Original subtitles

Here it says sunrise is at 4:33 a.m.

I'm sorry I woke you up in the middle of the night.

I didn't even go to bed.

- So show us the hero of the day. - Yeah.

When I got my party membership, I wouldn't let it go for weeks.

I almost rubbed it to pieces.

I still can't believe it. Arkady Golub is a member of KPSS.

Wait now. A toast.

Standing here in such a historical place

where Herzen and Ogaryov gave an oath of friendship.

I'd like to say how lucky you are Arkady

to join the party in this particular moment.

Taking it got back to the ideas Herzen and Ogaryov dreamed of.

To be a communist means to be an optimist.

- I'd like to say... - To you, Arkady.

- This will do too. - Thank you, guys.

- Careful. - Well, well...

- Why stop now? - Nope, I have a long day ahead.

And evening too.

Klava then...

Yes, a real date at last. I'm taking her to 'Cranes'i'.

Great move, I like it.

Listen, guys, can you lend me 100 Roubles.

Why are you always so broke?

I give everything to my mother. So can you help me out?

We, as your elder party comrades forgot to explain to you one thing.

Your party membership doesn't mean you'll get a better salary.

- Vice versa. - Dues.

So take Klava to cafe.

No. I said 'Cranes'. It's a matter of principle.

So get a business lunch and share a soup between yourselves.

- No. - The principal.

Well, if you have a will there is a way.

Really? Go ahead.

- Integral. - Math really isn't my thing you know.

No, Integral is a horse's name.

Horse racing on the weekends.

Denis from my dormitory explained everything to me.

- Well, if Denis did... - Wait a sec.

There horses, who are favourites. You don't risk much with them.

You won't get much money either, but if you play smart and long enough,

then you can get 300 or 500 out of 100.

- I don't know... - Mura, don't be a prude.

I like it. Will you go with me?

- Sure. - Just for your sake, Arkady.

It's a deal!

Gentlemen...

I feel that today is a day where anything can happen.

OPTIMISTS

Alyosha?

Did I wake you?

Insomnia again?

No, I slept well.

Maybe I'm just used to this schedule.

Careful. There is glass is all over the floor.

- Alyosha... - What?

- Are you alright? - Yes, yes.

I'm sorry. It was an accident.

I feel like a bull in a china shop here.

It's too early, get back to bed.

I'll come too.

Careful.

I did my best.

You're a good cook, huh?

Wait, that's not all I can do. I've got the whole day planned for us.

- Galya, we're with Anya today. - With Anya, of course.

Today's the open house day in Krasny Octyabr.

Let's go there together to see how they produce chocolate.

There is a factory shop there, we'll go buy some sweets.

Then we'll take a river tour to Luzhniki and have a picnic there.

I'll make some sandwiches.

- What is Anya's favourite? - Doctorskaya.

I only have Lyubitelskaya left.

But don't worry, I'll go buy something else.

Galya, we won't be able to make it.

Work?

Then I could go alone with Anya.

It's been one year today since...

Anya and I are going to the cemetery.

To visit her mother.

I'm sorry, I should have told you before.

- Maybe I can help you... - No, It's fine.

Let's do it next Sunday, river tour and all.

No, I'm busy next Sunday.

I'm going to Jurmala with Sima.

She is crazy in love with this Pokrovsky,

and he's in sanatorium by the sea.

He calls her, send her letters. But it's complicated.

You know, it's a resort. She's nervous.

She doesn't want to go there by herself.

Not to make Alik feel too big.

So she asked me to accompany her.

As moral support if something goes wrong.

I'm telling her she should go alone. But she put her foot down.

She's calling me every day. I said 'yes' yesterday.

I should have told you first, right?

No, it's fine. Go if you need to.

The fried curds are excellent.

Thank you.

Sima, hi. It's me, Volina.

Did I wake you up?

I'm sorry.

Listen. Pack your bags. We're going to Jurmala.

I'll explain everything later.

Bye then.

So, as Denis taught us. We play it smart and long.

- And our 100... - Alright. I'll bet on your...

- Integral. - Let it be Integral. 10 Roubles.

Are you going to stop drinking? Don't be greedy.

Okay. Arkady first, he needs it more than we do.

Good afternoon. I bet...

45 Roubles and 30 kopecks on the horse...

- Integral. - On the horse...

Young man, it's obvious that it's not a dog.

Horse's name and race number.

Integral.

I'll bet on... Chervony.

