Opium: Diary of a Madwoman (2007)

Zsolt László: Professor Winter

Quotes 

• Professor Winter : [Preparing to administer a frontal lobotomy to a female patient; other medical staff of the asylum gather around him, observing this "revolutionary" treatment]  The deranged mind is just like the mechanism of a broken clock. We must get rid of the faulty parts if we want it to work again. With this tiny operation, medical science can restore health to our hopelessly suffering patients. To put it frankly, we bring them oblivion, which frees them from their demons.

  Professor Winter : [Proceeds to strike the lobotomizing tool with a small hammer]  The next step is that we sever the nerve and isolate the frontal lobe. In this way we terminate its connection to other parts of the brain, finally and irrevocably.

• Professor Winter : [Reading aloud a passage from one of Dr. Brenner's short stories]  "Assuming that you start smoking opium as a strong, mature man and pay meticulous attention to your health - best left to a good doctor - you can live ten years. And then, having reached the age of twenty million, you can lay your head down on the ice-cold pillow of perdition. Blaring accords of light roar unrestrained in the morning streets."

  Professor Winter : [Now addressing Dr. Brenner directly]  If I understand correctly, this story is the confession of an opium smoker. Congratulations. You write extremely sensitively in your short story. Tell me, where did you get this insight from?

  Dr. Brenner : [Casually shrugging, obviously not wishing to reveal that he himself is an addict]  I'm a doctor.

  Professor Winter : [Maintaining a cold air of skepticism]  You write so authentically. I wonder if this is pure imagination. Or reality itself?

  Dr. Brenner : [Now becoming somewhat uncomfortable]  Of course. It's just fantasy.

• Professor Winter : Good evening. I finished your book the other day. I wasn't wrong. You're a monster.

  Dr. Brenner : I'm honored.

• Dr. Brenner : I am writing about Evil.

  Professor Winter : How interesting. Continue.

  Dr. Brenner : I'm getting acquainted with it.

  Professor Winter : You don't say. What's it like?

  Dr. Brenner : Dim... and strong.

  Professor Winter : And what about the plot?

  Dr. Brenner : The hero has to commit a sin to win the trust of Evil.

  Professor Winter : [Disdainfully]  You writers... You infect people's souls with your scribbles.