbi.
[Men speaking
in native language]
There you go.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
What are they saying?
[Man continues]
Uh, they're saying,
uh, that, uh, it has
big scales
like a crocodile,
and it sleeps on a bed
of elephant tusks,
and has a horn
out of its forehead,
and that its-- that its feet
are on backwards.
[speaking in foreign language]
Smoking too much
of that pipe.
[all imitating creature roaring]
Wooh!
[men continue roaring]
Kirikiri.
[speaking in French]
[speaking in foreign language]
[speaks in foreign language]
[speaks in native language]
[speaking in foreign language]
[Man speaking
in foreign language]
Ah, welcome, Mr. Larry.
Please.
[chair whooshes]
Thank you for coming.
[speaks in French]
You have everything
you need?
Not exactly.
If our little brothers
give you any problem,
don't hesitate to tell me.
I will have my men
straighten them out.
No.
[speaking in French]
Good.
Now, for the matter
at hand, uh,
you haven't registered
your recording equipment
with my office.
Do you have a permit
to make recordings?
[clears throat]
I have never needed one.
I told you,
this is a modern country.
We have regulations now
regarding our patrimony.
You cannot go recording
our birds and animals for free.
I am adding to the patrimony
the complete recordings
of the Babajella
Forest Instruments.
I know all about
your project, Mr. Larry,
but without a permit--
I have never heard
about a permit!
Are you deaf?
No.
You understand what I said?
New regulations!
You must bring your equipment
here immediately
and leave it with me
for safekeeping!
What is it with you people
and your obsession
with pieces of paper
with your stupid
official stamps on it?
Who created
the little papers?
It's my people,
or your people?
And now,
for the last time,
you must bring your equipment
here immediately.
Mr. Larry, don't worry.
I will personally ensure
that it is returned to you.
[Man singing
in foreign language]
[continues]
[both laugh]
[native drums]
[people vocalizing]
[rhythmic clapping]
[no audible dialogue]
Larry...
Yeah?
Larry, Larry...
[continues]
[Man speaking
in native language]
[native wind instruments]
[tinnitus humming]
[high-pitched whistling]
[Simboki]
Bobanjo! Bobanjo!
Bobanjo! Bobanjo!
Bobanjo!
[distant chatter]
Sataka.
I brought a gift for you.
I have a gift for you.
[speaking in foreign language]
Sataka!
[thunderclap]
[bird squawks]
Ow.
[animal chittering]
[African]
[polyphonic singing]
[Man speaking
in native language]
[Man #2 speaking
in native language]
Aagh! Aah!
[animal grunts]
[animals chittering, squawking]
[grunts]
[native drums]
[continues]
[grunting]
[vocalizing]
[shouting]
I wanna find Sataka!
[chittering]
[continues]
[yelling]
[muttering]
[shouts]
[shouting together]
[high-pitched cry, distant]
[animal rumbling, distant]
[insect buzzing]
[shouts]
[shouts]
[Larry speaks
in foreign language]
[speaks in native language]
[yells]
[Sataka]
[Sataka]
[Woman]
[Sataka]
I know. I know.
And my eyes were spinning.
[grunts, sighs]
[Sataka speaking
in native language]
[grunting]
Oh.
[blows]
[both mutter]
Sataka.
Eh?
[yells]
[laughing]
[laughing]
[laughing]
[speaking in native language]
[Larry speaking
in foreign language]
[all speaking]
I'll get the next one.
[speaks in foreign language]
[Sataka repeats]
[laughing]
[chattering]
I'm useless, and...
[speaking in
foreign language]
[laughs]
[laughing]
[speaking in French]
[chuckling]
[mutters]
[whispering]
Larry...
[speaks in native language]
[elephant rumbling]
[animals squawking]
[whispering]
[trumpets]
[trumpets]
[snorting]
[chattering]
[elephant rumbling]
[shouting in French]
[shouts]
Mr. Larry,
your behavior has jeopardized
an important affair
of state.
I'm issuing orders
for your arrest.
[speaks in French]
[speaking in French]
[spits]
Ahh.
[speaks in foreign language]
Ah.
Oh. Oh.
[spits]
[Sataka]
Larry...
[repeating]
[laughing]
[repeats]
[chattering]
[chattering continues]
[chattering]
So Sataka used me as bait
to get the whole village
into the forest.
[shouts]
[chattering intensifies]
It's like the Jersey Shore
in summer.
[chattering]
[chattering continues]
[grunts, groans]
[laughing]
[drumming]
[polyphonic singing]
[giving orders in French]
[continues orders]
[imitating machine gun firing]
Zero.
