Original subtitles

Design, renovation. Not expensive. 911-50-64. Mikhail. Oleg.

This story began in the autumn of 2005.

Oleg and I had decided to do renovations.

I thought we'd ask Alya to help…

She's an idiot, of course, but a good architect.

I remember her, we studied together at the uni.

-Hello. -Hi.

-This is my friend Oleg. -Hello.

Alya, we'll say Oleg is the architect, and you're the building foreman.

We'll swap roles.

Unlike us, he can speak the language.

Well, you know what I mean.

He'll do the talking, and you whisper your ideas to him. Well?

What are… But you… Hang on…

-But… -Come on.

-Listen, why… -All right, let's go.

Wait…

Listen… But it's…

-Oh, I'm sorry. -It's nothing. It doesn't hurt.

The bedroom.

The study/living room.

The kitchen.

It's a wooden wall.

We could do an arched entry to the kitchen,

emphasizing the antique character of the space.

Great! Super!

Bas-reliefs.

And I'd like a white sofa here.

But I don't know what to do with this wall.

Bas-reliefs.

We'll ask the designer.

Here, we'll splash green!

What?

A bright green patch, the starting point for the design.

Waves, losing their color, the design rolling on to a white sofa.

And…

vibrating life freezes stunned by naked tenderness.

Wonderfully complementing the color of your eyes.

Hello?

Yes, Natella!

-When will you do the sketches? -Dunno.

The day after tomorrow.

-The day after tomorrow. -No! No! I said no!

We'll be glad to see you again…

-I said no! -…the day after tomorrow.

So?

What? We got the job!

No! I won't get it done in time!

He'll help you. He studied construction.

Where? What are you… I mean, what? And how will we?

Listen, I'll explain. We rent an apartment, and we all do it up.

-How? -How?

Guys, I'm looking after an apartment.

The owners asked me to.

I'll let you in without a deposit

on one condition:

There are some homeless people in the attic. You have to sort it out.

-It's got a balcony. -Brilliant.

We've got nothing to hide. We'll put a curtain up for Alya.

Wait. Where are you going to put it?

FRIDRICH ZACHAROV

-You need to shave. -The architect takes the sketches.

You take them.

Go on! Go on, I said! There's… no…

money! How'll we eat?

You go and get an advance payment.

-Go on, shave and go. -Go!

You're so talented!

-Not me, Natella. We. -Yes, all of you. But you in particular.

Why are you so formal with me?

Please, when will you make the advance payment?

When can we start working?

Do you want to replace the plumbing?

How old are you?

Twenty-six.

-And me? -You will always be 18.

Natella, let's get back to business.

Do you want to replace the heating?

Have a drink, and I'll replace it.

So, how old am I? Be honest.

Really honest?

Call me Tata.

I'm only a year older than you.

Tata… Natella, if I may, I'll take my leave.

I'll come back tomorrow.

Think about it… the money, and everything.

What time will you come, Mikhail?

At your convenience.

Whatever time's convenient for you is convenient for me.

What time suits you?

Now suits me.

First, make the advance payment.

It has to be… earned.

Why do you want this? Believe me, Tata, you'll be disappointed.

I'm incapable of true passion. You'll pass through me, as if I'm a cloud.

But how can I let you go now?

After such a tempting promise?

Natella gave us your number…

Natella's recommended you. Please, call back.

Mikhail, sorry it's so late, but Natella said we could…

Hello, could I speak to Mikhail…

Natella said you're a talented…

I've sorted out the homeless.

Alluring. Teasing. Good day, Natella.

I'm glad you showed up on time.

Come in.

-Tea? Coffee? -Thank you. I've just had lunch.

I understand you've come for the advance payment?

Yes. We've done the sketches, and we should be paid.

Natella, don't smile like that.

Let's not mix business with pleasure.

I'm not mixing…

I don't have any money, just like you and your friends.

I can offer you dinner at a nice place.

So, are we finished with business?

If you haven't got any money, yes.

So, do you like that thing?

It's great.

If you get undressed,

you'll be like a white rabbit…

with spaghetti in red wine.

