Giant (Handia)

Between the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century

there were a series of conflicts in Europe

many of which had a common denominator:

tensions between the old and new regime.

This story is based on actual events and characters.

This world is constantly changing. It is unstoppable.

Sometimes, however, it seems unchanging

before our eyes.

It is nothing more than a mirage.

Under that surface, it is continuously changing.

My brother Miguel Joaquin and I lived in the same changing world,

but we dealt with it in very different ways.

The years went by and Joaquin was the first to die.

Later, our father died.

Since there was little room in Altzo cemetery,

I would have to remove my younger brother's bones...

to make room for our father's remains.

What?

There's nothing.

The grave was empty.

My brother's bones had vanished...

As if that changing world

had swallowed them up.

MARTIN'S EXILE

Where's Maria?

What?

Is she coming?

Don't know.

Why?

Just curious.

Look!

A wolf cub.

Where are you going?

Don't!

Watch out, Martin.

The mother must be nearby.

Martin...

Well, I'm off.

Thanks.

Wolves.

They'll be down from the mountain...

...looking for men.

That's bad news.

Maria...

Stop looking out the window, come back to work.

Soldiers.

Traditionalists, I think.

Quick, let's go!

Quick!

First the meat, then the rest.

They're getting close!

Joaquin!

Martin!

Come down here!

I need them for work on the farm.

Otherwise, we'll starve to death.

All you farmers say the same.

You all support the charters,

but when it comes to fighting, no one wants to do his bit.

You'd rather others did it.

Why defend all of this

if there are no men to maintain it later?

We'll take one of them.

You choose.

Joaquin, you stay.

Why me?

What are you saying?

Joaquin stays, I said.

Why do I have to go?

You heard. One of you has to go.

But why me? - Because I said so!

All right, we'll take the other one.

I don't want more problems on the front.

Wait, wait...

No.

I'll go.

Don't worry...

I'll be back soon.

And when I do, we'll both run the farm.

All right?

Father won't always be around.

Well done!

Take anything you want from them.

He's from Altzo.

...Nieves, the girl from Oiarbide,

has been secretly seeing Jacinto from Arretxe.

All of Altzo found out before her husband did.

Imaz the bard is writing a musical verse for them.

God, he doesn't waste much time.

What else?

I suppose you already know...

Your brother Joaquin is with Maria.

I didn't know a thing.

Oh... Well, they're courting.

Seems serious. Some say they hear wedding bells.

What?

I thought you'd know.

We're doing well.

But much remains to be done to win the war.

We still run the risk of losing our rights.

As we have been winning battles lately...

the general has decided to grant home leave.

Two weeks to join your families and help with the harvest.

Antonio, is Joaquin at home?

Yes, he's there.

How many nights will you be staying?

Ten and four nights, I think.

BILBAO

Everyone getting on with their lives and we're here.

Hey, Fernando...

Do you understand what the hell we're doing here?

What do you mean?

What are we fighting for?

I'll be honest with you,

I couldn't care less about all this.

When this is over, I'm going away.

Where to?

America.

America?

I can't move my arm.

Don't worry, you will.

And what if I don't?

The war is over.

It's time to go home.

MARTIN AND THE GIANT

THREE YEARS LATER

40 if they can't!

40 if they can't!

40 if they can't!

41 if they can!

42 and a half if they can't!

That's the one.

42 and a half if they can!

I won.

Give me work and I'll forget your debt.

What?

If you give me work you owe me nothing.

Don't beat about the bush, do you?

I don't need you.

Next.

Where would he be from?

From Altzo?

Must be huge.

And strong. - Very strong.

Anyone there?

Isn't that Martin from Ipintza-zahar? - Yes, it's him.

Wasn't he dead?

Martin, from Ipintza-zahar.

Father, father!

Your brother is here.

Is it easy to eat with just one arm?

It is now.

I got used to it.

Why didn't you come home until now?

The war has been over for three years.

I had a lot of things to do...

Can I have a bit more?

Not much left.

If you plan to stay, you'll have to pull your weight.

I won't be staying.

With one arm, I won't be much use on the farm.

I heard about a business opportunity in America.

But I need money for the boat.

Look, I don't know what you expected to find,

...but there's no money here.

Can't you give me an advance?

Not a lot...

I said there's no money.

Please, father. - No!

Joaquin! Don't start!

Pick it up!

What are you doing?

You said we'd run this between the two of us.

Me? I said that?

Yes! Yes, you said it!

Leave him alone!

I'll be back and we'll run the farm between us.

I was waiting for you!

Things change, Joaquin!

Why?

Why would they change?

You must have changed! I carried on here.

Same as before.

Evening, Antonio. What brings you here?

This is for you, as a sign of good will.

We didn't have meat this year...

Why this now?

My son Martin is back.

Really? He's alive?

That's great news!

He can help you on the farm.

He can't move his right arm, so he won't be much use.

He's asked me for some money to go to America.

Keep me out of this...

I'm not asking for money.

I just want you to spare me part of the rent.

That's like asking me for money.

The land is poor, the soil is dry.

If Martin stays with us it's one more mouth to feed.

Lord, Antonio, this will make me look like a scoundrel.