01x07 - A Night with Bárbara

[bunniefuu]

This story is inspired
by real events and characters

as told by some of the protagonists

and the media of the time.

There are also fictionalized facts
and characters for dramatic purposes.

And now we'll hear

the deep and sincere account
of María Ascensión del Calvario.

A woman battered

by her husband.

As spokesperson for
the Battered Women's Association of Spain…

EIGHT YEARS LATER

…a common problem, a common denominator.

Denominated by many and nominated…

The children are finally asleep.
Please lower the volume a bit.

A common denominator,

denominated by many
and nominated by others…

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL
TVE 1987

I'm sorry. It's just that…
my husband beats me.

My husband beats me. Every day.

He beats me more. He has me beat.

He beats me, all over.

I swear, he beats me.

Oh, how he beats me, my husband!

My husband beats me.

How he beats me.
Oh, I swear, he beats me all over!

Sure, since he doesn't beat you…

UNTAMEABLE

I'm just saying your father
keeps asking you to visit your mother.

-I'm too busy.
-Dad's really tired.

Am I the only sleepy one here?

If one doesn't want to be tired,
one should go to bed early.

Honey, I go to bed
whenever I f*cking please.

Your mom here wants me
to go to bed at the same time as you.

Off you go, to class.

-Come on.
-Princess.

-Good morning. Hi, children.
-Angelito, be good.

Excuse me. Are you in a hurry?

I'm Lourdes, the principal.
You may remember me?

I wanted to talk to you
for a moment. In my office.

Can't it be here?

My office would be better,
if you'd be so kind.

It'll be just a few minutes.

-I'll go… One second…
-No problem.

Get my purse.

Thank you.

f*cking Lourdes.

-It's right here.
-Great.

I have to use the restroom.

Of course.

-Go ahead.
-Thanks.

-Let's wait for your husband.
-Yes. Thank you.

Don't worry. This isn't anything serious.

-Would you like some water?
-No. I'm fine.

Everything all right at home?

Everything's fine.

I'm here. Sorry.

No problem.

You may take a seat.

Let's see.

Well…

what I wanted to tell you is that…

the bank denied your payments.

-This month's payment?
-No.

CHAPTER 7
A NIGHT WITH BÁRBARA

It's been going on since September.

It's five, counting January,
plus the meals.

-I don't know why it's happening.
-Some problem with the bank.

Most certainly, yes.

How about I send you
someone with the cash?

I'm afraid payments
must be made through a bank.

-Through a bank?
-Yes.

Oh, through a bank. Don't worry.

I'll spend the whole f*cking morning
at the bank to pay this.

-Forgive us. This must be a mistake.
-No problem. These things happen.

-Of course. Sorry.
-Let's go. Come on.

Through a bank. f*ck me dead.

-If they are owed, what do you expect?
-We pay a fortune.

It's not that big a deal.

This lady took one look at my Gypsy face
and pegged me for a thief.

She was quite polite.

I'm done with this.
I have a good mind to switch schools.

I'll pay those seven months
so they stop bugging us.

-I'll walk.
-The f*ck you saying?

I'll walk home.

María, get in the car.
I'll pay today. Get in.

I don't want you to drive me like that.

-Like what?
-Like you just came out of the bathroom.

-Don't you go to the bathroom?
-Not to do what you do.

María, don't bust my ba*ls.
Don't make a scene and get in the car.

-You're hurting me.
-Get in the f*cking car!

For f*ck's sake.

-Where the hell are they?
-I don't know.

sh*t.

Antoñito, go.

We don't even have


-It keeps getting worse. I wonder why.
-Why?

Will his lordship deign to work today?

Depends on what kind of day he's having.

What I know is that
if we go on like this, we're ruined.

-I'll see if he's here.
-And find María.

Don't worry. She will make it, okay?

-What the f*ck are you doing?
-Please, things are bad enough.

Oh, f*ck off.

Why the insult?

