Original subtitles

Easy, Sultán...

What's up boy?

Carmela!

Excuse me.

I left coffee in the kitchen.

Let's go, teach.

- Good morning! - Good morning.

- Come on, hurry up or we'll be late. - Give me that, teach.

Since your grandson is going away

I'll be helping you with your things every day.

It's roughly written.

Maybe I should have thought some things better,

but this is how I feel.

There's no "i" in friend.

- Daniela, what word did you write? - Friends.

"Friends", very well.

What other nouns can you find in the story?

My grandmother was the grandchild of slaves,

and she couldn't believe it when I showed her my teacher degree.

She spent five pesos to hung it next to the image of the Virgin of Charity.

It's still there.

"Pigeon", very well.

Very well, Pedrito... Another word?

- Yesica. - You're a clown, "papi".

It's been fifty years now...

and I've spent most of that time in this classroom.

I think most of you weren't born

the first time I wrote in this blackboard.

"Infancy". Very well, Yesica.

Hey! Wait a minute!

- Where's the fire? - Prof! Not now...

You know I haven't set your homework yet.

You're going to write an essay

on any subject you want, in the first person.

Is that when you say "I myself", teach?

The first person would be like...

I am Chala...

and I am hell on wheels...

and because I'm a clown, I'm always running from Carmela!

- Watch out, Richard. Is it clear? - It's clear, c'mon, hurry up!

- Now we got it: "Sex A". - That's why you get in so much trouble.

That was cool, man!

- Did you see what those crazies did? - They are just fools.

Yeni!

They're so childish!

- Icy! - Shut up. At least I try!

Didn't I say I didn't want any more trouble at school?

- Eat something before you go. - Answer me, damn it!

It's not my fault.

It's that social worker...

They threatened me again with re-education school.

It's always the same with them.

This is for the electricity bill. Minors are not allowed to pay it.

- Where did you get that? - My dog Sultán, he can't lose!

Aren't you gonna eat?

You made me lose my appetite.

Remember, the money is for the electricity bill.

Ignacio, we're ready, man!

Come here!

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

- Is it over? - Don't piss around.

You know, you can't be up here when there's fight.

Bring the dog!

I told you. No dog can beat him!

Put this on "24".

You don't say! How funny!

- C'mon, I always play that number! - Kids don't gamble!

Here, take him down for a walk, he finished fresh.

Hey!

Don't play with fire, get down!

I don't want you around till this is finished.

Hey, Chala!

- What's up? - There's a man looking for white pigeons.

- Tell him I have. - How much?

A hundred a pigeon.

- My cut? - Twenty pesos each.

You got it. You're a real bro!

Hey! Chala, Chala! The social worker is here!

And the local police too! We're doomed, man.

Until when, Sonia? You have been warned a thousand times!

That kid lives like an animal!

You're the fucking animal! Don't fuck with me!

Norma, you take care of this...

- Don't fuck around here anymore! - Ma'am, please, listen to me.

What about this bite?

They start playing and end up fighting.

No... This was a real fight.

- Who's to say? - You have a big mouth, kid.

Tell the social worker to get off our backs.

Chala... You better speak to your mother,

because you'll be the one paying for the consequences.

Listen ma'am, this is not the first report from the social worker.

And you know all of this goes in Chala's Student Record.

With all due respect director,

while you're scribbling papers,

I have to toil it real hard to bring him up...

What do you mean by "toil it real hard"?

Do you really want me to explain it?

Sonia, Raquel is the specialist from the Municipality

who is in charge of these type of cases.

Chala, please, wait outside.

Did you read this before you sign it?

What for? It's always the same.

They're suggesting to take Chala away for a while.

And give you all of the support you need to solve your problem.

My problem?

Ma'am, you're perfectly aware of what we're talking about...

...and as long as you don't own that, Chala will be paying the consequences.

Do we know each other?

We don't. Don't we?

Then I'm not going to answer you like you deserve

out of respect for the director and Carmela.

What is this about taking Chala away from home?

He needs to go into re-education, Mercedes.

No student of mine has ever ended up in a re-education school,

and Chala is not going to be the first.

That's not for you to decide, Carmela.

The day I can't decide what goes on in my class

will be my last day as a teacher.

- It's so nice, grandma... - It is, isn't?

Pull over, please.

Mom, we need to be in the airport two hours before the flight.

Mom...

Don't worry, I'm not going to take much of your time.

What a perfume, uh? This is fine to say goodbye.

Aren't you going to the airport?

- It's nicer in a place like this. - Don't leave me hanging, grandma.

As soon as the year is through you must come to Miami with us.

And when Camilo gets out of the hospital...

I'll give him your toys.

How are you going back, mom?

Don't worry. I'll... take the bus or a taxi.

In this exercise we have to fill the empty spaces...

