Original subtitles

[man] Searching,searching and never finding.

Searching for the way ofgetting rid of loneliness inthe middle of a crowd

of standing out, becomingvisible,

searching with thedesperation of a child

looking for his mother amonghundreds of women

looking for lost love.

When you search, you don'’talways find what you want

because that'’s how life is,but if you open your eyeswidely you always find

not what you want but whatyou need.

[baby crying]

Gabriel.

Gabriel, Virginia.

-Virginia. -Ujum?

Where's Gabriel?

No, well, I don'’t know.

[suspense music]Gabriel! GABRIEL!

Gabriel, son!

You can'’t leave now, ma'am.We'’re about to leave.-GABRIEL!

[bus engine starting]Gabriel! Gabriel, son.

Everybody in, we'’re leaving!

Wait a little, please.

-Mom!-I'’m sorry, but I can't waitany longer, ma'’am.

-No, wait. -Are you getting off orgoing to your seat?

Mom, run!

[Virginia]Mom! Let's go!

[knocking]Open! please!

Move, so your brother canseat down there.

[Virginia] calm my baby...

[bus] [baby crying]

Hey, we want to sleep...

[baby crying continues]

Mom, are we there yet?

Go to sleep, son.

-No! No, !¡stop! -Hey! kids, stop!.

[kids fighting] Stop!

Miguel, Gabriel, stay quiet!

Yes, mom.

Are we there yet?

[band's music][car]

Go up, son.

[knock the door]

[doorbell]

We'’re looking for Mrs.Romero.

-She doesn't live here. -But here it says...

[door closes]

[low tone] -Are you sure?-I think so...

[doorbell[women] Yes?

-Ay! Victoria. -Mrs. Romero, what apleasure to see you.

come in, come in...

-Kids, come in.-[kids]Yes, mom.

Your son is so big now!

I know, right?

-Thanks. -As they say: "“Small town,big hell"”

That'’s right, ma'am

And now that they tookGabriel, the situation gotworse.

Lupe?

Lupe had to stay behind

to see what he can save fromour property, can youbelieve it?

Oh, poor Gabriel, such agood man he was...

It was for the best. Hisailment has no remedy.

Oh, Victoria, I'’m trulysorry.

What a shame that thechildren had to go throughthis...

Yes, ma'’am, that's how itwas. But at least now theywon'’t be pointed at

for something they didn'’tdo.

Look, there'’s not much I canoffer you,

but I can use your help.

Besides, you know how much Ilike that place'’s food: someuchepos,

an avocado soup... [laugh]

Virginia, spent a time with the nuns,

And Virginia learned withthe nuns how make someegg-nog, can'’t you child?

I don'’t like to brag, butit'’s quite delicious, ma'am.

We'll talk in a while andI'll show you where tosleep.

and we can talk about somedetails, all right?

Of course, ma'’am.

[piano's music]

I'’ll be with you in a moment

[lady] My boss is crazy. Hewants me to draft all hisletters.

It'’s almost like I'm the onewith the title.

-What are you thinkingabout? -Better say Whom...

Whom?

-Jimmy. -The soldier? Oh, littleMarta!

Let'’s go to the Milwaukeetonight! Let'’s hurry!

He'’s sure to be there, withhis fair-skinned friends andthose big arms...[laughs]

How may I help you?

She sent you this.

Are these for Mrs. Romero?

-There you are. -Thanks.

And wouldn'’t you want achange in style?

a haircut or a waxing?

[laughs] No, thanks.

You have some veryinteresting features.

highlighting the prettythings and hiding whatisn'’t...

[laughs] thanks!

[Melodic music]

[coughs]

I'’ll see you in theMil-wow-ki...Milwoki...

yes, let'’s dance all nightlong in the milwouukei...

Milwo... Mil... [laugh]

[Victoria coughs] Are youall right, mom?

[cough] Yes, I'’m fine.

If Doña María sees yousmoking

and listening to her recordsshe'’s going to get angry.

And your brothers?

I don't know

I while ago they werebothering the neighbor'’sdog.

Those kids need to work.

Do you know how to do this?What if the house burnsdown?

Oh, Virginia, don'’texaggerate. I just wanted toknow what it feels like.

[Virginia] Forget about howit feels, it looks wrong!

What'’s it to you? Instead ofwaiting for that good fornothing Federico

you'’d do well finding a boyto get married.

But I already found him.With your permission,

I'’d go back to Parácuaronow to wait for his return.