Careful.

Ladies and gentlemen.

It's a small audience, so we need
to sell the act with cheer. With energy.

The great Richardi!

Big smile. Let's go.

Grazie. Bella…

-Hortensia, has María arrived?
-No.

sh*t.

-So sorry. So sorry, guys.
-María, honey, you should go out now.

I know, hon.
I got tangled up with some stuff.

-Again, María?
-It's fine.

He gets a bit nervous
because things aren't going well.

Cover it with something. That's it.

-Ready?
-One second.

All set.

f*ck.

You're not performing?

-What's going on here?
-What do you mean?

-There's no f*cking money!
-There'll be less if we go on like this.

Hello?

What?

Sure, I'll let him know.

Who's calling?

Sure, yes. Thank you. Bye.

Who was it?

Ángel, María doesn't deserve this.

Who was that, Little Clown?

-José Frade, the film producer.
-My wife doesn't act anymore, for f*ck's…

No, it wasn't for your wife.
It was for you.

For me?

-They want you to be in a movie.
-A movie?

Blasco… do you see me as an actor?

Do you hear me? She doesn't deserve this.

Little Clown, I think I'll pass.

-Did you hit her again?
-Calm down, Blasco.

No, you calm down.
Seems like you're a bit jumpy lately.

Let's all calm down a bit.

You care a lot about my wife, huh?

I do. Wanna know why?

Because your wife
has to perform in front of children

with bruises ringing her neck.
How about that?

Did you ask her why? Go on, ask her.

She busts my ba*ls all day long!

At school, she busts my ba*ls.
At the circus, she busts my ba*ls.

We get home, and…

-She busts your ba*ls.
-She busts my ba*ls.

And sometimes one has no choice but to…

You don't understand
because you're single.

I can explain it to you any time.

If you want to laugh, look for Rita

If you want to play, dance with Rita

Let's all go to the park with Rita

To run and play with my puppy, Rita

RUSSIAN CIRCUS

-Jesus, Ángel!
-What are you doing here?

Bringing you your stuff.

And do you have to
sneak in my trailer for that?

If you don't want us to be seen…

Is it the usual?

You tell me.

Fresh from Colombia.

-And last week's?
-Have I ever not paid you?

No, but lately you've been
dragging your feet a bit.

Will you stop by my trailer later?

Not today. I have a lot going on.

Paco.

María.

Does time not pass for you?

Almost 40. Of course it does.

-How are you?
-You're beautiful.

-Thank you.
-Take a seat.

And tell me, please. Tell me everything.

-How are you? How's life?
-It's all good.

How are the kids?

Great, everything's great.
The children are great.

Imagine, Ángel's already seven,
and Sofi, almost five.

My goodness! Time flies.

It does, yes.

How's Ángel?

Ángel…

Hi. Some white wine, please.

As usual, the same.

Busy, nonstop. The usual.

And you? Also nonstop, right?

Well, I can't complain.

Nice.

-Tell me, what are you working on?
-Hm.

Anything that could tempt me?

Don't tell me
you're thinking of coming back?

It would be… just occasionally.

I love hearing that.

So, is there anything for me?

You see, María…

It's been seven years.

This world is rather ruthless.
You know that well.

People forget quickly.

For a while now,
you've projected another image.

What image?

Thank you.

One more linked to Ángel.

To the circus.

I understand perfectly.

-What matters is you're all right, right?
-Yes.

-Yes?
-Yes, of course.

How's Chelo? Have you heard from her?

I bumped into her
in the hallways at Prado del Rey.

Did you?

-She has a new partner.
-Really?

A woman.

Well…

I think she's happy.
You haven't seen her in a long time, huh?

A long time, yes.

I'm glad. Give her a big kiss
from me if you see her.

I will.

The flying fish!

Come on, children, go to sleep.
The fish is dizzy from so much flying.

Angelito, sleep now.

Hi, Dad.

Hi, sweetie.

