Original subtitles

Get down now!

I can't hear a thing!

LENINGRAD FRONT, SPRING 1942.

LENINGRAD'S ONLY SUPPLY ROUTE "ROAD OF LIFE"

I said get down!

Mommy, Mommy...

Stay down! Seek shelter!

Mom!

Children! Get away, quickly!

Mom!

AIR

LENINGRAD FRONT, AIRFIELD, SPRING 1942

Poor Zharikov. He lost sight of the leader of the formation.

You should have insisted with him. It's not the first time.

And I insisted.

But you know how practical the Germans have.

They passed through Poland, France and England.

Ours have only had basic training. They only know how to take off and land.

They didn't even practice their shooting much.

Then train them better.

Or you'll be court-martialed. Understood?

Got it.

But they're almost all conscripts. What can I do?

There are only the two of us left from the old regiment.

We don't even know how many we've lost.

Girls... What are you doing here?

You might as well send them to the kitchen.

And not just pilots, but technicians too? What's the point?

You should be raising children, not here making a fool of yourselves.

This one seems pointless to me.

You can tell. Right, Timofey?

We didn't win beauty contests, Kirill.

- Second squadron... - Hello.

Well...

They'll cook for us, comfort us, wash and sing for us.

To cheer us up. And we'll take care of the fight.

That's what you wanted!

- Girls shouldn't fly. - And you don't know what we should do!

Do they think they're better drivers than us? They're not.

Of course we are. Do you know this song?

"Let's speak without pain..."

- Can you even sing in tune? - You're the one who can't sing.

They're big and heavy. They ruin planes.

- I fly as well as you. - Or even better.

So they're fighters?

They came just to distract and entertain the officers.

Who told you that?

We're not prostitutes. We're soldiers, understand?

Look at the respect. Typical man!

- Is that how you talk to a girl? - How dramatic!

Idiots.

- Shut up. - No respect.

Why did they bring girls?

Rules, in shape!

- Hello, sir. - Good afternoon, sir.

Sense!

Look left!

Lieutenant Colonel...

All staff present and ready, sir.

Captain Bondar, sir.

Good morning, police!

Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel!

I congratulate you on joining our regiment.

Hooray!

- At ease. - At ease!

Over the next few days they will train and study the terrain.

After that, they will be deployed to missions destined for

to protect Leningrad's only supply route to Leningrad,

across Lake Ladoga.

It won't be easy.

There will be casualties.

But we will maintain our position.

Leningrad is under siege.

Children, women and the elderly are being evacuated.

The city needs food and other supplies.

As pilots and technicians, they have to show competence,

courage...

and a spirit of sacrifice.

I don't want tears. I can't stand tears.

No, sir!

Any infringement will be punished.

Cowardice will be tried in a military court.

Any questions?

No, sir!

No questions asked. Very well. I give you the floor.

This is my bed.

Maybe away from the window?

There are tables over there. I'll take the one on the left.

- Hello, girls and fellow fighters! - Knock before you enter!

You don't look like a fighter, fatty.

- So small and so brave! - Get him out of here.

Sorry about earlier. Let me introduce myself properly.

I'm in favor of girls flying planes.

- Marika Dolidze. - Timofey.

Are you Georgian? My grandfather served there.

Yes, I am.

- Timofey. - Hello.

- Timofey. - Sveta Frolova.

Anya Savelyeva.

- Timofey. - Masha.

- Zhenya Belova. - Timofey.

- Valya Chumakova. - Timofey.

- Katya. - Timofey.

Forgive us, girls.

The third squadron left some musical instruments.

Where are they now?

They've already gone.

Good evening.

Can I have my comb back?

Goodbye.

It's nice, isn't it?

And the best thing is that he's not a bad person.

No, I like it that way.

Excuse me.

- What are you doing? - I want to see what still works.

- Is there a clarinet? - No.

Do you want me to try with you?

With your help.

Okay, here.

But I'll watch.

You're pushing it! So...

- Are you watching too? - Yes.

Good God...

- Does it hurt? - No, it's fine.

- I did it, you can do it too. - It's broken.

Don't even start!

Stop. I'll take care of it.

The trumpet is bent...

- Can it be fixed? - I don't know.

- We have to check. - Let's get to work.

Check the radiator.

The engine is in bad shape. Shame on you.

The oil pipe is the problem. Open your eyes. It's dripping.

I don't have anything against her.

- Then Sophocles shows up, drunk. - We'll win in 1943.

Then he compliments me.

I want to get married, go to Lake Baikal, have children.

I couldn't stay at home. I wanted to die.

The men made fun of us.

I'm an optimist, you know?

This can only get better. I'm not afraid.

Masha, what was life like in Moscow? Did you have your own place?

I had.

Long corridors, tiny rooms, a kitchen with a window in the wall.

And a huge table.

When I was little, I used to hide under it with the salt I stole.

- I used to steal sugar. - And I salt.

Excuse me, is there a booklet?

- There were seven of us in one room. - Seven?

Around us, only gray steppe,

with no one and nothing on the horizon.

There you go! Thank you.

Sometimes the letter carrier would show up. He was a drunk with crazy eyes.

He said he was a general, and I believed him.

I wanted to run away, but I couldn't.

So, Masha, why did you come?

Your family still lives and has money, unlike us.

What do you mean "why"? So many people are dying.

My parents cried when I enlisted.

They gave me a man's uniform and huge boots.

I've swapped my high heels for soldier's boots.

We took the train to military training, singing:

Goodbye, goodbye, my dear Moscow

I'm going to fight the enemy

Goodbye, goodbye, my dear friend

Write to me, my love

- Put it down! - That's our plane! Get out of there!