I won't undress,

I want to be undressed.

No!

And how do I look?

Fantastic.

Wait…

Good evening.

-Good evening. -Good evening, good to see you.

-Hello. -Oh! Tata, greetings.

See you, Sergei.

Good evening.

I'm all mixed up. I'd like to introduce you.

So, when can I see you?

Come around whenever you want.

Tata, I'd love to right now. But I have to see the guys…

Oh, by the way, give this to them. Be careful.

All right. Bye.

We appreciate the gift and the thought.

Thank you.

Will you be in tomorrow?

I'm not jealous, I just want to know.

Alya, get up!

The toast is served!

What?

What you want! Scum.

All right, sweet dreams.

Get out…

May you dream of roasted lamb, salad,

caviar, pancakes and cherry pie…

Scum.

Get out of here, you bastard.

Misha! I mean…

it's… super… it's super…

I was just…

it's just… I… brilliant…

She didn't want to offend you.

Misha, I…

It's not… How did…

She thanks you for this feast.

Bring some more.

It's… you know…

What's it called…

Misha… You're…

And I, like…

They called from Vasilievsky, promised an advance payment tomorrow.

They're expecting us at 11:00.

We'll pop round in the evening.

I'm busy in the morning. It's not important, but…

No, you take care of business. Say thanks for the food,

and more importantly, for the thought.

I'm stuffed. It's…

I mean, how did it…

Well, you understand, right?

-This is… -Misha.

-Yes, Misha, you… -Oleg.

Oleg? I know it's Oleg.

-Well, and we know you. -Finding it tough, poor thing?

Hero. She ate the whole lot.

Maniac. What time is it?

Maniac is the surname of a certain Jew, a metalworker.

I'm Misha. I'm shameless.

I asked to be undressed.

Henceforth, I undress myself,

and do it first.

Now it's your turn, need help?

Any help. Renovations. Design. Building services…

-Tata, the telephone. -You want mine?

-No, I've got one. -Where?

-In my trousers. -Hang on…

In my jacket!

There he is!

Up to the fifth floor!

That's it then?

You said the fifth floor?

-Does it hurt? -No, no… Not at all…

I've got three questions. Answer quickly!

What were you doing here?

How long have you known her? Have you been here before?

Of course I've been here. I mean, in this building.

But first time in this apartment.

I've not had the pleasure of meeting the lovely lady before.

So, what were you doing here?

Offering the services of my architectural bureau.

Planning, renovations, design…

But why did you get undressed?

Well, I'm using the techniques of the Italian psychologists like Rizotti.

Attracting attention through non-standard actions…

You get undressed.

I'm sorry, but yes.

But I don't enjoy it, believe me. You saw my body.

Nothing to be proud of.

You heard how your charming daughter laughed?

By the way, I was flattered that our taste in undergarments is identical.

-Sergei, let him go, he's a nut. -No, he's insolent.

And for this he must pay!

Petya, take him to Zhora.

Just kill me, Sergei. You're a good man.

Death has to be earned, got it?

I can't agree, you see. You're clever.

Why do I need you to agree? Petya, go…

Sergei, please, let him go, you can see he's…

he's a psycho, please…

Tata, why are you…

You never let me see anything through…

-Please. -Well, all right…

This is Vasya.

-Vasya. -Misha.

Vasya's our building foreman.

We went to Vasilievsky. We got the advance payment.

-Decided to celebrate. -Waiting for you.

I'll bring sofas, chairs…

I'm a foreman in a building company. A house is being cleared, and we come in.

They leave stuff behind. I've got a van, Moldavian workers…

Yes, the Tajiks.

Misha, I suggested to Alya that we shouldn't split up the money,

instead we put it in a communal pot. She refused.

-You refused? -I refused.

All right, let's split it.

-How much does the architect get? -Half.

There.

Misha, we splitting the money or what?

Put it in the pot.

You hear that? Now what do we do?

What do you mean?

You decided your share is 50 percent.

But Misha got the orders. I deal with clients, do the sketches.

Sure, you're the architect. Maybe even a genius.

But we live together, we're equals.

