Original subtitles

Studio SLON

I'm scared, I can't do it, I can't...

Breathe, just breathe deeper...

We'll be there soon.

MOSFILM

- The earrings are heavy. - Hush, hold on.

Take them.

While I am there, you stay put, okay?

With the support of the Ministry of Culture of Russia

I can't do it...

Sabina Eremeeva presents

Where is everyone?

Help us! Anybody?

Just a sec!

A film by Svetlana Proskurina

- Be calm, breathe. - Do something!

Fetch her bag, please. Go straight, turn right and get her bag.

Breathe calmly.

Alexei, go, please, go away now!

Calm. Calm. Breathe.

GOODBYE, MOM

Seryozha, don't run off, will you?

Can you imagine we swam in the sea just this morning.

- How was the flight? - Fine.

- Did you have a good flight? - My ears hurt.

Did they hurt much? Just a little? Don't worry.

Give that to me... Put it here.

You know, Seryozha and me...

- We've bought you a present. - Yes, we've bought you a present.

What present?

- Tell Daddy. - Oh, Mom, I forgot.

- Whi... whi... -Whiskey.

Whiskey.

- What kind of whiskey? - Fifty hundred years!

So lavish. Thank you.

Say, do you know?! What present I got?

No, Seryozha, I don't, what did you get?

- Guess! - But how can I guess?

Well, if you don't guess it, I won't tell you!

Why not? Is it a secret?

It's not. But I won't tell.

So what was his present?

I don't tell other people's secrets.

Wait till we get home.

Has something happened?

Where has it happened?

Anna, I forgot to give you my phone number.

I saw you getting into your car and went after you.

Hello.

But you already gave me your card. Thank you.

Bye-bye, Seryozha.

If you decide to try it, give me a call.

Who is he?

It's a funny coincidence - his name is Alexei...

He works with horses...

- He runs a stable. - Yes. And he gave me a toy pony.

Yes, Seryozha, he gave you a pony.

- I galloped on a horse! - Good.

By myself.

Is he beautiful?

Wait, what is his name?

Ah, Blaze.

Do you see? Yes.

Do you know the name of Mom's horse? Bet you don't!

No, I don't know. What's his name?

- Pool. I took these photos by myself. - Have you bought food?

Well, we woke up and decided to try riding.

Seryozha, why are you wearing your boots indoors?

But I'm showing you the photos.

No, Seryozha, take off your boots first!

Seryozha, you are not at the stable anymore. Come on, take them off.

Why are you so late? Where have you been?

- I was in an accident. - Was it serious?

Oh no. It's nothing.

- Are you hurt? - No.

Are you sure? Alexei?

Thank God.

Alexei, how did it happen?

- Where did it happen? - At Zubovskaya street.

But what took so long? Did you have to wait for the police?

- Whose fault it was? - Mine.

So odd, you are a good driver, Alexei.

I dunno. My mind wandered sort of...

Maybe you should hire a driver?

I thought such things couldn't happen to me.

Let's have a talk.

With me?

So odd!

All right, let's have a talk.

But, Alexei, I'd rather go to sleep now.

OK, what shall we talk about?

Oh, stop it. Don't squeeze me, I don't like it.

Take off your coat.

You have to get up early tomorrow.

- Well, I don't feel sleepy. - But I do. Don't stay up too long.

But I am naked. What does he want?

I don't know.

He is looking at us so oddly. Speak to him.

What do you want?

She is my wife.

He says you are his wife.

Why are his ears sticking out like that?

My husband can't have such ears. I can't love such a man.

Alexei, please go, go away!

Get up, get up, get up...

Get up slowly...

Let's go... Breathe...

Daddy.

Daddy.

Did you sleep here?

No, Seryozha, I haven't slept.

Seryozha, do my ears really stick out?

No, they don't.

You have hair in them, though.

Anna?

I'd like to ask a favour.

Okay. A slice of lemon for your tea?

Can you stop going there?

Why?

Must I assume you are jealous?

Oh, Daddy is jealous.

No, I'm not jealous.

Yes, you are.

Let's discuss it when Seryozha isn't here, all right?

Fine! Then we won't discuss it at all.

