48 Hours and 1 Minute (2024) Movie Script
(tense music)
No, give me that!
Mila.
Natalija.
Lena.
- Lazar.
- Give me that!
Give me that, give me that!
Lazar. Vukasin. Mila.
- No, no, no, please!
- Vukasin.
Mila.
Help!
Help! (Breathing heavily and sobbing)
No, no, leave me alone.
I didn't do anything.
No!
(tense music)
(birds chirping)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
[Lena] Has Belgrade changed much
since you were here with grandpa Kosta?
(church bells tolling)
[Aleks] I remember always
looking for that Victor monument
you see over there.
It's the symbol of Belgrade's freedom.
It's called "Pobednik."
If you ever get lost,
look for this river and find that monument.
Mommy will be there waiting for you.
Hearts, hearts, oh, love!
Lakes.
No "L".
Makes, hey!
Family.
"Love makes a family."
"Love makes a family."
(Lena chuckling)
Why haven't I met grandpa Slobodan, yet?
The war is over.
We should let him know
we're in his country now.
He's out there,
making sure it's still
safe from the bogeyman.
(Lena giggles)
Mommy!
Where's my baby?
Why are you in that?
Go put on a dress.
- I'll be there in a second.
- Okay.
(kids chattering in distance)
(dramatic orchestral music)
Did I get my wild child back?
Babe, I gotta go to Lena.
Come on.
She knows how to get dressed by herself.
Stephen, come on.
(both breathing heavily)
Lena, wait for me in the bedroom.
Mommy's gonna change really fast.
She better not remember this.
Come on, nobody had any
problems seeing their parents
share some love.
Stephen, stop.
You didn't care about
the viewers five years ago.
Stop!
Are you coming?
I told you I have a deadline on Tuesday.
Remind me what to say
why is her dad not attending again,
'cause I'm out of excuses, Stephen.
She won't even notice.
Aleks, things can still be nice
without you trying to make them
turn out exactly the way you imagined.
Go play, and dinner will
be waiting, when you return.
Tell he daddy's not there
because he's working to provide
for the balloons you're holding.
She'd like a father much more
than a bought meal and a balloon.
(door closes)
(pen clicking)
[Psychiatrist] Do you know where you are?
At the hospital.
[Psychiatrist] Where
were you that morning?
I go to the same spot
ever since my father passed.
[Psychiatrist] Is that
your kind of escape?
Escape from what?
[Psychiatrist] Reality.
Aren't I here 'cause I escaped reality?
[Psychiatrist] Are you here voluntarily?
I usually go to
Kalemegdan with Lena, but,
she wanted to stay with her father.
[Psychiatrist] Is Stephen
a good dad to her?
No, he's never present.
Just like his father, Slobodan, wasn't.
But Stephen moved out of Canada,
just to be with the two of you.
Physical presence does
not make him a good father.
(bells tolling)
Aleks.
Yeah?
Should I speak in English?
No, it's fine.
Thank you.
(gentle orchestral music)
Hello, my neighbor.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(engine revving)
(engine revving)
Nenad, let's get the kids.
- We gotta go.
- Okay.
Hi, beautiful!
(tense music)
Come.
(tense music continues)
Lena!
Lena?
Daddy's waiting for you.
You haven't showed him
how much your dress can twirl.
Lena?
(tense music)
Lena!
(wind blows)
Is she here?
Where is that little girl?
(tense music)
[Lena] Mommy!
[Aleks] Lena.
Come on.
Let's go.
Mommy.
Catch them.
(Aleks laughing)
(ominous music)
What if somebody's knocking at the door
and you're by yourself, do you open it?
No.
And if somebody
approaches you on the street
and tells you mommy isn't feeling well,
do you go with him?
No.
Even if he gives you candy?
(both laughing)
No.
Unless he tells me the secret code.
And that is?
Sunflower!
(both laughing)
Did Mila know the secret code?
All right.
No more questions.
Let's leave the brain cells to rest so
So we're prepared for the new day.
Mwah.
Good night, sweetie.
[Lena] Did she leave to
the sky like grandpa Kosta
to stay in our memory?
Good night, sweetie.
[Lena] She promised
we'll go to Italy together.
It's time for sleep, missy.
Good night, mommy and daddy.
[Aleks] Good night.
(dramatic orchestral music)
[Psychiatrist] We last
spoke about that other girl
that was missing already.
Who was she?
Mila.
Lazar's daughter.
[Psychiatrist] Where was she last seen?
Kalemegdan Park.
You were not afraid of
celebrating Lena's birthday
at the same place?
Afraid that you might lose her, as well?
I think you're giving me something
so I have no short term memory.
Let's retrieve old memories first.
(clears throat) Starting
with that other girl you saw.
She's just a kid from the park.
[Psychiatrist] Kids
don't usually walk around
with masks like that.
Lena's biggest dream was to go with Mila
to the Venice Carnival,
where Lazar was going
with his theater troupes.
So I decided to create
a little carnival for her
at that park.
I don't let my daughter live in fear.
That's what my father always taught me,
and that's what I'm passing onto Lena.
[Psychiatrist] It seems
like you cared deeply
for your father.
Don't touch the memory of my dad.
- Okay.
- Okay.
All the way down.
Are you done?
[Lena] No.
With this one, no.
Come on.
It has to look at the sun out there.
No shade.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Good.
Let's get the water.
Okay.
Watch out.
Just where it's necessary.
Not the other flowers.
It's fine.
I'll fix it.
Good.
(gentle orchestral music)
(kids shouting)
Lena?
(birds squawking)
(phone rings)
(dog barks)
(bottle clattering)
Lena!
Remember what I told you.
Stay where I can see you.
Okay?
Okay.
[Stephen] Hey, babe.
Anita's calling.
I forgot to tell you,
she called again asking about Natalija.
[Aleks] Sweetie, let's go to daddy.
Come on.
Good morrow, Mr. Italian.
Good morrow, little Sunflower.
What've you got there?
You ask me that every time.
I used my old container
and made my own mix.
It's washing liquid with water.
Hello?
Finally.
Where've you been?
It was easier to reach you
when you were six hours behind.
Stop giving me that, how do
you say, Canadian cold shoulder.
Yeah, my head wasn't on straight.
I had to wait for the parents to come
and then I was putting Lena to sleep.
Speaking of cold, how's Mihajlo?
We were fighting the
fever the entire night
but he's much better now. (Exhales)
How was it yesterday?
Did Stephen finally learn
the Serbian birthday song?
I think you'll learn
the national hymn faster
than he'll catch up on that.
[Anita] Shut up.
(kids yell outside)
Lena, come inside, baby.
Mommy's on the phone.
[Anita] I'm ashamed that
Mihajlo knows "Boze pravde"
and I'm still singing
the old "Hej Sloveni."
(engine revving)
Lena?
Let me just get Lena inside.
Lena?
- I'll call you later.
- Okay.
(tense music)
Lena?
Lena?
(dramatic orchestral music)
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena?
[Stephen] What's going on?
[Aleks] She's nowhere in the house.
[Stephen] She must be outside.
She came back in.
(tense music)
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
(tense music)
- Lena!
- Lena!
Wait.
Who're you calling?
- Police.
- Wait a little bit.
She must be hiding here somewhere.
She's not hiding.
She doesn't even like that game.
Look, she must be around here somewhere.
She'd take the bubble container with her.
Honey, kids play with one
toy for a couple of minutes
and then they forget about it.
No!
You don't know what she likes.
Hello?
Hello, um.
Can somebody in English, please?
[Dispatcher] Go ahead, miss.
What's the emergency?
(sobbing) My daughter's missing.
[Dispatcher] Miss, I know you're upset
but you need to take a deep breath
so I can understand you.
(breathing heavily) My,
my daughter's missing.
[Dispatcher] How old is she?
She's gonna be five in a few days.
[Dispatcher] What color shirt
and pants was she wearing?
She was wearing yellow pants
and a white little T-shirt
with a sunflower on it.
She also had a bandanna on.
[Dispatcher] What's your name?
Aleksandra Nightingale.
[Dispatcher] Would you
spell that for me, please?
N-I-G-H-T-I-N-G-A-L-E.
[Dispatcher] Have you
looked for her around?
Yes, yes everywhere.
[Dispatcher] When did it happen?
Maybe half an hour ago.
Can you please send someone down here?
[Dispatcher] We don't
dispatch units for 48 hours.
What?
She's five years old.
[Dispatcher] Kids
usually show up by morning.
