José Martí: el ojo del canario (2010) - full transcript

José Martí: The Eye of the Canary

Certainty,

reason,

dignity,
bees

humiliation.

So you want to help your fellow man...

How nice.

Here he is.
The Great Benefactor!

Who was the beneficiary?

Or was it more than one?

Give me your hand.



Show it.

Show it!

Fine. If the cheat doesn't turn up,

his punishment will be double.

I was here first.

I'm not moving.

Ma'am, please just move your carriage.
Nothing's in its way.

I don't have to give way.

And tell that man he's very stubborn.

And you, exert your authority.

That's my house,

and neither the road roadworks
nor that man

have the right to block my way

Sorry, ma'am,
but my area is San Felipe.



Their office is around the corner
and down the way.

-Palanqueta went for them!
-Run, Palanqueta!

"Stubborn old man!"

Now that we're alone,

You can tell me who you were helping.
No one will know.

Nobody.

You're afraid.

You won't talk
because you're afraid.

On your knees,

On your knees!

José Julian Martí,

you're a chicken.

Gentlemen, this is over...
Black Mouth!

Black Mouth is coming!

Let me go! Let me go!

I was here first.
I'm not moving.

This lady thinks she owns the place.

The roadworks annoy her
and she's bawling out those poor men.

I've been here for 40 minutes.

First a city policeman,
then a local policeman came

But they did nothing
I've got a right to get past.

Tell that man to let me past

Let's see, let's see.

With all due respect,
from what I've heard,

he was here first

so he should go first

so please move your carriage back.

Give way? I'm to give way?

-Yes, ma'am
-You're making a mistake with me!

Sebastian, get that horse moving!

I'll teach you what your duty is!

I said to move back.
Have you got that?

When I say back, I mean it!

But...good gracious!

Stop that man! Stop him!

The horse! Don't hit it!

Stop that man!

Back! Back!

Move on! Move on, I say!

Let's get this straight, ma'am...

Nobody needs to tell me
what my duty is

when it comes to justice.

You got me wrong.

It's all over!
Everybody get to work!

Being a policeman
is not for you, Mariano.

you're not cut out for it.

Here, a little more.

Why not work as a tailor again?
You'd be at home more.

Chata and Anita are big now.
They can help and I can sew.

How was Pepe
when he came back from school?

Dirty, without his books,

very withdrawn.

You have to take him
to school tomorrow.

They forced the cabinet open.

Spelling and
handwriting tests are kept here,

they opened it yesterday afternoon.

Because I closed it at four,
as I do every day.

And it so happens your son
ran away from school yesterday.

Isn't that a coincidence?

Why did you do it?

Is this what I taught you?

He hasn't spoken since yesterday.

He's a hardworking boy.

but he has to learn what his duties are.

I'm sorry, Don Mariano,
but until we find the culprit,

your son cannot attend school.

-Teacher...
-What is it, Fermín?

I opened the cabinet.

No, I did it

I didn't open it either,

but they're not expelling me.

My father's very big in the church.

That's why they never
tell him anything.

I don't want you to get expelled.

Who opened the cabinet then?

The twins. Everyone knows it.

They couldn't finish copying
because you were caught,

so they broke the cabinet
and cheated on the exam.

Everyone says she thinks
she owns the place...

Everyone is tired of her...

Her name is
Doña Adelaida de Villalonga.

She doesn't talk,

she barks like her dog.

The Chief of Police
wants to see me tomorrow.

He's another one.

Mariano,stop.
You're angry because you want to be,

That's not true, Leonor!

Besides, I did what I had to do.

If they want a fight, they've got one.

You'll do it again on Thursday, stupid.

-What?
-The teacher found me out.

Don't turn into a snitch, you pansy.

You're our slave
and you have to do it.

Pret!

Allez!

Bien! Bien.

I'm younger than you,
but I'll give you some advice

Don't be so uncouth.
Some lady wants your head.

I only dealt out justice.

Justice isn't a personal thing
for you or for me.

You seem to know her well

Justice or the lady?

The former, to be honest,
I just don't know.

But the lady I do.
She was here all morning.

And I'll see her tonight
at the dance in the Palace.

Doña Adelaida is a good friend
of the Captain General.

12 years, 7 months and 22 days
serving His Majesty!

What good did it do me?
What good?

That snobby Adelaida
and the Captain General.

And our brave chief too.

But it didn't crush my spirit.
I didn't bow my head.

I'll never let them humiliate me.

It's not fair! It isn't!

What is fair, Mariano?
To be like you are now?

Tired, sick, unemployed?
Is that fair?

What I did was fair, Leonor!

I wasn't going to let
a wretched old man be abused.

Do me a favor.

Do me a favor.

Give me a cigar.
It'll relax me

...or kill me.

Oh, Mariano, good heavens!

We're the wretched
and we'll starve to death.

And to top it off
I'm 7 months gone.

I'll find something, Leonor.

And Pepe is old enough
to start working.

Pepe, why the long face?

What's the matter with you?

What is it, my boy?

You're cold...

and wet.

