Original subtitles

A Georgia-Film Studio production

I, GRANDMOTHER, ILIKO AND ILLARION

Based on the short story by N. DUMBADZE

Screenplay by

Nodar DUMBADZE Tengiz ABULADZE

Directed by Tengiz ABULADZE

Director of Photography Georgi KALATOZISHVILI

Production Designers Givi GIGAURI, Kakhi KHUTSISHVILI

Music by Archil KARESELIDZE Nugzar VATSADZE

English Subtitles by Tatiana Kameneva

Cast:

Zuriko - Zurab ORDJONIKIDZE Grandmother - Sesilia TAKAISHVILI

lliko - Aleqsandre JORJOLIANI lllarion - Grigori TKABLADZE

Meri - Manana ABADZE Tsira - Kira ANDRONIKASHVILI

This is the bell of my village.

It rings each morning, announcing the start of a school day.

But when the bell rings in the evening,

it means it's a fire in the village or a meeting of the collective farmers.

Oh, it's so hot.

Open up the umbrella.

But hurry, or we'll be late for school.

Come on, what's the matter?

Don't be in the way, Murada.

Come on, sonny.

My grandmother is a frequent visitor at our school.

I may say that we're finishing high school together.

Don't hurry, Grandma. You may fall.

You little devil!

You louse! You damned idler!

When are you going to study like a man?

You're disgracing your grandmother! How can I look people in the eye?

Whoever have you taken after, you pain in my neck?

Tell me if anyone was uneducated in our family?

- What do you want from me? - I want you dead!

Is it so hard to learn Russian? All Russia speaks Russian.

And your grandfather? He lived in Russia just for 7 years.

Ivan, the postmaster, he couldn't be more Russian,

but even he didn't know the language.

- You don't say! - Go on, laugh!

Your grandfather talked to Ivan in Russian for two hours on end.

He talked and waved his hands as though he played the drums.

Grandma, the postman is coming.

- Hello, Olga. - Hello. How are you?

- I'm fine, thank you. - May God grant you good health.

For two whole hours, Ivan listened to you grandfather with his mouth open.

Then he spread his hands and said:

“I don't understand anything. I've never heard anything like that.“

- Unbelievable! - You laugh at me again, you tyrant!

May you never see the sun!

There's no other woman in all Georgia

who could curse better than my grandmother.

But I wasn't afraid of her damnations.

She once said herself, “When my tongue is damning you,

my heart is blessing you.“

May you never see the dawn of tomorrow!

May you die in the lap of your grandmother, you loafer!

You don't want to study? You don't?

Well, go on and grow up an idler. May you burn in hell's fire.

You've disgraced an honorable woman, disgraced me to the whole world.

When shall I see you dead at last?

I would come to your grave, sit there and mourn you.

I'll be coming to your grave every day.

Let go of me, you damned idiot! Let's go home.

Tell me, what so awful could happen to you if you studied?

What's stopping you, fool? Oh, my God!

Yes, go away, so that my eyes never see you again!

- Good day, neighbors. - Good day.

Illarion Shevardnadze.

The terror of beasts, the god of hunting.

People in our village say that they were born for each other.

The hunt for lllarion, and lllarion for hunt.

- Go left, Zuriko. - There're no hares there.

Stop yelling and don't teach me to hunt, son of a bitch. Follow me.

Murada, come here.

Take your gun away, or you may kill me.

Then I'll tear your ears off.

Is this dog taking us for hares? Tell him to go ahead.

Murada, onward!

He's tired.

Your health, Uncle lllarion.

Hove you so much.

There's no one better than you in the whole world.

You've got a big nose, but your kind heart is still bigger.

Pour it.

Now listen to what I think of you.

The earth has never borne a man like you.

I'm 40 years older than you.

But 40 years ago I was like you.

So 40 years ago I was your coeval.

You were.

So in 40 years you'll be my coeval.

LWill.

- Then is there difference between us? - No difference.

Does it make any difference who has more or less hairs on his head?

No difference.

- We're friends for life. - For life.

Then here's to your and my health, Zuriko.

- Zurikello. - What, Uncle lllarion?

A hare.

- Where? - Don't you see the tracks?

- These are the goat's tracks. - Don't you teach me, milksop.

And you, why are you lying down?

He's some bastard, not a dog.

Zurikello, you go from above and I from below, Murada follows. Quick.

Why hadn't my arm withered and my eyes gone blind?

You won't give me away, will you, Zurikello?

Of course not, lllarion.

You won't disgrace me before the entire village?

No, lllarion. Don't you know your rifle?

You shoot at a goat and you hit a donkey.

Uncle lllarion!

Uncle lllarion! Uncle lllarion!

What, son?

A telegram for you, for you and Zurikello.

Express telegram.

To scoundrel Zurikello and big-nosed lllarion.

We share your deep grief

about the tragic death of Murada.

