In Her Place (2024)

[bunniefuu]

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS

Get up.

Up, up.

Up, up, up, up.

Time to get up.

- Let go! Stop it!

- Clearance sale...

No fighting. No fighting.

Come set the table. Careful with the mugs.

Furniture sets, 30% off.

- Dining room sets, half off.

- Make yourself useful.

We must be crazy

to offer prices like these.

High-quality, low-price furniture

could be yours now!

Act fast before these deals pass.

Don't do it...

A little peace and quiet

never hurt anyone.

Can you move the table back a bit?

No, move over.

You two, hurry up and eat.

We're expecting customers, eh?

I don't understand.

Why did you ask them to come so early?

Well, I don't exactly like

having guests at the crack of dawn.

It's just that...

...they come by early enough,

and I don't have to wait around all day,

you know?

Do we have any butter?

Huh?

- Are there a lot of customers today?

- Uh...

I'm perfecting my sales strategy, Mechita.

Although... they're my

only customers today.

Ah.

Take some.

It's all gone.

Efran! I nearly broke my neck

on the floor polisher.

Sorry, I'm really busy, Mechita.

- You don't have anything to do.

- Okay, Your Honor.

Uh-uh, sh-sh.

- Welcome.

- Hello. Thank you.

Nice to meet you. I'm Efran. Come on in.

- Make yourselves at home.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- Anyone like a glass of water?

- Yes. Thank you.

- Oh, please.

If the bride needs to reapply makeup,

you can sit over here.

- This spot is just for you.

- Yes!

Your water, and you look beautiful.

- Thank you so much.

- Are the pictures a souvenir?

- They're for the invitation.

- What a great idea.

They're gonna be lovely.

When we got married,

Mechita had this brilliant idea.

She, uh...

...she wanted to send

handwritten invitations.

Half the guests got lost.

They couldn't find the church.

They couldn't read her handwriting.

- Then she went to school for typing.

- Oh my God!

We're gonna be late! Hurry up!

- It's not my fault!

- It is! It's always your fault!

Will you shut the f*ck up?

- Efran.

- Yeah?

The young man's complexion is pretty bad.

- Be sure to use a fill light.

- Yeah, I will. Yeah.

- Efran.

- Please.

Fix the polisher today.

Yeah, I'll fix it. Okay.

Well, uh...

...just a few more things

and we'll get started.

- Have fun.

- Oh, thanks.

Need to adjust this light

and move you over.

Okay.

The lawyer told us

he's in preventative detention.

But... we can ask

that he be released on bail.

Okay,

let me see what I can find out.

Just one second.

- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon. Can I help you?

Someone's been m*rder*d

at 1035 Agustinas Road.

Near the Crilln Hotel?

At the Crilln Hotel. Inside the tearoom.

m*rder AT THE CRILLN HOTEL

Thank you, sir.

LADIES AND SALESMEN NOT ALLOWED

THANK YOU

Take this, please.

Thank you.

Wait, that's him.

Give him room. Make room.

Excuse me. Please take a step back.

Can I get a statement?

Hello? Wait. Just want your statement.

Just a quick word please.

Can I get a statement?

Do you have anything to tell us at all?

- Judge. Sir, please.

- Over here.

- Please! Make way.

- Here please.

Tell us a statement, right now.

Right this way.

IN HER PLACE.

Merceditas, this your first time

inside the Crilln?

Come here.

Glvez, give Judge Aliro the report.

- Here, take this.

- Hmm.

"Georgina Silva Jimnez."

Yes. Silva shot him close range.

She couldn't have been

more than one or two meters away.

The g*n was hers, correct?

That's right. I'll show it to you

before they get it to Ballistics.

- Okay.

- Here.

- Take a look.

- Ah!

FN Baby. Made in Belgium.

6.35 caliber, eh?

She's a real beauty.

- Merceditas?

- Hmm?

Look how exquisite.

- Wow, yes.

- Look at that.

It belongs in a jewelry store.

Any intel on the dead man's wife?

According to the information we got,

Silva was his partner.

Sure, but what about his spouse?

No, the victim had no wedding ring on,

Your Honor.

Hmm. Take the body away.

Glvez.

Merceditas, sit here.

- Arns, sit over there.

- Okay.

Reach your arm out.

Grab this spoon. Five g*nshots, huh?

That woman must be mad as a hatter.

Yes, but the clues have shown

that she was standing up already.

The reason why is that the g*n

was hidden in her coat pocket.

- Making it easier for her to pull out.

- Merceditas, stand up.

You look to be about the same height.

Makes me wonder,

was sh**ting from this angle easier,

or did she want to be closer

to her victim?

Or maybe she wanted everyone to see?

- What do you think?

- Glvez?

Get the woman's

personal belongings, please.

Okay.

Don't forget to take notes.

His name is

Mr. Roberto Pumarino Valenzuela.

DEATH AND MADNESS AT HOTEL CRILLN

m*rder at the Crilln!

SHE DIDN'T k*ll

SEEKING CHEAP LITERARY GLORY

THE HOTEL CRILLN TRAGEDY

Get your newspaper!

El Mercurio! El Clarn!

