Original subtitles

BASQUE COUNTRY, 1915

Not so long ago, children didn't have video games.

Or cellphones.

Or social media to entertain themselves.

But there was one thing they did have.

Walls.

Basque Pelota was a man's game.

A boy's game.

But it didn't take long for girls to claim their spot on the court.

Girls with their rackets soon conquered the courts all over the world.

Many of us dreamed of becoming one of them.

Some of us achieved that.

MEXICO CITY, 1926.

-That was pure luck, rookie. -You will lose.

We'll see about that, grandma.

Thank God you're marrying a rich man

because you'll starve to death if you do this for a living.

-Go to hell. -I'm on my way.

-You got your period. -Disgusting.

Stupid woman.

Disgusting, you're disgusting.

Disgusting, just disgusting.

Get back with your mom!

Bitch!

Wait, wait.

Dirty woman.

Disgusting.

Shut up, you animal.

Chelo, Chelo, wait.

Chelo, wait, wait.

Chelo, wait.

Play.

Forget about them.

Play.

Come on, Chelo, screw them.

Are they crazy?

BASQUE PELOTA

POLICE

BASQUE COUNTRY, 1926

Dammit, my girdle is about to explode.

-Who told you to put one on? -If all of us had your body,

we wouldn't need girdles. -My face hurts from all the smiling.

That's right, good.

A bit closer there at the back.

Boss, the champion should be in the middle.

Idoia, the picture.

They're waiting.

They can sit and wait then.

Go and take the picture right now.

-I don't get paid to take pictures. -It's part of your job.

My contract doesn't say that.

It's to promote the matches. It's good for everybody.

It's good for you.

Get in the fucking picture right now, or I'll fire you.

You would fire the champion?

Really?

Would that be good for everybody?

-How much do you want for the picture? -Twenty.

That's too much money.

Fine.

I'll give you the money, just get in the picture.

For each of us.

What is she saying?

No?

No picture then.

-Again? -You told me you were going

to give me a raise. -I guess I lied to you.

-Lying is bad. -Stealing, too.

What did you use to do before I took you out of the streets?

Which is where your parents abandoned you, by the way.

Same place as usual.

Tommy.

Buy yourself a napkin and clean up your snots.

Did you see the face that the fat man on the first row made?

I thought his carotid was going to explode.

The dumbass in the scoreboard was crossing himself.

I don't believe you.

I swear.

Do you think we'll get punished?

No.

You and Rosa are the national championship finalists.

If they punish you, they can say goodbye to the final.

They wouldn't dare.

I told you, Itzi, how could you play a match

in such an important date?

How could you?

We have over 300 guests and a half-drunk priest.

299.

A bridesmaid that arrives late to her best friend's wedding.

-Shame on you! -Okay, enough.

They'll release you soon. Put the dress on.

Turn around. It's bad luck to see the bride with the dress on.

Hey, you look handsome and angry.

So handsome, so handsome.

So handsome.

Let's see.

-Ready? -Ready.

See? Everything worked out in the end.

Imagine if they knew that the bride was arrested.

And that her handsome groom took her out of jail. So romantic.

You're doing well.

If you could paint as good as you lie, you would be rich.

-I'm already rich. -Your parents are rich.

Well, after this wedding, I'm disgustingly rich, too.

Some may say you're marrying out of convenience.

I sure am not marrying you for that thing in your teeth.

-What? -You have spinach in your teeth.

-Why didn't you tell me before, Mario? -I was going to tell you before,

but I forgot. -Everybody is looking at me.

-Mario, please. -They're looking at us.

-Don't be so self-centered. -I'm the bride,

I think I have to be self-centered. In which tooth is it?

Third one on the right side at the top.

Is it gone?

Gone.

I will always love you.

Wait, wait, wait, I just want to talk.

Do you think stalking a woman at night is the best way to do that?

I'm sorry, I don't know the traditions of your country.

Well, now you know.

No, no.

Fernando Gallardo, from Mexico City.

Come with me, and we can talk about things that will certainly interest you.

The answer to your prayers.

It's 15 meters high, 30 meters for a court and 3000 seats.

The biggest in the world.

Completely devoted to women's Pelota players.

-Madrid, Valencia or Barcelona? -No...

Mexico City.

It's a front for you to be the star. The number one.

-Is it already built? -Not yet.

But as soon as you sign this contract, we will place the first brick.

My partner wanted to make sure he had a star, and you're the chosen one.

You can hire the players you want, build the program,

and your salary will triple.

I want more.

I want to be part of the holding and the business management area.

That's impossible. My partner won't accept that.

-Let me speak to him. -Believe me, I know him well.

You and your partner won't have a front, then.

No, no.

I told you he couldn't stop looking at you.

Stop saying nonsense because he knows I'm married.

And he knows your husband is an idiot.

Stop that.

