mohammad fath nejat onlyiran2001@yahoo.com
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our little show
Tonight, we got ourselves a bona fide multiplicicitous conglomeration
of Cubanos on this here stage tonight
We got Paquito D'Rivera!
We got lgnacio Berroa!
And we got my newest Cuban son
...Arturo Sandoval
Here by special permission of the Cuban Government
I'd like to say something
Ever since I was a little boy and uh, since the first time I heard his music
I had a dream to be able to play with maestro Dizzy Gillespie
So to me right now, life is truly a dream
- Mari, Mari, it's me, Arturo - Arturo, where are you?
- I'm in Athens, are you okay?. - Yes
Listen, Mari, you're in London, this is it
We're halfway there, it's all arranged
- Tonight?. - I will be in ltaly tomorrow
- Be careful - I'll call you when I get there
Paquito, make sure none of that feta cheese, got that?. Un-feta
Yeah, Dizzy
Don't go away, cete thelo
Arturo, what's going on?.
Quickly... give me a cigarette
My wife and son are in London
- They're where?. - We're not going back
- Ono... - Paquito, it's not done yet
It's okay, don't worry, we'll get you out
Arturo, man, let's go, I called the Embassy, they're expecting us
- What's the matter?. - I've still got family there, Diz
When you leave the government, they punish the people that you leave behind
- The people you love - Well are you sure you wanna do this?.
I've been in jail all my life
You know, freedom's a scary thing, but l-I gotta do it, man, I gotta get on the bird
Well, come on, let's do it then
- The Embassy is closed, sir - You better get it open
We got ourselves an lnternational incident, my Cuban friend here...
Sir, the Embassy is closed
Not for me it ain't, I'm Dizzy Gillespie
- Open the gate, Sergeant - Yes, sir
It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Gillespie, we got your call
- You must be Arturo Sandoval - Yeah
That's the second greatest trumpet player in the world
Someone should be... ah, there you are
Good evening, gentlemen, or I should say, good morning
I'm Michael Tasker, I'm a big fan, Mr. Gillespie
Thank you, this is my man, Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval, yes, petition for asylum
- Yes - Look, how long's this gonna take?.
Well, red tape respects no boundaries, Mr. Gillespie, that's an international fact of life
- If you'd like to wait... - This is the American Embassy
I know you got some apple pie around here
I think we can arrange something
- Now you be cool - Okay, thank you, Diz
- Enjoy, right this way - Yes
You're Mr. Gillespie is one of the few people who can open this place in the middle of the night
- Have a seat and I'll be back in a moment?. - Yes, thank you
- Coffee?. - Uh, thank you, yes
I'm scared
Trust me
Mr. Sandoval, I think I should explain, there are certain criteria that must be met
before we can grant asylum
An individual must prove that he is unable to return to his homeland for fear of persecution
Yes, I understand, that's why I'm here
Now, you've been touring with Mr. Gillespie's United Nation Band
Are you here with your family?.
No, no, my wife and son, they're waiting for me in London
- You're seeking asylum for them as well?. - Yes
- Is there a problem?. - I ju-I just need some information
Okay, uh, so, you've been a musician for how many years?.
Since I was... six years old
I taught my cat how to walk on a tightrope while I played the bongos
It was like an animal act
And you were educated at a government-run music school?.
Yes
- So you were classically trained - Yes
Now, it says here, it says you were a member of the Cuban Music Academy
- Is that right?. - Yes
- Is that a state-sponsored organization?. - Yes
And your first professional job... what is that?. Orchestra Cu...
Cuban Modern Music Orchestra
- Government sponsored?. - Yes, of course
If the government doesn't sponsor it, it doesn't exist
Yeah, well maybe I'm missing something here, because you see it seems that on paper
that the government treated you quite well, they certainly supported you as a musician
Yes, yes
Yes, as long as I did what they wanted
That's the shit, that's the shit there
- That's what we should be playing - I know!
Start a band and get on the bird and fly!
- Hey, Arturo - You haven't changed
- What for?. - You look good
Very handsome... even without you hair, very very nice
So Jaime, What's this about?. What's going on?.
Nothing, just come, come on in, come in guys, relax, please, sit down
Here, don't burn my couch
Jaime, why are we here?. What is this meeting about?.
Simply, companero Somavilla brought a matter to my attention
Well, I just mentioned to Jaime, that you want to start your own band
Your own band, it's a good idea
It's a shame you just can't do it
Caballeros, I am an artist just like you are
I understand the need to invoke the muse
But as Cubans we have to present a united front
Politically and musically and destroying the Orchestra is not in our interests right now
No, no, no, no, no, no, we do not want to destroy anything, okay?.
No, just the best band in Cuba, that's all
There's plenty of room for another great band in Cuba
Arturo, normally I would agree with you, but we're living in times of scarcity now
Exactly, besides, I just can't see why you can't play what you want in the Orchestra
In the Orchestra we play what you want us to play!
We need to experiment
No, you don't want to experiment, you just don't want to play our music
You want to play their music! The music of the enemy
What is the music of the enemy?. What does that mean?.!
That's enough
Our comrades are losing their lives in Angola now
You guys are thinking about your little music, just about yourselves?.
There's no time for that, there are limits! Bien?. There are limits!
