Original subtitles

THE WELTS

They say that you always long for the past

because it's the only thing you lose irretrievably.

They say that childhood is a private myth of our memory.

Independently of whether it was a misery

or an age of innocence.

I've always wanted to be a child.

I'm 30 years old.

And I've found a letter from God written on the mirror.

He's brought my childhood to a conclusion.

It means I had a childhood after all…

Not that bad.

But you have to pay for your stupidity.

Better to get punished by your own father

than to be beaten by life later on.

Let me look.

What have you done to yourself…

Doctor Sobański will come tonight. Gargle with salt water.

Gargle, while it's hot!

The old methods are the best. Remember that.

There is not better cure than Bach.

My father, and your grandfather, used to say that.

Enough.

You don't like it, do you?

Of course you would prefer that stupid rock and roll,

those shaggy plank spankers?

Good music has always been present in this house.

No howlers.

Music has been the cure.

Bach, Mozart, Haydn…

Beethoven…

Strauss, Johann, of course.

Don't you hear that the sound of these names heals?

Johann Strauss, Haydn, Beethoven…

Bach…

Tag!

A nun's bastard!

Whose bastard are you?

The catechist is sick.

Sunday school's cancelled.

Super!

But before you go home, you will get some gifts at the rectory.

Not you.

I'll talk to your father.

Look…

That's how you should brush your teeth.

The blood is flowing…

Not the way you do this…

Two times… up and down.

What are you doing here so early?

Religion class is not over yet.

The catechist's sick.

Don't stand in the door!

- What do you want? - The parson…

What?

The parson…

He had a nice sermon this Sunday.

You see…

He is a wise man.

I'll tell him right away that you said so.

- When? - Soon… I'm going to see him now.

Heat up the sour soup.

Tough guys' favourite!

„Tough guys' favourite!”

I hate that blabbing.

Gutter…

Tastes like piss.

Heated, of course.

„Don't blaspheme, sonny!”

"You'll see when poverty knocks on your door...”.

„Weakling”.

We have to talk.

And he didn't eat… weakling.

Why do you close up, weakling?!

Don't be afraid, I won't hit you, it's not worth it...

I barely touch you and you're bleeding, you anaemic!

I would break your bones!

And I would go to jail…

You don't have to eat.

You will always be a weakling!

The wind will knock you over!

People will push you around and no girl will want you!

Don't worry. I won't hit you.

Life will beat you.

Weakling.

Quiet…

Quiet.

Miss…

The boys had a competition in the toilet…

Who will piss higher up the wall.

I saw it myself.

You naughty little girl.

During our advisory class, you will explain

what were you doing in the boys' toilet.

But they did it in the ladies' toilet.

This is Piechniczek. You don't have him too.

But I have a whole German team from my uncle.

My uncle gave me.

And Germany is the best.

This is not the best team at all, but a minor league…

And I have the entire team signed by Rummenigge.

Show me.

It's true.

- Here you are. - I' m gonna smash your face!

Enough!

We can't do this the nice way…

Come here!

He spat!

I said, come here!

They're the ones who pissed…

Hands!

Hands!

Will you fight again?

Turn it down.

Television Journal.

The body of Jerzy Popiełuszko was found

close to the sluice gate.

I said, turn that thing down!

And then I saw...

the priest running across the square…

„Help, spare my life”…

The relevant authorities are willing to investigate the case.

Why do you lock up?

He has locked himself…

I didn't buy that recorder…

God dam it, to listen that shit at full volume!

His father bought him a recorder, goddammit, and he is listening to some crap…

- Goddammit… - Goddammit!

I bought this with my last money!

And he's locked himself…

I'll show you, squirt!

When you get out of there, I'll take the recorder,

hide it, confiscate it! Understand?!

Kasia, don't forget about the newspaper.

And you have to remember…

The pinwheels are to be painted white and red.

We will use them next year, during the May Day march.

- Understood? - Yes!

Wojtek, do you understand?

What's the homework?

A wheel…

White and red.

Good…

We have a homework for shop class.

I've run out of poster paint.

What are you supposed to do?

Some kind of mill…

And paint it white and red.

Okay, we'll take care of this after lunch.

There's a box in the closet. Get it down.

- Do you have a glue? - Yes.

Not bad, isn't it?

Sure, dad…

Nobody will have a mill like this.

You see what kind of father you have.

And the way you repay him…

Dad, come on…

You would die without me.

Remember, your father won't be that nice all the time.

Obey your father...

or meet a whip.

Do you hear me?

So you should apologize for what you showed yesterday.

Don't you remember your sulks?

