Are you ready?
Adrian!
Dad?
It's not my fault. The phone rings all the time.
I don't have time to erase messages.
Yes, I'm coming to the country on Saturday.
Yes, Dad. Your dear Adrian is coming too.
The photo is great!
God, you look smashing. I'll pin it up somewhere.
Yeah. It's OK.
Piotr?
Are you coming, too?
Great!
My parents will be happy.
And bring the CD with that song. Or just play it now.
So what if we're on the phone?
Nice.
Great! Soup after the main course. - Enough. Some sausage with the pasta.
I'm not hungry. - Don't tell me you're dieting again.
I'm not dieting.
That's too bad. I think Mum should lose weight.
Mrówa isn't hungry either.
Mrówa, come here.
How long are you staying? - Until September.
It depends on my writing.
And when does your publisher want the book? - In October.
There they are.
We finally meet...
My wife's daughter's fiance, the third one this year...
Call her your daughter. I don't say that your son never calls you.
You've never had a sense of humour! - I'm very funny. Right, Adrian?
I hope you didn't tell your dad he's a priest.
Are you nuts? I'm not suicidal.
Hello! - Hi. It's so hot!
Do you have anything to eat? I'm starving.
I'm begging you.
Not bigos, I hope. The last time we ate that, everybody got sick.
Eat more, your arse will be massive.
I've got it... Thanks.
They're writing about Julia. - Right.
"Julia Szczesna, the best Polish artist of the young generation."
Hey! - It's ridiculous.
"Very individual expression.
Dynamic personality. " - I agree!
"For the last two years..." Stop eating.
"... national and international success. After two years in the prestigious..."
Dad?
"... Rijks Academy..."
"... in Amsterdam, she came back home.
Daughter of famous documentary maker, Jurek Szczesny,
legend of the opposition, and Barbara Rostawicka, author...
author of such bestsellers as:
"The Fifth Plate",
"12 Grey Suits"...
...and "The Seventh Breath of Mrówa"!
Go on.
"Dad's Skeletons in the Closet". - Go on. Quiet everybody. Read.
Who in God's name comes up with your titles?
No. "Wife...
Wife... of an excellent composer...
...whose latest work... - Piotr Malkiewicz!
Will achieve world... " Give it to me.
When will you read about me? - Never! - It's all about you, idiot.
You can admire Julia's latest works in Paris and in her gallery in Kraków.
Be serious. - Why should he?
I want you to be serious. - Like Adrian?
Yes, like Adrian.
I'm not serious. Not at all.
I simply don't waste energy. I save it.
Just like me. At my therapy session, we talked about my childhood
and I don't remember where I slept at all!
It's simply... - At Grandmother's!
What a family! Why aren't I famous?
Come on, Dad, don't complain. You were famous.
In socialist Poland, but you were famous.
Dad was a famous documentary maker. He made films.
He was known abroad, too.
Madeleine Albright mentions him in her book.
She doesn't mention my last name.
But everybody knows she meant you. - Who mentions him?
Hurry up! - Wait...
Why should we hurry? Are they all going to be shot already?
Have you seen Mrówa? - No, he might have stayed at home.
Is Mrówa there?
Turn that off, we're in the country! - Mrówa!
Leave him alone with your rules!
Sorry. It's a call from Germany, wait!
No shooting stars yet.
I saw one. - And what did it look like?
Nothing special, like a line.
God, you always talk rubbish.
Careful!
I'll fetch the wine. - OK, I' d like to drink some.
You know what? I've been thinking about a harp.
I think that might be it.
A harp has seven sounds in an octave. It's like white piano keys.
You push pedals to make lower or higher sounds.
And when you push them in a certain way, you only have to touch its strings
and you've got this. Listen.
Beautiful.
Let's make a baby. - Now? - Why not?
I don't know.
I can't imagine that.
You're my child. I don't need two. That scares me.
