Original subtitles

Inspired by real events and references historical events and public figures.

People, incidents, locations and dialogue are fictional

and have been created or adapted for dramatization purposes.

Any resemblance to historical events and interpretations is coincidental.

Hurry up.

Give me that.

Come on! Get the heavy one down.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Pick up the rest.

Get this one.

Careful. Watch your feet! It's very heavy.

Hurry, it's too heavy.

Now we are seeing...

we are feeling this large crowd who are celebrating joyfully

the anniversary,

-the awakening of the Cuban Revolution. -Justice!

If those bastards were going to the other march, why did we vote?

It's normal the Poli wanted to protest the arrests.

Besides, Lalo always wanted to go to the protest. They followed him.

But the vote was unanimous.

They voted to come here so you'd stop lecturing them.

The police are waiting for the gangs.

Then there will be a scene and we'll all get beaten up.

Remember we're here supporting the Cuban Revolution with you.

These gentlemen used their ideas and guns to change things.

Enough.

We might learn something.

Let's go to the Zócalo! Everyone! To the main square!

-Let's go with everyone. -No, stay.

No, let's go.

Listen to me! Stay!

Let's make the government listen!

-Hey, Alicia! -Let's go!

Alicia!

Here's to the Cuban Revolution!

Alicia!

LONG LIVE FIDEL

We continue with the news.

A crowd celebrating the anniversary of the Cuban Revolution

has joined the Polytechnic student protestors

against the violent arrests last Tuesday

at Isaac Ochoterena High School.

Chaos, right?

If you're near there, be careful.

Lots of rebels.

Traffic has been diverted around streets Madero, Juárez, Gante and Motolinia.

Proceed with caution, dear listener.

AN UNKNOWN ENEMY

Attention!

Watch out for people throwing stones.

I don't want any injuries.

Captain, are they students?

The order was to arrest anyone rioting.

Doesn't matter if they're students or thugs. Understood?

Yes, Captain!

Let's go! Come on! Move, move!

Move faster! Let's go!

Alicia...

Alicia!

Alicia!

Beto!

Beto!

Beto!

Motherfuckers!

Fuck!

-Alicia! -Toño!

He's gone. Let's go, now!

Let's go!

On the ground!

The police are trying to contain the violent protesters

who are attacking shops and throwing stones at citizens and police.

The city center is in chaos at the hands of these trouble makers.

Hello? Yes?

Yes, sir, one moment please.

It's Echeverría. You were right! It's him, not even his secretary.

Good evening, Mr. Secretary.

Yes.

In 15 minutes.

How many times did I say authorizing two protests was risky?

How many, Alfonso?

I made a mistake.

Your mistake has consequences and I will have to assume them too.

-Commander, thank you for coming. -Sir.

Gentlemen.

Is there a problem, Mayor?

We need the help of all our security agencies, especially given the situation.

And as long as the National Security Office operates,

you'll have my full support.

Thank you. Shall we go?

He's waiting for you.

Thank you.

Why have we deployed the riot police again?

Are we doing that every two days now?

Mr. President, the police...

Okay, good night.

They've arrested Javier and Óscar.

No. Give it to me, I'll continue.

Javier's dad went to the station, they weren't there.

Lalo?

I don't know, I left him a message.

We need to decide what to do.

Damn, Lalo, where were you?

It was a fucking mess.

-A total mess. -Did you see Javier and Oscar?

No, I don't know how I escaped, they arrested lots of people.

Let me see.

I'm fine. Look at you.

They really beat you up.

-It wasn't that bad. -Are you okay?

What about you? They didn't even touch you.

-Did you sit and chat with those bastards? -Stop fucking with me.

They knew one protest would worsen the other, that was their news.

"Student provokers..." We're idiots.

We all should have protested together.

You're right.

The bigger our group, the more organized, the more we'll be able to fuck with them.

We were supposed to meet to talk.

To have a stronger, united voice.

Not to get beat up.

Beto, don't you see, the president won't talk!

He'll have you beaten and arrested.

Do you really think you can talk with the government?

Yeah, okay. What you aren't taking into account

is that the Olympics start in a few months.

So what?

The foreign press will be here and the president can't silence them.

-No, the foreign press... -Wait, Lalo.

-So what? -We need to use the Olympics to be heard.

If they don't listen, then what?

If they don't listen, then Molotov cocktails.

Fucking Lalo, don't bullshit.

Corona del Rosal will back out soon.

He says he wants peace and to de-escalate, but at any moment he'll get tough.

Maybe.

But if he does, he won't make it obvious.

Do you think he'll dare tarnish the president's Olympic city

two months before the Games?

I don't like this at all.

All those people on the streets.

We can't control those gangs and criminals.

On the contrary, Mr. Secretary.

That's the idea.

These young people's anger can be channeled.

