Original subtitles

Director of the department of philosophy and history of Art

at the Fine Arts Faculty of the University of Malaga.

Honorary member of the Fine Arts Academy of San Fernando.

Acceptance speech: 'Antonio Machin, Painter of Blacks'.

Author of numerous articles, including the critically acclaimed

- 'The Genesis of Arthritic Art'...? - "Arthritic", right.

On the council for the implementation of anti-smoking laws regarding museums.

Very good, well done.

Dresser of the Virgin of Macarena. You're from Seville then?

No, it's just one of my hobbies.

Are you sure you want to teach in a primary school?

Yes.

Hard to believe. Sorry.

Shut up!

'Classroom 3-D'

- Hello, how are you? You must be José Maria. - José Maria.

- Well, I'm Idoia. - Hello. - I'm the class teacher.

I'll leave you with them. Good luck!

- We'll speak later. Bye! - Okay, thanks.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Well, so this is art class?

And art, what is art?

Let me tell you a little. Art, to use common terminology,

is the activity or result through which human beings express emotion or ideas,

or more broadly speaking: their vision of the world.

Through linguistic, pictorial, sculptural, or sound-based mediums.

Through art...

Art may express all sorts of things.

Art is... well, pure expression.

When you draw, you think of something,

- and then... - We draw it. - Yes. You put it on paper, right?

Well, the same can be done with words.

I don't know, for example...

"So when Snow White ate the apple,

the poison killed her on the spot, poor little thing."

"The dwarfs held a vigil, then buried her in a crystal coffin."

- This is no fun. - "The handsome prince came by...

- Boring! - and, upon seeing her, he fell deeply in love."

Luca, get up and stand in the corner.

- There? - Over there! - Back there?

"Snow White rose from her crystal coffin."

"Everyone was overjoyed..."

No, better if I tell you a story.

A story about a famous Spanish painter.

He was very famous, a Catalonian.

Dali, a surrealist.

They were interviewing Dali on television, and the journalist asked him:

"Mister Dali, why do you paint melting watches?"

He painted melting watches. Dali, ever the grand artist, replied:

"Because of Jesus."

So the journalist asked him

what sort of connection there was between Jesus and melting watches?

And Dali said: "Because Jesus was a mountain.

A mountain of cheese."

- Hi José Maria. - Hi. - How did it go? - Very well.

- Really? - Sure. - The way you look, I'm not so sure.

- No really, it was fine. - Don't worry, it takes two months.

- Two months? - Yes, two months to tame them.

Don't worry, you'll do it easily.

- Carlos, where are you going? - Can I go get some water?

Yes, but remember to come by our house at five.

And don't forget your swimming trunks, ck'?

You'll remember? Ok, go get some water.

Beware of him. Be careful, because he sees everything.

He knows more about you than you do yourself.

Mum, those donuts, are they even or odd now?

It depends on how many you eat. How many will you eat?

- One. - One? One is "odd", and two is "even".

So if you eat one it's odd, if you eat two it's even.

You want to try? Try the odd donut.

- How is it? - sugary.

Now try the even donut. Go on, you're the official taster.

How's that one, which one is better?

- Both. - Both? Well then, eat them both.

Or wear them as sunglasses.

Dad.

Mister José Maria, that is the girls' bathroom.

- You're looking for the 3-D? - Yes.

- José Maria, this way. - Thanks, Carmen.

Today we'll learn about a very famous painting: 'Guernica'.

Guernica is the name of a village that was bombed.

During the civil war. Franco had it bombed.

The artist produced the painting as a direct reaction to the bombing.

- You know who painted the 'Guernica'? - Picasso, the clown!

Picasso divides the picture into three sections.

In one is the bull, in the other the horse.

In the third is the screaming woman outside her house, which is on fire.

It was bombed and caught fire and she's screaming, see?

- Go ahead. - Me? - Yes.

That's not a woman. It's a dinosaur.

Well, Picasso is trying to exaggerate the suffering.

The suffering caused by the bombing. Has anyone been in a bombing?

- Yes. - Yes? Who's been in a bombing?

Why has one person got an eye in their mouth?

The light bulb, there are many theories about it!

One of them argues that it's a play on words.

This person is walking through darkness.

With her torch, she lights up the path.

Why the torch, since there's already a light bulb?

"Thus, he brings his hands to his face to cover his eyes."

"Jonas covers his eyes, because his eyes are also afraid."

"Jonas has a very frightened heart."

"Jonas' heart doesn't like to be left home alone."

"Jonas rubs and caresses his chest, but his heart still doesn't calm down."

