Original subtitles

ALEXANDER RODNYANSKY SERGEY MELKUMOV

PRESENT

A FILM BY KIRA KOVALENKO

THE CAUCASUS NORTH OSSETIA

Ada!

UNCLENCHING THE FISTS

Adadza!

Ada!

Ada!

Adadza!

Adadza! I know you can hear me.

Ada!

Adadza!

Hey!

Ada.

You asleep in there?

Look at you, all cozy. What're you doing here?

I'm waiting.

For me?

Let's go for a ride.

I need to be at the bus stop.

There's a great bus stop near me. Let's go, I'll show you.

I'll run you home.

No, don't.

Come on, get in, I'm not going to eat you.

Hey, get your ass out of the road!

Why do you always say no?

Will you at least have a chocolate bar?

You're ice-cold, you'd better get yourself home.

You're mean. Well, I'm off.

- Did he make a pass at you? - No.

I'll smash his face in!

Hey, get back here!

I'm gonna crush his jaw!

Ada!

- Help me! - What're you doing in the road?

Ada!

Get up.

Get up already!

- Is Dad looking for me? - You're late.

I said I'd come get you.

Wait, where are you going?

He didn't call?

He's not picking up, either.

Maybe Akim was just saying he'd visit.

No, he meant it.

It might be a month before he visits.

VLADIKAVKAZ MIZUR

Good evening.

- Anyone else after you? - No, this is the last one.

Come on.

Let's go. He's not coming.

He's not coming.

Why go meet him? It's not like he'll forget the way.

I just have to.

Don't you have anything better to do?

Knock it off!

We live here!

- Dakko, what are you doing? - Little pipsqueak.

Let me go! Hand me the pants.

What? Can't hear you.

I said, the pants.

Look at him!

- Don't do that! Stop it! - Look at him!

Adadza.

I'm coming.

Wring it out like that.

Okay, okay.

The Dzhikayev family regrets to inform you of the death of Pyotr Kazbekovich.

A memorial service will be held March 8

at 45 Dzhemiev Street, Nizhnyaya Saniba.

The Safonkayev family regrets to inform you of the death of Andrey Safonkayev,

a beloved nephew to...

Who have you put on perfume for?

No-one.

Taira gave it to me to try.

Did he like it?

Who?

I just put it on... for myself.

I can't stand that smell on you... Don't use it any more.

Adadza.

Turn off the light.

Dakko, you again?

You can't come in my room, you know that.

I keep having the same dream.

Can I tell you about it?

I'm telling you anyway.

Everything around is bright white, with floating black lines,

and I am a dot.

The lines expand and shrink.

When they shrink, I start to suffocate.

Are you listening?

And then blank whiteness.

It's even scarier.

Dakko, that's not scary. Go back to bed.

Can I stay?

Go. You grind your teeth.

I promise not to.

- Dakko! I want to sleep on my own. - Can I stay?

Then I'll go!

I won't let you.

I'm sick of you.

Then I'll tell Dad that you go to the bus stop!

- You won't. - I'll tell him.

- Then tell him. - You know I won't say anything.

Battling with that thing again?

Leave it, I'll unclog it tomorrow.

- Want some tea? - Yes.

I'm freezing. The water is barely even warm.

Grumbling again?

- How can I not grumble? - You old lady.

Yep!

My clothes aren't dry yet.

Take them with you.

I found this in your room.

It smells great! Is it yours?

Adadza.

Your brother is asking you a question.

No, it's not.

Well, pour it away then.

Dad, it's rattling again.

We'll fix it.

My hand is cramping again, son.

It's not working.

Dad, let me drive us to work.

I'll do it myself.

Gimme! Adadza! Gimme that one!

A cookie for you.

What about you? A candy thermometer?

Here you go.

Cotton candy?

Be patient.

Boys and girls!

I'll give 100 rubles to anyone who can do this!

Oh, look what you kids did!

Let me through.

You gonna come for a ride?

What ride? I'm not allowed.

- Let's go. - Let's not.

Why not?

I can't leave the store.

What's going on here?

