Original subtitles

[♪]

Downloaded from YTS.BZ

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[upbeat music]

[freeway traffic]

[birds flying]

[city traffic]

[upbeat music fades]

[woman over phone] Were you thinking of someone in particular?

Uh. No. It’s about--

It’s about families. It's about love. It’s about war. It's about

our search for deeper connection. It’s about being forcefully separated.

It’s about my experiences growing up.

[woman over phone] Totally get it. Go do your artsy thing, okay?

We love you. We’re excited and we’ll see you tonight. Bye!

Where are you?

[upbeat music fades in]

[upbeat music fades out]

You sure you want to get rid of these? I mean...

there's some old movies in here, a lot of them are out of print.

Yeah, yeah. It's time to move on.

You sound like my ex.

- Really? - Yeah.

She made me throw away my bootleg copy of Titanic.

Uh. That must’ve been like two tapes?

It was. I stole it while I was backpacking in Istanbul.

Yeah. I, uh, watched it in the TV room with this Israeli girl.

And, um, let’s just say best night ever. You know what I mean?

And I do still watch Titanic here and there, just,

when I get lonely. Don’t judge me about it, okay?

[customer] You know, that would just ruin the movie for me

because I’d be watching it, thinking about the memory

instead of enjoying it in the moment.

Okay, well here’s a question for you. [clicks tongue]

If you had a time portal that could take you to your favorite

memory of all time would you do it?

Yeah, I guess my point is that I know there isn't one,

so I'm not gonna entertain the thought because it would

just frustrate me.

Well, you don't know if there isn't one, and I would jump head first.

- Take me back to Istanbul immediately. - [customer laughs]

- Alrighty. - Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right. Hey!

Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens,

no matter how hopeless.

Never let go, Jack. Never. let. Go.

- I said never let go. No. - Okay, let go.

- Let go. - Okay, you can go.

Hey! Thank you for supporting the cause.

You got it, buddy.

We appreciate it.

Laela?

Uh, oh. Oh my god, how are you?

I’m good. Yeah. You?

Good, yeah. You?

You’re good. You already said that. Uh, I’m sorry. I just, um...

I--I know, this is kinda surreal.

Yeah. Yes, it’s not everyday you run into a...

The most amazing human ever.

Yeah. Yeah. Something like that.

Well, I, uh, don’t wanna hold you up or...

No, no, my car is just around the corner.

I’ll walk with you.

Yeah. That’ll be great.

It’s a... It’s super muggy out today.

Yeah... I kinda like it though.

Yeah. You, um, you always walk around with DVDs?

Fuck! Oh my god I think I just stole this.

It takes a certain kind of scumbag to steal from a struggling business.

Oh, I feel terrible.

It’s fine, I'm sure they have a ton of copies.

Uh. It gives me a chance to go back.

Yeah.

What is that? Blind Chance?

Is that the one with the guy who misses the train?

Yeah. They remade it in the 90s.

Oh yeah. Huh. Some things you just Shouldn’t remake.

It’s really good to see you, Colin.

Yeah. Yeah. It’s good to see you too.

So, what brings you out here anyway?

Been here for a month, working, on a sculpture. For the IRC, for the refugee counsel.

- Oh. Wow. - They’re raising funds to resettle families in the U.S.

That’s really cool.

Yeah. But, I'm not working with them directly.

I'm going through their marketing PR agency,

- and oh my god... - Horrible people?

Ugh. They're like people who thought they could be creative

and be all business too.

Still. I mean, you're like a full time artist?

Travel, art, and philanthropy?

Yeah, that’s me.

God. Look at you go. I mean,

that’s awesome. You’re living the dream.

Yeah, I love it.

It’s been an adventure. My next project is in KL.

I guess what I’m getting at is, um, what are you doing in South Pas?

- Oh, yes. Random, right? - Right.

Oh, well, it's gonna sound weird but...

everywhere I go I like to check out the neighborhoods,

I'll notice that this house is exactly the same.

This one's been remodeled. The family station wagon and trampolines

replaced with this hot convertible, and...

then I just make up a story about what happened. I don't know,

something I do for for inspiration. Usually when I have a creative block.

- What? - [Colin laughs]

Nothing. Just your, um, accent, it’s, uh, gone.

I mean, I’m sure it’s in there. Somewhere.

. I guess twenty years of moving place to place will do that.

Yeah.

[Laela] You know, most people think of palm trees and beaches, but...

this is exactly what I picture when I think of California.

I've always wanted to see them from the inside.

Hm. Ah, yes. The classic Cali bungalow.

You know there's something powerful about the relationship between the columns

and the low pitch roofs. Like it's going to stubbornly stay in this spot forever. Ha.

Do you work for the historical society or something?

Ha. No. I work with an architectural firm.

- You’re an architect? - Uh, a consultant.

I, uh, do the marketing for them.

- Oh, crap. - Hotels and tourism boards. Yeah. Horrible person.

Oh my god, I'm so sorry about that marketing comment. I'm so-

- That's fine. - I'm...

