Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) Movie Script
1
Come and find me
Hear my song
Let me hold you here
Where you belong
Lips awaiting
Pain will cease
Calm your anguish
I can bring you peace
Who is that?
None of your business.
I didn't know
I'd be moved here.
The warden didn't say anything
about the political section.
Shut the fuck up.
Keep moving.
Hi.
My name is Luis Molina.
Serving an eight-year sentence.
Sexual offender.
Convicted of public indecency.
With a male.
In a bathroom, no less.
I don't care what you did.
And you are?
Valentn Arregui.
Political prisoner?
- That's what they tell me.
- Whatever.
I respect all ideas,
as long as they respect mine.
I led a hunger strike last year.
They think I'm a bad influence.
Uh-uh-uh. This morning,
I made a resolution
to only hear things
that cheer me up,
and hunger strikes
are not on the list.
- Do you mind if I cook?
- Do what you want.
Just keep quiet.
I need silence to study.
Well, right now,
there's nothing but tea and soup
because my mother's
been too sick
to bring groceries or magazines.
These I know by heart.
I'm fine with the prison food.
Okay, but if you're turning
down the soup because
- you have nothing to offer--
- Let-- Let me explain.
Sometimes
I might not be reading,
but you'll see
that I'm silent anyway.
That's because I'm thinking
and getting ready to make notes.
So no talking
when you're reading,
and no talking
when you're thinking.
Yeah.
Fine.
- Marquez.
- Camazon.
- Rodrguez.
- Zecchi.
- Molina.
- Hasul.
- Arregui.
- Dominguez.
Lopez.
I really should've done
this sooner.
It makes all the difference.
When I was dressing
the windows at Montoya's,
I couldn't rest
until each display was perfect.
One mannequin
wore a Chanel suit,
and I insisted
a Balenciaga silk scarf
be slipped inside her purse.
"Well, nobody cares what's
inside a mannequin's purse,"
my supervisor told me.
"I do," I said,
arching one eyebrow,
like Joan Crawford
in Mildred Pierce.
And, darling, guess what?
Balenciaga it was!
What are you reading?
A biography of Lenin.
Oh. Well, that sounds fun.
"The struggle is not over
until all men are free."
Who said it? Hmm?
I know. Cyd Charisse
in Silk Stockings.
"The struggle is not over
until all men are free."
Even ridiculous window dressers.
Stick to the script.
Lenin didn't say "ridiculous".
Lenin didn't spend three days
in a cell with you.
Oh, I heard how you radicals
like to take advantage
of a girl down on her luck.
Guards! Guards!
He's talking about unions!
He's making me forget
the joys of capitalism!
What do you want, Molina?
Nothing.
I was just fooling around.
I know what someone
like Molina wants.
Yeah, and you're not man enough
to give it to me.
What? What did you say,
you miserable little fucking--
Nothing.
Nothing, I said nothing.
- You said something.
- I said I'm a piece of shit.
- Louder.
- I said I'm a piece of shit.
Finish it, maricn.
You're almost done.
I said I'm a faggot
piece of shit,
and whenever you want me,
my hungry ass is yours.
Maybe later, sweetheart.
Hear that, Arregui?
Anytime you want her.
If a man called me a woman,
I would kill him.
If a man called me a man,
I would faint.
You are a man.
You shouldn't let them
humiliate you like that.
Honey, there are privileges
in degradation.
How do you think
I got this beaded curtain?
Why do you make
yourself trivial?
Because I am trivial.
Only, I know it.
You and your movement
are trivial, only you don't.
Next to these gorgeous ladies,
we're all trivial.
Next to them,
we don't even exist.
Fuck off.
You're thinking, right?
About a girl?
I bet she's pretty.
What's her name?
That maricn
better come through.
I find you can learn
everything you need to know
about a person
by asking one simple question:
"What's your favorite movie?"
- I don't have one.
- Oh, come on.
Everyone has a favorite movie,
although they usually lie
about it.
Personally, I don't trust
anybody who says Raging Bull.
I mean, lighten up, Ramona.
It's been years
since I went to the movies.
Well, don't you like to dream?
At least a little?
I dream
with every breath I take,
but not in a way
you would understand.
People like you think
life is one big entertainment.
If I gave you the rest of
a very good milk chocolate bar,
do you think
you could stop saying,
"People like you?"
You're right. I'm sorry.
It's your last piece.
Eat it.
- No, thanks.
- I can't decide.
Are you highly principled
or just plain stubborn?
Maybe just highly stubborn.
Is that a glimmer
of a sense of humor?
And I left my sunglasses
in the Corniche.
I do have a woman, by the way.
I figured.
Just didn't want you
to get any ideas.
You're not my type.
I'm looking for someone
to settle down with,
not storm the barricades.
Well, unlike you,
I couldn't live without movies.
After my father died,
my mother had to work nights
as an usherette.
And since there was no one
to look after me,
she took me with her
and sat me in the front row.
I saw every movie over and over.
One of them, I'll never forget.
Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Never heard of it.
It's set in a mythical
South American country,
part Argentina, part Brazil,
and 100% Hollywood.
It starred
the great Ingrid Luna,
known to those who worship her
as simply La Luna.
Spider Woman was the first time
a vehicle was created
especially for her.
Now, understand, nobody claims
it was the greatest movie
ever made.
Too ambitious for its own good,
too many flavors in the stew,
but so much that's beautiful.
Would you like to see it?
How do you propose we do that?
The best way.
I'll tell it to you.
Unless you have
somewhere else to be.
Uh-uh-uh. Too much reading
will make you go blind.
You said so yourself.
Besides, it's lights out
any minute now.
What kind of movie is it?
A musical, of course.
And if I have to explain
the "of course,"
I might as well
just end it all right now.
I hate musicals.
And I pity you.
I'm sorry to break the news,
but nobody sings in real life.
Well, maybe they should.
Now shut up and listen.
There go the lights.
The curtain opens.
It's in glorious technicolor.
They drenched the screen
with extra reds
and golds for this one.
It almost hurts to look at it.
Her name is Aurora
And she is so beautiful
No man can resist her
And those
Who have kissed her
Are madly in love
Forever in love
Wait. You throw us right in.
We know nothing about the story
or the characters.
Well, it's a musical.
There's not a lot to know.
But you're right.
I got so excited, I skipped
over the opening crawl,
which establishes that Aurora
is the successful editor
of Charm,
South America's most famous
fashion magazine.
It's the way she sits
that kills me every time.
The perfect fullness
of her figure.
Tiny waist and rounded hips.
Her legs flushed and silky,
even without stockings.
Please. No erotic descriptions.
And now, wrapped in the simplest
sort of silk robe...
the goddess moves
into the bedroom.
Kendall, you're late.
I need you to help me
choose a dress for the gala.
Kendall Nesbit is Aurora's
executive assistant
and best friend.
His devotion to her is absolute.
He lives for her
and through her.
In other words,
Kendall Nesbit is a homosexual.
Of course,
they never come out and say it.
- So?
- Well, the actor who played him
was the biggest queen
this side of Danny Kaye.
But he lived with his mother
and was terrified that,
if he portrayed the role
as it was written,
she'd figure it out.
So he butched it up and killed
all the joy in the part.
Now if you don't mind,
I'll describe
the Kendall Nesbit of my dreams
instead of the
disappointing reality.
Kendall, you're late.
I need you to help me
choose a dress for the gala.
What shall I wear tonight?
Haven't a clue
Maybe the silk Chanel
Silvery blue?
You need to choose
more than a dress, my dear.
What do you mean?
"A woman cannot know
what to wear
until she knows for whom
she is wearing it."
Ugh. The things I say for money.
For ten years,
you've unveiled the winter cover
without a man by your side.
Your readers are starting
to wonder if something's wrong.
Who will your partner be?
Maybe Raul?
- Uh-uh.
- Maybe Manuel?
- God, no.
- Maybe Roberto?
So they want to know
Who is my beau
My readers don't want
to share me.
Besides, I have you.
Oh, I will dance alone
Until I dance
with the man of my dreams
I will dance alone
As absurd
as it probably seems
Until I dance
with the love of my life
The man who will call me
his own
Until I dance
with the love of my life
Don't offer me partners
A chorus of strangers
I'll dance alone
- So she's frigid.
- What?
She has a crippling fear
of physical intimacy.
Most likely, she acquired
a sense of shame
around sex in early childhood,
and trying to control
her prohibited desires
as an adult
has made her incapable
of enjoying a good fuck.
Well, excuse you.
Aurora is particular,
that's all.
- Yeah.
- She has high standards.
- Okay.
- Impeccable taste.
Whatever.
If you're gonna make fun,
I won't go on.
This is a work of art.
It means a lot to me.
So, am I supposed
to just sit around and listen?
- I can't comment?
- Exactly.
Because that's what people do
when they watch a movie.
All right.
I'll be quiet.
Now, I will admit,
Aurora has been seeing
a psychiatrist.
And he suspects
that her inability
to commit to a man
is somehow connected
to a suppressed memory
and the mysterious musical theme
that haunts her dreams.
The doctor urges her
to be more open to her desires.
Aurora still isn't convinced,
until she visits
a tarot card reader
who gives her the same advice.
Last night,
I went to see the gypsy
- Over here.
- Thank you.
And, oh,
the things she had to say
She told me
I would meet a stranger
A lean, handsome hero
Who'd sweep in
and sweep me away
I sat there
trembling at her table
And smelled the incense
in the air
"Someday,
you'll hear a cry"
She told me
"A sharp, piercing sound
And when you look around
The love of your life
Will be there"
Hmm.
Aurora dances
with a dozen men,
but is interested in none.
Enter Armando,
the greatest photographer
in South America,
a true artist.
Aurora has hired him
to shoot the winter issue,
but they haven't met
until this moment.
Let me guess.
This photographer
is not just a genius.
He's tall, dark, and handsome.
Of course.
- That's his real talent.
- Oh, no.
He sings and dances too.
Oh.
Ridiculous.
Hmm. If only you could see him
the way I do.
"I cannot tell you
how you'll meet him
Or when you'll meet
your love or where
But soon,
you'll hear that cry"
She told me
"And you'll look around"
You'll look around
"At that sharp, piercing"
Sharp piercing
Sharp piercing,
sharp piercing
Their fingers touch,
tingling with electricity.
Shh.
They're bringing someone
from interrogation.
Anything you want to tell
the professor, Arregui?
Well?
You know him, right?
Well, darling,
if I looked like that,
I'd want a bag over my head too.
Shut up! Shut the fuck up!
Yes, I know him.
He's a brave man,
and you mocked him!
You and your scarves
and your beaded curtains!
You disgust me.
I shouldn't have done that.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too.
It was a bad joke.
So, Molina.
Do you have anything for me?
With respect, Warden,
I think you've cast
the wrong person.
I couldn't have less in common
with that man.
Honestly, I don't think
he'll ever confide in me.
Has he talked about anyone
he's working with?
No names?
Not even in his sleep?
Well, how would I know?
I'm asleep too.
Well, maybe you should sleep
less and listen more.
I'll keep trying. I promise.
Oh, I have some good news.
I convinced the parole board
to look at your case.
Well, that's wonderful.
Thank you.
It would make my mother so happy
to see me home again.
Yes. Your mother.
I'm afraid she's taken a turn
for the worse.
Another small heart attack.
Don't worry.
She's out of danger.
No, she has the danger inside.
Her heart is tired
from forgiving so much.
I'm a tolerant man, Molina.
I'm not disgusted
by degenerates like you.
Molina.
Yes?
You saw the warden this morning?
How did you know?
There's a thousand eyes
in this place.
Are you an informer?
Of course.
What else would I be doing here?
The warden didn't ask you
anything about me?
No. It's my mother,
she's been sick,
as I already told you.
Okay.
Thank God she has my Aunt Chicha
to take care of her.
That's right.
You're an only child.
Yes, it's always been
just the two of us.
- Are you from a big family?
- Huge.
Last time I went home,
my father asked,
"Who are you?"
My mother nearly killed him.
"I can't keep track, woman,"
he said.
Et voila, a sense of humor!
Marta thought it was funny too.
Who's Marta?
- Your girlfriend?
- No one.
Oh. Marta's no one? Hmm.
Hey, look at me.
