The Brutalist (2024)
Genre: Drama, History
Director: Brady Corbet
Writers: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Isaach De Bankolé, Alessandro Nivola
Plot: In 1947, visionary architect László Tóth and his wife Erzsébet flee post-war Europe in search of a new beginning in the United States. As they strive to rebuild their legacy, they encounter a mysterious and wealthy client who alters the course of their lives forever. Spanning decades, The Brutalist explores the cost of ambition, identity, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of artistic greatness.
* * *
[air-raid siren wails]
[orchestral fanfare]
[children talking]
[woman screams]
[in Hungarian] Calm down, your escort is right outside. Sit down.
[in Russian] Sit. I said sit.
[in Hungarian] She tells us that you are her niece.
Is that correct? Are you her niece?
Where is your mother?
Do you know?
Look at me! Do you understand me?
If you are from Budapest, state the name and street number
of your former place of residence.
There’s a pen and paper.
If you prefer not to speak to us, write it down with your family name,
and we will try and confirm it.
Is it possible the woman outside is not related to you,
but is simply an ally you made along the way who is trying to help you?
You bear little resemblance to one another.
We will not punish her for trying to help an innocent young woman.
We want to help you get home.
Your true home.
[woman, in Hungarian] László, I am alive.
[man] Come on! Documents.
[woman] Attila tells me that you, too, are alive and en route to him from Bremerhaven.
Rejoice!
I cried out in ecstasy to have news of you.
Where are my things?
What?
Screw you!
It is not amusing to me!
Stop it! Don’t look at me that way, old man!
It’s right behind you.
Where is my luggage?
It’s tucked there under the mattress!
Now come on!
Hurry, László, or we’ll be last in the queue.
[woman] Zsófia is with me, though she is frail, strange, and quite ill.
We anxiously await our being repatriated,
but recently, she has not been herself,
which has, in turn, roused unnecessary suspicions with local officials.
[shouting, chatter]
Fortunately, a few Soviet boys have taken a liking to us.
They pity your poor niece in particular,
who has grown fuller, even lovelier, since you last set eyes on her.
These lonesome young servicemen are ostensibly entranced
by such a radiant creature’s commitment to absolute silence.
[László, in English] Excuse me, sorry.
[woman, in Hungarian] The Soviets have helped us relocate
to a nearby shelter for displaced persons in Vas.
They encourage us to “enjoy our freedoms”,
but I am reminded of Goethe.
“None are more hopelessly enslaved
than those who falsely believe themselves free!”
I make no mistake, we are not yet free.
[man] Come on already.
[woman] You, like myself, must be envisioning so many terribly awful, awful things,
but it is better that your thoughts do not get the best of you.
It is neither better nor worse than you might imagine.
I have kept myself mostly to myself.
More importantly,
I have defended Zsófia from unwanted advances.
Below is the address I am told for mail in Vas.
Please write to me at once when you have received this.
I am certain now
there is nothing left for us here.
Look at that!
[both laugh]
What did I tell you?!
Yes!
[woman] Go to America and I will follow you.
Faithfully, Erzsébet.
[man, in English] For those of you that don’t speak English,
please engage myself or any of my colleagues
located in the back
so we may inform you
about our language and orientation programmes,
which are held in this very room,
425 Lafayette.
Remember that address.
Additionally, classes and daily meetings are held
where many of you will be sleeping tonight
over at the Hotel Marseilles,
located on 103rd and Broadway.
Those of you for whom none of the aforementioned details apply
and who will be immediately departing for other destinations
in the morning, please see me about your $25 travel aid.
These vouchers are redeemable on trains
and participating bus services.
[man 2 translates]
This is Albert B Chandler.
At this time, I would like to introduce a boy
who will be under the leadership of Babe Ruth
when Babe takes over his new job as director of baseball
for the American Legion.
Representing the boys of the American Legion,
speaking for every American boy,
ladies and gentlemen, here is Larry…
[traffic rumbles]
[bell tolls]
[jazz music plays]
[jazz music continues]
[László] It has been some time, sorry.
What’s wrong?
Don’t you think I’m beautiful?
I do.
Which parts of me do you find most beautiful?
All parts.
Stop it.
I don’t find all the parts of you beautiful.
[man, in Hungarian] Fuck her already!
Shut up.
[in English] Fuck her.
Can you tell your friend to be polite?
[László, in Hungarian] Shut your mouth!
[in English] My legs? Are they too thin?
[László] No. You are well proportioned.
It is the space above your brow for me which is the problem.
What did you say?
[László] That is something I do not like.
Your face is ugly.
I know it is.
We have boys, if you prefer.
No, thank you.
Brothers with dark skin, but handsome.
No, no. Not for me.
Wait!
Wait!
Wait! Wait!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
[air brakes hissing]
Hey, thank you. Thank you.
Thanks.
[both laugh]
It was great. It was great.
I’ll see you.
I’ll see you.
I will see you.
I will see you.
I will see you.
Great. Wait, wait.
For the luck. For the luck.
Thanks.
Bye, friend.
Bye, friend.
See you.
Bye. [laughs]
[in Hungarian] Take care.
[in English] See you.
[reporter] Perhaps no state or nation
in all the history of man
has been the deciding ground of so many human issues
as has the state of Pennsylvania.
Decisions that founded and assured survival
of a great nation,
that brought into being
important colonisation movements,
that established freedom of worship in America,
that founded great religions,
that gave birth to America’s educational system,
that launched tremendous industrial empires,
that forged the steel sinews and powered the driving wheels
of today’s great civilisation.
Here is where things happen, where decisions are made,
where industry is making the greatest strides
of any state or nation in the world.
Pennsylvania.
Land of decision for America, for American industry,
and for American families.
[László] Attila.
[László laughs, sobs]
Cousin.
Cousin.
Erzsébet is alive.
What? What?
[in Hungarian] What did you say?
What did you say?
I have a letter from her.
Your Erzsébet is alive and she is with little Zsófia.
Yes?
Yes?
Yes?
[cries]
Yes?
[in English] Thank you. Thank you.
[Attila] It’s a combination of things,
but I would say the most popular is the cabinetry
which we do ourselves, custom-to-order.
The lamps, too.
And here it is.
Audrey did the displays. [chuckles]
He’s talking like an American from the television now.
[chuckles softly] Yes, well, we don’t have a television,
but he’s been here since before I was born,
and still doesn’t sound like any American I’ve ever met.
Eight years ago,
we tried opening something similar in Manhattan.
We lasted two months.
We couldn’t compete with the name brands.
Newlyweds, they come in with a…
an issue of Better Homes and Gardens
and they say,
“We like that table next to the perfume ad.”
And we say, “Well, we can make you something like that.”
And they say, “No, sir, we want exactly that.”
Yeah. Turns out we don’t like New York at all.
No charm, right, Audrey?
Every little urchin you come across,
and seller, buyer, delivery boy, is running a hustle.
I’m from Connecticut myself. Do you know it?
Of course he doesn’t know it, Audrey. He just got here.
Give me that.
So…
Cleared out a space for you in the back.
Audrey made you a bed.
[Attila grunts]
It’s just there.
A cot and a lamp for now, but…
feel free to take anything you want from the showroom.
That’s all I need.
And for the employee restroom, you go out the front door,
around the back to where I parked the car, you remember?
There’s a stairway there that takes you up to our apartment.
If you need anything, you just knock.
You and your wife have done more than enough.
You know, we know someone
who could take a look at your nose.
I thought maybe no one would notice.
What happened?
If you don’t mind my asking.
I jumped from a railcar.
A few moments later, there was a loud cracking sound and…
I thought someone had shot me in the head,
but I’d merely run into the branch of a tree.
No one was shooting at me.
I take something for the pain but…
I’d like to have it looked at. Thank you.
We’ll give Kenneth a call.
Come. Take a seat at my desk.
I’ll fetch some towels.
Is it smaller than you expected?
What?
Oh, the shop.
No.
No, I had no expectation.
Who is Miller?
I’m Miller.
No, you are Molnár.
Not anymore.
[chuckles]
[laughs]
No Miller, no sons.
Yeah.
The folks here, they like a family business.
[chuckles]
So what do you think?
Of what? The furniture?
[Attila] No, well, I meant of everything so far.
Philadelphia.
But, sure, the pieces on the floor also.
They’re not very beautiful.
Well, that’s what you are here for.
Maestro.
Next month, I can put you on the payroll.
If you want, you can eat with us upstairs on Sundays.
You have done more than enough.
[Attila] Don’t mention it.
I do mention it.
I do mention.
[in Hungarian] Thank you.
Gentile?
[in English] She’s Catholic.
We are Catholic.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] László, I am alive.
Attila tells me that you, too, are alive and en route to him from Bremerhaven.
Rejoice!
I cried out in ecstasy to have news of you…
[bell tolls]
[man 1, in English] We welcome donations. Please help the homeless.
Help the homeless. Please help the homeless.
Your donations help to provide shelter, food, clothing…
Please help the homeless.
Help the homeless.
[man 2] It’s your turn now, William.
[man 1] Please help the homeless.
[William] I spy with my eye something blue.
[man 2] Is it this gentleman’s coat?
He’s clever.
You’re right. There is a little blue in it.
[man 3] Listen up!
Kitchen’s closed, folks. Get back early tomorrow.
[crowd groaning]
[man 2] Wait! Hold on. I got a kid here.
Sorry, we’re fresh out.
Come find me in the morning. I’ll make sure he gets a plate.
You must have a slice of bread.
He’s just a little boy. There are children here.
[man 3] How many times do you people want me to say it?
There’s nothing left here.
[man 2] Thank you, sir.
Will he be all right?
There’s somewhere else we can try tonight.
Then let him sleep tomorrow.
I will be here early.
Come to me here. I will hold a place.
[László] Good night.
[train rumbles]
[man] No one deserves to be on our streets.
I don’t deserve to be on our streets again.
Whatever you can spare from your hearts.
Thank you for listening.
God bless all of you. Have a pleasant weekend.
[coughs]
Pardon.
[singing in Hebrew]
Rabbi Zunz?
Yes.
[in Hebrew] Good morning.
Good morning.
[in English] My niece and wife…
I have learned the two are stuck at the Austrian boundary.
Wait not many minutes for me and we can speak after.
Mikveh Israel can try and help,
but from here, it is very difficult, as you know.
I will wait for you. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Wait.
[man over radio, in Hebrew] On the 29th of November, 1947,
the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution
calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael.
The General Assembly required the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael
to take such steps as were necessary on their part
for the implementation of that resolution.
This recognition by the United Nations
of the right of the Jewish people to establish their state is irrevocable.
This right is the natural right of the Jewish people
to be masters of their own fate,
like all other nations, in their own sovereign state.
Accordingly we, members of the people’s council,
representatives of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael
and of the Zionist Movement,
are here assembled on the day of the termination
of the British mandate over Eretz Yisrael.
And by virtue of our natural and historic right,
and on the basis of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly,
hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael,
to be known as the State of Israel.
[Audrey, in English] I’m not sure what to do with them, is all.
What do you think I should pair it with?
Leave it.
How?
Leave it like that.
Looks like a tricycle.
What is that?
