Original subtitles

SOPOT, THE POLISH RIVIERA, SUMMER OF '76.

THE HEYDAY OF THE GIEREK ERA.

AN AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY, 4,000 ZLOTYS,

EQUALS 30 US DOLLARS,

LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE HOUR WITH A GIRL IN A LUXURIOUS HOTEL.

SEXUAL FREEDOM IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF MANY POLISH WOMEN.

SEX WORKING IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF MANY POLISH WOMEN.

SEX

THIS IS A STORY OF A FEW OF THEM.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A STORY OF A FEW OF THEM.

Helena, you're from a planet where time stands still.

You can't even see the gray ones!

And who will be the fairest of them all at that opening?

After all, it's the most important party of the season.

All we have left now are the eyes.

Can't we do it without them?

You of all people should know

that sometimes, you've got to cheat a little bit.

Hmm. Well, I don't want to.

GLITTER

Well, I told him that I drank it.

What was I supposed to say?

That I rinsed my hair with beer?

Give me some more hairspray.

That's ideal.

You'll have to sleep sitting up.

It'll last a few days.

See, I don't know what's better anymore,

having to run off to the bathroom every morning to refresh myself,

or if he knew what I really looked like.

Women are beautiful just the way they are.

Beer and other household methods are great, but...

this shampoo is something you can use at home as well.

And your hair will look like you came straight from the salon!

This is my product.

Have you been abroad, ma'am?

They don't teach you that here.

Using flattery in order to sell.

Flattery?

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

So, you're saying we're not beautiful?

You ladies all look... just splendid.

It's for you.

Yes?

♪ Load a color film ♪

♪ Such a film ♪

♪ To retouch our entire world ♪

♪ Load a color film ♪

♪ Even if ♪

♪ You see blue, red, green and gold ♪

- Why is this happening again? - You're still not getting it, ma'am.

I don't understand the words you're using.

I have no idea what you're even talking about.

I'm the owner of this business.

What have we got?

Hmm...

So, that should handle it.

Mm...

I know what you do to make a living. Apart from shampoo.

A blow job and we'll call it even.

Over your underwear, not on your bare skin.

25 dollars in Polish zloty will be...

Good morning, sir.

Morning.

Can I help you, sir?

- Yes, please. - What would you like?

- I'd like that cognac. - I mean...

25 dollars at the unofficial exchange rate will be about 3,300.

A woman will pay a lot of money to look good.

If she can. But I can't.

Goodbye.

Another unannounced inspection.

A month after the previous unannounced inspection.

Ma'am, calm down.

I am very calm.

Oh.

- I see some discrepancies here. - Yeah, well they're all fucking made up.

Those... There's no discrepancy.

Rip up those papers...

or I'll file a complaint.

- A complaint? - About the inspector.

He wanted to...

take advantage.

WŁADEK, TAX AND DUTY DEPARTMENT

Bribery is a serious felony.

So is corruption.

You're too hot.

No, it's, uh...

Please, please sit down, ma'am.

There.

There is an event later tonight.

At the hotel?

Mm-hm.

I'll analyze the case by tonight

and then I'll tell you what's what.

- Marysia... - Come on!

- Jesus, I won't leave you. Come on. - You? Really?

Are you gonna leave me?

Let's just go back, okay?

Could you go any slower?

Dear beautiful ladies,

dear elegant gentlemen, dear all.

Let me welcome you at this great event in this very luxurious hotel.

Modern.

Rich. Just like our new Poland,

which we are all building with our own hands!

A journalist.

From Paris.

We don't like him.

No wonder.

You both have to end up in this room tonight.

With pleasure.

You are free to ask for anything...

We are all free.

ADAM, BUREAU B OF THE SECURITY SERVICE

Important.

But we are still waiting for the most deserving guests.

Meanwhile, I invite you

to drink some vodka.

I have to wonder, what's it like?

So many men.

How do you do it?

Do what?

Hmm?

Without feelings.

Just like with women.

Sometimes it's better without feelings.

And I can assume,

you're sexually fulfilled in your marriage?

- I'm going home. - Why?

You know money's not a problem.

I know. You can always borrow some.

Just not from me.

We've got the whole night ahead of us.

It's rather short, because today is the first day of summer

and the opening of the new summer season!

Vodka with Pepsi.

