In Love All Over Again (2023) s01e01 Episode Script
Meet Cute
["Piazza, New York Catcher"
by Belle and Sebastian playing]
[woman] This is Julio.
MADRID, OCTOBER 23, 2003
[Irene] And this is Irene.
They're gonna fall in love many times
because they're gonna break up many times.
How many nights of limping round
On pagan holidays ♪
[Irene] But, no. They don't meet just yet.
Be patient.
A trail for the devil to erase ♪
MADRID, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
[Irene] Yep, this is one of those stories
where you know what's gonna happen.
Pretty much.
But you wanna watch anyway.
are you straight or are you gay ♪
We hung about the stadium
We've got no place to stay ♪
[Irene] Or maybe not. Maybe you don't
know what's gonna happen.
And that's way better.
the saddest book you ever read
It always makes you cry ♪
[Irene] Shall we begin?
I love you, I've a drowning grip ♪
IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN
Beside you and strong warnings
In the guise of gentle words ♪
CHAPTER 1
MEET CUTE
You'll take care of her, I know it
You will do a better job ♪
[Irene] What do you mean you're going to
I don't know. I don't know! Shit.
- It's just. What are you doing?
- [man] Look. Come on, Irene, please. Okay.
[Irene] I mean,
you're not moving to Madrid
- [man] Irene.
- [Irene] Where are you going?
- You want to break up.
- [Irene] I don't know.
Because you want to be
a free agent in Madrid.
But you don't want to break up
because you'll miss me,
and you might not find anyone like me.
- [Irene] I don't know.
- Or maybe you will.
Or maybe you won't.
And I can tell you that you won't.
But you know,
you might feel like getting up to
something in Madrid because Madrid
Madrid is humungous.
- No It's just
- You know how things are in college.
No. Look, the way you're saying it,
it sounds bad,
but that's not what I said.
That's exactly what you said.
I have a photographic memory
with this stuff.
It sticks in my mind,
especially when I'm being dumped!
- I'm not dumping you, Fer.
- Oh.
We're dumping each other
because I'm going to Madrid.
Or what?
We act dumb? Pretend nothing's happening?
Don't talk about stuff? Then
Jesus, you and I
talk about everything, right?
Yeah. We need to talk. Sure.
[camcorder beeps]
[camcorder whirring]
[Fer] So a camping trip
to say "bye for now"
is turning into the trip
where we break up.
[somber music playing]
No. Irene, come on. Don't film me, dammit!
- [Irene] Okay. Okay.
- [Fer] Jesus. No.
Jesus, dammit!
You're gonna end up as
a top fucking director,
and I'm going to end up as
the village idiot.
You think I'm going to end up as
a top fucking director?
Yes.
Seriously?
Yes, Irene.
So let's not break up.
So let's not break up.
Okay.
[both] It's just
It's that simple?
Because if we don't want to break up,
we shouldn't break up. Done. It's just
We should do what we want. End of story.
And we're good together, right?
Yes. Right.
[music fades out]
[Fer yawns]
Such long faces.
If you want,
we can abort the mission, huh?
Yes.
[woman] No, no! You're going.
Come on. Suitcases.
- Mm Bye.
- [woman] Hey! Hey!
Come on, kids. Enough.
Please! In you go.
And you, start the car.
- Start the car.
- Bye.
[car engine starts]
- [man] On it.
- Come on.
["No Sabe Dónde Va" by Amaral playing]
MADRID, OCTOBER 6, 2003
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION SCIENCES
[students chattering]
[song fades out]
[student] Look, I don't know about that.
Hey. Is it okay if I sit here?
[man] Depends.
Tie Me Up or Women on the Verge?
Um I mean, I can't choose. I guess, both.
That's not fair. It's like making her
choose between Matrix or Fight Club.
Adriana. No, come on. It's a joke.
Sit down. Sorry.
[Irene laughs]
How's it going?
- Good.
- Right. Uh, I'm Da.
Adri. And Jimena.
- And you?
- Irene.
- Irene.
- Yes.
[Irene chuckles]
What are you doing, Jimena?
Girl, it's not that cold.
- And you're from Huesca.
- [Jimena] It's not the cold, dammit.
- [Da] So what is it?
- It's this place.
It has this kind of
It has the "you've watched Thesis
too many times" vibe. That's what it has.
It's just, she's really intense.
She really just feels stuff, you know?
Uh-huh.
- We've been living on the same floor for
- One whole week.
- Yes.
- [Irene] You're so lucky.
I'm looking,
but haven't found anything yet.
And it's been a while, you know? I can't
believe how tiny Madrid apartments are.
- They have a spare room.
- [Da] Yes.
The rent is 350, all utilities included.
- Seriously? Can I see it?
- [professor] Good morning.
- Uh, well, if I could
- Let's talk later. Okay?
All right, to get to know each other
from the beginning,
hands up who wants to be a movie director.
Come on, dammit. Don't be shy.
Hands up. Go.
- No one?
- Well
[professor] You. What's your name?
I'm Irene. [chuckles]
- Irene.
- Yes.
And why? Why do you want to direct?
Well, to tell stories and
I don't know. And
I mean, for lots of reasons, right?
[professor] Lots of reasons.
What an original answer. Am I right?
Anyone else?
Anyone who has
a more well-thought-out reason perhaps?
Mm-hmm. This is mine.
The next one is Matt's.
He's another roommate.
And the one on the end is Da's.
Okay.
I should have told that fucker that
he's a sexist piece of shit.
He wasn't expecting a girl to answer.
That's why he went for the jugular.
I mean, the jugular
Don't stress too much about it.
I mean,
at least you dared to say something.
Not much because you didn't say much.
But you did speak.
Other people's food is off-limits, okay?
Where are my yogurts?
- Where are my yogurts?
- Maybe you don't know the answer yet.
But I think that to be a director
you need determination.
You need personality.
You gotta create your own unique style.
You know what I mean?
- Excuse me?
- Mm, Woody Allen.
- [Irene] What?
- Glasses.
- Uh, Almodóvar.
- Great hair.
- Hitchcock.
- A belly.
That's how it works.
A good name, unforgettable.
- What's wrong with my name?
- Don't worry. You'll find one.
Took me a while. Quite a while.
"Da" is a good name? [chuckles]
- [man yells]
- Oh.
The hot water doesn't work too well.
You have to shower kind of quickly.
Fucking hot water.
[girls chuckle]
[gasps]
So, are you interested or not?
We have a pretty long wait list.
Uh, the rent is 350, right?
The outlander's included in the price.
I saw you.
- Damián.
- [Da] What?
[whispers] She fucked him. And I
- You did?
- It was on different days.
He was drunk when we did it, hmm?
We didn't do much.
But with a straight guy,
even if you go halfway there
[both] Counts as double.
Well, I'm not
I have a boyfriend in Castellón.
Oh, Castellón. That's another universe.
A parallel dimension.
Hold on. That's a good title for my short.
- Parallel dimension.
- [Da] You've written a short?
Dibs on the script.
And you're staying, right?
She's staying. You're staying, okay?
[professor] In 1980, the tape was seized,
and The Crime of Cuenca
became the only fiction movie
banned during democratic times.
[emotional music playing]
[students chattering]
[chattering]
[music fades out]
[bell ringing in background]
[Da] Hmm.
It's the fourth draft,
and I still have to do some polishing?
