Original subtitles

Positions lfor the next take please

Save them for the next take.

Exactly the way you did it

What's up?

What's up, kid?

I'm going to get made up

AII ready for a take

Raring to go. This will be a take.

Ready! Quiet please!

Esteban, can you see the signal?

My cigarette is lit, right? Yes.

Roll camera! Rollingl

Action!

Testing, testing microphone number2 1, 2, 3

Testing, testing microphone number 2 12 3

Hellol How are you!

Please come in.

Which key is it?

The big one

And climb to the top of the world

You remember the way donf't you?

Recording.

My goodness!

The years sure take their toll.

The years sure take their toll.

l'm out of breath. l really have to give up smoking.

Careful, ma'am! Don't hurt yourself!

Careful, ma'am! Don't hurt yourselfl

How embarrassingl

lt's alright.

llimp with my right foot and with my heart.

There All better now. That's what my mother used to say.

And how are you? Fine. And you mafam?

I am too, but

lf you keep calling me maiam lm going to get mad.

And where's Antonio?

hope heis not long. l told him to be here at three.

He s not very punctual. Are we going to film with this?

What do you think?

lt's so little.

LDoes it work? Of coursel

Does it work Ofcoursel

Hey, just like you described in your script

Did you fix it up yourself?

No, my aunt decorated ity

For your video?

No way for her own- pleasure.

Where is she?

She's in Queretaro Shel won't be back until tomorrow

Shell arrive at the worst possible moment

To tell you the truth, l don't like your aunt very much

and the feeling is mutual

This is greatl Did you rent it?

No, it belongs to my aunt.

What do you know? She treats herself welljeh?

Don t tell me she does her exercises out here half naked?

l- don't believe you Youre the one who uses it

Youire in great shape

Fd love to do the same thing

but my apartment roof isnft big enough.

And your neighbors? Donjt you worry about them watching?

And your neighbors? Donjt you worry about them watching?

At this distance? Theyd need binoculars. Look!

Next door here is a mechanic"s shop

Over there where you could see something is a nun's school

and over there are some offices.

rhere's no one there on Sundays

Thank goodness because your story calls for privacy.

lsnit there any censorship at your school?

That would be the final stra Why?

lts a daring story. your aunt would call it scandalous.

Do you think so? eYes

But you will help me make it2 Only because Ipromised

Besides, lywarned you haven't acted for years

And about the nude scene

Donft worry it will be very discrete. Suggested

jhope so, because well

Mhen lwas young was in

a play in just a little transparent veil

but time does take its toll

There are some changes l want tojsuggest. May- l?

Of course. but we"d better wait for Antonio.

Of course, but we'd better wait for Antonio.

We wrote the script together, you know

lsuppose the tender parts are yours and the perverse ones his

Don t you believe itl

Well, lets see if this Antonio shows up.

Wel, lets see if this Antonio 佧 shows up.

Wel, lets see if this Antonio shows up.

Dont scare me. lf we don't tape it today, ll flunk.

Donrt scare me lf we don't tape it today, Fl flunk:

Don't scare me. lf we don't tape it today, Hl flunk

Don't scare me. lf we don't tape it today H flunk

Why did you leave it tillthe last moment?

lrneeded my aunt and uncle to go away.

Your aunt would keel over dead if she only knew, wouldn't she?

Willyou show it to her? eJust to my teachers

And me no?

Naturally Hl give you and Antonio a copy.

Would you like a drink ma amr

Some Tequila?

One?

Well, maybe just to give me courage. Can help you?

Of course not

Sit down. Youire my guest

Sit down Youre my guest

Ok. go on

Now tell me the truth Why did you think of lme for this part?

Not at alll didnt piek you for the part

I wrote the script for you

Together with Antonio.

Well, yes He helped me, but the idea was mine.

I And why did you choose me?

Because you have Maureen O'Haras smile.

Anna Magnanfs inner fire

mand you are bigger then Giulietta Masiha.

Yeah, by about an inch

No, really

You wont be mad?

No. Your thighs are as beautiful

as Silvana Mangano"s and Lilia Prado's

Well!

Cheers

What shall we drink to?

To our video

May l ask a personal question?

That depends.

Do you live with anyone?

AlI by my lonesome.

