Original subtitles

In 1976, Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics.

That year the Argentine dictatorship killed hundreds of students.

It was the year Sylvester Stallone premiered Rocky.

Colombia legalized the personal dose,

and we were the first marijuana growers in the world.

On the radio, Fruko y sus Tesos released their hit song "El Preso."

This was the year I was in junior high school.

And most importantly,

the year 1976 was when we met Eva.

The first woman.

JOSÉ MARÍA ROOT DISTRICT SCHOOL

There was a lot of sexual repression in the '70s.

Co-ed schools didn't exist.

Education methods were based on punishment.

Sexual roles were clearly defined, and homosexuality was a sin.

It was definitely a different world.

Look at these tits, Arbeláez.

Poor thing. Those things look heavy.

What? My mom says a big chest damages the back.

That's because your mom has small tits.

That's all a photography trick.

- You think? - Yeah.

Pabón, what do you think?

What do you think?

No, what a baby. Are you serious?

How can you blush at a magazine?

What will happen when you're with a real one?

He'll be like this.

- Paralyzed. - All right, stop it. Leave him alone.

- Go on. - All right.

- Here is the queen of the centerfold. - Let's see.

Behold, you assholes.

You hot mamacita. I wanna...

Hi.

This is the men's room.

Sorry, but this school doesn't have a women's room,

and I need to pee.

Who's the chick?

EVA LASTING

LYSISTRATA

I didn't know if the girl from the bathroom was real

or a product of my imagination.

In reality, we were busy with something else.

In the '70s, teachers usually didn't get close to students.

However, and perhaps because of that,

the Spanish teacher Estela and class director,

was everyone's erotic dream.

Okay.

Write this down.

For the final assignment,

I need you to read the following book...

One Hundred Years of Solitude.

You will write an essay that will count as 30% of your grade.

- In... - Hello.

Come in, please.

Boys.

This is Eva Samper.

She will be the first female student at José María Root School.

I'm going to ask you to be very respectful and to help her.

I'm sure these boys will make you feel at home like family.

That's a temptation.

Hi.

We didn't properly meet in the bathroom.

So, nice to meet you. As you know, my name is Eva Samper.

But please don't use my last name.

I hate talking to each other like soldiers.

Samper, Angarita, Gómez, Otero.

Anyway, what are your names?

Nice...

Nice to meet you. I'm Rodrigo.

Rodrigo.

Pretty name.

And you?

My name is Álvaro.

And you guys?

- William. - Édgar.

The Acuñas.

And you?

You, man.

He's Gustavo, and I'm Camilo.

Gustavo and Camilo.

And you?

Salcedo.

Yes, but your name?

His name is Martín.

Martín.

I like that, because you guys look like

Rodrigo, the Acuñas, Álvaro, Martín, Camilo, and Gustavo.

It's very important that the face matches the name.

Nothing worse than being a Janet with the face of a Marta.

That's horrible, isn't it?

Have you read The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde?

I mean, it's better to read literature than porn mags.

Who sits here?

Benítez.

I mean, Julián.

But his dad was transferred to Barranquilla, so he left the school.

May I sit with you?

Yes.

Trig class lasted forever.

I did not breathe or blink for a single second.

I didn't look at her either.

Yet at the time,

I was falling in love for the first time in my life.

JOSÉ MARÍA ROOT DISTRICT SCHOOL

And the others?

- Where did they go? - They went home.

And you?

I live close by, so I don't need transportation.

You going to the 30th?

Yeah, more or less.

Great.

I have to take the bus there. I'll walk with you.

Sure, okay.

Why didn't you talk to me today?

I mean, we'll share the desk so we should talk, right?

Don't you like me? In that case, I'll ask to move. It's fine.

- It's nothing like that. - So you like me?

Yeah.

Liar.

If that were true, you would've talked to me. But that's fine.

In time, I know we'll be good friends.

I always get along with all Camilos, and my instincts never fail.

I know it's weird for you to have a female classmate.

But the world is changing.

For women.

No, for everybody but especially for women.

Do you know what a feminist is?

I'm one. But don't worry. I'll tell you all about it.

Or like Isabel Martínez Perón,

the first female president of Argentina

and the first female president of a Latin American country.

More proof that times are changing, right?

Yeah, I guess.

This is my house.

