Occident (2002) - full transcript

Occident is a bittersweet comedy that focuses on the growing tendency of Eastern European youth to migrate west. When the amicable Luci (Alexandru Papadopol) and his beautiful lover Sorina (Anca Androne) are evicted from their apartment, Sorina decides they must visit her father's grave and ask for a "sign". Seconds later, Luci is hit in the head by a bottle and taken to the hospital by a Frenchman. Despite her love for Luci, Sorina believes a life with security takes precedence over romance, and moves in with the good samaritan. Meanwhile, a jilted bride (Tania Popa) and her mother (Coca Bloos) enlist the help of of a private agency to find a proper husband for her, but the wealthy Italian man they select has more than a couple of undesirable traits. Later, Michaela's (Popa) father, a police captain, finds out that Luci's cousin is dead, prompting him to remember when the two boys fled from Romania by swimming across the Danube on an inflatable doll. The cousin had made it across, but Luci had been arrested and thrown into prison.

Luci and Sorina
Be careful.
Tell me, did they give you the money?
-No, but in two-three weeks will be solved, you'll see.0:01:28.0:-Two-three weeks?
It has been lasting for two months by now.
I don't understand what you have to lose.
You go for an interview.
The headmistress at the kindergarten has already spoken.to the guy.
-Don't you understand?
The guy will ask me-
But do you know what is advertising?
And what should I say?
-He will ask you, but at least he will give you money.
Don't you ever want us to move away from here?
-What did they do? Wait here...
-Motherfucker.
Do you hear me?
How dare you take my things out of the house without letting me know?
Did this guy bribe you to put him in my place?
How are you talking to my brother?
Hey, uncle Emil, come here!
Fuck you, bloody thieves!
-What are you doing? Are you swearing?
Fuck you, bastard.
-Do you regret this place now?
We will sort it out.
-We will sort it out...
You always say that.
-We will do something about it.
We will go to auntie and will live there.
Waiting for auntie to die,
so that we can have her flat is not good either.
-It would be better if we leave this place.
-Where would we go?
:-Anywhere.
-Anywhere? Come on, it will be...
:-It will be what?
Don't you see they threw us in the street and you can't do anything about it? Anyway, nothing could be worse than that.
And somewhere else how do you think it will be?
Anyway, it cannot be worse that that.
-What are you doing?
-I will go to my father.
Please understand me, something must change.
-We must work this out.
What can your father do?
-And now what are we waiting for?
- I don't know. Maybe he will give us a sign.
-What kind of sign?
You won't expect him to talk.
-Of course not.
Maybe we will get an idea or I don't know.
Something will happen.
If we will be given a sign, we will realize, you'll see.
-And how will we ask him?
-That's what I am doing now.
I will ask him mentally.
-And what will you ask him?
-That is my business.
-What? Is that a secret?
-It is not a secret, but you laugh at these things.
-I won't laugh, but you don't know to raise the problem.
I mean you ask in vain
"Father, what should I do? Should I leave or should I go?".
The man cannot answer you.
You have to answer yes or no questions.
You say "Dad, I want to leave.
If it is a good thing for me to live, make those crows over there to fly."
That is how you should do.
Otherwise, the poor man cannot give you an answer.
-Look, they flew away.
-What?
-They flew.
-Wait.
-I did not ask that.
-Now you must...
-If they fly, we should stay, right?
I think he is here.
-Who?
-My father.
-Well, if this is not a sign...
Listen...
-Luci?
Please!
Could you help me?
Sorina.
Gerome.
-Don't you have the impression that they're looking at us?
-It's true, sir.
- I also have one in the bedroom.
It's calming to look at them.
-So I will have her here as an advertising agent.
-That's good.
-I owe you.
-Nevermind, colonel.
-Manager, there is a guy here for hiring as an advertising agent. Could he...
Bring him in.
-Tell me something about yourself.
Your name, your occupation...
-My name is Lucian Timofte, I am 29...
What do I do?
I work at the greenhouses in the Botanical Gardens.
Well... now there are no money... practically...
-And why do you want to be an advertising agent?
-Well, I don't want to. My wife wants to...
At my job we have not been paid for two months
...I mean the headmistress said...
What headmistress?
