The Architect
[jackhammer pounding]
[tires screeching]
[siren blaring]
[jackhammer pounding]
[siren blaring]
[people shouting]
[laughter]
[people chattering]
[people chattering]
[people chattering]
[woman] We’ve already got the
support of our congressman
and state senator,
but what we need is more
community involvement–
[woman #2] What you trying
to knock our homes down for?
Ain’t you got enough
problems of your own?
Try to get up in
everybody else’s business.
[woman #2]
Stupid-ass bitch.
[woman #3]
She don’t wanna live here?
Why don’t she leave?
[horn honks]
[car door closes]
-[man] Hey.
-Hey.
So you’re here.
-Did you call the school
and tell them–
-Yeah, yeah.
You’ll get refund,
50% of tuition.
That’s not
what I meant.
[train horn]
Can we go to Super Dog?
Your mom and your sister
are waiting for you.
Nice to have
you back.
[woman] First of all,
my ex-boyfriend’s name
is not Morris,
his name is Lamelle.
-[crying]
-[Judge] Is that who we’re
talking about, Lamelle?
-[woman] Yes.
-[Judge] Who’s Morris?
[Judge]
I misheard his name.
We thought his name
was Morris.
Lamelle. Is Lamelle
still your boyfriend?
[woman] No, he’s just
a friend of mine.
-Second of all–
-[baby crying]
[Judge] Did you give
Lamelle your keys?
[woman]
Like two months later, yes.
Come here,
come here.
[Judge] …that Lamelle
didn’t wipe you clean?
She’s just gonna cry
every time she wanna be held
you keep going to her like that.
She’s a baby, Missy.
You gotta hold a baby.
[woman]
Four tailored suits,
four silk blouses.
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
Where’s your bathing suit,
sweetie?
-It doesn’t fit.
-Oh.
Did I tell you I found out
what was destroying my flowers?
They’re called
cutworms.
They’re below the soil
where you can’t see them.
That’s why I couldn’t
figure it out.
You should cover up.
You will burn without
any protection.
[young man] You used to
let me play with these
when you were done with them.
I’d put toy soldiers in them,
create riots, earthquakes.
You could come and work for me
if you were interested.
There’s a lot more
to architecture
than just the models.
Actually it’s
pretty interesting.
I could teach you if you wanted.
I don’t know, Dad.
Look, you’re gonna have to get
a job sooner or later, right?
So why not come
and work for me?
Like when you were younger,
just the two of us.
[woman]
She can make some banana bread,
I’ll give her that much.
She’s still a fool,
thinking making noise
is gonna change anything.
The Court’s been
the Court forever.
Ain’t nothing gonna
change the Court.
Since her old daughter
up outta here,
she’s possessed
to fight for change.
-Mm-hmm.
-There’s 7,000
people up in here.
She thinks she’s
the queen of everything.
She should mind
her business.
[people chattering]
Daddy.
Hey, cookies.
Yeah, they’re
for you and Martin.
They look great.
Is he here yet?
Yeah. He’s just
unloading his bags.
I’m gonna, uh–
Hey, bitch face.
Hey, ball sack.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
What’s with the,
uh, blonde hair?
You like an MTV commercial.
Did you get a boob job?
Martin!
-Nice snatch.
-Don’t!
Sorry. You never think of
your sister as having one.
You always figure there’s
nothing there. Like Barbie.
You’re such an asshole.
You let him have
a good look?
What? He wasn’t looking.
I just saw him.
You’re disgusting.
[sighs]
It makes sense, I guess,
at his age and all.
Why can’t you
just be normal?
[woman]
You’re home.
Hi, Mom.
[woman]
Yes, they are talking about
doing some renovations,
but they can only
fix so much.
Even if they fix the plumbing,
they can’t fix the water damage
that already exists–
that’s forever.
They can’t heal the sickness
of our kids who’ve already
been exposed to…
mold and asbestos,
and who knows
what kind of nastiness
those rats are carrying.
And they can never spend
the money it would take to put
bathrooms in the ground floor,
which means as long as
the gangs own the elevators,
we got drunks and kids
peeing in our front yard.
The single exits help them
to keep lookout 24/7.
As soon as an apartment
is vacated, a gang moves in.
And buildings like 8 and 9,
they got some whole floors.
Look, it’s not about
public housing don’t work.
I’m not saying that.
It’s the architecture of
the Court that’s working
against us here.
[Dad]
Martin and I have been talking
about him coming to work for me.
Really?
Well, he was–
He was discussing it.
-What’s that?
-Nothing.
Don’t mutter, Martin.
I don’t trust people who mutter.
I said, you were talking
about it. You were talking.
-I just thought–
-Exactly.
You thought,
as usual.
I just thought that
it could be good for you.
But do what you want.
It’s a beautiful day.
I’m not gonna fight about it.
