From Nowhere (2016) - full transcript

Please stop throwing
those, unless you want to stay

after and clean up my room.

Thank you.

OK, settle down, please.

Excuse me.

Settle down, please.

Bobby, can you
bring me that phone?

Bring me the phone, please.

You can pick it up at the
office end of the day.

Selfie!

Just one, just one! I was just...



Mhm.

Sit down, sit down.

OK, so nothing here
is as it seems.

Like Edgar, who seems...
Ladies, are you taking notes?

Yeah!

Can I have that, please?

I'll take both of
them, thank you.

Oh, um, OK.

Can you take your hat off?

Just as Edgar, who seems weak
in the beginning of the play,

compared to his
power-crazy brother Edmund,

he turns out to be one of
the heroes of the play,

but only after he's
disguised as Poor Tom.

Eventually, he stands
up to his brother.



He tells him the truth,
and he kicks his butt.

It's like the guy
said in the article...

Hand, please.

Yes,.

That's like what the
guy said in the article

that you gave us last week.

Which guy?

The Wilde guy.

The Wilde guy
said a lot of stuff.

Which are you talking about?

Yeah, but he said,
um... Oscar Wilde.

Yes.

He says, uh, "Give a man a mask"

and he'll tell you the truth."

It's like Edgar.

Edgar's only going to...

tell you the
truth if he's pretending

to be somebody he's not.

And I'm pretending to be someone

who gives a shit about this.

Bobby, I've heard enough
from you for one day, OK?

If I hear from you again,
you're going to the office.

Please don't make me
send you to the office.

I'm sorry.

That's exactly like Edgar.

Thank you.

Just as the fool is probably
the sanest person in King Lear,

Edgar is maybe the
most authentic,

even though he's hiding his
real self from the world.

Well done.

So I found these online.

They're private
scholarships for college.

Rich families who don't ask
for a social security number.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

And there are copies there
for Sophie and Alyssa, also.

All right.

You guys have your meeting
today in Manhattan, right?

Yeah.

How you feeling?

All right.

We'll see what he says.

Well, he's a good guy, so
let me know what happens, OK?

Tell me, why is it
you're the only one who

does the extra reading
I give the class?

Well, my sister never lets
me watch what I want on TV,

so what else am I going to do?

Genocide is good.

Genital mutilation also helps.
Dictator's the best.

Not going lie to you, this
is not going to be easy,

and each of your cases is
obviously very different.

I asked Jackie if I could meet
with you together initially,

but we'll be meeting separately
from now on, you know,

one on one.

But just for today, I assume
you all trust each other?

I trust them more
than I trust you.

That's understandable.

So, here's the deal.

There has to be an official
history of violence or abuse

toward your family in
your country of origin.

Murders, disappearances,
incarcerations of at least one

of your relatives.

I have to stress to
the judge that you

put one foot back in that
border and you are done with.

Now, political asylum
isn't the only way to go,

but it's my understanding
it's best for, you know,

young people like you.

So, let's see we got.

Moussa?

Moussa?

Yep.

And don't do your
prepared thing, you know.

I don't want to know
your whole life story,

just tell me the
facts that can help.

Well, I didn't know that I
was illegal until last year,

my junior year.

That's when I needed
my social security

number to apply to colleges.

My mom brought my sister and
I here to America, the Bronx,

when I was... about 10 years ago.

She said that it was
to get a real education

and to get my
sister's eyes fixed.

She has trouble seeing.

But it was all... There were
just some other reasons, too.

Such as?

All right.

I mean, we can handle
this in our one on one.

Her husband.

My sekou my step father.

He was already here.

We came here to join him.

And about a year
after we got here,

like right after my mom had my
little brother, sekou, he left.

He went back to Guinea.

He took on another wife.

He lied about having papers.

Mm-hmm.

He just lied about
everything, and so he

left us here with nothing.

Great, great.

That's a good start.

Alyssa?

Alyssa?

Um, I can't remember
it, to be honest.

I was too young.

We flew out on my dad's
work permit when I was four

and my sister Lola was nine.

My dad worked for the airlines,
and my mom had to come

to the US a year before.

So Lola had to make a
decision for both of us.

My mother here, or
my father there.

And my aunt, my mom's
sister, she lives in Miami,

and she told Lola not to look
at it as choosing parents,

but choosing a good
job, and college,

and living in a house
with electricity.

So when we landed in JFK,
no one was there to meet us.

And then Lola found out that my
mom was at her babysitting job,

and she was scared
to tell her boss

about her own baby's arrival.

So, Lola stood there
with me, terrified.

She thought she made a mistake.

And, I mean, it was too late.

We couldn't go back.

So, she chose wrong.

Sorry, Alyssa.

Sorry, two seconds.

Sorry.

Hey, Murray.

Where we at?

Yeah.

No, I know that.

No, I know.

That, that's not the point.
No, this is not...

No, we're not going
to start talking

like we're going
to do a trade-off

with exchange students.

This is a international
communications company,

and if they want these
specialists in the country,

they're going to have to do
the paperwork to get it done.

Yeah, now, I'm aware of that.

Hey, Murray, my case, my call.

OK?

You're just there in the
media as my proxy today.

I'd be there, but I... I
have this... Murray, look.

Do what I'm saying, OK?

Do what I'm saying, OK?

Great.

Thank you, go.

OK.

I should... OK.

Sophie, go.

My sister has papers, though.

She married an American
guy, Chris, he's great.

And my aunt is covering
her college tuition.

My mom has a layaway for me.

Um, I really want to major
in medical technology, so.

Yeah.

Great.

Sophie.

Go.

You got a girlfriend?

No.

You want me to
find a girlfriend?

No.

I could, no problem.

There are women, like,
all over my projects.

Not just the ugly,
dirty, desperate ones

that would take anybody.

You want me to sort
something out, I can.

OK.

So, for the next time we
meet, uh, on one on one,

I want you guys to
go ahead and bring me

in a list of the names
of all your family

that are still in
the old country.

Dates of
disappearances, murders,

incarcerations, like I said.

The picture we have
to paint for the judge

is that, you know, you guys
go back there, you're buried.