This is a romantic comedy, right?
[Irene] No.
Yes. It is.
Okay, all right, sure.
It's I don't know. Yes.
I mean, what is it?
You don't like rom-coms?
[Da] Sh. Don't you worry, okay?
- I'll help you rewrite it.
- Uh.
["Pig Daddy" by Da Break
playing in background]
[Irene] It's incredible. It's
It's really good.
Seriously, I think it's
now it's thoughtful,
but it's also fun too, you know?
And really honest.
How embarrassing. Come on.
Why?
I don't know. I mean
- Da, you're really talented.
- You're too nice.
- Well
- What would you have said to the professor
when he asked us why we wanted to direct
and all that bullshit?
Well, I don't see myself as a director.
I I want to write.
Why do you want to write?
Come on, Irene. I don't know why.
I guess there are hundreds of reasons.
I mean, this is
I write because Well, because I enjoy it.
Because I can't not do it.
It's like falling in love, you know?
You There can be lots of reasons
why you fall in love,
or you just fall in love and that's it,
you know? Like a lightning bolt.
Like a lightning bolt
hitting you in the chest,
and once it hits you, you're so fucked.
Um two beers, please.
Come on. Lightning bolt to the chest?
[scoffs] That only happens
in movies and in songs.
No?
"To be fainthearted, bold, furious,
tender, generous, aloof,
emboldened. Emboldened"
Hold on. I learned it at school
and can't remember
"Emboldened, dying, dead, alive,
loyal, traitorous, cowardly, and vibrant."
"To find no rest or peace
away from their side."
"To believe that heaven is found in hell,
to surrender heart and soul
to disillusionment."
"This is love, as anyone
who has ever tasted knows."
"As anyone who has ever tasted knows."
Listen, I mean, look.
You don't have to bother much
with love songs.
But Lope de Vega? Always, hon.
For Lope de Vega. To Lope de Vega it is.
To Lope de Vega.
[both chuckle]
So what if I never
Mm I mean, I don't know. I just
What if I never figure out
why I want to direct
because what if I find out that
I'm just not that talented?
- But you're really talented, Irene.
- I don't know, it's
You are. If not, it'll come.
This is just like love.
You find it, you know.
Like the lightning bolt.
The lightning bolt that I told you
just fucks up your life.
SCHOOL OF LAW
MADRID, FEBRUARY 13, 2004
["The Feeling is Right" by Anders Lewén
and James King playing]
Yes, sir ♪
CASTING CALL FOR A NEW SHOR
[rips tape]
There's a spark inside of me
That's making me glow ♪
Yes, it is ♪
I'm moving in the right direction ♪
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
ACTOR AND ACTRESS, DATE, PLACE
Never been so sure ♪
[singing along to song] Hey, huh ♪
The feeling is right ♪
[song muffled]
Yes, the feeling is right ♪
Seriously?
Seriously, Dad? Do you know
how difficult it is to learn Roman law?
Who asked you to study law, son?
You're so lost.
You only live once, man.
Because you're young, you think you
have all the time in the world ahead.
And, well, you do.
But it flies by.
You're truly impossible
when you're stoned.
Quite the opposite.
I'm connected to myself.
How do I look? Handsome?
I'm seeing Marta. The tall one.
Want a drag?
Lithium. What I need right now is lithium.
What a loser.
Hey, the feeling is right ♪
[cell phone rings]
Hello.
- [Irene] Hi. How are you? What's up?
- Uh
- Well, not much. Just fishing.
- Oh, are you with my dad?
Uh
No. No. Go on. Go on.
Well, how cool is the image of
a lightning bolt going right through?
Have you read it?
I mean, it's it's cool, right?
And just Da is a genius.
He took it, and he Look, in one second,
he improved it so much,
and now it's
It's incredible.
It's incredible. A whole new script.
I don't know.
I I think it's really strong now, right?
Yes. Most definitely, it's, uh Yeah.
And have you ever felt something
like that when you've fallen in love?
Like what?
Well, when you meet someone
and it just feels like
you've been hit by a bolt of lightning.
Come on. I mean, come on, Irene.
Uh, it's just if you get hit by it,
you die.
There's a chance that you wouldn't, right?
There have been cases.
But
but best not risk it, right?
Fer, uh, it's not literal.
It's just a metaphor.
Right.
You didn't like it, did you?
Irene, it's just, you've sent
me seven versions of it already.
Right, uh
So I shouldn't send you
anything else then?
Because you're busy fishing,
so that's that?
And you don't want to read
my stuff anymore.
No, no, no no. Look, it's not that.
I read Dammit. I read your stuff, okay?
And I listen to you and do everything.
But, Irene, you're over there in Madrid,
and I'm just here in Castellón,
and I don't know.
And that's that, right?
That's that, what? That's that like
I mean,
I should stop sending you stuff to read,
or that's that between us?
Well, you saw it
really clearly before, right, Ire?
Fer Are you dumping me?
No, no, no, no.
No, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Um, no, no. I mean,
you were the one who left me.
Or are we going to be one of
those couples who aren't together
and have nothing, but keep talking
even though there's nothing there?
Fuck!
Um We're not.
Dammit!
Shit. The fish just got away.
[gasps]
[line beeps]
- [line beeping]
- Irene?
- [horn honks]
- [Irene gasps]
- Come on, love.
- [Irene] Sorry. Okay, I'm going.
- THE PROTAGONIST
- THE LIGHTNING BOLT STRIKES.
[Matt] Tremendous.
WHICH ACTOR?
[Matt] Tre
Tre
Tremendous.
Tremendous.
Tre
Tremendous.
Tremendous.
Tremen
- Tremen
- [inhales sharply]
- [Matt] Tremendous.
- Tremendous.
[Matt] Tremendous.
Tremendous.
[sighs]
[Da] Irene!
Look at what we got!
- [Irene] What is it?
- You won't believe this.
You're such a lucky bitch.
I can't go. I have to work.
- What is it?
- Two tickets to Romano's premiere!
[gasps]
For his new movie?
- [Jimena groans]
- [Irene exclaims]
- [chuckles] Oh my God!
- This is amazing!
You two are gonna make me sick.
CAPITOL, A STRANGE WORLD
MARCH 10, 2004
This is crazy. Oh, thanks.
[hopeful music playing]
Everyone's here. Look.
Ah, look. Look.
[cameras clicking]
- There, do you see?
- Yeah.
- Do you see him over there?
- Incredible.
[woman] Where's Romano?
If you had the opportunity to pick
one of these actors for your short,
who would you end up choosing?
Can you imagine?
[man] Over here on the right, please.
Irene.
I would love to be up there
presenting my own movie. [chuckles]
And what? You think it won't happen?
[chatter in background]
Come on.
[jaunty Spanish music playing]
A STRANGE WORLD
AN ÓSCAR ROMANO FILM
[clapping and cheering]
[clapping trails off]
- You see that guy?
- Who?
Jesus, he's gorgeous.
[chuckles] Yeah, I don't mean that.
It's just He was crying.
That's the kind of actor
I think we need for the short.
Because he makes you ask why he's crying.
[Da] Not because of the movie.
It couldn't have been
more cryptic and wishy-washy.
- Did you enjoy it?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, if the director were here,
I'd like to tell him exactly what I think.
Are you crying?