Alejandro is different, okay?

What?

-That's a lie. -You're so annoying.

I have no idea why I'm your friend.

Because I'm the only one who tells you the truth.

-Get out. -I hate you.

-I hate you more. -Come here.

Fuck.

You couldn't wait until tomorrow? We just got married!

I'm sorry.

You don't look like you're sorry.

I'll take the couch. You can carry on.

I'm so drunk I won't even remember.

You would marry her too, wouldn't you?

We're done.

Oh, girl, you put on almost three kilos.

Are you sure?

That's weird. It must be the nerves before the final.

Leave us alone.

Thank you, Maca.

What is it, doctor?

You're an idiot.

Excuse me?

What a surprise.

Chelo told me the wedding was beautiful, sorry I couldn't make it.

-Come in. -You're the worst liar, Alejandro.

You didn't want to be there, and I didn't want you to be there.

Always so sweet.

I'm leaving, I have a notary appointment. Your friend is in there, doing nothing.

-Have a good day. -Itzi...

you, too.

Hello.

May I know why you didn't go to practice?

You have the final in two weeks.

Rosa told me to drag you there if I have to.

I'm pregnant.

-What? -I have a boy or girl

growing inside of me, whatever it is.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

What about your period the other day during the match?

It wasn't my period. Just unimportant bleeding.

Is that why you're here? You need to rest?

No.

The doctor told me everything was fine, rest was not necessary.

-Okay. -What?

-What? -Tell me what you think.

Chelo, I don't know what to say.

And you don't seem to want congratulations, either.

How could I want you to congratulate me? I'm in the best moment of my career,

I'm about to become Mexico's champion and this…

It's not the time for this.

What are you going to do?

-Are you keeping it? -No.

I don't know if I want to keep it or not. All I know is that I want to achieve

my dream, I want to win that championship, and then…

I don't know. I still have to tell Alejandro, I think I have…

Are you crazy? That's the last thing you should do.

-He's my husband. -He's an idiot.

And if you tell him, he won't let you back away.

Chelo, what a piece of news!

I have another one that is not better.

They're here.

In Mexico.

Point for the couple in red!

Miss Rekalde breaks her own record again by winning 32 times in a row.

Thirty-two victories with seven different partners,

which makes this even more significant.

One thing is clear: Idoia Rekalde is unbeatable.

Are you going to finish the season?

Don't waste my time.

I know about the Mexican's offer.

You have a contract with us.

You can't leave until it's over.

That's not true, and you know it, boss.

I can leave if I pay for my freedom. Or if someone pays it for me.

I gave you everything.

You were just a child when I put your first racket in your hand.

You didn't only put a racket.

Remember?

What are you doing up at this hour, champion?

I'm not the champion yet.

You will be. In exactly two weeks and three days.

Why the face?

Because I got here late? I was doing some business.

It's the third time this week that you arrive this late.

Honey...

I'm crazy about you.

And I want you to be happy.

I want you to do what you want.

How many players do you know that, as soon as they got married,

their husbands forbade them to keep playing?

All of them?

I have never hindered you.

On the contrary, I love it.

It's good that you have your space.

I have my own.

You're good with the ball, I'm good with business.

But your matches have a schedule, my businesses don't.

What is it?

Nothing.

I'm going to bed.

Oh, no, did you see the newspaper?

-Where are we going? -Anywhere.

China, for example.

-You want to go to China? -Yes, I want to go far away.

-Well, China is very far. -Good.

As far as I know, there are no Pelota players or poster artists there.

-What are we going to do in China? -What the Chinese are doing.

Okay.

We have another choice: you can stop running away like a rat

from the person you love.

-They ruined my life. -Tell them. To their face.

-Tell them how they made you feel. -I don't want to do that.

But I want you to do that. You need that.

You're my husband, you're supposed to support me.

We live in a sexist society, babe.

You're the one who's supposed to support me.

Well, I have supported you to stop your family from disowning you,

I married you. -Well, since we're married,

you have to obey me. Tomorrow, we're going to a welcome party.

Your friends are invited.

If, afterward, you still want to leave,

I'll make sure to buy the tickets to go to China to do Chinese things.

It seems like you have a proposal for me.

I'm all ears.

I want to be a part of your project in Mexico City.

But not only as a player.

I want to be a partner.

I already have a partner.

-But you don't have a star. -There are many courts in Mexico.

And none of them need you to make a profit.

You don't want to make a profit, you want to hit gold.

For that, you need the best.

The best.

I never thought you were deluded, Miss Rekalde.

Why do you think men pay to see a match?

Men pay because they get aroused seeing a woman chase after a ball

with a short skirt, sweating.

Pelota players are not athletes.

You're a fantasy.

The answer to your proposal is no.

I don't want you as a partner and, now, I don't want you as a player either.

You have nice legs, but you also have a good head on your shoulders.