Newspaper clippings, or
links to websites, you know,

newspaper websites.

What about, like, straight As?

I heard that helps
when you apply.

Um, like, what if you're like
the smartest kid in your class,

and have perfect
attendance, does that help?

It's more about genocide,
genital mutilation,

and dictators.

So, until you meet next time,
don't do anything wrong.

I mean, swipe your metro card.

That means you're
buying things you need.

Buy quickly, don't gather
in groups in the street...

Yeah, we know, man.

No you don't.

Nobody knows how to
handle this situation.

We're all just, you
know, schlumping

along as best we can.

That's not what I mean.

Schlump.

What is the... What is the...

Shlep.

Schlep.

Do you think that
guy was focused?

I hope he knows what he's doing.

Yo, he better.

I hear the food in the
detention center sucks.

Amadou, come here.

Come here!

Oh, Amadou, come
here, you messy boy.

Hello, Mina.

Amadou, it's bath time.

Amadou!

Armina, please, all this noise.

I can't hear myself think.

Turn this down, now.

Armina!

Amadou, Amadou, stop
jumping on that bed.

OK, five minutes
and then bath time.

Amadou will wake
up the landlord,

and we don't have this
month's or last month's rent.

Amadou, please,
stop jumping, OK?

What do you think
we should do, huh?

Armina?

I spent the entire day
getting six girls ready

for a birthday party.

Oh.

They pay you well?

Psh, no.

Just $50 take home.

Tomorrow I have ten.

A wedding party.

The bride sent me pictures
of exactly what she wants.

It should be $200 and tips.

Brides are the most generous.

They think they may
actually be happy.

$200 and we're still short.

I don't know which one is
better, give him the 200

and have him remember
that we owe more,

or just wait until
we have everything.

Armina?

Pay him the 200.

Pretend that we are trying.

Maybe he'll feel sorry for us.

Hello!

My man Amadou!

Oh, I've got you.

Bodyslam!

How was your day
in school, Amadou?

- Good.
- All right.

Hey, Mama, has
anyone in our family

been murdered or locked up?

What?

What are you talking about?
Amadou, come here.

Go get ready for bath time.

In Guinea.

Has any of our family been
locked up or murdered?

Stop, stop.

Don't talk like that.

How did you go with the lawyer?

We need to...

The lawyer is
almost a guarantee.

Two cousins on my father's
side, they hired a lawyer

and then they have their papers.

And they have a friend, I
think she's from Guinea too,

she's now studying to be
a doctor in Pennsylvania.

She's not even as
smart as you are.

Oh boy, oh boy.

What?

Please don't tell me you
believe those fantasies.

Fantasies?

Everybody knows
how it really is for us.

What are you talking about?

When you walk down the
street near a police officer,

eyes down on the pavement.

You can't travel by bus
because you need an ID.

What's your name?

Where are you from?

Where are you going?

Normal questions for
everyone except us.

Well, sekou will help us.

Will he?

Armina.

What?

How?

How will the great
sekou help us?

He would do anything for us.

He's making a lot of
money at the moment.

Where?

The borders.

Which borders?

Armina.

He's selling purses
and shoes and bags.

Where, Mama?

Which borders?

All those things that people
want in those big cities.

- Which big cities?
- Armina!

How much money has he sent you

from these great sales, Mama?

Armina, all I have
to do is ask him.

So ask him!

I'm serious, Mama.

Ask him.

Let's see how much money the
great sekou will send us.

He would never
desert his family.

Which family?

This one, or his new one?

He's so far away.

He's forgotten all about us.

No matter far away he
is, he is still my husband.

Yeah, and He went
and got a new wife.

And I am still your mother.

Amadou!

Amadou!

Bath time.

What?

Sophie!

Sophie!

Hey.

Hey!

Gracias, Sophie.

De nada.

OK.

Pizza!

Pizza!

You're not going
to just sit there

and whisper in front of me.

That's rude.

We're doing work.

We were just talking, it
had nothing to do with you.

We're having a conversation.

What's her name?

What's her name?

I'm not telling
you what her name is.

Don't make me go
through roll call.

- What's her name?
- You don't have to do that.

She ain't going
through roll call.

You don't have to do that.
Listen...

Brianna?

Why would I tell...

Ashley?

Maybe it's Nicole.

Nicole?

What is wrong with... Like...

Melissa?

Yo, could you guys
shut up, please?

Thank you.

Could you mind your
business, please?

Are you confused?

No need to be mean, OK?

What the hell?

Is she your keeper?

That's your mama?

Did she adopt you?

I'm not being
mean, I'm simply reacting.

She's my friend!

Why, how?

Because she is.

None of your business.

Alyssa?

She never did anything to me!

Oh my God, I'm about to
ram this fucking pencil

down your throat.

Do it!

I fucking dare you!

No, let it roll. Let it roll.

I wonder what the
fucking is for.

Why?

She's not even worth it.

She's not even worth it.

Hello, Louie.

Hello, darling, is Moussa home?

- No.
- He's not here?

- No, why?
- All right, good.

You can't just walk
into our apartment!

- My.
- What?

It's my apartment.

Until you pay the rent, then
it becomes your apartment.

- That's how it works.
- Sh, sh, sh.

So he's not here?

No.

All right, good. 'Cause I don't

need little Rambo
trying to save the day,

and I gotta call the cops.
Close the door, sweetheart.

You want the whole
fucking building

to hear our conversation?

Six weeks?

I know. Do you?

- Yes.
- I got bills to pay.

- I've got a family.
- I know, I'm sorry.

Are you?

Yes.

Get it.

- Get what?
- Yankee tickets.

The money, what do you think?

OK.

I know, it's my
fault. You're 300 short.

I know, it's my
fault. You're 300 short.

I know.

I was waiting until
we had all of it.

And you were hoping
I'd forget until you did.

Yes.

Well, I remembered.

This what you got?

Yes.

Is it?

All right, the rest
in two weeks or you're

OK.

Fuck it.

This is everything you got?

Yes.

Take it.

I'm a Catholic.

