Original subtitles

Hi,

George. Sir, this is Carla.

Yes, this is Carla.

How was the trip?

Good. We're going to get some fresh air.

Comment ça va?

Très bien, merci.

Didn't know you spoke French, George. Bloody hells I do.

Il est chaud, n 'est -ce pas?

Il fait chaud, George. Well, it's not that hot, really.

How are you doing?

Oh, nothing bad here and there.

Tell you later.

Well, Martha wants to meet Carla as soon as you get back. Okay.

See you later.

On a clear day, you can see the city from here.

It's sublime.

Really beautiful.

Miles and miles.

It's like Europe, a little.

It is around here, but this country's older.

I feel new here.

I'm glad Francois is not here.

I've been round and round it in my mind.

Two maps.

It's exhausting.

It's good to get away.

Have a holiday.

This is more than a holiday.

Well, there are seasons to this, you know.

Be a nice bit up once or twice.

But we stay together.

We always got back together in the end.

I'm glad.

It could happen to you.

Oh, no. I don't think so.

We'll see.

I've discovered that I'm too selfish.

You're not selfish.

Yes, I am.

It's an arrow.

Nice little plane.

You're a bit like my father.

I suppose I am a bit.

That's what friendship is, a kind of transmission from one to another.

We used to have a couple of doctors.

They're very good. Yeah.

May I drive?

No, I can't. We drive on the other side of the road, the left.

Well, most of us do anyway.

You look there.

See you for a minute.

I'm just going to check the meter. I'll be back in a minute.

Tom, she's blind.

No, no, no, no, no.

A little glass from the window screen.

Here, it's her left eye.

We have to wait and see what happens to the other eye.

What does that mean?

Well, there's a possibility of a delayed reaction to her right eye, which may

affect her vision.

We don't know to what extent.

You mean she might be able to see at all?

Too early to tell.

We've got to wait and see.

Does she know?

No, not yet.

Talk to her tomorrow.

Come on, Tom, let's go.

Is he ringing again?

No, no, no, Francois. You've got to accomplish it. Fine. She's getting the

treatment.

Yes, we'll ask her to.

Yes, we'll ring straight away.

Okay. Right, goodbye.

She didn't tell him.

She doesn't want him.

Just look up, thank you. Look up and down.

Left, right.

Just look towards me, thank you.

Look to your left.

Look to your right.

Down.

Down.

Just look up again.

Look to your right.

Look to your left.

Look down.

The vision in your left eye is now completely gone.

The damage to the left eye is unfortunately

affecting the right eye.

You must have noticed that.

A severe injury to one eye can cause the body's defense mechanisms to

start attacking.

the healthy tissues of the other eye.

It's a condition we call sympathetic ophthalmitis.

In order to be sure, I would recommend that

we remove your left eye.

But I don't understand.

I mean, I can see quite well why my right eye should...

Hi, Bunduck.

Hi, Tom.

How is she?

Not the best.

Where's Robert?

I think he's at the back.

I don't think he wants to know. He's a moody bugger.

He's a coward.

That's what I told him.

Hey, Tom.

How did you know I was here?

Ah, the third eye.

I have Shiva.

I have Casey.

Or knows of Casey.

Your prickly pear's looking good. What do you give it?

I feed them intravenously with holy water.

Works miracles.

Actually, I read about this guy in California.

Slaved bait over into his plant.

They all died.

You'd better be careful.

Look, I'm no good with women.

I need your help.

Well, call it.

She's in a state of shock.

You once said blind people made friends easily.

You know, people trust us because we can't see them.

God, you're a cynic. What do you expect?

You can use my typewriter.

No, no, I write with my hands, by hand.

It's all right.

How well can you see, Carla?

Quite well.

It's just a bit difficult to focus.

It reminds me of Germany here.

We used to go to the Black Forest.

There was a walk.

A special walk I did with my father.

You came to a clearing.

And the light fell in.

Like the grace of God.

It was our special place.

And I always thought

that the end of my life would be like that light.

And now I know it'll be very different.

Need any egg? I've got plenty, thanks, Martha.

Ça va, Carla?

Très bien, merci.

Martha used to be with the opera.

Which one?

Nobody knows.

get annoyed that we have to listen to self -styled experts like Mrs. Freud,

go on insisting the cactus be watered from the base.

Rainwater, of course, comes from above, which is the natural way, and it falls

downwards, and I think we can safely assume that he, or if you want to be

free -thinking about it, she, knows what's what.

