Original subtitles

Thank you, Miss Clemniter.

And now...

We'll hear Remi Bonnet.

First Prize in musical theory.

First Prize in fugue and counterpoint.

First Prize in composition.

He's fabulous.

What's got into him?

This is awful!

Kick him out!

Shame on him!

Have you gone mad? You've wrecked your future!

No more prizes! Or New York scholarships!

You realize what you've done?

Yes!

Were you born in the Caribbean?

You're from Toulouse, France!

Where's this madness from?

From here!

l can't explain it.

For 15 years, l've secretly played Latino.

Tonight l had to let it out.

l had to play my music!

Your music?

Go play it under the palm trees, give your mom a heart attack!

l only ask one thing of you, only one!

Never come back here to kiss our bust of Chopin!

Maestro!

Don't hate me, friend. Don't hate me.

Excuse me.

Felipe!

Felipe!

A big hand for Sierra Maestra,

the kings of Cuban son!

A piece of Cuban soil here in Paris!

Felipe!

Remi! How are you, my friend?

When l came here from Cuba,

this white boy, he hid me at his place for a year!

Even gave me subway tickets! Thanks, brother!

lf you go to 132 Malecon St,

you can call it home!

You got your prize? Off to New York?

No, l came here, dropped everything.

But Chopin, your career?

That's over. l want to play with you guys.

Barbaro, he says he wants to play with us!

Wait, l'm no good?

No, you play great.

ln private, in our homes.

But not in a band like Sierra Maestra!

What's the difference?

You don't see any difference?

Come here. What do you see in the mirror?

Nothing.

Your color is vanilla!

Our fans like musicians to be chocolate!

A whitey in the Sierra Maestra?

We'd have to change the band's name:

''Snow White and the Seven Cubans''!

So a Frenchman can't play with Cubans?

lt's a fad, it'll pass.

Now you have to be Cuban or Colombian!

No one'll hire you!

Don't pout! l feel sorry for you. Here!

No, no!

l earned it tonight!

Go sleep in the hotel next door.

Why not at your place?

My place? l don't have a place.

l live with Francoise.

ln a month we marry, l'll be French.

With an lD. Then you stay with me.

Tomorrow go see Barreto, say l sent you.

The great Barreto?

Yeah, Chucho Barreto!

He's in Paris?

Has been for 20 years!

He's got lots of space.

All your life you try to play ''son'' our way...

Then you realize, brother, it's not so easy to play...

And if it's not in your blood, you'll never learn it, anyway.

That's how it is with ''son''

No music is easy, you have to know how to play,

''Son'' is passion, it's our art,

you have to feel it in your heart...

''Son'' is passion, it's our art,

you have to feel it in your heart...

lsn't that Carlos Embale singing?

Sure.

He died two years ago.

lt's wonderful.

New York, 1985.

Havana, 1986.

Yes, you're right.

l have a another record you may like.

lt's La Mulata.

Your father, Jesus Barreto, wrote it in 1937.

Am l right?

Who are you?

l'm Remi Bonnet, sir.

Felipe Padero sent me. Works at the Bamboo Club.

That clown! Haven't seen him in ages!

He's marrying a Frenchwoman.

Poor girl!

He said maybe you could put me up.

Put you up?

We close in 2 weeks.

l was hoping that...

Well, thanks Mr Barreto.

Goya!

What is it?

Make a bed for him. He's staying a few days.

We've got enough problems!

l said make a bed for him!

lf you insist.

Madame, bonjour.

Come with me, kid.

Thank you, sir.

All l got for you is a mattress!

These stairs get steeper every day!

lt's huge here!

Need a hand?

l'll manage.

Who's this beauty?

What do you mean, who?

The star dancer of the Tropicana. A legend, sweetheart!

You need glasses, don't you recognize me?

Of course l do!

You're still very lovely, Mrs Barreto.

Wrong name!

l married many men. But not Chucho.

And l wasn't the love of his life.

lf you close up, what'll you do?

Go back to Cuba?

He does what he wants. l'm staying in Paris.

l know why: she likes jewels, luxury.

At least l like something, you old fart!

l'm an artist, l still sing and dance.

You can't sing a note!

Hold it!

Don't close this place. You could make a go of it.

Maybe l could help. l play piano.

What could you do here?

l dance a bit, l could give salsa lessons.

