Original subtitles

From the story by N. V. GOGOL

A HOLY PLACE

Script Editors MIODRAG MARINKOVIC RADOMIR PUTNIK

Production Manager SLOBODAN ROGANOVIC

Production Design RANKO MASKARELI

Costume Design MIRJANA OSTOIC

Edited by BOJANA SUBOTA

Music Composed by LAZAR RISTOVSKI

Director of Photography ALEKSANDAR PETKOVIC

Executive Producer ZORAN QTASEVIC

Written and Directed by DJORDIJE KADIJEVIC

Marko, where's that cabin, for the love of God?

Devil would know! I guess it's here somewhere.

It seems we got lost a bit.

Do you hear that, brothers?

Wolves!

What shall we do?

We should climb on that tree, and count the stars until it's morning.

That's what we should do.

No we won't, we'll find that cabin. It must be here somewhere.

You survived, brothers!

It could have run you over!

What?

Horses.

Horses and a carriage.

What are you talking about? What horses, what carriage?

It just passed here... I thought it would run you over.

Toma, what have you been drinking?

Nothing.

Good evening, good people. Anyone here?

Who's that?

Travellers, Mother. We're coming from county fair.

It's late, and we need a place to stay.

- Of what kind are you? - Pupils, we study to become priests.

No. I have no place for you. Go!

Mother, don't be like that. Look, night is falling.

- Do you want us to be attacked by wolves? - What can I do?

If you are men of God, why do you go around? Why don't you pray?

Don't be like that, we're only human. Don't leave us to sleep outside.

Come in. But I will separate you.

You're too dangerous together.

You two, in the house. You, in there.

Mother, maybe it's not right to say, but we haven't eaten since yesterday.

Look at him. I give you an inch, now you're asking for a yard!

- We'll pay you in the morning. - Leave it. There's nothing to eat.

What is it, mother? What do you want?

Ah, that! Please don't, you're too old...

Look Grandmother, that's not gonna happen!

"Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil!"

Holy God...

Who is Toma?

- Me. - Headmaster sent for you.

Is that so, Toma? It's not right, not right.

You banged Grandmother and left...

But you were excellent. She even made breakfast for us.

Sit.

Prepare for a trip.

Master Zupanski sent for you.

His daughter is dying.

And her wish is that, when she's dead, you be the one to read a prayer for her.

Why me?

I don't know that. Master wants you.

Father, forgive me, but I can't go there.

What are you saying?

Listen, boy. You know who Master Zupanski is.

If it wasn't for him, there would be no church and no school.

You would be a pig farmer, not a pupil.

It's not up to you to decide.

Go and prepare.

And watch it. If you make a mess you will get expelled.

- Hello, priest. - Hello, brothers.

Doros, Spira, keep him good.

And it wouldn't be a bad idea to tie him down a bit.

Good carriage...

Horses too...

If we load them with rocks, or nails, how many horses would we need?

- You study to be a priest? - I do.

Tell me, what are you learning there?

The same thing priests read in churches, or something more?

Leave it, Spira. It's not our business.

I would like to know what's written in their books.

Maybe it's quite the opposite of our priest's books.

Good wine.

Thank you brothers, but why don't you release me now.

What do you need me for? It's better to find a real priest for that sick lady.

Many gentlemen will be there. How can I, poor like this, be with them?

Sit, where are you going?

Sit, and tell me about the Holy Book.

You know, I also wanted to be a priest once.

Let me go, brothers.

I don't know a thing. I don't even know the prayer to Our Father.

Eh, priest, you are a real shit.

What do you think, maybe we should release him?

Why not. But first, he must drink it all.

Come on, go. Why are you waiting? You're free to go.

Priest, get up. Come on.

What's the matter, Nikita? There's nothing for you here.

Katarina... My dear daughter...

By the force... of non merciful fate...

you're gone into darkness...

So young...

Gone with your mother...

And left me... poor father...

Here... in an eternal grief...

Katarina...

You are that Toma?

Who is your father?

I don't know.

How's that?

I don't remember him.

I was just a kid when he died.

Who is your mother?

I don't remember her, either. She died upon my birth.

How do you know my daughter?

I don't know her, sir. I never saw her.

And how does she know you?

That's what I wonder too.

If you allow me, there must be some mistake. There's no way she could know me.

But, why has she chosen you to read a prayer for her?

Maybe you lie?

Then I should die, if I lie.

I would know all of this, only if my dearest lived just a few minutes longer.

And I would know who's the devil that killed her.

He wouldn't see daylight.

He would curse the day he was born,

and nothing would be left of him,

not even enough for vultures.