You guys, shoo! Get out of here!

What happened here?

Bless you.

Don't just stand there, Mr Mars Bar. Help me.

Ada... let's go!

I'm sick of repeating myself like a parrot.

I'm not coming.

You are, you just don't know it yet.

Look at you blush.

Taira, is it OK if I get going?

Need me to fill in for you again tomorrow night?

That jerk.

He's dying to get with you. Don't you feel sorry for him?

There you go - he's been dying and dying

for so long he actually died.

Tamik!

Give it back!

Tamik, please, give it back.

Get in the car and I'll give it back.

Let go.

See, I told you you'd come. But you didn't believe me.

What have you got in there?

I need to get out at the bus stop.

Well, I don't.

Let me out.

I can't hear you. Louder!

Let me out.

Get back there. And stay put.

Turn it off!

Knock it off before you make us crash.

Get back in your seat.

Where are we going? I can't go that way!

What a dummy.

We're waiting on this thing.

- I'm going for a ride. - Go on, then.

Why are you hiding?

They'll see me from our building.

Where are your windows?

- Over there. - No-one will see you from there.

Hold on tight.

Hey, Dakko! What's up?

I'll be quick!

I'm coming! Hang on.

- Where have you come running from? - From the shop.

Dakko said...

Well done.

You run fast.

Set the table.

You're here.

- Hurry up. He's hungry. - How's it going, Ada?

- The table goes here? - Yes.

I'll wash my hands.

Get your own chair.

- Want some more? - Yeah.

Got homesick, son?

No.

Got married?

Maybe you're already a daddy?

Akim...

Why have you come?

He got hungry.

I can see that.

I thought you'd forgotten about my birthday.

Ada reminded me.

Thank you.

Let's go for a walk, little brother. Come on, Ada.

You can walk all you want tomorrow at the cookout.

I need some fresh air.

Well, go and get some then.

Since there isn't any air at home.

Dad's got the only key.

Can you buy me some candy?

Dad, unlock the door for us.

You been standing here long?

What's going on?

It's so you don't run around.

Here's the gas and clutch. Just don't race it.

I know how. Murik has one like it.

You hear me? No racing like a nitwit.

- Show me, then. - Ada, let's go!

I'll watch.

How did this not die on your way over from Rostov?

It's fine. It can do that distance again.

I missed you getting here.

Don't do that.

Don't...

He's dying, isn't he?

Dad's dying, isn't he? Isn't he, Ada?

You're sick. Get away from me.

Yeah, I am.

You forgot, didn't you?

You ran off and it's like you've forgotten we exist!

I'm out of time.

I might stay like this.

Am I supposed to tear myself apart?

I would.

I didn't forget.

I remember.

Really.

Where's your hair gone? You look like a guy.

Dad likes it like this...

Akim, help me.

Ada, let's go for a ride! Ada!

Quit revving it, let's head that way.

I've already tried that...

He caught up with me at the police post.

Took my passport. He checks everything.

It's like I'm in jail.

If he holds on to you, we'll push him away.

You'll be whole again, beautiful.

We'll get you married.

- When am I going to be whole? - Tomorrow.

Don't joke. Promise me.

I'm not joking.

He also promised that when I grew up...

but he's not doing anything about it.

But I've grown up, look at me.

Haven't I grown up?

Come on, Ada, let me take you for a ride.

Why doesn't Dakko go to school?

What could they teach him? Let him work his ass off here.

Shouldn't have put her on the bike!

It's high time Ada had an operation.

It's grown back, healed over.

Your mom had an operation, and so what?

That was more serious though.

Adadza had one, too, and so what?

Well... otherwise she wouldn't have survived at all.

What else do you want?

She survived.

She's alive.

I don't want them to cut her up and dig around in her again.

So, it's better the way it is?

Let her wait another 14 years?

You think you're so smart, huh?

She won't go anywhere while she's like this.

She won't leave her dad.

You've thought that through.

You're so caring all of a sudden.

We need to resolve this. She can't go about the way she is.

Why make her suffer like that?

This conversation is over!