Salsa!

Stand up, kid!

Turn around!

You need a Cuban figure, kid!

Listen, Goya.

You can stay a few extra days here.

But forget about dancing lessons.

Women who go to salsa classes,

they look for strong Latino arms, Cuban arms.

Cubans are born, not made.

Forward! Back!

Turn around!

Right! Left!

l can't do it!

No, l can't.

You gotta talk Cuban. Say: ''Me can't do it''.

''Me can't do it''

Practice your Cuban accent!

You very bootiful. Wanna dance weeth me?

Wanna dance weeth me?

That's it. One, two, three!

Turn! Turn!

Not that way! Where's the woman?

Don't look at your feet! Where is she?

Who?

She's here! The woman?

She's in front of you. ln front of me.

Keep your eye on her. My eye on her.

Or she'll run off. Run off.

Don't repeat like a monkey!

Go ahead.

Slide your knee between her legs.

Make contact with her hips.

Wear tight jockey shorts.

ln case... John Henry... he wakes up!

What are you doing? You got a hard-on?

You won't get me hard, and not at 10AM!

For the grand finale...

The finale. You hold her tight.

Be a macho!

You tip her backwards...

Then pull her back up... You look at her and say:

''You dance like a goddess!''

You switching too? Given up on girls?

My sugar cane, we woke you up? Sorry.

Francoise, the love of my life,

soon my wife!

Bonjour. Bonjour.

Remi. l told you about him. The pianist.

He wants to give salsa lessons.

Salsa lessons?

l gave him a hand.

He'll need a lot more than that!

Who's playing?

l don't know.

Do l really see Remi Bonnet?

Never heard of him.

My name's Mongo. At your service, Mr Barreto.

You dance like you play?

l'll help him out.

Got any pupils?

That's my business!

You're all invited to the salsa classes

of Maestro Mongo Alvarez!

Now, it's up to you!

Come learn the Salsa!

''Forget your cares, come dance the salsa.

''at Chucho Barreto's Casa Cubana!''

Maurice, l never loved you wildly.

But you treated me decently.

l was faithful to you, mourned you for a year.

Now it's over.

That's what l came to tell you. l won't visit you as often.

lt's time l lived a bit!

You need a Cuban lover to discover heaven!

Hold on!... And mine's pure sunshine!

That sun gets you hot! Understand?

Havas Travel, hold on!

Did you get it?

Come to the club tonight. You'll see!

l'm not a disco person...

Right, you don't like discos, make-up,

you don't smoke joints. You're not into pleasure!

Hang in there!

Francoise, brush up on your phone manners!

You, brighten your look! We sell dreams, not coffins!

Get me the file on lguana Archipelago.

Which one?

How many are there?

3, madame. ln Brazil, Guinea...

No Cuba, where iguanas nip your ass!

lt's an island, not an archipelago.

Aren't you clever! There's a brain in there! Hurry!

Nobody's nipped her ass in a while!

Look, l said that for your own good.

Just because your mom left you don't have to...

You punish yourself, you only date your fiance.

How is Prince Charming?

He just got a promotion.

What, police chief?

Cut it out.

All the ice melted? How?

lt must be the freezing hold!

You changed ships? lt was cheaper?

Then it's a narco boat!

Kill that noise!

Can you hear me? You paid up front,

you idiot? Hello?

l lost him! That's Colombia!

What a get-up! Why were you out late?

None of your business. And l'm through mourning!

Didn't take you long!

lt was cheap 'cause the boat had no freezer!

That's Colombia!

ln Europe we're honest businessmen!

Where are you off to? We've got company tonight.

l'm going out. Can l have 200 francs?

Hold it, Stephane.

l have a freezer problem, and you want 200 francs?

Big deal! Calm down!

Calm down? My dear mother,

l've got 3 tons of shrimp that are rotting!

What do l sell 'em for? Cat food?

lt's serious?

Serious?

Disastrous! Here's my balance sheet!

That's what you own?

lt's what l owe, dummy!

She's a dummy, but you're a patsy! Why?

Why?

l'll tell you why!

You crazy? -l don't believe it!

My shrimps are rotting and he wants 200 francs!

Whose shrimps are rotting?

Henri!

Behave!

lt was tonight?

So the date is July 6?

June 30th is election day.

Will Nathalie's mother attend?

l doubt it.

