Till Human Voices Wake Us (2002) - full transcript

There are two types of
forgetting: passive and active.

Passive forgetting
is when you don't remember

where you've
put your keys in the morning.

It's simple, uncomplicated.

So what is
active forgetting?

Repression?

Good.

The different sons
of repression

come under three separate
headings--

Amnesia, Neurosis,
and Dissociation.

Today we will concentrate
on dissociation.



The loss of one's identity and
the role of the psychoanalyst.

That was Haydn's second movement

"Trio #26, Andante."

Hello?

Hello, Dr. Franks?

This is Sister Harrison
from St. Mary's Hospital.

I'm afraid I'm calling
with some bad news.

Dad!

Shh.

Shh.

There are considerable assets.

Mm-hmm.

And, uh, you'll take care
of the funeral?

Yes.



I've started making
the arrangements.

In Genoa?

No, in Melbourne.

He stipulates he wants to be
buried in Genoa.

He has property there,
doesn't he?

And he's bought a plot.

When did he buy a plot?

Before he moved
to Melbourne.

When he found out
about his condition, I expect.

Have you made
other arrangements?

Well, it's just unexpected,
that's all.

It's a very important thing,
wouldn't you say?

One's last wish.

Well, young Samuel.

Snob school lets you home
for the summer, does it?

Sure he misses you,
your dad, you know,

with the house
to himself and all.

Thanks, Russ.

Righto.

Dad?

Dad?

Sam?
I'm with a patient.

You've lost your place.

sorry?

Oh, thank you.

What does "S" stand for?

Samuel.

I'm Ruby.

Excuse me.

I'd like to have a word
with you, about your cargo?

Your father.

okey'! -

Excuse me.

Eh, Samuel.

Russ.

Well, no use standing out here.
I'll give youa lift in, eh?

Thank you.

Well, you certainly
turned out.

Headshrinker, eh?

Yeah, you wouldn't find much left
rattling around my lunch box.

Staying long?

No, just for the service.

Piss off, Sam.

Knew I'd find you here.

It's our spot.

When'd you get back?

Just now.

Had your hair cut?

No. Got my ears lowered.

Looks shocking.

Yeah.

Got all summer
to grow it back, though.

Come in for a swim?

Don't tease.

I'm not.

You should take
those things off.

You'll get tan marks.

What's that?

It's poetry-

Full of words.

Can you hear them?

- Come on.
- What?

I've got something to show you.

'Kay, stop here.

See there?

Wow, Sil. A rock.

Lift it up.

I found it.

Where?

There, just like that.

Who do you think did it?

I don't know.

Maybe it was
someone's pet.

It's huge.

Leave it. Don't touch it.

It's romantic.

If Mrs. Sacks catches you,
you're dead.

What's she going to do,
beat me up?

She's a witch, you know?

She's old,

that's all.

- mad.

She probably killed the bird.

Whoa!

Sam?

Yeah?

I was starting to worry.
Where have you been?

Just walking around.

What are you doing?

dont

just passing the time.

It won't keep still
long enough.

What won't?

My subject.

Christmas beetle.

Saw a dead bird today.

Someone buried it
under a rock.

Must have meant
a lot to someone.

It was all neat and
cleared around the rock,

like they came to visit
it or something.

Like they couldn't
just forget about it.

What? What are you
talking about?

Good night.

Yes, good night.

"Thou anointest my head
with oil,

my cup runneth over.

"Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me

"all the days of my life

"and I shall dwellin the House
of the Lord forever."

Walk.

Run.

Down.

Feather.

Cap.

Hat.

Rack.

Stack.

Crash.

Landing.

Strip.

Poker.

Face.

Paint.

Draw.

Blood.

Red.

Raw.

Steak.

Meat.

Ax.

Pick.

- Choose.
- Win.

- Gain.
- Weight.

- Rest.
- Still.

- Water.
- Bottle.

Green.

Sleeves.

Sleeves?

Yeah, "Greensleeves,"
the song.

Oh.

Ha, I won.

Sam.

Hello, Mr. Lewis, sir.

Sent you packing,
have they?

Yes, sir.

Well, what have
you two been up to?

Oh, the usual.

Broke a few windows,
let down a few tires, you know.

Oh, well, as long as you're
staying out of trouble.

Well! It's Sam!

Sam was just asking
if he could stay for dinner.

Dad.

Of course he can.

Well, have you got
a kiss for me, mother?

Oh, Christ, Maurie,
you stink to high heaven.

What have you been doing,
rolling in it?

It's good for a man to come home
smelling of manure.

It reminds him
of his origins.

Don't you agree, Sam?

Yes, sir.

You'll be going
to the town dance, eh, son?

