Original subtitles

HOTEL OF THE US EMBASSY IN MOSCOW, 1960

I don't know...

Do you really have to drink with them? Tell him you're a Mormon.

Think they know what a Mormon is?

I'm kidding.

When I drink with the commies, I first eat something greasy.

And then attack it with some calcium. About fifteen tablets, no less.

Jesus.

Some advise drinking a raw egg.

No, I tried it once and barely made it back to the hotel.

Tomorrow I have to be sharp.

Good.

Here you go, try the succinic acid.

After taking one pill you’ll be able to withstand a Rasputin orgy.

These pills are Russian, they weren't properly tested.

You never know what you'll get.

I personally stay away from them.

It seems to be quite an extreme measure.

Well, I guess I'll risk it.

- Good luck. - Thanks.

So what is it that brings you here?

I'm delivering a message.

Center wants me to activate a sleeper agent in the Soviet ministry.

Nobody too high up, but with the right guidance...

Sounds good. Which ministry?

That one.

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 10

- Arkady Iosifovich. - Yes.

The signature of an officer in the department is needed.

It was worth staying for this.

Not just for this.

You were left here in charge, Arkady, it's a very big responsibility.

Some tea with lemon or with milk for you?

Tea?! With lemon and sugar.

And forward all calls and questions to me.

Of course. As they come in.

Anya, take a sandwich with you. You can finish it on the way.

Otherwise, I’ll be late for work.

Do we really have to go now?

I have to. They’re expecting me there.

Let me stay here at home.

We had a deal, sweetheart, you might really like it at the kindergarten.

You’ll have new friends there.

You're my friend, I don't need new ones.

Anna, what's happening?! Let’s go, right now. Come on!

- I'n not going! - Come on, let's go, let's go.

Don't. Do not cry, do not cry!

Petr, how about something to eat before they show up?

Who are our guests today?

The US State Department.

They won’t eat meat jelly again.

Hello!

Good afternoon!

Andrew Muratov from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Welcome.

Good afternoon. And when will the big guns arrive?

We can start without them; we are now off the record.

Ionov, smile a bit.

Should I fetch some snacks?

Once again, please.

We agreed on a picnic.

And a picnic we have. We set the table for you on the porch.

- Unload everything, take it over there. - OK.

Do you have a grill for barbecue?

Kebabs are ordered 3 days in advance.

Everything we need is with us.

- Ionov! - Yes!

- Bring the juice. - OK.

Look how we ended up. Dinner was already on the table...

Excuse me, I need to grab the juice.

No, I'm not going.

If she fell ill, they should have sent over a replacement.

Why do I need a caregiver?

- Nurse. - More so.

- And what about the drugs? - I’ll take them on my own.

- And what about your lunch? - I’ll heat it up.

- Alyosha... - I’ll do it, Ruta!

- You can't give yourself a massage. - It can wait until later, the evening.

Well, it's for you.

No, I'm not going. I‘ll go tell the driver to go.

Don't even think about it.

You arranged this meeting with Americans? Just to miss out?

So what? It will be an informal meeting, without our bosses, off the record.

Off the record and without management,

it will be a typical bender at a dacha.

Not a bender, a picnic.

Now these young Americans are nothing.

But after ten years, they will rise to higher positions.

And ours will have their positions and during international negotiations

they will consider them not as some abstract enemies,

but people with whom they can drink and laugh about.

There you go.

My wife does not miss such important meetings

just to heat up some soup for me.

Go to the picnic. Bring me back some barbecue.

- It will be cold. - I like it cold.

OK.

I'll call you if something happens. I'll come right away.

I'll be ready to call if need be.

Tonya, it's not too provocative, yeah? It is a work meeting, after all.

Natasha, I keep telling you look great.

Very fashionable, just like you were from the the July issue of Vogue.

Andrey, do we look like Brigitte Bardot?

Yes, maybe.

From the back.

- Hush. - Americans?! I wonder if they ...

Hell, they’re coming.

No Ruta here.

Ionov, please greet our guests.

Andrew, you know that I don’t speak English fluently.

I got into the MFA due to my unique knowledge of Finnish.

- Really? Finnish? - Yes.

And a second language?

Estonian.

We should have left him on duty in the department.

How about greeting our American guests?

No, deal with the them on your own.

Heck...

- Natasha... - What?

- What is privet in English? - Hi

Hi, OK?

Welcome, friends! We're glad to see you!

- Hey. I'm John. This is Michael. - Michael, nice to meet you.

- Eleanor. - Hello, I'm Eleanor.

Mary and Casey.

- I'm Andrew, this is Misha. - Hello.

Leonid.

Hello.

Do you speak Spanish, senorita?

No, but I speak Russian.

Wonderful. You know, Yesenin misses a lot while translating.