Get your newspaper! La Nacin!

El Pas! Get your newspaper!

Everyone's saying the same.

Mara Carolina Geel committed m*rder

in front of every aristocrat in Chile.

Look here.

The news made the front page, boss.

A respectable person

should only make the papers three times.

When they're born,

when they get married, and when they die.

- Isn't a judge always respectable?

- That's sweet, Merceditas, but no.

I can't stand

all these vultures circling my case.

Bunch of sick people.

When I was coming in earlier,

a journalist asked if we were gonna

hear testimony from "the vampire."

The vampire.

Yes, Domingo, I heard you okay.

I'm gonna make myself a coffee.

You want another one?

- Thanks.

- You got it.

How about that, Merceditas?

This institution upholds

centuries of legal traditions,

and we're made into a circus by the media.

Well, if I was m*rder*d

at the Crilln Hotel,

I'd like people to wonder

what happened to me.

They'd have to invite you in first.

CRIME OF PASSION

My God.

These nosy sickos

are gonna tear that poor woman apart.

I swear, I almost feel sorry for her.

First, she goes crazy,

murders her boyfriend.

Now she's become

the villain of the century.

This woman is going through hell.

We are gonna be famous, Mercedes.

I wish I'd put some gel in my hair.

If the boss wants to have lunch here,

I think he's gonna have to dig a tunnel.

He should wait to convict her later,

when all this chaos dies down.

No. He's got a soft spot

for women of her type.

- Excuse me.

- Do you have a statement?

- Mara Carolina, please!

- Why'd you do it?

- Mara Carolina!

- Why'd you do it?

- Why? Why did you do it?

- Tell us a statement now.

Did you?

Did you k*ll your boyfriend?

- What can you tell us?

- Mara!

You are Miss Georgina Silva Jimnez?

My name's Mara Carolina Geel.

I don't understand.

Your Honor, that is the pen name

my client uses for her writing career.

And when she k*lled Mr. Pumarino,

was she Silva or Geel?

What? I... They're the same person.

I don't know what you mean.

And do you admit to firing the five shots

that k*lled

Mr. Roberto Pumarino Valenzuela

on April 14th at the Crilln Hotel?

Your Honor, my defendant invokes her right

to not respond to that question.

Just for the time

being. Until forensic...

Yes.

I admit it.

And do you also admit to carrying,

on that day, an FN Baby p*stol

with which you intended

to k*ll your boyfriend?

No, not boyfriend.

So who was he to you?

He wasn't mine.

I didn't want that.

Okay, Miss Silva.

Help me help you, all right?

It's in your best interest, trust me.

Did he do anything to you?

Montero's on his way here.

He wants to see you.

Mr. Concha.

Yes, sir.

Do you have a cigarette?

Smoking's not allowed here.

My lawyer was smoking.

And are you a lawyer?

No.

Ah.

Are you a lawyer?

No.

Ah.

Mercedes.

Mercedes!

The medico-legal services

have prepared all the documents.

Please tell these people

when the psychological exam has...

What psychological evaluation?

If the nature of the crime requires it,

I will consider complementary disciplines.

But I'm not here to give you explanations,

okay, Mr. Montero?

The defendant will have to appear

before medico-legal services tomorrow.

She will be escorted

to the interview from here.

That poor soul

is staying at the police station

until the experts confirm

what we've already determined.

She should stay in a mental home. Hmm?

Front page. Look!

"Montero's accusation."

"The writer k*lled willfully

and with malice in a premeditated m*rder."

"She deserves swift punishment

at the hands of the law."

Poor Judge Aliro.

Your Honor, the defendant

can't spend the night at a police station.

Are you aware of...

of her fragile mental state?

She barely knows where she is.

Could we send her home, perhaps?

I have a proposition.

She'll stay at Buen Pastor.

At the church,

she'll have a quiet cell...

Yes.

...away from journalists and noise.

The nuns will look after her.

End of story.

Yes, sir.

I'm sure you can imagine,

she isn't... the type of woman...

who's used to staying in a prison cell.

And you're aware

that I'm not the Pope, right?

Yes.

But, um... will you permit the defendant

to be given the bare essentials?

- You know, clean clothes...

- All right. I'll allow it. I'll allow it.

Yeah, well, the problem is,

her sister lives in Parral.

And, well,

how would it look,

a lawyer getting clothes from her place?

Uh, it's my understanding that the keys

to her apartment are in court custody.

Well?

Who me?

I'll go.

And how long are you keeping her

at Buen Pastor?

Until she's sentenced.

What good will it do

to keep her in a common cell?

She'll get scabies.

Then all the papers will blame me.

Okay. I'll see you both soon.

- Bye.

- See you.

- I had scabies once.

- Me too.

Just saying it makes me itchy.

Overexposed it.

- Morning, officers.

- Morning.

Uh, Mr. Concha. You know lawyers

aren't allowed past this point.

- Oh yeah.

- Here. This is her stuff.

You're free to wait here.

Can I have a cigarette?

They're going to conduct a forensic exam

to assess your general well-being.

To see if I'm crazy?

If they find you have a mental disorder,

they'll be looking into

alternative forms of incarceration.

