The Sparrow in the Chimney (2024) Movie Script
They'll be here any minute.
CHIMNEY SPARROW
Mom?
Mom.
Should I set the table outside?
Ew!
Here we are.
- Hi.
- Hi! Good to see you.
- What the hell was that?
- He was sitting in the chimney.
Leon!
He must have a nest on the roof.
What happened to you?
- I fell.
- At school.
Poor guy.
Hi!
Hi.
- Would you like a hug?
- Only if you don't crush me.
- Can you carry your backpack?
- Sure. How about you?
Mom's pendant.
- Let me get my stuff.
- Hey there.
Is everything okay?
- Will you take it?
- Yeah.
- How was your trip?
- Uh, good.
He's coming later to slaughter the chickens.
Seriously?
For my dad's birthday.
Your shoes are dirty.
Take it off!
Your shirt is dirty, too.
- Is this Christina's room?
- Uh, yeah.
- Will I sleep here?
- No, in the next room. Let's go.
- Isn't Cristina coming?
- She's coming, but later.
She's a working bee!
- My bed used to be here.
- So this is where little Yulee snored?
What's that?
- My pigeon costume.
- I see.
- You still like to draw?
- I do.
Mom said you loved too.
Do you have any towels?
I'll get it.
You don't paint anymore?
No, I don't paint anymore.
What are you doing?
Can't you be a little more careful?
It's your own fault.
But I want this one!
Is it all cookbooks?
Stop it! I've got everything in order.
Stop it!
- Is everything okay?
- Yeah, why?
- Can I draw at the table over there?
- Uh, yeah.
Where's Johanna?
At school. She should be here soon.
How's she doing?
- She needs to strengthen her wrists.
- Why?
Will she still be able to dance?
She can't. But she resists.
Terrible!
It smells so good!
- Leon is obsessed with cooking.
- That's great!
I love a lot of things, but not cooking.
No, I'm more of a food guy.
What a stench! Stop it!
I brought you some.
I hate perfume.
A beautiful neck smells great without them.
- Did she fall asleep?
- She did.
Oh, that's great.
What's that?
It was our way of celebrating how much the kids had grown.
But you can't! You're not one of us.
Our marks are still there, too. Upstairs.
- Yeah, by the closet.
- So my mom doesn't see.
Shall we eat outside?
Yes.
Will Markus and Johanna be joining us?
Get some other plates.
I got it out of the basement.
It was all dusty.
She loved that vase.
It was cozier without my mom's stuff.
Take the others.
Why? These are beautiful.
There's our bird!
Come here!
Hi.
Marcus!
- Good to see you!
- Hey, handsome.
Hi.
- You want me to pick lettuce from the garden?
- Yeah. Hey, Leon.
- How was your trip?
- It was okay.
- Want to go to a Greek restaurant tonight?
- That's a great idea!
Now let's have a drink!
Don't pretend like you don't know. Yeah, I do.
- Edda was there too.
- Would you like to see the garden?
Yeah, I'd love to.
Still gardening?
Take off your shoes. And wipe it off.
But it's not a floor cloth.
Gender.
No, you don't.
Wipe it off.
No! It's disgusting
wiping the table and the floor with the same cloth.
- Stop it!
- Let go.
Ouch!
You're late.
And you're not yourself.
Hi.
- Who do we have here?
- Hey! [Laughs]
- Everything okay?
- Yeah. Uh-huh.
- I can't wait for the party to start.
- I agree.
You were smoking.
I have a rehearsal with the girls in the basement tonight.
No, not tonight.
Today!
Stupid cow.
Here you go.
Wow, thank you.
It's beautiful.
- Hey!
- Hi!
That's a beautiful bouquet.
- Are you okay?
- I am.
Johanna...
God, you're so...
Is it ripe?
It's time to pick the fruit.
Baby, I think the fruit has already been picked.
Hold your stuff.
- You tore it up.
- Are you crazy?
You still look like a whore in it.
You do that again, I'll burn your closet.
Tight-fitting clothes tear easily, that's normal.
And old wood catches fire quickly.
One cigarette is enough.
Can you get me some glasses?
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- She needs to strengthen her wrists.
- Yeah, I know.
I'm sorry about the dance.
She was watching an old video the other day.
School performance.
A dancing butterfly with colorful wings.
Rewatched it over and over again.
And I sat next to him and watched.
Hi.
The door was open.
- Hi!
- Johanna, you have to lock the door!
A house has to breathe, too. And the door is its mouth. Right?
That's right.
Hey there.
I'm Jule, Karen's sister.
- Liv.
- Our cinematographer.
I didn't know you had a sister.
It's better to keep quiet about unpleasant things.
- In the evening we have dinner at a restaurant. Do you want to come with us?
- We're staying.
With the kids and the baby. There's a lot to do tomorrow.
Would you like a drink?
You can.
I could watch the kids tonight.
Oh, really?
That would be great!
Thank you.
So you'll have dinner with us.
I'd be honored!
Look what I'm cooking.
- Looks delicious.
- Do you live around here?
- In the cabin across the field.
- Mom's cabin?
Why is it grandma's house?
She used to go there a lot.
Especially at night.
- She had a lover?
- Sort of.
Shut up! Leave your mom alone.
- I'll go.
- Let's go collect caterpillars.
Come on.
- How long has she been there?
- A few months.
- She's out of prison.
- Prison?
- I thought it was a mental institution.
- How did she end up there?
She's been spiking men's drinks
sleeping pills and Viagra.
And then jerked them off when they passed out.
As soon as they found out, they put her in a mental institution.
- What?
- Yulie, don't believe what she says.
Why was she in a mental institution?
- Burned down her ex-boyfriend's house.
- What?
I think I'm gonna go.
Bye.
Bye.
- Bye. Bye.
- Bye. Bye.
- Come here!
- See ya!
And why did she burn down his house?
I have no idea.
He must have torn up her stuff.
He's slaughtering chickens.
- What happened?
- A headless chicken fell out of the sky.
So this is what angels look like.
She ran away from me.
- Hey, Conrad.
- I apologize.
- Hi, Conrad.
- Hi, Jule.
