Augustine

(engaging piano music) (motorbikes hum) - Morning. - [Hedi] Hi. Edie. - [Hedi] Good morning. - [Hedi] Morning. - Good Morning. - [Hedi] Good morning. (phone rings) (door knocks) - Come in. Morning, Hedi. - Good Morning, Mr. Martin. - Sit down. - St. Augustine of Hippo, another scholar, an Algerian scholar whose thinking bearsars the mark of humanism, a scholar who labored for the whole of humanity, and who in his time gave voice to the aspirations of a vulnerable society. - This report was broadcast on Algerian TV, during the inauguration of the St. Augustine Cathedral after its restoration. - I remember seeing the broadcast, Mr. Martin. - Listen, Hedi, the whole world studies the philosophy of the great Augustine and his contribution to the philosophy of humanity. There are even people who believe that he was the first philosopher of Western Christendom, while in reality he was a Berber, nobody knows that. Very few people knew he was an Algerian. I think that there's an opportunity with the inauguration of the St. Augustine Cathedral for you to do a docu-drama about St. Augustine. - Me? - Yes, you, you're the ideal person to do it, because we have confidence in you, because you are of Algerian origin, and I think that'll make it easier for you. - Thank you, Mr. Martin, for your confidence in me, but I'm a bit dubious about going to Algeria. - I don't understand your reaction. It seems really strange. I thought you'd be delighted if only because it would mean you could see your family. I believe you haven't seen them for some time. Listen, in any case we're not gonna force you. If you change your mind, the production team is ready now. So, have some time to think about it, but don't take too long. - But-- - Listen, there are no buts about it. - Hi, darling. I phoned you but you didn't answer. Sit down, darling, I need to talk to you. - I've got something to tell you. - Okay, sit down first. - Take it easy, Hedi. I'm pregnant. - You're pregnant? - Yes. - You're serious? - I suspected it for two weeks and today I had confirmation. - So, what's the solution? - There's a problem that needs a solution? - You have to understand I don't have time for this. I have a lot of work at the moment. There's lots I want to do in my life. Forget about this baby. - I'm not asking you to marry me, just acknowledge you're the father, it's not much to ask. If you don't like it we can go our separate ways. - Kenza, why do you want to destroy our relationship? We're fine the way we are. - Fine as we are? For you our relationship is purely physical. I don't call that love, Hedi. Love is about sacrifice, sharing, and responsibility. Things you know nothing about. - Wait. I love you, Kenza. - I thought so too. I thought you loved me. (ringtone blares) - Hello, yes. Yes, Mr. Martin. Yes. I'll take the job, I will. Okay, I'll be in touch. (festive Algerian music) My friends, we'll meet at the hotel, okay? - [Both] Yeah, sure. - Thanks, taxi, good morning. - Hello. Where are you going? - Souk Ahras. - Okay get in. (dramatic piano music) (cow bleats) (rooster crows) (door knocks) - Good evening. - Welcome. - [Mother] Oh! - Mother, mother, mother. - My dear son, oh I've missed you. - I've missed you too. - How are you my son? - Fine and you? - All this time. - I've missed you. - It's been seven years. - How have you been? - So long since I last saw you. Oh my son, welcome back my son. Jamilla, your sister-in-law. - [Hedi] Hello Jamilla, how you doing? - Welcome home, pleased to meet you. - You too. - Jamilla, my dear, please go and tell your husband. Tell him his brother has come from France and tell him to come quickly, please. - Okay, mother. - Oh yes, and Jamilla, go and get Dina too and tell her that Hedi is here, thank you. - I knew the day would come when you would miss your country. - You know, Hedi, before I started at the bank I had a production company. - A production company in Algeria? - Yes, there are lots of them, these production companies. Rahal has his own TV channel. - That's really good, a television channel? - Yusef, you know Rahal well? Are you still in touch with him? - Of course, he's my friend and we've been working together for years. - [Mother] Oh, well you should get in touch with him, because maybe he would have a job for Hedi. - This Hedi, mother? - Yes, who else? I have only one Hedi. - No mother, I'm not looking for a job. - Is it right, you want to set up a project? - No, you've got it all wrong. I've come here from France to make a film, that's all. (dramatic music) (religious singing) - Here are the complete works of St. Augustine in Latin. This is the treasure of the library, an edition dating from the 1760s, and among these volumes are the "Confessions," which he wrote himself about his life, and which are considered to be the beginning of a new literary genre that we know as autobiography, which was unknown to the Greeks. - Okay. - And for you, here are the "Confessions" in French. - Excuse me, Father, should we understand by "Confessions" the recognition of faults and sins according to the Gospel or something else? - It's true that the word contains the acknowledgment of faults, but also God's gifts, perhaps St. Augustine wanted to teach us this when he said, "The recognition of God's gifts comes before "the confession of sins and the beginning of good deeds." Patricius sent his son to study in Madauras, which was a town not far from Thagaste. But young Augustine was rebellious and he started going to the theater. - I'm going to ignore her. She's so crazy about me. - But that shouldn't stop you from making her dreams come true by going over there and giving her a tiny, little kiss, this way, this way, over here, over here. - Good idea. (character passes wind) (crowd laughs) (bright jangly music) - Let's taste the fruits from your garden, oh great one. - My slaves, come help me up. (birds chirp) Here, slaves, here. - [Slave] Thank you, master. Thank you for your generosity. - What do you think of Augustine, hero or a fool? - [Group] Augustine, Augustine, Augustine, Augustine! - Stop thief, stop you boy. - Run, run. - Stop thief, stop thief. Come here you rascal, come back here. I'll tell your father, Patricius about this. - So you know my father? - Yes, I know him and I know your mother, Monica, a very virtuous lady. How come she has a thief for a son? She'll have to know about this. - No, please, not my mother. I promise you not to do this again. Please forgive me. - Come here you little thief. - I did not steal the fruit because I was