Balseros ( Documental - Completo )

Balseros es un film documental de la productora Bausan Films y TV3 sobre las experiencias de varios balseros cubanos.

En el verano del 1994, un equipo de reporteros de la Televisión de Cataluña filmó y entrevistó a siete cubanos y a sus familias durante los días en que preparaban su huida de Cuba utilizando unas balsas de confección casera. Algún tiempo después, en el campamento de refugiados de la base estadounidense de Guantánamo, los reporteros pudieron localizar a los que habían sido rescatados en alta mar. Sus familias permanecían en Cuba sin noticias de ellos, salvo en el caso de una mujer que había naufragado con su balsa y se había visto obligada a volver a territorio cubano. Siete años después de que se lanzaran a las aguas del Estrecho de Florida en busca de un sueño, el equipo de Balseros se reencuentra con aquellos personajes para descubrir cuál ha sido su destino. Esta película retrata con detalle y sensibilidad su evolución, su vida en Estados Unidos o su permanencia en Cuba. La suya es la historia de algunos de los verdaderos supervivientes de nuestro tiempo, la aventura humana de unos náufragos entre dos mundos, un mundo real o verdadero y el otro totalmente subrealista que muestra la realidad del pueblo cubano que solo se puede entender si alguna vez se vivió.

Está co-dirigida por los periodista Carles Bosch y Josep Mª Domènech, David Trueba colaboró en el guion.

25.000

The summer of 1994
was a very tough one in Cuba.

People got tired
and decided to do things...

they never dared do before.

Put up your cash, gentlemen.

I'll never forget
when they hijacked...

the ferry to Regla...

which is used to cross the bay.

When the Soviet Union fell...

the Cuban economy collapsed.

And Cubans got fed up with...

all the shortages.

All I've got is...

sadness in my heart.

Only sadness in my heart.

I think it was August 5.

They tried to hiijack the ferry.

They had knives, even a grenade.

They ran out of fuel.

Water! Fuel!

They didn't know there
was a reserve tank at the bottom.

The Cuban Coast Guard
intercepted them at sea.

When the people on the shore...

heard the ferry
had been stopped...

they took to the streets.

I'd never in all my life...

seen people react that way in Cuba.

From then on,
many things happened.

Long live Fidel!

We will instruct
our border patrols...

not to stop boats...

that want to go to the United States.

This street belongs to Fidel!

Throw the traitors out!

Get out of here!

Get out! Get out!

IN GOD WE TRUST

Remember, in God we trust.

Let it be God's will.

Let it be God's will.

I'm convinced...

they robbed me 5 years
of my daughter's childhood.

Virgin of Charity, protect me.

There's a lovely building in Havana.

It's the U.S. Interests
Section headquerters.

They spend hours in the hot sun...

waiting for a U.S. visa.

to go to the United States.

I don't understand why
there are so many obstacles...

from both sides.

The only way out is...

to risk one's life at sea.

I have no other choice.

Every time I come it's rejected.

Look here,
the last time was in '92.

And I can't stay here.

Half of my family is here,
half there.

What do I do?

What do the Americans say?

We are just pawns.

They kill us here and over there.

I'll be frank.

This is my 4th time here.
I want to see my daughter.

She lives in downtown Miami.

If today I don't get what I want...

I have a raft at home.

I'll risk my life
in the straits of death.

This is my fourth time here.

Let them make the laws,
but I want to see my daughter.

The only option I've got
is setting out to sea.

I'm building a raft.
Now you know.

In '88 Guillermo
and I got legally divorced.

We did this so my mother,
who was in the U. S...

could call for me and my daughter
claiming I was a single mother.

We knew...

it was our only way out of Cuba.

My daughter and I had to go first.
Then my husband could come.

But we didn't know how.

I invited him 3 times,
and he'd present his papers...

but he never got the visa.

My world collapsed.

What would become of us?

This is a picture
of their wedding.

Daddy looks different now.

Let's see the last one we took.

I kept her father's image
very fresh.

I told her...

...he was hard working
and loved her very much.

We never gave up.

Mom and I came but my Daddy
and brother stayed.

- When will they come?
- Soon.

Like when?

Like tomorrow!

In honour of my daughter
this raft is called...

Nizeli MarÌa.

I christened it Nizeli MarÌa.

The Virgin of Charity...

Cuba's patron saint.

My future in America...
is to be...

not a millionaire,

but, in the future, a man...

- What would you like to have?
- What everyone wants.

A house, a car, a good woman.

A car, a house, a good woman.

I didn't know my brother Rafael
wanted to leave...

on a raft.
Until I found out...

...it was one of the biggest
and full of delinquents.

