The Roar of the Butterflies (2023): Season 1, Episode 6 - Episode #1.6 - full transcript
- I got in.
- I'm Pierre. Nice to meet you.
I'll introduce you
to some like-minded classmates.
No recording devices.
No recording devices.
- What?
- Let's go. Trujillo's out there.
The Generalissimo is waiting for you.
I can't let you keep living like that.
I have big plans for you, girl.
I want to denounce
two homosexuals.
- They took Tomás.
- He wasn't mixed up in anything.
They took him 'cause he's a homosexual.
Just so we're clear, you're
at that school because I gave the word.
If you choose to be untamable
like my horses,
sooner or later you have to put them down.
This story is inspired by real events.
All characters and events depicted
have been created for dramatic purposes.
Any similarity with reality
is purely coincidental.
I didn't know you were coming.
As a matter of fact, I didn't either.
On my way to the palace,
I sensed I should stop and see you.
Was I wrong?
Not at all.
Do you want one?
No, no.
I prefer my champagne.
Shh.
I have two in the fridge.
I've poured yours.
I already drank a whiskey.
Come on, drink.
Come.
Sit here.
Thanks.
Are you comfortable?
Here, with you?
Everything's always fine with me.
I mean, are you comfortable in the house?
Very.
What's this?
It's beautiful.
Take that off and give me a kiss. Go on.
I'm uncomfortable having them downstairs.
My bodyguards?
They see and hear nothing.
They're my eunuchs.
Do you need anything?
No.
Don't hesitate to call me.
Sleep well.
Julio.
Hey.
It's okay. They've gone.
Hey.
-I'm sorry.
-Don't worry.
Come on, let's go. Let's go.
Let's go.
The CRY of the BUTTERFLIES
So, did you have more friends
in the Dominican Republic,
besides Minerva?
Honestly, only one: Julio César.
An excellent friend.
But, in general, I felt very lonely.
Wasn't Minerva also studying in the city?
Uh, yes, but we moved
in very different circles.
You didn't see each other.
I didn't see her after she enrolled
at the university.
We grew apart, took different paths,
but I don't blame her, eh?
I didn't call her, either.
Why not?
I don't think I can be of further help.
- Are you sure?
- I don't know what else to tell you.
A lot.
Tell me about Trujillo.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Let's get to the point
because I have to
inaugurate the new highway to the west.
Take a seat.
Okay.
As of right now,
I dissolve the coalition of parties.
In this election,
each of you will run alone.
I want you to go back to your farms
and play the opponent.
Your Excellency, as you can imagine,
it won't be easy to run against you
in an election.
I won't be the candidate.
It'll be my brother, Héctor.
I'll announce it before the weekend.
Your Excellency,
we have only a few months
to build a party from scratch,
since it's been
within the governing coalition for years.
What is the problem, Vásquez?
You open four or five membership offices,
you go around the whole country,
repeating the same old refrain:
"The best representative
of the interests of the Dominican people
is the Republican Party."
That's it.
Excuse me, Your Excellency.
I'm the leader of the Republican Party.
Congressman Vásquez
leads the Patriotic Coalition.
It's all the same to me.
What I'm asking
is for you to attack each other.
And, of course,
don't do it as much with my candidate.
Your Excellency,
a presidential campaign is costly.
You've forgotten what I gave you
when you joined the coalition.
Hmm?
Let me remind you.
You have 18% of the sugar refinery
that we recovered in La Romana.
Furthermore, your brother was appointed
ambassador to Brazil.
In that notebook over there,
I've written down
all of your brother's businesses.
Are you telling me, and I know everything,
that you don't have any shares?
Hmm?
Aren't you sprinkled with his bath water?
Okay.
Now you all know
what you're being asked to do.
This is not the time
for pettiness or selfishness.
I order my brother, José,
before all of you
to have the government media
give you spots.
So, you can have reporting,
photos, interviews.
You'll know what to say.
- Understood?
- Understood.
I adjourn the meeting.
You may leave.
Be assured that during the next mandate
your efforts will be rewarded.
Hmm?
Listen,
even though they lost their venom
a long time ago,
all of these assholes are still snakes.
-Watch out. Be careful with them.
-I understand.
-No. Either way, I'll be there, eh?
-No prob--
A horse is healthier
when fed by its master.
Are you coming with me
to the highway event?
If my wife came right now,
she'd scratch my eyes out.
She's jealous.
Mr. Mirabal, you know
that if you feel extra pain or dizziness,
stop right away and let us know, okay?
Yes, ma'am.
- I'll be right back, Mr. Mirabal.
- Thanks.
-Mr. Enrique.
-Yes.
We'll continue your exercises
in another rehabilitation room, okay?
Okay.
Wait. Where are you taking me?
- It's all right. Don't worry.
- Where are we going?
I have the right to know
where you're taking me.
- Everything will be fine.
- Where are we going?
Don't worry.
Here.
Did you see what I made?
You have to eat something.
