Original subtitles

White: dialogue in Spanish Yellow: dialogue in Portuguese

Travelling alone too?

I've been visiting my son.

He likes Spain but he wants to move to Germany.

He says there's more work there.

I'm not so sure.

Do you know Germany?

Only a little.

I've never lived there.

And do you like Spain?

It's just like anywhere else.

If I show you this and say:

"Berghaus world map, 1871,

designed to show trade routes

over land, sea and air",

what do you think? What would you say?

It doesn't compare to the wonders we can do with today's technology.

GIS, collaborative maps...

I'm not questioning modern systems,

but paper maps have a special value,

they reveal a lot about the time in which they were drawn.

They also have a lot of things

that have been lost with digital systems.

Like what?

Like the scale, for example.

And sometimes the North.

Do you know the best way to get to know the planet?

By drawing it.

At your age, I'd already drawn half the world.

Isn't it better to explore it in person?

The world is too big, too complex,

too chaotic.

But when you draw it,

it all falls into place.

Hi, it's me.

You weren't there when I got up.

I know it sounds silly, but I'm a bit...

worried.

Call me, okay?

Just so I know you're okay.

I was thinking about picking up some pasties for dinner.

Fernando!

See you at home later.

It's the faculty dinner on Friday.

- Friday? - Yes. You're coming, right?

- Maybe... - Fernando...

Milena?

Milena?

Milena?

Yes, we met three years ago and got married two months later.

This is our marriage certificate.

Milena "Marinovik".

Marinovic.

Yes.

Have you contacted her family?

No, I don't have any contacts.

Is her family in Serbia?

I imagine so.

Do you know where?

No.

And her last address before coming to Spain?

I don't know.

She was born in Belgrade,

but her father got transferred and they moved.

After the war, she moved several times.

But I don't know where.

You don't know.

She doesn't like talking about Serbia and I don't ask.

I haven't seen her.

I'm furious. I have no staff.

I'm here all by myself working like crazy.

Didn't she say anything? If she had to go for some reason...

Nothing! She won't even answer her phone.

If she comes back with excuses, I'm not interested.

She hasn't been in for two weeks.

Two weeks?

I haven't seen her all week.

I still have her lottery ticket.

It's already been drawn. It didn't win.

Is everything okay?

I don't know.

Glass of wine?

Olives?

Since when does Milena do the lottery?

We've been informed your wife has left the country.

Where is she?

Please...

She crossed the border into Serbia.

What happens now?

We'd need an international warrant to carry on with the search,

but we don't consider it justified.

She seems to have gone of her own will.

Couldn't you try to find her address?

A contact number or something?

We can't conduct that investigation, much less share those details.

I can only say she's entered the country.

But it doesn't make sense...

Without saying anything... She hasn't even called.

I don't understand.

Look, this is more common than you might think.

We see lots of cases like this one.

They come to Spain looking for a better life,

get married for the papers,

try to adapt, but can't, and end up leaving.

- Sometimes they take money. - She hasn't taken any money.

- I'm not saying there's not love too. - Too?

You seem like a good man.

But sometimes that's not enough.

You have no idea.

You're right.

But it's not me talking, it's the statistics.

During this time...

the borders between countries

were established according to...

according to certain criteria...

Criteria that didn't have much to do with geography.

Sorry, I don't understand what you said before

about early borders.

You don't understand?

Neither do I.

Understand what?

Anything.

I don't understand anything.

Class dismissed.

Hello?

Fernando, we're all at the faculty dinner.

Aren't you coming?

No, sorry, I can't make it.

Milena isn't feeling well, we're going to stay in.

That's a shame.

Next time, then. Hope she feels better.

Thanks. Yes, next time.

Bye.

Bye.

I'm closing soon.

Why don't you go look for her in Serbia?

I wouldn't know where to start.

You've never been to Serbia?

Milena never wanted us to go.

Maybe the embassy can help.

I'm not going to look for someone who doesn't want to be found.

Your dessert, Serra cheese with quince jelly.

Bon appetit.

Thanks.

May I?

Thank you.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Our tourist menu also includes a fortified wine.

I can offer you a port, medronho or bagaceira.

I don't know.

It depends whether you want something stronger or weaker.

