Original subtitles

TULIO presents

Loosely based on The Stationmaster by A. Pushkin

Music by P. Tchaikovsky

The film is a redub of the original English-language version

Achtung, achtung!

Hans Müller served as a pilot in a German bombing squadron during WWII.

The squadron was in Northern Norway.

From there the Germans flew over Lapland to bomb Murmansk.

Lapland is a wilderness, covered with snow for most of the year.

Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian Lapland covers an area as big as England.

About 30,000 Laplanders live there.

Their main source of livelihood is reindeer herding.

Some of them own thousands of reindeers.

The owners are very rich, but spend their lives like the rest of them.

They live in huts when following the herd.

There go your chances.

Laila just brought a handsome Kraut into her hut.

You're a good, good man, Aslak. Help German soldier.

This leg is badly dislocated.

Ein, zwei, one year in war in Finlandia and now in Norway, again in war.

The war is none of our business!

Ally or enemy, it doesn't matter.

Lapland is our country and we have no enemies.

Laila, help me.

I'll pull the dislocated leg back into place.

It's going to hurt...

Just wait a few weeks, and you'll be able to walk and run again.

- It's better this way. - Even better if you're here with me.

I'll go now...

But I'll leave the door open, so that you can see.

Come, Sami.

Laila, komm!

What Aslak doing? He silly?

- Oh, he's neutering reindeer. - What...? Ich understand nicht.

That reindeer is just like a man.

My father neuters it and it's no longer a man.

Ach, mein Gott! That's bad.

We always neuter reindeer bulls.

A Laplander does it by biting.

He crushes the balls with his teeth and then sucks them dry.

We raise the reindeer for meat.

A neutered bull is calm even in heat.

- It gets fatter and bigger. - That's why we neuter them.

Ach so, I see.

What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with me?

Nothing wrong at all. That's why I'm looking.

Come closer, come. Ich kann nicht talk too much yet.

Du bist cute. Wait a little, sit down.

Thanks a lot for bringing mich here.

Quite dying of cold there. You helped. Thank you very much.

Your hand is all hot. You must have fever.

Father, come here quick!

Quick, father, quick!

Reindeer round-up is work and play for the Lapps.

After the round-up Aslak directed his large herd into the mountains.

On Aslak's permission, Laila did her best to cure Hans,

who was injured and feverish.

While struggling for this stranger's life,

Laila fell in love, as only a child of nature can.

Days passed by quickly, and soon Hans was on his feet again.

May I help you?

Look!

Spring is on its way.

In the south it is warm already.

Are you homesick?

I was at first. But no more, after I met you.

These are the best days of my life.

You'll soon be cured.

Then you'll go away, and I'll never see you again.

Will you be sorry when I leave?

Laila, goddammit!

Go inside and stay there!

Leave that girl alone. She's not meant for you.

But I love her.

That's what you think. You're in good enough shape to leave.

Very well. I'll say goodbye to Laila. May I do that?

Sure.

- I'm going now. - Why?

I have to, it's your father's wish.

Father! You mustn't drive Hans away!

All the better for him. If he'd touch you again, I'd kill him.

I'd do just that. It's better for you too that he leaves.

But why?

You're like your mother. She was a restless woman.

- She left me. - You never told me about it.

I would have.

- Good day! - Hello there.

- Have you seen any German soldiers? - Why do you ask?

Don't you know? The war with Russia has ended.

We are now at war with Germany.

The porridge is burning!

Quick, hide!

Those are Finnish soldiers looking for Germans.

We're at war with Germany and you're an enemy of my country.

The Germans are leaving the country, so we have to search everywhere.

I don't get it. How can someone be a friend yesterday and an enemy today?

That's the way it is.

And the punishment for hiding them is severe.

Boys, search that hut!

Nice-looking chick.

- I'd like to get her between the sheets. - Wouldn't say no to that.

But I would!

There was only a swell-looking Lappish lass there, Lieutenant.

Let's go, then.

Thank you, Laila. But why did you save me?