The Headmistress of Nursery number 69.
-So, Mrs Julea sent you?
Let's see how is Mrs Julea.
-Auntie Leana!
Auntie Leana!
-Luci!
-Hello, Gica is here?
-He's downstairs to his car.
-Did you come to see auntie?
-Yes, but she's not answering.
-Oh my God! Maybe she is not well.
-See if the door is open.
Yesterday she was not good.
-Nicu?
-It's not Nicu, auntie Leana. It's Luci.
Can we sleep tonight at your place?
-Of course, dear.
-But with Sorina too.
- I hope you'll have enough space.
-We do, auntie.
-Yeah man. Listen.
Go tell my mom to give me my cigarettes.
-She's here with auntie. What is this auntie?
Do you have sugar in your coffee again?
-You are not allowed sugar.
-It's alright, dear. It's alright.
-So you won't be asleep, ok?
-He said you wouldn't be asleep.
-So exactly when I found it, that bottle hit my head.
-What about Sorina?
-She's sad with all this shit.
Now she keeps telling me that we should leave the country.
-Well, why the hell should you stay here?
You don't have a house.
-It is not that simple, man.
If we had left before, would have been different,
To clean toilets?
-Why should you clean toilets, man?
You can work as a builder, I don't know.
-No, man. If Nicu had arranged something for me, I would have left, but otherwise... Besides there is auntie Leana...
-So what? Will you stai here for an old woman?
-But she brought me up, didn't she?
-I would go on a cruiseship to be a chef. $2 per hour...
-But you can't swim.
-It doesn't matter. You must know how to cook.
-But you don't know to cook.
-It doesn't matter, you will learn there.
I enroled to a cooking course.
Do you think she has someone else?
Who?
Sorina...
-Give me a break.
-What did you do with my furniture?
-A guy with a truck came and took it.
-A guy?
-He came with your wife, man.
-Come on, let him be.
-Why should I let him be?
You don't know how he is like.
- Uncle Emil!
-Way to go, kids! Very nice!
-He is Mr. Van Horn, a guest from Belgium.
He loves children and he would like,
He will aks you some question and your teacher will translate them for you.
-Hello kids. My name is Michel and I am from Holland.
-And you, what is your name?
-Costel Denis and I am in prep school.
-Very good, Denis. And do you want to go to another country?
-...His father died... Work accident.
-Costelus, go to your place, so that the gentleman
-Hello, I was to an interview. They hired me.
-Very good.
-Aren't you happy for me?
-Leave me alone! The children see us.
-We will solve it, you'll see. So what did you do with the furniture?
-I found someone with an empty apartment and I put it there.
-I spoke with auntie Leana and we can live there until we find something else.
-And her?
-She will live there, too. She has nowhere to go.
-How should we live 3 people in a studio flat,
-As you wish, but I think it is not good what you do?
-What do you mean?
-You should think about it?
-Think about what? Do you think I am kidding?A I have to go now.
-Nicu?
-It's me, Luci, auntie Leana.
-Ah, Luci. What are you doing there?
-What do I have to do?
-How should I explain?
The first thing you should do is to learn the product.
If you identify yourself with it, you love it so that
If they love it, they will buy it.
Do you understand?
Go now!
-OK.
-Wait a minute!
-Aren't you ashamed to show up here after everything
-I am replacing the guy who left.
I am Luci.
-Mihaela.
I am sorry. I thought you are Vasile.
I am sorry.
-No worries. Can I make a phone call?
-Let's better go outside.
-Hello. I want to talk to Sorina.
She's not there?
And don't you know where she is?
Then tell her that I called and I will call again.
Thank you.
-What? Problems?
-No, I was with Gica, a friend of mine,
-Want some?
-What is the matter with Vasile?
-Well, problems.
I say that your friend should talk to the girl.
-You say so?
-Uhum...
-Are you sure you know what you are doing?
-Yes, man.
-Hello, Sorina is not here?
-She's not living here anymore.
She moved out.
-And don't you know where she is?
-She found a place, I don't know.
-Pardon me.
-Nicu?
-It's not Nicu, auntie Leana. I am with Gica.
-She called me this morning.
She does not know him very well and she moved there.
-It's shitty.
