Original subtitles

This is Manuel's new wife.

-My name is María. -Justa.

I come to help with the house and the boy.

You're not needed anymore. She'll take care of it from now on.

-You are needed. -Your uncle disagrees.

He'll realize soon enough.

I've been very patient for your father's sake.

-I'm not afraid of you. -You should be.

Because you'll lose your lands and your son.

Your name is Nicolás, right? I can't see you from here.

What you said about Llanos' death...

-Not her death. Her murder. -Why are you so sure?

Rumor has it he returns every day to the place he buried her

to make sure no one's discovered it yet.

Did you know her?

She asked me about Llanos. And I doubt I'm the only one.

María!

-You scared him. -Follow me.

Where are we going?

Want to know what I did with Llanos? I killed her with my bare hands.

Here, hold still.

Here.

Go on!

Thank you.

I found more traps again yesterday.

Those scoundrels are laughing at us.

Where's your wife?

No idea. She didn't sleep at home.

Where is she?

-Who knows. -"Who knows"?

-She has to be somewhere. -She probably snuck off.

Don't talk nonsense.

No sign of her things.

I saw it coming. She must have gone home.

No, we have a deal.

What's it to me? Not my problem.

She never felt at ease here. Our lifestyle is not for everyone.

To hell with that Andalusian woman!

What have I done, Don Ramón?

-Where have you been? -At the market.

I got some fresh fish to make a bouillabaisse.

I see you don't value your life.

You're no murderer.

Last night wasn't enough for you? Want me to prove it right here?

I was terrified yesterday.

In fact, I almost took a bus and ran away.

But I realized something.

If you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it by now.

Right?

But you let me escape. You didn't chase me.

I think you have no way of getting rid of me

so you took me to the forest to try and scare me away

but it won't work.

Why don't you confront your uncle instead of me?

Why do you insist on staying?

Don't think I'm doing it for me.

My family starving scares me more than your threats.

Like it or not, this is my home now.

BETWEEN LANDS

-Mercedes, hurry up. -I can't.

Mercedes, that's it.

You're too slow and you miss half the bunches.

-Get out of here. -Don Ramón, I beg you.

-My husband needs medicine. -Tell that to the priest.

-Please. -Didn't you hear me?

Come on. Back to work.

Will we say nothing?

When we end up like Mercedes too,

we'll get tossed aside like pieces of old junk

after a lifetime working our asses off.

Nice speech. You can leave too.

Anyone else?

Antonio,

salvage what you can.

What are you doing?

How dare you? Get that out of here.

Your uncle won't allow us to sleep apart anymore.

If we don't share a bed,

I will breach my contract and my family will pay for it.

So what do you intend to do?

-Obey his delusions and give him a child? -I'd rather die.

-So what do you intend? -To buy time.

Make him believe we sleep like a married couple.

Just until he pays my debts.

Right. And then what?

Then I disappear and you never have to see me again.

I've never seen snow.

-Haven't you? -No.

What do you think?

-It's so pretty. -Beautiful.

The grass freezes and the animals can't eat without help.

The ice damages the machinery and spoils the olives.

Ignore him. It's beautiful.

Nicolás!

You'll catch pneumonia! Come inside!

Hey! We'll have time to play later.

I'll help you get dressed. Come on.

Let's go.

-Cover up, it's cold. We need to hurry. -Why?

Why? Because today's the day!

Remember what we talked about?

-Today? -Today.

What is it?

I've never left the town.

It's for a good reason.

Trust me.

Come on.

Nicolás.

Come, sit here.

Pepita.

Thanks for helping me.

Don't mention it. I often go with him to Sigüenza to collect the orders.

I'm happy to take you.

But you should've asked permission to make the appointment.

I didn't want to risk it.

-I'd rather ask for forgiveness. -Sure.

-After examining your son... -He's not my son, he's my husband's son.

Either way...

I am pleased to say I can give you a diagnosis.

Epilepsy.

It's a disorder of the brain characterized by uncontrollable seizures.

It's a relief to give his illness a name.

I understand.

In some towns, people still think they are possessed.

Fortunately, today we have modern treatments

to combat the disease.

Thank goodness.

What your son... your stepson needs is electroshock therapy.

Electroshock?

Electric shocks?

The most advanced medicine.

Right...

-We'll have to think about it. -Of course.

I understand it's your husband's decision.