You won't let her forget.

Look who it is!

- Alan! - Zaur!

Why didn't you tell us ahead of time?

He came back to make his dad happy. A nice surprise.

Salaam.

Let's have a look at you! Come on in.

I'll be right back.

Go play.

Just a minute.

Come here.

May you live long! Greetings!

So grown-up.

Stay on your toes, goofball.

We're out of gas. Gotta fill up.

Got it?

Yeah.

When did you move here? 10, 15 years ago?

Feels like I've always known you.

I'm not a bad dad myself. Dana, tell him.

But the way Zaur loves his kids the way he dotes on them.

You set us all an example.

To you, Zaur.

Give me your phone!

- You belong here, Zaur. - Quiet.

So do your kids.

Ada! She's used all your battery up.

Adadza.

Where are you going?

Should I drive you?

All right.

Akim, what are you up to in Rostov?

This and that.

We still have jobs.

Wanna job at the power station or town hall?

Mazuk has a point.

Help your dad and brother out, they're falling behind.

- Yes. - A family crew!

Tell Dana all about... living in Rostov.

It's a good city, Alan, lots going on.

Lots of what?

Lots of ways you can live.

That's good.

But you always miss home,

like it or not.

Everyone comes back.

- And so will you - mark my words. - That's right.

Our Gacal...

Gacal came back!

And not from Rostov - he came back from beautiful St Petersburg.

So, Akim's back for sure.

I'm not back.

You don't need to set me up with a job, or a house, or a wife.

Then get out of here.

What do you want here? Get lost.

I just want to say -

to your health!

To everyone's good health!

Get out of here.

Don't get worked up, let's have a drink.

Start up already!

Where are you going?

What about me?

Are you leaving?

I won't leave until I sort everything out.

We'll get you some ID and go to the hospital.

I tried going, but...

Mazuk works there, so Dad found out.

We'll think of something.

Guess who.

Akim! Run!

Run!

Get in the car, Ada.

- I said, get in. - She's coming with me.

Where's her passport?

- Don't let him take me. - Don't be afraid.

Adadza! Stop!

Get in the car!

Don't do that, Ada. Don't.

Akim!

Akim!

Get her in here.

Let's go.

He's not well.

He's pretending.

He's pretending.

- We're going to the hospital. - Home.

Let's go to the hospital.

Take me home.

OK, OK. We're going home.

- Leave it. I'll lock it. - I'll do it.

I'll take your coat.

Go away!

Now, got it?

Grab your stuff.

Go to your room.

Good.

We'll wait here for you, and see you off.

Get out.

Where's her passport?

Come here!

I can't live without you...

Call an ambulance!

- My phone's dead. - Here, mine's in my pocket.

Get some water!

What did they say? When will they be here?

I'm talking to you.

Say something! Did you call?

Sorry.

You're not right in the head.

- Where are you going? - Use the neighbors' phone.

Let's just leave.

Maybe this is how it should be.

Just abandon him here?

As if we just didn't see him.

- You want this too. - Where's the key?

Did you find it?

Spit out the key!

Give it.

What are you doing?

Akim!

Akim!

Akim! Look.

I still pee myself like a baby.

Shh.

Ada, please.

Ada, put them on.

Put them on.

Are you embarrassed?

You're embarrassed now?

Now you know how it feels for me.

Maybe someone will help me too.

I can't go on like this.

Let's just leave.

Help me.

- Whose is that? - Dad's.

Finally.

What's up? What took so long?

I could barely walk back, Mom.

I was riding and I kept falling.

You stinker.

You left me.

Everyone left and I had a bit to drink.

- Let's go. - Not home, Dad will kill me.

He's asleep. We were waiting for you.

- Really? - Yeah, we want to go out.

Akim, why do you always steal her from me?

Just look at yourself.

Let's go.

Let's go to the school dance.

They have such ugly girls!

Yeah, let's go dance.

Let's go. Let's go.

Get out here! Come on.

Hold my jacket.

Go.

But you wanted to dance. Dance.

I'll wait for you outside.

