The past is a foreign country: They do things differently there."
Can you use pesos here?
Australes, you need australes.
I want to buy rock-candy, fudge and chocolates with air in them.
With air?
Yes, with air, like aero bars.
They've got these chocolates here with air in them.
So they're less fattening...
I can't believe Los Prisioneros are playing in Mendoza!
Now that is what I call striking it big.
Yeah, especially since they're not musicians,
that's what's most impressive about it.
You're such a fascist, cousin.
Hey, don't get me wrong: I voted No despite that horrible jingle...
...so don't hassle me, Luc, ok?
I loved that jingle, I really liked it!
Dang, this is like a scene out of a John Ford movie,
Argentina... Here we come!!
It was awesome, fucking awesome!
My feet are killing me!
The concert was amazing.
...Sublime, brilliant!
It's a shame it's already over. I wish it'd lasted more...
It would've been great to film everything.
That would've been great, love.
How about another pizza? If we have only two we'll starve.
What's on a calabresa pizza?
There's one with ananá
What's that?
Pineapple.
No, thanks.
Chernovsky... pineapple? Really?
Yeah, like sweet-and-sour.
I must admit that N'Dour surprise me, you were right Cousin,
I told you.
Sting sucked big-time.
Nobody can sing in a foreign language.
Depends. Julio Iglesias sings in English and sells loads in the States
he tripled his world-wide sales.
Julio Iglesias is disgusting in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew
specially Hebrew.
But at least people relate to him ...I mean... he's commercial.
And? Does that means he's good?
Since when being commercial means you're good?
Shit, lots of times.
When?
Steven Spielberg.
Close Encounters," is brilliant!
It's good.
I had to get up and leave. Spielberg is too Reagan and American for my taste.
Too many European art-films can cause brain damage,
Anyway, Julio Iglesias, good or bad, is...
- Bad - Way bad
- Good or crap, who cares... - We care. I care.
Let me finish,
good or crap...
Crap.
Hey, cut it out.
Julio Iglesias is a guy who made it into a difficult market...
...a real tough market. I think that's an accomplishment.
An accomplishment?
Yeah!
How can you admire Julio Iglesias?
Respect! Julio Iglesias is less "admirable" than Los Prisioneros.
They are both just commercial artists.
You can't compare Los Prisioneros with Julio Iglesias.
Iglesias is just marketing; he's just an invention, nothing else.
And Los Prisioneros? All these local new wave bands...
They're not proletarian chic. They are fucking uptown inventions.
At least Julio Iglesias doesn't pretend to be something he is not.
More respect when talking about Los Prisioneros
don't forget The Sex Pistols...
...were crap musicians but changed the story of rock
But rock isn't always music...
Anything else?
Yes, a calabresa, please.
Ok.
These Argentinean chicks are hot.
...sizzling hot, man.
Damned sassy!
OK, cousin. Magine you're at home...
and suddenly the phone rings and it's... Julio Iglesias!
What a bore!
Let me finish.
Go on.
It's this crummy singer, you know, a really lousy crooner...
he calls you to do the sound production for his next record...
...he offers you millions.
But not just a million or two...
but millions!
Money that you'd never save or see in your whole fucking life.
You'd take it or leave it?
Hang on... not everything is for sale.
Unlike yourself, Elfman...
No, Julián...
Let me explain...
Julián stop, don't call me Elfman please,
I'm not Danny Elfman, I'm barely Gastón Fernández.
OK, Mr. Gastón Fernández: Give me a straight answer.
We're waiting.
I'd really like to know what you'd say.
No!
Come on!
Millions, dude, millions.
I'd say no,
and not just to Julio Iglesias...
I'd do it for me,
I mean, some day, fifteen years later someone is going to read
one of my interviews, because I'm gonna have released a record
or somebody wants to work with me because of my background
and I just don't want my name associated with someone I look down on...
I won't sell out just because I'm going through a bad patch
that's caving in.
I'm never going to do something I don't believe in.
Look at those Chilean girls; they're not bad at all.
How do you know they're Chilean?
You can tell when a girl is Chilean anywhere in the world.
Especially snobs and airheads!
Hey watch it, no!
Shit, you're so stupid!
Hey... don't go!
