Original subtitles

Vladimir Grigoriev & Catherine Dussart present

Vladimir Mashkov

A film by Pavel Lounguine

Day of Plato's death

A rapid deployment force burst into the headquarters of Infocar.

What's going on here?

As you can see, they refuse to comment.

Perhaps you will talk to us, after all?

No filming!

This action is obviously linked

to the charging

of the founder of Infocar, Plato Makovski.

The State wants to show that it no longer needs oligarchs,

especially rebellious oligarchs.

Here, we see Communists celebrating over the government's actions.

Pack your bags! Go live in Israel!

Why did you speed up the search?

You want the glory, don't you?

Bravo, now you've got it.

I wanna punch you out.

Just try and see what happens.

I'm afraid I'd miss. I'm getting old.

Wait.

I didn't start all this.

So, who did?

Who took the initiative, huh?

Here's some good advice: don't try to find out.

The less you know, the better you'll sleep. Got it?

Screw you.

Stop robbing the people, Plato Makovski!

Who are your real bosses, Mr Makovski?

Makovski, in prison!

According to Forbes, you're one of the world's 100 richest men.

You have a fortune of $5 billion.

But it's not enough to spare you these humiliations.

'Cause we're in Russia.

Is this search connected with the Infocar affair?

Look, kid, this is a tissue of lies.

My only crime is being a free man.

Will you emigrate?

Let them wait 'n' see!

I'm a politician,

not a businessman. Prison is part of the game.

But is your empire in danger?

Yes, but look at this party: it's a masked ball! Such fun!

- Can I give you a lift? - I have my car.

We are continuing our series of investigations

entitled "Dressed Up or Down".

Here is a presidential candidate,

the Governor of Northern Siberia, Nikolai Lomov.

If you thought he was in the sauna, you were wrong.

Bravo.

The Governor has a very personal way

of receiving his female voters at home.

Control room! Cut that!

A terrible event has just occurred.

We have just received a dispatch.

20 minutes ago,

Plato Makovski, Infocar President,

was assassinated.

A daring assassination was carried out

on one of Russia's

leading entrepreneurs. Today at 3:40 PM,

the Mercedes which was taking Plato Makovski to his dacha

was the target of several anti-tank missiles.

At the moment, the authorities are refusing to comment.

But our sources at the FSB declared

anonymously that he was accompanied

by a bodyguard and his chauffeur.

That calls for a drink.

Is everyone like that in Moscow?

In Moscow? Everyone!

...are having trouble identifying the bodies.

This is the 13th assassination attempt on

Plato Makovski. The 13th proved fatal.

Vladimir Zalatinski, Info-TV, Moscow.

Hello.

I know one thing...

It's no way to behave. Am I right?

I can turn the compliment around:

you were the one who said he needed seeing to.

Everyone said so.

- What're you looking at me for? - No reason.

Vassili Vassilevich...

- Hi. Have you heard? - Yeah.

You're as silent as the grave.

I'll tell you something: one of you killed him.

It doesn't matter who did it.

We all dreamed of doing it.

Don't look at me like that.

I'm no Judas.

Stop it. How did it happen?

An anti-tank missile.

A Russian or Western one?

Russian.

See, we can do good work!

That judge from the Urals... what's his name again?

- Chlykov? - Chmakov.

Yes, that's it.

Why was he sent for? Don't we have enough of our own?

No, it was a good idea: a provincial judge

who isn't involved in any Muscovite scams.

He was to bring him down for being in breach of the law

and have him sentenced.

That's the dictatorship of the law: oligarch or not,

if you're caught with your finger in the pie,

- you go to jail. - Right.

Except that the jail is empty.

We have to find the guy who did it.

But I don't think

that Chmakov is the man for the job.

Nor do I.

Then... he must be replaced.

We'll replace him.

Aren't you afraid of being killed?

The day after Plato's death

I think that our government is...

prepared to massacre an entire people,

but to kill an individual

requires, I think,

more courage.

That's the next level.

We'll see if they dare.

I was baptized

6 months ago, and as a Christian, I believe

in eternal life.

He's smart:

he put his soul in a Swiss bank, next to his gold.

Aren't you cute!

How did you get in?

Police apartment - police keys!

I've got 2 pieces of news for you.

One good, one bad. Which do you want first?

- I don't care. - The bad, then.

You're no longer the boss.

Now, the good news.

I'm taking your place.

We've got 3 leads to go on:

the business, the underworld, and the friends.

You see to his friends.

The closets must be full of skeletons.

Mark Naoumovich, where do we put the wreath?

Here. No, on the tree. So it can be seen from the road.

On the post, it'll be even more visible.

OK, and call the musician.

Go on, play.

- What do I play? - What he liked.

Forgive us, Plato.

We failed to protect you.

Did you know him?

I was his friend.

Almost like a brother.

He had plenty of fairweather friends.

Where are they now?

Bunch of rats!

- Want some? - Why not?

- I don't have another glass. - It doesn't matter.

Rest in peace, Plato.

He too drank straight from the bottle one time.

You didn't have a glass?

It was to seduce a girl.

15 years before Plato's death

- Where to? - Car 4's further on.

Off we go to the economics symposium.

Happy New Year.

Hello... This way.

Who's that?

Koretski, the new ideologist from the Academy of Science.

He's going there, too.

I'm taking the pioneers to Leningrad.

You can't bring that on the train.

Dear, dear lady...

Too dear for you!

- C'mon, be nice. - Do you print them or what?

Go on.

Where's Plato? We leave in 3 minutes.

Don't worry. He's always late.

He invites me and doesn't even show up.

Go on, get on. I'll wait here for him.

There's always one...

- Do you like cold kebabs? - No!

You're the most beautiful woman in the world.

Save me, I'm burning.

Go warm up your kebabs!

No smoking here.

That's impossible - they'd be burned to a cinder.

I'm not burning. I'm going back to my seat.

- Please... - Now!

Just 5 minutes. Maximum half an hour.

Keep the noise down!

I invited the young lady to a picnic.

- She refused. - Strange, that's not like her.

Darling, I don't recognize you.

You heard him. Let's go!

Maria, this valiant knight with the kebabs,

Moussa is like a brother to me.

He's as simple and reliable as...

