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DESIRE

Story / Screenplay

Music

Film Symphony Orchestra conducted by

Art Director Assistant Art Director

Editor / Sound

Make-up / Set Design

Costume Design

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Associate Producer

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"THE BOY WHO WANTED TO FIND THE EDGE OF THE WORLD"

"PEOPLE OF THE EARTH AND THE STARS IN THE SKY"

"ANDĚLA"

"MOTHER"

Cast

Director of Photography

Directed by

Four seasons, four stages of human life...

THE BOY WHO WANTED TO FIND THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Caw, caw! Caw, caw!

Follow me!

The world ends there, we'll never catch the crows.

You fool! It's not edge of the world, it's just the forest!

Have you ever been there?

- The edge of the world! - The end of the world!

I see it! - It is the edge of the world! - It isn't! - It is!

Good day. - Good day.

- What are your names, boys? - I'm Joska Malina.

- I'm Svatoš. - Where are you from?

- From Lučná. - Where's your father?

- He's at work. - Good.

- Where does the world end? - Nowhere.

And if I kept going and going, would I get to the end of the world?

No, the world wouldn't end.

And if I flew in a plane, could I get there?

You wouldn't. Where would you fly to?

Where did the raven find my little sister?

You are a curious boy, aren't you?

Go home boys, your parents must be worried.

Dad!

What are you doing up there, Joska?

- Hello, Dad. - Hop on, hurry!

- We're celebrating today. - How come? We didn't make a cake.

No, but I'm bringing your mum and baby sister home.

Yay!

Go and get your aunt. She'll help us tidy up. Hurry up!

- What is it, my boy? - Nothing.

- Have you found out who brought your little sister? - Not yet.

- How can that be? - I don't know.

- Ask auntie. - You must know!

- Ask her, she knows better. - The raven brought her, didn't it?

- Yes! It did. - Go and tell your father I'm coming.

- Give me the primroses! - I won't!

- Give them to me! - I won't. - Give them to me! - No!

Give them to me. Give them to me. Give them to me...

Zdenička...

- Have they hatched? - What? - The chicks, silly.

- What did auntie say? - That she'll come. - When?

Cackle-cack. Cackle-cack.

Put it in the basket above the stove.

- Daddy... - What? - How was Barbara born?

- Not now. - You know how!

You're too young for that.

Does the stork or the raven bring babies?

Neither. I'll tell you some other time. I'm busy now.

- Anyway, I know all about it. - What is it then?

- Babies are born from an egg. - An egg?

- Like a chicken. - You don't say!

- What took you so long? - What have you done to the floor!

- The wood will rot. - Why?

It's high time Anička was home.

- Be good, Joska. - I will.

- Don't go climbing. - I won't. - Don't get dirty.

Just wait and I'll bring your mummy and little sister home.

We'll be back soon. Stay home and be good. That'll make mummy happy.

- Do as auntie says, understand? - I will.

Good.

I know quite well that the raven or the stork don't bring babies.

- Who told you that? - Daddy.

But he said that I was too young.

Play outside, Joska. Out you go, boy.

Here, kitty.

One, two, three, four, five.

One, two, three, four, five.

Hop!

Are you going to see Barbara?

- Yes, we're going to bring her home! - Give this to her.

Be careful, Joska, your little sister's in there.

Joska!

- Who are you? - I'm your sister.

She did hatch from an egg after all, Daddy.

She hatched from an egg, from an egg...

What did I tell you? Where have you been?

Come closer.

What did I tell you?

What's happened to your hand? Let me see.

Don't cry, Joska.

Joska... My boy...

It is not proper for a boy to cry like this, is it?

- Are we friends or not? - We are.

There you have it.

Go to your little sister.

Mummy...

My sweet little boy.

Don't cry, Barb.

PEOPLE OF THE EARTH AND THE STARS IN THE SKY

Don't you dare trespass on my field!

If you set your foot on my field again... I'll rip you in half!

- What? - I'll rip you in half!

- Father! Uncle! Stop! Stop! - Let us be!

- Why not throw cold water over them? - You can do that better than me.

- I expect now they'll need first aid! - That won't surprise anyone.

It'll be right here.

I'll make a proposal for you tomorrow.

It amazes me how people can quarrel over such trivial matters.

We're nothing compared to the vast universe. A mere speck.

It's easy for you to say. It matters when you have nothing.