We are already 12 men.
I've counted.

Four women... that's 16.

He never told me...

until I found out
he was trying to leave.

The delinquents kicked...

my brother off the raft...

...to board it themselves.

They took advantage
of his nature...

...since he's noble,
he didn't resist.

A car, a house, a good woman.

I knew nothing
until he returned home...

barefoot and dirty...

Then he told us they had...

thrown him off the raft,
and had to swim to shore.

I knew that would
upset my mother.

- My heart hurts.
- Calm down.

We all got depressed...

...and begged him not
to do it again, but...

I don't want to eat,
drink, or anything.

Just dance, 8 hours straight,

'til my feet say: "enough".

And start to work.

No vacations.

In 1994 everyone wanted to leave.

We were able to build a raft.

I had some money and friends.

That zinc is from the roof.

But many others
didn't have a chance.

Like Rafael,
who came to see me.

Rafael came
when I was building my boat.

There was no room in mine,

but my brother was building his
and needed more people...

because he didn't have
the money to move it.

The truck cost 30$.

"Mommy, don't worry.

I've left. Don't cry.

I've left on a safe boat."

The note was there.

It said don't cry,

that he was leaving with friends...

Iooking for his future.

I remember it was...

September the first.

He had a fixed idea.

I know my mother
will be worried...

Worried.

Here, people have no bad thoughts.

No one gets thrown overboard,

like they did to you.

No one here had 30$?

No. My sister, for example
Is dying to go with us,

but has no money,

so, she's building her own raft

but still needs many things.

- I need 100, 150 dollars.
- For what?

To buy inner tubes, canvases.

And everything I need.
Food, everything.

Either you go to bed with
a foreigner that you don't like...

or hustle,
risking going to jail,

to get 30.

Or do terrible things.

And I had to be a hooker
to support my family.

Do you mind our filming you
turning tricks?

No.

"Piango, piango!"
Go straight!

We built a raft.

We were ready to live or die.

So we decided not to risk
the life of our wives and children.

Our chances were uncertain.

We worked hard.

It looked like a shipyard.

Give me the oars.

We had to destroy my cousin's house
to build the raft inside.

When will it be finished?

There's only today and tomorrow left.

It should be finished by tomorrow.

No time to breathe!

Long live the working class...

Long live free Cuba!

Long live Ra˙l!

Long live Fidel!

- Fatherland or death!
- We'll win!

I'm Cuban! I stick with Cuba!

Many factors were against us:
The climate, blackouts...

We could only work by daylight.
Torrential rains.

But...

Water! Fuel!

To sell your life.

Right now, to go on one
of those rafts is to sell your life.

You have to wait,
keep calm.

The weather gets bad,
and good again.

You have to wait.
1, 2, 3, 10 days.

Certain things make you cry, but...

I remember my sister...

Lirio del Valle!
She helped me a lot.

She was a dancer at a hotel.

It's a risk,

but we can't give up now.

I want to be somewhere
where I can be well-off...

or not... , because it's a matter
of luck.

Seeing my family's situation,
I have to help.

I'll stay alone here...

...to struggle. But I encourage him
to leave and make it.

I don't want to make him sad,
but he has to understand me.

It's not easy.

Separating isn't easy.

What will I tell my little girl?

I'll say: "Daddy went shopping...".
Little lies like that...

but nothing will be the same.

"I sense my soul...

already growing old..."

When my Oscar left...

I felt the sky tumbling down.

He took my heart.

Before he left...

my grandmother...

gave him an amulet

to keep him safe.

His grandmother gave him
a little boat

to get there safe, alive.

We had never before parted.

Since he was the male
we all spoiled him,

...that's why he always did
what he wanted.

It was incredibly crowded.

As if a celebrity was leaving.

A world wide celebrity,
for example.

I will never forget that scene.

That was a very sad moment.

Very tough.

We even sang
to the Virgin of the Sea,

our Cuban Yemay·...

that went: "Row, row, row..."

Row, row, row...

The Virgin will accompany you.

Honestly, I can't say...

how many people left Cuba
in those days:

55,000 people

or 44,000...

When did you leave?
4 days ago?

Only God knows how many left Cuba

and how many made it or failed.

When you see empty rafts,

you know someone was there

and now they're dead.

It broke our hearts

and made us row and row.

In a raft, at sea,
everything dark,

You'd hear people yell,
here and there:

"My inner tube has busted.
Help me!"

Children crying.

It's the ugliest thing in life!

We thought the Coast Guard...

was taking us to Miami,

but it was Guantanamo.

The Guantanamo naval base
is a piece of Cuba...

controlled by the United States.

Rafters rescued at sea

were sent down there.

All my people are here.

