Original subtitles

Subs translated by jandek @SMz Proofread by ghilton @SMz

The characters of this film are fictitious.

In the deepest part of the human heart, a great truth is written.

Only purity can defeat evil forces

... Only a child can kill the monster.

In the carousel of the old stories, the heroic children...

... pass by, round and round.

They are poor children, kids from the streets, their names are Red Riding Hood and Cinderella,

... Tom Thumb and the Sleeping Beauty.

They represent purity against evil forces.

The Wolf and the Witch, the ogre and Bluebeard.

These are the names in the old stories.

Today we are going to tell the same story, but in a different way.

You may say that these are things of the past... that today there are neither heroic children

...nor magic forests.

No, sir. Only dresses and words have changed,

... The struggle against evil continues to this very day.

The carousel keeps turning round and round.

The magic forest in which evil trees grow can be...

... some deserted park in our own city.

In the most obscure spot, there's the house of mystery, where the evil beast lives

... a beast whose path you may have crossed a thousand times without noticing.

Because there is no special costume for the beast.

The princess might be a girl from our neighbourhood.

And the hero of today may be a simple kid from elementary school,

... with a big heart.

Anyone can be the hero, even the worst student in the class.

Maybe your grandchild, Sir, or your son, Madame.

Neither you nor him know it.

In the end, nothing has really changed.

It is an endless struggle: the eternal struggle between the child and the monster

... is starting once again.

The carousel of the old tales keeps going round and round.

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Open your exercise books, children.

The prepositions of the ablative case are:

Luis Santana!

Can you repeat which are the cases of the declension?

The cases of the declension?

Yes. Repeat them.

The cases of the declension. - But... Don't you know them?

- I know them very well. - So why are you asking me, teacher?

Silence!

Alicia Miranda, tell Luis Santana ...

... the cases of the declension.

Nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, vocative and ablative.

Very good.

In this class boys have a lot to learn from girls.

Alicia Miranda, ten; Luis Santana, zero.

Does your father know you already have two zeros in grammar?

My father knows all. He's a police inspector.

Silence!

Copy the lesson from Alicia's exercise book.

And if you get my hair dirty again, I'll report you to the teacher.

Little liar. Just wait until we're out of here.

- Here we are now, eh? - What do you want?

I like girls with hair braids, they are good for ringing the bells.

Nominadive, genidive, nominadive, genidive.

Report me to the teacher now.

You are a brute! I'll report you to the police.

The police? My father is a second class inspector.

So I'm gonna report you to a first class inspector...

... who is more important than your father.

- No! - I will.

Alicia!

- What do you want? - It's a ten cent lollipop, isn't it?

Yes.

I like intelligent girls, we can be friends.

- I bet it's an orange one. - Why?

Because the orange ones are my favourite.

- Friends? - Friends.

From now on, if you have problems, just tell me.

- Will you protect me? - Of course, I am a man.

Thanks, but this is no orange, it is lemon.

Don't make such noises while eating your soup, Lucho.

The teacher says he does not pay attention.

He has a great imagination, that's all.

But when it's time to fight, he's always ready.

Luckily.

So, another zero in grammar.

Aren't you ashamed? - Grammar is for girls.

Every girl is good at grammar.

Do you know the cases of the declension?

Me? Why do I have to? I am a man, not a kid!

- Can I ask you something? - No.

- It's not a question about grammar. - Ok, then.

Is it true that a first class inspector is better than a second class inspector?

There's no big difference, actually. It's all about the wage. First class inspectors earn more.

But every first class inspector was a second class inspector in the past.

When I grow up, I'll be a first class inspector.

God forbid. Inspectors never have the time to eat.

They call them at all times. And when they go out, you never know...

... if they'll be back alive.

Are you going out without eating?

Another assault.

See? He sacrifices his life for the people.

Until some day you die without honor, in some street corner.

Is that what you want?

Don't get upset. My father was a policeman...

... and my mother was saying that all the time.

There's nothing you can do about it. It's in our blood.

See you soon, my love.

And about the grammar, you are right. It's women's business.

- Another ten cent lollipop? - And another one tomorrow.

Every time I want.

A yellow one. I bet it is an orange lollipop.

Yes, orange.

My father asked me...

Who's the most intelligent girl at school?

Guess what I told him.

- Where did you buy all these lollipops? - I don't buy them. They are gifts.

- Gifts from whom? - I can't tell you.

It's a secret. - C'mon!

- Do you swear you won't tell anybody? - I swear.

Not here. Let's go.

Put one hand on your heart.

Give me the other hand.

Close your eyes.

I won't tell anybody about this secret.

In the name of God, Amen.

And now?

Now there's a bond between us. Forever.

Whoever takes his word back is a traitor.

- Who is giving you all these gifts? - A man.

- Your boyfriend? - Don't be silly!

It's a grown man who stays at the fairground...

...everyday, when school is over.

And he's giving you all these gifts without knowing you? Why?

He's a very nice man.

And he says I am the most beautiful girl in school.

