Vasil (2022) Movie Script
What is it, Dad?
Nothing, just that
I can't make lunch today.
I have to accompany someone
to the Social Services office.
Someone?
Well, I don't even know him.
He's from Bulgaria.
Speak up, Dad. I can't hear you.
- I can't!
- Why not? Is he there with you?
He had nowhere to stay,
so he spent the night here.
At yours?
But you've got no room.
- On the sofa.
- Seriously, Dad?
Well, it's only temporary...
A night or two.
Anyway, whatever.
I said I'd go with him.
He doesn't speak much Spanish.
Whereas your Bulgarian is brilliant.
No, but he speaks some English too.
Which Social Services office is it?
I've got the address written down,
but I can't tell you right now.
I'm in the dark.
So turn on the light!
- I'm in bed.
- So get up!
OK, fine, when I get off the phone.
- Dad!
- What?
Forget it. Hang up.
Hello.
- Good morning!
- Morning.
- Can I...?
- Sure.
Thank you.
Oh, good coffee!
Street... here?
Let's see.
OK...
See this street?
We are here.
Here, there is a bus stop.
Bus? No, no, no, me walking.
Always.
Better.
OK, then. As you wish.
Look, he can't go back to the hostel.
He's used up all his days,
both for accommodation and food.
I can put him on a waiting list for
a bed in another municipal hostel,
but it's outside the city and...
Without young children,
it's hard to get a place.
So what can be done?
This man is sleeping on the street.
- He's staying with you now, right?
- A few days, it's not a solution.
I don't know him at all.
- No hostel?
- Seems not.
I'll give you an address. Look.
Here they work with personalize,
social rehabilitation programmes.
You can go there
this afternoon from five.
This afternoon not possible.
I have a bridge match.
Tonight, come to my house at nine.
- OK?
- Nine, I am there, OK. Thank you.
I'm not sure how all this works.
We'll talk to Maureen later
and she'll explain it to you.
Yes, I talk later.
OK, then!
He's been playing several days
and everything was fine.
His monthly fee has been paid,
so what's the problem?
I've just been told
that this man has no fixed abode.
So?
We can't make him a member
without an address.
What a load of nonsense!
Besides, he does have an address.
Address? Conde Al tea, 20.
Fine, he can play.
- But this is highly irregular!
- Thank you.
Problems with the organization again?
Can you believe someone told them
that he lived on the street?
Nasty people!
They say he's really good.
Champion in Bulgaria!
Just imagine!
- Don't you play with him?
- No, I have my usual partners.
Everything OK.
Are you here on Friday?
The tournament's better.
I'm free on Friday.
If you like, we can play together.
If you don't have any other plans.
Yes, OK.
- Sorry! I'm Carmen.
- Vasil.
Carmen...
Friday perfect. Thank you.
- No, thank you!
- Carmen.
- It's a way to lend him a hand too.
- Of course!
- How are things at the club?
- More or less the same.
Although, you remember Marisol?
Yes, she was married to
Jos Miguel, the jeweler.
- She was a good player.
- Well, she's stopped coming.
She had a row
with the Vazquez sisters.
You know what they're like.
You couldn't stand them.
Not me, nor anyone else!
You play together?
Yes, before.
And we were pretty good too!
Well...
And why
you stop playing?
I gave it up.
I didn't like the atmosphere.
He had a row with some of them.
Alfredo?
They're a bunch of snobs
with dandruff!
Dandruff?
A lot of dandruff.
And today that rubbish
about a fixed abode... Please!
And you? Why do you...?
I like playing cards too much!
Anyway...
I'd better get going.
Vasil, don't forget.
Tomorrow, before bridge,
we'll go to
the social services office.
Yes, no worry.
I'll take care of it all.
- We'll have this fixed in a few days.
- No problem.
Bye!
OK, I'm off to bed.
- Good night.
- Good night.
He's played chess against
the great Russian masters.
He's amazing at playing bridge.
Oh... and he's also
a backgammon champion in Bulgaria.
He came to Spain
a year ago looking for work.
And well, he was working for
a company as a cook for a while,
but it went bankrupt
and he found himself on the street.
He has a wonderful mind
and he's living on the street.
Where did he sleep?
In a park, I think.
Which one?
The bridge where the Africans are?
I don't know.
What kind of company did he work for?
I don't know. It closed down.
- How long's he been in Spain?
- A few months.
What did he do in Bulgaria?
I haven't asked him.
- Does he have family?
- I don't know that either!
What have you talked
about all this time?
We haven't got that personal!
Hi!
Dad has a Bulgarian
sleeping on his sofa.
A Bulgarian?
A favour for an Irish friend
he used to play bridge with, Maureen.
- Did you ever meet her?
- No.
Me neither.
How does she know the Bulgarian?
He turned up at the club
a few days ago,
but they couldn't understand him
so she helped translating.
- So, what do we do?
- Us? Nothing, it's up to him.
Yeah, but...
what if something happens?
What's going to happen?
He's not going to rob him.
I guess not...
I just can't believe Dad's letting
a stranger stay at his house.
I don't know...
What do you think they do together?
Who knows.
And with Dad's English...
I imagine he just ignores him.
Probably. So, what else is new?
Don't you think that's enough?
I don't know, how are you?
How's everything?
- Fine... normal.
- I don't know why I bother asking.
- What are you writing?
- A letter.
- To your ex-wife?
- No, my daughter.
Don't you speak to her on the phone?
My daughter's always on her phone.
She does everything with it.
I send letters
so that she'll read something.
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- Do you have your passport?
- Yes.
And the form
from the Social Services office?
Oh... no.
Vasil, what a disaster!
What did I tell you?
- Don't worry, I'll go get it quickly.
- No, Vasil! It's too far!
I'm joking, I have form!
Give it here!
You haven't filled in the last section.
- No?
- No.
In order to apply for
guaranteed minimum income,
you have to meet the requirements.
They're all listed here.
You have to bring all the documents
that prove you meet the requirements.
This is only half of them.
That's not what I was told
over the phone!
I'll save them in your file
until you bring the rest.
I'm told something different
every time I come!
I don't know, just a few days.
A week at the most.
What city in Bulgaria is he from?
He told me, but I can't remember.
Do you know any apart from Sofia?
Honestly, no.
Did he really play against Kasparov?
Yes, when he was young.
Why don't you tell him
to come and play one day?
Here?
I don't know...
I can ask him.
- See you!
- Bye!
Bye!
- Going with clubs was the best idea!
- Quite...
You won all the points.
- It's easy when he's your partner!
- No, she plays very well.
Thank you very much.
She didn't play this well last year.
Your husband surely very proud.
- He doesn't play?
- No, I'm a widow.
Where did you learn to play so well?
I play many years in Bulgaria.
Why did you come to Spain?
In my country,
lots of cold and little work.
I have disease in lungs.
Before, smoke a lot.
I need hot weather.
Here... very good.
East-West pairs, change!
- Thank you.
- Same to you.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Hi, darling!
- Vasil, this is my granddaughter.
- Hello.
- Isn't she beautiful?
- Mum's outside.
Just give me one second
and we'll get going, OK?
- Same time tomorrow.
- Thanks.
Let's go, honey.
SHOP ASSISTANT REQUIRED
NG5 GREETINGS, J. CABANES
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Everything OK?
- Yes, fine.
Can I?
You play by letter?
- Well, yes, by post.
- No!
And you write next move,
then send letter?
Yes, a postcard.
And you wait days to receive move?
But I play several games at a time,
so postcards are always arriving.
Can I see game?
You change house soon?
No, they're from when I moved in.
You haven't lived here long?
Ten years.
Ten years!
And you don't open boxes?
What for? They're books.
I've already read them all.
Try with castle.
- Nothing online.
- No? That's strange.
Almost all the pages are in Bulgarian
and it seems to be a common name,
there are lots of people called that.
