Everything has started there, with taking off.
No, it is not a story of a plane which is taking off.
Yes, it rather goes like this.
I had an appointment with Jean-Charles Perrin.
It starts where it has to end: here.
I have an appointment with mr Jean-Charles Perrin.
You can find him in building F
Stage 6, office 602.
Sir? - Good morning. I have an appointment with mr Jean-Charles Perrin.
A visitor for mr Perrin.
Good Morning.
I have an appointment with mr Jean-Charles Perrin.
Fine, please follow me.
Hi... Xavier!
Good morning, Mr Perrin. - Call me Jean-Charles.
This is really good. Please come in.
I work here.
Young talent. View on Paris.
There you have the Sacré Coeur. The Eiffel tower.
and Jussieu ofcourse.
Beautiful. - Whole Parijs.
I know your father from before...
We studied together at the ENA. At that time it was still located in Paris.
I still remember. It dates from...
Oldfirst is being dumped by Moodis...
My father is someone who understands this.
...while ADR Allied Irish crashes.
Visit him. It will lose you nothing.
He's quite nice. I know him already...
So this is my father.
It is entirely your area.
Do you like a double beer?
Do you know Donohugue? Scottish. A real pearl.
Everything has started when he said this.
I can only say that new jobs will be available next year
because of the new European directives.
I can fix you a job if you do a paper about something that concerns the Spanish economy.
They need people.
But you have to be able to speak Spanish.
And you have to know the Spanish market.
Do you know Spain?
Yes. I know a little bit of Ibiza.
Then i decided to move to Spain for 1 year.
I had blond hair when i was a young boy, and i wanted to be a writer.
But I changed. A human changes.
My mother is a 'speech water fall'.
A real 'speech water fall'. The worst thing is..
that they say the truth.
You eat no bulgur, no tofu. It is hopeless.
If you rather want junk food filled with genetic manipulated shit..
pesticiden and prionen, then do so.
I won't stop you.
I had doubts at first. But on a second though
i decided i had to go.
...treated shit. - Spain.
I did research on the university exchange program.
It's called Erasmus and it's a complete mess.
Just a moment.
You wonder who Erasmus is?
On the internet
i didn't really find usefull information about it.
Apparantly it was a dutch traveller around 1500 A.D.
I spent 3 months with the subscription.
That is nearby.
Did you speak with my colleague? - Yes, just came back.
I want to request an Erasmus file.
Do you have your subscription form. - I just received that.
Nothing has been filled in. What do i have to do with this?
They lost your file. I have to make a new one.
Bleh. You are all the same.
You wait until the last moment for a file with documents of...
I have had it! They lost it. It's not my mistake.
I just wanted to know which papers i still need..
to...
have my file complete.
Right. Well, a Erasmus file for a DEA is simple.
You need to know it. It's written in the disclaimer.
The authorisation of your project leader here,
the authorisation of the foreign project leader,
the authorisation of both universities,
your medical insurance card...
Are you registered at SMEREP or MNEF ?
MNEF. - In that case
you have to get paper E-111 at the MNEF-Office
in building D at the ground floor.
Don't sigh. Your foreign medical expenditure will not be compensated
without this form.
Fill in these things.
And the usual things. A c.v.,
a letter with your motivation,
the titles of your doctorial etc..
All these things.
I don't know why the world turned into a mess like this.
I don't know if the world had to end up like this.
Everything is complicated, badly developed and poorly written.
In former days you only had fields
with cows and chicken.
Everything was much easier.
In former days things were tangible.
In the children's books from Martine you had animals...
you ate what you cultivated...
You made your own clothes and house.
Life was easy on the farm for Martine.
Why did we leave the world of martine?
Terrible.
What?
This sexistic.
What a bad look on the woman.
Why ?
Because she feeds chicken and milks the cows?
No, its not that. But it is your wet dream.
The kind little girl with her dress and red cheeks.
Of course not.
