Babel (2006) - full transcript

4 interlocking stories all connected by a single gun all converge at the end and reveal a complex and tragic story of the lives of humanity around the world and how we truly aren't all that different. In Morocco, a troubled married couple are on vacation trying to work out their differences. Meanwhile, a Moroccan herder buys a rifle for his sons so they can keep the jackals away from his herd. A girl in Japan dealing with rejection, the death of her mother, the emotional distance of her father, her own self-consciousness, and a disability among many other issues, deals with modern life in the enormous metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. Then, on the opposite side of the world the married couple's Mexican nanny takes the couple's 2 children with her to her son's wedding in Mexico, only to come into trouble on the return trip. Combined, it provides a powerful story and an equally powerful looking glass into the lives of seemingly random people around the world and it shows just how connected we really are.

It's almost new.

Three hundred cartridges.

The guy who

gave it to me said...

you can hit

as far as three kilometers.

How much are you asking

for all of this?

One thousand dirhams.

One thousand dirhams?

I'll give you five hundred.

And a goat.

With this rifle, your sons

will kill plenty of jackals.

Here, let one of your boys try.

Let Yussef shoot.

Dad, I want to shoot first.

This is the safety.

Push it in when you're ready.

If he doesn't hit the jackals,

at least he'll scare the shit out of them.

Your turn Yussef.

He shoots better than you.

Good luck,

have a good day.

God bless you.

Kill at least three jackals.

Make sure no one

sees you with the rifle...

if you see someone coming, hide it.

What are you doing?

I told you,

don't spy on her.

What do you care?

Move it.

Five to two.

There's a jackal.

Where?

Over there.

What are you doing,

you idiot?

Zohra doesn't mind.

She doesn't, but I do.

This is between her and me.

You're both pigs.

Next time I'm going to tell Dad.

Stay out of this.

If you want me to stay out of it,

don't do it.

What are you doing?

Hassan said this bullet

could reach three kilometers.

That rock didn't move.

You don't know how to shoot.

Give me the rifle.

See.

Yeah, but that's not

three kilometers.

I bet the bullet

can't hit that far.

These bullets are lame.

You're not aiming right.

What'll you give me

if I hit that car?

I'll shoot.

You see? Nothing.

Let me shoot.

Shoot at it.

See... nothing.

You're right, they're useless.

Where are these kids?

Where are you?

I'm coming to get you...

You win.

Did you brush your teeth?

Sleep with angels, my darling.

Sleep well, sweetie.

You are already sharing a room...

didn't we agree

to sleep with the lights off?

There's nothing to be scared of.

No, that won't happen to you.

How can I be

in two places at once?

I'm just asking you

to take them for today.

I can't, the mister is still home.

And they aren't going out?

No, I don't think so.

Okay, I'll talk to you later.

I can't Amelia.

Please, it's my son's wedding.

Just for the day, Lucia.

I'll be back for them tonight.

And what do I say to Mrs. Catherine?

I don't know.

Tell her they're your nephews.

Right, because they look

so much like me...

with my American looking face!

What's up?

Hi Auntie.

Great to see you, Santiago.

They're really shy.

What? These kids

are coming with us?

I couldn't find anyone to watch them.

Their parents won't return tonight.

Why bring them?

They'll drive you crazy.

Don't worry,

they're very good kids.

Don't you want to

leave them with somebody?

I know a girl who

can take care of them.

Are you crazy?

I have to take them with me.

I can't leave them

with just anybody.

Are you sure, Auntie?

The ball was out.

That was out.

No, it was good.

That was out.

I'm deaf, not blind.

You're out.

You shouldn’t have lost your temper.

We lost the game.

It wasn't my fault,

it was the ref.

If you hadn't been thrown out,

we would’ve won the game.

Why are you

in a bad mood?

She's always in a bad mood

because nobody's fucked her yet.

I'm gonna fuck your dad

to get rid of my mood.

I'll see you at the J-Pop.

What do you want to eat?

I said I'd meet my friends

from the team at J-Pop.

Didn't you tell me

we would have lunch together?

Dad, I told you I was

going to eat with them.

You never pay attention to me.