Silence!

- Chala, shut up! - Keep your voice down, people.

- What's going on, Yeni? - Nothing, director.

- Good morning! - Good morning!

Well, as you already know, Professor Carmela

will be recovering from a heart attack. So, this is Marta...

- She's hot! - ... your new teacher.

- Good morning. - Good morning!

Chala, we appreciate the enthusiastic welcome.

- C'mon! - Cut his thread!

He killed you, man

- Pay. - Put those teeth away.

I told you to put those teeth away.

Here!

- C'mon, Richard. - What are we betting now?

Whatever you want, at school.

Did you chicken out?

Easy, man. I'll catch up with you at school.

So you lose and I pay? What's wrong with you, man?

Why didn't you go for revenge?

Didn't you see how sharp his bottle top was?

Sharp? It's always something different with you, man!

What are you doing here?

- Aren't you going out on the recess? - Wait for me in the patio.

I never show up in your classroom like that.

- Hey, Niño! Check out this cool thing! - Give it back.

- The "Palestinian" is hip! - Hey, give it back!

Calm down, man.

Chala, I know how to defend myself.

- I told you to give it back. - I said calm down, man.

I'm not afraid of you...

Hey! What's going on here?

Come on, back to your classrooms.

Give me that.

You can tell your mom to come and get it.

That's mine, teacher.

Yoan, what's in your hand?

- Nothing. - Nothing? Let me see.

What about that deck?

Is it yours too, María Paula?

Don't bring it again.

I'm not bringing the deck anymore.

Give it to me, Chala.

What for? So that my mom can come and get it?

I'm not going to ask again.

Come with me.

Chala, come on!

Every year, I have a Chala in my class...

What happened now, Chala?

None of them has ever been stronger than me,

because, at heart, they are all children.

There are four things you need to bring up a child:

a home, a school, rigor and affection.

But outside that door, there's the street,

and a teacher needs to know what's waiting for them out there.

In the past, life was clearer,

and I knew what I was preparing my students for.

Now, the only thing clear to me

is what not to prepare them for.

C'mon, move!

- No fear! - What fear?

The train is coming! Hurry up, man!

Look! For real!

We gotta jump, man!

Jump, it's going to kill me!

Chala, jump!

Be cool, man!

They're so sharp, man!

Sharp as knives, man.

Look how sharp is the edge...

The lineman!

Look, it's Yeni!

I bet you don't dare to make a move.

A pigeon if I do.

Don't bluff! A pigeon if she says yes, smartass.

You can start saying goodbye to your carrier pigeon then.

But if she rejects you, you'll owe me one.

- You got it! - Go tiger!

- What are you doing around here? - Waiting for you.

Listen, do you want to be my girlfriend?

Have you gone crazy?

You wouldn't have to walk by yourself...

- I like walking by myself. - Yeni!

If we were together nobody would mess with you again.

- Sure, ‘cause you're such a champion. - You know I am.

That's why they're sending you into re-education school.

I'm gonna give you till Monday to think about it.

I have nothing to think about.

This is for luck. You can give it back when you decide to be my girlfriend.

Chala, can't you understand the word "no"?

Slapped in the face, man!

My pi-ge-on!

You know she's just playing hard to get.

"Hard" was the slap in the face you got!

Man, don't you know hate is the same as love?

- And love is the same as hate... - Look at those punks!

Learn to play basketball, old men!

Punks!

Oh, no. Here.

- Thank you, Pablo. - Glad to be of service, teacher.

- Hope you get well soon. - Thank you, Yeni.

- See you later! - See you later.

- Carmela! - Chala!

- When are you coming back? - I still can't.

- We really need you... - What did I say about the dogs?

- This one is friendly, teach. - I don't buy that.

I've told you to not even say "hello" when you are with them.

- Let me help you. - It's not necessary.

And I hope not to hear a complaint about you!

Chala!

I still don't dare to go out by myself

and I want to visit Camilo tomorrow...

Say no more! I'm your guy!

See you tomorrow, teach!

How is he doing, teach?

So-so...

What do you mean?

Camilo is very sick, Chala.

What's up, "girl"? You know who not to mess with.

You're not crazy enough to cut me.

- Professor Marta can be such a pain.

Hey! Look at this!

- What's with the abuse, Niño? - Get out of the way.

Did you bring the spinning top?

What are you betting this time?

- A pigeon. - You lost it already...

Play!

This bottle top is blessed by me!

Beat it, man!

You lost!

- Give the spinning top back. - I'm not gonna pay.

I paid you, so come on!

- What's your problem? - You're finished!

Did you see, man? C'mon.

Hey! No do over?

No, my "girl". No revenge.

Listen, man! Be careful who you hang out with.

Do you know why Yoan's old man is in jail?