You're not going to school today.

Don't worry.

I'll treat that pallor with
Vuchu extract and chicken fat.

-What do we do with this?
-Sell it to Emiliana

-What Emiliana?
-Zambrano's sister.

If I may...Master Femin
is here to see Master Pepe

Everyone's asking
why you are not at school.

You have to go, Pepe.
Even if you're dying.

You and I promised
to look out for each other.

I'll help you
tell the twins the answers.

Do it for me.

They said I'd be the first one
thrown into the ditch.

Open your mouth wide.

Good!

Now your eyes. Open them.

Leonor, I'm leaving.
I'll be back to get you.

Chata!

I'll leave him in your hands, doctor.

-Chata!
-Coming!

Come on, I said!

Sorry, doctor, all I can offer you
is a little horchata.

How is he?

Carry on with the chicken fat,
and don't worry.

What Pepe needs
is a good "school bath."

Be careful....
don't let them out.

Fractions...

...are the basis of Arithmetic.

Those of you
who do not master them today,

will fail the test.

José Julian will sit next to me.

Just in case.

I want total silence, alright?

Let's begin.

Perez Villalba, to the blackboard.

Write.

Seven times four, minus eight.

divided by five is...

is equal to...

begin, Perez Villalba.

Time's running out, Perez Villalba.

Just a second. I'm thinking.

-It bit me! It bit me!
-What happened?

Teacher, they're right there!

Calm Down! Calm Down!

Two of them!

Two spiders!

Watch out!

Don't go near. Move back.
Back! Watch out!

Everyone to the back!
Back up!

I told you to get back!

Teacher! Teacher!

I've finished.

See?

These are their caves.

My brother taught me
how to hunt them.

We're the brotherhood
of spiders now.

What if they bite us?

I'll teach you how to hunt them.

You pee and they come out.

Know what my brother taught me?

If you touch your thing softly,
It gets bigger and hard.

And it gives you a nice tickle.
Like this, look.

Try it. Come on.

Look at this dumb kid!

Come in. Chata, get me some cloth.
Don't let your father see.

Do you want to kill yourself?

You were sick yesterday
and today you're soaked.

You have to be stronger
than ever, Pepe.

Do you know why?

Because your father found a job.

A bit far away, but it's a job.

He'll be the local judge in Hanabana.

He wants you to go there
on your next holidays.

to help him write the reports...

because your writing's
better than his.

-Bring me brown sugar candy.
-A hen with its chicks!

-Me too.
-Bye, Pepe. Have a nice trip.

Master Fermín! Master Fermín!

Oh god! Master!

Pepe, the twins didn't pass!

Their father took them
to some barracks in Matanzas!

A penny, sir! A penny!

Tomas!

Master, please, bless us!

You see, this isn't like in town.

Here they behave like little animals.
Hey look!

The largest slave consignments
have been in these swamps

Have you heard of Zulueta,
the landowner?

In one go he sold...

1200 unbroken black slaves

at 26 ounces each

Just add it up...

That's why all the landholders
avoid the ban.

Slave traders here
are more important than you are.

Lard-ass!

Look sir.
I'll tell you something.

I was sent here to put and end
to traffic in slaves.

I want it to be clear
that's what I'm here for.

Your predecessor said that too,

but reality persuaded him.

If you really came for that,
count on my help.

The canary has a pretty song
but prefers to live in a cage.

I'll take you to the woods
to see the free birds singing

A tile lean-to shed,
with two rooms

one for sleeping..

and the other a pantry.

Write every piece
of furniture on a new line.

A mahogany wardrobe
with its lock.

A small desk with its lock.

A desk drawer with its lock.

What is that?

- I said "lock ", not "id".
-It's Latin. It means "the same."

But in Spanish you wrote "lock."

In documents you write "idem"
not to repeat the words, Father.

Well...

Then, An American chest

with second-hand clothes.

A wooden item with...

idem clothes

Is that right?

Wake up, lazybones!
the cock is crowing!

Come on!

Well

My scribe doesn't want
to do the rounds today.

But I need you
to go through two reports

and a procedure order
I left on the table. Understood?

I'll be back at four.

(faint whistle)

(Whistle repeats)

(Whistle repeats)

The silk-cotton tree
is sacred and wise

and will take care of you

One day I'll fetch you

And you'll learn the secrets
of the night forest

Take this

You earned it
The fireflies light the night.

Now put your head on the earth
and listen...

You'll hear it...

What were you doing
with my son, you witch doctor?

And you, get in.

Inside!

I'll tell you! I'll tell you!
Master, I'll tell you.

You'll tell the walls in jail.
I'm taking you there now.

-Don't touch me!
-Mercy, Master!

Don't you dare touch me!
Mercy, Master.

-I said not to touch me!
-Please, Master, I did nothing!

I swear I did nothing.
Old Tomas did nothing.

Stand up and
come along!

Don't touch me!
I told you not to, damn it!

Let go of me!

Stop it, Tomas. Stand up!

Go Inside!
Inside I said! Bloody hell!

