All language subtitles for Carmin Tropical (Rigoberto Perezcano, 2014)

They say your actions and
the past always return hand-in-hand.

And I say it because
having to come back...

and explain the things I once
did isn't among my priorities.

I don't think anyone should
be judged for their mistakes,

especially when you're not
old enough...

or are too inexperienced to
understand something called life.

When...

they told me...

I could hardly believe it.

I thought...

they'd made a mistake,

that it was a joke...

or something.

I was asked to identify
the body,

but it wasn't until I saw her...

lying there,

dead...

It wasn't until then...

that I was forced to accept it.

How are your mom and dad?

In a bad way.

They've taken it the hardest.

I mean...

it's not the kind of thing
you say, but...

Dani was their favorite
and you know it.

And then there's the fact...

she was going to look
after them in their old age.

Me and my brothers
are married.

That's why she was
going to stay with them.

This is the last photo taken
of my daughter,

before she was killed.

She looked so happy at the time.

She said she had a surprise
for me,

but that she couldn't
tell me yet.

She was about to get herself
a good job.

She always used to say,

"If they give it to me, Mom...

we'll have some extra money...

and you can use it for whatever you
want. You don't have to answer to me."

You know how she used to
help me around the house.

She was good company.

Good morning!

Excuse me...

I'd like to talk to the chief
or the boss...

or whoever's in charge
of homicides.

What can I do for you?

I'd like some information on
Miss Daniela Quiroz's case.

The only one who can give out
that kind of information

is the Investigations
Coordinator,

but the Commander
isn't here right now

and I don't know
what time he'll be back.

Anyway, you need an appointment.

Sorry, hon, but you look fat.

Is that what you
invited me here for?

To tell me I look fat?

What should we do?

Cancel the snacks?
Order a yogurt instead?

Go to bed?

Excuse me.

Don't pay any attention to me.
I'm only kidding.

You look pretty. Very pretty.

As my Uncle Reynaldo would say,

death to my enemies!

-Cheers!
-Cheers!

How much is it?

Twenty-five.

[music]

Look at Faraona with
her classic cocktails.

Listen to you!

Who do you think you are
coming here and criticizing?

She doesn't remember what she was
like when she first got here.

She didn't know how to dance,

or talk, much less sing.

She couldn't even carry
a fucking tray.

Everything would sway...

and I mean that in a good way.

But look at her now.

She's an artist,

even without the feathers
and the sequins.

Shut up! All you talk about
is ancient history.

But it all came to an end
all of a sudden.

The day she skipped Juchitán.

The little bitch didn't as much
as say goodbye.

That's gratitude for you!

But I get it.

I know what it's like having
teenage hormones raging in you.

Speak for yourself! Hormones
had nothing to do with it!

And just to be clear,
I didn't skip town.

I left, which is
completely different.

No! You fled Juchitán,
you didn't leave.

Cheers.

Tell me about Daniela.

A fisherman found her dead.

Or at least that's
what they say.

He saw a car in the early hours.

He thought it was a couple
of lovebirds,

but in the morning he was the
first one to see Daniela's body.

But has anyone been arrested?
Are there any suspects?

Rubén Jiménez.

Who's he?

Rubén works here.

He's a stripper.

He comes,

or should I say,
he'd come to give his show,

but no charges have been filed.

[Mabel] The last time I saw Daniela
was the last time I saw everyone,

when I had to leave here.

I didn't say goodbye to anyone
that day,

much less Daniela.

I left for lots of reasons.

Because I wanted
a different life,

to meet new people,

sing at other venues,

see the world and feel alive.

But the main reason I left,

was to be with the man I loved.

We found your friend Daniela
dead...

in the early hours of November 9
in Punta Alacrán.

She'd been stabbed
27 times in the back.

When was the last time
you saw Daniela?

[Mabel] When I left here.

BUS TIMES: 10:00 - 11:30 12:00 - 12:30
SATURDAYS NO SERVICE

Hey!