- Nice house. - Thanks.

- I'll walk you to the 30. - Don't worry. There's no need.

Are you sure?

Do you know the way?

I don't, but I'll figure it out.

Are you sure? Because...

Don't tell me you're one of those who think women should always ask for help.

Even to find a bus stop.

I don't. It's just a matter of courtesy.

Or machismo?

Mrs. Ana.

Mrs. Ana, come here!

- Come! - What is it?

Look, but don't be too obvious.

Who's that girl?

Perhaps his girlfriend?

Girlfriend? From where?

"Courtesy" comes from "court."

It comes from the customs during the times of kings

when women were basically nobodies.

So much so, that if they didn't obey their husbands,

they'd be beheaded.

- Really? That bad? - Yes, really.

That's what happened to Anne Boleyn

when she refused to divorce Henry VIII.

Did you read that play?

Camilo.

Do you have something to tell us?

Like what?

I don't know. We saw you come home with a girl.

Very pretty.

- Who is she? - Yes, Eva.

- Her name is Eva. - Yes.

Yeah, she's a girl who started school today.

What do you mean?

The José María is accepting women starting today.

- Starting today? - Yeah.

- They'll mix men and women? - Yes, sir.

- I didn't know about it. - We'll lose decency.

- Wait... - Respect.

Lose respect? This is a good thing.

These kids should learn how to interact with women.

Why didn't you invite her in?

- Yes, why didn't you? - She had to take the bus at 30th Avenue.

- Why didn't you walk her there? - She didn't want me to.

What?

What a lack of courtesy, Camilo.

Dad, courtesy comes from the time of kings,

and women were treated like nobodies.

The women who didn't comply would be beheaded.

Haven't you read about Anne Boleyn?

Love me because you've made me see

Another way to love

And love like this

Tastes differently

Love me

I thank destiny

For putting me in your path...

What are you doing?

Do you hear him? Come here.

Do you hear him?

You know what that is? He's in love.

Can you hear him singing love songs?

That's because he's in love.

Now, today, tomorrow, and forever...

- How cute, my boy. - Yeah.

But to tell you the truth,

I'm not sure that Eva girl is good for him.

What's up with that story about courtesy and kings?

What's more, I think that Eva girl is a feminist.

Trust me. I know.

I can't have breakfast. I'm late.

- What has he done with his hair? - A change. Bye.

What's up with his hair?

I liked it better before. Are we letting him go...?

Let me listen.

Tanks and warmongering army troops

occupied the center of the capital.

In this so-called Latin American Boom,

besides the Colombian Gabriel García Márquez,

we have other important writers

such as the Peruvian named Mario Vargas Llosa.

We have two Mexicans,

Carlos Fuentes and Octavio Paz, and one Argentine.

A fantastic writer

named Julio

Cortázar.

Kids.

Give me your attention, please.

I need you to choose your vocational course.

Kids, you know there are two choices.

A, Electrical. B, Accounting.

I'll call your names, and you tell me where to put you.

Okay? Acosta, Sergio...

Yes, Ms. Samper?

My name isn't Ms. Samper. My name is Eva.

Isn't there...

knitting?

Didn't you guys look in the mirror before leaving home?

That hair makes you look like sissies.

What's up? Is that chick getting to you?

All we need now

is to end up in knitting

or ballet.

I wouldn't recommend ballet.

I'm serious.

It's hard. I speak from experience. I took classes from five to ten.

Let me explain, guys.

I don't care about the vocational courses.

I just wanna do the least amount of work,

and accounting and electrical sound hard.

It sounds like slavery.

Knitting, on the other hand, is easy.

Piece of cake.

That's also speaking from experience, so chill.

It could even be better than soccer.

That morning, we all wanted to impress Eva on the field.

There!

There it is!

We were juniors in class B.

And my closest classmates were Rodrigo Arbeláez,

a sharp boy,

the son of a drunk musician who made life difficult for his family.

Where will I go?

Gustavo Pabón, a handsome, shy, and timid boy.

His father had just been released from jail

where he served time for a crime

he claimed he didn't commit.

Álvaro Castro.

A real soccer genius.

The best of us all.

But there was something pessimistic in him.

He was the son of a housemaid

who also washed and ironed clothes to make ends meet.

Martín Salcedo.

The class bully.

A rough and aggressive boy.

