Loteria (2023) Movie Script
1
You have to be more careful,
don't make a noise,
breathe quietly,
don't complain girl.
I didn't expect so many police,
every time there is more and more...
Each time they come,
there is a new reason to find us.
They have dogs and other devices.
We have to be more careful so we can
make it, arrive! We will get there, girl.
Hope is a strange feeling.
Like the last coin. Like the last ticket.
Like the last bullet.
The last coin doesn't
let you break.
The last ticket gets
you on the train!
The last bullet doesn't let
a soldier become a slave.
Hope is the last
asset of all humans.
I know.
He is the same age as our Oriel.
Take care of him
until I get back.
- Bring the box.
- I will.
What is it?
A prayer.
It's Quran and the
other side is prayers.
Where is he right now?
He is at home with my wife.
Are you OK now?
Thank you Jose.
Thanks for your help.
This is Arabic.
But many Iranians
usually have one.
He came here illegally
to go to the USA.
But he couldn't pass
to the other side.
He can stay here.
Thank you very much.
Feeling better?
Yeah.
Thanks Jose!
Hamed! Hamed!
It's a beautiful town.
I was missing a fellow
countryman more than ever,
I still felt lonely even though I had
found a countryman after a week.
The guys explained my situation to
the Chinese owner of the restaurant
and she let me stay with
them for a few nights.
So this is Mahmoud
and this is Hamed.
Hi.
Hello, brother.
Mahmoud is going to stay
with us for a few days.
He is very welcome.
You're welcome.
You can go,
Chio is waiting for you.
OK bro, I need to go.
You can call me guys if you need
anything. I'll keep my phone on.
Take care.
Thanks for having me.
Don't mention it,
you're very welcome.
Look what a hookah
I just prepared.
Thank you!
Ha-ha, the floor is uneven,
It may fall!
Please help yourself.
You know It's hard to find
black tea and cube sugar here.
Yeah, I have heard. That's why
you have them packed.
Ha-ha, it's true.
It's hard to find.
Right, right.
Did you get to meet
the other guys?
Kind of.
I'm going to let
you know exactly.
Did you see the tall guy?
Amir?
Yes! He is in grad school.
PhD in psychology.
Wow, nice!
He is the wise one.
And the short one?
Mr. Oscar!?
Yeah, but his real name is Ali.
We call him Oscar, because he loves acting
and the Hollywood and Oscar.
He works in the restaurant too.
Really?
He also sells lottery
tickets around here.
Wait a minute!
He gave me this.
Oh man, he cut your ticket too?
What's the story all about
him cutting the ticket?
So, when you win
the lottery here,
you need to have the complete ticket
to get the money.
That's why he cuts the ticket in half,
when he sells to his friends.
Why?
He says It was my suggestion.
Half yours, half mine.
Oh got it! So if we win,
half of it is going to be ours,
and the other half
for him, right?
He's smart, he's smart!
Did you want to
go to the USA too?
I wanted to.
You mean you don't want
to go anymore?
You live here alone?
Yup. Ali and Amir used
to live here.
Amir moved on campus.
Ali decided to get his
own place and lives there now.
I am the master chef here.
Really!
I work here all day and sleep here too
because I need to get up early.
Also Farid that
you met with Chio.
He wanted to go to the USA too.
He came here, he fell in love
with Chio, and married her.
They offered me to stay here.
It's a few steps to the kitchen and I can
go to work as soon as I wake up.
True words!
You play Daff?
I used to.
It's been a long
time I haven't played.
Can you please play some for me?
Sure, why not?
I'll play now.
I'm going to play something,
I'm sure you have heard before.
Nice!
Sometimes the happiest songs can
make you cry too
It depends where you are, who you are
with, and what situation you are in.
Or the memories you
have with that song.
Hey! Good morning, bro.
Good morning!
Did you sleep well?
I passed out.
Sit down, I'm making breakfast.
Thank you.
Hello!
Hey, your luck is
worse than mine.
What luck?
You didn't win.
Oh, the lottery!
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hi.
Hi Mahmoud. How are you?
Sorry, I left early last night
All is good brother.
Did you sleep well?
I passed out.
Look what a breakfast I made?
Thanks!
Fresh juice!
Thanks.
First breakfast
after first loss!
Don't worry we have all
lost several hundred time.
But we will eventually win!
By the way, guys...
I wanted to thank
you all for your favors.
I also wanted to ask you to introduce me
to a coyote to take me to the other side.
We are all the same!
How?
We all want to go ASAP, after we
get screwed the first time!
OMG! you want to give
them $7000 again?!
What?!
7 to 8 thousand dollars...
that's the price!
The previous one
charged me a thousand.
That's why he left
you on the way!
Good luck!
Welcome to Ali Oscar's world!
Let me sell you a
lottery ticket.
Instead of dreaming to go back, why don't
you go around the town and have some fun?
But let me take a picture
of your ticket first.
Oh by the way,
don't be late tonight.
We have invited Jose and his wife to thank
them for their help.
Oh sure. Thanks!
Partners in this!
40 pesos with the previous one
together.
Help yourself.
I need to go back to work.
Thanks!
Farid!
Coming!
I'll be back soon.
Sure.
Sometimes
the universe puts
you in a situation that you
may feel like a loser.
But feeling like a loser
made me more determined.
I felt like I was
more determined.
I had to find a job and
make 7 to 8 thousand dollars.
I didn't want to give up!
I was born in Tehran.
But I grew up in Kermanshah.
I lived there since I was 3.
My father got transferred there
and we all moved with him.