Right now they're disorganized, but when they have something to unite them,

the protesters will feel invincible, and then they'll be useful to us.

Who's going to unite them?

Dean Barros Sierra.

We...

have to be flexible, Mr. Secretary.

If Corona del Rosal decides to be tough,

you'll ask for peace and order.

I'll take care of inciting chaos.

How long will this last?

The closer we get to the Olympics,

the more alert the president will be, and that will help us.

Trust me.

Ask Domingo to come to the office, please.

Yes.

-Is the dean's note ready? -It was for the Sunday paper, right?

No. It's for tomorrow. On the front page.

Leave some space for the beatings.

The big news is the student altercation, right?

Exactly.

Dean Barros Sierra is in charge.

Let me see if I understand.

On the front page, the Dean's note,

and more space for the dean in the center?

Exactly.

Sorry, but...

Do you think we should write more about the dean than the students?

The dean is the voice of the students.

Right? He's a popular, respected man.

And he knows about politics.

Don't forget he almost won the presidency from Díaz Ordaz.

Let's remind the readers of that.

Understood, Commander.

Domingo, what is a journalist's duty?

-Well... -To create public opinion.

Right?

-Of course. -Great.

Go on then!

Create public opinion.

I will, Commander.

FIERCE COMBAT BETWEEN POLICE AND RIOTERS

RAID ON THE COMMUNIST PARTY HEADQUARTERS

JAVIER BARROS SIERRA DEAN OF UNAM AND A MAN OF DISTINCTION

We put three bombs at your embassy, you fucking capitalists!

Long live, Stalin, motherfuckers!

Good. Now it's time to scare the rich kids. Call them!

Yes, sir.

The American School?

We put three bombs at your school.

Go fuck yourselves, rich assholes!

The embassy, the American School and my house!

Three bomb threats in one day!

All false, Mr. Ambassador.

Mr. President,

everyone is talking about change nowadays.

The minorities, the young people.

Look at what's happening in France with de Gaulle.

Of course, we support liberty and democracy.

We think that young people have the right to express themselves,

if they do it in an orderly fashion and without violence.

You have 100,000 students at UNAM.

How many are communists?

Will they be peaceful?

How many Olympic events will be held at the university?

All we want is to make sure the Games happen without any problems.

And President Johnson is offering you his help.

Our troops are ready to help you when you give the order.

If you'll allow me, Mr. President.

Go ahead.

Mexico has enough tools

to maintain our national sovereignty.

Without external help.

Mr. Ambassador,

I want to understand, do the students worry you?

We've controlled them before without any problems.

You don't have to worry.

Okay, Mr. President.

-Thank you. Good afternoon. -Sir.

You know where we are.

Their attitude was intolerable.

Let's see, Luis. Why are they talking about UNAM?

Sir, we believe that this morning many departments went on strike.

Excuse me, but there's no official report of a strike.

Not officially, but...

today they are going to make a statement.

I'm surprised you don't know, Mayor.

The United States ambassador, not our government, gives us this news?

Please, gentlemen.

We all know how the CIA operates.

It's in their interest for us to be tense.

Which is why I'm asking you to be cautious

about information from them.

Do we have 100,000 students at UNAM?

Yes.

At least 100,000.

We'll unite schools,

faculties, vocational schools,

high schools, teachers, and the Dean's office.

It's time to be united, to be a single voice, friends.

We have to show

that we won't tolerate more abuse or arrests by the government.

-Let's strike together! -Yes! Strike!

We won't tolerate this oppressive authoritarian system.

The students,

the young people of this country, want to be free to think,

to speak, and especially to demand,

not just from our government,

but from all of society,

no more paternalism.

No more paternalism, ladies and gentlemen!

What?

Nothing, I just want him to stick to our plan.

Are you talking about Toño?

I'm talking about everyone.

Beto.

Look...

We all want the same thing.

Everything will be okay.

They're going to hear us.

Beto.

-Everyone strike! -Yes!

Everyone strike, comrades!

It's been 50 minutes, Mr. President.

-Show him in. -Yes, sir.

Thanks, Rosita.

Mr. President.

Thank you for coming.

Of course.

I was just thinking about how to reach you.

This situation between the students and the government is worrying.

It's unfavorable for all of us.

There's no situation, Javier.

It's a group of agitators who only want to damage our country.

I came because I believe we need dialogue to prevent things from escalating...

They are the ones escalating things.

Did you see the newspaper?

They're clearly interested in your opinion.

They gave you a page and a half.

Mr. President,

we need to set our differences aside to find a solution.

So you agree you need to control your students.

They aren't mine.

They're students at the university where I...

They have ties to communist organizations.

We've tolerated them long enough.

Sorry, but it's not a question of tolerating them,

rather of understanding them.