It was all a lie.
I'm nothing more than a clown.
Like you, like Tommy.
We're just here to entertain them.
-What do you mean?
-You know what I mean.
I've been a miserable coward.
I've had so many opportunities
to be honest, but wasn't.
I licked up crumbs, like a dog.
I disgust myself.
Julio, you're being very hard on yourself.
You couldn't do anything else.
No, no. I'm damned.
I realized it in the worst way,
and too late.
But you still have time, Arantxa.
The truth is much worse
than we want to admit,
much more frightening.
No matter how much
we're blinded by the lights.
I hope you're not preaching at me.
-No, to the contrary.
-I'm not stupid.
I'm telling you not to believe
that you hold any power over Trujillo.
Here, we're all useful, or we disappear.
He's the only one who stays.
I understand that you don't want to eat.
I've lost my appetite too.
It's very dangerous
for us to stay in this house.
Dangerous for me and for you.
Excuse me, doctor.
My husband was in the rehabilitation room.
Do you know anything?
I don't know. I'm a surgeon.
Excuse me, I'm in a hurry.
Ask the receptionist
or the attending doctor.
Thank you very much.
- Good morning, miss.
- Good morning.
My husband, Enrique Mirabal,
was in the rehabilitation room,
but he still hasn't returned.
-He should have finished an hour ago.
-That's impossible.
I've been waiting over there for a while.
-I would've seen him go by.
-Calm down.
Don't tell me to calm down, please.
-I'll check.
-Good.
Yes, María Luisa from reception.
I'm looking for a patient:
Enrique Mirabal.
You cry for every movie.
Who says I was crying? When?
Well, several times.
When they get married before being hanged,
-when the brother dies, or--
-Are you spying on me, Leandro?
I wasn't spying on you.
But you seemed possessed.
I couldn't help but glance at you.
That doesn't happen to me with every movie
but when it comes to Hepburn and Bogart,
I'm absolutely in love.
They hypnotize me.
I love that you like movies so much,
so I can take you every weekend.
If we were in the capital,
like my sister Minerva,
we could go every day.
We only get a few here, old and scratched,
but there I could see them all
as soon as they come out.
Well…
Oh, dear. Mom's going to kill me.
No, please,
I want you to go out with me again.
Today has been perfect.
We watched a very good movie,
and we've talked about everything.
-No, not everything.
-What's left for us to talk about?
About the country's politics.
You want us to talk about politics?
What do you think of Trujillo?
If you tell me that, I'll be satisfied.
-What do you think of him?
-No, you tell me.
Be brave and don't lie.
I think he's the cancer of this country.
- Our Father, who art in heaven.
- Free us from the dictator.
He's the devil on earth,
and he'll fuck us again.
So he won't get away with it.
To defeat him,
we need to beat him at his own game.
I know what I'm talking about.
The Goat is always one step ahead.
- Minerva, good to see you.
- Hi, Raúl.
Living on dreams: "Out, Goat,
the Dominican Republic will be free."
- Yes, it gets us fired up, but later--
- Manolo.
Hi. We were waiting for you, Pierre.
We were talking some more
about the same thing.
I was saying that the devil
has played a very smart move.
I brought a new comrade.
I suppose we've all heard of her.
- Minerva Mirabal.
- Minerva.
- Welcome, comrade.
- We've heard of her.
Welcome, Minerva. Manolo Tavares.
Sorry for the questions
when I've just arrived, Manolo,
but I understand
what you're saying very well.
Why are you so quick to say
that the Goat has gotten away with it?
He did it in '38 with Jacinto Peynado,
and it worked well.
Or are you telling me
that Peynado ruled for those four years?
It's true, but it's hard to take this
as a new defeat.
We need to continue with our plan.
Comrades, let's admit it.
Our plan is useless now.
Why not?
All of our militancy
focused on preventing him
from changing
the Constitution to ensure his reelection.
Now he announces that he's retiring
and sets this little farce in motion
involving free and democratic elections,
in which his good-for-nothing brother
competes against three or four thugs
who pretend to be the opposition.
- There'll be full-fledged fraud.
- Of course.
We need to convince the entire country
and the international community
that there will be fraud here.
There'll be fraud.
Let's see if you understand me,
comrades.
I don't want to dissent,
but we need to be pragmatic.
Wishes will not defeat him.
Who can tell me how we convince
millions of people
who love him
just because he's a good merengue dancer?
They're unbelievable.
Where do we report fraud
when for the past 20 years
not one newspaper is left
that's not government-run?
If the Goat wanted
to change the Constitution,
we could strike in front of Congress
or the embassies.
But announce that fraud is coming?
Honestly, I don't think--
It can be reported.
- We need to blow them fuckers up.
- That's what we must do.
Damn the consequences, even if it hurts.
- Yes, sir, that's right.
- Excuse me, comrades.
Uh, I know it's my first time here,
and I don't wish to impose my views,
but I understand Manolo's feeling.
