Original subtitles

Present

A Romanian French Co-Production

vwm the Participation of:

A Film By:

TOO LATE

GERMANY, 1996

All trains will be delayed by ten minutes...

screenpl3Y bY=

ROMANIA, A FEW MONTHS EARLIER

Fix that beam. The mountain will crush us.

Who cares?

If they find out. you'll be sacked.

So what? The mine's closing.

Son of a bitch!

I told you to hang your bag up.

Forget it. Here, take my egg.

It's nothing. Forget it.

Who's there?

Stop!

What was that?

Vwm:

Make up:

Cosulmes:

Set Design:

Sound:

Editor:

Director of Production:

Executive Producer:

Director of Photography:

Directed by:

Welcome.

Cold water until ten!

Until ten!

When's that music gonna stop? I'm going crazy!

It's out of order!

- Since when? - Since it was opened.

Damn it!

- Is it running here? - Is what running?

- The water! - What water'?

Didn't you hear'? Cold water until ten.

Come in, I'll give you a vodka. Why are you here anyway?

What's with thesejokers?

- Who brought them here? - They're from the Conservatory.

They were on the train with me. Schubert.

I don't care where they come from! Who brought them?

What are we doing here?

The miners go down the pit. and you bug them with this...

Schubert.

Miners don't give a damn about Schubert! That's why we dumped Ceausescu.

They'd gather us in the yard... Then Bodoc would come in:

"Comrades, the artist no longer lives in an ivory tower."

“Comrade Ceausescu has personally told the artists:"

“Leave the clouds, blacken your hands! Raise the morale of the comrade miners!"

- Bodoc's at it again. - Send Bodoc to me.

He's on holiday in Germany, at his sisters.

The bastard!

Don't touch the cable.

- Could it electrocute me? - 550 volts.

- What if you fall into a hole? - Careful!

- ...you touch it... -You're fried!

Insulate it!

It's marked everywhere... if they're too stupid to read: tough luck!

When I get back I want thosejokers gone.

Good luck!

- How's it going? - Okay.

I hope so, for all that money we pay you!

- Take the Prosecutor to level 300. -I have to send something down to 250.

A problem? Do you miss the shovel and pick?

I'm disabled.

Then it's back to the surface for you, and no more bonuses.

But my family, Sir?

- Then do as you're told. - Yes sir.

- To 300? -All the way down to 300.

I'm not going down, the Chief Engineer will be there.

And if not?

If not, you're in trouble!

Signal one long, one short.

Okay, he's there. He'll guide you.

Chief Engineer...

Kiss my...

Sorry, you can't smoke here.

Come on in...

Careful...

I thought I'd never arrive in one piece.

Your first time underground?

- Costa. District Prosecutor. - Munteanu, engineer. Health and Safety.

At your disposal, to help during the investigation.

I didn't know there are women in the mines.

Some stayed, like seeds.

Alina Ungureanu, cartographer.

- I heard you need me to help you get by. - Then we'll get by together.

- You'll see, we'll get on fine. - The lady's here for measuring.

There's always something to measure. And you! Lost your tongue?

Marcu. Gallery electrician.

- But it wasn't my fault! - We'll see.

- What's there to see? It wasn't me! - Shut up! Who asked you?

The Supervisor will deal with you at the end of the shift. Got it'?

Democracy's gone to their heads!

He's not out for you, he's here to look around.

- There's nothing to see. - Shall we go?

First time down, you cross yourself!

Looks like an ossuary.

- A cemetery... - That's right.

He can see how we live.

Mr. Prosector is not here to see how you live.

Vasile! Mr. Munteanu!

Fine, but I don't want to see him around.

- And when we die, he investigates? - Shut up!

- Here is where my brother died. - Shut up!

Walk on the rails, or you'll soak your boots.

You're lucky... with your tall boots.

Watch out for the cable.

Over here, without the right boots,

you're a dead man.

We're at sump level

where the water is collected, and then pumped out.

On St. Varvara's Night. the miners' ghosts prowl about here...

VWII you behave!

Never mind the ghosts! Where are the men?

We've been walking for half an hour and I've seen nobody.

Here there'rejust machine operators, like the match who died.

You knew him! What was his name?

They called him “Fish", because he lived in the water!

But his real name... Maybe he didn't have one?

In a mine, you leave your name above. Vtmhin a year or two, it's forgotten.

You're named "Pickaxe“ or "Hammer“, after your tool.

"Line“ or "cable", after your body.

We even had twins: "Ficht“ and "Ferzatziu“.

Named after the digging tool.

“Ficht", left side, “Ferzatziu", right side.

Ferz was mad, he threw himself down a shaft.

- And what about Ficht? - He was mad too. Fuck him.

- Now wejust get numbers. - It's more practical.

We're here.

- Did you move him? - What for'? He was already dead.

Suffocated. Probably in his sleep.

He's sleeping on the job. No wonder he's dead!