- Like this ‘You remember, you are...’ - We're in luck!

You speak Russian. Could you help us to introduce your colleagues to our side?

- Of course. - Come on.

How are you?

This is Arkady Golub.

Ilya? Excuse me, the racetrack?

Ah, yes, Ilya, hello.

Well, in 15 minutes.

Nadezhda Petrovna, may I go away on urgent business for half an hour.

Please!

By the way, this is the head of the pioneer camp. Let’s line up.

- Welcome, Grigory. - How are my guys?

They’re relaxing.

Hello, Grigory.

- Is everybody here? - Yes.

Where is Blaumane?

He called to say she was late for family reasons.

- Why are you not feeding your guests? - Ruta Karlovna’s bringing a barbecue.

- Who will give a speech? - No one. It's not an official meeting.

- Yes, I see. - Korneev!

Hello.

You should have offered her a drink. It’s shameful in front of the lady.

Grigory Vladimirovich, this is Mary.

She understands Russian very well, by the way.

Call me Marika. Marika Chori.

Marika, and this is the head of our Analysis and Information group.

Grigoriy Biryukov. Chori is a Hungarian surname.

Yes, I was born in Budapest. Have you ever been to Hungary?

Yes.

In 1945?

In 1956.

Ilya...

Wow, he managed to escape. Thanks, man.

For 5 minutes, I've got a lot of work.

Arkady Golub, the future of Soviet diplomacy.

Stanislav Pimenov, Ph.D., the future and the present of Soviet genetics.

- A luminary! - Me? Luminary? Don't.

Arkady, you have time for a drink with us. yes?

We'll go for another round, of course.

Oh, yes, of course, right now.

Don't let him fool you.

Pimenov is a genius.

They are now waiting for him at a convention in Princeton.

The entire world community is worried whether or not he shows up.

Can you help him to get there on time?

He needs one last signature.

Are you crazy?!

You’ll do something great for the world of science.

Please.

Thanks.

Could you grab some sausages for us, Stanislav?

Of course, of course.

What is it?

Money?!

Are you trying to bribe me, are you crazy?!

- Hush, don't make a fuss about it. - I should go.

‘I, Arkady Golub, lost my Party card № blah blah at the racetrack…’

Who helped you when you had lost it, hmm?

Debts must be repaid.

Otherwise, you know, everyone will know about your little adventure.

Even those who shouldn't know this.

So let's do everything to ensure that our mutual friend goes abroad.

Well, why are you staring at me?

I'm doing a good deed for you both.

Communism has not yet come, everyone needs money.

For a flat, for buying pants, a present for your girl.

OK.

Professor, we've agreed on everything. Your passport, please.

Yes of course. Here...

Thanks.

Excellent.

Sorry, I’m late.

The driver got lost somewhere. Everything is good?

Yes, more or less. Everyone is waiting for your barbecue

Ruta, I understand everything.

If you have a family emergency, go home.

No need.

Marika, look at what I have for you.

- Beautiful, isn’t it? - Beautiful. Maple leaves?

No, that is a maple.

And of course, a bit of poetry...

‘Maple bare of foliage, freezing in the snowstorm.

Why are you bent over...’

Does Biryukov have children?

I don't know if that's enough.

Ruta Karlovna, Tsinandali?

Put it there, my hands are busy.

- Hello. - Hey.

No thanks, I have a beer.

- How long were you marinating this? - For a day.

With vinegar?

Grigory, this is a traditional recipe.

I prepared it this way with my family before we left Latvia.

You need some more heat. To crisp everything nicely.

Oh, that's better. I’ll get it going hotter soon enough.

See how it's done. Like this.

Quickly now. Give it to me and I will skewer.

Why are you so pushy all the time, like a tank?

Even here you've already managed to take my place

and to try to control everything.

- Ruta Karlovna... - Do it on your own.

- Hello. - Lyosha, why aren't you answering?

Is everything OK?

Everything is fine. I dozed off a bit in the afternoon.

- Did you eat? - I ate, took my medicine.

Everything according to plan. Did they like your barbecue?

Yes, yes, just fine. I'm leaving soon.

Why? Stop worrying about me I'm not a helpless child.

What can happen to me?

You’d better walk with your Americans. And bring me some barbecue!

- OK. See you soon. - See you soon.

Let’s swap guitars.

Someday I will figure out what that seventh string is for.

Rusa guitar.

Leo, what about a Russian song, traditional?

Leonid, it's your turn to show off your talent.

Leonid, you can play guitar.

This song is for you.

‘I met you, and the bygone moments

Awakened in my fainted heart;

The good old times, like golden omens,

Warmed up my soul, giving a start... ‘

It was a favorite song of my father.

Really? And where did he hear it?

