Every year that passed without my grandmother,
I secretly held on to the hope that she would come to visit me.
But when I turned 18,
I felt it was time to finally leave my childhood behind for good,
along with its ghosts.
My mom had grown accustomed to living with the limitations of a married woman,
even though she had no husband.
She was still meant to have one true love.
But the weight of all her fears overshadowed her desire for freedom.
Alba!
- Alba! - I'm here, Mom.
- Happy birthday, my love. - Thank you.
I wanted to give you this before you left.
It belonged to Grandma.
It's been 12 years.
This way, you'll always take her with you.
- Here. - Thanks.
She'd also be very proud of you.
The first woman in the family to go to university.
Hey, birthday girl.
Some basic reading material for a philosophy student.
Thanks, Uncle. What is it?
I'm sure you're going to love them.
My uncle Jaime decided to stick around in the big house on the corner for us.
He continued working at the public hospital,
and his relationship with his father never recovered.
- Only if it's with you. - Don't be mean to your mom.
- Alba, happy birthday, princess. - Thank you, Grandpa.
Sir.
- See you later, Javier. - Have a good day, young man.
Still angry with Uncle?
That boy changed his family name. Technically, he's not my son.
- But I use your family name. - It's not funny.
You have a French last name that you should use.
- That nobody knows how to spell. - All right, all right.
- Get in. It's late. - Don't worry. I want to go by myself.
It's not a problem for me.
Those friends of yours are putting strange ideas into your head.
Be careful. That university is a breeding ground for leftists.
I'm showing communist symptoms. Stay away. It's contagious.
Okay.
- Take care. - I will, Grandpa.
- Be careful! - Yes!
At the university, politics were inescapable.
Most students stood with the working class,
especially that year during the presidential elections,
when, for the first time, people felt hopeful.
And I wanted to be a part of that change.
WEST CAMPUS NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Miss, today you don't have class.
Whoever doesn't want to stay for the protest can get out.
I'd like to stay.
Do you know why we're taking over the university?
We need people who are committed to the cause.
Yes, I know why we're doing this.
- So? - I'm staying, comrade.
DOWN WITH SEDITION, UP WITH THE REVOLUTION!
There's no change without struggle, comrades.
Nor is there justice without solidarity.
We students cannot stand idly by.
The violence of the system must be met with the violence of the revolution.
This is our moment, comrades.
WE STUDENTS SAY ENOUGH!!
The right will hinder this country's progress.
If you heard what Senator Trueba said yesterday,
you know what I mean.
Old geezers like him burden our country with policies--
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to interrupt your eloquent speech.
I'm glad you found it eloquent.
However, I don't agree with some of your ideas.
With violence, we all lose.
Everyone has a role to play.
The police will cut off the power in a few hours,
so we must be prepared.
Hey.
Miguel Espinoza.
Nice to meet you, Miguel Espinoza.
Aren't you going to tell me your name?
Are you always this surly?
Alba...
de Satigny.
I think that was the only time I ever used the last name
they gave me at the civil registry.
What is someone like you doing here, with the plebs and the proletariat?
Studying law isn't so proletarian either.
How did you know?
It's not hard to guess.
I haven't seen you here before.
Are you a first-year student?
Philosophy. How about you?
Fourth year. Are you staying for the protest?
- Hey, Miguel! - Yes?
- Come to the entrance. We need you there. - Coming.
I hope you stay,
Alba de Satigny.
We are more We are more
We are more
THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY STANDS WITH THE WORKERS
Miguel quickly became the soul of the protest.
He was a born leader. He had an unstoppable passion.
He sought justice, and that captivated me.
The power of the people
Justice for the people Work, love, and bread
We can feel it The power of the people
Those were unforgettable days.
Singing Pedro García's anthems, filling our heads with heroism.
But it didn't last long.
We won't open the gate. No, sir.
We the workers want justice!
Justice!
Okay, kids, you'd better clear out peacefully.
We're not going anywhere.
You cut off the water and the power supply.
We demand that the government listen to us and take action right now.
If you don't come out, we'll go in and remove you.
The dean himself is asking us to intervene.
You can't set foot in this university.
What a surprise. Look who's here.
I had managed to block that man out of my memory.
Until that moment.
Does Senator Trueba know his granddaughter is here?
Esteban García was the beast of a recurring nightmare,
lurking in the shadows, ready to jump on me at any moment.
I didn't know this was a premonition.
THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS
We can feel it The power of the people
Justice for the people Work, love, and bread
Love, bread, and life
Work and justice
Love, bread, and life
Work and justice
Love, bread, and life...