- Vasil.
- Ivanov.
Vasil Ivanov. Shame we don't have
a Bulgarian department.
Now he's playing with a woman
who pays a bit more than the rest.
- Really?
- Yes.
A widow.
A rich widow
who won't let him go!
- They only play cards together!
- Yeah...
- Give him time!
- I don't think it's like that.
- He seems noble.
- Noble?
Why?
What do you know about Bulgarians?
Well...
I was reading
about a Bulgarian hero
who rebelled against
the Ottoman Empire.
At the age of 30,
he had a revolutionary project.
He set up a network of local groups
led by a central, clandestine group,
to liberate Bulgaria.
The Ottoman police searched for him
for years, but the people hid him.
And?
Until someone betrayed him
and he was arrested.
When he tried to escape,
his sandals got caught on a fence.
He was wearing
traditional shoes called Tsarvuli,
that were tied with straps...
Look.
He was hanged in 1873.
Look
21st century... Random search.
Bulgaria considered
the most corrupt country in the EU.
Bulgaria's lax attitude
to organized crime.
Bulgarian weapons
flood wars in the Middle East.
Bulgaria removes Stoichkov from
his position as Consul in Barcelona.
That's probably why he left.
Oh, Luisa!
Guys!
Now, now, now!
Do you want one?
Yes. Thank you.
A game?
A game?
This opening move...
Russian master teach me.
Very interesting.
But you... no good there.
The bishop's no good there?
Bishop seems good, but...
My knight
is...
- Dangerous.
- Yes.
Do again.
Oh, very good!
I'll go again.
Do you know the name
of all the pieces in Spanish?
Of course!
Of course.
Vasil!
Can you get that?
- Alfredo Codoner?
- Yes.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
- I'll go buy your medicine.
- No, there's no need!
- I'll go tomorrow.
- No, no!
Better now.
- Why didn't you call me?
- It was 4 in the morning!
That's what the on-call doctor is for.
What could you have done anyway?
I'm fine now.
It was my blood pressure,
like always.
Do you need anything
from the pharmacy?
- It's OK, Vasil went already.
- Oh, he did?
He insisted.
I think I scared the poor guy!
The worst thing is
that he left without a key.
He didn't want to get me out of bed,
so he didn't ring the bell until 8am!
Either that, or he was scared
he might find me dead!
Sure! So then what did he do?
Where did he spend the night?
No idea.
- Is he with you now?
- No, he went out to look for work.
Dad, I have to go.
Talk to you later.
Bye!
CONSULATE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Sorry, I don't speak Bulgarian.
- It's not your turn.
- Oh, sorry.
- I was going to pass.
- See? She was going to pass.
It doesn't matter.
You can't bid
when it's not your turn.
I said I'm sorry.
It hasn't changed the game!
Referee!
What's the matter?
Carmen's committed a foul.
She bid when it wasn't her turn.
I played 2 hearts after his 2 clubs,
but Rosa was going to pass.
- And you don't accept that?
- No.
1 spade, 2 clubs... correct.
What were you going to declare?
- I was going to pass.
- See?
So? It wasn't you turn!
She didn't know my partner
was going to pass.
- I demand she be penalized!
- For God's sake!
Rosa, you can just take your turn
and restart the bidding.
Carmen makes her bid again
and there's no penalization.
Hurry up, we're changing soon.
Other tables have already finished.
It's OK. Let's carry on.
Vasil.
- Are you playing with me on Tuesday?
- No! He's playing with me.
He told me that
he was free on Tuesday.
Vasil?
We can organize turns.
No, there's nothing to organize.
What do you mean?
You can't always get your own way.
- It's all been agreed.
- Yes, to suit you!
You think you own everything.
We all have to do what you say.
Carmen say this,
Carmen wants that...
- You're out of line!
- I don't care!
Many people here think the same!
- Mercedes!
- What?
Hello.
I'm looking for...
Yorgos.
You know him?
Yes... What do you need?
A friend
tells me he's looking for cook.
I'm cook.
Do you have a cigarette?
No, I don't smoke anymore.
Me neither,
but I still take my cigarette break.
I can't quit that.
Sure...
Greek yoghurt,
cucumber, garlic, olive oil,
lemon, pepper and mint.
- Mint?
- Fresh.
If no mint, spearmint.
Melitzanosalata?
Aubergine, feta cheese,
lemon juice, oil,
parsley, black olives.
Milk?
No.
Sometimes cook with onion,
but I don't like.
Takes away flavour of aubergine.
And what can you bake?
Tiropita, spanakopita,
gemista, moussaka...
Moussaka?
With aubergine?
In Greece, yes.
In Bulgaria, no.
Are you saying moussaka isn't Greek?
It's from several countries.
In the Balkans, lots of moussaka.
- But in this restaurant.
- Aubergine, yes!
In the town centre, yes.
It's a Greek restaurant.
- He'll be working 4 days a week.
- That's great!
He can eat there too,
but without a contract,
for the time being.
OK... When does he start?
- Tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
Yes!
He'll tell you all about it tonight.
The pay's not great,
but it's a start.
If all goes well,
they'll give him a contract later on.
Seems like things are working out!
So it would seem!
Alfredo...
Yes?
What you've done is so kind.
Thank you very much.
- It's nothing!
- Yes, it is!
I wanted to tell you that!
OK, then... Bye!
Now I have a job, I find room.
Great!
What is your work?
I'm an architect.
But I closed my studio
and now I'm retired.
My daughter want to study architect.
But there...
- Difficult future.
- Here too.
I try
to educate my daughter well.
But
she is far.
And her mother has different ideas.
She argues a lot.
I call on phone,
but she's never happy.
- You have children?
- Two.
My son's an engineer.
Oh, engineer!
He lives in Madrid.
He has a good job
with a big building company.
Then I have a daughter,
who's a translator.
She works at the university,
she teaches and writes.
A writer? That's great!
- No, it's...
- What does she write?
She does translations,
research work, articles...
To be honest,
I'm not really sure, because...
I don't read them.
But yes, she does spend all day
surrounded by books.
I admire writers.
Yes, well...
She works on things that are more
academic.
Is she translated to Bulgarian?
Oh! Let's see!
- Match with Cabanes or Garcia?
- Cabanes.
Cabanes amateur.
You win match!
For sure.
Checkmate in five!
How's it going with the benefits?
Well, it's pretty complicated.
Maureen always goes with him,
so I'm not really sure.
Anyway,
he won't be staying much longer.
He's going to be able
to rent a room somewhere.
It'll only be a few more days.
Is he already looking?
Yes, so he says.
Aren't you a little sad he's leaving?
Sad? Oh, please!
- Dessert? Same as always, Alfredo?
- Yes, same as always.
I'll have a tea, thanks.
Bulgarian is a Slavic language.
It uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
It's really complicated.
Almost 200,000 people
speak it in Spain.
Look.
I wrote down some words for you
in Spanish, Bulgarian
and here's how to pronounce it.
What do I want this for?
I thought you might want
to learn a couple of things.
For example, chess is "shaj".
- "Shaj".
- Yes.
It's beautiful, don't you think?
Many languages have a similar word.
For example, in French it's "checs",
or "scacchi" in Italian, "escacs"...
It doesn't sound
anything like the Spanish.
"Ajedrez".
But it sounds like "jaque", which is
where the game's name comes from.
- Check.
- Exactly! In English too.
Anyway...
There are some short phrases,
as well as words.
OK...
Bulgarian, the table at the back
congratulated you on your cake.
It's last one, right?
Yes, table 3 doesn't want dessert.
- How are the moussakas?
- Good, just a few more minutes.
Take mine out soon.
I put it in the oven before.
Do what you like with yours!
Go ahead and laugh!
But you're not going to beat me!
Thank you very much!
See you soon.
Well?
Which one's better?
Vasil, I'm really happy for you!