I won't go to a mental home.

Come on in.

Good afternoon.

You coming?

It's a private exam.

Good morning. Thank you for coming.

"Mr. Rolando de la Fuente."

According to the police report,

you are the one

who waited on Roberto Pumarino

and Georgina Silva's table.

Yes. Exactly.

I was their waiter.

Okay. Can you tell me about what happened

that afternoon in the Crilln Hotel?

Let's see. Uh, the man was seated

at table number three.

Uh... he chose the seat

which faced the room.

I remember asking if he wanted a drink.

He told me he was waiting

for someone to join him.

After that, the woman arrived.

Right. The woman, was she acting strange?

Totally normal.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Was there anything off

about their greeting?

It was all perfectly normal.

Uh, what did catch my attention though

was the chair the lady chose.

Ah, the chair that was turned away

from the other tables?

Yes.

It caught my attention

because the ladies prefer

to sit facing the room, you see.

- And how did she behave?

- Okay, listen...

I looked over at Pumarino

and saw that he had this expression,

like he was disgusted.

Don't write to me.

Don't come to my house.

- You're getting married?

- Yes.

My sister was the one

who overheard something.

She said,

"Do whatever you want. It's your life."

- They're getting more drinks.

- More drinks?

I don't meddle in other people's business,

but I overheard some things

when they raised their voices.

- What kind of things?

- Don't look for me anymore.

Things like, "Let's call it quits."

"This is over."

Something like,

"Why aren't you interested?"

So you didn't witness an outburst

from Miss Silva during this conversation?

Never saw her become enraged?

No. Not at that point, no.

But it all changed shortly after.

Don't look at them!

Hey.

And that's when I heard the chair.

You heard it?

Then what happened?

Then she stood up from the chair

and immediately

began sh**ting Mr. Pumarino.

I heard the g*nshots, of course.

But, at first,

I didn't know where they came from.

Then the lady left the g*n on the table.

I was behind them, so I left my tray,

walked over

and covered the g*n with a napkin.

- Why'd you do that?

- I don't know.

I didn't want the g*n

to scare the customers

or give her the chance to grab it again.

I don't know.

In the moments after Miss Silva stood up,

do you remember if she waited a bit

or did she sh**t immediately...

No, it all happened so quickly.

She had the p*stol and the sh**ting began.

He was right next to her.

She just pointed and shot.

- Uh, was he still alive?

- I think he died right away.

And that poor man was shot so fast,

he couldn't yell.

He died in silence, like a gentleman.

Did Miss Silva try

to end her own life at the time,

or did you see her try to escape

after sh**ting the man?

No.

No. The opposite really.

She got down and hugged him.

And then, uh, she frantically

started kissing the guy on the cheeks.

Then she got on her knees

and put her hands in prayer

and began to yell, "Save him!"

- That's enough. All right.

- Stop it! Cut it out!

- Welcome back to...

- Where are they sending Lucho?

- To the north, to Iquique.

- Ah, guarding the frontier.

Yeah.

They should call you

for military service.

- What? He wants the room all to himself.

- No, I don't.

You need to start worrying

about your future too, you hear me?

Won't be long till you're facing

the same choices as your brother.

What about you?

- Do you really wanna go to law school?

- Mm-hmm.

I'm gonna be a court clerk for a year,

then become a lawyer.

Then I'll be a judge in two years,

just like Mom.

Yeah, Mom could be your secretary.

Hmm, yeah.

The ongoing case

against Mara Carolina Geel

heard eyewitness testimony...

Turn that off, son.

We're just trying to be in the know.

After all, the judge is very secretive.

- We learn the news on the radio.

- I'm not asking.

Today, El Clarn published an article,

where Mistral commented on the case.

But she doesn't live in Chile.

I don't see why she would care

about what a woman did in the Crilln.

- Uh, she's a Nobel Prize winner.

- But in literature, not law.

And is there a Nobel Prize in law? No?

There is speculation

about the timeline...

- He's right, Your Honor.

- Will you stop it already?

You all know I'm not a judge. Know what?

If I was a judge, you'd all be in jail.

- What for?

- For being disobedient!

Argh.

Efran!

Fix the damn polisher.

Hey. Hey!

- Mr. Sergio Pumarino, good afternoon.

- Good afternoon, Your Honor.

Tell me about your brother.

How would you describe him?

He was the best brother ever.

The best amongst all of us.

- That's quite all right, Walter.

- I'm sorry.

Take your time.

What's your sister like?

What can you tell me about Georgina?

She's very sensitive.

A bit volatile as well.

- expl*sive, maybe?

- No, no, no. Nothing like that.

No, everyone liked her. They were always

asking her to events, to parties.

She was stubborn, that's what he said.

And moody.

One day, she wanted him to go.

The next, she called him crying.

Roberto asked her many times to marry him.

Four or five times.

- She always responded no.

- A complex woman.

I'd say she was very... independent.

You know.

Like women nowadays.

Then she begged him

to come see her. So he went.

That became normal.

Georgina doesn't talk about her problems.

- She doesn't like to be pitied.

- He put up with her for too long.

Do you recall your brother ever saying

he wanted to break up with her?

