Original subtitles

"This isn't a tale of heroic feats

"It's about two lives running parallel for a while,

with common aspirations and similar dreams" Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, 1952

Goodbye boys life-long companions

Dear old-time gang

The plan:

8,000 kilometers in four months.

The method:

improvisation.

We've got to prevent certain things in life

The goal:

to explore a continent we had only known in books.

THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

Good night, Granado

The equipment:

"The Mighty One,"

an aged, leaky 1939 Norton 500.

The pilot:

Alberto Granado,

chubby, 29, friend and biochemist,

self-proclaimed "wandering scientist."

Alberto's dream:

to finish the journey on his 30th birthday.

Co-pilot: Me, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna,

"El Fuser," 23.

- Is Ernesto really going? - No, Ernesto is staying

Ernesto, will you take me with you? Let's go together!

Sorry, Dad, but the more you tell me—

You're only one semester away from becoming a doctor

That can wait

Medical student, specializing in leprosy …

Here comes furious Serna!

… recreational rugby player …

Kick it!

Nice shot, Fuser!

… and occasionally asthmatic.

Date of departure, January 4th

The route:

Buenos Aires, west to Patagonia and into Chile …

then north, 6,000 meters up the …

rugged spine of the Andes to Machu Picchu.

Then, the San Pablo Leper Colony in the Peruvian Amazon.

The final destination: the Guajira Peninsula in Venezuela.

We land on the Guajira Peninsula

The tip of the grand continent

Bellies full of wine and two tropical beauties, hopefully sisters

The beer's good, huh?

By January 4th, you'll have finished your exams, right?

If you'd like, I'll agree to make a little detour,

go by Miramar, see your little girlfriend

My girlfriend

A couple of days

Check out the guy over there

Yeah?

Do you want to end up like that?

You don't want to end up like that, Fuser

All you want is to get laid in every country in South America

In every town too, if we're lucky Adds a little spice

What we had in common:

our restlessness, our impassioned spirits …

… and a love for the open road.

Buenos Aires, Argentina January 4, 1952 Km 0

Come on, Ernestito, we don't have all day

- Isn't this too much stuff? - Just enough

Norton 500, a real motorcycle

Don't worry about your son, he'll be well taken care of

Son

Tough times are ahead

To tell the truth, I've always dreamt of doing something like this

I confess that if I were a few years younger,

I'd climb on that motorcycle with you

Imagine I'm doing it for both of us

Ten years planning this trip, Uncle

You were a kid

Meanwhile

I trust you

So, when's the revolution coming?

Here?

In about a century - We gotta learn from the Russians

- Leaving already? - Yes I'm off

The only thing you need to worry about is taking your medicine

and writing to me

The most beautiful letters you'll ever read, Mom

- Goodbye, my darling - You'll see

Bye, sis! Take care!

Bye!

- No - Juan Martin!

- Bye! - Write to me

Okay?

Send me postcards

Enough sentimentality, you're gonna make me cry!

Take care

So, just like Don Quixote had Rocinante, San Martin had his mule,

we have "The Mighty One" - Yeah, which pees oil

Yeah, she pees oil What I'm trying to say is that in this very instant,

young Fuser and your servant here,

embark on a journey to the farthest reaches of the human spirit,

where we will encounter new lands, hear new anthems, eat new fruits—

Granado, I'm holding you responsible Anything happens to Ernesto,

I'm going to hunt you down Put on the scarf, honey

Don't worry, ma'am He'll come back and be the doctor we all want him to be

It's time to go!

That bike is a good excuse for walking

So long!

Watch out!

- He's crazy! - Animal!

Careful with that bike!

Dear Mom,

Buenos Aires is behind us.

Gone is "this wretched life",

the uninspired lectures, the papers and medical exams.

All of Latin America is ahead of us.

From now on, we only trust "The Mighty One."

I wish you could see us! We look like outlaws,

commanding attention everywhere we go …

Slam it, Mial! Put 'er into orbit!

- Don't quit on me, Mighty One! - Come on!

- What happened, Mial? - Fucking shit!

I'm glad we've left "civilization" behind

and are now a bit closer to the land.

What's going on?

We're losing our bags!

Problems! Problems!

Motherfucker! Fucking shit!

- Fuser, are you alright? - Yeah, you?

What's up, little one?

Are you okay?

- What the fuck is that? - What the fuck does it look like?

- A fucking dog! - You're a fucking shitty driver!

Fuck you! What's that fucking dog doing on my bike?

It's for Chichina His name is "Come-back"

Go on, pick up the bike

Miramar, Argentina January 13, 1952 Km 601

Where the fuck are we, in Switzerland?

- Good day - Good day

- Chichina? - She's at the beach with the family

That bike's not doing so well

So, Esteban, tell us about your trip

It was fantastic, Don Horacio

I had the opportunity to take a seminar in Cambridge

and spend a couple of weeks in London, a fascinating city

- Oh, what a privilege - Yes A privilege

Esteban is about to get his doctorate

In medicine?

No In law

Oh, law

One, two, three, four, tango, Fuser!

It's your turn now

I've never seen a pig who liked to dance Ever

Yeah - Fuck off

With this foot, one back, back

What are you laughing at?

What are you laughing at? - You

Tonight?

Dad asked Aunt Rosana not to let me out of her sight

And Mom promised the Virgin that she'd walk to her sanctuary

if we break up

Don't your parents realize that the deeper you bury the diamonds,

the more determined the pirate is to take them?

Believe me,

this diamond wouldn't mind being taken

Dance

Look at them

Check out La Negra!

Let's check out the bathroom

Good night

- Good night, girls - Good night

- Good night - Good night

So, Aunt Rosana

which room do I get?

Get out, Come-back Scat!