- Are you happy now! You son of a bitch! - Mr. Munteanu...

Get a grip!

Calm down!

You moron!

We're all on edge.

Don't force me to...

Look, the vent works fine. I did my job. Leave me out of it.

He died because he fell asleep.

Write it down.

What?

Date, time, place...

- What date? - When you did your last inspection.

The day before he died.

- Write that down. - Got it?

Write what? I told you, that motherfucking fan was working!

- Find another scapegoat! - Is this how you speak to a prosecutor!

Butl did nothing wrong! What about the foreman? Where was he?

- Who? - "Sterile.“ The big mouth.

Everybody calls him that

- If he'd made his rounds... - What?

He should have done his duty,

gone down the pit and checked if everyone's present.

He's no fool, he waits at the exit! I didn't see him all night.

- Sit down and write. -What to write?

What you just told the prosecutor: how things happened, about the fan...

At your service, Sir!

Are you out of your mind? Put it in my office.

- Or at the police station. - Don't mix it all up!

Let's do it by the book: a separate room, even small, but my room,

and I keep the key.

- I thought you'd need a safe... - In the showers?

I never asked them to... Get rid of this! Out with it!

- Where do I put it? - Take one guess!

Enache.

Head of Mine Safety. I worked well with your predecessor.

I didn't know him. Prosecutor Costa.

- If you don't need me anymore... - Got it all down?

It's there.

You took your time! I thought you'd drowned.

Look, don't leave town.

Where would I go?

Hear that Prosecutor? “Where would I go?"

If you're born here, you stay here. They're made for the pits.

Up here they're worthless. Where would they go?

That's the legal procedure.

- Your first case underground? - All accidents the same.

An accident? That has to be established.

- What is established, so far? - The facts are inconsistent.

- The witnesses... -What witnesses?

The rats on level 300?

- Sorry... -We're speaking about a man's death.

Sorry again. The rats...

The man suffocated, even though the fan was working!

- How do you explain that? - If it was working!

- The electrician says it was! - Of course he does!

What else would he say? "I'm ajerk, I fell asleep and that's that.“

He'll confess, I'll see to it Mr. Prosecutor.

You'll see to nothing at all!

- AS you say " do! '

Can you believe this guy? He can barely write!

- Like the others... - Excuse me.

- Now what? - The kids want to take a shower.

- What kids? - The ones with the concert.

What concert?

- You're still here? - The hotel has water only until ten.

- What do you want'? - Cold water until ten.

Does the young lady wants a miner's tool?

Let them shower and then bring them to the canteen. They look starved...

What the hell are you doing here?

I said to get them outta here!

Stay seated.

Mr. Prosecutor, why are you staying in line?

- Why not? - The Chief is waiting for you.

The lady's already asked me.

- Are you dining out Mr. Prosecutor? - Excuse me, I didn't see you.

- Is this rice? - No, barley.

- The difference is that it's stickier. -At least are those beans?

- Yes. - That's a relief.

You know beans give you energy?

- The Japanese... -You mean they're good at...?

Those damn Japanese!

I did the sketch of the accident.

What's up Mr. Prosecutor? Aren't you joining us'?

Bring her along. Have it your way!

- Shall I bring them to your office? - Call me Costa.

I've only been a prosecutor briefly.

I'm Alina.

It feels like I've been a cartographer forever.

- How did you end up here? - In this cul-de-sac?

It was hell getting my degree. I couldn't land ajob.

I had to work at the City Hall: Registrar.

Bureau of Complaints... Bullshit!

And one day, the Revolution and its radiant promise...

This job had been... vacant for six months. Nobody wanted it.

I became a prosecutor in my old age. And you?

Nothing spectacular.

I was born in this valley. Mining College. Mining Institute...

No other choices.

I smoked some, I quit. Married young, divorced young.

- Why didn't you leave? - To wash toilets in Germany?

Come on Mr. Prosecutor. Get over here! How about some of this?

- What's this pickled snuff? - It's watermelon.

It's rotten!

There must be some decent food. You must know somewhere in town.

I was hoping you'd ask.

I saw you looking at my breasts.

Compliments of Mr. Engineer.

There are three dives, but my place is better.

I don't doubt it.

The Schu berts! Did you work up a appetite?

Step this way.

They worked up an appetite!

They'll get nothing to eat if they don't play.

Aren't they the people's artists?

Let them play for the people!

Execute!

Look at them... They're waiting for the miners' leftovers.

Come back!

He stole cutlery.

What's with this?

None of your business.

Tell me what it is. Did you see it on TV?

- Yes, they say it brings good luck. - Who's “they"?

Them!

You idiot!

Don't be stupid.

MI. PIOSBCUWII

- How the hell did they find me? - He can go to hell.

- Mr. Prosecutor! - Coming...

He'll wake up the whole building.

Stupid fucking cat!

Open the door. Ask him what he wants.