You don't want to know
anything about me.
The only reason I'm still alive
is because I have information
they want,
and they won't stop
till they get it.
Do you understand?
You were in danger
the minute you met me.
Darling, I'm a window dresser.
When it comes to the violent
overthrow of the junta,
I don't think they expect
to see a bunch of sissies
leading the march.
I'm sorry.
I cringe every time
you make fun of yourself.
It'll be lights out soon.
Do you want me to go on
with the picture?
Yeah, man, whatever.
Aurora and Armando
spend every minute together.
They work by day
and play by night.
Fuck by night.
No, people don't do that
in musicals.
- Yeah. But they're romantic?
- Not yet.
As I told you, Aurora is working
through some commitment issues.
Yeah. She's built a wall
around herself,
so thick not even bullets
can get through it.
It turns out Armando comes
from the same village
where Aurora was born,
way up north,
at the edge of the jungle.
He convinces her to do
a photo shoot up there,
among the people.
See, even though
he's a renowned artist,
Armando sees himself
as an everyday man.
For me, real beauty
has nothing to do with fashion.
Real beauty is this.
An everyday man
Wants an everyday life
Yes?
In an everyday house
Doing everyday things
- With an everyday wife
- I'm sorry.
- And every day
he hurries home
Hangs up his everyday hat
And finds his everyday dog
Running straight
to his arms
For his everyday pat
And the everyday thought
In his everyday head
Is of time to play house
With his everyday spouse
In their everyday bed
Yes, they're
an everyday pair
In every way
Except you don't find love
like theirs
Every day
- And their everyday kiss
- And their everyday kiss
- As they turn out the light
- As they turn on the light
Should assure you,
my friends
It is rapture that ends
Every everyday night
They're like the couple
next door
You'd have to say
Except you don't find love
like theirs
You don't find love
like theirs
You don't find love
like theirs
Every day
Every day
Every day
This is another reason
I hate musicals.
They're pure propaganda,
made by the ruling class
to put people's minds to sleep.
Oh, Lord, take me now.
Don't you see
how regressive this film is?
The photographer
feels threatened
by a powerful woman,
so he wants to turn her
into a doormat.
No! There was much more respect
for women in those days.
Their beauty gave them power!
I suppose you prefer
the movies they make now,
that dreary dust bowl
ruled over by Ms. Sissy Spacek,
Ms. Meryl Streep,
Ms. Glenn Close,
and Ms. Glenda Jackson,
the Four Horsewomen
of the Apocalypse!
At least they're real actors
playing real characters.
Not like
these silly fantasy figures
- you're so fond of.
- Fond?
I'm not fond of them,
I love them!
Aurora is divine.
- Oh, come on.
- She's the perfect woman,
and Armando is my idea
of a real man.
Really?
And what is that exactly?
I won't bore you
with my preferences.
Oh, no, please,
go ahead. I don't mind.
Because I don't wanna be bored
by your opinion of them.
No, no, no, I'm interested.
What do you think a real man is?
Someone who's strong,
who's not afraid to take charge.
Especially in his own home.
Oh, so,
you don't think men and women
should be equal partners
in the home?
A real woman
doesn't want equality.
There's no kick to it.
Kick? What kick?
The tingle you get when a man
puts his arm around you
- when you're a bit frightened.
- Oh, my God.
What a pile of crap!
Whatever. It's how I feel.
No, it's how
you were taught to feel.
This is getting us nowhere.
I wish you
a good night then, hmm?
- Molina.
- Hmm.
I'm wide awake.
Tell me a bit more of the film.
It'll put me out.
Just a little more.
Please.
Okay, but no more interrupting.
Armando takes Aurora
to the one hot spot in town.
Forget photography, Armando,
you should open
a dancing school.
Yes. A man of so many talents.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Welcome home, stranger.
Enter Paulina Paz.
Long nose, bushy brows,
and eyes as dull
as two wrapped caramels.
I get it.
You don't like her.
Everyone thinks
she's beautiful,
but she doesn't hold
a candle to Aurora.
Her only advantage is her youth,
which she wields like a machete.
It's obvious from the way
she greets Armando
that they were once an item
and that she still carries
a torch.
The plot thins.
Paulina makes a big show
of being gracious to Aurora.
I hope you're enjoying
your stay here.
I'm sure our little village
can't compare to the big city.
Oh, I was born in this village.
We moved away
when I was a little girl.
Oh, that was before my time.
Perhaps our families know
each other.
I doubt it.
We were simple people.
I adore this moment.
Aurora shows
that stupid, stuck-up girl
what real class looks like.
And then the room goes quiet.
All eyes turn.
Johnny Desiderio has arrived.
The villain, at last!
No, the supervillain!
A two-bit gangster
who's been bleeding the village
and its people dry for years.
Finally, some fun people.
How can she bear to be touched
by that cockroach?
This club is his playground,
and he treats everyone
like his toy.
The thing I love
about La Luna
is that no matter
how hard Hollywood tried
to make her seem all-American,
she never stopped being Latin.
- That was amazing.
- Thank you.
Just having a little fun.
Give me.
I think I'll turn in.
If you'll excuse me.
Of course, Armando.
I'll see you in the lobby
in the morning?
I'm sorry.
He still cares for her.
Kendall Nesbit
has been feeling ignored
since Armando entered
the picture.
Now, he has a purpose again.
Let's get you to bed.
And with that, I say ciao.
Good night, Valentn.
No, don't stop now.
It's a bunch of silly clichs,
but at least
these new characters inject
a bit of dramatic conflict.
Better to leave
the audience wanting more.
Sleep tight.
- Molina?
- Hmm.
This song Aurora keeps hearing,
her shrink thought
it might be related
- to some childhood trauma.
- Oh, God, let her be.
Do you ever think
you identify with her
because you suffered
something similar?
Do you have a theory
for everything?
You said it was only
ever you and your mother.
Where was your father?
He died when I was four.
So what?
Isn't it obvious?
That early dependence
on your mother
- is what made you a homosexual.
- Oh, really?
- Talk about clichs.
- No, no, hear me out.
Without a father,
the sensitive boy tries
to please his mother
by taking on
- her more nurturing qualities.
- Yeah.
Just like the macho boy tries
to please his father
- by becoming a revolutionary.
- No.
I'm not macho.
I hate macho
and all it stands for.
Oh, is that so?
Honestly, do you think
you're telling me something
that I haven't heard
a thousand times before?
Next you'll say
that the right woman
will convert me,
because there's nothing better
than a good woman.
To which I say, I agree!
And since there's nothing better
than a woman,
I wanna be one.
Why do you keep saying that?
Because it's true.
Why don't you believe me?
You know what I believe?
I believe
that people look at you
and they see a monster,
so you play the part.
But Molina,
you're not a monster.
You're a man.
The light from the candle's
keeping me up.
Do you mind?
She wears satin
Spanish lace
She feels
wild chinchilla brush
Across her face
She's lucky
She's a woman
She wears diamonds
Bright as stars
She has lovers open doors
to fancy cars
She's lucky
So lucky
She's a woman
A perfume by Lanvin
To dab across her wrist
A secret, ribboned diary
Of all the men she's kissed
So many men
She's kissed
Lilac waters
Bathe her skin
At the opera, ushers gasp
when she sweeps in
Gifts of chocolate
Roses too
Hand-delivered notes
confessing "I love you"
Milky lotions
Scented creams
She's the climax
of your technicolor dreams
How lucky can you be?
So lucky, you'll agree
And I wish
That she were me
That woman
This is your fault, maricn.
He has a girlfriend.
Her name is Marta.
- Marta who?
- I don't know.
- We need more.
- How can I get you more
if you take him away?
I'm getting close,
I just need more time.
Time is the one thing
I can't give you.
Things are coming to a head,
we need information.
Well, torture won't work
on him, that much I know.
- We don't torture people here.
- No,
but if you bring him back
from his interrogation,
I can get you her full name,
and much more.
- Please. I beg you.
- Oh, Molina.
Do you have a little crush
on that piece of shit?
Of course not.
I just want to see my mother.
The sooner Arregui talks,
the sooner you get out.
La Luna.
Help me, please.
I can't be alone.
I can't be here.
Save me, Luna.
Take me away.
Yes.
To a movie.
When you feel
you've gone to hell
In a handbasket
And the world
in which you dwell's
No paradise
I've some counsel
I can give
You need but ask it
I'm so very glad to share
This good advice
You've got to learn
how not to be where you are
The more you face reality,
the more you scar
So close your eyes
and you'll become
A movie star
Why must you stay
Where you are?
You've got to learn
how not to see
What you've seen
The slice of hell
you call your life
Is harsh and mean
So why not lie beside me
on a movie screen?
Why must you see
What you've seen?
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
Come up here
Play with me
Play with me
Lights.
Camera.
And action!
You've got to learn
how not to do
What you've done
The pistol shot can't kill
if you unload the gun
So build a palace
where you're the shah
And we'll embrace
in that Shangri-La
If you run away
Some matinee
From where you are
- You've got to learn
how not to be where you are
- Where you are
- The more you face reality,
the more you scar
- The more you scar
So close your eyes
and you'll become
A movie star
Why must you stay
Must you stay
Where you are?
So why not lie beside me
on a movie screen?
Why must you see
What you've seen?
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
Come up here
Play with me
Play with me
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
- Come up here
- Come up here
- Play with me
- Play with me
Turn off the lights
and turn on your mind
And I can promise you
you will find
You will like my plan
My sweetest fan
My leading man
Anywhere
You are
Oh, God. Have you killed him?
You won't get away with this!
Get out of here!
Oh, sweet Jesus.
How much more of this
can you endure?
Why don't you just tell them
what they want?
Then all of this will be over.
When Johnny Desiderio realizes
that Paulina's still in love
with Armando,
he has his goons kidnap him
and beat him raw.
I always shut my eyes
during this part.
They dump Armando at the edge
of the jungle forest.
And then, all at once,
Aurora is there.
She doesn't flinch
at the sight of him.
She's so courageous.
I'm a wreck at this point.
The tears
are streaming down my cheeks.
You always get lost
in the emotion.
I just want to know
what happens.
Well, she sings, of course.
- Oh, no.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I swear to God,
it's not what you think.
It's the most
natural thing imaginable.
I do miracles
Though the lash of the whip
has caused your flesh to tear
I will place my lips
on you everywhere
And I'll do
Miracles
St-- Stop.
I'm sorry.
Don't get upset.
I-I can't keep my mind
on the story.
When you talk about Aurora,
I just see...
Marta.
I guess it has to come out
one way or another.
What?
Weakness.
Well, that's not weakness.
That's love.
It's funny how you can't help
getting attached to someone.
It's as if the mind
just oozes sentiment.
Is that what you believe?
Like a leaky faucet.
You can't stop the drips.
Right now, I would give anything
to be able to hold her.
Just thinking about her,
it's torture.
No, you should never push away
pleasant thoughts.
Lie down.
Trust me.
Close your eyes.
Now,
when I say "Aurora,"
you see Marta.
I do miracles
I do miracles
As I cradle you close
and caress each bruise
What I've come here to give
you must not refuse
There is love
In my touch
That is yours to use
And if you choose
Just breathe my name
And there I'll be
Doing miracles
I do miracles
There are miracles
In me
Voila, monsieur,
our specialty of the evening...
flamb de merde.
Beans and rice.
This is a lot for me.
- Have mine.
- No, thank you.
Yeah, I know. Eat, eat.
Come on.
This rice a la glue
- is not half bad tonight.
- Mm-hmm.
Do you always eat like that?
Take man bites.
I'm not an animal,
I take ladylike bites.
How does your Marta eat?
I don't know,
I've never noticed.
That's the last thing
a man notices about a woman.
Hmm. If I love someone,
I notice everything about them.
How they eat, how they sleep,
everything.
Do you have anyone?
- A fellow?
- I'm sorry. A fellow?
I immediately picture
Ronald Reagan.
You know what I meant.
His name's Gabriel.
He's a waiter
at an all-night restaurant,
the Trocadero.
Everything about him is perfect.
The way he walks,
his tender voice
with a slight lilt to it.
It sounds like
another one of your fantasies.
No, he's extremely real.
Do you miss him?
I do,
but not in the way you mean.
We never made love.
