Original subtitles

[poignant music builds slowly]

BOXER

INSPIRED BY THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ESCAPED COMMUNIST POLAND BY CHASING THEIR DREAMS.

THIS STORY COULD HAVE REALLY HAPPENED.

BYTOM, POLAND 1995

[distant clattering]

[man 1] Damn. I wish I knew how to put it into words.

What I felt... coming back here after all these years.

The smell of old gloves drenched in sweat.

The ring... which I'd dirtied with my blood so many times.

It was a long time ago.

Long before I...

fucked everything up.

[glass clinking]

For this story to make sense...

first, I'll tell you about my father.

Well, where should I start?

[metal creaking]

All of the beatings?

How everything bothered him?

No.

I'll start with the moment when I last saw my father...

truly happy.

[punches landing]

- [bell dings] - [crowd cheering]

- [fan 1] Come on! - Look bud, he's fine now!

- [ref counting] - He got me good! But I'm okay.

Dad's pretending. Dad's pretending.

- [ref] Four! You good to fight? - [fan 2] You can do it!

Dad's pretending. Now watch this. Here we go. Come on now.

- Easy. - [ref] Fight!

- [chuckles] - [fan 1] Left! Right! Come on!

[grunting]

- [laughing] - [fan 1] Stay away from him. Stay way.

[fan 2] Let him tire himself out!

[both grunting]

[crowd shouting indistinctly]

[grunting]

- [fan 3] Yes! - [crowd cheering]

Dad hit him!

[ref] Six!

- Seven! Eight! - [crowd chanting] Edwin! Edwin! Edwin!

- Nine! Ten! - [chanting continues]

[bell dings]

- [soundscape slows and muffles] - Yeah!

[chanting continues]

["Still Loving You" by Scorpions playing]

[Edwin laughs, sobs]

[woman screams, laughs]

- [Edwin] I love you... - [man 2] Our Olympian!

♪ Time, it needs time... ♪

[Edwin] That's it! Good! Left, right, just like I showed you.

Edwin. We'll be on this wall.

Under the diploma? Okay, okay, cool.

Come on. Left, right, left, right. Come on. One, two! Come on,

Are you tired? Come on!

- [grunts] - [Edwin groans]

- [laughter] - Knockout! Look at that!

You're gonna be the Polish champ one day, huh? You'll be a champion.

You'll be the champion of Poland, right?

- That's right! We'll show everyone! - [door opens]

- [Edwin chuckling] - [man 3] No way. How about that!

On my way here today, I expected to meet only one boxer,

and to my great surprise, there's two here!

My friend... [chuckles]

Are you gonna be the champion of Poland, just like your dad?

- I'll be the world champ instead. - [men laughing]

The world... [laughs]

Well alright, in that case, I must ask you for your autograph.

And when you're a star,

I'll only be lucky enough to see you on the television.

[chuckles] Would you be so kind?

[boy] Sure.

[man 3] Oh, thanks a lot, mister. Alright.

Beautiful.

I think I'm gonna frame this. And this is for you.

Thank you.

World champions have to sign a lot of autographs.

[chuckles]

I'm sorry, how can I help you?

Uh...

We came here to congratulate you.

[soft chuckle]

In private.

If that's alright.

[man 3 chuckling softly]

Make yourself at home.

- [Edwin] Czesiek. - [Czesiek] Got it.

[door creaks]

C'mere, honey.

[man 3] I'll put it to you straight. When you go to the Olympics,

when you're fighting the Russians... [continues indistinctly]

For fuck's sake! Understand? Think about it.

Good luck at the Olympic Games.

See you.

[door creaks open]

- Those Warsaw Bastards! - Czesiek!

[Czesiek] What? You gonna let it all go after all these years of hard work?

Family is the most important thing. One day you'll understand.

[Czesiek] Fuck you, princess.

[Edwin] Give me that.

[man 1] That was the last time my father set foot in Czesiek's gym.

♪ This heart has wings... ♪

- One more time... - Go for it.

[man 1] Dad fought the Russkies at the Olympics.

[teens clamoring]

[man 1] He fought and he lost.

[teens chatting and laughing]

- Lost his career too. - [teen] Come on!

Since then, he was a shadow of his former self.

- Boxing. - [grunts] Show me what you got!

- Czesiek. - Come on!

His gym.

[grunts] Jędrzej Czernecki, knockout!

[Jędrzej] Gone with the wind.

- [young Jędrzej] Sorry, Dad. - Sit down.

Sit over there. Move your ass.

You have to study, got it?

You have to fucking study. Got it?

- I know this stuff already. - Yeah? I oughta... You know it?

Yeah? You know it? Then open up another chapter and start reading...

[Jędrzej] Then he found a job as a miner.

And then another one!

[Jędrzej] And he buried me under a mountain of books.

- [coughs] - Education.

[Edwin coughing]

- The only thing he cared about... - [coughing]

...I didn't care about at all.

[teacher] There are three stages of cellular respiration.

Who knows what they are?

[bluesy rock song playing]

How about Czernecki?

The stages of cellular respiration, please.

Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

That is... the proper answer.

Phosphorylation is the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Alright, sit down.

The generated energy creates a proton gradient which is used...

[shouts] Sit down!

[bluesy rock song playing]

[horn honks]

- Uncle? - Jędrzej.

Hop in.

Cheers, kid. Happy birthday.

- Hey, what happened to your hand? - Too much studying.

Christ.

- [coughs] - [laughing]

Come on, show me your hand.

Thanks.

[exhales deeply]

- Ahh... - [Czesiek] Gabi here is a nurse.

Have you got a girlfriend yet?

I don't have time for girls.

Now, you got that right! Women are expensive to maintain.

You gotta feed 'em, water 'em,

twice a day, let 'em off the chain for sex.

- Czesiek! - Nope, you're right.

You can keep 'em on the chain all the time.

- [laughs] - [Gabi] Czesiek!

[both laughing]

What's a birthday without a present?

Here. Hm.

[Czesiek laughing]

Thank you.

Don't let the magazine get covered in chocolate.

Little beast.

And make sure your dad doesn't find it. Got it?

Yes, sir.

[Jędrzej] I loved spending time with my uncle.

[man on TV speaking faintly]

[Jędrzej] Unfortunately, not everyone in the family felt the same way.

[man on TV continues indistinctly]

Where'd you get this?

[breathing shakily]

A friend. At school.

[grunts]

A friend at fucking school? Where did you get it?!

[mother] Edwin! What are you doing to your son?

[Jędrzej panting]

[man on TV] They are suppressing protests.

In general, our strategy is to go there, to the West...

I told you your fucking brother shouldn't be...

- [coughs] - Calm down.

...anywhere near us, right? Didn't I tell you that?!

- Where are you going? - To deal with this issue once and for all.

- [coughs] - Dad!

[coughing] You're fucking staying here.

I'll talk to you when I'm back.

Dad!

[mother] Slow down. Wait, Edwin.

[hacking coughs]

[choking and gasping]

- [mother] Calm down. Breathe. Breathe. - [Edwin gasping]

[Jędrzej] I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was going on with my father...

Take a breath. Calm down.

...was somehow my fault.

- Breathe out. Breathe in. - [hacking]

[Jędrzej] Nothing in those school books was going to explain to me

why my father's lungs had turned black.

[soulful song playing]

That day I managed to convince myself, though, that my father would get better.

END OF SCHOOL YEAR 80/81

I just had to do everything he wanted from me.

[teacher] And the person with the highest GPA in his year...

Jędrzej Czernecki.

["This Heart Has Wings" playing]

♪ This heart, it sings... ♪

[Jędrzej] I'd never run back home that fast before.

[men chattering]

I wanted to show him my grades so he'd finally be proud of me.

[song fades out]

[door creaking]

[breathing shakily]

EDWIN CZERNECKI'S LOST GOLD

EDWIN CZERNECKI'S FAILURE

[mother] It's okay.

Easy...

[breathing shakily]

[somber music plays]

[no audible crying or dialogue]

[Jędrzej] After my father died, I didn't feel like studying anymore.

Hey. I didn't think you'd show up today.

I wanted to forget.

How come?

I wanted life to be fair.

The funeral today, I mean.

- I'm sorry, man. - Shut your mouth.

- What do you mean? - Don't talk about my father.

- My Dad said Edwin was a good... - I said shut up!

But most of all, I wanted to fucking punch someone.

Don't talk about my dad!

[grunts] Fuck you!

[grunting]

[shouting] He was never... a good man!

- [grunts, heavy breaths] - [softly] Hey.

[grunts]

So you just wanna hit someone, huh?

[heavy breaths]

- Are you deaf, princess? - [grunts]

[grunts]

[Czesiek] You wanna fight? Well?

Hit me.

[grunts]

That's all you got?

Hit me.

- Hit me! - Fuck you!

- Hit me! Hit me! - [shouting efforts]

Come on! Hit me!

- Czesiek, please, that's enough! - Sister, trust me.

[grunting]

Hit me!

[groans]

You gonna cry, princess?

[gasping, panting]

[tense music builds]

[shouts]

[upbeat blues song plays]

You wanna hit someone, you gotta learn to do it right.

Wham! Your whole body!

[grunting]

[grunting]

[shouts]

Keep your chin hidden. That's right!

Like a bull!

- Dance! - [grunts]

Dance!

Dance on the grave of any shitstain that stands in your way.

Hit big!

Break 'em! Chin down.

Enjoy it!

Live! Fight!

Fight!

Fight!

["I'm a Hungry Man" playing]

♪ I'm a hungry man ♪

♪ That's what I am ♪

[grunting]

[shouts fiercely]

[panting heavily]

Jędrzej.

You are ready.

[crowd chattering]

[grunts]

- [ref] Stop! - [fan] From the left side!

[camera shutter pops]

[Jędrzej] I guess I wasn't ready.

[sound muffles]

1985 POLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

[ref] One! Two!

[Czesiek] No! Come on!

- Stand the hell up now! - [ref] Four! Five!

- Stand! Stand! - [ref] Six!

Stand!

- [panting] - [crowd clamoring]

[announcer] Czernecki fell onto the ring as if struck by lightning.

But let's not be too cruel.

This is only his first Polish Championship.

You can't blame him for getting pummeled like a child in his first time boxing

in front of thousands.

Seven.

- [sound resumes] - Eight.

Can you continue? Okay.

Box!

[fans shouting]

[grunting]

- Call the fight already! Call it, please! - Sister...

[announcer] My goodness!

What a sequence of extremely powerful blows!

Czernecki is taking them to the body.

- He's barely standing! - [ref] Stop!

Luckily, the referee calls the round, saving Czernecki.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems to me like Czernecki Jr.,

unfortunately, did not inherit his late father Edwin's talent,

God rest his soul.

- That was a perfect... - [Czesiek] Great round.

You're doing great.

All right, all according to plan, huh?

You got it under control. Yeah?

Jędrzej.

Have you seen the tits on that woman in the first row?

- Who? - [Czesiek] There!

[grunts]

And the commentator, Mr. Olympics, Jurek? Does he have a mustache, or is he bald?

- I don't... [grunts] - What are you staring at?

- [grunts, growls] - Your eyes are on the people.

And your opponent is there.

- He's moving wherever he wants! - [grunts] Stop!

Stop fucking...

- [slaps continue] - [Czesiek] Focus!

In Czernecki's corner, his coach is trying to finish what his opponent started.

Cut that shit out!

- Fuckin' stop! Cut it out already. - Why?

Princess, gonna cry?

- Well, are you? - [grunts] Fuck.

Aha. I thought you came here to hit somebody,

and I'm watching you get your ass kicked like a pussy.

- Fuck did you say? Who you calling pussy? - You wanna hit somebody?

- Yes, I fucking do! - Do you?

- Then do it! - Let's go! Yeah, let's go!

[panting fiercely]

[crowd shouting]

- Fight! - [bell dings]

- [panting fiercely] - [grunting]

Looks like Czernecki's received a new injection of strength.

[both grunting]

[tense music builds]

[ref] Stop, stop, stop! That's enough!

- Back to your corner! - [announcer] Knockout! It's incredible!

This is unbelievable!

- [ref speaking indistinctly] - Jędrzej Czernecki is the Polish champion!

The next step is the European Championship in London!

- [crowd chanting] Czernecki! - Well done! Well done, Jędruś!

Well done, Jędrula!

Yeah!

[slow rock music playing]

[all laughing]

[MC] The medals tonight will be given out

by the president of the Polish Boxing Association,

comrade Konstanty Zalewski.

Well done.

Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Congratulations.

[crowd applauding]

[slow jazz music playing]

[utensil clinking on glass]

[Czesiek] To the future Olympic champion.

Today our boy fought like a beast.

He can still lose everything like his father...

- Shut up! - Sit down. Don't take it personally, kid.

No disrespect, but we've got some serious challengers this year.

- Yeah, you're drunk again. - Ah, like you're some kind of saint.

Czesiu, Czesiu...

I was in the Olympics twice. Brought back gold twice.

And what did it get me? I'm commentating shitty tournaments.

- [clattering] - Fuck!

- Look what you done! - What I've done?

- Like father, like son! - [laughter in background]

[slow jazz music continues]

Hi.

What are you reading?

A book.

[Jędrzej chuckles]

That much I've noticed.

Any good?

FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

How about, as practice, let me buy you something organic to drink?

- For instance, vodka. - Oh, that was a joke?

- Yeah, how'd I do? - How do you think?

[Jędrzej chuckles]

- What would you like? - To read in peace.

Ah. And a drink?

- No. - One drink, and I'll be out of your hair.

It seems like you really don't know when to quit.

- Nah. - Mm.

- Nice talking to you. - Hold on. Hold on. Hey.

