Original subtitles

NETFLIX PRESENTS

[cars passing]

[church bell tolling]

[birds chirping]

[moped idling and accelerating]

[indistinct chatter]

[Lola in Spanish] I'll give you some water, darling. You're badly sunburnt.

Are you tired? Come here.

Come. Sit down. I'll give you some water.

Of course, love. Let's see.

[in English] Momo? What are you doing here?

Momo?

Hold on!

Where are you going? Momo!

Momo!

Wait! Stop!

[door slams]

Momo!

Momo, open this door!

Momo, open!

Momo!

[Momo] Some people say that everything is written

and nothing can be changed.

[Lola] Open up!

[Momo] But I wanna change it all…

and go back to the beginning, when nothing was written.

[Lola banging the door]

THE LIFE AHEAD

-[indistinct chatter] -[busker drumming up-tempo beat]

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Can we go take a look over there?

Yes, but don't wander off.

[woman gasps]

[man 1] Hey!

[woman 2 screaming]

[man 2] Hey! Somebody, grab him!

[indistinct chatter]

That little jerk!

[indistinct chatter]

[Nala speaking indistinctly]

[Nala] Many times in the weekend.

-Oh, wow, how cool! -I'll call you back.

-Is it new? -Hands off!

-What do you want? -Where's Ruspa?

-Why? -I got a deal for him.

-Oh, a deal? Yeah, sure. -Yeah, a deal! Look it!

These are worth a lot. They're antiquated.

This is shit.

Go back to your PlayStation.

-[Momo] Ruspa! Rusp-- -Hey! I told you he's not here.

[Momo] Mind your own business!

-[Nala] Are you trying to piss me off? -[Momo] I wanna see him.

-[Nala] When I say no, it's no! -[Momo] But--

[crashing]

Go, go. Go away, asshole.

Don't come back.

Go. No, my bike! Son of a bitch! I'ma fuck… God damn it!

[Momo] I'm 12 years old.

My name is Mohamed, but people call me Momo.

I'm an orphan.

When I was little, Social Services sent me to live with Dr. Coen.

He worked from home and there were patients everywhere.

According to him, I should behave like other kids,

so I wouldn't end up in trouble.

But I don't wanna be like other kids.

Momo, where were you? I looked everywhere for you.

[panting]

What are those?

-I won them. -Ah!

Then it must be your lucky day. You won this, too? [chuckles]

I fell off my bike.

I'll ask you one more time. Whose are they?

Beats me.

In my house, I don't allow stolen goods.

If your memory doesn't come back…

I'll be forced to turn you in.

I could've paid a month's rent with those candlesticks. Get it?

I worked those streets 40 years.

I've never ever been cheated, huh? Never beaten up. My God!

Then you get to my age…

and you get screwed by a little brat.

[in Italian] Fuck that!

[giggling]

[in English] What's so funny to you, Babu? Huh?

And now what do I sell to make rent?

I know. You're hungry, huh?

Want a biscuit? Here, amore mio.

[in English] Here. Tiene.

[doorbell ringing]

And who is bugging us now?

Iosif, go open the door. Vai.

[Iosif] All right.

And remember, before opening, ask who it is.

Never mind, leave it, I'm coming.

Madame Rosa, it's Dr. Coen.

-[Madame Rosa] Dr. Coen? -Eh. It's Dr. Coen.

-[Dr. Coen] Rosa. -Ciao.

I see you look worried, but don't be, it's a good thing.

-[Madame Rosa] Hmm. -I brought you a gift.

-Where did you find these? -The thief has come to apologize.

Right, Momo?

I fell because of you.

If only I could've gotten my hands on you…

Here, here. Go to Babu.

It's your turn.

[meekly] Sorry.

I can't hear you!

Sorry!

"Sorry, Madame…"

How would I know your damn name?

Kids around here have always called me Madame Rosa.

[mockingly] I'm sorry, Madame Rosa.

Apology not accepted.

Thank you for the candlesticks. How could I repay you?

I do need a favor.

Eh, yes, tell me.

Are you nuts? Better off dead.

-Just a short time, two or three weeks. -No, no. No, no, no, no.

Uh, a month, at most.

Not even up for discussion.

Just until I find him a proper place to live.

Let me get this straight.

Why drag me into this? You're his guardian.

I'm convinced that here, with you, he'd be better off.

[Madame Rosa] Oh, yeah? And why is that?

[Dr. Coen] What the boy needs is a strong female figure.