Who’s fighting?
What’s the fight about?
[crickets chirping]
-[knocking]
-Yeah, it’s okay.
Oh, uh, you’re, um–
Yeah.
Red.
I don’t know,
I might change it.
It might be
a little dark.
What?
The shade.
Oh, right,
yeah, yeah.
You know,
I was thinking, um,
maybe I’m pushing
your brother too hard
on this whole job thing.
Well, he probably just
needs a little time
to get used to it,
or whatever.
Yeah, yeah.
I mean, he was talking about
playing with the models
when he was a kid.
You know, back when
we lived as Westlawn.
I’d forgotten about that.
-We could all work together.
-Exactly.
That’s what I was thinking.
We could do something together.
Assuming that you still
want to pursue a career
in architecture.
Oh, yeah.
Yes, definitely.
We’ll just
keep it small.
Homes for families.
I think it is too dark.
Hmm. Yeah.
Probably is.
Thanks.
[door closes]
[Dad]
Julia?
Why don’t you come to bed?
I think I’m gonna bring
Martin to class with me.
I have a feeling those tired
academics haven’t exactly
been reaching out to him.
It’s a lot different
when you hear a working
professional talk about
their field of expertise.
I don’t think
he’s interested.
What’s that?
Nothing.
[sighs]
[girl] She’s, like,
obsessively cleaning
a completely clean
refrigerator.
It’s like she’s
in another world.
You’re just
figuring this out?
[girl] Oh, my God,
it was disgusting.
Hey, Christina.
We’re going downtown.
Christina, come on, doll.
We’re gonna be late.
Yeah, I’m coming.
[Dad] Martin, throw that
in the back for me, will you?
[Martin]
Yeah, Dad.
[people shouting in background]
[Dad] For any design then,
a home, a hotel,
an aircraft carrier that’s
gonna be home to 5,000
sweaty, horny sailors…
[chuckling]
for any living
circumstance,
we want to consider
Miller’s 12 assumptions.
Okay, for now let’s just
concentrate on Miller’s
assumptions 8 and 6.
Can anybody
review 6 for me?
Um, in 6,
Miller says that
humans have inherent,
um, physical and
psychological needs
that must be met
by the ecosystem,
their human-made
physical environment,
and, um,
the social environment.
That was excellent.
Well done.
Abraham Maslow.
Did you cover Maslow
in your intro section?
Well, Maslow proposes that
not only can needs
be identified,
but they can actually
be arranged in a hierarchy
according to our needs.
Physiological needs.
Food, water,
warmth, in that order.
Psychological needs.
Security,
social interaction,
and self-actualization.
[phone ringing]
Now, just hold that–
hold that thought,
and go back to Miller
and assumption 8.
The relationship
between people
and their environment
goes both ways.
Humanity shapes
its environment,
and the environment
shapes its inhabitants.
[water running]
Freshman exams?
What?
You’re taking your
freshman exams to place
out of your required’s?
-Yeah.
-I totally remember mine.
I spent the whole day
taking the stupid tests,
and then of course I still
had to take my required’s.
I was never a tester,
you know?
I wish I had your tits.
My tips at Ronnie’s would
like triple, I’m sure.
-You work there?
-Mmm.
Beer wench, flirt.
“What can I get you, boys?”
You should come by.
I mean, it’s actually fun
when it’s not totally,
you know, Ronnie’s.
Yeah, I don’t have like–
Don’t worry about ID.
The bouncers all love me.
Okay, yeah.
Thanks.
I’m– I’m Jill,
by the way.
Christina.
Chris.
See you around.
[door opens,
closes]
That’s good.
This is good.
Did everyone hear
Alex’s question?
How do we cater for specific
needs when we’re building
for the masses?
Well, the answer
is simple.
You can’t.
What can you do?
You can help to
build a community
by providing
community spaces.
A strong, healthy residency
will share its resources,
will respect
each other’s needs.
Is that what you did
at Eden Court?
I’m sorry, are you referring
to Eden Court homes?
You designed them, right?
Yes.
I did. This young woman
is referring to a
public housing project that
I designed on the south side
many years ago.
-You reside at Eden Court?
-I live there.
And I assume that you’re unhappy
with the current condition?
Yes, you assume correctly.
Okay, well,
let’s talk about that.
The Eden Court Homes
were inspired by Le Corbusier.
Corbusier envisioned public
housing on a grand scale.
♪♪ [rap]
[Dad] Tall buildings,
uplifting spaces.
What’s up?
What?
What’s up?
I was just saying hey.
Oh. Hey.
-Mr. Waters?
-Hmm?
I was hoping that
you’d take a look at this.
Yes, of course.
-Where’d your sister go?
-I think she got bored.
Oh, is that
your son?
Yes, he’s, um,
helping me.