An old Colt!

Then, there's Viktor. A genius.

- I can do Einstein. - A real genius.

Tomorrow, his scientific paper will cause

a scientific earthquake. Let's go on.

That's Mark.

Pay no attention.

He complains all the time, because he thinks he's our mother.

I want to drink

to the most beautiful woman in the world.

To Maria.

- A glass. - There aren't any more.

Give me the bottle.

To Maria! Hurrah!

You look like a trumpet player!

ID and tickets!

Can we work something out, Lieutenant?

Alcohol is forbidden in public places.

I'm reporting you to your superiors.

I like the honest look of men in uniform!

- How'd you like 2 weeks in jail? - Not at all.

Did my husband send you?

Leave them alone.

It's OK, I'm going.

Wake up. Come on, up you get, darling.

- Who are you? - Don't you recognize me?

I don't know you.

Oh, come off it! You're just like all the rest:

A quickie, then so long!

- A quick what? - What?

- I don't remember... - You promised to marry me.

Well, it's very simple: I'm filing a complaint.

You'll soon know what hit you!

You forgot your promise, but you won't forget me!

I can promise you that!

- Did it work? - You bet!

A ticket inspector wife has many advantages:

First of all, she's almost always absent.

The uniform is supplied.

Oh, I nearly forgot: when her husband dies,

a ticket inspector can

transport the body for free anywhere in the USSR

to have him buried.

Are you pulling my leg?

You are! You bastards!

When economic growth slows down,

you get a recession.

If I understand correctly, young man,

by an inefficient economy,

you're implying the Socialist economy.

I just solved a theoretical problem. It's mathematics, not ideology.

Don't be clever. According to you, the Socialist economy isn't viable.

What about Marxism-Leninism?

Do you want to abolish that, too?

Hello, Plato?

Get over here now.

Viktor's getting crucified. Koretski's doing him down.

- Not now. - You gotta help him.

- We're waiting. - I'm coming.

I have to go.

I really do.

For the well-being of our country,

generations of Soviets died of hunger,

lived in slums, and gave their lives.

For these ideas that you trample on...

Young man, one last question...

Sorry to interrupt you, but I think that Comrade...

Koretski is dramatizing things.

It's a debate. We present our ideas, albeit questionable.

That's strange logic.

Logic is never strange. Either it is logical or it isn't.

But you can show anything with logic.

I can show you, for example...

that a crocodile...

Is that how you draw it?

Is it a good likeness?

So, a crocodile is longer

than it is green,

because it is long on top and underneath

whereas it is only green on top.

What crap!

Just for Comrade Koretski, I'll demonstrate

that it's more green than wide.

It's green lengthwise

and widthwise,

whereas it's only wide widthwise!

Thanks a lot.

I knew I did the right thing to call you.

You're brilliant!

Maria, it's me.

Viktor had caused a huge scandal.

But I managed to avoid the worst.

Mark made sandwiches.

We celebrated, I didn't notice the time. Want some?

They're good... Are you mad at me?

I'll get dressed...

Know who I was up against?

Comrade Koretski.

Does the name ring a bell?

Maria.

Mrs Koretski.

Maria...

He played games all the time...

To him, life was just a game. And this is where it led.

Russia's a bear: you think you're playing with it,

but she's really devouring you.

Is Viktor the one who fell off the balcony?

Who are you?

- District Attorney. - Judge?

I'm in charge of special cases.

This is provocation!

Where's your warrant?

I know my rights. You have to have a warrant.

What's your name?

Chmakov.

I'm not having this.

- You'll be fired! - Fine!

Everyone says

that Plato was a genius.

That's bullshit! Viktor was.

Viktor was a genius

in mathematics.

Whereas Plato

was a "rat charmer",

a pied piper of Hamelin,

making people follow him like rats...

We live in the age

of these rat charmers.

Gorbachev was one, so was Yeltsin.

I spot them with my eyes closed.

I know that you were

the chief accountant of Plato's company...

which made brooms.

I need to take my medicine.

What brooms?

They wrote theses

for rich idiots. 1,000 rubles per thesis.

- And they stone-washed jeans. - Why?

From the start of perestroika,

he started drumming into them

that a new age of freedom was coming.

But they still needed money

to start off with.

The two of them took their Ph D's, became doctors,

but the idiots gave up science to stone-wash jeans.

But it was the Georgian who really cleared up.

Do you want a drink?

11 years before Plato's death Dry cleaning cooperative, Moscow

- Viktor, they're fake Levis! - Of course.

We'll write you a brilliant thesis,

but why do you need it?

I run a Lada garage in Georgia.

Moussa just messed up his 5th pair.

So?

You can speak in front of him.

I'm embarrassed to be the manager without having any diplomas.

If I were you, I'd opt for a doctorate.

More prestigious.

No, I better not.

In Georgia, they don't like people to be too intelligent.

- You know the price? - Of course.

Mark, see to the gentleman.

What's your thesis on?

That's up to you.

It's a big pot.

You can cook a whole duck in it.

COOPERATIVE WAREHOUSE

It's 1,500 rubles, and you give me 300?

- Go see the man. - Who?

Gorbachev.

Cut it out. I'm telling you, it's worth...

Fabric's now 5 times more expensive.

- 300 rubles? - The government just decreed

a 500% increase for the private sector.

I don't care!

They're bleeding us dry.

What do you expect me to do about it?

I don't have a penny.

Zero.

It's 1,500 rubles...

May I respectfully have a word with you?

I tell you, nothing will ever go right in this country.

Soon we'll be buying snow from abroad.

That's enough.

Here's 1,200 rubles.

Is that OK? Are we friends?

If you say so...

Did you hit him?

No! I just said it wasn't nice to keep it all to himself

and that he had to share.

What does "no money" mean?

He felt so ashamed, he opened his safe.

Let's drink.

I was so happy.

I was in seventh heaven.

I thought that the government decree

would bring Viktor back to science,

that everything would be like before.

I don't know why I'm telling you all this.

Let's drink.

But the rat charmer

had invented a new scam.

Scams...

His head was full of them.

I'm sorry.

You dare to come and disturb our grief!

We've found some new leads.

So what? You'll never be able to understand Plato.

- Why's that? - Because he was a genius.

