You used to like challenges.
You said they were the driving force of life.
But this is different.
Only if you want, Mila. We've spoken many times.
Yes, I know.
I'm sorry, pay no mind.
I guess it's nerves for beginning again.
Well, I mean,
I've been on leave a whole year, and coming back is...
The students who attacked you are gone.
I don't know, it's like...
Suddenly, January 8th is just around the corner.
I sound like an idiot.
- Are you afraid? - No!
I don't think so.
Besides, some things can happen just once in a lifetime.
No?
53 winter days
Monday
It's been abandoned?
What?
That dog's been abandoned!
God damn!
- Hello? - Darling, you're so late.
- What? - What?
Some bastard abandoned it right in front of me.
He parks the car,
ties the dog, and then takes off.
Are we keeping it?
Pablo!
Come here and close your eyes.
Close them tight, okay?
Now come with me.
A teddy bear?
Yes, a teddy bear.
It's a dog!
You like it, huh? What will you name it?
Let's see.
- Felix. - Felix. Hi, Felix.
Come on, let's go!
- I went to the doctor. - And?
I'm expecting two.
Two?
Twins?
Mom?
What's the matter?
You know what?
I've been selected for the quartet.
Aren't you happy?
- Are you? - Yes.
Well, if you're happy, I'm happy too.
Right?
Good night.
Tuesday
Good morning.
My name is Mila.
First I'll take roll call so I can get to know your names.
Andrea Alonso?
Juan Cansado?
Sir.
Please, don't report me. I'll give it back. No problem.
Sorry, come with me.
I beg you, don't put me through this.
This is as unpleasant for me as it is for you.
I'm no thief,
but it's my wife's birthday and it's all so expensive...
I understand,
but don't make matters worse.
I've never stolen anything.
You won't tell my wife, will you? Please.
- Edu? - Yes?
- Did I wake you up? - No, I was just about to leave.
- You know what? - What?
- I was selected for the quartet. - Well, congratulations.
- You know what that means? - Sure, you're a superstar.
- What did you expect? - I know.
- How are you? - Fine.
How's mother?
Well...
- You could call her more often. - Yeah, I know.
But my timetable of classes is shit.
And when I remember, it's too late to call.
Yeah.
Well, midget, congratulations. I'm very proud of you.
Thanks.
When will you come to Paris?
I don't know. Soon, I suppose.
- Hello. - Hello.
- Aren't you going to the cafeteria? - No.
No, I'm fine here. Thanks, Marta.
Are you sure?
Well, I'll have it here too.
Everyone's very happy you're back, really.
You look beautiful.
That's not bad.
If you're here today it's cause you deserve it.
But your work isn't over.
You will be required to be very professional.
A lot is expected of you.
We will be working very hard these next weeks
and I hope we've made no mistake with you.
Now, after the sermon, let's start over again.
The violin vibrato
could be a bit softer.
I need more visual contact amongst you.
Come on, let's start again.
Good evening.
- Good evening. - Mila.
There's a community meeting on Thursday afternoon
to decide what to do with that old bat.
0kay. Thank you.
What are you looking at?
How ugly you are.
You're really ugly.
Yeah, I know.
But you love me, don't you?
What do you think?
What time is it?
My God, it's so late!
I have to go.
How awful!
I wish it were always like this.
Both of us here alone, far away from everything.
- I spoke to my sister today. - Really?
They've finished renovating the bar, and the place is enormous.
They'll duplicate the number of tables
and my father's looking for employees.
That's nice.
What do you want, Angela?
To go crawling back to town
and let him humiliate me again?
- Is that what you want? - I was looking for a solution.
- That's not the way. - Nothing else occurs to me.
Do you have confidence in me?
Then okay,
don't worry.
This is delicious.
Here, Felix.
- He waits at the door for you. - Really?
I always come home. Don't worry.
Hi, mom.
Hi.
- Have you had dinner? - Yes.
The next time you have dinner out, call me
and let me know.
I'm sorry, it slipped my mind.
It got late. I couldn't call you at 12.
Of course.
- Good night. - You're going to bed already?
- Yes. - No, wait, don't get upset.
It doesn't matter, Valeria.
I have to get used to being ignored by all of you.
Why do you make me feel guilty for everything I do?
I don't feel like arguing. If you really want to help me,
keep your feet on the ground, that's all.
What do you mean?
You know very well.
I'm going to bed.
Friday
I have been for half an hour now.
Okay. See you.
Excuse the interruption, Celso, but this junk...
Let's see, as I was saying,
I can do nothing for the moment, Celso, and I'm so sorry.
We are very satisfied with your work
and there's no problem to renew your contract.
- lf I remember correctly... - In September.
Yes, September,
and make it indefinite and negotiate your salary.
If you continue working as up to now, you have no worry.
The company values your work and will compensate you,
but in due course.
Thank you.
Celso, I really am very sorry.
- I know. - I'd give you that raise now.
I have 3 kids too.
I know, Juan. Thanks.
- Shall I close the door? - Yes, please.
Please stop playing in class.
Leave the room right now.
Let's go on.
Good morning.
Mom, it's twelve.
I know.
Come on, you have to get up. I'll make you some coffee.
No, thanks.
You have to eat something.
Do I tell you what you have to do?
- Don't worry so much about me. - Why not?
How do you think I feel when I see you like this?
Don't feel anything and leave me alone.
Mom, look at yourself.
You can't do this to yourself because dad left. You don't deserve it.
You have no idea of how I feel.
- You can't even imagine. - That's not true.
Valeria, please leave me alone.
- Hi. - What are you doing here?
- I needed to talk to someone. - Okay.
I can't stand another minute with my mother.
Right.
Hugo, aren't you even going to give me a hug?
We have to eat this before it goes bad. Shit!
- We'll do it tomorrow. - No,
if I don't cook this, it'll go bad.
- Wasn't that a good icebox? - Yes, but the repairman says
we're better off buying a new one.
- We'll call another repairman. - And spend it all on repairmen.
Show mom.
Look, mom.
- What, darling? - I have all these.
I'm missing 18. Look.
These are the same, but this one is stronger
- because it's become this one. - Yes.
- Cool. - Great.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- What a racket. - Yes.
And the stench of piss is unbearable.
.... the man then said that everyone was right
because they had seen only one season of the tree,
and that they couldn't judge a tree or a person
by seeing one single season,
and that if you give up in winter
you'll have lost spring, summer and autumn.
What do you think? It's a pretty story, isn't it?
We have a call. David.
Hello? I'm calling because I heard the conversation before,
about the girl who can't stand loneliness.
You like to be alone, right?
That's why I'm calling. I like to be alone.
Why do you like to be alone?
I don't know. I guess I've gotten used to it.
I used to have a day job, with other people,
attending to customers...
And now?
Now it's different. I work the night shift
At first it's very rough.
I feared I'd be found dead and alone in the morning.
- But not now. - Not any longer?
No, on the contrary. I like it.
A day came when I liked to be alone,
and it even bothered me to be with people.
I even turned the radio off at night. Don't get mad.
Don't worry.
Your relationship with others gets to overcome you.
You must see your friends, your family,
be happy always so no one can ask you what's wrong.
What's wrong?
Yes, something's always wrong, but you won't tell anyone.
Well, David, sharing things is good.
What for? You always end up being alone.
Tomorrow I'll go see if the school needs another cleaning woman.
Okay.
But being pregnant, they'll tell me the same as the other places.
Don't worry, something will come up.
If not, I don't know how we'll manage.
I'm freezing!
- What's the matter? - I'm tired.
Celso,
if anything were wrong, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?
Of course.
Monday
- Give me the phone. - No.
Give me the phone. You know they're not allowed here.
- And now leave the room. - Why?
What a pig!
What are you doing?
You've broken my phone, you asshole.
There was a moment I thought I'd die, I swear.
When she grabbed me like that I felt...
as if it was all starting again.
But you were able to control the situation. That's what matters.
Sure.
The doctor said that with a fall like that
I'd take more than 2 years to recover,
but I feel fine.
I can walk down the school stairs without feeling panic.
- I must be stronger than I thought. - Probably.
In my building there's an old lady who picks up stray dogs.
The neighbors want to throw her out.
That's the most despicable thing I've ever seen.
If you stop to think about how unfair life can be...
0pen up or I'll break in!
We'll take those dogs away, you old fool!
What's going on?
What are you doing?
You can't bang on people's doors like that.
What else can I do?
I've tried to talk to her, but it's impossible. She's crazy.
