Original subtitles

At the beginning of the Cuban revolutionary process, the Government

was prepared to remedy any shadow of social scourge staining

the achievements of the rising socialism.

Given these judgements, many religious people, artists,

homosexuals and writers were

considered as forefathers of ideas out of communist morality and

locked up in camps to be reformed,

sometimes imprisoned or taken away

from their fundamental freedoms

and sentenced to ostracism.

Great Cuban artists left the island, others stayed and over the years

they recovered the space belonging to them,

however, for some of them not even the

passage of time could return them

their rightful place in society.

They were never reliable.

Eastern Cuba, 1983.

Andrés...

Andrés...

Andrés Díaz...

I am Santa Rodríguez,

-from the people’s council... -Yes, yes.

And what can I help you with?

Don’t you know?

No, not really.

The Forum for Peace.

Another one?

Any problem?

Important guests are coming,

foreign press, the television...

So?

Nothing, I’ll be here.

What about me?

You too.

Over the next three days you won’t go out.

I’ll be here, accompanying you until the event ends

And why wasn’t Jesús sent?

He is appointed to more important tasks.

What am I supposed to do now?

Nothing... The same that every day.

Without leaving.

Santa and Andrés

Isabel...

Come.

It’s all ok.

Which one, the small or the large?

The small one... on tick.

Keep the big one, you are too many.

Thanks.

I was surprised you didn’t come down.

The forum sessions are taking place

nearby...

and you already know I’m a danger.

Well Andrés, I go down. Thanks.

Isabel...

if you don’t see me these days

you already know why.

See you. See you.

It’s bitter, I run out of sugar.

I’m not going to poison you.

I don’t want.

It’s for you not to fall asleep.

No, I won’t fall asleep.

Well...

I’ll leave it here,

in case you want it latter.

Could you go down to the shop to buy the sugar for me?

It won’t be possible.

The problem is that if I don’t buy it today it will be lost.

But I cannot move from here.

If you go, I promise you

I will stay here where I’m standing.

I already said no.

Look, if there is no sugar I cannot

make my goodies either,

and that’s what I live off.

Don’t insist.

You are looking for me

to call the security agents.

Come Gaviota, come.

How beautiful you are.

Peluche leave him alone, don't be jealous.

What's that boy?

Hey! So?

Well.

Didn't he try to get out?

No... He wouldn't dare.

You have to be careful.

I kept an eye on him all the time.

He is a clever clog,

if he suspects that you are inexperienced...

...he can easily confuse you.

Jesús I wanted to ask you if

there are no other tasks for me.

And why is that?

Because I've just been out for some

days and look at the heap here.

Marisol left the baskets turned over... poop on the hallways...

Hey, relax girl.

Make the most of it.

Not every day you have

the chance to help the revolution this way.

Yes but look, the vet said the calf

had to be healed twice,

-they're doing it only once and... -Only two more days.

For the first time you are doing something important.

-What about you?

Most men are in Los Mangos...

...cooperating with the agents.

Things are difficult there.

Relax, you are doing well.

You'll see, we will

calm him down.

Come on, go rest,

tomorrow will be a hard day.

Don’t you want to go to the home later?

... The solution to the economic

problems of our countries, requires

an extraordinary, responsible

and conscientious effort, of nature...

“Radio Reloj has been a worthy successor

of this patriotic tradition,

and it has participated militantly...

Hello.

Hey!

Come!

You'll get sick.

No!

Look.

It’s not necessary.

Sit down.

It’s not so comfortable as your chair but it’s good.

Give it to me, don’t load this for nothing.

I'll go outside as soon as it stops raining.

It doesn’t matter inside or outside.

I wasn’t always like this.

How?

It’s a good day for a swallow of rum.

Better not.

I will prepare some lunch.

There is food for everyone.

I don't want.

It's ok,

there’s always room for one more in the table.

I'm not hungry.

Well... I will serve to you.