You must do something quickly.
If this flat studio have been yours you would move back
- I have to talk to you.
-What is this, auntie?
Do you want to feel sick again from the sugar?
-Well, it is important for people to live well.
-Luci, I want to help you.
I see you and the girl have separated.
I was thinking what if I sell this house and buy two smaller houses:
-Auntie, this is a studio flat.
There isn't anything smaller than this.
-But what if I have moved away?
-Where?
-To the asylum.
-Why would you move? Auntie, nevermind.
-I say you should talk to her and ask her.
-No worries, auntie.
-Auntie, don't you want us to play toghether in
It's nice. Merry-go-round...
-How could I go to the park?
Do you want me to becaome sick? You can go...
-Why should you feel sick, auntie?
-What are you doing there?
-Excuse me.
-Oh my gosh! Did she move here?
-That's what the address shows. See?
Number 43. I think it's here.
-Good luck!
-Don't be late, the match will begin.
-Hello. Come on in.
Sorina, it's for you.
Is your head ok?
-What are you doing here?
-Can I come in?
-What happened?
-I don't know. You tell me.
-Tell you what?
-Who is this guy for instance?
-He saved your life, if you want to know.
-And that is why you moved in with him?
-That is why you came here, to make a scene?
-No, I came to ask you if you want to marry me.
-My name is Gerome.
-Luci.
-It is football on TV. Do you like football?
-Why is this guy wearing my bath robe?
- I gave it to him.
-What?
-For my husband's soul.
-And what about me?
-You are not my husband.
-Oh, really? Listen, Gerome or whatever
I am her husband.
Even if now we have some problems, you cannot take advantage, ok?
-I am sorry. I don't understand a word.
-Sorina, what did he say?
-What is he saying?
-Stop it.
-How could you do such a thing?
-What did I do?
-I live in a proper place for a few days.
So what? On Monday he goes back in France.
I can stay here until Monday.
I sleep here and he sleeps upstairs.
-Luci?
-Shut up.
-It is for you.
-Yes?
-Luci, man. Don't be a sucker.
Tell her what you have to say.
-I told her, but she does not want to understand.
-Luci? Was there a goal?
-Yes. It is 1-0.
-For what team?
-Wrong number.
-If you keep spitting each other, I will have you off the
-Are you ok?
-Auntie Leana, if you want you can go one more time, but I cannot.
-I brought the tape with the song you told me about.
-Thanks.
-Well, is the problem with your friend sorted out?
-He said he needs a few days to let her think
-And what will he do?
-He will wait.
-Here you are.
-Yuck.
-Come on, it's good.
-Auntie?... Auntie? Let me in.
I was kidding...Auntie Leana?
- LUci, someone from the police is looking for you. Something happened?
-Mister Lucian Timofte?
-Yes.
-Colonel Visoiu. Mister Siegfrid.
-Nae Siegfrid.
-May I?
-Yes, please.
-Mister Lucian, I am a friend of your friend Nicu, from Germany.
- Good luck, Mr. Marian.
And be careful about how you will say it.
-shouldn't you have gone today to talk to Sorina?
-I will go tomorrow.
-Auntie, there is something I have to tell you.
-Maybe is Nicu.
-Hello, I am colonel Visoiu from the police section 42. I am sorry to bring you the bad news. Your son died.
-Do you want to kill the woman?
-This is better.
-What did you do?
-She passed out.
-Don't tell me?
-What are you doing still here?
Go to your wife and tell her that it is sorted out.
-Should I go now?
-Now, until it is not too late.
What are you thinking about? Go!
Mihaela and her mother
Today is the most important day in your life.
You step together on the road of life.
...I declare you husband and wife.
-We are next. Invite the people in.
-Have you seen the groom? Vasile.
-Have you seen Vasile?
-Children, have you seen Vasile?
-Teacher, the boys spit each other and don't let us sing.
-Vasile?
-No.
-Who is then?
-Gabriel.
-Have you seen Vasile?
-Last time I saw him he was near the white car.
-Which one? The car with food or the car with beverage?
-The one with beverage, colonel, sir.
-Hurry up, we have to find him.
-I'll be out quick.
-I'll wait for you outside.
-One, two, three...