And you, good man,

You are, surely, well known for your spiritual life,

so it must have been that she, poor child, heard about it.

Me? God forgive me...

On the contrary, sir. No one is worse than me.

Please, forgive me, but... the other day,

when I was with some girl, and...

Twill... fulfill...

all my daughter's wishes...

she knew why she has chosen you.

You will read a prayer for her, three nights.

Don't you worry, you'll get a good reward.

And be worthy, or not even leather pants will protect you!

Go now.

Go to lunch now, and then to sleep.

You have to work tonight.

Come on.

What a beautiful place is this. For living, for fishing, or hunting...

Pump it, priest!

And, you could say there are even ducks in the woods...

Pump!

You don't know Nikita, the dog-trainer?

What a trainer he was,

Not so much anymore.

Look what's left of him now...

Once, he knew every single dog's soul,

like his brother's.

And when he's hunting a rabbit,

on a horse,

You can't tell who's faster,

he, or the dogs.

That kind of man was he,

a man to be proud of.

Until that thing happened to him...

What happened?

I will tell you,

but keep it secret.

Don't say a word.

Come on. Easy.

That's right. Come on.

Brzonja

Working hard, Nikita?

Me? Oh mistress...

Do you want, Nikita, to play?

Me and you, to play,

but no one should know,

and no one should see.

Take off your pants, Nikita.

Take them off.

What are you ashamed of?

Good.

Now, lay down.

Good.

May I, Nikita,

put a leg on you?

Yes.

Yes, mistress.

Are you feeling good, Nikita?

Yes.

And if I may put my other leg on you, Nikita?

Yes, yes.

You're fine, Nikita.

I'm glad you're doing fine.

And so she played with him.

And now only the devil knows what's left of him.

You saw what he looks like.

Once, he was a dog trainer Not anymore.

Get up, priest. It's time,

- What's the matter with you? - Me? Nothing.

- Maybe you're scared? - Me?

Don't be afraid. It's a holy place.

A burial place for virgins only.

Fullfil your duty.

And have a good night.

Good morning, priest. Good morning.

Let's go to breakfast.

Who's that woman?

She's not a woman. For you, she's a lady.

It's our late mistress.

She was like a mother to us.

Well priest, what was it like in the church last night?

Why do you ask?

No reason, just wondering.

Many things could appear to a person at night.

People

Is there a way to recognise a witch?

Oh, no, You can read all the psalms,

but there's no way to know that.

Yes, you can. Don't say that you can't.

Every witch has a tail, and you can feel it underneath their skirt.

Every woman that grows old becomes a witch!

And you are so much better? You old swine!

Raise your skirt so we can see your tail!

Enough, people!

The poor lady is not even buried yet.

We shouldn't be talking about witches.

Why not talk?

I will tell what I saw with my own eyes.

Come on, say it, speak!

Come on, say it.

Well, alright.

If you want.

It was last year, on a Saturday before Easter.

When Christians go to church.

Master was shouting:

Spira, are you deaf?

Bring that carpet. It's our gift to the church.

Katarina my dearest, hurry.

It's a holiday. We'll be late.

Spira, you're drunk again!

I'm not, my mistress.

Why do you lie?

Me? I haven't. Not a drop.

Look how bad your carriage looks. Is it for swines or humans?

Mistress.

Don't show up drunk again or I will dismiss you.

I don't need servants like you.

Dad... I can't... It's choking me...

No! People, help!

No! It's her...

No!

Move away!

Are you sick and tired of these tales?

Continue, talk.

There are so many fantasies, but

all this is what I saw with my own eyes

like I'm watching you now.

Even if it's noble a witch is a witch.

And if you want to know she even rode me.

And you Doros, why are you silent?

Nothing to say?

I have, but I'd rather not.

She rode even her own father.

And he was...

riding her sometimes.

Don't be like that.

She's dead, anything we say about her is truth.

But master is something else.

He built a church.

Don't be sinful.

Is it a sin to tell the truth?

No! No!

If it isn't, then why not speak?

He did build the church, that old witch,

but for his wife

who died when he got involved with their daughter

so her soul can't find a rest in the other world

and she wanders through the fields and cabins

howling like a wolf.

In the night

when it's moonlight

she waits for him, her executioner

to get even. To get revenge.

Where are you going?

- Me? - Yes.

I must... I have to...

Go.

But don't let us wait.

Don't go there.

It's deep.

Get up, boy. It's time. Come on.

Ok.

Do you read prayers for the whole night, or do you take a nap from time to time?

Well, you have to rest a bit.