When you go to hunt dogs next time,

please take me along.

Warmest regards to both of you, your grieving friend.

No signature.

Come here, son.

Come closer, don't be afraid. Who sent you?

- He'll kill me if I tell you. - If you don't, I'll kill you.

Iliko Chigogidze. He gave me 3 rubles and said not to tell you.

Ah, lliko. I knew it.

Just you wait, the one-eyed devil. You'll be very sorry.

Iliko had gone blind on one eye long ago.

He can see with the other, healthy, eye,

and thus he has a healthy view of the world.

There's no man in the village who could fool lliko.

That's why the villagers unanimously elected him the farm watchman.

Good morning, Uncle lliko.

- Hi, lliko. - Hello, dear. Come here.

- Zuriko. - What?

Don't you see my guilty face?

Yet you must not censure me, but help me.

Please, go to lllarion,

because he wouldn't talk to me after that incident.

- What do you want from him? - I'll have guests coming tomorrow.

Ask him for 30 liters of wine, either to sell or lend it to me.

Ask him yourself.

Zu riko! Wait, Zu riko.

Please go to him.

He won't refuse you, he respects you.

But if he refuses, find out where the jug is dug in and mark the place.

- Are you crazy? - Wait.

You'll get two packs of tobacco for that, the best tobacco.

Ten.

- Four. - Ten.

- All right, eight. - Ten.

- What do you need so much for? - Is that much?

You'll ruin your lungs.

Then I'll go and tell lllarion everything.

Alright, let's meet at night.

When I get the wine, you'll get your tobacco.

Zurikello!

Remember, one who betrays lliko Chigogidze

is the traitor to his motherland!

Alright, what does that one-eyed devil want from me?

He said he'd have guests tomorrow, and he asks for 30 liters of wine.

Oh, so he's having guests.

Hello, Meri.

- He wants wine. - Yes.

- Thirty liters. - Yes.

Maybe he wants poison?

- He didn't ask for poison. - He'll never get wine from me.

Kukuri, you hear?

Tell him, Kukuri.

Give him the wine, father. He's got guests. Don't offend him, have pity.

Did he have any pity when he sent that telegram?

- That's right. - Then he'd better not ask.

- You know what he said? - What else?

He said, “If lllarion refuses,

make a marker at the place where the jug is dug in.

I'll come at night and steal it.“

- Steal it? - Yes.

Zurikello, why don't you go home and read your books?

Don't pull the wool over the old men's eyes.

So it's tonight?

I'll play such a trick on him, he says, that everybody will be laughing.

Zurikello, you're my fried, so you must help me.

You won't be sorry, I'm not lliko. Let's go.

Where, lllarion?

Here's thatjug, the biggest one.

Dig it out. Hurry, Zurikello.

But it's empty.

No, there's a lot left in it. Bend down and look better.

Freeze! You bandits!

Run!

I'll shoot you on the spot!

Who are you? I'll kill you both!

It's me. Don't kill me.

- Where's the other one? - I don't know.

- Tell me, or I'll shoot! - I don't know!

- Who was with you? - I don't know.

You were together. Cover the jug with earth.

- But, Uncle lllarion. - Cover it!

- Dig, or say goodbye to your life. - All right.

Oh God, may You punish all cheats and swindlers

and send thunder and lightning on lllarion Shevardnadze

and Zuriko Vashelamidze!

Who are you? What's your name? Or I'll shoot your brains out!

It's me, lliko. Take your rifle away. Don't take a sin upon your soul.

No, you're not lliko. You're a bastard.

What is it you lost on the bottom of myjug?

You're burying me too early, lllarion.

Climb back down. I'll cork you up and in a month distil you into vodka.

No, Uncle lllarion, who would want such stinking vodka?

You've sold me out, Zurikello. Sold me like a she-goat.

And how do you think we felt when you sent us your telegram?

- Now sit and choke here. - Let me out, lllarion.

Let's let him out.

He must give in first. Bend your finger.

- Are you giving in, lliko? - Yes, I give in, I give in.

Let him climb out.

I give in. Here, I bent my finger.

Help him up, Zuriko.

What, one-eyed devil, you couldn't fool me, could you?

- I shouldn't have messed with you. - Serves you right.

Wait, what's the hurry? And where's your gratitude?

Thank you. Thank you very much. I'll never forget it.

What the hell do we need your 'thank you' for?

Zurikello, dig thatjug out. Let's have a drink.

Leave me alone.

Don't be angry, my dear lliko.

What's so funny?

- What a misfortune, sonny. - Stop it, Grandma.

- Will Amiran get his head shaved too? - Of course.

It's a pity, he's got beautiful hair.

It's the rule in the army.

Zurikello, look after these she-goats so the jackals don't kill them.

All the jackals are leaving, there's no one to fear any more.

Be a good soldier, Nodar.

I won't disgrace you.