Bring him a bagaceira.

And another for me, please.

Okay.

Thank you.

The bagaceira is made here in the town, it's good.

On holiday?

Yes, I guess so.

No one ever comes out of season but it's the best time.

It's the only hotel open, you're lucky.

Right.

Manuel.

Fernando.

Here you are.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Tomorrow's my last day here.

There's not much work as you can see.

They already have people for the high season.

Have you worked in Portugal for long?

I was born in Portugal.

But I've always lived in Extremadura.

My parents were Spanish.

Over the last few years, whenever I can,

I come to work in Portugal.

Small jobs, whatever comes up.

I like it here.

Are you staying long?

I don't know.

That's the best way to travel.

Thanks.

Are you going back to Extremadura now?

No, to inland Portugal, a little village.

I'm going to work there.

I like to move around.

I don't mind where I live.

I don't have a family, I don't have to answer to anybody.

Do you have a family? Kids? Parents?

No.

You get it, then.

Look.

This is the place.

It's a quiet place, from another time.

To forget about the world.

When I saw it, I said: "Manuel, this is your chance."

The quinta is run by a woman, I haven't met her yet.

They had a groundskeeper

to look after the fruit trees and so on,

but he left.

- Have you always been a gardener? - Yes.

All my life.

- Do you like plants? - Very much.

I only have the ones on my balcony at home.

It's tough in the city.

Sandwich?

Portuguese quintas, as well as vegetable gardens,

usually have fruit trees too:

lemons, oranges,

plums...

Olives too.

Vines.

They're easy to look after, but you need to have a good eye

because they don't all have the same needs.

Plum trees don't like the wind.

You have to prune them at the end of winter

if there's no risk of frost.

Orange and lemon trees, on the other hand,

it's better to prune them in early spring.

Plants are very grateful.

You only have to look at them and see what they need.

Like people.

But plants are easier to understand.

That's for sure.

Tomorrow, to celebrate my last day here,

I'll take you somewhere interesting.

- Really? - Yes.

Unless you have other plans.

Here?

Wake up, Manuel, your coffee's getting cold.

Manuel.

Manuel.

Thank you.

QUINTA OF THE WHITE ALMOND TREES

Hello.

Can I help you?

Hi, I'm here for the gardening job.

The gardener?

One moment, I'll get Amália.

Amália!

- Amália! - Yes?

The new gardener's here.

Hello. Manuel, right?

It's such a relief to finally have someone to help me with the garden.

Hi, I'm Amália. Welcome.

I assume you agree with the conditions I sent you:

accommodation and a 15-day trial period.

You'll tend to the garden, the orchard,

and do some maintenance around the house.

Yes, that's fine.

Oh, I thought you were from Portugal originally,

but I see I was wrong.

Is that a problem?

No, not at all.

I need to see a client just now, but Rita will explain everything.

Explain everything to Manuel.

I'll be down there, they're coming for the oranges.

- Weren't they coming tomorrow? - They came early.

Ah! Manuel!

Just one thing:

don't touch these roses.

I take care of them myself.

Shall we?

Yes.

Through there.

You'll stay here.

The key is inside.

If you need anything,

towels, bedsheets,

or anything else, let me know.

I'm normally in the house.

Should I leave...?

Yes, leave it there.

The orchard is over there.

There are different fruit trees.

The olive trees are down here.

And this is the vineyard.

This is the shed.

It has everything you'll need.

Shovels, clothes...

Here's the watering schedule.

When to water.

And the other main tasks.

Just follow the plan and that's it.

It's all here.

Okay?

Have a walk around if you like to get familiar with everything.

- Me? - Yes.

You start tomorrow.

- Tomorrow? - Tomorrow.

- Okay. - Okay?

Okay.

Bye.

Bye... thank you.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

A glass of wine...

and a cod pasty, please.

Coming right up.

You're not from around here.

Sorry?

From around here.

No, I only just got here.

I'm the new gardener at the Quinta das Amendoeiras.

The new gardener.

Amália's quinta.

That's right. I'm Manuel.

Camilo, a pleasure. Welcome.

Thank you.

Amália's quinta is very beautiful.

Yes, it is.

It belonged to her grandmother.

