Treasure (2024) Movie Script
1
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(AIRPLANE FLYING)
(CHILD SHOUTS, GIGGLES)
(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENON PA SYSTEM)
(HAPPY CHATTERING)
Excuse me, did you just land
from New York...
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay, I don't speak...
All right.
(MAN EXCLAIMS, CHUCKLES)
(CONVERSING IN POLISH)
For fuck's sake.
Ruthie.
I'm so glad to see you.
Dad, what happened?
There was problem
with my suitcase.
And nice man, he sticked...
No, not here
with your suitcase.
In New York,
at the airport, Dad.
I went to McDonald's
for the hunger.
-Oh, my...
-I'm sorry
I missed the flight, Ruthie,
but this I bought
for you, pumpkin.
"One Armed Alibi."
Oh, my fucking God.
So, you went
to the bookstore, too?
You really painted
the town red, Dad.
What? You love the reading.
RUTH: Never disappear again.
Ruthie. I am here.
People who disappear
are not here.
RUTH: Do you think
there's toilets on the train?
I have to pee so bad.
RUTH'S DAD: Of course.
Who would go on a train
without toilet?
(TRAIN HORN BLARES)
What?
Th-There are taxicabs
in front of airport.
And?
And the train is slow.
We won't get to hotel
before evening.
Dad, I paid for the tickets.
I've spent money
on these tickets.
And the bathroom,
on Polish trains,
they're not so good, Ruthie,
trust me.
(MAN SPEAKS POLISH)
Two minutes, okay? Don't move.
Pumpkin. Where would I go?
RUTH: There you go.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
What?
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
Did you see where he went?
(SPEAKING POLISH)
No, thank you.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
RUTH: I asked you
not to move, Dad.
This is getting off
to kind of a rough start.
Ruthie, I want you
to meet my friend, Stefan.
-Yeah, hello.
-He is driver.
The best driver in Warsaw.
(IN POLISH)
My pleasure to drive you.
Welcome.
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(STEFAN AND RUTH'S DAD
CONVERSING IN POLISH)
What are you two
talking about?
RUTH'S DAD:
German engineering.
So, Ruthie,
what are our plans?
Well, we'll visit Lodz to see
where you and Mom grew up.
So, we take a train
from Warsaw to Lodz
in the morning.
And I hope you'll come.
Yeah, but Stefan
can take us there for $30.
He asked for 50,
but I said $30 or nothing.
That's true.
But, Dad, I already
bought train tickets.
I don't know if you, like,
think I'm made of money.
Why you ask
such crazy questions?
What's wrong
with riding Mercedes?
I thought you hated Mercedes.
No, I never said that.
I said I hate the Germans,
not Mercedes.
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(IN POLISH)
RUTH: Yeah, I know.
I've been
waiting here for you.
(IN POLISH)
Uh... (SIGHS)
Eh...
(IN POLISH)
this is very good room
for my daughter.
This is our Marilyn Suite.
My favorite.
What was wrong
with my other room?
Nothing, Ruthie.
I just thought our...
our rooms should be
closer together, that's all.
This is a special
daughter-father trip, no?
Here.
Thank you, sir.
It is nothing.
RUTH: What are you doing?
You're handing out
ridiculous amounts of cash.
I want to show
that my daughter is rich.
Dad, I'm not rich.
It was actually very hard
for me to pay for this trip.
And I budgeted it
very carefully.
Now you're throwing it
into total chaos.
I want to make sure
that they treat us properly
and show respect.
-(SIGHS)
-Don't say anything.
I not say a word.
Hmm, what is this?
Please, Dad,
I'm just really tired.
I need to go to sleep.
Listen, I'm so happy
you made it,
that we're together.
But I just need to have
a good night's sleep.
And tomorrow morning,
I'll turn my frown upside down
or whatever.
I understand. Tight sleep.
You too.
And, Ruthie,
erm, lock the door, yes?
Okay.
Now.
Okay.
Thank you, pumpkin.
-(DOOR CLOSES)
-(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(DOG YAPPING IN DISTANCE)
(TUTS)
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
RUTH: "Certainly
the Jew is a human being.
"But then the louse
is a living thing too.
"Only not a pleasant one.
"So, we are not obliged
to keep it and let it prosper,
"but our duty
is rather to exterminate it.
"Likewise the Jew."
-(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SWITCH CLICKS)
(BOTTLES CLINK)
(SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
Why do you do this
to yourself, Ruthie?
It is food for birds.
I worry about you.
I called Garth when...
You called Garth?
Yes. I called Garth when
I was waiting in the airport.
Dad, enough, okay?
At least wait until noon
to tell me
that my life is a joke
and remind me
about my ex-husband.
Okay.
So, let's see.
"Our Roots. Heritage tours."
"Set out on an unforgettable
journey through Poland,
"the country
that was once home
"to the largest
Jewish population in Europe.
"Saturday, Krakow.
"After breakfast, we depart
for Auschwitz-Birkenau."
What Jew
goes to Poland as a tourist?
I never asked you to come.
You know, I was totally fine
doing this on my own.
How could I let my daughter
travel to Poland on her own?
No, this is...
this is too dangerous.
So, what are we doing today?
Remind me.
Well, we're going
to take the train to Lodz,
so I can see
where you grew up.
Yes. Yes, that is right.
So, have you,
you know, packed your luggage?
Or that Frankenstein thing
that you're calling a suitcase
these days?
You know, I, um...
I need to make a call.
Okay.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING
AND LAUGHING)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
(RUTH'S DAD SPEAKING POLISH)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
That was Magda.
RUTH: Who's Magda?
What? Stefan's wife.
(IN POLISH)
One of these ladies is going
to be Miss Poland tonight.
It is exciting.
Can we go?
Sit down. Stefan will not
be here till 10:00.
Stefan?
Ruthie, our driver. Stefan.
I have booked him
for the whole trip.
Magda send you
her warmest greetings.
I'm sure she does.
Should we get you a new coat?
You must be freezing.
Ah... This is
the country of my birth.
I was made for cold.
MAN: Mr. Rothwax.
Ah, Stefek.
(ALL GREETING IN POLISH)
(LIGHT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES ON STEREO)
Where are we going?
Lodz is
in the other direction.
Today, Stefan shows you
the Warszawa ghetto wall
from your brochure.
RUTH: But I don't want to go
to the Warsaw ghetto wall.
You traveled all the way
to the Washington D.C.
just to see one brick
of that wall in the museum,
remember?
Well, today, I show you
many bricks, not just one.
Today, I show you the wall.
I'd like to go to Lodz,
please, Stefan. Thank you.
No, to the ghetto.
She doesn't know
what she wants. Trust me.
I know exactly what I want.
Look for bricks.
Either bricks stacked
or bricks in a pile
on top of other bricks.
This doesn't look like
the Warsaw ghetto, Dad.
-Eh?
-Let's get back in the car.
-You know you're--
-It must be here somewhere.
The city you are looking for
does not exit anymore.
Exist?
Ah, yes.
The Germans.
The city...
They razed to the ground.
On this side of Vistula,
not one house was left.
Look. There. That must be it.
RUTH: Are you sure?
MR. ROTHWAX: Here.
(GRUNTS) Oh.
(CHUCKLES) Now, Stefan.
I want you to take a photo
of me with my daughter
in front of the wall.
(IN POLISH)
Eh, n-nothing. He...
He thinks perhaps it is not
a very good background
for a picture.
I-I-I think he's wrong.
I really don't think
this is it.
Ruthie, a wall is a wall.
This is true.
Say
the cheese.
-Cheese.
-The cheese.
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
-Yes, very nice.
So... Ah, maybe
to museum of Chopin we go.
It is interesting.
Chopin Museum.
That is very good idea.
I'd really like
to drive to Lodz now.
-STEFAN: Cheese.
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
It is beautiful photograph.
(MAN IN POLISH)
Huh.
Chopin's mother did live here
for more than one decade.
She was born in Warsaw
in September 1782.
She lived a very happy life
and died at the age of 79.
Well, good for Chopin's mom.
Ruthie, what is there not
to like about Chopin's mother?
This isn't about
Chopin's mother, okay?
This is about you completely
derailing this trip,
since you decided to come.
I had a very specific list of
things that I wanted to see.
The house of Chopin?
Not on that list.
Okay? So I'm going
to go to Lodz by myself.
You can stay here
if you like it so much.
-Stefan.
-Mm?
(IN POLISH)
(GENTLE CLASSICAL MUSIC
PLAYING)
This is Lodz.
RUTH: This is
where you grew up?
Yes.
It once was nice.
STEFAN: This is true.
MR. ROTHWAX:
You would have liked it.
(IN POLISH)
What is it?
MR. ROTHWAX:
It is our factory.
Or was.
Stop the car, I want to see.
MR. ROTHWAX:
There's nothing to see.
Stefan, stop the car.
Please stop the car.
This belonged to us?
MR. ROTHWAX: Yes.
But what did it do?
Like, what did it make?
Cotton.
It was your super grandfather
who started it all.
It was a good business.
One to be proud of.
You should have
seen it back then, Ruthie.
We had 40 people
working with us.
RUTH: Why have you
never told me about this?
(MAN IN POLISH)
Let's go to the hotel.
(IN POLISH)
I could speak Polish.
(CHUCKLES) Why?
So that we could
talk more, Dad.
We talk always. What...
What is there else to say?
-Don't you want a picture?
-Not here. No.
Or just... You could stay
and show me...
Ruthie, you do your thing.
Er, there's no rush.
Yes, take no rush, Ruthie.
(IN POLISH)
(MR. ROTHWAX SPEAKING)
STEFAN: Mm.
You are a lucky guy.
(IN POLISH)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
Okay. Thank you. Bye.
You're not staying?
No, I sleep
with my wife's mother.
What?
This is Poland.
It saves money.
So I wish you both nice night.
RUTH: Bye.
So, what is your name,
young man?
I'm Tadeusz.
My name is Edek Rothwax.
-Oh.
-Dad.
And this is my daughter.
Very famous in New York.
-Oh, yes?
-I'm not. I'm a journalist.
Yes, for the rich
and the famous.
I talked
to a few famous people.
That does not make me famous.
Yes, to the Rolling Stones.
-The Rolling Stones?
-Yeah.
So perhaps
I could get your autograph.
That would be a real waste
of paper, Tadeusz.
And the rooms, Mr. Rothwax?
We want them close together,
right next to each other.
RECEPTIONIST:
Of course. I understand.
This trip, this is a special
daughter-father trip.
It's father-daughter, Dad.
Says who?
I put you first.
It is kind, no?
Yes, sir, very kind.
This is for you.
And this is for you.
Enjoy.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(RUTH MUMBLES)
Dad, can you knock?
I'm not decent.
Decent? How?
Like, not naked?
Yeah, that would be decent.
The hotel has given us
really good rooms, no?
Plus, you have a balcony.
(DOOR OPENS)
(WIND WHISTLING)
We really need
to get you a new coat.
This is fine. Does its job.
Kind of doesn't. It makes you
look like a street person.
That is not true.
I am handsome.
Okay.
EDEK: This is
Piotrkowska Street.
When your mother
and I was young,
it used to be full of people
this time of night.
So many young
and excited people.
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
There was such happiness...
such hope.
I miss your mom.
I know you do. So do I.
It's been a year now.
I miss her very much.
I wish she was here with us.
She would not have come.
She would be horrified to know
we are here, back in Poland.
Well, I'm excited to be here
to see where you grew up.
It's why we're here. It's...
It's why I'm here.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
"The best and easiest thing
"would be to give people
enough food options.
"But that's not possible.
"One must be clear.
There are two ways.
"We condemn the Jews in
the ghetto to starvation or...
"we shoot them."
(REPORTER ON TV
SPEAKING POLISH)
(MUFFLED TV CHATTER)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
(MAN ON TV SPEAKING POLISH)
Bravo!
Five, six, seven, eight.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
Five, six, seven, eight.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(BUGS PATTERING)
-(SWITCH CLICKS)
-(PATTERING STOPS)
RECEPTIONIST: Recepcja.
