Original subtitles

[NO AUDIO]

[THEME MUSIC]

Love in Chains

Where do you think you are going, Olga Platonovna?

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Mr. Zhadan.

Why are you up so early?

You are also already on the go, as far as I can see.

Stop weaseling! I know you are waiting for Katia!

Not at all! What makes you think that?

I… I am here for the sake of the art, you know.

Good morning, Mr. Actor.

Miss Rodzievich, are you waiting for me?

You know, I had to express my admiration of your talent.

Why didn’t you come to the show yesterday? I was waiting for you.

The situation wasn’t favorable.

But I will be there tomorrow, have no doubts.

Alas, as I told you yesterday, our tour is over, so…

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

By the way, I decided to support young talents, you know.

By the way, let me introduce…

the future star Mariya Liubarskaya.

Hello.

I am sure soon the entire empire will applaud her.

Yes, it’s a noble mission.

Well, I wish you all the best, Miss Liubarskaya.

Olga Platonovna, we haven’t finished our conversation. Where is Katia?

Andrey Andreyevich, if the wife avoids her husband’s company,

hiding from him at a monastery, he must be responsible for it.

What did she tell you?

Your wife has better manners than washing her dirty laundry in public.

You know about our quarrel.

It means that she had to have given you some explanation, doesn’t it?

We haven’t finished, Olga Platonovna!

I have nothing more to tell you, Mr. Zhadan.

Why, don’t you, really?

I think you have forgotten to mention something, Miss Rodzievich.

It appears Miss Rodzievich is travelling with a tall, strong, and smug husband.

I didn’t know congratulations were in order.

Gnatkevich!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

I used to act at a Kiev theater. One might think, “Oh! The capital!”

But alas, it was boring, and there was not a single fresh idea.

What parts did you play in Kiev?

I assure you, Kiev isn’t a good place for you to start.

I will arrange an engagement for you at our theater.

I’ll give you instructions on how to get into our company on our way.

Excuse me, what are you…

Sister, you must be in the wrong carriage.

Excuse me for this intrusion, but are you going to depart immediately?

Well, yes.

May I ask you for a favor? Would you allow me to travel with you?

You don’t even know where we are going!

Sister, you must be a pilgrim.

Vladimir Olegovich, let’s do a good deed. We are going to Nezhin.

There are holy sites there, as far as I remember.

Nezhin? Yes, as far as I know.

Let’s go, then!

You don’t mind, do you, Vladimir Olegovich?

Why would I mind? Of course. Let’s go.

[NO DIALOG]

I am Mariya Liubarskaya, and you are?

Sister Katerina.

Go!

[NO DIALOG]

IMPERIAL HOTEL

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Ah, Nazar. So you decided to betray me, you son of a bitch?

Is that how you pay for my kindness?

You aren’t the one to talk about kindness, Mr. Zhadan.

Katrusia told me all about you.

How you made your capital, what you did to her at the hospital.

How dare you? I will beat your hide off you!

I am not your serf!

You are all rotten inside.

You look so kind and nice, all sugar and honey,

but in truth the most double-hearted gentlemen are angels compared to you.

You will regret it. You are nothing without me!

I will take everything from you and turn you into a beggar!

If it’s God’s will.

I have a pair of hands able to earn my own living and my daughter’s.

Andrey Andreyevich, don’t you see you aren’t welcome here?

I can see that. I’m leaving.

By the way, Olga Platonovna, when you come back to Kiev,

be so kind to return the money you borrowed from me for your factory in full.

I have lost my faith in perfumery.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Bastard.

[NO DIALOG]

Yevgeniy Antonovich, thank you for finding time to come.

Just don’t abuse my kindness, Liubov Vasilyevna.

Yes, we’re partners now, but I also have my job,

and they wouldn’t be happy to find out about my business on the side.

This isn’t going to take long. Come to my office.

God, this looks so dull in daylight. So disappointing.