Those who left together.

Tell my mother I'm fine.

I'm working on sculptures.

I use this material.

A food bag.

Food from humanitarian aid.

You melt the plastic bag...

You get this block...

A food bag.

Food from humanitarian aid.

You melt the plastic bag...

You get this block...

Look...

take a collective shot of us

saying hello to our mothers.

We have the same spirit
as the first day. We won't give up.

Regards to all mothers in Cuba.

Ester...

Damn, I'm dying to make love to you.

To make love to you.

Nine months is a long time.

Don't worry,
there are no women here.

I'm faithful to the cause.

As soon as I can,

I'll send for you.

8 months ago!

The last time I saw you was
in Havana, Sept. 3rd, at 5:30 p.m.

Nizeli, behave at school.

We'll be together in 4 months.

Behave and obey Mommy.

Daddy will be with you in 4 months.
That's it, Carlos.

- 4 months?
- 4, 5...

or 10, but Daddy's going to the U.S.

What's up?

Nothing.

- Are you crying?
- No.

- Who is this?
- Another boy.

There, where we loved each other...

...with passion.

There...

I'll wait... for you.

When they left on the boat...

I was starting mine.

2,500 pesos just for this wood!

Two inner tubes busted today.

I have to buy more.

I was afraid that...

Cuba and the U.S.
would reach an agreement...

and the government would prohibit
people from leaving...

before my raft got built.

Let's get out of here!

The American government
warns Cubans of the dangers...

...of trying to reach
the US by sea.

...The US delegation
went back to Washington...

...for consultation.

Secretary of State,
Warren Christopher,

said the negotiations

have been useful
and productive.

You have to finish today,
and leave tomorrow.

These people are negotiating,
and you never know what's next.

Every time these people go to piss,

they come out thinking differently.

One day they talk about the embargo,

the next, they turn away rafters.

The day they reach an agreement,

you'd better be already over there.

God's will be done!

The Virgin will accompany you!

This is what's left
of the boat.

We ran into
bad weather...

and had to turn round.

We turned round
with the idea of leaving again.

Remove what had broken
and leave again but...

then the law was passed
that no one could leave.

And this is what is left.

I'll have to find a job...

try to leave legally. I don't know.

8 MONTHS LATER

It wasn't easy for me.

I got a ijob and...

started a new life,
but I always had the hope...

of leaving someday.

About the rafters in Guantanamo...

there wasn't any certainty.

For months, no news
of Eduardo or Misclaida.

Misclaida's in the next one.

Look at her!

She cut her hair!

Wow! Look at his muscles!
I'd eat him.

Mommy: . .

when you get drunk, don't cry.

I want a picture of you
smiling ear to ear.

Don't cry,
we'll get out of here.

I'm taking care of both.
We're fine.

Kisses!

I pray to God to help them.

Kiss my sister
and tell her to write.

Say hi to Rafael.

Rafael Cano! Report to the military
area urgently.

You're fat!

My bed.

His bed!

I've got my clothes here.

After my brother left
on the raft...

we tried to contact relatives...

in Miami.

We contacted
my uncle Sergio...

to help him when
he got out of Guantanamo.

He fixed up his house...

and had everything ready.

He's in for memories of Havana.

There's a picture of Cuba.

This will be his room,

with a bed

and a brand new mattress.

Rafael, my wife's nephew,

I'll teach him a good trade.

I've done it with others.
4 and 6 colour machines...

paying 20, 25 dollars an hour.

A middle class salary.

Or, I'll teach him photography.

Stay right there, normal.

Now both of you look at me.

A little salsa...

That's it. Perfect.

One afternoon, they called us...

for immigration interviews.

They picked out who would stay,

and who would go back.

Who would enter the US,

and who wouldn't.

When they called, "Oscar del Valle"...
my feet, my knees, my head,

something trembled.

Your lottery departure number...

...is 801.

I have 307.

Number 824.

By my calculations, I'll leave
around the 18th of this month.

I always knew we'd leave one day.

9 months after
arriving at Guantanamo

the first to leave were the sick.

I got out due to my epilepsy.

PROUD TO BE CUBAN RAFTERS

That's how I left after 9 months.

Now is when I really leave Cuba.

When I flew...
from Guantanamo

to Miami, where I had relatives waiting.

They gave me a welcoming party.

- Miriam, how's it going?
- Fine.

Wonderful.

To me, your face reminds me
a lot of your mother.

I'm a little sad, Mommy.
Don't get angry but...

I left because life
there wasn't easy.

Now I will work...

I want to give my baby
everything she deserves.

Whatever she asks me for.

And...

take good care of her,
Mommy, and...