Boys. You on the lane, you to the back and you come with me.
-We have 13 marriages today. We have to pass to the next.
-Dear, we will find you a good guy.
-If this is not a sign.
-I think is here.
-Who?
-Please!
-I don't know what we're going to do.
-Oh, Geta. It's not the end of the world.
There are boys in this world, maybe even better.
-But who would marry a girl in her situation?
Everybody is talking about what happened.
-Let her go to America, to Cristina.
Maybe she will meet someone there.
- Where should I send her so far away?
She does not know much about people.
See this Vasile. She loves him and that's it.
-Then go to the dating agency that helped Emilia to leave.
-I couldn't marry her to a stranger.
-Why not? Emilia, for instance, is well.
She stays at home, taking care of the child.
-Elena, but the Belgian, the Dutch, whatever,
-He is not, headmistress. I asked him.
-Oh, mrs. Julea, if you help me...
-If only I could...
Because Mihaela is like a daughter to me.
-Nice poetry. Do you want to publish them?
-I'd wish, but if you don't know people.
I also started to write a novel.
Look, this is me in the 8th grade.
Here I am with my parents.
-Is your father a militian?
-A policeman. He used to write when he was...
Actually he writes even now.
-What? Poems?
-Now he writes for the police magazine.
But when he was younger he used to write.
Not poetry, but lyrics.
-Lyrics for what? For songs?
-Do you know the one with
"I got my scarf, I am a pioneer"...
-..."And I am proud of it, I a pioneer..."
-He wrote that?
-Uhum...
-Really? I have been singing this song for 8 years in school. You know what else I like? "We in 2000 when we will no longer be children...". very nice...Did you expect that you will be like this in 2000?
-Mihaela!
Do you know that one "We in the year 2000..."
Did you think that you would look like this in 2000?
Me neither...
-Excuse me.
Mom, what are you doing here? Did something happen?
-No darling.
-Something happened to daddy?
-No, darling.
-They did nice things too, to tell the truth.
-He is not Vasile, is the new guy- Luci.
-For example Emilia, who did not finish high school here.
She married a foreigner and she is ok now.
She does not work, she only takes care of the child...
The guy takes her out on Saturdays.
Think about this, darling.
How would it be for you to eat each Saturday at McDonald's?
-Mom, this not so important for me.
I want to write, to travel...
-Of course, but you must have a status...
What will you earn from writing?
-Money are not that important to me.
-They are not, but soon we will retire.
You must have your house, your income...
Listen to me, I worked hard my whole life to make some money.
-If you did it, I could as well...
-When I was young it was different.
But nowadays there are so many people who have possibilities...
Men must work, this is the way,
but for a woman it is important
- I want someone who likes the poems I write
- It is important that the person is able to
The Dutch gentleman could help you, do you understand?
-I don't know what to say, mom.
Should I get out with strangers?
- My dear, they are all strangers before you
-Come, Mihaela dear.
Do it for me, please.
- I understand you write poetry?
-Yes, I do.
Do you want to listen one of my poem?
-Yes, why not?
-It's the first poem I wrote. I was 15.
-"It is spring again and I am thinking of you
I know you are somewhere and I wait for you to come to me
You will be handsome and I will be kind
We will lay in the grass, under the moonlight"
-I don't understand the words, but it is very rhytmical.
- I also write in French. In Baudelaire's style. Have you heard of him?
-Baudelaire... Baudelaire... The name sounds familiar.
-He is my father's favourite.
And his favourite painter is Grigorescu.
He painted many oxen carriages.
My father has many reproductions of those paintings.
-I like reproduction.
Do you?
-Do you want me to recite for you a poem in French?
-The duck is for the manager...
-This is from my wedding...
-Only the girls brought nothing.
-I heard they also have doctors and even Americans.
All sorts...
We should be lucky for the manager to want to help us
because it depends on him.
-Next! Come in, please. Have a seat, please.
-Thank you.
-For the form: first name, last name, marital status.
-Mihaela Visoiu, single. She is my daughter.
-Why did you come instead?
-She is a bit shy, you know...
-From where should the man be?
-Sorry?
-I mean - Europe, America, Asia...
-Don't you have from our country?
-Madam, we only cooperate with abroad agencies.