What happened there?

- Come here - Don't tickle me!

How long did you say we'd be here?

You know how long

Two days

And how long has it been?

Are you gonna use wire in the operating room, too?

Six days, Fuser!

They're going to kill us!

If you stayed we could do many things, Ernesto, but only if you stayed

- That didn't sound so good - What do you want to hear?

That I'll wait for you?

I told you I'm coming back

I have the dog to prove it

Didn't you like him?

What do you want, Ernesto?

What do you want to hear?

That I'll wait forever, that I'll wait months on end for you to return?

What's with you? - What do you want?

What?

I'd like for you stay like this, silent

I want to look at you; I won't see you for a long time

I will wait for you, but don't take forever

Define "forever"

Thin ice, mister!

I won't touch you again

Oh, no, I hurt you Did I hurt you?

It's a trick A really bad one!

Okay, lovebirds, it's time to go

Fuser

Take care, Miss Ferreyra

Thanks for everything

On the boat I heard the moist slap of bare feet

and foresaw faces dark with hunger.

My heart was a pendulum between her and the street.

I don't know what strength broke me free from her eyes, loose from her arms.

She remained clouded by tears, her anguish hidden by the rain.

- Is that Lorca? - No

- Neruda? - No

Who?

I don't remember

Goodbye!

Wait, wait there

I'm getting snot all over this

So with Chichina — nothing?

Even after you gave her a purebred German Shepherd, nothing?

At least tell me you saw one tit One little tit

Ah, you saw her titties, then Alright, my man!

Scalpel

Scalpel

American dollars

Fifteen

Chichina?

Yup

That girl's perfect for you I've always said so:

that is Ernesto's girlfriend Now we'll be able to eat like kings

- No - A succulent protein-filled meal

She gave me money in case we make it to the United States

She asked me to buy her a bathing suit

I said I would

What?

Pretend this money doesn't exist It's off limits

He's testing me I'm gonna kill him

Are you talking to the bike again?

What the hell are you thinking? This girl's got you by the balls!

- No - Fuser!

Don't get all worked up, fatty

- Hello - Good afternoon

Piedra Del Aguila, Argentina January 29, 1952 Km 1809

- How's the bike feel? - It's amazing!

You can fix anything with wire It's riding better than ever

Goddamn, motherfucking shit!

You alright, Fuser?

Damn curve

Look at the exhaust pipe! Goddamn it to hell and back!

Get more stakes! I've run out!

Don't bust my balls!

Just grab it! - You had to choose this spot, asshole!

- You're the one that chose it! - Hold on to that side!

- You hold on to your side first! - Come on!

- I just can't! - Come on!

The ground is wet! What the fuck do you want me to do?

Fucking shit!

No, the river took it!

Get it, get it!

It's gone!

Just take it

Why don't we go up to that ranch?

With those snobs?

We'll find help down here, among the people, don't you think?

Yeah

Should we do the broken headlight thing? - Red October

- What's Red October? - You have your medical ID, right?

Oh, yeah, yeah

Good evening - Good evening

What do you want?

It may not look like it, but, well, we're both doctors

from Buenos Aires and Córdoba, respectively

We are traveling the length and breadth of the country

Well, he's got one, too

We're traveling all over doing some research in the hope of curing

some of the most terrifying diseases of the 20th century

Plagues that not only consume our energies,

but also keep Argentina under total dependence

As a matter of fact, if you read the medical literature, you'll note, as we have—

What the fuck do you bums want?

Look, sir The wind took our tent

We're starving and need a place to sleep

There's a shed out there with a good floor

You can sleep with the migrants

But we're doctors

I like your face very much

Yours, fatty, I don't like

- It's cool - It's okay

Dear Mom,

we're still going strong,

though "The Mighty One" isn't so mighty anymore.

San Martin de Los Andes, Argentina January 31, 1952 Km 2051

Money and food are scarce,

but we've managed to bum some free food …

… thanks to our secret weapon,

Alberto's impeccable bullshitting.

trying to wipe out some of the most terrifying diseases of the 20th—

- So you two are doctors? - Well, no

Alberto is a biochemist and I'm in medical school

He practically has a degree We're as good as doctors

Then I'd like you to look at this lump in my neck

- Mister - Von Puttkamer

Hurts?

It's a tumor

- What do you mean, a tumor? - Yes

- You think so? - Yeah

- I don't know, Fuser - I do

It looks like an adipose deposit, it could be a cyst

No It's a tumor

It's a tumor in the occipital zone, probably of hydatid origin

Schatzie, these gentlemen say I have a tumor!

No Good day, ma'am

Honestly, I don't think it's a tumor, it's a sebaceous cyst

If you'll give us some food and a place to crash, we may be able to treat you

No, look, we can't treat you

Don't worry, you just need to go to Buenos Aires

I can refer you to a specialist, but—

We could try to help him

How? With a couple of herbs from their garden? With prayers?

I see, there's nothing you can do for me

Yes, we can If you give us food and a place to sleep—

There's a lake full of fish and a tool shed nearby

Sir, it's a very premature diagnosis

This conversation is over, doctors

Let's go, Schatzie

Work with me next time, okay?

Sure, I'll work with you, but not at the expense of a man's health

Let's suppose you were right, the geezer had a tumor

How the fuck do you just tell him like that? Unbelievable!

It's the truth If he can't take it, that's his problem

You made him shit his pants, you can't treat a patient like that

The guy has a tumor, the sooner he deals with it, the better

It's the proper treatment, or didn't you learn that in pharmacy school?

Look, you asshole, don't talk to me about proper medicine

You little nurse Get your degree, then we'll talk

Fucking know-it-all

Let's look for food

Duck, duck, duck Give me the gun, man! Come on!

