Oceans Are the Real Continents (2023) Movie Script
Today, in Havana, USA and Cuba will hold
another round of migration talks.
Our country is facing the biggest
migration exodus in its history.
Since the year started,
more than 250,000 Cubans
entered the USA...
Did you see Luisa?
- She was there?
- Yes, Alex, in the front row.
- Cool.
- I think she liked it.
There was a strange vibe...
almost sacred.
That was the point.
Why don't we stage it somewhere
outside of San Antonio?
What do you mean?
- I dunno.
- It wouldn't make sense.
Why?
Because the performance
was written for San Antonio,
it's regional.
It'd be amazing in Amazonia.
You think so? Amazonia...
Edith, we can't expect others
to make things change.
The Amazonian people should do it there.
What if we film it?
- I'm sure you'd love that.
- Maybe.
But it'll have to be totally reworked.
Why?
Reworked for the camera.
It would be totally different.
Then we'd screen it at Yara Cinema.
Can you imagine?
Now you like the idea!
Look at that.
Decaying jungle.
Don't move.
Not again!
- Careful, don't fall.
- Raise your head.
- You look great.
- Do I?
I don't like when you place
your hand on my shoulder.
- Why?
- Because it makes me feel...
Like a cane.
If I place it lower?
Now it's all ruined.
Here we used to sing the song
we danced to, and it was like...
- What song?
- I don't remember.
Don't start...
- Come on, sing for me.
- We sang "The Cat Song."
- No, I like the first song.
- I knew it!
When you'd come in singing...
The opening song,
we always sang it.
Come on, sing it.
- The "Cuenteros" song?
- Yes.
- The opening one?
- That one.
How'd the song go?
Oh, please, Ale, you know it.
Sing! Sing!
We are a group
Of artists who work for children
There were 12 of you!
Actually, the song wasn't that bad.
The crazy part came after when we said:
We are theater laborers, artists...
How crazy!
Out of nowhere:
We're theater laborers,
artists who teach
We work for you
We're "Los Cuenteros"
Hold still.
- Here?
- Go back.
Here?
Careful.
Look.
Enough.
Mart's home
has always been like this
Mart's home
has always been like this
Mart's home
has always been like this
Andrea, read please.
"Freedom is the essence of life."
Jos Mart.
Very good, freedom is the essence of life.
Try to imagine not being free,
being in a cage.
Would you like that?
No!
No food, no air, no nothing!
So, is it possible to live
without freedom?
Think about animals, sparrows,
hummingbirds, Cuban trogons...
- You can't cage trogons.
- Why not?
- You'd get arrested.
- Because it's the national bird.
What else? What happens if you cage it?
It dies.
The same happens to humans.
He throws a curveball
and the batter hits it...
Ground ball!
The left fielder throws and he's out!
And back to home base!
He covers and throws.
He throws to first base, out!
- He throws to second, out!
- Double play.
The best play in history!
He throws!
Throw it, I'm ready.
Man, I really don't care about it.
Two "guarapos," for me and him.
I don't care, you know mine won
the Gold Glove Award last year.
Sure, last year... but guess
how many times mine won? Seven!
- So what?
- Yours only won four.
The season's not over yet, don't forget.
Sure, the season's not over...
I know that,
but do you know what I think?
Talking is pointless
because my team will win.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- One of those, please.
- Sure.
OUR CHILDREN
ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD
THE HEALTHIEST,
THE MOST INNOCENLet's go.
Throw it over.
Climb up.
Hurry.
Go, bro!
Grab the bar.
Like that.
Come on, you can do it.
- I'll pass the ball.
- Okay.
Fran, look over here.
This is the light switch?
I don't know if that's it.
Take this.
Done.
- Come see.
- Wow!
Look!
How cool!
How cool!
How cool!
How cool!
Bro, how cool...
I'm thirsty.
Wouldn't it be great
if we had guarapo?
In the stadium at night
with my best friend drinking guarapo.
Nice...
- The best thing in the world.
- The absolute best.
February 16, 1988.
Dear Milagros,
Angola is a country
that is beautiful yet damned.
With the Angolan forces and the SWAPO
we are making the South African
UNITA troops retreat south.
We've neared the border with Namibia.
Tomorrow we'll cross the Lomba River,
I'm almost afraid to leave it behind me.
During these months,
it reminded me of our river,
our walks along the banks.
Its flow helped me keep the memory
of your smile alive during all this time.
Hope this letter finds you well.
Pedro says he misses your "chicharrones,"
he dreams of them.
I miss them too.
Yours forever, Miguel.
- Ten-hut!
- Ten-hut.
- Ready for class?
- Ready!
Okay, good.
Today we'll work on defense,
then move on to offense.
We'll throw the ball around the bases,
then we'll play a full game.
Okay? Put your gloves down.
Put on your caps.
Ready? Pair off. Count.
Don't rush, kid.
Don't kneel down, Fran,
just bend a little.
That's good. Bend your knees.
Don't rush to throw it back.
Stay close to the line.
Let the ball come to you.
Bend your knees like this.
There you go.
Good, keep it up.
Arm down, Thiago.
Don't step over the line.
First one to the top...
- I won.
- Barely.
I'm exhausted.
Look, a plane.
When we grow up, we'll go on one.
Don't forget,
we'll play for the Yankees,
we'll have a house, a bunch of kids,
we'll live next to each other
and spend every weekend together.
Won't that be great?
Totally.
I'm thirsty, let's get some guarapo.
On expeditions,
the horse foresaw enemies.
But Palmiche even gave warning.
Elpidio said...
Listen, pal, behave yourself
or you'll join the pack mules...
- Fran, help set the table.
- Coming.
Carrying beans.
You've been warned.
Here, Jhon, help your brother.
Fran, put the glasses out carefully.
- Here.
- And Dad?
He'll be late, a client called.
- And Dad?
- He'll be late.
- Go help him.
- He's always late!
Then tell me why they said you didn't go.
I did go, but it was closed.
Do you think I'm stupid? Am I stupid?
Yamilet, don't start again.
The Embassy visa office is open all day.
- Don't lie.
- You're wrong.
- I know where you were.
- It was hot, the bus, the people...
- Sure, right.
- Stop being a nag.
You don't want to come home anymore?
No? Is it too much?
- Of course I want to, knock it off.
- You knock it off.
You don't care about your family,
about me, your kids, anything!
After work you do as you please,
you drink with friends.
You do nothing, I have to do it all!
I can't handle it anymore!
Well, you have to handle it.
You need to calm down,
or I don't know what I'll do.
Without those papers,
everything we've done is pointless.
All the sacrifices were pointless.
- You think I don't know that?
- Then tell me what you did!
Tell me!
Nothing, I was wandering
the streets like an idiot.
Fran!
- He's calling you.
- Fran!
- Hey.
- Come down.
Let's go play.
No.
We'll play hide-and-seek.