Hold on. Hold on. One moment.

[breathes deeply]

Ask me anything that you want out of that book,

and if I can't answer correctly, you'll never have to see me again.

Hm.

- How generous of you. - Right? And I'll even pay for your dinner.

And a drink, of course.

It seems like you need one.

Name the three stages of cellular respiration.

[chuckles]

Hm. Pay at the counter, and order me a glass of wine.

Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Maybe I got lucky.

[exhales deeply]

So what's with your face?

This girl at the bar that I talked to had a mean left hook.

[scoffing sigh]

[chuckles] Nah, I was boxing.

The champion of Poland.

- Boxing? - And I won by knockout.

Mm.

- Mm-hm. - Well, congrats.

[soft chuckle]

- "Congrats"? - Mm.

- What is it? - Nothing.

What nothing?

Well... what's the point of boxing?

- The point of boxing? - Mm-hm.

Two brutes just hitting each other in the face.

- One punches the other. - Yeah.

But then gets punched back.

- Rinse and repeat. - [chuckles]

I don't know, seems dull.

Let me tell you, chemistry and boxing have a lot in common.

Like what?

You know, they're equally super dull.

[chuckles]

Then how come you box?

How come you study chemistry?

- I asked you first. - And I asked you second.

I don't know.

So there is something you don't know, Mr. Boxer-Chemist?

[chuckles]

Weren't you supposed to order me a drink?

- You're right. - Mm.

Frania. Wine, please. The dusty one.

[Jędrzej] We promised each other we'd take it slow.

I was supposed to win the Olympics first, and Kasia finish university.

So, of course, three weeks later, we were married.

[guests] Bravo!

[upbeat jazzy music playing]

The honeymoon was like a dream.

Warm.

Sunny.

We've got a right to strike!

We met a lot of fantastic people.

YOU WANT WORK, GIVE US FOOD

There was an endless all-you-can-eat buffet.

And a Thai massage.

We even started building a house.

Brick... by brick.

It was perfect.

- You trying to get killed? - Jędrzej!

[music ends]

Come on.

- Quickly. - Shh.

Pack it, pack it.

- Put your back into it. - You be quiet.

[bricks clattering]

What?

[brick clatters]

[moans softly]

- Come on, someone's gonna notice. - Stay quiet.

[chuckles softly]

- [bricks clattering] - [yelps]

[guard 1] Hello?

- Who's there? - [gasps] Quickly, grab it!

- Stay right there! - [guard 2] There they are!

- [gasps] - [upbeat music plays]

- There! - [guard 2] They're going!

- [guard 1] Stop! - [guard 2] Jurek, grab her!

- There! - There!

[Jędrzej] I didn't know back then that these were the best years of my life.

We had no money, but we were crazy in love.

- [guard 2] Up here! - Nothing could've torn us apart.

[guard 1] I see them!

[Jędrzej] Well... maybe except for death due to my stupidity.

[Kasia screaming]

[upbeat music fades]

This is gonna look amazing.

Okay, give me those bricks.

- Oh jeez, it's so heavy. - Yeah, watch out.

[sighing]

I think we're gonna need more mortar.

But when we're done,

we're gonna sit in it every evening and talk about all the important issues.

What do you think?

Huh?

The bricks. Look.

Mm.

Mm. Yeah.

Looks good.

What's wrong?

- Nothing. Everything's fine. - "Everything's fine." [chuckles]

You know you can tell me what you're thinking.

I'm the Polish champion.

And I've been reduced to stealing bricks to have a bathtub.

[sighs] You know no one can get those anywhere right now.

I know.

I just think we deserve more. I mean, you deserve more.

My husband's a champion.

We have our own apartment that he boxed for.

- Can it get better? - Yes, I think it can.

Come on. Look, in what normal country

is it impossible to buy Christmas ornaments?

You know I love our little tree.

Besides, I can't wait to hang your Olympic medal on top of it.

Right, and then I'll be a commentator on shitty fights.

Jeez, what's your problem, grumpy?

[Jędrzej] We have to leave Poland.

What?

We have to leave the country.

- Are you being serious? - Yes. Very serious.

- Well, how? - Normally.

But I've got studies.

And you've got the Olympics. And my folks...

Did Maria Skłodowska win two Nobels waiting around in Poland? No.

- She went to France. - Mm-hm. So now we've gotta go to France?

No! Not to France... Better!

To England.

- To England? - Yes.

The European Championship is there. You could study at Cambridge or Oxford.

University of London.

Exactly! You'd have a real laboratory.

And I would go professional and make millions there!

- [laughing] - Seriously!

And our kid would bathe in a Jacuzzi!

Not some... makeshift bathtub!

Like real people.

[inhales deeply]

And where would they go to school?

Our child?

What do you mean where? To the best school.

With uniforms, the little buttoned-up suits and everything.

Although if we had a little girl, she'd have to learn how to ride a horse.

Okay, no problem.

We'll put a stable between the swimming pool and the garden maze.

All right, what if our child gets lost in the maze?

Then we'll make a second kid, or a third one, or fourth one.

We'll make an entire school.

BLACK

[Czesiek] What are you doing? Focus!

What's wrong with you today?

Uncle, I've gotta run.

- Stop fucking around, it's only 8:00 p.m. - No. In London with Kasia.

- We'll run from Poland. - [grunts]

Leave the room! Ten-minute break. Come on. Move it!

- Is this a joke? - No.

All these years...

Look at you, you can almost taste it. You could actually be an Olympic champion.

And what? I'm a commentator like that guy? That's all?

And what if I lose? I'm gonna work in a mine until the day I die?

So that's what this is?

- No, come on. - It's your father.

No! This is for me. My life.

I want to make money as a pro. Got it?

- Do you really think your father... - No, we're not talking about my father.

- He didn't lose the Olympics. - We're not talking about my father!

- But you don't know... - I said stop it!

- He didn't lose... - I said fucking stop it!

- [glass shattering] - [shouts in pain]

[breathing shakily]

I'll stay in London whether you help or not.

[panting]

[door creaks open]

[door shuts]

He didn't lose.

[Jędrzej] Very nice.

Hm.

You still want your Jacuzzi?

- Mm-hm. - [soft chuckle]

Then we've made someone a nice present.

Hmm.

[doorbell ringing]

Do you have a plan?

Well, yeah. We get to the hotel in London. We wait until everyone's asleep.

Then we make a run for it and find this legend.

[laughing quietly]

- [Jędrzej] What? - Genius.

What?

Are you absolutely sure that's what you want?

[Jędrzej] Mm-hmm.

Because when you do that, it's booking a one-way ticket.

You'll never be let into a Polish ring.

They'll take away your medals, your freedom. They might even kill you.

And what about Kasia?

She won't finish university.

She won't have a career.

Her friends won't speak to her in the street.

Out of fear.

- We're doing it. - [groans]

- God. Jędrzej, your hand. - Nah, don't worry.

Have you thought about her, Einstein? How's she coming? In your bags?

Don't you know anyone? Any helpful friends? I don't know...

Those people who smuggle in crystals or fox furs.

[laughing quietly]

Kasia is not a fox fur.

Jeez, I hate the sight of blood.

Ugh...

Got it!

What?

I just came up with something.

[vehicle approaching]

- [brakes squeak] - [hand brake clicks]

[Czesiek] Have you got the papers?

Okay.

I've arranged it...

so Gabi is coming with us to the European Championship

as a substitute for the team nurse.

Congratulations.

Jędrzej, be a good boy and shut your trap.

Gabi's not going.

Kasia will go and pretend to be Gabi.

But... but they look nothing alike. Come on.

No, not at all. That's why we switched the pictures.

- Look. - [Jędrzej] But...

Here's your work order to be the nurse. Remember your date of birth.

What good is remembering my birthday when they find out I'm not a real nurse?

- You'll manage. - [chuckles]

Well, lucky for you, the secret police aren't nurses either.

- Show Gabi's passport and work order. - What if they want me to do something?

- Kasia... - I don't know anything about medicine.

I don't know first aid.

- Kasia... - What if somebody starts bleeding...

Get a grip.

You both knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park, right?

Uh, he does that to me daily. Now you see.

If you don't feel up to it, you gotta make a decision right now.

She'll be all right. You got it?

- [Czesiek] Yeah? - You can do it.

Here. Help yourself, please.

Gabi.

- Pack this for them. - [Kasia coughs]

No! Come on. That's a lot of money.

It's just a little change to get you started.

- [Jędrzej] No, stop it. This is a lot... - [Czesiek] Stop your yapping.

Here's an address of a Polack who lives over there.

A friend of a friend of a guy I used to train.

Kasia, you go first. We're right behind you.

- Uh, right now? - Well, when else?

No, I have to go pee.

Oh, for God's sake!

Okay, Jędrzej and I will go first.

You go after.

Give me a hand.

My love. My honey.

My girls. Right, left...

- [Gabi] Czesiek... - ...I'll miss you both.

CITIZENS' MILITIA

[Czesiek] And, most importantly, no one can realize you know each other.

Trela Czeslaw. Trainer. And he's the champ.

Looks right.

- Jędrzej Czernecki. - I know.

Passport, for safekeeping. Security concerns.

We don't want it getting lost now, do we?

Thanks.

[passengers exclaiming]

[indistinct chattering]

What's up, man?

[Jędrzej] My buddies from the Polish national team.

Boxing champions in every weight category.

It's just that most of these idiots couldn't spell their surnames correctly.

- Oh, I think I've fallen in love. - The nation's brightest.

Ah, perfect ass like you see on TV.

But to the commies, we were like a sexy piece of ass in a tight-fitting skirt.

There's a problem.

I don't see your name on the passengers' list, Miss Gabriela.

Oh, well, that's... That's because I'm the nurse.

And I was... I'm the substitute for the nurse.

I mean, I'm also a nurse, but the other one came down with the flu.

They told me on the phone, and I also got this letter.

And they told me to report here right at 7:00 a.m.

Screw the tournament. I'm gonna fuck the nurse.

Hey!

- What? - What?

Uh... you'll have to wait in line, buddy.

[all laughing]

Look at him! Sure, buddy.

Hm.

- My bad. - [soft chuckle]

So, may I go?

Breathe out for me, nurse.

- Do what? - Breathe for me.

- [exhales] - Oh.

You've been drinking.

- No, it's... - It's not even 7:00 a.m.

- It's syrup. - Syrup?

You see, Nurse Gabriela, you don't look to me like the type

who likes a drink first thing in the day.

So I'll ask you, just this one time.

Last chance to be honest.

So what do you need to tell me,

miss nurse?

I mean... I don't even know if I should.

But I'm sure it will come out sooner or later.

It sure will.

How long have you had those dark circles under your eyes?

- Dark circles? - Mm-hm.

To me, it looks like some serious liver problems

and at a really advanced stage.

If I were you, I'd go see a doctor, immediately.

And I mean immediately.

- Mm. - Thank you.

- [man 1] Play it cool. - [man 2] Shh, here she comes.

- Sit down. - [exhales]

[man 3] Show some respect, gentlemen.

Welcome.

[upbeat music playing]

[man 1] Hello.

[chuckles] I'm Krzysztof.

- Hi. - [door shuts]

Please, go ahead.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- You came on as a substitute, right? - Mm-hm.

[doctor] Let's be on our way.

["Straw Dog Strut" by Delta Generators playing]

[Jędrzej] Goodbye, empty store shelves.

Stolen bricks. And Christmas trees without ornaments.

I was heading to a country that would finally respect me.

As soon as we crossed the border,

I felt Czesiek's gym becoming a distant, faded memory.

I didn't cry about it.

The most important thing... was still in front of me.

Hey, hey, hey. We're here, dude!

[laughs]

London, baby!

Hey. Wake up! It's London!

[doctor] So he passes me the trocar, and I look at him and I say,

"Why would I need a trocar if the patient's still alive?"

- [laughing] - [chuckling politely]

I need to pee. When can we get off?

- Again? - Hm?

How far along are you?

Sorry?

You know. How far along, hmm?

I'm not sure.

One minute in London was enough for me to understand

why those two secret police agents were keeping an eye on us.

- Whoa! A Ferrari! - Hey!

And why they took our passports and didn't let us leave the hotel.

- Jacek, come back. - Get inside.

The West was a different world.

Full of promise and opportunities.

[roommate] Oh man, this is incredible!

- Yeah? - Look, Jędrzej.

- Free shampoo. And it's in small bottles. - Yeah, nice.

Know how quick I could sell these? Like that!

- Yeah. - Damn!

[bag zips]

- Mind the doctor. I'll watch the nurse. - Okay.

[roommate] Jędrzej, did you see these towels?

Oh my God!

- Jędrzej! - What?

How many do you think I can take before they realize?

I don't know. How many fit in your bag?

Uh, good point.

Man, too bad I can't take the tub.

I thought a brick tub was cool, but this one's beautiful.

Look, it's marble!

[energetic music playing]

[exhales sharply]

Jędrzej, check it out! Maybe I'll wear this in the ring.

- Sure. Does it have your name on the back? - Uh, maybe.

- Ah, guess not. [chuckles] - What you doing, man?

- Who, me? - Yeah.

I'm going to sleep with the nurse.

Ah. How come you got your bag?

Parachute.

Ah. Okay, cool.

- I'm gonna take a bath. - Sure.

God...

[light clattering]

Oh fuck.

- [quietly] What are you doing? - Shh.

- Are you crazy? - [groans]

Okay.

Listen to me.

Okay. They're guarding the hall, so we gotta go out the window.

- Gotta be kidding. - Trust me, it's the only way.

- I'm not jumping out a window. - You get on my back, grab my neck...