What a lovely surprise.
Work...
To what do I owe this surprise?
You have a few fans down there.
They're still there?
Have they been there long?
One of them called me "ma'am."
It's not funny.
What's wrong? Are you all right?
Today...
I haven't stopped thinking about Alba.
She's a grown-up now.
It's time for us to live together in the same house, like a regular family.
Like real, ordinary people.
Don't start with that again, please.
Acevedo is going to win the election and I'll work with him in the government.
- You? A minister? I don't see it. - I mean it.
But this time, he'll win. I'm sure of it. And I've made up my mind.
I'm being serious.
We've already talked about this.
I don't want to keep hiding from your dad.
I don't want to talk about my dad.
I want Alba to know she's my daughter.
We were doing so well. Why did you bring this up?
If you don't tell her the truth, we're done.
Stop with the threats. You always end up regretting it.
Please.
Tell her the truth. Just do it.
I can't.
Why? What are you so afraid of?
We'll talk later, once you get over this.
I won't get over it.
Pedro.
Mom?
Mom! Come.
What's wrong, sis? Don't you want to vote?
Maybe you don't want me to vote.
Once, when your grandpa was running for office,
he gave me a pre-marked ballot.
And his stubborn son threw it away and voted for the left.
- Did I tell you that story? - Many times.
Well...
You can't choose your dad, but you can choose your president.
And when you don't have a dad?
Then you're stuck with your grumpy grandad and your uncle.
And your mother.
I'm not voting for the conservatives.
Another vote for Acevedo.
I just said I wasn't voting for the conservatives.
Ready to cast your ballot and change history?
I'm ready.
As Mom would say, "The same people are going to win, as usual."
No, today Acevedo is going to win.
"The universe told me so," as Mom would say.
PEACE - WORK - FAMILY - FREEDOM VOTE 2 - SANDRINI
Mr. Trueba, the interview with the state TV is in 20 minutes.
Good. How many champagne bottles do we have?
- Fifty. - Make it 100.
- One hundred bottles? - One hundred.
- Aren't you being overconfident? - Why so little trust, Commander?
I have intelligence reports that say things are much tighter than you think.
Since when do the military conduct the polls? Don't give me that.
A hundred bottles, not one less.
- Sorry. - Hey! We do things properly here.
Move it, for fuck's sake!
Regardless of social class, age, or gender,
voter turnout was higher than expected.
Have you seen Pedro?
No, not at all.
I don't care.
He's very busy now trying to become a minister.
Just like in my great-grandmother Nívea's wildest dreams,
the women's vote was crucial for the election of the next president.
PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC 1 - NICANOR ACEVEDO CAMPOS
We can feel it! Acevedo for president!
As predicted by my uncle,
the socialist candidate won the elections backed by a coalition of the left.
This victory belongs to the hardworking men,
to the selfless women of our country.
This victory belongs to the people.
Bravo.
Turn it off.
Ungrateful people. This is crap.
No, no, no.
Let them serve the champagne.
I'm not going to let these Marxists ruin our celebration.
We can feel sorry for ourselves, point fingers, and beat ourselves up.
We can punish those who turned their backs on us.
But I'm not for that.
This is the time for patriots
willing to put everything on the line for this country.
And you all better be part of this.
Here's to the League of Patriots against Marxism.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
The people's vote decided to put an end to the imperialist yoke,
to abolish privileges,
and to implement the long-overdue agrarian reform...
- Excuse us, ma'am, we were watching. - Please, it's okay.
I don't want to give away too much.
But I see someone here who represents the spirit of the new leadership.
Mr. Pedro García.
We can feel it! Acevedo for president!
We can feel it!
Acevedo for president!
We can feel it! Acevedo for president!
- Are you still mad about my grandfather? - Who cares about him?
So, this is where Trueba lives. Very fitting.
One day, someone will kill your grandpa. Perhaps I'll do it myself.
- You'd have to kill me first. - Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Not here. My mom...
Where are you taking me?
When was the last time this place was cleaned?
No one dares to come here.
My grandma conducted séances here.
Was she a witch?
Sort of.
This is getting more interesting.
Come.
- So? - Let's go.
Amazing.
Imagine this place full of artists, madmen of all kinds, homeless people.
Sometimes entire families.
My grandma would welcome anyone who was seeking spirituality,
or a community to belong to.
This is a madhouse.
Don't be silly. Come.
- Hello? - Mr. Jaime del Valle?
- This is he. - The President wants to speak with you.
- The President? - Yes.
