Dream of Light (1992) - full transcript
The artist, Antonio Lopez, tries to paint the quince tree he planted some time back in his garden. Throughout his life, he has worked on the same theme many times, almost as if it were a physical necessity. Every year, with the arrival of autumn, this need resurfaces. The artist's work has never represented the sun's rays between the leaves of the tree, and, given his characteristic realist style, he tries to achieve this. But he goes about it in the same way, without consciously pursuing a finished picture - he just wants to be close to the fragile lavish tree for a few weeks.
Madrid, Fall 1990
Saturday, September 29
Emilio.
Emilio. Hello, Emilio
Come in, Emilio.
You wont'?
THE SUN OF THE QUINCE
A film inspired...
by the paintings...
of Antonio L?pez.
Sunday, September 30
Monday, October 1
Better move these bags.
If we dont finish soon,
we?ll lose shares
Either they bring sand
or we?ll be doing nothing
Lets go.
Good morning, ladies!
I buy junk,
all kind of junk!
Anything you don?t want,
I?ll buy!
Morning, Mari,
how are you doing'?
- Hi, how did you sleep'?
- The plastic sheets moved.
Emilio kept on barking.
And the dog over there
barked back. Awful.
I?m off, I?m going
to English class.
I?tsmy first day.
If anyone calls,
I?ll be back at noon.
See you.
Hi. Are you emptying
the upstairs part'?
- Morning, Marco.
- Morning, Mari.
- Is there much rubble left'?
- A little.
- Well, see you later.
- See you.
"Your husbands gone...
...gone to the war
in France."
"Your husbands gone,
gone to the war in France."
"Holding a candle...
...looking for
a foxy mulatto girl."
"The love bug...
...the love bug,
the love bug."
"Dont let love bite you...
...nothing good comes out of it."
"Look at me and you?ll see,
I was bitten hard."
"The love bug...
...the love bug,
I?ll squash it dead."
"In the kings palace...
...there?s a wooden horse...
...in the kings palace"
"There?s a wooden horse,
a small wooden horse."
"As grains of sand
on the beach...
...thats my love for you...
...As grains of sand
on the beach."
Get the mix ready
"With an armfull...
...of roses and carnations...
...in a sevillian patio...
...how pretty you look and smell...
early in the morning."
"Many painters...
...came from Madrid...
Fernando,
go check on the baby
...to paint the Virgin of Sorrow..."
"You ate a good lunch...
...toasted hard bread...
...water from the river."
Death?s spark.
It?s gone.
A little while ago,
the sun came out over there.
But it went and hid
behind those clouds.
It?s not a good day,
is it'?
You can?t imagine
how pretty it was.
The golden fruits...
Really pretty!
Yes, I see
The season isn?t going
to help you much.
I?m going to try it
anyway.
I think I have to paint
the sun.
Even now it looks lovely.
Just look.
Isn?t the fruit lovely'?
How long will it last'?
That?s the worst part,
very little.
Maybe a couple of hours
in the morning.
I mean,
for the light I want.
Later, it?s on the tower.
During that time,
while its on the house...
...the upper part
of the tree is enlightened.
It?s pretty too.
Lovely.
The tree is plunged
in shadow...
...except for the golden
upper part.
All the quinces...
That quince over there,
all that area...
...it?s lovely.
It?s very good too.
And then, the light
comes from over there.
The tree is enlightened
from behind.
But the morning light...
...has something special.
The early sun...
the most golden of all.
The fruit is lovely
with the sun.
I?ll paint it with sun.
I?ve never done a fruit tree
with the sun.
- How did it go today'?
- Fine.
Show me the hand.
It?s much better,
it feels better.
- The swelling?s gone down.
- I move it pretty well, see'?
- What did de doctor say'?
- The doctor'?
That it?s much better,
to keep exercising...
...you know, the usual.
- How many more visits'?
- A few.
Maybe I could go
every other day.
For how long'?
One week, ten days'?
A little more, I think.
But it s better.
I think
I?ll go less often...
...I mean, I fell
so much better now.
- Pretty, isn?s it'?
- Lovely!
It is
He probably started it
this morning.
How about those marks
on the leaves'?
Weird, isn?s it'?
Can?t make anything out.
Tomorrow, we?ll catch
the subway.
It will be faster.
Yeah, faster than the bus.
Alright, say it in Spanish.
"Jesien"'?
Fall.
Janusz, say it in Spanish.
"Zima"'?
Summer.
Come on try it again.
Winner...
...something like that.
Winter.
Grzegorz, your turn.
How do you say "wiosna"'?
- Spr... Spring.
- Spring.
Spanish for Beginners.
Vienna, 1815.
Metternich is
the all-powerful man...
...to whom good kaiser Franz
has given...
How has he started
the drawing this year'?
Look, it?s full of marks.
- Really full.
- Poor thing.
See how pretty this is'?
Alright, but you keep
the jacket.
- How do I look'?
- Fine.
- Don?t think about it.
- The shoes are tight.
I?ll exchange them
and get bigger ones.
- If we could stretch them...
- No, I?ll get bigger ones.
Bigger ones'?
But they?re pretty, right'?
Like them '?
Come on, we?re leaving.
Take it off.
They?re too small.
- I can tell they re small.
- You can tell'?
Sit down and take them off.
My glasses,
I nearly sat on them.
Here, the shoes.
They re a little dirty,
aren?t they'?
Better clean them.
We are off.
- You get back to work.
- Alright then.
- See you.
- Bye.
Spanish National Radio,
the news.
The Soviet Union...
...and Israel have renewed
diplomatic relations...
wich had been broken
23 years ago...
...during the Six Day War
according...
...to Edward Schevernatze
and David Levy.
The Spanish President
was pessimistic...
...about the events
in the Gulf.
However, Gonz?lez feels no effort
must be spared...
...to comunicate
with Irak.
Sadam Hussein
in a speech...
...said he was open
to dialogue.
He called however,
for a holy war...
...against foreign troops
stationed...
...in Saudi Arabia.
Tomorrow, October 2nd...
...the GDR will cease
to exist as such.
The solem nities will take
place in Berlin...
...the new capital
of Germany.
33 people died
in car accidents...
...over the week end.
16 were
seriously injured.
Come on, Emilio.
Tuesday, October 2
Careful with the tree.
Just a little more,
a little more.
That?s right,
very good.
Monday, October 8
Tuesday, October 9
Wednesday, October 10
- Mari'?
- Enrique, come in.
- Hi, Enrique.
- Hello.
- You?re hard at work.
- It?s a mess, isn?t it'?
Come in.
How are you'?
- Fine, and you'?
- Pretty good.
Look at that!
The staircase!
It?s looking good.
- How was the trip'?
- As a matter of fact...
...I had a good time,
I read.
It?s the only time
I can read.
When I?m painting,
I?m so exhausted...
...I can?t even read
half a page.
At least, that way...
...I read a whole book.
- Where?s Antonio'?
- In the garden.
He is waiting for you.
- I?llgo to see him.
- See you.
- Antonio.
- How are you doing'?
High noon, isn?t it'?
Did you buy paints'?
I?ll go this afternoon.
I need time to look around.
I want to see
different colours...
...especially acrylics.
I feel like painting
something with acrylics.
I don?t know,
I fell like trying on paper.
That?s why I dropped by
here first.
- Want to have a look'?
- Sure.
Yeah, you re still
at that stage.
I just started it.
You can?t imagine how much
the light changes.
The sun starts over here.
It finishes over there.
I?m aiming to catch
a little at midday...
When the sun lights
the upper part.
Most of the tree
is in the shadow.
- It is.
- The light s here.
That?s what I?m aiming for.
Put your feet here.
Against the nails.
Just the tip of your shoes.
Against the nails. Wow!
Now bend down
to my sightline.
Tell me what you think.
Well, it?s splendid.
- Do you like it'?
- The quinces are so full.
They?re really beautiful,
truly beautiful.
- Yeah, but at this time...
- They?re tempting.
- No, don?t touch them.
- I barely did.
- Yeah, but...
- Ever so softly.
Of course,
I could erase the marks.
The marks you drew.
What about the size'?
- Fine.
- Mari says...
...I needed a bigger canvas.
What do you think'?
It looks alright to me.
It could have been bigger...
Still, I think that
those shapes over here...
...are fine for the fullness
of the quinces.
Yesterday...
Wouldn?t you lower the tree'?
- You mean space'?
- And somes missing up here.
You can always add
in the upper area.
- You want to lower it all'?
- Yeah.
I want to let down
the whole thing, I mean...