His father is more of a man than yours!

Hey! What's the matter?

Chala! Boy!

Hold him!

- Chala's always getting into trouble. - Don't say that!

Stop! He did it to defend Yoan.

The new teacher was really worked up.

- I told you, again and again, damn it. - What did you want me to do...?

- It wasn't my fault. - Sure, it's never your fault.

The director stopped by to see you.

She says the social worker is gonna be back too.

Chala, didn't I say I didn't want any more trouble with those people?

Did you pay the electricity bill?

May I?

You're already inside, aren't you?

I'm coming to see you before you have a fit...

The "24" came up.

It's okay. I took my stakes someplace else.

I would like to know who's helping you out with that...

Never mind, man.

I'm going into re-education school.

I'll go as an intern...

but I don't want you to take the dogs away.

What did you do now?

Is this new teacher, she's got it in for me.

And who's going to take care of the dogs?

- Richard and Yoan. - Forget about it...

I've got enough with one kid.

I need the money, man.

I gotta help mom.

Maybe I'll find someone to take care of them,

but you'll have to work twice as hard on the weekends.

Harder! Harder!

Look Ignacio! He is a beast!

Chala! Chala!

Fuck, man! She saw him.

- Do you fight dogs? - Nah, these are the neighbor's.

My thing is pigeons. Come with me...

Come, look...

This one is a female.

I can get 25 for this one... "dollars".

Touch it.

Don't you like it?

You're going to need it in the new school.

What about the question I asked?

You know that I don't want to be your girlfriend.

- Now least of all, right? - It's not like that.

You don't need to worry, nobody is going to give you a hard time at school.

Is that what you think of me?

Fix that uniform.

- What are you looking at? - Whatever the fuck I want!

- Hey, come on! - You'll see how things are in here.

Fix your uniform. Tuck your shirt.

I'm fine, dear. Don't worry about me.

These calls are too expensive.

I'm not alone, people are always stopping by.

There, there, my soup is getting cold.

Me too.

Another kiss to Orlandito.

God bless you.

- The ball, "papi". The ball! - Come and get it.

Hey, what's going on here?

What's going on?

Hey, come! Stand right there.

Don't hold him. Let him go!

Be careful, you're hitting me.

Teacher!

- How are you? - Fine. But hurry up, you'll be late.

You seem better.

How are you?

I'm starting tomorrow.

Don't you think is too soon?

The school year is almost ending.

But there's no rush. The new teacher stands up for herself.

Mercedes, I'm going crazy at home.

It's going to be good for the kids.

Camilo's illness has affected them very much.

- Excuse me. - Ah! Look, Carmela...

This is Marta.

- Good morning! - Good morning!

- Good morning! - Teacher!

Sit down... Sit down!

It's not like you loved me that much.

How is Orlandito doing?

He's very well. He calls every weekend and says hello to all of you.

Teacher, is it true that Camilo is going to be discharged from the hospital?

Well... starting tomorrow,

Professor Carmela will be teaching Humanities...

...and Marta will be teaching Sciences.

Chala is missing.

Yes, he is.

- Chala was sent to... - Gaby!

I'll explain everything right now.

Yeni is also missing, teacher.

- What's the matter with Yeni? - That's why I went to see you before...

This arrived while you were gone and I sent her to look for her father.

Good afternoon!

They said you stopped by the market. What happened?

The teacher sent me to get you.

- Is this about indiscipline? - An inspection.

They noticed something is wrong with my registration.

Let's see what we can do, sweetie.

Truth is I'm embarrassed to speak with Carmela again.

Chala! Chala!

Teacher.

You play, twin.

He was messing with Yoan's father. What did you expect me to do?

And the rest of the complaints?

Wait for me outside.

- Coffee? - The doctor said I shouldn't.

I was at his home, Carmela.

This kid raises fighting dogs.

Neither the mother nor the teacher know what to do with him...

- ... and on top of that... - Excuse me, Carlos,

but I am Chala's teacher,

and my name is not Carmela if I don't know what to do with him.

I know, but you weren't around...

and the kid is a handful.

I've already caught him twice trying to escape.

Chala will not leave his mother by herself.

Did you know he's the one that puts bread on the table?

Another reason for him to be here.

A kid shouldn't have to take care of such things.

Wherever you put him, reality will be waiting outside.

There's nothing you can do here to change that.

Carmela, please...

Look at his student record...

- It's like a novel! - In which I didn't write a single word...

and I'm his teacher since the fourth grade.

I take full responsibility. I'm taking him back with me.

You know you can't do that.

Carlos... you weren't any better than Chala.

Leave this to me, please.

And have the Committee go looking for me at the school.

There's a taxi, teach!

It's empty, stop it.

Capitol?

- Get in, teach. - Up! Up!