That's great news, but...
Tell me...
Which evenings do you have free?
Sundays, Mondays
and Tuesdays for sure.
- Bye, Carmen!
- See you!
You know not everyone
comes on Sundays.
There's no tournament.
It's a bad day.
Do you think they could swap
your Sundays for Fridays?
- I don't know.
- Oh...
The best tournaments are on Friday.
It'd be better for you!
I know you love playing
and you're so good!
It would be a shame to miss it.
A shame, yes.
I would miss you too.
We play so well together.
Besides, it's extra money for you.
- I'll ask at the restaurant.
- I appreciate it.
OK, then...
Oh! Thank you!
Vasil...
You're a breath
of fresh air in this club.
Hello.
You're going out already?
Are you working early today?
No, today I'm doing something else.
Don't forget medicine!
One every eight hours.
OK?
What has he done?
Monteverdi?
Yes.
It's one of my favourites.
With milk?
Yes, thank you.
A game of chess?
- A game of chess?
- Yes.
- No!
- Yes, yes.
You speak Bulgarian!
Stop, Vasil!
I don't understand!
I can't speak Bulgarian.
- My daughter taught me.
- She speaks Bulgarian! Gift for her!
- No, no, no!
- Yes, yes!
This...
Good Bulgarian book.
I've read it. Give to daughter.
- But it's in Bulgarian?
- Yes! Very good story.
She likes, for sure.
- She's writer, no?
- Yes...
Thank you.
- A game of chess.
- Yes.
My grandfather painted it
when he lived in the mountains.
It always travels with me.
- Your grandfather a painter?
- Yes.
Unknown, but pretty good.
He painted for himself.
He wasn't a fan of the art world.
I have painter friend.
Very good.
One day
important museum asks for painting.
He paints,
but not happy with painting.
He asks for more time.
He paints more and more,
but still not happy.
Time finish
and he must give painting.
They hang painting in museum.
Big success,
everyone congratulates painter.
But he
not happy.
One afternoon, painter
goes to museum and hides.
When closes at night,
he comes out.
He has paints and lamp.
He goes to his painting,
turns on lamp
and keeps painting, in museum!
All night he paints.
Then, guard comes and surprises him.
He calls police.
Police take painter
to police station.
Painter arrested,
but happy.
Painting finished!
Yorgos...
Can you come out for a moment?
A work inspection
and he'd only been there 10 days?
Bad luck.
Sounds more like someone
reported him, right?
- What's going to happen to him?
- To him, nothing,
- but the restaurant got a big fine.
- Sure.
He says he doesn't want to work
without a contract again.
He's afraid he'll get fined,
or thrown out of the country.
So then he's not leaving?
For now, it doesn't look like it.
No, being Bulgarian is no problem,
as long as he proves
he's legally resident here.
The problem is he needs
to have lived here for 2 years
to access these kinds of benefits.
It says so here.
These benefits are
for the long-term unemployed.
People whose unemployment benefits
have run out,
but who have had them.
For that, he needs to have worked
for a minimum of 6 months.
Housing benefits
cover 40% of the rent.
The applicant must prove
he can cover the rest.
He has to have a work contract
that guarantees the other 60%.
Does he have that?
I didn't think it would be so hard.
I think you're
more worried than he is.
Don't be ridiculous!
Look...
Vasil isn't really that bad off.
Can't you see?
He's chosen to live the way he does.
A bohemian lifestyle.
What? Vasil wants the same
as everyone else...
To work and make a living,
to have a house... but he can't.
But he's not a refugee,
he's not undocumented!
He has the same opportunities
as everyone else.
No, he doesn't, Alfredo.
- He was living on the street.
- Exactly!
- And it wasn't a tragedy for him.
- You're crazy!
Look, I agree that
the system doesn't work,
but I'm not talking about that,
I'm talking about his attitude
to life... it's different.
I don't know.
In Greece, they don't make
moussaka like in Bulgaria.
Very different... lots of oil.
Check.
One night, I cook moussaka
for Maureen and you.
No, really, there's no need.
Yes!
I want to cook for you.
I...
Very grateful to you and Maureen.
Check.
She helps me a lot.
Maureen... great woman.
True, although
she does have a temper.
Yes!
Strong woman.
Brave.
When we played bridge,
we argued a lot!
She always had to be right!
Check.
She knows a lot about Spanish system.
She is... lawyer?
Maureen?
Maureen hasn't worked
a day in her life!
And she's not planning to start now.
Yes...
A good moussaka from my country.
Check.
What day?
BULGARIAN LEGENDS
A man
is born deaf.
Many years deaf.
One day,
he is told an operation can cure him.
He accepts.
And he starts to hear.
He discovers how everything sounds.
Everything seems very strange.
Interesting, but also
scary.
The city is now very aggressive.
Everything is noisy, very noisy.
So
he decides to go live
in the mountains.
There, it's quieter.
He learns the sound of the mountain.
The winter comes.
Very cold.
One day
the man gets up,
and there is silence.
A silence that's new... unknown.
He is worried.
He opens window.
Outside,
everything's white and it's snowing.
First,
he's scared.
Then, he understands.
Big surprise for him.
The show
makes no sound.
So, he loves the snow a lot.
It reminds him of his childhood,
when he couldn't hear anything.
- Thank you very much.
- You're welcome!
Tonight come at 20:30.
I'm going to an important meeting.
- Be punctual.
- No problem.
20:30... On the dot!
He fixed the blind in his bedroom
and the bathroom tap
that had been leaking for years.
His way to say thanks, I guess.
- Well, it annoys my father a bit.
- But why? It's great!
Remember that Korean film?
The protagonist snuck into people's
homes when they were on holiday.
He knew the houses were empty.
He'd spend a few days,
or a week there,
then before leaving,
he'd fix something in the house.
- Or he'd paint an old bedroom...
- What happened? Did they catch him?
He ends up turning into a ghost!
- Your father's amazing!
- You should hear him!
As if a cousin was staying with him,
like the most normal thing ever!
- He's been there a month already.
- Almost two!
What?
- When are you going to meet him?
- Meet him? Me?
Vasil...
Today I don't feel like going in
just to be told no again.
You can come tomorrow, OK?
Come on, I'll buy you a coffee.
OK...
My third husband came here to work
at the embassy, many years ago now.
When he died,
I'd already got used to it.
I couldn't face
changing countries again.
You've lived in other countries?
Ireland, Morocco...
Germany, South Africa...
Here, good, isn't it?
It's a place like anywhere else.
I want my daughter to come to Spain.
Here, better than Bulgaria for sure.
- What's your daughter's name?
- Miroslava.
Miroslava?
Good girl.
- Very intelligent.
- I'm sure!
And now? No husband?
No, and I'm very happy about it too!
What about Alfredo?
Alfredo! I don't think so!
- Alfredo, very good person.
- Yes.
That's true.
I'm not saying he isn't, but
as a partner!
We hadn't seen each for a long time.
You also very good person.
You help a lot.
Yeah...
But we're not getting very far,
are we, Vasil?
Look, this isn't on, Vasil.
What time did I tell you?
I told you 20:30.
Didn't I tell you?
I'm going to be late
for my meeting because of you!
You can't just show up
whenever you like.
You're living in this house
and the least you could do
is respect the few things
I ask of you!
Is that so hard?
For me,
unpunctuality is unforgivable!
- I'm sorry.
- OK!
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
I saw a documentary yesterday.
I've read a couple of things too.
In Bulgaria,
during the Soviet era,
schools promoted the teaching
of chess a lot, just like in Russia.
That's why almost all the champions
of that era are Russian.
It was the same with music.
I bet Vasil plays an instrument.
Sure.
And I bet you don't know which one,
because you haven't asked him.
Sure.
He's a very interesting man.
It's a privilege to know him.
In other circumstances,
we could be friends.
- In other circumstances?