It's good to see you. You look great.
Blood rain always colors.
You better get the tables for the party tomorrow.
- At least I'll have time to clean them.
- Oh, that's great! Then you'll let me know.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Thank you very much!
- He doesn't change.
- And he still likes you.
Don't bullshit me.
Oh, my gosh, who's that?
You almost done with the house?
- Only the roof is left.
- I'll finish it today.
Oh, really?
Tell me about your grandmother.
Did she have a lover?
Mistress. In the city.
- Yeah, sure.
- I'm serious.
Did grandfather know about this?
Yeah, he caught them.
- What are you getting your dad tomorrow?
- A hot air balloon ride.
I'll dance and Leon will bake a cake.
- Is Cristina planning something, too?
- I have no idea.
When is she coming?
I don't know. She's on another flight.
Why?
Doesn't want to see us.
Are you crazy? She can't wait to see you.
It's all because of the surgery.
What surgery?
She was always having stomach pains.
- Stomach pains?
- Yes, even as a child.
The doctor found something strange in there.
What?
Dead twin sister.
- Of course, the dead twin sister!
- I'm telling you the truth! Right in the belly!
Growing there like an ulcer and slowly suffocating.
Her corpse had been there for years.
Fused to his guts.
Anyway. She was cut out a week ago.
Just a little thing, about the size of my fist.
A vicious little fist bump.
- Did they bury her?
- No, they threw her in the trash.
Lucky her.
Lucky at what?
Didn't have to live in that house.
With a mother like that.
The roast is ready.
A spoonful will do.
- Do you want some?
- Yes, thank you.
Thank you.
- You want some?
- Yes, thank you.
How was your vacation?
It's perfect. Except for the flight back.
We hit turbulence.
I thought for sure we'd die.
- You were afraid of flying when you were a kid, too.
- I was.
You want some?
Thank you.
I believed if I mentally called the pilot an asshole,
the plane would crash.
You're not eating?
Leon doesn't eat.
He's vomiting.
I've already eaten.
Pass the pepper, please.
It's weird. The birds are singing so loud in here.
They don't sing here. They're yelling.
Could you pass the gravy?
Edda, you've turned into a flower.
That's right!
Now it's safe to call the pilot an asshole,
but I don't believe it's gonna crash the plane.
I can think whatever I want and it won't break.
You're not eating at all.
Pass the water, please.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry!
Leni!
We'll wash it all off.
First the blood on her blouse, now this.
I look like I'm in the middle of something. It's like ratatouille.
Wait, I got it.
I beg your pardon?
I beg your pardon?
We're here.
Thank you.
Hey.
Uh, Karen?
Are you okay?
Yeah, why?
It's nothing.
Everything was delicious.
- I'm gonna go finish the addition.
- Uh, okay.
Is everything okay?
- Marcus?
- ...
Can you show me where the tools are?
Do you like him?
Christina's favorite cookie.
I hope she chokes on it.
- Where are you going?
- To meet the girls.
- What about you?
- To the store.
- Is there any money left?
- Yeah.
All right. Uh-huh.
- I'm going back to the office.
- Uh, okay.
Here you go.
Plates.
UNCLE MARCUS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
EDDA
JOHANNA, 6 YEARS OLD
KRISTINA, 6 YEARS OLD
Hi!
Hi.
- Uh, hi.
- Are you Cristina?
And you're Liv?
- Johanna's talked about you a lot.
- I see.
I guess it's no good.
I'd love to see again what the island was like
before there were cormorants.
It must be very beautiful.
Johanna and I used to swim there a lot.
We lay down on the grass,
imagining we'd stay there forever.
Cormorants reign on it now.
And years later, he'll disappear without a trace.
Nothing will be left.
All right, I'll go.
- I'll see you.
- I'll see you.
Come here!
Hey! Get the fuck out!
You attack me again, I'll gouge your eyes out.
and shove it in my fucking face!
I can do it, believe me.
Get off!
Leon!
Are you okay?
Quiet!
Squirrel, I guess.
I wish I was a squirrel.
I'd be jumping trees all day,
burying nuts and sleeping.
And at night.
and curl up in a ball
and cover himself with his fluffy tail.
Are you out of your mind?
You'd be a dog,
would be chasing me.
and then torn apart.
Are you aware that there are no humans for dogs?
What?
Dogs mistake people for other dogs.
Oh, really?
A world without people...
That would be my paradise.
Oh, really?
- Look!
- Wow, that's great!
It's really great.
- Where have you been?
- I went for a walk. Why?
Nothing.
Stop it.
What?
Pulling my hair. Mom used to do that all the time.
Unless it's in your sick fantasy.
When did you become like this?
- What kind?
- Angry.
There you are.
- Everything okay?
- Uh, hey.
What are you doing in there?
...
Can I borrow it to read?
Are you going swimming?
I have to cook.
Did someone hit you?
- Oh, sorry.
- Would you mind helping me button this?
Done.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I was gonna take a shower.
Take mine.
It smells really nice.
You want this one?
WORLD VOCABULARY
Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Going swimming?
- Yes, I am.
- Your swimsuit's in your suitcase.
- I know.
- Do you need towels?
- No, I have my own.
- Are you coming swimming with us?
- Sure.
- Edda?
- Yes?
- Put on some sunblock.
- (sighs) Okay.
Our tags...
- How small we were...
- That's right.
I can't imagine how you decided
to move here with Marcus and the kids.
What else was there to do? Just sell the house?
As an option.
Mom loved him.
And we hated it.
Sometimes I can feel it.
It's like she's watching me.
Secretly, through the well.
Then it feels like I'm not here.
There's only her.
Penetrating me, slowly.
and unnoticed.
Then I ask myself where I am.
Where am I?
Gone.
You're gone.
My mom couldn't control me.
That's why she hated me.
I could feel the hatred even in her smile.
She stroked me with shaking hands.
Barely noticeable, but I could feel it.
It was like she was barely holding back from strangling herself.
When she was finally gone,
there was no end to my happiness.
She was finally out of my life.
You're a monster.
No, you're the monster.
What are you doing here?
I went for a swim.
What's wrong?
