Original subtitles

MARGO - T. ŁĘCKI'S RISING STAR

MARGO TRIUMPHS AGAIN!

THE CROWD CHANTS, "MARGO!"

WINNING HORSES

NUMBER OF PRIZES

WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE WHARF FIRE

Out of the way!

I'm betting a fortune today! A fortune. Out of the way.

THE DOLL

S WOKULSKI DEPARTMENT STORE

FIRST SHOP LIT UP WITH ELECTRICITY! NEW LIGHT ON NEW WORLD STREET!

I'm here to see Miss Łęcka.

-Maybe I should bring tea. -Go and rest.

We will be fine.

Of course.

May I offer you some tea?

Zofia has been arrested.

-A glass of cognac, then? -No.

I came... to ask for help.

But it is probably a nonsensical idea.

The writer seeks favours from the absurd aristocracy?

If you have connections among the Russians,

use them to get her out of the Citadel.

And if you have the connections to validate her diploma,

I will commission an article from you for The Ivy

about how Zofia obtained that diploma... and so on.

It's a good topic.

I do have connections.

We do.

I will get the diploma.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Florcia,

where is everyone?

Why are you attending to our guests?

The staff want to talk.

-About money. -Let them talk.

They want to talk to you.

If this continues, we shall soon have to move out of the flat.

Shopkeepers are refusing us credit.

The staff, including me, of course,

have not received a single rouble in a month.

We have not.

They are waiting

in the kitchen.

I hear my father has not given you a single rouble in a month.

-Please, don't be angry, Miss, but... -I know everything.

Let's see the master of the house.

In single file, like geese. I will be the shepherdess.

All of us.

Now.

The master of the house is obliged to pay the staff who are still here.

-When will you settle the debt? -I will settle it.

Should you wish to dismiss the remaining staff,

I shall do the laundry, iron, sweep, and whatever else they do.

Warsaw's only noble family without staff? Even more gossip? Let them talk!

-So what? -Marianna, step forward.

You are the newest arrival. You are dismissed.

-Pack your things. -Stop it.

I shall not stop until you start behaving like a father!

I will settle it. I will settle it within a month.

-I promise, I will settle it. -Leave us, please.

But I will settle it, within a month, I promise.

Florcia, you too.

Have her stay.

Flora!

Why did you stop bringing money from the races, Father,

and start drinking heavily again?

-Why do you no longer see Wokulski? -He wanted to buy you from me.

Like a mare from a Gypsy.

You cried

because of it, may I remind you.

Make amends with him, Father.

Invite him to breakfast at Aunt Wąsowska's while we can.

He will come to heel.

You must ask him for a loan, Father.

But he will

want you as his wife in return.

The more he desires me for his wife...

the more money you shall borrow from him, Father.

The more he will indulge my whims.

Bite by bite,

we will devour Mr Wokulski.

And he will be glad...

that he can look at me from the plate.

You will go here.

-Do you hear me? -I was let go, Miss. I need not listen.

Tell Mr Wokulski that I request he takes you into his service.

And if he refuses?

He will do anything for me.

I would not have you on the streets again.

Can't you go with me, Miss?

You shall repay me for this...

by revealing his true character to me.

What?

-A catastrophe. -I understood that.

Mr Legrand says that Mr Rzecki does not speak French,

that he is entirely ignorant of art, that he is ill-mannered,

and that he is devoid of taste, and that he is...

And he questions Mr Rzecki's employment.

-And I shall strike him. -Hey.

Mr Legrand insists the opening be delayed by a fortnight.

Impossible.

-He says it will not be ready. -He must take measures to ensure it is.

Here. Do you understand this?

Oui?

Oui.

It must be fucking ready.

Stach, that Frenchman is an idiot. But he is right. We must postpone.

-Out of the question. -Stach.

Here.

Read this.

"Department store opening."

And what else? Read on.

-Um... -What's the date?

-5th July. -Exactly.

Yes, but it's 22nd June.

-Yes. -Well, we cannot make it.

Say once more that we shall fail, and I will hit you.

What will come of a week or two's delay?

-Do you not see? -No.

Ignacy, do you truly not?

Those fucking bastards are waiting for it,

so they can say, "That Wokulski, he couldn't do it."

"He's fucking ruined. He wanted to succeed but fucking failed."

That will happen if I fail. And I will not allow it.

She threw you out?

