Original subtitles

- The storks... - Are passing.

- Where are they going? - Far away.

How many are there?

Five.

- One... - Two...

- Three... - Four...

Five...

I got you, I got you!

Nina!

Where are you going?

APRIL

- Do what I tell you. - Breathe deeply.

Exhale.

Is it happening?

You're almost there.

Exhale.

Open your mouth, exhale.

Gently.

Lower the IV rate.

The IV drip.

Gently, gently.

One, two, three.

Well done, beautiful. Push!

He’s here.

Push a little more.

Push, beautiful.

Push, push.

Push.

One, two, three...

Follow my voice, it’s almost over.

He’s here. Push!

Help me.

That's good, it's done.

My baby!

He's not crying.

He's not crying.

I'm sorry.

You're sorry now.

Nina,

this young man demands, and it’s his right,

to know exactly what happened, and why.

I understand.

I will try to explain everything, step by step.

She hadn’t declared her pregnancy.

So we had no monitoring, no checkups or tests.

So it's our fault?

We won’t get anywhere like that.

He’s already requested a police investigation,

which will determine everything that happened.

My wife was fine when we arrived.

I did everything in my power.

So why did my baby die?

Believe me, we all sympathize.

I have two children myself.

Why couldn’t my mother come in?

We don’t allow anyone in the delivery room.

It's a sterile environment, for staff only.

We make no exceptions.

I understand the questions you have.

Your loss is unimaginable.

We will do everything in our power

to give you answers.

If I had known it would be her...

I would have done everything to keep her away from my wife.

Nina is our best OB-GYN.

She’s helped thousands of babies be born.

This is the first case of...

I don't think any other doctor could have done better.

I don’t know what I would’ve done.

When there are complications during childbirth,

we call Nina.

There’s no point in making accusations now.

David,

I’m asking you to oversee the investigation.

Believe me, no one is trying to avoid responsibility.

My schedule is already full.

I know, David.

I’ll make time for you.

Alright, excuse me,

I have patients waiting for me.

I'll be back.

I know you perform abortions in the villages.

Child killer.

Come, come.

Come eat.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Get in, I'll take you.

Are you going to the village?

No, to the lake. But I can drop you off at the village.

Okay.

Are you from around here?

No.

I'm visiting my family.

As a child, I spent my holidays here with my sister and my parents.

There were fish farms, muddy ponds.

They were dangerous. We weren't allowed to swim there.

When I was 11 or 12 years old,

my sister and I secretly went to the pond.

My sister jumped into the water.

She got stuck in the mud and couldn't get out.

I was so afraid of getting stuck in the mud too

that I didn't dare go into the water to help her.

I didn't dare go tell anyone at home.

I was afraid to leave her alone.

I sat down and cried.

I was terrified she would drown.

But more than anything, I was ashamed of being too scared to help her.

Did she drown?

No.

She's fine, she has two kids.

Do you want a blowjob?

Go ahead.

I'm tired.

What's your name?

Have you gone mute?

Lick me.

Come in.

Can I?

Of course.

I've come to ask for your help.

If someone else handles the investigation, they'll find an excuse to fire me.

I don't need someone to cover for me. I did nothing wrong.

But I want the investigation to be fair.

Whatever your conclusion, I trust your judgment.

You're the only one I trust here.

Your professionalism, your competence.

Why didn’t you perform a C-section?

She didn’t want one.

I wasn’t allowed to force her.

She wasn’t in a state to make that decision.

I didn’t have time for a C-section.

We would’ve had to wait for the test results.

The pregnancy hadn’t been followed at the hospital.

Her last OB visit was over six months ago.

For her and the baby, a C-section would have been safest.

You knew that.

Yes.

But she wanted a natural birth.

Nina, she wasn’t thinking clearly.

I’ve done it before, even without prenatal care.

Even in premature labor cases.

If you’d done a C-section,

we could’ve avoided all this.

You wouldn’t have to bear this responsibility.

With all the rumors about you...

He’s looking for a pretext to fire you.

He’s counting on my report to find it.

I did nothing wrong.

Apart from my job, I have nothing to lose.

I’ll see what I can do.

How are you?

I’m fine.

Are you seeing anyone?

No.

No lovers?

Not a single fling in eight years?

No.

You’ve always been irrational.

We were young.

These rumors about abortions...

if they’re true,

you're messing up your life.

No one will thank you, no one will defend you.

I know.

You never let me...

help you.

That woman was relieved that the child had died.

She was calm, peaceful.

Don't repeat this madness to anyone.

Alright?

Thanks for finding the time.

Sit down.

Where are the children?

Everyone is in the fields.

I think she’s pregnant.