Don't you?!

And upbringing is about rewarding good deeds…

- But when you misbehave… - You should be punished.

So yesterday's punishment was fair.

And you should be grateful for a fair punishment

just like for a fair reward.

I don't remember you saying “thank you”.

Thank you.

If you get a good note for the mill…

I'll give you a reward.

And there'll be a match in the afternoon.

Will you reserve a seat for me?

I will.

Good morning.

Good-mor-ing!

I see that you have done your homework!

Beautiful!

Congratulations, Kasia!

Bartek, wonderful!

What about you?

Did you forgot?

Where is your pinwheel?

Where's your scarf? A hat?

Gosh, I forgot, I left it at school..

What kind of an idiot…

A weakling is going to be sick again.

How many hats did I buy you? How many scarves?!

You lose everything. No problem, you'll be bareheaded

until you lose your head one day.

Or maybe you will remember to check everything five times

before you leave anything!

What did you get for the mill?

What?

What do you do, you moron, during those classes?

Why don't you pay attention?

Is that some kind of a joke?!

I am doing my best, losing time…

I did everything to help you!

And you don't even understand what the teacher was talking about?

There is only one way…

Moron…

We will see when you come back, squirt…

- Pinhead! - What?!

- What do you want? - What are you doing?

Did you forget you shoes? Stupid…

Let him go.

Piss off. I've run away from my old man.

Wait! Why are you running away from him?

- Does he hit you? - Not your business.

- Wait! - What?

My old man beats me too.

Come with me. It's just mum at my place.

The old one went on a binge.

He will be absent for another week.

Come on. You're shivering.

- Hi, mum! - I've asked you so many times

to come back earlier when I'm supposed to leave.

Reheat you dinner and close the door for the night.

If dad comes back, don't open it.

Under no circumstances.

Call your uncle. I'll be back in the morning.

- Bye. - Goodbye.

And wash it off.

You mum doesn't sleep here?

She is on duty.

- Here you are! - Thanks.

Listen…

You don't have to go back.

You old man will beat the hell out of you.

I know.

You can stay with me.

My old man has some cards with naked women in his garage.

Let's find it.

Can I make a call?

Hello?

Dad, it's me. Wojtek. I'm staying in my friend's house…

Bartek…

I'll be back after school.

Bye.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Wojtek's sick. He asked me to tell you

that he feels very bad. He is sorry

he ran away yesterday.

My mother gave him the medicine and asked me to walk him home.

Give her my regards.

He also asked you not to beat him for it.

Take care.

He goes out without a hat, without a scarf, he will never learn...

He should be taking this for a week.

And if he won't improve in two days, buy him the latter.

It is an antibiotic.

Keep an eye on him.

He is physically mature for his age.

Today, the youth are swift…

Theoretically…

You could become a grandfather.

What are you talking about?

The time shows no mercy.

I've already went through this with my daughters.

You won't believe what kind of sons-in-law they brought me…

I drove them away.

That's how it was.

OK, I'm leaving then.

Call me if something happens.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, amen.

Praised be Jesus Christ.

Forever and Ever…

Well…

If you have sins on your conscience that you are ashamed of…

That's good.

It is an integral part of the sacrament of penance.

Shame precedes contrition.

But you need to confess your sins, my son…

To get forgiveness.

So…

I will help you.

Did you have dirty thoughts about girls?

Impure acts, sinful treatment of your own body?

In secret, with impure thoughts…

- How long have you been doing this? - Only recently…

Where? At home, in the bathroom? Or maybe at school,

during a brake…

Where? When?

At home.

You must confess everything…

Everything, everything!

This is very important.

Your shame will cleanse you.

Tell me.

How often do you do this?

Does it happen in a room where there are…

Sacred images?

Day or night?

Does it happen in a dream as well?

- My old man came back last night. - Did you let him in?

The door let go.

I have your tests.

Antoniak, very good.

Ksiok, B.

Maksiak, E.

And by far the worst test…

Wojtek Winkler. Three points.

Of course, F.

It's the fifth “F” on test this semester.

How are you going

to move on to the next class?

It's your concern. Keep it up.

Wait…

Are you in hurry?

Should I send your father an invitation to the parent's evening?

Get out of my sight!

Free kick for the visiting team. Sybis... Dribbling failed…

Warsaw central defence going further…

Legia is playing.

Have you done your homework?

There's nothing for tomorrow.

- What about the day after tomorrow? - Dad…

I'll do it tomorrow…

Now, the game…

What's up?

Legia, Legia…

What the fuck?!

What's wrong with you, sonny?!

