INEMA 80 PRESENTS
A METAXA CORP. PRODUCTION
ABSURD
STARRING
ALSO STARRING
STORY AND SCREENPLAY BY
CINEMATOGRAPHY AND COSTUMES BY
FILM PROCESSING AND PRINTING
EDITED BY
MUSIC BY
PRODUCTION MANAGER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DIRECTED BY
- Again with these drawings, Katia? - Morn, give them back!
There they are.
Look, why don't you read something?
Or maybe watch TV.
You should keep your brain active, darling.
Instead of...
Instead of drawing the same thing over and over.
It's not good for you.
You can't go on like this, Katia.
One day you'll finally get up from this bed, sweetie.
And you'll be healthy again.
And all of this will be just an unpleasant memory.
Willy, call the dog and make him stop.
That beast is insufferable.
Blitz!
- How's the blood pressure? - It's decreasing.
Give him some oxygen.
Give me the number two.
Number two, Emily. Number two.
Not number four.
- Blood pressure? - Normal.
Check his pulse.
Number one.
Number four.
Doctor!
1.5 cc.
Stop!
Leave me...
alone.
Go away!
You run now, uh?
Hey, Jesse! Jesse!
Wait.
What's going on?
Engleman, is that you?
Yes. It seems that the leopard cannot change its spots.
Listen, if I catch you drinking one more time,
I'll throw you in jail for a month, you understand?
I'm not drunk.
I'm homeless.
- Are you messing with me? - A badly injured man
is at the hospital. They want to talk to you.
Yes, Engleman speaking. I'm coming. Let's go!
Watch yourself!
That's absurd.
Completely absurd.
A fast recovery like that is impossible.
It was also because of your expertise, Doctor.
I wish I could take the compliment.
But I don't deserve it.
You were there, you saw what happened.
He was starting to recover even before I began pumping his chest.
Yes, I saw that, but what really struck me were the eyes.
For a second I thought he was conscious.
A nervous twitch.
Or at least, that is the only explanation that I have.
What struck me was how fast the blood was coagulating during the operation.
Trust me, it was unbelievable.
It might have been an anomaly of the lymphatic system.
It's possible.
We'll do all the routine tests and examinations, of course.
- Do you mind taking care of it? - Actually, I should go
- to the Bennett's. - Oh, yeah, of course.
How's the little girl?
She has a very strong will.
I really hope that nasty deviation of the spine will go away.
It Will.
And for that, she should be grateful to you.
- Go on, now. - Thanks, Doctor. See you tomorrow.
Good evening.
Can I see some identification, please?
Excuse me?
Your driver's license or your ID...
- any form of ID. - Yes...
An ID... yes, my passport!
Yes.
Thank you.
Tell me, what are you doing here?
You know, visiting our city, on foot...
No, it's not like that.
You see...
my car is a few miles away.
A few miles?
Well, you're lucky you ran into me.
The city is deserted tonight. Everybody is staying in.
To watch the football game on TV.
It's a big night.
Come on, hop in!
I'll try and find you a mechanic.
Oh, you're very kind, thank you so much.
Do you like football?
American football, of course.
Yes.
American football.
- That's all? - There's nothing else, Sergeant.
No ID?
Hey, you cannot smoke in here, Sergeant.
Right.
- Hi! - Hi!
- You're leaving already? - I have to stop at home
before going to the Bennett's. See you tomorrow.
- Good evening, Sergeant. - Good evening.
See you tomorrow.
She's a great girl. Her talents are wasted in this place.
That's weird.
These are greek drachmas.
That guy was also greek.
What guy?
Never mind.
When can I see the patient?
Now?
- Not until tomorrow. Director's orders. - Okay.
Have you seen what kind of guy he is?
He's a big man.
I don't like him at all.
And his face is weird.
It's someone I'd rather not meet when I'm walking alone at night.
Are you kidding?
Why would a pretty girl like you walk around alone, especially at night?
You're the one who's kidding.
Well, this city is dead as a doornail.
Why don't you court me a little?
- At least, you're a bachelor. - Well, I could do that.
Kill someone... and I'll do that.
- I'll take your word for it. - I'll see you.
How is he?
Surprisingly well.
Look at him.