Well, you know,
this list of grievances,
I mean, I’m certainly happy
to take a look at it.
But, um, I believe a lot of it
is being addressed already.
I got a phone call
from HUD last week.
They wanted
my original blueprints.
They’re gonna do
some work on the project.
But we don’t want
some work done.
Hmm. I’m sorry,
I don’t really follow.
We don’t want them
to do what little work
they say they’re gonna do.
We want the buildings
torn down.
Would you go and look
for your sister, please?
Probably by the car, Dad.
She’s fine.
We got some good support
from many of the residents,
and that there’s
a copy for you and–
Oprah signed it.
-Oprah, huh?
-Mm-hmm.
You’ll think
about it then?
I’m sorry, I don’t think
I can help you.
Well, you could support it.
Sign the petition.
And demolish
my own building?
-Our homes.
-My design.
Could I?
Look, I just don’t understand
why you want me to help.
Obviously you have
enough people who want
to pull Eden Court down.
But if you say that
they should be torn down,
it would mean so much more, see?
I mean, the architect
of the original design.
-I mean, who’s gonna argue
with the architect, right?
-Or Oprah.
Look, I understand
these projects generate
a lot of passion,
but I don’t see there’s
any reason to throw out
the baby with the bathwater.
We’re not asking you to take
responsibility, and we’re
not blaming you for anything.
We’re just asking you
to consider the petition.
I just don’t think that
you should destroy something
that’s fundamentally sound.
Well, why don’t you just
take a look at the paperwork?
I’m sorry.
I can’t help you.
You know, it’s funny to think
that you built them.
I mean,
not you in particular.
It’s just funny to think
that someone thought them up,
you know,
a man with a son.
I always feel
as though they just…
happened.
Okay, I’m gonna
go look for her.
She’s 15 years old.
She’s not lost.
I’m gonna
walk home, okay?
No, I want you to
stay here by the car
just in case–
There she is.
Okay. I’m walking home then.
Fine.
She had those eyes.
Hanging out in downtown.
Sweetie.
Hi, Dad.
I’ve been looking
everywhere for you, pumpkin.
I’ll, um, see you.
Where’s Martin?
He’s walking home.
I swear to God,
I don’t understand
that boy sometimes.
Don’t worry,
it’s not that far a walk.
That’s not what I mean.
Who was that?
No one, just some guy.
Seems to like you.
-You think?
-Yeah.
But he had a funny way
of showing it.
[people chattering]
What you want?
Nothing. Nothing.
I’m just dropping my girl off.
Move it out
of my spot here, huh?
All right, G.
“G”?
Hey, maybe I should just
walk you over there.
Where would you park?
Don’t worry about me.
I used to live here,
remember?
You’ll meet me
back here, right?
Yeah.
♪♪ [rap]
What’s up, girl?
Look at that.
You look fine.
You live here?
Come back here, baby.
Damn, show a brother
some respect.
[woman] Meanwhile,
Robert Taylor and Cabrini
and every other project
but the Court feels like
is part of this
whole Hope project,
or whatever that means and–
I’m sorry, baby.
We’ve been talking
about me this whole time.
No, it’s not that,
it’s just I don’t want
to get back too late.
They get worried
when I come over here.
What they got
to worry about?
Why don’t you
sleep here tonight?
We can go to the church
in the morning, visit
the cemetery afterwards.
-Joshua’s gonna pick me up.
-Oh.
Okay, how’s Linda?
I never see her at
the hospital anymore.
I guess she’s busy.
Well, she’s like the top
oncologist in Chicago.
[woman]
I know. I know.
You like the pie
I sent over?
Yeah.
She said thank you.
I really
like it there, Mom.
I mean, the point was to
send me to a better school,
so I wouldn’t be distracted
by all of this here.
I thought that’s
what you wanted.
Oh, I do.
I do, baby.
I want everything
for you.
You know, you don’t
have to stay here.
Well, we talked
about this before.
It’s a much stronger campaign if
there’s a resident leading it.
Okay, Mama.
See you next week?
Okay.
[siren blaring in distance]
-I’ll see you.
-See you.
Wait.
Take some of this.
Banana bread. Tell Linda
I said thank you, okay?
[door closes]
You eat?
Uh-uh.
[people chattering]
[man] Six figure.
That’s what I’m talking, man.
Six figure, baby.
[woman yelling]
♪♪ [rap]
What?
Nothing, uh–
I thought–
You thought what?
Nothing, man.
My mistake.
[man]
Get the hell outta here!
[horn honks]
[man #2]
You want some of this?
Hey.
You know where
Eden Court is?
Yeah.
I’ll show you.
Thanks, man. I’ve never
been down here before.
It’s okay.
I live down there.
♪♪ [rap]
[man]
You got something to say?
You should be careful
shooting looks.
-We got bangers right there.
-Is that a threat?
