Original subtitles

Antwerp.

It's forty minutes until the next one leaves.

Brussels, then.

D'you know you are in first class? - And it is first class, too.

How much is it to Brussels? - You're a right comedian!

Maybe. Why? - Because you are in Brussels.

Seriously, where do you want to go to?

For 500 francs. Doesn't matter where, but not too fast.

D'you mind if I smoke?

Not if you don't mind if I throw up. Can't you read?

I'll give you 1000 francs if I can smoke.

Stop.

I said 500 francs. Stop. - Are you mad?

Not here, surely? Not in the tunnel?

Max?

Louis.

What are you doing here? I didn't know you knew how to get to Brussels.

Are you still working at Van Gijzegem's?

Have you got a day off? - You could say that.

What are you doing here? - I'm waiting for a bus.

Since I retired I've been living behind the basilique.

I retired last year, on the day I turned 55.

I live with my daughter.

A good girl, it's not that, but she's such a pious, simple soul.

All she does is knit jumpers for the poor.

It's there.

It's not cheap.

The bus only costs 28 francs for idiots.

It's not practical for you because you never go by bus

but I've bought an annual season ticket.

I can get on at the back, if I want, but I don't.

Of course, it's not cheap,

but I get it back in 6 months, I catch the bus 7 or 8 times a day.

I want to make the most of my retirement.

In the morning I wait by the door of Het Laatste Nieuws

to be the first one to get the paper.

And at lunchtime I sometimes have lunch in Sarma.

Early, like now, before it's busy.

And then I see whether there's anything happening.

In the summer I often come back in the evening

to see whether there's a concert in Place de la Monnaie.

It costs me less than 1 franc per bus ride.

Admit it.

And, of course, I also do it

so I don't have to stay with my simple daughter.

She's a good girl

but all she does is knit.

I think all the poor wretches in Brussels have at least 10 jumpers each.

Have you got a phone at home?

No.

D'you think I can afford a phone

from the pension they pay me after working all my life?

No, this here...

This is my only extravagance.

And you haven't got any children. - No.

A dog.

Is there something wrong with your willy? - We haven't discussed it yet.

You've been married 6 years

and you still haven't talked to your wife about children.

Max, are you sure you are right in the head?

Josephine, love, give us another coffee.

Thanks.

A good girl but can't find a husband.

Actually, her name is Josephine-Charlotte, like the princess.

Is it OK if I lie down on your bed, Louis?

017 twice, please. - Disappointed in love?

It's 5 francs for one record.

Buy me a drink?

I'll give you a new mug, if you like.

I think he's got problems.

Go home, Louis. Go home.

Here, take a taxi.

Another double whisky, please.

That was by Sinatra, wasn't it? - Yes.

I melt when I hear him.

He is old but his voice is still young.

Here you are.

And don't drink too much. I can see you are sad.

What's your name?

Alice.

How do you know I'm sad? - You can see it from miles away.

How come? - Because you can see it.

Only the unhappy come here.

Look who's here. More of my admirers.

Good evening, Abdel. Have you taken your last tram back to the depot?

A beer.

Aren't you going to buy me and my friend a drink?

A tram driver doesn't earn a fortune.

But if he's your friend he's my friend, too.

What's his name?

I don't know.

Max.

Good evening, Max.

I'm Abdel.

Give me another double, Alice. Do I need a token for the phone?

I've never seen him before, that Max. - Me neither, but I like him.

I like unhappy people. They make me happy.

I like drama.

Isn't she home?

Alice, close the place. Then we'll go somewhere else for a drink.

That'll cheer Max up.

How about it, Max?

I should've punched that doorkeeper in the face.

Then we'd be in the police station now.

It's better here, isn't it?

Do you like it?

It's from Miracoli. It's easy when you live on your own.

Where do you live, Max?

Nowhere.

You can sleep here if you want.

You can sleep at my place, too.

Well, I've got a spare room.

I don't think I'll get much sleep.

Don't you have to go to work tomorrow? - I've got to go.

I didn't mean it like that. - I know, but I'm still off.

Are you coming, Alice?

And now?

I want to sleep at your place, but not in the spare room.

