Lost Embrace (El abrazo partido) (El abrazo partido)

23.976

A mall is a world of appearances.

To customers, we're just salespeople,

who disappear when the stores close.

"The Arcade"

But we're much more than that.

Behind our counters, we have our stories,

maybe not shattering ones, but worth telling

The Saliganis are Italians who fix radios

A big family, with the biggest store.

This is no place for a baby!

I'll take him to the other store! He'll swallow a transistor!

They may seem angry

but yelling's their way of communicating.

They just rented another store,

where Saligani's wife opened a beauty parlor.

I kept you waiting. I have to heat water.

But I forgot the mate.

The Kims ended up here because the Korean mall was full.

No one can figure out how they're related, but no one cares.

He only speaks Korean, and she translates.

They sell Feng Shui items.

The Levin brothers sell fabrics.

In fact, they're cousins.

But for business purposes,

they feel "Levin Bros" sounds better.

Rita runs...

...runs an Internet store.

When Mom's out, she tries on underwear in our store.

That's Gerardo, who backed her store.

I don't know what their relationship is.

I always mean to ask her. One day I will.

I don't know, until now, we are doing well.

Joseph has no store, but is part of the mall.

His office overlooks the synagogue.

You're wrong, Manukian! Listen to me you're, you're taking all street

He's my brother. For the last 10 years

he's sold all kinds o f imported gadgets.

But now the peso's so low, that business is dead,

and he's recycling himself.

He wants to go "back to Nature" I don't know what he's up to.

Ramon can't get through! Ramon!

There also is Ramon,

Ramon looks as if he's just a porter,

but he's his advisor, his right-hand man.

He's almost part of the family.

The springs are cute.

You'll sell tons. I'll send the truck over.

With 1500, tomorrow... Bye.

Joseph really wanted to be a rabbi.

He's a nice brother.

This is my friend Mitelman's store.

Beside the Acapulco palm-trees, that's Fanny, his secretary.

He'd like a younger one, but keeps her out of guilt.

It looks like a travel agency,

but he's really a money-man.

His clients come from other malls.

If you have cash to send abroad,

or to invest...

Mitelman's a kind of financial matchmaker.

You'll have it by the weekend.

Mind if it's small bills

Next is Osvaldo's stationery store.

He's what he looks like: Nothing

He's invisible.

He's been there over 20 years,

but we hardly notice him.

For me this bar is part of a story.

My father, Elias, once ordered a sandwich here.

The mayo was rancid, and he complained to the owner

They say Elias smashed the jar on the counter.

It's not much of a story,

but as I hardly knew my dad I tell it.

Last, take a good look at the Makaroffs' lingerie store.

A sign says "Elias Creations",

so you may think it's his place,

and he's out at the bank or somewhere.

But no.

It only looks that way.

Elias left his name on the sign

and ran off, leaving Sonja alone, eating lekach.

It also looks as if she has a clerk,

but it's only her son,

and he's not much of a help.

That's me, Ariel Makaroff. How are you? Fine...

"Being Pol ish"

Mom, did you ask Grandma?

Of course, I did. I mean, I sort of did.

Did you?

Yes, but you know the way he is...

Damm, it's torn...

Look it's torn here, look at this hole...

When you mention Poland,

her whole brain seems to freeze up.

She hates the place, her mind wanders...

The other day she went

to play cards at Aunt Fanny's.

Aunt Fanny's a mess...

Did you talk about this?

Yes

Please call her and say I need those documents.

OK

It's no joke.

I really need them, OK?

Why don't you go yourself?

I don't want to. Say "I need those papers, Grandma. "

I don't want to waste time. Just once. Go and ask her.

I can't, Mom. Take her for a walk.

I have no patience left.

All my patience get used up on you.

She suffered a lot, she won't discuss Poland.

It hurts her. Don't you understand?

So...

She's an old lady, she refuses to hear about Poland!

SHE CAN'T

Ready? Yes, in a minute.

Are you coming? Yes.

Good morning levin

Hi sonja, good morning how are you?

Hi, Mitelman.

May I? Yes, please.

It's great.

I have to tell you...

I don't like him hanging around that girl.

Why not? I don't like her.

The Internet's the future.

Yes, but she's the past.

She's 40 and he's 20.

He's not 20 anymore.

Anyway, I don't like her.

What do they talk about?

You should tell him...

He's going to be a European.

I dont know...

Don't worry. The Internet's not doing well.

I know.

Here we survive selling lingerie,

TV sets, stationery...

In the mall,

those are the only profitable stores.

She's getting by...

That business is doomed.

It's the cancer of every mall.

Osvaldo is the one who's doomed.

Rita will survive.

He won't have to close.

No, no, no, no, he's not closing

I think he'll have to sell out.

No, he won't.

Let's talk later. Get going.

Let's go. We'll miss Poland.

Have some lekach.

I'll take one.

It tastes better at night.

Hi, Haydee?

How are you?

I've got something that's perfect for you.

That blonde's great.

Nice ass. That's important.

You need your grandfather's birth and death certificates.

Just for one day.

She won't give them to me.

She's convinced that

Europeans want to kill all Jews.

You can't even talk to her.

Found any interesting ancestors?

A Lithuanian grandfather.

Really? Can a Lithuanian be of help?

Who is it? It's Ariel, Grandma.

Ariel who? Your daughter's son, your grandson.

Is anything wrong? No.

Didn't Mom tell you?

Nothing, nothing, i come to visit you. Come up, read lightly.

It's locked

Who is it? Ariel again. It's locked. - Why?

I'll come down. I don't know is your apartment

Who is it? Ariel. I was let in.

By who? The janitor. I'm coming up.

Will you wait here?

I'll come up. Better wait here. We'll have a cold soda. I'll say hi to her.

I don't know even if she has soda, really.

If she has a soda, it'll be lukewarm. I doubt she washes the glasses.

I'll wait over there.

A glass of tea?

Makes me sweat. Got a cold drink?

Tea's good, if it's not too strong.

But I'll get you some tonic water.

Thanks

It's warm.

If I keep it in the fridge, I get a sore throat.

Shall I open a window?

What for?

To air the place.

You should go out more often, Grandma.

Take me out some day.

About those documents, I wanted to say...

eh...

They're important to me.

I don't want to disturb you,

but I really need them.