Original subtitles

June 1946, a dispatch to Soviet embassies

in France, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia...

If they so wish, any Russian in exile since 1917

will be eligible for a Soviet passport

and will qualify for repatriation to the U.S.S.R.

Thousands decided to return home,

the last travelers of 5 dark years in Europe

that had displaced 30 million people.

EAST-WEST

You will soon arrive back in the motherland.

You left her 30 years ago,

but she never left you.

Now,

she needs you, all of you.

The country needs rebuilding.

We paid a greater price than any nation

but the war against fascism united us

until victory.

The Soviet government opens its doors to you

and welcomes you,

regardless of past events.

Too serious, Yevgeny!

Let's drink and sing.

Get out your passports.

The lowest number raises a toast.

Can I join in? The French police deported me.

Be my guest.

Guess who was given Soviet passport number 1.

The head of the Orthodox church in Paris.

What number?

I have passport 2002.

And my son Leonid

has number

2003.

Be patient with him, he speaks awful Russian.

With an accent, too.

Well, doctor? What number?

17.

It's up to you, then.

I'd like to thank my wife.

Marie,

I asked you to follow me. You did.

You left your family,

friends and home, without hesitation.

For that

and for so much else,

I love you

and I admire you.

To you.

Is what he said true?

You must be a brave woman.

Dear compatriots,

welcome to Odessa.

Welcome to our Soviet homeland,

to the victorious nation

where, guided by Comrade Stalin, wise among the wise,

all peoples live as one family,

united and happy.

My God...

At last, in Russia.

Russia,

my land.

Passengers will divide into two groups

as follows:

Kozlov, S. Vassilievitch.

Kozlov, S. Vassilievitch. Here.

Kozlov, L. Sergeyevitch.

Kozlov, L. Sergeyevitch. There.

But he's my son.

He should be with me.

Don't worry.

It's a mistake.

We'll soon sort it out.

I told you the truth.

I came with my husband. I'm a French citizen

with a French passport.

You're mad!

Why...?

You work for the secret services

of your country.

You're talking nonsense.

I want to see the Consul.

And the Queen of England perhaps.

We've been watching you, Golovin.

You're a good doctor.

We have work for you.

Where's my wife?

Forget your wife. She's not wanted.

We'll find you a Russian wife.

I offer him a woman. He says no.

Your wife is a spy.

Is that a joke?

Not at all.

90% of emigrants returning to Russia

are imperialist spies.

We'll leave you your son.

Where's my wife?

Don't destroy your destiny. We trust you.

Do you really want your wife?

We need a little talk, then.

Where's Serioja?

They're fetching him.

You're leaving now.

Where to?

Kiev.

Your new tenants... French.

Tell them I'm the supervisor

and that we have strict rules.

I speak Russian.

Who are they?

French, apparently.

Hello. Petrov.

Alexei.

My wife, Marie, and son, Sergei.

Welcome.

Have you come to visit?

No, to live.

Does your wife speak Russian?

She's going to learn.

If you need any...

Sacha, fetch some bread.

This is your key.

I'll be very clear to avoid any problems,

especially for her. You translate.

Let's go.

5 families live here. The rules must be observed.

This table belonged to the previous tenants.

Now, it's ours.

The bathroom.

Our day is Thursday.

That's our laundry day.

Never leave the light on in the toilet.

Do you like it here?

What does a traveler need?

Strength and courage.

That's right, darling.

I'll be right back.

You couldn't know.

Nobody could.

We'll give back the room and go home.

They can't force us to stay.

I can't live here.

Nor can Serioja, nor you.

Somehow, we'll get back to France.

Every prison has a way out.

Forgive me.

I worked on the machines

for six years.

I know how they make your back ache.

Fine. In terms of the air they have to breathe,

what steps do you take?

We'll install pipes to humidify the air

and make the dust fall.

Just like in France.

Forget France!

We know how France exploits its workers.

You're here to work,

not to change everything.

I am responsible for 2,000 workers.

I take their health seriously.

Frenchy!

Wrong table.

Sorry.

Leave her alone, you drunkard!

