Polarized (2023)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Director: Shamim Sarif
Stars: Holly Deveaux, Maxine Denis, Tara Samuel, Baraka Rahmani, Paul Essiembre
Plot: Lisa, an aspiring songwriter, whose farming family has suffered foreclosure is forced to work at a new, ‘urban farm’ where she meets Dalia. Her casual racism leads her to be fired but the women end up drawn into a passionate affair.
* * *
♪
♪ I put a spell on you ♪
♪ ‘Cause you’re mine ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ You better stop the things you do ♪
♪ I ain’t lyin’ ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-lyin ♪
♪ I can’t stand it ♪
♪ You’re running around ♪
♪ I can’t stand it when you put me down ♪
♪ La-la-la-la ♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪ Because you’re mine ♪
♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪
♪ I put a spell on you ♪
♪ Because you’re mine ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ You better stop the things you do ♪
♪
♪ I ain’t lyin’ ♪
♪ La-la-la-lyin, lyin’ ♪
♪ I love you ♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪ I love you anyhow ♪
♪ And I don’t care if you don’t want me ♪
♪ I’m yours right now ♪
♪ I put a spell on you ♪
♪ Because you’re mine ♪
♪
♪ You’re mine ♪
♪
♪ You’re mine ♪
♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪
Rednecks.
(clearing throat)
I just think Agritech is so scientific.
We have an image problem. Even with buyers.
I mean, we’ve moved to a small town
because land is cheap.
Why not buy more of it?
We’ll put up barns. Do pony rides, events, weddings.
Create something that looks like a real farm.
We are a real farm.
What you want is just cosmetic.
What do you think, Ammo?
Tarek: It’s a good idea.
(birds chirping and dog barking)
Lisa: I’ll do the rest of these later.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
I made you a sandwich.
I’m late.
No, save you paying for lunch.
They have snacks and stuff at work.
Yeah, well they can afford it
now they’ve driven the rest of us out of business.
(sighing)
You’re taking that to work?
Yeah, I thought I’d practise at lunch.
♪
♪ When you’re like a broken bird tell Heaven ♪
♪
♪ Battered wings against a darkened day ♪
♪
♪ When your worries won’t let you sleep ♪
♪ Tell Heaven ♪
♪
♪ When the tears won’t ever go away ♪
(sighing)
Hey. Settling in okay?
Yeah.
Great.
Thanks.
Hey.
Hey.
What’s up?
I just finished clearing out our old place this morning.
(whispering) Shit. Hey, come here.
Millie’s later? Take your mind off it.
Maybe.
Marjorie: Ow!
(wincing)
Oh, my God.
Hey, go get the first aid kit.
Are you okay?
The cutters were up the wrong way.
Are you dizzy?
No, I’m okay.
There should’ve been covers on those cutters.
Oh, I should’ve checked them before I picked them up.
It’s not you. It’s them.
Lisa!
♪
Can I help you? Excuse me!
I have a complaint.
Then you can see me.
Come on in.
Where’s your uniform, Lisa?
It’s wrapped around Marjorie’s hand.
She cut it, just now.
Do we need a doctor?
What we need are better safety procedures and systems.
You’ve been a farmer here for three weeks now.
“Farmer”. Right.
So how do you know what systems we need?
Because my dad used to have a real farm
a mile down that road.
That really doesn’t answer my question.
We’re much more technical than an old-style farm.
I mean safety.
There are rules to follow in this country.
“In this country”? What is that supposed to mean?
It means there are rules to protect people like us.
“People like us”?
Workers.
Let me tell you something about rules, Lisa.
There are hundreds of them
and, actually, we comply with every single one.
If you think you can improve something, let me know.
But don’t come in here talking about “this country”
like I don’t belong here.
Do you? (sighing)
You know what? You’re fired.
I’m entitled to notice.
Entitled?
Yeah, you definitely are.
You can have your notice, but not here.
♪
(Arabic music playing)
♪
Hey.
I thought you were working.
No. No.
Preacher on radio: We should want to know that we are living
in obedience to Christ, and his teachings in baptism
is no different.
The Bible is very clear about that.
Jesus said that we…
(sighing) Listening to stuff all day is gonna make you depressed.
So does foreclosure and cancer.
(sighing) Dad!
Just…
Don’t joke about it.
Look. I got you these.
Oh, no.
Try one.
Come on. They’re good for you.
Those are something. They’re sweet.
Yeah. I got them from work.
Jill: You talking to that radio again?
Lisa is home.
Oh. What happened?
Some computer thing.
They sent us home early.
(scoffing) Computers on a farm.
I hate to ask, but, um,
you think they’d give you an advance on wages?
I never thought I’d worry about rent.
I’ll take care of rent.
Um, what do you want for dinner?
I think I might see Ben.
Oh?
Okay. (sewing machine running)
Jill: There she goes.
Sam: She’s talented.
Jill: Well, you know how many talented people never make it.
(sewing machine running)
(humming)
Hey, you.
No traffic?
Oh, they settled out of court.
I left early.
(singing in Arabic)
Hi!
Dalia, you’re late.
We have to choose for the wedding.
You know Omar’s late too, right?
Omar works in town, mama.
Lucky Omar. I miss it.
Reem: Anyway, Omar is the man.
Oh, the man?
Right, I forgot. Men can’t choose food.