She's five.
Where would she go by
herself and wait until tomorrow?
Please, officer, I beg you.
[Dispatcher] I'll take
all the information
What kind of a stupid law is that?
She's only a baby!
[Dispatcher] I don't
know where's you're from
but this is how we operate here.
It has nothing to do with where I'm from.
You're asking me to leave
my child in the wild for 48 hours,
'cause you don't wanna do your job.
(phone thudding)
[Stephen] Hi.
My apologies.
This is Stephen Nightingale.
I'm the husband.
(door slams)
(dramatic orchestral music)
[Crowd] Lena!
Lena!
[Aleks] Lena!
[Stephen] Lena!
[Aleks] Lena!
- Lena!
- Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(door clicking)
[Psychiatrist] Do you
need to take a break?
I was both mom and dad to her,
or at least I thought I could be.
I only wanted her to see
the nice side of this world,
the beauty in flowers,
people, little things,
but I failed to teach her
the skills and confidence
required to deal with this life.
Kids are good at picking
up what we show them,
more than what we say.
I'm sure Lena saw the strength in you
that she'll use to take
good care of herself.
I asked,
I asked Dr. Vukasin to
prescribe me medication
after the funeral.
That's far away from me
being a good, strong role model.
Did you take the pill that day?
Those pills were for depression,
not to provoke hallucinations.
I was not implying anything.
I'm just trying to
understand what happened.
What happened is somebody set me up.
(printer whirring)
Lena.
Lena!
(Aleks exhales)
Just calm down, honey.
She'll be fine.
Where is she?
Oh, I forgot to tuck her
in before going to sleep.
I left her outside.
Don't you ever blame yourself!
She played so innocently,
believing mommy is there to protect her
and I failed her.
Just go back to sleep,
I'll lay down with you.
No, no, no.
Did the police come?
Why didn't you wake me up?
It's seven a.m.
Mmm.
Jesus Christ, what's wrong with me?
Why didn't I call Anita?
Did you let her know?
We'll call Anita after
the police write a report.
We don't know what
the protocol is here, yet.
No, no, no.
We're not going to wait for them.
Anita knows this country
better than anyone.
(tense music)
(phone rings)
(phone ringing)
Hey Mihajlo, it's Aleks.
Is your mom there?
Hi, Mrs. Aleks.
She's preparing.
We're going to school.
- You're going to school?
- Of course, Mrs. Aleks.
What about your fever?
Fever?
Is everything okay, Mrs. Aleks?
(tense music)
Mom is in the shower,
but I'll say it's you.
Mrs. Aleks?
No, it's fine.
I'll call her later.
(tense orchestral music)
What happened?
Nothing.
I'll just go to the newspapers.
I'll be back as soon
as I hand out the flyers.
I'll bring her home.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(camera shutter clicking)
(camera shutter clicking)
(tense music continues)
(door clicking)
(phone ringing)
I'm here with them.
I'm here to see Dr. Vukasin.
Please, it's urgent.
[Tamara] Miss, wait!
Miss?
- I'm sorry.
- Miss.
(door clicking)
(door creaking)
(both chuckling)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(birds squawking)
If you ever get lost,
look for this river and find that monument.
Mommy will be there waiting for you.
(dramatic orchestral music)
Lena?
Lena?
(bells tolling)
Lena?
Lena?
(raven cawing)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Lena?
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Lena?
Lena?
(sobbing) Lena.
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Please, Lena, please.
No!
Please, stop.
Calm down.
It's Lazar.
It's Lazar.
Calm down, calm down, please.
Sit.
Shh, shhh.
How did you find me?
Your soul found me.
I was in the same position you are
three weeks ago, when my Mila went missing.
Where was Natalija that day?
I mean, why didn't she babysit her?
She was always with her.
I wanted to spend some time with them
because you were with
your father at the hospital.
They were running over
there, bubbly laughing,
enjoying, and in one
moment everything stops.
(dramatic orchestral music)
As if they knew that
your father Kosta died.
It worked.
What worked?
Mila said you wouldn't
recognize which one is which,
so we changed our jackets and bows.
Where is she?
She left with grandpa.
With whom?
Grandpa Kosta called for her.
He probably thinks it's me.
[Aleks] That means Lena
was the target this whole time.
I spent 20 days searching for Mila.
Wherever I was, I would end up here,
hoping my baby girl will be back,
and finally I understood the words,
"The miserable have no
other medicine, but only hope."
But the only way to stay
sane is if she came back,
not if you stopped searching.
We shall head home.
Stephen is probably waiting for you.
[Psychiatrist] You're making
some harsh accusations.
For saying Natalija
has the biggest motive
to kidnap the kids,
to get a family she never had?
You cannot make such an assumption based
on the adoption documents.
She ruined one family
without blinking an eye,
which means she can't feel anyone's pain.
That's one of the effects
of not having parents.
But why would she take
a child by mistake then?
She wouldn't.
But her accomplice would.
You think Vukasin
participated in the kidnapping?
No, he's not capable of that.
But Natalija does have
a bigger agenda with him.
Listen, I might have a problem
remembering all the facts,
but my gut is right.
Someone could say you
and Stephen might be involved
in Mila's kidnapping,
just because you were both
left without father figures.
Okay, your point is made.
You never spoke to
Anita about the kidnapping?
She was like a family to you.
No.
My, my mind got carried away.
You know what?
My father's absence had
a different effect on my life.
I desperately wanted
Stephen to fill that hole,
which he never could.
(Aleks breathing heavily)
(rock thudding)
(tense music)
- Where is she?
- What?
[Aleks] That girl?
What was she doing here?
Aleks, what girl?
The same girl from the
park, just a different mask.
Oh God, that's Lena's mask.
[Stephen] Babe, you're tired.
Let's get you to sleep.
Stop putting me to sleep, Stephen.
I don't know what
girl you're talking about.
If you ever took Lena out,
you would know who I'm talking about,
and she would be here right now!
Don't talk to me like that!
I was working for all of us.
You forget that it was
your idea to come back
and raise a child in this vicious country.
Yes, 'cause I didn't want my
child to be raised mindless,
but I brought her to play with her grandpa
before he passed away.
I can see all the big
minds are out here busy
creating the laws.
Stop labeling people based
on their politics, Stephen.
Like this wouldn't happen in Canada?
It would.
But at least they would be
helping us find her, right now.
If you're so clever, take a look around,
where you brought your daughter to live.
The streets have holes in them.
Buildings are left
destroyed since the bombing.
The cars are older than
the dead Yugoslavia.
Yes, it's better to be in
credit debt until you die
'cause you can't drive a car
that you can actually afford.
The Mercedes sitting in the parking lot
is more important than the
time spent with your family.
Everything you see is through the money.
Money, money, money.
Here's your stupid money.
Here's where your money's going.
If it wasn't for money you
wouldn't be here right now.
If it wasn't for money,
there wouldn't be any war
and I would've never left this country.
Okay.
Enjoy your country now.
What did you say?
As far as I remember, your
father is from Serbia, too.
Or you wanna leave us, as well?
It wouldn't be the first time
you renounced your family, anyways.
Aleks, enough.
Or what?
Come on.
Behave like a man and shut me up.
Come on.
Do it.
That's the only way to
get you to feel empowered.
To get you to feel any freaking emotion.
Aleks!
If you had some emotions,
your daughter would've been much safer
and she would be here right now.
They wouldn't have been targeting a family
where the father figure ceased
to exist. (Breathing heavily)
Why do I even bother explaining the meaning
of a family to you?
You're just like all of them.
That's exactly the reason
why my child isn't growing up there.
What do you know about family?
Where was your father in your childhood?
Leaving you 8,000 km away from here,
to be raised alone by your mother?
Don't you dare say a
word about my dead father!
He sent me there to protect me.
Even your stupid father was capable
of protecting somebody,
and what did you do,
other than stick your
head in those stupid papers.
You didn't seem to complain
when you were making all
those trips back here before.
I was the perfect husband then,
when you didn't have to work,
and you were able to raise your daughter
the way you wanted to
and where you wanted to
I brought Lena back to
Serbia, so she can finally sense
what it means to have a family.
And what gives you the
right to teach me something
you don't know the slightest thing about?
You're the mother who
left her daughter outside.
You're the wife who hasn't given anything
to her husband in years.
The last time I wasn't
forcing you into something
was five years ago.
Then, I wasn't just a figure
that existed in this family.
Understand, Aleks, every decision
I made in my life was for her own good.
