There is so little deep down.
Millions of millions of tons of water, rocks and gas.
Affection.
Blood.
A hundred minutes, a thousand years.
Ashes. Light. Now.
This now.
A while ago...
Fire!
No!
I told you before, didn't I?
There are very few things...
Silence and words.
The Secret Life of Words
Hanna Amiran, please come to the main office.
Hanna Amiran, right?
- Yes. - And you've been with us for four years?
Yes, that's right.
We are happy with you, Hanna.
You don't have to worry, as far as the company is concerned.
- Very satisfied, l can assure you. - Good.
The problem here is the others.
Your colleagues, your workmates, the people you work with.
There's been...
complaints, reports...
The trade union committee, you know-
No, I don't.
Am I being fired?
- Should I go now? - Hanna,
I've just told you, we are happy with you.
How can I sack you?
The problem is that in the four years that you have been with us,
you've never taken a day's holiday you've never been sick, never been late.
How can I possibly give you the sack?
Take a month's holiday, for Christ's sake.
A whole month?
Yeah, I've got some brochures, here.
Just in case I decide to go myself, one of these days.
You know, there's some beautiful, heavenly places to go in the world.
Places that...
Places with palm trees, and lounges on the beach.
And waiters serving piņa colada, and that drink with the smoke in it.
And aerobics in the swimming pool.
Here, look.
Take the ones you want. I've got more.
I've got plenty more.
What's the matter, don't you like palm trees?
- Palm trees are okay, but... - But what?
Do they...
Do they make you do aerobics in the pool?
What happens if you don't want to?
She has never seen my face,
but I'm her only company.
She sees me dressed in red corduroy dungarees.
A light blue polo jersey.
The dungarees are always red. The jersey's always blue.
Why? She doesn't know why.
The hair is never the same.
Sometimes shoulder length, and sometimes this way...
let me tell you, a horrible pudding bowl cut.
I like cold milk.
When it's hot, makes me feel sick.
Inge speaking.
Hello?
Is that you, Hanna?
Well, if there's no heavy breathing or groaning, I'll know it's you.
Did you answer my last letter?
Do you ever read them? I wouldn't ask you to answer them.
Oh, Hanna. Hanna...
She told me stories tonight. They were a bit scary.
And then, she lied down by my side until I closed my eyes.
She's stroking my hair.
It's too long. I'll have to get it cut soon.
Sure, Claude Van Damme,s got more muscle, but Vin Diesel,s a better actor.
There's not much difference as far as muscle's concerned.
But there's no doubt about it, Vin Diesel acts better.
Want a biscuit?
I didn't bring any chocolate ones, because I know you're not a chocolate person.
- Oh... - It's nice to get out of there...
Stretch your legs...
Okay.
Look, we're not talking about over night, are we?
Let me do things right, for once? Or is this an emergency?
Tell me we're talking about a real emergency.
Yeah. Could I have a little more sweet and sour sauce, and some hot sauce?
Sorry, just trying to eat, as if you didn't know. It's my lunch hour.
I know you're sorry about it.
Where do I find a nurse to look after him till we get him off?
Or a male nurse who wants to spend a few days...
I'll call you. I'll call. Okay, bye.
I'm a nurse.
Sorry about the mess. There's 3 of them, you know what it's like.
There's nothing else on the seat, is there?
You're luck the youngest wasn't sick today. Smell takes ages to go away.
It's awful. I mean, even if they're your own kids, it's awful.
Anyway, I've already told you that
this is only going to take a few days, a few weeks at the latest,
until this man recovers enough for us to get him off.
'Cause after the death taking place the company can't run any more risks.
Do you understand me?
- I'm not speaking too fast, am I? - No, I understand you.
The problem is the noise.
Boom, boom, the noise of the pumping. There are places where you hardly notice it.
It's no where to go on holiday, although... When the oil runs out, and it will soon,
our grandchildren will be using alcohol or propane or cow shit, you'll see.
And when it runs out you'll see how they turn these places into
hotels, spas and theme parks. Or something like that.
I'm gonna stop off at the chemist and get what Dr. Sulitzer wants.
Here's the list. Do you want to look at it?
No. If the doctor said this, it'll be fine.
Yeah. Of course.
There's different levels, isn't there?
If it comes from higher up, it's...
It's a power pyramid, isn't it, eh?
Where is it going? Does it really matter?
Do you think she really minds floating above 50,000 tons of steel,
which are hit by 28,000 waves every day?
Sometimes more?
Is that all?
Killing time before time kills you.
Is that all?
Waves and more waves. Never two the same.
This is Hanna, the nurse who's going to look after the casualty.
What's his name?
Josef. The doctor's with him now. You'll find the way? Down there.