No, no need to make threats.
I ain’t trying to bother you.
No?
Besides, I don’t
threaten women, so–
I don’t gotta.
What do you want then?
Nothing, nothing.
I just wanted to say
I liked your speech.
I thought you were there
for your gang.
I was, but I still liked
what you had to say.
You know they’ll never
let you tear these
buildings down, right?
Maybe it ain’t
up to them.
Oh, you don’t think so?
Listen, this is our
place of business.
Our corporate headquarters.
We got stockholders
all over the place.
Just say what you
want to say and let me
be on my way, all right?
You don’t get it.
I ain’t threatening you.
I’m cautioning you.
♪♪ [rap]
There’s 12 of ’em.
All the same.
I heard the architect
had ’em all built
in a circle, like a clock.
-You could tell time
from the shadows.
-[baby crying]
Oh, yeah?
Yeah, but then it turned out
wrong and he killed himself
when he saw how it came out.
Stop crying!
Walk!
That’s a myth.
How would
you know?
Is that what you wanna be?
Stupid-ass little bitch.
I’m sick
of you.
I fuckin’ hate
this place.
Why don’t
you leave?
Well, it’s expensive
living by yourself.
Food, rent.
You can get a job.
What’s your job?
Uh, I don’t have a job.
Couldn’t have a job and
deal with this place too.
[chattering]
♪♪ [radio]
ID.
Oh, um–
I can’t let you in
without ID.
Is, uh–
Is Jill working?
-Hey, Jill.
-What?
Oh, hey, the bathroom girl.
She’s okay.
How you doing?
You meeting some friends here?
Oh, uh, I came by myself.
Is– Is that okay?
Yeah, of course.
Here, sit with me.
It’s just, uh– It’s good to
have a girlfriend with you,
you know what I mean?
Oh, you are
so sweet.
You’re like the freshman me
when I first left home.
-[man] Jill.
-What are you drinking?
-[man] Can I get a drink?
-Uh– A beer?
Mmm.
-No, thanks.
-Hmm?
It’s a shame
the kids aren’t here
to have dinner with us.
-Mm-hmm.
-You know, it would be great.
Now that Martin’s home
we could have, you know,
family dinner
like we used to.
-Will you please
close your mouth?
-What?
While you’re eating.
Will you please
keep your mouth shut?
I cooked it.
I don’t need a display.
I’m sorry.
It’s, uh–
It’s delicious.
-Uh, like some more wine?
-No. I said no.
Do you, uh–
Do you remember Eden Court?
The housing projects
I did for HUD way back
when I first started.
Well, this woman
came to my class.
She lives there.
She wants to
tear it down.
Do you know they
used to stamp the
grapes in France?
I bet they used to spit in it
and then laugh about it.
I doubt it.
You don’t know what goes on
in a person’s mind.
Hey.
-Hi.
-What year are you?
Uh, freshman.
Fake ID?
Oh. No, I know Jill.
Well, here. Ladies shouldn’t
drink from a bottle.
[John Denver]
♪ …river ♪
♪ Life is old there
Older than the trees ♪
You like this?
Hell yeah.
♪ Blowing like a breeze ♪
♪ Country road ♪
[singing along]
♪ Take me home ♪
♪ To the place ♪
-Don’t sing, man.
-Why not?
‘Cause it’s nice…
peaceful,
you know?
♪ Mountain momma ♪
♪ Take me home
Country road ♪
What are you, like the
only black guy in history
to ever listen to John Denver?
What, I should be
listening to 50 Cent?
Yeah, exactly.
♪ Uh, uh ♪
♪ Yeah, country road ♪
♪ Teardrop in my eye ♪
♪ Country road ♪
[singing along]
♪ Take me home ♪
[both singing along]
♪ To the place ♪
♪ I belong ♪
♪ West Virginia ♪
♪ Mountain momma ♪
Fuck!
♪ Take me home ♪
[clattering]
No, just, um–
-Stop!
-Hey, what happened?
What?
Uh, let’s just go
back inside then, yeah?
All right,
I’ll–
I’ll just see you
in there then.
Um–
♪♪ [radio]
You all right?
Yeah, sure.
Shit, dude,
I don’t know.
I thought–
Y-You thought what?
I thought you–
So you ain’t gay?
[Mr. Waters] Do you remember
when we were first together?
I thought that you were the most
beautiful woman I’d ever met.
We were so young.
I used to think about us
all the time,
about how things would be.
And then, you know,
you start things.
You draw up plans,
time passes.
You lose focus.
And you gotta get back
to the original,
you gotta go back
to the drawing board.
I am gonna help that woman.
I’m gonna redesign
those projects myself.
I’m gonna let light in,
I’m gonna shine it up.
I’m gonna give those people
a fresh start.
I’m gonna have to put the
squeeze on my partners, use
their influence with the city.