All that talk about the universe is very nice,

but it's best to have a piece of solid earth under your feet.

Lenka, come and give us a hand!

- Well? - Nothing.

Listen, Lenka... May I call you by your first name?

- Are you looking for some meaning too? - What do you mean?

- I mean in life. - Me? No.

And have you found something solid?

Not yet.

- I did find something, though. - And what is that?

- It's far away. - How far?

Very far.

Why don't you come over to the observatory to see for yourself.

- Can I come too? - Why not. It's interesting.

We'll come. Won't we, Lenka?

- Do you see it? - I do.

Saturn.

The spiral nebula, Andromeda.

I see it.

- Why didn't your sister come? - She couldn't.

How come you're a land surveyor if you're so fond of the stars?

You've never been disappointed, have you?

Were you ever disappointed?

- Maybe. - By what? Or who?

By everything.

- What is it that you want from life? - Everything.

- What does 'everything' mean? - Everything.

- People will never have everything. - But I want everything.

I still think I failed the exam.

There were so many of us.

I don't really know anything.

You couldn't have failed. You're the cleverest of all.

The prettiest of all.

You want me to leave?

No.

But you have to.

You'll go your way, whether I like it or not.

You'll never leave me, will you?

How long will we live?

A long time, sweetheart.

A long time.

- Well? - I passed the exam.

Are you happy?

You kept telling me it would turn out well.

And it did turn out well.

Will you keep thinking of me?

Will you remember me?

Will you visit our special places?

Will you?

- Good evening. - What brings you here?

- Good evening... - Are you still quarrelling with your brother-in-law?

Never mind. Here, have a drink with me.

- Thanks, but not tonight. - Why are you so down today?

- Never mind. - It seems you do mind.

What happened? Did she dump you?

- No, not that. - What happened then?

- She left. - So what!

- There's plenty more fish in the sea... - And what if there isn't?

Nonsense! It would be a sin against nature.

If she's really fond of you, she'll come back.

How old is she?

Seventeen.

It's the same old story. It's no use being upset.

She's like a colt. She needs freedom. You can't tame her right away.

Don't worry. You'll be over it in a day or so,

- once you've cleared your head. - You're absolutely right.

- I'll write as soon as I get there. - I'll be waiting.

You will write me to me, won't you?

I'll miss you.

- Where are the eggs for aunt Mary? - In the basket.

I'm bound to sit on them.

I'll never stop loving you.

ANDĚLA

Lord, I thank you for everything.

Do not forsake us in times of trouble and keep us, our Father.

Give me strength. Save us from anguish and wrongdoing.

That we may do as should be done.

Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On Earth as in Heaven.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Good day.

- Good day. - What can I do for you, Anděla?

You know very well. I can't go on like this.

You know I can't alter your quotas.

They're set regulations. Everybody would ask the same.

Tell that to somebody who has a family to help them

and not a woman earning the bare minimum on her own like me!

If you weren't so stubborn and joined the collective, you'd be better off.

If I weren't so stubborn? After what you did to me?

You took away my fields and put me up in the hills?

Let bygones be bygones. We don't do that anymore.

Stop jabbering!

And you stop wining and begging, Anděla!

- Your quota is set and that's that! - You'll never see me here again!

There's no justice here!

You won't force me to change my ways!

When that woman starts at me, I can't help myself.

- Did you do her wrong? - Do her wrong?

You haven't been here long, but I've lived here all my life.

Don't believe everything you hear. They'll take you for a fool.

If you only knew what became of young Pavelka.

He used to walk on his shoe laces, but now he's a know-it-all.

- A fine ride, isn't it, my brother? - Fine.

No wonder. It's the bishop's harness and you're heading to my field.

If only your poor late mother knew that you never go to church,

- she would never forgive you! - Gee!

- Good day. - What brings you here, Anděla?

Tell me, sir, why do people treat each other so badly?

You ought to mix with them more, Anděla.

You're a good woman, you could teach them a thing or two.

My whole life has been drudgery. I never owed anything to anyone.

I gave flour to people during the war.

Why can't I have some peace now?

- What's the matter, Father? - We saw Michal, Anděla.

- He gave this to me. - He was at the sawmill.

- Stop it. - What did he say?

That he'd come during his break to help you out with the harvest.

- He also sends his regards. - I'm so glad.

Shoo! Don't let the chickens in the house, father.