Someone who's tough, who commands respect. Just like you.

I can't do it anymore. I'm old.

And what am I? A spring chicken, right? Huh?

You're my doctor.

You know about my heart troubles, my pains.

Like I said, it's just temporary.

-Until I-- -No.

Momo isn't who you think he is. I know him very well.

He was placed in my care after the tragedy.

I tried, but I couldn't find anyone to adopt him.

The tragedy?

[Dr. Coen] Go to the other room.

I'll be right there.

[Dr. Coen] His mother was a patient of mine.

I was close to her.

Fact is, Momo came here from Senegal

when he was just three.

[Dr. Coen continues faintly]

[train passing]

No, no, no. I am through.

I'm tired of having hookers' kids running around my house.

I've looked after too many and risked a lot over all these years. [scoffs]

But we working girls, we could always find some agreement.

Better me than Social Services.

That's what I'm asking you!

Let's find an agreement.

-But you, you're not prostitute. -[sighs]

Like I told you, I am through.

-So, what about Iosif? -Never mind him.

He was only supposed to stay here one week.

It's been months, but we can't find his mother.

At least, thank God, she sends me money regularly.

-If it's a question of money-- -No, no, just leave it.

You are my dear friend. I'm grateful you found my candlesticks.

Now I can pay the rent, but it's time. Go on, get out.

Would €600 a month do it?

I haven't completely run out of my savings.

-[sighs] -Go.

Wait.

Oh!

You left your thief in my house!

Seven hundred.

Seven hundred and fifty.

Two months, and not one day more.

I'm not living with that old bag!

Don't call her that! Rosa's a good person.

If you like her so much, you go live with her.

Momo, it's either her or it's Social Services.

I don't give a shit!

Social Services!

-Here I come! Here I come! -[sighs]

[Ruspa] Hey, smartass!

If you'd talked to me that way, I would've punched your teeth in.

I was in the café and overheard you.

I wouldn't talk to you that way, especially if you give me work.

Why don't you wanna live with the old bag?

You'd get Social Services off your back.

And this would be useful for business.

Do you get what I mean?

[Momo] When the old lady quit streetwalking,

she started looking after other hookers' kids to make some money.

She raised lots of kids.

One of them became chief of police, and he protected her from the inspectors.

In the neighborhood, they called this place "the refuge."

I called it…

"the shithole."

[Dr. Coen, faintly] I promise you, he'll be all right.

-[guitar playing off-key] -And he'll behave properly.

He just needs some extra discipline and more affection.

[Madame Rosa] Okay, Doctor, I get it. Now go before I change my mind.

[guitar playing stops]

[Momo sighs]

Can you get off the bed, please?

[Momo sighs softly]

Get off my bed now!

-[Momo groans] Leave me alone. -Get off!

[Madame Rosa] Stop!

Get up, you. Get up now!

Never put your shoes on the bed!

And, Iosif, instead of wasting your time, study your Hebrew.

Quiz you later.

You, with me. I set you up someplace else.

Here you go.

[Momo] What is this?

Your bedroom.

It's a hole!

What did you expect, a palace? Give me a break.

[chuckles]

[whispers] It's a hole.

-[chuckling] -Shithead!

[both grunting]

[Iosif] Let go of me! Madame! Ahhh!

[Madame Rosa] Enough! Stop it!

I said that's enough! Stop it!

Iosif, to your room. And you, out of my sight.

I'm too old for this shit.

[music playing faintly from headphones]

[Momo] I don't even have a picture of my mother,

but I do remember some things about her.

Her smile when she'd stand me on her feet and we would dance together.

She loved to dance.

Once I accidently I made her fall.

But she didn't get upset.

We rolled around on the rug, and she held me in her arms and laughed.

She laughed so much.

She was so beautiful.

[Ruspa] Start with these.

Hash, weed. Light and dark. Each bag is a full dose.

Don't get caught.

But above all, don't ever screw me.

Follow my rules and we won't have any accidents.

Let's go.

Hey! You gonna give it away for free?

The prices?

Synthetic and natural weed, €10.

Hash, €60.

Cash only, no restaurant vouchers. Right?

Little smartass.

Get to it.

[Madame Rosa muttering to herself]

[muttering continues]

[elevator whirs]

[muttering continues]

[door creaks and closes]

[string music playing]

-[loud clattering] -[gasps]

[panting]

[speaking Hebrew]

"Hashem. Hashem."

-[in English] I did say "Hashem." -Oh, no, no, you said "pashem."