Seryozha, my boy, leave the room for a minute.

Why must he go?

I can't ride Blaze anymore?

No, Seryozha, you can't.

Why not?

It's dangerous, Seryozha.

Why is it dangerous?

You could hurt yourself.

But it's perfectly safe, isn't it? How could I hurt myself there?

Easily, Seryozha. One can fall and hurt oneself.

Can Mom hurt herself too?!

Yes, Mom can hurt herself too!

Okay, that's enough. Let's go to see Katya, all right?!

Seryozha, eat quicker.

Are you going to your office?!

Hurry up...

It's just water. How can it hurt you?

Come here.

Seryozha, I've told you many times,

don't interrupt when your mother and I are talking.

Seryozha.

Seryozha.

Seryozha, come on I'll tuck you in.

Don't be afraid.

Why did you shake me like that?

I don't know, Seryozha.

Because of Mom.

Because she splashed you?

I don't know.

Come on, I'll tuck you in, come on.

Can you forgive me, Seryozha?

I forgive you.

Have you forgiven me?!

- Have you gone out today? - Yes, we went visiting.

Was it nice?

I don't know, I was left at Katya's house.

What did your Mom do?

She went visiting somewhere else.

- Somewhere else? Where? - I don't know. No one said.

Their sofa is covered with cat-hair. I wouldn't sit on it.

Did Mom come back quickly for you?

No, it was dark.

She was crying when we drove home.

But why was she crying?

I don't know.

She just said, "God Almighty" and "Forgive me".

I've tried to eat toothpaste.

Good boy.

Sleep, Seryozha, please.

A strong Wind's blowing - do you hear it?

Sleep now.

Alexei...

Alexei...

Alexei?

How could you wake your child in the middle of the night?

How could you, Alexei?

- I just asked him a question... - I know what you asked.

But why involve the child in all this?

Where is his hat?

You're not taking him out.

- Put your hat on. - No, don't.

- Alexei, we are going... - Leave him alone!

- That's final. Please, Alexei. - Anya. Let him go! Let him go!

- Seryozha, get your hat. - Let him go!

- Let him go! - Seryozha, come here.

Let him go!

Alexei!

Alexei!

I don't want...

That's it. Stop. It's finished.

- Did you drive here? - Let's sit down.

- Where's Seryozha? - At Katya's house.

I want to move into our country cottage.

Into our country cottage, if you please.

All right.

- And Seryozha? - He'll live with me.

I'd need to turn on the heater there.

Is that a problem?

No.

Your car - how is it?

A broken side-panel.

Could be worse.

All right, I'm off. Goodbye.

- How do you do. - How do you do.

Hi, Seryozha!

- A glass of wine? - Yes.

I wanted to visit yesterday,

but I had to take my cat to the vet.

I lost the whole day.

I guess he didn't visit you, did he?

Everybody says that you are tormenting him with jealousy.

Let them gossip.

Could it have happened any other way, Katya?

Katya, I want to live!

I just want to live my life.

Isn't that allowed?!

I just want to live, to live, Katya.

Is it prohibited or what?! I don't understand.

Daddy, when will you come?

Tomorrow? Why not?

Mom is fine.

She leaves me with the nanny, that's all.

Why are you silent?

No, I don't like her, she makes me read books.

No...

Mom's here, and Katya too.

I'll call her...

Dad wants to talk to you!

Here.

Hi.

How are you?!

Vera, could you take Seryozha and give him something to eat.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

- Are you all right?! - Yes, thank you.

I'm just distracted. Hello, Lida.

Hello. I noticed you've been here for a while already.

Yes, I'm just tired.

- You haven't been here for a long time. - I am very busy.

Nothing is wrong.

Did you gather many mushrooms last summer?

I did.

Anyway, I saw you and your car...

and I was wondering if you needed help or something...

Sorry for intruding.

Oh, it's all right, I should apologize, not you.

I'm sorry.

Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?

I've got some excellent Chinese tea, fresh.

A good remedy for stress and fatigue.

You're supposed to drink it without sugar,

or better yet, totally plain.

- I like sweetened tea. - Oh no, plain tea is better.

I come here so rarely.

Or rather I can't come here often.

If my family needs help of some kind...

Help? To do what?

It's not easy to live in the country.

Oh, no, your wife leads a carefree life.

You've got no reason to worry. I notice things.

I'm worried about my son.

Oh... Well, the way she acts...

I can't pretend I don't notice that.

But it's not my business. I'm sorry.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Take this. Please. - Come in.

- What's wrong? - What?

- Why are you standing there? - Distracted.

- Where is Seryozha? - Taking a nap.

The cottage is warm.

It's better here than in the city.

Were you away on business?!

- Yes, I was. - Did it go well?

It did.

- I've brought you some money. - Good. I'll wake Seryozha.

No, you don't need to now. Let him sleep.

- Do you want to eat now? - Okay.

Vera, would you set the table for us here?

Vera is wonderful.

She is tidy, and she cooks for us...

That's nice.

Seryozha just adores the cottage.

Why didn't we stay here before?

We could live here in all seasons.

- It's a long commute. - To where?

Oh right, of course.

I'll go wake Seryozha.

Hello...

What?!

Why won't you come, why?!

Okay, but where is he, then?

He fell?!

Under... Speak up!

The hospi... hospital which one?

Speak louder, I can't hear you! Where?

Yes, it's all, just tell him I'll come!

Thank you.

Has something happened?

No, nothing.

Dad, when did you get here?

- I just now got here, Seryozha. - Move your car out of the drive!

What's wrong?

Someone fell from his horse. Hurry up will you?!

What, Alexei?!

- What are you trying to say? - You mustn't go there.

Where to?

- There... - But where to?! I don't understand!

- Well, maybe I'm mistaken... - You aren't mistaken, Alexei.

No, you're not.

You know what, I'm looking at you right now,

but I'm thinking about him.

Is he badly hurt?

Will he come today to see me or not?

Can you imagine it?

Alexei, I want to see him!

I want to see him all the time.

Do you understand?

Do you know what I'm afraid of? That he'll leave me, cast me off.

Move your car...

What do you want me to do?!

What you want me to do now, eh?!

It happened, that's all!

Do you think I wanted this?

Leave me alone, don't meddle.

Yes, I'm a whore and I'm glad about it.

I'm pregnant!

Anna is in intensive care. Come here quick. Lesnaya St. 40.

Hi.

Where should I go?

You have to stay here for now. Sit down somewhere.

How do you do.

Alexei, the situation is very bad.

There is something wrong with Anna's blood.

The doctors are perplexed.

The bleeding just doesn't stop, you see.

Yes, she needs donor blood.

She wants to see you very much.

Now the most important thing is to get to see her...

The doctors won't let us in yet...

What else?...

Ah, Seryozha is at Vera's house.

Her husband is ill.

So she took Seryozha to stay with her.

The baby is a girl.

- Is it a good hospital? - Good?

Well, I don't know...

You can come in. Follow me.

Let's go.

All right, please be quick - I must examine her soon.

Anna, Alexei's here.

Anna, Alexei's here now.

Take Seryozha.

He is afraid of me...

Take my baby girl too.

I'm not human.

It hurts, I can't bear it...

My whole body hurts...

I can't move...

I wanted to be faithful to you.

And I wanted to be with another man...

I'm scared.

I don't want this. I'm scared.

Forgive, forgive me...

I won't interfere, I'll go away.

Yes, I'll go away.

Again...

I must go away... Pressed for time.

That's enough. Let's leave now.

Enough. Let's leave.

- May I donate some more blood? - No... You can't donate more.

- I want to... I need to... - No, it won't be safe for you.

I love her.

I must tell you something.

On my way here

I wanted her to die.

But as soon as I saw her...

I won't leave her...

- I can't live without her. - Then don't live.

Seryozha, don't disturb the baby.

- Find something else to do. - What should I do?

Make a wish and tell it to God. Ask God give health to your mom.

May I make a wish about Dad?

You must make a wish about your Mom now.

Leave wishes about your Dad for later.

Does God have lots of health? Enough for everyone?

Yes, enough for everyone.

You were as small as the baby is now.

- No, I wasn't. - Why not'?

And you?

I don't remember myself at her age.

And I don't remember being so small, either.

