Original subtitles

[school ring bell] everyonefirm!

Take distance!

arms down.

-What's is this? eh?-No, nothing.

-Nothing?-I didn't do anything.

[hombre] There's an age foreverything,

and when you are a child, itshould be a time to play,

to learn.

But sometimes, it doesn'thappen.

If I could be a child againand could ask for a wish...

I'd like to play more.

[nuns talking]

Ladies.

Then the kid left...

Or he was taken

Of course not! Nobody couldhave taken the child!

No one has ever taken achild from our Shelter.

If nobody took the child,then what do you suggest?

We think it's possible that...

That what?

[water] Alberto!

[dogs] ALBERTO!

I found something!

False alarm. It's a dog!

-[Virginia] ALBERTO!-ALBERTO!

ALBERTO!

-ALBERTO! -ALBERTO!

-ALBERTO! -ALBERTO!

[cat meowing]

Say hi to your new friend

His name is Tony.

I'm not Tony.

Did you hear? He is Alberto,Petunia. What's your name,then?

Alberto Aguilera.

Alberto Aguilera. Did youhear Petunia? He'sAlberto Aguilera.

He is going to live with usand we are going to lovehim.

Mom.

any news?

Mom... mom.

They found a dead dog in theriver.

What?

It was a dog. It drowned. Ablack dog.

You are so insensitive.

[slap] Do not point at me,I'm your mother. You mustrespect me!

Alberto is lost, maybe dead,

and you...[Starts crying]talk as if nothing'shappened.

What use is it to cry?

Believe me, that if cryingcould give my Alberto back,I'd cry an ocean.

But it is useless.

Sometimes, I think that anyother place would be betterthan here!

Mom.

Little Alberto belongs inthis house.

We will find him!

[music]

I got you!

bye.

I got you!

That's how, my darling.

Thank them with a big smile,ok?

And we'll buy food withthis.

Let's buy dinner, yes?

I'll give you money to buytuna.

Chocolate.

Remember you have a family.

new siblings. What's thename of your siblings?

Victoria.

No, your new siblings.

I'm your mother now,darling. Remember your newfamily.

Little cat.

Little cat! and I'm yourmom!

No...

Yes, I'm your mother now.

I said no...

Yes...

[bells] You aren't mom

No? I'm your mom.

You aren't mom.

I must [hip] and this [hip]is for...

hurry up. Let's go already.

Wait, take my hand.

Don't leave, wait!

Wait, wait. Ok, let's go.

Wait. Alberto.

Alberto, come, let's go.

what icre cream do youprefer?

vanilla and chocolate.

Can I get a chocolate icecream.

Come here. Run! Run!

Take my hand. Yes!

There's always somethingthat can be done

I can't think of anything,but we'll do something...

That's why I haven't come inthe last few days.

Right now, we're going thethe Shelter, to see ifthere's any news.

I'm so sorry...It's my fault,Victoria.

I recommended that place toyou.

I don't know whom to turnto.

I'll take you to theshelter. Let's go,

and I'll talk with theMother Superior.

I'll be back.

[car]

[Police man] We haven't beenable to find a trace of theboy, ma'am...

Alberto.

Since we found no traces ofAlberto in the river,

there's a good chance thathe's safe

and that he will appearsoon.

This is not a typicalsituation

and I beg you to be patient.

As soon as we know anything,you'll be the first to know,ma'am.

Nothing like this has everhappened,

but we'll handle it.

Then what will you do?

Wait for someone to bringhim here? Aren't you goingto keep looking for him?

We've looked through theriver, throughout town

and reported it at theborder

There's not much more we cando...

Did you bring a photographof the kid?

I don't have one.

I do.

[Alberto] Yooohooo!

I'm a fish. I'm a fish.

-are you here by yourself?-I'm a fish.

-Where's your mom? -Mom

What's your name, darling?

-He's my nephew. -I'm not your nephew.

