Original subtitles

KADR Film Studio Presents

Starring in

KNIFE IN THE WATER

Written by

Music by

Sound

Production Design

Produced by

Director of Photography

Directed by

Three, four...

Hands to the sides, palms under the chin...

Head up

And one... and two...

They've been here since dawn.

One... two...

To the left... Straight ahead...

Your lights are still on!

We're finishing with a march around the room.

Let's march.

One, two, three, four...

Little punk!

It's a very relaxing tempo.

Had you been standing 500 meters closer

you'd now be lying dead on the road! Get it?!

It's a miracle I stopped!

If you were driving, you would have...

No. You'd have stopped and invited this jerk in!

I'm sorry. Forgive me, darling.

I'm so sorry!

Do get in.

You'd rather sit at the front or the back?

Here's a cushion

and a blanket.

Take a nap, why don't you? We'll try not to disturb you.

We won't talk. I'll even turn off the radio.

There.

It's Sunday.

Trucks don't drive through here on Sundays.

Such a nice car. I thought it was from an embassy.

They usually take hikers.

I didn't know it was private.

Maybe an embassy chauffeur borrowed a car to use on Sunday.

The word is "driver".

I have a good eye. Never miss anything.

The plates are Polish.

Besides, you don't look like a chauf... like an embassy driver?

These days, quite a few good cars are in private hands.

404 at most.

In Warsaw, I saw a 190 SL.

And two Jaguars.

Damn...

Pardon me, but we're doing 80 mph and you two...

My husband's a pretty good driver.

- Damn... - Where are you going?

- And you? - Not much further. To the marina.

That will do.

Though I'd rather say I drove with you all the way from Warsaw.

And if I hadn't stopped?

I'd now be lying dead on the road.

Is that some kind of sport for you?

Life would be pretty boring otherwise, wouldn't it?

How old are you?

I'd run over a kid and would be accountable for an adult.

Thank you.

Where to?

Over there.

The keys.

- Put the sack down. - Where? Here?

I'll hand it to you.

She belongs to the club?

No, to us.

I'll be going, then.

- What?! - Come closer!

I have a long way to go!

Come closer, I'll tell you something!

- What? - You know...

The bilge is full of water.

- So bale it out. - Well?

I'll give you some advice.

- You could do it. - I said: bale the water out.

- Get off the road before other drivers. - I know, worse brakes.

And weaker nerves.

To tell you the truth, I do it with everyone.

Others just hit the brakes much earlier.

And don't take hikers.

I wanted to frighten you.

Damn... Pardon me.

You succeeded.

- I'll be off. - Unmoor this dinghy.

- This one? - Yes.

- You've never been on water? - No, I always walk.

Then discovering America is still ahead of you.

Legs are important. Walking is all about one's strength.

I'll try it sometime.

This time we'll only be gone a day.

Really? Me too.

- You're leaving the wipers? - No one will steal them here.

And if someone does, I'll replace them.

- I have a favor to ask. - Well...?

When will you be sailing back?

At dawn.

- Could I...? - Yes?

Could I come here at dawn and drive back with you?

I thought you wanted to try out your sea legs.

- You need someone to help? - We'll manage.

I'll be off, then.

- You wouldn't have moved? - I knew you'd brake.

You're a whelp, but I like you.

- I knew you'd call me. - Not possible.

- I know what you're thinking. - Really?

You want to keep on playing.

- Son, you're not a match for me. - But you called me.

Take off your shoes and get on board.

- Cast off the bow line. - Casting!

Turn the bow to port!

Ready: bow to port!

Prepare to jib!

What's needed on water is reflex.

Let me do this.

And discipline.

We had this bosun during my helmsman training...

Krystyna, what was his name?

The one with the willow.

He'd say: "See that willow?" when he was looking at an oak.

But when the bosun says it's a willow, then it's a willow.

To the willow, quick march!

Damn. Pardon me. There's a lot of water in there!

Sometimes, he'd make us sit on that willow for an hour.

On that oak.

For us, it was a willow.

- And he'd made us cuckoo. - Made you what?

Cuckoo, like a bird.

And you cuckooed.

This bosun wasn't the wisest of men.

But he made us into tough guys.

- Are we moving at all? - Just spit.

In the water!

What for?

We are moving.

- You can also dip your foot. - You can. But you shouldn't.

Why not?

It's not Carlsbad salt.

I think I forgot the salt.

No, I didn't. Here it is.

- In honor of your wife? - What?

