01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

[crowd chanting in distance]
Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

[sighs]

[crowd] Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

[exhales deeply]

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

[cheering]

["Mi gran noche" playing]

♪ I'm heading out tonight
It's a special day ♪

♪ I'll live the life the world offers
When the sunlight fades away ♪

♪ I'll be able to sing a sweet song ♪

♪ With the moon above ♪

♪ Like never before
I'll kiss and hold the one I love ♪

♪ What's my fate? What mysteries await? ♪

♪ This could be my night ♪

♪ And when I awake
Life's truth that lies in wait ♪

♪ Will come to light ♪

[singing tune with audience]

♪ I will wander the streets
My love in my arms, with nowhere to go ♪

♪ I'll learn love grows sweeter still
When the lights are low ♪

♪ And without a word, our steps
Will look for another door ♪

♪ That will open wide, just like my heart
When she draws close once more ♪

-♪ What…? ♪
-[crowd] ♪ What's my…? ♪

-[music fades]
-[sounds distorting]

[breathing shakily]

[heart beating]

[high-pitched ringing]

[audience gasps and cries out]

[man 1] We need a doctor!

-[man 2] Get some water!
-[man 1] Find a doctor!

[man 3] Somebody help him!

[man 1] Get a doctor!

Close the curtain! Now!

Rafael. Give us a minute. Rafael?

-Rafael, wake up.
-[crowd chanting] Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael! Raphael! Raphael!

Raphael! Raphael!

A DAY LIKE NO OTHER

[somber note playing]

[woman in distance] Rafael?

What happened?
Where's the 100 pesetas?

[bell tolling]

Just act sick and keep quiet.

[soldier] Back again, Rafaela?

I sold everything I had.
Money's tight at home.

-Too many mouths to feed.
-[soldier] Give her extra bread.

And now my boy's sick.

I need money to buy him cough syrup.

[soldier] It's the third time
you've come through the line.

-God bless you. Thank you.
-Go on.

[Rafaela] Lying is bad,
but going hungry is worse. Here.

Over there. Go on.

Ladies, who wants fresh bread?

Nice, fresh bread.

-[woman] Here.
-Thanks. God bless.

Go play over there.
I'll keep an eye on you.

Fresh bread! Who wants some, ladies?

-Nice, fresh bread!
-I'll take a piece.

-Here.
-Thanks.

Bread? Thank you. God bless.

[man] Potatoes and onions!

Rafael!

Here. Go to the fruit stand…

-Drop that!
-[rock thuds]

Go and change these coins
for a bill. Hurry.

-Morning, Emilio.
-Hello. Good morning.

My mom asked
if you could change this for a bill.

Looks like you sold a lot today.

Here you go.

-[man 2] Watch it!
-[Rafael gasps]

[tense music playing]

[Rafael breathing shakily]

[labored breathing]

[suspenseful music rising]

[whispering] The 100-peseta bill…

What's wrong, Rafael?

Where's the money? Where's the bill?

Don't tell me you lost it.
How'd you lose it?

How could you lose it?!

That was all we had!
For God's sake. Every last bit.

Tell me you didn't lose it.

-Say you didn't!
-I'm sorry, Mom.

That was all we had, Rafael.

[music grows somber]

[music fades]

-Did you wash your hands?
-Yeah, of course.

Where's the kid?

Rafael!

-Rafael, lunch!
-He's not eating today.

-Why not? What happened?
-Electric company!

Couldn't they come some other time?

Go pay them.

-Electric company!
-All right! We're coming!

Do you know
what happened with your brother?

[brothers] No.

[dad] Eat up.
Your food's getting cold.

-[Rafaela] Hi.
-Hello.

Look, things are tough right now.
My boy's sick.

Ma'am, spare me the story.
Do you have the money or not?

Nothing.

[bells tolling in distance]

[tolling of bells fades]

EIGHT YEARS LATER

[softly] Rafael, get up.

I'm not letting you be late.

Not on your first day.

-You hear me?
-[Rafael] Yeah.

[Rafaela] Then answer me.

[huffs]

[DJ on radio] On this spring morning,
we bring you some music…

Hello. Good morning.

We're not open yet.