Clearly time has turned you into a thief

and just an all around horrible person. so...

Ah... There’s hope. I am not that dead inside. I promise.

Yeah... Has it really been twenty Years?

Twenty-three. Actually.

You’re looking at me like I’m a stranger. Am I really that different?

I don’t know. Maybe I'm just shocked

that you’re here right now. I can’t wrap my head around it.

- You're saying I've aged aren't you? - No, no! I'm not.

- That's totally what you're saying! - That's not what I'm saying.

Well, you're no spring chicken either! Mister model.

Ex child model. And you look great, by the way.

Yeah. Yeah. You’re just trying to get out of trouble now.

That’s pretty much all the time.

Well, you look exactly like I imagined you would.

Well, maybe it's, uh, how quickly we all left Jakarta.

But, um, some faces are just frozen in time.

Now there’s a happy couple. What’s your last name?

Um... Sorry, what do you mean?

Lee! We’re the Lees.

Just wipe your feet cause I don't want anything coming in here.

And shut the door cause I don't flies coming into this house. Okay.

Come on in. Settle down. And just feel the energy of this room.

The light in here is great.

- It is? - Yeah. It’s, uh, not like our place.

Is it too dark?

No. It’s, uh, too bright.

Yeah, we have to put on sun block before bed,

the soft complexion of the face.

[laughs] You don't want to hear what I do before bed.

Okay, follow me.

Here we have a fantastic, and I mean fantastic

dining room. But I hate to cook, do you cook?

Uh, on, um, Mondays.

[laughs] I hate to cook. I hate people.

Fully remodeled kitchen. Brand new appliances.

Everywhere. I mean, is this great or what? And it's just

the perfect room for big family gatherings.

People always end up in the kitchen, I don't know why.

- [laughs] Yeah. - Right this way. I want to show you something.

This is my absolute, favorite room.

[Colin clears throat] Hey, what’s with the plant pics?

Uh, taking reference photos for my plant empire.

[Colin] Uh huh. Yeah. How’s that going?

- Uh, I’ve never actually owned one. - Seriously?

- Yeah, I’m never in the apartment. - Absolutely my favorite room.

I'm talking to myself again. Hello!

Mrs. Kim, come with me or I'm going to steal your husband. [giggles]

It’s the Lees but it's fine.

Okay, now. Believe me, I saved the best for last.

Look at this fabulous backyard. You've got a wonderful pool.

And what's great is that you could have a meal out here if you wanted to.

This would be perfect for Illy when she has to go at night.

Aw, what breed is she?

The overbearing kind. A real bitch.

Uh, that’s not true at all. Mother is just very particular.

Okay... Uh, the best thing about the pool is just the right size,

so that if you wanted-- You hear that?

Hear what exactly?

The sound of children playing in a backyard. Do ya have children?

- [laughs] Yes. - [laughs] No.

Well, uh...

Well, there’s time, I guess.

This again? How many times...

[in foreign language]

Really? Really? Not in public, please.

[in foreign language]

You know what? I’m just going to let You two discuss things for a while.

- [laughs] Her face, I mean... - Oh my god.

That is it. I officially retire from improv.

You’re still pretty good though.

Ah, I know. But I feel so gross now.

Well, regardless, I owe you a coffee.

Ah, I can’t...

Tea...? Beer...?

No, no. It’s not that. It's uh...

I’m actually leaving for Pennsylvania tomorrow.

- Oh. - Yeah...

How long are you gone for?

[sighs] Uh, well, uh...

a couple of years. Um, maybe more.

Oh... Gotcha.

Yeah...

[rail crossing bells sound]

[loud train passes by]

You really need all day to pack a suitcase?

Uh, no, it’s not that. It’s uh, movers are coming. It’s a whole thing.

Oh, totally. I get it. It would’ve been nice to catch up though.

Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Uh, well, if you, um,

if you're heading back I could give you a ride. Back to your place.

You know, we could catch up on the way.

Yeah... Sure... If that’s cool?

Yeah! Totally, hop in!

[car door opens]

[car engine starts]

[“Inside the Fire” by The Soonest plays]

It really is something about the light here.

Yeah. Yeah. I used to think so too.

Whenever it’s humid like this I think of Jakarta after it rains.

You ever get memory bombs like that?

Well, it’s LA, so it hardly ever rains. Not really.

Oh, come on. There must be something.

Wha-- I don’t know. Uh, the smog And traffic?

[scoffs]

Wha-- What?

I--I mean I haven’t really thought about going back to any of the places I lived.

Why not?

I don’t know. Just. Never felt the need to.

It was a good time but I don’t miss it.

It was a really good time.

[Colin] Dad retired this year by the way.

[Laela] What was his last posting?

Beijing. Yup. Almost forty years as a diplomat. End of another era.

- Oh! I do remember something! - Yeah?

Yeah. The smell of open sewers on a hot day after a flood.

- That’s terrible! - [laughs] Who said they had to be good?