- Calm down! Calm down! - What are you doing?

The planes are now under our command.

They're ours! Whose order was it?

- We have orders! What about you? - Sense!

- Calm down. - Ask the commander!

- Don't shout! - Sense!

At ease. What's this?

Why are they tampering our planes, sir?

It has been decided to your aircraft temporarily

for more experienced riders.

We lack devices, you're not ready yet,

and we need more patrols.

- But they're ours. Can you do that? - Yes, and that's enough.

Nothing here is yours. All of this is state property.

What's wrong, Vasily?

We're short of planes, we need to step up patrols.

It was decided to hand them over temporarily to more experienced pilots.

Who gave that order? Tell me. Don't make me lose my temper.

The regimental commander? Why didn't he tell me himself?

Vasily.

Sense!

Bondar wants to take away our planes. How is that possible?

What do you mean?

Was it your order?

You don't believe us, do you? Or do you feel sorry for me?

Speak!

I'm going to report you. Listen, I'm going to report you.

Come here, Vasily.

I'll put you in prison for insubordination.

Tell them about the terrain and send them into battle.

What if they are shot down?

Then have him arrested. He's the commander.

If they fail, let them peel potatoes in the kitchen.

Now we have girls. Why, my God?

At ease!

Why don't you believe them?

I don't know.

They're not like you.

You're admirable, a Valkyrie. They're not.

- Damn! - Don't be so sure about that.

All these half-baked recruits are going into combat at low altitude.

They'll be shot from above. I don't have time to retrain them.

Did you hear how people are starving in Leningrad?

So many have already died.

I went to visit a friend.

I found the woman and her two daughters dead, eaten by rats.

And outside the city, the twisted bodies of the soldiers.

Young and old.

Burned and crushed by tanks.

The 2nd Army is advancing, but no one knows if it will succeed.

Progress is slow and bloody.

Maybe they'll break the siege.

I don't know.

Do you remember my friend Sveta, the doctor?

Her train was bombed.

She and all the wounded died.

I don't know about my brother.

He either died or was captured.

I don't know anything.

Why is that?

Weren't the Germans who should have fled?

But we were the ones who ran away.

My father joined the militia.

The next day, he was caught by a tank caterpillar.

When I was a kid,

his glasses made his his eyes huge,

like in children's books...

Altitude 400.

200...

150...

200...

400...

- Aligning the target. - Attacking.

Escaping.

Maneuver.

250...

200...

150... 100...

Disperse.

Align the target.

Maneuver.

Attacking.

Returning.

Sometimes I dream about rats, but I'm not afraid.

We're building a tall tower together, without end.

- It keeps going up and up. - It's good to build something.

I dream of the wind stripping the leaves from the trees.

And ballet dancing.

And an Italian cemetery I saw in a book.

There's nobody there. It looks like a nice place.

Zhenya, do you need love? You know, love.

Love is an arbitrary feeling.

Your parents love you.

I don't know about the others. It's just loneliness.

Nonsense.

- Why is that? - Because it is.

It's just empty talk.

I'd like to fall in love.

Look at them. They're ridiculous.

You're right.

Squeezed together, like silly goldfinches.

- Little birds on a perch. - Chirping.

- Am I right? - Yes, I'm right.

Why are they even here?

Wait, guys!

They'll cry, get scared, complain about us.

Air alert!

Galya! Go to the service ditch!

Air alert!

Take cover!

Get in the service ditch!

Get down!

Get down, you idiot!

Another stretcher!

Get down, I said!

Give me gas, quickly.

Press on the artery.

We're losing it.

Press here. Hard.

Forgive me, girls.

My little stars.

It was really bad luck.

My girls.

I feel sorry for our coaches.

Number 4 again.

Ulrich is a machine.

He deliberately points at people.

Now we're going to be your technicians.

Who is Ulrich?

A German driver. Just one driver.

22!

22, come in!

22, can you hear?

Don't fight. Do you get it?

Timofey, get out of there!

18, 20 and 24 slaughtered.

Don't fight! Do you get it?

Don't fight.

I have three Messerschmitt behind me. Returning.

Timofey! Do you get it? Over!

- Get out of there! - Roger that. I'm out of ammo...

I'm falling.

22, answer...

- Timofey has been shot. - What day is it?

- Fuck. - Tuesday, April 21st.

Son of a bitch...

It's so cold.

- Strengthen! Stretch! - Today I fell asleep under the plane.

May I, ladies?

Get up!

Get up!

Captain, are you deaf?

Shut up!

Yeah. Is he nervous or deaf? Why is he always shouting?

Belova, I'm going to denounce her and put her on fatigue duty.

Forgive them, Captain, sir.

They don't realize the fundamental role of the army since ancient times.

- Say it again. - Louder, please.

We like it loud. Let's scare the fascists.

It was decided to allow them to fly combat missions,

against my strong objections.

Did you hear? You'll be flying combat missions. Take-off in two hours.

You see? I told you.

I said we were going to fly.

They left us.

It's good that we're flying.

- Should we get ready? - Yes, we should.

Everything is just as you wanted.

You're a woman of iron.

It's because I made a wish.

Come on.

Truck convoy spotted. Align the target, attack.

Attack! Attack!

Attention! 900 meters from the target, 800, 700...

Lord, have mercy...

Mom!

Attacking from the right.

Work in pairs. A lookout on top.

During the attack, the other moves to the right and left in pincers.

Shoot at will at 200m.

29, don't get too close to me.

We shot down a Messer!

More Germans on us!

