Original subtitles

Oh my God.

I don't feel well.

Yara, where are you?

Are you all right?

Hush! I'm in labor. Hush, Katia.

All right. Let me call someone.

No! I don't need anyone.

Step away. Make sure no man comes close.

There is nobody here.

Katrusia, the swaddles... in the basket. Bring them.

All right.

Here.

Spread it.

Here.

Katrusia, what is it?

-A girl. -A girl...

You're so pretty!

Hello, little girl.

You're beautiful.

You will be very happy.

My daughter.

Baby.

Maybe you're right, Katrusia.

Maybe the skies will smile upon us...

and we will be happy.

We will, Yara. I know we will.

Baby...

Tell them to throw this out or give away.

-Maybe someone needs it. -Darling, what are you doing?

Grig! I'm so glad you're here.

Send housemaids to clean up here after the furniture is removed.

I want it to be finished by tonight.

-I want to set up a nursery here. -Why here?

Grig, the room is warm and sunny.

Besides, we can set up a closet under the stairs for the nanny.

Let the men go.

There is no need for this.

-But... I... -This isn't a place for a nursery.

Where is, then?

Maybe Anna Lvovna's bedroom.

Yes, the baby will be fine there. It's next door to us, too. Right?

Don't you dare touch my mother's room.

-Do you hear? -Grig, you're hurting me.

I'm sorry. I...

I can't accept my mother's death.

Natalie, please

let's not change anything, at least till the mourning period is over.

But the nursery?

Where will the baby sleep?

We'll decide when it's here. Why make a fuss so early?

Frol.

Put everything back,

or I'll flog you!

What are you waiting for?

Do it.

It happened this spring. The mistress beat her chambermaid Irka Berestiuk

with red-hot curling irons

because she wasn't quick enough for her.

She drove Ulyana Petrenko into the pond with a stick in November

and kept her there until she fainted.

Ulyanka didn't live to see that winter. Her three kids are orphans now.

How many people were beaten to death, I can't even say.

How can she do this?

She ordered to whip kids for any petty offense,

and then she would put them on a chain at the sauna.

Last year the mistress ordered to have her whipped

for not adding enough salt to her soup

and to rub salt in her wounds after that,

so that she didn't forget next time.

I'm signing the paper against the mistress, too.

Write it down!

I will write it down. Don't worry.

I hope it makes things better and not the other way round.

Nikolay Aleksandrovich promised to make sure

our petition isn't swept under the rug.

Who is going to get it to the city, though?

Only Zakhar ever goes to the city.

Right.

We can't ask this executioner.

Why are you all packed in one house?

Yaroslava gave birth to a new baby.

We're celebrating.

Why now?

Why not?

It's too hot in the field right now.

We'll go back to work as soon as it gets cooler.

All right.

Just don't drink much.

I'll whip anyone I see drunk.

You!

I have an order to have you all dolled up at the harvest festival.

You'll pass the sheaf to the mistress.

I'll do it tonight.

I'll be back by morning. Nobody will notice I'm out.

And even if they do, I'm hired help. What can they do? Give it to me.

A lever is an interesting thing.

It can do so many things.

-Orysia, do you believe me? -I do.

No, you don't.

How many sacks can a man lift?

Depends. Nazar can lift a horse.

It doesn't matter who does it.

If you lift it by hand, you can only take so much,

and with a lever it's five times more.

Ten times if the shoulder is big enough.

Of course, Lukyan!

If a guy has broad shoulders and he's strong.

No, Galia, you don't understand. Let me show you how it works.

Not here. This is for the master.

Here.

Let's take this stick.

Here we put the load. We press here.

If we fixate it in this spot, the leverage will be small.

If here, it will be bigger.

The bigger the distance between this end and this,

the more weight you can lift.

And if we put a lever on a lever?

It will be able to lift even more!

Orysia!

Orysia! What's wrong?

What?

Wrong girl?

Here is your Orysia.

You missed your little bird.

Who the hell is it?

Look who is here!

My darling. Come closer.

Yakov Yuhymovych, the papers you asked for.

The papers...

All right.

Now, darling,

you need to put it back.

And be quick.

-How can I do that? -How do I know?

Do I have to teach you your women's tricks?

Hurry, or he'll notice it's missing.

Your loving mood has passed so soon.

Natalie, are you going to bed so early?