Do you like cucumber?

And the stereo?

I threw it away.

What was that song that sounded yesterday?

Any song.

Why did it repeat again and again?

Because I like it so much.

What did you do when I left?

Nothing. I went to bed early.

There used to be a TV set.

But anyway...

... now every day I go to bed early.

You didn't go out?

Any visitors?

No.

You know? I've seen you before.

Me?

On the Week of the Santiaguero Ausente.

At the cultural house?

You were outside. With a small child,

your son, wasn’t he?

Who was crying and making a terrible fuss.

You are an artist. Aren't you?

I like reading.

But I have not read anything yours.

That's because I stopped writing long time ago.

And what did you write?

I stopped writing long time ago.

Now I live flowing with life.

And why did you stop writing?

I thought that if you were here it was because you knew.

What?

That I wrote a book that government didn’t like.

Hmm... A dissident book?

Let me know when you’ve finished there.

Were you imprisoned?

Of course.

How many times?

Once.

Eight years.

Eight?

What corresponds to me.

Eight years of my life...

among thieves, rapists, murderers...

...the scum of this country.

... Mr. Andrés Díaz, of legal age

and whose general information has already been stated here,

was working for some time as literature writer,

stories, novels and poetry.

All this based on the widest

ideological distraction

written propaganda against the revolution.

This material,

of little artistic value,

written always against the interests of our people

against the interests of our martyrs,

and of course,

against our beloved Commander in Chief,

was unsuccessfully tried

to be taken out of this country...

You tried to get it out?

Come in. You are soaking.

Take that off.

And him?

My nephew. He doesn't speak.

She is a friend of mine,

someone I trust.

Look...

What does he want?

He comes very often.

And I give him his little plate of food.

He is not well cared for at his home.

Is he new in this place?

Yes.

He moved here a couple of months ago...

To where?

There in Los Coquitos.

Now it's the time for a drink...

I don't want.

Better. More for myself.

It's time to get going.

So? How was it?

I got wet.

Do you want a beer?

Can we talk?

I’m not allowed to do it.

I don’t find him dangerous

No, really?

Read and you will see.

In the last forum, he took advantage of the presence of

journalists from the foreign press

staying there in the little hotel...

and went there even to give interviews.

He was warned long ago

and was told in good manners

to stop writing so many lies.

We tried to point him in the right direction, but nothing.

He didn’t allow to be helped.

It’s necessary to look after this man, Santa.

Otherwise he will go there to start telling lies again.

Well, I leave you.

Wait...

You know I have to go to pick up

Laura and the kids on my mother in law's home.

What a patience has Laura with you.

I don't know what you will tell her so late in the night.

What happened between us was a mistake,

it won’t be repeated again.

Are you sure?

Look... Look who were his buddies

since he was there in Havana.

Flimsy writers serving the enemy.

They all went to Miami.

This has always wanted to hurt

the image of the Revolution.

And who is this one?

The dissident writer Eddy Rosa Benítez.

Well... I will leave the padlock open to you.

Close everything when you are have finished.

Hey, you asked me to do this

to keep me away, didn't you?

Santa, keep watching well.

If you make any mistake

we are going to pay it dearly.

It's not easy...

Andrés?

Are you listen to me?

Are you hurt?

Come on! We are going to the doctor right now.

Come on!

So lucky I found you.

Hurry, hurry up!

Come on, this way.

Be careful, he has lot of blood.

Carry him from there.

Tomorrow he can already go home.

So it's not serious.

No, the doctor left him under observation

because he was still intoxicated.

Do you want to make a phone call?

No, no, no.

Oh! Santa, I don’t want to err

on the side of gossip but...

...this patient is not easy at all.

Why?

Because he's been here many times.

Yes?

Queer.

He has even been beaten!

Santa, what are you doing with that?

Patricia, what can I tell you.

Patricia!

I'm coming Norma, I'm coming.

I'll be right back now, OK?