I can't sit upstairs
and think of you two

not having food for two weeks.

I got enough to
feel guilty about.

But I meant what I said.

Everything in two weeks
or I gotta kick you out.

I don't want to be this guy.

You leave me no choice.

You're making me be this
guy who I don't like.

Two weeks.

Thank you, Louie.

Your word against mine.

Come on, I saw you.

Saw me what?

I saw you take that
laptop off of the cart

and put it in your bag.

Whatever.

It's your word against mine.

Sophie, I'm a teacher.

Jackie, I'm an orphan.

You know what?

Don't push me, OK?

A smart girl recognizes
when someone's on her side.

This...

I can tell you what this is.

If the school police
caught you, instead of me,

you'd be sitting in custody
right now, being shipped

back to the DR within the week.

Does that sound good to you?

No prom.

Goodbye, all your friends.

No graduation.

You're not going to college.

You need to start
trusting someone.

I don't even know why Moussa
told you in the first place.

Because he needed
help, and he thought

you and Alyssa did, too.

When are you going
to Isaac's again?

Shit, what does it matter?

Don't swear in my class again.

As if they're going to give
papers to someone like me.

They're not going
to give you papers

if you keep stealing things.

I can tell a mouse died
in this fucking room.

It's like shriveled, like
a cafeteria's french fries.

Swear in my class again...
Swear in my class again,

I'm telling you right now,
I'm putting you in detention.

Oh my God, detention, oh no.

Sit down.

Sophie, sit down, please.

Sit down!

Sit down!

I can't pay for
the lawyer, Jackie.

I know that.

I know that.

I spoke to Isaac, he's
happy to help for free.

And worst comes to worst,
this goes on, I can help you.

I don't want your charity.

Am I interrupting?

Nope.

Come on in, Alyssa.

I had something I wanted to
show both of you, anyway.

Brochures for City College.

It's pretty, right?

Looks like Harvard.

What would I know
what Harvard looks like?

If you've ever seen
Harvard in a movie,

it was probably filmed
at City College.

This is beautiful,
but don't colleges

check immigration status?

Listen, if every City
College in New York

got rid of their
students without papers,

they would have lecture
halls filled with rows

and rows of empty seats.

Give one to Moussa, too.

Bitch.

What are you talking about?

She's trying to help us.

She's trying to be
fucking Mother Teresa.

I like her.

You like everybody.

Well, I'm not
liking you right now.

Come on.

Let's go see what
the idiot's up to.

Probably with Sarah.

Sarah the psycho?

She's not that bad.

She's so annoying.

Even her body isn't worth it.

Actually, it kind of is.

I know.

I missed this.

So?

So what?

Is it me?

You'll have to choose.

Do I have to choose right now?

Once I leave, I'm
not coming back.

You have to know that.

I'm not going to be in the
mountains of Afghanistan

or a desert in Iraq or anything.

Camping out with some
dirty, unshaven men.

I'm gonna be on a
cozy base in Georgia.

All by myself, cute little car.

Buzz around the city.

I'm not coming back here.

Not even for you.

You lose if you
don't sign on now.

You'll miss these
beautiful lips.

Come with me.

Sign up with me.

Baby, it ain't that simple.

No, it is.

No.

No it's not.

Look, I have to take
care of my family.

I need you to need me.

And I do.

I need you to need me more.

Baby, I do.

Then why have you
never once invited me

to your house to meet your mom?

To meet this family
you love so much?

I get asked out almost every
day by the boys from schools

in our neighborhood.

Most of them have jobs.

That wasn't a threat.

I don't want them.

I want you.

Don't you get that?

Bae, it's not like I
can just say to them,

you figure out how to
fill in the bank checks.

You figure out how
to pay the bills.

How to sign the doctor forms.

I read for them.

I see for Them I sign for
them, and I speak for them.

OK.

I get it.

Why did I fall for such a little
baby attached to his family.

Yo, don't talk about my family.

Why not?

That's all you ever talk about.

Sorry.

We were just coming in here to...

We were done.

Lunch.

Are we still
hanging out tonight?

I don't know.

Just tell her the truth.

Don't do that.

What if she gets angry
and they break up,

and she wants to get even?

She wouldn't do that.

Only a crazy person would
do something like that.

You should just marry her.

No, I'm serious!

She'd marry you in a second,
you'd get the papers,

and then you'd be good.

That's it.

Everyone knows what
fake marriage is like.

Immigration, they grill
you until you slip up.

What kind of lotion
does she wear?

What's it smell like?
- Moussa, you're her boyfriend.

Don't you know what
she smells like?

I'm going to the cafeteria
before all the food goes out.

My whole family, they
used to brag about him.

They said if we ever got into
any trouble then, you know,

he could help us.

But when he came
to stay with us,

I think what I was like seven,
he kind of spooked us all.

What do you mean, spooked?

He would always get me
to ask them about torture.

He said that he was
an expert in it,

and it was about
the best way to get

anyone to tell you anything.

Hm.

Um well, he got kicked
off the police force

and I'm not sure why.

Is that what you mean?
- No, I need more.

I mean, a lot more.
Like how high up was he?

Did people generally
know his name?

Was he in jail?

Is he alive?
Is he still in Guinea?

You know, you gotta
help me out here.

He was a captain, I think.

And he got away with his
three wives and his five kids

before they could catch him.

I mean, do you want me to
tell you what country he's in?

Or where he is now?
- No, no, no, no, no.

Don't tell me where
he is, because I'd

be obligated to tell the
judge if he asked me about it.

Oh.

Sorry.

I normally wouldn't do this,
but I have to take this.

- Do you mind?
- Do you want...

Hey.

Listen, I'm, um, I can't talk
right now, I'm with a client,

but... How'd it go?

Yeah?

What'd he say?

That's great!

Oh, God, what a relief.

Yeah, no, I should get
back to this meeting,

but I can stop by
after work, OK?

Yeah, a tuna sandwich.

Right.

No, no, I really... I
really, I can't talk.

Yeah, you too.

OK, bye.

All right.

Mothers.

Tell me about it.

Look, this story's not enough.

Not for asylum.

