"Dedicated to those ghosts of Baudelaire " "Michaux and Prevert who still hover on this Earth..." "Gentlemen." "I don't want to tire you or myself - by going through the many reasons - why life is impossible in this part of the city." "We all know the circumstances forced on us in our early years:" "crowded homes, ignorance and hunger." "Not to mention stuffy buses - with irregular timetables." "There are more hills here - than anywhere else in the world!" "Loose-running kids and dogs - make it impossible to move in the streets." "Like lepers we hide in the back alleys." "We are humiliated and spat on - as if we weren't free members of a proud nation." "Besides, an evil old woman kicked me in shin once - only because I opened my mouth in the wrong place." "I'm not a dog." "I know that you can also - respect yourselves slightly, if necessary." "That is why we are here today: no more crying - it's time to leave." "The decision is not easy." "Many of us have strong emotional ties here." "Many must sacrifice their childhood - their memories and their families." ""The branch of a rotten tree must seek a healthier trunk."" "We have all heard our grandparents and our parents - talk of Eira, a place on the other side of the city." "The streets are wide and the air is smooth and fresh there." "That is our destination tonight." "Before we move on to practical matters " "I want to be certain that everyone realises - the dangers and responsibilities of our journey." "The floor is yours, Frank." " Thank you, Frank." "I have organised us transport to the extreme centre of the city." "After that it's every man for himself." "Some will take the southern, others the northern route - some will attempt a break straight through the lines." "As we are all poor we shall now share the funds - the funds our society has inherited." "The body and blood of Christ..." "The body and blood of Christ..." "That's it." "We'll leave at six." "Villealfa Filmproductions present" "CALAMARI UNION" "Frank here." "Hi." "Listen, we..." "Yes, I did the shopping." "Alright, I'll come right away." "Written, directed and produced by Aki Kaurismäki" "Oh fuck!" "This sure is different than back home." "Isn't it, Frank?" "Good day." " Good evening." "A single room." " Welcome." "Your name, please?" "Frank Merciless." "Haven't you seen enough already?" "I'll check out a couple more." "Let's go or we'll get nowhere." "You can go anywhere you want." "I don't even count." "I called Sirpa this morning." "We'll eat at five." "I'm not hungry." "I've got a full stomach." "Dammit!" "I think I'll go." "I'm free!" "Freedom..." "Good morning, Frank!" "Morning." "How about a cup of coffee before we go on?" " All right." "You got any money, Frank?" " No." "Why?" " I need some breakfast." "Morning!" "Four years ago, miss..." "Hello, Frank." " Hi!" "Still here?" "The others will have the best bits." "The night is dangerous." "You can stumble into people and things laying in the street - and break your leg." "All cats are grey." "The streets lead wherever, many have lost their way." "Dangers abound, there is hunger and thirst." "Frank and I decided to wait for daybreak." "If you don't do something at once you'll never do it." "Turn your ways now or you'll be eternally damned." "If you want to reach your goal, you must heal yourself - of sickness, poverty, misery and gloom." "Taste for work is all that's needed." "Fulfil the daily demands of wisdom and responsibilities." "What's the time?" "Good morning, Frank!" "Sleep well?" "Why, thanks, Frank." "Daily work would make life more tolerable." "Work for six days in a row!" "You start, you use your talents for deducting and analysing." "You must find the fury for daily action!" "What do you say, Frank?" "Without love Frank is but a tinkling bell." "On the other hand, when you're very young - you may feel that you can afford to wait." "That you have years ahead of you." "All lies!" " Let's take..." "Frank, for instance." "He's stupid, ignorant, can't keep his mouth shut." "His conception of morals has the finesse - of a hamburger." "What does he say about his mother?" "Or the Sanitation Service?" "That a woman can fall in love with a toilet seat like him - is proof of the state of abasement of the woman of our century!" "Who are you talking about?" " Sit down, Frank." "Who are they talking about?" "You, Frank." " Shut up, Frank!" "You swine!" "OK, Pekka - we've heard that many times before." "Last days - have been... a bit rough." "I've been a bit mixed up." "I haven't known which side I'm on." "What?" "Where?" "Fucking asshole!" "I thought he'd take me straight to Eira." "But he just keeps driving round the block." "I've got an idea, if you don't mind." "We'll go to a bank." "I'll get a loan with you as my security." "We'll buy a bus and drive through the damn city!" "What do you think?" "Not bad." " Fucking bad." "I don't sit in a bus." "I'm me!" "Who's going to drive?" " I'll drive." "We'll let Frank drive." "This old shit won't start." "Hey, Frank!" "Let's go to the bank!" "A decent bus costs 28,000." "Then we need gas, food and refreshments - that's 36,500." "But we must have it right away." "For a new customer without any securities I really