A film by Tomasz Wasilewski
UNITED STATES OF LOVE
- This fridge got me down. - You're worrying about a fridge?
We bought it through friends. How old is it, two years?
Thank you.
I'll buy a washing machine, a carpet for the hall, it'll be swell.
- Yeah, right. - What?
- No, thank you. - You won't even drink with me?
With a friend?
You've been together long?
- How long? - Fifteen years.
Our Magosia is fourteen, so fifteen.
Cheers.
- Cheers, Marzena. - Fifteen and a half.
I almost forgot. I managed to get Fanta!
- Seriously? - I went shopping to Pewex.
- Even better, they just got jeans. - Where did you get dollars?
Edek sent German marks, I exchanged them at Wójcicki's.
They're gorgeous!
- What do you think? - Beautiful!
- Original? - Sure.
- And the color... - Nice, right?
- Gorgeous! - Too bright.
It's Iza.
- You like them? I'll buy you a pair. - See? That's a real husband.
I'll buy them myself.
You let your woman run a business and there you have it.
- Right, brother-in-law? - Right.
That's why ours don't work.
To you, girls.
- So, where is this Fanta? - On the balcony.
- I'll get it. - Sit down, I'll get it.
- You remember Iza, my sister? - Good evening.
Good evening.
Sit down.
- Can I offer you anything? - Eggnog, please.
To your career and to Edek coming back.
A husband should be with his wife, not in West Germany.
Come on, he's making money so they can build a house. Agata?
- Wójcicki asked if Edek is coming back. - Is he?
Maybe I'll go visit him now that the Berlin Wall is gone.
- They'll let me go, right? - You won't come back.
You're really considering it?
Oh, he's calling.
Just like last year, remember?
Hello? Hi.
Where are you calling from?
- From Germany! - Very funny.
Listen, I got this milk pot you were looking for.
Yeah. From Agata.
- Say hi to our brother. - Irena and Asia send their love.
- What time is it? - Yes, they're all here.
- Edek, come back! - Don't come back, don't be stupid!
Jacek, are we going? Jacek?
Come on, don't go anywhere.
She made tripe, too.
Agata!
Help me out, will you?
- Come to me. - Stop it or I'll leave you like that.
Don't leave me.
You hear me? I want my wife to sleep with me.
Careful!
Are we ready?
Two, three, Hollywood.
Let's go!
Once again!
Breathe, and...
Breath out!
Breathe in!
Breathe out! Go forward, and...
Hand to the side. Careful!
Down!
Go back!
Perhaps I'll be back next year, and we can be together.
May time pass by quickly.
And with this I'm ending this tape.
I'm not saying farewell, listen to the song.
- This is what you wanted to show me? - Wait for it.
- You think people would rent it? - Come on.
Can I borrow it? I'll make a few copies.
I haven't seen him for three years.
If it wasn't for the video tapes I wouldn't know what he looks like.
He's doing it for you.
- Yeah, but I'm still alone. - It's hard for him too.
He's alone too.
What if he's not?
- Do you ever regret it? - Regret what?
Sometimes.
Did you make it yourself?
It's a really warm sweater.
Can you shave my neck?
Here.
They'll shut off water at 7 AM tomorrow.
I remember.
Magosia should bathe before school.
- Do you want fresh water? - No, no need.
I'll use yours.
Can you hurry up?
I can't, cold air hurts my throat.
- Fuck. - On your way to religion class?
Breath through your nose.
Love will be the most important thing in your lives.
Love, the wonderful love.
Don't turn away from your body,
even though it's fragile and heading towards death.
Don't fight it, respect it,
don't humiliate it, don't profane it.
Have you ever had sex, father?
Will you believe me if I say no?
Look at me.
Jesus, Satan, what got into you?
You almost killed me. It hurts.
Maciejewski is getting promoted.
He'll be a big fish at last.
No surprise there.
The point is, I'm getting his old job.
I'll be home more.
We'll have more money.
We could buy a car.
Maybe Edek can bring something nice from West Germany.
Your hands are sweaty, I asked you to do something about it.
Hot.
It's hot.
Damn, he really is good, you know?
He works with models. I saw one photo.
I've always wanted it.
I didn't make it after the pageant, so maybe I'll make it now?
You know, he's a photographer from Warsaw.
Agata, our neighbor wants to rent tapes.
Agata!
For three days.
Fifty-four, fifty-six.
Thank you.
She's a bit weird, right? She doesn't talk much.
It is fulfilled.
The mission is complete.
The goblet is empty,
suffering experienced,
salvation brought to the world,
death fought off,
sin overpowered,
the gate of life open,
freedom regained.
This is the paschal paradox of the cross
which represents our salvation,
the passage from death to life.
We believe that this is the road Maria took.
Death changes us.
