Original subtitles

Take a seat.

Thank you.

- Biscuit? - Thank you.

- Coffee? - Yes, please.

- Is this her? - Yes.

Okay, let's sum things up.

- Correct me if you don't agree with anything. - Okay.

You are saying that...

based on a complaint received, on the 12th of this month,

Child Welfare started an investigation against Rodica Paparu,

who, according to witnesses,

exploited a child of 3 and a half years in her care by making her perform

in front of an audience for money.

She also gave her brandy

to make her sleep and so potentially damaged the child's health.

Rodica Paparu's home was thoroughly searched

and sufficient evidence was collected to prove that she committed child abuse,

in accordance with the Child Welfare Act of 2004.

I have to fully explain.

Being at risk is a state resulting from the negligent behaviour

of a child's guardian.

Abuse or neglect of a child

covers all forms of physical or emotional maltreatment,

exploitation by commercial or any other means,

which may result in actual or potential damage

to the child's health, development or dignity,

within a relationship based on responsibility,

trust or power.

Child Welfare deemed that regulations had indeed been breached

and ordered that the child be placed in state care.

The biological mother, Mona Paparu, is petitioning Child Welfare

to reinstate the child to the care of her mother.

She has also agreed

to provide the following documentation:

Proof of income,

birth certificate proving biological motherhood,

proof of home address as well as an outline of her intentions

with respect to the child's future.

Furthermore, she has also agreed

to see the child's welfare officer for an interview,

of which a report is to be made.

- Do you agree? - Yes.

My task is to make a recommendation to Child Welfare

but I'll need some additional information first.

I'd like to record our conversation if you agree.

Sure.

What do I want to know?

First of all, I'd like you to tell me something about the child,

about your relationship,

the father of the child, your financial circumstances,

how the child was born, how she ended up with her aunt,

and what you did in England.

- You were in England, weren't you? - Yes.

In short...

I'd like you to tell me about the last few years.

Present

sponsored by

in coproduction with

a film by

Good afternoon.

I'd like to thank the organisers,

especially the mayor, who trusted me,

and made this performance possible today.

Enjoy the show!

Shall we dance?

Believe me, Mayor, I had the whole day planned perfectly.

I invited the best people.

Don't ever show your face outside my office again!

Is it my fault it's raining?!

Come back, we'll continue the show!

Mona!

- How's the water, mate? - Great!

Shall we go for a swim?

Stay, I don't want them staring at your arse.

Come on, I want to jump in too!

Where to?

- The sea. - Get in.

Stay where you are!

Stay where you are!

Throw your things on me! All of them!

Okay, come on, and the bag!

That's it, cover me up! Lie back down!

Good morning. Have you seen this man?

Who?

Have you seen him?

- Perhaps if I could see him in profile. - Have you or haven't you?

No.

A boat or a motorboat?

I don't know, I've just arrived.

Have you been sleeping?

Who, me?

Your face looks all crumpled.

No, I was just thinking.

Come to the station tonight. Not you.

Have they gone?

Yes.

Lie back, let's wait till it gets dark.

Where are you going?

To the shop.

What for? Your ID please.

- Let's see, who is it? - Yes?

Check him!

- Do you know this man? - No.

Yes...

I'm in the middle of a match.

I'll beat him quickly and I'll come. Yes...

Good evening.

I tricked them!

All right, Viorel, God loves you!

You suckered the whole unit!

Have you got a fag?

What do I do with this?

Roll one.

- You've got an odd accent. You're not Romanian, are you? - No.

Then what?

Do only Romanians exist?

There are Hungarians too.

Or half and half.

You're half and half?

You don't look like it.

But your Romanian is great.

Roll one for me! I can't!

You're good at it, girl.

Where did you learn?

There's nothing to learn. You either can or you can't.

It's a good-looking fag.

Looks like it was made in a factory.

It seems a pity to smoke it.

Have you got a light?

Well, good luck then.

I've got plans with you.

- What's your name? - If it's Mona, then what?

We start getting cosy?

Mona. Sounds good.

- Do you know my name? - Viorel.

How do you know?

You said it to yourself when you came in.

So you listen to what I say?

Viorel is a beautiful name, isn't it?

Viorel.

But Mona sounds good too.

You have a beautiful name.

It's my name, so what?

Listen, Mona,

you're my trump card.

I'll demand one billion lei from your father,

and a helicopter,

- then off to Argentina! - I haven't got a father.

- How come? - I just haven't.

- Did he die? - You could say that.