When I left, my daughter...

was 13 months old.

I thought that working here...

I could bring her
without much paperwork.

But I couldn't pay a lawyer...

I earn ijust enough to survive.

Here it comes!

Virgin of Charity, protect me!

I hadn't seen him in 15 years.

He was just a kid. But I remember.

A car, a house, a good woman.

Ah, how nice.

It's humble... but decent.

He's a sculptor.

An artist.

I only ask my brother Oscar

to start working...

...and make his dreams come true...

to make a better life
as he used to say.

I wish him luck.

The first money that arrives...

is not just for shoes and clothes...

but also for basic food...

to see enough food in my icebox.

The things I need. So my daughter
can have an egg today...

...fish tomorrow.
Plenty of proteins.

Indian, I'm calling you.

Mercy in the name of God.
"Gestioma!".

Bring him flowers,
bring him flowers...

The spirits come down.

I ask them for mercy.

You may not
understand it now,

but after you're here a while...

you'll realise
what the capitalist system is like.

You have to resolve
your own problems...

before you can resolve
others' problems.

And since you've got
problems every day...

there's no time left for others.

- Understand?
- Yes.

That side is Manhattan.
We're here in the Bronx.

If you cross that bridge,
then you're in Manhattan.

Manhattan is made up
of Harlem...

upper Manhattan, Downtown.

Different districts...

Get in step!

Get in step!

Look how he gets in step!

These are some skulls...

MONEY ORDERS
TELEPHONE CALLS

To succeed here,
a person has to forget...

I don't mean to forget you
completely, but...

I have to keep a stiff upper lip...

and just think about myself.
Understand?

- Yes.
- So as to help you later on.

And how do you feel, darling?

All I can feel is sadness.

I haven't seen you in a year.

- We spent 11 years together.
- You can't forget that.

It wasn't 15 days nor 2 months.

It would be difficult to forget
from one day to another.

Yes.

- Step by step.
- Yes.

- Know what that means?
- Tell me.

- Working day and night.
- Working day and night?

Yes. Every day.

Our first night
in Miami meant a lot

but nothing happened.

Actually, we were frightened,

by so many pretty things.

We're going to...

CON-ECT-UCKY

That's after New York.

They told you
that's a good place?

She said there'd be work there.

And that they pay well too.

Okay, how are you?

Pleased to meet you.
My name is Sofia,

from the Catholic Conference.

I'm here to inform you

about the program.

There are no ijobs here in Miami

and we can't offer you
that program

we have in various dioceses
in the United States.

As soon as you get there,
They give you an apartment,

get you a ijob.

They will be the family...
you don't have here.

You can play basketball.

I've played enough.

They earn good money.

Let me tell you:

You're all going to
San Antonio, Texas.

It's a beautiful city,
with lots of jobs.

You're going to Paterson,
New Jersey,

where there are a lot of jobs.

You'll be near the Big Apple,
as they call New York.

Good afternoon, I'm Sofia.

We're going to send you

to Louisville, Kentucky,
where there is...

the famous Kentucky
Derby horse racing.

Antonio...

Antonio, you're going
to Louisville, Kentucky.

Juan Carlos Subiza
and Misclaida Gonzalez.

Follow me, please.

Are you legally married?

- Legally, legally, legally no.
- Then I'll record...

common law marriage.

Do you speak English?

My husband, just a bit.

- It's important to study English.
- We are.

- How far in school did you go?
- 12th grade.

What was your job in Cuba?

I was a fumigator...

which here in the States
is called exterminator.

Both are OK. Don't worry.

Right here, Hartford, Connecticut.
That's where you'll be.

- That yellow spot.
- That's it.

You're going to Hartford,
Connecticut.

Hartford is the place,
and the state is Connecticut.

The dawn has come...

for the bravest people.

Without English
you're deaf and dumb.

In this country,

English is a must.

My first ijob in Miami,
was through my aunt.

I worked 7 days a week...

but I didn't make enough.

Then I realised,
this country's tough.

Too tough, I'd say.

Americans can't believe
I came on a tube like this.

They say, "That's a lie".
I wish I had a picture.

So, do we look for a job...
or do you help us?

Here we also help you
to find a job.

Jobs come to the computer,

which matches them
with your experience.

I'm a sculptor.

This category doesn't exist here...

but I could always be a handyman.

You made this?

Yes.

Husband.

Yes.

November 10th, right?

I'm going.

At home.

I don't forget my family
back in Cuba.

But you must lead
your own life...

because I don't know
how long I'll take to...

better myself.

That takes too long,

So I have to form a family.

If not, you get nostalgic
and then have regrets

that lead to mistakes,
bad things,

so I took the first woman
that appeared.