- Yes, of course.
Yesterday,
I shouted at him for being late.
What was he thinking?
- That's a serious of fence!
- Yes! A serious of fence!
You should've seen
his face, poor guy!
- Doesn't he have a key?
- No.
Oh, before I forget...
Look...
He gave me this for you.
For me?
It makes no sense,
it's in Bulgarian,
but I promised I'd give it to you.
I want to meet him.
Meet him? What for?
Because he's living with you.
It seems only natural, right?
I don't know, I can come over one day
and you can introduce me.
To my house? But why?
You never come over.
Wow, Dad...
If you like, I'll tell him to come
here for coffee next Wednesday.
OK?
Punctual.
Perfect!
Are you drunk?
No!
I'm good.
I stay here on sofa...
I don't bother you.
I met two men,
Bulgarians like me!
They took me to bar.
- Just one glass.
- Just one?
Yes, one drink.
How about the bridge game?
We spoke Bulgarian.
Very good.
Tomorrow, they're leaving.
What a shame!
It's hot!
Bridge very good!
Today...
No fights!
I was going to come earlier.
Bulgarian friend has
motorbike.
But I... walking,
because friend doesn't have
arm our.
Armour?
Yes.
Armour!
- Armour!
- Armour!
Armour!
Helmet!
- Helmet!
- Helmet!
House mezzedes
for our good friends!
- Oh, thank you!
- Thank you.
He won all the matches.
I knew he would.
What I didn't know was how impressed
everyone would be with him.
I don't doubt it!
Very nice friends. Good matches.
Nicer than bridge, right, Vasil?
Dandruff!
Have you invited
anyone else to eat?
Don't be like that!
It looks delicious!
We have to wait a bit. Very hot.
Vasil, how do you say
"cheers" in Bulgarian?
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Cheers!
Thank you, my friends.
It's Wednesday,
your father's going to yell at you!
- Vasil's coming today.
- For lunch?
- For coffee.
- Finally!
This week, I found out my father used
to have a thing with the Irish woman.
They didn't just play bridge,
they had a relationship.
About a year ago.
- You didn't know?
- I had no idea!
My father is acting weird...
Now he tells me things.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Has his Spanish improved?
A little bit.
But maybe it's because
we hardly spoke before.
Can I ask him about his family
in Bulgaria, or will it bother him?
Why would it bother him?
I don't know.
I don't want to be rude,
but since you never ask him anything.
Will you take him
to play chess again?
I bet it was amazing.
Everyone must have loved him!
Obviously! He thrashed us all!
Is he teaching you moves?
It's time.
- He'll be here soon.
- He should be here now!
Give him a few minutes as a courtesy.
- Coffee?
- No!
- Give us a moment, thanks.
- OK.
What does he look like?
Tall? Dark?
He's normal!
He looks like a Bulgarian!
This is so disrespectful!
- Maybe he can't find the restaurant.
- It's very close to my house!
If I have an appointment,
I don't arrive on time,
- I arrive five minutes before!
- That's you!
- The bill, please.
- Right away.
This is a very serious offense!
He can't stay with me anymore.
- Wait and see what's happened!
- No way! He has to leave!
- You can't kick him out, it's stupid!
- No, it's not!
- He's let me down.
- Dad, please!
Dad nothing!
He was ten minutes late!
Ten minutes, Alfredo!
Rules are rules!
You're so stubborn!
You and your damn rules!
Why didn't you call to tell me?
He was seen sleeping
on a bench with a blanket.
- He said he had a place to go.
- And you believed him?
- You know what he's like!
- Look, Maureen...
Letting him stay was
a favour for you, not him.
Yeah, yeah!
You've told me a hundred times!
He let me down.
You're so intolerant!
Let him live his own life!
Always trying
to organize people's lives!
That's what you think?
- And I thought that...
- What did you think?
- That he'd live with me forever?
- No, of course not.
Not even he could
put up with you for so long!
Maureen!
He really kicked him out?
My father has very particular principles.
- Where is he now?
- I don't know.
He's mad at the Irish woman
and won't call her.
What was your father thinking?
- What did you say to him?
- Me? Nothing.
It's his life.
He doesn't stick his nose
in my business, I won't either.
- You didn't yell at him?
- No, it would make no difference.
- My father's like that.
- Oh, Luisa!
- Is he really staying at your house?
- Yes.
I would never dare!
It's not a big deal.
I don't know...
Look at them.
What?
Some kind of problem with Vasil?
Well, actually yes.
- We don't like him coming here.
- And?
He doesn't know how to behave
and his appearance is unsuitable.
We're paying members
and we demand a certain decorum.
He's more polite
than many members here.
It's not just that.
We know nothing about him.
Where he's from, what he does,
who he socializes with.
I don't know who you socialize with
outside the club either.
You have to admit
he doesn't fit in here.
Are you listening to yourselves?
He could be dangerous.
We don't know him.
Seriously?
What do you want?
Hi, Maureen.
I just wanted to know how you were.
And how Vasil was doing.
Has he found a place?
He's at my house.
OK, so then he's fine.
No, he's not fine!
He was kicked out of the bridge club.
The club?
Those people have no shame!
What they did was disgusting!
- And how did he take it?
- What a stupid question!
How do you think?
- I don't feel like talking to you!
- Wait! Please.
Tell me what happened.
What did they say to him?
Officially, that they don't want him
there because of his lung problem.
They say it could be contagious
and they don't want the risk.
How stupid! And can they
just kick him out like that?
With enough members' signatures, yes.
- Unbelievable!
- It doesn't surprise me that much.
He doesn't want to go back to Bulgaria,
so what are his plans now?
I don't know.
- And can't you find out for once?
- What's your problem?
No, what's your problem?
You don't care about
anything or anyone!
Dad...
He wants to go to the Canary Islands.
He knows someone who can
give him a flat for a month or two,
until the next people move in.
He'll look for a temporary job here
and when he has the money, he'll go.
- To the Canary Islands.
- I found out, just like you wanted.
Thanks.
See you on Wednesday.
No, I can't make it this week.
OK...
- See you the week after then.
- Yes, OK.
As a child, my grandfather
showed me books of faraway lands,
with incredible illustrations.
In those books
I discovered the Canary Islands.
Plato said that beneath its waters,
the missing continent could be found,
Atlantis.
It was the most
advanced civilization,
filled with riches and knowledge.
The people from Atlantis
were unique, generous and brave.
But over time,
they subjugated other civilizations
and Zeus became furious.
After a huge earthquake
and a violent flood,
Atlantis disappeared,
sinking into the sea.
Now, there is no trace
of that great land,
it seems to have left
no remnants behind.
However, they say that on the sea,
some small islands remained,
maybe the Canary Islands.
Heroes and conquerors
from all over the world
ventured to the islands,
fascinated by their wonders.
There are seven islands,
or maybe eight
because there is one, very small one,
that appears and disappears.
It is drawn on some old maps,
but not in most of them.
Nobody knows if it exists.
Dear Miroslava,
I'll wait for you there.
Perhaps one day, we can search
for the lost island together.
Your father.
I read your article
about dead languages
and the various ways
of interpreting them.
Very interesting!
How come?
Well, I bought the new magazine,
as well as a couple
of older editions too.
Also very interesting was
how some languages can kill others.
It can almost be programmed...
Incredible!
It's fascinating.
I can bring you more information
if you're interested.
I found that whole part
about etymology a bit trickier.
Sure, that part was
a bit more technical.
Anyway, this has finished installing.
Let's see.
Look, you have two options.
Here, you can play live
and here you can start the match,
then carry on later.
Your opponent will see it
when they're online.
When you sign in,
you'll see a notification here
if someone's made a move.
It's the same as playing by post.
- I'm not giving up my postcards!
- I hope not!
Let me set it up so you don't have
to enter the password again.
OK.
The clarinet.
What?
Vasil.