1970: Acute depression.

He doesn’t respond to electroconvulsive...

therapy treatments...

Dates: 1971, 1972, 1973.

How are you?

What happened to you?

I fell down.

The mute did this to you.

I know the mute is not your nephew.

The doctor says you couldn't have made yourself this injury.

The doctor is wrong.

I'll have to report what I think it happened.

Let's see...

Isn't it possible that after your visit

I got all worked up...

... and tried to kill myself?

People like you don’t kill themselves.

People like me?

I have to go to the toilet.

Wait a second. Patricia!

Nurse?! Patricia?!

It seems everyone is having lunch.

-Well... -No.

Come on, I help you.

I can do it myself.

Lean on me, come on.

No, I said no!

You are so ungrateful.

Can you give me a break?

Let me know.

I have to file the complaint.

Do what you have to do.

Anyway, the police wont' do anything.

How come they won't do anything?

When my bike was stolen,

the police not even showed up over there.

The National Revolutionary Police

is not meant to defend those who are like me.

No, that's not true.

Specially now during the forum...

What do you want to know?

That the mute became angry and

hit me with a bottle?

OK, that’s all.

That was.

That is, it has nothing to do

with politics or whatever.

This is my personal life,

so let's leave it there.

If you don't want me to report it

you will have to tell me more.

Yesterday when the mute saw you,

he got very angry.

Why?

Because he thought I had told you,

that he was a queer.

And he doesn't want anyone to know it.

And so... He hit me with a bottle.

I was also drinking and

I couldn't stop him.

You are so crazy.

I think that the mute is who

is a bit schizophrenic.

He could have killed you.

Don't be so dramatic.

Anyway...

This is my own business, OK?

If I don't show up...

you would have bleed to death.

Excuse me. Lunch.

Look Santa, some tea.

Thanks Patricia.

Do you want something else?

-No, it’s not necessary. -Sure?

No, it's ok.

Don't be shy.

Nah.

Come on, eat.

You have to eat for leaving.

Why do you know her so well?

Where is your lunch?

I brought it, but with

the hurry I left it up there.

You shouldn't see that mute anymore.

I don't want to eat.

Girl eat that,

is not even drooled.

I said I don't want to eat.

Well... take it back,

I don't eat here.

Eat it yourself.

I don't eat here.

You will be given the discharged tomorrow.

I'm coming to pick you up at lunch time.

I'm fine anyway.

I don't need anyone.

This is part of the monitoring for me.

Not anymore. Not tomorrow.

Your vigilance was for three days,

it finishes today,

Isn't it like this?

So, go to eat.

You haven’t eaten anything in the whole day.

Get better.

Be good.

See you later... or not.

Hey...

You saved my life. Thanks.

Is everything ok?

I want to go to my home.

I feel already good.

That won't be possible.

Hey...

Hmm...

Do you know Santa well?

Why?

Nothing. Nothing.

She seemed a good person to me.

Are you a friend of her...?

... Of her family?

She has not a family any more.

Ah, hasn't she?

Why do you want to know it?

Just to know.

Ask her.

Or not, better don't ask her,

she has already suffered too much.

And relax, this is what you have

to do, instead of look for troubles.

Did you listen?

Still sleeping?

No, I was already awake.

Look, this was sent from the region

for all the Forum collaborators.

Good.

The Forum was a complete success.

Congratulations were even sent from the high command

You see? That's what matters.

What happened yesterday?

Nothing.

Andrés got drunk and had to be taken to the hospital.

Why didn't you call me?

Because I had everything under control.

That is weird.

Why?

I don't know.

What a coincidence, isn’t it?

Do you want me to find out?

No. It is not necessary; we have

to go back to the normal job.

And what about Andrés?

Forget about him.

The Forum is already over.

You needn’t to keep going.

Come on, get dressed, I take you.

Go away, go away, Angelito.

Out. Let me see.

Mariposa.