Why haven't you waited for me?

I have a migraine.

Enough pouting, my friend.

There are things more interesting than sleep.

You will be as good as new.

Leave me alone, Grigoriy Petrovich!

If that's what you want.

I'm leaving, my darling.

I'll leave you and your migraine alone.

What do you want?

Let's go dance.

Come on!

Leave me alone.

If you just stand here like this, Orysia won't even look at you.

Girls like fun guys, not those like...

All right, all right.

-Let's go. -No.

I've changed my mind.

Keep standing here, loser.

Lesia, Yurasik, come eat! The food is getting cold.

Dusia, quick. Give me your plates.

You will make a good wife.

You like kids,

and you can cook, too.

Listen, Yara!

-Why don't we find her a nice boy? -Shut up!

Why not? Take our Bogdan.

He's a good tailor.

We could become family.

Katrusia.

I was going to ask you something.

Yes?

What is it?

I want you to be my daughter's godmother.

Why not?

Me?

Yes. You helped her to be born, you should carry her to the church.

Well? Do you agree?

-You don't need to ask. -Good!

It's an honor.

-Good. -Great.

We'll baptize her after the harvest festival.

Well?

Did you pass it?

Yes.

So now we wait.

Yes... I've been hearing things about Shefer's estate for a while.

Lidiya Ivanovna reports runaway bondmen almost every month.

People don't run away when life is good.

That's true...

but it's not that simple.

Lidiya Ivanovna... She's a prominent person in our province.

That's exactly why I came to you. You can influence this situation.

Nikolay Aleksandrovich, bondmen are never happy with their landlords.

Is it an accurate account of what's going on there?

I think so. I went there myself to make sure.

You think so or you witnessed something?

No, not in person, but...

One can write anything, Nikolay Aleksandrovich.

We need to check,

send a commission.

So send a commission, goddamn it!

Do it!

There has to be a way to rein in a cruel and wilful landlady.

I can send them, but it won't help.

Only if all the peasant stand up together and swear

they saw their mistress torturing people.

But I'll tell you from my experience:

they won't say a word.

Yes, people are scared.

But you can't just let it go.

You're...

the nobility marshal,

the father of this region, so to say.

Who would people turn to if not to you?

We heard about what's going on in the neighbor provinces.

Riot after riot. Why?

Because people lost their patience.

So it's a good thing that they write complaints...

instead of setting houses on fire.

God forbid, Nikolay Aleksandrovich.

We don't need any riots here.

I'll see what I can do.

But you have to realize...

I'm not omnipotent.

I don't believe this piece of paper can do anything.

Nobles are always nobles.

I believe it can, and I don't want to be on the run all my life.

I only wish the mistress left me alone.

I want to live like everybody else. Nazar was here yesterday.

He said he'd set me free, or he won't be called Nazar anymore.

But how?

He's also a bondman, and he wants to set me free.

Baby, he loves you. He does.

I know that. It's just that...

Don't be in a hurry to say "no".

Nazar is a good and reliable lad.

Also, he's a blacksmith. It's a good job.

You would be safe with him.

Think about it.

He's a good guy.

Tell them at the kitchen to make an effort today.

I want a festive dinner

with pies, creams, and pastries.

Let them set tables for the peasants, too,

so that they could drink the young master's health.

It's his birthday.

Let them cut some flowers for the house, too.

-Is that clear? -Will do, ma'am.

The superintendent is here.

What?

Why?

He didn't say. He only said it was urgent.

Show him in. Off you go!

Good morning, Lidiya Ivanovna.

I'm sorry to bother you, but it's my job.

It's all right. I'm always glad to have visitors.

I'm here on business, not as a guest.

Here.

I was ordered to ask you to come

to the Nezhin nobility marshal as soon as possible.

Why the rush? What does it all mean?

I don't know.

Yevgeny Prokofyevich wanted you to come quick.

Well, if the marshal himself wants to see me...

let's see why it's so urgent.

Irka!

Bring my travel cloak.

Zakhar, we're going to Nezhin.

I can feel this harvest festival will bring us no good.

Yara,

I'll go to the cemetery while she and Zakhar are out.

It's Aliosha's birthday.

-I can't... -All right. Of course.

Just come back soon, all right?

Yes. Thank you.

Oh God.

That's it.

Here.

Drink some soured milk. Come on, drink it.