- I am your enemy now. - You're no enemy to me.

In the wilderness shelter is always given to those in need.

And no one will be betrayed, even those unworthy of friendship.

Come!

Danke schön, Laila. Noch einmal.

Let's get going.

This is the landmark between Finland, Sweden and Norway.

On the right side you have Norway and on the left Sweden.

Ski there and you'll be safe.

Thank you, Aslak. Thank you for everything.

Years have passed and there is now peace in Europe.

The Second World War is only history.

The Lapps leave the wilderness once a year to go to the fair in the nearest town.

They meet relatives and friends there, go to church and to shops,

and also have some fun.

After the war, Hans had returned to his former profession.

He was a photographer for journals and advertisements.

Laila! Laila! Laila!

Sami! Sami! Sami!

Aslak's eyes followed everything that went on.

He was wary of his child like a wild beast.

Hello! Long time no see!

Hello. What are you doing here now?

My journal wants a Lapp girl in its cover. I thought of Laila.

- I don't like that idea. - Oh please, dad.

It would be so much fun!

Well, all right then. You're the winner today.

But don't stay away too long. We'll meet in our hut village.

In vain Aslak pondered whether he did the right thing.

And in vain Sami is trying to catch Laila's gaze.

Laila sees no one but Hans now.

She hasn't forgotten her first love during all these years.

She is still in love, as only a child of nature can be.

Look, a Lappish wedding.

The bride and the groom are there.

They are Lapps from Kautokeino. You can see it by the clothes.

Do you have a...wife?

No, I don't.

Not yet.

- Are you telling the truth? - Of course. And you?

You must have some lad.

There is Sami, but he's not the man for me.

When I saw you, I fell in love at first sight.

Seeing you out there in the snow.

And when you left, I wanted to go with you.

Come with me to Helsinki. That's my current home town.

That would be wonderful! But it's impossible.

Not at all. A plane ride only takes a few hours.

You know my father. He wouldn't let me go with you.

- Don't ask him. - But Hans, I couldn't leave like that.

He would be furious.

- Where is Laila? - She's with that photographer.

- Where are they? - Over there at the hotel.

Goddammit!

Hello.

I suppose Mr. Müller lives here?

He was here, but left a couple of hours ago.

- By himself? - No, he had a Lapp girl with him.

- My daughter! - Oh yes...

She left this here to be posted later.

Dear father, I left with Hans on an airplane to Helsinki.

As you know, I've always dreamed of visiting that city.

I'll be back soon. Please don't be mad at me.

Your daughter Laila

Attention, dear passengers.

The flight to Helsinki is about to end.

From there you can continue your journey on Finnair's planes

to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen,

Hamburg, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London, Luxemburg,

Paris, Zurich, Milan, Barcelona, Malaga, Prague, Vienna,

Budapest, Leningrad, Moscow and New York.

Finnair is the easiest and fastest way of travelling from abroad to Finland.

Now please switch on your safety belts and turn off your cigarettes.

We are landing in Helsinki.

What a nice ship.

I'm a Laplander, a wife of one man only.

Marry me. Please, darling.

What's this? It looks like you're ready to go. Are you leaving?

I'm not sure...

I wouldn't let you leave, if you want to stay with me.

I do. I do!

These happy months were like a wonderful dream to Laila.

She was in love. They worked hard, and she enjoyed it.

She had a lot to learn, as everything was new.

Hans was a good teacher and considered Laila a good learner.

Hans taught Laila, and she learned everything.

Especially about the art of making love.

Laila didn't only mature internally, but her exterior changed as well.

Do you know where young women get a mink?

Right where minks get it, too.

Beat it, buster!

Go to hell!

It's a matter of taste...

Hans!

We'll have to call the janitor. This doesn't work.

I can call him when I go pick up cream at a café.

I forgot to get it myself, because I never use it.

Right, who would use it in a hut in Lapland?

Hans, the coffee is on the table!

Tell me, Hans, what is that discovery of yours?

A servant, a model or a mistress?

