Some love stories
are like poppies.
Red,
fragile,
almost ephemeral.
And even so,
they never let go.
CROSSROADS
He wanted us to get married before.
He might not want to anymore.
Two years is a long time.
Maybe he's stopped thinking about me.
Where are you? I miss you.
I'm not like my mother.
I'm fine.
The metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Chrysalis.
The phases of the chrysalis.
I can't remember them.
How pretty she was!
And what hair.
Just like mine when I was young.
If I wasn't sick all the time, I might have met someone like him.
LUISA AUTUMN 1975, ZARAGOZA
Is it ready? I'll be late.
INES SUMMER 1941, CINCO VILLAS
Hey!
Violeta.
Your medicine.
VIOLETA SPRING 1923, CANFRANC
Is it true that it was a woman
who first studied the metamorphosis of the butterfly?
Anna Sibylla Merian.
Her first work appeared in 1678.
Seven, eight.
I'll show you her drawings when we go to the library.
They're beautiful.
Don't do that with the poppy.
It contains substances that make you sleep.
Look.
You see?
May I go to the train station today?
May I go or not?
Drink it.
In 1700, she went to Surinam with her daughter Dorothy.
She did some amazing entomological studies there.
Her notes are cited in every treatise.
I'm sure you'll see them at the Sorbonne.
Do you think it's possible to reverse the process?
Can a butterfly become a larva?
What are you doing here?
When did you arrive?
Where have you been? Tell me you're all right.
Yes.
- Tell me you're okay. - I'm fine, don't worry.
I'm okay, yeah.
You should never have come!
Thank you.
Thank you, Pedro.
Cheers.
Luisa.
I was waiting for you before closing.
How are you today?
And your cousin?
We're fine.
My feet hurt and my heartburn is getting worse.
Perfect.
This weekend...
I went to Madrid to the lingerie supplier.
Look at this year's models.
They're French,
made of very good, thick silk.
They don't stick.
- Do you like them? - Yes.
Take them.
- You can pay me for them later. - No.
I also have them in ivory.
I can't wear French panties anymore.
As you wish.
Here's this week's work.
And this mending is for Thursday.
And this is for you.
It's to listen to.
No, I can't accept it.
The shirts need mending, right?
Please, take it.
It's a gift.
Thank you.
I have a letter from the university.
And for me?
Pine caterpillars. There are a lot of them.
Those are the ones that become butterflies, aren't they?
Yes.
They're so big!
Thank you.
Look.
Charo's quilt, for her new house.
It's almost finished.
I brought Thursday's mending.
And the shopping.
- White beans and rice. - There are two bags.
I know.
But if there's another war, this will last longer in the pantry.
What are you talking about?
What war?
Isabel, you're completely oblivious. What am I talking about?
You obviously don't listen to the radio.
Things are changing a lot.
Why are you bringing it up right now?
You love to wallow in sorrow.
No, I don't.
It's like we can't talk about anything.
For you talking is complaining.
If we can't talk about things that happen to us,
I'll just keep quiet.
Why waste your time making Charo a quilt?
She probably already bought a modern one, she loves polyester.
What do you want for lunch?
Rice or beans?
My feet are killing me. I'll tell the doctor tomorrow.
Besides my back and my heartburn,
I want him to look at my feet.
Always the same.
The doctor must be so patient with you!
Go on, drink your medicine.
It doesn't do anything.
He's a man of science.
Would he give it to you if it did nothing?
He thinks I'm like my mother.
She would never have cured herself with flowers.
This house is like a fishbowl.
What do you want for lunch?
Rice or beans?
I don't want you to leave again.
I don't want you to leave ever again.
I'll tie you up with my braids if I have to.
I can't live without you, Paco.
- Like they say in the songs. - No.
Not like in the songs.
This is real.
I can't live without you.
I don't want you to leave again.
I don't want you to leave ever again.
Marin!
You left the university for this?
Great to see you.
What brings you here?
I was bored at university without you.
Come in, come in.