Second race.

Arkady, what about playing it smart and long?

- Did you hear me? - I did. With my heart.

Chervony means red. The cashier is wearing red lipstick.

It's a red letter day today. I have a red party membership card.

Chervony... is gonna win.

- On Intgral. - That's right.

Damn tailors.

They never unstitch the upper button-hole.

Let me do it.

Let's ask our neighbors.

You just need to cut it.

Give me the scissors.

Don't move.

Maybe I should put on my medals?

You're already handsome enough.

I like it when you're so soft, clean-shaven.

Don't, Alyosha. The journalist is coming.

We won't let him in.

You don't want to talk to him?

What am I gonna tell him? Everything is already written.

How I shot down the first German air craft?

Or how I crossed the Atlantic?

To hell with this interview.

What if it's not an interview, but a book?

A book? About me?

Illustrated, I hope.

It's in the US they toot a trumpet that they're the best.

But here it's all gone.

Come and gone.

And will never come back.

Who needs it?

Alyosha, what's wrong with you?

Go. Open the door.

We'll give him an interview.

- Hello. - Hi.

- Come in. - Thank you.

Anya, you wanted to give your drawing to your mom.

Put this stone on top of it, it won't fly away like that.

It's me.

You have a parrot on your shoulder?

Pretty.

It's not a parrot, it's mother. She lives on my right shoulder.

She's my guardian angel.

And a devil lives on my left shoulder.

But I didn't want to draw it.

That's how it is.

I'd say no, not really.

Alright. The next question...

- Here. - Thank you.

When was the first time you saw a plane?

I don't remember. When I was a kid, probably...

Or maybe not. I don't remember.

On what types of aircraft did you fly?

On all the types existing in USSR at that time.

I flew on them, I tested them. All of them.

Flew on everything...

Then tell me, when you're in the cockpit on a very high altitude

what do you feel?

I feel...

...the sense... of flying.

What?

Ruta, what is it?

I'm sorry. Go on, please.

You know, Alexey, I happened to interview the head of Nikolinskaya mine,

Petr Deev, your former classmate.

You mean, Petya?

Yes, him. And so follows my next question to you.

Why did you and Petr set the procurement agency barn on fire

when you were in 2nd grade?

What sort of question is that?

Come on, Intergal! Go!

Chervony, please!

That's it.

Iskra won! Good girl!

Iskra won! Good girl!

Mine ran fourth. I've lost my money. Now I can't take Klava anywhere.

Ours took eighth! No, you're not a profi, you're a windbag!

Hello, diplomacy! Such people at the hippodrome!

Hi! Sorry, I didn't notice you.

Based on the glasses, I'd say you're Ministry too.

And you, I've not forgotten.

- Dome and dart? - Who is it?

Ilya, meet my colleagues Leonid and Arkady.

Ilys is a guitarist from 'Cranes'.

And... a man of many talents.

Arkady is trying to get the money to go to your restaurant.

I see that isn't working out so well.

Who did you bet on? Not on Iskra, I reckon.

If you want to recoup, bet on Bombay in the next race.

He's a rocket, not a horse.

- No, thank you. - As you wish.

Alright then, see you, comrade diplomats.

I should get back home. I promised to help Nelya.

Look, will you give me a lift. I don't even have money for the subway.

Here, take it. Make your bet on Bombay, as he said.

If you win, you'll pay me back.

And, by the way, I'm not greedy.

Yes!

Arkady, let's think again on which horse to bet.

- I don't believe this Ilya. - Why?

He just rubs me wrong.

- That's it? - That's enough.

I really see these things in people.

I said the same things about the horses. Let's go!

What did you just do?

- Crossed myself. - Why?

Grigory, I taught her. I just...

Let's go. Your grandparents are waiting.

What was that? Who gave you permission?

Go, Bombay! Go, dear!

Yes! Hurrah!

Did you see that?!

No, you saw how he surged forward?!

In the beginning I thought he was a pony!

And you didn't believe Ilya...

I don't doubt the horse. But I still don't like the guy.

- You're a fool. - And you're a fool's friend.

Will you please let us pass?

One moment, please.

- What is it? - I lost the ticket...

Good one. Let's go, they're waiting.

Come on, give me your winning ticket.

I've lost my party membership card.

This one is good too.

It was in1939.

Yes, right after the Atlantic flight.

May, 1939.

That's how we greeted them in the US.

How old you were back then?

17.