hungry, but because it was forbidden. I found guilty pleasure in impressing my friends. It was then that I realized that human nature is sinful. - That's it. - Do you mean to tell me that Helios, known for being a ladies' man, has been spending all his time in Madaurus working? - Of course not, Madaurus is full of taverns. I can't live without them but I adore the theater too. - Theater? - [Helios] Yes. - How come? - The plays they put on are exceptional, great performances. They make you laugh til you cry, ask Augustine. - Augustine, who? - Augustine, your son. - But what's my son doing at the theater when he's in Madaurus for his studies? - Don't ask me, ask him. I saw him recently with his friends at the Fas, the Proud Legionary. He was in seventh heaven. He must've inherited your taste for having a good time. (all laugh) (percussive rattle) (heraldic music) - We are so proud of you and Thagaste is so proud. - It's Augustine, Patricius' son. - Why all this ceremony? You'd think he was a king. - Welcome, welcome esteemed master, welcome. Welcome great speaker. - Young man, wake up young man, we're nearing Thagaste. - Monica. Monica! - Here you are. - Am I going to eat alone? - The children have already eaten. - [Patricius] And what about you? - I'll eat when Augustine gets back. - You're not fasting today? (door knocks) - Augustine! Augustine. - [Augustine] Perpetua, Navigius. - [Navigius] You're back. - Why are you so late, Augustine? - The wheel of the old cart fell off and we wasted a lot of time putting it back, and then the donkey was so slow. - And how about the ass who misses his lessons to hang about in theaters? - [Augustine] What do you mean, father? - Did you think I didn't know what you get up to in Madurus? - [Augustine] I haven't done anything wrong. - Stupid child, instead of going to your classes you hang around in bad company, in places of debauchery, and in theaters, and then you say, "I haven't done anything wrong." - If you think the theater's a place of debauchery, it's still better to watch it than indulge in it. - What! (glass smashes) (slap thuds) - Please be calm. - Stupid woman. - Don' be angry with your father, Augustine. He's like this because he wants to see you become the greatest orator in Numidia. - He scolds me for what he does himself and then some more. Why? - Even so, you must obey your father. - "Your father, your father," I don't understand you. Why defend him when you're the one most affected? How many nights have you laid in bed and cried when he came back at dawn? And you knew full well where he'd been and who he'd been with, you talk now, but most of the time you keep quiet in spite of everything he does to you. I don't understand you. - How can you understand? If you knew the Lord and the teachings of his gospel, you would know that the gospel teaches me as a wife, I must obey my husband, forgive him and pray for him always. I'll pray for him now. (light dramatic music) My Lord, my God, Jesus my Savior, help me. Have pity on your child. Touch the heart of Patricius. Enlighten his spirit in the heart of Augustine. Protect them from the evils of this world and its desires. Give Augustine an obedient heart. Don't let him choose the path of sin, please. Cleanse him of all evil and impure thoughts. Listen to my cry for help. Answer my prayer, oh Lord, for yours in the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Lord. Amen. - From that time on there was born a conflict in the mind of Augustine, a conflict between the idealism of his mother and the real world. Which way? The tangled web of his father's Gods perhaps, or the path of submission to the gospel dear to his mother divined as love. - Cut. - Let's move on, Father. - May the blessings of the gods be upon, noble Romanianus. - Patricius, how are you? - I'm well my lord. Please excuse me for coming without an appointment. - All right, what do you want? - My son, Augustine, he gave up his studies in Madurus a year ago. - What do you mean? - Did he not enjoy his studies there? - The fact is the cost of his studies was too much for me and I can no longer pay them, my lord. - So, you need money, Patricius? - [Patricius] I need your help more than money, noble Romanianus. - My help, what kind of help do you need. - I wondered if you could use your influence with the rich nobility in Carthage, so that Augustine could finish his training in rhetoric. - Carthage? This is very strange, Patricius. If you can't afford Madurus how will you be able to keep him in Carthage? Of course I'm not unwilling to help you, but I can't keep doing it for the rest of my life, and it's not just a question of a couple of years. It could take many. - Yes, my lord, but with your support I'll make every effort to make sure that he finishes his course and our ambition for him a reality. - Listen to me, Patricius. It's wonderful that you have great ambitions for your son, but it will be better if you could a little more realistic, rather than dreaming the impossible. - Thank you, my lord. - What did you do, Patricius? - Nothing, nothing. - Don't worry, you've done all you could. You've tried everything. The Lord will come to our aid. (Patricius groans) What's the matter? - Nothing, nothing. - Let me help you sit down. (Patricius groans) Let us leave the matter in God's hands now. (engaging dramatic music) - Do you reject Satan and all his works and his lies? - Yes, I do. - [Priest] Do you accept Jesus Christ? - Yes, I accept Christ. - [Priest] Do you believe he is our God and king? - Yes, I do Father, I believe in him. (Patricius groans) - [Priest] Say after me, I believe in one God. (lights buzz) - Why did you leave father and go out? - What am I supposed to do? - You should have stayed with him. Are you not sorry that he's so ill? - I'm sorry to see him believing that with this baptism he's going to become a Christian and that he'll enjoy eternal life, like our mother keeps saying. - I don't understand what you mean. - Thank you very much, Father. - Oh no, thank you, my pleasure. - No really, you've been such a help to us. You've added to the documentary. Thank you and apologies. - No, no, don't apologize. My part comes to an end here in Algeria. But you still have a long road ahead of you. - Let's go. (engaging piano music) - Everyone is seeking justice, justice based on truth. But what do we mean by truth? Finally, allow me to conclude by saying distinguished judge that in any case the truth is hidden. It is only revealed to those who really seek it, those who have keen perception, those