Wake up, Virginia.

Federico is surely insidethe skirts of somegold-seeking gringa.

What you need is to find agood boyfriend to form afamily.

How do you want me to get aboyfriend?

when everybody thinks I'’mAlberto'’s mother.

Don'’t think it bothers me tolook after him.

Quite the contrary. But I don'’t like to be toldthings twice.

[breath deeply]

This bus goes straightthrough the main street

all the way to the shoestore.

When you see it you get up,tell to the driver andget out of the bus.

And if I miss the stop andend up lost?

If you miss the stop, youget off and walk back.

-And if I get off early?-The same thing, you walk.

Don'’t even think of payingtwice for a mistake likethis.

This is my youngest child...

and she'’s my eldest.

Give him to me.

I'’ll carry him, if youprefer.

Why don'’t you forget aboutthe boy for now and let medo the talking.

I don'’t want you messingthis up.

[Victoria] I tell you, she'’s good for cleaning

and organizing things.

She has a good back,

and can bear carryingthings.

She'’s easy to like,

so, she can deal and takecare of people easily.

and when she concentratesshe'’s a quick learner. Youwon'’t regret it.

Oh, mom, It'’s like I'm adonkey you'’re trying tosell.

[whispering] Be quiet!

How old is the baby?

Seven months.

And does this little girlalways sing so much?

-He'’s a boy. -Ah, a boy.

Begging your forgiveness,but he'’s a bit of weepy.

His name is Alberto. When Icarry him he doesn'’t cry somuch.

-May I carry him for awhile? -Sure.

Hi little baby!

He'’s a pretty little boy,isn'’t he?

Look at him!

My wife and I have placedseveral order to the stork,

but she'’s so cheap doesn'twant to come to Juárez.

Hey baby! [kiss him]hey baby!

You can pack and sell thebread.

But we open early. before the sun comes out.

But you have to be herebefore the sun goes up, doyou understand?

I dont'’ like it when mypeople are late.

Say thank you, girl!

Thanks Don Camerino, I'll behere tomorrow early.

Tomorrow? Stay today so youcan start learning.

Yes, mom.

I was waiting for you.

Are you all right?

Come, sit here with me.

Are you all right, ma'’am?

[breath deeply] I'’m sorry. I don'’t know what it says.

It'’s from the customsoffice. There'’s a problemwith a document.

Luis'’ last name doesn'tmatch with their files.

They'’re going to stop payingthe pension, Victoria. Theycouldn'’t even tell me when.

How will I pay the expensesof the house, my children'’sschool?

Oh my God, ma'am!

Pardon me for saying so,ma'’am, but you are a strongwoman

and if I learned the badway,

that crying solves nothing.

You already took care ofyour husband and gave himyour best years.

Now it'’s their turn to help.

Look, Victoria, it pains meto do this, but... [cries]

with this problem I cannotlonger help you.

, I'’ve got nobody else toask for help.

If you allow it,

I'’ll work without pay untilthey fix your payments.

It'’s not just your salary... I can'’t feed your family.They'’re too many.

Instead of a help, this canend up being a burden.

Do you understand me?

No, I understand. Giveme a few days, ma'’am.

Let me see what I can doabout my children.

Mi sister has a tavern.

We aren'’t all that close,but I can talk to her torecommend you.

I'’d appreciate that, ma'am.

Bear in mind that it'’s atavern,

with a night shift.

If she takes you in, yourchildren won'’t see you atall.

Don'’t worry. I'll see how toget on with the kids.

I don'’t want to be rude,but...

Could you call her rightnow?

[Maria De Jesus] Victoria,right?

[baby crying] VictoriaValadez de Aguilera, atyour service.

You can help me here, in thehouse.

The cook needs someone tohelp her clean. -Sure.

But there'’s one condition...no kids.

It'’s just that I have no oneto leave him with...

frankly, I don'’t even have ahouse.

Ok, you can bring the child,

but only until you findsomeone to leave him with.

Do you have a maid'’s room?

I'’m sorry, but I don't liketo have people living in myhouse.

-[worker] Ma'am. -Tell me, Oscar.

I finished fertilizing thegarden soil, ma'’am.

Do you need me to help youwith anything else or may I leave?

-I'’ll see you here tomorrow.-Yes ma'’am. .

-Early -Yes, yes. Excuse me.

Sure! Please, findsomeone to leave him with.