Good boy did nothing!
Blame Old Tomas!

-Out!
-Blame Old Tomas!

Get Out!

Blame Old Tomas...

Good boy did nothing!
Blame Old Tomas!

Good boy did nothing!
Blame Old Tomas!

Good boy did nothing!
Blame Old Tomas!

This is yours.

You earned it.

Our population is scant

But you've won their respect.

The peasants told me themselves.

And the reports.
Especially the reports.

The best I've received.
Such good handwriting and wording.

Where did you study?

No, No. My son writes the reports.
He's my scribe.

Then send him here.

His handwriting is like a king's.

Our most illustrious neighbors
have come to see me about you.

The Gamboas, The Aguirres...

They're kind of ...anxious

You know all the landholders...

have deals with slave traders.

and it seems that you...

Well...

I'm just doing my job.

I'm not asking for anything else,
but work has its limits.

Take care of the peasant.

I'll take care of the Gamboas,
The Aguirres, and the slave traders.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

We'll do what we've always done.

No newcomer is changing that.

Wait for me in the yard.
I have something to tell you.

Now you'll gallop...
Free, free, free!

That bastard was one of the Gamboas.

They are the largest slave traders
in this area, and in Cuba.

They've bought
the Lieutenant Governor.

and they think they have me too.

If you really want to do your job,
go to Playa Hermosa right now.

But don't say I told you.

Master pepe!

Master pepe!

Master pepe!

Move. slave!

Walk, slave!

Move it!

Halt!

Stop in the name of the law!

Don Mariano, we're doing
what we've always done!

One of them is missing!

This bitch had a pup!

A pup ran away!

Damn them all! Brown whores!

Halt! Stop it, dammit!

Stop it right now, damn it all!

Stop this!

Stop it, dammit all!

Arias

It is the hour...

when they Who love us

are accustomed to descend...

Through the deep clouds

o'er rocky Ararat:

But the stars are hidden.

I tremble.

...So do I

But not with fear...

It is already eight, Pepe.
What are you still doing here?

Ah, you were translating
Lord Byron...

There are books
you shouldn't read too soon

Or too late either.

Perhaps I discovered the mystery
of Lord Byron too late.

Tomorrow, I'll help you
with the translation.

Now go home.

It's a little late for us both.

Chata, your syrup.

Recoil, recoil! Cod liver oil!

Go on singing.
You'll take some too.

Chata and Ana will have it
when they finish with me.

You won't avoid it.

Yesterday you got lucky,
but not today.

Pepe!

Odd, odd, you'll have cod.
No, Pepe has to eat first.

Pepe stays here.
He has to hear me out.

Look at your sisters.

They've been sitting there
since two o'clock.

Sewing, helping me.

And they went to school today.

They're about to go to sleep.
You're home at last.

So...

I'd like to know:

What is it that you learn
at Mendive's school?

As far as I know,

you can already add, subtract...

your handwriting is good....

This should be enough...

for you to start working.

Because we all work in this house.

But I have to study, Father.

Pepe's the top of his class.

To take him out now would
cut short his studies.

It's settled, Leonor.

I want no contradictions.

On Monday

We'll go to Salustiano's store.

He needs a helper.

Nobody will keep me down.

Especially not some corrupt rulers.

Oh, Mariano, the corrupt rulers
will go on corrupting themselves.

and bringing slaves in Cuba.

They got you out of Hanabana.

Your dignity is worth nothing
because we have no education.

Pepe is our only hope.
We can't make him sacrifice that.

Per aspera ad astra.

Hard is the road
by which we reach the stars.

We'll now study the declensions

to which populus populi
belong, masculine.

laurus Lauri..

Allow me, Mr. Rosales.

A great man has been assassinated

President Lincoln has fallen,
victim of the enemies of freedom.

and when freedom suffers,

all men of good will suffer too.

I will personally represent
San Pablo school in mourning for a week

...as will all those
who feel this pain

Long live Spain with honor!

Don Fernando

Long live Spain with honor!

-Good morning, Don Salustiano.
-Oh, my! At long last.

Do you know what my
grandfather used to say?

That you cannot tie up dogs
with pork sausage.

You can see, soldiers come in
every day and have to be fed.

Taxes are sky-high.

Your father brought you at last.

There's a lot of work you
have to catch up on

I didn't notice there had been
a loss in the family. I'm sorry.

No, sir. It's for Abraham Lincoln,
an American patriot.

Pay no heed, Salustiano

Instead of training them for work,

schools now put smoke
into their heads.

If he stays there, he'll be
turned into a disloyal Cuban.

I'm sorry, Don Mariano.

But for that Lincoln,
I'd be disloyal too.

Know something, José Julian

I have a feeling you and I
will get along very well, very well.

No more talk: tomorrow
you start working with me here.

He may be a teacher and all you say,

but he's got a mouth on him.

Don't close your mind.

He's a good man and tries to help us.

He doesn't have to come here
to play down my authority.

telling me what I have to do
with my own family

Mariano, please.

If you don't do it for him,
do it for me.

-I'd leave with your teacher.
-Stop it, Chata.