You haven't finished your coffee yet?

Come here.

My legs, my legs...

I fell out with Pavelka again.

You mustn't do that, father. Don't make me hide everything from you.

Here chicky chick chick!

Here chicky chick chick!

Chick-chick-chick!

Whoa! Where are you going, Jan? This isn't our field any more.

It wasn't me.

Uncle Michal!

Whistle!

Whistle, Uncle! Whistle!

Once more! Whistle once more!

Once more! Once more!

Michal!

I was afraid you wouldn't come.

Me?

The rye has ripened nicely this year.

Pliers. And a fourteen.

- Not this one, a monkey wrench. - Here. - The bigger one.

- Here you are. - Damn!

- Damn? - Never mind. It's no use. Damn it!

Is this all you've cut since morning?

- I could have cut as much with a scythe. - Sure, I know.

But only nettles for your geese.

And you'd only cut yourself with a razor!

- You bet! - When we need advice

we'll come to you and that black beauty of yours.

Be careful or black beauty might kick you!

After you, old woman, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt a bit,

because it's no horse, but a cat!

He's as much a cat as you are farmers.

- Gee, Blackie! Hail work! - May the Lord permit!

Forever, amen.

That's how I like it!

Anděla...

Let's start bundling.

Gee, Blackie! Gee! Give me the whip.

Let's wait. He's worked hard all day.

News from the Local National Council.

Our cooperative is the first in the district

to fulfil its state quotas,

delivering 100% according to plan.

- When will you start threshing? - Tomorrow.

What will you do after harvest? Will you go back home?

- Stay here, Michal. - What would I do here?

Don't act like a fool. The whole village knows.

- You ought to marry her! - It's easy for you to say.

- What? - It's easy for you to say.

Easy or not, if you don't know how to handle a woman,

you can't call yourself a man. If I were in your shoes...

Anděla's worth it.

It's going well, father.

It's what's inside that counts.

Pouring rye, eh?

- What do you want? - To have a look.

- I thought you came to give a hand. - I'm busy.

- Why don't you load some bags? - We had none to load.

- We started late. - I see.

You came to see how much rye I had, didn't you? - I did not!

Yes you did! You always come sniffing

- when you set my quotas! - Don't talk nonsense!

Nonsense? It seems I can't say anything without being insulted!

You will deliver the prescribed amount! I won't let you disrupt our village!

- What am I disrupting? - You know very well!

You'd better watch out or I'll teach you a lesson!

You won't teach me anything! You won't threaten me!

For heaven's sake why? I should've thrown him out

when he begged my father to let him paint our house.

Get out of my yard! It's still mine!

- You'll regret this, Anděla! - I'm not afraid of you! Get out!

- Don't be foolish, Anděla. - Did you hear what that brat said?

I'm disruptive?! Tell me who I'm disrupting?

- I mind my own business! - Enough talk!

Get up there, we have to finish it today.

- Let it be, Pavelka. - She's an old hag.

- She's really getting on my nerves. - It's all your fault.

- How so? - I've told you many times,

but you don't seem to understand.

You ought to look at it from her point of view.

- Is that you, Michal? - Yes.

Come on in.

I've run out of matches.

We're lucky we threshed all the rye.

Wait.

It's too much for you, Anděla.

You have nothing but worries, and I've had enough of wandering.

But never mind, I just wanted to tell you...

As I did years ago...

That if you want...

You're a kind man, Michal.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

But my answer is the same as back then.

Turn off the light when you leave.

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb...

It gave me a hard time.

Anděla...

What are you doing, Michal.

Mother!

Anděla...

Anděla!

Anděla!

Michal!

Michal!

Michal!

My legs, my damned legs.

Damned legs.

Teacher, teacher! Anděla is sick.

Don't worry, Anděla, I'll stay till you return.

I'll look after everything.

You're a good man, Michal.

Anděla is coming home soon.

I want to put it all in order before I leave.

- Good day. - Good afternoon.

Halt!

Stop!

Will you finish the field today?

- Go to Anděla's field after. - What? To Anděla's?

- Don't joke! - Stop fooling around and get going!

All right. But if she starts chasing me with a whip,

- I'll send her to you. - You can do that.

Don't talk to her, just plough her field. And not a word about me!

How many times did you stay with us and then went away again,

to return in the summer?

They're already gathering.

Gee-up!

What will you give me for ploughing your field?