Amália showed up here one day,

so young, alone...

She came from Lisbon.

She was cultured, well-educated.

Her grandmother was quite old

and Amália started looking after the place.

Did she live in Lisbon?

Lisbon, Europe, we don't know...

Amália, are you okay?

Hi.

Shall I help you out?

Okay.

Here, lean on me.

On my shoulder.

That's it.

- Are you hurt? Any injuries? - No.

Okay.

Let's go.

Steady.

Steady.

Are you still working?

No, no.

Careful.

I can manage from here, thanks.

Come in.

I brought rosemary.

Leave it there. Thanks, Manuel.

I'm making coffee.

I'll wait.

Did you use to live in Spain?

Yes.

Good morning, Manuel.

Everything okay?

Good morning. Yes, fine.

I went to Spain once. I'd like to go back and see more.

What did you do there?

Nothing interesting.

Do you have family in Spain?

No.

Why did you come here?

I don't know...

Portugal is a good place...

And Spain isn't?

No, Spain is too.

I don't know.

Rita, leave Manuel alone.

Where did you put the honey?

In the usual place.

Not going out today?

No, I'm working at home today.

Here.

Thanks.

Is Amália okay?

She's fine.

Don't worry about her.

Did you park her car last night?

We had to take it to the mechanic last month.

This is just a scratch.

A... what?

Yes...

Nothing major.

Here, try this.

It's delicious.

I'm late.

How do I look?

- Great. - Okay?

- I have a concert today. - A concert?

I sing in a band.

Amália's not in? I haven't seen her today.

No, she left early. I don't know when she'll be back.

- Have a good weekend. - See you on Monday.

The quinta was magnificent back then.

It had hundreds of almond trees.

All the way up to the north of town.

White almond trees.

It was stunning when they blossomed.

There was nothing else like it.

Until there was a terrible plague, the almond trees got a fungus.

A disease.

They tried to save them, but it was no use.

All the trees had to be cut down.

That same year, Amália's grandmother died.

Shortly afterwards, Amália was forced to sell

some of the almond tree land to save the rest of the quinta.

And that was that.

Sorry.

Good evening.

Manuel!

Come sit with me for a moment.

It's a nice evening.

Take a seat.

Do you like this?

The house, the garden...

I like it a lot.

Not long ago, something strange happened nearby.

An old, rich man, an art collector,

who lived alone in a big house,

slipped getting out of the bath,

hit his head on the side,

and that was it.

Naked and dead.

Several days went by.

He didn't have much family, no one missed him.

One night,

a thief broke into his house looking for one of the paintings

and found him on the floor.

He must have got a terrible fright,

but he realised right away what had happened.

Then, the thief

opened the man's wardrobe,

picked out a smart suit,

dressed him

and sat him in an armchair in the living room.

Then, he called the police and before they arrived...

he left,

leaving the door open.

He didn't take anything.

Really?

You don't steal from the dead.

Was he a friend of yours?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

No, I didn't know the dead man.

A good man.

An exile.

In ancient Scandinavia,

exiles used to take their front doors with them.

They threw the door into the sea from their boat,

waited to see where it washed up,

then headed to that exact point

and docked there.

As if it were destiny that had led them there.

That's how Reykjavik was founded in the ninth century.

Want one?

- No. - They're the good ones.

- No, thanks. - Sure?

- Bye, Manuel. - Bye.

Don't work too hard.

Are you being serious?

It's just an idea.

But it's no surprise I want to go back.

My brother lives there, I have family.

The country is in chaos, though.

And Portugal isn't?

There's conflict everywhere.

But even still...

- They're your roots. - Yes.

They're our roots too.

Angola has changed a lot in recent times.

You wouldn't recognise it now.

Where does your brother live?

In the north, not far from Luanda.

He came to Portugal to visit two years ago.

It didn't convince him.

I sometimes wonder what would have happened

if we'd stayed another year.

Do you still think about that time?

Every now and again.

Sometimes...

snippets come back to me.

Would you go back?

What for?

There's nothing left there for us.

I just saw something.

A shadow.

No one.

Leave it open.

It's a nice evening.

All the good houses have their own ghost.

It was too soon to replant it.

I'm sorry.

