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Meduzot (Jellyfish) (2007)
Is this going too?
Yeah. Don't you want to say anything to me? Like what? I don't know... Like "Stay". Are you coming with us? Yes. So... We'll talk. Stay. MEDUZO (Jellyfish / Les Mduses) Batya, your buttons. It's not buttoned right. And your name tag is crooked. Not here. And why's your hair so messy? Didn't you sleep last night? - I slept. - Then what's wrong? Okay, go wash your face. Batya, either wear nail polish, or don't, okay? Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom are dancing! Everyone get up and join Michael and Keren on the dance floor! Congratulations. Having a good time Sara? Hi, Joy. - What are you doing? - Taking pictures. Leave the old woman and go to the dance floor. Now. Is there anybody out there? Now you're all better. Doctor, can we fly with this? We're supposed to go to the Caribbean for our honeymoon. Definitely not. Why do you need the Caribbean? You have each other. Do you want to stay here? You wanted us to stay, didn't you? This place smells like a sewer. Do you smell it? No. It's a strong smell. We can open the window. Is there even a window here? We can move to another room. Never mind. We can move. We're on our honeymoon! Good morning... - Did I wake you? - No, no. - Can I come in for a minute? - Sure... - Where's your boyfriend? - Gone. I see you're cleaning. Do you want something to drink? No, no, I just came to tell you that I'm raising the rent. In the entire building. Just by 30 dollars, that's all... The whole market went up, it's not my doing. You manage a wedding catering service, don't you? There's money in that. I'm a waitress, not a manager. but you will be one day, you're a smart girl. I have to run before they tow my car. The ceiling is leaking. - What ceiling? - Right here, next to the kitchen. I'll send my plumber over. When? You should answer, it might be important. - Batya... - Mom, can we talk later? Why later? Did something happen? No. Did you get my invitation? What invitation? To my fundraiser. Yeah... I got it. Do I look okay in the picture? Yes. Pretty. I just want them to buy tickets, I'm working my ass off on this... Yes. It's tomorrow, don't forget. It's an invitation for two. Amir should come too. He won't come. Why not? He... works nights. That's too bad... So I'll leave you a single invite. There's a big demand for them. I have to make more phone calls. We'll talk? - Hi, Menachem. - Hello. I won't make it to Tel-Aviv today. Yaroni is sick and Ariel is at work... That's okay. Tell Mom I'll be over on the weekend. I hope she recognizes you. What? What? What's going on with her? I'm on my way to her, I'm bringing her a Philippine woman. Did she ask for one? Mom doesn't ask for anything. You know her. Mom? Mom, I want you to meet... What was your name? - Is it your woman? - Yours. She'll help you. No... No... Save your money. For your home, for your children. I don't have any children, Mom. Why not? Why not? What happened to your face? It's from a long time ago, Mom. Who did this to you? The Syrians... The Syrians... - Your woman? - Yes, Mom, yes. What's your name? What's your name? Where is your mother? Your father? Did you run away? She came out of the sea. She doesn't speak. - Please don't interrupt me. - Sorry. Let's see... Hello, this is Sergeant Antebi, Tel Aviv police. We found a girl wandering on the beach. She doesn't speak. Can you send someone over to get her? - I don't know how old she is. - She's five. She's fi... I see... Thanks. It's a problem. It's Friday. Social services don't work on weekends. Can you keep her for two days? I work nights. I can't take her to work with me. I see. Okay, we'll leave her here for now. You can go. Liora... No, I didn't forget. Tell me something, how do you know she's five? Why? We end up throwing it all away. So ask each one to bring something. Are you coming to bed? What a strange hotel. Does it smell here too? No. But we are right on the coast, yet we can't see the sea. We can't see anything now. It's dark. Come to bed. It's so noisy... What? The street, don't you hear it? I'm beat. We're right on the main road. Tomorrow I'll ask for another room on a higher floor, okay? I'll never fall asleep here. Are you tired? Let's take this off. Okay, we won't. do you want to sleep? In this day and age of plenty, it's hard to believe that some people have nothing. Every mother wants to give her child the world, but not everyone can. For some children, this is a home and a bed. And this is breakfast, lunch and dinner. On October 30th, fundraising day, we all open our hearts and wallets. Because everyone deserves a roof over their heads. To purchase a golden roof pin or a key chain, send a text message to 0606. Did I look okay on TV? Batya? Mom? - What's going on with you? - I'm fine. No, you're not. You can talk to me, I'm your mother. Really, I'm fine. I couldn't talk to my mother, but you can. if you want, I could pay for therapy. What's funny? You don't believe in therapy? No, no. What