JUREK, ILLEGAL CURRENCY EXCHANGE

You asked what I was looking for.

Nice plan.

Sneak in and find a sponsor to buy drinks for you.

My plan is just to have fun.

For free.

On credit.

With anyone?

Or with you?

You looking for a good time?

Give the lady anything she wants.

Have some fun.

What can I get you?

Why don't you shove that money up your you-know-what.

Another round of applause!

Applause, applause!

I'll mention a couple of other people deserving merit,

without whom, this wonderful evening

would not be complete!

Or not.

I'll have mercy on those of merit,

I'll have mercy on you, and while I'm at it, mercy on myself.

The list is available for review.

You can read it, praise them, express your gratitude.

We know how it works!

Applause, applause!

Oh, gosh! I offer my humble apologies.

There's someone over here whose name I absolutely have to mention.

Mr. Hubert Pastale!

Pascale.

He came to us straight from Italy.

With a family name. His wife's.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new manager of the hotel.

Such a delicate hand and it can still break a nose.

How much for the nose?

I asked him not to report it to the militia.

I'll report him.

The victim...

The victim?

He's the one with a broken nose.

He promised to wait a few days.

Well then, that's mighty kind of him, mighty kind indeed.

Oh, and I forgot to thank you as well. I'm forever grateful.

Maybe he won't report it at all.

How much?

Well, money won't be necessary.

I hope that you're not offended.

And if I say no?

I know what it's like to have to do things you don't wanna do.

I really like you.

Maybe you can, um... learn to like me?

Should I go with him?

Should I do it to save my business?

Or not?

'Cause he just fucking makes me sick. I don't know.

Should I do this for the rest of my days?

Rest of my days my ass.

I can only do it for as long as my tits look great.

Shampoo, you understand?

The shampoo is my insurance.

Just a couple more years and I'll be set thanks to those shampoos of mine!

Then I'll have no desire for sex at all.

And then I won't need any man for anything anymore!

What, don't you like him?

It's not about that at all.

You go with him now...

and save your business.

That way, you won't have to do it with guys like him anymore.

Or anyone for that matter, if you don't feel like it.

50 dollars.

That's 6,500 zloty.

How much does he earn in that shitty office? Five grand?

He'd have to work for months to save up enough money.

503.

You can meet him there.

For the first and last time.

To my first time?

STASZEK, FRESHMAN, ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION

And?

Did reality live up to your expectation?

I don't know yet.

- The stress has to pass. - Hmm.

It's the first time I've approached a woman like this.

Hmm. So, usually they're the ones who approach you?

- Well, it's not easy. - Mm, you poor thing.

My worst fear is that it stays that way.

That they'll line-up and then...

I'll have to choose.

Which one yes, or no, or...

potentially.

I'm glad that I could help you.

They used to choose me, but now I get to choose them.

It's so much better.

She's hot.

But a little long in the tooth.

Take care of the sound, will you?

Let's have fun!

So do you...

Do you want to go...

I want to get this over with.

I'm not handsome.

I know.

And I know it's not a great...

...situation.

So, how was your choice?

Well, how could you have ever known...

it would've been better with me?

Get back there.

Buy some champagne,

go pick out the prettiest girl,

and take her to the beach.

Who wants a wreath? 'Cause this is your last call!

Usually, they're for the ladies,

however, should a gentleman want one for any reason,

and I can see that some of you do, you're more than welcome!

Why limit yourself? My god!

Tonight is the shortest night of the year,

the night of love!

Yes! Love!

Love!

To love!

Why is this a feeling I just happen to know the least about.

But I'm willing to bet...

BOGDAN, STAGE SHOW OFFICE

...that most of you here tonight don't know anything about.

I'm not talking about something like dating,

getting married, or about sex.

I'm talking about much more than that!

And these wreaths are thrown

so we can abandon our miserable woes...

to the current of the pool.

Of course, it's best to, uh, catch

the wreaths of already chosen maidens,

however, I...

do suggest

that you open yourself up to, uh, other possibilities.

He was a pretty boy.

Beautiful.

And smart too.

I really hope that you'll learn to like me.

I'll be in touch.

♪ It's time to say it Time to say it straight ♪

♪ I know it's hard To tell it face to face ♪

♪ Even if not today ♪

♪ In our alluring plot of lies ♪

♪ In our alluring plot of lies ♪