What are you doing there?

So

I've been thinking...

everything you say is right,

but with all due respect:

study is vocation,
work is obligation

José Julian is the best student
we have in school.

I told you,
Don Salustiano agrees.

Pepe can go on working
in the mornings

and come to school
in the afternoons, half time.

and with the same salary.

Pepe

Have you come for Pepe
to go to school?

Yes, Don Salustiano

I'll tell him.

Pepe, your friends are here
to go to school.

Now a doughnut each.
Just one.

Come on, Pepe. Take yours.

Thank you, Don Salustiano.

-Say hello to Mendive
-Yes, Don Salustiano.

I'm sure Bermudez,
the hairdresser, is queer.

He's not queer. If he were,
my uncle wouldn't work with him.

-You jumped like a hairdresser.
-Pepe, coward!

There's theater fever in Havana.
Or rather, heat!

An Italian company is coming
in November, with Adelina Patti.

Carlos, you must talk to your uncle.
I can't cope with everything.

And the errand boy
left for Puerto Principe.

Do you like that music?

Yes.

I could be your errand boy.

Conscientiousness
is paid with quality.

Two and a half ounces.

You may be proud:
your first salary, boy.

-You've worked very well.
-Thank you.

Salustiano!
the bags you ordered are here

Coming, coming!

Come on, Pepe.
One of the bags is for you.

-For me?
-Of course. For school. Come on!

That is also for your good work.
Come on!

Pepe, take the other bags
to the storage room.

Yes, Don Salustiano.

Don Salustiano, tell your son
I'll see him tonight in Escauriza.

Less dancing and more study.

-Dancing doesn't buy food.
-Don't worry, old man.

Professors will be there.

Take care!

You piece of shit!
Look what you've done!

Apologize.

-I am free and Cuban, sir.
-Cuban?

Kneel and apologize!

Spain is the one who should apologize.

Who are you?
Who the hell do you think you are?

Another birdie.
The university is full of them.

We have to teach them respect
for national integrity.

-I've known him since he was a child.
-A conspirator!

Bah! Leave him alone.

Long live Spain!
Shout "Long live Spain"!

Cuba does not have
to apologize to Spain.

Cuba is Spanish
and is honored to be Spanish.

They'll have to populate it
again to turn it Spanish!

Long live Cuba!

-Shout "long live Spain."
-Stop it.

Shout it or I'll cut out your tongue!

Stop it, shit!

I'm from Galicia, I'm Spanish,
and I love Spain balls deep.

but in this store there are
no birdies and no sparrows

and the only integrity
we defend here is mine. Shit!

-Spain was offended here and...
-Put that gun down, Captain.

Put it down, I say, dammit!

I'm not going
to leave things like this.

Spain was offended
and treason should be punished.

This is a nest of thieves
and schemers.

Remember, Salustiano.

You'll pay for this dearly.

Salustiano, traitor!

Vicente, bring some of
the best wine we have in stock.

We'll toast to Spain and Cuba.

Yes, let's sing and toast.

And if her ills do not vanish
when she dances...

Father, my first salary.

Leonor, congratulate your son.

My little man...

Father

I'd like to...

if possible...

give my sisters some coins.

Very well.

Chata! Come, girls!
Pepe has a surprise for you.

Look at Chata...
Where'd you get the piggy bank?

-Pepe made the promise a long time ago
-He's going to buy me a dress.

-You don't say!
-He won't buy me anything.

Well I think Pepe is promising
too much for what he earns.

How much are you giving each one?

Five pennies each is all right,

so they learn to save
from now on.

I want some soursop
for a milkshake.

All right, Pilar.

We'll do all that tomorrow
morning before school.

And you'll go with me to buy
two shirts and some trousers.

You're a man now,
you can't dress like a hick.

Look, some good fruit.

For your sister.

-Look, Daddy, soursops!

How are you, teacher?

Let's go, Pepe.

She's singing for peace
but her people want war.

It's Adelina Patti.

she's singing tonight

-May I stay for the rehearsals?
-Yes, and the performance too.

But, always hidden in the wings.

Oh, my God!

I swear I've never had to punish her
and I forgot.

If something happens to her,
I swear to God I'll kill you.

BIRTHDAY

Forgive me, mother",

for leaving you

to go to the battlefield.

These tears are witness
of my terrible anxiety

and the storm roaring

in my insides..."

Sleep, Pepito.
If you go on like that...

"at six they'll put you in a shroud."

At six they baptized me.
there's a leak!

The furniture is getting wet.
I'll find a blanket to cover it

Brother...

-I'm in love.
-But Chata...

Stop it.
You're not Mother or Father.

Write a poem to give
to him as if it were mine.

Mother is coming!

Pepe, you're killing yourself!

I'll give you some coffee and milk.
You have to eat.

-Is Father coming home tomorrow?
-I don't know.

He doesn't have a day off
this month, poor thing.

Mother, why not make
stew for lunch?

We haven't had it for days.

Today I'm making crinkled potatoes.

And cassava with oil sauce.