I'm the new apprentice.

We open at 10:00,
but staff need to be here by 9:00.

Have you worked
in a tailor shop before?

All right. We'll start with the basics.

Arrange these fabric rolls
on the shelves in the back.

-By color.
-Yes, sir.

[DJ] Get ready. We're about to hear

the great French chanson singer,
the one and only Madame Édith Piaf.

["Non, je ne regrette rien"
playing on radio]

[Édith Piaf singing in French]

[Rafael singing along in French]

[volume increases]

-[gasps]
-You like Édith Piaf?

[volume decreases]

Do you?

Sing all you want.

As long as we're alone.

But the second a customer walks in,
I want silence.

Understood?

Of course.

Now, come here. Help me with some suits.

Yes, sir.

["Non, je ne regrette rien" grows louder]

[manager] Rafael. Kid! Kid!

Wake up! Wake up!
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

Kid…

[breathing shakily]

Look at me. Look at me.

You okay?

[woman, echoing] "What is life? A frenzy."

-"What is life?"
-[boy] Here.

[woman] "An illusion."

We have afternoon shows.
And evening shows.

For the whole family.

Tell your parents to bring you.
The People's Theater Company.

At the Infanta Isabel Theater.
A show like no other.

Do you know what theater is?

Come find out. I'll be waiting.

-Thanks.
-[woman chuckles]

Life Is a Dream
at the Infanta Isabel Theater.

Violent hippogriff
You ran like the wind, furious drift

Where, lightning without light trails
Bird without colors

Fish without scales
Beasts without instincts

In this confusing labyrinth
Of this bare rock

You break loose, crawl, drop

Stay on this mountain
Where the beasts have their Phaeton…

[Rafael] I slipped into the theater
without anyone noticing.

There were empty seats,
so I sat down.

The curtain was huge.

When it opened, the actress came out.

She wore a beautiful yellow dress,
and she started saying,

"Fortune, we go forth to reign."

"Wake me not if I sleep."

"Let me sleep not if it is real."

"But, real or a dream,
doing good is what matters."

I don't get it.

All right.

The main character is Segismundo,
a man locked in a tower.

By the end,
Segismundo realizes who he really is.

It gives him
the strength to do what he must.

And what's that?

To become an artist, of course.

-This goes here…
-Great.

And here,
keep the fabric stretched tight.

Pattern. No.

We'll make the most of the fabric.

Go ahead. Measure it.

Fabric weight.

Another weight here.

Mark it.

[gentle music playing]

There. Mark it there.

Go on.

Nice job, Rafael. Very good.

Okay. Let me see.

No, look. The pockets go inward.

That's it.

Very good. It fits you well.

You can keep it.

But take care of it.
It's not for everyday wear.

[lock opens]

[door squeaks open]

Do you know what time it is?
Where have you been?

The theater. I walked home.

And you stroll in this late?

You're not going out again
until you're of age.

From now on, you go straight
to and from the tailor shop.

-That means I can leave the house.
-Don't talk back.

This theater nonsense is over.

Now, go to bed.

I said go to bed.

Hit me again.

And again.

And again.

Because I'll keep going
to the theater whenever I can.

I work like a dog
and bring home every cent.

If you're going to slap me
every time I go to the theater,

get it out of your system tonight.

Because I won't stop.

Get out of my sight.

-[door closes]
-[sighs]

[Rafaela] He's home.

[both sigh]

What should we do with him?

I wish I knew.

[crying] I can't lose him, Paco.

I can't.

[piano playing in distance]

Come in.

MAESTRO GORDILLO'S SINGING SCHOOL

[trumpet playing]

[teacher] Very good.

[choir singing]

Hello. Good morning.

Morning. I'm dropping off suits
from the tailor shop.

Yes, we were expecting you.
I'll get Maestro Gordillo.

-[clarinet plays notes]
-[girl sings notes]

[inspiring music rises]

You were looking for me?

Hello.

-So, you're the tailor's apprentice.
-That's right.

-I hear you're a good singer.
-I guess.

-Would you like to audition?
-[inspiring music fades]

JULIÁN'S TAILOR SHOP

Julián!

Julián! Where are you?