Mr. Prosecutor, there's work to do: another one is dead.

They're bringing him up.

- He shouldn't be moved! - He's mincemeat.

- Mr Engineer, the law requires... - Piss on your law!

My law says: "Keep off the conveyor belt. you animal.“

- And this idiot sleeps on it! - How do you know that?

This is myjob. Look at them... all slackers!

- Are you resting on that conveyor belt? - Sometimes.

It's not the first time.

Speaking of the law Mr. Prosecutor, there's no smoking in the mine.

Here they come.

Get the men out, it's not a union meeting.

- Here they come. - What're you waiting for?

What are you doing? Break it up!

This is unbelievable! What a mess!

Get the hell out of here! Get out of here!

That's great. Now we're all together!

I told you to get them out of here! Move along! There's nothing to see.

We gathered up the pieces, Mr. Engineer.

- All of them? -All of them.

The Supervisor... the rats were eating his head in the south shaft

The south shaft? It's been shut for two years.

Step aside, Marie.

Can't you see there's a piece missing.

We can't find a leg. Must have caught on something.

Is this how you want his family to see him? Jackass!

Go back and find it!

That's an order!

Is this a reason to stop work? Back to work!

Dock them all an hour.

Stop that goddamn siren!

It's your nerves.

Haven't you left yet?

Sorry, but should we stay, or...

I want to go home, back to Bucharest.

Good, why don't you go back to Bucharest?

We haven't got any money. We were supposed to be paid.

- How much is the fare? - About 15,000.

10... 15... Don't cry, here's 25,000.

Stop crying-

My name's Alina.

I'm Gilda.

Like the Gilda in "Rigoletto“?

Who brought you here...? This is all I've got.

There's enough left for a beer! If you want we'll play something.

Any orders?

- We're all under orders. - I saw the light and I came in.

- Can I take you to the hotel? - I'm not staying at the hotel.

In that case, wherever you want. I have got a car.

Take a look...

Mean anything to you?

Did you start painting?

Green is the route of the Supervisor, he was inspecting the east sector.

Every night They found him at the south shaft, which is marked in red.

It's been shut down and it's over a mile away.

Indeed, it's a long way.

The question is, what was he doing there?

That's right!

Listen...

Could it have been suicide?

Did the cartographer tell you about the last case?

What case?

- You don't know'? - No.

And I thought that...

There were two brothers, Ficht and Ferz, identical twins...

Even their wives mixed them up. Two Iunatics from Moldavia.

Ficht was insane. He should have been in a straight jacket.

He spent a lot of time in hospital. His brother wasn't much better.

Go on.

Ficht liked flowers. Ferz picked them in the fields and took them to the hospital.

He was handsome! The women couldn't resist him.

Good looking and sad, like the poet Eminescu...

The cartographer knew him well. One day, drunk in the mine, he says:

"I'll only come out feet first. I feel good here."

That evening, at the end of the shift, there was no Ferz.

“Where are you Ferz!" they shouted. Nothing. The earth swallowed him up.

His wife was brought in and told: “Make him come out, he's crazy.“

She wouldn't come. She said: "Ask the whore he sleeps with!“

And then?

A few days later, the conveyor belt brings up an arm,

a hand with twisted fingers. Then a leg, and then another... nothing but pieces.

Tom apart by the machine. No head. The rats ate it.

We filled a bag with the pieces, called in his wife again...

"Is that him?“ “Yes, that's his watch.“

He had a big Mexican watch strap... suldded. His loony brother also had one.

"How can I not know him“ she said.

“He'd always hit me with that strap when he was drunk!"

And then?

They showed her the other pieces. And as if to prove there is a God,

they took his member out of the bag. It was in perfect condition.

“What's this?“

"That's not Ferz's.“ "His was twice as big.“

Twice as big!

And then?

It really was Ferz's.

But his wife imagined it bigger. Vimh her woman's brain.

"Yeah, that's his cock." She admitted. She was no fool.

She wanted the money from the insurance and the union.

You should have questioned the other woman too.

- Dear God! - May I come in?

Please.

Come in.

I'm from the prosecution. Prosecutor Costa.

Get out! Outside!

Who is it? I don't know him.

Who is it'?

It's nothing, Mama. He's not from the bank.

We owe the bank.

He's from the state.

From the prosecutor's office.

From the police!

- Sit down. - No thank you, I won't be long.

Want a drink?

No, no.

Stop crying, Mama!

I've got work to do. I'm making soap.

It costs so much to buy.

Four kids. You wash continually!

- Tell me about your husband. - I buried him.

We need to know what happened. Did he have enemies?

No, he penalised people but didn't sack anyone.

If they slept, he'd kick their asses. But nothing worse.

Who is it?

I wish you'd shut up Mama!

It's my duty to ask you: were you happy?

- What was that? - Did you fight? Did you argue?

- I'll find out in the end. - We hardly talked.

- About what? - We were married for twenty years.

