Original subtitles

..you who have lived...

..the awakening of a time that changed us.

You will return...

..to be a child,...

..when remembering the long sunny afternoons.

Tell me what you have found in your long walk...

..tell me how it went if you have known happiness.

Tell me, how it went if you have known happiness.

You will feel...

..the sweet embrace...

..of those parents who gave everything for you.

The taste...

..of the first kiss,...

..all the dreams that you wanted to fulfill.

Tell me what you have found in your long walk...

..tell me how it went if you have known happiness.

Tell me how it went if you have known happiness.

Today I can,...

Today I can,... ..beside you,...

..evoke,...

..evoke,... ..our yesterday...

..tell me,...

..tell me,... ..how it was,

..tell me, about those days,...

Tell me, about those days,...

Tell me, about those days,...

Tell me...

Tell me how it went if you have known happiness.

Tell me how it went if you have known happiness.

(Since the arrival of the television, the after-dinner conversations were silent)

(There were no arguments, no chatting about football, no jokes were told).

(We spoke little, and always about that screen that hypnotized us).

Is it starting or not? It's time, maybe they won't show it.

How could they not show it?

I'm telling you, the mayor of Bélmez isn't taking the money.

-Yes, man, he's very smart.. Very smart and very nice, that mayor.

As if you believe they're going to give him that kind of money just like that.

Of course not, a million isn't given to just anyone.

(My family was hooked on "A million for the best").

(It was a contest that obsessed all of Spain, and rightly so,...)

(..because in 1968, whoever had a million was truly a millionaire).

A million in thousand-peseta bills weighs a kilo.And how do you know?

Because I heard it from "El Cordobés".

Toni, what would you do with a million? Me? I don't know...

I would buy an electric guitar.

With a million you can buy a thousand electric guitars.

I would buy a convertible. A biscúter?A biscúter, he says!

(It's about time for the "little ones" to go to bed.)

Son, you've heard.Me, what? That it's time...

..for the little ones to go to bed.

I have to see the "million". We'll tell you tomorrow.But, mom!

Antonio, say something to your son.

Antonio, say something to your son. Antonio!

What?Tell your son to go to sleep, man.

Carlos, to bed.I'm not sleepy. I said to bed!

Why do I have to sleep, and you don't?Because yes, and that's it!

It's not fair. Five minutes. Your father told you to go to bed.

I'm going now.

(A million for the best!).

(As a child, I hated that little tune that sent me to bed,...)

(..but those days I didn't mind missing TV).

(I was about to make my first communion,...)

(..and what worried me was good and evil, heaven...)

(..and, above all, hell).

In confession, after having fulfilled your penance,...

..all your sins will be forgiven, but,...

..your whole life will be a struggle against evil, temptations,...

..that Lucifer will put in your path to make you fall into his clutches.

So that instead of enjoying heavenly glory with God...

But, again, Alcántara? How many days does eternity last?

Well, all of them, eternity means forever.All life?

For all life and for all the ages of ages, Alcántara.

Let's see if you understand once and for all.

As I was saying...

See? I've lost my train of thought. Let's see, where were we?

Well, instead of enjoying the glory...Ah, yes, yes...

That instead of enjoying heaven, you find yourselves condemned to eternal fire.

That is, burning forever in the flames of hell.

Son, pass me the salt.

Son, pass me the salt. Aaaah!

What are you doing? What's wrong, son?

Me? Nothing.If you screamed and gave me goosebumps

Ah, yes, the fire scared me. You're very nervous, huh?

What's wrong with you?Nothing's wrong with me. Weren't you going to the movies with your father?

Then run, go on, go. Goodbye.

I don't know what's wrong with him, he's very nervous.Nothing, dear,...

..he must have caught it from the people...

..who are now with "The million", all talking about the darn "million".

It has them completely agitated. As if money brought happiness

Well, it might not bring it, but it helps, it does help.You believed it!

Remember those from 4 left, the ones who lived here.

The ones who won 650 thousand pesetas in the lottery.

The Benítez, how could I not remember?

Do you remember what happened to them? The father stopped working,...

..now he goes from bar to bar, and just drinks.

Well, a million would do me very well.

I'd be satisfied with a thousand duros. Oh, the cursed installments.

I don't know how you can sleep. And look, I told you,...

..don't buy the TV on installments. And nothing, you, there,...

Now we have Carlos's communion coming up.

Nowadays a million, it's not that much either.

-Come on. Like you have plenty! I don't know why you come to work.

-A million is, well, that's it, a million, what a thing!

Do you know how many things you can buy with a million?

-It seems like a lot, but then it runs out in no time.

-As much as in no time! -Yes,...

..you buy the apartment, the furniture, the car,...

..you take a couple of trips, and you're left with pocket change.

-I agree with you on that. My brother bought an apartment,...

..with 3 bedrooms, a living room, and 2 bathrooms and spent 850 thousand pesetas

-850 thousand pesetas!, for an apartment? Well, dear, it must be a palace.

-Well, it's nothing out of this world. Central heating and hot water,

..parquet in all the rooms. Oh, and a pool!

-If I had a million, just like that, do you know what I'd do?

Travel around the world! -And for what?

-Maybe not travel around the world, but yes, go abroad,...