Okay, well try digging a little deeper.

Do you remember our memory adventure game?

Oh. Was that that thing we used to do by the pool?

Exactly!

What was it again? We had to, uh, collect like three ingredients?

Yeah! Yeah!

Oh my god!

Wha-- I don’t remember!

Sunshine, water, and wind!

Oh, right, right. Sunshine, water, and wind.

By our powers combined, [mimics character] I. Am. Captain! Plan--

Come on! Play along!

Okay, okay, okay, okay. I’ll play along. I’ll play along.

[sighs] If we focus on the feeling of water evaporating in the sun,

it'll feel like we're being teleported to another time.

Uh huh.

Like we’re, uh, disintegrating piece by piece.

[makes static sound]

[mimics character] Ground control to Col. Sagan, what’s your status?

I'm on the dirt road along the rice paddies behind my house.

[Laela continues] We're biking to our little hut with...

a discman, a pack of cigarettes,

some kind of bottle of alcohol, probably Absolut.

And I'm enjoying the ride but you're worried

about getting caught with a joint in your pocket. But we don't get caught.

Ok, my turn.

No!

[laugh together]

So. Where are you based now?

London. Sydney before that.

Oh. What brought you there? Work?

A divorce.

Oh. Ah. Sorry.

And you’ve been here...

In LA? Eleven years.

The States?

Since Jakarta.

You know, I was actually in LA for a few months before.

Really?

Yeah.

No way! Get outta here! When?

It was right after my divorce, six years ago.

You’re kidding.

I'm not. It's funny because I was on the way to New York

from Sydney and I had a connecting flight at LAX but I didn't get on it.

Hmm. [clicks tongue]

Must’ve been the light.

It totally was the light. [laughs]

Hey, uh, I kinda save these for special occasions but,

uh, do you want one?

Yeah. Sure.

Give me that.

[laugh together]

Not as easy as it looks.

[“Inside the Fire” by The Soonest plays]

[Colin] Can’t believe you and me were in there same city at the same time.

[Laela] Well, we’re here now.

[“Inside the Fire” by The Soonest plays]

- [Laela] Sooo... - [Colin] This is the place?

- [Laela] Yeah... we’re getting close. Getting pretty close. - [Colin] Are you sure?

Are you taking me somewhere dangerous?

[Laela] Um, actually, just the left right up here.

[Colin] Left here? Okay.

- [Colin] This is pretty, uh... - [Laela] It’s kinda dangerous, but...

- [Colin] Oh, I see... - [Laela] I’ll protect you.

[both laughing]

- [Laela] Are we laughing? - [Colin] Yeah.

Why--why are we laughing?

[sighs] I don’t know. But it feels good.

Yeah. Yeah, it does.

You wanna come up? See my work?

- [sighs] You know, I’d love to. - Oh, no, no. It’s cool.

- I’d love to. But you know... - I know. I know.

but dudes are showing up, and it’s a whole thing.

No, no. I do. I do want to check out your sculpture. I do.

I guess it's not everyday you run into someone from twenty years ago.

Someone who doesn't ask where you're from,

why you moved around so much...

What mix are you? Do you know karate? Did you ride tigers to school?

Exactly.

Yeah.

But... [sighs] I got shit to do.

You got shit to do. Yeah.

Okay.

Well, I mean, wanna help me pack?

Tempting but, I kinda have this thing with the IRC people.

Right, of course, you mentioned that. You have actual work, um, to do.

Sorry, sorry. That was silly of me to ask. [sighs]

Run along now to your plasters and clays.

No. Not this time.

[“Fomo” by Glom plays]

This is my place.

Colin, this place looks amazing.

Yeah. Yeah. It’s a shame the new owners are tearing it down.

That’s so sad.

The tragedy of Northeast LA.

[trash lid slams shut]

- He looks friendly. - Oh, yeah. That's Ruben,

he doesn't look like it but he's the neighborhood gossip.

Here, take the key and let yourself in.

[Colin] Hey! Reuben!

[door shuts]

Pilea Pepero.

[door opens and shuts]

Welcome to the chaos. I swear it's not normally like this. [sighs]

Can I get you something to drink? I think I'm down to tap

water and hard liquor at this point.

I’m good, thanks.

Okay. Cool, well make yourself at home.

Or, uh, whatever this is. I’ll be back in a sec.

[sighs]

[sighs]

It’s a beautiful house. It’s so alive, and all the plants! This view!

Yeah.

Holy shit! Is that the ocean?

Oh yeah. Like miles down there. Past the smog. Yeah. [laughs]

There’s something super familiar about LA to me.

It's like this sprawl reminds me of an Asian city.

Yeah, I was in fourth grade when we went on this

great American road trip.

Yeah, we lived in Poland at the time and I remember

my mind was blown. So much of everything:

landscapes, people, sense of freedom.

We walked into a grocery store and I was speechless. So much stuff!

The consumerism here is insane.

Yeah and I was visiting from a place with food shortages!

We didn't have access to cool things but...