- You've never fucked?
- No.
We never even touched.
I don't get it.
He's...
married.
Two children.
It took a year for us
just to become friends.
Well, he had to see
that I respected him.
I know.
It doesn't sound like much,
but he told me things
that he never told anyone else.
I did too.
Does he visit you?
No.
His family keeps him busy.
And he works hard,
double shifts sometimes.
Hmm.
I send him letters, but...
It's been three years.
Sometimes I wonder
if he even remembers me.
You know what?
I'm not gonna study tonight.
Why don't we go to the movies?
All right.
Um, where were we?
Armando's been beaten
by the gangsters.
Ah, yes, of course.
Some villagers carry him
deep into the forest
where Johnny Desiderio
won't find him.
They take him
to this strange house,
all in stone,
roof covered in straw,
the whole place
overgrown with jungle plants.
Clemencia lives there.
She's the village elder.
Almost blind,
but she sees everything.
After Armando falls asleep,
Clemencia tells Aurora
a terrible legend.
For centuries,
the wild beasts of the jungle
would go mad with hunger
in wintertime.
They would climb down
from the mountains
and into the village,
killing everyone.
The people sought help
from the Spider Woman.
A magical creature
born of a human mother
and an all-powerful
forest spirit.
She offered protection
asking for one thing in return.
That once every ten years,
a woman of the village
would offer up
the man she loves,
as a sacrifice.
You were born
on one of those nights.
Meaning one day
you would have to offer up
a sacrifice of your own.
This explains so much.
Why our family
left the village, why...
Why I can't love.
She has called you back.
Yes, with her song.
When she appears,
it means someone
is about to die.
Soon, I feel it
Soon somehow
I will have him
Any minute now
I was eight years old
when I first saw her.
You can imagine
how terrified I was.
I didn't sleep for a week!
By the way, did I mention that
Ingrid Luna played both parts?
Several times.
What a tour de force.
What is it?
The girl's fucked!
- What girl?
- Me, stupid! It's my stomach.
- You going to throw up? Wait.
- No, it's lower down.
Cramps in my groin.
Breathe.
Hey.
- That food was poisoned.
- No, no, no.
Then we'd both be sick.
It's my nerves.
I've just been on edge all day.
- Breathe. Breathe.
- Get help.
- I can't handle this.
- Guards!
Guards! Guards!
Please.
Sleep.
Release the pain.
Come and find me
Hear my song
Good evening.
How have you been?
Go away.
You know how I've been.
I only want to talk.
Why are you afraid?
I've always been
afraid of you
But why?
I don't know
It will change
Someday you'll recognize me
as your friend
No, never my friend,
go away
But I am beautiful
Yes, you are
And I am warm
And kind and gentle
Why don't you like me?
I don't know
Someday you will understand
I am your friend
Someday you will kiss me
Never, never!
Go away, go away!
Someday you'll give in
Of course you will
Hmm.
All men do
Yes, all men kiss me
And you will too
You'll part my lips
And rest yours there
You'll run your fingers
through my hair
Your cries of pleasure
Will heat
the cool night air
When you kiss me
And you will kiss me
But not now
Not yet
Not now
How are you?
Still a little woozy.
Hey.
Look what else we brought you.
Fuck you.
I'm sorry.
They didn't feed me
for three days.
I don't give a fuck
what they put in it.
I'm not gonna feel right
unless I tell you something.
You missed me. I know.
I went through your things
while you were gone.
I had to be sure
I could trust you.
And can you?
I've been a shit not telling
you anything about myself.
Now I feel
I owe you a confidence.
Inside here, everything's
gotta be 50-50, right?
Okay.
Marta's not in the movement.
Now, that's a surprise.
She dropped out after we met.
She was happy
just to be together.
What's she like?
She comes from a rich family.
Drives a little red Mercedes.
- No.
- 280 SL.
She even plays golf.
She sounds divine.
Does she have a brother?
She's everything
I'm supposed to hate.
I'm a hypocrite.
What?
- Oh, fuck.
- What? What's wrong?
I was right.
They're poisoning us.
Oh, I-I'll get the guards.
No, no.
They'll give me morphine.
They get you hooked,
then you lose your resistance.
But, no, you won't be able
to stand the pain.
I can. Just help me sit down.
- Okay, okay, okay, okay.
- I'll be fine.
I'll be fine. I'll be fine.
Okay. You're all right.
Everything's going to be okay.
Hey, hey, hey. Come on.
Are you okay?
Promise you won't
let them take me.
- The doctor may be able
to help you.
- Promise. Promise me.
Okay. I promise.
Okay.
What?
Oh!
- Oh, no.
- What?
Oh, no.
- What is it?
- I'm sorry.
I'm so ashamed.
I...
I shit myself.
Okay. It's okay.
Everything's going to be okay.
- Yeah? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- It's going to be okay. Yeah.
- It's okay, huh?
- Okay. Okay.
Don't, don't, don't.
Don't use the blanket.
You'll need it to keep you warm.
Yeah. You're right. Thank you.
Let me get something for you
to clean yourself.
- No, not your shirt.
- It's fine.
I'll wash it tomorrow.
- Please.
- Okay.
Yeah.
Fuck.
Valentn, let me do it.
Let me do it. Please.
Let me help.
- Fuck!
- Oh.
Oh. Okay.
Give me the other foot.
Give me the other foot.
- Did it go through? Eh?
- Um...
Your underpants
held most of it in.
Okay. Okay.
Gentle.
Okay, careful, careful, careful, careful.
All right, all right.
Oh, careful, careful.
Okay. Okay, okay, okay.
Oh, no.
This doesn't disgust you?
Well, I don't wanna make
a career of it.
- Is it clean?
- Yeah.
Arregui.
Help. Help.
What are you doing in there?
What do you think we're doing?
Do you mind?
You make me sick.
That was good.
Thank you.
Molina,
take my mind off the pain.
The movie...
Yes. Aurora.
She's hot. She's hot.
That's right.
- I wanna fuck her.
- You wanna fuck her,
and I wanna be her.
Yes, that's funny.
Now, once Armando has recovered,
he returns to the village
with Aurora.
Just in time for Carnival.
- But what they don't see...
- Stop.
Wait. I need to talk to you.
...is that somebody's
following them.
These are good people.
And they're ready to rise up
against the monster
who's destroying their lives.
I can't leave them now.
I want you to stay with me.
What happens in this village
is not my concern.
I know nothing of it.
And I care even less.
You're just like Aurora.
Hey, don't make fun.
I wasn't.
La Luna's so tremendous
in this scene.
"I'm a woman," she says.
"I live only for art
and love and beauty."
But here's the thing,
she's only pretending
not to care.
Ooh, mami.
She's trying
to make Armando hate her.
- The curse.
- Yes!
She wants to save him
from the Spider Woman.
Notice that the person
that's been following them
has spiked Armando's drink.
It's art imitating life.
Why do I get the feeling
you're making this up
as you go along?
I wouldn't put it past me.
Hey.
I'm... Perdn. I'm sorry.
Please. Here.
Look, have mine.
I'll get myself another one.
She starts to feel woozy.
The drug is taking effect.
Aurora opens her eyes.
We're inside her dream now.
She's still determined
to drive Armando away,
so she lures him
into the sleazy club.
But it's different.
Painted a deep scarlet,
the color of sex.
It's like being
inside Aurora's mind.
And, darling,
it's all the psychology I need.
If there's a war on,
don't bring me the news
Ask me to bullfights
and I must refuse
But if you want
to get my attention
Let's make love
Gimme love
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
If there's an earthquake,
I will not attend
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
If there's a plague,
don't invite me, my friend
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
But if you want to
Keep me looking
in your direction
Let's make love
Gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
Gimme love, gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
Gimme love, gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
Gimme love, gimme kisses
Gimme love
It's like giving
to the needy
And I don't mind
being greedy
Come on, chico,
please be speedy
And bring me
what I long for
If there's a fire,
don't bring me a hose
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
Call me a coward,
that's true I suppose
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
But all I want is beauty
- So gimme, gimme, gimme
- Hugs
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Squeezes
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Lips
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Kisses
So let's not make
more trouble
- Let's make...
- Gimme
Love
- Gimme love
- Come on, boys
Gimme kisses
- Here you go
- Gimme love
Gimme love
Yes!
Gimme love
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
Kisses
Once Armando is gone,
Aurora's dream
turns into a nightmare.
Oh!
I'm gonna stick my fingers
down your throat.
Don't bite. Do you hear me?
Don't bite.
They're coming back.
Are you sick, Arregui?
We can take you to the clinic.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
He's fine.
- I'm fine. I'm fine.
- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
This is fucking bullshit.
Okay.
Did they take me?
No.
You're still with me.
I'm cold.
Where am I?
In a movie.
Huh...
You...
You have a vivid imagination.
Thank you.
Too vivid.
There's no such thing.
You're a kind man.
She's gone.
You're safe.
Thank God, you're safe.
Sources inside
the Congressional Palace
confirmed that there are cracks
within the coalition.
Peaceful demonstrations
have turned violent
in several areas,
leading the government
to announce
a nationwide curfew,
beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight.
You had one job,
to get him to the infirmary,
and you couldn't even do that?
Is it my fault that the man
has an iron constitution?
Do you have any idea
what's going on out there?
I'm not political.
I don't know about these things.
Arregui's group is the link
between the traitors
inside the government
and the animals
marching on the streets.
If we don't expose them,
we could have a civil war
on our hands.
He's starting to open up.
I can feel it.
You know what, Molina?
I don't give a fuck
about your feelings.
Get this faggot out of here.
Uh, Valentn has eyes
everywhere.
He'll wonder
why I was talking to you.
Say your mother's better
and she came to visit.
Oh, no,
he'll never believe that.
He knows she always
brings me food.
Okay, we'll send out
for some groceries.
Tell us what she usually brings,
and be quick about it.
Well, I told him my mother's
an excellent cook, so...
two chickens from Veaugirard's
on the Avenida
and some of their famous
roast potatoes
soaked overnight in milk.
And guava paste.
Two boxes of tea, one breakfast,
the other chamomile.
- Oh, and condensed milk.
- Hold on.
I can speak much slower,
if you'd like.
A can of peaches,
two bars of soap,
suavisimo, bath-size.
Two cans of soup,
a jar of pickled herring,
a cherry Madeira, and...
ta-da. This month's Vogue.
- Your mother?
- Yes, she's better.
Oh, and look at what else
she brought us. Hm?
Oh, no, no.
- That's for you, my friend.
- Would you shut up?
There are two chickens here,
one for each of us.
No, I'm not cool with that.
Well, I'm not doing it for you.
I can't face another day
of that revolution
that's happening
in your stomach.
- All right.
- Good. That's settled.
- Molina?
- Hmm?
Do you mind if I have
a chicken leg right away?
Well, I had something
more formal in mind.
Mmm.
I'm not very good
at saying this,
- but thank you.
- Hmm.
Well, you're lucky you have
a housewife as a cellmate.
You could be living
with a homosexual.
Not just for the food.
Thank you for taking care of me,
seeing me through.
I think I would've died
if it wasn't for you.
How about the last potato, hmm?
Open wide.
Mmm.
Don't tell your mother, but...
I think I just came.
That's it for you. No more.
Mmm.
I'll take this.
Thank you.
You know what would make this
even better?
Let me guess.
- Aurora?
- No.
I don't feel like
escaping tonight.
I wanna stay here.
And do what?
Listen to you.
Oh, come on. I'm tired
of hearing my own voice.
I want you to talk.
About what?
Anything.
Okay.
Okay.
You have hundreds of movies.
I have one.
And it only has one scene.
You know the park
opposite city hall?
Mm-hmm.
Picture thousands
of people gathered
to hear Alberto Golizar speak.
I was only 15,
but already I knew
about the illegal arrests,
the death squads,
the thousands of people
who'd been disappeared.
Golizar asked people
to share their stories.
For some reason,
he pointed to my sister and me.
Maybe because
we looked so hungry.
"Tell us.
Tell us about the home
our country has given you."
"Our home?" I said.
Our home was made of mud,
pieces of tin and cardboard
boxes nailed together.
When I said that,
the park got very quiet.
Everyone wanted to hear
our story.
I'll never forget the look
on my sister's face.