I got it, man! - Very good!

How did you do that? - Now we're totally fucked

Well, there is no choice now but to jump in the lake and get our food

Fuser, jump in the water and get our food

You're nuts if you think I'm getting in, you have any idea how cold it is?

Yeah, I know you're allergic to the cold, the water, the heat and all that

but you know what? I'm older, wiser, and I did all the shooting

It was dumb luck! Besides, I have asthma

Okay, you're right If you can't, I'll do it

- I never said "can't" - "Can't," "won't"

- What's the difference? - I didn't say, "I can't"

Or you don't want to, same thing

Otherwise, give me Chichina's dollars,

and we'll feast like kings

Look, if I get that fucking duck, I'll eat it by myself

Like a duck to water quack, quack, quack!

I'm freezing my balls off!

So what? You're not using them

Come on

Good, Fuser! Good! Bring that ducky with fries

Is it cold out there?

Hey! You cold?

I'm not

Duck?

Are you feeling shitty?

No, I feel wonderful

Bariloche train station, Argentina 3 days later Km 2270

Here

Fuser

Okay

Fuser, listen to me

Give me Chichina's 15 bucks and we'll go to a real hospital

Ask again, I'll vomit on you

Dear Mom, what do we leave behind when we cross a frontier?

Each moment seems split in two:

melancholy for what is left behind,

and the excitement of entering a new land.

Lago Frias, Argentina February 15, 1952 Km 2306

Look, Mial!

Chile

Chile!

Long live Chile!

- First time you've left the country? - Sure thing

You're practically a man

Listen, when we're old and tired of traveling

we should come back and set up a clinic on this lake

Huh? - Not a bad idea

We'd treat everybody; if anybody comes out here

Count on me, brother

Things are looking up, Fuser

Is that snow piling up? - Nah, that's just a little frost, man

One, two, three

That's it!

I hope the chain doesn't freeze up because we'll be screwed

Come on!

Come on! Come on! Come on!

There you go

Fuck, it's cold

Nice little summer we're having

Hey, you said we'd enter Chile like conquerors

Not like a pair of assholes - Don't like it? Fuck yourself, Ernesto

Temuco, Chile February 18, 1952 Km 2772

Why don't we dump this thing? It's nothing but trouble

Oh, yeah? And walk the whole continent on foot, genius?

Yes We'd see more, meet more people

you could drop some pounds

Come on, you faggot

With a couple of Chichina's dollars, this is history

Same old song! Forget that money!

If that's your answer, you go to Venezuela on foot,

just leave me the hell alone and take your boss's money

I could probably make it there in half the time if you'd mind your own business

You motherfucker!

Oh, Ernestito, bring me those Yankee panties, from Miami

Don't you realize you'll never see her wearing them

and she'll never take them off for you, asshole!

Fuser!

You know what your problem is, Fuser?

Your fucking honesty

You could help out with a little lie once in a while

NEWSPAPER AUSTRAL

Just hold it

Hey!

What are you doing?

What's up?

Come in!

Thank you

- Maté? - Yes

- Thank you very much - No sugar

- What is your name? - Teresa

- Teresa Ernesto - Nice to meet you

There, hold it up

It'll make a nice souvenir

A souvenir, huh? I'll take it back to Argentina with me

- Are you traveling? - Yeah, we are

We're the ones with that beat-up bike out there

- Oh, that big one over there - Yeah

And what is this? - That's sea bass

- And these? These are clams, no? - They're clams

- Just normal clams? - Clams are always clams

Maybe next time

The Austral News! The Austral News for only 3 pesos!

News of Chile and the world, the Austral News!

Just 3 pesos!

News of Chile and the world, the Austral News!

"Yesterday afternoon, Temuco was honored by the arrival

"of two of the most prestigious leprosy experts in South America

Dr Alberto Granados from Córdoba—"

- What do you mean, "Granados?" - Yeah, that's what it says

"and Dr Ernesto Guevara de la Serna from Buenos Aires

"have embarked on an epic journey from their native soil to the northern tip of Venezuela

"The charismatic scientists — adventurers, experts in their field —

have treated 3,000 patients across the continent"

Alright!

"They expect to complete their marathon-trek

"in a record five months,

just in time to celebrate the youthful Dr Granados's 30th birthday"

- It says "youthful" - Yeah, they lied a bit, too

Think it'll work?

Hello Good afternoon

My friend and I are having problems with our bike

The steering is broken, the brakes are shot

and the gears are all messed up - My ass is killing me

Well, the steering, brakes and gears I can fix

but I'm afraid your ass is outta luck

And we're broke

What? You don't have a penny?

We're getting some money in Valparaiso

We'll send it to you then

I have no disrespect in my heart,

but if you have no money, you have no business being here

Forgive me for interrupting, sir, but if you help us out now,

you'd be doing incalculable service to bilateral relations among our countries

You expect me to fix it for free?

I don't think we're being clear

We can't assume everyone will know who's who in the Latin American medical field

Doctor, if you will - Yes, of course As it so happens,

an article came out just today

in The Austral the newspaper

Allow me

Look, Piedad

Tulio!

The picture isn't very good - Yeah, it's not very flattering

It's them

Gentlemen, it would be an honor to fix your motorcycle

Thank you very much

After I finish this card game with my wife, of course

Of course

Priority number one!

You know, there's a dance at the City Hall tonight,

and, God willing, the young girls in town will be there

That's too bad!

Should I bring the bike in later?

Leave it right here, we'll fix it up for you

My love

I'm gonna buy

A little plane for us to fly

Allow me

During our sweet honeymoon my love

My love I'm gonna buy

A little train to take a ride

During our sweet honeymoon

Listen to his voice as he walks on

He sings us the Chipi Chipi to dance along

Chipi Chipi Hey

Chipi Chipi Hey

Learn to dance the rhythm of the Chipi Chipi

You know, I was just thinking about you

Yeah? Why?

