Original subtitles

ON THE BANKS OF THE NIEMEN

Based on the novel by Eliza Orzeszkowa

Screenplay

Starring

Music

Production Manager

Director of Photography

Directed by

You're still weak after that illness, uncle.

You should have stayed home and kept recovering.

If God commands it, even a fly will become a soldier.

And we have to go to the grave-mound.

And then to Jan and Cecilia?

Too late...

Today, we'll only make it as far as the grave-mound.

Merciful Lord, let them rest in peace, forever.

I had an idea while I was ill, Jan.

Let's build a fence here to guard the grave-mound...

when you and I have passed away.

After we're gone, no one will take care of this grave.

Already today, some want to forget it...

and others don't even know about it.

Maybe no one's told them about it, uncle.

Do you really need to tell others...

what your native land cries for?

How could I not remember that January night?

Everybody went to fight in the Uprising...

both the Korczynskis and the Bohaterowiczes.

The former had hunting rifles, and the latter had scythes.

They forged them in that smithy over there.

I remember that January night as if it were today...

even though it was twenty years ago.

Oh, it's all so stupid.

Why should one remember what is gone, never to return?

One should take care of the present.

Do you hear that?

The church bell for the noon mass.

Come, Justine.

Emily is probably complaining that we're not back, yet.

She's likely to have a migraine or choking fit if we don't go.

Martha and Justine! Pray for us, Holy ladies!

I did pray! I prayed for God to give you back some reason!

God! I hoped he would not come around here, today.

I wish Mr. Rozyc would invite him to dinner.

Are you worried about your father?

I've understood our position for a long time.

But I can't get used to it, nor come to terms with it.

Oh, you're being melancholic, and proud like a princess!

Maybe Zygmunt Korczynski is still on your mind?

Tell me, do you still think of that dawdler?

It still hurts?

No.

You'll climb a mountain.

I'll cross a valley.

You'll bloom like a rose. You'll bloom like a rose.

I'll bloom like a lily.

Good morning ladies.

Good morning.

How come you have so many girls?

I picked them up on my way, like berries.

Thank you, miss.

You'll go by highway. You'll go by highway.

I'll go across wickers.

You'll wash in water. You'll wash in water.

I'll do so in my tears.

You'll wash in water. You'll wash in water.

I'll do so in my tears.

A beautiful voice. Who is he, auntie?

Jan Bohaterowicz.

Do you know how that song ends?

Of course, you don't.

They're the last ones who sing it.

Whoever comes by...

will read and say:

A couple embraced...

lies in this grave.

That's how it ends!

Mr. Rozyc can confirm it.

Indeed. I noticed Miss Justine's gorgeous hair.

Justine Orzelska, Mr. Benedict's niece.

Does she live here?

Yes. Her father went bankrupt.

His wife died, and they've been with us ever since.

Justine is a good girl, though a bit unconventional.

Her behavior is quite distinctive.

I'm really at a loss about it.

Emily, don't get upset, you'll get a fit.

I feel it coming, my dear. Pass me my drops, please.

What about some air? Shall I open the window?

Oh no, no. I'm afraid of drafts.

I see.

Drink slowly, Emily.

I can rub some vinegar on your temples.

Please do, my dear.

Then check if Martha has returned from church.

I'm anxious about dinner.

I'm only going to have some chicken soup, today.

But I'm not sure she remembered to cook some for me.

Besides, we have such nice visitors, today.

Miss Teresa, why the hurry?

Is the house on fire?

Emily is having a choking fit.

And we're having guests at dinner, today.

Mr. Kirlo and Mr. Rozyc have arrived.

Oh, what a scourge!

My respects, gentlemen.

Emily, the children aren't back yet?

They should have been here an hour ago.

I'm anxious, too.

And I feel a migraine coming on.

You know, gentlemen, our children, Witold and Leonia...

are coming back from school for the holidays by train.

My husband, unfortunately, did not find time...

to pick them up at the station. He only sent a horse cab.

This good man is busy running the farm even on Sunday.

Why yes, kind sir, there is no holiday for me.

On the contrary, when the farmers are off-duty

I have to watch that they don't starve the cattle

or set the manor on fire.

Work isn't a misfortune, it's a matter of effects.

If you repeatedly run into the wall and believe...

that all your work is done in vain, well then...

The prospects for the crops are good this year?

Oh yes. Quite good.

If the harvesting and transport go well...

there will be thousands to gain

from this fine Korczyn estate. Thousands!

Do you know how much they paid for one pound of grain last year?

My wife gives me no say in the farm business.

What about you, sir?

Do you think that last year's prices will go up?

Who can tell?

Besides, I don't know the local market.

I'm a new arrival, here.

What about where you come from?

Can the average owner of two hectares, like me...

make a profit if he does not squander money?

My good sir, I come from Paris...

and in Paris, you know...

I know... in Paris...

I know.

Young lady, we might accidentally run over a rock.

Then drive around them!

- I want to see the Niemen. - Let young master Witold hold you.

If all people ate dinner at home,

we'd be spared setting tables, cooking, and dish washing.

Tell Emily she will have her pigeon soup.

You've set the table for ten?

Are there more people coming today?

Do you know who?

Two of your suitors.

You're always expecting them, so they're coming at last.

There'll be three of them, including Mr. Rozyc.

What? Mr. Rozyc? A man of such property.

Though he eyed me sort of strangely today.

All those men!

Tell me, Martha dear, who else is coming?

The children are coming.

They should have been here an hour ago...

but I won't serve dinner until they are here.

What are you up to?

I wanted to make sure if it's time to change for dinner, yet.

And smell what you'll be eating!

Delicious dishes!

Go and change.

I have to kidnap you, Maestro.

Madame Emily is having a choking fit.

Play a sonata for her. Come on. Come on.

Leave me alone, sir, leave me alone!

I'm in my robe!

Robe or no robe...

Ladies and Gentlemen, and particularly our new neighbor...

please meet the most famous musician in the neighborhood.

Excuse me... in Europe!

Please disregard his attire. Artists always look like this.

He likes to play.

He's already played away all his property...

but also risen to mastery in return...

and now, he will demonstrate it for you.

This is Mars.

He's a perfect watch dog, retriever, and show jumper.

I've brought him so that you can have even more fun!

Let's go, father.

She's superb. Like Antigone.

The children are coming!

My dear ones!

Wipe the rest.

All right.

The children are coming! The children!

My little dears!

Formidable!

If I only had Zygmunt's talents...

This is a painting waiting to happen.

It would impress even those in Paris.

Paris. A great city, great...

Even in a desert you may find a woman who eclipses everything.

Oh, I see somebody has caught your attention.

Shall I guess who?

You don't have to perform for me.

Your jokes at dinner were enough.

Madame Emily needs entertainment.

And over dinner, I wasn't only entertaining the ladies.

I was also looking around.

Miss Justine noticed your glances.

Precisely why I was glancing at her.

Tell me, what's she like?

I'm glad, very glad that you've paid us a visit, brother-in-law.

Welcome. Welcome.

The doctor said you must undergo treatment.

Don't talk to me about doctors.

What do they know?

- We'll call the doctor. - He'll examine you.

No! I don't need any examination.

You see?

His lordship, Sir Darzecki, has arrived.

The master is asking about dinner.

Leave me alone. You're getting in my way.

I regret this very much, dear brother-in-law...

but I'm compelled to remind you of my wife's dowry...

your sister's. The one you've kept.

With your consent. And with interest.

Which you pay on a regular basis.

Yes, you are a man of honor.

I admit that with great pleasure.

So perhaps the arrangement could remain.

It cannot, Mr. Benedict, it cannot.

It would be honorable for me to let you use this sum...

but circumstances compel me to ask you to pay it back.

What circumstances, if I may ask?

Maybe annual installments could do?

Unfortunately not.

My oldest daughter is getting married.

Married?

Married into a very good family...

and her dowry has to be adequate.

Silverware, porcelain, cutlery.

These are the small things, of course.

She also needs furniture, a new carriage, a grand piano.

A grand piano? In these times...

Dear brother-in-law.

It is I who is giving my daughter away, not you.

I could raise a few thousand rubles somehow...

but I won't raise a dozen or so thousand at once.

So you'll have to sell something.

Sell the woods across the river and it should be enough.

Sell the woods? But the grave-mound is there!

What grave-mound?

You don't remember?

My brother, Andrzej, is buried there...

as well as those who were with him.

It will be hard.

The woods are like a chapel, a chapel in their name.

Sentimentality again.

It has done so much damage to us already.

Yes, brother-in-law, you're right in that.

As well as in other respects.

We should be aspiring for a higher civilization...

and not looking back.

In this respect, I admire your nephew.

You mean Zygmunt Korczynski?

Who else? He is a man of talent, an artist.

He has brought life into our company.

An artist.

It's a pity that he has no talent for running the farm.

And I hear he doesn't even paint.

And what should he paint here?

An artist needs new experiences...

beauty, deep feelings...

and freedom.

Freedom?

What more does he expect from life?

He has talent, property...

a young and pretty wife...

who doesn't see the world beyond him.