No, he... he worshiped her.

We never understood why,

but he always got back together with her.

That's why I was so relieved

when he finally let her go and moved on.

He started dating this other woman.

Who is she?

Alicia Castro.

A family friend.

She got back together with Roberto

a couple of months ago.

Alicia was happy

to be marrying my brother.

She saw what we all saw in him.

A very good man.

Decent.

Eager to be a dad.

She's a bit tormented

in matters of the heart.

Our Georgina

never learned how to be alone.

She always needs to have someone around,

if that makes sense.

I mean, my sister is extremely fragile.

More than normal.

That woman was... perverse, yeah?

Abnormal.

Incapable of being like other women.

My sister was too much to handle

for that man.

Did you imagine that she

could be a k*ller?

A k*ller, yes.

But to do it like that,

in cold blood, in front of everyone?

The last time I saw them together,

he was extremely cold to her.

Poor Georgina seemed so exhausted.

Messing around with a divorcee

was my brother's real mistake.

Because she was divorced for a reason.

You've known Miss Silva

for a long time, haven't you?

Yes, I was married to her for 13 years.

And how would you describe Miss Silva?

An exemplary woman.

Intelligent.

Very restless too.

Difficult, perhaps?

No. No.

Curious, I might say.

An avid reader, very talkative.

And as a mother?

- I don't see how that's relevant.

- Just answer me, please.

She's an excellent mother.

Always there.

A loving mother.

Okay, so she was never violent to you,

and she was an excellent person.

Then can you explain to me why she might

have k*lled Mr. Roberto Pumarino?

No, I'm afraid I can't.

To me, it's very clear.

She wasn't going to be left with nothing.

That woman was jealous.

If anyone says they didn't see it coming,

it's clear they didn't know her.

She, uh... she cared about appearances.

She turned down my brother

when he proposed,

but as soon as he wanted to ask

another girl's hand in marriage,

she m*rder*d him.

That's Georgina Silva.

MARA CAROLINA GEEL

YENIA'S SLEEPING WORLD

TRAGIC CRIME OF PASSION

IN DOWNTOWN SANTIAGO

WRITER MARA LUISA BOMBAL

SHOOTS EULOGIO SNCHEZ ERRZURIZ.

Your Honor, we have a list of witnesses

who are willing to testify

about the cruel way in which Georgina...

Mr. Montero.

We all love a juicy bit of gossip.

But this is a courthouse.

The report, Mercedes.

Thank you.

"The patient is currently

experiencing menopause..."

- "...an extremely important factor for..."

- There's more below here.

"This has produced

changes in her behavior."

"What is usually known

as temporary insanity."

That's absolutely right.

Don't start celebrating yet, Mr. Concha.

- Your Honor, I hope you'll excuse me if...

- Gentlemen, I need a recess.

Ah.

We'll send a copy of the report

to your respective offices.

Thank you.

I'm ready to pass sentence.

Unfit to plead,

according to the witnesses and science.

Seeing this, we can let her spend

the weekend in her own home. Hmm?

Thank you so much.

And this brood of vampires

can start reporting on news

that is actually important.

And we can be done

with these humiliating lockdown lunches.

- It's really not that bad.

- Come on now. It's terrible.

I'm holed up in my office,

eating pickled chicken.

But I knew I'd have to make sacrifices

when I decided to give my life to justice.

Hmm.

Actually, it's truly commendable.

That's so true. Imagine having

your face on the front pages...

But it's not just that, Domingo.

It's so much more.

It's impressive how committed you are

to the truth and to justice.

Domingo, wherever we go,

we can be proud to say

that we work for a judge with integrity.

Even though his reputation is in question.

Who's questioning my reputation?

You've said that

you'll deliver a fair sentence, right?

Even though public opinion

is swayed against you.

That's very brave, Domingo.

- Very brave indeed.

- Hold on, hold on, hold on.

Merceditas, I'm a judge of the Republic.

This type of manipulation may work at home

with your kids, but not with me, hmm?

But she's right, Judge Aliro.

If you let her off,

you'll catch hell from the newspapers.

Is that so?

Because I thought they might celebrate me.

I'm not trying

to convince you of anything.

But I'm afraid, this time,

I have to agree with Domingo.

If you let her off,

you'll just be prolonging the circus.

Merceditas, did you keep that list

of witnesses that Montero gave you?

- Mm-hmm.

- Know what?

Let's bring a couple of them in

ahead of sentencing, just to be safe, huh?

Are you watching your back?

- Is that insolence I'm hearing from you?

- You're right. I'm sorry.

A judge of the Republic

doesn't watch his back.

He analyzes his case

from every angle, that's all.

Of course, Your Honor.

MARA CAROLINA GEEL

PERCES THE TEENAGER DREAMED AND LOVED

MARA CAROLINA GEEL

STRANGE SUMMER

Oh, new in the building?

No, no.

- No.

- You're her sister.

- Right?

- No, no, no.

- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon.

Here.

Initial.

- Full signature.

- Your Honor.

Oh my goodness!

I wasn't told to dress for a gala.

I've never seen you dress up like this.

It's new, right?

