Rozmowa z czlowiekiem z szafy (1993) - full transcript
Charles sits for hours in a wardrobe in a rented room on the attic, looking back on his whole life. He was brought up by a single mother who loved his only child with a sick desperate feeling and limited all his world to her own person. Charles' tragedy began with his adolescence. It made his mother aware of her feminity that resulted in her new marriage. Together with a new husband she decided to send the boy to a school for retarded children. Upon leaving the school Charles starts to seek his longing mother who moved out, in a meanwhile, not giving any address...
present
in the film
I am fine.
I don't want change.
I don't need any change.
I don't need anything.
I'd rather stay here,
in my wardrobe.
I came out the last time
three months ago.
Everything's fine as it is.
I keep thinking about
the old days at the house.
I miss my mother.
CONVERSATION WITH
THE MAN IN THE WARDROBE
based on a story by
IAN McEWAN
photography
production manager
written and directed by
Hush, hush...
my little Karol...
My little treasure,
mommy loves you...
She was strange.
Very strange.
All twisted inside.
I have it after her.
After father died,
she never mentioned him.
Only me.
Open up, nice...
If you eat everything,
I'll give you a strawberry.
Come on, open up...
Good...
What did I say?
First eat your grits.
The strawberry is a
reward for the nice boy.
Remember, you can't
take things by yourself.
Why are you
so naughty?
Why are you
so naughty?
Do you like it?
Just a bit more...
Time to begin.
... After a long journey,
the Red Riding Hood
finally reached grandma's house.
She slowly entered,
came up to the bed
and got frightened.
Grandmother looked
very strange.
Red Riding Hood bent
over the bed and
saw the head of
a terrible wolf.
The wolf jumped
out of bed,
pounced on the
Red Riding Hood
and gobbled her up.
When he was full,
he went back
into bed,
pulled the blanket
over himself,
and started snoring...
A brave hunter heard
the wolf's snoring.
He entered the grandmother's
house... and bing! bang!
He shot the wolf.
From the wolf's belly
the girl jumped out
and poor, sick grandmother
scrambled out.
I was happy.
I didn't know any other life.
She was really good to me.
Karolek, come,
we'll have a bite.
Come quick, quick.
Hide in here.
I didn't think I was
going to make it.
But I crawled up
here somehow.
Last week I went to see
a doctor.
I ran out of my
prescription.
Already last year
he referred me
to a sanatorium,
but, Ms Ania,
do I have the time?
Do I have the time?
Whole day on my feet.
I'm parched.
Thank you.
It must have been
some fruit.
Not going to be easy!
The damn thing
won't come out.
You know, my sister-in-law
had a beautiful table cloth.
Lacework.
Age old.
From her grandmother.
And the kids smeared
cherry jam all over it.
And there you have it.
Soap wouldn't work,
baking soda wouldn't work,
nothing worked. So she
took it to the dry cleaner's.
But the damn thing
won't come out.
You have...
grown...
He'll be starting school
soon, won't he?
If you fed him
potatoes,
meat,
gave him some
cream to drink,
he would grow up
to be a man.
But now...
What? Doesn't he
have any teeth?
I brought you
something special.
What do you say?
You hear me?
What do you say?
Be a good boy and
say 'thank you'.
Say 'thank you'.
No need to torment him.
He'll learn, and if it isn't you,
others will teach him.
Well then.
Sign here, please.
Ms Ania...
Why do you keep on like this?
You're killing yourself.
Such a beautiful young woman...
and you live like a nun.
You'd meet someone.
It's always easier in a couple.
And the boy would have a father.
How much longer can
you live on this miserly pension?
One can tell right away
this house needs a man.
What do you say, Ms Ania?
I'll better get going...
What have you done?
Remember...
Remember never ever
to take anything from strangers.
This piece of candy
is most certainly poisoned.
Don't worry, Karol,
mommy will soon be better.
My God! Karol?
