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The bodies of young women have been found near Dikanka village.

The most impressive thing is that there is no blood at all.

A horseman was always seen not far from the crime scene.

- I can prove useful to you. - Well, Gogol.

I am Alexey Danishevsky.

I see you've met my wife already.

Don't lie to me.

– Who are you? – I'm Oksana, the miller's daughter.

I'm Alexander Binkh, head of the local police.

Mr. Gogol's abilities can be beyond your understanding.

You can see what other people can't.

Mr. Guro!

Take Mr. Guro's body with you back home. You've got no business here anymore.

I'm not going anywhere.

We must find the murderer.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Devised by ALEXANDER TSEKALO

Screenplay by NATALYA MERKULOVA, ALEXEY CHUPOV,

KIM BELOV, PHILIP KONYASHOV, TIKHON KORNEV

Psst!

Come here!

Over here, hurry!

And now, Khavronya...

my heart desires something sweeter than your puddings and pies.

I haven't the faintest idea what you want from me.

Your love, of course.

Oh my, what a thought! God forbid you try to kiss…

We've been discovered.

Who's there?

Get dressed, quick!

Hurry, get up on the stove.

BASED ON NIKOLAI GOGOL’S WORKS

- Who was it? Who's there? - No one, it seems.

What's that?

Looks like a jacket.

A red jacket!

Don't worry, Khavronya. It's just some kids playing a trick.

God help us! They'll tell your husband and then...

GOGOL

CHAPTER 2 THE RED JACKET

Yakim, will you ever knock at the door?

Sorry, sir.

Mr. Guro's remainings are being transported to St. Petersburg, sir.

Thanks.

You know, sir, I just think you'd better

come back to St. Petersburg, write stories.

You don't need to stay here

as long as the murderer has been found.

Found?

So, you've already sniffed out the incident with the priest's son.

I didn't sniff anything out. I heard about it.

And now I'd like to know the details.

As you wish.

Last night a local woman, Khavronya, was stabbed to death.

In her own home. A mark was painted on the stove.

The same mark as the one left by your horseman.

He's been identified as the keeper of the neighboring church,

Afanasy Perebendya.

And here he is.

The murderer, already waiting for you.

Question him, if you wish.

A jacket.

A red jacket. On the doorstep.

- What jacket? - Everyone knows.

It's a sign of the devil.

Unfaithful wives fear it more than death.

If the devil leaves a jacket at your door,

it's a sign that soon he will surely appear.

God forbid!

The candle's smoke turned green.

Then came a pig's snout... from the fires of hell.

That cursed snout filled the room.

Mr. Binkh, do you really suppose that this man is the horseman

who killed three girls, an adult woman and Mr. Guro?

Now listen to me.

You're the investigator. So investigate!

Find me the real killer.

And I'll make sure he gets precisely what he deserves.

First, I need to inspect the dead woman's house.

I will also need a sketcher.

- What? - An artist.

Who will draw whatever he's told to.

Of course.

And a sculptor who will sculpt it.

Mr. Investigator.

We have Vakula the smith here in Dikanka.

He's a great artist, he used to paint churches, homes.

But now he's given it up.

So, he might refuse.

Paraska!

A witch!

He's in the smithy.

Good day, Vakula!

A good day to you.

This is Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, our new investigator.

He has come from St. Petersburg to investigate the girls' murders.

Did you draw that?

I did.

I should have covered it up long ago.

But I never found the time.

The police require your... assistance.

Your artistic talent, to be precise.

I don't do that any more. Find someone else.

You must understand. This is important.

We are seeking a horseman who is killing innocent girls.

And…

and you have the opportunity to help us!

Your horseman is evil itself.

The devil is his servant.

I'm not getting involved, and I advise you don't either.

Good day!

- Good day! - Good day.

Papa, Marushka wants to say something, but she's shy.

Tell me, Marushka, what is it you want from Papa?

Marushka wants earrings like the stars in the sky.

Can you make her some?

Go inside, my child. We will talk later.

Yes, Papa.

Goodbye!

If we do not stop the horseman...

then soon he might come for your daughter.

Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant Khavronya

in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering.

In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins she committed.