..even if it was just for three days. -In 3 days you don't have time for anything.

Can you imagine what it must be like to see London, Paris, Florence...

..especially Paris, I'd love Paris!

-You'd really learn a lot in three days.

One moment, that's doable. -What? -The Paris thing.

You ask Nieves for Saturday off, spend the weekend in Paris,..

..and you're back on Monday. -Like you can go for 4 pennies!

No, but almost. Come, look.

Special offer. Weekend in Paris 3,000 pts., all included.

How nice, by plane? -No, woman, by bus.

We'll go, the two of us. We leave on Friday afternoon.

We arrive in Paris on Saturday at noon.

On Sunday night we take the bus back,...

..and Monday morning we're here.

-Yeah, and when do we sleep? -We don't sleep. Well, on the bus.

-One moment. We have to work on Saturday.

-Nieves, please, the following week we'll make up the hours.

-And how do I manage? -Nieves. -Nieves.

Alright!

Honestly, what a boss I am. That's how I get by!

Fine, you don't come on Saturday, but send me a postcard.

Thank you.

So, what, are we going? -Paris?

I think I'm already falling in love!

Blanco, the greengrocer isn't from Asturias, he's from Burgos.

And his family, a bunch of starving people.Well, more or less.

The woman was very rich and with her money, she opened the greengrocery.

Because he hit the jackpot, don't tell me he didn't.

No, what I'm saying is he's not from Asturias, he's from Burgos.

And on top of the money the woman had, he won half a million.

Half a million?Five hundred thousand pesetas in the lottery.

Nowadays, if you don't have 100 thousand duros in the bank, you're poor.

You said it, it's all anyone talks about.

Even at the market they talked about the "Million for the best one."

Oh, some have so much and others so little! I wish my daughter-in-law would win something.

Again she's gotten pregnant.Again!Again.

And of course, she keeps talking about how the house is small,...

..how are we going to manage, this and that...

Don't tell me she's talked about the nursing home again?Yes, of course.

That I'd be better there, better cared for. With people my age.

And your son doesn't say anything? My son? Quiet as a mouse.

He's always been a pushover!

Imagine, a lifetime working for the family, and now...

Any day they'll say it to me! It's like we're good for nothing,...

..we're not respected. As soon as we're a burden, off to the nursing home!

Exactly. Oh dear, what a misfortune to grow old!

How many times have you watched Lawrence of Arabia with this one, son?

Five. And I warn you I want to watch it again.Why?

Because I like it. Do you know what I'd like the most?No?

To live like Lawrence in tents, go through the desert...

Tell me about when you did your military service in the desert.I've already told you.

Doesn't matter. Tell me. Well,...

..I was stationed in Sidi Ifni, which although it's in Morocco...

..was a Spanish province. I spent 18 months there, son.

And what were they like?Who, the Moors?

Very different from those in Lawrence of Arabia who all look like sheikhs.

There they dress in brown, with a scarf like this.

And even though they have houses, they spend all day in caravans,...

..trading through the desert with camels.

If you approach a caravan they give you tea with sweet herbs.

And they don't have to go to school, or work, or anything?

Here, you have this loose.

Yes, they work, but they work in the caravans,...

..and they don't go to school because there isn't one. That's how I'd like to live.

Look at that!

And do they believe in God?Yes, but they believe in their god, a Muslim god, Allah.

Do they also go to hell if they behave badly?Yes, they have hell.

Although, I had a friend, named Mustafa,...

..who told me they have hell, and heaven, but it's not like ours.

It's a heaven that's like a paradise, with animals,... even women.

Hey, and candies?Yes, but Moorish candies, which are fruit-flavored.

And foosball tables?Of course, the Moors love football.

(The more my father told me, the more attractive Islam seemed to me).

(Hell would be the same, but heaven was more fun,...)

(..besides, Muslim boys lived in tents,...)

(..didn't have to go to school and rode camels all day).

You want to go to Paris? -Just for a weekend.

Wow, a weekend, like you're...!

-Who? -Onassis's girlfriend, that one. -Jacqueline. I'd love that.

Besides, I'll take it out of the booklet. -No, not at all,...

..it's for the apartment, and it's not to be touched. -Jesus, don't be like that.

But, have you seen me spend money on going abroad?

Besides, how are you going to go alone to Paris? -I'm going with Pili.

-No way! Because she's dangerous.

-You're stupid!

-Hey, honey, wait. Sorry, don't be like that.

Look, on Sunday we'll go to the movies, and if you want...

..then some pancakes with cream that you love. Beautiful.

-Yeah, Jesus. -Give me a kiss.

Of course, it's a very special day.

Yeah, but we're not in a position to throw money around.

I know we're a bit tight. A bit? We're up to our necks!

Well, a lot. But it's your son's First Communion.

Didn't Inés have hers? And we went all out.

And when Toni had his? We were tighter than now.

Why doesn't he have it next year?No way!

But it's the same, woman. That way we gain some time.

How is it going to be the same? He'll have to do it with his classmates.

When I had my First Communion my mother put on a clean shirt..

..sent me to church, I took communion, and that was it!

And then they sent you to the mountain to gather firewood, come on, Antonio!

Yes, ma'am, to the mountain, which is very healthy.

There was no banquet, no party, and they didn't dress me as a general captain.