What's wrong, Karol?
Hush now...
Ms Barcicka!
I'm surprised I have to
tell you such simple things
which should be part
of your daily routine.
Your son is 8 years old
and it's time he went school.
Inspector...
You must understand me...
He...
He's different...
He's oversensitive...
He must stay home.
He's safe there.
I won't let any
harm come to him.
He's weak, in poor health...
Listen,
you are behaving
like a child.
I have warned you
about legal consequences,
including termination
of parental rights.
I won't let any harm
come to him.
He is unwell.
He has poor health.
If the child is sick,
there are special schools.
But how can we help you,
if you won't let anyone
near the child?
This boy must be
examined.
- A doctor has to determine...
- Never...
Do you understand?
Never.
Doctors
will do more harm...
They'll take him
to the hospital.
Have you ever
been to a hospital?
I don't him dying
in a hospital!
I don't want him
dying in a hospital!
1...2...3...4...5...6
Channel One, Warsaw,
it's eleven o'clock.
Your turn.
1...2...3...4...5...6
I would like once,
years later,
once again,
only once
to return
here, to this day.
I would like one day,
as I look through
an old calendar
to find this date,
this very day
whis is now
passing before
our eyes.
Once again
to take you
by the hand
to say 'I love you'
and nothing else.
I would like one day
so very little
only once
turn back the time
that carried us
together.
I would like one day
to look more boldly
into your eyes
to take you in my arms,
to feel the warmth
of your...
There's no one home.
Hide in there, hide...
Get out of here!
Please calm down,
Ms Barcicka!
I'll kill myself!
Sons of bitches,
I'll kill myself!
I'll kill him!
I'll kill myself!
Once upon a time
the mother sat by
her baby's cradle.
She was very sad and
worried that her baby would die.
The child was weak, its
eyes were closed,
and breathed so faintly
as if it only sighed.
Suddenly, a knock on the door.
An old man came wrapped
in a horse blanket
to warm up because
it was a cold winter.
The patriarch sat down
and rocked the cradle.
Karol,
mommy has to go out.
Promise you'll be a good boy
and go to bed when the film is over.
I'm not a grown-up.
I don't want to be a grown-up.
I hate grown-ups.
It happened so suddenly.
I didn't understand anything.
I took refuge in the wardrobe,
and she found it convenient.
I died of fear a thousand times a day.
I remember exactly,
from one day to the next.
The worst started.
Karol, you have
focus on what you're doing.
Yesterday was much better.
First of all, hold the spoon
in your right hand.
Why aren't you listening
when I'm trying to help you?
Listen, you're seventeen!
Eat like a human, you hear,
eat like a human!
What's the problem, Karol?
I told you I would
be back shortly.
- Don't go, mom!
- There'll be a cartoon on TV.
And then a children's film.
- You like children's films...
- I don't want you to...
Let go of me!
Let go of me!
Let go of me, you hear?!
Let me go!
I'm sorry, such a mess...
What did you do?
Very good.
Jasiek, please come in...
That's my Karol I told
you so much about.
Hello!
Darling, you must be tired.
It's past your bedtime.
... old furniture always
made me depressed.
Especially that damned
old wardrobe.
It takes up half the room.
And it's full of moths.
And that strange smell.
Can't get it out.
There are some chemicals,
they said so on TV.
But around here,
there's no place
where to shop.
I meant to buy
some decent furniture...
Pass me the glass.
But everything's so expensive...
You see yourself
how I'm tied down...
Somebody would have to
carry it all upstairs
Take care of everything...
I don't have the energy.
Oh, not now...
Karol, come join us.
Come out, you hear!
Karol, get up!
Stand like a human!
Jasiek, please come in here...
My dear...
I wanted to tell you
something very important.
Jasiek
who's been helping us
in our difficult situation,
has just become...
well, you can call
him daddy now...
What's going on?
What are you doing?!
What are you doing?!
What's happening?!