I remember being a really happy kid.

And that's why you came back and stayed?

Because of the grocery stores and overconsumption?

No, that’s not what I meant.

- God. That’s what it is here! - What?

Why it feels like Asia here. It’s this poverty gap.

Ok, take it easy, it’s not that bad here.

Oh my god! Have you been downtown? You’ve seen the tents, right?

Sure, LA has its problems but what city doesn’t?

Okay... Colin. C’mon. It's ok to love a place but

love it for its faults too. Don’t pretend.

I love all of it! I love all of it! I do.

Otherwise I wouldn’t have been so drawn to this city.

Do you feel accepted here? I mean, for being...

What? Mixed?

Of all the cities I've lived in this is as close as I've come.

I'm still not Asian enough and I'm sure as hell not white enough, but...

You know here, nobody cares.

So in a weird way you can be yourself?

Yeah.

Well, in France I’m exotic

and in Korea I’m a big disappointment.

Makes sense.

You know, of all the cities I’ve lived, this is the one.

I’ve never really felt that.

About a place.

Where’d you go?

After the riots? Singapore. A lot of Jakarta kids went there actually.

Yeah. I’m glad you guys got out okay.

Yeah. Well, Mom and I did.

My father stayed back. He thought he could save what he built but he couldn't.

When things calmed down, we went back and...

our entire neighborhood had been burned to the ground. We lost everything,

all the memories.

Damn. Sorry to hear that. Is he okay? You know, safe, I mean.

Yeah, physically, but he just wasn’t the same after that.

It was like a light went out in his eyes.

That’s terrible. I'm sorry to hear that.

But I went back in 2008.

To Jakarta?

Yeah!

No way! Uh, yeah.

Oh! Hey, is that Tanamur place still there?

Ah! No! That place we ran into your mom?

Yeah! Yeah. You know, she got us wasted on those Singapore slings.

My god. I forgot about that. [laughs]

No. It's, um, yeah... It's all gone.

Um, Jakarta is completely rebuilt now.

- Shit... - But, you know,

a part of me feels like it was good that I went back

because it reinspired me to keep seeing the world. To keep the adventure going.

I love how the LA sun feels on my skin.

You come out here naked in the mornings?

[laughs] No...

- Oh my god, why not? Are you a puritan now? - No.

- You've turned into a puritan. - Oh my god,

Lae not everybody lives in a Bertolucci film, okay?

Oh my god, I'd be out here everyday enjoying this sun,

and air, on your skin! It's like magic.

I'd be the crazy lady who does this till she's eighty.

That doesn’t surprise me.

Well, let’s do it together.

Do what?

Enjoy some sun.

- No. What are you doing? No, no. Get outta here. - What?

- No. Absolutely not! - Oh my god! It’s nothing I haven’t seen!

I’m good, thank you. I'm good.

Fine. I’ll go solo.

What? No! No! No! No! No! Do not! Okay!

I have neighbors. Jesus...

- Uh, um. Alright here. Okay, so... - Okay, okay, okay, okay.

Let’s get to work. I'm here to work. Pack your house.

Uh, so I'm going to take Koji's room. If you want to take the office.

There's some sharpies in there, just need to label all the boxes, office.

- Got it. - Cool.

Who’s Koji?

Uh... Koji is... my son.

- Cute. - Yeah, he’s four.

What’s his mom’s name?

Uh, Sofia.

Well, I'm sure she's as beautiful as her name suggests.

Probably very smart too, knowing your taste in women.

[sighs] Yeah. Yeah, yeah. She’s punctual.

Punctual?

Oh, and she's other things too. You know, she's, uh, driven, and caring.

And she's a great mother.

And punctual.

That’s not easy to come by in LA.

How long have you been married?

[sighs] Four. No. Ah, shit. Sorry.

Five. Five years. Yeah.

Yeah, we got pregnant with Koji, and um, we decided to do the thing.

Fatherhood looks great on you.

Yeah. Fake it ‘till you make it I guess.

[laughs] What do you mean?

Well, I'm just-- You know I'm saying. You have plans and then, you know,

your plans change and you kinda have to put your shit aside and make it up

as you go along. It's not like when you're single and you can just focus on yourself.

- Okay, well... - Oh, That wasn’t a dig at you. I’m sorry.

Newsflash, being single sucks, my friend,

especially at our age. Everyone has shit to do and you

wake up every morning to an empty bed and a quiet house.

Ah, you have no idea how luxurious an empty bed and quiet time sounds.

Yeah? Imagine it every day. I once went two weeks without contact with a single soul.

Hmm. Yeah. Yeah, I'm not sold.

But, maybe being stuck indoors with the right person wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Right... Well... I’ll get started here.

[knocking on door]

Oh, that’s probably the movers.

- I should, uh, I should go-- - Yeah! Yeah. Go.

Let me know if you need anything.

[Laela’s phone buzzes]

- Heya guys! I’m Colin. - Hey what's up man? We're the movers.

- I'm Mitch and this is Earl. We're brown and move it around town.

