Puan (2023) Movie Script
1
[indistinct conversations]
Sir... can you hear me?
[intense breathing]
[muffled]
Professor.
[cooing]
[muffled]
Professor...
Professor!
Right. Where was I?
You were saying that Rousseau
was 100% self-taught.
Then you said that
he was walking one day,
and he spotted a literary contest ad.
Right.
Well...
So...
Rousseau buys the newspaper
to cover himself from the sun,
then sits down under a tree,
flips it through,
and he sees the literary contest ad.
The Academy of Dijon was calling
for essays that would respond to this:
whether the progress in science
and in the arts has led
to an improvement or a degradation
in people's habits.
Rousseau's submission
was pretty solid.
He stated: "Science and arts are an
accessory to human nature's degradation."
His response causes a big fuss
in the arena back then,
to which Rousseau responds the following.
Pay attention. He stated that
inequality causes, for starters,
poverty, we all know that.
But it also leads, inevitably,
to wealth accumulation.
This said wealth is
the sine qua non of leisure and luxury,
which is the condition of possibility
for the progress in science and the arts.
So, here comes the big paradox,
because this alleged progress
is built upon the poverty of the majority.
He concludes by stating
that inequality is the root of all evil.
[knocking at the door]
Rousseau, a complete John Doe,
becomes an overnight celebrity.
Everybody in Paris is wondering
who this peasant is. Yes, Juan.
What's Rousseau's idea,
that there is no progress?
No. If anything, he's suggesting
that we don't get fooled by progress,
that it's not about being a scholar,
or cultured. We can be plain, simple,
even rustic, all that matters
is to be a good person.
Come on in.
Thanks, prof.
Good afternoon, mates.
These are key dramatic hours.
Latest measures prove
that this Government is a fraud,
not only to society,
but for the working people in particular.
We got smoke and mirrors
and, once again,
usurer bankers and foreign capital
lead the country.
"What is to be done?",
Lenin wondered back in 1902.shouldn't comma be placed before the closing inverted commas?
The answer remains the same.
We need to act up.
We deserve a better present
than the one we have now.
The Student Council is calling
all students to rise and protest.
It's crazy to be listening
to a teacher for four hours,
but we are all thinking
how to make ends meet.
We need to restore the scholarship budget.
Truth is, we don't need words.
It's time for action.
Thank you, prof.
Thank you.
- Professor.
- Yes, Susana.
What's gonna happen to classes
from now on?
As I said before,
Caselli's news caught us unprepared.
Well, academically, it's a mess.
But, don't worry.
Caselli's program will stay intact.
By the way, there's a homage
at the National Library today.
So, whoever wants to come, it'd be nice.
Okay, see you on Tuesday then.
- [student] See you.
- [professor] Bye, see you on Tuesday.
- Thank you, prof.
- Bye.
ALWAYS AT BATTLE
NATIONAL LIBRARY
[professor]
I'm here for Eduardo Caselli's homage.
[man]
Just your ID, please. Thank you.
Fifth floor.
Marcelo...
Marcelo Pena?
Rafael Sujarchuk.
Marce...
It's been ages.
I still can't believe it.
I heard he'd gone out jogging.
Is that right?
Such a dumb way to die.
I'm disturbed.
I can't even imagine how you must be.
- Still processing.
- I know.
So young, right?
[Marcelo]
Are you in Frankfurt now?
Yes, I'm still in Germany.
I'm kind of passing through here.
It's the holidays there now.
And San Andrs University
begged me to host a workshop
on ethical dilemmas
around artificial intelligence,
which is one of the subjects
I've been working on recently.
- Interesting.
- Very. Very interesting.
[lift beeps]
"I loved.
I was loved.
The sun caressed my face.
Life, you owe me nothing!
Life, we are at peace!"
[woman]
Thank you, Dean.
The first impression
I got from Eduardo Caselli as a professor
was pretty bad.
I was running late
for my first Political Philosophy class,
so I ran into the classroom,
breathless from the stairs.
I see this guy
with a lottery drum, the round type.
He was making it spin...
- Do you know if Professor Pena is here?
- He's right there.
Eduardo loved to raffle the contents
before the school year started.
[cell phone rings]
[woman 2]
Marce, it's your phone.
However, that same day,
after the first class on Leviathan,
I knew that I wanted
to be teaching next to this character.
For many years,
my favorite time of the week
was Saturday morning.
We had the faculty meeting
at Eduardo's place.
I would get there and find the croissants,
meticulously picked out,
the smell of coffee...
Who is going to convince us
that there is some kind of hope,
now that Eduardo is no longer with us?
Eduardo Caselli was like a fixed star.
- In the ancient times, for navigation...
- [baby cries]
...they used the stars as a guide.
Well, Eduardo was that.
An essential reference to comprehend
our standpoint in this world.
[mouths]
[speaks in German]
Nothing felt more becoming,
more suitable, than invoking Kant
on this sad occasion.
[murmurs] What a nerve, talking like that.
He barely knew Eduardo.
Kant says: "Happiness, Glckseligkeit,
is not an ideal of reason,
but of imagination."
[mutters] I heard he came back
because he's dating Vera Motta.
- Who?
- Vera Motta.
I don't know who she is.
Come on, Marcelo. You do.
She's a super famous actress!
I don't. No clue.
...I was not one of his teachers,
but I was his student.
I must confess that the only F
that I got during my college years,
I got it from Eduardo Caselli.
Just imagine how dispirited I was.
Eduardo, I know that you did that
just to moderate my high-spirited persona,
and today I can see that.
And I appreciate it.
[Dean]
Now I'd like to give the floor to Doris,
Eduardo's lifelong companion.
Doris, I want to say
that Puan is your home,
and we are your family.
[mutters] Aren't you going up?
You have to say something, Marcelo.
I met Eduardo...
in 1978, in Mexico.
Each of us had ended up there on our own.
We met at one of those
exiled people meetings.
He was handsome, gorgeous,
tall, funny. Very funny.
And he smoked Delicados,
a Mexican cigarette brand.
People smoked a lot back then.
I never really thought I'd fall
for a philosopher.
But Eduardo had something.
[cell phone rings]
[Doris] I believe he would have loved
this gathering, in this place. Right here.
Actually, no. Of all people,
Eduardo Caselli didn't want to die.
[woman] Marcelo, I'm tired of calling you.
Where were you?
You said they would be back on Saturday.
But they changed it to earlier.
Do you even see the group chat?
You're right, I got confused.
I'll be right there.
No, there's no need. My dad picked up
Manolo, he'll sleep over there.
Hey, I'm at Eduardo's homage now.
I'll call you later, okay?
Did you speak?
You should say something.
Yeah. I should, you're right, but... Oh!
Hello?
Hello? Hello?
- [woman] Marce, is everything alright?
- No...
- [woman] Come here.
- I've just dropped my phone. Look...
- Let me see.
- It crashed.
- Want help?
- It's not working, see.
- [woman] I'll check.
- [Marcelo] Hey, Pedro.
[woman]
This came off.
So narcissistic, this Sujarchuk guy.
- He went on in German, can you believe it?
- Such a jerk.
Have you heard?
They say he's dating Vera Motta.
She read his book and texted him.
He's handsome, isn't he? Cute.
- See if it works now.
- Let me see.
Where is the...?
- What are you looking for?
- My baby's diaper.
He's been pooping so much...
So runny and smelly. I'm a bit worried.
Marcelo, no! I'm sorry!
- Is it bad?
- Yes. Excuse me, wait.
- You have baby wipes?
- Wait. Yes, I do.
No, I ran out. Watch Pedro for two minutes
I'll run to the pharmacy.
Don't! Don't go. Come here.
- Are you sure? It's close by.
- It's okay, I'll find a restroom.
- I'm sorry.
- Is it too bad?
Yes. Just hold the jacket up like this.
What have you done?
[Rafael]
Marce, Marce.
Are you going to Doris's?
I convinced her that we all come
to her place for a drink,
and the idea spread amongst the gang.
It'll be good for her, right?
Care to join me? Let's go.
Sure, I'll go in a bit.
I'll take care of something first.
No, come on. Let's go together,
catch up. Come, Marce.
Come on, let's go pick up
some wines. Let's go.
Other professors are joining, they went
for some miga sandwiches and empanadas,
some of the very few things you can
actually enjoy in this nation, right?
Do you have a hip condition?
[indistinct conversation]
I'm still a guest scholar
at the New School.
It's been five years in a row.
Frankly, who doesn't like
to go to New York once a year?
And I'm considering an offer...
to take part
in the Contemporary Thinking Lab
at the Von Humboldt in Berlin.
Can you take this?
You must be thrilled.
Yes, but I don't want to get fossilized
under all the diplomas, Marce.
I'm a man of action,
I want to come back...
- To Europe.
- Marce, no.
Here. To Buenos Aires.
[cell phone vibrates]
I'm in love.
[clerk]
This is quite a selection.
No question we are in front of someone
with a sophisticated taste.
Total would be 93000 pesos.
Let's make it 90000
after a friendly discount.
[Rafael talking on the phone]
I'm assuming it'll be credit.
Don't you even dare, Marcelo. Please.
Thank you, sir.
[horns blaring]
It may sound funny, Marce,
but after 20 years of living in Germany,
you miss this type of mess like crazy.
- Sure.
- There's something about this chaos...
that works in favor
of new ideas, and disruption.
Over there, instead...
Connections are sort of...
cold, unpassionate...
And this doesn't happen.
[tango playing on radio]
Sometimes, I feel...
What?
Don't you smell it?
No.
Like a poo smell, no?
No, I don't smell anything.
- Let me see your shoes.
- No, I'm good.
Rafa, what's up? How are you doing?
It's been a while.
Last time was in Montreal, remember?
- Who else is here?
- Hi, Marce.
- [woman] There's Mai, she came back...
- Mai?
Yeah...
[knocking at the door]
One sec.
[knocking at the door]
Coming.
Sokol.
Marcelo.
[Marcelo]
Such a tragedy.
I have to pee.
[woman]
Are you okay, sir?
My pants got stained,
I grabbed a pair of Eduardo's.
I know the whole family. I know Lidia too,
she worked here for many years.
- Are you new? We haven't met.
- Who do you think I am?
I don't...
You'd be a rumi sonqo
in my homeland.
It's quechua.
My name is Isabel Choquehuanca,
Doctor in Philosophy,
Head Professor
at the El Alto Popular University,
and founder of the Imagination Workshop.
You're Professor Pena, right?
Yes.
I've been looking for you, professor.
I'm sorry.
- I have a proposition.
- For me?
Yes, Eduardo was my professor at Puan,
back in the 1980s.
Last year, I ran into him in UNAM,
at a congress on Maritegui.
I had begun to put together
this symposium in my country.
I went forward and I made an invitation.
- To whom?
- To Eduardo.
The symposium is called Latin American
Future. It's not merely academic,
but there will also be
artists, social leaders.
An eclectic mix, professor.
- Right. It's called Latin...?
- Latin American Future.
I'll cut to the chase,
I can see you are a little off.
I was wondering if you'd take
Eduardo's place and come to Bolivia.
I know you have been
Eduardo's right-hand man for years.
It'd mean a lot for us
if you could take his place.
I'm not sure
I'll be able to travel, because...
I'd have to revise the academic calendar.
When would this be?
In the spring.
I said this to Borgmann.
He was so pissed, he wanted to eat me up.
- [woman] Who?
- Albert Borgmann, never heard of him?
- I don't know who he is.
- It's Heidegger's late disciple,
who teaches at Montana University.
- [man] Yeah, I read about him.
- Have you met him?
[Rafael] We're together
in a research project, Albert and I.
Yeah. Infinite, virtuality...
We have to chip in for the empanadas.
I'm broke. I paid the nanny
and still didn't get paid myself.
We have to pay for the take-out.
Did you get paid?
- I didn't.
- Did you?
- No.
- Me neither.
- How much is it?
- 3000.
- Thanks.
- [Rafael] Here, tip is in there too.
I'd like to propose a toast to Eduardo.
- To Eduardo!
- To Eduardo!
- To Eduardo.
- Cheers!
To Doris!
[indistinct conversations]
Doris.
Marcelo.
I thought you'd speak, say something.
I couldn't do it.
I couldn't.
Maybe you don't know this,
but Marcelo was shy. Very shy.
Well...
Eduardo said to me: "There's
a new student, super smart, great reader,
quite stubborn too."
It was Marcelo.
I looked at him and thought:
"What's wrong with this guy?"
It was like I'd forgotten
all about the Buenos Aires melancholy.
You used to come over a lot, right?
To the tiny apartment
on Talcahuano Street.
We'd just gotten back,
we hadn't bought this house yet.
And he would spend hours, and hours,
and hours in the studio with Eduardo.
In silence, just sitting there.
I would walk by and think:
"Are they asleep? What's going on?"
But, no, they were thinking,
reading, philosophizing.
Marcelo was always hungry.
He would take anything I would offer.
Roasted chicken, tiramisu, an omelet,
croissants, empanadas.
He would happily go for it. Am I right?
- Or am I lying?
- No.
Can I ask you something?
What?
Would you sing "Niebla del Riachuelo"?
Eduardo loved it.
No. Here, now?
Marce, sing. You are so good.
I'm begging you.
Go, go, go. I'm sorry.
- Well.
- Look. Here it is.
Okay, just like that.
[all]
Come on.
- Would you enlarge it?
- This way is better.
[starts singing in a low voice]
- No, a little higher.
- Come on, Marcelo.
[starts singing and stops]
[all]
Come on!
Come on!
[starts singing]
[piano starts playing]
[sings in French]
[more people sing in French]
Go on.
