Determined to make better lives for themselves, Madrid town square "mascots" Tony and Jose, in their guises as a silver-hued Jesus and a green-skinned toy soldier, rob a shop specializing in the exchange and purchase of gold. Joined by Jose’s son Sergio, who has forsaken his homework for a day with dad, the men make off with countless rings and other gold trinkets, commandeering a taxi driven by Manuel, and containing a passenger who just wants to get to Badajoz.  Their goal:  make it to France, safety, and prosperity.  Just one problem:  Sergio left his backpack in the store, and his notebook has Jose’s address on it.  It soon becomes clear to Jose’s wife Silvia that her son has been involved in a robbery and is being pursued through the country.  She jumps in a car and joins the pursuit herself, only to be followed by two cops, Calvo and Pacheco.  Soon, all wind up in the Basque town of Zugarramurdi, which, legend has it, is the centuries-old home of a coven of brujas, witches, posing an almost insurmountable obstacle to the mens’ frantic escape.

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 0:00-18:50

Director Álex de la Iglesia

Cintra Wilson is a culture critic, author, and former fashion critic for the New York Times. Her books include "A Massive Swelling: Celebrity Re-Examined As A Grotesque, Crippling Disease," the novel "Colors Insulting to Nature," "Caligula for President: Better American Living Through Tyranny,” and "Fear and Clothing: Unbuckling American Fashion.”  Her weekly Substack/podcast is free at cintra.substack.com.

Our theme music is by Sir Cubworth, with embellishments by Edward Elgar.  Music from “Witching and Bitching” by Joan Valent.