And that's not something I like in women.

Have a nice day.

Come in.

-They told me you wanted to see me. -Close the door.

Sit down, Chelo.

Do you know how much money is this?

-You're 28, right? -Yes.

If we take into account your current wage,

and considering you could play until you're 35 or 36,

this is the amount of money you will make in what's left of your career.

145 000 pesos.

And this is how much you will make if you keep that baby.

Zero, nothing!

The fronton's doctor saw you.

You really thought I was not going to find out?

I thought I could make the decision on my own.

If I decide to keep it, I would take care of me.

I can play again at the same level in a year...

That's not true, Chelo. You will gain weight

and lose muscle mass… -Let me play in the final.

-I can decide after… -No.

-Please. -No, no, no, Chelo.

I always protected you.

I stopped them from fining you after the scandal in the last match.

Now, I will be uncompromising with you.

You either stop your pregnancy

or you forget about being a champion.

-We're wasting time, they won't come. -Yes, they will.

And you will tell them everything.

I hate you and I'm divorcing you. This is the stupidest thing

I've ever done in my life. -No, the stupidest thing

you've ever done in your life was switching continents

to run away from the person you loved.

If you help me escape this idiot, I swear I will be your slave

for the rest of your life.

Is there something wrong?

-They're going to be twins. -Or triplets.

-Or quintuplets. -Lots and lots of babies.

Shut up.

-I have to get an abortion. -What do you mean?

-Alejandro is forcing you? -No.

Renato told me to get an abortion, or I stop being a Pelota player.

-Bye-bye, final. -What an idiot!

That's blackmail.

-Lie. -What?

Lie to the boss. Tell him you did it.

I know a lot of doctors, I can bribe one to say you got the abortion.

See?

Win the final and decide afterward. When you become the number one,

the investors won't allow him to fire you, that's for sure.

-It can't be that easy. -It is.

I don't feel good.

Go or I'll drag you.

Everything will be okay.

-They're coming this way. -It's now or never.

Itzi!

Where is she going?

I thought it was you.

Yes.

I saw you too.

I was going to say hello, but I needed to…

You've changed.

You're…

I saw a picture of you in the newspaper.

Your daughters are so big now.

That's an old picture.

-They grow up so fast. -Yes.

I came to the bathroom to hide from you.

I'm shaking.

I have to go.

Ane, wait.

I never stopped loving you.

I can't.

Or I don't know how to do it.

Itzi...

our relationship was wrong.

You were a child and I took advantage of you.

I knew exactly what I was doing.

You knew too.

I'm not attracted to women.

You were attracted to me.

Stop acting like a child, okay?

I love my husband.

Itzi, where were you?

Chelo and I were looking for you like maniacs.

Do you think I'm pretty?

How much tequila did you drink?

I've always thought I'm pretty. Am I?

You're gorgeous.

Objectively, you're beautiful.

It didn't go well with Ane, right?

Her loss.

Itzi, what are you doing?

This is not what you need, gorgeous.

Damn, Idoia, what are you doing here?

I'm from here.

She's a friend, well, an old friend.

Leave. You're not one of us.

I will.

But, before I do, I have a proposal for your boss.

Idoia Rekalde.

The champion, the unbeatable, the number one.

Lucky me.

-To what do I owe the honor? -I need some of your men.

My men are expensive.

I know.

I'll pay anything.

What if I pay for them?

I've told you a million times, I'm not losing a match

so that you can make money with the betting.

So that we can both make money.

I already have money.

Fine, champion.

This is the fee for the ones who have money.

-You kissed Mario. -I know.

-Mario… -I know.

I'm just reminding you that you kissed your homosexual husband.

-I know, dammit… -I know you.

Me? I don't think so. I'm really good with faces,

and I would remember such a pretty face like yours.

Yes. I have seen you in a picture.

That's impossible. Maybe it was her, she's the famous one.

She's going to be a champion.

No, it's you in the picture. My amatxo has it in her Bible.

In a Bible? No, it's not her, then.

Amatxo? Are you Basque?

Yes, just like my sister and my mother. Except my father, he's from England.

-What's your mother's name? -Ane.

I have to go, bye.

Thank you.

Chelo, what a surprise! Hi, Pina.

I have your certificate.

You got your abortion yesterday. You had an awful night in bed,

but everything worked out in the end thanks to the help

of your devoted husband. -Thank you.

You're going to heaven.

Hello.

She has me in her Bible, in a Bible.

-What happened? -In a Bible, in a Bible.

-Can you stop moving and saying Bible? -I already tried and I failed.

Ane keeps a picture of me, one that I gave her years ago,

in her Bible. Her daughter told me. Tell him, Chelo.

-What? You went to see her daughter? -No. What does that matter?

You know what that means? If she didn't care about me,

she wouldn't have kept that picture. She would have burned it years ago.

