25.
The wind’s too strong!
Awful weather. - The letters must shine.
Some wind you have in this village!
The women here live longer than the men.
Except our poor mother...
She got lucky.
Don’t say that, Raimunda.
Mother died in father’s arms. It’s how she would have wanted it.
She wanted to die in a fire?
I think it was a good death. They were asleep, didn’t notice at all.
What difference does that make? That’s not a way to speak.
Hello, Augistina.
Bye, Augustina.
Good day, Manola.
Mom, what else should I bring?
That’s all.
Now, she’s an eyeful.
Augustina!
This is Paula, right? Wonderful girl! Let me kiss her.
Ah, something’s wrong here. She stole her father’s eyes.
How are you? - Not like before.
My lot is impossible to keep clean.
It’s a nightmare. - Well. it looks great.
I feel such peace when I’m taking care of my mound.
I often come here alone, I sit down and forget all worry.
We have to go and see aunt Paula before we leave.
Come by and visit me, too!
Of course.
Wait, how’s Paco doing? Fine, he stayed in Madrid—too much work.
Mother, is it true that aunt Augustina comes to look after her own grave?
Yes, that’s how it’s done around here. You buy yourself a lot and maintain it.
What a nutcase.
That’s how it’s done.
I’ll drive? - Yes, yes.
Aunt Paula?
Who is it?
Raimunda.
Let’s be quick. I don’t want to stay the night.
Put a smile on for your aunt.
Okay.
The house smells as awful as ever.
Aunt Paula, how are you?
My, you look thin! Are you on a diet?
Ever since I turned 14.
Who are these people?
What do you mean who? Solia and my Paula.
Paula looks just like me.
Let’s go to the dining room.
Sure, come on in.
Solia looks so much older…
Can I turn it off? - Turn it off, I’m not watching.
Fires are a terrible thing.
So, what brings you here?
I don’t know. Maybe we can talk.
No. - Let’s have breakfast then.
Look in the cupboard.
My rheumatism is killing me.
I found doughnuts, just like mother’s.
How was the cemetery?
Mom would have been pleased.
Did you clean it well?
Of course.
She likes it very clean.
If she could do it herself, she would but of course she can’t.
Yes, too bad she can’t.
Auntie, don’t you ever get lonely here in this big house?
You’d be better off in a home. They’ll take care of you.
I like it here.
Can I use the bathroom?
Go.
Still, living alone is no good. I’m worried about you.
How do you manage with food?
Augustina brings me bread.
If I need anything else from the store I just call them.
Don’t worry.
So pretty.
Look what your aunt has made. She even inscribed your name.
Are we leaving soon?
We are.
Aunt Paula, we should go.
I have a bout of rheumatism again.
Don’t get up.
This can’t go on.
I’m still worried, next time I’m taking you with me.
Yes, yes, next time. If there is one.
Of course there will be.
Take care of yourself.
You, too.
Of course. Auntie, I love you so much.
Are we stopping at Augustina’s? - Yes.
Come on in!
So, how did your aunt seem to you?
Bad.
Terrible.
She’s so stubborn. I can’t imagine how she manages by herself.
She manages. No other choice.
Every day, I bring her bread. She won’t starve, at least.
Let’s go out in the yard. - I’m sad.
She talks about our mother. As if she’s alive.
Yes, that’s what she does.
Come, sit down, let’s talk.
I’ll give you some money to take good care of her.
No need to give me anything. It’s my pleasure.
I’d take her with me but she won’t let me.
I don’t know what to do with her. We’ll think of something.
Every day when I go to the store I knock on her window
and I stay until I see her. Don’t worry, she’s in good hands.
You can’t imagine how grateful I am.
I just hope... someone takes care of my own mother this way...
wherever she is.
See that?
The only hippie in the village.
Come see the plastic necklaces.
They’re beautiful.
They may be plastic but they’re top quality!
They remind me of my mother. - You’re such a good daughter.
Any news of her? - None.
It’s like she vanished.
What about your sister?
Regina? She’s in Madrid, reaping awards and accolades.
Mom, I ran out of minutes.
So much the better, we need a break from your telephone.
Use mine. - Please.
In that case, you can’t.
What was I saying?
Regina, she’s on every television show.
You can rent an apartment in Madrid for the price of a ticket.
She was meant to be a singer.
Do you remember... when you were 14...
They took you to an audition for young talents.
Really? You never told me that.
Past is past. Anyway, it was because of Augustina's sister.