...the fruits, the leaves.
Look, I?ve made
some marks over here.
I want to lower
the horizon down to here.
To lower it all...
...some 6 centimeters.
Wouldn?t it better'?
Stand back a little.
It isn?t the first time
we?ve discussed it.
Yeah, but...
How much more down '?
More or less.
Look here and over there.
I have to bend a little.
I don?t know. You shouldn?t
loose too much floor either.
From here, how much'?
Five or six centimeres'?
It should be enough.
If you don t want to add
to the upper area.
No, I prefer
to take it all down.
- Take it down.
- Yeah, the shapes.
Yes, here.
Of course, composition-wise...
...seeing it that way,
it?s a bit short.
That?s right.
It doesn?t breath enough.
Yeah, in the upper area.
Alright, lower it,
but I can?thelp it...
...I feel it s cruel
after all that work.
But nothing is lost.
It remains underneath.
- The bed, isn?t it'?
- It?s underneath
The bed, as it is called
in pictorical slang.
Alright, go ahead.
Will you help me to
trace a horizontal line'?
Let?s see.
Let?s see. Now this...
See it better now'?
There.
- Take the ruler.
- Alright.
- On that tiny line, right'?
- That?s it.
Okay.
Bring it over there.
- To the black line.
- Alright.
Go ahead.
- Done.
- Make a mark on the edge.
What time is it'?
Twenty to six.
My watch
says twenty to six.
Did you call Conchita'?
Antonio, did you call her'?
No, I didn?t.
Well, maybe I will then.
She might have that picture
It old you about.
The one she took
of both of us...
...In front of the Fine Arts School.
It would be nice to have it.
I was with Conchita...
...in the Cas?n when I first met you.
You were wearing a uniform,
you had been drafted.
Yeah, I remember it.
I came in and you were drawing,
Conchita was beside you.
Later on,
you botht old me...
you told me...
...that you had told
Conchita:
Hush up, there?s an officer coming.
I can picture myself,
tall and skinny...
...swimming in a uniform
much too large for me.
Some officer!
Remember what sculpture
you were drawing'?
Not really.
I vaguely recall
trying to draw something...
You see,
I came to Madrid...
...because I want ed
to be a cartoonist.
Althought I quickly got into
the Fine Arts circle.
I saw the San Fernando School
and it hooked me.
I decided to become
a painter.
I had two classes.
I remember seeing you
with your apron.
You were a veteran.
I was kind of lost.
I knew everything there was
to know about comics...
...so, well, I chose...
I started drawing...
...a sculpture,
I can,t remember its name.
Antonio, look.
It was a Greek sculpture
kind of...
...bent forward,
with an arm extended.
- The Apoxyomenos.
- The Apoxyomenos.
And I, full of innocence...
...decided to use charcoal
which dirties everything.
Worst of all...
...I wanted to give it
more movement.
It looked really awful.
Julio Hermoso came along
with his pipe...
- Eugenio.
- Eugenio, right.
- And Julio Moises.
- That?s right.
Eugenio Hermoso...
...a kind man, but so old...
Very old,
he was about to retire.
He raised his pipe...
...and said: "Yes...
...he?s been
in the Korean War."
This man has been
in the Korean War.
He left
without another word.
Well, I learned quickly.
Nex time
I drew a Venus.
Remember Soria Aedo'?
Well...
At least, he was fun.
He had flat feet
and walked real funny.
I remember...
...he used to tell us:
Let?s see those hopes.
He was Andalusian.
There,s nothing
like Seville.
Soria told me something...
...that really helped me,
the only thing that did.
I didn?t understand it then.
- Always the same thing.
- What was it'?
He used to tell me:
"Fuller, fuller."
It?s true, he?d say that.
I had forgotten.
But we were so awed
by our teachers...
...That I never once dared
asked him what it meant.
And then, time went by.
- Later on...
- You understood.
And it s so important.
At least for me, it is.
- For everyone.
- It s...
Fuller.
For the work to be fuller.
Anyway, I?m not going
to explain that to you.
- It?s basic.
- We understand it now.
But you see, then, in school...
...they were so...
Especially Valverde.
They demanded
too much respect.
We had to call them sir...
...and they kept
their distance.
- That was the least of it.
- But now...
...kids in college
don?t say "sir"...
...to their teachers.
Can you imagine calling
Valverde by his first name'?
Or Soria'? That?s why
you didn?t dare ask him...
...what he meant by "fuller".
I had forgotten
all about it...
...but he did say it.
- "Fuller".
- And...
..."Let?s see those hopes."
- I remember...
- Yes'?
A painting you did
in class.
A nude of the model
we called Boticelli.
She had her back to you.
It was lovely.
Right.
You see, preparation...
played a very important role.
We did it with Stolz.
The preparation...
...already included...
- Of the canvas, you mean.
- We used a lot of oil.
Then...
...even a tiny spot
gained a lot of strength.
It became very transparent.
But I still lacked
experience.
I did that nude.
I remember you and others
liked it a lot.
I remember a friar too.
It was the first exercise
you ever did.
With his hand like this.
- His hand here.
- That?s right.
And the other one here.
Man, were those hands heavy!
You were here
and the friar stood there.
From that angle.
- There was a window.
- Yes, a window.
I copied it from a post card.
I really worked hard.
Did you destroy it'?
No, an American couple
bought it...
...for 3.000 pesetas I think.
- You didn?t paint over it.
- No, it?s in the States.
Somewhere in the world.
Sometimes I wonder
what became of it.
I mean,
we had no money...
...we bought
the poorest of paints.
I suppose that painting
must be in bad shape...
I mean...
...cheap colors don?t last.
By the way...
...you asked me if I painted
over my friar.
Jesus!
We did some awful thing
with those exercises.
Really...
Know what I liked best
about school'?
- What'?
- I m speaking for myself.
Being together.
- Working together.
- That was great.
We spent
five years together.
We all graduated together.
We were good friends,
like brothers.
Love between classmates
was sincere.
...we spent most
of our time together...
...we could t ell
if it was true or not.
It was all very nice.
And then...
...whenever we had
some spare time...
Not too often,
on week ends mostly...
...we went to the park
in small groups.
We went to cafes...
...that no longer exist.
I got to know
the Caf? Varela...
...and its tapestries.
You went to caf?s...
...in those years'?
Yeah, in the evening.
We?d talk and talk
for hours...
...we were discovering
the world.
We?d probably be bored
to death now.
Yes, but I never went
to cafes.
- No you didn?t.
- It s the age difference.
You were 14 years old
and I was 21.
I went straight
to the boarding-house.
One evening...
...we were at a table
close to the window.
Suddenly, we heard...
...someone humming
Beethoven?s Ninth.
And there was
Antonio L?pez...
...oblivious to all,
directing himself.
It was wonderful.
Wonderful.
We felt such a passion
for music.
Lucio specially.
We still do,
but it?s different now.
How about some cookies'?
Sounds fine to me.
- There s some chocolate.
- I?ll have chocolate too.
I?m thirsty,
Have you got any coke'?
- There??s some in the fridge.
- I,ll have one.
This painting is something
else, isn?t it'?
Know how old Michelangelo
was when he did it'?
Close to sixty,
wasn?t he'?
Sixty three
or sixty four.
He was getting on,
wasn?t he'?
So he finished it at...
It took him four years.
He was 63
when he finished it.
If it took him 4 years...
...he finished it at 67 or 68.
Right.
Incredible!
Isn?t it rather macabre...
...to paint himself
as Saint Bartholomew'?
It?s something
I,ve known for a while.
As people are always
making things up...
...I didn?t believe it
at first.
But the resemblance
is really incredible.
They discovered it
last century.
No one knew it.
- Where is he'?
- Here.
Yes that?s right.
Rather awful.
On the original,
you can tell it?s him.
You know how people
always say...
...that some portraits
look at you...
...or that thing about
the fly on the glass'?
That?s why, at first,
I didn?t believe it was him.
You know...
...in a way...
...it s a negative
self-criticism.
What do you mean '?
Well, you know...
...he called himself
"a poor madman".
- He wasn?t mad.
- He said he was.
But he had a terrible
outlook on life, didn?t he'?
Yes, he did.
To create a god who threat ens...
...not only the damned
but also the innocent.
They all look kind of
intimidated by their god.
They certainly do.
Here?s God.
- The innocent are here.
- That?s right.
- The damned are here.
- No, those are the souls.
- Who go to Heaven.
- They rise from the earth.
These go up...
- And these go down to Hell.