Well, maybe she needed a page divider or something like that.

Itzi, Itzi, you're the strongest person I know.

That woman destroyed you. And now, just because she keeps a picture of you,

she's the love of your life again?

Of course.

Well, I guess we're going to your hometown then.

I guess I'm going to have to support you because I take it that you're not going

to play for your father. -No need, I can write to someone I know

who has a fronton there, they will be happy to have you.

It's all set, then. We leave on Saturday. Ane leaves before us and we go after.

-Chelo's final is on Saturday. -We have time to see her.

We'll take a train to Veracruz after the match,

and then, I'll go see Ane.

Come on, let's go.

You said you didn't like women with good heads on their shoulders.

That's too bad.

Because we could do great things together, Mr. Pascual.

Do you know what a leather ball can do at 93 miles per hour?

I know.

One time, I saw a rookie get hit in the head during practice.

Hey, since that day, she doesn't even know her name.

You represent every single thing I hate, Mr. Pascual.

Every single thing.

Your little speech about pelotaris running, sweating, that was disgusting.

Our world would be so much better if you didn't exist.

But you have money, and I want your money. So let's do one thing.

We're going to become partners, like I proposed to you.

I'll sign as the headliner of your new fronton,

and I'll be the owner of half of it.

-Ready for your trip? -Yes.

Mario is taking care of everything. He's upset he's going to miss the final.

So you'd better win fast. I don't want to miss my train to Veracruz.

I promise.

Take this.

It's the girdle I used when I made my debut here in Mexico City.

It will bring you luck during the final.

What a nice present.

But I use red when I play.

Really?

I don't have time to dye it.

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Put your pants on.

We have a business to start.

-What are you talking about? -Pascual accepted me as his partner.

And we have a meeting with him now.

I don't believe you.

Are you going to put them on? Or should I do it?

Hey.

If Chelo wins, we'll have to talk about her new contract.

I hope we can negotiate that.

Mr. Pascual?

What about my father?

Did he come back from his office in Spain?

He sent me a telegram today.

He'll be here by the end of the month.

How's the project for a new fronton going?

Did you guys manage to enchant a Spanish pelotari?

Come on, Renato, everybody knows each other in this field.

There are no secrets.

-You can do this. -Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the final match

of the Women's Pelota National Championship.

Wearing blue, the current champions:

Bianca Alvarado and Cecilia Sierra.

Wearing red, the contenders:

Rosa Robles and Chelo Barbosa.

The match begins here, at the Azteca Fronton.

The blue team is winning.

Point for the red team.

Point for the blue team.

Chelo!

Are you okay?

It's the baby.

It's seeking revenge because I don't know if I want to keep it.

I can't continue.

What? Are you quitting?

Don't even think about it. You're going to go out there.

And you're going to win the fucking match. If you win, I can win back Ane.

-That's so stupid, Itzi. -Maybe to you.

To me, it's what will happen. Our dreams go together, Chelo.

Very nice motivational speech, but I don't think it's going to work.

Chelo…

Do you hear that?

Do you hear all those people?

Yeah?

They're waiting for the champion.

The new one.

You, Chelo.

You wanted to be the boss of your own life and decide for yourself.

You achieved that. Go out there, give them what they're waiting for.

Win the match.

Win the match, or I will rip your fucking head off.

How's that for a motivational speech?

Ladies and gentlemen, we're one point away from ending the match.

-She's going to win. -Of course she will.

I'll make a monument for her.

I didn't think she could play at this level.

This is her level.

I was afraid she was not going to be at the top of her game

after the medical intervention.

Intervention? What medical intervention?

What a tense moment here in the Azteca Fronton.

The contenders, Chelo Barbosa and Rosa Robles,

are one point away from becoming the national champions.

Mine!

What a sensational point for the red team! They win!

Go, go, you're not going to make it.

Go, go.

I will miss you, Grandma.

Rookie, if it's a girl, I will name her Itzi.

Chelo Barbosa and Rosa Robles are the new national champions!

Can I ask you how you convinced Pascual to make you his partner?

You can, but I won't answer you. You don't want to know, believe me.

I'm asking because he seems to have changed his mind.

We've been waiting for over an hour.

Where are you going?

It's too early, I don't think he'll be here.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

We had an appointment with Mr. Pascual, but he didn't show up.

Can you tell him Miss Rekalde is here?

Did something happen?

Mr. Pascual is dead.

Apparently, he was beat up last night.

He had a heart condition.

-You're still not ready, champion? -Almost done, almost done.

Hey, we're going to go to the buffet. Is that okay?

-To find a table. -I'll meet you there.

I'll leave this here so that you can get in the mood.

Rosa...

we did it.

We did it.

Girls, let's go, let's go!

If you had been here just a moment ago, you could have taken a shower

with the champion, love.

What is it?