Memory Box (دفاتر مايا)

The blizzard started just before 3 am

and it's been snowing since.

It's too much snow. The city can't handle it.

We're ok!

I just did the tree with my aunt. It's cool, isn't it?

Nice tree!

It's snowing here too.

My cousins can't remember where they parked the car.

I'm off to my grandparents' for Christmas.

They say the blizzard will hit Montreal later today.

We'll see.

Hi, everybody.

You're lucky!

I'm so bored before the storm.

Dad's in France with his new family, Mom's at work, I'm alone.

Look!

I have visitors.

Time to make some new friends...

Lynn, don't tell the others, but I can't get over him.

I can't forget Jonas.

I miss him.

I look at our photos,

I eat,

and I get fat.

Look at my thighs.

Freely adapted from the correspondence of

Joana Hadjithomas 1982-1988

It's freezing out.

You're early, Teta. Sorry, it's a mess.

It's ok, it's ok.

So where's your mother?

Working, as usual.

As usual?

Working today of all days.

She could have made an effort for this evening.

Kibbeh!

Wash your hands first.

Wash them properly.

Here, take this.

You obviously never ran out of water in your life!

So?

Are you still upset?

A little.

Sweetheart, the guy who can upset you hasn't been born yet!

Use a bit of this...

Do this one. I'll stack them.

Like this?

Don't overfill it.

Because of the rice.

-It swells? -Yes, it swells.

Your Grandpa Adel's favourite.

Rest his soul.

He always asked for these at Christmas.

Like this.

Don't be like your mom.

She can't judge a man.

You can judge a man by how he eats vine leaves.

A man who swallows them two by two

is a selfish glutton, unaware of our hard work.

You understand your Teta?

You understand me?

I understand everything.

Your mom should've made you speak better Arabic.

Look at you!

25 years here and you still don't speak French.

Who do you expect me to talk to?

Who ever spoke to me anyway?

-It's my daughter... -After...

Mom, where are you? We're waiting for you.

- Who's that? -No one. I'll be home soon.

I'll call you. See you soon.

Hello.

A parcel for Maia Sanders. She lives here?

She's my mother.

Could it be a present?

No.

-It's not for us. -It is.

I'm her mother.

-She doesn't want it. -What?

-What do we do? -I'll take it.

Sign right here.

-Thank you. -Perfect.

Happy holidays.

Goodbye.

What's wrong?

-Tell me! -Help me.

What is it?

Let's move it.

What is it?

-From Lebanon? -It's nothing.

Help me.

Haber? Who's Haber?

I'll tell you after we move it.

We can't leave it here.

Who's Haber?

For God's sake! Just give me a break.

Liza Haber.

A friend of your mother's.

Happy now? Push!

Why refuse it?

Tell me why.

The past drives your mom crazy.

She'll be sad and will spoil all our hard work.

Is it something bad?

It's bad memories.

Help me.

Let us celebrate Christmas in peace.

We'll tell her tomorrow.

I promise you.

I promise, but help me. I can't manage on my own.

Tomorrow?

I swear.

Let's go.

Behind the basement door.

I love your hair this time.

That colour's nicer.

Don't grow it long.

It makes your face thinner.

Crap Christmas, Lynn.

I miss my dad. You're with your families and we're here alone.

And here, the photos brought out on special occasions,

Mom's brother and my grandpa,

both killed in the Lebanese War.

We eat with the dead and ghosts.

So, sweetheart?

Well, that went well.

Right, honey?

She was such a big help.

We rolled the vine leaves.

She set the table,

fixed the tree and even offered me her bed for tonight.

It's natural.

You darling.

I'd love to stay,

but I prefer to go home.

If the blizzard lets me...

What's that?

Mass on the 40th day following the death of Liza Haber

If only you could be with us... Youssef and Eva

Mom!

You knew Liza was dead?

Answer me!

Since when?

Since when?

I heard in late November.

I can't believe it!

When were you planning to tell me?

After the holidays.

After the holidays?

How did she die?

She died, that's all.

That's all, you say?

Answer and stop smoking.

A car accident...

I didn't tell you so as not to upset you.

You hid my notebooks too?

How dare you?

You always have to interfere in my life.

I didn't want to spoil the Xmas meal I made with love.

For who?

A girl we haven't seen in 25 years.

30 years even!

I just wanted to protect you...

Stop!

It's not about love,

or dinner or protecting me. Enough lies!

Enough!

I told you that box would spoil Christmas.

Bye, darling.

Teta, stay.

No, let me go now. Good night.

Good night.

Sorry, Mom, I didn't want to lie.

Teta told me it would upset you.

What are these notebooks?

Mom?

Alex, go to bed, please.

Just tell me what they are.

They're notebooks

I wrote in Lebanon during the war

to a friend who had moved to France,

Liza Haber.

She was my closest friend.

Can I look at them too?

Just go to bed, please.

Just a little...

No, I can't show you.

-Why not? -Just go!

Why won't you?

Just a few photos.

Just some photos...

Or a notebook.

Why are you so upset?

How come you never mentioned Liza?

Leave me now.

We share nothing...

Stop it!

Mom?

-I miss her! -Where is she now?

-No news since I got back to Beirut. -No sign on Facebook.