This is cappuccino of tabbouleh.
It’s modern Palestinian cuisine.
You know, we can move away from the whole
Middle Eastern thing, right?
What do you want? Meatloaf and mashed potatoes?
(others laughing)
Omar, how’s work?
Good, thanks. How’s it going at Agritech?
I have a lot of ideas for our growth.
Oh, well, Dalia never mentioned that.
Oh, well, to be honest, I’m not hassling her
with every detail.
She has a lot to do before the wedding
and after that, well…
And after the wedding, Dalia plans to keep working.
The business means a lot to her, so–
It does. I mean, it was her idea.
Okay, but you two will wanna have kids, right?
Sure.
Okay.
How was work?
Dalia fired a farmer.
She was kinda racist.
Good for you then.
I just wonder if firing her
made us seem more like the enemy, habibti?
Omar: Workplaces need to have a zero-tolerance policy
on that stuff, Ammo.
I know, but this town is not like where we used to live.
People need time to get used to us.
Baba, we didn’t land from Mars.
There are Palestinians in Stonewall.
Yeah, like all twenty of us.
Dalia: Whatever.
Why should Lisa’s racism be my problem?
You need a cool head to run a business, Dalia,
and a family.
He’s asleep, yalla. Take him up.
Why don’t you take him up?
I need to speak with your father.
Go ahead.
Sayeed: Night, Baba.
Zein: Say goodnight, everyone.
Goodnight, Sido.
Goodnight.
Aren’t you late?
Oh, they don’t need me today.
What?
They just pick and choose when you work?
How are you supposed to make a living like that?
(sighing)
How’d you get in here?
(sighing) You didn’t change the back door code.
What do you need?
What I said to you the other day.
I’ve been going over it a lot. In my head. (sighing)
And?
I don’t wanna make excuses.
I just… I wanted to apologize.
Do you wanna sit?
(clearing throat) Thanks.
I was having a shitty day when I came into work.
I’d just packed up our farm We lost it to the bank.
You know, we lost our land too. Back in Palestine.
Urban farmers move in?
This town was dying long before we got here.
That’s not how people see it.
What did you grow on your farm?
Corn, soybeans.
See much overlap with what we grow here?
What happened to your place in, uh, Palestine?
Our water supply was diverted.
We couldn’t do anything about it,
except watch everything die.
It was totally out of our control.
Is that why you only hire Arabs in the tech room?
To help your community?
Why? Is that something you wanna do?
Not really.
But, you want your job back?
Yeah. (sighing)
But, I need to tell you something first.
I stole a box of produce after you fired me.
It’s just that my dad has cancer
and everything’s organic.
And it tastes amazing.
Yeah, well, that’s Agritech. “The way food used to taste.”
(laughing)
(both laughing)
(sighing)
You know, I’d have never known.
Yeah, but it’s stealing.
I don’t wanna miss out on paradise
for a box of strawberries.
Look, take whatever your Dad likes whenever you need more.
What? No.
I don’t want this because you feel bad about my dad.
It’s not that. It’s not that.
I’m getting married in a month and it’ll be a lot easier for me
if you just came back.
Okay.
You can just call me Dalia.
Well, thanks. Dalia.
Yeah.
(sniffling) Okay.
♪
Yeah, so I’m just adding a method
to regulate the irrigation.
Okay, so if that–
Merhaba.
What’s that girl doing back here?
Lisa? I hired her back.
I don’t remember us discussing that.
And I don’t remember needing to check everything with you.
Sorry about that. Um, okay…
(restaurant playing Arabic music)
Hey, Nancy.
Nancy: Hey.
What’s goin’ on?
Nancy: Not much.
What are you two bad boys up to?
You like this racket?
It’s better than that fuckin’ Patsy Cline shit
that Millie plays all day long.
Yeah, well, that shit we grew up on.
(Nancy scoffing)
(Arabic music playing)
How you doin’?
Ali, the chili in that falafel really blew my head off.
So, it was good, huh?
Oh, man!
You wanna make sure to keep your music turned down?
Yes, officer.
♪
$11.50.
I’ll spot ya.
No, it’s good.
Just toss it on my tab.
Your tab is already over the limits.
Officer.
♪
Pastor Joe: Just breathe.
Feel it.
The laying on of hands is power.
It is belief. It is baptism.
It is healing, because we know
there is no miracle that God cannot work.
Thank you.
And now, I think I’ll leave it there,
because, I’m feeling like you’re all a bit hungry,
and the next thing you wanna be laying hands on
is Jill’s tuna bake and Mary’s red velvet cake.
(congregation laughing)
Thank you.
Pastor Joe. That was so moving, Pastor Joe.
Thank you.
Sometimes I do feel like I go on a bit too long.
Oh, no.
Just a little.
Sam, your diagnosis,
it’s just doctors.
There’s always prayer.
Jill: Thank you so much.
(sniffling and coughing)
Lisa: Hey, Casey.
You should come over later. Dad’s been asking about you.
Yeah.
Bro!
Hey.
The guys missed you on the weekend.
Oh, yeah, well, just wait until you have a wife
and baby on the way.
I believe it.
♪
(Jill breathing deeply)
Jill: Lord, bless this family
and give us the strength to face the trials that you send us
knowing there is paradise to come, amen.
