Original subtitles

THE BOY AND THE FOG

We underscore our deepest gratitude to the institution that is the national pride of Mexico.

PETROLEOS MEXICANOS

To its very worthy General Director Don Antonio J. Bermúdez,

And to the superintendent and the technical staff of the oil producing area of Poza Rica

For the huge and valuable cooperation during the shooting of this film.

Look at how high the flames are rising, Mother. Up to the sky!

How lovely! I would like to get closer to see it!

Let me go, Mother!

Get inside right now!

But Mother, it is the first time I see a fire. Let me go.

-I tell you to get inside. -Daniel!

It's the well number 15. That's where your dad is!

-You are not going! -Why not? My dad is in danger!

Obey! Go to your room and finish your homework.

Daniel, I am telling you come back!

Did you see how he was looking at the fire, Jacinta?

As if his life depended on looking at those flames.

Just like her.

Just like her.

So afraid...

Come on! Let's go inside!

Quick, tighten that nut!

That one!

Tighten it! Harder, harder!

Put it more to the right, much more!

Water!

Come on, quick! Now the other one!

-Dad!

-My son!

Everything is alright.

Come on, let's go home.

Mother, you should have seen what Dad did in the well.

Guillermo, I need you to tell Daniel that he has to obey when I give him an order.

When did you disobey your mother, Daniel?

I told him not to go to the well.

He did not pay me any attention and went there running.

But you were there, and I was afraid.

Something could have happened to you.

Thank you, my son.

But go to your room.

You need to rest.

The fire must have excited you.

-Good night, Dad. -Sleep well, my son.

-Good night, Mother. -Good night, my son.

Daniel, turn the lights off.

I told you it's not good to sleep with the lights on.

Yes, Dad.

This time you have to excuse Daniel. It is natural he disobeyed you.

With the fire, knowing that I was there...

At least he got worried. But you don't even care what I did.

How it was.

I guess nothing important happened since you are here.

You would have preferred if I didn't come back alive.

You think so?

How strange you are, Marta.

I never understood you.

That's why you are a failure in this house.

But not outside!

There are people who believe in me.

People who respects me.

Tonight everybody showed that to me.

You are so weak that you are always trying to do heroic things to prove yourself brave.

If you want something to eat, there is food in the fridge.

Good night.

Daniel, what is happening? Why are you crying?

Tell me what is happening. Fear of the dark, again?

Answer me.

You don't think I am able to understand.

-Yes, Mother. -So tell me.

Why do you suffer when you are in the dark?

What are you thinking?

These shadows!

They dance and dance before my eyes!

Then they stop moving.

Sometimes for a minute. Sometimes for a while.

But then they start again.

Look at them! It started. They take horrible shapes.

This one looks like a claw!

It's nothing, Daniel!

Just a tree branch enlarged by the fire outside.

Look! It's always the same.

It seems like it's floating over me, and grabs me!

Stop, Daniel!

Look now. It's over. There is nothing now.

How can your father make you sleep in the dark?

From now on, you will sleep with the light on whenever you want to.

-But... -I am responsible for it.

I won't let Guillermo torment you.

Come on, sleep now.

If you need me, call me.

Will you sleep?

Yes, Mother.

How cute. You always knit and then un-do it.

By the time you are finished, Daniel will be a man.

By the time I have finished this sweater, my son will be mine.

Only mine.

I solved it.

-So fast? -Yes, look.

-You just need to find first the Z, and then the Y. -Very good.

Really good.

Do you like algebra?

As much as poetry. They both have a mystery. The mystery of letters.

Don't you think, Dad?

-Daniel!

-Good morning, ma'am. -Good morning Luis, how are you?

-Are you coming for Daniel? -Yes, ma'am. We are going to the beach.

I think it's a wonderful idea.

I will let him know, just a moment.

-Luis, isn't he? -Yes.

And some kids from school. They wanted me to go swimming.

But I am not going. I will stay home studying.

Are you going to study even on a Sunday?

How can you make him do that, Guillermo?

I don't make him do that, Marta.

He decided not to go by himself.

Of course.

What do you want him to decide in front of you?

You are always talking to him about studying, about the next exams.

And telling him that those walks are tiring and not for him.

-That is my point of view. -But it's not mine.

I think Daniel needs some distractions.

Swimming, running under fresh air.

But I think he wasn't born for that.

He is not physically strong.

This ridiculous scene has been repeated at least 100 times.

You are creating an inferiority complex in him.

Scaring him.

He is so pale.

He does not sleep.

Last night he did not sleep at all.

You did not sleep, my son?

In the beginning.

Then I slept very well.

It's incredible how you have taken control of his will.

Stop it, Marta.

You know I don't like discussing anything in front of him.

Look, my son.

I don't want you to blame me in the future.

I believe everyone is born with a goal.

And I have seen you are happier studying, reading,

freeing your imagination with poetry,

than in those walks that make you tired.

But, of course, I don't want to forbid anything.

You are totally free to choose if you want to go or not.

This is the chance to show your father that you are not weak and scared.

I am going to go, Dad.

As you want, my son.

-How are you, Luis? -How are you, Daniel?

Come with me. Sit on the back seat.

Come on, don't be afraid.

-See you, Mother. -Have fun, Daniel.

Bye, boys!

Daniel, this is the chance to show your father that you are not weak and scared.

Faster Luis, faster!

If you don't think you can make it to the boat, don't try.