What is fraud?
Changing the votes at the ballot boxes?
The Goat won't even get his hands dirty
with that.
- It's true.
- We have an electoral system
in which the National Congress
ratifies the new president,
a congress
with not a single opposition party.
- That's right.
- What will we do?
Report it abroad?
We all know how that goes.
The OAS will send some observers.
What will they say
when the Black Trujillo wins?
Only whatever the United States of America
wants them to.
Damn Yanks.
They'll say that they were
exemplary and democratic elections.
We live in a world of hypocrisy,
governed by sons of bitches.
- Won't we do something about it?
- Yes.
You're right, miss,
you're absolutely right.
What's that look for?
Didn't I do a good job?
To the contrary.
You were stupendous.
- Well, I didn't feel like it.
- Yes, I noticed.
You're going to act like nothing's wrong?
Nothing to say about Tomás's absence?
Aren't you going to say anything
about Julio César's absence?
I don't know what you mean.
We both know he went with you,
and I'm not going to ask where.
But I'm warning you:
you're both in grave danger.
According to Petán,
Tomás and Julio César are happy
drinking coconut milk
on a beach in Puerto Rico.
Homosexuality…
in this country carries the death penalty.
No one will lift a finger to help him.
Only us.
I have a way to get him out of here.
Be prudent, Sister.
It's impossible that--
-Daughter.
-Hello, Sister. Good evening.
You've been getting calls all day
from home.
Ah.
Uh, here's a coin for the call. Thanks.
A pleasure.
Sister, come with me.
Hi, Mom. Bless you.
They said you'd called.
Did something happen?
What?
My beloved Dominican people,
today, October 8th,
we celebrate 15 years
of our country's victory
against the Haitian invasion.
I want to congratulate
and remember our heroes
who defended the fatherland with bravery,
with courage, risking their lives
on behalf of the people,
so that this republic
would be free and respected.
But we should not simply rest
on past glories,
believing that our peace
is eternally assured.
A new threat looms on the horizon,
the threat of communism
that viciously tries to raze
the foundations of our society.
But I want you to know
that this government
and especially I,
General Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina,
will strive to ensure that its venom
does not spread through our people,
by cutting off the hydra at its root.
- What time did he say he'd call?
- How many times will you ask that?
-You're making me more nervous.
-We're all nervous, Jaime.
-Why don't you call him?
-I don't know him.
I don't have his number.
Please, I'm asking you, Dedé.
He's late, I don't know,
maybe because of work or something.
Listen.
Hello.
- I'll put him on.
- There, see?
Hello.
Yes, speaking. Go ahead.
- You know him?
- Not exactly.
He's a friend from school,
he works in the government.
He's a contact,
he gets results in these cases.
Wait a second. One second.
A pencil, María Teresa.
Yes, okay. One moment.
Can you repeat that?
Mmm.
Perfect. Thank you very much.
See you soon.
Well?
I think this guy can help us.
- Really?
- Yes. He sounded very convincing.
-What did he say?
-He's in the capital.
I've scheduled a meeting for tomorrow.
That's where.
- I know where that is.
- Minerva's there.
I can go with Patria.
Ah, no, Dedé.
If you go, who'll watch the shop?
-That's true.
-No, stay. I'll go alone.
Patria, I don't want you going alone.
What choice do we have?
I can go tomorrow on the first bus.
Look, let's tell Minerva
so she can meet me at the terminal.
Then we'll meet this guy together.
- What can I say?
- Yes.
Okay, Mom?
Okay.
Okay.
-Thank you very much.
-You're very pretty.
- Eh? Such a beauty.
- Thank you very much.
Go ahead.
What a great speech, General.
I spoke nothing but the truth.
Have you met my brothers?
José, Héctor, my son.
A pleasure.
I imagine that the talent for politics
runs in your blood.
As you say.
Ambassador, I think we should
use this opportunity
and save you a trip to the palace.
We need the Dominican people
to be aware of everything as it happens.
What do you have in mind?
Television.
And how can I help?
José, my brother,
as the Minister of Communications,
is responsible for negotiating
with various companies,
but for us,
the American brands get first choice
when it's time to choose.
I'll see what I can do to help you.
This is a delicate situation.
President Truman is very worried
about political stability
in the Caribbean islands.
Mm-hmm.
Can you leave us, please?
José?
Hey.
Go on.
- No. After you.
- Thanks.
Thank you very much.
Okay.
In Cuba,
the pockets of resistance are growing,
and the Batista government
can't control them.
There's a real fear that these activities
could spread to the Dominican Republic.
No.
Thank God, this isn't Cuba.
And you can see that with your own eyes.
Presidential transitions,
like the one about to take place,
are always a…
How can I say it?
An enigma.
No, no, no. But our relations
with the United States are untouchable.
My brother's succession as president
will only strengthen our commitment.
So we come back to the beginning.
These communist, leftist revolutionaries,
with their lies,
have a very dangerous ideology
and manage to reach
the minds of the people.