[all humming]
[applause]
[Marcelo] "The moment the people are
legitimately assembled as a sovereign,
the jurisdiction of the government
wholly lapses,
the executive power is suspended,
and the person of the meanest citizen
is as sacred and inviolable
as that of the first magistrate..."
This is important.
"...the person of the meanest..."
- [Marcelo] Hey!
- [boy] Hi, dad.
[Marcelo]
How was it?
- Good, something funny happened.
- What?
- Mario's car got towed again.
- That's a fortune.
[boy]
It cost 30000 pesos.
You parked it on the corner again, Mario?
I have to throw it somewhere.
The towing service cost
goes way above inflation.
- It does? How much is a US dollar?
- Which kind?
Wait. Tell the whole story.
We had a blast.
This kid right here
had dinner at the Pizza Palace last night,
gulped three slices and two Cokes.
Vicky told us
to avoid that much gluten, Mario.
Marcelo,
the demonization of gluten is hideous.
You know how long
would humanity last without gluten?
- No.
- Two days.
- Dad, should I play "epilepsic"?
- What?
[boy] We were waiting at the pizza parlor,
and Mario told me to go "epilepsic".
It's called an epileptic,
and it's a serious condition,
not funny at all.
- [boy] Wanna see or not?
- Okay, but make it quick.
[Marcelo] It's way over the top,
you look like the Mummy.
- You said I was good.
- Come on, finish eating. That's your mom.
More subtle.
Just tiny movements.
When are you coming?
[Vicky] Honey, I'm not coming home now.
I'm going to Garn.
A TV reporter
will interview us on the co-ops.
Alright, see you later.
Yes, but it's a long day too.
There's a Culture Committee meeting today,
about the Festival, it's important...
If I don't see you today,
do I see you tomorrow?
No, I'll be home in the afternoon.
But I offered our home for the meeting.
I had no choice.
It'll take two hours or so.
Hello!
- Would you sign, prof?
- I'll come back later.
- Hi!
- Hello!
[imitates wind blowing]
I'm like a porcupine.
I'm cold, freezing.
I'm freezing. It's windy.
There's frost, fog, storms.
There's another porcupine next to me,
freezing too.
We lock eyes and instantly feel the urge
to keep each other warm.
So we come together.
But, as we do it,
us porcupines stab each other,
and that is why we tend to pull away.
Nonetheless, pulling away
means to be unbearably cold again.
So, we're looking at the dilemma...
of hurting each other or dying.
We want to start moving,
until we get to the right distance
that allows us to not hurt each other
badly, nor freeze to death.
Wait.
Think of the state as that distance.
I'm sorry, you can't use this restroom.
Excuse me, this is a non-binary restroom.
Are you non-binary?
No, I don't know. I'm sorry.
[woman on TV] We're back on
Amanda Longo's Because So.
We're jumping to Garn, to what looks like
a workers-owned factory situation.
Robertino, can you hear me?
Please, fill us in.
[Robertino] Hi, Amanda. That's right.
I'm here with Vicky,
she's a labor attorney and
the legal representative for MadyGraf.
Vicky, thank you for talking to us.
Can you turn it up?
Hi, Amanda. How are you?
Vicky, here we go.
My crew did a little research on you.
There's this interview you did
last year, in which you implied
that one of the key solutions
to our nation's problems
would be to remove all men
from the positions of power.
Vicky, is that your ultimate goal?
I'd rather tell the audience
that this factory,
owned by its workers,
is demanding final expropriation.
I get to decide
what's interesting for my show.
You know what?
We don't like hate speeches.
This is a hate speech.
You're very difficult to talk to.
Every day, I wake up and try to build
a better future for the community.
I wonder what your drive is.
What's your motivation?
Don't be disrespectful,
because that's not sisterhood.
My point is, this factory
sets a clear example of struggle,
hard work, organization, creativity.
And us women can be leaders
in the collective production.
If we can lead a factory,
we can lead a nation. Thank you.
[woman]
I'm working now.
If he has a fever, give him ibuprofen.
If it doesn't go down, a bit more.
I was talking to the academic secretary,
in regards to the next steps
on Caselli's classes.
For this month,
I'll be in charge, and...
Excuse me, I thought that,
since we're on Rousseau right now,
it made sense
that I were in charge for now.
I don't know.
- If you want that...
- [man] Okay, let's take turns.
Jazmn goes up today,
next time, Marcelo, and so on. Thank you.
So what's gonna happen
once the semester is over?
First things first. We have to cover
four hours of class for 300 students.
And Eduardo is gone. Exams are soon,
the end of the school year...
- Will there be an open call?
- I wanted to address that.
I got a call from the dean.
She got an email from Rafael Sujarchuk,
about the examination dates.
They are announcing
the dates and conditions this week.
What a nerve, this guy!
We're still trying to figure out
how to cover this semester,
- and he's already sneaking in?
- Do you know him well?
We were classmates ages ago.
He's gotten the Frankfurt vibes now.
He's in this interdisciplinary research
group with Albert Borgmann and Maldacena.
- Albert Bergmann?
- Borgmann, Marcelo, with an O.
He's a Heidegger's late disciple
that teaches at Montana University.
Does any of that matter?
If Rafael wants to be in the faculty,
he'll have to stick to the process
we've followed for years,
- despite Bergmann.
- Borgmann.
This is an academic legacy,
we can't let it blow into pieces.
And this guy hasn't set foot
in this university in 20 years.
He's used to different work dynamics
and resources.
- Let alone salaries.
- [woman] Did you get paid?
- No.
- Not yet.
[Jazmn]
I agree with Marcelo,
this Sujarchuk guy
is trying to take advantage.
Truth is, when a colleague brings in
their experience from abroad,
the university is enriched, the faculty
gains prestige, students benefit from it.
Is he really dating Vera Motta?
- [Marcelo] I don't see how that matters.
- [woman] I agree with Marcelo.
Rafael is the kind of guy
that endangers the sense of belonging.
- He will never belong in Puan.
- Sorry to interrupt, but...
I see a deep lack of critical thinking
towards our study program.
We're still teaching state theory,
social contract, Leviathan. Great.
But things have changed,
there's a whole world out there
that does not match
the 17th century labels.
It's time to open up to new ideas,
and a guy like Sujarchuk could be
the perfect breath of fresh air...
How shameful, waiting for Eduardo
to be dead to express yourself.
I mean, because...
Let's not get caught on false antinomies.
The faculty needs a head professor.
I don't have the background for it.
I have no interest in applying again.
What about you, Marcelo?
- What?
- [woman] Do you have the credits?
I'm not sure, I guess. I have to check.
You have to apply,
we can't just give up on it.
Also, you know Eduardo
would have wanted you to do it.
[man]
I agree with you, Marcelo. I'm with you.
[cell phone ringing]
- Hello.
- Professor Pena?
- Yes. Who is this?
- Isabel Choquehuanca, from Bolivia.
How are you doing, professor?
Sorry to bother you,
I just wanted to remind you
that it'd mean a lot
if you could come
to our symposium.
Right, but the timing is not good at all.
We're reorganizing the faculty,
it's a big mess.
We have over 400 students,
exams are coming up, bad timing.
Can I ask you...? Is there some sort
of fare money, compensation. Anything?
It's a grassroots event,
there are no funds for that.
[horn blares]
[tires screech]
Fucking fatso, pay attention! Come on!
Fatso?
What's your problem?
Are you a little sensitive, moron?
[bell rings]
- Hello.
- Good afternoon.
- Did you check in with the guard?
- He buzzed me in. He knows me, Luisa.
You have to announce yourself,
like anybody does, Marcelo.
I'm not anybody,
I've been teaching here for five years.
Also, my class is at 4 PM.
It's 4 PM now.
The madam was having back pain,
I had to call the masseur.
I can't wait. She can have the massage
if she needs it. Call me...
Come on in, Marcelo. Let me ask her.
This is the philosophy teacher.
[Luisa]
Thanks, Adri. You are a doll.
- You made her feel much better.
- [Adri] It's my pleasure.
- [Luisa] Bye.
- See you soon.
When she's ready,
I'm coming for you.
[Marcelo]
So he asks himself a question.
Right.
Why is there something
instead of nothing?
Heidegger says that humans are
the only entities capable of asking that.
- What is an entity, Marcelo?
- An entity is a thing.
If it can be defined,
it's an entity, Amelia.
- Am I an entity, for instance?
- Excellent question.
Heidegger's boldness resides in telling us
that, although humans are entities,
human existence belongs
in a different order.
- What kind of order?
- That's what's complex here, so...
Heidegger pulled a masterful trick.
He distorted the language.
I mean, he made up a word for it.
The word is Dasein.
What does it mean?
It could be rendered as "being there."
Being there, where?
Being there in the world, Amelia.
I'm completely lost, Marcelo.
You only need to understand
that existing is an action, a motion.
And this motion
is the only thing that can save us
from the terrible danger of the Fall.
Like my friend Chochi?
She fell down in the street, broke
her hips, and now needs a cane. That?
No, I'm talking about
a different type of falling.
Let's see, do you feel anguish
every once in a while?
Right, I surely do.
What makes you feel that way?
So many things about life, Marcelo.
So you do exist, Amelia.
You are safe from the Fall.
- I am?
- Sure, the entities that keep falling,
and do not exist completely,
are actually fleeing,
running forward as they try to imitate
any established model out there,
not asking themselves questions,
and, for Heidegger, that's not existing.
So what is it?
That's functioning, Amelia.
It's what most of the people do,
functioning is not existing.
You exist when you are willing
to jump into the void,
when you dare to experiment the unknown,
all that produces vertigo.
Your existence harbors there, Amelia.
- Excuse me, ma'am.
- Yes, Luisa.
- Thank you, Luisa.
- Are you comfortable?
Yes, darling. Thank you.
I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.
Alright.
Amelia, let's take a little jump in time,
let's get into French existentialism.
- Is that okay?
- Yes.
We'll refer to Camus's The Stranger.
Mersault is sauntering
along the seashore in Algiers,
looking at the Mediterranean Sea.
He's dwelling on his thoughts,
and, suddenly,
an Algerian, an Arab man, walks by.
Something is bothering him,
it's the sunlight.
It's the sunlight hitting on his face...
as he stares into the Mediterranean Sea.
[vacuum humming]
[vacuum stops]
[Marcelo mutters]
Luisa!
Luisa!
She dozed off, I'm heading out.
But the class is not over
for another 15 minutes.
It's over, she's asleep.
I know she pays you by the hour.
Right, but she dozed off. I'm leaving.
- [turns on vacuum]
- No, no!
[vacuum humming]
- Go on, Marcelo. I'm listening.
- Yes.
You were talking about...
nothingness, the idea of being.
Let's move on to another subject.
Let's discuss the absolute.
[Luisa stops vacuum]
Remember when we discussed
the many layers of reality?
[singing a baguala]
[door opening]
[woman goes on singing]
- Where's Manolo?
- At Cata's.
- How are you doing?
- Good.
- [applause]
- So, how did the class go?
- I wasn't in charge, Jazmn was.
- Oh.
It's good for her to get some training,
and also...
- Marcelito, have you seen Vicky on TV?
- Yes.
She nailed it. I loved
how you shut that cunt's ass.
- No. So embarrassing.
- No, you did great.
- I don't like being on the media.
- But you're good at it.
Have you seen my storage blue boxes?
- I need to find some documents...
- I haven't seen them.
It's important, it's for the credits.
Vicky, we need to go.
The girls want to wrap up soon.
It's important, it's for the credits.
- But I haven't seen them.
- I need them, something happened.
I haven't seen them, I don't know.
There are some kids in the bedroom.
One of the girls needed help, so...
[women talking]
[children talking and laughing]
We're playing ball, Mr. Ass.
Mr. Ass.
A planet is falling down.
If I may, I need to get through.
You can play here,
and I take this little space on my bed.
[Marcelo]
Mind the TV, be careful with the ball.
[shouts]
- [Marcelo shouts and laughs]
- [children laugh]
- Dad.
- What?
What are your talents?
That's a good question.
What's it for, may I ask?
We were asked to write down
three talents of our family members.
- For the Family Festival.
- Good.
The best talent will get selected.
There will be a bunch of stuff,
concerts, workshops, food,
- a book sale, I think.
- [Vicky calls Manolo]
- Have you asked your mom?
- Yes, I wrote down seven items.
[Vicky]
Sit down for breakfast.
- Alright.
- Please.
Let's see:
I can philosophize upside down,
I can sing a tango.
- I can do a mime act.
- Mime?
- Yes.
- I'm not writing that one down.
I put an envelope with cash in your bag.
Give it to Camilo's mom for the T-shirt.
Okay.
Peque, please have her wait for me.
It's a sensitive issue, let's discuss it.
[Marcelo]
Is that a new phone?
Yes, the old one was not working,
battery lasted for two hours.
You can change the battery, no need
to purchase the most expensive phone.
- Some inexpensive phones are great.
- Marcelo, it's a work tool.
You stay out of this.
Keep the place tidy.
Daniela will be showing it today.
- Bye, sweetie.
- Bye.
- Good luck in the projects.
- What?
Aren't you starting
Philosophy in the Projects?
Is it today?
I completely forgot about it.
Alright.
- You need a planner.
- Drink up, come on.
Have you done this for a while?
Philosophy?
- I'd say a lifetime.
- How nice.
We'll make a quick stop,
to pick up the Gendarmerie guard.
The what?
All the teachers in the program
are assigned a guard,
like an escort. It's a mere formality.
Hi, good afternoon.
- [guard] See you later.
- [woman] See you, good luck.
Hello.
- Professor.
