- May I ask why? - Because you don't like us or our mom.
Know why?
Because your mom lies. She hides the truth from you.
She does not!
- As you wish. - Why would my mom lie to us?
She's afraid to tell you the truth. Like about where she is right now.
Now? She's at work.
You think?
- What if she isn't? - Where would she be?
With your dad.
But my dad's in India working on a pipeline!
Didn't you ever wonder why his letters don't have stamps?
I mean don't have foreign stamps, Indian stamps.
Your dad didn't write those letters.
Who did?
Your mom.
Why?
She doesn't want to tell you the truth about your father.
We tell each other everything, for your info.
I see...
We tell each other everything.
Even that your dad's in prison for stealing cars?
That's a lie! My dad's not a thief, he's a mechanic.
In this country, my boy, that amounts to the same thing.
Take a lesson: Never hope for someone's death
because you never know when you might need him...
to save your life.
Like I am right now.
Want to rewind it to the beginning?
- Hi, honey. - Hi.
- Any letters from India? - India? Mom, I know dad's in prison.
- Who told you that? - Uncle Ríša told Kuba.
What should he have said?
Kuba thought it was odd that the letters had Czech stamps.
Should he have lied?
Ríša was right: you should have told the kids.
My god, you said we shouldn't!
- Don't blame me for something I never said. -You said it, mom.
Mom, you've totally lost it. You believe whatever that asshole says.
You know what? It's over, and that's sad.
Don't talk about him like that. You of all people have no right.
Who tutored you for exams before you dropped out? Ríša!
Ríša always cared about you.
Then one fine day you just took off.
Because the two of you had decided that I was having an abortion.
For god's sake, you were 17 and still in school!
So what? That wasn't the reason. He just didn't want any trouble.
And he hated the idea of you paying attention to anyone else.
Oh, no! Ríša never agreed with the abortion.
Ríša always argued with me about it.
I knew it would mess up your life.
And the truth is it messed it up pretty damn good.
Mom, your truths aren't worth shit.
But if you like I'll go tell Lucina how much her grandmother
looked forward to her birth. Should I go tell her? It's the truth!
Or I can tell you the truth about how Ríša, that jerk-off,
tutored me, about how he helped me with exams.
I can supply you with details, but I bet you're not interested.
So just kindly stop using the word truth around me, okay?
He's not well.
You're right, but that parasite will outlive us all.
In order to stave off decay, we've divided up household chores.
Some of us do them without fail:
I dust, sweep, and go shopping. Grandma cooks and makes you snacks.
All you have to do is occasionally take out the trash.
And this is the result.
So now I'd like to share with you a little of the ozone
grandma and I have to breathe, and the flies we have to endure.
My god...
You asshole!
- Mom! -What are you doing? - Mom, can you come in here?
Come have a look.
Come in here!
Do you see this? Do you?
- What's going on? Did you trip? - Yeah.
Mom!
You had to wake me up for this?
God, do you see this? Don't clean it up!
- Kuba, you threw away your roll? - Don't touch it, Kuba!
It's got to be cleaned up. Come on, Lucina.
No big deal, and it's done.
Those are my kids.
- Oh, hello... - Morning.
I tried to call you last night but your phone was turned off.
No, I was in Italy. It's fine...
So, you're here...
Is everything okay?
Sorry, I just got here...
What time is it? I guess it's still time to sleep.
The kids are fine there. I'll lie down in the next room.
Would you like some tea or coffee or anything?
I'll finish up in the bathroom then put some water on.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Sorry for just barging in like this.
- I saw your car. -Is there anything wrong? -And you have a guest...
- I feel ridiculous; I'm sorry... - Don't apologize... -Morning.
- Hi, I'm Beneš. - Čmolíková.
Not there, Kuba!
- Sorry... - Hi! In here, but hurry!
I came to say that my mother just died.
- My sincerest condolences. - Sincerest condolences.
- Come in... - Hello.
Let me introduce my brother... Mr. Beneš, the owner of the house.
- Havlík. - My sincerest condolences.
- Mrs... Benešová? - No, Čmolíková. My condolences.
We just came to ask if your sister needed anything.
And don't worry about moving.