Father's armchair
is being eaten by termites.

Oh Love, there are
termites all over the house.

He who wants to defend his land

does not mind blood or obstacles.

Tyrannus democratia.

What are the essential
features of democracy?

Please, Ignacio.

I believe that for there
to be democracy...

there must be... freedom.

That's why there's
no democracy in Cuba.

I want to make a paper with
"The Lame Devil"for a title.

But they won't let me publish it.
It isn't in their interest.

The idea I will pose is
that Cuba lacks freedom of the press,

freedom of expression and others...

Fermín, it's all right.

But we have limits

Gentlemen, please,

let's not stray from our topic.

Fermín, Fermín....

Do you know what
a democratic country

with freedom of press
and expression would be?

It's be chaos, Fermín.
You don't know what you're saying.

As a citizen I have the right
to express my ideas.

Professor, please.
Continue with your Greek class.

Democratia means
"people's power"in Greek.

in Cuba there is anything
but people's power.

Please, think:

how good is freedom
without democracy?

Cuba may make use of
democratic forces.

and be represented
in the Spanish courts.

That's Reformist
and it's garbage!

-What do you mean, garbage?
-Why can't I...

Boys, boys, please...

Excuse me.
Why can I not say what I think?

I don't feel represented by
this government. It's useless.

You? You?

Don't mess with me...

Please, please...

Let's go back to Ancient Greece, alright?

Isn't democracy people's power?

We're ruled by those who have to rule
and will go on ruling.

Don't turn this place into a brouhaha.

Professor, I actually believe
there is democracy in Cuba.

That's an opinion.

Let me, Fermín.
Look, democracy is in Yara.

And also in Carlos Manuel
de Céspedes forces.

which are right now fighting
for the liberty of Cubans.

Come on, man!

Nice!

And now what we always have

A narrow path takes us
to the flourishing woods.

and there people disband
and the mountain try to climb

tamarind branches tangle up
in the trunks of every palm

and on the hills doves coo
on top of a cashew tree

and this rocky place for me...

...is the mound of Caisimu!

Bravo! Bravo!
That's how I like it.

Punctual like a Brit on Saturdays.

There are two more stanzas.

Call Pepe! Go!

Pepe! Pepe!

Come!

But you have no sense of shame,

Either good,

so-so,

or bad,

if you don't say with me:
long live the cane-producing land!

-Long live Cuba!
-Long live free Cuba!

Come on, man! Hit it, Creole!

The play goes on...
The guards are coming...

-What is happening here?
-The play is good. Go see it!

This is a day of glory
for the Cuban theater.

This was only the rehearsal!
In two days things will be hot!

We'll ask Cuban women
to let their hair down.

Go straight home now.

They say there'll be
freedom of press

but we'll never have
freedom of speech. Go now!

Have you forgotten who I am?

Where I was born?

Answer me!

What am I?

Spanish.

Spanish...
And I fathered a Cuban.

I won't let a seditious teacher
turn you into a dissident.

I am a policeman.

And I will not lose my job
for foolishness like this

This is over and done with.

Father, this is a play.

And I'll publish it in my paper,
Free Homeland.

In your WHAT?

Homeland...

This family is your homeland, dammit!

It is not Cuba or Spain.

Only the blood I gave you!

Leonor,

from now on
he's not going out at night.

Is that clear?

And I myself will put an end
to Mendive's petty lessons.

Four o'clock and calm skies...

Four o'clock and calm skies...

Your father will work again
as a guard in Guanabacoa.

Batabano is killing him, son.
Think about us a little.

Your rebelliousness
is only harming your father.

Mother, what my father
has always done

is try to take away
everything that Mendive has given me.

I will keep on staying there

and from time to time
come back here.

Pepe, be sure to come
this weekend.

-He's brutish. Stay with Mendive.
-Chata, stop it!

Look at the circus acrobat!
Pepe, don't look!

Micaela, these are the books
Mendive told me to bring.

Put them on the table,
little by little.

and mind the candle chimney!

Rafael told me he'd work
on them tonight.

But I didn't think
there were so many.

Now, Mr. Acrobat, take them
to our room little by little.

Pepe, give me a kiss.

Amanda, let me finish
tidying your hoopskirt.

I doubly congratulate you.

First, for being a good Cuban,

and second, for being a good poet.

although you still need a little

to reach Lord Byron's
unfathomable mystery.

Your father came to see me today.

Calm down, Pepe.

You'll continue to stay here.

But Mariano is concerned, Pepe...
and he's right.

I'm speaking to you as a teacher.

Don't abandon your principles,

but I'm asking you
to be more cautious, Pepe.

There is a lot of repression.

The volunteers are more recalcitrant

than the army itself;
they're watching the school.

Now I want to tell you a secret,

as a friend.

The man you saw
two days ago in my rooms

is Francisco Leon,

a contact
with Céspedes' insurrectionists.

He'll be hiding here
a few days until we can...

Don Rafael!

Don Rafael, General Dulce
declared freedom of the press!

"The Chamarreta".
the Cuban newspaper

that tastes like a machete
and smells like a weed.