- You weigh about 50 kilos. It'll work. - Listen to me.

You don't understand.

- I can't go out at all. - Shush.

- Jędrzej! - You're only 50 kilos.

- It's the third floor... - Jędrzej, I am pregnant!

[gasps, chuckles]

- Seriously? - Mm-hm.

- No, no... - God, that's incredible.

- It means I can't... I can't do it anymore. - This is... Yes, you can.

- It's all... You can. - No. Czesiek was right.

- What? - Don't you understand?

- We're gonna be caught. - No.

Where am I gonna raise our child, in a cell?

- They can take us away, and that's that. - Stop, Kasia.

Wait a minute... Listen to me.

- Listen to me. - [panting]

Remember when we met? And you asked me why I'm a boxer?

Mm-hm.

It's 'cause boxing is the only happy childhood memory I have.

Look!

See?

[distant ship horn blaring]

The possibilities here... I can see it, and I don't want to lose it.

I want our son to grow up there.

So he doesn't go through what I had to go through, understand?

[breathing shakily]

Okay, but I'm not climbing out a damn window.

[chuckles] Okay. You're not.

- You're not. We'll get out normally. - [chuckling]

All right.

So then... [breathes deeply]

Tomorrow's the championship.

Before every fight, we get 15 minutes alone.

Quarter of an hour, that'll be our moment.

When you hear our name on the speakers, "Czernecki"...

...we sneak out and run as fast as you can for the exit.

POLAND

Hello! Good morning!

[coach] Gotta give me some resistance. He's gonna knock you out

[indistinct overlapping chatter]

Long left.

- How are you? - I couldn't sleep in that hotel.

- They were so loud in the hall. - Are you gonna win or surrender?

I'll still win. When they call me to the ring.

Glad to hear it. Oop!

[doctor] One...

[grunts]

And the other one.

Hello, Doctor.

Oh, hello, gentlemen.

- Can I help you two out? - No need.

I just wanted to let you know that if anything happens,

Władek here will be at your disposal.

I think Nurse Gabriela's help will be more than enough in here. Hmm?

I insist.

The public service department should stick together.

Right, Mr. Kruszelnicki?

"Doctor Kruszelnicki," if you don't mind, Doctor.

- Mm-hmm. - Thank you.

[announcer] The next two fighters ready in five minutes.

[quick percussive music playing]

[exhales deeply]

The future Olympic champion has got to find some peace and quiet to focus.

So, we'd better go.

- [door creaking] - [chattering in hall]

[pensive music playing]

[announcer] James Taylor and Jędrzej Czernecki, get ready.

I can see... you're working hard.

Yes, um, the doctor is preparing the room.

[soft chuckle]

All right.

Just a moment.

Since our last little conversation,

there's one thing on my mind.

My father tirelessly spent his whole life for the Party.

And he made sure to do it all by the book.

Zero cigarettes.

Zero alcohol.

A saint.

And yet on his 60th birthday,

he goes into his bedroom,

goes to sleep, and...

expires.

- And how come you're telling me... - I'm asking you why he died.

I have to know what happened.

And that if you think, in your opinion, it's hereditary.

Just a minute. [soft chuckle]

[announcer] James Taylor and Jędrzej Czernecki, get ready.

We have to test your urine.

- Urine? - Mm-hm.

Right now?

As soon as we can. Your life is on the line.

[clears throat] No problem.

- Get out of the way. - Okay.

- [grunts] - [groans]

[announcer] Czernecki? Jędrzej Czernecki to the ring, please.

Nurse! Nurse! Where are you going now?

Nurse! Come on. Gabi!

We need to do stitches now.

Come on! Grab the suture kit! [claps]

Move it! Move it!

[announcer] Czernecki? Jędrzej Czernecki to the ring, please!

[knocking]

[doorknob rattling]

[energetic music playing]

[clattering at door]

- [rattling] - [glass shatters]

[clattering at door]

- [grunts] - [cracking]

[groaning]

Hey... where is he? Where...

Did he run?

That's impossible!

Fuck!

I can't believe this has happened!

Like father, like son!

You can't trust anyone these days.

Get his ass. Catch him, he's...

Okay...

Catch him, please.

[doctor] Hold on.

There.

And... there.

Until next time, my friend.

- Doctor, I have to go to the restroom. - Yeah, yeah, of course.

I'm looking for Gabriela.

She's here somewhere. Just saw her.

I believe she's in the toilet. How can I help?

I'm giving her this sample for further testing.

- Okay. What is this? - Urine.

Urine?

My urine.

In my favorite glass.

Have you gone crazy?

[energetic music continues]

[both grunt]

Pardon me, miss. I'm sorry.

But since you're here with me...

- I'm Bartosz. - I'm in a hurry.

- Nice to meet you, but... - Okay. Well...

Where's the nurse?

Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?

- Oh fuck. - I'm sure you thought it would be funny.

- Where is she? - To piss in the doctor's mug.

I don't know.

Fuck! [grunts]

[doctor] He pissed right in there.

There! Hey!

Please, miss...

[shouts, panting]

Hey!

Hey! Stop, hey!

- [whimpering] - You!

- [men grunting] - Ah shit!

Jędrzej, come on!

[gate squeaking]

- [music fades] - [indistinct chattering]

- Fuck. - We have to be close by now.

It's all right.

- Okay, give me that! - No!

- Give me that! - No! Ah!

Mm.

What's wrong with your hand?

Um, this girl at the bar had a mean left hook.

- I'm serious. What happened to your hand? - Oh! We'll live in a place like that.

[Kasia] That one?

Too small, I think.

Then we'll build a second wing.

Right there. Us, and Tadeusz.

Let's go.

Tadeusz?

That's nice. [soft chuckle]

- Isn't it over there? - What was the number?

Thirty-one.

Thirty-one. It's here!

[chuckling]

[doorbell chiming]

What if he doesn't live here anymore?

I guess he's out right now.

- What do we do? - I don't know.

[Kasia gasps]

May I help you?

Hi, my name is Kasia, and this is...

I'm the nephew of Czesiek.

Which Czesiek?

Czesiek said you are a friend of a friend.

We came all the way from Poland.

Our Uncle Czesiek runs a boxing club back there.

And he said we might be able to stay with you.

Czesiek? Boxer?

- Yes. - Bytom!

- Yeah! - [all laughing]

Come in, please!

Such a long way! How did you...

From Bytom to London!

How did you do that?

Kasia's running, running. Then Czesiek slams them to the ground.

So we make a break, bolt through the gate, and then we got here.

- What's important is you did it. - That's right.

Except that fucker took our passports.

What if the police stop us and make us show them our ID?

[sighs]

You are no longer in Poland.

Here, in England, whenever there's a problem,

we drink tea.

[both chuckling]

- Well, okay then. - We're very grateful to you, Karol.

Call me Charles.

Mm.

- But I thought that... - I'm English man now.

As soon as I came here to London, I changed my name immediately.

Charles. The neighbor.

- Charles. - [both chuckling]

Well, then I'm Kate now, and you're Jandrew.

Yeah!

Uh, not, not, not Jandrew.

- Andrew. - No, that's...

- Kate and Andrew. - I thought...

- The lovely couple. - Yeah, okay.

[chuckles] Thanks.

- Ah! And to show our gratitude... - Right.

There's no need. And you don't have any money.

No, no, no, no. We do.

- We have something for you. - No, please. I'm not a boxer.

- No! - No, that's not... Look!

See? We have money sewn inside the glove.

- We smuggled it into the country. - Very smart.

- We want to share some with you. - Listen. You need that more than I do.

I'm just glad to have someone under my roof

who I can finally speak about Poland with.

Thanks.

I'll bring you some poultice for the hand.

No, come on. There's really no need for that.

[chuckles]

[chuckling softly]

[Charles] Here we are. Good luck.

- Although I don't think you'll need it. - Thank you.

Thank you for the ride.

[indistinct chattering]

[Jędrzej] Neil McKavanagh's gym.

I had finally found my place in the world.

[chuckles]

Yeah! Check this place out! A lot nicer than Czesiek's shed, huh?

Sorry, can I help you?

- Yes. Uh, yes. - Uh...

- Go. - We'd like to speak with Neil McKavanagh.

Would you? Okay. What you do, if you go bang a left out the door and fuck off.

This is a private session. Thanks.

Were you supposed to be invited here?

- Hey! Give me five... Five minutes. - Yeah, just a second. Please.

- Have you not left yet? Fuck off. - Ah, okay.

Dragged me away from my gym...

Hold on, hold on, hold on. Hey, hey, hey!

Hey, uh...

N... Neil!

Neil McKavanagh?

[Kasia] Sorry!

- Chris, who is this? - I'm sorry, Neil. You need to leave now.

No, no! You see...

- There's a magazine I saw you in. - His name is Jędrzej Czernecki.

- I'm here from Poland. - And he is the Polish champion.

I have a perfect boxing record, and I'm here to be your ace, man!

He wants to be professional champion, and you can represent him.

- You can represent me. - [Kasia] Yes.

Well, I've got all the champions I need at the moment.

But if you'd like to use the equipment,

Chris here will talk you through the monthly rates, yeah?

Is that a normal thing?

Do gyms usually charge their fighters to train here? We're broke!

There must be a misunderstanding. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

Neil! Neil!

Ho! Neil!

Um...

I am a champion. All right?

And... Look, I'm doing you a favor. I could train anywhere.

I'd be your best fighter. Tell him.

My husband's saying you're lucky that he can fight for you.

You lucky I'm here.

[chuckles]

Right. Okay.

Um, come over here.

You see that man over there? In the corner? The big man?

He's the heavyweight champion of Romania, okay?

Now, he's rated number 40 in the WBC rankings.

World Boxing Council ranking.

- I know. - Okay?

So what I'm gonna say to you is this.

Go and win that Olympic gold.

Then we'll talk.

But at the moment, as you can see, I'm very busy.

So there's the door. All right? Thank you.

How come nobody told you there'd be international pros here?

Uh...

I don't know, Jędrzej, is this a bad idea?

Let's just go.

Hey, you're making a big mistake. She can vouch for me.

- Fuck's sake! - Come on, tell him, Kasia! Okay?

You know, I think you're gonna, um...

- You'll regret it. - Yeah.

- You'll regret this. - I'm gonna regret?

- Yes. - [Kasia] Yes.

I slept losers like that Romanian in the first round ten years ago.

I'll fuck him up! Tell him. You've seen it yourself. Come on, say it.

Uh...

- He can, uh... - Destroy!

- ...destroy any of your fighters. - Yes, kill! I can kill.

[Kasia] It's true, he can kill any of your fighters.

I wasn't afraid of the communists. You think I'm scared of some Romanian guy?

Listen! I'll take all your fucking belts, you hear me?

I can take all your belts and fuck up anyone here.

- Anybody, tell him. Fuck everyone up... - Oi!

What about me?

Does the Albanian think he can take me?

[huffs] Roy!

Stay out of this. You've got a fight coming up.

Relax. Where's your sense of charity?

I mean, I've gotta spar, don't I?

- You think you can take me, cunt? - What did he... "Cunt"?

- He's trying to get a rise out of you. - Well, he's brave.

- Mm-hmm. - [boxers laughing]

What? Jędrzej, what about your hand?

- Fuck the hand. Go. - Jędrzej...

- No, please. - Go. Yes.

- But your hand... - Fuck the hand. Go. Go.

- Uh... - Don't embarrass me. Don't embarrass me.

- Go. Go. - [groans]

- [sighs] - Go.

[blues song playing]

[exhales deeply]

There you go, man. You're so fucked.

Sure.

[exhales]

Okay, lads, let's keep it clean as if it was real fight night.

I don't wanna see anything below the belt. Touch gloves and let's get to work.

Albanian fuck don't know what clean is.

[laughter]

Ding, ding.

Box.

Come on, Roy!

- Come on! - Roy!

[clapping and exclaiming]

Come on. Come on, Roy!

[man] Where'd he go?

[Roy] Where'd you go, huh?

Is that all you got? You're better than that.

[grunting]

Free shot! Free shot!

Free shot! Free shot!

- Come on! - Show him, Roy!

Is this your first time?

Come on. Let's see. You can do this.

[all exclaiming]

[man] Roy!

His left is almost as good as his English.

[grunting]

[all exclaiming]

Oh, man, you've got a fucking death wish!

[laughing]

[clapping]

Oh, I think the Albanian is angry.

Let's go.

[blues song picks up]

- [cracking] - [high-pitched ringing]

What the fuck is that?

You all right, son? You all right, yeah?

Come on, let's go.

- [cracking] - [grunting]

[soundscape muffles and resumes]

[grunting]

[grumbling]

You trying to make me cum, eh? Huh?

[grunting]

[cheering]

[man] Get up!

- Get up! - [Roy] Oh, he's getting up.

He's getting up. He wants more.

Get over here.

Let's go.

Okay.

[grunting]

Stop!

Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!

- Stop the fight, please! Please! - Tell him to stay down.

- Jędrzej... - Kasia, get out.

- Kasia, stay outside. - Don't get up.

- Tell him to stay down. - Jędrzej, don't get up.

[Jędrzej] No, no, no.

Get away from him!

- [laughing] - Get away from him!

Get the fuck out.

I guess this makes me the best in Albania! Huh?

Where the women do the fighting.

Why are you in the ring? Why the fuck are you in the ring?

[groaning softly]

Sorry.

[Jędrzej] I told you to stay outside.

Why did you come inside? Why did you get in the ring?

I was worried about you.

- You were hurt, what was I supposed to do? - So what? It's boxing.

Sometimes you're on the ground, sometimes you get up. I almost had them.

- I would've won that. - How, with your hand hurt?