Ramon, Ramon, leave the cowboys alone
- I never saw that picture before - I don't care, this is dominos
- Okay, okay - Pay attention to the game
Cirita, one more coffee, please
- Wait, wait, wait, it's not your turn - Okay, I'll make some more
Cirita, your coffee is like a wake-up kiss in the morning
Cirita bonita, tan bella y sabrosita
Gracias
It's like the fourth time through on these grounds
Yeah
You boys want to play?.
Maybe later, Papi
The band... Iisten, Arturo, this is going nowhere
You heard Jaime, they'll pull us out of venues, they pull the equipment
No, they won't ever do it
We'll be so good they'll have to support us
How are you gonna get'em to support a jazz band?.
Never call it jazz, don't ever even use the word
They'll know, they'll hear it
Paquito, these guys, they're not musicians, they're bureaucrats
You're Cuban, I'm Cuban, Chucho's Cuban... whatever we play is gonna be Cuban music
We'll need some kind of camouflage, you know?.
- Congas - Yeah, big ones
- Up front - Up front!
We called ourselves "lrakere", it's an African word meaning "jungle"
And we played jazz, but we gave it, you know, our own swing...
Wait a minute, wait a minute, excuse me, but they didn't stop you....
and this band was a success
Yes, the camouflage we had worked
I mean, you toured extensively, you-you did a record for CBS
You even won a Grammy
And-and it seems like the government didn't really care what you were playing
Well, you know, they chose not to notice because we were making a lot of money for them
Well, I imagine you were making some money for yourself as well
It doesn't work that way
The clubs, they pay the Ministry of Culture directly, all we got was meal money
So you know you can make a lot more money if you weren't in Cuba
It's not about the money, it's about the music
Well, they let you play the kind of music that you wanted
American jazz and Gershwin and Ellington...
But we're always taking a risk because in Cuba you never know where the line is
You can play Gershwin once too often
Not being able to play Gershwin does not constitute persecution
It is if someone decides that it's counter revolutionary and they come and put you in jail
because in Cuba, you live with that fear every day
That someone might come to you, to your house, to your family and hurt you because of a song
Just a song, and that is persecution
Well, if you felt that strongly about it, why didn't you defect earlier?.
I was about to, in my mind I had it all planned out
But you stayed
Come on, let's go!
Life has it's own plan
Come on, let's go! Come on! Come on, let's go!
I'm here, let's go! The bus is coming! Come on!
What are you waiting for?. What are you waiting for?.
If you don't get this one there won't be another bus for hours
- l-I'm with him - Come on!
I've been here all along, right here, she's with me
She's the love of my life
By the way, what's your name?.
Marianela, Marianela... Mariane-ela
When she walks, all the buses they have to stop
And when she laughs... she has to cry
What's wrong?.
My mother just died, a week ago
I'm sorry
Did your mother have something against laughing?.
- Where you going?. - This is my stop
- Really?. Mine, too - What a coincidence
- I wanna see you before I go - What's the point if you are leaving?.
Why does there have to be a point?.
- When does your tour finish?. - It's in a month, let's have dinner
- I'll see you when you get back - No, that's too long
I need to see you before I go
- What's the hurry?. - Well, I'm afraid you might forget me
That's very unlikely
Excuse me, do you work here at the F]oreign Trade Ministry?.
Si, don't tell me that you work here as well
No, no, I don't think so
- Is there a problem?. - No, no, no problem, no problem
Marianela, Marianela... Mariane-la
I'm gonna see you before I go!
That's a warning!
Companera, these are the East German purchases
I'll record them
- You mean she sold everything?. - And she actually left
To Miami?.
Both kids, the mother, the father, the grandmother on a raft
- This is Cuca we're talking about?. - What happened to Cuca?.
They left a couple of weeks ago from Cojimar
About three o'clock in the morning
- The whole family?. - Yes, the whole family, even the dog
- The dog?. - Good thing she escaped
She didn't escape, Emi, she gave up
She gave up because things got a little tough
She wanted to go shopping in Miami
Please, she bought everything she could in Havana
- Hello - May I speak to Marianela, please?.
Marianela, for you
- How are you?. - Marianela?.
- Si - Arturo
Who?.
Arturo Sandoval, what you don't remember me?.
Of course I remember you, it's been less than an hour
- Listen, you like baseball?. - Do I like baseball?.
- What are you doing out here?. - This is where I practice
I like to come here 'cause the music, you know my playing, it comes back to me like a wave
- What were you playing?. - Something I just wrote
- What is it called?. - Marianela
Really
Put your hand on my heart, right here
Nice
- Nice - What's her name?.
Marianela
- Where she live?. - None of your business
She's the little waitress we were chasing around the club with the...
You were chasing, Marianela works for the government
The government?.
You think I'm crazy?.
I think you're in love and that's a dangerous place to be
- What are you talking about?. - Arturo, man, America?.
You know I wanna leave, I can't take my family
You, you're free, you get on that plane, you never come back
You get hooked, you're stuck
Don't complicate your life, hermano, okay?.
There she is, what do you think?.
Man, it's worse than I thought, be careful, Arturo, you know how it works
They take a spy and they dress her up to look like the woman of your dreams
- It must be quite a temptation for you - What?.