They're Freesias, native to Iberia.
Look how beautiful the Liliums are.
They never bloom at this altitude.
Fernando, I need a favour.
Do you remember Manuel Castan?
You taught him two years ago, first year Biology.
Perfectly. Extremely bright.
He's been drafted to Morocco, to the Rif.
Primo de Rivera wants to send more troops.
He can't stay in his dorm.
It occurred to me that they wouldn't find him here.
He could stay here a while and then cross over to France.
We're very close to Canfranc.
You know how things are right now.
No, I don't.
And I don't want to know, either.
You used to help students who asked for it.
What's wrong?
Who is that boy?
Don't get me into trouble for helping Castan.
Violeta has her entrance exams and she mustn't be disturbed.
You're aware of her condition.
She's suffered enough after what happened to her mother.
For us, right now,
Violeta is all that matters.
Please.
It's just three weeks until the new train station opens.
Will you be needing wool?
That's it, beautiful.
Papaver mutandis,
they change colour when they go down to the valley.
They become totally white.
Come in, Manuel, you'll join our classes.
You should review the species in Linneo's book.
There are two copies, one for each of you.
Drink it.
What's wrong with her, is she ill?
No.
You know you are.
Please, drink it.
That's enough for today.
We're studying poppies.
Papaver Rhoeas.
They're amazing flowers.
They grow wild in impossible places.
On paths,
on top of walls...
But they're extremely fragile.
Almost ephemeral.
When you cut them or you touch them,
they wither instantly in your hand.
If it's okay with you, you'll tend to the flowers outside.
But you must never enter the greenhouse.
Nobody comes in here.
These are the most precious flowers
and only I can take care of them.
All right?
Those chains need oil.
Flowers should never be picked.
Luisa Roche?
Come with me.
Well, Luisa.
How have you been feeling since last Tuesday?
Badly.
- My heartburn is still a problem. - I see.
And my back hurts a lot.
And my feet...
I want you to take my blood pressure. It's very low.
I'll tell the nurse to do it after.
But first I'd like to talk about
the tests we ran last week.
Yeah, I knew it.
Luisa, we found a tumour in your chest.
Breast cancer.
And you will need surgery.
Luisa.
Am I going to die?
We'll try to treat you.
You'll have to take very good care of yourself.
Luisa.
Luisa, are you okay?
HEALTH AND FREEDOM
What a disaster!
Did you see that?
Are you okay?
This country is falling apart.
It's like a sickness.
Who knows what will happen next?
Democracy, they say.
Do you have any of those bras
with a normal cup and a prosthetic one?
A padded one.
Yes.
Right over here.
Look.
You can't tell it's padding.
I'll take it.
Do you have one in my size?
Size 95B.
I brought you this.
I don't know how it works, it's too modern for me
and I broke it.
I'm sorry.
How much is the bra?
No.
Nothing.
Thank you.
Don't you think it's time we got married?
We're already married.
Yes.
I do.
There.
Why would we need a priest between you and me?
That's not fair.
Do you want to marry me, yes or no?
Gotcha.
What are you doing here?
Nothing, nothing... I was...
I was finishing the sketches of the irises he asked for.
This one didn't come out very well.
Do you speak French?
Yes, madam.
I want to finish my studies at the Sorbonne.
In the final year, they organize expeditions to the Indian Ocean.
Like Merian.
Yes, like Anne Sybille Merian.
We could be just like her.
Would you come to Paris with me?
Be happy... and take care of yourselves.
Thank you.
Paco!
Anarchists!
Traitors!
Paco's a traitor!
A traitor!
How can you get married without your friends?
Long live the newlyweds!
Long live!
- We wish you good health! - Freedom!
Long live the newlyweds!
Long live!
Paco.
Paco...
Never mind.
I'll tell you when you come back for dinner.
And Paco?
Where is Paco?
They took him.
Ines!
Paco!
Ines!
Paco!
We're going to have a baby!
Ines!
Isabel, I have cancer.
Not this again.