She's not invited?

Her invitation is ready. Where do l mail it?

Darling

Cheers, Etienne.

Have we got a band? Do we need one?

200 guests can't dance to a CD player!

When we have Paris's finest caterer!

We do?

Got any ideas?

For the music?

We should start with a waltz.

My poor toes!

Who's to blame?

At Elvina's christening you tripped and fell!

Edmond even filmed you!

Please, Dad!

Forget the waltz!

Let's try something with a beat.

Etienne's no good at that.

He can learn! You all can!

There's a salsa school nearby. Look!

That music is all the rage.

Where did you find that?

ln the street.

When did you take up the samba?

Salsa, my son!

Salsa is Cuban, samba is Brazilian.

Come to a class. lt'll be fun.

No thanks!

You won't dance at her wedding?

Sure, but l don't need lessons!

Forward...Back!

Side ways...

This way...that way!

Move da middle!

Now the belvus it moves!

Move it! You gotta move the belvus!

What's the belvus?

He means pelvis!

Now form couples.

Senor, for years, she dream of this!

Listen to the beat!

Forward! Backward!

Discontract yourself!

Come dance with me!

Hold me tight! Let me feel l'm with a man!

You're a great dancer!

Where is woman? What you look at?

Don't look at feet!

Keep an eye on her or she leave you!

Look at her, she bootiful.

Very bootiful!

Watch her, or she go with another!

Where was l born?

ln Old Havana, home of the rumba!

Where did l study?

Same place, at the music conservatory.

At night you peddled fish to help your folks!

You stunk so bad, no woman wanted you.

l didn't wash? -No, you sang.

''ln the store they ask: soap or shampoo?

''You gonna wash on top, or wash below?''

''Take your choice, you can't have both.''

How come you're always so happy?

Happy? ls that what you think?

Look, Remi.

lf you want to be the new Cuban in town,

hide your pain behind a smile.

Good luck, black boy.

Felipe!

Look at that Cuban!

Just got here from Havana?

Non-stop!

You're hot! The girls will eat you up!

Not bad! Let's see your hair?

Nice curls! And sideburns!

Careful with 'em!

You owe me 3 tubes of Self-Tan, Senor Bonnet!

l owe you a lot more. Hush!

My students... Nathalie and Juan Carlos.

Your students? You take salsa lessons?

We started with Mongo today.

Mongo?

You've met?

We work together.

Felipe, my Cuban sunshine.

That's you? A pleasure!

The pleasure is all mine... My beauty!

Quit ogling her! Get us a table, love!

l get you the best table! 4 Mojito cocktails!

We're not staying long. Just looking around.

Loosen up, cop!

Excuse me.

l'm a lawyer, not a cop!

l hear you're dynamite on the dance floor now!

Let's see what Mongo taught you!

My best table. Be seated!

Have a good time! She's hot!

Later, my beauty! See ya, kid.

You no come here ever?

My fiance doesn't like clubs.

A peety, he dance good.

Been in Paris long?

''Tou''...

What ''tou''?

Say ''tou'' to me.

A Cuban says ''tou'' to a princess...

Tu... You...

Thanks.

You speak very good French.

l take French lessons in Old Havana.

You know, where the rumba was born?

l work in a travel agency, but l've never traveled.

Havana very pretty place.

My familia live there. But the walls they fall down.

You get plaster in your soup!

lf you got soup! Not every day!

How many in your family?

l got six seesters.

They all make many ninos.

You mean they're often pregnant?

Yes, that's it. You know what l do?

l run across the city to Barbes Roch...

Barbes Rochechouart?

That's it.

And there...how you say 'comprar'?

You buy!

l buy! Things for those ninos... You know, soap, diapers...

Everything.

You don't want to dance?

Here?

Sure, here. That's what clubs are for!

No.

Classes are just to learn.

You not be afraid.

l help you.

Come!

Come!

Come!

They're cute together.

Should l tell her the truth?

Don't spoil her fun!

l knew it! You dance like a goddess!

Great evening, great club! l took a liking to salsa.

Nathalie, l'm talking to you!

What did you say?

l said we had a nice time.

Yes...

My dad's right: those lessons are bad.

Why?

That teacher's sleazy.

And when you wriggle, you become...

very sexy, it's not you any more.

When l'm sexy, l'm not me?

And l don't wriggle, l dance!

