Original subtitles

RUZYNĚ AIRPORT 1972 PRAGUE

- Welcome home, comrade. - Thank you.

- Here. - Thank you.

Welcome...

- Welcome. - Hello.

Welcome home, comrade.

- Follow me to the presidential car. - Sure.

I wouldn't expect burnt seats in the presidential car.

Where are you taking us?

Didn't they tell you?

To Hana Mašková's funeral.

- What? - She died in France.

Her coffin arrived about an hour before your plane.

Thank you for your silent remembrance. Please proceed to the condolences.

My sincere condolences, Ondrej. It's tragic when a young life is cut short.

Especially when it's so senseless and unnecessary.

Mr. Borovský, what happened?

She partied with people from an ice show, who wanted to move somewhere else.

She was driving too fast and crashed into a truck.

They tried to save her, but there was nothing they could do.

It's unfortunate, but today's youth simply won't listen.

Sorry for your loss. I know that you and Hanka were close.

But I also have some good news. We did it!

Next year the world championship will be held in Bratislava!

But I won't be here anymore, I'll be at Holiday on Ice!

No, comrade, the revue can wait another year.

- But your homeland cannot! - You can't be serious!

Sorry, but this isn't a good time...

You stick to your singing comrade Pilarová, would you?

The situation has changed, it's absurd to think you could leave.

I know it's too much to digest,

but you will compete in the World Championship!

No way! You said he could quit!

- You can shine at home once more. - But I can't change it anymore!

Ondrej, look,

everyone wants you to win the biggest championship of your career.

Even Hanka would wish for that.

Hanka? What do you know about Hanka's wishes?

What do you know about Hanka's wishes?

Go home and rest, we'll talk about it later.

Best regards!

ONE YEAR LATER

Ondrej Nepela, holder of the Order of Labor,

Master of Sports...

Let's get ready and go in three, two, one... and we're live!

Dear viewers, it's an honor to welcome

the legends of Czechoslovak figure skating

at the time of the 1973 World Championship in Bratislava.

Ondrej Nepela and Hilda Múdra.

- Hello. - Hello.

We're proud that our capital hosts the World Championship for the first time.

You have completed a short program, and now we are all eager to hear

how our stars are feeling before tomorrow's free skate.

Ondrej, please tell our viewers how you are feeling these days.

Honestly, more than anything else, it's just hard work.

Of course, you are the ambassador of our dream of winning the gold.

You must have the ambition to win.

Yes, the ambition is there, but...

Ondrej wants to win and knows he must train hard. I make sure of that.

This is also an extremely important Championship for you, Mrs. Múdra.

Do you find it the most important event in your joint career with Ondrej?

I do! But we've been through enough to be able to win tomorrow.

You've already won two gold medals this year,

at the National Championship and the European Championship,

which is a tremendous achievement.

Thank you.

But during both you had problems with the triple Salchow, right?

Yes, I guess I was a little unlucky.

It wasn't bad luck,

just a small mistake in the compulsory exercises.

Ondrej learned his lesson and won't repeat it!

- But still, those were two nasty falls. - It's nothing new for us.

Many skaters fall, but only few fall and win.

As we know, your biggest rival on the ice is Sergei Chetverukhin.

How two of you get along off the ice? What can you tell us about him?

Sergei is excellent, but he's always been second.

Ondrej, what would winning mean to you?

I would be very proud to win world gold here at home,

but it will be the last championship in my career.

I wanted to start at the revue before, but I was told I had to win here first.

How could the World Championship in Bratislava not include Nepela?

Stop!

Is this being recorded?

Comrade Múdra, this is not what we agreed on!

I thought it was clear what you should say here!

- I'm sticking to it. - But he is not!

Comrade Nepela, when asked what you want to do if you win,

you'll say you will represent your socialist homeland

even after ending your career as an athlete!

I won't say that!

It's just in case you don't win.

That's out of the question! It's part of our agreement!

If you don't meet the requirements, we won't either.

So, one more time,

and properly.

One more time, three, two, one, and go.

