Original subtitles

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.

AFTERNOON OF THE MASSACRE

Doña Carmenza!

Doña Carmenza!

This is central dispatch.

Call the fire department. There's nothing I can do.

- What? You're not going in? - There's smoke.

- It's a 931. - Copy that.

We need the fire department.

So you're just going to stand there?

Officer, this is an emergency!

If you like, I'll come with you to call the fire department.

That's not helpful.

FUGUE STATE 1986

This is the real battlefield.

Out here, it's all about life-and-death decisions.

Do you understand?

Shoot them.

Shoot them!

Don't listen to him!

Don't listen to him!

No, cutie!

Down there, everyone's asleep.

They think they're awake, but they're fast asleep.

Camilo.

31 DAYS BEFORE THE MASSACRE

Can't you hear me?

It was the keynote speech.

The cent...

The centerpiece.

The dean was there.

It wasn't just a chance for you to shine.

You were representing the university.

I trusted you.

Professor, I swear on my life that I wanted to be there.

León.

What's going on with you, man?

Missing my classes.

Your recent assignments

feel less precise,

with a different tone.

Erratic, incoherent.

What's going on?

I have issues.

But there's no excuse for not being there.

There's also your friend, Dr. Bonilla.

He's asking the student committee

to consider a possible sanction.

Professor.

The part that hurts most is letting you down.

And what I regret most is that you let yourself down.

Look, if you need a friend to talk to, you know where to find me.

Call me, man.

Lucía, are you sure the person who wants to see me

was the head of international news?

Not entertainment?

Of course I'm sure. How could I get that wrong?

Well, last time you were sure I was on a list, and I wasn't.

Yes.

Yes, I owe you an apology.

I'm sorry... but it wasn't my fault.

The boss cut a bunch of guests and took people off the list.

I honestly wanted you to be there.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have invited you. I would have kept quiet, wouldn't I?

Anyway, the main thing is that he had a good time.

He was delighted everyone had chipped in, and...

Yes, sir?

Of course.

My pleasure.

I think they're going to offer you a new position.

Yes.

You'll see.

Where were you?

I've been calling you, but you weren't answering.

Why weren't you at the event?

I screwed up.

You should have seen Vidal's face.

Was it awful?

Yeah, it was bad.

Vidal apologized on your behalf in front of everyone, and then

he handed over to Bonilla to give the talk.

Bonilla?

So it wasn't even another student?

No. He jumped at the chance to make himself feel important, obviously.

Are you going to tell me what happened, where you were?

- Hey, man. - León.

- I've been looking for you. - León.

- What's up? - What was the plan?

Why did you take me out there? To get raped? To fuck with me?

- What are you talking about? - Don't play dumb.

- Don't play dumb! - Come on.

No, wait a minute. You knew.

You knew what you were getting me into.

- Quiet, please. - Silence.

- Let's talk outside. - Let's talk here.

Why did you give me those names? What's your plan?

- What names, León? - Stop playing dumb!

You know what I'm talking about.

- The names. - Let go of me.

Let go of me!

Let go!

Let go of me, asshole!

Let go of me!

Motherfucker!

Leave him alone.

León isn't on his own. He has people looking out for him.

Elena, I really want to be alone.

I came to bring you this.

What was all that about in the library?

Nothing.

Did Jeremías try to rape you?

- Look, if you're going to talk nonsense... - You said it, not me.

Are you still spying on your dad's torturer?

No.

Don't lie to me. I read what you wrote.

Are they stories or a confession?

Why are you following that guy's daughter?

León, you're writing about horrible things.

Torture, gouging someone's eyes out.

Those are exercises. It's for the Crimes Club.

- No. - They're exercises.

There's more to what you wrote.

There's something very honest and very personal.

And that's what scares me.

Look, I don't need this right now.

Elena, please.

Just go, okay?

Margarita told me what you said at the party.

That you were afraid of what you were becoming.

- Why are you talking about me? - What are you becoming?

- Why are you talking about me? - We're worried.

"Breathing the last breath of the girl,

who pleads for her life in his arms."

"Letting her soul boil in the Phlegethon,

then inviting the father to sail its rivers of blood."

"Teresa is dead."

León, it won't be the girl sinking to the seventh circle of hell.

It'll be you, if you keep feeding all these fantasies.

- León, stop this. - Give me that.

Let go. What are you doing?

Sorry. I told you I wanted to be alone, Elena.

- Yes, you've made that very clear, León. - I'm sorry.

León, why are you here?

What are you doing?

My mom is here.

So are they going to pay you more?

Of course. If you're translating international news now,

the conditions must be better.

It's not the same as just setting crosswords.

It's well deserved, in any case, because you've put a lot of effort

into the whole languages thing.

We could have a meal to celebrate.

Celebrate? With whom?

You and me?

Just eat.

I'm sorry to tell you this,

but while the committee is deciding whether you'll be suspended--

I can't attend class.