Don't get mad! l didn't know you could dance like that!

Neither did l. What got into me?

That Cuban!

He took you in his arms and you liked it!

We were just dancing.

You call that dancing?

Your breasts were saying: ''Take me, l'm yours!''

And your ass...

Turning everyone on, screwing on the dance-floor...

Stop, l'm getting out.

Don't be a fool!

l said stop!

Nathalie

Nathalie

Nathalie

Where were you? Your fiance called 4 times!

You jumped out of the car? You crazy?

Drop it, Henri!

Drop it?

She carried on with a Cuban! Her fiance's angry!

You won't find another man like him!

You say that every day! l'm sick of it!

She reacts just like her mother!

Nathalie

See, Granny? lt's your damn spick dancing!

When l was your age someone said to me:

''They can take away everything... except your love of dancing!''

Remember the 4 ashtrays?

When we used to dance with your mom?

Let's try it.

One, two, right foot.

One, two, left foot.

Come behind me.

Let's dance together.

The right man can change your life.

Don't make a mistake.

Why do you say that? Did you make a mistake?

One, two... Twice!

First, when l didn't follow the man l loved.

Then, when l got married to forget him.

You didn't love Grandpa?

Show me the steps that shocked your fiance!

Dance, my darling. Let's see!

Dance, show me!

You didn't forget a thing!

Now, your shoulders!

You into it too now, Granny?

How's it going, kid? Look at that!

Not easy to be a black boy!

But, brother, the girls they love it!

Seen her? You seen how she dances?

Yes!

The moment l held her, something went tilt!

There...or there?

Cut it out! This is serious!

lf you plan to score with your dancing girl,

you'll have to explain how some black guys have white dicks!

Bonjour, Monsieur

Bonjour.

Partial or all-over tan?

Which do you advise?

Depends what it's for, sir.

All-over.

Then remove that.

My shorts?

Your shorts.

Lie down.

There, 10 minutes. Have a nice session!

Ciao.

See you tomorrow.

Don't forget the beat! That's what counts!

Chucho won't admit it,

but you've made him come alive.

You're not a great dancer,

but you give people hope.

Thanks!

She didn't come?

No, she didn't.

As you can see. l didn't need an all-over tan.

l've got something for you, kid.

What's all this?

You want to be Cuban, and don't know our voodoo?

That's Eleggua, Master of the Pathways.

He can open or close doors.

Ask him something!

What did you ask for?

l'm allowed to say?

Yes, l'm initiating you.

l want to get rid of someone.

A man?

Yes

For good?

Not kill him. Just dump him.

We must ask Eleggua.

Listen to what he says.

You buy two eggs...

Eggs?

Write the man's name on one,

the girl's on the other.

Rub your plums with them,

throw 'em in the river,

one here, one there.

You split the couple. Never fails!

l rub 2 eggs on my balls, and dump 'em in the river!

That's it.

''First Prize 100,000 Francs.''

Bonjour.

Nathalie

l am so happy to see you.

We miss you at the class.

l couldn't come.

l wanted to ask your advice.

Sure, if l can help you...

Wanna drink sumting?

An orange juice.

Orange juice.

With a few lessons, could l enter a salsa contest?

Sure...

You got all you need.

You're a princess!

But l don't have a partner.

Really?

l was thinking...

You're Cuban, l'm French,

they want mixed couples.

Mixed couples. Good idea.

lf we win, we split the prize. With your family.

Sure...my familia...

lf it's a drag for you... l'll ask someone else.

l was thinking of Felipe.

Felipe?

Not him! Not Felipe!

But he's a pro.

Yes, he's a pro...

Listen, l have to...

A contest is hard, it's mucho work...

l think it over...

l accept.

l no want you to dance with other man!

Really?

l made a package for your family.

Disposable diapers... for the ninos.

lt's too much.

l'm very touched. My seesters will be so happy.

Come eat at my home some day.

You're alone in Paris with no family. You must meet mine.

See you at the class, then?

Yes, at the class.

Goodbye

Goodbye!

Au revoir. Au revoir.

She's so pretty, that girl. She feels sorry for the foreigner?

You overheard, senor?

Don't ''senor'' me!

Think you can keep it up?

The mustache, the accent?

Women lie a lot, but they don't like to be lied to.

You never lied to a woman?

To all of them!