That doesn't matter!

You hear me? I explicitly asked, right?

For you to stay outside. And what did you do? You came inside.

And now I can't go back there. Because you humiliated me, understand?

You just humiliated me

in front of the most important trainers in the whole goddamn country!

[man] Hello?

Sorry to interrupt.

Jackie Boss.

- You don't say? - What can we do for you, Jackie Boss?

He was in there, was there for the whole damn thing.

- What do you want? - Look.

I saw what you did in there just now.

And the way you just took that beating from Roy Barber, of all people.

Fuck, dude.

That? That is talent.

- Is this some kind of joke? - Jędrzej, hear him out.

- Sorry. - Oh.

You... fight... good!

"I fight good," you hear? I fight good.

Okay, he's not a kid. He's just upset, okay?

My apologies.

- Look, can we go? - What do you want?

I look for a very particular kind of boxer. [sniffs]

I find journeymen.

- Huh? - Do you know what that's supposed to...

Journeymen.

In the boxing world, a journeyman is like...

Like a bitch's fat friend.

She's around, she parties.

Hell, maybe some guy even tries to fuck her.

But at the end of the night, she's going home alone. [laughs]

- Get my drift? - What's he saying?

I don't get it. What does this have to do with a fat lady?

- Fuck this. Let's go. - Hey! Let me put it to you this way.

A journeyman

is the guy who gets to fight champions.

Only... he never gets to be one.

You get in the ring with the greats.

And you put up a fucking hell of a fight.

But... at the end of the 12th, when you fall down...

you stay down.

And the best part.

We pay cash.

"Cash." Okay, cash. What do you think?

Mm.

I don't think you're hearing what he's saying.

He wants you to, uh... to lose fights for money here.

[chuckles]

Fuck you, you hear that? Motherfucker.

Was that a no?

- Jędrzej, wait... - Let's go, Kasia!

Hey, listen.

If you change your mind,

give me a call.

Fuck off, I said.

Let's go, Kasia.

Okay, wow.

- Thank you. Sorry. - [chuckling]

[pensive music playing]

- [Kasia] That doesn't mean they'll want... - Okay. Give me a minute.

[breathing heavily]

[breathing shakily]

[whimpers]

Oh, what the fuck?

Jędrzej!

- What? - Jędrzej, come here!

Jędrzej, come here!

- What's wrong? - Look.

Fucking hell.

Oh shit!

- God damn it. - What's going on?

- You tell me what the fuck's going on. - What do you mean?

What the hell is this, huh? What is this?

- Oh no. My God! - What do you mean, "My God"?

- You were robbed. - He's lying right to our faces!

- You piece of shit! - What?

- Where the fuck's our money? - Why the hell would I rob my own home?

Give us back our money, asshole!

Jędrzej! Jędrzej, stop! Remember, our passports?

Remember? We have no passports.

When the police come, who are they gonna believe? They'll arrest you.

Listen to your wife.

You know? For real. Try to use your head, Jędrzej.

Maybe that's a good idea. To give the police a call?

Huh?

We can tell them how I brought you both in, huh?

Under my own roof here, very selflessly.

And... you accuse me of stealing?

- Is that your gratitude? - Go to hell!

- [Kasia] Jędrzej! - [glass breaks]

- [sirens wailing] - I knew something wasn't right there.

You know what's worse? That he's Polish.

Fucking countrymen. We should support each other.

This is why we left Poland. To get away from these motherfuckers.

Jędrzej, please don't.

[orchestral music playing]

[Jędrzej] Kasia was afraid they'd lock us up.

And I was afraid that they'd deport us.

But, in the meantime, we got a taste of a product

which was basically unavailable in communist Poland.

The taste of mercy.

- [laughter] - Living room, playroom.

Although I hope for your sake, you won't have children here.

Let me remind you that any discrimination based on nationality or race

will not be tolerated.

On the left are shared bathrooms and showers.

No guests, no pets. Everyone cleans after themselves.

And here we are.

Now, we do have a strict curfew.

If you're not at the center by 7:00 p.m., you'll be forced to sleep outside.

Thank you for everything.

[man] Sorry, sorry, sorry. Uh...

We wanted to introduce ourselves.

What do they want?

- Trick or treat. [laughs] - Jesus, Jędrzej, be nice.

- They're saying hi. - I'm asking what they want.

I am Yu.

I'm Yu So Wong.

And this is my wife, Uyen Nguyen Wong.

Kasia.

Nice to meet you. This is Jędrzej.

Kasia, you're so beautiful. I notice you right away.

You from Russia?

- Poland. Fuck Russia. - Uh...

P... Poland.

Isn't this place amazing? We've been here eight months.

- Eight? - Yes.

I from Vietnam, me husband China.

But war hate... hate us.

And we, uh... there... dead people.

- Men die in street... - Sayonara.

And we go...

Wha...

- [chuckling] - [couple talking outside]

Jędrzej, I don't want to be here. How long will we stay here?

Six months? Eight?

A year?

- I want to go home. - Hey.

- Hey. - [Kasia sighs]

Kasia.

Hey, don't worry. Don't worry.

How am I supposed to not worry? We cannot raise our child in here.

Kasia. Kasia.

Kasia, this is still the plan, just a little slower, okay?

What, you think there's only one boxing gym in London?

McKavanagh's gonna regret not signing me for the rest of his life.

You'll see. And we'll laugh about it all in a month.

Listen, you're Kate, and I'm Jandrew.

[both chuckle]

- Come here. - Mm.

And this is the last night

that you and I are... just two poor losers from Poland.

Hey.

Everything starts now.

[exhales] We're gonna be all right.

[orchestral music continues]

[man] One.

8 MONTHS LATER

- Two. - [punches landing]

One. Two.

Kurwa.

You punch like a wagina.

First of all, Yu, go fuck yourself.

And it's "pizda," not "wagina."

That left's looking great.

But we've gotta have a talk, son.

You're three months behind on your gym fees.

Yeah, just give me another month, okay?

Yeah, yeah.

One month. And another, and another, and another.

Yeah, but you told me you could set up the fight.

If you did that, I wouldn't be standing here.

Yeah...

It's not that I don't want you here. It's just the way it is.

Ah.

So, can you give me another day? One day?

Okay.

- One day! - Yeah, thanks.

- And keep working the left. It's a winner. - [chuckles] Yeah.

So, this guy is a pizda?

[chuckles] Yeah.

Huge pizda.

- Let's go. - Okay.

- [Jędrzej] My hand was getting better. - Hello, Pasha.

I wish I could say the same about everything else.

- Hello. - Hi.

Czesiek got sent to jail for treason.

My return to Poland was out of the question.

As if that wasn't enough,

some TV skank kept constantly reminding me of that shithead, Roy Barber.

[woman on TV] You became world champ. How does it feel?

It's fucking incredible! I mean, there's no way else I can describe it.

I mean, I'm finally getting what I deserve.

So, do you know what? I wanna thank myself.

I never gave up on myself. I work hard every day.

And I'm what boxing needs. I'm here to entertain.

[Jędrzej] The silver lining were the packages my mom sent me.

SPORT

JĘDRZEJ CZERNECKI: PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER 1

[Yu] Hey, Kasia. You have fajne cycki.

Shame on you. I'll tell your wife. You're gonna get in trouble.

- What did you teach him? - A bit of Polish. Essential words.

How's your day going?

Don't even ask.

Svetlana was late by an hour.

Which means I was late... an hour for the hotel.

- And I had a talk with the manager. - Oi.

God, my feet hurt so much.

- Let me, ma'am. - [groans softly]

[chuckles]

- What's this? - Nothing.

In Poland I'm a star.

And how's my little champion?

Mm... He keeps punching my bladder.

Yeah? A natural-born boxer.

Well, because of his boxing... I had to pee constantly.

Didn't have time for that, though.

Then maybe we should buy you a little potty.

- Or a diaper? - [both chuckle]

- And Tadeusz can inherit it from you. - [both chuckling]

- Very funny. - [chattering in hall]

- And how was your day? - Pretty good.

I'm training. Should book a fight any day now.

I just have to pay the gym fees.

- The gym fees? - Mm-hm. So I'm debt-free.

Mm-hm.

Tell him we don't have any money.

Uh, except we have a bit.

Your money.

- That's money for a flat. - But... But that's what I'm saying.

We pay off the gym, I get a fight, win the fight, and then pay...

You hearing yourself?

I'm nine months pregnant. When are you gonna win a fight?

That's great. Three months left. No worries.

Mm-hm.

I've had enough of your stupid fucking jokes.

How was I supposed to train with a broken hand?

Seems like that hand has been healed for some time now.

How could you know how long a boxer's hand takes to heal?

Oh, wake up already. You're about to be a father with no crib.

Or I don't know... Baby clothes, diaper, anything.

- You want to spend all of our savings? - But I have to keep boxing.

I'm so sick of listening to your fucking bullshit!

"Just another month. I met a guy. He'll set something up for me."

No one is setting up shit for you. Because you mean nothing to these people.

That's why we should go the fuck home. It's over! Your dream is over.

Understand?

Yeah? What should we go back to? We don't have a home.

- Yeah? - If I go back, they'd put me in jail.

- You understand that? - You want money?

- Here you go. Enough? - Stop.

Here, for the young master. Of course!

Young master needs more money. Please!

- What are you doing? - Here you fucking go.

I'll just keep working my fucking butt off at two jobs

without so much as a break to take a...

- [gasps sharply] - [tin clatters]

What's wrong?

Hey, hey. Here, sit down.

- Sit down. What's wrong? Okay, wait. - I don't know, it hurts!

Yu! Uyen! Come here!

- Come on! What's going on? - What happened?

- What do we do? - What is wrong?

- [Jędrzej] I don't know! - Breathe!

- Breathe! - Okay, breathe. What next?

- There will be no mortality! - Okay! What do we do?!

We go hospital!

- Fuck! I know that. Let's go. - No, no. Don't pick me up!

There will be no mortality!

- Breathe! - Take my shoes! Take my shoes! [crying]

[sirens wailing in distance]

[whispers softly]

[kissing]

[baby cooing]

[exhales]

I'm sorry.

[baby cooing]

Listen, I know how much you sacrificed to be here.

But I think we need to go back home now for him.

[baby exclaims]

Yeah. See?

Tadeusz wants to go home, right?

Right.

Tadeusz.

[gentle music playing]

[Kasia] It's gonna be fine.

We're gonna officially apologize.

You're a great boxer.

I'm sure they're gonna want to use your talent.

[woman on TV] And now for a thrilling sports update from Seoul.

In a riveting display of skill and determination,

Polish boxing sensation Krzysztof Nowak has secured victory at the Olympic games.

This adds another chapter to Krzysztof Nowak's legacy,

showcasing the heart and tenacity

that will define him as a force to be reckoned with in the world of boxing.

Congratulations to Krzysztof on his well-deserved triumph.

In other boxing news, Roy Barber...

[Jackie] I look for a very particular kind of boxer. I find journeymen.

And the best part.

We pay cash.

["A Good Thing Going On" plays]

♪ I've got a good thing ♪

♪ A good thing going on ♪

Ah, all right, I'll do it.

Hm.

And just to be sure that we're clear,

you understand what it is we're asking?

Yes.

I would love to hear you say it.

[sighs deeply]

I will fight your guy, and I'm gonna lose.

- [Jackie] Mm-mm. - Eh?

No. No, no, no.

You're not gonna lose. Anybody could fucking lose.

What I want you to do... is to not win.

Mm-hm?

[chuckling] Fuck...

Welcome to England.

[Kasia] Yes, sweetie. Mommy will be back soon.

And be careful.

If he cries, you can hum.

No worries.

He likes the noise.

I'm great with kids.

My sister got already seven.

[singsong] Three of them survived.

Oh my God.

The taxi's here.

Ready?

See ya, champ.

- Wait up. Just one second. - She's gonna be fine.

I know, that's not what I meant. Uyen, could we?

[Uyen] Yes, of course.

JĘDRZEJ CZERNECKI: PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER 1

What? Ah!

Damn.

Just open it, please.

- Oh, wow. [laughs] - [Kasia chuckling]

It's like the movies.

- That's where my blanket went. - [both chuckling]

Oh, cool.

- It fits perfectly. - I measured while you slept.

- Really? - Mm-hm.

Wow.

- This is... - Jędrzej. Mm.

I know what kind of fight it is.

Remember that to me and Tadeusz, you'll always be a champion.

- Mm-hmm. - Hm?

[exhales softly]

Let's go.

We're gonna be late.

Mm.

[door opens]

[muffled crowd noise]

Do you know what you're doing?

100%. There's no problem.

- Yeah. - [door opens]

Jandrew, there's some crazy motherfucker who would seem is looking for you.

All right, pal. Stop fucking yapping.

[solemn music plays]

[Czesiek] Hello, princess.

[chuckles]

- Uncle. - [chuckles]

Fuck. What are you doing here?

- Jędrzej! - Uncle, what are you doing here?

[laughs] What, are you kidding?

You're going professional! I wouldn't have missed it

for all the tightest pussy in the whole wide world.

- [chuckles] - [Jędrzej sighs]

Who's the dwarf?

That's, um...

My name is Yu. Yu So Wong. But you can call me Yu.

- Your trainer? - Nah.

He's helping me tape up and stuff like that. I mean...

Uh-huh. But tell me, who's in your corner?

- Well, he is. - [chuckles]

You call this professional boxing?

Well, no. It's not exactly like that.

- I'll be in your corner. - [chuckles]

- Come on, Uncle. What are you saying? - Enough fucking around.

Jędrzej, come on.

Since I'm here, let me be of use.

I still remember some things.