Why doesn't any door in the house lock?
Because mom took all the keys.
- Why?
- So no one escapes her.
- Going for a swim?
- In a minute.
- Edda, do you like it?
- Yes!
Why doesn't Mommy tell you about Grandma?
I have no idea.
So Grandpa was in on it?
- About your grandmother and that woman?
- Yeah.
When he found out, he trashed the cabin.
and threatened to shoot this woman.
Gross!
How old were you?
I don't know.
How about four?
- Conrad told me.
- That's how.
She's hardly left the house since then.
And I never spoke to my father again.
MY SKETCHBOOK
He fixed up the cabin,
but she never went in again.
Every time I couldn't sleep, I heard sounds.
A slight creak.
I imagined her walking into the room
with a pillow in her hand,
gently lulls me to sleep.
Just like with Leon.
Something broke in him, too.
Hi!
Shit!
Leon!
Leon, I didn't mean to.
I'm a dumb cow, you know that.
Come here.
Leon, nothing in you is broken. You hear me?
What's he got?
What do you think?
Hickeys. They just appeared. Here and there.
You're gonna get it all wet.
- Are you out of your mind?
- Don't touch me!
You think because you're a cripple, I'm gonna feel sorry for you?
You think because you're my mother, I'll love you?
Who beat you up?
Them again?
Who?
What are you doing in there?
- Johanna peed on the floor.
- I see.
You haven't texted me in a week.
Well, here I am.
- What happened to your face?
- He got beat up.
Hi.
Hi!
Did you really have a twin sister in your belly?
What?
Johanna said so.
I wanted you to seem less boring.
Better to be boring than a liar.
It's better to be a liar
than a coward who just bailed.
That's it.
Now your pain is unnoticeable and your beauty is noticeable.
Thank you.
Are you going swimming?
- I'll just drop my stuff off.
- You're sleeping in my room.
All right!
Did you miss me?
Uh-uh.
Hey, Christina.
Hey, mom.
The hair has lightened.
Sunburned.
What's wrong with your arm?
Nothing. I just got burned.
Would you like some tea?
You can.
- Did you have a good flight?
- Yeah.
It's a beautiful rug.
To keep the hardwood floors from scratching?
You're late.
Walked to the lake.
Thank you.
- Garden party tomorrow?
- Yes.
I made your bed on the couch in Leon's room,
but on Monday.
you can move into your room.
I won't stay long.
What? I thought, uh.
I'm flying back on Monday.
I'm sorry.
I'm back!
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey!
- Hi!
- You look great!
- Thank you.
- Hey!
- Hey, Dad.
- Did you have a good flight?
- Yeah.
All right. (chuckles)
You're about to meet your new cousin.
- I'm already worried.
- She's still asleep.
Oh, that's so cute.
I'm gonna go drop my stuff off.
- Are you in Leon's room?
- Uh, yeah.
Dad slept in the basement the other day.
- How's that?
- Snoring.
- Have the chickens been fed yet?
- No, they haven't.
They're all gonna get slaughtered anyway.
Do you want ice cream?
Come on.
- Popsicle or cup?
- The cup.
You don't like licking?
Johanna, what's wrong with you?
We don't have ice cream in cups,
that's all.
Is everything okay?
Yeah, we're licking ice cream.
- Leon, what have you got there?
- He got beat up again.
Is that true?
They beat him again.
You just noticed? Father of the year just.
Why don't you get a divorce?
To make your life a little more enjoyable.
Why don't you take out the trash first? You'll get drunk later.
All in labor!
Medal earned for taking out the trash.
Daddy does a lot of housework.
Let it lie.
Leave it!
No.
I hate you.
What did you say?
I hate you.
I wish you were dead.
I wished the same thing.
And mom's dead.
Liv... I'm here to babysit.
- We're staying.
- No, we're not.
We're leaving.
It's all taken care of.
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
Pick up the dirty stuff.
Stop it.
What?
You're always getting in the way.
- The trash bag ripped?
- Yeah.
- Do you want some milk?
- Yes.
Leni has milk, too.
Just a couple drops.
Because of the hormones in breast milk.
- From her nipples?
- Yeah.
Kids like that used to be burned.
They thought they were witches' spawn.
Edda made her way to the piano.
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
Are you okay?
Let me help you.
Are you out of your mind?
- Can I play a children's song?
- Yes!
And... one, two, three, four!
- My dad used to play a lot when I was little.
- Did he?
I danced next to him so he wouldn't be so lonely.
- Pull yourself together!
- One, two, three, four!
For some reason, I always chose men
who looked like him.
Same hands and eyes.
When I slept with them, it felt like I was sleeping with him.
Felt his loneliness inside.
And nothing else.
You were always Daddy's favorite.
Fuck you.
He should have left her.
You know how he died?
Yeah. Heart attack.
He shot himself. In the basement.
Bring the dirty things.
Quiet!
Fireflies.
Fuck!
Don't microwave
gold rimmed plates in the microwave. They're mom's!
I put the plate in the microwave.
Why?
Why?
Just put it up.
We're leaving!
- They're leaving.
- Bye.
- Have a good evening.
- Thank you.
She fell asleep.
- Call me if you need anything.
- Uh, okay.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Hi, Leni.
What have we got here?
Oh, really?
Yes?
Do you want to go for a walk?
All right, come here.
Let's go for a walk.
You want to see what's in there?
Don't you want to put it on?
No.
Would you like to be a bird?
The rat is back.
- Cool! Does she come around a lot?
- Yeah.
I always give her peanuts.
- Where's her mom?
- She's not here.
A lot of animals forget their moms
as soon as they stop caring for them.
Biologist's words.
- And you're a biologist?
- I was.
And now?
No one now.
What's that?
Ascidia. Liv gave it to me.
They usually die in the aquarium, but this one is hanging on.
- Do they live in the sea?
- Yes.
Wandering around looking for the right place,
where they'll be safe, they'll settle down
- and eat their own brains.
- That's disgusting!
If you don't have to go anywhere,
you don't need any more brains.
They're like trees - deep-rooted.
They don't have to decide anything anymore. Ever.