But l don't want you to lie to that one.

You've loved a woman too?

Have l loved a woman?

Yes, l have.

And?

She died.

l'm sorry.

ln Cuba?

No, in Paris.

When?

40 years ago.

40 years?

You still think of her?

Every day.

Can one love a woman 40 years?

l did.

You don't eat meat like this in your country!

The knuckle-joint's for you.

My favorite cut.

You have quite an appetite!

Our hunger's not like yours, senor.

Potatoes, Mongo?

Thanks, Nathalie.

What kind of a name is Mongo?

lt's short for Ramon.

Wine with your lamb, Mongo?

With pleasure, Madame.

You're a mestizo.

Yes, a mulatto. My mother is black.

Mulattos are so handsome!

l don't believe in racial purity.

He's a pure Frenchman.

lnterbred since the Stone Age. Look at him!

Stephane.

Blacks lack one thing: credibility,

a sense of duty and organization.

Look who's talking!

He's right. l'm not biased.

Why is a country rich? Because it's run by whites!

You're a big family?

Six kids.

Six? You see?

lf l lived on $12 a month like most Cubans,

l'd screw all day long!

Stop talking nonsense!

What's wrong with screwing?

Enough!

But every time they do it, a baby is born!

A street urchin!

You're very silent?

l agree with Dad.

At the Ministry we keep track of the 3rd world.

They can't feed all those kids.

So they send them to us!

Or sell them!

Where are you going?

As far as l can go!

Excuse me.

Damn half-caste!

Did we offend them?

l apologize for them.

Don't worry, l am used to it.

l want out of all this.

To go where?

To your sunny island. Where people aren't so petty.

Will you take me?

To Cuba?

No, to your place.

Now?

Yes, right away!

Look. That's Goya, when she was young.

Chucho wrote the music, when he got out of jail.

He went to jail?

ln Cuba, in 1952.

His brother was anti-Batista and got jailed.

Chucho came back from Paris to help him.

He got caught too.

He was tortured, spent 4 years in jail.

And then?

Castro, the revolution. You know the rest.

Goya left in 1960, with a rich husband.

Chucho stayed there.

He never married?

He's only happy in Paris.

So he came to run this center.

When you talk softly, you have less accent.

You theenk so?

What's that?

What?

That!

What it is? lt's...an allergy! The wine!

The wine?

l never drink it.

l forget to take my pill!

My God!

He had pimples?

All over!

He started to shake, to mumble...

He slept in another room.

All night?

l left after an hour.

lt's my fault. l shouldn't have asked him home.

You mean, he met your father?

Yes!

And your fiance?

And his parents!

That was smart of you!

l have to tell you something...

When l met Mongo, he was a pianist...

l've heard him play.

No, l mean a concert pianist!

Gave it all up to come to Paris.

He's married?

No way! lt's not what you think.

He changed... transformed himself...

You follow me?

Yes, he's all alone in Paris,

he's very sensitive, he needs love.

That's what you understood?

You got UV spots!

What's that?

UV...

Yes, l see...from tanning.

3 times a week! Bad for your skin.

This parsley and pico-pico... will cure you.

l'm such a jerk! What'll l say when l see her?

She wants to see you again?

Tomorrow's the try-outs. l gotta be a Cuban.

You won't make it.

See the competition?

Yes.

How do you feel?

Nervous.

Me, too.

Don't let your allergy act up!

lt went away. Goya's a magician!

So you're not allergic to me!

That's not possible.

Excusez-moi.

Next, please!

This way.

Welcome!

Cuban... French.

lD, please.

What lD?

Passport, driver's license...

Look for it!

l don't have it.

Sorry, l leave it at home.

l give you my name.

That won't do. Don't worry,

there'll be other try-outs.

When?

ln a week.

Next!

Don't be upset.

l'll see you win this contest. Trust me!

You dance with her in the contest!

You wanna be a Cuban?

You gotta go all the way!

l can't. l'm not Cuban!

Everyone knows but her. Give it up!

lf l do, l lose her.

You want this girl short or long term?

l want her forever!

Then tell her who you are.

You can't pretend forever.

l'll tell her. But it's too soon.

The longer you wait, the worse it gets.

Take her hand, tell her your past,

play some Chopin!

Chopin, no way!

lf you won't do it, lend me your lD.

l'm getting married in a week. My lD is sacred!