I'm done. I'm sick of learning this stuff.

I don't even understand it.

-I don't want a bar mitzvah anyway. -Suit yourself.

But as long as you're here, I'll be making the rules.

Continue.

[Lola] Amore, it's me.

-[Madame Rosa] Hey, ciao. -[Lola in Spanish] Look what I have.

[in English] Eyeliner, eye shadow, lipstick.

-Almost all new. -Che bello!

-I cleaned out my cabinet. -Beautiful. I love it.

There are also samples, creams and perfumes.

Fantastic!

-My drawers were packed. Mmm-hmm. -Ah!

Go on. Go get Babu.

Who's that?

Ciao, I'm Lola.

Momo.

Momo? Hmm.

Adorable.

Huh? Ah, sure he is.

Want to make a trade?

I'll keep Babu and then you take that thing.

[in Spanish] Mommy!

[Lola] My baby! Hello, my love!

[in English] Come to Mommy! Yay!

Did you sleep well? Mmm-hmm?

Qué bien! [in English] We're gonna have so much fun today, okay?

-Yay! -[Madame Rosa] How do you do it?

Acrobatics all night and mom all day. [chuckles]

I have to prove to that [quietly] bitch…

of his mother that we can get by just fine without her.

[Spanish song playing]

[Madame Rosa] No. What are you doing? What are you doing?

-Not today. -Come on, amore. Let's dance!

Come on. Exercise is good for the heart, amore.

Not today, I'm not in the mood.

It's no use you do this. I can't, I'm not--

[Lola] Come on. Let's go.

-[chuckling] Yeah! -[mocking Lola]

-[Lola] And she's off. -Sure, I'm off…

[song continues playing]

[Lola in Spanish] Look! Good!

[Lola humming along]

[in English] Oh, yeah! Break out! I like that.

[Lola laughing]

[Lola laughs]

[vibrator whirring]

[Babu giggling]

No, no, no, no, no, no! Give me that. That's not a toy, it's for work, okay?

Please! [chuckles]

No!

Whoo! Ha!

[water running and dishes clattering]

[Madame Rosa] Take this.

Why isn't Iosif helping us out?

Because he dried dishes yesterday.

Now it's your turn.

-Here. -[plate clatters loudly]

What are you doing? Careful!

All right.

It's too hot. Go, go, go. Go play with the others.

Hey, pass it!

Yo, what's that number she's got on her arm?

-Who? -The old bag.

It's a code.

A code for what?

You know, it's a cover.

She pretends to have a bad back, all these aches and pains,

but she's really a secret agent.

Counterespionage.

I think her headquarters are in the building,

and she uses that code to get in.

Better not be messing with me.

I swear! I've seen her go there at night. Down in the basement.

It's kinda like the Batcave.

-Where are you going? -Screw off.

[indistinct conversation]

♪ Tellin' you ♪

♪ Tellin' you, yeah ♪

♪ Tellin' you ♪

♪ Tellin' you, yeah ♪

♪ Tellin' you, tellin' you ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ How… How it should be ♪

♪ Head to head, head to head ♪

See you.

♪ Rock nonstop ♪

♪ Head to head, head to head ♪

♪ Rock nonstop ♪

Thanks, bro.

♪ Head to head, rock nonstop ♪

♪ Tellin' you how it should be ♪

♪ And this is the story, so listen to me ♪

♪ Nonstop, nonstop ♪

Madame Rosa, I found him.

You snitch, I'll slit your throat.

Where were you?

[Madame Rosa] Come, let's go.

-Where are you taking me? -Move along.

Hamil, you know it gets harder and harder to raise kids in this neighborhood.

Of course.

But I couldn't bring myself to say no to a friend like Dr. Coen.

-Please have some. Fresh from Algeria. -No, no. No, thank you.

Momo! Momo! Come here. You want one?

-They make me gag. -[Madame Rosa] No.

[Hamil] Hmm.

I was thinking the boy could give you a hand once in a while.

You know, just to keep him occupied during the summer.

Business isn't exactly going so well.

All I'm asking is that you have him over to help two or three times a week,

not every day.

And only if you get along.

-Certainly. -[Madame Rosa] Mmm.

Where are you from?

He's Senegalese Muslim, Hamil.

Do you go to the mosque?

[Madame Rosa] See how he is? He's in need of some guidance.

I know it would be good for Momo to spend a little time with you.

-[Hamil] Mmm. -Signor Hamil,

you are without a doubt the most honorable man I've ever met.