- Are you Colin? - Yeah, I’m Colin.

You’re Colin? Are you sure? Alright,

so, uh, what are we working with here?

Uh, yeah. This is, uh, most of the stuff here.

These boxes, and, uh, there's a few more upstairs.

Okay, upstairs. You got any weird hipster shit we should know about?

Last place we moved out on York, homeboy had a fucking aquarium

with some alien looking fungus thing in brown water

he called Scooby. Shit was gross, yeah?

Uh, no. No Scooby here. Yeah, good there.

Um, you guys are moving my car as well.

That needs to go down to the depot for the move.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely.

That’s what you’re paying us for, right?

Is he okay?

[exhales loudly]

What’s up big guy?

Jordan. Aguinaldo.

Huh. Dude, I knew I recognized this place!

This was like two different places before. Like they knocked down that wall.

Uh... Who is that?

We grew up here until like, high school, y'know.

Like, Jordan was a homie from back then.

Anywho, we got two extra guys, six total, so,

we're looking at 45 tops down here.

Uh, yeah. Sounds good. Uh, feel free to send guys up when you guys are finished up down here.

Alright!

- Dude. - Yeah.

- Pretty nice. - Yea.

gentrification is a trip.

Gen-tri-fication!

[“Calm Me Down” by Shelter Boy plays]

Hey Reuben.

I was seeing if you wanted to take any of these plants.

I’m not running a Goodwill here, Colin.

Alright, I’ll, uh, see if Maria wants them.

Uh, no, no, no, no. She'll just let them die. Come on, bring here.

You sure? I’m sure she'll be happy to take them.

Yeah, yeah. Now stop whining. Come on, hand them over!

- Mierda! Oh... - Shit... Sorry.

Yeah, yeah. It’s okay. It's just water.

Old hands. This heat isn’t helping either. Sorry.

It’s all good. Thanks.

Tomorrow’s the day, huh?

[sighs] Yeah... Yeah, it's hard to believe.

Seems like we just moved in yesterday.

I just wish you weren’t selling to those investors.

Yeah. Me too.

It’s a sacred thing, a house. You leave a piece of you in it.

I guess I never really look at it that way.

If I had it my way, we wouldn’t be moving.

[sighs]

[exhales, sniffs]

Thirsty much?

[sighs]

Yeah...

It’s a hot one.

How do I look?

It always looked better on you.

Smoke?

There is no smoking in the house.

Well... it’s not your house anymore and they’re tearing it down anyways.

Uh huh.

So... You, uh, found my stuff.

I don’t know how I feel about finding my work in your donations pile.

Oh... Yeah. Uh. You know honestly, I haven’t

seen a lot of that stuff in ages. It’s just kind of, you know, things.

Do you think I can keep some of it?

Yeah. Uh, I mean, it’s your artwork.

I mean some of the other stuff.

Yeah, sure. It was just stuff I was going to throw away anyways.

Like this tee?

Fuck! I love that tee.

You’ve tried to steal that thing from me for years!

Well... I’m the one that got it for you.

Mmhmm.

I’ll think about it.

Well, I get what I want eventually.

Why do you want this shit anyway?

Mostly, they remind me of people as they were at the time.

You ever think about if we had social media back then? Or like actually used email?

I think about that a lot.

We could’ve met up again.

Anyway. Uh, it must've felt good to look back at your work.

Y'know. See how much you've grown. Changed.

It's like seeing an old friend.

You remember all the love you gave it, how much it meant to you,

who you were at the time. And then you start wondering where it all went wrong.

Yeah. Sometimes I think the fantasy is better than the reality.

Like, the idea of what could be is better than what you get.

I guess we’ll never really know.

Maybe it’s exaggerated because of the way we grew up. You know, all the moving around.

Being dragged around the world at the whim of your parent’s career?

All the sudden good-byes. Having to box your life up again and again.

Then unpacking and sorting through the emotional wreckage afterwards.

Yeah! Yeah. It forced us to make these very intense relationships so quickly.

I don't know about you, but I feel like the older I get

the fewer of those meaningful connections I make.

You know there's these lines of a Rosetti poem

that I haven't been able to shake since I read them.

"If you shall remember me after a while, do not grieve,

for if the darkness and corruption leave,

a vestige of the thoughts once I had,

better to smile and forget

than to remember and be sad..." Or something like that.

Squad goals. [laughs]

Yeah.

It’s a good one tonight. A farewell gift I guess.

Something to remember her by.

[Colin] What are you up to?

Welcome to the theater of forgotten dreams.

- Okay, I’m gonna help you with that because - No! I got it.

- you don’t know what you’re doing. You don't- - I remember! Yeah, I do.

Look, I got it.

Wow...

Check this out.

- Wait... [Colin laughs]

is this the same bottle from the drama exchange in Bangkok?

Yeah. Yes it is.

Whoa.

Pick your poison.

I’ll go with the big one.

Wow... who are those people?

I don’t know.

