Original subtitles

[suspense music]

[man] Often I'’ve felt I can'’t leave...

Becoming free can be a very painful thing...

Freedom always costs something.

To me, freedom meant being alone

very much alone...

Away from my people

finding my own way was difficult

but it all starts by walking alone.

[melodic music from radio]

[knocking car door] [Placido] Morning, boy.

How are you in your palace?

eh? Weren'’t you more comfortable in The Tribunal'’s little beds?

No way. Everything is much better here.

Thanks for letting me stay the night, Plácido.

That'’s why I came to see you. In a while the junkyard'’s owner will arrive

well, he accepts no guests. That man has no eye for business, eh?

By the way, you owe me three pesos.

Well, where would I get them from, eh?

Loan them to me.

I'’ll leave in a moment.

But, do me a favor...

give me some clothes, even if it'’s old.

If they see me with this uniform

I'’ll be recognized.

I can'’t help you there, m'’boy. Nothing but old scrap here.

But... just dress like a scrap man.

Nobody will recognize you that way! [laugh]

No wonder you ended up working here.

You'’d starve to death as a comedian.

Don'’t treat me like an equal, kid. Hurry up!

[radio music continues]

[tearing fabric]

[woman] And I said, But what about that photo I found of him?

It doesn't count?

[Juanito]Everybody is looking for you, Aguilera!

Where have you been, boy?

Juanito, what a pleasure to see you!

I'’m out now... with you!

You'’re going to get me in trouble, eh?

They'’ll think I'm hiding you

or helped you escape.

But it wasn'’t like that!

If they say anything, I'’ll defend you.

I'’ll also say that escaping is the easiest thing in the world.

You need nobody'’s help but the moon'’s.

What this about the moon?

-We'’re going back. -Juanito wait, please.

I didn'’t escape merely to return in a couple of days

I spent 8 years to find the way to get out of there.

I thought it through and at The Tribunal

I'’ve got nothing left to learn

And I'’ve got so much to learn yet.

About music, you, life...

Let me stay.

this isn'’t a game.

I can'’t lose my job at my age.

You'’re underage and as far as The Tribunal is concerned,

you'’re missing.

I might be underage,

but I'’m older in my head. That'’s how I feel. Older.

I already know that what I want to do in life,

it's sing.

In this world, people are judgmental and not understanding.

If I let you stay here, it will go badly for both of us.

I'’m not your father, Aguilera.

If you want to live here, outside, you must go with your family.

With my mother?

[guitar music]

If you'’re going to your mother to talk like a man,

then you have to look like a man.

too bad my pants wouldn'’t fit.

Look at all the money they give them!

Do you think they live off it? I think they do, don'’t you?

If they manage to get on five busses a day they can get...

[breathes] Don'’t even thinking, Aguilera.

[knocking door]

[steps] [door opens]

[Juanito] Good night, ma'’am

Such a smile! We'’ve been looking for you everywhere.

¿where were you?

Good night.

Get in, Rómulo. This is my son Alberto.

The lost one? Tell them he'’s returned and send him back, then.

Why did you come, Alberto?

You know where you must go back to.

[Juanito] Ma'’am, your boy is a good boy,

but he'’s too smart for The Tribunal.

He'’s also got quite a talent for singing.

If you send him back he'’ll just keep escaping.

Let him stay with you and I'’ll get him some work

so, he can bring money to the house.

[Victoria] The boy found me very tired.

It took me a while to realize that he'’s better off without me.

In there, at least, he'’ll be off the streets.

Get him back there, Don Juan.

Do me that favor.

Let's go, Aguilera.

Bye, mom. I hope to see you soon.

[sad music] I love you very much.

Eat something, Aguilera.

Aren'’t you hungry?

Not anymore. I thought I was going to have dinner in my mother'’s house.

Where are you going? Sit down.

To The Tribunal.

As things stand, there'’s not much I can do out here.

There'’s no way I can live in the street.

Look...

I'’ll help you

even if it costs me my job and we'’ll see how to make it work.

Stay in my house, ok?

I'’ll talk with your mother.

¿do you like it?

[laugh] Come on! eat!

Let'’s go, Aguilera. We haven'’t got all day.

eh?

[laugh] First thing is to get you out of that prisoner'’s uniform.

Let'’s see what we can afford. Get in.

