Original subtitles

[suspense music]

[claps]

[guitar music]

[knocking]

Hi, good evening!

Good evening! Do you want to come in?

Yes.

first your cover.

-Cover? Entrance fee? -Aja...

Eh...

But I just want to take a look for a moment.

You'’re not from around, are you?

I'’m from Juárez City.

-Ah, ¿Juárez? -Yes [laugh]

I lived in El Paso for a while

Nice city, isn'’t it?

Is it nice inside ¿eh?

[laugh] Let me through, please.

[breathes] Look, you look nice

Go on. Just a while because I don'’t want any trouble.

Yes, of course.

-Come on -Thanks.

-[laugh] thanks - Just a while, eh?

Yes!

[dancing music] [people talking]

Is it your first time?

No.

I can tell...

You can tell apart everybody who comes

for the first time.

[laugh]

I'm Tomás.

Nice to meet you.

Do you want a drink?

Mmm... water.

water? [laugh] I believe El Gato Rojo doesn't sells water.

I don't drink.

Bad luck, kid. Here comes the sting.

-But I didn'’t do anything! -It'’s not about what you've done

but you are underage. Raid incoming!

Get out kid.

Get out everyone! Raid incoming!

Come on!

[people screaming] [police siren]

[breathing fast] You didn'’t even tell me your name.

Alberto.

Hi Alberto, I'’m Tomás

Hey hey! come! come!

nothing happened.

the raid stays there back there. We're safe.

everything is ok, man!

Where are you going?

-Just got here. -Aja.

I have to find a place where sleep and eat.

Nice meeting you, Tomás, I'’ve got to go.

-I don'’t want to bother you -Hey! You'’re not bothering me

I'’m always willing to help others

more so when they'’re as young as you

So, eh...

Come, I'’ll buy you some dinner. I leave nearby.

It'’s just that...

I'’m not a thief or anything. I'’m just... a friend.

-Are you coming? -oh right!

Stand up like nothing happened.

Sneaky.

Ok, I'm behind you.

You first.

We are just friends walking nearby.

Your town is pretty.

In Juarez the streets are made of dust

and it's very warm!

Jum, really? it must have pretty things as well.

[car]

and you were talking about your family.

Oh yes...

I'’ve got nobody.

Oh. I'’m so sorry.

You'’ve got something

like...

like a spark.

[laugh] did you like the food?

-It was delicious. -Mjum?

Leave them. Tomorrow I'’ll clean them.

I like helping.

You'’ll have time to be accommodating later.

Uh?

Do you want something to drink?

Ah! We are missing some music

I'’ll put a great album on!

You really don'’t drink? just forget it.

What do you want to drink?

Nothing, thanks.

[romantic music] How preppy

Do you like The Rolling's?

Yes, I like everything.

There.

Keep telling me about this artist thing of yours.

Singing is my dream.

Sharing my music.

Alberto, sit down please. You're making me feel nervous.

-thanks. -your welcome.

and getting to know talented and famous people

Cool [clear throat]

Do you smoke a lot?

Sometimes.

One has to do what one wants.

[romantic music continues]

[Tomás] I believe you.

[cough] We were talking about it all night long.

I'm telling you something,

If that'’s your dream

I think you came to the right city

In Mexico...

you find whatever you seek.

Thanks. You don'’t know how much that reassures me.

Don'’t think it's just because I'’m drunk.

Look, I know somebody

who'’s "“in"”.

"”In"?

[Tomás assert] What?

Boy!

Yes, in show-business.

And you friend Tomás, will introduce you.

Thanks.

I know, I know... You'’ve got no place to sleep

I don't mind.

stay here in my sofa for a few days while you find something

and I get in touch with my friend

Thanks!

This sofa is confy!

Perfect!

[romantic music]

You will make me feel guilty for not washing my own dishes, huh?

[whistling]

[Juan & Tomás singing] Love of my love

blood of my soul,

[laugh]

Good morning, Sunshine!

Good morning, Tomás. I dreamt something nice

yes?

Tell me about it...

Ah...

I was singing in a big square

with lots of people and they were cheering.

[laugh] You dream that you'’re singing every day.

I like your determination.

Breakfast is ready, hurry up.

Hurry up? What for?

Do you remember the friend I told you?