With Abel, my eight year old son He's really handsome.

Just like his father youill see.

You do remember my son, don't you?

Do you like being independent?

Well, lhave no choice.

Loneliness is hard.

oh, excuse mel

Juanjs death hit me hard l haven't gotten over it

though I put up a good front

You know they called me the Merry Widow?

And why havent you remarried? Because no one has asked me

lim asking you

Will you marry me?

ld love to.

But there is one insurmountable obstacle

our ages.

Have you got a girlfriend? No.

dont believe you They must throw themselves at you

The thing is llike mature women like you

Good looking interesting.

Mature and sometimes desperate.

Do you pick many up?

No they don t give me a rise

lm very shy and women wellj they like boid men.

Weli that night two years ago, you captivated

Well that night two years ago, you captivated

me with your sweetnes

l so needed some tenderness.

The first New Year without Juan, the Merry Widow ran away

The first New Year without Juan, the Merry Widow an away

from the party to cry alone on the rooftop.

And there at the top of the wordl

she found an adolescent-

who was lonely and wonderful

You must not have thought I was so wonderful

You disappeared eleven months and twenty seven days.

Donit call me, you said, ts unrepeatable.

l was afraid of really falling in love.

So you say. l bet you say that to all of them.

Good looking women like you, you like it hit and run don't you?

You never even looked at me again

Why?

You were too tender.

You were too tender.

l have a surprise for you.

So do l

Thank you.

Did you like it? You shouldn't have bothered.

Look, nothing here, nothing there and

This is for luck on your first film

Our first film

What about your surprise?

lt's very simple. I want to sing you a song

Oh, welll

He loves me, he loves me not

You are to blame for all my anguish

and all my breakdowns

You filled my life with sweet longings

and bitter disenchantments

Your love is like a cry l carry inxmy soul

and here within my heart

Even against my ll

l am the slave of your eyes, the plaything of your love.

Dont play with my sorrow or with my feelings

which are all that l have.

You are my hope

My very last hope as you must understand.

You exasperate me, you kill me

you drive me crazy.

And I would give my life to overcome the fear.

of kissing you

You exasperate me, you'kill me

you drive me crazy.

And l would give my life to overcome the fear.

of kissing you.

You exasperate me, you kill me

you drive me crazy.

And l would give my life to overcome the fear.

of kissing you.

Oh, child, you even made me cry.

You taught me to enjoy "boleros".

l did? Yes.

You were determined to stop them from dancing Salsa.

Oh, yes

I used to get really bossy when Idrank

Someone said, There goes the Merry Widow with her boleros".

Your aunt

But l was fascinated "To love and live"

Pretty Iady" Yes

And"Traveling lady" whichj made you cry, remember?

That was Juanls and my song

I don't want to know what could have happened

in all these years that you have lived

with other people

far from my love

l love you so that I am jealous.

Even of what could have been

and I imagine that is why.

And what do you do?

l make films. lf_you- want, you can be the star of- my movies.

Iwont last that long.

Before we met I knew you have lived.

Happy hours far from my love.

Besides your bedroom, is there a little girl's room?

A bathroom, sillyl Therels one here

Don't worry eh! lt's an old joke, and a very bad one.

Hand me my carrot colored dress so I can try it on?

Of course. Thank you.

Here it is.

Thank you.

l don't like it. lt looks beautiful.

lt really suits you.

- lt Iooks horrible. eLook, isn't she just like you?

Don't say that!

Come over here, it's nicer.

But someone might see us. They can't

Have you done it? What?

Made love here on the roof. No wayl

Well? What do you think? Do you like it?

lt looks wonderful.

lt's awful, short, too Ilow cut, l'l look like something else.

And the waist I have a waist like a tamale

Come here.

lt's the first time in years my aunt and uncle are away.

Well, Pd love to be uninhibitedj but Im not into exhibitionism.

When you buy meat, donit cut from here, nor here

nor here

nor here, but only from.

lim really embarrassed, kid but do you have condoms?

I'm really embarrassed, kid, but do you have condoms?

Of coursel

Let me imagine that the past doesn't exist

and that we were born

the very moment we met.

A boy scout is always prepared!

Then it isnt true that you needed me as an actress.

lt was just an excusel

would never mix sex with artl

That means you'll understand the changes Iwant to suggest.