- Take care of mother. - We will, Dad.

You'll come back, won't you? I'll be waiting for you.

Dad, how will we live without you?

Don't cry, daughter. I'll be back soon. You won't even start missing me.

Remember that you have a mother. Take care of yourself.

I pray for you day and night.

We'll come back with victory, Zurikello.

Don't forget me, Nodar.

I won't be your son if I don't bring you Hitler's head.

Better bring your own head back.

We'll need your head more, and may Hitler drop dead.

Don't worry, Father, I'll sure come back.

Don't worry about us, and write to us often.

Write to us often, you hear? Don't spare the paper.

Here, eat it on your way. Don't put it down, hold it.

Everything will be alright, Mother.

Chigogidze.

Hey, you good-for-nothing.

May God save you.

Come back with victory.

Good bye.

Good bye.

I'll come back. I'll come back.

Shevardnadze. Shevardnadze!

God bless you.

Alright, go. Look, they're already gone.

Hurry, Kukuri, or the war will be over!

Don't stick out your head to the bullets of those wretches.

And so, suddenly, peace, quiet and happiness were gone from my village.

The village became deserted.

Only we remained, women, old men and children.

Now Hitler is done for.

- You have any news? - They got stuck near Moscow.

What about a second front?

Why would they hurry? That England is a sly fox.

It says to America, “Forget that Soviet Union and help me.“

And what does America say?

Says it's none of your business.

There's more, Germany says to Turkey and Japan:

As soon as I approach the Volga, strike right away.“

I don't like how Turkey's been behaving lately.

Don't you know Turkey?

When it smells Germany is in trouble, it will declare war on it itself.

Really?

Here's I and there's Germany. Cut my mustache off if it's not so.

- And Japan? - What about Japan?

Germany says to it, “Go ahead.“

And Japan answers, “if I go ahead, I'll have to retreat only to the sea.“

And Germany?

It announced over the radio 3 times that it had crossed the Volga. Liar.

One can't fool Japan. It's no fool either.

No, Hitler is finished. It's clear enough.

Yesterday I wrote a poem.

What did you write?

A poem about the war.

- Tell us, be so kind. - Yes, tell us.

The fascist Germany came down on us with its regiments,

it swept off everything, as though a hurricane came.

With our tanks and cannons, we'll squash them like vermin,

and I, too, if need be, will cut the fascists' throat.

It sounds bombastic.

Well, it's all right. It can be read not too loudly.

But tell me what is going to happen to him now.

Does your grandmother know that you began writing verses?

Not yet.

Don't tell her, son. She's got enough troubles as it is.

- Have you written anything else? - Yes, about love.

It's interesting. Tell us.

- Don't be shy. - Go ahead, we're listening.

Night, the moon, the wind, the cold,

I'm wandering in weather foul,

All alone in the whole world,

So happy that I howl.

I don't sleep, I don't eat,

I've gone crazy, that's it.

What do you say?

The last line is very good.

You feel that these words come right from the heart.

You said the verses were about love, but there's not a word about love here.

The boy is being shy.

Wait, the verses should be discussed.

First you say:

Night, the moon, the wind, the cold.

How come? All that at once?

Listen, my dear, if you can't sleep,

if there's the wind and the cold, if the whole world is falling down,

then why are you howling from happiness?

What can you know about verses? You ignorant men!

I know when men begin writing verses.

When I was his age, it happened to me, too.

Never mind, son. Don't lose heart. Write verses if you feel like it.

If the girl you're in love with is as silly as you.

She will surely like your verses.

And if she doesn't, don't grieve. It means she's not a fool.

Write them, son, write your verses.

No one will shoot you for that.

Chigogidze.

Right, sit down.

Kolondadze.

You've already called me up.

Right, sit down.

Dolidze.

Dolidze got sick and went home,

and Tsinteradze, Burcheladze, Chkino, Nikize,

Koridze and Glonti went to see him off.

Why didn't the whole class go?

We wanted to, but there wasn't a spot left on him to catch hold of.

Very witty. At the blackboard you're not as quick-witted.

Vashelamidze.

Vashelamidze.

Zuriko.

Yes, I'm here.

You're here, but it looks like you're not here.

To be, or not to be: that is the question! It's about him.

- Kalandadze, leave the classroom. - It's cold out there.

Do as I said! Vashelamidze, come to the blackboard.

Well...

What was your homework for today?

The properties of sodium and the method of its isolation.

Sodium, its isolation and use.

Well, tell us about the use of sodium.

In industry.

Sodium is used in economy and industry.

Sodium is used in economy and industry.

There're many ways of the use of sodium.

Such as?

Nodara. Hey, Nodara.

Kolondadze, out!

All right, go on.

Well, sodium...

ls dissolved... Dissolved...

For example, Uncle lliko sticks his tongue out,

pours some sodium on it, and swallows it.

Just like that?