can't..." "Just take a look outside." "I see." "I don't know why a man in my position - has to come here to beg." "I should get what I need delivered - to my home every morning." "If I had a home." "But that doesn't change anything." "I think we'd better go, Frank." "Go tell Frank, Frank." "Let's go, Frank." "Keep out of this, Frank." "We're ready in a minute." "OK, Frank." "I can't walk any longer." "OK, Frank." "I'm thirsty, Frank." "Two ice waters." "Sit down, please." "What do you want?" "Leave everything and come with me." "I've got a good job and a flat here." "What can you offer?" "I'll build a house by the sea on the other side of the city." "Then I'll go into business - and build a career." "I can even think about having kids." "They don't mean a thing." "When will all this happen?" "As soon as you tell me the way to Eira." "That kind of trip costs money." "Money's not a problem - so far." "I'll let you know after a couple of days." "I can't wait that long." "Sweet dreams, Frank." "Let's take a taxi." " You got any money?" "No." "You?" " No." "Let's take a taxi." " Right!" "Take us to Eira." "This time of night?" "That's too far..." "Somewhere where we can get a drink, then." "All the bars are closed already." "Try to think of something." "What are you doing, Frank?" "I wanted to die." "I was lost..." "you'd left me here." "I didn't know where to go." "You'd left me." "Why did you come back?" "Go away, I want to die." " No." "Come with us." "OK." "Pity you didn't get run over, Frank." "Why?" "Don't you like me?" "'Cause you're so fucking stupid, Frank." "That was a bit too much." "I've been... thinking." "Thinking?" "You?" "I'm sorry." "I didn't mean to hurt you." "Honestly!" "You're OK." "We'd better go." "I could take you to a guy I know." "Miss!" "Yes?" "What'll it be?" "Hi, Frank!" " Hi." "A glass of ice water." "Ice water?" " Ice water." "What are you doing here?" "Just a moment." "Frank's here." "Hi Frank." "We can sit here." "Hi, Frank!" " Back to work!" "Lazybones." " Hi." "We got this joint now." "We're trying to get us money for the trip." "I realised I'm much more clever than these other Franks - so I made them work." "We'll end up somewhere." "I'm not sure, though." "This is a sure thing." "How's business?" " Bad." "Our only customer was so drunk we couldn't serve him." "I understand." "Heard anything about Frank?" "Not since yesterday." "Why?" " Just a thought." "Frank!" "Bring us water." "How are you, Frank?" " Sit down." "Thanks!" "Nice to see you again, Frank." "How come?" "Hi." " Hi." "These guys are going to Eira." "They've got no place to sleep." " Did you say Eira?" "Could they spend the night here?" " Sure, we got room." "It's OK." "Where are you going?" "I told you." "Don't go." "We need a doorman." "Woman, can't you ever understand?" "Shit." "He wasn't home." "I know you and your cars." "You can't fix anything." "Just wait." "I'll fix you a ride that'll make your navel quiver." "To Parliament." "Idiot." "We need some play-acting now." "My mate's got cramps." "Would you bring me - the first-aid kit from that car?" " Sure." "My mate died." "I need this car." "OK." "Some matches and a plastic bag." "You pay these, I paid the hotel." " OK, Frank." "That was terrible." "You're right, we shouldn't do that." "They take it all back in the product prices." "Where shall we eat?" " I'm not hungry any more." "I'll take it back." " For fuck's sake!" "It's a terrible sound." "The small crack of a hard-boiled egg - against the bar counter." "When it echoes in the mind of a hungry man." "His head is a terrible sight, too." "In the shop window early in the morning." "A dust-coloured reflection." "But he's not looking at his own head." "Why should he?" "No, he's dreaming." "Dreaming of some other head - a calf's head in a vinegar sauce." "Or any other head good for food." "He grinds his teeth - knowing that the world - doesn't give a damn about him." "Nothing he can do to the world!" "He counts his fingers - one, two, three!" "One, two, three!" "Three days without food!" "For three days he's been telling himself:" ""This can't go on!"" "But on and on it goes." "Three days, three nights without food!" "And behind those windows - the pastries, bottles, tins." "Dead fishes protected by tins - tins protected by windows - windows protected by police - police protected by fear." "Such a barricade for six wretched sardines!" "I've reached the end" "Of one of the thousands of paths" "That fill my world." "The evening air is cool" "Daylight disappears" "Behind the woods" "Nothing can die away" "Not flowers, not the wind" "Love can't die tonight" "My path winds by" "And the flowers stay behind" "Somewhere the wind" "Plays his song." "The moment of love" "Fades from our eyes" "I guess it, too, goes its way" "The touch of a hand" "Still true today" "Goes by like a song..." "I want a suit to match this tie." "From my childhood I can only remember my mother." "She used to slap me gently with her big hands - before putting me in bath." " Did you like it?" "I don't know." "You feel lonely in water, especially if it's cold." "It's different if it's warm." "Or what do you say?" " Nothing." "You're doing the talking." "Couldn't life go on without