Look, I really hope I haven't offended anybody here amongst you who might work

with a different deity from most of us.

Now this example here is Samus Sirius Silvestri and this is rather interesting

because this particular specimen is about twice the size of the usual.

Back to the issue of top versus bottom watering.

Of course, the best thing to do is to look at the environment a particular

grows in and let that point the way to the best way of treating our cactus

friends. Now, next week, I hope to talk about pots and potting.

Now, last meeting, there was a very intelligent question asked by our new

member, Mr. Llewellyn Jones, who asked...

Whether cacti thrive better in plastic terracotta, china, or even

wooden pots.

Now, my research on that matter will, I'm sure, interest you all.

Thank you very much.

I'd like to thank our speaker for an interesting talk.

And welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the October meeting of the...

Australian Tactics and Succulent Society.

Do we have any apologies?

We have one.

Any further apologies?

Would somebody move that the minutes in the spy net have

a true record?

Alec, the seconder?

I'll now put the motion to the membership of that if we allow...

The motion that Tom has put is that we allow any number of sellers to sell at

our show.

I did speak last year, and I think that on an important subject like the selling

of plants, I think that we should have been consulted perhaps last meeting.

It was at the last committee meeting that formal plans could be made, having

found out previously that the show committee no longer existed.

We've all heard the motion. Those in favour?

Those against?

Well, the

proper thing for the

show convene to do is to resign.

I think it's time we went.

What did you think of that?

I don't understand much of it.

Are they married?

Who?

Robert and Bendick. I know.

Lovers? No.

No, she was married to a friend of his, a crazy Dutchman.

Some kind of psychologist.

She helps around the house, looks after the cacti.

He doesn't seem to be... handicapped.

No, it goes very well.

The tablets and drops are helping, but you can see that the vision's not good

anymore.

The left eye must be removed.

There's no alternative, I'm afraid.

And the right eye?

At best, the vision will be poor.

What do you mean?

What do you mean, poor?

Difficult to be sure at this stage.

At the very least, you can expect it to be able to see doorways,

a large piece of furniture, be able to tell that there's somebody there without

being able to see who it is.

And if I don't have my left eye removed, what if I keep it?

What happens then?

I'd expect the vision to grow worse.

Much worse.

But I don't understand.

Completely blind?

Yes, more or less.

We don't have much time.

It has to be removed.

I don't want to.

You stay there.

You've got the wall.

What do you recommend?

Roundabout? Light on it?

Okay, girl. Where do you think you're going?

I'm going to see a government house.

Can I come?

You've got to be joking. It's a sacred site. What are you doing?

Oh, I'm just finishing that painting.

One joke wants me to change the feet.

I think it's wrong. Don't. It's your painting.

We have to stick to tradition, you know.

Where does that get you?

Out, girl.

Wounded animals should be left alone.

In my personal opinion.

That's your personal opinion? Yes, that's my personal opinion.

I could have run the vet.

Look, I'm serious, you know.

Hello?

How are you?

Having a hard time?

Yeah.

There's nothing much to be afraid of, you know.

Maybe.

Let's go for a walk.

Stay here, Casey.

No, that's fine.

You leave.

Bugger. What's a bugger?

Pith and nuisance.

He's being very sweet.

Yeah, that's the trouble.

Australia looks very different from France.

It depends on where you are.

Where are you?

I don't really know.

I'm trying to find out.

That's Martha's friend, Elsa.

Especially her tongue.

Have you always been blind?

Yeah.

No.

Once, when I was a child, I saw for a moment when I bumped my head.

Suppose it doesn't count.

Nobody believed me anyway.

But it happened.

The blind do not see, still they breathe with breath, speak with speech, hear

with the ear, and think with the mind.

The same mind.

Did you make that up?

No.

I read that in Time magazine.

You're laughing at me.

Robert, do you want some coffee?

Put on that record he used to play when that crazy Dutchman was around.

I threw it out.

Played a new play last week.

What do you want with it?

None of your business.

I'll have a look.

Do you want some coffee or not?

Okay, thanks.

Which flight do you want on?

You know which flight.

Do you miss him?

Yes, I do miss him.

Of course I miss him.

What's the matter with you?

Yeah, I miss him too.

He's telling everyone.

On the first day you talk about accuracy.

You gather wood for your jacket on the second day.

You talk to the fire on the third and fourth day.

I got very tired.

But my father kept pushing me.

Maybe because of his image standing behind the glass.

His face.

His fist.

Going like this.

If he hadn't pushed me so hard, I could have been crippled.