And if anyone knows what it's like
to have a bad father, that's me.
And then I met you.
You showed me how to
see the world differently.
Where is that girl?
Get those pills, get your head on clear,
and stop accusing me
for Lena's disappearance.
My daughter is out there
in the wild, maybe hungry,
alone, or frightened.
Or maybe some old monster
is touching her innocent body,
and cutting it in half for
organ or sex trafficking.
And what am I doing?
Standing here, crying
for my miserable marriage.
But I don't know where
to look for her anymore.
I did everything as I was supposed to,
and she still went missing. (Sobbing)
She just learned how to
say mommy and daddy.
Aleks.
I guess I just wanted her to have a life
that the war took away from me. (Sobbing)
[Stephen] Aleks.
[Aleks] We lost her and it's my fault.
We didn't lose her.
And it's not your fault.
I need you.
I can't fight anymore.
I don't have the strength
this time. (Sobbing)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(Aleks sobbing)
(Stephen sighing)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
[Psychiatrist] Does that girl awaken
any childhood memories for you?
You were your father's princess,
but forced to live quite
the opposite life of one.
[Aleks] I think I'm
paying for my father's sins.
What makes you say that?
He was in the army.
He must've hurt someone.
I don't have anyone out
here willing to harm me.
[Psychiatrist] Why do
you think it's directed to you
and not just an organized crime?
Beause it's too personal.
(envelope ripping)
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(knuckles rapping)
(line beeping)
- Hello?
- Hey, where are you?
[Stephen] At the police station.
Why?
- Is Lazar with you?
- Yes, why?
What happened?
I think they're together.
[Stephen] Who?
Lena and Mila?
Aleks, what do you mean?
I have to wait for the
police to write a report.
Lazar found a red
bracelet in his front yard.
Aleks?
Huh?
No, I'll tell you when you get home.
[Stephen] I'm not leaving...
(tense music)
[Natalija] Mrs. Aleks, Mrs.
Aleks, was that you knocking?
(door clicking) (engine revving)
Have you seen that girl, with a mask,
the one who just entered that car.
What girl, Mrs. Aleks?
I really don't think parents
let the kids out anymore.
They might even cancel our summer camp.
Mrs. Aleks?
I'm watching over the house tonight.
If you need someone to talk to.
Mr. Lazar has some business at the theater.
I hope he finds peace of mind there again.
Say hi to Vukasin.
What?
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(glass shattering)
The simplest thing to
do is we just wait for them
to write a report... No, no.
- It's the same kidnapper.
- Why do you say that?
This is what the girl
left outside the house
when you accused me of hallucinating.
It's Lena's drawing.
Why do you assume
they're together based on this?
Do you remember we
couldn't put her to sleep
'cause she kept asking
questions about Italy,
and why it's the only
country shaped like a boot?
Until Mila brought her a Venetian mask
that became her new interest.
And a bow.
Yeah, now look at it.
The bow, the boots, the coat.
Mila was always dressing
up in Lazar's clothes.
Lena's telling us she's with her.
Babe, it's definite that
the cases are connected,
but this is just a simple drawing.
Stephen, in case you forgot,
your daughter loved codes.
You used to take five minutes of your time
to solve rebuses with her.
And this, this is taken out
of the newspaper article
when Mila went missing.
The exact one you have downstairs
[Lazar] Listen, Aleks,
even if Lena was more
clever than her peers,
this is impossible for a child to do.
They all draw the same
and this could be cut out
of any article.
The kidnappers did it so they
can ask for ransom later on.
You're right.
She's not that smart.
She's smarter than I thought.
(tense music)
Aleks, wait.
Hope is the cause of madness.
(tense music)
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(engine revving)
[Aleks] Where is he?
[Stephen] He just entered the orphanage.
[Aleks] Please, just
stay on him the whole time.
And let me know when
he starts heading home.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(message rings)
(engine rumbling)
(doors clicking)
(door shuts) (keys jingling)
(door clicking)
You almost got me caught.
What happened?
Where was he?
I sent you a message.
He was at the orphanage.
Did anything happen to the kids?
Aleks, I think you're going
down the wrong path here.
Will you ever just trust me?
That is your daughter's
blood on the papers.
Look, I didn't question you.
I followed him.
Natalija was in that orphanage
before she got adopted.
Lazar's been visiting
that place ever since.
His theater does a lot of charity for them.
How do you know that?
He told me at the station.
Emilija, Natalija, she
probably changed her name
after she got adopted.
Let's wait for the police to come and
No, I'm not going to wait on them!
Stephen, these couple of hours
are my last chance to find her alive.
The kidnappers know the
police will get involved soon.
Then control your brain,
'cause you're losing clarity
of judgment, and your mind is what matters.
You're perfect at
controlling things anyways.
What happened now?
Aleks!
[Aleks] I saw his medical report.
He went back to drinking.
What?
Lena's clues were
not about Mila, but him.
He's got her.
He's a freaking psychopath.
He's getting back at us, because
(tense music) (knuckles rapping)
[Stephen] Aleks, what is this?
Who cut this out?
We have a search warrant for your house.
Your neighbor Natalija reported a break-in
and we also found Mila's
stuffed beaver buried
in her front yard,
which may be relevant in
uncovering the perpetrators.
May I come in?
(door clicking)
Hi.
Marta Tasic, from Belgrade Police.
Stephen.
I'll be right back.
[Stephen] Aleks!
What?
Sorry that a missing child
is not measured a necessity
since it doesn't bring purple bills.
You've got burials and break-ins
to help you enforce
delusions amongst citizens
about Serbia's reality.
Miss, we're here, doing our job.
You could've waited
for the kids' obituaries
to finally come visit the families.
[Stephen] Aleks.
We'll contact you in
case we find anything.
And also, here's my number, if needed.
[Stephen] Thank you.
(engine revving)
Mr. Stephen...
I'm so sorry for doing this.
- Don't worry.
- I was really terrified.
I tried to get Mr. Lazar
on the phone and I
[Stephen] It's okay, Natalija.
What is it?
I didn't tell the police everything.
Tell them what?
I'm sorry.
It's not my place to say.
Natalija, what?
They asked me if I saw
something suspicious,
and I said no.
With all due respect, Mr. Stephen,
I think she may be hallucinating children.
She was acting really unlike herself
Thank you, Natalija.
You're welcome.
(door closes)
(keys clacking)
Early warning signs of
schizophrenia include depression,
insomnia, odd or irrational statements,
hallucinations, delusions.
One of the causes might
be early parental loss.
They have a tendency to express
themselves through drawing.
(dramatic music)
[Psychiatrist] You're making
some bad judgments, so far.
What do you mean?
[Psychiatrist] Falsely accusing Anita,
Natalija, now Lazar.
I'm just trying to save my daughter.
[Psychiatrist] Accusations
sometimes reveal
the character of the accuser.
Don't mess with my mind.
[Psychiatrist] What does
the drawing represent to you?
It's my daughter's drawing.
I already told you.
But what does it represent to you?
You used to play bow and
arrow at the Kalemegdan Park
with Kosta.
The bow is the gift Lena got from Mila.
[Psychiatrist] What
about the hiking you did
with him, every weekend?
Lena was obsessed with
Italy, which has a boot-like shape.
Aleks. Aleks, the doctor was not able
to save your father's life.
No, no, no.
That's not a doctor's coat.
You're messing with me.
Kids were dressing up in
Lazar's clothes, all the time.
That's what the coat is.
[Psychiatrist] What about the evidence?
What about it?
You had both a stuffed
beaver and the bracelet
in your possession.
How come you didn't show it to the police?
Because they wouldn't
do anything, anyway.
I had to search for my daughter on my own.
Okay, okay, let's take a step back.
Who tampered with your evidence,
cut out newspapers,
scribbled girls' faces in the photographs,
the drawings
I don't know who
did it, but it wasn't me.
My daughter is missing.
They, they took both girls
'cause they had to make it look
like I'm a danger to society
in order to lock me up.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(all cheering)
[Aleks] Nenad?
Nenad!
Yes?
[Aleks] Do you remember
the girl from the park?
A girl?
Sorry, you should be more precise.
I do a lot of kid's parties.
It was Lena's birthday.
You were playing with kids,
and I came along with another girl.
She was supposed to stay
with us until her parents came.
I remember Lena, but I
can't remember another girl.
No, no.
It was in the park.
It was you, kids and I,
and that girl.
Sorry, there was no other girl.
