SIFF Selects
Drunken Birds (Les Oiseaux Ivres)
Episode 6 | 1h 47m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
A drug-cartel worker runs afoul of his boss and migrates to Canada
A drug-cartel worker runs afoul of his boss and migrates to Canada, in Ivan Grbovic’s timely tale of star-crossed love and starting over. Presented in French/Spanish with English subtitles.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
SIFF Selects is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
SIFF Selects
Drunken Birds (Les Oiseaux Ivres)
Episode 6 | 1h 47m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
A drug-cartel worker runs afoul of his boss and migrates to Canada, in Ivan Grbovic’s timely tale of star-crossed love and starting over. Presented in French/Spanish with English subtitles.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch SIFF Selects
SIFF Selects is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it were to never have shone.
DRUNKEN BIRDS - Who was it?
- I don't know.
They hung up.
Willy!
Stop, you bastard!
Stop!
Where are you going?
Next time I won't miss!
How did you think this would end?
You screwed up.
Cripes... Look there.
See?
Go and don't come back.
Understand?
Disappear.
Cripes... Cripes, my favorite shirt...
Anyway, Marlena's gone.
She's probably dead.
Seriously.
Forget her.
You're wasting your time.
Come on.
- Hurry up.
- What is this place?
Incredible!
Looks like nobody is here.
It's abandoned.
It's so fancy here.
All the mirrors... Look at the angels... Where are you?
We're here.
Beautiful chimney.
- A little kitty.
- A piano!
Drugs pay.
Come see!
It's even bigger up here!
You won't believe this... - Is that him?
- Yeah.
I think he's in jail.
Take whatever you can carry!
My love... Don't hate me for what I'm about to write.
Last summer, after the shootout...
I prayed for your life and made a vow...
If God let you live...
I'd repent all my sins.
!
I'd answer God's call and devote my life to helping others.
I have to leave, far enough that we won't be tempted to see each other.
Don't try to find me, I beg of you.
!
I'll be in a convent.
Far from men, far from everything.
"You'll be in my heart until my last breath."
I will love you forever.
You are my life.
Your little flower, Mar.
I'm not sure he'll believe you.
Leave the convent out.
He knows you too well.
- And?
- He'll know you're lying.
Write that you're staying with a friend, and leaving your family who don't understand.
To avoid endangering them.
Do you think he'll buy it?
He sleeps with a good luck charm.
Willy, are you back?
Your writing has to be messier.
You're supposed to be in a hurry.
Marlena, no one can know where you are going.
Not even me.
Please... come with me, Willy...
It's too risky.
If he suspects anything, we're dead.
What matters most is that you are safe.
I'll find you, I promise.
He won't hurt you anymore.
Willy, are you here?
!
The boss needs to go into town.
I'll be right in.
Welcome!
- How are you, Boss?
- Good, good.
Glad to see you.
Me too.
- How's the family?
- Everyone is fine.
For the new guys, I'm Richard.
That's Martin.
He'll look after you.
This is one of the oldest farms in the area.
4 generations.
Julie's grandpa built that barn.
I see familiar faces.
Miguel, Gabriel, Omar...
Nothing has changed since last year, aside from the new greenhouses.
It's like the army.
We start at 5:30 every day.
If you're not here, you're docked a day's pay.
Nights are free, but get up in the morning.
Understood?
Martin.
The old crew should help the newcomers settle in.
There are 8 beds per trailer.
That hasn't changed.
They're all the same.
All comfortable.
Sunday afternoons are off.
Off for everybody.
There's a mass in Spanish in St. Rémi, the next town.
Antonio, Señor.
Oscar.
Jesús.
Martin.
- We have two Martins.
- Do you have a nickname?
They call me The Giant.
Giant, OK. Willy.
A new guy.
Pablo.
- This is my wife, Julie.
- She signs your checks.
Hello.
Thanks guys.
Not in town?
I wanted to welcome my employees.
- Pablo?
- Hello Boss!
- How are you?
- Fine, thanks.
Good to see you, Boss.
Thanks for coming.
They're not all back?
Not this year, no.
Hello!
- No delivery.