- Because of the journalists?

- No.

It's because

I have respect for the courthouse.

There.

You shouldn't shy away

from a compliment, Merceditas.

Her perfume is new too, right?

No idea.

Thanks, Domingo.

Merceditas?

Yes?

What perfume do you have on?

It's just soap.

Merceditas.

Hmm?

African bird, four-letter word?

Ibis.

Thank you!

Our office issues all the statements

throughout different parts of the city.

Just one comma has the power

to alter a sentence's meaning.

Hmm. Truly fascinating, Fernando.

Now let's move on from your work

and focus on the deceased.

What was it like

between Mr. Pumarino and Miss Silva?

Uh. Well, it was complicated.

Complicated. Very complicated.

Sometimes, when they came back from lunch,

it wasn't hard to see they'd been arguing.

The signs were there, tears and all.

She'd return from lunch,

and you could tell she'd been crying?

She didn't cry, he did.

- Him?

- Yes.

And would you say that you were closer

to the victim or closer to Miss Silva?

Oh, Roberto.

In my opinion,

he was a very good, a very kind man.

Roberto was a great boss. He really was.

I mean...

- He was so attentive.

- What about her?

No, I'm afraid I can't say that she was.

I'd be lying, frankly, if I did.

Georgina was always

looking down on everybody.

Like she was better than us.

She seemed to be bored at work.

Georgina lived in her own world.

Bored at work?

What gave you that impression?

She started to write other stuff

the minute she was alone.

- Her books?

- Exactly.

We all would have loved

to write stories and silly stuff too,

but we would have lost our jobs

within a week.

So you don't think she loved him?

I think she was using him.

Roberto just went running

and gave her whatever she asked him for.

She was quite terrible, "the child."

Wait. Which child?

Georgina. He called her that. "The child."

When she needed any money,

Roberto was always there.

He was always willing to break the bank.

Ridiculous to treat her

like a child, a full-grown woman.

What Georgina was really skilled at

was emptying his pockets.

My name is Rebeca Vizcaya Prez.

I am a receptionist

in the finance division.

And I was employed by Roberto Pumarino.

And what would you like

to declare, Miss Perez?

Um, has anyone told you

about the floor polisher?

No.

Nah. But please, enlighten me.

Perhaps you were informed,

but Roberto gifted Georgina

one of those electric polishers.

- I see.

- Not a mop.

It was the kind with a plug.

When you say polisher,

you mean the upright one?

- Mercedes.

- That's exactly right.

One of those floor polishers.

You'll never guess

what that woman did next.

She said no.

Surprise!

What's that?

- I think, deep down, Mr. Roberto...

- Oh, wow.

...always wished

that she would be the kind of woman

who stayed in the house. Makes sense?

Miss Vizcaya, I was told that

you were going to bring me a file.

Oh, yes.

Um, the thing is,

I've been going through the boss's

old filing cabinets at work, and, um,

in one of the drawers,

I found this big mountain of paper

that was all shredded and torn up.

And so I took it upon myself

to put all the little pieces

of paper back together.

And I've brought that to you.

So what is it?

It was a letter.

"Roberto,

I've been thinking hard about it."

"Last night, you told me

that I must make a decision."

"First of all, I appreciate your demeanor,

which is considered chivalrous

within the frame of social conventions."

"I admire it,

because I know it's valuable."

"And if I decline your offer...

know that it's because

the reasons to predict

a negative outcome for our marriage

are numerous."

Stuck-up b*tch!

Any woman in Chile would love a polisher.

- You didn't choose just any woman!

- You're crazy!

"Roberto,

my nature,

my character,

my interests,

my age,

my experience,

they are all contrary to matrimony."

"If you add to the equation

a deep sensitivity,

forever in conflict

with the ideals of this world,

and absolute skepticism

regarding life itself...

you must accept

that nothing in me responds

to the so-called institution of marriage."

"And I'm not the kind of woman

that your situation requires."

I've been dreaming of a brighter day

Where the worries all just fade away

I wanna rise above the storm

Finding a place we belong

I leave the past behind

Leaving the life where I come from

Hoping for...

...a new state of mind...

Seeking peace from dusk to dawn...

Every step I take, I'm moving on...

I'm gonna sing a brand-new...

I should count my blessings.

Thank God I gifted you that gorgeous robe

and not some fancy

electric floor polisher.

Otherwise, it would be

my memorial at the bar right now.

- No. Sorry, I'm not her.

- I know you're not.

Of course you're not. Hmm.

Because Mari, my Marita,

is in jail right now,

paying for the worst of crimes.

Being an artist and a woman.

Can I interest you in a drink?

My Marita always told me

she didn't like it

when I drove home wasted.

So she gave me this key.

My Mari.

She even takes care of me from jail.

How about you? Are you also trying

to keep a drunk driver off the roads?

No. No.

We're cousins, but I'm from La Serena.

Oh, makes sense.

Tell me your name.

Dominga.

Hmm. And what exactly are you doing

in your cousin's apartment?

Just tidying up

and keeping things in order.

M... making sure it's not dusty.

Ah, very good.

Visiting from La Serena

to clean the place?

In a robe. Funny.