María, what are you doing?

Well… sleeping.

Because Mommy is
sleeping here tonight. Right?

Yay!

Come, let's talk.

I'll go talk to Daddy for a second.

I'm going to sleep
with the children tonight.

Ángel, I need some… space.

What nonsense is this?

You'll sleep with your husband.

I said no.

María, don't be a b*tch
in front of the kids.

The flying fish!

We'll talk tomorrow.

We'll talk about
whatever we need to in bed.

No.

I'm asking nicely.

Dad, have you seen the flying fish?

Yes, sweetie.

Come on.

Time to sleep. No more talking.

-What's going on, Mommy?
-Shh. It's nothing. Don't worry.

Shh, shh, shh!

Go to sleep, my love.

Ángel, go to sleep.

It's so noisy.

Yes, I know, my love. It's all right.

Come on, sleep.

Let's toast.

What is it, Mommy?

Nothing, sweetie.

Come on, huh?

Sleep, both of you.

It's nothing. Your father is working,
but he's almost done.

-Come on.
-Okay.

Do you remember
how to count sheep? Let's do that.

-Mom!
-What?

I cut myself closing my backpack.

Let me see. Oh, dear.

It's all right, honey. Here.

-You finish your breakfast?
-Yeah.

Yeah? You sure?

Sofía!

Sofía! What did you touch?

What did you touch? Open your mouth.
Did you swallow anything? Sure?

-Look at me. Tell me the truth, honey.
-Are you okay, Sofía?

-Out. Get out of here!
-Calm down. Nothing happened!

Come on… Dad will make breakfast, okay?

-Ana, get the children in the car.
-Calm down. Nothing happened.

-Are you insane, leaving that sh*t around?
-The girl is fine.

You b*stard!

It's over. I swear on my life, it's over!

María, please!

Sofía! Come here.

María?

María, what happened?

I can't take it anymore. That's what.

You know what happened?

Your friend has
cocaine all over the house.

And my little girl almost swallowed it.
That's what's happened, honey.

Calm down, please.

I don't feel like calming down.
It's over. I'm out of here right now.

Where will you go, María?

I don't know.

I need money.

María, I can't give you any.

The circus is in the shitter,
and Ángel is in charge of the money now.

Right, then…

What do we do? Because I need money.

Listen to him. Where will you go
by yourself with two kids?

You know what?

I'll sell whatever I need to sell,
Hortensia.

I'll sell it and leave this place.
End of story.

María, you can't do that.
Everything's in Ángel's name.

Please stay and talk to him calmly.

You know what he's like.

I know perfectly well.

It's because I know what he's like
that I'm leaving. I'm done.

I can't take it a minute longer.

María, please.

María, what are you doing?

María, where are you going, honey?
What are you doing?

-Get off me, Ángel. Let go of me!
-María, please. No.

-Please.
-Let go of me!

-Are you going to hit me?
-María, I won't hit you--

-Please.
-Let go of me.

-Ángel, let go.
-I'm asking you, please.

-María, please.
-Go ahead and k*ll yourself, you fool.

But not my children,
you hear me? Not my children!

Don't go.

Don't go.

Please.

Please.

It's all gone to sh*t, Ángel.

I know.

I know. I want to change.

I swear on my life I'll change.

I swear I'll quit the drugs,
everything. I swear.

María, you are my life.

María, you are my life.

I can't believe you anymore.

Please.

Please.

Please.

It's the last one.

Do you hear me?
This is the last chance you get.

And just so you know,
things will be different from now on.

Give me a smoke.

f*ck me dead.

f*ck me, it's my fault…

-What's your fault?
-Everything, Blasco. It's all my fault.

Everything? The unemployment rate as well?

Real Madrid eliminated
from the championship, also you.

No, that's on Buitre.

I f*cked everything up
because of the damned blow.

Wow! Did you hear that?
Blow. Maybe blow's to blame, he says.

