Original subtitles

[water pump squeaking]

-[pump squeaks] -[broom brushing]

[bucket clatters]

-[Rosa groans softly] -Are you all right?

Yes. [sighs]

I just had… Hmm.

What?

It's all right.

-[water sloshes] -[pump squeaks]

[voice breaking] This is for your laundry.

[Rosa sighs]

It's not enough, but I will pay for it all.

-Slowly, though. -No, no, no, no.

Everything's fine. No need, Victoria.

[cries] I don't know what happened to me.

[sobs]

My heart broke into a million pieces.

[sniffles] And I drank way too much too.

I got possessed by the Devil.

[weeping]

You ironed for me. [inhales shakily] You fed my children.

[weeping]

It's no big deal.

-It happens to everyone sometimes. -It's all right. Don't worry about it.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

I don't. [sobs]

Everything's all right.

[Victoria sniffling]

-You keep that. All's well. -[Victoria sighs and sniffles]

[gagging]

[coughing]

[sighs]

God help me.

[breathing heavily]

Please, I beg you. No.

[sobs] I beg you. No.

[gasps]

[sighs]

I think I'm expecting a child.

When was the last time that you bled, Rosa?

It's been…

It's been… two months.

I also have nausea, and I'm throwing up.

-You are with child. -No.

[sobs]

No.

No, I don't want it. I don't want it. I'm begging you.

A bastard is also a human.

Killing a baby that's in its mother's stomach

is like killing a person.

Thou shall not kill.

[breath trembles]

My husband's been away for six months. Even longer.

Sometimes, a man comes to his wife at night when she's asleep.

She feels nothing, can't even recall.

My husband was in Beirut when the Arabs were here and rioted.

[weeping]

Did the Arabs come into your home?

[sniffles and whimpers softly]

-[weeps] -Ay, querida…

[Rosa weeps continuously]

[sniffles and whimpers]

[breath trembling]

[sighs] I have a demon in my stomach.

I have a demon in my stomach. I don't want it. I don't want it. Please.

[weeps] Please. I don't want it.

[sighs] Oh, querida…

-[sighs] -[Rosa sobs]

Please, I beg you.

I don't want it. I don't want it.

[weeps]

One teaspoon of this, once a day…

in very hot water, boiling even,

so that your mouth burns.

What's this?

You, it will not kill. The child, it will. Well, God willing.

If God isn't willing?

If in a couple of days you still haven't bled,

come see me again.

[ominous music plays]

[in Hebrew] Hear thou God of Israel, our God…

[coughing]

[gasps]

[coughing]

[inhales deeply]

[coughs]

[breathes heavily]

[breathing heavily]

[nearby fire crackling]

[footsteps approaching]

[heartbeat pounding slowly]

[Rosa groans]

[groans]

[inhales sharply]

-[groans] -[speculum clanks]

[groans and sucks air]

[sighs]

[groaning breathing]

-[groans] -[Jilda] Shh…

[Rosa groans softly]

[metal objects clatter]

[Rosa breathing deeply]

[in English] If it hurts… bite down.

[Rosa breathing agitatedly]

[gasps]

[breathes heavily and groans]

[breathing sharply]

[groaning]

[breathing heavily]

-[liquid trickling] -[Rosa sighs]

[sighs]

[inhales sharply and groans]

[Rosa groans]

[whimpers]

[breathing heavily]

[birds chirping]

Rosa?

Rosa.

Rosa, it's late. Get up.

Rosa.

Rosa?

Rosa… get up.

-[gasps] -[tense pulsating music plays]

Rosa.

Rosa!

Rosa! [panicked breathing]

Rosa!

[gasps] Ima!

Ima!

Rosa!

[panting] Rosa!

[pulsating music fades out]

Mrs. Armoza?

Can you hear me?

How do you feel?

Your fever's down.

Here. Drink a little water.

[Rosa sighs softly]

You're pregnant. Were you aware?

[meekly] No.

No.

[distressed] No.