My parents named me after her.
I'm becoming sick of this.
My mother used to read these books as a child.
I think it's cute.
But, Martine...
It's not that bad.
Is it because of ''Martine'' that you...
I feel sad that you leave..
I feel sad aswell.
What's wrong?
Departure to barcelona.
Air France flight 6237.
Check in at hall C.
Wait, Martine.
She feels sad, doesn't she ?
I feel sad aswell.
Are you sure this is a good idea?
Don't start, mom.
Isn't your father behind this?
No. I decided to do this myself.
My flight will take off soon. Stop it.
I feel sad aswell. Everyone feels sad.
You wouldn't think so though.
Attention, please.
Last passengers for Air France
Flight 6237 to Barcelona
are expected in hall C.
Don't cry. We will see eachother soon.
Don't cry, Martine.
It will go fine.
Xavier, are you sure it is fine?
Shut up, mam.
Please, madam.
Do you want to have something to drink?
Erasmus ?
Yes.
What do you study? - Economics.
Serious things. Stock exchange and stuff.
something like that, yes.
And do you know barcelona?
No, i just landed.
You will enjoy yourself here.
Oh yes?
You bet. Wonderful city.
My suitcase. - Good bye.
Do you have the key?
This is the typical dork which i usually avoid.
But apparantly he wanted to talk with me.
It's a lunatic city.
People go out having dinner at 10pm here.
You will not find anyone in the restaurants earlier than 10pm.
After 10pm they eat like pigs. They're little 'party numbers' in barcelona.
Do you know the 'barres de copas' ? - No.
Then i won't give the show away.
You have to be well built for Erasmus.
You won't sleep much.
And you... what are you doing?
I'm a doctor. An important job
in the 'del Mar' hospital. I'm a neurologist.
And you?
We are married for 2 weeks. She's still awaiting.
But first she will learn Spanish.
You don't know Spanish?
No. Do you speak Spanish?
A little bit.
I come for my doctorial on the university of Barcelona.
In an unknown city, you will see long streets
wih meaningless buildings.
Everything is unknown, virgin territory.
Excuse me... The street...
Carrer des Escudellers Blancs?
What?
I think... turn right at the end.
straight on. - Like that?
Yes. - Ok. Thank you.
In 1 year you will.. have lived in this city,
have walked all streets until the end
have known all these buildings,
have mixed with people.
When you have lived in this city,
you will have been in this street about ten, twenty, thousand times
Ten, twenty, thousand times...
Urquinaona...
Passeig de Gracia... Laietana...
After a period of time everything will belong to you, because you have lived here.
Thus it would go with me aswell, but i didn't know that yet.
Urquinaona.
This word with a Sioux-tone joined itself at the long list
of the ridiculous names in your occiput.
"Urquinaona" ensconced himself next to Mouffetard,
Bondoufle, Pontault-Combault,
Marolles-and-Hurepois,
Mandelieu-La-Napoule or Knokke-Zoute.
The name became normal and trusted.
Much later, when we were back in paris
the whole situation turned into an exciting adventure.
The worst days of a journey,
the greatest failures
is what you tell most afterwards.
The door bell is not working - What?
It's not working.
Who are you looking for?
A girl...
Sonia Miralpeix.
Ah yes.
Mr Miralpeix!
Yes? - Hello.
I'm a Xavier - Can you... the door?
Yes, Just a moment. I will open up.
Thank you. - No problem.
A acquaintance of my mother arranged
the first few days of lodging in Barcelona
Some more Coffee?
No, thanks.
Did your flight have a delay?
No.
That chap, a chilian, has a niece in Barcelona.
I could stay with her for a few days, until i had an own apartment.
But i couldn't stay long.
She lived with her grandpa and it was complicated.
It was complicated for me aswell.
It was already complicated before this,
But this was the typical bungling by my mother.
Never listen to her again. Never take part of her bungled plans anymore.