- We've got to load the... - Hanna, should I take your stuff?
- Okay? - Come this way.
You alright, there? Martin! Martin!
Martin! Give us a hand, mate.
I don't know if it's further up.
I'm usually in the refinery, you know.
Only been here 4 or 5 times.
Make sure they give you the grand tour around here,
otherwise you'll keep getting lost.
Alright. I'm going to ask Dimitri. He's the man in charge here.
Oh! You don't smoke, do you? Because I forgot to tell you there's no smoking here.
- Well, you can imagine why. - No.
Good. I'm trying to give up, myself.
Hello. You must be the nurse that Victor managed to find.
Hanna Amiran.
Have you ever taken care of burns before?
- That's what Victor said. - Yes, I was in a burn recovery unit.
Oh, good. Good. Well, actually, he has fractures too, to an arm and a leg.
There are burns to his body and face and...
There's some damage to his corneas.
He won't be able to see anything for the next two weeks.
Maybe less, but by then, he'll be out of here.
You better come this way.
It was Josef's room, in fact. It's the nearest one to the sickbay.
Sorry, I haven't had a chance to clear everything up here.
The man who hired me said there was a continual sound.
A noise.
Well, we're almost shut down.
Since the accident the whole rig's having to...
Well, it's shutting down since the accident,
and we're just waiting to find out what's going to happen to...
to all of us. You know, the company.
Shall we?
I've just given him a painkiller.
The facial injuries have been giving him some trouble.
I did tell you that he's going to be blind for a while.
- Should I put some of this in the fridge? - Yeah, sure. Go ahead.
Actually, put it all in there.
It's because of the damp. It's unbelievably damp here.
So, have you ever worked in a hospital in this country?
No.
Is it that important? Fracture is fracture, burn is burn. Here and everywhere.
I have to take care of the temperature chart,
give him painkillers, help him urinate, clean him up.
I've done it before with people who were much worse than he is.
If he gets really bad, then I call you, I suppose.
Yes, of course. Forgive me.
Yes, you can call me from Dimitri's office.
I... You know, my wife's a foreigner, too. She's Colombian.
Um, I mean it's- I'm not prejudiced.
I wouldn't like you to think I'm prejudiced. Really, I'm not that kind of person.
Maybe you are not...
But I am.
You have one new message.
Josef, Hi. Here I am.
I'm reading "The Letters of a Portuguese Nun." Again, I know, it's silly.
But, reading that book, I feel like I'm talking to you.
Like I'm close to you, and if I'm close to you I don't feel I guilty anymore.
I dream of you every night. Probably because I go to bed listening to the message you left me,
saying how much you liked missing me.
Josef, I love you. Like that Portuguese nun, even more.
Much more. Come on, call me.
Call me. I know, it's not easy... But, but...
Call me, my love, please? Okay. I love you so much.
So much. Bye-bye. Bye.
Sulitzer?
Sulitzer, I need a drink and I got to piss like a racehorse.
The doctor has gone.
I'm the nurse.
Nurse? Am I...
Where am I? Did they take me somewhere?
No, we're still here. On the oil rig.
They brought you here to look after me?
Fuck, man. They must be really worried.
I'll get the bedpan.
Your name wouldn't be Cora, by any chance, would it?
No.
What's your name?
I suppose that now you're holding my dick and I'm pissing in front of you.
we could call each other by our first names. Maybe even...
start a new life together. Get married, have kids.
Where are you from?
Are you married?
Got a boyfriend?
Girlfriend?
Are you a day person or a night person?
Do you prefer circumcised men, or do you think it doesn't really matter anyway?
The last drop, as my mother used to say.
You don't have to answer about being married, that was rude.
But the one about circumcised men?
I'm not leaving here until you give me an answer.
Lift up your arm.
I like your accent. Is it Swedish, or Russian?
That hurt. Oh, fuck.
I'll get you another painkiller in a couple of hours.
Are you hungry?
Are you a blonde? I'll bet you're a blonde.
You got a blonde's voice.
Like butter, and cinnamon.
Like those Danish cookies they sell in the round, blue, metal tins.
- Mmm, mmm, mmm. - Here's some water.
It's enough?
Are you sure your name's not Cora?
I won't change your bandages today. Tomorrow will do.
My body is itchy all over.
Guess that means I'm still alive.
Yippee.
Lift up your arm, again.
I'll go and fetch your supper, and later I'll give you another painkiller.
Aren't you even gonna tell me your name?
Cora.
You can call me Cora.
And I'm a redhead.
Hi.
- I've come to... - You like Italian food?
I hope so, because that's what's on tonight.
Sorry, I'm Simon, the cook. You must be Hanna.