It is far. Swim in the shore.

You are creating an inferiority complex in him.

Scaring him.

Come on, guys!

Fine, this happens all the time.

In these cases, the first aid is important. Luckily he had it.

Now he only has a nervous crisis. A bit exaggerated for a kid his age.

He is very impressionable.

He was constantly asking if he was going to die.

It is normal that such an experience impresses anybody.

He had other strong impressions.

The fire yesterday upset him a lot.

Imagine if you had watched your father in the fire.

Yes, ma'am. I understand.

But, anyways, the kid is strange.

He doesn't react like anybody else.

He has a very particular sensibility.

But it's nothing to be scared of.

He is at that dangerous stage when medicines do not work.

It is their parents' attention.

Their handling, their judgment, that's what saves them.

-And that is in your hands. -Thank you Doctor, we appreciate your visit.

-And your advice. -Good night, ma'am.

At your feet.

-Good night. -Good night, Doctor.

Good night, can I come in?

Come in, teacher.

-How is Daniel? -He is fine now.

Thank God. These kids are always scaring me.

If I have been there, this would not have happened.

Good night, ma'am. Could you give me a glass of water?

-Do you prefer horchata? -Oh yes, better.

Jacinta, a glass of horchata, please.

I would have never allowed Daniel to swim.

But you cannot control them on Sundays.

They even forget there is a teacher. And they never ask for advice.

And this had to happen just to Daniel.

Such a smart boy, truly smart.

This week he got the best grades again.

Thank you.

He is very sensitive too. Easy to hurt.

Too often after a small thing, a problem between kids, he loses his balance.

Every kid is like that, at his age.

We don't know how or what they are.

It's as if they aren't anything yet.

Of course, of course.

But he is always more passionate than his friends.

Once I had to reprimand him because he had made a very silly typo.

He did not pay me any attention.

When I finished I realized he hadn't listened to a single word.

His head wasn't there.

He told me: "Of course I know how you write it".

"But why should it be that way? Even flowers change, why shouldn't words do it?"

-It seems illogical, right? -So it seems.

But in maths, he is incredible.

He solves problems that kids 10 years older would not be able to solve.

I don't want to exaggerate, but I would say he has some traits like genious people have.

I don't agree with you, teacher!

My son is no genius!

It seems like it bothers you to hear the teacher praising Daniel's intelligence.

It's not that. I just know that Daniel is a normal boy, like many others.

And I am very happy that it is so.

Forgive me, teacher.

I am not like those stupid mothers that always see exceptional things in their sons.

Well, I am leaving quite happy to hear that Daniel is well

and if he needs to be out of school for a while, he can do it.

-He is well ahead, anyways. -I don't think it will be necessary.

-Thank you, anyways. -You're welcome.

-At your feet, ma'am. -Good night.

-Good night. -Good night.

You see? It's everybody.

Everybody is giving their opinion about my child's education.

I've had enough.

I think we are doing him wrong.

But it's over.

From now on, neither you nor anybody else is going to alter my plan for his future.

I know what I have to do with him.

Only you?

You don't care what I think?

I think you have forgotten something.

That I am the mother.

You have just seen what your decisions make.

And I can't even hear about those brilliant projects for my son?

Yes. I want to take him away from there.

And if we cannot go to Mexico City like I want,

I will send Daniel to high school there.

No, Daniel is not going to Mexico!

Yes, he will. I have made my mind.

He will live with your mother.

No! Never with my mother! Never!

Enough! You are screaming like crazy.

Maybe. But you always turn me into this.

Everything about you gets me on my nerves.

Your stupid dreams that make you a loser.

Your silly childish discoveries.

The way you victimize yourself. Your laughter. Everything!

Enough!

Why do you hate me?

Tell me why did you marry me.

I always wanted to ask you that.

Now I know it wasn't love what made you do it.

It wasn't self-interest either.

You are the most beautiful and charming woman.

You could have chosen any man. Why did you choose me?

Tell me, why?

What are you going to do?

Kiss me?

It would be ridiculous. After 15 years.

You are coldness itself.

You have never loved anybody, have you?

If I told you I once loved a man...

I wouldn't believe it.

You have never loved anybody.

Not even your son.

How can you know what I feel for Daniel?

I know it better than anybody.

You didn't love him even before he was born.

How can you know?

Why did you lie to me when we got married and told me you couldn't have children?

Why did you try to avoid Daniel's birth?

I think that's why you hate me.

Because I made you have him.

That's why your bedroom's door has been closed for me

since the night he was born.

Daniel!

Don't believe your father's words!

It's not true, it's not true!

Believe me!

Yes, Mom.

Mom?

Yes, Mom.

Where are you going, Daniel?

School.

It's night, don't you know?

I have to go to school.

I cannot miss today.

I have to study.

He is asleep! Don't wake him up, something could happen to him.

It's a heartless thing to wake sleepwalkers up.

-Daniel. -Mother.

Leave those books.

It is night. Repeat it.

It is night.

You are asleep.

But you must sleep in your bed.

I must sleep in my bed.

-Go. -Yes, Mom.

-Will you turn the light off? -I will.

Tell me Daniel, do you love me?

Yes.

-More than you do your father? -No.

So you must love me more than you love your father.

For your own good. I want to save you.

Love me more than you love your father.

OK. I will love you more than I love my father.

Go to bed. Sleep well.

My son is a sleepwalker, Jacinta.