You made a strong impression on me from the start

Thanks

Do you want to dance?

No I don't dance

My husband's fallen asleep; he's drunk

I have no one to dance with

Well, if you teach me

Yes?

You finally remembered you're a man, huh?

Oh, had you forgotten?

I haven't danced in a long time

but it's all coming back

I can't dance anymore

Do you want to keep dancing?

Wouldn't you like to step out?

- I'd love to - Yes

Yeah, let's go - Okay, let's go, then

- What's wrong? - Not now!

What?

Come on, it's okay - Let me go!

Hey, asshole, the Argentinian is hitting on your wife!

Let me go!

I'm sorry, excuse me!

You motherfucking Argentinian!

Fuser!

I'm gonna get you, you Argentinian son-of-a-bitch!

You Argentinian bastards!

Let's get them!

- Motherfucking shit! - The chain!

Hit it, hit it!

- Yeah! - Yes!

Faster, faster!

Are you tired?

No

Don't you want to switch?

No

Are you sure?

Cows!

- Hit the brakes! - What brakes?

- What do you mean? - The brakes are gone!

Fucking mechanic!

You alright?

I'm great! What do you want me to say, Fuser?!

Goddamn mechanic!

Is he your dad?

Yes

That cow's going blind

All she's going to see is shit

Los Angeles, Chile February 26, 1952 Km 2940

We are 25 days behind schedule

Hello

It is rumored that Chilean girls are the most daring in the continent

Rumors have no scientific value, Dr Granado

Time to do some research,

- Don't you like him? - No

You don't like either of them?

Here they come

Hi, girls

Excuse us, but this place is packed

- Can we join you? - Yes

- You don't mind? - Thank you

Hello

- Ernesto - He's Alberto

- Miss? - Jazmin

- Daniela - A pleasure

A real pleasure

- Are you Argentinian? - How'd you know?

Well, because of your accent, because Argentinians always say "che"

- Had you noticed, Che? - Not at all, Che

Do you know what day it is?

February 26

February 26

Sounds unbelievable, but it's been a year

A year since what?

One year since we started this trip

One year and we're flat broke, we can't even celebrate What a shame

Why don't you let us treat you to a bottle of wine?

- Wine? - Wine

Lucho!

A bottle of wine

for our courageous Argentine visitors

Girls, don't be offended, but I can't drink wine

Why couldn't you drink just a bit?

Exactly There's an old custom in Argentina—

No, please don't

What is it?

I think they deserve an explanation - They do

Thank you, Lucho

An old custom in Argentina

doesn't allow us to drink on an empty stomach

Since we're flat broke, we can't buy food

and must reject your generous offer

That's it

Come on, lighten up

Lucho

Lucho, could you bring us some empanadas?

- Do you like Chilean empanadas? - I've never tasted Chilean empanadas

Four? Eight?

Well they do look hungry

Twelve

What a nice number I've always liked that number

Wish we could stay!

Too bad we have nowhere to crash

We'll sleep out in the park

Listen my dad's fond of Argentinians

- No joke! - Honest He might be able to help you

Since Dad's chief of the fire brigade, he knows lots of people

- What? - You two are sisters?

Of course

Look

Can't you tell?

The mechanic won't be in until tomorrow, but the bike can stay right here

- Thank you very much - Thank you very much, sir

Guys! Cañaco! Come!

I'm going to introduce you to two Argentinian volunteers

that will be spending the night here with you

This is Dr Skinny Che,

and this is Dr Chubby Che

- Pleasure - Good to meet you

Why don't we go take in the town?

Good idea, but—

Don't you worry, sir

Excuse me Sorry!

Hello

I don't want to bother you, but are you really doctors?

- No - Yes

Actually, I'm a biochemist

Could you come see a sick woman?

- Yes Whenever you say, just— - Could we do it now?

It's been a long time since she's seen a doctor, she's in really bad shape

Sure Let me get my things

Well, one has to remain faithful to the Hippocratic oath

- Ernesto - Moncho

- Poncho? - Moncho

Excuse me

Look me in the eye

I'm going to touch your neck

Has she eaten?

I don't know

Look, Mrs Rosa, I'm going to leave these little pills

Take one with each meal

and one before sleeping

This will help you feel better

I knew I was powerless to help her, Mom …

This poor old woman who only a month ago waited tables, wheezing like I do,

trying to live with dignity.

In her dying eyes, there was a plea for forgiveness

and for solace, now vanished,

just as her body will soon be lost

in the great mystery that surrounds us.

Fuser, you still haven't asked

about the research I did on our Chilean sisters

You can't imagine how depressed I am

that you're the sexual ambassador of Argentina!

It's true

Are you the clowns that ride that crippled piece of shit?

- Her name is "The Mighty One" - Her name was "The Mighty One"

Now she can be baptized "The Deceased," "The Dearly Departed," "The Paraplegic"—

Really? Why?

Why? Because I am the mechanic

You could make a buck selling her for scrap

Chile is her last stop

Gonna miss you, girl

I'll carry yours today Come on

What'll we do? Go on?

Of course

A man turns 30 only once, right?

You're something else, Ernesto de la Serna

I mean, if we spend Chichina's— - Nope! Don't even think it!

Hey! Hey!

He stopped! Come on!

There she is, Valparaiso

"I love Valparaiso,

all you encompass, all you radiate, lover of the ocean, far from"

- Federico Garcia Lorca - No!

Neruda!

Valparaiso, Chile March 7, 1952 Km 3573

Thank you

- From Chichina? - From Chichina And the money?

