That day, Mom set the table as usual.
She continued doing it for years waiting for their return.
We have left it set.
I have been waiting for the girls too.
Library Dr. Minerva Mirabal Dominican Republic
So, now we are going to see something that will interest you.
Let's move on to the museum where the Mirabal sisters'
personal belongings are preserved,
where they lived the last 10 months of their lives.
They studied in La Vega at the Colegio lnmaculada Concepción.
Here is the living room furniture, Patria's dress.
On this side are the belongings found
by the police at the crime scene.
This is the bloody cloth...
used to dry their bodies after their death.
After he took the presidency, the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
would remain in power for 30 years,
getting rich and killing.
Those fears are over, honey, they are over.
These times are different. It is not so dangerous now.
There is not such persecution to all those against the government.
It's no longer dangerous to come to this house.
Trujillo was the generalissimo, the president,
the most powerful businessman, and the biggest landowner.
Men and women's destinies were in his hands.
Better said, almost all men and almost all women.
GENERAL RAFAEL LEÓNIDAS TRUJILLO
HAS BEEN PRESIDENT FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS.
HIS DESPOTIC REGIME MADE HIM
THE ABSOLUTE OWNER OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
ALMOST HALF OF THE POPULATION DEPENDS ON HIS OWN FACTORIES...
WHILE HE FILLS HIS BANK ACCOUNTS WITH HUGE AMOUNTS.
HE FILLS THE CEMETERIES WITH HIS OPPONENTS' CROSSES.
FOURTEEN YEARS OF TRUJILLO'S DICTATORSHIP ARE STILL AHEAD...
TOO MUCH TIME TO STAY STILL DOING NOTHING.
Union freedom! Salary increase!
What a pretty girl.
This girl is from Salcedo. She comes often.
Hurry up, Minerva! It's getting late!
Union freedom! Salary increase!
Get out with your people.
We are protesting! We won't leave!
You are disrespecting the authority.
I said, get out!
- We will keep on! We are protesting! - Get out!
We will keep on. We are protesting!
- Get out! - Evil!
Tropic of Blood
Go on! March!
One, two, three, four...
Exiled man denounces oppression of Trujillo's dictatorship
Get him!
Yes, sir.
If there is so much democracy in Chile...
why are you coming here to mess around in...
'the brutal Trujillo's dictatorship'?
I was expressing myself freely.
In Chile, demonstrations are allowed.
And here, Trujillo allows us to fuck freely all those who protest.
Look! I will say it to you only once.
If I find you again doing what you are not supposed to,
I will crush you like a cockroach.
Take this piece of shit out of here.
University campus.
It's time for you to stop spending your life painting landscapes,
reciting poems of Neruda or Juana I don't know who...
De lbarborou.
The truth is I would give anything to just paint and recite.
I am not surprised. Your latest grades were a whole poem.
Let me show you a poem.
'When I came home
'Lonely streets without voices, streets, streets...
'Carrying a lamp in my pocket
'Death gave me a signal with the rain...'
'And the dove...'?
'And cut my lips with his sword.
'The dove cried with my silence
And turned off when I turned on my lamp.'
I will miss you, my friend.
I will miss you too.
But don't think that you will go alone to the university.
Really?
Ciudad Trujillo, June 1949
- Long life, Chief! - Chief.
Welcome, Chief.
How are you, Generalissimo?
You are very pretty. Whose daughter are you?
I am your dear friend Carlos Soler's daughter.
These are for you.
Help me, Chief, my son is sick. I need your help.
I know you can help me.
Take care of that.
Thank you, Chief.
Who put that sign there?
'TRUJILLO AND GOD'
That sign, Chief?
Put it the other way.
So it would say?
God and Trujillo!
Long live the Chief!
DOMINICAN PARTY
We have organized meetings
to support you in all the provinces, Chief,
and now we are starting with the smallest ones.
And you?