No, see you tomorrow.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Come down, don't be a drag!
- No, go away.
- He can't!
At school you said you'd come out.
- Now you won't.
- Just leave...
That's not fair, damn it!
It's not a favor for me,
it's for your kids.
I'm fed up, fed up!
Where are you going?
Hey, I'm talking to you!
Where are you going?
- Out.
- No, stay here.
Let me go.
It's 6:52.
Mexico proposes a plan
to curb migration.
Increasing migration flows
from Guatemala, Honduras,
El Salvador, and Cuba,
mainly due to economic insecurity,
urge Mexico to propose a "Central
American Marshall Plan" to the USA.
Inspired by the reconstruction plan
for Europe after the end of WWII,
it has some features pertinent to Mexico.
It represents a different way
to tackle the migration issue.
The plan would aid El Salvador,
Honduras, Guatemala, and Cuba
in promoting the development
of power plants and infrastructure,
each with their own resources...
- Wake up.
- Okay.
- Come on.
- Don't tickle me.
Don't wake me like that.
You're not working today?
Well?
- Get up.
- Hold on.
Or I'll tickle you again.
How can I help you?
Hello, I've come to see
if my documents have arrived.
- A registered letter?
- Yes.
- The name?
- Edith Ybarra.
Ybarra with a Y.
From Italy. Yes, they've arrived.
Hello.
I'll take this.
The Leopard, great book.
That's 50 pesos.
Here.
Does he seem sufficiently sad, Carlos?
It's hard to tell if he's sad
or if he feels alone.
The puppet can only hint at it.
Just concentrate
on what you can express.
Make use of your experience.
The rest depends on the audience.
I'm doing it alone, it's not easy.
But that's how it has to be.
You'll have to do it alone.
I won't be around
to solve your problems.
If you really want to stay in Europe
after the tour, it'll be even harder.
Audiences in Rome and Paris
won't cut you any slack.
Night.
If you want to take a shower,
remember every movement you'd make.
Don't mime it, but fully re-enact it.
It's night, what do I do at night?
What does the night inspire?
It doesn't matter how far apart we'll be
or how much things will change.
Like your favorite poet wrote,
always remember that
oceans are the real continents.
I love you, Edith.
The Cuban Revolution has always been
an example of internationalism.
It's been 45 years since more
than 350,000 people
took part in Cuba's military mission
in Angola.
"We're carrying out
an essential internationalist duty
by helping the Angolan people,"
said Castro.
We are talking about Operacin Carlota.
In 1975, Angola fought to defend
its independence
against the South African invasion
aided by the USA.
On November 5th, Cuban troops,
led by Fidel Castro,
decided to back Angola's battle
till it succeeded.
The ball.
Come on, quick.
Halfway there, the tire goes flat,
so he gets out of the car to fix it
and looks back.
When he looks back he sees Shango,
the god of thunder, and shits himself!
Shango grabs his arm
and puts him back in the car.
"Let's go somewhere with rum and cigars."
So the guy gets in and races to the store.
He buys a cigar and Shango tries it...
he doesn't like it so he throws it away,
he tries the rum...
and starts puking up green stuff...
Really nasty.
The car fills up with green slime
and the poor guy's feet start to rot.
And the car goes...
It was heard all over San Antonio.
It was crazy.
Really crazy.
The guy never returned home,
that's why the car is here,
they found it on the street.
I heard it was overturned,
all smashed up.
Santera is an easy win.
But the story did scare you, admit it.
You got scared.
What kind of car do you want
to have when you grow up?
I dunno.
I want a nice Ferrari,
so when we go play for the Yankees,
we'll enter the stadium like this...
How cool!
Come to think of it,
I want a Chevrolet like my Dad's.
That old junker?
Junker, my foot! It's faster than yours.
Yeah, whatever.
Turn up the volume.
Really, bro? Forget the river.
The river helps cool off,
but there's still too much humidity.
The Ojo de Agua water cave is nice.
- Yes.
- The only clean part of the river.
We should go there one weekend.
Sure, but we're talking about
what to do now!
Let's see...
Three and four.
All right, eighth and fourth.
Look, Alex. Look at those kids.
Almost nobody
plays baseball there anymore.
Remember when you wanted
to be a baseball player?
- I was a baseball player.
- Hold on a minute.
You weren't a player, you liked to play.
I played on San Antonio's team.
Alex, you were nuts,
you didn't know how to play, get real.
Did you play it again?
You were nuts about wanting
to be a cosmonaut.
Yes, but...
Not sure what would've been worse...
- It's your turn.
- I'm stuck!
You as a baseball player
or me as a cosmonaut.
We'd hang out on that bench.
Yes, and buy ice cream.
- Ice cream for our first kiss.
- Right!
Remember our first kiss:
"Don't watch, go away."
- You can't stare at a first kiss.
- Remember?
Amazing...
We said it was like being in Paris.
A first kiss should always be in Paris.
Right there.
I never had that ice cream again.
I wonder if it's anything like Paris.
- Right?
- I wonder if it's worth it.
What?
Paris.
Play.
Hold on.
Listen.
You need to be careful now,
because... the puppet
is moving too mechanically.
Make him more human.
First, he looks at the father,
then he gets up.
Okay?
Otherwise it'll seem odd if he gets up...
Right.
He looks at the father, then he gets up.
You need to pay attention
because the change lies in his gaze.
The gaze is the first reaction.
Okay, I'll try it.
Remember, they don't speak.
The reaction is the first word
in a world of actions.
So he goes here...
Looks at him
and gets up.
- Like this?
- Yes.
My turn, who'll tell me?
You?
Easy. Lend me your glasses.
I'll act out a scene.
Tell me when to start.
Ready, go.
Guys, it's easy.
Phrase... how many words?
I acted out the scene,
if you can't guess it, then...
How many words?
Two.
Two words?
Time's up!
I knew you would get revenge!
- What movie?
- 8 and 1/2.
That's three words.
Your turn.
We'll clobber you.
So, is everything ready?
Not yet, I still have to take
the last documents to the embassy.
I see. Do you know what you'll do first
when you get there?
Not yet.
Are we going to play?
Come on.
You're taking forever!
Same old story.
- I'm talking to myself.
- What's so funny?
I thought of something
and said it out loud.
I'm losing my mind.
- Didn't you live around here?
- Yes, I'll show you.
Feel the temperature change?
- We're nearing the river.
- Yeah.
Look.
Edith...
- Not over there.
- What's the big deal?
Come on.
Wait for me.
There could be bats.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
We should go.
Dance!
Like this.
- Over there.
- The bats are coming out.
The movie theater looks huge
without seats.
A celluloid cemetery.
Help me.
The curtain's still there.
Come here.
- What are you doing?
- I paid for a ticket.
Want to watch a movie?
I don't believe this.
Just a short film.
By Landrin.
- Landrin?