Here. We lived here for two years after the war in Moscow.

‘…The same old charm and admiration,

The same old love deep in my heart!'

- Don't do it. - What do you mean?

Do not you think, that you’re becoming intrusive.

Our foreign guest may understand you incorrectly.

You probably like her too, huh?

- But you have no chance. - Just like you.

- Wanna bet? - Why? We've already been through this.

Or should I remind you of your abstinence vow

in the name of Tamara?

Let’s just say I've already lost.

Did we bet about a wish?

What should I do?

I’ve not decided it yet, but I’ll think about it.

Leonid, they want you to play!

Please!

Something funny.

My father was a communist since 1923.

He dreamed of the world revolution, listened to your songs.

He taught me the Russian language on the books by Gorky.

And then you shot him.

In 1956 Soviet tanks entered Budapest.

You shot a man just because he had his own idea

of happiness for my people.

- Marika, let me... - Here's how it goes.

Four years ago you shot my family and friends.

And now I’m an interpreter in the US State Department

and am sitting with you and drinking wine on the lawn.

Marika, listen, it's not as simple as you think.

In 1956 we had to get the situation under control

in order to avoid even greater casualties.

Yes, as you say ‘when you chop wood, branches are fly’.

Chips are fly.

I want you to understand

what your daughter will feel when your own people break you.

I'm sorry for bothering you.

Do you feel bad, Arkady Iosivovich?

No, I have a question for you.

I'm listening.

A friend of mine is wondering…

Arkady, calm down.

He's a scientist, he needs to get to a symposium,

And his visa is delayed.

He wants to know whether or not it is possible to somehow attach him

to the trade delegation or accelerate his visa issue.

Maybe you know someone?

No one could be consulted on this!

A couple of years ago for such a question…

You're a grown man, Arkady!

I’m sorry, thank you.

My pleasure.

Connect me , please, to the Cranes restaurant.

- Hello. - I cannot, cannot.

Let’s meet there in an hour and I’ll ...

... I'll bring it back.

What will you bring back?

Don’t you know?

You want to return me the money

you received for arranging a departure of the Soviet...

- Nikolai Borisovich. - Hello. Anything urgent?

It won't happen any other way.

The FMA country residence is hosting a meeting of diplomats now.

They're nobodies. All the bottom end.

According to our data there is a CIA recruiter from the American side.

It would be strange if he was not there, though.

So the situation is under control?

Of course, they're not alone there.

Well, OK then.

Svetlana, cancel all appointments for today.

‘Carrot’.

- Carrot. - Carrot.

Marika, I have to...

Good evening. What will you have?

Compote with lemon... wait! Tea with lemon, yes? Lemon, anyway...

OK then.

I didn't order this.

Compliments of the house.

We have more than tea, you know. Maybe, it will help.

May I?

Although, I think you're probably sick of me by now.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

- Cigarette? - I don't smoke.

You know, give me one.

Here you are.

No, well, one mistake, just one!

Maybe I should quit? I should do it on my own.

But who needs a Sinophile now?!

Wait a minute. Don’t get so upset, things may work out

With my luck? Everything is over, this is the end!

They won’t fire me, I’ll go straight to prison.

I was given a chance, the Ministry!

I even couldn't even dream about it. My resume. You understand.

Come on.

Is the Chinese language complicated?

- Five tones. - Yes?

‘Ish u’, ‘I shu’...

Thank you for the broom.

- Wreath. - Wreath.

Wreath, wreath.

Korneev, give me a light, will you?

Are you actually crazy because of your abstinence?

This will be an international scandal. You’re openly provoked.

Who?

You're doing it again. I’m so tired of you.

I am not kidding.

You'll be punished for communicating like this with a foreigner?

Are you jealous?

You’re under the heel of your wife and did you decided to follow me?

- What are you talking about, Korneev?! - What?!

Guys, if you have any secrets, I should actually go.

No, Marika, I have no secrets from you.

What do you think, Marika, is Leonid able to swim across that pond?

Does he know how to swim?

I'm a sailor!

If you’re a sailor, then...

What are you doing? I’m not going to do that.

You lost the bet, so get into the water.

- We had a bet. - This is what I want.

- Bet? - I bet with Leonid...

Andrey and I once bet that I had never been in love.

And because of you I lost the bet.

Now, apparently, I have to do this.

Great!

OK then.

Come here. Leo is going to swim across the pond.

Is that some sort of Russian thing?

Kind of. He lost a bet.

How about joining me, huh?

Hey everyone, stop it, this is not good.

- Don’t provoke them, Mary. - Why?! Come on, come on.

Muratov, can you?

Thank you, I'll watch it from the shore.

That's just because you can't.

Hey what the hell, I'll go with you.