Don't cry, man. You'll set me off, dammit.
So why do you bring me
to these movies then?
I almost never get free stuff.
Hey, do you think we could meet
the leading actress? Look.
[audience cheering]
["Estoy Llorando Por Ti"
by Ku Minerva playing]
[heavy dance beat playing]
This is wild! I'm freaking out!
Okay, let's get
the little bitch of the night up here!
Ah, Romano!
- Whoo!
- Bravo!
Thank you.
Ooh! Hello. A round of applause
for these three, right?
Thank you everyone for coming!
Thanks to my team
for organizing this incredible party.
Thank you for responding to
my movie so well.
Long live Strange World
because it is a strange world,
but the night is young,
so enjoy, everyone!
[cheering, whooping]
- [Romano] Let's go!
- [woman] And be very naughty!
[Romano] Karma!
I bet you don't have the balls
to tell Romano what you think now? Hmm?
[Da] Coming through!
Move aside. Move aside.
Cowboy.
- Hey, Da, are you really gonna do it?
- I feel a little crazy.
- [Irene] Sorry. Excuse me.
- Hands off!
I'm sorry.
Open your mouth. Open.
[exclaims] Very good. [laughs]
People are so gross.
People are pigs.
Right. Look.
What?
There he is.
- There he is.
- Ha.
["Estoy Llorando Por Ti"
continues playing]
[Irene clears throat]
Hello.
So what made you cry?
Could you leave?
Hmm?
I mean, could you leave
and then come back and ask me again?
That way I can come up with a good answer.
I'm usually funny, but
but it just takes me a second.
I think I'd rather stay,
and you can be less funny.
You're amazing, son.
Just amazing.
I don't know where he gets it from.
Why don't you walk around, Dad?
- Sh. I'm his dad.
- [Irene] Nice to meet you.
- You brought your dad to the premiere?
- Well, no. Actually, he brought me.
We're roommates right now,
so he's hell-bent on spending
quality time together.
- It's awful.
- Yeah, terrible.
He thought I was going to
ask for an autograph.
- Uh-huh.
- And uh
Mm. Hi. Oh.
- Tell me what happened?
- He left me hanging.
- Seriously?
- Who?
- Romano.
- [Da] The director?
The guy who directed the movie?
Don't tell me you don't know who he is.
Seriously?
I'd love to speak to him, but no. No.
- Don't you dare. He's an asshole.
- So annoying.
- He wants a pretty boy to suck his dick.
- [Julio] Do you want to meet him?
Yes, and you know, and work with him.
Let's make the most of the fact
that I'm pumped up on beta blockers.
Go.
- [Romano] What?
- Hello. Sorry. I love you.
- Could you please sign my ticket?
- What? No, sweetheart. Not now.
- Please. Please. Sorry, okay?
- I'd have to sign everyone's.
Enjoy the party.
It doesn't matter.
[Romano] Come on.
Romano!
- What? What?
- Do you think I can have an autograph?
[Karma] Another one.
Here.
- [chuckles] What should I write?
- [Julio] What?
My legs don't inspire you?
How disappointing.
[Romano] Karma!
Marker, now.
Happy?
Yes. Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Romano!
- What?
- Can I introduce you to
- Irene.
Your girlfriend?
- No.
- Good.
Relationships tie you down.
And we should live free in the now.
[Karma] Come on. Let's go.
What did he write on you?
- I don't know. I have no idea.
- [Irene laughs]
It was really quick.
You have to be the lead in my short film.
- What?
- I mean
I swear, of all the actors here tonight,
you're the only one I'd choose.
Oh! Look. Look. My hair's standing up.
But I swear that made me get goosebumps.
- No, I I can't.
- [Irene] Why not?
I'm not an actor.
Of course you are. I don't know
You. Handsome.
A few of us have arranged to go back
to Romano's place, a small clique.
And he insisted that you come.
This is the address.
If I were you, I'd go.
- [Da] Go.
- [Irene chuckles]
Come on. I'm serious.
Don't worry about us.
[Julio] Sorry.
You guys want to come?
- We're really going to his place?
- Sure. If you want.
We'll have a few shots
and head over in a bit. I don't know.
- Okay?
- [Irene] Yes.
["El Cielo No Entiende" by OBK playing]
[Da] I love this song! Let's go. Come on!
This is for of the night we met and for
- Eh.
- To Castellón!
Let's go!
["El Cielo No Entiende" by OBK continues]
[inaudible]
[both laughing]
[music fades out]
[chattering]
Is that why you want me for your short?
- What are you talking about?
- Is it because I'm hot?
Whoa! Not even a little modest.
No, that's not it.
It's something else that you
you give off.
Uh, fuckability is what he gives off.
No. Da! It's
No, it's it's in his eyes.
You want to know what's behind them.
- And that mystery is the best MacGuffin.
- Oh shit. Fucking hell.
Don't know what you said,
but it sounded good.
I think I'm going to puke. Oh.
- [Irene] Are you okay?
- Oh God. Uh
I'm not going to puke.
It was a false alarm.
What'd he write on your leg?
I couldn't see it
'cause it was really dark.
[Irene] Well, we need to find out, right?
[Da] You're being very forward, hmm?
You're behaving like
the female lead in your movie. I like it.
I like to see you being dirty.
You want me to strip right here?
- Uh
- Sure.
- No.
- You guys are dangerous.
[grunts]
- [Irene] Oh. [chuckles]
- [Da] Ah.
Ooh.
[Irene] Mm Let's see.
Mm. "These lovely legs
will take you wherever you want to go."
See?
It's just You're already a star.
- [techno dance music playing]
- [doorbell rings]
- What a party, son! What a party!
- [Julio] What are you doing here?
Now I really will puke, okay?
Wait, wait, wait.
- Uh, is there another bathroom?
- Yeah, it's that way.
- [Irene] You okay?
- Mm.
- The bathroom?
- Not here.
[retching]
[partygoer 1] Oh, gross.
- [Da retches]
- [partygoer 2] Gross.
Ugh
Okay, where did this idiot come from?
Who the hell brought him here?
That was me.
[sighs] You, huh?
Okay, give me a mop. I'll clean it all up.
It'll be fine with a little bit of spray.
What is it? A Golden Globe?
No. It's not a Golden Globe.
You guys should stay. Seriously.
I don't want to spoil anyone's night
- No, no, no, no.
- [Da] I can manage on my own.
I'm fine. I said, "I'll clean it all up,"
but that asshole didn't want me to.
- Go to hell. Go to hell, seriously.
- Hey, hey, don't go!
They have the best coke in here! Look!
- Bye!
- Sh. No. Sh. Hey!
- Bye, Dad! Bye, bye, bye!
- Julio!
- Ah, fucking hell.
- [Julio] All right!
- [Da] Fuck you, Romano!
- [Irene] Sh! Da, enough! [laughs]
[train engine slowing]
- [Irene] You okay?
- Yes, I'm fine.
- You got it?
- Yes.
[Julio] Okay.
All right, now straight home to bed.
[train beeps]
- [man] You have the time?
- [woman] It's been a long night.
[people chattering]
- [scoffs]
- [Irene laughs]
What?
Nothing.
It was a fun night, right? Overall? Hm?
Even though you didn't get to become
best buddies with the famous director?
Yep.
- A bummer.
- [Julio] Hmm.
- Ah, well.
