Original subtitles

Winter

If we leave this here ʻtil morning...

What?

I think it cracked. Do you see the grease on the rim?

Watch.

But it canʼt be!

-Then where is it from? -I donʼt know.

Put that there!

Turn it a little.

And this...

Alright...

-Donʼt walk on those sheet irons! -OK, I wonʼt.

You might fall in the fire!

Not that I mind it, but youʼll ruin my smoke-house!

-Oh dear! -What "Oh dear"?

-Oh, dear, I forgot the bucket! -Go get it then...

Hold this a little.

Let me just put a stick over there...

Have a sausage, everybody!

Yes, yes...

Hi, Liviu! Stop and have a bit of sausage.

Let me just take it out.

Here, fresh and tasty!

God bless you for it!

-May it be for the peace of your sonʼs soul! -God bless you.

Kiss your hand, Maʼam.

Hello, Liviu!

-I gave him a bit of sausage... -Good for you.

-What have you done? Where did you put them? -To have a taste...

-Ah! Put them here! -Be patient! I have more...

-Careful! They might break! -Here.

Alright.

Oh!

"Careful! They might break"...

Yeah, yeah... they just did...

-Not even a dog would eat this. -Right!...

And the cat, always with us...

-Come, letʼs take it all at once! -But we canʼt...

-Canʼt we? Even if we use the rope?? -No, no, donʼt bother.

Hold this for a second. Iʼll go up!

-Oh, my dear! -But the light is not on up there!

It is, since last time. Go up!

Is it?

-Yes, I see it! -Oh yes, I see it now.

Letʼs go back to the mill, Letʼs go spin that wheel!

Here!

Stop there, take this first!

Oh dear, oh dear!

-Careful, the bucket is broken! -No, itʼs not...

... Itʼs not allowed to break.

Hey old man, where did you go?!

Hey!

You climbed up, so stay there!

I stay here...

Why not? Did I put you up there?

Oh, dear! Will it work?!

I told you!

Hold it from that side!

I canʼt. I put the other one here! Come, get it up!

Up we go…

Up with the crane!

Now, loosen it. Alright.

Letʼs see if I can untie it now... This is a hell of a knot, mister!

-So the pig wonʼt run away! -Right...

-This sleigh we used, it was Anaʼs. -Really?

Yes... made it for her when she was little

Now maybe Ioana will ride in it... her daughter.

She could. But they rarely come over.

-They surely have another sleigh now. -What?

-They surely bought another sleigh now. -Yes, a modern one. A bob-sleigh, maybe.

Alright...

We praise You, Lord...

What are you doing?

Leave the singing for the church! Let me help you dress up now!

We praise You, God...

Come on!

We give thanks unto You…

And we pray unto You...

Come on! I want to see you dressed!

And we pray...

We pray…

Leave that on!

We pray…

Take this...

Good!

Listen... how many years have passed since we got married?

Well... do the math.

53...

-9th of Feb...January... -9th of January...

-1953... -Yes.

And now weʼre in 2008...

So, this month we complete only... 55 years...

My God, theyʼre so many!

-What a winter we had then... -You see... Snow was up to your waist.

Yes...

What a winter, my dear!... When I remember it...

As if it has never been...

Remember how they blocked our sleigh, before the wedding?

-Oh, the "checkpoint" tradition. -Yes.

-But you didnʼt give them anything... -I did... I sure did.

-Ah, when they came at the wedding. -Yes, yes, I gave them.

What a tradition that was!

Iʼll go take my watch. So Iʼll know when to come back.

So many years have passed... Good times, bad times... Sorrows and joys...

What?

So many years...

No use to weep...

The years have passed, we got old...

Tomorrow or the day after... weʼll be gone.

The youngsters will take our place.

It has always been this way.

-Leave the sleeve, or else you canʼt look at the watch... -Oh, youʼre right...

-So I can look at my watch... -Yes, maybe you have a date...

Yes... with a granny.

Right.

A granny...

-Well, Iʼve had my dates, didnʼt I? -You sure did...

But that was long ago...

Go, go, you go… Come back, you come...

Right, you want me back to feed the cows...

to clean the stable...

Otherwise, some other guy would come...

-What guy? -A younger, a harder working one.

I think you do your work well enough.

OK... Now letʼs find something that smells nice.

Wait, I have to clean this a little, first.

There.

-I didnʼt give you any money. Do you have some? -Yes, about 4 coins. Itʼs enough.

I think this doesnʼt work. Whatʼs wrong?

Not this, the other one!

Keep this for yourself.

What would I need it for?!

You use it when...

When what?!

Ah, that one works, too.

But this oneʼs for the ladies...

-Oh, dear! You know what that means... -Iʼll smell like a lady.

Thatʼs a good one!