Sam: Amen.
Amen.
You know,
crazy thing is–
(laughing) I feel okay.
Jill: Eat something.
♪
(sighing)
Mama.
Habibti?
I can do both. Work and the wedding.
Agritech means the world to me.
I know, mama.
Agritech is important and you made a good business,
but it is not the world, not like a family,
like what you have with Omar.
Zein: Oof! The baby’s down finally!
Imagine having another one.
Reem: We’re not imagining. It’s happening.
Can’t Sayeed help out?
Sayeed has to work all day.
Right, because it’s the 21st century everywhere,
but in this house,
where 1950 is alive and well, mashallah.
(laughing)
I don’t like it.
No? You don’t like it?
No.
(Zein sighing)
(Lisa singing indistinctly)
♪ They’ll bark ♪
♪ They’ll bark… ♪
♪ For there across the sea ♪
♪ Another heart ♪
♪ Waits patiently for me ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ For me… ♪
♪ Tethered ties ♪
♪ Steel heart lies ♪
♪ I feel a storm is coming fast ♪
♪ In a box beneath the willow ♪
♪ Lies my past ♪
(humming)
What was that song?
Um, it’s just, uh…
(clearing throat) I wrote it.
What?
It was really good.
Thanks. What?
You’re surprised I could write something good?
That’s not what I meant.
Lis, it’s time.
Okay.
Hey, I wanted to ask if it would be all right
if I could practise in here sometimes after work.
It’s just I don’t wanna disturb my dad at home.
Yeah, of course. It’s totally fine.
Thanks.
♪
Bye, Ammo Kareem.
Reem: Yalla. Bye.
Bye, Ali. Bye, Dalia.
Hey.
Hey.
What’s goin’ on?
Um, we had some greens headed for the trash.
I shoulda asked, but I thought that I’d try Millie’s.
She won’t buy from us.
Yeah, I even offered them at half price.
It’s not the price.
I get that now.
Just take ’em home or give ’em away.
(horn honking)
(sighing) Listen, do you have somewhere you need to be?
No.
Do you wanna grab a drink?
Sure.
Great. Gimme a second.
Bye, Mama.
Where do you wanna go?
Uhh…
I know a place.
Great, okay.
(crickets chirping)
(sighing)
I probably shoulda just brought us to a bar
or somethin’.
No, no, I’m glad you brought me here.
It’s beautiful. Really.
Yeah?
Yeah.
(sighing deeply)
I just can’t stop thinking about it as home.
My room was right up there,
and it was my dad’s,
and my grandfather’s.
Three generations on this farm.
I can see why it means so much to you.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yeah, a brother. Casey.
He’s a cop.
Wow.
He never really liked being outside much.
So you took care of everything?
You know what it’s like.
You have problems with your brother at work
sometimes, right?
Oh, Sayeed’s not my brother.
He’s married to my sister, Zein.
She doesn’t work at Agritech?
No.
In my family, you go to university
because education is important,
but then they sorta expect the women to get married,
stay home, have babies.
Wow. That’s kinda like my family.
Yeah?
Yep.
Except without the college part.
(both laughing)
(engine running)
This is it.
It’s nice. It’s huge.
It’s partly why we moved here,
to have a place where we could all live together.
Oh.
Thanks, Lisa.
For the ride, and for showing me your farm.
Bye.
See you tomorrow.
Tarek: Hi, habibti.
Waiting by the door, Baba?
No, no, I heard an engine.
(engine starting)
♪
♪ Don’t forget about me ♪
♪ When you sleep ♪
♪ Don’t forget about me ♪
♪ When you leave ♪
♪ ‘Cause day after day ♪
♪ This love grows ♪
♪ And in so many ways ♪
♪ This love knows ♪
♪ How my heart is dyin’, tryin’ ♪
♪ Fightin’ all this passion ♪
♪ Inside me ♪
Hey.
Hey.
Hey.
Dalia, what’s going on?
I thought you’d be happy.
I am, but, floor manager?
I mean, there are others that have been here
way longer than me.
Yeah, but you showed initiative on the sales,
did the safety audit without being asked.
Dalia’s right, Lisa. You earned this promotion.
Well done.
Thank you. Right.
(both laughing)
Good job re-hiring her, habibti.
Well done.
♪
♪ I’m goin’ down to Florence ♪
♪ Gonna wear a pretty dress ♪
♪
♪ I’ll sit atop the magic wall ♪
♪ With the voices in my head ♪
♪
♪ Then I’ll drive on through to Memphis ♪
♪ Pass the strongest shows ♪
Oof, yeah, if anyone starts square dancing,
I’m outta here.
(others laughing)
I’m guessing there’s nothing halal there.
Why? The hog roast.
(laughing)
Careful on this one.
I’m okay.
(wincing) Ben: Hey, Mr. Fairwell.
Hey, let me get you to a seat.
Lisa: It’s all good. It’s fine.
Oh, Ben.
Thank you.
Jill: Good to see you.
Hey, Casey.
You got him, Ben?
Yeah, man.
Jill: Get over here.
Mom, hi.
You know, I remember this festival.
When I was in–
Both: In high school, yeah.
(laughing) Okay.
(all laughing)
Listen. I’ll be right back.
Hey, where are you going?
I’m just gonna say hello.
Oh, well, here they come.