is it, then? Where are the clothes I had when I was little? Your clothes? At your father's. Why? At Dad's? Knowing him, he probably threw them away. Batya? We came here to relax, and all we've had is troubles. We're trying our best. We already moved you to another room. How about a room with an ocean view? Do you have any suites? We have one suite... but it's occupied. can't you do anything? I'm sorry. I just got married. Congratulations. Yeah, right... do you happen to know how you spell "eternally"? What? "Eternally in disgrace". One or two L's? Eternally... Two, I think. Thanks. Maybe just one? - What did she say? - Who? The receptionist. She said it's the normal sound of an air conditioner. It's anything but normal. Are you okay? I'm fine. Want an apple? A rotten one? What does "eternally in disgrace" mean? "Eternally in disgrace"? It's something bad that goes on and on and never stops. Why? Thanks. Why did you bring her a Filipino? She didn't want anyone. - How do you know? You're never here. - I called her twice a day. I changed her diapers twice a day! I offered to move her to Haifa but you insisted on... What do you want now?!. So let's move her to Haifa! It's okay. Tell me about yourself. You still work in flower arrangement, right? I've been a waitress at weddings, Dad, for two years already. That's great. Eldad told me so much about you... What did he say? That... You're his only child... How happy he was when you were born... What a beautiful baby you were... It's good to see you. Really. Where are my old clothes? I'll get them. Don't all those weddings give you an urge? An urge for what? I've been dreaming about my wedding since I was a kid. Really? Funny... Just like your father. Take what you need. It's just getting moldy here. What do you think of her? - Who? - Her. Nice. I saved her, poor girl. Her life was a nightmare. She came to me all skin and bones. I took care of her. Now she wants to get married. She's bulimic, poor girl. Dad, who is this? - Is the girl wet? - No. Your daughter has your eyes. She's not my daughter. - Your sister? - No. Is 30 shekels okay? - You didn't put the meter on? - My meter's busted, sweetie. The call time is almost up. I wanted to tell you... Your birthday is coming up soon. You'll be a big boy, five years old. And Mommy doesn't know what to get you. What would you like the most? I want you to come home. I... Why so late? - I'm sorry... - Who's this? - I found her in the sea... - In the sea? I had nowhere to leave her... Batya, you have one last chance. Another screw-up and you're out of here. In the sea... Go get changed. Stay here, okay? Stop it! - You, stop it! - Leave me alone! Three couples complained about you! Three! Your pictures come out... lousy. - It's not my fault. - Whose then? My grandmother's?!. It's easy to take a picture. You aim, you click... You're an idiot! And you're fired! What are you doing? Don't move, you hear me?!. You hear me?!. Excuse me, did a little girl come out of here? - A little girl? - Wet, red hair. - Big sad eyes? - You saw her? I took her picture. It was my last shot. - That's her dress, isn't it? - Yes. I yelled at her. I shouldn't have done tha... You're fired! It makes you feel good, huh? Excuse me? Firing people. Get lost. Make me. Son of a bitch! Excuse me, where's the restroom? - This way, Madam. - thank you. Come, let's look for the girl. Business cards. Forget it, I don't need them anymore. I don't think I can get on a motorcycle. It's a scooter. No. Really, no. - I'll drive slowly. Don't you trust me? - No. I don't trust anyone. Fine, whatever. Oh, these damn heels... This damn hotel. Eight flights of stairs for cigarettes. Eight? Yes, I'm on the top floor. - In the suite? - Yes. - You guys are lucky. - What do you mean, "you guys"? You and your husband. I'm alone here. What about you? I'm on my honeymoon. - I got married the day before yesterday - Congratulations. Thanks. - This is my floor. - Bye. "Eternally in disgrace" is with two L's. What? It's spelled with two L's. I asked my wife. Thanks. You can write "forever" instead. It's less final, more optimistic. I'll think about it. Good luck. With what you're writing. Are you asleep? Almost. The noise from the road doesn't bother you? I got used to it. Scary. I met that woman again. What woman? The one who asked me how to spell "eternally." She's strange. - Did you talk? - A little. She's an author. She came here to write. What's she writing? Maybe she's a poet. Is she pretty? I don't know... Interesting. She's staying in a suite. Is she married? She's here alone. Alone in a suite? She's a writer. She's writing. She needs space. - Bullshit. - Why bullshit? Come on. She's probably some bored millionaire. Why do you say that? You think Dostoyevsky rented a suite to write? Maybe not Dostoyevsky... if you have something to write you can do it anywhere. How do you know? Did you ever write anything? At least I don't make spelling mistakes. In Russian, I have no spelling mistakes. I'm going out for a smoke. We were cut off yesterday... Tell