All l want is to be you for 2 days!

You want to be me?

Blacks want to be French, you want to be black!

Know what it's like to be black?

What's going on?

What's going on?

We're packing. Closing up!

Why are you closing?

The boss split, paid nobody.

And the band?

They're leaving.

Where to?

Dunno. Pianist went to Milan!

Barbaro wants to go home!

Your pianist left?

This is for the dead! For their souls!

Thanks to you, Mongo, we're here tonight!

All full-blooded Cubans, right, Remi?

Thanks.

l'm not through!

Thank you everyone.

l'm not through!

Great men make great nations.

Thanks to you, Maestro Barreto,

for your music, your songs, that made us weep and love,

and loving is what matters in life!

Maceito,

let's hear a bit of Havana! Do your thing.

All your life you try to play ''son'' our way...

Then you realize, brother, it's not so easy to play...

And if it's not in your blood, you'll never learn it, anyway.

That's how it is with ''son''

No music is easy, you have to know how to play,

''Son'' is passion, it's our art,

you have to feel it in your heart.''

''Son'' is passion, it's our art,

you have to feel it in your heart.''

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

''Son'' is the finest music, for dancing and having fun...

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

Chucho, you're so dear to me,

you'll always be in my heart...

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

Tell me you like it, girl...

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

Listen to Sierra Maestra Let their music move your feet

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

To play ''son'' you have to feel it...

Where?...Where?

ln your heart!

Thanks.

One moment.

Let's tune up.

lt's the land of rum and sun you're in,

Move your hips, forget the color of your skin,

lt's my music, it's your music

Together we'll sing this song

lt's my music, it's your music

Nothing can go wrong...

lt's like the old days.

Chucho

Goya, where's Felipe?

The door, dammit!

Mongo

l saw you run off. What is it?

l look for you.

l was afraid that...

What?

You and Felipe...

Me and Felipe?

No way...

Let's see your lD's!

lt's the cops! Hurry!

Seen Felipe?

He's downstairs.

l didn't see him downstairs.

Come with me!

Calm down! We just want to see your lD's!

OK, run 'em all in!

Mongo

Name? Mongo.

What's that?

Cuba nom.

Cuba nom.

Here we say Cuban. Your lD?

You deaf? l asked for your lD!

Hands off, scumbag.

What's this?

A French lD card! lt's not yours.

Remi Bonnet!

ls it yours or not?

Then you stole it!

Bonjour.

Are they back?

The musicians, yes. Sleeping upstairs.

And Mongo?

Let's dance.

When the body dances, the head forgets.

Come on.

Who taught you to dance like that?

My grandma.

She used to say:

''They can't take away your love of dancing!''

She'd put 4 ashtrays on the floor, and say:

''One step forward, one step back.''

Chucho? Chucho?

Goya!

Get his medicine!

From his desk!

My God!

Letters... to Laetitia Lagrange.

''Mr and Mrs Lagrange regret to inform you of the death...

''of their daughter, Laetitia...''

Where's Grandma? On Wednesdays she's at the cemetery.

Nathalie?

Where did you find this?

ln Barreto's room, beside his bed.

He was the man you loved and didn't follow?

l was your age. We were going to be married.

He had to go back to Cuba.

He swore he'd return. He never did.

l wrote him every day, and got no reply.

He wrote you...

from prison.

From prison?

Here, look!

''Unknown at this address''

All these letters. Lost!

All those years, lost!

Lost...

That's not all.

When he got out of prison, someone faked your death.

lt was Maurice. lt could only be him.

Why would he do that?

He loved me. He married me pregnant.

Pregnant with who?

Who else? Your father.

Dad! So dad is the son of...

Chucho. He's your grandfather.

Your grandfather!

Your grandfather!

ls he better?

Much better.

Can he take a surprise?

A good or bad one?

You know who l am?

l'm a santera, of course l know!

Laetitia...

Letty...

You recognize me?

You haven't changed.

Neither have you, liar.

How long have you known l was in Paris?

Since l saw that ad for the salsa class.

l was dying to see you. But l didn't dare.

So l sent my grand-daughter.

Grand-daughter?

Nathalie

Nathalie?

Nathalie's your grandchild?

Not only mine, Chucho!

Yours, too.

Don't conk out on me, now l've found you again!

Turn around, creep!