-Madame Rosa… -Mmm.

…your eyes and voice are singing the song of deceit.

-[Madame Rosa] No! What deceit? -Mmm.

Plus, if the boy works out, maybe you can give some tiny compensation.

And how much, would you suggest?

Good heavens, you decide! It's not up to me.

Why don't you come see me on Monday, yes?

Nala!

Starting now, the south side neighborhood is his.

What the hell?

[Ruspa] He made more in a week than you have in a whole month.

I've busted my ass for years, now this fucking kid--

Hey! Watch it!

When you make as much as this kid did this week,

I'll reconsider my decision. Now give me the phone and get lost.

It's not for games.

It's for work.

All of our clients' numbers are in this phone.

I'm counting on you.

Yes, sir.

[upbeat music playing]

♪ I don't need no TV I don't need no news ♪

♪ All I need is a bumping beat To bump away my blues ♪

♪ I don't give a damn What the people say ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way, do it my way ♪

-Piece of shit! -[Momo groans]

[train passes]

[breath trembling]

[thunder rumbling]

[Iosif] Momo, come here!

Why are you yelling?

Hurry!

[thunder rumbling]

[Iosif] Come on!

Hurry up!

[Momo] What's going on?

[Iosif] Look! Look.

[Momo] What's up with her?

[Iosif] I Don't know. I found her like this. Like a mummy.

Hey.

You there?

[Iosif] What are you doing?

-[blowing raspberry] -[Iosif laughing]

[blows raspberry]

[Momo] Do it with me.

[both blowing raspberry]

[Momo scatting while blowing raspberry]

[Madame Rosa] Are you crazy? What are you doing?

Can't you see that it's pouring?

You're the one who doesn't see it.

Of course I see it, you dummy.

Inside, right now!

[Hamil] You're late.

Grab that box of lighters and move them there.

Which part of Senegal are you from, Mohamed?

Don't call me Mohamed. My name's Momo.

What's wrong with Mohamed? It's a lovely name.

I don't like it. It's long.

All right.

I'm from Diourbel.

Close to Dakar.

[Hamil] Is it a big city?

[Momo] Don't know.

We left there when I was just a little baby.

[Hamil] Hey, come here.

Come.

When I started, I sold rugs and antique books.

I even had two employees.

Now all I sell is plastic.

Come here. Help me out.

Grab this.

Beautiful, right?

Beautiful and full of history.

I've been wanting to fix it but never had time.

But you can help me now, yeah?

Come here.

In the Qur'ān, the lion is a symbol of power, patience and faith.

You have faith, right?

Faith is like love. Every Muslim must remember this.

I didn't even know that I was Muslim.

When I used to go to school, I found out.

Why don't you go anymore?

-I got kicked out. -Why?

A guy was bullying me, so I stuck a pencil in his neck.

Momo…

use your words.

Language is the greatest weapon.

There's no need to stick a pencil in someone's throat.

I do it my way.

[sighs]

[growling softly]

-[lioness growling softly] -[Momo laughing]

[Momo growling loudly and laughing]

Momo, what are you doing?

You woke us up with all your noises.

You even scared Babu.

Babu, it was just a lioness.

What lioness? Are you on drugs?

-What the hell are you saying? -Madame, I swear, he's high.

Don't you dare lay a finger.

Not one finger.

[Dr. Coen] So, it's your lioness.

The one I already know about, right? Hmm?

Yeah.

But now she only comes to visit you?

[Momo] Mmm-hmm.

And you're not telling people that she's coming to maul them?

No, I'm not that dumb.

And you two play together.

Mmm-hmm. She licks my face. [chuckles]

-She looks at me. -[Madame Rosa] Are you kidding?

He's not right in the head.

Momo, can you step outside one moment, please?

[Madame Rosa] I come here and tell you about all the trouble he's causing me,

and what do you do, huh?

You enable him? This is complete madness, huh?

Calm down and listen.

No, you listen to me.

You keep telling me

that with my bad heart, I need to stay calm and relaxed.

And then you ask me to put that hooligan in my house? Huh?

-Rosa, he's just a boy. -What boy? The kid's not normal.

He's bad news, I tell you.

It's not his fault. He got it from someone.

Maybe his mom, his dad, I don't know.

The point is, one night, he'll slit our throats.

Either me or one of my boys.

I know what he's capable of. Better watch out.

Stop it! Enough of that.

How can you allow yourself to say or even think such things,

after everything you've been through?