It was as if I had died
or someone had killed me.
When it was over I saw
the expression on their faces.
They didn't say a word to me.
They didn't even say a word
to each other.
When I guessed what they
wanted to do to me, I cried.
But then I was glad.
I am sorry to say that
at the present moment
it is hard to imagine
he will be able to fill
the gaps in his education
We've no doubt that
your son is a well-mannered,
intelligent young man...
I am certain that in our
institution he will
learn many useful things
that will allow him
to go far in life . . .
Come on, brother.
Over here.
Sit down.
Remember.
This is your bed.
In this cupboard
you can arrange
your things.
Don't worry.
It will all work out.
You'll get used to it.
Beginnings are the worst.
Anyway, you're an adult.
They won't keep you long.
One, two. One, two.
All together.
Wide circles.
Good. Keep going.
Wide circles.
Over by the ladders,
wide circles.
Good. Legs wide apart.
Your weight on one arm.
And lower, backs straight.
Keep your backs straight.
Now the other leg.
Lower. Barcicki,
the other leg.
Lower, lower. Backs straight.
Harder, harder!
Over here!
The institution wasn't bad.
I didn't care where I was.
What mattered was that
I met Kowalski.
Kowalski is an ordinary name.
But he was extraordinary.
Really extraordinary.
You hear?
Close your eyes
and listen carefully.
At one point. . .
you will feel
warmth
and a desire to move.
You will keep your
eyes closed.
But you will start moving.
It will be a dance.
Music
that's within you.
The world doesn't exist.
Only you
and music exist.
Don't be afraid,
you hear?!
Don't be afraid.
Don't give up!
You must fight!
You must be strong!
You must fight!
Fight for yourself!
You must not lose!
That's why you must fight!
"In the end, however,
"it happened . . ."
"In the end, however, it happened..."
". . .it so happened that. . ."
". . .after a long journey. . ."
". . . across the sand . . ."
" . . . rocks and snow . . ."
"after a long journey across
the sand, rocks, and snow..."
"the Little Prince. . ."
"discovered a path. . ."
"discovered a path..."
"The Little Prince discovered a path."
Full stop.
Close your eyes and
don't be afraid.
Move a couple steps
closer to the tree.
Good. Stop here.
You're standing under a tree.
Don't be afraid.
Embrace it.
And put your ear to the trunk.
You will hear a sound.
A peaceful,
soft sound that contains life.
This tree will protect you.
You're safe.
This tree is your friend.
The world is your friend.
I can say with satisfaction,
my dear friends,
that you have learned a lot.
And I believe you are
ready to enter adult life.
On behalf of the
whole faculty, I wish you
much success and satisfaction.
Now allow me to
distribute your diplomas.
Slawomir Grabski.
Karol Barcicki.
Marian Gorzalek.
You are a bright
and good boy.
I would like your
life to turn out well.
You know there's no
use going home.
If you want to, go,
but there's no use.
You must learn
to live on your own.
You must be tough.
Don't let yourself be hurt.
Here's a place where you can stay.
It's always better in a
big city, you understand?
What can I do for you?
I'd like to see my mother.
I'm sorry but you must
have the wrong address.
I'm sure this is it.
My mother lives here.
I'd like to see her.
If you mean the previous
tenants, they moved out
a year ago.
They didn't leave
a forwarding address.
But please come in,
perhaps when my father's back...
Wait!
Such a good room
for next to nothing...
That's too bad...
Well, love, come here.
Hold my doggy.
Don't be afraid... There.
Yes, a room like that
is a bargain.
Right in the center.
Come on in, love.
Come on, love.
Sit down next to me
and rest.
Becaus . . . See . . .
I've something important
to tell you.
I have a family, you know?
Wonderful, look.
That's my daughter, Zosia.
She has such a
profound gaze...
And over here, look,
my son-in-law.
An engineer.
And here's my granddaughter.
Her name is Patrycja.
