"Last century, on Earth's map, there were many lands where no man had ever been." "Around 1850, a scientific expedition left to research the Southest land of the American continent the Tierra del Fuego." "They disappeared there, no one knows why and no one knew what that land might hide." "Around that time, from a Romanian port at the Danube, Galatz, a young man, willing to learn, left by the seas to acquire the knowledge of ship building and to learn the tough profession of sailing." "The warm friendship between him and Pierre Vaillant, the son of one of the crew members in the lost expedition and the attraction of that yet unknown territory, were to change Anton Lupan's path throwing him into the big adventure of knowledge" "and of discovering the white spots on the world's map over last quarter of the last century." "FULL SAIL" "Chapter 1" " Speranta (Hope)" "Oh, dearest greenleaf grain..." "Are you Romanian?" "Yes, sir." "But only a half." "The bigger half." "You too?" "I'll show you!" "Damn girl!" "Wretched girl!" "I'll show you!" "Stay back, sir." "They say he's her brother, Hussein." "Terror of Mediterranean Sea." "Didn't I tell you to guard her well, bastards?" "You didn't listen to me." "Help!" "Sir..." "Come on!" "We're leaving." "To the sails!" "I won't forget you." "Maybe we'll meet again." "Maybe." "My name is Pierre Vaillant." " Are you French?" " From Saint Malo." "My name is Anton Lupan." "I'm Romanian." "Because it's been a while since we became friends and because you enjoyed coming to Saint Malo" "I would like to share something with you." "But, first, what do you think about our men?" "No doubt, they're real sailors." "I'd love to be just like them." "Until not long ago, they were fearsome corsairs." "They were Brits' nightmare." "Yes, I know." "No English captain set sail through the English Channel without going to the church first and praying to get rid of them." "That was my grandpa's house." "What do you think about the stem?" "I don't know..." "It's too straight." "I'd have liked it to be..." "longer." "Yes, but if you sailed it through the Gulf of Gascoigne, you'd think different." "I want to tell you a secret." "My grandpa, Old Leon, was also a corsair when younger." "Really, the Brits caught him and chained him." "In Davenport, there were others with him." "Later, in 1825, during George the Fourth," "HMS Beagle set sail on a trip around the world." " The ship of Charles Darwin?" " Yes." "As the journey was long and difficult, the Brits thought of our corsairs." "They were proposed to join the crew and promised to be set free." "Old Leon accepted." "So did other 8 Frenchmen." "He was helmsman." "He went around the world and then came back to Saint Malo." "Alone." "Because the others ran away during the trip." "I see." "I understand, but..." "why is it a secret?" "My grandpa could tell no one he worked on a British ship." "It was shameful." "That's the big secret." "You should know this, because somehow, you are part of the family." "I'll show you something." "Of course, my grandpa knew Darwin well." "I hope he is not here." "Old Leon, Old Leon," "He's probably out to get a drink." "At the bistro." "Come." "I'll show you a letter from Charles Darwin." "He has many." "My old corsair." "I am glad you're still alive and strong as I remember you." "I've just received your letter and I regret I haven't written to you for almost three years." "During this time, I finished a book that has finally been printed which I send to you, as the one who always stood by me." "It contains my theory regarding the Origin of Species and it's my gift to you, so you think about me when the science pirates will attack me." "Regarding your son, the brave Arnold, why do you think all hope is lost?" "Has he perished in those dry lands, I wonder?" "I, for one, hope not." "Charles Darwin." "Arnold... isn't he your father?" "You told me he died in a ship wreck." "He left when I was 11 and never came back." "How did that happen?" "Lots of sailors die at sea." "Our people know that some don't come back." "If they don't come back, what's the point of knowing more?" "Yes, but as I see, Darwin still has hope." "No, the letter is 9 years old." "What else can you hope for?" "But one of the men that went with him, Old Gill, came back." "He told us all the others died." "And didn't he tell you how the wreck happened?" "No, I can't get any other information from him." "Ten years ago, an English steamer found him in Magellan Strait." "He was almost insane." "So what can I..." "The Voyage of the Beagle:" "Journal of Researches" "By Charles Darwin." "How come I never heard of it?" "It's just been published." "We'll take it with us." "I think Old Leon will not miss it, if we return it soon." "I've read it a bit." "Of course, in secret." "If Old Leon caught me, he would get angry." "It's autographed." "1851." "My beloved Leon," "I am glad you want to help me, but, alas, the journey can not happen." "Her Majesty's Government considers there's no point in knowing la Tierra del Fuego" "I also made inquiries in Paris, but cannot hope for support from the French government." "December 