And lllarion Shevardnadze

takes a teaspoon of sodium for a glass of water, mixes it and drinks it.

When he has a hangover?

- And my grandmother... - That's enough.

Get out of the classroom.

I can go out, of course, but who will remain here then?

- Who lives near his house? - I live next door.

You'll take a note to his grandmother.

Vashelamidze, don't drag on. Get out.

Some people are so lucky.

Dobardzhinidze.

To the blackboard!

- Oh, so he threw you out, too. - It's all because of you.

What do I have to do with it? You sit in class like a dummy.

You think I don't see you're in love?

- With whom? - With Meri.

Shut up! One more word, and I'll tear your ears off.

The whole class knows about it.

It's none of your business.

Why are you pissed off? You want me to tell her you're crazy about her?

You idiot.

I can tell her myself if I wish.

To declare your love is nothing like reporting your lesson.

You can't do without a letter here. Believe me, I know.

- Have you ever written it? - Many times.

Then tell me how to do it.

As you wish. There you go.

Write it.

Oh!

My darling!

My incomparable one! The joy of my life!

Wait.

Come on.

My darling, my incomparable one, the joy of my life.

- He writes that to you, Olga? - To me, just imagine.

Since I first saw you,

I've come to know the absolute truth of beauty.

When did he see me?

I've come to know you as the apogee of soul suffering

and the apotheosis of aesthetic delight.

This doesn't make sense to me.

The devil himself would be at a loss trying to make sense of love.

- Your eyes drive me crazy. - My eyes!

Just think of it!

And I see Italy in the pearls of your teeth.

Where have I got any teeth?

He's overdone it at bit here.

In a word, I'm crazy about you.

Grandmother Olga!

Somethings wrong here.

What do you want, Meri?

How can you drive a person crazy like that?

What is this letter you brought me?

Our teacher told me to give you a note. Here it is.

And that one is something else. I don't know how I got it.

Illarion, read it.

Please come to the school

due to the unworthy behavior of your grandson.

Am I supposed to go to school every day?

You deserve to be killed, you loafer!

Give it to him, Olga!

Let go!

Meri.

Meri.

It's all Romul's doing. I didn't want to.

I didn't know it would turn out like this.

- It's a bad joke. - It wasn't a joke.

Meri, now you think I'm bad?

No.

- Are you cold? - Yes.

And I'm not cold at all.

- Meri. - What, Zuriko?

My Murada is buried under that tree over there.

I know.

I loved Murada so much.

I love him, grandmother, lliko and lllarion more than anyone else.

I know.

I talked to him like to a man.

We understood each other perfectly. He understood me, and I him.

When Murada died, I'd almost gone mad. It's true.

A man can go mad from love, Meri. It's true.

You knew what Murada was like, didn't you?

Of course I knew, Zuriko.

He loved you very much.

He always said to me, “Meri is a good girl.

There's no other girl like Meri in the whole world.

Meri is the best.

No one has eyes like Meri's.

And Meri is so smart and kind.“

Murada loved you so very much.

Almost as much as me. And even more.

He snarled at me sometimes, but never at you.

You too loved my Murada, didn't you?

Yes, Zuriko, I loved him very much.

- Are you warm? - Yes, I'm warm.

Meri.

You know what?

What, Zuflko'!?

There was a slanting snow.

There was the wind.

There was the moon and there was the sun.

And love, and a lot of snow.

Iliko shouldn't have laughed.

If there's snow in the world, he said, and the wind, and the world falls apart,

why are you so happy, you fool?

There was all of that, the snow, the wind, the moon and the sun,

and the world was falling apart, and I was happy.

Good for you, son, you're playing beautifully.

- Good day. - Good day, lllarion.

You owe me a drink, Olga. Here, I've brought you an agitator.

- Hi, Zurikello. - Hello, Georgi.

- Hello, Olga. - Hello. Take off your greatcoat.

I won't stay long, I've got a lot of things to do.

What's the news, agitator? How are things at the front?

I'll tell you.

The enemy offensive has been checked,

Hitler's plan of a blitzkrieg has failed.

We read about it back in January.

And it's February now. Tell us something new.

Olga, don't overdo it.

- All right, I'll take it away. - Come on, I just kidded.

Oh, lliko the one-eyed! Play a flourish, Zurikello.

Now listen carefully. It's a serious business.

We're listening.

Comrades.

Our socialist motherland is in danger.

The treacherous enemy has seized hold of our land with his bloody paws.

Our Red Army is heroically attacking...

Why are talking to us like a walking newspaper?

Say straight what is needed.

Of course.

You see, we're collecting presents for our fighters.

Perhaps you may help, too?

You should have said so in the first place instead of spinning it out.

Wait, Olga. Tell us what kind of presents.

All kinds.

Fruits, dried fruits, woolen socks and other warm things.

Today is Thursday.