You know that's very dangerous?

I had a friend who had long porcelain nails.

And she was driving in her car, and stopped at a traffic light.

And she started doing the same as you. She dug her finger deep into her nose.

Suddenly a car crashed from behind, and... "crack"!

Her nail cut through a vein that goes to the brain.

And she bled to death.

"Since the heart wouldn't calm down, he moved his hand..."

- Yes, Carmen. - Mister José Maria, it's one o'clock.

It's one, and what happens at one?

It's time for José Joaquin's pill.

You need to take pills?

- Yes, it's because I'm hyperactive! - Where are those pills? - There, there!

- Some water? - No, no, no!

Alright.

Let's try something. We'll draw a cubist picture.

I think we should be compassionate.

The law on abortion is a social reality.

In this country many women have aborted with knitting needles...

I've never been in that situation, neither have my daughters.

But maybe in such a situation one would think differently.

Well, he said I was being radical...

- What about freedom? - Freedom? We should put ourselves in other's shoes.

In fact, this would only put us on par with the rest of Europe.

No one actually enjoys having an abortion.

I think, and I always have,

that an abortion is on par with murdering your own child.

Ah please, come on now...!

How can you... we're here and we're educators!

In mediaeval times, women who aborted faced capital punishment in France.

They were burned alive.

Often, to operate a brain tumour...

In Switzerland, they'd bury them alive. In Britain they hung them by the neck.

- Maybe, but nowadays... - the government pays for abortions.

Have we finally accepted the hell of this life?

Talking of hell...

Yes?

Not even her son can stand her, poor hag.

What can you expect? 27 years of teaching first formers...

Good morning, how are we today?

Are you ready to be artists for an hour?

- No! - No, of course not.

Silence!

Gonzalo, please sit down!

Sit down, Gonzalo!

Ivan, please sit down.

I am appalled by the lot of you!

What on earth are you up to?! Can't you behave?

I took you for civilized beings. What did you want to say, Gonzalo?

- But he took my things... - No "but", "but"...!

But he took them, and scattered them on the floor.

So both of you will pick them up. Then you're in for a tough math’s class!

So calm down, pick up the stuff together,

go back to your seats, and lower the energy level.

And now, Mister Jose Maria has a very interesting activity for you.

So, quietly in your places, and no more nonsense.

- Sorry for barging in, but... - No, no thank you.

But I don't know what to do... Never mind, I'll try.

Let's forget books for a while, let's create something.

Let's be creative, okay?

For example: a tree. Let's create, let's draw a tree.

But a tree according to what you think it should look like.

How many branches should that tree have?

Twenty-three. How many you want! Make it up, Carmen.

Let's be creative. Two people seeing the same thing...

will never coincide. Each one will have his personal vision.

That's what we would call the "artist's vision".

Get to work.

- May I? - Come in, José Maria.

- How are you? - How's things? Sit down.

- You wanted to speak to me? - Yes. How are things with the kids?

Great, things are going...

- That's great. - I'm very happy, yes...

Good, good. You have some characters in that class!

J.J. for example... Do you give him his pills?

Yes, yes, the kids always remind me.

Good. By the way, you started with Picasso, haven't you?

Yes, among others. For the colours, the shapes...

- You chose 'Guernica'? - Yes, that's the one we used.

Well, I don't know, José Maria... I don't think it's the most appropriate.

So much violence...

All these severed animals...

You're bringing this up because...?

Nothing really.

A couple of calls... But nothing serious, José Maria.

- The kids are thrilled by your classes. - Oh yes? Very good.

I know it from my daughter. She tells me everything.

Oh, very good.

I'm going to give out magazines. Silence, Manolo, please.

We're going to make a collage.

We're going to make shapes with colours from cut-outs.

I want us to use only the primary colours, okay?

Where are the scissors?

You've got some, okay.

Look, look, look!

Let's see... I can't see any shapes. You should've made shapes out of colours.

Creating things that weren't there before by using small, cut-out pieces.

Yes, that's a star. But you didn't make that star yourself with small pieces.

Like this, a form put together from small, cut-out pieces...

You put them all together and...

You don't understand? No?

I don't think you quite understood.

- No. - No. - What? -Well...

It's not so bad.

Yes, no. This one here...

Here for example. We can see... clouds.

- But those are tits. - No, there aren't any tits, son.

This one looks autumnal. Can you see autumn here?

- No. - But yes! You've succeeded to...

- I see a bottle of shampoo. - And a packet of butter.

Come on, sit down. Everyone sit down now.