- Ma'am! Shut the door gently... - Oh, I'm sorry.

- Can you please turn the volume down? - But it is good, Carmela!

Good is what's coming at you.

First of all, you will have all of your class notes up to date by Monday.

On with the abuse.

Do you want to go back?

And I'm going to find you a tutor.

I don't need a tutor, I can study by myself.

Really? With the dogs?

I also need you to help me run some errands. I mustn't strain myself.

More abuse?

"Children exploitation" is the name for it, right?

- Boy, do as your grandmother says. - She is not my grandmother!

But I wish she was.

Did you escape?

What do you think?

Chala... you're driving me crazy.

You've always been crazy.

What are you doing here?

Do you always ask the same question?

You escaped.

You too?

Yeni!

That day, why did you came to return the bracelet?

Raquel, one thing is to have Chala on the street by himself

and another when Carmela is around.

Look, you know all of the work we do before deciding to intern a boy.

And Carmela is much respected, but she has become a problem.

- Again? - Teacher, but I...!

Don't even think about it. Wait for me in the office.

Well, then, what are you going to do?

The boy has to come back.

And we need to have a meeting with Carmela.

Okay, you let me know.

I don't know when I'll be finishing today.

But don't worry, I'll go and try to fix this at school.

[NATIONAL ANTHEM]

- Pioneers for Communism!: We will be like Ch�!

Are we getting an Argentinean passport?

- What are you doing here? - Ask Carmela.

María Paula, get them inside please.

I'm sorry, Marta. You arrived during the morning meeting

- ... and I had no time to let you know. - Good morning!

Mercedes, if Carmela is coming back

and she has the right to do as she pleases then,

- I think I'm not needed anymore. - Everybody is needed here.

And Chala is not stronger than us.

Carmela, this is not only about us.

- Have you seen how that boy lives? - What do you know about Chala's life?

- I know he needs help. - Yeni needs help as well,

and she's the best of the class.

What did you do for her yesterday? Send her to fetch her father?

They have no official address in Havana.

Her father came to me, so that I would register her.

What's the matter with that? They are from Holguin, is that it?

Isn't Holguín a province of Cuba?

Excuse me, but we were talking about Chala.

If you want a delinquent, treat him as a delinquent.

And Chala is not the only kid we have with motives to become one.

Please, Carmela.

None of this was done lightly. I agreed to do it.

Excuse me, Mercedes, but we'll discuss that later.

Did Yeni show up today?

We have to take care of that then.

Good afternoon Pablo. How are you?

- Good afternoon teacher. - I'm here to see about Yeni.

Oh, yes.

Yeni, dear, get some water for me. It's not easy to get here...

- Yes. - Take a seat, professor.

I've tried everything but...

There's no way to legalize our occupancy here in Havana.

The one thing that can't happen is Yeni skipping school.

You saved our lives when you registered her,

but now I've gotten you into trouble.

Then don't make me look bad, Pablo.

I expect to see Yeni at school tomorrow.

- Doesn't the noise bother you? - I hardly notice it.

She comes and goes alone from school every day?

No. We come home together.

When I get out of school, I have choir lessons or dance lessons.

And then I go by the market and pick him up.

- That way I can take care of him. - What do you mean?

The police never messes with him when we are together.

Because they know me by now. They know I'm just making a living.

And most of them come from the same place as we do. Do you know?

But "servants make the worse masters".

Let's see. Who's going to comment on today's Jos� Martí's quote?

- Cristian. - I believe there's only one homeland.

Homeland is the place where one is born and lives.

The friends, the neighborhood, the people... Everything!

For instance, I have an uncle who lives in the United States,

but he says he always carries Cuba in his heart.

That's very good, Cristian.

Anybody has a different point of view?

Excuse me.

Excuse me!

They just called from the hospital...

He died.

They're talking about Camilo.

You knew Camilo had been sick for months.

The doctors did everything they could.

But sometimes that's not enough.

I hate it when people call me "Palestinian".

And when I first came to this school everybody called me that.

But Camilo gave me this card of the Virgin of Charity

and said she was the patron of all Cubans.

He took me to the church for the first time.

That's why I put the card on the mural.

Do you want me to serve the food?

Come on. Come on.

Mom!

We're more comfortable here.

What is this?

Put it back, please.

- But this... - Please!

Carmela, you know perfectly well you can't do this.

- I can't, but the children can. - Look, let me explain what happened...

Excuse me, Mercedes, but there's no explanation

for the presence of that image in the mural of one of our classrooms.

There are so many unexplainable things that I've been forced to do.

Let's try and keep to the matter in hand.

You asked me to be here to discuss about Chala.

Very well.

The decision of sending him off to you

was taken after thorough consideration of his student record

by the school, the social worker, the local police, the psychologist...

