Waiting for the Messiah (Esperando al Mesías)

It's 6 am, the temperature 66º F...

and we are getting some very worrying cables...

from Southeast Asia...

Confirming that the Great Oriental Bank

has had to close its doors today

following a crashing bankruptcy

which left behind a jumble of victims

among the savers who trusted this bank

reputedly so strong in the international scene

WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH

their life time savings

They've been mentioned savers also from our country, Argentina

apparently also envolved in this dramatic situation,

which has plunged the markets in Southest Asia

into a state of great confusion.

They'll work some days, and some days they'll be laid off

- How many will be jobless? - Well, in this case...

I mean... we can't predict an exact number.

The Tokio exchange... the domino effect

the Euro the Yen, all that shit just fucked us.

Enthusiastic... honest...

What could you criticize about those close to you?

Nothing.

- You know what I mean by that? - Yes.

Mother, father, friends, girlfriend...

What skills did you develop in previous job?

Skills... the will to work...

Your main defects?

I'm not good at sports...

Sometimes I'm a little arrogant...

and I have a slight difficulty to express my thoughts...

It's as if... I got false starts.

Significant events in your life. Your worries...

a color, your favourite season of the year

and your expectations on this job.

Could you repeat the sequence?

Just tell me the color.

Blue.

Blue...

I also like blue. Doesn't score many points.

Red is better.

And the rest of the score? How did I do it?

It was in China, the domino effect. They gave me these bonds.

They are worth nothing now, but are guaranteed by the...

Chinese state.

It's over.

It's over.

I got fired.

Business is not thriving. Dad lost it all

when the bank closed, but we pretend nothing's changed.

Simon continues the cook, Ramón does the dishes...

and I wait.

Dad... dad.

Yes?

The savings certificate... was it a lot?

No... not much.

But it was everything...

All we had.

What are we going to do?

Not tell mother.

That's all we can do.

When the kidney doesn't work,

it is replaced by something like a filter.

This is the arm, a tiny hole is punched here

and a nozzle brings out the dirty blood.

This is the machine... here the filth is stopped.

Another nozzle returns our cleansed blood.

Just two tiny holes in the arm.

Like making coffee.

Exactly, but the other way round.

Mum... is this temporary or for ever?

Sarah, this way.

The doctors belive my mother is going to die. They don't get it.

Obviously they never had a Jewish mother.

She can't just go, with all the things she's got to do.

Buy my clothes... the Tupperware meetings...

talk on the phone with her parents...

remembering everything... anyway... a lot of things.

Mum can't go.

- What happened, mum? - Don't, Ariel.

- Your purse! - Listen Ariel...

Listen, was dad inside that purse?

Was Estela inside that purse? - No. Poor Estela.

Then there was nothing important in that purse.

Besides, the money is safe.

Come, let's go shopping.

Mum...

This is my neighborhood. It's called "Once".

A very active, noisy place where we the Jewish live...

surrounded by cloths and safety pylons.

Bar Mitzvah is a turning point in the life of a Jewish boy.

It happens once in a lifetime

and it's the entry into the adult's world.

Into the world of responsabilities

feeling part of this chain.

Assume our role as a new link in the history of our people

I'ts a moment of celebration, joy, but when the party is over

and there are only the dirty dishes and the leftovers...

that's the time for reflecting and the understanding the reaches,

of the commitment.

That's why the record of that moment

will enable us to remember this pact in the future.

I'ts the images of the people we love, those we don't...

wich will remain in here... for ever.

It's not a Bar Mitzvah. It's a wedding.

Don't worry, Moshe. Basically it's the same system.

Here I have other samples. This is Feldman-Dubcovsky.

At the Ben Gurion club. It was a great party.

Alright...

- Cotton, isn't it? - No, this is "Shmate".

Shmate: original Yiddish.

Typical adjective denoting bad quality in clothing.

Congratulations.

Please protect her in eternity under the wings of your deity.

May her soul be an inseparable part of chain of life...

May God allow her to rest in peace.

May God bring peace to them...

and to all the bereaved of the Israeli congregation.

Hello?

No, the lady is not in.

No, I don't know when she'll be back.

Yes, call later, yes...

- Starting tomorrow? - Yes.

Are you afraid?

What of?

Of starting something new.

No.

I am.

And I am also afraid of being left alone.

Hello?

No, she's not in.

I see, well I have some id's of the lady wich I found.

Where did you find them?

Across from the Israeli Hospital.

I can bring them to you, or we can meet...

Whereabouts are you?

In the downtown area.

Well... but, how do I know you are not the thief?

Don't worry I wouldn't be calling you...

No... this is my job

I can keep your stuff for a few days and call you back.

Alright? So long.

She left me, with this business of the bank,

she just threw me out.

I tried to explain about China, time zones, globalized economy.

But she doesn't understand about numbers.

Do you have my id's?

- Want some water? - No, thanks.

- How much do I owe you? - It's up to you.

What for?

What do I want my mother's id's for if she's no longer around?

She's dead, she's gone, she doesn't breathe...

doesn't speak, doesn't vote.

And there's no reason to despair,

it's part of the package.

What package?

The package, the plan.

I mean, you get:

mum goes, Simon is left alone, but here's Estela.

So we take care of the business...

we wash the sidewalk, pay the taxes...

We plant a tree in the Sinai desert.

And we have children... three, better four.

In case one might be devious.

The plan is perfect, it's wonderful.

Friday night, the temple, the club...

The wealthy cousins. Simon, the restaurant, God.

It's a lot of things, Estela. Not fixing the Christmas tree.

Why not fixing the Christmas tree?

Always living in this bubble.

Don't you feel a bubble?

- No. - No?

I don't know... I want to see what happens.

Where?

Out there.

What is it?

Never seen Estela naked?

- Going, already? - Yes.

Here.

Today I start on a six month trial contract.

Why trial?

It's a trial, Simon. If they like me, I go on.

Estela offered to help here.

I told her not to...

But you know Estela...

She's like your mother.

Bye, Simon.

"The State Sells the National Transport System"

The sign is already up, seen it?

The state sells... the trains...

the toilets... the toilet paper...

They sell everything.

What are you going to do?

Nothing, people will still pee.

Classy women like you will continue to visit me.

What is it? You never cheated on your husband?

No, I'm waiting for his release.

Elsa, I want to help you.

Friends of mine need maids.

And you don't know when the station is going to close.