Yes.
Bleh. Thanks, mother.
Never listen to her, never take part of her goddamn plans again.
Hello? Jean-Michel?
Yes, hello. Xavier speaking.
From the airport. Right, yes.
Eh, yes.
You still remember me... right? The airport?
Yes... Ok. Listen.
I'm terrible sorry...
I'm terribly sorry that i have to call you like this..
but i'm in deep shit.
C'mon, please.
No, there are a few chaps here...
Look, you told me that you could...
Oh, right... right...
That is very... yes...
Yes, that is...
That is very...
That is very kind of you. Yes, because here...
I don't know exactly who is dead, but she is in chile now
and i have no place to stay.
That is no problem at all.
I told you? We just arrived aswell,
so we'll just have to make do with it.
Make yourself at home. I had it the first time also.
We 'Galliërs' must nevertheless help each other?
You can sleep on the sofa.
Anne-So prepares a meal.
Yes.
Are you hungry?
Yes.
I have not much to offer. I have...
rice...
or pasta.
Including...
We have no butter, but we have oil...
Very well! Pasta with olive-oil.
Just make do, go.
Go.
Sorry, man. We could not do differently.
Oh yes, yes. No... doesn't matter.
Do you want some coffee?
Why not?
You think that it's architectonic complex.
but the brains function rather simple.
hypophysis... hypothalamus...
There you have the braincortex.
With the 2 hemispheres.
The memory area is located...
in the hypocampus...
inside the temporal lobe.
I summarise it of course, because the memory...
My section covers the relations
between this brain-area here,
which comprises about the memory,
and that area there which controls the language.
We came across remarkable pathologies.
Thus, a bilingual can be meet
by an amnesia that knew only one language.
Really? - Certainly.
He can only speak his mother language because of a lambda-trauma
His 2nd language... gone.
Erased of the hard disk.
Smart, isnt it?
I have your...
I have seen your advertisement in the newspaper.
Yes, for the apartment.
Yes, and I would gladly...
Share... share...
It is a difficult task to find a flat in Barcelona .
Hello.
And? Do you take it? 50.000 a month. Ok?
That's equal to about 1000 euro.
50.000. Take it or leave it? - Yes, very well.
50.000, the first of the month. - I will look.
We want to sell it also. The first of the month. If not...
I have to leave, it's urgent.
Can you do something for me?
Yes.
Certainly, absolutely no problem.
Can you take Anne-So out?
She doesn't like to go out on herself.
and, because you speak some Spanish...
Yes, yes... No, no, certainly.
No problem. I... yes.
I saw you crying in the plane.
Oh yes?
You looked so sad.
I became sad of it myself.
Yes, you think that you're glad to leave
that you are strong...
But onboard the plane i no longer knew.
Leaving isn't easy.
You will leave things behind, you don't know where you will end up.
Yes. It is a strange mixture.
It's exact the same for me.
I'm in raptures with Jean-Michel.
I really wanted to go with him and experience something intensely,
but at the same time I am frightened.
Starting a new life.
Learning a new language
I have the feeling that i stand in front of a mountain.
Yes.
lk felt the need to frequently write Martine.
lk wrote things, which I would have never said to her in person.
lk had been always very reserved.
With that distance between us i seemed to be able to talk about more things.
And that brought me closer to her.
I received your letter.
It's nice to hear from you.
But sometimes i find it stupid
When you praise Barcelona like that.
I am happy and jealous at the same time.
It isn't easy to be located far from each other.
I count the days that i want to be close to you.
I love you.
Sharing a flat sometimes look like taking an exam.
Tarragona.
I have lived in Paris.
Jesus, Tobias. Why do you ask that?
C'mon.
Terrible. It doesn't always go like this. In fact, he is quite nice.
I felt myself comfortable immediately.
I really wanted them to accept me.
The confusion which dominated there seemed like my own muddle.
Their wrangle seemed equal to the wrangles i have had in my head for years.