Thanks for recommending me.

Gordillo and I go way back.

He always orders suits
for his students' performances.

I know how much you like to sing,
and I thought they might be able to help.

But I can't quit the tailor shop.

Who said anything about quitting?
The tailor shop comes first.

I don't know if I can do both.

If you want something,
you have to work for it.

If you want to attend music school,
you'll have to earn it.

-[piano chord plays]
-[Rafael sings scale]

-[piano chord plays]
-[Rafael sings scale]

-[piano chord plays]
-[Rafael sings scale]

[adult Rafael singing]

FOUR YEARS LATER

You project like a pro.

What do you think, son?

Best voice I've heard in a long time.

-Thanks.
-Okay. Pack up. Let's call it a day.

-Bye.
-[Maestro Gordillo] See you later.

-Bye, Dad.
-Bye, son.

-[Gordillo] Want to grab a drink?
-Well, I was going to--

-My treat. Come on.
-All right.

-Later, Vanesa.
-[Vanesa] Bye.

[Gordillo] All right.

Do you want to be a singer
or a tailor who sings for fun?

I want to be an artist.
Like theater people.

-It's not the same.
-Tell me about it.

I was supposed to be an engineer.
Look at me now, working for my dad.

Oh, look.

Hey. What's up?

-Is that…?
-Yeah. Manuel Alejandro.

-You know him?
-Everyone's connected in this industry.

You should think
about quitting the tailor shop.

Doing this for real.

-Huh?
-Huh?

-Are you listening?
-Yeah.

-Ah.
-What?

[scoffs]

[Rafaela] Paco, we don't have the money.

-Then we'll tighten our belts.
-[Rafaela] Even more?

[Paco] If we get a third notice,
they mean business.

We can live without electricity,
but not without a home.

[Rafaela] What do you want me to do, Paco?

Rafael needs to work more.

Maybe he'll give up
on those silly dreams of his.

[Rafael huffs]

Where are you going so late?

Uh, running errands for Julián.

Good. Then go.
And tell him to stop paying you peanuts.

And to give you a raise. We need it.

I know. I know.

[sorrowful trumpet music playing]

[music fades]

[Rafael] I'm worried sick, Paco.
Things are rough at home.

How about you enter radio contests?

I can't quit the tailor shop.

They don't pay much, but it's something.

-I guess.
-Don't you see?

I don't know.

I'll look into it.
Didn't you want to meet Manuel Alejandro?

Yeah.

Then come with me. [clears throat]

-Really?
-Come on. Cheer up.

[wistful piano music playing]

May I come in?

[chuckles]

-Paco.
-You're the best.

I want you to meet someone.
Come here, kid.

This is Manuel Alejandro,
Madrid's best pianist.

A composer on par
with Quintero, León, and Quiroga.

-Hey…
-Seriously.

Nah. They're the Holy Trinity, man.

-Where's this kid from?
-My dad's academy.

-Really?
-Yep.

-Only a few make it.
-No, this kid has what it takes.

-He wants to be an artist.
-That so?

-How about a drink?
-No.

-We'll get out of your hair.
-No.

It's always good to see you.

Besides, I still have
three more songs to play,

and we can stay here as long as we like.

Don't be shy.

Thanks.

[Manuel Alejandro] Cheers.

[Gordillo] You were nervous.

-Well, it was Manuel Alejandro.
-He's just a normal guy.

You saw him.
Jeez, you were scared stiff.

-I'd never met someone I look up to.
-[chuckles]

-Did I make a fool of myself?
-No.

Paco, why do you do all this for me?

-We're friends, right?
-Yeah, but…

You do too much. Manuel Alejandro?

Listen, kid. [clears throat]

You were born to be an artist.
I'm sure of it.

You're in for a rough ride.
Manolo told you. It won't be easy.

But I'd like to help you.

I've never done this before,
but we can give it a shot.

-Yeah, let's go for it.
-You sound pretty convinced.

I've never done this before either,
but yeah.

[chuckles] Okay. Let's get out of here.

[reflective music playing]

-Where are you taking that?
-Mom says we have to move.

Move where?

-What's going on?
-We have to leave.

