Maya

Liron Ben-Chelouche

Gil Frank

In a film by Michal Bat-Adam

MAYA

Shiri Guedani, Alex Ansky Miki Warshawiak, Ori Levi

Sound: Tuly Chen

Mix: Israel David

Music: Daniel Mizrahi

Director of Photography Yoav Kosh

Produced by Moshe Mizrahi, Michal Bat-Adam

written and directed by Michal Bat-Adam

Now I understand, Kostia, that in our profession,

whether we're acting or writing,

what matters is not fame

or glamour I used to dream about,

but the capacity to bear one's suffering and believe...

I believe.

When I think of my life I'm not afraid anymore...

You see?

From the first moment, there's a person.

A world.

She knows who she is... where she comes from,

where she's going and she knows where she is.

Keep working. You're on the right track...

Me? - Yes, you.

Blanche, "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Tennessee Williams.

When I met him, he was just a boy and I was 16.

I discovered love all at once.

There was something different about him.

A gentleness which wasn't like a man's,

although he wasn't the least bit effeminate.

He asked me for help, but I didn't understand.

I only knew that I loved him without limits,

and then I found out... - Maya...

That's okay.

But you don't go on stage just to be okay.

Acting is not just reciting a text from memory.

It's nothing, only words.

We're halfway through the year and I don't see any progress.

Talent isn't enough, you have to do something with it.

You have to touch, to move,

to shock...

You have to dig within yourself without fear.

If you're afraid, go and work at the supermarket.

Continue.

If you go now, don't bother to come back.

Where's the houmous?

You want tahini?

Maya.

Aren't you working today?

What time is it? - After seven.

There you go.

How's it going? - Not great.

Mom, I'm at work. We'll talk later.

Something happened?

No, it's just... My boyfriend.

What about him?

It's haunting me.

Excuse me... the check. - Right away.

When I met him, he was just a boy and I was 16.

I discovered love all at once.

Check for table three.

There was something different about him.

A gentleness which wasn't like a man's,

although he wasn't the least bit effeminate.

He asked me for help, but I didn't understand.

Mixed salad! - I'm coming.

I only knew that I loved him without limits,

and then I found out... - Mixed salad!

What did you find out?

I came into a room...

There were two guys in it...

Hi.

Two specials. One Latte and a Filter.

Anything else? - No thanks.

Here you go.

Afterwards we acted as if nothing happened.

The three of us went out to have fun.

We were a little drunk, laughing, dancing...

Suddenly my boyfriend ran outside.

A shot was heard...

Everyone ran out.

Someone grabbed me and said,

"Don't go! You don't want to see this."

Then I heard them saying his name.

He'd stuck the gun in his mouth and fired.

It was all over. - When did it happen?

Omelets!

Where's your sister?

I told you to leave her alone!

Cut! What happened?

Can I look inside to see if she's there?

No. Don't look!

Okay, standby! We're shooting!

Scene 17. Shot 1. Take 9.

Action!

Cut! Why did you stop?

Come here, it's important for the scene.

What?

Who this guy's sister is?

I don't know anything about her.

Are you crazy?

You stopped the shot for that?

We don't have time for this bullshit.

I have to know who I'm talking about!

Imagine someone you know. - It can't be someone I know,

It has to be someone I heard about...

Are you trying to kill me?

We don't have time for this bullshit!

Let me finish this stupid shot!

It's a stupid shot? - Of course it's a stupid shot!

It should've been shot ages ago! Where are you going?

I don't want to be part of a stupid shot.

It's not a stupid shot. Come back.

Get back to your positions.

Enough already!

Let's move on. I want to shoot!

I'll get crazy by the end of the day.

Scene 17. Shot 1. Take 10.

Action!

Wait, wait.

What's he doing? I don't believe this!

Why'd you stop now? - It wasn't good.

What wasn't good? - My acting wasn't good.

You don't have to act! Just ride the bike!

I'm in love with the girl!

You're not in love with her!

I can't work with amateurs!

Why are you moving?

Get back to your position!

I need professional actors here!

Sorry. I wanted to go to the bathroom.

You won't get anywhere without discipline!

You'll always be a mediocre actress.

Don't purse your lips, you're a statue.

Come on, action!

How was it? - I didn't know he was here.

He's about to go.

Aaron, Wait a second!

I'm sorry. It's all because of me.

It's not you, he's just selfish.

They all are. - With him it's a sickness.

They're all sick.

What are you doing?

I'm going back home. It's not for me.

One day of filming and you decide it's not for you?

I stood there like an idiot all day.

I shouldn't have to do that.

You exaggerate, you know.

Actors fight to get a day of filming.

You've done nothing yet. - It's not for me.

I'll pay my share until you find a roommate.

And what about your audition? - I'm not going.

Of course you're going!

You'll miss an audition with Hagai Tzafrir?

Do you hear what you're saying?

He's the new darling of the theater...

I think I'm pregnant.

Are you going to have an abortion?

Are you crazy? With anesthesia?

And raise a kid without a father?

Maybe he'll leave his wife.

If this were a play, it'd say,

"Maya tries not to burst into laughter.

And Nurit tries not to burst into tears."

Maybe you're just late. - No, I'm not late.

I'll help you raise him.

Do you think he loves me?

So why is he with me?

Why not? Free sex, free coffee...

the other day he ate all my bananas.

After he comes he has to eat something.

Let him bring sandwiches from home.

I'm a seagull...

No that's not it...

What was I talking about?

Ah yes...

I'm not like that anymore. I'm a real actress...

Now I understand, Kostia, that in our profession,

whether we're acting or writing,

what matters is not fame...

or glamour I used to dream about,

but the capacity to bear one's suffering and believe.

I believe.

I saw you acting...

Blanche... In the cafe.

That poor guy really believed you.

I still feel guilty about it.

You want to drink something? - No, thanks.

Maya, right? - Yes.

Come, sit down.

I'm going to direct a play that I wrote

I'm looking for the lead actress.

It's about a young girl who gets pregnant.

Her parents force her to have an abortion.

Something snaps in her.

She thinks they took the baby and hid it.

Is it a true story? - Why do you ask?

It's as if you're talking about someone you know.