My mother always

paid attention to me.

Why do you want to fight?

I miss your mother too.

I'm doing the best I can.

Don't forget

the dentist at three.

Take care.

Do you have a table?

Why all the way in the corner?

Isn't the view nice?

Do you like him?

Hello.

Hello.

Can I play with you?

Or you can

have a drink with us?

Tell him to speak slowly.

Can you say that

a little slower?

You assholes,

how embarrassing.

What's the matter?

They look at us

like we're monsters.

Oh, come off it.

What are you doing?

Now they're going to meet

the real hairy monster.

Don't forget your appointment

with the dentist. Papa.

I have to go.

I'll see you at your place, then.

What are you doing here?

Something we ate

gave us a stomach ache.

The goats will die

if they don't eat.

Wash your face

and take them out again.

My stomach hurts.

There are other

chores to do then.

Move it. Let's go.

God bless. Bye, bye.

Thank you,

I'll see you tomorrow.

Tell your mother

to prepare dinner.

Did you kill any jackals?

We shot at them,

but didn't hit any.

You have to kill them.

If not, they're going to eat all the goats.

Why did you come home late?

They closed the road,

we took the long way.

Apparently some terrorists

killed an American tourist.

An American?

Yes, the terrorists attacked

a tour bus on the road.

No, there aren't any terrorists here.

You never know.

How do you know

the American died?

That's what they were saying.

The police are looking for the culprits.

Yes, this is Mexico.

Yeah... it's full of Mexicans.

Don't talk like that.

It's not true.

How wonderful, you made it.

You decided to bring them?

Hey, what's up?

Oh, son, look how handsome.

You look like Julio Preciado.

Forget Julio Preciado,

he looks like Luis Miguel.

These are the kids

I take care of.

Say hi to Luis.

Lucio, come here.

This is Mike and Debbie.

Take them to play.

Mom, I don't know how you did it,

but it zipped up perfectly.

And it's been 15 years

since I wore this dress.

You haven't changed a bit, Ma.

Working dear, hard work...

that's what keeps you young.

What are you guys laughing about?

Nothing Ma, nothing.

I'll give a buck to the first

who catches a chicken.

Careful with the 'huevos.'

Very good, Debbie got one.

Debbie's the winner.

Okay, now we need another five.

So we have five chickens here.

Okay, now who's going to help me?

You? Okay, come.

Hold it tight, like this.

Grab it right.

Everyone back up...

give me some room.

I need your phone.

I will pay.

The bullet didn't

touch her spine.

If she stays like this,

she will bleed to death.

Is there anything

we can do?

I have to stitch up the wound

to stop the bleeding.

And tell him

her clavicle is broken.

We have to

hold her down.

Here are the sterilized drill bits.

You have cavities

in two molars.

What are you doing?

What's wrong with you?

Get out.

Get out right now.

Yes, I'll let him know.

That's Mr. Wataya's daughter.

Thank you.

Are you Yasujiro Wataya's daughter?

She's deaf-mute...

Face her when you speak

so she can read your lips.

Are you Yasujiro Wataya's daughter?

We are Yoshjo Hamano and Kenji

Mamiya of the Metropolitan Police.

We would like

to see your father.

No, it's nothing bad.

We just want to talk to him.

Do you know

where he is?

Please tell him to call.

Don't be scared.

We just want to talk to him.

Thank you.

Chieko, I waited for you.

I have a meeting so I'll be back late.

I left you a bento box. Papa.

I'm on my way to your place.

Where are you?

Hurry up!

Moroccan officials

are investigating suspects...

in the shooting of

an American tourist.

Officials said the shooting

took place...

Are you ready?

Yeah, I'm just going to get my bag.

The cops came again?

Yeah. They hadn't come in nine months.

But these were different cops.

Did they come to ask

about your mother's death?

No, but they're probably going

to ask my dad about the same things.

They're just not convinced,

are they?

Believe it or not,

I liked one of the cops.

Idiot.

Did you put on some panties?

Are you sure

it was here?

An American stopped me.

I was scared.

He was covered in blood.

Where was the bus stopped?

Over there.