- The name. - Yes.

But I did forget cucumbers.

Your wife's name is... Christine.

- Krystyna. - Are you listening?

Yes.

- You have the keys? - Yes, they're here.

- Where? - On the table.

Here you are.

I don't know if you like it but I have radishes.

Excellent. We come here every week and never thought of that.

I always say: more vegetables, vitamins...

- Here... - Thanks, I've got one.

Why do you carry such a dagger?

'Cos such a knife is needed in life.

Especially in the forest.

It's useless on water

but in the forest where one must hack

through the thicket...

Because sailing on water is...

Sailing on water is nothing.

It's only when you start walking forward that you need a knife.

That's how it is in life.

You're so childish.

It's easy to cut yourself.

Have you ever cut yourself?

One has to be careful.

One can never be sure.

Once, a sailor wanted

to show off in company.

Others were cleverer than him, told jokes,

showed card tricks...

And this sailor took some empty bottles,

smashed them against the floor,

took his shoes off and jumped on the table.

You're bored?

Go and coil the line.

Just make it neat.

Show me how it's done.

I have to stay at the helm. You can't replace me.

Let me.

- You have to know how. - I managed worse.

Steer on that buoy.

All right.

It's not about the muscles but the brains.

Get on with that line!

Why are you ordering me around?

When there are two men on board, one of them is a captain.

Or a corporal.

- Were you in the army? - No. I was studying.

What do you do now?

You're a gynecologist?

I write.

Song lyrics?

- Do you read "Sports Courier"? - No!

Jib ho!

Let the port jib sheet fly!

Heave the starboard jib sheet.

What are you...?

Throw me my rucksack!

I'm leaving! I've had enough.

I'm a hiker, not a hauler.

You're a softie.

Out of 120 lakes in Masuria, you chose to go through here?

- Why? - Krystyna, give him his rucksack.

- I'll manage. - We'll take a different way back.

- Without me! - You get knackered easily.

I don't like it when someone makes a fool out of me!

Take over the helm.

I'm not talking to you.

You both get in, I'll manage!

- Give me one rope! - No, no! You both get in!

- Get in, man! - Give me a rope!

Twelve o'clock.

Ten past twelve.

He doesn't have a watch.

- What are you cooking? - What?

A compass.

It's big.

Useless for hitch-hiking.

No whistling on board.

Why not?

Yachting ethics.

A sailor would have to climb a mast for that.

But those rules don't apply to a tramp.

Shall I cuckoo?!

- I ought to kick your ass! - Andrzej, let's sail to the shore.

You want me to change course for him?

You can't get me up here.

Maybe I should reward him with a gold watch?

Andrzej, I beg you.

All right, give me the helm.

- Prepare to jib! - Ready to jib!

- Let the port jib sheet fly! - All ready!

- Heave the starboard jib sheet! - All ready!

Amen!

- Where are my shoes? - Right where you tossed them.

Put some on my back.

- Tiny balls. - What?!

These clouds are like tiny cotton balls.

True.

There, on the left...

There's another one.

It's breaking up.

A storm is coming.

Really? How can you tell? Feel it in your bones?

We still have time for a swim.

We're not moving at all.

The wind died down.

Now what?

Lunch.

I can feel it in my stomach.

Will there be a finger-bowl?

You came up with that?

You think I don't need it?

Try holding it without it.

The lady spilled the soup!

Sit down.

Why aren't you eating?

Is there any way to get to shore?

- There are paddles. - Where?

- In the forepeak. - But we're having lunch.

Sailing is for grown-ups.

When there's wind, we sail.

- No wind, no sailing. - It's a waste of time!

- What would you be doing now? - I'd be walking.

What for?

You just walk, for the sake of walking. You don't get it. You just walk.

Stop fooling around and eat your meal.

Change course to go to the right.

Did you hear an order?

- The gentleman wishes to change course. - I want to get to shore!

- The shore's also over there. - But here I can see it.

Shallows.

So what? Will we crash if we paddle?

Andrzej, let's sail. We'll find a passage.

- Why did he jump on the table? - Who?

- The bosun. - Which one?

The one who smashed the bottles.

Not a bosun, a sailor.

He jumped from the table onto the bottles.

Blood spurted up to the ceiling.

- And? - Well, a tough guy.

Krystyna, look...

See it?

- Well?! What's your problem? - Take off your bib.

- Jump after it! - No!

- Go get the paddle. - I can't swim.

