Liubi

LIOUBI

a film by Layia Yiourgou

Hello, Aunt.

Come on. Let's go.

-Got the rings? -The rings...

Where are the rings, man?

They're here!

Congratulations!

Highway Productions and VA Films - Vassilis Alatas

In co-production with Nova TV and Max Productions

and with the financial support of the Greek Film Centre

I'm beat.

He's kicking like crazy today.

-Really? -Here... Feel...

Oh yeah!

Boys are restless!

I hope I don't lose this baby like I lost the other.

Come on now! You lost the other one...

because you didn't follow doctor's orders.

That's what my brother and my stupid husband believe...

Shit! The roots are showing.

-You can't dye it, right? -No. Because of the baby.

Who is it?

-Me! Can I get rid of some beer? -No you may not!

Come on now! Give me a break!

My sweet brother has drunk too much...

The Russian girl is coming on Monday...

She'll take you out. She will work you out...

It's called physiotherapy and stop pulling Mom's leg.

Why? She likes it when I joke around with her.

Won't someone get the door?

Good evening.

Good evening.

I am Liubi...

...for sick lady? ...

For Mom? ...

Was it for today?

Come on in.

This way.

Petro!

The girl for mom is here!

Weren 't you coming Monday?

Hello.

Never mind that now. I'm Dimitri.

I got engaged today. That's why we're having a party.

-Hello. -Penny... my fiancee.

Petro! Come in the kitchen. I need help.

Have a seat.

Mom! She's here...

the girl who'll keep you company and look after you...

Liubi...

The bitch from the agency... she sent her a day earlier...

so she wouldn't have to pay another day for her hotel!

Don't worry where she will stay. Ili will fix the loft.

It'll be ready in a couple of hours.

You were supposed do it last week!

You expect the Romanian to do everything?

It's not my fault that in a week's time...

...your Mom turned into a "vegetable"...

and your brother got engaged!

You think I give a shit where the Russian will sleep?

You were supposed to find a house help, not a model!

What was I supposed to do? We were in a rush!

And it's not like I had a hundred to choose from!

Don't tell me they didn't have any "ugly" looking ones?

Sure they did. But they didn't speak Greek.

-Why? Does Mom speak? -We do...!

She can also do all the therapy your mother needs.

You really think she's capable of looking after Mom?

You got eyes...She so thin she seems ready to faint!

Make sure you don't, in your condition.

If we hadn't paid two months in advance...

I'd sent her back right away.

So go ahead! And quit busting our balls!

What did you say?

Let's take Mom to her room because she's tired...

and let's see where she can sleep...

I'm thinking we put her in the baby's room.

This is Mom's room.

Take Mom to her room and I'm coming.

For the time being you'll stay in the baby's room...

until we can get yours ready.

We'll push the crib aside and put in a bed for you.

Could you please get a bed and help Liubi settle in...

because I've got to take care of Mom?

Some engagement party! What will the people say?

Why? They're not having a good time?

Aren't they enjoying themselves?

Stop worrying...

So, what do you think of the Russian girl?

She looks fine to me.

Do you think she is the right help for Mom?

Why? Because she's skinny?

We'll fatten her up.

-Cut it out, silly! -I'm not the silly one...

...you are, going on worrying about the "foreigner".

This one's for you.

So long! Take care!

See you tomorrow!

You promised we 'd spend the night together.

-Yes, baby, but I'm beat. -You're full of promises...

I've got an early morning shift You got complaints?

I do... don't think because we got engaged you can't lose me.

What's up, man? I scared you?

I didn't realize that I fell asleep.

Relax, man. Go get some sleep.

But I'm not sleepy.

Never mind. Go!

-Are we shutting down? -No, I'll stay.

-Why, boss? -Because I'm not sleepy.

-And don't call me boss again! -Okay, boss.

Petro! Come and get Mom out of bed.

- Me help? -There's no need.

Just get what I told you.

Put on the church channel.

You know Mom likes the church service.

OK. As you like!

ATHENS CATHEDRAL

Turn it down. Dimitri is sleeping!

Good morning, Mrs. Eleni.

Mom...

Do you remember Liubi?

Leave it... She doesn't remember.

Come on, Mom. Open your mouth!

Your Greek is quite good.

No, not speak good. Little...

No need to know more, trust me...

Where did you learn Greek?

In Tashkent?

No understand...

I mean the language!

Where did you learn it? At school?

At school... little... from Grandma and Dad...

Petro! Who is it?

Didn't you sleep here? You slept at Penny's?

I didn't sleep. I worked Ili's shift.

Why? Where did the jerk go?

Nowhere.

I just didn't feel like sleeping.

How's my little girl?

-Busy at the gas station? -Yes and Ili is alone.

Petro has to paint the loft.

What's your problem with the damned loft?

First of all,where will I find paints on a Sunday...

and secondly, what does it matter if she stays...

-in the baby's room? -I don't want her to!

Hello, Liubi. Good morning.

Good morning.

-Want coffee? -I'll get it myself.

You're going to wash all these?

If you need help with my Mom, let me know.

She's heavy and you can't lift her.

Leave it. I'll do it.

I can lift her.

Maybe you can... but I want to help...

-Here! Happy now? -Someone could have taken it.

Like who?

Lots of people come in here... Petro, for instance...

Does he make a habit of leaving his ring around?

No, he doesn't! Because he never takes it off!

Because he never gets his hands dirty! He is a "gentleman"!

-Change? -No.

Are we going out or do we stay here all night smelling like gas?

So what d'you suggest? To shut down?

What about your brother-in-law?

He's taking my sister to her gynecologist.

-"Same old story". -That's right! Same old story!

-Then I'll go out with my friends. -Suit yourself.

And maybe I'll forget my ring in some ladies' room!

Penny!

Where are you going!

Anything to eat?

There's soup.

Soup? It's summer!

Anna told me to make soup for Mama.

What kind of soup is this anyway?

Borscht.

Russian?

Since you made soup I'll have it.Whatever's on the menu!

And you?

Me?

Have you eaten?

I not hungry.

I'm supposed to eat alone?

-It's hot. -It's not hot...

It's not hot but it's spicy.

Eleni like it.

My mother liked it because she can't speak.

If she could speak...

Hey. I am only kidding!

I like it. I really do.

So how did you make it?

Meat...

Red pe... pepper... beet...

-Beetroots? -Beetroots.

I'll bet Ili would like this soup.

How about taking him some at the gas station?

I cannot leave Eleni.

She's asleep. We won't be long.

In Romania we don't use chopped meat. We use minced meat.