No, no.
It was.
It was.
Sorry.
Can we talk later?
My responsibility is to be with the kids.
Sorry.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(ominous music)
Mila?
(suspenseful music)
(tense music)
(phone rings)
Hello?
[Stephen] Mrs. Tanasic,
this is Stephen Nightingale.
My wife is one of your
patients, Aleksandra.
Vukasin Balsic was her doctor before.
I'm just calling to see if she
has visited you voluntarily,
or maybe you scheduled
her a check-up lately?
Sorry, Mr. Nightingale.
I would like to help you,
but we're unable to give
out patient's information,
especially not over the phone.
(both sighing)
(Aleks breathing heavily)
Perfect timing.
What?
What are you doing here?
I can see you did everything as planned.
(tense music)
(Aleks coughs)
Do you remember if you
tucked Lena in last night?
(Aleks breathing heavily)
Where are the kids?
Where are they?
(both grunting)
Get up!
(lamp breaks)
(both grunting)
Not that easy.
(Aleks breathing heavily)
I wouldn't recommend that.
(both grunting)
Who's gonna believe you
after many false accusations?
Unless you want them to
close you in a mental asylum,
declaring your craziness.
I've got something to show you.
(both grunting)
It's been a long time
since you last saw her.
[Lena] Help, mommy, help!
(both grunting)
(suspenseful music)
(doorbell buzzing)
Mrs. Nightingale, you're
crazier than I thought.
Somebody help!
They should've kept you in the hospital
when your father died.
(Knocking on door)
Now go open the door.
[Jelena] Mrs. Nightingale.
Remember, kids are still with me.
It's Dr. Jelena Tanasic.
Can you open the door for me, please?
(door creaking)
Hi, Aleks.
Would it be okay if I
came in to talk to you?
My friends, Marta and Bojan,
are going to stay outside
to ensure our safety.
No, no.
You can't do that.
She's got my daughter.
No, no, please take a look at her phone.
She's got a video of my
daughter begging for help.
Please.
Please, just take a look at her phone.
Aleks, darling,
You'll be taken to the
clinic for mental disorders.
For the psychopathic evaluation.
No, no.
You can't do that.
We're gonna have to give you a dosage
if you don't calm down.
- Please, please.
- No, no, no.
Everything's gonna be okay.
No!
Let go of me!
No, this is a set up, please!
Please, this is a set up.
She's got my child, please.
No, you can't do this, please.
No, she's only five years old.
Please, no.
This is a set up.
Please, please, take a look at her phone.
Take a look at her phone.
I beg you. (Screaming)
(siren wailing)
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(tense music)
[Natalija] Perfect timing.
I can see you did everything as planned.
(Aleks coughs)
Do you remember if you
tucked Lena in last night?
[Aleks] Where are the kids?
(both grunting)
Please, help me, please, please.
I'm not insane.
Please.
You have to get me out of here.
You have to get me out of here.
It's in your benefit to calm down
before we make you do so.
You have to help me out.
Please, get me out of here.
I need to save my child.
Please, get me out of here!
Please!
I need to save my child.
Please, get me out of here.
Please.
Please, I'll behave well.
Just get me out of here.
Please, please.
(Aleks grunting)
- Calm down, calm down.
- I'm fine.
I'm fine, I don't need medication.
I'm fine.
I don't need medication.
I just need to save my child.
- Calm down.
- No,
no, please, I beg you, please
don't wipe away my memory.
No!
It's her birthday today. (Sobbing)
No.
You have to tell me why am I here.
What is it you're giving me
so I'm not remembering things?
The doctor will be here any minute
if you need someone to talk to.
This is your better choice
unless you like prison.
What do you mean?
Kidnapping a child can't pass unpunished.
What?
Why am I here?
They'll hold you here up to 72 hours.
Admit you overdosed on Quetiapine.
You slept for 48 hours
and you don't remember what you did.
Ask to voluntarily sign
yourself into treatment.
What did I do?
What happened the last 48 hours?
That's what I'm talking about.
You shouldn't remember anything.
No, I really don't!
There's only so much
you can do from jail.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
No!
Give me that.
Mila.
Natalija.
Lena.
- Lazar.
- Give me that!
- Give me that, give me that!
- Lazar.
Vukasin.
Mila.
- No, no, no, please!
- Vukasin.
Mila.
Help!
Help! (Sobbing)
No, no, leave me alone.
I didn't do anything.
No!
Shhh.
We only want to help you.
I already told you.
I don't remember anything.
Do you remember were
were you these 48 hours?
I went out for a run.
And then
And then you ran in here all bloody.
Yes.
With the beaver in your hand and, look.
Shhh.
This drawing.
(dramatic music)
(Aleks sobbing)
That's my Lena's.
Yes.
That's why it's better
for you to be in here,
unless you want to be moved to prison.
No, no.
I wouldn't hurt my baby.
No.
Okay.
That's what everyone says.
But you didn't want to listen to her.
A normal life doesn't
exist for you anymore.
This, this is your only choice.
Don't worry.
Your loved ones are
waiting for you up there.
Don't worry.
Shhh.
I swear I didn't do anything.
I swear I didn't do it.
Please!
No!
- I didn't do it.
- Don't worry.
Shhh.
[Aleks] I swear I didn't do anything.
Doctor Vukasin is here to see you.
(Aleks sobbing)
Shhh.
That's when Tamara came to pick me up.
That's all I remember.
I'm sorry you had to
go through all of this.
It's my fault.
Where's Stephen?
Does he know I'm here?
He's on his way.
He called me after he
saw the tape we set up.
That's why I'm here.
What tape?
No, no, no.
You set up a tape because
you though it was me?
No, not at the beginning.
No.
I just couldn't leave you like that,
so the tape was the only way out.
They did this, and not Lena.
But why is it I can't remember everything?
Your toxicology test
results reported as positive.
The pills you used in such a strong dosage
are rare to find,
but my patient Ana Bukvic was taking them,
and Natalija had access to everything.
So she switched your antidepressants.
(door creaking)
(Vukasin sighing)
(dramatic music)
(door slamming)
(marching band music)
(tense music)
(marching band music)
(head thudding)
(phone beeping)
(tone beeping)
Hi, I'm Lena Nightingale.
[Dispatcher] What's the emergency?
Nenad fell.
He needs help.
- He's really bad.
- How old are you?
- I'm five.
- Who is Nenad?
I want my mommy.
[Dispatcher] Where is your mommy?
I don't know.
[Dispatcher] Do you know
the address of the house?
No.
I forgot to ask.
[Dispatcher] Can you do something for me?
Can you go out the front door
and really quickly take
a look at the number
that's on the right side of the door.
- Just look up.
- Okay.
(door clicking)
It says three.
Oh, there's some name, as well,
but I don't know how to read it.
[Dispatcher] Look at
the letters one by one
and tell me which ones do you know.
C-A, I don't know this one.
A.
Here comes the next word.
D-U, I don't know this one.
And the last one is A.
[Dispatcher] Now, go back to Nenad
and stay there until
the police comes, okay?
Okay.
(Lena screams)
[Dispatcher] Hello?
Lena, are you there?
(tense music)
(dramatic orchestral music)
There's one person I didn't think of
that was right in front of my eyes.
[Psychiatrist] And who is that?
I went to my father to get that answer.
[Psychiatrist] You are convinced
this is your father's fault?
He's got the same birthmark
on his neck like Kosta does.
Lena said it was shaped like a sunflower.
And this man is Natalija's accomplice?
Make a girl fall in love with you
and she'll do anything you desire,
especially if you promise her a family.
[Psychiatrist] What made
you think of this person?
He looked me straight
in the eyes and lied to me.
Did you find your half-brother?
I did.
At the grave.
(engine rumbling)
(dramatic orchestral music)
Nenad?
[Stephen] Aleks, stop!
Somebody call the police!
(suspenseful music)
(both grunting)
Where are the kids?
Where are they?
They're dead.
Just know, before she died,
she had the same look in her eyes,
like you do right now.
(Aleks grunting)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(police sirens wailing)
(doors clicking)
(sirens wailing)
(doors clicking)
(Nenad grunting)
[Stephen] Babe.
Stop.
Let the police get him.
(Aleks sobbing)
[Aleks VO] They locked me up again.
My name is Aleksandra Nightingale.
I have a daughter Lena.
If you're reading this,
please continue searching for my daughter.
I wrote down everything I remembered.
If you find her,
please tell her mommy loves her.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
No, give me that!