-Europe then.
-Europe... Look here.
-Oh my god! Don't you have younger men?
-They are still young, madam. How old is your daughter?
-24.
-24... Have a look here!
-Oh, but he's ugly.
-Well... ugly...
-The second, maybe?
-Which one?
-This one?
-No. On the top row.
-That one.
-He is a gentleman from Cyprus, 35, a sailor.
-A sailor? But what about a doctor or something
-Lady, that one is too ugly, the other one was no good...
It is about people, we don't bargain.
Look here at those.
They are doctors from Canada.
-But why do they stand like this?
-They are brothers.
-You'd better recommend me someone.
-Who should I recommend, madam?
We have some gentlemen arrived in the city for dating,
One is from Spain, he works for the Opera in Madrid and there are more...
I suggest you should pay the fee to the secretary and leave
here the picture of the girl and her personal information.
-Sure, here they are. There is also a poem. My daughter writes.
-Ok, I will take care of it.
-Thank you. Have a nice day.
-Mihaela. A phone call for you.
-Who is it?
-A young man from Italy.
-Mom, I think I found someone I like.
I don't want too meet all kind of people.
-Listen to me at least this once.
He has a house near Milan and a publishing house.
-How do you know about the publishing house?
-She spoke to him in Italian.
-Who knows what an old man he is...
-He is young and he likes your poetry.
I attached a poem to your photo and this guy
-What is the name of his publishing house?
-It is called Esperanza and publishes 1000 books a year.
-How old is he?
-59.
Oh, sorry, Mihaela.
The publishing house is 59 years old, he is 23.
-How tall is he?
-Dear, you cannot ask something like that.
-I want to know how tall is he.
-186 cm and 76 kgs.
-Is he bald?
-Come on, dear!
-He is dark haired and has brown eyes.
-Tell him to send me a picture.
-There is no time for pictures, dear.
-Of course we do. Give him the address.
-See? He is an honest guy, he wants to come here
-Mom, you invited him.
If he publishes my poems, I will leave with him.
Don't regret afterwards.
-He is young, of a good family.
Maybe he is our luck.
-Oh my god! How will we decorate here until tomorrow?
-Maybe you will talk to my husband because he does not agree to this. But he respects your opinions.
-Yes, of course.
Let's decorate this place.
What is here?
-What's up?
-I want to tell you something.
I may publish my poems eventually.
-Very good. Is not what you wanted?
-Yes, but we all have to make sacrifices for
-Yes.
-And probably I have to leave.
-Anyway it is a shitty job.
-Yeah, but...
This tape is for you.
And I wrote another poem.
I want you to read it after I am gone.
-Ok.
-I am happy we met.
-Me too.
-We must do whatever is best for us, right?
-Yes.
-Quickly!
-Cheers!
-You'd better have made stuffed cabbage.
-Let him feel at home here.
-You promised me you won't spit otherwise
-He's coming!
-He's coming.
Girls, don't stand like that.
Act more naturally!
-Well, why did I place you there?
-To let you know when he comes.
-And what else did I tell you?
-To report if there is something suspect about him.
-OK. And there wasn't anything suspect?
-Colonel, sir, I made a sign that he is black, but you did not understand.
-Now go and tell everybody.
-I won't tell anyone, colonel sir.
-Here you are! Go and have a beer.
Thank you, colonel.
-Are you living now at Nicu's mother?
-For the time being, until I find another place.
I don't know how to tell her. She's old...
-Please excuse me. I will go home to be with my daughter.
I don't know when will I see her again.
-Don't cry. She won't go to slaughter.
She will be fine.
Children are like this: they grow up, they leave...
-But don't you see this guy, Nicu?
He left home healthy and look what happened.
What is the matter with everybody?
Here is not good?
Your family is here, they can support you when you are in need.
Where should you go away?
-It is good here, but people go where is better.
-She leaves, does not look back and the house remains empty behind her.
-It is not empty. Is the lady and the other lady.
-My wife...
-You also have neighbours, friends...
-What friends?
After you retire, everybody forgets about you.
-The boy will visit you.
-Do you know a house to rent close to your place?
A cheaper one...
-Why don't you come to us?
There is room now.
-I don't have money.
Besides there is also my wife.