We will publish a photo album of all the works achieved
during the 19 years of your government, Chief.
I like that.
Say it out loud so everybody can hear it!
The expedition of the rebels
who arrived by the Luperon Bay
has just been wiped out.
Gentlemen.
I like that!
We have to celebrate!
If you could see all the nice things you can find in the capital...
- Ah, Mom! - ...you'd die.
It seems that Minerva very much liked the capital.
Or someone from the capital.
Neither one nor the other.
What I know is that I would like to move over there.
Look, they are going to inaugurate the university campus.
In the capital.
I want to become a lawyer.
The capital is not a good place for you,
much less a good place to defend others.
Many years will pass before the capital becomes good for me, Mom.
Don Ramon's daughter went to the capital and got into politics,
and now she can't even leave her home.
In addition, what will a young lady like you
do living there?
Patria has a family already.
Dedé is getting married in a few months.
Who is going to help me at the store?
What you have learned so far is enough.
Long live tradition.
And now, what happened to you?
Nothing, making space for accounting books.
Having read all those books has driven you crazy.
And probably none of them says that here in this country
Trujillo is the law, the stick, and the constitution.
- Thank you, Don Enrique. - My pleasure! Regards to Doña Tola.
Of course.
How are you? Here is the prescription...
Well, here you are.
I hope the kid gets well.
- Thanks. - God bless you.
- I will pay you tomorrow for sure, eh? - No problem.
Thanks. Oh! Don Enrique, how are you doing?
- Hi, Gertrudis, how are you? - Very good, thank God.
- Give my regards to your father. - I will. See you.
What's going on?
Well...
Come here.
What's going on here?
Don't be so impatient. It's a surprise.
Oh, my God.
How is it possible? Look at this beauty!
Look how nice it is.
It is yours, Minerva.
- Do you like it? - It looks like a Hollywood car.
That's the brake pedal and that's the gear shift.
That girl is impressive.
I've seen many pretty women, but like her, never.
What did you say her name was?
Minerva Mirabal.
In the whole region, people just talk about her and her sisters.
Ah! I haven't told you yet!
They are three gorgeous women.
You'll see when you meet them.
And when would that be?
Unless you have a better idea,
it would be good having a party in your honor
organized by the province politicians,
and I would do the arrangements with Governor Antonio de la Maza.
Enrique.
I don't like it at all.
I don't like the idea of going to that party with Minerva.
The chief insisted that we should go with the whole family.
The governor himself asked me.
There are mothers that invent illnesses for their daughters
just so the chief won't get interested in them.
You know what I am talking about.
I think you worry too much.
Dedé was telling me how it was like the chief was eating Elvira with his eyes
the other night at the Hotel Montana.
Chéa.
No one is going to eat anyone.
You know the chief well,
and you know he can eat one daily.
Don't be ridiculous.
It's all right that you want to pay tribute to the chief, but don't exaggerate.
This party is for dancing and drinking, it is not a fucking congress.
If everybody gives a speech, we won't be able to have a drink.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the Honorable President of the Republic,
Generalissimo Dr. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina,
benefactor of the Nation.
The Honorable President of the Dominican Republic.
How is the province, Senator?
More Trujillistic than ever!
Antonio, how are you?
Well, very well. Thank you, welcome.
Aida. Always so beautiful!
How is Antonio doing?
He likes better fights than politics.
Chief. Over here.
- Excuse me. - Go ahead.
The Mirabal family, Chief.
Pimpo tells me this party is in my honor,
but he is wrong.
It should be in honor of those beautiful ladies.
Especially you, miss.
May I...
If I may.
It seems it is time to dance.
Great.
Let's go.
Tribute to the Chief from the Mayors of Salcedo Province.
Miss.
What is your name?
Lucia.
Are you a student?
Yes, sir.
Would you dance with me, miss?
With pleasure.
Miss Mirabal, shall we dance?
Have you ever been told that you
are the most beautiful woman in the world?