I know he's not a saint! But I also know he has moral values,

that he didn't pick up at home.

But re-education school is not going to take that away from him...

Re-education school would be another mark in his life.

Whether we like it or not, it marginalizes him.

I was his mother's teacher. I've been his since three years ago.

None of you know him better than I do.

But we cannot set in motion such a serious process like this

and then pull back three weeks later.

That's because you're thinking about how this makes you look,

and I'm thinking on what's the best for the boy.

Carmela, you know you're much respected,

but there are too many problems in your class.

We cannot allow that to you.

Excuse me, but you don't get to "allow" things in my class.

I've been teaching since before you were born.

Maybe it has been too long.

Not as long as the people who rule this country.

Do you think that's too long?

You talk to her. The last thing I would like to do...

is being forced to take action on Carmela.

No two classes are the same,

and each one of them has children that will leave a mark on you forever.

This is the class in which I had to teach my own grandson.

With him, it's been seven of my students

that have left Cuba in the past three years.

One speaks about Martí and the motherland.

But at home, their families are digging up dead people

to become Spanish citizens.

This was also Camilo's class,

who taught them about death.

Yoan's class, with his father in prison because of political reasons.

Yeni's class. A great student...

who has to bear the cross of being called "Palestinian".

And, of course... Chala's class.

The class in which there's an image of the Virgin of Charity on the mural.

And no God to remove it as long as the teacher is Carmela.

A synonymous of "servile"?

I'll go. "Asslicker" and "asskisser"!

Good, there's those two. But there are others...

This is the last of the errands, teach.

Yes, but I'll still be checking your class notes on Monday.

- Come on, give me. - Be careful, it weighs.

- Don't worry. See you tomorrow. - Bye, teach.

The truth is I didn't like how things went last time.

- We can agree on that. - Thank you.

But I'm also doing my job,

and unfortunately, re-education school is the best option for Chala.

"Unfortunately", Chala has no options at all, Raquel.

Neither does an excellent student as Yeni.

Carmela, there's an infraction in her registration and you know it.

Can I speak the truth...? I don't care.

The only thing that matters to me

is the opportunity we're giving to a student like her.

Maybe something can be done about Yeni...

But what about the religious image?

We both know they're not going to let us get away with it.

The thing is that it has to go as naturally as it arrived.

Couldn't that be before the inspection?

I don't know.

What should we do then, Carmela?

Raquel, as we both know,

each one of us must do its own duty.

Look who showed up!

Find a stick.

Be careful, there's a cop in the corner.

What are you looking at?

Easy, Niño, the cop is watching.

I'll see you tomorrow at the bay.

You got it!

After sports class. Get it?

Chala! Chala!

Chala, don't!

Come back, Chala!

Come back!

Hey man, slow down, we're not gonna make it.

- Fuck, we're beaten! - You're beaten!

Go to the buoy! Swim towards the buoy!

The buoy is closer, c'mon.

Swim, you can do it!

I can't...!

Don't be nervous.

Help me...

I can't...!

C'mon, grab my foot! You can do it, c'mon!

- They're in big trouble. - At least they won't drown.

They're taking them! C'mon!

Captaincy calling the police...

There was a call from the Municipality.

Raquel is coming to meet me.

Why don't we seize the opportunity and talk to her?

No Mercedes, let's not make it worse.

You know we're not going to understand each other.

I'm going to pick up my daughter.

If Raquel gets here before I do, tell her to wait for me.

What?

What's on "Secret Friend" this week?

"A small gesture to make you smile".

Excuse me...

Can I see you for a minute, teacher?

Hey!

I'm aware of everything.

I know you don't like it when I take him to the police station

but he's going too far.

There's nothing you could do that would be worse than what awaits him here.

I left the other one with his folks. But what should I do with him?

Leave him with me, please.

This is the last time I bring him to you.

And you know I've tried everything.

I'm glad you're a witness.

Yeni, go home.

- Have you lost your mind? - But it wasn't at school!

- So what? - He had no reason to bring me to you!

- To whom, then? - Nobody, I don't need anybody!

Don't raise your voice at me, damn it!

It makes me furious.

I don't like seeing you like this.

Wait for me at home.

Tell your mom we need to talk.

Are you going out like that?

Carmela said she was coming to see you.

Chala, I said I didn't want any more trouble with Carmela.

Sure. You just don't want her to see you like that.

- Let me help you. - It's not necessary.

Where's your mother, Chala?

- How are you, Carmela? - So-so.

Do you have any idea of where Sonia could be?

I haven't seen her today.

Chala, I'll bring him back later.

Ignacio...

You have to help me out with Chala.

I'm sorry Carmela, but Chala is not my problem.

Some people think he is.

You know not even the mother is certain of it.

I've been taking care of them anyway...

Really, Ignacio?