And she can speak English.
They have
a car. . .
Volvo.
And they come very often,
because they care about me a lot...
And they bring all sorts of gifts...
Good morning...
Good morning...
What are you doing!
Use the window!
I'm sorry, young man,
but the job market . . .
There is nothing
we can do for you.
Of course, you're entitled
to unemployment benefits
which we wil send
to the address on file...
And then... What can I tell you...
Afterwards..
It's a complicated situation...
You just have to
keep looking on your own...
That's that.
Boil water for tea!
Where's that water?
Cabbage and peas.
He barely started,
and already tossing pots?
I had warned that
we shouldn't hire him.
He can't even scrub pots.
Little prick conceived
on a window sill.
Clean up that mess!
And then, the desperate mother
reached an enormous lake.
She cried...
because she didn't know
how to get across.
"There is nothing you can
do without my help,"
said the lake.
"I like collecting pearls,
"and your eyes are the
clearest pearls
"I have ever seen.
"Cry them out into me
"and I will carry you across."
. . . A real home, a real roof.
Chicken soup!
Confit de canard!
Crappy job, my friend.
Crappy job.
You call this clean?
Do it over again.
High time you learned
how to do your job.
You came here to work,
not to recover.
Don't worry, I'll teach
you a thing or two.
Since your parents
taught you nothing,
strangers will.
Our kitchen must be spotless.
Fuck off you pighead.
Then the mother
encountered a strange woman.
It was an old gravedigger
keeping watch over the deathhouse.
"Help me find my child,"
implored the mother.
"I will," agreed the old woman.
"But in return, you will
give me your beautiful hair."
Then they entered a
large building
and the woman said:
"This is the deathhouse.
"Here, people are like plants.
"Except that they
have beating hearts."
The desperate mother
inspected each plant
and among millions,
recognized her child's heart.
I'm glad you're here,
my friend.
I've got a big job for you.
You're toiling over dishwashing,
perhaps you'll be better
at something else.
Grab a basin and a brush,
you'll scrub the oven.
Pans are getting stuck to it.
Kaska, give him a basin and a brush,
and off to the oven.
Stop staring, you klutz.
Hop in!
Move it, move it!
We don't have whole day!
Unless you're planning
to spend the night.
Don't cry, my darling.
Look. What is this?
Look at the pretty sun.
See how our friend
warmed up to dishwashing.
I get it. Me, too,
I'd rather stand still
and keep my hands
in warm water.
Alas, you did a shoddy
job yesterday.
You forgot the basic rule
of our kitchen:
Whatever you do,
do it well.
Roll up your sleeves,
and back to the oven.
Boss is coming.
Let me out!
Can't you see it's getting burned?
Let me out, you pig!
What are you doing,
can't you stir?
If I didn't stir,
it would get stuck to the bottom.
Let me out!
You son of a bitch,
let me out!
Three times, haddock filet.
White cabbage.
Four times pancackes.
Five times beef rolls.
Get out.
Come, Karol.
Slowly, Karol.
Don't worry, you'll get better.
It'll be all right,
you'll see, Karol.
Slowly, slowly, Karol.
You'll see, everything
will be all right.
Don't worry, you'll
be better tomorrow.
Suddenly, a cold wind
started blowing.
The mother understood
it was death approaching.
"I'm giving you your
eyes back," said death.
"Now look into
this deep well."
And the mother looked.
And she saw two lives.
Two human fates.
One life was goodness and blessing.
And the other was worry and misery.
"Know," said death,
"that one of them
"was your child's fate.
"The future of your
own child."
"Which one was my child?"
"I can't tell you that,"
said death.
"Do you want your child,
or should I take it away?"
The mother fell to her
knees and cried.
And death, with her
child in his arms,
went away into
the unknown.
Go home.
We'll do without you.
Take a day off.
Boss will let you.
All right.
Careful.
Having fun without me?
Sometimes I wish
the wardrobe would disappear.