- The resurrection, isn?t it'?
The descent...
...into Hell.
Would you like to be
in that Paradise'?
I?ve never believed in it.
No, I wouldn?t like it,
fawning all over God...
I don?t believe in that.
Besides, he?s a human God
isn?t he'?
God must be brought
to man somehow...
...that?s why God
became a man.
Such a different god
from the Greek ones.
Just look at her over there,
so very full of light.
Yes, she embodies
a healthy spirit and soul.
And physical prime.
While here, all these strong men...
...are scabby.
Sorrowfull.
Guilty.
Michelangelo looks
tremendously sorrowful.
They look guilty.
It was another world...
...another thought, another time.
So much worse.
I mean, Phydias can be seen
as a religious artist...
...but you don?t notice it.
All you see is joy
and beings in their prime.
And they?re powerful,
muscle everywhere, but...
...they re so...
- As if they denied life.
- Yes, exactly.
- I?llget you a coke.
- Fine.
Can I... '?
Can I have some...
...cake, Antonio'?
Hows the portrait going'?
Well...
...thats a challenge.
- Have you done much'?
- Quite a bit.
The model is truly
impressive.
So full.
As if...
Whenever I look at her,
I think of Phydias.
Those hands, that body,
that head...
If I could get close enough
to the model...
...say 7 per cent,
I?d be satisfied.
You know Manolo loves
what I do.
He says it?s doing well.
I don?t argue because
I like to hear him say it.
But I know how much...
But I know how much...
...that portrait needs.
By the way, someone once
told me that painters...
...middle-aged painters
in Paris...
...men who are now
the same age than us...
...work with feverish
intensity.
I didn?t understand it then
but I admired them for it.
Now that I?m that age,
I understand it.
I too work with intensity.
Time is precious.
I work non-stop now.
I know...
...we have much vitality,
I know that but...
...but time as such can?t last...
...much longer.
We still have a few years...
...but unconsciously,
our mind...
...pushes us...
Well...
Spanish National Radio.
Yesterday, the Arab League
asked the U.N...
Let?s go.
Shall I take
the chairs inside'?
And the box too.
Take it.
Sadam Hussein asked
the world?s Moslems...
...to free Jerusalem...
...where Israel?s
armed forces...
...killed 21 Palestinians
and wounded another 200.
Soldiers with gas masks...
...wat ched the streets
that lead...
...to the Wailing Wall...
...and closed the accesses
to the mosques.
Succesful landing
by the shuttle Discovery.
The D.A. Asks for 70 years
in jail...
...for Amedo
and Dominguez...
...the two policemen
accused...
...of belonging
to a terrorist band...
...and of having planned
six unsuccessful murders...
Friday, October 12
Monday, October, 15
Tuesday, October 16
Thursday, October 18
Tuesday, October 23
Mari, were you aleep'?
I m sorry,
but the lights gone.
Have you got light at your place'?
I know.
Shall I call Jan '?
It s very late.
Here I was,
happily painting away...
...and I have to go
to bed.
Wednesday, October 24
So much glue.
Your shadow.
- Alright, that?s it.
- It is'?
Let?s see.
- My shadow?s in the way.
- Right.
- No problem.
- There.
More towards you.
A little more.
That?s fine,
leave it as it is.
Leave it.
It s drying over here.
The weather?s
really rotten!
Here.
It?s pretty damp.
It?s still very wet.
Give it here.
Let?s see if it?s stuck
by tomorrow...
...and I can start drawing
- Do you want to start tomorrow'?
- Well...
I?ll glue the other side
tomorrow.
I?ll start the day after.
I?m way behind as it is.
I don t think
you?re going to make it.
I can try.
You finish it.
- Over there.
- I?m falling.
Okay, the methacrylate.
Well...
...that?s it.
I?ll get the tiles.
I?ll give them to you.
- Sure, let me.
- No, dont.
We need more.
It must be stable.
No, don?t.
Give me another one.
Alright, that?s it.
Let it be.
Did you bring your car?
- And an umbrella?
- That I did.
Alright, let?s go.
Come on.
What a downpour!
Let?s go.
Thursday, October 25
Friday, October 26
Saturday, October 27
Crude went up
again yesterday.
However, the initial hike
of 3 $ on Brent crude...
...was finally reduced
to, 0.85...
...leaving the barrel
at 33, 7 dollars.
The Madrid Stock Exchange
lost 4 points.
Tokyo lost 346 points...
...New York, 48.
The spanish ships...
...Numancia, Diana and Cristina...
...will sail from Cartagena...
...on the 31st
of this month for the Gulf.
This was confirmed
by the Ministry of Defense.
The two football teams...
...Madrid Atletico
and Barcelona...
...play today.
Weather forecast.
Very cloudy skies
in most of the country.
Heavy rainst orms
in the Northern half...
Sunday, October 28
So you?ve left
the canvas...
...the painting.
- I started drawing.
- When ?
A couple of days ago.
Why did you stop painting.
You didn t lik e it'?
The weather was
so rotten...
...so unsettled,
so horrible...
...I couldn?t go on
painting.
I wanted to show...
...the sun on the tree.
But the light changed
so often...
...I couldn?t go on.
Will you be able
to pick it up next year?
You see, next year...
...the quinces, the leaves
will have changed.
- So, that?sit.
- Yes, that?s it.
You hadn?t painted one
for a while.
That?s why I wanted
to do it.
You did two quince trees...
Mom told me
to paint it...
...and I liked the idea.
- Now it?s Mom?s fault.
- Well, I wouldn t...
Alright, alright.
All I did was complain
about the weather.
I haven?t been
very lucky.
It?s typical October weather.
This year?s been worse
than usual.
Truly horrible.
Monday, October 29
Thursday, November 1
Friday, November 2
There isn?t much left.
- She says it?s very good.
- Good?
You prefer drinking it hot
in China, don?t you?
It?s good this way too.
Apparently, in Madrid,
people drink it cold.
Not really.
But I bring it early...
...and by now, it?s cold.
Well, I like it
Is it the first time...
...you?ve painted this tree'?
The third time.
Last year, I drew it.
It was a smaller drawing.
You probably like
this tree very much.
Yes, I do.
I like quince trees.
The tree and its fruit.
I?ve drawn other trees...
...but I have a kind...
...of tendency...
...to work on quince trees.
I don?t know why.
Well, the fruit
is beautiful.
Maybe you planted
the tree yourself.
I did, yes.
Some four years ago.
Well, that explains it,
doesn?t it'?
But I planted others.
I planted that one too.
I have noticed
that your method...
...is quite different
from the ones used...
...by others.
- What others?
- Other painters.
- I see.
- As far as I know...
...a lot of painters
feel more comfortable...
...working from a picture.
Well...
...the best part is being
close to the tree.
That is more important
than the end result for me.
A picture
doesn?t give you that.
That may also be because
you love that tree.
That?s right.
Another thing
that impresses her...
...is the compactness...
...of the compositions
you normally do.
Well, here
and in general...
...I like the order
created by symetry.
I centered the tree
on the paper.
The heart of the vision
is the center of the paper.
Apparently, a lot of artists
avoid doing this...
...because people don?t seem
to like it.
That may be,
but doing it this way...
...the tree, in my opinion...
...has presence.
By centering it...
...by avoiding all esthetic
games on paper...
...with space...
the object...
...is shown...
...in an ordered way
in relation to symmetry.
Do you smoke?
- No, thank you.
- What about you, Xao Ming'?
Have one.
You had a question.
Thank you.
She?s wondering...
...about those marks
on the tree.
She?dlike to know
if you use them to fix...
...to get a perspective
in your composition.
The marks in general
or some in particular'?
For example...
...those white lines,
those threads.
The threads.
This is the vertical line.
If you prefer,
the center of what I see.
It?s also the center
of what I?m representing.
This thread over there...
...is the horizontal line
also in the center.
So, taking these vertical
and horizontal line...
...I can place
all my elements.
Now, these horizontal marks
over here...
...on the quinces
and on the leaves...
...show, since I started
working...
...how the fruits are lower
because of the weight...
...how the branches
have bent.
They were over here.
This mark used
to be over here.
Since I started...
...the tips have gone down
some five centimeters.
Here, it hasn?t moved.
- So you keep on correcting.
- Yes that?s right.
I corret.
I follow the tree.
I?m always parallel...
...to the development
of the tree.
Do you think
you?ll finish it...
...before the quinces fall?
The tree s still fine.
I started a month ago.
She says it is now
possible to see...
...that the sun
is shining lightly...