-Welcome! -Hi.

How can I help you?

-Clothes for the child. -Sure!

Go kid!

[happy music]

Look, boy. You'’re going to behave yourself while you'’re with me.

No making scenes

like in The Tribunal.

Yes, Juanito. Don'’t worry.

And what will I do in your house?

When you'’re in it, work.

And when I'’m out?

When you'’re out, well, work too.

Sell something... we'’ll see.

when leisure isn'’t earned,

it creates vices.

Hey, Juanito. May I go see my sister?

It'’s just that, the longer I see you, the less I recognize you.

You'’ve become a teenager.

It'’s been a long time since we saw each other.

I'’ll talk straight to you because even though you'’re my little brother,

you'’re old enough to understand.

I'’m very sorry because I love you so much,

But you can'’t stay here.

It'’s all right. That's not why I'’m here.

Oh? really?

Well... I just wanted to see you. Chat.

You'’re so weird, Alberto.

kids, what are you doing?

kids?

[kids playing] stop kids.

leave her alone, come on!

you must share the toy!

let's clean this, come on!

You didn'’t know them, did you?

[man] Being there, with Virginia

the one I loved most among my siblings

somehow made me feel like a member of a family again.

It made me feel loved.

You got married...

Yes... I got married.

And are you happy with him?

Me? Happy?

[man] Then, I had the same doubt,

what if she was actually my mother and her old boyfriend, my father?

Don'’t you think you'd have been happier with Federico?

Well, and do you have a girlfriend already?

[kids playing]

[slow happy music]

[car]

[chorus singing]

♪Oh happy day [clap]

♪Oh happy day [clap]

[clapping]

-Young man -Sorry, I'’m not selling anything.

Don'’t worry. Everything's fine.

I just wanted to ask if you liked it.

The music? I liked it a lot.

It'’s beautiful.

What do you have in the basket?

-Are you selling food? -Yes, burritos.

-What'’s your name? -Alberto, ma'’am.

Don'’t ma'am me. Call me Beatriz.

Let me see those Burritos.

These Burritos are really good!

Yes, a lady who helps you made them, didn'’t she?

She makes them. I just sell them.

And your parents, love? Your family?

I... have none. They all died in an accident many years ago.

Near Rumorosa

Only my sister and I survived

Where is she? [in Spanish] Tu hermana?

After everyone died, she got sick

We had no money for the doctor so...she died a year ago.

[in Spanish] Solo Dios sabe, hijo

Calling your parents and your sister to him.

God has plan for everyone. will have one for you.

He liked the music from the choir a lot.

-Really? -It'’s beautiful.

I like music a lot, and sometimes, I even sing.

-Would you sing something for us? -Now?

[all together] Yes!

let'’s see... What song do you know?

I know many from the radio.

Well...

[Young Juan singing] And you thought that you were the king of the world

And you were never capable of forgiving

You were cruel and ruthless Today, you don'’t beg love but this time for mercy

You sing beautifully, boy.

You should sing with us

Would you like to sing in the choir?

But, would I have to pray and all that?

Only if the heart asks you to.

Yes, look, in the temple we sing

with happiness and love to God, our Lord.

Amen.

Singing is a way to express our feelings

If you want, you'’ll get to know his gospel.

His "“gospel"”?

His teachings. You'’ll see.

Well, if it'’s about singing, I'’d like to.

We'’ll wait for you tomorrow, then

[sad music]

Hey, what'’s with the face, son?

Aren'’t you happy to be in the choir?

No...

It'’s just that I didn't sell my burritos

How much are they? I'’ll buy them.

All of them? For real?

For real.

But they ate some already!

Don'’t you worry.

I'’ll pay for them

Thank you, Beatriz.

You'’re really good people.

-I'’ll see you tomorrow. -Bye!

Did you see that?

Giving away his burritos ?

You came at the time of my coffee.

get me some water.

You'’re spoiling the water!

Wait, mom. You'’ll see

You'’re spilling it... What are you doing?

No, mom. I brought you a surprise.

-But... come here. -what is this...[laugh]

-Here -No way...

Yes, place them here.

Delicious

-you want something, -No, only to pamper you a little.

Here...

Not with that one, son. Don'’t be so dirty!

Don'’t worry. I'll clean it.

What'’s more, I'll clean it while...

you try these on.

do you like it?

