Original subtitles

BEYOND HEAVEN, ONLY THE KING IS LORD...

...AND NOT CRUEL AND BARBARIC MEN.

IF GOD ASSISTS OUR TRUE ZEAL...

...IT IS A SMALL PRICE WE PAY.

LOPE DE VEGA FUENETEO VEJUNA, ACT III

A TRUE STORY

SEPTEMBER 15, 1968 EARLY MORNING

Copywriter. Good morning. Long distance...

... call from Puebla.

Ready?

Five employees of the Autonomous University...

... of Puebla...

... were lynched last night b y over 2000 people...

... of the town of...

... San Miguel, Canoa.

After being mistaken for students.

Four of them have died.

One is badly wounded.

The 5 employees had gone on an outing to that town...

...from where they intended to climb the Malinche mountain.

The Malinche?

The Malinche.

As they were heading out...

... they were attacked b y people armed...

... with machetes and sticks...

... machetes and sticks.

They had been mistaken for students of the University...

... of Puebla.

And...

...it is said...

...that they intended to place...

...a red and black flag...

...in the town church.

A red and black flag in the church?

Damn!

The deceased are:

Julian Gonzalez...

... Roberto Rojano...

... Jesus Carrillo and Ramon Gutierrez.

Hang on!

Julian Gonzalez.

Right.

Roberto Rojano.

Right.

- Jesus Gutierrez. - No.

- Carrillo - Right.

Jesus Carrillo...

...Ramon Gutierrez.

Perfect.

The wounded...

... Miguel Flores Cruz...

... is at the Red Cross in Puebla.

There were several wounded among the assailants.

At 12:40 a. M...

...at 12:40 a. M...

...the town was still in turmoil.

The bodies of the employees of the University of Puebla...

...were mangled.

Until now, it has been impossible...

...to identify them individually.

That's all.

What can you tell me about the dead guys?

We know the names but that's all.

- Do you have any photos? - There's no time.

But if I hear anything, I'll call you.

O. K. Thanks.

SEPTEMBER 16 INDEPENDENCE D AY

WE DEMAND JUSTICE

WE ACCUSE THE ANARCHIST PRESS OF PUEBLA

WE DEMAND JUSTICE

CANOA

The Malinche.

Or rather, Malintzin...

... beautiful, splendid mountain...

... 13, 500 feet above sea-level.

Dead volcano...

... surrounded b y dry land...

... eroded land.

Neigh boring the great volcanoes...

... Popocatepetl...

... Iztlaccihuatl...

... Citlaltepetl, or Pico de Orizaba.

Malintzin in Nahuatl means...

... the recently married daughter-in-law.

She remains Malintzin to her father-in-law from the time...

... she is married, until she gives...

... birth to the first child.

It has also been called Matlalcuyetl...

... the lady with the green skirt.

In Nahuatl, words meaning life or movement, are pluralized.

The mountain has a plural, for it is not inert...

... it lives.

San Miguel Canoa is at the foot of the mountain, with in the...

... 85, 000 acres that belong to the state of Puebla.

It is one of its 14 communities.

50, 000 people live in the area.

The percentage of erosion is 100 percent.

The people drink pulque...

... an alcoholic brew instead of water...

... and only eat meat once a week.

Others less often.

San Miguel Canoa, 1968. Year of the Olympics.

Population: 5945.

Man y don 't speak Spanish, only indian dialects.

Most are illiterate, or semi-illiterate.

It is only 7. 5 miles from Puebla, the state capital.

It can be reached b y a paved road.

San Miguel Canoa is the border with the mountain.

The local men and women have...

... built a road that reaches the foot of the mountain the...

... nurseries of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock...

... and the encampment of the Department of...

... Land and Water Conservation.

People live mostly off of agriculture.

Statistics show that crops consists of corn...

... beans, potatoes...

... wheat, lima beans.

We're plantin' corn now.

We used to plant beans...

...but they don't grow no more.

Lima beans?

Well...

...sometimes...

...here and there...

...good crop here, not good crop there.

Beans?

Some get some, some, don't.

Some year it grow, some not.

Potato? No, no way.

Not potatoes.

A few sometime.

Wheat?

No, not no more.

Time was people mostly sowed wheat.

But they don't.

Sow no more.

We live owin'.

Not like we used to live.

There's poverty.

The harvest?

Well, all in all you can't tell each year.

We don't get even loads...

...only uneven loads.

Sometime we get 90...

...sometime most 100...

...if there's a bad crop gets us 80 loads only.

- Isn't that right? - That's right.

How much do we make?

No, we don't sell.

We mostly keep it.

And that way we have for the whole year.

Times we sell...

...80, 50...

...100, 160 lbs.

Dependin' on what we need that day.

Times...

...no more'n 15 pound.

Do no money?

No, we don't.

We don't have that do no money.

We don't count do money.

That's right.

People have to resort to selling wood.

Clandestine and immoderate felling of trees...

... before everyone's eyes.

Firewood, charcoal...

... wood for the construction that they sell in the city...

... in order to survive.

They cut firewood...

...they make charcoal...

...wood for beams...

...and walls.

Some are owners.

Like us, from the town.

Others just take it...

...they just take it.

We don't say nothin' no more.

We don't stop them no more, 'cause...

...they kill.

Yeah.

What we grow ain't enough.

So some of us an' some others are laborers.

But they mostly work in Puebla.

As bricklayers...

...helpin' to load trucks...

...at the wheat mills...

...for the city water company.

Some are at the factory...

...but very few.

There are three primary schools.

One is on communal land.

The other is at the high end of the town...

... and in the center is the most recent one.

Benito Juarez School.

There is also a recently inaugurated secondary school.

Not everyone goes to school.

But they mostly do.

Secondary school?

Just a few.

Out of 10...

...two or three.

Sometime even none.

In primary school a shitload.

But in secondary just a few.

The ones that go 'cause their parents can pay...

...make it to ninth grade.

It's divided.

Others...

...the rich ones...

...like the children of the truckin' people...

...they go to study in Puebla.

Yeah.

We negotiated so that they would build a prefa...

...prefabricated government school...

...that is now called Benito Juarez.