Do you realize that when we met
you were Christina’s age?
[man shouting]
Where’s that stupid ass–
[shouting continues]
[woman]
Go ahead, do it!
[man]
Fuck.
[door slams]
[man] Yo!
[glass shatters]
[shouting continues]
You need a ride home?
Come on.
It’s okay.
[Mr. Waters]
I’m really sorry, you know?
I should have
helped you clean up.
Why did I do that?
I don’t know,
you just–
You just snapped, you know?
It was probably a good thing.
But it is so…
domestic.
-[young man] Whoa. Shrimps?
-[man] Shrimps is proper.
No way.
It can be plural,
both shrimp and shrimps.
No way, Dad,
you’re bluffing.
He’s bluffing.
You can challenge.
-Challenge him.
-I’m not challenging.
-Challenge him!
-That’s all up to you
if you want to go there.
[doorbell]
Your friends?
It’s probably
the Scrabble gods.
Dad’s offended them
one too many times.
Yeah, right.
Go, it’s your turn.
Tonya?
-[Dad] Come on in.
-[Tonya] Thank you.
[Dad] You have my
deepest respect.
You’re fighting
a good fight.
I just can’t see why
this administration
wouldn’t get behind your effort.
[Linda]
It’s not that simple, dear.
[Dad]
Of course it is.
These good people need homes
that function as such,
that are safe for their families
with working facilities.
How’s a parent supposed
to provide when their
house is ill-equipped
to deliver the essential
functions of the home?
Absolutely. Yes.
This is delicious.
Cammie never told us
you were such a cook.
[Christina]
I just get so frustrated.
You know, sometimes
I just want to run
into the side of a house.
You know?
Yeah, I get feelings
like that sometimes.
Really?
Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
All the time.
Only truck on the highway.
What stops you though?
Not much.
Yeah, there was, uh–
There was this
truck driver once.
The guy’s driving in the
middle of the Sahara Desert…
and he crashes into a tree.
There aren’t any trees
in the Sahara Desert.
Yeah, exactly.
There’s only one.
And that’s the point
of the whole story.
The guy crashes into
the most isolated tree
in the entire world.
There’s nothing but emptiness
and sand for a thousand miles
in any direction.
And this guy sees a tree
and he hits it.
Kills himself.
They say it was, um…
fate or a coincidence, but…
I understand it.
I mean, you’re driving alone
for hours and hours
in the middle of the desert,
and you see a tree.
One lone tree.
And you drive at it.
Of course
that’s what you do.
We should, uh–
We should probably
get you back home.
Do you have to
take me home yet?
I’m headed down
to Pontiac,
if you want to
come for a ride.
Yeah.
Your room’s
really changed.
Hmm?
-So how are you getting home?
-I’m gonna take the L.
Josh can
give you a ride.
Oh, no, no, no.
I like the long ride.
It’s good for reading.
This is perfect.
It’s beautiful.
You be sure to thank
the Freemans all the time, okay?
Okay, Mama.
-Where are we?
-Look.
It was nice of
John Hancock.
[man] It’s amazing, huh?
What a man can build.
I’m gonna stop
for a cup of coffee
before we get to the city.
Yeah.
So I should go.
Oh. Yeah. Sure.
I’m sorry about before.
Look, it was my fault.
I thought it was
what you wanted.
What do you want?
[Christina] Thanks again
for helping me before.
[man]
No problem.
It’s nice to have a girl
with you when you drive.
So, are your parents gonna
give you the third degree
when you get home?
No, we don’t really
have that at my house.
What?
Asking, telling.
Oh.
[woman]
More coffee?
No, thank you.
I’m good.
Anything for you?
No. I’m fine, thanks.
What did you mean before?
When you said nice.
It’s nice to have a girl.
Nothing. Nothing.
I shouldn’t have said anything.
No, say.
Just having a-a…
a girl next to you.
Her, um–
Her skin against the seat.
Her breathing.
I turned you on.
No.
Well, yes.
Yeah.
[water running]
I’m, um–
I’m sorry.
We should, uh–
We should go.
[sighs]
Don’t you want me?
Yeah, of course.
But–
Do you think
I’m available?
Look, I shouldn’t have
agreed to do this.
It’s important, Joe.
Do you think I’m available?
I-I don’t know.
Is it my clothes?
‘Cause I could–
Don’t. Don’t.
Don’t, okay?
Stop it.
Stop it.
Is it my body?
No. No.
Don’t you want to
look at me anymore?
No. No, not like this.
How then?
You have to say it.
Just–
Just tell me how
you want me to be.
[crying]
[crickets chirping]
[shattering]
[dog barking]
[Mr. Waters]
Julia?
[shattering]
Julia, what are you doing?
[siren blaring in distance]
[Joe sighs]
So you’ll be okay
from here?
