Based on the novel written by Jose Maria Eça de Queiroz in 1875
Aldama México, 2002
No, thank you.
- Are you going to Santa Marta? - No, I'm staying in Los Reyes.
Do you live there?
I'm going to open a store with my grandson in Santa Marta.
I saved up the money they gave me for my lands.
If the store doesn't go well, I'll cross over to the other side.
- I have a daughter over there. - That's great. Great.
- Lights on, asshole! - Good evening!
- Hands up! - You're screwed!
What are you looking at? Damn woman!
Give me the watch, damn it!
Hurry! Hurry, asshole!
The watch, damn it!
What's this?
- Give it! - The chain.
Don't fuck with me! Hurry, asshole!
Okay, let's go!
- Have a nice evening. - And a good trip.
Here.
This will help a little.
- What are you doing here? - Hi, kiddo!
I thought you were in Aldama. Didn't you get a job?
- Well... - What?
I've been hired by El Independiente.
Congratulations!
I came to see you.
- Me or your father? - You, only you, Amelia.
Now we can get married.
- Someone will see us. - Come on, let's talk.
- I have to teach catechism. - Catechism's in the afternoon.
They're preparing for their First Communion.
And what about me?
- I'll see you tomorrow. - I can't tomorrow.
Of course you can.
Tomorrow at 8:00 mass, okay?
That's it. The game is over. Come here.
Chepina, why didn't you start catechism?
- These kids! - Stop playing.
The ball.
Give me the ball.
We're not going to play anymore.
The ball! The ball!
Excuse me, where can I find Father Benito?
Thank you. Over there.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
The ball. The ball.
- Who is he? - I don't know.
So you are Father Amaro.
The bishop told me so much about you that I was looking forward to meeting.
I was recently ordained.
That's precisely why, because you are young and tender.
He thinks of a young priest to temper him in this town.
And then to send him to Rome to study Moral Theology or Canon Law.
- I just want to serve God, Father. - Yes, yes, of course.
That's why he sent you to me, an ogre. To test you.
Just remember, a priest who barks doesn't bite.
Come, come, I'll show you the parish house.
It's no great thing.
Here is the chapel.
The bishop wanted us to start a seminary...
...for Bible and pastoral studies with the priests in the diocese.
But it didn't work out. Some of us still meet every month.
The bathroom is there, and your room at the end.
Sanjuanera does the cleaning. I eat lunch and dinner at her place.
You'll have to do the same.
It hasn't been occupied for some time.
You'll only be here a short time, if you please me and the bishop.
Thank you.
What's up, Doc? What's new?
I'm just hustling your father.
- Hi, Dad. - Hello, son.
Weren't you going out with Amelia?
She couldn't. She had catechism all day.
I told you, son. That girl has her brain confused by prayer.
Why don't you find a more liberal girl?
- Not that wafer-eater! - Priest-hater, it's your turn.
I am going to check you.
Tell me when you want a story that will rile them up.
I'll give you all the information on the priests in the area.
I've got the dope on all of those fools!
I told you, Paco.
Double check.
Damn it all to hell!
Why do you take advantage when I'm talking to the boy?
Yes, Don Chato, yes.
I got what you sent, but it's in dollars and I can't change them.
I would appreciate that, Don Chato.
Yes.
I'll tell the engineer, Don Chato. Go on.
Where are you going?
To the bathroom.
When do you want to have the baptism?
Yes, Don Chato. Of course, it will be a pleasure.
I'll be there.
The body of Christ.
God grant you more.
We pray for your help all over the world, for your message...
God grant you more.
...and for our Holy Father John Paul II...
...and all of us who are working...
- God grant you more. ...all of us gathered here...
...fulfill us with your love and friendship. - God grant you more.
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Fortunate the ones invited to the supper of the Lord.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you...
...but only say the word and I shall be healed.
The body of Christ.
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
The body of Christ.
Amelia likes the new priest.
- Is that priest new? - Are you mad?
- I am here, aren't I? - You never take communion.
- I don't believe in that stuff. - In God?
You care more about mass than about us.
Do you believe in God?
Maybe, but not the way the priests picture him.
You're a communist, Ruben!
- Don't be foolish. - Goodbye, Amelia, God bless you.
I'm home, little Salome.
I brought you your medicine. The body of Christ.
Amen.
- Tell me if you like the tamarindo. - Thank you.
Agustina.
Father!
This is Father Amaro.