Am I under interrogation?

Well, aren't you feisty?

I like it.

Dominga.

m*rder for love is not a crime.

I'm blessed that nobody

has ever loved me that way.

To clarify, the woman k*lled for love,

but not for him.

For love of art.

It's not a homicide but an homage.

It was a literary quote. Look.

January 1941.

The greatest novelist

our nation has ever lost.

- Mistral.

- No.

Novelist, not poet.

Mara Luisa Bombal

grabbed a g*n and shot her lover.

Do you know where?

Mm-mm.

Right here, in his arm.

That's not important. What's important

is it happened in no other place than...

The Crilln Hotel.

You already knew?

- Hmm?

- No, I just figured.

Mm!

So this woman is going to jail for a crime

that she didn't even plan on her own.

How is that possible?

Don't be such a philistine, woman.

I'll explain.

The art of today

is inspired from the art of yesterday.

It's so exact

that she's even going to mirror Bombal

in the grand ending, which is the pardon.

What do you mean, pardon?

Because Bombal was pardoned, right?

- Don't you get newspapers in La Serena?

- Yes. We do get them.

But I remember that Bombal was

the greatest novelist in the nation.

- Mm.

- I'm not sure who would pardon Silva.

The president, yeah?

Once he hears the voice of an angel.

Not from La Serena, of course,

but from Vicua, which is closer.

- Oh, that's pretty.

- It's gorgeous.

I gifted that to Mari.

- No.

- Yes, Dominga.

- No, it's mine.

- Yes, no.

- It's mine.

- You know, Dominga...

You don't look like a Dominga.

Dominique maybe, but not Dominga, no.

Guess what else I know?

My Mari... doesn't have any relatives

in La Serena.

But don't worry about it.

This house is like an embassy.

Lots of people come through here.

My name's Ren.

What's your name? Your real one.

Mercedes.

Mm.

That's it.

Mercedes, yes.

Mercedes.

I'm sorry.

But don't worry.

Tomorrow, I won't remember.

I'm a poet with a spotty memory.

That's why I haven't gone anywhere.

Mercedes, if...

if you're not her cousin,

it doesn't matter.

Because we're so tired

of being who we are.

We need a place where we can be no one.

What happened?

No tea?

- No, but it can't get any worse.

- Mm.

ngela confirmed.

Are they staying with us?

Of course they are.

There's no room.

- Mercedes.

- Hmm?

Did you come home

smelling of booze last night?

No, I didn't drink anything last night.

You reeked of pisco.

Strange, I didn't have any pisco.

It's my client with her children.

No, no. Bullshit.

Put your heads a bit closer together,

and keep looking right at me.

- Smile, my love.

- Okay? That's it.

- See you, Dad.

- Hey, we're off.

All right, boys.

- I have two boys as well.

- Oh really?

We'll have to play nice

with our daughters-in-law.

If not, who will take care of us

in our old age, am I right?

Yeah.

Big smile, my love.

There's stew and mechazo.

Ah, mechazo.

- Yummy. Can we...

- We'll all have the stew please.

Of course.

- Thank you.

- Thanks.

Is something wrong, Merceditas?

- Just checking if there are new starters.

- But I just ordered stew for everyone.

- Are you on a special diet or something?

- Well, she looks thinner, doesn't she?

Maybe it's the new dress.

I don't know

if you've noticed, but...

- I have to leave.

- Your stew's on the way.

I'll grab something. Don't worry.

Since when do we waste food

in this country?

- Don't waste it.

- Should we have them wrap it up?

You eat the stew.

I don't understand.

Oh no, Montero.

Mr. Montero, don't disturb...

This man

is gonna make my hair go gray.

Your Honor.

Sorry, Mr. Montero, the clerk and I

were just wrapping up here.

The family of the victim

got wind of a rumor

that the accused is living

like a princess at Buen Pastor.

Private cell, her own bathroom,

and there's even laundry service.

It's like she's staying

at a luxury hotel, Your Honor.

Buen Pastor is not like a luxury hotel,

Attorney Montero.

It's an institution operated by nuns.

- The family requests...

- That's it. I'm done.

I'm done. I'm done. Look here.

I have to get back to my office and finish

work on some documents that are pending.

If you ever see me having my lunch again,

please let me enjoy my meal in peace.

Understood.

Excuse me.

I did try to stop him, sir.

- Mercedes.

- Yes?

I want you to go Buen Pastor tomorrow.

Check out the living conditions

that the defendant has there

and report back, yeah?

Yes, of course.

I'm on a roll.

Let me see here.

Hello there.

- Hi.

- Hi, Mom!

I got held up.

Well, nobody noticed.

Wow! The judge is looking fancy.

We're starving, Mom.

Okay.

- It's your turn, Dad.

- Come on.

God!

Keep your hand still.

Have a good day

at the courthouse?

Hmm? Yeah, it was fine.

There's a lot to do there.

Nothing out of the ordinary?

No.

Thankfully.

What are you doing with the camera?

They asked me

to go take some pictures at Buen Pastor.

Why do they need you to go take pictures?

They couldn't find

someone from the courthouse?

I am someone from the courthouse.