This time it's real.
I need an operation.
Everything will be fine.
At least we'll have the spring, you'll see.
I'll put the vegetables on to cook.
Hey, you!
Where are you going?
To see my husband.
Francisco Alquezar.
What have you got there?
Cigarettes.
Come here.
He's in the lower cell.
Paco!
- Ines! - Paco...
Ines...
Let me touch you.
Sit down.
I have something I think you'll like.
Since you couldn't listen at home,
I brought you this device.
My cousin brought it from Andorra.
It sounds great, you'll see.
Almost like a night at the opera.
No, I can't.
Isabel is expecting me for dinner.
Come on.
Just for a little while.
Can I offer you a little sherry?
Okay.
But only for a little while.
You know what, Valentin?
I refuse to die without living a great love story.
Like in the movies.
Violeta!
I have a letter for Violeta.
I'm sorry.
I have to leave.
I'm going to try to reach France.
I'll write you.
I'll come back for you.
I promise.
I love you.
Where were you?
At the store.
At this hour? What were you doing?
Listening to Alfredo Kraus.
What's wrong?
Do I have to ask your permission at my age?
A lifetime locked in this apartment,
always mourning someone, and you're saying I can't?
Well, if you think it's normal,
I won't say anything.
That's right.
Keep quiet like we've been taught.
But you know what?
I'm not going to be quiet anymore.
And another thing.
I'm through being locked up in here
watching life go by from behind a window.
I'm going to live it, and with whomever I want.
Is that right?
With whom?
With Alfredo Graus?
Kraus, it's pronounced Kraus.
Well, there you have it.
Go ahead.
But sometimes...
things aren't the way we want them to be.
And I do think that...
sometimes it's just better not to say anything.
You might not agree,
but I'm happy here, in our home.
Without going out.
My memories save me.
And my imagination saves me.
Okay, then.
Stay there, sitting by the window, sewing.
I'm going outside,
wherever life takes me.
Any letters for me?
They're opening the border in a few days.
The trains to France will leave from there.
Will you write me?
I'm not leaving.
What if they find you?
Where are you going?
Has anything come for me?
No.
Where are you going?
To France.
Where is Violeta?
Violeta.
The operating room is ready.
How do you feel, Luisa?
Fine.
Strange.
Fine.
Average.
The same as always.
But I know I'm ill.
Just like the people out there.
Nobody says anything.
But everything is old.
The walls,
the pipes...
This country is dying.
Like me.
Now I remember my mother.
When she was ill
she used to say,
"Luisa, throw me in the river."
Well, don't think about that.
The surgery will be a success, you'll see.
Don't mind me, I'm just an old woman talking nonsense.
Well, I wanted to tell you
that after the operation
we'd like to try a new treatment on you.
It's been used in other countries for some time.
It's an aggressive treatment
with side effects that will leave you quite weak.
Well, I don't want to deceive you.
The recovery period will be difficult.
But the results have been very positive.
What do you think?
Are you married?
Yes... Yes.
Of course.
Then you can't help me.
Pedro.
Do you think they'll release him soon?
He'll be back before you know it.
Before the baby is born, you'll see.
I washed the sheets again just in case.
If he comes home tonight, the bed will be ready.
Ines? Ines Callejas?
Are you Ines Callejas, Francisco Alquezar's wife?
Yes, I am.
Do you know Pedro Fernandez?
Yes.
Do you know where he is?
No.
Are you sure?
Come with us.
On your knees.
Don't let them notice it.
Suck in your stomach and hold your breath.
If they find out,
they'll take it away when it's born.
I don't know why you like watching movies with no sound.
You don't know what's happening.
Yes, I do.
They kiss.
It's the end.
You're leaving them here?
I don't want to see myself.
I can't take this wind. It's driving me crazy.
Pedro.
You're going to have to leave.
I know how much Paco loves you, but you can't stay here.
Yes, I know.
I don't want them to catch me.
First, they took Paco, then you. I'll be next.
Or my child.