- How are you?
Good, and you?
Flavia! How is the deal with payment?
Should I send you the invoice?
Right, after 60 working days,
you'll receive the transfer. Let's go.
It's a nice group.
They're waiting for you.
Are you sitting here for two hours?
Yes, professor.
Don't worry, I'm used to it.
- Come in.
- Where?
- The classroom.
- There's no need.
Yes, there is. Come in.
Come on, let's go.
[Marcelo] Philosophers,
they are passionate about knowledge.
What do they do?
They ask question,
they keep asking questions.
[woman]
Like children?
- How is that? What's your name?
- Teresa.
Teresa, how is that?
They are super curious.
They ask questions and dig deeper.
Why this, why that. They don't stop.
This illustrates why having a degree
doesn't make you a philosopher.
Take me, I'm a Philosophy major,
and I'm just a philosophy teacher.
That happens
because philosophy is a way of life,
it's about asking yourself questions.
Not just silly or plain questions.
No, no.
The uncomfortable questions,
the kind that makes you think.
Here's an example.
Here in the classroom, amongst us,
someone is carrying a gun.
Evaristo, can you introduce yourself?
- Hey, what's up?
- [students] Hello.
I'll be here with the professor.
It's a program between Gendarmerie
and the City Administration,
to ensure safety during class.
Why does a philosophy teacher
need to be escorted by a guard?
This is not about you
as a person, Evaristo.
We may like you as a person,
care for you. It's not about that.
We're talking about Evaristo
as a public servant.
Because you are representing
the Government right now.
There's a 17th century English thinker
called Thomas Hobbes.
He wrote this book called Leviathan.
Hobbes...
He says that
the natural condition of mankind
is a state of war of all against all,
and there is no hope
of building something for tomorrow.
"Life is solitary,
poor, brutish, and short."
So...
Without Evaristo here,
it'd be the law of the jungle,
with Evaristo here, we're repressed.
So what do we do?
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
CLASSIC PHILOSOPHY
VERA ON THE RED CARPEUNSTOPPABLE
VERA AND RAFAEL HOW THEY MEAND THEIR SHARED TASTES
I'm sorry, I don't see
how this gossip is related
to all the problems that we're having.
[explosion outside]
- [man speaking over PA]
- [siren blaring]
[explosions]
Don't worry.
Professor, don't worry.
Sit down. It's nothing.
Don't worry, guys. It's alright.
Don't be scared, take it easy.
We're good.
They're leaving.
Take it easy. Enjoy.
Hello, good afternoon.
How are you doing?
[students answer]
From what I know,
Professor Jazmn Lutzky discussed
Rousseau's second speech, right?
Let's wait for more students,
I wonder why we're just a few today.
- I'm sorry, professor.
- Yes, Anbal.
I'm a teacher
at an inner city high school.
We always get books donated,
and I got this,
and I was reading it.
Right, Maritegui is a Peruvian thinker,
who understood The Social Contract
very well.
But we go straight into Rousseau.
The course is short,
so we can't get ahold of all
that comes from Rousseauian ideas.
Excuse me, professor.
I was at the masterclass.
Masterclass?
Professor Rafael Sujarchuk's,
at the lecture hall.
Well...
[Rafael] ...nature has produced
a dull, horrible world.
This world, the one we live in.
A world that is in decline, as we witness
the extinction of the beautiful,
the common, the vital.
Who would think
of erecting human interaction
from such a negative emotion
as it is fear?
[mutters]
Thank you.
This is Spinoza.
A Jew that was excommunicated
and led a nomad life
in the 17th century,
whose only possession was a bed.
Unlike Hobbes, Spinoza didn't think
that only fear could build community.
On the contrary, Spinoza believed
that humans had the power
of acting and bonding
around our joyful passions.
Back then, Spinoza lost the battle,
Hobbes prevailed, and here we are.
[light laughter]
Now let's try to imagine this
for a moment...
Let's think of a society
that is not based on fear.
We are part of a big crowd, where
an individual's pain is everybody's pain,
where joy is the first right.
I'm not a prophet, but let me warn you,
the streets will show us the way soon.
Our only choice is to reinvent,
once and for all,
the old archaic pact of fear.
Thank you very much.
I loved it.
[speaking in German]
Rafael!
Rafael.
What's up, Marce?
How are you doing?
I saw you back there.
You came to see me, how nice.
No. Honestly, I don't care for your ideas.
I'm here to say how lame it is
to have your masterclass
right at the same time
of our class. That's it.
I didn't schedule it, Marcelo.
- I had no clue.
- I see what you're doing.
- Excuse me?
- Prof.
You think that Caselli's program
is old and outdated.
So you come here to dazzle us natives
with your smoke and mirrors, right?
Marcelo, I couldn't care less
about this class.
I'm super late for two papers
for a Stanford compilation,
the dean begged me.
[Marcelo] You did your tricks to get
the lecture hall,
and scheduled it right in time
for our class. Who do you think you are?
Honestly, who the fuck
do you think you are?
- Calm down.
- I am calm.
This is not the Middle Ages.
Puan is not a fiefdom.
You are not the chief of the tribe.
- You're being a bit elitist.
- What?
- Nothing.
- Just like that you call me elitist.
Hello, hello.
- [Vera] How are you doing?
- Good, you?
Vera, Marcelo.
My pleasure, what's up?
How did the class go, honey?
Was it good?
[Rafael]
Very good, such a warm crowd.
[Vera] Great. I wanted to be there,
but I got stuck filming.
Vera is the lead in a very important film.
Co-starring with Viggo Mortensen.
- Yeah, I saw the photos.
- What photos?
The movie. I watched it.
Really? How sweet. Which one?
[student] Oh my God, it's an honor
to have you in Puan.
- Can we get a picture? Come.
- Yeah, of course.
Like that? Come, love.
[Vera]
Everybody.
His name is Carlos.
I met him on this app.
He's not getting any younger, he works
at the Central Bank. He's quite a stud.
- This is his place.
- Have you been?
[woman] No, he's married.
He owns a jet boat, I'll show it to you.
Every Tuesday, we go
deep into the River Plate.
- So late, Marcelo.
- Hey.
Now that Marcelo is here,
let me sum it up for you, guys.
[rings bell] Two bedrooms. A small one
for the kid, the other one, for you.
We can't really bargain.
So you keep it shut in there, quiet.
You hate it, you are not interested,
If anything, you talk to me.
Are we clear?
Watch your step.
[Vicky]
What was this place before?
It belonged to my grandfather,
then it was a daycare,
then it was illegally occupied
for a brief period, but I got it back.
[woman]
Alright, the other bedroom...
That room is fantastic.
It has good vibes.
This is the best I could get
for your budget.
Or we could try other areas.
This plot is a great investment.
You buy it, you sell it in two years time
for construction purposes,
it could go up to six or seven stories.
[indistinct conversation]
[Marcelo]
They look like diplomas,
they may read "certificate," "seminar"...
- [Manolo] I think I found something.
- What does it say?
[Manolo] SADAF, Argentinian Society
of Philosophical Analysis.
No, that's analytic philosophy.
I told you, that's not relevant
for the examination.
Political philosophy.
Hobbes, Locke, who else?
- Rousseau.
- Perfect, look into that box.
You should have organized this better
if you wanted to take the examination.
I didn't know.
Sometimes you don't want something
until someone else does.
You don't want something
just because someone else wants it.
At this point, you should have
your own dreams, don't you think?
I don't know. Why don't you help me
find the documents? This is not helping.
I'm on it.
[computer dings]
You were selected for the talent show.
- Really, me?
- Yes, they want you to sing a tango.
Another dad is cooking locro.
That's fantastic. I'll be there.
It's nice that the seventh-graders
are drawing a raffle.
- They are?
- For the graduation trip, yes.
- What's the prize?
- A bunch of home appliances.
A toaster, a microwave, things like that.
It's gonna be awesome.
[coach] Stop, stop.
You don't want to let him
come at you first.
Don't let him attack you,
you have to defend yourself,
and attack first,
make the first move, yes?
Let's do it again, let's see what you got.
[cell phone rings]
- Hi.
- [Amelia] Hi, Marcelo.
Sorry to bother you.
Can you talk now?
Yes. I hear you, Amelia.
There's been a last-minute setback,
and maybe you can help me.
I'm turning 85 years old this Saturday.
Really? That's great.
It will be a big party. I'm having friends
from all places, my whole family.
I hired this magician, one of the best.
But I've just heard
that he has been arrested.
I'm not sure what he's into.
So you're left without a magician.
And that is why
you came to mind, Marcelo.
I thought of a philosophical show.
What do you think?
It's a great idea,
my girlfriends will love it.
I don't do philosophical shows.
I'm paying you in US dollars, Marcelo.
I can't, I'm really busy at the moment.
It's not going to take long,
and, Marcelo,
you know, this could be my last birthday.
MAGAZINES
I don't understand why you're so terrified
to be examined for a position.
At the end of the day,
it's the rules, right?
I'm terrified
because I'll be out of a job.
If Rafael gets it,
the first thing he'll do is get rid of me.
Don't you see it?
This is all I have.
SEMINAR - WAGE LABOR ACCORDING TO MARX
I'm not the queen of anything.
I don't get pulled over for a selfie.
The only place where I'm someone is Puan.
Doris, I wanted you to know
that I'm applying for the head position.
Yes, the other professors told me.
Did they?
When did you see them?
They were here.
They came over to take some books.
Rafael was here too.
Oh...
- Did he take books too?
- Yes, he wanted a few.
I don't know, I just gave them to him.
Especially a few in German.
And he also invited me for dinner
at her girlfriend Vera Motta's.
They were so sweet, it was nice.
He served octopus, played the piano.
That's when the guys told me.
So, what did they say?
What everybody at Puan knows.
He's been pulling the strings,
and it seems like he managed
to open the examination call in no time,
and Beatriz, our dean, is siding with him.
I believe you'll get
the head professor position,
but it won't be easy.
Yes, I know.
I wanted to tell you myself, and...
I'm doing this mainly for Eduardo.
I've taught his program for years,
so I'm the most qualified
to ensure its continuity.
Continuity...
How long has it been
since Caselli's taken you under his wing?
A long time.
Have you ever thought
of doing something else?
I don't know, I'm just saying.
Searching for a voice of your own,
more personal, more you.
It's like you guys are compelled
to cling on to Puan,
as if there was nothing else in the world.
It's like a cult.
[laughs]
Maybe I'm completely off,
and you're happy with Eduardo's program.
Me, personally, I'm not going
to make my life
a living mausoleum of Eduardo Caselli.
I'm moving on,
doing my thing.
I'm going to visit friends, I'm going...
to live.
[distant music playing]
- [distant thud]
- [music stops]
OUR AMERICAS
[phone rings]
This is the only room
I didn't dare to enter yet.
I'm sorry, I just walked in. Excuse me.
He was preparing
for a seminar in Bolivia.
We were going to travel together.
Have you heard of it?
Yes, I talked to the professor
that's organizing it.
Why is it called Latin American thinking,
instead of Latin American philosophy?
I don't get it.
I've never heard such a thing
like European thinking.
That's because there isn't a tradition,
but it's a matter of discussion.
This is Eduardo's last notebook.
Here.
Take it.
Thank you.
[Marcelo]
Today I'd like to talk about death.
You may say: "What a bummer,
let's talk about something else."
But, let me tell you,
one day we will all be gone.
So, why not ask ourselves
questions about it?
So, let me ask:
What is to die?
I'd say it's an eternal rest.
We don't quite know
because we haven't died yet.
Vivi is right, it's like Epicurus says.
I can't speak about death
because I'm alive, and when I die,
I'll be dead,
and I won't be able to speak.
I have this recurring dream,
in which I'm flying,
so I guess I must've been a bird
in a past life, I don't know.
I keep dreaming that I'm flying.
There was an ancient thinker
called Heraclitus.
He said that there isn't a time for death,
but we start dying the day we are born.
It's as if life was a progression,
some sort of continuous,
constant, permanent motion,
which never stops, it is flowing nonstop,
thus nothing is fixed.
Another thinker, Parmenides,
had a completely opposite view
from Heraclitus'.
He said that
what truly exists is changeless,
it never moves.
It remains the same.
Plato went back to these two sources,
Heraclitus and Parmenides.
He said: "What Heraclitus said is true,
he's right."
Everything flows, moves,
bodies get corrupted.
If you'd met me 30 years ago,
you'd have said:
"There goes Marcelo,
the long-haired philosophy student."
You met me now and you'd go: "There goes
Marcelo, the bald philosophy professor."
Which of these Marcelos is Marcelo?
Upon this, what Plato does
is take Parmenides and say,
pay attention,
there is something in this reality
that is indeed changeless,
it doesn't change, it remains the same,
something in the divine order.
That something, for Plato, was the soul.
Plato was highly influenced
by these topics, for he had been a witness
to his master Socrates' death.
Here's a very nice passage,
in which Plato happens to narrate
the episode of Socrates' death.
So he says, after he had been
condemned to death:
"The warden gave him the hemlock."
Meaning the poison.
"Socrates started growing cold and rigid.
When the poison reached his heart,
Socrates would be gone.
So, he said his last words:
'We owe a cock to Aesculaplius,
make the offering, and don't forget.'
'It will be done, ' replied the disciple.
'Is there anything else?'"
And that question remained unanswered.
- That meat pie looks delicious.
- Yes, it's the madam's favorite.
I made it for her, keep your hands off.
- Good evening.
- Hello.
How do you do? I'm Chochi.
- Hello.
- How are you, Luisa?
I'm a friend of Amelia's,
nice to meet you. Are you busy?
- I'm a friend too.
