Original subtitles

The events and characters in this film are fictional

and do not coincide with reality.

A film about someone who has lost faith

but hasn't the courage not to believe.

...one, two, three, four...

Do you mind?

Hold on!

Say thank you.

He doesn't know how to say thank you.

He doesn't know how to say thank you?

Don't you know how to say thank you?

Won't you say thank you?

Thank you.

There, you see!

You're frightened?

Why be frightened, if you're just?

... l wake up in the morning,

and some brat crawling over me asks:

Are you going to be our daddy now?

l'm waiting for that beefsteak.

Crying again?

ClLKA

Say something, Cilka!

What?

l've got to go to the doctor's.

What's wrong with you?

You could see to something.

We've a complaint about the meat.

- Born... - 1923

- Address... - �ulekova... twelve.

- Have you got a telephone? - 61 7-401

Lauko, you were on the Regional National Committee?

Open your mouth!

Breathe.

How did it start?

Well... l had a sore throat.

You'll stay at home.

Take this note to Bezru�ov�.

Next!

Diagnosis?

Malignant tumour.

Write... 322.

Works as a cook.

Apparently, for ten years

he was deputy head of department

at a National Committee. Lives alone.

Shares a sunny flat with his divorced wife.

The patient is medium build,

spine curves slightly to the right.

Did you hear about that case?

A house collapsed,

lots of people killed.

The court decided

that the two workers who were in charge weren't qualified,

so they weren't really responsible.

Not even those who took them on.

lt was in the papers.

NO ONE lS GUlLTY

Can you understand that?

No, l can't.

Are you Comrade Szepe�i?

What is it?

Wait here!

What's the matter with you?

NAUSEA

There now. Feeling ill?

No.

Not everyone can stomach it.

You shoot them?

Some you have to.

Are you staying?

The old man was here just now.

l'll wait for you, do you want me to?

- Well, how was it? - Was what?

ln hospital.

l'm on sick leave.

l could do with that for the garage.

The Director's office called. You're to call Comrade Pavelka.

For a lecture?

What prices are you cutting now?

l'm going to buy my son a bear.

Citizens! Only cross on the zebra crossings!

That woman in the black coat... yes, you!

Go back and try again!

What did you learn at school, Miss?

lt doesn't apply to you?

Don't smoke in the street!

l told my wife, to be at home.

They're coming to mend the exhaust...

What's wrong with you in fact?

Look...

Come for a coffee.

You've changed your flat?

The wife of a taxi driver

looked in the medical books

and read she had cancer.

How much sugar?

l'll help myself.

Well. She gassed herself.

The post mortem showed there was nothing wrong with her.

A new love?

A good girl.

Maybe you know her, she works in the Jalta.

You satisfied?

What d'you mean?

Well... with yourself.

Why shouldn't l be?

Once l told you

how we used to go to the villages

to persuade them.

An agitator!

One old man we used to visit,

MERlTS

asked: if they all give you their land, will that satisfy you?

Don't you know of any cheap bricks?

Hello, curly! Where are you going?

Nowhere in particular.

- Have you got a cigarette? - No.

Here you are.

Curly... she's got the curse...

You stupid cow... you're gay!

BUTTERFLlES AND CATERPlLLARS

Are you a boy or a girl?

A person.

Don't be cheeky! Show me your lD.

Well, what is it?

- Are you on duty? - No.

Then come with me.

Welcome.

Mild ale will cost seven crowns,

medium ten

and for a strong one you'll have to take out a loan...

How will it be with sick pay,

if you're ill?

Maybe they'll give you the full rate.

You've got merits.

Please...

Aren't you hungry? l waited for you.

What did they tell you?

l'm to stay at home...

And what's the matter with you?

l don't know.

A Pavelka called you.

l've been to the hairdresser's.

She told me l'm a brave woman.

l gave her ten crowns extra.

Do you need something?

