"In the heart of the New Guinea, one of the world's largest islands," "the Australians discovered these mountains in 1954." "No roads lead to them." "They are inaccessible." "We are above unexplored regions." "They are not on the map... or more precisely, they are shown only as white spots." "It is the unknown." "Ah, this obviously isn't for sale." "This is really terrible." "Horn Bill feathers." " You speak French?" " Yes, Madame." "Oh my God, it's terrible... you're hurt." "May I?" "It's bleeding, how awful..." "Don't do that, it's dirty, you'll get it infected." "We must clean it." "I'll take you to the hospital." "You must see a doctor!" "It's not funny." "You have to be careful here." "You don't know anything." "It's hot." "Come on, everything's fine." "Clumsy!" "I'll never forgive myself." "Let's talk about something else." "It's all because of your feathers..." "Oh, those feathers, they're nothing." "Is that what you do - sell them?" "Yes... if you like." "You should see the ones I have at camp." "They're something." "Really!" "But careful!" "They're not for sale." "Oh, he isn't hurrying." "They're so slow here." "Why not tell me about yourself?" "That'll calm you." "There's not much to tell..." "My husband is French Consul in Melbourne." "Since I hate simply socializing," "I buy island crafts, feathers, fabrics, for a Paris boutique." "What else?" "I play the piano..." "I have a very pretty orchid collection... and a little dog, if you're interested." "What's his name?" "Pretty name." "Ah, the hospital, at last!" "Coming with me..." "Yes." "Hi Olivier, hurt your foot?" "Oh, it's nothing." "You've been very nice, thank you." "It was the least I could do." "I'm so sorry for what happened, really." "Goodbye." "What about those feathers..." "want to see them?" "Yes, why not, I'd love to." "In there." " You all live in there?" " Yes." "Look, Mama, Olivier hurt his foot." "Hermine, this is Vivian." " Hi." " Hello." "Sorry..." "That's Monique and Gaetan." "Gaetan's financing our expedition." "He inherited a little money." "I handle the practical side..." "What's the matter?" "What?" "Nothing." "These are from the Lesser Bird of Paradise." "How marvelous!" "I've never seen anything like them." "Never!" "I've heard about these feathers." "It seems they're found on a plateau in the center of the island." "But I understand the bird is becoming extinct." "That's true." "Gaetan and I found these on our expedition." "Unfortunately, our permit wasn't in order." "We had to come back." "But we go again day after tomorrow." "I've finally gotten the permit..." "But then you can find me some!" "Impossible." "Hunting is illegal." "If they catch you, it's prison." "Then how did you get these?" "From a missionary out there." "He trades with the natives." "Sell them to me." "Will you have dinner with us?" "Hermine's a great cook." "Tempted?" "Well... that is..." "I don't know, I hadn't planned, and..." "And?" "And so, uh..." "I'm expected..." "It's rather difficult." "Don't you like it here?" "Yes, it's charming, delightful..." "Fine, then you'll have dinner with us." "I'll show it to you." "These white spots are... the unexplored zones." "It's there." "It's not on the map, it's as if it didn't exist, but it does exist." "I thought there were no more unexplored lands." "Your valley must have been seen from planes." "You can't see it." "It's shrouded in mist." "It's not on the map, look." "Look what's written here." "This map is dated 1969." "There's a thing I don't understand." "You've talked about these places, that have all finally been found." "Why is it this one that's still undiscovered?" "Don't you think that's strange?" "It's been discovered several times." "But those who have done it have never come back." "They had to stay." "Why?" "Because it's Paradise." "Do you think he's serious?" "It's his passion..." "You don't leave Paradise." "You can lose yourself there, or stray away... and then... it's disaster, the curse." "But you don't leave Paradise." "It's impossible." "Understand?" "But then, if your valley's so terrific, why don't you go there now?" "Our senses are not yet... sufficiently... open." "We're not in any hurry." "Above all, we must destroy time, to become one with it." "We must first reach the tribes that live at the foot of the mountains." "Their magicians may be able to show us a way to go." "Can you take me back to the hotel?" "Sure." "I'd like one last look at your feathers, if I could." "Unreal." "Sell them to me." "Then lend them to me." "Just for two or three days..." "Yes... what harm could that do?" "Is that you, darling?" "Vivian!" "Good to hear you." "How are you?" "Fine." "It's really beautiful here, I'm ecstatic." "See your picture in "Woman's Weekly"?" "I was just looking at it, I don't like it." "And you?" "Don't be silly, you're beautiful." "No, I look like Mme. Bon, I have a pimple, a nose like a duck, it's horrid." "Don't worry." "I love you as you are." "So, what do you do all day?" "Lots of things... some shopping." "They'll be delighted in