Dance.

Dance.

What have you done?

♪ ...the moon is bright

♪ No-one understands

♪ Why you are alone

♪ It must be fate

♪ That brought us together

♪ Toyed with me

♪ And now separated us

♪ But when I close my eyes

♪ I see only you... ♪

Akim.

♪ Please forgive me

♪ For loving you carelessly

♪ Every day I think only of you

♪ And miss only you

♪ Your beautiful eyes

♪ Will haunt me forever. ♪

[Singing in Chechen]

Get our coats.

I want to dance.

Let me go.

Akim, I'm going to dance.

Hold the light!

- Couldn't you get the key? - The door slammed.

I'll get my ass kicked tomorrow. But we got back in.

- Not bad, huh? - You did great, now be quiet.

What's this pigsty?

He fell asleep in your room. Let's go to mine.

Is that OK? Who left my jacket there?

- Do you want to listen to some music? - Yes.

Coming to join us?

Dad, you scared me. Why are you sleeping in here?

Come here!

Dad, are you feeling sick?

Dad, say something.

Push that bike!

He lost his mind in those stupid mountains of his.

The girls haven't seen him since January.

Maybe he died out there. And I just don't know yet.

Let's set up the school.

I'm going to wash my hair quick while the water's still hot.

Go to bed.

Lie down. Get some sleep.

Go to sleep now.

Run, run, run, run!

Why didn't you wake me up, busy bee?

I felt bad for you.

Aren't my girls talented?

I've never seen you so beautiful.

I had to let them, they wouldn't get dressed otherwise.

Where's your phone? Dakko called.

- Looking for me? - Yeah, he said they went somewhere.

He called at night. He wanted to come get you.

Are you going home?

I'm staying here.

Ada!

Have you decided?

I lost one, and now I'm looking for a match.

- Do you have these ones in white? - We don't.

I'm closing up.

Have a good day.

Are you finally free?

Enough, Tamik.

Don't do that. Enough is enough.

Come with me. I'm going to hang out with the guys.

You're a stranger to me. Leave me alone.

Please.

What do you want? You're only with me cause you haven't got anyone else.

Same reason you're with me.

- Why are you clinging to me? - I need you.

- I'm screwed up. Like, twisted. - I like twisted stuff.

I collected twisted-up roots as a kid.

- Whatever, go. - No.

Here, you can sit on my jacket.

- We hiding from someone? - No.

- Come on. - No.

Try to stop me.

Take that.

Screwed-up aim as well!

I really am all covered in scars.

What a bummer.

I'm the one who's really messed up. Wanna see?

Look.

I stepped on a nail. I couldn't walk.

Can you see the bit that dangles? Like a little bell.

I got caught on the school fence

when I was spying on girls.

There's more...

When I was a kid, I was riding a donkey.

Got slashed by a wire.

There was a ton of blood.

Well, I got blown up as a kid.

During school hostage crisis.

Remember?

I actually wanted to save this until marriage...

I'm not very good at it yet.

Sorry.

Hurry up.

It's not working.

It's OK.

I'll wipe it up.

Sorry. This isn't me.

It's totally fine, Ada.

This T-shirt is ancient.

Chill out, everything's fine.

Hold on. Where are you going?

Don't run away.

You hear me? Wait!

Wait for me. It's nothing, I promise.

It's nothing, Ada.

No need to be shy around me.

Ada!

Let me out.

- Don't make any noise. - Ada!

I said, quiet.

Ada.

I would've come on my own anyway.

Closed up the store already?

Ada.

Ada.

We were at the hospital.

Dad can't speak any more.

What happened?

I'm tired...

Dad.

Dad... where is my ID?

Adadza.

- Can't talk? - That's enough.

- Well, at least I can talk now. - Dakko, hold her.

Adadza, stop it.

- And I'll be happy the way I am. - Get her back.

Adadza.

- I have a fiancé now. - Adadza!

- Stop it! - And he thinks I am beautiful anyway.

- I'll grow my hair out for him. - Make her stop, Dakko!

He will like it.

What about you?