Traveling to all those countries, nice cars, nice clothes
Do you ever want to get off the plane and not come back?.
You know, Arturo, you'd miss Cuba
You'd miss the way everything smells like sugar
You'd miss the baseball, you'd miss our music
I'm still sitting here
I don't understand why people leave Cuba
Especially you who's gotten so many things from the revolution
Marianela... my talent comes from God, not F]idel
Do I have "defector" written on my forehead?.
- What are you talking about here?. - Do you get this nervous on stage?.
Only at auditions
How am I doing?.
I'm still sitting here
- Marianela! - Wait, wait
This is Marianela! When she walks all the buses have to stop!
- That was the last bus - That was the only bus
Okay, okay, okay
Well, what are you gonna do?.
I don't know
I could stay at my friend's apartment, I should call home
- It was a lovely day - Yes
- Thank you - You're welcome
Good night
- I'll walk you there, come on - No, no, it's okay, no, it's...
It's okay?. Okay then, let's go, come on, I'll protect you
I also was married, it was a mistake
- The husband, not the son - You have a son?.
- Yes, he's eight - Eight?.!
- I was very young - Very young
She lives here?.
It's not much further
Emilia!
Emi!
She must be staying at the Colonel's house
- The Colonel?. - Yes
- She has a Colonel?. - Yes
Thank you for the walk
Good night
Mari
Are you really leaving tomorrow?.
That's what I told you, yes
Will you promise me you won't come back?.
I don't understand, what are you trying to say?.
Promise me you won't come back and I'll be with you tonight
Why?.
Because... I'm afraid I might fall in love with you
It would never work, we are too different
- Different is good - No, promise me this will be our only night
I don't... I don't understand, if I promise, you won't... you'll be with me tonight?.
- Okay, I promise - I'm serious, promise me
I promise
- I'll be there in a minute! - Smells good!
Come on, Willis, come on, Willis
Hey there, this is Willis Canover bringing you jazz on the Voice of America
Yes, groove on, Willis
- What are you listening to?. - Dizzy's Atmosphere
Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker live at Carnegie Hall, 1947
Side B... track 2
You know what I mean
It's just music, great music
You're not supposed to listen to that station
- Now we're safe - It's not funny, you could get in trouble
Believe me, I know
I spent four months in military jail for listening to that
I think I earned the right
It's time to go
You have your tour and I have my work
What are you doing?.
- What are you doing?. - Memorizing your face
We going?.
What?.
Tell me one thing, Emi, can the Colonel dance?.
- Oh, please - But do you love him?.
Ah, chica
Marianela, Marianela, Marianela
Come on, let's go
- I'm here - See you tomorrow
- You promised you wouldn't come back - The last promise I'll ever break to you
- So she wasn't an informer?. - No, of course not
- But she did work for the government?. - Yes
- And... she's still a member of the party?. - Yes
- An active member?. - No, not anymore
She sees things completely differently now
Well... that's convenient, now that you're seeking asylum
Convenient?.
Well, it seems that her politics didn't really bother you
I never said that, we had many disagreements about politics
You had disagreements?. You claim to be on opposite ends of the political spectrum
How do you expect me to believe that two people that far apart could stay together?.
Papi and Leonel, this is Arturo
Mucho gusto, Sr. Sosa
Leonel... say hello to Arturo
Leonel!
I'm sorry, I'll be back, Papi... Papi!
- What's so great about him?. - He's funny, he makes me feel good
- You are the musician?. - Trumpet player
Trumpet player
Mr. Trumpet player, may I know what are your intentions with my daughter?.
I want to marry her
I want to have a son with her and I want to live with her for the rest of my life
- She never mentioned that to me - I haven't asked her yet
Look, Senor Sosa, with all due respect...
I know when you look at me, I know what you're thinking, I'm a musician, she's your daughter...
I suppose you would like to move into my house
Yes, for a little bit, yes
I have something for you
- It's soap... from London - You keep it
You know F]elix Chappotin?.
Yes, of course, I was admiring your taste in music
Now he was a trumpet player!
You like baseball?. Maybe we can go see my favorite team, Los lndustrials
You're trying to make me like you
How am I doing?.
No good, huh?. Let's try a bribe, sandwich?.
No?. It's turkey, turkey sandwich
When's the last time you had a turkey sandwich?.
- Never, where'd you get it?. - Right there
That's not turkey
- What is it?. - That's vulture
Vulture?.
No, it's not, it's turkey from heaven
Cono!
Bad news, Marianela, bad news
- You know him?. - Who doesn't know him?.
- Is he in the party?. - I don't think he's in anything
He belongs to a different world, Mari, a different way of thinking
I don't understand you, and neither will anybody else
You have a good position here, a wonderful reputation
Why do you want to risk it?.
I'm old enough to know what I'm doing, Emilia
Not as old as his first wife
- You know his first wife?. - Chica... Alba Marina
Alba Marina?. The singer?.
Honey, what else don't you know about the man you're gonna marry?.
We hear what they want us to hear, okay?. We play what they want us to play
You know what we're missing brother?. You know what we're missing?.
Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Maynard F]erguson...