All we have right now
is you're the nephew

of some unknown policeman,
but we need something else.

I don't know if I
can get anything else.

Find something.

Are you awake?

No.

Tell me what happened at
the lawyer today, please.

It's pointless.

Don't say that it's pointless.

Tell me what happened.

We have to get facts and dates
and pages and pages of them.

OK.

Letters from people
that we cannot find.

I don't understand
why Mama wouldn't

do this before we came here.

That is the last thing
she was thinking of.

We are always the last
thing she's thinking of.

Why do you have to
be so mean to her?

I don't.

Whatever.

You know, Mama and I
hear you on the phone,

Moussa, talking to your friends
in a thick American accent.

Like what we offer
to other people,

or, um, just the
qualities that we have

and what we can give
to others kind of

identifies as ourselves.

Very good.

All right, let's
hear your thing.

I'm not someone who wants
to sit around and talk

about myself, that's for sure.

I'm just asking for three, Tina.

Artist?

Sure, artist.

I'm logical.

What?

I'm logical.

I am.

I don't know, and I'm a realist.

Great.

Yeah.

Bobby?

I'm the shit.

Bobby.

You just listened to
some other examples.

Give me three for you.

I'd probably say cool.

OK.

Um, flirtatious.

And, uh...

Ooh, he got a smile!

Stop it!

What about... what about you?

You're awfully quiet over there.

I'm compassionate.

I'm hard working.

And I'm lit!

Yeah!

Yes, yes, very good.

Very good.

I don't...

Oh, that was...
That was... that was

actually a solid interception.

I don't want to
be picking these up.

I don't want to be picking
these up all afternoon.

That was a solid
interception, right.

That was pretty good.

That was pretty good.

That was pretty good.

Teacher's got game.

All right, all right, all right.

Don't even, don't even!

You can check out
Kerry Washington,

but you know I'm gonna be
checking out Idris Elba.

Idris?

Yes.

Come on, Idris?

Stupid.

Oh, come on.

Oh, please.

Oh, he aight?

Oh.

Hey.

Hey.

- Hey.
- Hey.

OK, that's done.
Can we go, baby, I'm hungry.

No. You aight?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Moussa, I said I'm hungry.

Just hold on one second.

Hey, girl!

I didn't know you
were in the theater!

This is why I wanted to go.

Hey, bitches.

Hey!

You see that dreadful movie?

Oh, but Idris?

Yeah, girl. Come on.

Oh, the Bobby?

No.

What's going on?

Nothing, I just, I'm
just going for a walk.

You sure?

Yeah, shit, what is this,
a fucking interrogation?

What, Tiffany?

Did I say something to you?

No, good choice.

We just obviously have two
different fashion senses.

Yeah, we obviously do.

I mean, you don't get
dressed for nothing.

School, work, not even church.

Well, I'm not desperately
trying to get Bobby to let

me suck him off, Tiffany.

So maybe it's a matter
of what you getting

dressed up for, you know?

What did you just say to me?

Yo, Sophie, you're
a fucking bitch.

Yo, you need to
just stay out of it.

Or what?

Why are you standing up for her?

Sarah.

Nobody else will.

Because she's a little freak.

Hey, uh, Bobby, which
one of the bitches

you gonna be fucking tonight?

Who the fuck are
you calling a bitch?

Fuck you!

Don't call me a fucking bitch!

Come on, Bobby, what the fuck?

Yo, yo, Sophie!

Sophie!

You, yo, get the
fuck out of here.

Go!

Get the fuck out of here!

Go!

She's crazy!

Hey!

Hey!

Fuck, shit!

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Stop.

Stop.

Don't run, stop right there.

What's going on, guys?

Get your hands out
of your pocket.

Get your hands out
of your pocket.

This guy giving you trouble?

No, sir, he's my boyfriend.

Man, we were just...

Hey, listen, did I
ask you a question?

No, I didn't ask you anything.
Girls, come on.

Benny, you got him?
Come on, let's go.

I got him.

Back up slowly.

Over here, come on.

Back up slowly for me, man.

What's going on, then?

Two guys we don't know were
hassling us after the movie.

My boyfriend scared them away.

That what happened?

Yeah.

He was just protecting us.

That's all he did.

Moussa was just protecting us.

Moussa?

Mm-hm.

Yeah.

Let me see some IDs.

We didn't do anything.

Can I have your
ID, please, ma'am?

All three of you guys.

What are you doing out here
in the middle of the night?

Your name is Moussa?

Is it?

Is your name Moussa?

Yes.

You're going to take your
ID out slowly for me, Moussa.

Put that right on here.

Yeah, just down there?

OK.

It's not a very good
idea to be running

around here in the middle
of the night like this.

You come here often,
running around

here in the middle of the cold?

No, we just went to the movies.

It's pretty late, you know.

Your parents know you're here?

Yeah, yeah.

They're expecting us any many.

You don't know those
guys who just ran away?

No.

Vance.

Yeah?

Can I talk to you for a second?

Stay there, please.

- You good?
- Yeah.

Guy was just taking
care of his girl, but.

All right.

Let's give him a pass?

Get out of this fucking cold?

Yeah, all right.

Go tell him.

All right, y'all, head home.

Go.

No more fighting in the street.

OK, thank you.

Go!

Thank you.

You have a beautiful apartment.

Thank you.

My ex-husband got the cats.

Those are lovely earrings.

Thank you.

My sekou bought them for me.

Is that Moussa's father?

His step-father.

He's in Africa
now, making money.

You must miss him.

We came here to be with him.

He was here already,
working, driving a limousine.

So it's a little strange
to be here without him.

Is your family in New York?

Mm-hmm.

My parents live in
the same apartment

I grew up in, just a
block away from here.

I wish my mother could
come here and live,

be with her grandchildren.

I can't stay here long.

No, of course.

I wanted to talk to you about
what you said on the phone.

Why don't you want Moussa
to work with Isaac anymore?

I just, um...

Is that money?

Because Isaac isn't...

I have a cousin in Rhode Island.

He says that these stories about
the lawyer might not be true.