There's time for you to get everything ready.
You are so very kind, Mr. Beneš. So very kind.
Hold onto him, young lady. He's an angel.
I always loved cars, every boy does.
These days I'm more interested in safety,
but when I was young I dreamed of having a Ferrari.
It was so expensive.
And now I'm too old, and it's a little too dangerous.
It's for young guys: hockey players, soccer players...
When you drive 300 km/h
it's all you can do to just stay on the road.
You have to lie down in a car like that.
And the acceleration is so fast you start praying you'll survive.
- I think your mom wants to sleep. Goodnight. -Goodnight.
I suppose you are immensely grateful to Mr. Beneš.
All of us are grateful, especially the kids.
Italy is a civilized country founded on centuries-long traditions.
Just imagining places like Rome, Venice, the Vatican...
- What do you think, mom? - I don't know...
Won't you be in Mr. Beneš's way?
It's just for a couple weeks, and we haven't been anywhere in so long.
- Exactly! - What about the kids?
- They're the most excited of all. - Yes, they really are.
They'll get to know the world.
They won't be troglodytes like us, with our heads warped by Russian.
We're washed up but they have a chance.
Oh, my... Now that's...
This is right up our alley, eh, Zdena?
This is really something... What a spread!
I already miss them. Sorry, Mr. Beneš, but they're all I have.
I understand... I'm Evžen, by the way.
Great! Let's cut the formalities. I'm Ríša.
- I'm Zdena... -Delighted. Enjoy the meal. -Yes, indeed.
It smells wonderful and looks fabulous.
I must admit you really know how to pick a pub.
This place is rife with history. But we can't afford such things,
so we're all the more grateful for the invitation.
- The view from here is lovely. - A view is a matter of perspective.
Paying 50 crowns for a beer can ruin the view.
- How long have you lived in Italy? - Thirty-seven years.
You weren't even born!
You ought to kiss your mother's hand every day for leaving here.
I'll go choose some wine.
Shit, Zdena, will you stop moping?
I miss them! I'm so wretched and forlorn! Who will I talk to!
- You're going to see them again. - My god, can't you see? -What?
- What am I supposed to see? - He's an old man!
- Mom! -He could be your father. - But he's not.
Stick to him like glue. He's loaded.
I'm not marrying him. We're just friends.
Yeah, right. They call it being fuck buddies.
Shut your fucking mouth! No one asked you.
You only want them gone. All you care about is yourself.
- Drop it! - That's all! -Drop it already!
You just want them gone.
Man, what is this? It looks like snail shit.
I bet it cost a mint, but I'm not paying for it.
It wouldn't matter if I barfed!
Zdena was just saying she's never been to Italy.
I was wondering if we could come visit sometime.
Of course, no problem.
I have a guest house so there's really no problem.
Hear that? Not a room, but a whole house!
- Who will sample the wine? - I will.
Actually, I'd prefer a beer. Wine is a bit...
- Of course. - Excuse me a moment.
- It's not bad. - Excuse me a moment too.
You okay, mom? Is it the spaghetti?
No, nothing's wrong.
- Ríša's right, I'm an idiot. - Who cares about Ríša?
Just tell me straight: Is he good to you?
Yes, he's good to me and the kids too.
I was just worried he's taking advantage of you.
I don't want you to end up under a bridge somewhere.
Mom, open your eyes. He's a decent person.
Yeah, and he's really good looking.
But he's as old as me. He's going to die on you.
Don't be morbid. Are you planning on dying?
- Does he love you? - I hope so. -Wait!
Do you love him?
He makes me happy, and it's a chance for me and the kids.
My little redhead...
You better go back.
The beer's strong, and Ríša talks too much when he drinks.
Mom, don't worry... It's nice being with you in the bathroom again.
You know, I feel sorry for Jarda. I really do!
Beauty in trouble flees
to the good angel
On whom she can rely
To pay her cab-fare,
run a steaming bath,
Poultice her bruised eye;
Will not at first,
whether for shame or caution,
Her difficulty disclose;
Until he draws a cheque book
from his plumage,
Asking her how much she owes;
Breakfast in bed: coffee and marmalade,
Toast, eggs, orange-juice,
After a long, sound sleep... The first since when?