Can you say, that winning world gold on home ice

would be the most precious jewel in your crown of achievements?

Yes.

What else can you say about your plans?

I will continue to represent Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

I hope you don't have any more unpleasant surprises in store?

We said what you wanted, Mr. Chairman. That is all from our side.

Wait a minute, that's not all, comrade coach!

Your charge is supposed to win gold, but it seems he doesn't even realize

how much depends on his performance tomorrow.

When it comes to the future,

everyone is very aware of the consequences.

But we are doing him a service!

- Yes, and you are setting conditions... - Which you have agreed to!

Ondrej has a duty to stay and devote myself to future talents!

He should be a role model, not a clown in some imperialist revue!

After all, that's almost treason!

How we proceed is in my report.

Read it so I haven't written it in vain.

Auf Wiedersehen.

It's fair to ask for a dignified farewell

to the country he owes everything to.

And you are responsible for whether he gives it to us or not!

You are responsible!

END OF BREAK We ask the actors to return to the studio.

- Hello. - Hello Ondrej, please win tomorrow!

I'll do my best. Could I use your phone for a moment?

Of course.

Thank you.

Hello, Studio 1 please.

You can make the call later, let's go.

- Goodbye - Goodbye.

- Can't I even make a phone call? - We are running late!

We've already wasted enough time on this charade.

Another dirty trick.

They recorded it all so that I couldn't tell the truth.

- What truth? - That they forced me.

Don't exaggerate, you couldn't expect anything else from them!

Well, it was staged, so what?

It's over, and now you can focus on training.

Focus on training?

They stick to me wherever I go, check everything I do, everything I say.

They've always had and now they got tougher because you want to leave!

You think ordinary people are luckier?

You at least can get away! Raus.

Get out of this hole.

If I win.

Did you know about it?

Don't be naive.

- So you did know. - Yes.

I knew what they wanted to hear.

We have a plan, you and I,

so let's stick to it!

Are you seeing them behind my back?

Yes, but only so that you don't have to, not for fun.

- Ondrej, Hilda, here you are. - Hello.

- Hello.

- Everything okay? - Yes.

Comrade President Husák sends his regards

and the entire production brigade ZTS Martin keeps their fingers crossed.

- Jesus Christ.

Ondrej, here are the tickets for your family.

Thank you!

Mr. Nepela, can we take a photo with you?

- Shall we pick you up in the morning? - No, I'll drive us myself.

Please send away everyone who has no business being in training rink.

Ondrej needs privacy to...

to concentrate.

Comrade Chetverukhin will be ready soon, and then it will be all yours.

Thank you. Mr. director.

...smile as if you were looking at the red star.

One more with the comrade teacher, so get ready and thank you!

Thanks, bye.

- Good luck, Ondrej. - Thanks, bye everyone!

- Could you spare a moment, comrade? - Yes, of course.

Can you tell us about Nepela's training?

Yes, I'll find out all the training times.

They were supposed to let me go to Holiday after Sapporo.

I won gold, and what did it get me?

It wasn't just about Holiday!

You wanted that gold!

You worked hard to get to the Olympics, and you won!

Do you remember how they told me at Hanka's funeral that

nothing good awaited me in the West, that I would end up like she did?

Why are you thinking about Hanka now?

It'll be a year since she died.

I know, you wanted to skate together at Holiday.

- Now neither of us will. - Ondrej...

They won't let me go anywhere, just like last time.

With or without the signed paper they gave me.

Please stop, you've done everything

and this is the last thing you must do!

Your only chance is to do what you are best in:

Skate.

Tomorrow you must be perfect!

- Yeah sure, I always must do something... - Where are you going?

To practice!

Ondrej? Ondrej!

Well done, comrade, excellent!

Very well.

Ondrej, go warm up.

Do you hear me? Go warm up!

Be careful at the boards.

Come on, let's go!

There's a hole in the ice back there, we need to fix it.

Mrs. Múdra, please stay on this side for now, thank you.

Relax,

pick up the pace,

head up,

shoulders straight. That's right.