Yeah, my house is
just through the woods.
Thanks for not
pulling up in front.
Yeah.
Can I see you again?
I don’t think
that’s a good idea.
You take care
of yourself, okay?
Bye, Joe.
-[Julia] I am serious.
-[Mr. Waters]
You’ve said that before.
[Julia]
I want it all gone.
Just rocks.
[Mr. Waters]
I already apologized.
Tear the whole
thing down.
You are acting
like a crazy woman.
-Don’t say that word with me.
-What?
Crazy.
It’s dismissive.
What, so it’s sane then?
That in the middle
of the night you throw
pots in our garden.
I knew you
wouldn’t understand.
[baby crying]
[woman] Perhaps you
miss your cousin.
-[man] My cousin?
-[woman] Princess Buscara.
[man]
You know Betsy.
[woman]
Everyone knows Betsy.
How did you know
she was my cousin?
[woman] Well, I know
everything about you.
Remember?
My mother.
I know what grades you got
when you graduated
from cadet school.
I know you saved
a woman from drowning
when you were
only a child.
And I know that you
fell out of a tree and
cut yourself…
here.
[man]
Dance with me.
♪♪ [orchestra]
[digging]
Why don’t you go outside
and help your father.
I can’t.
I have plans.
[Julia]
Where are you going?
[Martin]
Nowhere.
[Julia]
It’s been two weeks.
We’ve hardly seen you
since you’ve been back.
For sure Bobby
will pick me.
I mean, Heather is skinny
and skanky, and I’m hot.
Where’s Mom at?
Hi, my beautiful niece.
How are you doing?
Is this your baby?
Is this Raggedy Anne?
You should get this girl
a black doll.
You learn that at that
white school you go to?
[TV chatter continues]
She probably
down at the library
planning on how she gonna
tear our house down.
Well, I came all
the way here to see her.
Well, she be back.
She ain’t gone forever.
Tell her I’m here
and I’m coming back, all right?
If I’m here.
[doorbell]
[Julia]
Hello.
[Tonya]
Hi. I’m looking for Leo Waters.
Come in, come in.
Wow, Mr. Waters.
This is such a–
Oh, please. Leo.
Call me Leo.
This is such a nice house.
Did you– Did you build it?
I did. I did, yeah.
-I’m Julia.
-Oh. Tonya Neeley.
Oh, uh– We weren’t
expecting you so early.
Oh, well, I–
I got my baby’s baby
sometime and…
Never mind that.
This your daughter?
-Hi.
-[Julia] Christina.
I got a girl just your age.
Sweetie, why don’t you go and
make our guest some coffee.
I’m just gonna go upstairs
and, uh, wash up.
Okay.
She’s a very beautiful girl.
You must be very proud.
Good book?
Oh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
See you.
Okay.
[Leo]
I think you’re gonna be excited
about what I’ve done here.
Okay. Now this represents
part of the property.
Each building
is going to be resurfaced
with the same glass facing.
And then I’m gonna
open up the apartments
and use the glass atrium
as a community porch.
See, that way the residents
have a place where they
can interact and relax.
I see.
Now, the sculpture in the middle
unifies the whole design.
It’s a beacon for
the pride of the community.
Apart from the
external design,
there are internal modifications
and repairs that need
to be taken care of,
based on the challenges
that the residents–
This grass is green.
-You used green paper for it.
-Mm-hmm.
It’s all mud here.
There’s no drainage
so it gets all the water.
-You should’ve put
brown paper there.
-I can always redesign–
These community porches,
the gangs will own them
before the paint dries.
-Well, that’s not Dad’s fault.
-Christina.
[Tonya]
No, it’s–
This doesn’t solve anything,
Mr. Waters.
You just can’t change
the face of it
and make it right.
There are systemic problems
that are beyond repair.
But it’s not the design.
It may be in the execution,
but it’s not the design.
Well, I don’t see
why that matters now.
Tonya, I was hired
to build cheap homes.
This was a state-funded program.
These are not luxury homes.
Architecturally,
this is a good design.
I think it’s beautiful.
People are lining up to leave.
They’re unhappy.
They get sick.
It’s mass housing.
Mass housing does not cater
to the individual
needs of people.
Look, you could redesign it,
you could tear it down,
but the problems are
still gonna be there.
There will always
be unemployment,
there will always be drugs.
You just piled one
on top of the other,
and we’re stuffed in
like play dolls.
Mr. Waters, they did not
hire you to build houses.
They hired you
to house people.
Can’t you see?
This isn’t about you.
This is about
so much more than you.
We’re not blaming you,
and clearly you put a lot
of work into this, but–
Couldn’t you see from
the state of the projects
that they were beyond repair?
I redesigned this
from my own original plans.
You haven’t seen them?
What?
You didn’t visit them?