Pavlina.

Will it always be this bad?

No. You'll drink some soured milk, stay in bed, and it will pass.

You will go to the harvest festival fresh as a rose.

To the harvest festival?

Me?

Who else?

-You're the mistress now. -Yes, a mistress...

You mean yesterday? Never mind him.

It's just how he is.

-You can't change one's nature. -What am I to do?

Put up with it?

He yelled at me for no reason.

Yesterday he yelled at you, and today he'll be tender with you.

You have to treat him like a child, with carrot and whip.

Also, he has a lot on his plate right now.

You should support him.

This is what I think.

It's important...

for Grigoriy Petrovich to prove himself as a good landlord.

And a good landlord needs a good landlady at his side.

All right.

You can go, Pavlina.

Is there anything else?

Yes.

Allow me to go to the Shefers to visit with Katrusia.

I miss her so much.

No.

No. I need you here now.

You can go after the festival.

All right.

Ilko! What are you waiting for?

What did your mistress tell you?

Go get the flowers before I whipped you.

Lidiya Ivanovna, here's the thing.

We received a complaint against you.

I'd like to settle it without a commission.

We don't need strangers to meddle.

-A complaint? -Yes.

Cruel treatment of the peasants,

unreasonable render, harassment.

It's a lie!

What if I whipped someone for being lazy?

Am I to indulge them?

Since when do they tell the landlords how we should treat our peasants?

You're right, of course, but time has changed.

-There are edicts... -Edicts?

Yes.

We can't brand the convicts now

or give them third degree interrogations.

You should be gentler with the peasants.

I only want the best for you, Lidiya Ivanovna.

The commission will come and find everything in order.

Yes, everything is in order.

Who is this smart alec?

Who signed the complaint?

It's all crosses.

You don't want to tell me.

Make an effort.

Let the peasants breathe a little, even for a short while.

Of course.

Hello, Aliosha.

ALEKSEY KOSACH

How are you here?

No cross, no fence.

My poor...

poor darling.

What have you done?

Why did you have to lose your soul?

No, you couldn't do that.

You couldn't.

I don't believe it, do you hear?

Here, Aliosha.

Your mother gave it back to me...

but it belongs to you.

As well as myself.

Whoa.

Give me a sign.

You! How dare you come here?

Do you want to be flogged again, you scum?

You have no right to punish me.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Go away from here! Go!

I'll take care of you later.

I'm not going anywhere. I have every right to be here.

It's my husband, not yours.

I'm his wife, and I want to be with him.

Bitch!

His wife? You want to be with him?

All right, you will be with him.

Zakhar,

tie her up!

Find a spade and bury her here if she wants to be with him.

Girls, what are you waiting for? Spread the tablecloth.

A towel.

Yara. Where is Dusia?

With the kids.

Baby, go get Dusia.

Yaroslava, where is Katia?

What if the mistress comes and she isn't here?

She...

What?

She went to Aleksey's grave while the mistress is away.

-How long? Maybe I should go get her. -Don't worry, Stepan.

She'll be back soon.

She will.

Our Father, you are omnipotent.

Let this cup pass from me.

Do what You want, not what I want.

I know it was you!

I should have had your hands cut off

so that you forgot how to write complaints.

Fill it in.

Our Lord omnipotent and full of grace,

forgive your servant Zakhar...

What are you waiting for?

...for he does not know what he does. God forgive--

Shut up! Stop it!

What are you waiting for? Go on.

Maybe it's enough.

No.

Finish what you've started. Make sure she doesn't get out.

Ilko! You'll drive.

Ilko!

Where is this goddamned boy?

Yakov!

Thank you, my friends.

For your good work, for being loyal and hardworking.

I hope next year we'll have as much wheat.

Yakov!

Come on. Bring vodka and beer.

A loaf of bread to everyone.

Sweet pies and honey bread for the girls.

-The mistress is here! -The mistress is here!

Let's hope next year we'll have twice as much.

What a festival! What a celebration.

Thank you! Thank you so much.

It's no sin to have some vodka after having worked so hard.

Your vodka will stick in our throats.

-It's steeped with our tears. -What?

How dare you?

Yakov!

Get him!

Pavlina, get her inside. I said go!

Ma'am, let's go! Get lost!

How dare you?

Guys!

Now you'll answer for everything, sir.

Where is Katia? Where is she?

