Original subtitles

[clap of thunder]

[crickets chirping]

[distant thunder]

[notes on a pan flute]

[traditional Ecuadorian music]

[clap of thunder]

[clap of thunder]

[clap of thunder]

[police siren]

[heavy breathing]

[moaning]

[male voice whispering and laughing]

[female voice moaning]

[shouts]

[slow electric guitar]

[steady drum beating]

[upbeat music]

My family was a family of four until I arrived.

I don't know if they got along better or worse,

I don't know if they loved each other more or less,

I don't know if they preferred to be an even number either,

I only know that from the moment my dad’s sperm,

against all odds, fertilized my mom’s egg,

something in their lives changed forever.

[underwater sounds]

[snorting]

[spitting]

[slow electric guitar]

[footsteps]

Señora De Gaviria,

this must be a tropical virus.

There's no way you could be pregnant.

[electric guitar ringing out]

Have you experienced dizziness?

Yes.

Cravings? Fatigue?

Yes, doctor.

Ma'am,

if you had your tubes tied a year ago,

what do you think is happening?

Do I have worms?

No, ma'am, you're suffering from a psychological pregnancy.

Doña Gaviria, do you know what ails you?

No, doctor.

Air!

She's possessed because she married a priest.

Go to a witch-doctor, it's the evil eye.

She's not pregnant, she's just gained weight.

She needs to see a priest for an exorcism.

She got screwed by the Devil.

She's scared about living in a foreign country

She's not pregnant,

she's just gained weight.

She has water.

It's altitude sickness.

[baby cooing]

Señora De Gaviria?

You can go in to see the doctor.

You are a rare case, ma'am.

Do I have gas?

No, Señora De Gaviria,

despite your tube ligation, you are five months pregnant,

congratulations.

Uriel,

Do you know what the doctor told me?

What did he tell you, mija?

Another tropical virus?

No,

he said I'm pregnant.

I'm sure this time we're going to have a little man.

...because of the heavy rains that hit different areas of the city...

...this is the transition between the dry to the wet season...

... according to the INAME data.

[heavy panting]

Chavela,

Chavelita,

I think I'm about to have the baby. Can you come with me to the hospital?

Yes, Señora Hilda.

Did you pack the white robe?

Yes, Doña Hilda

Could you please come back here after dropping me at the hospital

and wait for the girls to arrive from school?

[horns honking]

Chavela,

go back in this taxi, wait for Uriel,

tell him that I'm already at the clinic,

and to also bring the girls. Ok?

Good morning, Miss.

I'm having my baby

Yes, ma'am, come, come over here please.

Thanks

Mr. Gaviria?

Yes?

The Señora is already in labor

and everything is going well, don't worry.

Do you think it'll be a boy?

Push! Push!

[shouting]

you're almost there.

It's a girl, señora!

[baby crying]

[heart monitor beeping]

[cooing and sighing]

Well... We'll name her...

Maria Pia like my friend, the nun.

No, I'm choosing this time.

She will be called...

Paola.

[baby crying]

Patty, the middle sister, did not love me very much

because I took her place

as the youngest,

And that is how the family ended up being

three girls, a former priest, mother and Chavela.

"The Family"

Claudia instead believed I was her doll

and took me everywhere.

[baby laughing]

Come on Patty,

let's play with Paola.

Come Paolita,

pay no attention to your silly sister,

yes, let's go for a walk.

let's go for a walk.

a walk here, a walk there

- Paolita! - [baby crying]

Shush, my little one,

let's go for a...

Shh, Paolita!

Chavela, what did you do to my baby girl!

I didn't do anything, Doña Hilda,

she was lying like that in her crib.

I didn't do that.

It's always the same thing with you,

it's the third time you drop her!

You won't touch her again!

The only thing you care about is Paola!

You drive me crazy!

Tomorrow, as punishment, neither of you will come with me to the airport

to pick up your grandmother who is coming from Medellin!

[baby crying]

Claudia! Don't drink that juice, it's for my diet!

Dear passengers,

please straighten your seats

and secure your individual tables.

We have begun our descent to Quito's International airport.

[traditional Andean music]

Such a cute boy, Doña Teresa, he has two crowns! He'll be a priest.

There's my mother! Look at her, Hilda.

Where?

There!

She looks exactly the same, not a year has passed her by!

That's right, isn't it Hilda?

Yeah, sure.

[sinister music]

[keys jingling]

Hi, Granny!

Good morning, Doña Teresa.

Did you bring us gifts?

May I offer you some coffee, Doña Teresa?

[baby cooing]

Did you already drop the baby, Hilda?

Two daughters and you haven't yet learned how to hold them?

[grumbling]

[snoring]

[baby laughing]

What are you doing today, Grandma?

I'm going to pierce Paola's ears.

And you came all the way from Medellin just to do that?

Yes, I also went to Cali to get yours pierced,

that is the family tradition.

OK, ok, hurry or the school bus will leave without you.

Bye mom.

Bye Mother.

Be good, girls.

Do you want me to hold the baby's head

while you pierce her ears?

Go and wash your hands first.

Oh my God.

Hold her well so she doesn't fall again.

Oh Lord!

[drums beating]

[baby crying]

[mother cooing]

That day with my mother and grandmother,

was the first time I felt I had no control over my life,

that nothing depended on me,

that my life was decided by others.

There, there, there, Paolita, it's over, my precious, it's over.

I'm going to wash my hands.

Go put some ice on the baby's ears

so they won't swell.

[grunt]

[sinister electric guitar]

[tinging of metal]

Thank you for coming with me, my son.

Your aunts in Medellin love these chocolates.