me what you did today... I don't want to. Are you angry? I don't know where you are. I'm in Israel. Did Mirna tell you about Israel? There's no such place. Yes, there is, it's far away... where the sea ends... It's okay. Are you okay? I'm sorry. She disappeared. Disappeared? I looked for her all night. I took her to work and... I left her alone for a minute. I yelled at her. Sit down, relax. I lost her, I was responsible for her. You're not her mother, you just found her, right? So, that's that. What do you mean? What do we do now? Nothing. Nothing? Unless someone comes looking for her. Her mother, her father. No one's looking for her. I'm looking for her. You're not her mother. So what? The girl disappeared! You know how many people disappear? Missing people are at the bottom of the list. They don't even get a folder. Eliyahu Zilka. No family. Hana Kelman. Alzheimer's. Mois... What's this? Moizo... Crozskazi... Can't even say his name, so how are they gonna find him... Eliyahu Zilka. No family. Lost at sea. if you had her picture, maybe I could do something. Like what? Put out an all-points bulletin. Maybe someone would call. - Take it. - No, thanks. - Go ahead, take it. - No, thanks. Take it. "My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced..." Ward F. End of the corridor. Where's Galia? - You don't speak Hebrew? - A little. Great. She can't even find a decent care giver. They said I could leave. I want to go. I want to go home. I suggest you take a walk on the beach, it'll do you good. Good? What's on the beach besides dog shit and jellyfish? You people eat them, don't you? Speak to me in Hebrew or German. You speak German? You okay? Go buy me some water. The kiosk. Money? You need money? The picture... - What? - Where is it? What in God's name are you doing? Hi, we are out. Please leave a message. Thanks. Hi Batya, it's me. I just wanted to remind you about my fundraiser. I'll pick you up on the corner at five. So be ready. And look pretty. Come in. I'll get the little girl's picture. - Do you remember that moment? - No. I've cleaned so many tables. They're all white with the same food, the same leftovers. Only the bride and groom change. - Even they don't change. - What? Now where did I put it? This place is a mess. - What's this? - It's a film. - What film? - Super eight. Super what? Is it Sci-Fi? Kind of... From my childhood, stuff my dad filmed. - Can I see it? - It's boring. Like all those films. What films? You must have some too. Standing next to a giraffe when you were a kid. I don't. I don't have any pictures either. Really? Can I see it? Please... There's no plot development. I don't like developments. Got any more of these films? I think I have something from an amusement park. I can look... You're fired. I don't need you. I'm fine on my own. I'm letting you go. Now. You can go. You're fired! Fired! It's okay? Nothing. Forget it. How are you feeling? You can see for yourself. Are you in pain? I got used to it. How's the play? Final rehearsals, there's a lot of pressure. Who's the director? Mahmoud Yasif. An Arab directing Shakespeare? do you know him? Shakespeare? Who doesn't... No. Mahmoud. have you ever heard of him? Or seen his work? - Don't get all upset now. - Then don't upset me. Okay, I'll keep quiet. How is she? What can I tell you? That I wish it was you who picked me up from the hospital? I'm sorry, Mom, I had a rehearsal. Never mind. Is she treating you well? I don't know where you found her. She doesn't speak a word of Hebrew, walks too slow... It's only till you're better. Tova had a wonderful Philippine woman, experienced, - maybe you can find out... - I'm swamped, Mom. I can hardly... Yeah, yeah. Jumping around on stage is more important. If I get you a new one, will you be happy? Instead of flying to the Caribbean, we ended up here because of her leg. They gave us a room on the ground floor. And my wife couldn't sleep because of the sewage. We moved to another room. Now I can't sleep because of the traffic I can give you my suite. You don't have to, but it's nice of you to offer. It means nothing to me. Really. but you write... I can write anywhere. So could Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky? Never mind. "A ship inside a bottle cannot sink or collect dust. It's nice to look at and floats on glass. No one is small enough to board it. It doesn't know where it's heading. The wind outside won't blow its sails. It has no sails, only a slip, a dress. And beneath them, jellyfish. Her mouth is dry though she's surrounded by water. She drinks it through the openings in her eyes... " Head injury. Concussion? Looks like it. What's your name? Where's your mother? Your father? No, no sir, thank you. Later, honey, he'll be back, I promise. Go play in the sand. - Why didn't you buy her ice cream? - Do it yourself. Are you still mad? - What do you think? - That we came here to have fun. Are you having fun? The fact she opened her eyes doesn't mean a thing. The nurse said it's a reflex. I should have kept in touch with