What if they want to leave again?
It won't work. I mean, I'm brain-dead.
- Dinner's ready!
- That's great.
- Anything to bring?
- Yeah, appliances.
All right. Uh-huh.
Did you know Grandpa shot himself?
Yes.
Conrad mentioned it once.
Why didn't you tell me?
I don't know.
Why did you leave?
I've had enough of your lies.
Say it!
I didn't really go anywhere.
Always been here.
I thought about you every night.
About you, about Leon.
About her,
sitting alone in the kitchen.
I left to forget everything.
Now somehow it's all back.
You know what hurts the most?
Worse than joint pain.
Just because I can't love her.
CHILD
MAMA
I'll be out for a while.
I didn't know you smoked.
So this is where you first kissed?
Oh, a star has fallen!
Another star died.
A star shone from the sky, beautiful and gentle
Her soft light streamed in and I needed it.
I knew the place in the sky where I could find her,
As soon as I happened to cross the threshold
But suddenly the star was gone,
Where to go now,
I'm looking, like I used to
And I can't find
I missed you.
I want you, too.
- How are you doing?
- Shall we go home?
Thank you.
Finally.
Yes, I'm coming!
You're just in time!
- We're rehearsing.
- Good. (chuckles)
- Kill the lights when they get back.
- I got it.
Let's keep it down!
- What are you looking for?
- More lights.
Why don't you live with us?
I don't know.
Because in the end, everything gets screwed up.
Like what?
Everything. It's going bad.
One day I was sitting in the garden with my girlfriend.
We were alone, kissing.
It was beautiful.
Suddenly I saw her in the kitchen window.
She looked at me...
and smiled.
I was afraid she'd freak out,
but she just smiled.
Proved that it's not me that's wrong,
it's our world.
I remember it often.
It's been very close to me ever since.
But when I'm here in this house,
she's distant again.
I'm scared too.
I know.
But you're not alone.
You're going to meet so many more people.
A whole crowd.
They're coming!
- Leon, where are you?
- It's time to come down.
- All right.
- I'm coming!
Where have you been?
Hide! When they come, stay quiet!
Yeah, yeah.
- Hey!
- Hey. (chuckles)
- What are you standing there for?
- I'm waiting for you.
In the dark?
- Leni?
- Hey, uh.
Are they outside?
That's so cute!
- What do you think of the Greek restaurant?
- It's great.
Do you like the way the garden has been decorated?
Yes.
Wow! Look at the Edda!
There you are.
- Is everything okay?
- She was just falling asleep.
Hi, sweetie.
Four! Three! Two! One!
Fireflies shine,
to attract sexual partners.
Once found, their lights go out.
The females lay eggs and die,
and the males fly away.
When they're hungry, they kill snails.
They sit on the shell,
and as soon as a snail sticks its head out,
inject poison into her neck.
Waiting to die.
Then they eat it.
They are not afraid of other animals.
Everyone knows,
that fireflies are not food.
It's pure poison.
Turn it on.
It's time for you to go home.
Fuck you.
- Let's go swimming!
- Yes, let's go!
Shit!
I'll clean this place up tomorrow.
The cat's dead.
- Pass the plate, please.
- Spoon too?
Yes.
A spoon, too.
And knives.
I'll be right back. Can I help you with anything else?
- Do you need anything else?
- Yes, milk.
You up already? You slept half the day.
Hi!
Hi.
Conrad's bringing the tables.
I'll make lanterns!
Careful.
There's coffee.
Tables are on their way.
You don't eat outside?
Ow! Cat got your tongue?
Wolf
doesn't make a sound before killing the lamb.
Here you go.
A kiss from me.
Thank you.
Why do you need to strengthen your joints?
Because my body is destroying itself.
Until he's completely immobile. Like, uh.
stone.
Like a rock?
I can still move,
I'll move two, three times as much!
I want to remember forever
what it means to be free.
But until then, no restrictions.
None.
Look! It's ready.
Wow, it's beautiful.
Now the caterpillar can fly.
Hi!
The door was open again.
That's right, it's a mouth.
And he wants to breathe.
Did you get rid of his sperm yet?
Put it in a condom.
Got it.
What are you doing?
Let's greet each other.
- Conrad brought the tables.
- Oh, that's great.
I'm gonna take the dog for a walk today.
- Shall I come with you?
- You don't have to.
- Will you empty the dishwasher?
- Uh, sure.
- I'll see you.
- I'll see you.
- People will be here soon.
- That's great.
- What are you gonna make?
- Birthday cake.
- No, I'll cook.
- No, I will.
It's a man.
The women are out.
Can I help you with a fitting?
With shoes.
Yes, thank you.
You can stand up.
What are you doing here?
That's not your blouse!
No, it's mine.
The first guests have already arrived.
- Is Karen back?
- No, she's not.
Oh, my God!
- Hi!
- God, Yulia! Hi!
- Katya!
- It's good to see you.
Come into the garden.
Are you daydreaming?
What are you doing?
Decorate the cake.
What are you doing here?
There you are.
Look at that.
Where have you been?
Walking.
- You look, uh.
- Great.
Thank you.
Is everything okay?
Yes.
Marcus's birthday is gonna kill me.
How old were you when Grandpa shot himself?
Almost eight.
I heard a gunshot.
Oh, really?
I was in the garden and rushed right over.
Like she already knew something was up.
?
Mom was setting the table as if nothing had happened.
I went down to the basement to see Karen.
She was sitting with her father.
There's blood everywhere.
I sat down next to her,
took my hand,
before Conrad came and took us away.
The whole time I was holding her hand.
Her cold hand.
She wouldn't let go.
Why didn't you ever tell me?
I don't know.
Can I wash them?
Is that enough?
Yes.
Where are the napkins?
I'll go get it.
- Can I get the cake?
- In a minute.
- What are you looking for?
- Wipes.
Who are you?
Your mistress.
What happened to us?
I don't know.
Do you bring napkins?
Is everything okay?
Why are you doing this?
What are you doing here?
With the support of Igor Muratov
---
An excerpt of a poem by Matthias Claudius.