My boys may be poor, but they'’re not thieves.

Why are you so distrustful, mom?

I bought this with my own money.

I know where you'’re going with this

and I'’ll tell you now that I don'’t like it at all.

What?

I already told you. You can'’t stay here

I know that already, mom.

Can'’t I even bring you a gift?

Juanito, can I ask you a question?

Sure...

How was the mother of your children?

She was a good woman

hardworking, loyal... not very affectionate nor a good cook

but I learned to love her none the less. [laugh]

Nobody'’s perfect.

And with your children?

Well, she raised them to be hardworking and honest

You don'’t see them often, do you?

The one I have the most contact with is my eldest daughter.

She lives in Zacatecas. She keeps insisting that I return there.

But I'’m waiting to retire from work

and I have you. What else can I ask for?

Wouldn'’t you like to go with her?

[laugh] Yeah, right... I can picture you here by yourself.

I was being serious.

Your daughter must miss your love.

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

[Juan] ♪Oh happy day [choir] ♪Oh happy day

Wow!Alberto , everybody, [in Spanish] genial!

That'’s it for today. Thanks.

[claps]

Alberto. Wow! You'’re blessed... with that voice.

Oh... thanks, Minister Jim.

-I need to talk with you. -Yes.

What are your plans?

My plans? Sell my burritos and then... it depends on the time I finish.

Your plans for the future. Your life.

Ah, well...

-I don't know -¿don't you know?

Be happy, I suppose. And keep singing.

I love singing!

I'’m leaving for Elsinore, California.

There I'’ll direct the choir. It'’s a beautiful community.

Oh! We'’ll miss you a lot.

I want you to come with me.

You'll find a better life.

You'’ll sing in the choir, learn the language...

Really?

Yes, Alberto. We'’ll go, if you want.

Ay, I would love to.

Take this opportunity to visit your daughter, Juanito.

Do it.

Take good care of him, padre, he'’s a good boy.

Of course. He'’s in good hands.

See you soon, Juanito.

take care, Aguilera.

Yes, bye Juanito!

[car engine starting]

Améruica.

I-AM-AMERICAN.

I - Améruica.

better say nothing.

- American citizen? -Yes sir, American citizen.

-He's my nephew. -American.

-Welcome home. -Thank you.

Why did you talk?

It's not good to tell lies.

I'm not. I'm American. Isn't Mexico part of America?

[laugh] Ok, Alberto.

[man] At that time, in Juárez, it wasn'’t difficult to pass.

I didn'’t even know about passports.

That'’s how my first adventure in the United States started.

[happy music]

[man] During trips, you'’ll always discover new things

new people and unexpected things.

But most of all, you discover yourself.

[happy music continues]

[choir singing]

[choir singing]

[man] The music from Lake Elsinore'’s choir was marvelous

A thing of beauty. It felt like a divine concert.

Minister Jim treated me well.

[choir singing] Sweet Jesus is carrying me, sometimes in the fire

Sometimes in the water.

[man] I stayed with a cute African-American couple.

They were devout believers

Nice people.

I always tried to be accommodating

of getting by alone.

[choir singing] Sometime in the water. When I hear the sound...

[man] African-American mothers never abandoned their children.

How I wish my mother had been colored!

[choir singing] Make me want to kneel and pray.

[man] I stayed about six months in Elsinore,

and realized that it wasn'’t for me.

I missed my land, my people, my tortillas

I missed singing in my own language.

[choir singing] Sweet Jesus is carrying me.

[man]It was time to go back to my land.

[choir singing] Sometimes in the water. Sometimes in the water.

[bus door opens]

[sad music]

-Good day. -Good day, boy.

How much for your tacos?

15 cents, young boy. How many do you want?

Only one... So, I won'’t spend all my change.

there you are.

[breathes] I'’ll give you two tacos

because I see you'’re too thin, kid. You must eat well at your age!

where are you going?

I'’m from Juárez. I came looking for the "“Gringo"”

but truth is that my desire to return took the best of me.

To see your family, I suppose?

Eat...

-What are you selling? -Tacos,15 cents each, boys.

How many do you want?

Serve us until our bellies burst, ma'’am!

As far as we'’re going, we need to fill up the tank!

[laugh]And lots of sauce to wash it down!