Hey! Hi! I'’m Oscar,gardener, messenger, todero,dancer,

and now work socios.

Victoria. Have a nice day.

Oh, well, are you in a rush?And we're barely getting toknow each other.

Look, don'’t get frightened.

But I got ears when you toldthe mistress that you haveno home,

so, I have a deal! what doyou say?

That I can'’t understandanything you say.

You'’re not from around, areyou?

[laughs] I'’m more Mexicanthe hot peppers.

I'’m telling you

that I have a place whereyou can stay with yourfamily.

Don'’t misunderstand me.

It'’s a small house in a lotoutside town.

Thanks, but I don'’t evenknow you.

but tell me more about thishouse.

Don'’t you worry, I'll takeyou.

Right now?

You'’re not from around,right?

No. I'’m from Parácuaro.

Ah, yes. They say there aresome beautiful beachesthere.

There are no beaches.

No?

They told that....

This is all new. Peoplestarted arriving some tenyears ago... just like that.

There'’s more of us everyday.

Who owns the land?

The government, who else?

Here, you pay whoever putthe materials for the house.come in!

That'’s what mine was like,but now it looks like apalace.

With a bucket of lime we canbleach everything and leaveit as new.

My sons are good for thosetypes of work.

Then? Will you stay?

I don't know how would I payit...

Oh, with what the Meanas payyou'’ll have more thanenough.

Maybe someday you can evenbuy some land near here.

Plus, I'’ll be nearby tohelp.

Let's see...

When you'’re alone for a longtime, you start thinkingthat it'’s better this way.

I don'’t doubt it's betterfor some like this.

-Let me turn on therecorder.-No, that'’s not necessary.

We'’ll talk about that later.It'’s just somethingthat I thought.

You know... Sometimes I think I understand thatwoman,

so alone, with nobody tohelp her.

She only had disappointmentsand closed doors.

I'’m not justifying her, butI do see how tough it wasfor her.

[Melodic music]

How'’s little Alberto, girl?

It'’s been two weeks sinceyou last brought him.

My wife wants to see him,

she has a surprise for him

in the house....

Did the sweater she made forhim fit all right?

Yes, thanks you DonCamerino,

It'’s worked wonders now thathe goes to work with mybrothers.

To work? But he'’s only akid!

How are ya, Don Camerino,are you missing somefingers?

You'’re in charge

Ay, sorry.

Then?

Do you want to go for someCocoa later?

I'’ll ask your mom forpermission.

I already told you I'’ve gota boyfriend.

You like to play hard toget!

It'’s been a year that you'retelling me the same thing

and to date this Johnnieshows no signs of life.

Federico, his name isFederico,

and don'’t you worry. Once hereturns from work

I'’ll introduce you.

Give me a chance, give me aminute and I swear I'’ll leave you in peace.

When you walked through thisdoor

I thought I had seen themost beautiful women onEarth.

I'’ve gotten to know you anddiscovered a woman that...

well, I'’d like to call themother of my children. Likethis.

Just as you are.

Look, Delfino. I'’ve alreadytold you that I'’m engaged.

If you keep pestering me,I'’ll look for work

in the other side of town.Better put those buns intheir place.

There comes Don Camerino andI don'’t want him scolding mefor something you didn'’t do.

Boy, be quiet, please!

Alberto, Come here, hurrylittle one.

Is the room ready?

Yes, ma'’am. I opened thewindow so that some heat maycome in.

[door opens] Good afternoon,Mrs. Victoria.

Good afternoon, sir.

I'’ll need you to help metomorrow in the tavern.Mercedes missed work.

[bottles breaking intopieces]

[Maria De Jesus] I told youto leave him at home, woman.

I'’m sorry, ma'am. I'’ll clean everything in amoment, sir.

super clean.

No, no, no, It'’s not aboutcleaning.

What if something hadhappened to him?

And the bottles? this isn'’t a daycare.

We'’ve told you many times

Is everyone ok?

Don'’t think that I haven'tlooked someone to leave himwith, but...

Don'’t continue, Victoria.

You know what to do if youwish to continue in thishousehold.

And the bottles... I'’ll takethem off your pay everyweek.

[moving the breaking bottle]Watch out!

So little?

Look at him, mom. Miguel hitme!

Keep on, It'’s all there is.

I had to pay for the platesthat Alberto broke.

Plates? Wasn'’t it bottles?

That'’s a how they say it,don'’t they mom?