- Stop fooling around! - I can't swim! Want me to drown?!

- I said jump! - Leave it.

The water is great!

Throw me the crocodile!

- You'll damage the deck. - I do it with feeling.

If you'd fallen into the water, you'd swim.

Try me.

Andrzej! The crocodile's blowing bubbles!

Just kidding.

Andrzej, get the flippers, will you?

There's a first aid kit downstairs. Dress that wound.

Need my help?

Luff to shake her! Luff to shake her!

Let the sail go!

Krystyna!

You got a fright.

I finally figured it out. Just didn't know the direction of the wind.

You have to watch these threads.

Will you try leaning out?

Show us what you can do.

- You want me to lean overboard? - Yes.

It takes some courage.

We're sailing!

One sails for the sake of sailing!

I'm walking!

The knife!

Here!

Damn it!

- I said it's too shallow! - But you were at the helm.

- Let's try pushing it. - Slowly.

The wind's died again.

Well? How is it?!

- It's deep over there. - Will we manage?

Pass me a paddle.

Not that one. The bargepole.

Let's push.

Give me the bargepole.

Again.

Get in, get in!

- Untie this. - Here.

Krystyna!

The Turk is attacking!

He lands a left hook to Molik's stomach.

Molik retaliates with a blow to the forearm.

Don't turn around.

My apologies for being so chaotic but emotions run high...

Our brave Molik shows fantastic legwork!

It's almost unbelievable! He dances like a ballerina!

Right now the whole country is watching these legs

and the whole country wishes that Molik repeats

the success of our great king, Jan Sobieski,

who defeated the imbeciles, sorry, I mean the infidels...

Fight, Molik, fight!

Krystyna, hand us some glasses.

The medicine.

To the ones at sea.

The referee starts counting.

In English, because he's neutral. A Dutchman.

Three, four...

How long will he count?

Let's blow up air mattresses.

- Let's see who's first. - OK, just a sec!

- Ready? - Ready!

The referee calls "break"! But Molik's English is poor.

They broke up for a second and now they're together again...

The Turk is losing his strength. But he keeps punching...

And so does Molik. Into the Turk.

Ready!

Once again, they sent a schmuck over there.

He's the best welterweight fighter.

I mean the commentator! What's he saying?

- Do you play bridge? - Yes.

- Pity. - No cards?

No fourth player.

- How about gramps? - I don't take old men on board.

I'm chatting away and the first round is almost over.

Cheers.

Not almost. It's over.

Corners are in their fighters.

Sorry, fighters are in their corners.

Molik's sitting calmly.

Listening to the coach whispering in his ear.

He must be getting some precious tips

because he's smiling.

Here, the real ones.

Go on, you start.

- I've never played it before! - Spillikins, a sailor's game!

- Please. You go first. - You start.

- Go ahead. - What a lot of fuss!

We pull in turn. One each.

Who makes a boo-boo, gives a forfeit.

Please, don't say "boo-boo"!

So, you can't move them, right?

- Right. - Here.

Speaking of food: Turkish cuisine is very spicy.

That's very easy.

...proverbial Turkish spice!

But forget the spices. The second round has just started.

You moved the other one.

You did.

You give a forfeit.

You start, Krystyna.

Thank you.

- My turn? - Yes.

...keeps chasing him around the ring, but cannot catch him!

I wish it was the case with our cyclists.

But luckily the crisis is over

and Molik's dancing again.

- With feeling. - Right, with feeling.

How he dances! It's indescribable. I wish you could see it!

Damn.

Pardon me.

They're still examining each other, like doctors before the final cut.

Go on, start.

The Turk is a tough guy.

A real Turkish Janissary.

Molik's just decided to attack. You can see it in his face.

But he's not attacking.

You should've taken one from here.

The Turk steps forward. Molik's moving back.

Now Molik's stepping forward, and the Turk is withdrawing.

Yes, boxing is a tough game. A man's game!

It leaves no room for sentiment!

I'm saying this in view of the ongoing discussion

about the alleged harmful effects of boxing...

What was that?

Forfeit!

Molik has a chance of scoring more points...

What am I to do with the forfeit that I'm holding in my hand?

The captain must be better than his crew.

What am I to do with the forfeit that I'm holding in my hand?

She could sing.

Don't pretend you won't enjoy it.

What shall I sing?

You can brag about that music theory course you took.

That song you're always humming.

No, not that!

- This one? - Yes. That's the one.

He asked me to sing it.