Yes.

When he decides, I can arrange his admission to a mental facility.

Thank you, doctor.

Let's get out of here. Come on.

Justa!

Justa, have you heard from my uncle?

He sent word, he won't come to lunch.

What about María?

She went to the bar to call her family.

We're alone.

-Yes, I see that. -You haven't looked for me in weeks.

I have things to do.

Not in Llanos' bed.

-It's María's bed now. -Make no mistake.

The bed is all we share.

What is it, girl?

What do you want?

Please, Don Ramón. We haven't worked for months.

Haven't you punished us enough?

Get off my land or I'll call the Civil Guard.

Pompous bastard.

Don't worry. I'll talk to Pepita about credit and bring you dinner.

-You're sacrificing yourself to help me. -And I'm happy to.

You always helped my mother when she was pressed for money.

You're the spitting image of her.

Such a pity how she ended up. Poor woman.

Hello, Nicolás.

Nicolás.

Nicolás, look.

Do you like it?

If you tell me where María took you yesterday,

you can have it.

It's a secret.

But you can tell me.

I'm good at keeping secrets.

-What do you mean, they don't touch? -Just that.

They sleep together like siblings.

José Antonio,

check the mare isn't pregnant, I have to sell her.

How are you so sure?

She confessed to me herself.

I'm telling you because I know it's important that she gets pregnant.

You do well.

If she's not fulfilling her obligations, she's deceiving you.

-And my nephew says nothing. -It's not his fault.

Manuel is still grieving for Llanos. María is manipulating him.

Where is she? I'll make her talk.

Don Ramón, there's another way to know if she's fulfilling her duties.

Wouldn't it be easier to have her examined?

You're right.

And if she's not, she'd better get ready.

I'll call Dr. Calderón.

You can't trust small-town doctors with such intimate matters.

Then who should I trust? You?

Good heavens, no.

I know nothing about it.

But I've heard of a good doctor in Sigüenza.

Dr. Medina.

But if you want Dr. Calderon, then Dr. Calderón.

We're going the wrong way.

-We're not going to the field today. -Where are we going?

Good morning.

Oh, it's you.

-Good to see you again. -You know each other?

She came with her stepson.

I could have examined her too. It would have saved you a trip.

Tell me, has your husband decided yet?

No, not yet.

Decided on what?

The boy. His admission for electroshock therapy.

Electroshock?

To alleviate the epilepsy.

What's he talking about?

Well, please get undressed and lie down on the examination table.

Your uncle-in-law called to explain the matter.

Examination of what?

Well, I have to confess, it was a rather peculiar request.

I'm usually asked to check the woman is a virgin,

not the other way around.

Well...

Now we'll see if your niece-in-law

is fulfilling her wifely duties.

Kindly wait outside.

Of course.

She took Nicolás to a doctor in Sigüenza behind our backs.

Yes, because I didn't feel like sitting idly by.

You deceived us. There's no excuse.

You know what there's no excuse for?

That I never see you or Manuel go near that child.

Let alone caress him or hug him.

So much talk of the importance of family yet only Justa and I take care of him.

I only haven't kicked you out because you might be pregnant.

-Or about to be. -What?

The doctor examined her to see if you were playing me for a fool.

You lied. If my uncle thinks we've had sex, you're not a virgin.

Neither are you.

Don't go there. I'm a man, it's not the same.

Why does it bother you?

We're only pretending to be husband and wife.

You don't care what I do, right?

Come in, please.

I'm sorry I have nothing to give you as a snack.

No need for that.

Roque, we have visitors. Look who's here.

Oh, listen.

Be careful, okay?

There's rat poison in the house.

The sewers have flooded because of the rain

and we've been invaded.

I'm sorry I couldn't bring anything else.

Oh, dear, you do enough.

Listen, as a thank you,

we wanted to invite you to dinner to celebrate the holy day.

-You're very kind, but... -We'll be here. Thank you.

We'll be here.

-What's your deal with them? -She was my mother's friend.

I won't abandon her now. I've known her since I was little.

I feel sorry for them too,

but we can't spend my wages on feeding them.

And whose fault is all this?

If you apologize to Don Ramón, you could go back.

What about Mercedes?

Who will take care of her after being exploited all her life?

Don Ramón?

You talk big about solidarity, struggle and revolution,

but then you bow your head like a sheep.