I worked in the house, the kids, the animals... And him underground.

When he came out, he'd go straight to the bar.

Along time ago we had a big fight. One day he'd had enough.

He borrowed some money and took a seamstress to the sea.

He never took me to town, two steps away!

When he came back, I was making soup. I threw it in his face.

I almost blinded him.

What's going to happen to me?

Dear God!

What are you doing, mister? Looking for a killer in my company?

It's just a hunch for now.

- What's with the beard? - A death in the family.

Can I sit down?

I like the lamp! Nowl know why they call you "Elephant Foot“.

I worked in Africa. Copper mines. Then came back here.

Unfortunately the valley's dying...

The coal seams are exhausted, and further and further away.

Rising costs, even in human lives... Imports are more profitable.

This town was born from coal, but it won't survive without coal.

There are more underground galleries here than streets:

600 miles of galleries, spread out like roots... My roots!

For ten years there's been no investment. It's getting slower and slower.

The government won't dare to shut the mine.

They're shitting themselves with fear.

Are you recording me? It's a habit these days!

I don't care. I'm expected in Africa.

In this valley a hundred thousand men don't know how to do anything else.

They would fight against anybody who tries to change their ways.

I saw them in Bucharest. beating up women and children.

- Because they felt threatened. - And who told them: "You're in danger?“

It's none of you business! You want to arrest him too?

Have you read this? The opposition wants to shoot him, like Ceausescu.

But after a real trial. Not that circus that we were mocked about in the West

You want to kill him too? One wasn't enough?

Fucking shitty journalist!

Why arrest an electrician? He's a good man.

He's only helping us with our enquiries.

You're holding him because somebody else fell asleep and suffocated?

- Someone must have shut off the air. - It could have been a power failure.

An electrician sleeps when he's not needed, at night that's normal.

- They wake him if the power goes. - And the Supervisor?

I can't believe a man with four kids,

just two years before retirement would kill himself.

Why don't you believe that?

If you'd been living here you'd have killed yourself long ago.

Enough. I've got work to do.

Listen, don't stir these people up. Go and make your career elsewhere.

Still here? Didn'tl give you money?

They were waiting for us outside. Theyjumped us and took all the money.

- Only Gilda... - ...she sold her ring and left

Try asking Elephant Foot.

- We've got an audience with him. - Good luck.

Come in comrades.

- Who sent you here? - Bodoc.

- Where's Bodoc? Get him in here! - Not possible. He's in Germany.

Go and get him in Germany! They have swans there so you won't starve.

Find him! Dead or alive.

Productivity is falling, and Bodoc...

Two guys from the secret police are waiting for you downstairs...

I don't give a shit.

There's some cold water left

Sorry, I don't wash in cold water.

"Honky Tonk"! I adore this film.

What?

Nothing.

You look good like that.

You want more?

I want a massage.

By the way what's your name? Costa what?

Dumitru.

"Mitica“!

Don't call me “Mitica", I hate it. Harder.

Too many demands, Mitica!

- How about shaving? - I'll shave the dayl catch him.

- Elephant Foot filed a suit against me. . why?

Because I'm “violating human rights...

- Know what that is? - They talked about it on Channel 2.

- Careful, he's very powerful. - I don't give a damn.

They'll transfer me to the city. Some punishment!

Why don't you leave?

- Mitica, will you take me along? - You should be thinking about it.

In 10 or 20 years, the valley will be dead.

- And me, will I live that long? - Don't be sulpid.

A plunge down the shaft tempts you?

- Stop that or I won't do it anymore. - My neck too.

- My little old man... - If you don't like it...

Butl do! I like stroking you.

- It's Alina what? - Ungureanu.

Ungureanu, get out of here!

Uzuspat"?

Aha, Zu spat - “too late"!

For you too Mitica?

Last one out ulms off the lights.

Were you doing this to Ferz?

This damned mine...

May it be cursed for all eternity!

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Who did this?

Tell me, who did this?

Who was it?

Who was it?

MI. PIOSBCUWII

What is it Mr. Engineer? Another accident?

What will you write in your report? It's the dead man's fault again?

He hit himself on the head with a shovel? He doesn't even have one!

He doesn't have a head! You got that?

Anyone moves, I shoot!

Oana!

Stop!

- I'm going mad, Mr. Prosecutor. - Shut up!

And this?

- What's this? - A nose bleed.

Two men arrested for nothing. No proof, no legal procedure.

And you've been playing with a pistol! Mister "Anyone-moves-I-shoot“!

You're a joke! Trying to raise the miners against us?

It's a sensitive area, Mr. Intern.

And complaints are piling up against you. Look at this file.

Who's complaining? I'm sure it's not those who signed it.

Those entitled to! What's wrong with you?

You're violating human rights?

These men don't know what that means. They don't know about rights, full stop.

Enough! Find the murderer and drop the sociology.

Don't overdo it or you're off the case.