Maybe somebody will buy my works. If I sell 50, we'll be rich.
And you want to be rich, Little One? - Sure...
Big One. Little One.
I don't want you to go. I'll go crazy with Adrian, he's so boring.
We're so busy with the exhibition
and I don't have an idea for the Biennale yet.
It's weird that he hasn't found a girlfriend.
I know he's difficult, but does no one want him?
Damn.
He's gay.
For sure.
Want to see something funny? - Hi, Adrian.
Shit.
My dad!
What's that, Adrian?
I found it on a shelf. - Damn!
I've never seen that. Oh, God!
He was so young. - It's cool.
It's gone out.
This is fantastic.
I have to get up early. My plane leaves at noon.
I don't want you to go. I already miss you.
I'll be back next week. I'll send you a card.
Take care. - Okay.
Bye, Dad. Kisses for Mum.
Don't scare me.
My dog just died and you're telling me about cancer.
You've never read my books anyway. That's your bloody business!
Other people do. I don't like detective stories.
You don't go to the doctor's either.
I have to watch your films even when they're on at 2 a. m.!
If you have a stomachache and don't feel like eating,
go to the doctor's. - Leave me alone.
I'll make an appointment with S? Owi? Ski. - Leave me alone.
I have a bad feeling. A black cat's crossed my path twice.
Fuck it.
Is that you, Julka? - Yes, Mum, I'm on the phone.
Hold on.
I couldn't get through.
Mrówa died.
How? He just died, that's all.
I feel like crying when I have to leave.
Avanti, avanti. Forwards, please.
Letter F, please.
Jurek...
Jurek, darling.
You see?
I was right. It's all over now.
Everything's gonna be all right.
Julka...
You're not hiding anything? - No, no.
No, Mum. It's all right. Sleep now.
I feel like shit!
Dad, let's go.
But where?
Tell me: Where can we go?
Truck on the right...
Damn, I could play for hours.
I played for three hours at the airport... On the right...
And I' d be in Toronto right now...
Watch out!
Eat something, please. Good salad, arugula, feta...
It's even better than in Cologne, despite all the Italians who live there.
She looks good and she's so brave.
I' d never have thought she' d take it so well.
She's always been a bit...
...hysterical. And now...
...she's so optimistic...
You'll see, everything will be alright.
People get over cancer now. I have a friend... an actress...
I was in the hospital and talked to the doctor.
She's got no chance. Accept that!
Why are you so aggressive? - Because you're not serious!
The fact that I'm eating doesn't mean I'm not serious.
Doctors might be wrong. They're only human.
I really believe chemo will work.
She believes it and so does your dad. How about you?
Please don't smoke here. Nobody smokes in Western countries.
I don't know about Pakistan.
I'm very sorry, but smoking isn't allowed here.
There's a smoking room
where you can sit comfortably and have a quiet smoke.
Why are you so fucking polite?
Thanks.
It's good that you've gone.
Everything is OK. I'm with Adrian in the studio.
I feel strange. I think I'll ask him out for a beer.
I'm trying to work but I don't know what I want.
I don't care about this fucking exhibition.
Kisses. I love you, too.
I cracked a good montage programme. - You're a thief. You'll go to jail.
I'm not a thief. Bill Gates is a thief.
Don't tell me you can't afford to buy it.
I'm not going to finance a corporation.
Idiot.
Look at this.
Do you think long-distance relationships make sense?
I don't know.
People can't be together all the time, can they?
We like each other, it's a friendship. We understand each other without words.
Always together for years...
When he got his first prize, I got mine, always together.
You won't understand anyway!
How do you know what I know? - I see it.
Wait.
I'm just like you.
When I finish a book, I'm happy for a day.
Afterwards,
I get depressed and scared that I'll never write anything ever again.
But I don't write detective stories.
I'm so happy you have a good husband...
...and...
...that you like what you do.
Mum is proud of you.
Mum, Newsweek.