I was their interpreter. It was then I met navigator Alexey Bykov.

And fell in love with him. He didn't even notice me.

So the next time we met was 14 years later.

Here, in the USSR.

What do you meat I didn't notice you?

I did notice, really.

I gave her my photo then. Even signed it.

Come on, show it to him.

Don't say I didn't notice you.

"To comrade Ruta, my Communist regards."

What are we gonna do, Lenya?

- Whine louder. - I mean it. We have to do something.

Here! Comrade Policeman, we need your help!

No, we don't. We're fine!

- Are you nuts? It's the Police! - Well, yeah.

They could report it to the Ministry, I could be fired!

Let's look for it ourselves!

Where are we gonna look?

How on Earth do I know?! Maybe somewhere here!

We need to do something, right?

Come on, pull yourself together!

- Are you better? - A little.

- And now? - Thanks, I'm good.

Let's go search for it then.

Gigantic octopus, I got you!

Come here everybody, I caught a gigantic octopus!

Quiet, Anya. You'll wake your dad up.

I'm quiet, nanny Tonya. We're playing ocean with grandpa.

Anya, stop it. Come here.

Daddy, let me play with grandpa, please.

- He's tired already. - Don't say that.

I'm not tired, I'm happy with her.

Come here, little whale.

I'm not a little whale, I wanna be a dolphin.

Georgy...

Anya!

- What? - I have color pencils and some paper...

in my study. I want you to draw me...

- 100 dolphins? - Exactly!

Georgy, you promised.

Grish, here is what I think...

Nina and I...

It's already been a year.

You see, I wanted to say...

Let's drink or something...

I told Nina many times that it's not your fault.

But she bursts into tears right away.

You knew it was risky anyway.

I'm not judging you.

I understand you wanted another child. But it didn't work out.

It's difficult to talk about.

Let's just drink to Maya's memory. May her soul rest in peace.

And the soul of the unborn infant Vladimir.

Granddpa, I've drawn everything already. Come and count the dolphins.

I'm coming, sweetheart.

Well, how is it going, dear?

Well-done! What is it?

It's a sperm whale, it's a beluga, and it's a dolphin.

It goes up and down, and then turns. I'm keeping an eye on it.

In a half an hour or so the German is in my crosshair.

I pull the trigger and that's it. There goes the first.

He must have been surprised our flying plywood was capable of that.

That's what we used to say: a pilot must fly on everything that can fly,

and despite any complications on that which can not.

That's good.

I could easily survive 8 Gs back then.

- 8 Gs? - G-force.

G is a gravity unit.

But it's not important. It was ages ago.

Before the crash?

There was no crash, just a rough landing.

You were cut out of the cabin and the plane couldn't fly anymore.

Maybe the plane couldn't, but I could.

So, nothing came of it then?

Well, not exactly: no one is getting younger.

And I came out all right from that, thank you.

What are you writing down?

Who are you talking to? Doctors?

Alyosha...

Do you want me to do fifty push-ups right now?

No, I mean it, fifty, right now.

- Alyosha... - Alexey, that won't be necessary.

Then what is necessary? Who do you think you are?

What do you think someone needs in those stories, but you and me?

A man is going to space soon.

And we are...

Maybe we should drink something?

Sorry, but I can't. I'm kind of working here.

You know what? Let's leave the past in the past.

And we'll talk again tomorrow.

What plans do you have for the future?

Bright and rosy!

I'm sorry. Is not easy for Alyosha.

Thank you for coming. Let's try again next week.

You were right, Ruta. We may have a very interesting book.

Or maybe not.

Think on it. I'll give you a call. Thank you again.

All the best.

- So? - It's nowhere to be found.

- We will find this Ilya. - He has nothing to do with it.

- You were pick-pocketed. - How?

He took both your card and your winning ticket.

Either he is a thief himself, or knows someone here who is.

I don't know about horses, but I learned to smell rats back in the orphanage.

Go call Muratov.

He knows him. Go, go!

Muratov's apartment, I'm listening.

Nelya, it's Arkady. Is Andrey in? It's urgent.

- But Andrey is with you, isn't he? - He's left for you an hour ago.

For me?

Sorry, I have to go.

He's out, it was Nelya. It seems she thought he's with us.

I doubt she thinks that now.

We could have done without that! What are we gonna do?

Let's go look for Ilya.

Are you looking for the Tretiakov Gallery?

- Yes. - Shall I give you a lift?

Yes, thank you.

