Original subtitles

BARDON: Some people, when they start, they can't stop.

They say it can be hereditary.

DANTE: I'm going to throw up.

BARDON: His dad was an alcoholic.

DANTE: I've decided Estella's going to sing backing vocals for us.

Attempt number 535.

Yesterday, I get a letter. Compulsory redundancy them call it.

After 15 years!

I propose we march.

DEUCE: Rover! - CROWD: Will not die!

DEUCE: Rover! - CROWD: Will not die!

Before you go, I wanna give you a little message.

Your mission now is to find out what the Coventry battalion

are planning to do in London.

If it should turn out that Virgil's not actually being truthful with us...

Then his guarantor becomes liable for his mistake.

You and I are going on a wee trip to London.

BARDON: I no longer just want this band to work.

I need it to work.

D'you see her arms? She had needle marks.

MATTY: You should come to Moseley.

I'll introduce you to some really interesting people.

SHE ROARS

MUSIC: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by J Robinson, G Agard and S Crooks

yes I will

MUSIC ECHOES AND FADES

to tell me the truth

- INDISTINCT CHATTER

MUSIC: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by The Slits

MUSIC: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by J Robinson, G Agard and S Crooks

Come on in.

We don't bite.

but bad things about him

to tell me the truth

all he left us was alone

MUSIC: "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge

Beer please.

on the outskirts of Frisco

filled with out-of-towners touring

MUSIC: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by J Robinson, G Agard and S Crooks

steal to pay his bills

- Fucking commie!

Trouble-making, shit- stirring fuck. -

Nigger! -

- DEUCE YELLS

- You can't treat me like this!

SHE BLOWS -

Shh!

D'you want to go for a walk?

much on thinking

chasing women and drinking

to tell me the truth

Dad!

About fucking time!

You don't easily wake up from what he's been smoking.

Anyone see ya?

I know what I'm doing. I used to rob houses.

Actually...

I often went to Sutton Coldfield.

ENGINE REVS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Not in my mum's car.

Does your mum know you've taken her car?

No. She was at rotary.

Rotary... wow.

But I asked my dad if it was OK and he said yes.

Even though he's dead.

I still talk to my dad, even though he died two years ago.

Can you ask your dad if it's OK for me to smoke?

Jeannie...

We're forming a band together

but we don't really know each other at all, do we?

No. - Well...

maybe we should. - So let's do it.

But no crap.

You can only say things that you can say in one breath.

What colour are you waiting for?

This is important, OK?

My dad's dead.

My mum's taking a lot of medication for depression and it's hard.

I used to love a girl in my class but it passed.

I cut myself sometimes.

I really don't want to become my mother.

I used to break into houses and smoke that shit.

My mum has had the hardest life imaginable

and I didn't help but I wanna do something for her one day.

I love her so much... SHE CHUCKLES

My dad on the other hand...

What about your dad?

I won't waste my breath on him.

If we're telling each other things about ourselves

I should tell you something important.

Has to be in one breath.

Before the lights go green again or we'll be here all night.

No, no, it's Dante, different rules, let him roll.

Fuck the lights.

If our band is successful

and if we get rich

and if I buy a farm

and if for whatever reason I buy a horse...

I will call it Fiona.

Or Jeannie.

THEY LAUGH

MUSIC: "Stand Down Margaret" by The Beat

stand down please

DISTANT SIRENS BLARE

Dante, where the fuck have you been? - We've been rehearsing.

Dante, Dad's been sacked for misconduct.

So that means no redundancy when the factory closes.

He's in a bad way, we need to find him.

Are you f...

Is it you giving him this stuff?

It was Jeannie who got him away from it.

Dante, listen.

We need to search the estate, d'you understand?

I don't think he can make it.

Listen, straighten up, soldier.

JEANNIE: We'll go with him.

Just tell us where to look.

Listen, take your little guardian angels to Dad's church.

He might've gone there.

There is a place he's more likely to be heading.

BANGING ON DOOR

BANGING CONTINUES

Mr Williams. Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Wire!

Mr Williams, what you doing?

DEUCE RAMBLES - Mr Williams...

Mr Williams, what you doing?

I need one bottle of rum.

Alright?

Mr Williams, don't do this.

You've come so far. - Come so far! Which part?

Nobody tell me nothin' about come far!

Y'know, after 23 years, them give me dismissal notice.