Hi, can I cancel
the wake-up call
for room 252, please?
-Why?
-Because I'm already awake.
(LIVE AND LET DIE PLAYS)
Not even MCs
You, he, she, and even I
Should live and let live
Or live and let die
Live and let die
(CAR HORN BLARES)
(DOG BARKING)
(PANTING)
You're wastin' time
Tryin' to change
the mind of those
Whose souls
are full of holes
I do unto others...
(MEN SPEAKS POLISH)
I am sorry.
Life ain't nothin'
but death without money
My way of thinkin'
is one-track
My method of convincin',
combat
Success is a mission
It's there for anyone
who wants to do better...
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WOMAN SPEAKING POLISH)
RUTH: Hello.
American?
Yeah. Do you know, um...
No, thank you.
-(SPEAKS POLISH)
-Maybe...
Oh, no, no, no.
I'm a vegetarian. Vege...
-(BABY CRYING)
-Vegetarian? Just vegetables.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay.
Uh...
Okay.
This is everything I have.
But, um, you can keep this.
I don't need it.
The money is a gift,
so if you want...
I don't... No... I don't...
(WOMAN SPEAKS POLISH)
Okay. Okay. I don't...
But it's... No more. No more.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
No, thank you. Yep.
-(CONTINUES SPEAKING POLISH)
-No, thank you.
EDEK: What are you doing?
I went for a run.
With those?
I bought them on the way.
But why?
I don't know.
Um, I'll give them to Stefan.
But what would Stefan want
with an iron
and an old toothbrush?
Just let me shower.
You look tired,
even after the shower.
(SARCASTICALLY) Thanks, Dad.
Always a pleasure.
You look shocking, Ruth.
Shocking?
Oh, my God, Dad.
That's a new one.
I'm going to use it on you
when you least expect it.
I think I'm just tired.
I didn't sleep that much.
No, me neither.
Do you think you were...
nervous about being in Lodz?
No, I don't think so.
I couldn't sleep because
the bed was so lumpy.
It went up in the middle
and down at both sides.
Such a bed is...
is good for the sex, you know,
-but not for the sleeping.
-(CHUCKLING)
Dad, don't.
But it's just normal
what I say.
Well, it's not a normal thing
to say to your child.
And anyway, "normal" people
are always the most insane.
What about you, Ruthie,
and the sex?
When did you last
have the sex?
Dad, I'm not answering
that question.
In fact, I'm going to pretend
you never asked it.
Okay.
Sheesh.
This should be
Gubernatorska Street,
but it is not.
It's been more than 40 years
since you've been here, Dad.
Things have changed.
Nothing has changed.
It's just the street names.
There.
That is your mom's
old apartment.
That, right there?
It's like a daycare center now
or something.
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
I often would stand
right here.
I would beg your mom
to come out with me.
Oh, she was
such a lovely, lovely girl.
Dad?
Hmm?
-Are you okay?
-(BELL RINGS)
-(CHILDREN SCREAM)
-Of course, pumpkin.
(CHILDREN LAUGHING
AND CHATTERING EXCITEDLY)
What do you think?
Should we go in there?
No, let's go, eh?
There it is.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
-This one?
Yeah, on the second floor.
-Should we go in?
-No, no, no, no. This...
There's nothing to see
that you can't see from here.
Okay, I'll go look around.
EDEK: Ruthie, let's...
-let's go back down, eh?
-No.
(SIGHS)
Wait outside, okay?
I'll be there in a minute.
(WINGS FLUTTERING)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
-(STAIRS CREAK)
-(GASPS)
(WHISPERING) Dad, is this it?
Yes. It was ours.
RUTH: Who does
it belong to now?
EDEK: I don't know.
What are you doing?
I told you, okay?
This is why I'm here.
-I want to see it.
-(MUFFLED THUD)
Are you mad?
Let's get out of here.
-Someone's coming.
-Oh, my God.
Hello. Dzien dobry.
Me llamo Ruth.
I'd like to see
your apartment.
(EDEK CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
(DOOR THUDS)
What are you doing?
What you taught me.
I want him to show us respect.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Which room was yours?
It was through there.
(BABY CRYING)
(WHISPERS) Do you think
it's okay if I look around?
No, Ruthie. Of course not.
(ANTONI SPEAKING POLISH)
Mr. Ulicz?
May I use your toilet?
-Toaleta?
-Ah.
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK SPEAKING)
(ANTONI SPEAKING)
(IRENA SPEAKING)
(IN POLISH)
I'm sorry, I don't...
I don't speak Polish.
Your baby is very beautiful.
Big beauty.
IRENA: Please.
(IN POLISH)
I don't understand.
(KETTLE WHISTLING)
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK CHUCKLES)
(EDEK SPEAKING)
(CHILD GIGGLES)
when they moved in.
What difference does it make?
It makes a difference.
Ask him.
Fine, but only for you.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
They moved here in 1940.
And what year
were you kicked out?
Bardzo dobry.
Were any personal items left
in the apartment?
Mr. Ulicz... (CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
He says there was nothing.
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS SOFTLY)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
No.
-No.
-RUTH: Dad?
Dad, what's wrong?
This was our couch.
RUTH: What?
This is... This is our couch.
So this guy's a fucking liar.
Ruthie, turn it down.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
(SIGHS)
She said
the apartment was empty.
Yeah, but that's bullshit.
They have our couch.
Yes, I know.
And, er, you see that bowl?
That silver bowl?
RUTH: Yeah.
It is my mother's.
That's it. I'm buying it.
No, you are not.
That is ridiculous.
It is just a dish.
You can buy dish in store.
Yeah, but I don't want
to buy a dish in a store.
I don't even want a dish.
-I want this dish.
-(SIGHS)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
EDEK: That teapot
belonged to my mother.
And those cups
and the sugar bowl.
And even the spoons.
I remember my mother
pouring tea from that pot.
Many, many times.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(FOOTSTEPS)
RUTH: Dad.
If they have the dish
and they have the teapot,
they probably have
other stuff.
And I'm not going to stop
until I figure out
what was ours.
Okay? They probably walked in
minutes after
you were forced out.
They don't even care.
They're selfish liars.
(WINDOW OPENS)
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
He says that
he wants more money.
Fine, then I'll pay him.
After all, I'm so rich.
Oh, my God.
I've created a monster.
(DOG BARKS)
RUTH: But why
do we have to leave?
We're just getting
to the bottom...
We have seen
all there was to see.
I told you
there was no more to see.
RUTH: It's not fair.
They had your china
and the couch was there.
There's probably other stuff,
you know, letters,
pictures, family stuff.
Let's go back.
Ruthie. I show you the house,
but it is not enough for you.
What are you looking for?
I don't know.
To see where I'm from.
To get a piece of it, maybe.
You come from America.
That is your piece.
(STEFAN AND EDEK IN POLISH)
Can you read them?
EDEK: Oh, it's in
mostly Hebrew. I can't.
RUTH: Okay,
I'm trying to be careful.
I don't want to step on...
-(WINGS FLUTTERING)
-(BIRD SCREECHING)
This is us?
Fania, Henia. 1908, 1904.
Who are these people?
(CAMERA CLICKS)
These people? They were...
They were dead
long before I was even born.
Don't you think
this should be your job?
Cleaning shit
from the gravestones?
No, showing me Poland,
you know,
"Oh, this is synagogue.
I often came here
"with your grandmother
and super grandfather.
"Here is grave that hold
your super grandfather."
I do not speak in such a way.
My English is much more good.
Ruthie, stop this.
We don't have...
a family plot.
My dead are in Auschwitz.
(EDEK GRUNTS)
Ruthie.
I've decided I cannot go
to Auschwitz with you.
I... I will stay at the hotel.
Is that okay with you?
Yeah, it's okay, Dad.
I understand.
Thank you.
(IN POLISH)
I wish you a good...
EDEK: Whatever.
He seems like
he is not himself.
RUTH: It was
an exhausting day.
Okay.
Um, would you be able
to organize a translator?
Of course.
We got the finest translator.
Okay.
Um, for tomorrow morning?
Oh. That could be
not possible, but...
-Tadzio?
-TADEUSZ: Tak?
(IN POLISH)
He's not translator,
but very good student
of English.
Okay.
(IN POLISH)
-9:00 a.m.?
-Perfect.
-In the lobby?
Yes. With a pleasure.
Okay. Thank you. Great.
Thank you. See you tomorrow.
(PEOPLE WHOOPING
AND CHATTERING IN DISTANCE)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WOMAN LAUGHING)
Have you changed your clothes?
Of course.
Are you sure? 'Cause
that's not really, like,
the impression you're giving.
You still have yolk
on your sweater from Warsaw.
That's a very old yolk.
Oh, that's what that is.
Dad, come on.
What difference does it make?
I want you to feel good.
I feel fine.
Plus, I know I look great.
Yeah, you look great.
Really. I am happy, Ruthie.
Simple. Thank you.
-No, thanks.
-No, my daughter
does not do coffee.
Just tea and shit.
Of course.
And what about you, mm?
You are 32 and alone.
Thirty-six.
What?
I said I'm 36.
Thirty-six.
It is not normal
to be alone when young.
To not have partner.
(SIGHS) You are lonely.
I'm not lonely.
I'm single. I'm alone.
But I'm not lonely.
Why did you leave Garth?
Everything was fine
before Mom died.
I didn't leave him.
We broke up,
like most couples do.
I could introduce you
to 50 women
who are living like me.
I don't want to meet them.
(SIGHS)
To leave a man like Garth
is not normal.
What did I say
about the word "normal"?
There are people
that are normal
and there are people
that are not so normal.
Do you ever remember
Mom getting angry at me?
You know, Mom.
She was so precise.
You know, she would
fold and iron sheets
and towels and washcloths.
I mean, she even ironed
my underwear.
She had those perfectly
organized cabinets, you know.
Order was everything to her.
And you two never talked
about the past.
You never talked
about the barracks or the lice
or the bunks
or the smell of burning flesh.
But Mom couldn't hide it
with her little smile.
She woke up
every single night screaming.
I would lie there in bed
listening to her screaming.
From the moment I was born,
I knew something terrible
had happened to you.
I just didn't dare
ask you about it.
Is that normal to you?
WOMAN: Good morning.
My best wishes
to you for the day.
WOMAN 2: Good morning.
EDEK: Dzien dobry.
(IN POLISH)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
-(BOTH CHUCKLING)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I told you I am looking good.
You know what, Dad?
I'll see you later.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Thank you again
for coming with me.
Oh, thank you again
for the job.
-And the autograph, of course.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(DOOR OPENS)
-Ah, pani Rothwax.
-(BABY SHOUTING)
Uh...
(IN POLISH)
ANTONI: Tak, tak.
(BABY CRYING)
TADEUSZ: Uh...
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
They were really expecting us.
Yeah.
Um...
Can you ask him
how much he wants
for all of these things?
(TADEUSZ IN POLISH)
Uh-huh.
to make an offer,
but I think it would be better
if he suggests a price.
Okay, well, I'm not just going
to throw numbers out.
That's bad deal making, so...
Mm-hmm.
(IN POLISH)
Okay, you can tell him
I'll give him 25 for the bowl,
uh, and another 25
for the tea set.
Yeah, but it's far too much.
I don't want to play games.
I don't want to bargain.
These things
are important to me.
(IN POLISH)
Oh, nie.
Well, you can tell him
that's my final price.
And if he doesn't agree,
we're leaving.
(IN POLISH)
He said it's okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-Okay.
Irenko.
-TADEUSZ: Dzien dobry.
- (IN POLISH)
if you want to see more.
RUTH: Wow.
How much does he want for it?
(IN POLISH)
He said 500 for the set.
Based on your previous price.
(IN POLISH)
(TADEUSZ SPEAKING)
(ANTONI SPEAKING)
(CHINA SET RATTLES)
Przepraszam.
I could try more to,
I don't know, lower the price.
It's too late. He can tell
how badly I want it.
Just tell him to wrap it up.
I'll take it.
(IN POLISH)
That belonged
to your grandfather.