What can you tell me about the brooms?

In 1989, you and Makovski

founded the Mill Company

which aimed to...

Excuse me a moment...

...to make and sell brooms.

You made 150 million of them,

in other words, around 5 brooms

per Soviet household.

Where did they all go?

There.

Look.

That's the last one.

- What about the others? - All sold.

They were excellent brooms.

In this specific case, the decree doesn't apply.

We don't sell - we exchange.

Company 1 exchanges

with 2, 2 with 3, etc., etc.

And that's how the mill starts to turn. There you go.

- I don't get it. - It's simple.

The private sector can't sell, but it can exchange.

Say you have vacuum cleaners.

- You can exchange them. - What for?

For... anything.

Brooms, for example.

Here's one.

- What brooms? - Brooms to sweep with.

I get it.

Sheer genius.

Forget the thesis. Let's go to the Lada plant.

What for?

To trade brooms

for cars.

It's simple.

10 years before Plato's death Lada plant

- Why are you laughing? - 'Cause all this will soon be ours.

198,

199,

200.

There are your 200 cars. Now sign here.

- Everything OK? - Yes.

Hey, you!

What're you playing at?

Where are you going?

Stop it!

I'll do the talking. Don't say a word.

So, you Muscovites are starting your business here?

This is our patch. You didn't ask our permission.

You didn't show us respect.

We're fining you $20,000.

Plus 5% of the sales.

You've had 200 cars:

we're taking 10 right now.

Any questions?

We have to discuss it.

Let me handle this.

You know what, guys?

I've thought it over: Go fuck yourselves!

You won't have a thing.

Understand?

Well, do you understand?

Easy, easy.

My friend's getting carried away.

Let's meet tomorrow at noon.

We'll talk it over calmly.

A meeting, you say? OK, let's do that.

Guys, we're taking this hothead.

He's coming with us.

Larry, don't give them a thing: no money or cars!

- I can sell my apartment. - Which one?

My studio. It's worth 30,000.

You're crazy. That'd take time.

I'm against negotiating with them.

Do you think you're the boss?

I love this Olympian calm, but say something.

You brought us here.

You put Plato in the shit.

It's your fault. Leave those dice alone.

Say something!

Hello, Ahmed. Thanks for coming.

Did you tell the cops?

Good.

Never tell the cops.

Ever.

Give me a cigarette.

Mark, you don't smoke. I'll tell your mom.

I'm nervous.

- Don't worry. - I'm not worried, I'm nervous.

- You're not. You're scared. - You're scared.

OK, I'm scared. Aren't you?

- I am, but that's normal. - Well, then.

You're not scared. I'm the one who's scared.

I'm Ahmed the Uzbek. Who's the boss?

I am.

You, stay there. The rest of you, scram.

You're young.

They're under my protection.

The guy must be back here in 1 hour.

You pay $100 for every minute he's late.

The countdown has started.

2 days after Plato's death

Zoom in on the people in the procession.

That's impossible.

Let's go.

What're they doing?

What's up?

Here we go!

There's a bomb in the tomb. Don't stay here.

Run!

Don't stay here. Hurry up! There's a bomb.

- Did you hurt yourself? - No.

It won't take long.

You know,

I must be crazy,

but for me, he's not dead.

And his casket is empty.

I can feel him...

here, not far away.

8 years before Plato's death He's looking at us and laughing...

like that time on the boat.

- Who's that? - We said, no girls.

Hello.

Hello, Viktor.

How are the crocodiles? Still green?

As green as our dollar bills. Lengthwise and widthwise.

Hello.

I saw a beautiful girl looking for a taxi.

I took a closer look.

It was Maria.

Illarion.

Call me Larry.

Are you new?

We're the new guys. He's the old guy.

Everything's changed with us.

Plato, aren't you pleased?

Our partner, head of the Lada plant.

I'm Grigori. What lovely ladies there are in Moscow!

- Mr Ahmed. - Pleased to meet you.

Do you work with them, too?

I sort out problems...

We've been working together for a year now,

and I'm very pleased

by how smart you youngsters are.

Let's drink

to Infocar's first birthday

and to Plato's talent.

Care to dance?

Wiith you?

Alright!

I live in Moscow for a week per month.

Are you looking for a part-time lover?

No...

I'm sick of Moscow tramps.

I dream of a high-flying woman.

Like you.

What do you say? Alright?

Alright to what? To fly away with you?

Fair enough.

Slowpoke! Are you asleep or what?

Get out! What's gotten into you?

- Don't panic! - Stop it!

Stop it!

Full speed ahead!

You're tireless.

In every way, you know!

Look...

The engine will blow up!

Quiet. Come eat.

You've gone crazy.

Mark, let's catch up with them.

You see, if it weren't for me, we'd have forgotten it.

It's dumb, but I'm afraid of heights.

Don't worry, I'm here. 1, 2, 3...

I saved the kebabs!

I wanted to make it Infocar's club.

No rent to pay, you stop wherever you like,

even by the Kremlin.

Mark! You taught me to swim.

Get off me!

Plato, where are you?

Idiot.

Why did you disappear last time?

I understood.

- What? - Everything.

- Everything? - Yes!

Maria...

What about your life?

Everything's just fine.

And your husband?

I don't have a husband.

Here we are.

So, no husband is good, but no job is bad?

You always figure things out fast.

Faster than me.

Bye.

- Can I come up? - What for?

Just for 5 minutes.

Got anything to drink?

The fridge is empty.

- Want some tea? - Great!

- I dream about tea! - Good.

Mommy?

Who are you?

Plato.

My name's Plato, too.

Hi.

Where's mom?

Go back to bed! Hurry up!

- Why didn't you tell me? - What?

- About my son. - He's my son.

He looks just like I did at his age.

He's nothing to do with you, OK?

OK, I get it.

Stay there. I'll be right back.

Isn't it beautiful?

It's for official appointments.

Very beautiful?

It's for the unofficial ones.

Ugly?

It's your office.

And what do I have to do?

We'll put in a table and chair.

You'll sit down - it'll be beautiful.

Where's Plato?

He's not here. Your first job

is to buy a teddy bear.

Buy the biggest there is.

Send it to this address with a note from Plato.

As usual: "I love you. You are special."

