VIVA ZAPATA!
WERNER HERZOG: “The opening sequence in Viva Zapata!, where the leading character is introduced, is ingenious. There’s a delegation of barefoot peasants at the president’s palace, and they have grievances. He dismisses them and all of a sudden you realise that one man is still standing. And it’s Emiliano Zapata. It’s very, very wonderful, how it was made.”
INT. PRESIDENTIAL CHAMBER — DAY
A group of Mexican workers have just had an audience with President Diaz (Fay Roope), where they asked for his intervention in a land dispute and gave him supporting documents.
PRESIDENT DIAZ: My children, the courts will settle this. I’ll send you to my personal attorney. But, before you see him, I urge you to find your boundary stones.
Diaz hands the documents to his advisor to return to the men.
DIAZ: Check them against your grants and titles. Verify your boundaries. Facts! Facts! Now, my children, I have many other matters to attend to. I’ve been your president for 34 years. It’s not an easy job, being president.
The men smile at this.
MEN: Thank you, my president. Thank you.
They all turn to leave. Except for one man, Zapata (Marlon Brando), who remains. Unaware, Diaz turns to his advisor.
DIAZ: What’s next?
They notice that Zapata is not leaving, and look taken aback.
ZAPATA: We can’t verify the boundaries, my president. The land is fenced and guarded by armed men. They’re planting sugar cane in our cornfields right now.
DIAZ: The courts will settle…
ZAPATA: [raising a hand to stop the president speaking] With your permission. The courts? Do you know of any land suit that was ever won by country people?
DIAZ: Has your land been taken?
ZAPATA: My father’s land was taken long ago, my president.
DIAZ: My children, I’m your father, your protector. I’m of your blood. But believe me, these matters take time. You must be patient.
ZAPATA: With your permission, my president… we make our tortillas out of corn, not patience. And patience will not cross an armed and guarded fence. To do as you suggest, to verify those boundaries, we need your authority to cross that fence.
DIAZ: I cannot possibly exercise such authority.
ZAPATA: But you advise it.
DIAZ: I can only advise.
Zapata nods, in understanding.
ZAPATA: Then naturally, my president, we will do as you advise. Thank you. With your permission.
He turns to leave, but Diaz is unhappy with Zapata’s insolence.
DIAZ: You!
Zapata and his workers stop and turn. Zapata points at himself.
DIAZ: You!
ZAPATA: Yes, my president?
DIAZ: What is your name?
ZAPATA: Zapata.
DIAZ: What is it?
ZAPATA: Emiliano Zapata.
The president looks at the list of workers he has before him on his desk. He takes out a pen and circles Zapata’s surname. Zapata holds his gaze, smiling as he does so. Then Zapata leaves.