Do you think the priest didn't tell me anything?!

Where?!

Don't struggle!

This time you will get for something else.

An overdue punishment for the recent truancy.

Smell it!

Next time go to the closet

and smell the whip!

When you feel the stanch of pain, you will change your mind.

You know what for?!

Do you know?!

No!

You know what for?!

Do you?!

- Punishment… - Overdue.

For the recent truancy.

What's the score?

Goodbye.

Good-bye.

You are free.

Wojtek, wait!

What's wrong with you?

You are not stupid.

Why don't you study?

You never used to be like this.

Wojtuś…

Something wrong at home?

You don't want to stay for another year, right?

Dad, I didn't say anything, I didn't complain…

I don't know how she knows. Maybe she just…

Maybe they ask all parents if they hit their kids?

I will move up to the next class, you'll see.

I can catch up. It's just a few bad notes!

These teachers just love to scare like that. Say something!

You're not gonna hit me?

I will study but don't hit me.

You don't hit me anyway, right?

I can't lie on my butt, it hurts…

I would prefer that cable or that rubber tube.

It itched when he hit me as if ants were crawling on my back…

But by the evening the pain stopped.

The whip is a different story.

The whip is about 12 inches long.

It is hard and heavy.

My old man found it in the workshop.

„Smell it, sonny”.

I don't smell anything, dad. I have a stuffy nose.

But it stinks. It has to.

One day I will pay him back.

I'll give him back to let him know how it hurts.

It's not necessary to use that force…

One is enough…

To make me feel.

- Please… - Did I beat you?!

Pay me back!

Pay back!

Take this!

Take!

And hit me!

Hit me!

Have I been hitting you all your life?

So hit me back now!

Have you wet yourself?

My father never saw me again.

Since I ran away from home, the world has become

perfectly indifferent to my existence.

Nobody asked for me.

My presence was barely tolerated.

But I didn't end up in the gutter.

Everyone has some distant aunts who can offer a family asylum.

These are the days when the word „asylum”

had positive connotations.

It's me…

Wojciech.

I am 30 years old.

And once again, someone categorically desires my presence.

I am trying to recall…

How did I get into this…

I was in that clamp and then…

The curls got tangled in a tube…

Hi, everyone! I'm back!

Hi.

- What's up, dude? - All right.

Ale right?

Nine hours underground. I'll tell you the rest when I get some sleep.

Excuse me, I see you guys know each other…

Who is he?

What a jerk! Moron! Who the fuck trained him?!

He brought the shit from the cave!

He was drying his footwraps above my bed!

Do you know where the warehouse is, sucker?!

Kick him out of the base.

Amateurs, God damn it!

Pick it up!

Listen up…

Maybe I don't know the rules

but I think you went too far.

This a spelunker's base, not a student cabin, missy.

Now you know why he walks alone.

You can go through the Squeezer or use the byway.

To a crossroad and then all the way down with cascades.

There are fix ropes.

Wojtuś!

Excuse me…

There is a dame that has been tormenting me since the morning…

She wants to meet you…

Bartuś, if this woman is tormenting you,

I don't want to meet her.

Really? Come on…

Time to go. We gotta pack up.

Take these plans, I still have photocopies.

Good luck. Don't thank me.

My name is Tatiana…

You already know my name.

You make enemies very fast.

That boy has changed the base.

He almost broke down out of shame.

This is a bunch of brats.

They treat the mountains like a gym.

They come here for adrenaline.

For sport.

Pussies.

At first serious action, they shit their pants out of exhaustion.

They know nothing about the discipline. They make a mess

wherever they show up.

I don't think I would like to have an instructor like you.

I'm not an instructor anymore because I whipped some brat.

He was dumping out a carbide in a cave instead of taking it out in a bag, moron…

He wanted to call TOPR because he got punched in the nose.

Besides, for me, those expeditions are some kind of prayer.

Prayer is intimate.

Do you believe in god?

I believe in him but I don't trust him.

I think he is helpless.

So why do you pray to him?

I pray for him.

I told you about some kind of prayer…

On your knees, but also down on all fours …

On your back…

In mud, in ice, in water...

You never know.

Why do you lower your eyes anytime I look at you?

Listen up…

If that's what you want to achieve…

I'm not impressed at all.

There is nothing more endearing than a fragile boy

pretending to be callous.

Do you know that?

- Hi. - Hi.

Get in.

With that bag?

I'll take the bus.

Stop whining. We can fit in.

Come on.

Get in.

So this is your home?

On which floor?

It's a secret.

Are you offended?

If you close yourself off from the world everyone will turn you away.