- What president? - Nicanor Acevedo.
Hello, Mr. Jaime? How are you?
Nice to meet you, Mr. President. To what do I owe this honor?
Please, let's skip the formalities.
I've been told you're an expert in public health.
I'm putting together a working committee.
Sure, I'm totally available. You can count on me, Mr. President.
Do you know why I also want you to come to my office?
I was told that, besides being a very good doctor,
you're also a good chess player.
And I'm not going to allow that.
I'm the best chess-playing doctor in this country.
Right now, I'm challenging you.
Pick the time and place, Mr. President.
The new government launched an ambitious series of social,
economic, and political reforms that made us feel invincible.
But the opposition did not sit idly by.
The economic power of the right
swiftly deployed its resources to create shortages,
hike up prices, and fuel speculation.
This business is full of speculators, my friends.
And we are not going to allow that.
SHUT DOWN FOR SPECULATION
With Miguel, we gave ourselves over to two great passions.
Our own and that of the people.
His dreams finally seemed to be coming true.
But while we felt closer and closer,
the country was becoming even more polarized.
And that divide started spreading through every family,
including my own.
Good morning.
Put that away. I'm not hungry.
What happened to that poor telephone?
It was making this strange noise. I tried to fix it, but...
They don't make things like they used to.
Don't take it as a personal defeat.
- It's what the country needs. - What does the country need?
People taking their money abroad?
The value of property plummeting to the ground?
That's caused by those who fear change, but change is inevitable.
What about the mothers who can't feed their children?
That's sedition!
You want to fight?
You're like your grandma.
She didn't even talk to you.
The president can't govern alone.
Congress has to do its part.
Will you?
Stop blocking everything.
What did I do wrong to get this family?
Jaime works in a public hospital that's falling apart,
- and you're with the communists, Marxists. - Stop it, Grandpa.
Try with this one.
- Excuse me. Thanks. - Come in.
How much food do you have here, ma'am?
We don't know how long this madness is going to last.
Of course.
Here. Take this for your family.
Ma'am, it's okay.
I really appreciate it. This will help us.
And a few of these.
You can thank the black market, and the Senator, who pays for this.
Well, I'll get back to work.
Tell the others to come and get some, too.
What's that?
From your mother.
My mother was a mystery to me.
She seemed to be living in her own world.
And that year, I felt we were drifting even further apart.
Respect for private property is a constitutional right.
The Conservative Party demands the President be put on trial.
Excuse me, Senator.
They're asking for you.
Miss, I have to go.
Please publish this without any personal interpretations.
Good afternoon.
Luisa Mora.
I need to speak with Alba. It's urgent.
I have a message from Clara.
From Clara?
It's very important.
Raquel, go bring Alba.
I've come to deliver bad news.
Oh, Luisa.
The left's victory is already bad news.
Dreadful times lie ahead.
The dead will be too numerous to count.
Look at me, Esteban.
Yes.
You'll be on the side of the winners.
But that victory will bring you nothing but suffering and loneliness.
Luisa.
You look so beautiful. Come here.
Come.
Your eyes.
They're just as bright as I remembered them. Come here.
I came to ask you to look after yourself, little bird.
Death is on your heels.
Your grandma Clara is watching over you from the afterlife,
but even protective spirits are powerless against major cataclysms.
Clara told me that Alba has to take a trip.
Across the sea.
- It's the only place where she'll be safe. - Luisa.
Don't scare my granddaughter.
These are terrifying times, Senator.
Please, leave my house.
Don't worry, I won't take up any more of your time.
- No, stay. - It's okay.
Don't worry, my little bird.
Just think about what I told you. Will you?
Fly away.
Many times I wondered what would've happened
if I had listened to Luisa Mora's warning.
But at that time,
I couldn't stand on the sidelines of what was happening in the country.
This is the news of the people.
It's been more than two years since President Acevedo took office
and the country is facing new sources of tension.
Truckers have gone on strike due to the lack of fuel,
while upper-class women protest over shortages of basic supplies.
Despite this, the government claims there is progress.
A housing plan is in motion, employment figures are on the rise,
and an agrarian reform aimed at expropriating
over 20,000 hectares in the coming three years.
The government was trying to regain the initiative
by beating the opposition where it hurt them the most.
Acevedo, you son of a bitch.
Fucking communist.
My grandfather traveled all day long without stopping,
blinded by rage, and without any concrete plan in mind.
THE LAND BELONGS TO THOSE WHO WORK IT THEY WON'T BLOCK OUR PATH
Motherfuckers!
Easy, comrade.