It’s a bike for kids.
[fast jazz music, dog barking]
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
where is the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
[cartoon soundtrack, man gargles a tune]
Hey. Come with me.
We have an important client inside.
I furnished him a two-storey office space downtown
on the cheap last year.
He’s interested in us doing some built-in work for him
at a residence.
Can you give a little smile for him? Huh? Sell it?
Why are you always such a businessman?
You are selling, always selling, selling.
Mr Van Buren.
Let me introduce you to my cousin László.
Please. That’s what people call my father.
Call me Harry.
Well, Harry would like some shelving units installed
over at his family’s property in Doylestown.
Sorry to interrupt.
I hoped that someone might follow me out there
to take a look at my father’s study.
My sister and I would like to surprise him, you see,
by turning it into a proper library.
How do you mean?
Well, the place is in complete disarray.
A whole mess of books and paperwork.
So I guess we’d just like some tall shelves
and cabinetry installed.
Maybe make him a ladder with little wheels on it.
You know? Like you’d see in a real library.
[chuckles]
He’s a voracious reader.
Yeah, we can make you something like that.
Let me have Audrey come down and keep an eye on the place
and I’ll pull the van around.
Fantastic.
[Attila] I’ll be right back.
[car revs]
[László] They pay you well?
[Attila] On the last job, they paid OK.
Took on a lot of pieces, though.
They kept adding to the order. Even at a discount, it adds up.
His old man got flush
adapting production techniques
to expedite the manufacturing of cargo ships during the war.
Christ, is this guy trying to shake us?
Thinks it’s a drag race?
Hey, come on, already!
Stay right until you see the main house.
You can park wherever you like.
[Harry] I do appreciate you coming out here
on such short notice, gentlemen.
Father is away only until next Friday.
I was anxious to pin this down.
[Attila] Ah, it’s no inconvenience for us, chief.
It’s your lucky day, too,
’cause my cousin here is a licensed architect,
a specialist in renovations.
He even designed a library back at home before.
Right? A whole city library.
What city is that?
Budapest.
[Harry] I see. Never been.
Don’t mind the mess.
I know. It’s terribly dated, isn’t it?
I’m thinking shelves up to the ceiling
and some good reading lamps.
Perhaps some wall fixtures that extend.
Father always keeps the curtains drawn.
This to protect the books from the sunlight.
We are south-facing here.
Sure.
What’s your budget?
What’s your estimate?
Depends on the materials.
[Harry] Well, make it of reasonable quality.
Perhaps a nice place for him to sit and read as well?
A good chair or a bench for him against the window.
You want for us to replace that?
[Harry] If there’s time, why not?
A branch fell on it during a nasty storm last summer.
Tropical depression, I think they called it.
Keep it below $1,000, can you?
My sister and I are splitting it.
I don’t want any unexpected add-ons.
[Attila] Don’t worry. We’ll come in on budget.
You want all this done by next Friday, right?
[Harry] Thursday night, preferably.
I can’t be here during the week, but the staff can let you in.
If anything comes up, have them ring me at the office.
If it’s to be finished on Thursday,
we need extra hands. Including materials, glass…
It’s $2,000.
[♪ “Buttons and Bows” by Dinah Shore]
♪ East is east and west is west ♪
♪ And the wrong one I have chose ♪
♪ Let’s go where I’ll keep on wearin’ ♪
♪ Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows ♪
♪ Rings and things and buttons and bows ♪
♪ Don’t bury me in this prairie ♪
♪ Take me where the cement grows ♪
♪ Let’s move down to some big town ♪
♪ Where they love a gal by the cut of her clothes ♪
♪ And I’ll stand out in buttons and bows ♪
♪ I’ll love you in buckskin and skirts that I’ve homespun ♪
♪ But I’ll love you longer stronger where ♪
♪ Your friends don’t tote a gun ♪
♪ My bones denounce the buckboard bounce ♪
♪ And the cactus hurts my toes ♪
Flip it for the other side. ♪ Let’s vamoose where gals… ♪
[music stops]
OK.
You should have seen him talking up the prices.
I was ready to settle at 450.
I was not doing that.
You were.
I was not. I was telling him how much it will cost.
No, I… I thought he was going to blow it for us.
But you held your ground.
And that’s what makes you professional.
[László] I hope it is not only that.
[Attila] She’s so beautiful.
Look at her. She has that red dress
and it’s the same as… colour as her lips.
Dance with her.
Dance with her.
I don’t want to dance.
Go on.
I don’t… I don’t…
[whispers] Come on.
I don’t want to. No, thank you.
He doesn’t want to.
[Attila] Don’t make her… Don’t make her wait.
Dance with her.
It’s her favourite song. It’s her favourite song.
We’ll do it together, I’ll show you the steps.
Dance with her.
Dance with her, dance with her. She wants you to.
It’s her favourite song.
[Audrey] Attila.
It’s her favourite song.
Go on. Dance with her. Don’t…
[sighs]
She’s waiting for you.
She’s waiting for you.
OK, OK, I’ll dance.
All right.
[laughs]
Don’t.
[laughs] Yeah!
Idiot.
Go on!
Get off.
♪ Someone kind ♪
♪ Who knows you treasure any simple little pleasure ♪
♪ Like a full-length mink to cover last year’s blouse ♪
♪ It’s so nice ♪
♪ To have a man around the house… ♪
You’re awfully skinny, aren’t you?
♪ It’s so nice to have a man around the house ♪
♪ Oh so nice to have a man around the house ♪
♪ Just a guy… ♪
You see?
Like riding a bicycle.
Tricycle.
[all laugh]
Family.
A bike for children.
[all laugh]
Children!
[all laugh]
[urinates]
[László sighs]
[lighter clicks]
[László groans]
[Audrey] You missed the toilet.
What?
[Audrey] Better than the carpet, I suppose.
When do you expect your wife might join you, Mr Tóth?
There’s not room for the both of you in that storage space.
[László] I wish I knew, Audrey.
Thank you for the dinner.
[Audrey] Attila showed me magazine pictures.
The projects you did at your firm.
You’re not what I expected from what I read about you.
I’m not what I expected either.
[Audrey] You know, I’m sure you could get a job.
A better job.
At a firm here.
I then…
would be working for someone.
It’s better than sleeping in a storage closet.
I’ll look for somewhere else to stay.
Thank you again for the dinner.
[sawing, hammering]
Bring the boxes. Don’t drop them.
[man] Here, here, here.
[man 2] The guy is rich, he’s gonna buy more books.
[laughter]
[László] You be respectful.
[Attila] The guy likes to read. He can tell us a bedtime story.
[man] OK. Slowly, slowly. Slowly.
[man] Slowly.
[Attila] Don’t scratch the floor.
[László] Yes, the long panels.
The shelves can vary in height
to accommodate the larger volumes
our client had been stacking on the floor.
So, 45 degrees.
Three, two, one.
Perfect. It will be beautiful.
[whirring]
[Attila] That’s it. That’s good, that’s good.
Left, Gordon, left. And steady.
[Gordon] Careful now, left.
[László] One steady movement.
Come on, one steady movement.
Slowly.
Slowly, slowly, slowly.
[man] It’s too close to the roof!
[Attila] Hey, hey, hey, hey!
[man] Oh, no!
[sighs]
[man] I told you to pull!
[man 2] I did what I could.
We have a piece of guttering to replace now as well.
One, two, three.
Yeah.
OK.
Put it… bring your hand…
[laughter]
It’s good. It’s good, it’s good.
Dance with me. Dance with me again.
[lighter clicks]
[lighter clicks]
[car approaches]
Attila.
[in Hungarian] Come. Come.
[in English] It’s a first edition.
They’re all first edition.
[thud]
You’re an idiot.
Stop it. Idiot.
[laughs]
What is this?
What is all this?
Who authorised you to come into my home
and tear everything apart?
Excuse me. Excuse me, sir.
Who the hell are you?
This was all supposed to be a surprise.
Your son Harry told us not to expect you…
It is a goddamn surprise!
My mother, an ailing woman,
is sitting outside on the driveway
too frightened to come inside.
We’re sorry to have frightened her.
We brought her here for some peace and respite,
only to discover a strange Negro man roaming around our property.
Your son… asked us to come here
to redo the study into a library.
A library?
The room…
it’s gutted!
Well, we were just putting everything back in its place.
You’ve turned it all inside out.
How do you know its proper place?
We have taken excellent care of your belongings,
Mr Van Buren.
I… I don’t know what to tell you.
Who are you?
László Tóth.
László’s a licensed architect.
He supervised the renovation
and I’ve done business with your son before.
I have a furniture shop down in Kensington.
Miller and Sons.
Mr Van Buren, may I show you around the space?
The… the work lamps are not doing the work any justice.
Your Negro man is waiting for you outside the gate.
I suggest you pack your things and leave.
Mr Van Buren…
we are finished here.
It’s quite all right. Come.
I will confirm this with my son in the morning.
My mother is sick.
She needs to be inside so she can sleep!
It’s quite all right?!
This is not all right, this is my home!
Goddamn you!
[birds call]
[woman’s voice echoes indistinctly]
[Attila] Wake up.
That’s a hell of a way to greet the day.
[in Hungarian] What is it?
[Attila sniffs, exhales]
[in English] Harry Lee called.
He says he won’t pay.
For… for the materials?
[Attila] He says we damaged the property
and I’m lucky if he doesn’t take me to court.
[exhales]
[scoffs]
[Attila] Got nothing to say to that?
What are you going to do about it?
László…
[in Hungarian] I take you into my home,
into my place of business, and this is how you thank me?
[in English] You run my clients out the door.
You make a pass at my wife.
She told me. Of course she told me.
Of course she told me. What do you expect?
[chuckles] Well, what did I expect?
You couldn’t keep your hands to yourself even when we were kids.
[clears throat] Listen. I won’t tell Erzsi this time.
I know you’ve been through a lot.
That’s what I told Audrey too.
I’m not going to hurt you.
But I can’t help you anymore either.
You got that?
[László, in Hungarian] Erzsébet,
I can be reached by mail at a new address…
{\an8}[bell rings]
I wait for you. I wait and wait.
Do you need money? What do you need?
Yours, László.
[man on radio, in English] Good morning, Philadelphia.
It is Thursday November 7th, 1950.
This could be the first time since 1930
that the Republican Party may seize control…
[László] Gordon.
Gordon.
US and United Nations forces have made significant advances
on the Korean peninsula…
[László] Wake up. Gordon.
Come on.
Wake up.
We gotta go. I let you sleep in. Time to get up.
Oh. Gordon.
Has Mr László already gone? I need to speak with him.
Hold on.
[water running]
[Gordon] Hey, there.
[Gordon] László?
It is for my injury.
[Gordon] Sister Elizabeth is asking for you.
I will be right there.
Do me a favour and hold off on that until we punch the clock.
[sighs]
[Gordon] What did she want to talk to you about?
[László] She asked for my participation.
[Gordon] Like what? They want you to help out?
I already help out.
She wants me to attend the service on Sundays
and collect donations.
[Gordon chuckles] And what did you say to her?
I said I would think about it.
[Gordon] That seems fair, no?
I go to somewhere else.