Mila.
Natalija.
Lena.
- Lazar.
- Give me that!
Give me that, give me that!
Lazar. Vukasin. Mila.
- No, no, no, please!
- Vukasin.
Mila.
Help!
Help! (Breathing heavily and sobbing)
No, no, leave me alone.
I didn't do anything.
No!
(tense music)
(birds chirping)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
[Lena] Has Belgrade changed much
since you were here with grandpa Kosta?
(church bells tolling)
[Aleks] I remember always
looking for that Victor monument
you see over there.
It's the symbol of Belgrade's freedom.
It's called "Pobednik."
If you ever get lost,
look for this river and find that monument.
Mommy will be there waiting for you.
Hearts, hearts, oh, love!
Lakes.
No "L".
Makes, hey!
Family.
"Love makes a family."
"Love makes a family."
(Lena chuckling)
Why haven't I met grandpa Slobodan, yet?
The war is over.
We should let him know
we're in his country now.
He's out there,
making sure it's still
safe from the bogeyman.
(Lena giggles)
Mommy!
Where's my baby?
Why are you in that?
Go put on a dress.
- I'll be there in a second.
- Okay.
(kids chattering in distance)
(dramatic orchestral music)
Did I get my wild child back?
Babe, I gotta go to Lena.
Come on.
She knows how to get dressed by herself.
Stephen, come on.
(both breathing heavily)
Lena, wait for me in the bedroom.
Mommy's gonna change really fast.
She better not remember this.
Come on, nobody had any
problems seeing their parents
share some love.
Stephen, stop.
You didn't care about
the viewers five years ago.
Stop!
Are you coming?
I told you I have a deadline on Tuesday.
Remind me what to say
why is her dad not attending again,
'cause I'm out of excuses, Stephen.
She won't even notice.
Aleks, things can still be nice
without you trying to make them
turn out exactly the way you imagined.
Go play, and dinner will
be waiting, when you return.
Tell he daddy's not there
because he's working to provide
for the balloons you're holding.
She'd like a father much more
than a bought meal and a balloon.
(door closes)
(pen clicking)
[Psychiatrist] Do you know where you are?
At the hospital.
[Psychiatrist] Where
were you that morning?
I go to the same spot
ever since my father passed.
[Psychiatrist] Is that
your kind of escape?
Escape from what?
[Psychiatrist] Reality.
Aren't I here 'cause I escaped reality?
[Psychiatrist] Are you here voluntarily?
I usually go to
Kalemegdan with Lena, but,
she wanted to stay with her father.
[Psychiatrist] Is Stephen
a good dad to her?
No, he's never present.
Just like his father, Slobodan, wasn't.
But Stephen moved out of Canada,
just to be with the two of you.
Physical presence does
not make him a good father.
(bells tolling)
Aleks.
Yeah?
Should I speak in English?
No, it's fine.
Thank you.
(gentle orchestral music)
Hello, my neighbor.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(engine revving)
(engine revving)
Nenad, let's get the kids.
- We gotta go.
- Okay.
Hi, beautiful!
(tense music)
Come.
(tense music continues)
Lena!
Lena?
Daddy's waiting for you.
You haven't showed him
how much your dress can twirl.
Lena?
(tense music)
Lena!
(wind blows)
Is she here?
Where is that little girl?
(tense music)
[Lena] Mommy!
[Aleks] Lena.
Come on.
Let's go.
Mommy.
Catch them.
(Aleks laughing)
(ominous music)
What if somebody's knocking at the door
and you're by yourself, do you open it?
No.
And if somebody
approaches you on the street
and tells you mommy isn't feeling well,
do you go with him?
No.
Even if he gives you candy?
(both laughing)
No.
Unless he tells me the secret code.
And that is?
Sunflower!
(both laughing)
Did Mila know the secret code?
All right.
No more questions.
Let's leave the brain cells to rest so
So we're prepared for the new day.
Mwah.
Good night, sweetie.
[Lena] Did she leave to
the sky like grandpa Kosta
to stay in our memory?
Good night, sweetie.
[Lena] She promised
we'll go to Italy together.
It's time for sleep, missy.
Good night, mommy and daddy.
[Aleks] Good night.
(dramatic orchestral music)
[Psychiatrist] We last
spoke about that other girl
that was missing already.
Who was she?
Mila.
Lazar's daughter.
[Psychiatrist] Where was she last seen?
Kalemegdan Park.
You were not afraid of
celebrating Lena's birthday
at the same place?
Afraid that you might lose her, as well?
I think you're giving me something
so I have no short term memory.
Let's retrieve old memories first.
(clears throat) Starting
with that other girl you saw.
She's just a kid from the park.
[Psychiatrist] Kids
don't usually walk around
with masks like that.
Lena's biggest dream was to go with Mila
to the Venice Carnival,
where Lazar was going
with his theater troupes.
So I decided to create
a little carnival for her
at that park.
I don't let my daughter live in fear.
That's what my father always taught me,
and that's what I'm passing onto Lena.
[Psychiatrist] It seems
like you cared deeply
for your father.
Don't touch the memory of my dad.
- Okay.
- Okay.
All the way down.
Are you done?
[Lena] No.
With this one, no.
Come on.
It has to look at the sun out there.
No shade.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Good.
Let's get the water.
Okay.
Watch out.
Just where it's necessary.
Not the other flowers.
It's fine.
I'll fix it.
Good.
(gentle orchestral music)
(kids shouting)
Lena?
(birds squawking)
(phone rings)
(dog barks)
(bottle clattering)
Lena!
Remember what I told you.
Stay where I can see you.
Okay?
Okay.
[Stephen] Hey, babe.
Anita's calling.
I forgot to tell you,
she called again asking about Natalija.
[Aleks] Sweetie, let's go to daddy.
Come on.
Good morrow, Mr. Italian.
Good morrow, little Sunflower.
What've you got there?
You ask me that every time.
I used my old container
and made my own mix.
It's washing liquid with water.
Hello?
Finally.
Where've you been?
It was easier to reach you
when you were six hours behind.
Stop giving me that, how do
you say, Canadian cold shoulder.
Yeah, my head wasn't on straight.
I had to wait for the parents to come
and then I was putting Lena to sleep.
Speaking of cold, how's Mihajlo?
We were fighting the
fever the entire night
but he's much better now. (Exhales)
How was it yesterday?
Did Stephen finally learn
the Serbian birthday song?
I think you'll learn
the national hymn faster
than he'll catch up on that.
[Anita] Shut up.
(kids yell outside)
Lena, come inside, baby.
Mommy's on the phone.
[Anita] I'm ashamed that
Mihajlo knows "Boze pravde"
and I'm still singing
the old "Hej Sloveni."
(engine revving)
Lena?
Let me just get Lena inside.
Lena?
- I'll call you later.
- Okay.
(tense music)
Lena?
Lena?
(dramatic orchestral music)
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena?
[Stephen] What's going on?
[Aleks] She's nowhere in the house.
[Stephen] She must be outside.
She came back in.
(tense music)
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
(tense music)
- Lena!
- Lena!
Wait.
Who're you calling?
- Police.
- Wait a little bit.
She must be hiding here somewhere.
She's not hiding.
She doesn't even like that game.
Look, she must be around here somewhere.
She'd take the bubble container with her.
Honey, kids play with one
toy for a couple of minutes
and then they forget about it.
No!
You don't know what she likes.
Hello?
Hello, um.
Can somebody in English, please?
[Dispatcher] Go ahead, miss.
What's the emergency?
(sobbing) My daughter's missing.
[Dispatcher] Miss, I know you're upset
but you need to take a deep breath
so I can understand you.
(breathing heavily) My,
my daughter's missing.
[Dispatcher] How old is she?
She's gonna be five in a few days.
[Dispatcher] What color shirt
and pants was she wearing?
She was wearing yellow pants
and a white little T-shirt
with a sunflower on it.
She also had a bandanna on.
[Dispatcher] What's your name?
Aleksandra Nightingale.
[Dispatcher] Would you
spell that for me, please?
N-I-G-H-T-I-N-G-A-L-E.
[Dispatcher] Have you
looked for her around?
Yes, yes everywhere.
[Dispatcher] When did it happen?
Maybe half an hour ago.
Can you please send someone down here?
[Dispatcher] We don't
dispatch units for 48 hours.
What?
She's five years old.
[Dispatcher] Kids
usually show up by morning.
She's five.
Where would she go by
herself and wait until tomorrow?