Allow me.

Thank you.

Ilm not afraid of taking my clothes off. l've always thought

if a nude scene has good taste and it's justified, thats OK

Look lthink

Look lthink

my character lacks substance

Sheis not three- dimensional, you know whatlmean?

And the end has to change

But welve rehearsed that way and besides Antonio wrote it

No wonder its so bad.

Anyway, let's wait until he gets here.

Look, you tell him ts your idea.

The end I have in mind takes place on thej subway

She is running The only condition for my

homework is that it have no cuts.

What?

lt all has to happen in the same place. Here on the roof.

What a pity That way you cant do anything.

You dont know the end l had in mind. You just don t know!

But we could write a script together later.

Sure the story of my life.

You have no idea.

lts like a moviel

So, now what shall we do since Antonio isn't here?

We can rehearse your musical number. ll play Antonio's part

in your strip tease, without recording it.

How can I be sure? Because there's no tape in it

Let me seel OK

And what about the music?

l'"ll take care of it When I say fmusic".

...you put it on

Does your- aunt have a boa? No, she hates animals.

Dontt be silly A feathered thing.

OhlShe has a fox tailj will that do?

Hl go find it and you get the music ready.

Where is the fox tail? ln her bedroom closet

Did you find what you wanted? Yes. lm coming.

The music is ready.

Comingl Comingl Put it On pause

Yes

Ready?

l bet you anything she arrives at the worst possible moment.

l spoke to her a while ago. She is in Queretaro

I wouldnt put it past your aunt to fiy in on a broomstick.

Ready?

Ready

Musicl

The stole goes the other way, l think

Doesn t it?

And it goes like thisl

Geezl That s not the music, it

it's way too fast.

How can I do a strip tease like this?

Brown sugar!

Well but its a rehearsal

But this music doesnt go with it. Really!

But this music doesn go with it. Reallyl

lts the record

Don t Iaugh you fool lm taking it seriously because if l don't

Lthings don't turn out right

Yes, yes. Very professional

You're a little heavy handed.

Come on, come on!

Sugarl

Sugarl

lve got to stop smoking.

get dizzy.

Now what?

lt has two beats

Againl

I almost got it

The shimmyl

Shake it, but like thisl

Come here

And now?

Brng it over here no?

Like this What do you think?

That was awful, wasnjt it? At least it was just a rehearsal

Well

after baring my body, l'm going to bare my soul

I have prepared a monologue which isn't too long.

l hope you like it But I think I don't know what you think

lhope you like it. ButIthink, don't know what you think

The camera should be very close and circle around me.

Please be seated. Coming, wait a minute

I want to talk about

people who spend their lives complalning.

What I want to tell you is that Tm sick of

people who spend their lives complaining.

What I want to tell you

Ithink Id better

lm going to improvise OK?

For many- years I was invisible. No one saw me.

My grandmother Iooked through me

as if l were a ghost

My sisters, on the other hand were always encouraged

And it was the same at schoolj at work and at parties

l didn't exist

Until ldid theater

Then, up on stage l was someonel

t isnt that Im boasting of my acting ability, but

was finally seen.

Especially by Juan

That's where we fell in love and I stopped being invisible.

He used to kiss me and caress me

He gave me a child

And then he left.

Forever

He died!

And all the lights went out.

l thought I was going crazy.

The pain l know pain is part of life andl there are joyous pains

like having a baby

That's wonderful!

Feeling how it places it's little head to be born.

But the pain of losing a loved one, that is intolerable.

Juan Ioved the movies.

He used to say you couldn't lie to a camera.

I made fun of him because his 1O best films were over 15

Oh, but he had one, The Quiet Man" with John Wayne.

He took me to see it, l was pregnant and we enjoyed it so...

l almost gave birth right there in the movie theater.

So, after Juan died

and when even grass didn't help

I used to smoke then. And seances were no use

Nothing made me forget the awful emptiness I felt

l found consolation not in religion

but in movies.

One day they were showing The Quiet Man"

And you won't believe me.

but lsaw Juan again.

I don't know how it happened, but there on the screen

instead of John Wayne, there was Juan.

My Juanl

He was doing the courting and hugging and kissing the girl.