Instead of hassling me,

you should try to see whatyou can do to help me withfew more cents.

When I'’m selling bubblegum,Miguel bothers me mom!

-That'’s not true-It is true!

Shut up the both of you, youheard mother.

Tomorrow we work very hard.

Hey, mom, who'’s takingAlberto tomorrow?

Virginia!

I brought you some buns, butthere are only a few.

What money did you buy themwith?

Don'’t' be angry mom. Delfinogave them to me.

Ah, that Delfino... Don'’t youlike him even a little?

You can tell from miles awaythat he likes you, daughter.

You were saying somethingabout Alberto.

Only that tomorrow we'’re allgoing to work and nobody cantake care of him.

I'’ll tell the bakery I can'tmake it... or I take him withme.

No, no, no. What will DonCamerino say?

What is he going to say?

That'’s why I'm going earlyto tell him.

You can'’t risk your job. No,no.

what if we leave Albertowith the old lady next door?

-Doña Eduviges? -Yes, she'’s a good person.

But we don'’t know her, mom.

If my dad were here, wewouldn'’t be suffering so. We should look for him.

You and your big mouth. Mydad'’s dead!

-That'’s not true! -Yes, my dad'’s already dead.

[Virginia] Kids, shut up,please!

Is my dad dead, mom?

No, he'’s not dead at all,but we'’re not going to talkabout it now.

We have to see what we'’regoing to do about yourbrother.

You'’ll see that the old ladysays

We'’ll you ask her, mom?

[man] She waited all thistime...

Even though deeply shealways knew that Gabrielwould never return.

[man]But after that, nobodytalked about him...

I don'’t know if my mom askedthem not to,

or maybe they understoodthat it was the end ofsomething... or someone...

[stylist] Ready?

You have to make me lookpretty, eh?

Like a queen, you'’ll see.

[man] And that'’s why oneday...

She decided that she had toget away from that pain... Cut it out...

In order to move on.

[nostalgic music] [hair falls down with eco]

[Victoria] Good night,Oscar.

Shall we leave?

I don'’t understand...

What'’s there to understand?

Where are we going?

I don'’t know. I want to seelights, people, to dance!

Tonight, it's a big night,woman. You'’ll see...

[rooster crowing]

Why are you awake at thishour?

Where were you, mom?

Alberto? What'’s wrong?

We looked for youeverywhere, even at thehouse of the Meanas.

Alberto is very ill, mom!

What'’s wrong with him? Whathappened?

He'’s burning.

Gabriel, go to Doña Eduvigesand ask her to come.

I'’m sure she knows a cure.

Yes, mom.

Mom, what do I do? I must goto the bakery,

Go. You can'’t miss work.

But don'’t leave LittleAlberto alone.

No, don'’t worry. Go, hurryup. God go with you.

[dishes]

Girl, did you see what timeit is?

Sorry, Don Camerino.

I don'’t want to ask youagain to arrive on time.

It'’s just that my littlebrother spent the nightquite ill

and... I know that I shouldn'’task this,

but I wanted to ask yourpermission to go look afterhim.

Little Alberto?

Is he all right?

Not so much. He'’s a bit weakand has a fever.

What do you mean a fever,what happened to him? Look, child...

take out the big plattersthat we have to open. ,

Can I help you?

No, thank you, Delfino. Then, Don Camerino, do youthink I...?

It can'’t be that they havekid in that condition...

you can leave early, butwith one condition,

tell your mom that I want tospeak with her.

Delfino, did you fix theoven?

Yes, sir... it'’s ready.

Better tell your mom thatI'’ll go see her later.

I don'’t know what Virginiahas told you.

Just that he was burning upwith a fever.

I know, Don Camerino, butwe'’ve already been given hima cure.

Do you know why we'’re here?

We want Alberto to have abetter life, Doña Victoria.

We want him to go to school,to eat three times a day...

A good education,

a university career.Wouldn'’t you like that?

Well, when you say it likethat... yes.

It'’s been a long time and...

I don'’t think life will giveus our own children.

And [pause] I don'’t mean tooffend you, madam,

but [pause] we can giveLittle Alberto

everything you can'’t.

As a woman you know howthings are...

and how they'’ll be.

It doesn'’t matter how hardwe try or how hard we wantsomething.

When you expect one, itwon'’t come.

And if we hold on to it, weend up suffering worse

or they do.

[breathing deeply]

In our little house, LittleAlberto could grow as a goodboy.