To counteract this harmful way of thinking
and support the people,
we need to bring Dominicans happiness,
peace, trust in their country
and in our allies.
Believe me, Ambassador,
we really need television.
Let me see what I can do to help.
Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Hmm.
Good morning.
Good morning, honey.
Vasco, can you serve the girl a coffee?
Make sure it's strong.
- Do you want to eat anything?
- No, just coffee.
How are you?
Last night I hardly slept.
I'm not surprised. I didn't either.
How can those sons of bitches
be such assholes?
They crossed a line with Mr. Enrique.
Thanks.
I didn't tell you this over the phone.
My sisters have a contact.
They have to meet some Morales guy.
He says he knows where Dad is.
-Whose contact is he?
-Jaime's.
They don't know him, but he seems
to be well connected in the government.
Someone from the government?
It could be a trap, Minerva.
Will you go?
Well, I can't let Patria go alone
to meet a stranger,
much less for something like this.
It seems a little risky.
I'm afraid it could make things worse.
Minerva, he's your father.
And we're in a situation of life or death.
This is destroying him.
Him, you, your sisters, your family.
Even his friends,
those of us who love him.
We've reached the point
where we have to drop
our ideological ideals
and find a quick solution.
I'm listening to myself
and can't believe I'm saying this.
But this scum is making this
longer and more painful on purpose.
When will this all end?
Every single night I go to bed
and think about the Goat's death,
about dedicating myself more and more
to growing our numbers
and burning the island down.
Let it burn if need be.
- I'm going to the bus stop.
- No, no, please. Let me.
One last thing, Minerva.
The other day, I saw you talking
with a kid, a student. Pierre.
- Do you know him?
- I know a few from that group.
I'm asking you one thing.
Pay attention and be very careful, please.
-You be careful, too.
-Look, I'll be careful if you are.
Keep me informed.
Ah, Minerva.
I don't like this place at all.
I don't think it's safe
for us to meet him here.
We don't have any other choice, Patria.
If he wants to meet close to the hospital,
that's a good sign, right?
That must mean
that Dad is a patient there.
How are we going to know
who this Morales guy is?
I don't know.
Julio.
Gretchen.
Yes, sir.
I'll bring it right away.
- The Mirabal sisters?
- Yes. Mr. Morales?
In the flesh.
I'm sorry I won't shake your hand.
This place is full of germs.
I can't say much right now,
but we need to act quickly.
-We want to see our father.
-It's not that simple.
They told us that you can help.
That you have contacts.
This place is not safe.
There are ears everywhere.
And your father's case
is a very critical matter.
It's not just about health.
The "Kid" has taken
homosexuals, Blacks,
Jews off the island for a long time.
If anyone can help you escape, it's him.
- How do we do it? Are we leaving now?
- Not now.
First you'll stay in a safe place
until I finish organizing the trip.
Don't worry.
I'll help you with everything you need.
And where will you take him?
First, we'll go to Haiti by sea.
From there, a plane to Mexico.
There's no other option, right?
The more time we lose,
the more dangerous it gets.
Everything will be fine.
You'll see.
Thanks.
Please, be very careful.
You too.
Aitor?
Hi. Hi.
Yes, it's Arantxa, Asier's daughter.
No, no. No, no. Don't tell him anything.
I just want to know how he is.
I worked in intelligence for 15 years.
When I retired,
I wanted to leave it behind, but…
you know,
you can't completely retire from this.
So, I know what to say
and what not to say.
I have some agent friends
who were on my team
and with whom I've kept in touch.
So, I help wherever I can.
What have you heard?
Well, Enrique is in a very delicate state
because of…
his condition.
Of course, this is nothing new,
but we have to get him out of there
as soon as possible.
Many officials are involved in this case,
and it will be hard to release him.
And even harder
from a military hospital like this one.
I've spoken to my people,
and they say that your dad is a good man,
that he shouldn't be here.
So, can you help us or not, Mr. Morales?
Well, by moving a few pieces,
making a few calls, I think so.
So, what do we have to do?
There are many doctors, many officials,
many staff members involved
in an activity like this,
but at the end of the day,
they all want the same thing: money.
How much are we talking about?
Two thousand dollars.
-But that's a small fortune.
-It's a lot of risk.
We can raise the money.
Yes, but it's crazy.
What happens if we raise the money,
but they won't release Dad?
Well, I only use the money
when everything is a go.
If the money's there, your dad gets out.
Now, if it's because you don't trust me,
you're free to walk out of here.
-No, no. That's not it.
-Well, no--
Let us discuss it
with the rest of the family.
How much time do we have to get the money?
Well, everything depends
on your father's health.
If you ask me,
we should do it in the next 72 hours.
That's very little time.
Minerva, please,
don't make a scene here. I beg you.
Let me discuss it with Mom, okay?
I understand how you feel.
Okay. Make your decision and call me.
I'm just here to serve.
Now, let me say one thing.