- Seryozha, take this, it's for you. Hi! - Hi!

- Is your Mom asleep? - No, she's not asleep.

- Hello, Vera. - Hello.

Yes, give it to me, please.

Anna, just give him some answer, speak to him, that's all.

Oh, stop.

I don't want to.

It's just no good. I can't.

Seryozha, go play in your room.

Mom's tired.

- Aw, Daddy... - Go play, it's all right. Go on.

Hi, Katya.

How are you?

It seems I'm better.

He wanted to see me,

to say goodbye.

I don't want to see him.

It wouldn't do any good.

- Listen, you both... - No, Katya. I beg you, stop it.

I don't want to.

All right.

I'll go then... for a walk.

All right.

I won't inetrfere.

- Anna... - What?

I'm not allowed to do it now.

I need to go back to the city.

I've got a lot of work.

0K3)'-

Do you want me to bring you anything from the city?

Is there anything that's not here?

I don't know.

Our home.

Okay, then bring our home.

Yes, Galina Alexeevna.

No, I won't get to the office till evening.

Please, just send me everything by e-mail.

No, no... I'm not canceling it.

Who?

Ah, yes. I'll phone him. Yes, by myself.

All right. Thank you. That's all.

How's the baby?

Is everyone asleep?

They left...

They packed their things instantly.

This man came here.

And they booked seats on a plane.

I didn't catch where they are going they didn't tell me anything.

And the baby?

They took her with them.

- And Seryozha? - Seryozha is here.

They didn't take him with them. I don't know why not.

How long will Mom be away?

Vera, leave the room, please.

Why won't you answer me? About Mom?

Where's she gone? Tell me.

- Who are you? - I'm Seryozha.

What do you want me to do?

Go away.

What do you want?

What do you all want from me?!

No, come here.

What plan have you contrived?!

Why are you trampling on me?!

What do you want from me?!

What am I to you?!

A punching bag?!

Answer me. Speak. Speak.

Just answer me, answer...

Just answer me, answer...

Tell me!

Just answer, tell me, tell me...

Answer me!

So tell me, tell, just tell me something, speak...

Seryozha, do you want to sit with us?

I fear for him.

He doesn't ask me any questions.

But I can't leave him with anybody even for a minute, he doesn't let me.

I don't even remember when I was last in my office.

He has no friends here, nobody to play with.

I am so sorry.

Don't apologize.

You are a very good person,

I knew it from the start.

Now the most important thing is Seryozha.

Forget about the rest.

I'll help you.

Don't fear anything.

Lida, I'm very grateful to you

but maybe we'd better wait a bit,

maybe he doesn't need it right now.

Our efforts will be useless.

But surely you realize that he needs to be among other children now.

And don't forget it's not a common school. It's an Christian school.

Nice children, nice parents.

The headmistress is a friend of mine.

His life is hard enough without school...

He misses her so much...

I just don't know...

I think we've got to settle this right away, or you'll just go crazy.

Hello, Seryozha.

- Hello. - Come here, please!

Come here, Seryozha.

Are you a big boy?!

Seryozha, say something.

I don't know.

Well, I'll talk to you like I talk to big boys. All right'?

Tell me, do you know where your Mom is?

She went away.

No, Seryozha. She didn't go away. Your Mom is gone.

What do you mean, "gone". Is she dead or something?

How could she die?

Seryozha...

Mom... When she went away...

She was...

- She fell under a train. - What train?

At the train station.

But there are no train stations around there.

How could a person fall under a train?

It's impossible. Impossible.

No, that was the wrong way to do!

It is wrong.

Wrong.

It was barbaric.

- Do you have a necktie? - What?

A necktie.

Barbaric - to desert her child.

Desert you that's what's barbaric.

Can't you understand he is very young.

He can't cope with waiting for her every day, for every minute.

You don't see evil in anybody's soul.

On the contrary. Everything is evil.

The bells are ringing everywhere.

People are returning from the church service.

The dawn looks at us from the sky.

Christ is risen. Christ is risen.

The snow shroud...

The snow shroud is lifted from the fields

And the rivers...

The rivers break their ice shackles.

And all the trees are budding now.

Christ is risen... Christ is risen...

The Earth is wa...