On Monday, a whole train car with presents from our village

will go straight to the front.

If you think of something, bring it to Olga.

Our boys will come and take everything. Well, I'm off.

- Wait. - Have a drink for the road.

Peace and happiness to this house. Your health, lliko.

It's real fire.

I got to go. Goodbye.

As for me...

What do I have? Nothing.

If only a felt cloak. It's hanging over there, behind the door.

Zurikello, bring it here.

Why are you staring? I said, bring it.

The world won't turn upside down if such an old sucker like me

doesn't walk in a felt cloak.

I can very well last through the winter wearing this.

And the spring is near.

One-eyed lliko, shame on the god who deprived you of your eye.

I've always known he got a kind heart.

But I didn't know that pure gold was beating

in this small sickly chest.

I'll be right back.

- You know where he went? - Where?

He went home. He's got a new pair of boots.

He's going to bring it. You'll see he will.

The mailman came to me today.

He brought a notice that Kukuri was killed.

What are you babbling? How can you say such a thing?

I can't, he said, bring myself to giving this death notice to lllarion.

You give it to him.

Oh, Kukuri, sonny, what a tragedy.

- The poor boy was killed near Kerch. - How can lllarion bear it?

That's the seventh in our village.

And lllarion is waiting for him.

Counting days before his son returns.

Now he will know that his family tree has ended.

Oh God, may you punish that Hitler, that damned murderer!

Exterminate all his family to the seventh generation.

Oh, sonny Kukuri!

What if it's a mistake and Kukuri is alive?

It happens sometimes, too.

And what if it's true?

Anyway, his father must wait for him. Man lives by hopes.

Be careful, Zuriko, don't blurt it out. You got it?

My grandmother didn't sleep that night.

All that cold night, she was knitting socks

for a faraway soldier she didn't know.

Iliko didn't sleep that night.

That night I didn't sleep, either.

Only lllarion had a peaceful, serene sleep.

I've covered the whole globe's route:

Life is good and living is good...

So that I lie on a burial mound Over the great river...

Composing verses again?

We're preparing for the exams.

- Good for you. Hello, Meri. - Hello, Uncle lllarion.

How are things going?

- Not bad so far. - We got only one exam left.

Are you going to Tbilisi, too?

No, I'm staying here.

Then it's all right, it means he can't run far from us.

Uncle lllarion!

Uncle lllarion!

I'm here. What's happened?

- Uncle lllarion, the war is over! - What did you say?

The war is over. Do you understand?

Come here, son, don't be afraid.

Did lliko the one-eyed send you? Admit it!

We had been presented high-school diplomas in a ceremonial way.

Our teachers and the exemplary students' parents were in the presidium.

My grandmother wasn't in the presidium.

I didn't manage to become an exemplary student.

And still, proud and anxious, she was waiting for the moment

when her educated grandson is ceremoniously handed

a diploma in front of everybody.

Dear comrade parents, dear comrade students,

it's a historic day for us, comrades.

The day of graduation from school.

And now, with a high-school diploma in your hands,

after leaving your school, you'll come out on the road,

a wide road of knowledge,

which will lead you to the unreachable summits of science.

In our country, all doors are open to the young people.

And what is the situation, comrades, in capitalist countries?

It's quite contrary, of course.

When the humankind first originated on our earth,

man learned how to talk, and he said “hello“...

In his opening speech, the principal gave a brief outline

of the world importance of secondary education.

Then he said that from now on we were independent persons,

that the school had given us everything it could

and that from this day we could do whatever we wished,

even walk upside down.

Meri Aleqsandrovna Sikharulidze.

Congratulations on the graduation from high school with honors.

Zurab Vladimirovich Vashelamidze.

Don't let us down, Zurikello.

Thank God that day has come.

Get the diploma, Grandma.

Good boy, Zurikello.

Is this really his diploma?

Who else's? Don't you see all C's in there?

Thanks for at least this one.

My dear sonny.

My boy, my darling Zurikello.

Thank God everything's alright.

What do you think to become?

He doesn't have to think, my grandson will be a doctor.

I've grown old, I need care.

I think he'd better be a judge.

Ourjudge, Valiko Badridze, arrived here in unmatched galoshes.

Did you see how he looks now?

A leather coat, a hat, rubber boots.

What do you want to be, you dissolute one?

I want to study to be an actor.

Don't even think of it.

What a crazy idea!

- Wait. - What's up, lllarion?

Is he going to town like a beggar? We must discuss it and make a decision.

What is there to discuss? It's all clear.

- Will he need a place to live in town? - He will.

- Will he need clothes? - He will.

Will he need to eat?

All this takes money. And where will we get it?

What shall we do, sonny?

We could sell Pakizo.

Pa kizo?

- Yes, Pakizo. - Our cow.

Great. You thought of it yourself?

- Great idea. - Smart guy!

Hurray for lliko the One-Eyed!