[animal chirping, squawking]
[polyphonic singing]
[continues]
[chirping,
squawking continue]
[chatter, laughter]
[chatter,
laughter continue]
[water drumming]
[continues]
[whooping]
[call and response chanting]
[laughing]
[chanting continues]
[drumming]
[rhythmic clapping]
[Man singing
in native language]
[men vocalizing]
[continues]
[no audible dialogue]
[chuckling]
[chuckles]
[stringed instrument]
[men chattering]
[continues]
[men singing
in native language]
Hey.
[speaks French]
Ohh.
[animal grunting]
[growls]
[growls]
Larry!
[chattering]
[whooping]
[polyphonic singing]
[continues]
[clears throat]
[rhythmic clapping]
[boy vocalizing]
[kids chanting]
[continues]
[clears throat]
[stops]
[laughter]
[playful chatter]
[speaks in native language]
[vocalizing together,
repetitively]
[continues]
Larry. Larry. Larry.
[shouts]
Larry.
[Girl] Larry.
Larry.
[shouts]
[shouts]
Larry. Larry.
Larry.
[grunts]
[chattering]
[laughing]
[Woman]
[mocking Larry]
Eee! Eee!
[stringed instrument]
[Man singing
in foreign language]
[continues]
[insects buzzing]
[chattering]
Larry?
[responds]
[speaks in native language]
[blade scraping]
[blade continues scraping]
[stringed instrument]
[people vocalizing]
[rhythmic clapping]
[laughing]
[whistling]
[whistling continues]
All work and no play.
Let's go.
[sighs]
Let's go.
Tomorrow, a Pygmy
will shoot an elephant.
This forest will be yours.
[native drums]
[polyphonic vocalizing]
[continues, faint]
[rhythmic clapping]
[whooping]
[radio: Man singing
in foreign language]
[stops]
[group exclaiming]
[Man speaking
in native language]
[group exclaiming]
This is as far as our wheels
can carry us.
[speaking in native language]
What did he say?
Just a little walk
from here.
[speaks in foreign language]
[soft chatter]
That's a big gun
for red river hog.
[speaking in foreign language]
No, no.
[continues in foreign language]
[shouting in native language]
You will not
be shooting an elephant
while I'm in camp!
I love meat!
[stringed instrument]
[faint chatter]
[chatter continues]
[Woman laughing]
[Woman laughing]
[continues]
[chattering]
Mr. Yi?
[Woman]
Larry.
[laughing]
Shh. Larry.
Shh!
[whispering]
[chattering]
[soft chattering]
[whispering]
Doc did say I'd have
good days and bad days.
If I die here, the Bayaka
will have to leave the forest
to carry my corpse
back to Yamondo.
Yekko?
[elephant rumbling,
distant]
[rumbling continues]
[grunting]
[Boy]
[pounding ground]
[whistles]
[soft chattering]
They are hunting
with spears.
Then you have to do it.
Cannot have
a spear wound.
I'm sick and tired
of carrying out
your dirty work, all of you!
Here. Do it yourself.
[speaking in French]
[speaking in French]
Bassoun!
[snorts]
[rumbling]
[trumpets]
Sataka!
[speaks in foreign language]
I came because
you called me.
[speaking in native language]
[footsteps]
[rumbling]
[molimo bellowing]
[chittering]
[squawking]
[chirping]
The molimo.
[ molimo continues bellowing]
[trumpets]
[elephant trumpets]
[trumpeting]
[trumpeting continues]
[organic percussion]
[continues]
[trumpeting]
[chirping]
[long, sustained ringing]
[ringing continues]
[Man vocalizing]
[continues]
[Woman vocalizing]
Your Africa days
are over, Larry.
[People singing
in native language]
[native drums]
[continues]
[Bassoun]
Our little brothers
will be known
throughout the world.
Because of me.
Me!
[continues]
[yells]
Oh, Larry.
[stops]
Let me free!
[horns honking]
[coughing]
[speaking in native language]
[chattering]
[speaking in native language]
Larry!
Larry!
[people exclaiming,
chattering]
[Man singing
in native language]
[polyphonic singing]
[continues]
[African]
[Woman vocalizing]
[continues]
[polyphonic singing]
[ends]
[native instruments]
[Man vocalizing]
[continues]
[Man laughing]
[Man #2 speaking
in native language]
[vocalizing]
[Man speaks
in native language]
[Men respond]
[polyphonic singing]
[continues]
[ends]
[native instruments]
[Man singing
in native language]
[continues]
[whistling]
[ends]
[insects, birds chirping]
[animal howls]
[animal squawking]