Don't exaggerate.
Although I've been told I am the most stubborn woman in the world.
A friend of mine says there are no stubborn women, only weak men.
Well, you don't have the reputation of being a weak man.
I hope you don't have the reputation of being too stubborn.
You don't like it?
It's a bit strong.
I would love to have you close.
Wouldn't I be too old for you?
But you are interested in politics.
You could work in my government.
Well...
Politics seems to me pretty violent
since I saw my friend Pericles Franco beat up by the police.
Thank you for the dance, Miss Mirabal.
I want to leave.
Minerva, sit down!
My daughter, please! Please.
Minerva, you know that nobody can leave here before the chief has.
Just in case, did I come with him?
Sit, Minerva.
He's an animal.
Let's go.
Chief. They've left.
You've brought a family of communists into my party.
- Allow me, Chief... - Incompetents.
'Allow me' nothing, damn it!
You, Antonio, you didn't learn anything from me?
You are so incompetent. Damn!
Captain!
Yes, sir... the person.
Do you remember the tall, gorgeous mulatto I was talking to?
Of course, Chief.
Invite her to have a cup of coffee.
Yes, sir.
What is it you don't understand?
What you need to do is to send an apology letter
to the chief, that's it.
I won't pay the consequences, miss.
I'm not willing to take
any responsibility for any insolent girl.
But I didn't do anything wrong, Governor.
I don't understand why I should write an apology letter
if I didn't do anything bad.
Miss, keep in mind that you don't live in Switzerland.
Please. Look at this sign.
You see what it says? 'God and Trujillo.'
It's a lie because God is Trujillo.
Because he gives and takes. You should understand that.
Minerva and her stubborn mind are going to destroy this family.
She doesn't know who's the chief, damn it.
You're marvelous.
For you, Chief.
Sir, Miss Mirabal didn't want to come.
Call me Colonel Ovando.
Yes, sir.
Finally, I have the honor of meeting the famous Minerva Mirabal.
Sit down.
Why are we under arrest, Colonel...?
Ovando. Tomás Ovando.
At your service.
How strange
that such a cultured person,
a girl so educated as you, did not send a letter to the chief
apologizing for having left his party without even letting him know.
My father did, however, and he is in jail.
You forced him to leave without letting the chief know.
You didn't want to write to the generalissimo because
you prefer to send your letters to another address.
Just in case you did not notice the chief distinguished you
by dancing with you more than once.
Will you also deny that you refused to toast the chief
during a dinner in Salcedo?
And I had to?
What I don't understand
is how a woman of...
your condition...
does not take advantage of it to obtain whatever you want.
Like helping your daddy by just... asking.
Why don't you finish your sentence?
May I leave?
This woman is a man.
Daddy.
Forgive me.
Better times will come, brother.
Hey! Fello.
I will need to shut down the store, Fello.
I've just fired...
God bless you.
What's going on, Dad?
Nothing, my daughter, nothing.
Business problems.
I am a merchant, Fello.
I would not trade a bag of coffee for a hundred books.
I think that you will get what you want.
Nobody can make my daughter change her mind.
Imagine when she becomes a lawyer.
You'll let me go to the university?
Did you hear this, uncle?
Your Honor.
My client, Don Enrique Mirabal...
deserves to be discharged from the terrible charges against him.
As you will see, it is inadmissible because the accusations
naming him as presumed intellectual author
of the unfair mortification that would be caused
to his daughter are incongruous.
And all that for not having been able to register
as the first woman from Ojo de Agua
who dreams of graduating as a lawyer with the highest honors.
Thanks, Dad.
I am going to the university.
Are you OK?
Yes, sweetheart.
University of Santo Domingo, 1952
Trujillo First Teacher of the Nation
We are going to revise those formulas
for next week's exam.
Yes, yes, yes.
You, as future chemical engineers...
Minerva?
Yes?
Minerva.