-That's not fair. -Neither is what happened to Mercedes.

Justa!

Good morning, Don Ramón.

-Keep your gossip to yourself next time. -What?

You told me Manuel and María hadn't had relations.

That wasn't true. She's not a virgin.

-That can't be. -It is.

The doctor confirmed it.

You made me look like a fool.

-Nicolás, come inside, it's cold! -Coming!

I heard Don Ramón took you to the doctor.

To have you examined.

I don't want to talk about it.

Damn it.

It's not fair of them.

Men think a woman's worth is only from the waist down.

As if the only reason for our existence is to bear children.

At least we have each other, right?

Yes.

You can count on me.

Thank you.

PEPA'S BAR

This is from my uncle.

-It's this year's vintage. -Thanks, Manuel.

It's freezing! What's going on? Short on firewood?

Remember when your father gave us money to buy chestnuts

but we spent it on cider instead to keep warm?

Yes. We each got a slap.

Your grandfather would've skinned me alive if he could.

He hated that you were friends with the servants' son.

That man had quite a temper.

You know what's worse?

My uncle has inherited that wonderful trait.

Go on, buy me a drink to warm me up.

Sancho, two wines please.

By the way, Claudia sends her regards.

How strange. We both know she can't stand me.

Stop.

Did you hear what happened to her and Mercedes?

Yes, I heard.

But I don't like to get involved in my uncle's affairs.

Well, I'm asking you to get involved.

For me.

And for old time's sake.

It was like trying to lasso a tiger.

But we managed to bathe him.

-Right, Justa? -Yes.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Justa, can't you stay for dinner?

No, but thank you.

I'm having dinner with my husband's cousin.

-Good night. -Good night.

Aren't you hungry?

This is for you.

In moderation, we know each other.

Thank you, Don Ramón.

Look what we have here.

Nicolás sitting at a table properly.

Good.

Red wine for you and me.

Muscatel for you.

Thistle omelette. And this first piece is for Roque.

Here you go, love.

Eat it now while it's hot.

A meal fit for a king!

I'm sure the Cervantes' dog eats better than we do.

Let's not talk about them.

Before we stop talking about them,

I have something to tell you.

Here, drink up.

As you know, Gabi's been my friend since we were kids

and he asked me to talk to you.

Ah yes, that bitch Claudia's commie boyfriend.

If his parents could see him now, they would die of disgust.

Luckily, croup got them first.

Uncle, they gave their all working for Grandpa.

Can't you lend a hand and take Mercedes and Claudia back?

If we make an exception, they'll all jump on the bandwagon.

-Please, uncle. -Can't I enjoy dinner, Manuel?

How dare you beg for me?

-I was helping you. -No. You wasted your breath.

-That old man won't give in, Gabi. -Manuel can convince him.

You don't know how pompous and pig-headed he is!

She's right. He's heartless. He couldn't care less about our misery.

Don't make things worse.

All right, enough arguing. It won't take our hunger away.

RAT POISON

Wait, don't go. Come here.

You asked me why I wouldn't confront my uncle.

He is the reason.

My uncle Ramón

has custody of Nicolás.

How is that possible?

You're his father.

When Llanos disappeared,

I...

I would spend all day at the bar or locked up in my room

feeling sorry for myself.

I disengaged from everything and everyone.

Including my own son.

Don't look at me like that. I'm not proud.

Your uncle took advantage.

The saddest part is that I can't blame him.

Someone had to take care of Nicolás.

You know about his obsession with having an heir to the land.

At some point, he lost hope with me and...

decided to focus all his attention

on my son.

Is that when the seizures started?

Yes.

Another disappointment for him.

He wasn't worth it.

It was better to find a woman who could give him another heir.

Do you know what my first thought is each morning?

Come on.

"Today is the day that Llanos comes home."

Every morning, I pray that she does.

And every night, I curse her because she doesn't.

We're going over there. Come on.

Here, girl!

Nicolás.

Nicolas, calm down.

Nicolás,

go and give these leftovers to the dog.

I don't know if it's this cognac or if I'm getting softer with age,

but tomorrow I will tell

Mercedes and Claudia

they can come back.

María!

María!

-María! -What is it?

The dog!

-Calm down. I'll take care of him. -Yes.

Let's go.

Come with me.

Sons of bitches.

I'm in no mood to beat around the bush.

I know it was one of you.