who have great discernment, those who have wisdom and insight like yourself. - Excellent, excellent, excellent. (gallery cheers) - Oh Alypius, how I'd love to become an orator as eloquent as Asclepius. - My friend, don't exaggerate. You know our dreams have limits. - Augustine. - Oh mother. - There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. - What's a matter, what's happened? - Our dreams are coming true. You're going to Carthage to study rhetoric and law. - Really, yes Augustine, thanks to Lady Praxa. She's organized your stay in a house in Carthage where you will stay with relatives of theirs. Now, your father's soul can rest in peace. - So Alypius, our dreams don't have limits. Do you know mother, as soon as I get to Carthage I'm going to study night and day so I can finish my studies in record time, and when I come back to Thagaste I will be a teacher and an orator so that I can be near you and provide for my family. (rain pours) I'm free at last. I'm alone at last, far from the teacher's cane, far from my mother's eyes and far from my father's tomb. Now, at last I can choose my own destiny. Carthage, here I come. (ringtone plays) - Hedi, my son. - [Hedi] Mother. - What's that suitcase doing doing there? - [Hedi] I'm going to Carthage. - Carthage? - Carthage, Tunisia. - I know that Carthage is in Tunisia. What is really upsetting is that I haven't sat with you, not for even 10 minutes since you came back to Algeria. There isn't a single drop of tenderness in your eyes for me, your mother. I haven't seen you for seven years and now you leave me again. - Mother, I'm just going to Tunisia to shoot some scenes for my film. I'm really sorry. But I promise, as soon as I get back we'll go out together, you and me, have a coffee and go for a walk. - You promise, you wouldn't lie to me? - I promise you, dear mother, but please give me your blessing. - May God fulfill all your wishes, my son and bring you home to me safe and sound. (festive music) - Professor, I was so happy to learn that have a doctorate in Augustinian Philosophy, especially now that we're on the site of Carthage itself. Your involvement will be a big plus for the film. - Thank you, you're most kind. - Hedi, where should I put the camera? - Just a minute and I'll tell you. Professor, where are we now, where exactly? - This is where the nobility and the important families used to live in Carthage. - So, could we say this is the house of Nebridius, the home in Carthage where Augustine stayed? - [Professor] Yes, it's a strong possibility. - Okay. - I've come to Carthage because it was my father's ambition that I become a great and famous orator, but also because my mother did everything she could after my father's death to make that happen. - Do you really want to pursue that ambition just to make your parents happy, Augustine, or do you want to be a brilliant orator. - In Madurus I learned the art of moving an audience to tears and the ability to express emotions in a way that can convince them of what I'm saying, and I really succeeded in that. I discovered that my particular abilities are becoming clearer and that further study of rhetoric, logic, and eloquence surely will make me a brilliant orator. - You know that we are really very similar. I adore intellectual discussions love knowledge, and learning about new religions and origins. - Religions and their origins? That's strange. - Is it my friend? Do you mean the relationship between the gods we worship and the study of religions and their origins is nothing more than a love of knowledge? Go on, go on. (engaging music) - Don't be shy, give her your feet, it's her job. Her name's Tanit, she's pure Amazyne and she's beautiful. (instruments play gently) (Augustine coughs) Why are you coughing? I can see you you've never drunk alcohol before. - No, it's the first time. - [Nebridius] And it won't be the last. - Go on, what were you saying is fascinating. - [Nebridius] About intellectual discussion or about alcohol? - And so, the definition of rhetoric is the way of communicating a theory by persuasive oratory to influence our audience. That is the definition. But which of you here can tell me what are the principles of rhetoric? - You, what is your name? - Augustine. - And where are you from, Augustine? - Numidia, from the town of Thagaste. - Thagaste, I was there only a few weeks ago to plead an important case. I didn't like it. All the same, I must admit there was one consolation, the fee was most definitely worth it. (students laugh) - And sir, what is your name? - Prios, sir, I'm from Carthage of course. - So tell us, Prios, the principles of rhetoric. - The rules of rhetoric-- - Hm? - Are those used by an orator. - Of course, of course, and what are they? - And that's it. The orator uses rhetoric and rhetoric helps the orator. (students laugh) - There are five rules of rhetoric, the art, the discourse, the orator, the listener, and the effect. - Exactly right. - However, that does not excuse you from speaking without permission. - Please excuse me teacher and master. - I accept your apology. You obviously have no lack of self-confidence, because even though I didn't pay attention to you, you were sure of yourself and got it right. Well done, Augustine. You should all like Augustine, try to develop the skills that he has just demonstrated, those of being firm and fearless. (engaging soothing music) - The truth, where is the truth? Does truth exist? Everyone is looking for the truth, but the truth is hidden. Only those who look for it can find it, those who have keen perception and great discernment. The truth can only be found by those who have your wisdom. - Wonderful, does the famous orator desire anything? - Yes. I would like to have a farm with a field somewhere in the beautiful countryside of Efreekia, with fountains like you see in the elegant houses of Carthage, made of the finest marble from Kaukauna, and filled with statues of the great emperors, noble heroes, and of beautiful women, and a library. Yes, a library full of valuable manuscripts so I can enjoy my old age in peace. - And is there no place in this dream of yours for love? - Hey? - I'm sorry, sir, I've said far too much. I must got and get the meal ready. - Hmm. - I asked you last time to memorize the speech of Pericles, the most prominent orator in Athens. Which of you has learned it? Let us listen to Augustine, our future master orator. - Honorable gentleman, I invite you to make the greatness of your nation the main focus of your thoughts. I want