I studied there. Finished my high school
and got a degree in Computer Science.
But I couldn't find a job.
I did all kind of jobs...
Construction work smuggling
goods to Iraq... everything!
The last time I moved goods to Iraq through
the mountains, I fell off and broke my knee.
I was lucky I survived!
But I couldn't work afterward...
How did you come here? Legally?
No.
A coyote brought me here.
One of the people I worked for
suggested that he would
take me to the US.
Through Mexican border.
As soon as we arrived in Mexico...
He left me with a coyote.
You know the rest of the story.
Now what?
You want to go back to Iran?
No way!
This is Raoof.
We grew up together.
We carried goods together.
The same guy who was supposed to take me
to the US, took Raoof 3 years ago.
Raoof has been there
for 3 years now.
He has earned everything.
A house... a good car...
He has it all.
If Raoof can,
I am sure I can too.
I should go there!
Sorry that I bothered you.
I will find a place soon.
Come on, dude!
Chio is cool for now.
And don't think that there
is much going on in the US.
Raoof looks like someone who
has just won the lottery!
I bet!
Oh, funny! Jose thinks that
Mahmoud is going to play Daff!
Of course!
Everybody can learn to
play with my instructions!
See... this is how you play...
If you say so.
100 percent guaranteed!
Promised?
Promised man!
You're the man.
Forgetfulness is a blessing!
Otherwise it would
be hard to survive.
When you feel better, you almost
forget the bad things
happened to you... and you can
get back to normal.
That night I felt very good.
Watch your hand!
It was cool!
Is it safe here?
Don't worry dude.
This is the first
time I am in a bar!
What a light work!
It is like the movies.
Bars are fun!
Cheers guys!
Cheers!
Don't look over there!
What??
I said don't look!
Why??
The guy with long hair
sitting there is Fernando!
Oh, man! Stop looking there!
But why?
The guy is a bastard!
Really?
Yup! Head of the cartel.
You know what that is?
No!
The drug dealers...
All the dealers here bribe him.
He is also a coyote!
Wow! Coyote?
Hopefully you won't try to
approach him! He is dangerous!
Sure!
He is dangerous,
but people like him.
I don't get it! Dangerous and
like-able at the same time?
He is popular here.
The cartel protects the people here and
that is why they are popular.
But they are dangerous!
OK, got it!
Anyway... One beer, please...
There is a reason that we meet
people in life.
Either they are supposed to make a change
in our lives... or the other way.
Cheers...
It was hard in the beginning.
I was shy!
But it become normal
after a while.
You get used to it.
Not only I wasn't shy anymore... sometimes
I even forgot that I was playing!
Thank you!
Give me my part too!
No commissions! I worked hard!
At least it pays better
than the Lottery!
- Thank you!
- Thank you.
We can really work together!
You want to go for a coffee?
Cafe? Yes?
Eat.
Eat!
Thank you!
I am from Columbia.
Where are you from?
Iran.
Are you married?
How long you have been here?
About two weeks.
Planning to go to the US.
Great! When are you planning
to leave?
As soon as I save
some more money!
But maybe earlier
if we work together!
Do you believe in the Universe?
I think the Universe brought
us together!
I can help you go there!
Seriously?
Then we had a coffee together...
And then... she said that she
can help me go to the US.
I know who you
are talking about!
The pretty bartender
at Fernando's bar!
I don't want to
disappoint you...
But I wouldn't go that route.
Let's go back to Iran together.
I think you didn't
get what I said, bro!
I will not go back to Iran!
I really don't get why you are
in such rush to go to the US!
Dude!
You can't trust these people!
Why are you so naive?
He is right, man!
Mexico is very similar to the US!
You can do whatever you want
over here!
Wait!
Did you fall in love with her?
Are you one of those people
who fall in love once a week?
Obviously you
didn't listen to me!
I said she is introducing me to a coyote.
I didn't say I am going with her!
If Raoof could go, I can go too!
Alright! let's say you want to go right
now. Do you have 7 thousand dollars?
Why 7 thousand dollars?
She said she can pass me through Fernando's
guys, with 2 to 3 thousand dollars!
Mahmoud! That is risky!
Why would she even help you?
She felt sorry for me.
Didn't you help me for
the same reason too?
Did Jose and his wife ask
for money when they helped?
What if she is my lucky person!
Let's assume she wants to help!
Do you even have that 2-3 thousand?
I'm gonna make it.
Good luck!
We tend to see the world around us,
similar to how we really are.
My inner voice said
that she'd help me.
I was confident that the
Universe sent her to my life.
The Universe is calling you!
The Universe loves you.
Thank you!
They need $2000 in
advance for take you there.
He is the best human
trafficker that exist.
How long do I have
to make the money?
Sooner is better!
I don't understand why you are
in such rush to go to the US!
Wait a while and save some
money.
It is close to the Christmas and you can
make more money from the tourists in town.
With what you've saved working for 2 years
here weren't you able to US?
You're being fooled by
that girl's promises.
This is why you are still here.
Can you close your
eyes for a second?
Why? You want to surprise
me with $2000.
No! I want to give you the 5
million dollars lottery you won!
Daydreamer!
Close your eyes!
Fine!
Here!
This is for you.
Wow! Amazing! It's a Daff!
Is it for me?
Of course!
Thanks man.
Where did you get it?
I ordered from Iran for you.
I love it!
You bet!
It is gorgeous.
Hamed?
Tell me.
If you have $2000 saved, I can
ask the girl to take both of us.
Let's assume I have $2000...
I would not trust these people.