- That family lives on what I pay Chala. - But he's not old enough for that.

Chala's not old enough for many things, but he still has to deal with them.

If the mother could, she would sell him to buy some more of that crap she uses.

Do you think a dog fight is a place for a child?

Worse is a dog's life, Carmela.

At least, he's fed because of the fights.

Ignacio, you and I both know that Chala deserves a chance.

That's why we are giving it to him.

Each one of us in our own way.

- Forgive me, son. - Why?

Because I have no right to hurt you.

And all the strokes with the ruler you give me!

- It's not the same. - The ruler hurts more...

It hurts me more to lay a hand on you.

I don't deserve what you're doing for me.

Wouldn't you do anything for me?

Who was the only student to visit me in the hospital?

They wouldn't let me see you, but I talked my way in.

Oh, Chala, my boy...!

You gotta help me! If you don't, we're screwed.

That rascal caught me old.

I swear it's the first time I lay a hand on a kid.

You get too much involved, Carmela.

And this proves that Chala will be better off in a re-education school.

What Chala needs, we have to give it to him.

I'm sorry, but I disagree.

And we could have handled the card thing in a different way, too...

I'm not going to push things just because somebody else is pushing us.

I'm not being pushed by anybody.

I hope so.

See you tomorrow, Carmela.

Inside! Come on! Inside!

During recess, each one of you left a present

for your secret friend beneath their seat.

I was going to wait till the school's out,

but I see you're not going to wait that long.

You have... two minutes to scratch the itch!

- Let me see! - Here.

"When you get out of school, look inside your backpack. "

- C'mon! What are you waiting for? - For us to be alone.

- C'mon, girl! There's no one here. - What if we're being watched?

- Let me see, man. - Look! Come!

I can't wait to know what it is!

Look, here's fine.

They're gonna see you.

- Hurry! - Wait.

It's so beautiful!

Man! You really worked it! She's hooked!

- Look at that. - Look at her face.

Do you know who gave it to you?

The fan is nice, uh?

Listen, man, don't you wanna be my secret friend?

- Bro, isn't that your old man? - He's out!

- Hey, dad! - Hey! What a surprise, boy!

I missed you! Where's your mom?

- You'll see how grown my little sister is! - Really?

Fellows, this is our most experienced and prestigious teacher

we're talking about.

That's why we asked for this meeting.

How old is Carmela?

She could have retired like ten years ago.

And her heart attack was pretty serious.

I don't know if we're all

in the same page, but retirement could be a good option.

With all of the recognition that she deserves, of course.

I have noticed that here, today, two of us are her former students.

Excuse me. How is that related to the matter in hand?

It cannot be a coincidence.

Vocation is born in the presence of teachers like her.

Look, I've known Carmela since I was...

shorter than this table, and I can assure you she's as capable as ever.

- Fighting for her children and... - Cut to the chase, please!

I don't think Carmela deserves to be forced into retirement.

So, if this is what we're talking about,

I tell you I'm not okay with it.

No, Carlos. What we're talking about is finding

a decent way out for an exemplary teacher

who is been acting on her own for years now.

A teacher not acting on her own...

- That's enough, Carlos! - Fellows, please!

We cannot lose sight of our strategy right now:

getting experienced educators back in the classrooms.

Suppose we turn a blind eye on Carmela again.

What would happen if the Committee finds a religious image

on the mural of one of our classrooms?

Oh, please...!

I'm the director of that same school and I practice santería!

Mercedes, everybody has their own thing!

But they're not going to let us get away with this.

You'll have to excuse me then.

But I don't want to be here if Carmela is not sitting at the table too.

Excuse me for a minute.

Mercedes!

I wouldn't have asked for meeting

if I hadn't exhausted every option with Carmela.

I still don't want to be a part of this, Raquel.

Do you have a better idea?

Carmela is one of your teachers.

If I have to intervene

is only because you weren't capable of solving the problem.

- I'm not going to accept it, Mercedes. - I know you'll put up a fight.

We cannot let the children know.

Forgive me for all the trouble I'm causing you.

You've always been a troublemaker.

But you're damn giving me a hard time this year, old woman!

- Do you know what the matter is? - You're taking a stand.

You got fed up and you're taking a stand.

But remember you're not the only one facing the consequences.

Everything has dropped on me at once Mercedes.

And it's been too many years fighting against too much shit.

Don't repeat that if you're not thinking about retirement.

- You're killing me with this equation! - Gimme that, man!

You girls are playing smart!

- Yoan! - Pay attention!

Write "24" like she did!

I'm done!

This is too hard!

You're the best! The girls are up by ten.

- You're pathetic. - Beat ya.

You lost!

- See? - It's your fault.

My fault? You ignorant...! I got everything right.

Let me see...

It's true.