And to think that just a couple of hours ago he was nearly dead.
I can see that.
It's incredible.
Like the histological examinations and the other tests.
His blood seems to reproduce three times faster than normal.
Did Dr. Kramer say that?
Yes, and to send everything to the Institute of Biophysics for further testing.
Doctor!
He's awake, it's not possible!
Give me a hand.
Stop!
Hold him still!
Calm down!
Get away from there.
Who the hell was that guy?
Hello, Walter? It's Ben.
Oh, you were sleeping.
I'm sorry. Look, I dropped off a guy in front of your house 30 minutes ago.
He said his car wasn't working and...
he's a foreigner.
Nobody?
Okay.
Well, I'm sorry.
Go on, go back to sleep.
That greek fellow...
- Hey, Sergeant! - What do you want?
Sergeant, Peter's bar stayed open past closing time.
He said he doesn't give a damn about the law.
I think we should lock him up.
Yes?
Hi, Elma.
What?
Yes, of course. I'll be right there. Wait for me.
Let's
Where to, Sergeant?
To exchange a few words with a deceitful tourist.
Everything seems fine now.
But I think it would be best to give him pentamidine.
Yes, Doctor.
Dr. Gruber, you're needed in the E.R.
Dr. Gruber, please.
What is this about?
A boy hurt his hand with a firecracker.
All right, I'll be right there.
Elma, don't let him out of your sight.
Thank you, Jim.
So...
I bet you'll say that you've come here
to admit your car to the hospital.
Am I right?
Are you going to give us an explanation?
That guy out there is afraid of you.
Why?
Maybe you're the one who did that to him.
Come on.
Answer me, damn it!
So,
are you ready to talk?
- Sit down. - But I have to come with you.
- I really have to. - You're staying here.
Jim, keep an eye on him.
Let's
Hurry!
So...
let's start from the beginning.
You entered this country...
two days ago, is that right?
I already told you everything I know, Sergeant.
You have to believe me.
I told you everything, there's nothing more to it.
It may well be, but you see, I'm just a humble Sergeant of a small provincial town.
It's difficult for me to understand certain things.
Especially...
if they're so crazy and abstruse.
You know, small town people are simple people.
Let's start from the beginning.
I understand that my story may sound incredible, but...
there is a reality that we cannot see.
Are you serious?
Thank you so much for the information.
But unfortunately, I'm interested in another reality.
And it involves that nurse.
The one with the drill stuck in her head.
- Do you understand? - Yes, I do.
I'm very sad about it. Obviously.
I'll try to help you, Sergeant.
But please, call the doctor.
The one who operated on him.
I'd like for him to be present.
I'm sure he...
will be able to convince you.
Okay.
Let's go meet Dr. Kramer.
This is totally uncanny.
I've never seen such an extensive brain mass.
See this?
We took it after the operation.
It doesn't make sense, Doctor.
You want us to believe that his brain...
grew during the operation, is that it?
It's true, even if science cannot accept it.
So, this...
Mikos Stenopolis is...
should we dare say it?
Immortal?
Even though it may seem absurd, we have to accept the facts.
His body is able to regenerate dead cells.
We cannot give up so easily.
I'll answer, I think it's for me.
Engleman.
Yes, I was expecting your call.
Put him through.
Yes, it's Engleman.
All right, thanks.
Why didn't you tell us you're a priest?
I serve God through biochemistry more than through religious orthodoxy...
and rites.
Yes, the consul told me you've been conducting experiments in this field in your lab, but...
you should have alerted the authorities instead of chasing that guy alone.
You're wrong, Sergeant. You see, when that man escaped from my lab
after a nuclear test, we alerted the authorities.
But they...
here, look at this.
They coordinated a manhunt.
Here it says he is officially dead.
Well, we could use the photograph.
What does the article say?
It says that Mikos Stenopolis has been shot by the greek police marksmen
- and that his body is unfortunately missing. - All right.
But he's not dead. He's somewhere around here.
And he's killing people.
What do you think is driving him to kill?
In my opinion, it's because his cells don't regenerate themselves correctly.
He generates diseased cells.
And that makes him go crazy.
We must find a way to stop him.
We just have a minor setback.
He cannot be killed.
Maybe there is a way, Sergeant.