the wind?" "It makes everything shiver." "All you see are unimportant things." "Still we shiver." "I wonder why?" "I am feeling sad, too." "We all feel it in our throat." "You know, although I'm still young I used to be younger." "So did my friends." "I call them my friends - even though they've rejected me." "Already then, we were tormented by fear." "They could've used our fear." "Telling us: "This is it, we'll bury you!"" "And so we were afraid to run too fast." "What if we'd found ourselves - by an open grave, breathless." "Breathless, we would've realised that we wouldn't - have been able to say anything, no breath." "They don't know how to teach one to feel the vibes here." "We don't know the rules." "It must be the Time." "We should get ahead of the Time." "Nobody likes me." "Everybody scorns me and despises me." "They only tolerate me - because my parents are fairly rich." "I've got myself friends by bribing them - with candy and later, alcohol." "But they still make fun of me." ""Go home Frank, eat your porridge."" "What should I do?" "Kill yourself!" "Hi, Frank!" "Who's he?" "Never seen him." "Let's do business." "There you are." " Thank you." "The bill, please." "Hey, fella..." "What are you doing here?" "Begging money for a new Mercedes-Benz." "Yeah, they stole the other one." " Yeah." "We'll help." "Anybody got money?" "No, don't." " Really, we want to help." "Please, don't." "But give me a cigarette." " I haven't any!" "Honestly!" "Give me that, then." "Thanks." "Take care." " You, too." "Fuck, fuck, fuck..." "Here you are." "That's him." "Son of a bitch!" "Let's go." "Bad boys are coming to break all your toys" "Bad boys are coming to smash your plastic nose" "Little girls cry when boys tease them too much" "If you go and tell your mother I'll take you anytime" "'Cause I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy" "And I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "It's gettin' too hot so you take off your clothes" "You come with me I don't tease you no more" "If you go and tell your mother I'll take you anytime" "Get in bed, hide under covers with your teddy bear" "'Cause I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy" "And I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "'Cause I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy" "And I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "Bad boys!" "B- b-b-bad boys!" "B- b-b-bad boys!" "B- b-b-bad boys!" "Bad boys" "Make love" "Any time" "They like" "Bad boys" "Hate" "Any time" "They get the chance" "'Cause I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy" "And I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "I'm a bad, bad, very bad boy and I won't be your toy" "Hey!" "You there!" "Me?" " Yes, you." "Come here." "What do you want?" " Where are you going?" "We're all going to Eira." "I'll take you there." "I've got a house in Eira." "There are no houses in Eira - yet!" "Are you coming or not?" "Can I take my friends with me?" " No." "Wrong direction." "I know that woman." "I'll go in." "Don't go, Frank." " I must." "Don't go, Frank!" "Hi, Liisa." "Liisa, hi!" "Liisa?" "What do you want?" "Aren't you Liisa from Alabama?" " Don't remind me of that time." "How's the little one?" "I've had a bad conscience..." "You swine!" "Get out!" "I never did tell you that..." " Girls, come and help!" "Damn you!" "Let's kill him!" "Shit!" "Fuck you..." "They killed him!" " Dammit!" "We're late, Frank." "May I sit here?" "Who are you?" "I'm a secretary." "A secretary?" "What for?" "Are these guys your bosses?" "You think powdering your nose and - being a secretary makes your life better?" "Can't you understand I feel pity for you?" "You're ruining your life!" "Every guy from the boss to the messenger boy - will use you." "You're just an object for them, a door mat." "When you get older and you looks go - you'll get thrown out fast." "Then nothing worthwhile will happen in your life." "You won't be worth for anything, not even being a mother!" "Slowly your life will slide..." "Frank was right." "It's better to find a rich woman than to attempt the impossible." "What're you going to do?" " Sell out the gang." "How is it done?" "A rich academic widow needs civilised company - for a trip to Rome." "I saw the ad in the paper." " But you aren't civilised." "She doesn't know that." "She can see it." "Follow me." "My name is Frank." "Is that so?" "Well, what do you think?" "Winter is coming and we'll get nowhere." "We'll die - of hunger and cold." "Back home one didn't quit." "Let's try once more, Frank." "Mother will forgive us." "Something's wrong, Frank." "Shut up, Frank!" "Shit!" "We've been tricked!" "No, we only came too late." "Years too late." "I'm not staying here." "Where are you going?" " To Estonia!" "Take me with you!" " There isn't room for two." "Then I'm taking it." " Is that what you think?" "Don't do it, Frank!" "Just don't whine." "When the warm springtime sun" "Breaks the bonds of ice and snow" "Then small white anemones" "Raise their tiny little heads" "And on their mossy bed" "They sit listening the tale" "The forest wind hums" "In the trees" "It tells them a story of little fairies dancing by the spring..." "The End"