Each one in his place.

Why are you crying now? Go on, sit down.

But... You peed yourself!

- No. - You peed yourself, look.

- She did? - She peed herself!

Are you a baby, unable to hold your pee?

Big girls don't pee themselves anymore.

So you're still a baby?

- After all, you peed yourself. - I'm a big girl.

- Oh, she peed herself! - I'm a big girl, not a baby...

José Joaquin run to the bathroom, before you bleed to death!

Did you stain yourself?

OK, get back to work now.

Evaluation by the tutors and teachers, and final statistics.

In general, the students have shown a fine attitude and behaviour,

with a few exceptions, whom we'll...

Number of students who failed one class: three.

Any comments?

Angela Ruiz, very responsible and mature.

She maintained good notes this term, keeps good contact with her peers.

And now, José Joaquin, alias J.J.

Our special case.

Let's have some coffee.

- Yes, some coffee... - to get to his level.

Well, José Joaquin hasn't shown any changes.

His difficulties in matters that require concentration continue.

As expected, he still shows disruptive behaviour.

He is aware of his hyperactivity, but seems unable to manage it.

He is lacking the essential ability to exercise control of his difficulties.

Who has encountered problems with José Joaquin?

I can't deal with him at all. I'm completely at a loss there.

He acts up anytime he can. The whole group does what he wants.

When he starts disrupting, the whole class does the same.

I think one can clearly detect an emotional void here,

caused by an absent father, which is reflected by his behaviour.

And in physical education?

Disruptive.

I think that despite his medication,

he is getting worse by the day.

I don't know how you think about the matter,

but I recommend transferring him to a specialized centre,

in spite of the mother's opposition.

In my classes, I don't see much of these disruptions.

I have discovered that through the engagement with art,

the boy changes his attitude.

Maybe he's a disruptor, like Dali, the great disruptor.

I don't know. I'd like to try and work with him.

I can see that he's got talent, and this type of work changes his rhythm.

He might have issues, I don't feel that he is disruptive.

Okay. Well, I'd like that we all keep a close eye on him,

and see what we can do in case the difficulties continue.

For this year's end-of-term theatre project I'd like to suggest that

Jose Maria, with his ample experience in the arts,

should be in charge of the second half of the show.

As the basic theme we already agreed upon Nordic mythology.

Because I believe with its gods, its elves,

its trolls, its Valkyries, it could make for a fantastic play!

What do you think, José Maria?

- Nordic mythology? - Yes. - Great. Be my pleasure.

Without further ado, I wish you all a merry Christmas,

and invite you for a glass of champagne.

I wanted to talk about a topic I had prepared,

on new methods of education...

If you don't mind we shall leave this for another time, okay?

- Well, okay then. - Merry Christmas to everyone.

Lovely, isn't it?

Look how lovely it is.

I just love Christmas.

It has all the magic of a concentration camp.

You'll be with your family, I suppose?

Family? Sure, right.

Well, don't bother making a wish. It's no use anyway.

It never works.

What do you want to be when you grow up? - A magician. - Magician?

Very good. Well, start practicing.

- What did Santa bring you, Carmen? - An electronic agenda.

An electronic agenda? Take a note that I don't forget Joaquin's pill.

- Let's put the toys away and start class. - No!

Come on, that's why we're here.

#Sleep, little light...

#... of the morning.

#My little one went to sleep...

#... in the morning.

New point, new point. Now, finally!

Oh. again!

Again!

J.J.? What are you doing?

- But the bugs... - Hey, calm down.

- Where are you going? - To calm myself.

- Hello. You're José Maria? - Why, yes. - I'm Lourdes.

I'm teaching fifth grade.

I am also currently replacing the school psychologist.

She's on sick leave, depressions.

- You teach the 3-D, don't you? - Yes, I give them art lessons.

The 3-D...

Well, it's... I'd like to speak to you about...

About something... but it's...

I really should talk to you about this...

But it's a little complex, and delicate, too.

And I don't feel comfortable talking about it here in the corridor.

- Should we...? - We were thinking the same thing!

Do you know Veronica?

Veronica...? I'm still not familiar with the names...

Don't worry. She's a girl who...

who wears a ponytail very high up.

She sits at the third desk. Near the window.

- Well, just now I'm not sure, but... - Anyhow, let me fill you in...

I, and other colleagues as well,

we have detected in Veronica a...

A masturbation habit.

- Sorry. - Sure. We were told...

Psychologists told us that in girls her age it's quite normal,

when they're subjected to a great deal of stress.