you to be aware that this greatness has only come about thanks to the courage of its heroes, who gave up their lives for the people. We are forever grateful to them. Each of them has tomb, but I don't mean the tomb in which their bodies have turned to dust, but the tomb that consists of their memory and their renown, a tomb which has become a synonym for honor. For these heroes, the whole world is their tomb. (group applauds) - My God and my Savior, my king Jesus Christ, take care of my son Augustine while he is in exile and keep Satan and all the evil spirits away from him. Purify his thoughts. Help him to find the road that leads to you. (dogs bark) - Hey you! (yelling and beating) (Augustine groans) - And if he has sinned, forgive him. Don't hold it against him. For you are the way, the truth, and the life. (Augustine groans) (crickets chir) (Augustine groans) (playful seductive music) - Accomplish. - Accomplish. - Accomplish. - Accomplish. - But what is the truth? - But what is the truth? - Perfect. - [Augustine] No one believes that good can be accomplished just by an effort of will, without the grace of God. I've read wise sayings in the works of Plate and Cicero but I don't remember them saying anything like "Come to me all ye who are weary "and burdened and I will give you rest." How many times have I prayed ironically, "God help me to be pure and give me "the strength to resist temptation, but not yet." Faith is believing what we cannot see and the reward is seeing what we believe in. What great faith you have mother. What is love like? It's having hands to help others and feet that run to save the poor, and needy eyes to see hardship, and needy ears to hear the suffering and distress of your neighbor. That's what love is like. - Yes, Augustine. - The great orator Cicero once said, "History is a witness to our times. "The light of truth, memory brought to life, "an education for life, a messenger from the past." Does that mean that if we study history we will find the truth? - Don't be naive, Augustine. There is not absolute truth in this life, you know that. Truth is just what you and only you can demonstrate to others to be true. - Augustine, Augustine. I wonder, do you have a moment to talk? - What is it? - I heard your remark during the lesson with Asclepius about truth. - [Augustine] Yes? - And did our master give you an answer? - As you know, Master Asclepius is a great orator. His teaching provokes more questions than answers, giving rise to more and more contemplation, so that in the end you almost die of despair, leaving you alone with your thoughts. - So, why don't you read the Bible? Maybe you'll find the truth there. - I don't think so. I've tried many times and I just found it confusing. For example, in the Old Testament I found character traits that are wrongly attribute to God like anger, sadness, forgetfulness, and some other things that my reasoning will not allow me to believe. - Have you looked in the teachings of the Church? - Certainly not. To me, all those teachings are like fairy tale nonsense for young children, not to mention their tyrannical, despotic nature. - What if Augustine, what if I could answer your question? - What question? - Where is the truth? - So where is it? - In Manicheism. - In Manicheism? - Yes, have you heard of the prophet Mani? He was born in 215 in Babel. He was the founder of Manicheism. Through his teachings Mani brought together the three religions of Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Buddhism, and made a new religion out of them, Manicheism, the religion of truth, salvation, and spiritual peace. - So, Manicheism is the truth? - The first thing you must learn is what the messenger Mani has taught us, that the world is composed of two ancient elements, light and darkness, goodness is the kingdom of light, while evil is the kingdom of darkness. Light is the essential element of superior beings. That is why God's throne was established in the kingdom of light. And now dear ones, let us welcome our new friend, Augustine. I heard from our dear friend Achilleos that you're searching for the truth and this gladdens our hearts. But first, I'd like to know if you are a Christian? - Oh no. - Then what religion do you follow? - My own reasoning. - That's good, that's good. Since you believe in your own reasoning, the teachings of the prophet Mani will be your way to truth. - I'm eager to hear. - Manicheism rejects syncretism, so we cannot bring God into the world of sin, and the redemption of sins is not possible through the blood of the crucified one as Christianity claims, but through the liberation of the soul from the prison of the body, the liberation of light from the prison of darkness, and the liberation of knowledge from the prison of ignorance. That is why we have to oppose the beliefs of the Christians and their claim that the salvation of the soul is found in the death of Christ on the cross, and it's these claims that lead us away from the truth. The only truth is that we must kill the body and abstain from pleasures as much as we possibly can in order to elevate our souls, Augustine, to elevate our souls. (light dramatic music) - Tanit, I was thinking of you. - [Tanit] You were? - I need to talk about something that concerns you. - And so did I, before you arrived, I was thinking about something, something that concerns us both. - Well, what is it? - No, you go first and I'll tell you afterwards. - I insist for when the sun decides to shine all the clouds must hide away. - I found out today I'm with child. - A child? - Augustine, you're obviously not happy about it. May God keep you. - Tanit. I will never abandon you. What should I do now? For the truth demands that I free myself from the temptations of the body, but now she is having my baby. Is this the hand of destiny putting an end to my ties with Manicheism? Oh, but I love her. - Hello, Kenza. - How are you, Hedi? - [Hedi] I'm fine, how are you? - I'm lost without you, Hedi. You left and abandoned me. You ran away from and from the baby I'm carrying. Please try to understand, I'm really trying here. The rights of our child will be safeguarded whether in France or Tunisia. I'm doing this 'cause I need you. I love you, don't you understand? - Kenza, I love you too, I'm crazy about you, but there's nothing I can do, I have to work. I can't quit my job, it's impossible. - [Kenza] I just don't trust you anymore. - [Hedi] What can I do to make you trust me, tell me. - Let me join you for the rest of your stay. I miss you, I