Little Odessa (1994)

Maximilian Schell: Arkady Shapira

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Quotes 

• Arkady Shapira : You know there is a saying: When a child is six years old, it says, "the father can do everything". When he's twelve, he says, "the father can almost do everything". When he's sixteen, he says, "the father is an idiot". When he's twenty-four, he says, "the father wasn't maybe such an idiot", and then, when he's forty, he says, "if I could only ask my father". But I'm afraid my sons will never ask themselves that.

• Arkady Shapira : I'm sorry I hit you. But you're always running away. I don't want you to see Joshua anymore. Joshua is not your brother anymore. Understand? I've spent my life trying to make things better for you. I don't make apologies. If I make mistakes, I'm sorry. Do you think I like working at the stand? Do you think I enjoy selling gifts and magazines? It's only because of you, to make money for you. Your brother is a different story. He's a street rat. You may think you know all about him, but believe me, you don't. He has no ambition, no desire, no nothing. I know you don't respect me, but Lord knows I try my best. Reuben.

  Reuben Shapira : Does your girlfriend respect you?

• [Joshua has returned home with Reuben. He faces his father for the first time in years] 

  Arkady Shapira : [to Reuben]  Did you let him in?

  Reuben Shapira : [shrugs. Arkady slaps him, and Joshua punches his father in retaliation] 

  Joshua Shapira : He gets what I got, is that it?

  Reuben Shapira : Josh...

  Joshua Shapira : Don't you fuckin' hit him!

  Arkady Shapira : Get out of my house.

  Reuben Shapira : Josh, come on...

  Arkady Shapira : Get out of my house, or I swear to you, you get belt.

  Arkady Shapira : [brandishing his belt]  Get out of my house! Get OUT of my house!

  [they start to fight] 

  Joshua Shapira : Fuck you!

  Arkady Shapira : Get out of my house!

  Joshua Shapira : I'll fucking kill you! You fucking lay a hand on me!

  Arkady Shapira : Get out.

  [Reuben pulls Joshua away] 

  Arkady Shapira : Get out, I said! Get out! Murderer! Out!

• Joshua Shapira : [preparing to kill his father]  Aren't you gonna say anything? You're a big man, is that it? You're a big man?

  Arkady Shapira : I don't need a gun to be a man.

  [Joshua angrily points his gun against the back of Arkady's head and forces him face down on the ground; Arkady speaks slowly and painfully] 

  Arkady Shapira : I don't know what made you what you are. All I ask you is to leave Reuben alone. Please. Even you must know there's nowhere you can go anymore. You have destroyed us. You've destroyed our family.

  [Joshua finds he does not have it in him and simply walks away and back to his car, leaving his father lying down on the ground calling his name] 

  Arkady Shapira : Joshua... Joshua...