Sir!

[music]

[Mabel] I remember the night
me and Galdino left.

We decided to take the first route and
go as far as our money would take us,

without giving a second thought
to anyone or anything.

We didn't get very far...

or maybe we didn't want to leave
our memories behind.

I don't know when Daniela
discovered what I'd done.

I don't even want to know
what she thought,

how sad she must have been.

I never spoke to Daniela again
after that.

I didn't even dare write her a
few words explaining how ashamed,

how sorry I was
for what I'd done.

She can't hear me now...

and I can't talk to her
or find her.

1, 2, 3 you're it.

You don't listen to me anymore.

You're not my friend anymore.

Let me show you some photos.

She's faking the smile

because she said a boy should have
presented her with her certificate.

This is when she won her
reading competition. Look.

In this one we were
fighting because...

she said she should be the one
wearing the huipil, not me.

This is my mom's favorite.

She says she always liked having her
photo taken, even when she was little.

This was her favorite.

She used to say this was
the best pose of all her photos.

And this was at a party to
celebrate St. James the Apostle.

She was happy because
all the boys were hot for her.

They all bring back good
memories of her, don't they?

Yes.

[Mabel] Now that Daniela's gone,

I wonder what her family
will do with all her things.

What's going to happen
to her dresses?

To all her clothes that still
have her essence?

What's going to happen
to this place?

The hairdresser's
isn't the same...

without the music blaring,

without her laugh,

her scathing humor.

I've lost count of the times I
stayed behind here talking to her.

Talking about our dreams
and our troubles.

[music]

[laughing]

What do you keep these for?

If you don't want them,
give them to me...

and I'll throw them away.

Don't you have change?

I have a 20.

Give it to me. You can pay me
the difference next time.

Thanks!

What's your name?

Modesto.

Nice to meet you, Modesto!

She's Darina and I'm Mabel.

Hi!

Let's take it from the top!
Five, six, seven and enter.

One, two, three and four,

five, six, seven and eight.

One, two, three and four,

five, six, seven and eight.

One, two, three and four,

What are you doing, Darina?
You look like you're kicking.

Give me sexy, girl.

Stop! Stop! Stop.

Baby, please.

If you're going to
lead the show,

I want you looking at
the audience and smiling.

Always smiling. Not worried
about what you're doing.

Let's repeat it again, please.

Five, six, seven and enter.

And one, two, three and change,

five, six, seven and eight.

One, two, three and change,

five, six, seven and turn.

[music]

Go keep an eye on the table
at the back.

She's barely the legal age.

No, it's the lights.

How long has she
been working here?

Almost... two years.

What's her name?

Her artistic name or how she likes
to be introduced is Miss Bonbon.

But I think her real name is...

Leonor Martinez.

I knew Daniela,

but I can't say
we were friends.

[Mabel] When was the last time
you saw Daniela?

I don't remember.

I think it was a week before
she disappeared.

I'm one of the first ones on
and one of the first to leave,

except on weekends.

And Daniela used to get
here early and leave late.

Did she always leave on her own?

I don't know.

Like I said, my show
is one of the first ones.

I do my number and as soon as I'm done,
I leave to go dance at another club.

Do you know if she had
a boyfriend?

I wouldn't know.

I never saw her with anyone who
looked like he might be her man.

She was easy, I know that much.

[Mabel] What'll happen to these
photos when I'm gone?

No one's going to care
about these memories.

And the love that was here.

No one's ever going to know
what these photos once meant.

Raquel, my godmother...

Why didn't I say goodbye
to her before I left?

When she was probably the only
one who would have understood

and accepted me wanting
to leave with Galdino.

Is Veracruz nice?

Yes, it's lovely,

but I didn't stay there long.

I went further north.

That's where I live and work.

Honey?

And is the weather as insufferable
in Veracruz as it is here?

No, nana, there's no comparison.

It's a lot hotter here.

Are you still singing?