Tempo! Pick up the pace and don't forget about the shoulders!

Good, now let's do the Salchow.

That's it. If you don't feel a good bounce, let it go.

One more time.

The order is the same as in the free skate. That's right.

You should finish it in the workshop.

- I keep falling the same way. - Never mind, get up.

Try again

and hold your shoulders firm.

Everything is against me!

You're falling because you don't trust yourself!

Do you think I'm doing this on purpose?

If you'd listen to me, it wouldn't happen.

- Did you see Sergei? - Ondrej, please stop, you're in the lead.

Those few measly points don't mean anything.

Silence! They see us, they can hear us, stop it.

You don't care what happens to me, you don't care at all!

You make all kinds of excuses just so you don't have to work hard!

You'll start training someone else and you'll feel much better.

You'll see how relieved you'll be.

In the end, it might be better if you don't win the World Championship.

At your current form, they'd fire you from Holiday after the first rehearsal!

And it'll be your fault!

And it'll be your fault!

I should have agreed when they wanted to replace you!

Ondrej, come back!

Do you hear me? Where are you going?

Hey, champ.

What's all the crashing? You're not going to win like this.

What does this mean?

Ondrej!

Where is Nepela?

I don't know.

Ondrej?

Excuse me.

You said on TV you're staying here.

Is Holiday no longer an option?

They forced me! Made me look like a complete idiot.

- Don't yell. - Don't tell me what to do!

What would be so terrible about you staying here?

We don't have to live like rats, do we?!

But I'm staying here, you understand?

All those excuses! If you wanted to be an actor, you'd be in Prague by now.

What about my dad, man?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I can't take it anymore.

That'll be 7.50...

Thank you. Goodbye.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- Where did you want to go? - I don't know.

You know what?

Three months ago, when your Zamboni broke down and my training was cancelled.

- Hurry up, champion! - Wait!

- Like traveling through time? - Yeah!

Me too!

What's it like when everyone loves you?

No big deal, don't pay any attention to it.

Maybe for you...

But you said you wanted to be an actor.

- Well, yeah. - So...

Are you coming?

It's Nepela!

- Hi! - Hi!

Nepela! Nepela!

- Hello, auntie Hilda. - Hi.

- Good evening, Hilda. - Good evening.

- Let me help you. - Thank you.

Hey, Nepela is here!

- Ondrej, let's toast to the gold! - Come on, you'll bait us some chicks!

- Hi. - Let's sit down.

- And where is Ondrej? - I don't know, he left the training.

- What do you mean? - We had an argument, and he left.

- But it's quite late!

Tell Anicka not to worry.

- Good evening. - I'll tell her, good night.

Why are you dressed up like this? Where have you been?

- Do I look good? - You always do.

At the screen tests. I won't get the lead, but girl number two is mine.

- Hey, comrade Nepela! - What were you babbling about on TV?

You shouldn't believe everything you hear.

How was the training?

He'll crash them all tomorrow as always. Right, Ondrej?!

Sure, I can go pack my bags for Holiday.

- My dad bet on you, so win!

No doubts about it!

We have no doubts, but shouldn't you get some sleep before tomorrow?

- Let's dance. - Okay.

Do you realize that this might be the last time we dance together?

I hope you don't want to replace me with Dušan?

No, but tomorrow you'll get your ticket to freedom

and set off into the big wide world. Oh God, how I envy you.

Milka, trust me, you wouldn't want to be in my shoes right now.

What's wrong? You have an opportunity that the rest of us can only dream of.

You know what I would give for that?

You say that, but what if you had to leave everything and everyone behind?

I knew something was wrong.

You could've stayed abroad countless times.

But then I would never be able to see my parents, or you...

But now it's legal, why aren't you happy about it?

I'm Kristýna, if you'd like to contact me.

Thank you.

- There you go. - Don't laugh, just dance.

- At least I can get to know Kristýna. - But now you're dancing with me.

Damn it, Hilda's son. Let's go.

Why isn't he home yet?

I don't understand what got into him.