I can open the hospital doors,
but I can't keep him alive.
- I'm Pierre. Nice to meet you.
I'll introduce you
to some like-minded classmates.
No recording devices.
No recording devices.
- What?
- Let's go. Trujillo's out there.
The Generalissimo is waiting for you.
I can't let you keep living like that.
I have big plans for you, girl.
I want to denounce
two homosexuals.
- They took Tomás.
- He wasn't mixed up in anything.
They took him 'cause he's a homosexual.
Just so we're clear, you're
at that school because I gave the word.
If you choose to be untamable
like my horses,
sooner or later you have to put them down.
This story is inspired by real events.
All characters and events depicted
have been created for dramatic purposes.
Any similarity with reality
is purely coincidental.
I didn't know you were coming.
As a matter of fact, I didn't either.
On my way to the palace,
I sensed I should stop and see you.
Was I wrong?
Not at all.
Do you want one?
No, no.
I prefer my champagne.
Shh.
I have two in the fridge.
I've poured yours.
I already drank a whiskey.
Come on, drink.
Come.
Sit here.
Thanks.
Are you comfortable?
Here, with you?
Everything's always fine with me.
I mean, are you comfortable in the house?
Very.
What's this?
It's beautiful.
Take that off and give me a kiss. Go on.
I'm uncomfortable having them downstairs.
My bodyguards?
They see and hear nothing.
They're my eunuchs.
Do you need anything?
No.
Don't hesitate to call me.
Sleep well.
Julio.
Hey.
It's okay. They've gone.
Hey.
-I'm sorry.
-Don't worry.
Come on, let's go. Let's go.
Let's go.
The CRY of the BUTTERFLIES
So, did you have more friends
in the Dominican Republic,
besides Minerva?
Honestly, only one: Julio César.
An excellent friend.
But, in general, I felt very lonely.
Wasn't Minerva also studying in the city?
Uh, yes, but we moved
in very different circles.
You didn't see each other.
I didn't see her after she enrolled
at the university.
We grew apart, took different paths,
but I don't blame her, eh?
I didn't call her, either.
Why not?
I don't think I can be of further help.
- Are you sure?
- I don't know what else to tell you.
A lot.
Tell me about Trujillo.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Let's get to the point
because I have to
inaugurate the new highway to the west.
Take a seat.
Okay.
As of right now,
I dissolve the coalition of parties.
In this election,
each of you will run alone.
I want you to go back to your farms
and play the opponent.
Your Excellency, as you can imagine,
it won't be easy to run against you
in an election.
I won't be the candidate.
It'll be my brother, Héctor.
I'll announce it before the weekend.
Your Excellency,
we have only a few months
to build a party from scratch,
since it's been
within the governing coalition for years.
What is the problem, Vásquez?
You open four or five membership offices,
you go around the whole country,
repeating the same old refrain:
"The best representative
of the interests of the Dominican people
is the Republican Party."
That's it.
Excuse me, Your Excellency.
I'm the leader of the Republican Party.
Congressman Vásquez
leads the Patriotic Coalition.
It's all the same to me.
What I'm asking
is for you to attack each other.
And, of course,
don't do it as much with my candidate.
Your Excellency,
a presidential campaign is costly.
You've forgotten what I gave you
when you joined the coalition.
Hmm?
Let me remind you.
You have 18% of the sugar refinery
that we recovered in La Romana.
Furthermore, your brother was appointed
ambassador to Brazil.
In that notebook over there,
I've written down
all of your brother's businesses.
Are you telling me, and I know everything,
that you don't have any shares?
Hmm?
Aren't you sprinkled with his bath water?
Okay.
Now you all know
what you're being asked to do.
This is not the time
for pettiness or selfishness.
I order my brother, José,
before all of you
to have the government media
give you spots.
So, you can have reporting,
photos, interviews.
You'll know what to say.
- Understood?
- Understood.
I adjourn the meeting.
You may leave.
Be assured that during the next mandate
your efforts will be rewarded.
Hmm?
Listen,
even though they lost their venom
a long time ago,
all of these assholes are still snakes.
-Watch out. Be careful with them.
-I understand.
-No. Either way, I'll be there, eh?
-No prob--
A horse is healthier
when fed by its master.
Are you coming with me
to the highway event?
If my wife came right now,
she'd scratch my eyes out.
She's jealous.
Mr. Mirabal, you know
that if you feel extra pain or dizziness,
stop right away and let us know, okay?
Yes, ma'am.
- I'll be right back, Mr. Mirabal.
- Thanks.
-Mr. Enrique.
-Yes.
We'll continue your exercises
in another rehabilitation room, okay?
Okay.
Wait. Where are you taking me?
- It's all right. Don't worry.
- Where are we going?
I have the right to know
where you're taking me.
- Everything will be fine.
- Where are we going?
Don't worry.
Here.
Did you see what I made?
You have to eat something.
It was all a lie.
I'm nothing more than a clown.