No.

After I broke up with Galdino...

I didn't feel like going out
or singing.

[Mabel] Do you make a good
living as a taxi driver?

I get by.

I don't have much choice.

I wouldn't say I'm rich,
but I make enough to do.

It's like everything else
around here.

I like driving.
It makes me feel good.

And everyone who gets in my cab
tells me their stories.

Do you know anything about
the muxe who was murdered?

No.

Just what everyone else knows,
but I'm not familiar with the details.

No.

And the man who was arrested?

All I know about him is that
they call him "The Doll".

His name is Rubén Jiménez,

and he claims he's innocent,
like everyone else on the inside,

but who knows if he's
telling the truth or not.

[footsteps]

Hey!
Where do you think you're going?

I'm here to see
Mr. Rubén Jiménez.

Visiting hours are 9:00 to 14:00
and 15:00 to 17:00,

Monday through Sunday.

- But...
- And you have to show a valid ID.

I can't let you in.

Me and Daniela
used to play like that.

She used to run like a mad thing
when she was little.

I remember she had
a pair of pink sneakers

and she wouldn't go anywhere
unless she had them on.

When you're born this way...

no one can change you.

You sure work hard.

It's not as if I have a choice.

Do you always drive this slow?

I don't like going fast...

but that doesn't mean I take
the slow lane in life, eh.

[music]

[cheering]

That Lady Kansas used to date
The Doll, the stripper.

No one likes that bitch,
myself included,

but I have to admit...

she pulls the crowds.

There's no arguing with that.

What is it you
don't like about her?

She's a...

What is it you call those people
who don't like our kind,

- who hate us because...
- Homophobes.

That's the word.

Can I help you?

We're here to visit
Mr. Rubén Jiménez.

Unless you're family,
only one visitor at a time.

- A question.
- What?

A store nearby
that sells cold beer.

Alcoholic beverages
aren't allowed in here, sir.

It's not for the guy on
the inside. It's for me.

Oh.

Go back two streets the way
you came and take a right.

There's a store there
where you can buy beer.

You go in.
I'll wait here for you.

Okay.

[buzzer]

Full name?

Mabel Díaz López.

Who are you here to see?

Rubén Jiménez.

Jiménez who?

I don't know his other surname.

Gender?

Muxe.

A wallet.

A compact mirror.
Open it, please.

A lip gloss. Two lip glosses.
Three in all.

Canderel.

Mints.

A comb.

Pick up your things, please.
You can't take this in.

[Mabel] Were you seeing Daniela?

[Rubén]
At first, like all men...

I'd only date chicks,

but it was different
with Daniela,

and admitting it doesn't make me
any less of a man.

On the contrary.

Provided I played the champ.

The champ?

The one on top.

The machete, if you will.

So you remember Daniela?

To be honest, I miss her.

That's the first thing she
said to me when we met.

She said...

You, Doll...

I bet you'll miss me.

And I'm not saying it because
I get a kick out of it.

We had a relationship.

A good one.

Me and Daniela took
things to the next level.

We even moved in together.

What happened?

Nothing. The usual.

We broke up.

She got involved with someone
else after me. I don't know who.

I'm a man.
I wasn't going to grovel.

It was big enough of me
not to wish her any ill.

- And you never tried to get back together?
- No.

You know when there's a
third wheel in a relationship.

It was over and as they say...

There's no point flogging
a dead horse.

Do you know of a place
called Cozumel?

As far as I know...

The motel.

Except it used to be called
"Delicias".

Remember?

[music]

Who's that?

Daniela.

Wow!
She doesn't look like a muxe.

Is she the one who died?

Who's the other person
who's cut out?

That's what I'd like to know.

So you came back because of
what happened to your friend?

Or were you already
thinking of coming?

No. Just because of her.

So are you going to leave once
you've solved it or will you stay?

I don't know.
Until I run out of money.

- Can you take me to the Cozumel?
- The motel?