Between us, it seems that Zygmunt...

is already bored with her.

What do you expect?

An artist's nature is variable.

It grows weary fast.

And you also call this higher civilization?

We don't understand each other.

It's time for me to go.

I thought that you would stay for dinner.

Emily would be greatly pleased, and I, well...

we could arrange certain terms...

We have already arranged everything, Mr. Benedict.

I can postpone the deadline by one month.

Two months at the latest.

Come in!

I'm busy. What do you want?

Milord, the Bohaterowiczes have come to discuss...

the horse issue. They wish to see you, sir.

We wish to discuss retribution for the damage our horses

have reportedly done to your grain.

Give them back to us, because they have done no damage.

They trampled on my grain field.

They only rubbed their hooves on it.

No. They moved in deep and trampled down a lot of grain.

Plenty of damage has been done.

A few ears of corn at the most.

Please return the horses. They're needed at the field.

Pay the damages, first.

We won't pay!

Yes, you will!

You can file a complaint with the court.

We won't let you skin us without a legal verdict.

I will file it!

I won't let you rob me of my money!

We are no thieves, sir.

Nor have we ever been.

We shall sue you for derogating us!

Do it! File it with the devil himself! And get out!

Wait a second. How are you called?

I mean... what are your names?

Fabian.

And you?

Anzelm Bohaterowicz.

Anzelm Bohaterowicz?

You'll be brought to trial anyway!

Get out of here, now!

The late sir Andrzej would not treat us this way.

My late brother lived in a different time.

I'll sign off half the fine, but you have to pay the other half.

We will pay nothing! Sue us, as we will sue you...

for your derogative behavior!

If you want to have this out in court, you shall!

Now get out of here!

The horse has gotten lame. It's your fault.

- I'll knock it off your day's pay. - But milord...

You'll all bring me to ruin!

Emily, I'm so tired, I have to take a rest with you.

So am I. I'm tired of the heat wave.

To hell with the heat wave.

Anyone can withstand a physical discomfort.

All you need is peace.

And what's disturbed your peace?

You always ask me about it, and I answer you...

and then you ask me again.

Yes. I can't remember and understand all your troubles.

But these matters are easy to understand and remember.

I'm ill and left alone in this house like a hermit.

It's better to live alone in the wilderness...

than in the circumstances that I have to grapple with.

Man was not born to be a tyrant or cannibal.

What am I to do, when the peasants hack at my woods...

and graze their cattle on my grain?

You patch up one hole...

and another one appears elsewhere.

Sometimes, I would like to be more at ease, resting assured...

that you'll never be short of bread.

Bread, bread, bread!

You can do without your perfume and lingerie...

so why are you being so ironical about bread?

I do without many things which are for the soul...

as bread is for the body.

Why have you been so indifferent to me...

for some time now, Emily?

Do you have a grudge against me?

You've changed, Benedict.

You've gotten bogged down in material business alone...

while renouncing beauty and poetry.

Alright, we'll both get bogged down in poetry...

while the bank sells our estate.

And then, our family will have to go begging.

We don't understand each other, Benedict, and we never will.

We both live in different worlds.

You're right.

We'll probably never understand each other.

What can we do about it?

"Take this book in hand, and go to the summerhouse.

Read it and remember.

Maybe you'll miss reading these pages along with me.

Do you remember? Do you?

Who would think of celebrating a nameday in such heat?

My hands feel numb, and I still have so much work to do.

The dough hasn't grown well...

and I don't know how it will come out.

I'll be damned if it's slack-baked.

Mr. Andrzej's wife is a keen watcher.

Auntie, do you think she will come?

She will. She will. And she'll bring along her little Zygmunt.

He hasn't visited us since his return from abroad...

and he hasn't introduced his wife.

They say she's so young and in love with him.

You once said you no longer cared about that dawdler...

that you didn't feel the pain anymore.

- Were you lying? - Oh, no.

I don't want to think about him or see him.

That is why I would like to be excused...

from Emily's nameday party tomorrow.

You won't get off playing ill, because you're not sick.

So what am I supposed to do?

Laugh, talk, and don't pay any attention to him.

As if he weren't there at all.

My husband and I asked your wife, Mr. Boleslaw...

to visit us here at least once a year.

I haven't seen my wife recently, dear Madame...

but I assure you, she will come.

I'll be very glad to see my cousin.

Did you convey her my greetings?

Not yet, because I've been away from home for a week.

Zygmunt, my dear, if you disappeared even for a few hours...

I would be mad with fear.

Does Kirlo not love his wife?

He needs diversions.

But you will never change, will you?

You shall always love your Clothilde, won't you?

I will.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please follow me to the sitting room.

I was returning from Munich through Vienna.

I wanted to see the city and was not disappointed.

It's very beautiful.

You've spent quite a bit more time there, haven't you?

Yes. Vienna was where I felt most comfortable.

I favor that city above Rome, London, or even Paris.

I guess that Paris is vital for any artist.

If not for my mother, I would have settled there long ago.

You must admit that it is unpleasant to land...

in this barren wilderness after seeing all those magnificent cities.

Well, well. You're here only a few weeks, I've been here a few months.

And I can't figure out how to go on living among all these...

barns, cow-sheds, and so-called businesses.

At least you have your talents, paints...

and brushes to pass away the time.

By the way, what are you working on now?

Work? Here?

Where could I find inspiration here?

In a willow? A pear-tree? Or maybe a cabbage field?

Were you talking about vegetable crops?

I thought I heard the work 'cabbage'.

Indeed, Mr. Witold, we were talking about cabbage.

Vegetable crops are vital.

Are they?

Of course.

What reforms and new systems are you planning...

to introduce in your estate?

I heard it fell into neglect while you were away.

Reforms in my estate. I haven't thought about it, yet.

And you, Zygmunt?

Let's listen to the music now.

It's uncivil to talk at such a moment.

Good afternoon, everybody.

My wife, Mary.

Every hour is important before the harvest.

One must take care of everything.

Yes, yes.

Therefore, we are all the more grateful, madam.

It's good that you've ventured from home at least this time.

My Mary is such a home-bird, she can't be drawn away

from the children and the household.

I am very pleased, dear cousin, very pleased.

You promised to come and visit us at Olszynka...

and I've been waiting in vain.

Now I will come for sure.

Greetings.

Welcome. Welcome.

My dear cousin, do you know Miss Orzelska well?

I do. Why do you ask?

I like how she played very much.

Does she frequent your home?

I have no piano.

But she does pay you visits?

She does sometimes.

Good, very good.

I would like you to arrange for us to meet at your house...

as if by accident.

You see, I cannot visit here as frequently as I would like to.

Well, I never!

Mary dear...

What do you want?

I want to see that young lady.

Meet her in Vienna.

If you intend to flirt with that young girl...

you will not meet her at my home.

It's parochialism, cousin, parochialism.

Being ordinarily parochial would do you good.

Maybe, but the point in question is different.

How different?

You see, Miss Justine has enchanted me.

Will you invite her?

I can invite you, but alone.

Come whenever you wish.

Since everyone is thanking the violinist...

I wish to thank the pianist.

I sent you a book and letter. Did you read it?

I know these poems.

I meant the letter. Will there be an answer?

No.

I don't believe you. I'm expecting an answer.

What for?

To know whether you hold a grudge against me

and will continue to avoid me.

Are you not jealous?

About what? About whom?

So you don't know? She is your husband's first love.

And you know the saying:

On revient toujours...

à ses premiers amours.

I know very well about this 'first love'.

Everyone keeps telling me about it.

But you certainly know this Polish saying:

First cats...

go to the rats.

Tell me, Justine, will you always despise me?

No. No. It's different.

Can I have some hope then? Justine. Justine.

You cannot.

It's so beautiful outside...

it would be a sin to sit around here all day.

Justine.

Bring me my shawl and umbrella, dear.

You know how I shun the sunshine.

Let me help you.

Please.

I forgot my hat.

Justine, have you forgotten the past, our past?

Will you not be my friend... sister... again?

Go away! What do you expect me to do?

Am I to continue as your plaything?

Enough.

I won't go away.

I need your friendship, your heart, and your soul!

Soul! Do you think I am the same child...

who once believed your beautiful poetic words?

I'll say them again.

And you will lie again, because now you can only offer a lie.

No, the most faithful friendship!

No... No...

You know very well what name society gives all this.

And my soul shall never accept this.

My regards, young lady.

Have you lost your way?

Do you need help?

No, thank you. I'm taking a walk.

I don't know how I've walked so far.

You just followed the road. No problem.

I can show you a shortcut, over there.

I'll guide you, if you don't mind.

Are you Jan Bohaterowicz?

Sure. How do you know?

It's the second time that I've seen you around.

The first time was when...

my aunt and I were returning from church.

She told me about your father and your uncle.

Uncle Anzelm. He used to know madam Martha quite well...

because he was a frequent visitor at the manor.

My father took me to the Korczyn manor sometimes.

But I haven't been there since his death.

Over the clover?

Why not.

To prepare a wheat crop?

You seem to know farming, young lady.

