Script for 'Mother'


  1. INT/EXT. CAR - MORNING

In a close up shot, MOTHER inserts key into the ignition. Puts foot down onto the clutch and changes the car into first gear. Lowers the hand brake. Turns on indicator. Sound of indicator plays loudly. Indicator light outside of car is shown flashing. Puts hands on wheel and begins to turn it. 

 

The car pulls away, and drives down the road. Shots from behind of mother driving down the road. 

 

Mother continues to drive and is heading towards the city. Skyline is shown in the distance. 

 

FADE TO: 

 

  1. EXT. FLAT/BALCONY - AFTERNOON

PROTAGONIST stands at balcony with her arms on the railing, looking out at the horizon. Stands in silence for a couple of seconds. Close up of face as she takes a deep inhale. 

 

PROTAGONIST 

I wonder if she's on her way. 

Lingers, looking out at horizon 

 

I haven't seen her in ages because she always refuses to accept my point of view. Maybe now, if she sees I've made a real friend, she will have some more faith in me. 

What do you think? 

(takes a deep breath but continues to look out at the landscape) 

Dorothy? 

 

(turns to look back through the door of the apartment) 

Hello, Dorothy, are you even listening to me? 

 

DOROTHY sits at a table inside the apartment. She is shown through the doorway and sits stiffly. Looks at PROTAGONIST. 


MATCH CUT TO: 

 

 

  1. INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON 

 

PROTAGONIST walks through door and pulls the balcony door shut

PROTAGONIST 

I’m sorry, I’m just stressed


She walks over and sits at table opposite DOROTHY. There are dolls around the room behind Dorothy. There is food on the table, in front of Dorothy. 

PROTAGONIST 

Mother will be here soon and she’s 

such a handful 

 

PROTAGONIST 

You don't eat anything; you'll need the energy for meeting mother. 

 

The two girls are sitting opposite each other at the table. PROTAGONIST takes bite of the food.

 

PROTAGONIST 

You actually don't understand, Mother is always making things up. She sees things... differently than the rest of us do. 

There is a shot of the two opposite each other, in which our view DOROTHY is obstructed by a doll in the foreground. Rack focus pulls from the doll to the protagonist .

 

You need to be careful. You just don't know when she's next going to snap. 

PROTAGONIST sits for a second, looking nervous 

 

Don't worry though, she won't hurt you or anything. You're just the kind of daughter she would want, quiet and pretty.


Anyway, what time is it? (leaning over to look at watch on DOROTHY's arm)

PROTAGONIST gasps


She'll be here any moment!...

CUT TO: 

 

  1. EXT/INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON 

MOTHER's feet are shown stepping out of the car and walking towards the block of flats. Cross cuts between her walking and DOROTHY's watch. Walks to the door and opens it. Walks across the tiled floor towards the lift. 

BACK TO: 

  1. INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON 

 

 

PROTAGONIST places mirror in DOROTHY’s hand so that it covers her face and begins to brush DOROTHY's hair. 

 

BACK TO: 

 

  1. INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON 

MOTHER is shown from behind. Close up of her hand pressing the button on the lift repeatedly.

BACK TO:  

 

  1. INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON 


 

PROTAGONIST opens music box which starts to play broken sounding music. She takes the blush from inside. She begins to apply blush to DOROTHY’s cheeks. 

 

 

BACK TO: 

 

  1. INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON 

MOTHER walks into the lift and turns around. We see a full body shot of her from the front and see her face for the first time, just before the lift door closes in front of her. The music box music plays more harsh. 

 

  1. INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON 

PROTAGONIST is applying DOROTHY's makeup


  1. INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON 

Close up of MOTHER in lift.


BACK TO: 

  1. INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON

PROTAGONIST slams music box lid and music stops.


BACK TO: 

  1. INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON

(Doors opening sound). The doors open and MOTHER steps out.


MOTHER walks out of the lobby and onto the balcony. Walks down the narrow balcony and presses the buzzer which sounds harshly and lasts for long, bringing the music to silence. 


MOTHER opens this door which closes on us and camera CROSS FADES to other side. Mother continues to walk down balcony, coming to the door of the apartment which is open. She lingers at the door. 

MATCH CUT TO: 

INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON

Close up of MOTHER's eyes widening in fear and she gasps. Long shot, there is a mannequin/doll sitting next to PROTAGONIST. . 


PROTAGONIST 

(calmly) Hello Mother, this is Dorothy

 

MOTHER stumbles back and leaves from the doorway, down the balcony 

 

The doll's head slowly turns to follow her, and last shot is doll looking at the camera. 


Fade out to credits and music box horse spinning


  

 

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