Like you, like Tommy.
We're just here to entertain them.
-What do you mean?
-You know what I mean.
I've been a miserable coward.
I've had so many opportunities
to be honest, but wasn't.
I licked up crumbs, like a dog.
I disgust myself.
Julio, you're being very hard on yourself.
You couldn't do anything else.
No, no. I'm damned.
I realized it in the worst way,
and too late.
But you still have time, Arantxa.
The truth is much worse
than we want to admit,
much more frightening.
No matter how much
we're blinded by the lights.
I hope you're not preaching at me.
-No, to the contrary.
-I'm not stupid.
I'm telling you not to believe
that you hold any power over Trujillo.
Here, we're all useful, or we disappear.
He's the only one who stays.
I understand that you don't want to eat.
I've lost my appetite too.
It's very dangerous
for us to stay in this house.
Dangerous for me and for you.
Excuse me, doctor.
My husband was in the rehabilitation room.
Do you know anything?
I don't know. I'm a surgeon.
Excuse me, I'm in a hurry.
Ask the receptionist
or the attending doctor.
Thank you very much.
- Good morning, miss.
- Good morning.
My husband, Enrique Mirabal,
was in the rehabilitation room,
but he still hasn't returned.
-He should have finished an hour ago.
-That's impossible.
I've been waiting over there for a while.
-I would've seen him go by.
-Calm down.
Don't tell me to calm down, please.
-I'll check.
-Good.
Yes, María Luisa from reception.
I'm looking for a patient:
Enrique Mirabal.
You cry for every movie.
Who says I was crying? When?
Well, several times.
When they get married before being hanged,
-when the brother dies, or--
-Are you spying on me, Leandro?
I wasn't spying on you.
But you seemed possessed.
I couldn't help but glance at you.
That doesn't happen to me with every movie
but when it comes to Hepburn and Bogart,
I'm absolutely in love.
They hypnotize me.
I love that you like movies so much,
so I can take you every weekend.
If we were in the capital,
like my sister Minerva,
we could go every day.
We only get a few here, old and scratched,
but there I could see them all
as soon as they come out.
Well…
Oh, dear. Mom's going to kill me.
No, please,
I want you to go out with me again.
Today has been perfect.
We watched a very good movie,
and we've talked about everything.
-No, not everything.
-What's left for us to talk about?
About the country's politics.
You want us to talk about politics?
What do you think of Trujillo?
If you tell me that, I'll be satisfied.
-What do you think of him?
-No, you tell me.
Be brave and don't lie.
I think he's the cancer of this country.
- Our Father, who art in heaven.
- Free us from the dictator.
He's the devil on earth,
and he'll fuck us again.
So he won't get away with it.
To defeat him,
we need to beat him at his own game.
I know what I'm talking about.
The Goat is always one step ahead.
- Minerva, good to see you.
- Hi, Raúl.
Living on dreams: "Out, Goat,
the Dominican Republic will be free."
- Yes, it gets us fired up, but later--
- Manolo.
Hi. We were waiting for you, Pierre.
We were talking some more
about the same thing.
I was saying that the devil
has played a very smart move.
I brought a new comrade.
I suppose we've all heard of her.
- Minerva Mirabal.
- Minerva.
- Welcome, comrade.
- We've heard of her.
Welcome, Minerva. Manolo Tavares.
Sorry for the questions
when I've just arrived, Manolo,
but I understand
what you're saying very well.
Why are you so quick to say
that the Goat has gotten away with it?
He did it in '38 with Jacinto Peynado,
and it worked well.
Or are you telling me
that Peynado ruled for those four years?
It's true, but it's hard to take this
as a new defeat.
We need to continue with our plan.
Comrades, let's admit it.
Our plan is useless now.
Why not?
All of our militancy
focused on preventing him
from changing
the Constitution to ensure his reelection.
Now he announces that he's retiring
and sets this little farce in motion
involving free and democratic elections,
in which his good-for-nothing brother
competes against three or four thugs
who pretend to be the opposition.
- There'll be full-fledged fraud.
- Of course.
We need to convince the entire country
and the international community
that there will be fraud here.
There'll be fraud.
Let's see if you understand me,
comrades.
I don't want to dissent,
but we need to be pragmatic.
Wishes will not defeat him.
Who can tell me how we convince
millions of people
who love him
just because he's a good merengue dancer?
They're unbelievable.
Where do we report fraud
when for the past 20 years
not one newspaper is left
that's not government-run?
If the Goat wanted
to change the Constitution,
we could strike in front of Congress
or the embassies.
But announce that fraud is coming?
Honestly, I don't think--
It can be reported.
- We need to blow them fuckers up.
- That's what we must do.
Damn the consequences, even if it hurts.
- Yes, sir, that's right.
- Excuse me, comrades.
Uh, I know it's my first time here,
and I don't wish to impose my views,
but I understand Manolo's feeling.
What is fraud?
Changing the votes at the ballot boxes?