Before there was only the priest's school here in town.

As in every town, there is a church.

The priest has an important role in the town 's...

... social organization.

And h is influence is decisive in the town 's life.

But perhaps it might be difficult to find...

... such a... particular priest.

He arrived with h is cook or housekeeper...

... in San Miguel Canoa eight years ago...

... from Aguatenpan, Puebla, from where he fled...

... h is enemies say, due to people's complaints...

... about what they called...

... abuses.

No, you come too.

Get closer together.

Since h is arrival he has formed several congregations.

The members became h is unconditional followers.

And through them, he began to control the town.

Those who are against him...

... say that he completely dominates most of the town.

He is the political boss, appointing mayors...

... placing councilmen, judges.

... he controls the power.

He is also treasurer of the Development Committee...

... the Drinking Water Committee, the Electricity Committee, etc.

Let us adore our Lord.

For everythin' he asks for money.

Some of us, we call him "Cacalote".

Cacalote.

Comes from Cacalotl'.

Meaning Crow.

STORY OF AN IMPIOUS PRIEST

Property seizures, abuses...

In 1963, he brought down the water from the mountain...

...he gathered 170 pesos from every household head...

...and built a fountain, the one by the church...

...so that people could fill their jugs.

But those he calls his enemies...

...can't have any.

Then 100 pesos...

...for negotiations so that Canoa wouldn't...

...become annexed to Puebla.

But it was annexed. And the money?

Disappeared!

But since he says he's friends with governors...

...and politicians.

He says that in exchange he got the highway built...

...and the telephone installed.

The local authorities are placed by him.

OMINOUS DIVISION AND HATE

He charges for electricity.

The bridge he had built on the second ravine...

...50 cents.

The people from the CCI came to have a meeting.

He called his people with the bell...

...locked them in the church and gave them "plenty to drink".

He told them the communists were there...

...that they wanted to turn people from town...

...into atheists and enemies of God.

The assistant mayor...

...the judge, the Chief of Police...

...came to say that they couldn't hold their meeting.

And all the people came out of the church...

...and the comrades had to run away.

A month later they came back.

And this time we were prepared.

So he called the police on the phone.

He has spies.

Anyone who comes who's not from around here they ask:

Who are you?

What are you doin' here?

He's a real bastard.

He doesn't want his town taken away from him.

At the last elections...

...been two year...

...at five o'clock mass...

...he says:

"Today you must vote for our candidates"...

..."because they defend our faith"...

..."our church".

And at eight, another mass.

He didn't let 'em leave.

He counted them, put 'em in line and took them to vote.

With sticks and dirt, to throw in the eyes of the opponents.

Yeah, he's a real bastard.

I won't give 100 pesos. He should work to learn...

...the value of a penny.

But other townspeople consider the priest a good man...

... self-sacrificing...

... enterprising, dynamic and altruistic.

That he wants what is best and does a lot for the town.

Thanks to the priest there's electricity in town...

...he negotiated with the Department of Agriculture to...

...avoid land erosion.

He helped the Government with the purchase of land...

...for the manufacturing facility.

He helps the Government by collecting the fees for the...

...the bridge, electricity, and highway.

What about the communal lands?

The town can't stand him anymore.

A letter was written to the church authorities.

Last year... a letter with acknowledgement...

...acknowledgement of receipt...

...by the actual very Pope himself...

...asking for his des...

...his dismissal.

What have his accusers done for the town?

They're people looking for trouble...

...poorly advised.

On the other hand the priest brought electricity...

...water, the highway and the telephone.

Yeah, sure.

For the water he charged 100 pesos each.

For electricity, damn, 175.

And everythin' else he charges for?

All he ever does is charge.

Highway, sure.

They say he's friends with the top fuckers...

...in the government over there.

Look at what's being built!

The priest is helping us.

Those who attack him...

...are against the progress of this town.

If you like.

But not now 'cause we are goin' to work.

But later on, I can take you to the Malintzin.

I know the trails good.

With me, you're safe and happy.

Some people are scared. But not with me.

I wanna tell you clear.

You can trust me like your personal friend.

Some fuckup is going to come out of this here town.

There's a lot of bad in it.

I swear to God.

And the town's been jumpy for a while now.

They're goin' round sayin' were gonna get killed.

And we're gonna get robbed.

PUEBLA, THE VICTIMS

So Moi, do you want to go?

Don't be chick en.

No, man, I'm not a mountain climber like you.

We're going to practice our climbing...

...take advantage, it's a three day week end.

I'm really lazy. And climbing a mountain.

Are you going to the Popo?

No, to the Malinche. It's easier. Want to come?

No, I'm going away with my wife and kids. Who's going?

So far... Amado Perez, "Flintstone", "Tweety"...

...Ramon, Hilario...

...Miguelito...

...Rojal and his friends...

..."Moroccan"...

...my brother wants to go too. - No, thanks.

Hey they're real violent in those parts.

That's what they say, But I've climbed twice.

The first time, we stopped at the basketball court in...

...San Miguel Canoa, and started playing "21".

Some guys from the town came by, and played with us.

On the way out, because of the exercise and the heat...

...we bought some local hootch.

40 cents, I remember.

And the people were real nice, friendly.

The second time, 6 of us went.

There's Ramon. Right, man?

He's into it.

- What are you talking about? - The outing, on the 15th.

This time I'm climbing.

But if "Bombo" goes, I'm not helping him.

6 of us went that time, and we split up into two groups.

I got the fat ones.

Hey.

My friend here and Francisco.

Pedro, "Ties" and "Moroccan" teamed up and...

...when we got to the quarry, everyone went his own way!

Some said: "It's this way". And I said: "It's that way"...

...and I chose the hardest route.

- Yeah. - And since they were fat.

No!

Yeah! I would walk ten yards, pull the rope, and they climbed...

...and that's how I took them.

Fat but strong. It's basketball, I'll be...

...recruited for the Olympics! - Yeah, right.

You said you were an expert, but took us the hard way.

You only made it to the sand pits!

Because "Bombo" started throwing up!

He got vertigo. He was vomiting and fainting.

I went back for the others.

You guys went down to the shelter, right?

Yeah. And I'm no expert, but I found my way...