- He's the best.
- Again?
- Ociel del Toa.
- It's so depressing.
- Not the dance scene.
With all of the farmers dancing "chang."
While Ociel looks on.
Every time I die for love
Every time I die, my love
Look, the landlord is jealous
because his wife is dancing.
Close-up of his face...
with the caption:
"Toms is annoyed
they're dancing with his wife."
- You've seen it a dozen times.
- Yes.
That's why it was censored.
The camera is not the problem,
the reality is.
Farmers in those times were chauvinists.
Now we see Ociel.
The Toa River,
overexposed, handheld-camera.
Cinema back then
had fewer resources, but was better.
Getting philosophical now...
Here's the scene with the cockfight.
- Farmers at the cockfight.
- I'm tired, let's go.
You can't get tired
during the cockfight scene!
- Look.
- I'm tired, there's nothing to see.
Nothing? Of course there is!
There's the ghost of Landrin!
Every time I die for love
Every time I die, my love...
Yesterday, baseball was declared
national cultural heritage in Cuba.
In Cuba baseball could be compared
to arts and culture,
if we take into consideration
the relationship
between those who play it
and those who watch it.
In terms of oral tradition,
baseball has influenced
the way people express themselves
even in the signals and movements
players use during the game.
Baseball is one of the most widespread
and lasting events
in the last centuries of Cuban history.
February 13, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
I can't wait to hug you again too.
The first reentries
should start next month.
Camilo, with his regiment,
will be the first to return.
I gave him a necklace for you,
he'll deliver it.
The women here wear it
when their husbands are away hunting.
It protects them while they're alone.
Lately, a sense of restlessness
disturbs my sleep.
Memories of you are my salvation.
Yours, Miguel.
The crybaby winds up and...
Bro, what the heck are you doing?
What do you want?
- Try to aim over there.
- Listen...
Put the bat down
and you try to pitch it now.
No, you always do this, give it a try.
See? You can't do it either.
- I'm not a pitcher.
- I can tell.
I'll give you 10 pesos
if you pitch it through the tire.
Three times?
No, just once.
- Once in the center?
- Yes, 10 pesos.
Go on.
Hold on.
What the...
You have a problem.
You're aiming at the wrong spot.
I'll get it now.
- And now Pablo's helping us.
- Good.
The Embassy gave him
a visa last week.
I can't believe it, how great!
You must be glad.
We can't even believe it.
After all that paperwork...
- What'll you do with the house?
- I talked to my brother.
I was worried
because he's so busy with work,
but he'll look after it.
Will you all be able to leave together?
That's tricky.
He has to go first,
and then after a while
we'll request family reunification.
Wonderful.
- But still...
- You deserve it, my dear.
You're great,
such a great mother and wife.
But it'll take time.
Who knows how long
it will take to get to the USA?
You just have to be patient.
How are the kids
dealing with this situation?
Jhon is too small to understand,
but Fran...
Fran is older,
he understands everything.
Which do you want to play with?
Which do you want to play with?
This or the triceratops?
I dunno, Jhon, leave me alone.
You don't want to play?
No.
Huh?
You don't want to play? Okay.
If you don't want to play with me,
then forget it.
I won't give you anything.
Want to play?
Want to play? Look.
Stop it! Stop it!
Enough.
Leave me alone.
I don't want to play.
You need to straighten up quickly.
You took too long.
Keep your hand behind you.
Like that.
Ready.
Pitch.
Come on.
Pitch faster!
Break the sound barrier!
Go!
One!
The next one will be good, Alain. C'mon.
Good!
- First.
- Throw it! Throw it!
Fran, you need to move your arms.
Work out your arms, bro.
What are you doing?
Move your arms, do something.
I'll tell you this for your own good:
you need to do something,
the coach yelled at you twice.
We're growing up, we have to work hard
to make our dream come true.
- Jesus...
- You sound like my mother!
You're not my coach,
so quit yelling at me.
Okay?
- I'm trying...
- I know what I'm doing.
I'm trying to do what's best for you.
You have to apply yourself,
you're being lazy.
Do the exercises,
play baseball well...
Wake up, man!
Worry about yourself,
quit worrying about me.
Jesus!
At this rate, we'll never join
the best Yankees players.
Shut up.
Morning.
Gloria Talia Infante.
Nora Lydia Gmez Agosta.
Thanks.
Here.
Hand on the scanner.
Okay.
Good.
Your paperwork is all set, we'll call you.
Bring this when you come back.
- Thanks.
- Sure.
Alex, put that bag on the floor.
Alex, it's dirty, put it on the floor.
- It's dirt, not garbage.
- Same thing.
It's not the same, Edith.
- That's the problem.
- What?
What you said,
the way you see things.
What things?
What things?
Don't.
Say hi instead of worrying
about the bag.
You're leaving without a word.
You have nothing to say?
March 20, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
I'm not sure what you've heard.
I made sure to write to you
as soon as I could.
I'm fine, don't worry.
The South Africans continue
to ambush us, but we're trying to resist.
During the last attack,
many comrades were injured or died.
Even Pedro died.
They tried removing his spleen
to save him, but it didn't work.
It's best if you tell Carlos
and the others.
Lieutenant Espinosa said we won't
be back as soon as we thought.
Reinforcement troops
should arrive by the end of the week,
but nothing is certain.
I'm tired.
My bones ache from the humidity
and each morning I'm afraid
to wake up and find out
that another comrade has died.
War is awful,
I can't take it anymore.
Tell my brother
that whatever he sent didn't arrive.
He must've messed up.
Yours, Miguel.
PS: Did Camilo give you the necklace?
Strike one!
Ball!
Ball!
Two balls, one strike.
- Strike.
- That's not a strike, it's a ball!
How could I even hit that pitch?
Just focus on swinging!
Come on, the vendor's coming.
Fried plantains, "chicharrones"!
Come get fried plantains!
Come get chicharrones!
Come on, there's the vendor.
I have fried plantains and chicharrones!
Let's go.
Come get fried plantains!
Let's go.
Let's get fried plantains,
you love them.
- How much?
- Ten pesos.
- One, please.
- Here.
- Enough.
- Thanks.
Enough, Jhon!
- Look.
- Look, Jhon!
- This way.
- You love fried plantains.
Come here, Jhon!
You're nuts, he's too small.
I'm too small, dummy.
Then you come with me,
I'll show you something.
Coming. Jhon, stay there.
Come here.
Look.
A hiding spot in the middle of the bridge.
So?
What will you give me
if I hide under the train?
A baseball bat.
- Not enough.
- A bat and two balls.
No, I'll be under a train!
A bat, two balls, and 10 pesos.
Deal.
- You'd better pay up.
- I will.
Let's go.
Are you really leaving me here alone?
Go on...
If you're leaving me here alone,
at least give me the plantains.
- No, we're leaving.
- You're not waiting for the train?