For violent and disruptive conduct.

Come far!

HE KISSES TEETH You don't know nothing.

Where's strong drink, Errol?

Mr Williams.

Mr Williams, I remember as a kid, we all used to laugh at ya

when you were drinking.

They used to make you dance!

Remember what that was like?

For Gregory and Dante to see you like that.

Errol! Shut your mouth.

You've got Jesus now, Mr Williams.

Fuck the Rover, there're other jobs.

There are no other jobs!

The government is closing down Birmingham.

They're closing it all fucking down.

Just put the bottle down.

Pray.

We'll pray together.

Our Father...

who art in heaven.

Some fucking father I am.

Hallowed be Thy name.

I've forgotten the next bit.

Hallowed be thy name. Mr Williams, what comes next?

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done.

Please...

Thy will be done.

MUSIC: "Jezahel" by Shirley Bassey

Thy will be done.

Dad?

Dad, where are you?

way down south in St. Amore

Dad!

God?

This is Dante, and I am of no use.

You have to take care of him.

He says only good things about you.

HE GRUNTS

Thy will be done.

Tell him he doesn't need a job at the Rover.

Dante...

your dad can be our driver.

When we get a van, he can drive the van and take us to gigs.

I've decided to change the name of the band.

We're going to be called "Fuck the Factory".

MUFFLED MUSIC PLAYS

So, will you come back with me tonight?

I've got a flat.

I can't tonight.

But I've had a good time.

HE LAUGHS You mean you like me buying you drinks.

More than that.

Really?

D'you even know who I am?

No.

Who are you?

I'm someone who really shouldn't be here.

So am I.

Listen, I've got a place.

I live with a friend.

OK.

Have you got a piece of paper and a pen?

Yeah.

OK.

Flat five. - Mm-hm.

17 Winstanley Gardens. Camden.

Top bell. It's by the canal.

How romantic.

Yeah. I'll be there Friday night.

Do I get a goodnight kiss?

I have to go.

OK.

Uh, I'll see you on Friday... at ten.

Yeah, Friday at ten.

OK.

DOOR SLAMS

He's barred.

How much has he had?

That's a lot of rum after how many years?

Four years.

The devil waits his moment like a sniper on a roof.

Your family, Virgil.

Your fucking family.

Don't talk about my family, Wire. Don't fucking ever talk about my family.

When you were a kid, running around the estate like a wild fucking dog

my mum cooked you egg and chips

and my dad chased away the men who had use for wild boys.

Yes, my family is broken right now, but I will fix it.

I will fucking fix it.

Virgil's got a plan.

Yeah. Virgil does have a fucking plan.

You know Robbie Carmen's after you now, as well as the RA?

Come on, Dad, let's get out of here.

You're good.

It's one of them dreams again.

Did you hear me, Virgil?

The RA have threatened to blow up Robbie Carmen's new club

if you turn out bad

because it was him who recommended ya.

Yeah, well you can tell Robbie Carmen, I'm almost done.

And there will be no bombs in Birmingham.

You can tell him, I have a soldier carrying out a mission

and after that, I will be done.

Thy will be done.

Thanks for trying though.

Come on.

Come on.

Bardon, I swear to God, what a place this Soho is.

Just sitting here

I've seen some sights I'm not gonna forget.

Is it done, son?

It's definitely him?

Yeah, it was him.

And you made the arrangement?

He'll be by the canal on Friday?

Friday night, ten o'clock.

And when he's by the canal, your people can put a bullet in his head.

Not my people, our people.

And then his body will be taken away with the rubbish.

I'm so sorry I had to put you through that, Bardon.

You know what? He was OK.

He was what, now?

He's a human being.

You know what he is.

What is he?

He's one of the engineers of the strategy starving our heroes

to death in the fucking H Blocks!

Another good man dead two days ago.

He's a member of the British government and that makes him a legitimate target.

High Command has realised that blowing up property

and killing their soldiers has no effect.

You have to kill them.

And then they'll fucking hear it go off, alright.

And you have played your part

in a volley of return fire from their murderous onslaught.

You know in the club...

in the flashing lights...

the fucking awful disco music...

on the dance floor, I saw Nan.

I saw Nan standing there, staring at me

as I laughed and joked with a man

whose death I was arranging...

and organising...

and making certain...

and she looked at me.

