Original subtitles

[woman, in Russian] Are you feeling okay?

[in Russian] My body's exhausted.

My legs are tired.

[woman] She doesn't care.

You have to be in good form.

Thirty-five minutes, Rita.

That's how you must prepare yourself. Understand?

[woman] You can do it. Get it? You can. And you will.

[crowd applauding]

Stay confident through to the end.

[crowd exclaiming]

Strong arms. Very good.

That's it.

[crowd cheering, applauding]

[man on PA, indistinct]

...from Russia, the reigning queen--

Margarita Mamun!

-[cheering, applause] -[deep breaths]

God help me.

[cheering, applause]

[music on PA: romantic ballad]

[crowd cheering, applauding]

[man on PA] Margarita Mamun!

Russia!

[cheering, applause continue]

[man on PA, indistinct]

Representing the Russian Federation,

Yana Kudryavtseva!

[music on PA: jazzy]

♪ [woman] Get out of here♪

♪ Get me some money too♪

[music ends]

[crowd cheering]

[man on PA, indistinct]

[continues, indistinct]

The new World Champion from Russia--

Yana Kudryavtseva!

[no audible dialogue]

[crowd cheering, applauding, muffled]

[male reporter, in Russian] How do you feel about competing against each other?

[both laugh]

It's good to have someone who supports you when you fail.

When Margarita makes a mistake, I support her.

And she supports me. It's better this way.

What really matters is that Russia wins.

It doesn't matter who comes first. We do it for Russia.

[reporter] Do you have any personal goals?

Of course, we do.

We should push past our limits.

What did you count on, the 17 points you got?

I didn't expect to get 17 points.

You didn't?Of course not.

So why did you shake so much?I wasn't shaking.

You were shaking a lot. Go to hell.

You were shaking a lot.

You were a wreck today.

A total wreck.

Except for one event, you shook like a leaf.

You only got points for your pretty eyes.

Tell me why it went wrong.

Tell me why.

I have to analyze it.

Tell me now.

Think.

You could do it in practice sessions. Why not here?

You motivate her. I motivate her.

She's not a fighter. So why the hell do we need her?

You said that--

She's a different kind of fighter.

If she doesn't fight, she should go to hell.

She should get lost.She is a fighter.

-You're brainwashing her. -What did you say, Rita?

I am a fighter.Yes. You're a fighter.

Miss Irina, maybe I didn't make myself clear.

Make yourself clear then.I'm talking about a trait...

Make yourself clear.Fine.

Here's a clear opinion.

She's like someone who should be performing in a play...

not in a competition.

Two mistakes over the course of a minute and 25 seconds.

Two mistakes in a minute and 27 seconds.

It's totally unthinkable.

Of course she's angry at you if you keep making mistakes.

Of course she's angry.

It's impossible to understand a girl who's been preparing for the Olympics,

for a possible big win, the culmination of her career.

You realize how hard this whole situation is for us?

You come and torment us.

You don't just throw yourself under the bus, but everyone-- her, me, Irina.

It all fucking sucks.

[sniffles]

It annoys me when she says I do it out of spite.

Why would I do it out of spite?

I just fail.

But, no, she has to say I do it out of spite.

Thank you.

[player beeps]Don't jump.

["We Will Rock You" plays]

Eyes.

Don't lower your leg.

Excellent.

Be ready to extend your arm.

First, second.

Hit it. Hit it.

[player clicks off]Why the hell don't you make it? Why didn't you hit?

Mamun. I'm talking to you. Why didn't you hit again?

You silly cow, it's your routine. Look at me.

Look at me, I tell you.

Why didn't you do one basic thing?

Because I failed to do the rotation.

You're stupid. You don't understand my words.

Judges give you points, psycho. Can you at least do one thing well?

Even if you made a mistake, hit again.

At least you'd get points for one rotation from your own judge.

You'd get at least four-tenths, but you're stupid and don't hit at all.

I didn't hit it now. But I hit it in the routine.

Do it every time! Are you stupid, or what?

Now I thought only about the rotation.So you did it or not?

In the routine, yes. Now, no.Fuck you.

You didn't think at all.

What are you talking about? You're trying to prove I'm wrong.

