-THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME.
I AM NOT GOING TO LISTEN
TO YOU ANYMORE.
-PETER WILL HEAR US QUARRELLING,
AND HE SHOULDN'T.
-LET HIM HEAR US QUARREL.
-HE SHOULD BE HEARING US
TRYING TO INSTIL
SOME VALUES IN HIM,
GET THROUGH TO HIM ABOUT WHA HE'S GONNA DO WITH HIS LIFE.
-I SAY HE SHOULD BE HEARING ME.
I THINK IT'S TIME--
-HE'S HEARING YOU.
BUT I THINK HE'S HEARING
THE WRONG THINGS FROM YOU.
-MY GOD! WHAT A LIFE THIS IS.
WHY DO I HAVE
TO PUT UP WITH THIS?
I HAVE TO GO TO WORK
THIS MORNING.
( Spanish guitar music)
-MY NAME IS PETER.
I'M 23 YEARS OLD,
AND I'VE LIVED AT HOME
ALL MY LIFE...
WATCHING MY PARENTS
DISLIKE EACH OTHER.
FOR A WHILE, I THOUGHT THAT WAS
A PRETTY EXCITING THING TO DO.
BUT IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO,
IT'S ALL BEGUN
TO GET ON MY NERVES.
SO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING INSTEAD
IS SPENDING A LO OF MY TIME... PRETENDING.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
( aII singing )
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PETER
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
Peter: I FIGURED OU A LONG TIME AGO
THAT BEING ALONE WAS EASIER
IF YOU BECAME... TWO PEOPLE.
ONE PART OF YOU WOULD ALWAYS
BE THE SAME, LIKE AN AUDIENCE,
AND THE OTHER PART WOULD
TAKE ON DIFFERENT ROLES,
KIND OF LIKE AN ACTOR.
-NOW BEFORE WE START, I'D LIKE
TO POINT OUT THOSE CAMERAS.
THEY'LL BE VIDEOTAPING
OUR CONVERSATION.
AFTER THIS MEETING, I'D LIKE
EACH OF YOU TO VIEW THE TAPE,
SOMETIME OVER THE NEXT WEEK.
NOW IT'S IMPORTAN THAT YOU WATCH IT ALONE.
USE ONE OF OUR ROOMS
ON THE NINTH FLOOR.
THEN, WHEN WE MEET AGAIN,
WE CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR REACTIONS
TO WHAT YOU SEE,
AND WHAT YOU THINK
OF THE WAY YOU'RE BEHAVING.
OKAY? GOOD.
-IS THAT S YSTEM HOOKED UP TO A...
A S YNCHRONIZING GENERATOR?
-YES. NOW... GOOD.
COULD SOMEONE TELL ME
WHAT'S BROUGHT YOU HERE?
-RIGHT NOW, OUR BIG PROBLEM
IS WITH PETER.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO
ANYTHING WITH HIMSELF.
-IS THAT RIGHT, PETER?
-I GUESS, YEAH.
-WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?
-HE PRETENDS.
-IS THAT RIGHT, PETER?
DO YOU MAKE-BELIEVE?
-SOMETIMES.
-WHY?
YOU ENJOY IT?
-I GUESS, YEAH.
-DO YOU HAVE MANY FRIENDS?
WHY NOT?
-I... I FIND IT DIFFICUL TO COMMUNICATE SOMETIMES.
-ARE YOU LONELY?
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
-HE'S 23.
-I ASKED PETER.
IS THAT RIGHT? ARE YOU 23?
-YES.
-DOES YOUR MOTHER USUALLY
ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR YOU?
-SOMETIMES.
-A LOT OF THE TIME?
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP
IN THE MORNING?
-HE USUALLY SLEEPS IN.
-DO YOU STAY UP LATE?
THEN WHY DO YOU SLEEP SO MUCH?
MR. FOSTER, WHAT TIME
DO YOU USUALLY GET UP?
-OH, AT A QUARTER TO SIX,
SIX O'CLOCK.
-YOU GO TO WORK?
-YES.
-IS IT A GOOD JOB?
-OH, YES!
-AND YOU WORK HARD AT IT?
-YES.
-TAKE A CERTAIN PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO?
-UH-HUH.
-THEN HOW IS I THAT YOU'VE RAISED A SON
THAT DOESN'T WANT TO WORK,
HAS NO PRIDE
AND PRETENDS THAT HE'S
SOMEBODY ELSE ALL THE TIME?
-I--
-IS IT NECESSARY TO BE SO BLUN
ABOUT ALL OF THIS?
-MAYBE PETER'S TRYING
TO REJECT YOUR VALUES.
IS THAT IT, PETER?
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE
LIKE YOUR PARENTS?
-OH, I HAVE NOTHING
AGAINST THEM.
-YOU LOVE THEM?
-HMM.
-VERY MUCH?
( Hearing voices )
Peter: LOOKING BACK ON OUR
SESSIONS AT THE FAMILY CLINIC,
I'VE COME TO REALIZE SOMETHING:
I ENVY THERAPISTS.
I MEAN, WHAT CAN BE
MORE EXCITING THAN...
THAN GETTING TO KNOW
ANOTHER FAMILY,
TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS?
WHAT CAN BE MORE
SATISFYING THAN...
THAN GIVING DIRECTION
TO OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES?
Father: I DON'T HAVE
TO LISTEN TO THIS.
I HAVE TO GO TO WORK
IN THE MORNING.
YES, YOU HAVE, GARY, IF WE WAN TO GET THROUGH TO EACH OTHER...
AND THROUGH OUR SON.
-THIS IS A WASTE OF MY TIME.
-SO HOW'S YOUR FAMILY?
-NOT BAD.
AND YOURS?
-SO SO... YOU KNOW.
-HOW'S YOUR MOTHER COMING ALONG?