So it's a pot, or I'm off. I'm no Tajik.

Alya, you want a French cake.

It's too expensive for you.

But with a pot, you just take the money.

Yeah, right… First it'll be cognac, then whiskey.

-What are we, alkies? -Yep.

-Drinking cognac? -Listen…

Don't reason with her, let's go. We'll pick up our stuff next week.

-Vasya, take us to the metro. -Alya, I'm sorry…

Misha and I are opening an architectural bureau.

If things get tough, give us a call, we might need a temp.

Rent's due on the 10th.

There's meat in the fridge. I didn't have time to cook it.

Don't eat it raw. Take care of yourself.

-Let's drink. -I'm driving.

Stay. There's plenty of room, and no mosquitoes…

My wife and kid are back at the hostel.

Come on, forget your wife.

Vasya, to the metro!

Bye.

-I'm terribly sorry, did I hurt you? -No, it's fine…

-You got a light? -You want to get lit up?

Not in that sense.

All right, here you go.

How's it going?

-Keep it. -Thank you!

This is a washout…

Eat what you've taken.

Would you like anything?

No, thank you.

Perhaps you'd sit with us?

Did you have flowers here?

Yes, in a big antique vase.

How did you know?

Well, you could only have flowers in here.

I can't remember what kind.

Exotic flowers.

Too vivid.

Deliberately vivid.

It irritated you, and you got rid of them.

And you were right.

Excessive decoration is dispiriting.

And it's everywhere.

In flowers, in advertising, in people…

You didn't explain about people…

They try to be flashy.

They want to look unusual, vivid and interesting.

That's annoying.

Because we know they're empty and fake.

Yes. May I… Can I have some more… This, I'd like…

Oh! Of course.

Keep quiet.

What're you…

So, how's it going? Made a deal?

-Well, it's all very intriguing, but… -Pay for the sketches.

That's standard.

I like what I heard. Give them the advance payment and let's start working.

No problem…

I'll be away for several months.

-Do a good job. -Of course.

Advice from a designer:

When you get back, put the antique vase back where it was.

-Really? -Put something simple in it.

Daisies, for instance…

That fatty was wearing me out!

What did you say to her?

-You didn't try it with her? -No, he didn't.

-You bastard, eh? -A bastard.

Let's celebrate. Have some fun?

Right. We should, like, be working.

Oh, come on…

-Where to? -A boutique.

No! Get lost!

A secondhand shop.

I said I don't want to.

Just look at Misha.

What about Misha?

-Look how he's dressed. -How?

-Stylishly. -Stylishly?

-Yes. -That jacket's a hundred years old!

I agree. But it's stylish, it's always in fashion.

He looks after himself.

Irons his trousers, changes his shirts.

See, he looks smart, like a groom! And you? Misha, you tell her.

-I don't want… -Alya, I have a deep respect for you.

-Very deep. -What're you saying?

Well, you look like a beggar.

No, she looks worse.

Not great, but no worse than a beggar.

-When were you last at the station? -Very recently.

Our Alya looks worse than any station beggar.

-I'm saying no worse. -I'm saying worse.

Let's go to the station.

-Deal? -Deal! Let's go.

Get lost!

-Where? Here? -Here.

It's the station again.

A station prostitute.

Unemployed…

Good, don't you think?

Right. That gray jacket,

a skirt of the same color,

and a blouse. What blouses have you got?

We have wonderful red blouses with pearl buttons!

Really erotic! Really cheap, too!

Come here.

Keep it quiet. Don't tempt our girlfriend.

We don't need an outfit for flirting, we need a business suit.

Got it.

Where are you? Misha.

A beautiful dream… orders, money.

Three weeks ago, I was laying bricks and getting peanuts.

911-50-64.

Hello? Good evening to you, too!

What I hear is even better than what I see!

I've only heard such a marvelous voice once before!

No, it wasn't a singer.

She danced in my friend's erotic ballet.

He's a choreographer! I'll give him the phone.

Good evening.

Yes, I produce ballets.

Three acts, usually.

No, my friend doesn't dance.

He's a masseur in a women's prison.

