Original subtitles

MAFILM STUDIO IV. PRESENTS

DEAD AREA

- Got you! - No, no!

- Somebody might see us. - Who?

We are only the two of us here.

No...

Wait.

Come here, you...

Just a little, okay?

Wait.

You, scented little almond.

Hello, hello, attention please!

Testing, testing.

- One, two, three... - All villagers be informed that...

- Is there anyone here? - Stop fooling around.

Excuse us.

And now an important announcement.

Hello, attention please!

All who remain in the village are required to appear

before the authorities without delay.

Namely the following individuals...

Stop it, you idiot or I'll arrest you.

...Antal Kántor and Mrs. Kántor, maiden name: Juli Bazsó

from number 18 on Main Street.

If they are at home.

Are you home, Anti?

And the widow of István Varga, maiden name, Erzsébet Sági

from God knows what number on Main Street.

Can you hear me, Aunt Erzsi?

Attention, please, who's naughty will be beat.

Hey, hey!

I'll read the announcement.

As set by the decree of the County Council,

since the inhabitants have abandoned the villages,

Tófenék, Lados and Balmaz will be deleted from the list of settlements.

Every property in these villages, including the pig sties will be auctioned.

The starting bid is a bottle of beer.

Who is in there?

Why don't you answer?

Aunt Erzsi, you've come.

Don't you recognize my fine voice?

Why are you mocking us? What is this for?

You...!

You're a policeman, yet you make a nuisance of yourself.

Good day, teacher.

How can you be a policeman?

Don't take it serious, they're just playing.

Have you seen anything like this?

Just like pigs. If there's no food in the trough they leave their mess in it.

Stop laughing, you...!

I got so frightened.

I rushed here only to see that you...

Have you gone mad?

- Are you dismantling it. - Yes.

We'll also have to seal the doors.

We thought, you'd like to hear something for the last time. Right?

Aunt Erzsi, do you want to try how your voice sounds?

The class diary, the certificates.

We can't leave them here. Let's take them.

Look Anti, this is about growing paprika.

I bought it when I wanted to start gardening.

Oh, how many things I wanted, and here we are...

- Here. - Thank you, teacher.

This one is poetry.

"Die Vögelein schweigen im Walde. Warte nur! Balde ruhest Du auch."

Beautiful, isn't it?

But we don't speak German.

You can try to read it; and if you can't, you can still look at the pictures.

- Okay. - What else could I give you?

- Here. - What shall I take, teacher?

That chest, please and the books...

- This book. - ...and this one too.

- Here you are. - Thank you, Juli.

Are you done, sir? May I...?

You may, son.

You may...

Right.

Now we seal it.

This is an official seal.

Aunt Erzsi, take care that no one ever touches these seals.

The Chairman wants to know

whether you would take on guarding the cellars.

Just check on them occasionally, maybe about three times a week.

So, you'd remain a co-op member.

There is a lot of wine there. You'll get the keys and the inventory.

So you've become a coachman?

- How about you? - I'm a night guard.

Whatever your decision is, discuss it with the Chairman.

All right, I will.

But I think, it could have been done in a different way.

But it was done this way.

I'll start that garden.

If you can.

Burkus!

- It was the Horváths' dog. - Yes.

- Can we go? - All the best to you.

- Going? Have some bacon and wine. - Goodbye.

Thanks, Erzsi. We have to go. God bless you.

Go then, wherever you want.

I don't want to see any of you again!

Off you go with God's blessing!

Did you hear what he said?

- Shall I accept it? - Sure.

Okay.

Dear Anti,

- I... - Wait.

- So? - Dear Anti...

I'd like you to come with me to pick up Andris, he'd be happy.

We've never been there together.

What about the greenhouse?

Who'll build it then?

- Hello. - Hi, there.

- Welcome home, son. - He got good marks.

So? Don't you want these?

Oh, dear Anti, I'm so happy.

You're always happy, little bird.

- Is it a problem? - Not at all.

- What I mean is... - What is that you mean?

Well, nothing.

You never talk to me.

And what if we don't succeed?

If we fail in the first year.

I have long wanted to say this.

It would be great to have a second one after Andris...

We should already have it, it's high time.

- We must wait, Juli. - Wait...

One can't wait forever.

- Some things just happen naturally. - Even so.