His mom worked as a waitress at a popular restaurant.

I'll be right back.

What's up?

And there was me.

Camilo Granados.

Due to my lack of soccer skills,

I wanted to be a sports journalist.

My father was a taxi driver who was proud to be his own boss

because he answered to nobody.

Come on!

And my mother.

A woman who balanced the family budget

by typing university papers.

And then there was Octavio Quiñones, the nightmare from senior year.

A troubled and violent boy who we didn't know much about.

Just that he terrorized many at school.

Including myself.

Move it! Come on!

That one's easy. Come on!

What's up, asshole!

- Stand up! - What's up with you?

Who do you think you are, man!

Can't he defend himself? Does he need a nanny?

What's wrong with you? Don't be an asshole!

What're you gonna do?

Bring it on!

Tomorrow at the field?

- Well... - All right.

- You're on. - Pussy.

A fight at the field.

The worst that could happen.

I must admit that back then

I was the only thing any teenager from any time or place

could not afford to be:

a coward.

Play!

The director?

He loves schoolgirls.

He makes them wear socks up to here and yummy little skirts.

He makes them... You know, he kisses them...

So? Where are you going?

To the movies.

Can I come?

I don't think you'll like this movie.

- Which one? - The Schoolgirls' Sin.

At the Imperio Theater.

I've seen it.

- Did you like it? - No.

It's really bad. All porn, no plot.

But at the Metro Rivera, they're showing Saturday Night Fever

with a new actor, John Travolta.

They say he's an amazing dancer.

A dance movie?

Really?

Yeah.

Wanna come? My treat.

IMPERIO THEATER XXX

In light of my situation, I submitted to my cowardice

to ask Salcedo for help and protection since he was a bully like Quiñones.

That's why I was the only one who refused Eva's invitation

and ended up at the Imperio pretending to support the guy

who I believed was my only hope.

Can you believe Quiñones?

I mean...

Don't worry. His bark is worse than his bite.

Really?

Yeah, I'm sick of teaching that fool lessons.

I'm glad you say that because I was...

Our problem isn't Quiñones, Granados.

Our real problem is that Eva girl.

- Eva? - Yeah, that chick wants to screw us up.

She wants to split us up.

Really? You think so?

Otherwise, we'd all be here, right?

- Going back to Quiñones... - This movie has no plot!

Yeah.

Can you say that?

We capped our afternoon at the movies

by meeting the guys at the pool hall Club 68,

a place on the street

that was kind of our headquarters.

There they are.

- What's up? - What's new?

How did it go?

How was the movie?

- Well... - Good. And you guys?

Nothing, I'm teaching the boys about the pleasures of life.

Granados!

I knew I'd find this dimwit here.

What's up, Quiñones?

Salcedo, this has nothing to do with you, man.

- I'm here for this fool. - What?

I've been thinking.

Why wait to solve our issues?

Like my old lady says,

why leave for tomorrow what you can do today? Right?

Yeah? Come on!

- Let's see. - What? Come on.

What's with you, man?

You have so much trouble at home that you go around picking fights?

- Don't tell me you're a Jim Stark. - A what?

Jim Stark, the protagonist of Rebel Without a Cause.

Didn't you see it?

No?

Well, it's about a guy who has issues with his parents

and is always getting into trouble.

His soul is so embittered

that one day, he ends up being responsible for the death one of his friends.

That could happen to anybody.

Even to you.

Go fix your personal problems before you fuck up for real.

Think about it.

If you have time?

What?

How was I?

Good books and films always help resolve these issues.

Have you read Lysistrata?

- That one neither. - No?

- Lysis-what? - Lysistrata.

It's a Greek comedy in which women cross their legs and avoid a war.

That's not how men solve their problems.

Now, Quiñones...

He thinks we hid

behind the corny stories of a dumb girl to avoid him.

We'll talk about the dumb girl part later.

But let's not fight. We're having a good time.

But he messed with Granados.

Chill, man.

I'll deal with him later. He won't mess with me.

I've had it in for him for a while.

We all get one?

Pabón, who's gonna pay?

Don't worry, guys. It's on me today.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

Thanks.

Okay, now.

As I was saying before we were interrupted,

I can't believe all you do all day is get bored in class,

play soccer,

fight, go to that hellhole to watch porn.