A little. Sometimes I watch the ploughmen.

Field work is always so hard.

For me, ploughing one acre is a piece of cake.

You like to walk, don't you?

I heard there's a grand ball at the manor.

Aunt Emily's nameday.

I didn't enjoy it, so I came across the field.

I know you don't find the manor enjoyable all the time.

Sometimes it shows on your face.

On my face?

Yes. Sometimes I can see your face from afar.

Forgive my audacity.

Don't worry about it.

I watch you sometimes, but you don't realize it...

and I have different thoughts.

Don't worry.

There are good and bad people in the world.

The worst that a man can do is nothing...

but ponder over his woes.

True. But what if there's nothing to do?

That can't be!

Everyone has something in this life.

My father said that...

Do you remember him?

Sure. I was eight when he died.

I've never been closer to anybody.

Is your mother alive?

She is, thank God.

Truth be told, uncle Anzelm was...

both a father and a mother to me.

Now, things have changed for the better...

and my only concerns are my unfulfilled dreams.

What dreams?

I've several.

Including those that can never come true.

But let's not think of sad things on such a fine day.

I'll show you the road.

Have you finished your work for today?

I don't want to disturb you.

I'm done.

It seems you've plenty of time since you're moving so slowly.

What have you got there, Miss Jadwiga?

Forage for the cattle. Can't you see?

Maybe you're suffering from sunstroke.

You may be right, Miss, you may be right.

Anyway, I can't figure out why you never visit us.

We don't live in some remote back-water.

My granddad has been expecting you.

Who was that?

Miss Domuntowa. The wealthiest actress around.

Actress?

Oh, I see. You don't know our little sayings.

Around here, an actress is the same as a successor.

Miss Domuntowa's grandfather had a daughter...

whom he gave to Domunt as a wife.

The daughter and son-in-law died...

leaving him a granddaughter.

So she's going to inherit the family property.

That's some dowry.

And some beauty.

I wouldn't say so...

but she knows hard work...

and has the heart to nurse her grandfather.

Last year, she reaped and plowed all by herself.

So my uncle told me to help her...

out of respect for old man Jacob.

He also developed an idea that I would be her...

Well, this is the place.

Thank you very much.

I'll find my way from here. That way, right?

Yes. But maybe you'd like me to walk you back.

To protect you from some unforeseen critters.

I'll leave the horses at my house... not far from here.

All right.

It's beautiful here.

Beautiful farm house. Is it yours?

I share it with uncle Anzelm.

Come inside, if you don't mind.

Uncle will be more than pleased.

Uncle, this is Miss Justine from Korczyn.

Come greet her, uncle.

From Korczyn?

Why? What for? For what reason?

She needs a rest.

Attend to her yourself, if you've brought her here.

Why me?

I have to unhitch the horses, uncle. Please.

I am Anzelm Bohaterowicz.

Good afternoon.

I apologize for my hat, but I fear catching a cold.

I wanted to have a closer look at this place.

It really is beautiful.

Thank you.

And Mister Jan invited me to come.

Sit down, please.

Am I disturbing you?

I did not expect anybody from the Korczyn estate...

to do me honor and visit my impoverished home.

How is Martha doing?

She talks about you quite a bit.

That cannot be. You are too kind.

It's been so many years.

I see her in the church from time to time.

She's changed.

She is working hard, helping uncle Benedict.

She was so fearful of hard work.

She could not help it, though.

The morning saw a rising star, the evening an aging sun.

You were ill?

Who told you that?

It couldn't have been Mr. Korczynski.

This is a fairly large house, and so is the orchard.

We owe it to our work.

All of these are transient things.

I've seen plenty of jobs which have turned to nothing.

I've seen plenty of poisoned hopes.

Everything passes away like water, like a withering leaf.

Now, at my old age, I am almost reconciled...

with everything, and I enjoy such small things...

like that orchard. It's our nest.

That is why we cling to it.

Like Uncle Benedict with Korczyn. Like an eagle over his nest.

I know.

That's Antolka. Every house needs a woman's touch.

Good afternoon to you.

I've come to borrow some water.

And how will you take the water? In your hands?

Quite right, I won't.

I've just come to see the young lady from Korczyn.

This is Elizabeth Bohaterowicz...

the most frivolous young lady around.

Quite right. Surely you weren't sad yourself when you were young.

But an engaged lady should behave more seriously.

Betty, what are you doing here?

Don't you have some work to do?

I would also like to welcome uncle Anzelm's guest.

It's been a long time since Korczyn people...

last crossed our doorstep.

What would Mister Korczynski say if he knew...

his niece was visiting the homes of his biggest foes?

We are not anyone's enemies.

Can't you hold your tongue, Fabian?

Don't you have a grudge, Anzelm?

Don't you remember how he called us thieves?

What I remember against him, you and your sons...

would not be able to shoulder.

May Mister Korczynski be in good health...

for years to come.

I haven't cursed him, and I never will.

You always pretend as if you're pals with God, or something.

But Mister Korczynski's niece's presence won't prevent me from saying

that I pressed for a legal suit over the pasture. And I found the lawyer.

I'll never forgive this.

Quiet, Fabian!

Why? Can't I speak my mind?

Hold your tongue, Fabian...

there is a lady present.

What did I say that was wrong?

Stupid things. We'd better go.

If I said something wrong, I'm sorry. Goodbye.

Don't pay any attention to him.

The pasture has never been ours...

and is rightfully claimed by Mister Korczynski.

Fabian is a rash man.

Forgive him.

And forget what he said.

This is the road to Korczyn.

We have to finish the Cross, over there.

Have you ever been to the grave of Jan and Cecily?

No.

Of course.

Why should the lordship care?

Take me there with you.

Of course.

Uncle, tell her everything about Jan and Cecily, will you?

Time is short.

It won't be good if we fail to finish the Cross by fall.

We have to erect a new one...

because Jan and Cecily were our ancestors.

They built the windmills and the beehives...

stubbed the land and turned it into fertile soil...

adding to the prosperity of the homeland.

When King Sigismund Augustus, the last of the Jagiellonians...

came here hunting, he saw the prosperous settlement...

and knighted the offspring of Jan and Cecily...

and conferred on them the name Bohaterowicz...

because they had conquered the forest in a heroic manner...

That was the beginning of our clan.

And that is why we stick to this land...

even though the knighthood has been taken away from us.

But enough of that.

But we're all the same.

It doesn't matter whether you're a nobleman or a peasant.

To be human is what matters. That's all.

Thank you.

All right, all right.

And whoever comes here will know...

that a united couple lies in this grave.

Open up, auntie. Please, open up.

I'll embroider your slippers for you, just open up first.

What's going on here, Leonia?

Justine. Is the doctor gone, yet?

Yes, just a moment ago. What are you doing in there?

I had to lock myself in the pantry.

Auntie is scared of the doctor, that's why.

My little dear, don't talk to me of any doctor. Go now.

What about you? Where have you been?

Guess, auntie.

At the Bohaterowiczes?

Yes.

What for?

I just followed the track.

The track? Did you pick these flowers?

No. I got them from Jan Bohaterowicz.

They have a beautiful smell. I'll put them in water.

Justine?

What, auntie?

Why do you think, my dear, that God...

gives some people hearts, and others stones?

You have a heart, because you're a lady.

He has a stone, because he's a peasant?

Play with the stone a little...

out of boredom or melancholy.

Until some young lord turns up.

Why do you say such things?

What young lord am I waiting for?

What about that bland Rozyc?

I saw how he stared at you. I saw it well.

And you're not blind, either.

Auntie!

Good heavens! Teofil is coming!

Rose, take all this away. Quick!

Very well, madam.

Jesus Christ!

Take it out of sight! Quick!

Take it all!

Yes, madam!

Quick, quick!

My respects.

What a surprise!

Welcome, cousin.

I am very pleased.

At last, you will taste my preserves.

It's a big joy to see you at last, cousin.

I hope I am not disturbing you.

Not at all. Please, come inside.

I have to take care of everything, so it's a hard job.

I'm sorry about this mess.

Come to the porch. The air there is so fresh.

I'm not complaining.

Boleslaw simply has no knack for running a house...

so I have to handle it myself.

And doing very well at it.

But I would like to touch upon a different subject, cousin.

It's Miss Orzelska.

Is that girl so interesting to you?

Leave her in peace, Teofil.

She is pretty, but you must have seen thousands of prettier ones...

in London, Paris, and Vienna.

So what do you want? She's not a flirt.

That's just it!

She's turned very serious since your business affair...

with Zygmunt Korczynski.

She doesn't indulge in excesses...

Exactly!

You men-of-the-world are used to different women.

You're right, cousin, but you forget one thing.

What?

That such unblemished people as yourself...

have no grasp of these matters.

Only we good-for-nothing men know what we feel...

for that special woman.

We have instinct that tells us she is the only one for us...

and no other girl will do.

Do you understand?

Teofil!

I hope you won't blush.

In this strange land, you're all so...

- Old-fashioned. - Exactly! - Don't worry.

You can say anything to such an old-fashioned lady like me.