Sure. And to do this now isn't crazy?
Tuesday
Well, here we have this larger product,
the price of products depends upon size and age.
- Can I open it? - Yes.
It has 2 independent sections, with their motors,
and the top...
Have you anything cheaper?
Well, yes.
This one is simpler, cheaper.
One single motor,
holds up to 7-8 degrees,
and the freezer, below 13.
It's another concept.
What's that?
That's not important. It works wonders.
- Haven't you another? - That's all,
for what you're willing to pay.
That sounds like a swindle.
Well, we'll think it over. Thank you.
Perfect! Fuckin' great!
Why did you do that? We can't come back here anymore.
- Did you see that icebox? - We won't find anything better.
One thing is being poor, and another being cheated.
That bastard
takes advantage of others' misfortune.
I don't care, all I want and need is an icebox.
- Then buy it. - Of course I'm gonna buy it.
Bastard!
Damn son of a bitch!
- See you tomorrow. - See you.
- At the same time. - Good-bye.
Shall we go?
I've got a dinner date tonight. Let's take a rain check on that.
- I can wait up for you. - I'll get back very late.
Then I'll go with you.
Valeria, don't be silly.
Bye.
- Can't you sleep? - No.
You have to forget him.
Forget 20 years of my life?
I didn't say that.
I can't.
I swear I can't.
It's as if I were hollow inside.
I suppose I still can't believe it.
These things happen.
Dad fell in love with someone else.
That happens to many people.
Of course.
You understand it perfectly.
The same thing happened to you.
You're in love with a man who could be your father.
Both of you are equally selfish.
That's not being selfish.
It's not being selfish.
Then what have I done wrong?
Not being 20 years old all my life?
Is that it?
How stupid!
- Hello? - Hi, dad.
It's late. Is anything wrong?
- Can we get together? - When, tomorrow?
Yes, I'd like to talk to you.
Impossible, I get off late tomorrow.
- But, how about Saturday? - It doesn't matter. Drop it.
- We can meet on Saturday. - No, dad, really. Forget it.
Come tomorrow at 2. I'll work it out.
Okay.
Thank you.
Wednesday
Yesterday I talked to your brother.
He seems happy.
He did quite well.
What?
Go to Paris for his postgraduate studies.
- That's great for him. - What do you mean?
Nothing, it doesn't matter.
- How is mom? - How is she?
In shit shape. How else could she be?
I'm very worried. I don't know what to do.
It's a matter of time she'll get over it.
That's easy for you to say.
Edu and you have left me holding the bad.
And I can't take it anymore.
What do you want me to do?
Tell me what I can do to help you,
and I'll do it.
I don't know.
Nothing, I suppose.
- Good evening, man. - Good evening.
A cigarette?
What year are we in, man?
- In 2046. - Yes, but...
what century?
The 21st. The 21st century.
Of course.
But I see no Martians, do you?
Good night.
As a kid, I thought we'd have Martians in the 21st century.
- But I've seen none. Have you? - Good-bye.
But how could we see them
if they're camouflaged as men like us.
It could be anyone.
Even I could be a Martian.
Excuse me, but I found this dog...
Do you need any money or?
A dog's life isn't that bad, huh?
You just sit and look.
Nothing else.
Thursday
Friend,
you have to go.
It's time to go.
REHEARSAL SUSPENDED
"At 6 o'clock, at the bar"
I'm sorry, it's taken.
- I'm sorry, it's taken. - I know.
But Hugo isn't coming.
This situation is very uncomfortable for both of us,
and I deeply hate getting Hugo out of trouble.
Who are you?
I'm his wife.
What?
My God, this is absurd!
Listen, I know all about your romance.
I live in Lisbon, but Hugo told me everything,
and asked me to come.
I assure you I don't like to play...
the role of the avenging wife.
But Hugo wants to end your romance, but doesn't know how.
Bravery is not one of his traits.
So I had no choice other than to intervene
and come to tell you your romance is through.
You're not the first,
nor will you be the last in his life.
You're intelligent and you'll get over it.
Good luck.
Is it true?
I don't get it.
How could you do this to me?
Where were you meanwhile?
Valeria.
This is unbelievable!
Don't touch me!
Why'd you call me, why let me in?
I assure you I love you very much.
0ne day you will understand.
I won't understand in my life!