Hey, it's an admiral!

Ah, of course, an admiral, how is the boy going to go as a regular sailor?

The boy has to go with ruffles, with a cap, and a marching band!

Don't exaggerate, Antonio. Don't exaggerate, you say?

Let's see, how much is that suit going to cost us?

If I knew how to make it...! But one thing is sewing pants...

..and another is making a communion suit. How much, Merche?

1,400. 1,500, at most!

Add the missal, the snack, and the gifts. We're at a thousand pesetas!

And we won't go lower, unless we give them crumbs and water.

And if we're going to give them a snack and El Gaitero cider,...

..we'll be in debt for life.I know.

That's why I thought you could ask for an advance.

From the ministry, or the print shop. No, Merche,...

Always getting paid in advance! It's Carlitos' communion.

No!

Come here. No.

Come on.

Do you know how excited he is? He's so nervous.

Merche, if I say no, it's no! We can't.

But, do you want to stay still so I can study?

I have an exam. Hey, Toni,...Leave me alone!

Do you want me to fail and not be able to go to university?

Would you like to have many women, go through the desert,...

..and live in a tent? You're crazy, getting worse every day.

Antonio, have you uploaded the reports?

No, Mrs. Adelina, I'm going to upload them right now.Come on, man,...

..they are waiting for them. Don't worry.

Good morning, Mr. Jacinto. Hello, Alcántara.

Mr. Jacinto, can I talk to you? Alcántara, I'm in a hurry.

It will only be a moment, it's just I want to ask you a favor.Well, yes.

You see, Mr. Jacinto, my son is going to have his communion...

..and I'm a bit short on money, I was thinking of an advance...

An advance? But, can't you read?Yes, why?

Didn't you read the last circular? The last one, no.

If you read it, you would see that advances are no longer given.

Minister's order. But, I needed...

Neither you nor anyone else, there are no advances until the end of the year.

And see if you manage better, that's enough.

Hello, daughter. Hello. Why did it take you so long?

Because I went to collect the points. Did Mrs. Valentina call?No.

What's wrong with Mrs. Valentina now? What's going to happen to her.

That the children are getting more selfish every day.

That we're more selfish? But, what do I have to do with it?

No, woman, I'm not saying you... But nowadays grandmothers are unnecessary

But, how can you be unnecessary! Are you crazy, or what?

What would I do in this house without you? Come on, tell me, what would I do?

You say that now, but when the time comes.What time?

Come on, stop talking nonsense and help me.

Look what happened to me. Look.

Oh, what a snag.

Oh, Lord!

Print 5,000 of these. Be careful with the edge that has a drop.

With your permission.Come in, don't stay there. Here we are all equal.

How are you, Antonio, is the family well? Very well, Mr. Pablo.

Well, with some little problems. We all have little problems.

My father, may he rest in peace, always said...

..that the only ones who don't have problems are the dead.

Of course, once dead, no one chirps anymore.

Well, I wanted to tell you, Mr. Pablo, that my son is going to have his communion.

That's very good. My little one had it last year.

You can't imagine what a party we threw for him. Well, that's what I wanted to talk about.

We wanted to celebrate it and we're a bit... tight.

And you've come to ask me for an advance? Yes, if you don't mind.

Let's see, Antonio, what are you going to spend that money on?

Well,...

..on the mass, the suit, the gift... A brand watch!

No, we were thinking of buying him a new pen.

And then, a snack for everyone, of course.The commitments, you know.

The family, the friends...

Well, I'm going to do you a favor. I'm not going to give you a single penny in advance.

In the long run, you'll thank me. I'm telling you!

Will I thank you?Yes. Because you are irresponsible.

You can't go around spending money on parties when you don't have it.

It's not a party, it's my son's communion.

As if it were his wedding. You have to live with what you have.

Now, with this equality thing, you all want to be gentlemen,...

..and that can't be, Antonio, you need to understand.

I've got it, Mr. Pablo. Come on, I'm doing you a favor

Thank you very much.You're welcome. If you don't need anything else...

Give them a bit of a push, will you?

With your permission.

Antonio...Leave me alone with ministries, and nonsense!

You imagine I'm Lawrence of Arabia, and I'm on the train.

And you have to shout, Lawrence! Lawrence!...Come on.

Lawrence! Lawrence!

No, "damn", I want to play "A Million for the Best". -Me too!

"A Million for the Best" doesn't have Moors, or camels, it's boring.

Well, look at that Lawrence guy. -We could ask the mayor of Bélmez..

..to give us a new truck. -Yeah, like he's going to buy us anything.

-But he's the richest in Spain. -What are you talking about?...

..the richest in Spain is Gabino, the lottery guy.

-It's true, he won 30 million Surely El Cordobés has more.

No, I know who the richest in Spain is.El Cordobés!No, sir.

Raphael, right? No, sir.

The richest is Franco. -Franco?-Franco?

Of course, he has palaces everywhere and a ship this big.

And an army that's his with tanks, cannons, and everything.

Fools, you're all fools. Fool yourself.

Me? You, who don't know that Franco has all that.

And what do you care what that Jesus guy tells you? -That's my boyfriend.

Yeah, but he's not your husband. -Sure, since you don't have a boyfriend,...

..if you did, we'd see! -Me, a boyfriend? What for!