Fernando is a bastard!
You don't have money for yourself and you
are inviting me too?
I have the money!
I had some savings, I worked,
and you guys gave me some.
Hamed...
I didn't say anything in front of the guys.
Because they would have tried to change my mind.
But I am determined to go.
It would be easier for you to talk to them
and let them know that I have decided to go.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
You're kidding me?
It is what it is!
Motherfucker!
We arrived!
Get out!
Let's go. Run, run...
Let's go fast!
Go faster!
Hurry!
Make it fast! Let's go!
What do you think, Flaco...
Yeah!
Mother fuckers, rest here.
Stay over there!
What are we doing here? What are we
waiting for? When are we going to cross?
We only take you till here. Soon we will
go and other people will take care of you.
Come up! Go!
Let's go!
Stand up!
You speak Farsi?
I am Afghan.
Thank God.
Thank God.
Let's go. Let me help.
If you make
a mistake once in your life,
maybe it's not your fault.
But if you make the same mistake
twice, then it's your fault!
I should have listened
to Hamed and others.
We are almost there.
Let me help you.
Get up.
Get up.
Maybe you don't believe.
I am so silly. It is the second time that
I tried to pass and failed.
I know two amazing people over
here that saved my life once.
We are close. Almost there!
There... almost there...
Be patient we are
almost there...
Hasiba!
Thank you.
It's hot.
You are OK?
Need something?
I lose my money,
because of him.
Use it.
Thank you.
Don't worry, Tatiana is going
to take good care of her...
Thanks.
God...
How could I be so stupid.
This Sandra is a bitch!
What?!
The day after you left...
Farid went to the city center.
He said there was a fight
in front of Fernando's bar...
Asking here and there...
He found out that Sandra has been faking
that she worked for Fernando,
charged several people
under his name!
And then she ran away.
Those who thought their money was with
Fernando went and asked about their money.
Fernando had no idea what those people
we're talking about... So kicked them out!
You were the lucky one that
were introduced to a coyote.
Sandra didn't give
a damn for others!
I'm going to the
Fernando's bar right now!
What?! You're crazy?
You lost your money. Now you
want to lose your life too?
Relax man!
You are out of your mind!
I am an idiot...
How could I be so naive?
Drink some water.
Hi Jose.
Wait, wait.
Please talk to him.
Hi Jose.
Hasiba is fine.
She just took a shower.
Yes, she is having
coffee with Tatiana.
Tell Mahmoud I don't
need the truck tonight.
He could bring it tomorrow
morning.
Mr. Jose. Thank you!
No need to thank me...
Last night she had so much
pain and she could not sleep...
But today she feels better.
Since couple hours ago.
Soon she will be fine...
All set!
Let's go!
Sometimes we
trust the wrong person in life.
I shouldn't have trusted Sandra.
This old man was the one that I should
have relied on. I learned too late!
God measures people's greatness by
the greatness of their hearts.
What would I have done
without Jose and Tatiana?
Why did I not find out sooner?
Remind them that you are all
coming to our home tonight...
Thank you.
What's up with the Afghan girl?
Like my first days.
Exhausted!
Oscar! Jose has invited
all of us tonight.
You're the man!
Cheers!
We, Tatiana and I are very pleased to have
you in our house...
Thanks!
But also, Tatiana and I want to invite
all of you to dinner for the Christmas...
You're the man!
What did he say?
He said we are all invited here
for Christmas party!
Help yourself!
So... I wanted to
thank you all tonight.
You all went to trouble
for me these past days.
I would like to thank Jose
and Tatiana for everything...
You helped me a lot.
You saved my life!
It was the first time in my life after losing
my parents, that I felt like I was with family.
Thank you for that.
Also thank you Mahmoud for
helping me along the way.
Mahmoud told me
a lot about you guys.
It was a lie!!
You are the best people
I ever met in my life.
You're the man!
I know the new year is coming and I don't
want to talk too much, but...
I'm leaving tomorrow!
Where?!
That way is better to keep it...
I don't know why I didn't
want Hasiba to leave.
I had
a strange feeling about her.
I felt like we were
in similar situations.
Jose is saying that you can stay home with
Tatiana when he goes out to work.
Thanks!
What is she trying to say?
Tatiana is saying that you remind her,
her daughter Mariana, that passed away.
Translate all of it man!
I did!
No, he said everybody should buy lottery
tonight. It is the lucky night!
For you... For you... For you...
And for you, Mr. Jose.
And Mahmoud... You and I share
one and cut it in half
It is free tonight! keep the whole ticket
for yourself! No cutting in half!
Let's all have fun!
What a night it is...
Hot tea... feels good in cold...
Thank you.
When the Taliban took over..
I was a kid!
They killed my parents
and my brother.
I was the only one who survived.
I stayed with my grandfather.
I had a very hard life.
Until I went to college.
I met some guy...
We fell in love...
We got married...
We had a good life together.
He was a gentleman.
And then... Taliban came
for the second time...
They killed my husband!
This is the only
thing he left for me!
We were scared and
we ran to the airport.
We got in a plane and came here.
Why did you want
to go to the US?
I have an aunt living in Dallas.
I want to go live with her.
How are you planning
to find her?
There are so many Afghans in Texas...
It must be easy to find her...
I don't have any other options!
I was lucky that I met you!
Let me see your ticket
Hold on... Let me see mine.
What is that?
This is a game Ali Oscar
taught me.
We first take a picture of it,
then... we cut it in half...
Half will be mine
and half yours.
This means, if I win,
half of the money will be yours!