God rest his soul. Your mother?

She's okay, thanks. She's growing her hair in a coffin.

So you're all alone?

What now? Should we cry?

- Husband? - That's all I'd need!

- Then what do you do? - I've got a business.

Are you a whore?

No, you're not a whore.

Just a bit crazy.

- Can I go now? - No, you can't.

I need to think of what to do with you.

You're still my trump card.

Don't even think about it! Don't mess with Viorel, okay?

You must be a major villain if they want to get you so badly.

That's the problem! Everyone thinks so

because of the thing on TV. The media whipped it up.

They can't catch the big boys so they want to make a big show with me.

- I've turned into Bin Laden! - What did you do?

I battered a gay guy.

- A gay guy? Why? - Because he was homosexual.

He was kissing another man. They touched tongues and

fondled each other. It pissed me off.

And?

He was taken to hospital.

They did something to him. The doctors are to blame.

Did he die?

Haven't you got a normal fag? This is too strong!

What are you doing?

You were in my dream.

You wore strange clothes...

some sort of folk costume...

and I was...

What's the word? A toreador.

I saw it.

Really?

Mother always said that I project my dreams.

- But no one believed her. - And?

It was a love dream.

I think it was a love dream.

Once... I dreamed that I was in China,

walking on top of skyscrapers.

They crumpled under my feet.

It turned out they were made of modelling clay.

I looked back and saw they'd all melted.

I had a magnifying glass.

And it set fire to them.

I saw it on the news the next day.

Everything from my dream.

And my friends asked,

- "what were you doing in China?" - I've never been to China.

Never, never been to China.

Never, never been to China.

Fish, fresh fish for sale. Buy some, guys!

Fresh fish! Get along!

Fish!

Come on, Aristica, move!

Fish, fresh fish! Fish for sale!

Good morning.

What the fuck?!

Take it easy, boys!

I don't want anything.

God loves Viorel.

You can't harm me.

I'm a miracle man.

You couldn't find me yesterday either. I just vanished, didn't I?

I can fly away if I want to.

I can send you to sleep if I want to, and you'll sleep until tomorrow.

But I don't want to.

I want to be punished.

You can put down those guns. I won't bite.

I want to do my time.

Come on, put down the guns!

Come on, put down the guns!

Bravo!

Fucking well stop or we'll shoot you!

Stop or we'll shoot! Motherfucker!

Mother of God, forgive me.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen.

Our new jockey, Marton!

Once upon a time,

the smallest hens in the world found a speck of electricity.

One of them swallowed it,

and 27 brown hairs grew on its head.

It was so ashamed that it climbed onto the lips of two pigs.

The pigs kissed each other

and a smiling, brown-haired girl was born.

She looked over to the left

and saw her loving parents in a little house.

When they discovered that she was good at rolling cigarettes by hand,

they called her Handrollina.

So they became a family and set off for the city.

The wintery road was icy so they only got as far as a lamppost,

the next night to a tree full of crows,

and to an inn on the third.

A wicked widow spider lived in the inn. She entertained herself

by taking the form of a fairy and seducing vain men.

She spoke in fairy language.

Daddy understood the strange words and knelt down before the fairy,

who grabbed him like a lump of mud and whisked him away.

Mummy was left alone in the cold.

She went home and got very sick.

There were no presents, no Christmas.

They called a doctor but no one could cure her sorrow.

So Mummy went up to the kingdom of heaven.

The years passed

and the little girl grew up to be a pretty maiden.

Then one sunny afternoon,

she went down to the beach.

She was just sitting there when a scorpion crawled out of the sand.

"Listen to me, fair maiden.

They're going to catch me soon.

Please, kiss me

so that at last I experience something good on earth."

Handrollina took pity on the scorpion,

and kissed the disgusting creature.

Melinda!

Hey, Mack the Knife!

I haven't seen you for ages.

What's up?

Is there something in my eye?

I can't see anything.

- Take a better look. - I'm looking!

I'll ask you something but I want a straight answer.

Be careful because I'm edgy. Do you fancy working abroad?

- I thought you were in Germany. - I'm going tomorrow.

Why don't you come with me?

Tomorrow? What's wrong? You look like shit!

Really? Do you think you look any better?

I lost a girl this morning.

And?

You know them, they'd concrete me into the motorway.

Look what they did to me.

Who do you work with?

It'd be a chance to get some fresh air.

I don't want those animals fucking me!

Anyway, I've had enough of jobs abroad.

I can't handle it.

Take care of yourself.

