Original subtitles

THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Gabriel Botero!

No, no, Gabriel. Let Mireya finish preparing the body.

Don't interfere. Come Now.

But he was fine this morning.

Yes,

strong as a bull.

Just a moment, do�a Cleo.

He's very heavy.

The dead weigh more than the living.

Maybe it's out of spite.

I'm sorry, child, forgive me.

I mustn't know what I'm thinking.

Stay a while, weep for him.

I'll get over it.

The suit is tattered.

All father's suits are used.

The poor man never cared about anything but us.

He should have also thought about himself.

Why not take him to a funeral parlor?

Gaby, don't you know how expensive they are?

Even in death he couldn't keep from coming in second.

And here we are,

pinching pennies.

Go away, Gaby. I said leave,

He's dead, it doesn't matter now.

Let Mireya finish.

Calm down.

You're too sensitive.

You smell like liquor,

- don't let Mama see you. - Leave me alone with him. Go on now.

You, opera, Papa.

It's all you ever had.

Here I am,

the thieving magpie, even at your deathbed.

Oh, Gaby, it hurts and it's over.

Later, we'll even forget.

We'll forget sure,

but what's to become of us? Just tell me.

Someone's coming. See who it is.

It the Guardiolas and their daughter, Ma.

We're very sorry.

How awful, we're so sorry.

As we didn't have enough money for a wake, we buried him right away.

We didn't tell anybody. I'm ashamed.

The shame is losing a friend like Narciso.

I'm so sorry.

Now I must carry on alone.

You were his fiend, you Know he never thought about the future.

Should you need anything from me...

Not a word.

Don't forty rears of friendship mean anything?

Thank you very much

Thank you.

You're already making eyes at the girl,

and we just buried you father.

Give me Guardiola's gift; it's heaven sent.

There's nothing else that can be done.

He was a minimum salary base employee.

All the test were bonuses.

So we'll receive about twelve percent of what we were getting before.

And?

Tomorrow I'll go to your school and ask for scholarships.

With Mireya, I can't, she doesn't have.

Just one tuition. We should be able to pay that.

You're not listening. They'll give us crumbs,

a piece of nothing. Mireya just no good in school.

We have to cut back somewhere.

She sews well. Anyway, she's always liked it.

This paperwork will keep me busy all year.

Everything will e the same,

- just the same. - How?

Tell me how?

He's right,

nothing will be the same now.

He left us in the lurch.

Like sons of a bad seed. Riff-raff.

Yeah. He just couldn't manage, and that's all.

It's easy to be some poor devil, and say,

He just couldn't.

He tossed us into the world, and then just died.

Let someone else listen to your bullshit.

It's hasn't been two weeks since we buried

your father, and here you're already drinking.

What do you want'?

For me to keep mourning?

I want you to take charge, Guama. You're the eldest.

Get a job?

Just like that? I'll see what I can do.

No, Guama, you misunderstand.

That's all over. You bring in money, or you leave.

There's no security blanket here any more.

And them?

What about them?

Because...

Because they've got a future.

They'll study and not drink up all the money.

And poor Mireya,

she'll have to support the rest of us.

But I just can't be looking after you.

Not anymore.

Mama,

you're hard. Strange.

I'm alone.

I'm alone.

Drinks are one me.

My father died, Polvor�n. He died,

we should toast him.

All that remains for the dead is to be remembered by

two or three of the living.

What was it like?

The way these things are.

You break your ass your whole life,

then one day the old engine gives out, and that's it.

He didn't have it in him anymore.

He just never got out of bed.

The drinks are on me.

To your father.

Polvor�n, give me a hand.

Just say the word, Guama. Whatever.

I need a job. For the family, you know.

Work? What you call work, that's a bitch, Guama.

Look, here even the bartenders work for tips.

Anyway, what kind of work?

I sing. I'll liven up the place.

No, because you'll just sing any old thing.

You've even sung church music to the customers here.