Didn’t you ever wish you were with her in show business?
Not really.
She would have liked that.
She would flip out.
Want some?
No, thank you.
Homegrown and home-made.
No, no.
We have to go, really. - Yes.
Did you tell the police about your mother’s disappearance?
No. Regina thinks it won’t do any good.
Many times she appealed on TV to people who may have information.
TV is one thing, the police is another.
What do I know.
It’s not the first time your mother disappears.
Yes, but never for that long.
It’s been three and a half years.
Don’t lose hope, and take care of yourself, you look tired.
Look at the pretty blossoms.
It’ll bear a lot of fruit. Too bad I don’t have any appetite.
Must be the cigarettes.
It’s thanks to cigarettes that I eat at all.
Her eyes are just like her father’s.
Cigarettes stimulate appetite and improve your mood.
Drive safe.
You won’t believe what I saw at my aunt’s house.
What?
An exercise bike.
That’s absurd.
She got an exercise bike for her treatment.
The old hag has completely lost it.
I don’t like it when you talk that way about her.
Mom, she didn't even recognize us.
It’s the wind. The damned wind makes people crazy.
Mm, very tasty.
I can’t believe she can still make these.
Hello, Regina. Are you off to work?
What can you do.
Can you give her a ride?
Where to?
The city. The closer to downtown, the better.
Hop on. - Thanks.
Later.
Hi, dad. - Hey there.
What’s new?
How was it? Did you have fun?
At the cemetery?
You must be kidding!
Are you having fun now?
What?
Put your feet down.
Bring me another beer.
Are you drunk?
Get me another beer! Please.
Paco, don’t you think you’ve had enough? You’re working tomorrow.
I rest tomorrow, and the day after. - What?
They fired me.
Wait a minute.
Goddamn it!
Then look for another job or are you just resting from now on?
I’ll look, let me finish watching the game.
Say goodbye to the TV. If we’re poor,
might as well live like the poor.
Paula, get off the phone.
Dinner’s here, if you want to eat.
Are you mad at me? - No.
I’m worried about my aunt.
She’s worse than ever.
She couldn’t recognize Solia, her own niece.
How can anyone live like that? - She can.
Stop it, Paco.
What’s with you?
I’m just tired, and I have to be up early tomorrow.
I can do it myself.
Don’t be a nuisance.
Don’t call me that. - I was kidding.
What are you doing here?
Waiting for you.
Why?
I tried to call you a million times to buy bread.
You’re soaking wet. How long did you wait?
I don’t know. Not long.
Where were you? Out with your girlfriends?
No.
I didn’t go anywhere.
Then why didn’t you pick up?
What’s the matter with you?
Something’s wrong.
What is it, tell me!
Is it your father?
He...
Where is he?
In the kitchen.
What happened?
I was in the kitchen... with my back to him... he came in and grabbed me...
He was drunk.
I fought back... I asked him what he was doing. He kept telling me he wasn’t my father.
I fought back...
but he kept coming...
he tried to hug me.
Then he took his pants off, he said there’s nothing wrong with that...
because he’s not my father.
I opened a drawer and took a knife...
just to scare him off...
to make him leave me alone.
He wasn’t scared...
Said I wouldn’t do it and jumped me.
What are we going to do, mom?
I don’t know.
You should change, you’ll catch a cold.
Paula, remember!
I killed him.
You saw nothing because you were out.
It’s important that you remember.
Hush.
Who can that be? - I don’t know, go away.
Raimunda, it’s me, Emilio.
I’ll be right there.
What is it?
Sorry I’m bothering you this late.
Thing is, tomorrow I’m going to Barcelona, and I want
to leave you the restaurant key if someone wants to see it.
No problem, but you know I’m not home all day.
Paco is home, right?
Paco?
He found a new job. It’s his first day tomorrow.
What’s this? Are you hurt? - It’s just a scratch.
I remembered I’ll be home most of the day now that Paco has a job.
Give me the key.
Here, it’s my brother’s phone number and this is my cell.
You’re leaving tomorrow? - Early morning.
Just out of curiosity, how much do you want for the restaurant? I really like it.
It’s a pity you don’t like the owner that much.
For Christ’s sake, Emilio.
5 mil. asking price but we can negotiate.
I understand. Good bye, we’ll miss you.
I’ll miss you more.
Good luck. - Thanks.
Emilio is leaving? - Yes.
Go to your room, Paula. - I want to be with you.
I’ll need your help later.