The real Manuel wouldn't have made that mistake.

Good morning!

Good morning.

Manuel, would you mind going with Rita in the van?

There's an order to pick up, it's heavy.

You can buy fertiliser on the way back.

The oleanders need a little help this year.

Rita will show you where Antonio's nursery is,

for everything you'll need from now on.

- I'll drive. - With that belly? Manuel will drive.

Don't let her drive, okay?

Let's go.

Turn left here.

Stop. There's Isabel.

Stop here.

Come on, back home.

Rodrigo!

Rodrigo!

- Manuel, have you seen Rodrigo? - No.

Not for a while. Have you checked the wood shed?

He's not there.

It's always the same with that boy. He drives me crazy.

Look under the orange trees.

Rodrigo,

didn't you hear me?

Come on, get up.

That's it.

- Can I keep it? - Sure.

But you have to read it all.

Do you like it?

- Say goodbye. - Bye.

- See you. - Bye, Manuel.

I stopped by Antonio's olive grove.

- He still hasn't found anyone? - No.

I sent him two eager boys, with experience too,

but he didn't like either of them.

Right...

He wants his son to take over.

His son?

His son doesn't have a clue.

He's all over the place, I don't know.

The thing is,

he's not interested in his father's business.

He wants to go to Lisbon.

They argue and every now and then Antonio disappears for a few days

so his son has to look after the place.

He disappears?

Yes.

He says he does it for his son, but the truth is...

he goes to visit his wife.

She died several years ago.

An accident on the cliffs.

A tragedy.

Antonio still isn't over it.

He says that one night,

she appeared to him.

So he goes to the cliffs

and spends his nights looking for her.

Even if he doesn't see her, at least...

he talks to her.

That's sad.

Well...

When he comes back he always has a special energy,

a sparkle in his eyes.

Something that brings him back to life.

It lasts for a while, then slowly fades.

And then he disappears again?

Exactly.

Manuel!

I'm making cod today.

Cod?

Count me in.

Rodrigo!

Lunchtime!

Mum has a new boyfriend.

He plays guitar,

but not a normal guitar, it has four strings.

- He's going to teach me. - Shut up and eat.

By the way, a concert has come up tomorrow in Coimbra.

They need last-minute cover.

I have some work to do in Lisbon.

I leave first thing.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven...

No, I'm counting.

Eight, nine, ten,

eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen.

- How many in total? - Ninety.

Good, ninety.

You're the best assistant I've ever had.

Look! You can see the house from here.

That's right.

Is this your secret place?

Yes, one of them.

Do you have a secret place?

Yes, but I can't tell you because it's a secret.

Of course.

- But you can show me. - We'll see.

Shall we count to there?

- To where? - To the other stone.

Okay, let's go.

One, two, three...

Hang on!

Run! I'll catch you.

Good night!

Do you need anything?

A little rosemary and...

parsley, but I'll get it.

Thank you.

Camilo told me

you've been offered a job in Guimarães.

Yes.

That's right.

Good working conditions?

Really good.

It's a good place.

Are you considering it?

There's nothing to consider.

What could I be missing in Guimarães?

I was born in Africa.

I spent my childhood in Angola.

When independence was declared,

my parents didn't want to leave their land.

The colonial war was over,

but conflicts broke out between several factions.

They sent me to Portugal,

but my parents were trapped there

and ended up being killed.

I was 14 years old.

My grandmother, who I didn't know,

had this quinta and took me in.

In Portugal, those of us who returned weren't well received.

They labelled us as exploiters, slave-owners...

So...

I started to hide my origin.

I said I was from the countryside

and I made up a new childhood

from the stories my grandmother told me.

I finished my studies, travelled, lived here and there...

But eventually I came to help her

and just stayed.

I hid my past for years.

Did you never go back to Angola?

It took me nearly 20 years to go back.

I felt so nostalgic.

I was African...

but when I got there, it was a real wake-up call.

I felt foreign.

I felt Portuguese.

Right.

It came as a shock.

I didn't belong anywhere, neither here nor there.

My real homeland...

was colonialism.

What about now?

This quinta?

This quinta

has been my freedom

and also my prison.

That's why you get away?

Sometimes I need to see my life from a distance,

to exile myself a bit.