Did Starski tattle?

Speak, damn you.

Miss Łęcka asks that you hire me as a servant,

as the Łęckis have let their staff go.

Miss asks that you treat me well, and she hopes for your sympathy.

As do I. If you do not employ me, I'll have to go back...

All right, then. All right.

You need not go back anywhere.

Meaning that you will employ me?

Mr Łęcki is here.

What brings you here?

I want to talk

about business.

And if you felt offended, then,

I shall apologize.

If I felt offended.

By way of apology,

my daughter invites you to a formal breakfast

hosted by Countess Wąsowska.

-So who is apologising? -We both know what I speak of.

I apologise... for that.

And for what occurred at the races.

In the heat of the moment,

many unnecessary words were uttered.

It was poor form.

I accept your apology.

Regarding the business matters...

I would like to become your partner.

I see.

You would like to invest.

Yes.

Yes, and I am prepared to do so even now.

Right now.

However...

the expected

return from the last race...

That return...

How should I put it?

That... return turned out to be negative.

My question is,

if...

we were to become partners,

could a portion of our company's profits,

in which I will soon invest...

Could that portion of the profits

be paid out to me now?

You would like to borrow money.

No.

-I thought... -Mr Łęcki.

To become your partner...

It's a risky business.

The machines you invested in

burned down.

I gave you the horse.

No profits from the races.

Instead of revenue, only debts.

Mortgage the tenement house as security.

Then we can talk about joint ventures.

I will no longer back you blindly.

Come in, please.

Have you been in Miss Łęcka's bedroom?

Every day.

Do you recall what was on the walls?

Describe it all. The furnishings, the flowers, her tastes.

-Her tastes? -What she surrounds herself with.

The light.

Big windows. Bigger than these here.

I will not break down walls.

I meant no offence.

And cleaning. She likes cleaning.

Because the sun comes in through those big windows,

and all the dust you normally wouldn't see bothers the young lady.

So the big windows and the floor must be cleaned. But why daily?

-It's easy when others do it. -The furniture.

In the bedroom. Can you list the pieces?

-Yes. Two bedside cabinets... -Can you pick similar ones?

Yes.

WOMEN'S FASHION HOUSE

Which one?

Is this what Miss Łęcka wears?

Yes.

Perfect. It fits perfectly.

So perfectly, it is as though we have suddenly found ourselves in Paris.

What do you think?

I like it.

Will Miss Łęcka like it? That is my question.

But it's you she should like, not the clothes.

Directement de Paris. Here you go.

Horrible.

What, then?

Will you help me, Auntie?

Can I count on your support?

You have my support, dear. You have my full support.

Thank you.

But I will not help you.

Why not?

You said I could count on your support.

Except my support will not do you any good.

To get a person out of the Citadel, you need someone with more influence

and stones.

Someone with stones and influence, I'd say.

But... you have stones and influence, Auntie!

You need a man.

With a title. A good title.

Those are the rules, unfortunately.

He can be blind, deaf and lame, but he must have a title.

And be a man.

"Duke Tomasz Jan Maria Wawrzyniec Rudnicki of the Bechcickis

of House Lis

"vouches for Zofia Dobska for a period of fourteen days."

"If, after this period,

the accused fails to present documents entitling her to practise medicine,

"she will be held in prison until the trial."

There is nothing more to read here.

-You just need to sign it. -Oh, sign it?

Sign it.

Bela claims it is fashionable to fight poverty. Do you agree?

That is not what I said.

Instead of fashion magazines, will we have magazines about poverty?

Maybe.

Do you live here?

I work here.

Terrible.

Thank you.

Eat. You are not eating anything.

My dear,

Duke Rudnicki told me

that you surround yourself with convicted midwives.

Is it true?

The person you speak of, Auntie, is not a midwife, but a female doctor.

There is no such thing

as a female doctor.

She graduated from a university in Zurich, and for reasons that are incomprehensible,

she cannot get her diploma recognised in Poland.

Count Dziemiański,

perhaps you could do something about this as the president of the Medical Society?

About the woman who cut up Stanisława Konarska with a kitchen knife?

I am dismayed, my dear.

What does your father think?

Well...

perhaps you are aware,

but Mr Wokulski's new department store

is to be lit by electricity.

By electric... current. Am I correct?

The whole city is talking about it.

Tell us something about it, Mr Wokulski.

Count Dziemiański.