And she turned and walked away.

MUSIC: "One I Love"

It's morning, son.

You did well.

Let's head back to Coventry before the traffic starts.

Ba.

What?

Everywhere God lives, there are brilliant acoustics.

He must really love music.

DOOR OPENS

GREGORY: OK, Dad, Dante.

I will be quick

but I need to speak to both of ya.

I will speak to you on behalf of myself

and on behalf...

of our mother.

Yeah, hang your fucking heads.

Gregory, mind your language in this place--

Says the betrayer of all promises.

Look up...

cos I'm going to tell you both your future.

Our future.

OK, Mum...

take a look at your husband

and your son.

Some little fucking caterpillar in our family DNA

sometimes sprouts wings, turns into a moth

that flies into the night and leads our bloodline into danger and addiction.

Dante.

You first.

Before God...

tell Mum what you've been doing to yourself.

I smoked.

If I hear you say you smoked ganja, me a' gone kill ya' now.

Not ganja actually, Dad.

It was from the garden, but I think it was heroin.

Hold on, you smoked what?

I'll kill you even more--

Pot. Kettle. Black.

Sit down, Dante.

Tell Mum what you did last night.

Brenda, my beautiful darling I, um...

I broke a vow I made on your eternal soul.

GREGORY: You are a joke.

And Dante, you are a joke.

I also am a joke...

made hilarious by my many contradictions.

But the joke is over.

After Dad's arrest, I stayed up two nights and I wrote a song

about what happened.

About people like us, about who we are, and how we live.

I'm joining the band.

I'll work behind the scenes to make sure the band's successful.

Gregory, are you sure you wrote this?

"On the bridge his frozen hand is writing truth."

Is that about me? - I will also make sure

that nobody gives you any substances that may clip the wings

of such a beautiful butterfly.

And we do this without the woman who gave dope to Dante.

We fire the drummer, yes?

Agreed.

If we're taking votes, we need Bardon here.

Bardon is busy but he will be back.

How do you know that? - Band rule number one.

We don't ask questions about what I know and how I know it.

But Bardon will be back.

DEUCE: I don't really sing, and...

I don't play no instrument, me's too old for all of this.

What am I going to do?

It's all been decided.

Dad...

you're going to drive the van.

And um...

Estella is going to be a part of this as well?

Your new love is our heart and soul.

And I think there will be times ahead that you need her.

ESTELLA SINGS:

GREGORY: Need each other.

GREGORY: Protect you from the sniper on the roof.

is gonna be alright

is gonna be alright

this is my message to you

is gonna be alright

Nan, I swear to you this is the end of that, and the start of something new.

this is my message to you

What's that?

A time and a place.

They used me to set up a hit on an MP.

Cabinet Secretary for Northern Ireland.

The London battalion heard that Coventry had a pretty boy in their ranks.

I betrayed a man with a kiss.

Like Judas.

What will the branch do with that information?

They'll make sure the honourable member of parliament

doesn't attend the rendezvous.

So well done.

You saved a life.

If the MP doesn't turn up, the RA will know that Coventry has an informant.

They already know.

They know because I told them.

I told them they have an informant by the name of Lemongrass.

A name that I made up myself.

And when the hit fails to happen

that'll be me saying "I told you so".

That was the bait.

Now for the hook.

What hook?

When they're sure that Lemongrass exists

they'll want me to tell them who Lemongrass is.

What name will you give?

Whoever the branch want me to name.

Whoever you name will get a bullet in the head.

I'd say that's a fair assumption.

What if they ask you to name me dad?

The British government will have no interest in disposing of your dad.

They wanna keep your dad in place because, according to his file

he's emotional, vulnerable and kind of fucking useless.

If the work we've done is enough

then you and me can start focusing on the F.T.F.

What's the F.T.F?

It's the new name of our band.

"Our" band?

Yeah. I heard your tapes.

You're good. But I realise, you need a grown up.

We started the band so we didn't have to grow up.

The name of our band is "Fuck the Factory".

Let me guess.

Dante's idea?

Dante's idea.

And you're our frontman.

If your pretty face is good enough for the IRA then...

it's good enough for Top of the Pops.

I'll take this information to the branch

and argue that we've served our purpose.

Go home, Bardon.

You're done.

Can leave the fishing tackle behind.

Hopefully you and me never have to go fishing, ever again.