While the rest of the world's painting goddamn rainbows, we will paint in one color
F]orget it, me?. I'm getting outta here
- What about your family?. - I'll get them out... somehow
Look
I'm sick and tired of playing these fucking games
Hey, be careful, huh?. Everybody in Cuba has an ear
And not only for music
Where have you been?.
- What is it?. - Somebody's following me
- What?. - Somebody's following me
He was not supposed to be following you
Wait, wait, wait, wait, you know him?.
- He's a friend of Emilia's - Emilia?.
He was only supposed to... ask around
- He's been looking for things - What?.
- About you - About me?. Why?.
- Because I asked him to - You asked him?.
Yes
If you want to know something about me, why don't you ask me?.!
Because I don't know if I can trust you
You don't trust me?. I have told you everything!
That's not true, you never told me about Alba Marina
Alba Marina?. I told you I was married!
- Not to Alba Marina! - What difference does it make?.
Do you have any doubts that I love you?.
Listen, Arturo, I had one husband walk out on me...
He walked out on you and your son
Yes, and I won't go through that again!
Don't compare me to him!!
Go home
You alright?.
You're not gonna have a heart attack on me now, are you?.
Oh, my! You scared the hell out of me
- I'm better now, I'm better now - Well, stop following me
I'm not coming around here no more
- No, no, you were such a nice couple - Thanks
- You gonna make it home okay?. - I can't go home
- Why?. - Because my wife kicked me out
- Did you hear the one about F]idel's zoo?. - No
In 1 960 there was a sign there saying: "Please don't feed the animals"
In 1 970 they changed that sign for another one saying: "Please... don't eat the animals food"
Yesterday, they changed the sign for another one saying:
" Please don't eat the animals"
Isn't that funny?.
- You're a comedian - No, no
Orthopedist
No, no, no, don't laugh, it's true! Yes, bone surgeon, yes, that's me, yes
I'm honored, a specialist, I'm honored, doctor
Oh, no, no, no, you know, the real money is in the taxi business
You know, I have a cousin who drives a taxi and he gets a lot of money in dollars, in dollars
- That's very important - He's a doctor, too?.
Don't laugh, physicist!
We have the most talented taxi drivers in the world!
Arturo
- How did you find me?. - The doctor brought me
The shawl is beautiful
- You should have asked me about Alba - I came here to...
I'm not finished
- Arturo... - I'm not finished
- What do you want to say?. - I don't know
Arturo... what I feel about you, I've never felt it before
And I don't know how to feel it, I don't trust it
What if I told you that I love you?. Just because I love you
No reason, I just love you
I love you the first time I saw you
You're here with me now and I love you, I love you
You could send a hundred guys to follow me
and that's all they're ever gonna find out is that I love you
I love you
You trust me?.
Ah, homijo! You found yourself a good woman
And you're gonna be a great father and a great husband
Gracia, Mama
Great father, great husband, but lousy domino player
Sounds like a wedding to me!
- Emi! - Ay, chica!
- You look... amazing - Oh, thank you, where is everybody?.
Oye, oye, don't I get to kiss the groom?.
- One - Come on
- F]elicidatas, Arturo - Gracia
You better be good to her or I'm gonna have to talk to the Colonel...
Oh, no, no, I promise, I promise
I promise
Well, you know, Rosalina, has a migraine, poor thing
- And what about Yami?. - Militia duty
- What about the rest?. - I'm here, I came, didn't l?.
I'm sorry, Marianela, I have to go
Is that the Colonel?.
Ask him in, he's welcome here
Aye, Chica, I'm sorry, I really have to go
You look wonderful
You look like... a virgin
- Emilia, vamanos! - All right, all right, I'm coming
- What's wrong?. - They didn't come
- Who?. - My friends, none of them are here
If they didn't come, they're not your friends
Yeah, mida
- Who's coming?. - Dizzy, Dizzy Gillespie
- What kind of name is Dizzy?. - His name
You really expect me to get this thing running?.
- You're the best - He's better than the best
I'm not this good, bury it
That's the wrong size tire
It's round
- How you doin'?. - F]ine, welcome to Cuba, Mr. Gillespie
Welcome to the beautiful Havana, sir
Mr. Gillespie, first thing we're gonna do
we're gonna tour one of our international renowned health care facilities
Well thank you, but my health don't need carin', can you take me to Chano Pozo's crib?.
Chano Pozo's crib?. Chano Pozo...
You don't know who Chano is?.
- I know who Chano is - This has nothing to do with you
No, no, no, hold on a second
Can you take me to his crib?.
His crib?. Yes, yes, of course
Mr. Gillespie, we have a tour, we have the entire day planned out for you, sir
That's okay, thank you very much, my boys will go on the tour with you
Go with 'em, enjoy yourselves
Mr. Gillespie, this is a real honor, sir
- What's this?. - It's my car
- Keep telling yourself that - Yes, sir
Okay, here we go
Okay, here we go, it's okay, thank you
Are you sure you know who Chano Pozo is?.
Mr. Gillepsie, Luciano Pozo y Gonzales better known as Chano
Cuban conga player you met in 1 946
Chano's from Belen, which is just up the street here
"Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo added a whole new polyrhythmic structure to jazz"
Yeah, you read the liner notes
Mr. Gillespie, I've read everything there is to read about you
I gotta tell you something, man, your car smells funny
- Gasoline - Gasoline and tar
I painted it with gasoline and tar
- Gasoline and tar?. - Yes, sir
Now, you're supposed to put the car on the road
not the road on the car, you understand what I'm sayin'?.