Going down now.

Attention! Enemy in sector 218.

Six enemy aircraft spotted.

Engaging the enemy.

The Germans are above us!

29! Enemy at your 7 o'clock.

29! You've got a Messer up your ass!

29! Eject!

Enemy down.

Maintain altitude! Willi, climb 200 meters and stick to them.

Pursuing the enemy...

I have the enemy in my sights. Target hit.

I'm hit. I try to level the plane.

Leveling off. Leveling off.

Leveling off. Leveling off.

Leveling off. Leveling off...

I see the bastard.

From 7 to 11, the thief is behind you. Enter the clouds.

Please, little one, please.

Please, my dear airplane. Please continue.

Little one, please.

- This is 11. I've been hit. - Katya, I'm on my way.

Thank you.

Damn. I'll be damned.

This is 17! I've got a Messer...! A Messer behind me.

Do you get it? A Messer behind me.

Son of a bitch. God damn it!

I'm going to the clouds.

Son of a bitch.

Attacking!

Come on! Come on, come on!

Come on, come on...

There's a Messer behind me! Cover me!

My God...

Attacking!

I've been hit! Returning to base!

All in training!

Return to base.

The Germans are leaving. We're fine. Over.

Mom...

I want to go home.

Mama... please...

I want to go home...

So?

We're finished. Cover it up. Disinfect the instruments.

- Do you have a cigarette? - No, I don't.

Don't cry.

I can't take it anymore, Lieutenant Colonel.

When you bring them here, they all come smiling, and then...

I can't take it anymore. I'm exhausted.

My boots are too tight.

- My hands are frozen. - Don't cry.

The supply officer kept shouting.

Go and rest. We'll get you some boots.

Hold on.

He kept shouting.

Did you boil the syringes, Valya?

- Have you boiled the syringes? - Not yet. There was no hot water.

Why send them to fight? They're not ready.

What can I do? These are difficult times. They keep bombarding us.

And you wonder why? Our losses are great.

Today was loud. Sons of bitches!

When will it end? Sons of bitches...

- Is Lobanov here? - He died yesterday.

We don't have enough pilots.

I'd give them time to prepare, I didn't send them out to fight.

How about you take over? Come on, why not?

The road is there, with kids and old people staggering to one side

and supplies going to the other. Try it.

Shut up.

Why should I spare your girls and not my boys?

Tell me.

There are no boys or girls here. There are only pilots.

What are you unhappy about?

Isn't this what you wanted?

We are together, with many boys and girls to look after.

That was your dream, right?

They're all going to die.

Rita, I have orders.

Defend this road at all costs.

How badly am I hurt?

The armor plate was hit.

Yes, you are.

We look like penguins in men's boxers.

Why don't you write to anyone?

Why do you care? I just don't write.

Do you have any alcohol? I can't sleep. My head won't stop.

No, I don't.

Show your back, Zhenya.

The sheet is damp. Masha, why are you always grumbling?

- Does it hurt? - Yes.

One second...

I couldn't kill that German today.

I hesitated and didn't kill him. So he continued to kill others.

I'm a bitch, aren't I? Scum.

Stop it. Next time don't hesitate.

A German set fire to my plane. I almost didn't land.

My boots burned. The plane had holes everywhere.

I had oil in my eyes. I couldn't see a thing.

I love children. Do you?

Really, Katya?

They may seem tender at first. But then it only gets worse.

Have you ever kissed anyone?

I mean a real kiss, with tongue.

Not on the face. Masha?

It's none of your business, Katya. You're funny.

You're the strange one.

What about you, Zhenya?

Katya, go to sleep.

Let's go to sleep, girls.

- Do you have an extra blanket, Valya? - No, I don't.

Half a blanket...

Approaching target. Two bursts.

They say the Germans are burning Jews in Kiev.

My Sima and the kids are there.

Maybe they leave women and children alone?

Although there is no mention of this in Pravda or Krasnaya Zvezda.

That means it's a lie.

- Good afternoon, sir. - Good afternoon, sir.

Hello.

I was so happy to hear music.

I'm Volodya Vasilyev. Let's introduce ourselves.

I'm Pavel.

Stepanov.

- Katya. - Nice to meet you.

- Zhenya. - I'm Marika.

- Hello, Masha. - Masha.

I was transferred from the navy and I found a dog.

- What's it called? - It doesn't have a name yet. He's a good dog.

We have to find a name.

Maybe Pierre?

Maybe Curie?

- Jelly? - All you think about is food!

Maybe Cuba?

Why Cuba?

I don't know.

Yes, Cuba is a good name.

What?

I remembered your youth,

how you tamed the plane when you landed.

Summer is coming.

It's going to be hot again. Corpses will rot.

Go back to the way you were, Rita. I can't live without you.

We could adopt an orphan. There are so many now.

Since it didn't work for us.

Come on.

Tell your boys to stop pushing my girls around. Okay?

The 2nd Army is surrounded.

Our offensive failed.

The siege will not be broken.

I dream of you every night.

As if I were flying to save you.

When I wake up I cry.

Because I couldn't find you.

Hi, Lev. Right this way. Have a seat.

- Thank you. Hi, Rita. - Hi, Rita.

For how long? Two years?

You haven't changed. Eat something.

Galya! Give him something to eat.

There are some potatoes.

- Something hot to warm you up? - No.

So what do you say, Engineer?

We need to step up our efforts.

Fritz is faster.

Our engines overheat.

Pilots continue to die. Every day.

We'll have a new engine.

- When? - Soon.

It will overheat, but it will be more powerful. We know where you stand.

What do we do now?