Let everyone enter the theater

with their weeding hoes.

Hoe in hand everyone!

The performance today will
be dedicated to some insol...

vent...

No, no, no...

to the insu...

Come in..."Tricks for an Old Dog..."

Fermín and Pepe are coming
here from the printer's.

They should be here by now.

Look at those over there,
in the bar...

I'm sure they are
camouflaged volunteers.

Some in the audience are
whistling like possessed.

-Whistling is all right.
-Whistling? Better to shout.

But there are audiences
that should be whistled at.

This is a promising night...

Pepe, there's almost no time.

Fermín, you go first.

When I fix it up and get
the galley proof, I'll catch up.

Ladies and gentlemen,
now we have:

"No New Tricks for an Old Dog"

I like to see the Cuban girl...

There's a group of volunteers
armed to the teeth.

You'll see the theater
on a war footing!

Bravo, gentlemen! Wonderful!

As punctual as a Brit on Saturday!

That's how I like it.

But he has no shame...

But many of us here do
have a sense of shame.

Yes!

Wait a moment...there are
some who don't, either good

so-so,

or bad.

Those who do not say with me:

Long live the land that
grows sugar cane!

-Long live Céspedes!
-Viva! Viva!

Long live free Cuba!

Long live free Cuba!

Please leave! Quickly!

Run!

Come in quick! Volunteers
almost burnt down Villanueva!

They've take over the streets.
You know they're watching us.

And they'll stop at nothing.
Help me with the back doors!

I closed all the windows
in the upper floor.

National integrity!
National integrity!

Havana's streets are ours!

Long live Spain with honor!
Death to the schemers!

Down with the traitors!

I'll kill the first one
who tries to come in.

Come out of there!

National Integrity!

I'll go with Micaela and the child.

Sons of bitches!

National Integrity!

Come on! We're moving on!

Everyone to the Spanish Club!

-Calm down. I'll go out.
-They are here again.

Those are volunteers knocking.
Calm down...Hide.

Hide!

Bastards! Shit!

I'll go see what's going on.

I'm here to find my son.

-Leonor, what is this madness?
-Where is he?

Where is he?

It's much more dangerous in the
streets than here, volunteers...

-I won't have him killed.
-Volunteers are everywhere!

Come, Pepe. The girls are alone.

-Long live Spain, with honor!
-Long live Spain, with honor!

Long live Spain, with honor!

Shout 'long live Spain with honor!'

I am Spanish sir, a Canarian.
We honor Spain.

Really? Tonight everyone shouts it.
Those who don't, offend Spain.

Yes...yes...

And what about him? Is he dumb?

We honor Spain.
His father is in the army.

Mariano Martí. He did nothing.
He is my son.

Madam, I can read in his face
that he was in the theater.

We honor Spain.
Don't do anything to him.

He's my son.

Are you afraid of something?
Come on, shout it!

Long live Spain with honor!

Shout it, shout! You won't?

Look what happens
to schemers like you! Look!

Death to insurrection!

No, no, no!

Pepe, shout it! Shout, Pepe!

See? I'll blow your brains out right here.

You are afraid, aren't you?
Do you want to be the next one?

Pepe, shout! Shout!

Shout!

Long live Spain, Pepe!
Do it for me, Pepe!

Do it for me, Pepe!

Long live Spain!

Do it for me!

Very well, shout it.
Once more!

José Julian?

José Julian Martí?

Let him go. He was a pupil
of min in school.

His father is loyal to Spain.

Forgive me, son.

Forgive me!

Nothing happened, Mariano.
It was madness on my part.

I thought...

Go to your room!
To your room, I said!

You too, Leonor.

So I break my back...sweating,

killing myself in the streets,

and you can't even think of
your own family.

I very clearly said that you
were to be home early,

don't mess about with disloyalty

leave aside
all that patriotic nonsense

they've put into your head

and don't screw up my job

because it feeds you too.

Look...

You almost killed your mother!

And for what?

To please Mendive?

Because you do fulfill
your duties with him.

And your duty here, Pepe?
The duty you have here?

I know my duties.

Kneel down and apologize to
your mother and your family.

Kneel down!
Kneel, I say, damn it!

-Stop hitting him!
-Stop it, please!

Mariano, please.
He already apologized to me.

Don't hit him.

We better talk outside.

I can't go to school anymore.

My father doesn't want to see
me with "Mendive's rebels."

-Then what are you?
-This can't go on, Fermín.

They'll kill us. My father
knows repression will increase.

-What about your word?
-This will get increasingly...

What about your word, Carlos?

From the beginning you were
aware that there'd be repression.

You said you'd get part of the
money for the newspaper.

Not after Villanueva.

Don't count on me.

I'm out.

Let's go, Fermín.

We'll have Free Homeland
without Carlos.

-They took Rafael to jail.
-What did they say?

There's no charge,
just because of his ideas.

And a cockade rosette I had
in my writing desk.

They hit him, Pepe,
in front of the girls.

They'll close down our school.

