TRACES OF SANDALWOOD
Hurry up, Mina!
There is a bucket! Fetch some water!
Hurry!
A bit more! Harder...
A bit more... Push a bit harder...
Hold the foot. Here.
Now!
Push a bit harder.
That's it.
It's a girl.
What bad luck.
I have to do something.
How will she live with no father and mother?
Don't you see that she's dead?
No! No!
Leave it! Leave it!
Give it to me!
No! I'm her sister.
Nothing good will happen to her. It's better for her to die.
I'll take care of her.
I don't want her to die! I'll take care of her.
She will be called Sila.
Let's go.
Let's dance!
Durga!
Durga?
The cow is sick.
We can't do anything. It's almost dead.
What will become of us?
Why do we have to go?
We're very poor
and my husband's family do not want to keep you...
How much was it?
500 rupees?
For 500 I'm also taking the small one.
Be strong, Mina.
And, if you can, forgive me.
Come on, come on!
Sita! Sita! Sita!
Yes?
Nikki, is Paula there?
Paula, you have a call from reception.
No, I can't take it now.
She says it's important.
I can't stop, ask her what it's about.
Paula can't get to the phone, what's the matter?
Can I help you?
OK.
If I understood right,
there is a woman who just arrived from India
and says she needs to see you urgently.
Can't you go downstairs?
No, they want to see you.
Look, don't make me go downstairs because if I do she will hear me.
Don't answer, don't answer.
Nikki, it's me again.
Can Paula really not come down?
They are very insistent.
0k, I'll tell her.
It's for you again. -What's the matter?
They say you must go downstairs as soon as you can.
Hey, it sounds important.
How annoying! Now all the cells will die!
I swear! This receptionist is driving me mad!
Neus, what's happening?
You can't call us in the cell culture room!
We're working, if you know what that means!
That couple there, they're very insistent.
Whatever, but please don't let this happen again, huh?
Neus, please, can you show this couple to the door?
Paula my dear! What a surprise!
You don't often come without notice! -Hello, mum.
Honey, come in, your father will be happy to see you.
Ramon, look who is here!
Paula, my daughter!
I was just reading something that made me think of you!
Okay, let's sit here, it'll be better.
I'll make some coffee! How do you like it?
Capricciqvoluto, Rome... -A coffee, Montse, just a coffee!
I have them all!
This coffee thing gets more complicated every day.
Are you okay?
Did you adopt me?
Did you adopt me in India?
Yes.
So, I was born in India?
Yes, near Mumbai.
And why did you hide it from me? -No... no... no we didn't hide it.
Yes, Montse, yes... -No... no!
You were so much like us, and...
But what are you doing? What are you doing?
Am I hearing you right? Who do you think you are?
It's better to speak calmly.
And all these papers?
Does it sound familiar to you?
Please forgive us.
And were you going to tell me someday?
It was not our intention to do you any harm.
We just wanted to prevent you from feeling different...
Yes, for them to make you feel different...
Those were other times...
Oh... other times... -We wouldn't do it like that now.
If we'd adopted you now, we wouldn't have hidden it from you.
And at some point, we would have told you.
Uh yeah?
And when?
When?
And this photo?
Oh, of course!
This picture was not stolen!
This is the first picture you took
right after they stole all the albums?
Where did you get it?
Who told you?
I have a sister. Older than me.
A sister?
Oh no... Don't trust her.
I'm sure she knows that we adopted you
and now she will be asking for money.
I'm going!
Paula, let us tell you how it happened!
No thanks. I'll do some research when I feel like it!
Excuse me? Do you know where they sell Indian films?
At the FNAC they told me that there is a video store around here...
Yes, there is a phone parlour on Sant Ramon Street.
You will find it there. -A phone parlour?
Where you make phone calls...
I know what a phone parlour is! But I'm looking for films, DVDs... to rent.
You will find them there, in the phone parlour.
Thank you.
Hello, do you have Indian films...?
Bollywood films?
Yes. Bollywood, Collywood, Tollywood, Bollywood...
And which do you have? -Anything you want.
Can you show some to me? Sorry, is that...
Excuse me...
I'm looking for any movie by an actress
called Mina Kumar, with a K.
Mina Kumar? Yes, we have them all! Which one do you want?
Uh yeah?
And are they for rent?
No, we don't rent anything, we sell them.
Well...
What?
I don't know, if you had to watch a movie
with this actress, which one would you choose?
Mina Kumar... let's see...
this one is very good. You will like it.
That's her? Right?
Yes! This is the great Mina Kumar!
And here, too!
Indian Love, here.
And there.
The great Mina Kumar.
And what language is the movie in?
I think it's in Hindi, but it has English subtitles.
All right. -Six euros.