I'm going to the hotel to get something.
Hostel. That two-star joint is not a hotel.
Ok. Hostel.
Nothing, I'll be back in a minute.
That's my cousin. Go, dude, go!
I'm orange belt.
I have come here in peace". Hi.
I thought this was a big country... What can I do for you?
Chilean?
I caught the accent.
The "tune" as they call it. Did you know that?
Do you need something?
No
I mean... I've lost my friends, My gang.
They've probably smoking joint in some park.
Your gang?
Yes... I mean my people... mates, friends, I don't know, my friends
Your friends are at the pizzeria,
I saw you with them. So if you go back...
Ah you know them?
No, but I saw you with them.
So, you were looking at me... good!
I saw you there; I wasn't looking at you.
But I was looking at you!
We've met before somewhere else.
I doubt it.
- No, I'm sure of it. - I don't think so.
At the record shop! I've got a really good memory.
Gastón...
I'm Gastón, I hadn't introduced myself.
I know it's an ugly name, but... it doesn't mean I'm ugly,
on the inside, I mean... nor on the outside.
Are you high?
No... I don't use drugs I'm not very cool.
The ones that take drugs see themselves as artists;
those of us that are real artists don't need to get high.
Cordelia.
Cordelia... Like in Delia.
No, my gym teacher's Delia;
my boyfriend calls me Cor.
- So you've got a boyfriend? - Yes.
Of course, your type are born with boyfriends
So, why isn't he here? Why didn't he come?
What do you care?
Yep, right, what do I care, point for you
He stayed in Santiago he doesn't like rock music.
Interesting... I sort of like him.
He also voted "Yes."
I don't like him so much.
Juan Pablo...
no... don't tell me his name
I hope you're not an actress I mean, with that name...
No... I study architecture.
- What about you? - No, I don't.
I study music at the University of Chile, at the conservatoire.
I'm sort of going through a composition stage
I want to compose music for films but not just for movies
I've got loads of projects,
...many ideas.
I also want to write songs, but not just popular songs,
but songs like short symphonies. Am I boring you?
No.
This is it.
Are you from Santiago?
Yes.
- You got a phone number? - Yes
I'm not going to give it to you, I can't.
Santiago's a big city. We might not see each other ever again.
We bumped into each other here, why not there?
Yes, maybe, maybe you're right.
It wouldn't have worked out anyway. We're too different,
...meeting someone at a concert can be even worse than meeting at a club.
This wasn't going anywhere.
Still it's sort of sad. Because I think we sort of like each other.
It's late.
Good night.
Have a good trip.
Bye.
Don't stop...
I like it. What's it called?
It's called...
Finding out"
and It's dedicated to someone I met somewhere, in some country.
Here you can forget everything...
Everything and yet... nothing.
I remember this summer I spent in Osorno...
all my friends weren't there, I was on my own, all alone.
Did you have a good time?
Actually, I did. Now I realize I didn't have a bad time at all.
It would be great to be always like this.
Life should always be like this...
Here I feel calm, safe... What are you scared of?
The future, and you?
Hurting others.
Regretting.
Having no friends.
Ending up alone.
Missing someone.
Remembering.
What's up Mr. Nelson. Scrambled eggs, please.
Cecilia tried to reach you all night,
she wants to know where you spend the night.
What did you tell her?
The truth, dude: That I had no Idea.
Thanks a lot, with friends like you...
Well, next time spell it out for me.
The gas bill came in.
You've got to pay because I don't want to run out of gas... ok?
Ok.
So?
So what?
Where the fuck did you sleep?
It's my fucking business.
- It's good? - Yeah.
It's the soundtrack for that Japanese horror film; the one Luc's going on about.
He's still stuck on that?
Yes, he's going to that screenplay workshop.
- It's good. - Is it?
It's not Bernard Herrmann, but it's a bit like Brian Eno.
I think it's awesome. Brilliant!
Decent. Good.
Luc says this guy makes the music for these cartoons, like Robotech.
Listen to this second piece. It's really good.
I'd really like to do something like this.
- Give me some eggs? - Sure
Go on, do it!
I decided not to take the exam. Last night knocked me out...
I need some coffee... I'll be back.
How was the concert? Did a lot of people go?