Besides, when I have one, he'll do what I tell him. -Yeah, right, I believe that.

Jesus has no right to tell you what you can do with your money.

If I get a stingy boyfriend, I'll hit him with the bankbook on the head.

-You solve everything by hitting boyfriends on the head.

Of course. You have to be careful, or they'll walk all over you.

-What beards? -It's a saying.

Oh, I forgot, I have something to show you.

Look, we could be walking around here next week.

-Wow, it's beautiful. And so much iron!

-So, have you decided? I'd love to, but...

-Come on, don't overthink it. -It's a fortune. 3,000 pts.

Don't you have it in the account with Jesus? -If I take it from there, he'll kill me.

But, you've saved on your own. -Yes, but it's not enough.

Well, your salary, darling. That's why we're working all day.

Yes, but I'll also need money for my expenses there.

-No expenses, darling. -And how are we going to eat?

Because in Paris you have to have breakfast, lunch, snack...

Look, Inés, you're not getting it at all,...

..what are those handsome Frenchmen for? -For what?

To invite us to everything! -You're crazy, Pili!

And why not?Well, because no. No advances, minister's order

And at the printing house? Not at the printing house either.

On top of that, Mr. Pablo tells me he's doing me a favor...

..that in time I will understand.

Grandma's ring!They are still pawned at the Pawnshop.

And now what do we do, Antonio? Well, I don't know, Merche.

You insisted that I ask for an advance. You tell me.

Come on, you, go to sleep, I'll think of something.Eh?

Nothing, go to sleep. Unless I win the lottery!

"The mayor of Bélmez speaks to the NODO viewers...

..with the intervention of the program's presenter, Joaquín Prat."

After 7 weeks of staying on TVE in "A Million for the Best."

A first week of selection, 5 effective ones,...

..and the last one of tributes, and offerings,...

..what advantages and disadvantages have you found?

Let's start with the disadvantages.

Well, I don't know, maybe the loss of privacy, but I didn't mind.

Advantages?

One above all, that I paid for my son's communion.

And for you?

For me, as long as my son enjoys that day, I'm satisfied,...

..especially thinking about my wife, you know how women are with that

To a future contestant who is watching us and would like to participate...

..what advice would you give, Mr. Mayor?

It's hard to give advice to a future contestant,...

..I would tell him not to buy things on credit, you don't sleep well.

Would you repeat in "A Million for the Best" after the experience?

Of course, right now.

Thank you very much. The best!

Laughs.

Oh!

Antonio!

What? What?

I had a nightmare. A nightmare?

But didn't you say we were rich? The dream was very nice, Merche.

The nightmare is waking up. Well, come on!

Who's going to wake me up tomorrow? Keep sleeping.

If everything gets fixed, darling. I wish.

You know what I say? Let's take our money out of the savings books...

..and let's go to my village house so nicely. What do you think?

But, there, alone?Better alone, than in bad company.That's true.

Do you have any savings?Nothing. Well, 7,500 pts. from the points.

Well, I don't have much more.

I've spent a lot on gifts for my grandchildren.

I don't give them anything anymore, since they don't pay attention to me.Come on!

Grandchildren are a blessing! Yours might be.

Mine are lovely. The little one, Carlitos,...

..is going to make his First Communion, and he's so excited...

Well, me, nothing, not even that.

Again interrupting, Alcántara?

He told us we could ask him any questions we wanted.

You're right, son, you're right. Ask me whatever you want.

Why is our sky so boring? It seems dull to me.

But, how is our sky?

It must be the sky, because there's only one sky.

And how is it going to be boring? What nonsense are you saying?

There's also the Moorish sky, which has pastries and candies,...

..and beautiful women who dance and smell very nice.

You've messed up, man!

-Silence! Silence, I said.

Let's see, Alcántara, do you know what you're saying?

Oh, and another thing.

Why can Moors have many wives and we only one?

I would like to have 4 or 5. Shut up, that's blasphemy!

Silence.

But, do you want to be quiet?!

Let's see, let's go step by step.

You, where did you learn all that about Muslims.From Lawrence.

Lawrence? And who is this Lawrence?

Who else?, Lawrence of Arabia.

With permission, Mr. Venancio. -Yes, tell me, Luisito, tell me.

Lawrence of Arabia is a movie. -Oh, a movie!

You've seen a movie...

..and you think their religion is superior to our Christian faith.

Yes, it's much better. Shut up already, man!

"Joe", because of you we're all going to be punished.

So, in your not so modest opinion, we are inferior.

Would you be so kind as to explain your reasons?Well, that,...

..they live in tents, travel through the desert on camels...

Oh, and they don't have to go to school! Do those seem like enough reasons?

Yes, well, no. Also, when they die, they go to a much better sky.

Alcántara, you and I are going to have a long private conversation.

And then, you're going to have to meditate a lot, and pray even more,...

..before receiving your First Communion, do you hear me?

If I'm not going to take communion. What do you mean no?

I want to be a Moor.

He says he wants to be a Moor.

Silence, silence!

(Mr. Venancio scolded me, but I was infected...)

(..by Lawrence's heroism and I stood firm).

(I left that sacristy very proud).

(For the first time I felt respected and even feared by my classmates)

(I had faced the Church and won, well, that's what I thought).