Class has started and i didn't have a flat yet.
Cya later, Anne-Sophie.
I don't understand these Catalonian classes. Do you?
It can't go on like this. Someone has to ask him
Who will ask him to talk in Catalan?
Do you guys study french?
The french classes?
Bleh, what a fuss.
Who? - You.
Fine. Good morning everyone.
We talk about the future of world capitalism today.
Sir, please?
Excuse me, but can you talk in castalian?
I'm affraid that is not possible.
Most students are Catalonians, there is no reason to change.
There are 15 Erasmus-students who don't speak Catalan.
And Spanish is not a problem for you.
I understand, miss. I understand it well.
But you have to understand me aswell.
We are in Catalonia and Catalan is an official language here.
Go to Madrid or America if you want spanish.
Now... the future
of world capitalism. What can we tell about that system?
I liked the girl. She didn't fit to Economics.
I was wondering what she was doing here.
Like i have been asking what i was doing myself.
There was only one currency: Gold
I speak Catalan because i am Catalonian and i live in Catalonia.
I find it strange that you defent the Catalan language..
when we build on Europe together.
No, thats not my opinion.
I think it is about identities here.
An unique valid identity doesn't exist.
But a number of identities which goes complete together do.
It's about respect.
For example, i have at least 2 identities:
the Gambian, where i originate from
and the Catalan identity.
I don't find it contradictory to defend those two.
You are a Frenchman Or you are from Mars... No.
You are a Frenchman and you have the French identity.
Do you understand?
Your "identité"... Asterix.
Francoise Hardy.
Cheese.
I'll give you my "pan tumaca". - What?
"Pan", bread. Bread-tomate.
The song.
I'll give you my... my Dali.
Spain is more than "olé". It's more than only flamenco.
It's flamenco and much more. And Catalan belongs to that.
This 'sailing' between languages is certain disrupting.
You have that in belgium aswell, with Flamish and...
Walloon ? That's complete different.
I am Walloon, but i don't speak Flamish.
I act like a Frenchwoman in Flanders.
Then they will talk French to me.
Yes? Really?
Fine, fine. Very well.
Yes, great.
They won't answer me when they see through that i am a Walloon
Fine. No problem.
Great! I have a flat.
Nice. - Yes... eh... true.
Well.
I have a crappy room at the mother of my employer.
What do you do? - I'm au pair. Babysit.
Well, great!
I guess...
Great for you. - Yes, for me.
I feel sad that you leave.
I want to write books.
Hello, Wendy.
Hi.
How's it going? - Fine.
What is that ? - Babylonia.
"The Spanish inn"
It was there litterally, a Spanish inn.
Let's see... Inn...
"Spanish Inns is like reading,
You will only find what you bring with yourself"
Maurois.
It's hard to explain, but it is something like this.
Hello..
lk take the telephone by way of illustration.
Or no, the refrigerator.
Alessandro, your feet. - It's only water.
Please, Tobias.
Anyone wants some tea? - No, thanks.
No? - Shall we?
Yes?
Byee.
Of course not.
But you will visit me soon.
sure.
Ofcourse.
No.
C'mon.
I cannot talk freely.
Because i'm not alone.
We are not going out for dinner, i have got no money.
Of course not.
Not at all. Only...
Really not.
Not one, but five people are here with me.
Let's not bicker via the telephone.
You will see me soon. I desire you.
But of course.
Me too. Thats for sure.
I love you too.
We'll call soon. Kisses.
I love you, my dear.
I'm crazy on you, my dear.
Hello?
Just a moment.
Xavier is not here.
He returns tonight.
Ok?
Xavier is
not here right now.
he will come
back tonight.
Yes, but at what time?
Tell him that he should call his mother.
His mom. I will tell him.
Promise?
Oh, right. To the fac.
Fuck? - Yes, after the fac
Can he call mom. - Wendy, relax.