I remember when you were an altar boy

and ate chocolate all day.

Uriel, do you know what I found lying there?

Look, Hilda's wedding ring.

Mom...

Do you think Hilda takes it off when she goes out?

I don't know, but it's certainly very strange.

Girls,

take a look at your mother! Ask her

why she takes off her wedding ring when she leaves the house!

Ask her!

[frustrated sigh]

[chuckle]

Don't cry, mommy.

Doña Hilda,

We know you don't take off your ring

when you go out.

[crying and sniffling]

Mommy, what's that?

Chocolate.

Don't dare touch those!

Those are the chocolates your grandma bought

as gifts for the family in Medellin.

Chavela!

Chavela!

I can't eat anymore.

We've got six more to go, eat!

We need to finish all the chocolates,

we can't leave any trace.

Hilda, where is Chavela?

I don't know.

And the girls?

Girls!

What were you doing locked up in there?

We were brushing our teeth.

With chocolate?

We got caught because of you!

They ate my chocolates!

Stop it, Patty.

Don't go, Claudia,

mommy said we have to wait for daddy

to arrive and scold us.

You shut up! It was your fault we got caught.

Girls!

Why did you eat your Grandma's chocolates?

I'm going to subtract from your allowance the price of the chocolates you ate.

- But... - And you, Chavela,

I'll subtract that from your salary, did you hear me?

But...

But nothing!

Tomorrow Grandma goes back to Medellin

and you are not going to the airport to say goodbye,

you will stay here praying the rosary

regretting what you did, young ladies!

But it's all Patty's fault.

Good bye, Hilda.

Good bye.

Good bye, my boy!

I bet your mom thinks you never should've quit priesthood.

Maybe you think that too.

In the name of Christ our lord.

Amen.

Friends, my dad is a priest and gives Mass on Sundays at home.

You can come if you want to.

But priests can't have children.

Yes they can!

[doorbell ringing]

Hello. We come to mass, Patty invited us.

Mass? There is no mass here!

Patty!

Thanks to you, mass will never again be said in this house!

[church bells ringing far off]

[church organ]

You have to take communion!

But I'm only five years old.

Sinner! You'll go to hell!

Ok.

What are you doing here?

You haven't had your First Communion yet,

come back here.

Silence, silence!

[laughter]

You won't go back to church until you really feel in your hearts

the need to visit the Lord!

It's your fault that we will never come back to church, I hate you!

But you told me to...

[crying]

My God, I pray for mommy, daddy, Claudia and especially Patty,

I pray that she loves me and stops being mean to me.

Good morning, daddy.

Hello, my baby,

What did you dream about?

I dreamt that a headless carpenter tore Patty's head off.

Oh, my Lord.

Look what I have for you.

"The Pope John Paul bar, bar,

is coming to Ecuador,

Would you like to make a drawing showing him what your country is like?”

Paola,

if you make the drawing, I'm sure you can win the contest,

and meet His Holiness!

[pencil scribbling]

Girls, I have something to tell you...

Your mom and I have been talking and...

Tell them, Uriel, tell the girls what you're going to do.

What is it, daddy?

It's that your dad never really stopped being a priest.

But then...

I have news.

I have three news for you.

A bad one and two good ones.

The first of the good ones is

that I talked with father Chiriboga, Patty,

and he says you have finished your preparation

and you are ready to take your First Communion.

Bravo!

And the bad news?

The bad one...

The bad news is that I'm going

to live in Medellin.

In Medellin?

But are we all going?

No, your dad is going alone.

My love

And the second good news is...

Paola won the newspaper's drawing contest!

You are going to meet the Pope, bravo!

[sobbing]

Come on, Paola, wake up

or you won't get to meet the Pope.

Mommy...

Why did dad leave us?

Because Quito's climate wasn't good for his bones.

And is he going to die?

No, he's not going to die.

Paola, get out so I can get you dressed.

But he's quite old.

Yes, but he's not going to die.

And move, Paola,

we'll get there later than the Pope!

You'll see what a beautiful dress I got you.

OK.

Hey! Why don't you sit down?

My mom told me not to mess up my dress.

[commotion from large crowd]

[upbeat music]

“It's a very emotional moment within this coverage because of the Pope visit”

[crowd cheering]

The show was gorgeous, Uriel.

Yes...

Yes, yesterday at noon.

It was very touching when the Pope received the drawing.

You can't imagine how cute Paola looked!

Yes, she was very happy,

Sure, I'll tell her.

Yes,

everyone's all right.

Hey, by the way, about this month's allowance...

Mommy, mommy, can I go play at Monique's?

Uriel, hold on a moment.

What do you want, don't you see I'm talking to your Dad?

Can I go play at Monique's?

Yes, but take Paola with you.

Mommy, but she's too young!

If you don't take her with you, then you can't go!

- Hello? - OK

Hello? Uriel? Hello?

Damn it!

Everyone must think I'm your mother,

it's so embarrassing.

Look, Paola,

this is our friend Susana.

She wants to take you to hell!

Girls,

For your First Communion

you must offer to do something for God,

something that is difficult for you, a sacrifice,

to show him how much you love him.

[toy whirring]

[church bells ringing]

Here comes Patty, look at her Paola!

I could have made a prettier dress for her.

From now on

I promise to love you forever

and never ever be mean to you again!

From that day on, Patty became my unconditional ally

and my best friend,

which was very important because when my dad left the house

only women were left,

and there was an excess of female power.

Chavela, you have a very funny nose.

Why?

Because it's huge,

it looks like the Count Count's nose.

You are so beautiful!

Not as much as you!

Where is Ken?

I don't know,

shall we go to his house?