(In reality, the war had only just begun).

Merche, dear, I just ran into Mr. Venancio.Oh, really?

He says he's coming here... Here? To the house?

Yes, he says he has something very urgent to tell us.To us?

Yes, something to do with Carlitos...With Carlitos?

Oh my goodness! What has that kid done?

Here they are. Round trip to Paris and the pension.

Pili, you did it. You and I in Paris.

You're going to see what we've seen in the movies. The Eiffel Tower, the Seine.

I'm getting a fit of envy.

-Come with us, Nieves. -And what about the hair salon?

We have to ride on one of those boats full of couples kissing...

..while someone plays the accordion.

I prefer to be the one being kissed than watching others kiss.

It's nighttime, a violin is playing, I'm wearing a long dress,...

..and he, whose name is Maurice, and who is very handsome, takes my face,...

..and slowly, looking into my eyes, gives me a kiss.

And meanwhile, the boat sails the Seine, and in the distance, the Eiffel Tower.

Pili, you're making me so envious.

-They even smell like Paris. -You're so silly, what are they going to smell like.

It's true, they smell like Paris from France.

The "amour".

Let's see that "amour".

They smell like "amour". It's true.

I love them.

With what's left to pay, what are we going to do?

Don't worry, the day before.

I don't know what I'm going to do with so much expense.

For once, let's indulge ourselves.

And when I tell my mother that I'm not giving her anything this month.

-For one month, it's fine. -Do you think so?

I'll take the risk. And how will we talk to the guys if we don't know French?

With gestures, girl. But if you want to learn French, you can start now

-You'll tell me with whom. -With Alain Delon. Don't you see him?

The one missing for the penny.

"Amour".

"Au revoir".

Paris!

Did you tell him? What?

About the wine and pastries. Yes.

How do they let him out? Because I said it was urgent.

He must be worried. And I am. There he is.

The pastries, the wine. Mother, the good tray and the little glasses.

Alright.

Are you going to explain what's going on? I've already explained everything to you.

You haven't told me anything.I only know what my mother says, something about Carlos.

Nothing else?Nothing. Well, Don Venancio said it's something delicate.

Ha, sure. What?

That he wants to take our money. More money?

He'll say it's for the communion, the church, the music, the flowers.

Well, he wouldn't come to the house for that.

Yes, everything is expenses. Well, I'm not giving another penny.

Go change, you're all sweaty. As if the Pope were coming.

Don Venancio is going to arrive. Alright. Where's Carlos?

Out there with his friends. Move.

(Don Venancio could say whatever he wanted, I had already decided).

(I wouldn't have to go to school anymore and would spend the rest of my days...)

(..riding through the desert in command of a legion of Arabs).

(Of course, I would always be at war, but I wasn't afraid,...)

(..after all, if I got killed, I would go to a garden full of sweets and foosball tables)

(And beautiful women, although that was the least of my concerns).

Someone's at the door. I'll get it.

Antonio, he's already here.

Good afternoon, Don Venancio. Good afternoon, Doña Herminia.

Come in, please.

You could have worn the new tie.

It's too late. Merche, leave this to me.

Good afternoon, Don Venancio. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Don Venancio.

But sit down, sit down. Yes, if you say so.

You know I always obey your orders.How you are.

Have a glass of this wine, you'll see.

If you recommend it, I won't refuse.

What things you have. A little pastry? They're freshly made.No, thank you.

It seems the heat has arrived, Don Venancio.Indeed, dear.

And also that.

You may speak, Don Venancio.

As I was telling Doña Herminia, the matter is very delicate and serious.

And it's not child's play.

Go ahead.

Since we are in confidence, I'll get straight to the point.

It is my duty to inform you that Carlitos is an apostate.

Does my boy have something with his prostate? Herminia.Mom.

Apostate, Doña Herminia, apostate. Let's leave the prostate alone.

What is that?An apostate is called someone who renounces their faith...

..and converts to another religion. But we only have one here.

One, great and free.Doña Herminia, you refer to our homeland,...

..and I speak of our Church, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman,...

..to which your grandson intends to renounce.

What? How is he going to renounce?, if he can't.

If my boy is baptized and is going to make communion.

Well, that's what's not clear. Your son refuses to receive the Eucharist

And intends for all his classmates to do the same.What?

I wouldn't have come if it weren't because he thinks that the religious education...

..he is receiving is not adequate. And that can't be!

You know, Don Venancio that we...

Mercedes, don't come to me with sermons, your son wants to be a Mohammedan.

Mohammedan?Who's filling his head?

How could he want to be a Mohammedan?

Something else. The vicar of the diocese is going to attend the communion.

Well, Carlitos told me that if we force him to take communion...

..he's going to say, in the church, that he's a Moor!

I don't even want to think what the vicar will say if he does that.

What do you have to tell me? Us?

I've taken the kid twice to see "Lawrence of Arabia",...

..but it's for all audiences, I don't think it has anything to do with it.

Allah be with you, desert Bedouin.

I'll give it back to you, what a piece of junk. Why is it junk?

Haven't you seen what it's about?

The warrior gives "a beating" to Ali Kan.What a disgust.

5 Bison whistles.

Are you never going to buy a whole pack?