I pass my days and nights in here.
In the morning, I don't
feel like leaving.
I hate going out.
I need my mother.
I want to climb
into my baby stroller.
I want to be one year old.
But that won't happen.
I know it.
Subtitles: aileverte for KG, March 2012
in the film
I am fine.
I don't want change.
I don't need any change.
I don't need anything.
I'd rather stay here,
in my wardrobe.
I came out the last time
three months ago.
Everything's fine as it is.
I keep thinking about
the old days at the house.
I miss my mother.
CONVERSATION WITH
THE MAN IN THE WARDROBE
based on a story by
IAN McEWAN
photography
production manager
written and directed by
Hush, hush...
my little Karol...
My little treasure,
mommy loves you...
She was strange.
Very strange.
All twisted inside.
I have it after her.
After father died,
she never mentioned him.
Only me.
Open up, nice...
If you eat everything,
I'll give you a strawberry.
Come on, open up...
Good...
What did I say?
First eat your grits.
The strawberry is a
reward for the nice boy.
Remember, you can't
take things by yourself.
Why are you
so naughty?
Why are you
so naughty?
Do you like it?
Just a bit more...
Time to begin.
... After a long journey,
the Red Riding Hood
finally reached grandma's house.
She slowly entered,
came up to the bed
and got frightened.
Grandmother looked
very strange.
Red Riding Hood bent
over the bed and
saw the head of
a terrible wolf.
The wolf jumped
out of bed,
pounced on the
Red Riding Hood
and gobbled her up.
When he was full,
he went back
into bed,
pulled the blanket
over himself,
and started snoring...
A brave hunter heard
the wolf's snoring.
He entered the grandmother's
house... and bing! bang!
He shot the wolf.
From the wolf's belly
the girl jumped out
and poor, sick grandmother
scrambled out.
I was happy.
I didn't know any other life.
She was really good to me.
Karolek, come,
we'll have a bite.
Come quick, quick.
Hide in here.
I didn't think I was
going to make it.
But I crawled up
here somehow.
Last week I went to see
a doctor.
I ran out of my
prescription.
Already last year
he referred me
to a sanatorium,
but, Ms Ania,
do I have the time?
Do I have the time?
Whole day on my feet.
I'm parched.
Thank you.
It must have been
some fruit.
Not going to be easy!
The damn thing
won't come out.
You know, my sister-in-law
had a beautiful table cloth.
Lacework.
Age old.
From her grandmother.
And the kids smeared
cherry jam all over it.
And there you have it.
Soap wouldn't work,
baking soda wouldn't work,
nothing worked. So she
took it to the dry cleaner's.
But the damn thing
won't come out.
You have...
grown...
He'll be starting school
soon, won't he?
If you fed him
potatoes,
meat,
gave him some
cream to drink,
he would grow up
to be a man.
But now...
What? Doesn't he
have any teeth?
I brought you
something special.
What do you say?
You hear me?
What do you say?
Be a good boy and
say 'thank you'.
Say 'thank you'.
No need to torment him.
He'll learn, and if it isn't you,
others will teach him.
Well then.
Sign here, please.
Ms Ania...
Why do you keep on like this?
You're killing yourself.
Such a beautiful young woman...
and you live like a nun.
You'd meet someone.
It's always easier in a couple.
And the boy would have a father.
How much longer can
you live on this miserly pension?
One can tell right away
this house needs a man.
What do you say, Ms Ania?
I'll better get going...
What have you done?
Remember...
Remember never ever
to take anything from strangers.
This piece of candy
is most certainly poisoned.
Don't worry, Karol,
mommy will soon be better.
My God! Karol?
What's wrong, Karol?
Hush now...
Ms Barcicka!
I'm surprised I have to
tell you such simple things
which should be part
of your daily routine.
Your son is 8 years old
and it's time he went school.
Inspector...
You must understand me...
He...
He's different...
He's oversensitive...