Don't be stupid, they'd butcher you in a second.

Quiet. I want to talk to you.

I got the autopsy report.

An autopsy, what for?

- He had his skull smashed! - Procedure requires it.

I'll give you procedure... Remember “Deep Throat"?

The victim's stomach was empty.

But scraps offood were found at the murder scene. Don't you get it?

Don't you get it'? He watched the man's blood drain out while he ate!

What's up? You fucking? Does he fuck you good?

Why does he always go for the head?

He's not human!

Another coffee?

Still here?

- Elephant Foot threw us out. - Typical.

I'm living with a waitress. I'm filling in for her.

- And the others? - Gilda's fine.

- In Germany? - Who told you?

Now it's only me, Izu and Mitica. We're in luck:

we've been hired for a big wedding, with a helicopter...

The daughter of a party man, who's now a businessman.

It's the wedding season.

We've got a witness!

Don't worry, it's on me!

- Will you have the mine shutdown? - Is the killer known yet?

- Is a shutdown imminent? - No comment. I've got nothing to say.

VWII the case take long?

- Who's covering up? - When will the mine close?

- I told everything to the sergeant. - Say it again.

- I was relieving Fane... - Who?

- The victim. - It's not you I'm questioning!

So, you took over from the victim... And then?

The gallery was filled with sludge... it should have been drained.

It was strange, all alone there. It was a closed area.

And then?

I heard someone far away coming towards me.

Who could it be? The sector was closed because of flooding.

And he didn't have a lamp. In the pitch black... I'd break my neck!

I thought: it must be a safety check.

Only they go with their lamps off, so they can catch you.

And then?

I hid behind a pillar and he didn't see me.

"9 Passed by you?

- Close by? - His hair touched me! Long hair.

What clock-in? It's been transferred!

So you saw him?

Yes, but in the dark... Then I found Fane... covered in blood.

- Did you see him, or not? - Yes, I saw him.

- I think I saw him. - Come here.

Move it! Faster!

- Is that your shift? - Yes.

Operator?

Get me the shower room.

To the showers! Line up!

Move it!

Move it!

Attention!

Stop washing!

Stop the showers! Understand?

Everyone against the wall!

Against the wall. Faster!

In a line against the wall. A single line, like in the army!

Stop drinking the water!

Silence!

Now, listen up...

Everyone with long hair to the right. Got it'?

I said, long hairs to the right!

Help them Oana, they understand nothing.

Come on, don't upset the Prosecutor. You!

You!

You!

Don't you know if your hair's long? You!

Stop clowning around, or else...

The water'll run out!

You'll wash tomorrow.

- You, with the others. - And the bus?

- You can take a taxi. - And pay how'?

You, to the back. Next group! Got it'?

You're gonna getAnicle 213!

- Mr. Prosecutor! - Silence!

- Mr. Prosecutor. - Shut up!

Look carefully, take your time.

Shut it!

You won't stop me this time, I've got a witness.

You ain't got shit!

Did you spot him?

Tr)' again.

What's up? Is he fucking you now? Does he fuck good?

It's the cook.

You've been under everything but a train!

Tell thatjerk to get the hell out of here.

He wants to play the big shot... Our boys'll fix him, like in Bucharest.

Did he forget what they did in Bucharest?

The footage!

Listen to me you cocksucker, tomorrow I'll come to the canteen

and shove your head in the soup until there's a carrot sticking out your ass,

then I'll boil you and feed you to the pigs!

The footage... I'm a stupid fool! Fool, fool, son of a fool.

Cat ofa fool!

I'm the king of fools!

- When's the next train to Bucharest? - 5:10 a.m.

God bless your cook.

Begin with these here.

It's the first miners attack. My friend will bring more tomorrow.

Never have such methods of repression been used.

It appears the fire was fanned by Ian Iliescu.

Recently elected in a landslide, his image has now been tarnished.

Fast forward.

We're not interested in politics, here.

Look at each shot, each face, ten times...

This man is here to help you.

At the least doubt, have him stop. Keep looking, until you find him.

He's violent. He must have been noticed.

We'll find him in the end. He's out there!

Faster. Skip that one. Now, pay attention...

Look closely.

Don't shut down the mines! Don't shut down the mines!

Robbers! Robbers!

I'm the prefect of the county. You're 5 minutes late.

- Be happy I'm here. - Beg your pardon?

I don't work under your authority, Sir. I'm here out of simple curiosity.

You're young. I know what it's like. Sit down.

- Fine, then stand! Coffee? - No, thanks.

Not even coffee? What zeal! In my day, school didn't teach that.

Nothing. We wait.

The key to success in life is to be a good phone operator. Are you?

No.

I've no time to waste. You're upsetting the valley.

- What do you mean? - You're stirring up the people.

- I'm leading a legal enquiry. - By watching news footage!

- Who told you? - Proper channels!

It's a process of identification.

- Of whom? - The criminal for example.