No wonder you don't find time to fall in love.
I agree with Francis Bacon.
I prefer books before men.
If you don't study men, my friend,
none of them will study you when you get older.
Ah, shut up.
How are Miss Mirabal's studies doing?
I was told she is a very intelligent woman.
Well...
It is true, Chief.
She is a brilliant woman.
Maybe that's why she is so popular at the university.
So, you think Miss Mirabal could create her own party?
Chief, the thing is...
that there is only one party, and it is yours.
And mine as well.
But there must be some mistake.
I don't understand why I can't register.
All my grades are very high.
I already told you, these are orders from the top.
Next.
There is only one way for you to get back into the university.
Write a speech dedicated to the chief.
Ah, Minerva.
Don't forget that in this country
dilemmas are forbidden, too.
Here the chief matters are yes... or yes.
'As proof of gratitude for the thousands of community works
that gave fame to your ideas about the collective welfare...'
'In a flourishing time of realities...'
'Due to the fact that in ancient Rome the natural source of law
'came from the customs and practices known as ius non scriptum,
or unwritten law.'
This is very good, Minerva.
- Hi. - Hi.
Hi.
Maria Teresa!
Baby.
Honey, what are you doing here? What a surprise!
I knew I would find you here. Milagros told me.
You scared me to death.
Why are you here?
To buy some medicine for Daddy, who is sick.
- He's going to get better, don't worry. - I know.
Want to get some ice cream?
No, I can't.
Or you could escape from the pension...
Good Lord!
No, I must return to Salcedo right now.
But first, tell me how it went.
What happened?
They denied us the scholarship.
But why?
The intelligence service says we don't qualify.
My God, and what are we going to do?
I don't know.
Taxi!
Sir, hi.
The lady needs to go to the bus station to Salcedo.
I'm not working any more today. My shift's over.
Thank you.
THE SPIRIT OF THE CHIEF
This is for you to understand that you are too stupid, asshole,
to carry with you the spirit of the chief.
Daddy!
You will come with me to Jarabacoa for a while.
I think it would be good for you.
Look, there's a pharmacy. I'll be right back.
Miss, could you give me something for a headache, please?
Fifty.
You don't seem to be from here.
Too ugly or too weird?
Too pretty.
In fact, a weird beauty.
I hope your headache will pass.
I hope not,
so I can see you again.
Thank you.
A really handsome girl.
Wait, look. There she is. We'll talk later.
May I help you?
I was lucky to find you.
Another headache?
I was going to have a big one if I couldn't see you again.
Get ready to buy a barrel of pills.
I am going back to Salcedo tomorrow.
I was just on a forced vacation.
I swore on the Virgin that I would walk on my knees up to her altar
if you opened your window during a serenade.
You pray instead. It would be cheaper and less painful.
You think?
Your uncle told me you are a law student.
What would you think if I told you that I am a law student, too?
Well, you are investigating too much.
Wait.
Madam, I owe it.
Look, for you.
Thank you.
You're ahead of me.
But Mom always says the ones ahead are not that far
if the ones in the back run fast.
The only thing I'm saying
is I wouldn't mind waiting for my future partner.
Imagine the sign: 'Taváres & Mirabal, Attorneys at Law.'
And why not, Mirabal & Taváres?
Well... why not?
It is pretty.
Hey!
You haven't told me when I will see you again.
This country is very small.
I swear my desire to see you again is larger than this country.
And larger than the chief?
Good-bye.
No, I'll see you soon.
Yes, damn! Larger than the chief.
Your brother is here. What should I tell him?
Let him come.
The garrison from the capital will join our movement.
They are just waiting for the signal.
Good job! Congratulations.
But... I will have to take care of the government
while things get better.
But you promised I'd be the president.
Remember, politics depends on the circumstances,
and considering the circumstances you will need to be patient.
Do you understand?
So...
The general is...
conspiring because he wants to become president, like the chief.