Please, officer, I beg you.
[Dispatcher] I'll take
all the information
What kind of a stupid law is that?
She's only a baby!
[Dispatcher] I don't
know where's you're from
but this is how we operate here.
It has nothing to do with where I'm from.
You're asking me to leave
my child in the wild for 48 hours,
'cause you don't wanna do your job.
(phone thudding)
[Stephen] Hi.
My apologies.
This is Stephen Nightingale.
I'm the husband.
(door slams)
(dramatic orchestral music)
[Crowd] Lena!
Lena!
[Aleks] Lena!
[Stephen] Lena!
[Aleks] Lena!
- Lena!
- Lena!
Lena!
Lena!
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(door clicking)
[Psychiatrist] Do you
need to take a break?
I was both mom and dad to her,
or at least I thought I could be.
I only wanted her to see
the nice side of this world,
the beauty in flowers,
people, little things,
but I failed to teach her
the skills and confidence
required to deal with this life.
Kids are good at picking
up what we show them,
more than what we say.
I'm sure Lena saw the strength in you
that she'll use to take
good care of herself.
I asked,
I asked Dr. Vukasin to
prescribe me medication
after the funeral.
That's far away from me
being a good, strong role model.
Did you take the pill that day?
Those pills were for depression,
not to provoke hallucinations.
I was not implying anything.
I'm just trying to
understand what happened.
What happened is somebody set me up.
(printer whirring)
Lena.
Lena!
(Aleks exhales)
Just calm down, honey.
She'll be fine.
Where is she?
Oh, I forgot to tuck her
in before going to sleep.
I left her outside.
Don't you ever blame yourself!
She played so innocently,
believing mommy is there to protect her
and I failed her.
Just go back to sleep,
I'll lay down with you.
No, no, no.
Did the police come?
Why didn't you wake me up?
It's seven a.m.
Mmm.
Jesus Christ, what's wrong with me?
Why didn't I call Anita?
Did you let her know?
We'll call Anita after
the police write a report.
We don't know what
the protocol is here, yet.
No, no, no.
We're not going to wait for them.
Anita knows this country
better than anyone.
(tense music)
(phone rings)
(phone ringing)
Hey Mihajlo, it's Aleks.
Is your mom there?
Hi, Mrs. Aleks.
She's preparing.
We're going to school.
- You're going to school?
- Of course, Mrs. Aleks.
What about your fever?
Fever?
Is everything okay, Mrs. Aleks?
(tense music)
Mom is in the shower,
but I'll say it's you.
Mrs. Aleks?
No, it's fine.
I'll call her later.
(tense orchestral music)
What happened?
Nothing.
I'll just go to the newspapers.
I'll be back as soon
as I hand out the flyers.
I'll bring her home.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(camera shutter clicking)
(camera shutter clicking)
(tense music continues)
(door clicking)
(phone ringing)
I'm here with them.
I'm here to see Dr. Vukasin.
Please, it's urgent.
[Tamara] Miss, wait!
Miss?
- I'm sorry.
- Miss.
(door clicking)
(door creaking)
(both chuckling)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(birds squawking)
If you ever get lost,
look for this river and find that monument.
Mommy will be there waiting for you.
(dramatic orchestral music)
Lena?
Lena?
(bells tolling)
Lena?
Lena?
(raven cawing)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Lena?
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Lena?
Lena?
(sobbing) Lena.
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
Please, Lena, please.
No!
Please, stop.
Calm down.
It's Lazar.
It's Lazar.
Calm down, calm down, please.
Sit.
Shh, shhh.
How did you find me?
Your soul found me.
I was in the same position you are
three weeks ago, when my Mila went missing.
Where was Natalija that day?
I mean, why didn't she babysit her?
She was always with her.
I wanted to spend some time with them
because you were with
your father at the hospital.
They were running over
there, bubbly laughing,
enjoying, and in one
moment everything stops.
(dramatic orchestral music)
As if they knew that
your father Kosta died.
It worked.
What worked?
Mila said you wouldn't
recognize which one is which,
so we changed our jackets and bows.
Where is she?
She left with grandpa.
With whom?
Grandpa Kosta called for her.
He probably thinks it's me.
[Aleks] That means Lena
was the target this whole time.
I spent 20 days searching for Mila.
Wherever I was, I would end up here,
hoping my baby girl will be back,
and finally I understood the words,
"The miserable have no
other medicine, but only hope."
But the only way to stay
sane is if she came back,
not if you stopped searching.
We shall head home.
Stephen is probably waiting for you.
[Psychiatrist] You're making
some harsh accusations.
For saying Natalija
has the biggest motive
to kidnap the kids,
to get a family she never had?
You cannot make such an assumption based
on the adoption documents.
She ruined one family
without blinking an eye,
which means she can't feel anyone's pain.
That's one of the effects
of not having parents.
But why would she take
a child by mistake then?
She wouldn't.
But her accomplice would.
You think Vukasin
participated in the kidnapping?
No, he's not capable of that.
But Natalija does have
a bigger agenda with him.
Listen, I might have a problem
remembering all the facts,
but my gut is right.
Someone could say you
and Stephen might be involved
in Mila's kidnapping,
just because you were both
left without father figures.
Okay, your point is made.
You never spoke to
Anita about the kidnapping?
She was like a family to you.
No.
My, my mind got carried away.
You know what?
My father's absence had
a different effect on my life.
I desperately wanted
Stephen to fill that hole,
which he never could.
(Aleks breathing heavily)
(rock thudding)
(tense music)
- Where is she?
- What?
[Aleks] That girl?
What was she doing here?
Aleks, what girl?
The same girl from the
park, just a different mask.
Oh God, that's Lena's mask.
[Stephen] Babe, you're tired.
Let's get you to sleep.
Stop putting me to sleep, Stephen.
I don't know what
girl you're talking about.
If you ever took Lena out,
you would know who I'm talking about,
and she would be here right now!
Don't talk to me like that!
I was working for all of us.
You forget that it was
your idea to come back
and raise a child in this vicious country.
Yes, 'cause I didn't want my
child to be raised mindless,
but I brought her to play with her grandpa
before he passed away.
I can see all the big
minds are out here busy
creating the laws.
Stop labeling people based
on their politics, Stephen.
Like this wouldn't happen in Canada?
It would.
But at least they would be
helping us find her, right now.
If you're so clever, take a look around,
where you brought your daughter to live.
The streets have holes in them.
Buildings are left
destroyed since the bombing.
The cars are older than
the dead Yugoslavia.
Yes, it's better to be in
credit debt until you die
'cause you can't drive a car
that you can actually afford.
The Mercedes sitting in the parking lot
is more important than the
time spent with your family.
Everything you see is through the money.
Money, money, money.
Here's your stupid money.
Here's where your money's going.
If it wasn't for money you
wouldn't be here right now.
If it wasn't for money,
there wouldn't be any war
and I would've never left this country.
Okay.
Enjoy your country now.
What did you say?
As far as I remember, your
father is from Serbia, too.
Or you wanna leave us, as well?
It wouldn't be the first time
you renounced your family, anyways.
Aleks, enough.
Or what?
Come on.
Behave like a man and shut me up.
Come on.
Do it.
That's the only way to
get you to feel empowered.
To get you to feel any freaking emotion.
Aleks!
If you had some emotions,
your daughter would've been much safer
and she would be here right now.
They wouldn't have been targeting a family
where the father figure ceased
to exist. (Breathing heavily)
Why do I even bother explaining the meaning
of a family to you?
You're just like all of them.
That's exactly the reason
why my child isn't growing up there.
What do you know about family?
Where was your father in your childhood?
Leaving you 8,000 km away from here,
to be raised alone by your mother?
Don't you dare say a
word about my dead father!
He sent me there to protect me.
Even your stupid father was capable
of protecting somebody,
and what did you do,
other than stick your
head in those stupid papers.
You didn't seem to complain
when you were making all
those trips back here before.
I was the perfect husband then,
when you didn't have to work,
and you were able to raise your daughter
the way you wanted to
and where you wanted to
I brought Lena back to
Serbia, so she can finally sense
what it means to have a family.
And what gives you the
right to teach me something
you don't know the slightest thing about?
You're the mother who
left her daughter outside.
You're the wife who hasn't given anything
to her husband in years.
The last time I wasn't
forcing you into something
was five years ago.
Then, I wasn't just a figure
that existed in this family.
Understand, Aleks, every decision
I made in my life was for her own good.