(IN POLISH)
I'll take it. I'll take it.
(SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
$500 is a lot of money.
I know, but it was worth it.
Maybe. (GRUNTS)
But now you can invite
the Rolling Stones
for tea and coffee, actually.
(LAUGHS) I don't think
they're going to come.
You never will know.
I guess I never will know.
(CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
-(SINGING IN POLISH)
-(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(SONG ENDS)
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(EDEK SPEAKING POLISH)
EDEK: Bravo.
Wow.
What is happening?
My daughter is eating
something with no seeds.
Dad, sit down.
You're looking better
already, pumpkin.
Guess what?
Hmm?
I went back
and got your china.
What?
I went back
and bought your china.
And it was all there.
Everything.
The teapot, the plates,
the cups, the saucers,
all of it.
-Ruth...
-I know it's a lot of stuff,
but I'll get
a second suitcase.
I'll pack it all up.
It's going to be...
Why did you do this?
Those people, Ruth,
they could have hurt you.
I'm fine. I'm tough.
Did you go alone?
No, I went with Tadeusz.
He was my translator.
Are you mad?
To go alone with a Polish man?
Don't you know
what happened to Szimek
when he went back?
Don't you know what happened
in Kielce in 1946?
Jews were murdered
when they went back
to their old houses.
Dad, I think you should relax.
Relax?
I can't relax.
Why do you think
I came here with you?
You have no idea...
how... (SIGHS)
And all for
some stupid teapot?
It's not a stupid teapot,
okay?
It's yours,
which means it's mine.
Which means it's important.
How much? How much
did they make you pay?
Listen, I got what I wanted.
-(SIGHS)
-You have no idea
how much
this means to me, Dad.
Before this, we had nothing.
Nothing from your past.
And now you have a teapot.
No, Dad, I have your teapot.
But... (SIGHS)
What are you going to do
with your teapot
and all the china?
They are meant for a family.
And then you...
You have no family.
You have no children.
You have nobody.
That's not nice.
Tomorrow,
I go with you to Auschwitz.
Because, clearly, you have
none of the common sense.
(SNIFFS)
(KNOCKING)
Dad?
Dad, are you awake? I have
something I want to show you.
Dad?
(LIVELY CHATTERING)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
EDEK: La la la la la la!
-Life is life
-(CROWD CLAPS AND SINGS ALONG)
La la la la la la! Whoo!
When we all give the power
We all give the best
Every minute of an hour,
don't think about the rest
When everyone
gives everything
And every song
everybody sings
Life is life
(CROWD CHEERS AND APPLAUDS)
Well, the talented Szimek,
everyone.
Oh, my daughter.
Come, sing on stage, Ruthie.
Don't do this.
Please don't do this.
Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie.
(LAUGHS)
(SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING SENTIMENTAL SONG
IN POLISH)
Your father has told us
so much about you.
My name is Zofia.
So nice to meet you.
EDEK: And this is
her beautiful friend...
Karolina Jedrzejewiczowa.
-Nice to meet you.
-Me too.
ZOFIA: Your father tells us
you are a famous journalist.
He loves to say that.
Um, I'm not famous,
I'm a journalist, but...
Never mind.
ZOFIA: Let me find you
another plate.
(ORDERING IN POLISH)
No, it's okay. I actually...
I don't eat after 7:00 p.m.
I'm trying
to retrain my metabolism.
EDEK: I should say that
my daughter doesn't eat.
What do you mean?
She looks like she eats.
That's because I do eat.
I eat a lot.
EDEK: Yeah, but only seeds.
She's rich, but she eat
like a peasant woman.
I think you look
very beautiful.
To me, a beautiful woman
must be strong
and take up the space.
Thank you.
She is beautiful. And famous.
So are you two from here?
We are only here on business.
We are Polish-English
interpreters.
Today, we interpreted
for a company here in Lodz.
Yes. They wish to trade jams,
sweets and chocolates
with the United States.
Chocolate. Now, this I love.
-Really? So do I.
-Mm-hmm.
(BOTH LAUGH)
KAROLINA: Cigarette?
Yes. God. Thank you.
KAROLINA: Your father tells us
you planned the trip.
Yes, he was just saying
how much he's enjoying
his time with you.
Really?
Enjoyment is not the word
I would have applied to
his experience of this trip.
I am with you, so, yes,
I always enjoy you.
(SENTIMENTAL SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(SPITS)
(SONG ENDS)
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay. So, you got
more belongings?
-My friend? Don't ask.
-(CHUCKLES)
Okay.
-Oops.
-Go ahead.
Sorry.
Goodbye, Mr. Rothwax.
Goodbye, Tadeusz. Thank you.
Pleasure.
And I wish you all the best.
-Thank you.
-Thank you so much.
Do widzenia.
(CROW CAWS)
Ruthie, try.
Mm. Stefan make this soup
especially for you.
STEFAN: Zero calorie.
This is true.
Thank you, Stefan. Mmm.
You really made this for me?
No, Magda's mother.
It is a soup especially
for people who do not eat.
EDEK: Mm.
(CHOPIN'S NOCTURNE
OP. 9 NO. 2 PLAYING)
(CHOPIN'S NOCTURNE OP. 9 NO. 2
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(LAUGHTER)
(CAR DOOR SLIDES SHUT)
Where are we?
EDEK: We are in Krakow.
We have arrived at the hotel.
RUTH: Why didn't
you wake me up?
Well, you are awake now, yes?
(CAR DOORS OPENING)
STEFAN: You're welcome.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS)
Good evening. Hello. Welcome.
So, you're here to visit
the Auschwitz Museum?
Um... It's not a museum.
The Museum of Modern Art
is a museum.
The Guggenheim Museum
is a museum.
Even in the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland,
that's a museum.
But Auschwitz is a death camp.
Of course. My apologies.
(WOMEN LAUGHING)
EDEK: Oh, look.
It must be in the stars.
Are they following us?
ZOFIA: How are you?
Dobrze, dobrze, dobrze.
Hello. Hello.
-Hello.
-Hello.
(SINGING IN POLISH)
You are not married?
Me? No. No. No.
She was, once.
It was just so that
he could get a Green Card.
Doesn't really count.
This is not true.
It was love and marriage.
And to a wonderful man. Here.
His name is Garth.
Why do you have
a photo of my ex-husband?
EDEK: Ruthie, please.
Garth is my friend.
Of course I have his photo.
Don't you keep
photos of your friends?
I don't keep photos
of my ex-husband.
-And there.
-There's more?
ZOFIA: He's very handsome.
EDEK: Mm.
KAROLINA: He's gorgeous.
Like a movie star.
Yeah, it's true.
Garth is a wonderful man.
One in a million.
He loved Ruthie
for the woman she is.
What happened?
You two look so happy...
She just divorced Garth
because he wanted
family and children.
He wanted a good life
for my daughter.
It's not what happened.
Well, it...
It is what happened. Yeah.
He wanted happiness, you see?
Yes. Who doesn't?
Ruthie.
She prefers men
who do not like her.
Who ignore her calls.
If someone loves her,
it makes her nervous, anxious.
So, she runs away.
She runs away
from the one who loves her
and from the one
whom she loves too.
What?
Nothing. I'm just surprised.
(CHUCKLES)
Surprised by what?
That was actually very astute
for a man who refuses
to get a therapist.
Why would I see therapist?
I have no problems.
Me, I'm the same.
No problems. (CHUCKLES)
So you don't want children?
Well, I would like
grandchildren, yes.
That thing that you do,
I did that
when I was younger, too.
Don't worry, it will change.
KAROLINA: "Don't worry."
(CHUCKLES)
But you don't have
any children, Zofia.
Yes, but that was my choice.
And you? You have
been divorced four times?
Five. And that was
my choice too.
You are only afraid
of someone loving you
if you are
not used to be loved.
Edek. Did you tell her
how much you loved her
when she was a child?
Of... Of course I did.
Did you?
How do you two
know each other?
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
-Stefan is my good friend.
-Yeah.
How long have you
known each other?
-Oh, five...
-Four.
-Four days. Yes.
-(ZOFIA LAUGHS)
-We meet at airport.
-Mm-hmm.
-KAROLINA: Oh.
-Mm.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DIALING)
(LINE RINGS)
MAN: Hello?
Hello?
(INHALES SHARPLY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SNIFFLES)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Are you nervous?
No. Why should I be nervous?
I... I don't know. Because...
There's nothing
they can do to me here now.
(IN POLISH)
It's gone. The smell.
I thought the smell
would never go away.
Come on, Dad, we're late.
Late for what?
Um, for our guide.
Guide? I don't need no guide.
I could walk about here
with my eyes closed.
I know you could,
but I didn't know
if you were coming with me,
so I got a guide.
-If it's too much...
-No, it's all right.
We can cancel
if it's too much.
No. No. No.
Er... Who knows?
Maybe we learn something
from this...
-Rothwax?
-...guide.
Hi. Yeah, that's us.
Good morning.
My name is Malgorzata Nowak,
and I will be your tour guide
this morning.
Hi, I'm Ruth,
and this is Edek, my father.
Oh, good morning, Mr. Rothwax.
It's an honor
to be your guide today.
Would it be possible
to have a...
a coffee before we begin?
Um... You can have a coffee
in the museum.
A museum? It's not a museum,
it's a death camp.
Sorry, Miss Rothwax,
I didn't want to upset you
with my words.
What difference does it make?
It's still the same place.
GUIDE: Survivors
have the privilege
of driving into Birkenau.
Everybody else must walk.
That's something, at least.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
was started to build by
the German in autumn 1941.
Until 1944,
Jews in cattle cars
were transported
from all over German-occupied
Europe to the gas chambers.
Of 1.3 million people
sent here,
1.1 million murdered.
Everything at this place
was built for only one reason,
to murder.
(SIGHS)
Those not gased
were murdered via starvation,
disease, individual executions
or beatings by the German SS.
And I will show you now
one of these places where
the train were unloaded was.
There.
Inside the camp.
No, no, no, the...
The place where
the train did arrive and stop
was not inside.
It was over there.
Come, I'll show you.
GUIDE: Then you must have
arrived before May 1944?
RUTH: Yeah.
From the Lodz ghetto.
Boze. Yeah. This... This is...
This is where
they push my family out.
This is where your mom and I
were separated.
There were too many trains,
you know.
And all of them
were completely full.
We waited one night
and one day in our train.
(TRAIN CHUGGING)
(GASPS)
Here. Here. This...
-(DISTANT RADIO CHATTER)
-(DOG BARKS)
This is... Here.
-(MAN SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
-Here.
The... The rails.
Here is where your mom and I
were separated.
(MAN SHOUTS IN GERMAN
DISTANTLY)
Here.
This is where I had
to say goodbye to my family.
Your mom was sent
to other part of the camp,
but I stayed here in...
in Birkenau.
All the children
from my family
-went with the women. Yes.
-(BABY CRYING DISTANTLY)
GUIDE: Were there
any other survivors?
In my father's family? Uh...
No. Um, my mother.
But she's gone now, so...
No, it's just... just him.
(MUTTERING) This I remember.
We stood with piss and shit
to our ankles for two days.
(HUFFS) All these trains.
RUTH: Dad.
Dad, I'm so sorry
about the train tickets.
I wasn't thinking.
It was like...
I was just trying so hard
to be efficient
and get the trip handled.
And I...
I guess sometimes
I get so caught up
in just trying
to get things done that I...
Please, pumpkin.
(SIGHS) I just wanted
to ride Mercedes.
It's... They're better,
that's all.
Here. This was my barracks.
It is burned down.
Only the chimney is left.
(GRUNTS)
Come. Come.
Come in. I insist.
Here... Here was the...
the wooden doors.
They had big holes in them.
In the winter, the man
who sleep near the doors,
in the morning,
he was usually dead.
I... I slept over...
over there.
I was lucky I was not
so near the doors, you know.
(CAMERA CLICKS)
I slept in the middle.
Nobody wanted to sleep
in the middle.
You could get crushed.
(EXHALES)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
What's it like being here?
It's okay, Ruthie.
I'm lucky. I'm alive.