Is there somewhere
else called that?

Not that I know of.

Will you take me?

Sure.

[dogs barking]

I want to know who brought
Daniela to this motel.

Whoever killed Daniela
brought her here first.

You think the answer's here?

I do.

Who gave you these photos?

- I found them at Daniela's house.
- Where exactly?

In her bedroom.

They might have been
the last photos taken of her.

Are they any use to you?

They don't prove anything,
but it's a start.

So what more surprises do you
have in that bag of yours?

None.

Are you busy?

According to the medical
examiner,

Daniela was murdered one or two
days before she was dumped.

What does that mean?

Whoever killed her didn't feel
threatened by her presence.

Anyone else would have killed
her and gotten rid of the body,

but he held her for 13 days.

Daniela knew her killer,

she let herself be tied up,

she went to wherever she was
killed of her own free will.

I'm sure she knew her killer.

[music]

You like him.

What are you talking about?

Come off it, you little slut!
You know.

You're all idiots.
I don't fancy him.

You always get the
wrong end of the stick.

You haven't stopped talking
about him.

You even have a glow about you.

Just because I speak well of him
it doesn't mean I fancy him.

That's why I cut down
on the booze.

Every word you've said
is nonsense.

He's not bad looking.

What's bad...

What's disgusting is
that you deny it.

She's right! It's so annoying
how she acts the innocent.

But look at her. Those cheeks
are a dead giveaway.

They never lie.

Just admit you like him.

- You like him. You like him. You like him.
- Shut up. I don't.

It's your loss.

What are you doing tomorrow?

Nothing.

I'll probably go to Darina's...

and we'll think of something.

But we were with them all day.

What if you don't go?

Tell her you want to
rediscover Juchitán.

Wouldn't you like to go
somewhere with me?

Where?

I don't know,

but the forecast says it's going
to be sunny tomorrow,

with a high probability
of having a good time.

- You'll pick me up?
- Of course.

I'm a gentleman.

I'll see you out here
tomorrow at 12.

- Okay?
- All right.

- Thanks for the ride.
- You're welcome.

It's been a while
since I came here.

I bet.

It's not Cancun,
but it has its charm.

Yes, it's nice.

[laughing]

- Ready?
- Mhmmm.

Let's go.

I don't get this modern music.

There's not one you like?

This one, but I'm not convinced.

It all sounds...

I prefer a good ballad,
something more romantic,

more, more...

So you're a classic romantic.

If you weren't a taxi driver, what
would you have liked to have been?

First of all, I'm not from here.
I'm from Nayarit.

I think because I grew up
by the ocean,

I'd have liked to go
to Navy Academy.

And then what?

I came here with
that idea in mind.

I took the entrance exams
and passed them and everything,

but I failed the physical.

They didn't want me because
I have flat feet.

They turned me away.

I was the only one who jumped
over 20 meters on the trampoline,

but they still rejected me.

Are you going to stay here?

A few years.

Then I'll decide
what to do next.

So how did you get started
in the singing business?

I learned to sing here.

I had my show.

I'd dance and sing,

but I never stripped.

Seriously.

Then I went to a bigger bar
in Veracruz. "The Clam".

The owner was a politician,
married, with kids.

Then he was elected to
congressman or senator.

I'm not sure what they call it.

When he left, "The Clam"
closed and...

I was out of a job.

But you still sing?

No, not much.

I ended up with this guy...

and I gave up the
singing business,

as you call it.

Do you have a girlfriend..?

or a boyfriend or something?

No.

No. Well, sometimes,

but not often.

Only when I feel...

the urge...

or I'm feeling romantic or both.

Look, let me show you my girl.

Let's see.

Ready?

That's your girl?

But look what she does.

How do you do it?

- Can I touch her?
- Sure.

But gently because otherwise
she loses control.

It feels good.

I know.

That pretty boy is
my cousin Gerardo.

He was my first love,

although he never knew it.

He got married
and joined the army.