-How did it occur to you?! -Ah! It stings.

-Did you spray the fur cap? -I did!

Good!

Iʼll give you candles.

I think I already have the... What are they called?

-I had some... Where have I put them? -Here, light this big one.

-Whatʼs this? -Light this one on the grave. Itʼll last longer.

A candle!

-Morninʼ, Vasile! -Morninʼ, Uncle Costica. Iʼm going to the valley, too.

Come, then!

Come, Iʼll give you a free ride.

Iʼll give you one, too.

Weʼll give free rides to each other.

-To the church... -Me too, I guess.

Come, Gheorghe, up we go!

-Itʼs hard climbing, isnʼt it? -Yes, a bit.

Itʼs hard.

God only knows how many times my father climbed up these stairs. These very same stairs.

What can we do about it?! At least it helps us stay in good shape.

-Yes, right.

Light of Light, True God of True God Begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father

Holy God... Holy Immortal...

Blessed are those with humble hearts...

For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn...

For they shall be comforted.

Blessed be those who follow Godʼs words...

Iʼll put some wire here, soft wire...

I make little squares... And you put this on the pot...

So you can wring out the water when you make the green cheese.

-See? -I see. Bravo!

Well, your graybeard, he knows stuff, but heʼs too weak now.

-Heʼs just a little too old. -Do you need strength for this?!

-You need some talent... -Yes, some caviar up here...

But my head is old and rotten, of almost no use.

Right...

My head, my poor, poor head...

Itʼs good the way it is.

-Iʼll take this piece out first. -I donʼt think you can do it.

-You donʼt? -I donʼt.

You donʼt, but I do!

-But where did you get this? -From the old washing machine.

I detached it from there.

Look what I found here!

Oh, you found your notebook!

I found my notebook. Iʼve been looking for it...

Where was it?

Thereʼs a poem, not that old. Itʼs since we were retired...

-Do you want to hear it? -Yes, absolutely.

"Life is Beautiful"

When you are young, you feel That the world is oh, so clear.

The years slip by with no delay And you get older every day.

When youʼre young you got it all: Love, life, power: itʼs a ball!

Youʼre not aware that everything Hangs from the thinnest string.

You are now young, handsome and strong, You know how to get along.

Later you see that all this mess Will leave you with nothingness:

Your hands wonʼt listen, your eyes wonʼt see,

Youʼll have a bitter question: "Am I living pointlessly?"

Itʼs summertime, birds are singing And the crickets play with dew,

One ear seems deaf to you. Sometimes both, all two.

So true...

Children grow up around you Each one grows clever, too.

They have homes and good jobs start, Then their children steal your heart.

Your grandchildren are precious bloom That inherit life and overcome doom.

Think the world of them, my friend, From now till the ruthless end.

Even though you have no choice And get weary of their tinkling voice,

Follow your thoughts, old and wise, For they are your next lives.

And after all, my friend, if all of this Doesnʼt bring a perfect bliss,

You can say out loud, itʼs true: "Be it as it may, life is beautiful!"

Bravo!

You see?

-Itʼs true... -This is not that old...

Itʼs true, it is!

-We live on through our children. -We do, donʼt we?

You described me well in your poem, hearing with one ear...

But itʼs not just you!

With one deaf ear, ah? Do YOU hear with one ear?

-No. I hear with both ears. -You do, but you hear less.

If nothing else, my hearing is OK.

I hear pretty well, too, but I donʼt understand much.

Itʼs just not clear...

When I listen to the news...

I only hear... and understand that lady...

...Gabriela. Vranceanu-Firea.

I can understand everything sheʼs saying.

The others donʼt make sense to me.

-Look how beautiful it is! -Didnʼt I tell you...

Iʼll clean it again, after you put the wire...

I leave these glasses here and go out with the black ones.

I go see if that wire fits.

If it doesnʼt, Iʼll think of something else.

Check on the cows.

See if theyʼre alright...

Make sure the calf doesnʼt suck his mother dry.

Spring

Come on, get out, you ugly cat!

Here.

-Donʼt you sing to her? -Sorry?

-You donʼt sing to her, like usual? -What?

To the cow, when milking her, donʼt you sing?

I didnʼt understand.

I asked if you donʼt sing anymore, when you milk the cows.

-Sing to her? -Yes, so that sheʼll give you her milk.

We praise You, God…

I sat many days at my window

Waiting for you to pass by.

But you went some other way, Gheorghita,

Our paths didnʼt cross... Good bye!

Had you come, I wouldʼve told you many,

Many things I had inside.

I gathered for you feelings plenty

That would have made you change your mind…

Next time you come, believe me,

Grab my waist passionately,

Hold my head against your chest,

And then kiss me with no rest!

We were once young...