Sorry, guys, are you from Juárez?

Yes! from beautiful Juárez.

Do you have an extra spot for a fellow countryman?

I hope you'’ve got some money

because the road is long and these bums fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

and these bums fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

Sure!

Serve a plate to the kid, ma'’am, and give us some sodas

to wash it down.

-Sure. -Please.

Hey, are you musicians?

Yes. Any song you ask, we play.

And you, buddy, what do you do?

[Juan interpretss "Llegó borracho el borracho"]

♪Life worth nothing

♪and the bartender told him, my life is assured♪

♪if you come by speaking, I answer you with bullets♪

♪The drunk arrived drunk

♪both pulled gun

♪shot were fired

♪people ran

♪the bullets were still making sounds♪

♪Suddenly the two fell

♪Making cross with his arms♪

♪The drunk arrived drunk

♪and the drunk and the bartender♪

♪both were dying♪

♪Mariachis and singers

♪they also ran out

♪That way, two lives ended

♪for a misunderstanding

[claps] [all together] bravo!

Alberto!

Where the hell were you?

What are you doing here, Gabriel?

I looked everywhere.

I gave you up for dead. And look where I find you!

If you knew all the beautiful things I'’ve been through in the last few days

you wouldn'’t believe a word of it!

Let'’s go. My mom is sick and needs all of us.

What about my mom? What'’s wrong with her?

I'll tell you later. Let's go!

Thank you very much, guys! I'’m leaving with my brother!

-Let' go! -God bless you!

You don'’t even care anymore.

Look at the people you'’re with.

Lupe finally got back my father'’s lands

and my mother is waiting for us there.

[sad music]

[man] And that'’s how life turns

a few days ago, I was in California singing in a choir.

And suddenly, who knows how

I was on route to re-encounter my roots.

Like birds returning to the nest after migrating throughout the world

so, I returned to my birthplace. To Paracuaro.

I brought Alberto, mom.

I found him singing on the street, among drunkards and whores.

I saw that coming.

That boy needs some direction.

[Juan] Mom!

Where were you all this time?

I was everywhere...

I learned English, I sang with a famous band

-Who gave me a ride from Tijuana -Oh, stop!

If I find out what you were doing

I'’ll die from sheer anger.

Here in town is another thing, Alberto.

Aquí todo el mundo se entera de todo.

because if you whistle even the smallest field mouse finds out, you hear?

And you behave like a man.

-!¡Alberto! -!¡Virginia!

How are you?

I'’m so happy you're here.

I missed you so much.

You spoke of Paracuaro so many times

that I imagined it differently.

Don'’t you think the square is very pretty?

Is it always so quiet?

Well, it fills up on Sundays.

And why did you leave Juárez? There are doctor over there.

Lupe managed to negotiate with the regents

so we could work the land again.

This is our land and our people.

I'’m happy to be back...

I wish you were happy too.

Well, I am happy, but I don'’t know what I'm going to do here.

-Virginia. -Federico?

The very same.

And is this colt your son?

He'’s too thin, poor boy.

You can see the lack of field work.

[man] And just like that, like a shower that comes down suddenly

the famous Federico was right in front of my eyes

y mis dudas se fueron de un chispazo.

and every doubt I had left me in a snap.

If ever I thought that he could be my father,

when I saw him with that face and that stance, I was sure he couldn'’t be

and Virginia couldn'’t be my mother, either.

In an instant, my suspicions were taken by the wind.

Victoria was my mother, I no longer doubted that,

and that pained me even more.

I always assumed that her lack of affection was because...

she wasn'’t really my mother. But now...

Alberto?

Ay, Alberto, is it you?

Sorry, ma'’am... I don't remember you.

I'’m your aunt Abigail

and you were this small when you left.

I live around the corner.

Whenever you want, you can come to me to drink some coffee or whatever.

thank you!

Promise me that you are coming!

Word!

-I'll be waiting -Of course.

See you!

Alberto, hurry up!

[man] For my family, coming back to Michoacán was the best thing.

But I had no idea what I could do there.

I love Paracuaro, its fields, its landscapes...

but getting up every day at three in the morning

to go with my brothers to work

I waited hours for my brothers to be hungry

so, they would send me back to the house for food

and would return once again to the field to watch them eat

Wait, go and return. That'’s how I spent my hours and my days.