And Happy New Year!

Can you spare five minutes?

That... stupid story... those stupid puppets...

It was fucking good, I liked it.

Bravo! Shall we go out?

Shall we stay? Or go outside?

I like this tablecloth.

It's a good idea to cover this area.

What is it, polythene sheeting?

You can come in from the cold and look out. And the smoke goes out.

Is she yours?

She's beautiful. Like you.

You're both beautiful.

Healthy.

What's happened to you?

- Did you get religion? - I went to the doctor

for some pills to help me sleep.

He said, "You need a CT." "A what?"

"A CT."

I went in for a CT scan, he looks at it,

and says there's something there. He can see something.

- In my head. - What?

This tablecloth really is beautiful.

Let me see your drawing.

What is it?

A rose, but it's very ugly.

Don't worry about that. Draw another one.

Here... it's ugly here... but here it's beautiful.

That doesn't matter.

"Is there someone who can accompany you to Germany?"

"Where?"

"Your condition can only be treated in Germany."

"No.

No, doctor, no.

I don't know anyone.

They're all busy with their own lives.

But there is someone.

- I know someone!" I turned back from the door. - "Who?

- A reliable person?" - "Absolutely!"

"Someone who'll stay with you and won't leave you

- for even a minute?" - "Yes." - "Who?"

"My daughter."

So we leave... at 5 tomorrow morning.

I've bought your ticket but I didn't know of the kid. Sorry.

Beautiful girl. Is there someone you can leave her with?

What's the matter?

The doctor can't think I'm stupid.

Have you drunk it? Can we go?

You can tell the kids the story with your puppets.

Mona Lisa!

I told you, 5 o'clock...

in the morning, don't be late. The train only stops for a minute.

Yeah.

Your stars look good for this week and next week,

but be careful because you've got a snake hiding under your threshold.

That's not enough information, Rodica.

It's an awful lot of money, and Várady is a cheating bastard.

What do the others say?

They say not to worry but I don't trust Várady.

I've told you. Your stars look very good.

So should I invest the money?

But beware of the snake under your threshold.

- So should I invest? - Yes, but watch out for the snake!

All right, Rodica.

I trust you.

Happy New Year!

Hey, what are you doing there?

Can't you hear?

Fuck off out of here!

Goodness, you made me jump.

You're so beautiful.

The girl's beautiful too.

How old is she? Three? Four?

It doesn't seem five minutes since you were her age.

I don't know what to say.

You came at the worst possible moment.

Another fortune-teller turned up. A Gypsy. They trust her more.

She tells them the good things

and when they turn out bad, they're disappointed.

You'll see. Time's on my side.

How beautiful you are, really cute!

I've got two of my own to feed and buy clothes for.

A simple hat costs 350,000.

That's 10 euros today,

but who knows tomorrow? It's only 2 euros abroad.

One wants a phone, the other a Barbie.

Look at these Barbies, how ugly they are. Pink!

Disgusting! They pick on her

at school if she hasn't got one. She comes home crying.

You know how much school can cost?

The books, school trips, stupid parties!

And I've a mortgage to pay.

Business is bad and so is my health.

My blood pressure's high, I can't drink coffee, it's hard.

Life's very hard, my girl.

It's only for a few days, Auntie, I can leave some money.

Who was talking about money? Did I mention money?

How's your father nowadays?

His head's bad.

Well, he's always had trouble with his head.

That's God's punishment.

It's no wonder. He's done so many nasty things in his life.

Don't talk about him like that.

Did you hear what he did to that 13-year-old girl?

No, and I don't want to hear.

I'll tell you. He picked up a 13-year-old...

Stop it, that's just gossip!

How dare you come here

and accuse me of gossiping!

Get out! Do you know how much suffering that man has caused me?

Look at that beauty!

And where will they treat him?

In Germany.

Where did he get the money for Germany?

I don't know and I don't care.

I've always longed to live in Germany.

Such a super country.

Germany with its cathedrals...

and garden gnomes...

And what do you do?

What does she like? Does she eat meat?

Yes, but she doesn't like anything spicy.

Don't give her sweets and she shouldn't watch TV.

She's better off outside in the garden.

Shouldn't we wake her? Don't you want to say goodbye?

No, she'd only get upset.

- What should I tell her? - The truth...

that I've gone with Granddad to see a doctor and I'll be back soon.

- Thank you, Auntie Rodica. - Don't thank me.

- See you. - Wait, show me your hand.

And the other one.

Oh, Mother of God!