They fear lists are being made from the footage.

- Who is "they“? - The Communists.

- You're an Adventist? - How dare you!

- I'm... -An ecologist I heard.

- What kind of lists? - Lists of miners who went to Bucharest.

- Don't you have these lists? - They fear lists for redundancies.

Lay them off'? Didn't you send them to Bucharest?

We'd have used them and then laid them off!

- Isn't that a fact? - Are you accusing me now'?

I'm doing myjob, that's all.

Let them shout. Leave them in peace. After an hour or two they'll go home.

Thieves! Thieves!

Listen to me...

Forget the past.

It's history.

What's done is done. Let them get on with it.

You don't understand, you're new here.

But they sense it: if the coal is worth nothing, then they're worth nothing.

Thieves! Thieves!

The eye of the lord fattens the cows!

What should we do?

Sweep up the glass.

I'm not telling you to stop. Just be more careful.

One small spark is enough... You're young... a bright future...

And what's with that beard? Cut it off.

I've got acne. Here comes the free press.

We're accredited joumalistsl

In the name of democracy, we protest...

Piss on your free press.

I haven't stayed like this since high school...

We've got ants. They're everywhere.

“He coated him in honey, threw him to the ants."

- “Only white bones remained." -You're babbling!

Take it! It tickles.

- What does Oana wanton a Sunday? - He identified him!

He identified him!

He identified him!

Don't forget these you idiot!

Take me away from here Costa.

That's him.

You're sure?

Look again.

Don't rush.

Damn!

Watch one more time.

One last time.

Yes, that's him.

You're absolutely sure?

Yes, that's him.

- My file is here, too? - Where else would it be?

- It might have burned in the Revolution. - No chance.

Ajoke's always good for your health.

- You're embarrassing us. - I'm doing myjob.

Yourjobg

It's yourjob to expose our agents?

- Myjob's to find the truth. - You don't say!

Do you know what Sartre said?

“Truth is always on the side of the victor."

Sartre can kiss my ass.

I think you're right, that Sartre is ajerk.

Justice doesn't care about fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters.

If you're guilty you're going down. When it comes to truth there is no compromise.

That's our principle. At least, we try.

Things have to change here. Otherwise we'll neverjoin Europe.

Let's see who this bandit is.

It's the Architecture Faculty?

Did you film in beta or hi-8?

Was it edited by the opposition?

Bravo! Excellent! I take my hat off to you!

President Iliescu gave warm thanks to the miners.

Who, he said, came to the aid of the Government.

Why drag him through the mud?

Why deny it? That's our agent Marasescu. I read your report.

- I have a witness who... - Who what?

How the hell does he see in the dark?

First he says it's dark and then he says he sees him!

- There was a light at the junction. - 50 metres away!

Could you see in such light? Not even in the street!

We both need real evidence to get this bandit.

- The court will judge. - The court?

This communist court?

Look what your court has said about the witness:

five years ago, the defendant. a minor back then... residing in X...

was sentenced to a correction home for stealing a gas-bottle.

Is this what you call a witness?

Find me a real witness and I'll nail him!

- I'm obliged to interrogate the suspect. - Impossible!

- Don't you see? It's impossible. . why?

This is a beach... Do you recognize it?

Agent Marasescu, just after 1990...

Marasescu, in 1993, with his kids.

You should hear his boy speaking Pomguese!

Here's me in '94. I was his guest

Agent Marasescu has better things to do than strangle miners.

For 4 years he's been our cultural attaché in Rio de Janeiro.

Agent Marasescu cannot be under suspicion.

He's a decorated officer. Twenty years of active service for his country.

- I see... - You see what?

It was you in Bucharest. You were inciting them to attack the people

and to kill those young idiots who banged their heads into the tanks!

You're a stupid idiot.

Get the hell out of here!

- So? - So what?

Nothing. False lead. Just my luck!

- And Marasescu? - He's basking in Copacabana.

The witness was wrong, it's not him.

Marasescu was moved out after the demonstration.

- Now he's a cultural attaché? - Exactly.

He must be somewhere in this coconut tree.

My God...

- What will you do? - Start from scratch.

They won't forgive you for showing their true face.

- So let them! - You're too small for this war.

- Give me your charm. - They're not scared of you!

You think they'll do nothing while you poke your nose into everything?

- You've seen the papers? -Yes! They're using their connections.

They have phones everywhere: in basements, garages, toilets.

At Easter, as the people were singing "Christ is risen“.

They were on their walkie-talkies: “Hello! Did the bearings arrive yet?"

Sooner or later the state prosecutor will transfer me. Or the ministry will.

I've ordered reinforcements...

A platoon of gendarme. l'll deploy them in the mine,

organize watches, forbid isolated tasks, search each sector.

- A real hunt. - You don't belong here.

Outlaws are everywhere, why don't you leave?

I'm too stupid!

Know whatl heard? Before Ferz died, you would bring him food.

