01x04 - Salamandra

[bunniefuu]

The Berlangas were our neighbors
in Somosaguas.

Come on, come on.

Jose Luis, the older brother,

went to
the French Lyceum with me

and was my adventure partner.

He keeps everything here.

Hey, are you sure
your dad isn't coming?

Don't be silly.

When he's sh**ting a movie,
my dad spends the day outside.

Is this his office?

It's his hideout.
He doesn't let anyone in.

Here's the good stuff!

UNCENSORED

PLACID

"When I opened my hand,

the member immediately
disappeared to the bottom."

Dad's treasure.

The memoirs of an opera singer

who slept with half of Europe
in the 19th century.

Come on. Stop reading.
Grab one of these.

Dad doesn't like us
touching his things.

Damn, Carlitos.
You scared me! Get out of here.

-If Dad finds out, you're dead.
-You wouldn't tell him, rat.

-Reme is calling you to eat.
-Come on.

Okay, thanks.
Can we have five minutes?

Tell me honestly.

Honestly, I wrote the song,
and I don't recognize it.

Well, the previous version was
even worse.

We had to change
some of the lyrics.

Well, Miguel,
we've all composed songs,

Auseron, Borsani,
the Canos, all of them,

to, I don't know,
give the album a different vibe.

But, hey,
your company wants "Linda"

and makes some really
cute arrangements.

The album doesn't sound
like one thing or the other.

Leave it for today, Miguel.
Let's get some beers.

I want to have a good party
before I join the military.

Less thinking and more sinning,
get a little dirty.

With Kaka de Luxe?

With Dinarama, the one before.

The best group in Spain.

I'll leave you now.

-Take care of yourself.
-Bye.

NEW YORK / 1983

INTERVIEW

NEW

SALE

Hello, Miguel.

-How are you, Rosario?
-Very well.

You're slimmer every day.

Can't say the same about you.

Yes, you're getting fat.

But it's just that he assaults
the pantry behind my back

as if he were a child.

She has me on a hospital diet.

Of course.
So you don't end up in one.

That's what I tell him,
but he doesn't pay attention.

Well, come on,
stop the crossfire now

and let's go for a walk
before sunset.

You go. I'll stay here.

Leave the bag.
I'll take it to your room.

-Thank you.
-See you later.

Later.

She's saving your life.
You know it, don't you?

You're so annoying!
I'm better than ever.

Come on, let's go!

-How are you?
-Very well. And you?

Miguel. Miguelera.

Too bad
I didn't bring the shotgun.

It hasn't smelled us.

We have the wind ahead.

"Miguelera."

That's
what Grandpa called you, right?

Especially when I made
a mistake...

which was all the time.

Did you tell your mother
you were coming to see me?

What do you think?

I told her
I was going to Majorca

with some friends.

You don't know how things
have been with Rosario.

You could also give me
a hand, right?

No. It wouldn't help.

Forget about an annulment,
maestro.

Mom will never give it to you.

You know very well
Luis Miguel's will

to marry Rosario.

We're divorced, Father.

He can marry whomever he wants.

I mean, a religious marriage.

I already told the bullfighter
that it was out of question.

We have three children.
I'm not crazy.

I'm fully capable
of functioning mentally.

There's no reason
for an ecclesiastical annulment.

My daughter, he prays every day
to soften your heart.

Pray? The bullfighter never
believed in God.

He didn't even hide that
in front of Franco.

Well, now he's very devout.

It must be
Rosario's good influence.

Hey.

She's an exemplary Catholic.

I'm sorry
I wasn't good enough, Father,

but he was the one

that slept with all my friends
and all my enemies,

without hiding it, for years.

Then it was hell when I wanted
to get the divorce.

You must be very brave
to ask for favors,

considering his situation.

We're all going
straight to hell. Right, Father?

Look, look.

Here.

Rationed.

A glass of wine at noon

and a finger of whiskey
at night, if I was good.

-It's a vasodilator.
-Yeah.

The pink suit, it was designed
by Picasso, right?

No way. I did that.

Now you can see that creativity

not only comes
from your mother, man.

I'm going to sleep.

I'm very tired. I want to go
to mass early tomorrow.

Good night.

You can't be fixed.

Look, I was almost 50 years old.

Fighting with kids, I was.

I needed to be agile,

light and handsome.

It drew a lot of attention.

In the end, what matters is
that they notice you.

And that guy, Don Marcelino.

Do you know what he called me?

The Pink Panther.

-What about him?
-Don Marcelino?

He's with his cigars, his books,
his bulls... He's fine.

And that? Hey, I warn you,

if you're thinking of changing
your profession,

bullfighters' pigtails
are false.