17, 1852." "Old helmsman," "I found a young captain from Boston." "He's not rich but he has a ship and 500$ and he's ready to leave anywhere." "Maybe the University of Boston will give us a few hundred pounds." "I am sorry that we, the old ones, will not go." "Our bones are too tired." "A brilliant student of mine will take my place and I will be happy to have your son, Arnold, taking your place." "I'm sure he is like you." "That's how my father left." "After that, nobody new anything." " Is it a full moon?" " No." "It's Old Leon!" "And Old Gill." "Let's hide in the barn." "Why did you come here?" "Go home." "We went through Old Leon's papers many times." "But I never understood this major fact:" "that Darwin and his companions never got to go through the last 200 miles over the mountains in Tierra del Fuego." "Grandpa says that it was not Darwin who didn't want to, but Fitz Roy, the steamer's captain." "His crew were afraid of evil spirits." "I wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back asleep." "I am constantly thinking and wondering." "Me too." "What do you think it's there?" "There could be forests or lakes." "Or plains or desert, or all of them." "Extraordinary riches or nothing whatsoever." "If I were skeptical, I'd say that with or without them, the world will go on the same." "But it's annoying not knowing." "It's better to know it's nothing." "Let's find out." "We need to." "Without this, I'd feel half a man, I'd blame myself all my life." "Do you really think we could find out?" "You took it, you rascals" "What were you doing in my cabin?" " We will go there." " Where?" "Tierra del Fuego?" "Magellan Strait?" "Do you think it's the same thing as going to Istanbul or Port Said?" "Do you think it's a walk in the park?" "Yeah, yeah Magellan Strait." "You, too, are going insane." "From now on, you will never rest." "Magellan Strait is the toughest challenge in the world for any sailor." "We know, Old Leon." "We know this from your log and Darwin's book." "But we want to do what you couldn't." "You, Darwin, and my father." "It's a duty." "To discover my father's trail." "Ever since I've read the log, this is all I can think of." "I have nothing else on my mind." "Do you expect an inheritance or something?" "And the ship?" "Where would you get one from?" "And money to prepare it, where from?" "And money for the crew and supply for many months." "And for scientists." "Have you thought about that?" "We'll work as much as four people." "Ten people, twenty..." " In a few years we'll have the money." " I already have over 100 francs." "I, too, have 50." "Ok, all that's left is the rest up to one million." "But you have a starting point." "Meaning: you are both crazy and heart full." "Out of your minds." "Poor dad, look what he's writing to me" "But if you really want to accomplish what you say, you have my blessing and support, because I cannot be against a deed which is important to the mankind and honors our nation." "I've spoken to Mr V. A. Ureche, Minister of Instruction who is a friend of mine." "Although sympathetic and interested in such a bravery he told me you cannot hope for support from the government because no one will take you seriously." "That's it." "We cannot expect anything from any government in the world." "Do you know something?" "We will never organize an expedition following all the regulations." "It's important that at least both of us get there." "That would be a romantic expedition, Pierre." "What about the scientific research?" "We'll do it." "Do you think it's easy?" "No, it's not easy, but we'll learn." "Look, I take geography and meteorology." "Really." "You take geology and nature science." "But tell me, what kind of a ship do you have in mind?" "What kind would be fit?" "I don't know..." "Maybe a 10 tone sloop." "3 crew members tops." "No, it's difficult for such a trip." "A 150 tone HMS, with 10 men would be better." "Too much money, Pierre." "Let's say a schooner." "A 80 tone schooner with 5 men and us." "I got it." "In Turkey they build a railway in Anatolia plain." "It's the toughest construction site today." "We can go there." "The money is four times better than anywhere else." "But we are ship engineers, Pierre." "So what?" "We'll build bridges and railways." "It's not difficult." "We have to raise the money, get it?" "Are we going to Galata?" "Galata, or Pera, I don't care." "I want to see something else, I'm tired of the site filth." "Maybe something remotely similar to the pretty face in Port Said." "I don't know, I forgot." "Never thought of it." "I think I'd rather watch the ships." " What do you think?" " Yeah, could be." "Yeah, beautiful shape." "But the ones for sale are on the other side." "Yeah." "1000 lira is much money." "It's not worth it." "That's the price." "1000 lira." "No less." "I want to get back home, to Holland." "Too expensive." "How about 900?" "No." "No, no." "No." "Can we speak to you, captain?" "What about?" "We want to buy the ship." "Sir, Martha is worth more, we know that." "But we only have 1000 lira." "Exactly your price." "It would be unfair to take advantage of you." "We'll