Half the people left on Wednesday.
There was only twelve of us it went on for six hours.
- Fuck, six hours? - Yes.
Shit, isn't music meant to condense time and not stretch it?
I think Stockhausen is overrated. I don't buy his shit.
I hate the Goethe Institute.
But it's the only chance to listen to him live.
Still... I hate the Goethe Institute.
Aspirin... anyone?
Drink water... lots of it.
I'm not hungry anymore. Do you think cocaine is addictive?
What do you think?
I almost forgot. Your cousin sent you this.
I saw him last night at The Trolley.
What? Luc?
What a place. For me, that's where Luc got the inspiration for the Disco Insomnia.
You've got eyeliner on, darling.
Use cold cream; it's the best way get makeup off.
I don't wear makeup. It's just eyeliner. Luc's idea.
Can you tell me what exactly is going on here?
You don't want to know, man.
The Killer Ants... is this a joke?
No, it's a really good script, Balthazar Daza did his part.
I hate that sucker.
Well, you hate half the world, but it's good. Read it, it's got style.
Sorry I'm late... I overslept.
Why sorry?
We agreed to have lunch together, don't you remember?
- No. - What a memory...
Hi, we had a good time last night, didn't we? You should've gone.
- You also went to The Trolley? - Yes, I missed you.
Why didn't you invite me?
I tried, but you were stuck at this concert that went on for eight hours.
No, six. Six hours.
I thought you were low.
Low? Just because I listen to some classical music?
Luc wants us to make the music, In fact. He wants you to make it, but I can help.
I don't know.
Gastón, fantasy film is your best ally, you can do your own thing.
Luc wants something wild!
You could really do something, trust me.
Have you listened to Howard Shore's work for David Cronenberg's films?
Sorry, Luc Fernández is not David Cronenberg!
- And you? - And me what?
And you... and you are?
Ok, ok, take it easy.
Fuck, there's no need to destroy and slag everything off. It's just an excuse...
- To not do anything. - Exactly.
I agree with Julián, it's a good opportunity. You should take it.
Maybe Luc Fernández becomes Luc Fernández, you never know.
You may regret it, Gastón.
I want to do it, I really do. We'll all be in it together.
Gato! You're getting it all dirty.
Ok. What's it about?
It's about this DJ that works in a club. The city is empty...
- Absolutely empty. - Ok
- Because when the river overflowed... - What river?
The Mapocho, you ninny.
It destroyed some walls and let these killer ants loose.
And these ants eat people who can't love...
that's why the city's empty, there's nobody around.
Because in this city there are only a few who are able to love. Just like us.
You've got to be kidding?
Look, it would be much more interesting to make a movie on ants eating...
...self-obsessed people who want to make a movie on ants eating loveless people.
- Shit, the film's not about ants! - It's a metaphor.
A metaphor about how it's impossible to live without love.
Now that's corny! What can I say? It's perfectly feasible to live without love.
In fact you live better without it. Less intensely, but you still live.
Hi. Fun night yesterday, huh?
You also went to The Trolley?
I've got your earrings. I'll return them later.
There was a vibe Gastón a cool vibe!
What are you talking about?
The Killer Ants. Gastón doesn't want to do it.
If you'd gone out with us last night, you'd understand.
Come on. Let's drop it.
Well, are you in or are you out?
It's a bit risky. Risky?
I mean, it could suck.
I really like the story. I think it's really sad.
Yes it's sad.
Lucky for me, I'm in love, so I'm safe!
I mean, I don't know. Honestly, I'm concerned about my career.
What career?
Hi guys.
This is Ivo. He's going to be in the film. I found him last night.
- At the Trolley? - Yes.
Hi.
I'm going to make you a star.
- What are you going on about? - About the fucking Trolley!
- No. We're talking about The Killer Ants. - The current obsession.
And? Are you in?
I need your help, man. I mean all your help.
I can't do it on my own.
But can't you think of something else?
I don't want any other Idea. I'm really excited about it. The plot is radical.
I've got hold of this black and white film,
Just imagine Santiago in black and white.
I want to be in it.
Thanks.
- But you are not an actress? - It doesn't matter.
Gastón, it's now or never.
Do it!
Come on, man, it's a great opportunity!