Because we need to keep both
halves to get the money.
Make sure you don't
lose your half!
It's interesting. Thanks!
So... why do you want
to move to the US?
People sometimes try
to calm each other down,
with words that they'd have
loved to be said to themselves.
This is Raoof.
Like a cherry blossom in the spring
The sun shines in my face
And then I opened up my eyes
To the beauty and the great
The feeling is great in my life
Ever since I met your eyes
And since I looked at you I
can't see anybody else
Now I look in the mirror and
love what I see
And all of this happened
because you love me
And I know that I know
who I used to be
And I will do
anything to see you smile
To bring you the joy that
you brought to my life
And I will do it all because
I wanted to be somebody
For you
I wanna be somebody to you
Somebody for you
I wanna be somebody to you
What?!
I'm busy, Ali!
Why would you always
yell when you talk?
OK hold on! I'll check and
let you know if you won.
Oh, man, OK. Wait! Wait!
Not this one.
Not this either.
Sorry bro. You didn't win.
No! None of them!
Which ticket?
Oh, that one. I shared that with
Hasiba! The way you did.
I only have half of it.
The other half is with Hasiba.
My half?
I don't know where I kept it.
I'll find it later.
You're yelling at me again! Really? Every
morning when watching the lottery news...
Yup! I have the picture.
Exactly like you always do.
Hold on. Hold on.
Crazy bastard.
Here is the picture.
45...
11...
96...
45, 11, 96...
45, 11, 96, OMG!
Ali? What's the prize?
How much in dollars?
Congratulations!
Hi Jose!
Hi Jose!
Congratulations!
Tell Hasiba to come, we won!
Finally... We won!!!
I thought you know.
Know what?
She got out of here before we woke up...
And she took all her stuff.
He says Hasiba left!!
Let's go! He is saying
she left this morning.
We should go find her.
What do you mean, she left?
Where?
The lottery
money was very important for me.
However, I felt like that I was more
concerned for Hasiba, than the money!
Jose?
She did not tell you anything?
Anything suspicious?
No, she seemed very normal.
She did not have any money...
Tatiana and I lent her
some money few days ago...
What?
She has money?
How much?
I don't know! We gave her
all the money we had!
We are screwed! Jose says she
had some money with her.
Let's go.
Let's go to downtown.
Why? Why did you not tell us?
With the money she
had she definitely
has gone to the coyotes!
Remember what she said on Christmas eve?
Why the hell did you
give your ticket to her?!
Let's focus on finding her instead
of the ticket. I'm worried for her.
Now I was sure that Hasiba had tried
to reach out to a coyote to take her to the US.
Jose knew a few of them and took
me to talk to them one by one.
What happened?
She didn't come here.
He is saying he didn't
come here either.
That's Hasiba!
Stop! Stop!
Hasiba's purse was stolen, on
her way to meet the coyote guy.
Unfortunately, the other half of the
lottery ticket was in the same purse!
Sometimes you envy things
that you may never have.
But sometimes, you envy something that you
already had, but you lost!
The second feeling
is a lot worse!
I didn't want to give up!
The lottery money could change all of our
lives! Me, Hasiba, and others.
I was a human trafficker...
Over twenty years ago,
one or two times per month,
I take people to the other
side of the border...
I worked for a cartel...
but they gave me just
a little money.
One day I told them that if they don't pay
me more, I will go to the police...
Everyone told me not to play
games with those people...
You know...
Police only catches
small criminals.
Never the big ones.
The really big ones.
One morning...
Tatiana and I were
working at the crops...
And we heard a loud noise.
We saw from a car.
They were shooting
at our house...
They killed our kids...
Mariana and Oriel.
Since then...
Tatiana could not
speak anymore...
She's very depressed...
But when you came here...
She got so happy because you
reminded her of our children.
I don't want you to pay
to those motherfuckers...
I will take you to the
other side of the border...
Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't
worked out yet, then it's not the end.
It wasn't the end for me yet!
One of the biggest mistakes
you can make in life is
that you think you have all the time in
the world to reach your ambitions.
Unfortunately, all dreams and
ambitions have expiry dates.
When the time is over, you'd still envy
even if you reach your goals.
That's why I didn't
want to waste the time.
Seems like this time you're
actually leaving.
Wish you were coming too, Oscar.
I have to stay otherwise Amir
loses his job.
You're right.
No need.
It's nothing.
You can pay me back.
You're the man!
Watch the cactus here.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
Can I ask you something?
Why do you always get sick?
Anything wrong with your health?
I am 6 months pregnant!
What??
You're 6 months pregnant,
and then you went to the coyotes alone?!
This is crazy!
You know how
dangerous it could be?
Why you didn't tell anyone?
Why you didn't tell me?
How come nobody found out?!
Tatianna found out but I
asked her to not tell anyone.
Oh God!
You're crazier than me!
You should at least have
watched your own health!
Why did you decide to go?! You
know how dangerous it could be?!
Eh...
My husband and I had
prepared a room for the baby.
The day he was killed...
He wished happiness
for our baby.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Situation is crazy
in my country.
I have only on Aunt who
survived and lives in the US.
My whole family were
killed in the war...
Did it ever happen to you in life that you
had to choose the most difficult option?
I had to.
OK... Please get some
sleep... here.
Thank you.
Ah!
You have to be more careful. Don't make a noise,
breath quietly, don't complain, girl.
I didn't expect so many police,
every time they are more and more...
Each time they come with
something new to find us.
They have dogs, devices.
We have to be more careful and we will
arrive, we will arrive, girl...