wait a week, and if by then there's no better offer..." "You are not sailors." "Why do you want to buy it?" "To sail across the sea." "We want to get to a place, which is still unknown." "You aren't even 30 years old." " I am 35 years old." " And I'm 36." "If I were younger, I'd go with you." "Even as helmsman, if you didn't want me as captain." "How much money do you have?" "1000 lira." "Give me 900." "And you'll still have some for the crew." "We can't do that." "We can't accept." "We'll do as I say." "Otherwise I'll take it out to sea and sink it myself." "Did you buy?" "With 900." "Didn't you know I want to buy?" "Don't you know I want to buy?" "No, I want to buy." "No, I want to buy." "You give 900." "I give you 1000." "Get lost, it's my ship." "I give 1100." "Dear captains." "Please get off our ship." "I give 1200." "1500." "1700." "Allah!" "2000!" "Sirs, sirs..." "Please get off." "Please." "Sir, but... gold!" "Come on, come on." "That's enough." "Please, please." "We won't sell, even if the Sultan wants it and pays half the seraglio for it." "Sir, you're crazy." "Can you imagine?" "It's ours." "Yes." "First of all I suggest we change its name." "Do you like Martha?" " It's a girl's name." " It's not even my girlfriend's name." " I don't even have one." " Me neither." "Kid, you chose your own path." "Time for love will come, if you have the time for it." "What would you call it?" "I think a symbolic name would be nice." "Something related to our hopes and dreams." "Let's call it L'Esperance." "How does it sound in your language?" "Speranta (Hope)." "My cousin, kir Iacomachi lacks groceries." "In Galatz there is a demand for lemon and pepper." "People in Galatz eat spicy food." "A wagon of pepper..." "A fortune, captain." "It's higher than gold." " Let's hope that..." " Don't worry." "In Galatz, when you go down the street..." "We'll find him." "Pierre." "How is the job?" " Who is he?" " The helmsman." "His name is Sotir." "Hell of a man!" "But he's a very good sailor." "He's half Romanian." "His mother, you know." " Did you load the merchandise?" " Yes." "7 wagons of groceries." "I just signed the papers with kir Tziminadis." "I should have told you." "Maybe you wanted to go..." "Why?" "The cargo is for a Danube port." "Galatz." "Perhaps you wanted to see your country." "You've been away for so long." "Yes, I would have wanted it so much..." "But I can not leave the site for so long." "I mean, if we want to go across the Atlantic sooner..." "What's with those lights?" "I don't know..." "I think they're anchored ships." "They are waiting for daylight to sail up the Danube." "Strange." "According to my calculations..." " Two quarts left." " Got it." "Two quarts left." "What is that?" "We're on land." "All men to their posts!" "The Frenchman shouldn't get away." "Over there." "You search for small things." "Go get the big stuff, dog." "My dear son," "Please know, if you don't already, that since your good mother died" "I have thought only of you." "During my late years, my worries were small" "I managed to save some money from my teaching job to help you accomplish what you and your friend want." "Wait for me." "Forgive me, kir Iacomachi, for intruding." "I think you remember me." "I was here two years ago." "Have you ever heard of Pierre Vaillant and his ship?" "What is it to hear?" "What to hear about a ship that perished five years ago?" "And during war, too." "Forget it, as I did." "It sunk... that's it!" "How do you know?" "What else?" "It didn't arrive." "Where else can it be?" "It's gone." "Fine, kir Iacomachi, but how did it sink?" "How did it perish?" "You always find something..." "a small trail..." "Look here, what I lost 7 wagons of olives, butter, pepper, coffee... oranges, lemons" "What do you want now?" "Even I forgot about it." "Kiria, the lady asks if you come to give her a massage." "I come." "I don't have other option." "I'll go, too." "Forgive me, kir Iacomachi, for disturbing your peace." "Peace, what peace?" "That's trouble, not peace." "I'll walk." "Thank you." "What do I shoot?" "The bride, mister, the bride!" " The aim is too low." " Bull shit!" "Once more." "Pay up." "Of course he hits it." "If he sees double..." "You hit one, you can shoot one more time." "That's the rule." "Go away, you drunk!" "Now what?" "The sheep, mister, the sheep." "He did it." "It's the rule." "Now what?" "The cuckoo, mister, the cuckoo." "The cuckoo, where's the cuckoo?" "Ok, ok, that's enough." "Now go away!" "Why?" "Leave him be." "It's his right." "The witch, mister, the witch." "The witch... the witch." "The prize, mister, give him the prize." "The prize, mister, don't pretend you forgot." "What do you mean?" "It's his right." "Give him the prize." "Take the prize and go away." "Let him shoot again." "Do you want to go?" "Mister, it's his right." "Why do you interfere?" "Come on, shoot again, sir, shoot again." "You want a fight?" "Go on." "What now?" "The lion, mister, the lion." "The lion!" "The lion, over there." "Ok, got them all." "Good for you." "The twenty." "Which twenty?" "The prize!" "What prize!" "The golden twenty." " Give him the money!" " What