My left thumb is still thin.

Smaller. Can you feel?

You didn't tell me you were handicapped.

You don't have to know everything.

Yes, I do.

I like it when you tell me things.

It's an insight.

How do you know when you're curious?

Curious.

I'm serious now.

you inhale

I'm not going this year.

Why not?

Too many have died off.

It makes me sad each year.

I can't let the boys down. It's a big day.

I watched it on a telly with Martha.

She's invited me round. They're planning a party or something.

Keep an eye out for Robert. He said he'd call in.

Cola's coming with me. Martha wants to read her hand.

Oh, my.

That letter.

Members of the... Well, it's not raining in town.

Just look at it here.

The weather is splendid today.

That's why I like it.

Soft blue sky.

Oh, there's Tom.

Oh, didn't you see him?

Immediately behind them, the odd spots.

The odd bod, infatuation.

I'm going to ask you to read your hand, ladies. Very good. No, I don't believe

in infatuation.

What do they call it for you? Superstition.

Just fun.

I mean, Robert, to the ring. Here we see the three flags.

We're all here.

Beatrice.

And George. And Kolo. And Kolo. And Kolo.

And Kolo.

And Kolo.

And Kolo.

And Kolo.

And Kolo.

And

Kolo.

Hi. Which one? How are you?

I'm fine.

How are you?

All right.

I'm glad you came.

From Marty? Yeah.

He marches every year.

Everybody thinks I didn't.

I'm sure I saw him.

When George wakes up, I want you all to make a little party to celebrate his

60th birthday.

I thought it was your birthday. Maybe it is. I probably got it wrong.

You've got

a

few medals there, son.

TFC, eh?

What's that one?

French. Oh, it's a French one.

What is it?

Wad of gear.

Wad of gear?

Sort of good behaviour metal.

Get on with it. God bless you, son.

Happy birthday, Martha.

Tom.

Oh, I don't want another of those nasty plants.

Every year he brings me exactly the same present and I hate the sight of them.

Now, you know everyone. There's Elsa and Kevin.

You know everyone.

There's nothing like a cactus.

This one will last a hundred years. Not in my house.

I'm just working a little bit.

Now, at the risk of boring everyone to tears, now is the time for a

few words.

Martha, now 70 years young. 63.

Now 63 years young. You watch your mouth, George.

A lot of it, Martha.

She's the best mate I've ever had.

Good times and bad.

We've been together now for... Wait a minute.

I'll have to work this out.

Get on with it, George.

Well, there's never been another woman in my life, never, no matter what

done. That's not... One woman in my life, one true, perfect mother.

Says to her, may she have another 70 good years with all her songs and good

times she can squeeze in. To Martha.

To Martha.

company with his imitation of a camel.

With or without mating cry.

We want the bloody works.

Well, I should start off by telling you that I once performed this act

in front of Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia and he was profoundly impressed.

Here we go.

Have to go.

Oh, Robert, you're not leaving. You can't.

I'll get you a coat.

Just a minute. I'll move the table.

I'm making saps on sticks in three quarters of an hour.

We'll be back tonight, Tommy. Have to go.

What did you say?

I know.

I want you to stay with me.

Thank you very much for your kind donation, which will be used in the

appropriate way.

No, manner.

Way or manner?

Manner.

We are extremely grateful.

Cher François, si je pouvais, je te dirais tout ça au téléphone.

Mais je peux seulement te l 'écrire.

Notre vie est superficielle depuis trop longtemps.

L 'accident m 'a aidée à voir.

Quand je suis partie, tu m 'as dit, peut -être que là -bas, tu vas te trouver.

Oui, en effet, peut -être que je suis en train de me trouver.

En train de découvrir vraiment qui je suis.

Dans cette obscurité.

L 'accident a aussi pour conséquence que je suis en train de perdre mon oeil

droit.

Tout m 'apparaît si lointain maintenant.

S 'il te plaît, pardonne -moi pour le chagrin que je peux te causer.

Et s 'il te plaît, François, annule ton voyage.

Adieu, François.

Et je n 'oublierai pas que nous nous sommes aimés.

Ils m 'ont dit qu 'il fallait que je prenne une décision pour mon oeil

J 'ai décidé de me faire opérer.

Colo.

Did you have many girlfriends?

Yeah.

How many?

Heaps.

All madly in love with me.

What about you?

You have any boyfriends?

We call them lovers.

Yeah, that's what they are.

Did you make love to all of them?

Most of them, yes.

I don't understand that.