Do you realize what this could mean?

Did you see how he obeyed you?

That's a sad thing, too.

Only when he's asleep I can control his will.

What's wrong with you, now?

Are you hungry?

Are you lost?

You cannot be lost because you belong to nobody.

To get lost you have to belong to somebody.

Or to something.

Even if it's an illusion.

You are just alone.

I know. I see it in your eyes.

But what do you know about true loneliness?

To know that, you must have a thought stuck here.

Her. Only 3 letters and an abyss.

Come on. I will give you food home.

You sneaky dog.

You aren't as lonely as I thought.

Love is waiting for you.

Maybe only for a night.

But love, anyways.

Come on, don't be embarrassed.

Good-bye.

Love.

When I am next to you And you look at me

And you kiss me And make me shudder

I forgive your old lies Because your caressing makes me forget.

Even if I know that your kisses are killing me

And even if I know that your love does me wrong.

I love your ardent caressing. I want more, I want more, I want more.

When I am next to you And you look at me

And you kiss me And make me shudder

I forgive your old lies Because your caressing makes me forget.

Even if I know that your kisses are killing me

And even if I know that your love does me wrong.

I love your ardent caressing I want more, I want more, I want more.

Do you have a match?

Will you buy me a drink?

No.

Then I will buy you one. In my room.

Shall we go?

I have tequila. And I assure you it's good.

When it comes to tequila I am very demanding.

-You don't drink? -No.

Alcohol muddles the mind. And I want this to happen freely.

Like a liberation.

You speak in a queer way. You must be a lawyer.

I never understand lawyers.

But you haven't told me the most important thing.

Do you like me?

Yes, because you are the revenge.

Revenge?

Revenge against love.

You kill hope and illusion.

You are the death of love.

I don't like the way you are talking.

You really are not drunk? Tell me, what did you take?

Nothing, I assure you.

And you didn't run out of money?

That's the only thing I care about.

You are practical. But you are wrong.

Take it.

Even if you don't believe it, I don't like to get the money like this.

But I don't mind, it's OK.

Poor woman.

Don't ever say that to me again! I don't need anybody's compassion!

You are right, forgive me.

Let me see you.

You have a nice mouth.

Really? They used to say that in Mexico.

Here, they don't even look at the face.

I have so much passion.

Help me kill her from inside of me.

Help me!

She had to come up. You think I am dumb.

And maybe I am. But I know men.

I better do.

And I know you.

You want to forget somebody with me.

Men come to me because they like me, understand?

If you don't like me, you can leave right now.

Take your money.

Go and kiss her.

Leave!

Look, it is completely destroyed.

Another 2,000 pesos for nothing.

These drills do not destroy rocks, They are destroyed by them.

Like our primitive tools.

Are you still working on your invention?

Don't call it an invention, I don't aim that high.

It's just a new drill model.

What I can assure you is that, no matter how bad,

they will be better than this one.

The designs that you showed me looked interesting,

but I would like to see a practical demonstration.

I think you will very soon.

Come down!

What's going on?

My mother is very ill. I received a telegram.

I am very worried about this trip.

After 15 years out of Mexico City, you will feel like a stranger in the city.

I want to be with you and...

I can ask the superintendent and take a plane today. Or drive there.

No, no. I don't want to disturb your work.

It would also be an excuse to get know your mother.

What for, Guillermo?

She will never forgive us for running away.

My mother in inflexible.

I know. She never answered to my letters.

But people change with age.

Maybe if she knew Daniel... A grandson is something.

That's it. I don't think she's coming to an end.

Telegrams tend to exaggerate things.

I can ask for holidays and take Daniel.

Your mother will be delighted.

No, Guillermo, you don't know my mother.

Nothing works with her.

Also, Daniel cannot miss school.

Exams are approaching and his greatet desire is to pass.

I only ask you to take care of him.

Don't make him study too hard.

I can't live, I can't sleep.

I dread he may get sick because of you.

Or because of me.

But you really...

So I was wrong.

You really love Daniel that much?

Nobody knows how much I love my son.

Then why did you create this quarrel between us?

A son always brings people together,

but you have turned Daniel into an abyss between us.

I don't know if I contributed.

But you have to understand me.

Your coldness made me a father and nothing else.

I love my son with all the passion that you have denied me.

You don't need to explain anything to me, Guillermo.

I understand you very well.

This trip can be a chance for us to get united again.

The three of us, in another place. Another environment.

No, Guillermo. Mexico is not for us.

Wait for my arrival.

You don't need to bring me to the airport.

Go back to work.

See you soon.

INSANE ASYLUM

Is she fine? Tell me the truth, Doctor.

Is she out of danger?

Well, we saved her.

But you may be shocked by her appearance.

She would be better off dead.

It would be better for her.

Your mother has a strong physical resistance,

and these patients live many years.

Wouldn't there be a way, a medical one, out of mercy?

Euthanasia? No, ma'am.

A doctor's main duty is to know he has no right over any human life,

no matter how painful it is.

Forgive me, Doctor. I am in distress.

What happened?

You may probably know how your mother has always been fascinated with fire.

We weren't careful enough, we don't know how,

but she ended up with a matchbox.

She set her clothes on fire and fortunately we could save her.

Doctor, where does this attraction with fire comes from?

From a scientific point of view, I cannot tell.

But we have some data.

Some pyromaniacs have a great guilt complex.