Should I open it? - Go ahead

I'll leave you lovebirds alone

I love you so much, Celia de la Serna

What happened?

Fuser?

- Hey, you ready? - Me?

- Yup - Of course

Right away!

Atacama Desert, Chile March 11, 1952 Km 4960

You know what?

I liked my plan better, Fuser!

You are such an arrogant bastard You can at least answer me!

What do you wanna do? Go back?

Go on, go back!

I'll get to the mine and tell you all about it

Are you saying I can't make it?

If you can, little asthmatic doctor, then I can

- Just shut up and walk! - Ball-buster!

Now you wanna beat me?

Stop, goddamn it!

Good afternoon, hi

I'm Ernesto, good to meet you

Yes

Right there

Home

We didn't have much, just some tough, dry land

It belonged to his grandpa

It was ours Until a land speculator forced us off

That's what they call progress

So we had to leave our son with family and hit the road,

looking for work,

trying to escape from the police who wanted to toss us in jail

Why?

Because we are communists

Now we're going to a mine If we're lucky, I'll find some work

It's so dangerous, they don't care what party you belong to

Are you two looking for work?

No, we're not looking for work

No?

Then why are you traveling?

We travel just to travel

Bless you

Blessed be your travels

- Here - Thank you

- Have a maté - Thank you

Their faces were tragic and haunting.

They told us of comrades who had mysteriously disappeared …

and were said to be somewhere at the bottom of the sea.

It was one of the coldest nights of my life …

but also one which made me feel closer to this strange,

for me anyway, human race.

You!

You too

You, over there

You

Not you! The one next to you!

Move it, move it! Get a move on, guys!

Chuquicamata Mine, Chile March 15, 1952 Km 5122

You there, you too Up there!

Move along!

The one in the back You, too

The one up there, you

Hurry up

Get on the truck

The rest of you go home!

Hurry up, move it!

This truck is full

Hey, come on!

You two! What are you doing here?

- Nothing, just looking - Looking at what, asshole?

This is not a tourist attraction, get lost!

Can't you see these people are thirsty?

Why don't you give them some water, damn it?

Get out before I call security and have you locked up, asshole

- Why would they? - Why?

Trespassing This is property of the Anaconda Mining Company

Watch the door

You son-of-a-bitch!

As we left Chuquicamata we could feel the world changing …

or was it us?

The deeper we go in the Andes,

the more indigenous people we encounter,

who are homeless in their own land.

We finally entered Peru,

thanks to a half-blind trucker named Felix.

And guess what?

Alberto turned 30, but not in Venezuela as we had planned.

We were so tired, Mom, we couldn't celebrate.

Fuser

This is not humanly possible

We finally arrived in Cuzco, "the heart of America."

Cuzco, Peru April 2, 1952 Km 6932

Our first day in the city, we met Don Néstor,

an old soul, Mom, and our official guide.

Sir, I wonder, which of these walls is Incan?

This one here is Incan and that one is Spanish

As a joke we say this wall was made by the Inca,

and that wall was made by the In-capables That's what we call the Spanish

During the Inca period, Cuzco was the capital

When the Spanish came they started to trash it all,

and made Lima the capital - Lima?

Yes

This belongs to Jesus Christ Inc

- Are they still in business? - Yes

Are they still in business?

She says she never went to school

because she was always with the livestock,

and that's why she doesn't speak Spanish, only Quechua

When I was little there was enough, at least I think so,

there was enough money to afford everything

But now I think there is little money,

there is no work

And that is all affecting us, more and more

From the time I was little I've worked with handicrafts and

that's why I'm not doing too bad,

not too good, just okay

With both hands

With both hands, Néstor

Thank you

Hello

Good afternoon

I was working for a time …

on some land.

And the landlord kicked me off the land

I was doing my work and he threw me out

How'd he throw you out? Did he bring the police?

Yes, he brought the police

Because he's rich, he's got lots of money

He wants me to vacate his land, to get out

Once it was already productive

Yes, it was producing wheat,

corn, potato all that

And he kept most of it

So, I can't live in the past

I have to move on work,

find the money to educate my kids—

- How many kids do you have? - I've got five

Have you gotten organized with other farm workers

- Yes - in order to fight back?

Yes We are organized,

we help each other, work our land,

we help each other Very unified

Machu Picchu, Peru April 5, 1952 Km 7014

Ready for the photo, Fuser?

That's it, that's it

This one's for posterity

The Incas knew astronomy, brain surgery,

mathematics, among other things,

but the Spanish invaders had gunpowder.

What would America look like today if things had been different?

Fuser, here's my idea:

I'll marry an Inca descendant

We'll start an indigenous party under these conditions:

we'd encourage the people to vote,

reactivate Tupac Amaru's revolution, the Indo-American revolution, Fuser

How's that sound?

A revolution without guns?

It would never work, Mial

How is it possible to feel nostalgic for a world I never knew?

How can a civilization that built this …

… be destroyed to build …

… this?

Lima, Peru May 12, 1952 Km 8198

This isn't it - No?

Wrong street?

Mercaderes 52

Let's ask

- Mercaderes Street? - Mercaderes?

Straight ahead for two blocks,

turn right and go another six, seven blocks

This has got to be Mercaderes

That one is too

- Is this Mercaderes Street? - Yes

- And that one? - Yes

We have to count backwards

- Fuser? - Backwards is 2, 4

What? Yeah

Can I help you?

This is Mariátegui's book And you must also read Cesar Vallejo

The best thing about Lima was Dr. Hugo Pesce,

director of Peru's leper-treatment program,

who Alberto contacted before we started our journey.

He gave us clothes, food,

money and ideas.

Mariátegui speaks of the revolutionary potential

of the Natives and farm workers of Latin America.