You're unable to say you failed because you thought about other things.

[voice quavering] I proved I could do it in the routine.

But after the routine, I'm too tired to do anything.

Every time you try to change something,

prove to yourself you can do it.

But here, you just gave up. "I didn't do it right."

All right, you got it wrong. You failed the rotation.

But you could have gotten four-tenths of a point.

At least in one rotation. Before you did those--

But you won't get any points unless you do the basic thing.

And you bullshit the audience, yourself, me, and everyone else...

with your kind-hearted eyes.

[sharp exhale]

[PA: pop song playing][singing along in Russian] ♪ Don't cry, sun of California♪

♪ Never shed your tears For anyone♪

[song continues]

Your turn.

Isn't the sun of California crying for me?

Naked Sashka. You look so sweet.

I wish I could lie down next to you.

Five more miles, and I'll end up in LA.

[laughing]

Oh, my sweet sloth.

LA taught you to spend all day long like this.

[no audible dialogue from device]

[laughs]

In beautiful Moscow.

Today, I remembered how beautiful Moscow is.

[yawns]

Write me when you wake up.

Hugs and kisses. Get some rest. Love you too.

Damn, that's right.

You remind me of that every time.

Yes. Okay.

Get some rest. Kisses.

Bye.

[people chattering][PA: pop-rock]

Do it for yourself.

Not for the judges or the audience but for yourself.

[indistinct]

What are you working on?The hoop.

That's it. That's it.

Nastia.

Your arms.

Your arms here.

Here and there. Keep going.

Stay focused until the end of the routine.

The arms.

[PA: classical ballad]

[Irina] Good. Correct.

First, second.

Keep still.

[PA: woman, French ballad]But why did you do it? Everything was going well.

The rotation was beautiful.

Do the double one to get some applause.

But then you started to shake again.

What did you just do with the ball?

Couldn't you say it was uncomfortable?I said it.

Come on, I heard how you said it.

I told you before the training that she would see this--

Rita, you're 20 years old.And?

You're 20. Defend yourself. Fight for yourself.

Don't "and" me here.

I said I couldn't do this element.

Then you said it wrong. You weren't convincing.

Be precise.

[man on PA] ...Margarita Mamun!

[crowd cheering, applauding]

Show your beauty.

[PA: classical, up tempo]

[Amina] Catch it.

Take the position.

Catch it.

[music ends]

[children chattering]

Did they give you a hard time?No, it's fine.

She said I'd been good for two years,

but this year, I was bad.

We've swapped places this year.Exactly.

By the way, she says we are on it then.

What time are we leaving?

I don't know. I'd like to leave now.

[man] The muscles on the right.[Rita] It hurts a lot.

It hurts here as well.

[indistinct]

[groaning softly][indistinct]

Rita, it's all dirt. Dirty garbage.

Why does Kudryavtseva get high scores? Because she makes it cleanly.

Because her movements are refined and precise.

We'll start with a fouetté.

Your hands are too static. You have to wave them.

Miss Irina, like the other one?Amina, be quiet for a moment.

Why are you staring at your phone?I saw her do it.

You did? You're a coward.

Why coward? Please, don't start.So why did you say that?

With three fouettés, there's one move.That's too fucking static.

It's not pretty. Can't you see that, Amina?

That's what we think. The judges don't think it's static.

Why does Kudryavtseva look so dynamic?

Only Kudryavtseva and Kudryavtseva...

Because she performs with every piece of her body.

She keeps the clubs moving all the time.

There is not a single moment when the clubs stop.

They never stop.

I'm wasting my time not on the gymnast but on her coach.

And one and two.

And one and two.

One-- And done. That's better.

This is work, not a kindergarten.

-[mouthing words] -Did you get it? You didn't.

Losers. Both of you.

Do you have this Sunday off?Mm-hmm.

[whispering] I wish this week was over.

Mm-hmm.

I have a practice session tomorrow.

Morning and afternoon.

[woman] Number eight is ready.

[crowd cheering, applauding]

[shouting, indistinct]

[no audible dialogue]

[cheering, applause]

[crowd applauding]

[no audible dialogue]

[woman on PA, indistinct]This isn't the last tournament, but that's life.