...and helping "Bombo" who was real fuck ed up.

Is there somewhere to sleep if it gets dark?

Right where the quarry is, against the wall, there's a...

...little hut made with some hay. But it's pretty destroyed.

That night we stayed under the rocks, right?

Yeah. And it was cold.

That trip, I took a machete...

...when we were about to climb the mountain, a farmer says:

- "Where are you going?" - "Up there" we said.

He must've thought we'd destroy the mountain.

The people there make these charcoal balls.

It's one of the businesses they have there.

They have these ovens, and they make these charcoal balls.

Some don't even speak Spanish.

But "Moroccan" talked to them, and understood them.

They got along. Guys, I've got a basketball game.

See you.

I've got to leave some papers but let's go.

O. K. Men, everything is possible in peace.

I feel lazy.

EMOTIONAL DEMONSTRATION

A little respect, shorty!

- What are you doing? - Reading about current events.

So do you go to the student demonstrations?

It's not like I get paid for it.

I think you're one of those troublemakers, a criminal...

...and an anti Mexican, that like it says here...

..."psychologists and sociologists...

...with all their ingenuity and...

...pedantry". Jesus!

"Have invented philosophies and alibis for them"...

..."excuses and palliatives".

"What do our young gangsters know of social and political"...

...and economic structures, so as to be able to change and"...

..."substitute them for other more fair and efficient ones?"

"What do they know of Marx, and of Mr. Marcuse?"

"What do they know of grammar and spelling?"

See? I don't think you know any grammar, and what about...

...your "palliatives"?

No.

- I don't get involved. - You don't give a shit, do you?

- Have you seen Rojano? - He was here, but said he was...

...going to the Barroco to see about the sound.

O. K. Well, I'm going.

- I have to work. - O. K.

With 8 to 10 yards of material we can make a tent.

Well, not a tent, but something like it.

Good, because there's nothing up there.

I got a camera. You taking the guitar?

I can't carry it. We have to travel light, just the basics.

Are you going to the employee meeting?

No. I have to go see some friends.

- They teach drawing. - Are you any good?

I drew a Christ that I gave to my brother.

Ready?

- See you later. - O. K.

Hold this.

It's going to get rough.

I don't get it. I don't know one group from the other...

...what they're fighting over.

- I'm with the students. - Me too.

Not me.

I know they're not perfect but what they...

...want is for the good of the people.

- Of course! - I don't know.

The problem is that they're getting violent.

- The thing is we are workers. - So?

Well the workers haven't mixed with the students.

Sure.

Workers are one thing, students are another.

We respect each other, but we are separate.

The problem is we only know...

...what we read in the newspaper...

...and you know what the damn papers are like!

All this atonement stuff.

- You're part of the Board. - That thing about putting...

...a flag in the center of Mexico City, come on!

Stop it Flintstone, one thing I paid attention to, was when...

...they raised the strike flag in Mexico City.

So? They took it for a communist...

...flag. - Right.

Students have come here to explain about the movement.

Which is?

- And government repression. - That's what matters.

I'm think the students are right.

Like Roberto says, we're different.

- Right. - Why?

We live and work in the same place?

- It's not the same. - No, no.

I don't think we should belong to student groups...

...considering the way they they handle it.

I know it's a tough situation and the papers attack them but...

...I don't know about politics. - Maybe we should learn.

Maybe we should pay.

Are we leaving?

Now let's chip in.

What? You've got another 1000 peso bill?

SAN MIGUEL C ANO A SEPTEMBER 14

Santiago Arce, dedicates this song to Josefina Luna Coyotl...

... of the 4th section.

That's 25 cents.

I recognize, m y Lord...

... that I am guilty...

... I know that I have been...

... an unforgivable sinner...

... I ask you, Lord.

To make me good.

Because I have a love.

That is pure and serene.

I think they took to the streets again last night.

Maybe they even put the strike flag on the cathedral.

The soccer guy on TV said so.

Communists, children of the Devil!

Atheists, enemies of God and of our Holy Church.

I'm going, father.

May God be with you, son.

We must be alert.

As I said, they're going to come get me.

All that slander and defamation.

Those letters to the bishop and to the Pope.

His enemies writing to discredit one of this most...

...faithful servants.

Don't get angry.

It's not good for you.

They know that if I'm gone, they'll take over the town.

It all started when those CCI people came.

They started the trouble, divided the town!

They provoke those who don't want to pay.

They've emboldened, of course.

They no longer fear facing their sins...

...without me when they die.

The day we kick ed them out, we should have been more firm.

God gives us the right to defend him against his...

...enemies. But Martin, he was scared.

We should have been firm, so that they never return.

To end the slander.

Calm yourself.

So ungrateful.

After all I've done for the town.

They're enemies of God, of the church, they're heretics.

But they're also enemies of the town, of its progress...

...of everything we've done over the years.

And now, a song dedicated to Pablo Arce.

So that he remembers. He should pay what he owes!

If even in front of me.

You were flirting, m y love.

What do you do behind m y back.

And I'm dying for you!

Could Nicolas Sanchez' wife come get him.

He fell. He's naked. Come get him.

Bring a bag to put him in.

Bring a wagon and take him away.

He's down. He's out.

Where is m y life going?

COMMUNIST GUERRILLA

COMMUNISM NO! C ATHOLICISM YES!

AT THE CHURCH

They say they'll take your religion away.

How? They can't take that from you.

But it's money.

- And they take the children. - Really?

Haven't you heard the priest? Or read the papers?

Or seen what they do? It's even on TV.

- Where are you going? - To Puebla.

Hi. Give me some cigarettes.

To fix a microphone and get some medicine.

I wanted to go use the the loudspeakers.

But you take the microphone and then we need it.

- We have to be ready. - The other one is there.

Are you sick? Why the medicine?

My wife.

She's bleeding down there.

Down where they're virgins.

Come on, we won't be long.

What would I do in Puebla?

No, better I stay.

We'll be ready to attack.

Maybe this time we'll die.

So?

Haven't you read the paper?

Go have the priest read it to you.

They ain't go no sense no more.

Why do they listen to the priest?

What can they take from us?

We ain't got nothin'.