Why don’t you ask for a place to stay,
wherever it is that you do go?
I do not permit my people from home to see me as a beggar.
Never.
[chuckles]
[♪ “To Each His Own” by Eddy Howard]
[Gordon sings along] ♪ A rose must remain
♪ With the sun and the rain
♪ Or its lovely promise won’t come true
♪ To each his own
♪ To each his own
♪ And my own is you [Gordon’s voice fades]
[Eddy Howard] ♪ What good is a song
♪ If the words don’t belong?
♪ And a dream must be a dream for two
♪ No good alone
♪ To each his own
♪ For me, there’s you
♪ If a flame is to grow
♪ There must be a glow
♪ To open each door, there’s a key
[Gordon] There’s a son of a bitch here to see you.
László Tóth, is that you?
I’ve been looking for you.
No wonder I couldn’t find you, you’ve grown a beard.
What can I do for you, sir?
I would like to take you to lunch.
[László chuckles]
We do not break for another two hours.
Point out your manager. Let me educate him.
Have you seen that?
I can assure you everyone else has.
Flip to page 66.
Where did you study?
Bauhaus in Dessau.
Bauhaus? How marvellous.
Uh, read the caption below the photograph.
So what do you think?
[László] Looks good.
Damn right it does.
Why didn’t you defend yourself
when I came after you all like a bat out of hell?
I called that American cousin of yours, um…
Attila.
Yes. Yeah, that’s right.
First, I apologised, then I lauded him with praise.
However, he, quite honourably, redirected me to you.
And I have since done my homework.
These are yours, yes?
[László] Yes.
[Harrison] All of them?
Yes.
[Harrison] I’m sorry. Have… have I upset you?
No.
Not at all.
[László clears throat]
I did not realise these images were still available.
Much less of any consequence.
May I keep these?
[Harrison] Of course you may.
They’re very artistic.
[László] They’re better in real life.
You could’ve elaborated a little more on your background.
You didn’t…
You didn’t do yourself any favours back there.
It was difficult to interject amidst all of the shouting.
[laughs] Yeah.
Yeah, I… I’m ashamed.
Really, I am, I…
I acted a fool.
My…
My mother was dying. [clears throat]
It’s not an excuse, but she died that very weekend at the house.
[László] I’m very sorry to hear about your mother.
Tell me, why is an accomplished foreign architect
shovelling coal here in Philadelphia?
Well, I’m also doing the construction
for a bowling alley.
But, um…
The Reich rejected myself and my colleagues
for our type of work.
For it was deemed not Germanic in character.
[sniffs]
Uh, I don’t wish to be rude,
but I only have time for the coffee.
You were not prepared for what you saw.
That is understandable.
I’m glad you have come to appreciate it.
I don’t just appreciate it, Mr Tóth. I cherish it.
I hate surprises.
My fat-headed son should have known better.
But listen, I’m not here to boast or to grieve.
I’ve come to pay you the monies you’re owed.
For what it’s worth, it was not my suggestion
you and your partner should not be paid.
I only found out about that after the fact.
We damaged some guttering which we intended to replace,
but it was a misunderstanding.
Forget it. Take the money.
Thank you.
I’d stash that in your undergarments, if I were you,
or inside of a shoe.
I would like you to come and see it in the daylight.
I’ve already seen it.
I’d like you to come and enjoy it, rather.
All right.
Wonderful.
I can have a car come and pick you up Sunday morning
if you’re… if you’re not too busy.
No.
Here. Write me down your address.
I’ve found our conversation persuasive
and intellectually stimulating.
Bye.
It was a pleasure.
[jazz music plays]
[exhales]
[music continues in the distance]
Hey, hey, don’t move too much.
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
Going to be some minutes!
One second. Hold this.
[music turns discordant]
[László] Yes, he’s inside.
[man] Everybody left. It’s time to go. We’re closed.
Don’t push! I know he is in there.
[man] Ain’t nobody in there.
My friend would not leave me! Please.
[man] Ain’t nobody in there! It’s time to go.
[László] No! No.
We’re closed.
Now go on home.
Listen, my friend is in there, please!
[grunts] Oh! My nose!
I said go home.
[railway carriage rattles by]
[gentle piano music plays]
[distant arguing]
[distant arguing continues]
[distant arguing continues]
[man] Hey, mister, the picture’s over. You can’t sleep here.
[reporter] This demand is for these derivatives of opium,
the narcotic drugs…
[cat meows]
…useful in medicine
to relieve pain and to induce sleep.
Used without supervision,
they can become dangerous, habit-forming drugs.
Once the habit is formed, the addict…
[in Hungarian] What? What?
[reporter, in English].. must have a continual supply at all costs.
Lawfully imported drugs are not available to him.
He must turn to an illegal source.
Come.
Come with me.
Good kitty. Come with me.
[meows]
Just come.
Excuse me, Mr Tóth.
The Van Buren family sent me for you.
[yells]
On the seat there beside you, there’s a pressed dinner jacket.
[chatter]
[Harrison] There you are!
Man of the hour.
What have you done to yourself?
Fell off a beam and…
Everyone’s famished.
Harry, you remember each other.
Yes, I do. Afternoon.
Daddy, the kitchen’s asking if we could please take our seats.
And this is Harry’s twin sister, Maggie.
Hello, Mr Tóth. We love the library.
Thank you.
All right, let’s eat.
He won’t tout his own accomplishments, but…
Mr Tóth’s work is celebrated
throughout much of Western and Central Europe.
There are many features on him in architectural journals,
if you follow that sort of thing.
[man] What was your focus?
Uh, theatres, synagogues, restorations.
Many projects but some quite unusual.
Are you married, Mr Tóth?
Yes.
She’s still in Europe.
Why’s that?
We were separated.
Forcibly.
Where is it you come from, if you don’t mind my asking?
I… I can’t place the accent.
The city of Budapest.
[man] Ravaged during the war. Just terrible.
What was it like, the war?
We hear some stories here that make one’s toes curl.
I would not know where to begin, Mrs Hoffman.
[Mrs Hoffman] Do you plan on returning to Europe, Mr Tóth?
But my wife, she tries to come now, here, to join me.
But the situation is difficult.
[Mr Hoffman] Well, with Roosevelt gone now,
that should make things easier.
[László] He is gone, but everyone is still frightened
that people like me are a threat to their national defence.
When you say “people”, you mean Jews?
[Mrs Hoffman] We’re Jewish.
[Mr Hoffman] Michelle converted.
As did my Erzsébet.
It required a great deal of commitment and study,
but… [inhales deeply]
…few at home recognised her for it.
A pity the National Socialists could not see it their way.
But no, not only Jewish.
Foreign people.
I was fortunate to depart from Bremerhaven when I did.
Truman’s order facilitated the transfer of my group.
Others were not so lucky.
[Harrison] That sounds very painful, László.
We’re terribly sorry for you.
Michael is my friend and my attorney, in that order.
Michael, is this a process your firm could help to expedite?
It is not so simple, I’m afraid.
My wife cannot leave my niece behind because she is…
young, motherless, and is very sick.
It’s just the two of ’em?
I’d be glad to make an enquiry on your behalf.
There’s something called the Displaced Persons Act
that’s recently gone into effect.
It will allow some 200,000 European persons
admission for permanent residence.
You can read about it in the paper now.
Michael’s firm represents the office of the Vice President.
The President?
[Harrison] Of the United States.
[chuckles] Congratulations.
[Michael] Come see me in our Philadelphia office on Monday.
Telephone this line, and my assistant can arrange.
She’ll tell you what we’ll need you both to provide.
Thank you.
[in Hebrew] You’re welcome.
[Harrison, in English] I think we’ll take coffee in the study, huh?
Thank you.
[chatter echoes]
[Harrison] I was married once.
She gave me two beautiful children.
Nevertheless, my mother Margaret, and the twins
demanded my attention
every minute of my scarce personal time.
Things became awkward between my ex-wife and Margaret
so we separated.
Amicably.
Margaret raised me on her own in Rochester.
It was just the two of us.
Her parents had disowned her for a child out of wedlock.
She was my only real family,
other than the twins later on in life, of course.
I tell you, shortly before their death,
my mother’s parents,
I hesitate to call them my grandparents,
they reached out to Margaret and me after reading an article
on the reported success of my first company.
In actual fact,
we weren’t doing that well at the time
and would soon shutter our doors,
but this was not yet public knowledge.
I gather you conclude from our prior interactions I am blunt,
not hyperbolic or particularly sentimental.
But my mother…
she was defenceless against their chumminess.
She argued that they could very well be sick or dying
and… quite likely needed the money.
I didn’t like seeing Margaret, an ordinarily pragmatic woman,
reduced to such bromidic assumptions.
Still, I agreed to meet with them in person,
in part to appease her,
but also to satisfy the curiosities of my lineage.
Do you know, it really is very clever.
The way the space surrounds one, the forced perspective.
[Harrison] I think so, yes.
[man] It reminds me of a short story I once read.
It’s about a never-ending library.
Are you working on anything at the moment, Mr Tóth?
A bowling alley.
[Harrison] Pardon me, I was just in the middle
of telling our friend here a story.
[man] I’m so sorry. Not at all. Please excuse me.
[chuckles]
You agreed to see them.
[Harrison] We exchanged pleasantries over the telephone
and I offered to meet with them
at their modest apartment residence
in a neighbouring town. [chuckles]
I laughed to realise they’d been so nearby all those years.
On the drive over…
I had time to think.
And I finally arrived at a figure
I felt comfortable in offering the two of them,
seeing that they were, whether I liked it or not,
our only living relatives.
I was received hospitably,
so I swiftly moved to explain I’d made them out a cheque
for the amount of $25,000.
When I handed it over, they appeared relieved,
but perhaps a little disappointed at the figure.
They were courteous and thanked me all the same.
I was quite uncomfortable.
But before hurrying off, I asked them a question.
What will you do with all this money?
They rambled on about miracles or some such thing.
For a moment, everything in their immediate line of view
seemed solvable, achievable.
They would finally be all right
and what a thoughtful grandson I was.
Upon departure,
before I even reached the edge of their front lawn,
the two of them came running out after me, shouting.
“You’ve forgotten your signature, Harrison.”
I summoned the courage to be frank
and to speak to them as adults.
I had not forgotten, I said,
but was not ultimately compelled to sign
due to the blunder of their response.
They took it as such a shock.
I thought for a moment it might kill them
right there on the front lawn.
But the two of them just wept and came apart like beggars.
The whole thing was so much more disturbing than I’d imagined.
And so on condition
that they let Margaret alone from then on,
I struck them a separate cheque for $500 and I signed.
That is how much I loved my mother, Mr Tóth.
We did things for each other.
What could they expect
after the way they had treated you both?
[Harrison] Yes, yes, that’s exactly how I see it.
Answer me something.
Why architecture?
[László chuckles softly]
Is it a test?
No, it is not.
Nothing is of its own explanation.
Is there a better description of a cube
than that of its construction?
There was a war on.
And yet it is my understanding that…
many of the sites of my projects have survived.
They remain there still in the city.
When the terrible recollections of what happened in Europe
cease to humiliate us,
I expect for them to serve instead as a political stimulus,
sparking the upheavals that so frequently occur
in the cycles of peoplehood.