Tut-tut-tut, Liubov Vasilyevna.

That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Mr. Bezus.

As far as I know,

you and dozens of your men have being trying

to catch a Polish prince,

someone named Stefan Yablonevskiy, for days. Is that true?

What does it have to do with anything?

Please stay out of the business you know nothing about.

Don’t beat around the bushes. Tell me what you need.

- I want to offer you help. - Help?

Yes, that’s what I’m saying. Help in catching Yablonevskiy.

Do you want to keep the gendarmes company in combing the city?

I will try to be as clear as possible, so that you understood.

I will tell you where Yablonevskiy is hiding,

and you will take these crates out of here

and forget about your opium room once and for all.

Aren’t you afraid, Liubov Vasilyevna,

that I’ll order my men to make you divulge this information without any conditions?

I am sure you are far too pragmatic to be so nearsighted.

All right. I will think about your offer.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

The flame of love, life-giving fire

That’s what they say. But what we see?

It is destructive and devastating

For a soul that’s consumed by it

Amazing! This was incredible. Who taught you acting?

Me? I never studied acting.

Mother and I used to play at a home theater.

Your mother? Excuse me but this is nonsense.

You need a real partner,

and I’m prepared to become one out of respect for your talent.

I definitely will put a word in for you at our theater.

Vladimir Olegovich, would you really help me?

Without a doubt!

To be the first one to discover such talent is a great honor.

I love you, as I never loved anyone before.

Long live the newlyweds!

It’s a veritable palace!

What matters is that we will be happy here.

I can’t stay with you, knowing what you are doing.

I won’t be able to turn a blind eye!

You are my wife, and you always will be. I will never let you go!

[SAD MUSIC]

Sister Katerina, is something wrong?

Just…

Reminiscences. Never mind.

Excuse me my inattentiveness.

I haven’t even asked whom I owe for support and shelter.

Well, my name is quite well-known.

I am a theater actor Vladimir Olegovich Zadunayskiy.

You might have heard of me.

I’m sorry, sister, you probably take no interest in theater.

I mostly play, if you excuse me for these words, young lovers.

And I have to tell you that no one has ever surpassed me in this type of roles,

neither in Kiev nor in Nezhin, if I say so myself.

And for me the stage is nothing but a dream yet.

Vladimir Olegovich promised to help me join the Nezhin Theater Company.

It will become a setting worthy of the diamond of your gift, Mariya.

Believe me, I know what I’m talking about.

Nezhin actresses can find engagement even in Kiev.

I once had an affair with one.

How can you say such things in front of a nun?

Again, please forgive me.

I’m a man of great passions, you know. I can’t help myself.

Sister, pray for my sinful soul.

[NO DIALOG]

Nastia. Nastia, dear.

[SAD MUSIC]

Who are you?

Nastia, it’s me, Oksana. The sister said you sent for me.

Oksana, yes. I need you to do something.

Go to the Lavra and bring Misha.

If those holy bitches won’t let you in,

tell them the wayward Nastia is dying and wants to say goodbye to her son.

What are you talking about, Nastia? It’s not true.

It’s true. Look at me.

Find some paper and a pencil.

I need to send a letter to someone.

All right.

I’ve brought you something. Here.

Just in time.

All right, hurry. We have a lot to do today.

[SAD MUSIC]

CHERNIHIV. MONASTERY

Come in.

Sister Liudmila, a visitor for Mother Superior.

- Good day, sister. - Come in, Mr. Doroshenko.

Sister, please explain what is going on.

Where is my daughter? I want to see her.

I’m sorry, it’s impossible.

Mother Grigoriya doesn’t live at the monastery anymore.

Where is she, then?

I don’t know.

Recently she has decided to defrock herself

and go on a pilgrimage to help the poor and downtrodden.

Defrock herself? Why?

I don’t know the reason behind her decision.

Mother Grigoriya left a letter saying she believed herself unworthy of her office

and left the convent.

Where did she go? How can I find her?