No.
You're such a drag.
Here comes... the bus!
The bus, the bus!
Gimme your hand.
Help me carry this.
Come on, gimme your hand.
I don't want to carry anything.
Okay, but hold your brother's hand.
Tell her about the airplanes we saw today.
Okay, but hold his hand.
- Where's Dad's car?
- He couldn't come.
Why?
Because he couldn't.
- Why?
- Because he couldn't.
- Why?
- He sold it.
- Why did he sell it?
- He had to.
But I told you not to sell it.
Fran, enough.
You'd rather come by bus than by car!
- I'm not coming with you.
- Yes, you are.
- I'm not.
- Gimme the bag and move it.
Hold your brother's hand and move it.
- No.
- Fran, come on.
Jhon, let's go. Move it.
No.
I'm leaving.
Come on.
- Fran, come on.
- I'm not coming.
- Come on!
- I said no.
Move it!
- He's such a brat.
- Yes, he's a brat.
What matters most is to communicate
and make sure everyone can see,
because each seat
will have a different point of view.
Make sure he's visible,
don't just move him for the heck of it.
Like that.
You must define his character,
for example...
He sat down, he feels safe.
Yes.
Once he feels safe,
he starts to move in a different way.
He dances, moves, sings... whatever.
You have to decide this and quickly,
because the show opens tomorrow.
All right.
The conditions will give rise
to a low-pressure system over our area.
For those of you just tuning in,
today is the official start of hurricane
season in the north Atlantic,
the Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
The situation is rather complicated
in our area.
We see the presence
of a large low-pressure system,
which will cause volatility
in the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico,
in the Yucatan peninsula,
and most of all,
in the northeast Caribbean Sea,
increasing the chance
of a tropical cyclone as confirmed...
In a place amidst the oceans
whose name I don't care to remember,
not long ago,
a certain kind of music was forbidden
because it aroused certain feelings.
How are you?
Thanks.
I didn't know you were here.
So? What did you think?
- Great.
- You liked it?
- You floundered at one point.
- Yes, I did.
- You need to let loose.
- I lost my train of thought.
- It happens. But you pulled it off.
- I did.
Now try to enjoy the show,
with your mind and body.
And his father said:
"Son, you are always with me,
and all that is mine is yours,
but it was fitting to celebrate,
for your brother was dead, and is alive,
he was lost, and is found."
To prepare ourselves to celebrate
the sacred mysteries,
let us acknowledge our sins.
Through my fault, my fault,
my most grievous fault.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
May 15, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
we finally reached the coast
the other day.
I can see the ocean,
it's vast.
Knowing you're on the other side
makes me feel closer to you.
Paco managed to steal a radio,
we listen to music all day.
I imagine you dancing.
I imagine lots of things.
Our Sundays, sitting together
on a bench in Parque Central.
The scent of our home, the picnics.
I imagine the sad mornings too,
when we don't want to do anything
but be together.
I imagine your feet under the sheets
searching for mine,
convinced that they're not alone
in this world.
When I imagine the future, I see you.
It won't be long now.
The only thing that calms me down
is imagining the day when I'll see you
from the train window.
Always yours, Miguel.
There's dirt, algae, flowers, shells...
Basically, all natural elements.
Let's create a connection between them
and your favorite object,
the one you brought in
that is part of your memory. Okay?
We'll build a bridge
between our memory,
our existence,
and the reality of our surroundings.
It's essential to grasp that,
it's essential to know
that we exist in a place,
that humans live in a place.
Our first home isn't
the one we live in, but nature.
Understand?
What's your element, ngel?
- My element?
- Your favorite object.
My favorite object is...
What did you bring in?
Whatchamacallit... a harmonica.
Why is this harmonica important to you?
Because it belonged to many people,
to many people in my family,
and finally, to me.
I'm proud of it
because it is a keepsake of my family,
of the people I never met.
Now connect with your family
through the harmonica.
What's this?
A toy car.
Why is it important to you?
Because my Dad gave it to me,
it's a keepsake.
Let's imagine taking a trip in this car
with the music ngel is playing.
Imagine a ride
around this landscape.
You can create a road
or a garage for this car...
being moved by the music
ngel is playing.
Go ahead.
This is so nice!
It reminds me of the beach.
Listen, close your eyes.
I don't hear anything.
Close your eyes, try.
Like this.
The sound of the water, the sand...
and sometimes in the distance
you can see the USA.
Why are you still awake?
- Where's Dad?
- He's not back yet.
Go to sleep
or you'll be tired in the morning.
- Mom?
- Yes?
Are you afraid of death?
What kind of question is that?
Yes or no?
No.
Why?
Because I never think about it.
You shouldn't either,
you'll grow up and study...
Which player do you like better:
Yulieski Gurriel or Iglesias?
Don't they play different positions?
One pitches, one hits.
So they're both good.
Yes.
Go to bed.
- All right.
- Everything will be fine, you'll see.
Everything will change.
I don't want anything to change.
Edith Ybarra Clara.
Come in.
In a place amidst the oceans
whose name I don't care to remember,
not long ago,
a certain kind of music was forbidden
because it aroused certain feelings.
They were profound
and authentic melodies
that slowly became forgotten.
These feelings survived, tucked away
in the pure souls of some musicians,
who, now and again,
brought out these ancient sounds.
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen,
you will witness the story
of one of them.
May the theater lights show us
the truth and beauty of this story.
No.
No, give it to me.
No, give it to me now.
Gimme, we had a deal.
You're not nice...
Just let me have it.
Good morning, Edith.
Or maybe good evening, who knows.
I was looking at the pictures
from our Havana trip, remember?
You said Havana was the ideal place,
a lively city
whose crumbling buildings
reminded you that everything ends.
You'd always been impatient,
you wanted everything right away.
You always aimed for more.
I admired your folly,
and I couldn't help
but bask in your flame,
in your energy.
You know,
I'm so afraid that you'll forget me.
That you'll slowly forget me.
Nothing's changed here in San Antonio,
the heat and humidity
slow everything down.
It seems like time doesn't exist here.
There are still many problems.
There's no meat, or fish, or eggs...
there's not even olive oil,
or there's never enough.
I'm still writing the show
and Ivan is helping a lot.
The theater kids have made progress.
One kid dreams of becoming
a puppeteer like you.
Marco is still drinking beer,
he spills rum on my hands when serving.
The "Super Club"
changed its name to "Delirio."
That's all,
nothing else has changed.
Everything needs to change here
to remain the same,
just like it says
in that Italian book you left me.
Have you seen snow on the Alps?
Did you taste it?
I wonder if it tastes like the ice cream
we got at "Coppelia."
Let me know, please.
It's impossible for me
to shake off the nostalgia, you know.
It's impossible to shake off the memories
and things I truly love.
I hope you feel happy,
I hope you are happy.
I'm still here.
I love you.
