Original subtitles

I don't even know what they took. A chunk of my spleen

or my pancreas.

- What did you need the money for? - I'm a gambler. I lost a large sum.

They took me to a place somewhere and that's all

I can remember.

My son Eljon went missing a month ago.

- Under what circumstances? - He came to Moscow looking for work.

What's your name?

Aijan Abayeva. 35 years old.

I'm from the city of Balkhash.

- Is it a beautiful city? - Very much so.

How did you learn about the organ trade?

People talk about it. I asked and they said it can be done.

How do you find a buyer?

They find you if you mention that you're interested

in selling your organs.

Aren't you scared?

I'm terrified.

But what can I do?

I want to live.

THE SURGEON

Chapter 2. THE UNSEEN WORLD

THREE YEARS PRIOR

Transplantology is about to take a giant qualitative leap

thanks to advancements in genetic engineering.

I hope that all of you will find your time well spent and your work rewarding

here at the conference and beyond.

And, as the CEO and chief surgeon of the Bonus Medicus clinic,

I'd like to invite young professionals present here to join our team.

Roman,

at your clinic you often operate on patients from abroad.

How do they get donor organs so easily

while domestic patients wait for years?

Is it just a question of money?

I don't know where you get your information, it's not accurate.

Firstly, we work in accordance with the law,

overseen by special services.

Secondly,

donor organs are allocated by the coordination center, not by us.

Thirdly, patients can choose whether to go to

a state clinic or an accredited private one.

Therefore, there cannot be any discrimination on our part.

And surely you know nothing about the illegal organ trade, right?

Sorry, could you introduce yourself?

Sure. I'm Marina Kolodina, independent journalist.

Right.

Recently, some of your unscrupulous colleagues

made unfounded accusations, saying we

buy organs on the black market.

Going as far as abducting homeless people

and harvesting their organs.

Come on, are you serious?

Ask any medical professional

and he'll tell you it doesn't work that way.

The "organ market" is an urban myth.

You're either trying to capitalize on the hype

or satisfy your idle curiosity.

Either way, it has little to do with reality.

It's not idle curiosity. I've been on the transplant waiting list for a year now.

So you can't possibly be objective.

Organ snatchers, the new bogeymen.

Do you find this funny?

I welcome you to visit my blog with dozens of witness accounts.

I assure you, you'll be so terrified you'll get goosebumps on your ass.

Security! Get that woman out of here!

We're leaving anyway.

Colleagues, any proper questions?

- Doctor, may I? - You're late.

Are you seeing your next patient now?

Why won't you help me?

The organ trade is real.

You saw my interview with Aijan.

You can try to dissuade her from doing it,

but the black market is here to stay.

Not if organ donation is legalized and

controlled on the state level.

You really think we can do something about it? They won't pass such a law.

Don't you get it? I need public support.

You're the top transplant surgeon, you can draw attention to the issue.

If I give you my support I'll create enemies at the clinic.

Sure, because organ trade is their bread and butter.

If organ donation is legalized their prices will drop.

I wish you'd channel your energy into solving your own health problems.

Are you worried I'll die of lung cancer?

No, I just don't like it when you stink of cigarettes.

I thought you cared about me.

I care a lot, which is why I don't like to see you disregard your own health.

Meaning, you'll be sad

if I die while waiting for the kidney transplant?

Don't tell me you'll use your connections to move me up the waiting list.

If it was up to me I'd do the operation regardless of your consent -

but I won't because I respect your opinion, even though I think it's foolish.

Are you refusing to be interviewed because you're in on it with them?

Very funny.

Then what keeps you in that clinic?

Practice and resources.

I'm working on a very interesting case. It's a tough one.

The only solution is a bone marrow transplant.

If it works it'll save thousands of lives.

Well, you have to be transparent about it, to leave no room for criminal dealings!

You're such a bore.

- That's how our dates always end. - Let's end this one differently.

Don't you need to go?

Yes.

Sveta is protesting again, says she wants to quit music lessons.

I see. Okay, see you next time.

Those are nice tomatoes!

- They're delicious. - I'll take two.

How come you're charging me more this time? I thought we were friends.

Would you look at that? I'm just kidding, it's all good. Thank you.

- Hello. - Hello.

Hey there kiddies, I brought you some treats. Dig in!

Hey, you'll rip the bag apart... Too late, it's all yours now.

- You're such a slob. - Oops, I'm sorry.

This is yummy.

Oh, I got 600 rubles from some man.

Who is he? He doesn't even know me.

Now I have 111,200 rubles.

Nice.

Not nice. I feel like I'm deceiving all those people.