No, I'm actually thinking
of cutting it off.

I'm considering
a change of plans.

Are you going to give up music?

It's just that this last album--

I've brought together
the best musicians I know,

those who are breaking
all the records.

It was supposed
to be something different.

-And it's been a failure.
-No.

If you're going
to feel sorry for yourself,

better go to your mother

or someone who gets it
the hell out of you.

But don't come here to cry.
The bull caught you? Very well.

You get up, sew up the wound,
and go out again.

I can't go back to ballads
with a catchy chorus.

That's over.

And now what do you want to be?
Carlitos Berlanga?

Or those young girls
that come out on TV

screaming they want
to be b*mbos?

-Come on, Miguel!
-At least, they make good music.

They're free to do
whatever they want.

No, no, no.

Freedom is something else.
Imitation isn't worth it.

When have you wanted
to be like others,

to look like others?
Miguel, please.

Look, what you have to do
is listen to your instinct...

and go for it!

Come on.

Use a glass.

You never sleep, Tata?

-Nice tan.
-The climate was great.

At Majorca, right?

Don't lie to me.
I'm not your mother.

Are you hungry, son?
I made chocolate cake.

He can't fool his mother either.

How's Rosario doing?
As dry as ever?

-What do you mean?
-Really?

You reek of the countryside.

You weren't in Majorca.

Rosario's fine,
she's taking care of Dad.

Hey, the library mess,
how much is it going to cost?

You say it as if it were
my fault that the roof fell.

No, it's not that.

But ask for more than one quote
and send it to me.

I'm going back to bed.
Good night.

-Good night.
-Sleep well, ma'am.

Where'd you find it?
I thought I'd lost it.

On the porch.

Did you read it?

No.

I like the story.

What story?

"'Don't lie to me,'
she told him.

The crescent moon shone
on his knife.

Jealousy

in his brave eyes,

he knew it was time...

supreme luck, the spell,

and the poison of tears."

It looks like a story.

A poetic story.

They're notes for song lyrics.

The blood, the passion
and the pain.

They look good in books
and in songs.

In life, not so much.

Andy Warhol has sent
a very detailed breakdown

of all of your expenses.

Videotapes,
Pantone codes for the paints

used in all of the artwork,
and hot dogs.

You have to understand
that this record company

is not going to pay
for any more extravagances.

This isn't Hispavox.

That music's great for the movie

of the boy who dresses
as a woman.

Almodovar.

But that's not
how you get to America.

You go through the jukebox.

Well, here you have
a selection of songs

that we've tailor-made for you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Molina,

but I'm working on my own songs.

Don't worry,
it won't cost you any extra.

You can be sure of that.

Wait.

Let me do it.

Okay.

In case it wasn't clear to you,
that was an ultimatum.

I understand.

You have never composed
any music.

Now you're closer
to your 30s than your 20s.

Thanks for reminding me
that time passes

and for trusting my talent.

You're a great manager.

I was going to listen
to the bullfighter

and trust my instinct.

It's a Lorca drama.

There's jealousy,
despair, death.

The light of the moon flooding
the cobbled streets,

a few furtive steps,
and a mystery.

MILAN / 1984

The darkness of Depeche Mode...

with the exotics of Bowie.

At the end,
we can make a modulation.

I mean, more personal, I think.

Stop! Stop! Stop!

-Stop.
-What?

The voice doesn't sound
like it's supposed to.

The voice, precisely.

I don't know what else to try.

I've hardly slept,

have not stopped smoking,
my throat is closed.

Miguel!

What happened?

-Are you sure?
-Of course!

Of course! Let's record it now.

Let's record it now!

This long play is an aberration.

Forget about
any promotional campaign.

Okay.

Tell Mr. Bose
that he's on his own.

NEW

I was alone.

But with an album
that reflected who I was,

how I felt.

I packed my bags
and went to America

to promote "Bandido"
at my own risk,

from one radio station
to another,

with the album under my arm.

Mature, confident
and indispensable, huh?

The album is awesome.

It's completely different.

Listen carefully
and without prejudice

as if it were the first time.

Is that a skirt?

It's his "Pink Panther."

Number one in America
and in Spain.

I had reached the top alone.

The danger of being
at the top is plummeting.

And I did
until I hit rock bottom.

MADRID
FIVE YEARS LATER

Don't worry, Fernando,

your champion will come back
without a problem.

It doesn't seem
that clear to me.

He's not at 100%.

-Come on!
-Put your hands up! Do it!

Come on!

One, two, three...

Come on!

Two!

-Three! Four!
-Come on! Come on!