Don’t pick up.
It’s one of your girlfriends.
Pick up and tell her you can’t talk right now. It’s late.
I can’t talk right now. - What? It’s aunt Solia.
Get your mother on the phone. - Mom, it’s aunt Solia.
Tell her I’m busy.
She’s busy right now. - Give her the phone, it’s urgent.
Mom, you have to take this.
Solia, I have so much laundry...
Augustina called.
Aunt Paula died.
When? - Just now.
Aunt Paula died.
I swear, the whole time I was thinking of how to take her.
And now, she died all alone. - Don’t cry, honey.
Augustina said not to worry.
She’ll take care of everything until we get there.
Before she died, aunt Paula picked a color for her grave
and paid for everything. It’s unreal,
the way she arranged everything, so rational to the very last.
I can’t make it to her funeral.
As much as I hate to say it.
I’m very busy. - What? How can you say that?
It’s true, I can’t make it.
You have to go alone. - Alone?
You know that I get panic attacks when I see dead people.
You don’t have to see her. I’ll ask Augustina to take care of everything.
And if they ask me about you?
Tell them I just had surgery. Think of something.
Listen, I’ll visit soon, just not right now.
I don’t understand you, Raimunda. Aunt Paula loved you so much.
I loved her, too.
Solia, one day I’ll explain.
You’ll be shocked. - I’m shocked already.
Calm down, Solia. Take a Valium. I’ll take one, too.
And just go tomorrow.
Okay? - Okay.
The door.
Wait here, don’t come with me.
I hope nothing has changed since I worked here.
Stop! Don’t come near!
Sorry.
What do you want?
I wanted to see if the restaurant was open.
We’re closed.
Why? Can you help me?
We’re shooting a film nearby and the crew needs a place to eat.
Do you know of any other place around?
How many of you?
25... 30 people.
Lend me a hand.
I can manage that, no problem. Really?
Lunch for 30.
When should I expect you? - We’re done at 15:30, and we need...
16:00 sound good? - Okay.
Terrific.
How much are you paying?
300 euro.
Okay.
Sorry I yelled at you. You just scared me.
No problem. See you at 16:00. Thank you.
You’re welcome. Bye. - See you.
No problem. It’s already 10:00.
Please, can I have 2 more kilos.
All right. - How much are the potatoes?
4 kilos for 1,60 euro.
I’ll take 8. - Okay.
Hi, Katrina. - Hello, Raimunda.
Where to? - I’m cooking lunch for 30 people.
Can you lend me 100?
Sorry, I’m broke, too.
Just got out of acupuncture. They turned me into a hedgehog.
Please, I’ll pay it back tomorrow. - Cost me 10,80...
Thank you so much.
I’ll bring it over later today. - Thanks.
I’ll have to go on a diet. - Won’t hurt you any.
Hi, Ines. So you’re back from your village.
Yes, since last night. How are you?
Did you happen to bring any sausages or blood pudding?
Sure, how did you know?
My blood pudding is finger-licking fresh.
I need 1,5 kilos. - That much?
I’m cooking for 30. - Who’s visiting?
Long story, tell you later. Give me credit, I’ll pay tomorrow?
Okay, no problem. - Thanks.
Wait, do you have anything sweet?
Of course. Doughnuts. They’re to die for.
With cholesterol that high, you shouldn’t be eating those.
It’s my only weakness. I brought three boxes.
Don’t eat all of them. - What should I do, give them away?
Sell them to me, you’ll make a profit.
Can I at least try them?
Have a few, but not too much. Deliver them to my place?
Okay, see you soon. - See you.
Bye. - Bye, sweetie.
Anybody else want pork-chops?
What about you?
Just a bit more?
Augustina?
Is that you, Augustina?
Soledat, daughter.
Solie, I have to talk to you.
Solie.
All right.
It’s okay, calm down.
Where is she? - Upstairs, in my mother’s room.
Better this way, I brought her here to be close to the body.
Thank you, Augustina.
Let’s go to the next room.
Good evening.
I spoke with your sister, poor thing, just out of surgery.
Yes, just now.
Calm down, you don’t have to see the body.
My condolences. Such a pity.
Santa’s daughter.
Please, let her catch her breath, she’s tired from the journey.
Come here, Solie. Calm down
It happened during the night.
I had finished dinner and was watching TV
then I heard a knock on the door.
I thought I’d imagined it, but then I heard it again.
"Who is it?" I asked.
And then I heard a voice say: "Augustina".