"The Vanished Star"
translated by Nikolai Kazansky
CHIMNEY SPARROW
Mom?
Mom.
Should I set the table outside?
Ew!
Here we are.
- Hi.
- Hi! Good to see you.
- What the hell was that?
- He was sitting in the chimney.
Leon!
He must have a nest on the roof.
What happened to you?
- I fell.
- At school.
Poor guy.
Hi!
Hi.
- Would you like a hug?
- Only if you don't crush me.
- Can you carry your backpack?
- Sure. How about you?
Mom's pendant.
- Let me get my stuff.
- Hey there.
Is everything okay?
- Will you take it?
- Yeah.
- How was your trip?
- Uh, good.
He's coming later to slaughter the chickens.
Seriously?
For my dad's birthday.
Your shoes are dirty.
Take it off!
Your shirt is dirty, too.
- Is this Christina's room?
- Uh, yeah.
- Will I sleep here?
- No, in the next room. Let's go.
- Isn't Cristina coming?
- She's coming, but later.
She's a working bee!
- My bed used to be here.
- So this is where little Yulee snored?
What's that?
- My pigeon costume.
- I see.
- You still like to draw?
- I do.
Mom said you loved too.
Do you have any towels?
I'll get it.
You don't paint anymore?
No, I don't paint anymore.
What are you doing?
Can't you be a little more careful?
It's your own fault.
But I want this one!
Is it all cookbooks?
Stop it! I've got everything in order.
Stop it!
- Is everything okay?
- Yeah, why?
- Can I draw at the table over there?
- Uh, yeah.
Where's Johanna?
At school. She should be here soon.
How's she doing?
- She needs to strengthen her wrists.
- Why?
Will she still be able to dance?
She can't. But she resists.
Terrible!
It smells so good!
- Leon is obsessed with cooking.
- That's great!
I love a lot of things, but not cooking.
No, I'm more of a food guy.
What a stench! Stop it!
I brought you some.
I hate perfume.
A beautiful neck smells great without them.
- Did she fall asleep?
- She did.
Oh, that's great.
What's that?
It was our way of celebrating how much the kids had grown.
But you can't! You're not one of us.
Our marks are still there, too. Upstairs.
- Yeah, by the closet.
- So my mom doesn't see.
Shall we eat outside?
Yes.
Will Markus and Johanna be joining us?
Get some other plates.
I got it out of the basement.
It was all dusty.
She loved that vase.
It was cozier without my mom's stuff.
Take the others.
Why? These are beautiful.
There's our bird!
Come here!
Hi.
Marcus!
- Good to see you!
- Hey, handsome.
Hi.
- You want me to pick lettuce from the garden?
- Yeah. Hey, Leon.
- How was your trip?
- It was okay.
- Want to go to a Greek restaurant tonight?
- That's a great idea!
Now let's have a drink!
Don't pretend like you don't know. Yeah, I do.
- Edda was there too.
- Would you like to see the garden?
Yeah, I'd love to.
Still gardening?
Take off your shoes. And wipe it off.
But it's not a floor cloth.
Gender.
No, you don't.
Wipe it off.
No! It's disgusting
wiping the table and the floor with the same cloth.
- Stop it!
- Let go.
Ouch!
You're late.
And you're not yourself.
Hi.
- Who do we have here?
- Hey! [Laughs]
- Everything okay?
- Yeah. Uh-huh.
- I can't wait for the party to start.
- I agree.
You were smoking.
I have a rehearsal with the girls in the basement tonight.
No, not tonight.
Today!
Stupid cow.
Here you go.
Wow, thank you.
It's beautiful.
- Hey!
- Hi!
That's a beautiful bouquet.
- Are you okay?
- I am.
Johanna...
God, you're so...
Is it ripe?
It's time to pick the fruit.
Baby, I think the fruit has already been picked.
Hold your stuff.
- You tore it up.
- Are you crazy?
You still look like a whore in it.
You do that again, I'll burn your closet.
Tight-fitting clothes tear easily, that's normal.
And old wood catches fire quickly.
One cigarette is enough.
Can you get me some glasses?
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- She needs to strengthen her wrists.
- Yeah, I know.
I'm sorry about the dance.
She was watching an old video the other day.
School performance.
A dancing butterfly with colorful wings.
Rewatched it over and over again.
And I sat next to him and watched.
Hi.
The door was open.
- Hi!
- Johanna, you have to lock the door!
A house has to breathe, too. And the door is its mouth. Right?
That's right.
Hey there.
I'm Jule, Karen's sister.
- Liv.
- Our cinematographer.
I didn't know you had a sister.
It's better to keep quiet about unpleasant things.
- In the evening we have dinner at a restaurant. Do you want to come with us?
- We're staying.
With the kids and the baby. There's a lot to do tomorrow.
Would you like a drink?
You can.
I could watch the kids tonight.
Oh, really?
That would be great!
Thank you.
So you'll have dinner with us.
I'd be honored!
Look what I'm cooking.
- Looks delicious.
- Do you live around here?
- In the cabin across the field.
- Mom's cabin?
Why is it grandma's house?
She used to go there a lot.
Especially at night.
- She had a lover?
- Sort of.
Shut up! Leave your mom alone.
- I'll go.
- Let's go collect caterpillars.
Come on.
- How long has she been there?
- A few months.
- She's out of prison.
- Prison?
- I thought it was a mental institution.
- How did she end up there?
She's been spiking men's drinks
sleeping pills and Viagra.
And then jerked them off when they passed out.
As soon as they found out, they put her in a mental institution.
- What?
- Yulie, don't believe what she says.
Why was she in a mental institution?
- Burned down her ex-boyfriend's house.
- What?
I think I'm gonna go.
Bye.
Bye.
- Bye. Bye.
- Bye. Bye.
- Come here!
- See ya!
And why did she burn down his house?
I have no idea.
He must have torn up her stuff.
He's slaughtering chickens.
- What happened?
- A headless chicken fell out of the sky.
So this is what angels look like.
She ran away from me.
- Hey, Conrad.
- I apologize.
- Hi, Conrad.
- Hi, Jule.
It's good to see you. You look great.
Blood rain always colors.