There's something l could buy

if you lent me twenty-one thousand

and l'd borrow some...

lt's a Fiat.

l LlKE THlNGS

All right. Thanks for the supper.

What are you doing?

l'm changing.

Lift your right arm, lower the left,

jump, one, two, livelier now,

breathe at the same time, friends!

Crouch down, arms sideways,

breathe in freely through the nose

and breathe out through the mouth.

Cheers!

My granddaughter's just been born, you know?

First you'd have to forget your real self!

When you tell them they must, they don't.

Who can force them to?

Have you got any duplicating?

Are you going to duplicate?

You could come and help me.

l think l've got some here.

lsn't it three yet?

Do you mind? See that woman,

just come and already at the door.

You don't belong here.

Excuse me...

And where should l go?

Couldn't you tell me what's wrong with me.

Just a moment.

They send you all over the place.

We're waiting for the test results. Then we'll call you.

Are you working?

Yes, Comrade Director!

Do you like making love?

Do you ever travel first class?

When my husband was alive l always travelled first class.

What's the score?

l'm not listening to it.

He's not listening to it.

l'm listening to music.

Do you know where M�ria Laukov� lies?

lf she was on the east side then she isn't there any longer.

She's my mother.

Well... l'll look in the book.

Good morning.

l've got it. Come on.

You're not from here, are you?

ls that her?

No.

Who are you writing to?

What do you want? Are you from the housing office?

They promised us a two-room flat.

Lauko!

My husband's inside, you know?

ls it you?

What are you doing here?

Actually l remembered you.

Have you been in the new part?

l was in the abattoir.

Have you got a car?

l heard a shot.

And otherwise? Health okay?

Come and show yourself.

l am going out.

You've only just come.

l AM GOlNG OUT

Peter!

How's little Peter?

Say hello!

Hello.

How's school, Pete?

l wanted to be a doctor.

He's a clever boy.

lf he could at least be a dentist.

APRlL SHOWERS MAKE MAY FLOWERS

- You don't go to work now? - No.

So, how is it? You share it?

lt's lovely, isn't it?

Well, those who save...

Buys a car for a hussy, Who can't look after her husband.

Good morning.

What will you have?

l haven't got any money.

You haven't got parents?

l have. But l don't live with them.

What does your father do?

Teach. What's the climate in Romania?

l'd like to get through the winter there.

And where will you go in summer?

Wherever l want.

lNFLUENCE OF LlTERATURE l.

Know why it's good to have a car?

lt can give you the impression you are escaping.

What's he like?

Who?

Him.

He's so good l can't stand him.

He did everything l wanted.

l can't explain it.

l wanted to be independent, you know?

That's why you left him?

We broke up.

You could have been comfortable.

You came home to a hot meal.

He wasn't always a cook.

Others cooked and served and he held an important position.

And then?

Then he went back to the kitchen.

Did he have to?

No.

LONELY HEARTS

A widow with an unblemished past

wishes to meet

an intelligent man.

You wrote me last week, didn't you?

- Are you single? - Yes.

And what do you have?

Sorry?

Well, a house, garden, or...

l haven't.

l won the lottery about a year ago.

Can l ask how much?

Twenty-two thousand.

l gave it to my ex-wife for a car.

- You still...want to live with her? - No.

Then why did you give her the money?

Hm. So you haven't got a garden.

l like your hands.

Would you be like that to me

even if l was ugly?

Don't look. You're looking.

Do you like me?

What's she saying?

How did you first meet?

l came to Bratislava,

l lived with my aunt, but l couldn't stand her.

We got a nice flat.

l didn't even work at first.

She said something else last time.

Let me!

He was different then.

l felt safe with him.

And that doctor?

He was married.

He treated me for appendicitis.

Whenever l was a bit happy

l knew it couldn't last.

Did it often happen?

l'm not looking.

Thank you,

l'm not looking.

They're at it already.

Tell me something about yourself.

l'm a virgin.

He keeps washing. lt's a mania.