Get married. Don't be all Shakespearean.

That's for us to decide.

The engine is weak. The plane needs work.

- A new engine is coming. - When?

Thank you, Galya.

When?

There are too many deaths. Just tell me.

There will be a new engine. It will be more powerful.

And in two months' time, the Germans will have new planes.

Even more powerful.

We'll have to reach them again.

What do you want me to do?

Falling to your knees at every grave?

When will we match the Germans? Be honest.

Even our radios are worse.

Please be honest, Lev. When?

It will take years.

- Rita, come out! - Get in. Get in.

357, get out of there. Rita, come in.

Rita, come in. Rita!

25 and 27 shot down. In combat. Impossible to collect.

357, get out of there!

In combat.

Attacking. 19, protect me.

19, eject!

357, answer. 357!

They shot down the last red.

Sector secured.

- 357. - I'm here! I'm here! Attacking! Attacking!

Impossible to collect!

Son of a bitch!

I've been hit. The plane is on fire.

Almost... almost... Attacking... attacking...

Go ahead. Calm down. Attacking...

Attacking... attacking... attacking.

357, 357, answer.

357, reply.

357, answer...

That's it.

Vasily, have you lost your mind?

What do you mean "it's over"?

It's made of steel.

357...

Rita, get out of there!

357, 357, come in!

Answer...

It was shot down during the Winter War. We thought it had "ended" there.

It's not over.

It was winter.

She went back to base alone,

and showed up with a kitten full of fleas.

Who peed in my pants.

Answer, 357...

Keep trying.

Answer, 357...

This spring is really bad. Worse than winter.

- What day is it today? - Tuesday, April 28th.

Right.

Charge...

Aim... Fire!

Charge...

Point...

Fire!

Charge...

Point...

Fire!

Weapons in your pocket.

I remember them all.

Bolitov. He had a large family, with four children like mine.

Measles made his daughter deaf.

Vedernikov. He worked on a tractor. His brother was a singer.

Mishin. His mother works on a farm near Maloyaroslavets.

Now we live for them.

Does loving your country mean dying for it?

Which is more important? the country or the individual?

The country.

Don't you think?

Marika wasn't afraid of rats.

All the girls had it, except her.

Her father stuttered and her mother sang badly...

Belova, come here.

Sergeant Belova, sir.

Why didn't you shoot?

Why didn't you kill that German?

I can't.

That's not an answer.

I...

I do everything I've been taught.

But I can't do it to real people.

I'm not afraid of death. When...

when my family died, I accepted it.

Don't lie to me, Zhenya. Just sit down.

I met your father.

He was a great driver, a star.

Hero of the revolution who was shot.

And your mother too.

You disowned them.

You betrayed them.

You changed your surname and became a pilot

promising to atone your parents' mistakes.

They're not me.

Maybe I shouldn't be here...

because I'm just a girl.

But I...

I don't know how to fly.

If you don't want to be "just a girl", I can call you Vasily.

Or Onufry... Ivan... Boris...

Boris, how would you feel if I shoot a horse?

No! No!

Take aim with your gun.

Or you'll be tried without an inquiry.

Shoot. That's an order.

Let's go.

Well? Come on.

Shoot.

Shoot.

I can't.

Can you look at dead children?

Can you see the city being destroyed?

Your friends without eyes or arms?

Aim for the eye and shoot.

Fire.

Well done.

You'll be fine. You'll be fine.

You're a strange but talented being.

Broken, but talented.

Don't listen to anyone. Forget about it.

Feel the air.

Feel the space around you.

From top, bottom, left, right. As a whole.

You'll be fine. Free yourself.

Tomorrow you'll fly to the partisans.

They found a plane damaged and a pilot dead.

Take him to Leningrad.

Rita should do it...

...but she won't.

You're free to go.

How did you land? The ground is so muddy.

- Vitya, I'm leaving. - I'm leaving.

It covers the plane well.

There used to be a lot of them. Some went into the forest.

There are many former prisoners. Their losses are great.

What prisoners?

Zhenya, there are hundreds of thousands prisoners. Our people.

And millions of casualties. You should know this by now.

Nobody told us anything about prisoners.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

Wait, Vanya!

That pig...

- Bang! - That's right.

Bang-bang!

Here. Try it.

How do I remove a charger?

So...

Did you come to fly the plane?

Yes.

We almost broke our backs to pull you here.

Let's get him going, and you go on your way.

Where are you from?

From Leningrad? Were you born there?

No, I'm from Moscow.

- We took food to the city. - Yes, I heard you.

So even if we all die, it wasn't in vain.

Why are you going to die?

If they find us.

They found our neighbors.

And they opened their bellies to pregnant women with bayonets.

Why don't they evacuate you by plane?

Abandon everyone who are here fighting?

It's not a hypothesis.

We'll stand firm here.

The Germans brought the tanks here.

As if we cared.

Aren't you cold?

No.

Why don't you go for a walk?

Go on.

My boy is calm. He won't bother you.

Take him to his grandmother if she's still alive.

The 2nd Army is surrounded. It's really bad.

What if I'm shot?

Whatever.

Come on. Come on!

You broke Valya's arm, stupid. Now you're going to pay.

Son of a bitch!

My father used to tell me

that certain types of soil can preserve bodies for almost 1000 years.

I wonder why.

Goodbye.

The composition, perhaps.

The pilot was dead. But there was fuel.

Hold on! Hold on!

Take it with you.

Please. I'm begging you. Look, he's a good boy.

I can get down on my knees if I have to.

- Please... - What if I'm shot?

You won't be. His grandmother works at the Hermitage. Find her.