I mean, things must’ve changed
since you’ve designed it.
[Julia]
Didn’t you want to see it?
I didn’t think
it was necessary.
I didn’t want to cloud
my perspective.
I think you should
knock them down.
Mom!
[Julia]
If this is what they want.
At least they know
what they want.
To stop them
because of history,
because of things
the way they are supposed to be.
I think you should
help them knock them down.
This is my work. I don’t think
you know what the hell
you’re talking about.
Well–
You know, I should–
Thank you for your time.
-If you change your mind–
-[Julia] Stay.
Thank you. I’d better go.
Thank you, thank you
for hearing me out.
You’re supposed
to support me.
I thought she was right.
That is not
the fucking point.
[Julia]
You are so stubborn.
You can forget about
that fucking rock garden.
[door slams]
[children talking]
[helicopter rotors whirring]
[clears throat]
Didn’t think I’d
see you here again.
Yeah, well, I was
in the neighborhood.
[Leo] I just think
we need to try harder.
Try? But we’ve tried
for 20 years!
Tried?
You’re my wife, Julia.
-Julia, come on.
-Julia. Don’t say it again.
Every time you don’t have
anything to say,
you say “Julia.”
What the hell
are you talking about?
[Julia] That name, Julia,
doesn’t even feel like
it belongs to me anymore.
It’s more connected
with you than with me.
You completely lost me.
I don’t know what you want.
I want the separation!
What are you talking about?
It just hasn’t gone that far.
But it will, Leo.
Don’t you see it?
[Leo]
For Christ’s sake, why now?
Why is it a mistake today,
but it wasn’t a mistake
yesterday,
or it wasn’t a mistake
20 years ago?
Because I was afraid.
Afraid of me?
Give me a fucking
break, Julia.
No, I was afraid of me.
I was afraid that I was eroded,
there was nothing left.
-Don’t you see it?
-No.
I think we stopped
having fun.
Julia, I think
it’s really simple.
We stopped having fun, okay?
With the kids and work and–
We just need to go back.
I can’t believe that
you don’t feel anything.
Doesn’t it mean anything
to you that I love you?
No, Leo.
I’m sorry, no.
[door opens]
[woman on TV, indistinct]
[indistinct]
You know where
your mother is?
She went out.
Right.
-I’m sorry I yelled before.
-It’s okay.
No, it’s not.
I shouldn’t do it.
It’s okay, Dad.
I’m sorry.
Come here.
[sighs]
You’re my special girl.
You know that.
I know.
You’re always gonna be
my special girl.
Daddy.
My arms.
I’m sorry,
sweetheart.
I’m sorry.
♪♪ [hip-hop]
Hey. How you doing, girl?
Fine.
-You going over to the L?
-Uh-huh.
Let me walk with you
right there.
That’s all right.
I actually–
You remember me, right?
You don’t remember me
from when you was little?
I used to watch you
and your twin brother.
I lived in building 9
down the hall, and you would
come over and play video games.
Timmy?
No, I’m Big Tim now.
♪♪ [rap]
Hey, check this, man.
-What’s up with that?
-Like dogs.
You lost, white boy?
What you doing down here?
Faggot.
Isn’t he pretty?
Come back here, guys.
[knocking]
[Julia]
Christina.
Go away.
Christina.
Why can’t you
just be nice to him?
It’d be so much easier.
-It’s so difficult to explain.
-Try.
It’s complicated.
And I don’t want you to worry.
Tell me.
I’m just not
happy anymore.
Selfish.
No, it isn’t like that.
Can’t you see?
Can’t you see
what it’s doing to me?
Why can’t you see?
Go away, Mom.
Please.
Christina.
He is not
your responsibility.
Hey,
Martin.
What?
What are we
doing here?
What are you talking about?
Look, I–
I get it, all right?
Just don’t fight it.
It’s okay, it’s okay.
Do it, Martin.
Do it.
[pants unzipping]
[grunts]
It’s okay.
Hey.
That’s what
you wanted, right?
[people chattering]
-You get away from my daughter!
-Whoa, whoa! Wait!
[shouting]
Arnold, put her down!
Put her down, man!
What are you doing?
-It’s Timmy, Mama!
-Everybody just needs
to chill out, calm down!
He used to watch me and John.
I’m sorry.
-She doesn’t know who you are.
-Lady–
-[Christina] She didn’t mean it.
-You need to be careful.
Shit.
What you doing, grabbing
this woman up like that?
Are you okay?
I’m fine.
What are you doing?
Why did you
attack him like that?
Couldn’t you see
we were just talking?
I saw a gang member
with a hand on my daughter.
You’re gonna get
yourself killed.
I’ll be just fine.
I don’t know what
you’re still doing here.
I mean, you’re driving
yourself crazy, Mama.
Don’t you see
that no one cares
if they tear these
projects down or not?