I already anticipate a communal rhetoric of anger and fear.
A whole river of such frivolities may flow undammed.
But my buildings were devised to endure such erosion
of the Danube’s shoreline.
What a poetic reply.
You must have been a beloved professor.
I’ve said it before, but I find our conversations…
intellectually stimulating.
[chuckles]
I agree with you.
[taps glass]
Everyone, please.
Take your brandy and join me outside.
I have a terrific surprise.
[Michael] Where the hell are you taking us, Harrison?
It’s freezing out here.
[Michelle] Try doing this in heels, Michael.
[Harrison] Only a little further. Come on.
Bear with us, everyone.
Hold your horses, we’re almost there.
[wind whistles]
[laughter]
[Harrison] All right.
As many of you know,
this past year has been somewhat difficult
for Harry, Maggie and myself.
Daddy, it’s very cold out here. Shall we go back inside?
[Harrison] Maggie, please. Quiet.
I’ve brought you all out here this evening in the cold
not to glance over my shoulder at the past,
but to join me in looking forward toward the future.
As you know, over this rise is Doylestown.
And so on this site, we plan to build a centre for the community
in the name of Margaret Lee Van Buren.
Harrison, that’s lovely.
This shall be a sacred enough space
that perhaps her soul might inhabit it.
A place for gathering, reflecting, learning.
And, Mr Tóth, I would like you to build this for her.
Something boundless, something new.
This has shocked you, I see. I’m delighted.
I thought perhaps you might see it coming.
No. No.
Listen.
It is no coincidence that fate brought us together
on the eve of my mother’s death.
I’m good at reading the signs.
Sir, I do not know what the commission entails.
We’ll talk about the details at home,
but you’ll be well compensated.
And also, you’ll be given a place here on the property
to live and work.
I think that residing here
will allow you the time and the space
to conceive of it properly.
And your family, should they arrive,
they’re welcome here too.
What do you say?
[chuckles] Well, I-I… uh…
I would like to draw something and then present it to you.
You’d like to win the commission.
[chuckles]
All right, you can do that.
It’s cold, let’s return inside.
Come on.
[clock chimes]
[second clock chimes]
[woman’s voice echoes]
[clock chimes]
Excuse me.
I am sorry, I am sorry.
A driver brought me here, I don’t recall his name.
Sorry.
No, I need to get back. I…
Could someone possibly contact the man
who dropped me here this afternoon?
One minute, please.
Mr Tóth. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
Harrison’s gone to bed. He wishes you a good night.
Would you help me to find the driver?
Listen, I’m terribly sorry about my father’s theatrics.
Must have caught you off guard.
It’s quite all right.
He often makes these decisions
without consulting the rest of us.
I did not take any of it to heart.
Oh, you should.
You should, you see.
My father would like us to hire you.
Oh.
[clock chimes]
[second clock chimes]
Ah.
I don’t have any infrastructure here.
That’s why he’s asked me
to oversee and assist you in this endeavour.
I have no idea of the parameters.
Once I have distilled the essence of Father’s outburst,
I’ll try and make some economic sense of it.
We’ve quite a full house this evening,
so I took the liberty of making up a place for you
in the guest house.
We can have your things sent for in the morning.
[birdsong]
[knocks]
Mr Tóth?
[knocking at door]
[maid] Mr Tóth?
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
[breathes deeply]
One minute. [clears throat]
[knocking at door]
Sir?
[Harrison grunts]
You rang for me, sir?
Oh, yes, László, come in. I’ve had a vision.
[♪ “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik IV” ♪ (by Mozart)
I have some sketches.
I… Also something I have been working on
which might be applicable here, if you care to look.
In a moment, my eyes are bleary. Sit down.
Pardon my appearance, I have…
I have carpenters in the forehead
causing a terrible ringing in my ears.
You’ll have to bear with me.
I can come back.
Shh! Before I lose it. Dreams slip away.
Yes, I know.
[Harrison] Doylestown, it’s beautiful,
but it’s not a cultural place, you know?
Sure.
But it could be.
If there were an auditorium,
it could host a… a theatre festival.
[László] Sure.
And in the off season, of course,
the local students could access it.
[László] Yes.
And what do you think about a gymnasium?
I used to practise wrestling when I was a teenager.
I have these fond memories of my mother
accompanying me to matches in the neighbouring towns.
Perhaps a swimming pool?
[Harrison] I can’t swim.
[Harrison drinks, sighs]
And perhaps it is too expensive?
Don’t talk to me about money.
[reporter] Pennsylvania has more owner-occupied homes
than any other state.
More small towns and small cities,
and more people living in small towns than any other state,
as well as some of the greatest cities in the world.
All this is why Pennsylvania is truly a land of decision
for families who want a wonderful place
to live and work,
and to enjoy the richness of leisure
with nearby secure employment.
Don’t talk to him about money.
I’ve spoken to our friends at the Bucks County mayor’s office
who are warm to accessing local and state funding opportunities
on behalf of our project,
if we are willing to designate a specific…
and meaningful component of the centre
for Christian congregation.
But it is a community centre for all people.
What do they want, a prayer room?
I’m under the impression they’re expecting something
more specific and meaningful than that for their earmark.
This, and pending their approval
of the overall proposal, of course.
Excuse me. An auditorium, a gymnasium, a library.
Father described it more…
more as a reading room for the public.
A library and a chapel?
That is four builds, Harry.
Four, not one.
It’s ambitious.
And I thought you’d like that.
I put in a call to our frequent contractor, Leslie Woodrow.
We first worked with Leslie
as one of our ship engineering officers,
but he’s supervised several important construction projects
for us since, including these offices.
My father is allocating a sum of $850,000 to the project,
which, to me, seems very reasonable,
if not exorbitant.
If Leslie agrees to come on board,
then I’ll have him start a budget for us right away.
This allocation of 850,000
is inclusive of fees for yourself and Leslie.
Also we’ve gone ahead and made arrangements
to start securing you a licence here in Pennsylvania.
Well, Harry, let’s start digging.
[László, in Hungarian] Erzsébet, I have become acquainted with an influential American attorney
who says he can help you and Zsófia with your situation.
Is there somewhere we might find a photograph
of you and Zsófia pictured together?
[laughter echoes]
[church bell tolls]
Anything linking her to you?
I have reached out to colleagues
who sometimes attended parties at the house.
I am waiting on return.
Whomever comes to mind, write to them and explain how urgent this is.
Anything tying her to you, and you to me,
can be of great assistance to Mr Hoffman.
[László, in English] 504, 505, 506,
507, 508.
[László, in Hungarian] I have enclosed a list of items and information requested by his office.
Please fill out what you can of these documents
and return these originals to me at once.
Here: some good fortune may have fallen upon me.
In an unexpected turn of events,
I have been offered an intriguing opportunity, a second chance.
[in English] …three, four,
five, six, seven.
[László, in Hungarian] I can feel you nearer to me now than ever before.
Your love, László.
[László, in English] Level, level. Higher, higher.
Little higher. Good. Good, good, good.
The total area is 2,684 square metres
including a sizeable condensate system for harvesting rainwater,
below grade.
Narrow openings you see here and here,
they are skylights that can also be viewed as demarcations
of units of space on either side of the entrance hall.
These units are convertible, multifunctional.
They offer a total occupancy of 500 persons on each side.
Bespoke systems for seating and storage
allow for a conference, gymnasium, auditorium.
These rooms of a more standard size are pre-cast concrete.
The chapel at the heart of the building
contrasted by an altarpiece of marble
from the mountains of Carrara…
[Harrison] I can’t see.
…will serve as the institute’s centrepiece.
[Harrison] Harry, what do you think about the gymnasium
being off to the side like that?
I’m not sure.
I think it looks like a barracks.
Well, that’s perhaps because you never enlisted, Harry.
I think it’s all a great surprise. Keep going.
Let me demonstrate.
When the sun travels from east to west,
wooden beams located at the base of the towers
will unite to form the symbol of a cross upon the altarpiece,
when they are illuminated.
[Harrison chuckles] Extraordinary.
[Maggie] How wonderful.
[Harrison] Maggie, will you call for some coffee?
I think it’s beautiful, Mr Tóth.
Thank you.
[man] Well, what’s the height of those things?
Six or seven metres also?
And did I understand you correctly,
over 800,000 square feet of surface area?
Well, if we can afford these materials at all, Mr Van Buren.
Sylacauga marble ships out of Talladega County,
and that might be possible
if I manage to swing a few favours.
With all due respect, afford the materials?
Sir, concrete is sturdy and cheap.
Concrete? It’s not very attractive.
Perhaps we could split the difference on materials.
Fortunately, the building’s aesthetic
is not yours to resolve, Mr Woodrow.
And Sylacauga marble is white, like a sheet of paper.
What I have here is blue and grey with a softer veining.
I prefer the Italian. It’s more suitable.
Well, I’ll have to do some research but…
I know someone talented.
An Italian mason whom I have commissioned before.
Oh, another detail before I forget. The name.
I want to make sure it’s visible, yeah.
Sir, is this really what you imagined?
Am I missing something?
When Harry called,
he described this to me as a personal project.
If this is what we ultimately settle on,
something of this scale,
the timeline will need to be considerably adjusted.
I’d rather be alive at 18 percent
than dead at the prime rate, Leslie.
We will not exceed our allocations.
[Leslie] Your grandmother loved marble.
I assure you.
[Harrison] Where are we at with our discussions
with the mayor’s office?
[Harry] They’re waiting on us.
[Harrison] Good.
Push them along.
It’s good.
Thank you.
[horn blares]
[groans] Shit.
[knocking at door]
M-Morning, Leslie.
Don’t tell me you’re just now getting up.
Two minutes and I’m ready.
I’ll give you three if you use it to rinse off.
Three.
I’ll wait outside.
Big day.
Big day. Wake up.
[Harry] The mayor hasn’t got all day, Leslie.
[Mayor] We’re fine, Harry.
Will your father be joining us as well?
[Harry] No, he’s overseas on business, I’m afraid.
He sends his regards.
This is a project he’s very passionate about.
It’s a priority for us.
He asked if he could telephone you tomorrow
to talk it all through.
At your convenience, of course.
[Mayor] Well, sure.
Sylvia in my office
can set for just about any time tomorrow afternoon.
Apologies.
[Mayor] Well, this is, um… different.
Very modern.
Yes.
All right.
Walk us through what you have in mind.
[László] The construction phase alone
will create upwards of 80 local jobs.
Carpenters, painters, upwards of 150 upon completion,
at which point the facility will need to be permanently staffed.
When are you gonna answer the questions in the box?
Right.
Right. [clears throat]
I would also like to address
some of the written concerns and comments
submitted to us anonymously ahead of tonight’s discussion.
Questions probing my personal background,
heritage and ideological persuasion, if you will.
[clears throat] As a foreign person
and a newcomer to Doylestown,
I see a community in need.
And this is my only persuasion of relevance.
Mr Van Buren, a generous patron and practising Protestant,
and I will build a place you will be drawn to congregate
and inspired to worship.
You may rest assured
that we will honour the traditions of Doylestown.