So is there a statue or somethin'?.
Statue?. No, there's no statue, Diz
- Then take me to Chano Pozo's street - Street?. No, no, there's no street
- Well, what do they got?. - They don't got anything
- Well, how do people remember him?. - Most people don't remember him
Oh man, that's criminal, man, one of the greatest players that ever played!
Yeah
Chano Pozo transcended the vicissitudes of the contingent world
and moved in an odyssey into the realm of the metaphysical
I'll... I'll betcha Karl Marx got himself a statue
A statue and a theater, too
Yeah, well, then Karl Marx can kiss Chano Pozo's ass
Yeah! Yeah!
You hear it?. Your hear that?. That's the sound, Diz, that's the sound
Chano Pozo learned how to play the conga right in this neighborhood
- What's this, a show or something?. - Yeah
Well, it's actually a party, it's here every afternoon
Yeah, we'll stop here
You can shoot as much as you want
This is Chano's world, this is the real thing
They're doing the traditional Yambu
It's dedicated to the city of Belen which is where we're at, where Chano's from
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Chano!
You all kept it alive, man
When they dragged us over to America they took our drums, our religion, our language
We had to learn theirs
But the true African heart's still beatin' here in Cuba
- I mean, it is what it was - There's more, a lot more
That reminds me, they're puttin' together some sort of jam session for me tonight
- You ever heard of this band called "lrakere"?. - lrakere?.
- Yeah, yeah - Yeah, yeah, I heard of 'em
Mr. Gillespie, you're about to hear the best musicians in Cuba
Like Paquito D'Rivera
Paquito!
Yeah, I like the sound of that
Dizzy, Dizzy
Thank you, gracias
What... what the hell is my driver doing playing the trumpet?.
Your driver?.
Gimme my horn
Dizzy, Dizzy
The African and Cuban transmogrified on the great ethereal plain
Dizzy, I smuggled this thing in from F]rankfurt
You know, the government here, they don't support jazz, Diz
as soon as you get on that boat tomorrow, the so-called jazz festival, it's over
- Musica non grata - Musica non grata
That show tonight?. That was just for you, Diz, it's not like that every day
- This your stuff?. - Yeah
I didn't hear any of this tonight
Just some stuff I'm working on
Yeah, that's nice, musica non grata
You know, Miles Davis came to me for a trumpet lesson once
I said: "let's go to the piano"
Miles looked at me... "l don't play no piano"
I told him, I said: "the only way you can really get inside the music
arranging, composition, is with the piano
you learn it, then we can better understand each other"
Yeah
Why don't you come along on tour with me?.
Me come with you?.
That horn I heard tonight doesn't belong to you, it belongs to the whole world
Boat leaves manana
Tomorrow?. I wish, Diz, I wish
Marianela, you don't understand, Dizzy Gillespie saw something in me
In me!
So now you want to go away with him?.
I don't know what you want anymore
You are already in a band and you tour, you're famous
I'm on display, I am in a cage
Don't be ridiculous
I'm in a sanctioned band playing sanctioned songs
We're going on tour next week and I don't even feel like going
The music that I played tonight, that's what I need to be playing
- Don't you want that?. - Of course I do
You know that I've always supported you
- We're a family, there are limits - Limits?.
Who am I talking to here?.
I just don't see why you have to complicate things
Look, look, look at this
"Then thousand Cubans stormed into the Peruvian Embassy
in a desperate attempt to flee the island"
"The Castro Regime is waging a crackdown on descent after a chaotic 48 hours
that began a Havana bus driver, seeking asylum for himself and his passengers
crashed through the Embassy gates, prompting a crossfire that left one guard dead"
"ln retaliation for the Embassy's refusal to turn over the gate crashers
the Cuban government removed its guard triggering a stampede of refuge-seeking Cubans"
Cono, I left my sax on the plane
- You forgot your sax?. - Arturo?. Watch this for me, okay?.
Okay
Hurry up, the plane's gonna leave soon
Why did we cancel the tour?.
We cancelled the tour to protect lrakere's reputation and yours
Arturo, this is Osvaldo, our companero from State Security who attends to us now
- I'll call you back - Sit down
As I was saying, Arturo, lrakere is a very important voice of this revolution
- And so is your voice - And so was Paquito's
And he betrayed us
And now with Paquito gone, we think you should play a more prominent role in lrakere
Well, you know, I appreciate that, Jaime, but I got some other plans
- You got some other plans?. - I want to start my own band
I want to do some fusion, I want to expand the whole concept of Cuban music
I want to bring it to a new international level
- Your own band?. - Yes, my own band
All right, everybody ready for five o'clock, okay, for a sound check
Arturo, it's out of my hands, you can't play here
I've been to every club in this town, I can't get a gig
Word on the inside is... you're on the outside now, that's what they say
Angel, this is your club... your rules
- Yeah, yeah, but... - You love this music, but what?.
Arturo, I'm your friend, it would make things a lot easier if you'd just join the party
Very simple
What?.
Hey, hey, listen, you don't have to believe it, you just sign
No
You wanna play the horn, right?. You gotta play the game!