Mom, shh!
Hi.
Hi.
Uh, Mom, Dad, Casey,
this is my boss, Dalia.
Oh, well, you seem very young to be the boss.
Thank you.
Mr. Fairwell, how are you feeling?
Oh, not too bad. Thanks for asking.
Good. Pastor Joe, nice to see you.
You too, Daylia.
You know, the fair looks beautiful.
Agritech has really spruced up the place.
Oh, sunshine helps. Great weather we’re having.
Well, it was great to meet you all.
Uh, I’m gonna… Bye.
So, how do you know Pastor Joe?
He’s called on us before.
To see if he could get us to come to church.
Oh.
You live close by?
Uh, yeah.
I live, um, right there.
That really is close.
Yeah.
(both laughing)
Maybe I should get back.
Yeah, me too.
Mm. These are good.
It’s the way food used to taste.
Maybe it’s because they don’t have six generations
of pesticides all over ’em.
Wow. The boss is nice to you,
and suddenly you’re just drinking the Kool-Aid?
(laughing) I’m gonna go check on my dad.
Hey, come on.
Lis, don’t be like that. Come on.
Announcer: And now, put your hands together
for Stonewall’s own Lisa Fairwell.
(crowd applauding and cheering)
♪ Just moved in to a city bright light ♪
♪
♪ Skyline spreadin’ out ♪
♪ For miles ♪
♪ And though one would think ♪
♪ I am lonely ♪
♪ My world exists ♪
♪ In one love’s smile ♪
♪ Eyes closed ♪
♪ Heart blind ♪
♪ Baby, seems to me ♪
♪ You’re the answer to everything ♪
♪ All questions silenced ♪
♪ In a moment ♪
♪ Lay down by the stream ♪
♪ Live out any young love’s dream ♪
♪ I’m sayin’ words I’ve never spoken ♪
♪ I think I’m fallin’ for you ♪
♪
♪ Feel the eyes of others watchin’ ♪
♪
♪ But I’ve only got eyes for you ♪
♪ I think I’m fallin’ ♪
♪ For you ♪
♪ I think I’m fallin’ for you ♪
(crowd applauding and cheering)
That was amazing.
Did you save me any barbequed roadkill?
(laughing) It’s really not that bad.
You have been gone from the city way too long.
Ah. Maybe.
(laughing) You want another drink?
Yeah.
Okay.
How much have you had?
One glass, but you know, it was like a beer glass.
(both laughing)
All right, stay right here.
I will fight my way through.
Thanks.
♪
Hey.
What are you doing down here?
Party’s not your thing?
I was heading home, but, I didn’t wanna be there either.
You were totally amazing on stage.
I mean, so good.
Really?
Really.
I was holding my breath.
You need to do something with your music.
I had plans,
but it’ll never turn into anything for me.
You can’t make money writing songs.
People do.
A few, maybe.
Right. So why not you?
♪ I wish ♪
♪ I woulda laid my hands on you ♪
♪ Shown you a thing or two ♪
I should…
♪ I wish I’d have pushed you against the wall ♪
Omar will be looking for me.
♪ Windows indiscreet ♪
♪ I wish you’da laid your hands on me ♪
♪ That kind gonna bring you to your knees ♪
Hey, did I do something?
What?
No. Why, habibi?
You’ve just been distant the whole night.
I’m sorry. I’m fine.
Let me sneak in?
And risk the firing squad?
(laughing) Dalia, it’s so late.
Omar, habibi, drive home safely.
Thanks, Aunty.
Bye, Dalia.
Bye, Omar.
Come on.
Yalla.
It’s bedtime.
So? What do you think?
I like the idea of a real farm. It’s good for our image.
Can we just stop calling it a “real farm”?
If it helps sales, then fine.
Sayeed: Good.
There are places either side of us that can work.
Sayeed: Dalia?
Yes, sure.
Listen. I need to go check on something.
Her mind is on the wedding, and then it’ll be kids.
Hi.
Hi.
I’ve been thinking that I should quit.
No. No.
It was a moment. Too much wine.
I don’t drink.
You know what I mean.
Do you think it’s wrong?
No. No, I don’t think it’s wrong.
I mean for me it is. I’m getting married.
Ben: Hey, Lis.
Hey, where’s that kale?
Just give me five. Okay, Ben?
Okay.
♪
I gotta get some kale.
♪
Hey, there.
Come to pray for your dad?
I just wanted some time alone.
♪
(sighing)
♪
Kareem: Good morning, Nancy.
Nancy: Good morning, Sir.
How are you doing today?
I am well, thank you.
Coffee on?
Yes, I have the coffee brewing.
Do you want to join me for a coffee this morning, Nancy?
I would love one.
I got nothing but time.
Well, let me tell you something.
What is that?
It’s gonna be a nice day.
Dalia: Okay, great.
Thank you.
Hi.
Weekly report.
Great.
Want me to run you through it?
No, that’s fine. Thank you.
♪ Ache for those summers ♪
(playing chords)
♪ That harvest moon ♪
♪ Fall ♪
♪ Time stretched thin, still we ♪
♪ Barely basked in it ♪
♪ All ♪
♪
♪ Smell of the fields ♪
♪ Sky ♪
♪ Traded for man-made things ♪
♪ On our last goodbye ♪
♪ It’s a cruel ♪
♪ Joke ♪
♪ Only you ♪
♪ Already know ♪
♪ The punchline ♪
(exhaling)
Preacher on Radio: Jesus is the same yesterday,
today, and forever.