- [both laugh]
It's okay. I met someone better.
The lead actor of my short film.
If he says yes.
So insistent.
[Irene] I know. A real pain.
How about we we get him to bed
and discuss it over a beer?
Mm-hmm?
Well, then.
[explosion]
[silence]
[high-pitched hum]
[muffled siren wailing]
[metallic thunking]
[muffled siren grows louder]
What happened?
[muffled] We're almost at the hospital.
[indistinct chatter]
[woman sobbing]
[somber music playing]
[paramedic speaking indistinctly]
MADRID, MARCH 11, 2004
[oxygen whooshing softly]
[woman] Hi, sweetie.
- [man] Hi.
- [woman] Hello, baby.
How are you?
I brought you a bunch of sedatives, okay?
You can take as many as you like, my love.
What happened?
[man] A bomb, son.
They don't know if it was ETA
or an Islamist group.
For this kind of thing
to happen in Madrid is
[woman] No one thinks it was ETA, Pablo.
- Well, that's what the president said.
- Okay.
And I may think he's a total ass,
but if the president says that
- I don't think he'd lie about that
- Okay, Pablo. We get it.
- How long have I been here?
- Two days, son.
I should have insisted
you stay with me at the party.
- I'll never forgive myself.
- Oh, Pablo, no need to get like that.
Are you back together?
[both] No, no, no, no.
- Well, we did have sex to calm down
- Pablo.
- What? What is it?
- Could you be quiet, please?
Can nothing just stay private
in this family?
But babe, when I smoke a joint,
I just lose it, okay?
I have to go find Irene.
[woman] Irene?
Who's that? Have you heard of Irene?
He brings a lot of girls home.
Don't know how he does it.
He just meets them,
or where he gets the time.
I actually have no idea if it's possible
to fuck that much at his
- I feel like you've wasted my life.
- Oh, Pablo, please stop it.
We're talking about our son.
Don't make it about yourself.
Sh.
This girl Irene was she at the party
with you that night?
Were you both on the train together?
I have to find her.
- He has to find her.
- No, no.
Leave him. The doctor said the sooner
he gets back to normal, the better.
- We're going with him.
- No, what do you mean?
Don't you see? It'll ruin his big moment.
[woman] What big moment, Pablo?
It's just a girl, and he may not
even find her in his condition.
[Julio] All I know is her first name.
Irene.
She has long, brown hair
and beautiful, green eyes.
She was in the same train car with me.
With me and with Da. Da, as in Damián.
And you don't know
Damián's last name either?
[Da] Rodriguez.
Damián Rodriguez.
A really common last name.
That's why I go by Da.
Just Da. It it has a better ring.
- More personality.
- [chuckles]
[tender music playing]
- Where were you?
- Where were you?
Asshole! I've been going literally
from hospital to hospital for two days
saying, "His name's Julio.
He's a hunk." And nothing.
So tell me your last name.
I'm getting it tattooed.
- Mera.
- Well, nice to meet you, Julio Mera.
You look gorgeous
despite all the bandages.
You look gorgeous. How are you?
Good. My ear hurts a little, but
We're really connected.
You know what I mean?
We're really connected,
and we only met the day before yesterday.
But we're basically like brothers now.
Without the incestuous fantasies,
or maybe yes, Julio, but brothers.
Irene?
Where is she? Did you find her?
Don't be shocked
when you see her because she's fine.
She had to have surgery. They may need to
operate again. But she's going to be fine.
So you you have to
act like nothing happened.
Don't worry. I'll behave.
[knocking at door]
[tender music playing]
Irene
[chuckles]
- Hi.
- Julio.
- How are you?
- Hello.
I thought that Da, he's alive.
Wow, look at your poor eye.
- [Da] Julio!
- Don't worry.
Sorry, sorry. I told Da I'd behave and
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
This is nothing, 'kay? I have to
I mean, they don't know
if I'll get my sight back,
but I still have the other one.
Are you laughing at me or what?
No. It's just, I
I didn't know your last name.
- Lamala.
- Lamala?
It's awful, I know,
but I'm changing it to my mom's.
Cabezudo.
Cabezudo.
- What is it? Is it worse?
- No.
Your name is just perfect.
I'll introduce you to my new face
and name at the same time.
Irene Cabezudo sounds like
a director, right?
Yeah.
Will you do my short film?
Well, as if anyone would turn you down.
But it's not great for
the director and her actor to
[knocking at door]
Hi! How are you?
Ah, here's your coffee, Damián. Hi!
- Hi.
- [Fer] And you are
[Irene] Yes.
Oh my God!
No way, man! Jesus Christ! How heavy!
You gave us a real scare, man.
[laughs] I mean,
when I heard about the bombing and all
Well, when I heard that
Irene was on the train
And at first, I thought,
"Come on, Fernando, don't be paranoid
'cause would she be there?" You know?
With the amount of people that
live in Madrid and the size of the city
And yet, you were on the train, dammit.
You were on the train.
Unbelievable.
It obviously wasn't ETA, right?
It was the jihadis.
And tomorrow, Aznar's going to pay for it.
Tomorrow, the left will win.
- Sh, Fer. No.
- What?
It's, I mean, it's just
He's angry because
he won't be able to vote in the election.
[Fer] Honey, if I'd known
I was going to be in Madrid,
I would have arranged to mail my vote.
But how was I to know
these lunatics were gonna blow up
- Fer.
- [Fer] I'll shut up.
Honey, it doesn't matter.
The main thing is that you're okay.
And you're coming to Castellón.
And that you're going to be
taken care of by your parents and me.
- You're going?
- [Fer] Yes. We've really missed her.
I've decided to take this as
a sign of fate.
This has made me wake up.
Okay, I'll be going.
I just wanted to know you were okay,
and you're doing good.
So, uh, my parents are
probably looking for me.
[Irene] Bye.
[Irene] This was the first time
they split up.
PEACE
[Irene] Even before things got started.
MADRID, MARCH 12, 2022
A bomb had blown them
away from each other.
How many more signs did they need
that they shouldn't be together?
They would need a lot more.
Until fate decides
to stop giving them chances.
[background chatter]
Or not.
[tapping on window]
["Get Me Away from Here I'm Dying"
by Belle and Sebastian playing]
Oh, get me away from here, I'm dying ♪
Play me a song to set me free ♪
Oh shit.
Nobody writes them like they used to ♪
So it may as well be me ♪
Here on my own now after hours ♪
Here on my own now on a bus ♪
Think of it this way ♪
You could either be successful
Or be us ♪
With our winning smiles and us ♪
With our catchy tunes or worse ♪
Now we're photogenic, you know ♪
We don't stand a chance ♪
Oh, I'll settle down
With some old story ♪
About a boy who's just like me ♪
Thought there was love
In everything and everyone ♪
You're so naive ♪
They always reach a sorry ending ♪
They always get it in the end ♪
Still it was worth it
As I turned the pages ♪
Solemnly, and then ♪
With a winning smile, the boy ♪
With naivety succeeds ♪
At the final moment, I cried ♪
I always cry at endings ♪
I always cry at endings ♪
Oh, that wasn't
What I meant to say at all ♪
From where I'm sitting, rain ♪
Falling against the lonely tenement ♪
Has set my mind to wander ♪
Into the windows of my lovers ♪
They never know unless I write ♪
This is no declaration ♪
I just thought I'd let you know
Goodbye ♪
by Belle and Sebastian playing]
[woman] This is Julio.
