Mondays in the Sun 2003

After the shipyard in Northern Spain shuts down, several former workers—Santa, José, Lino, Amador, Serguei, and Reina—strive to maintain their connections. They predominantly gather at the bar run by their ex-colleague, Rico. Among them, Santa stands out as the most outwardly self-assured and acts as the unofficial leader, harboring dreams of someday traveling to Australia. However, he’s burdened by a court case related to a streetlamp he damaged during a protest against the closure, refusing to pay not due to financial reasons but for what it symbolizes.

José grapples with resentment as his wife, Ana, holds a job while he remains unemployed. This disparity is driving a wedge between them, leading him to fear that she might leave him for one of her co-workers. Ana, despite suffering from arthritis, endures late-night shifts at a fish factory, feeling that her looks have faded over time—a sentiment not universally shared, especially by her boss. Meanwhile, Lino, an aging family man, relentlessly pursues jobs that exceed his qualifications. The oldest in the group, Amador, sinks into alcoholism after his wife’s departure; he stubbornly pretends she will return from her vacation. Reina, on the other hand, lands a job as a watchman at a football club, cleverly sneaking his friends into games.

This camaraderie is observed by Nata, the landlord’s teenage daughter, who hires Santa for babysitting. While on the job, Santa invites his friends for a few drinks outside, leading to Serguei sharing how the economic downturn in the Soviet Space program dashed his dreams of becoming an astronaut.

One night, after another round of drinks, Amador finds himself too inebriated to go home alone, prompting Santa to assist him. During their walk, a deep and meaningful conversation unfolds. Upon reaching Amador’s apartment—an unwelcoming fourth-floor space—Santa witnesses the dire state of neglect Amador is living in, a reality akin to being homeless. This eye-opening experience prompts Santa to reconsider his stance on the debt tied to the court case.

Eventually, Santa resolves to settle his debt. A pivotal moment occurs when he and his lawyer drive past the restored streetlamp; he instructs the lawyer to stop the car, steps out, and with a burst of defiance, shatters the lamp once more before driving away.

Later, when Santa heads to Amador’s home to bring him along to the bar, he is met with silence; a flickering light above draws his attention to a damaged ceiling, revealing Amador’s tragic fate—he has leaped to his death while intoxicated. Amador’s friends honor him with a respectful funeral, albeit featuring a stolen floral arrangement. Meanwhile, Ana packs her bags, contemplating leaving José. When he returns from the funeral and lies on her lap, she feels compassion and decides to stay, covering her bag with a blanket and hiding her intentions.

Simultaneously, Lino waits for yet another job interview. Reflecting on his life as he sees his reflection, he recognizes the futility of continuing down this path.

That evening, the friends reconvene at the bar with Amador’s ashes. After sharing a final drink in his memory, they embark on a quest to scatter his remains. Their journey leads them to the shipyard and the ferry that symbolized their past camaraderie. Two of the men board the ferry while the others keep watch. Onboard, they find a way to ignite the ferry’s engine and set sail into the open waters. Amid the excitement, they soon realize the urn containing Amador’s ashes has been left behind. They laugh, embracing their silly blunder.

As the night unfolds, they remain carefree on the ferry, basking in the morning sun with a crowd gathering at the terminal, observing their antics as the credits roll.