Nice to remember our youthʼs songs.

-We werenʼt young! -Of course we were!

We were all worn out from working.

Yes, we were, but we had courage... strength...

While now, I weave these for our funerals.

Our youth was only on Sundays, when we went to the dances. To the balls.

-But we did have the dances. the balls... -Yes. those were nice.

-The girls came with their mothers... -So they did.

Our mothers were holding our jackets while we were...

Nowadays, you see, girls sit in bars, smoking cigarettes...

No one listens to "mummy" or "daddy" now.

In truth, it was better when we were young.

Home! Now!

Home, ugly duck! Or else...

All these TV shows are just a bunch of lies!

They want us to believe that all that is true!

Theyʼre trying to fool us.

-Why do you watch it if you donʼt like it? -I do like it, but why do they lie?

I watch it because I like it. This is an art, made by talented men, you know.

Whatʼs to like about it?

You donʼt have to believe everything you see.

You told me not to start this set of carpets. Didnʼt I finish them?

-What? -These rugs.

You told me "No, no, donʼt start weaving a new set, you wonʼt finish, wonʼt finish"...

-I didnʼt want you to work so hard. -But itʼs spring time, we need to move the loom...

Yeah, but youʼve worked day and night.

Yes, I did.

You worked too hard!

-But what if one of us died? -What?

If one of us dies, what will you do?

If I die, youʼll keep them.

No, Iʼll give them out at the burial.

How can you give so much work away?!

You work so hard and then you give them at a funeral?

Yes, but this way people will remember you.

Theyʼll know you made something out of your life, something beautiful with your own hands...

-Itʼs a good thing. -You still die.

Whether you made carpets or not, you still end up in the ground.

True, but itʼs better to be remembered for something youʼve done.

People will leave the funeral with a good impression.

We donʼt all die on the same day, you know...

Thatʼs life.

-Donʼt you take the one below ? -Take what?

-The one below. -I donʼt. Iʼll move it all in one piece!

Right...

TVʼs plug...

Leave that... And carefully take this one.

-What if this one falls on my head? -It wonʼt.

How do you know ?

-Donʼt you take that one, first? -No.

This goes first, and then the other piece will go straight in the right place.

Wait...

I hope that one wonʼt fall.

When I left the convent, mother-nun gave me a loom.

It was light, unlike this giant here.

Whoever saw us carrying it, thought weʼre carrying our crosses.

They didnʼt know what we were doing...

Let it go.

Thatʼs it.

-Have you seen that, dear? -I did.

I did see you are the bravest.

-Good, Iʼm gonna lay something... -Oh, I got so tired!

You did?

Youʼll rest at Easter.

Take the table.

Letʼs put it in its place.

Constantin, Constantin…

The neighbors will yell at us: "Your house is on fire!"…

Oh, nonsense!

Oh, dear!

See, and you said we shouldnʼt clean it...

I didnʼt say we shouldnʼt.

-Is it such a big deal? -I said we shouldnʼt do it now.

Not now ? When then? After Easter?

I thought weʼd only tidy up a little...

Ah, doggy, what are you doing? Get out of here!

Why only fresh grass?

I brought a little for the chickens. Here!

-Itʼs enough! Donʼt waste it on chickens! -I am done.

-You gave them a lot. -I did.

Are you saving it?

See, I put that there, so you donʼt go up the attic.

Remember when you left me in the attic, waiting with the wine wicker,

while you were telling stories to Vasile?

But, hey! Itʼs good that you have someone at all!

For whom would you wait to bring you down? If it wasnʼt your old man?

You werenʼt that old back then...

-Wasnʼt I? -You werenʼt that old. You were a bit...

A bit more youthful?

Oh, dear!

Iʼve been a greybeard since I got married.

Listen...

How can you not be a graybeard at 83?

But... were you already 83 when I married you?!

And I still mow the grass, and dig, and carry things on my back...

I breed our two cows with my backʼs work...

I do it and Iʼm 83!

Well, itʼs good that you can!

I can. I canʼt... I must!

We have grandchildren, great-grandchildren, another one on the way...

Donʼt they need milk?

-Donʼt we also need milk? -Yes. Definitely.

-Isnʼt it too sweet? -Very good.

I put some chocolate in. Thatʼs why itʼs so good.

-Aaah... coffee, plus chocolate... plus sugar... -Well, a tiny treat...

Yes, but what if your old man gets diabetes?

-Well, from now on... -It doesnʼt matter anymore. I can die, right?

No, no, but you donʼt get diabetes at this age...

Youʼre not allowed to die, donʼt you know how expensive funerals are?!

-Donʼt even think of dying! -Theyʼre expensive, but...

You can just throw me in a pit.

Do you think Iʼd do that?