- All the way since high school.
- [Chochi] My dear Luisa.
- Ma'am.
We're hungry.
We were the first to arrive.
The ladies are so fine-looking!
- So pretty!
- Hi.
- Are you the magician?
- No.
- Are you doing a trick for us?
- I'm not the magician.
I'm not a magician.
I'm doing a different kind of show.
- What kind of show?
- Kids...
Could you please go to the living room?
I'll be right there with you.
- [all] Alright.
- [Luisa] I'm busy, go to the living room.
I'll be right there with you.
[Chochi] Do something meaningful, nice.
That makes a good memory.
- The philosophy professor, Marcelo.
- Yes.
- Silvita, the eldest. How are you?
- My pleasure.
It's so nice to have you here with us.
An honor, such an eminence.
I've heard so much about you.
Since my mom started taking your classes,
she seems way sharper.
She tells me that it's like a journey
to the depths of existence. Or something.
Thank you.
You know what?
I have a little favor to ask you.
My mom called me this morning,
quite distressed, sobbing.
She wanted to cancel the party.
She got a call from her doctor
saying that she needs hip surgery.
- Awful.
- A sensitive matter.
On top of that, she took some
sleeping pills and had a little drink.
Such a mess, she grew very unstable.
She's in a super cranky mood,
she won't stand a philosophy show.
- She won't?
- The guests will get bored too.
- Should I leave?
- No, no way. You are already here.
Maybe you could make
my mother laugh.
- Laugh?
- Yes.
- A few philosophical jokes.
- Jokes?
Maybe philosophical songs?
- Let me see, I could sing a tango.
- No, not a tango.
No chance, it's so depressing.
Something chirpy that amuses her.
Something easy.
But please make it funny.
[bell rings]
I'll be right back. Just one second.
[Luisa]
Welcome. Come on in.
Thank you so much, dear Luisa.
How are you, Mr. Rodolfo?
- Happy to see you.
- Thank you.
Come in, the show is about to start.
[Silvita]
That's Rody!
- Hello, hello.
- How are you doing?
Hi, Rodolfo. How are you?
- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
- Hello, dear. How are you?
- Hi, Rodo.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Luisa.
- How are you doing?
- Not good.
I'm not good.
I'm upset.
- The day I die...
- [Silvita] Don't say that!
- Quiet!
- Don't say things like that!
You will rush to the notary,
all dressed up...
- [Silvita] This is a party, your birthday.
- Yes, honey, but...
- You'll pay for a death notice...
- Yes, mom...
[Silvita] It's your birthday celebration,
why don't we switch the angle?
We have fun, make a toast.
See how pretty you are? She's gorgeous.
[Amelia] I know what you all want
from this old hag.
[Silvita]
Don't say that, please!
Look who's here.
Check the costume I've put together
for him. Introduce him, mom.
This is my philosophy teacher.
[Silvita] Luisa, turn off the music,
we're playing a game.
The ones in the back, please come.
Come over, please.
[cheering]
Marcelo! Come on, let's hear it.
Okay, enough.
[Silvita]
Seven words.
- [Silvita] It's charades.
- Seven words.
[woman]
A statue!
It's Greek.
- [woman] The last three?
- Flourishing.
- [Silvita] Fireworks.
- Jesus.
This is not what I wanted, Marcelo!
Do the Heidegger thing!
- What's Heidegger?
- He knows.
[woman]
Talking.
- [Silvita] I know, that's a bloated chest.
- Wolfing down.
- Come on, play.
- [Silvita] Rody, you play too.
[Amelia]
Marcelo, I wanted philosophy.
Tell him this is not what we agreed.
I really appreciate it,
but this is not working, Marcelo.
Leave the tablecloth in there.
- Is this what you're learning?
- Not at all.
[woman]
Cheers. To Amelia.
[all chanting]
Amelia, Amelia, Amelia!
I'm sorry, we'll think of something else.
Let's do the Brazilian Carnival,
a little conga line.
Luisa, turn up the music and bring
the pie. People are hungry. Come on.
[all singing]
Happy birthday to you.
[indistinct audio]
[Vicky] Where are you?
Manolo and I are waiting for you.
He's a bit jumpy. He's told the whole
class that his dad is singing a tango.
Are you nearby?
- [voices on TV]
- [door opens]
I thought it was next week,
I got confused.
No big deal. The talent show
was so boring, they all sucked.
- I really wanted to sing.
- [Manolo] It's okay, it was a disaster.
Listen, I'll call the school this week,
and we set a date for me to visit.
Don't worry, it's okay.
[Vicky] Tell him the truth,
tell him what you told me.
You were announced,
he was expecting you.
[Manolo]
It's okay.
Let's play cards.
Come on.
You're the board.
- I'm the board?
- Yes, you are.
[Manolo]
Cut.
I'm sorry.
It's fine.
It's okay.
You go.
[woman] Rafael is giving a lecture,
and then it's your dad's turn.
My dad found his credits.
That's important,
but the better lecturer gets the job.
We are here to support him.
Look at him, he's so nervous.
Marcelo.
[mutters]
Go for it.
We'll see.
Professor Pena,
Sujarchuk is about to finish.
You're up in five minutes.
Aren't you staying for his closing?
No, I've heard enough.
You have a tough opponent, Marcelo.
Yes, I know.
Be accurate in your presentation
of the contents.
But, above it all, highlight
the importance of Caselli's legacy,
which you know better than anyone.
Mention all those years of hard work
invested in trying to keep up
the high level in this university.
Try to touch the jury's heart.
You get me, right?
Good luck.
[man]
Professor Pena.
THE DISAPPEARED, PRESENSTUDENTS AGAINST BUDGET CUTS
ALWAYS AT BATTLE
[woman] I got this picture
from the guy I'm seeing,
the one from the app,
who works at the Central Bank.
What about those armored trucks?
Every night, four of these
leave from the Central Bank cellar.
Cargo planes wait at the airport.
It's happening, they are going abroad.
- Who is going abroad?
- The dollars.
By Friday, there won't be a single
dollar bill in the country. It's crack.
You have to sell.
Take any offer we get on the apartment,
anything would be better than nothing.
I know what I'm saying.
This is a very serious matter.
If this is true,
I need to start making calls.
[cell phone rings]
Marcelo, phone's ringing!
You guys will never move
if you don't take a jump.
You'll die right here
in this tiny apartment.
- Rafael.
- I'm not picking up.
Pick up, it's your colleague.
Don't be such a baby!
- I'm not picking up.
- The one that got the job?
Hi, Rafael.
It's Vicky, how are you doing?
Marcelo is not in. I'll pass along
the message like in the old days.
Your voice is beautiful.
You're a doll.
Nobody's said that in a long time.
He's hot.
He's dating Vera Motta, I saw it on TV.
[Vicky]
Sure, bye.
- So?
- So what?
What does he want?
He'll be at the Socrates Caf
in the morning.
- No way I'm going.
- [Vicky] You are going.
- You have to.
- You will.
You go and congratulate him
on the examination outcome.
And you listen to what he has to say.
And you give my card:
Daniela Furman Real Estate.
[TV reporter] ...the price of the dollar
is going up nonstop.my translation
[Rafael]
It was pure luck, Marce.
The proceedings are on the second floor,
you can go ahead and read them.
They were highly laudatory for both.
I called you because I want you
to be my associate professor.
Wait, I'm not asking you
to adapt to my program.
You'd have carte blanche
to organize your own contents,
so that Caselli's program stays on.
- I appreciate it, but...
- I know what you're gonna say, Marce.
I've lost examinations too,
it's not the end of the world, you know?
I say
we share the title: Sujarchuk-Pena.
And the program would be top-notch,
people would talk about it.
I need you, Marce.
I've been revising the students roll,
the curriculum...
It's much bigger than I thought,
I don't know how Caselli managed,
having just a few teachers,
and so much to do.
Besides, at some point next month,
I'll have to be back in Frankfurt
for a seminar.
They pay in euros, you know.
I believe we could make a great team.
Let me think about it.
[indistinct conversation]
[man] It's a public university,
anyone can walk in.
What's happening?
It seems like the university
went bankrupt and they won't let us in.
- What do you mean bankrupt?
- I don't know. We're closed.
[student]
We deserve an explanation.
I got a call from the union,
saying that the building will stay closed.
This is a complete disaster.
It seems there are no funds
for the rest of the year,
and it will stay closed.
That's ridiculous. We have to wrap
the term, the rector has to come, and...
- [Jazmn] They say he has resigned.
- He resigned?
- Is it confirmed?
- [Jazmn] No, it's a hearsay.
Professor, speak up,
we all want to know.
But I don't know what to say.
There are back-to-back resignations,
and I don't know where it stops.
It's not just UBA, they're sending
messages from all provinces.
It seems they're shutting down
all national universities.
[all commenting]
[student]
It's insane.
Listen up, I was just in the rectorship.
This is a tragedy.
They've cut the power and gas supply
in all the faculties.
The radio says there's an exchange rate
swing. There'll be a press conference.
The rectorship just tweeted
that the Ministry of Education
stated there are no funds.
"At this moment,
the UBA was declared insolvent,
and it will stop paying salaries
and supplies until further notice."
Until further notice?
I have to pay the nanny.
Fellow classmates, let's do something.
Let's block the streets!
[everyone agrees]
- Let's go to the rectorship.
- What's the point? He resigned.
Why don't we pull out the chairs
and block the street?
I agree. Let's block the street,
pull out the chairs,
and have an open class.
- I agree with Marcelo.
- Me too.
- I also agree.
- Rafael, what's your thought?
I'd wait a bit to understand
the scope of the situation.
Also, shouldn't we ask for a permit
to block the street?
[all commenting]
[shouting]
[horns blaring]
[indistinct audio]
[indistinct audio]
[quarreling]
They want to make us believe
that this university is a utopia,
but you, us, we are a fortress!
Good afternoon, everybody.
I'm sorry to carry such bad news.
This morning, we,
the authorities of this university,
were surprised
by this catastrophic scenario.
The UBA is leaderless and bankrupt.
There is a pretty solid political decision
of not providing us with further budget.
This means that, right now,
Puan has ceased to exist.
[all]
No!
We have to prepare ourselves
for a long battle.
But it's not the first time,
nor will be the last,
we have defended
our ideas with our bodies.
Let's resist!
Rafael, you're the head professor,
you have to speak.
Go.
For those that don't know me,
I'm Rafael Sujarchuk.
Today, I was supposed to teach
the first class
as Head Professor of Political Philosophy.
Even though the university is closed,
we'll still have the class.
Let's try and see thinking
as a form of resistance.
So, let's open the class with a question.
The question is:
What is the People?
Please take a minute of silence...
[police siren approaching]
...to try and think of an answer...
to that question.
- [Rafael] What is the People?
- [indistinct audio]
Good morning.
[police officer]
Are you in charge here?
I'm Professor Marcelo Pena.
Professor, I need you to please move
your gathering onto the sidewalk,
so street traffic can be resumed.
Excuse me. You have to understand
that this is a serious situation.
[Marcelo] Our salaries have been cut,
and we got no proper explanation.
I see, but I need you
to move this onto the sidewalk,
so I can resume
the street traffic back to normal.
Perfect. Let me inform the group.
[Marcelo]
Is that possible? Great.
Fellow classmates,
police is informing us
that we have to unblock the street.
No!
[Marcelo] The police officers
are public servants, just like we are,
so they must know
that we owe each other solidarity.
So I'm asking the policemen to let us
decide, through an assembly voting,
whether we are unblocking
the street or not.
By no means, I have the power
to decide it and unblock the street.
Please, let's calmly proceed to voting,
so that the police chief sees that
this is a decision made by the community,
and not just by a bunch of professors.
So, let me ask you:
Those in favor of unblocking the street
and move the class
onto the sidewalk, raise your hand.
[all]
No!
Those in favor of having
the public class on the street,
while we wait for an official response,
raise your hand.
[all chanting]
I came here in good faith,
and you're not using logic here.
It's an assembly decision, chief.
You knew how voting was going to go.
I'm asking you to please...
We are on the verge of unemployment.
Are you a public servant?
You don't seem...
[bang]
Marce, are you okay?
[muffled chanting]
Sir... Are you sure about...?
[driver]
It's a smooth ride, don't worry.
[boy]
Are you Professor Marcelo Pena?
Yes, that's me.
Come on in, they're waiting for you.
LIBRARY
Come, prof.
- Welcome.
- Thanks.
Alright, professor.
It's time for your introduction.
But, keep in mind
that we don't like boring resumes.
Maybe you could tell us a personal story,
something that brings us closer to you.
[mutters] Some Puan or Caselli anecdotes.
[clears throat]
Turbid anchorage where ships dock
Those which will stay there
forevermore
In the painful night shadows crawl
After losing their hearts,
castaways of the world
Bridges and strings
where the wind howls
Coal ships which will never set sail
Fierce cemetery of dying ships
Which still dream
of leaving for the sea
Fog of the creek tied to my memories
For you I still wait
Fog of the creek
From that love
you drive me away
She never came back
She was forever gone
She never used her voice
to say my name again
She said goodbye
and her voice was the same
In the silent caf,
sailor, dream of your old brig
Drink up your nostalgia
in the sordid caf
It rains on the port
In the meantime, my song
Rains slowly on your grief
Anchors that will never be
weighed again
Gunwales of the barges
with no moorings to release
Sad caravan
with no destiny or illusion
Like a ship
inside the bottle in a store
Fog of the creek tied to my memories
For you I still wait
Fog of the creek
From that love
you drive me away
She never came back
She was forever gone
She never used her voice
to say my name again
She said goodbye and her voice...