Is it for that Crilln lunatic?

I don't think she's a lunatic.

I think she's acting.

That's so unfair.

If she can use the camera, so can we.

My father... left me this camera.

If the cameras were

your dad's to begin...

But he gave this one to me.

This camera is mine.

Oof.

Each roll in the camera holds 12 photos,

so you can keep track.

- It can be temperamental...

- Thank you, Efran.

Good afternoon, ma'am.

Do you have business here?

Can I take a look?

Miss, is that a camera?

Would you mind taking my picture?

Of course.

Thanks, dear.

- Are you a journalist?

- No.

I work at the courthouse.

Oh, you're just who I'm looking for.

I need someone

who works at the courthouse to help me.

Mm. I don't think I'm the one to help.

You probably need a lawyer.

Ah. But I don't know

how to get a lawyer.

Tell me your name, ma'am.

Rosa

Janequeo Saavedra.

And why are you here? What did you do?

m*rder*d my son-in-law.

I slit his throat like a dog.

Don't be scared.

I'm not an evil person.

You see, I had to do it,

because he was so a*usive to my daughter.

He kicked her as hard as he could

while she was pregnant.

Like he was spurring a donkey.

- Is your daughter better now?

- Oh, now, she's great.

She and the baby

finally have a peaceful home.

They're both safe, yeah?

Truth is, I have a nice life here.

I sleep with a clear conscience.

- Have they come to visit you?

- Every Sunday morning, rain or shine.

- Hmm. Wonderful.

- Yeah.

- Really.

- Miss, follow me, please.

- Thank you.

- Bye.

- Have a nice day.

- See you, miss. Have a nice day.

- Take care.

- Yeah.

Right through here, please.

- In there?

- Yes.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Excuse me?

Come in.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

I'm Mercedes Arvalo.

We met at the courthouse.

The lady with the cigarettes.

This won't take up too much of your time.

I'm here to take pictures of your cell.

We're hoping to add

to the medico-legal services' report.

In this case, by taking pictures

of your living situation, okay?

You didn't have to bring the camera.

I'll sum it up.

The nights are quiet.

The guard doing his rounds

barely disturbs our sleep.

He passes by...

and then quiet falls upon the wards again.

The days, however,

pass by with easy words,

laughter,

heresy...

It's time to start. Excuse me.

MARA CAROLINA GEEL

WOMEN'S PRISON

Are you keeping a diary while you're here?

Can I read it?

I read Bombal.

I see.

I think that you two have a lot in common.

May I?

Why did you do it?

Everyone wants to know why you k*lled him.

I'm here because of my actions.

The reason doesn't really matter.

You learn to build your freedom.

I don't mind it.

Ah! Ooh!

This looks delicious. Thank you.

No, that's not it.

The blackberries and the snails

need each other. They help the fruit grow.

- Snails clean up the garden.

- Fertile soils, the fields provide. Yeah!

We also heard

that Jos Dolores passed away.

- Jos Dolores passed away?

- He did. Yep. Jos Dolores died.

Yeah, he died of old age.

- How old was he?

- He was as old as you.

- He was very old.

- That's crazy.

These two

want to come to the fields with me.

Cheers, to my brother-in-law!

- Cheers.

- Cheers!

I salute him in the kitchen.

Santiago is a difficult man,

and he looked just like a chicken.

Ahh!

- No respect at all, eh?

- You guys.

When he misses you,

the crying starts.

In the fields, you have an uncle

who loves you boys with all his heart.

- Ah! It's true, it's true.

- Ah!

Shut up already!

I have an idea. Kids, come here.

- Come open your present.

- Hey, yeah, it's right here.

- We put a lot of love into this.

- Oh, for me? You really shouldn't have.

- Wow!

- Hey, look at that.

- Oh... whoa.

- That's nice!

Look at the handle on that knife.

- Let's try it.

- Here.

Oh nice! Yeah.

I love it. To keep up with the news.

No. No, no. Look here.

"Professional photographer

Garca Arvalo."

"Marriages, first communions,

quinceaeras, baptisms."

- Are we gonna become famous?

- Ah!

- That's great.

- Congratulations are in order.

You outdid yourself. Thank you.

- Congratulations.

- It's really nice. It is. It's so good.

- Oh, wow.

- I have a surprise for you, Mechi.

Close your eyes.

No peeking, no peeking, no peeking.

Mechita, close your eyes.

Cover your eyes.

Oh boy!

Oh! You can look now, look.

I fixed it.

- Look at that.

- It's got an engine from America.

Can you believe it, eh?

I've seen them,

but I've never used one. Let's see.

- You gonna help her?

- No, no, no. Not happening.

- Oh, so it's a buffer?

- Uh-oh, sorry.

I don't trust

those electric things.

- It's great. It's...

- It's great now, but...

Being together, spending time

with the family's really nice,

don't you think?

There's no reason for you

to come home late all the time, Mechita.

Hey. Hey!

Hey, hey.

Don't get emotional.

We're here now.

You have to be here.

- Very slowly.

- Yeah, I'll place that bet.

We have to.

Maybe there's some people who take...

- Ah, yeah.