Knowing Hans, I would say mistress.

But Maija, you know this side of him better than I do.

Where did you find her?

In Lapland, where my plane crashed in the war.

She saved my life, so I brought her here as a sort of reward.

And as an additional reward, you started fucking her here!

She's a nice-looking Lapp. Is she really hot?

Try her out. Satisfaction guaranteed.

That's interesting. I've never had a Lapp before.

Feel free to try her. I've already had enough.

Gentlemen, aren't you forgetting something?

How about asking me?

You dirty swine!

Don't run after her. Let her run after you.

You're mean. She doesn't know anyone else here.

Then she'll be back soon.

Oh, it's you! How nice to see you again.

Just wait, I have a letter for you.

I think it's from your daughter.

Here's a list of things I need. Pack them up.

Dearest darling father, how are you doing there?

We are working hard with Hans, still very much in love and happy.

We are engaged and are planning to get married soon.

Don't worry about me, father. Everything is going well with me.

Your loving daughter Laila

Have you heard anything of Laila?

Nothing. Probably went back to her daddy in Lapland.

You were completely wrong about her coming back.

Goes to show what you know.

Oh well, Lapps are just different.

Different mentality, different character.

What's happened to you? Are you in trouble?

I just got fired.

Fired?

Well, it wasn't a nice job, washing dishes.

Wouldn't suit me at all.

Thank you. Please come again.

My life is pretty good, though business isn't doing very well.

That's how it is with this job.

With your face and figure you could charge quite a bit.

Shut up, Greta. I want to make my living my own way.

Right. Just don't let time pass too quickly.

You have to use your body while men are still interested.

Just think... They'd sure be interested in your body.

They're like hungry wolves.

They just want one thing. Men are shitty egoists. Swine!

But they have money, too. We just need to get it from them.

It's our revenge.

Sometimes I'd like to tear their eyes out...

They're all a shitty bunch, and I should know. Fie!

Having no education, Laila couldn't choose her work too much.

Fortunately her demands also weren't too high.

That saved her from becoming embittered.

Well, what do you know!

Not so fast, girl. Don't be so stingy!

Try them out, but ask for permission first!

That's it, girl! Keep your guard up!

Now what? Fired again?

No, I quit.

That's a nice-looking girl. Ask her to join us.

- I don't think she would. - Please try.

Laila, come join us! We're having fun.

If the mountain won't come to Muhammed, Muhammed must go to the mountain.

A little drink?

- Can I have some myself? - By all means.

That's a nice watch. Where did you get it?

- A man gave it to me. - I see.

- Couldn't we be friends too? - That depends on you.

Just a minute...

Sorry to disturb...

- Here you go. - You'll get it back tomorrow.

Right, just get the heck out of here!

And stay there!

Go back to your own work. The boss is coming!

Says who? I'm a contract worker.

- Would you like some coffee? - Yes, thanks.

- New boy, eh? - Just a colleague.

Seems more like a friend. I saw how he stared at you.

- It almost pissed me off. - Don't talk nonsense.

I notice these things as a professional.

- Is there any mail? - Yes, the electric bill.

- Why won't your dad write you back? - I ran away from home.

- He still hasn't forgiven me. - Why did you leave?

There was a man... I loved him and thought he loved me.

But he didn't... Let's not talk about it now.

Men are full of shit, each and every one of them.

They speak of love, but what they mean is sex.

When we want love, all they want is a piece of tail.

They're sweet at first, but then they turn their back and go to sleep.

Pussy is the one thing they care about. Nothing else.

Does your dad know you left the other guy?

I haven't dared to tell him.

I've kept writing that we're happy and plan to get married,

as soon as we find a suitable home. I wouldn't want to lie, but...

One lie leads to another. That's what happened to me.

Finally I ended up under Joni, a pimp, and later as part of his stable.

I didn't know then what brand of gentleman he was.

Well done!

You seem to be in love with him.

Yes, it's true. Life is worth living after all.