money?" "It's his right." " Give the twenty to the man." " Where do I get a twenty?" "Don't you cry." "Go away!" "He should come and get it on Saturday." " Why on Saturday and not now?" " Because I don't have it." "Give me the twenty, 'cause we can't get rid of him." "Take it, choke on it!" "It's good." "Now what do you want?" " Load it." " What?" "Load it." "I'll go again." "Go away, you drunk." "I'll burn this barrack, damn it!" " Go away!" " OK." "Come on, boy." "Good, you're very good." "But leave it." "Leave him alone." "Come with me, you'll earn more than a twenty." "Come on." "Come with me." "Come on." "What's your name, boy?" "Ieremia is my name, sir." "Not the one in those stories, I reckon." "421 00:38:54,627 -- 00:38:58,293 No, that's my brother." "Cause we are both named the same." "My name is Anton Lupan." "Anton?" "Really?" "We have an Anton in our village." "He's a priest." "But if you are Anton, what is Lupan for?" "Tell me." "Where did you learn to shoot that well?" "At Grivita, sir." "Cause I had many bullets and many Turks as targets." "Do you know any profession?" "I'm a carpenter." "If you know what that is." "I do." "I mean, I build boats for fishermen, if there are no ships to repair." " Did you go to school?" " Yes, a little." "To read, write, calculate." "Do you know any of that?" "Just a bit, so people can not call me stupid." "Listen, Ieremia, would you like to go with me?" "I reckon you don't have many reasons to stay here." "I don't." "But where to?" "To the world's end." "Isn't that too far?" "It's far, alright." "Have you ever traveled by sea?" " Are you scared of it?" " No." "I used to be a carpenter on a Turkish kayak." "I went to Istanbul, to Salonic." "I even went to Pireu." "But tell me..." "Do you drink often?" "Or only on special occasions?" "Not even on special occasions." "But I come from a wedding." "I'll go back again later." "Cause it's not over." "My cousin, Haralamb, is getting married with the daughter of a water carrier here in Galatz." " Can we get a meatball?" " Yes." " Cousin." " What's the matter, Haralamb?" " Where are your groom clothes?" " You keep them." "Are you nuts?" "I'm done here." "Give them the clothes back." "And the boots." "They were too small anyway." "Listen, the German ship is coming." "I'm going to Sulina." "Go, then." "Good luck!" "What happened?" "Where is Haralamb?" "He left them and went away." "Where did he go?" "He went away." "He said he's fed up with the wife and everything." "Go, I don't want to see you again." "Go, you rascal!" "I'll get him, don't you worry." "Punks!" "I'll get you for this." "Damn you!" "Penelopa." "Hello, anybody here?" "I don't know where this Tierra del Fuego is." "But, if I get it right, that would mean we'll travel for a whole year." "Maybe two." "Oh, dear." "Only by seas?" "Oceans, too." "Gherasim, Ismail." "Have you gone deaf, you rascals?" "You're partying at my expense." "We'll get to Pireu and I'll show you." "Good day, captain Iani." "How do you know I am captain?" "And how do you know my name?" "Well, it's enough to look at you, and I see you're the captain." "Tell me, is this lovely ship yours?" "Yeah." "I hear you're going to Pireu, is that true?" "Something like this." "What do you want?" "Could you take two passengers?" "Where to, sir?" "Well... to Istanbul." "Maybe further." "I don't know..." "To take you, or not to take you..." "What if something happens to me?" "Tell me, captain Iani, how much to Istanbul?" "My food?" "Your food." "You will sleep in my cabin. 5 icosars." "He will sleep on the deck. 2 icosars." "We'll see where we sleep." "Meaning, 7 icosars." "It's a deal, captain." "Ieremia, go and fetch the luggage." "Over there." "Good day, palikars, and good appetite, I see you have a great meal." "It seems you have a fat sheep there." "Fat, indeed." "Please, taste." "Where did you come from, sir?" "Or maybe you have a deal with Satan?" "Aren't you Gherasim?" "Brothers, I told you about Port Said." "Well, he's the one who confronted Hussein." "Tell me, sir, what are you doing here?" "Two years ago, I heard you were first mate on a Holland ship." "Since then, I also took my captain license." "But what are you?" "You speak as if you're from Muntenia." "Now, where are you heading?" "What seas are still untraveled by?" "Plenty." "I didn't just ask you that." "I thought maybe you need a helmsman." "I do need a helmsman, Gherasim." "And if you want the job, I don't think I could get a better man for it." "When do you think we'll reach Istanbul?" "If we leave tomorrow, we'll get there on Wednesday." "Our Turk, when he hears of Istanbul, almost faints." "But what's the matter with him?" "Human problems, sir." "Better shut up and eat." "Sir, as I see the wind, we won't leave today." "I'd like to go over to my cousin, Haralamb." "To see how he's doing." "Go ahead." "But come back by tonight." "Take care, maybe he'll send you find him a wife." "No, he's done with weddings." "He's hiding, so the water carrier doesn't find him." "Good day, aunty." "Do you know where the lighthouse keeper is?" "To hell." "You go after him." "But this is L'Esperance!"