You're always in the middle.

Come here, how is your son?

He is better.

He has fever. But I think

he is getting better.

And the chickens?

Does anyone suspects?

We have to take them out today.

Otherwise this business

will be spoiled, you know.

Not now, we speak later.

What are you doing here?

They sent you to watch me again,

for more days?

Forget about that now.

No, no, no.

Come on, lean on me.

No.

But I already told you,

I have nothing to hide.

Well...

What a mess.

No... step by step.

I organize this.

You can go home calm.

But this is too messy.

It's so obvious there's no a woman here.

Anyway... if I stay an hour and

help you, maybe nothing happens.

There is something left?

Nothing.

Everything is already perfect.

Sugar for the goodies.

Oh Santa, really, nothing it’s needed.

It's already enough.

Of course.

You think the store is open now?

Get the ration card there.

Up there in the cabinet.

Here's the sugar.

Who is she?

My mother.

Why don't you have more family photos?

That's my family.

You miss them?

I think about them a lot.

About Eddy.

Where do you get that from?

He was your boyfriend, wasn't he?

No.

You don't speak to each other anymore?

I don't speak with worms.

Better for you.

There are lot of talented people in this photo.

Maybe the most talented of my generation.

And who are the others?

They are dead.

This is Esteban Luis, called the fat...

... the man of the thousand accidents.

This is Guillermo,

the most talented of all of us.

He worked in a mall.

One day he asked for a taxi,

gave the address...

... and died seeing the streets of Miami.

This is Eddy,

the only one allowed to publish.

Let me take notes of everything.

You are so crazy.

Don't call me crazy 'cause I don't like that

Go up there.

I’m not going to go up there in my state no way.

Hey...

... when you throw the mangos,

throw them softly.

Isabel...

I'm already back.

Are you healthy yet?

Yes, I'm already fine.

What about her? Still on the same?

On the same.

She is the girlfriend they sent me.

She has been assigned to watch me 24 hours a day.

Andrés.

Well, I have to go.

Isabel...

Come up later to take some goodies.

Better not Andrés.

I like you a lot, but

let's wait until your monitoring finishes.

Please, understand.

You get those from the floor.

Because it hurts a little bit when I crouch down.

Give me this.

Hold on there.

And what is wrong with her?

Nothing.

She is scared.

Scared?

Don't worry, I am already used to it.

That one.

Without so much mystery,

what really happened to you?

Pick up that one.

Why did you become a counterrevolutionary?

And the book you wrote...

why didn't you try to publish it here?

Of course I tried.

What do you think?

Hey...

... if this is going to be an examination,

I prefer to do it at the police station, ok?

I think

you should be removed from that black list.

Well, I should had never been included.

That's why all my friends, those

who didn't kill themselves...

...left this country.

But as I stayed...

I'm still on the sight

of all those mediocre people of the watch.

After passing thousands of inspections,

they bite all my books to a pulp.

You didn't let me work.

That's what happens to me.

You hate artists,

the real ones.

You can't stand them.

That's not what I was told.

Well, you should open your eyes a bit more.

-Don't get upset. -Yes, I do...

...because of people like you...

-Like me? -Yes, like you.

My life was fucked.

Hey, relax, relax. Keep calm.

Your injury will get open.

I would be crazy if I continue writing

Go on, go on.

Let’s see how that looks later.

I’m not crazy.

Why didn't you leave?

I stayed for my mother.

People say you didn't leave to...

...to keep writing junk of the

Revolution from the inside.

That's a lie.

I'm not a writer, I'm nothing of that.

That's a lie.

You see this lump?

Look at it.

This is for swallowing so many bitter moments.

This lump is full of hatred,

I can ensure it to you.

I'm not a writer,

I'm not even a human being.

Really?

No.

So. What are you?

A bug, an animal, anything.

So you are a "Cagüeiro"?

Yes.

Yes, I can turn into a stone,

or a tree, into anything.