Splendid, hè?
Anne-Sophie!
Are you not feeling well?
Did you have a nice afternoon? - Very nice.
How did you get to know each other?
In Dinard.
In a pizzeria.
We went there each day, There was a coloured italian waiter.
Today i am 'onna introduce ou: melon and gham.
Very nice. Buonissimo.
Did he say that each day?
Each day. For two weeks.
And really every day?
I worked in the hospital and Anne-Sophie...
Tell him.
No, you tell him.
You go on.
ah!, tell us, Anne-So.
Why did you come there each day?
No!
Don't be so shy.
Come on, tell!
No, i find it embarrassing.
Wussy. What is so embarrassing about it?
Well, it's just personal.
I don't have to tell it.
Come.
No, never mind.
It doesn't matter. You don't have to.
If she doesn't feel like it.
Say it, damned.
It doesn't matter indeed.
Don't be so taken aback.
Well...
The first time
i saw Jean-Michel,
i knew i was in love,
after the first glance.
Just all of a sudden.
Totally in love.
I saw him and thought:
"gee, that is my husband"
Love at first sight.
Exactly.
You are intolerable.
Damn, again.
Yes, hello?
Can you call back after 8 'o clock?
Thank you. Stupid bastards.
Good afternoon. - Hi, Mr Cucurull.
I will show Mister the flat.
Why? - I will not talk with you.
Cycles put in the corridor, just like that.
That must be repainted.
Move along.
Dear god. The cupboard of granny.
The living room...
The saint virgin.
A saint virgin stood here. Where did it go?
The madonna stands... somewhere else.
It's a mess.
Quick, give it to me.
Hurry up!
Just a moment.
You have to vacate the flat before March. - But...
I will walk along to the door.
This looks like shit.
Can you say why? - No.
I don't want students anymore.
But why? - Look at the mess.
I said before, clean up. - But why me?
I didn't do the dishes because i thought
Lars and Soledad still had to eat.
Then i started to watch tv and you did them.
I wanted to do it, but you are such a maniac...
What?
I don't want to live in a stable! And i'm not a maniac.
Always full of promises, but you never do something.
You seem like a serious young person to me.
I will talk with you as from next month .
And as of now it is 180.000 pesetas.
180.000 pesetas? - Yes.
Hundred Eighty Thousand pesetas?
We must add another person.
I know someone from my Economics Class, It's a nice person.
Who? - It's a girl.
Very serious.
And if you say "Je vais la fac" ?
I speak french.
Oh really? - I have lived in Paris.
I will call you later. - Cya later.
She's nice.
We can find better.
Doesn't she please you?
Have fun.
You have alot of things which I own aswell.
Heey, you have Ali Farka Toure. - You aswell?
What are you doing tomorrow?
My girlfriend 'Sabine' is coming over from Belgium.
Cool.
Sabine? - Xavier?
Hello.
It's here.
I really miss you.
I can sit on the beach and still miss you.
It's sunday tomorrow and we're going to Sitges.
Thats another beach close to here.
I'm at the beach in Barcelona right now.
Sitges is some where else.
No idea, it's different for sure. Just another beach.
With that French Couple. From the plane, where i stayed.
Well, not real sociably, but they're quite nice.
Is France somewhere that way?
No, i would rather say this way.
Well, hey.
We will not have seen each other much.
Cya soon.
Hello, everybody.
Do you want...
And you slept together in 1 bed?
yes. - Here?
Yes.
What? She's my girlfriend.
Did you do things together?
Yes, we did. She's my girlfriend.
My wife.
I'm lesbian.
Right.
When is your girlfriend coming?
Mine? She's coming soon.
She still has some things to do.
She has a heap of things on her mind.
Good luck then.
Chicks are crazy.
I am really hungry.
I don't know if it tastes good, usually it's prepared different.
What is it? - Gratin dauphinois.
A little bit like tortilla. - I like tortilla.