No one cares about
what you’re doing.
Why don’t you just leave?
Because it’s bigger
than just me, Cammie!
You can’t see that
because you’re not a parent.
Thank God, but–
It’s about this community,
about helping families,
protecting children
from getting hurt.
You can’t bring him back.
What? What are you
talking about?
I’m not trying
to bring him back.
And these buildings
didn’t throw him off.
He jumped.
He gave up.
Don’t you talk about
your brother like that.
He was depressed, he was sad,
and you couldn’t see that.
-You watch your mouth.
-It wasn’t because
of these gangs.
It wasn’t ’cause we was poor.
He was sad and he just quit.
Cammie.
It’s too late for you
to be going back there alone.
You okay?
-Do you want something to drink?
-No, I’m fine.
Are you sure? ‘Cause I can
get you a glass of water.
No. Wait.
I want to talk to you.
Okay.
This is, um,
very difficult for me.
Um–
I have the feeling
that I may have, um…
relied on you in an…
inappropriate way.
It–
[clears throat]
It was just much easier when
you and your brother were young.
But it’s different now.
I know.
I just need you to know
that I love you.
Yeah, I know.
[digging]
[phone ringing]
[ringing]
[siren blaring in distance]
[ringing]
[Martin]
Hello?
Uh-huh.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know where it is.
Who is he?
Is he a–
When you called,
it sounded like you
really needed someone.
Really?
I’ve been trying my whole life
to sound like that.
He had my phone number
in his pockets.
He didn’t have a driver’s
license or anything else.
I’ve never seen
a dead body before.
It’s not as–
I don’t know.
Dramatic as I thought.
[siren]
[Martin]
It’s not beautiful.
It’s just Shawn…
empty.
It’s weird, huh?
We’re all so detached…
caught up in
our own bullshit.
And then
someone different
comes into your life…
and it changes everything.
Like you could be staring it
in the face day after day.
But it takes this thing
from outside of your world…
to show you what
you needed all along.
You know, we should
probably get going.
His family could come.
They couldn’t find them.
They’re still knocking on
all the doors where he lives.
You go.
I’m gonna stay.
You gonna be long?
I don’t think
I ever want to move.
[people chattering]
[woman shouting]
[car alarm blaring]
Bet you never thought
you’d see me sign this.
No, I didn’t.
I don’t think it’ll
do you much good.
Actually, they made
the decision to tear the
buildings down last week.
Yeah.
The irony is that
after all this effort,
after three years,
I got the same form letter
that every other
Eden Court resident got.
[Leo] I bet the demolition
draws a big crowd.
People love to
see things come down.
Yeah. My oldest, Missy,
she watches all those
daytime talk shows,
you know, where they’re
always fighting and
screaming at each other.
She revels in it,
my daughter.
It just feeds her somehow
to know that she’s not
the very worst off,
that there are girls
less educated,
girls with five kids
to her one.
I did all right
with one of the three.
What do your
other kids do?
Cammie’s in high school,
honor roll.
-Huh.
-Mm-hmm.
She stays with
a family by you, actually.
Doctor works at
a hospital I clean.
When my boy died,
I was a mess,
and she offered to let
Cammie stay with them.
She’s got a son
Cammie’s age and
she just wound up
staying there.
Well, they’re
very kind people.
My boy.
Cammie and he were–
They were very close.
How did your son die?
He stepped off the roof
like that boy last night.
I’m sorry.
It’s not your fault.
Boy last night, Cammie said
he was smart, didn’t do drugs,
and still dropped out
of school.
I bet you think this campaign’s
been about my son, don’t you?
I don’t know.
Was it?
Maybe.
Why’d you come here?
[clears throat]
I think I came to apologize
for the other day.
And to explain
how this idea…
became such a mess.
You know, when I
designed it I thought–
You wanted me to tell you
you’re a good man.
No.
Yes.
I can’t tell you that.
[people chattering]
[shattering]
[woman]
What’s he doing over here?
[woman #2]
I don’t know.
He’s been there
all day.
♪♪ [guitar]
♪ Let’s say sunshine
for everyone ♪
♪ But as far as I ♪
♪ Can remember ♪
♪ We’ve been ♪
♪ Migratory animals ♪
♪ Living under ♪
♪ Changing weather ♪
♪ Someday we will foresee
obstacles ♪
♪ Through the blizzard ♪
♪ Through the blizzard ♪
♪ Today we will sell
our uniform ♪
♪ And live together ♪
♪ Live together ♪
♪ We played hide and seek
in waterfalls ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We played hide and seek
in waterfalls ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We played hide and seek
in waterfalls ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We played hide and seek
in waterfalls ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ We were younger ♪
♪ Someday we will
foresee obstacles ♪
♪ Through the blizzard ♪
♪ Through the blizzard ♪