You know that I know a fewpeople, Victoria.

I'll ask them some favors

I assure you, I'll dowhatever I can

to help you get your sonback.

[Virginia]He was lost a weekand a half ago from theShelter.

You said his name wasAlberto, didn't you?

Well, you'll go to themicrophone to ask help fromour listeners.

I need a lot of emotion, alot of passion, a lot of...Go.

You're his sister, aren'tyou?

Yes, sir.

To all the people of Juárez,we ask for your help.

[radio] My brother, Alberto.He's been gone for twoweeks,

but we haven't lost hopethat we'll find him. Help usget him back.

If you have any informationregarding the whereabouts ofthe three years old Alberto

you can contact this, yourstation.

[Oscar] Sin noticias, buenas noticias, woman.

That as long as there is nonews, the better the chancethat he's all right.

I don't deserve to be themother of that child,

I couldn't give him theattention he needs.

I believe he's betterwherever he's now.

I'm just too tired.

Sometimes I think...

that it's better if he neverappears.

Don't say such things.

You only hurt yourself.

I've got four other kids toraise

and however dark the skygets,

I can't let myself falldown.

You're so courageous, woman.

[Victoria cries]

[sad music]

Don't you see we just sing?

-Don't want sing.-Why?

No...

Yes, you're going to singand be very happy.

But you are going to singvery pretty. People love it.

See this... "If they tellyou bad thing about me"

"Don't hear them", and thisred will be here. Ok?

-No. -How are you going to sing,then?

Let me paint your face, thatwork for us.

I don't want paint.

But we must keep playing,because....

the cats must eat....

[melodic music]

[Angeles]And that littleone, Maribel?

He's...my nephew.

What a cute little clown.

-I'm not clown. -His name is Alberto.

He's staying with me

until his sister getsbetter.

I'm not your nephew.

Come, I'll help you.

[radio] There's no news

regarding the lost of thekid Alberto Aguilera.

I didn't know you had asister, Maribel.

-I do have it. -Now, let's go, my boy.

-My sister Viginia -He never sees her.

Say goodbye

that we have a lot to do.I'll see you later,Angelita.

-Take care.-Take good care of him,

-Yes. Come!-A child got lost recently.

Yes, I will.

-Charming but difficult tohandle. -Yes, bye!

[church bells][kids playing]

[Gabriel] I was in downtown,Presidencia stadium.

Pablo and Miguel, went tothe shelter.

If we don't find him?

If we lost him as we didwith our dad?

[cat meowing]

[music box]

What's your name?

The other leg! the otherone!

the other leg!

Sir, sir! that woman has a stolen kid.

She left....

Hi Maribel

Maribel? are you ok, woman?

Maribel, I'm talking to you.

Maribel?

Hi kittie!

Maribel, Maribel.

It's me Maribel, open thedoor.

[knocking]

Maribel

Hey!

come here!

I'll be right back. I'll buyan ice cream.

Do you see that police man?

well, go with them and staythere.

and give him this, ok?

Yes! noooooo [laugh]

[police man] let's see...yijaaaah!

come on!

come on, this one!

[Victoria and Virginia] Mydarling!

how are you kid?

-You're happy!-Your fine now.

Let's go home!

-Are you fine? -Nooo...

-Hi mommy. -Do we need to sign anyform?

-My hat. -No, you can take him.

Come here, let's playsomething.

-Let's play something. -With my hat!

We'll come back for it, ok?

See you later, take care ofhim!

Yes, thanks!

[laugh]

Hey, aren't you happy tosee us?

-Do these look ok on me?-No...

No.

It must have been hard, notjust on your family, but onyou.

[breathes] They gave mecake.

That day they brought me tothe police station,

So, it wasn't that bad.

How did it affect you?

my mother was not just thedifficulty of the problems,but also the number of them.

I think that she secretlydidn't want me to be found,

How about these?

-Yes -Really?