Why did you come? Didn't you know?

You speak French?

I had a French nanny.

It was in this apartment

but in a different life.

Good health.

Join in with me, you know the words.

Why stop? It was very pretty.

Madame Marie... Chapkas!

You want to buy one?

No, thank you.

I'll do it cheap.

They could get it for us for what it costs them.

Do they steal them?

They have suppliers all across town.

Here, take your chapka and go.

Careful, you talk too much.

Enough. Get out!

I had their room as a girl.

Where you are was my mother's music room.

My dear, what a mess you're in.

Try to forget France.

Good evening.

Vodka!

My soup's ready.

It's all a mistake, Sacha.

I'll be back soon.

Keep swimming. It's your only chance.

Don't provoke them.

Are you a Young Communist?

Answer me. Are you?

Yes.

Get a grip then.

Calm down.

There...

That's better.

What happened? Who was it?

What happened?

She was denounced.

Why?

It's your wife.

Grandma spoke French to her.

She'll be accused of spying.

You foreigners are always watched.

Go home. Leave us.

Hello... I'd like address

of Interior Ministry?

The Interior Ministry?

Yes.

You want to go there?

Yes.

Sure.

Give me a minute.

I'll... I'll take you to the bus stop.

Is that the Red Flag factory?

I'd like to speak to Dr. Golovin.

Come with me.

You followed me?

- Let go of me. - Quickly.

- Who told you? - Come on.

Leave me alone.

Let go!

I'm all right.

Come to the infirmary.

No, thank you, I'm okay.

I'm a doctor.

What did the foreigner want?

Nothing, she was lost.

What got into you?

I can't bear waiting anymore.

You said you'd apply.

If I ask to go, I condemn the state.

Do you want us to end up in a camp?

They can't force us to stay!

They're duty-bound to let us go.

People are staring.

I don't care!

We had a deal

if it didn't work out.

I want to go back to France.

We'll die here, Alexei. I will at least.

I want to leave!

Let go!

Let go! I want to leave here!

I can't stand it here! Let go of me!

We will get out.

It will take time, but

trust me.

Until then, we must make do here.

Bravo, Irina.

Tolia, you're too stiff. You are the Soviet ideal.

The whole world will be watching.

What's this?

Look...

That's not my shirt.

She mixed them up again.

That's mine.

You missed your call.

You're on the moment the song ends.

It's the Frenchy...

Hello, my dear.

Tired?

You have to eat.

They're wary because you're foreign.

It'll sort itself out.

You're very pretty.

They got the boxes mixed up again.

Now I'm supervisor, I have to watch over everything.

You do a very good job.

I do my best. With you, it's easy.

You're well brought up, you understand things.

I bought some pies. Want one?

Thank you.

I didn't know where they took her.

I wasn't allowed to see her. She died all alone.

She knew that you loved her

and were thinking of her.

Is anyone else coming?

What's that?

It's Grandmother Anastasia's place.

We knew Anastasia Alexandrovna only briefly,

but enough to see

that she was a remarkable

and kind woman.

May her soul rest in peace.

May the earth be kind to her.

Hello.

New tenants for you.

But every room is taken.

- What about Vassilieva's? - Her grandson has it.

My husband lost a leg in the war.

We fully deserve

a room with modern conveniences.

Where's he to go?

What a thing to do the day of Babushka's funeral!

And Sacha?

- What about him? - He'll go to a hostel.

No, I won't.

It's a mistake. We'll sort it out.

Calm down.

I'm the supervisor and no one told me of this.

- I have all the papers. - Quiet!

What's going on?

Sacha can't stay.

He must go to a hostel.

He can move in with us.

These are the books Babushka used to read.

That's how she taught me French.

You have them.

Me?

Thank you.

I'd like to be alone now.

Vassiliev, come here!

Guess your time.

Worse than a year ago

by five seconds!

You're through.

I hear you've been drinking and smoking.

You're gifted, but you just float along like a turd.

My grandma died.

Mine too! Both of them.

Clear out, Vassiliev.

Don't let me catch you here again!

Girls, in the water.

