wraps up the story. Each chapter starts at the same time, with the same game of dominoes, and describes the same time period, but from the viewpoints of the named people; the chapters tell each person's story. Each chapter thus provides the viewer with details which help to explain things which happened in the other chapters. Rutilio deals with Don Ru's dissatisfaction with his marriage and his poorly hidden homosexual love affair with a young man. Alma deals with Alma's life and her falling in love with Abel. He leaves with Chava for the U.S. and Alma "disappears". She has been seduced and ends up in a whorehouse. Susanita is the landlady with horrible teeth whose feelings and romantic hopes are awakened. She marries Guicho. The Return describes the return of Abel and Chava, and Abel's search for Alma. Chava is married and has his wife and baby boy with him. Abel finds Alma in the whorehouse and is heartbroken. He tries to attack her pimp and is stabbed several times. He dies in her arms. Cast Ernesto Gómez Cruz as Rutilio (Don Ru) María Rojo as Doña Cata Salma Hayek as Alma Bruno Bichir as Abel Delia Casanova as Eusebia Margarita Sanz as Susanita Claudio Obregón as Don Fidel Juan Manuel Bernal as Chava Abel Woolrich as Zacarías Luis Felipe Tovar as Güicho Daniel Giménez Cacho as José Luis Gina Morett as Doña Flor Óscar Yoldi as Ubaldo El Poeta ("The poet") Esteban Soberanes as Jimy Eugenia Leñero as Tina Tiaré Scanda as Maru Awards and nominations Ariel Awards Won: Best Film Best Direction for Jorge Fons Best Actress for Margarita Sanz Best Supporting Actor for Luis Felipe Tovar Best Costume Design for Jaime Ortiz Best Editing for Carlos Savage hijo Best Make-Up for Elvia Romero Best Original Music Theme or Song for Lucía Álvarez Best Original Score for Lucía Álvarez Best Production Design for Carlos Gutiérrez Best Screenplay for Vicente Leñero Nominations: Best Actor for Ernesto Gómez Cruz Best Actor in a Minor Role for Óscar Yoldi Best Actress for Salma Hayek Best Actress in a Minor Role for Delia Casanova Best Actress in a Minor Role for María Rojo Best Cinematography for Carlos Marcovich Best Set Design for Carlos Gutiérrez Best Sound for David Baksht Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Giménez Cacho Best Supporting Actor for Esteban Soberanes Best Supporting Actress for Tiaré Scanda Berlin International Film