And I was dying of boredom.

I missed the people... talking to somebody, seeing the world

Excuse me.

[drums] do you want a ticket?

Not right now... maybe tomorrow

Tomorrow we'’re leaving for Morelia.

Another who brings no money!

Let me in yes? I'’m a good singer.

If you want, I'’ll sing for free

just let me see Lola Beltrán.

You really want to come in?

[speaker] And a strong applause for the Mondragón Sisters, from Jalisco.

Did you finish, boy?

Lola'’s about to sing.

[speaker] Next, I'’ve got the honor of introducing

a great star.

Mexico'’s biggest ambassador to the world,

a voice that needs no introduction.

Ladies and gentlemen. The Lady of the Great Voice.

The great Lola Beltrán.

[claps]

[Lola Beltrán interpretsss "Cucurrucucú Paloma"]

♪they say he spent the night crying♪

♪they say he couldn't sleep because he was just drinking♪

♪they swear that the same sky shuddered to hear his crying♪

♪how he suffered for her

♪and he was calling her until his death♪

♪cucurrucucú

♪dove

♪cucurrucucú

♪don't cry

♪the stones never

♪dove

♪what are they going to know♪

♪of humors

Dam kid. Wait here!

and your ticket?

Oh no sir... it's just that...

Come back when you have money and are 21 years old, boy.

[horse in the water]

Hey!

Hey!

I'm here!

And where were you?

What do you mean where? I went for the food.

Until now? I'’m starving over here!

there you are! a tortillita.

Here...

you're too skinny! let me give you more!

Damn it, Alberto! This is cold!

You came here to help and you can'’t even get the food here hot.

Who said I wanted to work the fields?

What I want to do is sing.

Look! They'’re songs.

-You didn'’t write this. -Sure I did!

Do you want me to sing one to you?

Ok!

[Juan singing] Poor little dove

tired is he of suffering

looking to the sky, to God he asks for death,

for he doesn'’t want to live this way.

Stop...

Is this why you were late, you bastard?

[tearing paper] Do you want to be a mariachi or something?

stop being childish and get to work!

-Where did you leave the horse? -Over there.

Where, you ass? It'’s gone!

ah?

There he is!

What are we going to do with him, mom?

Now it turns out he'’s writing songs.

Well, somebody'’s got to straighten him out.

Are you telling me that I must?

Why me? Lupe is the eldest

another one giving you nothing but bitterness.

I'm the only one who take care of you.

Either you or Lupe, I don'’t care.

But that boy needs a steady hand.

[horse steps]

Now that boy'’s going to listen to me!

What are you going to do, Gabriel?

Hey, wait.

He went to the other side of town.

Don'’t do anything to him, Gabriel!

Don'’t interfere, Virginia.

But he'’s going to kill him!

-Let them be. Among men they understand each other.

Shut up!

[beats]

get up!

No, Gabriel, don'’t hit me.

[beats] [Juan yell] Gabriel, don'’t hit me.

Gabriel.

Defend yourself!

Gabriel, Gabriel.

Stop Gabriel.

[Juan crying] Mom.

I asked you in a thousand ways, Alberto.

[beats]

[beats] -Please! -Shut up!

get up!

Be a man!

Almost, my boy.

Almost, my boy.

But how is it possible they did this to you?

[knocking door]

Open up, Abigail. I'’m here for my son!

any woman would die before allowing the fruit of her womb

to be hurt like this.

[doors open]

How could you allow this, Victoria?

How is he?

Such cynicism in asking such a question!

Get out, please!

Get out and don'’t come back!

you haven't lost nothing here!

Get out! leave!

[door closes]

[man] For a long time and hated them.

I felt betrayed.

My Aunt Abigail healed the wounds from my body.

But other wounds couldn'’t be healed even by any amount of love.

There was nothing for me now in that place,

So, I left. I left and didn'’t return for many, many years

They say that a man with no roots isn'’t a man at all.

What I bore made me stronger.

I tore away everything that hurt me,

I chose where to live

and from that day never again wanted to say goodbye.

[Juan Gabriel interpretss "Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez"]

[man] I didn'’t see my family again until I became Juan Gabriel.

When somebody asked me about my parents I said

I'’m and orphan of father and mother.

An orphan with only one love,

music, to celebrate life, to celebrate today.