You kept your eyes closed...

The whole time.

I lost track of where I was.

We're together.

I won't forget.

What I miss most

is having you to myself.

Being totally free

and you...

Looking so beautiful.

The two of us together,

alone in the world.

Are you drunk?

Yes, but not much.

You were with them again...

Go back to the pool.

I was thrown off the team.

You don't need a team to swim.

You have talent, don't waste it.

You treat me like a child.

You behave like a child.

Sleep now, we'll talk tomorrow.

I can't sleep.

I haven't slept for ages.

I think about Babushka.

I think about my parents.

I've forgotten their faces.

They were arrested together

and executed.

Babushka hid their death from me for years.

I received letters, which she'd written.

Why were they arrested?

You never know why.

I want to get out, too.

Leave the country.

Why tell me?

I hear you at night

talking to Alexei.

You don't sleep either.

I hear you crying as well.

You mustn't be afraid of me.

I want to help you.

It's kind of you.

I'll help you too.

Tell me about France.

Okay?

I'm doing this for you.

No, for yourself.

For both of us.

You'll be the best because you fight the current.

It's too hot.

It's supposed to be.

Do you ever do house calls?

Hello.

Five minutes more.

You are a good doctor, Alexei.

We all know that.

However...

upstairs,

they are wondering

if you are a good Soviet citizen.

Stop it!

Are you coming?

Make your mind up.

I've no jacket.

Choose.

Calm down, we have lots of time.

The car will be here in 5 minutes.

What car?

Nina Fiodorovna's car.

Your boss?

Wonderful!

We're all wonderful.

Dear fellow citizens,

it is a great event

that brings us here tonight.

You will see

a performance of "Marie Tudor",

a play by Victor Hugo.

Where's Papa?

I don't know.

The role of Marie Tudor

will be played by the great French actress,

Gabrielle Develay.

Your photo will be in all the papers,

as an example for us all.

This is a great honor for you. And for me, too.

I call on a compatriot

who spent many years in France,

Comrade Golovin,

director of the dispensary

of the Red Flag Factory.

Dear French guests,

dear fellow citizens,

I'd like to take this opportunity

to thank the Kiev municipal authorities,

Soviet government

and Communist Party leadership,

who enabled me to return to my homeland,

to work for my people

and welcomed my wife

and son.

You love me, don't you?

Do you love only me?

Tell me once more,

with those same eyes.

Alas!

We poor women never truly know

what a man's heart holds.

Yes,

your gaze is naive and sincere.

How infernal that heavenly eyes might deceive.

Your eyes are those of an angel or of a demon.

We are honored to see

such fine actors.

This is a great occasion for us.

We are expected.

I said, no receptions.

I instigated this tour

for my own political beliefs.

The rightwing press dragged me in the mud.

They'll do it again on my return.

They'll be waiting.

I came here to see... To meet people and talk to them.

These receptions aren't real life.

Dignitaries, speeches... It's a charade!

You heard the applause.

They adored you.

I'm sick of applause and full houses to order.

Barely a handful had even a scrap of French.

Take me out.

The good restaurants are for Party members only.

That leaves the station bar.

The station bar it is!

I must see you urgently.

Sorry, I must see a French diplomat.

But not here and not now.

My life depends on it.

I said, not here and not now.

Come along.

Don't move till I get back.

You must go to the Embassy.

The Embassy is in Moscow and I am a prisoner here.

I want to leave. Help me!

It's all in this letter,

my official application.

You have a French passport?

No, they destroyed it.

So you are a Soviet citizen.

It is a matter for your adopted country.

You have no right... You must do something!

- I can't take it. - This is mad.

She's plainly not lying.

Give me it. I'll take it to France.

It won't do any good.

No one will act.

Give it to me, please.

I am Alexei Golovin.

My family and I are happy here.

We have no need of anyone's help.

Give me it.

I can't, it's not yours.

Leave me now, I must change for the reception.

You don't appreciate the risks.

I'll risk anything to get out.

And I'll do it with or without you.

- Listen... - Quiet!

Give me your arm.

Your stubborn French brain refuses

to understand the position we're in.