No, man, it can't be that--

Who are you, Pajares and Esteso?

I know I need to quit that sh*t.

Years ago.

Know what the problem is, Ángel?

To quit the white lady,
you gotta have ba*ls like these.

And if I have them,
so does my brother. You hear me?

-You need a plan.
-What plan, Little Clown?

A plan of action.

Start by leaving the circus for a while?

The air isn't exactly clean here.

Maybe

you could… make that movie?

What movie?

-The one they called you about.
-Nah.

It's a film featuring
all the stars in the Spanish sky.

-Tell him.
-Luis Escobar.

Rafaela Aparicio, Manolo Gómez Bur.

And the crown jewel.
José Luis López Vázquez.

-From The Big Family?
-The very same. The greatest.

Sounds f*cking great, don't you think?

And what about the circus? Do I close it?

Not necessarily, Ángel.

Remember your wife once said
she wanted to do a revue show here?

It'd be great if we let her do it.

I mean… if you let her do it.

What do you think?

You all right?

Yes.

Maybe what I'm going to tell you
will make you feel better. I don't know.

María, I talked to Ángel.

About what?

He's putting the circus at your disposal.

He remembered that project
you suggested some time ago.

Having a revue here at the circus.

Ángel remembered that?

Yes. He says
it might be the solution for now.

María, you could do
a variety show right here.

We have everything you need.

Technicians, dressmaker, wardrobe…

Artists.

And the most important.

The star.

It was you, right?

That's not important.

What matters is…

do you want to?

Yes or no?

MARGARITA DORDID DE CRISTO 12-1-1987
YOUR CHILDREN DO NOT FORGET YOU

Lovely weather today, Mother.

The kind of day you liked.

I would've liked to come earlier,

but I'm not at my best right now,
as I guess you already know.

You should be used to seeing me like this.

You know…

I blamed Father a lot for abandoning me.

But now that I have children,

now that I see

how María takes care of them…

I don't understand
why you never came to get me.

I never told you,
but I was very lonely there.

And I don't know if it's because of that…

or something else, but I…

I'm angry.

I'm always angry.

I know it's my fault.

I don't know how to love anybody.

All I know is to hate those who love me.

But I'll try to change.

It'll be hard, but I'll try.

And I miss you.

I'll give Angelito and Sofía
a kiss from you.

They've grown a lot.

And here's one from me.

-Dad is Superman!
-Angelito, I'll be El Cid.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Superman!

-Fine, Superman. Ouch. Whatever you say.
-Ah!

Dad, I lost my magic bracelet.

How come you lost it?

Hello?

María.

Blasco, wait, I'll put Ángel on. Honey!

-Honey, Blasco.
-Coming.

No, I actually wanted to talk to you.

Oh.

Yes, tell me.

You see…
I don't know how to tell you, Bárbara…

Advance ticket sales aren't very strong.

Oh.

I don't know what could have happened.

Maybe not enough publicity. I don't know.

But I'm very sorry.

Yeah, so tickets are not selling, huh?

No.

María…

We sold out!

-What? Really?
-We sold out for this week!

We sold out the whole first week.

Are you sure?

Not sure, completely sure.

Blasco, that's…

That's amazing.

It'll be the best show in Spain,
the best show of the year.

Not even the "Folies Berger."
Watch out, Norma.

NORMA DUVAL TO PERFORM
AT "FOLIES BERGÈRE" IN PARIS

It's pronounced "Folies Bergère," honey.
And Norma is great.

Oh, there's…

-María?
-Blasco, do you hear me?

I want to thank you
because you're running this very well.

Thank you.

You know it's my pleasure.

Talk to you soon. Bye.

What is it?

"I take the city of Valencia

in the name of my only… king and lord,

Alfonso VI of Castile,
by the grace of God."

-Amazing.
-Did you like it?

-Hell yeah!
-Good!

I can't clap
because I'm driving, otherwise…

Do it again.

-Okay, like I mean it, without reading.
-That's it!