Look, they may be drunks, but they have their preferences.

I can handle myself in a fight. I can help at the door.

I'll try you out as a bouncer, but sharpen up.

The door is where we stop all the shit.

Help yourself to whatever you get.

Singing is just a hobby, don't bullshit me.

Guama. Guama.

Be careful, the mirror is very thin.

The mirror?

Since I was little, I liked to dance in front of it.

Please take this away.

This hurts me.

One by one, I'm disposing of stuff.

My life, wedding gifts,

stuff, but if not, how could I buy our food?

Please leave the mirror.

Please take that away. I don't want complaints.

Mireya! Let's go where I told you

I understand, Mrs. Ignacia.

You used to sew for free

and now things have changed.

Mireyita, don't worry.

Furthermore, I'm going to introduce you to brides.

It's good for your interest.

Those don't spare money

because the groom pays.

Those idiots don't realize that's the only thing

the husband is ever going to pay!

- Hey Polvor�n, don't... - Go away!

Can't you see that I'm busy?

Chabe, hey, let's take a spin

Chabe, you know...

I've got money problems at home,

and my mom has gotten tough on me.

She's right, you're a lazy bum.

Yeah, she should have kicked me out years ago.

She put up with me.

Even when I rifled her purse, she never said a thing.

But now I've worn out my welcome.

Stop this, I'm dizzy. Come over with me.

I need someone to front for me

You want me to pimp you in style.

Turn everything off when you finish your chat.

Don't touch me. I told you, I don't like you to touch me.

It's from Guama. Bye.

Were you thinking about father?

Guama has left home.

You asked him to, didn't you?

If he stated, he'd be another mouth to feed,

one which could put us all in the street.

He's already lost, the poor boy.

I have to save the others.

Who'd have thought

I'd end up running off my loved one?

Oh, but you're the heart-breaker. Working here, closed in.

Where will you ever find a young man?

Even the ugly ones find a branch to hang from. And you?

Nothing.

I'll be back.

I just found out about your father.

I didn't come by your home personally...

we've never met formally.

But I'd like to be with you in your pain.

Even if you're in mourning, can we talk a bit?

Later, over under the stairs. Around eight o'clock.

Come on.

From the time your began to develop, I started liking you.

My desire is to believe you. I'd really like to.

Here's my desire, feel it.

I'll look for you later.

My brothers...

They've never met any boyfriend of

mine They probably expect someone classy.

They'd like muy money.

Real money, not dreams. With these nickels I can build you a house and all

Pack up.

I spoke to the landlord, we have to move.

He did us a favor by renting us the basement.

He heard about Papa, but can't be responsible for other's problems.

- The house will become an office. - He can't just throw us out.

We've rented here for twenty years. We have rights.

His attorney says,

'The rights were your father's, not yours.

If one doesn't inherit debts, then neither does one inherit rights. '

Leave it alone.

Look, the afternoon sunlight filters in nicely.

There's no rooftop, but we can use the air well. Look.

Our great new life waits us. Really neat, right?

So you finally visit us.

How are things going?

They only way they can.

That's why I haven't dropped by.

One has her pride, and I didn't want you to see me this way.

But woman,

there are no regrets among friends.

It hurts me that difficult times haven't brought

you to visit us, Nacha.

Hard, very hard.

Sometimes I awake at night in a rage

against my husband, saying to myself,

'So easy for you to die, and dump the whole burden on me'

Could I be crazy, do you think?

And the kids? Does Guama help?

Spare me. I'm just happy he left and isn't a burden to us.

The others are about to finish school.

They need to secure their futures.

Mireya is the only one who helps, poor dear.

Fatter cows will come.

And around here?

So, so. Things progress, but barely.

Patricio doesn't do well in math.

And Natalia, I took her out of school.

Why?

Well, all kinds of oddballs slip into the nuns' school.

She'd come home everyday with filth in her head.

After all, do�a Ignacia,

virginity is not just physical,

it's also spiritual.