Stop making a fool of an old woman and get out of here!

Don't you feel sorry for that poor horse?

A bottle of rye brandy and I'll plough your field!

- I don't need your help! - You don't believe me, do you?

Look, I'll do it in no time.

Get out of the way or I'll run you over!

- I'm not moving an inch! - Go away!

Get out of the way, I'll plough it for you!

MOTHER

You've been barking all day, Rek.

You need some friends, don't you?

Just you wait, you rascal.

- Good day, Mrs Hynková. - Anything for me?

Nothing. They haven't come yet?

- I'm still waiting. - Goodbye.

Come, Rek.

- Good day. - Good day.

- Are you a good boy at home, Jan? - Yes, ma'am.

My father shot a huge muskrat yesterday.

And it had a big tail. This big.

That's nothing. I can catch a muskrat that big on my own.

And what about you, Liduška, has your father come back?

No, mummy said he won't come back.

Go, children. Go ahead.

Are you waiting for me, Liduška? Come, dear.

- Good day, Mrs Hynková. - Good day.

- How are you? - Good day.

I feel my last hill to climb is not so far away...

Oh no. You still look more than well.

If only we didn't have to climb so many hills...

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Good day.

- Welcome home. - Good day, Mrs Bravená.

It used to be so nice here.

- You know how things are. - Your mother takes it hard.

It's too much for her, and you're away all the time.

I know.

Rek! Rek!

Come here, you old rascal. Where's your mother, eh?

Where's mother? Let's go to the school together, eh?

Come, boy! Goodbye, Mrs Bravená.

What are you doing here, Rek? Shame on you! Get out!

- Mother! - My dear boy!

I'm here and I'm staying for a whole week.

Only a week? Such a short time!

You know how it is, Mother.

- Why didn't Janička come? - She couldn't.

Rek, stop it, you mongrel!

- Mr Hynek. - Yes?

Mrs Hynková didn't feel well today at school.

- Where is she now? - She's on her way home.

- How are you, Václav? - Are you feeling better, mum?

I see that someone has been telling on me.

It's just my heart.

What a beautiful day!

I always imagined I would live with you like father.

- In the house... - You'll get used to it.

Besides, look around.

- Everything is falling apart. - Why don't you move in with us?

No, dear. It's not so easy to replant an old tree.

You're young and I would get in the way.

Why don't you come over for a visit to rest for a while.

- And what about the school? - At least come for Christmas.

What would your brother say? He's at the lab all the time.

He doesn't get a decent meal all year.

You're married. You don't know what it's like.

You'll come here for Christmas.

We can't come. Janička's pregnant.

I thought so!

You...

I didn't do everything that ought to be done. Typical, eh?

I can do some things myself at my own pace.

And the rest can wait.

We're like migrating birds, aren't we?

- We keep returning. - As long as we have a place to return to.

Look after yourself, mother.

Of course I will. I'll be seventy in the spring.

Don't you worry. I still have something to look forward to, don't I?

I will read you a poem, children.

'Acacias'.

Pay attention.

Acacias still green are soon covered with snow.

Pursued by falling snow, I walk by down a dark street

Shadows are marching after me.

Will one of them notice the leaves so green?

No, not a single soul sees the green leaves through the snow.

Only two pay you heed, my loves:

Myself, and the little flame that flickers at the street corner.

Did you understand the poem, children?

Nature is asleep beneath a blanket of snow.

And only those who truly love, notice and never forget.

Be good, children.

I have to leave.

What brings you here, Janička?

We're Mrs Hynková's sons.

And there is nothing that can done?

Can we see our mother?

Of course.

Mother...

Mother.

My dear boys, you've come after all.

I couldn't wait to see you.

Janička sends her regards.

She'll be very happy to see you when you come to us.

- Rek. - He won't eat anything.

And when I let him go, he just keeps looking for her.

Quiet, children!

- Whose dog is it? - It's our teacher's, Rek.

Our father wanted us to become beekeepers.

The willows are still here.

Do you remember when we were small how we wished

mum and dad would stay the same and never grow old?

Have you seen Mr Hynká?

Have you seen Mr Hynká?

You've had a baby!

You've had a baby!

- You've had a baby! - A boy or a girl?

Heavens, I forgot to ask, and they didn't tell me.

It doesn't matter! I wanted a girl anyway!

But what if it's a boy?

THE END