The Margaret Lee Van Buren Centre for Creation and Activity
will be its manifestation.
A landmark which proclaims not only “I am new”,
but “I am part of the new whole”.
Please to pass the, um… How do you call it?
No, the torch.
Right.
Here we have the chapel interior.
It is suitable for 119 persons.
At dawn.
At sunset.
At noon.
[woman] Oh, that’s clever.
[reporter] One of the most basic commodities
of the world today,
and it had its humble beginnings in a little town
nestled between the green hills of Pennsylvania.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] László!
It has taken some months to obtain the items which Mr Hoffman requested
since receiving your letter.
[reporter, in English] Steel.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] I was at a loss at first,
but suddenly thought to contact our upstairs neighbour in Buda, Mrs Horváth!
[reporter, in English] Perhaps no one factor
has been of greater importance in the forward march
of American progress than Pennsylvania steel.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] She was able to provide me with several family photographs
that clearly picture you, myself, and Zsófia
with her mother on our wedding day.
[reporter, in English] Steel.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] The poor dear thought us dead all these years,
so had kept them on her mantelpiece in memoriam.
[reporter, in English] Steel for great buildings.
Steel for bridges. Steel for motor cars.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] Zsófia could have only been nine years of age at the time,
but her face and expression are unmistakable.
[reporter, in English] Steel for trains and for rails.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] I have included all but one
[reporter, in English] Steel for planes.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] in case this letter does not reach you.
I will keep it near my breast,
our family tree against my heart.
[reporter, in English] Steel for the guns of war and the machinery of peace.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] László,
does this mean we might meet again soon?
[reporter, in English] Steel.
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] Yours, Erzsébet.
[train rattles by]
[train horn]
[whistle blows]
[in English] Right or left?
On the left.
Could they have walked past us?
My associate in New York confirmed they made it on.
Is that them over there?
[László] No, that is not them.
Zsófia?
Zsófia. That is… that is her.
Zsófia!
Zsófia!
[in Hungarian] What’s happened?
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.
What happened?
It might not be permanent.
What happened? Did someone hurt you?
It’s osteoporosis from the famine.
I’ll dye my hair. I know it’s ugly.
Where’s Attila?
[in English] I did not want him to be disappointed
if you were delayed for any reason.
[in Hungarian] Zsófia, dear.
Zsófia.
[in English] Welcome to America.
[Harrison] How wonderful
to finally make your acquaintance.
There was a period of time there
where we thought he had made you up.
Isn’t it fascinating, meeting the significant others
of great artists and thinkers?
Thank you for taking care of my László.
[Harrison] As persons of unique privilege,
I’ve always thought it’s our duty
to nurture the defining talents of our epoch.
I, of course, am devoid of any such talent.
Truth be told, I…
I am incredibly emulous of individuals like him.
[Erzsébet] That mustn’t be true, Mr Van Buren.
You have done very well for yourself.
Father’s digging for compliments.
Don’t indulge him.
The property is beautiful.
[Maggie] Isn’t it?
[Harrison] Erzsébet…
Pardon me, am I pronouncing that correctly?
That’s fine, just fine.
Feel free to call me Elizabeth if you prefer it.
[Harrison] And your English is impressive.
Thank you. I attended university in England.
[Harrison] Oh. Where?
Oxford. To study English.
And I returned home for communications.
And did you do anything with that?
[Erzsébet] Yes. I worked for a popular national paper at home,
Magyar Nemzet.
[Harrison] Huh. A journalist. Hmm!
[Harrison] Cultural?
Foreign affairs.
[Harrison] Well, perhaps you can help your husband
sound less like he shines shoes for a wage.
Haven’t you told them anything about me?
László, how long have you been here now? Four, five years?
You have no excuse anymore.
[coin clatters]
[Harrison laughs]
[Harrison] I’m sorry. I got a little carried away there.
Will you please pass that back?
[chuckles]
[Harrison] A penny saved.
Sofia, is that right?
[László] Zsófia.
[Harry] Zsófia.
Zsófia.
Does she understand English?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes. She understands very well.
[Harrison] The woman behind the man. [chuckles]
[Erzsébet chuckles]
László? May I have a word?
[László mutters in Hungarian]
Yes, sir?
On Leslie’s recommendation,
we’ve shown your plans to another architect.
What? Who?
Just somebody we worked with
on the department store downtown.
These are minor changes.
Places they thought we might save a penny.
[Erzsébet] László?
Leslie is a bastard.
Yes, he is.
That’s what we pay him for.
[Harrison] Ladies… [indistinct]
[bird calls]
[in Hungarian] I’m sorry for the toys.
I remembered you as a little girl.
Look at your mother.
My sister was beautiful, wasn’t she?
[in English] Even when she was ill, she was so beautiful.
[in Hungarian] Are you angry?
Are you angry with me for not telling you about my condition?
[in English] If you want to start a row with me,
I might as well work out my English.
Stop it. Your English is perfectly all right.
It was an unimaginative joke he told about you shining shoes.
Tomorrow, I will take you to see someone.
A specialist.
Don’t be angry with me.
Do you not want to be with me anymore?
[scoffs] Stop this nonsense.
Do you think I look older?
We are older.
Can’t you say anything kind to me?
I love you, you cow.
[in Hungarian] You can touch me.
[sighs]
[in English] I don’t want to…
I don’t want to hurt you, physically.
You won’t.
I had dreams.
Every night, I dreamt I was with you.
I know what you’ve done, László.
And it’s all right.
What are you talking about?
I know.
I know.
I can’t do it.
I know everything.
I don’t want to do it right now.
You see…
I became sick.
Very sick.
I could hardly breathe.
I yearned to be with you and it made me sick.
I nearly died.
Between life and death,
I began having fantasies about you.
But I realised…
they were not fantasies at all, but visions.
I was with you.
All the time, I was with you.
My László, I know what you’ve done.
I’m not jealous because I was with you all the time.
I know everything that has happened to you.
And I am here now,
And I will never leave you.
Oh, God!
[in Hungarian] Oh, my God!
[in English] My love…
My love, I cannot bear it anymore!
I cannot bear it.
You can.
You can.
We have a new life.
A new language.
We can start again.
[piano music plays]
[water splashes]
[door opens]
[László] Houp-la!
Pardon. [chuckles] Pardon.
[Erzsébet] Maggie Lee lent me some hair colour.
That is wonderful, dear.
[Erzsébet] László, are you there?
Yes, my love.
The model is beautiful, darling.
So beautiful.
Thank you.
[Erzsébet] We’re going into town this afternoon to see Attila.
Would you like to come?
[László] I have something this afternoon.
I cannot.
[softly] I’ve missed him.
Just hearing him mill about in the other room…
It’s fantastic.
[jazz music plays]
[Erzsébet] Perhaps we should see about some language classes
this afternoon.
You could take the bus in on your own.
I’m positive it is the last place you would like to be,
but it will be good for you,
and I can brief the instructor or whomever
about your situation.
Listening to me babble on will only get you so far.
Where are you ladies off to?
We’re going into town.
Which town? We have several nearby.
Philadelphia. To visit family.
Ah, the American cousin, of course.
So the city, then?
Yes, yes, the city.
Ah. Us as well. Well, don’t just stand there.
Let us give you and your auntie a lift.
[Erzsébet] Thank you.
[Harrison] I have a friend in New York, a newspaper man.
He’s always on the lookout for new talent.
Should I mention you to him?
[Erzsébet] It’s very kind of you, Mr Van Buren.
Would that mean I would have to work out of New York?
[Harrison] Well, perhaps, in the beginning.
But you don’t have the job yet,
so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
[Erzsébet] Of course not.
I did not mean it to be presumptuous.
[Harrison] No, no.
In any event,
you could always commute there with me at the start.
I’m there Monday to Friday.
Yes, that could be fine.
I would have to speak with László, though.
I can assure you, when ground breaks,
he will have his hands full.
And besides, I enjoy showing friends around Manhattan.
You can’t have seen much of it on your way here.
Penn Station Terminal was very nice.
It is very nice.
[Erzsébet chuckles]
It’s a pity it’s so full of tramps these days
hassling women and children with their arms outstretched.
They line up and extend from the walls
as if integral to its very foundation
like some haunted wall mural.
Perhaps that is why I felt so at home.
I’m a former bag lady myself,
who does also enjoy the work of the Dutch masters.
Earthly Delights. You heard it just as I intended.
Very clever.
[Erzsébet] But “integral to its foundation…”
A mural is decorative.
It has nothing to do with the foundation.
Touché.
Where did you get your passion for architecture?
[Harrison] Oh, we’ve done buildings before,
but I’d hardly call them artistic.
I don’t know. Perhaps it was because my cellar was full.
[Erzsébet] Pardon? [chuckles]
I collect books, butterflies and such,
but above all else, Portuguese Madeira.
I take it every evening after supper.
I’ve done the math, and if I were to uncork a bottle
seven days a week for the next 30 years,
the maximum of my life’s expectancy,
I would need no more than 10,000 bottles, all told.
So once the cellar was full,
it was time to set about in a new direction.
Out of the cellar and into the sky.
If you were to drink a bottle of Madeira every day,
I shouldn’t think you’d last 30 years.
[Harrison laughs]
I always keep good company.
[Erzsébet] That helps.
[TV plays, hammering]
[woman] I wanna be honest and I want you to be honest too,
then when we get married…
[Leslie] Whatever you need. I’m very grateful.
Yep, thank you. Yep.
I’m gonna have to call you back.
How dare you?
How dare I what?
You go behind their back!
You have the meeting with another goddamn designer!
Who in the hell is James T Simpson? Who is he?
You want to try to get me sacked!
I didn’t tell him to meet with anyone. Of course I didn’t.
You think I feel like working with you hating my guts
for the next two godforsaken years?
Look, Jim Simpson is a smart guy.
He doesn’t want to interfere at all.
I am not approving these changes.
Well, I’m afraid it’s not up to you.
The casts are already finished. We put in that order
over a month ago.
What?
This is the first time you’re hearing about it?
[in Hungarian] Fuck!
[in English] No one tells me a goddamn thing here!
Harrison said he would talk it over with you.
I’m sorry you found out this way, I really am.
There. It is mine again.
He cuts three metres from the top,
I add it to the bottom.
There you go.
We can’t afford all this.
I’m already overbudget this quarter.
You take what you need from my fee, Leslie.
Come on, what’s the difference between 40 and 50 feet, anyway?
The ceilings are still plenty high.
Get it approved!
Well, we have a walk-through next week
and Jim is supposed to be there.
Just hear him out!
You can state your case to Harrison and Harry Lee.
I won’t open my mouth, I swear it.
[László] Quit talking and get it approved, Leslie!
For the cantilevered floors,
we plan to use upside-down T-shaped beams
integrated into concrete slabs down here.
This will serve both as the ceiling for the space above
and provide resistance against compression.
Well, which corridor are we in now?
We’re below ground here.
It’s a sort of passageway between the main unit
and the three mid-sized modular units
to the south and southeast.
I’m sorry, but I don’t see how any of this acknowledges
my proposed cuts.
I took ten feet off the height of these damn things
and now we are 30 feet underground.