- What if I'm shot? - I beg you. Save him!

If she's dead, take him to an orphanage.

He's going to die here! Don't you see?

He's going to die here! Save him, please! Save him...

Calm down. Calm down.

Don't be afraid, little one.

Don't be afraid, darling. You will be loved.

Your mother didn't tell me your name.

What name would you like?

When my mother was pregnant with me,

thought I was a boy and called me Stepan.

Little Stepan.

Your name will be Stepan.

Maybe you're going to be a pilot.

We could fly together.

Stepan! What's going on? Open your eyes!

Come on! Stepan!

Stepan, darling, open your eyes!

LENINGRADO

I took them off.

They keep bombing.

My bones ache...

It's strange. I've never been to the Hermitage.

But I've always wanted to go.

Does anyone still work there?

Yes, those who are still alive.

They're patching the roof.

And I catch birds for Lidia.

I hide behind that column and throw a blanket over them.

Lidia, maybe it's time to finish your work?

I thought all the paintings had been evacuated.

I'm making these copies for myself.

I'm looking for Anna.

It's about a baby.

It's in the theater. Go there.

Second row.

I can give you a ticket for the seat next to her.

What theater?

Well, we're not all dead yet.

There's the Musical Comedy Theater. And then there's our museum.

- Lidia... - Seryozha.

Anya's dead. Can you take her to the basement?

I'll take it.

What about the baby?

He's dead.

She needs to say goodbye and bury him.

Maybe it's for the best.

- What about the ticket? - I'll get it.

Anna, I've come for your grandson.

- Have we met before? - No, we haven't.

Keep quiet then. We'll talk later.

Then.

That's enough. You can do it.

Let's go.

My father, my dear father.

I told him: "Spring is coming.

There will be grass and leaves. We'll be able to eat them."

And he stood there begging for food.

But I had already given him everything I had.

He stayed there, without getting up...

Have mercy on the souls of who have died, forgive their sins

and on the Day of Retribution, grant them the Incorruptible Crown.

For only in you can we find protection, victory and salvation.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

now and for ever and ever. Amen.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

STALINGRAD FRONT, EXPEDITION AIRFIELD, FALL 1942

Why do you look so sad, boys? Let's fight.

It's so strange to see girls flying...

Sazonov! Stop looking at the pilot.

It deals with ammunition.

You're so serious, so stern. But you have kind eyes.

The eyes don't lie.

- That's me. - Have a seat.

Shine, shine, my star

My star of love, always such a friend...

- Here. - Thank you.

Thank you, Luba.

Why don't you stop looking at me?

My eyes hurt so much.

- Because of stress. - Yours too?

- And my neck. I'm sweating. - So am I.

But don't worry. It'll pass.

- Your porridge. - Thank you.

I couldn't sleep last night. My head kept spinning.

Why don't you ever to the Volga with us?

I never have time.

27, hold course for landing.

Level off. Don't fall asleep.

27, your descent is too steep. Level off, level off.

27, don't sleep! You're going too fast! You're going to crash!

Switch to take-off mode! Lift off! Make a circle and come back!

- Anya! - Anya's on fire!

Anya's on fire! Anya!

The worst thing is get used to all these deaths.

I don't feel anything anymore.

Some come, others go. I even forget their names. It's not right, is it?

Sir, the regiment is affected by fatigue.

They don't sleep. They do everything they can.

There are many non-combat losses.

They're all very tired. They can barely stand.

What can I do?

Nothing.

Their lives are short.

They're like butterflies.

Put the wide one on top.

That's enough.

They say there are many casualties in Stalingrad.

I keep dreaming of my final flight.

With the way I burn.

We're all going to burn.

All of us...

Let's go...

When this is over...

Son of a bitch!

Come here! Come here!

- Dramatic. - Go away!

- You son of a bitch! - Stop it! That's enough.

What's that for?

I've been looking for you for two hours!

Why are you persecuting me?

I do what I want.

I said so many things to Volodya. I said I don't love him.

And I don't love it.

Why are you behaving like this?

Why are you always pestering me with advice and requests?

You're a whore in behavior.

If Volodya dies, what will you do?

Do you think you're better than the others? You betrayed your father and mother.

How do you survive the day? Can you sleep?

Aren't you ashamed?

What gives you this right?

Bitch! What gives you that right?

My father was a brilliant pilot. The best driver!

He took me with him.

Do you know how he died?

He said it was too soon to use that new engine.

Strange, isn't it?

Then they were shot.

Him and my mother.

I've changed my surname to this disgusting one.

Yes, I'm a traitor. And no, I'm not better than the others.

Then came an orphanage.

And a teacher there...

I was a dancer. Pure. Good.

I always went when he called me.

He raped me.

I'm worse...

...worse than all of you.

But I know that if I survive, I will find him and kill him.

I'll kill him.

And then I'll kill myself.

E...

- But why wait? - Zhenya! Stop it!

No...

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Come here.

Okay, sweetheart. I'm sorry.

It's all right. Just calm down. Calm down. It's okay, it's okay.

I won't leave you.

After the war I'll take you with me. Did you hear that?

I'll take you with me. I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Paint the star again. I'm not fighting for that shoddy job.

I painted everyone's stars. You're always unhappy.

You're strange.

Can't you think of something nice?

I think the plane is dripping oil.

Make it stop and then we'll talk.

- What can I do? - The engine is hot. It's burning my feet.

The new engines won't drip oil.

I'm one man, not a factory.

This engine is crap.

- I'm going to report him. - Okay.

He says he steals groceries. Shame on you, Stepanov.

Why do you steal chickens from the villages at night?

- They call you the "Scourge of the Night". - It's a lie.

I'll report it.

- What's new? - Nothing.

I don't know what to do or who to write to.

What happened to my girls?

There's a wise rabbi in Kiev.

Maybe he'll save them. He talks to the Germans.

What do you care about my family?

It's terrible. This uncertainty...

Bitter, why don't you get any letters?

I don't have anyone.

Zhenya, I'll marry you after the war.

You'll have fat, lazy children who will have tractors.

Don't listen to him.

I'll adopt you and your children will be rabbis.

Stop it!

- Paint it again. - Coming.

- Bitter, you painted the star wrong! - I'll warm up my hands and paint better.

Good afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel!

Why are you so late? Have you fallen in love with me?

No, sir.

You're the one who said I was Onufry.

You always go alone. Take me with you.

- Get ready, quickly. - Yes, sir!

- Mityushkina! Take my hat. - Yes, sir!

- Ready! - Yes, sir!

17, what do you dream about?

It's always the same dream.

I dance. I go on stage, alone.

I make fouettés.

It goes well at first...

But then my feet bleed and I fall.

I get up and spin around and fall down again.

- Do you dream about your parents? - Almost never. Turn to channel 9.

Done.

My father was right.

Only now do I realize that he was right.

Everyone lied to me. Then I lied to myself.

I wanted to atone. But what?

Your father was right.

The engine was defective. He wrote to Moscow. They didn't believe him.

He was shot. It was a foolish mistake.

Why did they kill him?

It's a difficult question.

Human life is worth nothing. Reports are worth everything.

I don't want to die for these corrupt profit-seekers.

Not everyone was like that, 17.

I saw a lot of blood.

I saw a nobleman's house on fire with kids inside. Also a church.

I kept quiet. I didn't say anything.

But I fight for the best in us, not the worst.

German at 10 o'clock on top.

- Prepare to attack! - Yes, sir.

Attacking.

17, finish off the German.

Pull this way... then that way... Pull that way... then here...

I sealed the radiator. It didn't work. They laughed at me.

I'll take a look.

- Please. - Hold on.

It's because you're all fingers.

- What's the problem? - The 12 is wasting a lot of oil.

Give me the pliers.

- Here. - And that key.

Masha, are you all right?

Hello.

- Was it our fourth mission today? - Yes.

I kept chasing that German

even when he dived, then went up and to the right.

And I knocked him down.

We took down the Germans, girls. We knocked them all down.

But the newspapers don't write about it, although they could.

They don't mean that women are fighting.

I doubt it. There are so few of us compared to men.

Here.

We're in retreat. The Germans are in Stalingrad.

One day they will write about us.

I wonder if anyone will remember us in the future.

How we fought...

In my memories, I'll be the heroine.

And you'll be the tyrant of the regiment.

What?

This is 17. Forty to the target.

- Immediate attack on 15. - Copy that.

Roger...

The bell rings...

Masha, what are you singing about?

Twenty to the target. Attack at 150.

This is 17. Let's do it.

Three Russian planes at 11 o'clock!

Everyone in formation! 11 o'clock!

Free weapons. Attack.

Getting closer, getting closer...

Masha, on the left.

Move around and come back.

Repeat the attack.

Damn! I've lost them! I think they were IL-2...

Let's go.

Getting involved.

Align the target, align the target...

I've been hit. I'm on fire.

Back to base! Masha, cover Katya. I'll be right there.

Roger!

Idiot...

Where's the plane?

Katya, can you hear me?

Katya, please use the compensators.

Katya, can you hear me? I'm behind you.

Katya! Katya, breathe. I'm behind you.

I'm not going to make it. I can't land. And I'm too low to jump.

Katya, I'm behind you.

- It's going well. - The commands don't respond.

Katya!

Katya, please use the compensators. Don't give up. Do it. You'll be fine.

You're going to land. Come on.

You'll be fine. Approach for landing.

Maintains course. Open the brake. Level off, Katya.

Stay calm. You'll be fine.

Katya, please!

I can't land.

I can't, Zhenya.

- Holding it, holding it... - You're too low.

You're too low!

I can't land, Zhenya.

I can't...

Move, quickly!

She looks alive!

Come on!

Get her out of there!

Are they leaving?

I asked for a transfer to another regiment.

It was approved.

That's it, it's over.

You're an idiot. We like you.

Thank you.

Do you believe in God?

God exists.

I always feel like saying something, but I can't.

I told you that family is dead.

Our house was bombed.

I'd rather you said something.

I think our people embody the pain of this world.

And that's how we save the world.

We take on their horrors, mistakes and suffering.

There's something horrible and sublime about it.

I keep dreaming about Katya.

Goodbye.

- What are you...? - Take care of the dog.

- Look out! - It's all right!

Do you believe in God?

No, I don't think so.

There is equipment. There are people.

The rest is just an attempt to believe that there is a good world somewhere.

Everything shudders inside.

People shirk their responsibilities.

They invent some idea idea of justice.

He abandoned you, didn't he?

- Let's feed him. - Let's go.

- Don't tremble, darling. - It's just the two of us...

It's almost winter.

- Watch out. - Give me my hat.

- Permission to speak, Colonel? - Granted.

- Come to the infirmary. - Shut up.

- They haven't examined him for three months. - Shut up. I'm healthy.

- Please, sir. - I'm delighted. That's enough.

No incidents while you were away, Colonel.

Captain, that is, Lieutenant Colonel Bondar.

- Paint the star. - It will be done, sir.

Please, you have to convince him, sir.