I must make sure she arrives intact to matrimony,

clean in the eyes of God, and of her husband.

A few private classes wouldn't hurt Patricio...

And your boys, they've grown up sharp...

Serious. Trustworthy

If only father hadn't quit the

Guardiola business, can you just imagine now?

That was years ago. What about now?

The wheel of life goes round.

Now we're begging from the Guardiolas.

Boys,

here's my dunce.

See what you can do with him.

Review Natalia's English. It brings culture.

Say hi, silly. The boteros are like family.

Shall we begin?

- Excuse me. - Go on.

What, not enough for you? How else do you expect we'll eat?

- What about Mireya's part? - Mireya's part, yours,

and anything else that comes our way, is barely enough for us to scrape by.

You think this doesn't hurt me?

Mireya breaks my heart,

sewing away in here. And why? Just so we can get by day to day.

It won't be for long.

You'll see, I'll give you a life fit for a queen.

Yes, you will, when you're a famous lawyer.

Chauffeur, car, sauna, right?

Promise me.

You're my gift from heaven.

- Come in. - I just stopped by for a moment.

No one will ever separate us.

Nobody?

Nobody.

Nobody?

Nobody, not even me.

Cesar, someone's looking for you.

Come in, come in.

I'm tired.

Tomorrow, verbs.

Where are you going?

To get some air. So?

Go on ahead to the house.

All action has an equal

and opposite reaction...

A toda acci�n corresponde una reacci�n

All action...

Exactly.

This phenomenon can observed

any time objects fall great distances...

and it's due to the fact that...

- Bye, Nico. - Good-bye.

Here, take care of this, it's what you came for.

What's the matter with you? Come on, what's happening?

Don't you know who she is?

My girlfriend.

That's right, my girlfriend.

The most beautiful and perfect woman in the world

And that makes you jealous, Nico, because you wanted her for yourself.

I've seen you. Nothing gets by me, absolutely nothing.

I prefer everything right and proper.

I'm one of those who doesn't want

his little girl running around.

I'd like an endorsement from you of your boy's intentions.

They're young now, but in the blink of an eye,

he'll finish his studies.

Until then, my girl will stay here alone, at home.

This way we'll avoid any surprises.

You may not understand me, because you've been lucky.

Your only daughter turned out...

serious.

If you were just horny, why didn't you find a hooker?

You picked on the daughter of the only one who hasn't turned his back on us.

Don't act that way. He came to 'formalize the courtship. '

He must have some reason. I just don't swallow that story about

being the old-fashioned kind.

I swear. We're just sweethearts, that's all.

Its been two months.

- Have you touched her? - No!

Kisses and all. Nothing else.

Do you swear?

Yeah, Mama.

What will I do with two young men of this age?

But you're a prince,

my prince,

and I have to keep you on track.

They came to trap a husband for their cow.

Gabriel is too young.

'Formalize'? No way.

But they've got him all tied up in their favors.

Where are you going

To walk around back. Where else?

She makes her angry.

She's working, and the other one is coddled by her daddy.

She's not what I'd call pretty,

but she's one of those who sooner or later gets a husband.

I'm ashamed to think my sister is supporting us.

The wheel of life goes round,

and it's turns are for taking.

Busy?

The final exam.

Life passes in the blink of an eye.

You and your brother are about to begin your careers. Soon you'll leave.

You even have a "formal" girlfriend.

Does that bother you?

You'll forget me and your sister.

How will I ask for your help after you've married that half-wit?

That's still a long way off.

Of course, you have to finish your studies in the best university.

You weren't born to do things halfway.

Nicol�s,

the poor boy, takes after his father. He cowers from life.

Not you, you're going to feast on it.

And if I don't?

- If I can't? - Don't be so stupid.

You'll fulfill my dreams,

I know you will.

Your dreams weigh heavy on me.

Quick, don't let the owner catch us.

Hey.

What?

I bet on boxing.