Paris." "By the way, I may have found a way of getting some very rare feathers." "I don't much like that." "It's illegal." "We could use your diplomatic pouch." "We'll go into smuggling." "Bravo." "Shout it around." "The wire tap'll love it." "I can't hear you..." "Hello?" "How's Nouki?" "Fine." "She had four puppies yesterday, very cute." "Oh, that's great!" "Had the piano tuned?" "Not yet." "I'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow." "I should be gone about 15 days." "I'd like you to be back before..." "I can't hear a thing any more." "I don't hear anything." "Digging a ditch for the rain?" "But the rainy season's over." "Though it was so cloudy this morning it was like the end of the world." "It's nice out." "It's hot." "Yes." "It is cooler than yesterday." "Yesterday was so muggy." "I'm glad you came back." "Yes, I came for something very important..." "Those feathers you showed me, you know, those..." " I forget the name." " Kumul." "That's it, Kumul feathers." "I'm terribly interested in them." "Since you're going, you could bring some back for me... get in touch with the missionaries." "I have plenty of markets, and plenty of money." "We could do a nice bit of business." "You're forgetting one thing..." "We're not concerned with business." "Our trip has a very different goal." "What is this goal, if you don't mind my asking?" "I've already told you:" "The valley." "Obviously, then..." "Besides, who knows when we'll be back or if we'll be back." "What a pity." "There must be some way," "I don't know... if you sent them..." "What we could do is to take you with us to Watik, where the missionary is." "Is it far?" "Two weeks." "Look." "We're coming from this direction, and we'll be crossing this area." "Takes two weeks, not rushing, to reach the mission, and then we'll head on." "Yes, but, uh..." "Once we're there, how will I get back?" "The mission has a little airstrip." "You can afford to rent a plane to get back." "Yes... it's a bit complicated, but..." " What do you say?" " I don't know." "I'll have to think about it." "Do you think you might?" "It's a problem." "It's turning into an expedition for me too." "Yes, but if I ever decided..." "You don't seem too happy at the idea..." "Oh, yes, but two weeks in a jeep through the bush... it's tough." "Two weeks in a jeep doesn't scare me." "I'm a sport." "There are four of you..." "that's a bit delicate." "What?" "I mean," "you're two couples:" "Gaetan and Monique." "You and what's-her-name." "Hermine?" "Maybe she's with Gaetan too." "Ooh!" "It's cold!" "That's where we wash?" "Yes, this is the bathroom." "I'll wash over there..." "you're getting the water dirty." "Besides, I'll get some peace over there." "Olivier, could you please ask Gaetan to stop?" "What?" "I have to get out, understand?" "Well, what are you waiting for?" "I... nothing." "What now?" "I'm afraid of snakes." "No snakes on the road." "You're crazy!" "I'm not staying on the road." "Look, make up your mind." "Just get right up next to the car." "No one can see you." "Who are these people?" "Coming for the show." "The show?" "Yes, a big festival." "The local tribes hold it every 2 years." "Maybe you could find feathers there!" "Careful, it's strictly illegal." "I lost you." "I've been looking for your for an hour." "Thought I'd never find you." "What's going on?" "You go on, we'll pitch camp." "I won't deny I'm interested in these feathers, especially those of the..." "What's the name?" "Kumul." "That's it, Kumul." "You wouldn't have some now, would you?" "I'll pay cash, of course." "Alas, Madame." "I haven't seen any for nearly a month." "What awful luck!" "Do you know anyone who sells them?" "No... you know, I get my feathers completely by chance." "This whole trip for nothing..." "How wretched!" "Oh, well... can I ask something of you?" "To give me a seat on your plane when it leaves?" "Gladly Madame, but..." "Tomorrow, or the next day?" "No, my plane's broken down at Port Moresby... at least 15 days." "15 days!" "Yes... is that inconvenient, Madame?" "Yes, terribly..." "I don't know what to do... my husband will worry... 15 days late!" "But I thought you were husband and wife..." "Not at all!" "What you could do is to go farther north... as far as our last mission, in Watung." "They have a plane that works." "You can rent it." "But that's far!" "It takes about a week." "Depends on the rains." "A week." "Well, I have no choice." "I'm sorry, Madame, but I did my best." "You're very kind." "Well, I'll be saying goodbye, and good luck." "And bon voyage." "Wait a minute." "I just remembered something." "Up on the mountain... there's an old kind of magician-sorcerer, who never speaks." "He has a collection of fantastic feathers." "Go see him." "Let's go." "But be careful of one thing." "He never sells them." "He only gives them away, and to people he likes." "And very rarely." "One or two at a time." "See the beautiful feathers someone gave me!" "Gave?" "What's going on?" "It's weird." "Preparing for the full moon." "Why do that to her?" "Don't