You, or someone else, tried to prevent it.

And it… it almost killed you, Mrs. Armoza.

But you'll be fine, and God willing, so will the fetus.

Oh, God, please. This can't be happening.

[inhales deeply] Doctor, give me something.

-[gasps] -[Dr. Sabo] For the pain?

[voice breaking] Something that will kill me.

-Please. -[footsteps approaching]

Is she all right, Doctor?

[clicks tongue] She, uh… She'll be fine.

She needs to eat well and rest a lot.

-[Gavriel sighs] Thank God. Thank God. -And also… congratulations.

Thanks a lot.

Congratulations?

Congratulations for what?

[footsteps departing]

[ball bouncing]

May I?

-What? -[David] The ball.

You may not.

If you could just throw it…

Well, I can't.

I can't either. The sign here says, "Stop. Border ahead."

Don't cross the border.

So, what? The ball is gone?

[Luna exhales sharply]

Thanks.

The ball slipped out of your hand?

What are you sewing, if I may?

A dress.

As pretty as the one you wore at the kiosk?

It wasn't the dress that was pretty, dummy.

Huh.

Well, that too.

Say, do you also make clothes for men? I'll tell you why I'm asking.

There's a competition in Tel Aviv, a dance competition.

They're only sending one couple from Jerusalem.

They've already decided on the male dancer.

Show-off.

And I need a nice suit.

They're still looking for the girl.

Guess who will be deciding.

No! What are you doing?

If this damn ball lands over here again,

I'm gonna murder it on the spot.

[whimsical music plays]

[David snickers and laughs]

[music fades out]

[footsteps approaching]

[Rachelika] Enough. Why don't you give up?

-Let's dance, okay? -What?

[Luna] Dance.

-You and me? -Exactly. Here.

-Luna, why would you wanna do that? -Because I want to practice.

-To learn to dance. [chuckles] -I want to learn too.

-[Luna] So let's do it. -No, Luna. To learn, like studying.

History, English. I have a Bible test tomorrow.

I'm gonna play music really loud. Hope it's okay.

[up-tempo jazz music plays]

Are you crying? What is it?

The music, I guess.

But, Luna, this music's supposed to make you feel good.

This music reminds me of Matilda.

I keep crying because of it.

[sobs softly]

Come on.

-What? -Let's dance a little.

-Don't you have a test tomorrow? -Well, the music's too loud.

Rachelika, it matters a lot to me. There's that competition in Tel Aviv.

At the kiosk. I saw the poster. You wanna compete in it?

I don't know. Yes.

They dance at a very high level.

They practice at the kiosk every day.

Or is David your motivation?

[chuckles] He's definitely gonna compete.

Now, they're looking for a partner.

Isn't he dead to you?

Can't I dance with him anyhow?

[Rachelika] Hmm.

And besides, to dump him, I need him to be a little bit alive.

-Little bit. [chuckles] -[Luna chuckles]

-[sobs] -We don't have to. It's fine.

I have lots to do.

[Luna] No, come on. We'll begin, and it will stop.

[sighs]

Matilda taught me a little. We have to count to eight.

[sniffles] Okay. Like this.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five…

-No, not like that! -[Rachelika] Then how?

-Follow me. -Okay. I'll follow you.

[together] One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

[both chuckle]

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

One, two, three-four-five, six-seven-eight.

-One, two, three-four-five… -[Luna] Yeah! Like that!

[both chuckling]

[Rachelika] Yes! Like that!

[both chuckling]

[chuckles]

[both laughing]

[laughter fades]

-[Luna] Woo! -[Rachelika chuckles]

[ball bouncing]

[sewing machine stops]

You've gotten better so you're showing off?

What?

The ball doesn't fly over here anymore.

Whoops. It flew.

[ball bouncing]

Look, about that dance competition in Tel Aviv…

So you're making me a suit?

No. You said you were looking for a girl.

-And that you decide who it will be. -I do.

Your search is over.

[scoffing chuckle] You?