So you see...

I'm really broke.

No. this time I went overboard.

It was a serious bet.

This is for accessories for my sewing machine, if I

don't buy them, my brothers will find out.

I swear.

- Is something the matter? - Go ahead, continue.

Where else can we speak alone?

What were we going to speak about alone, you and I?

I went to the CIDOC, and they gave me the forms.

I asked about full scholarships. They're closed for this year.

Only a few partial scholarships are left.

They don't want a lot of 'brown trash, 'like me, lining up.

You may be poor,

- but you're not 'brown trash. ' - Yeah,

stinking poor, that's all.

- It's... It's that... - What?

How can I put it?

If we want to get out of this hole,

we must be prepared.

What good is an arts degree for Nicol�s?

You could roll it into cheap taco.

So what's bothering you, eh?

Mom,

I can't both work and study.

Nico can work.

If he wants to write short stories, all he needs is a pencil and paper.

What about his career and his rights?

Mama, you saw how it was with father,

an obscure little employee from 20 to 60.

Nico is the same.

Dammit, he wants to write. He'll never be more than an employee.

Like father, like son.

It's no sin to think about things.

If I study right now, I'll work later. Then I'll take care of him.

I'll give Nico one of those jobs where you don't do anything.

He can spend his time writing

The Divine Comedy if he's so inspired.

And ruin his life with that burden?

And ruin his life with that burden?

You said so yourself.

In life turns are for taking, or else the tide will carry us all out.

There's no other way out.

Strategy.

Strategy and tactics.

Today for you,

tomorrow for us, Mama.

Think about Mireya.

I'm the only chance we have.

You shouldn't be wearing an overcoat in this heat.

What else could I wear?

Have two helpings, it's all there is.

I spoke to father's boss.

He thinks these aren't times for fooling around, Nico.

Studying arts and letters is like throwing four years down the drain.

And if there's no position, the best thing would be...

So he offered me a job, right?

He said, 'Do�a Nacha, the ability to write isn't lost,

and it can't be learned in school. If the boy wants

to write, he can do it at night. '

He mentioned one possibility,

a Secondary School Inspector. It sounds good.

You give orientation at schools, check up on things.

The position is in Veracruz.

Father licked his shoes all his life,

and now the only position he's got is in Veracruz?

Beggars can't be chooses. Or maybe you think life is different?

I'll take a correspondence course from the University.

It's all the same there or here.

I'll try it on just because.

But in Veracruz with that heat, when the hell would I use it?

When you go to the schools.

You're very young-looking, and clothes impress.

If you dress in rags, who 'll take you seriously?

The sleeves are a bit long, no big deal.

Your father was your same size.

Gabriel isn't. He's...

Nico, before you go,

I have to tell you something I carry here, clawing in my chest.

You know GabrieI is going to a school shere

veryone drives cars and all of that.

A rich kids school,

and he isn't, Dammit.

You're a dreamer. And in life studies aren't all that count,

relationships do too. We have to send him in style,

or else it's like sending him to the slaughterhouse.

Think of the taxis fares.

You know how late busses run. Over the long term,

over three semesters, the car will e paid off.

What's good for the poor over the long term, never really works out.

It has to. If your sacrifice is only halfway, what good is it, Nico?

Gabriel is our high card, and we have to bet on him.

He'll be among the rich now.

He'll have to keep pace.

You know that, Nico.

Yes, I do.

Now folks, a classy number for my father.

Hold the dancing.

Cut this bullshit, Guama. What's the matter with you, ashore?

We're brothers.

Then don't make him explain how he let a stranger in.

It's the way things are around here.

Don't be so nervous, he's more drunk than beaten up. Here.

Nico, is everything all right?

Yeah? Gaby and Mireya?

No. In the dark, no sunlight,

no light bulbs. Plain darkness.

It's so good to see you, Nico. Family is family. Right, Chabe?

Chabe is my woman, your sister- in-law. Go ahead say hello.