This cannot be, Micaela.
How can they close it down?

They will, because they want
to finish us. They will.

No, Micaela. It can't be.

Better take your things
and go back home, Pepe.

There's nothing to be done.

Your sisters were waiting
all night for you.

Come in.

-Look. All this is for you.
-What's this?

You're sixteen today, Pepe.

We wanted to celebrate.

I'll make you some
coffee and milk.

One o'clock and calm skies!

BARS

Mr. Mendive:

I'm working from 6 in the morning
to 8 at night.

I earn 4 and a half ounces,
which I give to my father.

He makes me suffer more every day.

He has hurt me so much

that I admit to you,

with all my blunt frankness
you well know,

that only the hope of seeing
you again has kept me

from killing myself.

Your letter has saved me...

Here are my wages, father.

Perfect.

Leonor, we're moving on Saturday.

Pepe, look at this ground plan.

These are lands that can be
exploited as quarries.

it could be here...

with what is left of this

and something I can borrow

I think we will get ahead.

Pepe...come.

Wait.

-Pepe...Come on.
-Wait.

-Good morning, Don Felipe.
-Good morning, Don Beltran.

What can I do for you?

I wanted to know how you were,
how business was...

Very well. The way things are going...

Don Felipe, I need to
take my coffee break.

Go. Don't worry.
When you're back

bring me the papers
in Azcarate's office.

Thank you.

They're on death row.

The execution is tomorrow at 11.
The rallying cry will fill the square.

You must be there, Pepe.

Repent, Pancho. Repent.

Do it for me: Repent.

Repent, Pancho. Repent.

Give a clean soul to God.

That's all we have now.
Repent.

I ask permission to commend
my soul to God.

I only want to beg forgiveness
and say a prayer for my soul.

I apologize for all I have
been guilty of.

And before God I repent
all my sins

and hand my soul in
total contrition

But I die convinced that...

the insurrection will triumph!

-Long live Céspedes!
-Viva!

-Long live Free Cuba!
-Viva!

-Death to Céspedes!
-Death

Long live insurrection!

Chameleon! Coward! I should
have thrown him in the ditch.

when he denied me money
for Free Homeland

Read this letter.

What will he say? He can't answer.
He's a scoundrel

Fermín, Carlos has turned traitor.

He has to answer this letter.

Look, Pepe.

I'll disembowel him all the same

I won't sign this letter.

Damned rain!

Oh, Master Martí.

Master Fermín was taken to jail
with his brother and others.

I swear my brother was just
clowning with our neighbor.

-Sofia...
-No. Mercedita.

The one with the hair like Céspedes.

My brother was at the window
and called her "insurrectionist"

and she replied with something
that made them laugh.

Volunteers just happened
to pass just then

They were drunk and thought
they were being laughed at

One can't even laugh these
days, Pepe.

Your father wasn't there?

Father arrived in the afternoon,
a little before I did.

We were having dinner when
they came with an arrest warrant

and turned the house upside down.

-Did they find anything?
-No. I have everything hidden

with Salustiano,
as you told me to.

And the letter for Carlos?
Did you hide it?

It was in my room.

But, Pepe, there was nothing
compromising in it, was there?

- Let's go, get going!
- Wait a moment!

What's the meaning of this?

José Martí is my employee
and he's under my protection.

Now he's under ours.
Find yourself a new employee.

-Where are you taking him?
-Where all dissidents go.

I am a Spanish military man
and you can't enter my home.

Let's go! Upstairs!

Leonor!

Upstairs!

Run, Amelia, run!

Search the rooms.
All of them!

Stay still! Stay Still!

Shame on you all!

-An Outrage! A thousand times over!
-Stay back!

Why did you come all alone, Mother?

I don't want the girls
seeing you like that. They'd suffer.

-Mother, Anita could've come.
-I'll bring her on Thursday.

She can't stop crying.

Are you sleeping well, son?

-Your eyes are...
-I slept seven hours, Mother.

Yes, but on the floor...

And it's very cold.

I will ask them to give
you another sailcloth.

You father is petitioning
his bosses and Portillo.

But we must wait.

Son...

Was it Carlos de Castro who
went to Batabano with you?

-I want to see his father.
-No, Mother, how will you...

That letter will condemn you.

They're executing people
for anything.

Why this martyrdom?

Why this useless sacrifice?

Don't you see
you could be home now

helping your Father,
who's about ready to drop?

You're talking like Father.

No, Pepe.

I'm talking like your mother.

Deep down,
Mariano and you are alike.

That's been our damnation.

I wasn't born to be a shopkeeper.

Don't be unfair, Pepe. Don't.

Your father always fought
for justice...

although today
we don't know what justice is.

In the end, we've resigned ourselves
to having nothing.

Do you want to do the same?

Look at me...
I’ve been crying for three days.

I can't eat a thing.
I can't sleep.

I feel like I'm dying.

Is this the price of your justice?

Why must WE pay?

Why don't you think a bit more
about your family, your kind,

and less about yourself?

Repent, Pepe, please.
Tell them you repent.

Do it for me.