-SHE'S BETTER.
-AND YOUR WIFE?
-SHE TOLD ME SHE SPEN THE WEEKEND WITH ANOTHER MAN.
-YOU'RE JOKING.
-THEN TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE.
-HOW ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND?
-OH, HE'S GREAT.
VERY COOPERATIVE, VERY... OPEN
ABOUT HIS FEELINGS, YOU KNOW.
-WELL, THAT'S A START.
-YEAH, I SUPPOSE.
-I OWE TO SHOW YOU
MY FAMILY SOMETIME.
-DO YOU HAVE MUCH TAPE OF THEM?
-SIX HOURS.
-COLOUR?
-BLACK AND WHITE.
BUT I SHOT IT IN ROOM 304.
-SO YOU'RE HAPPY ABOUT--
-OH, THE LIGHTING IS AS EVEN
AS YOU CAN HOPE FOR.
-IT'S SO HARD TO GE THE FLESH TONES.
-CAN I HELP YOU?
-YES. I'M HERE TO SEE A TAPE.
-WHICH ONE?
-FOSTER.
-THERE YOU GO, DOCTOR.
-YOU'RE NEW HERE, AREN'T YOU?
-YES. I'M WORKING HERE
THIS MORNING.
MISS MINUCHIN HAD
A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.
-NOTHING SERIOUS, I HOPE?
-SHE HAD TO GET HER TEETH FIXED.
-AH...
AND WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
-LIZA.
-LIZA...
MY NAME IS TED, BUT MOST PEOPLE
AROUND HERE CALL ME TEDDY.
-WELL, I'M ONLY HERE THIS MORNING.
-OH, CALL ME TEDDY
WHILE YOU'RE HERE.
-ROOM 153 IS FREE.
-THANKS, LIZA.
-YOU'RE WELCOME... TEDDY.
Mother: HE DOESN'T WAN TO DO ANYTHING WITH HIMSELF.
Therapist:
WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?
DO YOU HAVE MANY FRIENDS?
ARE YOU LONELY?
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
DOES YOUR MOTHER USUALLY
ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR YOU?
THEN HOW IS IT THA YOU'VE RAISED A SON
THAT DOESN'T WANT A JOB,
HAS NO PRIDE,
AND PRETENDS THA HE'S SOMEBODY ELSE?
-IS IT NECESSARY TO BE
SO BLUNT ABOUT ALL THIS?
-MAYBE PETER IS TRYING
TO REJECT--
Peter: FOR 23 YEARS,
I'VE BEEN RAISED
AS MY PARENTS' PRIDE AND JOY.
THAT'S GOTTA CHANGE.
I WANT CONTROL NOW.
-HI, SARAH.
HOW ARE THINGS OUT THERE?
THIS IS A TAPE OF THE SESSION THA I MENTIONED TO YOU IN MY LETTER.
I'VE INCLUDED
A FILE ON THE FAMILY,
WHICH WILL HELP TO GIVE YOU
SOME IDEA OF THEIR BACKGROUND.
AS YOU'LL SEE, THERE'S A GHOS MEMBER THAT I'M DEALING WITH HERE:
A SON WHO WAS GIVEN UP
FOR ADOPTION.
THOUGH THE SHAPE
OF THE ABSENT CHILD
PLACED A STRESS
ON THE FAMILY'S EQUILIBRIUM,
THIS SESSION PROVED
QUITE EFFECTIVE
IN RELEASING THE TYRANNY
OF THEIR MISSING SON.
I HOPE YOU FIND IT HELPFUL.
WHY DO YOU THINK
YOUR DAUGHTER LEFT HOME?
-BECAUSE SHE DON'T RESPECT ME,
THAT'S WHY.
-WHY DO YOU THINK
SHE DOESN'T RESPECT YOU?
-BECAUSE SHE AC LIKE A BIG SHOT.
-IN WHAT WAY?
-THE WAY SHE DRESSES.
LOOK AT HER.
-IS THAT ALL YOU'RE ANGRY ABOUT,
GEORGE? HER CLOTHES?
-SHE DRESS LIKE A...
LIKE A WHORE.
-DO YOU THINK SHE'S A WHORE?
WHEN YOU TALK,
DO YOU LISTEN TO HER?
-YES.
-SHE DOESN'T THINK THAT YOU DO.
-SHE DON'T LISTEN TO ME!
-THEN WHY DO YOU TREAT HER
LIKE A CHILD?
-BECAUSE SHE MAKE ME ANGRY.
-HOW?
-HUH... JUST... SHE JUST...
SHE JUST DOES.
-ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT ANGRY
ABOUT YOUR SON, GEORGE?
ABOUT BEDROS?
ARE YOU SORRY THAT HE'S NOT HERE
TO MAKE THINGS BETTER,
TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?
ARE YOU ANGRY WITH AZAH
BECAUSE SHE REJECTS THE VALUES
YOU BELIEVE YOUR SON
WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED?
YOU GAVE YOUR SON AWAY
WHEN YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.
-WE HAD NO MONEY.
-SO YOU GAVE HIM AWAY.
A FEW YEARS LATER, YOU HAD
A DAUGHTER. YOU KEPT HER.
SHE'S IN THIS ROOM
WITH US RIGHT NOW.
DOES THAT UPSET YOU?
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, SONYA?
-I WANT US TO BE HAPPY.
-ALL RIGHT. LET'S PLAY
A LITTLE GAME.
I WANT US TO PRETEND
THAT I'M YOUR SON.
THAT I'M BEDROS.
LET'S SAY THAT I'VE JUST COME
INTO THIS ROOM.
HI, SONYA.
HI, GEORGE.
AREN'T YOU GONNA HUG ME?
ARE YOU AFRAID THAT I WON' LISTEN TO YOU EITHER?
DO YOU THINK THA I'LL FIND YOU IGNORANT?