...on the fruits
and on the leaves.
It is very pretty.
Do you also wish
to represent...
...that light?
It?s impossible.
In that sense,
our language is very limited.
I may only show
the boundaries of shapes...
...and thus the tree.
But it will become
an oil painting won?t it?
No, I started with one
and ended up with a drawing.
You see the sun...
...It was there a
moment ago, wonderful...
...but it?s already
gone.
It changes so quickly.
...I couldn?t
go on painting.
It?s wonderful,
but I had to give it up.
I had to.
You always have
to give something up.
Monday, November 5
What a beautiful tree!
It?s madness!
And just look
at this one over here!
He?s so orderly.
I suppose he must...
Did you see the hot-house'?
Of course!
Look, this is where
he stands.
He stands right here.
- There are marks down there.
- Sure.
He places his feet here.
Then, he uses this line...
...plus the vertical one
from the plumb line...
...to refer to the mark
on the tree.
That way, his point of view
never changes.
He always has to see it
from here...
...from this point.
What if he blinks?
He loses his point of view.
He does.
I?m really astounded.
I couldn?t see it
that close up.
I?d have to work
a little more removed.
Perhaps...
...I?m more the spectat or
than the act or.
I?ve always wondered...
...about that obsession
with physical space...
...about square inches.
For me, feelings about
colors are all-powerful.
No, what we have here
is the perfect union...
...between feelings
and order.
It?s as if he were
distrustful.
But it?salways feeling
and order.
Reason and intuition
go hand in hand.
How are you doing?
- Aren?t we all dressed up?
- Was there any choice?
So, you?re admiring...
...the model.
You don?t mind us...
...seeing the ins and outs,
do you?
Of course not,
they re pretty obvious.
- They are, aren?t they?
- Besides, nowadays...
It?s a map...
...a map of the tree.
- A map...
- Really, it is.
A map where...
- Have you seen this?
- I certainly have.
I didn?t want
to mention it.
Goodness me!
Wait, that?s about
three days worth.
I don?t pick them up
every day.
I don?t smoke that much
in one day.
I bet the tree does.
- Time to go.
- Yes, let?s go.
Monday, November 19
Wait, just a little more.
It?s in full decadence.
The leaves are hiding
the quince.
You?re going to shadow it,
like in Middle Distance?
No, I can?t.
That tomato thing
was so funny!
Don?t make me laugh.
I?ll wreck the leaf
and I?m ust go.
Don?t shake it,
lower it a bit.
- Listen, this is difficult.
- Yes, I know.
Just a little more.
The poor thing won?t last
much longer.
- It is going to be long?
- Just a little more.
I?m nearly finished.
Alright. Now, let?s see...
I knew it.
The little one over here,
just a little bit.
That?s it.
A little higher.
That rod is right
on my nose.
Let?s see.
Have you had that problem
with other trees?
Well, I never...
Should I look up
or down ?
- It never took that long?
- Well, not so late...
Not so late in the year.
We are in mid November.
- Lower?
- No, now go to...
- Where?
- Let?s see...
This one?
Wait a minute.
That one over there.
- This one?
Careful...
There, there,
don t move it now.
That?s easy to say.
They?re getting bigger.
The quinces, I mean.
Incredible.
They?ll be huge.
Which one?
- That one.
- Like that?
- Yes, one minute.
- Come on.
- Wait, let me see.
It?s hanging in there.
Look how lovely it is
with the sun over there.
Friday, November 23
- Raise that leaf a little.
- This one?
That one, that one.
I can?t see.
Move a little.
- Like that'?
- That?s right.
Aren?t these quinces
full of lumps?
See, they?real bumpy.
Look, over here.
It looks great.
Now don?t start.
Maybe you could give it
a little more firmness.
Put the leaf over there.
I can?t see.
What was that?
- What did you say?
- I think...
...this area is fine...
...as it is.
You may be suffocating it
a bit.
Why don?t you work
on the lower part...
...on the bottom leaves'?
- Which?
- The bottom ones.
- Over here.
- Just a little more.
To finish it.
- Damn wind!
- God, it?s cold!
I?ll sing a little.
"Darling, my darling..."
That?s the song.
Start again.
Darling, my darling..."
- Again.
- Do you want me to start again ?
Wait, I?m eating.
You go ahead and draw.
Bet I look cute
holding...
...the leaf
Alright.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing on the river..."
- Dreadful!
- It is'?
- Again.
- We were doing fine.
"Darling..."
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing
on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville
I?ve planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says:
...darling, my darling."
- How was it?
- So, so.
I didn?t really like it.
We can do it better.
Shall we try again ?
Alright.
Let?s see how do I do it.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing
on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville.
I?ve planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says...
...darling, my darling."
- Better, wasn?t it'?
- Yeah, better.
Shall I keep on
lifting the leaf?
It would be funny if it
weren?t so serious.
- Like that?
- A little more.
- What?
- More time.
Time.
Well...
Did you find
Conchita?s picture?
I didn?t.
I called her several
times, day and night
I tried through
a mutual friend.
That?s enough.
But they?re probably
on the coast.
There?s no way
I can reach them.
We?ll have to forget
the picture.
It?s a pity,
it was so pretty.
Told you about it,
didn?t I?
Didn?t I ever see it?
I don?t think so,
she only gave it to me.
We were standing in front
of the school.
That?s when she took
the picture.
I remember it quite well.
I was quite impressed
when I saw it.
We both had
the same look...
...a kind of
tense face...
...a kind of hunger,
of passion for art.
Besides not having a cent
to our name, of course.
We looked kind of...
...angry, yes,
that s right.
Well, if we re lucky...
...I?ll be able to find
Conchita some day...
...and ask her for it.
Do you know how long
I?ve been here?
No, I don?t.
I mean, since I started
working on this tree?
- How many months?
- Months, weeks...
Monday, December 3
Sunday, December 9
Monday, December 10
Alright.
It?s over.
Let?s cover the lemon trees.
Tuesday, December 11
- Choose the ripest ones.
- This one?
- They?re full of spots...
- He paints everything.
It?s Dad?s doing.
He marked them
to make a drawing.
- Lovely!
- Look how big this one is!
Remember when we made
pounds of quince jelly?
Lovely.
Beautiful.
- How many do you need?
A few more.
Wonderful.
How can such a small tree
bear so much fruit'?
All together...
...two hundred and three.
Man...
...we need at least
six more houses for that.
Here you are, quince.
- Do you want to try it?
- See what it?s like.
You want some, Marek?
I?ll give you some.
What if it?s poisoned
or something like that'?
Don?t be silly.
Here, Marek, try it.
- You sure it?s edible?
- Try it.
It tastes
like an uripe pear.
Well?
Nothing to go wild about.
Good for quince jelly.
A bit dry, isn?t it?
Ready?
The shirt and the socks
are different.
I know, but it?s alright.
I can find them.
- Are they here?
- Yes, they are.
They brought some things
to hold.
We can choose them later.
- Alright.
I?ll put this here.
Isn?t it pretty?
Alright, wait.
Turn your head a little.
Not that much.
I think the head is higher.
- Higher, isn?t it?
- I think so.
Wait.
Don?t move.
Get up, that?s it.
Turn a little this way,
yes, that?s right
The hands...
Remember?
This hand
was more or less here.
- You look great!
- Isn?t it pretty?
If you like it,
it?s fine with me.
- What?
- You know my opinion.
Yes, yes, I know.
To work on a painting
after so long...
...I think...
I could prepare a canvas
that same size.
You?d start again
completely free...
...from the beginning,
without worrying.
I think
that would be the best.
Maybe I will.
I don?t know.
Give me a few days.
What you?re suggesting
may be the best solution.
But I want to try something.
Let?s try it.
Isn?t it pretty?
Lovely.
- Like it?
- Very much.
What about this picture?
That?s nice too.
Which should I be holding?
- We?ll think about it.
- Both of them ?
One?
We?ll think about it.
We should take a trip.
Where would we go?
To Greece.
I?m in Tomelloso...
...in front of the house
where I was born.
Across the square I see trees...
...that had never been
there before.
I recognize
the dark leaves...
...and the golden fruits
of the quince trees.
My parents and I
are beneath the trees...
...along with some people
I can?t seem to place.
I can hear our voices.
We chat peacefully.
Our feet sink
in the muddy ground.
All around us,
on the branches...
...the ever softer,
wrinkled fruit hangs.
Dark spots slowly
cover their skin.
In the still air, I feel
their flesh rotting.
From where I stand...
...I can?t tell
if the others can see it too.