You better get the tables for the party tomorrow.
- At least I'll have time to clean them.
- Oh, that's great! Then you'll let me know.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Thank you very much!
- He doesn't change.
- And he still likes you.
Don't bullshit me.
Oh, my gosh, who's that?
You almost done with the house?
- Only the roof is left.
- I'll finish it today.
Oh, really?
Tell me about your grandmother.
Did she have a lover?
Mistress. In the city.
- Yeah, sure.
- I'm serious.
Did grandfather know about this?
Yeah, he caught them.
- What are you getting your dad tomorrow?
- A hot air balloon ride.
I'll dance and Leon will bake a cake.
- Is Cristina planning something, too?
- I have no idea.
When is she coming?
I don't know. She's on another flight.
Why?
Doesn't want to see us.
Are you crazy? She can't wait to see you.
It's all because of the surgery.
What surgery?
She was always having stomach pains.
- Stomach pains?
- Yes, even as a child.
The doctor found something strange in there.
What?
Dead twin sister.
- Of course, the dead twin sister!
- I'm telling you the truth! Right in the belly!
Growing there like an ulcer and slowly suffocating.
Her corpse had been there for years.
Fused to his guts.
Anyway. She was cut out a week ago.
Just a little thing, about the size of my fist.
A vicious little fist bump.
- Did they bury her?
- No, they threw her in the trash.
Lucky her.
Lucky at what?
Didn't have to live in that house.
With a mother like that.
The roast is ready.
A spoonful will do.
- Do you want some?
- Yes, thank you.
Thank you.
- You want some?
- Yes, thank you.
How was your vacation?
It's perfect. Except for the flight back.
We hit turbulence.
I thought for sure we'd die.
- You were afraid of flying when you were a kid, too.
- I was.
You want some?
Thank you.
I believed if I mentally called the pilot an asshole,
the plane would crash.
You're not eating?
Leon doesn't eat.
He's vomiting.
I've already eaten.
Pass the pepper, please.
It's weird. The birds are singing so loud in here.
They don't sing here. They're yelling.
Could you pass the gravy?
Edda, you've turned into a flower.
That's right!
Now it's safe to call the pilot an asshole,
but I don't believe it's gonna crash the plane.
I can think whatever I want and it won't break.
You're not eating at all.
Pass the water, please.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry!
Leni!
We'll wash it all off.
First the blood on her blouse, now this.
I look like I'm in the middle of something. It's like ratatouille.
Wait, I got it.
I beg your pardon?
I beg your pardon?
We're here.
Thank you.
Hey.
Uh, Karen?
Are you okay?
Yeah, why?
It's nothing.
Everything was delicious.
- I'm gonna go finish the addition.
- Uh, okay.
Is everything okay?
- Marcus?
- ...
Can you show me where the tools are?
Do you like him?
Christina's favorite cookie.
I hope she chokes on it.
- Where are you going?
- To meet the girls.
- What about you?
- To the store.
- Is there any money left?
- Yeah.
All right. Uh-huh.
- I'm going back to the office.
- Uh, okay.
Here you go.
Plates.
UNCLE MARCUS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
EDDA
JOHANNA, 6 YEARS OLD
KRISTINA, 6 YEARS OLD
Hi!
Hi.
- Uh, hi.
- Are you Cristina?
And you're Liv?
- Johanna's talked about you a lot.
- I see.
I guess it's no good.
I'd love to see again what the island was like
before there were cormorants.
It must be very beautiful.
Johanna and I used to swim there a lot.
We lay down on the grass,
imagining we'd stay there forever.
Cormorants reign on it now.
And years later, he'll disappear without a trace.
Nothing will be left.
All right, I'll go.
- I'll see you.
- I'll see you.
Come here!
Hey! Get the fuck out!
You attack me again, I'll gouge your eyes out.
and shove it in my fucking face!
I can do it, believe me.
Get off!
Leon!
Are you okay?
Quiet!
Squirrel, I guess.
I wish I was a squirrel.
I'd be jumping trees all day,
burying nuts and sleeping.
And at night.
and curl up in a ball
and cover himself with his fluffy tail.
Are you out of your mind?
You'd be a dog,
would be chasing me.
and then torn apart.
Are you aware that there are no humans for dogs?
What?
Dogs mistake people for other dogs.
Oh, really?
A world without people...
That would be my paradise.
Oh, really?
- Look!
- Wow, that's great!
It's really great.
- Where have you been?
- I went for a walk. Why?
Nothing.
Stop it.
What?
Pulling my hair. Mom used to do that all the time.
Unless it's in your sick fantasy.
When did you become like this?
- What kind?
- Angry.
There you are.
- Everything okay?
- Uh, hey.
What are you doing in there?
...
Can I borrow it to read?
Are you going swimming?
I have to cook.
Did someone hit you?
- Oh, sorry.
- Would you mind helping me button this?
Done.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I was gonna take a shower.
Take mine.
It smells really nice.
You want this one?
WORLD VOCABULARY
Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Going swimming?
- Yes, I am.
- Your swimsuit's in your suitcase.
- I know.
- Do you need towels?
- No, I have my own.
- Are you coming swimming with us?
- Sure.
- Edda?
- Yes?
- Put on some sunblock.
- (sighs) Okay.
Our tags...
- How small we were...
- That's right.
I can't imagine how you decided
to move here with Marcus and the kids.
What else was there to do? Just sell the house?
As an option.
Mom loved him.
And we hated it.
Sometimes I can feel it.
It's like she's watching me.
Secretly, through the well.
Then it feels like I'm not here.
There's only her.
Penetrating me, slowly.
and unnoticed.
Then I ask myself where I am.
Where am I?
Gone.
You're gone.
My mom couldn't control me.
That's why she hated me.
I could feel the hatred even in her smile.
She stroked me with shaking hands.
Barely noticeable, but I could feel it.
It was like she was barely holding back from strangling herself.
When she was finally gone,
there was no end to my happiness.
She was finally out of my life.
You're a monster.
No, you're the monster.
What are you doing here?
I went for a swim.
What's wrong?
Why doesn't any door in the house lock?
Because mom took all the keys.