It was my address.

That's how I found a job and lost my son.

He took him off you?

He sent him to some English school for millionaires' kids.

Honey!

You OK?

Stay down.

Scared?

The bomb's defused.

2 pounds of explosive! We'd have all died!

3 days after Plato's death

So, how's the investigation going?

The DA's office has worked long and hard.

We have 3 theories about that bomb:

either it was the work of rivals

to eliminate the heads of Infocar...

The Solntsevo gang, to eliminate Ahmed,

the big boss who was there...

We need to look into Infocar.

They are tearing each other apart like rabid dogs

for money and power.

Their TV spreads lies

about the Kremlin, accusing it of everything.

Admire...

what they show on prime-time TV.

Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we bring you

a new edition of "Dressed Up or Down".

Our hero, unlike Governor Lomov,

doesn't remove his trousers.

But he must've left his head at home.

Otherwise, this civil servant would have known

that only a headless rider

could declare: "The bomb defused at the funeral

is clearly the work of Chechen fighters."

They've gone too far!

We should've nipped Infocar in the bud, ages ago.

We'll do better than that, but legally.

Hello! Remember me?

It's me. I need to talk to you.

You didn't want to before without a summons.

I changed my mind.

Come to my office tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I may not be able to.

Tomorrow, I may be dead.

But I mustn't die.

My mother's very sick.

Please...

5 minutes. I'm hungry.

You're not looking properly.

Remember Stalin...

History repeats itself, over and over again.

- Do you follow me? - No.

Come now... He wants power at any cost.

To get it, he's removing the old guard.

You think I'm crazy? See for yourself:

Viktor dies first, then Plato is killed,

today it was Moussa's turn.

Once I've been eliminated, Larry can take over Infocar.

What happened to Moussa Tariev?

A cement mixer hit his car an hour ago.

He's alive and was taken to the hospital.

Larry is worse than the devil: he planned it all.

And I thought we were all like brothers,

like Plato said on his birthday.

5 years before Plato's death Plato's country house

This is for you.

- Does she look like me? - Yes.

Thank you. May I?

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

Hey, new Russian

You spurn the tram and the bus

You spend your life in a Mercedes

You've forgotten the USSR!

1...

2...

3!

Here's a drink for Plato

Let's drink to Plato's health

Our dear Plato

The finest man of all

The most handsome of all

Plato, drink it down in one

Thank you very much

for all that you do for us artists.

Times are hard,

but you help us almost every day.

Plato! Your gift!

She's real!

Well?

Lady's choice!

We haven't had time to discuss business...

Later, Hubert.

Look after her.

Thank you. Plato!

The llamas haven't given you anything yet.

So, Fantik and I want to congratulate you.

Every president except Yeltsin...

We're waiting for Yeltsin's telegram, and you want us to go?

Yeltsin will show up, that's for sure.

Yeltsin is warming up, and we're already drunk.

Nina, I'm going home.

For your 44th birthday, the President of Tadzhikistan

gives you this Akhal-T�k� thoroughbred.

May it serve you 100 years! After that, we'll see.

- Does it bite? - Yes, it's a real Akhal-T�k�.

Shitty intelligentsia!

Viktor, calm her down.

Stuffing your faces...

boozing...

partying... Real savages!

As the country starves! Don't you disgust yourselves?

And you eat in the soup kitchen, do you?

I don't eat caviar.

I just drink.

Vodka.

Like everyone else.

Russian vodka.

I'm with my people.

Larry, look after it.

She's right in a way.

You bet I am!

Viktor, I've made up my mind: I'm leaving you.

You drank too much. Go home and rest. Viktor's staying with us.

You wimp.

Take a car.

Wiimp!

I don't want your car.

I'll do what normal people do:

I'll take the train.

They're interested in Infocar and they really want...

That's very interesting. I agree.

...to invest in the company,

but they want clarification on 3 points.

Come on, guys, let's get out of here.

There are too many people on my back.

Take the bottle. Let's go!

We're really lucky, guys.

We've known each other for ages.

We know what the others will do the next minute, the next hour,

the next day... We're much more than friends.

We're a world of our own.

Here's to us!

OK?

Into the fire!

Let's go!

Do you know why Viktor died?

Because Larry did all he could to get rid of him.

4 years before Plato's death

The import duty has risen by 150%, but nobody gives a damn.

I don't understand this approach.

There's nothing wrong with our approach.

It's absolutely fine.

First of all,

each task is down to one specific person.

It's up to him to solve his problems.

We've got $20,000,000 of Mercedes stuck in Customs.

You've got contacts there. Introduce me to them.

Secondly, the underworld has its rules, Customs have theirs.

Cut the crap. Do I bribe them?

Viktor, you're a great scholar.

We have to take care of you.

And you want to buy Customs!

Are you getting into organized crime?

Plato said to see you if I had problems.

Absolutely. And that's what you did.

2 new Russians meet.

One says: "I paid $3,000 for my tie!"

The other answers:

"You got ripped off. I saw the same one for $5,000."

- That's funny. - Lamb in spicy sauce.

- Classy! - I've got a good one...

Viktor, I don't like the way you conduct your business.

You're secretive about Customs clearance,

you tell Larry to send money to Switzerland...

I gave my word I wouldn't reveal the scheme.

Who to?

I can't say. I promised.

But clearance won't cost a thing.

Don't you trust me?

It's a matter of principle.

Trust without a contract ends in bloodshed.

And we don't want blood to be shed.

That's the basic principle of our work. Understand?

Plato, can I have a word?

Since when do we hide things from each other?

That's new!

If it concerns work, we can leave.

Why should I leave? It concerns us all.

Guys...

We should leave the two of them to it.

It's just that I'm hungry.

Come on. You can carry on later.

You really are a pain!

Viktor...

You...

give your word to strangers,

but you can't tell me?

You give me car imports,

with duty up 150%! Do you see the problem?

You...

give your word to strangers,

but you can't tell me?

I gave my word.

You can't tell me?

Do you want me to go?

Do what you like.

Yeah, right... you go.

When I was stuck, two guys showed up.

Dad, I'll catch you!

At your age, you should be clubbing.

You embarrass me!

We know you have a problem with Customs.

Excuse me, who are you?

The Small Business Advisory Center.