But I told you.

The town's been scared for a long time...

Really bad.

PUEBLA, SEPTEMBER 14 10:30 A. M.

... whatever you do, use Zaga shirts and ties.

Hello?

No he's not here in the mornings.

In the afternoon.

At around 3.

The attitude taken at the scene...

... b y the rebellious college and university students...

... which causes so much damage with in and beyond the country...

... has been labeled what it is: An attempt to usurp offices.

According to the agreements made at the last meeting...

... in Tlatelolco, they continue their attempt at gaining...

... partial public power. B y rioting in the streets and...

... b y terrorizing, a handful of troublemakers attempt to...

... influence the country's police.

Which simply proves the lack of sincerity and the reduced...

... knowledge of those who came up with such a plan.

The clarity and moderation with which the authorities...

... have constantly acted, clash with the students...

... negative goal "which is obvious".

Stopping student unrest means peace.

Peace means the Olympics.

At all costs let us avoid peace?

What students propose, is to stop the Olympics.

It's unpatriotism in action.

Hey, Julian. So?

It's kind of cloudy. There's a storm.

Plus, they haven't paid. If they pay, we go.

You're getting scared.

We meet here at 4.

I know the mountain well. If it rains, the winds...

...get really strong. We have to go before it gets dark.

I'll get Jesus, to see if he wants to go.

I'm going with Miguel to buy some things.

Some material for the tent.

And I want to take a 22. To shoot rabbits.

And a radio for some music.

Nothing too heavy. Here at four.

Roberto, don't forget the ropes.

- I won't. - O. K.

I can't afford it.

Can you spare anything?

Why don't I take my 22 instead.

Hello ma'am. Is Jesus here?

Yes, Julian. He's lying down, come in.

Jesus! It's Julian.

Come in. What's up?

Are you sick? I didn't see you at work...

...I don't want to go out.

I told her to say I wasn't here.

No, I was invited to this party, but I don't want to go.

These American girls are going, but you know I don't drink.

I wanted to invite you to our outing.

I had told you about it before, and since I saw that...

...you wanted to go.

To the Malinche?

O. K.

Let's go. What do I need?

A blank et, warm clothes.

Do you have a backpack? It's better to carry things.

I've got two, if you want.

I have a flashlight, it just needs batteries.

Miguelito is taking his gun, you like to shoot.

Great! At what time are we going?

We're meeting at the university at 4.

- Should I come by for you? - O. K.

See you.

So? Is it just us?

You three.

We have to work.

The rest should come soon.

What's with that helmet?

What! The Martian doesn't understand, it's for...

...the expedition. Don't they use these on your planet?

- Will you get to the top? - Lf we leave soon.

It's easy. Not like the Popo or the Pico.

- Have you climbed the Pico? - No, that's for adults.

The easiest part is the north face, the half orange.

There are cracks.

And if it snowed the night before, it's real hard...

...because the snow hasn't set and there are fake bridges...

...that's the danger. You have to test the snow with a stick...

...and go with someone who knows that kind of snow.

And using 20 yards of rope.

- Yeah right. - Really!

A few years ago, a group went from Puebla.

And they were experienced.

The previous night, it snowed.

Since they were experienced they kept going.

And at the third crack, down they went.

Where are the others?

Let me finish.

Three got buried. They only got one out.

The other, six months later. And the third, they never found.

Look, Mr. Avila lent it to me.

If we fall in a crack they'll say the same of us.

And a knife.

You look like a Christmas tree!

What about the rifle?

No, It was too heavy.

I would've brought it, I couldn't carry it.

Then my mother saw me...

...and said "you can't carry that!"

"You'll get in trouble."

"Go without it."

You're like babies, what mommy says.

We shouldn't go at all. Nobody came.

And what's the point without the rifle.

- But I brought the radio. - What for?

Up there you don't need noise. You'll see.

It's a beautiful place.

A place full of silence.

Really nice, with no sound.

It's like a place between life and death.

Yeah, you're going to say it's Heaven.

Everyone's against me.

Even my girlfriend said, the weather is bad.

Let's go home. No one showed up...

...and Shorty didn't bring the rifle.

We're here, there's 5 of us, why not go.

We're all set.

Whatever you want. But if we're going, let's go.

Let's go.

It's four thirty. We have to leave by five.

To get to San Miguel by five thirty.

Let's go then.

Your brother wanted to see you.

- He's at the Barroco. - Lf someone comes...

...they can meet us at the bus. - See you.

I'm leaving.

Where?

To the Malinche, with some friends.

Go ahead, but why the hell are going there?

I said I would. And as they say, just for fun.

I'll bless you in case you don't come back.

Thanks.

Everyone pays his own.

It's going to rain.

No it's not.

It's 6 pesos per person. Mine is pork and ham.

Suede moccasins.

Why those shoes? They'll get ruined.

You know me, always fashionable.

Let's get something to drink, it gets real cold up there...

...we need something to keep us warm.

- Let's chip in 5 each. - O. K.

I got two pints. One rum and a tequila.

Let's go to Mr. Maldonado's house...

It's always fun.

The idea is the Malinche, even if there are few of us.

It leaves in 10 minutes but it's full.

Let's take the next one. But it leaves in 30 minutes.

Let's go standing up it this one. It's just 20 minutes.

Look at the sky, the storm is coming.

Let's go in this one.

Let's go.

Come on.

Here's another one.

Get in!

5:50 p. M.

Boys, a cheer for the University.

O. K.!

One, two, three.

- Where are you going? - To San Miguel, five.

Pay up.

Ramon, sing like Pedro Infante.

Like when you won the gold record on the radio.

It was aluminum!

How about this...

My dear sweetheart...

I will sting you with my dart!

No respect!

Sing like Jose Alfredo!

- I'll do back up. - O. K.

I grew tired of begging...

... I grew tired of telling her...

... that without her I'd die of sadness.

She wouldn't listen...

... if her lips parted, it was to...

Chucho wants to impress the people here with his helmet!

It looks like dumb.

I'm just teasing you...

...I'll get you!

Another one.

I'm so far from the land where I was born.

Such nostalgia fills m y mind.

Would you shut up!