And feel like I have a place to go back to.

Did you cut all ties with Africa?

Not all of them.

I still have a small group of friends,

you've seen them around here.

The card games.

Old friends from Angola.

We all have different lives now,

but we share the same past.

I'm telling you all this because...

it's our annual card game on Saturday.

I wanted to ask you something.

Whatever you need.

Luzia Oliveira can't come this time.

I was wondering...

if you might like to take her place.

Me?

Rodrigo, stop it, I told you it's not for you.

Come on, off you go.

Listen, Rita.

The card game tonight...

I don't know...

Don't worry about it, Manuel.

They're not great players.

They don't bet much money either.

- Can I get your opinion? - On what?

Here, help me fold it.

Which one?

- The light brown. - I agree, the light brown.

Oh, Manuel, so handsome!

Do you know what your wager will be?

Do they always do that?

Always.

It's the highlight of the evening.

I don't know.

It's the best part, you won't want to miss it.

Rodrigo José!

Rodrigo José! Leave that, now.

It looks like little mice have run all around it.

- Are you a mouse? - No.

You look like one. Who will clean this?

- You. - Smarty-pants.

Smarty-pants.

I raise.

My dear, I think you're bluffing, but...

with this hand, I can't risk it.

Well, I'm afraid you'll never know.

Gaustin, have you been to Angola this year?

I'm going soon.

I'm working on a new collection of stories.

Tell us a story, a short one.

One day,

a cloud suddenly starts pouring down its rain on you.

You start to run for cover.

You run and run

in the same direction and at the same speed as the cloud,

so you're always directly below it.

But you don't realise that

until your lungs can't take any more, and you finally stop.

And the cloud continues on its path,

leaving you behind.

Wonderful.

It's from a writer friend of mine.

Her father used to tell it to her.

Gaustin buys and sells stories.

He travels to the villages of Angola

and listens to the stories people tell him.

A producer of memories.

Something like that.

Cheers.

Dear friends,

the time has come to place our real wagers.

We have a new member at the table,

so I'll go over the rules again.

Each player asks

another player for something.

It can be anything except money.

The only condition is

that those who aren't involved must approve it.

Whoever wins this hand, wins the bet.

And of course, whatever happens in this room,

stays in this room.

Gaustin?

Bernardo

will lend me his house in Lisbon for a week.

I'll treat it like my own and receive some guests there.

At the end of the week,

I'll return it in the same state I found it.

Approved.

Bernardo?

I'd like to ask Constança...

to accommodate several people at one of her hotels

for a few days next month.

No questions asked.

If I win,

Amália and Bernardo

will stop supporting my husband in his candidature for mayor.

- You don't want him to win? - No.

He's had some highly reactionary ideas recently.

I don't understand the change and I don't like it one bit.

Very well.

Manuel will set his wager last,

so it's my turn.

My wager is very simple.

I'd like to know Manuel's real story.

To know his true past before he came here.

It's your turn.

I don't know...

There must be something you want.

I'd like to plant almond trees in the quinta again.

Great, the wagers are set.

Two.

One.

Two.

One.

One.

Three.

Congratulations!

She's invincible.

Luck is on your side tonight.

On our side.

To the future of this curious country we live in.

I'll drink to that.

My wife left one day.

She disappeared.

Just like that.

Without a word.

She left the country.

She left me.

I don't know who she's with.

I don't know what her life is like.

I don't even know if she's alive.

I met the real Manuel by chance on the coast.

And he died.

Suddenly, right there...

next to me.

Some heart problem, they said.

They took him away,

but they left his jacket.

I didn't think twice.

I just put it on...

My name is Fernando.

If you don't mind,

I'll keep calling you Manuel.

I'm used to it now.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, Manuel.

Manuel!

When you finish that, come up to my study, please.

Have a seat.

What's this idea about planting almond trees?

Wait here, I'll be right back.

This is the current perimeter of the quinta

and this is the old one with all the almond tree fields.

I'm not talking about getting all the land back,

most of it is occupied now.

But there's an area for sale here.

If we connected it to this unused part of the quinta,

there would be enough space for a decent sized plantation.

I've run some preliminary numbers with 270 almond trees per hectare.