-Into a bird? ? -Yes.

As long as you stop fucking

me up, I turn into anything.

So tell it.

With all details.

Don't forget anything.

What are you doing here?

Go over there.

No. Go outside. No, no, no.

I don't want you to be here.

No, I said go away. Hey!

Look at me, look at me.

Go there outside.

I don't want you to be here.

You big faggot.

Look what you did to me, look.

This time you went too far.

You hit me too hard.

You almost killed me.

Go away. Go away. Go away.

I will not stand this anymore.

Don't touch me. Don't touch me.

No, no, no. I said no.

Let me go, let me go.

No, no, no... Go away, go away...

You play the fool, do you listen?

You play the fool, but I will not stand this anymore.

I turn you on first, fuck.

Give me a kiss.

No, look at me. I want a kiss.

No! A kiss or nothing.

Look at me. Look at me.

A kiss.

No.

See lady, nice banana,

I'm trading it for cloth.

You exchange clothes?

Yes.

I have these chickens,

I don't know if you'll like them...

Look at them.

Yes, they are good. They are good.

What you have, women's clothes?

Yes.

It's nice.

-Yes, do you like them? -Yes.

-Do you have anything for men? -Yes.

-What else, trousers? -Yes.

What's that face?

How are you doing?

You look pretty with that dress.

So? Are you going out to sell?

No.

Today I'm a little bit depressed.

And when I'm like this all that makes

me feel better is go to the sea.

I bring a present for you.

As I noticed you're short of clothes I brought you...

-...a change. - No,

-I have a lot of clothes. -Take it.

-I cannot accept that.

Oh God. Take it.

Thanks a lot.

I wish it serves to you, doesn’t it?

I also brought you a little bottle.

Do you want some?

Can I go to the beach with you?

Well, I don't own the beach.

Aren’t you going to get in?

I don't have a swimsuit.

Damn, it's cold!

Get in!

No, no, not now.

Get in, it's nice.

Come on!

Girl, you are naked!

It doesn’t matter, there's no one here.

Ouch! Fuck, damn it!

-It's so cold! -No, no, no... Hey!

No!

But why this savage...?

Don't! No more savageries!

Hey, I can't swim.

Look at this.

Hey, don't do this anymore.

Stop!

What are you thinking of?

Things.

Have you ever been with a woman?

No.

Maybe you'll like it.

Girl...

... I have an aversion

to the female sexual organ.

To me a pussy is like

a stab on my armpit.

Maybe you haven't

met the right woman.

Maybe.

One who helps you.

Who guides you.

I don't know.

I only like men.

And have you had many men?

What kind of question is that?

Yes.

And you?

No.

I believe you.

You feel like being foolish.

Give, give me that.

Look...

No, no. Are you going to drink?

Yes.

But don't throw it away, there's not much left.

It's very good, you know?

Where did you get it from?

I bought it.

Don’t be foolish.

Hey!

You need to be tied up.

Don't play funny.

No, no, no...

Oh!

The sea is beautiful like that, right?

I see it as always.

I don't.

I want to leave.

Wait.

Two packs of cigarettes.

But...

Leave it.

But I don't understand...

Forget it!

What did I do to him?

Nothing, he found someone

who has more money than you, to brag.

Santa?

Hey! Hey...

What was that?

What's happened there?

He deserves it.

Does he?

No one deserves that, Santa,

what are you talking about?

That man mowed my son down.

And see him there.

Not even four years and he's already out.

You had never talked to me about your son.

Come home with me.

It won’t be possible, Santa.

I left some jars out my house

and somebody can steel them.

I don't want to be alone.

Tomorrow I’ll go with you.

I don’t want to go so far.

I really don't want to go far.

You owe me that.

I took care of you when you were hurt.

Santa.

Santa.

What stupid thing are you doing?

What's wrong?

Girl, don't be like that.

Ok, it's ok, ok, ok.

