Consolation (2010) - full transcript

An allegorical drama about a woman who wakes up on the morning of the last day of her life and her family are able to accept it.

Nechama

(also consolation)

Nechama?

Nechama..

aren't you getting up

Nechama, I'll be in the garden.

Fine, Menachem, fine.

Hello?

Hi, Grandma.

Yes, I saw you called.

I just...

Oh no, Grandma,

I totally forgot about it.

But I can't come over.

I'm sorry.

Grandma, I can'

I'll call you back, okay?

Thefea's kind of bitter,

isn't it?

is the cake in the oven?

Nechama? -What?

Did you put. the cake in the oven?

Oh...not yet.

in a minute.

be careful.

You don't want what happened

last time to happen again.

Does your battery need changing?

-No.

I talk to you,

but you don't answer.

My battery doesn't need changing.

And the tea isn't.bitter.

I took out the teabag

just in time.

I said it was kind of bitter.

Just a bit.

You have to know

exactly when to...

Forget it.

Menachem.

Nechama?

I've been calling you for

'minutes now and you don't answer.

What do you need, Menachem?

I can't find my white shirt.

Your white shirt?

It's in the closet,

on the left.

No. it isn't there.

No? -No, and it isn't

on the right either.

Maybe you forgot to iron it.

What?

Nothing.

What are you doing?

I'm rearranging your shirts.

You don't wear these.

Yes I do.

When do you ever wear them?

-I wear them.

Nechama?

Nechama, what is it?

Easy, easy...

What's with you today?

Menachem..

we have to talk.

You realize you're talking

nonsense, don't you?

I know it's hard to believe,

but that's how it is, Menachem.

It's nonsense, Nechama.

-It isn't nonsense.

How can you be sure

about such a thing?

I don't know.

You just know.

Just like I knew

about my mother,

just like I knew about Ruti

before she went away,

just like I knew about

you and Nava Rosenbaum.

I'm not trying

to get back at you.

I had a dream,

and the dog...

Is this whole discussion

because of a stupid dream?

No, it isn't a stupid dream.

Well, enough.

I don't want to listen any more.

If this is your way

of punishing me

for something that happened

32 years ago...

Menachem, please come back.

Don't you feel well?

What is it? Chills?

Arthritis?

I always have that.

No, I...

I know that today is the day.

I just know it.

I don't understand, Nechama.

I need you to believe me,

Menachem.

Hi, this is Ruti.

I'm a bit busy right now,

leave your name and number

and I'll get back to you

as soon as I can.

Have a great day.

Ruti

Call me.

Thank you.

Sorry.

When can I go home?

We want to change

your medication,

so you'll feel better again,

and make sure it works for you

and you feel

like yourself again...

So you'll be staying with us

for a few more weeks.

Does it matter if I say no?

Good question.

Let's wait a little while

we'll see how you feel

in a few days.

Than1^ you, Yael,

you can wait outside.

All right...

Third suicide attempt...

I don't want to be here.

Try to sit.

Come on.

I really do think we can help you.

Really?

When you said before

that you want to die,

were you saying it out of anger

or... -It was real.

May I ask why?

Why do you want to live?

We're talking about you now.

It's obvious you're a student.

-It is, huh?

Yes.

But still...?

If you could really see me,

you wouldn't have to ask why.

How do you really look?

Drop it.

-I really want to know.

Can I smoke here?

How do you look?

Clad in sackcloth and ashes,

. crawling on my belly,

bleeding.

Spit and blood and sperm

drip from my mouth.

Was that too heavy for you?

Donlget too upset,

I stole thatjiine from my aunt.

When her son was killed,

that's what she recited

over his grave.

Except for the part about

the blood and sperm,

that's really mine.

You know, for a second there

I could really

see you like that.

I mean, I still see

the cynical, strong Yael

who doesn't take any shit,

but... -I stole that line.

So as I said,

I really think we can help you.

I don't want to live.

Why should I want help

with something I don't want?

Yael, wait a second.

I saw the new girl leaving,

so I thought

maybe we can meet now?

We said two o'clock, Nissim.

Yes, but...

Why not now?

We can talk a little longer, no?

I'm sorry, Nissim.

Two o'clock. All right?

Hello?

Hi, Grandpa.

No, it was off.

I'm at work.

What?

No, I'm fine.

I can’t come today,

I told you.

What do you mean,

an emergency?

I wouldn't tell you

if'It wasn't important.

Yes;, yes, everyone is fine

But it's very important

that you come.

No, I can't tell you

over the phone.

You just have to come.

We're waiting for you.

Hi, this is Ruti.

I'm a bit busy right now,

leave your name and number

and I'll get back to you

as soon as I can.

Have a great day.

Ruti....

It's Mom again.

Please call me when you can.

It's urgent.

What happened, Menachem?

t stabbed me.