And I won't allow that.
I can bear living with this fear
and with this cold always inside me,
but not that.
You've already done enough.
I'll find somewhere else to stay.
I'm sorry I brought this on you.
Paco is like a brother to me.
I love him very much.
Dona Carmen.
I have a letter for Violeta.
It's from France.
It says it here.
From France.
I've got to go. I still have a lot to deliver.
It's from Manuel.
My sweet flower.
How are you?
Still swinging in the sun under the trees in the garden?
Summer is almost over here in Pau.
But the elderberries and hydrangea are still blooming.
I have eggs.
How much for two dozen?
Nothing.
There's nothing here for you.
Good evening.
It's a beautiful night.
Would you like to dance?
No, thank you.
I'm in no shape to dance.
It doesn't compare to a night at the opera,
but it's quite nice, don't you think?
Valentin. I already said no.
As you wish.
I'm obviously not the heartthrob in your movie.
I didn't know Valentin was interested in you.
Isabel, what nonsense...
Are you okay?
- Are you cold? - I'm fine.
I feel better now.
Are you strong enough for one dance?
Isabel, you're crazy.
Just one.
Like when I was a little girl in La Plata.
Isabel, we aren't kids anymore.
Come on.
Good lord, what a woman!
My sweet flower.
Autumn has arrived in Pau.
The skies are grey and the birds fly with less strength.
But I'm thinking of you.
Ines.
I can feel her.
What do you mean, "her"?
Yes.
I know it's a girl.
She'll be able to walk through the fields,
in the mud, in the sun, like you.
With her braids out
and her cheeks as red as poppies.
Bend over, I can't see your face.
Where's your braid?
I can't, my love.
I can't bend over with this belly.
Ines.
- Can you hear me? - Yes.
They said they're letting me go.
I'll be home soon.
And I'm going to kiss you both.
Of course you will.
Soon.
As soon as they let you go.
Flowers should never be picked.
Fernando!
Look how pretty Charo's quilt turned out.
I'll try and find a small package
to send it before her birthday.
Isabel.
I'm no good.
I'm worthless.
That's not true.
If I had your voice...
I'd have been a soprano.
I've wasted my life alone.
No husband,
no children,
nothing.
Look at us.
Nobody remembers us.
We're two shrivelled lemons.
Two empty lives.
I don't think so.
I haven't wasted a single day of my life.
What's wrong? What is it?
Breathe, stay calm, breathe.
Okay, push, come on.
Dear Violeta,
You should see...
I'll wash you. It's noon already.
What's wrong?
Isabel.
Kiss me.
I don't want to die without a kiss.
Please.
Kiss me like in the movies.
What do you want for lunch? Rice or beans?
Paco.
I'm sorry.
- Dona Carmen. - I'm coming.
Here, Jesuso.
A letter for Violeta.
No, give it to me.
This one really is from France.
Don Fernando, is Violeta still angry with me?
Always the same.
Why would she be angry with you?
- Thank you, Jesuso. - You're welcome.
Dona Carmen, tell Violeta...
Tell her that next week I'll bring her
more of her favourite caterpillars,
the ones that turn into butterflies.
My baby.
Read it to me.
Read it.
"Dear Violeta,
"You should see the countryside outside my window.
"The hills are covered with spring,
"with poppies and dandelions.
"The birds have recovered their strength
"and they sing and fly high.
"So high that maybe you can see them right now.
"And they could tell you, better than I can,
"what the landscape is like
"beyond your greenhouse.
"And they would tell you that I'm fine.
"That I work at the School of Sciences in Pau.
"And that my wife, Claire,
'is expecting a baby this summer.
"And after that, if you asked them,
"I'm sure the very same birds
"would come flying back
"from your window to mine...
"and tell me that you've lost weight,
"that you cut your hair,
"and that you never ended up
"going to Paris to study Biology
"or exploring the Indian Ocean like Merian.
"I'll always love you.
Manuel."
It's getting cold.
I'm okay.
Amnesty! Freedom!