He once told me he deserves to be ill.

l told him, he can't be normal.

l had a dream.

lt was winter.

l was standing on a frozen pond,

with dead crows lying around me.

l was looking for something.

l can't remember what.

lt was so quiet there.

Why do you do it?

What?

All that.

l want to be happy.

And what do you want?

- What is it you want in fact? - Nothing.

Do you want to get better, so you can make beefsteaks?

Why don't you want anything at all?

The only thing you need...

l can't understand you.

Write on your back - l love you all.

... go out into the street...

People should want everything.

What are you doing here?

l came.

You're still at home?

Pavelka was trying to find you.

He was here?

Yes, he rang as well.

Would you go to the cinema some time?

Like to, but l've got a boyfriend now someone from Slovnaft.

Visits me twice a week.

Handsome?

l'm not pretty either.

Have you got that studio flat yet?

We haven't anywhere to be together.

My wife let me down terribly.

She got together with someone

at work. So l went to see him.

A short, fat man.

We sat down, l ordered a litre.

Do you know what he said to me?

That we're men. He was only bored

and he paid for the wine,

when l was in the bog.

Have you got a cigarette?

That's all l needed.

lf l hadn't got a child, l'd kick her out.

l'm not like you.

How can l go home like this?

l saw milady in her car.

She didn't even say hello.

Lauko! You well again?

l'm not really ill,

l've just lost my voice.

So they didn't put you on sick leave?

l can't keep you on here like this.

All right.

What if the health officer came?

Jozef, we need to collect the money

for membership stamps. Can you do it?

No.

Mr Lauko...

l've got a problem.

He wants to marry me,

but first l'm to get rid of it.

l sat on the back seat, to shake it out of me.

l've got an appointment today.

They gave me an appointment.

Keep the child and you'll see whether he loves you.

But l've already paid.

...all these problems, difficulties and shortcomings,

which have inspired us to reach,

at least the level of achievement, we have today...

You like to keep people waiting.

Put iodine on it!

l rang. There was a plenary meeting.

You don't go anywhere.

Can you tell me why?

Something must be done. You've got a lot of time, haven't you?

You could make a poster.

How is it with your illness?

Pavelka, are you satisfied with yourself?

Why?

Can you live with yourself?

l'm surprised at you.

Some people know how to be born.

Some know where to be born.

D'you think l haven't had the chance?

One German wanted to marry me.

Have you been to Germany?

l can't live with a man l don't love.

That's why you didn't go there?

l don't want to do anything by halves.

Halt!

Why are you going out with me?

l like you.

But you have to swallow something

you don't always have to say what you believe.

You remind me of someone.

He could swallow a lot

and now he had cancer of the throat.

That's rich, isn't it?

Does he know?

The doctors don't say the real diagnosis.

''ln the pleasant autumn of her life,

Grandma Hal'amov� from Ru�bachy is today celebrating

her seventy-sixth birthday''.

Hallo. Jozef Lauko?

Born... 1923?

We've got a free bed. You can come.

But the doctor didn't tell me.

Well, l'm telling you now.

''The NBC television company

has decided to devote a full 30-hour programme

to the first landing on the Moon''.

What d'you mean by ordinary porter?

Have you got your identity card?

Could you call Mrs Laukov�?

Are you her husband?

No smoking here, Comrade!

Well, now, what about that briefcase?

lf you'd left it here, it'd still be here.

Please give me that ticket from the cleaner's...

Have you been home?

l shut the window, they're not heating today.

lt's really cold.

Pi�ta, what's the time?

Here you are.

Black and White and soda.

No soda. Only mineral water.

Do you know what Black is in English?

Black and white.

No. Black Widow.

l give up.

Hello.

Georgian cognac.

Do you have boxes of chocolates?

For 20, 24 or 28.

Haven't you got any bigger?

An exclusive one for 68.

Then give me bitter chocolate.

For 12?

No, for 5.

Do you want to buy something?

l like things.

When l came here,

l used to look around

all the department stores.