I am El Cid.

"I take the city of Valencia

in the name of my only… king and lord,
Alfonso VI of Castile,

by the grace of God!"

-sh*t, Ángel, that's great.
-Better. In the end…

He who has talent,
has talent for everything.

Yes, and you have it.

And I'm doing it cold. Wait till I have
the props, the clothes, my coat of mail…

-I'm going to be awesome.
-Yes, awesome.

It's going to be great,
Little Clown, by the grace of God.

-Weren't you going to play El Cid?
-Little Clown…

-Here's my lead actor!
-Angelino!

-Angelino, one thing…
-Yes?

-I think it's clear.
-Hm…

But my friend here doesn't get the concept

of El Cid dressed as Superman.

El Cid Cabreador, Ángel.
This is an adaptation.

An adaptation!

It's an adaptation, okay? An adaptation.

There he is.

I'm hungry. Bring me an electric fan.

José Luis.

A handheld fan, whatever.
Please, I'm melting here.

José Luis.

-How are you? I'm Ángel.
-Ángel Cristo, yes. I know you.

My nieces love your circus.

-Francisco Ontiveros.
-Hello.

An admirer, a friend, a sl*ve, a servant.

Oh, good. I see you know my work well.

The electric fan.

I've seen all your movies.
Robbery at 3 O'clock, the best.

Excuse my friend. He's a bit of an idiot.

I'll leave you.
I have to greet others around here.

Of course. Nice to meet you. Bye.

-Bye.
-He's so great!

Can you behave
as if we've been doing this for long?

Yes.

Fine.

ENTRANCE

Please.

Look at the camera.

Bárbara!

Look this way!

Stand there, please.

All right.

Thank you for coming. We need to wrap up.

Tomorrow's a big day,
and our star needs her rest.

One more photo, Bárbara.

Thank you all for coming.

See you tomorrow.

Thank you.

No need to thank me.

Little Clown, let's go. I'm very tired.

One more, make us look good.

-That's enough. Thank you.
-Thanks.

A NIGHT WITH BÁRBARA

I hope you're happy. This is your revue.

Not just happy, extremely happy.

-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

Hello.

How are you?

Good. How are you, honey? All good?

You have no idea
how many reporters and photographers came.

Phenomenal.

Really phenomenal.
I thought you'd come too.

I wanted to, but… we finished late.

The kids?

Asleep. Like a log.

How was your day? Good?

The movie is going to be… a hit.

Great! I'm so glad.

I'm going to shower
and take this off. I'm exhausted.

I made an omelet--

I'm not hungry.
We had a bite to eat there. Thanks.

What is it, Father?

I had to go to the bathroom, son.

Go back to bed.

How's your movie?

-The movie is fine. Everything's fine.
-I'm glad. It shows when you are well.

-How are you?
-I… am very well.

Good.

I should have gone to get you.

What do you mean?

I should have gone earlier
to get you back from the orphanage.

And… if I could turn back time
and do it again…

Well…

I regret it.

I've always regretted it,
and wanted you to know it.

Those were hard times.

You always said so.

Everything's all right.

But not for me.

Get some rest.

Good night, son.

f*ck me dead.

PREMIERE OF "A NIGHT WITH BÁRBARA"
NOVEMBER 1988

-María.
-Yes?

María, I'm leaving.

-It's a pity you work today.
-I'm gonna miss it, dammit.

-Worse, I won't be able to help.
-It's fine.

Don't worry,
Blasco has it all under control.

And… thank you for making this possible.

Thank you.
You've made this tent come back to life.

-Packed to the rafters. It's… incredible.
-María!

-Paco!
-María!

Paco!

You look marvelous!

Oh, Paco, how nice to see you.
Thank you for coming!

No, thank you for inviting me.

I couldn't miss it.

María!

-Yes… Break a leg. Bye.
-I'm leaving.

-How are you?
-How did you come up with this idea?