To our health. May we keep it after this drink. [clink]

- Sapa takut![Deal!] - Sapa takut!

[coughs]

Wow! Has that gone bad?

No, I think it’s pretty much supposed to taste like death.

I am definitely getting flashbacks.

I--I--I think it’s actually gotten better over time.

[Colin] Whoa. Look at this. Really close talking.

- [indistinct] - [Colin laughs] Classic... [indistinct]

- Oh! You sneaky, sneaky! - Yeah!

Is that our first kiss? No, it wasn’t.

Oh it’s Elin! Aw, I haven’t thought of her in ages.

Yeah, did she end up in Singapore?

No, her family went back to Stockholm.

Apparently Elin took her own life in '99.

No... Really?

I mean... She couldn't handle being back amongst her own anymore.

Perhaps she's lucky for not making it out of the 90s.

Yeah. That’s horrible. Skålto Elin!

We had some great conversations though. Like, is sperm alive?

Are Lonely Planet guide books simply a roadmap for invasion?

Why is the plural of moose not meece when mice is to mouse?

You know, those guide books actually are an extension of colonialism.

Just like our “international” schools.

Are you kidding? You’re kidding right?

Uh, no. Not really.

Our academic life shaped a very inclusive view of the world for all of us.

Sure, but think about it, what makes an international school "international"

in the first place? Representation? That’s a starting point.

But then the students are taught by English teachers,

on an American system celebrating western holidays.

But that’s not colonialism. They didn’t force it on the locals.

But kids from all over the world are forced to speak

and communicate and learn western culture and they get sent back

to their own countries practically as foreigners.

I mean think of all the Japanese students who have to

go back to a strict social hierarchy.

But the ideals were progressive!

You know what? I'm gonna jump back ashore, Christopher Columbus.

Just for a little safety. I'll be--

Whatever you’re half British!

- [Colin] Ouch! - I’m just saying that

we all came out with a wider lens, a bigger view of how the world works.

With an American filter. Ok. Here’s an example, who’s Madeleine Albright?

- Come on. - What are you-- What even is this game?

Just play along. Just play along. Who is Madeleine Albright?

Oh my god... Okay, former US Secretary of State under Clinton.

Okay, who was her counterpart in China?

- Come on. You can do it. - Why?

- Cat's got your tongue? - What is your point?

Do you need to call someone?

Do you know? Oh my god! Okay, fine!

I get your point! I am a colonizer.

No, I'm not saying you're a colonizer. What I'm saying is,

you know, that we are products of a colonialist system

and we can't change that, but, yes, we can and we should make things better.

Okay, well, clearly not everyone agrees. Just look at how many people didn’t vote in 2016.

Yeah... I didn’t...

What? What?

I didn’t-- I didn't vote. [laughs]

- Seriously? - What? I mean...

California is a blue state anyway. You gotta contextualize these things.

- [laughs] - What?

I can't belie- You can't talk about change and not vote. That's insane!

My vote wouldn't have made a difference! Literally would not have made a difference.

Okay, I don't believe you've become an isolationist that stays in his own bubble!

Bubble? Who’s in a bubble?

Okay, colonialist upbringing or not, we bridged differences

with each other because we believed in a better world.

You're losing sight of that.

Yeah. Yeah. You’re probably right.

Just don't get so caught up in the rat race that you disconnect completely.

Look, I don't know about you but I feel like it's the world that moved on from me.

Y'know, we’re raised to get a steady job, a 401K, a white picket fence.

[scoffs] That reality doesn’t exist anymore.

Whatever, just gotta move forward and not look back.

Why do you hate our past so much?

Maybe I just look for reasons to not want to go back.

It's the wanting I hate. Wanting the impossible.

Oh, I think I remember this! This is Ricardo’s birthday!

Yeah! The Italian kid with the opera mom! God, that was the most dramatic song ever.

[both sings] ♪ Buon compleanno a te... ♪

[both laughs]

She had this smoky voice, and this sexy Italian accent.

- [in Italian accent] No, no, please, Carmella. - Yeah. That's it! That's it!

- [laughs] That's it! - Mrs. Di Benedetto is my mother.

Laela, why do you dress like a boy? You must show your tits!

- [laughs] Your tits. - [Laela] This is a woman! No?

Oh. Oh, my god.

- Ah, look at that. - Oh my god...

Look at your hair. You should grow your hair back out.

Uh, I don’t know. I think I'm past that.

[young Laela on TV] It's tragic because you would've left me

for another woman and when you see this you're gonna be like,

[mimics Colin's voice] Oh damn! That girl was fine!

what the fuck was I doing leaving her? [laughs]

- Oh... - [Laela laughs]

[young Colin] I cannot live. I cannot live without this eye...

You really... zoom that camera right in there?

[young Colin] And... I would definitely... Belly button?

[mumbles] I don’t remember this...

[young Colin] And these jeans, I don't think they're necessary,

maybe you should get rid of these jeans.

- Maybe you should get rid of these jeans! - [young Laela screams]

Oh... I don’t think we need to watch this part...