You keep getting yourself into a hole,

but you must get out of it.

Get out, get out, get out.

Today, you performed very well, until the clubs.

Do you understand me?

It's not the end of the world.

You'll find other sources of energy we haven't thought of yet.

You'll get angry.

And you'll go bravely forward.

But first, you have to prove it to yourself.

And then we'll do it together. You hear me?

Brave girl.

[tablet: muffled, indistinct]

These black shorts are awful.

Amina, how's this possible?

[Irina] Look.

Do you understand what she's doing?

She lowers her head and waits for the ball to roll.

Don't get upset.[Amina] Am I upset?

Don't get upset.I'm calm.

You only think you are.

You look extremely annoyed.

I'm calm.You're not.

When I'm annoyed, I am very annoyed. Now I'm calm.

This type of calm is called rage.

Be normal.

Force yourself to be normal.I am calm.

[PA: woman singing, blues-rock]

[indistinct]

♪ Because you're mine♪

[PA: rock]

♪ Buddy you're a boy Make a big noise♪

♪ Playin' in the street Gonna be a big man some day♪

♪ You got mud on your face You big disgrace♪

♪ Kickin' your can All over the place, singin'♪

♪ We will, we will rock you♪

♪ Everybody♪♪ We will, we will rock you♪

[crowd cheering][woman] My clever girl. So tired. Well done.

I got goose pimples when she performed.

Let's go.

Come with me. Come on.

Come with me. Here.

[indistinct]

Tired?

Of course she's tired. She's lost all her strength.

I love you very much. Very much.

Let me hug you.

My love. You did it all.

Can I have a day off today?

Of course. Go and get some rest.

Brave girl. Great job.

Just when you caught it--With a straight arm.

You think you have to catch the hoop with a straight arm and throw it forward.

Wrong. Throw it upwards and hold out your arm here.

When your arm is straight, you throw it forward.

And the hoop hits against the floor. See?

Throw it like you just did. Catch it high up and enter it.

We'll practice that throw.There's nothing to practice.

What do you mean there's nothing to practice?

[PA: pop ballad] ♪ Well, swallow my pride...♪

What a show, huh?

What a show.

You know what I mean?Yes, of course.

Every routine she does is a show.

Good shows are only in Russia.

She did the ending just like I wanted.

Standing there, twirling and twirling.

[children chattering]

[shrieking, laughing]

Hello.

Lizi.

Let me give you a kiss.

I don't know how I did it.

I need to keep doing the same thing all the time.

The whole routine was good.

I only made a mistake at the end.

[woman] Where are the European Championships?Israel.

And then?

[laughs]

Kazan', Baku, and-- See you later, alligator.

-And the Olympic Games? -They start on the fifth or sixth.

Of August?Yes. Or the seventh.

Gymnastics?No. The Olympics.

Gymnastics will be on the 19th or 20th.

Before my birthday.Yes.

The Olympics finish on the 21st.

What are you gonna do later on?

[woman] I like them. They're unique.

You won five competitions, so you've got five awards.

These are all of them.

There's one without the apparatus.

It's for the all-round competition.

Did Miss Amina see them?No, I don't think so.

Careful. The ribbon is fixed separately.

Sure. The ribbon can't be wooden.

It's possible we won't go to the Olympics.

Sasha asked, "So we won't even get the uniforms?"

Who?Sasha. Yesterday. It's ridiculous.

We should get them.

But we won't until it's certain we're going.

Do you all worry about the clothes or the Olympics?

[laughing]

Why did he say that?

Because of that doping scandal.

Do they want to ban the entire Russian team?

I thought it was a joke.

Is it that serious?Yes. It's not openly discussed.

If Minister Mutko said so...

[man, indistinct]

[people chattering]

[Rita] Yes, I barely blew them out back then. How many candles?

Well done, Filipp. You've lit even the last one.

Careful.

Wait, take this one.

Don't touch it.

[in English] ♪ Happy birthday to you♪

-♪ Happy birthday Dear Mamuna♪ -[laughter]

♪ Happy birthday to you♪

[cheering]

NOVOGORSK TRAINING CENTER

[mother] I won't get inside.

