Family Practice (Sohn meines Vaters)

A FILM BY JESHUA DREYFUS

This is what my life looks like without my parents.

I haven’t seen them in 6 months.

And now ... my father is turning 60.

Fabienne is curious.

I can’t avoid them forever. So now’s the time.

FAMILY PRACTICE

You’re finally here.

You’re Fabienne? Welcome!

Shabbat is the celebration of Shechina,

the bride and the divine mother. She is the source of life ... Hello!

And that’s why we thank the housewife on the day of Shabbat

for her work during the week.

So much for our distribution of roles in this household.

It’s also tradition

that on Shabbat the husband and wife

nurture their relationship and focus on their love ...

You of all people.

Be kind to one another.

Well that’s how it’s written! I don’t do this just like that!

- No, it’s okay. - Yes?

- What? No, he studied art. - Freddy, I draw.

- Why? - I draw, I’m an illustrator.

- And what do you draw? - Comics.

So you didn’t study medicine?

- One semester, 5 years ago. - Nothing’s getting any cheaper.

That’s true! Don’t you want to go back to studying medicine?

Karl you also combine your practice and your writing work.

True. But he doesn’t want a safety net.

I think it’s great, it’s brave! And it’s another generation, you know.

- Thank God! - Don’t give up hope just yet.

Simon’s one of the finalists in a well-known comics festival.

No, really? Is that true?

Yeah, but I’m just one of 40. Do the math.

Hey, so what? You can win. You’re going to win. You’ll do it!

He’ll be more famous than his dad. I've always said it!

- Doesn’t anyone smoke here? - I gave it up 3 years ago.

- Oh great! - They’re real artists!

There’s always something going on!

The images that were created there!

For me as a hypochondriac ...

Wait! Wait a sec!

It runs in the family!

Would it bother Fabienne if you came home once in a while?

- Are you earning any money? - No, not really.

But are you managing with what we give you?

Yeah.

- But it can’t be enough. - It is.

I have an idea. You could ... Thank you, thanks.

You could transcribe Karl’s book.

Aren’t you doing that?

We have to go to Cielle, the book has to be done in 2 months, the lectures ...

No, I really can’t! Fabienne is waiting for my drawings!

- What do you think of her? - It’s too early to say.

- A first impression? - Yeah, she’s nice.

- Is she a little nervous? - What? Why?

Ah, this fish!

She likes a drink.

- It’s a party! - If she doesn’t make a habit of it!

Shall I bring this out?

Yeah. Wait. Those are the other plates.

Who's the woman in the white blouse?

Around 40.

- Sonja, our new secretary? - What? At the practice?

Yeah. You haven’t met her?

No.

Life begins at 60!

You said it!

Do you want to go home?

Mom?

What happened? What’s wrong, Mommy?!

- Mommy? - Water on her forehead!

- What happened? Simon ... - Is it happening again?

Please, let me.

What is it? Okay.

Lie down! Please lie down.

- Can I help? - Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Stay calm. Lie down. Everything’s okay.

It’s her circulation. It’ll be fine.

What happened?

What are you doing?

You silly head!

Has this happened before?

It’s been a while.

- Shall I still come to yours? - Why not?

Is that the essence of tonight?

- What do you mean? - Your family has so much to offer!

- Do you think you can ignore them? - Shall I draw Mom in a puddle of blood?

Sorry.

Hands off!

Hey!

You know exactly.

You’re bringing them today! Okay?

- More of the animal series? - No, it’s a new one.

We agreed on something totally different.

- I don’t really like the other idea. - And you’re telling me this now?

- Yes? - The infrastructure

in no way meets today’s standards. - Why not?

- What’s wrong? - It all has to be replaced.

- What? - The switchboard panel is asbestos.

- It’ll have to go! - Did you bring the old sketches?

It all has to go. And the wires running into the other room ...

it’s all ... falling apart. The cables are broken.

This one’s powerful. Don’t you think?

Because there are people in it and it seems more relevant?

It’d be something new for you, and would fit perfectly into the exhibition.