- No?
We should get it tomorrow.
- How's the truck?
- Perfect, thanks.
Do the same as women do to us...
Break the heart.
Show no mercy.
Try it.
That's it.
You got it!
You'll soon be as fast as us.
Right guys?
Come on, new boy!
Idiots!
Léa?
Léa... supper!
Around two thousand.
I need to buy my ticket.
What?
What do you mean?
Charlie?
What's wrong?
Why is she barking?
- She doesn't like guests.
- Funny.
Did you see Normand?
- Yes.
- And?
He says I'm too smart to be a waitress.
- He doesn't know you.
- You need a job.
Don't dirty your hands here.
Too dainty to work here.
Of course not.
- MarieÈve has a job in Brossard.
- No.
- Why not?
- Because.
- Why?
- It's too far.
Charlie!
She's so annoying.
- How are you, Boss?
- Hi.
- Want these in the barn?
- Leave them by the house.
Looks like we'll have a good harvest.
Yeah.
- Goodnight, Boss.
- OK, bye.
Good bunch this year.
Julia...
I waited for you at the greenhouse.
Come.
- Hey!
- Hi.
- How's it going?
- Good, you?
Lou, Léa... Léa, Lou.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- You work at the Grand Prix?
- Yeah.
Alright!
Tonight is gonna be fun.
Let's go!
I'm thirsty.
I came here to find her.
Marlena is the only family I have.
I have nothing.
Nobody else.
Each day a memory fades.
An image...
I'm scared I'll forget her.
Think you'll find her?
No idea, but she has family here.
How do you know?
This is her chain.
Her aunt gave it to her.
It's from a Montreal jeweler.
Maybe she's with her aunt.
And if you don't find her?
Been looking for 4 years.
She's my light.
Be careful what you dream of.
Reality can be harsh.
The higher the mountain the harder the fall.
Do you know the story of Carlos Sanchez?
They tell it in my village.
Back in the 40's or 50's, I'm not sure a man fell in love with a famous actress.
Lara Flores.
Heard of her?
Poor Carlos took all of his savings to cross Mexico and find her.
Like you.
He got a job as a janitor in the studio where she worked.
Years passed as he sought the courage to declare his love.
And then Carlos finally found himself on the set of For The Love Of God.
Backstage, Carlos saw the actors' dressing rooms.
Diego Marquez, Sergio Iòpez, and finally... Lara Flores.
Cut!
Break for 10!
Carlos went into her dressing room.
It was empty.
He hid.
And then he waited, patiently.
When she came in, he was paralyzed.
Please... don't be scared!
Miss Flores?
We're ready.
Oh, Lara!
You are the love of my life!
You are the love of my life!
He was crazy!
And then like in the movies she fell head over heels in love.
What's your name?
Bloody Carlos...
He managed to steal her heart.
But...
Her breath stank like rotting fish.
Love is complicated!
- Please, I need help.
- It's an emergency.
I'd like a seat next to the window.
I prefer to travel in business class.
Where is the bus station?
I'd like a ticket for Madrid.
For students?
For seniors?
- Hello!
- Good morning!
Before closing.
At that price, I'm giving them away.
Yeah, OK. 200 boxes today.
I'll call you.
They don't talk to us much.
We do our job, they do theirs.
It's better that way.
What are the bosses like?
They're nice.
On another farm, they fired me after 2 days for no reason.
I had to buy my own ticket for the flight back.
Don't forget why you are here.
Everything will go fine.
OK, everybody!
To thank you for a great first week... One more.
Hello.
How's it going?
What's that for?
Why?
An offering to the earth.
For the dead.
To remember those we've lost.
It's a tradition we have, Boss.
Julie.
Willy.
Thanks for being here.
Let's go, guys!
Good night.
Good night.
What are you doing?
Making shade for you, my love.
Let's go.
I'm looking at the flower you gave me.
You awakened something in me.
Not just love, but the possibility of an unknown future.
There's a world beyond these walls.
There may not be a place for us, but we can face it together.
When can I see you again?
It's raining a lot.
Worse than other years.
Someone even got hit by lightning.