I went out on the street, nobody in sight.
But I wasn’t afraid.
I looked at your aunt’s house.
The front door was open.
That’s odd, I thought. So I went over...
called your aunt but no answer.
Of course, she couldn’t have answered, bless her soul.
I went into the bedroom and found her.
She was just lying there, small as a bird.
Her spirit called you.
Hers or that of another woman. - Who else?
I don’t know, I didn’t see her.
Someone or something called to bring me news of her death...
and opened the front door for me.
Let’s go to the kitchen.
You must be starving. - Yes.
I haven’t had a bite since yesterday morning.
I knew it.
Look, you scored a celery. - That should be enough.
What were the women talking about?
Just shooting the breeze, you know how it is here.
They were talking about my mother.
Yes, they say they saw her.
They say she came back to take care of your aunt.
Has she visited you?
No, what about you? - Me, neither.
But things like that do happen. - I don’t know.
My grandmother was visited by my grandfather’s ghost.
May he rest in peace.
Go on, eat.
She was terrified at first.
But then she asked him why he had come back.
The deal was, she hadn’t kept a promise she had made.
So she kept it— she took the whole village to the cemetery.
He was appeased and she didn’t see him any more.
Here.
I haven’t told you this before.
Do you want to go to your aunt’s place to look around,
maybe take something to remember her by? - No, thanks.
Maybe later, with Raimunda. - Tell her everything went well.
The whole village came to her funeral.
I’ll tell her by all means.
She’d hate to have missed it.
Go on, get going.
Solia, open up.
Open up. It’s your mother.
My mother is dead.
You must be her ghost.
Call me whatever you like, just get me out of here.
I’m in the trunk.
Of course, mom, anything for you.
Soledat, daughter. Don’t be afraid.
I am your mother.
Don’t you want to hug me?
Help me out.
Aunt’s suitcase? - Yes.
What’s in them? - Clothes, and some of her valuables.
Good thing I managed to hide them before the neighbors got here.
Everyone except Augustina was scoping, but I had managed to clean up.
Augustina deserves a present.
She did more for Paula than your sister did.
A true hero, she even managed the funeral.
Thanks for coming.
I’m deathly tired.
Are you staying the night here? - Of course, where else?
My god. No wonder you were scared!
Do you still have the beauty parlor? - Yes, I do.
We can adapt this room. Tomorrow, give me a haircut and dye my hair.
Okay. - I’ll need clothes.
I don’t intend to just stay in here.
Nobody knows me here.
Back where I was I couldn’t even stick my nose out.
Can you imagine?
Are you staying long?
Can’t wait to get rid of me? - Not at all! Just asking.
I’ll stay as long as God wills it.
If you’re tired of me, just tell me.
You’re divorced, it’s better for you to live with your mother.
Unless there’s another man...
No, mom, I’m alone.
As usual.
Not anymore.
Answer the phone.
Are you back yet? - Yes, I am.
I couldn’t find you. I just spoke with Augustina.
Yes, everything went great.
The whole village came. The whole day I thought of you.
I wanted badly to be there.
300, right?
And for the drinks? - Drinks are on the house.
Same time tomorrow? Everyone loved it.
Glad to hear it.
Just one thing, if the portions were larger it would have been perfect.
No problem. Tomorrow I’ll feed you so much you won’t be able to walk.
Great. See you tomorrow, then. - See you.
Solie, I’m sorry. - Did you start in a restaurant?
Yes, Emilio left me his.
Now, that’s news! - It’s not just that.
Paco left us.
That’s why I couldn’t make it to the funeral.
You called in the middle of an argument.
I knew that something bad was happening.
Did he beat you? - No, Paco never laid a hand on me.
He just left.
Forever.
He’ll be back, you’ll see.
I don’t think so. - Why?
Call it intuition.
All right, then. Kisses.
To you, too. - See you soon.
You know, neither of us has had any luck with men.
Raimunda and I failed, but not you.
What about me?
Father adored you.
Raimunda said you’re lucky
you died in the arms of your lover.
Raimunda is a good egg, but her tongue can be evil.
I turned a blind eye to your father and he took advantage.
He cheated on me till the very end.
What are you saying? - It’s true.
I kept quiet, didn’t want you to know.
Enough about this, let the bygones be bygones.
Will his ghost return? - I hope not.
What about your husband? - My husband?
Can he come back? - I don’t think so.
No word in two years. - You’re better off.
It’s just the two of us.
How much did you pay for this? 10? - 10,80.
I’ll give you 3 euro more.
And I’ll pay you for 4 boxes instead of three.
Thank you. - So they won’t say I’ve used you.
Can you help me with the fridge.
I just finished eating. - I need to bring it downstairs.
Go ahead, tilt it towards you.
Yep, that’s right. You got it.
Now, watch the stairs, no rush. Careful! That’s good.
Left. Terrific!
Can it fit through the elevator door? - This side first.
Watch out! Okay. - My god, it’s like an elephant.
Now we can call the elevator.
Kitchen’s this way.
The room keeps cool throughout the day.
What about this freezer? - Not working.
So, this is your restaurant? - At least while you’re shooting.
You can count on me. I can help you make the dessert.
And I can wait on the tables.
I don’t know if we’ll be open tonight, but I appreciate the thought.
Mom?
Do you need me to do anything? - I need a haircut.
I mean something you wanted while you were alive,
that doesn’t let you rest in peace.
When you die, a lot of what you did is left unfinished.
And a lot of what you finished was done wrong.
I just don’t know if anything can be fixed.
And if it can, is it my business to fix it?
Who knows.
My clients will come any minute now.
What are we going to do? - We’ll serve them. I’ll help.
I can’t introduce you as my mother.
Everyone knows I’m an orphan.
Then tell them I’m a foreigner.
Foreigner? From where?
The Dominican Republic. - No, that won’t work.
Too many Dominicans around, they know the accent.
Chinese then. Madrid is full of Chinese.
Mom, you make a poor Chinese woman.
We need something exotic. That we don’t have any of.
Russian.
You think I look more Russian than Chinese?
Yes, Russians look just like us.
Just keep quiet, whatever you hear.
And pretend you don’t understand any of it.
Let me show you how we do things.
Here we do haircuts and dyeing, and here’s where we wash.
If the client is tall, don’t use a pillow.
If she’s short, you use it.
This carpet’s here so you won’t slip.
Here’s where you hang the showerhead.
I used to hang it down below but I got backaches.
Yes, I get those, too.
Shampoos have a built-in doser. Have a seat, mom.
That’s good.
Don’t use more than one towel per client.
They just get in the way. - That’s right.
Then press on the hair with one hand, and done.
You’re so organized. Proud of you, daughter.
Hello. - Good day.
Hi. - Hello.
She’s Russian, doesn’t speak Spanish.
Poor thing.
She was out begging, I took pity. She reminds me of my mother.
Solia, don’t take in Russians They’re all Mafioso’s.
You have a kind heart. People use you.
You want it lighter?
Wash hair. Yes?
She was a hairdresser back home.
How do you communicate? - With gestures.
She’s a fast learner, soon she’ll speak enough Spanish.
So many Russians around, I’m not suprised.
So you’re Russian. - Ruski.
Russia, water not cold, not hot.
Hello there. - What’s up?
Got a day off tomorrow.
Then so do we.
We’ll be done next week and we want to celebrate.
What would you like, dinner or a party?
Party sounds better.
Could you reserve the balcony for us?
No problem.
Don’t look at me like that, I’m blushing.
I’ll stop if you do.
Go get a drink, I have more work to do.
Since she came back she’s sounded strange over the phone.
If she asks you about Paco, you know nothing.
The less she knows, the better.
Hello. - Hi there.
Anybody there? - I don’t think so.
I have to use the restroom. - Why?
I need to pee.
The pipes are clogged. I’m waiting for the plumber.
I’ll pour in water myself. I really need to go, for heaven’s sake.
Hello.
What’s with you. - Not in the mood.
Let me give you a haircut. - I don’t want any.
You have split ends. - Okay, but just a trim.
Listen...
Is your father back yet? - No.
He’s gone forever.
What a story.
I just don’t understand him.
Did anyone die in here?
Or your mother. - What?
She’s so pushy. When we were growing up.
There weren’t any restrooms.
We went in the chicken pen.
Even then, I had to wait for her She could spend hours among the hens.
Raimunda.
What’s this dress doing here? - It’s mother’s.
I know.
And that smell.
What smell? - Same as in the toilet.
Mom’s smell. Don’t you remember how she farted all day long.
Yes, I remember.
You couldn’t breathe. Remember?
When we had guests...
a barrel of laughs!
Why did you bring these here? Don’t complain to me about nightmares.
Dead people’s clothes are to be given away.
Aunt Paula’s suitcase.
The old doll.