Do you want to spend your whole life in a cave?

Don't waste your time.

Home-grown psychology.

Thank your cousin for driving the extra distance.

Mr. Clean!

You backpack is a bit sprinkled.

What? Where?

What's wrong?

I hate ladies who make a habit of kissing strangers.

It's such a childish exaltation.

It's not a habit.

It was spontaneous.

But I'm not angry.

They say you get it from your father.

I forgot once again. I'm out of it.

- Will you continue to make noise? - I've already turned it off. Please…

This is the last time. There is a booth... or other neighbours…

You know my relations with other neighbours…

You only understand me, Mrs. Maciakowa.

You are a human being, and they are like…

Monsters…

How do you shine in that caves? With your eyes?

A caveman without matches…

- Your fridge is empty, isn't? - No…

Wait a while.

Here you are. Still warm.

Than you…

Very much.

Ewa lives with her mother. I just rent a room…

Should I stay in the warehouse?

You say there are some girls as well…

- Where? - We are out of cheese…

I that holes…

Yes, spelunkers. Not as many as guys

but I heard that they are tougher…

I can't see that cheese! Anything left?

Tougher, you say…

I think they are all crazy…

Crawling underground…

Voluntary…

For free?

Some people have their passions, mom.

I will go crazy if I don't find that cheese!

Don't be so mean, I know what the passion is.

Mum…

Are you laughing at me?

What made you so smart, huh?

I don't know where you get that from. From the stork?

Who bought you all those books?

When you were a kid…

Who took you on the trips?

Who showed you the world?

And now she is laughing at her poor old mother…

Knife went blunt.

Mrs. Maciakowa, do you want to make holes in the wall?

I am supposed to turn it down now, and you will wake me up with that Mozart?

Don't you like Mozart?

It's you…

I thought it was my neighbour.

I hate classical music.

I hate Mozart, Bach, Haydn, Strauss…

Johann, of course.

The sound of these names makes me feel sick.

What's that noise?

Infernö.

No wonder you have problems with your neighbours.

Hello?

Wojtek, are you there?

You ferreted out my number though.

I'm calling to remind you about your birthday.

- Listen, if you mean… - That's right. It's tomorrow.

I'm naughty.

See you.

- Yes? - Good evening.

Excuse me, I'm looking for my friend. I forgot the exact address.

- Do you know Wojtek Winkler? - Wojtuś? 112.

Hang on…

Will you be listening to music?

I think so.

I'll go crazy because of that noises.

Come in.

- What's that? - Open it.

- You don't have to fight with that lady. - I don't even know what you're doing here.

Of course, you don't have another glass…

Let's see how you handle that…

I'm sorry.

Stop!

You should get it wet or it will stain.

- It's not necessary! - Yes, it is.

- Please leave! - Quiet.

Please leave, now!

This cannot be happening.

Come here.

Bye.

Thanks, bye.

It's Wojciech. I would like to speak to the editor-in-chief.

What does it mean, he is not there? I was supposed to speak with him.

What about my text? Can anybody explain to me what's going on?

Is the column cancelled or postponed…

I don't want to play around! There are ten other papers

ready to hire me!

I'm not nervous!

What?

What you mean by “cancelled”?

What are you talking about? “Low ratings”?

What research?

Hello?

Where are you…

Good morning, Mr. Editor.

Good morning.

I told him that you are busy.

Please, do not let me interrupt you.

So that's the "low ratings"…

What are you staring at? Get out of here.

Look, boy, I really like you…

Otherwise…

They would kick you out a long time ago.

But you need to understand. We are changing the profile.

We've done some research, there is a new target.

The publisher didn't give me a choice.

More photos, less text…

We have to increase the selling by 40%.

I'm on the way out…

I've been publishing this weekly for 20 years. Now, they issued an ultimatum…

- We've been bought out. - That one.

- What? - That one…

Would be the best for the cover.

- You whore… - Who are you calling a whore, loser?

How much do you earn?

What will you eat, huh?

Food stamps for intellectuals?

Low ratings?

Viewership?

Asses, pussies, right?!

This is your job, assholes.

Please leave.

He's insane.

I bought the exact same one.

What the hell is this?

A bird-scarer.

I don't like when something moves here.

Besides, they shit on the sill. Do you know how it stinks

on a hot day?

Wojtek…

Do you hear yourself?

This is sick.

How could you do something like that?

You think I'm somebody else!

The evil is hereditary.

And my father was evil.

Evil!

Evil! Evil! Evil!

You run away from that man

in order to become like him?

I'm still running away…

But he catches up on me.