Bye, Happy New Year!

What? You're sleeping on New Year's Eve?

Wake up!

- I don't smoke. - Since when?

It's my New Year's resolution.

Nice idea.

- You don't smoke? - I made the same resolution.

I promised myself.

- What's the matter? - Nothing.

- Are you okay? Don't you feel dizzy? - No.

No.

Remember when your mother and I...

Yes.

- We only went once? - Yes.

- Not another time? - No, never.

Pity.

- Goodbye! - Bye!

Let's get the bags.

This way!

This way!

To the subway!

Where are the fucking stairs?

Where are the fucking stairs?

You're playing with us, eh?

I've changed my mind.

Where am I?

At the Hilton, only there's a blackout.

Do you want breakfast in bed or will you come downstairs?

You hear that? The engine's stopped.

I can hear it too.

What's that rattling?

It sounds like we're on a train.

Where are we?

Who's farted?

It's disgusting. The smell's coming from here.

Who was it?

- Was it you, Ildi? - What have you been eating?

- Are you cold? - Look at her, she's shivering.

What's the matter?

- I'm afraid. - What of?

That the sea's going to crush on us.

What sea?

The one above us.

In spring I filled my garden with flowers,

I planted roses, carnations and violas.

I'd like to sell the lot right now...

I planted up my garden in the spring,

They don't cost much, just give something.

The price is running such a race, It's hard enough to keep the pace.

Come on, right now...

Come on, superstars!

Come on, quick, move your asses!

Come on, I won't hurt you!

Over there! Stand in the line!

You too, don't just stand there staring! Move!

Why are you doing this?

Why are you doing this?

Because if I didn't do it,

someone else would do it but much worse.

I don't do anything that isn't in demand.

These are the times we live in. I'm just trying to adapt.

You were in my dream last night.

We had children. I think you were my wife.

You kissed me.

Put it down, put it here.

- Don't you want to go home? - I have to go to the cemetery.

- Thanks and have a nice day! - You're welcome!

God bless you!

Look, you're frightening me, Gicu.

You look good.

I heard that it all went wrong. I'm sorry.

Who is she? Your daughter?

Gicu, let's calm down and behave like... rational people.

Do you think I meant it to happen?

No! Your partner cheated you!

You know predictions are never that specific.

You told me to invest, Rodica.

You were quite specific.

Yes, because your stars looked so good.

You probably ended up avoiding something much worse.

Forget the money! You'll get it back in the end.

You're right there, Rodica.

On Thursday,

two weeks from now.

From your pretty, little hands.

Speaking as a fortune-teller, I wouldn't bet on it.

Fifty... plus three zeros.

You see? I told you.

Your grave is covered in weeds.

If your granddaughter should think to visit you,

she wouldn't even find your gravestone.

Holy Father, I told him not to be buried here,

but in the village where he was born.

But he wanted an elegant city cemetery.

Elegant cemetery, you arsehole! May God have mercy on you.

Oh, my dear.

I've brought you some flower seeds.

I don't understand these young people.

A loving kid like her,

and her mother throws her away, like chicken bones.

What do you think? Should we try to borrow the money?

Should I take on more debt?

Are you saying I should ask lordache?

He's a rich man now. Perhaps it's worth a try.

You'll see how sweet they'll smell.

They'll be marvellous.

Really wonderful.

But I have to tell you...

that strange things are happening to that girl.

You know I don't believe in cards or coffee grounds.

But when this girl sleeps,

strange things happen.

We only take money.

Thank you. What's that?

Do we take rabbits?

- Only cash! - Only cash, sorry.

- A chicken? No, no chickens either! - I've got cash!

- Take it easy, don't push! - Ana, here... Come, sit here.

What's happening?

Haven't you heard? The girl projects her dreams...

as if you were watching TV.

The fee is 10 lei. Hurry, it's about to start!

Show me what you've drawn. What is it?

Ah, beautiful!

Granddad and his band bringing Mummy back home.

Take a look at this!

How beautifully she's drawn her Granddad with his band.

That's fascinating but we didn't come to see her drawings.

My granddaughter can draw too. She won a prize.

Please be patient.

She really isn't used to so many people.

Come to bed and lie down nicely.

You're such a sweet girl. Give that to me, we'll put it here.

Let's get into bed

and show these nice people how clever we are.

That's right, my dear.

Yes, my angel.

You're such a good girl. Let's tuck you in nicely.

Now we close our eyes.

And silence please!

Didn't I say that nothing would happen?