-(EDEK EXHALES)
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
But why you take
that many photographs?
Who should look at them?
I will.
Why do they keep
all this? Hmm?
Who wants to see it?
GUIDE: Since the fall
of the Wall, there are
thousands of visitors
from all over the world.
So it will be never forgotten.
In 1979,
it was named World Heritage...
A wall is a wall. (SIGHS)
EDEK: But I don't want to stay
here for a thousand years.
Ruthie, come on.
It's cold. Come.
Let's go and have that coffee.
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK GRUNTS)
(ENGINE STARTS)
(EDEK SIGHS)
You just can't get enough
of all this disaster, can you?
Not a nice postcard
to get through the mail,
do you think?
No, I guess not.
Can I have one?
Sure, if you want one.
Thank you.
I will send to Garth.
Dad?
What? He should see
my old home.
(RUTH CHUCKLES)
RECEPTIONIST:
And how was the museum?
Edek? Edek.
Oh, my God. We have stalkers.
EDEK: That's not nice, Ruthie.
They're not stalkers.
They're...
We were just talking
about you.
-How are you?
-Ah.
Me? I'm fine.
We went to the death camps.
ZOFIA: Edek,
I'm so sorry to hear that.
KAROLINA:
Can we buy you a drink?
A drink
with two beautiful ladies?
-(CHUCKLES) We would love to.
-Prosze.
Ruthie.
I'm just beat, Dad.
I'm going to stay here
and read.
Ah, yes, I bought her
a book in New York.
Really? How sweet of you.
(LAUGHING)
(IN GERMAN)
(LAUGHING BOISTEROUSLY)
What is so fucking funny?
(LAUGHING QUIETER)
WOMAN: Shh, shh.
(SOFT BALLAD MUSIC PLAYING)
ZOFIA: Edek?
(IN POLISH)
(CHUCKLES)
(MAN SINGING BALLAD SONG
IN POLISH)
(EDEK SIGHS)
(BALLAD SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(BALLAD SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
-(MUSIC STOPS)
-(ALARM WAILING)
(DOOR OPENS)
You have to go too, miss.
Don't take anything,
please, right now.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
You have to come out. Come on.
(DOOR SHUTS)
(INSTRUCTING IN POLISH)
Dad? Dad!
-We have to go right now.
-Dad!
Nobody's there.
We have to go. Please.
(PORTER INSTRUCTING
IN POLISH)
(GUESTS CHATTERING
AND LAUGHING)
RUTH: Have you seen
my father?
Have you?
Have you seen my...
Have you seen my father?
-Mr. Rothwax?
-No. No.
Mr. Edek Rothwax?
Sorry.
-Stefan?
-Ruthie?
RUTH: Have you seen my dad?
Uh, no, I have not.
But don't worry.
Certainly... Look, there.
-There he is.
-Dad.
-Hey. (CHUCKLES)
-RUTH: Dad.
(EDEK LAUGHING)
RUTH: I thought
you'd been burned alive.
Oh.
Don't worry, darling.
It's just Polish fire alarms.
Don't touch me.
RECEPTIONIST:
Please, everybody.
I'm very, very sorry, but
this is just a false alarm.
We apologize very much
for this inconvenience.
Please help yourself
to a free vodka.
-Please. I'm so sorry.
-(GUESTS CHEERING)
Maybe you should
have one, darling.
It might be good for you.
You...
You seem to be
having the stress.
Stop.
EDEK: Stop what, pumpkin?
And don't fucking
call me that, by the way.
Pumpkin is not
a nice nickname, okay?
There's plenty
of nicer nicknames
like "darling" or "sweetheart"
or "petal" or "doll."
A pumpkin is a fat,
leaky, orange mess.
EDEK: Come on. Ruthie.
(SULLEN MUSIC PLAYING)
-Na zdrowie.
-ALL: Na zdrowie.
-(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
-EDEK: Ruth.
Open the door.
I think we should talk.
(TEARFULLY) I don't think
there's anything
for us to talk about.
We've honestly gone our whole
lives not talking about it.
So why don't
we just not talk about it,
and not talk about it
till we're both dead?
What... What are you doing?
Honestly, my stupidest idea
in a lifetime
of fairly stupid ideas.
EDEK: Ruthie.
RUTH: I'm leaving.
I'm going back
to New York today.
What?
My life has unraveled
since we lost mom.
But you can just stay
and, you know,
start a life of drunken
revelry with Zofia
for all I care.
You act like
you're this family man
and you want a grandkid
and you brag
about how famous I am.
We used to be a family,
and then it was
just you and me.
And now I'm realizing
it's just me.
I'm alone.
Eh?
I got you a winter coat.
Oh, my...
This... This...
This is my father's coat.
Yeah. It's all the same
to you, right?
A wall is a wall.
A coat is a coat.
This...
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOBBING SOFTLY)
(WISTFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SNIFFLES)
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
-Papa.
-(LUGGAGE THUDS)
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
-(LAUGHTER)
-(MUSIC PLAYING)
Ruthie?
Are you okay?
Can you drive me
to the airport, Stefan?
Has something happened?
It's time for me
to go back to New York.
But Edek?
Gonna go alone.
Just like I probably
should have come alone.
(STEFAN SIGHS)
Okay. Give me a minute
to get ready.
KAROLINA: Take a seat.
No, thank you.
KAROLINA: Take a seat.
(WOMAN AND MAN
SPEAKING POLISH)
I take it
this has to do with Zofia.
No.
She told me you're upset.
I'm not upset. I'm exhausted.
Here.
Thank you.
What you and your father
do this trip,
it is not easy.
Yeah, but he could
at least try.
KAROLINA: He's trying.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Okay. Thank you, Stefan.
EDEK: I'm sorry.
-RUTH: Whatever.
-Whatever?
I'm sorry for having
the sex with Zofia.
Besides just being generally
gross to contemplate,
it... it felt wrong.
To Mom. And we're already here
without her.
But it shouldn't.
We... We are all adults here.
Of course, all adults here.
At Mom's funeral...
do you remember what you said?
You said, let us not cry.
That Mom
wouldn't want us to cry.
And so I didn't cry.
We didn't cry, Dad.
EDEK: Tsk.
Yes.
I know, pumpkin.
But you can cry
if you want to.
It's... It's all right.
STEFAN: Edek?
You know what? You can...
have sex
with whoever you want.
I mean, after all, it...
it is normal.
Yes, it is normal.
Unless you like
the not normal sex.
-And that's okay, too. Ruthie.
-(CHUCKLES) Dad.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
ZOFIA: Goodbye, Ruthie.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
You are a brave girl.
And a beautiful girl.
I'm more like a, uh,
rapidly aging woman,
but thank you, Zofia.
STEFAN: Do widzenia.
Stefan, there is something
I have to do.
We do not go to airport.
Not yet.
We will need shovel.
-Shovel.
-Lopata.
Mm-hmm.
And I think we should stop
for Tadeusz.
We will need young blood.
(ENGINE STARTS)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
STEFAN: Edek?
-Okay.
-Right.
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(STEFAN IN POLISH)
EDEK: Hey.
(CLANKING)
Nie. Nie, nie.
Tutaj, tutaj.
Tutaj.
Tak. Tak.
Nie. Nie, nie.
digging for? Treasure?
EDEK: Tutaj.
Are we allowed to do that?
This is our house,
our building.
We can do what we like.
(ANTONI'S SISTER
SPEAKING POLISH)
(URGING IN POLISH)
(IN POLISH)
I'm not paying you no shit.
My daughter
already paid you too much.
And I lied. She is not rich.
No, I'm not.
And you know what?
You can fuck right off.
(IN POLISH)
TADEUSZ: Mr. Rothwax?
EDEK: Tak.
(ANTONI'S SISTER AND ANTONI
SPEAKING POLISH)
(EDEK CHUCKLES)
have a present for you.
The day they took us
away from here,
the day the Germans
forced us into the ghetto...
my father and I
buried that here.
It has papers in it.
You can now reclaim
this house.
And there is paperwork, too,
for the other buildings,
the factories.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
Kuchnia is kitchen.
And then this.
I mean, I can't read Polish,
so you have to...
-Ah, this...
-...tell me what that is.
This is what gives us
the rights, the... the...
How do you say? The deeds?
Wow.
Yes, it's very legal
with the stamps.
(CHUCKLES)
What are these?
Oh, my...
This is my mother and father.
He's wearing the coat.
There.
There he is. And that's me.
-(CHUCKLING)
-You're so small.
-EDEK: Ugly little rat.
-(BOTH LAUGH)
This one, I...
I took this photo.
It was the day
of Fela's wedding anniversary.
-I remember.
-Who... Who is Fela?
My sister. She was...
my sister.
I didn't... I didn't know
you had a sister.
I loved her.
Very much.
We were so close.
There she is. Look.
She was so clever
and so beautiful.
And she wrote beautifully.
Just like you.
Like you, Ruthie.
Liebala and Hanka.
They were Fela's daughters.
These are your cousins,
Ruthie.
Don't you think they look
a little bit like me?
I always thought so, yes.
RUTH: (TEARFULLY) Why did
you never tell me, Dad?
EDEK: (TEARFULLY)
Because... (SIGHS)
It's not easy
to have a child who looks like
a child who is dead.
And it is not easy...
to tell them how very much
you love her.
-(SOBS)
-Oh, Dad.
EDEK: Yes. Very much.
I'm so sorry, Ruthie.
-No, Dad.
-Yes.
-No.
-I... I...
I never trusted your strength.
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
We are very, very strong, Dad.
Where... Where we all lived...
This now...
This house is all yours.
If you want it.
Well...
A house
is just a house, right?
Or maybe not.
I belong with you. You know,
we belong together.
In New York.
Where you made our family.
Yes. Yes,
we are New Yorkers.
Edek.
Chrusciki.
-Oh. (CHUCKLES)
-EDEK: Oh.
From my wife.
-Thank you, Stefan.
-EDEK: Mmm.
Ah, careful though,
because...
Mm. There are 14 egg yolks.
Lots of butter and sour cream.
Well, my mother, I remember
when she made Chrusciki,
she did roll out the dough,
very thin.
And she did fold it over,
and then...
-she fried it in oil.
-(GIGGLING)
Ah. Enjoy.
(IN POLISH)
EDEK: Mmm.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
for everything, Stefan.
-Thank you, Ruthie.
-Mm.
I will not forget you,
my friend.
I have pictures of you
for my wallet.
-Thank you.
-Stefan.
You have been
such a good friend to us.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
It was my pleasure.
Truly.
RUTH: So, you're excited
to get back?
EDEK: Yes.
I'm excited to see Garth
and tell him all about
our adventures
from daughter-father trip.
RUTH: Maybe you can
say hi to him for me.
EDEK: To Garth? Of course.
RUTH: I mean,
just as long as you don't,
like, make too big
a deal about it.
Me, make deal? Never.
(CHUCKLES)
Ruthie?
Yeah?
I think it was a good idea
to bring home
my mother's old teapot. No?
No.
No, yes or no, no?
RUTH: No, yes, Dad.
Always no, yes.
(RUTH CHUCKLES)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
EDEK: So, did you...
did you finish the book?
RUTH: Oh, I've been
kind of distracted,
but I'll get to it
on the plane.
EDEK: This is good news.
After you, I shall read.
His missing arm,
this I must know.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENON PA SYSTEM)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES OUT)
(INHERITANCE PLAYING)
I think I knew
Before you told me
What I had inherited
I got it from you
The way that I dodged love
and find it embarrassing
I think I knew
I got it from you
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
I think I guessed
Before you'd slipped out
The pain knocks you out
Get it off your chest
To strengthen our blood
You couldn't help
but pass down
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
Look at me, will you?
It didn't build you
You rose from its grave
And it tried to fill you
But it couldn't kill you
So look what it did
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
I had a feeling
Hadn't I dig up
what you kept inside
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
(SONG ENDS)
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(AIRPLANE FLYING)
(CHILD SHOUTS, GIGGLES)
(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENON PA SYSTEM)
(HAPPY CHATTERING)
Excuse me, did you just land
from New York...