In each mirror…

Day…

And night…

I hear his voice when I speak.

I see his face…

When I look at myself.

Because you can't get away from it.

You can't! It's impossible!

These caves of yours… It's an obvious Freud's metaphor…

Escape from the world to the mother's womb

where it is tight and dark…

- But safe. - Safe?

Four degrees with 100% air humidity.

Your body loses heat instantly. Nice womb…

He's right. If it was warmer, you would never go out.

Why are you all attacking me, God damn it…

Can you hear…

Migratory cranes?

What's wrong, Bartuś?

Do you know that grass burning is a crime?

And you've already burned hectares of it. You will go to madmen's hell…

Do they have a separate hell?

It means that we won't meet there, right?

- He's passed out. - Bartek!

Get it together, man.

You are always stoned some brainfuck. You're on the skids.

They consider you as a clown! And I'm sick of this!

Stop…

You know what? You screwed up with that chick.

Now, you are trying to take it out on me. Relax.

What do you know?

What do you know, huh?!

What do I know?

How long have we known each other? You always screw everything up!

She was ready! Close at hand. And what?

Come on! Hit me!

Tear everything down and you will finally shit yourself out of that loneliness!

Someone's calling.

Yes?

- Is that Mr. Wojciech Winkler? - Yes, speaking.

I'm calling on behalf of Hades company. Please accept our condolences.

We prepare coffins. a nd we provide domestic and foreign

transport of bodies.

Hades stands for reliability and tradition…

Calling people in order to advertise the funeral services…

That's paranoid.

I'm fine, so is my whole family…

Did you say “condolences”?

It's written that you are the only living relative.

Will you cover the costs of the funeral?

What funeral?

Don't you know that your father passed away?

- Wojtas, what's wrong… - Hello?

Hello?

Hello?!

Got ya!

The door!

Here's your father's death certificate.

Carcinoma intestini crassi.

Yes…

He lasted this long despite these metastases.

Long…

How many days was he lying here?

Sir…

Your father was dying in our hospital for two months.

Of course, we spoke many times.

We asked about his family.

We wouldn't be holding him that long if he said he had someone.

He was fully conscious.

There was no reason to…

His personal belongings.

Andrzej Winkler.

Are you able to hang like that for a long time?

Sure…

You're good…

My son.

I've been learning to say "I'm sorry" for 20 years.

Wojtuś…

I've been practising it for hours. I want to be ready if the time comes…

To meet you…

I want it to sound appropriately.

If the time comes…

I'm recording it on your tape.

Do you remember? I didn't erase your complaints.

I listen to it carefully, every day…

I told myself that until you forgive me…

I have no right to look for you.

I just listen.

This is my penance.

I think to myself…

It's good that you don't want to know your old man.

It makes you different.

It hurts…

Tell me…

Why does it hurt…

It's okay…

Once again, because of that…

So, what happens now?

Don't say anything.

It will be different.

It has to.

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life…

Live in peace.

We will lay our brother's body in the tomb.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body,

that it may be like unto his glorious body,

according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself…

Okay, come on.

Smoothly.

Come on…

Let's get out of here.

I didn't know which one would you like,

so I took one of each.

I am thinking about you…

Without respite.

With my skin...

my blood...

my pulse…

And after you had left the apartment…

When all I had was your smell, I closed the window in order to save it.

I was looking for each and every single hair…

On the blanket and on my shirt.

And when there was nothing left but you hairs and your scent…

And other minor traces…

I was like a dog not able to understand

that his master is about to come back soon.

And when you disappeared, I was trying to recall your face.

It was impossible because I missed you so much.

And in vain I tried to comprehend…

How had I meet you…

Who were we.

Whether “you and me”…

Already meant “us”?

You must be watchful…

Know which questions are inappropriate.

When to be silent, when to touch…

When to be present and when to disappear.

I want to be sure that you will be present

to the extent that I will be able to feel you…

And miss you at the same time.

And never turn your back on me in bed.

I've seen fathers.

Father-gods…

Punishing…

And teaching…

Morose…

And omniscient…

Dominant and inaccessible.

Immortal…

Unaffected…

Invisible…

Firm…

Prohibiting…

Authoritative…

Creators and destroyers.

My father knew how to hit me without leaving any traces.

I envied the buddies of their black eyes

because they earned sympathy.

And the bruises disappeared.

My welts are invisible.

You can't see them…

But they are still there, inside…

Wojtek…

I will have this baby.

If this had happened, I would have it.

Can you go to the bathroom with me now?

This is ladies' bathroom…

WOJCIECH

I don't want see this.

FATHER