worry, it's ok." "Don't get me mad." "What did you tell her?" "That you're crazy to drink that." "Why?" "It's not for you." "Stop saying that all the time!" "What was that stuff?" "A mixture the mountain tribes make." "Gaetan calls it "the liquor of Dionysus."" "So it's not for me?" "Love me?" "Yes." "But you bore me." "I know how to play." "The moon... the water..." "I want... the tree... the hole... it moves... it closes again... the tree... hanging... the hole..." "Paradise... the tree... of Paradise... the nest... the nest of the Bird of Paradise... is here," "in the tree..." "I am in the nest of the Bird of Paradise," "and it is nestled in the tree..." "The tree closes again, and I am not afraid." "My leaf friends, you feel," "you're sensitive... it moves." "I'm happy, you know..." "Very happy..." "I don't want it to stop." "And it won't ever stop." "You don't care, do you?" "No, you squeeze well anyway." "You're nice, you don't scare me." "You're squeezing." "Want to eat my nose?" "You're happy there..." "Me too... we're both very happy." "Don't move." "No, Vivian." " Why?" " Not to that one." " What should I do, then?" " Undo it." "So, what's your plane doing?" "Ah, that's not bad." "Look, a pretty souvenir for us." "Too bad the mud'll cover it." "But that's nice too." "A dragon." "For me, a dragon, a devil, a snake stand for good." "In the decadent West, where we're from, it stands for evil, darkness, but here it stands for the life force." "Neither good nor bad." "It's too bad, she won't see the light." "She won't see the mountain tribes, she won't see the changes, she won't see smiles," "she won't see life," "she won't see the light that is like a mist, she won't see the valley." "It's too bad she's leaving us..." "There's the plane!" "Nearly finished?" "Better get your bags ready, we're in a hurry." "I'd like to establish a camp on that mountain." "It's far." "You leave us with good vibrations before you leave." "I'll get your bags." "You scare me sometimes, you know." "Now I understand why the old man chose you for the feathers." "Sure you want to go on?" "Yes." "This is the last outpost - after this, no roads, no way to return; the unknown." "Yes, I know." "What's that about?" "What are they saying?" "Talk softly... this is a restricted area." "Officially, we can't keep going." "They're talking about horses." "Horses?" "What for?" "In a while it'll get steeper, we'll have to leave the car." "We'll need horses... he knows who may be able to sell us some." "He's turning us onto them." "Who are they?" "I don't know." "I've never been there." "They're riper up here - there's more sun." "Any more room in your sack?" "A little, that's ok." "You?" "Hardly." "Can you open yours?" "Yes, wait..." "I don't know... is it ok?" "Yes, wait..." "We'll bring a lot back, eh?" "Yes." "It's fun here... it feels good." "You like it?" "I feel very good, it's crazy." "I feel completely changed." "It's true, you do seem to have changed a lot..." "Think so?" "Enough for everyone, eh?" "Careful..." "Oh, all over my blouse." "It's heavy." "I want to have Olivier taste them." "Want me to help?" "No, this is fine." "You're pretty big." "There's a root, that's why." "All right, let's go." "Do you have a rag?" "What for?" "To rub this out!" "Oh." "Why?" "There's no joy here." "True, after what you're doing, there's no joy." "It's all phoney, false." "I have nothing to do with you." "This drawing doesn't mean anything." "What's going on?" " She's not happy?" " No." "Where are you going?" "I'm leaving." "The vacation is over." "You know..." "in a Zen monastery one day... there are 20 monks and a young nun, who are studying," "and the young nun is very pretty, so many monks fall in love with her." "Then one day, one of them sends her a letter" "requesting a secret meeting." "So she doesn't reply, and the next morning" "the Zen master reads to the group, and after the reading, the young nun gets up" "and, in front of everybody, she says to the one who sent the letter:" ""Now, if you really love me," ""come up and kiss me."" "You see, that's open love." "I'm no more with Olivier than with Gaetan." "I'm not in love with Olivier either." "Look, Vivian, don't ruin everything now." "All I know is, I don't want to stay." "I want to leave now." "I know, I've been through that too." "I suffered a lot... and then one day..." "one day I understood that... actually, little by little, I understood that love is something much bigger than that." "See, the way you love Olivier is for your own pleasure, your own satisfaction, but not for his... that is, you take what you like, what suits you, but you don't give." "For example, there's the ocean... the ocean is love... and then there's a little bottle floating in the ocean, with water inside it, drifting in the ocean." "The little bottle is you;" "but if you break the little bottle, no more solitary bottle, just the ocean." "Understand?" "You know, I love you Vivian." "Really." "Look at that." "It's a Bird of Paradise." "Is it dead?" "Seen my dress?" "According