Claudia, open up! I'm your mother, open up, Claudia.

I like Ken.

I know you're back, Claudia, open the door!

Open the door! I need to talk to you!

I like Ken too!

Claudia!

Mommy, I need another Ken,

I only have one for 10 barbies!

Claudia, open the door!

Let's go in before we get crushed by a slipper!

Oh, yeah

How can you go to live in a circus when you're only three months away

from your high school graduation?!

Mommy, enough! Quit the drama.

I'm back.

I'm going to graduate, don't worry, I'm not going to the circus.

What a lovely house you have, Ken.

And the scent of good coffee!

Yes, thank you, do you want sugar?

Yes.

Such giant spoons!

My relationship with Patty was increasingly close,

but Claudia was drifting away from us

and my mother didn't know what to do about it.

Mommy! Mommy!

Mommy, did you bring me these spoons?

Where did you find them?

In the kitchen of my Barbies house.

Did you leave these spoons in the the nursery?

Mommy, why are you crying?

Go to your room and keep playing.

And the spoons?

Paola, go to your room!

Claudia, don't close the door! We need to talk.

If you're going to get hysterical don't come in.

Claudia?

Are these spoons for snorting cocaine?

What do you want to do with your life?

What do you care!

I don't want to see you pregnant,

doing drugs and getting drunk!

Don't tell me how to live my life.

Don't be so hard on me, Claudia.

I want to study fashion design.

Ok, promise me that you won't do drugs anymore!

Promise me, Claudia!

Promise me.

Okay, mom, I promise.

Good. I'll help you

study fashion design abroad,

OK?

Mommy, where are you going?

I'm going to work.

Paolita, do your homework.

Did you know you have powers ever since you were little?

Yes, like you, you also have powers.

Mommy, tell me the domino story.

I have to go and besides you already know it.

When you found it, there was a tile missing,

...but two years later at another place, far away,

I found the missing tile in a drain.

When will you teach me how to read it?

Yes, one of these days.

Bye, bye I'm late.

Hello,

I'm looking for Doña Mita.

Hello, Hildita.

Hi, Mita, how are you?

I'm fine, dear, I'm fine and you?

You need to change the way you treat your husband.

He is getting bored with your bad temper.

He will have two very important meetings next week

where a deal will come through.

Take your daughter to the doctor, it is very important.

What would I do without you, Hilda?

Thank you! How much do I owe you?

40.000 sucres.

I've told everybody about you,

you won't be out of work.

Thanks, doña Mita!

Clau,

I already have the ticket for you to study design in Milan.

Mommy,

but I don't even have a dress for my graduation ceremony.

The whole school will make fun of me.

Don't worry, Claudita, I'll get you one.

You will have the most beautiful dress in your class.

And where will you get the money?

Do you think you will be able to provide for us by reading the dominoes?

Don't worry, Claudita,

I'll figure out how to get the money for the dress.

[sighing]

Chavela,

tell Doña Aurora to make a dress like this one for me.

This one is for Claudita's graduation.

Yes, ma'am.

With this American fabric, imported,

it's nice, isn't it?

Very nice, Doña Hilda.

Let me know tomorrow how much she charges for the dress.

Yes, ma'am.

Doña Aurora,

Doña Hilda wants you to make a dress for miss Claudia like this one.

And, how much will you charge her?

30.000 sucres. Not a sucre less.

Doña Aurora says that the dress costs

60.000 sucres.

Lucky, just what I got for Uriel's chalice!

Doña Hilda,

here is the dress Doña Aurora made for miss Claudia.

What did you do to yourself, did you get a surgery?

I needed a change.

This dress came out so pretty,

Doña Aurora sews so well.

Any leftover fabric?

No, there was none left.

Chavela,

give me the seamstress's number so I can thank her.

No, no, Doña Hilda,

she doesn't have a phone.

[grunting and sighing]

[gasping]

[strange music]

Mami, how do I look?

Wonderful, you look wonderful.

Doña Hilda, I'm leaving. See you tomorrow.

Chavela,

come,

show me your purse.

Forgive me, Doña Hilda. Forgive me, please!

Chavela, I practically raised you,

treated you like a daughter, why did you steal from me?

What else have you stolen?

Please forgive me! Nothing, Doña Hilda! Nothing!

Mami, can I go out?

Don't even think about it!

Why not?

Because! Period!

I'm 18 years old and I'll go wherever I want.

You're not going anywhere!

Claudia, Claudia, Claudia!

This spoiled girl.

Doña Hilda, do you want me to stay for a little while?

Can I make you a coffee?

Yes, Chavela, thanks.

Paola! Paola!

Patty,

Patty!

Yes, Mami.

Claudia and I had a fight and she hasn't come back.

Help me look for her.

Not again.

Wait! She's down there in someone's car.

Claudia!

Patty, if Claudia asks you if I called her, you deny it.

Yes, mother.

Your father is coming from Medellin tomorrow.

He's coming for your graduation, Claudia,

and to say farewell before you leave for Milan.

I have a fashion show tomorrow.

So you won't go with us to the Airport?

Mami,

did you shout my name last night when I was in Renzo's car?

No... I was asleep, why?

Oh, that's creepy!

I heard a voice just like yours calling me!

So don't stay out that late...

Mami, look, there's Papa.

My girls,

you look beautiful!

We missed you a lot.

I've missed you too, my love.

What have you been up to?

A lot my love.

Hello, Uriel.

Hello, Hilda, where's Claudia?

Studying. Let's go, let's go.

Claudia, what are you going to do in Italy?

I don't know.

It was a mom's friend who got me

a scholarship to study fashion design there.