-It is not the money!
We have someone to talk to.
Next summer we will move to the countryside, someone must
Pay us a visit and you will see.
-I can come tomorrow, if you don't mind.
But I don't know how to tell auntie Leana.
-Colonel sir...
-Uncle Marian...
-Uncle Marian, I want to ask you something
Accompany us to the old woman's house.
We need someone who knows how to deliver the news.
-Ok boys...
Let's drink this!
To my daughter!
-Be careful how you bring it up.
-Hello lady.
I am colonel Visoiu and I am sorry to tell you that your son died.
-What did you do?
-She fainted.
-Come on, auntie Leana.
-Don't worry, dear.
This happens to her because she has low blood pressure.
A bit of water and she will be fine.
-Is it raining?
-Auntie, tomorrow I will go to the colonel's place
and I think we will move there if he agrees.
Aren't you upset, are you?
-I am happy that your problems are solved.
-What are you waiting for?
Go immediately to your wife and tell her
-I will go tomorrow.
-Go now, I stay here.
-Now?
-Now, before it is not too late. Go!
The future creates unique shapes.
Nae Zigfrid and the colonel
-Dear guests and workmates, allow me,
As you all know, next week he will retire and
this is the last meeting we have him here.
Mr. colonel, we wish you all the best.
-Thank you.
The years have passed quickly,
tomorrow my daughter is getting
-Bless her!
-Thank you...
so that it is hight time to make room for the
I will move to the countryside and you
-Now allow me to introduce to you our guest, Mr.
He is in charge with the European funds for
Let's listen to him.
-Have a look.
-We have 30 bottles of wine, brandy, beer...
-The wedding rings from my grandfather...
-I gave them to Vasile, he will keep them.
-You shouldn't have.
I dont trust him too much.
I caught him drowsing on the chair today.
-What do you expect? He is a poor orphan.
-And I wanted so much that Mihaela would find a good boy.
-Oh, come on!
Mihaela has this house.
We will move to the countryside, 50 kms away.
-You shouldn't give him the wedding rings.
-Oh, come on!
Everything will work out just fine, you will see.
Have you seen a man with a groom's suit?
-If this is not a sign...
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
Do you have the rings?
Don't tell me you lost the rings from the
See what the alcohol makes out of you, Mr. Vasile?
-I won't drink anymore.
-I am sorry, but I took you out of my heart.
-Father-in-law!
-Please!
-Where can I find cpt. Visoiu?
-The colonel? Office 42.
-Colonel, do you know what was I thinking about?
-Yes?
-Hello! To report a theft, is this the right place?
-What did you steal?
-Not me, they stole my luggage.
-Hello?
-Nae Zigfrid.
-manager? Hello. Col. Visoiu speaking.
I am calling you for MIhaela.
I would like to see you, if possible.
-Colonel, you don't know me, but I know you.
I need your help regarding a theft of some
If they were mine maybe I did not report.
-Where do we know each other from?
-Years ago, in 1988 there was a case of yours -
You worked at the border that time.
-Oh yes, I was in Orsova.
-Do you remember a case with a boy who wanted to trespass the border by swimming in the Danube.
It was your case, but two days later two young officers from Securitate took it.
One small and bald and the other one taller.
-Oh yes!
What a tough guy was the short one!
He beat that guy.
-So do you remember?
-Of course, but I couldn't tell who are you.
I think you are not the short and bad one.
-No, I am the boy they beat.
-That was the law, then. If you did break it...
Besides, I did not hit you.
-You slapped me.
-I slapped you... but compared to how those guys hit...
-I do not accuse you of anything.
That was it...
Eventually I managed to go to Germany.
But then when you took me out of the room,
I had blood all over my face, some broken teeth
you told me you were sorry for me, that you also have kids, a girl,
And then you told me you couldn't help me
but if I ever would need your help later on
-That was 12 years ago.
-Now I need your help.
-Colonel, it is the old woman again.
Now she says there is a bear in her balcony.
-A bear?
-And what does the bear do?... Is he smoking?...
Shout out loud, madam, maybe he will be scared.
-People call the police as if they call their friends. Excuse me now, but I have to leave.
-Hello, is he in the house now?
Pass him on the phone.