Who is going to buy her? She's nothing but skin and bones.

- Isn't skin worth money? - They'll pay as much as for a she-goat.

We have one common cow, Grandmother, I, lliko and lllarion.

Our Pakizo.

She's been living from times immemorial.

If Pakizo isn't as old as my grandmother,

then she's at least the same age as lliko.

And now, all tidied up like a bride,

swollen from the salty water we gave her to drink,

Pakizo is going with us to the market.

I hate to part with you, Pakizo, but what can I do?

By the decision of the family's supreme counsel,

you must be sacrificed for the sake of my education.

She's dead.

No, dear, she just dozed off. She didn't sleep all night.

He looks like dead himself.

If we go this way, we won't get there even by tomorrow morning.

I wish it got dark, then we could carry her on our backs.

Enough of sitting here. Help me.

Illarion, come here. Zuriko, take her by the tail.

Grab her by the tail.

Olga, you better take her by the tail, and Zuriko will drag her by the horns.

We forgot to take ammonia, for her to sniff it.

Oh God, she's so heavy.

A bit more, drag her.

Her forelegs go here. That's it.

Pakizo, get up, then you may ask for anything.

You're not that old. Why did you get so limp?

Go on, forward!

Wait! I forgot to milk her.

How can you stop her now? We hardly managed to get her moving.

What will happen to her? Wait, lllarion.

- Don't stop, lllarion! - And I say, stop!

Don't listen to her, lllarion. Drive her on!

Wait! Stop! Be human!

Goddamn him!

Be careful in town. It's not like in the village there.

Let me set you straight.

Listen, dear, please stop.

He stopped, Zurikello.

Be careful, watch out, she may kick you.

Take him to town, please. Our Zuriko goes there to study.

Get him there, and I will make it up to you.

As you arrive, write to me. God bless you, sonny.

- Take care. - Godspeed, Zuriko.

Don't be shy, Zuriko, keep your chin up.

Remember, we put our trust in you.

- Don't mess up with town people. - Be a good boy.

Can I put my basket here?

Go on. Hurry, go on.

What is this? There's nowhere to put my things.

Go on, ma'am. There's more space there.

Don't create disorder.

Take your foot off my head.

- I got clean feet. - Then put the other one, too.

Open the window, we may suffocate.

Where's my suitcase? They stole my suitcase!

Here it is. Stop yelling!

We'll breathe in turns, there's not enough air to get us to Tbilisi.

Why are all berths occupied?

And my berth is occupied. I've got a ticket.

Hold it well.

Don't push, mister.

Climb on it before it's taken.

Where the hell are you going?

The student years.

The happiest time in man's life.

One who hasn't been a student

will never appreciate the taste of a bread crust rubbed with garlic,

the delight of getting a 'C' on the stolen question at the exam,

the cool of the morning after a sleepless night,

and the value of a friend, and the pain of parting with him,

and the feeling of great pride

when you, a nonentity sitting at a lecture,

some Zuriko Vashelamidze,

once you come out in the street,

become a most important resident of that city,

a student of the state university.

They're called hieroglyphs

because they consist not of letters, but of signs representing...

Really? I had no idea.

I got an 'A'. Can you imagine?

- Excuse me, may I ask you something? - Yes.

How can I find Zuriko Vashelamidze?

- Who? - Zuriko Vashelamidze.

- I don't know. - He's a sophomore.

- I don't know him. - He's tall and handsome.

Ask someone else.

Uncle lllarion!

- Zurikello, my boy! - Uncle lllarion!

Who is that?

How are you, Uncle lllarion? How's my grandmother? lliko?

Wait, let me recover my breath.

Please meet my uncle lllarion.

- That same uncle lllarion? - Yes, that's him.

Zuriko told us so much about you, we had a lot of laugh.

Zurikello, what did you find so funny about me?

- I got to go home, it's late. - Goodbye, dear.

She's a city girl, but she sings our village songs so beautifully.

I'll be back soon, Uncle lllarion. This is my bed. You may lie down.

No, we'll sing a bit more.

It turns out so well with uncle lllarion.

Excuse me, just a moment.

- Sounds well? - Sounds well, son.

Zuriko, do you like walking at night?

I do.

I wish morning would never come.

Why, Tsira?

Well... Night is more beautiful than day.

Maybe you fell in love with someone?

Yes, I did.

With the sky, the stars, this tree. You don't believe me?

- Do you want me to kiss it? - You're crazy.

Perhaps. And you?

- I think I'm normal. - No.

You're blind and deaf.

Isn't that true?

Here, look. Do you see me?

Just imagine, I do.

And you hear me?

Sonny.

You're a learned man now.

You enjoy great authority in Tbilisi.

Our school received a letter from the university.

Your teachers can't find words for praising you.

Good for you, sonny.

I knew you would surprise the world.

Your grandmother wants nothing in this world

but to see you happy.