What I'm saying is that boy has a different way of thinking.

You know I don't judge anyone.

You're doing me a huge favor.

I know it's a burden on you.

But be reasonable, Rosa…

You're an intelligent woman. And what are you afraid of? A lioness?

It's just his need for protection, and affection, and love.

So, what should I do?

Lick his face every single night before I put him to bed? Huh?

Just what I needed, a lioness.

Grazie. Thank you.

[policeman] You can't stay here, you understand?

We're gonna have to relocate you.

Come on, come on. Let's go.

That's right, you two. You, too.

[indistinct chatter]

[woman] No! No! No!

-Let's go. Come on. -[Momo] I want to see.

No, there's nothing to see here. We'll go around.

No.

Go. Go in the house. I'm coming.

[door creaking]

[door creaks and closes]

[string music playing]

[door creaks]

What are you doing here? Huh?

What do you want?

What is this place?

Get out! Out now! Go home! Go away!

No.

I don't want anyone to come in here. Not anyone!

[yells in Italian]

You know, when I was your age, I liked drawing, too.

May I see?

Being down in that room…

it makes me feel safe.

And why?

I just do.

If you like, you can stay here as long as you want.

You can sleep in Iosif's room, that way you'll have more space.

If it makes you happy.

[Iosif praying in Romanian]

[in English] Shut up! I wanna sleep.

[Iosif praying in Romanian]

[in English] Can't you just shut up? You'll wake up Babu.

Hey.

-What's up? -Nothing.

-Tell me before I beat you up. -I miss my mother.

Just forget it.

[Iosif] I want her.

She's not coming back. She abandoned you.

[Iosif] That's not true. She'll be back.

Why are you such an asshole? Don't tell me you never miss your mommy.

My mother didn't abandon me.

She died.

She wanted to quit being a hooker and Dad lost it on her.

I was six years old.

With her, I had the best years of my life.

So you see? We're both the same. You miss your mom, too.

No, we're not the same. Not at all.

Now go to sleep, or I'll beat your ass up.

[groans]

Here. Try it, chickenshit.

I'm no chickenshit. I just like my fish cooked.

When it's cooked, it loses its flavor.

Be a man!

Mmm! It's good, right?

Here.

For the first two months. Go enjoy yourself.

Thank you.

[hip-hop music playing]

Come on over here.

-Like it? -Mmm-hmm.

It's yours.

[in Italian] ♪ I close my eyes and I think One day I'll be one for real ♪

♪ But if I were a millionaire ♪

♪ I'd set all my friends free From their cage ♪

♪ I'd throw banknotes from a cabriolet ♪

♪ I'll pack and leave, adios ♪

♪ It was so nice, it looked so real ♪

♪ But now I'm awake And dinero is flipping me out ♪

[Momo in English] I'm young, and I've got a lot of life left to live.

I know that.

But I won't kiss up to happiness.

If it comes, great.

If it doesn't, I don't care.

Happiness and me, we're not of the same race.

Be careful running, kids.

[Iosif] Yeah. Catch me.

Come catch me!

[Madame Rosa] What is that? What are you smoking?

-Strawberry flavor. -[Madame Rosa] Strawberry?

-You don't like it? -Blow it that way. It's disgusting.

Strawberry?

Smoke should smell like tobacco, not a fruit salad.

I'll never be able to quit smoking.

That's because you don't have discipline.

Never have. Never.

Where are you going?

[whispers] Bathroom.

[Momo] Lola lived downstairs from us.

As a man, she'd been a middleweight boxing champion.

People respected her in the neighborhood,

because if someone pissed her off, she'd smash their faces in.

[Lola sighs]

What's wrong?

My father, he remembered my birthday.

-That's not good? -No.

It's just an excuse, I know. He wants to meet Babu.

The grandson, yes. The daughter, no.

Like hell we're going to Galicia. Like hell!

What is she up to?

I'll go check on her.

[Iosif] You and me against Momo.

[Momo] I'm going to catch you. Got you.

[Iosif] Come on, you can't do it.

You're not that fast. I'll catch you!

-All right! -Better run!

[Lola] Momo, I didn't find her. Come with me.

Go that way, I look here.

Amore!

Amore!

[in English] Where is she?

Amore?

[in English] Madame Rosa?

[Lola] Amore!

[Momo in English] Madame Rosa!

Madame Rosa!

Madame Rosa, can you hear me?

Wait, what brings you here?

Look what I found.