MADRID, OCTOBER 23, 2003
[Irene] And this is Irene.
They're gonna fall in love many times
because they're gonna break up many times.
How many nights of limping round
On pagan holidays ♪
[Irene] But, no. They don't meet just yet.
Be patient.
A trail for the devil to erase ♪
MADRID, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
[Irene] Yep, this is one of those stories
where you know what's gonna happen.
Pretty much.
But you wanna watch anyway.
are you straight or are you gay ♪
We hung about the stadium
We've got no place to stay ♪
[Irene] Or maybe not. Maybe you don't
know what's gonna happen.
And that's way better.
the saddest book you ever read
It always makes you cry ♪
[Irene] Shall we begin?
I love you, I've a drowning grip ♪
IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN
Beside you and strong warnings
In the guise of gentle words ♪
CHAPTER 1
MEET CUTE
You'll take care of her, I know it
You will do a better job ♪
[Irene] What do you mean you're going to
I don't know. I don't know! Shit.
- It's just. What are you doing?
- [man] Look. Come on, Irene, please. Okay.
[Irene] I mean,
you're not moving to Madrid
- [man] Irene.
- [Irene] Where are you going?
- You want to break up.
- [Irene] I don't know.
Because you want to be
a free agent in Madrid.
But you don't want to break up
because you'll miss me,
and you might not find anyone like me.
- [Irene] I don't know.
- Or maybe you will.
Or maybe you won't.
And I can tell you that you won't.
But you know,
you might feel like getting up to
something in Madrid because Madrid
Madrid is humungous.
- No It's just
- You know how things are in college.
No. Look, the way you're saying it,
it sounds bad,
but that's not what I said.
That's exactly what you said.
I have a photographic memory
with this stuff.
It sticks in my mind,
especially when I'm being dumped!
- I'm not dumping you, Fer.
- Oh.
We're dumping each other
because I'm going to Madrid.
Or what?
We act dumb? Pretend nothing's happening?
Don't talk about stuff? Then
Jesus, you and I
talk about everything, right?
Yeah. We need to talk. Sure.
[camcorder beeps]
[camcorder whirring]
[Fer] So a camping trip
to say "bye for now"
is turning into the trip
where we break up.
[somber music playing]
No. Irene, come on. Don't film me, dammit!
- [Irene] Okay. Okay.
- [Fer] Jesus. No.
Jesus, dammit!
You're gonna end up as
a top fucking director,
and I'm going to end up as
the village idiot.
You think I'm going to end up as
a top fucking director?
Yes.
Seriously?
Yes, Irene.
So let's not break up.
So let's not break up.
Okay.
[both] It's just
It's that simple?
Because if we don't want to break up,
we shouldn't break up. Done. It's just
We should do what we want. End of story.
And we're good together, right?
Yes. Right.
[music fades out]
[Fer yawns]
Such long faces.
If you want,
we can abort the mission, huh?
Yes.
[woman] No, no! You're going.
Come on. Suitcases.
- Mm Bye.
- [woman] Hey! Hey!
Come on, kids. Enough.
Please! In you go.
And you, start the car.
- Start the car.
- Bye.
[car engine starts]
- [man] On it.
- Come on.
["No Sabe Dónde Va" by Amaral playing]
MADRID, OCTOBER 6, 2003
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION SCIENCES
[students chattering]
[song fades out]
[student] Look, I don't know about that.
Hey. Is it okay if I sit here?
[man] Depends.
Tie Me Up or Women on the Verge?
Um I mean, I can't choose. I guess, both.
That's not fair. It's like making her
choose between Matrix or Fight Club.
Adriana. No, come on. It's a joke.
Sit down. Sorry.
[Irene laughs]
How's it going?
- Good.
- Right. Uh, I'm Da.
Adri. And Jimena.
- And you?
- Irene.
- Irene.
- Yes.
[Irene chuckles]
What are you doing, Jimena?
Girl, it's not that cold.
- And you're from Huesca.
- [Jimena] It's not the cold, dammit.
- [Da] So what is it?
- It's this place.
It has this kind of
It has the "you've watched Thesis
too many times" vibe. That's what it has.
It's just, she's really intense.
She really just feels stuff, you know?
Uh-huh.
- We've been living on the same floor for
- One whole week.
- Yes.
- [Irene] You're so lucky.
I'm looking,
but haven't found anything yet.
And it's been a while, you know? I can't
believe how tiny Madrid apartments are.
- They have a spare room.
- [Da] Yes.
The rent is 350, all utilities included.
- Seriously? Can I see it?
- [professor] Good morning.
- Uh, well, if I could
- Let's talk later. Okay?
All right, to get to know each other
from the beginning,
hands up who wants to be a movie director.
Come on, dammit. Don't be shy.
Hands up. Go.
- No one?
- Well
[professor] You. What's your name?
I'm Irene. [chuckles]
- Irene.
- Yes.
And why? Why do you want to direct?
Well, to tell stories and
I don't know. And
I mean, for lots of reasons, right?
[professor] Lots of reasons.
What an original answer. Am I right?
Anyone else?
Anyone who has
a more well-thought-out reason perhaps?
Mm-hmm. This is mine.
The next one is Matt's.
He's another roommate.
And the one on the end is Da's.
Okay.
I should have told that fucker that
he's a sexist piece of shit.
He wasn't expecting a girl to answer.
That's why he went for the jugular.
I mean, the jugular
Don't stress too much about it.
I mean,
at least you dared to say something.
Not much because you didn't say much.
But you did speak.
Other people's food is off-limits, okay?
Where are my yogurts?
- Where are my yogurts?
- Maybe you don't know the answer yet.
But I think that to be a director
you need determination.
You need personality.
You gotta create your own unique style.
You know what I mean?
- Excuse me?
- Mm, Woody Allen.
- [Irene] What?
- Glasses.
- Uh, Almodóvar.
- Great hair.
- Hitchcock.
- A belly.
That's how it works.
A good name, unforgettable.
- What's wrong with my name?
- Don't worry. You'll find one.
Took me a while. Quite a while.
"Da" is a good name? [chuckles]
- [man yells]
- Oh.
The hot water doesn't work too well.
You have to shower kind of quickly.
Fucking hot water.
[girls chuckle]
[gasps]
So, are you interested or not?
We have a pretty long wait list.
Uh, the rent is 350, right?
The outlander's included in the price.
I saw you.
- Damián.
- [Da] What?
[whispers] She fucked him. And I
- You did?
- It was on different days.
He was drunk when we did it, hmm?
We didn't do much.
But with a straight guy,
even if you go halfway there
[both] Counts as double.
Well, I'm not
I have a boyfriend in Castellón.
Oh, Castellón. That's another universe.
A parallel dimension.
Hold on. That's a good title for my short.
- Parallel dimension.
- [Da] You've written a short?
Dibs on the script.
And you're staying, right?
She's staying. You're staying, okay?
[professor] In 1980, the tape was seized,
and The Crime of Cuenca
became the only fiction movie
banned during democratic times.
[emotional music playing]
[students chattering]
[chattering]
[music fades out]
[bell ringing in background]
[Da] Hmm.
It's the fourth draft,
and I still have to do some polishing?
This is a romantic comedy, right?