That we could all be
deported if he fails,

and that we're better off
waiting for these laws

to change.

But taht could be years.

I'm sure it's scary, but
Isaac is actually a very big

corporate immigration lawyer.

Well, my cousin says that...

I'm sorry, who is your cousin?

Look...

Mubaka, - If we get deported...

Moussa's smart.

He's not broken the
law in this country,

and his old country
is dangerous.

He fits all the
criteria to get asylum.

Mubaka...

Please, call me Jackie.

Jackie.

I didn't know anything about
the laws before I came here.

I didn't find them out, I
didn't find out anything.

I didn't know that
my children would

not be able to do all the
things that other children can

do here.

And these are my babies
and I failed them.

No you didn't.

Every night, when
they're sleeping,

I walk around the
apartment like I'm lost.

I don't know what
I can do for them.

I mean, I told Moussa and
Armina that... I told them

that I brought them to
this country for medicine,

for education,
safety, for happiness.

But it was really so that
I could be with sekou.

I am the worst mother.

- No, you're not.
- I was...

No, no, no.

Really so selfish.

And now sekou is gone.

He's not coming back.

He married another woman and
he left us here, stranded.

He lied.

So stupid.

Every woman I know, at
least one time in her life,

trusted the wrong man.

I made a habit out of it.

Can I ask where Moussa's
biological father is?

He wasn't...

I'm sorry.
That's none of my business.

He wasn't around for very
long after Moussa was born.

I told Moussa and Armina
that... that he abandoned us,

but that's not...
That's not the truth.

I just, I didn't want them
to grow up and be frightened.

And now it's... it's too
late to tell them the truth.

I was... I was behind the
house hanging the washing

and I heard this truck drive up.

They were... Moussa and Armina,
they were inside the house

with my mother.

I saw the military
man take their father,

put them in the
truck, some other men.

We never... We never
heard from them again.

Miriam, you need
to tell that Moussa

so that he can tell Isaac.
- No, no, no.

He would never forgive me.

That will help him, that story.

- No, he would hate me.
- But that's...

No.

No.

Well, OK.

At least let him keep
working with Isaac.

If he keeps... If...

Miriam?

Moussa's so smart.

Your son has a real chance here.

Not just to survive, but to
really have a lovely life.

That kid can be anything.

Even with everything
that's messed up

about the American
dream, at least

you can be better
than your past.

You have the chance to
try here, and Moussa

deserves that chance.

He can never know
about his father.

That's your decision.

But please, let him
keep working with Isaac.

You are the first American
that Moussa has ever trusted.

So I will trust you too

- Hey!
- Hey.

Sophie, this is my sister Lola...

Oh, hi!

And her husband, Chris.

Uh, this is... that's
Mikey, and Javier,

and Emilio, and Carlita.

I'm Emilio, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

This is Emily and...

Hi, nice to meet you.

I'm Alyssa.

Nice to meet you.

Hello.

Hi, nice to meet you.

Javier.

You know her from where? School?

- You go to school?
- Yeah.

So you do go to school.

So, it was...

Nice to meet you.

Nice meeting you.

OK. Have a nice day.

Bye.

You embarrassed?

Hey.

Hey.

What the fuck is
wrong with them?

What the fuck is wrong with you?

What was that, Friday night?

Why'd you stick up
for her like that?

You embarrassed me.

She's my friend.

You sure that's all she is?

Of course that's all she is.

Are you kidding me?

Look, she's just a
little messed up.

Hey!

Babe, can you like,
stop for two seconds?

I gotta go.

Baby, you... just stop.

I want to thank you for
what you said to the cops.

Lying, you mean.

Yes.

Thank you.

It meant a lot.

Are you gonna even offer
to try to make it up to me?

Yes, babe.

Yes, of course.

I'm sorry.

Can I take you to the
movies again on Friday?

That's not going to be enough!

No, just us.

Just us.

We can even go to
the Upper West Side,

where ain't nobody
gonna know us, OK?

It'll just be me and the most
beautiful girl in the world.

OK.

OK?

You talked me into it.

Moussa, Sarah,
you two know better.

We were just...

Don' say anything.

Then you don't have to lie.

'Til Friday?

I think I can clear my schedule.

You kidding me?

No, I'm... Fuck.

Bae, am I going to
see you at lunch?

I don't want to talk about it.

Good, neither do I. Meet
me out front after school.

Why would I do that?

Because I saved your as
on Friday and you owe me.

It's Sophie.

What?

She went ballistic
the other night.

When?

This past Friday at the movies.

Isaac said that she missed
her appointment last week.

Well, look, I'm going
to take her with me today.

She can have my slot.
- No, you can't do that.

No, no, it's fine.

I already did all of my work.

I just got to give it to Isaac.

Sophie hasn't done shit.

You need to look
out for yourself.

OK.

What material have
you found so far?

Just the stuff that
you know already.

And does Isaac
think that's enough?

I don't know.

I don't...

You need to find him
what he's asking for.

There is no guarantee here.

Have you asked your mom if
she can remember anything?

I know everything
that she knows.

Well, you should ask
her again, just in case.

You don't know.

Maybe.

But I'm still Sophie my slot
today and that's that, ma'am.

OK.

Just please don't call
me ma'am, OK, because it

makes me feel like I'm 100.

I mean, ay-yi-yi.

Get to class.

OK.

Yo, what the fuck
am I doing here?

It's not even my day.

Because I'm scared and
I need the moral support.

Did you have any luck with
that additional material,

Moussa?

Oh, look who's alive.

I thought you were meant
to see me last Thursday.

What happened?

I got busy.

Well, it's Moussa's
appointment today, so...

Good for me.

No, I actually want her to stay.

Whatever works.

What do you got?

No, read it to me.

I want to hear it
in your own voice.

Well, this one
is about my cousin.

Two years ago, my
cousin was walking

to the market at
sunrise, early to avoid

being teased by the kids.

Her body ripped when
she had her baby,

and so urine used to drip
down her legs sometimes.

It's called fistula.

Then, when her baby
was one, a year ago,

two officials raped her.

She reported it, and
so did my grandmother,

but the officials
never got punished.