He knows very well how difficult it was to make them sign that paper.

See you tomorrow.

- Make a wish, a star is falling. - Bye.

One, two,...

She is worried. She won't be able to sleep.

I'm going to look for him.

Hi dad.

Where were you, Ondrej? It's late.

- I met Milka in town. - What kind of answer is that?

- I'm home. - Finally!

- Hilda said you left training early. - Hi.

Good to have you home. Your costume is ready for tomorrow

and your snack is in the kitchen.

Thanks, mom.

- Hi. - Did you eat?

I need to make a call.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Eva? - Yes?

Hi.

- Did I wake you up? - No.

No, I'm awake, I can't sleep.

Are you still having those nightmares?

Yes. I'm boarding that plane with my band

and crashing together with them.

Only now I realize how close I was to it.

After losing Hanka, I can't imagine losing you as well.

I was thinking about her too.

You know...

You two were the only ones I could tell everything!

Everything!

Is something wrong?

Eva...

I'm scared.

Scared of what?

That it was all pointless.

That I will continue living like this.

Screw the medal and the whole championship.

Eva, I don't want to go there tomorrow!

Wait!

Don't say that! You never know if someone...

Comrade Lieutenant, Nepela is calling with Pilarová.

I shall never live the way I want to.

What shall I do if no one will hire me? What shall I do if they don't let me go?

I'm going to report it.

I will never be with Matej.

I don't want to live like this, Eva.

What if I lose?

What if I lose and for the rest of my life I'll be like their trained monkey?

Weeks pass, and I keep asking myself where to go?

Nepela speaks...

yes, with Pilarová.

Why I am the only one now, who knows this story?

It's beautiful like childhood games.

This is our story,

this our story,

I'll keep reading it alone,

our story continues.

You wished to be here, but you had to leave,

against your will, on this treacherous path,

like a river current.

Why do flowers wilt?

Why was the strange trial

so harsh on us?

Comrade Lieutenant,

something went wrong.

The tape has been erased!

I'm sorry I can't be there with you tomorrow.

Will you try to get at least some sleep?

I hear rustling hair, is it nodding?

Yes, I'll try.

I'm thinking of you, okay.

Thanks, Eva, I love you.

I love you too, bye.

Good night.

- Wouldn't you offer me a cup of coffee? - We're out of it.

Ondrej is not doing so well.

Excuse me?

He obviously ran away from training,

wandering God knows where.

Can't you keep him under control?

The daughter's hottie, huh?

Nepela isn't interested in girls, is he?

- The West corrupted him! - You weren't watching him enough!

Is this the result of your "training"?

If it doesn't work out tomorrow, he won't only be the only one to suffer.

Your husband will have to take care of you

once you're fired from your job and this nice apartment.

You'll have to find some room for rent.

I'm telling you for the last time,

I know what you want!

I'm responsible for how things turn out tomorrow,

and now I'd like to get some sleep too.

The door is over there. Raus!

Get lost!

Well, I guess we'll go upstairs now to check with the junior.

As soon as you do, I call Mr. Borovský!

How will you explain you're bothering us at this hour?

Gute Nacht.

- The whole house is awake. - Pavel, not so loud!

Someone has to say it out loud! The secret agents are at home here,

while Ondrej is enjoying himself in the club!

Mom, how much longer are they going to keep coming here?

- They are gone now, we're good.

I found your record book. You threw it into the washing machine.

- Forget about it. - Why did he say they'll move us out?

My final exams are close, I could be expelled from the university.

You're not helping your mom like this!

- Go to bed, good night. - Good night.

- Why aren't you asleep? - I can't sleep. May I sleep here?

Come on.

Lie down here,

I'll take the blanket.

How was your day?

Fine.

Tomorrow I'll be watching you on TV.

The entire world will be watching me,

but no one really sees me.

I do see you!

- Good night. - Good night.

You probably know what I think about it, but I'll say it anyway.

We're proud of our mom, what she's accomplished...

but we're worried about her!

You haven't slept in three weeks!

Ondrej is like my own child.