I guess.

You'll need a partner then?

Maurie, people don't have
partners these days.

Silvy, have you found
a partner yet?

Personally, I don't care
for dancing.

Help me with this, Silvy.

Dorothy, sit down
and enjoy the evening.

How would you like to earn
some pocket money?

I could do with a bit
of a hand around here.

Just a few chores.

Won't take up all
of your time.

okey'! -

She's been uncomfortable
for days now.

Right, Sam.

Come on, the wool.

Wool's best

that doesn't cut.

Right.

Pull the wool.

Pull it!

Come on,
keep it tight!

Keep it tight!

Come on,
it's not over yet.

All right.

Round you come
and see the bairn.

That's a bonny girl.
Come on, round you come.

Here we go.

Feel a bit queasy?

No shame.

Breathe it in.

Perfectly natural.

No shame.

Most people like
to hide from things.

That retards the
growth of the spirit

and pretty soon
their mortal ears can't hear the soul
flapping its wings,

wanting to fly
in the face of life.

To dare!

You understand?

Well, you'll never
be quite alive until you do.

Better get back.

If moths are attracted
to light,

then why don't they
come out during the day?

Because during the day,

light comes to them.

Who told you that?

I don't know.

So you just
made it up?

No, I suppose I thought
about it just then.

Is that like
a boy thing?

What?

Being able to bullshit
like that?

Maybe.

Everything's asleep.

They say people can meet
each other in their sleep.

In their dreams.

Then meet me tonight.

We'll compare dreams.

Breathe.

"Let us go then, you and I.

What?

It's poetry-

You want to go?

Where?

Anywhere.

Shh. Stop.

Listen.

It's so still.

You can smell things
better when it's quiet.

Close your eyes.

what can you smell?

The tar on the road.

It's still warm.

What else?

The river.

What else?

Your hair.

You say a word
and then I'll say a word and we'll make a sentence.

You start

I---

want...

something...

Come on, Sil.

Something...

I want something.

okey'! -

"I...

want...

something..."

to...

happen...

tonight.

You all right?

Sorry.

Didn't mean
to startle you.

Can I help you?

I think you should
lie back down.

Make a fist for me.

Please.

Are you the doctor?

Yes... son of.

Make a fist.

Good.

Wiggle your toes.

Is this a hospital?

No.

Wiggle your toes.

Where are my shoes?

Look up.

I couldn't find them.

Just relax.

Look down.

What do you feel?

Nothing.

Well, you're fine.

Just stood up too quickly.

Still a little
unsteady on your feet.

How long have
I been here?

Just the night.

Something happened.

Something bad.

Yes, you had
an accident.

Did someone die?

No. No, nothing like that.

I know you.

We met on the train.

Remember the train?

Do you remember the bridge?

No...

The water...

You remember the water?

Yes.

Why am I here?

Well, I brought you here.

I passed you on the bridge.
You were by yourself.

I helped you out
of the water.

You fell.

You should just rest.
You're a little concussed.

It's not unusual
after an accident.

You should try
and drink some of this.

I'm not thirsty.

I suppose you've drunk
enough water for one day.

Is it morning?
You slept all morning,
I'm afraid.

What does "S" stand for?

What?

Dr. S. Franks.

We've had this conversation...

on the train.

Oh.

When I woke up,
the book looked familiar,

thought that
maybe I was S

You don't know your name?

You told me on the train.
You said it was Ruby.

Is that your name?

Is that it?

What?

Is that your name?

Ruby?

Hmm.

Uh...

I'm cold.

Perhaps you should get
back under the covers.

Yes. I should get back under.

Just try to relax.

Things will return.

If this continues,
I can try something.

Or I could give
you an injection.

An injection?

Sodium amyial.
It jogs the memory.

I hate needles.

There, you've remembered
something about yourself.

You're very kind.

Very kind.

Watch it.

What are you
whispering for?

She's deaf.

What's she doing?

She's asleep.

She's dreaming.

She talks in her sleep.

Let's go.

Wonder what she
was dreaming about?

Maybe her husband.

He was probably the only one
who understood her.

She looked sad.

There she is.

Who?

The Lady of The Lake.

What are you
talking about?

Look at the moon's
reflection long enough

your eyes see
a ballerina twirling.

Can you see her?

Sam, please.

Shh.

Shall we dance?

what do you feel?

It's cold.

Relax.

Hold me.

I couldn't sleep anymore.

I'm sorry,
but

I woke up starving.

Is anything clearer yet?

How do you feel otherwise?

Can't seem to get full.

Well, I'll get you some food.

I know I know things.
It's just I can't remember them.

It's best when I don't think
about it.