Of course, Mom.
I have my plane ticket.
I can't wait to eat at Grandma's!
Make him understand.
Tell Juanito to fix it for you.
- I can't take it anymore.
- I'm going to explode.
Hello?
Hello, do you speak Spanish?
I'm looking for someone who maybe worked for you.
Luisa Visguerra... Visguerra, yes... Do you speak Spanish?
Luisa Visguerra.
She worked in your jewelry store.
About 6 years ago.
She's the aunt of a friend.
Cripes!
Where are you hiding, Mar?
Watch the perspective.
It doesn't look like the original.
More texture.
Van Gogh's use of the brush is very important.
Not bad.
And the April orders?
For the US... 10, right?
Good.
And the Mexican?
Good... it's almost ready.
You made him thinner!
- Can I see you again?
- I don't want a boyfriend.
What do you want?
We can't go on like this.
You have to decide.
Hi, Julia.
The rain has stopped.
You speak Spanish?
A little.
I need to practice.
I've never spoken with a human being before.
Only with the man in in the... earphones.
Yes.
You speak well.
What?
You remind me of someone...
I know.
I hope he's handsome.
Good day.
What are you doing?
Don't you have anything better to do?
Dad may be blind, but I'm not.
You're imagining things.
I know what happened last year.
If you don't love Dad, then leave!
Why do you stay?
Do you think I planned it?
It just happened.
- Just happened?
- Yeah.
You don't love Dad?
It's not that.
Maybe... Maybe I just wanted him to react.
I told Dad.
Your affair last summer...
It was me who told Dad.
Last one pays the beer.
Hello?
Hello?
Do you speak Spanish?
Of course.
I'm looking for an employee of yours.
- What is their name?
- Luisa Visguerra.
About 5 or 6 years ago.
Visguerra, yes...
I don't know where she is now.
It's been a long time.
Would anyone else know her?
She lived on Deguire Street.
De... Deguire?
- Number 175, I think.
- How do... Do you have a phone number?
Yes.
Hi!
Going back to the farm?
Yes.
Come.
I'll give you a lift.
Why... Why sad?
It's nothing.
I'm searching for someone.
I don't know if I'll find her.
Do you understand?
It's better that way.
Thank you.
You're learning French?
- It's close to Spanish.
- I like how it sounds even if I don't understand.
What?
- What?
- Nothing!
Nothing.
I come here when I need a break.
There's never anyone.
The... the silence.
It's...
If you close your eyes you forget everything.
You good, girls?
First, I'm Benji.
Nice to meet you.
Tell me your names.
Let's start with you.
- Laurianne.
- Hi, Laurianne.
- Margot.
- Margot?
A pleasure, cool.
- Yasmine.
- Yasmine?
Do you have a nickname?
- Yas.
- Yas.
- You?
- Sibyl.
That's original.
What do they call you?
- Sib.
- Sib?
- You?
- Lèa.
Welcome, Lèa.
You've met Lou.
She'll look after you.
It's simple.
We're just here to have fun.
That's so ugly!
Take it off.
Careful!
Don't look at her!
Yo, what's up?
Yeah man, relax.
We're coming.
You girls excited?
It'll be the party of the year!
Girls, we're almost there.
This place is happening.
Here's this.
Text me if there's anything.
I have my cell.
I know.
This is the party line so we stay connected.
The ring tone is funny.
Our boy is inside, he'll look after you.
Everything's on the house.
So have fun, and stay sexy!
OK, see you later.
Ready?
An F1 driver.
It's like this every year.
She's with me.
Yo, what's up?
Want a drink at the bar?
- Sure, let's go.
- No, you go.
I'll catch up later.
You must be Lèa.
A pleasure.
You're gorgeous.
Champagne for her.
I'll be right back.
This is a friend who's here for the weekend.
I'll let you get acquainted.
What?
No, it's cool.
- Screw off!
- Stop!
Get off!
Stop!
Let go!
- I'll call the cops!
- Stop screaming!
Go ahead, call!
Your dad will know you're a whore!
I'll get help.
You can't stay here.
Wake up!
So... How do you find it?
It's hard.