Was the same
[indistinct conversations]
Sir... can you hear me?
[intense breathing]
[muffled]
Professor.
[cooing]
[muffled]
Professor...
Professor!
Right. Where was I?
You were saying that Rousseau
was 100% self-taught.
Then you said that
he was walking one day,
and he spotted a literary contest ad.
Right.
Well...
So...
Rousseau buys the newspaper
to cover himself from the sun,
then sits down under a tree,
flips it through,
and he sees the literary contest ad.
The Academy of Dijon was calling
for essays that would respond to this:
whether the progress in science
and in the arts has led
to an improvement or a degradation
in people's habits.
Rousseau's submission
was pretty solid.
He stated: "Science and arts are an
accessory to human nature's degradation."
His response causes a big fuss
in the arena back then,
to which Rousseau responds the following.
Pay attention. He stated that
inequality causes, for starters,
poverty, we all know that.
But it also leads, inevitably,
to wealth accumulation.
This said wealth is
the sine qua non of leisure and luxury,
which is the condition of possibility
for the progress in science and the arts.
So, here comes the big paradox,
because this alleged progress
is built upon the poverty of the majority.
He concludes by stating
that inequality is the root of all evil.
[knocking at the door]
Rousseau, a complete John Doe,
becomes an overnight celebrity.
Everybody in Paris is wondering
who this peasant is. Yes, Juan.
What's Rousseau's idea,
that there is no progress?
No. If anything, he's suggesting
that we don't get fooled by progress,
that it's not about being a scholar,
or cultured. We can be plain, simple,
even rustic, all that matters
is to be a good person.
Come on in.
Thanks, prof.
Good afternoon, mates.
These are key dramatic hours.
Latest measures prove
that this Government is a fraud,
not only to society,
but for the working people in particular.
We got smoke and mirrors
and, once again,
usurer bankers and foreign capital
lead the country.
"What is to be done?",
Lenin wondered back in 1902.shouldn't comma be placed before the closing inverted commas?
The answer remains the same.
We need to act up.
We deserve a better present
than the one we have now.
The Student Council is calling
all students to rise and protest.
It's crazy to be listening
to a teacher for four hours,
but we are all thinking
how to make ends meet.
We need to restore the scholarship budget.
Truth is, we don't need words.
It's time for action.
Thank you, prof.
Thank you.
- Professor.
- Yes, Susana.
What's gonna happen to classes
from now on?
As I said before,
Caselli's news caught us unprepared.
Well, academically, it's a mess.
But, don't worry.
Caselli's program will stay intact.
By the way, there's a homage
at the National Library today.
So, whoever wants to come, it'd be nice.
Okay, see you on Tuesday then.
- [student] See you.
- [professor] Bye, see you on Tuesday.
- Thank you, prof.
- Bye.
ALWAYS AT BATTLE
NATIONAL LIBRARY
[professor]
I'm here for Eduardo Caselli's homage.
[man]
Just your ID, please. Thank you.
Fifth floor.
Marcelo...
Marcelo Pena?
Rafael Sujarchuk.
Marce...
It's been ages.
I still can't believe it.
I heard he'd gone out jogging.
Is that right?
Such a dumb way to die.
I'm disturbed.
I can't even imagine how you must be.
- Still processing.
- I know.
So young, right?
[Marcelo]
Are you in Frankfurt now?
Yes, I'm still in Germany.
I'm kind of passing through here.
It's the holidays there now.
And San Andrs University
begged me to host a workshop
on ethical dilemmas
around artificial intelligence,
which is one of the subjects
I've been working on recently.
- Interesting.
- Very. Very interesting.
[lift beeps]
"I loved.
I was loved.
The sun caressed my face.
Life, you owe me nothing!
Life, we are at peace!"
[woman]
Thank you, Dean.
The first impression
I got from Eduardo Caselli as a professor
was pretty bad.
I was running late
for my first Political Philosophy class,
so I ran into the classroom,
breathless from the stairs.
I see this guy
with a lottery drum, the round type.
He was making it spin...
- Do you know if Professor Pena is here?
- He's right there.
Eduardo loved to raffle the contents
before the school year started.
[cell phone rings]
[woman 2]
Marce, it's your phone.
However, that same day,
after the first class on Leviathan,
I knew that I wanted
to be teaching next to this character.
For many years,
my favorite time of the week
was Saturday morning.
We had the faculty meeting
at Eduardo's place.
I would get there and find the croissants,
meticulously picked out,
the smell of coffee...
Who is going to convince us
that there is some kind of hope,
now that Eduardo is no longer with us?
Eduardo Caselli was like a fixed star.
- In the ancient times, for navigation...
- [baby cries]
...they used the stars as a guide.
Well, Eduardo was that.
An essential reference to comprehend
our standpoint in this world.
[mouths]
[speaks in German]
Nothing felt more becoming,
more suitable, than invoking Kant
on this sad occasion.
[murmurs] What a nerve, talking like that.
He barely knew Eduardo.
Kant says: "Happiness, Glckseligkeit,
is not an ideal of reason,
but of imagination."
[mutters] I heard he came back
because he's dating Vera Motta.
- Who?
- Vera Motta.
I don't know who she is.
Come on, Marcelo. You do.
She's a super famous actress!
I don't. No clue.
...I was not one of his teachers,
but I was his student.
I must confess that the only F
that I got during my college years,
I got it from Eduardo Caselli.
Just imagine how dispirited I was.
Eduardo, I know that you did that
just to moderate my high-spirited persona,
and today I can see that.
And I appreciate it.
[Dean]
Now I'd like to give the floor to Doris,
Eduardo's lifelong companion.
Doris, I want to say
that Puan is your home,
and we are your family.
[mutters] Aren't you going up?
You have to say something, Marcelo.
I met Eduardo...
in 1978, in Mexico.
Each of us had ended up there on our own.
We met at one of those
exiled people meetings.
He was handsome, gorgeous,
tall, funny. Very funny.
And he smoked Delicados,
a Mexican cigarette brand.
People smoked a lot back then.
I never really thought I'd fall
for a philosopher.
But Eduardo had something.
[cell phone rings]
[Doris] I believe he would have loved
this gathering, in this place. Right here.
Actually, no. Of all people,
Eduardo Caselli didn't want to die.
[woman] Marcelo, I'm tired of calling you.
Where were you?
You said they would be back on Saturday.
But they changed it to earlier.
Do you even see the group chat?
You're right, I got confused.
I'll be right there.
No, there's no need. My dad picked up
Manolo, he'll sleep over there.
Hey, I'm at Eduardo's homage now.
I'll call you later, okay?
Did you speak?
You should say something.
Yeah. I should, you're right, but... Oh!
Hello?
Hello? Hello?
- [woman] Marce, is everything alright?
- No...
- [woman] Come here.
- I've just dropped my phone. Look...
- Let me see.
- It crashed.
- Want help?
- It's not working, see.
- [woman] I'll check.
- [Marcelo] Hey, Pedro.
[woman]
This came off.
So narcissistic, this Sujarchuk guy.
- He went on in German, can you believe it?
- Such a jerk.
Have you heard?
They say he's dating Vera Motta.
She read his book and texted him.
He's handsome, isn't he? Cute.
- See if it works now.
- Let me see.
Where is the...?
- What are you looking for?
- My baby's diaper.
He's been pooping so much...
So runny and smelly. I'm a bit worried.
Marcelo, no! I'm sorry!
- Is it bad?
- Yes. Excuse me, wait.
- You have baby wipes?
- Wait. Yes, I do.
No, I ran out. Watch Pedro for two minutes
I'll run to the pharmacy.
Don't! Don't go. Come here.
- Are you sure? It's close by.
- It's okay, I'll find a restroom.
- I'm sorry.
- Is it too bad?
Yes. Just hold the jacket up like this.
What have you done?
[Rafael]
Marce, Marce.
Are you going to Doris's?
I convinced her that we all come
to her place for a drink,
and the idea spread amongst the gang.
It'll be good for her, right?
Care to join me? Let's go.
Sure, I'll go in a bit.
I'll take care of something first.
No, come on. Let's go together,
catch up. Come, Marce.
Come on, let's go pick up
some wines. Let's go.
Other professors are joining, they went
for some miga sandwiches and empanadas,
some of the very few things you can
actually enjoy in this nation, right?
Do you have a hip condition?
[indistinct conversation]
I'm still a guest scholar
at the New School.
It's been five years in a row.
Frankly, who doesn't like
to go to New York once a year?
And I'm considering an offer...
to take part
in the Contemporary Thinking Lab
at the Von Humboldt in Berlin.
Can you take this?
You must be thrilled.
Yes, but I don't want to get fossilized
under all the diplomas, Marce.
I'm a man of action,
I want to come back...
- To Europe.
- Marce, no.
Here. To Buenos Aires.
[cell phone vibrates]
I'm in love.
[clerk]
This is quite a selection.
No question we are in front of someone
with a sophisticated taste.
Total would be 93000 pesos.
Let's make it 90000
after a friendly discount.
[Rafael talking on the phone]
I'm assuming it'll be credit.
Don't you even dare, Marcelo. Please.
Thank you, sir.
[horns blaring]
It may sound funny, Marce,
but after 20 years of living in Germany,
you miss this type of mess like crazy.
- Sure.
- There's something about this chaos...
that works in favor
of new ideas, and disruption.
Over there, instead...
Connections are sort of...
cold, unpassionate...
And this doesn't happen.
[tango playing on radio]
Sometimes, I feel...
What?
Don't you smell it?
No.
Like a poo smell, no?
No, I don't smell anything.
- Let me see your shoes.
- No, I'm good.
Rafa, what's up? How are you doing?
It's been a while.
Last time was in Montreal, remember?
- Who else is here?
- Hi, Marce.
- [woman] There's Mai, she came back...
- Mai?
Yeah...
[knocking at the door]
One sec.
[knocking at the door]
Coming.
Sokol.
Marcelo.
[Marcelo]
Such a tragedy.
I have to pee.
[woman]
Are you okay, sir?
My pants got stained,
I grabbed a pair of Eduardo's.
I know the whole family. I know Lidia too,
she worked here for many years.
- Are you new? We haven't met.
- Who do you think I am?
I don't...
You'd be a rumi sonqo
in my homeland.
It's quechua.
My name is Isabel Choquehuanca,
Doctor in Philosophy,
Head Professor
at the El Alto Popular University,
and founder of the Imagination Workshop.
You're Professor Pena, right?
Yes.
I've been looking for you, professor.
I'm sorry.
- I have a proposition.
- For me?
Yes, Eduardo was my professor at Puan,
back in the 1980s.
Last year, I ran into him in UNAM,
at a congress on Maritegui.
I had begun to put together
this symposium in my country.
I went forward and I made an invitation.
- To whom?
- To Eduardo.
The symposium is called Latin American
Future. It's not merely academic,
but there will also be
artists, social leaders.
An eclectic mix, professor.
- Right. It's called Latin...?
- Latin American Future.
I'll cut to the chase,
I can see you are a little off.
I was wondering if you'd take
Eduardo's place and come to Bolivia.
I know you have been
Eduardo's right-hand man for years.
It'd mean a lot for us
if you could take his place.
I'm not sure
I'll be able to travel, because...
I'd have to revise the academic calendar.
When would this be?
In the spring.
I said this to Borgmann.
He was so pissed, he wanted to eat me up.
- [woman] Who?
- Albert Borgmann, never heard of him?
- I don't know who he is.
- It's Heidegger's late disciple,
who teaches at Montana University.
- [man] Yeah, I read about him.
- Have you met him?
[Rafael] We're together
in a research project, Albert and I.
Yeah. Infinite, virtuality...
We have to chip in for the empanadas.
I'm broke. I paid the nanny
and still didn't get paid myself.
We have to pay for the take-out.
Did you get paid?
- I didn't.
- Did you?
- No.
- Me neither.
- How much is it?
- 3000.
- Thanks.
- [Rafael] Here, tip is in there too.
I'd like to propose a toast to Eduardo.
- To Eduardo!
- To Eduardo!
- To Eduardo.
- Cheers!
To Doris!
[indistinct conversations]
Doris.
Marcelo.
I thought you'd speak, say something.
I couldn't do it.
I couldn't.
Maybe you don't know this,
but Marcelo was shy. Very shy.
Well...
Eduardo said to me: "There's
a new student, super smart, great reader,
quite stubborn too."
It was Marcelo.
I looked at him and thought:
"What's wrong with this guy?"
It was like I'd forgotten
all about the Buenos Aires melancholy.
You used to come over a lot, right?
To the tiny apartment
on Talcahuano Street.
We'd just gotten back,
we hadn't bought this house yet.
And he would spend hours, and hours,
and hours in the studio with Eduardo.
In silence, just sitting there.
I would walk by and think:
"Are they asleep? What's going on?"
But, no, they were thinking,
reading, philosophizing.
Marcelo was always hungry.
He would take anything I would offer.
Roasted chicken, tiramisu, an omelet,
croissants, empanadas.
He would happily go for it. Am I right?
- Or am I lying?
- No.
Can I ask you something?
What?
Would you sing "Niebla del Riachuelo"?
Eduardo loved it.
No. Here, now?
Marce, sing. You are so good.
I'm begging you.
Go, go, go. I'm sorry.
- Well.
- Look. Here it is.
Okay, just like that.
[all]
Come on.
- Would you enlarge it?
- This way is better.
[starts singing in a low voice]
- No, a little higher.
- Come on, Marcelo.
[starts singing and stops]
[all]
Come on!
Come on!
[starts singing]
[piano starts playing]
[sings in French]
[more people sing in French]
Go on.