I love you so much.
Don't forget me.
another round of migration talks.
Our country is facing the biggest
migration exodus in its history.
Since the year started,
more than 250,000 Cubans
entered the USA...
Did you see Luisa?
- She was there?
- Yes, Alex, in the front row.
- Cool.
- I think she liked it.
There was a strange vibe...
almost sacred.
That was the point.
Why don't we stage it somewhere
outside of San Antonio?
What do you mean?
- I dunno.
- It wouldn't make sense.
Why?
Because the performance
was written for San Antonio,
it's regional.
It'd be amazing in Amazonia.
You think so? Amazonia...
Edith, we can't expect others
to make things change.
The Amazonian people should do it there.
What if we film it?
- I'm sure you'd love that.
- Maybe.
But it'll have to be totally reworked.
Why?
Reworked for the camera.
It would be totally different.
Then we'd screen it at Yara Cinema.
Can you imagine?
Now you like the idea!
Look at that.
Decaying jungle.
Don't move.
Not again!
- Careful, don't fall.
- Raise your head.
- You look great.
- Do I?
I don't like when you place
your hand on my shoulder.
- Why?
- Because it makes me feel...
Like a cane.
If I place it lower?
Now it's all ruined.
Here we used to sing the song
we danced to, and it was like...
- What song?
- I don't remember.
Don't start...
- Come on, sing for me.
- We sang "The Cat Song."
- No, I like the first song.
- I knew it!
When you'd come in singing...
The opening song,
we always sang it.
Come on, sing it.
- The "Cuenteros" song?
- Yes.
- The opening one?
- That one.
How'd the song go?
Oh, please, Ale, you know it.
Sing! Sing!
We are a group
Of artists who work for children
There were 12 of you!
Actually, the song wasn't that bad.
The crazy part came after when we said:
We are theater laborers, artists...
How crazy!
Out of nowhere:
We're theater laborers,
artists who teach
We work for you
We're "Los Cuenteros"
Hold still.
- Here?
- Go back.
Here?
Careful.
Look.
Enough.
Mart's home
has always been like this
Mart's home
has always been like this
Mart's home
has always been like this
Andrea, read please.
"Freedom is the essence of life."
Jos Mart.
Very good, freedom is the essence of life.
Try to imagine not being free,
being in a cage.
Would you like that?
No!
No food, no air, no nothing!
So, is it possible to live
without freedom?
Think about animals, sparrows,
hummingbirds, Cuban trogons...
- You can't cage trogons.
- Why not?
- You'd get arrested.
- Because it's the national bird.
What else? What happens if you cage it?
It dies.
The same happens to humans.
He throws a curveball
and the batter hits it...
Ground ball!
The left fielder throws and he's out!
And back to home base!
He covers and throws.
He throws to first base, out!
- He throws to second, out!
- Double play.
The best play in history!
He throws!
Throw it, I'm ready.
Man, I really don't care about it.
Two "guarapos," for me and him.
I don't care, you know mine won
the Gold Glove Award last year.
Sure, last year... but guess
how many times mine won? Seven!
- So what?
- Yours only won four.
The season's not over yet, don't forget.
Sure, the season's not over...
I know that,
but do you know what I think?
Talking is pointless
because my team will win.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- One of those, please.
- Sure.
OUR CHILDREN
ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD
THE HEALTHIEST,
THE MOST INNOCENLet's go.
Throw it over.
Climb up.
Hurry.
Go, bro!
Grab the bar.
Like that.
Come on, you can do it.
- I'll pass the ball.
- Okay.
Fran, look over here.
This is the light switch?
I don't know if that's it.
Take this.
Done.
- Come see.
- Wow!
Look!
How cool!
How cool!
How cool!
How cool!
Bro, how cool...
I'm thirsty.
Wouldn't it be great
if we had guarapo?
In the stadium at night
with my best friend drinking guarapo.
Nice...
- The best thing in the world.
- The absolute best.
February 16, 1988.
Dear Milagros,
Angola is a country
that is beautiful yet damned.
With the Angolan forces and the SWAPO
we are making the South African
UNITA troops retreat south.
We've neared the border with Namibia.
Tomorrow we'll cross the Lomba River,
I'm almost afraid to leave it behind me.
During these months,
it reminded me of our river,
our walks along the banks.
Its flow helped me keep the memory
of your smile alive during all this time.
Hope this letter finds you well.
Pedro says he misses your "chicharrones,"
he dreams of them.
I miss them too.
Yours forever, Miguel.
- Ten-hut!
- Ten-hut.
- Ready for class?
- Ready!
Okay, good.
Today we'll work on defense,
then move on to offense.
We'll throw the ball around the bases,
then we'll play a full game.
Okay? Put your gloves down.
Put on your caps.
Ready? Pair off. Count.
Don't rush, kid.
Don't kneel down, Fran,
just bend a little.
That's good. Bend your knees.
Don't rush to throw it back.
Stay close to the line.
Let the ball come to you.
Bend your knees like this.
There you go.
Good, keep it up.
Arm down, Thiago.
Don't step over the line.
First one to the top...
- I won.
- Barely.
I'm exhausted.
Look, a plane.
When we grow up, we'll go on one.
Don't forget,
we'll play for the Yankees,
we'll have a house, a bunch of kids,
we'll live next to each other
and spend every weekend together.
Won't that be great?
Totally.
I'm thirsty, let's get some guarapo.
On expeditions,
the horse foresaw enemies.
But Palmiche even gave warning.
Elpidio said...
Listen, pal, behave yourself
or you'll join the pack mules...
- Fran, help set the table.
- Coming.
Carrying beans.
You've been warned.
Here, Jhon, help your brother.
Fran, put the glasses out carefully.
- Here.
- And Dad?
He'll be late, a client called.
- And Dad?
- He'll be late.
- Go help him.
- He's always late!
Then tell me why they said you didn't go.
I did go, but it was closed.
Do you think I'm stupid? Am I stupid?
Yamilet, don't start again.
The Embassy visa office is open all day.
- Don't lie.
- You're wrong.
- I know where you were.
- It was hot, the bus, the people...
- Sure, right.
- Stop being a nag.
You don't want to come home anymore?
No? Is it too much?
- Of course I want to, knock it off.
- You knock it off.
You don't care about your family,
about me, your kids, anything!
After work you do as you please,
you drink with friends.
You do nothing, I have to do it all!
I can't handle it anymore!
Well, you have to handle it.
You need to calm down,
or I don't know what I'll do.
Without those papers,
everything we've done is pointless.
All the sacrifices were pointless.
- You think I don't know that?
- Then tell me what you did!
Tell me!
Nothing, I was wandering
the streets like an idiot.
Fran!
- He's calling you.
- Fran!
- Hey.
- Come down.
Let's go play.
No.
We'll play hide-and-seek.
No, see you tomorrow.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Come down, don't be a drag!