I mean, there's so much more to life.

Yeah? Like what?

Eva tried to initiate us to the alleged pleasure of smoking.

And even though we tried, none of us liked it.

And I think that saved us from ending up as compulsive smokers.

Let me ask you.

- Do any of you have a girlfriend? - Who said we're interested?

Stop. Let her talk.

In the movie we just saw, how does Travolta get the girl?

By playing soccer?

By fighting?

By watching porn?

No.

He gets her by dancing.

Can you guys dance?

One, two, three, four. Turn.

Three, four.

Two, three,

four, turn. One, two.

That's right. Good.

One, two, three, four, and go.

Now. One, two,

three...

No girlfriends. Can't dance. I bet you can't kiss either.

That was how, one by one, we stepped up to the blackboard.

And one by one, we left on Eva's lips and tongue

our early innocence.

We all fell in love that afternoon,

even though she couldn't resist the temptation to evaluate us.

You'll have to practice more.

And congratulations, Martín. Only you can kiss.

- Let's go home. - Yes.

- What's up? - What's up? What are you doing here?

I came so we could walk to school together.

Did you hear about Argentina?

No, what happened?

The military ousted Isabel Martínez de Perón.

Isn't it sad?

Yeah, very sad. What a shame.

And 600 Black students were massacred in South Africa.

It looks like the world isn't changing, and violent people keep fucking it up.

Yes.

And about what happened yesterday,

I know I told Salcedo his was my favorite kiss,

but I only said it so he would regret calling me dumb.

Yeah.

Actually, yours was the only kiss I liked.

It was special.

Let's go. I don't wanna miss Estela's class.

All right, kids.

As per the provision of the Ministry of Education,

we will have more girls in the school.

Our principal thought it was a great idea

to include a vocational course for the ladies.

So Eva...

The good news is we'll do a knitting class for you.

What do you mean? Just for me?

I mean, are you gonna leave me alone in that class?

What a pain!

That's true. Let's see.

Is there a gentleman who wants to sign up for knitting?

Are you serious, Teach?

I'm not surprised, you fool.

Pabón.

Arbeláez, Pabón.

Castro.

NEWS

- We need to talk about what just happened. - What, man?

Salcedo, man, let me go.

I still can't believe it!

Honestly,

I'm not sure if we can stay friends.

Because that's contagious.

You're overreacting. Eva is right.

I was tired of doing those accounting papers.

I have to think about it.

What if knitting is harder than electrical?

- Nah. - How bad could it be?

I think we should try new things to be honest.

Yeah, but you don't realize the danger you're getting into.

First, you start using your first names, then you change your hair.

Then, you take knitting class.

Where will you end up?

Plus I think that chick is hiding something.

Don't you think she's strange? Different from other women?

So what? You know a lot of women?

No.

But admit it. That female has a secret.

Mark my words.

You know what? Think whatever you want. I gotta go. See you Monday!

What's up with him?

What's up, fool?

Hey, where are you going? Take it easy.

You thought your friend's stupid story would save your ass, didn't you?

Camilo!

Camilo, get in! Come on.

I had the choice to run away.

But the shame of looking like a coward in front of Eva

gave me the courage I never had.

If I had survived the turbulence of a kiss,

there was no way I couldn't survive a fistfight.

Camilo!

No! Camilo! Stop it!

Stop it!

Stop it! Let him go!

If being in love was the feeling that nothing was impossible

and anything could be faced,

then I was completely and hopelessly in love.

Stop it!

Stop! That's it!

You didn't have to fight.

However, my calculations were wrong,

and I didn't account for one variable.

Eva herself.

Did you forget everything I said?

But I had to defend myself.

Don't you get that I hate violence?

It's the cause of all the evil in the world!

- Yes, but... - But nothing!

But nothing, Camilo!

I'm so disappointed! I really thought you were different.

Eva.

- Easy, Mom! - Your hand.

A fistfight, Camilo? Why?

You go to school to study not to fight your friends.

You'll get a black eye.

It's not that big a deal, Mrs. Ana. It's normal.

A boy that doesn't fight at school

is the down payment for a fag.

That's awful. What do you want to raise, a chimpanzee?

Violence is merely a sign of barbarism.

Yes, barbarism. Don't laugh.

Besides, what's wrong with having different tastes and preferences?