I found him. You'’ll meet him today!

Really?

You'’ll see that it was worth the wait.

I'’ve got to shower!

Eat breakfast first. It'’s getting cold.

You take a shower later.

Ok.

Do you like them?

-This is the first time I prepare them for you. -It looks delicious.

The sauce is hard to make.

Keep the change!

[car door closes]

How do I look?

Handsome!

my dear Veracruzian

Tomás!

-Nice to see you. -So, what brings you around?

I came to say Hi, my friend.

Who is he?

I'’m here to introduce you to a friend.

My hands are dirty.

I'm going to mess you up.

It'’s Ok. It's a pleasure to meet you.

I'’m Alberto Aguilera.

Nice to meet you. Just Nereo.

Well, Nereo is the one I mentioned you before,

I'’m Lola Beltrán's secretary.

Lola the great?

[Nereo asserts] this is her house

Sir, I saw her sing and she'’s not just great

she'’s spectacular!

What'’s this "“Sir"” thing? Call me Nereo.

Nereo, please.

Alberto works as a...

I'’m a singer. A composer too.

So a "“singer"”.

[Tomás asserts] and I was thinking

that maybe...

can I leave him a while with you so you can chat?

there are a thousand things to do, I'm busy.

Nereo, come on...

but it'’s all right

if it'’s just for a while

Perfecto, I'’ve got some things to do.

You know how to get there?

-Yes. Thank you very much -no worries?

Yes, I'll be there.

Take care. He's a bad boy!

[laugh] Get out!

See you soon, Nereo.

What a beautiful home! Can I take a quick look?

Hey! [jape]

two conditions.

That you help me

with everything...

and that you don'’t touch anything you shouldn'’t.

Promise!

Ok, follow me!

[door closes]

Oye, Is there going to be a party?

What do you think?

Come here,

Help me put the napkins on the table.

Yes

start folding them carefully.

And place them on the plates

And what do you sing?

Well, a bit of everything.

I even sing Lola Beltrán.

Let's see...

[Juan singing] I'm tired of crying with no hope

I don't know whether to curse you or pray for you

I'm afraid to look for you and find you

Where my friends assured me you go

As for you, you are partying

[clapping]

You sing well

Do you think I can sing for Lola?

[laugh] You want me to lose my job!

No, Alberto, you sing very well

but we just met.

I'’m sorry.

Ok...

[breathes strong] Ok, you can stay,

but outside!

you won't come inside!

Can I trust you?

Promise!

[people talking and laughing]

[door opens and closes]

I brought you something so you won'’t be so cold.

Thanks, but you shouldn'’t have.

I would have liked to let you in...

but in this life we can'’t always do in this life what we'’d like.

I understand.

there would be more opportunities, right?

[laugh] Eh... well, eat that!

Go home now. Don'’t get sick.

Please, bring the plate to the kitchen.

this door to the right.

Yes.

[man]We'’ll stay here for a while.

Meanwhile...

it must have been dazzling to meet all those stars, mustn'’t it?

How old were you, 15?

15 or16. I was just a kid.

Em...

You just said, the right word.

I was dazzling

every experience serves a purpose.

That helped me grow up a lot.

What do you mean?

[knocking door]

[Juan singing]

It'’s almost 4 in the morning!

You won'’t believe me, Tomás.

Today I was so close to the sky from all the stars I saw go by.

Are you high?

I went to the best party in Mexico!

really?

How was it?

I saw them go so close to me

I saw Lola Beltrán.

Lucha Villa, Angélica María, Rocío Durcal,

Enrique Guzmán, José Alfredo Giménez,

And when I though it was all,

Javier Solís shows up!

And they let you in!

No.

Meaning you stayed outside all night long!

I'’m happy, Tomás! Very happy!

I never want to leave México!

Ok, perfect.

And Nereo? What did he say?

Can he get you a job?

I didn't have the opportunities

Ummm, well,

Then, what were you talking about all afternoon?

Alberto, I got you a chance and you wasted it.

We had a deal.

I remember...

The idea was that you'’d get work as soon as possible,

to help. But if you want...

I pay everything, you have fun,

but that was not the deal!

Alberto, I let you stay here

so you could meet somebody to help you open some doors.

wasn't it?