If you really have a problem,

we're prepared to help you.

How?

Our company doesn't pay duty on imported goods.

In particular, on vehicles.

- Who authorizes this? - The President.

By special decree.

We're just after the Blind Association.

But before the Sports Fund.

You know, I've got good sight.

I've got nothing to do with the blind.

So, I'm afraid it doesn't apply to me.

It does.

The plan's simple:

you sell all your vehicles to one of our foreign branches.

We import them, we take off the duty,

and we sell them back to you.

Your conditions?

50% of the profits.

The Afghanistan Veterans and the Blind charge more.

Are you interested?

Yes.

Colonel Belenki.

Pasha to my friends.

See that pine tree over there?

Watch closely.

The pine tree is no more.

If I'd had that in Afghanistan,

I'd still have my legs

and a face like Alain Delon's.

Go on, shoot.

It's OK, I believe you.

Shoot, I said.

I don't like it, I can't.

- It doesn't hurt to try. - Just relax.

And again!

Again!

Viktor, let me tell you:

you got screwed by those crooks.

- Not crooks. Their number... - I don't believe it!

You're prepared to give them $20,000,000 of cars on a plate!

Their number is that of the former Central Party Committee.

Maybe I could discuss it

with their "Politburo" boss?

I don't know.

You can try.

Pasha? It's Viktor.

I have a problem: our boss wants to talk to yours. Is that possible?

He's going to try.

Yes, Plato Makovski.

Hello.

How do you do?

Thank you very much.

Alright. Goodbye.

Know who their boss is?

Who?

Holy cow!

That's very, very interesting.

2 years before Plato's death Moscow

Those bastards are stifling us!

No more privileges!

There'll be chaos. The blood's flowing.

When we started collaborating, someone called me.

Could he call me again now?

Why not?

I'll do that for you.

Colonel Belenki speaking. Is he there?

Put him on.

Hello.

This is Makovski.

Yes...

- Well? - Here's what we'll do.

We need a document from the Ministry of Finance.

He'll see to it.

- And we'll keep the mill turning. - I don't get it. What mill?

Where's the money? Where is it?

Do I explain?

Or don't I?

I'll explain.

Let's say I owe Larry 1 ruble.

Larry owes Viktor 1,

and Viktor owes me 1. But none of us has any money.

- Give me 1 ruble. - Go on.

Let's suppose the founder of the Academy of Science,

Lomonossov comes and buys a glove off of me.

For 1 ruble.

I give it to Larry, 'cause I owe it to him.

We're now quits.

Larry gives it to Viktor. They're now quits.

And Viktor gives it to me. We're now quits.

But Lomonossov comes back, saying:

"What use is just one glove?"

He gives me the glove, I give him the ruble.

I have my glove,

Lomonossov has his ruble,

and we're quits with Customs.

What a magician! What sleight of hand!

I didn't see a fucking thing!

You sure thought about this, didn't you?

But what's in it for you?

The bank the duty goes through will be mine.

And I'll take a small percentage, a tiny amount

on every transaction. That's all.

He came up with that in 3 minutes.

Genius. Sheer genius.

Our teachers called him "Platosha" in front of everyone

to show that they were his equals.

But there's no such thing as equality.

What did you have to do with Koretski?

A lot, unfortunately.

But wasn't Belenki from the Kremlin, too?

You see,

you have 2 hands,

the left and the right, don't you?

Well, the Kremlin has dozens of hands.

Like the Hindu goddess, Shiva.

And all those hands

are greedy.

They're... extremely greedy.

Sometimes, the left hand wants to steal the steak

off the right hand.

You're the steak?

Not only me.

Here comes the bastard.

1 year before Plato's death

Listen carefully to my boss.

You listen carefully to mine.

How can an officer like you help a crook rob the country?

A hero of Afghanistan! You'd have been court-martialed.

Oh, were you there? You goddam draft dodger!

I asked you if you were there!

Where did you come from?

Little kitty...

Get the keys to the safe.

What did you have to do with Makovski?

3 days after Plato's death

Did I kill him? No.

It would've been too great an honor.

I hated him, but the way you hate a monster:

a monster of selfishness, cynicism... a real monster.

Tell me...

Maria Koretski, an Infocar employee, is your ex-wife...

- Put that down. - I'm sorry.

What do you think?

That I got revenge, because he stole my wife?

I, Koretski,

an aristocrat, lower myself to be jealous of that half-breed!

I'm just sorry for Russia.

My forebears served this country for ten generations

under the czars, the communists, regardless...

It would've been considered a sin to judge the czar.

Our respect for power is hereditary...

as is the gift of spotting enemies and punishing them mercilessly.

You can't imagine the harm that this Makovski

could have caused the State

if he hadn't been eliminated.

- Did you eliminate him? - I wasn't the only one.

Who are the others?

So, the search of Infocar

and the murder of Colonel Belenki was your work?

Well, well, well...

Because, you see,

I have proof.

Now listen to me.

Chmakov...

What are you after?

I'm not an aristocrat,

and some things go over my head.

But we ordinary mortals and filthy flunkeys would like to know

why, with no regard to the law,

you extorted money from Makovski?

Get out!

Did you know that Makovski recorded your conversation?

That's right.

Maybe he told you,

maybe he even wanted to use it, and you killed him?

Get the hell out!

That's actually a very good motive. Goodbye.

Chmakov!

I'll break the door down!

Chmakov, open up!

- What do you want? - Where's the cassette?

What cassette?

That Makovski recorded at the Kremlin.

- Ah, the cassette! - Yes, the cassette.

Here it is.

Give it to me.

Give it to me.

Here!

He calls me up: "Can you come over?"

9 months before Plato's death I say: "Where?" "The Kremlin."

"I'll send you a car." "I've got mine."

"lt'd take too long to get you a pass." And he hangs up.

Capital punishment for theft of State funds

still hasn't been abolished. Do you know that, Mr Makovski?

How bloodthirsty you are, Mr Koretski.

Did you know that the President set up an amnesty committee?

We're building a more humane society.

No amnesty can concern you.

Let me be quite clear: you're a criminal.

A dangerous criminal.

You don't rob an individual - you rob a people.

You rob an entire country!

The country which raised you.

And gave you a free education.