-That's what's going on.
-Why?

This is our third eviction notice.

Either we leave,
or the cops will throw us out.

You only come home to sleep.
Always off in your own little world.

Wake up. Forget this artist nonsense.
Ask Julián to promote you to full tailor.

-You got that?
-[Paco] Of course he doesn't.

I'd be ashamed to see my folks struggling
and do nothing.

-[Rafaela] Do you get it?
-Yeah.

Go pack your things.
Always dragging your feet.

[sorrowful trumpet music playing]

[Rafaela sighs]

[chickens clucking]

-[Paco] Good afternoon.
-[man] Afternoon.

Where is it, Paco?

This way.

Come on.

-[sorrowful trumpet music fades]
-[sighs]

Here we are. Come on.

-[brother] Mom.
-What?

-Where's our room?
-This is it, José Manuel.

[Paco] Put the suitcases down.

[somber music playing]

[exhales]

[sniffles]

[inspiring music rises]

[indistinct chatter]

-Where's Maestro Gordillo?
-[woman] The room at the end.

Sorry. May I speak with you?

Excuse me.

What's wrong? I don't like interruptions.

-I know, but it's important.
-What is it?

-I want to enter radio contests.
-Why?

-We need money.
-I see.

-They pay, right?
-If you win.

I want to enter them all
and make money singing.

Don't worry. I'll handle it.

-From the top, Natalia.
-Sorry.

["Yo no tengo a nadie" playing]

[upbeat Spanish pop continues]

[announcer 1 on radio] In today's contest,
we have a young man from Linares,

sure to make a big impression,
Rafael Martos.

Remember the name.
He'll soon be the talk of the town.

The singer you just heard
is Rafael Martos,

one of the top contenders in this contest
from your favorite program.

After weeks of excitement
and a very close final,

the moment everyone's been waiting for
has arrived.

The winner of our Spanish song contest is

Rafael Martos!

What's this?

Tips from the tailor shop.

Remember?

[cheerful pop music fades]

[Gordillo] Hey.

It'll be fine.

Tomorrow we're meeting
the owner of Picnic.

-Really?
-He wants to meet you. Talk to Julián.

-I don't know how.
-You do.

Call me later and tell me how it went.
It'll be fine.

-Bye, Julián.
-See you.

Julián, can we talk?

What is it?

[takes a deep breath]
I've been waiting for this moment.

I wish you the best of luck.

["Te voy a contar mi vida" playing]

-[sentimental ballad rises]
-[sighs emotionally]

♪ Long before you fall in love ♪

♪ Long before binding yourself to me ♪

♪ I'll tell you my life story… ♪

-Thank you.
-All right.

-See you soon.
-Thank you very much.

♪ I'll tell you my life story ♪

♪ I want you to know the worst of me ♪

♪ And judge me fairly ♪

♪ While there's still time ♪

♪ So you'll love me as I am ♪

♪ So you'll fall madly in love ♪

♪ I want you to know about my life
My world ♪

♪ My desires… ♪

Sign here.

-Where?
-Here.

[nostalgic ballad ends]

[sign buzzing]

THE ARTIST
RAPHAEL

-"Raphael," with a "ph"?
-Why not?

-To your first record contract.
-Thank you.

-Congratulations.
-Congratulations.

[Gordillo] Mm!

Just a minute. There's something else.

-Go on, tell him.
-Yeah?

-Come on.
-What?

-Benidorm.
-What?

-You're in.
-Really?

-Yeah. They called.
-Philips called.

-Aren't you happy?
-Of course I am.

-You're in shock, huh?
-Wait. Is there a prize?

-There always is.
-Money?

-For Best Performance.
-How much?

-[Maestro Gordillo] 50 grand.
-50 grand?

-50 grand.
-You're going to Benidorm, kid.

[Raphael and Gordillo] We're going.

How could I not go with you? [chuckles]

-Congrats, kid.
-Thanks.

Do you want me to say it's a bad idea?

You can say whatever you want.

So you can ignore my advice
like you did with the tailor shop?

Or when you started working
in that dive bar?

Mom, the prize for Best Performance
is 50 grand.

Enough for a down payment
on an apartment for the family.