The Goat won't even get his hands dirty
with that.
- It's true.
- We have an electoral system
in which the National Congress
ratifies the new president,
a congress
with not a single opposition party.
- That's right.
- What will we do?
Report it abroad?
We all know how that goes.
The OAS will send some observers.
What will they say
when the Black Trujillo wins?
Only whatever the United States of America
wants them to.
Damn Yanks.
They'll say that they were
exemplary and democratic elections.
We live in a world of hypocrisy,
governed by sons of bitches.
- Won't we do something about it?
- Yes.
You're right, miss,
you're absolutely right.
What's that look for?
Didn't I do a good job?
To the contrary.
You were stupendous.
- Well, I didn't feel like it.
- Yes, I noticed.
You're going to act like nothing's wrong?
Nothing to say about Tomás's absence?
Aren't you going to say anything
about Julio César's absence?
I don't know what you mean.
We both know he went with you,
and I'm not going to ask where.
But I'm warning you:
you're both in grave danger.
According to Petán,
Tomás and Julio César are happy
drinking coconut milk
on a beach in Puerto Rico.
Homosexuality…
in this country carries the death penalty.
No one will lift a finger to help him.
Only us.
I have a way to get him out of here.
Be prudent, Sister.
It's impossible that--
-Daughter.
-Hello, Sister. Good evening.
You've been getting calls all day
from home.
Ah.
Uh, here's a coin for the call. Thanks.
A pleasure.
Sister, come with me.
Hi, Mom. Bless you.
They said you'd called.
Did something happen?
What?
My beloved Dominican people,
today, October 8th,
we celebrate 15 years
of our country's victory
against the Haitian invasion.
I want to congratulate
and remember our heroes
who defended the fatherland with bravery,
with courage, risking their lives
on behalf of the people,
so that this republic
would be free and respected.
But we should not simply rest
on past glories,
believing that our peace
is eternally assured.
A new threat looms on the horizon,
the threat of communism
that viciously tries to raze
the foundations of our society.
But I want you to know
that this government
and especially I,
General Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina,
will strive to ensure that its venom
does not spread through our people,
by cutting off the hydra at its root.
- What time did he say he'd call?
- How many times will you ask that?
-You're making me more nervous.
-We're all nervous, Jaime.
-Why don't you call him?
-I don't know him.
I don't have his number.
Please, I'm asking you, Dedé.
He's late, I don't know,
maybe because of work or something.
Listen.
Hello.
- I'll put him on.
- There, see?
Hello.
Yes, speaking. Go ahead.
- You know him?
- Not exactly.
He's a friend from school,
he works in the government.
He's a contact,
he gets results in these cases.
Wait a second. One second.
A pencil, María Teresa.
Yes, okay. One moment.
Can you repeat that?
Mmm.
Perfect. Thank you very much.
See you soon.
Well?
I think this guy can help us.
- Really?
- Yes. He sounded very convincing.
-What did he say?
-He's in the capital.
I've scheduled a meeting for tomorrow.
That's where.
- I know where that is.
- Minerva's there.
I can go with Patria.
Ah, no, Dedé.
If you go, who'll watch the shop?
-That's true.
-No, stay. I'll go alone.
Patria, I don't want you going alone.
What choice do we have?
I can go tomorrow on the first bus.
Look, let's tell Minerva
so she can meet me at the terminal.
Then we'll meet this guy together.
- What can I say?
- Yes.
Okay, Mom?
Okay.
Okay.
-Thank you very much.
-You're very pretty.
- Eh? Such a beauty.
- Thank you very much.
Go ahead.
What a great speech, General.
I spoke nothing but the truth.
Have you met my brothers?
José, Héctor, my son.
A pleasure.
I imagine that the talent for politics
runs in your blood.
As you say.
Ambassador, I think we should
use this opportunity
and save you a trip to the palace.
We need the Dominican people
to be aware of everything as it happens.
What do you have in mind?
Television.
And how can I help?
José, my brother,
as the Minister of Communications,
is responsible for negotiating
with various companies,
but for us,
the American brands get first choice
when it's time to choose.
I'll see what I can do to help you.
This is a delicate situation.
President Truman is very worried
about political stability
in the Caribbean islands.
Mm-hmm.
Can you leave us, please?
José?
Hey.
Go on.
- No. After you.
- Thanks.
Thank you very much.
Okay.
In Cuba,
the pockets of resistance are growing,
and the Batista government
can't control them.
There's a real fear that these activities
could spread to the Dominican Republic.
No.
Thank God, this isn't Cuba.
And you can see that with your own eyes.
Presidential transitions,
like the one about to take place,
are always a…
How can I say it?
An enigma.
No, no, no. But our relations
with the United States are untouchable.
My brother's succession as president
will only strengthen our commitment.
So we come back to the beginning.
These communist, leftist revolutionaries,
with their lies,
have a very dangerous ideology
and manage to reach
the minds of the people.