That's why I'm telling Carmela tomorrow that you don't need more tutoring.

Don't. It would make me sad.

Come, María Paula, I'm gonna show you something.

- What? - Just something! In the balcony. C'mon!

C'mon.

It's hot inside!

Aren't you pretty?

Never get tired of telling the same?

If I got tired you would die of sadness.

Do you know who your secret friend is?

I know mine...

It's the boy with the worst handwriting of the class.

And you're the best flamenco dancer in the world.

- Hey, Chala! - Man, I'm gonna throw you out the balcony!

There's a lot of yelling upstairs! It must be a fight. C'mon!

- Chala, I don't like this. - I want to leave now.

You can't leave now.

Let's go, María Paula.

- Yeni! - Hey, "papi"!

- Yeni! - Let go of me!

- What's wrong? - If you fight dogs I can't be your girlfriend.

- I don't fight dogs! - Oh, really?

- I take care of them. - So others can fight them.

It's the same, Chala!

- You don't understand! - And you have no feelings!

Take it.

Hey, man. Where were you? That dog is finishing Sultán.

- What are you doing up here? - You got him killed, damn it!

- It was all very fast! - You shouldn't have put him up so often!

Gonna teach me about dogs?

Your dog gets killed and you act like nothing.

- Let go of me! - Be calm.

Let me teach you something about dogs.

I know dogs better than you do!

You cannot be sentimental about this, Chala!

Son of a bitch!

Chala, listen to me!

I made Sultán fight weak dogs first,

so that he would make a name for himself.

I knew everybody was going to bet on the dog they already knew.

But, what did I do? I put our money on the best dog.

Do you get it?

Here...

- Chala... - I'm gonna look for pigeon food.

- Chala, where is it? - Where is what?

- The bottle, son. Where is it? - What bottle, mom?

The bottle that I keep here...

Let go of me! You need to see a doctor!

Who do you think you are telling me what to do?!

I have the right!

I'm leaving. Move!

All of this shit is mine, you hear me? All of it! Fuck!

- Where are you going? - Mom! Where are you going?

Anybody owes a book from the last "Literary Cushion"?

- No! - Well, who brought something new for today?

- "Lord of the Rings" - We saw that already!

- "The Little Prince" - Let's see... Yeni.

- I have one we haven't seen yet. - Which one?

- "White fang", by Jack London. - Very well, Yeni.

What's it about?

About the friendship between a man and his dog.

The man takes care of the dog

after the dog is almost killed in a fight.

I see... And then?

And then the dog helps the man.

"White fang" is a great book.

Who's going to be the lucky one to borrow it?

Me, Yeni!

Have you chosen the passage Chala must read to us?

Yes teacher, it's marked.

Listen, I'm gonna lock this pigeon away...

You're not cut out for this, man.

- Who says? - I'm gonna have to give you

- ... some lessons about pigeons. - I'm not listening to you.

Hey, bro, is that book any good?

Hey Chala! There's that cop downstairs. Hurry!

What did I do now?

Only for a few minutes.

They said you were almost dead.

You're gonna leave me alone, mom.

Can I stay here tonight?

Chala.

Chala!

Did you sleep well?

We have to go to class.

- I can't today. - Why not?

Mom is going into rehab.

I've to get her some stuff to the hospital.

If you hurry up I can help you with that.

Breakfast is ready.

Teach...

When the year is over you're gonna go and live with your grandson, right?

I'm a worn-out old woman... I don't want to be a burden for them.

- But Orlandito said... - I know...

But I can tell you the truth.

Richard!

Don't worry, Carmela is getting here any moment.

- There's teacher Marta. - Why aren't you inside?

We're waiting for Carmela, teach.

What's the matter?

Yeni's father...

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Chala, how is Sonia doing?

She's better, but she's going into rehab.

She's going to be away for a few weeks.

Chala, didn't you have to feed the pigeons before we left?

Ignacio, the local police and the social worker are very concerned about Chala.

I was thinking, between you and me, we could take care of him.

You can't make decisions for me, Carmela.

That's why we're talking now.

Don't insist. I'm not falling for that.

I don't want anything to do with you either.

There you go.

And I already know you aren't my father!

Then you know more than your mother does.

Hey! That's enough!

You have no right to do this!

I was hoping you could be the firm hand he needs.

You know me! Do you think I'm the right person for the job?

Where is the right person?

Take responsibility, Ignacio. One day you'll thank me.

And I'm cutting loose your dogs, so you can shove your money!

- Let go of me! - Stop it!

Chala, enough!

Tell us how this is going to be.

That's a problem you have to solve yourselves.

But Carmela!

No "Carmela"! I want you tomorrow at school first thing in the morning.

And let's be clear: no more dogs for Chala.

There he is!

Yeni!

- How are you, sweetie? - You took so long...