That's it, Generalissimo.
And you, Daniel?
What were your aspirations?
I just aspire to do what the chief says.
My General...
You know the chief would do nothing to separate such good brothers like you.
I bet you that letter is from an admirer.
What, are you a graphologist?
Well, looking at your happy face.
Let me see it!
No.
You and your riddles. You do not know anything.
It's a poem.
And Mom knows?
- Mom! - Don't pay attention, Mom.
This little girl has someone to take care of her.
Don't pay any attention to her, Mom. Dedé's just exaggerating.
He is just a friend.
His name is Manolo Taváres, and he is from Monte Cristi.
I hope he is just as studious and responsible as you.
But what does he do? Who is he? Say something, woman.
Let's say he is interesting.
But when she says he is interesting,
- it is because she is interested. - Of course.
I think it will be enough for him just to look at me.
What's that? It's a fiesta de palo.
- My love... - Come on! Let's go!
I didn't know you could sing.
I didn't know you were so beautiful when you're woken late at night.
I love you, sweetheart.
For your safety, you should write a letter to the chief
telling him about your wedding.
Sounds good. Write it yourself.
What time are you leaving?
Hey! It's getting late! I need to take off at 6:00.
Honey, it will be for another day.
Let's go.
Thank you, Aida.
Octavio, when shall I see you again?
I know.
Even though you're my brother, you can't tell me anything.
Bye.
Be careful, OK?
- Yes! - Same to you.
You're the one that needs to be careful.
May God be with you.
Have a good trip.
Thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit in New York City.
The police still doesn't know the whereabouts of Jesus de Galindez,
a professor at Columbia University,
who was kidnapped from his Manhattan apartment.
Everything seems to point
to the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo
as responsible for the kidnapping of the Basque writer
who launched some serious accusations
against the tyrant in a thesis about his prolonged regime.
The suspicion that Galindez has been brought to Ciudad Trujillo
has shocked American public opinion,
which Trujillo has shown an incredible impudence for,
at the gates of Washington.
I must confess
that our friend's situation is extremely delicate,
although I recognize he's been a great collaborator with the U.S.
Now...
the White House doesn't believe your government
has nothing to do with the kidnapping of Mr. Galindez.
I believe that it would be in the generalissimo's interest
to make his story more credible.
The only thing I could do was to eliminate this Galindez.
What did this man think?
That he could discredit me and offend my family?
I understand, Chief, but I do think we should get worried.
Leave the politics to me.
But, Chief, this Galindez affair
is disturbing our relationship with the Americans.
The press over there only publishes venom against you,
and we could lose the sugar quotas.
Pimpo, don't worry about the sugar issue.
I will send the senator, my friend,
a good quantity of green sugar, the one he likes.
Very well.
- Pimpo. - Sir.
Finish up what they told you in Washington.
That the White House doesn't believe that tale.
Estervino.
Tell me, Chief.
What is the name of the pilot who flew in the communist, the Basque?
Octavio de la Maza, Chief.
But you should know...
that there were other people involved in the case.
So, you are telling me
you believe there are too many witnesses?
Tavito.
There is something I don't get.
Listen to me. Tavito has nothing to do with this.
But he is Antonio de la Maza's brother.
And?
A friend of the chief.
Torres, listen to me!
He's the one who brought the prisoner by plane.
Damn! But who is he?
He's just a fucking pilot.
He was going to say no to the chief?
When the gods ask for sacrifices,
we have to please the gringos, my dear.
Brother!
The victims, in that case, could be us.
Those gringos.
When they begin to bother...
they do it until the end.
Antonio, what happened?
They killed Tavito.
Swear you'll help me to avenge him.
Swear it!
Antonio!
FROM GENERALISSIMO TRUJILLO
Here we go!
Here will be the fabulous offices of the best lawyers in the world.
It seems I'm going to litigate from the kitchen.
Somebody has to cook.