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay, I don't speak...
All right.
(MAN EXCLAIMS, CHUCKLES)
(CONVERSING IN POLISH)
For fuck's sake.
Ruthie.
I'm so glad to see you.
Dad, what happened?
There was problem
with my suitcase.
And nice man, he sticked...
No, not here
with your suitcase.
In New York,
at the airport, Dad.
I went to McDonald's
for the hunger.
-Oh, my...
-I'm sorry
I missed the flight, Ruthie,
but this I bought
for you, pumpkin.
"One Armed Alibi."
Oh, my fucking God.
So, you went
to the bookstore, too?
You really painted
the town red, Dad.
What? You love the reading.
RUTH: Never disappear again.
Ruthie. I am here.
People who disappear
are not here.
RUTH: Do you think
there's toilets on the train?
I have to pee so bad.
RUTH'S DAD: Of course.
Who would go on a train
without toilet?
(TRAIN HORN BLARES)
What?
Th-There are taxicabs
in front of airport.
And?
And the train is slow.
We won't get to hotel
before evening.
Dad, I paid for the tickets.
I've spent money
on these tickets.
And the bathroom,
on Polish trains,
they're not so good, Ruthie,
trust me.
(MAN SPEAKS POLISH)
Two minutes, okay? Don't move.
Pumpkin. Where would I go?
RUTH: There you go.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
What?
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
Did you see where he went?
(SPEAKING POLISH)
No, thank you.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
RUTH: I asked you
not to move, Dad.
This is getting off
to kind of a rough start.
Ruthie, I want you
to meet my friend, Stefan.
-Yeah, hello.
-He is driver.
The best driver in Warsaw.
(IN POLISH)
My pleasure to drive you.
Welcome.
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(STEFAN AND RUTH'S DAD
CONVERSING IN POLISH)
What are you two
talking about?
RUTH'S DAD:
German engineering.
So, Ruthie,
what are our plans?
Well, we'll visit Lodz to see
where you and Mom grew up.
So, we take a train
from Warsaw to Lodz
in the morning.
And I hope you'll come.
Yeah, but Stefan
can take us there for $30.
He asked for 50,
but I said $30 or nothing.
That's true.
But, Dad, I already
bought train tickets.
I don't know if you, like,
think I'm made of money.
Why you ask
such crazy questions?
What's wrong
with riding Mercedes?
I thought you hated Mercedes.
No, I never said that.
I said I hate the Germans,
not Mercedes.
(ENDEARING MUSIC PLAYING)
(IN POLISH)
RUTH: Yeah, I know.
I've been
waiting here for you.
(IN POLISH)
Uh... (SIGHS)
Eh...
(IN POLISH)
this is very good room
for my daughter.
This is our Marilyn Suite.
My favorite.
What was wrong
with my other room?
Nothing, Ruthie.
I just thought our...
our rooms should be
closer together, that's all.
This is a special
daughter-father trip, no?
Here.
Thank you, sir.
It is nothing.
RUTH: What are you doing?
You're handing out
ridiculous amounts of cash.
I want to show
that my daughter is rich.
Dad, I'm not rich.
It was actually very hard
for me to pay for this trip.
And I budgeted it
very carefully.
Now you're throwing it
into total chaos.
I want to make sure
that they treat us properly
and show respect.
-(SIGHS)
-Don't say anything.
I not say a word.
Hmm, what is this?
Please, Dad,
I'm just really tired.
I need to go to sleep.
Listen, I'm so happy
you made it,
that we're together.
But I just need to have
a good night's sleep.
And tomorrow morning,
I'll turn my frown upside down
or whatever.
I understand. Tight sleep.
You too.
And, Ruthie,
erm, lock the door, yes?
Okay.
Now.
Okay.
Thank you, pumpkin.
-(DOOR CLOSES)
-(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(DOG YAPPING IN DISTANCE)
(TUTS)
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
RUTH: "Certainly
the Jew is a human being.
"But then the louse
is a living thing too.
"Only not a pleasant one.
"So, we are not obliged
to keep it and let it prosper,
"but our duty
is rather to exterminate it.
"Likewise the Jew."
-(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SWITCH CLICKS)
(BOTTLES CLINK)
(SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
Why do you do this
to yourself, Ruthie?
It is food for birds.
I worry about you.
I called Garth when...
You called Garth?
Yes. I called Garth when
I was waiting in the airport.
Dad, enough, okay?
At least wait until noon
to tell me
that my life is a joke
and remind me
about my ex-husband.
Okay.
So, let's see.
"Our Roots. Heritage tours."
"Set out on an unforgettable
journey through Poland,
"the country
that was once home
"to the largest
Jewish population in Europe.
"Saturday, Krakow.
"After breakfast, we depart
for Auschwitz-Birkenau."
What Jew
goes to Poland as a tourist?
I never asked you to come.
You know, I was totally fine
doing this on my own.
How could I let my daughter
travel to Poland on her own?
No, this is...
this is too dangerous.
So, what are we doing today?
Remind me.
Well, we're going
to take the train to Lodz,
so I can see
where you grew up.
Yes. Yes, that is right.
So, have you,
you know, packed your luggage?
Or that Frankenstein thing
that you're calling a suitcase
these days?
You know, I, um...
I need to make a call.
Okay.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING
AND LAUGHING)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
(RUTH'S DAD SPEAKING POLISH)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
That was Magda.
RUTH: Who's Magda?
What? Stefan's wife.
(IN POLISH)
One of these ladies is going
to be Miss Poland tonight.
It is exciting.
Can we go?
Sit down. Stefan will not
be here till 10:00.
Stefan?
Ruthie, our driver. Stefan.
I have booked him
for the whole trip.
Magda send you
her warmest greetings.
I'm sure she does.
Should we get you a new coat?
You must be freezing.
Ah... This is
the country of my birth.
I was made for cold.
MAN: Mr. Rothwax.
Ah, Stefek.
(ALL GREETING IN POLISH)
(LIGHT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES ON STEREO)
Where are we going?
Lodz is
in the other direction.
Today, Stefan shows you
the Warszawa ghetto wall
from your brochure.
RUTH: But I don't want to go
to the Warsaw ghetto wall.
You traveled all the way
to the Washington D.C.
just to see one brick
of that wall in the museum,
remember?
Well, today, I show you
many bricks, not just one.
Today, I show you the wall.
I'd like to go to Lodz,
please, Stefan. Thank you.
No, to the ghetto.
She doesn't know
what she wants. Trust me.
I know exactly what I want.
Look for bricks.
Either bricks stacked
or bricks in a pile
on top of other bricks.
This doesn't look like
the Warsaw ghetto, Dad.
-Eh?
-Let's get back in the car.
-You know you're--
-It must be here somewhere.
The city you are looking for
does not exit anymore.
Exist?
Ah, yes.
The Germans.
The city...
They razed to the ground.
On this side of Vistula,
not one house was left.
Look. There. That must be it.
RUTH: Are you sure?
MR. ROTHWAX: Here.
(GRUNTS) Oh.
(CHUCKLES) Now, Stefan.
I want you to take a photo
of me with my daughter
in front of the wall.
(IN POLISH)
Eh, n-nothing. He...
He thinks perhaps it is not
a very good background
for a picture.
I-I-I think he's wrong.
I really don't think
this is it.
Ruthie, a wall is a wall.
This is true.
Say
the cheese.
-Cheese.
-The cheese.
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
-Yes, very nice.
So... Ah, maybe
to museum of Chopin we go.
It is interesting.
Chopin Museum.
That is very good idea.
I'd really like
to drive to Lodz now.
-STEFAN: Cheese.
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
It is beautiful photograph.
(MAN IN POLISH)
Huh.
Chopin's mother did live here
for more than one decade.
She was born in Warsaw
in September 1782.
She lived a very happy life
and died at the age of 79.
Well, good for Chopin's mom.
Ruthie, what is there not
to like about Chopin's mother?
This isn't about
Chopin's mother, okay?
This is about you completely
derailing this trip,
since you decided to come.
I had a very specific list of
things that I wanted to see.
The house of Chopin?
Not on that list.
Okay? So I'm going
to go to Lodz by myself.
You can stay here
if you like it so much.
-Stefan.
-Mm?
(IN POLISH)
(GENTLE CLASSICAL MUSIC
PLAYING)
This is Lodz.
RUTH: This is
where you grew up?
Yes.
It once was nice.
STEFAN: This is true.
MR. ROTHWAX:
You would have liked it.
(IN POLISH)
What is it?
MR. ROTHWAX:
It is our factory.
Or was.
Stop the car, I want to see.
MR. ROTHWAX:
There's nothing to see.
Stefan, stop the car.
Please stop the car.
This belonged to us?
MR. ROTHWAX: Yes.
But what did it do?
Like, what did it make?
Cotton.
It was your super grandfather
who started it all.
It was a good business.
One to be proud of.
You should have
seen it back then, Ruthie.
We had 40 people
working with us.
RUTH: Why have you
never told me about this?
(MAN IN POLISH)
Let's go to the hotel.
(IN POLISH)
I could speak Polish.
(CHUCKLES) Why?
So that we could
talk more, Dad.
We talk always. What...
What is there else to say?
-Don't you want a picture?
-Not here. No.
Or just... You could stay
and show me...
Ruthie, you do your thing.
Er, there's no rush.
Yes, take no rush, Ruthie.
(IN POLISH)
(MR. ROTHWAX SPEAKING)
STEFAN: Mm.
You are a lucky guy.
(IN POLISH)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
Okay. Thank you. Bye.
You're not staying?
No, I sleep
with my wife's mother.
What?
This is Poland.
It saves money.
So I wish you both nice night.
RUTH: Bye.
So, what is your name,
young man?
I'm Tadeusz.
My name is Edek Rothwax.
-Oh.
-Dad.
And this is my daughter.
Very famous in New York.
-Oh, yes?
-I'm not. I'm a journalist.
Yes, for the rich
and the famous.
I talked
to a few famous people.
That does not make me famous.
Yes, to the Rolling Stones.
-The Rolling Stones?
-Yeah.
So perhaps
I could get your autograph.
That would be a real waste
of paper, Tadeusz.
And the rooms, Mr. Rothwax?
We want them close together,
right next to each other.
RECEPTIONIST:
Of course. I understand.
This trip, this is a special
daughter-father trip.
It's father-daughter, Dad.
Says who?
I put you first.
It is kind, no?
Yes, sir, very kind.
This is for you.
And this is for you.
Enjoy.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(RUTH MUMBLES)
Dad, can you knock?
I'm not decent.
Decent? How?
Like, not naked?
Yeah, that would be decent.
The hotel has given us
really good rooms, no?
Plus, you have a balcony.
(DOOR OPENS)
(WIND WHISTLING)
We really need
to get you a new coat.
This is fine. Does its job.
Kind of doesn't. It makes you
look like a street person.
That is not true.
I am handsome.
Okay.
EDEK: This is
Piotrkowska Street.
When your mother
and I was young,
it used to be full of people
this time of night.
So many young
and excited people.
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
There was such happiness...
such hope.
I miss your mom.
I know you do. So do I.
It's been a year now.
I miss her very much.
I wish she was here with us.
She would not have come.
She would be horrified to know
we are here, back in Poland.
Well, I'm excited to be here
to see where you grew up.
It's why we're here. It's...
It's why I'm here.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
"The best and easiest thing
"would be to give people
enough food options.
"But that's not possible.
"One must be clear.
There are two ways.
"We condemn the Jews in
the ghetto to starvation or...
"we shoot them."
(REPORTER ON TV
SPEAKING POLISH)
(MUFFLED TV CHATTER)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
(MAN ON TV SPEAKING POLISH)
Bravo!
Five, six, seven, eight.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
Five, six, seven, eight.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(BUGS PATTERING)
-(SWITCH CLICKS)
-(PATTERING STOPS)
RECEPTIONIST: Recepcja.
Hi, can I cancel
the wake-up call
for room 252, please?
-Why?
-Because I'm already awake.
