Original subtitles

July August Productions presents

A Film By Adam Sanderson

Funeral At Noon

Does it need more salt? -No, it's perfect.

Sorry I didn't come for lunch.

That's alright.

Did you have a lot of work? -Tons.

Good.

Where were you?

I went to the post office.

Isn't it closed now?

Yes... I forgot.

Shmerling died. -Who?

Esther Shmerling.

She was one of the old timers. I don't think you ever met her.

She died last night, in the middle of the night.

Poor thing.

She was very old. Even I studied with her.

She was your teacher?

I remember, before they built the building,

she used to take us to the woods and translate German children's books to us.

She used to say that in German,

dogs don't bark "how, how" like in Hebrew, but rather "erf, erf".

It was important to her that we know that.

Over the course of 50 years, Esther Shmerling raised generations

of Hebrew workers, engineers and soldiers.

Some of them stand among us today and none can better appreciate

the great loss her death brings.

Thank you for allowing your pupils to walk beside you

and not behind you.

You were an ediu^ater through and through,

a true educator, an educator of life.

Are you home? -Yes.

But are you staying home?

Yes.

I have to take him to the doctor. The little one.

He's hurt himself again...

Can you make Yiftach something to eat?

Something quick. I just don't have the time.

Is it okay?

Sure. -Thanks.

Thank you.

Did Esther Shmerling teach you?

Was she a good teacher?

Just like everybody else.

What happened to your brother?

He banged his head on the door.

It's hot today.

Want to see something?

Nice, isn't it?

Want to see where I found it?

Come on.

'm not allowed to be here.

Haven't you ever been here?

No.

Don't worry, there's nothing here.

Come on. You're safe with me.

saw you, boy.

Why aren't you with the others?

Where is your camp?

Behind the orchard.

I didn't see it.

Because it's secret.

He's the one who lost the canteen.

I think your mother is back.

Are you hungry?

I spoke to Ostrovsky, the school principal.

He said they're looking for someone to take Shmerling's place.

I want you to do it.

Start teaching? -Yes.

Did my parents ask you?

What? -To find me a job.

No, no.

But I didn't finish my internship.

Do you have a certificate?

Yes, I have something. -Where?

I don't know... maybe in the shed.

Let's find it.

It's probably at my parents' house.

Teaching Certificate

'll write and ask them to send it.

Isn't that it?

Yes.

I'll make you an appointment with Ostrovsky.

Great.

Shouldn't you raise your legs?

Grenade!

21, 22, 23 attack!

Grenade!

What is that?

Maybe he's not here?

What the hell is going on here?!

What is this?

You two stay here and clean this mess!

We brought you something.

For me?

What is it?

It's good, take a drink.

Did you lose the canteen?

What canteen?

This one. -No. It's not mine.

Thanks.

A gift?

Yes.

Will you continue training here?

No, we're done here.

So what will you do?

Tomorrow we'll clean our weapons and get organized.

And then, thank God, we're out of here.

Come on, Benny.

Let's go.

Yes?

Hello, Mr. Ostrovsky. -Hello.

May I? -Of course.

Come, sit here.

Hello.

Hello.

Would you like something to drink?

No, I'm fine.

Have you brought any documents? Something I can see?

You went to the teachers' seminary?

She graduated with honors. -Great.

Except for Israeli geography...

That's alright. Are you free now?

I would be happy to help however I can.

There are some things that I don't remember...

Yes, but she kept all the material.

Do you have experience with children? -Yes, she does.

Can you leave us for a moment?

Yes.

Look, we have a month left before summer vacation.

I need you to take charge of a class for one month.

Do you think you can do that?

can barely hear you right now.

I'd be glad to help.

Okay, then stand up.

Please, stand.

Do you want to work? Do you want to do it?

Then stand

Imagine you're in a classroom full of noisy pupils.

You walk in and shout 'Tm here!"

'm here.

I can't hear you, louder.

I'm here.

Louder.

I'm here!

Louder! So they can hear you!

'm here!

Loud!

I'm here.

I'm here.! I'm here!

I'm here.

I got the job.

Really?

Yes.

Great, great.

Aren't you hungry?

No.

Do you want to take a shower? Maybe you should take a shower?

Shower?

Go wash yourself, you'll feel good.

What?

Did you say something? -No.

thought you said something.

Go take a shower.

Let's rest for a while.

It looks like I'm going to be your teacher.

Where were you?

Out on the field.

Want an omelet?

Yes.

You light it.

Don't hang around with her.

Okay?

Tuesday is Jewish National Fund Day.

And on Wednesday there's a staff meeting at the end of the day.

The library is on the second floor.

A copy of the "Pedagogic Poem" is waiting there for you.

Our gift for teachers.

Wait here.

'm here!

Your substitute teacher, Mrs. Erlich, is waiting outside.

And she won't come in until it's completely silent in here.

Understood?

Hello... I'm Hagar... Hagar Erlich and I'll be substituting for Esther.

I hope we all get through this together...

Thank you... thank you very much.

agar

Today we'll learn a new poem.

You may sit down.

Does anyone here know the poet Leah Goldberg?

We'll study a poem she wrote called "White Days".

It was written a long time ago... but remains new... in my opinion.

White long days, like the sun's rays in summer.

Long solitary tranquility along the riverfront.

Windows wide open to blue sky silence.

Straight long bridges between yesterday and tomorrow.

My heart got used to itself, it counts softly its beats,

and to the sweetness of the soft rhythm calms itself down

like a baby singing his own lullaby before closing his eyes

while his tired mother ceases to sing and falls asleep.

Empty white days, your silence is so easy to bear.

My eyes have learned to smile, They long ago ceased to rush

the slender hands of the clock.

Straight long bridges between yesterday and tomorrow.

Yiftach?

Hi.

Are you looking for the boy? -Have you seen him?

Yes, he was here earlier.

I know where he is. Come on.

Is he your son?

What?

I asked if he's your son.

Why? Do I look that old?

No, I just asked.

He's not my son.

Haven't we gone too far?

No.

I looked for you yesterday.

For me?

Yes.

I thought the two of you might be walking here.

Can you please tell me how it was?

It was... wonderful.

Yes?

Yes, adorable children.

And you handled it?

Yes, it was a bit hard at the beginning, but then it worked out.

I knew it. I knew you could do it.

You're a lot stronger than you think. Much stronger.

Yes.

What's that? -What?

Don't you hear it?

Recognize it? -Yes.

What are you doing? -Madame...

Hagar..

Come.

Where is Yiftach?

don't know.

You haven't seen him?

No.

He always wanders off, but not this late.

Are you sure you haven't seen him?

No. I'm sorry.

Sarah, let's go...

Are you sure you haven't seen him? Try to remember.

I haven't seen him.

Let's drive around and look for him. He must be around here.

Are you leaving for school? -Yes.

Why didn't you tell me you used to spend time with Yiftach?

I babysat for him once, that's all.

But why didn't you tell me?

What's there to tell?

Why is she so mad at you?

don't know.

Excuse me?

Where is everybody.

There's no school today, ma'am. Everybody is searching for the boy.

Where is Yiftach?

I don't know.

Where is he?

I told him to stay home.

I don't know. Really.

You called him to come play with you?

No.

You called him to come play with you.

What did you do to him?

Answer me! didn't do anything to him...

Answer me!

You did something to him! You did!

Come with me.

Hagar!

Stay here.