to the Chinaman, this is it." "Don't sulk." "I'm not sulking." "I hate killing birds too," "I could have acted the same." "I just had to give it to him - it was dead." "I was stupid." "Because of me, your expedition is stopped..." "No." "Yes!" "No, we'll find another way." "I bring bad luck." "Shut up." "Olivier, how much does a horse cost?" "Let's go back to see them." "Let's go back to see them." "Offer them double, ok?" "They won't do it, after the bird business." "Think so?" "Listen, here, this is all my money." "They'll take it..." "it's nearly $1200." "Here!" "Those two pigs!" "A couple more cents... see... there." "All I have." "We'll see if they'll take it or not." "How will you speak to the mountain tribesman?" "Must be pretty difficult..." "No really, how do you do it?" "See, no need to talk to communicate." "Still, if we stay a long time..." "To be able to say things..." "He's eating my head!" "You do this?" "Look, Vivian, a possum!" "It's pretty!" "Careful!" "When are we going to leave?" "For the valley?" "Yes, for the valley." "We're ready, they've told you all the trails." "So what are we waiting for?" "We're not ready." "We're waiting to be ready." "See, they're calling everyone around here to the festival." "Gaetan told me." "I'd love to do the make-up, and join in the festival." "Everyone gathered here will eat the flesh of the pigs together, to honor our ancestors." "For the first time, whites participate in this ceremony." "Our ancestors would have been astonished." "I am proud, and I hope they will take my name" "to the far side of the world." "I salute the white women who have crossed the great jungle to be with us." "I wish to speak too." "I am the only man present from the Mul tribe, which could not come because of the swollen rivers." "Prepare yourselves... the food will be passed out." "Olivier, isn't it wonderful..." "We've become so close to them." "We're practically like them." "Look at Gaetan and Hermine..." "it's great!" "I'm happy." "We've found truth, you know." "What's wrong, Olivier?" "It's just the opposite." "What's the opposite?" "We're lying." "Whatever Gaetan says, we're tourists here." "What do you mean, tourists?" "I don't get it, what's that supposed to mean?" "It's disgusting, hearing you talk like that, you've spent months here with Gaetan, and that's all..." "You don't understand." "What are you, stupid?" "Dancing's easy." "Could you work with them?" "Yes, absolutely!" "Women are even more exploited here." "You know, Vivian, among the Kombugas," "society is bound by very strict rules." "Same with ours." "It's not the same thing..." "We're trying to break ours." "When they dance, it's not just for the pleasure of it, it's to obey something." "Look, this is the cemetery, they're dancing on their dead." "We seek after pleasure, and maybe peace." "They couldn't care less about that." "I don't know, Olivier, but look at this festival." "Everyone's happy together." "Why do we all understand, without words..." "like real friends?" "Why the understanding, why is it so simple here, eh?" "It's ok." "But that doesn't mean much." "You really disappoint me." "You're just like my husband." "Sure, we all like each other, but it doesn't go any farther." "How can you expect real rapports between us, who tear down our social restrictions," "and them, who live in terror and... and respect for taboos?" "I don't know... but it's possible." "We're finding something else, that's all." "Don't you believe in mysterious forces?" "Oh, sure, very much." "But not in their way." "For us, that's impossible." "One can't forget one's past, Vivian." "It's not possible to undo your conditioning." "Once it's lost, innocence can't be found again." "Paradise is a place with many exits, but no entrance..." "There's no way back from knowledge..." "When you fall from grace, that's it." "I wonder, to find it again, whether we shouldn't do just the opposite of what we've done..." "If we shouldn't take another bite out of the apple." "What are you doing?" "I think we've gone the wrong way." "If the Urai mts." "Are there, Mt." "Umasa isn't there, but there." "Got the compass?" "We'll have to try to go that way." "Where is it?" "See that hill?" "After that there's a big mountain, after the mountain, it's farther, farther, farther, farther..." "It's very far?" "It's very close." "But I don't think the horses will get through that jungle." "We must go now!" "We'll turn them loose and let them find their way back." "We may be taking a chance." "I know..." "Want to turn loose the other two?" "Yes." "Where are the horses?" "Gone." "Something wrong?" "He's asking if we're going to the top." "They're saying it's dangerous." "Mama." "When do we get there?" "Hermine's dizzy, she can't walk any more." "It's not serious, just the altitude." "I'm hungry..." "I'm thirsty..." "I'm tired of this." "Wait a little." "This is the last one." "Thank you." "You know, we're..." "I'm hungry." "I'm thirsty." "But I told you, there's nothing left to eat." "The valley!" "The valley..." "I see it!"