Greetings, good people!

An investigator has come from St. Petersburg.

So, Father, the funeral will have to be postponed.

Until... the investigator has investigated.

Tell me, where was the body found?

Right where you're standing.

Gritsko and I were out drinking. He asked to marry my daughter.

Then I came back and…

Thank God my daughter Paraska was out with friends

and did not see this villainy.

Excuse me.

Where is the mark the murderer painted on the stove?

Right where you're standing.

We covered up that devilish thing.

Why did you do that?

Whatever's covered can be uncovered.

Do you have any vinegar?

With God's help this may work.

God save us.

Mr. Gogol!

Easy now, easy!

What kind of tree is this?

I see you draw even worse than you investigate.

It looks like an oak. But it might not be an oak.

That is a linden tree. Just like the one on our estate.

You liked to sit under it when you were little.

Linden...

Lead-on...

Where are you taking that?

Why are you ransacking Solopy Cherevik's house?

Because the horseman is not the killer.

Really?

- What about the mark? - The mark proves nothing.

The inner symbol was painted upside-down.

The horseman targets young girls, so why kill Khavronya?

He killed the girls in the forest, not at home.

Get to the point.

My point is that it's all a fabrication.

Somebody killed Khavronya and tried to blame the horseman.

- So it was Cherevik? - Yes, precisely.

He wanted revenge on his unfaithful wife.

So while his daughter was out...

he came home, left a red jacket, and then killed Khavronya.

He tried to throw us off the chase.

That seems too clever for Cherevik.

Mr. Binkh!

This was under a barrel.

Got you now, haven't we?

You painted the mark on the stove. How clever of you!

I didn't kill her!

I was at the inn! Gritsko will back me up.

If he does, it means he's covering for you.

So he'll be sent away with you.

You'll have no son-in-law and no grandchildren.

- Have mercy, please! - I will not!

But there is hope for Gritsko.

If you confess to everything, you will go to the labor camp alone.

Well?

Think, Solopy.

Think of your daughter.

Don't take away her husband.

There is no use denying it.

I killed her.

I grew tired of that snake, and I killed her.

Leave Gritsko out of it.

He didn't know.

There we go.

Write it down.

What about the candle?

Paraska bought it from some gypsies in Poltava.

To decorate the house.

Mr. Gogol, you're not really helping.

Perhaps you should go.

Hear my one request!

Before you send me away to the camp...

let me celebrate Paraska's wedding today.

It's my only chance to see her get married.

And today we celebrate the autumn equinox.

Could I attend the wedding, under your supervision?

It's all over. He has signed and confessed.

It wasn't him.

We need to conduct an autopsy.

What do you mean?

You yourself said that it was Cherevik.

And that the horseman had nothing to do with the murder.

Get back to your investigation.

This is my case.

Come on, hurry up! Work together, now!

Put it over there.

Mr. Investigator, where should we put the doctor?

What do you mean, "put"?

Well, you asked for a doctor. Here he is.

Leopold Leopoldovich Bomgart.

- Is he drunk? - Well, yes.

Bring him in.

He's not too steady on his feet, but he can still do surgery.

Here. Give him some if he starts to drift off.

But don't overdo it.

Have a drink, son. You look awful.

Drink! It will help. Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Thank you.

The wound is trivial. Her lung is punctured.

She could have lived for another day or two.

So... what killed her?

There it is.

Her little heart.

Here, take a look.

The capillaries have burst.

Poor thing.

Her eyes opened wide before she died.

Her throat ligaments are torn, as if she gave a long, loud scream.

Her heart ruptured.

Do you mean to say that she died of fear?

I'm impressed.

You know a thing or two about medicine.

Believe it or not, I was the best at my university.

I even wrote a doctoral thesis.

That's why they sent me here into exile.

I'm wasting away here. All alone.

Do let me know if you find any more bodies.

I greatly prefer this to sitting idle at home.

Mr. Gogol... listen to me!

- You're a real master of your trade. - I'm at your service.

Must close the door...

or the goats and chickens will come and make a mess again.

And, Mr. Gogol...

Lisa!

Mr. Gogol... What are you doing here?

Ms. Danishevskaya, forgive me...