He plays the clarinet.
Nothing, just that
I can't make lunch today.
I have to accompany someone
to the Social Services office.
Someone?
Well, I don't even know him.
He's from Bulgaria.
Speak up, Dad. I can't hear you.
- I can't!
- Why not? Is he there with you?
He had nowhere to stay,
so he spent the night here.
At yours?
But you've got no room.
- On the sofa.
- Seriously, Dad?
Well, it's only temporary...
A night or two.
Anyway, whatever.
I said I'd go with him.
He doesn't speak much Spanish.
Whereas your Bulgarian is brilliant.
No, but he speaks some English too.
Which Social Services office is it?
I've got the address written down,
but I can't tell you right now.
I'm in the dark.
So turn on the light!
- I'm in bed.
- So get up!
OK, fine, when I get off the phone.
- Dad!
- What?
Forget it. Hang up.
Hello.
- Good morning!
- Morning.
- Can I...?
- Sure.
Thank you.
Oh, good coffee!
Street... here?
Let's see.
OK...
See this street?
We are here.
Here, there is a bus stop.
Bus? No, no, no, me walking.
Always.
Better.
OK, then. As you wish.
Look, he can't go back to the hostel.
He's used up all his days,
both for accommodation and food.
I can put him on a waiting list for
a bed in another municipal hostel,
but it's outside the city and...
Without young children,
it's hard to get a place.
So what can be done?
This man is sleeping on the street.
- He's staying with you now, right?
- A few days, it's not a solution.
I don't know him at all.
- No hostel?
- Seems not.
I'll give you an address. Look.
Here they work with personalize,
social rehabilitation programmes.
You can go there
this afternoon from five.
This afternoon not possible.
I have a bridge match.
Tonight, come to my house at nine.
- OK?
- Nine, I am there, OK. Thank you.
I'm not sure how all this works.
We'll talk to Maureen later
and she'll explain it to you.
Yes, I talk later.
OK, then!
He's been playing several days
and everything was fine.
His monthly fee has been paid,
so what's the problem?
I've just been told
that this man has no fixed abode.
So?
We can't make him a member
without an address.
What a load of nonsense!
Besides, he does have an address.
Address? Conde Al tea, 20.
Fine, he can play.
- But this is highly irregular!
- Thank you.
Problems with the organization again?
Can you believe someone told them
that he lived on the street?
Nasty people!
They say he's really good.
Champion in Bulgaria!
Just imagine!
- Don't you play with him?
- No, I have my usual partners.
Everything OK.
Are you here on Friday?
The tournament's better.
I'm free on Friday.
If you like, we can play together.
If you don't have any other plans.
Yes, OK.
- Sorry! I'm Carmen.
- Vasil.
Carmen...
Friday perfect. Thank you.
- No, thank you!
- Carmen.
- It's a way to lend him a hand too.
- Of course!
- How are things at the club?
- More or less the same.
Although, you remember Marisol?
Yes, she was married to
Jos Miguel, the jeweler.
- She was a good player.
- Well, she's stopped coming.
She had a row
with the Vazquez sisters.
You know what they're like.
You couldn't stand them.
Not me, nor anyone else!
You play together?
Yes, before.
And we were pretty good too!
Well...
And why
you stop playing?
I gave it up.
I didn't like the atmosphere.
He had a row with some of them.
Alfredo?
They're a bunch of snobs
with dandruff!
Dandruff?
A lot of dandruff.
And today that rubbish
about a fixed abode... Please!
And you? Why do you...?
I like playing cards too much!
Anyway...
I'd better get going.
Vasil, don't forget.
Tomorrow, before bridge,
we'll go to
the social services office.
Yes, no worry.
I'll take care of it all.
- We'll have this fixed in a few days.
- No problem.
Bye!
OK, I'm off to bed.
- Good night.
- Good night.
He's played chess against
the great Russian masters.
He's amazing at playing bridge.
Oh... and he's also
a backgammon champion in Bulgaria.
He came to Spain
a year ago looking for work.
And well, he was working for
a company as a cook for a while,
but it went bankrupt
and he found himself on the street.
He has a wonderful mind
and he's living on the street.
Where did he sleep?
In a park, I think.
Which one?
The bridge where the Africans are?
I don't know.
What kind of company did he work for?
I don't know. It closed down.
- How long's he been in Spain?
- A few months.
What did he do in Bulgaria?
I haven't asked him.
- Does he have family?
- I don't know that either!
What have you talked
about all this time?
We haven't got that personal!
Hi!
Dad has a Bulgarian
sleeping on his sofa.
A Bulgarian?
A favour for an Irish friend
he used to play bridge with, Maureen.
- Did you ever meet her?
- No.
Me neither.
How does she know the Bulgarian?
He turned up at the club
a few days ago,
but they couldn't understand him
so she helped translating.
- So, what do we do?
- Us? Nothing, it's up to him.
Yeah, but...
what if something happens?
What's going to happen?
He's not going to rob him.
I guess not...
I just can't believe Dad's letting
a stranger stay at his house.
I don't know...
What do you think they do together?
Who knows.
And with Dad's English...
I imagine he just ignores him.
Probably. So, what else is new?
Don't you think that's enough?
I don't know, how are you?
How's everything?
- Fine... normal.
- I don't know why I bother asking.
- What are you writing?
- A letter.
- To your ex-wife?
- No, my daughter.
Don't you speak to her on the phone?
My daughter's always on her phone.
She does everything with it.
I send letters
so that she'll read something.
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- Do you have your passport?
- Yes.
And the form
from the Social Services office?
Oh... no.
Vasil, what a disaster!
What did I tell you?
- Don't worry, I'll go get it quickly.
- No, Vasil! It's too far!
I'm joking, I have form!
Give it here!
You haven't filled in the last section.
- No?
- No.
In order to apply for
guaranteed minimum income,
you have to meet the requirements.
They're all listed here.
You have to bring all the documents
that prove you meet the requirements.
This is only half of them.
That's not what I was told
over the phone!
I'll save them in your file
until you bring the rest.
I'm told something different
every time I come!
I don't know, just a few days.
A week at the most.
What city in Bulgaria is he from?
He told me, but I can't remember.
Do you know any apart from Sofia?
Honestly, no.
Did he really play against Kasparov?
Yes, when he was young.
Why don't you tell him
to come and play one day?
Here?
I don't know...
I can ask him.
- See you!
- Bye!
Bye!
- Going with clubs was the best idea!
- Quite...
You won all the points.
- It's easy when he's your partner!
- No, she plays very well.
Thank you very much.
She didn't play this well last year.
Your husband surely very proud.
- He doesn't play?
- No, I'm a widow.
Where did you learn to play so well?
I play many years in Bulgaria.
Why did you come to Spain?
In my country,
lots of cold and little work.
I have disease in lungs.
Before, smoke a lot.
I need hot weather.
Here... very good.
East-West pairs, change!
- Thank you.
- Same to you.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Hi, darling!
- Vasil, this is my granddaughter.
- Hello.
- Isn't she beautiful?
- Mum's outside.
Just give me one second
and we'll get going, OK?
- Same time tomorrow.
- Thanks.
Let's go, honey.
SHOP ASSISTANT REQUIRED
NG5 GREETINGS, J. CABANES
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Everything OK?
- Yes, fine.
Can I?
You play by letter?
- Well, yes, by post.
- No!
And you write next move,
then send letter?
Yes, a postcard.
And you wait days to receive move?
But I play several games at a time,
so postcards are always arriving.
Can I see game?
You change house soon?
No, they're from when I moved in.
You haven't lived here long?
Ten years.
Ten years!
And you don't open boxes?
What for? They're books.
I've already read them all.
Try with castle.
- Nothing online.
- No? That's strange.
Almost all the pages are in Bulgarian
and it seems to be a common name,
there are lots of people called that.
- Vasil.