She hasn’t had her period.

Only once?

I don’t remember if she had it last month.

But this month, I’m sure she didn’t.

Mzia, we’ll end up destroying her physical and mental health.

If the baby is born, we won’t be able to stay in the village.

I don’t know who is getting her pregnant.

I don’t know how she gets out of here.

I always keep her close to me.

I understand.

But it’s her right to become a mother.

Don’t you think?

If my husband finds out someone got her pregnant,

I don’t know what he’s capable of.

We’d have to leave this place.

Such a disgrace...

And the pills I told you about?

With those, we wouldn’t need to abort.

How can we be sure she takes them?

She won’t think about it. Not every day.

And you, don’t you want to try the pill?

You’re exhausted

with all this housework

and all your children.

I’ll have as many as God gives me.

If you take the pill, it’ll stay between us.

I can’t take the pill.

Neither can she.

Come on, lie down.

Take that off.

That too.

Stop.

I’m here, don’t be afraid.

Don’t move.

Mzia, the pregnancy is over a month along.

The embryo is larger.

Mzia, are they talking about me in the village?

I don’t know.

Can I offer you a coffee?

No,

I have other patients to see in the area.

When can you come back?

I’ll see what I can do.

You have to try to relax.

It won’t hurt.

Relax your leg.

Good.

Lower your legs.

You can get dressed.

Sit down.

Your mother called me.

She’s worried you’re not pregnant yet.

Let’s look at your medical file.

Khadidja Ismailova, 16 years old.

Married in December 2022.

Khadidja, do you want to be a mother?

Really?

You’re very young, you could wait a little.

Another five years?

You’re in good health.

Your body isn’t ready yet, that’s all.

Do you really want a child right now?

I wash with laundry soap after sex.

A friend told me it prevents pregnancy.

Listen.

Those methods won’t protect you from getting pregnant.

How old is your husband?

17.

Does he want children?

Yes.

Are you still going to school, or did you stop?

I’m still going.

There are pills.

If you take them, you won’t get pregnant.

I can give you some, but you mustn't tell anyone.

No one must know.

You have to take them every day.

And when you want to have a baby,

you’ll stop taking them, and you’ll be able to get pregnant.

Won’t they notice?

They’ll bring you here so I can examine you.

You must take one every day.

After breakfast.

You eat, then take a pill.

If you feel sick, or unwell in any way,

you must tell me, no exceptions.

Alright?

Promise me you’ll tell me if you’re not feeling well?

Yes.

No one must know that I gave you this.

Otherwise we’ll both get into trouble.

It has to stay our secret.

Promise?

Promise.

Here, take it.

Did you use forceps?

No.

Could there have been any damage during the delivery?

No.

Gestational age?

30 weeks.

Alright. Let’s take a look.

First, the lungs.

This test will tell us if he was able to breathe.

Well, it’s very clear.

The lung tissues aren’t fully developed.

In this case, the protocol is a C-section.

We still need to examine everything.

Please take notes.

Newborn male.

Premature labor.

Gestational age: 30 weeks.

Conclusion of preliminary post-mortem lung exam:

neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Thank you for agreeing to do it.

If they fire you, God knows who I’ll end up with.

Those people only work for the money or benefits.

Aren’t you afraid of being caught and losing everything?

No one wants to do abortions.

But someone has to do it.

Why you? Let someone else take care of it.

Nurses do it to make ends meet.

In an emergency, will a nurse know how to save the patient?

In Tbilisi, you can get an abortion.

Tbilisi isn’t accessible to everyone.

And some have to hide their pregnancy.

Or can’t afford the pill.

How can I say no to them?

I’m sure you understand me.

Sooner or later, the law will change.

You write to the ministry, don’t you?

Have they answered you?

Are you on duty tonight?

No.

The hospital is organizing a concert this week.

All the staff’s children are taking part.

My wife is at home rehearsing with them.

They sing.

Nico has a talent for music, like his mother.

Finally, someone in the family who isn’t meant to become a doctor.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but...

there are days when I miss you,

like I miss my childhood.

Why didn’t you want to marry me?

Why do we always come back to that?

One day you’ll have to explain it to me.

It never could’ve worked.

There’s no room for anyone in my life.

Why, Nina?

Aren’t you happy with your life?

Overall, yes.

If you don’t want a man, at least have a child.

Do you pity me?

It would change a lot for you.

How is your sister?

Does she come visit you?

No,

she travels in Europe whenever she’s on vacation.

Madam!

Come this way.

Our cows are prettier.

What are you looking at?

Good girl!

I think she’s expecting something from us.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Can you wash my car afterward?

Yes, I’ll be done with this one in two minutes.