-Ah, the shoes, yes. Give me those -[Lola] Amore?

-Amore? -Eh?

[in English] Where did you go? You just disappeared.

I… Eh?

It was hot. She wanted to get some air. Right?

That's right. That's right.

Yes, it's true. It's true.

Please, next time, let me know.

-You really scared us. -Eh.

Excuse me.

Come on, let's go. It's late.

Hmm. Wow, you're very good at that.

I'm always good at doing the things I don't like.

Then you'll do well in school.

[Momo] Except for that.

Were you ever married, Mr. Hamil?

Of course.

I had a very beautiful wife.

Where is she?

The almighty has taken her back.

May she rest in peace.

Don't you feel lonely?

Well, I have my rugs, my books.

What are you gonna do with those? Hug them?

And what's your point?

You're old and single. Madame Rosa is old and single, you know…

Are you trying to be a matchmaker and set us up?

Sure, why not? If you guys hang out and hug a while,

you'd get her off my back.

How generous of you.

The problem is that I could never marry a Jew.

Madame Rosa is not Jewish anymore.

She's just old.

Yeah, son. But even old folks are much too selfish to live well together.

Fine, at least I tried.

[grunts] Well, I appreciate the effort.

[in Hebrew] "Shalom. Bye. Sen."

-"Ken," not "sen." -"Ken."

-"Toda. Lo." -[in English] Yes.

-[in Hebrew] "Bevakama." -[in Hebrew] "Bevakasha."

-"Bevakasha." -[in English] Good job.

-[in Hebrew] And "slikha." -"Slikha."

[clattering]

-Madame Rosa? -[clattering continues]

The hell is she doing?

Madame Rosa?

[Madame Rosa] Stairs! They're on the stairs!

-Who is? -[door slams and locks]

-Madame Rosa, open up! -[Madame Rosa] Go away.

-[Momo] Let me in. -[Madame Rosa] Grab the suitcase.

[thudding]

Go down and get Lola! Hurry up! Madame!

[Madame Rosa] Quiet! Quiet!

Quiet! Quiet!

[Lola] Momo, what's going on?

She's won't answer. Won't open.

-[clattering continues] -Wait a minute. Wait.

Amore? Amore, open the door.

[thudding]

Amore, what are you doing in there?

-[Madame Rosa] The stairs. -Amore?

-The stairs. The stairs. The stairs. -No, no, what's wrong? What stairs?

-Are you okay? -The stairs.

No, no, easy, easy, it's okay.

It's okay. It's me. It's me. [breathing heavily]

-The stairs. -Momo.

-Momo, call Dr. Coen. -Okay. Come on.

[playing toy piano]

Rosa's doing better.

She's calm and lucid.

What's she got?

I don't know. Could be anything.

She's tired.

I need to schedule a CAT scan for her.

To check a few things. Her blood, her oxygen…

They aren't flowing to her brain right.

[Dr. Coen sighs]

And then…

What do I do with you?

What about me? I'm doing good here now.

[continues punching toy]

[Iosif] Do you think she'll get better?

[Momo] I don't know.

Maybe we should pray.

I'll pray.

You pray, I'll go check on her.

[door creaks]

Madame Rosa, what are you doing here?

Go back to bed. It's cold.

[door closes]

No, I'm fine. I'm fine. Don't worry.

I didn't feel like staying in bed.

Plus, when I'm down here, I think, reflect…

Iosif says this is like your Batcave.

You know, he's not exactly wrong.

At Auschwitz, I would hide under the floor in the barracks.

It was my refuge.

Just like down here. I was your age.

House witch?

To you this name means nothing.

Better that way.

Don't pay attention to what I'm saying.

I'm getting old, you know.

Hmm.

Come here. Come here.

I bought this at the market years ago.

-These are mimosas, you see? -Mmm-hmm.

Before the war began, my parents rented a house like this,

with a big yard, right near Viareggio.

In the spring, the mimosa trees exploded with yellow flowers.

It was so beautiful, it made me cry.

I would give up all my memories if I could just keep this one.

Momo, no matter what happens, I don't want to go to the hospital.

I'm telling you because, even though you're very tough,

and sometimes little shit,

I know you'll keep your word.

-Not even if it's necessary? -No!

I know what doctors are like.

They will torture you so they can pin a nice medal on their asses.

They experiment on you, believe me.

I've been through this.

And I don't want to go through that ever again.

Promise me.

I promise.

Say it in Hebrew. It's better.

[in Hebrew] Herem.