Imagine after 15 years.
I'm like two people.
I have two lives.
The person at home, and the person here.
Mr... Lettuce.
I wait for the day when I return home.
No matter the path... No matter the house... No matter the door... Each time she's there, waiting for me.
I remember everything, and I become myself again.
Is anyone waiting for you?
Her name is Mar.
Sometimes I think it's absurd that we're here.
What are we doing here?
Cutting lettuce.
So stupid!
Everybody out!
Get outside fast!
One by one, Martin.
Take your time.
Is it him?
Another one, Martin.
Him?
No.
- Are you sure?
- Richard!
I don't want this...
It'll be alright.
Another one!
Lèa... - It's not him.
- Not him?
- You're stressing her!
- She ran out of the trailer.
I'll find the bastard who did this.
Not this way.
What are you doing?
- It wasn't that... - Look at her.
Look what they did... What they did to our family.
Let me handle it.
Leave it to me.
Another one.
Him?
You sure?
Yes.
Another one.
Lèa, is it him?
Lèa... him?
What did he do to you?
Nothing... What's he saying?
- What happened?
- Lèa... - Nothing... - I wanted to help her.
She was bruised up.
What happened?!
Nothing!
What did you do?
What did you do to her?
I wanted to help!
No!
Stop!
Take her home.
What happens to him is no concern of yours.
Leave this to us.
Go to your trailers.
We have work tomorrow.
So it's no?
Think you can say no to me?
Think you have the right to say no?
I chose you!
I brought you here!
I pay you!
I can fire you tomorrow!
I'll send you all home!
By boat if I have to!
Finished!
No money!
You're here to pick lettuce, not mind my business!
My wife and daughter are none of your business!
Go back to your trailers!
Come on, let's go!
Get going!
Didn't you hear?
The boss just said that if you refuse, he'll send you home.
Understand?
Go on, slug him one!
Look at me.
Look at me!
Look at me!
I just wanted to help her.
- Hey Normand.
- Hi Rich.
Hey, Kid.
Let's go over there... We haven't found him yet.
I lost it last night.
It's not your fault.
I'll call the cops.
You can't call the cops.
- Why not?
- Listen to me.
Look, what happened is horrible.
I'm with you.
If it was me, he'd be dead.
What are you telling me?
It's just that... We don't want problems.
The media, public opinion, all that.
We need more guys in the field, not less.
Something like this could... complicate things.
- Think I give a damn?
- I know.
- Did you see her?
- Yeah.
- Her face?
- It'll make things worse.
- I don't care.
- Maybe.
But it's the truth.
That's it.
That's all.
The less they know, the better, and you can't say I'm wrong.
For everybody.
- Think I care?
- You sure?
I'm sure your daughter doesn't want this to get out.
Don't speak for her.
You don't want this to get out.
Don't speak for her.
You want this hushed up.
I'm speaking for everybody.
It'll be OK. Hello?
OK. No, I understand.
No, thanks.
Thanks a lot.
They couldn't find him.
We have a report of a man on horseback downtown.
I found the horse, but no sign of the man.
- Who was it?
- I don't know.
They hung up.
I wait for the day when I return home.
No matter the path... No matter the house... No matter the door... Marlena?
Where is she?
Who are you?
Marlena!
Is it you, Willy?
Who is it?
Each time she's there, waiting for me.
My God!
And then...
I remember everything.
Marlena?
And I become...
Yes, I'm coming.
Myself again.
Willy?
Willy!
- You look sharp.
- I'll let you wear it.
Please don't tell anyone.
Marlena, I'll be quick.
It's crazy for me to be here, but I can't hide my love.
For two years I've stayed on, just to be near you.
I call your house just to hear your voice.
I have one life, and I want to live it with you.
Please, give me a chance.
Hello...
There's a man in the ladies' room!
Dammit!
What are you doing?
What is it, Willy?
Miss?
Miss Marlena, is everything OK?
Miss, open the door!
Go away!
Can't a girl poop in peace?
Sorry...
It's OK guys.
It's fine.
DRUNKEN BIRDS
Support for PBS provided by:
SIFF Selects is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS