The Ministry of Time (El ministerio del tiempo)

NEWS, DOCUMENTARIES AND FILMS

PRESENTS...

SPANISH NEWS

Spanish cinema continues steadily

on its way to rival the world's greatest industries.

Entertainment and patriotism combine in a new film

with a new actor.

From war hero to movie star.

Eulogio Romero, who fought communism with the Blue Division,

debuts in Love and Fatherland.

...in a new film with a new actor.

From war hero to movie star.

Eulogio Romero, who fought communism with the Blue Division,

debuts in Love and Fatherland.

THE MINISTRY OF TIME

LOST IN TIME

Shit...

Hello? Help!

I'm coming.

Calm down.

Let's see...

- It was Salvador. - I knew it. Release me, please.

Are you sure? I don't know...

- Don't you think it's a shame? - Yes, but...

Hi, Salvador.

Great. I'll be right there.

Pacino?

No, I have no idea.

Very well. See you later.

Emergency meeting.

- Did he ask about me? - Yes.

I think he is onto us.

You are too paranoid. Too paranoid.

It is the only possible conclusion.

Life has no meaning apart from the people we love.

Words of wisdom.

Don't scare me like that. Here, look, here comes the bike!

Tasty! This baby wants some too? Later.

Come on, a little bit more.

So tasty!

Darn it!

It's okay, it's okay.

I already told you I'm not switching phone providers...

Salvador...

SPANISH NATIONAL RADIO

Welcome, Alonso.

Nice haircut. Follow me.

- Alonso is late. - Of course. We're in the boondocks.

It's harder to get here than to the 12th century.

Look who's here.

I'll get you some coffee.

- My buddy from Flanders! - Pacino.

- It's been a while. - Since November 1st, 2017.

- How are you? - Fine.

- Is this the Ministry now? - Yes.

Gentrification, you know? Let's not talk about that.

- How is your girl? - Beautiful.

I'll show you some portraits.

- She takes after her mother. - Well, with a little mustache...

Not bad, considering her father is 486 years old.

Welcome, everybody.

As I was saying yesterday, you're here for a mission...

Excuse me. I am already retired.

I have to go pick up my girl from the day care in two hours.

We need you for this mission, Alonso.

You will look for Eulogio Romero Lozano.

- Who is that? - We have no clue.

We only know this is his face.

Eulogio Romero, who fought communism with the Blue Division,

debuts in Love and Fatherland.

He could be an ancestor of Julián. Or his doppelganger.

Elena looks just like Alonso's first wife, Blanca.

He doesn't just look like him. He is identical.

Trump and Boris Johnson look alike, but they aren't identical.

Franklin and Chiquito de la Calzada look similar, but not identical.

People say that me and that guy from Los Hombres de Paco

look alike, too. But this guy... Come on!

By my faith, he is!

So, that is your mission.

Go to Madrid in 1943 and find out.

You'll get there in time for the ending of the shooting.

Alonso and Pacino will go with Irene.

What? I know that time better than anyone else!

Yes, but you don't know Julián.

You'll stay and search the archive for any other Eulogio Romero Lozano.

It's the same passages!

Our engineers managed to connect them from here. This one.

Pacino.

Just one question. Why did you call me and not Amelia?

We called her, too.

- Do you like it? - Yes, honey, I love it.

Oh, yes, honey, keep going!

Keep going, keep going...

Oh, yes, honey.

Come on, come on. Just like that.

So nice.

What an ordeal.

- A Time Door in a brothel... - You can't get more discreet.

- I thought you'd come later. - Hello.

- Hi. - Do you... work for the Ministry?

- Of course. - Okay.

We get paid so little... extra money is always welcome.

Post-war times are hard, you know?

These are all the identity documents you need.

- The rest is under the bed. - Great. Thank you.

If you'll excuse me...

Sure, go finish it.

I'll finish up and empty the room for you.

This way.

Good evening.

- Good morning. Thank you for coming. - It's Julián.

- You can ask any question. - Yes.

They say you're Spain's new movie idol.

What does your wife think about it?

Even if it were true, it wouldn't affect my family.

I have a beautiful son and a perfect wife.

What else do I need?

- Look. - His wife?

The wife of our Eulogio Romero, yes.

According to the civil-registry data, they got married in 1943.

She was pregnant and a widow.

Here comes the best part.

Eulogio Romero with his wife and two children

in Águilas, Murcia. The year is 1936.

Due to his age, this has to be our Eulogio Romero.

- Which means... - That there are two Eulogio Romeros.

Do you have a method for acting or do you use your own experiences?

Sorry, I don't understand.

You were a soldier. A hero. You play the role of one.

I assure you war and movies are very different.

But I'm not sure what's more dangerous.

- You were in the Blue Division. - Yes.

What can you tell us about it?

Well, it's very cold in Russia.

It was an honor to fight against communism.

- And before that? - Nothing. The past is history for me.

I always look forward. Like Spain.

The thing is that, after 1937, this Eulogio Romero disappears.

- During the Battle of Teruel. - Just like Julián.

Both Eulogios have that in common.

But there is something I don't get.

This Eulogio Romero, Julián, whoever, keeps appearing in the No-Do.

Why doesn't his family say anything?

They died during an air raid in Águilas.

We had many Guernicas on both sides.

Germany tested their bombs there,

but the Russians bombed Cabra's market square.

It was filled with people.

Nobody knows that because Picasso didn't paint it.

Wars are started by a few idiots, killing hundreds of innocent people.

- What are your next projects? - I'm not here to talk about that.

- Thanks for coming. Enjoy the snacks. - Thank you.

Excuse me. Irene Larra from Close Up magazine.

- This is Alonso. - A pleasure.

Your press conference was great, but we'd like to get a broader view.

About you, your family...

I'd rather keep my wife away from this.

I understand, but...

Is there any chance to get a more personal interview?

More personal? Sounds good. But on one condition.

- Yes? - Don't act so formal.

Okay.

Tomorrow at one in the Capote. Join me for an aperitif.

- A glass of wine, Mr. Eulogio? - No, thanks.

- Can I have your autograph? - Sure.

- Thanks a lot. - What's your name?

Jesús Méndez, but everyone calls me Pacino.

- Italian? - So they say.

Eulogio, dear, we need to talk.

I told you to quit smoking.

- What a woman! - She is the producer's wife.

Sorry.

- Please. I'll take care of it. - Great.

- Thanks. - Thank you.

- Guess what I've got. - Beautiful eyes.

My eyes are further up.

Look what I brought for you.

Three invitations for Franco's reception.

- I don't know how to thank you. - I do.

LOVE AND FATHERLAND

Your secret is safe with me. Don't leave.

I must go. But I will return.

Because I love you. And for Spain.

Cut!

More energy, Romero!

When? When I say "I love you"?

No, man. When you say "Spain"!

- First line! - Silence!

Action!

Your secret is safe with me. Don't leave.

I must go. But I will return.

Because I love you.

And for Spain!

Perfect! Let's get sandwiches!

Let's stop for lunch. We'll be back in an hour.

Great film, huh? Nuanced, historically accurate...

- He's Julián. - We'll soon know.

Here's his DNA and a writing sample. Now we just wait.

- You're like Columbo. - Off to the brothel I go.

- What? - To take this to the Ministry.