Maybe they burn everything, even themselves,

for some mystical symbolism where they use the flames

to purify them from the guilt they have created.

Your mother's case is very special.

She came here 16 years ago.

Precisely, because she tried to burn her house while in a stage of sleepwalking.

I know that already!

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you.

I should be sorry. I didn't think my words would hurt you, since this is VERY REAL.

Yes.

Something... very real.

Doctor, can I ask you something?

Yes, of course. Take a seat, please.

Your full name?

It's not about me, Doctor.

It's that...

-I have a son. -A son?

I know I didn't have the right to bring him into the world.

With this goddamned heredity.

It was always my obsession.

I would never forgive myself if I had a child

that would end up in this asylum.

Do you understand me, Doctor?

Yes, ma'am. But calm down and sit down.

Calm down and tell me everything.

Seeing how nervous you are, I think you have never told that to anybody,

and it would do you good.

So, before you got married, you already had this obsession.

Yes, Doctor.

Every man rejected me, when they found out I was a crazy woman's daughter.

So I decided to shut up.

To hide my heredity as you hide a sin.

Once, I fell in love with a man.

The only love of my life.

I had decided to never have a son,

so I could end with this damned lineage forever.

But he looked so in love with me,

that I thought that he would cope with the pain of not having a family.

One night, he invited me to a masked ball.

I knew that that night we would set the date for our marriage,

and wanted to be entirely honest with him.

What does this costume mean, Mauricio?

Madness.

Are you worried tonight?

No, I am happy.

Do you remember this tune?

How nice you played it that day!

I think that was the moment that I fell in love with you.

To me, you will always be in that music.

-Always? -Always.

I was waiting for this ball to tell you something,

and I can say it now.

The company is sending me to the USA with a perfect job, and...

... And?

A man needs a wife.

Yes, Marta. A man needs a wife.

A home. Children.

It's the simplest and most wonderful rule in life.

There's something I have never told you, Mauricio.

Is it serious?

You will judge whether it is serious or not.

I cannot have any children.

I see it is serious for you. Very serious.

Maybe stronger than love.

It is not about love, Marta.

You know that a man's desire to continue his lineage is an instinct.

So what are you saying?

Forgive me, Marta.

But a home without children is no home.

I was so sure of your love,

that I was ready to tell you that...

But we don't need any more words.

Good-bye, Mauricio.

Marta!

Don't you recognize me?

I am Guillermo Estrada.

Remember.

We met a year ago in this very same ball.

I had just arrived from South America.

Oh, yes, I remember. But forgive me.

Wait a moment, please.

I have been waiting for this chance to talk to you alone.

Forgive me, I don't have manners.

Maybe since I am an engineer I go straight to things

and I am not an expert in love.

Love.

You say it as if it were an empty word.

Without any meaning.

Isn't it so?

No, Marta.

Life gives you many surprises.

Maybe I am one of them.

You do go straight to things.

I saw you wanting to leave and I cannot lose my chance.

Imagine what it means to me.

I work in Poza Rica.

I came tonight only to find you again in this ball.

I would like to believe you.

So you would not believe me if I told you

that I am in love with you ever since I met you?

-No -Why?

Because I don't think I have done anything

to make you fall in love with me.

Love does miracles, Marta.

It is always inside, hidden.

We don't even realize it.

But there it is.

The miracle happens, when suddenly, without a reason,

your head overwhelms you.

I know this is no place to talk.

I leave tomorrow in the first plane.

But if you want to meet me tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow,

I will wait.

What for?

It would be useless.

Also, I cannot meet with you. Never.

Good night.

Jacinta, what happened?

-My mother, right? -Yes, ma'am.

She set her room on fire.

But fortunately, nothing happened to her.

Not even a scratch.

So, the ambulance?

Because, then she had an attack.

And since the police had to come,

they took her.

I cannot stand this horror anymore, Jacinta.

I leave this house and this damned city forever.

And where will you go? With whom?

With a man who claims he loves me.

Who is he?

I don't know exactly.

And I don't care.

But I swear that I will never come back to Mexico City.

Never.

We got married shortly after in Poza Rica.

At the beginning, our marriage was easy.

He was perfect with me,

and I tried to return some of his great kindness.

Until the day I realized I was going to be a mother.

He took it as one of love's miracles.

Because I had told him I could not have children.

But, to me...

To me, it was the horror again.

The anxiety for bringing a son to the world

that sooner or later would end up in this asylum.

You cannot understand the struggle, Doctor.

Because my maternal instinct was very strong, too.

However,

one day I tried to stop him from getting born.

I went to see one of those dirty women

and Guillermo found me.

It was our first clash.

He didn't know anything that was going in my head.

He probably saw a monster in me.

He was completely disappointed.

Depressed.

I felt then like a criminal.

With no right to kill a son that was not born yet,

and to hurt a man that loved me so much.

I thought that maybe,

maybe there was still hope for everybody.

I could make Guillermo happy.

And maybe being a mother would turn me into a different woman.

It would get rid of this anguish forever.

And that's how Daniel was born.

And that's how I made the biggest mistake in my life.

Because I haven't had a minute of peace ever since.

Probably,

all mothers analyze their sons from the day they are born.

But I couldn't sleep, looking at him.

Trying to get into his little brain.

Every single day was worse.

I analyzed his childhood,

and compared it with my younger brother's one.

If he laughed too much, I shivered.

If he cried a lot, I thought the moment had come.

And then...