can't stay all alone. - Okay, all right, I accept. If this will prove that I love you, then okay, of course. - Really? - [Hedi] Yes, come. - I love you, Hedi, I love you. - I love you too, I really do, bye-bye, darling. - Bye my darling, Hedi. (siren blares) (locks clank) - Augustine is now the father of a child, the child he has had with his mistress. He's called Adeodatus, which means gift of God. Augustine at this time, in spite of his defense of Manicheism has a big conflict going on in his mind. This conflict will lead him to make an important decision, a decision which will forever change the life of Augustine. - I'm going to Thagaste. - Thagaste? - Yes, Thagaste, my home. - And is this going to be a long holiday? - It's not a holiday. No, I'm going back there to live. - What? You're going to walk away from everything you've achieved here at the university, your beautiful house, your clients, your cases, to go and live in Thagaste? I don't understand, my friend. - I don't fully understand myself, but I no longer get pleasure from what I'm doing here. But maybe teaching rhetoric back in Thagaste will help me to discover myself. Or perhaps the feeling that I'm doing something for my own town and passing on my knowledge to those who are not able to travel will be good for me, in particularly since I was once in the same situation and my family too found it hard. - Sometimes I wonder about you, Augustine. In spite of your intelligence, you're also such a sentimental young man. It's unusual to find reason and sentiment in the same person. - You are too kind. You will always be a flatterer, Nebridius. - No indeed, it's not flattery, it's true. Tell me, what are you going to do with your son, Adeodatus, I suppose you'll leave him with Tanit. - My son, no, he's coming with me and with your permission, Tanit will come with me too. - No need for permission. I gave her to you my friend. Tanit is already yours and yours alone. Have some wine. (engaging music) - We'll get a cab. Do you want a drink first? - Oh no, I'm fine. - Ah here, Souk Ahras, please. Here you are. - Cheers. (engaging piano music) - This is where I grew up. Mind your step. So here. (door knocks) - Augustine. - Mother, how much I've missed you. - How you've grown my son and you've changed. - This is Tanit, my wife. - Welcome to Thagaste, Tanit. - Thank you mistress Monica. - [Augustine] And this is Adeodat, my son, God's gift to us. - God's gift, God's gift? - Where are Navigius and Perpetua? - Navigius is in the field, Perpetua in her room. Perpetua! Perpetua! (solemn music) - Did you think I wouldn't realize that she's not your wife? In Thagaste everyone knows. The messenger from Carthage makes no secret of your news. Now, you're famous, Augustine. People want to know all about you. (thunder rumbles) - But I do love her, mother. Isn't it enough for you that she's a Christian? Well, if Roman law didn't forbid marriage to a slave, I'd have married her. - Marry her, how? If what I've heard from the messenger is right, it will never happen. You follow the Manicheism heresy now which forbids marriage. It's nothing to do with Roman law. - Mother, I'm very tired. We'll talk about it tomorrow. - We'll talk about it now! Did you believe for a minute that I would accept this adultery? - Shh, lower your voice, mother. Please, lower your voice. - Lower my voice so that people can't hear, but what are you going to do about him who knows all our thoughts? - Fine, I'll take them away, and we'll leave immediately. - Wait. What has this poor child done that he should be taken out into the cold? Let's sit down and leave everything in the hands of God. (engaging dramatic music) - Hedi, my son, how are you? How's the film going? - I'm fine and the film's going well. - Thank God. - [Jamilla] Your health. - Thank you. You still haven't told me anything about Kenza. - Kenza? - Mm hmm. - Kenza and I work together. She's French, French-Tunisian. - That's it? - What do you mean by that, mother? - [Mother] She talks about you a lot and it's obvious that there's something between you. - Yes, of course there is, mother. There really is something, we love each other. - Love, what? - [Hedi] What's wrong with that? - I mean that love in the West is not the love we know here. Love over there is the same as between as a husband and a wife. - Yes, yes mother, so what, this really isn't the time. I have work to do. - So I take it then that you're living as a married couple? Huh? And the child that she's carrying is yours? - She told you? - She said nothing, don't be unfair. I noticed, several times when she played with your nephew she kept him away from her belly. That's how I knew she was pregnant. So, what are your plans? Tell me! (dramatic music) You must let your conscious decide, Hedi and remember that this girl Kenza has a family, and I'm sure you wouldn't want your sister to be in the same situation. (rooster crows) - [Hedi] Hi, there, little man. Go on. (cow bleats) (birds chirp) - I was waiting impatiently for the day he would come back to Thagaste, thinking that when he was here with me I would have peace in my heart, but since his return I'm suffering even more. My daily life is filled with pain and regret. He has become the main defender of the Manicheism heresy here in Thagaste. - Just let him do as he wishes and one day he will realize that these theories are not worth defending. - I would like you to talk to him and explain that you were once a follower of Manicheism and that you have become a priest-- - I told you, leave him alone and just pray for him. He will discover for himself through his own reading that this movement is absurd. - Must he go in error for yet more years, such heresy? I wonder how he can understand all these complicated rules of Manicheism and yet resist understanding the Bible in all its simplicity. - Do not worry because the son of your tears will never be lost. - You do not know, you do not know, you do not know. You never know the answers! Nothing I teach you stays in your minds. I don't know why you come to lessons if you're not interested, why learn at all? Anyway, this lesson is over. - I'm sorry, master. - Alypius. - Tell me Augustine, I haven't seen you in such a bad mood for ages. - I find it unacceptable spending all these years here to find just one intelligent student like you. Why are you laughing, my friend? - Well, in fact, I've always wondered how long you would stay here in Thagaste, before you realized how limited the place is compared to your aspirations. I remember