[whispers] Herem.

[in English] I wish that I could go to school.

But Madame Rosa says they'll catch me right away.

Because I don't have documents.

Lucky you.

-Hey, is she sleeping? -Don't know.

[indistinct chatter]

[Momo] The more time passed, the more Madame Rosa had ups and downs.

Some days, she was lucid,

and was even able to cook our carp Jewish-style without messing up.

On other days,

she withdrew into her own world and would stop talking

Meanwhile, I used this time to get some new clients.

[indistinct chatter]

[doorbell ringing]

[woman in Romanian] …my son.

[crying] I love you. I'll never leave again…

[in Romanian] Come to Mommy, come. I'll never leave you again.

I'll never leave you again, Iosif.

I'll never leave you. I love you.

[guitar playing off-key]

I'm leaving.

[Momo plays guitar]

I'll see you later.

[continues playing guitar]

[Momo] How does this song go?

Babu can play it good, I can't.

[Momo continues playing guitar]

[thunder rumbling]

I'm gonna miss you.

I won't miss you.

Finally, I'll have the room all to myself.

I told you she'd come back for me.

[thunder rumbling]

[rain pattering]

I will miss him, too.

But, you know, we should be happy for him.

It's just when you give up hope…

that good things start to happen.

It's reassuring.

[air conditioner rattling]

[Hamil] Don't blame the air conditioner. It's hotter than Algiers.

Careful!

[sighs]

I told you about Les Misérables, no?

About how Victor Hugo teaches us that everything is relative?

Especially good and evil.

It all depends on the people you meet and how you listen to them.

Momo, I know what you do at school and around here.

What are you talking about?

I know the people you hang out with and the guy you work for.

You think of them as your family now,

and that they're the best solution for your life ahead.

But they're not.

Are you gonna turn me in?

That's not my intention.

You wouldn't learn anything if I did that.

On the contrary, I want you to take responsibility--

What the hell do you want? You're not my dad!

I don't need anything from you!

[Lola] I have something important to tell you.

I decided to accept my father's invitation.

You did?

We're going to Galicia so he can meet Babu.

You're sure about this?

Not at all.

[cell phone ringing]

What did I tell you? No cell phones at the table.

It's not mine. It's in other room.

So, this telephone, where does it come from?

Who did you steal it from?

Give it to me. Give it to me, please.

I won't give you shit.

It's my phone.

Where did you get it?

I got it because I'm dealing.

And if you don't like it, you can fuck off.

Momo!

-Momo! -No, never mind. Never mind. Never mind.

It's no use. It's no use.

[indistinct chatter]

[Momo] Hey.

[man] Hey, kid.

[Italian song playing]

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ Crossing your sky And I find your fear inappropriate ♪

♪ For a different culture pouring over me Its perverted folly ♪

♪ To the point it steers towards me When it sees me ♪

♪ Trying to run me over This self-proclaimed gentleman ♪

♪ Flaunting a saint figure Glued to his dashboard ♪

♪ And he doesn't get That I don't accept, man ♪

♪ To be topped, man Not even when I fuck ♪

♪ Yeah, man, go back to your country You're different ♪

♪ Impossible, I come from the universe Because I lost my way, what can I say ♪

♪ Buddy, you were only born here ♪

♪ 'Cause that's where You came out of a cunt ♪

♪ How does that make you better? Please, dude ♪

♪ There's no business you deserve here ♪

♪ You're trapped But only in your mental state ♪

♪ I'm a lunatic And I practice where the fuck I want ♪

♪ I'm not black, I'm not white I'm not active, I'm not tired ♪

♪ I don't come from any nation But I will take you to the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ But I, I, I… No ♪

♪ That's an inappropriate proposal Keep the Earth, man, I want the moon ♪

♪ I'm not sane, I am not crazy I am not true, I am not crazy ♪

♪ I am not bearer of bad luck nor Good fortune, I'll take you to the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

♪ I come from the moon ♪

[music playing faintly over headphones]

[ambulance siren wails]

[siren wailing]

I don't know how much time she's got left.

But I did the only thing that I could do.

At the hospital, Rosa will get all the proper care that she needs.

[Dr. Coen] She can't stay here.

She will lose continue to lose consciousness more often.

She needs to be monitored and looked after.

for any eventuality, understand?

Yes.

It's the only solution.

[sighs] I get it.

[lioness purring]

[lioness purring]

[Momo] It's not true that nature knows best.

Nature does whatever it wants.