His blood coagulates...
and his cellular memory...
reconstructs his organs every time they get damaged.
Every organ, except for the brain.
Once the brain cells have been damaged,
they can never be regenerated.
His brain...
is his weakness.
I don't need them tomorrow. I need them now.
The Captain didn't give me any orders.
He's gone somewhere to watch the game.
Nobody's here, everybody's out! Damn you!
No luck.
They can't send anybody until tomorrow morning.
And meanwhile...
that thing is out there.
Tomorrow morning could be too late, Sergeant.
We have to do something.
What a great team we are! A priest,
a semi-retired cop,
and a dumb-ass agent. Great.
I think I should have a gun too.
I know what you're thinking.
But he's not a man anymore, he's a creature of evil.
God's light has been extinguished when the devil took possession of him.
He doesn't belong to God anymore, he belongs to the Evil One.
I think you know a lot more about these things than I do.
That's why...
I'll give you a gun and a car. We'll look for him separately.
This is not a big city, but it is vast. Here.
Don't forget it:
You have to shoot him in the head.
Nothing else can stop him.
You told me that so many times.
I don't trust you anymore and...
even if I could forgive you, tell me...
- What future would we have? - No, don't...
- Hi, dad! - I swear to you this was the last time.
- Hello, little monster! - Give me another chance.
- We saw a real monster today. - Stop it, Willy.
There's been an accident.
What kind of accident?
A thief tried to climb the gate and injured himself badly.
They took him to the hospital.
There were police cars.
Yes, Sergeant Engleman was here.
Apparently, he was a foreigner. I don't know...
He will come back tomorrow to let us know.
Okay.
Aren't you ready yet?
Honey?
I don't feel comfortable leaving the kids alone.
Especially after what happened today.
We could just watch the TV at home.
Come on, Carol.
The Forrests are waiting for us. We have to go.
We should have called them.
- Did you ask Emily if she could come? - I already called her.
She can come but she hasn't arrived yet.
She will be here.
Meanwhile, you get dressed. I'll go check on Katia.
Okay.
All right.
Come on, don't be like that.
This isn't the end of the world.
No, this time it's over.
Really? I'm surprised.
- Why are you reacting this way? - Do you realize what you've done?
Yes, I know I made a mistake.
That's easy for you to say.
I apologize, but I assure you that it meant nothing to me.
You have to believe me.
You told me that so many times.
I don't trust you anymore and...
even if I could forgive you, tell me...
- What future would we have? - No, don't say that.
I swear to you this was the last time.
Give me another chance.
Hey, Willy! Stop!
- Change it back! - And now...
- Willy, I told you to stop! - Yes...
- I had already told you... - Willy!
- Your cavalier attitude... - Hey!
I'm deeply hurt.
You'll never grow up.
There's no use in crying.
Hi, princess. How are you?
I'm fine, daddy.
- Did mom tell you what happened? - Yes, she did.
- Were you afraid? - No.
But Willy spent an hour screaming.
Your mom and I are going to the Forrest's tonight. Do you mind?
No, no.
Dad, what's happened? What's wrong?
Why?
You're being weird. You seem worried.
It makes me think that there's something wrong.
If it's about me, you don't have to worry.
I'm fine, trust me, I'm great.
I don't want neither one of you worrying about me.
You don't have to worry. I'll get better.
I'm glad to hear that.
Anyway, if I'm nervous...
it's because of work.
Nothing serious.
Okay.
Hey, Sergeant!
Is it true that the only way to stop him is to shoot him
- between the eyes? - That's right.
But... most of all, you have to keep your mouth shut.
Got it?
- Bye, mommy! - Bye, sweetie!
- Bye, Willy! - Peggy, please don't leave
before Emily gets here, you understand?
Yes, ma'am.
- Let's take your car. I'm out of gas. - Yes.
I hope that reckless girl doesn't do anything foolish.
- I'm a little worried. - Don't be.
You're being dramatic. After all,
- we're not going very far. - Yes, but why is Emily so late?
Have you lost something, miss?
Yes, thank you.
I want to watch the game!
I said I want to watch the game!
That's enough.
- I want to watch the game! - No, absolutely not.
- You're going to bed now. - Let go of me!