Nobody seems to notice
that the quinces...
...are rotting
under a light...
...I can?t really
describe.
Clear, yet dark,
that changes all...
...into metal and dust.
It isn?t the night light.
Neither is it that
of twilight.
Nor of dawn...
Spring.
Saturday, September 29
Emilio.
Emilio. Hello, Emilio
Come in, Emilio.
You wont'?
THE SUN OF THE QUINCE
A film inspired...
by the paintings...
of Antonio L?pez.
Sunday, September 30
Monday, October 1
Better move these bags.
If we dont finish soon,
we?ll lose shares
Either they bring sand
or we?ll be doing nothing
Lets go.
Good morning, ladies!
I buy junk,
all kind of junk!
Anything you don?t want,
I?ll buy!
Morning, Mari,
how are you doing'?
- Hi, how did you sleep'?
- The plastic sheets moved.
Emilio kept on barking.
And the dog over there
barked back. Awful.
I?m off, I?m going
to English class.
I?tsmy first day.
If anyone calls,
I?ll be back at noon.
See you.
Hi. Are you emptying
the upstairs part'?
- Morning, Marco.
- Morning, Mari.
- Is there much rubble left'?
- A little.
- Well, see you later.
- See you.
"Your husbands gone...
...gone to the war
in France."
"Your husbands gone,
gone to the war in France."
"Holding a candle...
...looking for
a foxy mulatto girl."
"The love bug...
...the love bug,
the love bug."
"Dont let love bite you...
...nothing good comes out of it."
"Look at me and you?ll see,
I was bitten hard."
"The love bug...
...the love bug,
I?ll squash it dead."
"In the kings palace...
...there?s a wooden horse...
...in the kings palace"
"There?s a wooden horse,
a small wooden horse."
"As grains of sand
on the beach...
...thats my love for you...
...As grains of sand
on the beach."
Get the mix ready
"With an armfull...
...of roses and carnations...
...in a sevillian patio...
...how pretty you look and smell...
early in the morning."
"Many painters...
...came from Madrid...
Fernando,
go check on the baby
...to paint the Virgin of Sorrow..."
"You ate a good lunch...
...toasted hard bread...
...water from the river."
Death?s spark.
It?s gone.
A little while ago,
the sun came out over there.
But it went and hid
behind those clouds.
It?s not a good day,
is it'?
You can?t imagine
how pretty it was.
The golden fruits...
Really pretty!
Yes, I see
The season isn?t going
to help you much.
I?m going to try it
anyway.
I think I have to paint
the sun.
Even now it looks lovely.
Just look.
Isn?t the fruit lovely'?
How long will it last'?
That?s the worst part,
very little.
Maybe a couple of hours
in the morning.
I mean,
for the light I want.
Later, it?s on the tower.
During that time,
while its on the house...
...the upper part
of the tree is enlightened.
It?s pretty too.
Lovely.
The tree is plunged
in shadow...
...except for the golden
upper part.
All the quinces...
That quince over there,
all that area...
...it?s lovely.
It?s very good too.
And then, the light
comes from over there.
The tree is enlightened
from behind.
But the morning light...
...has something special.
The early sun...
the most golden of all.
The fruit is lovely
with the sun.
I?ll paint it with sun.
I?ve never done a fruit tree
with the sun.
- How did it go today'?
- Fine.
Show me the hand.
It?s much better,
it feels better.
- The swelling?s gone down.
- I move it pretty well, see'?
- What did de doctor say'?
- The doctor'?
That it?s much better,
to keep exercising...
...you know, the usual.
- How many more visits'?
- A few.
Maybe I could go
every other day.
For how long'?
One week, ten days'?
A little more, I think.
But it s better.
I think
I?ll go less often...
...I mean, I fell
so much better now.
- Pretty, isn?s it'?
- Lovely!
It is
He probably started it
this morning.
How about those marks
on the leaves'?
Weird, isn?s it'?
Can?t make anything out.
Tomorrow, we?ll catch
the subway.
It will be faster.
Yeah, faster than the bus.
Alright, say it in Spanish.
"Jesien"'?
Fall.
Janusz, say it in Spanish.
"Zima"'?
Summer.
Come on try it again.
Winner...
...something like that.
Winter.
Grzegorz, your turn.
How do you say "wiosna"'?
- Spr... Spring.
- Spring.
Spanish for Beginners.
Vienna, 1815.
Metternich is
the all-powerful man...
...to whom good kaiser Franz
has given...
How has he started
the drawing this year'?
Look, it?s full of marks.
- Really full.
- Poor thing.
See how pretty this is'?
Alright, but you keep
the jacket.
- How do I look'?
- Fine.
- Don?t think about it.
- The shoes are tight.
I?ll exchange them
and get bigger ones.
- If we could stretch them...
- No, I?ll get bigger ones.
Bigger ones'?
But they?re pretty, right'?
Like them '?
Come on, we?re leaving.
Take it off.
They?re too small.
- I can tell they re small.
- You can tell'?
Sit down and take them off.
My glasses,
I nearly sat on them.
Here, the shoes.
They re a little dirty,
aren?t they'?
Better clean them.
We are off.
- You get back to work.
- Alright then.
- See you.
- Bye.
Spanish National Radio,
the news.
The Soviet Union...
...and Israel have renewed
diplomatic relations...
wich had been broken
23 years ago...
...during the Six Day War
according...
...to Edward Schevernatze
and David Levy.
The Spanish President
was pessimistic...
...about the events
in the Gulf.
However, Gonz?lez feels no effort
must be spared...
...to comunicate
with Irak.
Sadam Hussein
in a speech...
...said he was open
to dialogue.
He called however,
for a holy war...
...against foreign troops
stationed...
...in Saudi Arabia.
Tomorrow, October 2nd...
...the GDR will cease
to exist as such.
The solem nities will take
place in Berlin...
...the new capital
of Germany.
33 people died
in car accidents...
...over the week end.
16 were
seriously injured.
Come on, Emilio.
Tuesday, October 2
Careful with the tree.
Just a little more,
a little more.
That?s right,
very good.
Monday, October 8
Tuesday, October 9
Wednesday, October 10
- Mari'?
- Enrique, come in.
- Hi, Enrique.
- Hello.
- You?re hard at work.
- It?s a mess, isn?t it'?
Come in.
How are you'?
- Fine, and you'?
- Pretty good.
Look at that!
The staircase!
It?s looking good.
- How was the trip'?
- As a matter of fact...
...I had a good time,
I read.
It?s the only time
I can read.
When I?m painting,
I?m so exhausted...
...I can?t even read
half a page.
At least, that way...
...I read a whole book.
- Where?s Antonio'?
- In the garden.
He is waiting for you.
- I?llgo to see him.
- See you.
- Antonio.
- How are you doing'?
High noon, isn?t it'?
Did you buy paints'?
I?ll go this afternoon.
I need time to look around.
I want to see
different colours...
...especially acrylics.
I feel like painting
something with acrylics.
I don?t know,
I fell like trying on paper.
That?s why I dropped by
here first.
- Want to have a look'?
- Sure.
Yeah, you re still
at that stage.
I just started it.
You can?t imagine how much
the light changes.
The sun starts over here.
It finishes over there.
I?m aiming to catch
a little at midday...
When the sun lights
the upper part.
Most of the tree
is in the shadow.
- It is.
- The light s here.
That?s what I?m aiming for.
Put your feet here.
Against the nails.
Just the tip of your shoes.
Against the nails. Wow!
Now bend down
to my sightline.
Tell me what you think.
Well, it?s splendid.
- Do you like it'?
- The quinces are so full.
They?re really beautiful,
truly beautiful.
- Yeah, but at this time...
- They?re tempting.
- No, don?t touch them.
- I barely did.
- Yeah, but...
- Ever so softly.
Of course,
I could erase the marks.
The marks you drew.
What about the size'?
- Fine.
- Mari says...
...I needed a bigger canvas.
What do you think'?
It looks alright to me.
It could have been bigger...
Still, I think that
those shapes over here...
...are fine for the fullness
of the quinces.
Yesterday...
Wouldn?t you lower the tree'?
- You mean space'?
- And somes missing up here.
You can always add
in the upper area.
- You want to lower it all'?
- Yeah.
I want to let down
the whole thing, I mean...
...the fruits, the leaves.
Look, I?ve made
some marks over here.
I want to lower
the horizon down to here.
To lower it all...
...some 6 centimeters.
Wouldn?t it better'?
Stand back a little.
It isn?t the first time
we?ve discussed it.