Not in the prison itself, at the prison's bathhouse.

She's an idiot.

-Doesn't believe you? -No, she does…

Stop! Who's that with you?

All right, we'll talk tomorrow.

I'll call. Love. Tata.

I've been looking for you Where are you?

My world was in pieces…

Where are the laborers?

Sorry, Oleg. The Moldavians…

The cops collared them. No registration.

We have to finish so the plastering dries tonight,

and we paint it tomorrow.

Hello.

Where are you?

What station?

Hi.

You've got a cognac.

Two cognacs, please.

Where did you see cognac?

We're not licensed for alcohol.

There's beer. You want one?

No, thank you.

So?

So, how are you?

And you?

I asked first. So you answer first, Natella.

I asked second. So I answer second.

Who is he?

And if he's my husband?

Husband?

You poor thing.

Who's he? A politician, a businessman?

A revolting old thief?

My beauty…

Don't let him take your youth.

What youth?

-I'm 27! -That's still youth!

And he's not my husband.

I'm a mistress, Misha.

What's wrong? You hurt?

Everything's fine. Not at all…

Why don't you caress me then, pity me?

I'm smoking.

Because someone else's wife is cool. But a mistress, it's kind of…

Are you in a hurry, Misha?

Can we still be friends?

There's no rush.

I have to gather my thoughts.

You should've stayed at the café. Maybe you'll go?

Or we'll start an affair. I don't want to ruin your life.

Believe me… don't expect anything good from me.

So what.

Let it be the way it is now.

It's empty.

-Buy some more. I've got money. -So do I. Shall I get some?

We'll drink again, and part again.

I'm not afraid of Sergei.

Don't be. He won't do you any harm.

What else? The worst case:

You're an alcoholic, and you'll make me an alko.

That's no good.

But we're treated at the same clinic,

can talk and see more of each other…

The dream is over.

I only drink a little. To keep in shape.

Why didn't you say you weren't alone?

-When? -In the morning,

when I came, and that Sergei was at yours…

I forgot about him. You looked so funny undressing.

And when he came out? Why didn't you say "go"?

I wanted to see

how you'd react! I wanted to test you.

And?

You were wonderful!

Why go through it all?

I understand, money, money.

But how can you sleep with him?

Easily!

I live in his apartment.

He sends me food, gives me a little pocket money.

He comes round. Sometimes stays the night.

Sometimes I go to his office.

But not his home. He has a wife and grown-up children.

I've just come back from his cottage.

But we don't have sex.

I should believe that? Or go mad?

Why?

Zero sex. Zero.

Now I'm going to rape you.

Where's my haystack?

It's not in the bathroom or the kitchen. Forget about it, Tata.

It was uncomfortable.

It's my haystack! Give me the phone.

I bought it with my money.

Hello…

Yes, it's me, Natella! Put me through to Sergei!

Tell him I'm home!

Where's the haystack?

Don't lie to me, Sasha!

Give me back my haystack, or I'm leaving.

Get the mattress.

Come here.

A mistress's word of honor, I swear on my homeland,

the wonderful town of Kozelsk,

you will be the first man on my mattress.

Let go of my ears. It hurts…

Should I get dressed?

They can get lost! Stay!

Pour some.

Here.

Hello.

Get ready, we're going. He's waiting.

If he says, "Take the haystack," I have to take it.

It's my job, and he's my boss.

I'm risking it as it is. If he knew about your notes.

I'll wait in the car.

And we're a couple.

It's off. We're not going.

He's coming here.

You need a lift?

He's staying.

See you soon, Alexander.

Have you gone mad?

What if he sees this? You'll get into trouble…

Get out of here!

Maybe I should go?

Turn the light off, please.

And when you go, shut the door.

Misha!

You wanted to go?

I saw your picture.

A very strange picture…

We're trapped in a circle!

You on Sergei,

and me on the fact that you wanted to leave…

I just want to understand what's going on between you two.

Misha…

He's just my patron.

He says I shouldn't drink,

shouldn't smoke,

shouldn't go out.

I'm bored of it.

I want to drink, smoke…

have a lover.