And if yes, I'll have to go again...

What else could I say, Juli? You know that...

But...

I can't bear that once again.

I can't.

- You were three siblings too. - I've told you, Juli.

I will help you with everything.

You know that I would like it too.

- Look, Mum, original Levi's! - Go, unharness the horse.

- Can I go for a ride? - No.

- I'd so much like to. - I said, no.

- But, Mum. - Ask your father.

Father!

Father!

Can I take the horse for a short ride?

But don't exhaust it.

Father, there's a man coming.

Take him to the stable and do the grooming.

What man?

He has a camera and long hair,

like The Beatles.

- Father, can I unleash, Burkus? - No.

I don't want him to bite that stranger.

Come and help me instead.

You have to learn this too.

Hold it straight.

That's right.

- Good day, sir! - Good day.

I'd like to take some photos if you don't mind.

Go for it.

Is it for a newspaper?

No, for my own sport.

Stay there for a moment.

- Anti, come. - That's right.

- Now you, kid. - Andris, smile at him, son.

Well, this is...

That's great.

- Aunt Erzsi, come quick! - Come here for a second, aunty.

- Me? - Yes.

Come, sit down on this bench.

Yes, your elbow here and your hand over here.

Will the picture come out immediately?

- How do you know about such a camera? - How?

- Why shouldn't I know? - Stand there.

Where?

Come with me.

- Where? - This way.

- More pictures? - Yes, more.

Start walking that way, along the road.

- Down the hill? - Yes.

Just do not look back.

Purses, wallets, combs, shoe laces, hair clips...

- I see, you've sold a lot, Mr. Ponikli. - Me?

You're wrong, I haven't sold anything.

I haven't even earned enough for a shot of brandy.

Don't you want this one from Jehovah's Witnesses?

A good book this one.

What is it about, Uncle?

About the arrival of the Great Armageddon on the day of the last judgement.

The whole earth will be covered in blood.

It says that the Lord Jehovah will not do anything,

until he reveals his secret to his servants, the prophets.

- Come Juli, come now. - All right, I'm going.

- Don't you want it? - No, not today, Mr. Ponikli.

You can have it cheap.

Goodbye.

Anti,

stop whistling.

Why should I stop?

I don't know, just don't whistle.

Is it so annoying?

You always whistle when something is wrong, but you don't tell me.

There is nothing wrong, I was just thinking.

I'm thinking about going back to work with the lumbers.

They say it's five days work a week.

They pay extra for the use of the horse and the cart.

We'd get firewood too.

- We'd get it for free. - Not for free, but for your labour.

My shoulders can bear a lot.

Now you want to leave me too.

You know, that's not the reason.

We could have the money sooner.

How about the market?

You'd have to take care of it for a while.

But only if you want to.

You know,

I've got that bag from Canada, it says "air" on it.

I keep it in the chest of drawers under the mirror.

I want you to give it to my son, Pista if they ever come back here.

There is 2.500 Forints in the savings bank to pay for my funeral.

I'm only telling you because we are alone now.

Take it out and what's left after paying for the funeral,

give it to the priests, they have so little anyway.

I don't know why you always think about these things?

Don't worry, I'm in no hurry.

- Aren't you cold Aunt Erzsi? - Well, just a bit.

- When will Anti be back? - Around five o'clock.

I was also thinking...

I even told it to my son, Pista, that I didn't want to leave.

I asked him, what would happen to the house.

He said, "What would I do with it, Mother?"

"Perhaps the children could sometimes spend the summer here."

I just told him this.

I know that they don't need it anymore.

Although it is a good house, no accident has ever happened there.

But then...

I also thought...

that Anti might need it.

If it is written in the book that you have to bury me,

I could have my house put in his name.

He doesn't have one anyway.

This house belongs to the two of us.

But it is in your name.

I know how men can feel about this.

I thought about something too, Aunt Erzsi.

But don't get me wrong, not because of the house.

So, I thought that Andris only comes home for the weekends.

And this big room is empty all week.

You could move in with us, so you're not lonely.

I'm going now.

I let the pig out.

Anti...

Dear Anti!

There's somebody moving in the loft.

- What? - Someone in the loft.

- It must be a mouse. - No.

Listen.

- My God! Don't switch it on. - Keep quiet!