-Five! Six! Seven!
-Come on! Come on!

Eight! Nine!

Out!

Come on!

What did I tell you?

I told you to hurt him
with the hook, didn't I?

-Man...
-Sit down.

If he did it three times,
he threw me--

What happened?

What'd I tell you?

Did I defeat him or not?
Yes or no?

Let me go. You'll break my back.

-Hey, where's Fernando?
-He...

He's gone. He's pissed.

Since my opponent was beating me
in the second round,

he kept blabbing
that I'm at the weight limit.

I'm going to rest, he said.

Never. We're going
to burn Madrid down today.

The Salamander's prepared
a big party.

She's prepared
a big party for us!

Hi, handsome.

Hi, Helga.

Here.

Nah. Whenever you want,
handsome.

Do you know
that you look like your dad?

Hadn't I told you that I met him
in Bogota in the late '50s?

My father has met many women.

It has nothing to do with that.
I was a kid.

It was the first time
I went to see the bulls.

Helga.

Hey!

Why a salamander?

Because they resist fire.

And if you touch them,
all your hair falls out.

Well, don't come near me, then.

I had left Somosaguas

after the umpteenth fight
with my mother.

I lived at night
and slept during the day.

Tata was my only contact
with reality.

Hello?

Miguel?

Tata, don't open that.

Oh, this life you lead...

It's 4 p.m.
and you're still in bed?

Come on.

-I'm taking a shower.
-That's it. A shower.

Miguel, listen. Your mother--

Okay, my mother.

How much does she need?

She misses you.

Well, I don't.
I'm sick of her bad temper.

-Look who's talking.
-Well, look, that's why.

I need some time away
from that house.

A house that, by the way,

I continue paying for
as if I lived in it.

Fine.

The movie she made isn't enough
to cover anything.

Tata, what day is it?

-Wednesday.
-What day of the month?

You don't know
what day you live in either?

Well, the 4th.

October 4th, right?

God, Miguel.

Why don't you come home
for dinner tonight?

I have plans.

How is he?

He looks sad.

What'd he say?

-This won't last long.
-Call him.

-He doesn't want to talk to me.
-Well, insist until he wants to.

Push it, push it,
push it a little more.

Oh, boy.

When I tell my kids tomorrow
that I drove you,

they won't believe me.

What a curious couple you make,

you look like Quixote
and Sancho.

And who is Sancho?
Are you calling me fat, dumbass?

No, man. Of course not.

I'm nobody's squire.
Let that be clear.

Of course not,
you're the damn champion!

Listen! I'm the damn champion!

Damn champion.

I'm the damn champion!

I'm the damn champion!

God!

THE SUN

Man...

Call me, I need to talk to you.

Hey, it's me, Rosa.

Fernando's promoter called

because of Richi's fight
tonight.

Remember, you have
the same seat reserved

as last month.

Show some signs of life.
Kisses. Bye.

Last month?

THE WALL BAR

Hi. What's up?

How are you?

Okay.

Hey, would you give me
an autograph?

Leave us alone, man.
We're comfortable here.

Relax. Do you have a pen?

Girl! Do you have something
to write down?

Didn't you hear?
Don't bother us!

-Am I bothering you?
-I told you to leave.

-Are you dumb or what?
-Richi.

Get lost.
I don't want to hit you.

But you're a damn dwarf!

Did I warn you or not?

Well, well, well. Someone's
becoming fond of coming here.

My father used to tell us

that in life you have
to push forward and up.

That the past is
no longer there.

Because by being unrepeatable,
it shouldn't count.

You have to look ahead and up.

I wish I could have asked
my grandfather,

the first Dominguin,

what that meant exactly.

But he died
when I was 2 years old.

Hello?

Hello, Rosario.
It's-- It's Miguel.

-Hi. How are you?
-Fine, fine.

You haven't come to see us
in a long time.

Yes. Well, I've been busy.

Yes. Of course.

Hey, is my father around?

Yes, yes. Hold on,
I'll pass you to him. Kisses.

Kisses.

Man, I'm glad to hear you.

How are you, Dad?

Here, the boss is
keeping me dry.

But I'm good.
Very comfortable by the fire.

Hey, you haven't come
to Madrid lately, right?

We haven't been there
for months, why?

No. Nothing.

What's going on, Miguel?

Nothing.

-I had a dream about you.
-I hope you dreamt I was dying.

Don't joke about that.

Your grandmother used to say
that it would prolong your life.

Are you sure you're okay?

I'm better than being cradled
in someone's arms.

The boss takes great care of me.

How's the weather at The Virgin?

Here, it's raining a lot.