Shh, you can't!
You have to be more careful,
don't make a noise,
breathe quietly,
don't complain girl.
I didn't expect so many police,
every time there is more and more...
Each time they come,
there is a new reason to find us.
They have dogs and other devices.
We have to be more careful so we can
make it, arrive! We will get there, girl.
Hope is a strange feeling.
Like the last coin. Like the last ticket.
Like the last bullet.
The last coin doesn't
let you break.
The last ticket gets
you on the train!
The last bullet doesn't let
a soldier become a slave.
Hope is the last
asset of all humans.
I know.
He is the same age as our Oriel.
Take care of him
until I get back.
- Bring the box.
- I will.
What is it?
A prayer.
It's Quran and the
other side is prayers.
Where is he right now?
He is at home with my wife.
Are you OK now?
Thank you Jose.
Thanks for your help.
This is Arabic.
But many Iranians
usually have one.
He came here illegally
to go to the USA.
But he couldn't pass
to the other side.
He can stay here.
Thank you very much.
Feeling better?
Yeah.
Thanks Jose!
Hamed! Hamed!
It's a beautiful town.
I was missing a fellow
countryman more than ever,
I still felt lonely even though I had
found a countryman after a week.
The guys explained my situation to
the Chinese owner of the restaurant
and she let me stay with
them for a few nights.
So this is Mahmoud
and this is Hamed.
Hi.
Hello, brother.
Mahmoud is going to stay
with us for a few days.
He is very welcome.
You're welcome.
You can go,
Chio is waiting for you.
OK bro, I need to go.
You can call me guys if you need
anything. I'll keep my phone on.
Take care.
Thanks for having me.
Don't mention it,
you're very welcome.
Look what a hookah
I just prepared.
Thank you!
Ha-ha, the floor is uneven,
It may fall!
Please help yourself.
You know It's hard to find
black tea and cube sugar here.
Yeah, I have heard. That's why
you have them packed.
Ha-ha, it's true.
It's hard to find.
Right, right.
Did you get to meet
the other guys?
Kind of.
I'm going to let
you know exactly.
Did you see the tall guy?
Amir?
Yes! He is in grad school.
PhD in psychology.
Wow, nice!
He is the wise one.
And the short one?
Mr. Oscar!?
Yeah, but his real name is Ali.
We call him Oscar, because he loves acting
and the Hollywood and Oscar.
He works in the restaurant too.
Really?
He also sells lottery
tickets around here.
Wait a minute!
He gave me this.
Oh man, he cut your ticket too?
What's the story all about
him cutting the ticket?
So, when you win
the lottery here,
you need to have the complete ticket
to get the money.
That's why he cuts the ticket in half,
when he sells to his friends.
Why?
He says It was my suggestion.
Half yours, half mine.
Oh got it! So if we win,
half of it is going to be ours,
and the other half
for him, right?
He's smart, he's smart!
Did you want to
go to the USA too?
I wanted to.
You mean you don't want
to go anymore?
You live here alone?
Yup. Ali and Amir used
to live here.
Amir moved on campus.
Ali decided to get his
own place and lives there now.
I am the master chef here.
Really!
I work here all day and sleep here too
because I need to get up early.
Also Farid that
you met with Chio.
He wanted to go to the USA too.
He came here, he fell in love
with Chio, and married her.
They offered me to stay here.
It's a few steps to the kitchen and I can
go to work as soon as I wake up.
True words!
You play Daff?
I used to.
It's been a long
time I haven't played.
Can you please play some for me?
Sure, why not?
I'll play now.
I'm going to play something,
I'm sure you have heard before.
Nice!
Sometimes the happiest songs can
make you cry too
It depends where you are, who you are
with, and what situation you are in.
Or the memories you
have with that song.
Hey! Good morning, bro.
Good morning!
Did you sleep well?
I passed out.
Sit down, I'm making breakfast.
Thank you.
Hello!
Hey, your luck is
worse than mine.
What luck?
You didn't win.
Oh, the lottery!
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hi.
Hi Mahmoud. How are you?
Sorry, I left early last night
All is good brother.
Did you sleep well?
I passed out.
Look what a breakfast I made?
Thanks!
Fresh juice!
Thanks.
First breakfast
after first loss!
Don't worry we have all
lost several hundred time.
But we will eventually win!
By the way, guys...
I wanted to thank
you all for your favors.
I also wanted to ask you to introduce me
to a coyote to take me to the other side.
We are all the same!
How?
We all want to go ASAP, after we
get screwed the first time!
OMG! you want to give
them $7000 again?!
What?!
7 to 8 thousand dollars...
that's the price!
The previous one
charged me a thousand.
That's why he left
you on the way!
Good luck!
Welcome to Ali Oscar's world!
Let me sell you a
lottery ticket.
Instead of dreaming to go back, why don't
you go around the town and have some fun?
But let me take a picture
of your ticket first.
Oh by the way,
don't be late tonight.
We have invited Jose and his wife to thank
them for their help.
Oh sure. Thanks!
Partners in this!
40 pesos with the previous one
together.
Help yourself.
I need to go back to work.
Thanks!
Farid!
Coming!
I'll be back soon.
Sure.
Sometimes
the universe puts
you in a situation that you
may feel like a loser.
But feeling like a loser
made me more determined.
I felt like I was
more determined.
I had to find a job and
make 7 to 8 thousand dollars.
I didn't want to give up!
I was born in Tehran.
But I grew up in Kermanshah.
I lived there since I was 3.
My father got transferred there
and we all moved with him.