[Irene] No.
Yes. It is.
Okay, all right, sure.
It's I don't know. Yes.
I mean, what is it?
You don't like rom-coms?
[Da] Sh. Don't you worry, okay?
- I'll help you rewrite it.
- Uh.
["Pig Daddy" by Da Break
playing in background]
[Irene] It's incredible. It's
It's really good.
Seriously, I think it's
now it's thoughtful,
but it's also fun too, you know?
And really honest.
How embarrassing. Come on.
Why?
I don't know. I mean
- Da, you're really talented.
- You're too nice.
- Well
- What would you have said to the professor
when he asked us why we wanted to direct
and all that bullshit?
Well, I don't see myself as a director.
I I want to write.
Why do you want to write?
Come on, Irene. I don't know why.
I guess there are hundreds of reasons.
I mean, this is
I write because Well, because I enjoy it.
Because I can't not do it.
It's like falling in love, you know?
You There can be lots of reasons
why you fall in love,
or you just fall in love and that's it,
you know? Like a lightning bolt.
Like a lightning bolt
hitting you in the chest,
and once it hits you, you're so fucked.
Um two beers, please.
Come on. Lightning bolt to the chest?
[scoffs] That only happens
in movies and in songs.
No?
"To be fainthearted, bold, furious,
tender, generous, aloof,
emboldened. Emboldened"
Hold on. I learned it at school
and can't remember
"Emboldened, dying, dead, alive,
loyal, traitorous, cowardly, and vibrant."
"To find no rest or peace
away from their side."
"To believe that heaven is found in hell,
to surrender heart and soul
to disillusionment."
"This is love, as anyone
who has ever tasted knows."
"As anyone who has ever tasted knows."
Listen, I mean, look.
You don't have to bother much
with love songs.
But Lope de Vega? Always, hon.
For Lope de Vega. To Lope de Vega it is.
To Lope de Vega.
[both chuckle]
So what if I never
Mm I mean, I don't know. I just
What if I never figure out
why I want to direct
because what if I find out that
I'm just not that talented?
- But you're really talented, Irene.
- I don't know, it's
You are. If not, it'll come.
This is just like love.
You find it, you know.
Like the lightning bolt.
The lightning bolt that I told you
just fucks up your life.
SCHOOL OF LAW
MADRID, FEBRUARY 13, 2004
["The Feeling is Right" by Anders Lewén
and James King playing]
Yes, sir ♪
CASTING CALL FOR A NEW SHOR
[rips tape]
There's a spark inside of me
That's making me glow ♪
Yes, it is ♪
I'm moving in the right direction ♪
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
ACTOR AND ACTRESS, DATE, PLACE
Never been so sure ♪
[singing along to song] Hey, huh ♪
The feeling is right ♪
[song muffled]
Yes, the feeling is right ♪
Seriously?
Seriously, Dad? Do you know
how difficult it is to learn Roman law?
Who asked you to study law, son?
You're so lost.
You only live once, man.
Because you're young, you think you
have all the time in the world ahead.
And, well, you do.
But it flies by.
You're truly impossible
when you're stoned.
Quite the opposite.
I'm connected to myself.
How do I look? Handsome?
I'm seeing Marta. The tall one.
Want a drag?
Lithium. What I need right now is lithium.
What a loser.
Hey, the feeling is right ♪
[cell phone rings]
Hello.
- [Irene] Hi. How are you? What's up?
- Uh
- Well, not much. Just fishing.
- Oh, are you with my dad?
Uh
No. No. Go on. Go on.
Well, how cool is the image of
a lightning bolt going right through?
Have you read it?
I mean, it's it's cool, right?
And just Da is a genius.
He took it, and he Look, in one second,
he improved it so much,
and now it's
It's incredible.
It's incredible. A whole new script.
I don't know.
I I think it's really strong now, right?
Yes. Most definitely, it's, uh Yeah.
And have you ever felt something
like that when you've fallen in love?
Like what?
Well, when you meet someone
and it just feels like
you've been hit by a bolt of lightning.
Come on. I mean, come on, Irene.
Uh, it's just if you get hit by it,
you die.
There's a chance that you wouldn't, right?
There have been cases.
But
but best not risk it, right?
Fer, uh, it's not literal.
It's just a metaphor.
Right.
You didn't like it, did you?
Irene, it's just, you've sent
me seven versions of it already.
Right, uh
So I shouldn't send you
anything else then?
Because you're busy fishing,
so that's that?
And you don't want to read
my stuff anymore.
No, no, no no. Look, it's not that.
I read Dammit. I read your stuff, okay?
And I listen to you and do everything.
But, Irene, you're over there in Madrid,
and I'm just here in Castellón,
and I don't know.
And that's that, right?
That's that, what? That's that like
I mean,
I should stop sending you stuff to read,
or that's that between us?
Well, you saw it
really clearly before, right, Ire?
Fer Are you dumping me?
No, no, no, no.
No, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Um, no, no. I mean,
you were the one who left me.
Or are we going to be one of
those couples who aren't together
and have nothing, but keep talking
even though there's nothing there?
Fuck!
Um We're not.
Dammit!
Shit. The fish just got away.
[gasps]
[line beeps]
- [line beeping]
- Irene?
- [horn honks]
- [Irene gasps]
- Come on, love.
- [Irene] Sorry. Okay, I'm going.
- THE PROTAGONIST
- THE LIGHTNING BOLT STRIKES.
[Matt] Tremendous.
WHICH ACTOR?
[Matt] Tre
Tre
Tremendous.
Tremendous.
Tre
Tremendous.
Tremendous.
Tremen
- Tremen
- [inhales sharply]
- [Matt] Tremendous.
- Tremendous.
[Matt] Tremendous.
Tremendous.
[sighs]
[Da] Irene!
Look at what we got!
- [Irene] What is it?
- You won't believe this.
You're such a lucky bitch.
I can't go. I have to work.
- What is it?
- Two tickets to Romano's premiere!
[gasps]
For his new movie?
- [Jimena groans]
- [Irene exclaims]
- [chuckles] Oh my God!
- This is amazing!
You two are gonna make me sick.
CAPITOL, A STRANGE WORLD
MARCH 10, 2004
This is crazy. Oh, thanks.
[hopeful music playing]
Everyone's here. Look.
Ah, look. Look.
[cameras clicking]
- There, do you see?
- Yeah.
- Do you see him over there?
- Incredible.
[woman] Where's Romano?
If you had the opportunity to pick
one of these actors for your short,
who would you end up choosing?
Can you imagine?
[man] Over here on the right, please.
Irene.
I would love to be up there
presenting my own movie. [chuckles]
And what? You think it won't happen?
[chatter in background]
Come on.
[jaunty Spanish music playing]
A STRANGE WORLD
AN ÓSCAR ROMANO FILM
[clapping and cheering]
[clapping trails off]
- You see that guy?
- Who?
Jesus, he's gorgeous.
[chuckles] Yeah, I don't mean that.
It's just He was crying.
That's the kind of actor
I think we need for the short.
Because he makes you ask why he's crying.
[Da] Not because of the movie.
It couldn't have been
more cryptic and wishy-washy.
- Did you enjoy it?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, if the director were here,
I'd like to tell him exactly what I think.
Are you crying?
Don't cry, man. You'll set me off, dammit.
So why do you bring me
to these movies then?