THAT I'LL BE EMBARRASSED
BY YOUR ACCENT?
WELL, I AM.
YOU'RE JUST A LOUS Y FOREIGNER,
A LOUS Y PEASANT!
NO WONDER PEOPLE DON' TRUST YOU... YOU SMELL!
-GEORGE! GEORGE!
-DON'T HIT ME, GEORGE!
GO ON, HIT YOUR SON
AS HARD AS YOU WANT!
Dr. Sarah: DID EVERYONE
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO LOOK AT THE TAPE
FROM OUR LAST MEETING?
GOOD.
WELL, LET'S STAR WITH YOU, PETER.
WHAT DID YOU THINK
OF WHAT YOU SAW?
-WELL, I THOUGHT YOU DID
A VERY GOOD JOB.
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
-WELL, OF POINTING OU WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE.
YOU DISPLAYED A GREA SENSITIVITY. VERY POLISHED.
-AND WHAT DO YOU THINK
THE PROBLEM IS?
-OH, THAT'S OBVIOUS:
I'M JUST BORED.
-NOW PETER, DON'T SAY THAT.
-NO. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME.
-DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE THINGS?
-YES.
-SO WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO?
-WELL, I THOUGHT I'D, YOU KNOW,
GO AWAY FOR A WHILE... BE ALONE.
FEEL LIKE I'M RESPONSIBLE.
-I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
WOULD YOU BE WILLING
TO FINANCE SUCH A TRIP?
-WELL, NOW I DON'T KNOW...
-YES, OF COURSE.
-GOOD.
I'D LIKE YOU TO KEEP A DIARY
WHILE YOU'RE AWAY.
HAVE YOU EVER KEPT ONE BEFORE?
-NO.
-IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE WRITTEN.
YOU CAN SPEAK I INTO A TAPE RECORDER.
PRETEND YOU'RE TALKING
TO A STRANGER,
TELLING YOUR THOUGHTS
TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW.
THEN, WHEN YOU RETURN,
WE CAN ALL LISTEN TO THE TAPE
AND DISCUSS IT. OKAY?
-SURE.
-HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF WHERE
YOU'D LIKE TO GO?
-MY NAME IS PETER.
I'M 23 YEARS OLD
AND I'VE LIVED AT HOME
ALL MY LIFE,
WATCHING MY PARENTS
DISLIKE EACH OTHER.
FOR A WHILE, I THOUGHT THAT WAS
A PRETTY EXCITING THING TO DO.
BUT IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO,
IT'S ALL BEGUN
TO GET ON MY NERVES.
SO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING INSTEAD
IS SPENDING A LO OF MY TIME PRETENDING,
JUST TO GET MY MIND OFF THINGS.
LATELY THOUGH, MY MOTHER HAS
CAUGHT ME AT IT A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I THINK IT REALLY BOTHERS HER.
SO ONE DAY, WE ALL WENT TO SEE
THIS FAMILY THERAPIST,
AND WITH HIS ENCOURAGEMENT,
I DECIDED TO TAKE THIS LITTLE TRIP.
SO HERE I AM.
LOOKING BACK ON OUR SESSIONS
AT THE CLINIC,
I'VE COME TO REALIZE SOMETHING:
I ENVY THERAPISTS.
IT MUST BE REALLY EXCITING
GETTING INVOLVED
WITH ANOTHER FAMILY,
TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
WHAT CAN BE MORE SATISFYING
THAN GIVING DIRECTION
TO OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES?
IT MUST GIVE ONE
A REAL SENSE OF PURPOSE.
FOR 23 YEARS,
I'VE BEEN RAISED
AS MY PARENTS' PRIDE AND JOY.
BUT THAT'S GOTTA END.
I WANT CONTROL NOW.
HELLO... IS THIS
THE DERYAN RESIDENCE?...
YES. UH...
THIS IS GOING TO COME AS
SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE TO YOU,
BUT... I'M YOUR SON...
NO, NO. NO, I'M NOT JOKING...
YES, YOUR SON...
BEDROS?
YES... WELL, I'D...
I'D LIKE TO MEET YOU.
-WE' WAITING SOMEONE.
-I KNOW.
-BEDROS!
-BEDROS!
BEDROS. BEDROS.
-BEDROS.
-YOUR HAIR USED TO BE DARKER.
-DID IT?
-AS BLACK AS YOUR MOTHER.
-YOU'RE SO SKINNY.
IT USED TO FILL MY FINGERS.
SKINNY LIKE YOUR GRANDFATHER.
DON'T YOU THINK, GEORGE,
HE LOOKS LIKE HIS GRANDPA?
-MORE LIKE HIS UNCLE.
SO YOU KEEP YOUR NAME,
HEY, BEDROS?
-YEP.
-YOU'RE PROUD OF IT.
-OF COURSE HE'S PROUD.
-YEAH, BUT SOME CHANGE THEIR NAMES.
-NOT OUR SON.
-BEDROS...
ARE YOU HAPPY TO SEE US?
-YOU BET.
( praying )
WE THANK FOR THIS MEAL
AND THE RETURN OF OUR SON BEDROS.
GOD, HE GIVE HIS SON JESUS
TO BE KILLED TO PAY FOR SIN.
AMEN.
-AMEN.
-SONYA, BEDROS...
BEDROS, WELCOME.
( Armenian )
-IT USED TO BE YOUR FAVOURITE.
-I DIDN'T HAVE TEETH THEN,
DID I?
-I MASH IT.
I MASH IT LIKE PUDDING.
YOU ATE IT ALL UP.
YOU NEVER MAKE A MESS.
YOU WERE SUCH A GOOD BABY.
WASN'T HE, GEORGE?
-HUH? HUH.
-YOU NEVER CRIED.