I studied there. Finished my high school
and got a degree in Computer Science.
But I couldn't find a job.
I did all kind of jobs...
Construction work smuggling
goods to Iraq... everything!
The last time I moved goods to Iraq through
the mountains, I fell off and broke my knee.
I was lucky I survived!
But I couldn't work afterward...
How did you come here? Legally?
No.
A coyote brought me here.
One of the people I worked for
suggested that he would
take me to the US.
Through Mexican border.
As soon as we arrived in Mexico...
He left me with a coyote.
You know the rest of the story.
Now what?
You want to go back to Iran?
No way!
This is Raoof.
We grew up together.
We carried goods together.
The same guy who was supposed to take me
to the US, took Raoof 3 years ago.
Raoof has been there
for 3 years now.
He has earned everything.
A house... a good car...
He has it all.
If Raoof can,
I am sure I can too.
I should go there!
Sorry that I bothered you.
I will find a place soon.
Come on, dude!
Chio is cool for now.
And don't think that there
is much going on in the US.
Raoof looks like someone who
has just won the lottery!
I bet!
Oh, funny! Jose thinks that
Mahmoud is going to play Daff!
Of course!
Everybody can learn to
play with my instructions!
See... this is how you play...
If you say so.
100 percent guaranteed!
Promised?
Promised man!
You're the man.
Forgetfulness is a blessing!
Otherwise it would
be hard to survive.
When you feel better, you almost
forget the bad things
happened to you... and you can
get back to normal.
That night I felt very good.
Watch your hand!
It was cool!
Is it safe here?
Don't worry dude.
This is the first
time I am in a bar!
What a light work!
It is like the movies.
Bars are fun!
Cheers guys!
Cheers!
Don't look over there!
What??
I said don't look!
Why??
The guy with long hair
sitting there is Fernando!
Oh, man! Stop looking there!
But why?
The guy is a bastard!
Really?
Yup! Head of the cartel.
You know what that is?
No!
The drug dealers...
All the dealers here bribe him.
He is also a coyote!
Wow! Coyote?
Hopefully you won't try to
approach him! He is dangerous!
Sure!
He is dangerous,
but people like him.
I don't get it! Dangerous and
like-able at the same time?
He is popular here.
The cartel protects the people here and
that is why they are popular.
But they are dangerous!
OK, got it!
Anyway... One beer, please...
There is a reason that we meet
people in life.
Either they are supposed to make a change
in our lives... or the other way.
Cheers...
It was hard in the beginning.
I was shy!
But it become normal
after a while.
You get used to it.
Not only I wasn't shy anymore... sometimes
I even forgot that I was playing!
Thank you!
Give me my part too!
No commissions! I worked hard!
At least it pays better
than the Lottery!
- Thank you!
- Thank you.
We can really work together!
You want to go for a coffee?
Cafe? Yes?
Eat.
Eat!
Thank you!
I am from Columbia.
Where are you from?
Iran.
Are you married?
How long you have been here?
About two weeks.
Planning to go to the US.
Great! When are you planning
to leave?
As soon as I save
some more money!
But maybe earlier
if we work together!
Do you believe in the Universe?
I think the Universe brought
us together!
I can help you go there!
Seriously?
Then we had a coffee together...
And then... she said that she
can help me go to the US.
I know who you
are talking about!
The pretty bartender
at Fernando's bar!
I don't want to
disappoint you...
But I wouldn't go that route.
Let's go back to Iran together.
I think you didn't
get what I said, bro!
I will not go back to Iran!
I really don't get why you are
in such rush to go to the US!
Dude!
You can't trust these people!
Why are you so naive?
He is right, man!
Mexico is very similar to the US!
You can do whatever you want
over here!
Wait!
Did you fall in love with her?
Are you one of those people
who fall in love once a week?
Obviously you
didn't listen to me!
I said she is introducing me to a coyote.
I didn't say I am going with her!
If Raoof could go, I can go too!
Alright! let's say you want to go right
now. Do you have 7 thousand dollars?
Why 7 thousand dollars?
She said she can pass me through Fernando's
guys, with 2 to 3 thousand dollars!
Mahmoud! That is risky!
Why would she even help you?
She felt sorry for me.
Didn't you help me for
the same reason too?
Did Jose and his wife ask
for money when they helped?
What if she is my lucky person!
Let's assume she wants to help!
Do you even have that 2-3 thousand?
I'm gonna make it.
Good luck!
We tend to see the world around us,
similar to how we really are.
My inner voice said
that she'd help me.
I was confident that the
Universe sent her to my life.
The Universe is calling you!
The Universe loves you.
Thank you!
They need $2000 in
advance for take you there.
He is the best human
trafficker that exist.
How long do I have
to make the money?
Sooner is better!
I don't understand why you are
in such rush to go to the US!
Wait a while and save some
money.
It is close to the Christmas and you can
make more money from the tourists in town.
With what you've saved working for 2 years
here weren't you able to US?
You're being fooled by
that girl's promises.
This is why you are still here.
Can you close your
eyes for a second?
Why? You want to surprise
me with $2000.
No! I want to give you the 5
million dollars lottery you won!
Daydreamer!
Close your eyes!
Fine!
Here!
This is for you.
Wow! Amazing! It's a Daff!
Is it for me?
Of course!
Thanks man.
Where did you get it?
I ordered from Iran for you.
I love it!
You bet!
It is gorgeous.
Hamed?
Tell me.
If you have $2000 saved, I can
ask the girl to take both of us.
Let's assume I have $2000...
I would not trust these people.
Fernando is a bastard!