Hopefully.

Did you catch anything, son?

No. - I think you did.

Who are you?

I think you're a very good fisherman, young man.

I'm sure we'll meet again.

GUITAR STRUMS

Listen to this.

that I can breathe

That's it.

That's all I've got so far.

"Fuck the Factory"?

Really?

I was going to call us "M6" but I didn't want to bring my religion into it.

I don't know why I try and have normal conversations with you, Dante.

So Fiona has joined.

She's pretty good at the bass.

But someone else has left.

Who?

Who's left?

You didn't listen to the words of the song, did you?

I have quite a lot on my mind.

The song is called, "Farewell to Matty and Her Flowers".

No drug addicts allowed in the band.

What about people that get people killed?

I don't know, ask Jeannie.

She seems to have a lot of rules.

And with Fiona on bass on her side, they are pretty much in charge of everything.

Except for words.

Let's try this song about Matty.

BAND PLAYS

onto the edges anymore

-

it's pulling at the strings

the darkest dance

till I missed my chance

Never again.

No need, never again.

and pick you up

we'll both be fucked

I was told she had a visitor.

I had an ugly picture in my head

but now I see it is real.

Eamonn, we cannot talk with a gun between us.

She is... my... wife.

No.

Not a wife.

A woman in exile.

I am exiled, Eamonn.

I am here in the bucket beside the motorway where you threw me.

You filth.

Eamonn. - Hush.

I will speak.

I have someone.

You are a volunteer, Eamonn.

You choose the cause over yourself every day and I respect your choice.

Now you can shoot me or shoot him.

Someone will be dead.

The battalion will disown you for using a weapon for trivial purposes

and bringing attention on yourself.

I don't want your men watching my place of exile anymore.

Stand them down and leave me alone.

We have made our choices.

Go and fight for your country.

Go and fight for the men who died of hunger.

Don't fight for the mother of your son.

HE MURMURS

Eamonn... - I will!

GUNSHOT

There.

You've spoken with your true voice.

Now get out.

DOOR SLAMS

On a scale of one to ten, how badly do you want a drink right now?

Ten.

Twenty.

A hundred.

So let's get dressed, get in your van

and drive to where our children are.

We can occupy our minds with their silly adventures.

You alright?

HE SIGHS

SHE SIGHS

Got a note...

pushed through my door...

saying stay away.

For the record, to whoever wrote the note...

SHE CHUCKLES

...the word "narcotics" ends in an "ics".

Doesn't end with an "X".

It looks cool written that way.

Would be a good name for a band, no?

Dante...

I'm sorry.

I've come here because, uh...

I really like the music you play.

Dante, I really...

I love the songs you write.

So, I've done a bit of gardening.

I've cleared out the weeds.

I've been clean for six days.

How did you even know we were rehearsing tonight?

I come here every night since I got the note.

Get the bus. Hitchhike back.

OK. Let's take a vote.

Alright, well before you vote I just I want to point out--

Those who want her out, raise their hand.

I want to point out...

that most of the songs this band sings...

they're about redemption.

This band's a lifeboat for every one of you.

Is for me as well.

May I make a suggestion?

You record a song with Matty

and then compare it to a song you've recorded without her.

Then based on the strength of what we hear, we take a vote.

Agreed.

DOOR SLAMS

We'll do "Pelicans".

Sorry we're late.

The traffic was terrible.

"Pelicans".

OK.

two feet in the dirt

my feathers in the wind

Let him get closer.

Can't be sure.

No. It's not him.

SHE ROARS

Two hours late.

He's not gonna come.

He was never gonna come.

Virgil, you have really fucked up this time.

I mean really fucked up.

It's looking good in here though.

You're in so much shit.

Don't let them see you're scared.

Virgil.

You know these people.

I do know these people.

But do we know you?

Can I tell this fuck?

Can I tell him what's inside the briefcase?

Why not?

It'll concentrate his mind.

But I'm guessing inside the briefcase

there's 20 to 30 pounds of plastic Semtex explosive.

An alarm clock, some wires and a detonator.

And the time is probably set to a very scary time.

Sometime very close.

Ten minutes from now.

They are punishing me for recommending you.

You have 15 minutes, Virgil.

Or Gregory. Soldier or spy.

Informant or grass or whatever the fuck you are.

It's 14 minutes now.