We're at the end of our journey now.

It will all be over tomorrow, whether he wins or loses.

I've never coached anyone like him,

and I'm sure I never will.

- You two were lucky to find each other. - That is no longer the case.

He's not a boy anymore.

He used to love getting better and better.

You can be proud!

You got him to the podium, helped his whole family.

But now there are things in his life I know nothing about.

What matters is that he believes in himself and that you believe in him.

I don't know.

He's changed.

He feels like he doesn't belong here.

- Hilda... - But I can't help him with that!

What if he doesn't win tomorrow?

What will happen to us?

Things are never as bad as they seem.

He'd be better off with Holiday on Ice.

Dear listeners, warm greetings from the ice rink here in Bratislava,

which became the venue for the 63rd World Figure Skating Championship.

We have our own hot favorite in it,

our talented and successful skater, Ondrej Nepela.

March 3 will be written in bold letters in the history of our figure skating.

Ondrej and his coach Hilda Múdra are ready...

That's Nepela! Ondrej, a kiss for luck!

...and all of Czechoslovakia will be rooting for them today.

When did you come home last night?

What did those men want again?

They came to ask about you.

They mentioned things that I don't understand.

But I don't care.

I just want you to be happy.

- Hilda... - Let it be.

Ja, ja!

BRATISLAVA SPORTS ARENA

The leading Communist Party members of Czechoslovakia made it possible

for Bratislava to host this world championship.

It took more than a year of negotiations

in rivalry with other global metropolises.

The Winter Sports Arena is slowly filling up.

The stands are going to be packed with fans!

Everyone is excited to see the world's best figure skaters perform,

especially our 22-year-old, Ondrej Nepela.

And here come our stars, Hilda Múdra and Ondrej Nepela,

currently the best figure skater on the planet.

Today's performance will be the highlight of his partnership with coach Múdra,

who he's worked with for 14 years and has helped him win many times.

Jan Hoffmann, the young athlete from East Germany has just arrived here.

Over the last two years, he has become Ondrej's biggest rival.

Toller Cranston, the Canadian skater, is also hoping for a medal.

He came in fifth at last year's world championship.

But if anyone stands a chance of stealing gold from Ondrej,

it's the brilliant Soviet skater, Sergei Chetverukhin.

The 27-year-old veteran is one of the most experienced participants,

and this may very well be his last.

Thank you.

Mom, I'm sorry I blew up last night.

It's okay.

- Hi. - Hi!

Fingers crossed!

Thanks!

Come on.

Listen, what word rhymes with Nepela?

Okay, great, thank you.

Got it, write it down.

A beautiful performance by 18-year-old Hoffmann in a wine-red costume.

After a slow start, Hoffmann picks up speed like a machine.

This is the hope of world figure skating from East Germany.

Soon we'll see how the judges rated Hoffmann's performance.

- Beer, soda... - I would have some.

- May I offer? - Yes, yes.

Thank you.

Your change.

Mr. Fišer?

Excuse me, do you happen to know where Matej is?

Do you want him to end up in a loony bin?

What?

Has Matej told you why we got stuck here?

No.

My brother was shot while trying to escape across the border.

I wanted to work for the army and ended up here with this job.

You're a star,

but no one will protect my son.

Damn it!

Good day, comrade Nepela.

- Good day. - Comrade.

We're rooting for Ondrej.

Thank you, comrade Colotka.

I wonder how they'll manage with that daughter if he doesn't win.

Ondrej! Is it true you were celebrating your victory already yesterday?

No, I wasn't celebrating. I just went out with my friends.

East Germany also has a strong favorite. Did you see Hoffmann's performance?

Yes, I did. He did really well. Excuse me.

Ondrej, I need at least one photo of you smiling.

- I really need- - How do you rate the competition?

It's going to be really tough.

Are you worried about the triple Salchow?

- Let him through! - Thank you.

- So guys, have you got anything? - Something, yeah but...

- He looks terrible. - I'd like to see you in his shoes.

I guess he knows he can't beat Chetverukhin.