- And you, Yu. - Yes.

- You can learn something here. Hm... - What happened to your leg?

Hm-hm.

In prison.

I used to jack off too much. And my hip broke.

[chuckles]

Look.

You start here. Wrap the knuckle.

And then the rest, follows like that.

[humming, chuckles]

Enough kidding around.

This guy today...

is not some pussy in the Olympics.

- He's going for the championship. - Uncle.

This is a different kinda fight.

When we fight, we fucking win.

- Blood and glory. - Yes, but...

We get a medal, or we get the morgue.

- You understand me? - Yes. This fight is a little different.

- And... - Stop fucking around.

Fight.

Because you're here for one thing.

You were born to win.

Don't be pizda.

[Jackie] Hey!

Sorry to interrupt whatever the fuck this is that's going on.

But we are ready.

[uplifting music playing]

[announcer] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Good evening, London.

Are you ready to meet tonight's champions?

In the blue corner,

hailing from Bytom, Poland,

Jędrzej

Czernecki!

[Czesiek] You hear that silence? Soak it in.

After tonight, you're never gonna hear it again.

[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, and now his opponent across the ring.

Fighting out of the red corner,

hailing from Cork, Ireland.

With 23 consecutive wins, 18 KOs, and two losses.

Rascal

O'Brian!

[crowd cheering]

[woman] Rascal!

[whistling and cheering]

Boxers, you received my instructions in the dressing room.

Obey my commands at all times.

Protect yourselves at all times.

- Touch gloves. - [woman] Come on!

Good luck to both of you.

[man 1] Come on, Rascal! Go get him!

- [bell dings] - [ref] Box!

[man 2] Come on, come on, come on!

- Hit him! - [man 3] Fuck him up!

[crowd shouting indistinctly]

Come on! Come on!

- [man 1] Rascal! - Come on. Come on, hit me.

[blows landing]

Hit me!

Hit me! Hit me, come on!

[Rascal grunts]

Good. Good.

- What's he doing? - [hesitates]

Come on. Come on.

Come on. [grunting]

Fight!

[Czesiek] Stop provoking him! What are you doing?

- [man 2] Come on, Rascal! - Hit me! Hit me, come on!

- [woman] Get him! - Good! Yeah.

Bullshit.

- Hit me! - [grunting]

[growling]

Good! Is that all you got, pussy?

[grunting]

[grunts fiercely] Come on.

- That's right! - Come on.

- [Jędrzej grunts] - [man 2] Go, go, go! Yes!

- [crowd shouting] - [bell dings]

[ref] Stop!

- To your corners! - [man 1] Come on.

[woman] Come on! Come on!

[man 4] Don't be a pussy! Don't be a woman, man!

Breathe. One, two, three, four.

What are you doing, kid? Are your feet working?

Want him to knock you out? He will if you don't start moving.

Stay a step ahead. His left side's way open.

[announcer] Round two!

It's not a circus, so stop clowning around. Box.

- [woman] I love you! Come on, Rascal! - [bell dings]

[ref] Box!

- Hit me! - [man 3] Get him! Go on! Fuck him up!

- [soundscape muffles] - [grunting]

[soundscape resumes]

- [man 2] Rascal! - Yeah!

[grunting]

[grunts]

[crowd cheering]

[man 1] Drop him!

See? That's what I'm fucking talking about!

- [somber music playing] - [soundscape slows]

[ref] One!

Two!

Get up!

[ref] Three!

Four!

[no audible dialogue or cheering]

Five!

[no audible reactions]

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

- [soundscape resumes] - Ready?

- [crowd clapping] - [ref] Box!

[soundscape slows and muffles]

[Czesiek] Fight!

Because you're here for one thing.

You were born to win

[soundscape resumes and slows again]

[man 5] Yeah! Fuck him up!

[both grunting]

That's right!

[grunting fiercely]

Down!

To the corner!

Yeah! Yeah!

- [ref] Four! - Get the fuck up!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

- Nine! - [man 1] Come on, Rascal!

Are you ready?

- [man 1] You can do it! - [man 2] Rascal!

[man 1] Come on!

- [both grunting] - [crowd exclaiming]

[grunting]

- [grunts sharply] - [bell dings]

[ref] To the corner!

You knocked him around. Keep going.

- He dropped his left. - The fuck was that?

What the fuck are you doing?

- The fuck is he? - Jędrzej, you're freaking me out, man.

- What? - Everything's good.

- [Jackie] "Everything is good"? - Keep hitting hard. You're connecting.

You're makin' him look like a palooka, shifting his stance.

I cannot understand what the fuck you're saying.

Can you please, please, speak English?

Oh sure, yeah. Champ go bam, bam, bam!

- Champ! - Not fucking English! Fuck!

- [announcer] Round three! - Do what I'm fucking paying you to do!

Don't you fucking wink at me, motherfucker!

I know that wink!

That is the wink of a motherfucker!

- [bell dings] - Fuck!

[up-tempo soft rock music playing]

Hey! If he costs me this fucking fight,

it will be both of you, fucking both of you!

You hear me?

Hey! Do something about it, okay. You fucking understand me?

Make your boy fucking lose.

Lose! You so fucking stupid you can't understand me?

You dumb drunk motherfucker!

Tell your fucking boy to lose! Fuck!

[grunts]

[grunting fiercely]

- Out! It's over! - [bell dings]

Yes! Yes!

Jędrzej!

- [panting] - [crowd clapping]

I'm staying here, you fuckers! I'm staying.

[panting]

[soft rock music continues slowly]

That's how you do it! Best debut ever!

- The champion of Europe! - [laughing]

That's right, Jędrzej. [laughs]

You went down, but I knew you would...

- What the fuck did you just do? - Jackie, relax. Everything is cool.

What did you do? Hm?

You fucked me!

- Why is he screaming? - Whoa. Relax, bro. Just sit down, okay?

Don't come in! Don't just...

Incredible fight there.

Finally, somebody who gets it.

You beat him like you had hammers for fists.

Bam, bam, bow!

- Bow! Bow! - [chuckling]

[chuckling] Bow!

Just tell me...

Why did your Kasia seem so miserable? Or, I don't know, scared?

K... Kasia?

Yeah, your Kasia.

Well... I'm sure she wasn't scared.

What? What are you saying?

I saw it myself. She was sitting right in front of me.

Looking at me like I was some kinda goddamn fairy tale monster.

[laughing]

Fuck... Oh fuck... [laughs]

Seriously.

If you don't trust me, ask Jackie.

Jackie.

Wasn't Kasia afraid? Hm?

Yeah, she was terrified.

[snaps fingers]

- Maybe because they know you promised... - Nicky, I'm telling you...

Sit down! Sit down.

Sit down.

[laughing]

Fuck.

If you don't remember, Jackie here promised me

you'd go down in the second round.

And you did go down in the second round.

So, I get up, and I start leaving.

I had a perfect evening planned out.

Friends, girlfriends.

For dinner, a beautiful, juicy, fresh lobster.

Perfect!

And to my surprise, you get back up.

- Why wouldn't he get up when I told him? - Hey, hey, hey.

Ah, shit. [snaps]

What was the name of the guy who died,

and came back to life? Hm?

Jackie!

Who died...

and came back from the dead?

Jesus?

Yeah! Jesus!

That's it.

Jesus.

[laughing]

If I'd ever listened to my daddy, I'd have known.

But then I'd still be in Poland in shit-stained rubber boots.

And now I'm in leather oxfords.

So I come back to see the balls

on the tough guy who's trying to fuck it up for me.

And imagine my shock when it turns out that this other fighter...

Well, he's not just some...

[splutters]...tough guy.

He's a fucking kid from Bytom, who not only doesn't have a job,

he doesn't have a passport,

all he's really got is his little son Tadeusz...

- Hey... - Hold on.

Living in some flea-ridden immigration center.

And that kid from Byton just took out his Polish dick and fucked me.

You fucked me, understand?

You screwed me.

Know how much I lost because of you?

Do you?

Five years. Five fucking years I've built a strong career for O'Brian.

Brick by brick, day after day.

Five years!

And that kid from Bytom

came to my place and fucked it all up in one night.

Maybe you should've put the bricks to better use somewhere.

- What did you say? - I didn't come here to lose.

- I came here to be world champion. - Uh-huh.

And my son will be wearing oxfords too.

[soft chuckle]

[wheezing laugh]

Fuck.

Bow! Bow! Bow!

He's got some fucking balls.

Seriously, you've got a fucking set.

[laughs]

Okay.

Let's see what comes of this.

[snapping]

[spits]

[soft music playing]

What's that?

- [siren whoops] - [indistinct radio chatter]

[woman] Oh my God. Rascal! Rascal! Oh my God. Where are you taking him?

- [EMT] Try and calm down. - What's gonna happen to him?

Is he gonna be okay? Rascal! Oh my God.

We're taking him to St. Leonard's Hospital.

Okay? You can meet us there.

- [boy] What's gonna happen to Daddy? - [EMT] Once X-rayed, we'll know more.

[woman] Okay. Okay

- [siren wailing] - Go.

- What? - Go!

Okay.

[Kasia] Move aside! My husband's in there!

- Wow! - [Kasia] Let me in!

I think it's Kasia.

Yeah. Kasia must be... uh...

I'd say she's scared.

- [Yu] I protest against your decision. - [Kasia] Get out of the way.

[guard] Step back!

- Get out of my way. - [door opens]

- Jędrzej! - Easy, easy, easy.

- Jędrzej! Is everything okay? - Better than okay. I signed a contract.

- What? - That's Nicky.

What contract? Wait, that's a bad man.

Do not sign any contract with him, I'm telling you. Please, honey.

[chuckles] Didn't I tell you?

Didn't I tell you? [laughs]

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. - [Nicky] Kasia.

No worries at all.

You have nothing to apologize for.

Going forward, we're family. Call me Nikodem.

- Kasia. - Welcome to the family, Nikodem.

- Call me Czesiu. [laughs] - Okay, that's enough business for today.

[clears throat]

Go have some fun.

[bluesy guitar and harmonica playing]

- Thank you. - Enjoy!

[Jędrzej] Don King said once in an interview

that true warriors should fight, not read contracts.

- [Czesiek] Bye, Nikodem! - Congratulations!

Things like that seem dumb, until you meet someone with charisma like Nicky.

Hi, it's your champion daddy.

Mommy wouldn't believe me.

She said my dream was over.

And my dream isn't over. This is just the beginning. You'll see.

Your name will be known all around the world.

Yeah. But first, we need to make a professional out of you.

What?

Well, you haven't been taking care of yourself here, fatso.

- We start serious training tomorrow. - Okay. Tadeusz needs to meet his grandpa.

Princess, stop with the grandpa thing.

I came here to get some English pussy, not...

Hold your grandson.

Such a little thing.

Oh, look at you. Such a little thing.

[Jędrzej] I often go back to that night.

He'll have a strong left.

[Jędrzej] We were like a happy family.

All the social worker needed was one look at Czesiek's leg.

- And Uncle stayed with us. - So precious, isn't he?

[Jędrzej] And the next morning, we were already at Nicky's gym.

- So? - Almost like Górnik in Sosnowiec.

- Yeah! - Except the boxers look more tanned.

[both laughing]

[Nicky] Oh!

Here they are.

- Jędrzej. - Good to see you.

Ah.

- And Czesiek. - Ah, bring it in! [grunts]

Huh.

Could you tell me exactly what he's doing here?

- Uh, Czesiek? - Yes, Czesiek.

Well, why not?

What I'm saying is, last night, um...

if my memory serves me, we signed a contract.

And Czesiek was not part of that deal.

Well, he... Czesiek's my trainer. Without him, I wouldn't be here.

Long punches. Long punches. And legs.

- Fuck off, mate. - Okay.

Nice moves. Nice moves, bud.

Czesiek has to be in my corner.

You see, that's the thing here, the corner isn't yours...

It's my corner now.

And if you want to fight for me,

I decide who'll be in that corner. Okay?

You understand.

Ah, shit.

Hey there.

So, are you the trainer of that fighter from yesterday? The tall one?

Huh? The one Jędrzej... slept, huh?

Let me work.

Yeah, yeah. Jędrzej and I will have a lot of training to do.

- Stop by sometime, you can learn. - Czesiek.

Pierre.

- Uh, this is Jędrzej. - Hello. Nice to meet you.

- This is your new coach. - Nice to meet you.

Good luck.

Gentlemen, stop screwing around. Jędrzej, get loose.

Can you give us a second?

Yeah.

Uncle.

[Nicky] Come on.

So, uh, the thing is that...

- Nicky says it's supposed to be teamwork. - And?

And he said that Pierre is like his right hand.

And we need to listen to him.

[scoffs] What? Listen? What do you mean, listen?

I... I mean, like... It's just that he'll be my official coach.

That... That frog bastard?

- He's horrible, he doesn't know shit. - Shh!

He's supposed to train you? - What can I do? Nicky's making it happen.

But don't worry. In the end, nothing changes.

How's it gonna work?

Well, you'll still be...

at the training, keeping watch, making notes. And just...

End of the day, we'll still work together, just not at official training sessions.

Will that be okay?

[scoffs, sniffs]

Of course it's okay.

Of course.

You will always be my Jędrzej.

And not some... Jandrew.

Let's do this.

- Let's go. - Pierre!

["Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival playing]

[Pierre] Okay, step into the ring.

- Yeah. - Legs closer.

[Jędrzej] For Czesiek and Pierre, it was not love at first sight.

No, shut up!

When Hitler rolled in, I remember the French being a lot quieter.

What? The French what?

- What? - What?

[speaking indistinctly]

[Jędrzej] But at least Jackie was working hard at finding me the right competitors.