- You are Andrey, right? - Yes.

- My name is Mathieu. - Hello, Mathieu.

As if we were in a spy movie.

Your sister booked a trip to the USSR.

She's coming here? When?

You'll find everything you need in there.

And now please show me where the Tretyakovsky Gallery is?

- Okay. - Thank you.

- Is it that way? - Yes, right there.

This one.

Grisha, I want to talk to you about Anya.

Sure.

Anya needs more attention. And you're working a lot.

And you're getting your personal life back on track.

It's good you're starting a new life, it's right.

- Nina, I just... - No, we are very happy for you.

That's why we will happily take Anya to live with us.

Temporarily, of course.

At her age she needs her family.

Please don't take this the wrong way.

Antonina will help us.

We have a huge flat.

There is enough space for everybody.

Nina, thank you.

But I think I have enough time and energy to bring up my own daughter.

Anya, we're leaving.

I'm sorry.

- Dad, may I stay a bit longer? - No. We have to go.

- Here he is! - Ilya!

Ilya!

Well, diplomacy, did you bet on Bombay?

I told you. Stay by me and everything will be alright.

We think I got pick-pocketed.

You think or you were?

- My membership card was stolen. - And a winning ticket for 1,500 Roubles.

Just 1,500? That was a small bet.

You don't trust me?

Well, that's a shame, really.

- Did you call the Police? - You know everybody here.

No, I'm sorry, man.

- Listen here. - Hands off me.

Lenya, stop it!

There are only two places that lack Soviet authority in Moscow.

The sauna and the hippodrome. And you came here with your card.

I'm begging you, please. Or I'll be done.

Where did you keep your membership card?

Here, in my inside pocket.

When you won did you, say, hug your neighbor?

Yes, I did.

I see.

Alright then, let's do it.

- Hi. - Hello.

I bought some wine.

I see. What are we celebrating?

I won a little at the racetrack.

Did the guys win anything?

Wasted all their money in vain.

They didn't even have money left for subway ticket.

I had to take them home.

That's good of you to help them out.

Alyosha...

What do you want?

I want to know what made you so upset?

I feel awkward about the journalist.

Alyosha...

Everybody would love to know who you really are.

Who I really am, huh?

You're a person who didn't forget to remove your hat when we were introduced

after two days of flying.

I mean it.

You are the best. The strongest.

The bravest.

And most important of all you're a reliable friend.

I love you so much.

That's it, Arkady.

Sign your report.

- I'm tired of you. - Please, give me 5 minutes.

If I don't get my card myself, I'll have to work as an usher here.

Don't sign it if you don't want to. Keep waiting for Ilya then.

If two hours are not enough for you. I'm leaving.

There you are, comrades.

Good day to you, Volodya.

I was looking for you everywhere.

What are you doing in here? Please let me go through your report.

Off you go!

Off you go, I said. Come on, let's go.

Ma'am.

See you.

All thanks to our Lost and Found agency.

Oh my Lord!

It's my party membership card. Ilya, how much do I owe you?

Come on, mate. We'll get even sometime else.

Thank you so much, really. You really helped me out.

And what about the money?

Forget about it!

It's my card!

Well-well, Arkady! What a great weekend...

Thank you.

- Andrey... - What?

Will you please take out the trash?

Can't it wait till the morning?

No, it needs to be done today.

It's full of fish.

Give me a kiss.

"See you soon".

- Good evening, Arkady. - Good evening, Klava.

Wow...

I'm sorry, I have to tell you that we aren't going to 'Cranes' tonight.

- 'Cranes' is that restaurant? - Yes.

- You can slap me, if you'd like. - Thank goodness!

I borrowed my friend's shoes and they are too tight for me.

Can you imagine walking in those the whole night and dancing too?

Take them off!

That's much better.

You have such a beautiful dress!

Thank you.

I'll get them.

You can follow my footprints.

- Good evening. - Hello, Ruta.

Borya, what's up with Alexey?

Did he tell you anything? Is there something wrong?

Well, no. I don't recall anything.

He seemed alright.

He's getting used to it here.

I see.

Well then. I don't want to disturb you.

Thank you.

Between you and me, okay?

Sure.

Is she asleep?

Oh, it was such a difficult day for her, poor thing.

Antonina...

- Thank you for your services... - You're welcome.

We won't need your help anymore.

Is something wrong?

I don't want you to stuff her head with your religious rubbish.

And gossiping about my personal life.