Do you need anything?No.

Where are you running off to?I feel sick.

Are you nauseous?Yes.

[PA: classical]

[music ends]

[Amina] Rita, I'm sorry, but the ending was bad.

Why did you do the chaîné on your heels?

Huh?

When I was doing this exercise--What?

I had this throbbing pain again.

Pain again?

When he gave me an injection here, I couldn't stand on this toe.

Now I can't even sit down.

He says there's nothing wrong.

You just react too strongly to it now.

It was fine before, but now the pain has begun.

Rita, there's no such thing as healthy professional athletes.

Where is it?

Your coach has a scar on her foot.

Yana Kudryavtseva broke her leg.

There are two or three months until the Olympics.

And then it's over. Come on.

I pressed this foot into the floor. Just like the other one.

Ouch, it hurts here. A lot.

In the joint.

And here?No.

On demi pointe, does your toe bend like this?

Do you stand like this as well?Yes.

Let's check other places. Any pain?

No.Fine. Lower your leg, please.

-Did Amina call me about this toe? -Yes.

Apart from the swelling, I see no bone injuries.

When is your next major tournament?

[Rita] June 1.

June 1, yeah?

So we still have some time for treatment.

How did you do in the tournament?Good.

Everything's great?Yes, everything's fine. I won it.

Are you going to the Olympics?God willing.

Miss Irina will make decisions at the training camp. As usual.

[PA: traditional folk]

Find out more about a hyperbaric chamber.

Michael Jackson used it.

Miss Irina, it's a great thing.

But they ran tests on athletes.

Hello.

Hi, Mom.

I was having a practice session.

I'm on a break now.

Who did you call?

Uh-huh.

Mm-hmm.

[Rita] Mm-hmm.

I'll ask Andrey.

It's histopathology.

They cut it out and analyzed it under the microscope.

It's not a diagnosis.

The diagnosis gives you only the name.

It's made before an operation.Yes. Or written on a hospital chart.

Or on a release report which says "clinical diagnosis."

How do you read it?

After the name,

there's a comma and three English letters-- T-N-M.

After each letter, there's a digit.

Andrey said there should be letters.

They stand for metastasis and the cancer stage.

[Irina] Rita, come here.

[Irina] Go.[PA: classical]

There.

Like a different person with a different name.

Throw it closer.

Just like that.

Just like that.

That's more like it.

Don't forget what I've always told you.

You get covered by dust, dirt, and moss.

Are you nervous?No.

Are you angry? Is everything okay?

But you're annoyed a little.

You are.

That's okay.

You'll do it on the first attempt, and it will be fine.

Rita, it's just a little longer. Five days.

Five days.

We'll compete in the Championships and go home to take a rest.

The leotards weigh a ton.

I've got a leotard that weighs, like, a pound.

The one for the clubs.

The ribbon catches on my butt.It means it's too fat.

That's why I fail.

When things are fine, I do everything well.

When things are bad, I fail totally.

I asked her, "When I perform well, why am I thin and the best?

When I fail, I'm called fat at once."

Don't take any more calls.

Did your Mom text you?No, she called me.

Why didn't you tell me?

So that you didn't get even more upset.

I talked to your mom, and your dad's fine.

She said she'd text you soon.

Me?Yes.

She just called me. For now, he's okay. He's staying in bed.

He's going to be fine.

Love you. See you soon. Have a rest.

Damn. As if practice sessions were the most important thing.

[no audible dialogue]

[chuckles]

Miss Amina found out.

About Dad.

I didn't tell anyone.

Except for Andrey.

I asked Mom if she'd texted Miss Amina.

And she said, "No, I don't know. I'll tell you later."

"Later when?" "After the tournament."

All right. Whatever.

A woman I know called Mom

and said she knew a good surgeon.

And if there'd be a need...

[PA: buzzer]

[woman on PA] Number five is ready.

[PA: classical]

Good morning.Hello. What is it?

Why hasn't she changed yet?

Everything's fine. We have enough time.

She's going out in 20 minutes?And now she'll get changed.

She warmed up. She had a practice session.

Things are going as planned. Please don't get upset.

She'll be back in three minutes.