And in Veronica's case, I can...

understand, because... the mother subjected herself to...

cosmetic surgery.

And between us, it doesn't look very good.

So, the girl uses this as relaxation.

I wanted to mention this to you, so you'll know what's going on.

When you see her with a face like this.

While she moves like this.

- She's up to it. - Does she do it in class, though?

In class, and all the time.

This is about being... sensitive, Jose Maria.

We don't want to traumatize her.

It's more about her being aware that it's not quite...

- Yes, of course. - Do you understand? - Yes.

But... we don't want to overrate this.

I just wanted to mention it.

If everybody contributes a bit, we could work this out for Veronica.

- Sure. - We can psychoanalyze the issue.

- Thanks, José Maria. - No, don't worry. - Bye. - Bye.

Jose Maria, Veronica keeps making noises with her chair.

Tell her to stop.

Please.

Ok, we're done. Start packing up.

OK?

- What, already? - Yes, yes.

The face on that woman telling me, "Look José Maria..."

Can you imagine watching TV at home...

- Watching 'Juan lmedio'. - All together!

The dog as well!

Perhaps she's possessed by Saint Angela.

In a quest for divine ecstasy.

How do you like this theatre then?

- What? - The "Grand Theatre of Primary School".

Because it's really like a theatre.

Can't you see? The kids: they weep, they laugh...

It's like a constant explosion of the emotions.

The worst thing is that we're even crazier than they are!

- You're all schizophrenics. - But that's how we are!

After 8 hours a day of this... I'm worried how I'll end up myself.

Then when I get home, imagine, I run for the cappuccino!

And with four kids, on top of it all. No wonder you all end up schizophrenic.

Joaquin?

- Why did you do that? - Because Felipe didn't do it.

What?

- See the ball? - Yes.

Blow.

That's crap, man.

- José Joaquin, what have you done?! - I didn't do it on purpose!

- What happened?! - He broke his arm!

What will I tell the parents?!

He broke his arm, you know!

I've said it twenty times...

I knew this would happen with him.

I just knew this would happen. We could see it coming with this child.

I knew this child would bring us grief.

- But which arm? - The broken one.

This is intolerable! This is intolerable!

Stop it, you broke his arm!

What are we going to do with you?!

- I'll take care of him. - Okay.

Come with me.

- They're going to put me in jail! - No they're not.

The police will come and kill me.

They'll look me up, without any food!

Don't worry, it was an accident. Come on, let's paint now.

Look mum, I made a river of fire!

What happened?

Not much really, kid's stuff. A boy tripped in the courtyard.

- Is the boy alright? - Well, he broke his arm.

- But it's no big deal. - He did that? - He did that just now.

- Look mum, clean hands. - Good.

He changes when he is with an empty sheet of paper.

I'm really amazed. He's been to an school before,

and nothing came of it.

- He took an classes? - Yes, but they'd always kick him out.

I think! can do something with him. If you don'! mind.

But of course, please.

Let's meet again sometime soon so we can talk about it in detail.

You all seem very sleepy.

Let's wake ourselves up. Stand up everybody.

This is good for the mind and the body.

So we'll add this to math’s. Pay attention!

Let's hold a ball of energy here.

A ball in a sphere of numbers. It's now at... number three.

Number three, a magic number, a very symbolic number.

Concentrate... The ball is now at number...?

- Three! - Very good.

We'll move it slowly to the right.

- Manolo, the other right. - This one? - Yes, that "right".

Up to heaven, the ball is at eleven. Mutiplied by ten is...?

- Who can multiply? - Eleven times ten... One hundred and ten.

You're slow today, J.J.! No hot chocolate this morning?

Why are you crying?

- Why are you crying? - I want my mommy.

Mommy will come back soon.

Mommy is coming back in no time at all.

No need to cry, your mom will come for you soon.

She left you in school, and went home.

And mom will come back, so you have no reason to cry.

Well, my mommy's always coming super fast.

My mommy is the quickest in the family.

Well, what do you know. You were right after all to cry.

Your mother died. She'll never ever come back again.

Now then, cry, sweetie. Cry now.

There are kids who try and try but have a bad memory, so they fail.

It's so unfair. There are many methods of learning.

I agree with you. But they pay us so we...

- We both get paid to... - But I'm a teacher by vocation!

- Listen Idoia, be smart about it. - I am being smart about it.

We must follow the given path.

- Let me speak to the parents... - Yes, you should do that.

Ah, yours.

Very good, Carlos, very good.

Nice colours. But what's this inside it?

- Chairs. - Chairs?

And tables.