- And you... - Enough already.

And you will be left on your own.

You and I are the same now, right?

But I'll be whole again anyway.

Hear that? I'm going to be whole.

What am I supposed to do? Quit worrying about me.

Adadza!

Forget about that, it's this that needs sorting.

So, what are you gonna do with me?

Abandon me?

Dakko!

Where are you going?

Dakko!

I'll lift the car. You drive forward a bit.

Ada, change seats.

I can't do it alone.

Please, Ada, get behind the wheel.

Help me.

Fine.

I thought you wouldn't come back for me.

Are you coming?

Why aren't you getting out?

Ah, crap.

It's inside out.

It's still freezing. I'm gonna go heal my sores.

Feel it.

Toned, right? But they're still pretty small.

Look.

I'm a hawk.

You want me to swim in my sweatpants?

Will you take me to live at your place?

Huh?

Who do you live with? You can say:

"Dad, this is my girlfriend. We are gonna get married."

Seriously? You're not gonna change your mind?

Tamik! You hiding a girl from us?

Be there in a minute. Let's go.

Rip it up! I'm hungry.

Which way should I rip his ear? Like Connor's or like Habib's?

Quiet! Don't spook the girl.

- This is Ada. - Leg or wing?

- Islam, nice to meet you. - I'm Marat.

Batradz.

Aren't you gonna do the rejuvenation?

We just did. Our hair's gonna grow out this far.

A bit more modesty, please! This is my fiancée.

- When is the wedding? - As soon as I save up the money.

That'll be never, then.

Over here, over here.

Tamik.

Tamik!

What are you...? Batik!

Tamik!

You faker!

You're heavy.

Take me with you.

We can't just move in together like that.

Gotta wait.

So, you're not gonna marry me?

You know what my mom will say?

"You need to grow up first."

Yeah, you do need to grow up.

Guys! Batik drowned!

Get him out!

Little me.

Dad.

Dad...

Dad!

It's just a cramp. It's happened before.

Bear with it. We'll be quick.

- Sit down. - I'll be right behind you.

You're going to feel light-headed. It won't hurt any more.

Wait a little, he'll let go soon.

Let him lie here for a bit.

Has he put his arms under strain?

I don't think so.

Dakko, get some bedding.

What happened?

Nothing. I'm stepping out.

Has he let you go?

Let me have a look.

That's it. Get up.

Dad, I'm taking her to the city.

To a good hospital.

Ada, get up.

Let's go.

I want to get this over with.

We're all tired of it.

Go and get changed.

Where's your passport?

In my bag.

We will be back.

Don't worry.

Why aren't you glad?

Give this to Akim.

- Where are you going? - Home.

Where is he off to?

Home.

Let's get out of here.

You alive back there?

I can go faster.

We'll be there soon.

You'll be whole again.

You'll forget it all.

You smell like Dad.

UNCLENCHING THE FISTS

ADA: MILANA AGUZAROVA

DAD: АLIK KARAEV

AKIM: SOSLAN KHUGAEV

DAKKO: KHETAG BIBILOV

TAMIK: ARSEN KHETAGUROV

TAIRA: MILANA PAGIEVA

DIRECTED BY: KIRA KOVALENKO

WRITTEN BY: KIRA KOVALENKO AND ANTON YARUSH

WITH LYUBOV MULMENKO

PRODUCED BY: ALEXANDER RODNYANSKY

PRODUCED BY: SERGEY MELKUMOV

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: NATALIA GORINA

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: PAVEL FOMINTSEV

PRODUCTION DESIGNER: SERGEY ZAIKOV

MAKE-UP ARTIST: ANNA ESMONT

COSTUME DESIGNER: ASYA BELOVA

POST-PRODUCTION PRODUCER: PLATON EMIKH

EDITED BY: MUKHARAM KABULOVA WITH VINCENT DEVO

SOUND DESIGNER: ROSTISLAV ALIMOV

WITH THANKS TO ROMAN ABRAMOVICH FOR HIS GENEROUS SUPPORT

NON-STOP PRODUCTION, 2020