Drifting Clouds (Kauas pilvet karkaavat)

DRIFTING CLOUDS

A film by Aki Kaurismäki

Would you like to have an aperitif? - No, thank you.

Head waiter...

Can you come, the cook's had it again.

Amir, go to the door.

Back to work... all of you.

It needs stitches, or it won't heal properly, and the hand can mortify.

I'll go after closing time. - You'll go right now.

What if there'll be a riot? Amir's pretty thin.

Get going. - Okay, boss.

How do you like it?

Easy, right? Before you had to get up every time. Twelve channels in all.

It's got colours, too.

Are you happy?

On part payment, right?

What else? The first installment is only in the spring.

We haven't paid for the book shelf yet. Or the couch.

We'll manage it, four years... Then we can buy some books, too.

It's fine all right. Shall we go to bed?

Okay.

I'm going. - Good.

Shall I take the garbage? - Do.

The most violent storm of the decade is shaking the Philippines.

250.000 have left theirhomes -

more than 80 are dead or missing.

The Nigerian civil rights defenders have been executed.

Novelist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other representatives of the Ogon minority-

met their death by hanging. The Nigerian military junta -

did not allow the accused to defend themselves in court.

What is it now? - There'll be notices.

All right, everybody's here.

The company is being reformed. Routes will be cut down.

Four men will have to go.

I'm not choosing them, we'll let the cards decide.

Please.

Three stitches. - How much?

The doctor a hundred, taxi fifty.

Thank you.

Come along, Lajunen, the manager wants to see you.

I understand. I'll have to leave?

Not yet... final warning.

I want my money back. - What for?

Unbearable rubbish! Get me my dough! - You didn't even pay.

So what. Cheating people. Goodbye! - What about the dog?

Give it to me.

I'll call tomorrow.

I thought it was good.

Rubbish. Supposed to be a comedy. I didn't laugh once.

It's still not the cashier's fault. - At least I took out my bitterness.

She is your sister though.

All the worse for her.

Let's go some place.

What's with you today?

First night off for a long time.

It's not fair.

It's not a night off. I got fired a month ago.

Today was the last day.

And you haven't told me.

Bad news can wait.

But what for?

Most routes don't pay. Half the people drive by car, others take the subway.

The rest can't even afford to walk. We let the cards decide. I lost.

And now what? - I don't know.

You must apply for unemployment money.

I don't beg, I am me. I'll get a new job, I've got contacts.

Poor Lauri.

I don't need pity.

The trees still grow. Waiter, one more.

Good luck.

A professional doesn't need luck. I'll check the options and pick the best.

The times are not so good. Lucky you're still young.

Not even fifty, my sweetheart.

I'm going now. - What?

I must go. - Have a nice day.

Thank you. There's food in the kitchen. - Yes.

Excuse me, but we are not open yet.

Doesn't matter. Get the manager.

She is not here. If you wish to call...

She should be. We have an appointment.

Director...

There are some men asking for you.

I know. Ask them to come in.

When the bank changed owners all loans were set for collection at once.

I told them I couldn't make it.

For weeks I tried to meet the new director, but he wouldn't see me.

Then the Chain got in touch with me and offered to buy the "Dubrovnik" -

at exactly the sum of the loans with interest.

A coincidence, no doubt. - No doubt.

Especially as the new bank manager is sitting in the board of the Chain.

My brother, a lawyer, advised me to sell, as in an executive auction -

I wouldn't get even that.

Thirty-eight years since we opened. I should have modernized.

The customers are getting old, can't drink that much any more.

It was different when my husband was alive.

Call the staff together for tomorrow, I'll speak to them myself.

You smoke too much. - That's right.

Worried? - Couldn't sleep.

With your coat on? - Yes.

That's strange. - Isn't it.

Shall I make some tea? - Coffee.

Then you can't sleep at night. - It's morning soon.

Your wages of notice will be paid into your accounts within a week -

and your references will be mailed to you as soon as I've written them.

Is this the end? Aren't we opening today?

Today once more and then never again.

Tomorrow I'll not be the owner of this place any more.

What about the new owners? - What about them?

Don't they need anybody?

The Chain will bring their own staff. I don't know what they plan to do.

It's not my concern. I am sorry.

I wish you all the best. Thank you for these years.

On wings of hot wind love flies -

then follows coldness and emptiness.

Hot winds escape and take my love -

where will the way of hot wind lead?

Autumn drove away the hot winds -

but summer will bring them back to me.

Hot winds, bring back my love-

so long I've been alone, waiting.

At home I gained the love-

of my caring parents.

The childhood never returns -

time took it beyond the stars.

It's the law of life -

only memories never die.

Winds of fate took my love -

and she'll never return.

Once the winds will blow on me -

you'll not see me any more.

Youth is gone, I can't be bitter.

I was happy, surrounded by a company of friends.

Our faded dreams -

bring tears in my eyes.

Winds of fate took it all-

our dreams never came true.

Thank you for everything, Ilona.

And goodbye.

Till we meet again, director.

I guess you've lost track a little in the past few years.

Forty percent of restaurant employees are unemployed.

Nobody can afford to dine out, excluding hot dog kiosks-

and they're not doing well, either.

I started as dishwasher, then kitchen maid, then waiter until -

I got to be a head waiter. I could still be a waiter, anything.

I understand, but I can't help you, I've got a full staff here and -

to be honest, you're too old for a waiter.

I'm thirty-eight.

That's it. You can drop dead anytime.

You're over fifty yourself.

That's different. I've got contacts.

And you smoke, too. Have you any life insurance?

You want to wrestle arms?

No. Go to the Employment Agency. I'll check, but chances are poor.

The "Dubrovnik" is no reference.

It was the best restaurant in town.

After the war, yes.

Employment Service Agency

Nothing. Get going. Opposite the door.

I would like to register. - Yes?

What yes? - Register in what sense?

Seeking employment. - Are you receiving compensation?

No. - Would you like to apply?

Not if I can get a job right away. - What are you looking for?

I'm a head waiter.

Take a number, fill out this form and wait for your turn.

You two go home, I've got things to do.

Things? Going for a drink again?

Maybe I am. If I feel like it.

Dinner's at five.

See you.

We'll eat the soup later. I bought some cutlets.

Where's the wind blowing now from?

You've been drinking after all.

On the contrary, just one. I've got a job.

Sit down over here, my girl, and I'll tell you about it.

I got a job as a bus driver. Charter tours to St. Petersburg.

So far away. - The better the pay. Aren't you happy?

Of course. When do you start?

Tomorrow. A formal medical check-up in the morning and then on the road.

Does a working man get any food here or do I have to go out for dinner?

You sit right there. It's coming up.

I made some lunch for you. It's so far.

I don't need it, we'll eat on the way with the tourists.

You'll take it anyway.

I didn't make the medical. One ear is almost deaf.

They took my professional license. I can drive only a toy car from now on.

Are you hurt?

No.

Four sausages. - Thank you.

Ilona!

Melartin!

Evening, head waiter. Come and have a drink.

Maybe not, this time.

I owe to the bartender, I accidentally drank more than I could afford.

Could you?

They don't need porters any more. Manners have degenerated.

People can come and go like in a railway station.

Minors pissed -

pants nothing but holes, throwing up on each other if they don't miss.