Which means?

What do you want from Justine?

You're right in saying that I've known prettier women...

but there is something special in Justine's eyes and movements.

You may not see it, but I assure you...

that Miss Orzelska has plenty of temperament.

Passons! What else?

Well, I'm fed up with chatterboxes, hysterical women...

as well as genuine and fake countesses.

Besides, 'toujours des perdrix'...

has never been my motto.

I've become captivated by the health of body and soul.

This is what Miss Orzelska has.

But one cannot hurry her.

I see. That's why you should listen to my advice.

If this depression of yours disappears...

while you're in Justine's presence, then marry her.

What? What did you say?

Marry Miss Orzelska.

An excellent idea, cousin. Perfect.

It proves your heart's goodness...

and your total ignorance of the world.

It's possible to love such amphibian ladies...

as Miss Orzelska, but never marry them.

Amphibian? You compare women to frogs?

Just think, Mary.

She was born well-off, and not very well-off.

She's educated, and not educated.

She's poor, and not poor.

One simply has no idea.

If I introduce her to my aunt, the duchess...

she would die of spasmic shock.

Besides, Miss Orzelska's French is...

entre nous, weak.

Marriage would be quite a surprise to the world.

No, it's inconceivable!

So why do you go to Korczyn?

Because I find this surprise emotion in me...

invigorating and exciting.

It appeared right when I began to doubt life's pleasures.

Where's the end of all this?

I'm not enough of a philosopher...

to contemplate the end.

Advienne ce qui pourra!

Each moment of pleasure is worth the stakes.

Nothing will come of this, Teofil.

Justine will not allow herself to be seduced.

Are you sure?

More than sure, I'll talk you into marrying her...

and I'll succeed. Ce que la femme veut, Dieu le veut.

I wanted to come earlier, but I was afraid.

People say that...

That I'm a strange recluse, don't they?

Yes.

I became sad at one point in my life, and I've stayed sad.

It's true.

- Raftsmen! - Raftsmen.

I haven't seen them for two years.

Is it hard at school?

No. But I'd like to finish it and finally get to work.

There's plenty to do around here.

The water supply, for example.

People say you've advised that some wells should be dug...

and a mill built to eliminate quern-stones.

I think this is good, but I wonder how such ideas...

could originate from the son of Korczynski...

who has always been so indifferent to us?

Don't say anything against my father in my presence!

My father is...

Forgive me, please.

But Mr. Korczynski was different at one time.

So was Andrzej, your uncle.

Nobody remembers him, even by a single word.

You didn't know Mr. Andrzej because you were born after he died.

Things were different, then.

People were like brothers. And now...

Now we live in grim confusion like scattered beans.

Each grain is separate and rots without yielding a crop.

Have you begun to doubt good, Mr. Anzelm?

Things go by like those raftsmen.

They wither away like leaves.

Yes, I have my doubts.

But when I see how my Jan grows...

- and how you, Witold, grow... - Yes?

I think that, just as young trees do good for a new forest...

you'll do good, too, when you take up...

the work which was interrupted.

We shall.

First, where the problems are biggest...

and the human wrongs most severe.

People live in humiliation and are denied what they earn.

But we shall change this, Mr. Anzelm.

We shall reunite with the peasant folk...

because only this can equip the nation for struggle.

I never expected to hear such words again.

You are like your uncle. Just like your uncle!

Do you know the other name for it?

Male stability.

Or female frailty.

Will you really go to the grave-mound tomorrow?

It's a shame you haven't been there, yet.

I will, if the weather's good.

It'll be good.

Rise early, when it's still cool.

Shall we meet by the river at nine?

It won't be so simple, but I'll try.

But the smile of King Sun told me that I would soon...

be the star in his court. I was swept by divine feelings.

I felt I was in a paradise of greatness, brilliance...

elegance, and pleasure.

To be a star of such magnitude at the court of such a King!

Oh, such a life... It's even hard to imagine.

To have fun, to shine!

To be loved!

Oh, yes! To be loved by Margrave de Crequy.

How they must have loved those exquisite...

refined, and poetic people.

I think I would feel all right in their company.

I could dance and enjoy life.

How unfair the division of happiness is among people.

Oh, it's you.

I wanted to say goodnight. I hope you'll sleep well.

Has Witold come to see you?

Not yet.

He disappears for the whole day without a word.

It's very improper.

Martha said he would go fishing, or to see Anzelm.

Fool.

Boating with fishermen on the river...

visiting peasants, and never here at home.

It used to be different once.

Maybe you've ceased understanding him, like me?

I've ceased understanding my own son?

Come on, Emily.

I'll go look in the stables. Good night.

Good night.

Justine also went to the Bohaterowiczes.

I don't know what for?

Would you really like to know?

Read on, Teresa.

They all had their eyes directed at me...

and I saw admiration in them.

What if the folks start gossiping about her?

Who? The countess?

No. Our Justine. That Mister Rozyc...

What about him?

Maybe he came to Korczyn just for her.

He always stares at her. Such a look...

What? Mr. Rozyc for Justine?

You're being ridiculous, Teresa.

Read on, please.

- Are you comfortable? - Just great.

It's beautiful here.

You've never been on the Niemen river?

No.

Inconceivable.

To live here and not know the river!

I agree. I'm all the more grateful to you.

You're grateful to me?

Yes.

I'm the one who's grateful, because I...

Look, there's the strip of sand beyond the trees.

From here, it's only two miles to the grave-mound.

This place is very important to me.

This is where I saw my father for the last time.

All of it is still in my mind, like it was yesterday.

It will be, forever.

People assembled along the banks of the river.

The cold was bitter.

Mother took me along. I was eight then.

I remember everything.

Mr. Andrzej Korczynski's wife stood by our side.

As if we were equal.

At that time, we were all equal.

It didn't matter, whether you were a peasant or a lord.

Everyone came across the river.

I also remember Miss Martha...

as she hung a gorget on Anzelm's neck.

They looked in each other's eyes for a long time.

And then uncle Anzelm and my father came to say goodbye.

Father embraced me so strongly that it hurt.

He kissed me a thousand times.

I felt like crying, but I didn't want him to see the tears.

Finally, the cavalry moved out...

and the scythe-wielding peasants followed.

That was it. In this forest.

Now they are buried here, in this grave-mound.

How many?

Forty.

Leaves are falling down.

What has grown freely on the grave...

is now singing.

There was no good luck for you, Poland.

It was only your dream, and your children...

are lying in graves.

And your children are lying in graves.

Please accept my genuine respects and friendship.

Thank you, but I don't understand.

Perhaps soon, I will tell you more.

If you're just playing games with me...

I have never been more serious.

Forgive me. Auntie is in the boudoir.

It's hard to believe.

The owner of such a fortune, Mr. Rozyc?

He is quite desperate and lamenting...

over the ruin of his health and the waste of his life.

My wife told him:

"If Justine relieves you of your depression, marry her."

You know how straightforward Mary can be.

And very bold.

Yesterday, she arrived at the Wolowszczyzna estate...

What kind of mood did she come back in?

In a joyous mood.

She expects you to keep it a secret.

Of course. A disappointment could be all too painful.

I still suspect that he will not propose to her.

Teofil Rozyc and Justine Orzelska.

I wish Justine all the best luck...

but things like this do not happen.

Hold it.

Who's field is that, Joseph?

Mr. Korczynski's?

He can afford a harvesting machine that can do the job of ten men.

Women follow in its wake and pick the crops.

So whose is it?

It belongs to the Bohaterowiczes.

Turn back.

Aren't we going to Korczyn?

Turn back!

They jeer that I have a third husband.

But am I to blame for God's decrees?

When Jan's father, Jerzy, died in battle, I married Jasmont.

For the dead would not like to see the living

pass their lives in sorrow.

One life rises, another sets down.

Sorrow bears no fruit.

With Jasmont, I gave birth to Antolka.

And after Jasmont died, I married Starzynski.

But he already had seven children.

There was not enough room so I entrusted Antolka and Anzelm to Jan.

Jan was a good brother to her...

carried her in his arms, didn't he, Antolka?

He did, Mother. There are no other brothers like him.

You see?

Mrs. Starzynska is like a cuckoo.

She has two children, Jan and Antolka

but she hasn't raised either.

That's none of your business.

Better make sure your Betty finds a husband...

or my Antolka will beat her to it.

Quite right. But she won't manage,

because my wedding has already been set.

It's after the harvest. I'll send you an invitation.

Me?

Did you hear? Betty's wedding is after the harvest.

What about your Jan?

Do you want him to remain single until old age?

Or maybe he has no skill with women?

My Jan? Just take a good look around.

Can't you see how Miss Domuntowa chases after him?

You can be caught up with only on horseback.

But you've managed.

We'll see how the loaded carts go.

Yes, we will.

It's a great joy for me to see you here.

Is it all right?

Sure. He will work faster.

I saw him smile at your sight, while he's been sad all day.

I even know why. He is almost thirty and still without love.

It's time he got married.

He and Jadwiga Domuntowa

have been close since childhood, and any day now

Anzelm will give them his blessing.