Chairs and tables, inside the tree? But why?

Because the roots underground go inside the houses

to take back the wood that was stolen from them.

It's night time. There's a bird hanging by the neck.

- A bird hanging? - From an angry tree.

And why is the bird hanging?

Because the bird behaved very badly.

So the tree hanged him.

It's the tree that hanged him, not the bird itself?

No. The tree.

And why did the tree get angry?

Because the bird wasn't taking good care of its chicks.

The bird was not taking care of its chicks?

So the tree got angry. Because he just felt like it?

- And why is it nighttime? - Because it's at night.

- Because the moon is there? - Naturally.

This term we have two students who failed one subject. Four that...

Francisco Lopez is fairly motivated and participates well in class.

Her behaviour is excellent, as reflected in her marks.

She works slowly but with much effort.

She has got supportive parents.

Let's move onto the subject of Veronica Lopez Andrades.

This is a very serious matter, and...

Lourdes, who is replacing the school psychologist, will speak about this.

Well, Veronica's case, as you all know,

is a psychological case.

We've all observed these little moments of hers.

I am referring to her... masturbational episodes.

According to the psychologist, Veronica's problem is that...

Idoia?

Sorry, SONY-

You see, Veronica's case is psychological.

Thus one should treat it accordingly.

According to the psychologist, Veronica uses compulsive masturbation

in order to cope with a stressful situation at home.

According to this psychologist, whose name I've forgotten,

the girl is subjected to domestic stress,

which causes within the child a high level of anxiety.

So she relaxes her nerves in this manner.

Which seems rather understandable in this case.

I mean, who hasn't been there?

For the time being, we have succeeded insofar as

that she does it less frequently.

Or at least not quite as compulsively.

Less frequently? She's merely concealing it better.

Good, Lourdes.

Well, this is a serious theme, and we should follow it up.

Starting here: Leonardo, have you noticed anything?

And now I would like to express my satisfaction with José Maria,

for how well he has settled in our school.

Thank you.

And I'd be happy to hear about your progress with the children this term.

Well, the truth is that it's been an intrepid adventure.

I'm really delighted by what I have discovered.

I'd like you to see a few examples:

This is 'The Happy Rain'.

Or 'The Tree That Steals Furniture.'

The composition levels, the themes, colour coordination...

Truly, I am amazed.

- Good, José Maria... - And this for example, 'War and Peace'...

- José Maria. - Yes? - I'm happy you are so satisfied,

but I would prefer if you curbed your enthusiasm a bit,

and payed more attention to the evaluation criteria.

In this institution, those are rather strict.

One cannot award a 10 out of 10 to every child. It's just not practical.

- Yes, okay, I'll try. - José Maria, by the way, can you swim?

Who cannot swim?

One, two, three, four, five...

That's what happens when you rampage around like that.

I saw his willie!

- Sit down. - No, never!

- Should I make you? - Shit!

Where is my shoe?

- Where's my shoe?! - Sit down there. Where's your shoe?

Hey, what are you doing?! Are you crazy?

You're wet! You're still all wet!

My Shoe!

I told you, it's in your ass!

- Hello José Maria. - Hello.

- How's the theatre going? - You like some coffee? - Yes, thank you.

- I meant to talk to you about that. - Great.

To be honest, Nordic mythology is a very interesting field...

But it may be not so appropriate for kids of that age.

- You know? - Have you seen the sugar?

- No, there seems to be neither sugar nor milk today. - Oh dear.

There are many violent, and surrealistic elements, and...

I'm really not sure how to do this with kids that are so small...

But Jose Maria, they themselves are more surrealistic than anyone else.

Many thanks for coming!

I don't see all the parents I was hoping for, but never mind.

I'm grateful that you came today.

Well, so, our meeting this afternoon is meant to...

Our educational system is somewhat... outdated, right?

I think one of the key problems is that we infantilize the children.

We incapacitate them.

It would be great to put into practice new methods of teaching.

Don't you think?

We need to leave behind the...

Sorry, I have to leave it on. My uncle is really ill.

I brought a video so you can see this new educational method.

Ok, well, it doesn't work, never mind.

Well, what I propose is to work with thematic units.

For example: 'The River'.

We go on location and teach them languages, maths, even art.

And if it rains? What have you got planned?

And if they drown? I'm against it.

- Well... Sorry? - Insurance?

- Insurance, yes... - Does the school council approve of this?

What has the river got to do with education?

Don't forget, they're only children. Would you be taking them all alone?

Who pays the doctor's bill when they catch cold?