This simple fact gives us all the confidence we ever need
to face the uncertainty about the future,
and do you know why?
The absolute certainty that
Jesus Christ was sent to save us
and he is always with us–
Hey, dad.
Hey.
And he will never leave us.
I got you some energy drinks.
Preacher: Are you trusting in
him as your saviour? As your shepherd?
As your-(radio shutting off)
Your mother is worried about the state of my soul.
(sighing)
Dad, do you still…
…believe in God’s will and all that?
After losing the farm and getting sick and…
…everything?
It wasn’t God who lost our farm.
It was me.
(sighing)
Don’t say that.
I miss our house, though.
Maybe I wouldn’t be this scared there.
(birds chirping)
There.
Now you can hear the birds.
Both of them.
Let’s change this.
(groaning)
Nice, nice, nice.
(shivering)
(panting)
♪
You shouldn’t be running around me on your day off.
What else am I going to do, huh?
Go bowling with Ben.
(sighing)
Mom put you up to that.
Write a song, then.
What are you doing?
Just sitting with you.
Get out of here.
Go, go, go.
Okay.
(sighing) My car keys.
I know it’s last minute, Dalia,
but I can still join this meeting
so Health World get to know me.
They want someone to explain the science.
Which farmer are you taking? Lisa?
She really impressed me since she came back.
No, I asked Ben.
Ah.
But Lisa’s a floor manager.
Right, she has a lot to do here.
Bye, Baba.
Bye.
Dalia.
Yeah, we agreed. It’s far and the meeting’s at 5:00,
and then tomorrow I’ll pick up the wedding stuff
with Uncle Fadi.
They want to meet a floor farmer,
otherwise I would have sent Sayeed with you.
You promoted her. Give her this chance.
Get her a toothbrush and a change of clothes.
Baba, I have a credit card.
Take care, Baba.
Sorry, we’re not going to be able to, uh,
send you on this trip.
(sighing)
So, I didn’t ask you to come because–
What do I have to say at this meeting?
They’ll probably ask about sustainability.
We use much less water than traditional farms.
No pesticides, maximize nutrition.
But you know all that stuff backwards.
I’m glad you’re with me, to be honest.
I didn’t know what I’d talk to Ben about for three hours.
I mean, he’s a nice guy, I know that you two are–
Oh, wow. Amazing.
What?
Everyone assumes the same thing, that there’s this plan that
I’m going to marry Ben or some version of Ben,
just like my mom and her mom before her,
and it’s-God.
(sighing)
You do get there’s a whole world outside Stonewall, right?
Where you could write music,
play it.
Meet other people.
People?
You mean women.
You asked me if I thought it was wrong.
It’s not wrong, Lisa.
Yeah.
But I’ve never done anything about it,
until the other night.
I’m sorry, I–
I shouldn’t have kissed you.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I brushed over it.
I’m sorry I made you feel like it didn’t mean anything.
It did?
Yeah. It did.
But…
(sighing)
Well, when I think about Omar…
He’s like the other half of me,
we’ve been friends since we were kids,
and I don’t want to hurt him.
So, what I felt that night when we, you know…
It was like this separate thing.
It didn’t feel like real life.
Does that make sense?
It’s the only thing that felt like real life to me.
♪ (singing in Arabic) ♪
Sayeed: What do you think, Ammo?
It’s a beautiful spot.
We could put more controlled space where those barns were,
out here a farm shop.
Over there a proper event space,
a small hotel even, down the line.
♪
♪
Do you know how much fresh water traditional agriculture uses?
Why don’t you tell me?
70%.
But with droughts and fires and climate change, it’s…
You do believe in climate change, right?
(laughing)
You think the church knocked the scientific sense out of me.
I don’t know. It could have.
(laughing)
I mean, the Earth is flat.
(laughing)
I’ll give you that.
Alright.
(rattling)
Oh, what was that?
(car dinging)
Did I hit something?
What happened?
Oh, come on.
It’s going to take forever for a breakdown service.
Unless…
Do you know how to change a tire?
Is it the plaid shirt, or do you just assume I grew up
driving tractors all day?
I’ll find a mechanic.
So, you don’t know how to change a tire?
I never learned.
They didn’t cover that at Harvard Business School?
I didn’t go to Harvard.
And look where it got you.
What are you doing?
Well, I actually did grow up
driving tractors all day.
Well, can I help?
Uh…
You could turn up the music.
Okay.
(dinging)
(music turning up)
Oh, here. I got that.
Thanks.
♪
You’re lucky you brought me along.
Ben can’t even change a lightbulb.
(chuckling)
(laughing)
Okay.
Thank you very much for your time.
Great meeting.
Great meeting, thank you.
Thank you.
♪
♪ It’s 3:00 am and I’m packing a suitcase ♪
♪ It’s been a long time coming and I’m wearing thin ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
I watch their gigs online.
I just can’t believe I’m here.
Is this actual sawdust on the floor?
It’s for the beer spills.
(chuckling)
♪ Look at me now ♪
♪ As your walls come crashing down ♪
What do you think?
She’s good.
Yeah.