And a few months later,
she killed herself.

OK.

Well, I hope that's enough.

As blunt as it may sound,
it would have been better

if it had actually been
someone in your family

who had been arrested or
killed, but this is what we got,

so we work with what we got.

Double-check all those
facts with your mother.

We don't want any slip-ups.

That could finish this case.

So, um, I'm thinking, why
don't we, why don't we,

uh, why don't we, um, spend
the rest of the time today

catching up with what we
missed with you, last week?

Is that... is that OK with you?

Perfect.

OK.

I don't have any
stories like that.

I don't even remember living
in the DR, so I don't...

Right.

Right.

Just thinking out loud, here.

Your case is a little different.

You're in this country
under the age of 21,

you have no legal guardian,
you have no mother and father.

I have a father.

He loves me.

Yeah, well.

Love has nothing to do with it.

Your fathers' not here.

So.

Could you just answer the
questions when I asked them?

This can be practice for when
you're in front of the judge.

I'm... prepping is my specialty.

Is it?

Hey, Moussa.

Why don't you, um,
go down the hall.

You know those
vending machines are?

Mm-hmm.

Just go ahead and get
us a soda or something.

You want a soda?

I do.

Get me, uh, get me whatever.

Doesn't matter just... And
something for yourself, too.

All right.

How old were you when
you were sent to the Bronx?

Seven.

And when you came here, did
you think it'd be a short visit

or forever?

Just a short visit,
see my cousins.

So your father didn't
explain anything to you?

Well, no.

He was too drunk to
take me to the airport,

so my grandmother took me.

I didn't even get to
say goodbye to him.

So you've been
here for 10 years,

and how many apartments
have you lived in?

Moved almost every year.

Going from relative to relative.

I wanted to stay with my
grandfather in New Jersey, But.

He died last year.

Diabetes.

Person I stayed with the
longest was my uncle.

What's that like?

Favors all his own kids.

Gives them money for
everything, you know.

McDonald's, sneakers,
jeans, they get to watch

the TV shows and everything.

Orders me around like a slave.

Actually, I kept hoping that
I'd get picked up by immigration

so I could get sent back to
the DR, live with my father,

but he's in jail again, so.

Hm.

So who takes care of you?

Nobody takes care of me.

I take care of everybody else.

Who is everybody else?

My uncle, my cousin, Carlita,
her boyfriend, and their kids.

And your cousin, Carlita?

How does she treat you?

She can't do nothing.

About what?

Just... me being
ordered around and shit.

What's Carlita's boyfriend like?

Orders me around,
like everybody else.

Hey, I don't want to
do this anymore, OK?

Do you think the United
States government has

an obligation to
help your father

if you become a citizen here?

I hadn't thought about that.

Your father and his family
have been in prison on and off

almost their entire lives.

Do you think being a criminal
runs in the blood line?

I don't know.

Answer the question.

I have no I-fucking-dea, man.

Can you guarantee that
you won't become a criminal?

- I don't know.
- Answer.

- I don't know.
- Answer.

What kind of fucking
question is that?

- Answer.
- I don't know.

- Answer.
- I don't know.

- Answer.
- I don't know.

- Answer.
- I don't know.

- Answer the question.
- I don't know.

Will you become a
criminal just like them?

I don't have an answer for you.

I don't have a fucking
answer for you.

Are you going to become
a criminal just like them?

I don't have a
fucking answer for you!

I don't have a fucking
answer for you!

I've seen judges be
a lot worse than that.

You got to keep your
stuff together, Sophie.

But that's not what I'm
interested in talking

about right now.

What your family is doing
to you is not right.

It's called neglect.

This is neglect.

And I'm pretty sure it's
something else, too.

Isn't it?

This can get you papers.

I can get you papers.

Will you let me do that for you?

Sophie, look at me.

Look at me.

You're my responsibility now.

You're my client.

Nobody else.

Let me get between you and them.

I'll fucking bury them.

Nobody's going to get past me.

Now, you gotta stay
out of trouble.

This means some kid spits
in your face at school,

you got to walk away. All right?

Understand?

No fighting back.

I do the fighting from now on.

No!

How y'all doing?

This is a piece of
trash, right here.

No! Not me!

You forgot to take this.
She gotta get in the can.

Here you go.

Come on!

No, no, but thank you!

Have a good night, y'all.

No, but like, what if
I couldn't be there.

You could.

But what if I couldn't?

Don't you trust me?

I do, but that's
not what I'm asking.

What if I couldn't be there?

Then you wouldn't be there.

That's it?

But you'll be there.

Hey, mopey.

What if I couldn't be there?

Oh!

What was that?

Thank you.

Mama, is this a joke?

It's for the best.

For the best?

What are you talking about?

He is the one who was
actually meant to be here.

It will be better for him.

Better how?

Don't... Moussa, don't
raise your voice at me.

Mama, how could you actually
think about sending him back

to Africa?

Why?

I don't want to discuss it.

Whenever with him, Armina
and I, we work all the time,

you're at school, at least now
he'll be with his grandmother

all the time.

Yeah, Mama, but in Guinea!

He is an American citizen!

He deserves to be here!

I will send for him, I promise.

As you say, he's an American.

He has a passport.

It will be easy for him
to come to immigration.

So when will you send for him?

When you graduate college
and you had a good job.

Mama Mama, are you kidding me?

That could be up to
five years from now!

He might not even remember us!

Moussa, I have decided.

That's it.

And Amadou comes back, I
don't want to discuss it.

I don't want him to be scared.

- Armina, are you hearing this?
- Excuse me.

Armina!

What?

You know what, you've
always got such a big mouth.

Why are you silent now?

Leave me out of it.

Leave you out...
What is happ... Mama!

OK, so when is he going, huh?

My cousin said that you
can get a cheap ticket if you

book a few weeks in advance.

In a few weeks, Mama?

I'm going to do the laundry.

I don't want to discuss it.

Mama, come on,
you can't do that!

Excuse me, Moussa, excuse me!

Move!

Come on!

What the fuck is going on here?

Don't yell at me, Moussa.