A 14-year-old girl
who was being noticed
for the first time in her life.
When you feel like that,
you don't think the person
standing next to you
is hiding a machine gun,
waiting for the order
to open fire.
When it was over,
47 people were dead.
Two of them were children.
One was my sister.
Good news, Arregui.
The professor didn't talk.
Bad news.
Oh, that poor man.
He won his place in heaven,
that's for sure.
Just let it be quick
when my time comes.
Don't say that.
Don't even think it.
The professor was a huge figure
in the movement.
- He had contacts
high up in the regime...
- Valentn, don't tell me.
- ...including one
of the generals.
- I don't wanna know!
You're right.
I'm sorry.
Do you mind
if I dictate a letter?
I tried to write it myself,
but...
the page kept swimming.
Yeah.
Here.
Dear Marta,
I'm writing because...
I'm afraid
it all might end here,
that my life will amount
to nothing.
Sometimes I tell myself
I took something of you with me
and that I haven't lost it.
But then I realize,
there's only me,
all alone in this cell.
And I can't wash
because I'm sick
and I'm afraid
the freezing water
will give me pneumonia.
Wait.
What?
You're right. The freezing water
could kill you.
But we can still get you clean.
I could use the hot water
from the tea and two towels,
one covered in soap
and the other just hot
and wet to wipe the soap off.
And that will stop the itching.
Of course.
In all the time
I was with Marta...
I never said,
"I love you."
Never.
What an awful word.
I don't wanna die, Molina.
I wanna be a fat old man
and have a dozen grandchildren.
Give me your hand.
Like I said...
a leaky faucet.
- Molina.
- Hmm?
Look at the shadows,
the candle is casting
on the wall.
You never noticed them?
Never.
I always watch them.
It helps pass the time.
Last chance, Molina.
Anything you want to tell me?
Prisoner 31452,
Santiago Ventura,
after due consideration,
this board is declining
the stay in your sentence.
Petition denied.
Luis Molina.
So you're really
not going to tell me
what happened at the hearing?
I said it was fine.
So it went well?
Actually, it was terrible.
They denied your parole.
No.
Not yet, at least.
They said that
when a decision is pending...
convicts are moved
to a different block.
I leave at the end of the week.
And I won't be back.
Armando comes
to Aurora's suite...
sees her bags are packed.
He gazes out the window.
Tonight is the night.
The Spider Woman wants her kiss.
Armando wants to tell Aurora
how he feels...
but he can't.
I couldn't let you leave
without saying goodbye.
Goodbye, Armando.
It's the most terrible thing.
Two people who can't admit
they're in love.
All ready?
Yes.
Armando.
Kendall.
Armando, you have
to get out of here.
Johnny and his men
are on their way.
Who told them where I was?
It doesn't matter.
They're going to kill you!
Let them come.
My life is over anyway.
Nonsense.
You have Paulina now.
Armando doesn't want me.
He loves you.
Don't you know that?
Is that true, Armando?
Others might deceive me,
but...
Never you
Lead me on, then leave me
But never you
Someone else
might take my trust
Break my trust in two
Things
you'd find impossible
To do
Other loves might tell
Some easy lie
Say forever
When they mean
Goodbye
But no, no
Never
Never you
Well, this doesn't
change a thing, Aurora.
You still have a magazine
to publish,
deadlines to meet.
We have to leave.
I can't, Kendall.
Please, try and understand.
It's not just because
I love Armando,
it's because he's made me
see things through his eyes.
These people need our help.
Remember, I'm one of them.
But...
Not another word, Kendall.
I know it was you
who betrayed us.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't lose you.
That's a surprise.
Rule number one,
never trust a closeted queen.
Aurora has nothing
but bad options now.
Go to Clemencia.
She will protect you.
No. No. Not the jungle.
Take my car.
Let's go. Come on.
Please, Armando.
We have to stop.
She's drawing us into her web.
Listen to me! She will kill you!
Aurora and Armando
are being followed,
but not by Desiderio.
What's the matter?
Hey.
Don't do that.
I'm so tired, Valentn.
I'm tired of suffering.
It hurts inside.
Where?
In my chest,
and in my throat.
Here?
Yeah.
What a relief.
What?
To care about someone again.
Could I...
Could I touch you too?
Yes.
Lie down.
Come on.
Get closer to the wall.
Okay.
Your skin...
...it's so soft.
- Do you like it?
- Yeah.
Yes.
You awake?
Yeah.
A strange thing
happened to me last night.
You could say that.
When you were with me...
it was like I wasn't me anymore.
I felt like I was you.
But later,
when you went back to your bed,
I wasn't you either.
And I still wasn't me.
I was somebody else.
Not a man or a woman.
I was nothing...
and everything.
It felt like being...
Out of danger.
Exactly.
How did you know?
I felt it too.
Marcuse writes about this.
Gender as a social construct.
Oh, please, Valentn,
no theories today.
Some things are too interesting
to put into words.
You're right, you're right.
I'm sorry.
Besides,
I feel good
and I don't want to spoil it.
You know the nicest thing
about being happy?
You think you'll never
be unhappy again.
Molina.
Your parole is approved,
on my recommendation.
All I have to do is sign it.
What should I do, Molina?
Thank you.
My mother will be so happy.
You're leaving this afternoon.
Three o'clock.
Today?
But there's still a chance
that he could talk.
Can you believe this faggot?
He likes prison so much
he wants to stay.
Get your things ready.
And remember, Molina,
whatever you think you saw here,
nobody cares.
And no more hanky-panky
with the boys.
You sure about this?
Sooner or later,
he'll lead us to them.
After all,
he's a woman in love.
Don't be sad.
I'm not. I'm happy for you.
Now you can start a new life.
Join a political group.
Get out and march with
your gay brothers and sisters.
I'm sorry, Valentn,
it's too late for me
to become a revolutionary.
But you survived in a place
that no one is supposed
to leave alive.
You can't tell me
that didn't change you.
It hurts me to leave you
all alone in this cell.
No one around
to take care of you.
I'm getting out of here.
I'm not going to die
like the professor,
without passing on
the information I have.
I'm not.
Valentn.
I want to ask you
for a going-away present.
Something we didn't do,
although we got up
to much worse.
A kiss.
It's true.
We never did.
Mm.
You want it now?
But... we don't have much time.
And we still have to finish
the movie.
Yes.
Come here.
Sooner or later
you're certain to meet
In the bedroom, the parlor
or even the street
There's no place on earth
you're likely to miss
Her kiss
Sooner or later
in sunlight or gloom
When the red candles
flicker
She'll walk in the room
And the curtains will shake
And the fire will hiss
Here comes her kiss
And the moon grows dimmer
At the tide's low ebb
And her black beads shimmer
And you're aching to move
but you're caught in the web
Of the Spider Woman
In her velvet cape
You can scream
But you cannot escape
Sooner or later
your love will arrive
And he touches your heart
You're alert and alive
And there's only one pin
that can puncture such bliss
Her kiss
Sooner or later,
you bathe in success
And your minions salute,
they say nothing but "yes"
But your power is empty,
it fades like the mist
Once you've been kissed
And the moon grows dimmer
At the tide's low ebb
And your breath
comes faster
And you're aching to move
but you're caught in the web
Of the Spider Woman
In her velvet cape
You can run, you can scream
You can hide
But you cannot
Escape
You?
I had to be sure you were safe.
Please, I have waited
to find love my entire life.
But now that I have,
you ask me to give it up.
If you take Armando,
you also kill me.
No!
I love you.
I love you too.
So the curse was broken.
No. It was fulfilled.
Aurora did love Kendall,
just in a different way.
That's quite a twist.
Not really.
Homosexuals always die
in Hollywood movies.
Most of the time,
they kill themselves.
No. He gave his life
for a cause.
Because of his sacrifice,
the village will continue
to be protected.
No.
He died for love.
Aurora recognizes
the Spider Woman
for who she truly is,
her greatest enemy,
and her greatest friend.
She's death and life.
She saved an entire village
and asked for so little
in return.
Just a kiss.
Through her tears,
Aurora begins to smile.
There's some kind of happiness
for each of us.
Life is good,
and that good is love.
Her name is Aurora
A true Hollywood ending.
I told you,
it's no Citizen Kane.
Call it kitsch, call it camp,
I don't care.
I love it.
When I was with the warden,
I got the feeling
that he was afraid.
Yeah.
Things are moving fast.
And if I pass on
your information,
would they move faster?
Maybe.
And one day you might be free.
Prisoner 57884,
Luis Molina, coming out.
I'll do whatever you tell me.
Time to go, Molina.
Thank you.
So you won't forget me.
There's no danger of that.
I'm gonna miss you, Molinita.
Red's your color.
It always was.
Mama.
Luis?
Uh-hmm.
Am I dreaming?
No, Mama.
It's me.
I'm home.
Hi.
Revolution...
it's nothing
but radicals and fairies.
A bunch of spoiled brats.
Take down the generals?
Forget it.
They'll be crushed.
Their blood will be flowing
in the streets.
You'll see.
A toast, if I may.
To dear Aunt Chicha,
and to the love and care
she's shown her beloved sister.
- To Chicha.
- To Chicha.
Call back tomorrow.
Two o'clock.
Gabriel.
- Hello.
- Hi.
I can't stay long.
It's our busiest time.
Oh. You look well.
How are you?
How's the family?
Fine. Fine.
- Did you get my letters?
- Yes.
Oh. I hope they weren't
too de trop.
As the French would say,
"too much."
No, no.
I enjoyed them very much.
Oh.
Well, you never wrote back.
I've been busy.
With the family, I imagine.
Double shifts at work.
Did you ever think about me?
I should probably get back.
Because I thought about you...
a lot.
How you would give me just
enough to keep me interested...
and not an inch more.
I'm sorry, Luis.
I'm just an ordinary man
and I don't understand--
Yes, you do.
You understand very well.
You let me adore you
and you enjoyed it.
But you never told me,
or thanked me.
Please, don't come here again.
I used to wave to you every day.
Yes?
The professor says hello.
I love you so much, Mama.
If I'm not home by the time
you're reading this,
it means I've been arrested.
Only, this time, for something
much more serious.
If I do go away,
I know Aunt Chicha
will always be there for you.
When I first went to prison,
I thought my life was over.
It was just beginning.
I learned about dignity
in that most undignified place.
I had always believed nothing
could ever change for me.
And it made me feel sorry
for myself.
One ticket, please.
But I can't live like that now.
Thank you.
Come on, come on.
Careful, careful! Stay back.
Hey, come on! Back up.
Would you back up, please?
Go through this-- Hey, Oliver!
- Yeah.
- - Bring the...
Yeah, that's fine.
Hey! Come on!
We have to go.
- What?
- Now!
- Hurry!
- Stop!
- Stop! Do you hear me?
- Stop, stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Freeze!
Don't move! Don't shoot him.
We need him alive.
Come on! Come on!
- Hurry!
- Stop!
Hurry up!
Come on!
No!
Go, go, go, go!
Stay back.
Get back. Move back.
Get back.
Optimistic endings
Passionate romances
Beautifully beefy heroes
Taking
death-defying chances
Only in the movies
Decorous Madonnas
Totally compliant
Challenging the villain
bravely
Both high-busted
and defiant
Only in the movies
Only in the movies
But marble floors
to glide on
And loop the loops
to ride on
And sultry girls
beginning some beguine
I found, as I grew older
And life became much colder
Were, to my sorrow
Nowhere to be seen
And so I sprayed
a little perfume
Sprayed a little perfume
Dabbed a little powder
Dabbed a little powder
And suddenly
the muted strings
Began to play
a little louder
And though I knew
the difference
I kept on pretending
I was in the movies
But everything changed
when I met you
You've changed my life
somehow
Everything changed
when I met you
I find I walk in
Technicolor now
And as this princess
lay dying
She raised her lovely head
And as her lover
knelt beside her
This is what she said
Looking into those
tender brown eyes
Of his, she cried
"Viva la guerra"
"Viva la revolucin"
"Viva..."
Whatever it is
No!
Her name was Molina
Her name was Molina
Her name was Molina
The New York Times.
We made it, my love.
We made it.
Argentina! Argentina!
Come and find me
Hear my song
Let me hold you here
Where you belong
Lips awaiting
Pain will cease
Calm your anguish
I can bring you peace
Who is that?