I figured this was
my escape route.

That's my way of living.

In less than 2 months...

I know most of New York.

This is great!

Misclaida, what's
the temperature here, 22∫?

I don't know.

Four... below...

zero.

Writing a letter.

Must be the one they wrote to us.

The culture is difficult...

and different.
We Cubans are used to...

mixing with people

every day, but here it's different.

Here, if you plan
to visit a neighbour

you have to call
a month in advance and say:

"I'm coming next week. "

I buy a beer some weekends,

but I can't every weekend...

cause we're saving money
to buy a car...

visit Cuba...

send money to Cuba.

This was our first intention,
help our family.

- You like the black one?
- No, I don't like black.

Look.

- Look at the paint. Look inside.
- Which one do you want?

Look at this.

- Which one do you want?
- That one, come on.

I'll have a cigarette
to get prepared

while you decide.

It's better to pay it off
in 2 years...

than to spend money
on car repairs.

Brand new.

9,995 dollars.

- That's a lot of money.
- You pay instalments!

- On credit.
- 5,000 down.

Down?

We can't buy this
if so-and-so buys that...

No, that is not what I am saying.

- I want to go out weekends.
- Where to?

To an amusement park.

When we get a car...

When we get a car
then you'll say...

we can't spend money.
Because...

this month we have
to pay the car insurance...

Nor the next weekend...

We have to pay this and that,
and we can't go out.

What did you have in Cuba?

In Cuba?

You had no car, house
or freedom.

- We've been here only 7 months.
- But there, I went to discos.

I went to the beach.
By bike, but I went.

Freedom has a price.

We can't behave like we have
a lot of money...

I'm only asking you
to take me out, Juan Carlos.

- When we have somewhere to go.
- There's no place to go.

There's nothing here.

Not in Granby.

- Will the car be yours?
- God willing.

Then give her a kiss.

- No, man, kiss her.
- Oh, her.

She doesn't understand.

We have to make
sacrifices first.

- Give me a kiss.
- No.

- How do you like your house?
- It's not mine yet, but okay.

Even if it's not ours...

It's a start.

I treat it like it's mine.

This was a gift, and so was this.

Grandma bought me this.

When I got here...

I went to a shop and
seeing all those things...

I was stunned.
My grandmother told the others:

"Hold Miriam, she's going to fall".

But seeing so many things...

makes me feel a bit...

bad because I see
so many things that...

I can have,
but not my daughter.

I see kids here eating candy,
but not my daughter.

A pair of shoes for them...

This one.

This one drinks milk...

sucks her thumb
like my daughter.

You can burp her.
She has a pacifier.

She is going to love it.

A car, a house, a good woman.

How are you?

I'm happy.

I got here to Nebraska

and thank God...

the Lord led me here.

I have a car. That one.

- My car.
- Damn!

Here everything is under
control, peaceful.

Not like in Miami.

In Miami there are lots of...

nouveaux riches...

drugs... Not here.

These dogs guard the back door.

This is like my little warehouse.

I take care of two buildings.

I paint and repair them...

Here are my tools, everything.

At least I'm working...
and drinking a beer.

Summer's almost here.

Life in New York isn't easy.

But I just love New York.

You'd have to drag me out
of New York.

- Why?
- Cause I like New York.

New York is the capital
of the world.

Whoever doesn't learn here,
doesn't learn anywhere.

5 YEARS LATER

I can shout out loud...

that I survived
New York's streets.

Surviving there is not easy.

I remember many things...

but I don't feel good
talking about them.

No news from my brother
in a long time.

We know he's had
various women. But, well...

he was in the Bronx,
but now he's in Philadelphia.

He doesn't write
to his daughter.

But we know he loves her
because she's his blood.

That's the way he is...

so we accept it.

All I know about Oscar is that
he's in Philadelphia.

'Cause you told me.

We've had no news for 5 years

and didn't know where he was.

I remarried.

I'm happy.

I'm sorry because...

she misses him.

I know he misses her too.

One day I sat in a park
in the Bronx...

thinking:
I have to change states,

and try to change my life.

I was single again

and didn't know where to go...

And I moved here.

I was in Philadelphia
about 2, 3 days.

In Pennsylvania I found York.

A true "American-way-of-life" town.

And here I am.

I was getting a little closer

to the American dream.

Here...

you can get a job anywhere.

In a factory, a plant.

I'm not working now, because...

I hurt my shoulder on the job.

Here's Carmen, my girlfriend,
She helped me a lot.

There's no one better than her.

She's great. I love her.

She gave me a hand
when I most needed it.

I can't complain.
She makes the food I like.

I try.

He must like it because
he's not skinny.