My stubborn French brain sees right through you.

I want to save you and Serioja.

Save us?

By thanking our jailers?

What do you expect? You betrayed me!

All those who came back with us were executed or imprisoned.

All except us.

To save your lives, I do as I'm told.

I must carry on.

I have no choice, Marie.

You don't help me, you accuse me.

Every morning when I get up,

every evening when I get home,

the only thing I see in your eyes

is your hostility.

I can't stand it.

You won't even make love in this room.

Quiet down!

Shut up,

you smart-ass intellectual.

Last week,

I slept with Olga.

She looks at me differently.

Get out, Alexei.

Leave this room.

Get out!

Open up.

I want my cigarettes.

Have a fight with your wife?

Did she lock you out?

Two months later

Thank you.

You're training him now?

- Is he improving? - Yes.

He comes every day.

I used to swim here.

A long time ago.

I knew he wouldn't give up.

Tell Sacha I'll see him at the pool. The water's warmer.

Hey, kid, everything okay?

Yes.

It's open.

Good morning.

Hello.

Do you want breakfast?

I already ate with Mummy.

I'm stuck on this problem.

I'm better doing it by myself.

You didn't come yesterday.

I forgot.

What are you doing today?

Sacha's taking me to the park.

- With your mother? - I don't know.

I already said, not in front of the boy.

Your son knows full well that we're together.

I'm a simple woman.

I'm happy just being with you.

I want this to last forever.

Here,

a letter for your wife.

You read it?

No, it's in French.

I was always taught

not to read other people's mail.

We had different upbringings, you and I.

You're okay.

But try to get some rest.

I don't know how to rest.

I'm like you,

I'm a perfectionist.

Let me tell you a secret.

I'm going to leave here for a more important position.

Congratulations.

We will miss you.

I'll get you a job running a hospital

like you never saw in France.

I can already get you a two-room apartment.

You can move in with this...

Olga.

- She has a good record. - You already know?

Of course.

But you'll have to return the room we gave you.

I can't do that.

My wife and son live there.

Get a divorce.

Then they can keep the room.

Decide quickly.

Nina Fiodorovna,

I love my wife.

I can't tell them upstairs that you love your wife

but live with another woman.

That's all very French.

It would be better if you divorce.

See you.

I don't know if this will reach you...

Don't write to my wife...

Hi.

I said to speak French at home.

And I want him to speak Russian.

Isn't your homework done?

Nearly finished.

It's my fault, I got in late.

Where have you been?

Still need your Dad?

We must talk.

We already have.

I want to move back with you.

It's too late.

Hurry up!

The European championships are coming up.

The selectors

will be in Kiev in 3 weeks.

They will only take the very best.

You'll all live in

and training will be stepped up.

The championships are being held

in the West. Over there, they sneer at us.

Say it again.

Say those beautiful words.

In Vienna, Austria.

It sounds as beautiful as Paris.

I'm not there yet. I have to win the trial.

You'll win.

I'm sure of it.

Why?

You have no choice.

We have no choice.

If you do get to Vienna,

go to the French consulate.

They'll send you to France.

Go and see my family.

Let them know I'm alive.

Get in touch with that actress.

She'll help you get me out.

If I make it, I may not be able to help you.

Maybe it will take time.

I'd hate being in France, if you're here.

Is that Vassiliev in lane four?

He's your prot�g�?

Have you lost your mind? Have you seen his file?

His family were enemies of the people.

What are you playing at now?

Did you steal them?

No, they followed us here.

Where are you going? You're beautiful tonight.

It's Boyko's birthday.

For Serioja...

For Madame Marie.

- No. - Yes!

On loan till tomorrow.

Inherited from our grandma.

Thank you.

4 rings. It's for you.

Answer it, it's Sacha.

They must have your size.

Clear the table, it's time for dinner.

If Sacha is selected,

you won't go too, will you?

No, I won't go.

I'll stay with you.

I'll always be with you.

Can you take over? And put him to bed.

- Where are you going? - Out.

Back late?

Most likely.

Ready to go, champ?