All two?

l envied their shop windows.

Why?

Everyone likes them.

Stewed apricots and two vodkas.

Chicken soup, butter chicken.

Tinned apricots, two vodkas.

You're looking good.

You'll have one, won't you?

You've won the lottery again?

- How long have you been off sick? - Seven weeks.

You see... and nothing.

l'm not complaining.

That's for you from the kitchen.

Have you got these?

What are you doing after work?

Good, aren't they?

Listen, l spent three years building a house

When my son stopped by he didn't lift a finger.

Two old people were putting wood into a stove...

lF YOU DON'T THlNK ABOUT SOMETHlNG, lT DOESN'T EXlST

... and the old woman said the stove was now like their son.

As if all three were together again.

He wasn't accepted at school.

He was buried alive in the mine.

D'you know how difficult it is to get hold of materials?

l used to go to meet the trains. l waited for cement.

And how did my children repay me?

l had a medal, pure gold.

What did my daughter-in-law do?

Had her teeth made from it!

So who did l build that house for?

Where are you hurrying to, mate?

D'you know what's at the end?

You can and l can't?

Shit!

You can enjoy yourself and l can't?

Give me that ring!

H-e-l-p!

Run after her!

H-e-l-p!

The cock flew lalala...

the hen waited for him...

Who's that?

lt's me.

Who's me?

Jozef.

You woke me up.

l've got an artist friend here, a professor.

Couldn't you come another time?

We'll have to.

D'you think she has someone there

l think so.

So do l.

Some things must come first. Sex is one.

Those are my flowers.

What were you?

You just kept painting the same flowers?

Just these flowers.

l knew one painter,

about fifteen years ago.

SlTUATlON l.

He painted very strange things.

And there was something else...

they ordered him out of town... in Action B...

He stood in front of these people

and said something -

l can't remember what now, but everyone laughed

Everyone laughed?

Were you involved?

No.

What's the matter?

l saw the light.

l thought you were in hospital.

You should switch it off.

Thank you.

l think he had a hat too.

Here you are.

Here's a coat hanger and clean the bath out afterwards.

lsn't the young one here?

Not everyone can be young.

Could you give her this?

Well... all right.

Do you know the new patient?

No.

He sent you this chocolate.

Must have a soft spot for me.

Be kind to him.

What's the matter with him?

Guess.

You're the one l love.

l'm happy with you.

You must love me.

Are you happy?

lf only you were a bit older.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Yes, something is.

Read me something.

lt's hardest for the wise where fools feel free.

Are you wise?

l can't live with them.

They cry, l laugh.

l laugh, they cry.

l love you.

Everything belongs to everyone,

everyone belongs to each one.

Professor?

l'd like to speak to the professor.

l wanted to tell you... That time in the studio...

l didn't tell the truth

...in fact, l lied...

SlTU�ClA ll.

l was there when they decided about that painter.

There were people from other firms too.

ln the end l got flu,

l didn't go to bed and rest.

What are you doing here?

lt's cold outside. l'm waiting for a prescription.

How are you otherwise?

l'm alive.

Do you know the difference between a crow?

None. All its legs are the same,

especially the left one.

What's the matter with me, Doctor?

You're here so we can make a more exact diagnosis.

You must trust us.

l'm not important.

l discovered the ticket inspector

was forging tickets. Two years.

l told them. The Director said,

l don't believe lmre is dishonest!

Comrade Director, you understand.

ln forty-six they played good football at Kuchajda

Va�ica, Farka�...

Did you leave your post,

because you disagreed with something

or you couldn't do your job?

l left because l was ill.

Would you have left,

if you hadn't been ill?

No.

There was an official audit.

Can l?

They fired the ticket inspector, then me at the first opportunity.

Many are ill and they don't leave.

l can see their thighs

they were like this...

when they kicked the ball...

lf l'd had cancer

it would have spread ages ago.

The worst was after the operation

l couldn't sleep, l was scared.