So this is where you’re hiding!

Wow, this is impressive!

- Hello. Oh God! - Not worth mentioning!

Was there a furniture restorer in here before? Can you smell that?

Amyl acetate. The smell doesn’t fade. Do you have a second?

What for?

I talked to your Dad. We’ll pay you 50 francs an hour

for the transcription. So in a week ... - Mom I don’t have time!

- Don’t let yourself be exploited! - I’m not!

Doesn't she have a family? She'll understand!

Do you have to go on holiday right now?

Listen, Karl and I, we ... need some time for each other.

Can’t someone else do it?

No, no one else can do it. If you don’t do it, I’ll have to.

And he’ll go on holiday with Sonja.

Yeah, so now you know.

But if you need the money, he’ll let you do it and I can go away with him.

I'm not getting involved. This is your business.

- Don’t you be exploited. Set boundaries. - That’s why I want to go away with him.

- So we can sort things out there. - Why can’t you sort things here?

- Forget it! - No!

No! Forget it! I won’t go anywhere, and I’ll do it myself. Yes!

She’s the only thing on his mind.

He’s under her spell.

If they go to Cielle together ... I don’t know what else will happen.

So?

What should I do?

Oh, Mom!

We’re opening in three weeks!

- I’ll manage! - Never!

- Dad is screwing his secretary. - What’s new about that?

He brings her into the house and to Shabbat ...

- Is that sacrilegious or what? - He never dared to before!

- The one in the black skirt? - Yes.

- Are you responsible for your mother? - She’s going crazy. Don’t you get it?

Well, maybe she will finally get it.

- Should I find a replacement for you? - No, I’ll manage.

It’s just a week.

Just follow the numbers, it’s really simple.

Sometimes I added one, like here, 2B, but other than that they’re in order.

- And if they’re not in order, you’ll notice. - Why are the cassettes numbered?

These numbers match those numbers, that’s the book.

- Everything you babble on there I have to ... - Exactly. Those are my lectures,

Q&As, interviews ... - You don’t have a manuscript?

Simon, it’s not a problem! Don’t worry. It’s all in High German.

And I already wrote down the time codes, all here.

Just follow them. Watch out, the VHS have two sets of time codes:

one at the top and one at the bottom. Follow the top one.

That's at least a month’s work.

That’s two weeks if you focus. Three weeks tops. Yes?

Doctor? About the prescription ...

Oh, yes. Oh God, no! Of course.

Right, sorry.

- '53. - 1953, right.

What did we say? 200 mg, yes? That’s it.

- All the best. - Thank you. Goodbye!

See you.

Sonja comes in three times a week. You know that, right?

I can’t let Fabienne wait that long.

What’s this with Fabienne?

We have a project.

- An art project? - Yeah, an art project.

Cool. Did you see your cow by the way?

If you don’t want to, then say so. I’ll talk to Mom and ...

No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.

Here's a suggestion: you do the VHS cassettes

and then Sonja can carry on. Don’t tell Mom you’re not doing it all.

What do you think of her by the way?

She’s been in a bad mood

recently, she stopped smoking. You know, me and her ...

I know.

I’ve never met such a great woman. I feel like I'm 30.

- So the text files ... - And you and Fabienne?

Is it serious?

Yeah, I think so.

I think it’s really great you’re transcribing these texts now.

- You’ll do a great job. - Thank you.

- So, should I e-mail you the chapters ... - No, give them to Sonja.

- She’ll give them to me. - Why?

Why? Because I think it’s good if someone rereads them.

Here's the flash drive.

I don’t know how I'll manage, a whole month without her.

- Mom didn't want her in Cielle. - Mom’s so cruel, huh?

If the organizer or the publisher call, give them my mobile number.

And if you have any questions about the text call me,

not your Dad.

- And be careful ... - Yes?

I don’t want her in our apartment. Make sure you always lock up.

Take care.

Enjoy! And have a good time!

It’s hard to make a living drawing comics.

A scholarship makes it possible to focus on a book project.

They would’ve let me know.