-Tell them you did nothing.
-Stop, Mother.

-Do it for me.
-Stop.

-Enough, enough.
-Do it for me.

Remember the night you came
to school for me

and took me home?

I forgave you that day, Mother.
Forgive me now.

I brought you some custard.

But they said I had
to leave it in the mess hall.

I've seen so many
in front of the garrote.

And you are boys
just starting your lives.

You should weigh all the years
you have before you on the scales.

Nothing is more precious

The prosecutor
is asking for the death penalty

It's serious.

a retraction...

Soldier, take Fermín to his cell.

José Julian Mari Perez.

I am a friend of your father's.

from Bocanegra...

He's a great friend, yes,
and a great man.

especially for his rectitude
and sense of justice.

You should have known him
in his youth in Valencia.

always defending his brothers.

Have you thought about how hard
losing his son would hit him?

You don't have to tell me
my father's virtues.

All I know about justice,
I owe it to him.

Pepe, I'm Federico

The twins from school, remember?

The Attorney wants a culprit,

whether there's evidence or not.

Either you or Fermín.

-How's your brother?
-He lost a leg in Oriente,

fighting the insurrectionists.

He's starting work
in a cigar factory.

Insolent laughs were hurled.

And each guffaw was
and insult to Spain.

To offend the volunteers
is a criminal act.

It is a sacrilegious act

polluting the sanctuary
of the Motherland

Mockery was not enough and here,

in this letter,

the most disgraceful and
coarse offenses are hurled

against an honorable defender

of our country's bastion,

a healthy and honest youngster.

Just reading it is enough.

Comrade:

Have you dreamed
with the glory of apostates?

Do you know

how apostasy was punished
in ancient times?

We expect that

a disciple of Rafael Maria de Mendive

will not fail to answer this letter.

signed, José Julian Martí Perez

Mendive has already been
removed from this land

so that our scions
do not grow up crooked

but underhanded apostates,

spurious children of Spain,
still exist.

Mr. President, Magistrates.

for all the aforementioned

I accuse José Julian Martí Perez

of the serious offense of
apostasy and sedition

as the author of the letter

and Fermín Valdes Dominguez
of an act of complicity.

The state rests.

That letter was written
in my room. That is true.

My signature is not there,
but I am also responsible for it.

-I am also it's author...
-No, No,

Fermín, you know
I am the one who wrote that letter

and the Attorney is right
when he says that...

you have no right to talk
until you're given the floor

What right to talk do you mean?

My right to speak
has never existed.

I've spent my entire life
seeing how because of you all

my family has to survive
in poverty,

seeing the people I love
humiliated, alienated

from me because I have
ideas that are not in your interest.

And I have had to keep this in here

without any of you ever
giving me the right to speak,

to express what I feel.

Since I feel and think,
I am not a spurious son

because I was born in Cuba.
I am a son of Cuba.

Like most Cubans all I want
is the freedom of my land

and of those who think as I do.

I wrote that letter.
It was not him. It was I.

And my principle,
my ideas, are in it.

I think Cubans who bare arms
against Cuba are just traitors.

And you can condemn me for it.
Condemn me...

But you're the ones
who are condemned.

Reason is not imposed by force.

Long live Cuba!

Long live Free Cuba!

I declare the trial closed,
pending sentence!

Fermín Valdez Dominguez,
six months imprisonment.

José Julian Martí Perez,
six years with hard labor.

Because of this, Your Excellency,

I see my son today
with the worst criminals

and dragging a shackle.

Unable to resist
such a misfortune

and trusting your
merciful heart,

I dare to beg
your Excellency

to please pardon
my unfortunate son

from this harsh punishment...

Madam, the Captain General
cannot see you today.

We are very sorry.
We'll notify you again.

But the stars are hidden.

So do I. But not with fear

José Julian Martí! Visit!

The Captain General may
receive you. But be quick.

And my Mother and sisters?

They're well.

Chata...is pregnant.

Your mother...

wrote a letter to the Captain
General to intercede and...

Please read this

My daughters and I beg of you,
kneeling, mercy for my child.

Rise up, please.

I know your son's case. Martí...

But I don't think
I can do much, Madam.

It was a court martial
and sentences are irrevocable.

But because he is so young...

perhaps...

Severino, let us look into
that possibility

OK?

But it does not fall into
my jurisdiction, Madam

I am very sorry.
I can't promise anything.

He's a child, sir.

Have pity on him.

Your mother made you these
little pillows.

Let me put them on.

But, how can they do this?

-How can they keep you like this?
-Stand up, Father.

Stand up. It's nothing.

Let's go! Visit is over!
Back to work!

I have to go.

Take the pillows with you.

Get up, let's go...

José Martí was pardoned from jail
and deported to Madrid months later.

His devotion for Cuba's independence led
to his death in battle on May 10, 1895

His poetic work is among the most
profound in Latin American poetry.

In his Simple Verses he wrote:

I sleep in my rocky bed
My sweet and deep dreams:

A bee brushes my mouth
And the world grows on my chest.

To Beatrix Maggi