You don't have money for yourself and you
are inviting me too?
I have the money!
I had some savings, I worked,
and you guys gave me some.
Hamed...
I didn't say anything in front of the guys.
Because they would have tried to change my mind.
But I am determined to go.
It would be easier for you to talk to them
and let them know that I have decided to go.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
You're kidding me?
It is what it is!
Motherfucker!
We arrived!
Get out!
Let's go. Run, run...
Let's go fast!
Go faster!
Hurry!
Make it fast! Let's go!
What do you think, Flaco...
Yeah!
Mother fuckers, rest here.
Stay over there!
What are we doing here? What are we
waiting for? When are we going to cross?
We only take you till here. Soon we will
go and other people will take care of you.
Come up! Go!
Let's go!
Stand up!
You speak Farsi?
I am Afghan.
Thank God.
Thank God.
Let's go. Let me help.
If you make
a mistake once in your life,
maybe it's not your fault.
But if you make the same mistake
twice, then it's your fault!
I should have listened
to Hamed and others.
We are almost there.
Let me help you.
Get up.
Get up.
Maybe you don't believe.
I am so silly. It is the second time that
I tried to pass and failed.
I know two amazing people over
here that saved my life once.
We are close. Almost there!
There... almost there...
Be patient we are
almost there...
Hasiba!
Thank you.
It's hot.
You are OK?
Need something?
I lose my money,
because of him.
Use it.
Thank you.
Don't worry, Tatiana is going
to take good care of her...
Thanks.
God...
How could I be so stupid.
This Sandra is a bitch!
What?!
The day after you left...
Farid went to the city center.
He said there was a fight
in front of Fernando's bar...
Asking here and there...
He found out that Sandra has been faking
that she worked for Fernando,
charged several people
under his name!
And then she ran away.
Those who thought their money was with
Fernando went and asked about their money.
Fernando had no idea what those people
we're talking about... So kicked them out!
You were the lucky one that
were introduced to a coyote.
Sandra didn't give
a damn for others!
I'm going to the
Fernando's bar right now!
What?! You're crazy?
You lost your money. Now you
want to lose your life too?
Relax man!
You are out of your mind!
I am an idiot...
How could I be so naive?
Drink some water.
Hi Jose.
Wait, wait.
Please talk to him.
Hi Jose.
Hasiba is fine.
She just took a shower.
Yes, she is having
coffee with Tatiana.
Tell Mahmoud I don't
need the truck tonight.
He could bring it tomorrow
morning.
Mr. Jose. Thank you!
No need to thank me...
Last night she had so much
pain and she could not sleep...
But today she feels better.
Since couple hours ago.
Soon she will be fine...
All set!
Let's go!
Sometimes we
trust the wrong person in life.
I shouldn't have trusted Sandra.
This old man was the one that I should
have relied on. I learned too late!
God measures people's greatness by
the greatness of their hearts.
What would I have done
without Jose and Tatiana?
Why did I not find out sooner?
Remind them that you are all
coming to our home tonight...
Thank you.
What's up with the Afghan girl?
Like my first days.
Exhausted!
Oscar! Jose has invited
all of us tonight.
You're the man!
Cheers!
We, Tatiana and I are very pleased to have
you in our house...
Thanks!
But also, Tatiana and I want to invite
all of you to dinner for the Christmas...
You're the man!
What did he say?
He said we are all invited here
for Christmas party!
Help yourself!
So... I wanted to
thank you all tonight.
You all went to trouble
for me these past days.
I would like to thank Jose
and Tatiana for everything...
You helped me a lot.
You saved my life!
It was the first time in my life after losing
my parents, that I felt like I was with family.
Thank you for that.
Also thank you Mahmoud for
helping me along the way.
Mahmoud told me
a lot about you guys.
It was a lie!!
You are the best people
I ever met in my life.
You're the man!
I know the new year is coming and I don't
want to talk too much, but...
I'm leaving tomorrow!
Where?!
That way is better to keep it...
I don't know why I didn't
want Hasiba to leave.
I had
a strange feeling about her.
I felt like we were
in similar situations.
Jose is saying that you can stay home with
Tatiana when he goes out to work.
Thanks!
What is she trying to say?
Tatiana is saying that you remind her,
her daughter Mariana, that passed away.
Translate all of it man!
I did!
No, he said everybody should buy lottery
tonight. It is the lucky night!
For you... For you... For you...
And for you, Mr. Jose.
And Mahmoud... You and I share
one and cut it in half
It is free tonight! keep the whole ticket
for yourself! No cutting in half!
Let's all have fun!
What a night it is...
Hot tea... feels good in cold...
Thank you.
When the Taliban took over..
I was a kid!
They killed my parents
and my brother.
I was the only one who survived.
I stayed with my grandfather.
I had a very hard life.
Until I went to college.
I met some guy...
We fell in love...
We got married...
We had a good life together.
He was a gentleman.
And then... Taliban came
for the second time...
They killed my husband!
This is the only
thing he left for me!
We were scared and
we ran to the airport.
We got in a plane and came here.
Why did you want
to go to the US?
I have an aunt living in Dallas.
I want to go live with her.
How are you planning
to find her?
There are so many Afghans in Texas...
It must be easy to find her...
I don't have any other options!
I was lucky that I met you!
Let me see your ticket
Hold on... Let me see mine.
What is that?
This is a game Ali Oscar
taught me.
We first take a picture of it,
then... we cut it in half...
Half will be mine
and half yours.
This means, if I win,
half of the money will be yours!
Because we need to keep both
halves to get the money.