Maybe it's true that in life

you reap what you sow.

l think l'm happy.

l wanted to be a good actor.

Conform, not step out of line,

because they can easily

get the better of you.

You know l've only got you?

What about him?

You're silly.

Why don't you move out?

l'll have this brown dress dyed.

l haven't got anything black.

Of course, you like society.

l do too,

but society doesn't like me.

We must make way for young people.

l don't get it, this is something new.

You smoke?

- How many? - Four.

Come with me.

So how are you?

You probably know better.

Everything changes, but stays

in another form.

Can you imagine that?

The only thing that lasts

is human spite.

lt spreads everywhere -

there's no medicine, only substitutes.

Can it be cured?

lf it's recognised in time.

But it's only others who are bad.

You're not contented.

l only watch, not interfering,

l observe, remembering what l see

and silence is all around me.

Good morning.

Everything all right?

Are you having radiation?

Doctor, have l got cancer, or what?

So far he's taken three thousand R.

Anything new?

l had a pain here in the night.

Lie down, please.

- Does this hurt? - Yes.

l hear you want to go back to work.

''There's nothing left for us,

but to pack our things,

our former glory is no more... ''

Who's that?

A girl l know.

Have you known each other long?

Why do you ask?

She's pretty.

Are you fond of me?

Yes, l am.

That coffee didn't do me any good.

Don't talk so loud.

Talk to me about something.

Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?

No.

What would happen if we broke up?

Two brandies.

Or bring us four.

Why are you doing it?

Don't worry, l've enough money.

Have one with us, okay?

l'm celebrating.

lt's your name day?

lt's your name day?

We almost crashed into a van jus' a while ago.

The car rolled over, but nothin' happened.

How much longer?

Nothin' happened to the other driver?

l've brought you...

Thank you.

Take off your coat.

Help yourself.

l'll be on duty on Xmas Eve again

because l'm single.

And they all know l'm getting married.

Well, are you looking forward to it?

lt's already kicking.

- lt's already kicking. - Why?

''When the factory looks deserted,

girls from the socialist labour team sometimes go on a trip''.

You should go and study.

What for?

''Marka Filekov� is quiet and modest.

The team says she must grow a bit''.

How do you make a living?

My last job was as a model.

l earn enough to buy soup. lt's okay.

l earn enough to buy soup. lt's okay.

l worked for television before that.

They told me they are an educational organisation

and can't employ people like me.

''lt would be much simpler,

if �abalov� wasn't in the work team...''

- Are you expecting? - l hope not!

The woman who was here is your wife?

No.

Have you got a boyfriend?

l'm still too young for that.

Here's your permit to leave.

Can you imagine

but really imagine,

that some people were here before us

not just a hundred years ago, but ever.

They said on the radio, that there was a divorce in America,

the woman complained,

that her husband tickled her feet.

The Mayas and lncas, so many people.

Her husband protested, that she always laughed,

so she must have liked it.

They had their troubles or were fine

and all they left was peace and silence.

- Did they get a divorce? - Of course.

There you are.

Bring some Silvan wine.

Don't you want anything, sir?

No. Why?

Hands up!

This is the surprise?

Do you know of a garden going?

l want to build a cottage.

Where do you get so much energy?

Look at your watch

and turn the lever every ten seconds.

Nine!

Eight!

You have to be quick.

- Shoot. - No.

Go on. Shoot!

Laci! A sparrow.

Well done!

Now me!

You're just an imposter!

You're just a fool.

Can l shoot?

Know what? We'll buy a fish.

Okay.

But we won't eat it.

ls it true they eat flowers in China?

- Because they're hungry? - No, just like that.

- Coming with me? - l'll wait for you.

l put my article in the papers,

backed up by scientific facts.

They cut it down and paid 20 crowns.

That's the kind of people we have.

- Are you Slovak? - Yes.

Then why aren't you singing?

Do you ever dream two dreams?

l often dream as many as three.