Stop, Santa, it's ok.

It's ok, it's ok, stop.

Stop, Santa, stop.

Stop, It's over...

...It's over, it's over, it’s over...

...come on, get up.

No, Santa.

Santa. Lay down.

Come on, come lay down.

Girl...

... don't do that.

You are hungry.

You know how long it's been

since anyone kissed me?

Like this.

Come, I will prepare you

something to eat in the kitchen.

Is anything wrong?

I have to talk to you.

Yesterday the district Chief of Police caught

Andrés' mute stealing from an old faggot from Havana

He thought that if he cooperated

his sentence was going to be reduced

and started to write and to tell all he knew.

What?

It seems the artist

has written a new book.

An biographic book where he tells

lies against the Revolution.

No. That is not true.

That is a lie for that

mute to avoid troubles.

So, you know nothing

about the book.

No, of course no.

How would I know?

Well we are going for him tomorrow

and I want you there, by my side.

Tomorrow?

Early.

Us with part of the agents and the Chief of Police of district.

What, is there something wrong?

Nothing.

I hope you are still

with us Santa.

Always.

That will be the best for everyone.

Santa...what's wrong?

The mute has been imprisoned...

... and he told the police that

you wrote a new book.

No, that's not true.

That's a lie.

Oh boy! If you don't want

to trust, don't trust.

I haven't written a book

in years. That's a lie.

They are coming here tomorrow.

And they will search the house.

Well... let them come.

They'll find nothing.

You never trusted me, did you?

No, Santa, that's a lie,

that's not true. You are my friend.

Besides, you've seen how I live.

Look... do what you have to do

because tomorrow they'll be here...

...you hear me? I have to go.

Hey!

Santa... talk to them.

Convince those people.

Hey!

Girl... do something for me.

What about her?

The president of the neighborhood

has to be here.

You better pray we find the book.

Good morning.

We come on behalf of

the revolutionary people.

And how can I help you?

There has been a claim against you.

Keep calm on one side and

let us proceed with the operation.

Of course, of course.

Stay quiet there

and do not interfere.

Come on Santa, don't stay behind.

Search on the little kitchen

and there on the latrine.

Where's the book?

What book?

Don't play fool.

Where's the book?

Someone told you we were coming,

right? You got well ready?

Comrade Jesús, I don’t...

...I haven't written in years,

not a single word.

Ask her.

She's been here watching me.

Ask her.

Tell him.

Yes. We are going to

speak to her later.

You saw how I live, you saw...

Well...

... if you are not going

to cooperate that is serious.

Comrades, this one

will not cooperate.

Let's make clear for him...

...that no one messes

with the Revolution.

Let's sing the anthem.

Rush to battle

men of Bayamo,

because the homeland

looks you proudly,

you do not fear a glorious death,

because to die for

the homeland is to live.

To live in chains is to live,

immersed in dishonor and disgrace.

Hear the clarion sound,

brave ones rush to the arms.

Long live the revolution!

Long live!

Down the dissidents!

Down!

Long live Fidel!

Long live!

Today you are the one that will throw the most.

Throw!

Hit him, fuck!

-Softly, that I don't... -Hit him, fuck!

I haven't done anything!

Softly, softly!

Ah, so are you going fight back?

I haven't done anything!

Easy!

You don’t know what kind of trouble you have

-got into. -Softly!

Fuck! Fuck!

Hell! Throw another egg, damn!

Long live Martí!

Throw another, fuck!

Long live Martí!

Faggot!

I warned you!

You turn me fucking sick!

Worm!

Good evening.

May I speak to Tirso, please.

From Andrés.

Tirso?

This is Andrés speaking, Eddy's friend.

Yes, yes.

Yes, yes.

Listen...

I'm ready.

Traitor. Butch.

What are you going to do?

Don't go.

Give me my book.

Look at the sea. It's all rough.

Give me my book.

Take care.

Take care, too.