- Is he rich? - I don't care. Why would that matter?

Love without money will never work out.

Do you think love is enough to fill your belly?

Or maybe it is, but will that be the end of it?

Pekka, Pekka, Pekka!

Hooray! Hooray!

That's the ship we'll board on our honeymoon.

- That'd be lovely. - I've often wanted to see new things.

This is the best summer vacation of my life.

Just you, the island and the cabin. What luck that we got this place!

Yes, but the rent is fitting for a place like this

Even now I make as much money as some petty bank director,

though I'm just a regular working stiff.

Just don't forget that vacation ends next week, Mr. Rockefeller.

True, but we'll start searching for a home then and get married.

You shouldn't live with that slut.

She has been good to me.

She may be a good person, but she's still a regular whore.

That's the ship to Stockholm. That means it's nearly 7.

Time for sauna!

- I have a bath whisk. - Bring it over here!

Could you pour water on the stones, since you're down there?

- Is that enough? - Just a little more.

- How about now? - Thanks! That's enough.

Come to sauna!

- The temperature is just right for you. - All right.

I'll go for a swim.

Can I come in to warm up?

I think I will.

Hey, there's no more steam here!

Then the other side.

Could you wash my back?

Thanks, that's enough.

Thanks, this'll do. I'll go for a swim.

Go ahead, I'll follow you.

Your hand is frozen!

Pekka...Pekka...Pekka!

I am the happiest girl in the world right now.

He really loves me more than anything in the world, as I do him.

We will soon get married.

Dear father, couldn't you finally forgive me?

Just write me a few lines and tell me how you're doing.

I'm still living with Greta, who is good and kind and works in a restaurant.

Your yearning daughter Laila

- Good news? - Yes, Laila is getting married soon.

I guess that man was good after all.

I was mad at him at first.

Now I'm just happy that things worked out as well as they did.

She's my only child.

And what now?

Well, we should raise a glass to mark the happy occasion.

- If you have something... - Of course I do.

To Aslak's daughter.

Goddammit! That son of a bitch!

Should we go for a swim?

- You go. I don't feel like it. - Oh, come on!

Don't just lay there in the sun. You've been there much too long.

I think you're right. I'll go to a more shadowy place.

Pekka darling, let's try another way...

That's the right place. She's home now and seeing people.

Quite a stud...

Please come in!

Don't be shy.

Are you Greta? Laila's dear and wonderful friend

who works in a restaurant?

So this is the kind of life you lead here?

Is this a home or a whorehouse?

- Answer me, goddammit! - Don't shout, the neighbors will hear!

I'll shout as much as I want and don't care if the neighbors hear!

Do you understand, you slut?

Don't be afraid. I won't kill you.

But take a look at this!

What is that? Is my daughter a whore as well?

Answer me, goddammit, if you want to stay alive!

Help, help!

Help me, there's a bad man in here!

Stop screaming!

I won't kill you, just Laila.

I'll strangle that whore with my own hands.

And after that I'll kill that crooked Hans.

- Where does he live? - I don't know.

The police will know.

Shame on you! An old man molesting a young girl!

- Second floor. - Thank you.

- Come quick. You're in a jam. - What now?

Your father is here, looking for Hans.

He went to the police to get his address.

- What does he want of Hans? - Nothing special, just to kill you both.

He could do it, too. I have to get to Hans before he does.

- Müller, photographer? - That's right.

He lives in his studio. The address is...

Oh, it's you! How convenient.

I thought of you when looking at my new model.

- Yet another one? - It's my mission in life. Do come in!

- Such a nice surprise. - Hans, I...

As pretty as ever. Nice clothes suit you.

- A drink? - Not now. You have to help me.

How much do you need?

It's not about money. My dad is here and wants to kill us.

What makes him so bloodthirsty?

He has found out something about us.

There hasn't been anything between us for ages.

He doesn't know that. I've written that we're engaged

and getting married. I haven't dared to tell the truth.

Oh, hell...

I don't ask anything for myself. I just want to protect you.