There are others who need money more than I do.

Marina, can't we just talk off-camera?

If people don't hear about your hardships they can't help you.

- I don't want to talk on camera today. - Fine, don't talk. Just listen.

People are helping you because this is a very important matter.

Your willingness to help somebody get a transplant

is very commendable.

I just need the money.

Still, you're a very brave and

very kind person.

Give us a short report. How will you spend the 100,000?

I made two monthly payments on the loan.

- What else? - I wired the rest to my mom.

School is about to start. My kids need clothes and supplies.

It all adds up.

You'll know when you have cildren of your own.

That's what you should be doing instead of filming me!

Of course...

People keep asking me, "Who is she and why is she filming here?"

What? No,

I'm not giving you the camera.

Okay but please be careful. It's all I have.

He's going to find another woman.

Have his baby.

Or he'll leave you.

He won't.

My situation is different. He actually loves me.

Sure he does. Love is fleeting.

But kids create a union.

Come on, eat - and I'll film you.

You know what? I'm not hungry any more. I'm full.

- Aha! Camera making you uneasy? - I'm telling you, I'm full.

Give me that. It's making me nervous.

Don't believe words about love.

My husband told me the same, that he'd love and cherish me.

And where is he now?

He left me and the kids, and his unpaid loan.

So kids didn't help you stay together.

No. He's just a bad person.

He wouldn't have left us if he was good.

Sergey! Are you crazy? My heart nearly jumped out of my chest!

Not a big deal. I would've caught it, like so...

...and brought it back to you, like that.

Go home. Don't eat yourself up.

You won't stay the night anyway.

What's the matter with you today?

You're driving me nuts.

Is it because I'm not helping with your investigation?

Babe, I told you why.

Don't worry about it, I won't ask you for help ever again.

What is it then?

Your wife.

Gosh, why all of a sudden?

This issue is the elephant in the room.

I finally bumped into it.

Sveta is 15, right? I think she's old enough to understand

if you separate from her mother, whom you say you don't love.

I really don't understand why you're still living together.

Wow, babe... I...

had no idea it was such an issue for you.

I want you all to myself. No, not like that.

I want you to want it,

to want to be with me.

But I do, I want to be with you.

- You're not taking any action. - You never told me to.

I wasn't going to, that's the point.

I'm waiting to see you act like a man.

Like how? I'm supposed to be elsewhere - but I'm here with you!

- Sergey... - What?

Sergey...

You know that this is all I can do given the situation I'm in.

Because you want to live with your daughter.

Of course I want to live with my daughter! Am I supposed to not want that?

This is how it's going to be for two, maybe three more years.

Okay.

Forget it.

I have work to do right now.

I want to kick your clinic where it hurts today.

Does the fact that I'm a co-founder of that clinic not bother you?

It really bothers me. But you always have an excuse for everything.

"I'm here because my daughter is here,

and I want to be with her until she grows up and tells me to fuck off."

"I'm there for the sake of science, we're going to save thousands of lives."

What about you? Everything you're doing has bad energy.

It's all about destruction, nothing good will come of it.

Are you scared the story will go viral

and then that bastard Titov will have to suck twice as hard

to cover all your asses?

- No, I'm worried about you. - Worried? Why?

Because you're messing with ruthless people.

I don't give a shit. I have nothing.

This house isn't mine. My man isn't mine either.

I'm 216th in line for a kidney. I have nothing to lose.

I'll be going then.

Hey you.

- Hi there. - No filming here.

- Take it easy, guys. - Delete everything.

I'm a volunteer. My name is Marina, I've been working here two years.

I have permission from the director.

You don't have permission from me. Show it to me.

Alright then. There, all done. I deleted everything.

Don't touch the camera, please. Don't touch it.

Don't film here ever again.

Okay.

Who are those guys?

No idea. They jumped me and made me delete everything.

- I got all of it. - All three of them?

- Yeah, all three. - You're the best! Let's get out here.

Right...

I need a closeup of the man

with the scar on his face.

- Remember him? - Yeah, I think I have that.

Awesome. Have you got the battery? Ah, no, I've got it.

We need to order another one, they run out real fast.

- I'll order one. - Right...

"Aijan Abayeva, Kazakh, blood type AB+"

This one? The ugly one?

Yes, do a closeup and send the screenshots to my phone, okay?

I'm on it already.

Look him up online, I need to talk to Aijan. Keys are on the table.

- Okay. Screenshot sent! - You're the best. I love you!

Aijan...

I need to talk to you real quick. Please, Aijan...

You're just sitting.

Not eating, not drinking, not talking.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I see.