Everyone's practicing in their costumes.

[PA: woman vocalizing]

[Irina] Stick your breasts out at the end.

How many routines have you done?There's one more left.

You're not warmed up. Amina should hear that.

You're not warmed up. You're doing things sloppily.

[man on PA, indistinct]There's no life.

Stop shaking. What kind of rolling was that?

Get away after the rolling.

Stop shaking when you do the elements.

Stop it, Rita.

Follow your heart, not your body, for fuck's sake.

Don't save your energy. You won't die.

You won't die.

[Amina] Two more gymnasts to go.

Everything's fine.Nothing's fine.

Why the hell are you lying down? Why are you lying down?

[PA: "I Put a Spell on You" piano intro]

Hold it up. Bend like you always do.

Why the hell would you change that?

♪ I put a spell on you...♪

Do it like you did before.

Bend like this.

I'll show you! I'll show you!

Go practice the routine.

Here we go again, for fuck's sake.

[indistinct]

She'll do it in three minutes.

Amina, stay the fuck away.

She's not doing anything.I understand, but please don't shout.

I'm out of here.

♪ I can't stand it 'Cause you put me down♪

♪ Oh, no♪

♪ I put a spell on you♪

Under the ribbon.

♪ Because you're mine♪

[Amina] The other leg.

Outside, the show.

Inside, the clock. Ticktock, ticktock.

Everything's fine, get it? Don't hesitate. Do it all.

I focus on the ribbon.

Do the elements carefully.

Do you understand? Go out and work hard.

Think about what you're doing.

I love you. Please. Go out and work hard.

[PA: classical]

[man on PA speaking foreign language]

[in English] Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome,

from Russia, Yana Kudryavtseva!

[crowd cheering]

[PA: romantic ballad]

You kept shaking, right? You kept shaking.

You threw it one way and then the other.

Don't you know how you're supposed to do it?

To hell with you.

You threw it badly already in here.

The passing was bad. The rotation was bad already in here.

If you keep doing that, you won't go to the Olympics.

Are you nuts? You're representing Russia.

People are waiting for you. They have high hopes.

But you go out and you shake. Go fuck yourself with your shaking.

You were saving your energy here and there-- everywhere.

She's not warmed up. We need to train her like a dog.

She has to work, work, and work.

So that she's on her last legs when she goes out.

This is not the World Cup.

[no audible dialogue]

[crowd murmuring]

[indistinct][man on PA] Score for Yana Kudryavtseva from Russia--

I practiced that crap before the performance.

...is almost with us.

What for?They made me do it, but I failed anyway.

And it is 18.866

for Yana Kudryavtseva from Russia.

[PA: woman singing in Spanish, up tempo]

[indistinct]

[music ends][cheering, applause]

To me, you're the greatest.

You know it perfectly well.

It's pointless to say it over and over again.

When you repeat things, they can become boring.

That's why you have to be yourself.

Remember only one thing.

We're all on the same...

...team.

We're all in the same... boat.

I've always told you this.

You won't leave me, and I won't leave you.

We're all in the same boat.

We're all on the same team.

[Rita] Hello?

Hi, Mom.

How are things?

Can he talk right now?

Okay.

Hello? Hi, Dad. How are you?

How's the hospital? Is it okay?

Private ones are always nice.

For the money, it's--

So you've got a TV.

You're lying down for me, and I'm training for you.

After the Olympics, we'll swap places.

You'll walk a bit and I'll lie down a bit. All right?

[laughing]

Yes.

Bye.

[PA: classical, up tempo]

[music ends]

[cheering, applauding]

How many times have I told you to stay focused?

Remember it's a show.

I'm too weak.The hell you are.

After this, you do three jetés.

Everything's fine. Just don't let it get caught.

[Irina] Enough of this licking. What are all those kisses for?

Enough.

Another competition.

She walked up to me and hugged me.

Fine, hug her, but don't lick her.

It relaxes her.This isn't the time for that.

A kiss and that's it.

Once the tournament is over, you can kiss her as much as you want.

Don't panic. You'll succeed.I'm not panicking.

Don't panic! Play your role.

Kiss your lover. Spend the night with him. Get it?

Think about good things. About love, understand?