They only want to talk, face-to-face.

Talk about what?

The country, their freedom,

about anything, Mr. President.

They want a government that listens.

The government has always listened to its citizens.

They shouldn't make the mistake of thinking

we listen when they demand it.

It's in your hands

whether or not we celebrate the Olympics without incidents.

Talk to them and make them stop.

I don't want another truck on fire.

I don't want another business broken into in this city.

Or we will enforce the law, like previously.

But...

if they come in peace,

I promise to look for a peaceful solution on the government's side.

Agreed, Mr. President.

Good day.

What? Just like that?

Stop the strike?

We must have a conversation before stopping.

It sounds likes you agree with the government, sir.

-Yes. -There are students in jail, beaten.

That's why I want a conversation.

The government will listen to you.

When the fuck has it done so?

That's why we went on strike!

If we back down now, we're weakening our position, sir.

Okay, but there are other ways.

And we must try before striking.

Which other ways?

-Which? -What?

-They won't listen. -What do you want?

We want them to free the students, to be held accountable, and take responsibility.

I share your concerns.

That's why I called you here.

So we can decide together calmly.

So no more students are beaten or arrested.

Who else was there?

And they all agreed?

Nobody questioned the dean?

Did they end the strike?

All the departments?

Nothing, nothing. Do nothing until I call you.

Is the strike over?

The dean is sure of himself.

We need to scare him.

He needs to see his students in danger.

I just don't get it.

All that effort, for what?

We haven't got anything and we're already quitting?

Give me a cigarette.

The dean is a sellout.

You know what's going to be great?

The fucking Olympic village.

Foreign babes.

I didn't know you liked Swedish babes.

You haven't seen anything yet.

I'm going to give them gold medals.

Police!

-Hold on! -Don't move, asshole!

-We're taking you to the station. -Why?

-Fucking troublemaker! -Lalo!

Stay quiet, motherfucker!

Commander.

Antonio.

Sorry.

Sorry for bringing you in like this, but we didn't want to raise suspicion.

Do you want some water?

I wanted to...

ask you a few questions in person.

Yes, Commander.

You...

are fully embedded?

Nobody suspects anything?

No.

-Teachers, students... -Nobody.

Have you seen other agents working?

Another infiltrator? No.

And...

During the meeting with the dean,

did he say anything about the president?

No, he said he had a deal with the government to negotiate, end arrests.

Nothing else.

Very good.

Very good, Antonio.

Your country owes you a lot.

They are very agitated, Commander. But I can make them more agitated.

I know.

I know, but for now...

I just want to thank you.

You're my kind of guy.

I know how hard it is out there.

You feel like nobody appreciates you, right?

Everything will be okay.

Don't worry.

Your family will be fine.

What happened, Dad?

Hi, son.

I think Rosalia misplaced my racket somewhere.

Have you seen it?

Maybe it's downstairs.

Do you want to play? I really need to sweat.

I can't, Dad. I have to check some contracts.

-Did you have dinner? -Yes.

I'm going to start because my deadline is early.

You don't want anything to happen to him or for him to be in pain.

That's why we do what we do.

To protect him.

To give him everything he needs. For him to be better than us.

If he's a prosecutor's office agent, why are we going to the police?

-What do you suggest? -I don't know.

-Did you leave the car unlocked? -No.

No!

Let's go!

Please, Beto no!

Come this way!

Come over here!

When I got closer, I saw the window was open. It was strange.

I went closer and that's when I saw the body.

Antonio's body.

I didn't do anything. I opened the door a bit to make sure it was him.

No!

There.

Bring me the report as soon as you get it.

That's right.

Once we have the forensic report, it'll be clearer.

Dean, I ask you to remain calm.

Please! How can you ask for calm

when our guy was killed just hours after the president promised dialogue?

The kid had a record. We don't know what he was up to...

Is that how you'll convince the students the government wants to talk?

The murder of a student leader is a perfect excuse for this to explode.

Dean, I assure you we'll get to the bottom of it.

Excuse me,

but "the bottom of it" is sitting in front of you.

Let me know when you have reliable information.

What are you suggesting, General?

The victim was tortured

and killed with a single shot.

It was the DNS.

Excuse me, Mr. Secretary, here is the autopsy.

The boy showed no signs of torture.

His nails were intact. No bruises or fractures.

Even the witness said it was the local police.

This death is at your hands.

Excuse me, but the information you have--

General!

The students will respond soon and we must be united.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Well...

We'll see if the dean is right and this explodes.

Unfortunately, because of the nature of your son's job with us,

we can't offer the funeral he deserves.

A 20-year-old boy

shouldn't need a funeral.

Don't you think?

Mr. Ramírez?

You're absolutely right.

But I wanted

to come here in person

to offer my most sincere condolences.

And also to show you the respect you deserve, from our institution.