You'll turn 20 soon.

In a year I'll find a bride for you.

Who else but me should rock a cradle with your son?

Then I'll die and you'll carry my body to the cemetery.

But I don't want to see tears in your eyes.

Bury me with a song and merriment, sonny.

I've finished my work on this earth.

Iliko's cow bore two calves.

Arkhip the Big Jaw surrendered his soul to God.

Matryona at last married off her swarthy Maklana.

Meri and everybody send you their regards.

Kissing you, your grandmother Olga.

Illarion is very bad, sonny.

He complains of pain in his eye. The poor man is suffering so much.

I fear for him.

Consult some professors and help him, sonny.

Iliko is not that stupid

not to tell a glass eye from a real one.

What?

Nothing.

Illarion was not so much upset by the loss of his eye

as he was worried about the imminent meeting with lliko.

It was he who had all along mocked lliko by calling him one-eyed.

How was he going now to look him in the face?

Grandma!

Zuriko, sonny, at last!

Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Completely forgetting your grandma.

Oh, you're so skinny, just like a dried plum.

- Grandma! - My sonny!

Thank God my boy has come. Finished his studies at last.

- I still got 3 years to study. - Your poor grandmother.

Are you supposed to study for all the rest?

Damn those teachers of yours! They're real tyrants!

Tell them you got an old, sick grand- mother who can't be alone for so long.

- Maybe they'll let you go sooner? - All right, I'll tell them.

They've just gone mad. Three whole years!

Olga, say hello to me, too, at last.

I'm sorry, lllarion. I didn't notice you because of this little devil.

How are you, dear?

Tell me how is your eye? Does it hurt?

How can it hurt? I've got no eye.

What are you talking about, you wretch? You think I don't understand?

Isn't this an eye?

What can I say, Olga?

It's like the kite's that hangs on lliko's wall.

What do you say! Is it really a glass one?

Yes, a glass one.

Never mind. You're alive and well and we're all with you.

- Come on in. - I'm tired.

It's alright. Take your suitcase.

We'll sit and talk for a while. Come on, my dear.

Olga!

- Iliko is here. - Speaking of the devil.

- Not a word to him about the eye. - God forbid.

Uncle lliko!

My respects to the professor.

How are you doing? Look how tall you've grown!

Strong as a bull, as a beast.

And you used to be just a suckling, a village calf.

Oh, my dear Zuriko!

You must have driven all Tbilisi professors crazy.

Oh, greetings to lllarion!

What's happened to you?

Not a single letter all this time. Aren't you ashamed?

- Hello, lliko. - Hello, lllarion.

Well, sit down and tell us what's going on in the city.

What's the news? How about foodstuffs there?

Expensive? Cheap? Have you brought sea-roach?

- Sorry, I forgot. - What were you thinking about?

Illarion, was he learning something?

I haven't seen him with books.

He must be learning everything by heart.

Well, let's have a drink, my friends.

To your homecoming.

You have no shame.

I was waiting for you to come and tell me the news, and you...

You met me like wolves. Do friends behave like that?

I won't set foot in this place again.

Don't be angry, Uncle lliko. We're just tired.

I was so happy you came. I ran straight here.

Maybe you think I came here for this vinegar?

We know why you came.

Then tell me why do you think I came, you and your foul tongue.

Well, lliko the One-Eyed, come on, say it straight. I'm in your hands.

Go ahead, bite me.

Eat me, body and soul. I'm all here, before you.

The poor man's gone mad.

Mad as a dog. What potion did you give him to drink?

I sent a man of gold to you in Tbilisi.

And whom did you bring me? Some imbecile.

Uncle lliko.

He didn't notice anything. Come on, Uncle lllarion.

Let's drink to our homecoming, to our meeting.

That's a different matter. Because you frightened the one-eyed old man stiff.

Don't you have any pity?

To your homecoming. To our friendship.

May you be healthy and happy!

To you, Zurikello.

Zurikello, open the gate.

Iliko, my dear...

You don't even know howl love you.

I know, I know.

I know, lllarion.

I'm dearer to you that your own eye.

Illarion!

What, you one-eyed devil?

Don't forget to put your eye in a glass for the night.

- What? - Nothing.

Come on, wink at me with your new eye.

- Iliko Chigogidze! - Yes, yes, yes!

Keep repeating my name, or you may forget it.

Actually, you're very lucky, because you love to hunt.

Now you won't have to close your eye.

You can fire as much as you like and shoot all the dogs in the village.

Don't miss a single one.

Iliko Chigogidze, don't lead me into...

lllarion Shevardnadze, don't come near me, or I'll break your glass piece

and you'll have to chase my tail!

Here, have a smoke. Take it, I said.

I was almost going to die when I learned of your misfortune.

May my second eye go out if I'm not saying the truth.

And how could it be othenlvise?

Your misfortune is my misfortune.