I’m afraid I can’t help you. She has been away for two days,

and only her and God know where she is.

- Sir, please give me some money! - Leave me alone, you stray!

- Please give me something! - Leave me alone!

Please…

Sister, bless me.

God bless you.

Please come inside. It’s warm there. You can get warm and eat something.

Thank you. I’ll just sit here for a while, get some rest, and be on my way.

Thank you. God bless you.

Can you give me some money?

- Piss off! - Please!

I said bugger off!

I didn’t have anything to eat today.

Sister, eat some soup while it’s still hot.

Oh, thank you. Thanks a lot. God bless you.

Please, please give me some money. Please!

I don’t have money! I don’t have anything. Go!

Get out of here. No money!

Hey, boy. Boy!

Come here. Come on, don’t be afraid. Come here.

Sit down. Take this.

Eat.

- Here. - Thank you.

[HOPEFUL MUSIC]

Come on, eat.

[NO DIALOG]

- Is he still there? - Of course. Holding the fort.

Go to hell, Bogdan Yuryevich!

[NO DIALOG]

We need to go look for her.

Since this bastard is here, it means Katia isn’t anywhere around.

Where could she have gone?

This morning she had her nun’s habit on. I believe she didn’t carry any bags.

Maybe she went back to the monastery.

Who knows?

I’ve checked the couch house and all hotel storerooms and closets.

There were no nun.

Anyway, she won’t get help from anyone but us.

We have to find her before Zhadan does.

KIEV

Today’s papers! Today’s papers!

[SAD MUSIC]

Misha!

Mommy.

Misha!

How are you? You little devil.

Do the nuns treat you well?

Yes, of course. Everything is fine. It’s just that I’m hungry all the time.

They say it’s because I’m growing.

[SAD MUSIC]

Listen to me and pay attention, Misha.

I need you to take this letter

and give it only to state councilor Bezus.

Do you remember him?

- Do you? - I remember him.

Don’t give it to a valet, a cook, a butler, or any other servant.

Will you remember this?

I won’t give it to anyone.

Give me your word, do you hear? Promise you won’t drink. Swear to me!

- I swear, Mommy! - Swear on everything you hold dear!

I swear!

You were kissed by God, Misha; remember this.

You need to make your way in life.

All right, go.

- Mom, wait. - Run! Go quickly.

Come on, run! Go!

They let me leave for a whole day. I can carry the letter later.

I said go! Come on. Run!

[SAD MUSIC]

Nastia… Why did you send him away?

I don’t want him to see me like this. Dying.

Let him remember me alive.

Watch over him, all right?

I will, I promise.

[SAD MUSIC]

Nastia…

Nastia. Nastia! Nastia, Nastia, Nastia!

Nastia!

Do you hear me, Nastia?

Hello. Oh my, it’s a regular assembly of noble gentlemen!

What is your secret business, Karp Karpovich?

Are you selling headscarves now?

No.

They are presents for the matchmakers and the bride.

The bride?

Irina Dorofeyevna, Lukyan, I want to ask you for help.

That’s why I asked you to come. Help me propose to Pavlina Yosypivna.

She won’t dare say no to you.

This is wonderful news.

I’m ready. No need for presents.

It will be a famous party! The entire Kiev will hear about it.

Irina Dorofeyevna, why don’t you say something?

Are you going to refuse?

You have chosen a worthy bride, Mr. Malevanny.

I don’t understand, though.

Is one bride not enough for you,

or do you just like the process of proposing?

I think you can have your fun without me, thank you very much.

I didn’t propose to anyone!

I went to Olesia’s mother with my daughters-in-law.

Because I gave her my word I’d come.

And Timofey, goddamn him, just said it without thinking.

Would you swear on the Holy Scripture

that you never proposed to another woman and never deceived anyone?

Cross my heart, Irina Dorofeyevna!

I can swear on each Gospel separately!

Well, it looks like your intentions are really serious, Mr. Malevanny.