♪ It’s some time now ♪
♪ Since we sat in your sedan ♪
♪ Head on my shoulder ♪
That’ll be you one day.
♪ You were looking like half of a man ♪
No one’s waiting for my songs.
The world’s fine without them.
♪ They were all lies, yeah ♪
Yeah, but you’re not.
♪ Every last one was the perfect disguise ♪
♪ Mm, just look at me now ♪
♪ As your walls come crashing ♪
♪ Look at me now ♪
♪ As your walls come crashing ♪
♪ Look at me now ♪
♪ As your walls come crashing ♪
♪ Look at me now ♪
♪ As your walls come crashing ♪
♪ Down ♪
♪ It’s 3:00 am, I’m packing a suitcase ♪
Wait, I–
Thanks for tonight.
It was really special.
The music?
Yeah.
But also just…
I know.
Yeah?
Yeah.
(both breathing shakily)
Omar: Hey.
Omar. What are you–
Well, I thought I’d surprise you.
Hi. I’m Omar.
Dalia’s fiancé.
Lisa.
It’s good to meet you, Lisa.
I’ve been texting you all night.
I must have left my phone off.
Omar: Well, I just thought…
We never get a night alone together.
Right. I’m, um…
I’m just surprised. That’s all.
Yeah.
I’m going to head up.
Yeah.
No, hold on.
We’ll go up together.
Come on.
Okay.
Thanks for dinner and everything.
You’re welcome. Goodnight.
(door beeping)
(breathing heavily)
Not bad.
Yeah.
How’s the bed?
Oh, I don’t know.
Well, give me a minute.
We’ll find out.
(water running)
God, that was a long drive.
It’ll be so much better when we move to the city.
(thudding)
♪
Dalia: Sorry your dad’s not doing well.
We’ll be home soon.
Are you sure you don’t want to drive?
No thanks.
Unless you’re tired.
No. No, I’m fine.
Get some coffee. I’ll stay here.
(sighing)
(sniffling)
Stop crying.
I’m not dead yet.
What about the hospital, Dad?
Just to be more comfortable.
I always said I’d die in my own bed.
We should have stayed in the house.
What were they going to do? Evict us?
Yeah?
♪
(phone vibrating)
(clearing throat)
Hi. Do you need me to come back in?
I’m just checking on your dad.
And you.
Are you okay, Lisa?
(sighing)
Yeah.
I’m okay.
Thanks.
I gotta go.
Who was that? Ben?
My God.
Does Ben have to be the centre of the whole universe?
♪
Hey, Lisa.
Hey, I heard about your dad.
I’m so sorry, honey.
Teddy, I, um…
I want to get him back in the house.
He doesn’t have long and I, uh…
I have money.
I know that it’s not enough to–
Hey, hey. That’s your future there, now.
I want to use it for this.
Someone put in an offer to buy.
Who?
The Arabs.
The ones you work for.
♪
(sighing)
Sayeed: Lisa just quit.
She was asking for you, Dalia.
Tarek: Dalia.
What’s going on?
Did you know?
What?
Seriously?
Agritech is buying our farm.
I just came from the bank!
Oh.
You knew about this,
and you didn’t tell me!?
Lisa, what difference does it make?
The farm was for sale and someone was going to buy it.
So, why didn’t you tell me?
I didn’t think it mattered!
No, I didn’t mean it like that.
Lisa, I didn’t mean it like that.
Just-Just give me a second to explain.
Just–
I took you there,
I showed you where I grew up,
and all you’re thinking about is how to make a buck.
Just let me explain. Lisa. Lisa!
You should have told me before putting an offer on her farm.
It’s not her farm. It belongs to the bank.
The bank gave us a discount if we moved quickly.
I’m sorry Lisa’s upset about it.
Is that all she’s upset about?
She’s been nothing but trouble.
It’s like she’s got some kind of hold on you, Dalia.
You know what?
Your desperation to get me out of this business,
my business, is really sad to watch.
Dalia–
No, seriously, Sayeed!
Live your life how you want.
If Zein’s happy to stay home and iron your shirts
that’s fine, but do not come in here
and interfere with my life.
Tarek: Come on, Dalia. Calm down.
Please, habibti.
Get married, have your honeymoon.
And then when you come back your place is here for you, habibti.
We-We’re family.
Okay?
(crickets chirping)
(door closing)
How’s dad?
Sedated.
The pain.
Teddy called from the bank.
You’re kind, you know that?
Just to try.
Anyway, Agritech bought the farm.
Yeah.
I guess now they’ll build warehouses on our crop fields.
Don’t worry about that now.
Those people have no shame.
♪
(birds chirping)
Ben: Can I get a couple days off?
Lisa’s dad passed.
I want to help out,
arranging the funeral and whatever.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
I thought maybe she told you.
No.
Please, tell Lisa that I’m sorry.
Will do.
Thanks.
(Crow cawing)
Thank you so much, both of you, for coming.
(speaking indistinctly)
Mrs. Fairwell, I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m going to ask you to leave now.
I was just going to see Lisa.
No need.
I think you should stop
hanging around my daughter.
We’re friends, Mrs. Fairwell.
You have nothing in common with my girl.
You leave her alone.
Zein: There you are.
You look like you need a drink.
You have a hip flask hidden anywhere?