Make sure you don't
lose your half!
It's interesting. Thanks!
So... why do you want
to move to the US?
People sometimes try
to calm each other down,
with words that they'd have
loved to be said to themselves.
This is Raoof.
Like a cherry blossom in the spring
The sun shines in my face
And then I opened up my eyes
To the beauty and the great
The feeling is great in my life
Ever since I met your eyes
And since I looked at you I
can't see anybody else
Now I look in the mirror and
love what I see
And all of this happened
because you love me
And I know that I know
who I used to be
And I will do
anything to see you smile
To bring you the joy that
you brought to my life
And I will do it all because
I wanted to be somebody
For you
I wanna be somebody to you
Somebody for you
I wanna be somebody to you
What?!
I'm busy, Ali!
Why would you always
yell when you talk?
OK hold on! I'll check and
let you know if you won.
Oh, man, OK. Wait! Wait!
Not this one.
Not this either.
Sorry bro. You didn't win.
No! None of them!
Which ticket?
Oh, that one. I shared that with
Hasiba! The way you did.
I only have half of it.
The other half is with Hasiba.
My half?
I don't know where I kept it.
I'll find it later.
You're yelling at me again! Really? Every
morning when watching the lottery news...
Yup! I have the picture.
Exactly like you always do.
Hold on. Hold on.
Crazy bastard.
Here is the picture.
45...
11...
96...
45, 11, 96...
45, 11, 96, OMG!
Ali? What's the prize?
How much in dollars?
Congratulations!
Hi Jose!
Hi Jose!
Congratulations!
Tell Hasiba to come, we won!
Finally... We won!!!
I thought you know.
Know what?
She got out of here before we woke up...
And she took all her stuff.
He says Hasiba left!!
Let's go! He is saying
she left this morning.
We should go find her.
What do you mean, she left?
Where?
The lottery
money was very important for me.
However, I felt like that I was more
concerned for Hasiba, than the money!
Jose?
She did not tell you anything?
Anything suspicious?
No, she seemed very normal.
She did not have any money...
Tatiana and I lent her
some money few days ago...
What?
She has money?
How much?
I don't know! We gave her
all the money we had!
We are screwed! Jose says she
had some money with her.
Let's go.
Let's go to downtown.
Why? Why did you not tell us?
With the money she
had she definitely
has gone to the coyotes!
Remember what she said on Christmas eve?
Why the hell did you
give your ticket to her?!
Let's focus on finding her instead
of the ticket. I'm worried for her.
Now I was sure that Hasiba had tried
to reach out to a coyote to take her to the US.
Jose knew a few of them and took
me to talk to them one by one.
What happened?
She didn't come here.
He is saying he didn't
come here either.
That's Hasiba!
Stop! Stop!
Hasiba's purse was stolen, on
her way to meet the coyote guy.
Unfortunately, the other half of the
lottery ticket was in the same purse!
Sometimes you envy things
that you may never have.
But sometimes, you envy something that you
already had, but you lost!
The second feeling
is a lot worse!
I didn't want to give up!
The lottery money could change all of our
lives! Me, Hasiba, and others.
I was a human trafficker...
Over twenty years ago,
one or two times per month,
I take people to the other
side of the border...
I worked for a cartel...
but they gave me just
a little money.
One day I told them that if they don't pay
me more, I will go to the police...
Everyone told me not to play
games with those people...
You know...
Police only catches
small criminals.
Never the big ones.
The really big ones.
One morning...
Tatiana and I were
working at the crops...
And we heard a loud noise.
We saw from a car.
They were shooting
at our house...
They killed our kids...
Mariana and Oriel.
Since then...
Tatiana could not
speak anymore...
She's very depressed...
But when you came here...
She got so happy because you
reminded her of our children.
I don't want you to pay
to those motherfuckers...
I will take you to the
other side of the border...
Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't
worked out yet, then it's not the end.
It wasn't the end for me yet!
One of the biggest mistakes
you can make in life is
that you think you have all the time in
the world to reach your ambitions.
Unfortunately, all dreams and
ambitions have expiry dates.
When the time is over, you'd still envy
even if you reach your goals.
That's why I didn't
want to waste the time.
Seems like this time you're
actually leaving.
Wish you were coming too, Oscar.
I have to stay otherwise Amir
loses his job.
You're right.
No need.
It's nothing.
You can pay me back.
You're the man!
Watch the cactus here.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
Can I ask you something?
Why do you always get sick?
Anything wrong with your health?
I am 6 months pregnant!
What??
You're 6 months pregnant,
and then you went to the coyotes alone?!
This is crazy!
You know how
dangerous it could be?
Why you didn't tell anyone?
Why you didn't tell me?
How come nobody found out?!
Tatianna found out but I
asked her to not tell anyone.
Oh God!
You're crazier than me!
You should at least have
watched your own health!
Why did you decide to go?! You
know how dangerous it could be?!
Eh...
My husband and I had
prepared a room for the baby.
The day he was killed...
He wished happiness
for our baby.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Situation is crazy
in my country.
I have only on Aunt who
survived and lives in the US.
My whole family were
killed in the war...
Did it ever happen to you in life that you
had to choose the most difficult option?
I had to.
OK... Please get some
sleep... here.
Thank you.
Ah!
You have to be more careful. Don't make a noise,
breath quietly, don't complain, girl.
I didn't expect so many police,
every time they are more and more...
Each time they come with
something new to find us.
They have dogs, devices.
We have to be more careful and we will
arrive, we will arrive, girl...
Shh, you can't!