Don't worry, Lorencita. I'm not coming back anyway.

What?

Why not? Don't give up. You only have one semester left.

So what?

I don't understand. You've worked hard since your first semester.

You're one of the best students in the department.

I don't know. I don't think academia will make me a better writer.

I'm sure it won't.

You know what? I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry,

but that kind of talk doesn't suit you.

I noticed you the moment you arrived at this university.

You learn to spot the ones who come to this department

dreaming of a life dedicated to literature.

They're naive, Lorencita.

Perhaps.

But it's a tremendous and brave act of faith

that this world still needs,

and, surely, we choose where to direct our creativity

and where to waste our time.

So I'm very sorry for having wasted your time.

No, Lorencita. It's always a pleasure to see you.

That's why I didn't want to graduate.

I'd have missed seeing you every day.

Camilito.

Vidal left this for you.

CAMILO LEÓN BY HAND

R.L. STEVENSON THE ART OF WRITING

"For everything bad, literature. For everything good, literature."

"A lifeline from the immortals for us mortals."

"Come back to it, León."

León?

Nice to meet you. I'm Carmenza.

I'm Jeremías Salgado's mother.

My son told me about you. He admires you.

I know you share books and read each other's writing.

That's why I took the liberty of asking the university for your address.

I wanted to meet you.

Your son is a good friend

and an even better reader.

He always has been.

When he was a child, he preferred reading to playing.

Especially after his father died.

Has he told you much about that?

No, only that he passed away when he was a child.

Jeremías has always been different.

And it's not easy.

The world isn't made for people like him.

When he was in the army,

I thought he had found his path,

but he came back...

he came back more...

different.

Well, I suppose that after a war, anyone would change.

That's why I was so happy to hear that, finally,

he had found someone to share his passion with.

Sometimes our children take too long to find their way.

You have to be patient.

Like with friends.

You have to know how to forgive and understand.

Or love them without understanding.

I suppose you've heard he got a promotion at the newspaper.

No, I didn't know.

I want to have a meal to celebrate.

That's why I came here to invite you personally.

So you can't say no.

I know he'll be pleased, but please,

please don't tell him I asked you.

- Just come as if-- - As if it's a surprise?

Exactly.

A surprise.

How are you?

I'm well, thank you.

What's this?

Rice with shrimp to celebrate your new job.

Why did you make so much?

Wine as well.

Three bottles.

Have you invited someone else?

I know how much you like shrimp,

so I thought I'd make you something special.

You made enough to feed an army.

Oh, Jeremías.

You really are impossible, aren't you?

So now what? A whole week eating shrimp?

Learn to restrain yourself, ma'am.

Of course, since it's not your money...

Don't worry.

You don't have to eat it.

Don't worry.

Sit down.

Jeremías, no.

I'm telling you to sit down.

Sit down!

- Eat it. - No.

- Eat it. - No.

In this house, we don't waste anything! Eat it!

- No! - I'm telling you to eat it!

That's an order! Now!

Where did you take him?

7 DAYS AFTER THE MASSACRE

Tell me, brother. Where's the body?

Otherwise, I'll have to tell these people you're not a priest.

Someone sued me because they found out I'm not a priest.

They said it was fraud, but I'm not a thief.

I've never robbed anyone.

It might seem strange, but I've always wanted to be a priest.

- And I thought that-- - What happened with Jeremías?

Look, I'll tell you the truth.

A few days ago, some people came to me and told me...

they could get the case dropped

if I picked up the body and brought it here.

That same night, some people came to get the body.

That's all I know.

Who were they?

Well, they weren't the same people as before.

They had a different vibe. They didn't even speak to me.

They just came, took the body, and left. I don't know what else to say.

Thanks, brother.

Jeremías was a US citizen. He was also in the army.

- Maybe the gringos took him. - You think?

As I said, there's a lot a dead body can tell you.

Maybe they didn't want Jeremías's body to say too much.

The things you learn studying literature.

Carmenza Posada de Salgado,

born in Bogotá on January 11th, 1916.

Her father imported fabrics and owned a chain of stores.

And Jeremías's father

was a salesman and businessman.

She seemed very respectable.

I met her once.

Matricide.

It really is the worst of crimes.

You'd need to have a visceral hatred for your mother to kill her like this.

Why did he hate her so much?

I don't know. I...

I didn't really know Jeremías. He was very reserved.

Well, they lived together,

so they must have had some sort of codependent relationship.

It must be horrible for a mother to know her son hates her.

Not all children know how to forgive.

Yes, but a mother can't give up.

Look, not all mothers are saints.

That's a childish notion.

Where were we? See what happens when we talk about this kind of bullshit?

The... Oh yes. Let's see.

So far, what do we know for certain about the days before the massacre?

You were right.

I was at the restaurant the day of the massacre.

I was waiting for Jeremías, but he didn't show up, so I left.