And your blindness is my blindness. It's clear to everybody.

And he got offended, silly man. I didn't expect it from you.

You've always called me one-eyed, and I'm not offended.

One eye, some misfortune!

Kutuzov was one-eyed, too. But he could see better than anyone.

Even if we lose both eyes, we'll be alright.

We'll hold hands and walk over this earth.

If we can't do it ourselves, this boy will lead us.

And you got down in the dumps. Shame on you!

- Iliko. - What, lllarion?

Take the sea-roach. It goes well with wine and polenta.

Very well.

- I've brought it for you. - I knew you'd bring it.

Wait, we're going the same way.

Grandma Olga.

Can we borrow your sieve, please?

Go and take it. You know where it is.

Eat, eat. Don't you want it?

Open your mouth.

Drink it, I said.

- Hello, Meri. - Hello, Zuriko.

Thank you, Grandma Olga.

- Sit down, Meri. - I'm in a hurry.

- See her off. - Why? I don't need it.

You don't, but he does. See her off, Zuriko.

- Meri. - What, Zuriko?

My Murada is buried under that tree over there.

I know.

He loved you very much, my Murada.

And he never snarled at me.

He always said to me, “Meri is a good girl.

There's no other girl like Meri anywhere.

Meri is a beautiful girl.

No one in the world has eyes like Meri's.

Meri is a very kind and intelligent girl.“

Did you love my Murada?

Yes, Zuriko, I loved Murada very much.

Time was flying with an incredible speed.

The happy student years were coming to an end.

The days no longer looked like one another,

as my grandmother's flat cakes baked in cinders did.

And there came that day.

- Well, it's time. - Goodbye.

Good bye.

- And where's... - Goodbye.

I think, we should go this way.

- Who's got the tickets? - Tsira.

- Check it. - Look if you didn't forget them.

Are they in place?

- You got them? - They're here.

Go on.

Is this our car?

- Tsira, our car is over there. - Go on, go on.

- Ours is further on. - Next one.

This one.

What's the matter? Hurry up.

This one?

- Help me up. - Come on.

Give it here.

Zuriko, give me the suitcase, I'll put it on Tsira's berth.

Zuriko.

What, Tsira?

- So you're going to the village? - Yes.

Will you come to see me?

Why don't you say anything?

Zuriko, why don't you answer me?

Zuriko.

Tsira, you're a very nice girl.

You've already told me that.

Tsira, you don't love me.

You're just imagining it, believe me.

No, Zuriko.

I don't believe that such a girl as you could fall in love with me.

You're much better than I.

I know it, Tsira. Now I know everything.

Sometimes I myself thought I was in love with you.

But it's not so. We just imagined it.

I should have told you that earlier, but I myself couldn't sort it out.

I don't know why it happens so, but I love another girl.

More than anyone else.

Her name is Meri.

I love her, and will love her for the rest of all my life.

Here I am. Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

What happened?

Yesterday she felt very bad. We thought she wouldn't live until morning.

- Have you received the telegram? - What telegram?

We sent you a telegram. She got very sick yesterday.

Wait, she fell asleep.

Illarion, am I dreaming it, or do I really hear my boy's voice?

- It's me, Grandma. - My dear sonny.

My darling.

Your heart felt it.

You thought your grandma would live forever?

Don't say that, Grandma.

My time has come, sonny.

Your grandmother is not going to get up again.

Nothing can be done about it, it's time.

I've burdened this earth for 80 years.

Eighty years is no joke. But I'm still yearning for life.

People have greedy hearts,

nothing is enough for them, however long they may have lived.

I'm ashamed to admit it, sonny,

that I would like to live a little bit more, but I'm not fated to.

Come on, Olga, you'll outlive a dozen men like us.

Illarion Shevardnadze.

First wipe off your tears, and then you can joke.

Did my sonny finish his education?

Yes, Grandma.

Now listen to me.

Do you see them, lliko and lllarion?

Don't lose them, son.

Always listen to them.

You'll never be able to pay them off

for all the good they did you.

Don't promise anything.

Just love them as they love you.

Come on, lliko and lllarion, go out.

Leave me alone with my Zurikello.

Come here, sonny, I'll kiss you.

My dearest boy.

Well, go now, Zurikello.

Leave me alone.

Go, my boy-

Go.

Oh, God Almighty,

Oh, God the merciful.

The Saint Mother of God, Virgin Mary,

Do not forsake Your mercy towards my flesh and blood,

my Zurikello

and his progeny,

stretch out Your hand in misfortune,

make darkness light before him

and give him long years.

I will take lliko and lllarion.

And we will live all together.

I, lliko, lllarion and Meri.

I'll have many children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

And their children, too,

and we'll make up the whole village.

Then we will be even more.

And the whole world - that'll be us.

We're the whole world.

And we'll never die, never run out,

and there will be no end of us.

The End