None of your business.
I didn't know
I'd be moved here.
The warden didn't say anything
about the political section.
Shut the fuck up.
Keep moving.
Hi.
My name is Luis Molina.
Serving an eight-year sentence.
Sexual offender.
Convicted of public indecency.
With a male.
In a bathroom, no less.
I don't care what you did.
And you are?
Valentn Arregui.
Political prisoner?
- That's what they tell me.
- Whatever.
I respect all ideas,
as long as they respect mine.
I led a hunger strike last year.
They think I'm a bad influence.
Uh-uh-uh. This morning,
I made a resolution
to only hear things
that cheer me up,
and hunger strikes
are not on the list.
- Do you mind if I cook?
- Do what you want.
Just keep quiet.
I need silence to study.
Well, right now,
there's nothing but tea and soup
because my mother's
been too sick
to bring groceries or magazines.
These I know by heart.
I'm fine with the prison food.
Okay, but if you're turning
down the soup because
- you have nothing to offer--
- Let-- Let me explain.
Sometimes
I might not be reading,
but you'll see
that I'm silent anyway.
That's because I'm thinking
and getting ready to make notes.
So no talking
when you're reading,
and no talking
when you're thinking.
Yeah.
Fine.
- Marquez.
- Camazon.
- Rodrguez.
- Zecchi.
- Molina.
- Hasul.
- Arregui.
- Dominguez.
Lopez.
I really should've done
this sooner.
It makes all the difference.
When I was dressing
the windows at Montoya's,
I couldn't rest
until each display was perfect.
One mannequin
wore a Chanel suit,
and I insisted
a Balenciaga silk scarf
be slipped inside her purse.
"Well, nobody cares what's
inside a mannequin's purse,"
my supervisor told me.
"I do," I said,
arching one eyebrow,
like Joan Crawford
in Mildred Pierce.
And, darling, guess what?
Balenciaga it was!
What are you reading?
A biography of Lenin.
Oh. Well, that sounds fun.
"The struggle is not over
until all men are free."
Who said it? Hmm?
I know. Cyd Charisse
in Silk Stockings.
"The struggle is not over
until all men are free."
Even ridiculous window dressers.
Stick to the script.
Lenin didn't say "ridiculous".
Lenin didn't spend three days
in a cell with you.
Oh, I heard how you radicals
like to take advantage
of a girl down on her luck.
Guards! Guards!
He's talking about unions!
He's making me forget
the joys of capitalism!
What do you want, Molina?
Nothing.
I was just fooling around.
I know what someone
like Molina wants.
Yeah, and you're not man enough
to give it to me.
What? What did you say,
you miserable little fucking--
Nothing.
Nothing, I said nothing.
- You said something.
- I said I'm a piece of shit.
- Louder.
- I said I'm a piece of shit.
Finish it, maricn.
You're almost done.
I said I'm a faggot
piece of shit,
and whenever you want me,
my hungry ass is yours.
Maybe later, sweetheart.
Hear that, Arregui?
Anytime you want her.
If a man called me a woman,
I would kill him.
If a man called me a man,
I would faint.
You are a man.
You shouldn't let them
humiliate you like that.
Honey, there are privileges
in degradation.
How do you think
I got this beaded curtain?
Why do you make
yourself trivial?
Because I am trivial.
Only, I know it.
You and your movement
are trivial, only you don't.
Next to these gorgeous ladies,
we're all trivial.
Next to them,
we don't even exist.
Fuck off.
You're thinking, right?
About a girl?
I bet she's pretty.
What's her name?
That maricn
better come through.
I find you can learn
everything you need to know
about a person
by asking one simple question:
"What's your favorite movie?"
- I don't have one.
- Oh, come on.
Everyone has a favorite movie,
although they usually lie
about it.
Personally, I don't trust
anybody who says Raging Bull.
I mean, lighten up, Ramona.
It's been years
since I went to the movies.
Well, don't you like to dream?
At least a little?
I dream
with every breath I take,
but not in a way
you would understand.
People like you think
life is one big entertainment.
If I gave you the rest of
a very good milk chocolate bar,
do you think
you could stop saying,
"People like you?"
You're right. I'm sorry.
It's your last piece.
Eat it.
- No, thanks.
- I can't decide.
Are you highly principled
or just plain stubborn?
Maybe just highly stubborn.
Is that a glimmer
of a sense of humor?
And I left my sunglasses
in the Corniche.
I do have a woman, by the way.
I figured.
Just didn't want you
to get any ideas.
You're not my type.
I'm looking for someone
to settle down with,
not storm the barricades.
Well, unlike you,
I couldn't live without movies.
After my father died,
my mother had to work nights
as an usherette.
And since there was no one
to look after me,
she took me with her
and sat me in the front row.
I saw every movie over and over.
One of them, I'll never forget.
Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Never heard of it.
It's set in a mythical
South American country,
part Argentina, part Brazil,
and 100% Hollywood.
It starred
the great Ingrid Luna,
known to those who worship her
as simply La Luna.
Spider Woman was the first time
a vehicle was created
especially for her.
Now, understand, nobody claims
it was the greatest movie
ever made.
Too ambitious for its own good,
too many flavors in the stew,
but so much that's beautiful.
Would you like to see it?
How do you propose we do that?
The best way.
I'll tell it to you.
Unless you have
somewhere else to be.
Uh-uh-uh. Too much reading
will make you go blind.
You said so yourself.
Besides, it's lights out
any minute now.
What kind of movie is it?
A musical, of course.
And if I have to explain
the "of course,"
I might as well
just end it all right now.
I hate musicals.
And I pity you.
I'm sorry to break the news,
but nobody sings in real life.
Well, maybe they should.
Now shut up and listen.
There go the lights.
The curtain opens.
It's in glorious technicolor.
They drenched the screen
with extra reds
and golds for this one.
It almost hurts to look at it.
Her name is Aurora
And she is so beautiful
No man can resist her
And those
Who have kissed her
Are madly in love
Forever in love
Wait. You throw us right in.
We know nothing about the story
or the characters.
Well, it's a musical.
There's not a lot to know.
But you're right.
I got so excited, I skipped
over the opening crawl,
which establishes that Aurora
is the successful editor
of Charm,
South America's most famous
fashion magazine.
It's the way she sits
that kills me every time.
The perfect fullness
of her figure.
Tiny waist and rounded hips.
Her legs flushed and silky,
even without stockings.
Please. No erotic descriptions.
And now, wrapped in the simplest
sort of silk robe...
the goddess moves
into the bedroom.
Kendall, you're late.
I need you to help me
choose a dress for the gala.
Kendall Nesbit is Aurora's
executive assistant
and best friend.
His devotion to her is absolute.
He lives for her
and through her.
In other words,
Kendall Nesbit is a homosexual.
Of course,
they never come out and say it.
- So?
- Well, the actor who played him
was the biggest queen
this side of Danny Kaye.
But he lived with his mother
and was terrified that,
if he portrayed the role
as it was written,
she'd figure it out.
So he butched it up and killed
all the joy in the part.
Now if you don't mind,
I'll describe
the Kendall Nesbit of my dreams
instead of the
disappointing reality.
Kendall, you're late.
I need you to help me
choose a dress for the gala.
What shall I wear tonight?
Haven't a clue
Maybe the silk Chanel
Silvery blue?
You need to choose
more than a dress, my dear.
What do you mean?
"A woman cannot know
what to wear
until she knows for whom
she is wearing it."
Ugh. The things I say for money.
For ten years,
you've unveiled the winter cover
without a man by your side.
Your readers are starting
to wonder if something's wrong.
Who will your partner be?
Maybe Raul?
- Uh-uh.
- Maybe Manuel?
- God, no.
- Maybe Roberto?
So they want to know
Who is my beau
My readers don't want
to share me.
Besides, I have you.
Oh, I will dance alone
Until I dance
with the man of my dreams
I will dance alone
As absurd
as it probably seems
Until I dance
with the love of my life
The man who will call me
his own
Until I dance
with the love of my life
Don't offer me partners
A chorus of strangers
I'll dance alone
- So she's frigid.
- What?
She has a crippling fear
of physical intimacy.
Most likely, she acquired
a sense of shame
around sex in early childhood,
and trying to control
her prohibited desires
as an adult
has made her incapable
of enjoying a good fuck.
Well, excuse you.
Aurora is particular,
that's all.
- Yeah.
- She has high standards.
- Okay.
- Impeccable taste.
Whatever.
If you're gonna make fun,
I won't go on.
This is a work of art.
It means a lot to me.
So, am I supposed
to just sit around and listen?
- I can't comment?
- Exactly.
Because that's what people do
when they watch a movie.
All right.
I'll be quiet.
Now, I will admit,
Aurora has been seeing
a psychiatrist.
And he suspects
that her inability
to commit to a man
is somehow connected
to a suppressed memory
and the mysterious musical theme
that haunts her dreams.
The doctor urges her
to be more open to her desires.
Aurora still isn't convinced,
until she visits
a tarot card reader
who gives her the same advice.
Last night,
I went to see the gypsy
- Over here.
- Thank you.
And, oh,
the things she had to say
She told me
I would meet a stranger
A lean, handsome hero
Who'd sweep in
and sweep me away
I sat there
trembling at her table
And smelled the incense
in the air
"Someday,
you'll hear a cry"
She told me
"A sharp, piercing sound
And when you look around
The love of your life
Will be there"
Hmm.
Aurora dances
with a dozen men,
but is interested in none.
Enter Armando,
the greatest photographer
in South America,
a true artist.
Aurora has hired him
to shoot the winter issue,
but they haven't met
until this moment.
Let me guess.
This photographer
is not just a genius.
He's tall, dark, and handsome.
Of course.
- That's his real talent.
- Oh, no.
He sings and dances too.
Oh.
Ridiculous.
Hmm. If only you could see him
the way I do.
"I cannot tell you
how you'll meet him
Or when you'll meet
your love or where
But soon,
you'll hear that cry"
She told me
"And you'll look around"
You'll look around
"At that sharp, piercing"
Sharp piercing
Sharp piercing,
sharp piercing
Their fingers touch,
tingling with electricity.
Shh.
They're bringing someone
from interrogation.
Anything you want to tell
the professor, Arregui?
Well?
You know him, right?
Well, darling,
if I looked like that,
I'd want a bag over my head too.
Shut up! Shut the fuck up!
Yes, I know him.
He's a brave man,
and you mocked him!
You and your scarves
and your beaded curtains!
You disgust me.
I shouldn't have done that.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too.
It was a bad joke.
So, Molina.
Do you have anything for me?
With respect, Warden,
I think you've cast
the wrong person.
I couldn't have less in common
with that man.
Honestly, I don't think
he'll ever confide in me.
Has he talked about anyone
he's working with?
No names?
Not even in his sleep?
Well, how would I know?
I'm asleep too.
Well, maybe you should sleep
less and listen more.
I'll keep trying. I promise.
Oh, I have some good news.
I convinced the parole board
to look at your case.
Well, that's wonderful.
Thank you.
It would make my mother so happy
to see me home again.
Yes. Your mother.
I'm afraid she's taken a turn
for the worse.
Another small heart attack.
Don't worry.
She's out of danger.
No, she has the danger inside.
Her heart is tired
from forgiving so much.
I'm a tolerant man, Molina.
I'm not disgusted
by degenerates like you.
Molina.
Yes?
You saw the warden this morning?
How did you know?
There's a thousand eyes
in this place.
Are you an informer?
Of course.
What else would I be doing here?
The warden didn't ask you
anything about me?
No. It's my mother,
she's been sick,
as I already told you.
Okay.
Thank God she has my Aunt Chicha
to take care of her.
That's right.
You're an only child.
Yes, it's always been
just the two of us.
- Are you from a big family?
- Huge.
Last time I went home,
my father asked,
"Who are you?"
My mother nearly killed him.
"I can't keep track, woman,"
he said.
Et voila, a sense of humor!
Marta thought it was funny too.
Who's Marta?
- Your girlfriend?
- No one.
Oh. Marta's no one? Hmm.
Hey, look at me.
You don't want to know
anything about me.
The only reason I'm still alive
is because I have information
they want,
and they won't stop
till they get it.