Wake me in an hour…

Where's my haystack? You hear?

Tata, Tata, Tata, not now, not now,

Did I complain when you took my car, my cell?

Tata, just…

Did I ask for them back? No!

-Because it's your car and your cell. -Sleep, sleep, sleep…

But the haystack is mine. I bought it with my money.

Give me back the haystack. You hear?

Sleep.

Go to sleep.

You'll wake up

cheerful and calm,

and see how you're loved.

And loved for yourself, the way you are.

For your intelligence, goodness, for your fairness…

Sleep… sleep…

Tell me… Is he a psycho?

No, he's normal.

He just sleeps badly.

Him and his wife

cover themselves in perfume, and then sleep together,

and then breath it all in, poison themselves!

You can't wash it off.

It sends your head spinning…

-All right, I'll come up with something. -What?

Somewhere to live. You can't stay here.

You don't have to.

-Everything might change. -What?

Everything.

You mean about where to live?

I mean everything.

All right, go. I'll call you.

-Will you miss me? -I already miss you.

Me, too.

Go…

Tata!

-Wake up, come here. -All right.

I remember how I came into your ward,

and you were sitting by the window with a book.

Your face was so childlike…

defenseless, a small girl.

I felt something so close, I don't know…

I asked for information about you…

-Information? -Yes, of course.

Information.

I read it, a serious illness,

nursing was necessary,

continuous medical care,

medicine, a stable way of life, food, all that.

Not local.

Six years wandering round St. Petersburg.

Sit down. Don't smoke.

Haven't we been friends all this time?

Yes.

Listen, Tata,

your test results aren't good.

You should've been thinking about your health…

And what do you do?

Come here.

A hidden camera?

So, I've always been under control?

Not always.

It was installed while you were at the cottage.

I asked you from the beginning:

Don't bring guys here.

I didn't bring guys here.

I just brought one.

That's his note.

And that's yours.

I was even jealous. Romantic.

That's yesterday.

2:00 in the afternoon.

The two of you come back.

That's me.

11:00 in the evening.

I go in.

And he comes out.

About midnight!

He left as soon as you fell asleep.

But he was here!

You shit on your own doorstep!

You laughed at me!

I gave you everything you need…

a home, food, books, doctors!

I didn't touch you,

I just wanted you to stay alive.

I thought… that you…

you were pure.

Come back!

I'm tired, I want to sleep.

Thank you.

It's wonderful, warm, nothing demanded in exchange.

I need to sleep.

And you should go.

Go.

Well, I'm ungrateful.

Every day it's getting harder for me to say nice things to you.

I'm sorry.

It's great to see you!

Great to see you, too.

How are you?

Great. And you?

Not great, but all right.

-You've been in the treatment room? -Yes. That's done.

Just a little?

I can't yet. Work.

The work day's over, and it's the start of your shift.

Let's celebrate the beginning of your shift.

We'll lock up.

I brought Meyers' new monograph. I found it on the web.

Unfortunately,

the translation's mine. I'm hopeless with the terms…

Thank you. I don't read anything, I'm losing touch.

The terms are fine. Well done. You should get into medicine.

I've marked a paragraph, page three.

Again?

I've known you for ages.

I was here seven times.

But the situation's very clear:

cancer of the blood,

the last stage…

Who said so? Nonsense!

You were shouting "nonsense" a month ago!

But I wrote the test results down, and worked it out.

It's all very clear…

You idiot! She's diagnosing leucosis!

Listen to me, let me finish.

According to Meyers and the "systemic illness of the blood,"

I'm finished.

And when I realized I'm finished, I decided to enjoy life.

I met a guy.

And it turned out he's… absolutely mine.

Tell me, as a friend,

how long have I got?

I need to know.

You're an ignorant fool. I should throw you out…

for heaven's sake!

Let's drink.

I want you to leave.

How're you and Tatyana, the intern?

Stop it.

You weren't offended?

She cheated on you.

You didn't have a chance.

She's an actress.

Her glances, mystery, all that…

You weren't offended?

No!

She enjoys teasing you.

I'm sorry, but she knows what she's doing.