- Ivanov.
Vasil Ivanov. Shame we don't have
a Bulgarian department.
Now he's playing with a woman
who pays a bit more than the rest.
- Really?
- Yes.
A widow.
A rich widow
who won't let him go!
- They only play cards together!
- Yeah...
- Give him time!
- I don't think it's like that.
- He seems noble.
- Noble?
Why?
What do you know about Bulgarians?
Well...
I was reading
about a Bulgarian hero
who rebelled against
the Ottoman Empire.
At the age of 30,
he had a revolutionary project.
He set up a network of local groups
led by a central, clandestine group,
to liberate Bulgaria.
The Ottoman police searched for him
for years, but the people hid him.
And?
Until someone betrayed him
and he was arrested.
When he tried to escape,
his sandals got caught on a fence.
He was wearing
traditional shoes called Tsarvuli,
that were tied with straps...
Look.
He was hanged in 1873.
Look
21st century... Random search.
Bulgaria considered
the most corrupt country in the EU.
Bulgaria's lax attitude
to organized crime.
Bulgarian weapons
flood wars in the Middle East.
Bulgaria removes Stoichkov from
his position as Consul in Barcelona.
That's probably why he left.
Oh, Luisa!
Guys!
Now, now, now!
Do you want one?
Yes. Thank you.
A game?
A game?
This opening move...
Russian master teach me.
Very interesting.
But you... no good there.
The bishop's no good there?
Bishop seems good, but...
My knight
is...
- Dangerous.
- Yes.
Do again.
Oh, very good!
I'll go again.
Do you know the name
of all the pieces in Spanish?
Of course!
Of course.
Vasil!
Can you get that?
- Alfredo Codoner?
- Yes.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
- I'll go buy your medicine.
- No, there's no need!
- I'll go tomorrow.
- No, no!
Better now.
- Why didn't you call me?
- It was 4 in the morning!
That's what the on-call doctor is for.
What could you have done anyway?
I'm fine now.
It was my blood pressure,
like always.
Do you need anything
from the pharmacy?
- It's OK, Vasil went already.
- Oh, he did?
He insisted.
I think I scared the poor guy!
The worst thing is
that he left without a key.
He didn't want to get me out of bed,
so he didn't ring the bell until 8am!
Either that, or he was scared
he might find me dead!
Sure! So then what did he do?
Where did he spend the night?
No idea.
- Is he with you now?
- No, he went out to look for work.
Dad, I have to go.
Talk to you later.
Bye!
CONSULATE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Sorry, I don't speak Bulgarian.
- It's not your turn.
- Oh, sorry.
- I was going to pass.
- See? She was going to pass.
It doesn't matter.
You can't bid
when it's not your turn.
I said I'm sorry.
It hasn't changed the game!
Referee!
What's the matter?
Carmen's committed a foul.
She bid when it wasn't her turn.
I played 2 hearts after his 2 clubs,
but Rosa was going to pass.
- And you don't accept that?
- No.
1 spade, 2 clubs... correct.
What were you going to declare?
- I was going to pass.
- See?
So? It wasn't you turn!
She didn't know my partner
was going to pass.
- I demand she be penalized!
- For God's sake!
Rosa, you can just take your turn
and restart the bidding.
Carmen makes her bid again
and there's no penalization.
Hurry up, we're changing soon.
Other tables have already finished.
It's OK. Let's carry on.
Vasil.
- Are you playing with me on Tuesday?
- No! He's playing with me.
He told me that
he was free on Tuesday.
Vasil?
We can organize turns.
No, there's nothing to organize.
What do you mean?
You can't always get your own way.
- It's all been agreed.
- Yes, to suit you!
You think you own everything.
We all have to do what you say.
Carmen say this,
Carmen wants that...
- You're out of line!
- I don't care!
Many people here think the same!
- Mercedes!
- What?
Hello.
I'm looking for...
Yorgos.
You know him?
Yes... What do you need?
A friend
tells me he's looking for cook.
I'm cook.
Do you have a cigarette?
No, I don't smoke anymore.
Me neither,
but I still take my cigarette break.
I can't quit that.
Sure...
Greek yoghurt,
cucumber, garlic, olive oil,
lemon, pepper and mint.
- Mint?
- Fresh.
If no mint, spearmint.
Melitzanosalata?
Aubergine, feta cheese,
lemon juice, oil,
parsley, black olives.
Milk?
No.
Sometimes cook with onion,
but I don't like.
Takes away flavour of aubergine.
And what can you bake?
Tiropita, spanakopita,
gemista, moussaka...
Moussaka?
With aubergine?
In Greece, yes.
In Bulgaria, no.
Are you saying moussaka isn't Greek?
It's from several countries.
In the Balkans, lots of moussaka.
- But in this restaurant.
- Aubergine, yes!
In the town centre, yes.
It's a Greek restaurant.
- He'll be working 4 days a week.
- That's great!
He can eat there too,
but without a contract,
for the time being.
OK... When does he start?
- Tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
Yes!
He'll tell you all about it tonight.
The pay's not great,
but it's a start.
If all goes well,
they'll give him a contract later on.
Seems like things are working out!
So it would seem!
Alfredo...
Yes?
What you've done is so kind.
Thank you very much.
- It's nothing!
- Yes, it is!
I wanted to tell you that!
OK, then... Bye!
Now I have a job, I find room.
Great!
What is your work?
I'm an architect.
But I closed my studio
and now I'm retired.
My daughter want to study architect.
But there...
- Difficult future.
- Here too.
I try
to educate my daughter well.
But
she is far.
And her mother has different ideas.
She argues a lot.
I call on phone,
but she's never happy.
- You have children?
- Two.
My son's an engineer.
Oh, engineer!
He lives in Madrid.
He has a good job
with a big building company.
Then I have a daughter,
who's a translator.
She works at the university,
she teaches and writes.
A writer? That's great!
- No, it's...
- What does she write?
She does translations,
research work, articles...
To be honest,
I'm not really sure, because...
I don't read them.
But yes, she does spend all day
surrounded by books.
I admire writers.
Yes, well...
She works on things that are more
academic.
Is she translated to Bulgarian?
Oh! Let's see!
- Match with Cabanes or Garcia?
- Cabanes.
Cabanes amateur.
You win match!
For sure.
Checkmate in five!
How's it going with the benefits?
Well, it's pretty complicated.
Maureen always goes with him,
so I'm not really sure.
Anyway,
he won't be staying much longer.
He's going to be able
to rent a room somewhere.
It'll only be a few more days.
Is he already looking?
Yes, so he says.
Aren't you a little sad he's leaving?
Sad? Oh, please!
- Dessert? Same as always, Alfredo?
- Yes, same as always.
I'll have a tea, thanks.
Bulgarian is a Slavic language.
It uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
It's really complicated.
Almost 200,000 people
speak it in Spain.
Look.
I wrote down some words for you
in Spanish, Bulgarian
and here's how to pronounce it.
What do I want this for?
I thought you might want
to learn a couple of things.
For example, chess is "shaj".
- "Shaj".
- Yes.
It's beautiful, don't you think?
Many languages have a similar word.
For example, in French it's "checs",
or "scacchi" in Italian, "escacs"...
It doesn't sound
anything like the Spanish.
"Ajedrez".
But it sounds like "jaque", which is
where the game's name comes from.
- Check.
- Exactly! In English too.
Anyway...
There are some short phrases,
as well as words.
OK...
Bulgarian, the table at the back
congratulated you on your cake.
It's last one, right?
Yes, table 3 doesn't want dessert.
- How are the moussakas?
- Good, just a few more minutes.
Take mine out soon.
I put it in the oven before.
Do what you like with yours!
Go ahead and laugh!
But you're not going to beat me!
Thank you very much!
See you soon.
Well?
Which one's better?
Vasil, I'm really happy for you!
That's great news, but...
Tell me...