He says the problem of the Indian is the problem of the land,

and that the revolution should not be an imitation.

It should be original and indigenous.

"We are too few to be divided," he said,

"Everything unites us,

nothing separates us".

Most of the patients are over here

Pesce got us a couple of beds in the Guia Hospital,

where patients suffering from the early stages of leprosy are treated.

The most critical cases are sent to the San Pablo Leper Colony, in the Amazon.

Zoraida, here's Alberto and Ernesto

I think we know each other pretty well now

Let me tell you something

I look at you, Ernesto, and you, Alberto,

and I see great idealism and many doubts

That's why I'm glad you're going to San Pablo

I think you will find something important there

For each of you

Thank you, Doctor

If you'll excuse me, I will show you something

Another surprise? So many surprises

What's he getting, squirt? - A book

- A book - You have quite an appetite, Lito

This is the great love of my life, after my wife, of course

It's my novel

"Latitudes of Silence"

I hope you'll do me the honor of reading it

- Of course - Of course, Doctor

The honor is ours

You can give me your opinion in Ucayali

- Of course May I? - Of course

Who dares go first?

Both of us

He reads much faster than me He's really a fast reader

Pucallpa, Peru May 25, 1952 Km 8983

Well, boys, that's the ship, La Cenepa.

You'll be in San Pablo in five days

All aboard!

Maestro

Thank you for your hospitality, for the tickets, for the clothes

Thank you for everything, it's been an honor

Don't mention it

Thank you Thank you very much

One more thing Haven't you forgotten something?

You haven't said anything about my novel

You've read it? - Of course

- And? - What can I say?

I can say, without exaggeration, that no one

can tell a story like you do

It took me a lot of work

Ernesto, your opinion? - He loved it

If he loved it, I'd like to hear him tell me

Look, Doctor, I think your book is a bit trite

There are too many clichés,

and I—

Well, that's not so bad

No, the writing is basically — bad

Basically unreadable

It's a worthy attempt, Doctor, but I think you should stick

to what you know best

I'm sorry, Maestro, you asked my opinion and that's it

Damn you, boy

Nobody's been this honest with me

You're the only one

The only one

Well, I won't keep you any longer

So long, we're forever grateful Thank you

Take care!

Have you seen

a bag that was just here?

- No - A small brown one

I'll bring it over if I do

What's wrong with him?

Call for help!

The pillow!

Hand me the pillow!

Take it easy, Fuser

Take it easy, Fuser Adrenaline on the way

Okay, Fuser It's over

Fuser Fuser, quiet It's all over now

Miss

I want to thank you for helping out my friend

No problem He was in really bad shape

Fuck, yeah

- He scared me a lot - Me too

Thank you very much, Miss

You know, a little while ago, there was a bufeo out there

A bufeo?

They're river dolphins but we call them bufeos

Have you ever seen one?

Never I've heard of them, but I've never seen one

I'm going to tell you a secret

The bufeo's sex organs are like that of a woman's

and Indians used them to comfort themselves

But there's a little problem,

as soon as they're done, they have to kill the animal

because they suffer contractions that won't let them loose

- Miss, if I may, can I ask you a question? - Shoot

What brings you to these inhospitable waters?

I work on the boat

I come and go between Pucallpa and Leticia

I'm from Pucallpa

- Pucallpan - Pucallpian

- Pucallpian, got it - Have you been there?

Yes, it's full of beautiful women, but you are the loveliest

- Thank you - You're welcome

And, how do you pay for your passage?

I give the captain part of my earnings

And how do you earn your earnings, Miss?

Let's just say if we go to your cabin, I can show you

The name's Luz, in case you want to know who you're doing business with

My little Luz, for a night with you, I'd pay enough gold to equal the Aconcagua

But, honey, I've run out of cash

Well, my friend, in that case you'll have to excuse me

- Hey - I've gotta go earn a living

You're not going to leave me like this, are you?

- I need the 15 dollars, Fuser - What?

Her name is Luz

She told me a story of a fish the Indians fucked and kissed me

I'm so horny I could explode

I spent them

No, Fuser

Don't bust my balls

We crossed a desert together, we starved, froze, had accidents

My needs come before Chichina's bathing suit

I don't have them

I gave them to the mining couple

Woo her

Fuck you, Fuser

The house wins, gentlemen

Mr Lloyds is leaving our table

- Good evening - Good evening, sir

- Miss - Place your bets, gentlemen

- Eight soles - Ten soles

One sol

Sir, this is for men, not schoolchildren

I didn't know that in Peru a man's balls are measured in soles

Very well Let's play

Cards, sirs

Open

- Card? - One

- Sir? - No

- Sir? - One

I'll stay put

- Card - Sure

Thank you

Gentlemen, the house pays twenty-one

Sir, seventeen

I'm sorry, gentlemen

- Young man? - Pay up Twenty-one

- How much did you bet? - One sol

There we go, the first one

Well, gentlemen, let's continue Place your bets

Two soles

Gentlemen, don't fall asleep on me, let's see those bets

- Thirty soles - Ten soles

Gentlemen, once again! Blackjack!

That's impossible!

- How much do I owe you? - Thirty soles

The house pays up

See you later Thank you

I'll be retiring

I think we know who's got the biggest balls at this table

Excuse me, gentlemen

Son-of-a-bitch!

Hey, now that we're millionaires, let's go eat

Precisely, check out that morsel right there

What a lucky night

Ernesto This is Luz, which means "light"

At your service

"Electrifying light that dazzles my dreams

Get ready, you've no clue what's coming to you"

- Neruda? - Granado

San Pablo, Peru June 8, 1952 Km 10223

Are you Dr Bresciani?

How are you, boys? Good trip?

- Yes - Long, but good

A bit long, huh?