-You don't dance. -I'm practicing.

Yeah, I heard you and Rachelika trying to.

Who told you we weren't succeeding?

If you are, will you make me a suit?

No.

[inhales deeply]

-What are you doing tomorrow morning? -Why are you asking?

-Wait for me at the kiosk. -Is it open in the morning?

-[David] For me, it's always open. -David…

What are you doing?

Uh… It… The ball went over there.

-It-- It's near you. -[Victoria] And what about you?

Are there no more boys in Jerusalem?

How many times have I told you not to speak

with anyone from that family?!

How many times do I have to tell you?!

Your parents won't allow it either! At least, obey them for once!

[scoffs harshly, in Ladino] May God strike the head off this family.

[up-tempo percussive music plays]

[music fades out]

[Luna sighs deeply]

[in English] Shalom.

Have you been waiting long?

No, I just got here.

[scoffs] Looks like you've been sitting for a while.

Why is it, every time I meet you here, you're insufferable?

And elsewhere?

Same.

Well, shall we start?

Before we start, I want us to agree on something.

This isn't for free.

-What's not? -My time here with you.

I mean, teaching you and preparing you for the competition,

I'm charging you for that.

Sure.

You wanna know how much?

No. Tell me at the end, and I'll pay you, okay?

Let's go.

[jazz music plays]

-[David] Go ahead. -What do you mean?

I mean, dance.

Alone? I'm here to learn.

Luna, just do as I say. Dance. Come on.

[music continues]

-Well? -Did I tell you to stop?

Tell me how I did.

Look, Luna, jive is a really happy dance. You can go crazy.

Even so, it can't just be throwing your hands and legs around.

-I wasn't just throwing-- -Enough arguing!

-[Luna sighs] -Head up.

One, two. Five and six. Seven and eight.

One, two. Five and six. Seven and eight.

Touch. Touch. Seven and eight.

-One, two. Five and six. Seven and eight. -Well?

-How is it? -No talking while we work. One, two.

Well? How's this?

[music ends]

I said, don't talk while we're working.

[slow jazz music plays]

[David] Anat and Yaffa, do you know who they are?

No.

The two leading contenders.

And you're very far behind them. So if you wanna go to the competition--

I don't wanna go to the competition- I will go to the competition.

[tango music plays]

Okay. Pay attention.

Slow, slow. Fast…

-Not good. -All right, I'm learning.

Slow, slow.

Fast, fast-- [grunts]

Okay, I get it. I get it.

-[tango music continues] -Okay, slow. Slow again.

Fast, fast, slow.

Slow, slow. Fast, fast, slow.

Slow, slow. Fast, fast, slow.

-Slow, slow. [chuckles] -[mimicking] Slow, slow.

[birds chirping]

[clang]

[lighter zips]

[Gavriel inhales deeply]

[birds chirping]

When I'm at the shop…

does Rosa… leave sometimes?

Sometimes she does go to Victoria's house, or goes to your delicatessen.

[swallows hard]

-[glass clangs] -And other than that?

Well, sometimes she goes to Yehuda to get ice.

[Gavriel] Hmm.

And when she goes to Yehuda,

does she come back quickly?

[scoffs]

Everyone comes back quickly when they get ice.

Otherwise, it melts. Gavriel, what are these questions about?

[grunts] Why didn't she tell us she's pregnant?

It's not the first time.

When she was pregnant with Rachelika, she only told Victoria at first.

What are you thinking?

Forget it, forget it. Never mind.

Tell me.

"Tell me, tell me, tell me." Enough!

You and your questions.

[suspenseful music plays]

[sniffs]

[Mercada] Gavriel, come eat!

I'm coming!

[Mercada] Come on, Gavriel! The food's getting cold!

All right!

[distant dog howling]

[exhales deeply]

[objects clattering]

Gavriel, what's wrong?

I need to talk to you about what happened when the Arabs broke into our house.

What? Rosa and Mercada didn't tell you?

Were you in the living room the whole time?

Yes.