- You're just botherin'! - What's wrong with him?

- What are we doing, sir? - Calm down.

People with no manners.

- Calm down. - It's O. K.

SAN MIGUEL C ANO A 6:30 p. M.

Wait! It's falling out.

It's raining!

We won't get to the top.

Sure we will.

Maybe it'll pass.

Let's go over there. To the store.

Are those cans of sardines?

- Yes. - Give me one, please.

Let me have one of chiles also.

The big one. Thanks.

And I'll have some peanuts.

The ones with chile.

And ma'am. A bag of cookies.

How much?

- One fifty. - Give me two.

- Do you want sodas? - No.

The storm started.

I knew it, a norther is blowing in Veracruz.

Maybe it'll pass.

- Right? - Who knows.

Is there a hotel here or somewhere to stay?

No, not here.

This ain't the city.

Go ask the priest, or at the municipal offices.

Anyway we need the flashlights.

We have five and one with no batteries or bulb.

Do you sell batteries for flashlights?

No.

Do you know where we can buy them?

The street up yonder.

- Come on, Ramon. - O. K.

Let's go ask the priest for a place to stay.

O. K.

Excuse me.

We'd like to talk to the priest.

What for?

We're visiting, going to the Malinche.

But we can't go tonight.

They told us we could maybe stay here, just tonight.

What's the matter with you?

We're headed for the Malinche but the rain stopped us.

We wanted to see if we could stay here, and leave early.

- How many are you? - Five.

The others stayed in the store.

- From Puebla? - Yes.

Let's see what the priest says.

The clay figures.

They're not ornaments, you are wrong.

This confirms m y theory. The e x act place.

- I'm sure of it! - Put dynamite.

Great excavations.

- Right now. - No!

From now on we will be careful.

Hey.

While they buy the batteries, let's go to the church.

See if we can stay there.

Let's go.

The rain has let up.

- What happen with you? - Oh, m y heart!

I'm not sure, if I can...

What do you want here?

We want to see the priest.

He's not here. What do you want with him.

Well, you see.

We wondered if we could spend the night...

...in the church even if we're lock ed in.

Just so as not to get wet.

No, not here. Better get the hell out or else...

...it's gonna go bad for you.

Leave quick we don't want no trouble.

What did we do?

We just ask ed for a roof. Is that so wrong?

Beat it!

Yes?

Father, we wanted to see if we could stay here overnight.

We came to climb the Malinche but because of the rain...

...the night and all, we can't go today.

We'll leave real early tomorrow.

Who are you? Do you have any identification?

- How many are you? - There are five of us.

We don't have identification, but we're from Puebla...

...from the University.

I can't have strangers stay.

There's no room and I won't let people...

...I don't know, and don't know...

...where they're from, stay in my church.

We're from the University. You can ask.

Perhaps. But you can't stay here.

Tell the Chief.

Let them stay in the Government building.

There or in jail. You decide.

Wherever you say. Just to spend the night.

- Are you students? - No, employees.

We work at the University.

Help us out.

Just one night.

It's a small town, and the jail is real bad.

And the government office, the official isn't here.

He went to Puebla. And I can't let you stay.

Look.

In the store there they have a room.

Ask if they'll rent it to you.

Thank you.

As soon as they get here, let's go.

Maybe they found something.

Damn rain.

We'd be up there by now.

What happened?

Jesus, man, these people are so suspicious.

Even the damn priest wouldn't trust us.

And the police chief was there.

He was going to let us stay in the government building.

He was about to say yes, but suddenly changed his mind.

Let's get out of here.

At the church we almost got shot at.

Wait, that's just the way they are.

They told us the woman in the store rents a room.

Ma'am.

We were told that you have a room.

Could we rent it? We'll pay you.

Let me ask my husband.

We'll see what the king of the jungle says...

We were asking your wife if we could rent a room.

We were headed for the Malinche, but you see...

...we don't have anything to sleep under, that's why we ask.

I've only got a small room.

Go see the priest.

We have no choice but to go back to Puebla.

Are there still buses?

No.

The last one left ten minutes ago.

But you can go to the road and a taxi will take you.

They bring people from Puebla, and go back empty.

Right?

Indian Dialect

Go see!

- What should we do? - Where should we go?

Let's just go back, Julian.

Do the taxis come here to go back to Puebla?

Maybe yes,

...sometimes.

- There are no more buses? - No.

The dead guy, Cruz, the "loudmouth", who work ed...

...in the director's office, he had a farm around here.

I know his family. We just walk a ways.

Or tomorrow. Or the "Moroccan".

His grandmother lives around here.

Shut up, it's raining.

Well if a taxi comes we'll go.

Or we can walk.

It's only 6 miles.

We made it this far, we should climb.

Let's flip for it.

Why don't we have some sandwiches and sodas...

...two Pepsis, two apple sodas, and a red one.

Coming up.

Go and see, Miguel.

It's a private car.

Let's take out a bottle and have a drink.

No way, not with the way things are.

Come on, man.

Hey! Are you engineer?

Do you came for the gold?

Well then...

We made it. Let's have a beer.

- I'll have a soda. - 1 soda and three beers.

How about that rain?

It's not letting up. We're stuck here.

- Where are you from? - Puebla.

We came to the Malinche, but the rain got us.

There's nowhere to spend the night.

We've been to the church and to the government building.

Do you know where we could stay?

Well, I'm from here but I live in Mexico City.

I came to see my brother about some money.

And we're going to stay for the holiday.

Niece. Come here.

- Look, this is a friend. - Nice to meet you.

They came to climb and need a place to stay.

Could they stay at your grandfather's house?

- He's got a lot of room. - I don't know.

Let's go see.

It looks like we may have a place to stay.

This guy will take us to a relative's house.

Let's just go. As soon as it lets up, we'll start walking.

Yeah, this is rotten.

We came to climb, we're not going back just like that.

We have a place to stay, what's the problem?

I hesitated because of how it gets when it rains.

- But we're here now, let's do it. - Sure.

It's two against one. But we can flip for it.

Tails we stay.

Heads we go.

I'll flip it.

Oh well.

Come on!

Miguel, Jesus, Roberto, Ramon.