Where are we going?

To my place.

I didn't know you spoke Dutch. - You didn't ask.

I spoke French because you did. I speak the customer's language.

Where are we going? - To my place.

Is it far? - It's not close by.

Then let's go in here.

We'd like a room. - Surely not.

For the whole night. - The whole night? Not possible.

It's half past three.

But you can pay for the whole night. 1500 francs.

The maid comes at 9 o'clock.

Room 38, on the third floor. There are enough towels.

Do you want any drinks in your room?

You are married, aren't you?

It was great.

You shouldn't have spoken French when you came in.

"A double, please."

Why do you work in a bar, Alice? - It's only temporary.

Really I'm an actress. - I'm a driver.

But I don't feel like being one.

It's cold here.

What's going on between you and that Abdel?

Why do you ask so many questions? - That's a question too.

Why?

You can ask me some.

Why don't you ask whether I'm married?

Because I heard you were.

When you tapped your glass with your wedding ring in the bar.

You are unhappy.

I can see that.

Come on, let's go to your house. I want to get out of here.

What have you been in? - Hamlet. At school.

And two adverts.

For soap. - Does it pay well?

A bit of experience.

No money. At least, not enough.

Maybe we can do something, tomorrow.

We can go dancing.

I haven't danced for ages. - I've never danced.

Can you teach me?

My sister has invited me to a party, tomorrow. She'll be 21.

Come with me.

Have you got a sister? - Yes.

She lives with a doctor. For his money, she says.

But she also wants to be an actress. - There are enough bars.

We'll go to that party.

We can take Abdel with us.

We can take Abdel with us, yes.

We can also leave him at home.

Do you think he's cross with us?

I think he's pleased that someone talks to him.

I knew he was here. - Of course, we told you.

We said when we left.

He's unhappy. - So, I'm unhappy too.

I should punch him in the face. - I don't like jealous men.

I like him.

But I like you more.

He's your lover, isn't he? - No, he's my friend.

Dubois didn't half moan because you didn't come into work Friday.

No one was on standby.

He had to drive to Zeebrugge himself for that container.

You are stupid. Why didn't you phone?

I don't like phoning.

And why didn't you come in? Were you ill?

You think too much. You're not suitable for the work we do.

What does you wife say about it?

My wife doesn't say anything, she lets me do what I want.

Mine does it.

What do you mean? - Cheats on me, of course.

Is he Moroccan? - No, why?

Belgian, like you and me. A cheesemonger.

It has its advantages.

I have three slices of cheese in my sandwich everyday.

She gets given half a cheese. She goes there every week.

She's there now. I wait here for her, because madam can't drive.

Poor sod. You shouldn't allow yourself to be messed with.

I'm not holier than the Pope.

What do you mean? - I've got my little habits.

A girlfriend? - Two.

At the same time. - Twins.

Don't stand there. - If you were alone, you'd look too.

I've seen a naked woman before. - So has he.

I...

I don't think us white people should feel superior to you.

I think there are far too many prejudices.

People like you are first and foremost people.

With the same faults and feelings, etc.

What did she say? - She'd like to give you a blow job.

La Bamba.

That bastard was kissing her on the mouth.

They like that, but not by him.

Can't you leave women alone? - The others did it too.

You're not the others.

Come on, let's go.

Alice, come on. - What about Jules?

We'll leave him here. As a souvenir.

You're an idiot.

Why?

Leave him alone, Max.

I saw all the men doing it, so I did it.

Three coffees, please.

Don't get into an argument with him.

I understand what you did. Max understands too.

But the others don't understand.

You don't understand at all.

You're as big a slut as the rest.

You left with him right away.

I've been coming to your bar for 6 months and you don't even look at me.

I'm fed up. I'm fed up with you lot, too. And Brussels. I'm off.

Where are you going?

I couldn't sleep.

And you thought: I've got a season ticket.

I thought: Maybe I'll bump into them.

I've got an idea.

We can go somewhere tomorrow. Together.

Do you know where we could go?

Not too far, but somewhere where we can have a day out.

The Inclined Plane of Ronquieres. Very interesting.

Right.