No! Wait, it’s beautiful. I mean, that’s not even us anymore, right?

Uh... Yeah... yeah. Right. Totally. It’s not us...

- [knocking, on TV] - [Young Laela and Colin gasp]

- [shouting on TV, indistinct] - Uh, I totally forgot we got busted.

God... I have never seen this. That’s... exactly how I remember him.

Yeah. I’ll never forget that voice.

[yelling, laughing, on TV]

[young Leala and Colin yelling]

Ah...

[in French] Bonjour les enfants.

[laughs, in English] I know what you were doing.

I was young once too you know. I know you don't think so

but I was. Why is the old guy always bothering us, huh?

[in French] C'est ça? [in English] Maybe one day you find this

and you are the same age I am now,

well, that is your punishment, okay?

And maybe the old guy thinks, uh, you should not get too old too fast. Huh?

It's a journey. Enjoy your youth.

[Colin whispers] You okay?

[sniffs]

Yeah... Yeah. I’m okay.

[sighs]

You still smell the same.

Do I smell like a teenager?

No, no, I mean. I don’t know...

I should, uh, get you some water.

[indistinct]

[water pouring into glass]

[Colin’s phone buzzing]

I’m so fucking hungry!

What am I going to do with you?

Feed me!

Hmm. Okay, I will take you to my favorite, secret spot,

but you have to promise not to tell anyone.

[“Nostalgia Seed” by Grazer plays]

Well, I have this rule with taco trucks, that if there's two flaming bulls on the side,

it usually means "stay the fuck away, gringo.”

Double toros, got it!

Hold on, I’m shifting.

Is this where you bring all your dates or just the ones you murder?

Uh, only the ones that ask for Sriracha.

Ugh, it’s a Bon appétit ingredient of the year! Tropauthentic.

Well, then, we might as well go for some boba after

'cause nothing says pan-Asian commodity like a bubble drink.

Ooh... Dem’s fightin' words!

[night market cooking and banter]

- [both sigh] - Here it is.

My, um, little slice of heaven.

Holy shit.

It’s not Jakarta or Bangkok, but it feels like a place I can just disappear to.

I’m afraid we're going to have to try every single thing here.

Well, if Phi Ae is here, you have no choice in the matter.

- Mmm. Smells good. - One of each?

- Uh, two... for me. Yeah. - Two for you? Okay, I see.

- How many are you going to have? - Um,

- well, I thought we were going to share but... - [lady] Hi Colin!

Hey Phi Ae! Uh, this is my friend Laela.

Hi Phi Ae! Nice to meet you.

You so skinny! What's wrong?

You don't like food? Go sit over there... before she pass out!

[Colin sighs]

That was both comforting and triggering at the same time.

[laughs] I know. She can be intense.

Do you hear that?

[banter in various Asian languages]

Not a word of English.

Exactly.

[cooking noise]

[“Lightleak” by There’s Talk plays]

Just don’t puke in the cab. They charge extra for that.

Oh my god... I’m gonna explode.

Colin! Here, take this with you!

- Hey, Phi Ae. What is--What is this? - Some dessert.

For Koji.

[Colin] He’s going to love this.

Don’t forget to eat! You look better when you fat!

Thanks, Phi Ae!

Come on. Car’s here.

[melancholy music plays]

You don't think Phi Ae would mind if I brought my dates there, do you?

I mean just the hot ones.

She's down, right?

Yeah, yeah. Totally.

And, y'know, if the dates suck then you could, uh,

dump the bodies with her. She knows all the spots.

Must’ve taken you a while to build up that trust.

Yeah, we've, uh, [sighs] we've been going there for a couple of years

and she only started talking to me last summer, so...

Well, that's when you know it's time to get going.

Before your roots dig in too deep and it gets harder--

Harder to leave. I remember. [sighs]

I don't know if I agree with that anymore though.

Big mistake, buddy.

[scoffs] Laela. Some of us have to grow up.

At least I didn’t give up.

Laela. You can’t keep running your whole life.

Yeah, well, you can't keep denying who you are either.

This is the life we're given, the best thing we can do is find others like us.

Is that why you got divorced?

- Yeah. Yeah... - Shit. Sorry I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it like that.

Actually it is best fucking decision I made.

Does that make you feel better?

- Are you happy now knowing that you... - That’s not...

avoided this? You got out when you did, you avoided this loneliness!

- Laela, that’s-- - Well done, Mr. Lang!

Congratulations on winning at life.

You think I've won at life?

You think my life is better than traveling and making art?

I haven't been inspired in years.

All the other shit I can deal with, but you have no idea what it's like

to live day in and day out and be so uninspired.

And here you are, you have it all!

Almost...

You want me to drop you off?

Is it alright if I say no?

Yeah, that’s okay.

[chill electric piano plays]

Eh... Why not?

To... Jakarta.

To Singapore.

To...[sighs] Los Angeles.

To the emotional wreckage.