[bell dings]

[ref] Box!

[Jędrzej] This time, he'd made sure everything went smoothly.

[grunts]

[crowd cheering]

[Jędrzej] Maybe even too smoothly.

They will rue the day the Polack stepped off the boat!

[chanting] Polack!

[Jędrzej] From that point on, I was known as...

[chuckles] What else?

- The Polack. - [exclaiming happily]

[laughing]

["Fortunate Son" continues playing]

Nicky pulled some strings to get me papers.

[man on TV] Today, it's with pride that I can declare...

that a wind of great change is blowing.

[Jędrzej] When the Berlin Wall fell,

I started seeing more and more people from my homeland at my matches.

♪ It ain't me I ain't no military son... ♪

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Fuck him up!

Leave my son alone! Leave my son alone!

[grunting]

[laughing]

Hey! Hey!

[all laughing]

[Czesiek] What are you doing?

- [song ends] - Ooh, yes! Great!

It's fucking great! You're fucking killing it, baby!

[up-tempo rock music playing]

Sonny, they're writing about you.

[Jędrzej laughs]

- So, see you at the gym, eh? - Of course.

- We'll get you out of here soon. - Sure. No problem

[commentator] Jędrzej is really pummeling him. He's pummeling...

He's hit him! He's hit and he's through the ropes!

He's out! He's out on the table. On the commentators' table!

[fading] This is amazing! It's never happened before.

[up-tempo rock music continues]

[Jędrzej] I finally fulfilled my promise.

You see this?

[rock music fades out slowly]

- [breathily] Wow! - [Kasia chuckles]

Tadeusz!

Your parents finally have their dream bedroom.

And here's the Jacuzzi for Mommy. Actually, for Mommy and Daddy.

Isn't it weird this guy would give us a house?

[quietly] God damn.

Nicky is old school.

For him, being his countrymen is like being family. You know?

Karol was our countryman.

[scoffs, smacks lips]

Karol was a cunty man.

- Tadeusz. - [fussing]

Let's go. Come on. Let's go. Let's go find your bedroom, my friend.

We're off. We're going to your room. No one's gonna complain there.

- Then everything will be happy and fun. - [Kasia sighs]

[crowd shouting and clapping]

[overlapping chatter]

3 YEARS LATER

- [Pierre] Palms up! - Hey!

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

[man] Come on, Jędrzej!

[huffing]

[grunts fiercely]

[Pierre] Yes! Bravo!

Get the fuck up!

- [bell dings] - Get the fuck... Fucking hell.

[fan whooping]

Get the fuck up! For fuck's sake.

[Pierre] Calm down.

- Come on. - Look at this.

Nicky, what the fuck? Can't you get me a normal opponent?

I wanna fight Barber, not some lame-asses.

[heavy rock music plays]

[announcer] And now, ladies and gentlemen!

Tonight's contender for the world championship belt of the WBA!

With 27 wins, 0 losses, and 18 knockouts.

Please welcome to the ring,

Roy Barber!

[crowd chanting] Barber! Barber! Barber!

Jędrzej... Come on. Let's go.

- [chanting continues] - [rock music ends]

He put up a good fight, as you can see.

But I knew pretty quick how it was gonna go.

Some people are saying that you always know how it's gonna go.

Isn't it true that you only fight opponents arranged by Jackie Boss?

[cameras clicking]

Jędrzej... would you like me to repeat the question?

Or maybe you need me to ask you in Polish?

[man] Hey, it's Barber! It's Barber!

- [all clamoring] - [man] Congratulations, man!

[somber music playing]

[man 1] Congratulations, man!

[man 2] How's it feel to hold three titles?

- Inevitable. Next. - [man 3] Quick question. Is it true...

Look. Look at those trainers and managers,

assistants and fuck knows what else.

That's not boxing.

That's... That's... a circus full of clowns.

If your father were alive, he'd have killed them with one look.

Could you just shut the fuck up for once?

What?

If I hear you talk about Poland or the good old fucking times again,

I'm gonna fucking smash my head in.

Fucking what? Look at yourself.

You look like a fucking hobo straight off the street.

You lived in this country for four years, and you're still completely clueless.

It's pathetic. All you do is just whine and drink from that fucking flask.

- Without me, you... - What are you gonna say?

- Huh? - Say it.

- Well, if I... - I what?

- If I... - All that vodka making it hard to speak?

- Stop! That's Czesiek! - We can talk tomorrow...

Fuck no! We won't talk tomorrow.

Or in a million fucking years. You got that?

- Jędrzej... - I don't fucking need you. I never did.

I don't need your endless rambling, all that old world condescending bullshit.

You never were my coach, and you never will be my coach.

- You understand? - [Kasia] Jędrzej!

Carry on, everyone.

That's just how, uh, Albanians talk.

[group laughing]

- Hey. This is a private party... - Oh, here he is. Huh?

[grunts]

- What now, you fuck? - Motherfucker!

- Hey! - [Jędrzej] It's fucking Poland!

- Not Albania. - [Roy] Don't fucking touch him!

- [Jędrzej] This is your fucking champ? - [Neil] Keep back!

[Jędrzej] He's a fucking fake! Like everything in this fucking country!

Your championship, your fucking fighters, and your fucking belt!

- Everything is fucking fake! - Wanna fucking cheap-shot me like that?

Huh? I fucking dealt with you before.

I'll deal with you again.

And this time, your bitch-ass wife won't be there to fucking save you!

- Fuck you! - Oh, shit.

[laughing]

I've dealt with you before! I'll deal with you again, motherfucker!

Whoa, wait! Am I getting this right? You challenging the Polack to the title?

Fucking right, bitch!

Oh, yeah!

This is a process!

It's an institution.

One that this kid has no regard for!

[huffs] You can't just walk in here off the street.

You know? We have rules!

[Nicky] Neil. Neil!

Hello!

I know that you need a member's card for cricket.

But for boxing?

[group laughing]

We accept your challenge in good faith.

- [camera flash pops] - [chuckling]

Now... fuck off!

- [reporters clamoring] - I'm gonna put you in the ground!

[door shuts]

[slow piano song playing]

Mm.

You're gonna be great.

♪ If you come to my room ♪

What's that?

Your ticket to paradise.

♪ Come to my room ♪

♪ Time to loosen up your hips ♪

♪ Come to my room, baby ♪

- Thank you. - [door shuts]

♪ If you come to my room ♪

- [exhales deeply] - ♪ You'll hear the closing door ♪

♪ Once you're in my room... ♪

What's that about?

What?

Well, that chick was in the men's bathroom.

Ah...

Journalists. Let's go.

- ["This Heart Has Wings" playing] - ♪ This heart has wings ♪

I don't have children.

At least not that I'm aware of... any children.

[chuckling]

[Nicky] Someone who could continue my legacy.

But tonight, I realized something.

I understood that when I get to the end of the road,

I will not regret the years I've lost.

I'll be happy and fulfilled because my protégé,

my champion,

the son I never had, will achieve all of his wildest dreams.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Cheers, champion.

[man] Just wanna talk to him.

- I just wanna talk. - Rascal, I'm not gonna ask you again...

Come on, Nicky.

- All I'm asking for is what's mine. - Rascal, please...

No! I'm not leaving until you fucking answer me, Nicky!

My family are fucking starving, Nicky. You've got no right keeping everything!

[sighs] Okay. I need you to go.

- Hands off. - Come on. Leave.

- You need to leave. - [Rascal] I fucking trusted you, Nicky!

- [Jędrzej] Yeah. - I fucking trusted you, Nicky!

- Okay. Just go. - You think you're special?

Just watch.

- He's a fucking snake! - Go!

- I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. - [Rascal] He's a fucking snake!

[Jackie] God, he looks fucking terrible.

[laughing]

Thank you.

- [sighs] - [Jackie laughing]

It breaks my heart. I sacrificed so much for him.

But apparently, some people just can't be helped.

I assume he also didn't read the contract.

Hey. Hey.

[Nicky] Kasia, hold on. Believe me, okay?

I wouldn't be where I am today

if I didn't honor my obligations, I assure you.

Are we all really going to pretend that what just happened was perfectly normal?

That guy came out of nowhere while we're having a nice dinner.

Maybe if you don't want any unexpected guests,

you shouldn't give them a reason to show up.

- And why are you answering for him? - What?

Kasia, believe me, it's not a great feeling.

To let go of... your finest fighters.

That's the worst part of our job.

Fortunately, your husband is very talented.

[laughing hysterically]

Uh, listen, Nicky. Thank you for dinner. I think we're just gonna go home.

Yes. Yes, let's go home. I was just gonna ask, is it even our home?

- Hey! - [chair scrapes]

Listen, I just wonder sometimes if we're sleeping in our own home.

- Let's go. Right now. - [chuckles]

Yes, champion.

I'm sorry.

I'll see you at eight for training. We'll talk about the fight.

- [Jędrzej] Yes, I'm sorry. - Good evening, Kasia.

[song fades out]

- Are you fucking nuts? - What do you mean?

You know perfectly well what I mean. You offended Nicky.

- What is wrong with you, huh? - I don't trust him.

Well, that's a problem! Because he gave us everything.

- He let me fight... Go! - [horn honks]

He let me fight! Took you out of the fucking immigrant center!

And you decide to make a scene?

At his restaurant? In front of all of his friends?

- Are you really this blind? - I'm blind? You'd better look at yourself.

You have a home. You've got a car. A brand-new car. You have furs.

You've got a husband who's gonna fight to be the world champion.

All thanks to this man.

But no, it's still not enough. It's never enough for you!

- He did the same for Rascal. - Rascal! This is my evening, understand?

Not Rascal's! Or... or Barber's.

Or Czesiek's.

You...

Go fuck yourself.

Jędrzej, he came to England to be with you.

- To help you. - And he wasn't fucking helping at all.

But it's Czesiek! What's going on with you?

What's going on with me? I'm gonna be the best boxer in history, understand?

No. You don't understand. You didn't understand from the start.

Remember The Legends? Remember? I asked you to stay outside.

But no, you had to fucking waltz right in

and humiliate me in front of all the best coaches in this entire country.

And when Tadeusz was born, you tried to manipulate me to go back to Poland.

And when Nicky gave me a contract, you said he was evil.

And you know why? I can tell you why. Because you don't fucking believe in me.

- I don't believe in you? - You said it to me, "Your dream is over."

- I wasn't there for you? - No! You never were.

- I wasn't there? - No, you weren't.

I worked my fucking ass at two jobs in a foreign country

so you could keep punching a fucking bag.

And if you forgot, I left university for you.

I left my parents for you. And I fucking ran from Poland for you.

- And where's my London University, huh? - Come the fuck on!

- Where's my laboratory? - Come on!

So don't tell me I don't believe in you. Because so far, it's all been for you.

It's nice that we're finally being honest.

So it wasn't for you, it's not for Tadeusz or for us.

- It's just for me. - [keys hit ground]

That is not what I said.

Where are you going?

- Jędrzej! - Shit!

- [haunting slow song playing] - ♪ My boy, my boy ♪

♪ Where will you go? ♪

God damn it.

♪ I'm going where the cold wind blows ♪

♪ In the pines, in the pines ♪

♪ Where the sun don't ever shine ♪

♪ I'd shiver the whole night through ♪

♪ My boy, my boy ♪

♪ Don't lie to me ♪

♪ Tell me where Did you sleep last night? ♪

♪ In the pines, in the pines ♪

♪ Where the sun don't ever shine ♪

♪ I'd shiver the whole night through ♪

♪ My boy, my boy ♪

♪ Don't lie to me ♪

♪ Tell me where Did you sleep last night? ♪

♪ Tell me where Did you sleep last night? ♪

♪ In the pines, in the pines ♪

♪ Where the sun don't ever shine ♪

♪ I'd shiver the whole night through ♪

[overlapping training noises]

[Kasia] Jędrzej.

What... What are you doing here?

I was scared when...

Sorry, maybe... could you fuck off?

I was worried something had happened when you didn't get home.

Oh, well, all right... like what?

Well, I don't know. It's just, you always come home.

Oh, nah...

I went to see Czesiek.

Mm-hm.

- Czesiek? - Yes. Um...

I wanted to see how he was doing. If everything's okay.

- Is it? - Oh, you know Czesiek. He's... He's tough.

- [chuckles] - Mm.

Right.

It's good that you two are talking.

[exhales deeply] Uh...

[clears throat]

I also want to apologize for last night.

I know you've got a lot on your mind now.

I'd just like you to feel that I'm always supporting you.

It's just that... yesterday I snapped and I...

I don't know.

- The last six years have been hard on me. - Jesus. We're at six years?

Well, yes. On Thursday, it's six years exactly

since the day... you bothered me in the bar.

[both chuckle]

Listen, um, maybe we could do it like the good old days?

You're angry at me. The timing is perfect.

[both laugh]

Instead of white wine, we'll drink Guinness.

- Mm. - So? How about Thursday night, then?

Um...

Thursday is Tadeusz's birthday.

- Oh cool. - We could combine it.

Yeah. That's what I'm saying.

- So should we throw a big party? - It could be a little one.

Yeah, let's get a big cake, there'll be a bunch of food, a ton of gifts.

We'll set off fireworks for all of London.

- Fireworks? - [Nicky] Kasia!

Kasieńka! What are you doing here?

- Nicky! Hi. - [Nicky] Hi.

[laughing]

I didn't know you'd grace us with your presence today.

[kissing]

You look wonderful. [chuckles]

- Thank you. - Look at this one.

He's got a chance to compete for the world title.

And what does he do?

- He's late for training. [laughs] - I think that's my fault.