I don't want you murdered or my dad to be a murderer.

You know what Aslak is like.

He's dangerous. What should we do?

Aslak, what a surprise! Welcome!

Don't touch me, you filthy crook!

You pimp! Where is Laila?

Father, is this true? My own father is here!

Dear father, how I've missed you.

Is that really you? Look at me.

Dearest, how could I suspect you?

Please forgive your silly old father.

Everything is all right again, and we are happy.

Only you were missing, and now you're here as well.

And me, too. Don't forget about me.

Please don't be mad at me for taking her away.

I love her too.

So much so that I'd like to marry her.

A welcoming drink?

This is why I'm here. Isn't that Laila?

These photos have disgraced me and our family all over Lapland.

Oh, those? We made a lot of money out of them.

How dare you make money off my daughter's body!

And all you do is laugh...

Now I get it. Of course you'd be mad if this photo were for real.

- But it is Laila! - Just her face, not her body.

I wouldn't show my future wife's charms to the whole world.

I don't get it. You'll have to explain better.

Very well...

First I choose a photo of Laila where her face looks best for this purpose.

After that I choose a matching photo of a professional model's body.

Then I cut Laila's photo so that only her head is showing.

This is then placed in a suitable spot in the other photo.

After a bit of retouching the photo looks just like real.

Photomontages like these are part of my profession.

I guess I was a bit of a fool.

But I'm an old man and Laila is my only one...

- Is Laila here? - No, she's not.

The guard said some woman picked her up from work.

We were supposed to go on a date, but I didn't see her.

- Where is she? - I don't know.

- I think you do. - I'm not her guardian.

But you do know!

I was young too once, you understand?

But now Laila will doze with her old man, like in a hut in Lapland.

And you'll sleep on the couch, right, Hans?

And before I leave, I want to see you two married.

I won't leave before that.

Good night.

You may kiss him. I'm not as old-fashioned as that.

- Want a kiss on your wedding day? - Shut up. What'll we do?

- Aslak wants a wedding. - So we'll give him one.

That's impossible. I don't want you anymore.

Good. I don't want you either, at least for a wife.

- So what do you mean? - I got an idea last night.

We'll have a false wedding for Aslak, just to get rid of him.

He'll go back to Lapland, and you'll write to him about our divorce.

Just blame it on something. We'll think of it.

Remember to be in earnest. It's important for the old man.

- Who's the priest? - Erkki, of course.

Now get on your places. We're starting.

Straighten up, children.

That hurts an old officer's eye. Music!

We are here to bring together these two young people...

- Is Laila here? - No.

She wasn't at work today either and she's not here.

- Where is she? - I told you I don't know.

You do know. The guard said you picked her up from work.

I'll make you talk, if you force me to do it!

- Where is she? - Get your hands off me.

Sorry, but you had this coming!

I now pronounce you man and wife.

Don't covet your neighbor's wife, priest.

The soul is strong, but the flesh is week.

Leave the pleasures of the flesh to us sinners.

You may kiss the bride.

And now some champagne!

A toast to Aslak's one and beloved daughter.

It's nice to see so many happy young people

on a wedding day like this one.

Marriage is a match made in heaven.

And now, the father of the bride. It's a tradition.

What a pair!

Remember, my child, that marriage is founded on trust.

Don't betray the trust of the man you love.

Father, I truly love the man whom I love.

And I want to be faithful to him always...

Please don't cry! This is the happiest day of your life.

Here's the address. That man is sought after.

- A Laplander looked for him yesterday. - Thank you.

Oh, Lapp dance!

- Oh, father... - Let the old man go wild a bit.

- What's going on in here? - The wedding of reindeer queen Laila.

What about it?

Is this your way of cheating on me, goddammit?

Pekka darling, please leave. I'll explain everything, but not here.

Explain what? You've betrayed your father and me.

Please be quiet. I beg you to go away.

If you love me, please go.

Love! You've disgraced that word, you harlot!

Pekka darling, please go. I'll explain everything.