Do you understand?
You were in danger
the minute you met me.
Darling, I'm a window dresser.
When it comes to the violent
overthrow of the junta,
I don't think they expect
to see a bunch of sissies
leading the march.
I'm sorry.
I cringe every time
you make fun of yourself.
It'll be lights out soon.
Do you want me to go on
with the picture?
Yeah, man, whatever.
Aurora and Armando
spend every minute together.
They work by day
and play by night.
Fuck by night.
No, people don't do that
in musicals.
- Yeah. But they're romantic?
- Not yet.
As I told you, Aurora is working
through some commitment issues.
Yeah. She's built a wall
around herself,
so thick not even bullets
can get through it.
It turns out Armando comes
from the same village
where Aurora was born,
way up north,
at the edge of the jungle.
He convinces her to do
a photo shoot up there,
among the people.
See, even though
he's a renowned artist,
Armando sees himself
as an everyday man.
For me, real beauty
has nothing to do with fashion.
Real beauty is this.
An everyday man
Wants an everyday life
Yes?
In an everyday house
Doing everyday things
- With an everyday wife
- I'm sorry.
- And every day
he hurries home
Hangs up his everyday hat
And finds his everyday dog
Running straight
to his arms
For his everyday pat
And the everyday thought
In his everyday head
Is of time to play house
With his everyday spouse
In their everyday bed
Yes, they're
an everyday pair
In every way
Except you don't find love
like theirs
Every day
- And their everyday kiss
- And their everyday kiss
- As they turn out the light
- As they turn on the light
Should assure you,
my friends
It is rapture that ends
Every everyday night
They're like the couple
next door
You'd have to say
Except you don't find love
like theirs
You don't find love
like theirs
You don't find love
like theirs
Every day
Every day
Every day
This is another reason
I hate musicals.
They're pure propaganda,
made by the ruling class
to put people's minds to sleep.
Oh, Lord, take me now.
Don't you see
how regressive this film is?
The photographer
feels threatened
by a powerful woman,
so he wants to turn her
into a doormat.
No! There was much more respect
for women in those days.
Their beauty gave them power!
I suppose you prefer
the movies they make now,
that dreary dust bowl
ruled over by Ms. Sissy Spacek,
Ms. Meryl Streep,
Ms. Glenn Close,
and Ms. Glenda Jackson,
the Four Horsewomen
of the Apocalypse!
At least they're real actors
playing real characters.
Not like
these silly fantasy figures
- you're so fond of.
- Fond?
I'm not fond of them,
I love them!
Aurora is divine.
- Oh, come on.
- She's the perfect woman,
and Armando is my idea
of a real man.
Really?
And what is that exactly?
I won't bore you
with my preferences.
Oh, no, please,
go ahead. I don't mind.
Because I don't wanna be bored
by your opinion of them.
No, no, no, I'm interested.
What do you think a real man is?
Someone who's strong,
who's not afraid to take charge.
Especially in his own home.
Oh, so,
you don't think men and women
should be equal partners
in the home?
A real woman
doesn't want equality.
There's no kick to it.
Kick? What kick?
The tingle you get when a man
puts his arm around you
- when you're a bit frightened.
- Oh, my God.
What a pile of crap!
Whatever. It's how I feel.
No, it's how
you were taught to feel.
This is getting us nowhere.
I wish you
a good night then, hmm?
- Molina.
- Hmm.
I'm wide awake.
Tell me a bit more of the film.
It'll put me out.
Just a little more.
Please.
Okay, but no more interrupting.
Armando takes Aurora
to the one hot spot in town.
Forget photography, Armando,
you should open
a dancing school.
Yes. A man of so many talents.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Welcome home, stranger.
Enter Paulina Paz.
Long nose, bushy brows,
and eyes as dull
as two wrapped caramels.
I get it.
You don't like her.
Everyone thinks
she's beautiful,
but she doesn't hold
a candle to Aurora.
Her only advantage is her youth,
which she wields like a machete.
It's obvious from the way
she greets Armando
that they were once an item
and that she still carries
a torch.
The plot thins.
Paulina makes a big show
of being gracious to Aurora.
I hope you're enjoying
your stay here.
I'm sure our little village
can't compare to the big city.
Oh, I was born in this village.
We moved away
when I was a little girl.
Oh, that was before my time.
Perhaps our families know
each other.
I doubt it.
We were simple people.
I adore this moment.
Aurora shows
that stupid, stuck-up girl
what real class looks like.
And then the room goes quiet.
All eyes turn.
Johnny Desiderio has arrived.
The villain, at last!
No, the supervillain!
A two-bit gangster
who's been bleeding the village
and its people dry for years.
Finally, some fun people.
How can she bear to be touched
by that cockroach?
This club is his playground,
and he treats everyone
like his toy.
The thing I love
about La Luna
is that no matter
how hard Hollywood tried
to make her seem all-American,
she never stopped being Latin.
- That was amazing.
- Thank you.
Just having a little fun.
Give me.
I think I'll turn in.
If you'll excuse me.
Of course, Armando.
I'll see you in the lobby
in the morning?
I'm sorry.
He still cares for her.
Kendall Nesbit
has been feeling ignored
since Armando entered
the picture.
Now, he has a purpose again.
Let's get you to bed.
And with that, I say ciao.
Good night, Valentn.
No, don't stop now.
It's a bunch of silly clichs,
but at least
these new characters inject
a bit of dramatic conflict.
Better to leave
the audience wanting more.
Sleep tight.
- Molina?
- Hmm.
This song Aurora keeps hearing,
her shrink thought
it might be related
- to some childhood trauma.
- Oh, God, let her be.
Do you ever think
you identify with her
because you suffered
something similar?
Do you have a theory
for everything?
You said it was only
ever you and your mother.
Where was your father?
He died when I was four.
So what?
Isn't it obvious?
That early dependence
on your mother
- is what made you a homosexual.
- Oh, really?
- Talk about clichs.
- No, no, hear me out.
Without a father,
the sensitive boy tries
to please his mother
by taking on
- her more nurturing qualities.
- Yeah.
Just like the macho boy tries
to please his father
- by becoming a revolutionary.
- No.
I'm not macho.
I hate macho
and all it stands for.
Oh, is that so?
Honestly, do you think
you're telling me something
that I haven't heard
a thousand times before?
Next you'll say
that the right woman
will convert me,
because there's nothing better
than a good woman.
To which I say, I agree!
And since there's nothing better
than a woman,
I wanna be one.
Why do you keep saying that?
Because it's true.
Why don't you believe me?
You know what I believe?
I believe
that people look at you
and they see a monster,
so you play the part.
But Molina,
you're not a monster.
You're a man.
The light from the candle's
keeping me up.
Do you mind?
She wears satin
Spanish lace
She feels
wild chinchilla brush
Across her face
She's lucky
She's a woman
She wears diamonds
Bright as stars
She has lovers open doors
to fancy cars
She's lucky
So lucky
She's a woman
A perfume by Lanvin
To dab across her wrist
A secret, ribboned diary
Of all the men she's kissed
So many men
She's kissed
Lilac waters
Bathe her skin
At the opera, ushers gasp
when she sweeps in
Gifts of chocolate
Roses too
Hand-delivered notes
confessing "I love you"
Milky lotions
Scented creams
She's the climax
of your technicolor dreams
How lucky can you be?
So lucky, you'll agree
And I wish
That she were me
That woman
This is your fault, maricn.
He has a girlfriend.
Her name is Marta.
- Marta who?
- I don't know.
- We need more.
- How can I get you more
if you take him away?
I'm getting close,
I just need more time.
Time is the one thing
I can't give you.
Things are coming to a head,
we need information.
Well, torture won't work
on him, that much I know.
- We don't torture people here.
- No,
but if you bring him back
from his interrogation,
I can get you her full name,
and much more.
- Please. I beg you.
- Oh, Molina.
Do you have a little crush
on that piece of shit?
Of course not.
I just want to see my mother.
The sooner Arregui talks,
the sooner you get out.
La Luna.
Help me, please.
I can't be alone.
I can't be here.
Save me, Luna.
Take me away.
Yes.
To a movie.
When you feel
you've gone to hell
In a handbasket
And the world
in which you dwell's
No paradise
I've some counsel
I can give
You need but ask it
I'm so very glad to share
This good advice
You've got to learn
how not to be where you are
The more you face reality,
the more you scar
So close your eyes
and you'll become
A movie star
Why must you stay
Where you are?
You've got to learn
how not to see
What you've seen
The slice of hell
you call your life
Is harsh and mean
So why not lie beside me
on a movie screen?
Why must you see
What you've seen?
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
Come up here
Play with me
Play with me
Lights.
Camera.
And action!
You've got to learn
how not to do
What you've done
The pistol shot can't kill
if you unload the gun
So build a palace
where you're the shah
And we'll embrace
in that Shangri-La
If you run away
Some matinee
From where you are
- You've got to learn
how not to be where you are
- Where you are
- The more you face reality,
the more you scar
- The more you scar
So close your eyes
and you'll become
A movie star
Why must you stay
Must you stay
Where you are?
So why not lie beside me
on a movie screen?
Why must you see
What you've seen?
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
Come up here
Play with me
Play with me
And if you find
that you land in jail
A little fantasy
will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
- Come up here
- Come up here
- Play with me
- Play with me
Turn off the lights
and turn on your mind
And I can promise you
you will find
You will like my plan
My sweetest fan
My leading man
Anywhere
You are
Oh, God. Have you killed him?
You won't get away with this!
Get out of here!
Oh, sweet Jesus.
How much more of this
can you endure?
Why don't you just tell them
what they want?
Then all of this will be over.
When Johnny Desiderio realizes
that Paulina's still in love
with Armando,
he has his goons kidnap him
and beat him raw.
I always shut my eyes
during this part.
They dump Armando at the edge
of the jungle forest.
And then, all at once,
Aurora is there.
She doesn't flinch
at the sight of him.
She's so courageous.
I'm a wreck at this point.
The tears
are streaming down my cheeks.
You always get lost
in the emotion.
I just want to know
what happens.
Well, she sings, of course.
- Oh, no.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I swear to God,
it's not what you think.
It's the most
natural thing imaginable.
I do miracles
Though the lash of the whip
has caused your flesh to tear
I will place my lips
on you everywhere
And I'll do
Miracles
St-- Stop.
I'm sorry.
Don't get upset.
I-I can't keep my mind
on the story.
When you talk about Aurora,
I just see...
Marta.
I guess it has to come out
one way or another.
What?
Weakness.
Well, that's not weakness.
That's love.
It's funny how you can't help
getting attached to someone.
It's as if the mind
just oozes sentiment.
Is that what you believe?
Like a leaky faucet.
You can't stop the drips.
Right now, I would give anything
to be able to hold her.
Just thinking about her,
it's torture.
No, you should never push away
pleasant thoughts.
Lie down.
Trust me.
Close your eyes.
Now,
when I say "Aurora,"
you see Marta.
I do miracles
I do miracles
As I cradle you close
and caress each bruise
What I've come here to give
you must not refuse
There is love
In my touch
That is yours to use
And if you choose
Just breathe my name
And there I'll be
Doing miracles
I do miracles
There are miracles
In me
Voila, monsieur,
our specialty of the evening...
flamb de merde.
Beans and rice.
This is a lot for me.
- Have mine.
- No, thank you.
Yeah, I know. Eat, eat.
Come on.
This rice a la glue
- is not half bad tonight.
- Mm-hmm.
Do you always eat like that?
Take man bites.
I'm not an animal,
I take ladylike bites.
How does your Marta eat?
I don't know,
I've never noticed.
That's the last thing
a man notices about a woman.
Hmm. If I love someone,
I notice everything about them.
How they eat, how they sleep,
everything.
Do you have anyone?
- A fellow?
- I'm sorry. A fellow?
I immediately picture
Ronald Reagan.
You know what I meant.
His name's Gabriel.
He's a waiter
at an all-night restaurant,
the Trocadero.
Everything about him is perfect.
The way he walks,
his tender voice
with a slight lilt to it.
It sounds like
another one of your fantasies.
No, he's extremely real.
Do you miss him?
I do,
but not in the way you mean.
We never made love.
- You've never fucked?
- No.
We never even touched.
I don't get it.