Truth is, I don't understand you, Minerva.
You spend a whole life working hard
to finish graduating in cooking.
I've also graduated in fashion.
I've got many orders.
We can't survive solely on legal verbosity, right?
But this doesn't answer my question.
What's happening to you?
They've denied my license to practice as a lawyer.
It can't be.
You're joking.
No.
No, but here the government...
Trujillo can't do that.
He doesn't have the right! Shit!
It can't be.
It can't be, my love.
They denied it.
After all those years of working so hard...
And they denied it.
My love.
Come here, sweetheart, I want you to see this.
My love. My love!
Antonio, the chief is here.
This is the check for the contract I've told you about
for the roads at the border.
I am here because of the great esteem I feel for you and your family.
You can be sure
that you can count on me
for the rest of my life.
Thank you, Chief.
I will also keep you in my mind
until my last breath.
Leave me.
Leave.
Leave me alone.
Mr. de la Maza, we are very sorry for the loss of your brother.
Thank you.
You know...
I thought a lot about what we said on that day.
You don't need to be Swiss to understand.
See you later.
Try to resign yourself.
Resign myself?
I do not know yet what that means.
What happened?
The expedition arrived.
Excellent.
We don't even know who to welcome.
What happened?
Did he talk?
Nothing new, General.
We know that Betancourt and Fidel Castro helped the guerrilla.
This communist is asking us to kill him.
So please him.
Great.
A new comrade from the capital.
- This is what you've been asking for. - Put it over there.
Be careful.
It's me! It's me!
In case you didn't know, this isn't a game.
I don't want anything bad to happen to you, little sister.
Can you understand that, damn it?
And you, Minerva?
I don't want anything bad to happen to you either, can you understand that?
I am 25 years old.
I am old enough to know what is going on in this country.
I don't want to toast anymore for this beast.
I see there's more than one stubborn woman in the Mirabal family.
You scared me.
Another one to educate.
Colonel.
Don't worry, please.
I just came to thank you for what you've done
for my promotion.
That's only justice, son.
Let's hope this fucking shit of Johnny Abbes and the '40'
will not destroy your nice career.
You want a drink?
Give me one.
Sorry, Colonel...
but you mentioned the '40'.
This is the torture center designed by Abbes.
The ones they bring there...
leave there dead or crazy.
There they beat up men and women.
They say there is an electric chair.
You will see
how this beast will bring the chief to his ruin.
Look at the picture.
No, look at it.
We were bad.
But where this son of a bitch goes, nothing remains normal.
Nothing!
We were tough.
Efficient.
But we were not some degenerates like this Johnny Abbes.
JOHNNY ABBES Chief of Military Intelligence Service
Father Luis Peña González
How many are there in your group?
There's 20 of us.
Twenty isn't enough.
We need 100 or more.
Give us a week, and we will recruit comrades.
We need to be ready for the demonstration.
Let me try that.
It's delicious.
Smells good.
Look how big your son is, Nelson.
Don't mention it. We are getting old, sister.
Trujillo is the one getting old. He has been poisoning our lives...
for 30 years.
Shall we start?
This is one of the lights we will use to guide the planes.
Great.
Marien and Cocuyo will pick up the lights in Guayacanes and set them up.
Dinner is sewed. You may come now.
That smells delicious.
Minerva, Dulce brought you a gift.
It's forbidden.
We got it off the black market. I hope you'll like it.
Thank you, Dulce.
By Pedro Mir.
Look how interesting.
'There is a country in the world located at the same journey of the sun...
native of the night.'
We don't even figure on the Tropic of Cancer.
Trujillo has put us in the Tropic of Blood.
Welcome to Santo Domingo.
Thank you very much. Sit down, please.
It has been a while since the last time.
Yes, two years.
Lots of things have happened since the last time you were here.
In Ciudad Trujillo there is always something going on.
Hello...
How much for one of these lollypops?