I'’m sorry... Next time...

There won'’t be a next time

these opportunities don'’t come around every day.

Do you know what's your problem! you are just a kid!

you'’re but a boy happy to see "“stars"”

from afar.

That's your problem!

That'’s not true. I want to sing.

You must grow up. You won'’t always find

nice people in this world.

Good night.

[sad music]

[man] Dreams are the oxygen of artists.

I dreamt 24 hours a day.

Nobody could take that from my head.

I'’d be part of the show

but never again from the bench.

I was going to enter parties. I was going to sing,

see my name in Marquee,

people would talk about me...

I'’d be famous.

The only thing I needed was that somebody important heard me

[knocking car door]

What are you doing here, Alberto? How did you find me?

It wasn'’t all that difficult.

What'’s going on, Nereo?

Who'’s this boy?

He'’s a friend.

Look, Alberto, let me introduce you to Mrs. Lola Beltrán.

Hi, nice to meet you.

I'’m a fan, Mrs. Lola. I like how you sing very much

your voice and your presence and the dresses you wear.

Thank you, son.

I sing as well.

I'’d like for you to listen to me and give me some advice.

If you'’re Nereo's friend, I'’d love to boy.

But I'’m about to sing and, as you can see

I still have to clean myself up.

I'’ve got swollen eyes

Nereo, how much money are you carrying?

50 pesos.

Give them to your friend so he can eat something.

I'’m sure his belly's like a lamp: empty inside.

But this is too much money, ma'’am.

Go on, don'’t be like that. Eat something

and come back in a few hours.

When my round ends, I'’ll hear you sing,

what do you think?

And if you like one of my songs

You can sing it one day.

no more authographs.

Did you decide?

I think I want a bit of everything. Can I do that?

If you'’re one of those who wolfs down the food

and then starts running without paying,

I'’ll call the cops right now.

I'’ve got money. Look.

[laugh] Ah, well then, mister millionaire,

what can I get you?

For starters I want a jug with lemonade and some tacos with everything.

And beans and rice

and Shrimp soup,

and filled chili...

[laugh] Let'’s go slowly.

What do you want first?

[laugh] Sorry. I just went on like a runaway goat into the hills, didn'’t I?

a little!

that's all.

Thanks!

How long was I asleep?

About two hours.

There you are. Thanks. See you soon!

[knocking]

[door opens] Yes?

Is Tomás here?

Who are you?

I'’m Alberto. I live here with Tomás.

someone is looking for you. He said he lives here.

Who? what?

Tomás! What'’s going on?

stop! give a minute.

can you stay here, please?

What are you doing here?

I'’ve got nowhere to sleep.

I'’m sorry. You had your chance.

My backpack and my notebook are inside.

Good luck, dreamer.

So you'’ll remember me.

[Juan Gabriel interpretsss "Siempre en Mi Mente"]

♪You are always on my mind

You are always late!

always the same!

♪How do you expect that I can forget you? If you are always♪

always you, you, you, always on my mind. ♪

♪You are always on my mind

♪I'm thinking of you every moment, my love.♪

♪How do you expect that I can forget you? If you are♪

[man] When you'’re feeling down

you want to go home.

I realized that life in the capital wasn'’t so simple,

so I went back to Juárez, home

♪What can I do? I don't know♪

♪I can't find anything

♪I can't find a solution

[motor de auto]

Hey kid, do you want to gain a couple of cents?

yes, sure!

come up!

let's go!

[Juan Gabriel interpretss "Noa Noa"]

Let's go!

♪When you want

♪to enjoy yourself more

Music'’s good, isn't it?

It'’s beautiful... what you feel inside here

What'’s your name?

I'’m Alberto.

Your jacket'’s nice.

And your boots. Where did you get them?

I saw some like them in...

They call me Tijuana, eh?

and you speak too much...

You'’re annoying me, ok?

Get out of here, kid.

♪you will never forget

♪Do you want to dance tonight♪

I don'’t really like Alberto, I feel like it doesn'’t fit.

I need some more handsome,

I don'’t know... something like Tijuana?

You'’ve annoyed me enough, kid. Go on.

We are about to close, anyways.

are you letting me in?

Only, no alcohol, eh?

are you good today, right? It looks like you were stung by a mosquito!

get in and shut up!