EVEN WHEN YOU'RE SCARED
OR YOU'RE HUNGRY, YOU NEVER CRY.
-EVEN WHEN I HIT HIM,
HE NEVER CRY.
-SO... DID YOU HAVE
ANY OTHER CHILDREN?
-WE HAD A DAUGHTER.
-AND YOU GAVE HER UP, TOO?
-WE DON'T GIVE YOU UP.
WE HAVE NO CHOICE.
NO MONEY, NO DOCTOR...
NO FRIENDS, NO HOUSE.
WHAT YOU WANT US TO DO?
LET YOU STARVE?
-I'M SORRY.
I DIDN'T MEAN IT THAT WAY.
-IT WAS ONLY THING TO DO.
-SO... WHERE IS MY SISTER?
-SHE LEFT HOME.
-WHEN?
-TWO MONTHS AGO.
-DOES SHE KNOW I'M HERE?
WELL, I'D LIKE TO MEET HER.
-SHE WILL NEVER COME
INTO THIS HOUSE AGAIN!
( Listening to himseIf )
IT'S A BIT ODD, ACTUALLY...
BEING IN A STRANGE CITY
LIKE THIS.
I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT VACATIONS
WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE
A WHILE TO GET USED TO.
THAT AT FIRST, YOU MIGH FEEL LONELY... HOMESICK.
BUT I DON'T FEEL LONELY AT ALL.
NOT THAT IT WOULD
BOTHER ME THAT MUCH.
I MEAN, AS AN ONLY CHILD,
YOU'RE SORT OF BORN
INTO FEELING THAT WAY.
AND I FIGURED OU A LONG TIME AGO
THAT BEING ALONE WAS EASIER
IF YOU BECAME TWO PEOPLE.
ONE PART OF YOU WOULD ALWAYS BE
THE SAME, LIKE AN AUDIENCE.
AND THE OTHER PART WOULD
TAKE ON DIFFERENT ROLES,
KIND OF LIKE AN ACTOR.
SO THAT WAY, I COULD
KEEP MYSELF PRETTY AMUSED,
BY WATCHING MYSELF PLAY
THESE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS.
BUT YESTERDAY
WAS A REAL EYE-OPENER.
BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME,
I ALMOST COULDN'T TELL
WHICH SIDE OF ME
WAS TAKING ON WHICH PART.
AND THAT WAS
A BIT SCARY AT FIRST.
BUT I'M BEGINNING TO LIKE IT.
-SOME OF THESE RUGS
ARE 100 YEARS OLD.
-THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.
YOU MUST BE PROUD TO SELL THEM.
-SURE.
MAYBE YOU BE PROUD
TO SELL THEM, TOO.
BEDROS, YOU WILL
BECOME MY PARTNER.
FATHER AND SON.
-WELL, I'LL... I'LL HAVE
TO THINK ABOUT IT.
-SURE. SURE, YOU WANT TO THINK
ABOUT IT... NO RUSH. NO.
BEDROS, LET ME
TELL YOU SOMETHING...
I INHERITED FROM MY FATHER...
I HAVE SO MUCH MONEY
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
-IT IS FOR MY MOTHER.
I SWEAR IT'S FOR MY MOTHER!
-I GO TO CALL THE POLICE.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO?
THEY PUT YOU IN THE JAIL.
-I WON'T DO IT AGAIN.
PLEASE, SIR!
-THEY TORTURE YOU.
THEY BEAT YOU WITH STICKS.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
-YES.
-SURE?
-YES.
-PROMISE ME YOU DON'T DO AGAIN?
-YES.
YES.
-GO.
IF YOU WANT THEM TO REMEMBER,
YOU SCARE.
BEDROS, I WILL
TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
YOU KNOW WHY?
AT HOME, I HAD TWO STORES. TWO.
I INHERIT FROM MY FATHER.
I HAD SO MUCH MONEY
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
YOU KNOW HOW I HAD THAT MONEY?
I BRIBE.
I BRIBE POLICE, I BRIBE JUDGE...
EVERYONE.
IT'S THE WHOLE NEW WAY
TO SURVIVE THERE.
IT WAS LIKE A NIGHTMARE.
I WASN'T HAPPY.
ONE DAY, I WAKE UP AND I SAW
EVERYTHING TAKEN FROM ME.
MY HOUSE, MY MONEY, MY STORES...
EVERYTHING.
THE BASTARDS MAKE ME WAI THREE YEARS
TO GET OUT OF THAT HELL.
THREE YEARS!
I COME HERE WITH NOTHING.
NO MONEY, NO HOUSE... NOTHING.
SO I WORK.
I WORK LIKE A DISHWASHER,
TAXI DRIVER... YOU NAME IT.
FINALLY, I MAKE SMALL MONEY
AND I BUY THIS STORE.
I KNOW, THIS IS A SMALL STORE
IF I COMPARE WHAT I HAD THERE.
BUT YOU THINK I AM MISERABLE?
OH, NO. NO, I AM VERY HAPPY.
YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE
IF YOU START WITH NOTHING,
EVERYTHING YOU EARN
FILLS YOU WITH PRIDE.
NO BRIBES. NO LIES. NO FEAR.
OH! BEDROS, WE ARE LATE,
SONYA WAITING!
SONYA, WE ARE HOME!
-HELLO.
-I'M YOUR SISTER.
-AZAH...
I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D BE HERE.
-ARE YOU STAYING IN MY OLD ROOM?
-NO. NO... A HOTEL.
-IT'S BETTER THAT WAY.
-IT'S BETTER... IT'S BETTER...
WHAT IS BETTER?
I SPEAK WITH YOU!
WHAT IS BETTER?
WHY YOU DON'T ANSWER?
LOOK, LOOK HOW SHE RESPECT ME!
-THE DINNER IS ALMOST READY.
-WHY YOU DON'T ANSWER TO ME?!