Why should women be different?

You sleep them off.

You sleep each of them off in turn.

It might take weeks, years.

It happens.

You're not deaf, are you?

A little bit.

I'm also still married.

Yeah, I know.

He's a business man.

Do you think I'm a shadow person?

No, of course not.

Anyway, I'm in the dark about that stuff.

No, you're not.

You know more than most.

You know more than me.

I know a little.

And I'm learning.

I'm not.

Only when I'm on my own.

Jean -Francois just rang. He's booked a flight next week.

What did you tell him?

I told him Carla was out.

And? What?

He doesn't want to know.

Well, he's coming anyway.

Why should you worry about it? I'm not worried. Yes, you are.

Well, aren't you?

There's nothing I can do.

Is there?

Whatever happened to our fixed life, Bea?

What are you talking about?

How should I know?

That's not funny.

I didn't say it was.

I should count my blessings if I were you.

Don't worry, dear. I have.

You don't have to do that.

Yes, I do.

Don't you use detergent?

Sorry, I forgot.

You really have to, here.

The water's too hard.

Thank you.

Collar. God, this is crazy.

But I've got to get it straight.

You know all that stuff I said to you about girlfriends?

This is going to sound ridiculous to someone like you.

There's never actually been anybody else.

You're the first one It's been so

comfortable in the dark up till now I

think I love you

Thank you.

Why did you move this chair? You're not supposed to move things around here.

You're becoming a very bad tempered person. Where's Casey?

Staying out of your way.

Do you know people love you?

Yeah. Too many people.

Sorry.

Lovely. Keep playing. No, I can't. I forgot it all.

You know, you really are a very beautiful young woman.

French, you know.

Where's my hairdryer, George?

Yeah, well, I know.

There was a time when I was quite good -looking, too.

Your cactus bit me.

That's because it knows you don't relate to it.

Rotten plants.

Cacti are mean and vicious.

Sit down, love.

George?

George!

Yes? Not now, later. I want to read Kolo's hand.

Oh, all right.

I'm done having you.

I don't really believe in this. Well, of course you do. You do.

Lovely, strong hands.

You're passing between dangers and fears, Kolo.

A light passes through a mirror.

This light is not like a flow of water. It's something more fleeting.

Its source is everywhere, wherever you look.

Children always know far more than they're able to tell.

Adults only know a fraction of what they say.

You're starting again, Kolo.

Look close by.

Pay strict attention to the light that grows inside.

It's growing now.

Allow yourself to be loved.

The love is there, waiting for you.

It's been waiting for you since the beginning of time.

If only I could see clearly what I hear.

Maybe you're looking too far off.

What do you mean?

I think when you understand blindness, you stop living in front of things.

You live with them.

It's not easy to let go.

I don't suppose it is.

Let go of everything that was.

Say goodbye to all that.

It's not goodbye.

It's a new kind of hello.

Hello.

I think I'm blushing.

Aboriginal people believe in what they call a song line that runs right down

through the centre of Australia.

And each section of the line is a verse.

And at the end of each verse is a sacred site, like a station on a railway line.

And they feel the song as they walk along the line.

And they can run faster when they're on the line in tune.

And they slow down and become stupid when they veer off course.

Each verse is owned by particular people.

And each sacred junction they know

in their blood.

And only they know.

Because they belong to it.

And sometimes I think that blind people

are capable of that sort of knowing too.

It's very precious.

It's like a gift from God.

That's what I reckon.

You reckon something?

It's an expression.

I reckon.

I reckon it's all right.

Are you beautiful?

No, I'm not.

Which way are you going?

Do you know which way you're going?

Well, of course I do. Well, go that way. Left hill.

Poor girl.

He's a nice man, isn't he?

He doesn't want to go back.

She has to have someone to look after her. She needs security.

Security.

He's rich.

How much do you think he's worth?

How would I know?

What a long journey.

I like it here.

You're lucky.

You couldn't have fallen better.

A young man, is his name.

He's nice too.

What do you want to go home for?

I don't want to go home.

What are you talking about?

Everyone's waiting for you at home.

You're my wife.

Listen, what does that mean, your wife?

Maybe I'm your wife, I'm not your thing, I'm not a little girl.

You think you can take me under your arm like that and take me home?

You need to take care of yourself now.

Cool. If you were so worried, you should have come earlier.

You asked me not to come earlier.

Yes, I asked you not to come earlier.

I don't need you here.

I haven't slept in 24 hours.

We'll talk tomorrow morning.

What's she done to you?