The curtain!

Take the bucket!

They're panicking. The pigs!

To run.

To disappear.

Or to stay?

Or to fight?

His wife threw gas on him, and lit it.

Come and see my butterfly collection.

My first butterfly is Ficht.

Mentally retarded.

Paranoid schizophrenia with mystic delirium.

Psychotic dissociation. Really calm but ready to explode, and destroy everything.

His brother Ferz, a mental case too, threw himself down a shaft.

- They were shepherds. Primitives. - We're all shepherds!

A people of shepherds, did you forget that poem?

Who do you want to start with?

Let's start with Ficht.

- I got the cement. It's up there. -You should have brought it down.

- Empty the coal first. - We're doing it.

Enough. It's too heavy.

We're short of bricks.

- We'll bring some with the cement. - How about a gulp for our throats?

You're drinking it all. There are others too!

- Was there someone with you? - Of course not

You're hearing things.

There is someone up there.

Did you leave any tools there?

Son of a bitch...

He's stealing our food!

Just you wait, you bastard!

Look out!

Nice watch! Who gave it to you?

Hovrs Ferz doing?

You're not hungry?

You're thirsty?

Why did you break light bulbs?

He thinks it's a rat that's going to attack him. He hallucinates.

Typical delirium tremens. It's in every medical textbook.

- What's going on? - Nothing. He's crying.

- What are you doing? Let him go! -We know ourjob.

Alarm at level 502!

Faster!

Faster!

Straight ahead!

Back up, everyone!

- Forward! - Move it!

Fall in according to sector.

Faster!

- South sector: Galca? - Present!

- Marculescu? - Present.

- Balegar'? - Present.

Screw your free press...

Tell him what happened!

At first we thought he was stealing our tools.

Some people do that when they've lost theirs...

But we had our tools with us. So he only took our food.

- He left nothing! -We wanted to smash his head in!

We ran... And the car...

- The cement car rushed towards us! - We took cover!

- Or we'd be dead! - In pieces!

- There was dust everywhere. - Even up my ass.

- A real blizzard! -Talk one ata time!

Leave them. You'll get it down later.

- Make way. - Get in place! You, here!

- North sector: Gramada? - Yes.

- Marin? - Here.

- Ungureanu? - Here

- Pisica? Pisica? - Yes.

You got plums in your mouth?

- Matei. - Present.

. Nragan? - Is.

- Paraschiv? - Present.

- Ion Ion? - Yes.

- Where's your brother? - Here.

You there! Come over here. You, with the cap... Step forward.

It's our painter.

I whitewash. I paint the place. I'm from Iasi.

It's our painter.

- What are you hiding? - My brush. I'm Moldavian.

Go on.

They're all here.

All of them?

All of them.

No one's missing?

NO one.

Where is this son of a bitch? None of that lot have cement on them.

Leave me alone! They're either black as the devil or snow white.

- Whoever pushed the car should be white! -Yeah, he couldn't have washed yet.

I don't get it. Call the roll again.

Only comrade Berila's family aboard! V\fith the band! The instruments!

Go away! The instruments stay behind!

Get the kids out of the way!

Get those kids out of here!

Clear the area. Only Mr. Berila's family!

You moron, take that horse away!

Idiots!

- Are they throwing manifestos? - No.

- What are they then? - Invitations to the wedding.

- Berila, the ex-director... - The one with the stores?

That one. He's marrying off his daughter.

Have you completely lost your minds? All of you?

At your age, how can you do this? You want to suffocate him?

Is that what you want?

If you don't knock it down I'll charge you with premeditated murder!

Orders from above.

Try to understand! It's impossible.

It's okay, leave us.

Stop flying over the mine, you're tearing off my roofs.

I'm not going to forget. my friend.

It's nothing.

Okay. I'm busy now. Bye.

You could have changed before coming here. What do you want?

You're walling up access to 502? You want to kill him down there?

I should just wait and let everything fall apart?

The men are scared to death, they're huddling like sheep...

production's collapsed.

- I don't care. - Then go away!

What does this valley mean to you? Nothing!

What have you done since you came here? Just made trouble.

Wrong suspects, useless controls... Have you caught anyone? No one!

Because he won't come out.

Don't you understand: I'm not coming! I've got problems.

Big ones.

Yes, big ones.

You should go! It's a big wedding.

The helicopter will relax you. You could use it.

- You're the one who needs to relax. - I'm perfectly relaxed.

Just between us...

Don't tell me you never thought that one of those men,

forced into that shithole, would one day refuse to come out.

He's adapted underground. He probably sees in the dark.

You're mad.

I'm not.

Maybe he is. He was psychologically unstable. Now he's lost it.

A madman mrned into a beast. Reverse evolution!

An animal... who kills for food.

In each case, except for the supervisor who must have seen him,

he stole the victim's food.

You're out of your mind.

He's the perfect product of this infernal system.