Fashion design?

And what school is it?

I don't know, Dad.

All I know is I'm leaving next week.

I'm very glad, my dear,

I need you to do very well...

-So you know... -What?

I will pray for you every day, for everything to go well.

Well, but I can't only live on prayers, you know?

Holy Mary... Here we go...

We'll see, dear, if there's anything else I can send you.

Good luck, my love.

"SUPERMARKET"

What's that?

Colombian Rum.

And that one over there?

Ecuadorian Rum.

Is all this for Claudia's farewell party?

Yes, do you thinkwe'll fall short?

No, mom,

everyone will get drunk.

- [dance music] - [people laughing]

[indistinct mumbling]

It's cool that you're going to Milan.

It's awesome.

Yeah, I guess...

"Colombian rum"

Mommy?

What are you doing?

"Ecuadorian Rum"

Claudia, stay, don't go to Milan.

You're already a famous model here.

Don't tell me this now, Renzo,

I'm leaving tomorrow...

[glasses clinking together]

This rum is so good!

More than good!

It's very tasty.

They don't know how to make rum like this here.

This rum doesn't give you a hangover.

Super cool.

Let's get drunk then!

Let's do it!

Cheers!

So, are you a model too?

Yes...

That's cool, you must be a very good model.

I'd hire you.

What an idiot.

Did you know that Claudia's mom has powers?

Really? What kind of powers?

She's a psychic. She predicts the future for the president.

[coughing and grunting]

[girls chuckling]

Poor guy!

Don't go, please. Marry me!

Mommy...

Did you like the party, Claudita?

I already said yes, mommy, stop asking, it was really good.

Do you think your friends had a good time?

Mommy, I'm not going to Milan.

What? What?!

I'm going to marry Renzo.

What?! Marry that junkie?!

What?!

[heavy breathing]

You only think of yourself?

Did you go crazy?

Do you know how much effort it took me to get that damn ticket?

Claudia! Open that door!

Claudia! Open that door!

Over my dead body you are getting married with that guy.

- Over my dead body! - [banging on the door]

Claudia, open the door!

These girls are driving me mad!

[intense guitar and drums]

[seagulls cawing far off]

[upbeat music]

Mommy, how much longer?

I don't know, let's go.

[bird squawk]

- [bird wailing] - [crab claws clicking]

Excuse me, señor...

Do you know where Claudia Gaviria lives?

Claudia Gaviria?

She's my daughter.

Blond, with curls, tall...

Ah, Juan Carlos's wife!

Walk straight for about fifteen minutes.

[ocean waves rolling in]

[bugs buzzing and birds chirping]

I still can't believe that Claudia got married secretly!

Do you know how I found out?

Yes, mommy.

In the people section of the newspaper,

can you believe it, Paolita?

Do you think that's the way to find out that your daughter got married?

No, mommy.

Don't you ever do that to me, ok, Paolita?

How can you even say that!

Besides, mommy, I'll never get married.

I will always be with you.

Hello? Daddy? Hi, I'm Patty.

Yes, very well.

No, I didn't go to Galapagos.

Yes, alone, I'm a grown up, daddy.

By the way,

I graduate in 15 days, you know that, right?

No, everything's ok,

Dad, the thing is that I need you to help me out

because I don't want to live here anymore.

I want to study psychology in Colombia.

There's a good college in Cali...

[bright guitar]

And where's your husband?

He works on a cruise ship. He'll be back in two weeks.

So we won't meet him.

How long are you staying for?

Only one week.

I'll introduce him to you when we go to Quito.

Claudita,

are you happy?

Of course, mommy.

[folk acoustic guitar]

♪Let the rain go away Let the rain go to swim♪

♪Let it take my sorrows away Let it cry them into the sea♪

♪Let the tears swim And let the tears play around♪

♪So they can leave me alone, So they can me let me breathe♪

♪When I miss them, I'll call them So much sun hurts them they'll evaporate♪

♪And I want to cry When I want to cry♪

♪With the eyes dry Who can cry?♪

♪Let the rain go away Let the rain go to swim♪

♪Let it take my sorrows away Let it cry them to sea♪

♪Let the tears swim And let the tears play around♪

♪So they can leave me alone, So they can me let me breathe♪

-Hi, mommy! -Hello.

Hello, Patty

Hello, Pio.

Mommy, I have to tell you something.

And now you? What is it?

I...

I decided to study psychology in La Javeriana in Cali.

Why don't you study something easier?

You're leaving? No, Patty...

...this cannot be.

I want to see your eyes.

I want to see your hair.

This is crazy.

But a really beautiful craziness.

A craziness that I never want to wake up from.

Because I love you.

And my love is stronger than the wind.

[door bell ringing]

Eduardo?

Will you kiss me like they do on the telenovelas?

And now where are we going?

To CCI,

I want to buy some sandals because Cali's way too hot.

Aren't you scared?

Of what?

Sofi says that everyone there has weapons and is a drug addict.

It's like everywhere else, there's people like that here, too.

Becky, I like you.

[kissing sounds]

Pao, have you seen my hairbrush?

No. Are you packing your bag?

Yes.

Where are you going?

I have things to do. Bye.

[inhaling deeply]

Yeah.

Are you sure you want to go?

Yes, as I have explained, I'm going to study there

because the college is better.

It isn't that far, you can come visit on vacation.

But who will help me with my homework?

I'm gonna fail, I don't understand Shakespeare.

You'll be fine, you'll see,

and if your assignment is too difficult,

you can ask mommy permission to call me.

[crying]

Shush, Paolita, don't worry, you'll see how well we do.

It's only the two of us now and we'll have fun.