That's what you show. Inside, you're hiding a metronome.

Focus on two things-- love outside, rhythm inside.

[Irina] And...

Hold.

Hold longer. Wait for the applause.

Take the position.

No. Extend your arm and hold.[crowd cheering, applauding]

[man on PA, indistinct]

And... hold. That's it.

Your hoop is fine. You do it emotionally.

I shouldn't do anything emotionally.

What?I shouldn't do anything emotionally.

Why are you getting upset?Because I'm a human being.

Right now, you're not a human being. You're an athlete.

No one needs your anger. No one.

These are the emotions we discussed with you.

Calm down and get down to work.

You don't have to do it emotionally.

What you're telling me now is wrong.

It doesn't relate to you at all.

Calm down. There are five minutes left.

Find your inner harmony. Touch up your eyebrows.

If you think, "I'll throw it closer.

I'll stop sooner. I'll catch it."

If you think that, you're screwed.

Stick to the rhythm, keep it tense.

Tragedy.

Tragedy.

There was love. Here is tragedy. And you feel this tragedy.

Talk about your dad.

Talk about everything. Don't be a coward.

Talk about it.

Talk. Talk. Talk!

Talk!

Plead to God.

Understand?

[man on PA, indistinct][indistinct]

I've told her to show a tragedy, that her dad is dying.

That's what I told her.

To plead with God while she's on the floor.

Plead until the end.

Is that what you told her?Yes.

Plead to God for things to get better.

This is how you must do it. Always.

I won't be at the Olympics.

I'll be watching you on TV.

I won't be able to hold you. I won't be able to look into your eyes.

You'll do it on your own. Don't rely on anyone but yourself.

You're an adult now. You hear me?

[man on TV, indistinct]

Rita, it's not completely dry.

Take only dry clothes.

I'll place them in the sun.Is this dry?

Not yet. I'll place them in the sun and iron them later on.

Take a look at these.

What's that for?My foot.

What do you do with it?You roll it.

We're leaving soon.

Get better, Dad.

[father, indistinct]

All right?

[Rita] Give me a kiss. Let me kiss you.

Write me.

[mother] Let's go.

Bye, Dad. Bye.

[murmuring, laughing]

Six months will feel like a hundred years.

Rather a million.

Your boy is here.Hello.

How are you?Fine.

Happy?Yes. Of course.

It's good they let you out.

[indistinct]

The taxi should be here.

Probably.

Did you bring your phone?

Your wallet?Wallet's here.

We'll root for you.And I'll root for you.

There, there.Good-bye.

We'll meet soon. Why such a good-bye?No, it's just--

Thank you.Give me a kiss and I'll be gone.

[indistinct]

And...

[all exhale sharply]

[meditation exercise continues, indistinct]

[Amina] Rita, your break is over.

[Irina on monitor] Smoothly. That's it.

You're losing your concentration.

Rita, I can't stand you any longer.

You're losing your concentration during the finale.

You're only doing the elements. You're going to die.

You're going to die. You've made mistakes in two passages.

You're losing the flow. You're thinking only about the elements.

I told you not to do that, but you wouldn't listen to me.

You are, oh, so good, nice, gentle.

Go fuck yourself-- you and your damn gentleness.

You piece of shit.

Pathetic coward.

Is she gonna practice or not?

I see you don't need me there.

You're not listening to me.

[PA: romantic ballad]

What a stupid loser.

There you go.

What's this supposed to be? A routine?

This isn't a routine. This is her mental state.

Rita, this is your mental state.

A total lack of moral preparation for fighting.

It's the Olympics. The rules are tough here.

You'll cry together after the Olympics if she fails her performance.

And I'll leave it at that if she doesn't do what's necessary.

This is your final practice.

[PA: classical, up tempo]

That's shitty. Stop.

[Irina, sound breaking up]

Enough. You're not involved.

When you're involved, your performance is excellent.

When you do things in a banal way, it looks banal.

If you're not involved, go home and get some rest.

Good-bye.

[woman] Where are you going? Get back to the floor!

[laughing]

[soundtrack: woman vocalizing]

[no audible dialogue]

[vocalizing continues]

[vocalizing continues]