You have added a quarter-mile or so of tunnel!
[László] We excavate the entire diameter of the tunnel system
using a full-face method.
[Jim] A what?
So that there is something inside
for the people to discover.
And so that it is one building, not four!
For its harmony.
You said it yourself, Mr Van Buren,
you expected it to be one building.
Well, now it is.
I’m sorry, but we are not going back inside
until you look us all straight in the eye
and you tell us where you are willing to compromise.
Jim, please, tell us again what it is that you have built.
Tell us.
I’ll tell you what I’ve built.
I’ve built a shopping centre in New Hope,
a hotel in Stamford, Connecticut…
Now, Jim, let me remind everyone
that László has offered to personally offset these costs.
I’m sorry, but you have asked me to come here
to tell you what it is that we do not need.
Plain and simple, the one thing we do not need is this guy.
[Harrison] You two. Jim.
I’m sorry, but this whole thing is just bizarre.
You must all see…
[Harrison] Now, look.
I really think you two might see eye to eye
if you just spent a little more time getting to know each other.
Jim! Listen to me.
Come. Listen to me. [sniffs]
Come. Come here.
I’m listening.
Everything that is…
ugly…
cruel…
stupid…
but most importantly, ugly…
everything… is your fault.
Jim! That’s enough!
You want to push me?
I think it’s time you went home.
Thank you for your insight.
I’m sorry.
He hit me.
I trust you.
I trust you, all right?
[exhales]
[chuckles softly] Ah…
[Harrison chuckles]
It went well, other than that, I think.
Very well.
Sorry.
Very well indeed.
Sorry, I…
He’s an idiot, though.
Come on.
[exhales]
I go home.
Yeah.
Harrison, you sure about this guy?
Look, I know Jim lost his temper,
but he had a few points back there, didn’t he?
Look, my office is fielding complaints
about plans for this place on a daily basis, more or less.
Jim’s a Protestant. Gives folks peace of mind.
People are worried it’s gonna ruin the hillside.
We’ll do something. A little event for the community.
Get them on side.
And don’t worry, Jim will stay on.
Yeah, does Jim know that? I think he thinks he’s fired.
I’ll have Leslie telephone him tomorrow.
And he can advise from afar.
Better for morale that way.
[applause]
Mayor Kinney!
Thank you, everyone, for being here today.
Girls, come in for this picture. Here.
[in Hungarian] I’m proud of you. Make love to me tonight.
[Harrison, in English] All right.
[man] Right. Everybody ready?
[László] Yes, yes. Feeling lucky.
On the count of three.
[drum roll]
Three, two, one!
[cheering, applause]
[Gordon] That’s a motor grader. We used to do it with horses.
Makes a flat surface to pour on.
Take a lot of horses to do what that thing can do, William.
If you want, in the morning,
we can take you down there if you’re curious.
What do you say we get you in one of them machines?
Sure.
[Harry] Big day, Mr Tóth.
Yes. Yes, it is.
[Harry] Excuse us, gentlemen.
Leslie mentioned during our meeting with Jim last week
that you’re planning on putting your fee back into the project.
Seems a bit irresponsible, doesn’t it,
given your situation?
Will it even last you to the end of your commitment?
I will figure something out.
Have you discussed it with your wife?
She will be supportive.
Suit yourself. I wouldn’t do it.
I know Leslie certainly wouldn’t do it.
I didn’t want you to think
you’d be setting any sort of precedent.
I expect nothing from either of you.
How does that work?
The company paying themselves a fee to finance?
Do you not think I deserve to be paid
for the time and energy I devote to the project?
Might I make a suggestion?
You might.
Your niece has made several of our guests
very uncomfortable.
Perhaps you should have a talk with her.
About what?
Don’t get me wrong, she’s…
she’s very lovely to look at, I know.
As much as we all dream of having a little birdy
that keeps her trap shut,
comes off like a rude affectation.
And I’ve tried to connect. Make conversation.
It goes nowhere.
Oh, it runs in the family. [chuckles softly]
I would like us to be friends.
Huh!
[chuckles]
Great.
This is not friendly, Harry.
I didn’t say I’d like to slip my prick into her.
[chuckles]
Forget it.
I had too much to drink.
I need a nap.
László?
We tolerate you.
[chuckles]
Rub-a-dub-dub, three maids in a tub.
Who do you think were there?
Butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker.
[groans]
It’s invigorating, isn’t it?
[breathes deeply]
Do you fancy a stroll?
[Maggie] I swear it.
They looked exactly like that popular painting.
You know the one. Ooh!
[Erzsébet laughs] Oh, stop it!
Daddy kept apologising to our hostess.
For context… for context, her husband
was one of Van Buren Manufacturer’s
most important private clients.
[laughs]
[Maggie] Daddy tried to explain everything
that had made us late that evening,
as she prepared
what appeared to be a delightful-looking trifle.
[Erzsébet] Was it awful?
[Harrison] Yes.
I kid you not, cow tallow and fruit pie.
[Erzsébet] No!
[laughter]
And Daddy has such a sweet tooth.
I didn’t know how to warn him in front of everyone.
I was starving.
He took a bite this big.
[Harrison] I was starving!
He began gagging like a housecat.
[hissing]
[laughter]
[Maggie] And all he could say to explain was…
[clears throat] “Dear, I’m allergic.”
[Harrison] “I’m allergic.”
[laughter]
To which our concerned hostess replied,
“Oh, goodness, allergic to what?”
And he said, “To that.”
“I am allergic to whatever that is.”
[laughter]
[Maggie] Oh, Daddy.
Let’s go.
Bring the chair, please.
[Erzsébet] Zsófia.
You all right?
[Erzsébet] It has been a lovely day.
It certainly has been.
Pity the wind’s picked up a little.
Erszi. It’s time for us to go.
You won’t join us for dinner at the house?
Uh, we start early tomorrow.
Thank you for the event.
Does he ever take a break?
Never!
[Erzsébet] Goodbye, Mr Van Buren.
[Harrison] All right, stay warm.
What’s the rush?
We will talk at the house.
[Erzsébet] László, can you slow down?
Can you slow down?
I am forfeiting the remainder of my fee
due to some expenses unforeseen.
Oh, so that’s what the son kept alluding to.
Yes. He’s a snake.
[in Hungarian] Don’t go near him, Zsófia.
[in English] All right, so what will that mean for us?
I will figure something out.
We will figure something out.
I suppose we can make do on my salary.
Your salary?
Mr Van Buren’s helped me with a job interview
in New York City.
I’m sure once they meet me, they won’t be able to resist me.
[Gordon] Thank you for the supper, Mrs Tóth.
[Erzsébet] I thought we might have our own little party
to celebrate all of your hard work.
You’ve come so far, the both of you.
Oh, it’s not mine, really.
[Erzsébet] That’s not what László tells me.
He says he couldn’t have done it without you.
So do you have a missus at home, Gordon?
[Gordon] Augusta passed away in ’43.
She was sick and died of a damn tooth infection, of all things.
[Erzsébet] Very sorry to hear that.
I’m terribly sorry for your loss.
He’s all right. He was too young then to remember much.
And I was gone two years in Arizona
before they shipped us all off to Naples, Italy.
92nd Infantry Division.
They wouldn’t let me back home all that time, not once.
Augusta’s sister looked after him until I got back.
Kept me alive, though, knowing he was waiting for me.
Kept me good and alive, thank goodness.
Zsófia’s mother passed.
Losing a mother, it’s an unfathomable loss.
To lose one’s birth mother
is to lose the very foundation on which we stand.
[lighter clicks]
The mind may not know its loss, but the heart does.
I remember her.
That’s because I’ve told you so much about her.
You were too small.
No, I remember Augusta.
I just wanted to make it easier on you.
What are you doing?
I’m just looking at you.
What do you think?
It’s unusual, even for you.
Think so?
Hmm.
Many of the rooms are quite small,
yet the ceilings are high.
Yes.
Inside, you must look upwards.
So which part of it are we paying for?
The height of the ceiling.
The glass above.
I like it.
I’m so happy you approve.
[indistinct chatter]
[bird calls]
The service is in here?
For the overflow.
Because of the holiday?
The community’s growing.
[chanting in Hebrew]
[chanting continues]
[singing in Hebrew]
[singing continues]
[singing continues]
[singing continues, muted]
[Erzsébet wails]
What?
[wails]
Erzsébet? Erzsébet? What is happening?
[panting] It’s too much.
What is too much?
The pain. It’s too much.
I need Zsófia. She has my medication.
Zsófia!
[groans]
[groans]
Zsófia!
[Erzsébet groans]
[László] Zsófia.
[László, in Hungarian] Oh, my God!
[in English] Get it. Go to her. Go to her.
[Erzsébet moans]
Give it to her.
[Erzsébet sobs]
Take it.
[Leslie] I have everyone here with me now, yes.
I see. Well, if there’s anything more we can do.
We’re terribly sorry for the news.
On tenterhooks at this end,
so give me a ring here when you have something.
[puts phone down]
A big section came undone.
He didn’t know which one for certain.
And it took seven freight cars along with it.
Goddamn it, Leslie! How the hell do you find these people?
Transpo company is our own, Dad.
[Harrison] What?
We sent our own guys to Charleston.
[Leslie] The rail cars were ours too.
It was cheaper, given all the back and forth.
It’s well over a hundred shipments, Harrison.
You don’t utter another word to that rail company
till Michael can advise.
I’m hoping to have some answers for you soon, sir.
Can we see what can be salvaged? How far is it?
The accident put two brakemen in the hospital.
It’s a real mess out there.
Send flowers to them, to the families for Christ’s sake.
Oh, wait, don’t! That looks guilty.
I’ll call Michael.
What do you want me to do in the meantime?
[Harrison] With what?
Well, our crew.
Let them go.
You can’t, sir, you cannot…
[Harrison] Yes, I can!
Yes. Yes, I can!
People are gonna write about this.
I’m staring down the barrel
of the next two goddamn years of my life.
What if one of them dies? What if they both die?
Who pays for it? Are you gonna pay for it?
Are you gonna pay for it?
[Leslie] László, in the interest of transparency,
before I came to retrieve you, I’d already advised Mr Van Buren
to cut his losses…
Shut up, Leslie!
[László] Sir. Sir, please.
Don’t beg! It’s unbecoming!
You’re welcome to stay here
until you find your footing elsewhere.
I have a mess to clean up.
[dog barking]
[László] I’m sorry, Gordon.
Don’t apologise to me.
I will give you some money while you look for something.
I’ll be fine.
You have a kid. I will give you something and you will take it.
Listen…
you got any, uh…
any hop on you?
None at all. I’m off it.
Good.
Good. That’s…
That’s good to hear.
[László, in Hungarian] Fuck.
{\an8}[clattering, crashing]
Fuck!
Damn it all to hell!
[Erzsébet, in English] Stop it!
Stop it! You’re acting like a child.
It’s over!
[Erzsébet] You’re making me a mess to clean up.
It’s over!
You have to march over there right now
and get him excited again.
Keep him engaged.
You know how these rich fellows are.
For him, it’s like… it’s like refurbishing a kitchen.
Two people are in the hospital.
He does not want to proceed.