I just wanted to…

talk.

It's very late to be visiting...

but we can call it an evening reception.

What did you want to talk about?

Forgive me for asking a stupid question.

Did you happen to…

visit me?

The night before last.

I don't have a habit of paying visits at night.

Least of all to young men.

I am re-reading your poem, "Kuchelgarten".

Why would you read that nonsense?

Why are you so ashamed of your own work?

Ashamed is... too soft a word.

When I was in St. Petersburg, I went to visit Mr. Pushkin.

I wanted to show that great poet this piece of trash.

And what did Mr. Pushkin say about your poem?

He said nothing, thank God.

He had been gambling all night and was not accepting any visitors.

Sometimes I imagine, what if he had seen me that day?

And do you know what? That is my worst nightmare.

Here you write about Germany, and you write very beautifully.

But perhaps you should write about something you know well?

Take this place, for instance. You feel this place like no one else.

You were born in Ukraine. It's your home.

So write about it.

Please, forgive me for my late visit.

I should go.

Wait! You shouldn't walk through the woods so late.

I will call for a carriage.

No.

Please don't worry.

I will find my way. Take care!

You are a good person.

Paraska!

Paraska!

Paraska!

Mr. Guro.

Mr. Guro!

Paraska?

It's the devil!

Quiet!

Let's go.

- Have you seen in these woods... - Seen what?

Paraska!

There you are! I've been looking everywhere.

Paraska, what were you doing in the woods with this foreigner?

Gritsko, it's not what you think.

I can explain.

Go on then, explain.

- You see... - Oh, I see.

You should stop.

You have no money left.

- Mr. Pushkin, my dear... - Calm down, gentlemen.

I'll borrow 500 rubles from Pyotr here, and win it all back.

Mr. Pushkin, you should borrow it from me.

You will lose it back to me, anyway.

Who's there?

Oksana!

But...

you're dead!

What's going on?

How is this possible?

Don't you know how it works?

You're having a bad dream.

You try to wake up, but instead, you fall into an even worse nightmare.

Your world is not the only one.

There is another world. A dark, hidden one.

Where evil does as it wills.

You are able to enter this world,

for you are somehow bound with evil, with its power.

It is your gift.

If you do not learn to control it, you will never find the horseman.

Will you help me?

I can only guide you.

The rest is up to you.

There is someone in your way.

Who?

Lisa.

Why her?

She has taken your heart. And she is leading you astray.

Tell me about that night.

You, Lisa and I… what was that?

Which one of you came to me?

Does it matter?

You enjoyed it, didn't you?

Tell me, which one of us was better?

So it was you, then?

How dare you pretend to be her!

Do not go near her, understand?

Understand?

Mr. Gogol, you certainly live life to the full.

Who gave you that shiner?

Do you remember?

No, I don't.

Yakim, bring me some kvas to drink. I'm thirsty.

And I have a headache.

- It must be the bruise. - No, it's the booze.

Kvas won't help you. I've made you something else.

By the way, the blacksmith came by. He brought some drawings.

He said you asked him to draw the dead girls.

Thank you.

Drink it down with brine. It'll help.

Are you trying to kill me, Yakim?

Why would you give me that poison? I can't even bear to think of booze.

But the headache's gone, right?

There's no need to curse.

But don't drink any more or you'll end up the same way.

- Oh dear, I splashed the drawings. - No need to worry.

We'll put them up to dry.

What's that?

Oh sorry, sir, I forgot.

It's Mr. Guro's trunk.

When we packed his things for St. Petersburg,

we found a note attached to it.

Here it is.

"In the event of unforeseen circumstances,

please give this trunk to Mr. Gogol."

But there's no key.

It can't be opened.

To the bride and groom!

Come on, come on!

Paraska!

You will not find happiness!

- Go home, I tell you! - Let go of me!

Doctor Bomgart!

Ah, the investigator!

Please, join me.

I'm sitting here all lonely with no one to talk to.

Doctor Bomgart...

You're a doctor, so you must know chemistry.

Of course.

Medicine and chemistry are sister disciplines.

Take a look at this candle. There's something strange about it.

What it is made of? Apart from wax.