her. I'm a lousy father. I have to throw up. Go throw up. I can't in a hospital. It's disgusting. Can I have a minute alone with my daughter? Wait... No, I'm really sorry. Forgive me... Stop. I'm sorry I yelled at you. do you think I don't know? Know what? Not in front of the child. Want to go into the water, sweetie? Play nice. Daddy's coming right back. Don't play dumb. How old is your new floozy? Batya's age? Nili! Too bad I don't have a camera. I'd take a picture with you. Too bad. Excuse me, do you have any aspirin? I don't work here. Okay, I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye. Go on, knock. My wife, Keren. This is... I forgot... I never told you. Nice to meet you. Are we too early? No, I'm all packed. Come in. I'll go get the suitcase from our room. The towels are clean. Why did you agree to switch rooms with us? I thought it's what you wanted. - Did Michael ask you to? - No. I felt it. You're very generous. No. There are just certain men I can't resist. We got married the day before yesterday. Congratulations. I heard it was a lovely wedding. I want you to stay away from him. You can see the sea from the balcony. I shut the blinds. I hate light. Thanks. What now? Galia? Where? Look at her. Everything hanging out... Give me my glasses. To see. It's tonight. What? She didn't invite me. I don't go anywhere uninvited. At 8, is okay? Why didn't you tell me she's so pretty? - Who? - The poet. What difference does it make? Look at the beautiful view. Come on, I'll carry you over. Don't you want to see the sea finally? - What did you give her? - What? What did you give her for the room? What do you mean? Did you sleep with her? You're crazy. I'm a woman. Did you sleep with her? Five flights up for nothing. It's gonna be shit here too. Remember our first date? We went to the movies. You wore a white dress. With thin straps. We had seats right in the center. But someone was blocking your view. So I changed seats with you. But I couldn't see either. So we moved to side seats. But we couldn't see from there. Finally, we sat in the second row. And your neck hurt. do you remember? What was the movie about? Did you sleep with her? I don't remember either. Let's go look at the sea and talk. Take me out to the balcony. "Hamlet, Hamlet, Hamlet... Oh, that this too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew..." I found you a boat. A big boat? A huge boat, with a tall mast and beautiful sails... When will I get to see it? Soon, it will arrive on your birthday. Mirna! Mama bought me a boat! Mama bought me a boat! "...For I must hold my tongue! Tongue, Tongue, Tongue, Tongue." I can't make it... Taxi... keep the receipt. Did I wake you? - Can I sleep here tonight? - Sure. - What happened? - I ran away from a hospital. Why were you in a hospital? I'll tell you tomorrow. Can I sleep on the sofa? I don't have a sofa. They promised he'd come back. Who? The ice cream man. My mother promised he'd come back. Did they promise you anything when you were a child? My parents are Holocaust survivors. I never asked anything from them. You're second generation? We're all second generation... of something. Don't worry, he's always around. Who? The ice cream man. I have pictures of him. Dozens. Can I see them? Tomorrow. Tomorrow... I was glad to see you. Yes. I really liked it. He's talented, that director. And me? You're my daughter. I'm not objective. - Where is the Philippine woman? - Joy? She's out. She's leaving today. But did you like my acting? Well, half the time you're lying on the floor dead. And when you were acting, you and that Hamlet just kept fondling each other. We weren't fondling each other. It's physical theater. Physical, yes, but why do you have to touch each other all the time? - You don't like touching at all. - What? - Nothing, never mind. - No. What did you say? if you have something to say, say it. Even on stage no one understands a word you mumble. I'll never come here again. Ever. Get me a glass of water. Didn't you hear me? What's with you? "I thought it would be simpler to die. I hate hotels. Maybe that's why I chose to die in one. What am I waiting for? It's all ready, the pills, my mood. So why doesn't it happen? Is it because I'm not happy with the suicide note? I can't find words to express my emotions. And I won't do it until I find them. Or maybe it's because I met someone who'll save me. A ship inside a bottle cannot sink, or collect dust. It's nice to look at and floats on glass. No one is small enough to board it. It doesn't know where it's heading. The wind outside won't blow its sails. It has no sails, only a slip, a dress. And beneath them, jellyfish. Her mouth is dry though she's surrounded by water. She drinks it through the openings in her eyes which never close. When she dies, it won't be noticeable. She won't crash on rocks. She will remain tall... and proud. " It's beautiful. Isn't it? if you didn't kiss her on your way out, my love, if you can, kiss me when you return. |
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