Oh, thank you…

NEZHIN. CHERVINSKIY ESTATE

Look at this ribbon. Do you like it?

Yes, there are leaves and flowers.

Galia, I am so grateful to you.

I don’t know how I would live without my son.

Panas! Goddamn you.

You’ve scared the living beejesus out of me.

The master’s horse lost a shoe at the Chervinka entrance.

He isn’t going to the factory and will be back any minute.

I thought you might want to know.

Goddamn it! Ma’am, leave through the back door.

I’ll send you a note when the master is out again.

All right. All right.

Wait. Do I deserve at least a little gratitude?

Maybe you do.

Look at you two, all lovey-dovey. You should take a better care of my son.

If anything happens, I will have your head and the heads of all your covey.

Hello, son.

What is this?

Piotr Ivanovich, sir, it’s mine.

I was playing with Lev Petrovich.

I think you’re lying.

It’s an expensive foreign-made thing. It must cost at least twenty rubles.

Panas gave it to me for my birthday. He had been saving for it for six months.

- Right, Panas? - Right.

Value your husband. Don’t be a fool.

I’ll have dinner in the city. Watch the baby!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[NO DIALOG]

Of course, it’s hard for you to imagine that.

Your marriage with Yevgeniy Antonovich

is an epitome of love and mutual respect we all should strive for.

But, as you can see, not everybody is that lucky.

Valentina Ivanovna tells everyone she is sick and doesn’t go out.

What a horrible scandal.

Ma’am, some ragamuffin demands to see his excellence.

Do you need me to help you throw him out?

He is very insistent. I’m afraid he might raise a scandal.

Did he say who he is?

He wanted me to say a little bird from Andreyevsky sent him.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

- What do you want? - I need to see the councilor of state.

He isn’t at home.

You can tell me whatever it is you have to say.

Who are you to him?

His lawfully wedded wife.

Were you supposed to give it him? Give it to me.

Mr. Bezus, if you are reading this letter, you can sleep easy:

I’m gone from this world.

This little bird will bring you no more troubles.

They say it’s a sin to deny a dying woman her last wish.

There is only one thing I want to ask you for.

For God’s sake, take care of my Misha. Help him with whatever you can -

money, or maybe help him find a job.

I understand that you will never recognize him as your son.

I don’t mind it. Just please don’t abandon our child,

because now he has no one in this world except for you.

and I will drop in a word for you in the better world.

Your singing bird, Nastia.

- Are you Misha? - Yes, ma’am.

Follow me.

Tatyana Romanovna, dear, pray forgive me my lack of hospitality.

I almost forgot.

I decided to teach street children how to read and write.

This is Misha, my first pupil.

I told him to come here at this hour,

but your story was so engaging that I completely forgot about it.

I don’t know how you can be so generous and kind, Rogneda Vasilyevna.

No, no need to apologize. I was just leaving.

I don’t want to interrupt your lesson.

You were very lucky to get her as a mentor, young man.

Sit down…

and tell me how long have you known the councilor of state.

For as long as I remember myself. He used to help me and Momma a lot.

He’d give her money, and he made sure she had her own room

so that I could live there with her.

But he stopped taking care of us a couple years ago.

A couple years, you said? Why is that?

Momma said he had nothing to fear now.

Then they kicked us out of the salon. So, anyway, I never saw him again.

Why?

Mom used to drink a lot.

Makarova didn’t like it when she was drinking.

Please take this and eat.

Thank you, ma’am.

Where do you and your mother live now?

I live at the monastery,

the Lavra.

I’m a painter’s apprentice.

And Mom is at a shelter at Zhadan’s hospital.

She is dying.

What do you want from the councilor of state, Misha?

I don’t want anything.

It’s just that I promised Momma I’d give him this note.

That’s why I’m here.

Please give it to him, and I should better go.

The master gave me a day off. I’ll go be with Momma.

How old are you?