WHY YOU DON'T ANSWER TO ME?!
-GO BACK TO SLEEP, PA.
-I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP.
I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP!
-HE ALWAYS GETS LIKE THIS.
-YOU MAKE THIS MADHOUSE.
-LOOK AT ME, PA.
I'M PERFECTLY CALM.
-I'M CALM, TOO. I'M CALM, TOO.
BEDROS, WHO IS CALM?
SAY WHO IS CALM.
-IF YOU'D JUST LEARN
TO CONTROL YOURSELF...
-I AM IN CONTROL.
IF YOU LISTEN TO ME...
-WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO YOU?
-BECAUSE I'M YOUR FATHER!
( Armenian )
-I AM YOUR FATHER!
I AM YOUR FATHER!
-IT'S BEEN NICE MEETING YOU.
-YOU'RE LEAVING?
-WHY DON'T WE MEET TOMORROW?
-OKAY.
-SONYA, PLEASE, NO.
-CALM, GEORGE, PLEASE.
SHE WANTED TO MEET HER BROTHER.
-NO. PLEASE, SONYA.
Peter:
ANOTHER DAY OF DISCOVERY.
I WAS INVITED TO HAVE DINNER
AT THE HOME OF A VERY NICE
OLDER COUPLE
WHO INTRODUCED ME
TO THEIR DAUGHTER.
THEY'RE AN UNUSUAL FAMILY.
QUITE DIFFEREN FROM WHAT I'M USED TO.
I'D LIKE TO SPEND
MORE TIME WITH THEM.
GET TO LEARN SOMETHING
ABOUT THEIR...
WAY OF LIFE.
THE WAY I SEE IT,
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG
IN PRETENDING...
AS LONG AS YOU'RE AWARE
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
IT TAKES MORE EFFOR TO SPEAK WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND
THAN TO SAY, ''YES, DAD.''
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
-ALL WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SINCE
WE MET IS ABOUT DAD AND ME.
-SO?
-THERE ARE OTHER THINGS.
-LIKE WHAT?
-YOU AND YOUR PARENTS.
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
-WHAT WERE THEY LIKE?
-QUITE TYPICAL, I SUPPOSE.
UPPER MIDDLE CLASS.
NICE HOUSE.
THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH TO SAY
ABOUT THEM, REALLY.
-WHAT DID THEY DO?
-THE USUAL.
-AND THAT MEANS?
-THE USUAL THINGS
THEIR TYPE OF PEOPLE DO.
WHAT'S SO FUNNY?
-YOU SEEM VERY PROUD OF THEM.
-WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?
-DO YOU LOVE THEM?
-I SUPPOSE.
-YOU SUPPOSE?
-I DID LOVE THEM.
-BUT THAT'S ALL IN THE PAST.
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
-YOU'VE CAST THEM ASIDE.
-I HAD TO.
-WHY?
-IT'S OBVIOUS.
-NOT REALLY.
I MEAN, IF I DISCOVERED
THAT PA AND MA HAD ADOPTED ME,
I WOULDN'T TRY
TO FIND MY REAL PARENTS.
-YOU CAN'T SAY THAT.
-WHY NOT?
-WELL...
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO...
TO IMAGINE YOURSELF
IN THAT SORT OF SITUATION.
IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THA I DECIDED TO FIND YOU
BECAUSE SOMETHING INSIDE ME
NEEDED TO. THAT'S IT.
-SO HERE YOU ARE.
-YEAH.
-HAPPY?
-NOT REALLY.
-WHY NOT?
-IT UPSETS ME TO SEE YOU AND
GEORGE ARGUING ALL THE TIME.
-I'M AFRAID THERE ISN'T MUCH
THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT.
-YES, THERE IS.
I'LL MAKE THINGS BETTER.
-NEVER?
-I DON'T THINK SO.
-THEN I MAKE YOU SOME TONIGHT.
AND RABBIT. YOU LIKE RABBIT?
-YES.
-OH... OH, IT'S OKAY.
WAS YOUR MOTHER A GOOD COOK?
-MY FOSTER MOTHER.
NOT AS GOOD AS YOU ARE.
-AH, YOU JUST SAY THIS.
-NO. I MEAN IT.
-WERE YOUR PARENTS MAD
WHEN THEY FIND OUT?
-FIND OUT WHAT?
-FIND OUT THAT YOU
ARE LOOKING FOR US.
-NO.
THEY WEREN'T THAT... EMOTIONAL.
-THEY ARE NOT LIKE US.
-DEFINITELY NOT LIKE YOU.
-DOES IT BOTHER YOU
WHEN YOUR PAPA SCREAM'?
-A LITTLE.
HAVE AZAH AND HIM
ALWAYS FOUGHT SO MUCH?
-NO. THEY USED
TO LOVE EACH OTHER.
THEY JOKE, AND GEORGE TAKE
AZAH WITH HIM EVERYWHERE.
BUT NOW...
I DON'T KNOW.
-THINGS WILL GET BETTER.
-DID YOU...
FIGHT WITH YOUR PARENTS?
-NO.
BUT WE DIDN'T DO THAT MUCH ELSE.
-WERE YOU HAPPY?
-I'M MUCH HAPPIER HERE.
-REALLY?
THEN WHY YOU DON'T STAY WITH US,
IN AZAH'S OLD ROOM?
-I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE
A GOOD IDEA FOR US TO BECOME...
TOO DEPENDENT.
-OH, I SEE.
-THAT WILL BE $7, PLEASE.
-OKAY, I PAY.
-NO, SONYA.
-WHY?
-IT'S A GIFT.
AZAH SAID SHE'D BRING THE WINE,
SO LET ME BUY THE BUNNY.
( singing )
-THIS WINE TASTE' LIKE SWEAT!
-I HAVE TO LEAVE.