Mary, you're getting out of line! We’ll discuss this in Washington.

I don't care. Come on, come on!

Well, Leo, are you ready? Come on. One, two, three!

You brought some lovely barbecue.

- And I’m sorry for the tank. - All good.

You are not alone today in reminding me of them.

Really? Who else?

Ms. Marika Chori raised the Hungarian question.

Really?

- I thought you had a nice conversation. - Nice?

People like her accuse us of spilling blood for the sake of control.

And in fact, a handful of students agitated the people,

we had no other choice, except to calm them down for the sake of their future.

Gregory, we try to bring happiness to all mankind, yes.

And have you really made one happy person?

You know, my wife is dead,

and although I'm not a good father,

I do everything so that my daughter Anna to live in a peaceful country,

in a great country.

And do you think this is enough to ensure that she grows up happy?

It’s easy to talk about it for you.

Do you mean that I'm a foreigner, or I have no children?

Yes. Sorry.

Yes, in my dossier there is nothing there.

What do you mean? Did you have a child in America?

I have a son. He is 18 now.

He stayed there with my parents.

They love him, he's doing fine,

but I will never see him again.

- Ruta Karlovna... - They told him that I had died.

I'm sorry, I did not know about your son.

I read your dossier.

You are the second person I know in the New York Communist underground

and if you weren’t taken out of the States in 1953...

You made a choice, the right choice.

Difficult but correct.

I would have done the same thing if I were you.

How terrible it is.

People like us can’t live with others.

Help, help! A man is drowning!

I'm a fool!

Mom'll get weak,

and my brother Lev still needs to go to secondary.

My parents will curse me.

Arkasha, don’t talk about your parents this way.

They love you. They love you very much.

They love me and I let them down.

Nothing else will work out and it's so scary.

Let's go.

You can help me out back there.

What's happening?

Korneev and the American got into the pond!

Korneev! Korneev!

Leonid, how is he?

He’s not breathing!

Greetings to you from your friends at ‘The Pelican’.

- Hello! - Hello!

- Dear comrades, who do we honor? - We have a hero.

Really? Korneev?

Wet hair, did you swim or something?

The guys were out there because of a bet.

The American’s leg cramped and Korneev saved him.

- Saved? - Yes!

A hero! Here are some watermelons, heroes, dig in.

Did you know Lyonya saved a drowning man for the second time in his life?

Yes, it's true.

Yes. Ruta Karlovna, translate this, please.

He served in the Navy and when they were in Cuba,

he saved the life of a local girl. He even got a medal for it.

Not just a girl, but the daughter of a progressive Cuban judge.

This contributed to the development of Soviet-Cuban relations so much.

Nicholay Chernykh, our colleague.

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

Hold that.

I want to drink, too.

Arkady, don't be sad. I can help you.

Thank you very much, you‘ve already helped me.

I don't mean that. I’m talking to you about your professor.

For doing this you need to have connections.

Give me his passport.

Here you go.

Now get dressed.

- Bye! - Goodbye, friends!

Ruta Karlovna, get in front. I'll take Korneev on my lap.

- Thank you, comrade. - OK then. Goodbye.

- All the best. - Goodbye.

Will you wait for me? I’ll finish here and take you home.

- Sorry, I'm in a hurry. - I'll drive fast.

Bykov is home alone.

He's not going anywhere.

Well, they pulled him out. This is perfect.

Who was alone with the foreigners?

- All of them. - All of them?

Yes, almost.

A typist Natalia Semenyuk was dancing with an American, with the obese one.

- Andrew Murugov, the one in charge. - Muratov.

Muratov, they walked down the road with the head of their delegation,

with the redhead one.

Our guys practically came to blows.

Muratov and the other guy, a sailor, with a good honest face.

Korneev.

This is when Marika Chori joined them.

The brunette wearing pants.

And?

Well, then they drunkenly started to swim.

And you know what was next.

OK.

Did you hear any of their conversations?

They weren't really speaking in Russian.

And we don’t speak foreign languages.

Is that all?

Do you know that the head of your department and his deputy have an affair?

- Biryukov? - And this Latvian woman, Blaumane.

Such beautiful flowers. You're crazy!

I'm sorry, Claudia!

Why? Why should I forgive you?

You're such a... you're not like the others.

No, there are things that you do not know about me.

So what? But I know that you are a good one.

Claudia, I have thought of everything.

I have some money, we’ll rent a room, we’ll start a new life, I mean, that...

will you marry me?

Why not? Claudia, what are you talking about?

He’s a diplomat. You won't get another chance!

And in general, you have a right to happiness.

No, I cannot do that to Arkady.

What do you mean? Well, he doesn’t know everything about you. Do you love him?

I do.

But that's why I can't.

Alyosha!