They said it was police officers.

The police killed him.

You're a police officer.

Ma'am.

I assure you we'll get to the bottom of this.

We'd also like to help

with the funeral expenses.

Please.

Get out, son of a bitch!

Murderer!

-Child killer! -I'm sorry.

I'm very sorry.

Now it seems being a student is a crime.

How many more will repressive police assault?

CORRUPT GOVERNMENT

Managed by the corrupt government.

How many more like our comrade Antonio will they kill?

FREEDOM - POLITICAL PRISONERS AUTONOMY - UNIVERSITY

We must fight for our rights as students and citizens.

Because we're all born free and with the same rights!

We need to unite

with our classmates and teachers.

-Join the movement. -No, thanks.

Friend.

Join us. These are your people.

High school number three, Justo Sierra, has joined the movement.

We'll continue fighting for our classmates in jail or killed.

Friends.

No violence!

No violence!

No violence! We'll use reason!

High school five, high school three, San Ildefonso...

University City, Faculty of Economics, Political Science...

Faculty of Philosophy and Art...

The National Polytechnic...

-The vocational schools. -How many are on strike?

About 250,000 students,

plus any more who join.

They want to leave me without options.

There are always options.

We can't risk things getting violent

with athletes and reporters from 100 countries coming.

I never asked for the Olympics.

I inherited it from President López Mateos.

I accepted the responsibility, convinced,

because I know what this event means.

It represents the triumph of our project, of our party.

It represents 40 years of work to build a solid country.

A country which can host the world at an event like never before.

These Olympics are a result of everything our nation has achieved.

We should be preparing to celebrate in peace.

Not with thousands taking over our streets.

I know, and that's why I want to help solve this.

I could talk to the students,

without it looking like it was done because of their demands.

It'd look like a goodwill gesture from their president.

Please leave the premises peacefully!

Go fuck yourself, cops!

Please peacefully leave the premises...

Fuck off!

Peacefully! Not with violence!

Please leave the premises immediately!

Get away from our school!

I think we should exhaust all options

before we occupy San Ildefonso by military force.

If we open some of the blocked streets, Mr. President,

and we let people pass,

they might leave on their own in a few hours.

These students set two hundred buses on fire.

They control several streets in our capital.

I'm sorry, but do you really think they'll calm down?

Sending the military into San Ildefonso violates UNAM's autonomy.

-If we give them the chance... -General.

How long would it take the army to clear the area?

About eight hours, Mr. President.

Go ahead, General.

Dismiss the riot police and send the army.

-Excuse me. -Of course.

-Mr. President. -Well, sir, if that's all...

-Please. -After you.

We need heavier things.

-Lalo! -From Science.

-Quickly! -The desks, over there!

Quickly, block it well!

That there!

Everybody upstairs!

-Don't stop! -What's that?

Sounds like a bazooka.

Alicia!

The upstairs windows!

Let's go!

Get on the ground!

Alicia!

ARMY TAKES DOWNTOWN

ATTACK AGAINST THE OLYMPICS

Mr. President.

It seems all they want is war.

It's time to go, Mr. President.

I think, General...

Is the area cordoned off?

Take this immediately, please.

Fernando. Fernando.

-Fernando, I'll come with you. -General.

Fernando.

This situation is out of control

I spoke with the president. I stopped the chamber.

The DNS remains.

You and your people are safe.

I'm grateful.

But you didn't stop anything.

You didn't say a word when Secretary Echeverría

defended the DNS to the president.

What I'm saying, Fernando,

is that I want us to work together

to fix the situation for the good of the country.

I haven't stopped working for our country for a single day.

Even under my working conditions.

I'd like to thank all of you,

all the people in Jalisco, for doing me the honor

of receiving me in this beautiful land.

Friends,

today the university is in mourning.

Our autonomy is seriously threatened.

Thanks to the blood of our heroes, we have built this nation.

It has many fundamental problems,

but it's ours.

We need to show the people of Mexico

that we are a respectable community.

And that we deserve and will defend our autonomy.

That we will demand freedom for those of us in jail,

and that the repression stops.

I would urge all Mexicans

to forget their pride and overcome our differences,

and to come together under what unites us,

and to return to much-needed calm.

Let us not give in to provocations from outside or inside our schools.

A hand is reaching out.

It's the hand of a man who has proved his loyalty.

We must remain united

to defend our freedom of thought,

freedom to assemble,

freedom of speech,

and the dearest of all,

our autonomy.

Long live UNAM!

The Mexicans will decide if this hand

remains extended,

or if it will be joined by millions of other hands,

that want to re-establish peace.

Commander.

Beto.

It's going well.

Yes, Commander.

We did what we had to with Antonio.

Understood?

I know.

We'll carry on.

Translated by Michelle Handley