Nothing's sure. They pick the team at the last minute.

Friends,

our present!

To you,

Pavel, and to our friendship.

To friendship!

Let's drink.

Between us we've made a real champion.

Let's celebrate.

I have good news.

You're on the team.

I had to put myself on the line.

Don't betray me by doing something stupid.

Of course not.

If you do, I will pay for it. Get it?

- Sure. - I'm relying on you.

May I?

Thanks for coming so quickly.

What's happened?

Is it Sacha?

He didn't go to Vienna.

Before they left, I searched his locker.

Letters for my family. It's not a crime.

Where's Sacha?

What if he decided to take them to France in person?

Tell me! Where is he?

At a training camp on the Black Sea.

Where our best men go.

We'll see if he sticks it out.

And now, Marie,

leave him alone.

He wants to get away from your influence.

"Three whole days,

"exquisite,

"wondrous,

"a true honeymoon.

"They lodged in a hotel by the port,

"keeping the shutters closed and doors locked,

"with fresh flowers and iced cordials

"brought to them every morning.

"For dinner, they would take a boat to an island.

"They'd stroll along the quay."

"The hubbub of the town died away.

"She untied her hat and they stepped ashore.

"They lay down in the grass;

"they kissed in the shade of the poplars;

"and they would have liked

"to live forever in this small place,

"which they blissfully imagined

"the most magnificent on earth."

- Where are you going? - Shopping.

- The shops are shut. - Let go.

Let go of me!

Listen,

keep out of my life.

- Hasn't your boss told you? - What about this?

I saw a man put it

in your letter box.

I'm going to denounce you.

Don't be foolish. I'm a Party member.

They'd say you're jealous,

trying to get revenge.

It's best if you move out.

You'll have me evicted?

I'll find you somewhere else.

I see why you moved in with me.

To stop me watching your wife.

Now you don't need me, you throw me away.

Bastard!

Do you hear me?

You're a bastard!

Four rings...

You know, Mummy, you mustn't worry about me.

I'm fine here.

We have a guest.

- Why didn't you write? - Too busy training.

A present!

Inherited from our great-uncle.

Sit down. Papa made some soup.

How are you? You've grown.

As they say on the radio,

life is getting cheaper and more and more fun.

Have you come back to live? I mean, in Kiev?

No, I have 24 hours' leave.

Okay, thank you all very much.

I'll visit her grave.

Will you come?

Babushka, I'll never forget you.

All that you told me.

All that you taught me.

I'm getting out, Marie.

To the West.

How?

In Odessa, ships come in from the West.

I met a Turkish captain who will take me.

He's done it before.

What are your chances? 10 to 1? 15 to 1?

If you get caught, you'll be shot.

I'll make it.

You'll join me.

Don't do it. The risk's too great.

You've changed.

Comrade Golovin's

good little wife.

I hardly recognize you.

Forgive me.

I'm just jealous.

No, you're right.

I need your help.

I need money.

I'll try.

You'll have to bring it to me.

I'll be stuck in Odessa.

I can't travel either.

The Army Choir will be in Odessa in 3 months.

Ask Boyko to take you.

You have it all worked out.

You taught me that.

Persevere.

Freedom at all costs

and persevere.

Like it?

Yes.

You have those in France?

I can't remember.

Could you sell something for me?

That's not what we do.

It depends. Let's see.

Where did you get it?

My grandmother.

Keep it.

It's a tiny bit of France.

I need money.

I love you.

Catch it.

Stop it!

Don't go, Marie, please.

I'll only be gone ten days.

I haven't left this place in two years.

We'll go to Crimea just the three of us.

Stop it, Alexei. I won't pull out.

I know why you're going to Odessa.

What are you up to with Sacha? Are you lovers?

I can prevent you from going.

Do that and I leave you.

Are you Marie Golovin?

A young man wants to see you.

He says he's your cousin.

Thank you.

The boat's docked.

I was scared you wouldn't come.

I don't have much time. Let's go.

Were you followed?

We brought the money.

I can't take you.

My contact on the docks has disappeared.

Was he arrested?

I don't know.