It’s only a matter of time.
Mama’s freaking out that you haven’t been shopping yet,
or booked a honeymoon, or had your legs waxed.
My legs are fine.
I figured.
I made that last one up.
If it’s last-minute jitters, it’ll pass, Dalia.
Trust me.
Yeah.
Yeah, I’m fine.
You know what your problem is, right?
You question everything.
You always have.
I love that about you, but sometimes–
What?
Maybe you overthink stuff.
Hey.
Hey.
You disappeared. What’s up?
Nothing.
Are you having second thoughts?
Omar.
Hey, remember when we were 10 years old?
New country, new school.
I had the strongest Arab accent, I couldn’t fit in.
Both of us did.
Yeah, but you never cared about
what the other kids thought.
I did.
But you never needed them or anyone.
I guess what I mean is…
…it would be great if you can think of
nothing else but the wedding.
And me.
But I don’t think that’s who you are.
That’s what I love about you.
Why don’t we go out? Change of scene.
Where to? Millie’s fucking Diner?
Watch your mouth!
Or we could go for a drive.
Wow, nightlife in Stonewall. Holy shit.
(sighing)
You know, there’s a whole big world out there, Ben.
You don’t have to stay in this place your whole life.
(dishes clattering)
Give her time.
She’s just upset.
No.
No, I think it’s something else.
♪
(singing in Arabic)
♪
Yeah, but you look so handsome.
Thank you.
(chuckling)
Sayeed: Auntie, do you have a rose for me?
You’re married to my rose.
Don’t I know it.
Wow.
♪
Do I look okay?
Tarek: You look wonderful, both of you.
♪
Yalla, let’s get you married.
♪
(cheering, applauding)
♪
Jill: The Lord’s presence is with us.
You’re doing his work.
There he is.
We should get going.
Joe: Well.
Shall we have a talk?
Lisa, your family and your friends, well…
We’re worried about you.
We’d like to talk about certain feelings you’ve been having.
Baby, this is for your own good.
What is?
You and Dalia are all over each other.
You know what, Ben? You don’t own me.
Lis, come on.
Casey, what are you doing?
Look, let’s just calm down.
You’re family.
And when we see someone we love
doing things that might hurt them,
we need to intervene.
Baby, baby. These urges that you’re having,
you can get over them.
Don’t touch me!
Lisa, Lisa.
Let me go. Let me go!
Like the temptation to drink or do drugs,
these-these urges, they can be overcome.
Think about it, Lisa.
Why can only men and women procreate
or be married in the eyes of the lord?
Everything else is just desires of the flesh.
Oh, my God. (breathing heavily)
No!
Let’s pray.
(grunting)
Please, trust me. Trust in God.
Dear Lord, give me the vision to see
the path I should take
to know that your guidance is always true.
Amen.
Casey, Ben and Jill: Amen.
(Lisa grunting)
Amen!
Casey, Ben and Jill: Amen.
Joe: Amen.
Casey, Ben and Jill: Amen.
Lisa, we can’t change unless
we admit there’s a problem.
Would you like to confess these feelings inside your body?
These impulses?
Fuck you. Fuck all of you.
Lay her down.
No.
I’ll get the holy water.
Stop!
We love you, Lisa. We love you and we are with the Lord.
(breathing)
(knocking)
(lock jiggling)
Jill: Baby? Open up.
(lock jiggling)
Baby, just come out so I can talk to you.
Just let me talk to you.
Baby, just come out.
♪ Ache for those summers ♪
♪ That harvest moon fall ♪
♪ Time stretched thin ♪
♪ Still I barely basked in it all ♪
♪ Blanket of snow, green painted night… ♪
♪ Sky ♪
♪ Traded for man-made things ♪
♪ On my last goodbye ♪
♪ It’s a cruel ♪
♪ Joke ♪
♪ Only you ♪
♪ Already know ♪
♪ The punchline ♪
♪ Longing for the days, swimming ‘neath the haze ♪
♪ Never any place so close to Heaven ♪
♪ Mosquitos in the heat, smell of gasoline ♪
♪ Fresh baked muffins straight out of the oven ♪
♪ First loves, mistakes ♪
♪ And I will wait ♪
♪ For you ♪
♪ Beneath the harvest moon ♪
♪ I will wait ♪
♪ For you ♪
♪ Beneath the harvest moon ♪
Woman: Are all your songs this sad?
I have a happier one.
Just one?
Pretty much. You want to hear it?
Come down here Tuesday at 9:00 and I’ll get you a spot.
Thanks.
There you go, hon.
Thanks.
Happy anniversary.
What?
Three months ago today we got married.
Can you believe it?
No, wow!
Here’s to three more years,
and then to another 30.
(glasses clinking)
(phone ringing)
Man: So, what kind of position are you looking for?
Okay.
(chuckling)
I forgot the olives for your mom, for the pickles.
We’ll get ’em next time.
Are you going to tell me what’s going on?
What do you mean?
You’ve just been somewhere else the whole time.
I don’t know how to explain it.
Hey, try.
I love you, Omar.
Since we were at school, I’ve loved you.
But I think I love you like…
What?
Like my best friend.
And I don’t think that’s enough for me, not for my whole life.
Is there someone else?
Nothing happened.
Really, it’s just…
She’s not even around anymore.
She?
