Original subtitles

My life started on 15 September 1975.

Somewhere in the Balkans where Europe ends but never starts.

This is my mother - gentle and kind.

Lives in her own world of books and music.

Hesitant and beautiful as the Gobelins she sews.

My father - never still in a hurry not to miss something.

Making plans, looking for new paths to follow.

Grandma in feverish search of sugar for my birth.

Addicted to pastries she was convinced the world spun on a lump of sugar.

Got sugar today?

Grandma Sladka (pastry) Was her nickname.

Sugar in today? - Not yet.

But the world is big and she knew that sugar cane grew far away.

What's in today? - Sugar, Cuban sugar!

Hey, comrade, come back! - Stand in the line! Keep order!

Aren't you ashamed, comrade?

The Caf� - the secret capital of backgammon!

That day my Grandpa fought a fierce battle.

The winner would be the new King of Backgammon.

They call my Grandpa Bai Dan.

Dan - short for Yordan, and 'Bai'out of respect

for his special touch with the dice.

Not everyone can throw!

Bai Dan - master dice-thrower!

Playing since early morning - the outcome was near.

And that's when I popped out.

The Boys. Double six. - Great!

The new King of Backgammon is called Bai Dan!

This is a candy sponge a baklava, a butter roll.

Sladke, where's the sugar from? - Fidel Castro sent it from Cuba.

The world is big and salvation lurks around the corner.

To my grandson Alexander! Cheers!

That's where my story begins.

The story of Alexander Georgiev, Sashko for short.

The world is big and everyone calls you what they like.

(Germany)

THE WORLD IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER

Hello, yes

Yes.

Ok, ok,

The children... They had an accident.

Sashko is alive, in hospital.

Yana and Vasko...

Hi. How do you feel?

Do you understand my question?

What's your name?

I don't know.

(Germany)

(X ray room)

Good morning. Can I help you? - Good morning.

I'm looking for my grandson Alexander Georgiev.

Room 17, down the corridor.

Thank you.

It's me, Sashe. I just came...

Grandpa's boy. How are you?

I'm your Grandpa, from Bulgaria. Don't you recognize me?

Are you all right?

Tell me you are!

I don't know if... Please, I... I don't know you...

Sashe, Sashe... Have a good look,

It's me, your Grandpa!

I came from home Remember?

I taught you to play backgammon.

You remember the song?

Backgammon's played by those who can,

Backgammon's played by those who can't, too.

What's going on?

Tell the gentleman to leave I don't know him.

Please, leave the room at once.

Sashe...

Backgammon's played by those who can,

Backgammon's played by those who can't, too.

Play on bravely, have no fear at the worst you get beaten up.

One, two, three, four, five, six six, five, four, three, two, one

One, two, three, four, five, six, six five, four, three, two, double six.

Can I throw the dice, Grandpa?

Attention all!

Pejo, give a drink to everyone Drinks are on me today.

My grandson asked for the dice!

To the young master Make way for youth.

Come on, Master!

Word of honour:

We don't play for money, only for honour.

You promise? - I promise.

Take the dice!

You should believe the dice.

Think of two numbers!

A six and a one.

Now throw it.

Bravo!

Sorry, I had to warn you he wouldn't recognise you.

I'll talk to him, prepare him for... - Doc, how is he?

Is he going to be alright?

Fortunately there's no serious physical damage.

He has retroactive amnesia - Amnesia?

Yes. He can't remember anything before the accident.

He doesn't even know that his parents are dead.

This news might hurt him even more.

(Alexander Georgiev)

Sashe, your Grandpa!

Give it to me!

Give it to him! Don't torture the kid...

Happy birthday, Sashko! - Thank you.

And play so much you break the box.

Thank you, Grandpa.

Now you have gone over the top!

And a photo...

Say Cheese Cheese!

Blow the candles.

Excellent, my boy!

Alexander Georgiev. Please leave a message after the tone.

Mr Georgiev, it's Vitechek from the translation agency

about the instructions on vacuum cleaner PX 510.