We already said hello and all.

Guama, Gabriel jus enrolled.

Do you need money?

Just to get settled.

And a car so Gabby can study. As soon as we can, we'll pay you back.

Cut the crap, we're family.

Chabela, give him everything you have from yesterday.

I don't know what it amounts to, but if it's not enough, let me know,

and I'll get the rest for you.

Half- assed favors speak poorly of the ashore who grants them,

and worse for the ashore that accepts them.

Sure, she earned it with her little ass. Why, does that bother you?

It's yours because we're family, right?

Let Guama lend you a hand.

If not, you'll just be on his mind.

But it's yours.

You're so dumb, that's why he's giving it to you,

because it's mine.

Thank you.

Look, it's a gift from your brother before he left.

He says a lady named Isabel will bring us the rest tomorrow.

For your VW.

I started to make

your brother's bed the way I always do.

You don't know how much it hurts to choose.

It hurts, son, it hurts.

They piled it on me, so the song goes.

It's not fair, Polvor�n. Where's honor?

Where your fucking mother is.

Dammed, they broke your nose. In two days

your swelling will go down.

But me? Who's going to pay or the damages, goddammit?

I hired you to avoid paying

for broken dishes, Guama.

So you think was my fault?

So you wanna to play dumb, hush?

This business has rules.

Get it into your head,

I need you here as a go-between the narks and the dopers, not just as

- some fucking bouncer. Shit. - No, Polvor�n.

One thing is to handle women, drugs are another.

Hey there!

The hell with scruples, man.

They pay. Make your money.

Tell them I'll meet them tomorrow night in the little park.

Give me an advance, Polvor�n.

My family needs it.

Sure,

Take what you want.

Just don't get smart and split, not one me, or on the others.

Don't mess with the narks, Guama.

They're smarter than you,

and you always end up dancing to their tune.

There you go.

Do you know where this street is?

Come in.

I guess I had an older man in mind.

No women, they're at home too much.

Student?

How will you pay me?

I trust your look.

Looks tell a lot.

Come in, come in.

This is my father.

Pick all that up, son. Let's go, hurry up.

It's the best ventilated room in the house.

I'll take the photo down.

No, leave it. It's not in the way.

This was my father's room.

- It reminds me of my own home. - Really?

Wouldn't you prefer me to sleep in there,

- and you can keep your father here? - How could I?

It's his room.

Rent you a room, then put you in the living room!

No. Besides if my father gets sick,

how do I carry him?

I'll help you.

Thanks.

No, don't bother, thank you.

Botero? Gabriel Botero? I saw your tests.

Damn, they're the best twenty years.

I'm Javier Maurer,

I'll be with you in legal philosophy.

What school are you from?

From Juan Bosco.

Hugh... Well, it must be an awfully good one.

I'll introduce you to my uncle.

He goes around a lot with the school founders.

He likes to meet students with grades like yours-he helps them.

At times he can lend his weight to things.

I see.

Excuse me. No need to cover up, man.

I just came to drop off my father's magazines.

He doesn't need them.

I read to him. It's all the same to him now.

So I just skip the sports, and read things I like.

Like what?

Novels to break the routine, my children, my father.

It's hard to be a divorced mother.

It's hard to be a mother,

period. It's been a long time since I've been to the sea.

I miss it.

We coastal people are like that.

One has to smell it,

take it in, see it...

Come along, I'll invite you for a walk.

And leave all this with whom?

Let Mati take care of it.

I've been here three months, and I've yet to see you put a foot in the street.

Come on.

All right. Otherwise, you'll say I make too many excuses.

Don't stop, don't.

You know,

this is the first time I've danced,

I mean with a woman, close, like a couple.

He might wake up.

We'd better go over there inside.

They all might wake up.

Oh, I feel like an teenager on an escapade.

If they wake up. They'll all start shouting at you. At us.

For now it's better to have peace.

For you and for me.

No. Real life is upsetting.