The silent but deadly fight between me and Guillermo for Daniel.

Because his methods jeopardize Daniel's mental health.

He makes him study until he is exhausted,

wishing that he becomes a great man.

But I want the opposite!

Freedom, fresh air, no mental disturbances!

I don't ever want to see my son here!

Well, ma'am. Until now you have told me about your anguish, your fears.

But not about any clear symptom of your son.

His incredible intelligence.

My brother was told he was a genius when he was 15.

When he was 20, he was in a sanitarium.

In your son it can be natural intelligence.

No.

He is so impressionable, so sensitive.

There are many impressionable and sensitive people in this world.

And they are normal, ma'am.

But there is something worse, Doctor.

Before I came here, I found out that he is a sleepwalker.

You know my mother was one, too.

Isn't a clear symptom?

Not exactly, ma'am.

Sleepwalking can be caused by many reasons.

In children, for example,

it is often caused by an emotional distress,

usually caused by their parents.

They find in their dreams the affection they don't get in the real life.

If you had seen him, standing on those stairs,

with those empty eyes,

hollow, like my mother's eyes.

I am so afraid, Doctor.

OK, ma'am, let's do something.

Bring your son here.

Here?

Where she is?

My brother's grave?

Where in every corner of this city lies a memory of my horrible childhood?

Not even for your child would you stop being scared of this city?

OK

I will have to think about that.

Think about it, it's for the best.

Here is my address and my phone number.

Anytime you need me, I am here for you.

Thank you very much, Doctor.

Please file this clinical history.

It would be good to study her.

An interesting case?

She is afraid for her child's mental health

and I am afraid for her's.

Marta!

Mauricio! I never expected...

-...to see me again? -Even less to find you here.

What a strange coincidence.

Not so much. I am going to Poza Rica.

What for?

When I came back from abroad, I started working at Petroleos Mexicanos.

They need an engineer to visit Poza Rica.

Knowing that you live there,

I proposed myself, wishing to see you again.

Why did you say that?

Between two ex-lovers, there can only be forget.

Did you manage to forget me?

I didn't.

I have searched for love everywhere.

In many women.

But I could never find it.

Because I realized too late that you were love.

Only you.

How could I lose you, desiring a child that I never had?

Why should we stir up the past?

Because if there is fire still there it will come back to life stronger.

I have no fire left.

You know I am married, don't you?

Do you love your husband?

-Yes. -Don't lie.

-I am not lying! -So why are you trembling?

-Leave me alone, Mauricio. -Should I drive you home?

No, thanks.

Don't try to find me in Poza Rica.

Forget that you saw me again.

Forget about this.

You cannot stop us from seeing each other again.

Señor Estrada!

Let me introduce you, Engineers De la Torre and Estrada.

-Nice to meet you. -You too.

Mr. De la Torre just came here from Mexico City to talk with you.

He came to the office and the Superintendent told me to bring him here.

You came here from Mexico to talk with me?

I don't understand. Tell me how can I help you.

The management at Petroleos saw the blueprints of your new drill

and is sending me to see if it is as good in practice as it is in theory.

I am surprised.

-So my model was that interesting? -That's why I am here.

If it is true, it will mean big savings for our company.

I personally have much confidence.

I studied your blueprints thoroughly and would like to see the drill now.

Whenever you want to. Tonight, if you'd like.

It's fine with me.

I can pick you up from the hotel at around 7:30.

-Perfect. See you tonight. -See you tonight.

-See you. -See you. Hey!

-Will you have dinner with us? -With pleasure.

Hello ma'am. I want to talk with the Guillermo Estrada house.

Thank you.

Jacinta, I have a guest for dinner tonight.

Make something special.

Yes. But don't you want to talk with the Mrs.?

What? She's back?

What time?

Put her through.

So, Marta...

Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?

-How is your mother? -It was nothing serious.

She's fine now.

Well, I am glad.

I was looking forward to your arrival after our farewell.

I don't understand.

What was so special about our farewell?

But tell me, Guillermo,

-How is Daniel? -He is fine.

He has exams now.

I hope he passes.

The way you make him study, I am sure he will.

See you tonight then.

You hadn't played for quite some time.

You didn't forget anything. You still play very well.

No, Jacinta.

My fingers are too old now. Like the keys in this piano.

Can you hear that it is deaf?

Pianos, like souls, become deaf with time.

When there is nothing that makes them vibrate.

That's my wife.

She hadn't played for some time.

Marta.

Let me introduce you to our engineer De la Torre.

My pleasure.

At your feet, ma'am.

You were playing a very beautiful melody.

I hadn't heard it in ages. And very well played, too.

Not at all.

I was trying to remember it because I had completely forgot it.

He came from Mexico City to see my new drill prototype.

Oh, really?

You should change clothes.

I guess you won't sit in our table wearing those clothes.

You are right.

Forgive me, Mister.

I was so surprised I forgot my manners.

It won't be long.

How did you dare to come here?

I told you to forget I exist.

Or did you come out of unhealthy curiosity?

No, Marta.

My motives are not low.

In all these years of absence I had an obsession.

That maybe, by making myself unhappy,

I made you unhappy too.

You are wrong, then.

Because I am entirely happy.

I wanted to see that with my own eyes.

Your happiness, here at your home.

That place I didn't want to have.

You are looking at it now.

If this is so, I swear I will get away from you forever.

Dad!

Mother!

I didn't expect you so soon.