- Why?
- So no one escapes her.
- Going for a swim?
- In a minute.
- Edda, do you like it?
- Yes!
Why doesn't Mommy tell you about Grandma?
I have no idea.
So Grandpa was in on it?
- About your grandmother and that woman?
- Yeah.
When he found out, he trashed the cabin.
and threatened to shoot this woman.
Gross!
How old were you?
I don't know.
How about four?
- Conrad told me.
- That's how.
She's hardly left the house since then.
And I never spoke to my father again.
MY SKETCHBOOK
He fixed up the cabin,
but she never went in again.
Every time I couldn't sleep, I heard sounds.
A slight creak.
I imagined her walking into the room
with a pillow in her hand,
gently lulls me to sleep.
Just like with Leon.
Something broke in him, too.
Hi!
Shit!
Leon!
Leon, I didn't mean to.
I'm a dumb cow, you know that.
Come here.
Leon, nothing in you is broken. You hear me?
What's he got?
What do you think?
Hickeys. They just appeared. Here and there.
You're gonna get it all wet.
- Are you out of your mind?
- Don't touch me!
You think because you're a cripple, I'm gonna feel sorry for you?
You think because you're my mother, I'll love you?
Who beat you up?
Them again?
Who?
What are you doing in there?
- Johanna peed on the floor.
- I see.
You haven't texted me in a week.
Well, here I am.
- What happened to your face?
- He got beat up.
Hi.
Hi!
Did you really have a twin sister in your belly?
What?
Johanna said so.
I wanted you to seem less boring.
Better to be boring than a liar.
It's better to be a liar
than a coward who just bailed.
That's it.
Now your pain is unnoticeable and your beauty is noticeable.
Thank you.
Are you going swimming?
- I'll just drop my stuff off.
- You're sleeping in my room.
All right!
Did you miss me?
Uh-uh.
Hey, Christina.
Hey, mom.
The hair has lightened.
Sunburned.
What's wrong with your arm?
Nothing. I just got burned.
Would you like some tea?
You can.
- Did you have a good flight?
- Yeah.
It's a beautiful rug.
To keep the hardwood floors from scratching?
You're late.
Walked to the lake.
Thank you.
- Garden party tomorrow?
- Yes.
I made your bed on the couch in Leon's room,
but on Monday.
you can move into your room.
I won't stay long.
What? I thought, uh.
I'm flying back on Monday.
I'm sorry.
I'm back!
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey!
- Hi!
- You look great!
- Thank you.
- Hey!
- Hey, Dad.
- Did you have a good flight?
- Yeah.
All right. (chuckles)
You're about to meet your new cousin.
- I'm already worried.
- She's still asleep.
Oh, that's so cute.
I'm gonna go drop my stuff off.
- Are you in Leon's room?
- Uh, yeah.
Dad slept in the basement the other day.
- How's that?
- Snoring.
- Have the chickens been fed yet?
- No, they haven't.
They're all gonna get slaughtered anyway.
Do you want ice cream?
Come on.
- Popsicle or cup?
- The cup.
You don't like licking?
Johanna, what's wrong with you?
We don't have ice cream in cups,
that's all.
Is everything okay?
Yeah, we're licking ice cream.
- Leon, what have you got there?
- He got beat up again.
Is that true?
They beat him again.
You just noticed? Father of the year just.
Why don't you get a divorce?
To make your life a little more enjoyable.
Why don't you take out the trash first? You'll get drunk later.
All in labor!
Medal earned for taking out the trash.
Daddy does a lot of housework.
Let it lie.
Leave it!
No.
I hate you.
What did you say?
I hate you.
I wish you were dead.
I wished the same thing.
And mom's dead.
Liv... I'm here to babysit.
- We're staying.
- No, we're not.
We're leaving.
It's all taken care of.
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
Pick up the dirty stuff.
Stop it.
What?
You're always getting in the way.
- The trash bag ripped?
- Yeah.
- Do you want some milk?
- Yes.
Leni has milk, too.
Just a couple drops.
Because of the hormones in breast milk.
- From her nipples?
- Yeah.
Kids like that used to be burned.
They thought they were witches' spawn.
Edda made her way to the piano.
- Hey. (chuckles)
- Hey. (chuckles)
Are you okay?
Let me help you.
Are you out of your mind?
- Can I play a children's song?
- Yes!
And... one, two, three, four!
- My dad used to play a lot when I was little.
- Did he?
I danced next to him so he wouldn't be so lonely.
- Pull yourself together!
- One, two, three, four!
For some reason, I always chose men
who looked like him.
Same hands and eyes.
When I slept with them, it felt like I was sleeping with him.
Felt his loneliness inside.
And nothing else.
You were always Daddy's favorite.
Fuck you.
He should have left her.
You know how he died?
Yeah. Heart attack.
He shot himself. In the basement.
Bring the dirty things.
Quiet!
Fireflies.
Fuck!
Don't microwave
gold rimmed plates in the microwave. They're mom's!
I put the plate in the microwave.
Why?
Why?
Just put it up.
We're leaving!
- They're leaving.
- Bye.
- Have a good evening.
- Thank you.
She fell asleep.
- Call me if you need anything.
- Uh, okay.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Hi, Leni.
What have we got here?
Oh, really?
Yes?
Do you want to go for a walk?
All right, come here.
Let's go for a walk.
You want to see what's in there?
Don't you want to put it on?
No.
Would you like to be a bird?
The rat is back.
- Cool! Does she come around a lot?
- Yeah.
I always give her peanuts.
- Where's her mom?
- She's not here.
A lot of animals forget their moms
as soon as they stop caring for them.
Biologist's words.
- And you're a biologist?
- I was.
And now?
No one now.
What's that?
Ascidia. Liv gave it to me.
They usually die in the aquarium, but this one is hanging on.
- Do they live in the sea?
- Yes.
Wandering around looking for the right place,
where they'll be safe, they'll settle down
- and eat their own brains.
- That's disgusting!
If you don't have to go anywhere,
you don't need any more brains.
They're like trees - deep-rooted.
They don't have to decide anything anymore. Ever.
What if they want to leave again?