- Ah, trust me.

Meche.

It's me.

What is this place, Meche?

It's an apartment I found for myself.

It's only temporary.

Open the door.

Please.

This place,

who lives here?

You've lost your mind?

Does this woman know that you're here?

Tell me.

Huh?

She isn't around. She's in jail.

We've worked out an arrangement though.

I water the plants and... air it out.

Clean a bit.

You're taking...

someone else's place,

a m*rder*r's.

You're... you're using her things

and even wearing her clothes every day.

Meche, no.

Meche, I could understand it

if you fell in love with somebody else.

- But I don't... I don't know what this is.

- No, no, no.

- What is happening with you?

- That isn't it at all.

Huh?

It's the tranquility.

What does that mean, tranquility?

There's so much noise.

All the time.

I can't cope. I'm not strong enough.

But it doesn't bother you.

You don't need silence.

But I'm going crazy.

What are you doing, Meche?

I'm cleaning the carpet.

There's mud on it.

Why do you care? It's not your carpet.

If I don't get it out now,

the stain will be set by tomorrow.

- Stop it.

- It'll be ruined.

Mercedes,

you won't be back here tomorrow.

Meche.

Get dressed. It's time to go home.

This doesn't belong to you.

Meche.

"She bore the blame for a crime

committed together with her man."

"She spent many years in jail."

"The man spent his days

searching for a new girlfriend."

- Do we believe that?

- No.

- They're gonna eat us alive.

- Yep.

This woman refuses to talk to anyone,

but she writes a book?

Right when everyone wants

her head planted on a pike? No.

Enough.

I have to pass sentence. It's time.

MARA CAROLINA GEEL

WOMEN'S PRISON

In Santiago, on July 11th, 1956,

in consideration of article 391

number two of the Penal Code,

we hereby find the defendant,

Georgina Silva Jimnez,

guilty of homicide.

She will serve

a prison sentence of 541 days,

the maximum punishment,

for the premeditated m*rder

of Roberto Pumarino Valenzuela,

carried out on April 14th, 1955,

at the Crilln Hotel.

Please, Your Honor,

this is excessive.

- Here, Domingo.

- Yes, Your Honor.

Georgina! What do you think about

the verdict the judge arrived at?

Is it fair? Will you appeal it?

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- How are you doing?

- Fine. How about you?

Fine. Have a nice day.

Who?

Hello?

Hello?

May I come in?

- Judge Aliro?

- Mm?

A call from the bar at the Union Club.

Someone is waiting for you there.

- Right now?

- Mm.

- At the bar?

- Mm.

Do me a favor, Merceditas.

In an hour, come by to rescue me.

Sure.

Hopefully, they let me in.

URGENSee you soon, Antito.

Let's go, Merceditas.

This is such a funny place.

They won't let me in,

and they won't let you out.

I'll buy you lunch at Don Pepe.

I thought you were having lunch

at the club?

Don't I wish.

I was ambushed

by the president, Merceditas.

- Did the president come to yell at you?

- No. No.

You might say,

he gave me the courtesy of a warning.

About what?

About how I'm gonna look like a fool.

Why would you

make a fool of yourself, sir?

Merceditas,

a judge speaks for justice.

But sometimes there are...

those to whom laws don't seem to apply,

and even the words of a judge

are pointless.

And then justice... is rendered mute.

We interrupt

our regularly scheduled broadcast

to bring you breaking news.

In a surprising turn of events,

the Head of State,

Carlos Ibez del Campo,

has granted presidential pardon

to infamous murderess and writer

Mara Carolina Geel.

This decision has been made

following a vigorous advocacy campaign

spearheaded by renowned poet

Gabriela Mistral,

who penned a letter directly

to the president beseeching...

MARA LUISA BOMBAL

THE TREE AND OTHER STORIES

I'll be seeing you

In all the old familiar places...

All day through...

Darling, we can't go in without you.

In that small caf

The park across the way

The children's carousel

The chestnut trees

The wishing well...

m*rder AT HOTEL CRILLN

WRITER MARA GEEL SHOOTS LOVER

In every lovely summer's day...

m*rder AND MADNESS AT HOTEL CRILLN

SHE k*lled HER LOVER AND DRANK HIS BLOOD

LOVE DROVE HER CRAZY

LETTER FROM CAROLINA TO ROBERTO PUMARINO

PROVES HOW MUCH SHE LOVED HIM

ONLY 541 DAYS IN PRISON

"IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE PLEA

BY OUR BRILLIANT WRITER"

Honorable Mr. President:

I beg Your Excellency

to confer your pardon, knowing

of your compassion and magnanimity.

We respectfully beg Your Excellency

to grant a full pardon

to Mara Carolina Geel,

as is the wish of us Latin American women.

We will never forget it.

Yours truly, Gabriela Mistral

PARDONED! MARA CAROLINA GEEL

I'll be seeing you

I'll be seeing you

In every lovely summer's day

In everything that's light and g*y

I'll always think of you that way

I'll find you

In the morning sun

And when the night is new...

BASED ON THE BOOK

"WHEN WOMEN k*ll" BY ALIA TRABUCCO

But I'll be

Seeing you