Original subtitles

"La Lucha" has its origins before the Castilian conquest.

The indigenous Canarians practiced it to resolve disputes

and pay homage to their gods.

Although the conquerors considered it a barbaric ritual,

its spirit endured.

Very good.

Eight. Hold on.

Switch.

How's your knee?

It hurts, but I can take it.

They really beat us up today.

The signature move

of our great wrestler. She's a lovely athlete too,

from Fuerteventura.

She really is talented.

What a sight!

Look how fine.

Really fine. Incredible.

- She really is. - And look at that smile

and her greeting as always

ready for her rival.

They can't move her an inch.

Look how fine.

Dad?

Wake up. We are going to be late.

You really aren't going to say anything?

No.

I already told you that.

What do you want me to say?

What you said the other day about Mom was really nice.

But that was between us.

Thank them at least, everyone will be there.

Pilar was and is

integrity, persistence, tradition.

What Canarian wrestling represents.

To talk of Canarian wrestling is to talk about Pilar Beltran

For me and...

on behalf of the village,

it's an honor to unveil this statue.

Those who know me, know that...

I don't like to talk a lot...

That's why I wrote this note.

Dear friends,

we're here to remember a great woman,

my wife Pilar.

A fighter in every sense of the word.

Not just in the ring,

but in life itself.

She left us a year ago,

But her spirit is still here

with us.

No...

I can't...

sorry.

Ayoze?

Did you get a haircut?

No, it's the same.

Why? Don't like it?

Well.

I felt moved hearing your dad speak.

Yeah.

- Let's get something to eat? - Let's go.

He's not coming?

No. Let's go.

How about you?

Good.

I got home.

I couldn't eat.

I couldn't do a thing, just go to bed and cry.

I thought that I couldn't live without her.

But you have to keep going!

DANCE OF THE LIVING

In his first match, Miguel Hernandez for the local team,

Mamadou Camara for the visiting team.

A caution to both wrestlers for passivity in the match.

The wrestlers return to the center.

The visiting wrestler eliminates the local wrestler.

For the home team we have el Pollo del Callejón,

for the visiting team Miguel Bethencourt. First match.

And it is Miguel Bethencourt who dominates the first match.

You have to be focused out there.

A man like you can't go down that way.

You have strong hands.

You can do it better.

You put your hands on their back and you have it.

You need to be in control. Try harder.

Be more assertive.

Come on wake up. Next time we win for sure.

What did he say?

100 euros less since its ears aren't cut.

Fuck, you can't negotiate?

You want me to negotiate more?

There you go.

So cute. They're both female.

Their paws are so big and they are so small.

They're lovely.

Yes.

The teeth.

They're pure presa canarios.

- Do they have their shots? - No.

Show me her face, please.

I like this one more.

- I'll have her, okay? - Okay.

- Have you got change? - No, I don't.

- I might. - Have a look.

I've got 30.

- Thirty? - Yeah.

- I'll give you 20 at work tomorrow. - Okay.

There you go.

Thanks.

Out, out.

Let's go.

Let's go.

- Get out.

- Let me. - No.

- Please. - Come on, get out.

Go on, you promised.

- Get out, come on. - Please.

Come on, get out.

Please, come on! Let's go.

No, come on.

Please, show me.

- Another day. - Please.

- Come on. - Please.

Are you ready?

Right, put the key in. Step on the clutch.

Clutch first, sorry. Step on the clutch.

Turn the key.

Perfect. Relax. Look ahead.

And let's go...

- Are you in first gear? - No.

Take the hand brake off.

Perfect. Careful. Slowly release it.

You got the hang of it.

Careful with that pothole, its huge!

Doesn't matter!

The car's going to be stuck there.

Girl, you're killing me!

Keep going, but don't speed up too much.

No!

Turn it off.

It's so bad.

Let go of me!

Our Lord,

in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Trinity.

Our Father...

No, you idiot!

Please, stop!

How old were you there?

I'm not sure...

17 or 18 years.

Watch this one.

Surprise!

The final!

Seven years ago!

So many people!

This is with mom, she was my age here.

She was so good.

Look...

Did you see?

Watch this one.

She was pregnant with me.

I think so. I can't remember.

The wrestlers analyze each other.

They wait.

Look how she moves.

Incredible.