You need help?

Mongo

l have to tell you something...

Kiss me.

Listen...

Do l love you 'cause you're Cuban?

l'm trying to tell you something.

lt's crazy, you're losing your accent.

l realized l'd had enough of that game.

l'm not who you think.

You're the one l love.

Listen!

l've got something amazing to show you!

Now l understand you always were the one...

Ever since l learned

that love and lust were not the same...

Ever since l realized it was you...

that l'd always miss... and want to kiss...

Why's your grandma here?

She's dancing with my grandpa.

Teach me, enchantress, how to find...

the path that leads to your body...

Show me with the softness of your skin...

that our love transcended time...

Nathalie? You spent the night here?

With him?

And your fiance?

That's over!

Why wasn't l told?

You're always talking!

l should shut up now?

Let go of my mother! You hear me?

You gonna let her go?

Henri, you can't hit your father!

My what?

Who?

Me!

Father...

l'm relieved! Secrets like that are so heavy!

Don't you agree?

Father

lf you're Cuban, am l too?

Of course.

Do you mind?

Not unless...

Unless what?

You're not my dad.

lt's not that bad!

Here, take it back.

That's all l can say.

l've found a world l belong to. And another man.

He's not French, but with him

l feel warmth and joy.

The sun!

l can't fight the lure of the tropics, of a foreign land!

lt's not foreign to me.

Of course.

By the way...

l have something for you.

ls this the man you love?

Or this one?

Remi Bonnet...Toulouse?

Amusing, no?

One of you two was Cuban, but the wrong one!

You called the cops, didn't you?

Am l right?

Get up. l want to say good-bye.

Nathalie, You saw heem?

Yes, l saw heem!

l see it upset you.

No, he understood it all.

Then what's wrong?

l'm OK. lt's your familia l'm worried about...

And your seester, her baby with no roof...

What's her name?

Asiris? Soraya?

Maria!

Of course, l'm dumb. Maria!

l hope the baby's OK. Sure...

Had any news from her, Mongito?

She thank you for package.

''She thank me for package''!

What package?

What family? What mother?

You think l'm an idiot?

l can explain...

Cut out that silly accent!

l know everything. You're from Toulouse!

You should be ashamed!

Listen!

You're pathetic! You can't even dance!

Look, you'll understand.

Where you going?

To make care-packages for Cuba!

Nathalie, wait!

Please, wait!

Look how cute he was at 3!

He looks like Chucho.

Wait, there he's 7!

He looks less like him. He has a big nose.

Henri, come with us.

Nathalie, what is it?

He lied to me!

Who?

Ramon...Mongo...

He's called Remi Bonnet, he's French.

He's French?

Yes, he is!

Everything was phony:

his skin, his accent! The works!

''l love my country, my poor madre she ees black!''

''The aroma of jasmine at night!''

He's never seen Cuba!

You knew?

Of course he did. Everyone did except me!

You all laughed behind my back.

Nathalie

Don't be mad. All Frenchmen are con artists!

Does it matter who's who?

My Cuban is French, and you always knew it!

l tried to tell you, but you were so in love.

That's over!

Where's Felipe?

Why?

l have a deal for him.

What?

Ten grand!

Oui ?

How much?

Couple 18!

Couple 21 ...

And couple 24...

And couple 18... are in the finals!

We'll take a 10-minute break.

Bravo.

You've changed!

Yes, a little.

l just wanted to...

To what?

To tell you that...

What?

That l...

Yes?

That l'm leaving. l wanted to say good-bye.

Where are you going?

To Cuba, with the band. They're waiting outside.

Good luck! l'll send you a care package!

Nat.

l'm sorry for all that!

Nat...

Hope you don't mind, brother. But for ten grand!

No sweat! Good luck to you!

You stick around?

Sure l will.

Finalists ready in 5 minutes.

You leaving?

She didn't love me.

Then who?

The Cuban... Mongo!

Sorry, Chucho, l didn't help you enough.

You gave me the greatest of gifts.

l got Letty back!

OK...

But that first day, why did you help me?

What matters is what's in your heart.

lt showed in your music.

Keep playing, son!

Keep playing, son!

Thank you

Nathalie...

Where you going?

Nathalie

(Havana)

From Paris, France, the King of the Keyboard...

Maestro Remi Bonnet.

Go to it, Remi!