I wonder what remains of his 'Holiday' plan.

You'll have 20 minutes for an interview with Curry.

Don't leave afterwards. I need to check it.

I'll send in interpreters.

- Good luck. - Thank you.

A beautiful performance by our own, John Curry.

Did you see that posture, the ballet elements? Just exquisite!

We are reporting live from Bratislava, host of this year's World Championship.

Tonight's event is a spectacular show for everyone!

What happened to you?

Don't worry about it.

Just make sure you win, and maybe we'll see each other later.

Are you okay?

What are you looking at? Go already!

- Bye. - Bye.

A phenomenal performance by our Sergei. Perfect jump!

Sergey isn't called the prince of Soviet figure skating for nothing.

Look how he moves, how he feels the music.

This isn't his first competition against Ondrej,

and today's performance gives us hope that Sergey will win.

We're cheering for him.

- Break a leg, comrade. - Ondrej Nepela in 10 minutes.

A relaxed yet elegant finish by this important favorite to win.

Sergei Chetverukhin, as well as the Soviet team, are smiling contentedly.

Tonight is a showcase of live art on ice, an unforgettable evening.

That was perfect, now we are waiting with Sergei for the ratings.

We see high scores for the technical side,

lower marks from Japan and Great Britain,

but overall, an excellent rating!

Ondrej comes next, after a short break to clean and smooth the ice.

Ondrej Nepela in 5 minutes.

Breathe, Ondrej.

Inhale,

exhale.

It's just another championship after all.

Remember, this isn't a matter of life and death.

At worst, we'll be cleaning toilets here at the rink.

- You too?

What did you think? That it's all just about you?

What you've achieved on the ice can never be forgotten.

You're Nepela!

You're a fighter!

Go and show them you're the best!

The atmosphere is beyond words.

Nepela's won all the championships in recent years.

The world's best current figure skater takes the ice.

Good luck, Ondrej!

Deafening applause gives way to deadly silence.

I take number three.

Ondrej uses the entire rink to build up speed.

His face shows complete concentration.

NEPELA WILL WIN EVEN IN A BURNING RINK

Beautiful triple Salchow,

he finally got it!

Nepela is on fire!

Judges, look at that harmony, that symphony of athletic mastery.

Good jump!

Moving gracefully in the slow section, he introduces the finale of his skate.

The last festive bars of music and a smooth double Salchow.

Ondrej, do you have anything else in store?

Nepela, Nepela, Nepela!

Look at mom!

- Congratulations Ondrej! - Thank you.

Congratulations!

We're seeing the marks for technical merit. 5.8 from the...

The skate of Ondrej's life. Incredible.

Ondrej, thank you. You gave it your whole heart.

...and a six for artistic aspect!

The Romanian judge gives Ondrej full 6 points!

The story doesn't end,

Only the last pages are suddenly missing from the book...

I told you!

Which you welcomed as soon as down broke...

My thanks belong to them.

Ondrej Nepela wins the 1973 World Figure Skating Championship

in Bratislava!

The title of World Champion in Figure Skating

- Where to, young man? - One ticket to Prague, please.

Thank you.

Our story doesn't end

- Congratulations, Mr. Nepela. - Thank you!

I will read the blank page.

You wanted to be here,

but had to go against your will,

Down that treacherous path like a river current.

Why do flowers wilt?

Why was the strange trial so harsh on us?

A beautiful performance.

Thank you.

Well, was it all necessary?

Masterful ride.

A shame you want to leave.

A dream like a vivid past, gone are the days

You loved so much.

My thanks belong to them.

I'll keep reading this beautiful story,

The story of our love.

This story does not end, be sure.

I still long to read it.

Matej?!

After ending his competitive career,

Ondrej Nepela shone for thirteen years on ice rinks around the world

as a star of the famous revue 'Holiday on Ice'.

He died in February 1989 at the age of 38.

Officially, the cause was cancer of the lymph nodes

in reality, it was complications associated with HIV infection.

Ondrej Nepela never spoke publicly about who he truly was.