Then everyone would say I have lived in vain.

God bless.

You too.

Heʼs been here for two hours.

Heʼs coming one more time.

-The weeds are slowing down his work. -Well, let him do it twice.

Heʼs already doing it, canʼt you see? Up to that place.

You please ask him how much I have to pay. You can hear better. I, myself...

Step away!

Heʼs a real talent!

Of course he is. He worked in Germany, canʼt you tell?

Itʼs a different world, didnʼt you know ?

210... 5 times 5, 25... 250!

-Well done, donʼt you think? -Yes, very good.

You can feel the plowing I made last autumn.

See you next autumn...

Step back to your place.

Here, eat.

Now step away and let me clean your droppings.

Come...

Good girl!

It looks like I have to make some more rugs...

... for the two of us.

-I hope this time, theyʼll be for us, not for... -I hope theyʼll be...

-For whom?! -For me!

Oh, look at you! I made them and you want them only for yourself?

Yes. Because if I die first, youʼll know what to give away.

But if you die, God knows how Iʼll manage with those.

Youʼll give what you see in my room.

Right...

We have 52 rugs. We need more.

-How many? -52.

Thatʼs all?

-We need more. -Yes, we do.

Mrs. Nazaria finally told him.

This loom is the dowry my father-in-law gave me.

A treasure. A real treasure!

Thanks to your hands, that work on it.

Thatʼs it.

And the brains...

This life passes by so fast! Youʼre happy for what you leave behind.

Right.

We... We have 8 grandchildren...

-And great-grandchildren. -Two great-granddaughters...

A third one on the way...

I feel like... Like that story used to say:

"With one eye I cry, with the other, I laugh"

One cries for those whoʼre gone,

the other is happy for those whoʼre coming...

This is how it is.

Thatʼs life.

Thatʼs life.

Thatʼs it.

Aww...

Oh, dear God! What are you...?!

-I donʼt know what Iʼd do with a belly like that! -What would you do?

Itʼs an expensive belly!

-Yes, I bet. -Of course it is!

Look at these pretty and manicured hands.

How could they not be clean if you are a baker?

Weʼre making sweet bread, right?

This apron barely fits you. Youʼre like a big cheese.

I have many, but they donʼt fit you.

I once had a nice apron, when I used to breed bees.

You did?

Of course I did.

I donʼt remember that.

I had one.

My bees liked it.

They liked colors: white, blue, green...

When I was a kid, I loved visiting my grandparents.

-Children donʼt feel like that anymore. -Yes, they do...

Only if you send them.

Now theyʼre busy learning the new lifestyles.

At least in school, do you think they teach them about the old times?

-At school? -Yes.

At school they teach them...

How to have sex...

How to protect themselves... this kind of things.

This is education nowadays.

Thank God they donʼt teach our cows the same thing, otherwise they wouldnʼt reproduce...

Iʼm happy my children and grandchildren love me.

How could we not?

Yes, they only have one grandpa... one great-grandpa.

-One grandpa. -And great-grandpa.

They always ask "Howʼs grandpa doing?"

"Howʼs grandma?"

Look, I forgot my watch...

I canʼt feed the cow without my watch.

I was young when I got married.

You were young and we were hurried.

In the night of our big wedding, It was raining, it was raging,

It was dark, I couldnʼt see The girl sitting next to me.

And she was an ugly maid, I was young when I got married.

I was young when I got married…

And I took her dowry, And hid the girl rapidly.

I was young when I got married…

The dowry was eaten by mice, The plain girl stayed, I donʼt tell lies.

I was young when I got married…

The dowry was eaten by mice, The plain girl stayed, I donʼt tell lies.

I was young when I got married…

When I say: "Letʼs go to a wedding!" She goes to bed and starts her snoring.

I was young when I got married…

When I say "Letʼs go to a dance!" She hides under what she finds.

I was young when I got married…

When I look for the sour cream, It has mildew to the brim.

I was young when I got married…

Here.

When Iʼm looking for the soup, There are worms that twist and loop.

I was young when I got married…

Come and save me from her, mummy, She might eat me in a hurry!

Less, less this time.

Come and save me from her, mummy, She might eat me in a hurry!

"Last night she didnʼt eat me ʻcause I had my axe near me" -Right.

Last night she didnʼt eat me ʻCause I had my axe near me.

I was young when I got married…

If I would sing this, sheʼd get mad.

No, I just forgot part of it.

I was young when I got married…

You werenʼt that young when you married!

You had your age!

-Not that young, huh? -Not too young.

I wasnʼt that young, but I took a young girl! -Yes, you married a young one.

-I took a young girl...

With money and a loom.

I took a "loomy-girl".

Put this one there.

I took a young girl with a loom,

And she weaves from night till... noon?