The girl is fit for him, beautiful, honest, and hard-working.

She will inherit the entire estate from her grandfather.

They say it is worth five thousand rubles.

Mother!

It is true!

Her grandfather will also bless them.

And I will, too.

Stop it, Mother!

Look how shy he has become.

He won't even let me mention the marriage.

Anyway, his time must come.

And what if it doesn't?

Nobody's ever forced me to do anything.

Life will force you, son. Life will.

Come on, get working.

Forgive my mother, Miss. She seldom sees me

so she can't know everything about me.

But she wants you to be happy.

True, Miss. But he doesn't understand this.

What I understand, Mother, I cannot tell you, yet.

It's Jadwiga singing for my Jan. Now he should respond.

You said we would see who's better.

Show me if you can ride as well as you sing.

Why are you so sad now? What's the matter?

Actually, I don't know why I've come here,

what I'm doing here among you.

I just stand and watch people work.

I'd go back home, but there's nothing to do there, either.

If that's the problem, join us and try this, dear.

Antolka, come here and show the lady how to do this.

Here, little dear.

Not like that, Miss, let me show you.

Try it like that.

That's better.

Mr. Rozyc would like to say goodbye.

Already? I was hoping you would stay for some tea.

I would be honored if we could postpone it until my next visit.

Teofil is in a hurry, because the land steward's waiting for him.

Are you planning to put your whole estate in order?

That's good, it means you're staying in the country.

Yes, that is, if everything turns out.

I'll be able to stay in Osowce more frequently.

Goodbye.

- It's been a pleasure. - The pleasure is mine.

Goodbye.

Mr. Rozyc is becoming boring. He first toyed with the dancers...

Zygmunt!

He did. He wasted over half a million rubles

but now he's straightening his act.

'Mr. Zygmunt, this is our place, ' he says.

Isn't it?

Mother... Not you...

Don't start... right?

If Mr. Rozyc can understand it

maybe you will too, someday.

Something has changed Teofil

or maybe someone

but he'll get over it, soon enough.

For sure!

He calls his room a "cell".

He's opened his window, and eaten some bread

so he'll get better soon.

He wouldn't react if you shot a rifle above his head.

Shouting at him doesn't help.

He's got some type of... spiritual illness.

He just needs some time to himself.

Let's go.

How are you, Miss?

You've got to turn this round and round.

Give it a try.

Don't be shy.

It's hard.

Your hands aren't used to it.

Show her around.

Very nice place. I love bright rooms.

Have a seat.

Fabianowa would like to invite you to be the bride's maid at the wedding.

And who will be the best man?

Kazimierz Jasmond.

Will you agree?

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure.

A bride's maid such as yourself

would liven up the whole wedding.

You came all the way from the Korczyn manor, didn't you, Miss?

They're going to ask Mr. Witold, too.

Fresh and sweet. Jan got it yesterday.

I got stung by a bee.

Is it just my imagination?

Or did I really hear Miss Justine's voice?

It's bad luck to greet each other through the door.

Something bad could happen between us.

And I don't wish to be on your bad side, Miss.

Hello.

She was at the field...

She went to the grave-mound with Jan...

That's great news.

Witold... Oh, it's you.

Have you seen Witold?

Yes, uncle... He's fishing with the fishermen.

Fishing with the fishermen, and never home.

Good night, uncle.

Good night.

You're finally here. Coming back from a midnight walk?

Congratulations... although I can't say I'm jealous.

I thought you were sleeping.

That's why you snuck in so quietly.

I like being in bed because I'm old...

and you like walking because you're young.

You didn't bring a broom with you?

Nothing's changed. What were you doing?

I saw how you were getting ready.

I was sure you were expecting a visit from an eligible bachelor...

and then you disappeared for the whole evening.

Where were you? Did you go there again?

You can't have it both ways.

By hanging around peasants, you can lose your prince.

Why do you say these things to me, Auntie?

Kirlowa stopped by for two hours.

She asked where you were, if you were happier...

She talked about Zygmunt Korczynski.

Zygmunt?

Yes.

She's playing matchmaker. She wants to know if you're still interested.

Auntie...

Don't interrupt!

I told her you had gotten over him long ago.

And then she started to talk about her cousin, Rozyc.

She kept asking where you were.

You could have told her.

Why?

Kirlowa wanted to save him from prostitutes and bankruptcy...

and to have you settle at Woloszczyzna.

So let her do what she wants.

Who, me?

You know the answer.

Well, now you can go to sleep...

and dream of reigning in a palace.

Aren't you happy?

Aren't you?

You're thinking about it, aren't you?

What about you?

Why didn't you marry him?

Me? Marry whom?

Anzelm Bohaterowicz.

Me... his wife... he told you about us?

- He remembers me? - Yes, he does.

What did he tell you?

About your youth.

Why didn't you, Auntie?

You want to know why I refused to marry him?

You probably think this is some really interesting story...

filled with tragedies.

Mr. Anzelm said you were afraid of work.

It's good he doesn't know the whole truth.

I was...

more afraid of human laughter than of field work.

Human laughter?

Sure. Everyone back then was running around...

talking of equality, hugging each other.

The lords drove peasants around and said:

'Love me, if only a little...

and call me by my first name.'

But when the fire died down after all the blood was shed...

the lords were once again separate from the peasants.

Everyone who looked at me said:

"Martha's found herself a nice bachelor."

"He drives cow shit out of the fields...

and probably really stinks because of it.'

'Does Miss Martha like that smell?'

I was so embarrassed.

At night, I cried and thought about him.

During the day, I mocked him in the company of others.

Benedict was the only one who didn't mock Anzelm...

because he wouldn't forget so quickly...

that his brother Andrzej was lying in the grave-mound...

beside Anzelm's brother.

I saw the grave-mound, Auntie.

With him? With Anzelm?

No, with Jan. Anzelm wasn't feeling well.

That poor man...

Maybe you're in a worst situation?

Me? No.

I'm happy.

I deserve some honor for not working with cow shit...

for not living my life, and for saving myself from mockery.

Some honor...

You're really sick, Auntie.

Why don't you let the doctor examine you?

Stop it with those doctors! Go to sleep! Good night!

Good morning, Miss.

Why are you so sad today?

Just because someone doesn't paint you anymore...

does that mean they're bad?

He knows that you love him...

you just don't know whether you're loved.

Someone is being a bit capricious and bored...

and as far as feelings are concerned...

mine are much stronger and heart-felt.

You're bothering me, Clothilde.

So now you're talking?

You know that I love it when you're close to me.

What are you reading?

Leopard's poems, and what did you bring?

Alfred Mise.

From your library. It just came from Korczyn.

How did it get there?

I lent it to aunt Emily, or maybe Teresa.

Or maybe someone else?

Yes, Miss Martha. Give it back.

If you want to read, pick something for yourself.

Did you hear someone is very interested in Miss Orzelska?

I heard he's going to propose soon.

Who?

Mister Rozyc.

Rozyc? He won't marry, and never with Justine.

Of course. Mister Kirlo said that his wife...

is trying to arrange such a marriage...

and that it's only a matter of time...

before Mister Rozyc agrees to it.

Impossible!

He was here an hour ago, he didn't say anything.

Was he supposed to tell you? Was he?

Yes?

Get the horses ready!

Yes sir.

Are you leaving?

I have to.

- Where to? - To Korczyn.

- Zygmunt? - Que veux-tu, cher enfant?

Don't go, please.

Why? I have to talk to uncle Benedict.

Take me with you.

Why?

We're going to talk business. It'll be boring.

You? About business?

Please stay!

Don't worry. I'll be back.

He left to see her!

Where did Mister Zygmunt go?

To Korczyn, dear lady.

When he comes back...

tell him to come see me right away.

Of course.

Good day to you.

- Is something wrong? - Not at all.

I was in the neighborhood.

That's great. I've been having a good day.

I just received a letter from my lawyer...

concerning the suit with the Bohaterowiczes.

What's the suit about?

Don't you know? Their horses trampled my grain.

The ruling in in my favor, they'll have to pay me 1000 rubles.

That's a lot of money for them, isn't it?

And not for me?

If they don't have the money, there'll be an auction.

They have cows, horses.

That will teach them a lesson about honesty.

I'm writing the court a letter about all this.

So I'm disturbing you, aren't I?

The mail leaves town in the evening,

so I'll send a messenger.

Go see the women. When I finish writing the letter, we can talk.

What brings you here?

Inhospitality.

You're not going to ask me to sit down?

Have a seat, please.

Pretty neat little painting.

You came all the way from Osowiec to tell me this?

You know why I came.

You sent me back the book with no answer.

So what? Were you really expecting one?

Yes. I also wanted to ask you another question.

Yes?

I heard that Teofil Rozyc wants to marry you?

If he proposes, will you accept?

What right do you have, cousin...

to ask me such questions?

Don't you understand? Or are you just pretending?

By the right of love.

Have you already forgotten?

Leave.

Please, I'm asking you to leave.

You're asking me to leave because you're afraid...

afraid of yourself, because you have nothing...

to fear from me.