it was you who said to me one day that our dreams have no limits. (rain patters) (thunder rumbles) (footsteps creak) - Augustine. Where are you going with those bundles? Answer me, Augustine. - Carthage. - Carthage? And why are you going back there when you left of your own accord to settle down back here? - I know, I know, mother, but I feel stifled in Thagaste and my dreams and aspirations will just fade away if I stay here, I'm trying to teach students who show no promise whatsoever. - And your son? And his mother? Are you going to leave them? What have they done to deserve that? How are they gonna live without you? - It's fine, I've left them enough money to last for a long time. Worry not, dear mother, as soon as I've sorted things out in Carthage, I'll come back and get them, I promise. (dark dramatic music) (rain beats heavily) Lord, it took me so long to come to love you and to see your surpassing beauty, where you always beside me, but my rebelliousness prevented me from drawing near to you. (stirring orchestral music) Throughout these years, I gave in to many temptations. I beguiled people and they beguiled me. I deceived them and they deceived me. Sometimes through science-- - The teachings of the prophet is the way to truth. - [Augustine] And sometimes through the teaching of false religions. How absurd it is to know everything and yet not know you oh Lord God. All I got out of this was a pitiful popularity, couched in the applause of the crowd. I forgot that pride had transformed some angels into demons and that humility had transformed humans into angels, and so my head was constantly filled with conflicting ideas. - What, what do you mean? After all this time, Augustine, you're still asking questions. - I will continue to ask questions as much as I like. Manicheism is like any other teaching that can be studied. It's opening to questioning and changes. - Calm down, Augustine, our students are looking at us and Manicheism is being hounded. In any case, your doubts will be cleared out be Faustus, when he returns from Rome soon. - [Augustine] And when exactly is soon? - I think he may have already arrived. We'll see each other soon, goodbye my friend. Farewell. - Dear mother, Adeodatus. Tanit, how are you? - How we've missed you my dearest. - And here you are already. I was going to come and fetch you from Thagaste, but I'm glad you're here now. Come on, let's go home, it's not far. Come. - [Monica] You're on the wrong path. Even if you do teach and convince people with your clever words and logic, your path resembles the true one but it is not the true path. - [Augustine] I'm beginning to recognize my own limits, but mother, I'm searching for wisdom, wisdom in all its depths, wisdom and its source, wisdom and its most profound meaning, that's all I want. - [Monica] Is it wisdom to teach vain concepts to your students and to claim as you Manicheists do, that the blame for sin and wickedness lies with Satan and that human beings are not responsible, but if they give into evil it's the fault of the evil itself and not their own? How can the brilliant Augustine believe such nonsense. - Ah, it's so ironic that the place where Christians used to meet when they were being persecuted is the same place we now seek to escape from persecution by the Christians. - In all that you have said, there is still nothing that answers my question. - Listen, Augustine, I advise you not to let all your learning interfere with your faith. Truth is unchangeable. We are the ones that change. - Truth, truth, truth, I'm beginning to tire of that hollow word. It's truth without proof, without answers. You claim that all the text in the scriptures that you don't like have been changed and twisted. Your logic is to mock all the accusations against you. According to you, according to you even God is imperfect, because he may have been tainted by evil. While all your leaders hide all sorts of sins behind a veil of deceitful virtue, and when I question you, ask you about it, the reply I get is that the truth is unchangeable, it's I who have changed. - I have said all I have to say. Do whatever you like. (engaging dramatic music) (festive music) - Please excuse me for interrupting, but I've brought you this letter from the consul in Rome. - Why don't you read the letter, Augustine? - Is this an appropriate time for reading letters? - The consul in Rome, isn't that master Symmachus? - Yes, that's right. - I thought he'd forgotten us after he left Carthage. - Why would Symmachus be writing to someone like you? - It must be very important. - I'll read it to you, then you'll leave me alone. - Augustine, what's in the letter? You have a strange expression. - Symmachus is inviting me to teach at the University of Rome. - Does that mean you'll be leaving Carthage? - I'll think about it. But not until I've attended to this matter. (all laugh) Put it outside on the cart and wait for me. - Yes, sir. - Where are you going, Augustine? - To the port of Carthage, to say goodbye to a friend who's leaving for Rome. - What are you doing with all this if you're just saying goodbye to him? - I'm going to give them to him until he gets settled there, as he's always been a very good friend to me and he's helped me many times in the past, you see. Adeodatus, my dear son, how are you? - I'm fine, father, thank you. - [Monica] Do you want to see the sea, Adeodatus. - Yes, I've asked you lots of times if you could take me to the sea. - Your father is going to grant your wish. He's taking us all to the port to see the sea and breathe in the bracing air. (gulls caw) - Lift it! Master Augustine, master Augustine! - What is it? - The ship is now ready to leave. - All right, all right. Listen to me and don't make any comments. - [Porter] Yes, sir. - Well why didn't you tell me that the ship would be delayed, what shall I do now? - Is there anything wrong, Augustine? - The porter has informed me that my friend's ship will be delayed. - Where is your friend? - He obviously knew about it and decided to rest somewhere until the ship arrives in port. Nevermind, you should go back home. - Why should we? We'll stay with you till the ship comes. - Stay with me, how? The ship is going to be late. As I told you, I'm going to look for my friend and your presence is going to make it difficult. You'll get tired in this crowded place. Would you like to wait for me in his church on the hill? Look, it's up there. - That's a very good idea, just don't be long. - I'll try mother, I'll try, go on, off you go. (dramatic