[glasses clink]

- [sighs] Mhmm. - Yup. Yup.

- Yup. - You know you’re alive when you can’t feel the burn.

Yeah. That’s not a good thing.

Y'know. I was doing so well until today, you know?

I hadn't even thought about the past, I put it all behind me and you gotta show up

riding a tsunami of memories.

I like me here. Y'know, I like. I like me here.

And yet you’re moving again.

Well, I’m not moving for me, you know. I’m not moving because I’m lonely.

No. You're moving for someone else. Again.

Just like when your parents moved you around.

Shows you haven't put anything behind you.

Yep.

You know, we have lifetimes of experience crammed into eighteen years.

That's what makes us different. That's why being together is easy.

This... this is what’s right.

Embrace it.

If only we had met up six years ago all this could be us.

This is us.

May I?

Yeah, yeah. I want you to. I want you to.

Sometimes, when I can't think of how to start on a piece,

I'll put my hands on the clay and think of you.

Really?

Yeah. Remembering how your skin feels. I imagine all your lines and contours

It’s not the same body anymore.

We’ll find you.

That bad, huh?

I’ll let you know.

Don’t even want to look at me.

There’s a mole here.

Uh huh.

This is the rib-- this one? No, this is the rib you cracked on the school fence.

- Yeah, that's good. That one. - Great, this one?

That's a good memory. I really needed that pack of cigarettes apparently.

Are you alright? You’re shaking.

Yeah, my skin feels alive.

[“In Your Hands” by There’s Talk plays]

This is my favorite line.

Ha, yeah. I bet you tell that to all the boys.

No, I mean--I mean, not this line. Other lines.

Uh huh.

Yeah? So what makes it so special?

[whispering] Mmm, because I know what it feels like to put my head on it.

Yeah? What does it feel like?

Home.

There he is.

Of all the times, you just had to walk back into my life now.

Yeah, right now, when it’s finally just you and me.

[“In Your Hands” by There’s Talk plays]

[both giggling]

[Laela] This is new?

Uh...

[sighs] A biking accident.

This. This doesn’t feel...

I know...

[song fades]

Pileo-pepero-something.

[Colin’s phone buzzes]

Hey, how’s it going? I just need a sec.

Who wants coffee?

Your coffee and croissant, Monsieur Colin!

[cries]

Lae? Hey!

- Oh fuck... - Hey, what's going on?

They packed your coffee.

What?

I went out to get coffee.

Hey, hey. I thought you said we weren't going to do--

I-- [sighs]

What? What's go-- Hey, hey, hey.

I thought you fucking left without saying goodbye.

I just went over to Reuben's to drop my spare key off.

I thought I lost you again.

Lae...

- This is stupid. I feel stupid. - You're not stupid.

You're not-- Look, I just went over to Reuben's to drop my key off.

[Colin sighs]

My ride is here.

Hey... Where’s my fucking coffee?

[laugh together]

Hey, you know, I...

I had this whole speech prepared if I ever saw you again.

Yeah, the feelings, they just compound and then

you don't know if that's how you really ever felt or... feel.

Tell me.

That's the thing. Yep.

Now you're in front of me, I can't remember a damn word. [laughs]

The feelings though, they... they remain.

We don’t have to go just yet.

We can stay a little longer. No one has to know.

Yeah. I didn’t like the way things ended last night.

At the same time it was the best night in a long time.

Yeah. Kinda feel like it was supposed to be like that.

All we can do is embrace the present.

[sighs]

You know that scar on my side?

The bike accident?

Yeah. I got it on the worst night of my life.

I was... blackout drunk. I was going through a bunch of unprocessed bullshit.

Never quite fitting in. Never quite wanting to stay put.

Nothing new. We did our fair share of drinking back in the day too.

Yeah, we did, but...

that was just for the sake of it.

This was about being numb.

I swerved my bike into a parked car.

- Shit... - It's so silly.

[sighs]

I remember thinking the car was moving.

Colin... I wish I could’ve been there for you.

That's the thing. I ran into Sofia's car.

That's how we met.

And suddenly, the worst night of my life turned into the best.

[sighs, scoffs]

Yeah... I know... It's fucked up.

- The teenager in me is screaming on the inside. - No, don’t do that.

I’d give it all up to do it over again. Do it differently.

Yeah. I get that, but...

that's why I have to go.

Because I wouldn't change it for the world.

I just don’t want it to end.

You’ll always have the best part of me.

Hm.

- Okay? - Okay.

- Okay? - Okay.

Yeah... Okay...

Okay.

Yeah. Um, is it cool if I just chill here for a bit?

Yeah, yeah. Stay as long as you need.

Better yet, make an offer. That way I don't have to sell to investors.

Maybe I will.

There's a box of memories over there and a plant.

Consider it a housewarming gift.

Hey.

Sapa-takut.

[Colin laughs]

[both laugh]

[“In Your Hands” by There’s Talk plays]

Ciao, Laela.

[“Nostalgia Seed” by Grazer plays]

[song fades]