None of you will work until I say so.

No wages today.

-You've lost your mind. -I've never been more clear-headed.

Those harpies need a lesson to remind them who's in charge!

If we leave the olives on the ground, we'll be the ones to suffer.

Have you seen this rain? Impossible to pick anything.

They are the first to lose out.

With no one working,

their crops will spoil and they'll lose money.

Are the Cervantes going to pick the olives by themselves?

They need us more than we need them.

It's those modern ideas making them defy their bosses.

Well, they'll soon see.

They're nothing without us. Nothing!

We are better than them, stronger than them.

Their blood is rotten from too many cousin marriages.

They're like ants. Lift a stone, hundreds swarm.

That's your problem, you treat people like animals.

They should be thanking us.

They're afraid because we're threatening their privilege.

If we stand up to them together, we can make them respect us.

What's their goal? There have always been classes.

Shepherds and sheep, that's the way it is.

We are not all equal.

Let's see if they finally get that into their heads.

I know how to fix it.

Tomorrow, you tell Don Ramón that I poisoned his dog.

Don't be ridiculous, I won't do that.

-Tomorrow, we keep fighting. -I can't do it anymore.

-You're going to let that tyrant win? -It isn't about him anymore.

Roque and I have become a burden.

-A burden that no one can bear. -I can.

You are the closest thing I will ever have to a daughter.

But you're not.

You're just tired, that's all. You'll see things differently tomorrow.

Rest.

I will.

Thanks for everything.

It might rain tomorrow. We should continue with the olives.

We'll see tomorrow.

I don't want to talk about it now.

How is the boy?

Good. I see an improvement.

I hate to say it, but your wife did well taking him to the doctor.

Yes. I suppose it's good to know what's wrong with him.

What I'm not so sure about is the electroshock therapy.

I don't think it's best.

What do you know?

Besides, it's not your decision.

Well, I think my opinion matters too.

After all, I am his father.

In any case, we've neglected him.

Tomorrow, I'll start the process for his admission to a mental facility.

-Hey! Where are you going? -Let go!

-Where? Nicolás! -Let go!

Nicolas escaped. I couldn't catch him.

-What? -He ran away. I don't know why.

With all this rain, the river will overflow.

-I'll go after him. -But where?

Warn Manuel and Ramón.

Nicolás!

Nicolás!

Nicolás!

-Go away! -Nicolás, wait!

Leave me alone!

Wait! Nicolás, look out!

Nicolás!

Nicolás!

María, help me!

-Nicolás, hold on! -María!

-María, help! -Don't let go!

-María! -Nicolás!

Nicolás!

Wait!

-Grab my hand! -I can't reach!

Help me!

Nicolás!

I've got you, don't worry.

Don't worry. Nicolás...

Nicolás!

Nicolás!

Swim!

Are you okay?

María!

María!

Come on.

My son.

Thank God you were near the river.

Yeah.

Nicolás, are you feeling better?

What happened?

I don't want to be locked up like a crazy person.

Don't worry, son. I...

I promise, you're not going anywhere. You're staying here with us.

Mercedes!

Mercedes?

Mercedes.

Mercedes was found dead this morning.

I believe she worked for you as a laborer.

Her body was found next to her husband's.

You know, it wasn't natural causes.

Suicide?

Poison was found in some glasses of milk beside them.

What kind of poison?

Rat poison.

So it was Mercedes.

She killed my dog.

I don't know. What I do know is someone needs to pay for the funeral.

-And I can't do anything. -All right.

The Christian thing to do is forgive, right?

She's dead! They found her early in the morning.

Manuel! She's dead!

What are you talking about? Who's dead?

The flooding of the river churned up all the land.

The body had been there for years.

Do you recognize this pendant?

Llanos.

What happened? That's what the whole town will be wondering.

The walls have ears.

At Mercedes' and Roque's funeral, no one. Even then, they were poor.

We have to report to the station now.

The station? What for?

Don Manuel Cervantes, you're under arrest.

Watch your step.

Llanos was murdered.

If Manuel is found guilty, he faces the death penalty.

Manuel killed my sister. You're married to a murderer.

I promised my brother I would take care of Manuel like a son

and so I will.

I don't know, María, everything happened so fast that night.

What happened?

I'm leaving for good.

Llanos, please think of Nicolás.

Subtitle translation by: Josephine Irving