(LIVE AND LET DIE PLAYS)
Not even MCs
You, he, she, and even I
Should live and let live
Or live and let die
Live and let die
(CAR HORN BLARES)
(DOG BARKING)
(PANTING)
You're wastin' time
Tryin' to change
the mind of those
Whose souls
are full of holes
I do unto others...
(MEN SPEAKS POLISH)
I am sorry.
Life ain't nothin'
but death without money
My way of thinkin'
is one-track
My method of convincin',
combat
Success is a mission
It's there for anyone
who wants to do better...
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WOMAN SPEAKING POLISH)
RUTH: Hello.
American?
Yeah. Do you know, um...
No, thank you.
-(SPEAKS POLISH)
-Maybe...
Oh, no, no, no.
I'm a vegetarian. Vege...
-(BABY CRYING)
-Vegetarian? Just vegetables.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay.
Uh...
Okay.
This is everything I have.
But, um, you can keep this.
I don't need it.
The money is a gift,
so if you want...
I don't... No... I don't...
(WOMAN SPEAKS POLISH)
Okay. Okay. I don't...
But it's... No more. No more.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
No, thank you. Yep.
-(CONTINUES SPEAKING POLISH)
-No, thank you.
EDEK: What are you doing?
I went for a run.
With those?
I bought them on the way.
But why?
I don't know.
Um, I'll give them to Stefan.
But what would Stefan want
with an iron
and an old toothbrush?
Just let me shower.
You look tired,
even after the shower.
(SARCASTICALLY) Thanks, Dad.
Always a pleasure.
You look shocking, Ruth.
Shocking?
Oh, my God, Dad.
That's a new one.
I'm going to use it on you
when you least expect it.
I think I'm just tired.
I didn't sleep that much.
No, me neither.
Do you think you were...
nervous about being in Lodz?
No, I don't think so.
I couldn't sleep because
the bed was so lumpy.
It went up in the middle
and down at both sides.
Such a bed is...
is good for the sex, you know,
-but not for the sleeping.
-(CHUCKLING)
Dad, don't.
But it's just normal
what I say.
Well, it's not a normal thing
to say to your child.
And anyway, "normal" people
are always the most insane.
What about you, Ruthie,
and the sex?
When did you last
have the sex?
Dad, I'm not answering
that question.
In fact, I'm going to pretend
you never asked it.
Okay.
Sheesh.
This should be
Gubernatorska Street,
but it is not.
It's been more than 40 years
since you've been here, Dad.
Things have changed.
Nothing has changed.
It's just the street names.
There.
That is your mom's
old apartment.
That, right there?
It's like a daycare center now
or something.
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
I often would stand
right here.
I would beg your mom
to come out with me.
Oh, she was
such a lovely, lovely girl.
Dad?
Hmm?
-Are you okay?
-(BELL RINGS)
-(CHILDREN SCREAM)
-Of course, pumpkin.
(CHILDREN LAUGHING
AND CHATTERING EXCITEDLY)
What do you think?
Should we go in there?
No, let's go, eh?
There it is.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
-This one?
Yeah, on the second floor.
-Should we go in?
-No, no, no, no. This...
There's nothing to see
that you can't see from here.
Okay, I'll go look around.
EDEK: Ruthie, let's...
-let's go back down, eh?
-No.
(SIGHS)
Wait outside, okay?
I'll be there in a minute.
(WINGS FLUTTERING)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
-(STAIRS CREAK)
-(GASPS)
(WHISPERING) Dad, is this it?
Yes. It was ours.
RUTH: Who does
it belong to now?
EDEK: I don't know.
What are you doing?
I told you, okay?
This is why I'm here.
-I want to see it.
-(MUFFLED THUD)
Are you mad?
Let's get out of here.
-Someone's coming.
-Oh, my God.
Hello. Dzien dobry.
Me llamo Ruth.
I'd like to see
your apartment.
(EDEK CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
(DOOR THUDS)
What are you doing?
What you taught me.
I want him to show us respect.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Which room was yours?
It was through there.
(BABY CRYING)
(WHISPERS) Do you think
it's okay if I look around?
No, Ruthie. Of course not.
(ANTONI SPEAKING POLISH)
Mr. Ulicz?
May I use your toilet?
-Toaleta?
-Ah.
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK SPEAKING)
(ANTONI SPEAKING)
(IRENA SPEAKING)
(IN POLISH)
I'm sorry, I don't...
I don't speak Polish.
Your baby is very beautiful.
Big beauty.
IRENA: Please.
(IN POLISH)
I don't understand.
(KETTLE WHISTLING)
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK CHUCKLES)
(EDEK SPEAKING)
(CHILD GIGGLES)
when they moved in.
What difference does it make?
It makes a difference.
Ask him.
Fine, but only for you.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
They moved here in 1940.
And what year
were you kicked out?
Bardzo dobry.
Were any personal items left
in the apartment?
Mr. Ulicz... (CLEARS THROAT)
(IN POLISH)
He says there was nothing.
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS SOFTLY)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
No.
-No.
-RUTH: Dad?
Dad, what's wrong?
This was our couch.
RUTH: What?
This is... This is our couch.
So this guy's a fucking liar.
Ruthie, turn it down.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
(SIGHS)
She said
the apartment was empty.
Yeah, but that's bullshit.
They have our couch.
Yes, I know.
And, er, you see that bowl?
That silver bowl?
RUTH: Yeah.
It is my mother's.
That's it. I'm buying it.
No, you are not.
That is ridiculous.
It is just a dish.
You can buy dish in store.
Yeah, but I don't want
to buy a dish in a store.
I don't even want a dish.
-I want this dish.
-(SIGHS)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
EDEK: That teapot
belonged to my mother.
And those cups
and the sugar bowl.
And even the spoons.
I remember my mother
pouring tea from that pot.
Many, many times.
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(FOOTSTEPS)
RUTH: Dad.
If they have the dish
and they have the teapot,
they probably have
other stuff.
And I'm not going to stop
until I figure out
what was ours.
Okay? They probably walked in
minutes after
you were forced out.
They don't even care.
They're selfish liars.
(WINDOW OPENS)
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
He says that
he wants more money.
Fine, then I'll pay him.
After all, I'm so rich.
Oh, my God.
I've created a monster.
(DOG BARKS)
RUTH: But why
do we have to leave?
We're just getting
to the bottom...
We have seen
all there was to see.
I told you
there was no more to see.
RUTH: It's not fair.
They had your china
and the couch was there.
There's probably other stuff,
you know, letters,
pictures, family stuff.
Let's go back.
Ruthie. I show you the house,
but it is not enough for you.
What are you looking for?
I don't know.
To see where I'm from.
To get a piece of it, maybe.
You come from America.
That is your piece.
(STEFAN AND EDEK IN POLISH)
Can you read them?
EDEK: Oh, it's in
mostly Hebrew. I can't.
RUTH: Okay,
I'm trying to be careful.
I don't want to step on...
-(WINGS FLUTTERING)
-(BIRD SCREECHING)
This is us?
Fania, Henia. 1908, 1904.
Who are these people?
(CAMERA CLICKS)
These people? They were...
They were dead
long before I was even born.
Don't you think
this should be your job?
Cleaning shit
from the gravestones?
No, showing me Poland,
you know,
"Oh, this is synagogue.
I often came here
"with your grandmother
and super grandfather.
"Here is grave that hold
your super grandfather."
I do not speak in such a way.
My English is much more good.
Ruthie, stop this.
We don't have...
a family plot.
My dead are in Auschwitz.
(EDEK GRUNTS)
Ruthie.
I've decided I cannot go
to Auschwitz with you.
I... I will stay at the hotel.
Is that okay with you?
Yeah, it's okay, Dad.
I understand.
Thank you.
(IN POLISH)
I wish you a good...
EDEK: Whatever.
He seems like
he is not himself.
RUTH: It was
an exhausting day.
Okay.
Um, would you be able
to organize a translator?
Of course.
We got the finest translator.
Okay.
Um, for tomorrow morning?
Oh. That could be
not possible, but...
-Tadzio?
-TADEUSZ: Tak?
(IN POLISH)
He's not translator,
but very good student
of English.
Okay.
(IN POLISH)
-9:00 a.m.?
-Perfect.
-In the lobby?
Yes. With a pleasure.
Okay. Thank you. Great.
Thank you. See you tomorrow.
(PEOPLE WHOOPING
AND CHATTERING IN DISTANCE)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WOMAN LAUGHING)
Have you changed your clothes?
Of course.
Are you sure? 'Cause
that's not really, like,
the impression you're giving.
You still have yolk
on your sweater from Warsaw.
That's a very old yolk.
Oh, that's what that is.
Dad, come on.
What difference does it make?
I want you to feel good.
I feel fine.
Plus, I know I look great.
Yeah, you look great.
Really. I am happy, Ruthie.
Simple. Thank you.
-No, thanks.
-No, my daughter
does not do coffee.
Just tea and shit.
Of course.
And what about you, mm?
You are 32 and alone.
Thirty-six.
What?
I said I'm 36.
Thirty-six.
It is not normal
to be alone when young.
To not have partner.
(SIGHS) You are lonely.
I'm not lonely.
I'm single. I'm alone.
But I'm not lonely.
Why did you leave Garth?
Everything was fine
before Mom died.
I didn't leave him.
We broke up,
like most couples do.
I could introduce you
to 50 women
who are living like me.
I don't want to meet them.
(SIGHS)
To leave a man like Garth
is not normal.
What did I say
about the word "normal"?
There are people
that are normal
and there are people
that are not so normal.
Do you ever remember
Mom getting angry at me?
You know, Mom.
She was so precise.
You know, she would
fold and iron sheets
and towels and washcloths.
I mean, she even ironed
my underwear.
She had those perfectly
organized cabinets, you know.
Order was everything to her.
And you two never talked
about the past.
You never talked
about the barracks or the lice
or the bunks
or the smell of burning flesh.
But Mom couldn't hide it
with her little smile.
She woke up
every single night screaming.
I would lie there in bed
listening to her screaming.
From the moment I was born,
I knew something terrible
had happened to you.
I just didn't dare
ask you about it.
Is that normal to you?
WOMAN: Good morning.
My best wishes
to you for the day.
WOMAN 2: Good morning.
EDEK: Dzien dobry.
(IN POLISH)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
-(BOTH CHUCKLING)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I told you I am looking good.
You know what, Dad?
I'll see you later.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Thank you again
for coming with me.
Oh, thank you again
for the job.
-And the autograph, of course.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(DOOR OPENS)
-Ah, pani Rothwax.
-(BABY SHOUTING)
Uh...
(IN POLISH)
ANTONI: Tak, tak.
(BABY CRYING)
TADEUSZ: Uh...
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
They were really expecting us.
Yeah.
Um...
Can you ask him
how much he wants
for all of these things?
(TADEUSZ IN POLISH)
Uh-huh.
to make an offer,
but I think it would be better
if he suggests a price.
Okay, well, I'm not just going
to throw numbers out.
That's bad deal making, so...
Mm-hmm.
(IN POLISH)
Okay, you can tell him
I'll give him 25 for the bowl,
uh, and another 25
for the tea set.
Yeah, but it's far too much.
I don't want to play games.
I don't want to bargain.
These things
are important to me.
(IN POLISH)
Oh, nie.
Well, you can tell him
that's my final price.
And if he doesn't agree,
we're leaving.
(IN POLISH)
He said it's okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-Okay.
Irenko.
-TADEUSZ: Dzien dobry.
- (IN POLISH)
if you want to see more.
RUTH: Wow.
How much does he want for it?
(IN POLISH)
He said 500 for the set.
Based on your previous price.
(IN POLISH)
(TADEUSZ SPEAKING)
(ANTONI SPEAKING)
(CHINA SET RATTLES)
Przepraszam.
I could try more to,
I don't know, lower the price.
It's too late. He can tell
how badly I want it.
Just tell him to wrap it up.
I'll take it.
(IN POLISH)
That belonged
to your grandfather.
(IN POLISH)
I'll take it. I'll take it.
(SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
$500 is a lot of money.
I know, but it was worth it.