We're going to have a good time. We'll all be in it together.
Shooting a film is fun!
When you find your posse, there's no need to continue searching, got it?
Now or never Gastón... If not, I'll call your enemy.
- Really? - Yes.
- OK. All right. - Great!
But you've got to pay me.
I can give you my Pino Donnaggio record collection.
- Where do I sign? - Great!
- Does it hurt? - Yes!
- A lot? - No, not a lot. It just hurts.
Well, we're done. You can get dressed.
Thanks.
How old are you?
Thirty-three... four... thirty-four.
That's thirty-five thousand. How do you want to pay?
With a check.
Have you got a pen?
Is it yours?
- What? - The check.
No. It's someone else's, but he gave it to me.
It's not stolen.
My dad signed it. You can call him.
My pen.
You spent six years in New York doing God knows what!
God knows what? Dad, I was on a grant!
Yes. The Fernández grant. That grant sure cost me a lot!
I know how much it cost you. I was studying.
I wasn't doing nothing. And I had a job.
I still wake up and smell the coffee, because I worked at this café.
That's why I didn't compose as much as I would've liked to.
You can work in New York, but you can't work here?
Is it bad taste to work in Santiago de Chile?
I've tried everything with your...
And your mother who's...
I don't know.
Maybe it would've been better if I'd died instead...
- When the father dies... - What?
Boys grow up, they turn into men.
Without your mother, you seem like an orphan.
This bill's out of date, miss, I can't accept it.
I'm sorry. It's company policy.
Please, I've got to go back to Los Vilos. I don't fell very well...
I couldn't pay it any earlier!
But I can't accept it. Even if you're from Los Vilos.
Wait. We're both women, I've got to pay this bill.
It's out of date. The company doesn't let me accept them.
You have no more on this card...
Sorry we're late.
How're you doing?
Gastón, Paula...
Hi.
- It's great to see you, dude. - Yes, same here.
How I wished I had so much free time on my hands.
- Yes. - Let's go in.
What are we going to see?
This new band. A lot of things happened since you left.
- Now there's a scene down here... - Shall we go in?
Yeah.
Your clothes?
Shit. Hang on a minute.
Much better.
Do I look like I work for the enemy?
Who is it?
Gastón. Do you remember me?
Yes, of course. Are you here now?
Yes. Three months ago. When can we meet?
This is my number. I'll call you back.
Well, one thing I find funny is that you've always been Julián Balbo...
...and now you're known as Balbo. Why?
Well, no. I'm used to it, they call me Balbo;
I don't go around telling everyone to call me Balbo,
Anyway, at least it's shorter...
and people like it. I'm happy with Balbo. It works.
The other question, in this new magazine, Blank.
They say you're the person that saved Chilean music...
it can be one of two things: Either you're the flavor of the month
- or you truly saved the local scene. - It says I saved Chilean music?
Yes. I guess that in some way it's true.
I don't know if it's... like saving it but, sure, I've helped...
Certain things worked well before I entered the scene.
I think that... I think they're also exaggerating,
but yes... perhaps. Who knows?
Well you've been quite successful; you were nominated for a Grammy,
two MTV nominations, you work with Ceratti, Los Babasónicos...
I guess I've made the right decisions at the right time.
- Perfect. - Thanks
Come in.
You should come around more often dear.
He barely comes round to see me...
- Sugar? - Two thanks.
Pension fund?
No.
Health insurance?
No.
Car?
No.
Bank account?
No, Dad, I don't have a bank account.
Life insurance?
No, not likely, no I don't.
What's so funny?
No, nothing. I just remembered something.
Shall we go on? Royalties?
No... Yes, I once got a check from Poland.
Poland?
Yes, Poland. Don't ask me why,
but The Killer Ants became a cult movie over there.
We never understood exactly why. Maybe because Pascal Barros looks Polish.
Did you cash it?
No, it was for seven dollars. I kept it. It's framed on the wall.
I'm being serious, Gastón.
So am I.
Any real estate?
Dad, you know I don't.
There are lots of things I don't know about you.
Why should assume anything?
I don't understand what's going on here. I came here to talk about a loan.
That's what we're doing. Shall we continue?
No, I don't own any real estate.