-This guy I told you about - Nicu...
-Who was like your brother in Germany?
-Yes. He left before 1989 across the Danube
They had an idea about how to pass across.
And these two guys had the idea of crossing the Danube using
-To the left.
-...and they dropped the coin who should pass first.
And Nicu was the first.
The other one, Lucian did not manage to pass
because in the meantime the alarm started
Luckily, after the Revolution he was set free.
In Germany Nicu worked for me, because I have
He used to drink.
And one evening, last week, we were driving home.
I let him drive, even if he had drunk.
It was dark and raining, the car hit the parapet of the bridge and fell into the water.
I was at the rear and I could get out, but Nicu...
This is the coin they dropped who took one of them far away and let the other here.
-Listen, I write for police magazine.
What if pe publish this story of yours in the "About Life" column?
-If you are interested...
But will you help me?
- How, exactly?
-Nicu told me that if something happens to him I should look for this Lucian and tell him and to bring his things back.
-But you said something about a theft.
-Last night after I arrived here I stopped at the railway station to have a drink and my car was broken into.
They took the luggage.
Nothing valuable, though, but personal things that cannot be replaced.
We'll see...
-Oh, he should be careful not to rob him at the airport.
-She should meet foreigners?
No, I cannot agree.
We'll find a good guy for her, here.
This house will be hers, we'll help her with the children
She shouldn't go anywhere.
-You say we will find her somebody
but it's not as you think.
Besides, why should she stay here?
-Why?
-What about the house and all these things?
Children should stay close to their parents, to help them.
-But don't you think about the girl?
-I am thinking about her.
The thing with Vasile, whom we knew, did not work out, how things will be with a foreigner?
-Mrs Julea's daughter is ok, she is at home, taking care of the child.
-She is ok, but what about her mother?
Cristina this, Cristina that, how is Cristina, let's call Cristina... Is it ok like this?
-Everything is a lottery, you don't know in advance.
My daughter married to a foreigner and she is ok.
-She is ok, but are you ok?
-This is life. Children go where is better.
This year I might go as well there, to help her with the baby. Eventually we must follow them, can't help it.
-Where do they go all in the world?
-Attention!
Colonel, we found the luggage of the gentleman
We will collect them tonight.
-Boys, listen to me.
Today is an important day for you.
You will never forget your first mission.
It will be forever in your mind.
After you will retire you will tell it to your
And I will tell you one more thing.
For the policeman, the watch is the measure of
Thus you can see the self-control.
During the watch you must face the offender. You and him.
Is it true that then you are losing hair?
-It's possible.
-Everybody know what to do, let's go!
You, hide in the bushes.
When the offender comes, start whistling. Go now!
-Colonel, do you know what I was asking?
-What?
-For instance the apple.
It has the seeds in the middle,
The orange also has seeds,
but banana where does
-Sergeant! Sergeant! The offender!
-And why don't you whistle?
-I cannot whistle.
-Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
-Oh my god, Geta!
This woman was stolen...
-Oh, for you is this a woman?
-Let me explain...
-This woman, this object...
-That's right, for you the woman is an object.
-Do you allow me to speak?
-This woman, as you see, saved a man's life.
It's a simple object and it's not mine.
-And what is it doing in our house?
-That was the circumstance...
-And what is Mihaela had found it?
-What example are we for this child?
-What if that young man who comes tomorrow would
-What young man?
-A very good young man with a house and a status,
-In Italy?
-Yes.
-Ask him about his parents.
-His father is...
-I understood what I wanted to.
-Why are you crying now?
-Talk to Mihaela.
-What shall I talk to her?
When you suggested to her that only money matter, you did not wanted
Now sort this out by yourself.
-What is wrong with you?
The youngmen are by hemselves there! He is a guest, right?
-You brought the monkey into my house...
-The boy has a good family, what if he is black? We are having lucnh, nobody says that MIhaela should marry him. Let's go in and behave yourselves!
-Here is the second dish!
-So young man, were you born in Italy or...?
-I was born in Mozambique and lived there unil I was 5.
-And do you have police there...thieves...?
-It's similar here.
Beasides Dracula and Nadia Comaneci, what else do they
-Yes, because the Italian and Romanian are sister languages.