Welcome.
I'm glad to see you, Father.
- Nice to meet you. - Hello. Likewise.
My daughter told me.
Very young and very handsome.
Priests are neither young nor handsome.
We are ministers of the Lord.
What did I say?
Don't pay him any mind. He's just a grouchy old Spaniard.
But you ended up in the best place to eat in the whole town.
I have mole de olla...
...and some bean picaditas.
- Picaditas. - Yes?
- And for you? Your chicken broth. - Thank you.
Saturday afternoon we're having the meeting I told you about...
...with the diocese priests.
The bishop is worried about Father Natalio.
He's very headstrong.
Good afternoon, Father.
- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
What would you like to drink? Sangria, a cold beer?
Just water, please.
She's Sanjuanera's daughter.
I wanted to apologize about the other day.
- I never thought you were a priest. - Well, now you know, child.
- For you, tequila, right? - Yes.
I haven't told you about our construction underway.
What construction?
A clinic on the outskirts of town for the diocese.
- The bishop asked me to build it. - I could take him to the clinic.
No.
Martin will go. That's what the sexton is for.
Go on.
Is this it?
Wow!
I didn't think it was so big. My goodness, it's huge!
Father Benito calls it a clinic but it will be a full-fledged hospital.
Look, come over here.
On this side will be the old people's home.
And over here the orphanage. And all the rest is for the sick.
The people around here are very generous with their donations.
Yes, especially the mayor and his wife Amparito.
- She's very religious. - Good afternoon.
I see you're a big hit.
Except with my boyfriend.
- The boy you were in mass with? - Yeah, the big dope.
- Did you break up? - No, I'm just not in love.
Do you know the only one I am devoted to?
Just to God.
Oh, that's nice.
Careful! Careful!
- I slipped. - You okay?
- Yes. I'm fine. - Yes?
- Thank you, Father. - No, no. Don't do that.
Good morning.
- Good morning. - Hello.
Sanjuanera? How are you? This is Ruben calling.
Is Amelia around?
This is the third time I've called her.
Yes, please tell her I need to talk to her.
She has my number, it's 12-34-26, extension 117.
Yes, tell her I miss her.
Okay, see you later, ma'am. Thank you very much.
Divine.
Father, Father.
Now that you know my sins, I want you to know my virtues.
This is for our Lady's altar.
She granted me a big miracle.
And my husband sends this.
It's for the hospital center.
Thank you.
I am Amparito, at your service. The mayor's wife.
Thank you.
- Holy Mary. - Conceived without sin.
Tell me your sins, child.
- Have you no sins? - Yes.
I confess that I am very sensual, Father.
What do you mean by sensual?
Well, I'm very intense.
I like to kiss my boyfriend, and touch myself.
- You touch each other? - No.
No, I touch myself, Father.
In the shower, taking a bath.
I like to feel the water falling on my body, and I caress myself.
Is that a sin?
No.
No, sensuality is no sin.
The body and the soul are the same essence. It's normal.
But when I caress myself...
...I close my eyes and I think...
What do you think about?
Jesus.
What Jesus?
Jesus, our Lord, Father.
Is that a sin?
Yes, that is a sin.
Her mother died the day she was born.
It's always been like this.
She can't walk. She's like a little animal.
And sometimes she has fits.
Is she a girl?
Her name is Getsemani. That's how Father Benito baptized her.
Can she talk?
When she wants to.
Come on, Getsemani, say hello to Father Amaro.
Hello, hello.
But she understands everything.
Do you think the devil is inside her, Father?
No, of course not.
Father Benito exorcised her once.
What do the doctors say?
They've tried everything and nothing works.
Not doctors, nor witch doctors.
Now I just give her some pills...
...to calm her down!
That's it, that's it. Look, look.
Do it! Look, look!
- Goal! What a goal! - No, Father, he was offside.
- That's a goal. - He was offside.
You're not even watching the game.
Turn that off, damn it.
- There are only five minutes left. - Not another minute!
Let's get to business. I don't think anyone else is coming.
Father Galvan is in the kitchen. We could finish watching the game.
No matter. What were you talking about?
The game, Father. What else?
Father Amaro here was giving us his view on celibacy.
Yes. If celibacy were optional...
...the church would avoid a lot of trouble, don't you think?
That's bullshit!
You'd sooner see a Mexican pope than an end to the vow of celibacy.
Besides, what do we care?
What we care about now...
...are the accusations against you...