Girls,
can you buy me a nice wig?
But dark hair for a change.
And two anti-wrinkle creams, the price doesn't matter.
And a nice nightie, not pyjamas,
because the legs get twisted around my knees.
And don't buy anything for yourselves with my money. Especially you.
Mum, please, stop it.
Can you do my hair?
Yes, you.
I'll have to learn to like this.
It's not that bad at all.
Can you give me some lipstick? Give me lipstick.
Tell me if I'm doing it right.
Good? - Great!
You know...
I thought that...
...broccoli would protect me from cancer.
Fuck.
Julka...
Give me a slice of pizza.
Mum, there's no pizza here.
Stop talking rubbish.
Yes, Basia?
She can't take care of me.
Give me some pizza!
I'll call for pizza. Which one?
With cheese.
Alright.
Or, you know...
...with frutti di mare. - Alright.
Where are my magazines?
Pizza's coming soon. Basia, can you turn down the TV?
No!
Croquettes, dumplings, dumplings...
Cabanossi...
Cheese, some fish...
And biscuits for dessert...
Damn!
Dad, nobody can eat all of that.
In three minutes.
You're waiting? OK, see you.
Can we go now?
Aren't you supposed to relieve your father? - I'm supposed to.
But I won't!
Karmelicka and then Bielany.
I want to go home with you.
We can't go to my place.
Kiss me.
Stop it.
Kiss me.
Don't you fancy me?
I'm not a child...
Kiss me.
Do you fancy me?
No.
PUBLIC HOSPITAL
Come on. Open the door!
Open it.
Did you buy some ice-cream?
Ice-cream for Mother?
She's waiting for ice-cream, you idiot, and you're taking photos?
Open the door. Understand?
Stupid bitch!
Now.
Angiography.
This is brain angiography.
And this is cancer of the stomach, I think.
Amazing...
These colours. - Yeah.
And this is brain cancer...
Pretty shape.
And that's my mother's cancer.
Beautiful.
You know what? I'll call it "My Mother".
These dumplings smell so good.
Move it closer to Mum.
Watch out!
I've got it.
What kind of Christmas tree is that? It's terrible!
Think first, then act!
How should I have known? - How?
Think first, then act! You're not a child anymore!
You've ruined our Christmas! Go ahead and photograph it!
Go ahead!
But it's a nice tree, Jurek.
Yeah?
If you think so, take it!
It's all my fault.
I've ruined your Christmas!
Mum, don't get upset. I'll call Dad. - Can you open it?
I didn't want to...
OK, family, let's celebrate!
Look...
She's in a deep sleep.
It's the first time she let me get drunk. She's too weak to shout.
A deep sleep... She looks like she's dead!
You're so funny.
Her facial features are sharp now.
Piotr!
Come here and see.
She looks a bit dead.
Her nose is so big!
Pinocchio!
We should go to bed, Dad.
I love my little girl more than anything in the world.
I only love Basia more.
I'm going to bed...
...with my Pinocchio.
And us? Are we going, too?
Good night.
Come on.
Go in.
Come into the bathroom. - I'll tell you about my work... - OK.
Into the bathroom. - Yes! No! I'll forget... It'll be...
Are you OK? - It'll be beautiful, I...
My mother photos, my mother's cancer!
I'm going to hand out photos.
The critics, those whores, will be totally astonished!
Because that's the plain truth, the only truth. Understand?
To the loo, to the toilet!
In there!
Does it work? - I'm fed up with this coffee.
When Mum's better, we'll go for a good coffee.
To a cafe. I haven't been to one for ages.
All right. We'll go.
Fuck, why didn't anybody tell me?
Is it working? - She's been totally absent for an hour!
Shut up! - I'm being quiet. You're shouting.
Sit your arse down and shut your mouth.
Be normal and don't scare Basia.
Get back in there!
You must be joking. - Now!
Shall we take off her glasses?