And the one beside him is me,
totally in love.

My whole family's there.

My granddad, Abdulio Díaz,

along with my grandma, Roberta.

There's my godparents,

Raquel...

and Odilio López.

And here's Uncle Chucho,
who was a good-for-nothing...

that's his wife Pancha.

My parents aren't in it because
they died in a car crash.

I was four.

Look, here we all are
having a few beers.

Faraón and Darina,
as fat as always.

[laughing]

Daniela, Galdino and me.

Here I am with Daniela.

I remember we were going to
sing together that day.

It was the first time
we'd ever done it.

A few days before we bought
those dresses in installments.

We spent the whole day
at her house...

getting dressed...

and doing our hair
to get it to look like that.

And here's Galdino.

My ex.

The bastard I ran away with
and married.

In the end, Galdino wasn't
who I thought he was.

How so?

He changed.

In time, he turned out
to be possessive.

And I mean fucking possessive.

All because he didn't want
me singing at "The Clam".

If only Daniela knew...

Galdino turned out not to
be worth it in the end.

Deep down,

real deep down,
Galdino was a jerk.

To think I stopped singing
for him.

Too bad.
Time to start over, right?

Come here. It's my turn.

Hey,

would you sing for me?

If you ask me nicely, yes.

Sing to me.

[clears throat]

No, but first tell me,

why would you sing for me?

You know I fancy you.

[Mabel] In love, it seems
history repeats itself.

The same codes,

the same words,
the same glances,

but especially not being able to
stop thinking about the other person

and hoping he's thinking about
you too at that precise moment.

[music]

I'll have a dark beer, please.

[applause]

Thank you!

Thank you all for being here.

Like every other night,

it's a pleasure for me
to be able to host this show,

which will begin in a
few more minutes...

here at your bar, the Kinj Kong.

Tonight is a very special
night...

Because the Kinj Kong is
celebrating its 18th anniversary.

Might not sound like much,
but it's been 18 long years.

May I?

[Mabel] Hi. Come on in.

A big round of applause for
the wonderful Miguelito.

So this is where the transformation
into beauty queens takes place?

This is the place.

Look at you.

I can give you a once over if
you want. You could use it.

- No.
- When I'm done here.

No.

Look.

This is for you.

"From Model. For Mabel. "

Model?

My mom used to call me that
when I was a kid.

Like a term of endearment.

She'd say...

you're my model boy.

Can I ask what it is?

If I told you it wouldn't
be a surprise.

Wait and open it after the show.

We'll open it together then.

I'm going to get changed.

[music]

To talk of an artistic career

would be hard,

especially in the case of a young lady
who's been with us from the start.

She left us...

no, no, sorry...

she went on tour,

but she's back...

to delight us with her moves

and inimitable voice.

Put your hands together for...

elegance incarnate...

Introducing...

Mabel.

[applause]

Thank you!

I'd like to dedicate this song
to all the people

who have always been there for
me and who know me inside out.

You too, Modesto,

but I'd especially...

like to dedicate this song...

to my friend Daniela.

♪ A little more ♪

♪ And maybe we'll come
To understand each other ♪

♪ A little more ♪

♪ I smell a new sweetheart ♪

♪ Let's get back on
The path of love ♪

♪ It doesn't matter
What you have to forget ♪

♪ If we're going to suffer
Over a mistake ♪

♪ It's better to beg ♪

♪ A little more ♪

♪ Will ease the blunders ♪

♪ And if you go ♪

♪ At the very least
Take my tired arms with you ♪

♪ After all,
I've already given you ♪

♪ My love, my faith,
My entire life ♪

♪ And if you don't take them
With you, what do I care ♪

♪ If they're left out
In the cold ♪

♪ Why are you leaving,
My love? ♪

♪ So hastily you can't enjoy
My happiness ♪

♪ If the night can wait
The whole day ♪

♪ You can wait too ♪

♪ You can wait too ♪

[music continues]