- Victor told me. How's Josef getting on? - He's-
Okay, Simon, Hanna, Victor, Josef. I said four names in one single sentence.
Considering his condition, he's alright. I've come to fetch him some supper.
Yeah, gnocchi diavola and beef,
with basil leaves and pink pepper.
Where are you from? I could cook you something from your country,
if you want.
- Don't bother yourself. - It's no bother.
It's what I do to stop going up the wall.
You know, I cook something different everyday,
and I put on music from the same place the recipe's from.
I've got to do something. This place is a completely...
How could I explain it? A real bore. Let's see...
Shall I put the ice cream on the tray, as well?
All right.
It's not real mascarpone.
It's Philly spread with a dollop of fresh cream.
I think it'll go down just right.
All right.
Will you come back after supper? There's plenty of food.
- If you want I can fix up the gnocchi... - It depends on how Josef feels.
No. Yeah, of course, of course, yeah.
Or I if you want, I can bring your tray to your room.
Open.
It's good.
- What kind of pasta is it? - I don't know. Open.
He said it was something like nokkies.
Simon's a good cook.
I don't know what the hell he's wasting his time here for.
What's for dessert?
Don't you want a little more? There's beef, later.
Is it ice cream? I love ice cream.
- Uh, yes. Cheese ice, he said, I think. - Mascarpone, my favorite.
What kind of food do you like, Cora?
Open.
I like chicken.
Hallelujah, that's the first piece of information you've given me
aside from being a redhead, which I don't believe.
Go on. I'm excited now. Chicken, what else?
Rice.
White rice, and apples.
Yeah, go on.
Nothing else.
Nothing else?
That's all you eat? Come on, now.
Don't you like chocolate?
Don't you have a weakness for coconut Bounty bars?
Sunflower seeds?
Honey roasted peanuts?
Häagen-Dazs ginger and lychee ice cream?
Come on, Cora. What about spinach lasagna?
Come on, Cora. Lamb curry with currants and dates?
Jesus, what's wrong with you, Cora?
What kind of rock you been hiding under?
- Do you or don't you want any more ice cream? - No. Just give me the fucking painkiller.
Chicken, white rice and apples.
You didn't come for dinner, last night.
I wasn't hungry.
Simon wanted to bring you a tray, but I told him you...
looked like someone who wants to be left alone.
Thanks.
It's alright.
I like to be left alone, too.
Suppose that's why I'm here.
Like the rest.
The goose is called Lisa.
The man who died in the fire brought her on board.
Where can I wash my clothes?
Here is the washing powder.
Yeah, and here is the softener.
So, anything else, you can ask Simon for it.
- How many people work here? - Now?
Simon and Abdul, he's in charge of the cleaning, and it's...
Scott, Liam, in the engine room.
Josef, you... and me.
- The guy that plays basketball? - Martin?
He's an oceanographer, he's been here a couple of months, now.
Measuring the number of waves that hit us, every day.
The strength of the sea.
- And is the number of waves important? - I don't know.
I'm not quite sure who he works for, but it matters to him, certainly.
But, um...
He doesn't speak too much to us.
Another one who wants to be left alone.
There are quite a few of us.
God makes them.
Cora? Are you a nun?
You're a nun, aren't you?
That explains everything.
You are Cora, Little Sister of the Chicken and the Rice.
Cora, Little Sister of the Helpless.
Blessed are the chapped... Blessed are the bedri-
What kind of redhead are you?
L'Oreal?
Henna?
For real, with red hair down below and all?
No, you're not a nun. A nun would talk to me.
With their kind natures, and airs of being above everything they know nothing about.
I'm in your sexy latex hands, Cora.
And...
Your smell.
You don't like Eau de Colognes, you don't use 'em.
I don't like perfume either. Fuckin' perfume. Fuck perfume.
You... You have a clean smell.
Like a... Like a sweet almond soap.
Maybe that's why I mistook you for a nun.
- Why do you call me Cora? - Oh...
Oh, you don't give out a bit of information, and...
Not one bit, just absurd lies. Chicken, rice, apples.
Now you want me to tell you all my secrets? No, sorry. Don't work that way.
Now, you tell me...
some information about yourself, and I will tell you about Cora.
I'm deaf.
I wear a hearing aid. When I don't want to listen to something, I turn it off.
And I can hardly hear anything.
Were you born that way?
No.
- Can I ask you how it happened? - No, you can't.
There's this story I read a while ago.
There is this very young, very pretty nurse, named Cora.
And there is this 15 year-old boy...
who had to have his appendix taken out.
And he was very ashamed that she had to bathe him, and...
shave him and bedpan him...
Anytime she's in the room he can't talk.
She didn't take him seriously, thinks he's a child. Treats him like a baby.
Eventually there's complications. Infection, high temperature...