[all humming]
[applause]
[Marcelo] "The moment the people are
legitimately assembled as a sovereign,
the jurisdiction of the government
wholly lapses,
the executive power is suspended,
and the person of the meanest citizen
is as sacred and inviolable
as that of the first magistrate..."
This is important.
"...the person of the meanest..."
- [Marcelo] Hey!
- [boy] Hi, dad.
[Marcelo]
How was it?
- Good, something funny happened.
- What?
- Mario's car got towed again.
- That's a fortune.
[boy]
It cost 30000 pesos.
You parked it on the corner again, Mario?
I have to throw it somewhere.
The towing service cost
goes way above inflation.
- It does? How much is a US dollar?
- Which kind?
Wait. Tell the whole story.
We had a blast.
This kid right here
had dinner at the Pizza Palace last night,
gulped three slices and two Cokes.
Vicky told us
to avoid that much gluten, Mario.
Marcelo,
the demonization of gluten is hideous.
You know how long
would humanity last without gluten?
- No.
- Two days.
- Dad, should I play "epilepsic"?
- What?
[boy] We were waiting at the pizza parlor,
and Mario told me to go "epilepsic".
It's called an epileptic,
and it's a serious condition,
not funny at all.
- [boy] Wanna see or not?
- Okay, but make it quick.
[Marcelo] It's way over the top,
you look like the Mummy.
- You said I was good.
- Come on, finish eating. That's your mom.
More subtle.
Just tiny movements.
When are you coming?
[Vicky] Honey, I'm not coming home now.
I'm going to Garn.
A TV reporter
will interview us on the co-ops.
Alright, see you later.
Yes, but it's a long day too.
There's a Culture Committee meeting today,
about the Festival, it's important...
If I don't see you today,
do I see you tomorrow?
No, I'll be home in the afternoon.
But I offered our home for the meeting.
I had no choice.
It'll take two hours or so.
Hello!
- Would you sign, prof?
- I'll come back later.
- Hi!
- Hello!
[imitates wind blowing]
I'm like a porcupine.
I'm cold, freezing.
I'm freezing. It's windy.
There's frost, fog, storms.
There's another porcupine next to me,
freezing too.
We lock eyes and instantly feel the urge
to keep each other warm.
So we come together.
But, as we do it,
us porcupines stab each other,
and that is why we tend to pull away.
Nonetheless, pulling away
means to be unbearably cold again.
So, we're looking at the dilemma...
of hurting each other or dying.
We want to start moving,
until we get to the right distance
that allows us to not hurt each other
badly, nor freeze to death.
Wait.
Think of the state as that distance.
I'm sorry, you can't use this restroom.
Excuse me, this is a non-binary restroom.
Are you non-binary?
No, I don't know. I'm sorry.
[woman on TV] We're back on
Amanda Longo's Because So.
We're jumping to Garn, to what looks like
a workers-owned factory situation.
Robertino, can you hear me?
Please, fill us in.
[Robertino] Hi, Amanda. That's right.
I'm here with Vicky,
she's a labor attorney and
the legal representative for MadyGraf.
Vicky, thank you for talking to us.
Can you turn it up?
Hi, Amanda. How are you?
Vicky, here we go.
My crew did a little research on you.
There's this interview you did
last year, in which you implied
that one of the key solutions
to our nation's problems
would be to remove all men
from the positions of power.
Vicky, is that your ultimate goal?
I'd rather tell the audience
that this factory,
owned by its workers,
is demanding final expropriation.
I get to decide
what's interesting for my show.
You know what?
We don't like hate speeches.
This is a hate speech.
You're very difficult to talk to.
Every day, I wake up and try to build
a better future for the community.
I wonder what your drive is.
What's your motivation?
Don't be disrespectful,
because that's not sisterhood.
My point is, this factory
sets a clear example of struggle,
hard work, organization, creativity.
And us women can be leaders
in the collective production.
If we can lead a factory,
we can lead a nation. Thank you.
[woman]
I'm working now.
If he has a fever, give him ibuprofen.
If it doesn't go down, a bit more.
I was talking to the academic secretary,
in regards to the next steps
on Caselli's classes.
For this month,
I'll be in charge, and...
Excuse me, I thought that,
since we're on Rousseau right now,
it made sense
that I were in charge for now.
I don't know.
- If you want that...
- [man] Okay, let's take turns.
Jazmn goes up today,
next time, Marcelo, and so on. Thank you.
So what's gonna happen
once the semester is over?
First things first. We have to cover
four hours of class for 300 students.
And Eduardo is gone. Exams are soon,
the end of the school year...
- Will there be an open call?
- I wanted to address that.
I got a call from the dean.
She got an email from Rafael Sujarchuk,
about the examination dates.
They are announcing
the dates and conditions this week.
What a nerve, this guy!
We're still trying to figure out
how to cover this semester,
- and he's already sneaking in?
- Do you know him well?
We were classmates ages ago.
He's gotten the Frankfurt vibes now.
He's in this interdisciplinary research
group with Albert Borgmann and Maldacena.
- Albert Bergmann?
- Borgmann, Marcelo, with an O.
He's a Heidegger's late disciple
that teaches at Montana University.
Does any of that matter?
If Rafael wants to be in the faculty,
he'll have to stick to the process
we've followed for years,
- despite Bergmann.
- Borgmann.
This is an academic legacy,
we can't let it blow into pieces.
And this guy hasn't set foot
in this university in 20 years.
He's used to different work dynamics
and resources.
- Let alone salaries.
- [woman] Did you get paid?
- No.
- Not yet.
[Jazmn]
I agree with Marcelo,
this Sujarchuk guy
is trying to take advantage.
Truth is, when a colleague brings in
their experience from abroad,
the university is enriched, the faculty
gains prestige, students benefit from it.
Is he really dating Vera Motta?
- [Marcelo] I don't see how that matters.
- [woman] I agree with Marcelo.
Rafael is the kind of guy
that endangers the sense of belonging.
- He will never belong in Puan.
- Sorry to interrupt, but...
I see a deep lack of critical thinking
towards our study program.
We're still teaching state theory,
social contract, Leviathan. Great.
But things have changed,
there's a whole world out there
that does not match
the 17th century labels.
It's time to open up to new ideas,
and a guy like Sujarchuk could be
the perfect breath of fresh air...
How shameful, waiting for Eduardo
to be dead to express yourself.
I mean, because...
Let's not get caught on false antinomies.
The faculty needs a head professor.
I don't have the background for it.
I have no interest in applying again.
What about you, Marcelo?
- What?
- [woman] Do you have the credits?
I'm not sure, I guess. I have to check.
You have to apply,
we can't just give up on it.
Also, you know Eduardo
would have wanted you to do it.
[man]
I agree with you, Marcelo. I'm with you.
[cell phone ringing]
- Hello.
- Professor Pena?
- Yes. Who is this?
- Isabel Choquehuanca, from Bolivia.
How are you doing, professor?
Sorry to bother you,
I just wanted to remind you
that it'd mean a lot
if you could come
to our symposium.
Right, but the timing is not good at all.
We're reorganizing the faculty,
it's a big mess.
We have over 400 students,
exams are coming up, bad timing.
Can I ask you...? Is there some sort
of fare money, compensation. Anything?
It's a grassroots event,
there are no funds for that.
[horn blares]
[tires screech]
Fucking fatso, pay attention! Come on!
Fatso?
What's your problem?
Are you a little sensitive, moron?
[bell rings]
- Hello.
- Good afternoon.
- Did you check in with the guard?
- He buzzed me in. He knows me, Luisa.
You have to announce yourself,
like anybody does, Marcelo.
I'm not anybody,
I've been teaching here for five years.
Also, my class is at 4 PM.
It's 4 PM now.
The madam was having back pain,
I had to call the masseur.
I can't wait. She can have the massage
if she needs it. Call me...
Come on in, Marcelo. Let me ask her.
This is the philosophy teacher.
[Luisa]
Thanks, Adri. You are a doll.
- You made her feel much better.
- [Adri] It's my pleasure.
- [Luisa] Bye.
- See you soon.
When she's ready,
I'm coming for you.
[Marcelo]
So he asks himself a question.
Right.
Why is there something
instead of nothing?
Heidegger says that humans are
the only entities capable of asking that.
- What is an entity, Marcelo?
- An entity is a thing.
If it can be defined,
it's an entity, Amelia.
- Am I an entity, for instance?
- Excellent question.
Heidegger's boldness resides in telling us
that, although humans are entities,
human existence belongs
in a different order.
- What kind of order?
- That's what's complex here, so...
Heidegger pulled a masterful trick.
He distorted the language.
I mean, he made up a word for it.
The word is Dasein.
What does it mean?
It could be rendered as "being there."
Being there, where?
Being there in the world, Amelia.
I'm completely lost, Marcelo.
You only need to understand
that existing is an action, a motion.
And this motion
is the only thing that can save us
from the terrible danger of the Fall.
Like my friend Chochi?
She fell down in the street, broke
her hips, and now needs a cane. That?
No, I'm talking about
a different type of falling.
Let's see, do you feel anguish
every once in a while?
Right, I surely do.
What makes you feel that way?
So many things about life, Marcelo.
So you do exist, Amelia.
You are safe from the Fall.
- I am?
- Sure, the entities that keep falling,
and do not exist completely,
are actually fleeing,
running forward as they try to imitate
any established model out there,
not asking themselves questions,
and, for Heidegger, that's not existing.
So what is it?
That's functioning, Amelia.
It's what most of the people do,
functioning is not existing.
You exist when you are willing
to jump into the void,
when you dare to experiment the unknown,
all that produces vertigo.
Your existence harbors there, Amelia.
- Excuse me, ma'am.
- Yes, Luisa.
- Thank you, Luisa.
- Are you comfortable?
Yes, darling. Thank you.
I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.
Alright.
Amelia, let's take a little jump in time,
let's get into French existentialism.
- Is that okay?
- Yes.
We'll refer to Camus's The Stranger.
Mersault is sauntering
along the seashore in Algiers,
looking at the Mediterranean Sea.
He's dwelling on his thoughts,
and, suddenly,
an Algerian, an Arab man, walks by.
Something is bothering him,
it's the sunlight.
It's the sunlight hitting on his face...
as he stares into the Mediterranean Sea.
[vacuum humming]
[vacuum stops]
[Marcelo mutters]
Luisa!
Luisa!
She dozed off, I'm heading out.
But the class is not over
for another 15 minutes.
It's over, she's asleep.
I know she pays you by the hour.
Right, but she dozed off. I'm leaving.
- [turns on vacuum]
- No, no!
[vacuum humming]
- Go on, Marcelo. I'm listening.
- Yes.
You were talking about...
nothingness, the idea of being.
Let's move on to another subject.
Let's discuss the absolute.
[Luisa stops vacuum]
Remember when we discussed
the many layers of reality?
[singing a baguala]
[door opening]
[woman goes on singing]
- Where's Manolo?
- At Cata's.
- How are you doing?
- Good.
- [applause]
- So, how did the class go?
- I wasn't in charge, Jazmn was.
- Oh.
It's good for her to get some training,
and also...
- Marcelito, have you seen Vicky on TV?
- Yes.
She nailed it. I loved
how you shut that cunt's ass.
- No. So embarrassing.
- No, you did great.
- I don't like being on the media.
- But you're good at it.
Have you seen my storage blue boxes?
- I need to find some documents...
- I haven't seen them.
It's important, it's for the credits.
Vicky, we need to go.
The girls want to wrap up soon.
It's important, it's for the credits.
- But I haven't seen them.
- I need them, something happened.
I haven't seen them, I don't know.
There are some kids in the bedroom.
One of the girls needed help, so...
[women talking]
[children talking and laughing]
We're playing ball, Mr. Ass.
Mr. Ass.
A planet is falling down.
If I may, I need to get through.
You can play here,
and I take this little space on my bed.
[Marcelo]
Mind the TV, be careful with the ball.
[shouts]
- [Marcelo shouts and laughs]
- [children laugh]
- Dad.
- What?
What are your talents?
That's a good question.
What's it for, may I ask?
We were asked to write down
three talents of our family members.
- For the Family Festival.
- Good.
The best talent will get selected.
There will be a bunch of stuff,
concerts, workshops, food,
- a book sale, I think.
- [Vicky calls Manolo]
- Have you asked your mom?
- Yes, I wrote down seven items.
[Vicky]
Sit down for breakfast.
- Alright.
- Please.
Let's see:
I can philosophize upside down,
I can sing a tango.
- I can do a mime act.
- Mime?
- Yes.
- I'm not writing that one down.
I put an envelope with cash in your bag.
Give it to Camilo's mom for the T-shirt.
Okay.
Peque, please have her wait for me.
It's a sensitive issue, let's discuss it.
[Marcelo]
Is that a new phone?
Yes, the old one was not working,
battery lasted for two hours.
You can change the battery, no need
to purchase the most expensive phone.
- Some inexpensive phones are great.
- Marcelo, it's a work tool.
You stay out of this.
Keep the place tidy.
Daniela will be showing it today.
- Bye, sweetie.
- Bye.
- Good luck in the projects.
- What?
Aren't you starting
Philosophy in the Projects?
Is it today?
I completely forgot about it.
Alright.
- You need a planner.
- Drink up, come on.
Have you done this for a while?
Philosophy?
- I'd say a lifetime.
- How nice.
We'll make a quick stop,
to pick up the Gendarmerie guard.
The what?
All the teachers in the program
are assigned a guard,
like an escort. It's a mere formality.
Hi, good afternoon.
- [guard] See you later.
- [woman] See you, good luck.
Hello.
- Professor.
- How are you?
Good, and you?