He must stay home.
He's safe there.
I won't let any
harm come to him.
He's weak, in poor health...
Listen,
you are behaving
like a child.
I have warned you
about legal consequences,
including termination
of parental rights.
I won't let any harm
come to him.
He is unwell.
He has poor health.
If the child is sick,
there are special schools.
But how can we help you,
if you won't let anyone
near the child?
This boy must be
examined.
- A doctor has to determine...
- Never...
Do you understand?
Never.
Doctors
will do more harm...
They'll take him
to the hospital.
Have you ever
been to a hospital?
I don't him dying
in a hospital!
I don't want him
dying in a hospital!
1...2...3...4...5...6
Channel One, Warsaw,
it's eleven o'clock.
Your turn.
1...2...3...4...5...6
I would like once,
years later,
once again,
only once
to return
here, to this day.
I would like one day,
as I look through
an old calendar
to find this date,
this very day
whis is now
passing before
our eyes.
Once again
to take you
by the hand
to say 'I love you'
and nothing else.
I would like one day
so very little
only once
turn back the time
that carried us
together.
I would like one day
to look more boldly
into your eyes
to take you in my arms,
to feel the warmth
of your...
There's no one home.
Hide in there, hide...
Get out of here!
Please calm down,
Ms Barcicka!
I'll kill myself!
Sons of bitches,
I'll kill myself!
I'll kill him!
I'll kill myself!
Once upon a time
the mother sat by
her baby's cradle.
She was very sad and
worried that her baby would die.
The child was weak, its
eyes were closed,
and breathed so faintly
as if it only sighed.
Suddenly, a knock on the door.
An old man came wrapped
in a horse blanket
to warm up because
it was a cold winter.
The patriarch sat down
and rocked the cradle.
Karol,
mommy has to go out.
Promise you'll be a good boy
and go to bed when the film is over.
I'm not a grown-up.
I don't want to be a grown-up.
I hate grown-ups.
It happened so suddenly.
I didn't understand anything.
I took refuge in the wardrobe,
and she found it convenient.
I died of fear a thousand times a day.
I remember exactly,
from one day to the next.
The worst started.
Karol, you have
focus on what you're doing.
Yesterday was much better.
First of all, hold the spoon
in your right hand.
Why aren't you listening
when I'm trying to help you?
Listen, you're seventeen!
Eat like a human, you hear,
eat like a human!
What's the problem, Karol?
I told you I would
be back shortly.
- Don't go, mom!
- There'll be a cartoon on TV.
And then a children's film.
- You like children's films...
- I don't want you to...
Let go of me!
Let go of me!
Let go of me, you hear?!
Let me go!
I'm sorry, such a mess...
What did you do?
Very good.
Jasiek, please come in...
That's my Karol I told
you so much about.
Hello!
Darling, you must be tired.
It's past your bedtime.
... old furniture always
made me depressed.
Especially that damned
old wardrobe.
It takes up half the room.
And it's full of moths.
And that strange smell.
Can't get it out.
There are some chemicals,
they said so on TV.
But around here,
there's no place
where to shop.
I meant to buy
some decent furniture...
Pass me the glass.
But everything's so expensive...
You see yourself
how I'm tied down...
Somebody would have to
carry it all upstairs
Take care of everything...
I don't have the energy.
Oh, not now...
Karol, come join us.
Come out, you hear!
Karol, get up!
Stand like a human!
Jasiek, please come in here...
My dear...
I wanted to tell you
something very important.
Jasiek
who's been helping us
in our difficult situation,
has just become...
well, you can call
him daddy now...
What's going on?
What are you doing?!
What are you doing?!
What's happening?!
It was as if I had died
or someone had killed me.
When it was over I saw
the expression on their faces.
They didn't say a word to me.
They didn't even say a word
to each other.
When I guessed what they
wanted to do to me, I cried.
But then I was glad.