They're on the alert. We heard shots last night.

Go now.

We never met.

Wait.

Listen!

I've watched ships leaving port.

They head out south-west.

Here on the coast, a path leads down to the sea.

I can't come in.

I can swim out.

Out to the buoys.

From the coast to the buoys

must be 10 miles.

It will take me 5 hours to swim it, maybe 6.

No more.

You can't do it.

It's impossible.

No one has ever done that.

I can do it.

You're crazy. This is madness.

If you can swim 6 hours

and I can spot you in the night,

I'll send a launch to you.

But I won't wait.

And the cash?

All he wants is the money.

Don't, it's suicide.

I'm begging you.

I take the risks I want. It's my life!

Give him the money.

I have to go.

Don't run off.

I'm doing it for you, for us.

So help me.

Look at me.

Where have you been? You're not a tourist.

Work, Marie Golovin, not holiday.

Remember me?

Why did Boyko bring you?

Ask him that.

You left your husband and son?

A lover in the Choir?

The colonel perhaps?

I'm sick of your insinuations.

I have work to do.

Comrade Pirogov.

Marie, help me. Where's Marie?

Our man in Kiev is a good cop.

Not smart but methodical.

Here's what I think.

You came here to see a swimmer

called Sacha Vassiliev.

He's not a cousin, but your lover.

I'm listening.

I have nothing to say.

When Col. Boyko hears...

Forget Boyko. He can't help you.

Let's call the training camp.

They'll send us

young Vassiliev.

You'll talk, you whore!

Where is he?

Vermin! French whore!

Talk!

You'll talk! Scum! Bitch!

You will talk.

I'll kill you!

One month later

No communicating.

She's an imperialist spy.

I should have

killed her 2 years ago.

What's the charge?

You knew Vassiliev?

She seduced him

and filled his head with propaganda. He tried

to escape her but she followed him to Odessa.

There, she organized his escape

via a CIA-funded Turkish gang.

In fact, the kid drowned.

She killed him.

Rubbish! My wife is innocent.

She confessed.

Is it true?

Did you sign?

They hurt you?

It's untrue.

You don't believe me?

What's this then?

Only Vassiliev with your wife's sister.

Why say he was dead?

It would be much better for all of us.

He's in France. He's free!

Do you see what you lived with

all those years?

Now, sign this statement.

You accept her guilt, disown her...

I'll never sign!

Yes, you will!

If you love your son.

Sign it, Alexei, I beg you.

Is he here?

In your dressing room.

Thank you.

Are you today's snoop?

I'm here to protect him.

Later. I'll send for you.

The Foreign Ministry rejected the Soviet Embassy's request.

You won't be sent back.

But you can't stay. The Soviets resent

all the newspaper coverage.

However, Canada will accept you,

with full citizenship.

They will give you a new identity,

a new life.

I won't go.

I can only help Marie here.

Listen, Sacha,

for her sake, go.

They made that very clear.

I won't go and nobody can force me.

On the contrary.

- They can. - That's not freedom.

I have a plan to help Marie.

What kind of plan?

I can't tell you. Not yet.

You trust me?

I get it,

I have to disappear.

Sorry, I have to go.

No more curtain calls?

Where's my bag? Is the car ready?

What's wrong, Madame?

I shouldn't have let him go.

Is Sacha in?

- Yes, why? - Where's his room?

That way.

Quickly.

Just open it.

Do his other arm.

Stay here.

I'll call the hospital.

It won't tie...

I'm here, I'm with you.

I'll save Marie. Somehow. I swear I will.

But you must live!

Do you hear me? You must live.

Six years later

The only hope for humanity's future. Communism.

It's silk.

I got two sizes. I didn't know which would fit.

Thanks.

You haven't changed.

Even more beautiful than I remember.

That's kind.

Forgive me for being...

It's normal.

It takes time.

I'll help you.

I'd rather be alone.

I love you, Marie.

No, it's over, Alexei.

It will never be over between us.

I'm ashamed.

The stench... I'll never lose it.

My love.

I love you so much.

Papa and I knew they'd let you out.