Zakhar isn't here, either. He drove the mistress to Nezhin.

Ilko isn't here, either.

What?

Zakhar has buried Katia alive.

...God help us and protect...

How dare you? I treated you like decent people...

Like decent people? Is it decent, sucking people's blood?

They work for you day and night.

Their children are hungry and cold,

and your barns are bursting with grain.

Enough talking! Kill them both! Yashka first.

Lead him, brothers.

Die! Die!

How dare you?

-Pavlina, what's going on? -Nothing.

Keep praying.

Is it Grisha?

Don't. There's nothing to look at.

-Katia... -Zakhar... buried her alive...

Ilko! Come here. Where were you?

Come on, bring me my wallet from the desk.

I'll give out money.

Katia was buried alive... Zakhar...

What is it? Why aren't you playing!

Play! Dance!

I want to dance! I want to have fun!

I want to dance!

Zakhar!

I did what you told me.

You did it! Good job, Zakhar.

I want to celebrate!

Let's dance.

-Are you crazy? -Let go! Pavlo, let go!

Pavlo, better go while you can.

-Get her! -Get the mistress!

Bring more hay!

Aliosha!

Just a second. Don't worry, my darling.

Don't worry. You'll be fine.

Stop! Freeze!

Does he deserve it?

I'll hang him myself.

I'll strangle him with my bare hands.

Tell me everything. I'll help.

-What will you do? -I'll hear you out.

We can resolve this peacefully.

We live on the same land.

Do you remember? We used to live in peace.

I'm ready, my friends. I'm listening.

Are you going to give us more vodka and then whip us for getting drunk?

We haven't gathered our crops yet.

This festival, for us it's like a funeral.

What will we feed our kids with this winter?

Where will we get seeds this spring?

Is it normal, to collect render twice?

What is this, sir?

Six days of corvee! When are we supposed to work at our own land?

-Beat him up! -Stop!

Wait! What do you mean, six days?

-Yes, six days! -Six days!

Yakov!

What is it about the second render?

Bastard!

Who are you stealing from?

The people? Them?

Everybody, come here! Bring the ladder!

Let’s board up the windows!

so that the mistress doesn't escape.

Bring planks, let's board her in.

Where is Ilko?

Ilko! Son!

That's enough!

More hay!

Take them away.

-I won't leave you. -I said go away!

Stepan!

Go, go!

I have to kill her myself! Go away!

More hay! Here!

...God almighty...

Listen to my order!

I cancel all corvee labor for ten days.

And after you gather your crops,

you will never have more than three days of corvee per week. Never.

Do you believe him?

-Do you believe him? -Don't believe him!

-You're lying! -Who is lying?

When did I ever deceive you?

-You deceived me! -It was a misunderstanding.

Not because I'm mean but because I didn't have enough experience.

Now, when we're in it together...

everything will be fair.

-Everything will be just. -What shall we do with Yashka?

Chain him in the cellar.

Let him sit there.

I need to consider this thoroughly.

If I find out he took from someone more than he should,

I'll give it back.

I don't need what isn't mine.

From now on, we'll live like good Christians.

I swear to you.

Swear to God, my friends.

It's over.

Everything's fine, ma'am.

Pavlina, what's going on?

He talked them down. They made peace.

Everything's fine.

Look for yourself if you don't believe me.

They are smiling.

Oh God.

Wait! Wait!

Stepan is there! You'll burn him alive!

Kill her! Kill the mistress!

Stop! What did I say?

Kill her!

There is a man inside!

Are you even human?

Stop! Stepan is there!

Don't you hear me?

-You talking about Uncle Stepan? -Yes.

-And his daughter, Katia? -They killed Katia.

Our executioner Zakhar buried her alive.

Stepan was chasing the mistress inside the house,

trying to kill her.

No!

Stepan!

Uncle Stepan!

Uncle Stepan!

Come on!

Stop.

Put him down. Easy.

He's alive. Thank God he's alive.

Uncle Stepan,

just don't you dare die on me!

Stepan, wake up!

Look what's going on.

The mistress is dead.

Look! They are all free now.

Free!

Solia... Solo...

My Solomiya...

Katia... I'm coming to you.

Lord, forgive me.

-Forgive me. -Uncle Stepan! No!

Nazar.

Don't.

Uncle Stepan is no more... Hush.

God rest his soul.