How she got her down.

You do it too.

A wrestler with a great physique.

Watch this one.

Not that one.

Why not?

She was sick there.

But she knew it, right?

Yes, she knew.

Look how nice.

The other one was so big.

Look how strong she was.

look how...

To the front.

Let's go.

One.

Two...

My aunt wards it off.

- Like a messenger pigeon. - Do they ever fall off?

- No. - Evil eye amulets usually fall off.

A while ago, people kept giving me them

and they all broke.

Except these two, they didn't.

The red bracelets didn't last at all.

- And they just fall off. - They last longer on your ankle.

You can't put them on your ankle.

Why?

They say if you walk with them on your feet

just like bells, you're carrying the evil with you.

It frays, that's why it breaks. Not because of the evil eye.

So can someone tell me why, if you're feeling ill,

I mean, like, you're being sick, and you're all hot and cold,

and you get pale...

And a baby?

- Colic. - No!

- Well, maybe, but... - Who's going to put an evil eye on a baby?

Come on, it doesn't have to be a bad evil eye.

It could be an evil eye for love.

It doesn't have to be evil.

People put them on babies, as lots of people stare at them

and they give them the evil eye, especially if they have dark eyes.

- Right. - If you yawn lots, you've got an evil eye.

There comes a time, you get tired of yawning.

You're just tired! If you don't want to sleep.

- You're tired! - I yawn all day long.

- You're just lazy. - Yeah.

You were just born tired.

Yumara, our theory fails with you.

Well, that's that! Did it happen to you?

What happened?

A lot of things.

What things?

I'm all ears.

Because of what happened to your mom?

Let's change the subject.

- Daniela, who did that flower? - Me.

It's ugly.

Like you.

- He loves me more. - Can you help me?

Don't be so sure.

It's not me or you, but the dog, for sure.

The blue one or this one?

Move your hand.

Give me another cloth, please.

It dries really quickly.

Uncle, how old are you?

Oh, my worm!

It's a scorpion, not a worm.

- Stickers! - This is one of yours.

Just wait and see that tattoo I've done.

- Have you got the yoghurt? - Yes.

No more.

Are you sucking up?

Don't take any more.

When you've finished that can you put it in the mould?

Okay. I'll heat it up.

Heat it up and get the mould

and add the oil and add the flour after so it doesn't stick.

- Ok. - We'll put everything in here.

Is he still in the caravan?

Yes.

As always.

Is he always like this?

Yes.

Except when he goes to the gym and to wrestle.

I'd love to set fire to that caravan.

If only.

Thief!

She's crazy.

And what's going on with Ayoze?

I don't know.

I always see you with him.

- Cheers! - Many happy returns.

Long live wrestling's dinosaur!

So when are you going to retire?

He looks better than you, right Dad?

Thanks.

See if you fix that beard. You look like a bum.

So you can look handsome, Uncle!

I did it in a wrestling ring.

They took me, opened my leg

and replaced my knee as they couldn't do anything else.

Look, 36 stitches.

You've still got it.

- But I'm proud of it. - This is a proper scar.

What a belly!

Don't be a dick. Give it a kiss.

When I was 60, I had all my teeth.

Now, I don't have any.

Cuco, you can't tell

because you eat like a piranha!

- Eh Cuco... - Look, look...

You'll scare the girls, Cuco.

Cuco is really drunk.

Yeah.

Try this one.

Do you like the color?

A little bit of happiness - it's good.

This one is too small.

It's a shame because I like it.

Keep it.

We'll get a bigger one.

Try this one.

Take Mariana with you.

What?

Take Mariana with you.

Where am I going to take her?

To your house with her cousins. She'll be better there.

There isn't room for anyone else there.

She's lonely.

She's lonely because of you.

You've been here for a year.

You can't live like this.

Leave. Go back to your house.

Mariana needs you.

Take her with you.

No.

Be yourself again. Be her father again.

Be with her, in the house.

In your room.

You can't go on like this.

Look at me.

We have all suffered.

Who is she?

What do you care?

Come on tell me.

My girlfriend.

- Your girlfriend? - Yeah.

Don't you like it?

It's super ugly.

I love it.

And Leticia?

Who's that?

A girl from my past.

- Why? - No reason.

Just asking.

Stop, don't tickle me.

I don't like it.

Stop it!

You're a pain!

Stop!

Stop!

Kiss me.

- Are you crazy? - Why?

Your dad's my friend.

So? What's my dad got to do with it?

I'm older than you.

The visiting fighter wins the first match.

Come on and show her!

That's how to do it.

Get down lower.

The local fighter wins.

Get low so she can't get you. Pull your elbow in.

Keep your elbows in so she can't get you.

In her first match Lucía Afonso representing the local team,

Mariana Bethencourt visitor.

Lucía Afonso dominates over Mariana Bethencourt.

Sara for home, Yumara for visitors, in their first match.

Yumara is eliminated by Sara Cano.

- Lets go Mariana, lets go! - Lets go Mari!

In her second match Lucía Afonso for the local team,

Mariana Bethencourt visitor.

The visiting fighter is disqualified and expelled for aggression.

Mariana.

Go and apologize.

Come on, go out.

How dare you bite her.

How do you do something like that?

Come on.

Go apologize.

Get me out of here.

Miguel.

- Where is the girl? - She's okay. We talked.

- It's ok, no! What happened? - We'll talk tomorrow!

Listen to me, this is serious!

Wait Miguel, listen to me!

Up, up, flower of flowers, I'm dying for your love...

Up, up, and up we go, once we arrive, we'll rest

Japalajapa, my little dove, Japalajajapa, the day is coming

The Dance of the Living I don't know how to dance...

If I knew how, I'd already be there.

Play, little living one, play it slowly Even if you don't dance,

Up, up, and up we go Once we arrive, we'll rest

The Dance of the Living I don't know how to dance...

If I knew how, I'd already be there.

Up, up, and up we go...

"With less than a minute of the match left,

Mariana Bethencourt bit her opponent in the face

without cause

and aggressively.

She left without helping or asking how she was".

Mariana, do you think that's acceptable?

- Would you wrestle her again? - No.

- She insulted my mom. - What?

What? That's a lie.

It's true. She insulted her.

- She's lying. I didn't insult her. - That's enough.

This isn't Canarian wrestling.

It's about values, integrity and respect.

And also trust. Trust is really important.

When we step into the ring, we don't imagine being attacked.

We can win or lose, but never expect an attack.

That's not the essence of this sport.

Sorry.

I won't do it again.

We're sending the report to the tribunal and they'll decide the penalty.

I warn you it's going to be harsh. They'll be tough.

You don't know if she insulted Mom.

You can't really hear from the stands.

You couldn't even defend me.

How can you lie about your mother like that!

What would she think?

Tell me.

Who taught you that?

How dare you lie?

Three.

Four. One more.

Five.

- Switch. - Plus I'm...

Come on, Carlitos. Let's go.

One.

Two.

Three.

Look at your aunt.

How many times has she given up and come back?

With injuries,

due to work, to have kids.

And she came back.

But it's not the same.

- Come on. - Look.

Look at Alexandre

he was off for a year

and he came back.

Like your mom, may she rest in peace, when...

she got injured.

She was off for almost... two years

and she came back

looking better, wrestling better.

She was super strong, ready for the ring.

When I took time off too...

because I got married.

I was off for seven years.

It's just one year.

Yeah, but if they won't even let me train.

I know.

It's hard.

But...

A year goes by...

fast, in no time.

Save your energy for when you start again.

So, cheer up!

A year is nothing.

One.

Two.

Three, switch.

Come on, last one.

No.

Come on!

I said no.

This will be the last one.

I wasn't ready.

- Come on, let's go! - I said no.

Come on!

You're crazy.

You don't know how to fight.

Go play football...

or basketball.

Not basketball, you're too small.

No.

- Come on. - That's enough.

No.

- You're a pain. - Last go.

Stop being a pain.

- Come on, last go. - I said no.

Six times eight?

Forty-eight.

Forty-nine.

Six times seven?

Come on, focus.

If six times eight is 48, as you said,

and you take six from six times seven, what do you get?

What?

Let's see. What's six times eight?

Forty-eight.

And seven goes before eight. So what's six times seven?

- Take six from... - Forty-two.

Where's the eraser?

Ssh, pup.

- You do it. - Why?

Help me.

You're not focusing.

Don't take her.

Finish that.

When was this photo of your mom taken?

She was beautiful.

Why are you here?

I'm in this one. I am so little.

Come on. We shouldn't be here.

- Why not? - It's my mom's room.

Look at Uncle with a mustache.

Come on, let's go.

Why can't we be here?

I don't know.

It's my dad's stuff.

Seventeen.

Come on. One more.

Twenty.

One more.

Good, now run.

Come on!

Let's go, harder!

Keep going, they are really strong.

Faster, let's go.

Now with the knees.

Let's go.

Faster.

Eight. Nine...

The tire.

Faster, let's go.

Stronger.

We are going to win! Stronger!

Let's go.

- What happened? - Oh my knee.

Does it hurt a lot?

- Does it hurt a lot? - Yes.

Turn this way.

It's got a lot worse.

How much do you weigh?

One hundred and fifty.

One hundred and fifty kilos?

Look!

You aren't going to like what I'm going to say.

You're 47,

you've had two knee operations,

you keep gaining weight and you keep wrestling.

You can't go on like this.

You have to stop.

Give up wrestling.

But the finals are coming.

How can he stop?

The finals?

I don't know what to tell you.

Listen, Miguel... you are young.

Are you going to put your health at risk for a final?

Do you want to become handicapped?

No.

Take this seriously.

You can get dressed.

Come back in a month.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Cover it.

Remove the air.

- Does it hurt? - No.

What's wrong?

My scar is hurting.

Relax.

Get some rest.

You have to fight.

I don't want anything to happen to me.

Don't think about it.

I'm scared.

Let's do this! One, two, three, Arena!

Come on, guys! Let's do this!

We're going out there to show them what we're made of.

Come on!

Come on, guys.

Let's do this!

Let's go out there and beat them for the fans and our family

and everything we put up with all year.

Let's give it our all! We're team Arena!

Let's show them.

In his first match Hernández for the local team, Miguel Bethencourt visitors.

Pedro Hernández dominates the first match.

And it is the local wrestler who dominates the visiting wrestler.

Miguel Bethencourt is eliminated by local, Pedro Hernández.

I'm going to give up wrestling.

You're not going to say anything?

I spoke to your aunt.

And we both think you should live with her.

It's not good that you are alone so much.

- Stop the car. - What?

Stop the car.

- Why? - Stop the damn car.

No. What are you going to do?

Stop the car now!

What are you doing?

Where are you going? We are in the middle of nowhere.

You leave the house!

Where are you going?

Get in the car.

Help me.

Can I come in?

- Are you okay? - Get off me.

I didn't explain.

Sorry.

You're always apologizing.

It's for the best for both of us.

You won't be so alone.

Believe me.

Really.

Believe me.

Leave me alone.

Stop, calm down.

Look at me.

Look at me.

- Let me go. - Listen.

- Look at me. - Let me go!

Don't do that. - Leave me alone!

Please!

Please, Im sorry!

- Let me go.

No!

Look at me, please!

Hug me.

Sorry.

No. Leave me alone.

- Please. - Leave me alone.

You're hurting me!

Open up.

Let's talk.

We need to talk.

Come on.

Please.

Leave me alone!

Come out.

- Come out a sec. - Just go.

Let's talk.

Go away!

Forgive me.

- Go away! - Please open.

Come on.

Now I'm the one who's going to lock myself in here.

Please open.

Go away.

I'm not going to leave.

Please.

I hate you.

Open the door.

Help me please.

Help me!

- And this foot in front - Yes, in front.

Ok.

A little more. That's it. That's great.

And this one... let it...

Two.

Straighten your feet.

That's good.

Move your butt a little.

A bit more.

Bend a little more. That's it.

See? You've got to take the weight here.

Do you get me?

Put that foot there.

The toe of your right foot.

There.

That's it.

- Are you okay? - Yes.

Come on.

Come on.

Put that foot there.

There.

At the same time, move your body here and your butt there.

Okay.

Grip.

Grip.

Grip without fear.

Come on. Harder and harder.

Come on.

That's it.

Harder. Go on, push harder.

With your head too.

Come on, push.

Don't give up. Again.

Come on, push more with your head.

Let's go again.

To the extended Canarian wrestling family across the islands...

from the Regional Federation of Canarian Wrestling and the island federations...

the clubs, training schools, and fans,

whose passion and collaboration made this film possible.