Don't apologize, Kasia. Don't apologize.

Family comes first. You know I've always said that.

Yes.

Uh...

- I've gotta go train. - Yeah, I'm gonna go as well.

- Bye. I love you. - I love you too.

- [both] See ya. - [Kasia] Bye.

Listen, the business with the Barber fight has been getting wide publicity.

[clears throat]

If I want to hype up the fight, you know I'm gonna have a lot of strings to pull.

But... one of them is key.

I just got off the phone with Eva. The journalist, you know her.

Nice piece of ass.

[chuckles]

She wants to do a live interview with you, on Thursday, in prime time.

[exclaims emphatically]

- What? It's badass, huh? - Not badass.

- What's wrong? - What time?

- Is there a problem? - No. It's just, what time is it at?

- At the time I fucking tell you. - Yeah, but it's Tadeusz's birthday.

We're throwing a party, and you're obviously invited...

Man. Man, hey!

You're talking about this like you're still in Poland, huh?

Why choose one if you could have it all?

You'll do the interview, and I'll keep an eye on the party for you.

You'll join us after the recording.

No one's even gonna know you were a little bit late. [chuckles]

- Huh? - Okay, okay, okay, okay.

- Yeah. - You're right.

One more thing.

Listen.

Fucking hell, man.

[sportscasting music plays]

[woman] It's starting!

[children chattering]

[Tadeusz] I'm back!

Tadeusz?

Yeah, I'm coming.

Please, that's enough.

I'm Eva Haze, and I'm sitting with the future boxing world champion,

Jędrzej Czernecki, who escaped from communist Poland...

- [Nicky] Tadeusz, Dad's on TV. - ...dreams of boxing stardom.

Thanks for coming on the show, Jędrzej.

Thanks... for having me here.

- Uh, that's, uh... very... very nice... - [Eva] Jędrzej.

Uh...

Oh yeah. Sorry.

It's a big opportunity for me to be here.

As you know, as a boxer, you have to come to the show like this...

- Tadeusz, you'll hurt your eyes. - Hey, it's my birthday!

- ...to be more famous, something like that. - Yeah. Jędrzej?

- Do you miss it? - What?

- Do you miss fighting in Poland? - [scoffs] Fuck no.

- [laughter] - Ah, shit. I'm sorry. I can't say "shit."

- It's okay. It's okay. - I'm sorry. Uh, yeah.

At least we know your English is good.

Right?

- [Jędrzej] Thanks to you. - What do you mean?

You know, when I came here to... to England,

I didn't know any words in this language, of course.

And, uh, I ended up... I ended up in an immigration center.

And nobody speaks English there, so I have to have a translator guy.

And, you know, that wasn't simple. That was tough. And...

- [interview audio fades out] - [gentle music playing]

[no audible dialogue]

[Nicky chuckling]

Tadeusz, Dad's just being silly. Don't worry.

[Eva] Guys, that was Jędrzej Czernecki, our future world champion.

[gentle music fades out]

That was fucking awesome.

Yeah. Even the camera guy was laughing his ass off. [chuckles]

The camera guy? All of England was laughing.

You're pretty good at this. You're good on screen.

Serious?

I don't know, I... I... Seriously?

What's this?

You can't come dressed like an accountant.

- Wait, where exactly? - To the fucking party of the year.

- To... Today? - Yeah.

Uh... [sighs]

I can't. I've got a... a birthday thing, for my son.

Jędrzej.

You've gotta understand something.

The only thing that matters are your connections.

And everyone you need to know will be at that party.

- You're lucky to be invited. - Mm-hm.

Of course, that's if you care about getting to the top.

But okay. Maybe next time, I guess.

[music plays featuring panting breaths]

[house music playing]

Hi!

Hey!

[indistinct chattering]

Meet Jędrzej Czernecki, he's a boxer.

Hi!

[laughs] Oh! Malcolm!

Jędrzej.

- Cheers! - Cheers!

Ah!

[music fades]

- [Tadeusz] Shoes! - [Kasia gasps]

- They're so cute! - Whoa.

Tadeusz. Oxfords. From the best shoemaker in London.

- For you. - Yeah!

- Thank you, Nicky, right? - Yeah. Thank you.

- [Nicky] You're welcome. - So? How about another one?

- Here you go. - [girl] Wonder what it is.

- Who gave this one - Mm, you'll have to find out.

[all exclaiming]

- Another set of boxing gloves, huh? - You don't have yellow ones yet.

- When is Dad getting here? - [boy] Can I have such gloves?

Uh, I think he'll... get here for the fireworks, honey.

[girl] Did she just say fireworks?

- Are you positive? - I'm positive.

Because earlier you said he'd be here for the presents,

and now you say he'll be here for the fireworks.

- Honey... - [girl] Can he open another present?

How about another present?

- [girl 1] How much does he have? - [girl 2] I have this one at home.

[sensual pulsing music builds slowly]

[cell phone ringing]

Hey, wait.

- Oh, fuck. - What? Your wife's calling?

- Mm-hm. - Then pick up. Maybe she's worried.

- I think I've gotta, um... - How about I answer?

- No! Stop! No, Eva. - Yeah? I'm just gonna say hi.

No, no, no, no. Are you fucking nuts?

[laughing]

Uh... Uh...

- [Kasia] Jędrzej? - Uh, hello?

- Hi. - Hello? Yes. Hello.

Will you be here?

Um, yeah, I'm there. I'm there. I'm there.

Um...

The producers of the show invited me for a drink.

They said that it's their tradition. So...

You know how it is.

Just gotta say hi to everyone. Chat a bit. It's all a bit...

It just takes time. Takes time.

Um...

Listen, I tried setting off the fireworks.

It's just, Tadeusz said that only Dad's supposed to do that.

Mm-hm.

- Hel... Hello? Jędrzej? - [soft moaning]

- What? Um... - [soft moaning]

- I'll make it all up to him. - Mm-hm.

You know, he keeps asking about you, and... [sighs]

I just don't know what to tell him.

I know, but it's not his last... It's not his last birthday, is it?

He's gonna have more birthdays.

He'll have time to forgive me, and time to forget.

Jędrzej, your boy needs you.

[panting]

Shit.

Okay, I gotta go.

[sensual pulsing music playing over phone]

Be careful.

And take care of yourself.

Mm-hm.

[Eva] Are you going or staying?

[panting]

[moaning, laughs softly]

- ♪ Vertigo ♪ - [music ends]

[dial tone beeping]

[Czesiek] The party... is a hit!

Kasia.

Over here.

Sit down.

Come here.

Sit.

Come here, Kasia.

[Kasia chuckles softly]

[chuckles]

[Czesiek] Mm.

Let me tell you one thing.

Women are kinda...

kinda goofy, you know?

[dry chuckle]

But you are smart.

[gentle music plays]

Listen to me.

You're beautiful.

And kind.

Smart.

You are...

the smartest girl that, uh...

any of us blundering clowns... ever met.

[both laughing]

It's a shame that, uh...

everything worked out...

all sideways.

Here, have a smoke.

- No. - Smoke.

And then have a drink.

It helps for when it hurts.

[lighter clicks]

You have no idea...

how much I love you all.

I know, Czesiu.

- [kisses] - [chuckles]

[door creaks open]

Mom! Jan and Benjamin have to go home now.

Can you set off the fireworks already?

Hey! Hey, pal.

That's not a job for your beautiful mom.

[chuckles]

But for a big old ugly man.

- I'll do it, you pyromaniac. - Yippee!

Fight.

Don't give up.

Come on, Tadeusz!

[chuckles] Come on.

[laughs]

It's gonna go boom!

B-B-B-Boom!

Whoa! Let's go.

[gentle music rises]

[sniffing]

[sighs]

[sobbing softly]

[heavy sobs]

[emotional music playing]

[indistinct chattering]

Fuck.

[music fades out slowly]

Kasia?

Kasia?

Kasia!

- Fuck! - [glass shattering]

Yeah?!

["All The Help I Can" playing]

You think you're gonna leave me? Very good!

♪ They say I've led a sheltered life... ♪

There.

[Jędrzej] Kasia left.

- There? - It's so chic, isn't it?

[Jędrzej] Eva moved in.

Wonderful!

And anyone who claims balance is the key to success...

I'll show you where.

...has never heard of cocaine.

♪ I'm battered to submission... ♪

- [Eva] All right! - [Jackie] Oh, yeah! Holy fucking shit!

[Jędrzej] Before I got my act together, I'd wasted half a year.

Half a year wasted on chasing popularity...

[no audible dialogue]

♪ I run into the water... ♪

- [grunts fiercely] - [moaning loudly]

[Jędrzej] ...fooling around with Eva...

[moaning, panting]

[sniffs, laughing hysterically]

[sniffs, grunts fiercely]

[Jędrzej] ...and snorting everything that Jackie put in front of me.

- [screaming] - [laughing]

[Jędrzej] I just forgot one minor detail.

In order to win the championship...

Okay, stop, stop. Take a break, take a break.

[Jędrzej] ...you've gotta train.

- What's going on? - [groans]

- I'll get there. I'll get there. - When?

- For weeks, you haven't shown up. - That wasn't weeks...

Do you think it's how I want to be remembered?

The coach whose fighter never showed up?

- I just need to get fired up. - Oh yeah?

- Come on, hit me in the face. - What?

- Hit me in the face. - I don't understand how it could help...

- Hit me in the fucking face. - No. No, I won't...

[shouting] Hit me in the face!

- Stop this! What... - Hit me in the face! Hit me in the face!

[repeating] Hit me!

Fucking do it! Fucking do it!

[Pierre sighs]

[Nicky] Funny fucking thing.

Your fight is coming up, and I don't see you at the gym at all.

[groans]

I thought maybe my vision was bad, but no.

Pierre hasn't seen you either.

I'm sorry, Nicky. I don't know what's going on with me. I can't sleep.

Kasia ran away with Tadeusz. I don't know where, somewhere in Poland.

Tell me... [clears throat]

Are we speaking to each other in a church?

- What? - Do you see a cassock? I'm not a priest.

And I don't need to hear your confession. I'm completely uninterested.

Get it through your thick head that when you come to training,

your problems stay on the other side of the door. Okay?

- Are you kidding? - Do I fucking look like I'm kidding?

I invested a lot of money in you.

And you're coming to me crying that your lady left?

Listen. I understand.

- I'm just coming to you... like a father. - Listen to me closely.

I don't give a solitary fuck

whether I'm your daddy, mommy, sister, cousin,

or, I don't know, your goddamn pet goldfish.

We have some obligations to each other.

And you should know very well that if you ignore them,

there will be consequences.

- Is that a threat? - No. Come the fuck on. [chuckles]

Me, threatening you? I'm just reminding you of our contract.

Ah, so we're talking business now, huh?

Yes, sir.

- [chuckles] - [Jędrzej] Uh-huh.

Okay, so if our relationship is just business, I'll take my money and go.

- What money? - What the fuck are you saying?

The money I fucking made for you with these fists and set of balls.

Okay, fine, let's take a look at the ledger...

to see exactly what I owe you.

Okay?

Wow.

There's a lot here.

Position number one, 500,000 pounds.

That's how much I put in the career Rascal O'Brian,

before you finished it prematurely.

But you promised to pay it all off.

Where is it? Ah! Here's your contract.

- Rascal O'Brian? - Don't you remember Rascal O'Brian?

He's this huge fucking dude. Truly amazing boxer.

Loyal, punctual, and a family man to boot.

But you told me I'd invested my money wrongly,

so I listened to your advice and decided to, um...

arrange those bricks differently.

Okay. Well, fuck it. Take 500,000, give me the rest.

And that beautiful villa that you live in?

How much do you think that cost?

Huh? Eight thousand pounds a month.

Although, no, I wrangled you a deal. Not eight thousand... seven thousand.

- I never fucking asked you for a house! - Of course you didn't, but you needed one.

Look, you wouldn't have become a world champion

out of some shitty immigration center, would you?

- And you will be the champ, right? - [scoffs]

Did you know you've been living there for three years now?

[chuckles]

Time really flies here, doesn't it?

Let's count.

Seven thousand,

times 12 months a year,

times three years.

So that's... 252,000 pounds.

- [somber music plays] - After a discount. And get this.

Thanks to me, you saved 36,000 pounds.

[smacks lips, laughs]

I got you a Jaguar. Seventeen hundred pounds a month to lease.

Gym, 700 pounds.

- Including member discount. - What the fuck?

Now Pierre, your trainer.

Did you know that old fuck...

That guy's been charging you 10,000 a month.

Even when you don't come to train.

- Sixty thousand for using my towels... - What the fuck?

- What fucking towels? - Forty thousand.

Clothes, hotels, drinks at my restaurant. And so on, and so on.

- What the fuck? - [Nicky] What?

- Leather Oxfords? - Right. From the best shoemaker in London.

- That was a fucking present! - Yes, a present.

- From you. - But you gave it to him, you fuck!

Why the fuck would I give him such expensive shoes?

You wanted him to wear them.

That's why I don't have kids of my own. Parasites, all of 'em.

[grunts fiercely] Fuck!

In summary, after all that time, the gross sum of all your expenses,

1,919,120 pounds and 19 pence.

So you still owe me 420,000 pounds.

- Plus interest. - Interest?

- Interest is... - I know what fucking interest is!

Then why bother asking?

Fuck you, you scumbag!

Jędrzej, this is hard for me too. Believe me, I'm all shaken up.

Yeah? Then I'm not fucking fighting!

I'm not fucking fighting, how's that? Without me, you're nobody!

[soft chuckle]

Nicky is nobody.

[chuckles]

Okay.

Listen, we're professionals.

So let's deal with it like professionals, okay?

