Original subtitles

THE CONDUCTOR

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Rough day?

-It was okay. -Willy...

Your wages.

I get paid next week.

Ridiculous.

They had a party.

Can you cut the onions?

I'm making soup.

You know they make her cry.

A few tears won't kill her.

Let's go.

Mom feels a migraine coming on.

Where are you going this early?

To work.

Carrying a suitcase?

I won't be home tonight.

I'm staying over at Marjorie's.

Who?

You know, from work.

Home already?

Yes.

How was work?

-Good. -What did they play?

Beethoven's 5th.

What we call 'Fate'.

Fate?

It was Tchaikovsky. That pathetic piece.

I forgot.

That you got fired?

-How do you know? -Simple.

I dropped by your work place.

And...

What's this?

How did you get this, with no job?

You searched my room?

Every day, you pretend to go to work.

You're home late.

What do you do all that time?

I work.

Where?

I can't say.

-I have to know. -But I won't tell you.

-How long is this going on? -What?

Entrance exam, for the conservatory?

Mom, can we discuss this later? I'm tired.

You lied all this time?

-I don't lie. -You do.

About getting fired, studies, work.

I'm an adult, mom.

I need to live my own life.

Without us you wouldn't have a life.

I've added it all up.

What you eat, drink and wear.

Every piano lesson.

Here...

That's what I spent on you.

And what do I get in return?

Nothing but lies.

So I'm keeping this money.

To compensate for our costs.

-Forget about that conservatory. -Mom...

Don't call me mom. I'm not you mother.

What?

Mom?

Is it true?

I'm sorry, Willy.

We couldn't have children.

Then we saw this.

'Child for adoption.

Young mother wishes to give up daughter.'

'The best bid will be accepted.'

I'm simply being offered for sale.

How old was I?

Two.

Why didn't she want me?

I'm afraid she didn't love you.

And my father?

We know nothing about him.

Your mother wasn't married.

Didn't she have any family?

They disowned her.

This is your birth certificate.

Agnes.

My name is Agnes?

No, that's your mother's name.

Your name is Antonia.

Antonia Brico.

I'll go comfort her.

Tell her a few tears won't kill her.

Mr. Mengelberg?

Antonia Brico.

Do you recognize me?

How could I possibly forget you?

I was hoping you'd say that.

I'd like to ask you a favour.

Can you give me conducting lessons?

Conducting lessons?

I understand you're busy.

But I don't know where to start.

I figured, you know Frank Thomsen...

and me being his friend,

I was hoping...

Can I think about it?

Yes, of course.

A telegram, sir.

HERE RESTS AGNES BRICO

Who takes such good care of it?

Sister Louigiana,

your mother's sister.

Is she here?

Can I talk to her?

You can't.

She took a vow of silence.

-Sure, but can I see her? -No.

Can I talk to your boss?

-Mother superior? -Yes, that's who I meant.

Ten minutes, in absolute silence.

-Agnes. -Dear God, forgive her.

I'm her daughter.

Antonia.

Where were you?

In America.

You were untraceable.

Did she try to find me?

Do you know how my parents met?

I respect your vow of silence,

but you've already broken it.

Why did she get rid of me?

That's what I'd like to know.

Perhaps you can ask God

if someone can answer my questions.

Keeping quiet is the same as lying.

She never wanted to give you up.

Do you know what she said, just before she died?

'For God's sake, find Antonia'

-Why are you here? -Did you give it some thought?

Go home.

I have no home.

To America.

You don't understand.

I can't give up.

I'd rather die trying than not try at all.

And if you fail?

Then I'll go home.

Meet me at my office tomorrow.

I visited my mother's grave.

I guess you didn't know she died.

From heartache over losing me.

She was only 29.

Who told you that?

Her sister,

who takes care of her grave.

She had seven siblings.

My mother was the oldest.

So there's more family?

I'm sure you know what 'to be disowned' means.

She met a man.

A musician.

My mother was madly in love with him.

They spent one night together.

Then he got tired of her.

Love ruined her.

Selfish women are condemned.

Wasn't it selfish to abduct me to America?

-That mother of yours sued us. -Because she wanted me back.

That purchase was meant to be temporary.

On the day of the trial she waited in the courtroom.

Hours passed, but you didn't show up.

She searched for months, but she couldn't find me.

I had simply disappeared.

What happened to your mother?

She locked herself up in a convent.

Where she wasted away.

Do you still think she didn't love me?