Captain Alarid... Captain Alarid.

I found cartridges.

We found four.

Here's one.

Did you search all over?

Yes, the whole mountain.

They're from around here.

Find out who has

a .270 caliber rifle.

Hassan Ibrahim?

-Yes.

-Drop your weapon.

I don't have a weapon.

Drop it now.

I told you to drop

your weapon.

This is just my knife.

Get on the ground.

What did we do?

Get down on the ground...

face down.

Don't look at me.

What did we do?

Take these skins to Najib,

see if he wants to buy them.

Why did you shoot at the bus?

I didn't shoot at anyone.

Then who?

It wasn't me.

That was your rifle.

I sold it yesterday.

Who did you sell it to?

Do you know where

Abdullah Adboum lives?

Yes.

You have to go over those mountains.

Who lives

in this area?

We live here with our mother.

Abdullah lives on the other side.

If you're lying, I'm going to

come back and cut your balls off.

You can come back

anytime you llke.

Don't walk

between the graves.

Papa... Papa...

What happened?

The pollce...

they're looking for you.

Me? Why?

No, not for you...

they're looking for us.

Looking for you?

Why?

Because of the tourist.

What tourist?

The American...

Yussef killed her.

Liar, we both did.

What are you saying?

Yussef started shooting

at the cars...

because Hassan said

that the bullet could go far.

Liar, you started shooting at the cars.

But you killed her.

What are you saying?

Yussef killed the American

and he spies on Zohra naked...

and Zohra lets him watch her.

That's garbage.

It's not garbage.

She's a street girl and he spies on her.

Time to drink!

This song is dedicated

from Luis to Patricia...

the most beautiful bride

in the world.

I think Aunt Amella has to dance.

Amella, can I have this dance?

I don't think your wife

would llke that.

Ohh, she passed away 10 years ago.

Come on Amella.

Let's go dance... You have

something white on your face.

Don't get excited,

it's only cake.

Today, near Tazarine,

there was an incident.

An American was shot.

Authorities say it

could have been a robbery.

But, the American government was

quick to suggest a terrorist llnk.

Minister Hassan HazaI

has said...

that terrorist cells have been

eradicated in our country...

and one act

of vulgar banditry...

followed by superficial evaluations

the U.S. places on it...

cannot ruin our image

or the economy.

You have to turn on the

air-conditioning, my husband is ill.

No air-conditioning,

no gasollne near. I'm sorry.

Please, it's too hot.

We can get dehydrated.

Who are they?

My cousins.

Is he deaf-mute

llke us?

No, but he understands some.

What is your name?

Chieko.

My name's Haruki.

It's whisky.

Do the cops come around here?

Sometimes.

You smell good.

Welcome home... may I help you?

Are you sure

you want him to come now?

Is this Detective Mamiya?

The deaf-mute girl you met this

afternoon asked me to call.

Yes, her.

She says she needs to talk to you,

alone... about her father.

Why did you do this?

Why did you do this?

Answer me, damn it!

We were testing the rifle.

Are you idlots?

You killed a woman.

And you....

You got naked

so your brother could watch?

Zohra got naked lots of times

so Yussef could watch her.

Is it true or not?

Is it true or not?

Why did you do this to us?

Where's the rifle?

Where's the rifle?

I told you,

a hunter gave it to me.

What hunter?

A Japanese hunter...

gave it to me.

I've got a picture.

She can get it.

Go get it.

He's holding the rifle

he gave me.

We're going to Najib's house.

If the cops come,

tell them we went south.

This Abdullah doesn't llve

in the area you told us.

Are you playing with us?

He llves in the area

he told you.

He llves there?

You're going to take us.

They're over there.

The pollce, the pollce.

Run... run.

Get down.

Mom, stay here tonight.

I can't, I have to get these kids home.

It's almost dawn.

But this fucking guy

is really drunk.

Drunk my ass. I'm fine.

I'll be right back.

Stay a llttle whlle,

the party's just starting.

I would llke to, but these kids

have soccer practice tomorrow.

See you soon, Son.

Congratulations, my darllng.

Take care of my grandchlld.

I'm dying to be a grandmother.