Go ahead.
I'm scared.
Wait, I'll do it.
Mummy...
I'm going on the road.
Strange biscuits.
Strange biscuits? Which ones?
Strange,
strange biscuits.
They served them at parties,
biscuits with sugar.
Ka? Ka...
I'm leaving. Nobody told me.
Nobody told me either. What's your problem?
Close!
Fuck.
Fuck all of you. I'm not going to sit with her.
She always treated me badly.
She sent me to Grandma's and then criticised me for screwing around!
What should we do?
She needs a priest, but I don't want to scare her.
Did she fix her eyes on the ceiling?
What?
The nurse told me Mum would open her eyes and fix them on the ceiling.
Then, 15 minutes later...
15 minutes later it' d all be over. - Quiet...
Call Ka? Ka's priest.
He doesn't wear a cassock, so she won't be scared.
At least he'll be useful for once... the twit.
Dad, what about the biscuits?
Don't talk about biscuits.
Are you sure you won't wake her up?
I can't just say it in my head. I can do it in a low voice.
But it says it should be said aloud.
No, you can't say it aloud.
You must remember: If she wakes up, she'll get scared.
I don't know.
I can, for example,
speak in a low voice but still aloud:
"Through..." - No, quieter, please.
"Through this..."
"Through this holy anointing,
may the Lord in his love and mercy...
...help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good.
Listen...
She wasn't a Catholic. Can we do it anyway?
I think so.
"Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. "
Amen. - Amen.
"May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
Let us pray.
Was that alright?
Are you still a priest?
Not really. I had to check if I could do that.
And I can in some cases.
Do you still have a cassock?
No, Ka? Ka made it into a dress.
Hi.
How's your mother?
Dad's going to call me when he needs me.
I don't want to wait alone. It's so empty at home.
Piotr won't be here until tomorrow.
She's been dying for 48 hours.
She was supposed to die on Wednesday, then today.
But her heart is very strong.
I think... you should get some sleep.
And what should I do with this?
The biscuits will go bad.
Father has never seen so many biscuits.
Biscuits are bad for your health.
I don't see a bed. Where can I lie down?
Beds are bad for your health, too. - Do you sleep on a rug?
Give me the brown dress.
It's hanging in the wardrobe.
And this... and this green sweater...
I'm leaving, I'm going home.
Jurek!
My dear!
God, what are you doing? Danka, give me morphine, quickly!
It's over now, darling - I'm going home.
Yes, you're going home. - Jurek!
It's good that she was asleep.
It's all over now.
Mummy...
I love you, too.
Love you...
That's not good.
Something she liked, something nice.
This. - What's that?
"What's that"? - Forget it, it's awful!
Listen... - Do it yourself!
Which ones?
Why so many? Is she a caterpillar?
Julia, why did you tell him to fetch her shoes?
He doesn't know where Mum kept them.
I know where they are.
Now you know but you're usually never here!
They said she needs three pairs because her feet will swell up...
Which one?
The lilac one.
Dad, please. These?
Alright, lilac!
Which one?
I don't know.
Maybe this, lilac?
Alright, lilac.
But...
...maybe...
...the red one will be nicer.
What do you think, Piotr?
I like the lilac one.
And what do you think, Julia?
I've told you 100 times: Lilac.
Show me the rest...
What "rest"?
Underwear, damn it!
Here's your underwear.
Take it! Bra, panties, panties and panties!
Why are you doing this? To make me angry?
Enough is enough.
I can't stand it any more, I can't.
Why's it so important what Mum's going to wear?
Are you asleep?
What?
Did I wake you up?
Were you asleep?
We spent the whole evening choosing funeral clothes.
Totally absurd!
It seems so useless.
Maybe it's important and I just don't understand it.
Yeah...
Hey, they might choose "Cancer" for the Biennale.
They'll let me know tomorrow.
Mum always said: "Not everything can go wrong at the same time."