Twelve euros if you take three. -Are they pirates?
Pirates? We only have originals here!
Do you only want one?
Because we have them all, look... Indian Love
One is fine for now, thanks.
Wait, have you seen this one?
Mughal-e-Azam. The Biggest Indian Film Ever.
It is a classic. Like Gone with the Wind or Lagaan
La what?
Eh'?
Are you feeling all right?
Can you hear me?
What happened? -You have been gone for a while.
I fainted... slowly! Slowly! Please...
Thanks...
Come.
Thank you.
Oh, the movie?
Yes, here. -Thank you.
And how is it possible that you didn't know anything until now?
I don't know.
My birth certificate is from here
because I probably didn't have one in India...
I haven't found any trace of my adoption here.
Shouldn't you take a DNA test?
Perhaps there is some confusion! -But it is obvious!
I have documents that are very clear
and with my parents' signature!
Damn Vila family!
Unbelievable!
And the most...
How is it going?
Fine.
Are you ready?
No...
Remember that we have a meeting in twenty minutes.
I am about to finish this...
Okay, perfect.
And could it be that this woman says she is your sister...?
Because she wants money?
You too?
She's famous! She's a famous actress from India!
Hey, Paula, you're kidding me, right?
Do I look like Pmjoking?
Hello!
Fainter, how are you?
Hello! Thank you.
You're welcome. Are you feeling better? -Yes, I'm better.
So? Did you like the movie? -Yes. A lot.
I actually wanted to ask if you could recommend me another one... or two...
Yes, what do you want? -Another one starring Mina Kumar.
We have this one, New in Delhi
Arial Septi is in it too... he's a very good actor.
This is a slightly different thing. It's a romantic comedy...
Indian Love.
Perfect. -See if you like it.
Yes, I trust you.
That will be five euros each for you. -Ok.
And what do you know about her?
About Mina?
Yes.
What do you mean? About her movies? About her life?
Whatever.
Well, she is very good.
She started when she was very young.
Her husband is the producer of almost all the films she has made.
Her life is like a fairy tale.
But I'm just about to leave.
If you want we can lake a walk and I'll tell you on the way...
Awalk... you and I? -Yes, why not?
Goodbye.
Shall we sit here?
Here? -Yes.
Here... But only tourists sit here!
So what do you want to do? -Let's walk to the end of La Rambla.
Wouldn't you like to see the sea? -Yes.
Come on! It's only two minutes!
And there are people everywhere, I don't think you're in danger!
This way.
There?
Yes.
I like this place!
Where are you from?
I'm from India.
Where in India?
My parents are from Punjab, but I was born in Mumbai.
My name is Prakash.
Paula.
Pleased to meet you, Paula.
Would you like some chai? -No, thanks.
And why did you say that Mina Kumar's life is like a fairy tale?
Because it's true.
But why? -Why, are you a journalist?
No, I'm a biologist.
Of what?
I work in stem cell research.
Right now I'm doing a very interesting study
about reprogramming cells from Parkinson patients.
Because stem cells serve as a model for the study of degenerative diseases...
And now we're working on it.
Anyway. ...
Wow! And you like Indian cinema?
Yes, let's say I'm discovering it.
And why Mina Kumar?
Because they told me she is good.
Yes, Mina Kumar is very good.
Did you know she was the maid to her husband's family?
She was a poor orphaned girl.
And now she's one of the most renowned actresses in India.
And why is she so special?
Aside from singing and dancing very well
and being very beautiful, didn't you see?
She hasn't had an easy life and she has not forgotten where she comes from.
And you can see that in her eyes. She has a stunning look.
She has an intense, deep gaze
like yours!
I have to go.
Oh, me too... I have to get back.
I will stay here.
It's been a while since I last had a stroll in Maremagnum.
Will you come back to buy more movies?
I've just bought two... I don't know...
Yes, but I haven't given you the best one yet!
Goodbye.
We'll be back right away.
What a drag to be here!
This conference has come in the worst week of my life...
But you have always loved being with other researchers
and getting up to date with these things!
Let's sit there...
What's the matter?
Everything is so unreal...
Have you heard anything else from that Indian woman?
Have you talked to your parents?
I don't want to know anything about my parents!
Hey! Don't be so hard on them!
Don't be so hard on them?
But how can you say that after what they have done to me?
But they have been good parents, you can't deny that!
What does it mean to be good parents?
The guy is not here, is he? -No, he's not here.
Okay, good night.
Hello! -Hi Paula, so how are you?
Alright.
So, do you want more movies? -Yes, I want more movies...
With Mina Kumar? -Yes, Mina Kumar, yes...
Yes, 0k, oh... wait...
yes, these three...
This one?