Take care of my grandchlld.

I'm dying to be a grandmother.

Seriously, you're not drunk man?

Drunk my ass.

I'm fine. I'll be back.

Remember, they got you once already

and you got in a lot of trouble.

Bye, Ma...

If things don't work here,

I'll meet you with the 'gringos.'

Hey, be careful.

I'll cross the border

through Tecate...

that will get us to

San Diego super fast.

Don't say anything.

Let me do the talking.

But you're provoking him.

I was just kidding.

What now?

Motherfucker...

What's that?

I heard you... stop shouting.

Don't shout at me.

Stop shouting at me.

Easy Santiago, please.

What are you doing?

What are you doing, Santiago?

What are you doing!

See, I told you!

You shouldn't have brought them.

Santiago, stop acting llke a

madman and stop the car.

Please, Santiago, stop!

Shut those kids up!

Shut them up!

Please stop, Santiago.

Motherfuckers, fucking gringo assholes,

here they come.

Get out. Get out.

Are you crazy? Where?

Get out. If they catch us,

we're all screwed...

I'll lose them,

then come back for you.

Get out, for Christ sake!

Santiago, calm down.

Aunt Amella, get out...

for the love of God!

Santiago is going to

come back soon and...

the sun is going to rise.

Why can't you call

another ambulance?

They just told me

the ambulance isn't coming.

And you know we don't

have another ambulance.

He wants to know how

he will get his wife out of here.

Tell him they said

his embassy will deal with it.

The Americans

stopped the ambulance.

They want to send a hellcopter,

but there are problems.

Good evening.

The doorman called to say

you wanted to talk to me.

I don't understand.

could you speak slowly?

I'm sorry.

What was it

you wanted to tell me?

Do you have tea?

"My father had nothing to do

with my mother's death."

What's this?

When your mother jumped off the

balcony, your father was asleep?

You saw her jump?

You've already told the other officers?

What are you talking about?

Does your father still hunt?

There was an incident involving a rifle

in your father's name.

That's why we want to talk to him.

Understand?

Your father isn't going to jall.

We just need to talk to him.

I have to go.

I really have to go.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Please stop.

No, this is wrong.

You're just a girl.

Enough, stop it!

Give me that rifle.

They're going to kill us.

They're going to kill us.

I killed the American. I was the

only one who shot at you.

They did nothing... nothing.

Kill me, but save my brother, he did

nothing... nothing.

Save my brother...

he did nothing.

They're alone.

They are chlldren,

they will die.

There's no need to apologize.

Mr. Wataya, this officer

has been looking for you.

Good evening, I'm Lieutenant Mamiya.

Good evening, how can I help you?

Sir, there was an incident and...

I'm sorry to bother you, but...

do you own a .270 callber

Winchester M70 rifle?

Registration number...

UK-9023.

I don't remember the number,

but I did have a rifle llke that.

Is it true that you gave that rifle

to a Mr. Hassan Ibrahim...

who llves in Morocco?

Hassan Ibrahim?

He says he was

your guide in a hunt.

Hassan? Yes,

I remember him well.

He was a good guide and a very

good man, I gave him the rifle in thanks.

Did anything happen?

That rifle was used

in an attempted murder...

and the Moroccan pollce want

to confirm it's not off the black market.

No, I gave it to him.

Is Hassan ok?

I don't know about that.

Am I legally involved?

Not for the moment, but can you

come down to the station tomorrow?

I have a few questions.

Can I leave now?

Good night.

Excuse me.

I heard from your daughter...

about your wife on the balcony.

I'm very sorry.

What balcony?

About how your wife killed herself

by jumping off the balcony.

My wife never jumped off a balcony.

She shot herself in the head.

My daughter was the first to find her.

I've explained it

to the pollce many times.

Don't bother us with that anymore.

I'm very sorry sir, we won't

bother you anymore.

Good night.

Another shochu.

Susan Jones, who was wounded

in a terrorist attack in Morocco...

was discharged from a Casablanca

hospital this morning, local time.

The American people finally have

a happy ending, after five days...

of frantic phone calls

and hand wringing.

In other news...