I even saw myself
in the Mafia.

I even saw myself
in the New York Mafia.

Prohibited games,

illegal gambling.

No, not drugs.

The Cuban Mafia at war
with the Italian Mafia.

And I had a gun aimed
at my head as well.

- Where?
- 116 and Lexington, Harlem.

I was working as a "lookout",
watching a business.

The "lookout" is the doorman...

the guy who watches
the door of a business.

An enormous
white guy came in.

And he said...

He aimed it at my head.

The only English expression
that came to mind was:

He lowered the gun...

and I ran...
inside the store...

and out the basement.

I know my family, my sister,
mother are okay

but it pains me
that I haven't behaved

the way they deserve.

I have to do something for them.

Not with words, but with deeds.

Now I'll show you how...

I lost the American dream
in 5 minutes...

all because of a woman.

I bought this house...

the 20th of January of...

2000.

But...

Iook at the state it's in,
due to a woman.

She got a protective
court order...

She accused me
of domestic abuse.

I was in ijail 13 days.

I still had to pay
all the court expenses.

But, with a little more sacrifice...

I'll get the house fixed up.
I just received

a notification from...

the agency
that finances my house...

saying that despite everything...

they're willing to give me
back my house.

My biggest sorrow...

is a letter I got
from my daughter.

She starts the letter with:

"Dear Oscarito".

And not, "Dear father",
as I would have liked.

But if she blames me,

she's right.
It's partly my fault.

Because sacrifice
doesn't mean negligence.

And I've been negligent.

These are my babies.

I called her at 7 a.m.

on her last birthday.

I told her:
"Happy birthday mom...

Am I the first to call?"
And she said: "No.

Your daughter was first. "

I said: "She's part of me
so, I'm the first. "

Then I burst into tears.

I know the day will come
when she'll ask me...

"Mommy, why'd you
leave me?"

Come on, Shirley.

It's a pleasure.
Have a seat.

What can I do for you?

Sit here.

Look, sir...

I have a daughter in Cuba,
for 6 years now.

I applied for her
when I got here...

In May '95.
I filed this application.

On that application...

- They replied...
- Who is Misladys?

My daughter, in Cuba.

- Who is Alexander?
- Her father, he's here.

First, there's a mistake
in this application...

it says Misladys
is the applicant...

and she's not.

It's a complete disaster.

- Yes, back then...
- Who made this out?

It's incredible.

Now you'll have to wait
3 years for her visa...

Which can easily become 4.

Ah, it's not that bad.

You are a US resident
since 1995.

- Have you applied for citizenship?
- No.

Why not?
You could have last year.

An alternative is to apply
for citizenship.

In a year you're American...

and can bring the child over...

in about 6 months.

I hope I'll see you soon.
Fantastic.

- Thank you, sir.
- At your service.

Oh, the present.
Didn't they give it to you?

- You didn't ask for it?
- No.

A miniature Bible...

the most important thing
I can give you.

- Thank you, sir.
- Get your citizenship soon.

Time flies.

- Is this mine?
- Yes.

Many things have happened
in these 5 years.

I divorced Alexander in '96.

I met my baby's father,
from Nicaragua.

We met at work.

Give me a kiss.

An l-love-you.

Then I had the baby.

Now she's almost 3.

I wouldn't leave her
for anything.

I left one behind. That's why...

No one can separate us.
It was very tough.

Are you happy Misladys
can come here soon?

Are you happy she's
about to come?

Yes, I'm happy.

Sure. I can tell by your voice!

You're happy and not happy.

Imagine.

I don't want her
suffering there...

because she suffered
enough in 8 years.

Believe or not, she has traumas.

If I can get ahead with one,
I can also with two.

You managed with five...

How can I not with two?

I got all A's.

- Is that true? A's?
- Yes.

I'm studying.

You're studying?

What do you want to be?

Well, what I really
want to be...

is a dancer.

Understand?

Put Shirley on.

- Shirley, it's your sister.
- Shirley, why do you...

wet your Pamper?

- Don't do that.
- We're cut off.

We're cut off.

God, we were cut off...

Shirley hung up.

When Guillermo came
from Cuba...

he shaved the second day.

His skin was white after
years of wearing a beard...

which I liked.

After all we went through...

life has been good to us.
No complaints.

Virgin of Charity...

...protect me!

Which model is yours?

Satisfied with my house,
family and job.

The company prospers...
so do the workers.

We're all happy.

Here time is money.

I always knew
who Guillermo was:

A hard worker.
At times, too much.

I'm proud of him.

I was 5 years without them:

My family, my daughter.

She's a wonderful child.

I think she understands
our sacrifices for her.

She is a very nice little girl.