A revue at the circus? Only you.

You see? Get back my old image
without dropping the new one,

because one can have it all in life.

Listen, I needed to hear what you told me.

It opened my eyes.

You don't need me to tell you anything
to know what you want.

You are very smart, María.

And right now I'm so jittery.

Come on, this is second nature to you.

Huh? Besides, I got you a surprise
that I think will help you.

Look.

Chelo!

What a lovely surprise!

-How are you?
-Very well.

Friend.

Friend.

Goodness, it's been so long!

Too long.

Too long, yes.

You look gorgeous.

So gorgeous.

Paco told me you are very happy.

-Yes, well…
-Yes…

-You're radiant, as always.
-Well…

-Thank you for coming. I'm so happy.
-What's going on?

The show's about to start.

Everybody to their seats.

-We'll talk.
-Get ready.

Coming.

Come on, everybody.

Are you all right?

Yes.

Don't worry. You nailed it with me.

I know.

-Hi, everybody. Hi, team.
-Hi.

-How are you?
-Good.

You can't be here.
We're about to start sh**ting.

Oh, sorry. I'll go.

-Break a leg.
-Come on.

Let's get to it.

Positions, everybody. Please.

Everybody on their marks.

Let's sh**t, okay?

We're starting, please.

Roll camera.



TITLE: EL CID CABREADOR

Let's go.

And action.

And action.

But weren't you going to w*r?

Ha! I'm not in the mood for fights.

Cut!

"For wars," Ángel. "For wars."

I'm sorry. "For wars." Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Yes?

With more intention. "For wars!"

-Yes. "For wars." In the mood…
-Go again.

-Please, go again. Back to first marks.
-Let's go. Do it.

Ready, María.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

Well… it's time.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Tonight, the circus
brings you new surprises.

And it is my honor to present
a new show with an exceptional star.

A woman who returns to the stage
after a long absence of seven years.

Ladies. Gentlemen.

Welcome to the premiere
of A Night with Bárbara.



And action.

I'm not in the mood for fights!

Cut.

Back to first marks, please. Go again.



It's not a comeback
I was always here…

Fifth take.

Cut.

-"For wars."
-Yes, I know.



Action.

To reappear
Breathing in the magic from here

How wondrous the circus!

How wondrous this life!

How wondrous to live it with you!

I can finally do as I say

It's so good to be Bárbara Rey…

Yes.

Cut.

-Cut.
-Sorry.

Eighth.

Cut.

-"For wars."
-That's it.

Great, thanks.

-Go again, please. Let's go.
-Yes.

Where's the clapperboard…?

Action!

I'm calm.

Ten.

Cut!

Some makeup, please?

Cut. Cut, cut.

I can finally do as I say

It's so good to be Bárbara Rey!

Everything I am, I owe to you

The audience lifts me
And I surrender completely

Oh!

I am reborn, I have reemerged

I've seen what I get

When I live my way

I can now feel

A world made for me

I can now be happy

The audience makes me whole
And I invite it to say

"It's so good to be Bárbara here!"

I can finally do as I say

It's so good to be Bárbara Rey!

Bárbara Rey!

Bravo!

Guys.

Would you happen to have a little…?

Bravo!

And Chelo?

There you are. Where were you?

I've been looking for you.

Smoking a cigarette, Bárbara.

Enjoying tonight's success.

I hadn't felt this in a long time.

Imagine me…

You deserve it, Bárbara.

Oh, Blasco. All of this I owe to you.

-I'm sorry.
-No, I'm sorry.

I couldn't… help myself.

I'm so sorry, really.

Forgive me.

It was all my fault.

I gave you the wrong impression,
and I apologize. I'm really sorry.

Blasco, I… love you very much.

Very, very much.

But…

It's just that now…
And everything is going well and Ángel…

If Ángel hears about this--

Ángel does not deserve you.

He never knew how to take care of you.

-And I know perfectly--
-No.