The doctor, whom you discredit so easily, graduated from a prestigious university.

We reject those universities and Western influences.

Not all Western influences are bad.

Electric current.

The light bulb.

That is also a European invention.

Are you also in favour of women wearing trousers?

Do you remember the resistance

to the oil lamp?

It has become commonplace.

Or the printed press. Once unthinkable.

Now it is something we read every day.

And as for wearing trousers,

maybe we should leave that matter

to women themselves?

What else?

Are you interested

in emancipation in general or just one emancipated woman?

Excuse me.

Should we call a doctor?

A female doctor.

A female doctor!

Are you all right?

I have a question I require a direct answer to.

Are you courting Miss Łęcka?

Am I?

True, there are certain particularities

in the aristocracy's genealogical trees,

but she is my first cousin.

I tell you in confidence, I am a tad afraid of her.

You, however, I find very interesting.

What I also find interesting...

Electric current. I read about it. I researched it. It's fascinating.

Do you know what else I find extremely interesting?

Flying.

Just think about it.

A flying machine.

I read about it.

What about propellers? Pulling or pushing?

I knew it! I knew there were interesting people in this sad country.

Pulling, of course. But what about the engine?

Attempts with a steam engine have failed. It's too heavy.

But the power is sufficient.

What if the propeller

lifted the machine instead of pulling it?

-Good question. -That is the future, Mr Wokulski!

Excuse me for a moment.

Hallelujah!

Do you think women will one day choose their own clothes?

I think you are more agitated than the clothes deserve.

How would you feel

if you could not walk in the street by yourself?

Or even the garden?

Men have their limitations too.

Really?

-Would you like to tell me about them? -Of course, they are lesser.

Do you speak only to please me?

Is that not a dream come true?

From my friends, aside from progressive thinking,

I expect honesty.

-Mr Wokulski. -Yes?

Rumour has it...

that you have connections among the Russians.

It gives me no pride. But yes.

As you can see, my influence is not enough

to help my friend secure recognition of her diploma.

But perhaps you could help

to find someone of influence in the Tsarist administration.

As it happens, I am to attend a reception hosted by the Tsarist magistrate.

Perhaps you would agree to accompany me?

You may come and collect me then.

Ready!

Bravo!

Look!

Fuck, yes!

Oh, it's beautiful.

Shit.

Dressing table by the window.

A bit to the right.

No, left.

A bit more.

Just a little bit.

Just a tiny little bit.

There.

Or no.

Here.

Good?

Oh.

Very good.

I've been waiting.

I know.

Is Stanisław in? I must discuss an urgent matter with him.

Mr Wokulski has left.

When will he return?

He didn't say.

I'll wait,

if it's no bother.

Did you sell arms during the war?

I have to disappoint you.

So early in the evening?

I traded flour, not arms.

The town says otherwise.

The town?

The town.

What do we care about the town?

What's important to me,

most of all, is what you think about it.

What do you think of me, Miss Izabela?

That is what I dread to hear.

Stanisław!

No plate for yourself?

Then we'll eat from one.

I'll show you

how I learned from the rich to eat a yeast cake.

With butter?

Dear Lord in Heaven.

That is just the beginning.

And now...

some cream.

And finally,

confiture.

I know, you feel obliged to say that it is too much, too lavish.

That the cake itself is already a luxury. I know. I once felt the same.

But once you try it,

you ask no further questions.

You only regret

that you have not always eaten cake in this manner.

Here you go.

What do you do after work?

Why?

Do you like the circus?

Very much.

So do I.

After six years of studies.

Six years of sacrifices.

I cannot even fathom how hard it must have been for Zofia Dobska.

The head of department in Zurich asked her to remain in Switzerland,

but she chose to return here.

To Warsaw.

To treat her people.

What was her reward?

Backwardness.

Torment.

Do you wish to help your friend?

Da.

Yes.

And you have found a man who will help you with this.

Yes.

And

does that mean that if this... Zofia

wants to treat people, she will also be looking for a man?

A doctor to help her treat people?

I do not understand.

Now she does not understand.

Perhaps Mr Wokulski can explain, hmm?

What did you and your friend decide?

That you would come to me, and I should agree,

because idle young ladies are prone to foolish whims?

Medicine

is a man's pursuit,

just as public office is.

Have you ever seen

a female clerk?

Well, that's...

And every female clerk

would require a male clerk to assist her.