Are we going to play?

Not today, I think..

Sofi, shall we study together this afternoon?

Let's see, Paola, who murdered King Hamlet?

Hey,

Paola.

Sofia!

Pay attention!

Don't tell her the answer!

Claudia.

[laughter]

[upbeat music]

Attack! Attack!

[shushing]

[crying]

[door bell ringing]

What happened, miss Paola, where were you?

The boys had us cornered,

and they were bothering us and locked us in a tiny room.

[crying]

You have to learn how to treat men.

What happened?

I'm tired of studying in an all-girls school

and living only with women. I need men in my life, mother.

What?

Mommy, transfer me to another school. Please!

Chavela, answer the phone and say I'm not in.

Hello?

It's Claudia.

Give it here.

Hello, Claudita, how are you?

What!?

What happened, mom?

What!?

[bright guitar music]

Hello, mom.

You look beautiful.

You're nice!

[chuckling]

You'll see what it is to be a mom, Claudita.

Sure.

Don't start giving me advice on everything, ok?

Why are you so hard on me?

Oh, mom, I came to be with you while I give birth to Carlos Andres,

as you asked me to, what else do you want?

Why are you so angry with me?

You know how I am,

you brought me up like this, so don't complain now.

I hope your son doesn't give you half of the problems you've given me.

Sure I know,

I know that I have only been a problem to you!

Claudia, Claudita, come.

Wait!

[baby crying]

[grunting]

[heavy breathing]

[grunting]

[drums beating]

[baby crying]

Mommy.

Hello my little girl, here we are.

He was taken to the incubator.

Yes, Claudita, I know, don't worry, the child is well,

I talked to the doctor.

Mommy...

Forgive me.

[chuckling]

Claudita, don't worry. Rest.

Everything will be ok.

You forgive me.

It's ok.

Another life was born, another story began,

the family grew and the changes didn't stop.

With the news of Claudia's pregnancy and my unhappiness at school,

mom made a radical decision:

to sell the apartment and to go to live in Cali with Patty.

One of her daughters had already formed her own family

and she wanted to be with the two she still had at her care.

My dad, at the same time, got work in Cali,

So all of us,

except Claudia, ended up unexpectedly

reunited under the same roof.

Patty! I've missed you so much!

Hello, Paola, how are you?

And I've missed you, there are so many things I want to show you!

Patty, I think I got my first period.

Patty had gotten me an interview

at a mixed-sex education school the next day.

My parents were going to live under one roof for convenience,

but they were not going to resume their relationship.

Patty, are those the things from our house in Quito?

Yes, mommy, the movers already brought them in.

Excellent!

Uriel, you are going to sleep in the service room

and I'll take the main one.

Here, I have to change your look, so you can adapt quickly to Cali.

Learn how to use tampons Pio,

And for your face full of pimples...

Wash your face with warm water and soap to get rid of them,

And don't worry, I'll lend you some of my clothes

because you only have a winter wardrobe.

Patty, what did you do to the girl!

I'm not a girl anymore!

"LOS CEDROS SCHOOL"

Patty, what if I don't get in?

Pio, of course you'll get in, don't worry!

Here you can be you yourself.

If you smoke you can do it at recess,

if you get pregnant

you can continue studying,

no one will kick you out.

Do you want to study here?

Yes.

Then you're in.

I thought it would be much more difficult to get in.

This is the only school where they take you in

one week before the beginning of classes.

Don't worry, next year we'll find a better one.

I think I will like this school.

The director was a bit odd.

I mean,

I won't get pregnant until I'm married.

[laughing]

The day you fall in love

and feel sure about the guy you are with,

you'll have to be careful.

How so? I don't understand.

That's our bus.

When I got to Cali and started college, I realized I was the only one in my class

who hadn't had sex...

Patty!

So, you're not a virgin?

No, I already slept with my boyfriend.

Mommy told me that men

are disappointed if you slept with someone before you got married.

Would you feel disappointed if your boyfriend

told you he's not a virgin?

No.

Then?

Look at that ugly girl... Look at her skirt, it's awful.

Her knees must be sweating

How she can walk with a skirt so long?

The first week of school was a bit difficult for me.

Kids, today we have two new students,

they both come from abroad,

Fernanda comes from the U.S. and Paola from Ecuador.

Please let's give them a warm welcome.

She looks like a nun in that skirt.

The blonde must be the gringa. The gringa nun.

Silence kids, behave!

I think the blonde is the gringa.

Paola.

Can you solve this equation?

Yes, teacher, on the blackboard?

The blonde one is not the gringa!

Pastusa!

Shut up!

Silence, please

Everything I said seemed funny to them, and all day they made fun of me...

Hi, do you want some gum?

Well, do you?

No, thanks.

What a stuck-up chick.

And coming from an all-girls school

all men seemed like aliens to me.

Paola

Paola! come here.

Come. Beto wants to ask you something.

Are there any dentists in Ecuador?

Yes, why?

Just because.

[laughter]

How was school?

It was horrible! They mocked my Ecuadorian accent, my nun skirt,

they offered me gum, but I thought it had drugs in it so I said no,

and when I said “blackboard” they all laughed!

I'll fix the skirt in my sewing machine Paolita, don't worry.

Also a guy asked me if there were any dentists in Ecuador,

when I answered yes he began to laugh.

Pio, if you want I can teach you the way people speak in Cali.

You don't say blackboard here, you say chalkboard.

I'm sure the gum had nothing.

And the guy who asked you about dentists,

he probably just likes you.

"FORTUNATELY TIME FLIES BY"

[driven music]

Hey, Paola, what's up?

Fine, and you, “Cheeks”?