Yeah, but...
How much more down '?
More or less.
Look here and over there.
I have to bend a little.
I don?t know. You shouldn?t
loose too much floor either.
From here, how much'?
Five or six centimeres'?
It should be enough.
If you don t want to add
to the upper area.
No, I prefer
to take it all down.
- Take it down.
- Yeah, the shapes.
Yes, here.
Of course, composition-wise...
...seeing it that way,
it?s a bit short.
That?s right.
It doesn?t breath enough.
Yeah, in the upper area.
Alright, lower it,
but I can?thelp it...
...I feel it s cruel
after all that work.
But nothing is lost.
It remains underneath.
- The bed, isn?t it'?
- It?s underneath
The bed, as it is called
in pictorical slang.
Alright, go ahead.
Will you help me to
trace a horizontal line'?
Let?s see.
Let?s see. Now this...
See it better now'?
There.
- Take the ruler.
- Alright.
- On that tiny line, right'?
- That?s it.
Okay.
Bring it over there.
- To the black line.
- Alright.
Go ahead.
- Done.
- Make a mark on the edge.
What time is it'?
Twenty to six.
My watch
says twenty to six.
Did you call Conchita'?
Antonio, did you call her'?
No, I didn?t.
Well, maybe I will then.
She might have that picture
It old you about.
The one she took
of both of us...
...In front of the Fine Arts School.
It would be nice to have it.
I was with Conchita...
...in the Cas?n when I first met you.
You were wearing a uniform,
you had been drafted.
Yeah, I remember it.
I came in and you were drawing,
Conchita was beside you.
Later on,
you botht old me...
you told me...
...that you had told
Conchita:
Hush up, there?s an officer coming.
I can picture myself,
tall and skinny...
...swimming in a uniform
much too large for me.
Some officer!
Remember what sculpture
you were drawing'?
Not really.
I vaguely recall
trying to draw something...
You see,
I came to Madrid...
...because I want ed
to be a cartoonist.
Althought I quickly got into
the Fine Arts circle.
I saw the San Fernando School
and it hooked me.
I decided to become
a painter.
I had two classes.
I remember seeing you
with your apron.
You were a veteran.
I was kind of lost.
I knew everything there was
to know about comics...
...so, well, I chose...
I started drawing...
...a sculpture,
I can,t remember its name.
Antonio, look.
It was a Greek sculpture
kind of...
...bent forward,
with an arm extended.
- The Apoxyomenos.
- The Apoxyomenos.
And I, full of innocence...
...decided to use charcoal
which dirties everything.
Worst of all...
...I wanted to give it
more movement.
It looked really awful.
Julio Hermoso came along
with his pipe...
- Eugenio.
- Eugenio, right.
- And Julio Moises.
- That?s right.
Eugenio Hermoso...
...a kind man, but so old...
Very old,
he was about to retire.
He raised his pipe...
...and said: "Yes...
...he?s been
in the Korean War."
This man has been
in the Korean War.
He left
without another word.
Well, I learned quickly.
Nex time
I drew a Venus.
Remember Soria Aedo'?
Well...
At least, he was fun.
He had flat feet
and walked real funny.
I remember...
...he used to tell us:
Let?s see those hopes.
He was Andalusian.
There,s nothing
like Seville.
Soria told me something...
...that really helped me,
the only thing that did.
I didn?t understand it then.
- Always the same thing.
- What was it'?
He used to tell me:
"Fuller, fuller."
It?s true, he?d say that.
I had forgotten.
But we were so awed
by our teachers...
...That I never once dared
asked him what it meant.
And then, time went by.
- Later on...
- You understood.
And it s so important.
At least for me, it is.
- For everyone.
- It s...
Fuller.
For the work to be fuller.
Anyway, I?m not going
to explain that to you.
- It?s basic.
- We understand it now.
But you see, then, in school...
...they were so...
Especially Valverde.
They demanded
too much respect.
We had to call them sir...
...and they kept
their distance.
- That was the least of it.
- But now...
...kids in college
don?t say "sir"...
...to their teachers.
Can you imagine calling
Valverde by his first name'?
Or Soria'? That?s why
you didn?t dare ask him...
...what he meant by "fuller".
I had forgotten
all about it...
...but he did say it.
- "Fuller".
- And...
..."Let?s see those hopes."
- I remember...
- Yes'?
A painting you did
in class.
A nude of the model
we called Boticelli.
She had her back to you.
It was lovely.
Right.
You see, preparation...
played a very important role.
We did it with Stolz.
The preparation...
...already included...
- Of the canvas, you mean.
- We used a lot of oil.
Then...
...even a tiny spot
gained a lot of strength.
It became very transparent.
But I still lacked
experience.
I did that nude.
I remember you and others
liked it a lot.
I remember a friar too.
It was the first exercise
you ever did.
With his hand like this.
- His hand here.
- That?s right.
And the other one here.
Man, were those hands heavy!
You were here
and the friar stood there.
From that angle.
- There was a window.
- Yes, a window.
I copied it from a post card.
I really worked hard.
Did you destroy it'?
No, an American couple
bought it...
...for 3.000 pesetas I think.
- You didn?t paint over it.
- No, it?s in the States.
Somewhere in the world.
Sometimes I wonder
what became of it.
I mean,
we had no money...
...we bought
the poorest of paints.
I suppose that painting
must be in bad shape...
I mean...
...cheap colors don?t last.
By the way...
...you asked me if I painted
over my friar.
Jesus!
We did some awful thing
with those exercises.
Really...
Know what I liked best
about school'?
- What'?
- I m speaking for myself.
Being together.
- Working together.
- That was great.
We spent
five years together.
We all graduated together.
We were good friends,
like brothers.
Love between classmates
was sincere.
...we spent most
of our time together...
...we could t ell
if it was true or not.
It was all very nice.
And then...
...whenever we had
some spare time...
Not too often,
on week ends mostly...
...we went to the park
in small groups.
We went to cafes...
...that no longer exist.
I got to know
the Caf? Varela...
...and its tapestries.
You went to caf?s...
...in those years'?
Yeah, in the evening.
We?d talk and talk
for hours...
...we were discovering
the world.
We?d probably be bored
to death now.
Yes, but I never went
to cafes.
- No you didn?t.
- It s the age difference.
You were 14 years old
and I was 21.
I went straight
to the boarding-house.
One evening...
...we were at a table
close to the window.
Suddenly, we heard...
...someone humming
Beethoven?s Ninth.
And there was
Antonio L?pez...
...oblivious to all,
directing himself.
It was wonderful.
Wonderful.
We felt such a passion
for music.
Lucio specially.
We still do,
but it?s different now.
How about some cookies'?
Sounds fine to me.
- There s some chocolate.
- I?ll have chocolate too.
I?m thirsty,
Have you got any coke'?
- There??s some in the fridge.
- I,ll have one.
This painting is something
else, isn?t it'?
Know how old Michelangelo
was when he did it'?
Close to sixty,
wasn?t he'?
Sixty three
or sixty four.
He was getting on,
wasn?t he'?
So he finished it at...
It took him four years.
He was 63
when he finished it.
If it took him 4 years...
...he finished it at 67 or 68.
Right.
Incredible!
Isn?t it rather macabre...
...to paint himself
as Saint Bartholomew'?
It?s something
I,ve known for a while.
As people are always
making things up...
...I didn?t believe it
at first.
But the resemblance
is really incredible.
They discovered it
last century.
No one knew it.
- Where is he'?
- Here.
Yes that?s right.
Rather awful.
On the original,
you can tell it?s him.
You know how people
always say...
...that some portraits
look at you...
...or that thing about
the fly on the glass'?
That?s why, at first,
I didn?t believe it was him.
You know...
...in a way...
...it s a negative
self-criticism.
What do you mean '?
Well, you know...
...he called himself
"a poor madman".
- He wasn?t mad.
- He said he was.
But he had a terrible
outlook on life, didn?t he'?
Yes, he did.
To create a god who threat ens...
...not only the damned
but also the innocent.
They all look kind of
intimidated by their god.
They certainly do.
Here?s God.
- The innocent are here.
- That?s right.
- The damned are here.
- No, those are the souls.
- Who go to Heaven.
- They rise from the earth.
These go up...
- And these go down to Hell.
- The resurrection, isn?t it'?
The descent...
...into Hell.
Would you like to be
in that Paradise'?
I?ve never believed in it.
No, I wouldn?t like it,
fawning all over God...
I don?t believe in that.
Besides, he?s a human God
isn?t he'?