And if anyone knows what it's like
to have a bad father, that's me.
And then I met you.
You showed me how to
see the world differently.
Where is that girl?
Get those pills, get your head on clear,
and stop accusing me
for Lena's disappearance.
My daughter is out there
in the wild, maybe hungry,
alone, or frightened.
Or maybe some old monster
is touching her innocent body,
and cutting it in half for
organ or sex trafficking.
And what am I doing?
Standing here, crying
for my miserable marriage.
But I don't know where
to look for her anymore.
I did everything as I was supposed to,
and she still went missing. (Sobbing)
She just learned how to
say mommy and daddy.
Aleks.
I guess I just wanted her to have a life
that the war took away from me. (Sobbing)
[Stephen] Aleks.
[Aleks] We lost her and it's my fault.
We didn't lose her.
And it's not your fault.
I need you.
I can't fight anymore.
I don't have the strength
this time. (Sobbing)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(Aleks sobbing)
(Stephen sighing)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
[Psychiatrist] Does that girl awaken
any childhood memories for you?
You were your father's princess,
but forced to live quite
the opposite life of one.
[Aleks] I think I'm
paying for my father's sins.
What makes you say that?
He was in the army.
He must've hurt someone.
I don't have anyone out
here willing to harm me.
[Psychiatrist] Why do
you think it's directed to you
and not just an organized crime?
Beause it's too personal.
(envelope ripping)
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(knuckles rapping)
(line beeping)
- Hello?
- Hey, where are you?
[Stephen] At the police station.
Why?
- Is Lazar with you?
- Yes, why?
What happened?
I think they're together.
[Stephen] Who?
Lena and Mila?
Aleks, what do you mean?
I have to wait for the
police to write a report.
Lazar found a red
bracelet in his front yard.
Aleks?
Huh?
No, I'll tell you when you get home.
[Stephen] I'm not leaving...
(tense music)
[Natalija] Mrs. Aleks, Mrs.
Aleks, was that you knocking?
(door clicking) (engine revving)
Have you seen that girl, with a mask,
the one who just entered that car.
What girl, Mrs. Aleks?
I really don't think parents
let the kids out anymore.
They might even cancel our summer camp.
Mrs. Aleks?
I'm watching over the house tonight.
If you need someone to talk to.
Mr. Lazar has some business at the theater.
I hope he finds peace of mind there again.
Say hi to Vukasin.
What?
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(glass shattering)
The simplest thing to
do is we just wait for them
to write a report... No, no.
- It's the same kidnapper.
- Why do you say that?
This is what the girl
left outside the house
when you accused me of hallucinating.
It's Lena's drawing.
Why do you assume
they're together based on this?
Do you remember we
couldn't put her to sleep
'cause she kept asking
questions about Italy,
and why it's the only
country shaped like a boot?
Until Mila brought her a Venetian mask
that became her new interest.
And a bow.
Yeah, now look at it.
The bow, the boots, the coat.
Mila was always dressing
up in Lazar's clothes.
Lena's telling us she's with her.
Babe, it's definite that
the cases are connected,
but this is just a simple drawing.
Stephen, in case you forgot,
your daughter loved codes.
You used to take five minutes of your time
to solve rebuses with her.
And this, this is taken out
of the newspaper article
when Mila went missing.
The exact one you have downstairs
[Lazar] Listen, Aleks,
even if Lena was more
clever than her peers,
this is impossible for a child to do.
They all draw the same
and this could be cut out
of any article.
The kidnappers did it so they
can ask for ransom later on.
You're right.
She's not that smart.
She's smarter than I thought.
(tense music)
Aleks, wait.
Hope is the cause of madness.
(tense music)
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(engine revving)
[Aleks] Where is he?
[Stephen] He just entered the orphanage.
[Aleks] Please, just
stay on him the whole time.
And let me know when
he starts heading home.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(message rings)
(engine rumbling)
(doors clicking)
(door shuts) (keys jingling)
(door clicking)
You almost got me caught.
What happened?
Where was he?
I sent you a message.
He was at the orphanage.
Did anything happen to the kids?
Aleks, I think you're going
down the wrong path here.
Will you ever just trust me?
That is your daughter's
blood on the papers.
Look, I didn't question you.
I followed him.
Natalija was in that orphanage
before she got adopted.
Lazar's been visiting
that place ever since.
His theater does a lot of charity for them.
How do you know that?
He told me at the station.
Emilija, Natalija, she
probably changed her name
after she got adopted.
Let's wait for the police to come and
No, I'm not going to wait on them!
Stephen, these couple of hours
are my last chance to find her alive.
The kidnappers know the
police will get involved soon.
Then control your brain,
'cause you're losing clarity
of judgment, and your mind is what matters.
You're perfect at
controlling things anyways.
What happened now?
Aleks!
[Aleks] I saw his medical report.
He went back to drinking.
What?
Lena's clues were
not about Mila, but him.
He's got her.
He's a freaking psychopath.
He's getting back at us, because
(tense music) (knuckles rapping)
[Stephen] Aleks, what is this?
Who cut this out?
We have a search warrant for your house.
Your neighbor Natalija reported a break-in
and we also found Mila's
stuffed beaver buried
in her front yard,
which may be relevant in
uncovering the perpetrators.
May I come in?
(door clicking)
Hi.
Marta Tasic, from Belgrade Police.
Stephen.
I'll be right back.
[Stephen] Aleks!
What?
Sorry that a missing child
is not measured a necessity
since it doesn't bring purple bills.
You've got burials and break-ins
to help you enforce
delusions amongst citizens
about Serbia's reality.
Miss, we're here, doing our job.
You could've waited
for the kids' obituaries
to finally come visit the families.
[Stephen] Aleks.
We'll contact you in
case we find anything.
And also, here's my number, if needed.
[Stephen] Thank you.
(engine revving)
Mr. Stephen...
I'm so sorry for doing this.
- Don't worry.
- I was really terrified.
I tried to get Mr. Lazar
on the phone and I
[Stephen] It's okay, Natalija.
What is it?
I didn't tell the police everything.
Tell them what?
I'm sorry.
It's not my place to say.
Natalija, what?
They asked me if I saw
something suspicious,
and I said no.
With all due respect, Mr. Stephen,
I think she may be hallucinating children.
She was acting really unlike herself
Thank you, Natalija.
You're welcome.
(door closes)
(keys clacking)
Early warning signs of
schizophrenia include depression,
insomnia, odd or irrational statements,
hallucinations, delusions.
One of the causes might
be early parental loss.
They have a tendency to express
themselves through drawing.
(dramatic music)
[Psychiatrist] You're making
some bad judgments, so far.
What do you mean?
[Psychiatrist] Falsely accusing Anita,
Natalija, now Lazar.
I'm just trying to save my daughter.
[Psychiatrist] Accusations
sometimes reveal
the character of the accuser.
Don't mess with my mind.
[Psychiatrist] What does
the drawing represent to you?
It's my daughter's drawing.
I already told you.
But what does it represent to you?
You used to play bow and
arrow at the Kalemegdan Park
with Kosta.
The bow is the gift Lena got from Mila.
[Psychiatrist] What
about the hiking you did
with him, every weekend?
Lena was obsessed with
Italy, which has a boot-like shape.
Aleks. Aleks, the doctor was not able
to save your father's life.
No, no, no.
That's not a doctor's coat.
You're messing with me.
Kids were dressing up in
Lazar's clothes, all the time.
That's what the coat is.
[Psychiatrist] What about the evidence?
What about it?
You had both a stuffed
beaver and the bracelet
in your possession.
How come you didn't show it to the police?
Because they wouldn't
do anything, anyway.
I had to search for my daughter on my own.
Okay, okay, let's take a step back.
Who tampered with your evidence,
cut out newspapers,
scribbled girls' faces in the photographs,
the drawings
I don't know who
did it, but it wasn't me.
My daughter is missing.
They, they took both girls
'cause they had to make it look
like I'm a danger to society
in order to lock me up.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(all cheering)
[Aleks] Nenad?
Nenad!
Yes?
[Aleks] Do you remember
the girl from the park?
A girl?
Sorry, you should be more precise.
I do a lot of kid's parties.
It was Lena's birthday.
You were playing with kids,
and I came along with another girl.
She was supposed to stay
with us until her parents came.
I remember Lena, but I
can't remember another girl.
No, no.
It was in the park.
It was you, kids and I,
and that girl.
Sorry, there was no other girl.
No, no.
It was.