Nice to meet you. My nieces, her boyfriend.

We'll stop by my brother's house first.

It's like my own house. I've brought friends before.

- It's letting up. - Let's go.

Let's go.

Josefina... Look over there.

That wretch!

He was her boyfriend. How much is it?

- 5 pesos. - We already paid.

- Let's go, then. - Let's go.

Hey, you, pay up!

You were hitting on her!

Yeah I saw you!

Don't be shy.

Yeah.

I like to shoot rabbits.

Maybe I'll go with you tomorrow.

And in Mexico they like to shoot students.

And in Puebla.

In Puebla the student thing isn't as bad.

Not like in Mexico, but there's a movement.

- That's why I'm a painter. - You paint?

Walls. There's always work.

He got a damn good job at the Olympic Village.

Indian Dialect

Go with him, so that nothing happens to him.

I'm going to go home, to sleep.

You must 'scuse me...

...I don't have no luxury, but for one night.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

On the contrary, thank you. Good evening.

Tomorrow I'll head you out.

Malinche is a bitch.

She won't let a man she don't like climb her.

We sort of know her.

But could you wake us at around 5:00?

- Sure. - There are two trails, right?

Well, you can go the way of the sandpits...

...but it's dangerous. Real dangerous.

Or by the "ameyal". I'll show you tomorrow.

Hey Ramon...

Take the cookies. Give them to the kids.

Sure.

- Here, you want a cookie? - Thank you.

Eat it! Eat it!

Are you from Puebla or Mexico City?

Puebla.

Thank you.

Raining hard.

Don't die, we don't want to kill you.

I won't die tonight before my time.

Did you fix the truck?

No, it hasn't started for 5 days.

- Did you hear? - Delfino came to tell me.

He brought some university kids that are making trouble.

Alberto, give me a beer.

They're in Lucas Garcias' house.

Son of a bitch. Had to be them.

The university guys are going to get it.

He'll remember his CCI, his seizures and his crap.

Let's see where he runs to.

Go on, Mrs. Andrea, tell people to be ready.

- Have you told the priest? - Delfino told him.

They even come here. They've got no respect.

Same goes for your cousin Lucas.

God will help us.

8: 15 p. M.

Let's go to the roof. We can see the whole town real good.

O. K.

Come on!

Get Panfilo and his guys. You go to the 5th section...

...I'll get Manuel in the 6th and the loudspeakers.

Get the girl and we'll be couples.

She likes you!

There's going to be a death tomorrow.

It sounds gloomy.

In the Americas neighborhood in Mexico City...

...do you know it? - Yeah, in Nativitas.

You know, if...

Turn it off. The kids are sleeping.

They're celebrating independence.

- But it's tomorrow. - They moved it up.

- It's like that here. - No.

No, that damn priest is up to no good.

- Are those firecrackers. - More like gunshots.

It's Saturday.

They get a little crazy with the hootch.

I better tell them to come down and come in...

Indian Dialect

Gimme a cookie.

No way.

They're celebrating already.

You know where he works? In the Olympic Village.

Wow, you'll be there with the athletes and everything!

No, we're almost done.

The athletes are coming in about two weeks.

- I think some are there already. - Get a pass or something.

Indian Dialect

She's speaking indian dialect, right? What's she saying?

Who knows. Maybe what the priest wants.

Is he a schemer?

What's he like? When we went to see him...

...he wasn't very nice. - Shit, he's the boss here.

Really.

The best spots, before they beat us to them.

Let's have a drink with this guy.

Don't start.

Don't fuck!

Tomorrow...

...up there.

The priest's a bastard, really.

Really, he's the authority.

He wanted to screw me...

...and I didn't agree.

They're here. Princes, outlaws!

The outlaws are here in town!

I got land near the "ameyal".

The damn priest tried to take my land, he says:

"Give it to the town."

I ain't givin' it! They can have a part they can use.

But not all 10 himself! No!

No.

He wanted them for himself, that damn priest.

I didn't let him, and he didn't screw me.

They took the land around the "ameyal" anyway.

The "ameyal". What's the "ameyal"?

At the Malintzin.

- What's the "ameyal"? - I don't know.

What's the "ameyal"?

The water. They put it in tubes to bring it to the town.

You know where the Lopez Mateos School is up yonder?

The water come down that way.

How many schools are there? Two?

Seems like about 3. Yeah, 3.

The third and fourth sections. Tell Andrea to continue.

If they raise flags, it's up to you.

I'll tell the Colonel in Tepeyac. He's going to be furious.

I can't!

Look, chief, you just lend us the rifles if we need them.

More are coming.

They've been making trouble with the women.

There wasn't no real political party.

They got the biggest party PRI.

I'm with the CCI now.

- Are there many? - Lots, not many, but lots, yeah.

But the priest and the authorities are in cahoots.

That Martin, he's mayor. He put him there, along with...

...the owners of the trucks.

They say as long's they got the money, we ain't gonna win.

But the mayor that's in now didn't win.

Ours did. But 'cause he didn't give no...

...money, the priest didn't want him.

Two year ago they got real mean with the town.

Some people even got killed.

They killed a child because our man won.

They came out of the church.

They started throwin' stones...

...they went lookin' for our leader...

...they went in his house...

...they killed the boy that was sleepin'.

And before, even before...

The commissioner's son.

A boy, he must have been about twenty year old.

He was good.

Yeah!

The truck owners with the priest's approval.

They even wrote them a song.

I'll show you.

The outlaws are here!

Heretics!

Neighbors and people!

Look, they're coming!

They're close!

House b y house...

They're taking things and animals!

Come!

Come to the square!

Everyone be warned!

Go to the church, men and women.

Everyone be warned! The outlaws are here!

What did she say? Are there outlaws?

Sometime they come and steal animals.

Let's go see.

No way!

It's another priest scheme.

That one who's talkin', Andrea she's a Carmelite.

A Carmelite!

A Carmelite!

A Carmelite, that's right. The brotherhood.

Every 16th they wear the scapular and have mass.

There are lots here, Carmelites. They're night worshippers.

Of the heart of Jesus, of the first day, of the San Miguel...

...brotherhood.

Some are apostles, Holy Week.

The ones that killed the kid, apostles.

And they take Holy Communion sometime, all the time.

Are you catholic?

Used to be a little.

But by Prince Miguel, I don't bother nobody.

Those sons of bitches that kill and are still Catholics.

Can you believe?

I won't lie, I've committed some sins.

Where can I go to the bathroom?

Outside.

Look people!

Get up.

The students are here.

They're going to raise a red and black flag in our church.

They're going to steal our religion.

We don 't want them!

Will see man y flags!

They're going to take...

God and our prince!

San Miguel protects us!

San Miguel protects us!

Hey... This sucks!

It's not us.

We'll leave early tomorrow.

Town's got itself in a fit.

The sound system is bad for the town.

That's what we call it here.

Really, they yell at each other, swear to God.

They make fun. If someone's angry...

...they yell at the person on the loudspeaker.

And the other guy does the same.

Women of older ages yell at each other.

They send children.

They dedicate songs, those make fun.

I got it last week. In the first section.

They didn't name me, but I knew!

Real ugly, a machine with three trumpets on a pole.

There's many everywhere!

Maybe you've seen them.

You must remember.

A girl who had a baby and isn't married...

...they played for her...

...that one where the baby cries, but a real baby is crying.

It goes like this, it's like a "huaracha".

"Why is the baby crying, mother?"

The priest says that you should call the police in Puebla...

...because some students are going to raise a communist...

...flag in the church.

And they're going to kill people.

Well if the priest says so, I'll call.

But later.

And for you to come, too.

No.

I don't want to get involved.

Have you forgotten that the priest helped you build...

...your second floor...

...and had your phone installed?

- Wake up, brothers! - 8:50 p.m.

Don 't sleep!

The time has come! The communists are here!

No one must sleep!

God and San Miguel need us!

They're rowdy.

There are lots of people in the streets.

Close the door.

What's this about the priest controlling the sound system?

That damn priest.

They yell, they make fun of those who don't pay.

There's an agreement.

He has the town by the balls. Has them scared.

And the trumpets say that if we haven't paid...

...we should sell our donkeys and pigs so's we can pay.

Pay what?

Tithe, and first fruits, and Sundays.

First fruits is 30 pesos, Sunday is 12.

They demand it, just like that.

And since he's got an agreement with the authorities.

Really.

They take our plows and animals...

...then yell on the speaker that we're goin' to hell with Juarez.

Jesus!

No, then we gotta give a part of the crops.

He keeps askin'!

Out of 100, he wants 10.

Almost no one gives him that.

Maybe one. And then to buy chandeliers...

...to paint the church,

And the town has to pay for his horses.

And he uses the town's gotta pay for his crops...

...the communal land.

And he has his Sunday movies.

How can that be? Do you pay?

Of course!

But not my land.

But for God I pay. And we get receipts.

That's how it works.

You see.

Commissioners go door to door.

If you don't pay, no receipt.

What are the receipts for?

Well... if you need a mass...

...or the birth of a child...

...or a death...

...or a weddin'.

You go and he says: "Show me your receipts!"

"No receipts? You haven't paid, I can't help you!"

You should complain to the Government!

We've sent a letter to the Government...

...but like I said.

They've got an agreement. An agreement.

Actually, lots of people don't go to church.

Like the people who sent the letter.

Don't go.

Why don't we go in?

If we go in we get stared at.

They just stare.

We don't go so that they don't mess with us, better.

Take away their propaganda.

Have them tell when the rest are coming!

Some students from Puebla were here...

...about two weeks ago.

The priest's people say they stole.

Gossip, just gossip is all.

They came to talk to the people, to give advice.

It must have been the law students.

Did they come on a bus?

Bus, yes, a bus.

They want to write about the priest.

And lots of stuff against the university.

- I told you, Julian! - Just stories.

They talk ed to me, and even gave me an ashtray!

Honestly!

Hey.

This really sucks.

Look, it's right here.

What did you do?

We didn't do anything, sir.

Shit!

Pedro!

Take them by the cliff up to the tubes.

Let's go! They won't find us there.

- Our things! - Leave them!

They're everywhere! There are many of them.

You're students! You're those communists!

No, we're workers! Employees of the University!

Open the door, Lucas!

- Indian Dialect - Indian Dialect

Why get involved?

I want to see.

What stealing? What communists?

These sons of bitches are going to do something stupid.

I told you, asshole!

When I heard the bells, I wok e up...

...looked out the window.

The church lights were on.

I saw many people running through the streets.

They screamed that the Puebla students had arrived...

...and that they were going to lynch them.

They were screaming a lot of bad words.

They were overexcited.

I couldn't do anything. Since I suffer from an embolism...

...I decided to sleep.

Two bodies were on the ground.

I told the farmers to call the police in Puebla.

In the streets around there, and among the screaming.

Yes, the excursionists went to the church to ask if...

...they could stay overnight.

But the cook turned them away.

As I said...

...I am ill.

Maybe the mistake was not making sure they were students.

It is a difficult and tense time, people feel vulnerable because...

...recently some people, I'm not sure from where...

...were trying to distribute anti-Catholic propaganda...

...among these people.

The catholic faith here runs very deep.

Very deep.

Last night?

You bet!

Two Sundays ago he gave a sermon.

Come two week...

...get ready.

He said it in mass and at night.

He invited everybody.

He says:

"Hey, in 2 weeks they come!"

"Gonna happen!"

"Get ready."

"The University is comin'".

..."they're comin' to kill me!"

"And to kill the prince!"

And so, people believed him.

A week later...

...he said it again.

That is why the Lord wants to warn his most humble and...

...beloved followers.

He wants to guide you...

...the Devil is lose!

We can see him every day.

We can read him in the papers.

He's everywhere.

Even those who serve the Lord...

...the priests who have written a document...

...dictated by the Devil's hand!

Even in Rome!

They are the new Judas.

Those who betray our Lord...

...and are pleased to see how...

...the communists have risen!

Who burn buses, destroy stores...

...insult people!

They have placed a flag...

...red like Hell...

...black as sin...

...they raised it in front of the authorities.

That is mockery!

That is rude!

They raised it in the Cathedral.

But not only in Mexico City...

...they are in Puebla...

...and soon they will be here.

A few days ago...

...some of you complained that...

...some students had arrived.

They were received by some of our brothers.

Like I said, the Devil is everywhere...

...in everyone who lives in sin...

...in those who don't come to Mass...

...in those tied to the enemies of God.

They came to see if the land was fertile...

...to sow their seed.

They won't just come to see.

They come to kill me!

So that they can raise their flag!

They come to burn the Prince San Miguel.

So that if no one protects you...

...they will take your animals, and your children...

...to become devil worshippers!

Beasts of lust...

...and of sin!

We must be prepared, we must be ready.

We must be with God...

...and He will be with us.

Not just Mass on Sundays...

...in the sermon...

...he had meetings at 9 at night...

...with people he chose.

The brotherhood people sure believed...

...and others...

...'cause it was good for 'em.

He was in his room? Ha!

He got scared? No way!

He was pleased...

...he was pleased.

He had been expectin' it.

For the celebration on the 29th...

...loads of people cried with the prince...

...'cause of what happened.

The priest, he says: "What happened?"

"Nothin' happened!"

'Cause since the days of Cortez...

...he governed, dominated, and people too it...

...and now even more.

Take it some more!

9: 15 p. M.

Go!

They're not what you say! They're employees, workers!

Outlaws!

Go away!

They're not what you say! Bring the authorities!

They're employees. They lied to you!

We came to climb the Malinche!

We better pray, because we're screwed.

Asshole!

You want to steal from us!

Son of a bitch!

I'll kill you!

Kill them!

Kill them!

What's going on?

Why are you here? Who are you?

Please Sir! We came to climb the Malinche!

You see?

You are to blame of this.

We should take them to the jail.

We should take them to the jail!

Please, call the police!

Take us to jail!

- They want to shoot us! - Take us to jail!

Why are you here?

I'll take them to jail, they won't escape...

...I'll make sure they're punished!

Assholes!

You should obey me, because if you kill them...

Let's beat them!

Communists!

Here to steal!

Son of a bitch!

They've put some rocks there so they can't get by.

Let's go.

Die once and for all you son of a bitch!

Who sent you? The communists!

Where's the propaganda?

That damned Lucas!

When are the others coming?

You want the Prince! You want to burn him!

10:00 p. M.

What the fuck is going on?

Are you hurt?

Someone should go get Nicolas.

Tell him to come. That I said so!

Call on the phone...

...I'm going to call the Red Cross in Puebla.

They came but they put rocks on the road.

They couldn't get by, so they left.

Get rid of those damn rocks!

And get Nicolas!

Communists, fuck! Son of a bitch.

Christianity, yes! Communism, no!

Christianity, yes! Communism, no!

Christianity, yes! Communism, no!

Christianity, yes! Communism, no!

For God's sake! Please!

Now you want God's mercy? Communist bastard!

Please, we've done nothing! I only work at the university.

We're not communists!

Where's the propaganda? Where are the flags?

Please don't kill me!

I have four children! My mother.

I'm not a student. I just work there!

Where's the propaganda?

Where's the bus?

When are the other communists coming?

You wanted to take the animals!

I came to see what was going on with all the screaming.

They said some were hurt...

...to call Puebla...

...to call the ambulance...

...the police...

...and as I crossed the patio...

...I heard gunshots...

...and felt wounded.

Did you see who did it?

No.

As soon as they're all dead...

... we'll take them to the ravine...

... have to burn them so that that the authorities don 't...

... find out!

You!

Go home!

They are hurt! The communists h it them!

Don 't let anymore communists through.

They ate and drank and didn't pay!

I told you.

Damn it! My goodness!

Now he's wounded.

Why him. Why only him?

Because of the Prince Miguel.

He shot himself puttin' his.45 in his belt.

How've you been?

How are the animals?

O. K. And yours?

All right.

Communists!

Are you satisfied? You kill them!

Shut up!

SEPTEMBER 19

ARMY OCCUPIES THE UNIVERSITY

I don't want to say anything.

These are lies.

We didn't want to raise a flag...

...or steal from a store.

Well, they wrote what they were told in the town.

The version published on Sunday is based on...

...your declarations, and those made in town.

As well as those made by the authorities.

Would you tell me how close they are to the truth?

He said no!

I remember everything perfectly...

...minute by minute...

...but we all had different experiences.

A different story.

Like Roberto says there was a window in Lucas' house.

I say there wasn't.

Sure, in the back near the altar.

I remember the screams in the house...

...then it was a nightmare until the ambulance.

10:30 p. M.

Shut up!

You will be punished!

We know who's responsible!

Leave them alone!

- What are you doing here? - We're from the university.

From the university.

Where are the local authorities?

- Here I am! - Let him through!

Ask how many there are, names, where they live.

How many are you?

We was five. The house' people, too.

How many died?

The owner of the house. I want to go home, let me go!

Load your guns!

Shoot if they get in the way!

Let's go the ambulance.

Out of the way.

If this man dies, it's your responsibility!

Now I'm going home.

And you being the authorities, why didn't you stop them?

We couldn't.

You, the mayor of the town...

Just look at you!

Totally drunk!

Where were you?

I was in Puebla...

...on business...

...the convention...

...right?

Calm down, we're almost there, hang on.

They cut me my fingers' hand.

We'll help you.

I can't stand it!

Call Dr. Gonzalez.

Look at you!

And still alive.

What do you eat that makes you so strong?

SEPTEMBER 17

SEPTEMBER 29

Askin' for money door to door...

...they say to fix things with the government...

...about the dead from the University.

From those involved and those not...

...'cause of some people who made trouble...

...now the whole town is on trial...

...and now it's in trouble with the Government.

It used to be bad...

Now it's worse!

... and worship God...

... the angels sing and worship God.

Blessed, blessed be God...

the angels sing and worship God.

17 arrests warrants were issued, five people went to...

...trial, two walk ed free as their participation in the...

...events could be proven. A third was sentenced to...

...8 years, but was released after serving 2 when the...

...sentence was revoked. The other two were sentenced to...

...8 and 11 years in jail and are serving their sentence.

None of the main agitators were put on trial.