Us, the children…

And the two Arabs, may their souls rot in hell.

[breathes heavily]

And Rosa?

Rosa wasn't with you?

Gavriel, if you have something to ask Rosa, then ask Rosa.

-But I'm asking you! -[objects clatter]

What do you want from me, Gavriel?

[sobs]

[Gavriel] The truth.

-The truth. I want to know what happened. -[Victoria gasps]

Was Rosa with you in the living room the whole time, yes or no?

[sobbing softly]

[whimpers softly]

-[sobs] -So where was she then?

-[whimpers softly] -Where was she, Victoria?

-[shakily] He took her to the room. -Who?

[Victoria] Where you and Rosa sleep.

-Who took her there, Victoria?! Answer me! -The Arab! [cries]

[crying]

[Gavriel gasps shakily]

[Victoria sobbing]

[Gavriel sighs]

[Victoria crying]

[unsettling music plays]

[birds cawing]

[music fades out]

[whimsical music plays]

Well?

Amazing. Very pretty.

[Luna] Rachelika?

Nice, nice.

You are evil.

-Do you wanna play Queen and Slave? -I don't know it.

Come on. I'll teach you. It's pretty easy. I'm the queen, you're the slave.

You're the queen. Of course.

Everything I say, you say, "Yes, my queen," and you do it.

Fine.

-Fine what? - Uh, yes, my queen.

-Take this. -[Becky] Yes, my queen.

-Get down on your knees. -Yes, my queen.

-Now cut from the bottom up to the top. -What?

-[engine idling] -[jazz music plays nearby]

[women giggling]

[instructor] Friends, friends! People! I request silence!

-Quiet! -[music fades out]

As you obviously all know, this coming Tuesday,

there will be the dance competition in Tel Aviv.

Unfortunately, Jerusalem will be sending only one pair of dancers.

Our male dancer, that's no secret.

He has been a prominent performer from the start here.

David Franco, come on up!

[audience cheer]

Please note,

David is going to dance with the three finalists.

And then, he will choose his partner for the competition.

David… the stage is yours!

Yaffa?

[jazz music plays]

-[audience clapping] -[man] Woo!

[audience whooping]

[instructor] Opa! [chuckles]

[audience cheering]

-[slow waltz music plays] -[audience cheer]

[instructor] Now we move on to contestant number two. Anat.

[audience cheer and whoop]

-[music ending] -[audience applaud]

Now, David, please, we'd love to know,

who is candidate number three to dance with you?

-Luna. -Luna! Oh, my God!

Luna, please come to the dance floor for the final dance.

Luna?

Cuckoo!

Say something.

Tango.

[audience whispering indistinctly]

Well? Play a tango.

[instructor] Yes! Let's go! Give them a tango!

[seductive tango music plays]

[audience cheer]

[audience cheer]

[audience applaud and cheer]

-[audience cheer] -[whistling]

[audience cheering]

[cheers]

[cheering]

[cheers]

[whistling]

[audience cheer and applaud]

-[whistling] -[man] Woo!

[audience cheering]

[whistling]

-[music fading out] -[audience cheering loudly]

[jazz music plays]

-[Gavriel] Good morning, Avram. -Good morning, Gavriel. How are you?

[Gavriel] Praise God.

How may I help you?

[inhales deeply] Listen. I, uh…

I have a friend. He… He's from Egypt.

He's here on business. He needs a place to live for a few months.

An apartment. Something nice and clean.

And above all, it should be very spacious.

He has plenty of money.

I have something matching.

It's a little expensive, but it's in Mea Shearim.

I'm telling you, he's coming from Egypt.

Do you think I'd put him near the Ashkenazis?

No, of course not.

Not big enough…

I have something really luxurious, and it's even close to where you live.

No, no, no. Not near us.

I don't want him coming for dinner every evening.

Oh, you're right. You're right.

Look, every day, I get new listings. Come back in a day or two.

I'm sure we'll find something we all agree on.