What's this here?

Put the camera away. Don't film here.

Okay, I turned it off.

They came to you and you agreed to sell an organ? Aijan?

Don't ask, just don't.

Talk to me about your man instead.

Just blink twice if I'm right.

Damn it.

Aijan, are you going to work or not?

Excuse me.

Please don't do it,

it's very dangerous. We'll find the way to get you the money.

I can't. I already took the money and spent it.

On what?

I bought a flight home. And wired the rest.

When is the operation?

When is the operation?

Aijan, I can't let you do this. Give me a name or a phone number, anything!

- I don't have anything. - But you made some agreement?

They said they'd come for me.

Okay.

Who gave you the money? Who did you get the money from?

A man with a scar.

This man?

Aijan, please, this is really important for me.

- You'll ruin everything. - I'm worried about you.

- Go away! - I want to help you. Look at me!

If you don't go I'll hit you!

- I want to help you, don't you understand? - Go away!

Do you not understand your own language?!

Sorry!

What do you want? What are you doing here?

Go away! I'm asking you nicely. Or my husband will throw you out.

Okay, okay, I'm leaving. Don't shout, I'm going, I'm sorry!

- I'm gone... - You don't live here! Stay away!

Hey, miss. You looking for someone?

Maybe you're looking for this guy?

He's a stud and a stallion and he's ready to race.

He just broke up with his girl, he's yours for the taking.

Come on, chill, why so nervous?

- I'm chill. - Maybe you're looking for me?

Guys, you're all gorgeous, really.

Got the looks, got the style,

too bad I got to go. Salam.

Hey, at least give me your number?

Hey, wait! Give me your number! I give you my word, you won't regret it!

Shit!

Sorry.

- Hello? - Taxi service...

Miss, I really need your help. I need a driver's phone number.

I left my purse in his car. Yellow Hyundai Y899KH40.

Did you book it using this number?

No, a different number. Please help, my documents and keys are there.

Where was the journey from and to?

I don't remember, my friend ordered it, to 16, Rabochaya St.

Hold the line please.

- Are you still there? - Yes, yes.

That car wasn't in service today.

Ask your friend to check the license plate number.

Are you kidding me?

- No food or drink? - No.

Take all your clothes off.

Leave your documents and valuables here. You got all that?

Everything will be fine.

Her pulse is weak.

120. Tachycardia. Blood pressure 80 over 60.

Relax, I'm almost done.

Pulse 160.

Arterial pressure 60 over 20.

I'm holding the hemostats. What do we do?

What do we do? Call for mommy.

We just need to hurry up and finish.

Cardiac arrest!

Defibrillator!

It's pointless. Have you seen her stats? She's a goner.

Clear!

Discharge!

And again!

Wake up! Wake up!

Clear!

Discharge!

Come on, come on...

Clear!

Discharge!

Balkhash, Kazakhstan.

Congratulations on your first day.

You did well, fighting for her life.

It's easier for us when they survive.

And it's cheaper.

But don't be scared.

Anything you need, just ask. We need good doctors.

Wait another 20 minutes and you can go.

- What will you do with her? - You want to watch?

Never ask about that again. Got that?

Put the oven on, we're on our way.

Yes. Okay, got it. Email it to me, would you?

Yes, I'll send you my address. Aha. Thanks.

Two days ago Aijan Abayeva bought a ticket

from Astana to Balkhash. She left the country.

With a drain sticking out of her? Right after the operation?

Maybe there was no operation?

What? I showed you exactly who took her away and the car as well.

Easy, Marina. Andrey's trying to help.

Did you check the plates of the taxi they took her away in?

They were fake.

Can't you trace it on traffic cameras?

Only if there's a criminal investigation. And this is not a criminal case yet.

- I see. Goodbye. - Thank you.

Maybe she really left the country?

No.

She wouldn't do that. She's not smart, but she's determined.

You should've seen her face when I showed her the photo of that guy.

The one with the scar. She definitely recognized him.

I found no matches anywhere online.

He's not on any social media.

What about the film? Are we going to make changes? Do a final edit?

I don't know.

I don't think it'll make it any better. We don't need fancy editing,

we need evidence linking the clinic to the black market organ trade.

Six months of work - and it might not make a difference.

Everything is too circumstantial.

I can just see Titov saying,

"This is all unfounded accusations, blah-blah, horror stories for kids".

We need something, anything. Any kind of a lead.

I'll go back to the ghetto. I want to check out her room.

I'm sorry but I won't go with you. I'm too scared.

I wasn't going to take you.

If something happens to me, someone still has to publish the film.