Which evenings do you have free?
Sundays, Mondays
and Tuesdays for sure.
- Bye, Carmen!
- See you!
You know not everyone
comes on Sundays.
There's no tournament.
It's a bad day.
Do you think they could swap
your Sundays for Fridays?
- I don't know.
- Oh...
The best tournaments are on Friday.
It'd be better for you!
I know you love playing
and you're so good!
It would be a shame to miss it.
A shame, yes.
I would miss you too.
We play so well together.
Besides, it's extra money for you.
- I'll ask at the restaurant.
- I appreciate it.
OK, then...
Oh! Thank you!
Vasil...
You're a breath
of fresh air in this club.
Hello.
You're going out already?
Are you working early today?
No, today I'm doing something else.
Don't forget medicine!
One every eight hours.
OK?
What has he done?
Monteverdi?
Yes.
It's one of my favourites.
With milk?
Yes, thank you.
A game of chess?
- A game of chess?
- Yes.
- No!
- Yes, yes.
You speak Bulgarian!
Stop, Vasil!
I don't understand!
I can't speak Bulgarian.
- My daughter taught me.
- She speaks Bulgarian! Gift for her!
- No, no, no!
- Yes, yes!
This...
Good Bulgarian book.
I've read it. Give to daughter.
- But it's in Bulgarian?
- Yes! Very good story.
She likes, for sure.
- She's writer, no?
- Yes...
Thank you.
- A game of chess.
- Yes.
My grandfather painted it
when he lived in the mountains.
It always travels with me.
- Your grandfather a painter?
- Yes.
Unknown, but pretty good.
He painted for himself.
He wasn't a fan of the art world.
I have painter friend.
Very good.
One day
important museum asks for painting.
He paints,
but not happy with painting.
He asks for more time.
He paints more and more,
but still not happy.
Time finish
and he must give painting.
They hang painting in museum.
Big success,
everyone congratulates painter.
But he
not happy.
One afternoon, painter
goes to museum and hides.
When closes at night,
he comes out.
He has paints and lamp.
He goes to his painting,
turns on lamp
and keeps painting, in museum!
All night he paints.
Then, guard comes and surprises him.
He calls police.
Police take painter
to police station.
Painter arrested,
but happy.
Painting finished!
Yorgos...
Can you come out for a moment?
A work inspection
and he'd only been there 10 days?
Bad luck.
Sounds more like someone
reported him, right?
- What's going to happen to him?
- To him, nothing,
- but the restaurant got a big fine.
- Sure.
He says he doesn't want to work
without a contract again.
He's afraid he'll get fined,
or thrown out of the country.
So then he's not leaving?
For now, it doesn't look like it.
No, being Bulgarian is no problem,
as long as he proves
he's legally resident here.
The problem is he needs
to have lived here for 2 years
to access these kinds of benefits.
It says so here.
These benefits are
for the long-term unemployed.
People whose unemployment benefits
have run out,
but who have had them.
For that, he needs to have worked
for a minimum of 6 months.
Housing benefits
cover 40% of the rent.
The applicant must prove
he can cover the rest.
He has to have a work contract
that guarantees the other 60%.
Does he have that?
I didn't think it would be so hard.
I think you're
more worried than he is.
Don't be ridiculous!
Look...
Vasil isn't really that bad off.
Can't you see?
He's chosen to live the way he does.
A bohemian lifestyle.
What? Vasil wants the same
as everyone else...
To work and make a living,
to have a house... but he can't.
But he's not a refugee,
he's not undocumented!
He has the same opportunities
as everyone else.
No, he doesn't, Alfredo.
- He was living on the street.
- Exactly!
- And it wasn't a tragedy for him.
- You're crazy!
Look, I agree that
the system doesn't work,
but I'm not talking about that,
I'm talking about his attitude
to life... it's different.
I don't know.
In Greece, they don't make
moussaka like in Bulgaria.
Very different... lots of oil.
Check.
One night, I cook moussaka
for Maureen and you.
No, really, there's no need.
Yes!
I want to cook for you.
I...
Very grateful to you and Maureen.
Check.
She helps me a lot.
Maureen... great woman.
True, although
she does have a temper.
Yes!
Strong woman.
Brave.
When we played bridge,
we argued a lot!
She always had to be right!
Check.
She knows a lot about Spanish system.
She is... lawyer?
Maureen?
Maureen hasn't worked
a day in her life!
And she's not planning to start now.
Yes...
A good moussaka from my country.
Check.
What day?
BULGARIAN LEGENDS
A man
is born deaf.
Many years deaf.
One day,
he is told an operation can cure him.
He accepts.
And he starts to hear.
He discovers how everything sounds.
Everything seems very strange.
Interesting, but also
scary.
The city is now very aggressive.
Everything is noisy, very noisy.
So
he decides to go live
in the mountains.
There, it's quieter.
He learns the sound of the mountain.
The winter comes.
Very cold.
One day
the man gets up,
and there is silence.
A silence that's new... unknown.
He is worried.
He opens window.
Outside,
everything's white and it's snowing.
First,
he's scared.
Then, he understands.
Big surprise for him.
The show
makes no sound.
So, he loves the snow a lot.
It reminds him of his childhood,
when he couldn't hear anything.
- Thank you very much.
- You're welcome!
Tonight come at 20:30.
I'm going to an important meeting.
- Be punctual.
- No problem.
20:30... On the dot!
He fixed the blind in his bedroom
and the bathroom tap
that had been leaking for years.
His way to say thanks, I guess.
- Well, it annoys my father a bit.
- But why? It's great!
Remember that Korean film?
The protagonist snuck into people's
homes when they were on holiday.
He knew the houses were empty.
He'd spend a few days,
or a week there,
then before leaving,
he'd fix something in the house.
- Or he'd paint an old bedroom...
- What happened? Did they catch him?
He ends up turning into a ghost!
- Your father's amazing!
- You should hear him!
As if a cousin was staying with him,
like the most normal thing ever!
- He's been there a month already.
- Almost two!
What?
- When are you going to meet him?
- Meet him? Me?
Vasil...
Today I don't feel like going in
just to be told no again.
You can come tomorrow, OK?
Come on, I'll buy you a coffee.
OK...
My third husband came here to work
at the embassy, many years ago now.
When he died,
I'd already got used to it.
I couldn't face
changing countries again.
You've lived in other countries?
Ireland, Morocco...
Germany, South Africa...
Here, good, isn't it?
It's a place like anywhere else.
I want my daughter to come to Spain.
Here, better than Bulgaria for sure.
- What's your daughter's name?
- Miroslava.
Miroslava?
Good girl.
- Very intelligent.
- I'm sure!
And now? No husband?
No, and I'm very happy about it too!
What about Alfredo?
Alfredo! I don't think so!
- Alfredo, very good person.
- Yes.
That's true.
I'm not saying he isn't, but
as a partner!
We hadn't seen each for a long time.
You also very good person.
You help a lot.
Yeah...
But we're not getting very far,
are we, Vasil?
Look, this isn't on, Vasil.
What time did I tell you?
I told you 20:30.
Didn't I tell you?
I'm going to be late
for my meeting because of you!
You can't just show up
whenever you like.
You're living in this house
and the least you could do
is respect the few things
I ask of you!
Is that so hard?
For me,
unpunctuality is unforgivable!
- I'm sorry.
- OK!
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
I saw a documentary yesterday.
I've read a couple of things too.
In Bulgaria,
during the Soviet era,
schools promoted the teaching
of chess a lot, just like in Russia.
That's why almost all the champions
of that era are Russian.
It was the same with music.
I bet Vasil plays an instrument.
Sure.
And I bet you don't know which one,
because you haven't asked him.
Sure.
He's a very interesting man.
It's a privilege to know him.
In other circumstances,
we could be friends.
- In other circumstances?
- Yes, of course.