And no word of abuse.
Loves him less only than her saint-like mother,
Promises to repay
His loans
and most seraphic thoughtfulness
A million-fold one day...
Where's Marcela?
Yep, she went for the money. It's obvious.
- Let's go. It isn't worth it. - Zdena?
What's a criminal doing in our home?
Please, just go back in the other room.
You didn't understand. I don't want you letting criminals in our house.
You talking about me?
Calm down, Jarda. We have to expect it.
Did you invite them?
- In that case I'm calling the police - Just wait. They're going anyway.
Invited guests are welcome. Invited guests!
Tell Marcela she'll be sorry if she doesn't come back home.
Threats to boot! That's great!
She filed for divorced. She'll see you only if her lawyer is present.
But we're family.
Marcela can't just cart his kids off to the West.
Comrade teacher,
how many kids did you brainwash with your communist crap
before allowing those salvation charlatans to thoroughly soak you?
I'm glad you've got no influence over our grandkids!
Who'd have guessed that Marcela would finally make a good decision?
You are a poor man, Mr. Hrstka.
All the love in you has died.
There's not a drop left.
But you feed on love.
You suck it out of other people.
You eat it, you consume it.
But you are unable to give it.
You're like... You're like...
Like mistletoe...
Or like a fungus...
Or... I don't know.
- I feel truly sorry for you. - What's she mumbling about?
Come, Jarda.
Let's just go.
Finally Marcela found a decent, well-to-do man
- to provide for her and her kids. - Jarda, don't let him provoke you!
Let him alone. You already told him good.
I didn't tell him this:
This country will finally be healthy when his kind are rotting in jail.
- Touch me and you're back in the slammer! -Don't listen to him!
Did you see that? He wanted to attack me in my own home!
Why did you let him in, you cow?
Search his pockets before he goes! You never know.
- You've had it! - You fucking fish cunt!
Please, Jarda, don't! Let's go!
I know a gal and she's got the dough,
She's got the dough and her daddy loves her so!
You really gave it to him!
Good, good...
Good.
What a waste.
It's for the dead.
- Like I said, a waste. - Not for some.
Try it.
Can I?
- Well? - Let me see.
I don't have any rum, I mean Coke...
- Neither of them. - It could use a little.
- How long will you be in Prague? - Just three days.
If you need anything, Rina will help you.
We'll manage.
We can go to Siena when I get back.
- Mom? - Yeah?
Dad texted us that he misses us terrible.
Well...
We can call him later.
Come on, that's ridiculous. I don't get it.
The problem is that in order not to lose the house, your father
transferred lot no. 663, the front yard,
to the gardening association.
Then your family rented the land back from the gardening association.
But no one paid the rent after 1956,
so restitution didn't apply to the front yard.
So they bought the front yard and the drive up to the garage.
- Yes. - And you didn't know about it.
- No. -Are you sure? - We didn't know.
- So it comes as a complete surprise? - Unfortunately.
- What will they do with it? - Well...
- They're trying to steal the house again! -No!
- You've got the house and the backyard. -Yes, but no access.
Mr. Havlík and his sister own the access to the garage.
When did they buy it?
- They obtained the deed last week. - Of course...
You can get to the house through the backyard.
But of course there's a cliff. And you can get to the garage...
Via helicopter.
- What matters is how much they're selling it for. -Exactly.
Well, let's go.
Okay, then, how much will you sell it for?
200,000.
200,000... I'll have to think about it.
Euros.
What?
-200,000 euros... That's almost 6,000,000 crowns. -Yes.
- It this a joke? - Does it look like we're joking?
What good will it do you? What will you do with it?
- We're going to vacation here. - What?
- We'll vacation here, right? - Help yourself. -No, thanks.
Maybe we should...
first discuss how much Mr. Beneš would agree to.
Of course, but I won't take less than 6,000,000 crowns.
Mr. Beneš has been so very kind. We could give him a discount.
Don't interfere.
Mr. Beneš, you want to sell the house anyway.
Well, then,
why not sell it to...
- Mr. Havlík at a reasonable price. - Sure.
- Are you crazy? - Me?