Maybe. (GRUNTS)
But now you can invite
the Rolling Stones
for tea and coffee, actually.
(LAUGHS) I don't think
they're going to come.
You never will know.
I guess I never will know.
(CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
-(SINGING IN POLISH)
-(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(SONG ENDS)
(SPEAKING POLISH)
(EDEK SPEAKING POLISH)
EDEK: Bravo.
Wow.
What is happening?
My daughter is eating
something with no seeds.
Dad, sit down.
You're looking better
already, pumpkin.
Guess what?
Hmm?
I went back
and got your china.
What?
I went back
and bought your china.
And it was all there.
Everything.
The teapot, the plates,
the cups, the saucers,
all of it.
-Ruth...
-I know it's a lot of stuff,
but I'll get
a second suitcase.
I'll pack it all up.
It's going to be...
Why did you do this?
Those people, Ruth,
they could have hurt you.
I'm fine. I'm tough.
Did you go alone?
No, I went with Tadeusz.
He was my translator.
Are you mad?
To go alone with a Polish man?
Don't you know
what happened to Szimek
when he went back?
Don't you know what happened
in Kielce in 1946?
Jews were murdered
when they went back
to their old houses.
Dad, I think you should relax.
Relax?
I can't relax.
Why do you think
I came here with you?
You have no idea...
how... (SIGHS)
And all for
some stupid teapot?
It's not a stupid teapot,
okay?
It's yours,
which means it's mine.
Which means it's important.
How much? How much
did they make you pay?
Listen, I got what I wanted.
-(SIGHS)
-You have no idea
how much
this means to me, Dad.
Before this, we had nothing.
Nothing from your past.
And now you have a teapot.
No, Dad, I have your teapot.
But... (SIGHS)
What are you going to do
with your teapot
and all the china?
They are meant for a family.
And then you...
You have no family.
You have no children.
You have nobody.
That's not nice.
Tomorrow,
I go with you to Auschwitz.
Because, clearly, you have
none of the common sense.
(SNIFFS)
(KNOCKING)
Dad?
Dad, are you awake? I have
something I want to show you.
Dad?
(LIVELY CHATTERING)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
EDEK: La la la la la la!
-Life is life
-(CROWD CLAPS AND SINGS ALONG)
La la la la la la! Whoo!
When we all give the power
We all give the best
Every minute of an hour,
don't think about the rest
When everyone
gives everything
And every song
everybody sings
Life is life
(CROWD CHEERS AND APPLAUDS)
Well, the talented Szimek,
everyone.
Oh, my daughter.
Come, sing on stage, Ruthie.
Don't do this.
Please don't do this.
Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie.
(LAUGHS)
(SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING SENTIMENTAL SONG
IN POLISH)
Your father has told us
so much about you.
My name is Zofia.
So nice to meet you.
EDEK: And this is
her beautiful friend...
Karolina Jedrzejewiczowa.
-Nice to meet you.
-Me too.
ZOFIA: Your father tells us
you are a famous journalist.
He loves to say that.
Um, I'm not famous,
I'm a journalist, but...
Never mind.
ZOFIA: Let me find you
another plate.
(ORDERING IN POLISH)
No, it's okay. I actually...
I don't eat after 7:00 p.m.
I'm trying
to retrain my metabolism.
EDEK: I should say that
my daughter doesn't eat.
What do you mean?
She looks like she eats.
That's because I do eat.
I eat a lot.
EDEK: Yeah, but only seeds.
She's rich, but she eat
like a peasant woman.
I think you look
very beautiful.
To me, a beautiful woman
must be strong
and take up the space.
Thank you.
She is beautiful. And famous.
So are you two from here?
We are only here on business.
We are Polish-English
interpreters.
Today, we interpreted
for a company here in Lodz.
Yes. They wish to trade jams,
sweets and chocolates
with the United States.
Chocolate. Now, this I love.
-Really? So do I.
-Mm-hmm.
(BOTH LAUGH)
KAROLINA: Cigarette?
Yes. God. Thank you.
KAROLINA: Your father tells us
you planned the trip.
Yes, he was just saying
how much he's enjoying
his time with you.
Really?
Enjoyment is not the word
I would have applied to
his experience of this trip.
I am with you, so, yes,
I always enjoy you.
(SENTIMENTAL SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(SPITS)
(SONG ENDS)
(SPEAKING POLISH)
Okay. So, you got
more belongings?
-My friend? Don't ask.
-(CHUCKLES)
Okay.
-Oops.
-Go ahead.
Sorry.
Goodbye, Mr. Rothwax.
Goodbye, Tadeusz. Thank you.
Pleasure.
And I wish you all the best.
-Thank you.
-Thank you so much.
Do widzenia.
(CROW CAWS)
Ruthie, try.
Mm. Stefan make this soup
especially for you.
STEFAN: Zero calorie.
This is true.
Thank you, Stefan. Mmm.
You really made this for me?
No, Magda's mother.
It is a soup especially
for people who do not eat.
EDEK: Mm.
(CHOPIN'S NOCTURNE
OP. 9 NO. 2 PLAYING)
(CHOPIN'S NOCTURNE OP. 9 NO. 2
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(LAUGHTER)
(CAR DOOR SLIDES SHUT)
Where are we?
EDEK: We are in Krakow.
We have arrived at the hotel.
RUTH: Why didn't
you wake me up?
Well, you are awake now, yes?
(CAR DOORS OPENING)
STEFAN: You're welcome.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS)
Good evening. Hello. Welcome.
So, you're here to visit
the Auschwitz Museum?
Um... It's not a museum.
The Museum of Modern Art
is a museum.
The Guggenheim Museum
is a museum.
Even in the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland,
that's a museum.
But Auschwitz is a death camp.
Of course. My apologies.
(WOMEN LAUGHING)
EDEK: Oh, look.
It must be in the stars.
Are they following us?
ZOFIA: How are you?
Dobrze, dobrze, dobrze.
Hello. Hello.
-Hello.
-Hello.
(SINGING IN POLISH)
You are not married?
Me? No. No. No.
She was, once.
It was just so that
he could get a Green Card.
Doesn't really count.
This is not true.
It was love and marriage.
And to a wonderful man. Here.
His name is Garth.
Why do you have
a photo of my ex-husband?
EDEK: Ruthie, please.
Garth is my friend.
Of course I have his photo.
Don't you keep
photos of your friends?
I don't keep photos
of my ex-husband.
-And there.
-There's more?
ZOFIA: He's very handsome.
EDEK: Mm.
KAROLINA: He's gorgeous.
Like a movie star.
Yeah, it's true.
Garth is a wonderful man.
One in a million.
He loved Ruthie
for the woman she is.
What happened?
You two look so happy...
She just divorced Garth
because he wanted
family and children.
He wanted a good life
for my daughter.
It's not what happened.
Well, it...
It is what happened. Yeah.
He wanted happiness, you see?
Yes. Who doesn't?
Ruthie.
She prefers men
who do not like her.
Who ignore her calls.
If someone loves her,
it makes her nervous, anxious.
So, she runs away.
She runs away
from the one who loves her
and from the one
whom she loves too.
What?
Nothing. I'm just surprised.
(CHUCKLES)
Surprised by what?
That was actually very astute
for a man who refuses
to get a therapist.
Why would I see therapist?
I have no problems.
Me, I'm the same.
No problems. (CHUCKLES)
So you don't want children?
Well, I would like
grandchildren, yes.
That thing that you do,
I did that
when I was younger, too.
Don't worry, it will change.
KAROLINA: "Don't worry."
(CHUCKLES)
But you don't have
any children, Zofia.
Yes, but that was my choice.
And you? You have
been divorced four times?
Five. And that was
my choice too.
You are only afraid
of someone loving you
if you are
not used to be loved.
Edek. Did you tell her
how much you loved her
when she was a child?
Of... Of course I did.
Did you?
How do you two
know each other?
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
-Stefan is my good friend.
-Yeah.
How long have you
known each other?
-Oh, five...
-Four.
-Four days. Yes.
-(ZOFIA LAUGHS)
-We meet at airport.
-Mm-hmm.
-KAROLINA: Oh.
-Mm.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DIALING)
(LINE RINGS)
MAN: Hello?
Hello?
(INHALES SHARPLY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SNIFFLES)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Are you nervous?
No. Why should I be nervous?
I... I don't know. Because...
There's nothing
they can do to me here now.
(IN POLISH)
It's gone. The smell.
I thought the smell
would never go away.
Come on, Dad, we're late.
Late for what?
Um, for our guide.
Guide? I don't need no guide.
I could walk about here
with my eyes closed.
I know you could,
but I didn't know
if you were coming with me,
so I got a guide.
-If it's too much...
-No, it's all right.
We can cancel
if it's too much.
No. No. No.
Er... Who knows?
Maybe we learn something
from this...
-Rothwax?
-...guide.
Hi. Yeah, that's us.
Good morning.
My name is Malgorzata Nowak,
and I will be your tour guide
this morning.
Hi, I'm Ruth,
and this is Edek, my father.
Oh, good morning, Mr. Rothwax.
It's an honor
to be your guide today.
Would it be possible
to have a...
a coffee before we begin?
Um... You can have a coffee
in the museum.
A museum? It's not a museum,
it's a death camp.
Sorry, Miss Rothwax,
I didn't want to upset you
with my words.
What difference does it make?
It's still the same place.
GUIDE: Survivors
have the privilege
of driving into Birkenau.
Everybody else must walk.
That's something, at least.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
was started to build by
the German in autumn 1941.
Until 1944,
Jews in cattle cars
were transported
from all over German-occupied
Europe to the gas chambers.
Of 1.3 million people
sent here,
1.1 million murdered.
Everything at this place
was built for only one reason,
to murder.
(SIGHS)
Those not gased
were murdered via starvation,
disease, individual executions
or beatings by the German SS.
And I will show you now
one of these places where
the train were unloaded was.
There.
Inside the camp.
No, no, no, the...
The place where
the train did arrive and stop
was not inside.
It was over there.
Come, I'll show you.
GUIDE: Then you must have
arrived before May 1944?
RUTH: Yeah.
From the Lodz ghetto.
Boze. Yeah. This... This is...
This is where
they push my family out.
This is where your mom and I
were separated.
There were too many trains,
you know.
And all of them
were completely full.
We waited one night
and one day in our train.
(TRAIN CHUGGING)
(GASPS)
Here. Here. This...
-(DISTANT RADIO CHATTER)
-(DOG BARKS)
This is... Here.
-(MAN SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
-Here.
The... The rails.
Here is where your mom and I
were separated.
(MAN SHOUTS IN GERMAN
DISTANTLY)
Here.
This is where I had
to say goodbye to my family.
Your mom was sent
to other part of the camp,
but I stayed here in...
in Birkenau.
All the children
from my family
-went with the women. Yes.
-(BABY CRYING DISTANTLY)
GUIDE: Were there
any other survivors?
In my father's family? Uh...
No. Um, my mother.
But she's gone now, so...
No, it's just... just him.
(MUTTERING) This I remember.
We stood with piss and shit
to our ankles for two days.
(HUFFS) All these trains.
RUTH: Dad.
Dad, I'm so sorry
about the train tickets.
I wasn't thinking.
It was like...
I was just trying so hard
to be efficient
and get the trip handled.
And I...
I guess sometimes
I get so caught up
in just trying
to get things done that I...
Please, pumpkin.
(SIGHS) I just wanted
to ride Mercedes.
It's... They're better,
that's all.
Here. This was my barracks.
It is burned down.
Only the chimney is left.
(GRUNTS)
Come. Come.
Come in. I insist.
Here... Here was the...
the wooden doors.
They had big holes in them.
In the winter, the man
who sleep near the doors,
in the morning,
he was usually dead.
I... I slept over...
over there.
I was lucky I was not
so near the doors, you know.
(CAMERA CLICKS)
I slept in the middle.
Nobody wanted to sleep
in the middle.
You could get crushed.
(EXHALES)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
What's it like being here?
It's okay, Ruthie.
I'm lucky. I'm alive.
-(EDEK EXHALES)
-(CAMERA CLICKS)
But why you take
that many photographs?