You don't own any property, you don't have a bank account,
or savings account, health insurance...
Do you have your identity card?
I pay my bills and rent my apartment.
Sorry, My apartment?
That I rent you that apartment below the market rate is another subject.
I helped you so you'd settle in, but you have to get your act together.
I'm going to raise the rent, It's not fair that you pay less than everyone else.
Plus, your rent is overdue Did you know that?
After paying all your expenses,
how much do you have left in case of an emergency?
Do you want to donate your change to Las Rosas Foundation?
No.
Hey... Gastón.
Man, how're you doing? How long has it been?
Yeah, a lot... I thought you were in L.A.
I go back and forth all the time. And you, dude?
Finished with Julliard? No more John Corliano?
No, no more.
So, are you like staying?
Yeah, it seems so.
Hang on a second... can you give me this, love?
When you left I was sure you'd stay in New York,
...fall in love, that you'd get married to an American girl,
and end up working with Tim Burton?
- Your ID please. - Sure.
No, wait, I'll pay for this and we're off.
This, please.
Yes, all on my account.
And you've been all right?
Yeah, all right.
You got something for headaches?
What's up, baby, you got a headache?
Yes. And you know why. I'll take them now.
Look man. I can't sleep. I'm stressed out, man.
I'm shattered. Too much stuff.
You know what's wrong, I'm incapable of delegating.
- Do you want something? - No, thanks.
- Chewing gum? Anything? - I've already got something, thanks.
- You're sure? Anything? - Yes.
Shit, Sorry I always forget the pin number...
- I always invent pin numbers... - Wait, I'm something else.
Sure go on.
I've got a headache from working all day.
I'm going crazy. Mixing sounds and shit.
So, are you composing anything?
- A little. - A little?
No.
Let's go.
Gaston, this is my girlfriend. Maybe you've seen her on TV?
- Yes. Gastón Fernández. - Vanessa.
I'll leave you guys alone
Yes, I'll be along soon.
I'll wait for you in the car. Hope to see you soon.
- Yes, right. - Hurry up.
Give me the stuff...
Pretty.
Real pretty and talented. I'll tell you one thing:
They try to convince you that it doesn't matter if your girl is pretty or ugly...
It's no true man, It's much better to have a pretty one!
We should get together, my place, for dinner.
Yes, sure. Good idea.
You got a mobile or something?
Sure, I'm not that broke.
- What? - Nothing.
Well, here's my card.
You look good, bro, seriously, really good.
Bye.
We'll have to share, your fridge's empty.
I haven't brushed my teeth.
Neither have I.
You used to buy the ones with chopped fruit in the bottom.
I didn't find any coffee.
Did you ever use the coffee maker I gave you?
It broke a couple of years back.
Real coffee is too expensive.
I think there's some Nescafe.
Why did you stay the night?
Because I felt like it.
Or because your jerk of a boyfriend is away.
Can we change the subject?
Shit it's late!
It's Saturday?
I've still got to go.
Why?
Because it's wrong.
- No it isn't... - Forget it!
I'm designing a mall down south,
it overlooks the sea.
Do you missed me?
I'm not going to answer that...
Yes...
sometimes...
Not that much really...
Yes.
It' Strange
when I lived away I always met different people all the time.
Now, I keep bumping into the same idiots that I don't even want to see.
I've spent too much time abroad and suddenly I notice that everyone has ...
Changed?
Yes, changed. And for the worse.
It depends.
What do you mean it depends?
Are you talking about Balbo?
I mean Julián, Luc, Cancino... I mean...
- Me? - Yes, you.
Maybe... I don't know.
It's hard to look at yourself in the mirror.
Maybe a little Changed, but not older.
Have you got any dental floss?
No.
And a bit flabbier!
You're hairier, before you were less hairy.
Yes. I decided to wax so I could get hairler!
If you judge people by how they when were when teenagers,
obviously everyone does change.
But if you look at it from another perspective...
Which one?
From where? From underneath?
No, idiot. From today's perspective.
I don't think it's that bad.
What do you mean?
Asking a youngster to be consistent...
is like asking an illiterate to talk about books
you don't know who you are, much less know what you want?
I didn't know anything. If you're a left wing guerrilla leader or a poser...
it's not because you want to be one, it's because you can't be something else.