Umm…

Other than that, how are you? Is everything all right?

-You're expecting a baby? -[sighs] Yes.

Ah. With God's will, you'll have a male. [in Hebrew] With God's help.

[in English] Really, this time, it's about time.

[whimsical music plays]

[slurps, smacks lips]

Bashar!

If I wanted this much sugar, I would have asked for a baklava.

-Such an idiot. -[typewriter clacks]

-[music continues] -[distant dogs barking]

[Mercada] Avram was at the shop.

He told me you were looking for an apartment

for someone who's coming from Egypt?

Nobody's coming from anywhere, Ima.

I'm looking for a place for myself.

I want a divorce.

-I want to end it with Rosa. -[Mercada] No, no, no, no.

-That baby she has in her stomach-- -Did Victoria tell you?

Why didn't you tell me what happened here with the Arab?

-I myself didn't know what happened-- -No, you knew.

You knew he took her to the room.

I hoped that would go to the grave with me.

-I never imagined that… -[inhales deeply]

I can't touch her anymore.

I can't even look at her.

In our family, we don't get divorced.

What do you want? To-- To give up everything?

-To give up Luna? -[sighs] Rosa is forbidden to me.

Forbidden to her husband by law.

God will forgive her. He knows it's not her fault.

And me?

"And me?" Constantly "me, me, me"!

Enough! Enough of "me"! Now we have to help her.

[Gavriel, faintly] Don't forget that this is my house.

[Mercada] Do you want a healthy wife who will give you boys?

A husband who divorces his wife before she gives birth…

What will people say?

That she was promiscuous? Unfaithful to him?

It's a big disgrace to you, a big disgrace to the whole family.

And Rosa, the mother of your daughters, how will she go outside?

How will she be able to show her face?

On the day she has to give birth… I will deliver the child.

Not Fortuna and not Victoria, just me.

God gives and God takes,

and this baby will be taken before it is given.

What do you want, to kill it?

Of course not. Don't say that. God forbid.

But yes, that's what we'll say, that it's dead.

There are plenty of bastards in Jerusalem, Gavriel,

and we have a solution.

There's an Arab woman in Shechem.

If you pay her, she takes the babies

and sells them to poor families that have no children.

God forbid.

She profits from both sides, damn her.

Those she takes from and those she gives the babies to.

[Gavriel sighs deeply]

A child from an Arab seed should grow with Arabs.

What about Rosa? What will she say?

We'll tell her it died.

God willing, you'll have a male child, a Jewish one, from you.

We are doing it for her, Gavriel.

She has suffered enough.

[ominous music playing]

[music fades out]

When the baby comes, I want you by my side.

Of course I'll be there.

-And if not me, then Mercada or Fortuna. -[Rosa] No.

You don't understand, Victoria. You have to be there.

-Promise me. -[Victoria sighs]

What's wrong, Rosa?

I'm afraid.

What are you afraid of, querida?

I don't know. [breath trembles]

I'm asking you, Victoria,

promise me you'll be by my side when I give birth.

[breathing heavily]

That you'll take it out of me and place it in my arms.

[inhales shakily] Please, promise me, Victoria.

[somber music plays]

I promise.

[Rosa sighs]

[sobbing]

[sobs softly]

[sighs]

[bird chirping]

[Mercada] Rosa!

Rosa!

-[Victoria] What's happened? -[Mercada sighs]

Have you seen Rosa?

No.

When I got up, she was already gone.

[Mercada] Did she tell you something maybe?

-Was she going anywhere? -No.

I haven't seen her.

Rosa!

[clicks tongue, scoffs]

Rosa!

[suspenseful music plays]

[gun clacks]

Rosa.

-[Rosa breathes softly] -[Ephraim] Rosa?

[Ephraim sighs and chuckles]

-Ephraim. -I was about to kill you, you know.

-What? -[Rosa breathing softly]

-I didn't know. -[sighs] You're like an angel.

Every time I die, you come and restore my soul.

-Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? -Who knew where you were?