[laugh] thanks!

[dancing music]

little one, [laugh]

what does the little one want to drink?

[laugh] You speak weird.

[laugh]

A soda, please.

Sure.

Hey, you. How old are you? eh?

Same as you, but I didn'’t have time for make up!

[laugh] You'’re too young.

Does your mom let you come to these places?

I got no mom.

[people talking]

boy, you'd better leave.

The owner is an angry old

he had problems with the police. Sometimes he has them take clients away.

leave!

What are you doing here, boy?

What do you mean what am I doing here, sir? I'’m here to sing!

you?

do you know how to sing?

let's see...

[claps]

No, no, no boys, take out your instruments.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

stay in your laces, you will presence the debut of...

-Alberto. -the mouthy kid!

sing!

-what song? -what song...

eh... "No Más Contigo"

the original tone

[Juan singing] This thing called love, my heart felt it

only with you.

I cannot love anyone; I can be anybody,

only with you.

I want you to come back to me

I need you

is so difficult to live without your love.

Come ease my pain,

ay, come to my nights of love,

I want to feel again

like last time, only you."”

only you.

[claps]

thank you.

thanks.

hey, what's wrong?

wait! he's singing pretty well.

Where are you taking him,

!¡Eh Meche! Don'’t get involved. He'’s underage.

But if he had a pair of these,

you'’d have him working the crowd, wouldn'’t you?

take him out, Tijuana.

you keep playing!

let's go kid!

take you backpack. Be careful!

come on!

don't push him!

Ay!

Hey, weren'’t we friends?

Tijuana has no friends when he'’s working.

The boss is in charge.

Why did you throw him?

He fell.

what is going to fall are your teeth...

you'll see!

are you ok?

just my hands!

I scratch my hands!

Tell the boss I'’ll be right back.

come on!

let's go.

that was too much Tijuana, eh?

let's go!

I also lost someone very dear

I became pregnant very young.

The guy...

he threw me out

my mom kept the kid

as if he were hers.

How often do you see him?

Only when I get a good amount of money

and give it to him.

My mother doesn'’t want him to know what I do.

And where did you learn to sing like that? eh?

[laugh]

My grandfather taught me.

Is he a musician?

He passed away.

bro...

I'’m so sorry.

He gave me this notebook

I have it on me at all times.

I write my songs there

let's see...

They'’re all songs? ?

[whispering a song]

you are talented!

Why don'’t we leave? It's almost dawn.

Let it be, it'’s my treat.

-it's on me! -really?

The owner is my friend.

Just wait for me. Wait outside.

-go outside. -Ok.

-I'll drink the coffee -Sure

-wait for me there. -Yes

Hey! where are you going?

-Pay! -Let's go! Let's go!

Hey, but...

Hurry up!

-where? -I don't know.

you scared me!

-Good morning, Doña Blanca. -Good morning.

[Meche laughes] Good morning

Your face when you realized we skipped out without paying! eh?

-where is the house? -we are here.

I live here.

do you live in a hotel?

Yes, in a hotel. where do you live?

Err... there... by the colony... Providence...

You live on the street, don'’t you?

noooo, I'’m telling you

in the colony that'’s by...

You don'’t have to lie to me

nor feel ashamed.

You don'’t choose the life you have.

We can only work to improve it, can'’t we?

Stay with me today.

When you wake up you can take a shower and go wherever you want to.

Here, we stay out of each other'’s business. You'll be all right, I promise.

yes?

-come on... -ok.

[laugh]

you are too good.

come in!

ladies first.

thanks gentlemen

Good morning.

Look, sis. Meche'’s dinner.

[laugh] go!

Good morning!

But, what are you doing here?

Don'’t tell me that you and Meche...

what are you doing with that pretty face?

No...What'’s going on is that...

This kid sang last night at the Noa Noa and you wouldn'’t believe

the voice he has.

Do you sing?

I also compose.

will you sing for me?

Let the kid be. You'’re like piranhas.

This is my friend Daniel. Careful now.

Daniel Mijares, a pleasure to meet you.

Nice to meet you. I'’m Alberto.

-Nice to meet you -Nice to meet you

Hi.

Hey, girls. Can you give me a hand pushing my truck?

