 Based on the Nobel Prize Winner s novel, the Egyptian Naguib Mahfouz. The story, translated from El Cairo to Mexico City s downtown, narrates the life of the members of the neighbourhood and the connection between them Don Ru, the owner of the local pub; Eusebia, his wife; Chava, his son and Abel his friend, who emigrate to USA in search of fortune; Susanita, the single landtender always dreaming to marry a good man; Guicho, the pub s employee, who extracts the money when Don Ru is not there and finally marries Susanita; Alma, the very good looking girl, the Abel s dream, who becomes a luxury prostitute while he s away; Jimmy, the handsome young man Don Ru becomes infatuated with, etc. This movie won the Ariel (the Mexican Oscar) as best movie in 1995.