- Hey, hey! - She's cheating us!

I paid 20 lei for this!

Please be patient. She needs to get used to the crowd.

We've waited long enough. What happens if it takes her all night?

My arse is freezing off! Give us our money back, Rodica!

Here, a little snooze booze.

It'll send you straight to sleep.

Give us our money back!

Have as much as you like. Bravo!

Bravo, you're very clever. Five minutes!

Five minutes and she's guaranteed to fall asleep.

- Five minutes? - Five minutes!

Please!

More than five minutes have passed.

I've had enough of this! Goodbye!

You're making a fool of us! Come on, Ana!

Look!

Fantastic!

What are you doing here, Gigi Paparu?

Well, Mona...

- I don't believe your story. - You mean I'm not telling the truth?

- Have you told anyone else? - No, not yet.

You'd better not. I'll pretend I never heard it.

- Why? - Let's not take each other for fools, my girl.

What will they think at Child Welfare?

What?

- Do you want your child back? - Yes, I do.

Then let's take each other seriously.

I want you to tell me what really happened.

- I've already told you. - This is an official report

not a fairytale, for God's sake!

What shall we put in it? What did you actually do there?

What did you do in England?

Shall we write that your dead father

marched a brass band into a Liverpool brothel?

Where the prostitutes were characters from literature? Shall we write that?

Shall we?

How did you meet the child's father?

You were sitting on the beach

and he jumped out of the sand?

That's what happened.

A girl like her is picked out straight away.

The Italians love kids with darker skin.

Five minutes is all it takes for a closed adoption.

You'll never see her again. Never again!

They won't even send you a photo. Do you want that?

Do you?

No.

Okay, then come on.

Let's compose it together. Tell me what really happened to you.

I'll help you sum it up, okay?

Okay?

Okay.

How did you meet her father?

In the street.

Where?

In the city.

Write it down!

And then what happened?

Then...

What?

We hid in a doorway.

Then we went to a children's playground.

What was his name?

He told me a name... and told me...

where he worked.

I went there the next day but no one knew a man by that name.

I went back later but I never found him.

- He disappeared. - He disappeared?

And?

Someone said he was from Regat and he'd gone back there.

Viorica...

was born in the maternity hospital in town.

I raised her alone for three years doing casual jobs.

I sold pumpkin seeds at the railway station.

I met a man there who...

organised girls to work in the sex trade in England.

And?

I decided to go with him.

Why?

Money reasons.

- Was it your decision to go? - Yes.

No. Let's write that he forced her to go.

And?

I left Viorica in Auntie Rodica's care.

I promised to send money.

I worked as a prostitute in England.

But the wages were atrocious.

The rent was high and I had to pay the owner a large percentage.

I did it until I got fed up.

I also felt very guilty about leaving my daughter,

so I came home.

Good. I think that's okay now.

It'll make a good start.

But let's add:

"I came back determined to mend my ways,

earn a respectable living,

and create a healthy mental and physical environment for my child."

Sign it, please.

That's all.

Thank you. I'll see you later.

Will I get her back?

I can't promise anything.

I have to consider the child's interests.

But I must admit

that I'm not completely satisfied with the situation.

I see.

Bye.

How shall I close the report?

Yes...

Considering... all the circumstances,

in accordance with child protection regulations

and considering the child's interests,

and also based on...

my impressions...

after talking personally to the girl's mother,

I propose to reinstate the child in the care of her biological mother.

Hmmm.

This is going to taste wonderful. Pass me your plate.

- Four spoons for me. - Four spoons?

- Are you sure you can eat that much? - Yes.

One... two...

- Three... four. - And four.

Here you are. Careful, it's hot!

- Enjoy! - Thanks!

- Well, do you like it? - Yes.

Do you want some milk?

There you go.

- Which story do you want? - The one with the xylophone.

The xylophone?

All right.

Once upon a time,

there was a powerful king,

who had a huge palace.

It was guarded by dead angels

and it was deep underground, not far from hell.

It had a hundred rooms.

And there were a hundred prisoners in the hundred rooms.

They were all characters from fairytales, princes and princesses.

And the princes and princesses were very sad

because they'd been taken from their fairytales.

But the children were even sadder

when they opened their books and found a jumble of boring words.

There was no one they could admire

or get excited for,

no one they could imagine being before they fell asleep at night.

But there was one poor princess among them.

And she decided to run away from the palace

and return to her fairytale.

Written and directed by

photography

editor

original soundtrack

sound

set design

costumes