The Earth is wait ls waking after the winter

The fields turn green

Spring comes full of miracles

Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

Children, everybody must learn a poem by heart for Easter.

Denis, well done!

We'll stop at a holy spring.

Take your bottles to fill them with holy water.

Lida...

ls everything all right?

Are you hungry? I've got some pies.

You are? Mind, these are lenten fare.

Oh, keeping the fast is the hardest for me. I'm always hungry.

Don't worry.

Do you want some?

All right, go out... all right...

Let's button your jacket...

All right, you have taken the bottle. Let's go, everybody...

I don't know how to tell him.

She's returned and she wants to see Seryozha.

God Almighty.

Back to square one.

She disappears and then returns as if nothing happened?

He is her son, too. How can I forbid it'?

But he knows she is dead, why torment him?

It is like a black hole.

Such a person doesn't deserve any mercy, any love.

Everybody deserves mercy and love.

No, not everyone. Some people don't get any.

If one doesn't deserve love he alone is to blame.

But how are you to blame?

I did so many things wrong.

I never knew what she needed.

Then what did I do wrong?

Lida... Please, don't...

Did you had a nice walk?

Yes, we had fun.

Don't do it, Seryozha.

Shall I put some more liniment here?

The teacher told us the story of Enoch today.

So who is Enoch?

God took him to Heaven alive.

And did God take Mom to Heaven, too?

Isn't she not as good as Enoch was?

I think bad people just die,

but good people go to Heaven like Enoch, don't they?

Seryozha, it's complicated.

So is Mom a bad person?

No.

But why did she die, then?

Seryozha, only God determines who'll die.

But why does He determine unfairly?

I won't believe Him, I won't!

He is dumb... dumb!

Let's sit down for a while, you're a bit sweaty.

Let's wait before we leave.

- Did you liked the service, Seryozha? - Yes, I liked it.

Good.

I've prayed for a special thing.

What's that?

I can't tell anybody. If I tell it won't come true.

All right, don't tell me.

And what did you pray for?

Me?..

The same thing everybody else prayed for.

And me, I've prayed for everybody's things and for a special thing too.

Have you prayed for this special thing?

I don't know, maybe.

And if someone prays, will it come true?

Why can't I see anything there?! Who's there on the picture?

Please...

Seryozha...

Seryozha!

Dad, Mom is risen from the dead! Dad!

Mom, Dad is here, too!

I know, I know, my dear Seryozha. I know.

Mom, go hug Dad. Go hug him.

I'll hug him, Seryozha, I promise.

Hug him.

- Well, I'll hug him, my sweet Seryozha. - How did you live there?

- Where? - In Heaven.

It was hard, Seryozha. Very hard.

- Because I was away from you! - And away from Dad?

And away from Dad. Your Dad is a very good person,

just wonderful, love him dearly, will you?

Seryozha, when you grow up, you'll understand everything.

Everything, just everything. Everything.

You're the best.

Your Dad is a better person than me.

Mom gave you these for the Easter.

How long is till Easter?

Why are you lying here in the dark?

I'm looking at Mom.

- So you can see her in the dark. - I see her clearer in the dark.

Which one of the eggs is yours?

- Here it is. - This one?

Yes. We must knock our eggs together. This is our custom.

But Mom gave us the eggs.

But she gave us eggs especially for knocking.

- Okay, let's do it. - Let's knock them together...

One, two, three...

Mine got broken.

And mine, too.

- So who won? - No one.

And maybe Mom won.

Yes, maybe Mom did.

Seryozha, tell me something...

Would you want to live with Mom or with me'?

I want to live with you both.

- You can't live with us both. - Why not?

It's just not possible.

If it's not possible, I won't answer your question.

All right, you don't have to answer it now, Seryozha.

Later, you can tell me later.

Director SVETLANA PROSKURINA

Script VASILI SIGAREV

Director of Photography REIN KOTOV

Producer SABINA EREMEEVA

Alexei DAUMANTAS CIUNIS

Anna ALEXANDRA REBENOK

Lida MASHA LEONOVA

Seryozha YANA TERESHINA

Alexei ALEKSEY VERTKOV

Katya DIANA GANCEVSKAITE