2, 4... 2, 4, 6, 8...

I think theyʼll fit just well in the stove.

Iʼll sit down for a minute.

-Even the dog sings now?! -Listen!...

OK... Letʼs hear it.

He likes it.

Oh my, what a stupid dog!

Mr. Costica!

It must be the mailman.

Mr. Costica! Yes, yes, come in!

- Good day! - Hello! Weʼve been waiting for you.

- You have? - For about a month!

Always busy, huh?

Yes, weʼre getting ready for Easter.

- Here. Take a seat. - Take a seat.

- 6, 8... 9... - Iʼve never seen this new bill before.

10, 11...

50, 60, 70, 80, 90...

Wait! Letʼs see what we got.

I hope itʼs not something bad.

If it was bad, it would have the "BAD" stamp on it. An Easter card?

An invitation from Lucian and Roxana, our dear children.

- You should put away some of that money now. - Iʼll start making a carpet...

- What?! An invitation?! - Look! From Lucian!

Lucian and Roxana.

- Who are they? Your grandchildren? - Yes, my grandson... My dear grandson!

- Let me see the date. - I think itʼs in July.

One more pension, and thatʼs it!

- On the 5th of July, right? - Yes, the 5th.

- Letʼs see if we can go. - Weʼll go... Even if we have to walk on our knees.

I must hurry with that carpet.

You moved the loom... Itʼs here in summertime and inside during winter?

Itʼs good here. I see better in this light.

Here she can also see the cows, the hens, the whole yard.

She can see the hawk when it comes after our chicken.

- Bye-bye! Happy Easter! - You too. Take care!

Did I give you your newspaper?

I donʼt know.

No, I didnʼt. Here it is.

Thanks a lot.

Good health!

Bye!

See if Vasile is at home...

- Oh, this is not good. - Oh, poor thing! Itʼs too large.

It wonʼt stay.

You have to make just a small hole in it. You spoiled it.

- Help me get this on, please. - Yes, yes, right away.

- Those were really good... - Which ones?

Those candles, in a sort of a glass...

Inside...

Understand, granny?

I donʼt know.

Take this one for the grave.

This one.

- Look! See? - Oh, good job!

Take one egg. To say "Christ is Risen!"

They have plenty of eggs over there... I wonʼt carry an egg with me.

- For the grave? - Yes. Itʼs the kind that lasts longer.

- When I come back, should I wake you up? - Weʼll see. Iʼll wake by myself.

- Then weʼll say "Christ is Risen!", right? - Yes, then.

- And what do you say now? - Now you say "Good Night"

- Good night and forgive me. May God forgive you, old man...

A car is coming. Letʼs step aside.

Weʼve made it through this year.

- Maybe weʼll make it till next year... - Only God up there knows.

We live with hope, right? No one has a contract with God.

When Death comes, it finds you.

- You cannot hide from Death. - No, it finds you anywhere.

My cow is sick, poor creature.

- Why? - She canʼt put one foot on the ground at all.

- She might have something in her hoof. - I checked. Thereʼs nothing there...

Come take the Holy Light!

Christ is risen from the dead...

Trampling down death by death...

Oh, Mother of God, pray for us...

- We messed it up. - "pray for us" is said twice. Only then this comes...

Yes, thatʼs, why.

You lead us, please, from the "pray for us"...

"Enlighten us, St. John and pray for us"...

Well, something like this...

- Wonʼt you sleep a little? - What?

Arenʼt you goinʼ to sleep?

- What? - Arenʼt you goinʼ to sleep?

Oh, yes. Until sunrise...

Good.

- At least one hour or two. - I forgot to look at the time.

Must be around four.

Four, ah?

Aha...

Was it nice?

It was, but after the service, only a few stayed.

Did you sing?

Of course.

It was really nice.

- There must have been a lot of people. - Yes, plenty.

People even came from the city, do you know?

Summer

- Oh, youʼre handsome enough! - Really?

- Do you really love me that much? - No doubt about it.

Only you know how much you cried when I married you.

I donʼt remember anything like that.

You mustʼve been sorry. Iʼm sure.

You could have married a younger man, not an old one like me.

- I think you werenʼt that old back then! - No, I wasnʼt, but havenʼt I become?

- Havenʼt I also become a granny?! - Should I take my hat?

I donʼt know...

I think Iʼm not going anywhere, because I canʼt find my shoes.

Well, donʼt come... Iʼve seen them somewhere around here.

Oh my God, Iʼve put them in the stove!

- Where were they? - In the stove!

I mustʼve really gone crazy. Iʼve looked for them so much...

Now, put the heel.

- Thatʼs it. Put the other one. - Iʼve done the other one.

- Do you have only one foot? - Yes, only one. Come on!