That’s not your fault!
[crashing]
It’s over.
Over.
Over.
Finished!
[László, in Hungarian] Fuck!
[door slams]
[jazz music plays]
[reporter, in English] Good evening, New York,
and happy holidays from ABC News.
November 23rd, 1958, marks an important milestone
in the fight against the East.
This morning, the first full-range firing
of an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM,
was conducted by the United States.
[telephones ring, chatter]
[receptionist] All right. Yes. I’ll make a note of it.
[Michael] Morning.
I’m looking for Rudolph Heywood and Associates.
Pardon me, sir, but who is it you’re looking for?
László Tóth. He draws there.
Could I ask you to spell that?
Yeah, it’s, uh, L-A-S-L-O…
Oh. Yes. I see him.
The draughtsmen are right upstairs.
All righty. Thank you, ma’am.
[on radio] The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
is just around the corner,
and anticipation is building for this annual spectacle.
On the political front, New York…
[Michael] László?
László?
Michael.
We have some news.
As do I.
How exciting. What is it, László?
Please. Go ahead, Zsófia.
We are making Aliyah.
What?
We are going to Jerusalem.
I heard you.
Binyamin has family there.
My older brothers relocated with their families in 1950.
They became citizens.
Life is difficult there.
Have you thought this through?
It is our obligation.
To whom?
Our repatriation is our liberation.
Oh, please…
Where will you live?
Hmm?
Where will you work?
We can stay with my brother’s family when we first arrive.
I was planning to help with the baby.
My brother’s wife can help, also.
I know.
I am Jewish. My child is Jewish. We must go home now.
Does it somehow make us less Jewish that we are here?
Are we not Jewish?
I see.
Perhaps Binyamin did not recognise me to begin with.
He does.
I’m sorry.
No, I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
It’s wonderful news.
[László] Mm-hm.
We reacted badly out of self-interest.
It is simply that…
we are going to miss you.
Well, we would like you to come.
Dear, we have jobs here.
You could have a better job in Israel.
I like my job.
A women’s column. It’s beneath you.
I write for a paper and I’m paid for it.
How many women my age could make the same claim?
What’s your news, László?
Harrison asked me back.
Michael came by the office today.
Insurance monies came through.
They plan to forego the library
to compensate for legal expenses, but…
they want to complete the project.
[Erzsébet] I don’t like that man.
[László] You scarcely knew him.
[Erzsébet] He dropped you as quickly as he took you on.
[László] He’s in Roma on business.
He would like me to join him
to select the marble for the altarpiece in Carrara.
[Erzsébet] I told you, for him, it’s like doing a kitchen.
[László] Darling?
[Erzsébet] Everyone is leaving me.
No, it isn’t true.
[Erzsébet] Isn’t it?
No.
[László] No, it isn’t.
Uncle László is leaving you only for a short time.
[László] For some days.
And I will visit and so will you. We will find a way.
[László] I can make arrangements
to have you dropped and picked up at the newspaper.
No. It’s not just this trip.
You’ll be in Doylestown again now.
I’ll be fine on my own.
I will make arrangements.
Promise you won’t let it drive you mad.
[dog barking in the distance]
I promise.
[Erzsébet] It’s time to go! You’ll be late!
[László] Yes, yes. Yes, one minute.
[eagle calls]
[Harrison] I must say, Mr Tóth, you look a mess.
I would expect your Elizabeth to be taking better care of you.
[László] The years have been difficult.
[Harrison] For us all.
For us all.
[László] Hm.
Where the hell is he?
I’m sure he’ll be… be along any minute.
He lives in the mountains.
It takes time.
This is why I never do business with Italians.
They’re the spics of Europe.
[man, in Italian] Hello, László, my friend!
[in English] He’s right here now.
[in Italian] Hello, Orazio.
[Orazio, in English] Finally, darling. Che bello.
Mr Van Buren.
Orazio.
[Orazio, in Italian] I will take a coffee and we can go.
Hey…
[in English] What happened to his hand?
Dangerous work.
[Orazio, in Italian] You are tough, Mr László, you know?
{\an8}[Harrison, in English] I’ve worn the wrong shoes for this little trek.
{\an8}Do you mind if I take your arm?
Step where I step, you will be all right.
[Orazio, in Italian] There aren’t many people I see anymore from before the war.
I’m not surprised to see you, though.
Some people, you just knew somehow they would be all right.
Because you are stubborn.
And so am I.
I will never leave this place.
Because you are stubborn.
And so am I.
I will never leave this place.
I have left only once in 20 years to go to Giulino, Azzano,
to beat the corpse of Mussolini with my own hands.
Those of us here, my colleagues, we are anarchists.
We were part of the Resistance.
No one knows the quarries like us.
We fought and captured
many members of the National Republican Army.
We trapped them in these caves.
And we dropped these very same stones on them.
[in English] It is beautiful, no?
It is beautiful.
Exactly as you described, László.
[exhales]
[Harrison] Extraordinary.
[Orazio, in Italian] The channelling here will be done in one month.
If you like it, we can have it fixed and ready for you in April.
[in English] I’m so happy to see you again.
I am happy to see you, old friend.
Such a life down the years.
And we are still here.
[in Italian] We like it.
We like it.
[panting]
{\an8}[Harrison, in English] This is magic. Thank you.
{\an8}[Orazio] László, László,
{\an8}there will be a big party tonight.
I remember how much you love a party.
[László chuckling]
[jazz music plays]
[Orazio] Yeah.
♪ You are my destiny
♪ You are too hard to me
♪ You are my happiness…
[László] I remember that.
[Orazio, in Italian] Hey! Come, come.
This is my great old friend.
Good evening.
♪ You share my loneliness ♪
♪ You’re more than life to me ♪
♪ That’s what you are ♪
♪ Heaven ♪
♪ And heaven alone can take ♪
♪ Your love from me ♪
♪ Would I be fool to ever leave you, dear? ♪
♪ And a fool I’d ever be ♪
♪ You are my destiny ♪
♪ You share my reverie ♪
♪ You’re more than life to me ♪
♪ That’s what you are ♪
♪ Heaven ♪
♪ And heaven alone can take ♪
♪ Your love from me ♪
♪ But I’d be a fool to ever leave you, dear ♪
♪ And a fool I’d never be ♪
[in English] Mr Tóth?
It’s time we return to our quarters.
[laughter echoes]
Orazio has very kindly offered us
a place to sleep for the night.
[laughter echoes]
Mr Tóth?
[László grunts, coughs]
[Harrison] What have you done to yourself?
[Harrison grunts]
[László coughs]
[Harrison] It’s a shame seeing how…
your people treat themselves.
If you resent your persecution,
why then do you make of yourself such an easy target?
Hmm?
[László spits]
[Harrison] If you act as a loafer,
living off hand-outs…
a societal leech,
how can you…
how can you rightfully expect a different result?
You… you have so much potential.
But you squander it.
[László grunts]
[László retches, coughs]
[László grunts]
Get it out. Let it out.
[belt buckle rattles]
Let it out. It’s all right.
[László groans]
[László groans]
It’s all right.
[Harrison gasps]
[László grunts]
[Harrison] Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
You think you’re special?
[László groans]
[Harrison] You think you…
[László moans]
…you just float directly above all those you encounter
because you’re beautiful, huh?
Because you’re educated? [groans]
[László groans]
[Harrison sighs]
[Harrison] You’re just a tramp.
You’re a lady of the night.
You’re just a lady of the night.
[Harrison groans]
[László yells, muffled]
[Harrison pants]
[Harrison grunts, pants]
[Harrison inhales, exhales sharply]
♪ That’s what you are ♪
[music fades out]
[wind whistles]
[footsteps echo]
You were in quite a state last night.
Orazio carried you to bed.
It’s a four-hour train to the airport in Fiumicino.
So you’ll have time for a rest.
I hope your stomach is not too sensitive on aeroplanes.
[wind whistles]
[in Hungarian] My dearest Zsófia! Mazel tov!
She is so beautiful. Your spitting image!
Don’t be mad, but your Uncle László insisted
I enclose a few banknotes for you and Binyamin.
We hope he won’t be offended,
and that it’s not too difficult
to change these into the local currency.
Here, I am so alone.
Perhaps more alone than I have ever been.
Your uncle closed a door to me.
The man I married is inside,
but the lock’s combination I cannot decipher…
Your uncle no longer attends synagogue.
He prefers to roam obsessively
through the corridors of his construction in Doylestown.
There, at last, much progress has been made,
yet he seems no more content
than on the day the Institute first broke ground.
I suppose that inside,
he worships at the altar of only himself.
Tell me how you are.
How you really are.
All our love and warmth to the three of you.
Erzsébet.
[clock clunks]
[in English] You see this, above us?
Measure the same distance
of three or perhaps four inches between flats,
and place each modular section apart by that same distance.
Then what do we do with the gaps?
We insert a thick sheet of glass between the panels
to let the light in from above.
Give me some time to think about it and I’ll come back to you.
[men shout] Twenty-two.
[men] Twenty-three.
What’s going on here?
Twenty-four.
Twenty-five.
Twenty-six.
Twenty-seven.
Twenty-eight.
Twenty-nine.
Thirty.
Thirty-one
[László] Stop it right now!
Thirty-two.
Stop it! Stop it right now!
What is your name, huh?
Are you stupid? You want to pull this whole thing down?
Want to get them all killed?
Your childish show-boating puts everyone else here at risk!
Do you hear me?
Are you thick? Are you lame?
Gordon, can you get him to stop shouting at everyone?
I will.
[László] You report to the subcontractor.
You tell him that you’ve been let go.
Get out of here!
[Gordon] Hey!
What’s wrong with you, László?
You kicked that boy.
Stay out of it, Gordon.
What’s wrong with you?
Stay out of it.
Stay out of it, or you can go with him!
You shout at me again and you’ll be sorry.
[yells]
You too! You go!
Go! Get out of here.
Get out of here.
You think I am playing games with you?
Let’s go. Let’s go.
[Erzsébet] I only just arrived.
[Jim] Mr Tóth.
Oh, God.
Mr Tóth, we need to talk about these May-June cost reports.
Not today, Jimmy, not today.
[Jim] You can’t keep walking away from me
every time I step into a room.
This is not a room, Jim.
Honey, did I introduce you to Jim Simpson?
Jim is the boss’s lapdog
and architectural consultant extraordinaire!
Jim designed a hotel in Stamford.
[Erzsébet] László, that’s enough.
[László] Come on, Jimmy, there must be an unpaid parking meter
around here somewhere, huh?
Be vigilant!
Keep your eyes peeled!
What is it, huh?
It was unnecessary how you treated that boy is all.
Their safety is my priority.
It is not what you said to that young man, it is how.
Gordon? Don’t even get me started.
Do you want to wait around for another few years
for another lawsuit to resolve itself?
Hmm? I am sick of it.
Sick! Do you hear me?
I finish this or we are finished.
[Erzsébet] Speak for yourself. I am not finished.
Living with you is impossible.
You’ve become a selfish old bastard
right before my very eyes.
Don’t say something you’ll regret in the morning.
[grunts]
Do you want to kill us?