Don't touch me! You're a son of a bitch!
Valeria!
Look, look, mom.
Look, look.
Now, be quiet.
Hello?
- Now he knocks him down and eats him. - Hi, Felix.
- Hey, Pablo. - Hi.
Here.
What's this?
A present.
How much did it cost?
It's a present. I won't say.
- What did you pay it with? - What did you have for dinner, Pablo?
Celso, have you gone crazy?
- ljust wanted... - What did you want?
You don't tell me anything or touch me since I'm pregnant, and now this?
What the fuck is it you want?
I wanted to give you a surprise.
Leave me alone!
Tomorrow you'll go get your money back.
You're crazy.
Friday
I just can't understand it.
Why did you take such a risk?
You wanted my help for this?
Look at you!
Where are your balls now?
You must be an idiot to bite the hand that feeds you.
Have you thought of your wife?
How can she trust you now?
And your kids?
You've fucked their lives.
Marisa has your dismissal ready.
It had to happen.
- My advice was useless. - I don't want to hear sermons.
The same vulgarity, over and over again. It's pathetic.
Shut up.
Why are you doing this to me?
You're bitter.
I may be bitter, but I'm not an idiot.
I can't believe you didn't see he was using you!
Hello.
Hi. Is my father in?
Hi. Can I stay?
February
Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
Sure, we'll see what's showing later.
I don't know.
I'd like to do something different.
There's a new dance school near home specialized in tango.
Shall we sign up?
- For tango lessons? - Why not? Once a week.
Hey, you can't stay here.
So, beat it!
I don't want to hurt you, so cooperate.
Okay.
Come on, let's go for a walk.
Wednesday
- Why are you sad, Marga? - I don't know.
For everything. I can't go out.
- Why? - Because I'm tired.
That's not enough, dear. Why are you so tired?
I don't know.
I used to go shopping, but now...
I have my groceries delivered.
- You don't go out now? - No.
Never?
- That's not right. You live alone - Yes.
How long have you not gone out?
- I don't know. A long time. - You have to go out, dear,
- or you'll feel even worse. - But I can't.
Please, don't cry. Look, I tell you what.
I want you to go out tomorrow to buy bread.
- Are you listening, Marga? - Yes.
And then call me and tell me how it went. How's that?
- But my cat... - What cat?
- My cat. - What's wrong with your cat?
She died. I don't know what to do with her.
What? You have her at home?
- Yes, in a bag. - When did your cat die?
A week ago, and I don't know what to do.
Dolores?
Dolores, are you okay?
Dolores,
can you hear me?
Hello?
Celso?
Celso, is that you?
Darling,
where are you?
Are you okay?
Please, darling, talk to me.
Celso!
That's it.
Is it good?
Sunday
May I speak with Luis?
Speaking.
I'm Mila, a friend of your mother,
Dolores.
Is she dead?
No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.
You haven't. To me, my mother died when I was 8.
I don't know what this is all about, but forget it.
- I... - Who are you to talk about her?
Whatever it may be, she has what she deserves.
- She abandoned me. Is that clear? - Yes.
She refused to be my mother.
If she's alone, it's what she decided.
If she wants to be looked after, do it yourself.
Dolores?
How are you?
I've brought you your food.
I'm here.
I'm not leaving.
Where were you? I was worried.
Valeria, this can't go on like this.
- What's wrong? - Leave me alone.
Have you talked to mom?
- After what she said to me? - I'm sure she's sorry.
No one can live with her! She's crazy! Don't you get it?
You can't be mad at your mother all your life.
You'll have to go back someday.
Don't worry. I'll be out of here sooner that you think.
- I'm not throwing you out. - I think you are!
Hi, this is Valeria. I can't take your call.
Leave a message and I'll call you back.
I'm sorry.
I'm very sorry, my child.
I don't know what's wrong with me.
Really.
I don't know who I am.
Forgive me.
Monday
I finally got her to go out on the street.
She's lived in the building for years but,
until she was a problem, she didn't exist for the rest.
It's funny
and sad how someone can become invisible.
Well, now at least she has me.
I've signed up for tango lessons.
Come on, let's get going.
Five, six, five, six, seven, and...
Very good. And one...
And one, two, and one, two, three.
And one, and two, and one and finale. Very good.
Translation: Edward Ledden
Subtitles: LASERFILM