Flavia! How is the deal with payment?
Should I send you the invoice?
Right, after 60 working days,
you'll receive the transfer. Let's go.
It's a nice group.
They're waiting for you.
Are you sitting here for two hours?
Yes, professor.
Don't worry, I'm used to it.
- Come in.
- Where?
- The classroom.
- There's no need.
Yes, there is. Come in.
Come on, let's go.
[Marcelo] Philosophers,
they are passionate about knowledge.
What do they do?
They ask question,
they keep asking questions.
[woman]
Like children?
- How is that? What's your name?
- Teresa.
Teresa, how is that?
They are super curious.
They ask questions and dig deeper.
Why this, why that. They don't stop.
This illustrates why having a degree
doesn't make you a philosopher.
Take me, I'm a Philosophy major,
and I'm just a philosophy teacher.
That happens
because philosophy is a way of life,
it's about asking yourself questions.
Not just silly or plain questions.
No, no.
The uncomfortable questions,
the kind that makes you think.
Here's an example.
Here in the classroom, amongst us,
someone is carrying a gun.
Evaristo, can you introduce yourself?
- Hey, what's up?
- [students] Hello.
I'll be here with the professor.
It's a program between Gendarmerie
and the City Administration,
to ensure safety during class.
Why does a philosophy teacher
need to be escorted by a guard?
This is not about you
as a person, Evaristo.
We may like you as a person,
care for you. It's not about that.
We're talking about Evaristo
as a public servant.
Because you are representing
the Government right now.
There's a 17th century English thinker
called Thomas Hobbes.
He wrote this book called Leviathan.
Hobbes...
He says that
the natural condition of mankind
is a state of war of all against all,
and there is no hope
of building something for tomorrow.
"Life is solitary,
poor, brutish, and short."
So...
Without Evaristo here,
it'd be the law of the jungle,
with Evaristo here, we're repressed.
So what do we do?
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
CLASSIC PHILOSOPHY
VERA ON THE RED CARPEUNSTOPPABLE
VERA AND RAFAEL HOW THEY MEAND THEIR SHARED TASTES
I'm sorry, I don't see
how this gossip is related
to all the problems that we're having.
[explosion outside]
- [man speaking over PA]
- [siren blaring]
[explosions]
Don't worry.
Professor, don't worry.
Sit down. It's nothing.
Don't worry, guys. It's alright.
Don't be scared, take it easy.
We're good.
They're leaving.
Take it easy. Enjoy.
Hello, good afternoon.
How are you doing?
[students answer]
From what I know,
Professor Jazmn Lutzky discussed
Rousseau's second speech, right?
Let's wait for more students,
I wonder why we're just a few today.
- I'm sorry, professor.
- Yes, Anbal.
I'm a teacher
at an inner city high school.
We always get books donated,
and I got this,
and I was reading it.
Right, Maritegui is a Peruvian thinker,
who understood The Social Contract
very well.
But we go straight into Rousseau.
The course is short,
so we can't get ahold of all
that comes from Rousseauian ideas.
Excuse me, professor.
I was at the masterclass.
Masterclass?
Professor Rafael Sujarchuk's,
at the lecture hall.
Well...
[Rafael] ...nature has produced
a dull, horrible world.
This world, the one we live in.
A world that is in decline, as we witness
the extinction of the beautiful,
the common, the vital.
Who would think
of erecting human interaction
from such a negative emotion
as it is fear?
[mutters]
Thank you.
This is Spinoza.
A Jew that was excommunicated
and led a nomad life
in the 17th century,
whose only possession was a bed.
Unlike Hobbes, Spinoza didn't think
that only fear could build community.
On the contrary, Spinoza believed
that humans had the power
of acting and bonding
around our joyful passions.
Back then, Spinoza lost the battle,
Hobbes prevailed, and here we are.
[light laughter]
Now let's try to imagine this
for a moment...
Let's think of a society
that is not based on fear.
We are part of a big crowd, where
an individual's pain is everybody's pain,
where joy is the first right.
I'm not a prophet, but let me warn you,
the streets will show us the way soon.
Our only choice is to reinvent,
once and for all,
the old archaic pact of fear.
Thank you very much.
I loved it.
[speaking in German]
Rafael!
Rafael.
What's up, Marce?
How are you doing?
I saw you back there.
You came to see me, how nice.
No. Honestly, I don't care for your ideas.
I'm here to say how lame it is
to have your masterclass
right at the same time
of our class. That's it.
I didn't schedule it, Marcelo.
- I had no clue.
- I see what you're doing.
- Excuse me?
- Prof.
You think that Caselli's program
is old and outdated.
So you come here to dazzle us natives
with your smoke and mirrors, right?
Marcelo, I couldn't care less
about this class.
I'm super late for two papers
for a Stanford compilation,
the dean begged me.
[Marcelo] You did your tricks to get
the lecture hall,
and scheduled it right in time
for our class. Who do you think you are?
Honestly, who the fuck
do you think you are?
- Calm down.
- I am calm.
This is not the Middle Ages.
Puan is not a fiefdom.
You are not the chief of the tribe.
- You're being a bit elitist.
- What?
- Nothing.
- Just like that you call me elitist.
Hello, hello.
- [Vera] How are you doing?
- Good, you?
Vera, Marcelo.
My pleasure, what's up?
How did the class go, honey?
Was it good?
[Rafael]
Very good, such a warm crowd.
[Vera] Great. I wanted to be there,
but I got stuck filming.
Vera is the lead in a very important film.
Co-starring with Viggo Mortensen.
- Yeah, I saw the photos.
- What photos?
The movie. I watched it.
Really? How sweet. Which one?
[student] Oh my God, it's an honor
to have you in Puan.
- Can we get a picture? Come.
- Yeah, of course.
Like that? Come, love.
[Vera]
Everybody.
His name is Carlos.
I met him on this app.
He's not getting any younger, he works
at the Central Bank. He's quite a stud.
- This is his place.
- Have you been?
[woman] No, he's married.
He owns a jet boat, I'll show it to you.
Every Tuesday, we go
deep into the River Plate.
- So late, Marcelo.
- Hey.
Now that Marcelo is here,
let me sum it up for you, guys.
[rings bell] Two bedrooms. A small one
for the kid, the other one, for you.
We can't really bargain.
So you keep it shut in there, quiet.
You hate it, you are not interested,
If anything, you talk to me.
Are we clear?
Watch your step.
[Vicky]
What was this place before?
It belonged to my grandfather,
then it was a daycare,
then it was illegally occupied
for a brief period, but I got it back.
[woman]
Alright, the other bedroom...
That room is fantastic.
It has good vibes.
This is the best I could get
for your budget.
Or we could try other areas.
This plot is a great investment.
You buy it, you sell it in two years time
for construction purposes,
it could go up to six or seven stories.
[indistinct conversation]
[Marcelo]
They look like diplomas,
they may read "certificate," "seminar"...
- [Manolo] I think I found something.
- What does it say?
[Manolo] SADAF, Argentinian Society
of Philosophical Analysis.
No, that's analytic philosophy.
I told you, that's not relevant
for the examination.
Political philosophy.
Hobbes, Locke, who else?
- Rousseau.
- Perfect, look into that box.
You should have organized this better
if you wanted to take the examination.
I didn't know.
Sometimes you don't want something
until someone else does.
You don't want something
just because someone else wants it.
At this point, you should have
your own dreams, don't you think?
I don't know. Why don't you help me
find the documents? This is not helping.
I'm on it.
[computer dings]
You were selected for the talent show.
- Really, me?
- Yes, they want you to sing a tango.
Another dad is cooking locro.
That's fantastic. I'll be there.
It's nice that the seventh-graders
are drawing a raffle.
- They are?
- For the graduation trip, yes.
- What's the prize?
- A bunch of home appliances.
A toaster, a microwave, things like that.
It's gonna be awesome.
[coach] Stop, stop.
You don't want to let him
come at you first.
Don't let him attack you,
you have to defend yourself,
and attack first,
make the first move, yes?
Let's do it again, let's see what you got.
[cell phone rings]
- Hi.
- [Amelia] Hi, Marcelo.
Sorry to bother you.
Can you talk now?
Yes. I hear you, Amelia.
There's been a last-minute setback,
and maybe you can help me.
I'm turning 85 years old this Saturday.
Really? That's great.
It will be a big party. I'm having friends
from all places, my whole family.
I hired this magician, one of the best.
But I've just heard
that he has been arrested.
I'm not sure what he's into.
So you're left without a magician.
And that is why
you came to mind, Marcelo.
I thought of a philosophical show.
What do you think?
It's a great idea,
my girlfriends will love it.
I don't do philosophical shows.
I'm paying you in US dollars, Marcelo.
I can't, I'm really busy at the moment.
It's not going to take long,
and, Marcelo,
you know, this could be my last birthday.
MAGAZINES
I don't understand why you're so terrified
to be examined for a position.
At the end of the day,
it's the rules, right?
I'm terrified
because I'll be out of a job.
If Rafael gets it,
the first thing he'll do is get rid of me.
Don't you see it?
This is all I have.
SEMINAR - WAGE LABOR ACCORDING TO MARX
I'm not the queen of anything.
I don't get pulled over for a selfie.
The only place where I'm someone is Puan.
Doris, I wanted you to know
that I'm applying for the head position.
Yes, the other professors told me.
Did they?
When did you see them?
They were here.
They came over to take some books.
Rafael was here too.
Oh...
- Did he take books too?
- Yes, he wanted a few.
I don't know, I just gave them to him.
Especially a few in German.
And he also invited me for dinner
at her girlfriend Vera Motta's.
They were so sweet, it was nice.
He served octopus, played the piano.
That's when the guys told me.
So, what did they say?
What everybody at Puan knows.
He's been pulling the strings,
and it seems like he managed
to open the examination call in no time,
and Beatriz, our dean, is siding with him.
I believe you'll get
the head professor position,
but it won't be easy.
Yes, I know.
I wanted to tell you myself, and...
I'm doing this mainly for Eduardo.
I've taught his program for years,
so I'm the most qualified
to ensure its continuity.
Continuity...
How long has it been
since Caselli's taken you under his wing?
A long time.
Have you ever thought
of doing something else?
I don't know, I'm just saying.
Searching for a voice of your own,
more personal, more you.
It's like you guys are compelled
to cling on to Puan,
as if there was nothing else in the world.
It's like a cult.
[laughs]
Maybe I'm completely off,
and you're happy with Eduardo's program.
Me, personally, I'm not going
to make my life
a living mausoleum of Eduardo Caselli.
I'm moving on,
doing my thing.
I'm going to visit friends, I'm going...
to live.
[distant music playing]
- [distant thud]
- [music stops]
OUR AMERICAS
[phone rings]
This is the only room
I didn't dare to enter yet.
I'm sorry, I just walked in. Excuse me.
He was preparing
for a seminar in Bolivia.
We were going to travel together.
Have you heard of it?
Yes, I talked to the professor
that's organizing it.
Why is it called Latin American thinking,
instead of Latin American philosophy?
I don't get it.
I've never heard such a thing
like European thinking.
That's because there isn't a tradition,
but it's a matter of discussion.
This is Eduardo's last notebook.
Here.
Take it.
Thank you.
[Marcelo]
Today I'd like to talk about death.
You may say: "What a bummer,
let's talk about something else."
But, let me tell you,
one day we will all be gone.
So, why not ask ourselves
questions about it?
So, let me ask:
What is to die?
I'd say it's an eternal rest.
We don't quite know
because we haven't died yet.
Vivi is right, it's like Epicurus says.
I can't speak about death
because I'm alive, and when I die,
I'll be dead,
and I won't be able to speak.
I have this recurring dream,
in which I'm flying,
so I guess I must've been a bird
in a past life, I don't know.
I keep dreaming that I'm flying.
There was an ancient thinker
called Heraclitus.
He said that there isn't a time for death,
but we start dying the day we are born.
It's as if life was a progression,
some sort of continuous,
constant, permanent motion,
which never stops, it is flowing nonstop,
thus nothing is fixed.
Another thinker, Parmenides,
had a completely opposite view
from Heraclitus'.
He said that
what truly exists is changeless,
it never moves.
It remains the same.
Plato went back to these two sources,
Heraclitus and Parmenides.
He said: "What Heraclitus said is true,
he's right."
Everything flows, moves,
bodies get corrupted.
If you'd met me 30 years ago,
you'd have said:
"There goes Marcelo,
the long-haired philosophy student."
You met me now and you'd go: "There goes
Marcelo, the bald philosophy professor."
Which of these Marcelos is Marcelo?
Upon this, what Plato does
is take Parmenides and say,
pay attention,
there is something in this reality
that is indeed changeless,
it doesn't change, it remains the same,
something in the divine order.
That something, for Plato, was the soul.
Plato was highly influenced
by these topics, for he had been a witness
to his master Socrates' death.
Here's a very nice passage,
in which Plato happens to narrate
the episode of Socrates' death.
So he says, after he had been
condemned to death:
"The warden gave him the hemlock."
Meaning the poison.
"Socrates started growing cold and rigid.
When the poison reached his heart,
Socrates would be gone.
So, he said his last words:
'We owe a cock to Aesculaplius,
make the offering, and don't forget.'
'It will be done, ' replied the disciple.
'Is there anything else?'"
And that question remained unanswered.
- That meat pie looks delicious.
- Yes, it's the madam's favorite.
I made it for her, keep your hands off.
- Good evening.
- Hello.
How do you do? I'm Chochi.
- Hello.
- How are you, Luisa?
I'm a friend of Amelia's,
nice to meet you. Are you busy?
- I'm a friend too.