So? It's 50,000 pesetas.

What do you want me to say?

-You've always done whatever you wanted.
-And it's worked out okay.

You taught me to never give up, right?

Give me a kiss?

It's 50 grand.

Bye.

[sighs deeply]

[presenter] Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Benidorm Festival.

The one and only festival
everyone's been waiting for.

Shall we?

…will sing unforgettable songs.

[gentle piano music playing]

[Paco sighs]

[announcer speaking indistinctly
on radio]

-Pour me one too.
-All right.

Paco, I don't know
whether I want him to win or lose.

Neither do I, Rafaela.
Turn it up. We can't hear. There.

[presenter] Good evening. Welcome
to the fourth annual Benidorm Festival.

And now, our first performance.

"Llevan," performed by Raphael.

[crowd cheering]

♪ The fountains softly murmur ♪

♪ They'll always ♪

♪ Speak to you about me ♪

♪ The breeze ♪

♪ Brings a sigh ♪

♪ A sigh for you, you see ♪

♪ The waters bring ♪

♪ The winds bring ♪

♪ Rose-petal kisses ♪

♪ And thoughts spring ♪

♪ They bring tenderness ♪

♪ They bring passion meant to last ♪

♪ They bring ♪

♪ Loves of the past ♪

♪ The water kisses your face ♪

♪ The wind caresses it ♪

♪ How I wish I were the wind and water ♪

♪ To win your love ♪

♪ The waters bring ♪

♪ The winds bring ♪

♪ Sweet words ♪

♪ My thoughts that spring ♪

♪ They bring ♪

♪ They bring ♪

♪ My love! ♪

[crowd cheering]

[presenter] The moment
we've been waiting for.

Shh!

[announcer] Tonight's winners,

as chosen by our panel of judges,
chaired by Augusto Algueró.

And now, tonight's winners.

Please welcome the mayor of Benidorm
to present the third-place prize.

-Good evening, Mr. Mayor.
-[mayor] Good evening.

And the winner is…

-"Cada cual," by Raphael.
-All right, Rafael!

Way to go!

My son. Amazing.

-Fantastic.
-All right.

[mayor] Second place goes to…

-"Quisiera," performed by Raphael.
-That's my boy!

Bravo! Amazing!

Shh! It's not over yet.

[mayor] And first place at this year's
Benidorm Festival goes to…

"Llevan," performed by Raphael.

[guests cheering]

-[woman] I'm so happy! Rafael!
-Wow.

[Paco] Well, I'll be damned.

[woman] I can't believe it.

-Quiet. This is the big one.
-Now, the final award.

-Paco, say something.
-We won.

-Which one?
-We won.

-Fifth, fourth, third, and second.
-And Best Performance?

Shh!

[presenter] To present
the Best Performance Award

and the prize of 50,000 pesetas,
please welcome Marisol.

Give her a round of applause.

[Marisol] Good evening, everyone.
And the winner of Best Performance is…

-Raphael.
-[cheering and applause]

[woman] He won it all!

[Marisol] Raphael.

Quiet! The kid's gonna speak! Shh!

[Raphael] Thank you very much, Marisol.
Thank you to the judges.

You can't imagine what this means to me
and to my family.

We really needed this.

[presenter] Thank you, Raphael.
And now sing. The stage is yours.

[crowd cheering]

["Volveré a nacer" playing]

[wistful tune continues]

[Raphael] ♪ I will never fully leave
This world behind ♪

♪ For I have never known the springtime ♪

♪ Unlike others
I never fully lived in my prime ♪

♪ Because I went from childhood
Straight to the grind ♪

♪ I never knew festive chatter
In the plazas, sublime… ♪

[crying softly] That's my boy.

♪ Nor strolls with a young girl, so fine ♪

♪ Nor felt the thrill
Of walking her home even one time ♪

♪ Because I went from childhood
Straight to the grind ♪

♪ For I went from childhood to my voice ♪

♪ To sing songs like this was my choice ♪

♪ To sing songs from my heart ♪

♪ To sing songs like this was my choice ♪

♪ To sing songs from my heart ♪

♪ I will be born again with the promise ♪

♪ To enjoy my youth ♪