Now my daughter's
15 years old.

And she's in high school.

The sacrifice was worth it.

Thank God we got
back together...

Not everyone did.

Some forgot who they left behind

and others forgot those who left.

Thank God my wife and daughter
waited for me,

and we got back together.

These are my
15th birthday portraits.

This is when I am supposedly
"introducing"...

- Introduced.
...introduced to society...

- Do you speak English better?
- Yes.

- Say it in English.
- Okay.

That's it. Pretty.

Get over there,
but don't fall.

Put your hand up.

Turn your pretty face.

Virgin of Charity, aid me!

Passionate heart!

This is every day...

from 7:30 to 5...

during 5 years.

In winter's rain,
in sunny summer.

It's smooth!

I'm happy here
and have a good time.

You'll meet my friends
I go out with.

This is where I used to live.
The refugee home.

I don't live there now,

but some refugees
from Kosovo do.

Well, this is my house...

because I live here.

Now we'll meet Bob,
who lives here too.

Today we're having
a surprise party.

This is my friend Bob.

And this is the river.

When I want to relax...

and miss Cuba a lot...

I sit here and have a beer.
It's fantastic.

It's a mess cause yesterday
we had a cowboy party.

I always check for messages.

- Hey, shithead...
- A Cuban.

...get up.

He's my only Cuban friend here.

We'll meet him.

When I broke up with Misclaida

I was here alone...

In the middle of nowhere.
I thought:

"what will become of me?"

We left together, we spent...

16 months in Guantanamo.

Alone, without the woman I loved.

Very tough.

Thanks to these people here...

who helped me and...

About Misclaida, I only regret...

leaving her alone so much.

I worked dawn to dusk everyday.

From Monday to Sunday.

After a year...

Reinaldo came to live with us.

A friend from Cuba,
the raft and Guantanamo.

Misclaida felt so lonely,
he was there,

and they had an affair.

I wanted them both
far away from Connecticut.

He gave me $800.

With this, I went
from Connecticut...

to Phoenix, Arizona,
with Reinaldo...

and I'm still with him today.

There we started to work
at the slaughterhouse,

where they cut up cows.

We were there 6 months
'til we came

to New Mexico.

When I got here
I had nowhere to stay.

We slept under the stars...

Both of us.

Despite...

the difficulties
I went through in Cuba...

luckily I had everything.

The best shoes,
the best perfumes,

and anyone who knew me
in Cuba knows that.

Wherever I went
you could smell my aroma.

Coffee, my favourite perfume.

We've lived here since...

we moved to Albuquerque.
This is my house.

When I got here

I saw everyone selling drugs...

and hustling however they could.

Then I started.
With the drug money, I ate...

and lived up until now.

Come see my children.

It was tough because...

you never have peace of mind.

This is Daisy and this is Bonbon.

It's an environment
of guns, bullets,

shots, stabbings...

The bathroom.

...police, the Feds...

That's how I've been living.

This is the other room.

Money comes and goes.

One day you've got
another you don't.

This is my husband, Reinaldo.

This is my bed.

And my dog's toys.

I'll quit this business

in 2 or 3 months.

There's lots of cops
and Feds, and all that.

If I die...

It's because my time has come.

If I'm hungry...
no one gives me anything.

I have to find it.

I've never been caught.

Knock on wood.

I'd love to go to Italy.
Above all to Rome.

The capital.

I'd love to go to anywhere
in the world.

But I'd much rather
go back home.

My country is my country.

And the beaches in my country
are the most beautiful.

I miss them so.

If I were to see the sea again...

I think I'd cry out of happiness.

I had a moustache then.

I'm enjoying Cuba.
It's the best.

I enjoy it every weekend.

Every weekend with my friend.

We've seen it over 50 times.

That's my girlfriend,
my mulatta!

Isn't she pretty?
I met her on one of those trips.

And there's my beautiful mother.

The prettiest woman
in the world.

The best I have, a good mother.

The new stove and washing
machine I bought her.

A TV set and I repaired
the entire house.

Thank God I've been
able to get ahead.

I have no news
from my brother Rafael.

I'm worried.
Nothing in over a year.

He doesn't call or write.

The last time he wrote...

he said he had left...

the frozen meat plant
where he had been working.

And...

that he was going to
become a minister.

That he'd send us money,

but it never arrived.
Our relatives in Miami...

said they'd contact
a TV show...

that tries to locate
missing people.

Let's hope.

A Cuban balsero who thought
he had reached the land of freedom

has disappeared mysteriously
without a trace.

In Miami, Ricardo Ar·mbarri
spoke to the relatives...

who wonder...

if he's dead or where he is.