Alberto, Ernesto? - No, reverse it

- A pleasure I'm Bresciani - The pleasure is ours, Doctor

Dr Pesce has spoken enthusiastically of you, so welcome to San Pablo

Oh, by the way, I have a letter from him

Do you want it now? - Later on

Well, since we're already here, I can tell you about the colony

The Amazon cuts the colony in half

The patients live on the south side

and the staff, doctors and nurses are here on the north,

as well as a group of nuns who do things with great efficiency

Here's your room

The beds are a bit hard, but it's good for the spine

You can see the hospital from here

and the lab is over there

Dr Souza Lima, these are our Argentinian volunteers, Mr Granado,

Mr Ernesto Guevara

Alberto, I believe you have experience in the laboratory, right?

That's correct

I think he'll be able to help; why don't you show him the research lab?

Ernesto, you're going to help me at the hospital with the consultations

We transfer the seriously ill over here; we bring them in from the south side

Hello, Doctor

Do you also operate on this side?

Yes, we have an OR over there

That's Elvia She's the daughter of a patient; a very good nurse

How is he?

Is he okay? - He's much better

- Continue the same treatment, then - Okay

Doctor, how many patients live on the south side?

- Almost 600 - All Peruvian?

No, most are, but we have some from Colombia,

Venezuela, and other South American countries

I suggest you wear these gloves

Although leprosy is not contagious under treatment,

the nuns are quite insistent on this point

If it's not contagious, then it's just symbolic, right?

Yes, I'm just telling you so you don't make any mortal enemies

You know what, Doctor? You'll excuse us, but we're not going to wear them

Thank you, Doctor

- Don't say I didn't warn you - Alright

Get the boxes out

Right this way, boys

Good afternoon - Good afternoon

- Welcome to San Pablo - Thank you

Papa Carlito at your service

- Nemesio Reyna - I'm Ernesto Guevara

I'm Alberto Granado, a pleasure to meet you

Doctor, haven't you explained the rules?

A pleasure

How are you, Nemesio? - Well

Papa Carlito is the community leader They are Argentinian doctors

A pleasure See you later

Those guys are real gents

Doctor, these gentlemen just show up and think they can do what they want?

Mother Sor Alberto,

these gentlemen have medical experience in Córdoba and Buenos Aires

That doesn't give them the right to break the rules

Why don't we talk about this later?

Thank you, Mother, you are very understanding

Excuse us

She's the Mother Superior

- I think she wants me - I think she does

Hello

This is the dining hall

The nuns fix lunch here on Sundays

But only for those who come to mass

Most of the patients were sent here by their families

or fired from their jobs

So they adapt to their new lives, by building their own house,

farming and raising animals

- Doctor - Good day

- How's Silvia? - She doesn't want the surgery

Thank you

Silvia is a somewhat rebellious patient

Surgery is the last chance to save her arm

Hello, Silvia

She's young

May I go talk to her?

Can I sit?

Does your arm hurt?

What's wrong?

I was born with shitty lungs

Pity

It's not so bad

Thanks to that, I got out of military service

I didn't have to clean anybody's boots

Is that why you became a doctor

because you're sick?

Maybe

The first word I learned was "injection"

I want to be useful, somehow

You're wasting your time

Why?

Life is pain

Yes, it's pretty screwed up

You gotta fight for every breath

and tell death to go to hell

Fuser

Bresciani's going to write me a letter of recommendation for a residency

in Caracas at the Cabo Blanco Hospital

How's that sound?

That's good, isn't it?

Good?

What's wrong, Fuser?

Have you seen the river?

Of course

It segregates the ill from the healthy

Yes

Look at this hand

Right here

Wipe

Are you alright?

Scalpel

It's alright

Look at me, look me in the eye

Are you alright?

The nerve is coming out It's thick

I have four siblings

Celia, Ana Maria, Roberto and Juan Martin

Honestly, they're what I miss most

And also my mom

You have to let me know sooner

Have you been playing soccer lately?

Not lately

I'd appreciate it if you wore sneakers next time

and don't forget to invite me - My pleasure

Alright, Northerners!

Come on, Northerners!

Mark that one there!

Come on, Southerners!

Alright, Southerners!

Get out there!

Mark that one!

Score!!!

What happened?

What happened, Chubby? We nailed you!

Fuck you!

Some rice corn, onion

Excuse me

Sister, why won't you serve us? What's wrong?

Mother Sor Alberto's rules are very clear

Food is served only to those who attend Holy Mass

They won't serve us because we didn't go to mass?

- Says who? - Sor Alberto

Mother

Yes, sons?

- We'd like to eat, if possible - We deserve to eat like everybody else

- But you didn't go to mass - No

So, how do you expect to feed the body if you haven't first fed the soul?

Ma'am, it's unchristian to deny us food!

We have rules in this house, and they have to be followed

I didn't see any rule book

Neither did I I think if I find it, I'll eat it

Your lunch

- You stole it? - Yes

Thank you

- You stole it from Sor Alberto? - Yes

Thank you

- Deep? - Yeah

- Do you want maté? - No, thanks

What?

From Caracas? - Caracas

This is great

Great, isn't it?

Should I take it?

What do you wanna do?

Maybe it's time to settle down, huh?

Get a steady job, a girlfriend

Grow a gut

And you? Are you going back to school, to Buenos Aires?

I don't know If I find a way of getting back, yes

You'll be 24 next week, Fuser

I should be thinking ahead, huh?

San Pablo, Peru June 14, 1952

He dances pretty well Have you seen the nun?

Check this out

Come on, dance

Bravo!

Thank you Very nice

Good party, huh? - Awesome!