Do you want ketchup?

You did this well.

At least something.

Well, l was on my way to work,

l met some young people,

they began to beat me up and l told myself

it served me right.

A way of taking comfort.

Everything in life turns out as it should,

you reap what you sow.

We'll have Christmas.

When you're good or bad to someone,

you get what you deserve.

l've got no excuse.

- Someone's come? - No.

Have you told me all?

This is a kiss of peace.

Why've you got your lD number on your back?

Why?

He has pains all the time

around the liver, gall bladder...

Metastasis?

They're gall stones.

You believe cancer affects the whole organism, don't you?

Yes, l do.

Then call him in.

l'm from the insurance company, Professor. You know me.

You can undress,

if you don't mind in front of this gentleman.

l've just missed my trolleybus.

Then wait outside.

We want to operate on you.

- Throat? - No.

You took me in for my throat.

Will it help?

We'll try.

l don't want to.

Why don't you want to?

Look, J�no��k

took from the rich and stole from the poor.

lt's nice here, isn't it?

So we won't be together any more?

We could sleep here.

My eyes are tired.

So what is it you really want?

lt's not the same any more?

THE lNFUENCE OF LlTERATURE ll

Some people can't learn how to live.

You will learn.

Did you love me at least a bit?

Oh, yes.

l've got a letter back there,

l must take it to the hospital.

l must explain something to him.

Marta, take off your glasses.

Who are you, please?

Are you her husband?

Her lD card says she's divorced.

l'm her ex-husband.

Show me your lD.

Do you know this comrade?

Heart. Her heart stopped first.

The car's more or less intact.

l'll leave you here. l must pop upstairs.

Was the car insured?

l'd buy it from you.

When did it happen?

When did it happen?

What time?

What did you say?

At what time?

Around ten.

l don't know whether she loved you or whether she hated you.

Say something. Go on!!!

She spoke about you,

how you got on her nerves, when you didn't say anything.

Where do you get the assurance of a fool?

What do you want?

You freeze out anyone who is just a bit different.

Why did you go back to the kitchen?

Why weren't you a better comrade?

Say you were mistaken.

That you were mistaken.

No.

And you're happy with the results?

Who do you do all this for?

Tell me you've never truly believed!

Won't you say it?

lf you do, l'll give you a letter from your wife.

lt's stones, sir. lt's clean.

Can we remove it?

D'you know what the consultant said?

That it was to be expected.

How is it with his throat?

You need a holiday.

ln advanced and neglected stages,

serious, but by no means incurable...

The consequences of the fast growth

of foreign tissue are grave,

because it develops without regard to the needs of the whole organism.

Do you need something?

l had tonsillitis. Come outside.

My things are in there.

Don't you want to?

l'm expecting.

But it's not yours.

Peter! l just invented that.

Should l call you?

l came twelve minutes late, he began to make a fuss,

but we made it up in the evening.

D'you know how...

Why are you whispering?

l've got a patient with a fever in number twelve l left the door open.

He's already calling me.

We drank... Don't drink! Young and strong...

Does that hurt?

They were in my care... Sign...

You shouldn't talk.

An old woman... if you went it was good...

to make them afraid... if you didn't go...

it was for the cause...

lt's okay, okay...

... and that old... old man...

lt's okay, Mr Lauko, okay...

l was holding... we were drinking... a revolver...

You mustn't talk.

... l shot a cow...

Surely not.

... the old woman screamed...

you'll pay for it all one day,

you'll remember my words.

Did you see those Hungarian sweaters in the department store?

That twinset?

- How much did it cost? - Three hundred and twenty-two.

What did he say?

Some nonsense. He's got a fever.

What would you say, if that fellow got over it?

''...and the highest value is Man, human happiness, freedom.''

That's an apple, that's a meadow.

That's a tree.

That's a tree?

Yes.

And that's an apple?

That's an apple.

lt's snowing again.

That's a meadow, that's an apple,

that's a tree.