The next day Itook my son with.

the promise that he would see his father, you know? But

Well, the miracle never happened again.

And well

My son thought John Wayne was his father.

Juan, my husband, spent his last years restoring films.

He said that films

...were the only way to conquer death.

Although people and places might disappear

they stay on in the movies.

And one can bring them back to life with a ray of light.

I was so sorry he never acted in a film, or a videotape

so I could see his gestures

hear his voice his laughter again.

Thats why I agreed to be in your film.

So in the future my son could bring me back to life.

And, as Juan used to say

overcome death.

So? What did you think?

Amazing! Let's see it then.

We can check it and improve on it

We didn't record it.

What do you mean? =Yes thererwas no tape.

Don't give me that!

I'll never get it the same.

Please forgive me

lt turns out we are just wasting our timel

Are you leaving already?

What do you expect? Why should I stay?

Antonio isn't coming and you waste my talent.

That's what I get for working with amateurs.

Please forgive mel How can I forgive you?

I even went on a diet because television adds about 18 pounds

And all for nothingl Get out of my way!

Youire really mad.

Come sit here

Where sl the key? l don't know

The one to the doorldownstairs. I need it to get out

- You didn'ti give it back to me. Do you think lm drunk?

Where's the other key. Don't know

Are you Kidnapping me?

So little and such a bastardl

How many have you put this little number over on?

No one

You should call your mother to make a fool of herself!

lf that key doesn't show up, I'lI call for help. l'll yell.

You didn't give it to me. Look in your purse.

Youire so stubborn!

Forgive me for all the things lsaid. lwas frightened.

I even forgot you are an orphan.

lm sorry.

Before you go, l have something to confess to you.

Now what?

Antonio isn't coming.

Well, ldidn't ask him to

because l wanted to play the part.

I made this all up just to be with you.

lt's just that

I want to repeat the magic of that night.

You sure are convoluted.

You should have said so before, kid.

didnit even get a chance to check my makeup.

lrwasted my money. l paid to have my hair done in a salon

Do you want to see yourself?

Can I?

Sure

How?

By hooking the camera up to a monitor

Wel, lm hooked

And the climactic scene is here on the exercise machine?

I have it all thought out.

'l| suggest the onmipresence of God through video.

That he saw it all on a monitor.

How awful!

That's what I get for improvisingl

So you buy condoms by the dozen?

No way, man.

Tell the truth.

You must have lots of affairs.

Not at all Nowadays everyone is afraid of AIDS.

According to a dentist I know, if one person's gums bleed.

that's enough to catch it.

Doing it with a stranger is like doing it with 12 people.

What?

With twelve at once?

Oh, l get it Goodness mel L really blew it.

I imagined an orgy

The only thing left is to be faithful to one person.

That's a bitch!

You can take it from the Merry Widow!

l know more unfaithful husbands than streets in this city.

Do you know anyone who died of AIDS?

Yes, Rock Hudson.

I heard there is a problem in the European Common Marked

the ltalians are demanding larger condoms

- l heard it about Argentineans. Then it must be a joke.

lf memory serves me, you were standard.

That is so.

I read they invented a condom for women.

AII this progress and here we are suffering.

What did you do when you were my age?

Then we were terrified of getting pregnant.

There were no contraceptives, but we got along.

We did lots of things.

Like what?

You know.

Do you want to see yourself in close up?

OK.

That's enough. Let's go on.

Yes. OK.

Then come a little farther back here with me.

Come sit over here.

And put this on.

Yes. Why here?

So we can see our full bodies.

Youre crazy, lm going to change in the bathroom.

lt's just to get over the fear of the camera.

l'm not afraid of the camera.

But the frame can't be left empty.

Finel Then you strip there.

Why should l?

What do you think? Beautiful!

Just like Lilia Prado in"La llusion Viaja en Tranvia".

Be quietl

Wont there be gross details? When we really tape it?

I already told you I don't want to show, lwant to suggest.

OK, and what we don't like mean what you don't like

we can throw away, right?

ln editing? No, everything must be done with no cuts.

At least I won't get graded.

l'm grading you and you get an A in advancel

They have safety pins.

Couldn't there be a kind of fog that made everything look hazy?

Like a mist. Yes Wait a minute. I have an idea.