- Thank you. - You’re welcome.

Mzia, help me, please.

Thank you.

She’s coming.

You really have no idea who it could be?

No.

- Her legs are too tense. - Calm down.

She needs to relax.

Calm down.

I need to give her the injection.

Breathe deeply.

Breathe well.

She’s too tense, she needs to relax.

This will hurt a little.

Just one more minute and we’re done.

I’ll clean you up and you can get up.

I won’t stay long.

My car got stuck in the mud.

I’ll leave as soon as the rain stops.

With all this mud?

You won’t be able to get the car out.

Sit with us.

Mzia!

Bring a plate for our guest.

Thank you.

Sit down.

I’m not very hungry. Don’t give me too much.

This lady helped bring all of you into the world.

She’s a doctor.

Thank you.

Mzia, sit with us.

I’m coming right away.

I had patients to see in the villages.

But I have to go back to the hospital to start my shift.

The rain won’t stop before dawn.

Where were you going, alone, in this weather?

It’s dangerous.

What should I be afraid of?

You could end up somewhere in the mud.

Nicely paved roads aren’t for us.

But we have a new school that looks like a spaceship.

Mzia!

Mzia, come.

What are you doing over there?

Come sit with us.

Leave the dishes to them for once.

They need to sleep.

They have school in the morning.

What good is school to them?

What do they learn?

I’ll help you with the car.

Help me take this off.

Have your feet warmed up?

Prepare this, please.

Alright.

- Are your legs warm? - Yes.

- Both of them? - Yes.

We’ll take your blood pressure.

Help me.

Toward me.

Sopo, how do you feel?

Fine.

Closer.

Is she coming?

Come in.

Hello.

Did you hear the news?

No. I just started my shift.

The police came this morning to speak with you.

A young woman was murdered in a village.

The autopsy revealed a recent abortion.

The pregnancy wasn’t declared, nor was the abortion.

Do you know this woman?

What’s her name?

She’s deaf and mute.

How did it happen?

Her sister’s husband had been abusing her for years.

How did he kill her?

Do you want details?

Come on, calm down.

There’s nothing we can do now.

Did she die quickly?

Do you want to know how long it took?

That man deserves the worst punishment.

Nina...

Was it you who did the abortion?

Yes, it was me.

Did you think about the consequences for our hospital?

All your abortions will be scrutinized.

I can't talk about other women.

I can only talk about this patient.

If you admit to this abortion,

you'll be forced to say more.

They'll make you give up all the names.

Both of us will have the police on our backs for five years.

You won't be able to practice anymore,

and you won't find another job.

Anywhere.

Even if you don’t go to prison, Nina, your life will be ruined.

And I’ll have to take some responsibility.

I'll do what you tell me.

Nina,

do you understand what the law is?

If you want to work,

you have to follow the law.

The law is sometimes against our beliefs.

But it's the law.

If I don't do it, someone else will.

Come in.

Shall we sit?

Hello.

Shall we start?

Irma Iassalachvili, 18 years old.

Prenatal period: in the absence of a file,

we have no information about the pregnancy.

Clinical exam upon arrival at the hospital:

30 weeks pregnant, cephalic presentation,

premature labor, cloudy, dark amniotic fluid.

Male child, 1450 grams,

40 centimeters, in asphyxia.

Despite resuscitation attempts,

death was declared 5 minutes after birth,

on April 10, 2023, at 3:30 PM.

Anatomopathological diagnosis:

postnatal hypoxia of a premature and hypotrophic newborn.

First complication:

acute hypoxia, massive inhalation of amniotic fluid, atelectasis.

No activity in the central nervous system,

significant focal bleeding, intracerebral hemorrhages.

Subarachnoid hemorrhages,

insufficient irrigation of endocrine glands

and parenchymal organs.

Second complication: prenatal hypoxia.

Immature lungs, persistence of central vascular structures.

Dystrophy of the brain and parenchymal organs.

Third, simultaneously:

bilateral polycystosis, Potter’s facies,

pulmonary hypoplasia.

Cause of death of the premature, hypotrophic newborn:

postnatal hypoxia with massive inhalation of amniotic fluid

and primary pulmonary atelectasis

due to chronic prenatal hypoxia,

associated with hypotrophy and fetal growth delay.

Among the causes of death, the multiple anomalies,

pulmonary hypoplasia

and bilateral polycystosis are dominant.

As the patient was unknown to us, no data was available.

In case of congenital anomalies,

labor must be induced before 22 weeks of gestation.

Signed: Tengiz Nanobachvili, forensic doctor, April 17, 2023.

Maybe God sends us trials...

so that we learn to overcome pain.