She really stirred you up, I remember…

It still gets me when I think about it.

By the way…

She was with Parfyonov, too.

That nobody?

Hello. Are you home?

I'm downstairs.

Forgive my attire.

Good Lord!

You're not busy?

Only busy with you.

I've been waiting for you all day.

Let's look at the living options.

Option one.

The people sleep after heavy labor.

We'll put a sofa here, and we can put a curtain up here.

Option number two.

-Guess what it means. -Get on with it.

I'll stay here.

You're shivering?

No, it's nothing, I just got a little cold.

Get undressed.

Here, drink.

Where are you going?

I'll bring some food.

Here, put on this warm underwear.

How did you sleep?

Never better.

Shall we go downstairs?

Forget it. I could stay here forever.

-What, soldiers' underpants? -So what?

They're totally new.

Oleg got them when he was demobbed.

Don't make excuses.

They're warm and soft.

And everything's wonderful!

Oleg says we should go for a walk.

He's celebrating today.

-Hi there! -Hi!

Hi. Sir!

-Hi, Igor, congratulations! -Hi! Congrats on the holiday!

-How are you? -Fine, thanks.

-Hi, guys, congratulations! -Hi!

-Hi, lads, hi! -How are you?

-And you? -Good, thanks.

Hang on! There are no drinks here.

Go get some down there.

I'll come with you.

-Oh! Hello! -Oh, Tata, hello!

How are you? How's your husband, the kids?

Fine, thank you. What shall I make?

-There's four of us. -Take the kufta.

-Kufta, and four salads. -All right.

And two more pilaus!

-All right! You're celebrating, right? -Today's a celebration.

Tomorrow will be different. Got it, scum?

Apologize.

Fuck off, bitch.

Pilau?

Sit down.

-What happened? -Ask your bitch!

He's had too much. Calm down. Sorry, guys.

I recognized you. You used to work here.

Pilau?

You fuck!

-To the celebration! -Hooray!

Why? Today's a holiday.

Tomorrow.

All right, till tomorrow.

NOBODY BUT US!

Listen to him sing…

Go on, she's attractive.

But I'm not really a specialist.

If you have any trouble, I'll be happy to help.

Keep it simple, nothing flowery.

Whatever you say.

-Oleg. I'd like to get to know you. -Tanya. Sure.

Come on.

You see, an arch, and we can redo the floor here, too.

Hello.

So. Otto.

He doesn't speak Russian.

But it's… He understands everything.

Call me, sky

Surprise me with the truth

I am of course not the first

Otto writes about modern architecture for German magazines.

I don't like it, Misha. They're too friendly, sitting there.

Already happy!

And now we'll get happier!

I propose a group sex session!

Three girls, four boys! I will be the Gruppenführer!

I'm driving.

Let's not rush.

We have the whole night ahead of us.

It's as if we met like two soldiers,

and immediately… left, right, left, right…

You think when soldiers meet they immediately begin intimate relations?

Well,

first they salute.

I want something good, Misha.

You're with me forever.

Miss, for how long, eh?

You're kidding, right?

No, Otto's already doing the visa.

But why? Oleg, tell her!

What are you going to do in Finland?

Designs.

They have it all. Who needs your designs?

They already put two of my designs in a magazine.

Well…

An entertainment center and… what's it called… a cottage.

-I don't remember us doing that. -You didn't. I did.

When you were… necking your whiskey.

Father Ioann has a different number!

Alya, have a heart. We've just started earning.

-We'll get you an apartment. -Getting an apartment's hard in Europe.

Otto's got a house out in… Lappeenranta.

Give me that.

Call back, and I'll curse you!

-Well, damn you, then. -All right then.

-And the sex? -What sex?

How's the sex?

-What's it to you? -Just asking, as a friend.

What's it to you, friend?

Aren't you ashamed? I taught you to speak.

You learned, and now you're rude to me.

I see, that was humor.

Safe journey!

Our pot…

Give me that money!

I'll put in mine… and we'll buy land!

My friend's got a plot he wants to sell,

but he's afraid of being cheated. He trusts me.