It's 250.

My grandmother had 250 per hectare.

They get more sunlight.

Fine, 250.

When did you do all this?

This is a lot of work.

I know.

And investment.

I couldn't do it by myself.

I'd need a business partner.

I have some savings.

I could sell my flat in Spain.

I lived in Madrid for a while,

it was an interesting time for business,

but then we decided to open an office in Portugal

and I came home.

My business partner kept the office in Madrid.

We now work with clients in both countries.

Amália says your firm is one of the best.

Amália...

Amália is very kind.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

All the documentation is in order.

I just need you to sign this authorisation for me.

Okay.

We have the registry entry for your flat.

If you like,

my partner can recommend some estate agencies

that we usually work with.

The only issue is the tenant.

When does their lease expire?

What tenant?

Well...

according to the information here,

the water and electricity utilities at the property

are being paid.

That's not possible.

I cancelled everything. The flat is empty.

One moment.

Hi, Enrique, it's me.

How are you? All good here.

I need a favour.

Can you do a quick check for me?

Do you have the details of the tenant at Fernando Quirós' property?

Yes, I'll wait.

That's right.

It'll just be a moment.

Yes, go on.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Thanks, Enrique, speak soon.

The name is Milena Marinovic. Ring any bells?

When are you leaving?

Amália...

Ghosts must be dealt with.

Excuse me. Can I have an espresso, please?

Thanks.

Anything to eat? A croissant?

No, thanks.

What do I owe you?

Late again.

Terrible traffic, I know.

- Hi, what can I get you? - A white coffee and toast.

Jam and butter? Tomato?

Just olive oil.

What milk for the coffee? Normal, lactose-free, soya, almond?

Normal.

Anything else?

What?

Sorry, no, that's all.

Milena!

Coming.

He thinks he owns the place.

NURSING SCHOOL

I've been away for a while.

The city looks different.

I don't know.

All cities look the same these days.

- Don't you live here? - No.

I live in another country.

For work.

- It's not easy. - You're telling me.

Where are you from?

Serbia.

I've been here for two years.

Waitressing is just temporary.

I'm studying.

Oh, good.

At my age, imagine.

Well, why not?

- Juice and a sandwich. - That's 5.40. Paying by card?

Okay.

That man comes in here every day.

He always orders the same thing, juice and a sandwich.

Every day he comes and goes without another word.

No "Good morning," or "Goodbye," or "How are you?"

Nothing.

I feel bad for him.

[In Serbian] You're a good woman.

[In Serbian] I'm a good woman?

That's pretty much all I know.

How come?

I studied a bit, but I never learned it properly.

I was interested in Balkan culture for a while.

Do you speak many languages?

Serbian, Spanish, a bit of English and Russian.

My grandmother was Russian, she always spoke to us in Russian.

What's your name?

Manuel.

And you?

Milena.

Milena?

Nice to meet you.

- Free? - No.

Come on, it's tired, it's dead.

- No. - I want to help you.

I'm hungry, please.

Thank you.

[In Serbian] How many times?

I enrolled on the nursing course

and I can't leave Spain until I finish it.

I can't leave. If I do, it'll ruin everything.

Come on!

There's just no reasoning with you.

You're impossible.

Whenever we agree on something, you...

I don't know...

I don't get it, honestly.

Don't be like that.

Don't say that.

But it's fine when I send you money, right?

I...

Honestly, I don't know what to say.

Marija isn't busy, she can look after Mum.

How can you be Venezuelan and support Real Madrid?

- Come off it! - So what?

You tell her, they're the best team in the world.

This side of the world.

I don't know about the best,

but definitely one of them.

What's that got to do with it? You've hardly lived in Madrid.

I'm from Belgrade

and I've been a Belgrade Red Star fan since I was born.

That makes sense, right?

There's a strong emotional connection, sure.

It's logical, not like with him.

Whatever, we're going to kick your butts.

In your dreams.

- Hi, can I get a rooibos, please? - Sorry, the machine's off.

What are you doing?

We don't close for another 30 minutes.

Do you want to see the game or not?

- Yes. - Well, then.

- Where are you watching it? - My cousin's place.

I'm going to Pepe's bar.

- It's closed. - No.