You promised to finish it last week, Please call.

I brought you some photos.

Who are these people? - Your mother and father.

Grandma Sladka.

This here is you and that's me.

Your mum and dad.

I don't remember them.

This was your birthday.

You were seven.

Don't you remember? Really? - I just don't.

They are all strangers I don't remember anyone.

Mum, dad... not myself That's enough!

You'll remember, Sashe I'm sure you will!

I found that backgammon set I made for you at your place last night.

You've entered my place? How?

Not quite legally...

Not quite...

You just intrude like that... Nice, superb...

So you are my Grandpa from Bulgaria after all! Nice touch!

But it's time to go. Just leave I don't remember you!

Sashe...

I don't remember you!

The man can't hit the board Needs a basin to hold his dice!

With the people's militia here don't make an ass of me.

Comrade militiaman, why this warm Lenin look at me?

You hang here all the time should know how to play.

Let's play a game

But you won't, because if you don't play, you don't lose.

But we all play here.

If you just watch you'll get hit by a board on the head.

He's leaving

Vasko, the Personnel department called for you!

Well, Georgiev...

Too bad, Georgiev too bad indeed!

Why? What's up? - Strange things

You served in a missile regiment

Once you quarrelled and beat up the officer on duty.

That's what it says here.

Six months in the cooler expulsion from the Comsomol.

Discharged in 1971, entrance exams at the Machine Institute

but you forgot to mention the expulsion from the Comsomol.

False references from the Army here's a copy.

The comrades overlooked it you entered and graduated.

But one day everything sees the light of day.

What shall I do with you?

You are a gifted lad...

You have a kid Let it grow up safe and healthy.

It's human to err. You're young there's a life to be lived.

What do you want from me?

Your father-in-law they call him Bai Dan...

He was a cyclist won the Bulgaria Tour in 54

Gets a scholarships, studies 2 years in GDR.

During the Hungarian Uprising organizes student protests.

Repatriated to Bulgaria what does he do?

Blows up Stalin's monument with dynamite.

Sentenced to death. Pardoned.

15 years in prison and still he hasn't learned sense.

He is such a big mouth -

talking against the authorities.

No way! Only backgammon is in his head.

Only backgammon...

We won't bother him for selling backgammon boards, for now...

His workshop in the cellar... - What do you want from me?

All his anti-authority blabbering you put clearly in writing.

All backgammon players' too And your colleagues, in case...

You bring all the reports to me.

Sign this declaration!

Let me think about it.

Think, but don't be long bad things may happen...

And if I do not sign it? - Bad, too bad for you.

Cancellation of your diploma dismissal, your wife too...

Prison sentence for forgery...

Won't that be enough? There's more...

If you don't want to talk,

let's play a game.

I don't care for such games.

Come on, just one game - I'm short on luck,

Backgammon has nothing to do with luck,

I taught you to play years ago.

You see, you have not forgotten.

Snake eyes - That's not so good.

It's OK. There's no bad dice just bad players.

Depends how you play it

You have to move your checkers to bear them off

and try to block the opponent's checkers.

Just by closing the points by two checkers.

Here - snake eyes the smallest dice but a big throw.

Blocking the Bosporus here

and the Dardanelles there,

so the enemy is stranded at Black Sea and can't move.

Yeah!

That's double six

The highest throw

But you could lose on that too the way my bar point is blocked.

But there's always a next throw.

Comrades we lost a great friend of Bulgaria.

The secretary general of CPSU the Comrade Leonid Brezhnev.

Suggest to send a mourning telegram to the Soviet Embassy.

The friendship of our countries is eternal,

Soviet Union and People's Republic of Bulgaria.

CPSU - BCP!

CPSU - BCP!

Vasko? You're dripping wet!

You want something to warm up? - Yes.

Shall we have a game of backgammon?

You want to tell me something?

You're blocking my game I can't continue.

Look around there's always an opening.

Whatever I throw is useless

If the situation looks hopeless,

just change your tactics - How?

You take a risk, make your move and hope for the best.