The captain's orders do not extend to the repertoire.

Just a moment!

Molik's defeat is very upsetting but

no one here...

- Go ahead, sing. - No, please, listen.

Go on.

Don't speak, don't say a word, not a word

Don't...

- I can't. - But please, sing.

- I can't do it. - You won't get your forfeit back.

Well, all right.

Don't speak, don't say a word, not a word

Don't look, don't look, let me go.

We've run out of words, moons and stars,

We've run out of feelings that we shared.

Don't lie, don't lie, don't beg me.

There is nothing left and you know it.

Although you feel empty, you don't need me,

because we're missing happiness, our love is wrong.

Don't speak, don't say a word, not a word.

We no longer mistake nights for days.

You got caught by the boring ticking of a clock.

You're not the one,

You're not the one...

That's all I remember.

- That song... - Just a stupid hit song.

- But... - Who could've knocked out Molik?

Here.

What am I to do with the forfeit that I'm holding in my hand?

Recite a poem.

I hear a mosquito's lament...

Maybe it's you, mother...

But I only know bits of it...

How could Molik let himself be knocked out?

- Night. Oil burns down in a lamp. - What?

I hear a mosquito's lament.

Maybe it's you, mother, those few stars.

Or a white sail on the lake?

Or a wave breaking into slopping shores?

Maybe your hands sprinkled my manuscript with stardust?

Or maybe you are... the midday hour?

The dance of bees in August's golden rooms?

Yesterday, I found a hairpin in the reeds.

Could it be yours?

Got it!

Bravo, what an excellent memory.

You can turn the volume up now.

Look! That's how it's done.

I knew a guy, who was doing it just like I do.

He was a genius at this game.

His name was Zdzisio Meissner.

He had a huge boat.

Sixty-five yards of sail.

He was a good man.

Had a senior helmsman's license.

He bought it but then he made it legal.

He was a good man.

He always said...

"Spillikins sticks...

are not just bits of wood.

They are an organism".

- What? - I didn't say a thing.

- But he doesn't know this. - But he's asleep.

Asleep? Must've been tired.

Probably slept in the forest last night.

- He said it was just for a day. - Why did you take him?

Maybe he's pretending to be asleep?

What time shall I set the alarm for?

Five.

- Is he really asleep? - Earlier.

No need.

The meeting's at nine.

I heard you going out.

- You weren't asleep? - I'm a light sleeper.

I couldn't sleep.

It's stuffy.

Even though it rained.

When do we sail?

We've cut the halyard.

It has to be replaced with a new one.

The water needs to be baled out.

Go back to sleep.

Should I bale the water out?

Early birds. We were supposed to get up at five.

We are fitting the halyard.

- I see that. Well done. - I didn't sleep a wink.

What am I to do with the line that I'm holding in my hand?

Sit at the helm.

- Haul the anchor! - What?

Pull the anchor out.

Put it in the forepeak.

And now get down there.

What for?

- Please go down to the forepeak. - Right: down to the forepeak.

- Can you see a box? - Right: see a box!

Stop fooling around.

We'll be at the marina in 30 minutes.

- You can quit playing captain. - There are some rugs inside.

Found them?

That's not all.

Bring out a bucket.

- The deck needs washing. - Maybe I'll do it.

Stay at the helm, will you?

This voyage provided you with a useful lesson.

All in all, it was very nice.

And we part as friends, which is most important.

- Say something nice to him. - Steer on buoy!

Where's my knife?

What happened to my knife?

Relax.

Nothing goes missing on my yacht.

I'm not saying it's missing. I'm just asking where it is.

In my pocket.

Why did you hide it?

Do you think it's because I'm afraid of you?

If I wanted to hurt you,

I would have done it without the knife.

Give me back my knife.

Take it.

Give me back my knife.

Give it back!

Jump!

You!

Here's another one. Take it!

He's not coming up!

Do you hear me?! He's not coming up!

Relax, he can swim.

- But he said... - He was lying!

Go to the right! To the right!

Right! Here!

He must be holding onto the buoy!

- He's not here! - Look on the other side.

He's not here!

You drowned a man!

Do you hear me?

- What was his name? - You drowned a man.

- He must come up! - He couldn't swim!

He was lying!

- He didn't swim once! - Even a drowned man comes up.

- How deep is it here? - 30 feet. Maybe 25.

- It's deeper. - So what should I do?

Jump in again. Shout. We must notify the police.

What for? No one knew him. They can't save him.

See, you admit that he drowned.