To counteract this harmful way of thinking
and support the people,
we need to bring Dominicans happiness,
peace, trust in their country
and in our allies.
Believe me, Ambassador,
we really need television.
Let me see what I can do to help.
Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Hmm.
Good morning.
Good morning, honey.
Vasco, can you serve the girl a coffee?
Make sure it's strong.
- Do you want to eat anything?
- No, just coffee.
How are you?
Last night I hardly slept.
I'm not surprised. I didn't either.
How can those sons of bitches
be such assholes?
They crossed a line with Mr. Enrique.
Thanks.
I didn't tell you this over the phone.
My sisters have a contact.
They have to meet some Morales guy.
He says he knows where Dad is.
-Whose contact is he?
-Jaime's.
They don't know him, but he seems
to be well connected in the government.
Someone from the government?
It could be a trap, Minerva.
Will you go?
Well, I can't let Patria go alone
to meet a stranger,
much less for something like this.
It seems a little risky.
I'm afraid it could make things worse.
Minerva, he's your father.
And we're in a situation of life or death.
This is destroying him.
Him, you, your sisters, your family.
Even his friends,
those of us who love him.
We've reached the point
where we have to drop
our ideological ideals
and find a quick solution.
I'm listening to myself
and can't believe I'm saying this.
But this scum is making this
longer and more painful on purpose.
When will this all end?
Every single night I go to bed
and think about the Goat's death,
about dedicating myself more and more
to growing our numbers
and burning the island down.
Let it burn if need be.
- I'm going to the bus stop.
- No, no, please. Let me.
One last thing, Minerva.
The other day, I saw you talking
with a kid, a student. Pierre.
- Do you know him?
- I know a few from that group.
I'm asking you one thing.
Pay attention and be very careful, please.
-You be careful, too.
-Look, I'll be careful if you are.
Keep me informed.
Ah, Minerva.
I don't like this place at all.
I don't think it's safe
for us to meet him here.
We don't have any other choice, Patria.
If he wants to meet close to the hospital,
that's a good sign, right?
That must mean
that Dad is a patient there.
How are we going to know
who this Morales guy is?
I don't know.
Julio.
Gretchen.
Yes, sir.
I'll bring it right away.
- The Mirabal sisters?
- Yes. Mr. Morales?
In the flesh.
I'm sorry I won't shake your hand.
This place is full of germs.
I can't say much right now,
but we need to act quickly.
-We want to see our father.
-It's not that simple.
They told us that you can help.
That you have contacts.
This place is not safe.
There are ears everywhere.
And your father's case
is a very critical matter.
It's not just about health.
The "Kid" has taken
homosexuals, Blacks,
Jews off the island for a long time.
If anyone can help you escape, it's him.
- How do we do it? Are we leaving now?
- Not now.
First you'll stay in a safe place
until I finish organizing the trip.
Don't worry.
I'll help you with everything you need.
And where will you take him?
First, we'll go to Haiti by sea.
From there, a plane to Mexico.
There's no other option, right?
The more time we lose,
the more dangerous it gets.
Everything will be fine.
You'll see.
Thanks.
Please, be very careful.
You too.
Aitor?
Hi. Hi.
Yes, it's Arantxa, Asier's daughter.
No, no. No, no. Don't tell him anything.
I just want to know how he is.
I worked in intelligence for 15 years.
When I retired,
I wanted to leave it behind, but…
you know,
you can't completely retire from this.
So, I know what to say
and what not to say.
I have some agent friends
who were on my team
and with whom I've kept in touch.
So, I help wherever I can.
What have you heard?
Well, Enrique is in a very delicate state
because of…
his condition.
Of course, this is nothing new,
but we have to get him out of there
as soon as possible.
Many officials are involved in this case,
and it will be hard to release him.
And even harder
from a military hospital like this one.
I've spoken to my people,
and they say that your dad is a good man,
that he shouldn't be here.
So, can you help us or not, Mr. Morales?
Well, by moving a few pieces,
making a few calls, I think so.
So, what do we have to do?
There are many doctors, many officials,
many staff members involved
in an activity like this,
but at the end of the day,
they all want the same thing: money.
How much are we talking about?
Two thousand dollars.
-But that's a small fortune.
-It's a lot of risk.
We can raise the money.
Yes, but it's crazy.
What happens if we raise the money,
but they won't release Dad?
Well, I only use the money
when everything is a go.
If the money's there, your dad gets out.
Now, if it's because you don't trust me,
you're free to walk out of here.
-No, no. That's not it.
-Well, no--
Let us discuss it
with the rest of the family.
How much time do we have to get the money?
Well, everything depends
on your father's health.
If you ask me,
we should do it in the next 72 hours.
That's very little time.
Minerva, please,
don't make a scene here. I beg you.
Let me discuss it with Mom, okay?
I understand how you feel.
Okay. Make your decision and call me.
I'm just here to serve.
Now, let me say one thing.
I can open the hospital doors,
but I can't keep him alive.