- What did you want to show here? - It's a man who went to war,

and lost his arm and leg, and then he was left alone like that.

Hello Maria.

What did you want to represent with...

these marks?

- Hello Laura. - They are fighting with death here.

Death is at war with the ghosts?

And the ghosts seem to be screaming, no?

Yes.

Very good. Very good.

These are dead puppets.

It's a dark forest. There are these trees...

trees that have no leaves.

- That was a nightmare I had. - This was your nightmare?

Does he watch much television...?

No, he's a normal kid, very bright, you know...

He tries really hard at things, but you know, this hyperactivity...

He can't concentrate. He wants to do things, but...

Was he always like that? Or did he change at some point?

No... I remember when he was like 3 or 4 years old,

he was just fine. We could even do manual things with him.

I remember we used to cook together.

- Well, at that age they are much easier. - True, at that age they're fabulous...

- You have kids? - No. I don't have children.

I try to give him all the time I can, but...

What does your husband say?

- His father. - No, we live alone.

But I do all I can, as far as my work permits...

Look. He did this the other day.

Of course you can see he's hyperactive. But his imagination, the creative element

are absolutely on par with any contemporary artist.

No really, I know about these things, and this is on par.

- We'll see. - I can't thank you enough.

- No, really, don't worry. - Thanks again.

- Sorry, what was your name? - Isabel.

- Well, thank you, Isabel. - Bye

- How are the classes going? - Good. Very good.

- What are you doing at the moment? - We're exploring Spanish painters...

How lovely, lovely.

Velazquez? Goya? Murillo? Which in particular?

Well, the last we looked at was Dali.

Through surrealism, and the world of dreams,

I approach their creativity and take them away from...

- Any painting in particular? - Sure, we're...

We're working with... With the... 'Great...'

The 'Great...'?

The great Dali, yes.

- 'Masturbator'. - Eh, yes.

But we're dealing more with the 'Great' than with the second part.

More than with the second part.

Anyway, it's nothing new for the kids. They speak of little else, don't they?

No, José Maria. No.

- They're eight years old. - When I was eight...

I received a call. From a father, this morning.

He wanted to know if we were going to use nude models next.

No, we won't go quite that far.

Good, that's great.

Look, José Maria, I know you need some time to adapt,

but it's been a few months now...

And I'd prefer if this didn't occur again.

There's plenty of Velazquez, plenty of Murillo,

Plenty of Goya, Goya...

And here you see: Goya! 'Saturn Devouring One of His Sons'.

You see, all the blood.

Look how he grabs the child! You see it, right?

And to sleep at night, Valium!

- Welcome to primary school. - Yeah, I've been welcomed alright.

- I told you, it's all very theatrical. - This theatre thing, what's that about?

Because the principal simply said, "You're in charge of the show."

- Hello. - Hello.

I have a surprise.

We have to do a theatre play.

According to Nordic mythology, the world was borne by a huge oak tree.

And in that tree lived the Gods with the humans.

- So, we'll tell the story... - That's weird!

You have no idea how weird. You'll see.

The theatre show is the climax of the year.

They celebrate the end of the term and have a great time.

The parents come all dressed up to see their children on stage.

- That's what this is about? - Sure, that's it.

And I'm supposed to pull that off...?!

We'll cast the roles now.

There are gods, princesses, male and female dwarfs...

There are warriors, midgets, frost giants. Who wants to be the frost giant?

- Me. - Fine, you'll be the frost giant.

- Who wants to be the cow? - Me.

You want to be the cow? Fine. "From the cow appears Ymir."

- The theme alone! Nordic mythology? - Imagine the possibilities!

- But none of it makes sense! - What do you mean?

Well, I dunno, there's "The cow Audumla"...

"The god Ymir, sucking from the cow's udders."

Imagine Ymir sucking off a cow, and the kids: "Yeah, suck those the tits!"

"And from Burr appears the six-headed giant."

- I want it. - A six-headed giant, who can do it?

- Me'. - OK, you got 'K.

- Odin, Vili and Ve. - I want, I want, I want!

No, José Joaquin.

Ok, you're Vili, and you're Ve.

- I want-I-want-I-want-I-want. - José Joaquin...

Are you sure you want to be on stage among all those props and actors?

- Yes! - I'm not so sure...

What if you... I've got it! How about helping me off-stage?

- Okay! - There's a lot of stuff to coordinate.

- So you're with me? - Yes.

- You'll be a stage manager. - Okay.

Take note... you're the stage manager.

- You know what to do? - I wanna be. - You already are.

- You know what to do? - No.