Fine.

So you decided to stick in school another year.

Yeah, why wouldn't I stay?

Since you were so bored last year,

I thought maybe you were gonna transfer.

That was while I got used to things here.

Quito is very different from Cali,

but everything's all right now.

And you already got used to the school crowd?

Yes.

What did you do during the break?

I went to Medellin to see my cousin, how about you?

San Andres.

What are you listening to?

Warrant.

[indistinctly singing to music]

Hey, "cheeks", is that a museum?

No, girl,

didn't you say you had gotten the hang of things here in Cali?

That's a drug dealer's house.

Hey, girl. Hello.

Hello.

You are the gringa who arrived last year?

No, I'm Ecuadorian.

Cool.

Nice to meet you, my name is Mario.

I'm Paola.

Can I have your phone number?

Come on, I want to ask you out.

[laughter]

That year, my mom missed Ecuador too much

and she decided to spend part of her time in Quito.

Since my dad wasn't very involved in our lives,

Patty decided to take care of me.

- Patty. - What?

Can you believe that a senior asked me for my telephone

so he could ask me out?

Hello, Paola. How are you?

Hi, daddy.

Listen, Pio, first bring him home so I can meet him,

remember that you can't go to any club,

You can't go to “Plaza Norte”, you can only go to “Martyn's”.

But what if I am invited to a disco?

Pio, you are only 14.

I let you go out because I trust you,

but you're still too young.

Besides, clubs are hangouts for dangerous drug dealers.

Patty!

[upbeat dance music]

♪It had to start somewhere, and the things That start happening we need to celebrate♪

♪We still do not believe That anything has an end♪

♪If tomorrows there is no sunrise We rather like the night♪

Not for me, thanks, I don't drink.

Don't be like that, have a drink.

She is 14 years old.

What! What a pervert, Mario!

Ok, ok, I'll just have one.

Let's go to Plaza Norte.

Great, let's go!

Mario...

I'm not allowed to go there.

But nobody is going to find out

I don't lie.

Look,

we'll go just for a little while and then I promise I'll take you straight home.

[giggling]

Ok.

[dance music continues]

But isn't Plaza Norte dangerous?

It's like everywhere else, you've never been there?

No. Because of the shoot-outs.

If there's a shoot-out, you drop to the floor, don't worry.

♪It had to start somewhere, and the things That start happening we need to celebrate♪

♪We still do not believe That anything has an end♪

♪If tomorrows there is no sunrise We rather like the night♪

“SING SING PRISON"

- [traditional guitar music] - Cheers!

So you've never been here before?

Do you like it?

- [gunshots] - [screams]

Get down on the floor!

- [heavy breathing] - [glasses breaking]

Hey! Do you want to be my girlfriend?

Why were you so late?

Because after Los “Ranchos”

we went to “Plaza Norte”.

You know that you are not allowed to go there,

that place is full of gangsters and there are shootings all the time.

I know.

You're grounded for a month. You will only go to school.

[kiss]

[slow electric guitar]

Pio, I forgot to tell you,

Claudia called yesterday.

And how is she?

She seems to be having problems with Juan Carlos.

How sad!

Yes.

She's thinking about coming here.

To live with us?

Yes,

since mommy's bedroom is available most of the time...

But is it settled?

If things don't get better with Juan Carlos she'll do it,

she would arrive two or three months from now.

And will she come with Carlos Andres?

Of course.

[school bell ringing]

Mario, it looks like my sister is coming to live with us.

Which one? The oldest?

And is she bad tempered?

Why, what do you mean? It's not like she's my mom.

No of course not, your mom is really Patty.

[laughter]

What an asshole.

[chuckling]

Let's go to Martyn's tonight.

I'm still grounded for two more weeks.

You see?

You can come visit me.

Go to your house?

Yeah, how cool!

Well, ok, if you don't want to, don't come.

It's a joke,

of course I'm coming to visit.

What's this?

I got it yesterday, do you like it?

Eh, I think I do...

[razor humming]

Then Juan Carlos disappeared for a week

and left Carlos and I alone,

it was very difficult, Patty.

Hi, Mario.

Is Paola in?

Yes, yes, come on in, she's in her room.

Claudia, it seems to me that you were very brave,

breaking up with Juan Carlos and coming to live here.

Still, it wasn't easy making that decision.

The truth is I didn't know what to do for a long time.

Leaving already, Mario?

Yes, bye, have a good one.

[heavy rock music]

Paola?

Why did Mario leave so soon?

Because I told him I didn't love him anymore.

And you don't?

Poor Mario!

I whant the juithe!

Your mother is coming from Quito tomorrow.

Yes, she arrives in the morning.

I'd like to have a family meeting.

It's so hot in here!

Quito's climate is so much healthier.

What have you done to your hair?!

I shaved the back because it was too hot.

Mommy, it's not a big deal, relax.

And hair grows back, you know?

And that piercing?!

Mommy, it's not worth getting upset about that.

I am Paola's mother, not you!

Well someone had to take care of her.

And now what?

Just a moment...

I wanted to have the whole family together

because I have something I need to tell you...

I entrusted all of our savings to a family

because they gave us a better interest rate than any bank, Hilda.

The problem is that the family left the country

and no one knows where they are.

They are gone...

You mean we lost everything?

Yes, everything, forgive me, Hilda

Now what will we do, Uriel?

What are we going to live on, Uriel?

We can't go on living in the same house, we are no longer married.

You girls don't have the least idea of what motherhood means.

And I've had to do everything by myself.

Uriel has never been around for the hard times.

Paola treats me differently since she came to Colombia.