Laudanum...

belladonna, wormwood, and something else.

- Where did you get it? - From the crime scene.

Cherevik's daughter Paraska bought it from a gypsy.

Gypsies know much of chemistry, I tell you.

The priest's son said it burned with a green flame.

Green?

So it must contain copper oxides.

What else did he see?

A pig's head came into his house. Its eyes shone and...

Mr. Pushkin!

Precisely.

And you are Gogol, correct?

Yes.

How do you feel, young man?

Good. I feel fine.

Then allow me to inquire: what are you currently working on?

I'm working as a clerk in the secret police,

writing a report about a pig's head...

and a red jacket.

Are you being serious?

Do you really think that is going to sell?

Good heavens, Mr. Gogol. What happened to you?

How you frightened me!

Forgive me for lighting that horrid candle.

I was expecting a little hallucination, but you fell over as if you had died.

Oh Lord. Tell me, what did you see?

A nightmare! And it was all so...

so real.

Heavens, who would have thought

they would put so much nastiness in that little candle.

Wait!

You mean...

when the flame reached that substance, the candle started to smoke,

and when they breathed it in, they started to...

hallucinate?

Well, yes.

It's like the proverb - fear is the mind's creation.

So someone gave Khavronya the candle.

When the priest's son arrived she lit it, and they started hallucinating.

Then the killer came, in a pig mask...

She died of fear before she was stabbed.

Who could have done it, Mr. Gogol?

Perhaps it was...

the man who gave Khavronya the candle.

Or...

the woman.

Why did you take the blame for her?

You know who I mean.

Your daughter.

Paraska. I know she killed Khavronya.

- What is this nonsense? - Don't, Gritsko.

When Gritsko fell asleep drunk at the inn,

you went back home.

Because you knew your wife was with the priest's son,

and you wanted to catch them.

But when you arrived, you were met by a terrible sight.

I know that you love your daughter, and want to protect her.

But she has committed murder. She should bear the punishment, not you.

Why did you take the blame?

Paraska... is this true?

I am the only one to blame.

My child suffered because of that wicked crone.

I should have sent her to the grave long ago.

It's a shame I realized too late.

Forgive me, my daughter.

Forgive me for letting that snake into our house.

I should have killed that dirty beast long ago.

Run, kids, run!

Run, now!

Stop this at once!

Up you get, Mr. Gogol.

Are you all right?

Where's Paraska?

If we just get to the river...

Damned root!

They can't have gone far.

- Tesak? - This way.

They're probably escaping by the river.

And if they are...

we can catch them at the bend in the river.

Can you guide us there?

Yes, I know the way.

Come.

Time to warm myself up.

Don't look at me like that. It makes me shiver.

If I hadn't killed that witch, we couldn't have married.

She forbade Father from giving his blessing, remember?

My beloved, we'll go far away from here.

Peace and happiness await us.

We will pray for our sin in a new place.

There will be no forgiveness, murderer!

Where's your bride?

Did you think killing me would make you happy, you swine?

No, you will not find happiness!

You'll follow me to the fires of hell!

Here's your new husband!

Take her, she's yours!

No!

Stop!

She's not far.

The living may go no further.

I have all the symptoms: delirium tremens, barrel fever...

Where am I?

Why is it so dark?

No!

Stay away from me, dark one!

Good heavens, sir.

How did you scare that witch away?

I don't know.

Witches don't exist!

One just has to warm up a little less often.

Gentlemen...

God be my witness, you're the only men in Dikanka in whom I can trust.

Please, help me find the horseman.

I am confident that together we can stop him.

Well...

you are doing God's work.

I'm with you.

Unlike the others here, I believe in neither the Devil nor God.

But I must admit your arrival here has rid me of my boredom.

Sir, I am at your disposal.

But sir, we'll never escape from this hellhole.

Stop complaining, Yakim.

This is Mr. Guro's trunk.

I am sure that its contents will prove useful to our investigation.

Can you open it, Vakula?

He who makes locks can break them too.

You're welcome.

Lisa!

Sir!

Mr. Gogol, my dear, don't frighten us like that!

Lisa is in danger.

GOGOL - Extracted by - --

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