I am sorry to say that
at the present moment
it is hard to imagine
he will be able to fill
the gaps in his education
We've no doubt that
your son is a well-mannered,
intelligent young man...
I am certain that in our
institution he will
learn many useful things
that will allow him
to go far in life . . .
Come on, brother.
Over here.
Sit down.
Remember.
This is your bed.
In this cupboard
you can arrange
your things.
Don't worry.
It will all work out.
You'll get used to it.
Beginnings are the worst.
Anyway, you're an adult.
They won't keep you long.
One, two. One, two.
All together.
Wide circles.
Good. Keep going.
Wide circles.
Over by the ladders,
wide circles.
Good. Legs wide apart.
Your weight on one arm.
And lower, backs straight.
Keep your backs straight.
Now the other leg.
Lower. Barcicki,
the other leg.
Lower, lower. Backs straight.
Harder, harder!
Over here!
The institution wasn't bad.
I didn't care where I was.
What mattered was that
I met Kowalski.
Kowalski is an ordinary name.
But he was extraordinary.
Really extraordinary.
You hear?
Close your eyes
and listen carefully.
At one point. . .
you will feel
warmth
and a desire to move.
You will keep your
eyes closed.
But you will start moving.
It will be a dance.
Music
that's within you.
The world doesn't exist.
Only you
and music exist.
Don't be afraid,
you hear?!
Don't be afraid.
Don't give up!
You must fight!
You must be strong!
You must fight!
Fight for yourself!
You must not lose!
That's why you must fight!
"In the end, however,
"it happened . . ."
"In the end, however, it happened..."
". . .it so happened that. . ."
". . .after a long journey. . ."
". . . across the sand . . ."
" . . . rocks and snow . . ."
"after a long journey across
the sand, rocks, and snow..."
"the Little Prince. . ."
"discovered a path. . ."
"discovered a path..."
"The Little Prince discovered a path."
Full stop.
Close your eyes and
don't be afraid.
Move a couple steps
closer to the tree.
Good. Stop here.
You're standing under a tree.
Don't be afraid.
Embrace it.
And put your ear to the trunk.
You will hear a sound.
A peaceful,
soft sound that contains life.
This tree will protect you.
You're safe.
This tree is your friend.
The world is your friend.
I can say with satisfaction,
my dear friends,
that you have learned a lot.
And I believe you are
ready to enter adult life.
On behalf of the
whole faculty, I wish you
much success and satisfaction.
Now allow me to
distribute your diplomas.
Slawomir Grabski.
Karol Barcicki.
Marian Gorzalek.
You are a bright
and good boy.
I would like your
life to turn out well.
You know there's no
use going home.
If you want to, go,
but there's no use.
You must learn
to live on your own.
You must be tough.
Don't let yourself be hurt.
Here's a place where you can stay.
It's always better in a
big city, you understand?
What can I do for you?
I'd like to see my mother.
I'm sorry but you must
have the wrong address.
I'm sure this is it.
My mother lives here.
I'd like to see her.
If you mean the previous
tenants, they moved out
a year ago.
They didn't leave
a forwarding address.
But please come in,
perhaps when my father's back...
Wait!
Such a good room
for next to nothing...
That's too bad...
Well, love, come here.
Hold my doggy.
Don't be afraid... There.
Yes, a room like that
is a bargain.
Right in the center.
Come on in, love.
Come on, love.
Sit down next to me
and rest.
Becaus . . . See . . .
I've something important
to tell you.
I have a family, you know?
Wonderful, look.
That's my daughter, Zosia.
She has such a
profound gaze...
And over here, look,
my son-in-law.
An engineer.
And here's my granddaughter.
Her name is Patrycja.
And she can speak English.
They have
a car. . .
Volvo.
And they come very often,
because they care about me a lot...
And they bring all sorts of gifts...
Good morning...
Good morning...
What are you doing!
Use the window!
I'm sorry, young man,
but the job market . . .
There is nothing
we can do for you.