He's...
married.
Two children.
It took a year for us
just to become friends.
Well, he had to see
that I respected him.
I know.
It doesn't sound like much,
but he told me things
that he never told anyone else.
I did too.
Does he visit you?
No.
His family keeps him busy.
And he works hard,
double shifts sometimes.
Hmm.
I send him letters, but...
It's been three years.
Sometimes I wonder
if he even remembers me.
You know what?
I'm not gonna study tonight.
Why don't we go to the movies?
All right.
Um, where were we?
Armando's been beaten
by the gangsters.
Ah, yes, of course.
Some villagers carry him
deep into the forest
where Johnny Desiderio
won't find him.
They take him
to this strange house,
all in stone,
roof covered in straw,
the whole place
overgrown with jungle plants.
Clemencia lives there.
She's the village elder.
Almost blind,
but she sees everything.
After Armando falls asleep,
Clemencia tells Aurora
a terrible legend.
For centuries,
the wild beasts of the jungle
would go mad with hunger
in wintertime.
They would climb down
from the mountains
and into the village,
killing everyone.
The people sought help
from the Spider Woman.
A magical creature
born of a human mother
and an all-powerful
forest spirit.
She offered protection
asking for one thing in return.
That once every ten years,
a woman of the village
would offer up
the man she loves,
as a sacrifice.
You were born
on one of those nights.
Meaning one day
you would have to offer up
a sacrifice of your own.
This explains so much.
Why our family
left the village, why...
Why I can't love.
She has called you back.
Yes, with her song.
When she appears,
it means someone
is about to die.
Soon, I feel it
Soon somehow
I will have him
Any minute now
I was eight years old
when I first saw her.
You can imagine
how terrified I was.
I didn't sleep for a week!
By the way, did I mention that
Ingrid Luna played both parts?
Several times.
What a tour de force.
What is it?
The girl's fucked!
- What girl?
- Me, stupid! It's my stomach.
- You going to throw up? Wait.
- No, it's lower down.
Cramps in my groin.
Breathe.
Hey.
- That food was poisoned.
- No, no, no.
Then we'd both be sick.
It's my nerves.
I've just been on edge all day.
- Breathe. Breathe.
- Get help.
- I can't handle this.
- Guards!
Guards! Guards!
Please.
Sleep.
Release the pain.
Come and find me
Hear my song
Good evening.
How have you been?
Go away.
You know how I've been.
I only want to talk.
Why are you afraid?
I've always been
afraid of you
But why?
I don't know
It will change
Someday you'll recognize me
as your friend
No, never my friend,
go away
But I am beautiful
Yes, you are
And I am warm
And kind and gentle
Why don't you like me?
I don't know
Someday you will understand
I am your friend
Someday you will kiss me
Never, never!
Go away, go away!
Someday you'll give in
Of course you will
Hmm.
All men do
Yes, all men kiss me
And you will too
You'll part my lips
And rest yours there
You'll run your fingers
through my hair
Your cries of pleasure
Will heat
the cool night air
When you kiss me
And you will kiss me
But not now
Not yet
Not now
How are you?
Still a little woozy.
Hey.
Look what else we brought you.
Fuck you.
I'm sorry.
They didn't feed me
for three days.
I don't give a fuck
what they put in it.
I'm not gonna feel right
unless I tell you something.
You missed me. I know.
I went through your things
while you were gone.
I had to be sure
I could trust you.
And can you?
I've been a shit not telling
you anything about myself.
Now I feel
I owe you a confidence.
Inside here, everything's
gotta be 50-50, right?
Okay.
Marta's not in the movement.
Now, that's a surprise.
She dropped out after we met.
She was happy
just to be together.
What's she like?
She comes from a rich family.
Drives a little red Mercedes.
- No.
- 280 SL.
She even plays golf.
She sounds divine.
Does she have a brother?
She's everything
I'm supposed to hate.
I'm a hypocrite.
What?
- Oh, fuck.
- What? What's wrong?
I was right.
They're poisoning us.
Oh, I-I'll get the guards.
No, no.
They'll give me morphine.
They get you hooked,
then you lose your resistance.
But, no, you won't be able
to stand the pain.
I can. Just help me sit down.
- Okay, okay, okay, okay.
- I'll be fine.
I'll be fine. I'll be fine.
Okay. You're all right.
Everything's going to be okay.
Hey, hey, hey. Come on.
Are you okay?
Promise you won't
let them take me.
- The doctor may be able
to help you.
- Promise. Promise me.
Okay. I promise.
Okay.
What?
Oh!
- Oh, no.
- What?
Oh, no.
- What is it?
- I'm sorry.
I'm so ashamed.
I...
I shit myself.
Okay. It's okay.
Everything's going to be okay.
- Yeah? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- It's going to be okay. Yeah.
- It's okay, huh?
- Okay. Okay.
Don't, don't, don't.
Don't use the blanket.
You'll need it to keep you warm.
Yeah. You're right. Thank you.
Let me get something for you
to clean yourself.
- No, not your shirt.
- It's fine.
I'll wash it tomorrow.
- Please.
- Okay.
Yeah.
Fuck.
Valentn, let me do it.
Let me do it. Please.
Let me help.
- Fuck!
- Oh.
Oh. Okay.
Give me the other foot.
Give me the other foot.
- Did it go through? Eh?
- Um...
Your underpants
held most of it in.
Okay. Okay.
Gentle.
Okay, careful, careful, careful, careful.
All right, all right.
Oh, careful, careful.
Okay. Okay, okay, okay.
Oh, no.
This doesn't disgust you?
Well, I don't wanna make
a career of it.
- Is it clean?
- Yeah.
Arregui.
Help. Help.
What are you doing in there?
What do you think we're doing?
Do you mind?
You make me sick.
That was good.
Thank you.
Molina,
take my mind off the pain.
The movie...
Yes. Aurora.
She's hot. She's hot.
That's right.
- I wanna fuck her.
- You wanna fuck her,
and I wanna be her.
Yes, that's funny.
Now, once Armando has recovered,
he returns to the village
with Aurora.
Just in time for Carnival.
- But what they don't see...
- Stop.
Wait. I need to talk to you.
...is that somebody's
following them.
These are good people.
And they're ready to rise up
against the monster
who's destroying their lives.
I can't leave them now.
I want you to stay with me.
What happens in this village
is not my concern.
I know nothing of it.
And I care even less.
You're just like Aurora.
Hey, don't make fun.
I wasn't.
La Luna's so tremendous
in this scene.
"I'm a woman," she says.
"I live only for art
and love and beauty."
But here's the thing,
she's only pretending
not to care.
Ooh, mami.
She's trying
to make Armando hate her.
- The curse.
- Yes!
She wants to save him
from the Spider Woman.
Notice that the person
that's been following them
has spiked Armando's drink.
It's art imitating life.
Why do I get the feeling
you're making this up
as you go along?
I wouldn't put it past me.
Hey.
I'm... Perdn. I'm sorry.
Please. Here.
Look, have mine.
I'll get myself another one.
She starts to feel woozy.
The drug is taking effect.
Aurora opens her eyes.
We're inside her dream now.
She's still determined
to drive Armando away,
so she lures him
into the sleazy club.
But it's different.
Painted a deep scarlet,
the color of sex.
It's like being
inside Aurora's mind.
And, darling,
it's all the psychology I need.
If there's a war on,
don't bring me the news
Ask me to bullfights
and I must refuse
But if you want
to get my attention
Let's make love
Gimme love
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
If there's an earthquake,
I will not attend
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
If there's a plague,
don't invite me, my friend
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
But if you want to
Keep me looking
in your direction
Let's make love
Gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
Gimme love, gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
Gimme love, gimme love
Gimme kisses, gimme love
Gimme love, gimme kisses
Gimme love
It's like giving
to the needy
And I don't mind
being greedy
Come on, chico,
please be speedy
And bring me
what I long for
If there's a fire,
don't bring me a hose
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
Call me a coward,
that's true I suppose
Gimme kisses
Gimme love, love, love
But all I want is beauty
- So gimme, gimme, gimme
- Hugs
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Squeezes
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Lips
- Gimme, gimme, gimme
- Kisses
So let's not make
more trouble
- Let's make...
- Gimme
Love
- Gimme love
- Come on, boys
Gimme kisses
- Here you go
- Gimme love
Gimme love
Yes!
Gimme love
Gimme kisses
Gimme love
Kisses
Once Armando is gone,
Aurora's dream
turns into a nightmare.
Oh!
I'm gonna stick my fingers
down your throat.
Don't bite. Do you hear me?
Don't bite.
They're coming back.
Are you sick, Arregui?
We can take you to the clinic.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
He's fine.
- I'm fine. I'm fine.
- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
This is fucking bullshit.
Okay.
Did they take me?
No.
You're still with me.
I'm cold.
Where am I?
In a movie.
Huh...
You...
You have a vivid imagination.
Thank you.
Too vivid.
There's no such thing.
You're a kind man.
She's gone.
You're safe.
Thank God, you're safe.
Sources inside
the Congressional Palace
confirmed that there are cracks
within the coalition.
Peaceful demonstrations
have turned violent
in several areas,
leading the government
to announce
a nationwide curfew,
beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight.
You had one job,
to get him to the infirmary,
and you couldn't even do that?
Is it my fault that the man
has an iron constitution?
Do you have any idea
what's going on out there?
I'm not political.
I don't know about these things.
Arregui's group is the link
between the traitors
inside the government
and the animals
marching on the streets.
If we don't expose them,
we could have a civil war
on our hands.
He's starting to open up.
I can feel it.
You know what, Molina?
I don't give a fuck
about your feelings.
Get this faggot out of here.
Uh, Valentn has eyes
everywhere.
He'll wonder
why I was talking to you.
Say your mother's better
and she came to visit.
Oh, no,
he'll never believe that.
He knows she always
brings me food.
Okay, we'll send out
for some groceries.
Tell us what she usually brings,
and be quick about it.
Well, I told him my mother's
an excellent cook, so...
two chickens from Veaugirard's
on the Avenida
and some of their famous
roast potatoes
soaked overnight in milk.
And guava paste.
Two boxes of tea, one breakfast,
the other chamomile.
- Oh, and condensed milk.
- Hold on.
I can speak much slower,
if you'd like.
A can of peaches,
two bars of soap,
suavisimo, bath-size.
Two cans of soup,
a jar of pickled herring,
a cherry Madeira, and...
ta-da. This month's Vogue.
- Your mother?
- Yes, she's better.
Oh, and look at what else
she brought us. Hm?
Oh, no, no.
- That's for you, my friend.
- Would you shut up?
There are two chickens here,
one for each of us.
No, I'm not cool with that.
Well, I'm not doing it for you.
I can't face another day
of that revolution
that's happening
in your stomach.
- All right.
- Good. That's settled.
- Molina?
- Hmm?
Do you mind if I have
a chicken leg right away?
Well, I had something
more formal in mind.
Mmm.
I'm not very good
at saying this,
- but thank you.
- Hmm.
Well, you're lucky you have
a housewife as a cellmate.
You could be living
with a homosexual.
Not just for the food.
Thank you for taking care of me,
seeing me through.
I think I would've died
if it wasn't for you.
How about the last potato, hmm?
Open wide.
Mmm.
Don't tell your mother, but...
I think I just came.
That's it for you. No more.
Mmm.
I'll take this.
Thank you.
You know what would make this
even better?
Let me guess.
- Aurora?
- No.
I don't feel like
escaping tonight.
I wanna stay here.
And do what?
Listen to you.
Oh, come on. I'm tired
of hearing my own voice.
I want you to talk.
About what?
Anything.
Okay.
Okay.
You have hundreds of movies.
I have one.
And it only has one scene.
You know the park
opposite city hall?
Mm-hmm.
Picture thousands
of people gathered
to hear Alberto Golizar speak.
I was only 15,
but already I knew
about the illegal arrests,
the death squads,
the thousands of people
who'd been disappeared.
Golizar asked people
to share their stories.
For some reason,
he pointed to my sister and me.
Maybe because
we looked so hungry.
"Tell us.
Tell us about the home
our country has given you."
"Our home?" I said.
Our home was made of mud,
pieces of tin and cardboard
boxes nailed together.
When I said that,
the park got very quiet.