Why's that?

Well, then I remember I'm a woman on in years,

in trouble,

and why the hell am I running around involved with younger men?

Why not?

Because it's every divorced mother's duty, not to prowl about,

but to set her mind on

finding a father for her children.

Me?

No.

You think I couldn't care for your children?

Don't push it. Things won't work out that way.

I'm not pushing.

I've just had you on my mind all these months.

I'm the first, right?

What was she like?

A little girl. It was nothing.

I only stared at her and got silly.

She became my brother's sweetheart

Your brother again.

Get a life of your own,

before your brother sucks it all away from you.

Can you believe it? You're even paying for his studies.

Life is unbalanced.

Unfair and unbalanced.

Until it isn't any more.

You didn't have to buy the stuff for the house.

- I feel strange. - Why?

I'm not your renter any more.

But you're not these children's father either.

I'd like to be.

By lending you a hand, I pay you back for the joy you give me.

What do you think of that?

No, not here. I'm ashamed.

Can you be so silly?

This way he can see us.

He'll die soon

and he can go in peace,

leaving me with the man I love,

and who loves me.

Better sit down.

I'll read you yesterday's work.

I wrote ten pages, look.

If it wasn't for your work, you'd be writing 20,30, Who knows?

You say that because of Gabriel, don't you?

Over and over again. You don't know him.

- Gabriel is better He's... - An archangel

For your mother to say so is one thing,

but coming from you, it's like queer or something.

You don't get it at all.

And I never will.

Neither will you, right, Papa?

I'm busy. Better later

I came for the money I lent you.

I just got a bridal job,

- and I need the cash for the trim - Well, tell them you can't do it.

The family's swamped.

Gabriel has to take a summer course he hadn't expected.

Damn, that Gabriel again.

Let him grow up and earn his own money

If give it to you,

why shouldn't I give it to him?

Because I'm going to marry you,

that's why.

Cesar.

Your mother. She caught us. Quick!

Go home. I left the beans on.

- I came to see if... - Go on.

Can I use the phone?

I told don Ferm�n I'd pay for my long distance calls later.

Hello. Can I speak with Nicol�s Botero, please?

No?

Tell him we haven't received anything for three pay periods,

and his brother has to pay his tuition before the fifteenth.

Yes, all right. What did you say your name was?

Fine. Miss Julia, please give him my message.

Thank you.

A promise is a promise.

If he said he'd send the tuition, he has to come through.

What, you don't care either?

Me, why should I?

I left school and I'm stuck to a sewing machine.

Mireya,

what I saw today seemed to me...

oh, daughter

you have to get married in white.

And?

You'll have to cultivate some other type. He's a baker.

I sew to support mysel I don't have a choice.

I don't have a choice, you don't have a choice.

- When do I come for the tests? - Give me some days...

I have to buy some accessories for my machine.

I'll be back... And please don't mix the fabric.

Write down the name: Tamara Munguia.

Didn't he tell the time he arrives?

Nico never has a fixed time.

We agreed to go shopping building materials.

We're repairing the house.

Ok.

Would you excuse me? I have work to do.

I have no choice but to work out my problems.

Yes, of course.

You're a close friend of my son?

Yes Ma'am... Why?

Just asking.

Nicol�s has changed a lot since he got here.

So I was asking. You understand.

If you're asking me whether Nicol�s and I sleep together,

I'll be straight with you.

Yes, Ma'am. Your son and I are together,

very together.

Ma'am, I mean no disrespect,

but your boy has a beard and everything else.

He makes his own decisions.

You see,

he's your burden.

Life is eaten away by sacrifice, why should Nicol�s

be any different? It touches us all, you too.

That's what I'm telling you.

Every night I curse my bad luck.

I just do.

It's touches you, and Nico's too.

Gabriel is different.

He's the hope of the entire family.

And so the axe has fallen.

She crucified him.

And he was her favorite.

You know what it's like to be a burden.