Don't go out.

You stay inside.

Where's my flashlight?

God, I don't know! Maybe on top of the cupboard.

- Where? - On top of the cupboard.

Don't switch it on.

I told you to stay inside.

The dog broke its chain.

- Anti! - What's the matter?

Nothing, nothing.

- Have you checked the henhouse? - Yes, but nothing there.

Nothing.

Oh, the dog is gone.

- He'll come back. - No. I am sure he won't.

- I'll go and check the cellars. - No, don't go, Anti!

- Don't leave me alone! - Stay here!

- Don't go! - Lock the door and don't worry.

This is yours now, Anti.

Just keep it.

Come on, take it.

Otherwise I'll think that I'm not welcome in your house.

And on the last night, all his friends, were there, a lot of fine gentlemen.

Then my son asked me,

"Mother, sing us a song."

Those people were just nodding, "Yes, yes."

"What do you want me to sing, dear son?"

"My favourite song, Mother!"

So, I started like:

"Grazing out there, grazing out there,

six neat foals are grazing out there all alone..."

He cried.

Oh boy... They've cut us off the power grid.

Juli, will you have an eye on these for a short while?

I got thirsty, I'll be back in a minute.

I left the book under the scarf.

Oh, get away from me!

Fresh lettuce to buy!

Yes, please.

How much?

- Twelve Forints. - Isn't that too much for it?

Too much?

- How about ten? - Well, okay.

- I've got book too; a rarity. - What book?

A secret one. I thought you'd be interested, doctor.

How do you know me?

Is it an old book?

It's old. The Great Armageddon.

Armageddon?

The Great Armageddon. So it is.

- How much? - Sixty Forints.

- It's too much. - Too much?

Fifty?

Fifty-two.

All right then.

Some nice flowers for you?

Here you are, and two more.

Thank you.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Some nice flowers for you!

Perhaps, some fresh lettuce?

Are you back, Mr. Ponikli?

- I've sold it! - The Great Armageddon?

- For 52 Forints. - What will I read in the evening now?

You've always wanted to sell it.

But for 52 Forints?

The Great Armageddon?

For 52... Oh, well...

- I've got to go again. - All right.

Slow down, boy.

I can't keep pace with you.

Andris.

You don't know that we have enlarged the family, do you?

Do I have a little brother?

Nah... I don't mean that.

Aunt Erzsi has moved in with us.

The one from Canada?

Yes.

- I hope, you don't mind. - I don't, if she helps you.

- Why are you peeking at me, Andris? - Will you tell me about Canada?

I know other stories too.

Don't tell those.

- Why not? - Because they are only tales.

Thanks for the food. Let aunt Erzsi tell what she wants.

- Did you fly by an airplane? - An airplane?

It was three times bigger than this house.

- Then it was a jet. - It was an airplane.

But I flew more, not only once there and back.

It was a Saturday, and my son said,

"Mother, let's go for a weekend,

we'll show you the great waterfall."

It must have been the Niagara.

That was its name.

- Where else have you been? - In Balatonfenyves.

Across the lake,

on the opposite shore of Lake Balaton, there was a big volcano.

There was always smoke coming out of it.

A smoking volcano?

Yes, smoking.

But it's not true.

- It's not? - It's not.

There were no humans living on earth when that volcano was active.

Oh well, I must have imagined it so.

They told me it was a volcano, so I imagined the smoke too.

I also like to imagine things.

I imagine that I am Sándor Kőrösi Csoma, and I go to Tibet.

There are monasteries on the top of big barren mountains

and I live there with the lamas.

Perhaps you will go one day.

And when you get older,

you can go even further.

Will you go to Canada again?

I won't.

I have travelled enough.

I will soon die.

How do you know it will be soon?

I was carried by a big river,

it took me slowly downstream like a boat.

But wherever I looked, the water was so wast

that I couldn't see the shore.

And it was so long.

I knew there was no end to it.

And that's how one knows?

Why?

That's how it is.

I would go on horseback.

Of course.

Mother is always so sad.

Be a good son to her.

You may go away but be good.

He wants a house and a garden.

They used to have a garden in Miskolc, but it was all covered in dust and soot.

Now he wants a big garden, with roses in the front and an orchard.

It takes ten years for a fruit tree to grow.