Everyone wanted to hear
our story.
I'll never forget the look
on my sister's face.
A 14-year-old girl
who was being noticed
for the first time in her life.
When you feel like that,
you don't think the person
standing next to you
is hiding a machine gun,
waiting for the order
to open fire.
When it was over,
47 people were dead.
Two of them were children.
One was my sister.
Good news, Arregui.
The professor didn't talk.
Bad news.
Oh, that poor man.
He won his place in heaven,
that's for sure.
Just let it be quick
when my time comes.
Don't say that.
Don't even think it.
The professor was a huge figure
in the movement.
- He had contacts
high up in the regime...
- Valentn, don't tell me.
- ...including one
of the generals.
- I don't wanna know!
You're right.
I'm sorry.
Do you mind
if I dictate a letter?
I tried to write it myself,
but...
the page kept swimming.
Yeah.
Here.
Dear Marta,
I'm writing because...
I'm afraid
it all might end here,
that my life will amount
to nothing.
Sometimes I tell myself
I took something of you with me
and that I haven't lost it.
But then I realize,
there's only me,
all alone in this cell.
And I can't wash
because I'm sick
and I'm afraid
the freezing water
will give me pneumonia.
Wait.
What?
You're right. The freezing water
could kill you.
But we can still get you clean.
I could use the hot water
from the tea and two towels,
one covered in soap
and the other just hot
and wet to wipe the soap off.
And that will stop the itching.
Of course.
In all the time
I was with Marta...
I never said,
"I love you."
Never.
What an awful word.
I don't wanna die, Molina.
I wanna be a fat old man
and have a dozen grandchildren.
Give me your hand.
Like I said...
a leaky faucet.
- Molina.
- Hmm?
Look at the shadows,
the candle is casting
on the wall.
You never noticed them?
Never.
I always watch them.
It helps pass the time.
Last chance, Molina.
Anything you want to tell me?
Prisoner 31452,
Santiago Ventura,
after due consideration,
this board is declining
the stay in your sentence.
Petition denied.
Luis Molina.
So you're really
not going to tell me
what happened at the hearing?
I said it was fine.
So it went well?
Actually, it was terrible.
They denied your parole.
No.
Not yet, at least.
They said that
when a decision is pending...
convicts are moved
to a different block.
I leave at the end of the week.
And I won't be back.
Armando comes
to Aurora's suite...
sees her bags are packed.
He gazes out the window.
Tonight is the night.
The Spider Woman wants her kiss.
Armando wants to tell Aurora
how he feels...
but he can't.
I couldn't let you leave
without saying goodbye.
Goodbye, Armando.
It's the most terrible thing.
Two people who can't admit
they're in love.
All ready?
Yes.
Armando.
Kendall.
Armando, you have
to get out of here.
Johnny and his men
are on their way.
Who told them where I was?
It doesn't matter.
They're going to kill you!
Let them come.
My life is over anyway.
Nonsense.
You have Paulina now.
Armando doesn't want me.
He loves you.
Don't you know that?
Is that true, Armando?
Others might deceive me,
but...
Never you
Lead me on, then leave me
But never you
Someone else
might take my trust
Break my trust in two
Things
you'd find impossible
To do
Other loves might tell
Some easy lie
Say forever
When they mean
Goodbye
But no, no
Never
Never you
Well, this doesn't
change a thing, Aurora.
You still have a magazine
to publish,
deadlines to meet.
We have to leave.
I can't, Kendall.
Please, try and understand.
It's not just because
I love Armando,
it's because he's made me
see things through his eyes.
These people need our help.
Remember, I'm one of them.
But...
Not another word, Kendall.
I know it was you
who betrayed us.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't lose you.
That's a surprise.
Rule number one,
never trust a closeted queen.
Aurora has nothing
but bad options now.
Go to Clemencia.
She will protect you.
No. No. Not the jungle.
Take my car.
Let's go. Come on.
Please, Armando.
We have to stop.
She's drawing us into her web.
Listen to me! She will kill you!
Aurora and Armando
are being followed,
but not by Desiderio.
What's the matter?
Hey.
Don't do that.
I'm so tired, Valentn.
I'm tired of suffering.
It hurts inside.
Where?
In my chest,
and in my throat.
Here?
Yeah.
What a relief.
What?
To care about someone again.
Could I...
Could I touch you too?
Yes.
Lie down.
Come on.
Get closer to the wall.
Okay.
Your skin...
...it's so soft.
- Do you like it?
- Yeah.
Yes.
You awake?
Yeah.
A strange thing
happened to me last night.
You could say that.
When you were with me...
it was like I wasn't me anymore.
I felt like I was you.
But later,
when you went back to your bed,
I wasn't you either.
And I still wasn't me.
I was somebody else.
Not a man or a woman.
I was nothing...
and everything.
It felt like being...
Out of danger.
Exactly.
How did you know?
I felt it too.
Marcuse writes about this.
Gender as a social construct.
Oh, please, Valentn,
no theories today.
Some things are too interesting
to put into words.
You're right, you're right.
I'm sorry.
Besides,
I feel good
and I don't want to spoil it.
You know the nicest thing
about being happy?
You think you'll never
be unhappy again.
Molina.
Your parole is approved,
on my recommendation.
All I have to do is sign it.
What should I do, Molina?
Thank you.
My mother will be so happy.
You're leaving this afternoon.
Three o'clock.
Today?
But there's still a chance
that he could talk.
Can you believe this faggot?
He likes prison so much
he wants to stay.
Get your things ready.
And remember, Molina,
whatever you think you saw here,
nobody cares.
And no more hanky-panky
with the boys.
You sure about this?
Sooner or later,
he'll lead us to them.
After all,
he's a woman in love.
Don't be sad.
I'm not. I'm happy for you.
Now you can start a new life.
Join a political group.
Get out and march with
your gay brothers and sisters.
I'm sorry, Valentn,
it's too late for me
to become a revolutionary.
But you survived in a place
that no one is supposed
to leave alive.
You can't tell me
that didn't change you.
It hurts me to leave you
all alone in this cell.
No one around
to take care of you.
I'm getting out of here.
I'm not going to die
like the professor,
without passing on
the information I have.
I'm not.
Valentn.
I want to ask you
for a going-away present.
Something we didn't do,
although we got up
to much worse.
A kiss.
It's true.
We never did.
Mm.
You want it now?
But... we don't have much time.
And we still have to finish
the movie.
Yes.
Come here.
Sooner or later
you're certain to meet
In the bedroom, the parlor
or even the street
There's no place on earth
you're likely to miss
Her kiss
Sooner or later
in sunlight or gloom
When the red candles
flicker
She'll walk in the room
And the curtains will shake
And the fire will hiss
Here comes her kiss
And the moon grows dimmer
At the tide's low ebb
And her black beads shimmer
And you're aching to move
but you're caught in the web
Of the Spider Woman
In her velvet cape
You can scream
But you cannot escape
Sooner or later
your love will arrive
And he touches your heart
You're alert and alive
And there's only one pin
that can puncture such bliss
Her kiss
Sooner or later,
you bathe in success
And your minions salute,
they say nothing but "yes"
But your power is empty,
it fades like the mist
Once you've been kissed
And the moon grows dimmer
At the tide's low ebb
And your breath
comes faster
And you're aching to move
but you're caught in the web
Of the Spider Woman
In her velvet cape
You can run, you can scream
You can hide
But you cannot
Escape
You?
I had to be sure you were safe.
Please, I have waited
to find love my entire life.
But now that I have,
you ask me to give it up.
If you take Armando,
you also kill me.
No!
I love you.
I love you too.
So the curse was broken.
No. It was fulfilled.
Aurora did love Kendall,
just in a different way.
That's quite a twist.
Not really.
Homosexuals always die
in Hollywood movies.
Most of the time,
they kill themselves.
No. He gave his life
for a cause.
Because of his sacrifice,
the village will continue
to be protected.
No.
He died for love.
Aurora recognizes
the Spider Woman
for who she truly is,
her greatest enemy,
and her greatest friend.
She's death and life.
She saved an entire village
and asked for so little
in return.
Just a kiss.
Through her tears,
Aurora begins to smile.
There's some kind of happiness
for each of us.
Life is good,
and that good is love.
Her name is Aurora
A true Hollywood ending.
I told you,
it's no Citizen Kane.
Call it kitsch, call it camp,
I don't care.
I love it.
When I was with the warden,
I got the feeling
that he was afraid.
Yeah.
Things are moving fast.
And if I pass on
your information,
would they move faster?
Maybe.
And one day you might be free.
Prisoner 57884,
Luis Molina, coming out.
I'll do whatever you tell me.
Time to go, Molina.
Thank you.
So you won't forget me.
There's no danger of that.
I'm gonna miss you, Molinita.
Red's your color.
It always was.
Mama.
Luis?
Uh-hmm.
Am I dreaming?
No, Mama.
It's me.
I'm home.
Hi.
Revolution...
it's nothing
but radicals and fairies.
A bunch of spoiled brats.
Take down the generals?
Forget it.
They'll be crushed.
Their blood will be flowing
in the streets.
You'll see.
A toast, if I may.
To dear Aunt Chicha,
and to the love and care
she's shown her beloved sister.
- To Chicha.
- To Chicha.
Call back tomorrow.
Two o'clock.
Gabriel.
- Hello.
- Hi.
I can't stay long.
It's our busiest time.
Oh. You look well.
How are you?
How's the family?
Fine. Fine.
- Did you get my letters?
- Yes.
Oh. I hope they weren't
too de trop.
As the French would say,
"too much."
No, no.
I enjoyed them very much.
Oh.
Well, you never wrote back.
I've been busy.
With the family, I imagine.
Double shifts at work.
Did you ever think about me?
I should probably get back.
Because I thought about you...
a lot.
How you would give me just
enough to keep me interested...
and not an inch more.
I'm sorry, Luis.
I'm just an ordinary man
and I don't understand--
Yes, you do.
You understand very well.
You let me adore you
and you enjoyed it.
But you never told me,
or thanked me.
Please, don't come here again.
I used to wave to you every day.
Yes?
The professor says hello.
I love you so much, Mama.
If I'm not home by the time
you're reading this,
it means I've been arrested.
Only, this time, for something
much more serious.
If I do go away,
I know Aunt Chicha
will always be there for you.
When I first went to prison,
I thought my life was over.
It was just beginning.
I learned about dignity
in that most undignified place.
I had always believed nothing
could ever change for me.
And it made me feel sorry
for myself.
One ticket, please.
But I can't live like that now.
Thank you.
Come on, come on.
Careful, careful! Stay back.
Hey, come on! Back up.
Would you back up, please?
Go through this-- Hey, Oliver!
- Yeah.
- - Bring the...
Yeah, that's fine.
Hey! Come on!
We have to go.
- What?
- Now!
- Hurry!
- Stop!
- Stop! Do you hear me?
- Stop, stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Freeze!
Don't move! Don't shoot him.
We need him alive.
Come on! Come on!
- Hurry!
- Stop!
Hurry up!
Come on!
No!
Go, go, go, go!
Stay back.
Get back. Move back.
Get back.
Optimistic endings
Passionate romances
Beautifully beefy heroes
Taking
death-defying chances
Only in the movies
Decorous Madonnas
Totally compliant
Challenging the villain
bravely
Both high-busted
and defiant
Only in the movies
Only in the movies
But marble floors
to glide on
And loop the loops
to ride on
And sultry girls
beginning some beguine
I found, as I grew older
And life became much colder
Were, to my sorrow
Nowhere to be seen
And so I sprayed
a little perfume
Sprayed a little perfume
Dabbed a little powder
Dabbed a little powder
And suddenly
the muted strings
Began to play
a little louder
And though I knew
the difference
I kept on pretending
I was in the movies
But everything changed
when I met you
You've changed my life
somehow
Everything changed
when I met you
I find I walk in
Technicolor now
And as this princess
lay dying
She raised her lovely head
And as her lover
knelt beside her
This is what she said
Looking into those
tender brown eyes
Of his, she cried
"Viva la guerra"
"Viva la revolucin"
"Viva..."
Whatever it is
No!
Her name was Molina
Her name was Molina
Her name was Molina
The New York Times.
We made it, my love.
We made it.
Argentina! Argentina!