The Important Man (Ánimas Trujano)

In the state of Oaxaca, there are several villages...

that throughout the year, celebrate...

in honor of their main saints...

a series of festivities...

they call Mayordomias.

The parish priest says who will be...

organizer and coordinator of such a celebration...

picking among the people of highest morals...

and economic wealth.

He on whom this honor is bestowed...

is called "Mayordomo".

These feasts are made up...

of religious and secular acts...

masses...

dances...

and meals.

The Mayordomo pays all...

the expenses of the feast, which are considerable...

since the whole town is invited.

For the elected one, this honor implies a sacrifice...

but this important man...

is able to entertain his brothers splendidly...

and gain their affection.

It's true that these customs harm...

the natives' economy remarkably.

It is also true that the Mayordomia...

is one of the few things that make our natives...

forget their legendary sadness...

and feel happy, during the three days...

that the celebration lasts.

This is the story of...

Animas Trujano...

who wanted to be Mayordomo...

because he needed to feel...

he was "The Important Man".

Leave, malignant spirit.

Let go.

Leave him alone.

Go get some money.

We must go to the big town for the doc.

I'll go then.

Leave him alone.

Animas Trujano is no beggar!

If God wants him to die, he'll die.

But we must help God not to want it.

The witch doctor is here to help him.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.

Blessed be the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...

now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.

Blessed be the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...

now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.

Blessed be the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us...

sinners...

Lots of friends, "compadre".

Lots of friends!

Yes, "compadre".

They are my friends.

I "brung" them myself.

But it's my dead!

Be forewarned!

Be of good cheer. It's a feast.

Anybody would want to die young like him...

to get into heaven quickly.

Juana...

what are you waiting for?

Everyone's eyes are on us.

Smile! What will they say?

Come on!

Dance!

Tadeo!

Gregorio.

Come in, Tadeo.

Stop for a bit.

- Look who's back. - It's Tadeo.

- Tadeo. - Tadeo's back.

After five years, it's so good that Tadeo is back.

Tadeo is going to be a good Mayordomo.

The priest has just named him...

- Mayordomo of the Holy Cross. - Did he come back rich?

Almost rich, but I'll be poor again.

You were Mayordomo once. Help me organize the feast.

- I'll help with the fireworks. - I'll get the flowers.

Me, the mezcal.

Where're you going?

To see the Mayordomo.

"To see the Mayordomo."

What do they see in him?

Look, mama, it's the woman who kisses the men.

You were gone long. Five years.

Yes, but now I'm back to stay.

Tadeo!

Go in.

Tadeo!

You bastard!

You ruined my party for me.

I just came to pay my respects to your dead boy.

You just came to humiliate me.

Go and show off your money some place else.

Tadeo is my guest!

You're worse than him. You had that big party...

just to make me feel small.

How was I to know?

Go away.

You can't tell my "compadre's" guests to leave.

- Stop right there; it's my house. - But it's my wake!

Get out!

I won't do anything to you because you're drunk.

- Now git! - Me, "compadre"?

You yourself.

I'm not in your house anymore!

Tadeo, don't pull out the machete like that!

Get out!

Tadeo, you are a Mayordomo.

Play!

Come out, Tadeo!

You're stronger than me.

You'll win!

Let's go dance, Tadeo.

You look like a woman, Tadeo. Worse than a woman!

You look like a bitch!

Come out, "compadre"! Anyone! Come on out!

You can kill me easily.

Go home! Go be with your children!

I'll be seeing you.

Catarina!

He'll give me money! Tadeo has money!

You're worse than...

You look like an animal...

in heat.

Look!

You want money!

Here is the money, hidden.

It's full of money.

Just let it start playing.

The ace of gold.

Do you mock me?

I threw holy water on it.

Shut up!

See?

It's blessed.

It can't lose.

It'll give us plenty of money.

You'll see me with lots of money.

I'll be Mayordomo.

Animas Trujano...

the Mayordomo.

Don't run, evil woman. Stay there!

You're making fun of me, bitch.

I saw you since you walked in with Tadeo.

You think I'm drunk.

Drunk, damn it!

Damned people!

They went to humiliate me.

You went to humiliate me!

Me!

You sons of...!

My poor little angel...

in the graveyard!

My little dead boy!

Catarina!

Catarina!

Open up.

Open up!

If I open, what will I do with two?

Two what?

Tadeo, the Mayordomo, is coming.

Shut up!

Darned dog!

Look me in the eye.

Look at me, I said!

You're always complaining I don't come to you.

Well, go ahead now that I'm in the mood.

Go feed the chickens, "mija".

Yes, mama.

What you looking at? Keep painting your letters.

Yes, mama.

Sweep that!

I can get married now.

That "gourd" is empty.

He doesn't work and he can't read.

He just learns to drink wine.

Go on! Hurry up and sweep those leaves.

Marry someone who knows...

how to work the land.

Someone who loves you nice...

and respects you.

Choose well.

- Like you did? - Don't judge your father.

- Pedro, let's go. - Coming, mama.

Hurry up and do Doña Hilaria's laundry.

He kept goats, and was poor like you.

An Indian like you. And he went to school.

Then he even became president...

of all Mexico.

- He was really important. - Wow!