We have to emigrate!

What? - To the West, to Germany.

I am serious, we'll do it this summer.

Just like going to the seaside

But how... - I have to leave!

What about Sashko? - He's coming with us.

He'll have a better future there

Do you understand? - You know what you're saying?

I am not going anywhere!

(Mum: Yana Dad: Vasko)

Too bad. But one never knows...

I hope the boy will recover.

I was aware he wasn't around but knew nothing of his misfortune.

Another cup of tea?

Do you know his friends? - No, he was always alone.

What about a girlfriend? - Never saw one.

He is confused.

Been watching him for three weeks now -

keeping to his bed as if waiting for Doomsday...

I'll take this walking stick for a couple of days.

You're welcome.

Thank you, good neighbour.

Stop this damned thing!

It's time for the news!

I'll show you news!

Get up!

Are you nuts?

You have to move, boy! Not glued to the box!

It's just brainwashing! Don't make me take out the bed.

Get up!

You are insane! - Come on, get up!

Right! Finally!

This boy can jump!

More, can you go on? - Just let go!

I'll take you out of this room.

It hurts, stop it! Don't try to run my life!

You call this a life?

Among cardboard boxes for vacuum cleaners?

Translating manuals Lying here...

And grumbling like an old woman.

You need a change, boy!

There's nothing better than the change.

Coward!

Stop it!

I promise to keep hitting you until you come with me.

This is the news!

I am coming - Get the backgammon set!

See what you did!

Now we go to gammon - double game

Gammon!

You beat me again - It's up to you only

Me only? Dice is just chance - Chance? - Yes

Where is that chance? You' ve got the dice in your hand, don't you?

What flick and spin you give them what angle...

You need a double If you are to beat me

Bravo, master. First victory

We'll celebrate you're re covering.

If you say so... - Let me show you something

Backgammon has six points

Here they are The King's point and the Paradise' point are the most important.

The points are closed one by one Today you made the first.

You have five more to do.

And when you're done you'll be ready -

you'll remember everything

I am a little scared

How come?

Scared that I won't recognise

mum and dad

when they come

Just as I didn't recognise you.

Now tell me who they are

and who I am.

You are Alexander.

It is a rare luck to be christened Alexander

You renounced Satan?

I did! - You embraced Christ?

I did! - Do you believe in Him?

I do!

What name shall we announce?

Alexander

God's servant Alexander is baptised

in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I wish my self in the New Year me you and Sashko

to start a new life - in the West.

Free, rich and happy!

Shall we?

Shall we? - Yes, sure.

Dear compatriots, Happy 1983!

Now, Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Blackbird young sweetly sang in a forest with a twang.

Stamped his foot in a boot splintered up a root.

Walked about till very late

many flies he caught and ate...

How dare you! This is a hospital!

How irresponsible!

Out!

Who are you threatening?

Sashe, Sashe, these bums won't cure you

They don't care about you

And they lie to you all the time - What about?

Look...

Look here...

Your mum and dad

will never come.

How do you mean - never?

They are dead.

They died in the accident.

You were together.

This is not true! - It is, it is very true, my lad.

They are not coming.

But you can bring them back in your memory

when we go where I came from,

where you came from.

I will help you.

Out, leave! Immediately!

Sashe, Just pull yourself together and leave!

Leave the Gobelins. I'll buy you real paintings over there.

No room for my things but you take that box!

That box is a gift for Sashko from your father. You take trash!

If it's not tied to you escaping it's trash to you.

My escaping? It's all for us

Leave it to you and we'll just rot in this dump.

You lived in a dump before marrying me, didn't you?

Is there anything about me you care for? Is there?

Keep it down, your parents will hear us

So what? I am fed up with this!

To hide, to lie to them... God knows when I'll see them again.

I'm not going!

You're not? - I'm not going!

Go or stay, you know best!

Sashe, come here.

It's alright...

It's alright.

For cranberries a kiddy wandered out Two baskets he did fill and sung aloud

But entered too deep in the wood the day grew dark as did his mood

The kid did cry and tried to call his mother but who could hear him...