It won't work. I mean, I'm brain-dead.
- Dinner's ready!
- That's great.
- Anything to bring?
- Yeah, appliances.
All right. Uh-huh.
Did you know Grandpa shot himself?
Yes.
Conrad mentioned it once.
Why didn't you tell me?
I don't know.
Why did you leave?
I've had enough of your lies.
Say it!
I didn't really go anywhere.
Always been here.
I thought about you every night.
About you, about Leon.
About her,
sitting alone in the kitchen.
I left to forget everything.
Now somehow it's all back.
You know what hurts the most?
Worse than joint pain.
Just because I can't love her.
CHILD
MAMA
I'll be out for a while.
I didn't know you smoked.
So this is where you first kissed?
Oh, a star has fallen!
Another star died.
A star shone from the sky, beautiful and gentle
Her soft light streamed in and I needed it.
I knew the place in the sky where I could find her,
As soon as I happened to cross the threshold
But suddenly the star was gone,
Where to go now,
I'm looking, like I used to
And I can't find
I missed you.
I want you, too.
- How are you doing?
- Shall we go home?
Thank you.
Finally.
Yes, I'm coming!
You're just in time!
- We're rehearsing.
- Good. (chuckles)
- Kill the lights when they get back.
- I got it.
Let's keep it down!
- What are you looking for?
- More lights.
Why don't you live with us?
I don't know.
Because in the end, everything gets screwed up.
Like what?
Everything. It's going bad.
One day I was sitting in the garden with my girlfriend.
We were alone, kissing.
It was beautiful.
Suddenly I saw her in the kitchen window.
She looked at me...
and smiled.
I was afraid she'd freak out,
but she just smiled.
Proved that it's not me that's wrong,
it's our world.
I remember it often.
It's been very close to me ever since.
But when I'm here in this house,
she's distant again.
I'm scared too.
I know.
But you're not alone.
You're going to meet so many more people.
A whole crowd.
They're coming!
- Leon, where are you?
- It's time to come down.
- All right.
- I'm coming!
Where have you been?
Hide! When they come, stay quiet!
Yeah, yeah.
- Hey!
- Hey. (chuckles)
- What are you standing there for?
- I'm waiting for you.
In the dark?
- Leni?
- Hey, uh.
Are they outside?
That's so cute!
- What do you think of the Greek restaurant?
- It's great.
Do you like the way the garden has been decorated?
Yes.
Wow! Look at the Edda!
There you are.
- Is everything okay?
- She was just falling asleep.
Hi, sweetie.
Four! Three! Two! One!
Fireflies shine,
to attract sexual partners.
Once found, their lights go out.
The females lay eggs and die,
and the males fly away.
When they're hungry, they kill snails.
They sit on the shell,
and as soon as a snail sticks its head out,
inject poison into her neck.
Waiting to die.
Then they eat it.
They are not afraid of other animals.
Everyone knows,
that fireflies are not food.
It's pure poison.
Turn it on.
It's time for you to go home.
Fuck you.
- Let's go swimming!
- Yes, let's go!
Shit!
I'll clean this place up tomorrow.
The cat's dead.
- Pass the plate, please.
- Spoon too?
Yes.
A spoon, too.
And knives.
I'll be right back. Can I help you with anything else?
- Do you need anything else?
- Yes, milk.
You up already? You slept half the day.
Hi!
Hi.
Conrad's bringing the tables.
I'll make lanterns!
Careful.
There's coffee.
Tables are on their way.
You don't eat outside?
Ow! Cat got your tongue?
Wolf
doesn't make a sound before killing the lamb.
Here you go.
A kiss from me.
Thank you.
Why do you need to strengthen your joints?
Because my body is destroying itself.
Until he's completely immobile. Like, uh.
stone.
Like a rock?
I can still move,
I'll move two, three times as much!
I want to remember forever
what it means to be free.
But until then, no restrictions.
None.
Look! It's ready.
Wow, it's beautiful.
Now the caterpillar can fly.
Hi!
The door was open again.
That's right, it's a mouth.
And he wants to breathe.
Did you get rid of his sperm yet?
Put it in a condom.
Got it.
What are you doing?
Let's greet each other.
- Conrad brought the tables.
- Oh, that's great.
I'm gonna take the dog for a walk today.
- Shall I come with you?
- You don't have to.
- Will you empty the dishwasher?
- Uh, sure.
- I'll see you.
- I'll see you.
- People will be here soon.
- That's great.
- What are you gonna make?
- Birthday cake.
- No, I'll cook.
- No, I will.
It's a man.
The women are out.
Can I help you with a fitting?
With shoes.
Yes, thank you.
You can stand up.
What are you doing here?
That's not your blouse!
No, it's mine.
The first guests have already arrived.
- Is Karen back?
- No, she's not.
Oh, my God!
- Hi!
- God, Yulia! Hi!
- Katya!
- It's good to see you.
Come into the garden.
Are you daydreaming?
What are you doing?
Decorate the cake.
What are you doing here?
There you are.
Look at that.
Where have you been?
Walking.
- You look, uh.
- Great.
Thank you.
Is everything okay?
Yes.
Marcus's birthday is gonna kill me.
How old were you when Grandpa shot himself?
Almost eight.
I heard a gunshot.
Oh, really?
I was in the garden and rushed right over.
Like she already knew something was up.
?
Mom was setting the table as if nothing had happened.
I went down to the basement to see Karen.
She was sitting with her father.
There's blood everywhere.
I sat down next to her,
took my hand,
before Conrad came and took us away.
The whole time I was holding her hand.
Her cold hand.
She wouldn't let go.
Why didn't you ever tell me?
I don't know.
Can I wash them?
Is that enough?
Yes.
Where are the napkins?
I'll go get it.
- Can I get the cake?
- In a minute.
- What are you looking for?
- Wipes.
Who are you?
Your mistress.
What happened to us?
I don't know.
Do you bring napkins?
Is everything okay?
Why are you doing this?
What are you doing here?
With the support of Igor Muratov
---
An excerpt of a poem by Matthias Claudius.
"The Vanished Star"
translated by Nikolai Kazansky