He's not right in the head.

The plot's worth five times what he's asking!

He's a bit of a psycho.

A peasant.

They go nuts over land.

They get the peasant shakes over it.

Please!

-Why are you shouting? -Quiet, or you'll wake Misha.

Shit!

What's with Misha? What's he… looking for his girl, Tata?

Otto, are you going to the ballet?

Have some vodka with us!

Russian ballet and vodka are like a brother and sister!

After vodka, you want to dance, throw the girls around!

Let's drink to Alya.

Wish her the best.

I'll have her round.

I can't babble on like you and Misha!

I told her, "They'll respect you if you own a part of Russian land!"

That's enough about land. Bring us some snacks.

Hang on.

Let's get drunk.

-You're leaving tomorrow? -Yes.

Where to?

Kozelsk.

-She's from Kozelsk? -Yes.

We can find a new architect. To replace Alya.

-You want that? -No.

Me neither.

I'm going back to the army.

But first I have to execute a certain bastard.

What do you mean execute?

I had two friends in my company.

He killed them. Fired three cannons.

Made a mistake, bastard…

It happens at war. You don't kill over a mistake.

To hell with the mistake.

I met him a month later in Rostov.

A happy colonel, big bright smile,

shining like a new star on the epaulet.

He could at least have regretted it!

I'll execute him for that smile. Or I'll be cursed.

Oleg, this is nonsense.

Misha,

we grew up next door to each other, read the same books.

But we lived different lives.

Stay out of what you don't know.

Where's the water?

One sec.

-We have to stop him. -How?

Lock him in his room? Or follow him around?

I don't mean that.

He hasn't sobered up for a month, since that holiday!

You don't see it, you're too busy.

He's drinking himself to death.

I've thought up a prayer. Listen…

"My heart is full of joy,

my spirit rejoices, I'll do it!

Give me patience, give me true love,

so that at the execution I do not thirst blood,

but carry out your wishes, Lord!"

What do you think?

Don't worry about Oleg.

Just because he's waffling, thinking up prayers.

He won't touch anyone.

Can't sleep.

The guy above is snoring, and the bathroom door's banging!

May I?

-There are no glasses. -It's all right.

You got on at Kozelsk?

-Yes. -I noticed.

-From there? -No.

Nice.

I was drinking gin. Filth.

You're not annoyed I'm so cheeky?

Silence is a sign of agreement.

Just drank a little.

It's been a heavy day!

Got cheated out of 2,000 this morning.

Argued with my guy.

Things were fine for six months,

and then he turned out to be scum!

I think I know you from somewhere.

So bad… So bad…

Well…

There's a joist in there.

-Functional? -Yes.

That's a partition.

We could put a double-radial arch here.

Height: 210cm, width: 107cm,

which will highlight the character of the space.

-What's he saying? -Hi.

-Take a look… -Oh.

-This wall is… -As for the wall,

you can't get permission to knock it down.

No way, and it's dangerous.

-So, shall we look at the kitchen? -Yes.

All the best. See you soon.

Lyuba, I was talking to my colleague. We were on formal terms.

Just so you know…

When I was 18,

I had a lover ten years older, and we were on formal terms!

What news!

I'm listening.

I think we can redesign a little here, too.

Mikhail…

When I was 18, I had a lover 30 years older.

And she was very formal with me!

-Best joke of the day! -Of the week!

Wonderful.

They're our sort.

Don't bother with sketches! So, let's begin.

Take the advance payment, knock down the walls…

Thank you. A drink, maybe? The finest Armenian cognac.

I hope that you'll be happy with our work.

To our meeting. Just a little.

Do you remember who gave you my number?

-Lyuba, who gave us the number? -You.

-Me? When? -Ages ago.

We put the renovation off for ages,

wanted an architect we knew.

"A talented architect and designer will be delighted to renovate your home."

-Lovely, "delighted…" -Oh, I remember!

We came out of the hospital and read an advert on the wall.

Well, it was well-written!

That was fast! Half an hour, the two of us…

"Just a little"!

-We've got some vodka… -No.

They've got vodka!