Wait a second,

I need a bandage.

Nechama, are you planning

to tell her?

I mean...

Are you going to tell her

today that...

You know, that today you...

Yes.

I think so.

Maybe you should

think about it first.

You also said

it was important.

Yes.

You think we shouldn't?

I think you should

think about it.

You shouldn't upset her

for no reason.

it isn't "for no reason."

Yes, I know

that's what you think.

But...

If it happens, it happens.

It'll also scare her

if you tell her.

Maybe we should leave things

as they are.

Just..

Just so we'll have

a nice day together.

Neta’le isn't a little girl

anymore.

Yes, I know.

But it's better this way.

Isn't it?

Yes, it's the right thing to do.

Now that she's finally

coming over...

'll call her in a minute.

We don't want to nag her.

It's the right thing to do,

Nechama.

Dr. Tsur?

Hjey, Neta'le.

Comg in, come in

Well, how did it go

with Yael?

It isn't easy.

I don't think she'll want

to go on with the conversations.

Have you read "The House of God"?

It's a must-read for anyone

who wants to work in a hospitals.

There's..

a great line that the doctor

says to his students,

"What's the difference

between life and a penis?"

What?

"Life is always hard."

Dr. Tsur, I'm sorry,

I have to go out

for a little while.

Aren't you supposed

to be here till five?

Yes.

Neta, I take in students

who are prepared

to work hard.

I know. It's..

It's an emergency.

I see.

It's my grandmother...

She’s sick.

I understand, Neta.

The oven...

That's the door, Menachem.

We'll spend

a nice day together.

She's at the door.

Is everything all right,

Grandpa?

Yes.

What's going on?

Everything's fine.

Sweetheart..

Then what...

What was so urgent?

Are you all right?

We're just fine.

Good.

It smells like

something's burning.

Oh, the cake...

-Oh, Grandma,

how many times have I told you,

you don't have to do that.

And I can't stay long.

I dropped everything to come.

I'm at the hospital today.

I totally forgot

was supposed to come see you.

Neta'le, you know I don't mind,

but it's hard on Grandpa...

-I' forgot.

So what was the phone call about?

I thought Grandpa had

something urgent to tell me.

... Menachem..

One second.

We never see you.

You haven't come by

for two weeks.

We wanted to make sure

you're all right.

Okay, I...

I'm fine,

but I'm in the middle of work.

-And here's the cake.

I thought there was more time...

Well, it's a tiny bit

over-baked,

but that's all right.

Menachem.

Neta is asking

what was so important.

Oh...

Yes..

Neta, it's...

the house.

What?

The house.

Grandma and I were talking...

and we decided..

to give it to you.

Not now.

After we...

But not in the near future.

Not at all.

So you don't have to worry.

Thank you, really. I thought

there was something wrong.

Well, it isn't

an ordinary decision.

You don't say such things

over the phone.

No, of course not.

It's just that I thought...

I thought it was

something urgent.

e wanted to make you happy.

Thank you.

Thank you, really, Grandma.

Wow...

Wow, thank you so much...

Not that I hope

it happens soon, but...

But it's great to know that...

But the most important thing

is that you're well.

Really.

Wow.

Don't force her.

Don't force her if

she doesn't want it, Menachem.

'm not forcing her.

But still..

It's fine.

But you don't have to bake

every time, Grandma. Really.

And I'm not crazy

about yeast cakes.

What do you mean?

They're your favorite.

Yes, when I was five.

Have you spoken to Mom today?

No, she's busy with

the new exhibition.

I think she'll be hard

to reach until Sunday.

How's work?

Fine.

Are you still

with those nuts?

Yes, Grandpa, and I wish you

wouldn't call them that, okay?

We spoke about this.

But that's what they are,

isn't it?

I mean, you work in a nuthouse.

Are you volunteering?

I'm ve/y sorry...

-What's wrong?

Thanks for the cake and.,

the house,

but I really have to go.

Can't you stay a little longer?

Sweetheart.

I'll call you, okay?

I want to talk to you.

-Nechama.

But I...

-Nechama.

I'm going to die today.

What?

I'm going to die.

What do you mean, "die"?

Die.

Do you mean physically or...

the way you feel?

'm going to die.

What's with you today?

I mean, really.

If this is some kind

of sick joke...

No, I don't have much time,

there are people

who need me there.

It's no joke.

So when she comes

can you tell her

we're looking for her?

Yes. Thank you.

Isn't there anywhere else

she could be?

I'll try another number.

Can't you call from here?

All right...

Hi, Jesus, it's Neta.

I really need to speak to Mom,

Ruti.

So can you please tell her

to call me? -"Jesus..."

I've never heard of him.

It's urgent.

-Neither have I.

Maybe it's someone

from the gallery.

Who is that?

I don't know,

someone she works with.

Where did you get

his number?