For instance, the Greeks

in antiquity

were all bisexual.

That means they liked...

you know.

And they produced the best of Western culture.

I'm reading this manuscript I'm typing and yes, it's true.

Be careful what you read, Mrs. Ana. It's making you lose focus.

Maybe it's making me find it.

Let's see.

The strength of love made me overcome what I thought I never would:

my cowardice.

But Eva's disappointment was a great price to pay.

It was the weekend, and I wouldn't see her until Monday.

In the movie we just saw, how does Travolta get the girl?

He gets her by dancing.

I had to do something desperate, or I'd go crazy thinking and torturing myself.

Is this for real?

Yes, Camilo brought it from school.

What's this?

"Yarn, crochet needles, orange thread..."

This is knitting. The idiot signed up for knitting?

- So? - What do you mean "so"?

You think it's normal, Mrs. Ana?

- I don't see why not. - What do you mean?

It's a course for girls, not for men.

Come on. Knitting teaches patience.

It teaches concentration.

Two important skills for both men and women.

You read that in another paper?

No. I learned it from the nuns I studied with.

Get up. We're going to the stadium.

- No, Dad. I don't wanna see soccer. - Come on, it's the derby.

Do it. Get up.

I don't want to. I'm not well.

Because you've been in bed since Friday. Get up!

- No. - Come on. The bed makes you sicker.

- I don't feel well. - I'm not asking!

It's an order. Get up, shower, put on the jersey, and let's go!

- But... - I don't care! Don't try my patience.

José, why are you talking to him like that?

- Let him sleep. - He sings love ballads in the bathroom.

He changes his hair, learns to knit, fights, dances like a fag.

And now he doesn't like soccer? I'll straighten him up.

He has to be a man.

What a drag.

My father was convinced I was having trouble with my sexual orientation.

And he had to take matters into his own hands, immediately.

Dad? Isn't the stadium that way?

We're not going to the stadium.

- We're not? Then where? - Kid.

To the appointment of your life.

Of course.

Pamper him...

Hello.

- I have to... - You're not leaving.

If he lasts longer, let me know.

You've never been with a woman?

No, ma'am, I haven't.

Relax. It doesn't hurt.

That was the first time I had a naked body in front of me.

And more than anything, I wanted to touch.

Do you like it?

The situation was fun for her, and lovingly and patiently

she let me do

everything.

Even ask questions.

Let me ask you something.

Do women like men to be good dancers?

Yes.

And to be good kissers, smokers, fighters, and all that?

The derby goes well. Pass into the area.

He shoots to the goalpost. It rebounds!

Goal!

Goal!

Goal, you sons of bitches!

That's it.

In the end, I didn't want my first time to be with a woman I didn't know

who I knew had been paid to be with me.

In spite of all that was going on, I could only think of Eva.

My father was definitely not too happy about it.

Why didn't you get with Brigitte?

- What happened? Couldn't get it up? - No, sir.

Then what?

Well...

I don't know how to tell you.

Just tell me.

I...

I think I'm in love.

On Monday, we had our first knitting class.

Who would've thought there'd be 40 students.

Even some from other classes.

Even Quiñones.

Use the thin wool.

Make them elegant and beautiful.

Ms. Samper.

What is this terrible mess you have made?

Ma'am, my name is not Ms. Samper.

My name is Eva, and I don't know how this works.

Aren't you ashamed in front of your friends?

To be the only girl in class and to get everything wrong?

No, teacher, I'm not ashamed at all.

You should be ashamed for not knowing how to teach.

Ms. Samper.

- Please, show some respect... - My name is Eva.

And respect has to be earned.

Has Eva talked to any of you?

No. Not with me.

Nor with me.

I'd like to know if we're together or not after what happened at the club?

Well, you know,

I don't think she's a girlfriend to all of us.

Then what?

I don't know.

I don't know.

You're so stupid that you ended up drooling over a whore.

Because that's Eva's secret.

Only a whore can kiss five men at the same time,

even if four of them are as stupid as you.

Didn't I tell you?

That chick was hiding something.

You're so dumb you ended up drooling over a whore.

We were all on tenterhooks waiting for Eva's reaction.

Would she admit it?

Would she deny it?

Was this the premature ending

to our idyllic love story with her?

Subtitle translation by: Peter Golub