Do as my wife tells you. Get out.

Who the hell are you?

Her husband and the master of the house.

You're what?

We've been engaged for long and were to get married.

You were too slow. Better luck next time.

Let's see who will finish last this time.

Stop fighting!

Stop that idiotic fighting, stop it!

Laila and Hans aren't really married. You can have her.

Hans is my boyfriend.

We just had this wedding to fool that old man from Lapland.

- Is that true? - Yes.

Oh, hell! How could you do this to your own father?

You whore! And to think I was going to...

Pekka darling, I'll explain to you later...

You're a liar and won't explain a thing!

Get the fuck out of my life, you bitch!

You're a shitty bunch of scoundrels!

How dare you deceive me!

But even worse is that whom I used to call my daughter.

And the worst one of all is that snake.

You're like a wolverine in my herd of reindeer.

But you won't tarnish anyone else's daughter.

Aslak the neuterer will see to that.

You saw what I did to reindeer bulls once.

Goddammit, that's what I'm going to do to you right now.

You wretched beast!

I'm going back to Lapland now.

And I'll never come to the south again.

I don't want to see the faces of any of you.

Nobody laughs twice at Aslak.

Don't leave me, father! Please don't leave me!

Go to hell, you whore! I no longer have a daughter.

Worries, pretty girl? Did a boyfriend leave you?

Yes, and my father, too.

You can easily get a new boyfriend, looking the way you do.

The world is full of men. No use taking them so seriously.

Days, weeks and months passed.

The places changed and Laila's life with them in Joni's ruthless hands.

What a dreadful place. Why did you bring me here?

Who's the performer? Do you know her?

I thought it was someone I knew a long time ago.

I was wrong. You're right, this place is dreadful.

Let's get out of here.

Down curtain!

Isn't this a bit commercial? Like being at a butcher's shop.

Just about it. But you can find chunky bits of meat there.

And right now I'd like to have something special

Gentlemen, I have something special just for you.

Okay!

A genuine Lapp and a genuine Swede.

You here?

What the hell are you doing here?

- A familiar stud, eh? - Yes, a former one.

And a good one, too.

Here I am, the way you wanted me.

Don't make a face like that.

You always said I was a good student.

You wanted to teach and I wanted to learn everything.

Absolutely everything! Being so uncultured and all.

And now I'm getting my higher education in Hamburg.

- Don't drink so much. - Just drowning my sorrows.

This is my only pleasure now.

Oh well, let's get to work.

Come, darling. I'll be gentle with you.

With music or without, sir?

Some like it with the lights on, others in the dark.

How do you want it?

Some like to play with mirrors. Maybe you too, nowadays?

Well, just come here like in the old days.

I'll let you do it for free, if you only can.

For christ's sake, don't look like that!

I don't blame just you. You're all alike!

You play with women, then you get tired and leave them.

You don't understand that we want love.

Blondes and brunettes, good and bad.

We want true love, and all you give us is your body.

You learn us to want, and when we do just that,

we are bad women. Go and figure you out!

If a man wants it, it's not good when a woman doesn't give it.

But if she does, she's a bad woman. That's masculine logic for you!

But one thing's for sure.

If there weren't men, there wouldn't be whores.

Men turn us into whores, after which they despise us.

Laila, you have a visitor in the next room.

She's always here in the morning. That's what they said at the hotel.

Goddammit, Joni!

Joni realized that Greta was again trying to take away his best milch cow.

Go see Laila now. I'll distract Joni, so that Laila can escape.

The plans will go wrong if he finds out.

Your father Aslak is dead.

I have no father. He cursed me.

Aslak was one of the richest reindeer owners in Lapland.

He left you his entire fortune.

All of his thousands of reindeers.

You're a very rich woman now.

I've come to fetch you home.

From the fell of a mountain Laila found Aslak's lonely grave.

Father, please forgive me.

Standing by the grave, Laila finally realized

that she wasn't part of the south, the civilized world.

Her home was Lapland.

Subtitles by Veikko