-By the way, in my spare time I like to grow
I was wondering how do
-Ask him if he knows something about scholarships given
-Today- thanks to Mr. Van Hord- Costelus will go -
to a new family in a new country.
-Good afternoon.
I thank you for coming here today, to say goodbye
-Please forgive him, he is very nervous, of course.
But he promised me that he won't spit again.
-Sorina, they are waiting for you.
-Young man, you are a good boy and you will understand me
because you also have a family and parents.
Listen to me, Mihaela cannot leave, not because you are...
but here is her home, we must stick together to grow our
-Wait a minute...
-This boy says that Mihaela wants to leave and that
Did you know something?
-It's better for her to leave.
-Hello, it's Gabriel.
Mr. Nae is waiting for you here.
He said you have to write an article.
-Listen, we must find that boy- Lucian. And quickly!
-Yes sir. I will go now.
-...I left in 1988, I met Nicu there
-Lucian lives here in flat 47?
-He lived there, but he moved away.
Ask at the kindergarten number 69.
-Here is Nicu, in the army.
-I heard his wife is working here.
-Yes.
-Could you give a phone number?
-Very nice.
Do you have any news regarding the luggage?
-We are still working on that.
-Can I keep it?
Yes, of course. It is for you.
-Hello, Sergeant Gabriel.
I want to spek to Mr. Lucian Timofte.
-Try to find him at the shop.
-Is it for me?
-No.
-How do you say in German?
-Prost.
-Oh, no, they are made of wood.
-Nothing is missing.
Too bad the woman is holey.
-We tried to fix it
-As I can see it is damaged in more spots.
-The fabric is old...
-Shall we go in?
-Yes. We know each other only for a couple of days.
You are an honest man,
I realized and I dare ask you
-Tell me.
-It's about my daughter, she wants to leave the country,
I won;t tell you the details...
But Mihaela wants to leave anyway.
And I was thinking to ask you a favour.
To give her a lift when you leave, so that she has more time
I thought I should leave tomorrow morning.
-She is prepared, if you agree.
She also writes poetry, maybe she can help with your printing
-Colonel, if we don't help each other, who would?
-You don't know what this means to me.
-Shall we go now, colonel?
-Don't call me colonel, but uncle Marian.
-Mr. Lucian, I am Nicu's friend from Germany.
-Finally he thought to give me a sign.
-You see... this is the problem. Nicu has passed away.
He died last week in a car accident.
And he asked me to look for you if something happens to him.
This is the coin. Nicu wore it all the time.
Here are his things.
-What is that?
-Nicu used to look at it and he used to say -
-It did not have patches on it.
-But the circumstances were like that...
-Wait a minute.
Nicu who did not said anything for years
-Wait...wait...
For him these objects meant something.
It was a sign of the fate that separated you.
-Do you want me to tell you what separated us?
I went to pee behind a tree and when I returned
I did not find him.
So take your coin back and let him
And I am sorry to say, but that
And for his mother you did not bring anything?
-The truth is he did not have money.
-He used to drink,didn't he?
-I can give the woman some money.
-And who will tell the old woman? I cannot do that.
How did it happen?
It was dark and raining...
-I know you. Weren't you a friend of Nicu?
-Yes, but I don't think you know me.
-Madam, it is about Nicu...
-Colonel...
-Uncle Marian.
-Auntie Leana, Nicu...
-What about Nicu?
-Nicu will never come back again. Do you understand?
-Very good.
Why should he return here if he is well there?
Or isn;t he well there?
-He's well there. Right?
-Yes.
-He did not send us a sign for so long...
-He was busy, auntie.
-Yes, he is working hard, the poor man. Does he still drink?
-Practically not too much.
-What about the money? Does he earn?
-Yes he does, auntie. He sent you 1,500 DM and he will send
-PLease tell him that I am ok.
-Auntie, I will go tomorrow to the colonel.
-What are you waiting for?
Go to your wife and tell her that
-I wanted to go tomorrow. Should I go now?
-Go now, man. Before it is not too late.
-We will all pass away, cannot help it.
- I do want to leave, please.
What about you?
-They came to say goodbye. He will leave in an hour.
-What about you being here so early?
-I did not go home last night.