- No, go away.
- He can't!
At school you said you'd come out.
- Now you won't.
- Just leave...
That's not fair, damn it!
It's not a favor for me,
it's for your kids.
I'm fed up, fed up!
Where are you going?
Hey, I'm talking to you!
Where are you going?
- Out.
- No, stay here.
Let me go.
It's 6:52.
Mexico proposes a plan
to curb migration.
Increasing migration flows
from Guatemala, Honduras,
El Salvador, and Cuba,
mainly due to economic insecurity,
urge Mexico to propose a "Central
American Marshall Plan" to the USA.
Inspired by the reconstruction plan
for Europe after the end of WWII,
it has some features pertinent to Mexico.
It represents a different way
to tackle the migration issue.
The plan would aid El Salvador,
Honduras, Guatemala, and Cuba
in promoting the development
of power plants and infrastructure,
each with their own resources...
- Wake up.
- Okay.
- Come on.
- Don't tickle me.
Don't wake me like that.
You're not working today?
Well?
- Get up.
- Hold on.
Or I'll tickle you again.
How can I help you?
Hello, I've come to see
if my documents have arrived.
- A registered letter?
- Yes.
- The name?
- Edith Ybarra.
Ybarra with a Y.
From Italy. Yes, they've arrived.
Hello.
I'll take this.
The Leopard, great book.
That's 50 pesos.
Here.
Does he seem sufficiently sad, Carlos?
It's hard to tell if he's sad
or if he feels alone.
The puppet can only hint at it.
Just concentrate
on what you can express.
Make use of your experience.
The rest depends on the audience.
I'm doing it alone, it's not easy.
But that's how it has to be.
You'll have to do it alone.
I won't be around
to solve your problems.
If you really want to stay in Europe
after the tour, it'll be even harder.
Audiences in Rome and Paris
won't cut you any slack.
Night.
If you want to take a shower,
remember every movement you'd make.
Don't mime it, but fully re-enact it.
It's night, what do I do at night?
What does the night inspire?
It doesn't matter how far apart we'll be
or how much things will change.
Like your favorite poet wrote,
always remember that
oceans are the real continents.
I love you, Edith.
The Cuban Revolution has always been
an example of internationalism.
It's been 45 years since more
than 350,000 people
took part in Cuba's military mission
in Angola.
"We're carrying out
an essential internationalist duty
by helping the Angolan people,"
said Castro.
We are talking about Operacin Carlota.
In 1975, Angola fought to defend
its independence
against the South African invasion
aided by the USA.
On November 5th, Cuban troops,
led by Fidel Castro,
decided to back Angola's battle
till it succeeded.
The ball.
Come on, quick.
Halfway there, the tire goes flat,
so he gets out of the car to fix it
and looks back.
When he looks back he sees Shango,
the god of thunder, and shits himself!
Shango grabs his arm
and puts him back in the car.
"Let's go somewhere with rum and cigars."
So the guy gets in and races to the store.
He buys a cigar and Shango tries it...
he doesn't like it so he throws it away,
he tries the rum...
and starts puking up green stuff...
Really nasty.
The car fills up with green slime
and the poor guy's feet start to rot.
And the car goes...
It was heard all over San Antonio.
It was crazy.
Really crazy.
The guy never returned home,
that's why the car is here,
they found it on the street.
I heard it was overturned,
all smashed up.
Santera is an easy win.
But the story did scare you, admit it.
You got scared.
What kind of car do you want
to have when you grow up?
I dunno.
I want a nice Ferrari,
so when we go play for the Yankees,
we'll enter the stadium like this...
How cool!
Come to think of it,
I want a Chevrolet like my Dad's.
That old junker?
Junker, my foot! It's faster than yours.
Yeah, whatever.
Turn up the volume.
Really, bro? Forget the river.
The river helps cool off,
but there's still too much humidity.
The Ojo de Agua water cave is nice.
- Yes.
- The only clean part of the river.
We should go there one weekend.
Sure, but we're talking about
what to do now!
Let's see...
Three and four.
All right, eighth and fourth.
Look, Alex. Look at those kids.
Almost nobody
plays baseball there anymore.
Remember when you wanted
to be a baseball player?
- I was a baseball player.
- Hold on a minute.
You weren't a player, you liked to play.
I played on San Antonio's team.
Alex, you were nuts,
you didn't know how to play, get real.
Did you play it again?
You were nuts about wanting
to be a cosmonaut.
Yes, but...
Not sure what would've been worse...
- It's your turn.
- I'm stuck!
You as a baseball player
or me as a cosmonaut.
We'd hang out on that bench.
Yes, and buy ice cream.
- Ice cream for our first kiss.
- Right!
Remember our first kiss:
"Don't watch, go away."
- You can't stare at a first kiss.
- Remember?
Amazing...
We said it was like being in Paris.
A first kiss should always be in Paris.
Right there.
I never had that ice cream again.
I wonder if it's anything like Paris.
- Right?
- I wonder if it's worth it.
What?
Paris.
Play.
Hold on.
Listen.
You need to be careful now,
because... the puppet
is moving too mechanically.
Make him more human.
First, he looks at the father,
then he gets up.
Okay?
Otherwise it'll seem odd if he gets up...
Right.
He looks at the father, then he gets up.
You need to pay attention
because the change lies in his gaze.
The gaze is the first reaction.
Okay, I'll try it.
Remember, they don't speak.
The reaction is the first word
in a world of actions.
So he goes here...
Looks at him
and gets up.
- Like this?
- Yes.
My turn, who'll tell me?
You?
Easy. Lend me your glasses.
I'll act out a scene.
Tell me when to start.
Ready, go.
Guys, it's easy.
Phrase... how many words?
I acted out the scene,
if you can't guess it, then...
How many words?
Two.
Two words?
Time's up!
I knew you would get revenge!
- What movie?
- 8 and 1/2.
That's three words.
Your turn.
We'll clobber you.
So, is everything ready?
Not yet, I still have to take
the last documents to the embassy.
I see. Do you know what you'll do first
when you get there?
Not yet.
Are we going to play?
Come on.
You're taking forever!
Same old story.
- I'm talking to myself.
- What's so funny?
I thought of something
and said it out loud.
I'm losing my mind.
- Didn't you live around here?
- Yes, I'll show you.
Feel the temperature change?
- We're nearing the river.
- Yeah.
Look.
Edith...
- Not over there.
- What's the big deal?
Come on.
Wait for me.
There could be bats.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
We should go.
Dance!
Like this.
- Over there.
- The bats are coming out.
The movie theater looks huge
without seats.
A celluloid cemetery.
Help me.
The curtain's still there.
Come here.
- What are you doing?
- I paid for a ticket.
Want to watch a movie?
I don't believe this.
Just a short film.
By Landrin.
- Landrin?
- He's the best.
- Again?
- Ociel del Toa.