God must be brought
to man somehow...
...that?s why God
became a man.
Such a different god
from the Greek ones.
Just look at her over there,
so very full of light.
Yes, she embodies
a healthy spirit and soul.
And physical prime.
While here, all these strong men...
...are scabby.
Sorrowfull.
Guilty.
Michelangelo looks
tremendously sorrowful.
They look guilty.
It was another world...
...another thought, another time.
So much worse.
I mean, Phydias can be seen
as a religious artist...
...but you don?t notice it.
All you see is joy
and beings in their prime.
And they?re powerful,
muscle everywhere, but...
...they re so...
- As if they denied life.
- Yes, exactly.
- I?llget you a coke.
- Fine.
Can I... '?
Can I have some...
...cake, Antonio'?
Hows the portrait going'?
Well...
...thats a challenge.
- Have you done much'?
- Quite a bit.
The model is truly
impressive.
So full.
As if...
Whenever I look at her,
I think of Phydias.
Those hands, that body,
that head...
If I could get close enough
to the model...
...say 7 per cent,
I?d be satisfied.
You know Manolo loves
what I do.
He says it?s doing well.
I don?t argue because
I like to hear him say it.
But I know how much...
But I know how much...
...that portrait needs.
By the way, someone once
told me that painters...
...middle-aged painters
in Paris...
...men who are now
the same age than us...
...work with feverish
intensity.
I didn?t understand it then
but I admired them for it.
Now that I?m that age,
I understand it.
I too work with intensity.
Time is precious.
I work non-stop now.
I know...
...we have much vitality,
I know that but...
...but time as such can?t last...
...much longer.
We still have a few years...
...but unconsciously,
our mind...
...pushes us...
Well...
Spanish National Radio.
Yesterday, the Arab League
asked the U.N...
Let?s go.
Shall I take
the chairs inside'?
And the box too.
Take it.
Sadam Hussein asked
the world?s Moslems...
...to free Jerusalem...
...where Israel?s
armed forces...
...killed 21 Palestinians
and wounded another 200.
Soldiers with gas masks...
...wat ched the streets
that lead...
...to the Wailing Wall...
...and closed the accesses
to the mosques.
Succesful landing
by the shuttle Discovery.
The D.A. Asks for 70 years
in jail...
...for Amedo
and Dominguez...
...the two policemen
accused...
...of belonging
to a terrorist band...
...and of having planned
six unsuccessful murders...
Friday, October 12
Monday, October, 15
Tuesday, October 16
Thursday, October 18
Tuesday, October 23
Mari, were you aleep'?
I m sorry,
but the lights gone.
Have you got light at your place'?
I know.
Shall I call Jan '?
It s very late.
Here I was,
happily painting away...
...and I have to go
to bed.
Wednesday, October 24
So much glue.
Your shadow.
- Alright, that?s it.
- It is'?
Let?s see.
- My shadow?s in the way.
- Right.
- No problem.
- There.
More towards you.
A little more.
That?s fine,
leave it as it is.
Leave it.
It s drying over here.
The weather?s
really rotten!
Here.
It?s pretty damp.
It?s still very wet.
Give it here.
Let?s see if it?s stuck
by tomorrow...
...and I can start drawing
- Do you want to start tomorrow'?
- Well...
I?ll glue the other side
tomorrow.
I?ll start the day after.
I?m way behind as it is.
I don t think
you?re going to make it.
I can try.
You finish it.
- Over there.
- I?m falling.
Okay, the methacrylate.
Well...
...that?s it.
I?ll get the tiles.
I?ll give them to you.
- Sure, let me.
- No, dont.
We need more.
It must be stable.
No, don?t.
Give me another one.
Alright, that?s it.
Let it be.
Did you bring your car?
- And an umbrella?
- That I did.
Alright, let?s go.
Come on.
What a downpour!
Let?s go.
Thursday, October 25
Friday, October 26
Saturday, October 27
Crude went up
again yesterday.
However, the initial hike
of 3 $ on Brent crude...
...was finally reduced
to, 0.85...
...leaving the barrel
at 33, 7 dollars.
The Madrid Stock Exchange
lost 4 points.
Tokyo lost 346 points...
...New York, 48.
The spanish ships...
...Numancia, Diana and Cristina...
...will sail from Cartagena...
...on the 31st
of this month for the Gulf.
This was confirmed
by the Ministry of Defense.
The two football teams...
...Madrid Atletico
and Barcelona...
...play today.
Weather forecast.
Very cloudy skies
in most of the country.
Heavy rainst orms
in the Northern half...
Sunday, October 28
So you?ve left
the canvas...
...the painting.
- I started drawing.
- When ?
A couple of days ago.
Why did you stop painting.
You didn t lik e it'?
The weather was
so rotten...
...so unsettled,
so horrible...
...I couldn?t go on
painting.
I wanted to show...
...the sun on the tree.
But the light changed
so often...
...I couldn?t go on.
Will you be able
to pick it up next year?
You see, next year...
...the quinces, the leaves
will have changed.
- So, that?sit.
- Yes, that?s it.
You hadn?t painted one
for a while.
That?s why I wanted
to do it.
You did two quince trees...
Mom told me
to paint it...
...and I liked the idea.
- Now it?s Mom?s fault.
- Well, I wouldn t...
Alright, alright.
All I did was complain
about the weather.
I haven?t been
very lucky.
It?s typical October weather.
This year?s been worse
than usual.
Truly horrible.
Monday, October 29
Thursday, November 1
Friday, November 2
There isn?t much left.
- She says it?s very good.
- Good?
You prefer drinking it hot
in China, don?t you?
It?s good this way too.
Apparently, in Madrid,
people drink it cold.
Not really.
But I bring it early...
...and by now, it?s cold.
Well, I like it
Is it the first time...
...you?ve painted this tree'?
The third time.
Last year, I drew it.
It was a smaller drawing.
You probably like
this tree very much.
Yes, I do.
I like quince trees.
The tree and its fruit.
I?ve drawn other trees...
...but I have a kind...
...of tendency...
...to work on quince trees.
I don?t know why.
Well, the fruit
is beautiful.
Maybe you planted
the tree yourself.
I did, yes.
Some four years ago.
Well, that explains it,
doesn?t it'?
But I planted others.
I planted that one too.
I have noticed
that your method...
...is quite different
from the ones used...
...by others.
- What others?
- Other painters.
- I see.
- As far as I know...
...a lot of painters
feel more comfortable...
...working from a picture.
Well...
...the best part is being
close to the tree.
That is more important
than the end result for me.
A picture
doesn?t give you that.
That may also be because
you love that tree.
That?s right.
Another thing
that impresses her...
...is the compactness...
...of the compositions
you normally do.
Well, here
and in general...
...I like the order
created by symetry.
I centered the tree
on the paper.
The heart of the vision
is the center of the paper.
Apparently, a lot of artists
avoid doing this...
...because people don?t seem
to like it.
That may be,
but doing it this way...
...the tree, in my opinion...
...has presence.
By centering it...
...by avoiding all esthetic
games on paper...
...with space...
the object...
...is shown...
...in an ordered way
in relation to symmetry.
Do you smoke?
- No, thank you.
- What about you, Xao Ming'?
Have one.
You had a question.
Thank you.
She?s wondering...
...about those marks
on the tree.
She?dlike to know
if you use them to fix...
...to get a perspective
in your composition.
The marks in general
or some in particular'?
For example...
...those white lines,
those threads.
The threads.
This is the vertical line.
If you prefer,
the center of what I see.
It?s also the center
of what I?m representing.
This thread over there...
...is the horizontal line
also in the center.
So, taking these vertical
and horizontal line...
...I can place
all my elements.
Now, these horizontal marks
over here...
...on the quinces
and on the leaves...
...show, since I started
working...
...how the fruits are lower
because of the weight...
...how the branches
have bent.
They were over here.
This mark used
to be over here.
Since I started...
...the tips have gone down
some five centimeters.
Here, it hasn?t moved.
- So you keep on correcting.
- Yes that?s right.
I corret.
I follow the tree.
I?m always parallel...
...to the development
of the tree.
Do you think
you?ll finish it...
...before the quinces fall?
The tree s still fine.
I started a month ago.
She says it is now
possible to see...
...that the sun
is shining lightly...
...on the fruits
and on the leaves.
It is very pretty.
Do you also wish
to represent...
...that light?
It?s impossible.
In that sense,
our language is very limited.
I may only show
the boundaries of shapes...
...and thus the tree.
But it will become
an oil painting won?t it?