How can you just let her...

What do you want me to say?

That I want my little
brother to be packed off?

That I want him to forget me?

Is that what you want
me to say, Moussa?

I want you to help
me talk her out of it.

She decided!

And we can change her mind!

Armina.

It's because of you!

What?

It's all because of you!

What... What are
you talking about?

Why are you being so mean to me?

Don't you get it?

We can't afford this country.

Mama can't afford to keep
all three of us here...

- But that's...
- So Amadou has to go back.

Mina.

Look at you.

You think you're an American?

Well, you're not, and they
will never let you be.

You may talk like them,
and wear the right clothes,

but you'll never be
from this country.

So where am I from?

Guinea?

A place that I can't
hardly remember.

No, you're just like me.

From nowhere.

Come in.

Hey.

Hi.

Why don't you grab a seat?

Uh-oh.

What's going on?

Jackie, I feel
really awkward having

to talk to you about
this, but it's my job,

so I got to bring it up.

A couple of people
have come to me

with, I don't know, I don't
want to say accusation, um,

concern about the amount
of time that you have been

spending alone with Moussa.

People have noticed it.

I've noticed it.

And I'm not suggesting
that anything

inappropriate has happened,
but, um, it's got to stop.

Zoe...

Because if one more
person comes to me with it,

- I'm going to...
- Zoe!

Have to treat it
as an actual complaint.

Look, I know, you
believe in this kid.

You want to see him succeed,
but I am telling you...

Oh my God... as your friend...

He's undocumented!

Oh.

Wow, of course.

OK.

Wow.

I'm sorry.

I just... I panicked.

I never had to have this
conversation with anybody

before.

Oh, God, I feel sick.

Wow.

OK.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

Who else?

You know what?

Don't tell me.

Zoe, I'll tell you
if you want to know.

Mm.

Wow.

You know, I canceled all of the
senior field trips last year.

I blamed it on lack of funds,
but it was actually me.

I read about this kid who got
deported because he had to show

a fake ID to get on a bus
for a school field trip

to Washington.

I didn't want that to happen
to any of our kids here.

So I squashed the whole thing.

You got some shit from parents.

They got over it.

Yeah.

Jackie, no more private chats.

Got it.

Thank you.

Miss!

Hi, what's up?

Did you know?

What?

Did you... did my
mother tell you?

What are you talking about?
Why aren't you in class?

- Did you know?
- What?

Shh.

Wait.

I knkow that my mom
came to see you on Friday.

Did you know?
Did she tell you then?

You knew.

How could you not tell me?
- No, we can't.

I can't talk to you
about this right now.

Come here, please.

Listen, we can't talk about
these things at school anymore.

Why didn't you tell me?

I'm so sorry, I...

You know when you
saw me yesterday!

I couldn't tell you,
I'm so... Please calm down.

How could you know
and not tell me?

Listen, what happened to
your father was horrible,

but it is up to your
mother whether or not

she wants to tell you.

She was just trying
to protect you.

What are you talking about?

What do you mean?

My mother's sending
Amadou back to Guinea.

What're you talking about?

Miss?

Did something
happen to my father?

I'm so sorry. I got it wrong.

I was thinking of
the wrong thing.

I was thinking of
the wrong person.

- I'm so sorry.
- No.

I'm so sorry.

No, don't do this.

Miss, miss. You don't...

You know what?
You need to let go of my arm.

Miss.

Miss, did something
happen to my father?

Let go of my arm!

I'm so sorry.

Aftermath.

There she go, shaking
that ass on the floor.

Bumping and grinding that pole.

The way she's
grinding that pole,

I think I'm losing control.

Get buzzed, get
drunk, get crunk...

Here's your punch, girl.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Come on, let's go dance,
let's go have fun.

Come on, though!

You look miserable.

It's prom night.

- Seriously!
- I'm fine.

Fine. Let's go.

- We're going.
- Going where?

We have other plans.

I can't tell you.

But we're going.

Maybe alcohol will help you out.

- Ugh.
- There you go.

Let's go.

Sorry!

Where are we going?

Somewhere where
you're allowed to smile.

No, not if we do it.

If we get caught.

Seriously?

Things have
changed since day one.

Hi!

OK.

Happy prom, girls.

Happy prom, finally!

Thank you, is that water?

Come get this cup, come on.

- Water.
- Thanks.

Definitely.

Come on.

Oh, sorry, we have
to cheers first.

My bad. To us?

To us!

Fine bitches!

Where is that boy?

This is my last time in
a fancy civilian dress

and he's missing it.

Ooh, your first
break in training,

I'm coming down to Atlanta,
and we're going shopping.

- OK, OK, though.
- For real?

What?

You going to make this poor girl

go shopping for a
whole bunch of clothes

that you know damn
well she can't

wear for the rest of the year.

I wasn't saying that!

I was just saying
she can come shopping

with me while I buy clothes.

Because that makes
it so much better!

OK, you have no idea what
we're talking about, OK?

We have a different kind of
friendship that you and her do.

Ooh, relax girls.

There's enough of Sarah to
go around for everybody.

What the hell is
that supposed to mean?

She was just saying it's prom.

You know, and we're not going
to see each other for a while,

so we might as well
have fun tonight, right?

Is that what you meant?

Yeah.

I'm about to sound so
crazy, but Sophie is right.

I'm gonna miss my girls.

Come on!-

Me too.

I'm gonna miss you guys!

Aw!

We're going to
be college living, guys?

Seriously!

Have you thought about that
for like at least a second?

It's over! Oh, I can't wait.

True.

I'm so excited.

Tina, what are you going
to study, by the way?

Maybe singing.

Ooh, maybe psychology.

Yeah, Tina, girl.

Be one of them
singing psychologists!

OK, OK.

I thought about
going to college,

but then I realized
in the army I

can study what I want
for free, and then

have a job at the end of it.

Make some money.

Where is he?

Maybe he's getting us weed.

I just want him to be here.

I love that little baby so much.

Is this all right?

It's OK.

I'm surprised you know how.

Come on, I want
everyone in the picture.

Come on.

Get in.

Come on.