- It's so depressing.
- Not the dance scene.
With all of the farmers dancing "chang."
While Ociel looks on.
Every time I die for love
Every time I die, my love
Look, the landlord is jealous
because his wife is dancing.
Close-up of his face...
with the caption:
"Toms is annoyed
they're dancing with his wife."
- You've seen it a dozen times.
- Yes.
That's why it was censored.
The camera is not the problem,
the reality is.
Farmers in those times were chauvinists.
Now we see Ociel.
The Toa River,
overexposed, handheld-camera.
Cinema back then
had fewer resources, but was better.
Getting philosophical now...
Here's the scene with the cockfight.
- Farmers at the cockfight.
- I'm tired, let's go.
You can't get tired
during the cockfight scene!
- Look.
- I'm tired, there's nothing to see.
Nothing? Of course there is!
There's the ghost of Landrin!
Every time I die for love
Every time I die, my love...
Yesterday, baseball was declared
national cultural heritage in Cuba.
In Cuba baseball could be compared
to arts and culture,
if we take into consideration
the relationship
between those who play it
and those who watch it.
In terms of oral tradition,
baseball has influenced
the way people express themselves
even in the signals and movements
players use during the game.
Baseball is one of the most widespread
and lasting events
in the last centuries of Cuban history.
February 13, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
I can't wait to hug you again too.
The first reentries
should start next month.
Camilo, with his regiment,
will be the first to return.
I gave him a necklace for you,
he'll deliver it.
The women here wear it
when their husbands are away hunting.
It protects them while they're alone.
Lately, a sense of restlessness
disturbs my sleep.
Memories of you are my salvation.
Yours, Miguel.
The crybaby winds up and...
Bro, what the heck are you doing?
What do you want?
- Try to aim over there.
- Listen...
Put the bat down
and you try to pitch it now.
No, you always do this, give it a try.
See? You can't do it either.
- I'm not a pitcher.
- I can tell.
I'll give you 10 pesos
if you pitch it through the tire.
Three times?
No, just once.
- Once in the center?
- Yes, 10 pesos.
Go on.
Hold on.
What the...
You have a problem.
You're aiming at the wrong spot.
I'll get it now.
- And now Pablo's helping us.
- Good.
The Embassy gave him
a visa last week.
I can't believe it, how great!
You must be glad.
We can't even believe it.
After all that paperwork...
- What'll you do with the house?
- I talked to my brother.
I was worried
because he's so busy with work,
but he'll look after it.
Will you all be able to leave together?
That's tricky.
He has to go first,
and then after a while
we'll request family reunification.
Wonderful.
- But still...
- You deserve it, my dear.
You're great,
such a great mother and wife.
But it'll take time.
Who knows how long
it will take to get to the USA?
You just have to be patient.
How are the kids
dealing with this situation?
Jhon is too small to understand,
but Fran...
Fran is older,
he understands everything.
Which do you want to play with?
Which do you want to play with?
This or the triceratops?
I dunno, Jhon, leave me alone.
You don't want to play?
No.
Huh?
You don't want to play? Okay.
If you don't want to play with me,
then forget it.
I won't give you anything.
Want to play?
Want to play? Look.
Stop it! Stop it!
Enough.
Leave me alone.
I don't want to play.
You need to straighten up quickly.
You took too long.
Keep your hand behind you.
Like that.
Ready.
Pitch.
Come on.
Pitch faster!
Break the sound barrier!
Go!
One!
The next one will be good, Alain. C'mon.
Good!
- First.
- Throw it! Throw it!
Fran, you need to move your arms.
Work out your arms, bro.
What are you doing?
Move your arms, do something.
I'll tell you this for your own good:
you need to do something,
the coach yelled at you twice.
We're growing up, we have to work hard
to make our dream come true.
- Jesus...
- You sound like my mother!
You're not my coach,
so quit yelling at me.
Okay?
- I'm trying...
- I know what I'm doing.
I'm trying to do what's best for you.
You have to apply yourself,
you're being lazy.
Do the exercises,
play baseball well...
Wake up, man!
Worry about yourself,
quit worrying about me.
Jesus!
At this rate, we'll never join
the best Yankees players.
Shut up.
Morning.
Gloria Talia Infante.
Nora Lydia Gmez Agosta.
Thanks.
Here.
Hand on the scanner.
Okay.
Good.
Your paperwork is all set, we'll call you.
Bring this when you come back.
- Thanks.
- Sure.
Alex, put that bag on the floor.
Alex, it's dirty, put it on the floor.
- It's dirt, not garbage.
- Same thing.
It's not the same, Edith.
- That's the problem.
- What?
What you said,
the way you see things.
What things?
What things?
Don't.
Say hi instead of worrying
about the bag.
You're leaving without a word.
You have nothing to say?
March 20, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
I'm not sure what you've heard.
I made sure to write to you
as soon as I could.
I'm fine, don't worry.
The South Africans continue
to ambush us, but we're trying to resist.
During the last attack,
many comrades were injured or died.
Even Pedro died.
They tried removing his spleen
to save him, but it didn't work.
It's best if you tell Carlos
and the others.
Lieutenant Espinosa said we won't
be back as soon as we thought.
Reinforcement troops
should arrive by the end of the week,
but nothing is certain.
I'm tired.
My bones ache from the humidity
and each morning I'm afraid
to wake up and find out
that another comrade has died.
War is awful,
I can't take it anymore.
Tell my brother
that whatever he sent didn't arrive.
He must've messed up.
Yours, Miguel.
PS: Did Camilo give you the necklace?
Strike one!
Ball!
Ball!
Two balls, one strike.
- Strike.
- That's not a strike, it's a ball!
How could I even hit that pitch?
Just focus on swinging!
Come on, the vendor's coming.
Fried plantains, "chicharrones"!
Come get fried plantains!
Come get chicharrones!
Come on, there's the vendor.
I have fried plantains and chicharrones!
Let's go.
Come get fried plantains!
Let's go.
Let's get fried plantains,
you love them.
- How much?
- Ten pesos.
- One, please.
- Here.
- Enough.
- Thanks.
Enough, Jhon!
- Look.
- Look, Jhon!
- This way.
- You love fried plantains.
Come here, Jhon!
You're nuts, he's too small.
I'm too small, dummy.
Then you come with me,
I'll show you something.
Coming. Jhon, stay there.
Come here.
Look.
A hiding spot in the middle of the bridge.
So?
What will you give me
if I hide under the train?
A baseball bat.
- Not enough.
- A bat and two balls.
No, I'll be under a train!
A bat, two balls, and 10 pesos.
Deal.
- You'd better pay up.
- I will.
Let's go.
Are you really leaving me here alone?
Go on...
If you're leaving me here alone,
at least give me the plantains.
- No, we're leaving.
- You're not waiting for the train?
No.
You're such a drag.
Here comes... the bus!