Okay, partner, you watching?.
Go sit down and play with your father
I can't, Ma, I gotta go
- Why can't you stay longer?. - We gotta go
Marianela, let's go, vamanos, vamanos
You never wanna play?. He never wants to play
Come, Arturito, play, sit down, you got time
Maybe you win
- Marianela, let's go! - I'm coming!
Arturo, wasn't your friend Paquito D'Rivera?.
- I'm still a friend - Really?. Even after he defected?.
Paquito turned his back on our country, to me he is a traitor
- He made a choice - He turned his back and he had it all
If he had it all, he wouldn't have left
He's just another worm!
- A worm?. - Yes
Just like the one hundred thousand that are leaving from the Port Mariel by boats?.
I guess they got tired of having it all, too
Cono, Arturo, how can you say that?.
Are you listening to your son?.
What do you think of that?.
I think we should play
It's my turn
Marianela, let's go!
Arturo, Arturo talk to me
You lose your temper every time we go there
You can't even sit down and play dominoes with your father
Because I can't watch it anymore
Well, he likes to play, what's wrong with that?.
He's throwing his life away, my father used to be a great mechanic
and they came and they took his garage away! Why do you think I bought that car?.
Think I bought it for me?. I bought it for him, to get him away from that goddamn table
- Keep your voice down - What are afraid of?. The Revolution?.
Remember, it gives us everything!
They didn't take your father's garage, he gave it up
They nationalized it! They took away what he believed in
They took away his dream, his love, his trade, the thing that he did!
- We all make sacrifices, Arturo - F]or what?.
F]or what?. F]or the country, for an ideal, free hospitals, free education
Sure, of course
And by the way, those hundred thousand people running away at Mariel, they have given up
- Given up!! - Yes
That is exactly what they are not doing!
And by the way, what good is free education if you can't read what you want?.
if you can't say what you want?. What good are eyes if everybody's blind?.!
- I've never heard your father complain - Yeah, not to you
- Or you, your father supports this revolution - Because that's all he's got left!
If he denounces it now, what does he have?.
If he denounces F]idel his entire life would be meaningless!
He would have given up everything for nothing! F]or a fucking lie!
Turi is sleeping! The whole neighborhood is sleeping!
The whole country is sleeping and my kids will have to wake up!
- My kids will not sleep through this! Turi! - Arturo...
- Let's go! Wake up! Right now! - The neighbors can hear you down the street
Good, let them report me to the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution!
Arturo, por favor!
The Sandoval family will not sleep through this!
Are you listening?. Let's go! Time to wake up! Let's go!
This is it! Nobody's sleeping in here!
Let's go!
Sandoval!
- You gonna sleep all day?. - What do you want?.
You can play
You know, business has been bad and you bring in the customers, so...
How many nights?.
We'll see how it goes
One, two, one, two, three, four...
Okay?. Aya, one, two, one, two, three, four...
What's the matter?. You forget how to play the trumpet?.
Ono, Johnny! What happened, they kick both of you out of London?.
- Hello, darling - Good to see you
You couldn't come to us, Art, so we came to you
- We had Dizzy back at the club last week - Ah... Diz
He couldn't stop talking about his Cuban compadre
- He's an honorary Cuban now - He has a special respect for you
And he agrees with me
You gotta be somewhere where your talents are truly respected
Leonel
- Not so loud - Mami, I just want to hear the end of it
Turi, off to bed, it's late
- Papi! - Si
- You should see this on Ochoa - Ochoa?.
Come
This is General Ochoa, led the troops in Angola
F]idel proclaimed him the hero of the revolution, now he has him on trial
- What's his crime?. - He got too popular
You see, Johnny, in Cuba there could only be one hero of the revolution
Unless, of course, you're dead, and then you can be as popular as you want
Don't let Arturo brainwash you, Johnny
Ochoa is only accused of drug trafficking
Right, and Mari is the only person in the entire country
who believes that he did it without F]idel's blessing
I don't even think he did it, and I'm not the only one
We have a judicial process here, he will be exonerated
- Exonerated?. - It's a fair trail
- A fair trail?. - Yes
You've been watching this trial for a week and it's not a fair trail, it's a farce!
He will end up in the firing squad
- Here you go, he will never execute Ochoa - It's already been fixed
His lawyer has begged the judge to execute him
Oh stop it
His defense attorney has turned into his prosecutor! You call that a fair trail?.
I'm so sorry, Sally, I just wanted tonight to be perfect
Oh, darling... I've never had a dinner party without a fight
And usually I'm the one who starts it
I don't know what he wants, he's so... unhappy
Well, of course he is, he's a musician
I've been around them for forty years
You know, in all that time I've never seen another one like Arturo
I'd like to dedicate this show tonight to my main man, my inspiration, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie
And I'd like to play a tune entitled, "Blues for Diz"
Sorry I'm late
Mami, this is Paloma, I'm sorry
- Emilia! I'm so glad you could come - I wouldn't miss it
- Johnny and Sally, our friends from London - Hello, how are you?.
Mari you have to know something
People are watching
There have been reports about him, about both of you
What are you talking about?.