Put the stick and lock the door, We could leave and fear no more.

- God help us! - I put the stick there, to let people know we are not home.

- "Weʼre sorry, weʼve left for the church". - Who do you ask forgiveness from?

May God forgive us all. May you also be forgiven.

- Hello! Happy Nameʼs Day, for both of you! - Thank you.

The Social-Democrats...

"Vote Ion Munteanu, president of the County Council"

"The best for the most!"... So help us God!

This road looks much better now...

- They hauled the rocks all the way up from the river. - Hello, Happy Nameʼs Day!

Thank you, God bless you.

- We used to have a real swamp here. - Fortunately they brought all these rocks.

Yes, theyʼve done a great job.

Youʼll come to visit us, right?

- I donʼt know... - And why donʼt you know?

A present without a visit?!

- Is it a beer? - Youʼll see at home.

May God give you good health so you can be happy with the living ones.

May God give you strength so you can... I forgot what I wanted to say. I always forget.

Every Constantin and every Elena gets an apron!

Itʼs very good at home. You can put it around your neck...

Oh, right!

Long live the Mayor and the Liberal-Democrats!

What do we have here? Look!

Oh, this is that kind that blows out.

- Wait, there is something else in here. - Thereʼs nothing left.

Yes, there is!

Oh, dear!

Itʼs a beer of some sort...

Pepsi.

Itʼs a soda...

Letʼs change and get to work. The cows are waiting.

Ioana.

Hello?

I have no idea what Iʼve done here!

.... Tomorrow I will be with you again, donʼt know how,

I didnʼt know what to do back then, I will now know....

Thatʼs it.

- Thatʼs an old poem, from the time we were young. - This oneʼs not that old.

We can lick it from the outside.

Open it! You can do it, if you have good hands.

- I canʼt. This is something I donʼt know. - You can, look...

I knew it. And you said you couldnʼt...

Oh, look what youʼve done there.

Squeeze it!

Cheers! Long life!

I think that is Liviu coming.

I have work to do.

The cat sleeps here again, because itʼs nice and tidy.

- Oh, my! Iʼll get so drunk! - Right.

Oh my broʼ, Iʼve been looking for you, to tell you nothing but the truth:

Iʼd like to quit the cows And join your Robin Hood band...

Forget it, go to the cows!

You can join my band, If you swear you wonʼt betray it!

"Refreshing carbooo... carbonated soft drink"

Contains caffeine. See?

What are you doing? What is there to read?

- Iʼm not allowed to talk. - Who forbids you to talk?

You did.

Thatʼs just your impression. Sometimes you imagine such things...

"Distributed in the Republic of Moldova" Can you believe that?

- I read what this thing is made of... - What?

What this is made of.

You said youʼd feed the animals.

I have plenty of time.

"Bearʼs Valley"

We were once there, werenʼt we?

We were.

- What did we do there? - At a wedding.

- Whose wedding? - Of... lon Pavel.

Precisely!

Yes, I remembered.

We all took the trouble to go there, and in the end... they divorced.

Come on, babies, come to Mamma.

Come to Mamma. Where are you?

Bring your babies, come here!

Call all your kids. Very nice!

These are not all!

Keep calling them! Canʼt you see these are not all?

Keep calling! Thatʼs it. Good job!

Duck, get away from there! You dirty duck! Stupid animal!

Here comes another one!

Get away from there, you duck!

Oh, the hen will eat you!

You deserved that!

Alright.

You eat there, nicely.

"When your eyes behold the marvelous lake-view, it takes your breath away"

Oh, dear! You donʼt breathe anymore.

If you go to the lake, you stop breathing.

You can imagine how fresh the air is there!

Thatʼs true, but isnʼt it fresh around here too?

When you have the forest rising above your backyard,

what fresher air can you possibly want?

The pure evidence:

At 83 years old to mow, to carry on your back, to breed so many animals!

Isnʼt this because of the air?

Also the food, and the... Can you live only on air?

Ambition, too.

Oh dear, youʼre ill, you donʼt have any ambition left.

You need ambition, passion and love for every being.

Almost 80,000 people from the Neamt county are under the risk of getting diabetes.

Thatʼs because of the good living.

A long time ago, when we were eating polenta with cranberries,

there was no chance of getting diabetes.

- You ate something like that? - Yes, I did, when they stole our supplies.

We were stuck with no food, in the woods, during the famine.

We had no food so, to be able to work, we had to eat polenta with cranberries.

- But didnʼt they steal your polenta, too? - Only half they stole, and half they left behind.

They didnʼt take it all. They were nice thieves.

They said to themselves:

"We should leave some for them to work, so we have wheat to steal next week as well."

And, did they come back the week after?

Well, I donʼt know, I was lucky: By then, they enlisted me in the army.