It's rained here all week,
but it seems to be better now.

-The mare has given birth.
-The dapple-gray?

What dapple-gray?

It's whiter than milk.

It must have been dirty
when you saw it.

Hey, Miguel, is everything okay?

Yes, everything's fine, Dad.

I just wanted
to hear your voice.

-I'm going to visit soon, okay?
-Whenever you want.

You know that you're always
welcome here.

And you can see
the new filly, huh?

-Kisses.
- Come on.

-Hello?
-Miguel?

Call the builder.
We're going to drown.

Should we call the builder?

The last time we fixed the roof,
it cost us a fortune.

Call him, Reme! Call him!

I'll call.

Carlitos?

Carlitos?

What are you doing here?

Nothing. I just saw a friend.

Come on.

He gave me a copy of the book
that I liked so much,

the one by the German singer.

And I can say that I learned
how to have sex,

thanks to your father.

It's true.

Well, what can I say?
Thanks, Dad.

-To your dad.
-Cheers.

I win.

Hey, and how about the group?

Well, the group is over.

-What are you saying?
-Yes.

Everything comes to an end,
doesn't it?

I don't know. I...

Don't know.

I would like
to recover the illusion

of discovering things,
like those first times.

Do you have any heroin
to compensate?

Was that what you were going
to get at the Polygon?

-Watch out, Carlos.
-I know.

Cat food!

He's trying
to get your attention.

You don't care
if the child is feeding on--

He's not a child, Reme!
He's not a child.

Don't treat him like one.
Let him eat whatever he wants.

Stop filling his fridge
and cleaning up his mess.

You haven't seen
how he lives in that apartment.

Because if you had,
you'd yank him out of there.

Get used to it, Reme.

Because I don't know...

where we're going
to live next month.

What are you saying?

I went to the bank
to ask for a loan

to fix the roof.

I was denied.

I didn't want to tell you,

but the sooner you know,
the better, right?

There's no money left
in the accounts.

But that can't be.
Miguel has won--

Millions.

But he hasn't done anything
for more than two years,

no records, no concerts,

and he's been spending
out of control.

I've checked everything.

This house has taken
all the savings,

jewelry, paintings.

Nothing is enough.

No, no, ma'am.
Ma'am, calm down.

-Fernando?
-Is he here?

-Who?
-Richi.

No.

I haven't seen him
for a few days.

He must be training.
He has a fight soon, right?

He's missing.

He hasn't shown up
for training in four days.

-Come in. Please.
-You don't care about this.

You wallow in misery,
then return to have dinner

at your mother's house
in Somosaguas.

You're a tourist
on the wild side of life.

This boy has nothing.

If he loses his form,
he loses the sponsorships.

And if he loses
the sponsorships,

his life goes to hell again.

If you see him,
tell him he has two days. Two.

Helga!

Where's Richi?

I don't know. Over there.

Could you be
a little more specific?

No. A lot of people ask me
about you

and I don't tell them
where you are.

It's a myth, you know?

What?

Salamanders aren't
resistant to fire.

You can't live forever

in the kingdom
of the salamander.

One morning, I woke up
and decided that touring

the wild side of life
was over for me.

After many nights,

the sun came out again.

You look awful.

I love you too.

I hope you haven't called me
to help you pack all this up.

Well, no.

I called you

because I want you to tell
everyone that we're back.

Back? Where?

On the road.

I want a tour. A long one.
And as soon as possible.

A tour can't be improvised.
It's going to take a long time.

But you're the best, right?

That's why I asked you
to come back with me.

If anyone can organize it fast,
it's you.

Oh, Miguel.

I thought you weren't going
to get up from this.

I'm the son of a bullfighter.

We sew up our wounds
and get back to the ring.

Hello, Tosca.

Son.

Hello, Tata. How are you?

Welcome home.

-Let me take it to your room.
-Thank you.

Coming back?

Not for long.

I'm going to have
to sell the house--

I've come from the bank.

They're going
to grant you the loan.

But you don't have--

I just signed
for a very long tour.

It's fixed.

I'd already made up my mind.

You wouldn't be so calm.

You love this house more
than anything in the world.

-More than me.
-You know that's not true.

You know that I will always
take care of you,

no matter what.

Do you think
the bullfighter loves you more?

You have fallen
into his trap too.

What trap?

He hunted you down,
and now you want to be like him.

Twenty-four hours
of partying with friends.

You disappear for months,
and then you come back

and expect me to pretend
like nothing happened.

Mom, I've come in peace.

And I know you're happy.

It's not easy being your son.

Have you ever thought
about that?

I'm doing the best I can.

Me too.

I do the best I can.