The Black Box

Synopsis: Images flash through Arthur's brain, voices buzz in his mind, uttering disjointed words and sentences. Arthur Seligman seems to have had an accident but did he run over a little boy or not? And what was he doing near Cherbourg while he lives in Paris? When he regains consciousness (but does he really?) Isabelle Kruger, a nurse, tells him that he had lapsed into a coma after his accident and that she wrote down all of what he said while he was delirious. She gives him the notebook and Arthur starts investigating...HIMSELF!
 
IMDB:
5.9
Year:
2005
90 min
703 Views


Mr. Seligman...

Spaghetti harvester...

That's a big job,

Spaghetti harvester.

Marble is lovely but it's cold...

RP-50... RP-50... RP-50...

Incorrigible, she used to say...

Spaghetti harvester,

that's a big job...

Texas doesn't exist...

Texas doesn't exist...

He took it from me...

Children are sacred,

you jerk, you jerk!

RP-50... RP-50...

Blue, blue...

Sylvain Ganem wants revenge.

Sylvain Ganem wants to kill me.

He was a tall, thin jerk,

I was afraid, and I wept...

RP-50... RP-50...

Spaghetti harvester...

that's what I want to do!

- No fractures...

- Thank you, we can take care of this.

There's a subdural hematoma...

Seligman. Arthur Seligman.

I knew his parents,

I'll take care of him.

I also knew his brother.

Spaghetti harvester

that's a big job...

RP-50...Incorrigible...

the old b*tch...

He took it from me...

The boy?

Is he alright?

What boy?

Little boy on the bicycle.

Is he alright?

No boy, no bicycle, you were alone.

You missed a curve

and rolled your car.

Those who saw the wreck

say it's a miracle.

You were very lucky.

I'm Isabelle. If you

need anything don't hesitate.

Under your blouse...

Underwear? Or nothing at all?

And Betty? What would

she say about my underwear?

Betty? Who's that?

I don't know any Betty.

Betty.

Betty Moreno.

I realized I never loved

as much since Betty Moreno.

Without you it never would

have resurfaced. Thanks.

You're the one who spoke of her.

I talked?

What did I say?

Many things.

It was captivating.

Hello, I'm Arthur Seligman.

I'm leaving the hospital today.

I'm aware of this,

Mr. Seligman.

Did my brother visit during my...

Well, during my stay?

What's your brother's name?

- Yvan. Yvan Seligman.

- No.

Alright. Could you call me a taxi?

- For the station?

- Station? What station?

- Where are we?

- In Cherbourg, Mr. Seligman.

Cherbourg?

My accident was in Cherbourg?

The road, about 10 km away.

Shall I call you a taxi?

There are trains every hour.

Sure, alright.

I thought this was Paris.

What am I doing in Cherbourg?

Only you could know.

- It'll come back to you.

- When?

Depends on you.

There might be an

answer to that question.

- As well as many others.

- Other questions?

You talked a lot when you

came out of it. I was on watch.

- You didn't stop talking.

- Really? What did I say?

Like a torrent, an

unbelievable flow of words...

Incomprehensible phrases,

only you could decipher them.

And so?

It's a wondrous thing, like

direct access to your memory.

- Your black box, so to speak.

- My black box?

Your subconscious, if you prefer.

Your subconscious expressed itself.

That night you let it all out.

You've freed 35 years of morality,

the forbidden, taboos...

of memories. Betty is

just a drop in that ocean.

She leaves your black box

like all the rest of it.

For once my watch was rather quiet,

and I'm always taking notes.

You're saying you heard it all?

Wrote it all down?

I know it's not right, like peeping,

but it's also an opportunity.

In 14 years of analysis, I haven't

let go as much as you did in one night.

All your fears, loves, hates

and fantasies are in here.

Perhaps also the reason you

were in Cherbourg that night.

Use it wisely.

Hello, you've reached Yvan Seligman...

Yvan, it's Arthur. I had an accident.

In hospital a few days. I'm O.K.

It's nothing. Don't tell the parents.

Call me back.

Incorrigible...

It was all that

old b*tch could say.

Dad, believe me,

I'm not incorrigible.

She lies and you believe her.

The big white marble staircase...

Marble is lovely, but it's cold.

Incorrigible...

Awful thing to say.

If that's how it is,

I'll give you a show...They'll see.

Sylvain Ganem wants revenge.

Sylvain Ganem wants to kill me.

Dad? It's Arthur.

Ahhh, how's my boy?

What are you up to?

It's been a while.

Just wanted to ask: do you

know the name Sylvain Ganem?

Sylvain Ganem? No, dunno,

what team does he play for?

Nothing. Nobody.

Do you remember my accident

in the stairs when I was little?

You bet I remember, your mother

and I thought you had died.

Something happened at school that year?

You're funny, you ask me that now?

In 2nd Grade. It happened in May,

and you went back in September.

I wasn't held back?

No, that's what your teacher wanted,

the old b*tch. Said you were incorrigible.

You really hated her.

You're incorrigible!

In-cor-ri-gi-ble!

How did I fall in the stairs?

I have no clue.

We were at the table, heard a noise.

We didn't think you could still

fall in stairs at that age. You were 7.

Your mother found you...

we were so frightened.

We brought you to the hospital,

they put on a cervical collar...

They say a child can't

conceive of suicide. That's untrue.

I wanted to die because

I didn't want to repeat a year.

I was only 7 years old.

Sir?

Oh, sorry, I was elsewhere.

Where?

My work. I needed to

get away, see people.

People?

You won't see many.

Sylvain Ganem wants revenge.

Sylvain Ganem wants to kill me!!!!!

That's a big job.

RP-50.

I cried damn it.

Everyone saw.

Mom?

Mom?

It's me. It's Arthur.

How are you?

Arthur?

Your son Arthur. That's me.

Look, I brought chocolates.

The ones you like.

Good aren't they?

Any news from Yvan?

Yvan? No, no news.

When did you last see him?

Do you remember?

Try to remember, Mom.

I'm thirsty.

- With you. He was with you.

- You know a Sylvain Ganem?

With you. Yvan was with you.

I remember.

Delays...sure, but delays

that can be explained Mr. Amory.

This company is completely

devoted to you sir.

Yes, yes, no, I understand

your disappointment.

You're absolutely right. I live

for your satisfaction, Mr. Amory.

Listen, not only we'll waive our fees,

but I may have a nice surprise...

But of course Mr. Amory!

And how is your wife?

Very well, good day Mr. Amory!

Seligman. Goddamn it. 2 weeks

trying to reach you! Playing dead?

Two lost contracts: two clients

who won't return! Any explanations?

I had a car accident Mr. Colbert.

Accident? What accident?

Do I look like an idiot?

Do you have a doctor's certificate?

Work leave orders, even.

I wanted to ask,

did you send me to Cherbourg?

No, why?

Didn't think so. I have small memory

problems since the accident.

Something else:
Do we have

Sylvain Ganem for a client?

Ganem? No. Meanwhile,

you're putting me in a bind.

I won't pay you to do nothing.

See about that with accounting.

Monday if you're not back,

you're out of this company. Clear?

Very clear...Mr. Colbert!

More, I want some more.

All gone. Box is empty.

- Open another box.

- There are no more boxes.

Where does spaghetti come from?

Well, from spaghetti fields.

Fields? That's not true.

Sure it is! Spaghetti grows

in spaghetti fields. Doesn't it?

That's right! Men with big knives

harvest the spaghetti...

there's also macaroni, shells,

all the shapes. Didn't you know?

When I grow up, I'll be a spaghetti

harvester. That's a good job.

That's what I want to be.

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Eric Assous

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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