'' The Galindez Mystery ''
Come on man, pull yourself together.
It's during times of defeat that one stumbles upon great truths.
Pull yourself together.
Take me, for example. What did I discover in the Spanish civil war?
The 'Carajillo' - the best spiked coffee in the world!
The Yankees were always fooled by the same thing. Being seen to be an anti-communist is the best security for any dictator.
Franco, Trujillo...
We've been the naive ones. Washington never intended to help us...
...not to form an army to liberate Euzkadi, nor put pressure on Franco ... or nothing.
And now Franco is in the UN.
Don't be so pessimistic. I know you, Galindez, you won't give up.
They offered me $50,000 to not publish the book about Trujillo. - Coñooo...!
You know who made the offer? Almoina. My good friend, Pepe. I couldn't believe it.
Almoina's been on the run for twenty years already - that's a lot of years.
And you...aren't you tired of running? I mean...$50,000!
At least you've got Trujillo spooked!
Let me give you some advice, Galindez, from one friend to another:
Be careful. Because the Dominicans you know here-all-are Trujillo's people.
It's cold here.
Valle de Amurrio - Basque Country, 1988
Muriel, let's go. Come.
...in Madrid...with me!
This is the land for which Galindez lived and died. Have you read what he wrote about these forests?
Read them? She's practically got them all imprinted in her head!
And how is it that an American historian is so interested in as Basque a man as Galindez?
It's for my doctorate thesis ...about exiles in the US.
It's a thesis about men from the resistance. - And Galindez is one of them.
The problem is that in my country, I've found almost nothing...as if he never even existed!
Wasn't he killed by that American lackey...Trujillo? - Yes, that's what it looks like.
Muriel thinks that because he was a delegate of the Basque Nationalist Party exiled in the US...
...there might be something interesting about him in your archives.
So far, no one had done anything to commemorate him, not even his party. - I don't know if Galindez is in there....
He represented the Basque government in exile - that's quite important.
Can you get me permission to study those archives ?
Come on, Julian, there must be some fucking thing, correspondence, at least. I don't know.
Ok, ok ... let me check. - Don't you think Galindez deserves to be recognized?
Yes, of course I think so, but...
Can we talk further after dinner? - Yes, that's enough tourism.
Prison of San Silvestre 1956
Since when have you been a member of the Spanish Communist Party? - I've never been a communist...
I'm a member of the Basque Nationalist Party! - What contacts have you had with Dominican communists?
For chrissakes! None! I've repea...
The truth, Professor Galindez, the truth. - Where am I?
In New York? In Miami? How many days have I been here?
I'm a representative of the Basque government in the UN...
And which government is that? Shall we inform your embassy right now?
And I thought Franco was in charge there. How poorly informed we must be in the 'Caribe'!
I'm in exile, a professor at the University of Columbia, collaborator with the FBI...
...and they won't stay still knowing I've been kidnapped. - You really think so?
The only help you'll get is by helping yourself. - What do you want from me? You know I'm no communist!
How long have you been a communist? This is the last time I'm asking you as a gentleman.
And that's in honor of your years of service for our country.
I'm in the Dominican Republic, no? - You're in the San Silvestre Prison...
...the private prison of General Trujillo, whose balls you've been squeezing for years...
...Mister Professor.
Out shopping.
I didn't know you were coming today.
What's up?
Where are you going...Muriel?
Don't leave this way...listen.
I do. I care, Muriel.
Come on, don't cry.
Oh my god!
Are you Jesus Galindez? - Still am...
The first thing I have to inform you is that we have nothing to do with your... your "situation."
By "we"...you mean the Spain of Franco? - Oh stop it! There's only one Spain!
Listen, tell me everything you know about the anti-Spain movement in exile.
If you collaborate, then maybe I can help you. - Help me to...?
Whatever. For a start, maybe stop the torture, so tell me something.
Only in front of a judge - even a Dominican.
I only want to be given the status of a normal prisoner.
You know that's no option. Let me help you. Tell me anything at all. At this stage, what difference does it make?
I'm already dead. - That's not my fault; you asked for it.
I'm a university professor... and a writer - not a criminal!
But can't you see I'm the only one that can help you now? For chrissakes...!
Tell me something...whatever...a lie!
Get me out of here, I beg you.
The only thing I can do is prevent you from being harmed.
Tell me about the agreements between your party and the American government to regain control of the Basque country.
Then take a good look at me now before you go, and never, ever forget what you've seen.
I see you still have your tongue. - Want to see it?
Let him go, by God! And open this door...
...I'm wasting my time here. Filthy nationalist!
I too was was in a jail like this during the war. Everyone gets the end they deserve.
You'll have to explain this some day....
So how's the health of Mr. Sanchez-Beltran? - Quite good. The only thing I ask is that you don't tire him out.
I was the one keeping Madrid in touch. I'm going to show you copies of the reports.
These are the copies of the reports. - And what did you discover?
Only rumors.
That he was taken to Moscow... ...fed to the sharks...
But the reality is that Trujillo made the decision to kill Galindez.
But he was Spanish. Didn't you ask for an explanation from the Dominican government?
Galindez was an enemy of Spain...
...and he caused his own death.
Trujillo was a blood-thirsty beast who never forgave his enemies.
And his family? Didn't they search for him? - His father presented himself in Ciudad Trujillo.
He was a good man...
...had nothing to do with the delirious separatist sentiments of his son.
My blood boiled when I saw how those monkeys were making fun of his pain.
He had to return to Spain without the body of his son.
Cruelty transforms us into the worst kind of animals...
...those who inflict it, as well as those who suffer from it.
Trujillo himself got a fright from the assassination of Galindez.
How come ?
A year later, another Spanish citizen walked into my office...
...one Mr. Diaz.
His daughter was married to a Dominican military pilot...
...Oscar Moral.
He was the pilot who flew Galindez from New York to Ciudad Trujillo.
Oscar Moral, too, was killed right after that.
They found him dead, with a suicide note...but the note was false.
He was killed. Mr. Diaz asked for an official investigation.
My duty, as a Spaniard, and as a man, was to help him.
But the whole Trujillo apparatus fell on top of us.
He was forced to retract his demand, swallow his pain, and his words...
...and I was recalled to Madrid.
Can I make a copy...of your reports?
They're yours, do with them as you wish.
Good day.
Thank you. - Everyone gets what they deserve.
Beg your pardon? - Leave me in peace...
...and send that witch in here.
Look at who's waiting for me! And all skirted up too! What are we celebrating?
Let me tell you. Shall we eat something first? I'm starving...been working all day.
Oh! Look at you, girl! You carry too much apple for such a little mouth.
Well, hey! What do the people say? - Do you want some?
No, I'll stick to fruit. And what are doing walking around with that picture?
No one remembers General Batista any more. - There he goes again...
Let him say whatever he wants... 'cause we'll never see Cuba again.
Believe me, Castro ain't gone yet. - If I didn't know you I'd think you were 'Castrista.'
Me...'Castrista'!? Me who knows all about the horrors of communism in half the planet?
It's just that this country is a paradise for fanatics, I say...
Who'd want to give all this up to go back to Cuba ?
I'm out of here! Say hello to your brother for me; I know he's sick.
Maria, a good day for you too.
"Maria-Christina would like to govern me"
"And I let her by drifting with the current"
"Cause I don't want to hear people saying...that"
"...Maria-Christina would like to govern me"
"So let's go to the beach!" "I'm going!"
"So take your clothes off!" "I'm taking them off!"
"So hop on the bed!" "I am!"
Put this on, asshole! See how it looks on you.
My god...
Do you know who I am?
General Espaillat...the consul in New York.
"The Razorblade." - Read!
I can't. - Clippings of yankee newspapers.
I explain that my government has nothing to do with your disappearance.
I say that you've been spotted in Mexico; that you may have gone to the Soviet-Union...
What the fuck are they going to do with me? - Try you, for insulting our benefactor...
...after you were an accessory to your government when you lived in our country.
And for conspiracy to set the US government against us. - You overestimate my powers.
- Hi. - Muriel? - Yes, that's me.
No, it's nothing. Let's go.
I called to congratulate you, and tell you that an important American doctor just arrived.
She's doing research on the Dominican phase of Galindez.
What do you mean by 'what Galindez is that'?
The one that got kidnapped when you were solicitor.
Don't get mad, Don Gabriel, I'm not insinuating anything.
I'm just acting as an intermediary between the doctor and you.
Ok, ok, I understand. If it's just not possible then it's not possible.
Say hello to your wife for me.
All of a sudden he's lost his memory.
It's a great pleasure to meet an American interested in our miseries.
It's my pleasure.
I've made five calls like this, and the melody may vary but the lyrics are the same.
"Galindez? What Galindez?" - I don't want to bother you.
No...don't worry, he loves doing it.
Go to 'Make-Up' because in 20 minutes you'll be in Rosa's show. You'll see...
...a minute on television is more effective than 500 calls.
...and Doña Rosa today brings us a prominent American scientist that just arrived in Santo Domingo.
So what brings you here? Please tell us yourself.
I'm investigating the life of an exiled Spaniard who died under mysterious circumstances.
Jesus de Galindez, kidnapped by the Secret Service of General Trujillo.
Somebody will talk. The problem is...
...since the death of Trujillo, hardly anything has changed in this country.
The same people stayed on top, thanks to Balaguer and with the help of the US.
Nothing much has changed, but at least people are starting to tame their fear.
We have to help them open up their conscience from the evils.
I don't know, every time I mention his name...
...it's like no one has ever heard anything about Galindez.
Even his own party in Spain doesn't want to know about him.
I only know that your presence here is already causing a few shivers.
Even with Balaguer himself.
Rosa said you want me to interview the president...
...but I don't see the use of it. - But why? He's the one that knows everything.
Because he won't say anything. I won't get any leads from talking to him.
Or maybe you don't want to be associated with a non-trustworthy communist like myself...
Is that what you're telling me?
No, what I'm saying is that I doubt Balaguer would incriminate himself.
What did we do the the Americans to make even a liberal like yourself mistrust us?
Phone for Muriel Colbert.
Hello. - I saw you on television, and I'd like to have a talk with you.
I'm only staying a few days in Santo Domingo...who is it?
Excuse me, I'm Oscar Moral's daughter.
Attention!
The 'Generalissimo!'
Proceed.
'The Era Trujillo'...did you write it?
Yes. - Respond like a real man! Speak up!
Are you the author of every word in the pages of that pamphlet?
Yes. - The defendant himself recognizes it.
Him...who we welcomed to our country with open arms, when he was on the run from his.
That, thanks to our tolerance, lived with us...
...and was even allowed to work as a labor consultant in our own government.
He ate from our bread.
He used his position of privilege to foment subversion amongst us.
He even incited others to commit various labor and social crimes.
And when our Generalissimo rid our country of communists, he marched off to the US...
...and from there, started to spit on our republic, on our fatherland.
With what objective? To try and break the relationship between both countries.
Coward.
Yes, coward! You don't fight like a man, face-to-face, mano-a-mano, equal-to-equal.
You do it from a distance, with pretty words.
So, have you nothing to say? Speak up!
And not only did he slander our fatherland... - That's enough, colonel.
If you'll allow me, excellency... - I said, enough!
With your permission.
Books do not frighten me at all. I built this country myself.
Your rubbish of a book has the same effect as tossing a glass of poison on an immense ocean - nothing.
If that's so, then why am I here? - What!? What did this asshole say!?
He asked why he's here.
How dare this sack-of-shit talk to me. I feel like blowing his head off.
I'll tell you why the fuck you're here.
Because a piece of shit like you fucked with what's most sacred to me: my honor and my family!
Does that seem like a good enough reason for you, Mister Professor?
That's why you're here. And that's why you won't leave with your life.
None of my family can be saved, according to you.
Not my mother, not my father, not my daughters, nor my own son, Radames, who you call a clown...
...nor my brothers, nor cousins, nor wives...
All "rotten!" Even so, I might've let him get away with that...
...but the sonofabitch dared to write that my own son, Ramfis...
...is not mine! That my wife was impregnated by that Cuban bastard!
For that you'll die, Mister "Professor," 'cause it tickles my balls ... and that's where my son came from.
Can I say something? - Out loud so everyone can hear it.
I'm Basque, a writer and professor.
And you've detained me illegally.
You've tortured me... ...and you're going to kill me...
...you say, because I wrote a book.
It's not true.
I'm going to die for my beliefs.
Freedom.
The freedom of writing whatever appeared to me to be the truth.
And I don't regret writing a single page of it.
That's the only thing I have left.
It's too late to play the hero, Mister Professor. Espaillat, you know what to do.
We declare the defendant guilty, and condemn him to death.
Miss Colbert? I'm Gloria Moral. - Pleasure, thanks for meeting me.
I'm sorry I mentioned your family's name on television.
It's ok, only it was a surprise. Shall we go inside?
Do you like tortoise stew? It's the house speciality. That and the fruit salad.
I don't think I can't stay. Are you his only relative ?
No, I have a brother in Miami. My mother and daughter live here with me.
My mother's weak, and talk of my father only makes things worse...
My father died a long time ago. I was...3, so I can hardly remember.
I haven't said anything to my husband. He's a civil servant, and you know....
I understand, and thanks for your help.
This is Cruz-Ayala. She already knows.
It's an honor to have an American historian investigate our history.
Yesterday, with Mrs. Moral, we analyzed the reports that Sanchez-Beltran gave you in Spain.
About Galindez, I can't say anything.
But about Gloria's father, they're merely opinions not based on facts.
They say that even Gloria's mother didn't believe the official version.
According to her, it wasn't suicide, and her husband didn't write that note.
Look, the results of no less then two autopsies. Two!
The second at the request of the Moral family.
Both confirm it was suicide.
And a handwriting expert confirmed that the note was written by Gloria's father.
Come on. You know that official documents from the Trujillo era aren't worth anything.
But it's all we have, Miss. You're the historian.
Did your father pilot the plane that flew Galindez to Santo Domingo?
My mother says no. - Gloria's father wasn't the only military pilot.
Assuming he was flown here, if, in fact, he was ever here at all!
No one ever found Galindez's body. He could be anywhere!
I know your mother is not well, but could I talk to her?
Look, I know your work is important...
...but this can only give her more pain and sadness. And she's very old.
Only for a minute, I promise. - I'm sorry.
Another day, perhaps? I can return tomorrow or whenever you wish.
As she said, Miss, her mother is very sick.
You wouldn't want the strain to kill her, right? - You've both been very kind.
Allow me one more question. You don't have to answer, but...
...can you tell me why your father committed suicide ?
Don't you think that's too personal a question? - He had cancer.
He had to quit his military job, his work in New York, his full life with Trujillo's son...
A life like that, he thought, wasn't worth it.
Thank you.
I asked friends in the Spanish Embassy about...uh, Manuel Sanchez-Beltran. By the way, how's his mind?
He's good. Old, but he looked good.
Didn't he tell you why he had to return to Madrid and abandon his diplomatic career?
Naturally. For ugly incidents...inciting under- aged boys into prostitution, homosexual acts...
...and, in addition to his vices, he wasn't too well in the head.
You should check your sources more thoroughly, Miss.
In the US, people can get... a bit over-enthusiastic.
Can I drop you somewhere? - No thanks, I prefer to walk.
Good, be a tourist.
No it's ok, don't worry. I'm here...having sex with a friend.
How are things in Santo Domingo? And how are the mulattos?