- You're going to bed immediately! - No, I don't want to!
Yes, you are. You've heard what your mom said.
- You have to go to bed. - Let go of me!
We're going to say goodnight to Katia.
- No, I don't want to! - Don't scream!
Don't be so stubborn! You're going to bed now, understand?
Let go of me!
Willy, knock it off, please!
If you won't behave, the boogeyman will come and get you.
You're lying.
- Morn said he isn't real. - Oh, really?
Then who was the man we saw this morning?
And who's to say he won't be back?
You'd better...
got to bed, you hear me? And hide under the covers.
Because if you can't see him, then he can't see you.
And what happens if he sees me?
He eats you!
You don't think he's a nice monster, do you?
Peggy, I'm thirsty. Could you bring me a glass of water?
Don't listen to her. The boogeyman isn't real.
But then...
who was the man we saw this morning?
He was just a poor guy. He was hurt.
But Peggy is right about one thing:
It's time to go to sleep.
Go to bed and do not argue.
What's wrong, Blitz?
What's going on?
- Hello? - Peggy? How are the kids?
Has Emily arrived yet?
No, not yet, ma'am.
I've just put Willy to bed.
Good. Wait for Emily to arrive before you leave.
Don't worry about it, ma'am. Goodbye.
All right, goodnight.
Blitz!
Blitz, come back!
Blitz!
Maybe there's been an accident.
And they've taken him to the hospital.
Maybe.
Let's look around.
Oh my God.
Sergeant.
Peggy?
Peggy!
It's you, you little scoundrel.
Come on, let's go see Katia.
Here we go! Italian-style spaghetti!
- Finally! - Are you ready?
How's the game going?
- Not for me! I'm on a diet. - Everybody has its own plate.
- Give him a plate. - Careful with the sauce.
You're going on a diet tomorrow. You'll start tomorrow.
Very good!
Here you go.
- Could you give it to Ian? - Of course.
- Here you go, Ian. It's for you. - Thanks.
- Do you want some sauce with it? - Where's the wine?
Ah, you're going for seconds!
- You're greedy. - Come on, hurry up.
Could you pass the Coke?
Delicious!
You're right.
So good!
Father?
Father, it's Engleman. Can you hear me?
Grab the microphone in front of you.
Now push the button to speak.
Father?
Yes, Sergeant Engleman. I can hear you. Any news?
There's been another victim.
A guy named Lenny Herbert.
I've called the hospital, they're sending an ambulance.
He butchered him.
You were right, Father. He's not a man.
He's a monster.
Anyway, we'll keep looking for him.
He can't be far.
That's it for now.
You're very bad. I won't love you anymore if you don't stop with these silly pranks.
I didn't want to scare Emily, I swear.
Willy, I know you didn't.
It's over now. Don't worry about it, all right?
You too, Katia. Don't be mad at Willy.
I'm sure he won't do it again.
Willy, you know what? Why don't you go watch the football game on TV
- while I give a massage to Katia? - Okay!
By the way, what happened to Peggy?
Why didn't she wait for me?
The boogeyman ate her.
I asked for a glass a water but she never came back with it.
- Maybe she was angry. - Of course not.
Blitz is missing too.
He's probably gone out to stretch his legs.
Come on, let's go turn on the TV.
Sit down.
- Now you stay here and be good, okay? - Okay.
- Hello? - Emily, is this you?
- Yes, Dr. Kramer, how are you? - There's something I need to tell you.
- Okay, I'm listening. - It's about Elma Gardner.
Unfortunately, she's been brutally murdered by that man
- that we've operated on. - Oh my God.
- It's horrible. - Yes, indeed.
I know you two were friends,
so I thought it best to tell you right away.
- Have they caught him yet? - No, he disappeared without a trace.
Actually, he did leave some kind of trail.
He killed young Herbert on the north road.
The police are looking for him.
But I'm getting the sense that they're not properly equipped
for this kind of investigation.
He's an animal and he's thirsty for blood.
Unfortunately, his blood coagulates so fast that his body can heal up
- any kind of wound in a matter of seconds. - But...
it's impossible. Are you messing with me, Doctor?
I wish, but unfortunately, I'm not.
I saw it with my own eyes.