You know I'm not your comrade.
I'm your boss and the owner of this estate!
No, sir.
You're illegally trespassing on land that now belongs to us, the farmers.
Alba, thank goodness you're here.
- What's the matter? - Look.
The Senator went crazy when he read it.
He left armed. I didn't know what to do.
THE THREE MARIAS SUBJECT TO EXPROPRIATION
I told Mrs. Blanca, but she didn't listen.
Aren't you going to do anything?
Stay out of it, Alba. It's your grandfather's business.
We must stop him before he does something crazy, Mom.
Mom, look at me.
Mom!
What?
Step out of your bubble. This is the important thing now.
The old man went to Las Tres Marías carrying a rifle and a gun.
They won't release him.
I told you. Good thing he didn't shoot anybody.
He's lucky he didn't get shot.
Aren't you friends with the President? Can't you ask him to help?
Don't you watch the news?
The President has more serious things to deal with.
Why should I bother him with this?
- Pedro García could help us. - Pedro?
Yes, the peasants admire him. They will surely help him.
I can't ask him that kind of favor. I haven't spoken to him in a while.
I will. Do you have the Ministry of Agriculture's number?
No, wait.
All right, I'll go with you.
Just give me a few minutes.
Excuse me, Minister. They're asking for you--
- Thank you, Loretto. - Thanks.
- Hi, Pedro. - Alba.
Sorry to barge in.
No problem.
What can I do for you?
We need your help.
My dad's being held hostage at Las Tres Marías. They won't let him go.
And why should I help him?
Being so arrogant, he must've mistreated innocent people.
Perhaps, but please, there must be something you can do.
It's a legal takeover. I'm sorry.
I'm not here for myself. Our daughter asked me to come.
What?
I don't understand.
Daughter.
- I made a mistake. - Okay.
May I?
I don't have a real explanation.
I just have excuses.
I've spent my entire life fighting against the injustices of the world,
yet I made the mistake of not fighting for those I love the most.
Perhaps I feel I'm not worthy of you.
I was made to believe that since I was a kid.
That someone like me didn't have the right to be happy
with someone who wasn't of the same social class.
Don't be hard on your mother.
She's suffered much more for this than I have.
Who's there?
Has it been so long that you don't remember me, Jorge?
Pedro García.
So many moons, man.
You look like a different man in that suit, all groomed.
I'm the same as ever. Just a little older.
It happens to us all.
Take us to Trueba.
- Hi, Jorge. How are you? - Miss Alba, nice to see you.
- Jorge. - Mrs. Blanca.
- It's been a while. - Indeed. Please, come in.
Thank you.
- How have you been? - Good.
Until your dad showed up armed and enraged.
I want to see him.
I don't mean to be rude or distrustful, but only Pedro can come with me.
Why?
Because he's the authority. So, if you don't mind waiting here.
- Please help Miss Alba and Mrs. Blanca. - Thanks.
- Hello. - Hi, there.
- Hi. - He's here to see Trueba.
- Okay. Some wine? - All right.
Thank you.
There's no denying the old man has good taste.
Yes, it's good.
Come.
- I'm keeping this. - Go ahead.
You're not welcome on my property.
It's no longer yours, Senator.
You should have stayed in the city.
I built this estate up from ruins to make it what it is today.
What did you expect me to do? Give it away?
You could've done what you forced us to do for so long,
meekly accept defeat.
This is not a defeat. This is theft.
Believe what you want.
But this is a law enacted by a democratic government,
and we're going to enforce it.
How are you going to manage this land?
The same way you've governed all these years?
We peasants know how to work the land.
You can work the land, but you don't know how to lead.
We can organize ourselves, and like it or not,
we're bringing change to the rural areas of this country.
Did you hear me?
Over my dead body, Minister.
That would be a lot easier for me, believe me.
I'm taking you with me.
Why?
Because my daughter asked me to.
Your daughter?
- Go to hell. - Good.
That's where we're all headed, but you're coming with me.
Why did you lie to me for so long?
I thought it'd be better for you to have a dead dad than an absent one.
You can't decide that for me.
I messed everything up.
And I don't know how to fix it anymore.
Alba.
I don't want to lose you.
You're not going to lose me, Mom.
Watch out.
Excuse me.
Are you okay?
Stand up straight.
The press is here.
Senator, a few words for the country, please.
What's your opinion about what's going on?
I have no comment.
- Is this your fault, Senator? - Absolutely no comment.
- Did you refuse to leave the property? - Watch out for that rock.
Please, I ask that you respect...