Speak to them

and please tell me you know what the fuck they are talking about.

I know what they're talking about.

Lemongrass.

An important operation went wrong.

We want his name.

Give us the fucking name of the informant

or we walk out of here and let the suitcase blow.

Mr Carmen, before I speak to our friends from Sparkhill

I'd like an assurance from you.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Clock is ticking, Virgil.

What assurance?

All over town there are posters advertising your opening night.

And there is a band I'd like to be added to the line-up.

Somewhere near the top.

Oh, Jesus Christ.

Yes or no, Mr Carmen?

Yes. Yes. Fucking yes. I'll put them on the bill.

Just give them the fucking name!

Is that it? - That's it.

And if you'd like, gentlemen, if this is a conventional set up with no surprises

I'll disable the mechanism for ya.

Virgil, no!

Somewhere near the top of the bill please, Mr Carmen.

MUSIC: "Rock And Roll" by The Velvet Underground

five years old

a New York station

what she heard at all

to that fine, fine music

by rock 'n' roll

TYRES SCREECH

five years old

a New York station

what she heard at all

to that fine, fine music

ON RADIO: by rock 'n' roll

to a rock 'n' roll station

God, if you'd told me where we were going, I'd put sensible shoes on.

SHE SCOFFS

What, are we shooting pigeons now?

GUNSHOT

BIRDS CAW

DANTE (VO): This is the last 20 seconds before we get famous.

Before the ovation and the "which one betrays us".

All aboard for penthouse floors, cocaine bores, metropolitan whores.

The Who, The Stones, The Doors.

They all fold their arms and say

"Go on then, show us."

Escaping fuck-all without kicking a ball.

Words in chains, tunes like rain.

You resign yourself to the fucking shelf.

But someone comes along, heard your song, tells you you're wrong.

I know it's you, Mum.

I smell your perfume, in this smoky dressing room.

I hear the sound of you singing Motown.

We're on the top bunk, Dad's still drunk.

Shouting, smoking. You pretending he's joking.

That's what this is.

A forgotten memory.

Right, are you fuckers ready?

Ready. - Ready.

Yeah, we're ready.

Right, let's go.

Right...

DANTE (VO): After all this time, coming back to me.

When it was you and me, and I was three

and you said I could be whatever in the world I wanted to be.

So now watch me, Mum.

After "one, two, three", it's live on stage.

Fuck the factory.

So now, we all say farewell to who we used to be.

CROWD WHISTLES

Ladies and gentlemen.

I wanna introduce some stage virgins

their first ever live appearance

all the way from Coventry.

CROWD CHEERS AND JEERS

And Chelmsley Wood Estate.

CROWD CHEERS

And look, I can't believe that this is their name

but this is actually their name.

Ladies and gentlemen

please give a big Birmingham welcome for...

Fuck the Factory!

CROWD CHEERS

INSTRUMENTS TUNING UP

Ba! - VOICE IN CROWD: Ba!

CROWD CHUCKLES

Ba! - VOICE IN CROWD: Ba!

Ba! - VOICES IN CROWD: Ba!

Ba! - CROWD: Ba!

Ba! - Ba!

Ba! - Ba!

Ba! - Ba!

Ba! Ba! - Ba! Ba!

Ba! - Ba!

Ba! - Ba!

Ba! Ba! - Ba! Ba!

Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba! - Ba! Ba! Ba! Ba! Ba!

ALL: Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba!

CROWD CHEERS

Ba!

We are Fuck the Factory.

We don't fucking care.

CROWD WHISTLES AND CHEERS

Here is a song about our town.

This Town.

CROWD CHEERS

Hope you like it.

One, two, three, four!

MUSIC STARTS

unless you come from here

or get used to nothing

- Don't care what you do

unless the sky's burning

unless the wrong person is listening

what you can't hold down

unless you come from here

just do something

- I'm getting out

- I'm going in

about this town

of the children thinking

everybody drowns?

make it all disappear

and I'll never let go

harder to shake than a bad habit

come follow me into the sound

- If I'm getting out

- You're coming with me

- If I'm going in

- You're coming with me

CROWD CHEERS

CROWD ROARS

FRANTIC DRUMROLL

CYMBAL CRASHES - CROWD CHEERS

CROWD CHANTS: Fuck the Factory! Fuck the Factory!

MUSIC: "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" by Sekou