music) - Augustine? Augustine! (ancient chanting) - Yeah, but that's not the same. - Where did Augustine go? - Augustine, master Augustine has left on the ship for Rome. He's gone, all is well. (jewelry clanks) - Augustine has left us here, Tanit. He's gone to Rome. (Monica whimpers) My God, my Lord, my Savior, why did you let him leave again? You promised me he would be yours. How long must this go on? How long, oh God? How long? (Monica sobs) (swords clank) (crowd cheers) - [Augustine] I'm so happy to see you Alypius, here in Rome. - Do you really hate life here as much as that. - I can't bear it, the flippant attitude of the students. They do everything to avoid paying my fees. (crowd cheers) (swords clank) You can imagine I haven't made many friends here. My only real friend here is Consul Symmachus. - Do I gather from that, that you no longer believe in Manicheism? - Manicheism, no not any longer. (crowd boos) (sword stabs) - But Augustine, you are among the very few people who's friendship I really value. The last time we met I had the impression that you no longer want to stay in Rome. So, when the Tribunal of Milan asked me to find them a teacher of rhetoric, I thought you would be the best person to recommend to them. - Thank you, thank you very much, Consul. - You don't have to thank me, Augustine. The important thing is you are heard in the courtrooms of the Milan Tribunal as soon as possible. Please. (light festive music) - [Augustine] "It's amazing to think about the time "that has gone by from when I was 19 to the present time. "Now, I'm 30 and I still want to live in the present, "the present which is constantly escaping me "and which leads me to spread myself too thin. "Dear God, I'm going to stay bogged down "in the mud if you don't drag me out, "and stay blind if you don't open my eyes." (light playful music) It seems that fate will always bring us together. - Hello, Augustine. - Augustine. - How is your work here going, Augustine? - Things are totally different here to what they were in Rome. As a teacher of rhetoric at the Milan Tribunal, I enjoy a good relationship with the Imperial Palace. - Imperial Palace? Oh no, no, no, no. I'm gonna be afraid of you from now on Augustine. - And now you're moving in Imperial Palace circles, what have you heard about Ambrose? - What about Ambrose? - Is it true what they're saying about him in Carthage? - [Augustine] And what are they saying? - We heard that this philosopher Ambrose is not just a bishop and a philosopher but a courageous thinker, an incredibly brave man who really isn't afraid of plots that come from the Palace. - Oh yes, the other thing I've heard about Bishop Ambrose is that the pagan and Manichean orators are afraid to confront him, don't you think it strange that you still haven't met him yet? - Met him, do you really think it would be of any use to meet him and to listen to his philosophy? And how can a Christian Bishop be a philosopher? - Yes, you're right about that, my friend. What a beautiful house, but it lacks something. Where are the women? Have you learned abstinence in Milan? - Of course not. It's not time for that yet. The women are on the way. (heraldic music) - [Julian] This is the order from Emperor Valentinian, here. - I have to go to hear Ambrose preaching? I don't understand. What's the point of that, Commander Julian? - The Palace is concerned about Ambrose, the influence he's having on the people of Milan. We want to know this Ambrose is thinking. There's no better person than yourself to understand what his intentions are. (dramatic music) - At the center of all these contradictions is the question that troubles us, is there a solution to the problem of sin? Can we break the power of Satan and the forces of darkness? And is there an eternal light that gives us life and rejects the darkness? In our reading of the New Testament, we see that God took on human form for the sake of sinners and not for those who are already righteous and perfect, as he himself said, "I have not come to call "the righteous to repentance, but sinners "from which we can see that those who are righteous "in their own eyes are the furthest "from seeing the face of our merciful God, "and experiencing his blessings." And in his condemnation of the Pharisees and religious leaders, we have the greatest proof of the danger of being self-righteous, which God has always condemned. He who has faith listens and he listens in order to believe, while he does not believe cannot hear. It is good to see you all here today. Thank you all for coming. Go in peace. - Your Grace, it has indeed been an honor to hear your excellent preaching. - All the honor is due to our Lord who gave me the words to say. - Your style is remarkably simple, which makes it easy for anyone to understand, and in your words there is something, something... That touches the heart, something that has led me to feel a peace in my heart that I have never felt until now. I promise I will now come regularly to hear your preaching, ready to learn. - I will be greatly honored if you do. - [Augustine] Mother. - Augustine, my son. - [Augustine] Adeodatus. - I missed you so much, father. - I've missed you. How are you, Tanit? - I'm well. - Come and sit down, follow me. It seems you had trouble finding me? - Your friend helped us, Alypius. Without him we would have got lost in this big city. - I know, Milan is a great and beautiful city full of many churches which you are sure to like, mother, and above all the church of Bishop Ambrose. (dramatic music) I don't deny my admiration for the bishop's ideas, his gift for speaking, and his philosophy. - What you say Augustine, is very serious and it confirms that my fears were well-founded. - Why can't I admire his philosophy? - Well if you, a genius in rhetoric like his ideas so much, the people will love him. This Ambrose has had an influence on everyone around him. He could stir up the people at any time to attack the Palace, but I tell you now he won't succeed. This very night, Ambrose's career is coming to an end. Believe me. (religious singing) - Mother. - Augustine? - We must leave this place now. - No, I don't want to go, I want to meet Bishop Ambrose. - I want to talk to you about something important. So you can see him another time. - Well I'm not moving from here until I meet Bishop Ambrose. - Mother, the emperor's soldiers are on their way to the cathedral, to attack it. - Attack the cathedral? And you think for a moment I'm going to abandon God's house? - Please listen, mother. There's