See you tomorrow.
What are you doing, smoking in the loo?
Who were you talking to?
I'm going to bed.
It doesn't fit me, Little One. Do you have anything larger? - No.
Bugger, come and see.
Look... - Why did you put on two? One is enough. - Won't it be cold?
Dad, we' d better go now!
Come and see how I look.
Good.
Don't you have any black socks?
I don't know. Now only Basia knows everything.
Little One, your mobile!
At least on the day of the funeral you could turn off your mobile!
Yes? Speaking.
Yes.
Yes, I see.
Thank you.
What? Did something happen?
You won't believe it. They don't want my photos in Venice.
That's impossible. Who was it?
Impossible, impossible... Impossible but possible!
Fucking jury!
"Work not so original!"
Dad, we're leaving!
Look. Funerals reunite families...
Dad!
I read it in the paper, how embarrassing.
I didn't call. I didn't know, Dad.
Stop whining. It's not the right time.
Shall I get us some coffee or tea? There's a traffic jam at the cemetery.
Do you have mint tea? - Of course.
Could you do me a favour?
I' d like to see my wife again.
Sorry, Dad... - Should we open the coffin?
Yes, I want to see if everything's OK. - But it's impossible to make a mistake.
I'm politely asking you to open the coffin. You come with me.
Me? - Now!
Of course.
So that's what a divorced dentist looks like...
Remember how afraid of horror movies and dead bodies he was?
Please don't laugh.
Dad's testing him.
Revenge...
Some people feel better when they see a beloved person for the last time.
Basia.
It's Basia.
I haven't seen her for a long time.
And her face?
She's changed a bit, but it's still Basia.
Lovely ceremony.
What's lovely about it?
I don't have to speak...
Konecki called me.
They talked about Mum in all the news programmes.
They even want to make a documentary.
Great.
What are you reading?
"Reminiscences" by Hesse, silly book.
This shit is on again.
I asked you to turn on the mailbox.
I can't. Maybe Adrian can. He's an expert.
Why don't we go out for coffee? We talked about that...
No, thanks, I've got a cold. Maybe tomorrow...
So there's nothing to worry about?
Nothing.
Listen, if you feel that bad, I'll stay.
You don't have to stay. You can go. You won't stay with me forever.
Anyway,
Krzysiek is coming. We have a year's catching-up to do.
Fuck! You can't leave him alone for a minute. Give it to me, you bastard!
Leave me alone, you career-hungry bitch!
Don't shout. You'll only make things worse.
It's my fault.
I shouldn't have left him alone and counted on Krzysiek.
The bastard says he's coming and then he doesn't!
I looked up Basia's phone number.
She's gone.
She's not even...
...in the phone book anymore.
I called...
...her mobile:
603-45,
68-86.
She usually answers: "Basia speaking".
Now they say: "This number has been disconnected"!
Dad...
Daddy...
He has to be detoxed. You know what he's like when he starts drinking.
It takes time.
Yes.
You'll see, he won't want to get out of the car.
Can you drive faster? - I don't drive fast.
But 40? - Yes.
What happened? I'm not going anywhere. - Dad!
Everything's OK. Bye.
Dad, I'm begging you. We're going to a party...
...a room just for us, please.
Everyone's coming, our friends... - Are you kidding?
Even Adrian. - Sweetheart, I always knew you were a classy girl.
My child, my child!
Why are we stumbling?
Is this a damn skating rink?
You were bullshitting me. This isn't a party.
Adrian... - I'm waiting here.
I'm waiting for you. - Adrian, come here.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ...
If you please...
Help me take off his clothes.
We'll give him room number two.
Quiet!
Why did you do this to me?
What have I done?
Adrian, are you there?
They've taken him and I'm waiting.
Yes.
This was a very bad idea. It's a dreadful place.
I was going to call S? Owi? Ski,
but it's too late now.
Tell Krzysiek to bring a toothbrush, pyjamas and...