We'll meet tomorrow by the steps to the Bourse at 10 o'clock.

At 10 o'clock.

Alice, you explain to Mustafa.

I need some money. - I haven't got any money.

Then we'll find some.

Mustafa. - Abdel, please. Abdel.

I want to talk to you. - Talk then.

You're a right bastard.

I've been asking around. You've got a wife and child in Morocco

yet you're living it up here. With Alice.

You and Alice, I don't think much of that.

Have you had it off with her?

What about you?

I've had it off with every woman in the world.

Sorry. I'm not used to this.

What's that red stuff? - Harissa.

It's hot. - Don't take too much of it.

Do you like it? - Who do you mean by you?

The people there, in North Africa.

We don't all have the same taste.

Are you thinking about Max?

No, I'm thinking about you.

Do you always think about me?

No, I am now.

Alice.

I think I love you.

What shall we do when we leave here?

I don't know what we will do but I know what I want to do.

Can you change this?

I think Max is happy.

He hasn't got any problems and does what he wants.

He works when he wants and goes home when he wants. He's free.

I think he's very unhappy.

His problem is that he doesn't say anything.

One day it'll come out and then we'll be surprised.

We'll be nice to him tomorrow.

Tomorrow? In a few hours you mean.

It's almost 5 o'clock. We've been here more than an hour.

I'm going home.

Max?

Max.

Max.

I want to talk to you.

I've talked all night. I want to sleep now.

We can talk tomorrow. - I can't wait till then.

Come on then.

What's so urgent? - Don't know.

You lie in my hallway at 5 in the morning, snoring,

because you need to talk to me urgently and you don't know what about.

Don't shout.

I can't see properly.

I don't feel well.

I've got some aspirin.

They ought to lock me up.

Why?

Would you still talk to me if they were to lock me up?

Here you are.

Why do you want to be an actress?

So that I can express myself better.

Do you think anyone will want to know what you want to express?

How should I know? I haven't done much.

And if you'd done a lot, would anyone care?

Does anyone care how many paintings Picasso did?

D'you think anyone lays awake thinking about pointless stuff?

But Max, I didn't mean it like that.

I just told you why I wanted to be an actress.

Because I thought it was more interesting than working in Sarma.

Because I thought that I could. - Well, you can certainly play-act.

Everyone can.

Are you looking for an argument? - I don't want an argument.

I want peace and quiet.

Not peace and quiet for an hour but for ever.

So that this stops.

You can stay here if you want. - It's not that.

What do you want, then? - I want them all to leave me alone.

To stop staring at me on the street and to shut up on the radio.

So that I can be myself. - So that you can express yourself.

Max, you're ill. - Tomorrow at 10 by the Bourse.

We've arranged to meet Louis. And Mustafa.

Abdel.

I always set my watch by the radio.

If they don't know the right time, who does?

Do you think Max will be on time?

Did you know he had a car?

He was going to borrow a car, just for today.

It's nice of him. Doing us a favour like that.

I didn't know you smoked.

I didn't know you had a car. - It's my brother's.

I didn't know you had a brother.

I haven't got a brother but he has got a car.

Get out of the way. Bastard.

Calm down, Max. You could have an accident.

Are the papers in order?

I'm getting out. You're sick, Max. A normal person doesn't do that.

Stop.

What's she saying? - She wants to stop.

Where are we going? - To Ittre, I thought. Eh, Max?

Nice place, Ittre. Right at the heart of Belgium.

The geographic centre of Belgium.

Ittre is the centre of Belgium. - It's the centre of my arse.

I'm going to take a photo of you.

Go on, Max. Stand next to them.

I don't like being in photos.

Just press the button. When I say 'yes', shoot.

Do I have to shoot? - No, press.

Say 'cheese'.

Cheese. - Gorgonzola.

Idiot.

Do you know how much that costs? 499 francs.

Do you want to take another photo, yes or no?

Bastard.

Bastard.

499 francs.

I'll punch him in the face. He's not normal.

Leave him alone. He's got problems. - So? Everyone's got problems.

Why did he break the camera? - He didn't want to see us together.

Is he jealous? - All men are jealous.

Would you come to my funeral if I died?