How are we going to takecare of him, Virginia?

We can't take him to work.

And he's going to scare awayyour boyfriends...

What happened with Delfino?

He's a good man...

Oh kid...

When are you going to stopbeing a girl and living inyour dreams...?

Understand my daughter thatFederico is never coming foryou. Wake up!

You'll be left alone, likeme.

I have to go, it's gettinglate.

-Come, Alberto. -Oh, yes mom!

-Come on!-No!

Let's go and we'll be back!

[music]

[dogs]

-Good morning.-Good morning.

Is that your son?

No, he's my brother.

It's not time to pay therent yet.

My mom didn't leave memoney.

No, no it's not that.

I had another thing to fixaround here, I came to seeyou

And... say hi!

Don't you want to go out fora walk? or to the movies,later?

I've got to get to work andtake care of my borther.

Don't get used work

that that's not a thing forwomen!

-[Alberto] One, two...-[Virginia]Don't touck it.

-with only the finger.-ok.

-one, two... -Virginia, can you come withme to the ovens?

[Alberto counting] -what? -here.

Don't eat them!

Em...

I'm no longer competingagainst ghosts.

Em...

I...

I feel...

I feel a sincere love foryou. The good kind, likethis.

We've been friends for along time...

what you see is what I am

and I'll love you forever.

I bought this ring with alot of effort

and I'll put the same effortto make sure you'll neverwant for anything. Never.

Will you marry me?

[Alberto crying]

Ay Delfino, I can't...

my heart belongs to somebodyelse...

I'm sorry.

[music]

[knocking the door]

Don't do that.

-Lupe! -It's hot!

[Virginia] Come in!

[Victoria]Son!

[door closes]

Come in, son. Sit down.

I was about to arrive.

You had us worried, Bigdummy!

Any news from the town?

Did you hear from Federico?

Not a thing, sis. Nobody'sheard anything from him.

tell us how it went with thecrazy woman that painted himlike a clown!

It's not funny!

Boys, you saw what happenedwith your brother; he'sstaying here.

with his family. We can'ttake him to work

So, I want to ask you totake care of him.

You can count on it, mom.Tomorrow we'll take him towork.

I'll make sure he doesn'tget lost.

No.

And we can paint him like aclown so he can do hisantics!

[Jose Alfredo Jimenez interprets "Ella"]

♪ Ay love, my little love

♪ I sing you tonight

♪ I don't mind loosing or winning ♪

♪ I'll sing to this ungrateful woman ♪

♪ Three song to make her cry♪

♪ If you kill me in front of her house ♪

♪ As a macho, you do me a favor ♪

♪ What else can I ask in this life ♪

♪ than dying next to my love♪

♪ I tried living without seeing her ♪

♪ I fight to don't be unhappy ♪

♪ And I just found two paths♪

♪ To love or to die

[radio music]

It's very cold here.

You'll get used to eat,you'll see.

[turns up the volume]

[claps] [Lupe] Bravo.

[coughing]

[knocking the door]

What are you doing here?Weren't you with yourbrothers?

Who are you with?

Who am I going to be with?Nobody, son.

I'll tell Gabriel you'rewith a man.

What are you going to tellGabriel?

What are you going to tellGabriel? ah! TELL ME!

GO! GO TO PLAY!

[door closes]

[music from movie]

What's this?

The chocolate you wanted.

Caramel, I told you caramel.

-Well, give it to me.-No, the movie started.

Do you remember the firsttime we went out?

How can I forget, if I wasthe one that forced you tosay yes.

You're a bit hard headed,pretty...

You have to show me thatwhat we have is serious.

Of course.

Look...

If you want, let's getmarried.

Let's do it.

[kiss]

But, I'll tell you onething, ok?

If we are going to be afamily

You're not longer from yourmother.

Why you say that?

Because you'll be my woman.

And the only kids you'lltake care, we'll be ours!