-I'm here now. -[Rosa sighs]

I'm here with you, back in our home.

-[Rosa] Are you staying here? -Sometimes.

Why did you come here, Rosa?

I came here to give birth.

[Ephraim] Here?

Cats don't have kittens here.

[Rosa breathes softly]

I ran away from home to save him from Gavriel…

from Mercada.

I'm afraid to tell you this, Ephraim.

I'm afraid that if you know, you will…

[sobbing]

-[Ephraim sighs] -[Rosa sobbing]

[Rosa breathes shakily]

Remember when you killed the Arab?

-It's not your fault, hermana. -[Rosa] You were there. You know.

-It's not your fault. -[Rosa] I won't give up on this.

Of course you're not giving up. It's your child.

[both breathe heavily]

[sobbing]

[Rosa chuckles softly]

[both sigh]

Maybe something happened to her.

She fell down or something.

[footsteps approaching]

Rosa.

Go inside now. Drink water, and get some rest.

If you hadn't run to Beirut when the Arabs started rioting here--

[Gavriel] I didn't run.

If you hadn't run there, the three of us wouldn't be sitting here.

You know what happened that day.

And you too.

I saw it with my own eyes.

And you, Gavriel,

instead of protecting your wife, you were off bedding whores in Beirut.

My sister ran away from here to save the baby in her stomach.

-She's afraid you'll do something to it. -That's preposterous.

You have a reason. The honor of the Armoza family.

I don't care about the honor of the Armoza family,

but I care very much about the honor of my sister, Rosa Siton.

When this baby comes, you will be its father.

You will raise it and feed it. And you know what, Gavriel?

You will love it, because that's what a child needs,

his father's love.

And when you die,

he will get what he deserves, just like Luna and Rachelika.

I wish you a long and healthy life,

but if one hair should fall from Rosa or the baby's head, I will--

Then what?

What will you do, Ephraim?

I'll finish you, Gavriel.

And you won't be the first.

[Rosa wailing in pain]

[wailing continues]

[Rosa] Ephraim!

-Ephraim, are you there?! -Don't worry, hermana!

-[Rosa groans] -I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.

[Mercada] No more shouting!

Push. If you don't push, it won't come out. Push!

[Rosa] Victoria?!

-Victoria! -Rosa, I'm coming!

[Rosa wailing]

[Rosa] Victoria!

[tense music plays]

[breathing heavily]

[music fades out]

Careful so it doesn't crease.

What are you telling Abba and Ima?

Ima won't ask. If she does, tell her I'm at work.

Abba only gets home in the evening. I'll be back by then.

Are you sure? When does the competition begin?

[Luna] At two.

Rachelika, not a word. No one can know.

-Best of luck. -[Luna sighs]

[chuckling]

[upbeat jazz music plays]

Does your mother know you're going to Tel Aviv?

Yes, but she doesn't know I'm going with you.

[radio frequency static]

[radio newscaster] Today, at about 1:00 p.m.,

bombers over the skies of Tel Aviv released many bombs on the city.

-Many homes were damaged. -[door closes]

[newscaster] Fire brigades are trying to control--

-What happened? -Shh…

They sent us home from school. They told us to go home--

Rachelika, let me listen.

[newscaster] …bombing threats against other cities too.

There are currently 50 dead

and many injured.

-Which town? -[newscaster] Police call upon citizens--

In Tel Aviv, planes are dropping bombs.

-What? [breath trembles] -[newscaster] We shall repeat the message.

Today, at about 1:00 p.m.,

bombers over the skies of Tel Aviv released many bombs on the city.

Many homes were destroyed,

and fire brigades are trying to control the many fires that are burning.

-The police call upon citizens… -[somber music drowns out background]

[breath trembling softly]

[Rosa] Rachelika.

[Rachelika's breath trembles]

What is it, Rachelika?

-Ima, I'm scared. -It's far, Rachelika. It's in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem is holy. They won't drop bombs on us.

For them, it's also holy.

[theme music plays]