Patty is almost a psychologist and pretends to be Paola's mom.

[rainstorm]

I warned Claudia about marrying Juan Carlos,

but since nobody listens to me in this damn house...

The family was disintegrating little by little.

My dad went to live in Medellin again

where he got a job broadcasting a radio show in a Catholic station,

my mother spent most of her time in Quito

and very rarely came to Cali.

Each one of us got a job to pay the bills and make a living.

Patty was not only an aerobics teacher

in our building complex, but also at my school.

Well, this class is over for today.

Remember, those who haven't paid this month,

the deadline is Thursday.

Bye, Patty.

At school, I sold brownies made by the Chiqui.

Patty, want to come to the Chiqui's for brownies?

Yes, Pio, let's go.

I had just started doing ecological drawings

for a T-Shirt company.

Chiqui, how many brownies are you baking daily?

Around 120.

Wow, Chiqui is the brownie mogul in Cali!

Here's the money from today's sale, Chiqui.

It smells great!

Do you want a brownie?

No, I'm saving.

I'm tired of getting laughed at at school because of my tennis shoes.

I want some Nike Airs.

How many are you taking?

Twenty.

Claudia worked as a receptionist in a major hotel in Cali.

My parents also helped us with whatever they could.

Claudia, did you bring that toilet paper?

We were out of toilet paper, so I brought it from the hotel.

Oni! Oni!

Do you want a brownie?

I want oni oni.

Paola, can you sell me one?

Ok, but pay up front. It's 300 pesos.

Hey, but then things with Carlos are getting serious?

I think so.

Does he treat you well?

Yes.

And did you do it already?

No.

Do you have brownies?

Can you sell me 12?

Yes, let's go to the classroom, I have them there.

Who took them? I didn't even sell one!

- Why did you leave them there? - Too stupid.

Brownie face!

This is Colombia, this is Colombia...

Paola, I need 50 drawings for this week.

It sucks that they stole your brownies!

Those fuckers!

Yes, but hey, I learned not to leave them in the classroom.

If you want you can pay them in installments.

No, I got my first payment at Sunrise the T-shirt factory.

Whoa, you're rich then.

Yes.

Are those new shoes? They're really cool!

Yes, I bought them in San Andresito.

Were they expensive?

Yes, sixty thousand pesos.

Very fancy...

They are awesome!

Today we are going to paint on glass.

Be very careful with those, they're toxic and they cause stains.

Hey, and how did it go in the United States?

Fine, I made a lot of money taking

a little "something".

Aren't you scared of getting caught?

My dad's the one who sends me.

Do you really think he'd send me if it wasn't safe?

This is the second time I do it.

Can I have the yellow, please?

Oh, I'm sorry.

[fizzing]

No, no, stop, Carlos.

But why?

Because I'm not ready.

But don't you love me?

I do love you, but I don't know if you're

in love with me the way I'm in love with you.

Of course I am, Pao, that's a very silly question.

This weekend I'm going to Calima with friends,

do you want to come?

I'll ask Patty, I think she'll let me go.

Let's talk on Friday. I'm leaving.

No, come on, stay a while longer.

I can't, it's late and I have to catch the bus.

All right.

I don't know, Chiqui,

Patty said I could go.

Yeah, I told Carlos it was ok,

that he could pick me up to go to Calima,

but I don't know, he hasn't shown up.

[laughter coming from TV]

I don't know, no.

I don't want to call him because

my mother says men get bored if you call them.

No, don't worry, thanks,

you go out, I'm going to watch TV.

"My god this is worse than disgusting"

Bye, kiss.

Aunt, what are you doing?

Watching TV, come sit here with me.

[circus sounds coming from TV]

[school bell ringing]

Look, it's crazy pants girl!!

The girl who won't wear a skirt.

Oh, she's so crazy!

Hey Carlos.

Hey. I'm going to class, talk to you later.

- But... - Talk later. Bye.

What did you do this weekend?

I went to Calima with my boyfriend,

and you, Paolo, what did you do?

Hey Paolo, the dude with pants, what did you do this weekend?

Nothing.

I saw your boyfriend in Calima with some girl.

I know.

Carlos and I don't have sex,

so I told him to do it with other girls if he wants to.

[hard beating on drums]

Hey, what happened?

Carlos cheated on me.

Let's beat that son of a bitch.

No, no, don't exaggerate.

So what are you going to do?

I'm breaking up with him.

And that's it?

I think that's enough.

Really, if you want to, you can tell me and I'll go with some friends

and beat that motherfucker so he learns to treat you right.

Such a decent lady...

Thanks, Gafo, but no. It's not necessary

I made up my mind,

I'm breaking up with him.

Well, that was the best,

good thing you broke up with him. Big asshole that dude.

Yes, but it's very hard.

Mostly because I think he didn't care at all.

Pao, come to San Andres with us and forget about Carlos.

I don't think I have the money.

It's not expensive, and we already made reservations.

But is there a place for me in the room?

Yes, don't worry

we rented a large apartment, we'll all cram in.

I'll talk to my mother.

Yes, mommy, it's a trip to San Andres with Chiqui

and some friends of hers.

We're going for a week to a rental apartment.

I have some money saved from my job at Sunrise,

but I need a little more to buy the ticket,

can you help me out?

No, mommy, don't worry, none of them do drugs,

they're all good girls like me.

Thanks, mom! Yes,

I'll go get the money tomorrow then. I love you! Kisses!!

I'm terrified of running into Carlos there.

But are you sure he's going to be there?

Well, it's a good opportunity

to hit him with the whip of indifference.

Are we going to Las Palmas?

What's that?

It's a very good club.

Chiqui, Chiqui. There he is!