-How is Grandma? -She's fine.

I didn't know you had a son, ma'am.

Sorry. My son Daniel, Mr. De la Torre.

-Your father's friend. -Nice to meet you.

He looks more like you than like your husband.

Nice to meet you, Daniel.

I envy your father for having such a grown-up son.

Where is Dad?

-In his room. -If you excuse me.

Wait, Daniel.

You passed, I suppose.

-Yes, Mother. -Let me see your grades.

Straight A's.

-Take it. -Thank you, Mother.

I will show them to Dad. If you will excuse me.

Why did you lie to me?

Why did you tell me that night that you couldn't have any children?

It wasn't exactly a lie.

It's just that...

The doctor told me if I had children I was jeopardizing my life.

And that's what happened.

Daniel's birth was worse than death.

I am very happy, son.

But I was expecting it.

Do you want to drink something before we have dinner?

I am fine, thanks.

So, can we go to the table, then?

I hope you can forgive me but the dinner will be a bit late.

It's OK.

If you like, I can show you the drill and explain how it works.

-Of course. If you excuse us, ma'am. -Sure.

Why is this engineer here, Mom?

To find your father's talent.

Let's go over there to drink coffee. It's less warm there.

After having seen the drill and your explanations, I am convinced it will be a success.

I want to let you know that I have instructions from General Management,

that once we have tested your invention's effectiveness,

you should move immediately to Mexico City.

To Mexico? Why?

To create a factory for your drill model.

You will be the plant manager.

Aren't you happy, Marta?

What I don't understand is, why it has to be in Mexico.

You've already built a drill here.

If this "famous" tests give good results,

I don't see why you can't continue building them here.

But don't you realize it's not just 2 or 3 drills?

-It is something big. -Yes, mother, a huge factory!

This conversation is not for kids.

Also, it's late. Go to bed.

Go, Daniel.

-Good night. -Good night.

I think it's time for me to leave as well.

Thank you very much.

So, Engineer?

Tomorrow we will start drilling the well,

and in 15 days you will see an oil stream.

-I assure you. -I hope so.

-Good night. -Good night.

-See you tomorrow. -See you tomorrow.

I will start giving orders so that everything is ready.

Can't you control your hatred even in front of strangers?

I just get exasperated by your ridiculous projects and your delusions of grandeur.

They are not delusions, Marta!

They are a hope now.

And in 15 days, a reality.

I don't think so! I'll never believe in you.

I don't care anymore whether you believe in me.

I only want my son to believe in me!

Now I know I am not a weak man.

That was due to your daily influence.

I am strong, Marta!

I will succeed, and you will see it.

And you know whom will I owe it to?

To you!

You locked your room's door pushing me towards my work.

You've been a strange muse.

A cold one!

But a muse in the end.

Thank you, Marta.

Is Mr. De la Torre back yet?

There's nothing left between you two.

Tonight, at some point I sensed that you hate him.

I hate him sometimes.

Why?

Because...

Because of Daniel.

He made me have Daniel risking my own life.

He begged me, he asked me, he almost forced me to.

And now he has total control over him.

And this is not stopping.

There will come a day when my son hates me.

You saw that yourself today.

You have suffered that much?

You can't imagine. I had to harden in order to live.

But you can't live forever with a rock in your heart.

That's why today, when I called you,

I saw you as a salvation.

You do that to me.

Have you really not forgotten me?

Do you think you can forget the image you carry inside you all the time?

I believe you, Mauricio!

And that's why I want to ask you something.

What?

Bring Guillermo down.

Say that his projects are stupid.

That this goddamned invention is just a loser's dream.

He will have to stay here forever.

And not think again about going to Mexico City.

Bring him down, Mauricio!

You're asking me the only thing that I cannot do.

I am an honest man.

If his project works, I have to say so.

Do it for me.

Ask me anything but that.

How else could you help me, then?

We live in an era of freedom.

Nobody is forcing you to live with a man you don't love.

-There is divorce. -Yes.

Divorce would save me,

but I would lose Daniel.

And my son needs me so much, Mauricio.

So much!

And I cannot live without him.

I would never take him away from Guillermo.

Guillermo controls his will.

He made him weak so he could dominate him.

If only I could make him love me.

Leave Mauricio, leave!

Daniel!

Did that man leave, Mom?

Yes, Daniel.

Will he come back?

Do you want him to come back?

Yes.

Because he found Dad's talent,

and will bring us to Mexico City.

No, Daniel.

We shouldn't go to Mexico. Neither me nor you.

I would suffer so much.

Do you want to see me suffer?

No, Mom.

So you have to change.

Try to love me more.

Do everything I told you to.

Oppose to your father's will.

Because it is causing us pain. So much pain!

You have to understand me. You are not a child anymore.

Yes, Mom.

-Will you remember tomorrow? -I will.

Now go back to your bed.

Forgive me, my son.

But it is for your own good.

It has to be.

What happened today, my son?

You never wake up so late.

Is it too late?

We barely have time to go to the well.

Come on, have your breakfast quickly.

My calculations cannot be wrong.

Look.

We start drilling today.

Day three.

I estimate that the drill will dig up to half a meter in the middle strata.

-The well we are about to drill... -What do I know about that, Dad?

I know you don't know.

But you always liked to listen to me.

What's wrong with you today, Daniel?

Nothing, why?

You are odd. Are you sick?

-Let me see. -Leave me!