It was.
Sorry.
Can we talk later?
My responsibility is to be with the kids.
Sorry.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(ominous music)
Mila?
(suspenseful music)
(tense music)
(phone rings)
Hello?
[Stephen] Mrs. Tanasic,
this is Stephen Nightingale.
My wife is one of your
patients, Aleksandra.
Vukasin Balsic was her doctor before.
I'm just calling to see if she
has visited you voluntarily,
or maybe you scheduled
her a check-up lately?
Sorry, Mr. Nightingale.
I would like to help you,
but we're unable to give
out patient's information,
especially not over the phone.
(both sighing)
(Aleks breathing heavily)
Perfect timing.
What?
What are you doing here?
I can see you did everything as planned.
(tense music)
(Aleks coughs)
Do you remember if you
tucked Lena in last night?
(Aleks breathing heavily)
Where are the kids?
Where are they?
(both grunting)
Get up!
(lamp breaks)
(both grunting)
Not that easy.
(Aleks breathing heavily)
I wouldn't recommend that.
(both grunting)
Who's gonna believe you
after many false accusations?
Unless you want them to
close you in a mental asylum,
declaring your craziness.
I've got something to show you.
(both grunting)
It's been a long time
since you last saw her.
[Lena] Help, mommy, help!
(both grunting)
(suspenseful music)
(doorbell buzzing)
Mrs. Nightingale, you're
crazier than I thought.
Somebody help!
They should've kept you in the hospital
when your father died.
(Knocking on door)
Now go open the door.
[Jelena] Mrs. Nightingale.
Remember, kids are still with me.
It's Dr. Jelena Tanasic.
Can you open the door for me, please?
(door creaking)
Hi, Aleks.
Would it be okay if I
came in to talk to you?
My friends, Marta and Bojan,
are going to stay outside
to ensure our safety.
No, no.
You can't do that.
She's got my daughter.
No, no, please take a look at her phone.
She's got a video of my
daughter begging for help.
Please.
Please, just take a look at her phone.
Aleks, darling,
You'll be taken to the
clinic for mental disorders.
For the psychopathic evaluation.
No, no.
You can't do that.
We're gonna have to give you a dosage
if you don't calm down.
- Please, please.
- No, no, no.
Everything's gonna be okay.
No!
Let go of me!
No, this is a set up, please!
Please, this is a set up.
She's got my child, please.
No, you can't do this, please.
No, she's only five years old.
Please, no.
This is a set up.
Please, please, take a look at her phone.
Take a look at her phone.
I beg you. (Screaming)
(siren wailing)
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(tense music)
[Natalija] Perfect timing.
I can see you did everything as planned.
(Aleks coughs)
Do you remember if you
tucked Lena in last night?
[Aleks] Where are the kids?
(both grunting)
Please, help me, please, please.
I'm not insane.
Please.
You have to get me out of here.
You have to get me out of here.
It's in your benefit to calm down
before we make you do so.
You have to help me out.
Please, get me out of here.
I need to save my child.
Please, get me out of here!
Please!
I need to save my child.
Please, get me out of here.
Please.
Please, I'll behave well.
Just get me out of here.
Please, please.
(Aleks grunting)
- Calm down, calm down.
- I'm fine.
I'm fine, I don't need medication.
I'm fine.
I don't need medication.
I just need to save my child.
- Calm down.
- No,
no, please, I beg you, please
don't wipe away my memory.
No!
It's her birthday today. (Sobbing)
No.
You have to tell me why am I here.
What is it you're giving me
so I'm not remembering things?
The doctor will be here any minute
if you need someone to talk to.
This is your better choice
unless you like prison.
What do you mean?
Kidnapping a child can't pass unpunished.
What?
Why am I here?
They'll hold you here up to 72 hours.
Admit you overdosed on Quetiapine.
You slept for 48 hours
and you don't remember what you did.
Ask to voluntarily sign
yourself into treatment.
What did I do?
What happened the last 48 hours?
That's what I'm talking about.
You shouldn't remember anything.
No, I really don't!
There's only so much
you can do from jail.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
No!
Give me that.
Mila.
Natalija.
Lena.
- Lazar.
- Give me that!
- Give me that, give me that!
- Lazar.
Vukasin.
Mila.
- No, no, no, please!
- Vukasin.
Mila.
Help!
Help! (Sobbing)
No, no, leave me alone.
I didn't do anything.
No!
Shhh.
We only want to help you.
I already told you.
I don't remember anything.
Do you remember were
were you these 48 hours?
I went out for a run.
And then
And then you ran in here all bloody.
Yes.
With the beaver in your hand and, look.
Shhh.
This drawing.
(dramatic music)
(Aleks sobbing)
That's my Lena's.
Yes.
That's why it's better
for you to be in here,
unless you want to be moved to prison.
No, no.
I wouldn't hurt my baby.
No.
Okay.
That's what everyone says.
But you didn't want to listen to her.
A normal life doesn't
exist for you anymore.
This, this is your only choice.
Don't worry.
Your loved ones are
waiting for you up there.
Don't worry.
Shhh.
I swear I didn't do anything.
I swear I didn't do it.
Please!
No!
- I didn't do it.
- Don't worry.
Shhh.
[Aleks] I swear I didn't do anything.
Doctor Vukasin is here to see you.
(Aleks sobbing)
Shhh.
That's when Tamara came to pick me up.
That's all I remember.
I'm sorry you had to
go through all of this.
It's my fault.
Where's Stephen?
Does he know I'm here?
He's on his way.
He called me after he
saw the tape we set up.
That's why I'm here.
What tape?
No, no, no.
You set up a tape because
you though it was me?
No, not at the beginning.
No.
I just couldn't leave you like that,
so the tape was the only way out.
They did this, and not Lena.
But why is it I can't remember everything?
Your toxicology test
results reported as positive.
The pills you used in such a strong dosage
are rare to find,
but my patient Ana Bukvic was taking them,
and Natalija had access to everything.
So she switched your antidepressants.
(door creaking)
(Vukasin sighing)
(dramatic music)
(door slamming)
(marching band music)
(tense music)
(marching band music)
(head thudding)
(phone beeping)
(tone beeping)
Hi, I'm Lena Nightingale.
[Dispatcher] What's the emergency?
Nenad fell.
He needs help.
- He's really bad.
- How old are you?
- I'm five.
- Who is Nenad?
I want my mommy.
[Dispatcher] Where is your mommy?
I don't know.
[Dispatcher] Do you know
the address of the house?
No.
I forgot to ask.
[Dispatcher] Can you do something for me?
Can you go out the front door
and really quickly take
a look at the number
that's on the right side of the door.
- Just look up.
- Okay.
(door clicking)
It says three.
Oh, there's some name, as well,
but I don't know how to read it.
[Dispatcher] Look at
the letters one by one
and tell me which ones do you know.
C-A, I don't know this one.
A.
Here comes the next word.
D-U, I don't know this one.
And the last one is A.
[Dispatcher] Now, go back to Nenad
and stay there until
the police comes, okay?
Okay.
(Lena screams)
[Dispatcher] Hello?
Lena, are you there?
(tense music)
(dramatic orchestral music)
There's one person I didn't think of
that was right in front of my eyes.
[Psychiatrist] And who is that?
I went to my father to get that answer.
[Psychiatrist] You are convinced
this is your father's fault?
He's got the same birthmark
on his neck like Kosta does.
Lena said it was shaped like a sunflower.
And this man is Natalija's accomplice?
Make a girl fall in love with you
and she'll do anything you desire,
especially if you promise her a family.
[Psychiatrist] What made
you think of this person?
He looked me straight
in the eyes and lied to me.
Did you find your half-brother?
I did.
At the grave.
(engine rumbling)
(dramatic orchestral music)
Nenad?
[Stephen] Aleks, stop!
Somebody call the police!
(suspenseful music)
(both grunting)
Where are the kids?
Where are they?
They're dead.
Just know, before she died,
she had the same look in her eyes,
like you do right now.
(Aleks grunting)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(Aleks grunting)
(police sirens wailing)
(doors clicking)
(sirens wailing)
(doors clicking)
(Nenad grunting)
[Stephen] Babe.
Stop.
Let the police get him.
(Aleks sobbing)
[Aleks VO] They locked me up again.
My name is Aleksandra Nightingale.
I have a daughter Lena.
If you're reading this,
please continue searching for my daughter.
I wrote down everything I remembered.
If you find her,
please tell her mommy loves her.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music continues)