Sometimes it's flowers and animals.

And other times, it's an old lady that they won't let out of the hospital.

But I had made a promise to Madame Rosa.

And she had trusted me.

[monitor beeps]

Hi.

Who are you?

I'm Momo. Are you pretending?

I know that you're mad.

[sniffles]

I know what you want.

I'm not stupid.

I'll return. I'll help you.

But when I come back,

you've gotta help me because I can't do it all alone.

Okay?

[Ruspa] I heard about the old lady.

Let's go for a ride.

Come on. Hey, let's go!

That's what friends are for.

[door closes]

[keys clatter]

[Ruspa] Make yourself at home.

I had plans with my son.

[shutter clattering]

It's his birthday today.

I haven't seen him in a month. I was looking forward to it.

But his mother, she never respects the rules.

First, she promises, then she calls and makes excuses.

It was a shitty day for the both of us,

so let's celebrate!

Take a seat.

Hey, wake up, sit.

To us.

[Ruspa exhaling]

Stop thinkin' about it. You gotta look ahead.

Here.

What's this?

It's all there.

I don't get it. You're quitting?

[lightly tapping on table]

You know what your problem is?

You don't think that you deserve the respect that you've earned here.

If you leave here, you're done with me.

You're done with all of us.

Am I clear?

[bells chiming]

[Momo] I'm sorry.

[indistinct chatter]

Too much?

-My papa loves red. -You're beautiful.

[sighs]

Momo, you stay with Dr. Coen. Promise?

-Don't worry. -Okay.

[in Spanish] Put your seat belt on, honey.

GERIATRIC WARD

[monitor beeps]

[groans softly]

[Momo whispers] I'll take you where you want, you have to be quiet.

[Momo panting]

I can't…

I can't go anymore.

So peaceful.

What was that?

[birds chirping]

[grate opening]

[Momo] We have to go.

[police siren wailing]

[door buzzer ringing faintly]

[muffled chatter]

[footsteps going upstairs]

[officer] Morning.

[elevator whirring]

[elevator thudding]

[door closes]

Okay.

[indistinct conversation]

[car starting and driving away]

Will they come back?

No.

[string music playing]

-[glass clinks] -[water pours]

No.

-Drink. -No.

Yeah, you need to.

I have something for you.

Close your eyes.

[chuckles softly]

And then who will reopen them?

You can leave them open.

What's this?

Mimosas.

They're beautiful.

So pretty.

I couldn't find real ones.

This is the most beautiful gift I ever received.

You're a good boy.

If you wish, you can come and live with me.

We'll be happy together.

[indistinct chatter]

[in Spanish] Sit down. I'll get you some water.

[clattering]

[Lola] Momo?

You were supposed to stay with Dr. Coen.

Momo?

Hold on.

Where are you going?

Momo?

Momo!

Wait! Stop!

[crying]

[banging on door] Momo, open this door.

Momo, open!

What are you doing?

Momo!

[Lola continues banging door]

[rabbi praying in Hebrew]

We'll wait over there.

[growls softly]

[deep breath]

[Italian song playing] ♪ When you run out of words ♪

♪ I'm here I'm here ♪

♪ Maybe the only two words You'll ever need are ♪

♪ I'm here I'm here ♪

♪ When you learn to survive ♪

♪ And take on the impossible ♪

♪ No one believes you ♪

♪ I will ♪

♪ No one ever knows ♪

♪ What tomorrow may bring ♪

♪ But no matter what ♪

♪ I'm here ♪

♪ If no one hears you ♪

♪ I will ♪

♪ When you lose your way ♪

♪ I'm here I'm here ♪

♪ You run away or put up defenses ♪

♪ I'm here I'm here ♪

♪ When being invisible ♪

♪ Is worse than not being alive ♪

♪ No one can see ♪

♪ I will ♪

♪ No one ever knows ♪

♪ What tomorrow may bring ♪

♪ But no matter what ♪

♪ I'm here ♪

♪ No one can see you ♪

♪ I will ♪

♪ Those who love each other know ♪

♪ Love needs magic and reality ♪

♪ But sometimes all you need Is what's already there ♪

♪ The life ahead ♪

♪ No one ever knows ♪

♪ What tomorrow may bring ♪

♪ But no matter what ♪

♪ I'm here ♪

♪ If no one sees you ♪

♪ I will ♪

♪ If no one believes you ♪

♪ I will ♪

This film was completed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The director and producers thank the artists and crew

for making this film a reality.