It's on me.
Thanks.
I would love to go to Paris.
When you speak French well.
Always the same story.
I love your hat.
Really? I bought it for you!
Thank you.
You know, so many things have occurred here
since the last time you were in Santo Domingo.
My friend, please.
Miss.
I am a little bit lost.
Where is Dr. Mejia Ricart's house?
Gustavo Mejia Ricart, over there at the corner.
- But I am not sure how to get there. - Let me show you.
Let me tell you that what is going to happen today
will interest your newspaper very much.
You think so?
I'm positive.
The tyrant Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina continues to...
Down with Trujillo! Down with Trujillo!
Down with Trujillo
Let's go!
They went that way.
A tall guy, brown hair? Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure. That way.
Down with Trujillo
These revolvers and shotguns have to be moved elsewhere.
This neighborhood is full of spies.
Well! Well!
Here are all the children of the upper-class.
And we're going to fuck them so they remember
that everything their daddies own they owe to the Chief.
I will deliver the weapons to you tomorrow.
I am recruiting new members.
These are the blueprints of the fortress.
Lieutenant Jimenez Correa sent then to me from Puerto Plata.
He is a brave man.
Tell me.
The commandant wants to see you in the fortress.
Colonel.
We know who is the head of the conspiracy.
You know the story of the hydra with seven heads?
No, sir.
I don't know it very well, but it appears
what you are telling is not the whole story.
This conspiracy against the chief
is a hydra with seven heads, and you are only talking about one head.
We need to increase the foundations of the movement
to successfully face the dictatorship.
- This is correct. - OK.
That's the idea, which is why we need more men...
Let go of him!
Let me go.
Please don't!
'40' Jail
You are all faggots!
Come on, take the fucking picture.
Listen carefully to what lam going to tell you.
I am losing my patience.
Who else is part of this plot,
or do you wish to take your secret to hell?
Are you going to talk?
There are hundreds of detained men.
There is one thing you didn't even notice.
The one who organized this plot
is not wearing pants.
She is wearing skirts.
Damn fool!
This Minerva Mirabal bitch is fooling you.
Excuse me, Chief.
That's life, Chief.
After you allowed them to vote,
the Dominican women have progressed a lot.
And this arrogant Minerva Mirabal is not only a pretty woman,
she is also a high-level political leader
who dared to challenge you.
Who were you taking the bombs to, damn it?
Bitch.
Tell him.
Remember what you told me. You handed me two of them in the car.
Tell him!
We are fucked anyway.
Who else is in your group, bitch?
You are going to remain silent?
Emilia, we are fucked anyway!
Tell him, please!
Fresh meat.
Pair of bitches.
Don't touch her.
Leave her alone!
Animals!
Dr. Joaquin Balaguer assumes the presidency.
What does the American embassy say?
The consul told us that the weapons shipment has been authorized.
Fuck! If we continue to wait for those weapons,
Trujillo is going to die of old age in the damn palace.
Cool down, Antonio. Be patient.
To kill Trujillo is not that simple.
I'm going to put it simply... What is missing
is some dynamite in the balls.
That's what it takes.
'Send me some plaster.
'I am so close to finishing something nice...
that I am making.'
'Also...'
And also some thread.
And a piece of cotton cloth
to sew a dress for Minou.
Sisters and brothers, God Almighty gave us liberty
so his sons can live in harmony.
We ask you to pray
for all those who are suffering in the jails of the country
and for their distressed families. Let's pray.
My girls!
It's all over.
Well, Chief.
Thank you for receiving me.
I have come before you...
to ask...
to beg you...
to free my husband and brothers-in-law.
- You know... - You!
Do you believe they are in prison because they threw me flowers?
I raised this country...
from the ground up.
There was nothing here.
This was a village of lazy people and little chiefs.
I am the one who made sacrifices for its welfare.
I am not going to allow
a small group of traitors
and ingrates
to destroy everything I have done for you,
damn it!