With customers like you, I don't know where I'm going to put the millions.

This is another piece of junk.

Wasn't Captain Thunder the one you liked the most?

Not anymore. Why does he always have to beat the Moors?

I'm tired of them beating us.

What do you want?, for the bad guys to win? But the Moors aren't bad.

Why? Just because.

You have no idea. I'm not talking to you anymore.

Have you switched to the enemy? I'm not your friend anymore.

Why have you become a Moor? To live in the desert...

..and have lots of camels and women.Do you have Chester?

-35 "bucks". -If I just want a cigarette.

A cigarette?

Damn it. Is it savings day?

Alright, here, your cigarette. 2 "Calas".

Can I get a light?

-Should I take a puff for you too? -What a rude guy.

What a day. Today I'm getting rich.

So, you've become a Moor to have lots of women.Lots.

Why do you want a lot of women?, if one is enough for you.

Because Muslims, according to Mr. Vicente, have 7 or 8, or more.

Don't even think about it. If I like having many.

No, they'll drain you.Well, I won't get married, I'll just have camels.

There, you always with camels.I'm leaving, I have to go see Josete.

You Moor, always a Moor, but single.

Can I have two Camel cigarettes?

What do we do?Don't let him take communion until next year.

You think so! If he didn't read so many comics.

And you've heard, the father is the one who influences the children the most.

And the mother doesn't?Yes, also, but since Carlitos has that adoration for you

Let's see if it's my fault.Who tells him military stories?, you.

Who talks to him about camels?, you. So, I've made him a Muslim.

Here it is.

May Allah be with you.

Hey, you, Allah, wait a moment!

(The English send us their rain accompanying Masiel).

(Masiel gets into a car and heads to Prado del Rey...)

I'm not taking communion and I'm not! I want to be a Moor!

Carlos, if I go, you'll find out what's good.

Hello.

Hello, Alicia. Are you never going to arrive on time?

We've been having dinner for half an hour. I didn't realize it was so late.

You never realize. Grandma, it's not a big deal.

What do you mean it's not? Dinner time is sacred in this house.

Why do I have to make the communion?

I'm going to give you a slap.

-What's wrong with him? -He's crazy.

He doesn't want to make the communion because he wants to have many women.

Don't laugh, it's not funny.

I have to tell you something. I'm going on a trip to Paris by bus.

To Paris? With what money?

It's only 3,000 pesetas. It's an opportunity. What do you think?

Everyone worried about your brother's communion and you, off to Paris.

Don't I have anything to say?

You say you're going to Paris like you're going to Albacete.

It's only 3 days. I'm really excited.

You can't have dinner peacefully any night.

3,000 pesetas, almost nothing. It's my savings.

Mom, let me not give you anything this month and I'll have enough for my expenses there.

You're so selfish.

I don't know how we're going to pay for the communion and you come up with this.

Go, do your thing. First you, then you, and then everyone else.

Thank you, daughter.Whose idea was it to go to Paris?

Pili's.

Why can't I be a Moor if I like it?

Carlos, go to bed, the oven is not for buns!

I'll fix that with slaps.A lot of slaps, but you've never given him one.

Better late than never.

It's your fault, you've filled his head with camels.

You've already told me that before. I won't tell anything again.

And on top of that, you tell him that Moors have a lot of women.

No, no. What I told him is that some Moors are polygamous.

Who knows what you did in Ifni.

What was I going to do in Ifni if they paid us 3 duros a month.

It barely covered our tobacco. And I suck my thumb.

Yes. The most important things in my life I've done after Ifni.

Oh, oh, oh, oh!

Well, what do we do?

What do we do? I don't know. The thing is, I'm not happy.

This doesn't suit me. Lately I think we're very obsessed-

..with what people will say, and for one thing or another we spend nothing but money.

But we live with just enough. We have nothing.

We have the television, but no car, no washing machine.

We need to give the house a coat of paint and we can't afford it.

Well, for one thing or another, I spend the night sleepless over money.

Like now with the communion, I can't sleep a wink.

Come on.

Let's go to sleep. Yes, like it's easy.

That's it! How didn't I think of it before?What?

I already know how we're going to pay for the communion.How?

Selling blood. Selling blood?

Adolfo told me they pay 250 pesetas... No, 100 pesetas,...

..20 duros for 250 cc of blood. But, Antonio.

You,... You're "silly". If they pay 100 pesetas for 250 cc of blood,...

..and we need 5,000 pesetas, let's say that... 250 for...

Let's say you need to sell... 12.5 liters.

12.5 liters? More or less.

I don't think we have more than 4 or 5. Well, if you sell all that blood,...

..you'll end up like a mummy. I won't have a place to hold on to.

Don't mess around. Not even as a joke.

4 from here, and 4 from there.

And if I sell just 4, we'll have a little money.

Don't be silly, Antonio. I like you as you are.

Good heavens, what a burden.

They told me I'm crazy, that they love me,...

..that how could they send me to a nursing home.Our children aren't bad.

They have many problems and, sometimes, they forget about the old folks.

I'm so happy. They're going to close the balcony to make me a room.

I'll take out some pesetas from the savings book, to contribute.

Grandmothers are very necessary.

How would your daughter-in-law manage without you when the new baby is born

And the experience we older folks have,...