...Father Natalio.
- What is this about, Father? - Clear the way, gentlemen!
You've never tasted anything like this.
To welcome Father Amaro, monsignor's favorite.
- Don't say that. - And why not?
The bishop himself just told me so.
"This is my beloved son in whom I take great pleasure."
- Don't blaspheme, Father Galvan. - I'm sorry, but it's true.
Help yourselves, help yourselves. You'll be licking your fingers.
Before we know it, they'll name him adjunct bishop.
No.
I would like to know what the accusations against me are.
The effects of your damned liberation theology.
What does liberation theology have to do...?
The Bishop has exact information, very precise, Father Natalio...
...that you are protecting or helping...
...guerrillas in your area.
What guerrillas?
You give them weapons, or hide them for them.
Lies! That isn't true.
There are no guerrillas, just drug lords.
The Aguilar brothers' drug traffickers. Chato Aguilar's men.
- I'm talking about guerrillas. - I'm talking about traffickers.
The kind who invade peasant lands, force people to plant poppies...
...and threaten or kill them if they refuse to work for them.
Gunmen and drug lords.
They are in my community and they murder my people!
The bishop knows well of your helping the guerrillas.
Then the bishop knows Chato Aguilar launders money with donations.
All for your damn hospital center.
- You don't understand anything! - I understand it all!
I know what goes on in my community.
Well, if you won't listen to me, face the consequences, Father Natalio.
Don't spoil our gathering, Natalio. Let's have a good time.
- I'm drunk as a skunk. - I'll hold him on this side.
One, two...
But how about those chiles rellenos?
- Weren't they amazing? - Yes.
Especially for you...
...God's favorite.
Thank you, Galvan.
Careful.
I would like you to visit my community...
...up near the mountains, so you could see how we work.
What's that you said about the donations?
I suspect it, but I don't really know.
I guess I went too far, right?
Excuse me.
Why not anymore?
You know.
But I could come when he is saying mass.
Don't try my patience, for God's sake.
Or you could come to my house when Amelia isn't home.
You don't care about me anymore?
Excuse me, Father.
- Do you have any clothes to wash? - I washed them myself. Thanks.
I'm so glad to see you, Father, because...
...well, I wanted to...
...ask you a favor.
It's Amelia, Father.
She broke up with her boyfriend, who is really a good guy.
And now the poor thing is crying his heart out.
Where do I come in?
You have so much influence on her, Father.
Convince her to make up with him.
I'll try. But I can't convince her of anything she doesn't want.
Go on, it won't hurt you to help her.
Make her happy.
Okay.
You're going to get better, okay? First things first.
The body of Christ. Amen.
- You old bitch! - No, no, Martin!
No, Martin, no!
I'm here for Father Benito.
Just a second.
- Father. - Yes?
Someone to see you. He looks like a hit man.
Yes, I'm all ready.
- Where are you going? - To a baptism.
- Where? - At the hacienda.
What hacienda?
Son, you ask more questions than the bishop. The hacienda.
Tiburón.
Welcome, Father Benito.
Here I am, Don Chato. Here I am.
- You look well. - Yes.
- Everything in order? - Everything.
- And this mess with the dollars? - I exchanged them at a very good price.
- Where is the little one? - Over there.
You're going to get stuffed with succulent barbecue.
I can't eat too much or I won't fit into my vestments.
Tell me, when are you going to visit the clinic?
I baptize you with the name of Maria Elena...
...in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...
...Amen.
Nice pictures?
I'd like to buy some from you.
I'd pay you well.
I'm in a lot of them.
I work for Mr. Aguilar.
I don't even develop them. I give him the film and that's it.
That's too bad.
Galarza wants to see you.
Thanks.
What's up?
Look at this, Ruben.
Chato Aguilar.
And Father Benito.
The priest is from your hometown, right?
How did you get these?
A present someone brought me.
Someone who wants to fuck over Chato Aguilar.
Chato Aguilar or Father Benito?
I could just publish them and be done with it...
...but it's worth investigating. It's a big story.
Interested?
It's my town, everyone knows me there.
If you don't want to do it, I'll give it to Ramiro.
It's up to you.
Fuck it. I'll do it.
And not just the hospital center, there's more.
Then the whole construction is with Chato Aguilar's money.
That's right. Here are the contracts, costs...
Goddamn, this is a lot.
And there's still more.
Here are testimonials from people in the mountains.
What's that about?