I'll take care of it.

I can't fly. I can't fly.

What's wrong with you?

I'm scared. I can't fly.

Let's report that the plane is defective.

You won't fly.

How's that?

We can't.

The city is on fire. The children are on fire. We can't.

Sense!

I was hit.

I'm on fire.

Go on, go on.

Keep going.

Please, please...

I'm on my way down.

I'm going to eject.

STALING

Get back!

Mother! Mom!

Do you have tobacco?

No.

Are you the pilot who crashed?

What's it like to be on earth?

It's not like upstairs.

I'm dying...

Count...

Tell me about Leningrad.

I have...

A daughter there, in Leningrad.

I'm worried.

Are they starving there?

They say...

...who all died there.

No, they're not dead.

They're not starving.

It was hardly bombed.

The city is lit up. The streets are lit up.

People are happy.

The women wear dresses.

Your daughter is probably happy.

In fact, it certainly is.

My parents go to work every morning. Sometimes they argue.

Then they make up. And go for a walk together.

They have a dog. He chews up the closet...

Mom washed the windows. They see the river Neva.

He makes meat patties. But they don't please my father...

Can you hear me?

Calm down...

Come on.

Grab it!

Soldiers!

Attack!

Attack!

Forward!

Forward!

When death comes, we will die.

Would you like a cigarette?

Do you smoke?

No.

- Now you smoke. - Yes, you do.

Zhenya?

What's wrong?

Come here.

How do you explain yourself?

Almost all the boys are dead.

And you're alive.

Did they give you an easier job?

You seem to be here just to be a pretty face.

There are no easy jobs.

You're just a miserable pilot.

Open your mouth.

I remember how I bled.

I remember my teacher.

You son of a bitch.

Go to bed.

I'll confess soon.

They're going to shoot you.

Everything will be fine.

What choice did you have?

You could have shot him in the leg. Why in the head? God...

I'll say it was me.

What's the point? No...

Do you think my kids are still alive?

- Yes. - Yeah, not me.

I'm just walking around...

I try to remember their faces but I can't.

You're a good driver. You'll have a family, children.

And I'm alone.

Just like Stepanov.

We're both alone.

We will survive.

Let's light a match.

If it goes out in even numbers, you do it.

If it's odd, I'll do it.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Dec.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Sixteen.

Seventeen.

Eighteen.

Go ahead.

Come on.

Colonel, may I have a word, sir?

You can.

You could have refused to accept me.

Who needed someone like me?

I didn't refuse, you see.

Why?

I'm a nobody.

Because I didn't want to.

So you're brave?

My father was brave too.

Is it possible to love the dead? All the dead?

It's possible. It would be nice.

Everything is upside down.

Everything's ruined...

You're not old, you know.

A little worn, perhaps, but not old.

Could you fall in love with me?

But are you Vasily or...

Was it Innokenty? Mikhail? We're comrades in arms.

I love him.

I won't tell anyone.

As long as this war lasts, we are alive and free.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid.

No casualties today.

We shot down four and lost zero. Zero casualties three days ago.

It means that learned something.

Colonel, people wonder if foreign music is appropriate!

Konyakhin, I forbid you to shout.

Vivaldi is like flying.

You should study classical music.

I'm certainly going to learn more about classical music, sir!

I'm so drunk, everything looks purple to me.

Don't worry.

They say that the ballerina Kschessinska was never sober.

Drinking is part of our culture. As long as the singer is sober.

- Bitter, what do you smoke? - Camel-flavored cigarettes. I've changed.

Why do Americans like it so much?

What did you trade for? Army rations? We should shoot you.

They can't, Zhenya would be upset.

She's a formidable woman.

Zhenya, should we shoot that cheat?

Please do.

Using a girl as cover?

We have lots of camels. Go smell them.

These are special.

Look at the packet. Say "Ca-mel".

It must be the animal's name.

Don't talk nonsense. Tobacco camels...

Velvet pigs, perfume goats...

I arrived almost on time.

- The sky is so clear today. - Yes. It's going to be a cold night.

She's so cute!

- Will you stop loving me? - No, Zhenya, never.

Maybe.

What a shame, a commander who is a disaster.

My heart is giving out.

How are you now? How are you?

Yes. I'm fine.

I need you to love me.

Let's grow old together. Especially you.

I'm going to buy you a walking stick.

- For me? - Yes.

You'll behave badly, and sometimes I'll slap you.

Finally, you will become afraid of me, and you will only speak on my command.

A brilliant woman and a stupid man.

What a perfect couple, right?

I'm in, Zhenya, just don't hit me with that cane.

Well, that's up to you.

See how they fly in harmony.

Well done. You got it.

It wasn't all in vain...

It wasn't in vain.

Remember when I came to you, and I knew nothing about you...

or what to do...

And that horse too...

Remember?

Alexey! Alexey...

Alexey, Alexey, look at me!

Alexey, look at me.

Help!

Help!

Help! Help! Help me!

Goodbye, Alexey. Goodbye, Alexey.

So stupid. My heart just stopped.

My soul aches...

Everyone dies.

- Victory will be ours. - It will. We don't need a speech.

Stepanov, get the planes ready.

He always refused a medical examination.

He mocked it. There was nothing we could do.

He showed no symptoms. How could we know?

We didn't know. Really...

Don't play innocent with us.

With him, I felt free like in my childhood.

It was so easy. He understood me.

And now this is it.

We have a difficult day tomorrow.

We should go to sleep.

Are you pregnant?

I don't know. Probably.

STALINGRAD FRONT,

EXPEDITION AIRFIELD, FEBRUARY 1943

Don't torture yourself. Next time.