I wish you would be my friend once again...

and trust me.

That's all I want from you.

You're very generous, cousin...

but I'm not afraid of you or myself.

Everything we had is gone.

I don't believe that! You loved me!

I did.

I still loved you when you came back married.

And I ran away when you came, because I knew the feeling would return.

- Justine... - And then,

at Emily's nameday...

you came over to me...

and I saw the tears in your wife's eyes.

She hasn't done anything to me...

and I saw her crying because of me.

I don't want anyone to cry because of me.

You can make Clothilde happy with just one nice gesture.

With only a word. Leave that to me.

I don't understand.

Are you offering me a place in this love triangle?

Don't call it that.

I think everything inside me has died out.

I have no motivation towards life anymore.

I can't create anymore.

Come live with me in Osowiec, and cure my loneliness.

We will be inseparable...

and nothing in this wretched world will matter.

At Osowiec?

What are you proposing? By what right?

By the right of love. It allows me to.

Don't call it that.

And let's end this conversation.

If I still loved you, I would have stopped loving you...

after this... after your proposition.

So you'd rather have the Woloszczyzna estate?

You'd rather have Rozyc and his millions?

Maybe!

Leave now, will you?

Leave!

You wanted to see me, Mother?

Is something wrong?

Clothilde came to see me.

You made her very sad by going to Korczyn.

I had to talk with uncle Benedict...

and on my way back I came to a conclusion.

A very important conclusion.

I'm wasting away here.

Because of you.

Because of me?

Yes.

You raised me among beautiful and noble things.

You destined me for very unusual tasks.

You sent me out into the world, and now...

What now?

As I've said before, I'm wasting away.

It's impossible for me to stay on this one patch of land...

after all the different trips I've been on.

I can't be among these stables, these cattle...

and that awful land steward who keeps rambling...

about the property.

I can't be among these ordinary neighbors.

Everyone here is whining about something or someone...

remembering something. Everyone here has problems.

They're afraid, whence all this grimness and depression.

Qui me monte à la gorge!

And it's choking me like aunt Emily's sickness chokes her.

And over there...

Over there, even the sky is different.

People are calm, happy.

Where is 'over there'?

Outside this country, in Europe.

Let's leave here, Mother.

Let's sell the estate and just leave.

I'll never do that.

Why, Mother? Why?

Exactly because of what you said.

Everyone here remembers something or someone.

And I do, too.

That's just excessive idealism.

You drown in perpetual sadness and drag others with you.

You're also an idealist!

Of course.

But my idealism is my belief, yours is in the past.

I can't forget about it.

Don't forget. But let's leave this place.

Because all idealism here eventually turns to bitterness.

I'm going to die in this dreary country, Mother. Let's leave.

No. This is our country. This is your home.

You brought your wife here. Your children should be born here.

God... My wife, my children.

I don't understand you, Zygmunt.

Don't you love, Clothilde?

Of course, I'm very attached to her,

But... she's not enough...

she hasn't met my vital needs, and that sensitivity of hers!

Her constant yapping!

Come here, son.

And sit down.

You can tell me anything, son, so tell me the truth.

Do you love someone else?

Don't try to deny it, because there's a great possibility...

that we've both committed grave mistakes.

I, by fighting your youthful emotions...

and you, by succumbing to them much too quickly.

Tell me, then...

because I feel a great weight on my conscience.

Would you be happy if you married Justine?

Justine?

You were at Korczyn to see her. Tell me. Would you be happy?

I doubt it very much.

I'm very disappointed with Justine.

She's cold and pretends to be some sort of philosopher...

but all in all, she's just a simpleton.

She's not suitable for our company...

I don't know what Rozyc is thinking.

So you're just mad that she rejected you...

and that's why you want to leave.

That means you never loved Justine or Clothilde...

and that you only love yourself.

I once hoped that here, among your family...

and in your homeland...

Let's stop arguing, Mother!

If you refuse to sell the Osowiec estate and leave...

then let's end this conversation now...

because it's painful for both of us.

I haven't had a painful moment since your father's death.

I've just realized who you truly are right now.

And I fear that after my death, you'll be a traitor.

What do you mean?

Whoever leaves and renounces their own country is a traitor.

He doesn't want anything to do with our problems.

A traitor will desert his country to lead a comfortable life abroad.

- I'm an artist. I want to paint! - You should do it here.

This country needs artists.

It needs all the talents that can bring it out of this depression it's in.

Remember your father and try to gather some strength...

and morality from those memories.

My father was crazy.

- Zygmunt! - It's true.

A madman, and harmful, too.

Please forgive me. I have the right to speak this way,

because in those happy countries I felt branded...

with inferiority and disdain.

As if I were poorer than them. Because my father and others like him...

I'm sorry.

I can't talk to you about these things...

What kind of country is this?

What's happening here?

And why?

If I told anyone in Europe about any of this...

they wouldn't believe me, or understand.

Good night, mom.

They're coming! Get ready Fabian, they're almost here.

This is it.

Thank you very much for the promotion.

Welcome.

We're a small farm, and not completely organized yet.

You're not used to this...

and I used to lead a better life in the past.

Enough of that nonsense.

It's now time to introduce our daughter's fiancée.

Over here.

Mister Starzynski from Starzyn.

He was Jan Bohaterowicz's mother's husband.

And this is Franciszek Jasmont.

Please.

Mister Franciszek, please bring a chair for Miss Justine.

And a porcelain bowl!

Bread... a holy thing.

Mr. Franciszek, Miss Justine won't use such a spoon to eat this honey.

Please bring another one.

Please, be my guest.

Your fiancée sure knows where things are.

I told him it was in the chest...

I wouldn't marry a dummy.

Your father knew, he had twice as many chickens...

and other things as well.

And I, a hard-working bee...

ended up in a poorer beehive.

Oh! You're such a whiner!

You're always complaining about everything.

I came from a good home...

but throughout my life...

I've been forced to work hard...

even when I wasn't used to that type of work.

Witold told me that he talked to you

about digging some wells.

He did. He has a good mind...

but we've got another problem now.

What problem?

We lost the suit.

We're going to have to pay 1000 rubles.

If Mr. Korczynski doesn't take pity on us, we'll lose everything.

Dad. Miss Justine doesn't want to hear about this.

Is it her fault?

It's the lawyer's fault. He missed the appeal deadline!

When I think of all the different countries...

that cocoa must travel through to reach our home...

it makes me want to go and visit them all.

Imagine breaking away, Teresa, from this monotony...

this ordinariness, this dullness.

Imagine meeting people with whom we could talk...

about poetry... about art...

- Can I come in, Mom? - Of course, Witold, come in.

I didn't sleep well at all, but I feel better now.

The cocoa helped.

Poor mom... you're always so sick.

Yes, I'm sick, Witold.

But I would feel much better if I could see you more often.

Your father keeps saying that you're never home.

Where do you go?

To see people.

They're always asking me about things.

Yesterday, they asked me a hundred questions

about agriculture. How to modernize their farms.

How to rotate crops properly...

Oh God! This is like listening to Benedict... 'Rotate crops."

But, Mom...

That's enough, Witold, enough.

Even Benedict would spare me that.

Could you please pour me a little more, Teresa?

It would be much better, Witold...

if you were to stop visiting those country folk...

and take better care of your spiritual growth and learning.

Teresa, please pass me that red book.

Have you read this, Witold?

Paulina Crawen...

She's a favorite of the French Aristocracy...

but I don't have time to read her.

Did you hear that, Teresa?

My son doesn't have time to read our Paulina.

Maybe men don't like her books.

- Do you want some other book? - No. I only stopped in for a while.

I would like to ask you a favor, mom...

Would you allow Justine, Leonia, and I

to go to a wedding?

What wedding? Haven't heard of it.

Where would that be?

Probably at the Bohaterowiczes...

Yes. Elzunia, Mr. Fabian's daughter, is getting married.

Who's that? don't know any 'Fabian'.

I don't even know what you're talking about.

I'm talking about our neighbor's wedding.

Our neighbors? Is that a joke?

Raising Leonia is my greatest responsibility, and while I'm alive...

I won't have her subjected to such undesirable company.

These people aren't as bad as you...

That's enough, Witold!

I don't agree with all this craziness.

Oh, I'm choking, Teresa, choking... my drops...

Mom...

That's some behavior!

- I'm sorry, I just wanted to... - You just wanted to...

Your mother was right!

You won't drag Leonia to any peasant wedding!

And why would you even bother your mother...

with these pastoral ideas of yours?

Well, don't you have anything to say?

You dare finally show yourself to me...

and then you just stare at me like an idiot?

I remember, father, that you yourself...

encouraged me to these things.

You're a boy. It would be stupid if I raised you like a girl.

Fine, go ahead. Get to know these peasants...

because you'll be arguing with them once you've inherited the estate...

but Leonia is a girl and she doesn't need to be with them.

But you probably don't agree with that, either?

What? I'm not good enough for you to talk to?

I hope you don't mind if I keep quiet.

At least you could tell me...

why you treated your uncle in such a bad way?