I'm sorry, teacher, but his case is complicated.

He was in custody for a whole day.

Because he has several warnings...

Look... I had to vouch that he would return to his province.

But why?

Didn't you explain that this man is no delinquent,

that he kills himself working...?

I know all of that very well, teacher. I'm from the provinces too, you know?

But those are the rules.

Thank you for everything, teacher.

I still don't understand why they held you in custody.

Because they know they can get something from me.

But they caught me penniless this time.

It's important for the atmosphere and for the ozone layer, teacher.

- Because it is the habitat of many animals. - What else?

Yeni and María Paula!

Please.

Can the rest of us know what you're talking about?

Is it true that Carmela is being retired?

- Who told you that? - Tell her.

When I was in the rest room, I overheard the cleaning ladies speaking

of Carmela being retired.

Why is that?

Because of the card on the mural.

And because she took you out of re-education school.

Carmela... Carmela! Are you taking much longer?

Leave, don't mind me. I just can't mince my words.

I want to write everything I have to say.

Why don't you use the computer?

I like words to have sound.

You don't have to tell me that.

What you didn't want has just happened.

The children know everything.

- Come here. - Me?

So mysterious!

Do you know what you have just proven to me?

That Carmela was right.

You have no business being here.

But she's going to be retired because of me.

This is how I see it:

Now, it's your turn now to walk out that door and make her look good.

- That will satisfy her. - But you don't understand...

Chala, that's the only thing that's up to you.

The rest is yet to be seen.

Let's see, do you remember why you put the card on the mural?

Did anybody see anything wrong with that?

No.

What happened then?

It's because of what María Paula overheard in the rest room.

And that's why you turned yourself in.

- Do you believe in the Virgin? - I did my catechism

and my first Holy Communion in the same church you go to now.

But I haven't seen you at mass.

I can stand priests telling me there's something wrong

with my grandmother's African saints.

Teach, you still haven't told us if you're really retiring.

They're worried about my health. They want to take care of me.

- Is that it? - What's the big deal?

I was out for 3 months and nothing stopped around here.

No, but there's only one Carmela, and everybody knows that.

Richard, I'm tired of telling you not to be such a suck up!

Teacher, is there something wrong with the card being on the mural?

There's a reason for everything, Yeni.

I promise some other time we'll talk of it.

But now, what matters the most

is that you feel everything is the way it ought to be.

None of us is fool, teach. We know we're getting you into trouble.

Is that the problem?

Give me the card.

And now, let's go over homework.

Give your mother a hug, c'mon.

I'm trying, my boy, but it's so hard!

I'm taking this shit out of the house.

I'm gonna lay myself down for a bit.

You have to go back to the clinic tomorrow, mom.

Don't tell your mother what she has to do.

What's going on?

I'm taking them away, remember?

To get them killed in another fight?

Chala, I give you what I've got. That's all I can do.

- You could make me a bookmaker. - What?

I'm good at math and no one is going to mistrust a kid.

- Are you off your head? - I gotta help mom.

Listen carefully what I'm about to say...

If you ever do so much as mention that to me again,

we're going straight to Carmela.

And I'm sending you back to re-education school myself.

Okay?

Ignacio... leave the dogs then.

You can keep Oso, he's too old anyway.

I told you I gotta help mom.

We'll come up with something.

Something that has nothing to do with dogs nor bets.

Tell me the truth...

Are you my father or not?

I swear to you I don't know.

I think it won't take too long.

I'm sorry to be late to my own funeral,

but I'm only punctual for class.

Well, all presents agree that Carmela is one of those teachers

you can't let go in silence, right?

That's why we have invited some of her former students...

Excuse me, Raquel.

You don't know how much I appreciate all of this.

But I've written something.

So, if you don't mind, I'll rather do this my way.

It's roughly written.

I don't know if I should have thought some things better.

But this is how I feel.

- I didn't see you at class today. - I'm not going anymore.

- We have to go. - Why is that?

Yeni.

I know I crossed a line...

But being on this side was the only way to stay at peace with my conscience.

If you decide so, Carmela goes...

but Marta stays.

I only wanted to teach you one very simple thing,

that you have learned very well.

Now, time will make you a better teacher than this old woman,

who is only retiring the day she can't climb those stairs.

You'll have to fire me.

And I want this attached to my dismissal papers.

Attach this too.

This is my opinion on Chala's case.

Fine. Let's say we could cover up for the girl from Holguín.

There's no need for that now.

Yeni and her father must return to their province.

I'm sorry.

Especially because I know the kind of student she is.

I was even willing to do what I shouldn't for her.

What should we do about the card then?

You didn't understand a thing.

Did you?

Carmela!

Here, teacher, give me your bag.

- Good afternoon! - Good afternoon.

BEHAVIOR