The more you say, thehappiest I am.

[music from movie]

Where were you?

Answer when you talk to yourmother!

Don't yell at me!

What di you say! answer mekid!

Come here kid!

Get out of there! I'mtelling you!

Kid! come here...

You're big, get out ofthere.

You have fever...

How are you feeling?

This hurt.

[breathes]

Of course. Come here.

[breathes]

[sad music]

At what time can I take himhome, doctor?

Your boy is suffering from agrave case

of pneumonia,ma'am.

It must be the cold.

In our house the air filtersin from everywhere.

and it turns out your son isanemic.

I'm sure he spends all dayon the street.

He's only a kid ma'am. Heneeds more attention thanyou're giving him.

you're placing his lifeat risk.

This situation has gone toofar.

I don't understand it.

I'll talk to a social worker

to evaluate your case.

Victoria

I'd like to introduce you toMiss Micaela,

a friend of the family.

Nice to meet you.

Sit, Victoria,

Excuse me.

how are you? How's your boy?

Much better, ma'am. He's outof the hospital.

Nice.

She's the director

of a boarding school whereyou can send your boy.

They're professionals

Yes, but...

There the boarders eat threetimes a day.

Your son can study and livewith children of his age.

And most important of all,he'll be off the streets.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank youboth.

But I can take care of myboy.

It's sometimes tough, butI'll manage.

Doña Victoria, it's time tostop thinking about yourself

and focus on what your childneeds.

[rain and thunders]

[Alberto] Cigarettes,cigarettes, bubble gum,cigarette!

Should we try it again? Tofinish more quickly.

No way! Last time theyalmost beat us!

Oh, it's ok.

We get in quickly and sellquietly

so they won't noticeus.

And Alberto?

Don't move. We'll be rightback. We'll go sell insideand return.

Do we watch the movie?

Stay here.

You wait for us here. Wewon't be long.

[people talking]

[piano from movie]

[movie] Is it like this?

[movie] No, DO, RE, MI, SO,LA

[movie] Ok, It's like this,then.

[piano from movie]

[movie] join meHector. I'll dance!

[piano from movie]

I told you kids! Sell yourshit elsewhere!

Pablo, Miguel, Gabriel.

Hey, kid!

[suspense music]

[people talking]

[music]

Victoria.

Like that? Without adios,I'll see you home, cariñito.

I'm leaving. I don't feelwell.

Don Rafael asked me to tellyou not to leave

without cleaning the cantinaentrance.

Vamos!

It's full of cigarette buttsand bottle glasses that somegringos broke a while back.

I've worked all day long...

And I don't feel well.

And me?

I'm the gardener and theyput me to work on otherthings.

But dinerois dinero, woman.

Ok. Want me to wait for you?

No. Better finish sweepingand leave. Later I'll comeby and see how you're doing.

Ok?

Oscar, come one!

hurry!

[people talking]

What are you doing here?

How did you get here? Whereare your brothers?

I don't know.

How you don't know, Alberto?

What do you think you'redoing?

[short breath] Ay...

Ay...

Mom

Uy! [short breath]

Mom.

No, ay!

Victoria. are you ok?

Ay...

Sit, sit...

Calm down.

Take this, mom. It will doyou good.

No, I've got to go to work.

work? You're brow is hotter

than recently baked bread.

Your mother can't even tellit's a Sunday.

[knocking the door]

Coming!

Hi kid.

Hi.

I brought you some clothesthat I found at the grocerystore.

Maybe they'll fit some ofyour brothers.

Thank you. You're always sokind.

Come in, please.

And how's your mom doing?

A few days in bed and she'llbe over it.

I'm worried about whatthey'll do now that I'mgetting married.

You're getting married,girl? To whom? Tell meeverything.

His name's Francisco, He'sthe owner of this place.

He's about to ask for myhand.

Congratulations, girl.You'll finally have your ownfamily.

I'm happy for you.