Almost ten. I’ll turn ten on January 12.

But everybody says I look older.

So you were born on January 12, 1848?

What, is it some kind of bad day?

No, why?

It was a good day.

So many events.

You were born, and I got married.

All right… You were going to go? Go.

Yes.

Ma’am, can I have another of those white things?

- Yes, of course. - I just wanted to bring Momma a treat.

- Of course. - Thank you, ma’am.

Here.

Thank you, ma’am.

All right. Off you go.

Go! Go…

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Why are you dressed so fancy? Is it some kind of holiday?

Hello, Pavlina Yosypivna.

There is this prince we know, and he says to us:

“I met a girl, her head in curls, and I don’t know how to get her.”

Are you not right in the head or have you started drinking early?

He asked us to find her.

We’ve been to all cities and towns looking for the girl,

her head in curls, and here she is.

That’s all we have to say,

and you decide if you want to go down the aisle with him.

What prince? What curls? What aisle?

The prince’s name is Karp.

Do you have your dowry ready, all weaved and embroidered?

Just look at him! He likes girls, doesn’t he?

He’s been meeting quite a lot of them lately.

He must be jinxed.

What if I told you the proposal in Vasilkov was a lie?

What if the prince really wants to marry you?

IMPERIAL HOTEL

CHERNIGOV. HOTEL

You didn’t find her, did you?

She’s not at the market, not at the post coaches station,

not at the inn at the town’s outskirts.

- Nowhere. - Nothing here, either.

The convent wrote back that she never came back to them.

I have no idea where she could have gone.

Here is what I’ve been thinking.

I wasn’t traveling alone.

Zhadan’s dog never let me out of his sight.

Even if we find her, we’ll just put them on her trail.

What do you suggest?

Go back to Kiev.

Let them follow us there.

It’ll give Katia time to find a better place to hide.

Your excellence, we can make you an outfit worthy of your overnight.

All these aren’t your style.

Don’t worry. I’m not looking for a dress for myself.

It’s for a woman in Slobodka. I want to help her.

This one looks just right.

Let me try it on. She is about my height. If it fits me, it will fit her, too.

Rogneda Vasilyevna, are you sure?

Maybe I should make you a dress after all?

No, I’m fine with this one.

Find a thick veil for me.

Also, a cape, a pair of shoes, and a pair of gloves.

I will need all this by tomorrow.

- Piotr, you’re hurting me! Please stop! - You bitch!

You! Get up! Up!

What the hell are you doing? Get out of here!

Now! Now, now. It’s over. He’s gone.

- You’re all right, my darling. - The bastard…

- He’s gone, darling. It’s all right. - He has torn my negligee, too.

Now, now, now…

I will tell Madame Makarova

she should loosen her purse strings and give you a raise.

Or maybe I should thank you myself.

Come here.

No, Marichka, don’t.

Don’t.

Girls like me aren’t good enough for you, are we?

What are you talking about?

Marichka, look at me. It’s not that.

It’s just that I sort of prefer to do it out of love, not gratitude.

Remember, you aren’t a bargaining chip.

You are a pretty and kind girl who deserve only the best.

I’ve thought about your proposal. To hell with it. I agree.

Where do I find this goddamned Pole?

Have you found out that your precious men have failed you this time?

Just tell me where he is.

We had a deal. You were supposed to take something away from my office.

Are you drinking water from the Fountain of Youth instead of brandy,

Madame Makarova?

Take this trash out of my office, and you’ll have your Pole.

And if you don’t hurry, I’ll wait for Zhadan

and give Yablonevskiy to him.

I’m sure he won’t like it that an old prostitute

was a better sleuth than a councilor of state.

Brandy on the house for Mr. Bezus!

Go on, take it. Don’t offend Madame Makarova.

We’re almost home. Two more kilometers, and we’re in Nezhin.

Let me out at the fork.

Sister, don’t you need to go to the town? It’s so late.