Uncle? What is this about?

Because I remember that you never spoke...

to your uncle Darzecki when he was here.

You didn't even say goodbye to him!

That's because I have no respect for Mr. Darzecki.

What's this?

It hurt me, father, when you became so 'small'...

in front of him, so meek. Why did you do that?

Because he demanded the money?

So you suddenly know all about life?

Even though I do act differently around him...

then I do around other people...

he does hold our fate in his hands.

And I really do respect him.

What for?

Because he is a good husband to my sister...

a good father to his kids, and a good businessman.

Are you sure that he's doing that well?

Traveling, greenhouses, French grand pianos...

and a dowry for his daughter?

You don't love or respect anybody.

You criticize everyone, even your own father.

Your own father who...

All right, then...

From now on, you can stop thinking of me as your father...

and just consider me an acquaintance...

from whom you'll inherit the estate...

And even this...

Even this...

Father...

Get away from me!

I've been recently having a certain thought, Mr. Boleslaw.

What kind of thought?

Quite nice. I'm going to stay here.

These people don't seem as grim as I previously thought.

When someone sings while working...

it means they don't find it so bad, doesn't it?

Those are the Bohaterowiczes, my dear Teofil...

from this vicinity, but I'm sure...

they're not the reason for your staying here permanently?

Should I let Miss Justine know that...

No, no. Let's leave that to your wife.

I think you should carefully evaluate the situation...

see what Miss Orzelska's reaction will be.

That's the most important thing right now.

So you don't want to go to Korczyn?

Not yet. Not now.

Mister Kirlo has arrived. He will join us for supper.

Doesn't that man have a home of his own?

If I was his wife, I would tie him to the leg of the table.

Always going to the neigbhors.

He comes to Korczyn more than any other place.

Maybe he will say something today.

I'm sure of it!

Well, what are you waiting for? Go there and listen.

Miss Emily is asking for some cherry vodka.

Maybe some champagne, too?

Here you go. The glasses are in the china cabinet.

Set the table yourself.

I assure you all, that if you were to cut his wrists...

he would bleed blue blood like... like the Niemen in spring.

Mr. Kirlo's comparisons are great...

because whether he has blue blood or not...

there's certainly quite a bit of water in there, too.

Teofil is so independent.

When his father died...

as inheritance, he got...

not much...

a tiny fortune...

Tiny!

Only something around, let's see...

One million rubles.

Jesus!

Yes, about a million rubles.

A pretty fortune!

Having only a tenth of that...

Of course, one hundred thousand...

Sir, you still haven't tried the omelet.

Oh, please.

Thank you.

Here you go.

His assets include ten granges.

Ten granges? Jesus!

Don't get too excited, Miss Teresa...

this estate has already been cropped enough.

But there's three hundred thousand left.

During the 10 years when he was out of the country...

he didn't spend more than seven hundred thousand.

He couldn't have lost more than that.

Well, he's a brave man.

Very brave. We need more people like him here. This country...

Benedict!

Mr. Rozyc will make some woman very happy someday.

What family lineage! Such assets!

Which will grow, good lady, when his intelligent...

and energetic wife convinces him to invest in farming.

With caresses, a lady bird keeps a bird by the nest.

I heard Mr. Rozyc is very intelligent...

but to lose such a fortune on cards is very shameful.

Like some wretched scoundrel.

Benedict!

I know what I'm talking about.

People who eat well in this world and don't work...

are nothing more than parasites...

whether they have red blood or not.

Benedict, please!

But I'm not talking about Rozyc.

I don't want to insult anybody.

Maybe he's a good man...

But to waste so much!

I just can't fathom it! Damn them all!

I can't listen to these awful comments about such a man!

What did I say?

Are you getting sick again?

Please, over here.

Mom!

God! You can't say anything in this house anymore.

Father said exactly what I wanted to say.

Maybe you've judged Mr. Rozyc too harshly?

No. Rozyc is a lazy bum and Kirlo a clown.

I'd like to take those type of people, and...

Are you that mad?

Yes, I am.

They're a disgrace to the world.

Without them, we'd be much further ahead.

Who is 'we'?

Those of us who want to keep their human dignity.

But this Rozyc...

Justine, will you marry that loser?

If he comes and asks for your hand, will you accept?

You have such a way of asking. Who are you talking about?

You know who I'm talking about.

That squanderer who drank half a million away.

My dear, could I ever throw away such a great man?

Such honor, such grace...

Well? Tell me. Could I?

Thank you.

Have you given Mr. Jasmont your handkerchief?

Of course, with my nicely embroidered initials.

I would like to thank you for that...

and invite you to dance.

Take care of it, Witold, take good care.

Please hold me tight, because I don't lie it any other way.

May I?

The moon is shining, shining Around midnight

To stop loving you Is not in my power!

The appearance of a woman can be deceitful

She pleases the eye! But her heart, alas...

Beyond the river, beyond the Niemen, The cuckoo is cuckooing

I've got it for a hoopla Who is looking for a posh one!

Near the house, a path Hide, mother, the little dog

You have a pretty daughter, They'll steal her from you!

First love When the heart grips,

With joy and sorrow They are filled to the bone!

That rowan berry makes your hair look beautiful.

If I could get just one little branch, I would be happy.

Did you hear the words to this song, Miss?

Which one?

The one I sang.

I did.

Because I sang this song...

Because I wanted to say...

Who's this?

Look, Jadwiga Domuntowa.

That's right.

An elegant woman. I'm going to dance with her.

Please.

Could I?

Welcome, Mr. Benedict, welcome.

How is your father, dear Mr. Dominik, doing?

Dominik Korczynski is my grandfather, sir.

Yes, I know. In 1831, we fought together at Ostroleka.

The battle was horrible! Horrible!

And Mr. Dominik was wounded, Mr. Benedict.

My name is Witold Korczynski, sir.

Yes, yes, Mr. Benedict.

I saved your father from out of the fire.

The artillery guns were firing straight at us.

Play something we can dance to! Some oberek!

This is the third time Miss Domuntowa looks at me like that,

as if I've done something to her.

It's probably about you, Mr. Jan.

Your mother and uncle told me that you and her...

My mother says that to everyone.

But I haven't given her any sort of vow.

Sure, she's kind. I could probably marry her...

in time, and I'd have to be talked into it by my mother and uncle.

If someone else hadn't stolen my heart instead.

Who would that be?

Where is that beguiler?

I'll find him and kill him like a dog!

Where is that heartbraker? That Pacenko?

Don't touch my grandfather, Miss, and go back to your bachelor.

Miss Jadwiga, please!

Please, what? Let's go, grandpa. We don't need this.

All right. You picked a good man...

and I hope it turns out for you because everyone knows...

that you shouldn't reach for impossible goals.

Goodbye. Health and happiness to you.

I'll kill him!

Please, forgive me.

Sometimes a man doesn't know what he's doing.

Miss Jadwiga is doing this because of me.

I'm very sorry for that.

If you're not mad at me, then please dance with me.

So who was this Pacenko? Why did he want to kill him?

Pacenko is the man who stole grandpa's wife.

He came to Poland, and she left with him.

Grandpa lost his mind, and looks for Pacenko ever since.

He loved her that much?

Of course, he did.

I know you lost the suit.

Couldn't you have settled this like civilized people?

But with my father...

God forgive me that I say this before his son...

Korczynski is a strict neighbor.

He's very demanding...

and doesn't mind hurting people with harsh words.

There was no other choice but to file the suit.

We shall now see.

I'm sorry to hear this.

And I'm sorry for having to say it.

Everything was different in the past, but now...

You're home?

But the wedding's not over yet.

It is for me.

I heard too many complaints.

About whom?

About you, father.

What... did I rob someone on my way here?

Or eat someone's kid?

Please, father, there's no need to use that tone of voice.

All right, then...

So what did the Bohaterowiczes tell you?

Did they say I wanted to rob them of everything?

That I wouldn't let their animals graze, or let them take away my land?

They wanted to go to court, so we did, and they lost!

It's not just about that, dad.

They say you don't consider them to be real people.

They mentioned uncle Andrzej.

Oh, so this is what people talk about at weddings nowadays.

Sit down.

Yes, dad, because they can't forget that you're his brother.

They are ready to repay you for every good gesture.

These people are our only hope.

These people whom you despise.

Listen.

If you young people think that you were the first ones...

to think of these noble ideas...

and that you were the first ones to love this land...

its people and justice...

then you've made a big mistake.

We, too, followed Mickiewicz's words: "En masse, Young Friends!"

"In happiness our ends. Strong in unison, reasoned in rage."

We also followed this. With full devotion.

We all got together...

and we believed in our cause like we believe in salvation.

And there were many of us...

"knights, poets, preachers."

Unreachable dreams, great hope...

passionate eagerness...

And then...

Everything fell apart around us.

But nobody has the right...

to say that the Korczynskis lacked ideals.

One of them died for these ideals...

and the other one is jealous because of it.

Father!

Father.

I'll be grateful to you until my dying breath...

for not having had raised me to be a worthless rich boy.