..we're more necessary than anyone. What do you say?

That grandmothers are completely necessary.

No one step out of line! And walk in an orderly fashion!

Gines!, how many times do I have to tell you not to smoke?

And I don't want to hear a word louder than another!

Some aren't saved even by the habits.

Yes, better to become a Moor. Don't do the communion.

Why would it be better? And if I do the communion, I'll get lots of gifts.

But if you die and go to heaven you'll be bored a lot.

But if you're a Moor and go to heaven there are lots of girls.

What a drag, with how annoying they are.

But there are also foosball tables and all the comics you want.

Come on, darling, go home to eat. I forgot. Goodbye, Carlos.

That's enough, Carlos. How long is this nonsense going to last?

Don't call me Carlos, my name is Mustafa.

Toni, do you have to study so much to be a bachelor?

Toni, I'm talking to you. What?

If you have to study so much to be a bachelor?If I'm already a bachelor.

Already?Since I passed 6 and the revalidation last year.

I must be silly. I have a grandson who's a bachelor and I didn't even know.

And if I pass the "preu" I'll be a university student.

University student. Study, son, study.

I'm not studying, this is a novel.

It doesn't matter, anything that involves getting letters "into" the body is beneficial.

Holy Virgin.

What's wrong with you? Look.

What is that? The revolution is coming.

But it's in France. But it's next door.

But it's not Spain.

When you see your neighbor's beard being shaved, put yours to soak.

What?This is like the fire in the mountain, no one can put it out.

The fuss has already started. What?

They burn cars, stone the guards, and now they'll burn churches.

Are they burning churches?

Not yet, but you'll see. But in which neighborhood?

In Paris, in France.Ah, what a scare you gave me, I thought it was here.

Hello. Hello, daughter.

Didn't you want to go to Paris? Well, they're fighting.What's happening?

I don't know, they're burning things. Come on, give me a kiss, daughter.

Mom, everyone come!

What's happening, son?They're breaking everything, it's a revolution.

-Are you sure it's Paris? -Of course, don't you see?

Those being stoned are cops.Be quiet.

Let's see when they throw stones here at the grays.What a barbarity.

Hello. What are they showing? The revolution.

What a mess they're making there.

Move, Antonio, you're blocking me.

Where is it? In Paris.

Pirri.

Velázquez

Santillana.

Are you sure the Moorish heaven is full of pastries?

Of course. And movie stars, almost all naked.

Really?Of course. And camels, you can ride all day.

Swear there are foosball tables. I swear.

That's how I'll become a Moor too.

You're going to get in trouble. You'll see when Mr. Venancio finds out.

Don't snitch. He'll get mad when you tell him.

I won't say anything. I take communion to blend in.

Not that. You're either Christian or Moor. They don't let you be both.

When you're a Moor, do they give you something? No, they don't.

Then no. If they don't give me anything, I'd rather take communion.

You have no idea. When you die, you'll be bored and I'll have a blast.

Wow. Get out of here.

I'm hungry.Then wait. Have you seen grandma?

No.

I said no. Where could she be?

She must be with Mrs. Valentina. Please, give me a slice.

To your room. Geez, they starve you here.

Where could this woman be?

Mrs. Valentina, it's Mercedes, Herminia's daughter.

Is my mother with you?

Can I at least take a slice of mortadella?Go to your room.

I'm very worried.

Look, there she is. Good night.

I can't take it anymore. Help me, son. But where have you been?

You gave me a fright. I thought something had happened to you!

I was shopping. You don't remember what happened in '36.

What are you talking about? The war.Is there a war? Great.

How many bags are you carrying? That's all.

When did the war start? Shut up. What do you have here?

Food.If we have plenty of food. How much money did you spend?

You're out of your mind. We don't know how we're going to pay...

..the kid's communion and you spend a fortune on food.

Don't worry, I took it from the savings book.

Sardines with tomato, in oil, in escabeche, more sardines in oil.

Mackerel in oil, sugar, coffee, lentils, chickpeas...

What little memory you have. You don't remember anything.

Are you going to talk to me about the war again? Sardines, more sardines.

But how many sardines did you buy?

Hunger, which is very bad. You don't remember the hunger we went through

And there you go with the hunger, mother. If we have food for everyone.

You'll see how long it lasts when the revolution comes.There's nothing like that here.

Isn't there? You'll see when the leader is gone, the mess that's going to happen.

Come on, help me take it to the kitchen.

(The following weeks we ate nothing but chickpeas and sardines).

(Sardines in oil, in vinegar, in escabeche, with lemon,...)

(..sardines for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner).

(My grandmother wasn't wrong, in 1968 the world was in turmoil).

(The French revolted, the Czechs too, and they were invaded).

(But I only remember the feast of sardines and chickpeas).

Bet you don't know how many days a camel can go without drinking.

And what do I care.20. I don't give a damn.

Do you know who the Tuareg are? Leave me alone. You're a bore.

I don't know how you're going to go to university. You don't know anything.

Bet I hit you, smarty.

The Tuareg never bathe. See?, it's much better to be a Moor.

They don't bathe because they live in the desert, but the other Moors do.

But since I'm going to be a Tuareg Moor. Leave me alone, kid.

But so much sausage and canned food. I won't be caught without food.