Hello?

Yes, one second.

It's for you.

Are you okay?

It's good to see you, León.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time.

A friend. Indira.

You didn't say you were bringing someone.

I just want to know if you were in my room a few days ago

when shots were fired.

Yes, I was there, man.

I came to ask if you'd let me stay again.

When I arrived,

the door to your room was open.

There was a guy in there.

He was searching through your books, your writing.

It could have been because of my pamphlets.

I'm not sure, but it's possible.

If so, I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

- What? - What are you doing?

Motherfucker.

What was that?

What's going on?

- Call the police. - Those were gunshots!

- I was almost killed. - What was that?

I'm glad you're okay.

Always.

What did he take?

I didn't exactly have time to ask questions.

Look after yourself.

What did he take?

After ten years in forensics, you learn a thing or two.

Your friend was lying to protect you.

If you don't tell me, I can't help you.

A revolver.

I don't know why I had it or what I was going to do with it.

What's wrong?

What's happened?

Are you okay, sweetheart?

Yes.

Thank God.

Come in.

- Hi. This is Nico. - Nico, what's up, baby?

We can't take your call right now. Leave a message after the tone.

Nico?

Are you there?

Okay, well...

I was calling to see how you're doing,

what you've been up to, how things are going.

I miss you, sweetheart.

I love you, you hear me?

Don't you forget it.

And call me.

Call me whenever you want.

You know the number.

At least I think you do.

Baby?

Some people want to talk... the investigation...

- What? - ...we're working on.

Mario, slow down. I can't understand a thing, brother. What?

Some people want to talk to you about the investigation we're working on.

Who?

Write down the address.

Are you alone?

Indirita,

don't forget that you owe me, okay?

So you're not alone.

I'll see.

It's down to you. Let's hope things don't end badly.

Do you understand?

I did think that man was too old to be your friend,

but weird weird?

No, I never dreamt he was capable

of doing what he did, killing all those people, no.

Why would he do that?

I don't know.

We're lucky he didn't kill us.

Don't say that.

He killed 30 people, Camilo.

He killed his own mother.

What kind of psychopath

is cold-blooded enough to do that?

- But he didn't kill us. - The more I...

I keep thinking about it and going over what happened...

He could have hurt your father.

It's important, Mom,

that you tell me you remember that day.

After lunch, did I call you or come back?

Did you hear from me at all?

The blackouts again?

León isn't here.

Good afternoon.

- Will he be long? - How would I know?

Do you think I'm the concierge? Idiot.

THE MOTIVES OF BLOOD

SEARCHING FOR MEANING IN A LIFE THAT NO LONGER MAKES SENSE.

DEAD IN LIFE

25 DAYS BEFORE THE MASSACRE

...if they are the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Three and four, seven.

Seven are the trumpets

that announce the apocalypse.

Four are the

horsemen of the apocalypse.

People are afraid of mental illness.

There's still a misconception

that these illnesses are like the plague and can be caught,

or that they're always hereditary.

What worries me is that my husband isn't getting better.

In fact, he's getting worse, isn't he?

Because, well, at home, he's...

For better or worse, he's calm.

If no one bothers him.

Here he'll be contained

to prevent him from harming himself or anyone else.

But you're not going to cure him.

As I've explained before,

trauma is a scar.

Some wounds heal well.

Others stay open.

It's been a long time, and your husband hasn't been able to process the experience

that brought him to the point he's at now.

I promise he'll have a good quality of life.

Some experiences scar people for life.

I beg you.

Central Cemetery. Leo Kopp's grave.

Take some flowers,

and tell him that he has to get me out of here.

Elsa, come on.

Leonardo Kopp.

Ask him for a miracle.

- To get me out. - Doña Elsa...

Don't worry. He'll do it. Sorry.

Don't worry.

Seven are the trumpets

that announce the apocalypse.

We're not bringing your father to this place.

Not ever.

Let us pray.

O Lord,

who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son,

be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word,

that, with spiritual sight made pure,

we may rejoice to behold your glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit and is God.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

From the woman counting the days until you get her out of the asylum.

She says only you can get her out.

And free me from the bad thoughts

and the dark ideas that have been coming to me lately.

And make me a good writer.

Good morning, young man.

We are at your service.

We communicate with those who are no longer with us.

What about people in limbo? Do you help them too?

Hello, sister.

Hello, brother.

Hello, my dear.

Can I ask a favor?

Thank you.

Don Luis, back on your feet. I'm glad.

Welcome, young man.

Go ahead.

Have a seat.

A good sip of this helps cleanse the energies.

Drink it all.

Are you sure your father is asleep at the moment?

It's important that he's asleep

so we can connect with him through his dreams.

Yes.

Yes, this is when he has his medication.

Take a deep breath.

Relax.

Let yourself be carried away by the music.

I was there when they took him.

I was there.

Subtitle translation by: Rob Bell