no time to lose, we have to leave. Everyone knows me and they mustn't find me here. - You're afraid for your standing and your position, Augustine, not for me. - Mother-- - No, please go. God is capable of protecting me and everyone here. (tense dramatic music) - [Follower] My Lord, Bishop. - What are we going to do? (addled shouting) - What's happening? - [Follower] The Emperor's soldiers, they've arrived. They want to attack the cathedral. We will fight them will our strength. We will not let them get in alive. - Please put down those weapons. Hold on to the word of our Lord. Our weapons are not those of the world, they are spiritual. Arm yourself with your faith and let God do the rest. (weapons clank) (tense dramatic music) (water ripples) - I'm glad the soldiers didn't get into the cathedral but I'm disappointed by your behavior, that you didn't stand with us, you didn't trust in God. I just don't understand you, Augustine. You're friends with the Bishop and then you behave in that way? - My friendship with Bishop Ambrose doesn't mean I've become a Christian. I've been attending his sermons by order of the Royal Palace. You need to understand my role in all this, mother. In fact, I'm working for them. - I want to talk to you about something else. - What is it mother, tell me. - You know my son, time is passing and it's time for you to choose a wife. - A wife? - Yes, yes a wife who would suit your present position. - I'm not thinking about that at the moment, mother. - Listen my son, at church I've met a beautiful and pious young woman, her name is Tertia. Her father is important. I am sure that she would make a very good wife for you. - We'll talk another time, mother, not now. - Augustine, my son, you should see her and then make a decision. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to make up your mind, she won't be of an age to marry for two years. (melancholic music) - This is Father Simplicianus, Augustine. He is the man who baptized me and he also baptized the great African philosopher, Victorinus. - His grace, Bishop Ambrose has told me many great things about you. - And he's told me about you too and your great gift for rhetoric. - Father Simplicianus, Augustine, like you is interested in philosophy. I'm sure you're going to be good friends. - I'm very honored, Father. (Adeodatus sobs) Adeodatus, what's a matter my son? Why are are crying, Adeodatus? What's happened, mother? Why is he crying like this? - Tanit has gone, she's left. - But why? - I tried to stop her. It seems she heard our talk about marriage and she chose to give it all up, so as not to get in the way of your plans. Everything I said was in vain. She begged me not to say anything. She asked me to care for Adeodatus and she swore she would never belong to another man but you. (dark dramatic music) - The departure of his concubine ended a chapter in his life that had lasted for 14 years. For Augustine, a new chapter was beginning, but he would never love another woman as he loved her. He never forgot her and he never married, living his life in celibacy. - Good, cut. Thank you so much, your eminence. - Thank you, thank you very much. - Speak, Augustine, what's troubling you? - There are so many things, I don't know where to start. I've done a lot of bad things and I'm lost. - Are you familiar with the African philosopher, Victorinus? - Yes, he was one of the most important philosophers in Rome. - God brought Victorinus to believe in him and his ways, and Victorinus was able to accept the Christian faith in all its simplicity, the truth that is invisible to the learned, but visible to children. And he was able to declare openly that he was a follower of Jesus Christ, which filled him with joy. This made Rome angry but there was rejoicing in heaven. Augustine, in the past Victorinus had always hidden his faith and only admitted it to the priest. Each time, the priest would say, "I'll only believe "your faith the day I see you come into my church." Eventually that day came and the great philosopher showed himself and came before the people of God, and humbly declared his faith in Jesus Christ, and all the people assembled at the church shouting, "Hallelujah, hallelujah, Victorinus, Victorinus." (crickets chir) (religious chanting) - [Monica] Take it and read. Take it and read. - Adeodatus? - [Monica] Take it and read. Take it and read it. - "Not in carousing, drunkenness, sexual immorality, "debauchery, deception, or jealousy, "rather clothe yourselves in the Lord, Jesus Christ "and to not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh" (bird hoots) (engaging music) (joyous chanting) (festive music) (engine revs) (religious singing) (birds chirp) - For the first time, oh Lord, I feel that you're speaking directly to me. For the first time I'm confronting myself. Dear God, you're bringing me face-to-face with myself so I can see all the horror of my sinful life. For the first time, I can see myself as I really am and I'm afraid. But where can I hide? Dear God, I feel that you are looking at me now as if there was no one else in Heaven or Earth. You know oh Lord, how much I need you, even more than before, today I open the door of my heart and my life to you, and I accept you as my Lord and my Savior. I regret my life spent far from you. I regret that I never thanked you for anything. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. So that I could acknowledge my many sins and be forgiven. Lord, help me to live according to your will and not my own. Help me to walk in your steps, to follow you. Yes Lord, to follow you! (engaging dramatic music) Now I know why I couldn't find God for so long. I was looking for him outside when I had to look within. (stirring piano music) - [Father] After his conversion and his baptism, he returned to his hometown of Thegaste, and from there he went to Hippo, where we are now. - Hello. - He was ordained Bishop in the year 395 A.D. and after a life devoted to teaching and defending the true faith, and after writing more than 232 volumes of work during his lifetime, which are considered to be among the most enriching and enlightening that have ever been written, Augustine at the age of 76 went to eternal glory in year 430 A.D. He was Augustine the philosopher, the orator, the rebellious, the man of faith, the bishop, the man of many sayings, he was St. Augustine, the son of Africa, the bishop of the poor, son of her tears. (engaging piano music) (bright engaging music) (cheerful instrumental music) (stirring instrumental music)