I almost never get free stuff.
Hey, do you think we could meet
the leading actress? Look.
[audience cheering]
["Estoy Llorando Por Ti"
by Ku Minerva playing]
[heavy dance beat playing]
This is wild! I'm freaking out!
Okay, let's get
the little bitch of the night up here!
Ah, Romano!
- Whoo!
- Bravo!
Thank you.
Ooh! Hello. A round of applause
for these three, right?
Thank you everyone for coming!
Thanks to my team
for organizing this incredible party.
Thank you for responding to
my movie so well.
Long live Strange World
because it is a strange world,
but the night is young,
so enjoy, everyone!
[cheering, whooping]
- [Romano] Let's go!
- [woman] And be very naughty!
[Romano] Karma!
I bet you don't have the balls
to tell Romano what you think now? Hmm?
[Da] Coming through!
Move aside. Move aside.
Cowboy.
- Hey, Da, are you really gonna do it?
- I feel a little crazy.
- [Irene] Sorry. Excuse me.
- Hands off!
I'm sorry.
Open your mouth. Open.
[exclaims] Very good. [laughs]
People are so gross.
People are pigs.
Right. Look.
What?
There he is.
- There he is.
- Ha.
["Estoy Llorando Por Ti"
continues playing]
[Irene clears throat]
Hello.
So what made you cry?
Could you leave?
Hmm?
I mean, could you leave
and then come back and ask me again?
That way I can come up with a good answer.
I'm usually funny, but
but it just takes me a second.
I think I'd rather stay,
and you can be less funny.
You're amazing, son.
Just amazing.
I don't know where he gets it from.
Why don't you walk around, Dad?
- Sh. I'm his dad.
- [Irene] Nice to meet you.
- You brought your dad to the premiere?
- Well, no. Actually, he brought me.
We're roommates right now,
so he's hell-bent on spending
quality time together.
- It's awful.
- Yeah, terrible.
He thought I was going to
ask for an autograph.
- Uh-huh.
- And uh
Mm. Hi. Oh.
- Tell me what happened?
- He left me hanging.
- Seriously?
- Who?
- Romano.
- [Da] The director?
The guy who directed the movie?
Don't tell me you don't know who he is.
Seriously?
I'd love to speak to him, but no. No.
- Don't you dare. He's an asshole.
- So annoying.
- He wants a pretty boy to suck his dick.
- [Julio] Do you want to meet him?
Yes, and you know, and work with him.
Let's make the most of the fact
that I'm pumped up on beta blockers.
Go.
- [Romano] What?
- Hello. Sorry. I love you.
- Could you please sign my ticket?
- What? No, sweetheart. Not now.
- Please. Please. Sorry, okay?
- I'd have to sign everyone's.
Enjoy the party.
It doesn't matter.
[Romano] Come on.
Romano!
- What? What?
- Do you think I can have an autograph?
[Karma] Another one.
Here.
- [chuckles] What should I write?
- [Julio] What?
My legs don't inspire you?
How disappointing.
[Romano] Karma!
Marker, now.
Happy?
Yes. Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Romano!
- What?
- Can I introduce you to
- Irene.
Your girlfriend?
- No.
- Good.
Relationships tie you down.
And we should live free in the now.
[Karma] Come on. Let's go.
What did he write on you?
- I don't know. I have no idea.
- [Irene laughs]
It was really quick.
You have to be the lead in my short film.
- What?
- I mean
I swear, of all the actors here tonight,
you're the only one I'd choose.
Oh! Look. Look. My hair's standing up.
But I swear that made me get goosebumps.
- No, I I can't.
- [Irene] Why not?
I'm not an actor.
Of course you are. I don't know
You. Handsome.
A few of us have arranged to go back
to Romano's place, a small clique.
And he insisted that you come.
This is the address.
If I were you, I'd go.
- [Da] Go.
- [Irene chuckles]
Come on. I'm serious.
Don't worry about us.
[Julio] Sorry.
You guys want to come?
- We're really going to his place?
- Sure. If you want.
We'll have a few shots
and head over in a bit. I don't know.
- Okay?
- [Irene] Yes.
["El Cielo No Entiende" by OBK playing]
[Da] I love this song! Let's go. Come on!
This is for of the night we met and for
- Eh.
- To Castellón!
Let's go!
["El Cielo No Entiende" by OBK continues]
[inaudible]
[both laughing]
[music fades out]
[chattering]
Is that why you want me for your short?
- What are you talking about?
- Is it because I'm hot?
Whoa! Not even a little modest.
No, that's not it.
It's something else that you
you give off.
Uh, fuckability is what he gives off.
No. Da! It's
No, it's it's in his eyes.
You want to know what's behind them.
- And that mystery is the best MacGuffin.
- Oh shit. Fucking hell.
Don't know what you said,
but it sounded good.
I think I'm going to puke. Oh.
- [Irene] Are you okay?
- Oh God. Uh
I'm not going to puke.
It was a false alarm.
What'd he write on your leg?
I couldn't see it
'cause it was really dark.
[Irene] Well, we need to find out, right?
[Da] You're being very forward, hmm?
You're behaving like
the female lead in your movie. I like it.
I like to see you being dirty.
You want me to strip right here?
- Uh
- Sure.
- No.
- You guys are dangerous.
[grunts]
- [Irene] Oh. [chuckles]
- [Da] Ah.
Ooh.
[Irene] Mm Let's see.
Mm. "These lovely legs
will take you wherever you want to go."
See?
It's just You're already a star.
- [techno dance music playing]
- [doorbell rings]
- What a party, son! What a party!
- [Julio] What are you doing here?
Now I really will puke, okay?
Wait, wait, wait.
- Uh, is there another bathroom?
- Yeah, it's that way.
- [Irene] You okay?
- Mm.
- The bathroom?
- Not here.
[retching]
[partygoer 1] Oh, gross.
- [Da retches]
- [partygoer 2] Gross.
Ugh
Okay, where did this idiot come from?
Who the hell brought him here?
That was me.
[sighs] You, huh?
Okay, give me a mop. I'll clean it all up.
It'll be fine with a little bit of spray.
What is it? A Golden Globe?
No. It's not a Golden Globe.
You guys should stay. Seriously.
I don't want to spoil anyone's night
- No, no, no, no.
- [Da] I can manage on my own.
I'm fine. I said, "I'll clean it all up,"
but that asshole didn't want me to.
- Go to hell. Go to hell, seriously.
- Hey, hey, don't go!
They have the best coke in here! Look!
- Bye!
- Sh. No. Sh. Hey!
- Bye, Dad! Bye, bye, bye!
- Julio!
- Ah, fucking hell.
- [Julio] All right!
- [Da] Fuck you, Romano!
- [Irene] Sh! Da, enough! [laughs]
[train engine slowing]
- [Irene] You okay?
- Yes, I'm fine.
- You got it?
- Yes.
[Julio] Okay.
All right, now straight home to bed.
[train beeps]
- [man] You have the time?
- [woman] It's been a long night.
[people chattering]
- [scoffs]
- [Irene laughs]
What?
Nothing.
It was a fun night, right? Overall? Hm?
Even though you didn't get to become
best buddies with the famous director?
Yep.
- A bummer.
- [Julio] Hmm.
- Ah, well.
- [both laugh]
It's okay. I met someone better.