There's…

vodka, whiskey, whatever you want.

The patients keep bringing it. Drive me to the grave with presents.

-Well, "just a little" more. -"Just a little."

Can you remember…

Natella. Nata. Tata.

Oh, it was Tata who took down the ad.

What's wrong with her?

Where is she?

Here you are.

I need to see her.

No.

No. Take a look at yourself.

Why?

-I don't get it! -What, what?

He likes to hang out with youngsters.

When he drinks with men of his own age,

there's unpleasant talk, irritation, boredom…

I'll wash that.

Thank you.

But with youngsters he feels younger.

You'll find out after 300 grams…

Misha, come with me.

Misha, sit down…

Drink.

She's got blood cancer.

She's a brave girl.

She knows what's coming to her, but she keeps a brave face.

You can't go to her with a sad face.

-If you're weak, stay away! -Don't get angry.

Vasya, take Misha to the car. Wait for me there.

Let's go. Come on, come on…

So, Misha.

You'll see her tomorrow.

He's a great guy, that doctor.

He wants to get her out of the hospital for at least a day,

some fresh air, a rest from that hospital stink.

I said we should have a barbecue.

-How far is your "Russian land," Vasya? -An hour or so.

Well, we'll do it tomorrow then.

I'm going soon.

-I'll be quick. -Listen, you shouldn't go.

Listen, don't order me around…

Imagine… a whole hour in the car.

You'll be miserable.

You'll ask her questions, she might start crying.

Imagine… someone comes out of hospital, and suddenly sees you.

Come on, stay.

We'll have a drink. You can get some rest.

Here we'll have rows of spuds all over.

What's wrong?

Are you ill?

What are you waiting for? Everything's ready.

Come on, come on.

-We'll put a temporary hut up here… -Vasya! Give it a rest will you?

But really, it'll be great.

-Just keep an eye on the meat. -I'm watching.

Who wants some?

Me.

There you go.

Just a little.

Here we go!

I'm so ugly.

I've powdered myself like an old theater hag.

Jaundice, stones, all that.

It's nothing… I'll have a drink and cheer up.

-Hello. -Hello.

15 RUBLES

We'll go for 10.

Excuse me, who just neighed, a stallion or a mare?

It was my goat.

Give her our best wishes.

I certainly will.

Tata, you know, there's an acre here.

-If we plant potatoes… -Vasya! Leave her alone, eh?

Vasya, don't be a bore.

Guys! A toast!

I see you're a gang.

That's great… to be the gang.

Guys, hang on to one another.

The main thing in life is to find your own kind and settle.

So, let's do it.

I've been thinking of you since morning! Of course.

Wait! Listen,

I envied you.

And I envy you now.

It's as if…

she's from another world, where there's no scum.

Leave it out! I yearn for you

like one beast for another! My hands shake!

You vile young creature!

Your doctor's sick.

You want some sausage?

It was a miracle.

When we met the first time, I liked you immediately…

you and Oleg.

Really cool lads!

But I'm glad…

I fell in love with you.

My dear girl, forgive me!

I'm drunk… drunk as a skunk. I adore you…

I know you're a pushover for young girls.

You're different.

This scum isn't worth your little toe!

You're being tactless.

I'm not going in there, I'm not interfering!

You left and didn't drink.

I've been waiting for you.

You're… You're tactless.

Let's go.

All right then.

-All right then. -All right then.

I'm not allowed anything.

Even to kiss. Jaundice.

But it doesn't hurt at all…

It hurts me.

I'll come tomorrow.

Don't you dare run from the hospital, like you did from the attic.

I need you, Tata.

I suffocate when you're not around.

It's all terrible.

The barbecue's inedible.

But Alya's eating.

Thank you, Alya.

She's leaving, it's a shame.

The doctor's sleeping, no one to drink with.

But there's good news.

My friends are getting married.

Tata and Misha, here's to you!

But you're not drinking…

Tata died two months later.

She was buried in Sosnovo, not far from Vasya's land.

Alya left and never heard about it.

It didn't work out with me and Oleg, he went back to the army.

And me?

I'm alive…

But the way it all started…