Of course, you're entitled
to unemployment benefits
which we wil send
to the address on file...
And then... What can I tell you...
Afterwards..
It's a complicated situation...
You just have to
keep looking on your own...
That's that.
Boil water for tea!
Where's that water?
Cabbage and peas.
He barely started,
and already tossing pots?
I had warned that
we shouldn't hire him.
He can't even scrub pots.
Little prick conceived
on a window sill.
Clean up that mess!
And then, the desperate mother
reached an enormous lake.
She cried...
because she didn't know
how to get across.
"There is nothing you can
do without my help,"
said the lake.
"I like collecting pearls,
"and your eyes are the
clearest pearls
"I have ever seen.
"Cry them out into me
"and I will carry you across."
. . . A real home, a real roof.
Chicken soup!
Confit de canard!
Crappy job, my friend.
Crappy job.
You call this clean?
Do it over again.
High time you learned
how to do your job.
You came here to work,
not to recover.
Don't worry, I'll teach
you a thing or two.
Since your parents
taught you nothing,
strangers will.
Our kitchen must be spotless.
Fuck off you pighead.
Then the mother
encountered a strange woman.
It was an old gravedigger
keeping watch over the deathhouse.
"Help me find my child,"
implored the mother.
"I will," agreed the old woman.
"But in return, you will
give me your beautiful hair."
Then they entered a
large building
and the woman said:
"This is the deathhouse.
"Here, people are like plants.
"Except that they
have beating hearts."
The desperate mother
inspected each plant
and among millions,
recognized her child's heart.
I'm glad you're here,
my friend.
I've got a big job for you.
You're toiling over dishwashing,
perhaps you'll be better
at something else.
Grab a basin and a brush,
you'll scrub the oven.
Pans are getting stuck to it.
Kaska, give him a basin and a brush,
and off to the oven.
Stop staring, you klutz.
Hop in!
Move it, move it!
We don't have whole day!
Unless you're planning
to spend the night.
Don't cry, my darling.
Look. What is this?
Look at the pretty sun.
See how our friend
warmed up to dishwashing.
I get it. Me, too,
I'd rather stand still
and keep my hands
in warm water.
Alas, you did a shoddy
job yesterday.
You forgot the basic rule
of our kitchen:
Whatever you do,
do it well.
Roll up your sleeves,
and back to the oven.
Boss is coming.
Let me out!
Can't you see it's getting burned?
Let me out, you pig!
What are you doing,
can't you stir?
If I didn't stir,
it would get stuck to the bottom.
Let me out!
You son of a bitch,
let me out!
Three times, haddock filet.
White cabbage.
Four times pancackes.
Five times beef rolls.
Get out.
Come, Karol.
Slowly, Karol.
Don't worry, you'll get better.
It'll be all right,
you'll see, Karol.
Slowly, slowly, Karol.
You'll see, everything
will be all right.
Don't worry, you'll
be better tomorrow.
Suddenly, a cold wind
started blowing.
The mother understood
it was death approaching.
"I'm giving you your
eyes back," said death.
"Now look into
this deep well."
And the mother looked.
And she saw two lives.
Two human fates.
One life was goodness and blessing.
And the other was worry and misery.
"Know," said death,
"that one of them
"was your child's fate.
"The future of your
own child."
"Which one was my child?"
"I can't tell you that,"
said death.
"Do you want your child,
or should I take it away?"
The mother fell to her
knees and cried.
And death, with her
child in his arms,
went away into
the unknown.
Go home.
We'll do without you.
Take a day off.
Boss will let you.
All right.
Careful.
Having fun without me?
Sometimes I wish
the wardrobe would disappear.
I pass my days and nights in here.
In the morning, I don't
feel like leaving.
I hate going out.
I need my mother.
I want to climb
into my baby stroller.
I want to be one year old.
But that won't happen.
I know it.
Subtitles: aileverte for KG, March 2012