-YOU HARDLY EAT SOMETHING.
-I HAVE A CLASS AT SEVEN.
-AZAH...
-IT'S IMPORTANT, MA.
-I MAKE SOME SANDWICH FOR YOU.
-WHY?
-TO TAKE WITH YOU.
-IT'S OKAY, MA.
-AZAH...
-NO.
-PLEASE, STAY.
-I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
GOODBYE, PA.
-BEDROS, COME WATCH TV WITH ME.
-WHAT'S THE MATTER?
-I CAN'T STAND THIS ANYMORE.
IT IS LIKE SHE'S HIS ENEMY.
-HAVE YOU TRIED
TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT?
-WHAT USE FOR?
-IT MIGHT HELP.
-SOMETIMES, IT'S BETTER
TO KEEP QUIET.
IT WOULD BE BETTER
IF YOU WERE HERE, BEDROS.
HE MISS YOU.
SOME NIGHT', HE'S NOT ABLE
TO SLEEP...
BECAUSE HE'S THINKING OF YOU.
WHERE ARE YOU?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
SOMETIMES EVEN,
HE'S THINKING THAT YOU ARE
IN HIS HOUSE, WATCHING HIM.
HE WANTS SO MUCH
TO HAVE HIS SON.
HE NEEDS SOMEBODY
TO LISTEN TO HIM.
-I'M HERE NOW.
-BEDROS, YOU KNOW
WHAT I MISS MOST?
-WHAT?
-TO HOLD YOU LIKE A BABY.
-YOU STILL CAN.
-OH, YOU' JUST BREAK MY BONES.
-NO, I WON'T. HERE.
PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME.
( she's humming a IuIIaby )
( he hums aIong with her )
-WELL, THIS IS IT.
-IT'S HUGE.
-I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
TO SHARE IT WITH.
IT'S QUITE CHEAP.
-REALLY?
-BUT THERE IS NO HEATING.
-OH.
-THINK ABOUT IT.
AND THIS IS MY ROOM.
-AND THESE ARE YOURS?
-UH-HUH.
-THEY'RE GOOD.
-THANK YOU.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?
IT'S ONE OF THE FEW THINGS
MA KEPT.
YOU WERE BEST FRIENDS.
-ALAS... POOR TEDDY.
-YOU KNEW HIM?
-QUITE WELL.
-THIS IS YOU.
-WOULD YOU SAY I'VE CHANGED?
-A BIT TALLER MAYBE?
OTHERWISE,
THE SPITTING IMAGE OF PA.
-IS THAT A COMPLIMENT?
WHEN'S THE LAST TIME
THE TWO OF YOU TALKED?
-IN COUNSELLING.
-IN WHAT?
-WE WENT TO SEE A COUNSELLOR.
-YOU'RE JOKING.
-NO.
-HOW DID YOU GET GEORGE TO GO?
-MA CONVINCED HIM THA IT WAS FOR A CHECK-UP.
-HE BELIEVED HER?
-HE ALWAYS DOES.
-DID IT HELP?
-WHAT?
-THE COUNSELLING?
-WELL, OUR COUNSELLOR
SEEMS TO THINK SO...
ALTHOUGH THAT COULD BE HIS
RATIONALE FOR GETTING BEAT UP.
-BY GEORGE?
-HOW DID YOU KNOW?
-I GUESSED.
HIS TEMPER.
-OH.
I SUPPOSE IT ALL CULMINATED
THIS ONE DAY,
WHEN HE CAME TO PICK ME UP
FROM SCHOOL.
I WAS IN THE MIDDLE
OF AN ART CLASS
WHEN HE JUST WALKED
INTO THE STUDIO...
IMAGINE THE SHOCK. I MEAN,
THERE I WAS, HIS DAUGHTER,
IN FRONT OF A NAKED MAN.
HE RIPPED UP
EVERYONE'S DRAWINGS,
AND THEN THREATENED
TO KILL THE MODEL.
IT WASN'T FUNNY THEN.
-WHAT HAPPENED?
-HE TOLD ME TO GO BACK WITH HIM.
I REFUSED.
-MOVED OUT?
-FEW MONTHS LATER, YES.
YOU'D STAY IN HERE.
-HAVE YOU CONSIDERED WHA WE'VE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY?
-WE TALKED ABOUT A LO OF THINGS, YESTERDAY.
-ABOUT DAD AND YOU.
-WHAT'S THERE TO CONSIDER?
-WELL, I WAS WONDERING
ABOUT THAT COMMENT HE MADE.
-WHICH ONE?
-''THIS WINE TASTE LIKE SWEAT.''
I WAS WONDERING WHAT WOULD HAVE
HAPPENED IF YOU'D AGREED WITH HIM.
-WHY WOULD I DO THAT?
-TO APPEASE HIM.
-APPEASE HIM?
I WOULD HAVE FELT LIKE A LIAR.
-BUT YOU WOULDN'T NEED TO.
-OF COURSE I WOULD.
-COULDN'T YOU THINK
OF YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR?
-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
-WELL...
A LIAR IS SOMEONE
WHO DOESN'T SPEAK THE TRUTH.
AN ACTOR DOES,
BUT IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S VOICE.
-THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.
-SURE THERE IS.
WHEN YOU'RE ACTING,
YOU'RE DOING IT FOR SOMEONE.
YOU'RE PROVIDING THEM
WITH A GIFT.
-I WOULD STILL FEEL TERRIBLE.
-NOT IF YOU REALIZED WHY
YOU WERE DOING IT.
-AND WHY WOULD THAT BE?
-TO SHOW YOU LOVE HIM.
GEORGE!
GEORGE!
GEORGE, LET'S GO!
GEORGE?
-YES?
-HOW OFTEN DO YOU COME
TO THESE PLACES?
-ONCE A WEEK.