The last thing I wanna do is pressure you.

Simply give me the keys to your house, the keys to your car,

pay me back my money, and we're square.

Or you can calm down just a little bit. Maybe think some things over.

And win the fucking champion's belt.

Couple more fights after that, you'll be back to square one.

Whatever path you choose...

I promise, I'll support you.

Like a father.

[breathing shakily]

[door opens and shuts]

[music fades out slowly]

It's me, Uncle.

Uncle.

I'm sorry.

You hear?

I'm sorry. You were right about the Englishmen.

[solemn music playing]

- Hello! - [door creaks]

Oh no! Goddamn it! No!

No!

No! Uncle!

Uncle!

Uncle, no! Please!

Help!

Help! Help!

Jesus! Fuck!

Uncle! Fuck!

No! No!

No!

Come on!

[breathing heavily]

Come on!

[somber music swells]

[somber music fades]

He always said it helps for when it hurts.

[gentle music plays softly]

Thank you for coming.

How could I not? It's Czesiek.

How are you doing?

Uh-huh.

Uh, you know, I've...

I have the fight, so I'm training a lot.

That's good.

Listen. Because... we didn't get a chance to talk...

I know. I want to, I still do. I've always wanted to talk.

I figured since I'm in town, maybe...

uh, you could find the time?

Of course.

Sure, I can do that.

How about this evening at my place? I'll cook dinner.

Excuse me, can I help you with anything?

I came to say goodbye to Czesiek.

By all means.

[Jędrzej sighs]

[hesitates]

Wait. Maybe...

[sighs deeply]

[music fades out]

- Okay, are you ready? - Do I look like I'm ready?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

- I'm cold. - I know you're cold.

And you know how I know? Because you've said it 40 fucking times.

You know why you're cold? Because it's fucking cold!

If you wanna go, then go for it. Take those shoes,

take your fucking earrings, take your shitty attitude.

And then how about you get the fuck away from me!

[Eva] Have you gone insane?

Jędrzej!

- Hello? - [Nicky] How are you? Resting?

No. Uh...

- I'm cooking. - Excuse me? Cooking?

Listen. I've got a request.

If you could get me a couple of tickets...

VIP's, ones by my corner, that'd be great.

- We're sold out. - But it's for Kasia and Tadeusz.

It's super important to me.

- Fucking hell. - Nicky, please.

- As long as you get your head in the game. - I will, of course. I promise.

All right, um, I've gotta run now. Okay. Yes. Bye-bye-bye.

Bye.

Hi.

- Hi. - Well...

- Mm. - [sighs]

Yeah. Sorry, you know, it's messy here.

I thought you'd be here later. I've got everything ready.

But you look wonderful.

Uh, sure. I have a plane to catch tonight, so I can only stay a minute.

Ah, there'll be another plane tomorrow. How about some wine?

Is wine good? I'll pour you a glass.

- Maybe white, or red? - [clears throat]

Listen, I actually got tickets to the fight.

In the first row, for you and Tadeusz.

- Jędrzej... - I got it all sorted.

It'll be great. It'll be perfect again.

I actually only came here to give you this.

[soft music plays]

- What the fuck is this? - We didn't have a chance to talk yet...

- Because when I got home, you were gone. - Okay.

And you come to... the funeral for Czesiek...

just to serve me papers?

Fucking divorce papers?

I came to his funeral because he was one of the most important people in my life...

- Yeah?! - If you can't talk to me like an adult...

So here I was, alone,

doing so much for you, preparing everything.

Cutting up lettuce, mushrooms! Instead of training! And for what?

I'm trying to make things nice for you, make things great,

and you come here for this bullshit, just to give me this?

Please listen.

You've made your own life, and I've made mine.

So please sign those papers, and let's move on.

- You've got a new guy. I can see it. - Jędrzej, I'm not with anyone.

Who's fucking you?!

Just say it.

Well?

Kasia. Kasia!

Wait! I'm sorry! Kasia, Kasia, Kasia. Hey, hey, hey.

Kasia, Kasia, Kasia. [exhales]

I'm sorry. I got carried away for a minute. Please listen.

I'm so angry, and sad. I don't know, it's just...

The championship, losing Czesiek, all of it.

I'm nothing without you.

I need you more than anything. Do you remember how we used to be?

Back in Poland? How good it was?

When we had our... our little tub, and our dreams, and our stolen bricks.

How beautiful it all was when we just... We loved each other so much.

It was all so easy.

And look, now we're this close to fulfilling those dreams.

We've gotta make our dreams come true.

- We're almost there, I... - Jędrzej, listen to me.

Those were never my dreams, you understand me?

- They were just your dreams. - No...

I came to England for you because I loved you.

- Yes, I... - And now it's all gone.

The bricks, the tub. Us.

So, I'm begging. I'm begging you. Please, just let me get out.

[horn honks]

What the hell is that?

You kept the cab running here?

What? You were never gonna stay? Wait!

- You're not going anywhere. - Leave me alone!

You really think you can leave me just like that?

Get the fuck out of here! Right this second!

Fuck off, understand? So none of this mattered?

It didn't matter to you at all? Everything that we had?

Hey! This isn't over. You hear me? This is not the end. I will fucking come!

- Go. Please, go. - I'll come for Tadeusz.

I'll take him away, understand?

- Please! Go! - I will take Tadeusz away.

You'll end up on the street!

You'll be alone! I'll take him! You'll be on the street!

Fuck!

Shit! Shit.

Shit... Shit...

[tense music building]

[panting]

[shouts]

[panting continues]

[shouts]

[shouts]

[shouts]

[distorted groan]

[muffled soundscape]

[underwater soundscape]

[distorted] Kasia.

[distorted growl]

[grunts] Give it to me!

- [soundscape resumes] - [crowd shouting]

[grunting]

Fucking kill me!

- [man] Fuckin' kill him! - [Pierre] Yes, Jędrzej! Yes!

Kill me, you pussy!

[grunting fiercely]

No! Fuck!

- [music stops] - [muffled panting]

[grunting fiercely]

[Jędrzej growling]

- [ref] Stop! - [shouting maniacally]

[high-pitched ringing]

- [bell dings] - Get off him!

[all clamoring]

Get off him!

- Get off him! - Fucking pussy!

I'll kill you!

- Get off him! - Come on!

I'll kill you. I'll kill you.

[all clamoring]

- [somber music plays] - [soundscape muffles]

Kasia!

[screams in agony]

[panting hoarsely]

HERE RESTS EDWIN CZERNECKI LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER

[soft sobbing]

[sobbing deeply]

[sobbing uncontrollably]

Why? [sniffles]

[crying] Why did you leave me?

[gentle music builds slowly]

[no audible dialogue]

BYTOM PLAZA CONSTRUCTION SITE

KONSTANTY ZALEWSKI FOR PRESIDENT

[Jędrzej] Boxers get old.

They get fat.

Drink too much.

Then they die.

[exhales]

Just like my father.

[grunting]

And Czesiek.

[growls, chuckles]

Just like this gym.

[man] You were better at running.

I come in peace.

I want a truce.

- We're past all the chasing, aren't we? - How'd you find me?

Don't you remember what I do for work?

Huh? Then don't ask stupid questions.

You fought well.

But... who knows?

If I had watched you more closely, then...

I wonder... if it all would have happened like it did.

So what do you want?

I'm here to thank you.

And your wife as well.

For what?

For saving my life, actually.

Your Kasia turned out to be a better nurse than she thought.

PASSPORT

[Jędrzej] Remember Kasia lying to Władek about his eyes and liver problems?

[Władek] She mentioned...

- [Jędrzej] Well... - ...the dark circles under my eyes...

[Jędrzej] Turns out she was basically... right again.

And imagine that. The doctor diagnosed me with cancer.

[Jędrzej] Konstanty and Henryk put all the blame on Władek for me running away.

Before he left, he took some surveillance tapes as... souvenirs.

One of those tapes had been recorded a long time ago at Czesiek's gym.

[Konstanty on tape] Edwin, I'll put it to you straight.

When you go to the Olympics, you're gonna throw the fight.

Understand? When you're fighting the Russian, lose.

- [Czesiek scoffs] Gotta be kidding! - [Edwin] For fuck's sake, Czesiek!

[Konstanty] You have my complete trust, Edwin.

I'm putting the future of the Soviet Union in your hands.

You understand?

And if you fail, have you... ever thought

what would happen... to your son?

Will he grow up? Will he box?

Wouldn't you like him to be the world champion?

What if something bad happens to him, Edwin?

Hmm?

Think about it.

Gentlemen, good luck at the Olympic Games.

- See ya! - [door creaks on tape]

- [Czesiek] Those Warsaw bastards! - [Edwin] Czesiek!

[Czesiek] What? You're gonna let it go after all these years of hard work?

- It's most important. It's the Olympics! - [Edwin] Fuck's sake, Czesiek...

[Czesiek] So you're gonna turn on me? After all we went through together,

you're gonna betray me? The Olympics are the most important thing!

[Edwin] Family is the most important. One day, you'll understand.

[tape deck clicks off]

That's great, Mr. Czernecki.

What exactly would you want from us?

Nothing huge.

Just an autograph.

Before... you become president, and I'll only be able to see you on TV.

OWNERSHIP TRANSFER

- [Konstanty] What is this? - I want Czesiek's gym back.

I guess you must have...

stayed in the West for a little too long.

Let me remind you...

just like I did Czesiek, what hap...

[grunts]

Well, I must admit, Mr. Czernecki...

that your proposition is a knockout.

[rock ballad playing]

[Jędrzej] My dad stopped boxing.

But he didn't stop fighting.

And he never stopped loving me.

That's how I'll remember him.

And I'll do anything...

for my son to remember me the same way.

May be my best work.

[Tadeusz repeating] Dad...

- Dad! - [Jędrzej] Hi!

- [groans] Second best. - [chuckles]

[Jędrzej chuckles]

How have you been?

Mm.

- [Tadeusz] We're good. - "We're good."

- His bag. - His bag.

I'll pick you up later, buddy.

- No. - Yeah.

- Say, "Bye-bye, Mommy." - Bye-bye, Mommy, bye!

- [Jędrzej mocking] - Bye!

- [kisses] - [retches]

Cześć, Kasia!

- There we go. - [Kasia] Hi!

- [Jędrzej] Okay. Put on the gloves. - [overlapping chatter]

Okay, now jab. Right there. Just one.

Just a jab, now show me the left.

Cross. Jab, you got it.

Your guard? Here.

Okay. One more jab.

Good! Now let's see the other side.

That's right.

[chuckles]

Okay. Break. Break, break, break, break.

Break! Break!

- Are you having fun? - Yes, sir.

Are you?

- I don't think so. Someone's lying, huh? - No.

- Someone's lying. - [chuckles]

Listen, in the end...

you might not love boxing.

What's the point even?

Two brutes just... hitting each other in the face.

You punch each other, rinse and repeat, the whole thing...

[Tadeusz] Hm.

A little dull, huh?

[both] A little dull.

- A little dull. - Wanna go?

- Yes. - Yeah.

Then let's get out of here.

[rock ballad plays]

If you weren't stuck with your dad today, what would you be doing?

Mom bought me a book about Maria Skłodowska.

Yeah?

Better watch out for smart women. They're dangerous.

[Tadeusz] Did you know Maria Skłodowska

was the only one to get two Nobels in two different fields?

- [Jędrzej] Really? - Yeah, chemistry and physics.

[Jędrzej] So you'll probably want three Nobels?

IN THE 1980S, OVER A MILLION PEOPLE LEFT POLAND BECAUSE OF POVERTY,

PERSECUTION OR CHASING A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR KIDS.

AMONG THEM, SEVERAL HUNDRED ATHLETES.

NO OTHER COUNTRY HAD A COMPARABLE POPULATION OUTFLOW.

["Still Loving You" by Scorpions plays]

♪ If we call again ♪

♪ All the way from the start ♪

♪ I would try to change Things that killed our love ♪

♪ I'm still loving you ♪

♪ I need your love ♪

♪ I'm still loving you ♪

♪ I need your love ♪

♪ Still loving ♪

♪ You ♪

["All The Help I Can" playing]

♪ They say I've led a sheltered life ♪

♪ Just based on what they see ♪

♪ But no one knows the troubled soul ♪

♪ That lives inside of me ♪

♪ I've battled with my demons ♪

♪ And they're winning every time ♪

♪ I'm battered to submission ♪

♪ And I'm just about the end of the line ♪

♪ And no amount of holy water's Gonna flush the devil out ♪

♪ I'm gonna stare them in the eyes And ask the reason why ♪

♪ He's always picking on me ♪

♪ I run into the water ♪

♪ To see what I can see ♪

♪ I'm looking out for someone Who is looking out for me ♪

♪ And if there is a God Well, I'm not a godly man ♪

♪ But I'm willing to believe 'Cause I need all the help I can ♪

♪ They say a man will never tire Of running from his past ♪

♪ Still haunted by the memories ♪

♪ Of when the die was cast ♪

♪ I'm chasing absolution ♪

♪ Like a hunter with a gun ♪

♪ I've never tasted freedom And I never hurt no one ♪

♪ I climb the highest treetop ♪

♪ To see what I can see ♪

♪ I'm looking out for someone Who is looking out for me ♪

♪ And if there is a God Well, I'm not a godly man ♪

♪ But I'm willing to believe 'Cause I need all the help I can ♪

♪ Oh, I need all the help I can ♪

♪ Yes, I need all the help I can ♪

♪ Yeah, I need all the help I can ♪

♪ Yes, I need all the help I can ♪

♪ Oh, I need all the help I can ♪

♪ All the help I can ♪

[song fades out]