I've seen this one already. -No, this is the second pan.
And this one too.
Pradeep Gupta is in it, he is a good actor... you'll love it.
Is there one with less dancing?
Well... It's Bollywood!
But in this one they do not dance much, it's a story about chefs...
Perfect.
Do you want to go for dinner?
Thanks, but...
But...?
How long have you lived here? -Almost three years now.
And do you plan to stay long?
I don't know.
Ifsjust...
I really like Barcelona.
And why did you move from Mumbai to here?
Oh, I didn't do that! -Oh, no?
I was living in Paris before. And my family still lives there.
I left India fifteen years ago.
And don't you miss India? -No, no...
It's complicated.
When I think about home,
I haven't a very clear picture, you know?
Don't you like it?
It's hot.
This is not hot, huh? This is spicy.
Hot... just hurts.
Spicy, tastes good!
I'm also from India.
What?
I was also born in India...
Uh yeah?
Wow.
I'm adopted.
Adopted? And do you know from where?
No, I don't know exactly. I only recently found out.
I'm having a difficult time at the moment...
I have an idea.
Hi, good morning.
Nikki, hey, I'm sorry, I'm late.
You don't look very well my friend.
What stage are you working on? -I'm doing the second wash...
Perfect.
You must look after yourself, huh?
You can't stay up all night thinking about your origins, huh?
Oops! You're telling me everything now!
Oh, I don't know!
It's very complicated. I don't think that it will be more than one night.
Married?
Indian!
This is indeed good!
An Indian to help you discover your origins!
Don't laugh, it's difficult enough!
I don't know... it's just... it's different.
I don't know if he's right for me.
Do you like him?
A lot.
Well, then he's right for you! That's all! Don't even think about it!
Relax for once!
I brought you very good sandalwood incense.
It smells good... I mean, smells...
Good. -Smells good, right?
I brought you another gift.
They say this is Mina Kumar's most personal film.
She doesn't appear in it.
It was released in India a few months ago and just came out on DVD.
Do you want to watch it with me?
Now'?
No, now is "samosa time"!
Why are you wearing gloves?
Take them off.
Put some water.
Here?
How can you be so clumsy?
I only know how to move around a laboratory!
Around a laboratory?
I think you're wrong!
Concentration!
Eh! Concentration!
What's up?
Hi Prakash. It's Anand's party today, come in come in...
Oh yeah! I had forgotten!
He is a friend who got married in India and now he's having a party...
Hey, how are you? -Hello, hello...
We'll go if you want, huh? -No, if you want we can stay.
Do you want to stay here? -Yeah.
Hello, Dudun, how are you?
Hello!
How are you? All good?
Hello, how are you? -Hello, how are you? Paula...
So pretty! -isn't she?
Are you leaving her with us? Come with us, come, come...
A couple more... One more...
How beautiful, no?
Look, if you like we can make you up a little.
Look, look...
Perfect. -You are beautiful!
So beautiful!
I love you, Paula.
But why do you say that?
Why do you say that now, when you see me dressed like an Indian?
You don't mean it,
you don't mean it...
I'm not like that!
I can't turn into an Indian just like that!
No one has asked you to do that, what do you mean?
I do not understand anything. -Paula, tell me what's wrong!
How could my parents do this to me?
Thirty years thinking I have no sister
and suddenly this famous actress from India appears
and tells me that she has been thinking of me all her life.
And I'm unable to feel anything for her!
Ne you Ska?
How do you know that name?
It's the film I gave you.
I want to leave.
OK, let's go. -No, I want to go alone...
Please...
Have you put the secondaries?
Oh, no, I forgot...
I'll do it now.
Are you okay?
Yes...
Do you want to go for a coffee?
I really don't feel like talking.
If you need me, I'm here. You know that.
Mama, what are you doing? What's up?
You left this at home.
I have very little time.
If you want we can go for a tea. -Yes, let's go.
I've been calling you for flfleen days and you never answered me.
Yes, I know, but I couldn't, I had a lot of work and...
You can't suddenly ignore us like this.
At least let us beg your forgiveness.
I'll tell you how it happened... -I'm not interested.
Paula, I've wanted you so much!
You are my child.
I just wanted the best for you...
Do you think you have done the best for me?
I'm your mother!
I have been your mother every day.
And every day, when I looked at you,
I thought about your mother, the other one...
You were very small,
you didn't have anything over there. -And how can you know what I had there?
Let me be! I have to get back to the laboratory.
I've just wanted to be a good mother.
Did you come by car?
Can I stay for dinner?
Where are we?
Mumbai.
How do you say "thank you"?
What if they don't let us in?
We'll see... Don't worry. -I'm nervous!
Everything is going to be alright.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
So'? Yes?