Listen, it's the tango you danced in Miramar

I like it

Did you notice? You know how to dance this one

- This one's a bit fast, isn't it? - You dance it perfectly,

and I think there's a young lady interested in dancing with you

I should ask her, right?

The bird of youth flies away and doesn't come back Fly, man, fly!

Would you like to dance?

Do you know this dance? - Yes

This version is a bit faster than the one I know

Mambo

Let Ernesto dance!

Did you think it was a tango?

It's a mambo, Fuser!

Make three wishes!

Alright!

My dear friends, a moment, please

I think it's the perfect time to let Ernesto and Alberto know

how grateful we are to them Not only for having come here,

but also for the enthusiasm and dedication

they have shown towards San Pablo's patients during their three weeks with us

To show our appreciation, we have a little surprise for you

Tomorrow we're going to give you a raft so that you can continue your trip

This raft will be named after tonight's new invented dance:

the mambo-tango

- Good one! - Thank you, Doctor!

Speech! Speech!

Well it's my duty to thank you for this toast

with something more than the usual conventions

But, in view of the shabby condition in which we travel,

all we have to offer you are words

Employing them, I'd like to express my sincere thanks,

to the entire staff of the colony,

who, although they barely know us,

have shown their affection by celebrating my birthday

as if it were an intimate celebration of one of their own

Tomorrow we leave Peru

so these words are also our farewell

in which I'd like to remark how grateful I am to the people of this country

who have generously looked after us again and again

I'd like to add something else, completely unrelated to this toast

Don't worry, I won't dance

Even though we are too insignificant

to be spokesmen for such a noble cause

we believe —

and this journey has only confirmed this belief —

that the division of America into unstable

and illusory nations is a complete fiction

We are only single mestizo race from Mexico to the Magellan Straits

And so, in an attempt to free ourselves from narrow-minded provincialism

I propose a toast to Peru

and to a United America

- Cheers! - Cheers!

Cheers!

Bravo!

What What's wrong?

Do you know where the boat is?

Nah, can't see it

I'm going to celebrate my birthday on the other side

Sure, tomorrow, when we find the boat you'll go across and celebrate

- No Now - No, not now

My birthday is today, not tomorrow

Yeah, I know, Fuser, but you're not going to

You nuts? At night? The animals in there will eat you alive!

How many times did we think we wouldn't make it?

And look, here we are - But this is different, Fuser

- Why? - Because I won't be there to help you

I'm not going in there— - You're always gonna be with me, Mial

Come here, you little shit! Come here!

Your mother's gonna kill me!

Fuser! Come here!

Ernesto, listen to me!

Ernesto, come back!

Fuck you!

Ernesto, come back!

Fuck, come back! - What's wrong?

The crazy idiot wants to swim across the river!

What?

Please tell me someone has already crossed the river

In all the years I've been here, no one

Ernesto, come back here, damn it

Son, listen to your friend!

He won't listen

- Come here, kid! - Come back, Ernesto!

Come back! It's dangerous!

Ernesto!

Ernesto, come back!

Come on, come back!

The river is very strong!

- What is it? - I don't know, something's going on

Ernesto! Do what I say for once in your life

- The current is even stronger now - What is he doing?

The idiot wants to swim across the river!

Come back, damn it!

Ernesto!

He's swimming

- Is that Ernesto? - Yes, he's swimming towards us

He's over there!

Boy, get back here!

- He's tired - You can do it, Ernesto!

He's over there!

Go! Go! Go, Ernesto!

Come on!

Just a bit more!

He made it! The motherfucker made it!

He made it!

Alright, Ernesto!

I always knew he'd make it

I always knew

Son-of-a-bitch

I'm going to miss you so much

Take good care

See you, Nemesio

Papa Carlito is feeling really sad

Take care of yourself

Bye, Bin

- We're going to miss you - Me too

Thanks for everything

Don't forget us

Take good care of yourself - You too, Silvia

Thank you, thanks

- Bye, Ernesto - Take care

Take good care of your family

Take care of yourselves, you guys

- Goodbye, Mauro - Safe travels

Cerca De Leticia, Colombia June 22, 1952 Km 10240

Caracas, Venezuela July 26, 1952 Km 12425

I'd prepared a speech full of anecdotes and grandiose phrases

I can't remember shit now

That's how it goes

Che

What?

It's not too late to come work with me in Cabo Blanco

You could come back after you graduate I'll wait for you

I don't know

I just don't know

You know, Mial, all this time we spent on the road

something happened

Something I'll have to think about for a long time

So much injustice

Come on, the plane's taking off!

Well, I should go

Wait, take this, it may help

- You kept it? - It's yours

- I'd better go - Yes

I'll write, okay?

Fuser!

I have something very important to tell you

My birthday is not in April 2nd, it's on August 8th

I just said that to motivate us - I know

- You knew it? - Yeah

Son-of-a-bitch!

- So long, Mial! - Bye, my friend

This isn't a tale of heroic feats.

It's about two lives running parallel for a while,

with common aspirations and similar dreams.

Was our view too narrow, too biased, too hasty?

Were our conclusions too rigid?

Maybe.

Wandering around our America

has changed me more than I thought.

I am not me anymore,

at least I'm not the same me I was.

It took eight years for Ernesto and Alberto to meet again

In 1960 Granado was invited to live and work in Cuba

The invitation came from his old friend Fuser,

now "Comandante" Ernesto Che Guevara,

one of the most prominent and inspiring leaders of the Cuban Revolution

Che went on to fight for his ideals in the Congo and Bolivia where he was captured,

and with the support of the CIA, murdered in October 1967

Forever faithful to his friend Fuser,

Granado remained in Cuba where he founded the Santiago School of Medicine

He lives in Havana with his wife Delia, their children and grandchildren

Blu-ray Subtitling: CNST, Montreal