It's like I'm in that dream
where you can't wake yourself.
You know that feeling?

I don't dream.

You live here
by yourself?

No. No one lives here.

I mean, I live alone
somewhere else.

Whose place is this?

Mine, son of.

This is mine.

You don't seem
so sure about that.

Well, I'm selling it.

Why?

Don't know what else
to do with it.

It's a nice house.

If I lived here, I'd take down those curtains, though.
Looks like they're trying to hide something,

or keep something out.

I think you're the first dinner guest
this house has ever had.

Not much of meal,
though, I'm afraid.

I'm not much of a guest.

I mean, you can't really
send me home, can you?

I forgot for a moment.

That's stupid--

forgetting that you can't
remember anything.

You must think I'm crazy.

I just think you need some help,
that's all.

I think I could help you.
I'd like to.

Where are you going?

I need to walk.

How do people forget things?

Sometimes it's
purely physical,

like a bump on the head.

And other times?

Some things are too unpleasant
to remember.

I see.

I'm sorry.

No.

At least I don't know
what to regret.

Do you have regrets?

Enough.

What do you do
about them?

I don't know that there's anything you can do about them.
That's why they're regrets.

If you could?

That would be wishing.

Did you know it takes
hundreds of years

for the light from stars
to reach us?

They mightn't even be there
right now

and we don't know.

They might have died
hundreds of years ago

and we still see them.

Just like we're
watching history.

We're seeing something
which happened

when Galileo was alive

or Cleopatra.

Do you think other people
are like us?

Probably not.

Sam?

Yeah?

Nothing.

Did you see that?

Quick, make a wish.

How can I be helped?

Hypnosis.

They call it narcotherapy these days,
but it's hypnosis.

I put you to sleep,
and ask you some questions.

When you wake up,

you probably won't remember what you said,
but I'll have a good idea how to help you.

It's a shortcut,
but it may do the trick.

What other tricks
do you play on your patients?

Tricks?

Games, then.

Word games. Word asso...
-Associations.

Exactly.

Precisely.

I didn't realize
we'd started.

I'm fast.

Quick.

Dead.

I thought you weren't
meant to think about it.

Life.

Love.

Head.
Beat.

Drum.
Stick.

Bat.
Ball.

Cry.
Weep.

Blink.
Wink.

Nod.

Sleep.

Doze.

Dream.

Blank.

Check.

cross

Church.

God.

Man.

- Adam.
- Eve.

Night.

Moon.

Star.

Wish.

Burn.

Dry.

Dust.

Did.

Death.

- Wish.
- Well.

Wish.

- Water.
- Splash.

Color.

Red.

Blue.

Green.

Sleeves.

Cuff.

Stop.
Start

No, stop.
That's enough.

What are you thinking?

Something foolish.

You don't seem to be the son of person
to entertain foolish thoughts.

I try not to.

Didn't say that
was a good thing.

So...

how'd I go?

I'm sorry. It's just
an exercise

... a game.

Is there a word for that?

What?

The moon's reflection
on the water.

Don't think so.

Something so beautiful
should have a name.

Yes, it should.

It's like the moon's
shadow, isn't it?

It's light, though.
Not shadow.

Moths only live
a few hours, don't they?

It's probably why they
flap around so much.

What would you do
if you were a moth?

Panic.

You're a strange man.

What did you mean when
you said you don't dream?

Just that.

It's common for analysts
not to dream.

The unconscious doesn't
like being found out.

But you dreamed
when you were younger.

Yes.

I think you do dream.

You just don't
remember them.

Wodash.

"Shadow" backwards.
Wodash

, shadow.
Wodash, shadow, wodash.

See?

We've given it a name.

You know, if you stare at it long enough,
you'll see a woman dancing.

Spinning.

Perhaps we should go back.

Come on.
We should go back.

Do you hear that?

What?

Listen.

It's a waltz.

What are you doing?

- Take your shoes off.
- What?

- Take off your shoes.
- No.

Let's go.

Let us go then, you and I.

What's that from?

It... Is it from something?

It's a poem by T.S. Eliot.
It's very well known.

"Let us go then, you and I

"When the evening is spread out
against the sky

Like..."

"Like a patient..."

"Etherized upon a table

"There will be time,
there will be time

To wonder,

'Do I dare?"'

"Do I dare?"

What son of
a kid were you?

I wouldn't want to bore you.

Make something up, then.

When people try
to make things up

it always ends up
being the truth.

They can't help themselves.

Well, tell me
what I was like, then.

Happy-go-lucky.

Was I fat?

No, never fat.

Skinny, with a long neck.

Like a giraffe?

Well, until you
grew into it.

And thin wrists.

Oh. What else?