Who should look at them?
I will.
Why do they keep
all this? Hmm?
Who wants to see it?
GUIDE: Since the fall
of the Wall, there are
thousands of visitors
from all over the world.
So it will be never forgotten.
In 1979,
it was named World Heritage...
A wall is a wall. (SIGHS)
EDEK: But I don't want to stay
here for a thousand years.
Ruthie, come on.
It's cold. Come.
Let's go and have that coffee.
(IN POLISH)
(EDEK GRUNTS)
(ENGINE STARTS)
(EDEK SIGHS)
You just can't get enough
of all this disaster, can you?
Not a nice postcard
to get through the mail,
do you think?
No, I guess not.
Can I have one?
Sure, if you want one.
Thank you.
I will send to Garth.
Dad?
What? He should see
my old home.
(RUTH CHUCKLES)
RECEPTIONIST:
And how was the museum?
Edek? Edek.
Oh, my God. We have stalkers.
EDEK: That's not nice, Ruthie.
They're not stalkers.
They're...
We were just talking
about you.
-How are you?
-Ah.
Me? I'm fine.
We went to the death camps.
ZOFIA: Edek,
I'm so sorry to hear that.
KAROLINA:
Can we buy you a drink?
A drink
with two beautiful ladies?
-(CHUCKLES) We would love to.
-Prosze.
Ruthie.
I'm just beat, Dad.
I'm going to stay here
and read.
Ah, yes, I bought her
a book in New York.
Really? How sweet of you.
(LAUGHING)
(IN GERMAN)
(LAUGHING BOISTEROUSLY)
What is so fucking funny?
(LAUGHING QUIETER)
WOMAN: Shh, shh.
(SOFT BALLAD MUSIC PLAYING)
ZOFIA: Edek?
(IN POLISH)
(CHUCKLES)
(MAN SINGING BALLAD SONG
IN POLISH)
(EDEK SIGHS)
(BALLAD SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(BALLAD SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
-(MUSIC STOPS)
-(ALARM WAILING)
(DOOR OPENS)
You have to go too, miss.
Don't take anything,
please, right now.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
You have to come out. Come on.
(DOOR SHUTS)
(INSTRUCTING IN POLISH)
Dad? Dad!
-We have to go right now.
-Dad!
Nobody's there.
We have to go. Please.
(PORTER INSTRUCTING
IN POLISH)
(GUESTS CHATTERING
AND LAUGHING)
RUTH: Have you seen
my father?
Have you?
Have you seen my...
Have you seen my father?
-Mr. Rothwax?
-No. No.
Mr. Edek Rothwax?
Sorry.
-Stefan?
-Ruthie?
RUTH: Have you seen my dad?
Uh, no, I have not.
But don't worry.
Certainly... Look, there.
-There he is.
-Dad.
-Hey. (CHUCKLES)
-RUTH: Dad.
(EDEK LAUGHING)
RUTH: I thought
you'd been burned alive.
Oh.
Don't worry, darling.
It's just Polish fire alarms.
Don't touch me.
RECEPTIONIST:
Please, everybody.
I'm very, very sorry, but
this is just a false alarm.
We apologize very much
for this inconvenience.
Please help yourself
to a free vodka.
-Please. I'm so sorry.
-(GUESTS CHEERING)
Maybe you should
have one, darling.
It might be good for you.
You...
You seem to be
having the stress.
Stop.
EDEK: Stop what, pumpkin?
And don't fucking
call me that, by the way.
Pumpkin is not
a nice nickname, okay?
There's plenty
of nicer nicknames
like "darling" or "sweetheart"
or "petal" or "doll."
A pumpkin is a fat,
leaky, orange mess.
EDEK: Come on. Ruthie.
(SULLEN MUSIC PLAYING)
-Na zdrowie.
-ALL: Na zdrowie.
-(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
-EDEK: Ruth.
Open the door.
I think we should talk.
(TEARFULLY) I don't think
there's anything
for us to talk about.
We've honestly gone our whole
lives not talking about it.
So why don't
we just not talk about it,
and not talk about it
till we're both dead?
What... What are you doing?
Honestly, my stupidest idea
in a lifetime
of fairly stupid ideas.
EDEK: Ruthie.
RUTH: I'm leaving.
I'm going back
to New York today.
What?
My life has unraveled
since we lost mom.
But you can just stay
and, you know,
start a life of drunken
revelry with Zofia
for all I care.
You act like
you're this family man
and you want a grandkid
and you brag
about how famous I am.
We used to be a family,
and then it was
just you and me.
And now I'm realizing
it's just me.
I'm alone.
Eh?
I got you a winter coat.
Oh, my...
This... This...
This is my father's coat.
Yeah. It's all the same
to you, right?
A wall is a wall.
A coat is a coat.
This...
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOBBING SOFTLY)
(WISTFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SNIFFLES)
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
-Papa.
-(LUGGAGE THUDS)
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
-(LAUGHTER)
-(MUSIC PLAYING)
Ruthie?
Are you okay?
Can you drive me
to the airport, Stefan?
Has something happened?
It's time for me
to go back to New York.
But Edek?
Gonna go alone.
Just like I probably
should have come alone.
(STEFAN SIGHS)
Okay. Give me a minute
to get ready.
KAROLINA: Take a seat.
No, thank you.
KAROLINA: Take a seat.
(WOMAN AND MAN
SPEAKING POLISH)
I take it
this has to do with Zofia.
No.
She told me you're upset.
I'm not upset. I'm exhausted.
Here.
Thank you.
What you and your father
do this trip,
it is not easy.
Yeah, but he could
at least try.
KAROLINA: He's trying.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Okay. Thank you, Stefan.
EDEK: I'm sorry.
-RUTH: Whatever.
-Whatever?
I'm sorry for having
the sex with Zofia.
Besides just being generally
gross to contemplate,
it... it felt wrong.
To Mom. And we're already here
without her.
But it shouldn't.
We... We are all adults here.
Of course, all adults here.
At Mom's funeral...
do you remember what you said?
You said, let us not cry.
That Mom
wouldn't want us to cry.
And so I didn't cry.
We didn't cry, Dad.
EDEK: Tsk.
Yes.
I know, pumpkin.
But you can cry
if you want to.
It's... It's all right.
STEFAN: Edek?
You know what? You can...
have sex
with whoever you want.
I mean, after all, it...
it is normal.
Yes, it is normal.
Unless you like
the not normal sex.
-And that's okay, too. Ruthie.
-(CHUCKLES) Dad.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
ZOFIA: Goodbye, Ruthie.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
You are a brave girl.
And a beautiful girl.
I'm more like a, uh,
rapidly aging woman,
but thank you, Zofia.
STEFAN: Do widzenia.
Stefan, there is something
I have to do.
We do not go to airport.
Not yet.
We will need shovel.
-Shovel.
-Lopata.
Mm-hmm.
And I think we should stop
for Tadeusz.
We will need young blood.
(ENGINE STARTS)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
STEFAN: Edek?
-Okay.
-Right.
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(STEFAN IN POLISH)
EDEK: Hey.
(CLANKING)
Nie. Nie, nie.
Tutaj, tutaj.
Tutaj.
Tak. Tak.
Nie. Nie, nie.
digging for? Treasure?
EDEK: Tutaj.
Are we allowed to do that?
This is our house,
our building.
We can do what we like.
(ANTONI'S SISTER
SPEAKING POLISH)
(URGING IN POLISH)
(IN POLISH)
I'm not paying you no shit.
My daughter
already paid you too much.
And I lied. She is not rich.
No, I'm not.
And you know what?
You can fuck right off.
(IN POLISH)
TADEUSZ: Mr. Rothwax?
EDEK: Tak.
(ANTONI'S SISTER AND ANTONI
SPEAKING POLISH)
(EDEK CHUCKLES)
have a present for you.
The day they took us
away from here,
the day the Germans
forced us into the ghetto...
my father and I
buried that here.
It has papers in it.
You can now reclaim
this house.
And there is paperwork, too,
for the other buildings,
the factories.
(ANTONI IN POLISH)
Kuchnia is kitchen.
And then this.
I mean, I can't read Polish,
so you have to...
-Ah, this...
-...tell me what that is.
This is what gives us
the rights, the... the...
How do you say? The deeds?
Wow.
Yes, it's very legal
with the stamps.
(CHUCKLES)
What are these?
Oh, my...
This is my mother and father.
He's wearing the coat.
There.
There he is. And that's me.
-(CHUCKLING)
-You're so small.
-EDEK: Ugly little rat.
-(BOTH LAUGH)
This one, I...
I took this photo.
It was the day
of Fela's wedding anniversary.
-I remember.
-Who... Who is Fela?
My sister. She was...
my sister.
I didn't... I didn't know
you had a sister.
I loved her.
Very much.
We were so close.
There she is. Look.
She was so clever
and so beautiful.
And she wrote beautifully.
Just like you.
Like you, Ruthie.
Liebala and Hanka.
They were Fela's daughters.
These are your cousins,
Ruthie.
Don't you think they look
a little bit like me?
I always thought so, yes.
RUTH: (TEARFULLY) Why did
you never tell me, Dad?
EDEK: (TEARFULLY)
Because... (SIGHS)
It's not easy
to have a child who looks like
a child who is dead.
And it is not easy...
to tell them how very much
you love her.
-(SOBS)
-Oh, Dad.
EDEK: Yes. Very much.
I'm so sorry, Ruthie.
-No, Dad.
-Yes.
-No.
-I... I...
I never trusted your strength.
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
We are very, very strong, Dad.
Where... Where we all lived...
This now...
This house is all yours.
If you want it.
Well...
A house
is just a house, right?
Or maybe not.
I belong with you. You know,
we belong together.
In New York.
Where you made our family.
Yes. Yes,
we are New Yorkers.
Edek.
Chrusciki.
-Oh. (CHUCKLES)
-EDEK: Oh.
From my wife.
-Thank you, Stefan.
-EDEK: Mmm.
Ah, careful though,
because...
Mm. There are 14 egg yolks.
Lots of butter and sour cream.
Well, my mother, I remember
when she made Chrusciki,
she did roll out the dough,
very thin.
And she did fold it over,
and then...
-she fried it in oil.
-(GIGGLING)
Ah. Enjoy.
(IN POLISH)
EDEK: Mmm.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
for everything, Stefan.
-Thank you, Ruthie.
-Mm.
I will not forget you,
my friend.
I have pictures of you
for my wallet.
-Thank you.
-Stefan.
You have been
such a good friend to us.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
It was my pleasure.
Truly.
RUTH: So, you're excited
to get back?
EDEK: Yes.
I'm excited to see Garth
and tell him all about
our adventures
from daughter-father trip.
RUTH: Maybe you can
say hi to him for me.
EDEK: To Garth? Of course.
RUTH: I mean,
just as long as you don't,
like, make too big
a deal about it.
Me, make deal? Never.
(CHUCKLES)
Ruthie?
Yeah?
I think it was a good idea
to bring home
my mother's old teapot. No?
No.
No, yes or no, no?
RUTH: No, yes, Dad.
Always no, yes.
(RUTH CHUCKLES)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
EDEK: So, did you...
did you finish the book?
RUTH: Oh, I've been
kind of distracted,
but I'll get to it
on the plane.
EDEK: This is good news.
After you, I shall read.
His missing arm,
this I must know.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENON PA SYSTEM)
(PENSIVE MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES OUT)
(INHERITANCE PLAYING)
I think I knew
Before you told me
What I had inherited
I got it from you
The way that I dodged love
and find it embarrassing
I think I knew
I got it from you
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
I think I guessed
Before you'd slipped out
The pain knocks you out
Get it off your chest
To strengthen our blood
You couldn't help
but pass down
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
Look at me, will you?
It didn't build you
You rose from its grave
And it tried to fill you
But it couldn't kill you
So look what it did
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
I had a feeling
Hadn't I dig up
what you kept inside
I had a feeling
I wasn't dreaming
That you bit back truths
too big to hide
I had a feeling
that I inherited
More than your smile
(SONG ENDS)
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)