If it wasn't for you, I'd be like that miserable Zygmunt...

or like that Rozyc...

I would be a fool if I thought that my son...

was so much different from other people.

A load would be lifted from my shoulders...

if I confessed all my problems to you.

You still don't know, and I hope you never find out...

what it's like to live most of your life...

without anyone who you can open yourself to...

who you can confess all your joys to...

and give advice to... or even seek help from.

I hoped that you would be like that...

but during the last year...

my hope seemed to have been in vain.

I wasn't only jealous of Andrzej...

but also of all the others who died.

Now you know, dad, what's separated us all this time.

You must believe in my attachment to you.

Dad!

Tell me, why are you always fighting with them?

What am I supposed to do?

After our failure, what was I supposed to do among the ruins?

People begged me to hold on to the land, so I did!

And I still do.

Do you know what it's like...

fighting over every little piece of land

with those whom you once called brothers?

But whose fault is it that they're so uneducated, vengeful?

Or maybe they're just poor and hungry?

Isn't it ours?

You're so stubborn! Just like me.

You've got the Korczynski blood.

Go see them, and tell them that I'll postpone the due date...

let them pay in installments...

or maybe even...

Someday, maybe you'll... Well? Go, go!

Don't stay there too long.

I want you near me for a bit.

Yes, Father.

Miss Justine.

The song I sang with the orchestra...

Did you listen to it?

Of course. You were singing about someone you love.

Is this your first love?

The very first. When I couldn't fall in love, I didn't...

but once I fell in love, it's forever.

But sometimes it goes away.

It seems like people change their minds more quickly where you come from.

It all depends on the person's personality.

Uncle Anzelm couldn't marry the one he loved...

and he spent his whole life by himself.

And you?

If the one I love doesn't love me back...

I will live my life like he did.

Did you hear? An echo!

Yes. You can hear the best echoes right from this spot.

Go ahead. Try it yourself, Miss.

Don't be shy!

Please, Miss. I beg you.

Think about who you love the most. Tell the echo who you love.

Would you like that?

Of course. Please.

Jan!

My beautiful queen, my only love...

Really mine?

Yes... Forever...

Don't worry, I didn't come here...

to cause you any unpleasantness.

I came to say that I hold no grudges against you, Mr. Jan.

It's not your fault you've fallen in love with someone else.

I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity.

I, too, would like to become your friend...

if you so wish it.

I also wish you all the best luck in life.

I expect that God won't desert me.

I hope that you won't be mad at me.

And I hope your recollections of me are good ones.

I'll be your good friend forever.

Good morning.

Has Miss Justine gotten up, yet?

Yes. She hasn't come down yet.

Well then, go and tell her not to put on anything too heavy.

Why?

- Because she won't be able to jump. - Why would she?

She will, she will!

There will be happiness all over Korczyn!

Oh, tell them, my dear, tell them.

We've just come back from 3 days...

at cousin Rozyc's estate in Woloszczyzna.

He sent us with some great news.

Cousin Teofil would like to ask for Justine's hand in marriage.

He didn't come here personally so as not to be overly moved...

and he wasn't sure if she would agree to it.

If the answer is positive...

then he will immediately come here himself.

This is such good news for Justine...

and such happy news for us all.

Mr. Rozyc's successes and advances are all so noble.

Teofil truly likes Justine.

I'm sure she'll be happy with him...

because he's got a heart of gold.

Such a refined intellect.

But also worldly habits.

I told him at the beginning...

that I would tell Justine all his faults...

and he agreed to it.

Oh, that's all in the past, lost wealth and assets...

His assets are still great, but it's not about that.

Teofil...

has become...

he is a mor...

Mor... Oh God, what was it called?

- A morphine addict. - Yes, that's it.

What the hell is that?

I've never heard of it.

You mean he's a drunk.

No, Mr. Benedict, it's something very different.

But he's trying to cure himself.

He's already tried, but...

unless the girl he loves cures him.

There is a great destiny waiting for her...

if only she's not discouraged by what she's learned.

Discouraged?

This makes Mr. Rozyc even more interesting...

even more appealing...

To share your life with a man like that...

to love him, to dream with him...

Or maybe get drunk with him?

You'll never understand, Benedict.

What is there to say, anyway?

Let's ask Justine, although there's no real need to.

You will accept Mr. Rozyc's proposal, won't you?

It's a miracle.

Oh yes. And great luck.

I offer Mrs. Rozyc my greatest respects and my services.

Well Justine, what do you think?

Say something!

I...

I'm very grateful to Mr. Rozyc...

for his honesty towards me...

however, neither my situation, education, habits, nor taste...

make me a suitable life companion for him.

I don't have any qualifications...

to be a worldly lady...

nor have I ever had any. Not at all.

Not now!

And everything I've said so far...

makes it impossible for me to accept his proposal.

But...

The most important things, though...

is that, as of yesterday...

As of yesterday...

I'm engaged to be married.

You're joking, right, Justine? To whom?

With Korczyn's neighbor.

With Mr. Jan Bohaterowicz.

Justine!

Jesus...

Hold on, everybody, I have to ask Justine some questions.

You're not joking, right?

You're being serious?

You're engaged to a Bohaterowicz?

Look, uncle, I don't have my mother's ring anymore.

I gave it to him yesterday.

Have you fallen in love with this man?

Yes.

Yes, uncle, and he loves me, too.

Justine, that's impossible, you won't do this...

You won't throw away such a good opportunity...

You won't marry a peasant...

Yes, I will, auntie.

You have no idea what kind of life you're marrying into.

What kind of work awaits you.

Yes, I know, because I've already worked with them.

You worked?

What about the fact...

that you're of higher class than they?

Doesn't matter.

And if it does, I'll bring my 'higher class' to them...

and use it to their advantage.

Uncle... I want our existence and happiness to come...

from his love for me, and I want to be part of it.

Justine...

Oh, you young ones! You're all alike.

Very good. There is nothing to discuss.

Teresa, please help me.

Help me out of this room immediately.

Rozyc was a little too late.

He gets nothing!

All good now.

Justine!

You can count on me to support you.

What's with these young people today?

They think they're going to turn the world upside down.

Is this your final decision, Justine?

Yes, uncle, I'm positive.

I feel sorry for Teofil, but I can't lie...

and I have to tell you that you made the right decision.

You'll probably be very happy.

I wish you all the best.

I'll help with anything you need and I'll dance at your wedding.

It has to last three whole days!

We'll arrange it.

I'm going to check on Emily...

because I think she's having another choking fit.

Justine, go see your father, tell him, and then we'll go...

There... to that...

- Let's go home. - Let's go.

I'll walk you out.

I have a big favor to ask you, Benedict.

Except I'm not sure how to say this.

Maybe you too are engaged to some handsome peasant?

No, I'm not that dumb.

But, you see...

Justine's getting married, so I want to know...

if I can go live with her and help her out.

What?

I really would like to go with her.

I won't eat their bread for free, but I have experience...

in housekeeping and I can help them out.

They'll probably need my help.

But I'm not needed here. Not anymore.

You're not needed here? Are you kidding me?

Well, the kids have almost grown up...

I could never please your wife...

and as for the work around here...

you'll easily find some stewardess to take my place.

Justine is going to the people I once knew...

loved...

Fate drew me towards them,

but I didn't go.

But I'll go now.

What, is the whole estate moving to the Bohaterowiczes'?

Hopefully, my wife and Teresa won't go!

You will not allow for this to happen!

You are Justine's guardian, so how is it possible...

that she can be so dishonored in your own house?

She's an adult. She has her own will.

- She'll marry whoever she wishes. - She will.

But she refused to marry that noble Rozyc.

What am I to do now?

How am I going to live in that little hut with them?

There's no room for any grand piano.

I'm not used to that. I'm going to starve.

Calm down.

You can go on living in Korczyn just as before.

I offer you my house, sir, with great pleasure.

And you also have some money here...

which I will pay Justine back in installments.

Is it possible that she would agree...

to such a misalliance of classes?

Please calm down.

Go upstairs and play your violin.

Martha will be up shortly with your breakfast.

What the hell were you thinking?

You're not needed here?

Good God.

We've worked together for twenty years...

and thanks to your work we were able to keep Korczyn.

You carried my children in your arms...

and loved them as if you were their mother.

You taught Witold only good and honest things.

I'll be grateful to you for all you've done until my death...

and I won't let you leave Korczyn.

Not needed!

Do you really mean all that?

You're not just taking pity on me?

You're not just being nice?

For the love of God!

My God, my king... brother...

You've made me so happy!

I thought I wasn't needed around here...

and just considered a drag.

Why should I leave here when you need my help?

And you love me like a sister.

Sit down!

I hope you don't mind, brother...

but I'll borrow your horses for a few days.

I'm going to town to see the doctor...

so he can cure me and I can serve you longer.

Great! And now, please.

Can you call Justine in?

Come.

Mr. Anzelm Bohaterowicz?

Yes.

And this is Justine's fiancée, Jerzy's son?

The same one whose father rests next to your brother...

in the grave-mound.

Retail subtitles adjusted by bruno321 @ KG