Yesterday,
I shouted at him for being late.
What was he thinking?
- That's a serious of fence!
- Yes! A serious of fence!
You should've seen
his face, poor guy!
- Doesn't he have a key?
- No.
Oh, before I forget...
Look...
He gave me this for you.
For me?
It makes no sense,
it's in Bulgarian,
but I promised I'd give it to you.
I want to meet him.
Meet him? What for?
Because he's living with you.
It seems only natural, right?
I don't know, I can come over one day
and you can introduce me.
To my house? But why?
You never come over.
Wow, Dad...
If you like, I'll tell him to come
here for coffee next Wednesday.
OK?
Punctual.
Perfect!
Are you drunk?
No!
I'm good.
I stay here on sofa...
I don't bother you.
I met two men,
Bulgarians like me!
They took me to bar.
- Just one glass.
- Just one?
Yes, one drink.
How about the bridge game?
We spoke Bulgarian.
Very good.
Tomorrow, they're leaving.
What a shame!
It's hot!
Bridge very good!
Today...
No fights!
I was going to come earlier.
Bulgarian friend has
motorbike.
But I... walking,
because friend doesn't have
arm our.
Armour?
Yes.
Armour!
- Armour!
- Armour!
Armour!
Helmet!
- Helmet!
- Helmet!
House mezzedes
for our good friends!
- Oh, thank you!
- Thank you.
He won all the matches.
I knew he would.
What I didn't know was how impressed
everyone would be with him.
I don't doubt it!
Very nice friends. Good matches.
Nicer than bridge, right, Vasil?
Dandruff!
Have you invited
anyone else to eat?
Don't be like that!
It looks delicious!
We have to wait a bit. Very hot.
Vasil, how do you say
"cheers" in Bulgarian?
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Cheers!
Thank you, my friends.
It's Wednesday,
your father's going to yell at you!
- Vasil's coming today.
- For lunch?
- For coffee.
- Finally!
This week, I found out my father used
to have a thing with the Irish woman.
They didn't just play bridge,
they had a relationship.
About a year ago.
- You didn't know?
- I had no idea!
My father is acting weird...
Now he tells me things.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Has his Spanish improved?
A little bit.
But maybe it's because
we hardly spoke before.
Can I ask him about his family
in Bulgaria, or will it bother him?
Why would it bother him?
I don't know.
I don't want to be rude,
but since you never ask him anything.
Will you take him
to play chess again?
I bet it was amazing.
Everyone must have loved him!
Obviously! He thrashed us all!
Is he teaching you moves?
It's time.
- He'll be here soon.
- He should be here now!
Give him a few minutes as a courtesy.
- Coffee?
- No!
- Give us a moment, thanks.
- OK.
What does he look like?
Tall? Dark?
He's normal!
He looks like a Bulgarian!
This is so disrespectful!
- Maybe he can't find the restaurant.
- It's very close to my house!
If I have an appointment,
I don't arrive on time,
- I arrive five minutes before!
- That's you!
- The bill, please.
- Right away.
This is a very serious offense!
He can't stay with me anymore.
- Wait and see what's happened!
- No way! He has to leave!
- You can't kick him out, it's stupid!
- No, it's not!
- He's let me down.
- Dad, please!
Dad nothing!
He was ten minutes late!
Ten minutes, Alfredo!
Rules are rules!
You're so stubborn!
You and your damn rules!
Why didn't you call to tell me?
He was seen sleeping
on a bench with a blanket.
- He said he had a place to go.
- And you believed him?
- You know what he's like!
- Look, Maureen...
Letting him stay was
a favour for you, not him.
Yeah, yeah!
You've told me a hundred times!
He let me down.
You're so intolerant!
Let him live his own life!
Always trying
to organize people's lives!
That's what you think?
- And I thought that...
- What did you think?
- That he'd live with me forever?
- No, of course not.
Not even he could
put up with you for so long!
Maureen!
He really kicked him out?
My father has very particular principles.
- Where is he now?
- I don't know.
He's mad at the Irish woman
and won't call her.
What was your father thinking?
- What did you say to him?
- Me? Nothing.
It's his life.
He doesn't stick his nose
in my business, I won't either.
- You didn't yell at him?
- No, it would make no difference.
- My father's like that.
- Oh, Luisa!
- Is he really staying at your house?
- Yes.
I would never dare!
It's not a big deal.
I don't know...
Look at them.
What?
Some kind of problem with Vasil?
Well, actually yes.
- We don't like him coming here.
- And?
He doesn't know how to behave
and his appearance is unsuitable.
We're paying members
and we demand a certain decorum.
He's more polite
than many members here.
It's not just that.
We know nothing about him.
Where he's from, what he does,
who he socializes with.
I don't know who you socialize with
outside the club either.
You have to admit
he doesn't fit in here.
Are you listening to yourselves?
He could be dangerous.
We don't know him.
Seriously?
What do you want?
Hi, Maureen.
I just wanted to know how you were.
And how Vasil was doing.
Has he found a place?
He's at my house.
OK, so then he's fine.
No, he's not fine!
He was kicked out of the bridge club.
The club?
Those people have no shame!
What they did was disgusting!
- And how did he take it?
- What a stupid question!
How do you think?
- I don't feel like talking to you!
- Wait! Please.
Tell me what happened.
What did they say to him?
Officially, that they don't want him
there because of his lung problem.
They say it could be contagious
and they don't want the risk.
How stupid! And can they
just kick him out like that?
With enough members' signatures, yes.
- Unbelievable!
- It doesn't surprise me that much.
He doesn't want to go back to Bulgaria,
so what are his plans now?
I don't know.
- And can't you find out for once?
- What's your problem?
No, what's your problem?
You don't care about
anything or anyone!
Dad...
He wants to go to the Canary Islands.
He knows someone who can
give him a flat for a month or two,
until the next people move in.
He'll look for a temporary job here
and when he has the money, he'll go.
- To the Canary Islands.
- I found out, just like you wanted.
Thanks.
See you on Wednesday.
No, I can't make it this week.
OK...
- See you the week after then.
- Yes, OK.
As a child, my grandfather
showed me books of faraway lands,
with incredible illustrations.
In those books
I discovered the Canary Islands.
Plato said that beneath its waters,
the missing continent could be found,
Atlantis.
It was the most
advanced civilization,
filled with riches and knowledge.
The people from Atlantis
were unique, generous and brave.
But over time,
they subjugated other civilizations
and Zeus became furious.
After a huge earthquake
and a violent flood,
Atlantis disappeared,
sinking into the sea.
Now, there is no trace
of that great land,
it seems to have left
no remnants behind.
However, they say that on the sea,
some small islands remained,
maybe the Canary Islands.
Heroes and conquerors
from all over the world
ventured to the islands,
fascinated by their wonders.
There are seven islands,
or maybe eight
because there is one, very small one,
that appears and disappears.
It is drawn on some old maps,
but not in most of them.
Nobody knows if it exists.
Dear Miroslava,
I'll wait for you there.
Perhaps one day, we can search
for the lost island together.
Your father.
I read your article
about dead languages
and the various ways
of interpreting them.
Very interesting!
How come?
Well, I bought the new magazine,
as well as a couple
of older editions too.
Also very interesting was
how some languages can kill others.
It can almost be programmed...
Incredible!
It's fascinating.
I can bring you more information
if you're interested.
I found that whole part
about etymology a bit trickier.
Sure, that part was
a bit more technical.
Anyway, this has finished installing.
Let's see.
Look, you have two options.
Here, you can play live
and here you can start the match,
then carry on later.
Your opponent will see it
when they're online.
When you sign in,
you'll see a notification here
if someone's made a move.
It's the same as playing by post.
- I'm not giving up my postcards!
- I hope not!
Let me set it up so you don't have
to enter the password again.
OK.
The clarinet.
What?
Vasil.
He plays the clarinet.