That's your job.

Not too scary for you? Is it?

- Just come back in one piece, okay? - Of course I will. I'm just kidding.

"Hi, Marina. If you're reading this, I'm no longer alive.

I was rude to you, and I'm sorry. You're like a sister to me.

I remember telling you that love is nonsense, but I love you.

You're beautiful. Be happy.

Please help my kids if you can.

Yours, Aijan."

Shit.

I miss home. And my kids.

But I can't go back until the debt is repaid. I need to pay it.

But how? With what? There's no work and no money. What can I do?

Damn, Sergey.

Warn me when you're coming here. Or at least let me know you've arrived.

You scared me.

I heard you muttering upstairs and decided not to disturb you.

- Are you done? - No, but I'm glad you're here.

- Thanks. What are we celebrating? - You're going to like it.

I've never liked surprises, they never live up to expectations.

I'm getting divorced.

Aha.

Oh.

- No, of course, it's nothing special. - I'm sorry, it was just out of the blue.

I just... it doesn't compute. Did you tell her about me?

Did I tell her or didn't I? What's the difference? Aren't you happy?

I'm in no state to be happy, I'm just surprised.

Come on...

Even with your cynical attitude,

you can't deny that me getting divorced has practical benefits for us.

Sergey...

Did the clinic do any kidney transplants in the past 3 to 4 days?

Are you kidding? I'm getting divorced!

I got that, but this is important. Please answer my question.

I don't know, probably, maybe. Why?

Sorry.

Roifman's calling. This is important.

We have a big operation tomorrow. I have to answer, I'm sorry.

"Surgeon: Sergey Kovalenko. Kidney transplantation. Patient's blood test"

"Donor 3, female, 35, Kazakh, blood AB+. Risks: thrombocytosis, hypertension"

Do you mind me asking what you're doing?

I have an even better question. What the hell is this?

It's my personal property.

Female, Kazakh, 35 years old. Who's the donor?

- I don't know. - Last name Abayeva?

I don't know, they don't tell me. Gender, age, blood type, that's all.

My friend Aijan sold a kidney on the black market.

Her operation was on the same date as that one, July 14.

She's Kazakh, 35 years old, blood type AB+. It all matches.

She's dead, Sergey.

I'm sorry.

They killed her and disposed of her body.

The clinic did it. "Sorry" isn't good enough.

Marina, please calm down.

I can't believe it was you who did the operation.

I can't ask a kidney where it was harvested.

Harvested? Is that what you call it?

Harvested, acquired, you're picking at words!

My friend was killed.

And this document is proof that the clinic buys,

or "harvests" organs on the black market.

No, there's no evidence of anything here.

Just gender, age, blood type, the usual.

There could be 300 matching Kazakh women in the city right now.

Help me prove that the clinic is involved in Aijan's murder.

No, it's dangerous. Listen to me.

You have to stop this.

Why are you saying "killed",

"murder"?

Your Aijan sold her kidney voluntarily.

Isn't that what you're campaigning for?

No. I want the exact opposite.

You're uncontrolled and unregulated. You think you're gods!

I'm just a surgeon.

No, Sergey, no! You can't hide behind "I'm just doing my job".

Every time you operate, you know that someone like Aijan might've died.

You're complicit in all of this!

But if you help me,

I'm certain you won't go to prison.

You're an excellent surgeon.

You have a reputation, you can work anywhere.

Please, start over afresh.

Please calm down and listen to me.

If you carry on with this, in any case the clinic's ass is covered.

But they won't forgive you. Or me, for that matter.

No, the clinic's ass isn't covered, Sergey.

Because I'm going to publish my investigative documentary online,

and there won't be just circumstantial evidence and accusations.

There will be hard evidence that the clinic

buys organs on the black market.

I'll be going.

If it's like that, then go.

But please don't call me ever again.

Hi everyone, I'm Marina Kolodina. A few days ago a friend of mine died.

Her name was Aijan Abayeva. You might know her from my blog.

Aijan wanted to sell an organ on the black market. They came for her

and she didn't come back. I'm convinced that Aijan is dead

and her body will most likely never be found.

She either died during surgery or they killed her as a witness.

Whatever the case, I consider this to be murder,

and I have evidence

that the Bonus Medicus clinic is complicit in Aijan's death.

You can learn all about it in my investigative documentary

about the black market for organs.

I'll put a link to it in the next post. Look out for it.

I'm going to send you the username and password.

Download everything that's in there. And publish it if anything happens.

Aijan gave her life for her children.

Today I'm giving for the person I love...

...the time...

...that's precious to us both for different reasons.