THE ESCAPE FROM REALITY
TAGLINE:
Monica’s life became too hard to handle, during the family
therapy she noticed wall canvas with Lofoten in Norway, after a
moment she could not understand how come she found herself
physically there.
LOGLINE:
Everyone has better or worse days in life, but Monica’s life
seems unbearable for some time; she wishes to disappear and dive
into her dreams. On family therapy session, she suddenly
transferred herself physically to Norway; she is struggled to
understand what actually happened, but it is not the end of the
events.
SYNOPSIS:
Monica struggles with her life and family problems lately, she
tries to do everything what is possible to make things right,
but nothing works well. Her family problems are complex,
everyone is involved. Monica is a happy and creative person and
tries to look at everything from a positive perspective.
During therapy sessions, she is so fed up with the problems that
she runs away from reality. She sees the wall canvas with
Lofoten in Norway, the place she always wanted to go. Her
subconscious opens so wide, that she physically transfers
herself to Norway and meets troll. That is just the start of
travelling to familiar places, she takes members of her family
with her.
They enjoy the trips, as Monica gets closer to each of them.
They also have mythical creatures from each region to help them
understand the problems. She starts to believe that therapy
might actually work, even if she did not believe that before.
Then, she connects with her father, and lastly with her mother.
Magic helps to make therapy useful.
INT: DAYTIME. MONICA AND HER FAMILY STRUGGLE TO COMMUNICATE
PROPERLY IN THE THERAPY ROOM. EVERYONE IS THERE, HER PARENTS,
BROTHER WITH FAMILY, HER DAUGHTER, AND HER ACTUAL PARTNER. TWO
WOMEN THERAPISTS ACCOMPANY THEM.
LUIS:
I just wanted to say that we all have to be honest.
MONICA’A MUM:
You shouldn’t speak. You don’t know anything.
MONICA’S SISTER-IN-LAW:
There we go again.
MONICA IS SILENT, STARRING AT THE WALL.
MONICA’S DAUGHTER:
Mum, please say something, don’t let grandma talk like that to
Luis.
MONICA’S MUM GIVES HER A WARNING SMILE.
You are too young to have an opinion, darling.
THERAPIST 1 IS CLEARLY CONFUSED TO WHAT TO SAY.
Let’s start with the first question.
MONICA’S BROTHER:
I think these sessions won’t work.
MONICA TO HERSELF LOOKING AT THE WALL CANVAS:
Such a beautiful place. Lofoten in Norway, I only just have been
in Oslo and Stavanger. I wish to go there.
MONICA’S MUM:
For Heaven’s sake, be normal for once. You clearly all see that
she is crazy, and it is only her who cause all the troubles.
THERAPIST 2:
We do not judge here. It is a friendly space.
MONICA, GRINNING HER BROTHER:
Friendly my ass, I am off. You are right, these sessions are a
waste of time.
EXT: MONICA STARES IN DISBELIEF AT THE WALL CANVAS LYING DOWN ON
THE GROUND. IT IS A THERAPY ROOM AND ALL OF THEM INSIDE, EXCEPT
OF HER. SEEMS THAT NO ONE NOTICES HER ABSENCE. THEY ARE STILL
FIGHTING. SHE LOOKS AROUND. HUGE MOUNTAINS, BEAUTIFUL BAYS,
FREEZING, IT IS SNOWING. SHE IS ACTUALLY IN LOFOTEN NOW, NORWAY!
TROLL, SMILING AT HER:
Come with me, it’s too cold to be outside.
MONICA:
Troll?? Do you really exist?
TROLL:
Well, can you see me?
MONICA, LOOKING CLOSER:
Of course! But I still cannot believe what is going on.
TROLL, WINKING:
You know that you, people, use just 10% of your brain, right?
Scientifically proven, my lady.
MONICA:
Yes, I am aware of that.
TROLL:
Now you are chosen to use it fully. Enjoy as it won’t last long.
MONICA, SMILING TO HERSELF:
So where are we going?
TROLL, SMILING TOO:
My family prepared a hot bath and sauna for you, as we know that
you like it. Our hytte is just there, can you see the lights? My
wife is waving at you. She is the best cook ever, so I hope you
will like her raspeball, which are similar to your Polish
dumplings.
MONICA, LAUGHING:
Have you got children? Are they even smaller than you?
TROLL:
We have seven kids and yes, my lady, obviously they are smaller
than us.
MONICA:
Let’s go. Can’t wait to see your family.
TROLL:
My lady, just leave the wall canvas in the exact place. You
would have to go back there soon. They cannot notice your
absence just for three hours. It is now your Cinderella time.
Enjoy.
MONICA RUNNING AFTER TROLL:
It’s so bloody beautiful here!
TROLL, WALKING EXTREMLY FAST AS TO HIS SHORT LEGS:
My lady, look right.
MONICA, ASTONISHED:
My God, Northern Lights!! I always wanted to see it!
TROLL, SMILING:
I know.
MONICA, WITH TEARS IN HER EYES:
I finally feel happy. I do not want to go back there.
TROLL:
You would have too eventually. But now it is time to listen to
me playing the fiddle.