Let me see! - That's the kid.

It was dark in the forest no light, no bird.

Will the kid be scared or stop? No, for mum is waiting home.

Suddenly a gleam of hope appears a white path through his tears.

The friendly path invited him: - Do step on me, you will be home.

An hour you'll have to walk my promise is not idle talk,

The child started running fast the path did also run with him.

And finally the good white path did take him home to mum.

And do take care, Vasko.

Have a nice trip

Yana.

Sashe, come say good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa

Sashe, if you want to tell me something very important,

just tell it to a white cloud floating in the sky,

it'll come and tell me - Like sending a letter?

Right And how do you throw the dice?

I think of a number throw it and win!

Excellent, master!

Be good, my sweetie-pie!

(The tomb of Vasko & yana)

Mum and dad, God rest their souls.

God rest their souls.

What's this for? - We'll travel with it

Can't we take a bus, a plane?

Who rides a bike today? - This is not a bike but tandem

Give me your luggage.

Alexander Georgiev are you ready to go?

No. We haven't got helmets Is it permitted...

It is. I asked the Pope He said: "Yes!" Come on...

Is that a new trick? I won't doall the hard work,

I'm doing the steering That's more important

You have no idea where you want to go.

I'm the brain, you're the muscle! - Watch the road or we'll crash!

What's our destination? Turkey

India, China

The Silk Road

Why hang this flower pot up front?

It's a present for your Grandma To plant in her garden

I have to pee - Right now? Go, quickly!

This is the border It's Italy on the other side

Come on! Now!

Vasko, our things... - No! Don't! Go! Go!

Come on! Just go!

(Temporary Shelter)

Come on, sign it!

The Commandant asks you to sign.

What is this?

Declaration to accept the rules at the camp voluntarily

But it's all in Italian...

I'm sorry but you have to sign it

This is East Europe side Over there are the Arabs

These are Czechs. The other rooms are for Rumanians and Hungarians.

Don't worry it'll be OK Let me explain

You applied for political asylum But it's ruled out in Italy

You have to apply for another country and it takes time

It's a limited choice: Australia South Africa Argentina

For the States you need an invitation and a guarantee.

That's the situation. Cheer up!

It's done. Thank you, Chicago Come, I'll introduce you.

Nice to meet you I'm Ivo the Chicago. Welcome.

Thank you. Yana and Sasho

Sasho, is this a smudge? Got it! One up for me!

We are on a spaghetti diet morning evening noon

and all weekdays - spaghetti But come a holiday surprise!

Spaghetti again! That's the situation!

I like spaghetti especially spaghetti Bolognese

Yes, Bolognese, from Bologna! I quite enjoyed it at first

Both Bolognese, Milanese but they all end up Shitnese

You'll get fed up eventually - Sure, after a month's diet

It's been three years for me!

You serious? - Yes, sure, three years.

I am only in my ninth month...

My sister and me - it's almost two years now

We're just for a short stay

Everybody says that but it'll stretch to three-four years.

I am leaving!

Where? I am leaving. Let me go!

Stop - Let me go!

Wait! - Take me back home! You hear?

I hate you!

Today we'll talk about fantasy - What? Fantasy?!

Yes, the elixir of every game

Tell me, what make's this car? - A bone-shaker.

A Brand new limousine! - Is that so? Well, true!

And who's inside? - How should I know?

Use your imagination - A depressed man.

Why is he so blue? - He has a big credit to pay back,

And a fat wife throwing

his money out the window instead ofjumping out herself.

Your vision is improving! Next car?

A pretty woman behind the wheel the radio blasting...

What's on the radio? - How should I know?

Try to remember! - I can't.

Use your imagination!

Some babble... I don't know... Coughing, sneezing...

Interview with a pop singer some crazy old bitch...

Shouldn't you be dead by now? "Oh, yes. Thank you..."

Full of spite, but good!

You're getting on my nerves - Go on with the radio.

Stop, it's stupid! - Go on with the radio.