Perhaps.
They are within their rights. They are entitled to...
To what?
You shouldn't get annoyed. You should feel happy for Julián and Luc,
They made it!
And you?
I can't complain.
I saw Cordelia at a birthday party on Tuesday.
Really?
She's was looking good. Have you seen her?
No... Yes... Was she with her boyfriend?
I suppose so. I didn't talk to them.
Julián! I'm here with Gastón...
...we're thinking of going clubbing on Thursday.
Get in touch, dude... bye.
Don't you want any more fries?
No.
I'll eat them then.
Hey, they're mine!
Perhaps you should live with other people...
you could split the bills.
I've got a spare room.
Why don't you come and live with me?
It'd be great.
We could ask for pizza, have some girls around
Dad, that's my room.
But your uncle could borrow it, couldn't he?
Don't call me uncle. I'm not your uncle.
What's up with you? I'm no longer 20. And I suppose...
- What? - What?
I don't know...
It's different down here,
it's more depressing, especially on Sundays.
I think about the future, I sort of freak out!
You shouldn't think about things...
...much less on Sundays.
I did once and...
Chemovsky, was really nice to you.
I always thought she had a crush on you!
No way.
She always looked down on me.
She was a little too bothersome, wasn't she?
It's awful what she went through. It's sort of sad.
Why? I mean, you dig your own grave, man
it's sad to say it, but that's the way it is!
Poetic justice. All the bad blood ends up poisoning you.
It kills you.
What the fuck happened?
What didn't happen?
Bad management.
She let herself go.
Hang on...
Is it that serious?
Very serious, Chernovsky lost a leg. They had to cut it off.
What?
Yes, too bad. But that's life.
She was run over.
It was her fault. Well, not her fault but...
She was dead drunk.
I bumped into her a couple of months ago...
...I wanted to say hello but. She didn't look too good
She was broke. At the hospital she was treated like shit...
She was in Los Vilos.
And what was she doing in Los Vilos?
That's where she lived,
she tried to run for mayor, representing the left, but she lost.
She made handicrafts, and drank a lot
She lived alone in a beach house
Yes, she was looking after it, so she didn't have to pay rent
the worst part was that she was pregnant!
A fisherman
Luckily she lost the baby.
She used to rant love, marriage
but she still wanted a family.
The fisherman was married, he had about seventeen kids.
Hang on... what the fuck's this?
Fiction? This is like a fucking soap opera!
Life for most is worse than a fucking soap opera!
It's daytime TV!
What's the point in studying if you are going to end up an alcoholic,
lose a leg, and end up living in fucking Los Vilos!!
What have you got against Los Vilos? I think it's a nice beach.
She didn't even have health insurance!!
Pathetic.
That's why she wasn't transferred to Santiago.
She couldn't even afford her treatment.
So she got gangrene. That was it.
She's in Copiapó now, living with these uncles.
The family refused to have held her her because of the fisherman thing.
Sure! She always used to ignore them.
They were too fascist, too Jewish for her...
She was all on her own.
And you can't be on your own when you're sick.
You can be on your own watching TV, or when you wanna jerk off,
Yeah, loneliness and anxiety are a bad mix.
The market is cruel.
Fuck, what has the market got to do with it?
Is much better to take advantage of it than being destroyed by it.
She was always a bit of a loser.
A real loser.
Maybe the theory of the three chances is perhaps true.
What theory?
You don't know?
Well, God gives you three chances to escape from hell.
Three strikes and your out.
She didn't see the warnings.
We all end up paying for our mistakes.
You can't write poetry and make handicrafts...
and expect the country or the government to pay for your hobbies.
What've you got against poetry? There're some really good poets around.
She believed herself better than everyone else.
But in the end, she didn't know everything.
I should really feel bad about all this...
But how the fuck can you care about a bitch...
who doesn't give a shit about reality.
It's fucking irresponsible! That is not what I call idealism.
It's just being fucking stupid.
It's sad, but she asked for it.
Let's go to the lounge of the City Hotel. I could use a drink.
I wouldn't mind doing a line!
Great idea! Let's go.
Come on!
No, I'd rather walk, I'll call you.
Ok. Bye.