About Father Natalio.
A guy named Natalio Perez who lives in the hills and joined the guerrilla.
Didn't you know?
No. Hey, but where did you get all these facts?
Son, a lot of investigating...
...and some help.
You know, I should have been a reporter.
- Thank you. Could I have more lime? - Oops. Sorry.
Forgive me.
Great! This will boost circulation in a hurry. Damn!
You almost didn't make it, man.
See you around.
Hello.
Here you are, Don Matias.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Have you seen this, Sanjuanera?
CHURCH LINKED TO DRUGS AND GUERRILLA
Holy Mother of God!
And I thought you were the one paying for the hospital center.
What we gave would only have been enough for a clinic.
But damn Father Benito wanted more.
Did you see who signed the article?
- Ruben. - What Ruben?
Ruben de la Rosa. The son of Don Paco, the heretic.
Damn Father Benito, son of a...
You have to do something, Gordo. You're the mayor.
No way!
You have to keep your distance from priests, like Benito Juarez said.
Father Natalio is late.
You can bet he isn't coming.
I told him not to mess with the rebels. But he was pig-headed!
The accusations against him aren't clear and refutable.
The journalist states opinion, not facts.
He says his people have nothing to do with guerrillas.
I believe him.
And what about Chato Aguilar, Father?
That's an entirely different thing.
I always thought... have thought...
...that we shouldn't be too picky about money for good works.
- Even if it comes from Chato Aguilar? - It's laundering drug money.
The true cleansing is in the eyes of God.
It is bad money that turns good.
Yes, hello?
Yes, speaking, Bishop.
I want to tell you...
Yes, yes, but...
I understand, Bishop.
Yes, yes.
As you wish. If you'd like, I can go tomorrow.
Oh. I'll tell him right away.
Yes.
Conceived without sin.
Do you want me to go with you?
No, not me. He doesn't want to see me.
He just wants you to go.
Extension 15, please.
You are a son of a bitch, Ruben!
Idiot, dope, faggot, damned apostate!
Renegade, asshole...
...two-legged insect!
It was all a lie, wasn't it, Father?
What?
What the newspapers say about Father Benito.
Pure slander, Martin.
I think the devil came to this town many years ago, Father.
He built his lair here.
The bishop is expecting you, Father.
Wait here, Martin.
What a joy to see you, son! Come in, come in.
Put me through to the mayor of Los Reyes, Sister.
- Have a seat. - Thank you.
We are here to address heaven's issues on Earth.
See why I sent you to Los Reyes?
That Benito is a calamity. Look at the scandal he got us into.
All because he is so stubborn about having a first-world hospital.
Did you know about Chato Aguilar, Monsignor?
Where sin is plentiful, grace will be more plentiful, son.
Even saints make mistakes. The important thing is to recognize them.
Don't make a sour face. For God all things can be remedied.
I already spoke with the director of that rag.
We're going to publish a rebuttal.
You will write it.
Yes, Sister?
Hello?
Gordo.
The bishop is on the phone.
Those priests. I'm not going.
No, no.
At your service, Bishop.
No, no. It's just a lot of noise about nothing.
No, Bishop. Don't say that. I can't say I gave all that money.
It's in the millions. They'll lynch me.
Oh, that's okay.
If you take responsibility for half, I'll vouch for the other half.
Fine. Perfect. I'll send the fax to the newspaper tomorrow.
Yes, Bishop.
See you later.
- Will everything be all right now? - Yes, yes, yes.
There's no worse politics than black politics.
Fucking priests.
Don't let your party hear you, they'll burn you alive.
I govern for the people, not the party.
No shit?
For his activities, I'll take Father Natalio out of his community.
He swears there are no guerrillas in his area.
I'll lock him up with the nuns. Let him take care of them.
- Bishop, if you will allow me an opinion... - Relax, son.
I know how tiresome all this is for you.
But first we have to get the work done. Then you will come to my side...
...and learn to run the diocese.
- Thank you. - Goodbye, son.
Isn't that excessive?
No, it seems fair to me.
What if we decide not to run your rebuttal?
Your newspaper is doing well.
The readers have trusted us for years.
We always report the truth.
And is truth supported by readers, or ads?
It would only take the bishop one phone call...
...to end the advertising.
He wouldn't do such a thing, of course.
The rebuttal is to go on the front page, in big type.
The mayor's statement, well...
...put that wherever you like.
But I can't fire de la Rosa.