This stolen money could go to children, old people, invalids!

Mr Koretski, our company

is looking for a consultant to be paid around $1,000,000 a year.

Could you suggest anyone?

How much?

Please take a look at this document.

Tomorrow at noon, I want to see on this table...

10 million... dollars, of course.

That's enough to start with.

So, tomorrow, bring me 10 million

in cash.

You can go. They'll escort you out.

Leave that document.

The worst thing isn't the 10 million.

To hell with the money.

He knows our Swiss account numbers,

but the worst thing is that we don't know...

What's that shit?

An omelet.

It's Makovski's account of his visit to Koretski.

So?

Where's the recording he made in Koretski's office?

He recorded it?

- You said he did! - No.

I told Koretski I had a recording

of his conversation with Makovski.

You just heard it from Makovski himself.

The keys to the safe.

Here.

Listen,

Mr Alcoholics Anonymous, do you know who Koretski is?

- And who's behind him? - I don't give a shit.

Behind every bastard is another one. I'm sick of it.

He knows our Swiss account numbers,

9 months before Plato's death

but the worst thing is that we don't know

what else he has in that file of his.

Viktor, how did he get those contracts?

- I don't know. - Calm down. Sit down.

I said, sit down.

- How many originals were there? - 1 for us, 1 for Belenki.

- Where's ours? - In Belenki's safe.

Aren't there enough safes here?

Belenki's a reliable guy.

And where is this reliable guy now?

I don't know.

He hasn't answered the phone for 2 days.

We'll go to his place.

Someone bring me a coffee!

- What happened? - This is the place.

Stop looting.

- Don't steal that fridge. - We're not!

I'm from the insurance. When was the fire?

- 3 days ago. - Not 3... 4.

- Where are the owners? - No idea.

There were gunshots.

If I understand right,

that's our contract, isn't it?

So, let's take stock:

debit, credit.

Our friend Moussa:

minus.

Our friend Plato:

minus.

Larry: minus.

Nina: minus.

My daughters: plus.

Dear Plato,

what's about to happen is no one's fault.

Excuse me, I live downstairs.

I was taking down the trash and I locked myself out.

So?

Do you have a rope?

You OK?

Everything's fine. Thank you.

It's just an accident.

It happens.

We've always been friends.

Don't be mad at me.

It's not your fault. I'm tired.

I'd just like to say one last thing.

Remember that poem by Galich:

"You will beget wolves on earth.

"You'll teach them to wag their tails."

Do you remember the rest?

Farewell.

It can't be!

I really loved him.

You know that.

Why are you silent?

Do you hate me, too?

Well?

Have I screwed up your life?

Hello.

- Where's your mom? - She won't see anybody.

Tell her Uncle Plato's here. Nina!

Mom won't see anybody.

Calm down.

Calm down, honey.

It's over.

I'll be like a father to you now... Nina, it's us.

There is great suffering here.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you very much.

Let's go.

Let's get out of here.

4 days after Plato's death

I got an ex-colleague

to analyze the ashes in the safe.

What did he say?

That it was newspaper that had burned in the safe.

The originals went to the Kremlin.

Then, we found Belenki and his henchmen's bodies in the forest.

We realized then that Viktor hadn't betrayed anybody,

but it was too late.

Do you remember how the poem ends?

- Which one? - The one with the wolves.

"You will beget wolves on earth. You'll teach them to wag their tails.

"And if later, you have to pay the price, So be it: that will be later."

You have to like poetry. It's Galich.

- I'm staying for the funeral. - OK.

Just do everything this man tells you.

You brought your brother?

A brother in arms. He's responsible for getting you to the cemetery.

There, others will take charge of you until the grave.

How droll!

Don't answer.

- Why not? - They can spot us.

Until we reach the cemetery, I'm in charge.

Brake as slowly as possible.

Get down... Down!

Federal Security Brigade. Get out.

- Hello, Mr Makovski. - Hello.

I've wanted to meet you for ages.

Please sit down.

I heard you wanted to leave Russia.

No, I'm being forced to.

No one's forcing you.

The gang which was trying to control Colonel Belenki has been broken up.

Pity about Belenki.

He was one of the old school.

Konstantin, come into my office.

So, you mustn't leave Russia.

What's the point of stopping the flow?

You have a new contact to replace Belenki.

I won't introduce you - you already met.

I know your gift for sudden disappearances, Mr Makovski.

This telephone must never leave you,

day or night.

Only I know the number.

Are you against the idea?

No, I'm for.

Be in touch!

It's yours.

I even know who's calling.

Want to speak to him?

There's only one button...

He can call, but you can't.

Yeah, it's cleverly done.

Just think...

He presses a button - I'm at his beck and call: "Yes, sir!"

Stop here.

They make good ice cream now.

It took 'em long enough.

Turn around. We're going to the airport.

- Is the airplane waiting? - Of course.

It's disgusting. Throw it away.

6 months before Plato's death, France Larry, turn on Channel 2!

2 - not 1 !

Don't you understand Russian?

What can you see? The jungle?

Let me check.

What can you see?

A waterfall?

That's right.

It's El Dorado, the future El Dorado.

Call Mark. Tell him to find out the price of the square mile there.

I'm ready.

I'm ready.

Are we going to the restaurant?

- Can't you go by yourself? - Why?

I'm expecting an important phone call.

What's the phone call?

Don't you know that a woman by herself

in a restaurant here is a whore?

Well, what are you?

The Virgin Mary?

Just you try and hit me...

I'll rip your eyes out.

G�rard...

Take the young lady to the airport. She's leaving now.

Oh, I'm fucking crying!

I dreamed of not having to see you and your goddam TV anymore!

Let go! Let go of me!

Our huge region has little autonomy.

Power remains in Moscow - that's our problem.

Machinery is rusty, the factories are in ruins. We live in poverty.

Our region is rich: wherever you dig, you find petrol, uranium...

But the money goes to Moscow.

Larry, turn on Channel 4.

Is that why you want to be president?

Yes, enough is enough.

- Don't you fear defeat? - No, they should fear me.

- Why's that? - You'll see once I've won.

- We need a channel. - The Panama Canal? No problem.

A TV channel! Drop what you're doing and see to it.

We'll turn the situation around.