I’d get out of the car and march all the way back to Manhattan
if I could, you egotistic scoundrel!
There is no reason for me to be here.
I’m here for you. I could do my ridiculous job anywhere!
Do you think I went to university
to write about lipsticks?
Shame on you!
We came here because it was our only option!
Attila was here…
Who you refuse to see!
Ask him about that! Ask him.
Did he tell you he kicked me to the street like a dog?
Did he?
His bitch, bitch wife accused me of making a pass at her.
You would never do that.
I did not do that.
Then why would she say such a thing?
Because they do not want us here.
[Erzsébet] Of course Attila wants us here.
Not Attila.
Then who do you mean?
The people here. They do not want us here.
Audrey, Attila’s Catholic wife, does not want us here!
She does not want us here!
We are nothing.
We are worse than nothing.
[Erzsébet] You poor man.
My poor husband.
Oh, dear.
What has been robbed of you?
[Erzsébet yells] Zsófia!
Shh.
Zsófia!
She’s not here, darling.
[sobs]
She’s not here.
Zsó…
Sorry I upset you. Please.
Get me my pills. [moans in pain]
It’s too much. [grunts, moans]
I’m in pain! I’m close to death!
[Erzsébet yells, groans]
[László] Darling?
There is only a pill cut in halves.
Do you have more in your purse?
[Erzsébet] I can’t. [groans]
[László] Darling.
Take this, please. Do you have more in your purse?
[Erzsébet moans in pain]
[László] No?
[Erzsébet] This is too much. [pants]
What will I do?
The pain. This is too much, László.
Shh.
[groans]
[Erzsébet sobs]
[Erzsébet groans in pain]
[Erzsébet sobbing]
[László] Darling, I have found something.
[Erzsébet groaning]
[László] Darling, come on. Shh. Shh.
[Erzsébet breathes heavily]
It’s what they gave me on the boat for my broken face.
It’ll help you feel better.
Just listen to my voice, dear.
That’s it. Just listen to my voice.
Listen to my voice.
[breathing calms]
There you go.
Listen to my voice.
[Erzsébet exhales]
[László] There you go. Shh.
[László] Listen to my voice.
Good, my dear.
There you go.
There you go.
[László exhales]
[László inhales sharply]
Good.
Listen to my voice, darling.
[Erzsébet sighs]
Do… do you have more?
[Erzsébet moans]
[in Hungarian] I love you.
I love you.
[Erzsébet moans]
[in English] Keep going.
[in Hungarian] Yes.
[Erzsébet moans]
I love you.
[in English] Harder.
[Erzsébet moans]
[Erzsébet moans, gasps]
[boat horn blares]
[Erzsébet, in Hungarian] More.
More.
[Erzsébet moans]
[in English] Toilet.
Toilet.
Yes, dear.
Yes.
Up. Come, my dear.
Oh. Yeah. [grunts]
Come on.
Come…
[László] Oh. All right?
I’ll wait outside.
OK? You tell me when you need me.
Darling?
Have you finished?
Darling, can I come in?
Darling? Erzsébet?
[László sobbing] Help. Help me. Help.
[nurse] I need a gurney, a stretcher! Anything! Anything!
[László] Help me. Help, my wife is dying.
[nurse] She’ll be all right. OK, OK, OK.
[László] My wife is dying.
[nurse] She’ll be all right.
[nurse] Quickly, quickly, quickly!
[László] My wife, she’s dying.
[bell tolls]
[thunder rumbles]
[footsteps echo]
[indistinct voice over PA system]
[phone rings]
Last night, I met God.
He granted me permission to call Him by His name.
It’s not the first time we have met.
What did you do to me, my László?
It was an accident.
Do you remember everything you confessed to me
at home in our bed?
You needn’t be ashamed, my darling.
The harm done unto us
was done only to our physical bodies.
You were right.
This place is rotten.
The landscape, the food we eat,
this whole country is rotten.
I’m going to Israel to be with Zsófia and her child.
I want to become the grandmother to her
that she will otherwise never encounter.
[László cries]
Come home with me.
Come home with me.
I will follow you.
I follow you until I die.
[car approaches]
[clicking]
[gates creak]
[clock chimes]
[second clock chimes]
[door opens]
[Maggie] Mrs Tóth.
You’re standing. How lovely to see.
Do you need a hand?
I’m all right, thank you.
Is Mr Tóth here as well?
Just me, I’m afraid.
Oh.
To what do we owe the pleasure?
Is your father in?
Sure. We were just sitting down for dinner.
No trouble at all, I’m happy to wait until you’re all finished.
Don’t be silly. I’ll ask the kitchen to fix you a plate.
You’re kind, Maggie. Thank you.
[chuckles softly] Follow me.
You can finally meet my fiancé.
Are you sure you don’t need a hand?
Fine.
[door opens]
[Harrison] Mrs Tóth.
[chairs scrape]
You’re up on your feet.
Please, sit.
[Harrison] Where’s László?
He’s caught a flu.
He’s recovering at home.
Well, that explains it.
Jim Simpson mentioned he hadn’t been on site since last Friday.
Shame.
[Erzsébet] Yes.
A terrible shame.
It’s going around.
Please. Sit down.
[Erzsébet] I’m fine to stand.
Fine to stand?
Is something wrong, Mrs Tóth?
[Erzsébet] Yes. Something is wrong.
I have come tonight to tell you something
that is going to be very difficult to hear.
For you people, too.
I don’t know you, but it will be difficult for you to hear.
[Harry] If this is a professional matter,
then perhaps you and I should talk in the other room.
Your father is a rapist.
[Harry] Excuse me?
Whatever this is supposed to be, I don’t like it.
I’m calling your husband to come and fetch you.
Your father is an evil rapist.
[Maggie] Daddy, what is she talking about?
Look at him.
He cannot say anything.
Did something happen between you and Mrs Tóth?
[Erzsébet] It wasn’t me.
That’s enough!
You come in here making vague, laughable accusations.
I want you out of our house this instant.
[Erzsébet] Tell them what you did to my husband.
Tell them what you did.
[Harrison clears throat]
Your husband is sick.
He’s alcoholic. Drug-addicted.
I don’t know why he wishes to hurt me, to humiliate me.
I have offered him nothing but kindness.
He’s a sick, senile old dog
and when dogs get sick, they…
they often bite the hand of those who fed them,
until someone mercifully puts them down.
Now, if you will excuse me…
I think I’ve endured enough abuse for one evening.
You can tell your husband
he is off the payroll now and forever as well.
[Erzsébet] I will not excuse you!
[Harry] Get out!
[Erzsébet] No!
[Maggie] Harry! Harry, let her go!
[Erzsébet] You are not excused, Harrison Van Buren!
Shame!
[Harry] Out!
Shame on you!
[Maggie] Mrs Tóth, I’m sorry. Mrs Tóth.
Here.
[Erzsébet] I’m fine.
Sorry. I’m so sorry.
[Erzsébet] Can you help me to my car?
[Maggie] Yes. Sure.
[Erzsébet] Taxi is waiting for me at the front.
[Harry] I’m so sorry for the bizarre interruption, gentlemen.
Harry, Harry, we’re leaving.
No! No, don’t leave. Please.
Harry, your father’s gone to bed anyhow.
[Maggie] What have you done?
[door opens]
[door slams]
[Harry] Father?
Father?
It’s over now.
[pants]
Father! She’s gone.
[door opens]
Dad?
[door closes]
Dad?
[door closes]
Where the hell has he gone? Call for him outside.
Dad?
Dad!
Harrison!
Harrison!
He must have left the house, I can’t find him anywhere.
Daddy!
Harrison!
[dogs bark]
[man] Mr Van Buren!
[Harry] Harrison!
[man 2] Mr Van Buren!
[dogs bark]
[Harry] Father!
[Maggie] Dad!
[Maggie] Daddy!
[man] Shine a bit more light on this side here.
[dogs continue barking]
[Harry] Harrison!
[man] Van Buren!
[man] You see anything?
[man 2] There’s a door there.
[man 3] It’s locked! Can’t get inside!
[running footsteps]
[dogs bark]
[man] Give us the telephone number for a groundskeeper.
[door clicks]
[Harry] What is this place?
[man] It’s the condensate return system
and the drain pumps.
[water splashes]
[Harry] Harrison!
[dogs bark]
[man] Think we’ve got something over here, Lieutenant.
[church bell tolls, water laps]
[man speaks in Italian]
[woman] Turn that music down!
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
[Zsófia] They look beautiful like this, don’t you think?
Excuse us, sir.
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[applause]
Good evening.
[clears throat]
My uncle is, above all, a principled artist.
His lifelong ambition was not only to define an epoch,
but to transcend all time.
In his memoirs, he described his designs as machines
with no superfluous parts.
That, at their best, at his best,
possessed an immoveable core,
a hard core of beauty.
A way of directing their inhabitants’ perception
into the world as it is.
The inherent laws of concrete things
such as mountains and rock define them.
They indicate nothing.
They tell nothing.
They simply are.
Born in 1911 in a small fishing village in Austria-Hungary,
László Tóth looked out upon the Adriatic Sea.
He was a boy with eyes wide open, full of yearning.
New borders would eventually
rip this expanse of sea away from him,
but never did he stop to try and fill its void.
Forty years later, he survived the camp at Buchenwald,
as did his late wife, and myself, in Dachau.
His first American masterpiece, the Van Buren Institute outside of Philadelphia, remained unfinished until 1973.
The building referenced his time at Buchenwald, as well as the deeply felt absence of his wife, my aunt, Erzsébet.
For this project, he re-imagined the camp’s claustrophobic interior cells with precisely the same dimensions as his own place of imprisonment, save for one electrifying exception.
When visitors looked 20 metres upwards, the dramatic heights of the glass roof above them invited free thought, freedom of identity.
He further re-imagined Buchenwald and his wife’s venue of imprisonment, Dachau, on the same grounds, connected by a myriad of secret corridors, re-writing their history, transcending space and time, so that he and Erzsébet would never be apart again.
Uncle… you and Aunt Erzsébet once spoke for me.
I speak for you now, and am honoured.
“Don’t let anyone fool you, Zsófia,” he would say to me as a struggling young mother raising my daughter during our first years in Jerusalem.
“No matter what the others try and tell you, it is the destination, not the journey.”
[♪ “One for You, One for Me” ♪ [by La Bionda]
Thank you.
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ Please don’t go away ♪
♪ I’m ready and I’m able ♪
♪ Please don’t go away ♪
♪ Don’t go ♪
♪ Till morning comes around ♪
♪ Please don’t go away while wine is on the table ♪
♪ Please don’t go away ♪
♪ Don’t go ♪
♪ Just lay your body down ♪
♪ Now I don’t know what I would do ♪
♪ If you got up to leave ♪
♪ My jealous heart beats deep inside ♪
♪ And not here on my sleeve ♪
♪ ‘Cause I could show a girl like you ♪
♪ Such loving and affection ♪
♪ I don’t want to make no speech ♪
♪ This here ain’t no election ♪
♪ Please don’t go away ♪
♪ Honey, change your mind and stay ♪
♪ Hot love’s on the way ♪
♪ Honey, let me hear you say ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
♪ One for you, one for me ♪