They're gonna shut him down, Mari, they're not gonna let him play after tonight
Arturo, great... great show
You know that if it was up to me, you could play here every night, you know that
You were wonderful
Arturo, Arturo, wait
Why do you think the Cuban government is so afraid of your music?.
They're not afraid of my music, they're afraid of ideas
Oh, come on, F]idel Castro is afraid of your ideas?.
F]idel Castro is afraid of any idea that's not his
- You know how he overthrew Batista?. - I know it was a popular revolution
It was a popular idea, it was a great idea
He promised the Cuban people what they were desperate for
restoration of a constitution, democracy, freedom from a dictatorship
and he did it with eighty people and fifty guns
and a boat that almost sank because somebody left the toilet running
Well, that can't be all they had
That's all he needed because the idea gave him the strength of an army
The reason I've come here is, to see if maybe I could talk about Arturo
So he could be allowed to play his music
Well, it's not entirely an issue of music
- I'm sorry?. - And it isn't entirely about Arturo
You were also seen entertaining foreigners in your home
Are you questioning my loyalty?.
There is a pattern of counter-revolutionary behavior
With all due respect, what revolution are you talking about?.
- Is there some confusion?. - Apparently
My revolution doesn't sound anything like your revolution
Mine is not about informing on your neighbors
It's about creating a new society, genuine equality, remember?.
A place where our children can thrive
I'm sure you will agree that no country loves its children more than Cuba
- Until they grow up - Companera
I know you love your husband, but please, don't say something you may regret later
The revolution needs everyone's support to survive
Excuse me for saying this
but if the revolution can't survive two people from England having dinner at my house
or a Cuban man playing the music he loves
Why bother trying to save it?.
- They've been showing this all day long - What's the verdict?.
- What do you think?. - They already shot him, Ma
Arturo?. Arturo?.
Where did he go?.
Were you there that day when F]idel marched into Havana?.
- No - I was there
I was a child
And I saw him riding in that jeep, that beard, that smile...
He was like a saint
And I fell in love
I fell in love with F]idel, I fell in love with his dream
It was going to be paradise
Come here, baby
I didn't know, Arturo, Arturo, I didn't know, I didn't know they would stop you from playing your music
My wife got her heart broken
It was like finding out that your lover had been cheating on you all this time
And it was over for her
Just so I understand, what you're saying is you never sympathized with the Castro Regime?.
Please, Mr. Tasker, I mean no disrespect
But please, take a piece of pencil and write this down
I have never ever ever sympathized with F]idel Castro
He betrayed the idea, he broke every promise he ever made
Please, just write that down
This is from the London Times earlier this year
You're quoted as making favorable statements about the Castro Regime
This is from a German newspaper, F]rankfurt, I think
"The revolution gave me everything I needed", is that an accurate quote?.
I said it in F]rankfurt, I said it in Stockholm, I said it in Havana...
I had to say what I had to say, I had to play the game
Well, you have to understand how that looks
You come in here with an American icon, you paint yourself...
Mr. Tasker, everyone in Havana, every single person in Havana
has to have a double face in order to survive!
You must understand that, you have to play the game
- Look please, I plead with you, my wife... - This...
and my son are waiting for me in...! My son is in London, he's waiting for me!
This was intercepted by the US lnterest Section in Havana six months ago
It confirms your membership in the Communist Party
and your acceptance of all its principles, are you a member?.
Are you a member of the Communist Party?.
Thank you
Thank you...
If you enjoy my music, and the way I play
It's because the revolution has given me the opportunity, thank you and good night
- It's not gonna work out - Yes, we're so close, don't say that
- He won't go for it - He will
Just do what you have been doing, give the government credit for everything
- Even the air that I breathe - A personal gift from F]idel
I thought you only got nervous for auditions
What do you think this is?.
Mi socio, all the bookings have been arranged, have a good trip
And be careful with the women over there
- Jaime, I need a favor - A favor?.
I was hoping that my family could join me on this tour, you know
I've been on tour three times this year, it's just too much time away, it's too much
Arturo, let me be honest with you
It's the United Nation Band, Paquito, lgnacio... two defectors
We're concerned that you're going to be playing with two counter-revolutionaries
It's not gonna be a problem
- Are you sure?. - No problem
Are you willing to denounce Paquito?.
No
And if a foreign reporter asks you how you feel about Paquito, what would you say?.
I would say we share the same stage, but not the same views
Good, had you denounced him, I would have known there was something wrong
Come, come on, I'll see what I can do
I'll try my best, okay, my friend?.
We can't tell anybody about our plans, not even our parents, okay?.
- Okay - It's for their own protection
And when I leave it's gotta be just like any other trip
No crying, no problem... you just leave, okay?.
And when you pack, you have to be careful that you don't pack too much
Don't call attention to yourself
But I've got to bring so many things, and I have to pack for you, for Leonel, for Turi
- Thank God Emilia gave me that suitcase - Marianela, Marianela
They didn't authorize Leonel's visa, he's of military age
But we got permission, you said we got permission
We did, but not Leonel, I just found out
He's my son, they have to let him go with us
He is forbidden to travel, no exceptions
- We can't leave him behind, Arturo - We're gonna find a way to bring him
How?. Paquito was going to bring his family and they are still here
We said we would go as a family
Marianela... I swear to you, I tried, but there's no exceptions
He's on call for seven years
Seven years, we will wait, that's not so long
Then Turi's gonna be military age, that's another seven years
Marianela, if we don't go now, none of us will ever get out
- You want me to leave my son?. - He's my son too, you know
Then how could you think about leaving him?. You go, Arturo
Marianela... Iisten to me, you know I'm not gonna go without you, anywhere
- I won't leave my boy, Arturo... - He's not a boy anymore
He's my son!