This afternoon he's going to give me a cinnamon lollipop.

No! Cinnamon?

My favourite lollipop.

And one day he's going to take me to his house...

... and he'll give me everything I want.

It's a house in the woods, like in the fairy tales.

A house made of sweets.

- Go! - Remember.

Go.

- Alicia Miranda. - She's absent, teacher.

Strange.

May I come in, Miss?

Good morning, principal.

The principal is going to ask you a question.

Tell him everything you know.

It's about you schoolmate Alicia Miranda.

She didn't come home yesterday. Did you see her leaving school?

Alicia always comes home with me, but yesterday she didn't.

She said she had to meet someone.

- Who? - I don't know. She didn't tell me.

Did someone see her afterwards?

Try to remember, please.

Every detail is important.

Nothing?

Now there's a bond between us. Forever.

Whoever takes his word back is a traitor.

Nobody?

Thanks.

Yes?

Hello? Oh, it's you, Madame. No, my husband is not in.

I'll call you as soon as he gets back.

But please, calm down, everything will be alright. They'll find your daughter.

Good night, Madame.

Mom!

- What is it, son? - I wanna know something.

If a man gives his word of honor,

... can he take it back? - What a question at four in the morning.

Go to sleep. - Answer me first.

Can he take his word back? - No, Lucho. Remember...

...what you father always says. A man who takes his word back is not a man.

Your father!

Go to sleep or he'll get angry.

- Did they find her? - I wish they didn't.

Where?

In an abandoned lot out of town.

Not a single clue.

And if we get him someday, they'll say:

...He's just a poor lunatic, he is not responsible for his actions.

Best case scenario he'll go to an asylum for a while.

Like always.

We should take care of these animals.

- And Lucho? - He doesn't know what's going on.

I think he has a fever.

Not a word in front of him.

- Are you sleeping? - No.

What is a lunatic, mom?

- You were eavesdropping. - What is a lunatic, mom?

Nothing, my son, a lunatic is... is a man who acts like an animal.

Close your eyes now and sleep. - Don't go.

- But why, silly? - I am scared.

You are scared? You never were.

Now I am, and I am always gonna be from now on.

- C'mon, you're too nervous. - Don't leave me alone, mom.

Give me your hand, just like when I was a little baby.

Here.

Close your eyes.

Quiet...

Quiet...

Sleep, my son...

...don't be afraid, be a man.

The moon is a woman,

...going out alone at night.

Sleep.

The lunatic...

Don't ever tell the secret.

In the name of God, Amen.

He'll get well soon.

Thank God. It was terrible, doctor.

He had a shock. Don't ever mention lunatics again.

Luckily, children forget things easily.

- Pilar Jim�nez. - Here, teacher.

- Eva Molinari. - Here, teacher.

- Ernesto Ayala. - Here, teacher.

- �ngel Esparza. - Here, teacher.

- Ricardo Vega. - Here, teacher.

- Jorge V�zquez. - Here, teacher.

- Luc�a Mart�nez. - Here, teacher.

- Luis Santana. - Here, teacher.

Julia Losada.

Julia Losada.

- Margarita Santos. - Here, teacher.

- Ricardo Formes. - Here, teacher.

- I am sorry, teacher.

Don't ever be late again, Losada.

Take your seat.

- Sulena P�rez. - Here, teacher.

- Julio Drago. - Here, teacher.

- Good morning, Birdie. - Good morning, but keep your hands off me.

You're crazy.

Now back to yesterday's lesson.

Write.

In 1522, Sebasti�n Elcano took the first trip around the world.

Luis Santana!

Repeat the name and the date. - Which date?

The first trip around the world.

Weren't you listening to me?

Sebasti�n Elcano, year 1522.

Good, sit down.

Thanks.

Hey, wait!

The guardian says he finds scribbles...

...on the walls every day.

Who is responsible?

Answer!

Don't force me to check all your chalks.

Who's responsible? - I am, teacher.

Of course, it's always you.

No, teacher, it was me.

- Liar! - No, I am for real.

Silence!

Show me your chalks.

Next time I'll report you to the principal.

Out.

Birdie, I did it for you.

Thanks, Lucho. Why did you do it?

Because you helped me with the trip around the world.

I like you because you are not selfish like all the other girls.

You are not like all the other girls...

... Why do you scribble on the walls?

I don't know, I do it while I walk.

I like the chalks and their colors.

And now what are you going to do without chalks?

I have many in a secret place.

And tomorrow I'll get all the chalks I want.

The chalks are very expensive, though.

- I don't buy them, they are a gift. - From your uncle?

No, from a man.

- Lucho, come and play. - Wait.

- What man? - It's a secret.

Tomorrow he'll give me all the chalks I want.

Red, blue, yellow.

- Lucho, let's play! - Leave me alone, will you?

Look at him, always with girls. Lucho is a girlie.

Hit him, Lucho!

He's a man, not a girlie.

Why me? All my life has been consecrated to discipline,

...and now my son has been reported for indiscipline.

I only hit him in self-defense.