- All the way since high school.
- [Chochi] My dear Luisa.
- Ma'am.
We're hungry.
We were the first to arrive.
The ladies are so fine-looking!
- So pretty!
- Hi.
- Are you the magician?
- No.
- Are you doing a trick for us?
- I'm not the magician.
I'm not a magician.
I'm doing a different kind of show.
- What kind of show?
- Kids...
Could you please go to the living room?
I'll be right there with you.
- [all] Alright.
- [Luisa] I'm busy, go to the living room.
I'll be right there with you.
[Chochi] Do something meaningful, nice.
That makes a good memory.
- The philosophy professor, Marcelo.
- Yes.
- Silvita, the eldest. How are you?
- My pleasure.
It's so nice to have you here with us.
An honor, such an eminence.
I've heard so much about you.
Since my mom started taking your classes,
she seems way sharper.
She tells me that it's like a journey
to the depths of existence. Or something.
Thank you.
You know what?
I have a little favor to ask you.
My mom called me this morning,
quite distressed, sobbing.
She wanted to cancel the party.
She got a call from her doctor
saying that she needs hip surgery.
- Awful.
- A sensitive matter.
On top of that, she took some
sleeping pills and had a little drink.
Such a mess, she grew very unstable.
She's in a super cranky mood,
she won't stand a philosophy show.
- She won't?
- The guests will get bored too.
- Should I leave?
- No, no way. You are already here.
Maybe you could make
my mother laugh.
- Laugh?
- Yes.
- A few philosophical jokes.
- Jokes?
Maybe philosophical songs?
- Let me see, I could sing a tango.
- No, not a tango.
No chance, it's so depressing.
Something chirpy that amuses her.
Something easy.
But please make it funny.
[bell rings]
I'll be right back. Just one second.
[Luisa]
Welcome. Come on in.
Thank you so much, dear Luisa.
How are you, Mr. Rodolfo?
- Happy to see you.
- Thank you.
Come in, the show is about to start.
[Silvita]
That's Rody!
- Hello, hello.
- How are you doing?
Hi, Rodolfo. How are you?
- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
- Hello, dear. How are you?
- Hi, Rodo.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Luisa.
- How are you doing?
- Not good.
I'm not good.
I'm upset.
- The day I die...
- [Silvita] Don't say that!
- Quiet!
- Don't say things like that!
You will rush to the notary,
all dressed up...
- [Silvita] This is a party, your birthday.
- Yes, honey, but...
- You'll pay for a death notice...
- Yes, mom...
[Silvita] It's your birthday celebration,
why don't we switch the angle?
We have fun, make a toast.
See how pretty you are? She's gorgeous.
[Amelia] I know what you all want
from this old hag.
[Silvita]
Don't say that, please!
Look who's here.
Check the costume I've put together
for him. Introduce him, mom.
This is my philosophy teacher.
[Silvita] Luisa, turn off the music,
we're playing a game.
The ones in the back, please come.
Come over, please.
[cheering]
Marcelo! Come on, let's hear it.
Okay, enough.
[Silvita]
Seven words.
- [Silvita] It's charades.
- Seven words.
[woman]
A statue!
It's Greek.
- [woman] The last three?
- Flourishing.
- [Silvita] Fireworks.
- Jesus.
This is not what I wanted, Marcelo!
Do the Heidegger thing!
- What's Heidegger?
- He knows.
[woman]
Talking.
- [Silvita] I know, that's a bloated chest.
- Wolfing down.
- Come on, play.
- [Silvita] Rody, you play too.
[Amelia]
Marcelo, I wanted philosophy.
Tell him this is not what we agreed.
I really appreciate it,
but this is not working, Marcelo.
Leave the tablecloth in there.
- Is this what you're learning?
- Not at all.
[woman]
Cheers. To Amelia.
[all chanting]
Amelia, Amelia, Amelia!
I'm sorry, we'll think of something else.
Let's do the Brazilian Carnival,
a little conga line.
Luisa, turn up the music and bring
the pie. People are hungry. Come on.
[all singing]
Happy birthday to you.
[indistinct audio]
[Vicky] Where are you?
Manolo and I are waiting for you.
He's a bit jumpy. He's told the whole
class that his dad is singing a tango.
Are you nearby?
- [voices on TV]
- [door opens]
I thought it was next week,
I got confused.
No big deal. The talent show
was so boring, they all sucked.
- I really wanted to sing.
- [Manolo] It's okay, it was a disaster.
Listen, I'll call the school this week,
and we set a date for me to visit.
Don't worry, it's okay.
[Vicky] Tell him the truth,
tell him what you told me.
You were announced,
he was expecting you.
[Manolo]
It's okay.
Let's play cards.
Come on.
You're the board.
- I'm the board?
- Yes, you are.
[Manolo]
Cut.
I'm sorry.
It's fine.
It's okay.
You go.
[woman] Rafael is giving a lecture,
and then it's your dad's turn.
My dad found his credits.
That's important,
but the better lecturer gets the job.
We are here to support him.
Look at him, he's so nervous.
Marcelo.
[mutters]
Go for it.
We'll see.
Professor Pena,
Sujarchuk is about to finish.
You're up in five minutes.
Aren't you staying for his closing?
No, I've heard enough.
You have a tough opponent, Marcelo.
Yes, I know.
Be accurate in your presentation
of the contents.
But, above it all, highlight
the importance of Caselli's legacy,
which you know better than anyone.
Mention all those years of hard work
invested in trying to keep up
the high level in this university.
Try to touch the jury's heart.
You get me, right?
Good luck.
[man]
Professor Pena.
THE DISAPPEARED, PRESENSTUDENTS AGAINST BUDGET CUTS
ALWAYS AT BATTLE
[woman] I got this picture
from the guy I'm seeing,
the one from the app,
who works at the Central Bank.
What about those armored trucks?
Every night, four of these
leave from the Central Bank cellar.
Cargo planes wait at the airport.
It's happening, they are going abroad.
- Who is going abroad?
- The dollars.
By Friday, there won't be a single
dollar bill in the country. It's crack.
You have to sell.
Take any offer we get on the apartment,
anything would be better than nothing.
I know what I'm saying.
This is a very serious matter.
If this is true,
I need to start making calls.
[cell phone rings]
Marcelo, phone's ringing!
You guys will never move
if you don't take a jump.
You'll die right here
in this tiny apartment.
- Rafael.
- I'm not picking up.
Pick up, it's your colleague.
Don't be such a baby!
- I'm not picking up.
- The one that got the job?
Hi, Rafael.
It's Vicky, how are you doing?
Marcelo is not in. I'll pass along
the message like in the old days.
Your voice is beautiful.
You're a doll.
Nobody's said that in a long time.
He's hot.
He's dating Vera Motta, I saw it on TV.
[Vicky]
Sure, bye.
- So?
- So what?
What does he want?
He'll be at the Socrates Caf
in the morning.
- No way I'm going.
- [Vicky] You are going.
- You have to.
- You will.
You go and congratulate him
on the examination outcome.
And you listen to what he has to say.
And you give my card:
Daniela Furman Real Estate.
[TV reporter] ...the price of the dollar
is going up nonstop.my translation
[Rafael]
It was pure luck, Marce.
The proceedings are on the second floor,
you can go ahead and read them.
They were highly laudatory for both.
I called you because I want you
to be my associate professor.
Wait, I'm not asking you
to adapt to my program.
You'd have carte blanche
to organize your own contents,
so that Caselli's program stays on.
- I appreciate it, but...
- I know what you're gonna say, Marce.
I've lost examinations too,
it's not the end of the world, you know?
I say
we share the title: Sujarchuk-Pena.
And the program would be top-notch,
people would talk about it.
I need you, Marce.
I've been revising the students roll,
the curriculum...
It's much bigger than I thought,
I don't know how Caselli managed,
having just a few teachers,
and so much to do.
Besides, at some point next month,
I'll have to be back in Frankfurt
for a seminar.
They pay in euros, you know.
I believe we could make a great team.
Let me think about it.
[indistinct conversation]
[man] It's a public university,
anyone can walk in.
What's happening?
It seems like the university
went bankrupt and they won't let us in.
- What do you mean bankrupt?
- I don't know. We're closed.
[student]
We deserve an explanation.
I got a call from the union,
saying that the building will stay closed.
This is a complete disaster.
It seems there are no funds
for the rest of the year,
and it will stay closed.
That's ridiculous. We have to wrap
the term, the rector has to come, and...
- [Jazmn] They say he has resigned.
- He resigned?
- Is it confirmed?
- [Jazmn] No, it's a hearsay.
Professor, speak up,
we all want to know.
But I don't know what to say.
There are back-to-back resignations,
and I don't know where it stops.
It's not just UBA, they're sending
messages from all provinces.
It seems they're shutting down
all national universities.
[all commenting]
[student]
It's insane.
Listen up, I was just in the rectorship.
This is a tragedy.
They've cut the power and gas supply
in all the faculties.
The radio says there's an exchange rate
swing. There'll be a press conference.
The rectorship just tweeted
that the Ministry of Education
stated there are no funds.
"At this moment,
the UBA was declared insolvent,
and it will stop paying salaries
and supplies until further notice."
Until further notice?
I have to pay the nanny.
Fellow classmates, let's do something.
Let's block the streets!
[everyone agrees]
- Let's go to the rectorship.
- What's the point? He resigned.
Why don't we pull out the chairs
and block the street?
I agree. Let's block the street,
pull out the chairs,
and have an open class.
- I agree with Marcelo.
- Me too.
- I also agree.
- Rafael, what's your thought?
I'd wait a bit to understand
the scope of the situation.
Also, shouldn't we ask for a permit
to block the street?
[all commenting]
[shouting]
[horns blaring]
[indistinct audio]
[indistinct audio]
[quarreling]
They want to make us believe
that this university is a utopia,
but you, us, we are a fortress!
Good afternoon, everybody.
I'm sorry to carry such bad news.
This morning, we,
the authorities of this university,
were surprised
by this catastrophic scenario.
The UBA is leaderless and bankrupt.
There is a pretty solid political decision
of not providing us with further budget.
This means that, right now,
Puan has ceased to exist.
[all]
No!
We have to prepare ourselves
for a long battle.
But it's not the first time,
nor will be the last,
we have defended
our ideas with our bodies.
Let's resist!
Rafael, you're the head professor,
you have to speak.
Go.
For those that don't know me,
I'm Rafael Sujarchuk.
Today, I was supposed to teach
the first class
as Head Professor of Political Philosophy.
Even though the university is closed,
we'll still have the class.
Let's try and see thinking
as a form of resistance.
So, let's open the class with a question.
The question is:
What is the People?
Please take a minute of silence...
[police siren approaching]
...to try and think of an answer...
to that question.
- [Rafael] What is the People?
- [indistinct audio]
Good morning.
[police officer]
Are you in charge here?
I'm Professor Marcelo Pena.
Professor, I need you to please move
your gathering onto the sidewalk,
so street traffic can be resumed.
Excuse me. You have to understand
that this is a serious situation.
[Marcelo] Our salaries have been cut,
and we got no proper explanation.
I see, but I need you
to move this onto the sidewalk,
so I can resume
the street traffic back to normal.
Perfect. Let me inform the group.
[Marcelo]
Is that possible? Great.
Fellow classmates,
police is informing us
that we have to unblock the street.
No!
[Marcelo] The police officers
are public servants, just like we are,
so they must know
that we owe each other solidarity.
So I'm asking the policemen to let us
decide, through an assembly voting,
whether we are unblocking
the street or not.
By no means, I have the power
to decide it and unblock the street.
Please, let's calmly proceed to voting,
so that the police chief sees that
this is a decision made by the community,
and not just by a bunch of professors.
So, let me ask you:
Those in favor of unblocking the street
and move the class
onto the sidewalk, raise your hand.
[all]
No!
Those in favor of having
the public class on the street,
while we wait for an official response,
raise your hand.
[all chanting]
I came here in good faith,
and you're not using logic here.
It's an assembly decision, chief.
You knew how voting was going to go.
I'm asking you to please...
We are on the verge of unemployment.
Are you a public servant?
You don't seem...
[bang]
Marce, are you okay?
[muffled chanting]
Sir... Are you sure about...?
[driver]
It's a smooth ride, don't worry.
[boy]
Are you Professor Marcelo Pena?
Yes, that's me.
Come on in, they're waiting for you.
LIBRARY
Come, prof.
- Welcome.
- Thanks.
Alright, professor.
It's time for your introduction.
But, keep in mind
that we don't like boring resumes.
Maybe you could tell us a personal story,
something that brings us closer to you.
[mutters] Some Puan or Caselli anecdotes.
[clears throat]
Turbid anchorage where ships dock
Those which will stay there
forevermore
In the painful night shadows crawl
After losing their hearts,
castaways of the world
Bridges and strings
where the wind howls
Coal ships which will never set sail
Fierce cemetery of dying ships
Which still dream
of leaving for the sea
Fog of the creek tied to my memories
For you I still wait
Fog of the creek
From that love
you drive me away
She never came back
She was forever gone
She never used her voice
to say my name again
She said goodbye
and her voice was the same
In the silent caf,
sailor, dream of your old brig
Drink up your nostalgia
in the sordid caf
It rains on the port
In the meantime, my song
Rains slowly on your grief
Anchors that will never be
weighed again
Gunwales of the barges
with no moorings to release
Sad caravan
with no destiny or illusion
Like a ship
inside the bottle in a store
Fog of the creek tied to my memories
For you I still wait
Fog of the creek
From that love
you drive me away
She never came back
She was forever gone
She never used her voice
to say my name again
She said goodbye and her voice...
Was the same