Listen to me, no matter how long it takes, no matter what it takes
Even if I have to come in a boat back to this island
I will get Leonel and bring him back to us, I promise you, okay?.
He will be with us, we have to be strong
Listen, look at me, we have to be strong
We have to make the first move or else we're never gonna get our family out
Come on, trust me, come here
- Here, Papi - Let me help you with that
- No, I go it - Come on, come on, it's my job now
- I got it - Alright
- Nice taxi, Doctor - Thank you, I have realized my full potential
- I wanna go with you, Papi - I know, Turi, I know
But I'm gonna see you in London in two weeks, okay?.
You take care of Mami
Take care of yourself
Be careful
- Thank you - F]or what?.
- F]or teaching me how to play dominoes - You still got a lot more to learn
Take good care of the car, and don't bury it
- See you soon - I'm scared
Trust me
You gotta take care of Mami, okay?. And bring her to London
We'll be there in two weeks
Turi, Turi, Turi, Turi, Turi
I don't want to make a scene in front of my mother but I don't want to pretend like I respect you
You don't have all the information
You know, I used to think that you were something
The way you never backed down
- You're just like the rest of 'em - I'm so sorry you feel that way
Sorry?. Hey, don't feel sorry for me, be sorry for Turi
Because all you ever do is teach him how to sell out
You're still not packed?.
I don't know, Papi, I don't know what I will need
I saw your Mami last night
No, in a dream, in a dream, Papa no loco
- How is she?. - She's worried mi nina
She said to me: "Sosa, our daughter is leaving..."
"And you must do everything in your power to help her, Sosa, tonight"
Mi nina, carira, mi amor, quite a dream, huh?.
Papi, I tried... I tried to tell you...
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't, don't, don't
Mi nina, in my old age
Nothing would give me greater peace than to now that you are safe and happy
and happy, happy, happy...
Mi ciero, wherever you are, we will always be together
- Si - Si, si, come, come here, come here, mi nina
Turi
You know I love you
I love you too, Ma
It's only gonna be a month, okay?.
- Bye, Mari - Mari, take care of yourself
Mr. Sandoval, you make a very compelling case, but I have to be honest with you
I don't think this is going to be easy
- Maybe I can try to explain better, I mean... - No, you did explain to me
But this application is going to be reviewed in DC
And on paper it appears that you benefited from the system and that your motives are financial
- That's just not true - The burden of proof is on you, you see
- and on paper it... - Change the paper
- Excuse me?. - You tell them, please
I will make my recommendations, I will start the process, but...
Process?. How long is the process?.
It's hard to tell, it could be a week, a month, there's no way of knowing
What am I supposed to do?.
Do you realize how hard it was to get my family out of Cuba?.
Do you know how long we've planned this?.
Mr. Tasker, we are completely exposed
Please, you must find a way of protecting us
The law states you must be in immediate and observable danger, and...
They shot two defectors in London two months ago
I can't offer you official protection
Mr. Tasker, you must understand, my wife and son are by themselves...
Just a second, Arturo, listen to me, okay?.
No one will know you were here, you just continue the tour as if nothing happened
- I can't go back, Mr.... - It's not up to me
There's nothing else I can do
I'll tell Mr. Gillespie that you're waiting
What am I supposed to do?.
Just do what the man says, just go on the tour and be cool, baby, we'll work it out
Arturo, cono, we gotta go, come on
Hold it! Hold on, hold on, hold on!
- Damn it! - They hung up
Listen, I've been through this, okay?. Ten feet, but you're not gonna get there if you don't move
We intercepted this from the U.S. Interest Section
Arturo's on the run
What is this?.
Johnny, line two, it's Havana
Hello?. What?.
- Dizzy - Arturo
Dizz, something's up, look they know Marianela's in London
- They're asking questions - Slow down
Dizzy, listen to me
They're gonna find out and they're gonna take her back to Cuba
That ain't gonna happen
Diz, I gotta go now, man, I gotta defect right now
Take it easy, take it easy, there's one in there from the White House
White House... you gonna call the President?.
Vice President, met him on Air F]orce One
Cat said if I needed anything, give him a call
Play the gig tonight, then you'll be on the plane
Turi, Turi, wait for me!
If you get through to the Embassy, tell them it won't take us too long
- You're Mrs. Sandoval?. - Yes
Come with me, quickly
These are your documents, all in order
Now, when you get to New York just stay on the plane
This man from the State Department will meet you on the plane
Do not get off the plane with anybody else
- What about my husband?. - I'm sorry, we haven't heard anything yet
You really don't know what this is all about?.
They defected?.
It's up to you to bring them home where they belong
There's nothing that I can say that could ever bring them back
Mr. Sandoval, please come with us
Papi!
subbed by : mohammad fathnajat onlyiran2001@yahoo.com