You'll be backstage with headphones, and I'll be in front, saying stuff like:

"José Joaquin, get the trolls on stage, now get this on stage..."

- What about Carlos? - Carlos is the 'God of Truth'.

- Lovely. - I've been reading this completely surrealistic stuff

about this god called Balder.

And since Carlos likes magic so much,

I had this idea that he could perform a magic trick.

Symbolic of the creation of life. I'll tell J.J. to hand him a plastic dove,

and he'll produce the dove from out of his hat.

- We need a magician. - Me! - Carlos. Of course.

We'll have to think of a trick.

I suggest we do

the trick with the dove appearing from out of a hat.

A plastic one, because we can't...

So, José Joaquin, you'll give the plastic dove to the magician...

- That will be your job. - He's a physician?

A magician! The guy who pulls doves out of hats.

What does it matter? What does anything matter?

We live alone, and then we die alone.

It's the only thing you need to know.

You all know about the bees. What do the bees do?

The bees use the entire available space. We are doing much the same.

But in the end, we're alone. We die alone.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Alone, alone, completely alone.

You understand? I think you're not understanding!

When I say we're like the bees, it's because we are like the bees!

And if we're like bees... Where are the pictures of the bees...?

- Can't you bloody understand?! - Angustias!

They don't understand. I tell them but they don't get it.

Where are all the children?

They're ill.

But how many?

Eight.

Angustias.

Angustias...?! Please follow me to my office.

You know I do the best I can.

I'm trying hard to teach these kids what life is really like.

- Life is complete shit, as you know. - Angustias, sit down.

No. Why am I doing here, being treated like a naughty little girl?

- Tell me. - Angustias, sit down.

Mercedes, I was already teaching here

when you were still in college.

Mercedes, no one can treat me this way!

- Sit down. - No, you can't... - Sit down!

I'm simply trying to teach these kids that this life is no bed of roses.

You know best that that's the truth.

Mercedes, your husband... I'm not even going to mention it.

I don't see why you needed to

erode my authority like that in front of the kids.

I never told you how to run a school, and you don't run it all that well.

Yet I say nothing.

I don't see why you need to snub me like that.

- Angustias... - You have no right to criticise my work,

Mercedes, I've been working here for 27 years now.

I have every right! I am the principal of this school.

And I won't put up with this drama. Do me a favour and sit down!

You have no right to attack me. I don't tell you how to run a school.

I've had enough! Our paths separate here.

What?

You can't do this to me, Mercedes.

I've been here 27 years, Mercedes, working 27 years with children.

You can't do this to me.

Mercedes, what have I got left then?

I need to channel my frustration through teaching.

It's the only thing I have left.

Angustias, collect your things and leave. Leave!

"There was a war that lasted three winters without any summers."

I'm dizzy!

- Hello, José Maria. - What's up, Lourdes?

By the way, I've talked to Veronica's family.

About the issue.

And there's no problem.

No...?

No. The father told me it's general practice in the family.

It's alright. There's no problem at all.

And I had already planned to consult... a doctor.

- No, of course. - To me, it seemed like an affective disorder.

I don't know much about this stuff.

We handled the situation well, not making a big fuss...

Well, we did a good job.

I made a Thai dish.

Want to have dinner with me?

It's a little difficult tonight, Lourdes...

Never mind then.

I'll put it in the fridge.

Very good. Well, then...

- Have a good day, José Maria. - You too, see you later.

- How do you do it? - I don't do anything.

He hasn't been that calm in ages.

You cannot imagine the peace I feel seeing him like this.

- Yes, I know. - He looks so innocent.

You had a son, didn't you?

Are you done, José Joaquin?

It's a tree in autumn. With only a little sun, since it's autumn.

The fallen leaves lay below.

They're yellow, brown, and a little green.

"At first there was neither heaven nor earth."

Didn't we have a Viking helmet?

“The cow and the giant had a son, Burl

“Then from Burl, came Burr.“

Wait, listen.

"Buri, his son Burr, and Bergelmir fought the evil frost giant."

Marco, I don't want you there.

Now the music...

J.J., cue the fog.

More fog!

Carlos, you look straight ahead, okay?

Where is the plastic dove, J.J.?

Sit down.

We haven't got much time.

I called this unscheduled meeting

to inform you that Angustias is officially on leave.

The substitute is already with the children.

Since we're at the end of the term,

I'd like that you, Angela,

provide her with all the educational material.

And be of assistance to her whenever necessary.

Asensio, would you please check all the marks,

and see to it that all the paperwork is in order.

Does this mean she's not coming back?