And in the army we had food, even during the famine.

Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen.

Today the Orthodox celebrate the Holy Emperors...

- Oh, they celebrated it quite a while ago. - Not today. Back then.

The Christian Holiday is represented by the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen

St. Constantine was the 32nd emperor of the Roman Empire,

after August... August...

- Augustus... - Yes, August.

His whole life was a struggle...

to free the Christian Church from pagan oppression.

He and his mother. But she was a pagan.

Elena, just for you, I drink all day & night.

It helps me drown my sorrow, Ease the fire of my heart.

Morning comes, Elena, And Iʼm daydreaming of you.

Girls are pointing at me, All the village laughs at me.

Elena... my dear Elena, If I could have you one more time,

I would show you what my love means....

Elena... my dear Elena, If I could have you one more time,

I would show you what my love means....

The hell I can show, at my age... what love means...

But love... Love is to love someone,

to respect her,

To get along well...

Thatʼs what love is.

Elena.... my dear Elena, If I could have you one more time...

Oh dear, my dear!

Autumn

May he forever rest in peace....

- We pray for his soul. - May he rest in peace.

Didnʼt Mrs. Elena come? Your wife?

No, she canʼt walk this far.

She canʼt.

If it wasnʼt for our neighbor Gica, she couldʼve been dead in ten minutes.

Really? When?

This autumn.

May he be forgiven, by God and by all of us.

Itʼs a big pain... a hard moment...

To lose a parent...

But... The hardest thing of all is to lose a son, like we did...

God forbid!

This is how slow the cortege went...

- Why was that? - Thatʼs how the hearse was going.

It was their car, they organized everything.

And we walked like this, so we got to church at around 12... thirty.

It was a long walk. Then, the service started.

Have a seat and talk.

With all those priests.

Five priests!

They sang so beautifully...

Oh, nice.

Then they followed the custom in detail, all of them.

This must be Ana.

Then...

Hello? Yes...

How long has it been since Iʼve used you?

The great-granddaughter needs you now.

How lovely was it when I was swinging her mother in it...

Here!

- Let it go! - You great-grandfather!

Come on, be careful. Hold it!

...And he takes out two glasses of wine...

One for Sadoveanu... one for himself...

And they say "Cheers"... He was thirsty as he came from a long road...

Hey, donʼt put it on the cat!

- He took the glass to his mouth... - Leave her. Leave her...

And he drank...

No, leave it, Iʼll wipe it a little. Itʼs dusty.

And they drank, my dear, they drank...

When he saw that. He said: "Heʼs a big drunk, like I am"...

Oh, my dear!

This is how I used to swing my grandchildren...

My great-grandchildren...

And now this new great-granddaughter.

Well...

Itʼs fine like this...

Itʼs good like this.

Itʼs good like this. Hard as it is.

This is Pandoraʼs box! One canʼt open it, one canʼt close it.

How come? Donʼt force it, youʼll spoil it!

No, no... But whatʼs here?

- What was in here? - Who knows?

Bottles...

Thatʼs good for eggs.

- You can put eggs in each compartment... - Yes.

And you send it to Bucharest for Andrei.

- And you think the eggs wonʼt break? - They wonʼt...

You wrap them up.

I wonʼt even open it. Iʼll leave it like this.

- Leave it. Leave it... - Where did we get this?

Must be from Nina. No, no...

No, I think itʼs one of Florinʼs.

With ice cream or something... Let me clean it.

Put it on that bed outside.

The dog is barking I think our dear children are coming!

The baby!!! Grannyʼs baby came!!!

Good evening!

Welcome...

- Is she sleeping? Are you sleeping, baby? - Yes, sheʼs sleeping.

Let me hold her!

Look, the kitten...

- Look who came over for a visit! - Hello, grandpa!

Welcome!

- But where is loana?

She has a piano lesson... Preparing a recital.

Hello!

Shut the door.

- It started to grow... - Yes, Iʼm growing a beard.

- Oh, my baby doll! - Hello, great-grandmother.

Put the traditional rock in her mouth... Sheʼs for the first time at her grannyʼs!

Oh... Touch wood!

Look, look, great-grandfather! Look at this miracle!

Sheʼs looking at me, little angel!

When will you start calling me "granny"?

When?

Her sister will teach her.

Aww...

We bore her with these things...

Look, sweetie, the woodbed that mom slept in.

Yes, yes.

This is all granny has left. Letʼs put it here, for good luck!

Here we go...

Donʼt cry... donʼt cry... donʼt cry...

Lullaby, lullaby....

Go to sleep....

Grannyʼs sweetie pie.

I gave her something for good luck.

God bless you!

I would have given more, but the mailman didnʼt bring our pension this month.

No need for money. We need you to be healthy and make the dowry for our girl.