I don't want to hurt anyone.
Just find him a job somewhere else.
Come in, Ruben.
- You know Father Amaro, don't you? - Yes.
Well, Mr. Galarza, nice to meet you.
But these are all lies.
What I wrote was the facts, not this bullshit!
I'm talking to you, asshole!
- Think you can make a fool of me? - Calm down, Ruben!
- Sit down. - This is all bullshit.
Sit down.
I'm sorry.
It gets worse.
They're asking for your head.
It was around here but I don't remember.
It's very difficult.
Go on to the curve.
On this side. It's still good.
Can I help?
Please, Father.
There it is.
Done. Thanks.
- Hello. - I'm glad you came.
You read what they printed in the newspapers?
Newspapers don't make it up here.
Let's go over there.
- Make sure those are tight, Lucas. - Okay.
Excuse me.
Thank you.
Benito looks good.
He's photogenic.
With his buddy, Chato Aguilar.
That misunderstanding has been settled.
Really?
You believe that?
Then the rest is also a misunderstanding.
There are no guerrillas here.
But people have to defend themselves.
Yes, I believe you.
But I'm not speaking for myself.
I'm speaking for the bishop.
What's this?
"A decision..."
Can you imagine me in a convent full of nuns?
I'd drink all the eggnog.
It's an order from your bishop.
I don't give a shit.
You are bound to obedience, Natalio.
My only obedience is to God, and to my people.
Come up here for a few days.
Come on.
So you can see how we follow the gospel to the letter.
You could be suspended.
Maybe excommunicated.
No. Tell the bishop I said no.
He can do whatever the hell he wants.
Saint Paul tells us:
"When Jesus rises up in heaven with his powerful angels...
...in a tongue of flame...
...and takes vengeance on those who know not God...
...and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus...
...they will suffer eternal pain and ruin...
...far from the presence of the Lord...
...and the glory of his power." - He's right.
Dear brothers...
...slander and defamation...
...have fallen like a deluge...
...the confused mind of a brother of ours.
Our neighbor has chosen to smear the good and noble actions...
...begun by Father Benito. - Bastards.
All the worst for him.
Because our Lord will judge him when his time comes.
Let us be understanding.
Because the Lord tells us:
Do not allow this evil to conquer you.
On the contrary, conquer evil with goodness.
Goodness?
- What? What? - Today we can be thankful to God...
...because the slander did not trouble our consciences.
In the face of slander, shines truth.
In the face of hatred, shines love.
- Amid blasphemy, shines forgiveness. - Forgiveness?
We mustn't forgive. We can't allow that.
- Long live Father Benito! - Silence!
- Heretics! You're a bunch of heretics! - Be quiet!
- You be quiet! - Dionisia!
What racket.
Calm down. Calm down!
Heretics!
Don't be crazy!
Heretics! Heretics!
- Heretics! - Long live Christ the King!
- I have stuffed crab. - I want my chalupas, like always.
Oh, Don Matias, I'll get them in a moment.
- Good evening. - Come in.
- Where is Father Benito? - He doesn't feel well.
- What? - It's nothing serious.
No, I still have to go see him.
Tell Amelia to take charge. Excuse me.
- Good evening. - Good evening, Father.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
How are you, Father?
I so wanted to see you.
Very upset and hurt by all that's happened.
The people went too far.
Don Paco deserved it. He started the whole thing.
Don't say that, Amelia.
Luckily it wasn't serious.
How is Ruben?
I don't know.
And I don't care.
My chalupas, Amelia. What's the problem?
Nothing serious. This time it's not the heart.
He's severely depressed, but he'll come out of it soon.
With two days rest and spirit.
Keep up your spirits, Father.
- See you later. - Thank you, doctor.
I'll stop by your office to pay you later.
You see?
When will you learn?
It's the price I must pay for my sin.
What sin?
Ours.
Now wait just a minute.
When Cipriano left me...
...who was the only one who helped me? Remember?
You.
I brought you to wallow in my bed.
You gave me back my life.
I made you into the priest's whore.
And for that love, I shall go to hell.
Listen to me. What was it you told me about hell?
You don't remember, do you?
The only hell is loneliness.
Did I say that?
That's what you told me.
I hope God sees it that way, Agustina.
There, there, stop thinking.
You need to rest.
Why don't you close your eyes?
Maybe you can sleep for a little while.
If not for Doc, I wouldn't have known. That's what telephones are for.