It occurred to me that if we can't beat the Kremlin,

we can become the Kremlin.

You're not born a president - you're made a president.

The guy on Channel 4,

the governor in the fur hat...

We'll make him president. Alright?

Send the airplane for me.

I'm coming home.

3 months before Plato's death Northern Siberia

- He needs thinner eyebrows. - Not for a man of the people.

What do you think, Mr Plato?

Look at what we're reduced to. Chaos everywhere...

We have electricity 2 hours a day,

no water,

pensions are paid 6 months late.

That's because the power's in Moscow.

Give it back to the people.

Russia's Great North is embarking upon a new life!

Vote Nikolai Lomov!

Many people hate me, because I'm rich.

But if I managed it, I can help you become rich, too.

If you want to be rich,

vote for Nikolai Lomov!

I won!

Let's now see who would be elected

if the elections were held today.

In the lead, like last week, are the Communist leader

and the Prime Minister.

Extraordinary news: In third place is Nikolai Lomov.

Little known just a month ago, the governor has this week overtaken

a number of famous politicians

to become one of the most serious presidential candidates.

Next week, I'll be 2nd.

On Mr Makovski's channel, you can be first now.

- But it won't get you elected. - I know, it'll cost a lot!

Talking of money, don't mention economics.

Why not?

We'll discuss that later. As for the money,

are Swiss francs OK with you?

It's mainly the gas we're interested in.

Of course. Gas interests everyone.

Why shouldn't I mention economics?

Because not everyone who listens to you is a moron.

You know full well we can't double production in 3 years.

Any more than we can

make pineapples grow in the tundra.

It's me.

Don't turn around, I'm behind you.

Let him win just one game.

I never mentioned pineapples.

But you said, within a year, 1 ruble would be worth 1 dollar.

I prefer the pineapples.

Please miss this shot.

That's the 3rd game you've won.

Right away. I promise. Count on me.

Sure thing.

Game over.

Wiith you Plato, it'd be good to eat shit!

You wouldn't share, you'd eat it all!

Nikolai...

Billiards is like economics. Not everyone can do it.

Meaning?

Meaning: it takes a bit of grey matter.

I'm a jerk, is that it?

Know who you're talking to?

No one has ever called Lomov a jerk!

You just did it very well on your own.

Who are you spitting on?

On Russia!

I'll crush you!

You think you bought me?

No way!

When I'm president, I'll throw you out!

You and all your breed!

You'll never be president.

At least, not while I'm alive.

Then, you'll die!

If you get in my way,

you'll die!

Day of Plato's death

Those bastards have gone crazy.

They want to take everything off us, do you hear?

Not just the TV channel - everything. Everything!

Dig up what we've got on Lomov.

That'll make 'em think.

I've got a video of him with 2 whores. Can we use that?

Use it.

Anything goes now.

Kourotchkine, the prayer.

Nikolai Lomov: our governor - your president.

Amen.

We are continuing our series of investigations

entitled "Dressed Up or Down".

Here is a presidential candidate,

the Governor of Northern Siberia, Nikolai Lomov.

If you thought he was in the sauna, you were wrong.

He became famous for his patriotic convictions...

and wants to fight corruption...

Kourotchkine, stop stuffing your face and write.

What?

A denial saying that this is just a Lomov lookalike.

- Are you stupid or something? - OK, I'm going.

Like Rasputin before him,

Lomov tries to fight sin

with sin.

Wrong, Makovski. It's not my bare ass that'll bring me down.

4 days after Plato's death

Mr Lomov's campaign HQ. One moment, I'll check.

Mr Lomov is busy.

I'd like to ask him a few questions.

I just told you he's busy. He can't see you.

If you have any questions,

write them down and he'll answer them.

Take this down, then.

First question:

How much did Lomov pay General Koretski

for Plato Makovski's execution?

Pardon me?

Carry on.

He wanted questions in writing?

So, write.

- Why did you send for me? - A little drink?

I asked you a question.

Look what he sent me, your genius from the Urals!

Read it carefully - there's funny stuff on you, too.

- He's dead! - Calm down.

You wasted Makovski - now I have to clean up.

- What do I do, then? - Go to jail.

You know that this is the age of justice.

Jail? But I'm offering you the TV channel.

You're trembling, you two-bit hero!

Go raise your reindeer

and stay away from Moscow for six months.

What about his questions? Do I answer them?

No need.

Another scoop on Infocar:

lts Info-TV channel will now be

controlled by Nikolai Lomov's petrol company, Sieviergaz.

This what was just announced in a news flash

from Info-TV's star anchorman, Evgueni Roudenko.

Dear viewers, goodbye

and thank you.

Stay on your guard.

What is happening to your channel today

may happen to each of you tomorrow.

Remember what Hemingway said:

"For whom does the bell toll?"

Maria?

Are you watching TV?

Why isn't Larry's mobile working?

He changed the number.

Give it to me.

I don't have it.

Maria, please! The future of Infocar is at stake.

If he calls, I'll tell him.

Thank you.

Larry called an hour ago.

He wants us to send him a car tomorrow at 11.

Where to?

- You won't tell? - I promise.

- What'll you tell him? - I'll think of something.

4, Chevchenko Wharf, Building 3, in the courtyard.

Maria...

Thank you. I'll never forget what you just did.

5 days after Plato's death

Larry called an hour ago.

He wants us to send him a car tomorrow at 11.

Listen to this.

4, Chevchenko Wharf, Building 3, in the courtyard.

What now?

Hi, Larry.

What are you afraid of? You're afraid, huh?

Hi, Larry.

You're panicking now!

Look at me, filthy Georgian scum!

Don't throw it everywhere.

Lousy garbage men!

Larry! Who's in there?

Open up!

Plato!

Day of Plato's death

It's a masked ball! Can I give you a lift?

I have my car. Unless you only ride in Mercedes...

Send everything we've got on Lomov.

Yes, right away!

Go on!

I'll call you back. Bye.

Open the door.

- Should we follow you? - Go home. I'll call you.

It won't get any greener.

Turn the TV off.

20 minutes ago, an assassination was carried out on Infocar CEO,

Plato Makovski.

An assassination

in downtown Moscow was carried out

on one of Russia's leading entrepreneurs, Plato Makovski.