Yes.

- We want a dowry... a carpet. - God help me... live.

Actually, I do have a little rug for her.

Is mom getting you married?

Which one do you find prettier?

Look!

Look how nice they are!

When have you made them? Now?

- I made some more... If I had to give those then... - I like this blue shade.

Yes.

Can I let her pick? Which one do you want, princess?

- I really like this blue one. - Whichever you want!

- Let her play with it. - Letʼs stand up and play on it, baby!

When sheʼll grow up a little.

Did you know that loana used to kneel on one of these and pray?

- Thank you so much! - My pleasure!

- And God help you be healthy and make a dowry. - God help us.

- Is she sleeping? - Eating and sleeping. What else can she do?

Sheʼs so beautiful...

- How are your hands? - Better, now.

Really? They donʼt look better.

If I just loiter, I feel the pain. But usually I have a lot to do,

I move my hands all the time and donʼt feel any pain.

- Donʼt you miss the doctor? - I donʼt miss anyone.

- But I must say he did me good. - He did...

He gave me those pills that I still take.

One evening I said: "Well, Iʼll take it tomorrow"

And the next day my hands and legs hurt really bad.

I am addicted to them now.

- Yes. - I must take them all the time.

Oh... Iʼll change the subject.

You know, above my bed, on the wall, I have the carpet you gave me at my wedding.

And I was trying to remember the names of the flowers on it.

I wanted to tell my girls about each flower, but I couldnʼt remember.

I am not sure which are the poppies, the irises... as you taught me.

- I just canʼt remember. - Well, I can tell you now.

For a long time I have gathered Color by color,

And with them I sew together The proudest flower.

From the golden-yellow thread, With a very skillful hand,

I made the shiny wheat ears, From our beloved native land.

With pink and fiery red, With a very careful hand,

I made the prettiest poppy of all, Dressed up for a fancy Ball.

Blue is the proud thread I use To sew the morning glory.

Flower near flower, my friends, Forget-me-nots and violets.

For the Lily of the Valley, I use the pure white thread,

Same for the gallant snowdrop, Which from snow shows itʼs head.

And many, many singing birds, I sew of my magic color,

If you look more carefully, Youʼd say that they warble.

I worked a long time, I love weaving a carpet,

From Oltenia or Moldavia, I put my heart and soul in it,

Because itʼs from Romania.

But the most precious of all flowers,

Are my sweet grandchildren.

I hold the youngest in my arms And sing a song almost forgotten.

And I hold her until she wakes, While the others carefully listen.

The little girl plays with my hair, With her soft hand, so tiny,

Then she whispers in my ear: "Why is your hair white, dear granny?"

I answer her heavy-hearted: "There are many winters in my life"

"My joys are now rare And thereʼre snowflakes in my hair"

The girl bows her head, I ask her: "Are you sad?"

She doesnʼt say a word, my dear, And I quietly wipe a lonely tear.

See? These are the flowers.

Grandmaʼs flowers.

The most beautiful of all.

The most precious.

Did you really sadden, my dear?

An engineer, as puny as me, but without my three bellies, said:

"Sir, are you Mr. Vinca?"

"I am"

"From this moment on you work for us" He left me speechless.

Letʼs cut that cake.

- We two can go to the other room, to... - No, letʼs all stay here.

Put the cat down.

...As I said, he left me speechless.

Iʼll finish. And he took me to a booth...

On a building site, you know?

- Were they building the Savinesti factory? - Yes.

- Were they just starting to build it? - Yes.

- How far are you with the story? - We have quite a way to go...

- When he was just a young lad. - They had just started to build Savinesti...

And so, I stayed there, I studied there,

Then I was hired as an electrician, I got into the electriciansʼ school.

- Where did you study? - In Savinesti, afterwards in Piatra... for one year.

Then one more year at a specialized school...

You should see my grade book: Straight Aʼs!

So you worked in Savinesti until retirement?

- What? - Did you retire there?

No, I was hired to build the hospital in Piatra, and I worked there.

He retired from there...

- Now, you tell us a story, dear. - Yes. Tell us. ,

Take the woodbed.

But without this blanket.

As you wish.

- Can you carry it, darling? - Of course.

- You better come back for it... - No, Iʼll take it now.

What a mighty husband I got!

The door, please.

Letʼs give granny a kiss, shall we?

- Hurry, sheʼll start sweating. - Yes, letʼs go.

Bye-bye.

God bless you, and keep you healthy.

Kisses. Bye-bye, great-grandmother.

Let me kiss her.

Stay healthy so you can make the dowry.

God help me.

And sing to my daughters.

Take very good care.

God help us go on.

Ah. What a wind!

A cold, ugly wind...

- Winter is coming. - Yes...