You drowned the boy. It's too late to undo it.

- You killed him! - Stop shouting!

Leave it!

- You're a murderer! - Shut up!

Getting scared, are you? Trembling with fear!

Now you're tough? You're not even trying to put on a brave face.

You're a poser, you hear me? A buffoon!

Showing off to a whelp like that. To a kid!

That's why you took him. So you could show off!

- You're a fool! - And you're freaking out!

I'm your wife!

If it wasn't for me, you'd be a slut!

You're vulgar!

I hate you!

- Jump in and swim! - I hate you.

- I can't bear to look at you. - So don't.

Jump in and swim to shore!

You think I'm afraid of the police? You're an idiot.

You disgust me!

You're a buffoon putting on an act! You'll come right back, you hear me?

You'll come right back!

You can swim!

Andrzej!

I didn't hear anything.

My teeth were chattering.

Andrzej, come back!

Maybe we should call out together.

- Andrzej! Andrzej! - Andrzej, come back!

Go down to the cabin and have some brandy.

- Where is my rucksack? I'll swim. - Haven't you done enough?

I really didn't hear anything.

My teeth were chattering, I couldn't hear anything at all.

Had I known it would be like this, I would never let it happen.

- Let what happen? - All this. I wouldn't let it.

- You? - Damn.

You're just like him.

Just younger and weaker.

- And not as smart. - What do you know?

Fancy cafés, the yacht...

The car... You probably have a four-room flat.

- What do you know about life? - About life?

You're talking about yourself.

Now you'll tell me you share a room with three others.

- With five... - I know it well.

Haven't forgotten yet.

He knows it too.

You are no better than him. Do you understand?

He was just like you.

You want to be like him. And you will be.

- If you're bold enough. - You're lying!

Six men in one room.

You want to sleep, the others play bridge.

You want to study, they want to sleep.

And a scholarship's good for nothing more than

canteen dinners and cigarettes.

Making out in gates.

In winter it's too cold to undo her blouse.

Is that all?

Anything else? Dead parents, maybe?

Sister with tuberculosis?

No.

They're alive?

Divorced. Both remarried.

- Any brothers or sisters? - No.

Your parents help you out?

Sometimes my father sends me something.

Take those off. You'll catch a cold.

- What are you...? - See? You are a whelp.

What?

- I'm sorry. - Don't be silly.

It's Monday.

Will the trucks be driving again?

A lot of them.

Deliveries have started.

Monday is the best day.

Are you ready?

- To fend the boat? - Yes.

Right: fending the boat.

- They've stolen the wipers. - Didn't you hear the shouting?

Who was shouting?

I was calling after you.

- Did you go to the police? - Naked? At night?

You knew I couldn't get inside!

- You could've hurried up! - You could've broken the window.

- We're going home? - We're going to the police.

About the wipers?

Are you afraid?

- Are you afraid? - No.

- You are. - I'm telling you, I'm not.

You're not afraid?

I am...

- We're turning back. - What?

No police. It's enough that you're afraid.

You are safe. You'll just take the car and go home.

He was hiding by that buoy. He dived when I was looking.

You were already very far when he surfaced.

We called together. Did you hear us?

I couldn't have, I was swimming crawl.

Stop bullshitting me.

You're enjoying all this.

You think you can save me by

telling me some bullshit story

that I'll pretend to believe. We go back home,

and then it will be all over the papers:

"A 19-year-old left home and never came back."

And we will go pale whenever we're in company.

You're the one enjoying it. It's your chance to teach me a lesson.

I took a good look under that buoy.

He drowned.

No.

He's alive.

So much so that I've cheated on you with him.

"I'm afraid". It's you who's afraid.

You're so afraid that you don't know what you're saying.

TO THE POLICE STATION

Listen, I just remembered.

Since you didn't finish that story...

What story?

Why have we stopped?

I'm trying to believe you.

But why are you trying to convince me

that you cheated on me with that whelp?

- It's a silly joke. - I'm sorry.

I won't joke anymore.

You're apologizing to me? But it was I...

Before I forget, why did this sailor jump on bottles?

What's gotten into your head?

You didn't finish the story.

Again with that nonsense?

Where are we going?

- He was too sure of himself. - Who?

That sailor.

He's done that trick many times.

He was a stoker.

His soles were hardened

from walking on embers.

But during a year away from a ship his soles softened.

He didn't realize that.

He didn't jump anymore?

I don't know what happened to him.

THE END