Oh, that would be expensive!

Mr Aleksandr, let's discuss this matter in private.

Oh, come now!

Please excuse us, miss.

In Moscow, women can be doctors.

Then go to Moscow.

So much money

to fuck a girl.

I hope she's worth it.

Good evening.

Why are you wilting here alone, like some dry heather?

It is improper, you know, especially in a place like this.

You accepted the Russians' invitation, Baron?

Yes, I did, but with the utmost distaste.

Excuse me.

Miss Izabela.

It is done.

Well done.

What a pair of lovebirds.

The ugly duckling and our beautiful peacock...

Female peacocks are grey.

It's the males who parade their tails.

-Is that so? -Yes!

Well, that is a rather strange and convoluted notion, is it not?

What do you think, Mr Wokulski?

Where is your tail?

Are you not happy?

After all, everything has turned out as you desired.

Yes.

But was such humiliation necessary?

I'm sorry, Miss Izabela.

Aleksandr's remarks were highly inappropriate.

I desired only to secure a happy conclusion.

And you would endure any humiliation to secure it?

Congratulations.

And I pity your future wife.

THE STORY OF DR ZOFIA DOBSKA BY IZABELA ŁĘCKA

Thank you.

I do not know how you managed this...

but I want you to know

that I am truly grateful.

If you are ever in need of anything, I will be there.

Where is that fucking man?

What if he doesn't know?

If he doesn't know, then no one knows.

The entire human race will be cursed.

Show me this marvel!

So what do you think?

She's beautiful.

Can you fix it?

No.

But I will learn.

We've little time left for learning.

I learn quickly.

I think...

there is a serious fault.

I must go there now

to endure the foulest humiliation in the history

of this city...

this country...

and the entire fucking continent.

I lack expertise, but these lamps are not electric, surely?

Miss Izabela...

Yes?

I'll say this.

Someone shall burn with shame today. Is that not so, Mr Wokulski?

I saved the light for you.

It is a fine establishment.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Quiet.

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I thank you all for assembling in such great numbers,

and for taking part in my new venture,

which, I hope, will make our city famous throughout Europe.

I made every effort to keep the selection optimal,

and the decor suitable and... and...

and elegant.

The shop counters are made of glass.

The most expensive available,

just like the wood from which the panelling was made,

imported from Spain.

Mr Wokulski,

you must not forget the cost of nails.

None of this would be possible without one person.

Old Mrs Mincel.

-Thirty thousand roubles. -Precisely!

He received that in cash.

She inspired me to think further...

deeper, on a grander scale.

Miss Izabela Łęcka.

Thank you.

Do you like it?

Ladies and gentlemen.

Today, Warsaw has witnessed a debut of which no one has ever dreamed.

In addition, this spacious market stall is now open.

In any event, my wonderful cousin, Izabela Łęcka,

if you can imagine,

has published her first article in The Ivy magazine today.

And I hope, Bela, that you will forgive me

if I take the liberty of quoting a few words.

"When I look out of my bedroom window, I see, especially in early spring,

a forsythia bush - sad, brown, and thorny as the crown of our Saviour."

"However, this writer knows that it only takes time

for it to bloom with flowers that please the eye and the soul."

"Such are my thoughts on Zofia Dobska's story,

which I am about to unveil to the readers..."

"With the help..."

"Will understand that female doctors exist."

"And women shall be permitted to practise this arduous

yet noble profession."

"Yours faithfully,

Izabela Łęcka."

How did you like it?

The article?

Very much.

Pardon.

Mr Wokulski,

will you,

in the wake of this whole suffrage movement,

order Miss Łęcka a pair of trousers?

Obviously, made from the most expensive materials, sewn in Paris.

How beautiful

was your story of the female doctor.

The forsythia...

Speaking of which,

how does one become a... female doctor?

You did not write a word about the Russian magistrate,

yet aren't such matters decided there, Mr Wokulski?

How many Russian roubles did you pay so that Miss Łęcka could write

this sentimental melodrama for that frivolous women's paper?

Mr Krzeszowski,

you have insulted Miss Łęcka.

I must demand satisfaction.

-What do you demand? -I challenge you to a duel.

Have you...

Unless "honour"

is a foreign word to you.

Let me oblige you.

That being so, please send your seconds,

if you can find any among men of honour.

Subtitle translation by: Mikołaj Kopczak