What does what's happening in France have to do with Spain?If it's next door.

We're going to have sardines until the next century.

If you plan to send me to a nursing home tell me.

What nursing home or nonsense, mother.

The thing is, grandmothers are unnecessary, and I know it.Don't start.

Spending all this, whoever I tell won't believe it.

By the way, here. 2,000 pesetas for the child's communion.

Did you take it from your savings book?

Better to spend it on the communion than to have it in the savings book.

You must have nothing left. No, I have a thousand duros left.

Tomorrow we have to buy the suit. I want him to go as an admiral.

With a white band on the sleeve. How handsome he could be.

I also thought he should go as an admiral.

(These desert routes were dotted with water wells,...)

Josete might also become a Muslim.

You're so annoying with becoming a Muslim. How long is this nonsense going to last?

That's enough, Carlos.

Don't call me Carlos, my name is Mustafá.

If I hit you, they'll call you cracked.Hit me, hit me.

The Muslims, the more we suffer the more we enjoy in heaven.

Is this kid completely crazy? He's out of his mind.

Wow.

Wow, that's it. Come on.

It's early.

If I'm late, my dad gets angry.

At least give me another kiss.

You're such an octopus. You always think about the same thing.

What do you want me to think about?

-The French Revolution, for example.-What revolution?

Don't you know there's a revolution in France?

No idea. Why?

Why? Don't you have anything better to say?

-Yes, give me another kiss. -No, I'm leaving. I've given you plenty.

I'm not going to Paris with Pili, so on Sunday, if you want, we can go to the movies

Very well.

Goodbye, darling.

Hello.

Very good, dear, very good, that's how I like it.Good night.

Merche, shall we have dinner?, the girl is here.I'm coming!

Dear, help your mother, I'm exhausted.

Dad, dad!

What?Besides being a Muslim, I'm a Tuareg. Tuaregs never bathe in their life

Of course, and you're thrilled not to bathe.Well, yes.

And all these cans? Grandma's stuff.

What a mess. And this amount of cold cuts?This is an experiment.

Mom, that... I'm not going to Paris after all.

I've thought about it and it was silly, so you can count on my salary.

It was very exciting for you, right?

Yes, but Paris is there, and Carlos's communion...

It's Carlos's communion, right?

Of course, dear. There's time for everything in life.

He says that since he's a Tuareg he won't wash anymore.

Then let him not wash.Tuaregs only wash with desert sand.

No soap, sand is much better.Yes, son, whatever you say.

Aren't you serving me?Oh, sorry.

I don't want green beans.

Then don't eat them. Serve him cauliflower.

I don't want cauliflower, I want ham.

Are you crazy?

How can you think of eating ham? Because I like it.

You can't eat ham, Mustafá. Yes, I can.

Don't you know that Muslims can't eat ham?

They can't eat ham, or chorizo, or loin, or salami, none of that.

Why? They are forbidden.

I would have made you a Moorish meal, but I didn't have time.

And what do they eat? Rice, raisins.And especially dates.

And camel milk.Camel milk? Without sugar, cocoa, or anything.

But no ham. By the way, no more ham for you.

So, you eat ham and go to hell.

And chorizo is a mortal sin, right, Merche?

If you eat chorizo, you'll never get out of hell.

I don't want to be a Moor anymore, what a drag.

But don't do that, Mustafá.

Come on, pass me the vegetables. What a Moor we have at home.

(That night Islam started to seem less attractive to me).

(I still liked the idea of wandering through the desert on a camel,...)

(..having several wives and going to a paradise full of candies,...)

(..sunflower seeds and popcorn).

(But a whole life without ham and chorizo was too much sacrifice).

(That night I asked Lawrence for forgiveness and decided to stay in the bosom...)

(..of the holy mother Church, Catholic, apostolic, and Roman).

Can't someone lend you the child's suit?

It's not worth it, at Simeón Stores they have them very cheap.

You will have to buy something. I'll manage with what I have.

You see, you do more than you can. We have to be careful.

Why? Imagine if something happens to me.

God forbid.

If they fire me from the printing house. Knock on wood! Don't be a jinx.

Antonio, aren't we even going to celebrate our son's communion?

Well, full steam ahead with the admiral.

In the end, the more things we have, the more up to our necks we'll be.

Don't be silly. You're the one who needs shoes.

And if we don't have money, we'll buy it in installments.

Don't talk to me about installments, I won't sleep again.

Here things are paid in cash, Merche. Come on, she's already going crazy.

Oh, of admiral!

(My mother got her way).

(I don't know where they got the money, but they went all out)

(They bought me an admiral's suit, and even gave me a pen,...)

(..a leather wallet, which I still keep, and the biography of El Cid).

(The only strange thing was the snack, because although there were pastries,...)

(..when they ran out, my grandmother started bringing out cans of sardines,..)

(..and I even think we ate tripe and some chickpeas in salad).

(But what I remember most was the emotion I felt...)

(..when I saw my father with those new shoes, so shiny,...)

(..and my mother, with a suit she bought).

(Even if they had to go into debt to pay for everything, as always).

(But as my mother said, a day is a day).

(And they had to give themselves some joy in those days...)

(..when everything was working to barely make it to the end of the month).

Subtitled by Purificación Arranz and Fco. Javier González.