-ALWAYS ON THURSDAY?
-YES.
SOMETIMES ON TUESDAY.
AND MONDAY.
-DO YOU FIND THEM...
AROUSING?
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
-DO THEY EXCITE YOU?
-WHO?
-THE DANCERS.
-PFT!
-BUT THEN, WHY DO YOU GO?
-TO RELAX.
-BUT YOU DIDN'T SEEM RELAXED.
-SURE I RELAXED.
-THEN WHY DID YOU KEEP
LOOKING OVER AT ME?
-WHY DO YOU ASK THESE QUESTIONS?
-I DON'T KNOW IF
IT'S SUCH A GOOD IDEA
FOR YOU TO SEE A WOMAN
LIKE THAT, ON THE STAGE...
IT MUST AFFECT YOU SOMEHOW.
-BEDROS, WHAT I SEE ON
THE STAGE, SHE IS NOT A WOMAN.
IT'S A WHORE.
YOUR MOTHER, IT'S A WOMAN.
-AND AZAH?
-AZAH...
AZAH, SHE'S A LITTLE GIRL.
-WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?
-BECAUSE SHE AC LIKE A SMALL BABY.
-SHE'S WORKING NOW,
MAKING A LIFE OF HER OWN.
-SO?
-WELL, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU
CAME INTO THE CLUB ONE NIGHT,
AND SAW AZAH DANCING
ON THE STAGE?
-WHAT?
WHAT' YOU SAYING?
-SHE HAS THE FREEDOM
TO DO WHAT SHE WANTS.
YOU CAN'T EXPEC TO CONTROL HER ANYMORE.
-SHE IS A WHORE?
THIS WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY?
-DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD BE?
-OH, NO. NO, NO...
-WHY NOT?
-BECAUSE... BECAUSE
SHE'S A GOOD GIRL.
-THEN WHY DON'T YOU TRUST HER?
WHY DO YOU... KEEP...
ACTING LIKE SHE'S STILL
A LITTLE CHILD?
-BEDROS, SHE MAKES ME ANGRY.
-WHY?
LOOK, GEORGE.
I'M YOUR SON, RIGHT?
-SURE YOU ARE MY SON.
-I'LL TRY AND FOLLOW
THE VALUES YOU BELIEVE IN.
BUT IF I CAN'T FIT THEM
INTO MY LIFE,
IF I DON'T FEEL THEY'RE RIGHT,
THEN I'LL HAVE TO REJECT THEM.
NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN
THAT I DON'T RESPECT YOU.
MAYBE I'LL RESPECT YOU EVEN
MORE FOR KEEPING THOSE VALUES
IN A WORLD WHERE
I CAN'T FIT THEM IN.
-SHE LOVES ME. HEY, BEDROS?
-YES, GEORGE, SHE DOES.
I'M AFRAID I DIDN' HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO RECORD MY THOUGHTS YESTERDAY.
BUT THINGS HAVE BEEN
QUITE HECTIC.
I'VE COME TO KNOW
THE FAMILY VERY WELL.
THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END
TO THE AMOUNT OF HOSPITALITY
THEY'RE WILLING TO SHOWER ON ME.
I MUST FIND SOME WAY
TO REPAY THEM FOR THEIR KINDNESS
IN THE TWO DAYS I HAVE LEFT.
I THINK ABOUT HOME SOMETIMES.
THOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHETHER
OR NOT I REALLY MISS IT...
THINGS ARE MOVING
AROUND ME SO FAST.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT I FEEL.
FOR THE MOST PART,
I'VE BEEN QUITE HAPPY.
THOUGH WITH TIME,
IT'S ALL BECOME...
SOMEWHAT... OVERWHELMING.
WHAT TIME DOES SHE
USUALLY GET OFF?
-FOUR. LET'S CHECK THOUGH.
SOMETIMES SHE FINISHES EARLY.
SO WHY WON'T YOU
LET ME SEE THEM?
PLEASE.
-LOOK AT THE PICTURES.
-OKAY. OKAY.
( Armenian )
-HEY! HEY!
HEY! HEY!
THIEF! THIEF! HEY!
THIEF! HEY!
JESUS CHRIST!
-APRIL FOOL'S!
-HEY! GEORGIE BABY! JUST CAUGH THIS GUY OUTSIDE WITH THESE CLOTHES.
THEY WOULDN'T HAPPEN
TO BELONG TO YOU, WOULD THEY?
-GEORGE! GEORGE!
WHAT'S THE MATTER?
GEORGE!
OH, MY GOD, GEORGE!
GEORGE.
-AZAH. AZAH.
-GEORGE. GEORGE.
-WHERE IS... WHERE IS BEDROS?
-HE'S CALLING AN AMBULANCE.
-WHERE IS...
WHERE IS YOUR MOTHER?
-SHE'S RIGHT BESIDE YOU.
-AH, SONYA. SONYA.
DON'T CRY, SONYA.
AZAH. AZAH...
TELL YOUR MOTHER TO NOT CRY.
-DO NOT CRY, MOTHER.
-OH, AZAH.. I LOVE YOU.
YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU.
-SURE I DO.
-YES. I CAN DIE IN PEACE.
-YOU WON'T DIE, PA.
-AZAH...
AZAH, MAKE ME A PROMISE.
-WHAT?
-DO NOT MAKE YOURSELF CHEAP.
EVEN YOU DON'T HAVE ONE CENT.
WORK LIKE A DISHWASHER,
WAITRESS...
DO ANYTHING YOU WANT,
BUT DON'T LOSE YOUR RESPECT.
PROMISE ME, AZAH, PROMISE.
-PROMISE, AZAH, PLEASE!
-I PROMISE.
-THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S GOOD...
BEDROS.
BEDROS, TAKE A PICTURE.
-A PICTURE?