Three years...

My brother-in-law invited us to Ózd.

He works in the factory there.

We have enough to build a small hut,

but he says that building a house wrecks everyone.

But then... What would you do with me?

You'd come with us. Right?

Don't bother about me.

Just go while you are young.

I don't want to hold you back,

but I can't go anywhere anymore.

There's a long time until then.

I might not survive that long.

I don't know why I told you this.

This is our fate.

If you love him, you'll bear it.

Nice job, Ladies.

Hello.

- Aren't you working too hard, Aunt Erzsi? - As long as I can work, I am fine.

I brought you something.

What?

Isn't it pretty?

- And this is for you, aunt Erzsi. - Thank you, son.

I will slowly get through it.

You know, I don't like scarves and they cost a lot too.

- Juli, it's a scarf... - It's two days' work in the market.

- It's from my earnings. - Your earnings.

And the whole god damn garden is my hob.

Hey listen, what's wrong?

I always listen to you, I do what you say.

Oh, good God! I don't even know what I'm saying.

Oops, Erzsi...

Gee up!

Don't drive fast.

Drive carefully.

Can you hear?

Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust.

God will resurrect you on the last day.

May you rest in peace.

Sit here, Father.

- Praised be our Lord. - Forever.

Let me in, it's me.

I don't know why I locked the door.

- I see you've been drinking. - A little.

I stopped by the cellars on the way.

Did you check the co-op cellar?

I did.

Look what I got.

Are you hungry?

You could fry a few eggs.

What is that thing for?

It's for making brandy.

All the fruits in the village is ours.

Do we need this?

It's the best business.

Worried about the taxman?

Don't worry, by the time they get the scent we'll be far away.

Where?

Will you have another drink?

Here.

- And you? - No.

Aunt Erzsi left her money to the priests for the services.

We forgot to give it to them.

- Take it out from the bank. - You take it out.

I'm going to bed.

I don't know...

Don't drink more.

Andris doesn't even know it yet.

I wish Andris was here with me.

Why do you have to start it again?

What?

We have just started it all.

I asked you.

We have to complete it.

We have just started it all!

- Can't you wait.? - Wait?

And when do you want to complete it?

Juli, I'm doing it all for you.

Do you understand?

- You want it for yourself. - No, Juli, I want it for you.

How can I prove it?

Oh, Lord...

Aunt Erzsi also said that I didn't love you.

Okay, it's okay, Juli.

Juli!

What are you doing here?

I'm waiting for you.

I had to work overtime.

- Are you tired? - No.

- The cart? - I lent it.

You lent it?

The foreman borrowed it.

Only until tomorrow.

They're building a house.

- And the horse too? - Yes. Do you have a problem with it?

I was only asking.

Where are they building that house, huh?

Where...?

Did you plant the seedlings?

I did.

What are you doing?

I'm standing.

What?

I'm standing here.

Have you gone mad?

We have no reason to talk to each other.

It's cold in here.

I'll start the stove.

You left too much space between the rows.

You could have planted another row.

Even though I told you.

Shall I fry some eggs?

That's the house of the Homoki family.

Oh, my God!

What happened here?

Strange.

Strange.

I don't understand.

I don't know. I do not know!

This one. This was our house.

Pista!

Look, it's Pityu Varga!

Pista!

What a surprise!

- Hey, pal! - Big surprise!

Dear Pityu, how come?

My dear friend!

With this? Straight ahead?

- Let's open it. Get inside. - I'm opening it.

Good day.

How is my mother?

She wrote that she was with you.

- Didn't you get my letter? - We didn't.

We didn't get any letter.

What happened here?

She wrote that she moved in with you. My telegram...

When?

We buried the poor soul a month ago.

This way.

Come in, children. This way, please.

Pista, come in. Okay?

I'd like to go to the cemetery.

All right.

- Can the kids stay until we...? - Oh, sure.

- Of course, no problem. - Come, kids.

Andris call them. Quick.

- Go you can play over there. - Come, come with me!

Don't worry, you just go.

Anti, bring the chairs out, we'll have lunch here.

And change your clothes.

Before that, bring some vegetables from the garden.

Look at this!

Can you ride a horse?

I'll take him back now, but later we can ask my father.

- Oh, you're bringing it. Great! - Yep, it's coming.