You are like Jacinta, always checking whether I am sick or not.

-What? -That you think like our maid sometimes.

-What is this? -Nothing.

The problem is that you always treat me like a small child.

These words aren't yours, Daniel.

I know where you got them from and I don't want to say it.

Luckily things will be different in Mexico City.

And what if I don't want to go there?

-What are you saying? -That I don't want to come anymore.

It's the first time this happens between us.

Don't you realize you see me as an enemy?

No, Dad.

Forgive me.

It's alright.

Let's forget everything.

Have your breakfast and let's go.

My first dream that comes true.

To start using my drill.

-Good morning, Guillermo. -Good morning.

Good morning, Daniel. How are you?

You look great.

-Should we go? -No.

I mean, I will come later.

I will have breakfast with Mom.

As you like it.

Come here, Mom.

I dreamed about you last night.

What was your dream about?

Tell me.

Put your hands on my forehead, Mom.

I like it.

I dreamed that you didn't want to go to Mexico with my father.

Father?

You used to call him Dad.

What else did you dream about?

You told me I wasn't a child anymore.

I liked that very much.

It's true. You are not a child anymore.

You are a man who has to defend his mother.

Mothers protect their children when they are kids.

And sons defend their mothers when they become men.

-It's Luis! -So?

I promised my father I would go to the well.

But you are on holidays.

Come on, go have fun with Luis. -Thank you.

-Bye, Mom. -Bye, Daniel.

-Ready? -Good luck.

Thank you.

My most sincere congratulations.

-I had faith in you ever since I saw your project. -Thank you very much.

I will inform General Management immediately.

Now get some rest. You need it.

I will pass by your house tomorrow to arrange your transfer to Mexico City.

-Is it OK? -But of course! I will be waiting for you.

Maybe something happened to him, Mom?

I don't think so.

Maybe he's angry with me because I didn't go to the well?

I don't think so either.

His invention was always more important to him that we were.

I will go find him.

You cannot go to those filthy places he goes to!

-What places, Mom? -Forget about it.

If he, as a father and a married man, doesn't feel shame going to those places,

I, as a mother, will not open your eyes.

Put me through to Mr. De la Torre.

Listen, Mauricio.

I know everything and have made my mind.

Today I will ask Guillermo to divorce.

What's wrong?

Didn't you want this?

Of course.

This are best news.

You know what it means for me.

But, did you think it through?

Completely.

What about Daniel?

Daniel is not a problem anymore.

Cheers, Engineer, and congratulations!

Thank you very much.

Did you kill her yet?

-What are you talking about? -About her.

You asked me to help you kill her from inside of you.

So, if you already killed her we can come to an understanding.

Won't you buy me a drink? I want to celebrate with you too.

I kissed your mouth, you closed your eyes

And you heaved a long sigh

We wrapped our arms

And when we were almost insane

We swore to love each other For all eternity.

So I told you all that that night.

Yes. And the most shocking thing was that you told me I was death.

I must have looked so stupid.

The death of love.

Hey, don't start again, please.

Don't worry.

Things have changed now.

I can assure you I am a different man.

Of course. After drilling a well in 15 days.

No, you are wrong.

It wasn't 15 days.

But 15 years.

15 years drilling.

Drilling until I hit the bottom.

Exactly my son's age.

What?

My son!

Please, Daniel!

Leave him, Guillermo!

You have caused him enough pain.

God knows in which place he found you.

What are you going to tell him?

It's true.

What can I tell him?

He is almost a child.

But I can tell you.

Do you want to know why I went to those places?

I was sick because of you.

I even thought I had to tear my skin out to remove you from me and heal.

For months, I tried to replace you, I was desperate,

I was crying in front of unknown women over dirty pillows.

But that is over.

I have no feelings for you.

I will feel sorry for you once I forget your wickedness.

But that will be all.

I don't care about the reasons why you have gone to those places.

There are much more important things to get straight between us.

Like what?

You have decided not to go to Mexico?

You are very smart.

I am starting to believe in your talent.

You will believe in it much more once you have moved there,

because I forced you to do it.

Force?

Have you forgotten that we can divorce?

I don't believe in divorce!

It would be too easy to break a man's life, bring him down and then divorce.

No. Why do you think I have lasted all these years without trying an easy way out?

I have endured this darkness

to make my son believe that he had a family.

I knew you were a coward.

But I never imagined you could go that far.

Why don't you tell me the real reason why you want to keep me?

What do you mean? Speak!

That you are like before.

You love me. Though you don't say it.

Like when you were crying at my bedroom's door so I would let you in.

You are a viper! You disgust me!

If you hate me so much,

why don't you grant me freedom?

Why do you want that?

I still have a right to live.

So much thinking about yourself and you never thought what I may suffer?

You don't know how it feels, not to love anybody.

And to give up every hour of every day of every year of your youthhood,

for somebody.

To feel how your life is making you become an old woman.

To know that you cannot be in love with anybody anymore.

And that, despite all, you will keep on living.

It's too late for you.

I want the divorce so I can marry Mauricio!

Did you do that behind my back?

No.

Mauricio always loved me in a pure way.

Did you met him before?

Before I met you.

I see now.

Mauricio's return, Daniel's change lately.

I don't know what you did but you turned him against me.

Maybe you sent him to that place so he would hate me.

Yes, that's it.

You work quietly like a spider.

And you had the perfect plan.

The love of your life waiting, your son loving you and hating me.