OK, get in, get in, get in.

- Fix my hair!
- Wait, wait, wait.

Oh, OK.

Are we done?

I'm so short!

OK, ready?

One, two, three.

Say prom!

- Prom!
- Perfect.

Oh.

OK.

OK.

Too many selfies.

Wait, fuck. Where's my phone?

Filter that and send it to me.

What? You lost it?

Oh, no. Bobby has my phone.

Whatever.

Why does Bobby have your phone?

Huh?

You know what I mean.

You're gonna tell me
about Bobby later.

Oh, look who I found!

Speaking of the devil!

Baby!

Thank you!

Ooh, you smell like
you broke the bottle.

Bobby had something.

Uh-huh.

Oh.

I got to drinking.

You can't hold your liquor.

He doesn't look good.

No, he's been
like that all night.

We are gonna be the
hottest couple on the base

when you sign up.

If you ever sign up.

Don't start that shit no more.

Baby, come on!

Hey.

Give him a break.

And who the fuck are you?

I'm someone who maybe knows more

about the situation than you.

I know who you are, bitch.

You're a criminal slut.

Say that again.

No.

Talk to me.

Guys, we're supposed
to be having fun right...

Shut the fuck up, Alyssa.

Come on.

Show us all how crazy you are.

You up for it?

Because I am.

- Tonight, if you want to go.
- Sophie.

I'm for real, let's go.

Come on.

Where's the tough girl gone now?

Oh, you good when you got
the jump on someone, right?

Just not when someone's
ready and waiting?

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

Never did I ever.

I'll drink to that.

Oh, shit.

Nah, nah, nah, nah.

I'll drink to that.

You see that shit?

You did the right thing, OK?

What the fuck is so funny?

I said, what the fuck
is so funny, huh?

What are you doing?

Oh my God!

- Moussa!
- Oh my God!

Moussa, what the
fuck are you doing?

Mike, get him off!

Yo, Moussa!

What the fuck are you doing?

Moussa, Moussa, Moussa!

Moussa!

Fuck you!

Fuck you, man! Fuck you!

Man, let's go.

Oh my God.

Moussa, what happened?

Moussa.

We're here for you.

Just talk to us.

Just leave me the fuck alone.

Moussa.

We need to get this
shit cleaned up, all right?

Sophie, let's go!

What are you doing?

Go Back to sleep.

I said, what are you doing?

Go back to sleep.

What's with the suitcase?
Why are you not at prom?

I am. I'm going there now.

Don't lie.

What's with the suitcase?

Amadou cannot go back there.

What are you talking about?

Mama is sending him
back because of me.

You said so yourself.

I was angry, I didn't mean it.

He can't go back there.

It... things happen there.

It's not safe.

I won't let Mama send him back.

College is not worth it.

I'm not worth it.

Don't say that, Moussa, please.

Don't go.

I'm so sorry.

Let go, Armina.

Let go.

Where will you go?

I will get a job and I will wait

it out until the laws change.

Please be safe.

Wait, what... what
do I tell Mama?

Tell her I love her.

I think that Moussa is a
very resourceful young man,

and I think he'll do
what he needs to do.

Last week I got
some cash in the mail.

Has to be from Moussa, right?

For rent?

Which means that... I wouldn't
even know if my son is alive

or... I have to, have
to think about Armina.

Now I have to think about
getting papers for her.

Yeah.

I think that's...
That's a good idea.

And for yourself, too.

I can never move or he won't
know where to come home to.

Let us know if you
hear from Moussa.

Yes.

Miriam, um.

You should call me next week.

We'll get that started
for you and your daughter.

Thank you, Mr. Miller.

Isaac.

Isaac.

Thank you.

I fucked up.

Ah, she's upset.

Her son is missing, and she
can't even go to the police.

She can't talk to anyone.

She has no way of processing
what's happening to her.

How could I think I
had anything to teach

these kids about reality?

They could teach
me about reality.

Sometimes I think
he would have been

better off never filing, just
waiting for the landscape

to change.

You know, I called up an
old college buddy of mine

last week.

He works in a little
firm up in the Bronx.

Deals with a lot
of asylum-seekers.

I went up there to
ask him some stuff,

to make sure I wasn't
missing anything.

Man.

You want to see what
it looks like, waiting

for the landscape to change?

Go up there during the week.

Visit his office.

So many people squeezed in
there, waiting day after day,

hour after hour, no
magazines, no windows.

Not one person has
any idea if they'll be

able to stay in this country.

He said, he doesn't even
set appointments anymore.

How does he stand it?

He drinks.

What about Sophie?

Well, you know.

I... legally I have to
talk to my client first,

but, um, well, let's just say
it wouldn't be a waste of time

if Sophie started thinking
about which college

she wants to apply to.

And Alyssa?

Oh, shit.

Does she know?

Nope, not yet.

You know, she's giving the
valedictorian speech tomorrow.

I know, I know.

I want her to have
that moment first.

- I - wasn't born with strength.

It came into me.

It was breathed into me
from places in a country I

will probably never see again.

Far from the Bronx.

Today, I see all of the
faces I've come to know

and love in this auditorium.

Not the blow-up faces we're
told should inspire us,

but the real faces of the real
people who lead by example.

Today, we celebrate
our moment with you.

You've seen our students
every day with no breakfast,

no sleep, and you would whisper
something nice in our ear

when we looked sad or defeated.

Today, I hear each and
every one of your voices.

The sound of your
voice is so loud.

You have never left us.

And we will always be by you.

We're all in this together.

My thighs are killing me!

Wait, Jackie has to get in it!

- Jackie has to get in it!
- Jackie!

Come on!

Jackie!

Jackie!

My hat kept
falling off, I was like,

so like, self-conscious of it?

Because I'm a midget!

Cheese!

What, where's my thing?

Let's do another one! Ready?

You guys, Sophie's calling.

Catch it, catch it, catch it!

Alyssa, I don't want to...

Jackie!

Yeah!

I can't... Hi,
very nice to meet you.

These thighs are burning.

I'll come say
hi to Alyssa's parents.

Five, six, seven, eight, now!