This is the latest photograph
of Rafael Cano.

He could be in any state...

but we have received a clue

from his uncle:
Rafael was very interested

in religious matters.

We also know Rafael
was a plumber.

So, if you have any information...

that could help us locate him...
call this number.

My name is Susana Chapas

and I am calling about Rafael.

I know where he is.

Good afternoon,
San Antonio, Texas here.

Presently Rafael Cano...
belongs to a church on...

Well, that man is here
in San Antonio, Texas.

He goes to the same
church I go to

and I know where he lives.

I adore you.

Your name is holy.

We praise and bless thy name.

We thank you for thy glory.

Thank you for my life.

Jesus' blood is power.

Glory to thee, Lord.

Apocalypse 20.

What is Satan's objective?

Anyone who follows him
lives like a devil.

God tested me.

A car hit me,

thanks to God I'm OK.

My mother shouldn't worry.
I'm all right.

My leg doesn't matter.

God sees my heart, not my leg.

This is where I sleep.

There, alone.

Here is where I pray...

and write my messages...

Glory!

I want to introduce:

the one and only Rafael Cano

from the island of the Cubans.

Glory to God.

Please sit down.
Welcome, Rafael Cano.

Glory to God!
Hallelujah!

Glory to God!
And to Him only!

Glory to Him...

- Because one day...
- One day!

I left Cuba,
we were 5 in our raft.

Not a boat...
but an inner tube.

Suddenly...
there was a storm...

I lost it all.

And now I thank
Jesus Christ

for the miracle:

He got me out
of the water...

I was working in a pharmacy...

a long time...

and it went well.

It helped me forget
my obsession with leaving.

There are priorities in life.

I had a daughter.

I had to get ahead and...

I was used to life in Cuba...

but I always hoped

to leave someday.

I was lucky enough
to win "El Bombo".

"El Bombo"
is a raffle of visas...

carried out by
the U.S. government...

that...

there's an average of...

half a million Cubans
that apply every two years.

Only 20,000 applicants
get their visa.

I was lucky enough
to get the visa...

and I can also take my child.

Before, I didn't take her
in the raft

to avoid risking her life.

Well...

I've just got a few days...

of formalities.

The last time!

I foresee... a good future.

I have hopes of...

becoming someone.

Not the manager of a
big company...

but something great.

You want the Church to help you
and stay in Miami?

- Not in Miami.
- Then where?

Look, actually I want...

the Church or the State
to help me have...

an independent life,
with my child.

- A little help getting started.
- The Church will help you.

Misclaida?

She's not here.
Who is this?

Who's speaking?

- Who's speaking, Misclaida?
- Hello?

This is Misclaida's sister.
Is she there?

Who?

- Is Misclaida there?
- She's not...

Well, bye.

We got confirmation
from our office...

in Albuquerque.
Everything is OK.

You'll go tomorrow,
God willing.

Our personnel
will meet you there.

It's a pretty
and peaceful city.

With lots ofijobs.

We usually send
single mothers there.

I think you'll be happy there.

Listen, she's not here.

No... Just a question:

Any idea where Misclaida
moved to?

- What?
- Where to?

They live in the other flat.

They have two?
Please, give me an address.

404.

404. Which street?

She's got a dog inside.

That's theirs.
There are things inside.

When did Misclaida leave?

A month ago, but...

She lives here and there.

Look! Here's a dog.

Misclaida's dog.
They call it "La Negra".

I told Misclaida,
"My door is open for you...

but don't bring what you sell."

Because I have my family.
Five children.

I like your sister,

but family is first.

You'll have to decide, too.

I'm being frank although
it may hurt you. But...

sometimes decisions
have to be made.

You've gotten fat!

Let's go where your sister is.

- Where is she?
- At friends'.

Oh, my God!

How beautiful my niece is!

I have a protective court order.

Someone threatened me 3 times
with a gun. And a knife.

They say you'd bang
your head against the walls.

It's a lie.

We know, and...

I signed a document...

saying that if anything
happens to me...

all my things go to you
and my niece.

Now my life will change
completely...

because my beloved family
is here.

It'll all change for
the very best.

I have to think things
over carefully.

I don't want to take a step...

and lose it all.

Go from bad to worse,
you understand?

I don't know.

Had I imagined all this...

I imagined some,
but not this much...

I wouldn't be in Albuquerque.

For emergencies...

The law is clear:
You'll lose your status

if you commit a crime.

Violent crimes, drugs...

Welcome.

My sweet and empty home!

I have thought it over a lot...

but...

my sister expected us
to live together.

She thought she'd
move to my house...

but I know it could cause me...

serious trouble.

I have to think, above all...

about my daughter.