You'll have children eventually.

What a cold winter.

Yes, I will. Next time.

I must have made a mistake.

I don't want the world to be empty.

Konyakhin lost his voice yesterday.

Their shouts were so comical, so angry and high-pitched!

He took off a boot...

And I hid it.

Zhenya! Zhenya!

Zhenya! The Germans have surrendered!

- What? - They surrendered at Stalingrad!

- What do you mean? - The casualties were too great!

- Everything will be fine now! - We're going to win!

Hooray!

The Germans surrendered!

- Where? How? - In Stalingrad!

Hurrah! They've surrendered!

- Congratulations! - I can't believe it!

You know, when you came,

I thought it was ridiculous for women to fight.

- Yes. - Nobody believed you.

- But Alexey and Rita believed. - They did.

Zhenya! Zhenya, darling, we won!

Lieutenant Colonel, get up!

BELARUS FRONT,

EXPEDITION AIRFIELD, AUTUMN 1943

How are you, Belova?

The bombers replied. You'll escort them tomorrow, not today.

Bad weather conditions.

The Germans left provisions and everything else behind.

Tomorrow, then.

We're getting everything ready.

We're moving forward.

Next...

But our haven't arrived yet.

How long will we have to wait? The 43rd already has them.

You'll have your new planes.

So funny. That Kraut didn't even got off the ground.

I haven't heard from Masha.

She can't be dead. Maybe she found ours.

Not yet.

We didn't find her plane either.

Vasily...

Please tell them not to give up looking for her.

You have to find Masha.

She's alive.

- I promise I will. - I can't go on without her.

We have new staff. Meet them.

After you, First Lieutenant.

Officers, meet our best pilot, First Lieutenant Belova.

- Zhenya. - Farida.

- Vera. - Masha.

- Nastya. - Anya.

Marina. I've read about you.

You can sit down.

- Olya. - Valya.

Ksenia.

How many missions have you done?

The Germans are afraid of you.

Lots of missions. I don't know how many.

They're not afraid of anything. Don't believe the rumors.

Major, sir.

First Lieutenant, you have visitors. Journalists from Moscow.

What do they want from me now?

Slava, I can't now.

Can you come up with anything?

First Lieutenant, I'll be your escort.

Okay. What's your name? What's your name?

Marina. Yatsenko.

I want to fight. I'm ready to die if I have to.

You don't have to die.

Sleep well tonight. That's important.

We're not here to die.

I saw a lot of death.

I remember Katya. Boys with no eyes, no legs...

without arms.

I often asked myself: what's most important,

the country or the individual?

- Would you like a cigarette? - I don't smoke.

Masha didn't smoke at first either.

I realized that they were equally important.

We are what we are.

And there is no country without us.

I've lost my matches.

I fight so that other people don't die.

We have to keep our humanity, we're not machines.

Got it.

First Lieutenant, why did you miss your medical exam?

You really can't escape, can you? I will. I really will.

I don't know...

The cut is good. Comb to the side.

- I do that. - And cut the ends.

Who did this to your hair? Let me fix it.

- Shevelko, give this to Polina. - All right, then.

I found an old book.

- Show me! - What's it about?

Let's fly away. Let's disappear.

Let there be nothing but sky around us.

And its purity.

Just you and me.

We can go anywhere and do whatever we want.

No anger, no fear.

No anger, no fear...

Katya, Marika, Rita, Alexey, Masha.

Where are you?

How are you doing up there?

Enemy sighted! I think he's coming alone. Distance 900 m.

Roger! Attack!

Karl! Go right! Keep your distance!

Oh my God!

God.

Mom... Daddy... I'm on my way.

Alexey, I'm almost there.

Alexey.

Katya!

Mommy! Daddy!

Mom! Hey, Dad! I'm on my way.

I'm on my way...

LENINGRAD FRONT, AIRFIELD, SPRING 1944

Were you the one who went into the kitchen, Amargo?

I'll tell Bondar it's you who's been stealing the food.

It wasn't me.

It's a lie. Pathetic people.

You call everyone pathetic.

To.

- You're a grump. - I'm not a...

Masha!

Masha! Masha...

How are you?

The plane crashed.

The village women hid me.

I crossed to the front.

I was arrested and questioned.

The usual story.

My darlings. My pilots.

Come on, don't cry.

I know. I know everything.

It's war. It's like this.

Let's go.

That's enough. Don't cry.

You remember them all. So do I.

That's enough.

- Everything will be fine now. - Right.

I miss you so much.

We will survive.

Everything's fine.

We'll win soon.

- Smile! - Now we'll win for sure.

Smile, come on.

- How are things going? - We have new pilots.

And decent new planes.

And good new radios.

The oil no longer drips.

Want to fly today?

The movie is dedicated to all women

who fought at the front and in the party units,

who saved lives in hospitals, and worked in the background.

Tragically, many of them didn't live to see the victory.

This movie is dedicated to my family,

to those who have endured the trials of war.

To my grandfather Igor Karmalita,

who died heroically at the front and whom I never met,

to my grandmother Valentina Borshchagovskaya

who survived the hell of the occupation and saved my mother,

who was then a little girl,

to Yuri German, Tatyana Rittenberg-German,

Alexander Borshchagovsky, and to my parents

who were haunted by war in their dreams for the rest of their lives.

ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE ARE FICTIONAL.

ANY RESEMBLANCE TO REAL PEOPLE IS COINCIDENTAL.

NO ANIMALS WERE MISTREATED IN THE MAKING OF THIS MOVIE.

Subtitles: Nisbgui