Thank God you've got an idea.

God, lm so nervousl

OK, help me put this on.

OK, help me put this on

Make sure it fits around that edge.

What do you think?

A cross between a condom and an incubator.

The effect will be great

Now what?

We act like you seduce me here.

Here in front of the camera?

lt symbolizes the eye of God the Father.

What an idea

OK, lets see.

ln what position?

Well in full lotus.

On this machine? That would really be living on the edge.

HI be below you in the missionary position.

Let s see

Does that bother you? That's good

Do I bother you?

Shall we begin?

No, not so fast. Otherwise they won't be able to make it out.

We'll go faster and faster.

We'll reach orgasm at the count of three 1, 2, 3

l'ts too hot.

l'm melting.

Did you like the bit with the soap bubbles?

lt's a metaphor for the fragility of human relations.

l hope they understand it.

Allow me.

There, there. AIl better now.

What's the matter? Are you leaving already? You see?

lt's just that I left my son alone and I'm worried.

Look, limping with my right foot. He's a terror.

Thank you

What do you think of my acting?

Youre the best

Really? Thank you.

When are we going to fake it for the camera?

I don't know. l need to get another rooftop.

Confess, you did all this just to seduce me.

I have to take this test. Otherwise Hl flunk.

Wait a little and we'll do it right now

Stay, l promise you a surprise

I can't. You know I have responsibilities.

But get in touch and we'll make a date.

l Hope you don't avoid me for another two years

l won't.

Then can I call you? Of course.

Oh, and in case you are the one who disappears

l want to ask you a favor.

Don't forget me when you become a director.

l have always dreamed of being an actress.

Let me appear in all your movies.

Even if it's just walking, by in a crowd, OK?

End of project for sophomore year.

There were a lot of mistakes, mother.

The worst one was my agreeing to help you.

- You're going to flunk. Mother

l met the main condition of no cuts.

But you aren't going to present it

No one will ever see that videotape, son, because L

we are going to destroy it.

And don't get me wrong, l'm not ashamed, or sorry I did it.

Tonight and the day you you were born.

are the best moments of my life

lt was as if your father was reborn.

Son, you must understand

We taped more than. than what we planned and

Then it isn't true that you needed me as an actress.

lt was all an excuse.

Don't touch thatl I won't give it to you!

Damn it, let me inl

Son, sonl

Aisell

Mommy, why did you put up a sign not to come up or talk?

l was helping your brother with his homework.

What did you do to my TV?

How was the highway?

You know how the outskirts of Queretaro get.

My mother didn't finish the bedspread.

Yes, lll call her later

OK, down you go!

lll be right down to fix you supper.

Some day you'll do it again with a professional actress.

With the best of her time.

And it will be a great success. Reallys

lf your father were alive, he would be proud of you

You're going to be

You are a good director. Really.

Keep it. lt was your father's.

You are already married to the movies

Don't you dare touch that videotape

or you'll answer to me, mother.

Maria, all Iasked was that you water them over the weekend

...and you couldn't even do that.

What's the matter? What's burning?

Nothing. Go over there llI bring your dinner in a moment.

What is it? What's the matter?

Did you fight?

What do you mean no? Just look at you.

Did you hit her?

Dont even think that.

Come on, find your doll Where is she?

Here, make her a little dress. You know how.

Here are the scissors.

M get you some dinner.

l haven't- seen you like this since Juan died.

Come on, come on. Give us a little smile, my Merry Widow.

What did you two do? What did you burn?

I ruined his school project.

And he offended you. l know he did.

You see what you get for helping him?

You made the wardrobe decorated the roof

and he insults you.

Dont tell me you acted?

The people who were going to help him didn't ever show up

and we had to do it ourselves.

But you haven't acted since you were young.

What did he expect?

You know what, Maria?

I love him like our daughter, but he's too big to live here.

He has to get out on his own.

I'll talk to him tomorrow.

Or you should.

lt's about time you cut the umbilical cord.

Don't worry

he'll never come back.

But we will hear wonderful things about him

Because he has sensitivity and talent.

And I hope what! did to him today was like

like pruning a little tree

So that in the future, he will overcome any obstacle

so nothing will keep him from expressing himself.

Translated by Laura Gorham.