The end in fidelity and love is a fulfillment.
Maria left us fulfilled as mother and wife.
Good, just send the kids to the parish.
I'll give them the sweatshirts.
And remind them about
- the ping-pong on Thursday. - All right.
- God bless you. - God bless you.
God bless you.
- Praised be Jesus Christ. - Now and for ever. Amen.
- Where is priest Andrzej? - Who?
Priest Andrzej was supposed to be here. Lend me a tablecloth, quick.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Peace to this house. - Praised be Jesus Christ.
- Only you and the daughter? - No, mom is here too.
- Praised be Jesus Christ. - Now and for ever.
Let's pray.
Lord, united in the Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
Show us your face, bless us.
Bring us peace.
May your blessing descend on us and be with us, now and forever.
Amen.
Let it fall on all those who come into our house
and on everything in it.
Amen.
Let's pray.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Magosia, I have holy pictures for you.
I'm not sure which ones you like, so just pick one.
- This one or that one? - The one with Holy Mary.
Very good.
A donation for the Church, father.
You didn't tell me who you want to be in the future.
- An actress. - An actress?
She's watching films all the time, like her mother.
Tapes everywhere.
- And what do you do? - I work in our factory.
It must be hard.
- I'll see you on TV. - Thank you.
- Praised be Jesus Christ. - Praised be Jesus Christ.
What?
Triple!
Simple ones!
Low! Low! Low!
Low on your legs, girls!
Back!
Run!
Clap!
With energy, girls! Knees high!
Heels to the buttocks!
With energy!
It's the last one, I promise, we'll finish in a moment!
One more minute!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Grace and peace
from Him who is, who was, and who is coming
may be with all of you.
And with your spirit.
Many people turn to the Bible to find out what's right and wrong.
It's about something completely different.
Is love the thing that drives us?
What does love give us?
Love is harder than what you hear here, on a Sunday mass.
It's not an easy Sunday stroll.
Lord, I bring to you my narrow borders.
I change them into infinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Don't reject this path.
See more.
Love is not a battle against anyone.
Love means following your own path, it's always right.
Don't explain yourself to anyone, Agata. Don't be scared.
- It's so hot. - What?
Agata!
Should we go to Czechoslovakia for the winter holidays?
The factory organizes a trip.
You could learn to ski.
The guys from work are going, we could go with them.
Stasiek, Wojtek. Bogdan is considering.
The kid has never been abroad, she could see a little of the world.
- You don't want to? - I don't like Bogdan.
Come on, mom.
We don't have to hang out with them, we can be alone.
I can't go away, I need to be here.
Where?
At home.
- Why? - Don't touch me.
Will you buy me real skis?
Wooden ones, not plastic ones.
You're drinking on a Sunday?
Way to go.
So I can't have a drink at dinner?
- You didn't drink before. - And you weren't a cold bitch.
What are you doing?
- Touch me. - What happened?
Touch me.
- I don't know what's going on with you. - Touch me.
Touch me.
Please, touch me.
Touch me, look at me.
- Look at me! - Fuck, Agata, tell me what's going on!
Wait, stay in me.
Stay in me.
I'm looking for a film for my daughter.
Can you recommend something?
And an adult film.
Is it hard for you since your wife died?
Put it on my account, please.
Mum!
Mum, are you there?
Mum! Come on, let me in!
Mum, let me in!
Mum!
The time we spend in school is special for all of us.
Students, teachers, staff - we all become one big family.
Friends.
Our world is also shaped by special events.
They bring our school family together,
but they are also a part of out town's history.
Today is one of those days,
a day our school is named after the Solidarity movement.
Dear Maria, we bid you farewell.
It is fulfilled.
The mission is complete.
The goblet is empty,
suffering experienced.
Salvation of the world,
death fought off,
sin overpowered,
the gate of life is open,
freedom regained.
This is the paschal paradox of the cross
which represents our salvation,
the passage from death to life.
We believe this is Maria's path.
Death changes us.
The end in fidelity and love
is a fulfillment.
Maria left us fulfilled as mother and wife.
How are you?
Have you eaten?
Are you hungry?
You have to eat.
It will get better, you'll see.
I've just buried my wife.
Hello?
No, you don't have to come to me.
Just send the kids' papers to the school office.
You're welcome.
Zieliinska will be on a sick leave till the end of the week, she just called.
Madame Principal?
Let Piniewska or Furman fill in for her, either one.
Two signatures.
- Who's last in line? - I guess I am.
Next patient, please.
Next!
Good morning, Madame Principal, come in.
Sit down, please.
Excuse me for a moment.
- What seems to be the problem? - I can't sleep.
Stop it, someone might see us.
You left the other night. Why?
I need to be with my Wiola, she just lost her mother.
And you don't have to be with me?