Ignore him!

You can't come in wearing tennis shoes.

Do you love me, Carlos?

Of course Pao, why do you even ask?

Let's make love here, now.

You know what?

I don't think you really love me.

I won't make love to you.

But what can I do to make you believe me?

Nothing.

Bye.

[boat motors humming]

Are you okay, Pao?

Yeah I think we both understood,

we're not meant to be together.

It's better that way.

And right there in the canoe I said no.

He got angry, but I think he understood.

Two chontaduros, please.

Yes. Mine with just honey.

Mine with salt.

Thank you!

My time in Quito was the best.

How cool!

And I fell in love with a guy from Quito.

Really?

Yes.

And what are you going to do?

Well I don't know,

but if all goes well

I would move there in ten months after finishing my degree.

And how will I live without you?

You'll always have me by your side whenever you need me,

sweetie. Don't worry.

[gasping]

[acoustic guitar strumming]

♪Walking through the countryside♪

♪I met a Martian♪

♪And the Martian told me♪

♪And the Martian told me♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski!♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski Skipirisekaperieskipirski!♪

♪And I didn't understand him♪

♪And walking through my house I met the Martian♪

♪And the fucking Martian And the fucking Martian♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski!♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski!♪

♪Skipirisekaperieskipirski! Skipirisekaperieskipirski!♪

♪And I didn't get it♪

♪And then the Martian Green because of his anger♪

♪Started speaking Spanish♪

♪Escape from here Escape from here♪

♪Escape from here Escape from here♪

♪Escape from here Escape from here♪

♪Escape from here Escape from here♪

♪Escape from here Escape from here♪

♪And I didn't understand him♪

Patty, I did it.

What?

I made love for the first time.

And how was it?

It was weird. But it was nice.

I think it's something I have to learn with time.

It's all about practice.

I can't believe you're leaving.

Who am I going to tell my stories to?

Claudia.

We don't talk to each other.

We belong to two different generations.

Do you know Claudia is not going to your farewell party?

Our ride is downstairs.

I'm tired of saying Goodbye

The farewells had broke me in two

Like that pencil that you did not like That was spent

I didn't know she wasn't coming, why not?

She's mad at you for going to Quito and leaving us alone.

How about you?

No,

everyone has to live what they want to.

You're in love and want to return to Ecuador. It's alright.

Andres isn't coming to the party either?

I didn't invite him.

I want a break from his group of friends and meet new people.

I'm tired of always doing the same thing,

going to see them snort cocaine at Michael's,

roam around Cali in his car.

They're stuck, I'm sick of it.

Now my head doesn't know Where to be

I don't draw If you are not here

What are you doing?

Drawing.

It's amazing!

Two Doctor Peppers!

You!

Are you the one who makes the ecological t-shirts at Sunrise?

Did you recognize the drawing?

Sure, they are great!

Thank you! So cool.

Nice to meet you, I'm Rafael.

Paola.

I also draw and paint.

Next week we'll paint a graffit iin San Antonio,

Do you want to come?

Yeah, of course, I'll be there!

Excellent!

[music getting louder]

♪So many planes And they are full♪

♪Nobody is coming back Everybody is leaving♪

I'm going to miss you, Pio!

I'll miss you more, Patty!

♪While you are further away Every minute that passes♪

Sometimes I feel like I want to live on my own.

If you believe you're ready, Pio, do it.

Guys, are we going to stay here all night?

Yes.

Andres, do you remember that time we snorted

like 12 grams of coke and we drank two bottles of whiskey?

Of course,

what a fucking rush.

What was the name of that girl with curly hair?

Susana,

Susana-weekend.

[laughter]

Michael! Michael!

Can I borrow your bathroom?

Yes, go.

[dark music]

[tropical music on the radio]

Good evening, sir, can you take me to San Antonio please.

[tropical music]

Hello, Paola! Good thing you came!

Yes, thanks for having me!

What a relief to know other people.

I understand, girl,

in Cali there aren't that many cool people.

This is a good gang.

Welcome.

[paint buckets clinking]

[spraying from paint cans]

[birds chirping]

You come from a very boring group of friends, am I right?

Yes,

I'm kinda bored of the people I'm hanging out with.

Well then come paint with us whenever you want.

Where were you?

I was with some friends.

I'm tired of you not doing anything

except partying and coming home late!

Claudia, cut the drama!

I'm not cutting the drama!

And you don't help around the house!

I do what I can.

You know what? You're evicted!

Claudia, are you really kicking me out?

I knew that Claudia had not thought it through,

but I wanted to seize the moment to prove myself

I could go out into the world and live...

on my own.

[whimpering]

Bye, Carlos Andres, I love you very much. Be good.

[slow electric guitar]

♪It starts as a discomfort♪

♪Symptomatically you see The days go by♪

♪The sum of the parts No longer adds up♪

♪You feel that you are somebody Who is not there anymore♪

♪The discomfort eats you very slowly♪

♪There's something telling you That you have to change♪

♪Every place is small for you♪

♪And you have nothing to domesticate♪

♪It's a Tropical Virus♪

♪Which started when you arrived And cant stop♪

♪You let it take advantage It has no control♪

♪And now everything Everything is infected♪

♪It's a Tropical Virus♪

♪Which started when you arrived And which can't stop♪

♪You let it take advantage It is out of control♪

♪And it draws everything, everything♪

♪It's a Tropical Virus, which started When you arrived and cant stop♪

♪You let it take advantage It is out of control♪

♪And now it infected Everything, everything,♪

♪It's a Virus, it's a virus, it's a virus♪

♪It's a Tropical Virus♪