The bus, the bus!
Gimme your hand.
Help me carry this.
Come on, gimme your hand.
I don't want to carry anything.
Okay, but hold your brother's hand.
Tell her about the airplanes we saw today.
Okay, but hold his hand.
- Where's Dad's car?
- He couldn't come.
Why?
Because he couldn't.
- Why?
- Because he couldn't.
- Why?
- He sold it.
- Why did he sell it?
- He had to.
But I told you not to sell it.
Fran, enough.
You'd rather come by bus than by car!
- I'm not coming with you.
- Yes, you are.
- I'm not.
- Gimme the bag and move it.
Hold your brother's hand and move it.
- No.
- Fran, come on.
Jhon, let's go. Move it.
No.
I'm leaving.
Come on.
- Fran, come on.
- I'm not coming.
- Come on!
- I said no.
Move it!
- He's such a brat.
- Yes, he's a brat.
What matters most is to communicate
and make sure everyone can see,
because each seat
will have a different point of view.
Make sure he's visible,
don't just move him for the heck of it.
Like that.
You must define his character,
for example...
He sat down, he feels safe.
Yes.
Once he feels safe,
he starts to move in a different way.
He dances, moves, sings... whatever.
You have to decide this and quickly,
because the show opens tomorrow.
All right.
The conditions will give rise
to a low-pressure system over our area.
For those of you just tuning in,
today is the official start of hurricane
season in the north Atlantic,
the Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
The situation is rather complicated
in our area.
We see the presence
of a large low-pressure system,
which will cause volatility
in the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico,
in the Yucatan peninsula,
and most of all,
in the northeast Caribbean Sea,
increasing the chance
of a tropical cyclone as confirmed...
In a place amidst the oceans
whose name I don't care to remember,
not long ago,
a certain kind of music was forbidden
because it aroused certain feelings.
How are you?
Thanks.
I didn't know you were here.
So? What did you think?
- Great.
- You liked it?
- You floundered at one point.
- Yes, I did.
- You need to let loose.
- I lost my train of thought.
- It happens. But you pulled it off.
- I did.
Now try to enjoy the show,
with your mind and body.
And his father said:
"Son, you are always with me,
and all that is mine is yours,
but it was fitting to celebrate,
for your brother was dead, and is alive,
he was lost, and is found."
To prepare ourselves to celebrate
the sacred mysteries,
let us acknowledge our sins.
Through my fault, my fault,
my most grievous fault.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
May 15, 1989.
Dear Milagros,
we finally reached the coast
the other day.
I can see the ocean,
it's vast.
Knowing you're on the other side
makes me feel closer to you.
Paco managed to steal a radio,
we listen to music all day.
I imagine you dancing.
I imagine lots of things.
Our Sundays, sitting together
on a bench in Parque Central.
The scent of our home, the picnics.
I imagine the sad mornings too,
when we don't want to do anything
but be together.
I imagine your feet under the sheets
searching for mine,
convinced that they're not alone
in this world.
When I imagine the future, I see you.
It won't be long now.
The only thing that calms me down
is imagining the day when I'll see you
from the train window.
Always yours, Miguel.
There's dirt, algae, flowers, shells...
Basically, all natural elements.
Let's create a connection between them
and your favorite object,
the one you brought in
that is part of your memory. Okay?
We'll build a bridge
between our memory,
our existence,
and the reality of our surroundings.
It's essential to grasp that,
it's essential to know
that we exist in a place,
that humans live in a place.
Our first home isn't
the one we live in, but nature.
Understand?
What's your element, ngel?
- My element?
- Your favorite object.
My favorite object is...
What did you bring in?
Whatchamacallit... a harmonica.
Why is this harmonica important to you?
Because it belonged to many people,
to many people in my family,
and finally, to me.
I'm proud of it
because it is a keepsake of my family,
of the people I never met.
Now connect with your family
through the harmonica.
What's this?
A toy car.
Why is it important to you?
Because my Dad gave it to me,
it's a keepsake.
Let's imagine taking a trip in this car
with the music ngel is playing.
Imagine a ride
around this landscape.
You can create a road
or a garage for this car...
being moved by the music
ngel is playing.
Go ahead.
This is so nice!
It reminds me of the beach.
Listen, close your eyes.
I don't hear anything.
Close your eyes, try.
Like this.
The sound of the water, the sand...
and sometimes in the distance
you can see the USA.
Why are you still awake?
- Where's Dad?
- He's not back yet.
Go to sleep
or you'll be tired in the morning.
- Mom?
- Yes?
Are you afraid of death?
What kind of question is that?
Yes or no?
No.
Why?
Because I never think about it.
You shouldn't either,
you'll grow up and study...
Which player do you like better:
Yulieski Gurriel or Iglesias?
Don't they play different positions?
One pitches, one hits.
So they're both good.
Yes.
Go to bed.
- All right.
- Everything will be fine, you'll see.
Everything will change.
I don't want anything to change.
Edith Ybarra Clara.
Come in.
In a place amidst the oceans
whose name I don't care to remember,
not long ago,
a certain kind of music was forbidden
because it aroused certain feelings.
They were profound
and authentic melodies
that slowly became forgotten.
These feelings survived, tucked away
in the pure souls of some musicians,
who, now and again,
brought out these ancient sounds.
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen,
you will witness the story
of one of them.
May the theater lights show us
the truth and beauty of this story.
No.
No, give it to me.
No, give it to me now.
Gimme, we had a deal.
You're not nice...
Just let me have it.
Good morning, Edith.
Or maybe good evening, who knows.
I was looking at the pictures
from our Havana trip, remember?
You said Havana was the ideal place,
a lively city
whose crumbling buildings
reminded you that everything ends.
You'd always been impatient,
you wanted everything right away.
You always aimed for more.
I admired your folly,
and I couldn't help
but bask in your flame,
in your energy.
You know,
I'm so afraid that you'll forget me.
That you'll slowly forget me.
Nothing's changed here in San Antonio,
the heat and humidity
slow everything down.
It seems like time doesn't exist here.
There are still many problems.
There's no meat, or fish, or eggs...
there's not even olive oil,
or there's never enough.
I'm still writing the show
and Ivan is helping a lot.
The theater kids have made progress.
One kid dreams of becoming
a puppeteer like you.
Marco is still drinking beer,
he spills rum on my hands when serving.
The "Super Club"
changed its name to "Delirio."
That's all,
nothing else has changed.
Everything needs to change here
to remain the same,
just like it says
in that Italian book you left me.
Have you seen snow on the Alps?
Did you taste it?
I wonder if it tastes like the ice cream
we got at "Coppelia."
Let me know, please.
It's impossible for me
to shake off the nostalgia, you know.
It's impossible to shake off the memories
and things I truly love.
I hope you feel happy,
I hope you are happy.
I'm still here.
I love you.
I love you so much.
Don't forget me.