You are not scared?

It's scary, only for the first time. Afterwards it isn't.

What happened to you? Your hair is grey!

I'd like to finish the painting, sir.

There's not much left to do. Only a few details.

Don't paint.

How can you paint when she's gone?

By memory, sir.

Let her stay like she was at the moment of her death.

I want it that way.

And I will pay you as we agreed.

I really can't receive that much money for an unfinished painting.

Let it stay unfinished.

After all, no one will see it but me

as long as I live.

Let's make it this way:

no one must ever know that you have made a painting of her

and how you painted her.

That is why I'll pay you double.

It shall be as you wish master.

Thank you.

What's the matter, Toma, is everything alright?

Itis, sir.

Actually I want to say, it is not.

How's that?

It is the second night I read prayers for your daughter.

But she frightens me so much, that no prayer can help.

My daughter? You're crazy.

She's a saint, an angel of God.

As you say.

But I, so help me God,

I cannot read anymore.

Why? There's only one night left.

I'm not able, sir.

I said I will give you a good reward.

Thank you for that, but I can't read anymore.

Look, boy.

I don't like this.

You might behave like this with your priests

but I know what to do.

First - the whip, then brandy on the wound,

and then the whip again.

Go now, and do your job!

Mister, can I say something to you, please?

Speak, boy.

I can't stand it anymore.

I'm to blame for her death.

And I'm begging you to say that to her father.

Why don't you say it?

I can't. He wouldn't believe me.

I don't believe you either.

And maybe you shouldn't believe it yourself.

Take one. You'll feel better.

Did you know that a witch can change its form

by using unnatural forces.

You priests obviously don't know a thing.

Even cooks know that isn't that so, Lenka?

Leave it, you two. You could talk all day.

Speak, Lenka, come on.

No.

You'll joke with me later and you'll say it's rubbish.

All I'm saying is real.

The truth.

Peeping again, Nikita?

Shame on you.

Go away, you beast!

Come on, come on!

That's good. Come on, go.

Where have you been, girl?

Who made you that?

Are you wasting time with some man?

Don't hide it from me.

Because I know everything.

Why hurry?

Stay and help me.

It's not good to give yourself to men.

They don't deserve it.

They only think of one thing.

Like horses.

They are even worse than horses.

Saying that they are horses is an insult to horses.

You are so pretty.

It's a shame for you to be with them.

Don't do that, Lenka.

Don't let them make you dirty.

Mistress, I have too much work.

I don't have time to think about it.

Don't you lie. I know that you have someone.

Maybe it's that naughty Nikita?

Say it, bitch!

He's the one!

I have nothing to do with him.

I don't!

I don't think of men.

But, whatever they are like. We have to live with them.

Why live, Lenka?

Isn't it better to die?

We're all gonna die.

Before or after.

No, no, that way.

To die like a tulip in a box,

Is that a real death?

We should know the way and the hour!

Why do you say those things?

You are young, pretty, clever, rich.

God gave you everything.

How do you know if it is from God...

or from the Devil?

Let's die together, Lenka.

Do you love me?

Hold me.

Tell me you're going to die with me.

What were you doing in there?

I was... serving...

Lying bitch!

1 know what you two were doing in there.

Get out!

I don't want to see you here again. Get out!

You're crazy. You want us to be burned!

Go away, away.

I just want to touch you a bit.

Here? You madman they will burn us!

You, you...

Enough, Nikita.

Enough, please. Go away, please.

Nikita, don't. Please go.

Alright, I'll go. Come to me tonight.

I'll be waiting.

Why are you silent?

You're not asleep, are you?

I won't let you sleep!

Wolves!

These are not wolves.

Something else howls this time.

You!

You dishonoured my dead child!

Take him away! Take him away!

Take him away!

Take him away!

I kiss your hand. Here we are again.

Don't you remember us?

The Devil I do. Of what kind are you?

Pupils, Mother.

It's late, and we would like to sleep here.

And why is he like that?

Nothing serious, Mother, he's just had a drink.

I don't want drunks in the house.

He's not drunk, he only got tired is all.

Alright, come in.

But I will split you up for sleeping.

As you wish, Mother.

Get him in the house. It's cold outside.

Don't worry, Mother, he'll be better here.

Forgive me, Mother, do you have any brandy? To help us sleep?

Leave some for your friend.

Leave him, Mother. Let him sleep.

Why wake him now?

That's too much.

You, in the house. And you, there.

Go!

You are sleeping.

Sleep, sleep.

What is it, Mother? Need something?

Oh, please don't, you're old enough to be my grandmother.