Grandpa, what's with

the interroqation?

They're friends.

I met him when I was there.

s he Jewish?

-"Jesus"?

Menachem, "Jesus."

I'm going outside to smoke.

It just came out.

Yes.

She should know.

Yes, she's very helpful.

How do you feel?

I don't know.

And your "feeling"

Still have it?

I can't make it happen faster,

Menachem.

Galia?

Hey.

I'll be here a little longer.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

Well, can you tell Nissim?

Can you apologize on my behalf?

The religious giuy.

Yes.

Just tell him I'm...

I'm sorry..

That next w£ek...

I might even make ii.t tomorrow.

What's going on, Grandpa?

I didn't want to ask

in front of her,

but is she 'all right?

Are there any signs

of dementia?

Memory loss or anything

Has she ever mentioned

hearing voices?

Riituals, things

sft© fewer did before9

She isn't crazy, Neta.

you don't really believe her,

do you?

Just because she says

she has a feeling

doesn't mean

it's going to happen.

Maybe it's a subconscious wish.

It's true she's seemed unhappy

for the past few years

Reading a few books

doesn't make you an expert

on your grandmothers life

no

Not at all

I'm just trying to understand

we have to talk about this

and figure out

what she's trying to tell us

She says she's going to die, Neta.

But how does she knew?

I don't know.

I've heard of people

who know such things.

Really?

Who?

I don't know,

but your grandmother knows things.

Is that Ruti?

You can go if you like.

No...

it's fine.

Don't be silly. It's fine.

I didn't know about the cake.

What a waste, all those years..

You never said anything.

Go away.

Go away.

Hi, Galia.

No, it looks like

I won't make it today.

No, I can't.

So will you talk to him?

So lead the group

by yourself.

You're always saying

that I get in your way,

so for once it's all yours.

Okay?

-Okay.

bye

You're pruning everything.

There won't be anything left.

But this is how

I always do it.

Do you want to drive somewhere?

I don't know.

Should I make you some tea?

Enough with your stupid tea!

I'm sorry, Menachem,

I'm so sorry.

All I did was offer her tea.

"Tusedays with Mori" (Also teacher)

This is a book

I'm reading now, Grandma.

It's about exactly

what you're going through.

I don't think I'll Jjave time

to read it..

It's about someone

who's about to die

and how he prepares for it.

How much time does he h

-A few months.

The thing is, he has

all sorts of insights,

and he uses the time he has left

to talk about them.

I'm not sure..

that I have "insights."

Then maybe you can

just tell us something.

Something about your life,

Grandma.

I don't want to die.

Maybe it's just your head

or your soul telling you

that you're having

a ha’rd time now.

It isn't real, Grandma.

That's right.

It's just a feeling.

It could be a mistake,

that what you're feeling

is a mistake.

Maybe it's someone else.

Someone else is

going to die today,

and it isn't you.

It isn't you, Menachem,

that I know.

You can come out, Menachem.

Are you all right?

No.

You know, Grandpa thought...

that I shouldn't tell you,

that it would only...

make you sad.

No, I'm glad you told me.

Neta'le...

What do you like?

Because maybe...

maybe there's still time?

Maybe I can make it for you?

Grandma, forget the cake.

What does it matter now?

I don't know

why I mentioned the cake.

The cookies were just fine.

Yes, Grandpa bought them.

I can feel my dog all day.

What?

My dog, you know.

Grandma...

That isn't your dog.

It's probably

the neighbors' dog or something.

I know, I know.

'm talking about my dog,

Wolfie.

Wolfie..

I've had him

since I was a baby.

Wolfie. A smafU handsome dog.

With eyes like...

Such beautiful,

kind, wise eyes.

You never told me about him.

He went everywhere with me.

To my friends' houses,

to school.

He never let me

leave him behind.

Once we went on vacation..

He chased our train

for two whole days.

Who did?

Wolfie, our dog.

What do you want to do

with the clothes?

I dontt know.

Well, you don't

have to decide now.

You know, Neta'le,

I wasn't a good mother

to your mother.

That's okay,

she isn't so great either.

Scrambled eggs... (also bullshiter)

Scrambled eggs?

-Scrambled eggs.

That's what you used to make me

that I liked.

Scrambled eggs? -Yes, you put in

milk and... - Soda water.

Soda water.

Yes, there was something

special about it.

I don't know... I liked it.

Scrambled eggs.

Go away.

Go!

Do you know where

I keep the iron?

Yes, you showed me before.

(But I don't know how to use it.

I wish I could cry.

All day I try to cry,

but it just won't come out.

Maybe...

if we hug...

then maybe

the tears will come.

It was just...

just an idea.

e don't have to.

Come here, Grandma.

That helped, didn't it?

There's no trick

that can help.

I'm going upstairs, (also up)

I want to rest.

Hello?

Hi, Mom.

Mom...