-YES, YES, PICTURE.
-NOW?
-TAKE A PICTURE NOW. DON'T ASK
QUESTIONS, TAKE A PICTURE.
BEDROS, TAKE A PICTURE.
TAKE... LOOK AT THAT.
TAKE IT NOW. TAKE IT. TAKE IT.
THAT'S GOOD.
-DR. THOMAS CRANE.
DR. THOMAS CRANE.
( Armenian )
-LET'S GO. I'M OKAY.
LOOK AT ME.
-WHAT DID THE DOCTOR SAY?
-NOTHING WRONG.
IT'S ALL IN HERE.
HEY, WHY YOU DON'T HUG
YOUR PAPA?
APRIL FOOL TO YOU.
( humming )
Peter:
WHEN YOU START WITH NOTHING,
EVERY BIT YOU EARN
FILLS YOU WITH PRIDE.
IT IS YOURS.
NO BRIBES.
NO LIES.
NO FEAR.
-HELLO? HELLO!
-SURPRISE!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BEDROS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
( Singing in Armenian )
-YOU HAVE TO BLOW THEM
ALL OUT IN ONE BREATH.
-BUT THERE AREN'T ANY CANDLES.
-SURE THERE IS.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
COME ON. COME ON...
-WHERE?
-COME ON, COME ON...
-DERYAN! DERYAN & SON!
SMILE. SMILE. SMILE.
-I'M SMILING.
-SPEECH! SPEECH!
SPEECH! SPEECH!...
-WELL, FIRST OF ALL,
I'D LIKE TO SAY
THAT THIS WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE.
I'D TOTALLY FORGOTTEN
THAT TODAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY.
I GUESS THAT JUST SHOWS
HOW EXCITING
THIS WEEK HAS BEEN FOR ME.
I DON'T KNOW QUITE KNOW
HOW TO PUT THIS,
BUT I'VE LEARNED SOMETHING
VERY, VERY IMPORTAN
IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.
AND THAT'S THAT...
IN A WAY, IT'S A PITY THA YOU'RE BORN INTO A FAMILY.
IF YOU'RE RAISED WITH A GROUP,
YOU'RE OBLIGED TO LOVE THEM,
AND THAT REALLY DENIES YOU
THE POSSIBILITY
OF GETTING TO KNOW THEM
AS PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THAT GROUP.
NOW... IN A WAY,
THAT MEANS THAT YOU CAN NEVER
REALLY LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE
YOU'RE DENIED THE FREEDOM
THAT'S REQUIRED TO MAKE
THAT SORT OF COMMITMENT,
I GUESS WHAT YOU CALL
THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
AND FINALLY, UH, I'D LIKE TO...
-HURRY UP!
-SHHT!
-BRAVO. BRAVO.
-AND FINALLY,
I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT...
I SUGGEST WE CHOOSE...
TO HAVE A GOOD TIME TONIGHT.
( singing in Armenian )
-THAT WAS A GREAT SPEECH.
-GEORGE SEEMED TO LIKE IT.
-THOUGH ALL HE UNDERSTOOD
WAS THE PART ABOU ''HAVING A GOOD TIME.''
MMM, THAT'S MESS Y.
-YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.
-OF WHAT?
-PLAYING THE PERFECT DAUGHTER.
-IT'S NOT EAS Y.
UNCLE TOLD ME THAT MY THIGHS
WERE ''RIPE FOR BABIES''.
-WELL, YOU'VE GOT THEM
ALL CONVINCED.
-SO DO YOU.
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
-THAT YOU'RE THE PERFECT SON.
JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES.
-WHY?
-JUST CLOSE THEM.
IT'S A SURPRISE.
-I DON'T WANT ANYMORE SURPRISES.
-ONE MORE. IT'S A GIFT.
-OKAY.
-TADAM!
COME ON. HURRY UP.
-OKAY. OKAY...
HEY, HAVEN'T I
SEEN HIM SOMEWHERE?
-DO YOU LIKE IT?
-GOOD MORNING.
-GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING, CHILDREN.
GOOD MORNING.
YOU HAVE HANGOVER?
-I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN
WALKING AROUND ON MY EYES.
-DID YOU LIKE YOUR RELATIVES?
-THEY'RE GREAT.
-THEY THINK THA YOU LOOK LIKE GEORGE.
-I SURPRISED YOU,
HEY, YESTERDAY?
WITH MY CAKE?
I SURPRISED YOU?
-LOOK. UH...
I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.
-WHAT?
-I HAVE TO LEAVE.
-WHY?
-MY PARENTS HAD AN ACCIDENT.
-WHEN?
-YESTERDAY.
-WHY YOU DIDN'T TELL US?
-I DIDN'T WAN TO SPOIL THE PARTY.
-WHEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE US?
-AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THERE'S A FLIGHT OU THIS AFTERNOON.
-DO YOU HAVE TO GO?
WHY?
-THEY'RE MY PARENTS.
-WAS IT FATAL?
THEN WHAT ARE YOU GOING BACK TO?
( Listening to Peter's voice )
-IT'S BEEN A MEMORABLE WEEK.
I CAN'T THINK
OF ANY TIME IN MY LIFE
WHEN I'VE EVER BEEN AS HAPPY.
IT'S WITH THIS IN MIND THA I'VE DECIDED TO REMAIN HERE.
I REALIZE THAT THIS IS GOING
TO COME AS A SHOCK TO YOU,
BUT YOU MUST NEVER
DOUBT MY LOVE.
BECAUSE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE
MY PARENTS, MOM AND DAD.
JUST LIKE I'LL ALWAYS
BE YOUR SON, PETER.
-NOW...
I'D LIKE US TO PLAY A GAME.
I'D LIKE YOU TO PRETEND
THAT I'M YOUR SON.
CAPTIONING BY CNST, MONTREAL