Apparently the only way to kill him is to hit him in the brain.
- But how is this possible? - I'm just as dumbfounded as you are.
Well, I felt like I had to tell you since you were friends with her.
Yes, I understand.
Thank you.
By the way, did you say that the body was found north?
Yes, Emily. I believe it is close to where you are now.
I think it would be best if you stayed over tonight.
You do realize... it wouldn't be wise to go home.
Of course. I understand.
Thank you, Doctor.
Katia, how long ago did Peggy leave?
Ten minutes or so before you arrived.
And you said that your parents...
are at the Forrest's, right?
Yes, why are you asking?
No reason.
How much longer will you have to give me these massages? What a nuisance!
Until you will be able to get up again,
it's the only way to keep your muscles healthy.
Otherwise, when you will finally be healthy again,
you won't be able to stand.
Are you sure that I'll get better?
Of course, honey.
Now we're using a traction therapy that will certainly straighten your spine.
You must have faith, you're so young.
Of course, you can trust me. It was the ugliest dress I've ever seen.
I'm almost done, sweetie. Just one moment.
Trust me. Unbelievable.
Horrible colors.
Trust me, they were...
not to mention the way she wore them...
I don't understand how...
- Hey, what a great match! - Leave him alone.
He's not very interested.
- He's distracted tonight. - Yeah.
Blitz!
Where are you?
Blitz!
Emily!
Willy!
Emily!
The boogeyman is back! He's in the other room!
- I saw it! - Enough with this nonsense.
But I'm not kidding.
You're not planning to scare us again, I hope.
It's the truth, I swear.
He wanted to eat me. Come and see!
- It's the truth. - All right, I'll go check.
But you stay here.
She's already told you, Willy. The boogeyman isn't real.
Now, will you calm down and stop scaring people?
I'll see you Wednesday at lunch then.
Okay, bye.
Carol?
You can use the phone now.
As you can see, nobody's here So, knock it off.
They just went to sleep.
What's going on with you, Ian?
Nothing.
I ran over a man and I didn't stop to help him.
- Ian... - Yeah.
- Emily, what's happened? - Don't worry.
It must be the fuse box. I'll go and turn it back on.
- You stay right here, okay? - Okay.
Emily?
Emily, what's going on?
I'm scared.
Look, it's broken!
Willy, come here!
Look, Willy. Listen to me. Your parents are at the Forrest's.
I want you to go there, understand?
But it's dark out there. I don't know where they live.
It doesn't matter. Go out, Willy. Go and get as far away as possible!
Please, Willy! Go and don't ask any questions!
But why? I don't want to!
- It's dark out there. - Please.
- No, don't make me go out there! - Willy, please!
- Emily, please! - Do as I say.
- Emily, let me in! - Run, Willy!
Katia, listen. There's someone in the house.
Who is he?
I don't know, a sick man. A madman.
- He's very dangerous. - Where's Willy?
I told him to get out and go get help.
We have to stay here until someone else arrives.
Don't worry, Katia. Don't be afraid.
Emily!
Willy!
Quick, run! Go away!
Get out of the house!
Willy!
Katia! Let me in!
Open the door, I want to come in!
Let me in, Katia! Please!
Katia, please!
Open the door, Katia!
Hurry up, please!
Open the door, Katia! Please!
I'm scared!
Let me in, let me in!
Please, Katia!
Katia!
Hurry UP!
Katia, open UP!
Katia, I'm scared! Open up!
Open up!
How could you do something like that?
Do you realize the gravity of the situation?
I don't know how this could have happened.
I didn't stop. That's it.
I was tired, I was in a hurry to get back home.
And you didn't stop to help him? Maybe...
- you killed him. - No, I don't think I killed him.
I barely hit him.
Oh, Ian.
Look, the lights are back on.
What's going on?
For the love of God, let go of her! Put her down!
The police are here. What's happening?
Where is he?
- What's going on? - Morn!
Mommy!
Oh, Willy! Honey, are you ok?
- Willy, listen! Is he still in the house? - The boogeyman!
Who's still in the house? Please, Sergeant...
- What's happening? - The boogeyman.
Katia...
Oh, Katia...
Oh, God...
Willy,
you don't have to be afraid anymore.
THE END