If you were better behaved, yes.

Don't be angry, Louis. I'll pay for the camera.

If you want.

I can't get my hands out of my pockets. Look.

Excuse me.

French? Flemish?

Three Flemings and an Arab.

I'm the Arab.

Do you still feel OK?

Don't be such a pain.

Can I have a drink? - If you haven't got any diseases.

Bastard.

Are you able to express yourself now?

Are you jealous?

What, jealous of a wog?

Are you talking about me?

Informative, Louis.

I've been had.

Two pages are missing and I don't feel like exchanging it.

Everyone has got it in for you, Louis. Everyone.

Haven't you got any sandwiches with you? - Yes, in the car.

I'll go and get them.

I'm going to get some sandwiches, do you want some?

Are you doing that to annoy me? - What?

Acting so stupid with that wog. - I'm not acting stupid.

I'm being nice to him. Like I am to you when you aren't being such a pain.

I want to talk to you. - You are talking to me.

I mean really talk.

When a man says he really wants to talk to me he wants to sleep with me.

I want to do that, too. But first I want to talk.

Or afterwards, doesn't matter which. But I want to talk.

Come to the bar tomorrow evening.

Are you for or against capital punishment?

Don't know.

I've never thought about it.

For it, I think.

Sometimes.

It depends. - What on?

What are you talking about?

We can talk about art if you want.

Or football.

Should they do away with someone who has done away with someone else?

I don't know.

In some circumstances, yes. If it happened in cold blood, yes.

And if a madman did it? - Did what?

If a madman murdered a madwoman. Or another madman.

What do you mean by that? - I don't mean anything.

I'm asking you a question. I want to talk, talk, talk...

It's too quiet here.

They're taking the piss, those two. It's not very nice of them.

I knew it.

I should've punched him in the face right away.

He's going too far. They deal with it differently in Morocco.

There they are.

I'll kill him. - Who'll drive, then?

Do it tomorrow, I want to go home. - I'll do it today.

Where have you been? - It's none of your business.

But I'll tell you. Max wanted to talk.

What about? About us? Is he jealous of us?

Of course not. Why should he be jealous? There is no us.

What d'you mean, no us? We get on well.

You don't mean that.

We get on well now, Abdel, but it won't stay like that.

You don't mean that, things were going so well.

It's all his fault.

I earn good money. You don't have to work in the bar anymore.

You don't understand. I want to work, but not in the bar.

In the theatre. - That's not true.

It's because of Max that you don't want me anymore. Admit it.

What did he say up there in the tower? I know you were talking about me.

He said he wasn't jealous of wog.

Wipe your eyes before you see the commissioner.

Why?

Why did he do it?

What had that poor Abdel done to him? What?

It was an accident, love.

He didn't mean it.

He wasn't himself.

But why? Why Abdel?

Why didn't he throw me over the wall

if he didn't like me being friendly?

It was an accident.

We were the only ones who saw it.

If we say that, then it was an accident.

What'll happen to him?

We'll take him to Brussels. This is a matter for the judicial police.

Of course the Jaguar is stolen.

I don't want to know if it's stolen, I want to know who it belongs to.

Nothing special. I'll decide what's special and what isn't.

Make sure his house is searched straight away.

And check what that summons was for.

Are you ready to make a statement now?

Yes, but can I make a phone call first? - I can't decide that.

What will they do to me? - We'll see.

Let me make a phone call.

Come on, we're leaving now.

No, it wasn't an accident.

I'm sure of it.

I know him too well for that.

I know what he is capable of.

How long have you known him?

Long enough.

I mean: since when exactly?

Since Thursday. Last Thursday.

You say you know him well enough to know what he is capable of

but you only met him Thursday.

A lot has happened since Thursday.

And I've talked to him a lot.

About everything.

About life.

About death.

About everything.

About his wife, too?

Did you know he was married? - Yes.

But I didn't care.

He never talked about his wife.

He had problems.

And now he'll have more problems.

I've checked that summons.

It was a shotgun. Large bore.

What have you got to say to that?

Can I make a phone call?

One. Quickly.

Translation: Christine Le Piez The Subtitling Company