No. Don't say another word.

It's enough.

Psst!

Cata.

Hi, honey.

Sorry, I was…

very distracted.

Hey, what are you doing here?

Nothing.

Don't worry. Just smoking.

But I don't want any trouble. I'm leaving.

Better that way.

Cata…

Do…

Do you have anything left?

Hmm.

I'll get it, Ana.

Must be Ángel. He should be back already.
Check on the children.

Hello?

Sorry to call this late.
I hope it's not inconvenient.

Your Majesty?

What a surprise.

It's been a long time.

Seven years already.

But really, need I remind you
not to call me "Majesty"?

María, I just wanted to, well…

congratulate you.

I hear you had a magnificent curtain call.

Well, more like
a circus tent's flap, but… yes.

Thank you, Juan,
for taking the trouble to call.

It's no trouble.

I still think of you.

These last few years
haven't been easy for you, María.

I know you have personal difficulties,

and I want you to know
that I'm here for whatever you need.

Okay.

Thank you, but… I am fine.

I'm very well, actually.

You shouldn't have given up your career.

But I'm glad you've triumphed again. Hm?

You know that, right?

I do, yes. I know.

And, María, don't you worry, huh?
Norma Duval has nothing on you.

Not even the "Folies Berger."
Watch out, Norma.

It's pronounced "Folies Bergère," honey.
And know that Norma is great.

I'll let you go now.

It's late. Take care.

Honey.

How did it go?

How did the sh**t go?

Not as good as your day.

Why do you say that?

Fine, I'll check on the children.

They are asleep, and you don't need to go
because I want you to tell me

what a good time you had
with that son of a b*tch Blasco.

You got what you wanted, huh? To f*ck him.

-What? No, honey.
-Stop lying to me!

I thought I should go pay a wh*re,
but then again, why?

If I have a wh*re at home.

-Huh? Shut up!
-Ángel. Stop!

Ángel, stop, please.

You b*tch!

Do you want to tear this family apart?

Get out!

Get out of my house! f*ck me dead!

Out!

Out!

If you show up here again,

I swear I'll k*ll you.

Come in.

Oh, dear. Come on in. You'll catch a cold.

Good morning, everyone.

MADRID
FEBRUARY 1989

Good morning.

Today, February 10, 1989,

I, María García,

want to publicly state my intention
to take my husband, Ángel Cristo,

to court.

I have decided
to put an end to my marriage…

I have decided
to put an end to my marriage

because since we got married
ten years ago,

I have been abused.

If I tolerated it all these years,
it was for my children's sake

and because I always thought
that one day my husband would change.

But an ab*ser never changes.

An ab*ser always finds…

An ab*ser always finds
reasons to punish you.

I would also like to make public

my intention to fight in court

for the custody of my children.

And I will not stop until I get it.

Thank you all very much.

It's the first day in the trial
between lion tamer Ángel Cristo

and Bárbara Rey, the beautiful star.

Do you consider yourself a bad mother?

Bárbara, please.
Could you lose custody of your children?

Ángel.

What do you say
to the allegations of abuse?

Is what she says true?

Not at all.

If you don't take the stand,
my children will stay with an ab*ser.

Do you understand?

I'll take them from you,
and you'll never see them again.

For the rest of your life!

-I'm here because I need your help.
-What do you want me to do, María?

I need you to tell the truth.

Do you swear to tell the truth?

I do.

So many lies…

So much ambition.

Such lack of scruples… It's incredible.

Imagine if I lose this trial

because my brother…
refused to take the stand.

f*ck me dead.

I've been insulted,

humiliated, beaten.

She didn't even say goodbye
to her children.

He's lying, dammit.
Can't you see he's lying? Can't you see?

What can I do for you?

I need the tapes.

Bárbara! Here, Bárbara!

I will read the verdict
in the case of Ángel Cristo Dordid

and María García García
over custody of their children,

Ángel Cristo García
and Sofía Cristo García.