Do we look like mules to you?

Well, if the shoe fits...

I'’ll help you. What do I do?

Come, I'’ll tip you.

I'll be right back.

See you soon.

excuse me.

hey! go back to what you were doing.

Then, aren'’t you missing a singer?

Do you know "“Yo no soy rebelde"”?

-"La Gente"? -No.

-"Vuelve Primavera"? -No.

[laugh] what do you know?

I know some Mexican songs, Enrique Guzmán, Lola Beltrán,

Ok, do you know The Beatles?

yes, but I don'’t sing in English.

Look, if you want to be a singer

you'’ve got to widen your range.

you need to know more than three songs.

no one will hire you for that.

Yes...

[Meche] that was good [Juan] yes, it was.

-See you. -See you.

See you!

Alberto.

The boss wants to talk to you.

Now?

Alberto, we'’ve got a problem.

You understand you can'’t be here, don'’t you?

I know, sir. I was passing through the street.

Tijuana made me come in.

Because you'’re underage

they could shut me down and you know this, don'’t you?

I'’d like you to know that singing here

was the most exciting thing to happen in my entire life,

but I don'’t want to cause you any trouble.

Wait. I'’m not finished.

The problem is

that one of my best clients loved how you sang.

Unfortunately, yes. She wants you to sing again.

I would love to.

Are you hiring me?

a couple of songs and that'’s it.

if you want more,

I would love to.

[dancing music]

Mrs. Macoli

Look who I brought you!

who?

[laugh] look

You sing beautifully, boy!

What'’s your name?

Alberto Aguilera, at your service.

What a talent. I wish I had such an admirable son.

Thank you.

When you sang "“No más contigo"”,

I cried out of pure feeling. [laugh]

If you wish, I'’ll sing it again.

But first, I'’d like to sing something a bit happier.

Please.

-can I? -Of course.

-come with me. -Ok, excuse me.

You will love it!

[claps]

This song is for my mother,

a distinguished lady of excellent taste.

bravo kid!

[Juan singing] it was in a Spanish Harlem,

where I met you

You looked at me and I told you

that I liked your lovely eyes and your mouth...

your violet mouth, that shakes every time you pasionately kiss me.

[Juan humming]

Alberto.

Look what I found!

Look...

A flyer looking for local talent.

They gave it to me and immediately thought of you.

Who'’s more talented than you?

-Really? Thanks! -my pleasure.

It'’s your chance to become famous, buddy.

don't forget about us, eh?

Go! You'’ve got a Wardrobe ready!

You wear the shirt I made for you!

-of course! -let me try it on.

how do I look?

love it! be there early, eh?

promise.

[claps] [TV show music]

You'’re next, kid.

But, what do I have to do?

You'’ve got to sing, of course. Did you think of an artistic name?

Adam Luna, sir.

Adam because he was the first man.

And Luna because I love the moon.

[laugh] That'’s quite all right. "María La Bandida" right?

Yes, sir.

five, four, three, two, one.

Welcome back, my dear audience.

I want to introduce you to a man in love

in love with the moon, let's applause to

[claps] Adam Luna.

[Juan singing] This is the song of María Mendoza

[Juan singing on TV] Who brings with her story life'’s own law.

This is the song of a beautiful woman

That everyone knows as The Bandit.

-cheers my love -thanks.

that boy is good!

He is!

I'’m calling the station.

I got the number.

[Juan singing] Who knows if she had many disappointments

Who knows how black her fate was

[chorus] María, María, María the Bandit.

[Juan singing] Her silky hair reflects death

And in her red lips there'’s a lie

With her, you win or lose your life

That'’s why they call her María the Bandit.

[claps] [together] bravo Alberto!

[claps from the TV]

He'’ll probably want to charge more now

stop [laugh] cheers Alberto.

[man] If I had known that the only person

I wanted to watch me, wasn'’t doing so,

maybe I wouldn'’t have done thought so...

or imagine about it.

wouldn'’t have believed it.

Fate can be crueler than one wished for

but it'’s made to fit.

That day, without knowing it, that woman didn'’t want to listen to me,

but many others did so for the first time,

and were happy to do it. That'’s why, from that day forward,

I sang as never before. I sang as if... "“Would have"” didn'’t exist.