Then the boy...
gets very weak and...
He's dieing and Cora...
sits next to his bed,
talking to him and singing to him, and hell...
He's dying and she comes up, real close to him and she says,
"Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me."
"Don't leave."
And the boy dies.
With her name, Cora, on his lips.
And she realizes that she loves him.
What's that?
A wave measuring device.
Do you know how many waves the rig has weathered since it was built?
5 million?
Not bad. 25.
See, and without a machine.
Just guessing.
It also measures the water temperature.
Since they stopped drilling, it's fallen 10 degrees.
Whole colonies of mussels stuck to the rig legs, have been lost.
Tropical mussels brought by some current that I haven't been able to identify. Look.
If we didn't know how many waves this thing could weather we couldn't keep it standing.
Do you think it would be much of a loss?
Simon, for God's sake, what is this shit?
Seems like we're eating fucking shaving cream.
Liam, do you think this is real food? What the bloody hell is it?
I hate cheese.
How many times do I got to tell you?
- We're going to turn into fucking mice. - I think it needs a little nutmeg.
But, just a pinch.
Very little nutmeg, Simon. You always had a problem with that.
Heads up.
Do us some burgers with fried onions.
Is that so difficult?
You peel and onion and fry it. You do the same with the burger.
Then you put Deep Purple on, and it's that easy.
Or chops. Or a fucking steak!
- I'm heartbroken, but I'm out of Deep Purple. - What about the Kinks?
- Anything like that. - Def Leppard.
What?
Def Leppard? They're a band.
Stick you your cockles and your mussels, Martin.
- Something we can sing along to. - Bleeding salads with oil on...
I think it's the best thing I've ever eaten, in my whole life.
- Can you do this everyday? - Yes, if you want.
'Cause you know, it's important to keep up appearances.
You never know who might show up here.
Queen of England. Santa Claus.
- I've got a headache. - That's because of the fever.
Your temperature has gone up, today.
You're the one that sends it up. Sorry.
I'll shut up. I'm not going to bother you with my foolishness, today.
No? That's a pity. Just when I was beginning to enjoy myself.
I imagine that you are 15 years old.
I'm exactly 3 times 15. And you?
You know, I dreamed about you, Cora. A couple of times.
- Don't worry. ln no way erotic. - That's a shame.
Don't make me laugh, hurts too much. What do you dream about, Cora?
You know, in Japan they've invented this kind of a...
cybernetic pillow, which you can use to program your dreams.
You tell the machine what you want to dream.
Say... what ever you like. Say, I want to dream of a...
Sean Connery in Highland dress and...
I want it to be at the North Pole, so I can hide under his kilt.
And... whatever, something like that, and it works.
And that night you dream you're at the North Pole under Sean Connery's kilt.
What would you dream about, Cora?
Me?
Not wearing a kilt.
Not wearing anything at all.
Tropical island.
In a huge hammock.
And there's room for both of us. Are you listening?
Yes.
Our bodies cuddled up close to one another.
Sweat mixing.
Where nothing else matters.
Just you and me, Cora.
Just you and...
- Are you looking at me, Cora. - No.
Are you sure?
I think you were.
You're starting to lie to me, now.
Means you like me a little bit.
I'm reading "The Letters of a Portuguese Nun." Again. I know, it's silly.
Reading that book, I feel like I'm talking to you.
May I?
Well, Ducasse in person.
Wow!
What? Do I look that good?
Better than ever. It's an improvement.
You remind me of Coyote after a ton of anvils have fallen on top of him.
Really, you are somewhere between Coyote and Mr. Magoo.
You're looking kind of handsome yourself, to me, now that I'm blind.
Thank you.
- What have you brought me? - Open your mouth.
Ha, ha, here we go.
Okay.
- Have I ever told you that I love you? - Yeah, but I know it's just for the sex.
Come on, another.
- Did she ask you to come? - Who?
- Simon. - No, I wanted to.
- She didn't say anything to you? - You know, she doesn't talk much.
What she like?
- Is she a looker? - Go to hell.
Sensitive! You like her.
You like her, don't you?
I'm thinking of devoting a day to Ethiopian cooking.
- Dried meat and overcooked rice balls... - What are you talking about?
Shut up.
You're changing the subject.
- It's okay, it's alright... - Josef, really, you are boring me.
- Do you want some more? - It's okay that you like her.
You've been here for a month.
I'm sure she doesn't have a husband or a boyfriend. It's cool.
Of course. A woman who's free, without any ties, wouldn't interest you.
Get the fuck out of here.
I have fruit salad or...
Just go. Get out of here.
Hey, Hanna, Hanna.
- Want to see a picture of my family? - Alright.
That's my wife Shirley. Tom.