The lead actor of my short film.
If he says yes.
So insistent.
[Irene] I know. A real pain.
How about we we get him to bed
and discuss it over a beer?
Mm-hmm?
Well, then.
[explosion]
[silence]
[high-pitched hum]
[muffled siren wailing]
[metallic thunking]
[muffled siren grows louder]
What happened?
[muffled] We're almost at the hospital.
[indistinct chatter]
[woman sobbing]
[somber music playing]
[paramedic speaking indistinctly]
MADRID, MARCH 11, 2004
[oxygen whooshing softly]
[woman] Hi, sweetie.
- [man] Hi.
- [woman] Hello, baby.
How are you?
I brought you a bunch of sedatives, okay?
You can take as many as you like, my love.
What happened?
[man] A bomb, son.
They don't know if it was ETA
or an Islamist group.
For this kind of thing
to happen in Madrid is
[woman] No one thinks it was ETA, Pablo.
- Well, that's what the president said.
- Okay.
And I may think he's a total ass,
but if the president says that
- I don't think he'd lie about that
- Okay, Pablo. We get it.
- How long have I been here?
- Two days, son.
I should have insisted
you stay with me at the party.
- I'll never forgive myself.
- Oh, Pablo, no need to get like that.
Are you back together?
[both] No, no, no, no.
- Well, we did have sex to calm down
- Pablo.
- What? What is it?
- Could you be quiet, please?
Can nothing just stay private
in this family?
But babe, when I smoke a joint,
I just lose it, okay?
I have to go find Irene.
[woman] Irene?
Who's that? Have you heard of Irene?
He brings a lot of girls home.
Don't know how he does it.
He just meets them,
or where he gets the time.
I actually have no idea if it's possible
to fuck that much at his
- I feel like you've wasted my life.
- Oh, Pablo, please stop it.
We're talking about our son.
Don't make it about yourself.
Sh.
This girl Irene was she at the party
with you that night?
Were you both on the train together?
I have to find her.
- He has to find her.
- No, no.
Leave him. The doctor said the sooner
he gets back to normal, the better.
- We're going with him.
- No, what do you mean?
Don't you see? It'll ruin his big moment.
[woman] What big moment, Pablo?
It's just a girl, and he may not
even find her in his condition.
[Julio] All I know is her first name.
Irene.
She has long, brown hair
and beautiful, green eyes.
She was in the same train car with me.
With me and with Da. Da, as in Damián.
And you don't know
Damián's last name either?
[Da] Rodriguez.
Damián Rodriguez.
A really common last name.
That's why I go by Da.
Just Da. It it has a better ring.
- More personality.
- [chuckles]
[tender music playing]
- Where were you?
- Where were you?
Asshole! I've been going literally
from hospital to hospital for two days
saying, "His name's Julio.
He's a hunk." And nothing.
So tell me your last name.
I'm getting it tattooed.
- Mera.
- Well, nice to meet you, Julio Mera.
You look gorgeous
despite all the bandages.
You look gorgeous. How are you?
Good. My ear hurts a little, but
We're really connected.
You know what I mean?
We're really connected,
and we only met the day before yesterday.
But we're basically like brothers now.
Without the incestuous fantasies,
or maybe yes, Julio, but brothers.
Irene?
Where is she? Did you find her?
Don't be shocked
when you see her because she's fine.
She had to have surgery. They may need to
operate again. But she's going to be fine.
So you you have to
act like nothing happened.
Don't worry. I'll behave.
[knocking at door]
[tender music playing]
Irene
[chuckles]
- Hi.
- Julio.
- How are you?
- Hello.
I thought that Da, he's alive.
Wow, look at your poor eye.
- [Da] Julio!
- Don't worry.
Sorry, sorry. I told Da I'd behave and
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
This is nothing, 'kay? I have to
I mean, they don't know
if I'll get my sight back,
but I still have the other one.
Are you laughing at me or what?
No. It's just, I
I didn't know your last name.
- Lamala.
- Lamala?
It's awful, I know,
but I'm changing it to my mom's.
Cabezudo.
Cabezudo.
- What is it? Is it worse?
- No.
Your name is just perfect.
I'll introduce you to my new face
and name at the same time.
Irene Cabezudo sounds like
a director, right?
Yeah.
Will you do my short film?
Well, as if anyone would turn you down.
But it's not great for
the director and her actor to
[knocking at door]
Hi! How are you?
Ah, here's your coffee, Damián. Hi!
- Hi.
- [Fer] And you are
[Irene] Yes.
Oh my God!
No way, man! Jesus Christ! How heavy!
You gave us a real scare, man.
[laughs] I mean,
when I heard about the bombing and all
Well, when I heard that
Irene was on the train
And at first, I thought,
"Come on, Fernando, don't be paranoid
'cause would she be there?" You know?
With the amount of people that
live in Madrid and the size of the city
And yet, you were on the train, dammit.
You were on the train.
Unbelievable.
It obviously wasn't ETA, right?
It was the jihadis.
And tomorrow, Aznar's going to pay for it.
Tomorrow, the left will win.
- Sh, Fer. No.
- What?
It's, I mean, it's just
He's angry because
he won't be able to vote in the election.
[Fer] Honey, if I'd known
I was going to be in Madrid,
I would have arranged to mail my vote.
But how was I to know
these lunatics were gonna blow up
- Fer.
- [Fer] I'll shut up.
Honey, it doesn't matter.
The main thing is that you're okay.
And you're coming to Castellón.
And that you're going to be
taken care of by your parents and me.
- You're going?
- [Fer] Yes. We've really missed her.
I've decided to take this as
a sign of fate.
This has made me wake up.
Okay, I'll be going.
I just wanted to know you were okay,
and you're doing good.
So, uh, my parents are
probably looking for me.
[Irene] Bye.
[Irene] This was the first time
they split up.
PEACE
[Irene] Even before things got started.
MADRID, MARCH 12, 2022
A bomb had blown them
away from each other.
How many more signs did they need
that they shouldn't be together?
They would need a lot more.
Until fate decides
to stop giving them chances.
[background chatter]
Or not.
[tapping on window]
["Get Me Away from Here I'm Dying"
by Belle and Sebastian playing]
Oh, get me away from here, I'm dying ♪
Play me a song to set me free ♪
Oh shit.
Nobody writes them like they used to ♪
So it may as well be me ♪
Here on my own now after hours ♪
Here on my own now on a bus ♪
Think of it this way ♪
You could either be successful
Or be us ♪
With our winning smiles and us ♪
With our catchy tunes or worse ♪
Now we're photogenic, you know ♪
We don't stand a chance ♪
Oh, I'll settle down
With some old story ♪
About a boy who's just like me ♪
Thought there was love
In everything and everyone ♪
You're so naive ♪
They always reach a sorry ending ♪
They always get it in the end ♪
Still it was worth it
As I turned the pages ♪
Solemnly, and then ♪
With a winning smile, the boy ♪
With naivety succeeds ♪
At the final moment, I cried ♪
I always cry at endings ♪
I always cry at endings ♪
Oh, that wasn't
What I meant to say at all ♪
From where I'm sitting, rain ♪
Falling against the lonely tenement ♪
Has set my mind to wander ♪
Into the windows of my lovers ♪
They never know unless I write ♪
This is no declaration ♪
I just thought I'd let you know
Goodbye ♪