Original subtitles

Dear passengers, our airplane will land in Paris in 20 minutes.

Please remain seated with your seat belt fastened.

Please fasten your seat belt.

Excuse me. Please fasten your seat belt.

How do you say that in French?

Please fasten your seat belt.

I'm flying back in a week. I hope you'll remind me then.

We are at your service.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry.

Please move your seat back to an upright position.

Yes, sure.

Smoking is not allowed while landing.

Yes, of course.

Please fasten your seat belt.

Did you see it?

All the headlines on the front page are about our new friendship.

- I don't know how they did it. - We're descending.

We're descending.

OK.

We made friends with France. But what's the point?

The Americans have a British puppet on one hand

and French one on the other.

We call that a puppet show.

They pretend they listen to us, but in reality..

We are flying for nothing, Valya.

The Americans won't listen to us

until we come to Paris with an atomic bomb.

Well, we have one.

Khrushchev Nikita Sergeyevich.

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 4

Khrushchev came to the conference with a mistress, the Spaniards say.

Sheer nonsense.

What do you have, Arkasha?

Japan has asked the Americans to raise the Kurils issue in Paris.

The US has more important things to do.

Well, we'll make them sweat soon enough.

You'd better show me your report.

I have a flight soon. Did you complete it?

- And where is it? - I have a draft.

I'll rewrite it without any blots. But after a smoke break.

Mine is here.

Give me a light please.

Andrei, you didn't miss your flight did you?

- There goes a plane. - Go to hell!

I will.

Andrei.

Here is your passport and tickets.

Sign here please.

Thank you.

It is I who should say 'thank you'.

THE ELYSEE PALACE, PARIS, MAY 16, 1960

According to our sources, the CIA deployed 10 psychologists

to understand Khruschev's behavior.

And we have only you, Ruta Karlovna.

It's a compliment, really.

I understood.

Rutie!

Letitia, hello!

My lord, how long has it been?

An eternity. Unbelievable.

- You look great. - Thank you.

They provided Soviet the delegates with better suits which is good.

Yes.

OK. What have you done to the French?

They are practically hanging on your words.

Just look at this.

All credit goes to comrade Bykov.

How are you doing these days?

Things are good.

God, he was so handsome.

If I had translated for him then, I could have lived in the USSR by now.

Any children?

I have four boys. Can you believe it?

I'm sorry. I have to go.

Of course, dear. I'll see you this week.

Letitia Dempsey.

She's from the US State Department.

I trust you'll provide me a transcript of your talk with her?

Don't leave out any details.

I know what a transcript is.

Excuse me.

The position of the USSR in Paris is is being covered unfairly.

They'll change their tune when Khrushchev kicks them in the ass.

Are you kidding me?

What's this?

This is my summary.

You saw what they wrote.

It's not about the essence of it. 'Kick in the ass'?

A lot of diplomats will read this.

So? They will understand.

Korneev, you're a boxer.

You should respect your opponent. Especially when you're winning.

The USSR is in a strong position.

We should dictate our terms with dignity.

I'm for the kick.

You understand this is poor work, no?

No, monsieur Muratov.

I'm not a nobleman. I didn't grow up in Paris.

Matches.

Listen. Stop snubbing Andrei for his past.

His parents died in labor camps.

His sister died while she was fighting for the French Resistance.

He's an orphan like you.

Every one out of two is an orphan in our country.

So?

Nothing.

I'm going to Nadya's and Tonya's office. They understand me.

I have to re-type it anyway.

Americans weighted our step with Chaprel.

Soviet and French pilots are on the front page of Le Monde.

The Pentagon won't find that pleasing.

And they haven't even seen the Muratov report yet.

A man is waving to you.

This is Bill Conway from New York Times.

He's a journalism legend.

He considers himself as a USSR expert.

Ruta, you look gorgeous as always.

Hello, Bill.

Bill Conway.

Birukov.

From the Foreign Department of the Central Committee.

I'm afraid not.

Let me introduce you to my colleague from Blik magazine Gaby Gotze.

This pretty girl is the best author in West Berlin.

Ruta Blaumane. My pleasure.

My pleasure.

Birukov Grigory Vladimirovich.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you too.

I have a lot of questions for you. But Gaby has even more.

If US troops leave West Berlin, as the USSR delegates require,

what guarantee is there that Soviet tanks won't enter the city?

Any commentary after the first day of the conference at our briefing.

Well, let's ask the US delegates about it.

I think we'll see you many times this week, comrades.

One big pain in the ass.

This is how they call people like her in the US.

I see.

Love you. Love you. 30 times.

From Pokrovsky.

A poet.

Yes. I'm happy for you.

Sima, I'm sorry. I have to...

Alot of people are keeping an eye on the high-level meetings in Paris.

What about Birukov? Aren't you in touch?

Yes, Birukov is in Paris attending these meetings.

Has he called?

No. Nelly Muratova told me.

Sima, I'm sorry. The show is in 5 minutes.

In the Eliseev Palace...

Awful!

In the Elysee Palace.

The Soviet delegates prepared a slew of constructive proposals...

Galya.

Don't be angry with me because of Pokrovsky...

Of course, not.

The Soviet delegates prepared a slew of constructive proposals...

Dwight Eisenhower.

Dwight Eisenhower, the President of the USA.

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev...

You have to try an Andouillette. They make it at Les Halles, it's nearby.

- How about a visit? - My treat.

I'm German. There are a lot of sausages in Germany.

Besides, we have to work.

Oh come on. Believe the old wordsmith.

Nothing will happen today.

I've already written an article about first negotiation day.

So, what's the verdict?

I'm full of cautious optimism.

What happened?

Valentin Ivanovich?

Nikita Sergeyevich! What an ace!

He asked for a personal apology for pilot Powers from Eisenhower.

Eisenhower refused.

Khrushchev banged his fist on the table.

And they left.

The British and Americans just sat there open-mouthed.

What about the French?

What do you mean?

- What should we tell the reporters? - Forget about it.

We're not obliged to give any explanations.

We'll fly back to Moscow tomorrow.

No interviews with the Western press. Do you understand?

Yes.

Why did the Soviet delegates leave so early?

I'm sorry. No interviews. We should go back to the hotel.

Andrei Vladimirovich.

This is the press review from comrade Korneev.

We've retyped it.

He asked us to give it to you.

Did the whole department work on this?

Andrei Vladimirovich, we've made a list.

Maybe you'll have time for some shopping in Paris.

Should I do it before or after the report on repression of French citizens?

I'm sorry.

Nadezhda, I remember.

A box of chocolates.

Andrei Vladimirovich, please come here.

Andrei.

Your business trip is canceled.

Nadezhda Petrovna.

How?

Why?

Grigory and Ruta will explain everything tomorrow.

When they get back.

News from France-Presse!

The conference in Paris fell apart.

Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards.

Here's the new transcript.

30 seconds before we're on. Are you kidding me?

Calm down. We call it news because, well, it's new.

Soviet delegates left the conference hall in Elysee Palace in a mark of protest.

10 seconds.

Oh my God. What happened?

Attention!

Hello, dear viewers!

Here is the latest news.

At the international conference in Paris

the US showed again its 'I do what I want' approach

by refusing explicit condemnations of the recent hostile act against USSR.

Soviet delegates left the conference hall in Elysee Palace in a showing of protest.

The chief delegate...

Don't worry.

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev remarked, "It's a pity"

-Hello. - Hello, madam.

- Did a Mr. Muratov stay here? - Just a moment.

Thank you.

No. Sorry, there's no guest by that name.

Can I do anything else for you?

No, thank you. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Ruta Karlovna.

Mind if we grab some souvenirs?

Relatives wanted some small gifts.

I think you'd better ask comrade Chernykh about it.

I'll see you at dinner, comrades.

Excuse me. Are you a Soviet delegate?

I am.

Do all delegates stay here? Or some of them stay elsewhere?

I'm sorry. Who are you with?

No, I'm not a journalist.

Sorry for the trouble.

Ruta Karlovna.

I know what your informal briefings meant for you.

I think you'll have another chance.

After what happened today I doubt this.

But thank you for your empathy.

I can see Paris is doing you well.

Thank you.

Colleagues, how about a walk through Montmartre?

They said to stay at the hotel.

It's fine if you're with me.

No, thanks.

Count me out.

Which floor?

- The fourth. - The fourth.

Is everything OK?

Something happened.

He didn't come.

Paradise Cinema Theater. 17:00.

Did you mix up rooms?

I did.

What does it mean?

L'heure bleue.

A blue hour.

Twilight.

It suits you.

He's leaving!

Stay here. I'll go after him.

Arkasha.

Let's have a drink.

What about me?

Another time.

We request clearance to land. Do you copy?

Cleared to land.

Vasily.

Damn Americans. Where do you put the coffee?

Never mind. Let's just drink some vodka.

I can't. I off to the doctor tomorrow.

I'll have some juice.

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow too.

I've been having procedures for a week now.

Back pain.

Lyosha, I came to you for a reason.

I need a speaker who will give a speech for the Pioneers next week.

How about it?

I'm not an orator.

Come on! You're a hero.

You know, Lyosha.

Come visit me in Moscow in the administration.

How long are you going to sit here in Sverdlovsk?

It's time to grow old doing an easy job.

A featherbed soldier.

You're too funny.

So, think it over.

You can live together with your wife finally.

How long are you going to run around two cities?

I think it's over.

Are you leaving her?

Don't be stupid.

They want me to work here.

What position?

I signed a non-disclosure agreement.

In the General Staff?

Higher?

I'm confused.

In space, maybe?

He is too old for that, isn't he?

As an instructor?

I told you nothing.

Hot damn.

Are you drinking coffee on an empty stomach again?

You don't bring me any loafs of white bread anymore

Comrade Commandant.

And a plum loaf on Sunday.

A plum loaf and acorn coffee are the most delicious things ever.

When was the last time we met?

15 years, multiplied by 365.

It was 5475 cups of coffee ago.

Did you count leap years?

Hello Gaby.

Hello Grisha.

You have some clefts.

Wrinkles, Gaby.

Yes.

The wrong word, again.

I am forgetting.

So, tell me, am I different now?

He deceives me again. And I'm pleased again.

When will it end?

You'll have another chance to visit Paris.

Muratov, I have had a bad week too.

I haven't seen anything of Klava. I guess it's really over.

We can just drink beer and say nothing if you want.

I should have met my sister today in Paris.

You said she died.

We thought so.

How did you find her?

She found me, handed a letter to me.

She has a husband and a daughter.

I'm an uncle, Arkasha. Can you believe that?

You have relatives abroad. They'll fire you at a minimum.

If they find out, yeah.

I won't anyone anything, I swear.

Does Nelly know?

Gentlemen, do you mind?

Yes.

Come on. Kolya! I've got us a place.

I said that I mind.

Come on, man. Take it easy.

You take it easy and go away, Vanya.

I'm Nikolai.

Kolya.

No, you're Vanya. Ivan.

Why?

Because you're a fool.

Hey, Kolya!

What?

Raya, good evening.

Could you call Claudia?

She's not here.

Please find her. I need her as the breath of my life.

Go and breathe elsewhere. Forget her!

What are you doing? Go away!

Did he go?

Yeah.

Good.

What did I say?

He's like Korneev.

He'd just use you.

You should have listened to me.

Don't look!

Andrei, are you here?

What about Paris?

The trip was canceled, obviously.

Oh my God.

Andrei, did someone attack you?

You need to go to a hospital.

It's just a couple of scratches.

What happened?

We ran into some idiots at the bar.

It's nothing, Nelya.

That's awful.

It's Korneev's fault.

Arkady and I were there.

As for Paris, I should tell you something.

Oh my God.

He accompanied you?

You got drunk, picked a fight.

And you missed the flight.

Andrei.

They'll fire you.

- And what will we do? - Nelya.

Don't you understand that you can't do such things?

Your behavior should be perfect with your background.

So nobody could find any reason.

This is so childish.

You always think only about yourself.

Stop it!

Please understand what I'm saying.

How would you react if our airplane flew over US cities?

You would ask me, "What are you doing?"

And I would say, "We flew, fly and will fly."

It's ridiculous.

I believe people don't eat where they defecate.

It's simple, you know.

Don't fly to the USSR!

Don't fly to socialist countries.

Respect sovereignty and know borders.

Otherwise we'll hit you, teach you a lesson.

Grisha.

What do you have in mind?

What do you mean?

I'm not going to have an interview with you.

I just want to understand it.

Berlin is my hometown.

My friends are there. My mother lives in the East sector.

What will happen to them?

Gaby.

I'm not a person who can discuss it.

Don't pretend. You're one of them.

What will happen to Berlin?

Harsher control?

Barbed wire? What?

After the Powers incident the Americans were ready to accept all your terms.

It's verified information.

Why does Khrushchev need these stupid apologies from Eisenhower?

Why do you fight when you can come to an agreement?

It's 'agree'.

What do you want?

A war?

We don't want a war.

But we don't want peace on their terms more.

It's so horrible.

You're lost souls.

Gaby.

Please go.

Aren't you hungry?

I guess last night I lost a couple of kilograms.

Why do you look back all the time?

Don't worry. Nobody can follow us. I'm here.

Should I prepare a transcript of our talk too?

Should I describe the circumstances of our tete-a-tete?

Did I offend you?

I'm sorry. I'm used to having breakfast on my own.

On your own?

It's a bad habit. Families fall apart because of it.

Let's care about our families separately.

You're right it's time to break bad habits.

From this day on we have only a business relationships.

You have a big heart, Alexei Yurievich.

You have the attributes of a 20-year-old athlete.

It's so boring, can't find anything wrong.

So, you had a spinal cord injury in 1945.

Yes.

A crash?

A hard landing.

Cross your legs.

OK. The other.

Put them down.

Hands.

Not bad. Put your hands down.

Follow the plexor carefully.

Perfect.

Please stand up.

Legs closed.

Stretch your hands.

Palms up.

Sideways.

Perfect.

Put your hands down.

Now close your eyes.

Step forward. Try to step in a straight line.

Please.

What the hell?!

Sit down.

Let's figure this out.

- Let's try one more time. - No.

No. We have to deal with it.

What if I don't catch you next time?

- Good morning. - Hi, Arkasha.

- Why didn't you have breakfast at home? - I didn't have time.

Did you make up with Klava?

No, it was not her.

I see. Then who?

You had a nice time.

So...

The winner is defined on points. And Arkady Golub wins!

You're such a smart ass Lyonya.

So, don't interrupt me please.

You'll have no luck with the lunch lady.

With the lunch lady?

Tamara is a queen.

And Tamara the Queen and I will cross the equator soon.

You can't.

Let's bet.

OK.

Your terms?

Your ship has three months to cross the equator.

But with strict celibacy on its way.

What?

Abstinence.

No contacts with the opposite sex until you romance your lunchroom queen.

Those are the terms.

If I win, I mean, when I win, you'll give me your desk.

- Then I get anything I want. - Deal.

Do it, Arkasha.

Stand back, Shuiko.

Stand back.

Shuiko?

Why is he having breakfast here? They fired him.

What are you talking about? Shuiko is untouchable.

Fasten your seat belt, please.

If you ask me, sweety.

Fasten your seat...

- The seat belt? - Yes.

Thank you.

Grisha, sorry.

Look.

Just like the real one.

I bought it for Misha.

Time flies.

It's as if only yesterday we brought him home from the hospital.

He weighed 3.550 kilos.

And he is already going to school, after that he'll be in the army.

Cock it halfway.

How old is your daughter?

She's five.

A fiancee is growing up for my son, isn't she?

Let's set up a play date.

The children can play, get to know each other.

Of course, let's do it.

What did you buy for your daughter?

I didn't have enough time.

Really?

Grisha, you should have asked me.

There are great gifts at Lafayette.

That's why I woke up early today.

Because the place was 40 minutes from the hotel.

But it's within a stones throw from 18 Rue du Mont-Cenis.

What's her name? Gaby?

Gaby Gotze, a Blik correspondent.

In 1945, she was a student of Humboldt University

where you served as a commandant.

I'll prepare a transcript of our talk tomorrow.

What talk? What are you talking about?

I saw her. She's gorgeous.

It's unlikely that you're giving her an interview.

Don't worry.

As always, I won't tell anyone.

I promise you as my future relative.

Thank you.

- Hello. - Hi.

I have some news.

What?

I'm moving to Moscow.

I'll work in the administration with Vasya.

Is everything OK?

They offered me a good position.

What about space?

To hell with it.

I don't want to run around bases and spaceports.

I want to live with you.

This is the most popular perfume in Paris.

Thanks, honey.

You're captured! Tell me all your secrets!

Never!

Don't shoot your dad.

Alright, stand up.

The perfume is perfect. Thanks, honey.

Did I wake you up?

No.

Soviet?

From Paris?

From Sheremetyevo Airport.

The transcript.

On May 16, 1960, I, Birukov Grigory Vladimirovich,

had a conversation with Gaby Gotze, a correspondent of Blik magazine.

The following subjects were discussed...