- The professors are there to protect you. - The professor doesn't understand anything.

Shut up!

A scandal, a rebellion against authority.

If your son won't change his attitude...

...he will be expelled.

EXPULSION!

Listen, if you are expelled from school,

...I'll expel you from this house too. Understood?

And now go to your room, without dinner!

He hasn't had anything for lunch.

I don't care!

Lucho!

Leave him alone. He's nervous.

It is my fault. I am always too soft.

He's a little bit of a rebel, but he has a good heart.

When I was a kid, life was tough.

And fathers were tough too.

Tomorrow everything will be allright.

Are you going to work now?

No, it's not work. On the contrary...

What do you mean?

I have been thinking about it over and over.

We'll be poorer, but more relaxed.

I don't understand. What are you writing?

- I am quitting my job. - But why? Did something happen?

No, nothing new.

I am tired. I have doubts about my skills.

It's only a bad day.

I have been a second class inspector for 14 years.

My boss is younger than me.

And he is just a kid. He was under me once.

Now he's giving me orders.

You'll have your chance to show how good you are.

It's too late. Everybody thinks I am a nobody.

Even in my house. Don't you see?

Even my son disrespects me.

I am a total failure.

Not for me. I have faith in you.

And your son is very proud of you,

... he always talks about you.

Look into my eyes.

Don't you believe me?

Thanks.

Promise me you'll never think about retirement again. You'll have your chance.

I hope so. I'll wait.

- Listen up, please. - What?

Lucho must tell you something.

He always has something to say.

Do you want money for a book? - No, dad.

- Do you need a pen. - No, dad.

It is something I never asked for.

What?

Forgive me.

Stupid.

Good old man!

Good, now you have to study and be the best in your class.

You must study harder than I did.

Promise? - Word of honor.

At your orders, chief.

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

- Did you all copy the prayer? - Yes, teacher.

Read it out loud, please.

Julia Losada.

Julia Losada.

Is she ill? - No, teacher. She came with me,

...She stopped by the fairground. She said it was an emergency.

At the fairground?

Teacher!

Yes.

Tell me!

Nothing.

Silence!

Take your seat.

- May I? - Yes, you may.

You'll stay in class one hour more this afternoon...

...because you were late this morning.

Pilar Jim�nez. Please, read the prayer.

- Have you seen the man? - No, I think I'll meet him after school.

But maybe I won't, because of school detention.

It's better like this. We must talk.

Silence!

No chatting in class.

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

- Julia! - What?

- I have to tell you something. - Wait.

No, now I can't.

- What are you doing here, Santana? - I must talk with Julia.

I told you, principal. This boy is undisciplined.

- You may go home, Julia Losada. - Not alone, I'll come with you!

No, you'll come with me to see your father.

Don't let her go, principal.

She has a meeting with a strange man. - Lies!

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Go, Losada. - Yes.

- Wait for me, I'll go with you! - Quiet.

He's waiting for you, he's a lunatic.

- What? - Please, listen to me!

Julia, Julia! Listen to me, principal.

It's none of my business. I'll report you to your father.

Yes. I understand, principal.

Good afternoon.

Expelled!

Expelled!

Dad, I must talk to you...

No need to talk. The principal told me everything.

- Go to your room! - But dad...

Shut up!

Go to your room!

Hello? Yes.

The police station. It is urgent.

Hello?

WHAT?

Yes, I am on my way.

It's that beast again.

- A girl? - Yes, from our neighbourhood.

Julia Losada.

Let's go. You take care of her mother.

DAD!

DAD!

Inspector Santana!

- Did you find something? - Her books.

Officer!

Don't go back, coward. Go on!

Big feet, small feet.

Big feet, small feet.

Julia refused to go on.

She wanted to go back.

They had a fight.

He took her in his arms.

Big feet only.

He hit her and she fainted.

He took her on his shoulders.

On the left! Go!

The path of the heart.

Julia, Julia.

Julia, Julia.

Are you hurt?

- The man? - He's gone.

- He ran away. - No, he said he was going to dig my grave.

MOM!

MOM!

- Can you walk? - I can't, my legs are numb.

C'mon, Julia.

I'll help you.

Lucho, I can't.

The man is coming back.

He's drunk and he has a big knife.

Keep calm. Don't cry.

- Lean on me. - Yes, Lucho. Now I feel better.

Oh, I came to play with one and now there's two of you.

It's useless. He's gonna get us.

We have to resist until they find us. They MUST find us.

Don't cry.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

DAD!

Kid, your father won't come. Who's gonna help you?

God!

God is very far, God can't hear you scream.

Scream, Julia!

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, - Shut up!

- I pray the Lord my soul to take. - Stop screaming!

And now let us see some blood...

Yes, it is better with the knife.

Quiet...

Quiet...

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Where is your God now? Where?

There!

Lucho!

Santana!

He's going to be alright. Lucho is a strong kid.

The man!

Have you found the buttons?

Your mother will sew them on again.

- And this? - Now I am a first class Inspector.

Thanks to you. Half of the badge is yours.