According to witnesses, the lawmaker arrived armed
and tried to regain control of the property,
which led to a tense episode that lasted for several hours.
State authorities...
He's got balls, this Trueba.
I respect that.
Too bad he picked the wrong side.
Wasn't it a bit much to change your last name from Trueba to del Valle?
Your move, Mr. President.
- Did you know? - Yes, they released the old man.
- No, not that. - What, then?
That Pedro García is my father.
So, they told you.
Why didn't you tell me?
I couldn't.
What am I supposed to do now?
Call him "Dad"?
Come.
Take this opportunity to get to know him. Pedro is a great man.
Still, I'm going to tell you something.
You're not getting rid of me.
You're always going to be like a father to me.
I know.
You traitor. Why didn't you tell me?
You fool.
I thought...
- Hi. - Doctor.
Countess.
We saw you on TV, with your grandfather.
You might get some weird looks here. They all think you're a mole.
Leave those there, Doctor. We'll take them inside.
Hey, what about your boyfriend, the revolutionary extremist?
He's not coming out to say hi?
Stop it and help me out.
Put them in the back of the truck.
I can't stop thinking about all the things I missed out on with him.
Look on the bright side. You got your dad back.
I got the truth back.
But we don't know how to interact with each other.
You just have to be patient.
Keeping yourself busy will be good for you.
No, that gasoline is not for the people.
It's cold. They need it for heating and cooking.
I know, but Ana is in charge of this.
Just forget you saw it.
- Why? - We need it for something else.
Like what?
Miguel, don't treat me like a child.
This situation is unbearable, my love.
We have to arm ourselves for the next phase of the fight.
You said no weapons.
Alba, this is serious.
Things are going to get worse.
We have to arm ourselves no matter what.
Miguel was not wrong.
But even he couldn't imagine what was coming.
We'll never get them out through legal means.
Nor will we with blockades or shortages, and much less by demanding impeachment.
We already have the Americans' approval.
We have the total support of the navy.
But the army and the air force need to stop messing around.
So, the people at this table just need to decide when and how.
Right now, with an iron fist.
Everyone in this country knows that a military coup is the only option.
- Hello? - Hi.
May I speak with Dr. Jaime del Valle?
Let me get him.
This is Dr. del Valle.
- Alba, hang up. - Sure.
Hang up, Alba.
Okay, I'll see you later.
Who was that?
Nothing important.
I'm leaving.
- Going to the hospital? - Yes, I'm late.
Can you give me a ride to the supply base?
Did you hear? There's a revolt by the navy.
Please don't go out.
A coup attempt?
I don't know.
What do you know?
Stay here until things calm down.
- What about you? - Please don't go out.
- We don't know what could happen. - I have to go to work.
No, stay here.
Don't worry. Doctors are so scarce. They take care of us.
Don't do anything foolish.
Take care of yourself.
Hello?
Alba, thank goodness you picked up.
Miguel, where are you?
Pay attention. I can't really talk much.
Don't talk to anyone about me, Alba. To anyone.
Destroy the planners and anything that could connect you to me.
No, wait.
Don't look for me and don't wait for me.
Miguel, listen. I want to go with you.
It's better if you don't know.
I love you, Alba. Don't ever forget it.
President Acevedo refused to leave the Government Palace,
remaining inside with his closest advisors...
Besides being a traitor, he's a coward. Now they're going to pay.
They're going to pay for everything.
...to resist until the end,
dying inside of the building.
According to preliminary reports, his remains are being transferred
to the morgue of the National Hospital under strict...
We're not celebrating the death of the President
or anyone else in this house, do you hear me?
Mom, tell me this is not happening.
Have you heard from Pedro?
You've made your bed, now lie in it.
Shut up.
Is Jaime back?
Jaime...
I'm calling the hospital!
Loyalist forces remained stationed in the area...
Alba, this is a good thing.
Alba, this is a good thing!
...the attack by land on the Government Palace
with intense fire coming from different points around the perimeter.
Around 11:00 a.m., amidst the siege,
President Acevedo delivered a final message to the country
through the National Public Radio.
My grandfather wasn't the only one who celebrated the coup.
For many, it was the return to order.
But there was no way of knowing
what was being planned behind closed doors.
The military wanted to change history
by erasing everything that the regime disapproved of.
Aggravated assault, misconduct in service.
Excessive violence in the use of force.
A marked tendency towards controlled aggression
and domination in conflict situations.
Given all this, what makes you think you can be a useful asset
to the secret police, García?
We need people with a steady hand.
And I follow orders without objections.