Is it a joke?

Not really.

- You're here? - Yes.

- Where is he? - In the bedroom.

I'm gonna find

that dog, Lomov

and I'll tear him apart with my own hands!

I swear I will.

- You think it's Lomov? - Who else?

It can only be him or Koretski.

- Who knows you're here? - No one.

Fine.

They think you're dead. That's good.

Stay in hiding here, like Lenin in his hut.

Don't call anyone. Give me your phone.

Don't let anyone in.

I'll bring you food. No one will know you're here.

Alright.

What about me? And my job?

Your job is to be Lenin's wife:

peel the potatoes, prepare the meatballs!

Give me 3 days to flush the traitor out.

What traitor?

Why did someone try to kill you?

To get control of Infocar. Now that they think you're dead,

they need one of us to collaborate with them.

They need a traitor and his shares to control the company.

Plato...

Is that you?

What're you doing here?

My aunt lives here. She's sick, so I run errands for her.

You didn't see me. I no longer exist.

What's that? ...Plato!

A visitor. He's real clingy!

You ain't seen nothing yet. Be nice and put this on a plate for us.

You can't believe I came?

We're not savages.

We have our own codes.

A pal has a problem, he had an accident.

It was deliberate.

I was 15 feet away from death.

Did you crap your pants?

Did you think you were being sent to meet Plato?

A little warning.

Don't worry.

Who did it?

We'll find out.

We'll protect you now.

As soon as he heard, Koretski called me.

Even if he holds a grudge against you, he said:

"Moussa's on our side. We have to protect him.

We'll help him.

And he'll help us in return."

Huh, Moussa...

you'll help us?

You're not so dumb, after all...

How did they find out?

How did they find out?

Poor Mark saved my life.

Now's no time for tears, Plato. Think ahead.

Your airplane's ready.

- Here's money and a visa. - What visa? This is war.

They shoot us, and we just show them naked on TV. Enough!

An eye for an eye. Ahmed...

I was protecting you before Infocar even existed.

Don't panic. I'm watching over you.

But you wait till you have a problem to call me.

I told you to call me before that.

When I get back from London, I'll sort it out.

I must go. My sister's getting married.

OK, stop here.

Off you go, Ahmed.

- Congratulate your sister. - I will.

When I get back, I'll have them.

- They buy him? - No, just put him in the picture.

He'll never get involved in this again.

The rat. He calls himself a bandit!

It's not Koretski

and Lomov I'm worried about. They're enemies. An enemy's simple.

But what do we do with a traitor?

- Know who it is? - Think about it.

Tomorrow, Infocar's shareholders

have an extraordinary general meeting.

That means someone promised them their 2%.

One of us!

Mark's been killed. You and I haven't sold anything.

Only one person left.

Moussa.

Did you speak to him?

It's too late for that.

- I'll go see him. - Go ahead.

You're childhood friends.

You wait till I call you.

Don't start anything.

Understand, Larry?

Sure.

I'll wait till you call me.

You'll see:

he'll make you a very attractive offer.

Did you try mouth-to-mouth?

Why are you here?

Thought you screwed us all?

You followed me.

No matter.

I've got 2 pieces of news for you:

one bad, the other very bad.

You're off the case

and you're going straight home to the Urals.

I have your ticket here.

Now for the very bad news.

You've been dismissed. Professional misconduct.

How much did Koretski pay you?

Do you think I'll share?

I'm very mean.

How long till you retire?

About 5 seconds.

The channel was created with the people's money.

It must belong to the people

and not to the CIA's flunkeys

or to the oligarchs.

That is why we paid Info-TV's debts

and now we give it back to the State,

that is, to the people.

- What's wrong? - You?

Me.

Plato, you're alive!

But they said that...

You know how those bastards treat us! Mark's dead

and me too... They wanted...

You're back from the dead.

Plato, we'll celebrate! You'll see. Stay there...

Girls! Natacha!

Did you say goodbye to your mother?

Yes.

Are you taking him to prison?

No, the orphanage. It's his new home.

Run!

No, I can't.

- Come on! - No.

- Why not? - I'm ashamed.

- C'mon! - No.

You know you should never say no to me.

Plato, here we are!

- Sorry, girls, another time! - We want to dance.

Later, later!

Go on, girls.

Go on, you get back to work.

Want an apple?

No, thanks.

Are we screwed or not?

What do you think?

So, it's a disaster.

It can't be worse.

I wanted to suggest something to you.

Stupid Moussa has had an idea.

We go along with them,

but I become CEO.

Except I'll do everything you tell me!

As always! We'll be OK...

My leg!

Isn't that a good idea?

- What do you say? - Careful...

Do you like it?

They had it all figured out:

you sold them your 2%,

they became majority shareholders and make you CEO to thank you.

What are you talking about? Are you crazy?

You were told I was dead.

You were alone, afraid...

They wanted to kill me.

They threatened... to kill me, do you understand?

I understand everything.

Just tell me who it was.

Koretski?

Tell me and we'll forget all about it.

You know you can't say no to me!

Lomov.

There we are...

You're not mad at me?

- Of course not. - Really?

We're like brothers.

Why are you laughing?

I was thinking...

of when the boat sank and you saved the kebabs!

You remember? I did that for you.

Maria...

Take me away, I can't take any more.

Everyone disgusts me,

me most of all. Do you hear?

Let's get the hell out of here, just you and me.

Let's go right now.

Call my airplane, tell them we're coming.

Do you hear me?

Do you hear me?

To hell with your vacation!

I really love you.

I've always loved you.

We're leaving in an hour!... Excuse me.

I'm still here.

Something's going on. I'll call you back.

Highway Police, Sergeant lvanov.

The car is dirty, and your headlight is broken. ID, please.

Why did you bring me here?

Me? You called me!

It was your code on my cellphone!

- It wasn't you? - I told you...

Good evening, Mark.

Hello, Viktor.

Why are you here so late?

- Drinking. - You mustn't stay here.

Everything's OK, guys.

I'm at home. This is my grave.

He does look like him. Bastard!

You crazy? Why'd you nearly kill him?

'Cause he looks like him.

What a lot of loose change...

Drive.

I'm going back to Moscow. Turn around.

TYCOON