- They're refurbishing it this week. - Shit.

- I know another bar where it's on. - Really?

Come on!

- Foul. - No, what foul?

He dived. He should be on the stage.

Oh, no...

Come on!

Slam dunk in your face!

Yes.

There you go.

I'm crazy about basketball.

So I see.

I used to go to games with my dad.

I have a brother, but he liked water polo

and my dad hated that.

So he took me instead.

Any other siblings?

No, just him,

he's a real dumbass.

We're so different.

And his wife is insufferable.

So that's that.

What about you?

What about me?

Any brothers or sisters?

No.

Wife?

No wife either.

How come?

I had one, but not any more.

Okay.

Hello?

Rita? Hi, it's Manuel.

Oh, Manuel! What a surprise!

How are you?

Fine.

How are you? How's the house?

Same as always.

I wanted to talk to Amália, but I can't reach her.

Amália's not here, she's travelling.

You know what she's like, she didn't take her phone.

Even if she had, she always has it switched off.

Always the same, huh?

Yes.

I don't know when she'll be back. I'll tell her you called.

There's no need, it's not important.

Okay.

Rodrigo, come on, focus.

I won't keep you. Say hi to Rodrigo for me.

I will.

Let's see if he finishes his homework.

Bye, Manuel, take care.

Bye.

I want to get my qualification

so I can work in what I know.

What do you study?

I'm a nurse.

But they wouldn't recognise my degree from Serbia.

It must have been tough when you first got here.

Yes, it was.

I had no job, nothing.

But I don't regret it.

I had to share a flat with three other girls at first.

I hated it.

Now I live in a friend's flat that she's not using.

Temporarily.

Do you like it?

Yes, it's lovely.

It has a balcony.

I love the balcony.

- How did you find work? - Now it's my turn.

What do you do?

I'm a gardener.

Wow!

- I don't know any gardeners. - Now you do.

Do gardeners make good money?

I can't complain.

Thanks for dinner.

Thanks for the company.

Well...

Want to come up?

To your flat?

Come in.

I'll open a bottle of wine.

Have a seat.

Wine?

Thanks.

Although I think I already drank too much.

I'm a woman of my word.

You'll try my home-made kartoshka.

What do you want?

I just want to stay a little longer.

Milena?

Milena?

- Another coffee? - No, thanks.

Have a seat.

I met Milena,

your Milena, six years ago.

I was working as a nurse at a hospital in Belgrade.

Milena was admitted with lung disease.

She spent several months in hospital, I took care of her.

I sat with her to keep her company on my night shifts.

She taught me Spanish.

She told me things.

About her childhood, mainly.

That's what she liked to remember most.

She told me about her life here.

She was married to a good man.

She had a job, but she said this wasn't her place.

It wasn't her life.

She wasn't herself here.

Then she died.

No one came to look for her.

The hospital couldn't find one single relative.

I kept her things.

I wanted to get out of Serbia,

to look for a better life.

So I came here a few months later.

I looked for her husband everywhere, but he had disappeared.

I spent countless days in this café, just waiting.

But you never showed up.

The flat was empty.

I couldn't find work, where I lived was awful...

Like I said, my life was a mess.

One day, I decided to go up.

Milena's keys still worked.

At first, I just came now and then,

to clean the house or spend the afternoon here.

Then I spent the night... and ended up living here.

Then I used Milena's papers to get a job.

You know the rest.

I have no answers for you.

She didn't leave a letter.

I'm not a bad person.

Goodbye.

Wait!

What's your name?

Olga.

Like my grandmother.

Olga.

For the girls at table two.

Can I get you anything?

A coffee.

Espresso.

Where are you staying?

Around.

Around?

Don't go.

You don't have to go.

Stay in the flat as long as you need.

Finish your studies,

find a job, using your own name.

And then we'll talk.

I mean it.

What will you do?

I'll go home.

Hello?

Rita...

You scared me to death.

Manuel!

How are you?

- Good, you? - I'm good too.

- Where's Rodrigo? - He's at school.

He'll be back soon.

- It's good to see you. - You too.

Amália is outside.

I'm making bean stew. How does that sound?

It sounds fantastic.

THE PORTUGUESE HOUSE