I'm sorry I came here, I didn't know what to do,
I haven't heard from you for a couple of days.
Come tonight.
I can't, I'm going to Toruun tonight, they need me at the clinic.
For how long?
I don't know, 2-3 days, maybe a week.
What?
Stop smoking those damned cigs, they're all I can smell.
I have to go, I've got a round.
Don't worry.
I'll call you as soon as I come back.
I'm not sure I can decipher mum's writing.
One packet of butter,
one and a half glass of sugar, four to five tablespoons of coco.
And something to do with cake?
Fuck, I don't have aroma.
- Who is the cake for? - For you.
You never tell me anything.
Not from the bottle.
What?
Will you come to our class tomorrow?
The kids finished the routine, maybe you can give us some advice?
I'll come.
Really?
How many eggs?
Teachers working in harmful conditions are entitled to a bonus
of 800 zloty per month for first level harmfulness,
1000 zloty per month for second level harmfulness,
1200 zloty per month for third level harmfulness.
In case the person is entitled to bonus from paragraphs 1
and to a bonus from paragraphs 16 or 17,
the teacher receives both bonuses.
Good morning.
- Thank you! - Good morning.
- So, you think everything will fly? - It'll blow up!
- The school too? - Don't listen to her, Wiola.
How do you know? You haven't seen it before.
Just look at Holy Mary's scars. 5 minutes ago they were just up to the neck
and now they're already by the arm.
- They are bigger. - You think they'll reach the heart?
When they do, it's the end of the world. Everything will blow up.
I'll see my mum then.
Come on, let's get started! Chop chop!
Ready?
Positions!
Hurry up!
Two, three, Hollywood.
Two, three, cha cha cha.
Turn! Two, three, cha cha cha,
Two, three, cha cha cha.
Hand! Two, three, cha cha cha.
Two, three... Buttocks in!
Good, Wiola!
- Wiola, let's go. - Okay.
- I'll wait in the car. - Okay.
I thought you were in Toruun.
I didn't want to leave Wiola alone.
Last minute decision.
And you forgot to tell me?
Dad!
Tomorrow at noon, in the cafe.
What's up?
I have to run, I'll call you.
Pass it!
He didn't make it!
My in-laws are in.
Do you think I care?
Listen, I'm sorry I didn't come
but they've been sitting here all day.
You should have thought of something.
Do you think I'm some stupid whore you can play games with?
What was I supposed to do?
Tell them I'm meeting my lover?
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow at noon.
I'll sneak away from the hospital for half an hour.
Are you sure?
Don't be late.
And you just realized it now?
I can't do it to her.
Do what?
You have pangs of conscience, you're going through her death.
I understand that.
But it will be all right.
Iza, it's over.
I've never asked you for anything, all these years.
Six years, and I agreed to everything.
- I never got in your way. - I know.
I'm sorry.
I'll get the check.
Good morning, Principal. Mirowski got his grade up.
Why are you sitting here? It's the long break.
Get your coats and go out. Go on!
Why are you doing this?
Can you tell me?
Can you?
What do you want to achieve with this?
Speak!
- I'll do anything. - What?
For you.
Anything?
So jump.
Come on, jump.
Do it again and I'll kill you.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
I lost my keys, I need to sleep at your place.
- Are you drunk? - Will you sleep with me,
like when we were little?
- What's going on? - Will you?
Yes.
Good.
Eat something.
You hear me?
Are you happy?
Yes.
Me too.
It's very decent of us.
- Do you have a cigarette? - No.
You don't remember me, do you?
Czajkowski, class 6D.
You failed me.
I had to repeat a year.
Madam Principal, shall we meet again?
Even if Moscow withdrew all its divisions from Eastern Europe.
USSR is still a force capable
of a successful attack on the US
and can threaten its allies in Europe.
Gregor Gysi, chairman of the East German SED-PDS party, met with Mikhail Gorbachev
to discuss the idea of the gradual unification of both German countries
presented yesterday by the premier of East Germany, Hans Modrow.
"The problem of the unification of Germany was brought to us by history itself"
said Gregor Gysi at a press conference.
”But it should happen gradually, as an element of a global European process,
considering the interests of the four superpowers, and other European countries.
At the last stage of unification,
German military neutrality would be insufficient.
We should rather aim for a full demilitarization of the country.
We would be the first on the continent to take such a decisive action”
said the chairman of SED.
Wait, listen to me!
Wiola, wait!
Wiola!
Wiola, wait!
Wiola!
Wiola, wait!
Wiola! Come back!
In Russian I loved you
Silently, without hope, fully
In diffidence, in jealousy, in pain
I loved you so tenderly and truly
As let you else be loved by any man
What is the poem about?
- Wiola? - Maybe not.
The poem is about love.
The poet loves tenderly, passionately.