Anymore? Are you kidding me?
You said you felt something was off.
Something, yes. This, no way!
Are you kidding me, right now?
Oh, my God.
You’re still in love with her.
(engine starting)
(sniffing)
(beeping)
$2.70.
No, in fact,
you owe me $133.12.
And $2.70.
Are you deaf?
Or just a loser who can’t pay for his Coke and gum?
Hey! Hey, stop it!
You have no idea what it’s fucking like.
Alright? You have no idea.
I am from Palestine, then Syria.
I have seen things you can’t ever imagine.
(laughing)
The fuck is so funny, Nancy?
I’m selling my TV.
I got all the entertainment I need right here.
(laughing)
Come on. Come on, let’s go.
Stay out here, asshole.
Shit.
Piss off.
I’m sorry.
You could file a complaint if you want.
His father died.
He’s lost his way.
Kind of.
(doorbells chiming)
(panting)
Is he pressing charges?
You deserve it.
What the fuck, Casey?
I don’t know, man. I don’t know what–
I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Really.
Take this. Baklava, to your mother.
For the funeral, your father.
The funeral already happened.
Take it. Take it.
It’s okay.
Thank you.
Kareem, or you can call me Abu Ali.
The father of Ali.
(phone ringing)
(sighing)
Oh, she’s here. (clearing throat)
Hey.
Hi.
Got your message.
You have to make it work.
I can’t, Baba.
Mama.
You have to settle down, you have to have a baby.
What about my happiness, Baba?
What do you mean, habibti?
What can make you happier than having a baby?
Sayeed: Is this even about Omar?
Stay out of this, Sayeed.
Reem: Dalia!
We saw you in the parking lot
with that girl, Lisa.
You obviously have feelings for her.
There’s something going on between you two.
Nothing is going on.
But, yes, I married Omar knowing I have feelings for Lisa.
I don’t understand.
So, now you are gay?
You know, there’s nothing wrong with being gay, Sayeed.
Look, I am getting a divorce
and this family will not fall apart.
You’re only part of this family if you respect your husband.
Okay? If you respect our honor.
Baba, I tried with Omar.
I can’t stay in this marriage.
Then you no longer belong here.
Or at Agritech.
Baba, you can’t say that!
No, no, no, no. What?
Baba.
Baba. Dalia!
Sayeed: We need to talk.
Yes, we do.
Zein.
Calm down, both of you.
Dalia. Dalia, wait! Please!
You shouldn’t have married Omar knowing you felt for this girl.
Poor man, you broke his heart.
I know.
Growing up, you and Zein always made fun of me
because I nagged you to get married and have babies,
and I wanted this for you
because I love your father so much.
I love being married to him.
I love having you both and having my grandson.
I just wanted this happiness for you, too.
I know.
Give your father time. Maybe he will come around.
Mama, thank you.
You see, you were wrong, you and Zein.
It is not 1950, even in my house.
♪
(phone ringing)
(sighing)
What do you want?
Mom needs your signature on the last papers for–
for Dad.
Haven’t you heard of email?
Yeah, well the lawyer needs it in person.
Certified or whatever. Um…
Look, Lisa. I’m sorry about the intervention.
I-I-I never should have let that happen, and–
Tell her I’ll come by tomorrow.
Just to sign.
♪
(phone ringing)
Lisa: Hello?
Hey.
I’m sorry I missed your call last night.
Lisa: Oh. That’s okay.
How are you, Lisa?
I’m fine. You?
Fine.
Listen, I interviewed for a job at Health World,
and they won’t hire me without a reference, so.
Oh, okay.
I know I quit on you, but I was–
Dalia: I don’t care about that.
I mean, I know why you quit,
and Lisa, I need you to know
I had no idea Sayeed would move in on buying a farm,
especially your farm, that fast.
I would never want to hurt you.
Listen, if you could just leave it at reception,
then I could come pick it up later.
You’re here?
In Stonewall?
Just today.
Okay, but, um…
About the letter, I actually can’t give it to you
at the office. It’s just, um–
Okay, well. Just forget it then.
(sighing)
Who was that?
Dalia.
(scoffing, laughing)
The nerve of her.
Even after I told her to leave you alone.
What?
What do you mean, Mom?
What do you mean, wh–
When did you see her?
She showed up at your father’s funeral.
(scoffing)
And I told her to stop
sniffing around you.
It is her influence that caused all this trouble.
I am only ever trying to protect you, baby.
That is-That is all I’m ever trying to do.
My whole life has been about you and Casey.
Right? Lis. Right?
(exhaling)
(sighing)
Dalia.
I’m sorry I hung up on you, I just–
Here’s the reference letter.
You know, the Health World guy is saying that they’re going to set up urban farms in the city.
Makes sense.
Yeah, yeah.
I thought you might be interested, or your family.
Anyway, I should go.
Lisa.
My family kicked me out of the business.
And the house.
Why, Dalia?
I told them I married Omar knowing I was in love with somebody else.
I’ve been so lost since you left.
It was like I’d finally felt something that was real life, and then it was gone.
You were gone.
And I couldn’t even get up in the morning.
Yeah?
I’m so sorry I pushed you away.
Can you say something?
♪
♪
You just disappeared.
I had to.
♪
(moaning)
Let’s go.
Let’s go.
Yeah.