No, I started with one
and ended up with a drawing.
You see the sun...
...It was there a
moment ago, wonderful...
...but it?s already
gone.
It changes so quickly.
...I couldn?t
go on painting.
It?s wonderful,
but I had to give it up.
I had to.
You always have
to give something up.
Monday, November 5
What a beautiful tree!
It?s madness!
And just look
at this one over here!
He?s so orderly.
I suppose he must...
Did you see the hot-house'?
Of course!
Look, this is where
he stands.
He stands right here.
- There are marks down there.
- Sure.
He places his feet here.
Then, he uses this line...
...plus the vertical one
from the plumb line...
...to refer to the mark
on the tree.
That way, his point of view
never changes.
He always has to see it
from here...
...from this point.
What if he blinks?
He loses his point of view.
He does.
I?m really astounded.
I couldn?t see it
that close up.
I?d have to work
a little more removed.
Perhaps...
...I?m more the spectat or
than the act or.
I?ve always wondered...
...about that obsession
with physical space...
...about square inches.
For me, feelings about
colors are all-powerful.
No, what we have here
is the perfect union...
...between feelings
and order.
It?s as if he were
distrustful.
But it?salways feeling
and order.
Reason and intuition
go hand in hand.
How are you doing?
- Aren?t we all dressed up?
- Was there any choice?
So, you?re admiring...
...the model.
You don?t mind us...
...seeing the ins and outs,
do you?
Of course not,
they re pretty obvious.
- They are, aren?t they?
- Besides, nowadays...
It?s a map...
...a map of the tree.
- A map...
- Really, it is.
A map where...
- Have you seen this?
- I certainly have.
I didn?t want
to mention it.
Goodness me!
Wait, that?s about
three days worth.
I don?t pick them up
every day.
I don?t smoke that much
in one day.
I bet the tree does.
- Time to go.
- Yes, let?s go.
Monday, November 19
Wait, just a little more.
It?s in full decadence.
The leaves are hiding
the quince.
You?re going to shadow it,
like in Middle Distance?
No, I can?t.
That tomato thing
was so funny!
Don?t make me laugh.
I?ll wreck the leaf
and I?m ust go.
Don?t shake it,
lower it a bit.
- Listen, this is difficult.
- Yes, I know.
Just a little more.
The poor thing won?t last
much longer.
- It is going to be long?
- Just a little more.
I?m nearly finished.
Alright. Now, let?s see...
I knew it.
The little one over here,
just a little bit.
That?s it.
A little higher.
That rod is right
on my nose.
Let?s see.
Have you had that problem
with other trees?
Well, I never...
Should I look up
or down ?
- It never took that long?
- Well, not so late...
Not so late in the year.
We are in mid November.
- Lower?
- No, now go to...
- Where?
- Let?s see...
This one?
Wait a minute.
That one over there.
- This one?
Careful...
There, there,
don t move it now.
That?s easy to say.
They?re getting bigger.
The quinces, I mean.
Incredible.
They?ll be huge.
Which one?
- That one.
- Like that?
- Yes, one minute.
- Come on.
- Wait, let me see.
It?s hanging in there.
Look how lovely it is
with the sun over there.
Friday, November 23
- Raise that leaf a little.
- This one?
That one, that one.
I can?t see.
Move a little.
- Like that'?
- That?s right.
Aren?t these quinces
full of lumps?
See, they?real bumpy.
Look, over here.
It looks great.
Now don?t start.
Maybe you could give it
a little more firmness.
Put the leaf over there.
I can?t see.
What was that?
- What did you say?
- I think...
...this area is fine...
...as it is.
You may be suffocating it
a bit.
Why don?t you work
on the lower part...
...on the bottom leaves'?
- Which?
- The bottom ones.
- Over here.
- Just a little more.
To finish it.
- Damn wind!
- God, it?s cold!
I?ll sing a little.
"Darling, my darling..."
That?s the song.
Start again.
Darling, my darling..."
- Again.
- Do you want me to start again ?
Wait, I?m eating.
You go ahead and draw.
Bet I look cute
holding...
...the leaf
Alright.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing on the river..."
- Dreadful!
- It is'?
- Again.
- We were doing fine.
"Darling..."
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing
on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville
I?ve planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says:
...darling, my darling."
- How was it?
- So, so.
I didn?t really like it.
We can do it better.
Shall we try again ?
Alright.
Let?s see how do I do it.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing
on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville.
I?ve planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says...
...darling, my darling."
- Better, wasn?t it'?
- Yeah, better.
Shall I keep on
lifting the leaf?
It would be funny if it
weren?t so serious.
- Like that?
- A little more.
- What?
- More time.
Time.
Well...
Did you find
Conchita?s picture?
I didn?t.
I called her several
times, day and night
I tried through
a mutual friend.
That?s enough.
But they?re probably
on the coast.
There?s no way
I can reach them.
We?ll have to forget
the picture.
It?s a pity,
it was so pretty.
Told you about it,
didn?t I?
Didn?t I ever see it?
I don?t think so,
she only gave it to me.
We were standing in front
of the school.
That?s when she took
the picture.
I remember it quite well.
I was quite impressed
when I saw it.
We both had
the same look...
...a kind of
tense face...
...a kind of hunger,
of passion for art.
Besides not having a cent
to our name, of course.
We looked kind of...
...angry, yes,
that s right.
Well, if we re lucky...
...I?ll be able to find
Conchita some day...
...and ask her for it.
Do you know how long
I?ve been here?
No, I don?t.
I mean, since I started
working on this tree?
- How many months?
- Months, weeks...
Monday, December 3
Sunday, December 9
Monday, December 10
Alright.
It?s over.
Let?s cover the lemon trees.
Tuesday, December 11
- Choose the ripest ones.
- This one?
- They?re full of spots...
- He paints everything.
It?s Dad?s doing.
He marked them
to make a drawing.
- Lovely!
- Look how big this one is!
Remember when we made
pounds of quince jelly?
Lovely.
Beautiful.
- How many do you need?
A few more.
Wonderful.
How can such a small tree
bear so much fruit'?
All together...
...two hundred and three.
Man...
...we need at least
six more houses for that.
Here you are, quince.
- Do you want to try it?
- See what it?s like.
You want some, Marek?
I?ll give you some.
What if it?s poisoned
or something like that'?
Don?t be silly.
Here, Marek, try it.
- You sure it?s edible?
- Try it.
It tastes
like an uripe pear.
Well?
Nothing to go wild about.
Good for quince jelly.
A bit dry, isn?t it?
Ready?
The shirt and the socks
are different.
I know, but it?s alright.
I can find them.
- Are they here?
- Yes, they are.
They brought some things
to hold.
We can choose them later.
- Alright.
I?ll put this here.
Isn?t it pretty?
Alright, wait.
Turn your head a little.
Not that much.
I think the head is higher.
- Higher, isn?t it?
- I think so.
Wait.
Don?t move.
Get up, that?s it.
Turn a little this way,
yes, that?s right
The hands...
Remember?
This hand
was more or less here.
- You look great!
- Isn?t it pretty?
If you like it,
it?s fine with me.
- What?
- You know my opinion.
Yes, yes, I know.
To work on a painting
after so long...
...I think...
I could prepare a canvas
that same size.
You?d start again
completely free...
...from the beginning,
without worrying.
I think
that would be the best.
Maybe I will.
I don?t know.
Give me a few days.
What you?re suggesting
may be the best solution.
But I want to try something.
Let?s try it.
Isn?t it pretty?
Lovely.
- Like it?
- Very much.
What about this picture?
That?s nice too.
Which should I be holding?
- We?ll think about it.
- Both of them ?
One?
We?ll think about it.
We should take a trip.
Where would we go?
To Greece.
I?m in Tomelloso...
...in front of the house
where I was born.
Across the square I see trees...
...that had never been
there before.
I recognize
the dark leaves...
...and the golden fruits
of the quince trees.
My parents and I
are beneath the trees...
...along with some people
I can?t seem to place.
I can hear our voices.
We chat peacefully.
Our feet sink
in the muddy ground.
All around us,
on the branches...
...the ever softer,
wrinkled fruit hangs.
Dark spots slowly
cover their skin.
In the still air, I feel
their flesh rotting.
From where I stand...
...I can?t tell
if the others can see it too.
Nobody seems to notice
that the quinces...
...are rotting
under a light...
...I can?t really
describe.
Clear, yet dark,
that changes all...
...into metal and dust.
It isn?t the night light.
Neither is it that
of twilight.
Nor of dawn...
Spring.