Look, the sun has come out!

Anti, will you go and change when you're done?

This Pityu Varga has a pretty wife.

- What's next? - She's a bit overweight.

Go, bring some of our best wine.

- Okay. - Anti!

What?

I'm so happy.

Andris! Andris, dear!

God, what else did I want to do?

Lunch will soon be ready. We'll have some lovely meal.

You'll see how good it is.

It's a pity we don't understand each other.

What else could I give you? Here we go!

Here.

It's delicious.

Andris!

Where are you, son?

Andris!

What are you doing up there, boy?

Andris, come down!

- Come on, quickly now. - Come, have a glass of wine.

This way, please.

Take a seat.

Sit down.

May I...?

Please, help yourselves, children.

Cheers!

You take some too, kids.

You must be very hungry, Pista; I'm cooking chicken for you.

No need, Juli, we're leaving soon anyway.

- You're not staying? - Where should we?

Either in our house or in the other.

Had it not happened to my mother...

We'd rather look for a place to stay.

We wanted to take her with us.

But the chicken will be ready in no time.

Juli, please understand, we really have to go.

I understand Pista, I do,

- Let me bring you some cold food. - No need.

- Yes, Juli, bring something. - There's really no need.

Thank you for taking care of her.

We wanted her to move abroad with us.

But she insisted.

- Didn't she tell you? - They got along well with Juli.

Juli was grateful for her help.

Tell me, Anti, what happened here.

They left.

It started a while ago. People left for better opportunities.

Then gradually...

There was no paved road, no movie theatre, no bar.

Just like in the old times.

So the people slowly dispersed.

Cheers!

I see, nothing changed here.

You're wrong, I just wanted to show you.

I've built two greenhouses.

- Greenhouses? - Yes.

I bought some windows from the villagers.

It's not perfect yet, but in a few years...

- If you come back in a few years time... - A few years time?

Thank you, Juli.

Cheers!

Cheers!

- Don't go yet. - But we have to.

You should stay.

We could go to the wine cellar on the hill.

- Remember the cellar? - I do.

- I promised something to your mother. - Thanks.

Your mother told me to give this to you.

Thank you.

- God bless you all. - István, the house.

Your mother gave it to us, but if you...

- We've not talked about it. - Of course, it is yours.

What would I do with it?

Goodbye.

Pista, we have not discussed the old times.

Memories get brighter with time.

- Goodbye then. - Bye.

- Goodbye, Juli. - Goodbye.

Andris, get out of the way.

The keys, Pista!

- I have them if you want to look around. - No, better not to.

Bye, bye.

So, they're gone.

As if we were lepers.

Mother, we played space pilots!

I didn't understand a word, but I immediately knew what he wanted.

You shouldn't have mentioned the house.

- Why not? - It was unnecessary.

- I had to clarify. - Clarify what?

- Why do you need that house? - Juli, stop!

Juli, you can't do this. You spoil everything.

Father, I want to confess.

I haven't confessed for a long time.

I confess to the almighty God, and to you father on his behalf

that since my last confession I committed the following sins...

Father...

there's nothing I could recall.

It's been a long time since I last confessed.

I did not go to Holy Communion.

I do not go to church on Sundays.

I have sinned.

I have sworn at God and the saints.

I work on Sundays.

I always work,

but this does not bring any happiness to me.

I sinned against the commandment of love.

I cannot love anyone.

Even though they love me.

I feel...

that I am too proud.

I cannot be humble.

Although my husband does everything for me.

I am alone.

I always have the feeling as if somebody was at my heels.

As if somebody was following me.

As if somebody was standing behind me, and I...

I cannot drive the feeling away and I am scared.

As if somebody was always standing behind me,

and I have to shout,

I have to cry.

And...

I am bad and I am also unkind to my little son.

- Are you alone there? - Yes.

Since Aunt Erzsi died

and you buried her,

my husband has been working at the lumber camp.

Did you not ask for the help of our Lord or his saints?

I didn't.

Perhaps the devil is pursuing you.

Perhaps he is at your heels

and when you shout, he gladly joins you.

Haven't you thought of this?

I have.

Now contemplate.

If you want, at length.

Have you ever felt God's presence in you?

Once.

Once, a long time ago,

when I was a girl.