You wanted everything, as if I did not exist.

As if I were killed.

But you didn't count with me.

And you were so wrong!

I will never divorce.

And I will not give Daniel up.

I will marry Mauricio and Daniel will come with me.

Are you crazy?

Don't you say that word!

Only a madwoman can come up with such an idea.

Look at these gray hairs!

Do you know what they mean?

My love for you, given up every year!

And now you want your son and love.

You will have to choose, like I did.

Either love or Daniel.

Give me my son.

I ask you for his own good.

What do you know about anybody's own good?

You are a selfish woman.

So I will tell you the truth.

Daniel may be ill.

Mentally ill.

It's hereditary.

My brother died in the sanitarium, my mother is crazy.

I want to save him from madness!

Do you understand?

You are great at looking for excuses.

Like when I met you and you told me you couldn't bear children.

-You don't believe me? -You don't believe me either.

For the first time, we understand each other.

So leave.

Because, as long as I am alive, I will not divorce you.

And I will not give you Daniel.

And tomorrow we are going to Mexico.

As long as I am alive.

You work quietly like a spider.

As long as I am alive.

I will marry Mauricio and Daniel will come with me.

Are you crazy?

I am a coward. A coward!

I saw him hitting you and I couldn't protect you, Mom.

I couldn't protect you!

You have to protect me, Daniel.

How, Mom?

Stand up.

Daniel, my son!

No!

-Queen of confesors. -Pray for him.

-Queen of virgins. Pray for him.

-Queen of all saints. -Pray for him.

-Queen conceived without original sin. -Pray for him.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.

Have mercy on him.

If with Thy Precious blood Thou hast redeemed him

We ask Thee to pardon him through your unbearable Passion.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

-How is the lady going? -Bad.

My condolences.

Thank you for having come here all these days, Luis.

And forgive me for being against you.

How could have I been so blind?

You were his best friend and I didn't understand it.

We know so little of our children!

Come visit me whenever you want.

We will both talk about him.

And it will be a relief.

Yes, sir.

Won't you hug me?

Engineer.

Come in.

-Forgive me, but I'd like to... -I know everything.

And I don't care anymore.

The only thing I want to know is if you know why Daniel killed himself.

Why are you asking me?

Do you think I am guilty?

Please understand me.

I am not blaming anybody.

I want to know.

In this house there was only one father and one son.

The woman, the mother was in a different world.

And now the son is dead and only the father stays.

A father who doesn't know.

Who wants to know why he lost his child.

You are a loyal man.

I am not wrong.

Tell me the truth.

Didn't my son ever see you with Marta?

I think once. One night.

So it was you people!

-You killed my son! -It's not true, Guillermo.

Daniel couldn't notice, because he was asleep.

He was a sleepwalker.

That does not explain anything.

What was the reason, then?

All these years of suffering, of pain besides you.

All the darkness you have set on my soul.

I will forgive that if you tell me why my son killed himself.

Understand my remorse.

I sometimes think it happened because he found me in that place.

It wasn't that either.

So, why?

Tell me now!

I asked myself that too.

Why?

Nine days locked in my room.

Asking myself desperately.

Why? Why?

The prayers climbed all the way to my room.

Pray for him, pray for him.

And I was repeating.

Forgive him, O Lord.

Because he was crazy.

That is the truth, Guillermo.

I told you and you didn't believe me.

That's why he killed himself.

But he is better off dead,

than in the sanitarium.

Because you don't know how sanitariums are, Guillermo.

It's the cruelest of all graves.

And how liberating!

Once you realize that truth.

To take the phantom of madness away from me, forever!

To get rid of that damned lineage!

And not to feel that fear ever again.

That anxiety that never let me live.

Why aren't you talking?

Don't you believe me?

Or maybe are you thinking...

that I, too...?

It's the ambulance! No!

Don't let them take me away!

Don't let them take me away!

She plays all the time.

Always with a smile on her face.

As if she were entirely happy.

She probably is.

The worst thing is that she talks about Daniel all the time.

She thinks he is alive.

That he is studying in Mexico and she is waiting for him.

It may be the worst thing for you, but not for her.

Yes, Doctor.

It's the worst for me.

To hear all the time about the son I don't have anymore.

She keeps his room exactly as it was.

Alive. With the light on.

I think she even kept the shape of his head on the pillow.

I can't stand it, Doctor.

That's why I called you.

Because if she has no relief, I'd rather send her to a sanitarium.

Your wife was always sick with fear.

You don't know what fear is for those people.

It's something horrible.

A terrible feeling.

Like a decay of the soul.

An awful spasm of thought and heart.

She probably lived all her life under the pressure of that fear.

And what you call madness, a word that we never use,

because you can never tell where the limit is,

is most of the times a relief for them.

Like your wife did after your son's suicide.

So she decided, unconsciously,

to get into that foggy place in her soul,

that makes her forget everything.

That brings her some peace close to happiness.

So, in her case, science cannot do much.

We have to treat her with compassion.

And love.

Compassion?

And love?

You are right.

Maybe I didn't love her as purely as I thought.

My passion about her blinded me.

It stopped me from seeing her madness.

That truth that she herself screamed to me the night my son killed himself.

And I didn't believe her.

Now I will have to love her with intensity.

For the rest of my life.

Because of all the time I didn't understand her.

You opened my eyes.

-Thank you. -Good-bye.

Compassion and love.

END