Oh... you were always
up to something.

Mischief.

Yeah.

Yes, I liked mischief.

As long as it
led to something.

As long as it led
to more mischief.

Did I have
lots of boyfriends?

No. You scared
them all off.

You were always talking
over their heads.

Misunderstood.

Yes.

But someone
liked me, right?

Sure.

My true love.

Mm, your true love.

How come I never married?

Come on.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I want you to stare
at the flame of the candle.

Look at its brightest pad.
Concentrate on just that.

Soon I will ask you some things,
but for now, just look into the candle.

When I count one, you will close your eyes
and continue to see the candle in your mind.

When I count two, you will open
them and see the candle again.

I will count three, you'll close your eyes
and feel yourself start to drift and relax.

You will hear only my voice.

Let us begin.

Close your eyes,

see the candle.

Two. Open them.

Stare at the flame.

Three.

See the candle in your mind.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Drift and relax.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

You hear only my voice.

What can you see?

I'm drifting.

Tell me what you see.

I'm... I'm cold.

You're no longer cold.

Tell me what you see.

I'm... I'm beautiful.

You see yourself?

Yes.

In a mirror?

Like...

like a mirror.

And what is your name?

Mmm... like...

Ophelia.

Your name is...?

I'm beautiful like Ophelia.

What is your name?

Mmm... you know my name.

Tell me again.

You haven't forgotten.

I want you to answer me simply.

Fine.

How old are you now?

Mmm. I won't get any older.

Speak only the truth.
I do.

Where are you?

Moving fast.

Where are you?

I'm right here.
Who's with me?

Who is with you?
Now he's gone.
He's left me.

Who?

Gone.

Gone now.

I want you to think
of the bridge.

What happened
before the bridge?

I'm wet.

What can you see?

A woman.

She'll... she'll...
she'll jump.

She'll jump! She...

What happened?

She did it.

It's cold.

I want you to go back further.

Before that.
Before the bridge.

It's dark.

What can you see?
I'm going-

- Where?
- Fast.

- Where?
- Um...

Along the bottom. I'm...

I'm moving fast along the bottom.
Go back before the bridge.

No, I am...

- Who are you?
- You know.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Mmm... can't help it.

I've done it.

I've ta... I've taken it in.

What?

The water.

No. No, you're fine.

I'm filling up with water.
No, you're fine.

You're here and you're fine.

Quick, make a wish.

I'm fine.

Yes.

It feels good.

Warm.

And full of water.

Sil?

I want you to come back.

I can't come back.
You'll start to come back.

He's... he's calling me.
Who?

His voice.

I want you to come back.
He wants me to.

I... I can hear his voice.

Silvia?

Oh, his hand.
Whose hand?

He let go.

I'm moving fast.

I grabbed your hand.
Let go.

I grabbed you. Stop.
Stop. I want you to stop.

There.

There I am.

I see me.

There you are.

Who?

You.

It's you.

You're scared,
you can't see me.

I will count to five
and you will return.

- You're scared.
- One...

You can't see me.
Two...

Gone.

- Three.
- I've gone.

Four...

I loved you.

Come in.

Where's Silvy?

Sorry, Maurie,
there's nothing.

Even if she did drown,

the current would take her downstream
to one of those underwater caves.

Let him go.

Anything turns up,
we'll get him back in again.

Genoa Police.
Sergeant Briggs.

Dad.

I went for a walk.

Didn't want awake you.

Borrowed this.

Strange how something can start here

and end up somewhere
at the bottom of an ocean,

underneath all that...

that silence.

I want to show you something.

Is that you?

It is.

Or it was.

There was a boy...

What happened?

And there was a girl.

Things were different...

more...

beautiful
when he was with her.

She was quite beatific.

Then something happened and...

something in the boy fell away.

Go on.

I don't think I can
walk anymore.

Please take me home.

All right.

My home.

See that...
that book on the top?

Yes.

Could you bring it here?

Read me the last verse.

"We have lingered in
the chambers of the sea

"while sea-girls wreathed
in seaweed red and brown

till human voices
wake us,

and we drown."

Say something.

After you died...

when it was obvious you
wouldn't come back,

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't know
how to be, so...

so I just didn't.

A young man made a
choice to

never react,

never be surprised.

I never meant to be that man.

I'm afraid I still
don't know what to do.

I think perhaps you might
have to tell me.

Silvy.

Speed bonny boat

Like a bird

on the wing,

over the sea to sky

Carry the lad

That's born to be King...

When I was a wee boy...

and I had a pain

my mammy used to say,

"That's your bones growing."

Growing pains.

Well,

it's the same
with the spirit.

I could use a hand here, Sam.

Will you join me?