I'm just looking for a solution.
Mr. Beneš...
- We'll put a barbeque here. - Yeah.
I can hardly wait.
I warned you, remember that.
If you still value my opinion, sell it. Your troubles will be over.
Just think about the risks involved in reconstruction and all that.
You live someplace else and you're doing well.
You wanted to sell it, so why complicate things.
Zdena?
Are you asleep?
You're right...
I love this.
This is what I call living.
Take it easy...
Screw everything...
Climb into bed in broad daylight...
You want me to beg, huh?
My god!
Oh, my god!
Zdena!
Oh my god...
Zdena!
Oh my god...
Uncle Ríša's coming!
- Hi. - Hi.
- Sincerest condolences. - Thanks.
- So you came... - Yes.
I guess you're doing well.
Your mom would never say it, but she missed you terribly.
She really, really missed you.
- Do they really know it's our grandma? -For sure.
Is that all?
We have to go talk to him, for the kids' sake.
Go ahead. I have a meeting at the hotel anyway.
OK. Come on.
Grandma!
- Hi, Kuba. - We have only one grandma now.
I was scared I wouldn't see the kids again.
Daddy, how was jail?
Well...
- It was normal. - Were you scared?
- You bet I was scared. Every day. - Of what?
That I'd never see you again.
I was scared for you too.
- Did they hit you? - No, not at all.
- Where are you staying? - At a hotel.
That's terrible! A hotel? My Lord!
- Hungry, kids? - We're going to eat at a pub.
- I made fried chicken. - Yum!
I understand if you don't want to come.
We'll understand. We know it's short notice.
I wanted to say... I agree to the divorce; I won't cause trouble.
He's learned about consequences.
He doesn't want to lose the kids.
- Daddy? -Yeah? - How does an eternal flame work?
How else?
Aha! Gas.
See, I told you.
Maybe I'd like some chicken.
- Hey, want some chicken? - Sure.
Okay.
Šaráda!
Hi.
Come here, Šaráda!
I was wondering if you wanted to take some things.
- You've really done a lot. - There's still so much to do.
I can only work on the house on weekends.
- Have you found a job? - I'm fixing up cool old cars.
- Want a cig? - I quit. -What a shocker!
For a long time I thought you'd come back.
I wanted you to have a place to come back to.
Hey, gimme one of those.
- I want you to know that if anything happens... -Like what?
I don't know, but if anything happens you can come home.
Mom's got some pictures and books upstairs. Wanna have a look?
I could send them to you.
- That's nice of you. - No, it isn't...
It's just that I love you and I want you to know it.
No other woman interests me or turns me on.
I knew you'd come crawling.
Don't tell me you're any good together.
Kuba, Lucina, come inside! Hurry up!
He's worked so hard here...
Look how good it is here for Marcela. Right, kids?
Mom?
- Mom, can we take Šaráda with us? - No.
I'll transfer the money within 3 days...
after you sign the agreement.
Your 4,000,000 crowns can be there by Friday.
Given the situation, I really think it's the best solution.
Hold your tongue, Mr. Patočka.
Just keep your opinions to yourself. And you can forget about your fee.
This is outrageous; I won't be cheated!
Fine, and now for you. Understand this, Mr. Havlík:
I will never sell my house to you
or anyone related to you, whether through blood or business.
Unlike you, I don't need the house.
I don't need to live in it. I don't need to sell it.
I couldn't care less if it gets run down, loses value, or collapses.
You acquired the land for purposes of extortion.
Sell it to me for the purchase price
or you'll be grilling wienies by my garage door till you die.
And you and your sister better be out by tomorrow. Is that clear?
Hi.
- Hi... - Hi.
- I'm here... I've got the card. - Hi.
- How was it? - Fine, fine...
What happened? Do you want to talk about it?
Wait here, kids. Order a cola. We'll be right back.
I'll be back in a minute.
What happened?
Did you sleep with him?
Are you going back to him?
No.
I invited Ríša to Italy.
My god...
Why are you so nice?
- Please. - Prego.
- Thank you. - Grazie.
- Waiter, the check, please. - Il conto, per favore.
Kuba, Lucina, let's go!
Let's get packed.