We were playing with the others, but I cannot remember what game.

And then suddenly, I felt I had to run,

and I didn't hear the others shouting,

but I knew that they were shouting to me,

and then I stopped.

And then...

Then, you can try.

Return to that time and that place.

I know it's not easy,

But be sure that the path leads from there and from nowhere else.

Does your husband treat you badly?

No, no.

But we hardly see each other,

and I'm very lonely.

I love him, but he wants to stay there.

And I want what he wants, but when he leaves

again...

Yes.

I have often heard this lately.

Not only from those...

also from those who live here in the city.

But you should return, and start again from that wood.

You understand?

Yes.

God showed his infinite mercy,

- ...but you rejected this testimony. - Yes.

- Now you have to return there. - Yes.

Think of the words of Matthew in the New Testament:

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me,

is not worthy of me."

If you do not take up the cross, you cannot love.

If you cannot love, the devil will follow behind you and will never leave.

Remember that man and wife are not two,

but one body.

What God has brought together shall not be divided by man.

If you want to keep to the commandment, do not divide God's work.

Thank you, Father.

Say ten Pater Nosters, ten Ave Marias, ten Credos, and pray incessantly.

I absolve you of your sins.

Praised be the Lord.

Forever.

Juli!

Juli!

Where were you?

Are you hungry?

I was up on the hill.

I made dinner.

- You left the door open. - I am not afraid anymore.

I brought you something.

Open my hands.

They say, it's very good.

Look at that box.

Nice, isn't it?

We'll smoke one right now. Okay?

Okay.

Is it strong?

No, not at all.

First class.

What a scent!

Juli...

I thought, perhaps we should bring Andris home.

I'd take him to school in the morning and in the afternoon, he could walk.

- You wouldn't be so... - No, no. I don't want this.

After all, it is better for him as it is.

I've learnt to wait.

But, Mister...

Did you go to the cellars again, huh?

Yes.

- It wasn't planned. - It wasn't, huh?

- You might even want to drink more. - Indeed I want.

- But not wine. - Not wine? Why not?

Because it is too thin.

Oh, you...

You...

Come.

Here. Open your mouth.

Here it comes.

Oops.

Tell me, who are you?

Oh, yes! A drunk pig.

That's what you are, a drunk pig.

Give me one of those cigarettes.

Give me something to drink.

- Some water? - No! Brandy.

Some brandy.

That's good.

I'll go and boil a big pot of water. Okay?

- Okay. - Right.

- I'll give you a bath, okay? - Okay.

- I'll wash your back, okay? - Okay.

- Okay? - Okay.

I'm so happy.

Sing something for me, okay?

- If I whistle, you always shout at me. - Since you whistle off key.

But you can sing well.

I had never really seen you before you came with Pista.

But I fell in love with your voice right away.

Do sing something for me, please.

"My love left, she went away

she walked away on a blade of grass..."

It's been so long since you last sang to me.

"...I wait her to return, into my embrace."

Do you remember?

"...green is parsley,

love makes a somersault in me.

Dear mother what shall I do now?..."

Let's go to a dance, sweet Anti. I want to go to a ball right now.

We go to a ball right now.

"Blue are berries, green is parsley,

love makes a somersault in me.

Dear mother what shall I do now?..."

- Oh, I'm so dizzy. - ...shall I love or do a somersault?"

"Blue are berries, green is parsley,

love makes a somersault in me,

Louder!

Dear mother what shall I do now?..."

What is it?

Anybody here?

Nobody.

Oh, God. No!

Don't you understand? You mustn't!

- Good day to you. - Good day.

- Is Bodzás far from here? - No, it isn't.

Just over the hills.

We are on time.

Hey, what are you doing here?

Oh, no!

My God!

Don't go that way!

No!

Oh, my dear God!

Go to your place already!

Oh, God!

There... Don't go there!

This is yours! Go to your place!

Where are you going?

Don't!

Go!

Oh, my God!

To your place now! Go!

Juli!

Juli!

Juli!

Juli!

Why?

Huh?

Why did you come here?

Come now.

Come.

Come.

Come on.

Anything wrong?

Are you ill?

Why don't you answer me?

Juli!

Juli, stop!

Juli, have you gone mad? I told you to stop!

Juli!

Juli, be careful!

Juli!