He'’ll never lack for love. -No, never.

You mean...

Give him that chance,Victoria.

Pes...

You want me to sell you mychild?

I child is not merchandise,don'’t misunderstand us.

That money is to help yourfamily, take it.

-[Virginia] Mom! -You want to sell mybrother?

No, Gabriel, wait.

Mom, would you actually doit?

You'’re mistaken, wait.

Understand that we can'’tabandon our little brother,Don Camerino.

Yes, get out of here. Now!

Gabriel Do not speak to themlike that!

That'’s all right, weunderstand.

We just want what'’s best forLittle Alberto.

Yes, well...

We still want to help you...

Get out of here. Now!

[baby crying] stop! bye ma'am.

I can'’t believe you weregoing to sell him. If youdon'’t want him,

-I'’ll take care of him! -Kid! no...

[baby crying] little pig...again?

Victoria, don'’t be mean.Wash it.

so that it dries before mygrandson leaves.

With a lot of care becauseit'’s wool, please.

Yes, ma'’am.

[baby talking]

Again taking cigarettes fromthe boss?

Ask me, I have some as well.

Yours are very strong andlook very ugly.

Did you see the boss'’sgrandson?

He's very pampered...

Yesterday, mis childrenthought I was going to sellLittle Alberto

and yelled at me in an uglyway.

I'’d never do something likethat.

And then? If you weren'’tgoing to do it, you don'’thave to put that face.

I can'’t give him mucheither.

I can'’t even take propercare of him.

I lack the strength to raisehim and to give him what hedeserves...

I also have my life... Thatsweater is worth as much asI mike in an entire month.

I heard what you said aboutyour boy, Victoria.

I was not supposed to behere.

But my wife doesn'’t like itwhen I smoke in the house.

You must have also heardother things, sir

My grandson is spoiled, I don'’t deny it. But thatdoesn'’t matter now.

Victoria, I know a goodplace

where he can get a goodeducation. If you want I cancall them.

[piano music] Dad will beback.

He must be here beforeFederico arrives.

Placing my hand in theheart. I'm telling you...

[steps outside]

♪ that you are my life

Federico!

My... err... my dad asked meto come here for the rent,but...

I didn'’t expect to bereceived... like this.

I'’m sorry, young man...

Don't ever think I likethat.

I... I mistook you for someoneelse.

Wait a minute.

♪Breathing the air, Breathing the air, that you breathes. ♪

Well, then, until next...

I mean, until next month.

Excuse me.

♪ my soul

[dogs]

[door open and closes]

[breathing deeply]

I'’d never sell you my son...

but I do want you to eatthree times a day,

and for you to learn, and tobe taken care of as I can'’tdo it.

One day you'’ll understandme.

[Victoria interpretspirekua purpecha"DaliaTsitsiki"]

Calm down that you'’ll scarehim.

Do you see how we live?

This is the best we can do.

He will learn things

and he won'’t be hungry.

[Virginia cries] this is foryour brother'’s own good

[knock the door]

Everything is going to beok.

they'’ll treat you very well,you'’ll have a lot of sweets

[door opens] and you'’ll makemany friends.

Don't forget me.

[Victoria]Good morning,mother.

-Good morning.-is this Casa Rosa?

-Yes. -I come from Mr. Meana.

-We were waiting for you. -Thanks.

Come in, girl. Come in,please.

You can visit Alberto on theweekends,

but it'’s best if you don'tcome the first few months

so that he gets used to it. -Thank you, mother.

We entrust him to you.

[piano and violin music]

[Virginia cries]

[piano and violin musiccontinues]

What's wrong?

I can't mom, I can't livewithout him. He's toolittle.

[man] That'’s how it is...

part of my road, like anyother

one knows that it will leadyou somewhere,

but not how difficult itwill be...

[door opens] what obstacleswill be there

when you'’ll be able to rest...

I'm coming for my brother.Please!

[man] I like the road

because outside, somethingnew can always happen...

[racing car] [man] you can go away,return

or leave never to return.

But as long as you can move,

you can always make thingschange.

Your boy is not here. Henever entered...

Blessed Jesus, this hadnever happened to us before!

[Juan Gabriel interprets"Con todo y mi tristeza"]

Hi, what are you doing?

Where'’s your mom?

♪Even it's your fault

throwing stones...

♪all my loneliness

Where'’s your mom?

-Mom!-Go, run!