No, I don't think so.

Let's hope they send her to an asylum, where she belongs.

It's certainly better for the kids that way.

What do you know?

Did you actually know Angustias? Did any of you?

She is the most kindhearted person this school has ever seen.

Come on, she is anything but that.

Do you know what she did?

Who paid for the sandpit?

A donation.

A donation? Yes, out of her severance pay.

You ridiculed her constantly. Criticised her constantly.

Yet you know nothing of her, not the slightest thing.

Who knew anything about Angustia's life?

What tormented her so? Tell me, what?

Why was she half mad, according to you?

In school one only ever sees half of anyone's life.

So stop gossipping about others.

The date for the show has been set for June 25th.

- Okay, José Maria? - Sure, absolutely.

- Gonzalo? - I'm here. - Where's the warrior's outfit?

- I'm ready! - Put a shirt on!

Hello there. Thank you. Please take a seat.

Hello.

Hurry, the other class is about to begin.

Get ready, we have to go on stage!

Come on in.

Gonzalo, get dressed already, like the others.

We're missing the magician's costume. Where is it?

- Come on. - The butterflies up front.

José Maria, Marco is doing the cockroach again.

- Help. - Get up, cockroach.

Get ready.

Silence now.

Pull it tight, Marco. Listen please.

Nice and tight.

Pay attention now.

The next show is brought to you by the third year students.

It is inspired by motifs from the Nordic mythology.

About the creation of the world.

We worked very hard on it. It's a little bit...

Well, Nordic mythology is based on... myths, naturally.

But they're a little different than what the kids are familiar with.

I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks.

José Maria, where are the tits?

Raids got them, scram'.!

José Maria, what was that about?

Eh, the kits, for the show...

- What is J.J.'s job? - He is the stage manager.

I'm in contact with him by radio, he'll be coordinating things backstage.

José Maria, you have this under control, right?

Yes, don't worry. Relax.

José Joaquin? Enter the narrators, okay?

"At first there was neither heaven nor earth,

only a complete void covered in heavy mist."

"The first being was a giant named Ymir,

who drank milk from the cow Audumla."

“The cow and the giant had a son, Burl

"And from Buri came Burr."

"The first giant produced the evil frost giants."

“Buri and his son,

in gas masks, fought against the giants."

"Burr bonded with Bestla."

"They begot Odin, Vili and Ve."

"A war began that lasted three winters without summers."

"Meanwhile the demons nourished from the souls of the living."

- Joaquin, switch on the fog. - There are noises in the headphones!

- Switch on the fog. - But the noises!

Switch it on.

Turn it off. José Joaquin?

The fog, J.J., the fog!

Turn off the fog!

Fire brigade!

"The three bothers won the war and ruled thereafter...,"

assisted by the four dwarfs

Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Westri,

the four cardinal points."

"The gods then created both earth and men from their own skin."

- Jose Maria, there are noises! - Put track seven on.

José Maria! The bugs! The bugs!

"Then they created the forests."

- José Joaquin? - The bugs, the bugs!

"And from their blood and sweat they created the seas..."

José Maria! The bugs are going on stage!

Did he take his pill?

They're charging on stage!

“Odin then created man: Ask and Embla."

“Odin then created man: Ask and Embla."

The bugs! José Maria, José Maria!

No, not that one!

The bugs! The bugs! The bugs!

Where are they?

The bugs! The bugs! The bugs!

Get the magician on stage!

- This is one I did! - You did that? - That's so cool.

- You look very handsome today. - Thank you.

Kiko did that one!

- Hello. - Hello José Maria. - What a surprise.

It's a fine exhibition.

Yes, the kids are thrilled. It's their show.

Look, my son made these when he was eight.

- Would you like to see them? - Yes, of course.

Do you like them?

They're nice, yes.

- Eight years old, you said? - Yes.

Could I put them with the others?

Please.

Why sure, of course. I was just looking for a space.

- By all means, if you find a space. - Thank you.

Quite intriguing.

The symbolism of it...

Yes, it's...

Outright...

vaginal.

- Incredible. - Yes, one could see it that way.

José Maria, we'll be going now.

It was very impressive. Much more so than I expected.

Same here. But all credit belongs to the kids.

- The exhibition is truly wonderful. - Thank you so much.

Now that everybody left, there's something I'd like to tell you.

I'm pregnant.

- Idoia, again? - I don't do it on purpose, really!

- Let's go. - Bye. - Thanks so much for coming.

José Joaquin, let's go.

- José Joaquin, what the heck?! - It wasn't me!