I don't know what else, the book on the bedside table.
I'll stay here as long as they let me.
Did you close the window in Mum's room?
Yes, I always do.
That's good.
Do you remember that a draught once broke the window?
Dad?
Do you have a grudge against us?
"Why?", I ask.
Why?
Adrian, say something.
We were just worried about you.
So stop fucking worrying! Give me a cigarette!
You can't smoke here, Dad.
I want a cigarette!
He looked as if he was scared.
He's always paranoid after alcohol.
No, it's not that.
He's afraid to come back here.
Maybe there's nothing to come back to.
But he's got me.
You have your life.
He's got nothing to come back to. - How do you know?
He's always been like that.
Always.
Taste it.
That' d be a pity.
Soup is in the pot and there's some fresh bread, too.
Are you sure you'll be OK?
We don't have to go to the cinema. We can stay here.
Don't worry about me, I'll be alright. Anyway...
I have a lot to do.
I'm going to read all of Basia's book. I haven't yet.
I think I'll get closer to her that way.
What are you waiting for? Go.
Krzysiek called. He's coming around nine.
Shit, it's as if he was saying good-bye.
What do you mean "saying good bye"?
I don't know. He's not himself anymore.
He'll cope with it. We'll take care of him.
I'm staying a little bit longer now.
I halted all of the rehearsals in Cologne.
I'm not going back.
You're not going back?
What about the premiere?
Aren't you happy?
Of course.
You know what?
I just thought...
I love you so much...
I love you, too.
Big One...
Wait and see if it works.
I called and nobody answered.
I resuscitated and resuscitated him.
The medics tried as well, to no avail. He lay down and bang, he died.
It took two seconds but they told me to resuscitate him.
Eleven adrenaline injections in the heart, eleven.
I don't know why.
I don't know why...
Tomek?
Listen, could you come to our in-laws' flat?
Because, you know, I think Father just died.
And could you bring the ointment you used for Mother, for anointing?
Come as soon as possible, we're waiting. And Tomek?
Don't tell Ka? Ka. I don't know, maybe he's not dead.
I don't want her to get scared. See you.
Listen.
Thank God, he's still warm.
Normally it's done while standing,
but I think this will be better.
Piotr, can you help me? Can you...
"Through this holy anointing,
may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. "
We all say "Amen". - Amen.
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.
I'll skip the prayer after anointing...
I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
It looks like he's smiling.
Maybe it's better this way.
He's with Basia now.
He must have been scared when the heart attack started.
He died beautifully.
Quietly and peacefully.
God, don't start up again... - Leave me alone.
Have you got any Tic Tacs? - Mint.
I have to eat sweets when I smoke.
Just like me.
I always carry sweets around. Mum did, too.
Like a phobia...
How are you? - Better than last time.
They're going in the wrong direction, aren't they?
Gentlemen, that's the wrong way!
It's a pity they won't lie together. - I don't know, they slept separately...
Over there? - Yes.
Adrian, come on.
Please.
Just one dance.
Fuck black bitches!
Fuck them!
Fuck black bitches!
Big One...
Can't you just put tap water in there?
No, only distilled.
Where did you buy it?
At a petrol station.
Why didn't you just bring me flowers?
I don't know.
If you want, I can bring you some flowers.
Why do you always say "I don't know"?
Because you don't know everything at once, you have to think things over.
How long does that take?
I don't know.
Sometimes a few hours, sometimes a day, even two days...
You know what?
I' d like to be a child forever.
With my dad...
...with Piotr...
...with my mum...
I don't know if I can live like this.
You can't go back.
And is it going to be like this forever?
Forever.
And if I stay there,
will you take care of the dog and everything?
Yes.
Will you be waiting for me?
I don't know.
Will you bring me to the airport tomorrow?
Please.
No.
Subtitling by SUBS Hamburg Matthew Way, Magdalena Tossik