His love is pure, deep.
He is ready for almost anything.
And in the last sentence,
As let you else be loved by any man
he tells us that only God could love her as much as he does.
You've worked here too long anyway.
Time to rest.
Do you have any questions?
The English teacher comes on the 26th,
I want you to fill her in.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Goodbye.
- I've been waiting for two hours! - Oh, come on.
- What could I do, call from a booth? - Yeah, exactly!
- I went for a walk! - You're ignoring me!
- Why didn't you go to sleep? - Where? Where did you walk?
- Around the building. - Around the building?
- Yeah. - For two hours?
- Yeah, for two hours. - Where are you going?
I'm talking to you! And you? Where are you going?
Magosia!
Happy now? Happy?
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Something fell down. - Yes.
- Good night. - Good night.
- Please, it's really important to me. - I'm sorry, but it's full.
Is there nothing you can do?
Edyta, check Marzena Klencner's schedule, please.
Any hour will do.
All days?
Yeah, I know. Okay.
I'm sorry, it's full.
Try again in April. We have a group of patients from West Germany now.
- Fuck your April. - Hello.
I'd like a swimming pool pass.
- How much is it? - 30,000.
In German Two!
Three! Four!
Five! Six!
Seven! Eight!
Once again! One! Two!
Three! Four!
Five! Six! Seven! Eight!
Arms up!
Knees up!
And to the side! One! Two!
Three! Four! Five! Six!
Seven! Eight!
Once again! One! Two!
Three! Four! Five! Six!
Seven! Eight! Both arms to the sides!
One! Two! Three! Four!
Five! Six! Seven! Eight!
One! Two!
Don't run on the corridor!
He'll only be here for one night.
He's a photographer from Warsaw.
I couldn't make it after the pageant, so maybe I could try now?
- How did you get his number? - From a newspaper ad.
- Excuse me, Principal, can I have a word? - Of course.
- Edek called? - He must be good.
- He worked with models. - Wait here.
Marzena, come here.
I bought a swimming cap. For April.
Are you okay?
I didn't see the last step.
Can you try to stand up?
Nice and slow.
All right? Don't, I'll get that later.
I'll walk with you.
- Where are your keys? - In my purse.
Are you sure you don't want me to call anyone?
I already have a phone at home.
It's no trouble.
Do you want to take off your coat?
- Yes? - Yes.
Boots?
And you have to change the blouse.
- Today is the first time we talked. - Yeah?
Yes. Usually we just nod at each other.
- And the skirt. - Excuse me?
It's dirty, you need to change it.
Will you have dinner with me? I managed to get white sausage.
You live here long.
- Five years. - Six.
- Yeah? - It'll be six in June.
That's right.
Just after the wedding.
You remember it better than I do.
And when did you move in?
12 years ago, we came here before the Martial Law.
With whom?
- With my... sister. - I don't remember her.
She died.
- When can we get our tests back? - Later.
Ms Marzena!
- Oh, good morning. - I thought I saw you.
- How is your hand? - Still hurts.
- What are you doing now? - Nothing.
Good. Just give me 15 minutes to talk to my sister, okay?
Fuck, it's cold!
Fuck!
Let's start!
Stand in your positions.
Remember, the posture.
Back straight, elbows high.
Neck stretched, chin up.
- I'll start counting: one, two.. - And if we get it wrong?
Nobody will notice at the wedding, I promise you.
And I start counting. One two three, one two three.
One two three, one, two three...
Okay, let's try it with music.
It's easy, I'll show you.
I'll be the man.
You have very small hands, my mom had hands like yours.
Left leg back.
Ready?
And...
You know how to dance.
- Hello. - Hello.
- The pain in my hand is almost gone. - I'm glad.
Will you come in for a second? I wanted to thank you.
- Right now? - If you have a moment.
- Maybe later. - I'll be waiting, all right?
This fucking bitch!
This fucking whore!
I had a few offers after the pageant.
I did.
Stand sideways.
The other side.
Left leg to the front.
Hand on the hip.
Turn to me a little.
Yeah, that's good.
The same thing on the other side.
Exactly the same, leg forward.
Very good, turn a little to me.
Great. Head up.
Very good.
Give me your front.
Cross your legs.
Put the bottle down, please.
Shoulders to the side.
Now the other side.
Look at the camera.
Too much.
- I need to go to the bathroom. - Not now.
We'll take two more photos.
You look great, very good, hair is good.
Good.
Show me the arm.
And the other one.
You live alone?
Shoulders to the side.
Good.
Very good. This is nice.
Show me your back. Beautiful back.
Written and directed by
director of photography
production designer
sound
edited by
costume designer
makeup
production manager
produced by
co-producers
cast
also starring
English translation - Agata Rudowska
co-financed by the Polish Film Institute