The prototype. The matrix. Others will follow.

We should break out the Champagne for this!

Like in "Tequila Sunrise".

And the master above!

LBBVB US!

- But... - Get out!

- What do you intend to do? - Get him out.

I'm expecting reinforcements. A whole platoon.

We'll search every square metre of the mine, until I find him.

I'll put him in a cage in the town square, to show him on TV.

So everyone can admire him and see the product of your industry!

A namral reserve of orangutans...

...programmed to order.

HurryUP!

Line up!

Attention!

Mr. Prosecutor. Lieutenant Ulea, awaiting your orders.

Fucking helicopter!

I hope you and your bride crash!

At ease!

Where did you find these kids?

He's in charge here.

He'll show them to the canteen.

Then to the lockers. For overalls and boots.

Leave your guns there. I want him alive.

A corpse will prove nothing.

I need two guides. Today we search the south sector.

Finally!

What is it?

It came in the mail.

They finally did it.

I'm sorry, I liked you... you stood up to them.

Look, the state prosecutor himself. “...contravened professional ethics."

Pigs!

Tomorrow I'll drive you to the train.

I have to pick up your replacement anyway.

It's not tomorrow yet.

The course ofjustice is being perverted.

Report this in the local and national press.

Also, report that this helicopter of the secret police...

...has been rented for a wedding. For the daughter of ex-director Berila,

the tyrant of the mines who ulrned into a businessman.

Who sells fake vodka in his stores. Fucking Berila!

I shit on him and his mafia, his Arabs and his shitty copter!

Mr Engineer, have the men brought out.

Roll call, for those asleep. No more shifts today.

Stop the ventilation. Tonight. no air in the mine.

- What if... - Questions later!

You seal off the shafts.

- Lieutenant. use your men for that -We have tarpaulins.

Shut off the main gallery. A sergeant will stand guard all night.

- The door is not airtight. - Make it airtight! Seal them.

We'll cut off all his exits! No air must get in.

We'll only leave him the south access. He'll have to choose: come out or die.

The shafts are closed.

- They're gonna kill us. - Cut the power.

Cut it!

It's now or never.

The mine's never stopped in a 100 years.

You're a bad bastard!

Yes, Sir.

They're drawing him to the south. I warned you about this.

Public opinion's not my department.

I'm sorry, I can't do anything more.

I'll wait for them.

It's over.

Who's there?

Who's there?

We're ready.

To run? To disappear? Or to stay?

Bleiben: To stay. Verschwinden: To disappear.

Versch winden oder bleiben?

Shit: Scheise.

Zu spat Too late.

Get those damn goats out of there!

Idiot, get rid of that goat!

Get down! Down! Are you deaf'?

You! Where're you going?

Everyone, keep still.

Get down!

Troops, keep down!

Mr. Prosecutor, he should have come out by now.

He'll be forced out by the toxic gases.

- Miss, anything left? - Give this to the lieutenant.

- I thought you were sleeping. - Who could sleep here?

Thanks so much. It's nice and hot.

- Stay down! - Shut up! You're driving me crazy.

Stop with the guns! Stop all that clatter.

The wedding party, beat it!

Get down!

Fucking clowns...

- I'm afraid. - Of what?

He's surely dead. He should have come out

I'll take full responsibility.

Better drink a coffee.

Soap will take care of that.

Stop with that gun!

- I said no guns. - It looks like...

Cows...

In the mine.

They must've settled into an old gallery.

Take care of it!

Look!

- Where? - There!

- Look, something's moving! - My God...

It's him.

Troops, fall in! Faster!

Faster, you slobs! Fix bayonets!

Quiet...

Take aim!

Leave the guns. Can't you see he's half dead?

Get those guns down.

Lower arms!

Come on... come on.

My God...

- He's backing off. - He can't, with the gases.

Keep your men under control.

Take this off or I'll kill you. Are you sulpid?

Yes, I'm smpid.

You know... I know who it is.

- Who is it Mitica? - I'll tell you if I come back.

"Tequila Sunrise"...

Down. Lie down now.

Ferzatz!

What have they done to you, Ferzatz?

The prosecutor survived.

Everybody except the prosecutor thought this was because of the charm.

A few months later Alina and Costa left for Germany.

There was nothing left of Ferzatz. The mines are still being worked.

- And Ficht? - What about Ficht'?

What happened to Ficht?

He escaped from the hospital, broke into the store and stole 5 kg of explosive.

And then?

He now wanders about Europe, bomb in hand, looking for his brother:

"Hey, Ferz! Where are you, Ferz?“

- Listen Mitica... - What?

I saw him today in the subway.

- Saw who? -Who? Ficht!

It couldn't have been Ferzatz.

Or was it Ferzatz?

This movie is dedicated to all those who still believe it's not too late.

English subtitles by Rupert Wolfe-Murray and Paul J. Memmi

(with the support of the Romanian Cululral Instiulte in New York)