It's not exactly like tortilla. There are no eggs in it.
I'm fed up with Tortilla without eggs.
You are not funny, Alessandro. - Look out!
Where are you? - Here, darling.
Xavier, where are you?
We have to check the... The meter.
The cutouts.
Wendy? We are here.
We are coming.
We are here.
God.
Hello. - Everything ok?
Come.
Shall we?
Calle Porta Ferissa.
Well then...
Stay with them if you like. - Nah.
Is that English chit not a bit fussy?
Not at all. She is very nice.
Such a narrow-minded bitch.
Does she have a boy friend?
Yes, she has a boy friend. And she isn't narrow-minded at all.
They have managed to saddle you with the most stupid room.
It's not stupid.
And we will move in 2 months.
Do you plan to start moaning?
You described it as being a palace. And this is really...
Your room is plainly stuffy.
Look at that wallpaper.
Sorry, but i can't do it this way.
It doesn't matter.
We just have to get used to each other.
I understand. It really doesn't matter.
And with that mess alongside.
It is really stupid.
Do you find it terrible? - Of course not. I understand it really.
It doesn't matter.
I know we don't have much time.
I become paralysed of fear of failure.
It's stupid.
i find it stupid.
Stop it. It really doesn't matter.
I had the painful feeling
that the parting lasted longer than the reunion.
Love is awful.
I find it hard.
Yes.
But still i love her.
but this way...
It's exactly the same for me.
Sabina went back home angry.
But i have to admit... - What?
It was quite stupid to say that i got myself chat up.
Oh yes?
By who? By a chap?
Ofcourse not.
By my flamenco-teacher.
We were in class together.
And then...
she was demonstrating a dance. She was...
too beautiful.
It got me the shivers.
She looked with those eyes.
And then she came closer.
Closer and closer.
Very charming.
Afterwards she was very harsh She beat my thighs.
No so fast.
Go on.
She pulled me close to herself.
Then she turned around.
I couldn't do anything. I was...
Paralysed. She totally dominated me.
And then?
It was delightful.
She kissed me.
So.
Jesus.
And you told Sabine about this?
No, not with those words.
Not?
No.
Don't you study too much? Do you want to have something to drink?
No, thank you.
I pay, boy.
You sit here all day.
Take a chupito.
What?
Where are you from? - France.
France?
France... Erasmus ?
Yes.
Have you been in Barcelona for a long time?
Two month. - Months.
Yes, damned. Two months.
Exactly. You visit class too much, do you?
You must come more often here.
Here you will learn what really is important.
Juan!
Don't make his imagination run wild.
Wait, i give him spanish lessons... What is your name?
Very good, Xavier. An example...
Do you know what a "French man" is?
No... what?
A "French man"?
If you come more often you will learn "the puta madre" -Spanish.
You are a master within 2 months.
He will never come back.
Thanks to Juan i spoke "the puta madre" -Spanish, after a few months.
And this way i frequently visited the bar from Juan and Neus.
Whats happening? - We're having a party.
Anne-Sophie, Juan.
Hello.
Hello, Xavier. - Hi, Neus. Everything O.K.?
Xavier talks alot about you, but he didn't mention you are so good-looking.
You didn't say anything, bastard!
What's he saying? - He says...
that you are welcome in his café.
Rotter. - We're going to dance. Come.
Hello, darling.
You promised to come. This is harsh.
No, but i have no money, Martine. I'm sorry.
I know i promised.
I didn't have money either, but i have come nevertheless.
It leaves you cold, hè ?
It doesn't leave me cold.
It does. You never keep your word. I'm fed up with it.
This is real mean for my birthday.
Where are you? At the beach again?
No, in Barcelona. On the street.
Yes, there is music. I stand in front of a bar.
There is music everywhere. Stop it.
it smells here.
Too bad barcelona is quite dirty.
not as dirty as Paris.
Yes it is.
A lot of places here look like the third world.