When Papa was made director of the hospital,

he wrote to Comrade Stalin,

who sadly died before he could intervene.

Nina pressed your case.

She's a union leader.

Other innocents have been rehabilitated.

I wasn't innocent.

I was guilty.

I organized Sacha's escape.

I heard news of Sacha.

He's in Canada.

All I did was for me, too.

My little boy.

Two years later

When do they arrive?

Tomorrow if things go to plan.

Why Sofia?

It's the only Communist city where a friend is ambassador.

What gave you the idea?

Your appointment.

You're mad, Gabrielle.

Jean-Louis,

you know what I'm like.

But we're at war here!

I'm watched around the clock.

Just think of what we risk.

What?

A new posting for you,

deportation for me. Not prison.

You think so?

Your fame and your leftwing politics

mean nothing here!

Why do all this for a woman you hardly know?

I swore I would.

Comrades,

I was uncertain about this mission.

But now I am

very happy we came to Sofia.

We have worked very hard.

I would like to thank you all,

especially Comrade Golovin,

whose idea it was

to come here.

I propose a toast

to friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

Can you do me a favor?

My wife has bought another chandelier.

Could you help me with customs?

Your wife will get me into trouble back in Kiev.

Thanks, Jean-Louis.

I'm truly grateful.

That's all I can do.

Take her the passport

and stop your games.

Let her go back to Kiev

and that will be that.

Where's Mama?

In the bathroom.

Are we okay for time?

Listen,

this is very important.

What's the matter?

Do you remember Gabrielle, the actress?

She's in the lobby. She's waiting

to take you to the Embassy.

What are you saying?

Listen to me.

When we get downstairs, go with her.

I'm lost.

Gabrielle will explain.

The French ambassador

is a friend of hers.

It's our only chance.

10 years I've waited for this.

Why didn't you say?

I couldn't be sure.

We have to go.

The delegation will be down soon.

Hurry.

What about you?

Serioja is going with you. I'll go back to Kiev.

They'll send you to a camp.

They don't suspect me. They'll think

you tricked me.

Come with us.

Impossible.

The Embassy will protect you, but I'm a Soviet citizen.

Tea, please.

Have you seen anyone from our delegation?

Not yet.

Go ahead.

I'll join you.

I promise.

When?

Come on, Mummy.

You have your room key?

Yes, thank you.

Put these on.

They'll think you're Westerners.

Outside the Embassy,

there's a checkpoint.

For you, Marie.

It's yours.

Vanished! Gone!

It's a mistake, let me through.

I'll find them.

You knew!

Admit it!

You knew!

We'll all be in trouble because of you.

Me especially.

Don't worry, it'll all be okay.

Get your passport ready.

- Keep going. Don't stop. - Stop!

What's the matter?

Let them in!

You're in France. You're free.

Follow me.

Fetch some water, quick!

My God...

To communicate with Gabrielle,

Papa had to wait for French delegations.

He always risked being denounced.

It took months to get her replies.

When it was confirmed for Sofia,

he told me everything.

I didn't know what to do.

We talked it over endlessly.

I don't want to lose you again.

The Ambassador wasn't pleased.

He really told me off.

The Bulgarians will let you go,

but

they're demanding something in exchange.

They want France to refuse asylum to a dissident

and send him back here.

But you're safe now.

I won't go without him.

What do you mean?

Without Alexei.

He must come, too.

Marie, Alexei won't come.

We can do nothing for him. He knows that.

He fought for years for this, to get you out.

Nothing else mattered.

Tell me, Alexei.

It's important. I have to know.

Did you know what she was planning?

Did you help her?

No, I didn't know.

When I realized they'd left the hotel,

it occurred to me they'd run away.

But I was sure they'd come back.

Even now, I still am.

Just in time

for the train.

That same day,

we left Bulgaria re-entering the free world via Greece.

I can't remember it. I was asleep.

Alexei was sent to Sakhalin,

a Russian island in the Pacific,

as medic in the labor camp.

30 years on, the Soviet Union opened up under President Gorbachev.

Alexei was permitted to come to France in 1987.