Yes, but a heard about a healing spring in a village nearby.

I’ll ask someone to take me in for the night and set out for it at dawn.

Thank you for letting me accompany you.

Goodbye.

[NO DIALOG]

- Please feel at home. - Thank you.

Waiter! Champagne and some refreshments that go with it. Hurry up!

When can I get an audition with the director, Vladimir Olegovich?

Rushing it will do you no good at all. You need to prepare for it well.

Of course, I am ready to rehearse with you every day, Mariya.

Here at your hotel room or at my apartment.

You see, I don’t have enough money to pay for the hotel.

I thought I would be able to meet with the director tomorrow.

Don’t be ridiculous. This isn’t a school theater.

It’s a temple of the art.

Only the chosen ones can get in.

But not to worry. You are in most experienced hands.

Does the name Kuzinskiy mean anything to you?

Do you really need to ask?

Any theater admirer from Kiev to Paris knows who Kuzinskiy is.

So I brought to him a former Nezhin star, Larisa Yakhontova, not long ago.

It was owing to my protection that she was given a part in the newest play

Kuzinskiy is producing in Kiev.

Did you prepare her for her audition?

Larisa Viktorovna and I are long-time friends.

So yes, I’ve had a part in helping her gift flourish.

What are you doing?

How dare you?

Get out!

- Who are you? - Get out of here! Out!

Let’s go, Mariya.

There is a decent restaurant round the corner, fit for decent people,

unlike this hellhole.

What are you waiting for? Bring vodka!

Move it!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Give way!

Go back to sleep, sister. It’s just some gentleman having fun.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Put this sack under your head.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[BAWDY MUSIC]

Look, the artist is here to pine again.

So what? He’ll drink one glass, sit down and paint all night long.

What’s the fun in that?

What’s up, ladies? Gossiping or dreaming?

Ivan, you almost made my heart stop.

Marichka! Where are you? Marichka!

Call me if you need me. I’ll be around.

Everybody is dreaming here, Ivan. Marichka, Lialia, Oksana.

No matter what they pretend to be,

they all dream about finding love and getting married,

having children and a normal family.

And since a year ago one girl went from here straight to the altar

with Zhadan himself,

now they see their intended in every new man who enters this house.

Because Katia really managed to carve out a happy life for herself.

She lives in clover now, organizing charitable auctions and all that.

I read about it in a newspaper. I’m just as good as she is.

If someone offered me to leave all this and live a normal life, I’d come running.

Too bad nobody is offering.

- Calm down! - To hell with that!

- Excuse me, sister. Good evening. - Hello to you, too.

Sister! Bless the sinners!

- She looks just like Katia. - Zhadan’s? Yes, she does!

You drunks! You will see not just Katerina but devil himself!

If I ever see you doing this again, I will cripple you!

Cossack, could you do me a favor?

I’ve been waiting for my carafe for 15 minutes.

Just a moment.

Here.

You have a great talent. The likeness is uncanny.

You look so sad, though.

What’s bothering you? Are you pining for your beautiful lady?

She is beautiful, but she isn’t mine.

So that’s what you’re so sad about. You think she doesn’t love you?

I loved a bondswoman, but she didn’t wait for me.

I loved a noblewoman, but she was married.

But if I were to feel this one more time,

even mixed with sorrow, I will be happy.

Your health, Cossack.

- What is her name? - Katerina.

Oh, Katerina, my poor dear! How cruel a fate is thine!

Where, with a fatherless young child, A haven will you find?

All right, it’s time for me to go.

Bye.

You forgot.

Keep it. To remember me by.

1857. T. SHEVCHENKO

[NO DIALOG]

CHERVINSKIY ESTATE

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

My son!

As soon as I received a note that Piotr Ivanovich was going to the city,

I came straight to you.

It took some time to find a cab.

My baby… Sleep, my darling.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

What’s going on?

Larisa Viktorovna, what are you doing here?

Katerina?

[THEME MUSIC]