And your brothers?

Out there with all the otherkids around here.

they aren't even feelingguilty about forgettingLittle Alberto.

Why don't you go get them?To see if any of the clotheswill fit.

Of course. I'm inviting youto my wedding.

so you can be bridesmaid ofsomething

Let's go!

- I'll leave my mom in yourhands. -Yes, kid.

They say that good friendscome visit when one's in hersickbed

or in jail. -That's what they say.

Although, when you hear whatI came to say

I don't know if you'll thinkthe same thing.

[breathes]

You almost die in the streetbecause you don't take careof yourself, woman.

I'm worried about yourchildren.

It's just a cold.

Just a cold today. Who knowswhat it'll be tomorrow.

If something happens to you,who'll take care of Alberto?

Now that Virginia is gettingmarried

she'll leave you alone withhim.

The kid's not the problem.

That's what I say. The kid'snot the problem.

It's not his fault that youhave him in theseconditions.

[breathes]

But it's barely six.

Just in time to get to thecinema.

It's just that I've got togo for Little Alberto

Again?

There's nobody else who cantake care of him.

I promise I'll pay for him.If you want it, I'll pay.

What did I tell you lasttime? Alberto's not yourson,

You know what, forget it.

-Francisco. -I'll see you later.

Francisco, wait.

The control of the boys isvery strict.

The schedule for meals andclasses are followed to theletter

and your son will have tofollow discipline likeanother boarder.

Here, we believe thatsacrifice

turns boys into men. It'snot easy, but I assure youthat it's true.

Sign here, please.

Don't worry about thepayment.

That's been discussed withMr. and Mrs. Meana.

There'll be no cost for you.

But this is a prison...

It's a school for socialimprovement.

I understand your concern

there are a few underageoffenders,

but we're committed toreforming all of them

What's important is how theyleave this place.

Alberto isn't a criminal.He's five years old.

Victoria, don't hesitate.You're one step away froma great decision.

from giving your son abetter life.

[clock tik tok]

I don't know how to write.

Just sign here.

Visits are once a month. I already told you about it,right?

That's what other parents dowith their kids

and until now, we'vereceived no complaints.

well...

[Alberto] Is it my birthday?

No. Your sister pampers youlike...

[Virginia] We're celebrating

that tomorrow is your firstday of school.

School?

Do you want more bread? Ibrought three just for you,love.

You're leaving me again?

Come, little one, eat yourbread.

I don't want to go.

Of course you'll go.

If you're not going to eatthe bread, let your brotherseat it.

[Virginia] It's veryimportant that you go toschool to learn a lot.

[susura]You'll have fun.

When I get married,

I'll bring you to come livewith us.

I promise it

[Music]

[Alberto]No, mom, I'll work,I swear.

I'll make money.-Hurry!

Come. They're waiting forus.

I'm big now, mom, I can workwith my brothers. I don'twant you to lock me up.

Alberto...

You should be happy.

You're a big boy now

who needs things I can'tgive you...

um?

Study so you won't have towork on the street

I'm old and tired, son. Helpme.

They'll treat you well.They'll feed you

and give you a uniform thatwill fit. A bed just foryou.

You deserve more, you can bebetter.

Who if not you, who are themost handsome andintelligent?

Will you visit me?

Yes, of course.

We'll all come

so you can tell us aboutwhat you're learning.

[doors open]

Aguilera, form up with theothers.

I'll tell you where.

Here. Here.

[men] From that day on,life wasn't the same for me.

A small child had to leavethe only thing he knew

to have a life away from hismother.

[people talking]

[Juan Gabriel interprets "Telo pido por favor"]

Vicky, stop that. You'vebeen sweeping for hours. Ayúdanos.

♪ Where I'm, now and ever

♪ I'll bring you with me

♪I need your attention, I need you ♪

♪ Wherever I'll go, I'll take you with me ♪

♪ Don't let me go by myself