At your order, Chief.
Give Mrs. Mirabal
a complete list of the factories...
hospitals, schools and theaters,
cultural centers, banks,
agricultural projects that have been built under my government!
That way, she will have a better idea...
of what they were trying to destroy,
her communist comrades in prison.
Nine of us are going...
to the Argentinean embassy.
Minerva... ask for asylum with me.
This criminal is not going to rest until he sees you dead.
Perhaps I was born at the wrong time.
Perhaps...
he imposed his tyranny on the wrong person...
but I am telling you I wouldn't want to be too far
when this beast Trujillo dies.
And you know it.
Be careful.
You know, Minerva is fascinated by planes.
That is true.
If she could, she would spend her life flying around like you.
Well, I am leaving,
because you need to talk about very important matters.
Thank you for offering to be my only contact with the outside world.
It is incredibly important that this message get
to Alfonso Canto in his office in Manhattan.
A lot of things depend on that
to end this dictatorship before Christmas.
Don't worry, what you gave me will reach its destination.
Minerva.
They transferred Manolo and Leandro to another jail...
in Puerto Plata.
What is the news?
Nelson is already at home.
Don't worry.
Everything will be fine.
Look what I brought.
Don't tell me that you came that far to cry.
I would like you to allow me to go with the girls to Puerto Plata.
It has been a while since I have seen my brothers-in-law.
No problem.
Say hello for me.
Let's go! The visit is over, let's go!
My love, I'm sorry.
It seems we arrived just in time.
Mom.
I talked to the Bournigals, and they will lend us their jeep again.
Now what we need is a driver.
November 25th, 1960
What time are we leaving?
You came?
How are you? And your wife, and the kids?
Very well, thank you.
You understand the risks you are taking, driving us?
Don't worry.
When did I stop coming to this house?
Even with all these spies always here watching,
count on me.
You are right.
- I'll be right back. - OK.
Thank you, Rufino.
God bless you.
God bless you, my girl.
Minerva, please, think about your kids.
Bye.
Bye, Minou.
Bye.
Prison of the Fortress
Let's go.
Rent a house here in Puerto Plata.
Move here right away, but stop those trips, Minerva.
How strange.
They are giving us more time than usual today.
It's fair.
We deserve it.
Let's go, ladies, the visit is over!
Let's go! Move on!
I love you.
Remind me to bring my sewing machine when we move to Puerto Plata.
The storm's pretty far off.
Stop this fucking jeep! Damned communists!
Shit!
Damned communist! Walk! Come on, walk!
Keep walking!
Keep walking! Damn!
That's for messing with the chief.
Talk. Now talk!
You're not so tough now! Talk!
You don't have a heart, animal!
Talk. Talk.
Take that, fucking communist!
We're alone now.
Now talk.
You're not so tough now, huh?
Keep talking about the chief. Keep talking about the chief.
Damn it, the bitch is still alive! Stop! Stop!
Thank you for everything, Doña Dedé.
- Thanks to you, girl. - Bye.
May 30th, 1961
Trujillo was killed by the group led by Antonio de la Maza.
The material authors and one of the masterminds
of the Mirabal sisters and Rufino de la Cruz murders
never sewed the sentences to which they were condemned.
Five years later, they were able to flee abroad with the help of the military.
Those responsible for the execution of more than 100 prisoners
at the '40' prison did not even go to trial after Trujillo's death in 1961.
Dedé Mirabal took in the six children of her murdered sisters.
Minou, Minerva's daughter, is a legislator.
Jaime David, Dedé's son, became the vice president of the country.
By unanimous vote in 1999,
the United Nations declared November 25th
the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
in honor of the Dominican heroines.
Dedé Mirabal founded a museum to perpetuate the memory of her sisters.
The facility occupies the house where the heroines lived
until their assassination in 1960.
This film is dedicated to Doña Dedé Mirabal.