All right. Radio...

Dear listeners this is Radio Balkan...

Sure! Good morning! - Good morning with Traffic news

Traffic jam on Rout A22

An urgent message from Grandma: "Water my flower and eat well."

We won't forget, Grandma Sladka?!

The weather: Heavy snow and strong winds. Attention...

Attention!

Attention! To all celestial bodies! An approaching sirtaki

will slam your way with east-west turbulence

followed by a south-north rush...

That was good.

You may turn out a good player.

Like you?

Well, not quite...

Dear Lord!

You didn't know they'd run away?

In one house, at one table and still you didn't know...

Well, they just didn't know...

Now you take me to your workshop.

Don't you want? Then I'll take you there.

A massive production line no doubt about it!

So it goes to market, true?

Add what your son-in-law wrote about you

and your talks against the authorities

plus assisting emigration and there's prison looking at you

Quite a handful of years

Cuff him!

Hanging at the cafe I learned a thing or two about backgammon

But my favourite claptrap was: "Backgammon on the head!"

Dane!

(Italy)

Just put the address.

They'll guess it's from us and know we are well.

Two words at least... - You write anything,

the only people who will get the card will be the militia.

Just the address in your handwriting.

(Bulgaria)

Stoyan?

Yes, Yana - How much money is that?

Enough to go to Trieste and buy the kid an ice-cream.

Dad, buy me this car! - We've got no money now

Please, can I have it... - I told you, we're broke.

Where is the child?

Sasho!

Sasho!

Vassil, find the child! Sasho!

Sasho!

Sashe, take it easy!

You were dreaming. It's me Easy now...

Don't worry You were just dreaming.

Nothing to worry about.

Sasho!

Where have you been, my boy?

I want home!

The car will take usto Grandma and Grandpa

Do you want me to show you something?

My Grandpa taught me that if ever I want to tell him anything

I just have to whisper to a cloud and it will tell him what I said

Just look...

Grandma, Grandpa, do you hear me? I have a new friend.

Her name is Martha.

Mum and Dad are well I eat spaghetti all day

I miss you so much but I never cry

because dad told me to behave like a man

They are alive

Thank you, Lord! They are alive!

Do you hear, Dane? They are alive!

Can you tell me, little white cloud

where you're coming from

Didn't you see my father's yard

didn't you hear my mother say:

"What does my darling child do

sharing his bread with strangers?

Go tell her, little white cloud

you've seen me here safe and sound...

Come on, cheers! - Cheers!

What are you up to? - Taking my medicines.

What medicines?

Anti-depressants

Co-enzyme, for immunity - Let me see them

And this is...

What was it?

For breathing of the brain...

Good for your brain. Oh.

How could you? Where do I...

Your brain will breathe with this now! Guaranteed

You are crazy!

Switzerland - 3 million lire Austria - 2, France - 3 million

What's he saying?

His tariffs for border crossings

How much to Germany? - Two million

Why Germany, Vasko? USA for me where the skyscrapers are

I have a brother there in Chicago he has a house on Lake Michigan

He's well respected over there

He'll send me an invitation any moment now! And then...

living in America.

Come on, it's you...

You are too much in a hurry to be beaten. Easy now

True it's beating only a player or a donkey will understand

Go on!

Beat it!! That's it!

You are the real top player!

Two million is a lot of money Too fucking much...

Money's no problem for you

How do you mean? How do I find two million?

Now, there's this dump kind of a bar

Across from the railway station They play all kinds of games

even backgammon for money - I don't play for money.

Then you just rot here

For you.

We have a garage, too!

Amazing view! - Fantastic it is!

Good for you we conquered the summits.

You made it

You made another point!

Slow down

I can't...

Brake!

Go slow!

I can't, the brakes aren't working! - Brake or we'll crash!

I can't. Jump!

Grandpa?

Grandpa?

Where are you? - Why all the shouting?

I am here!

Move move!

Don't "avanti" me! You motherfucker!

I'm not eating your... - What are you doing?

Somebody explain to me what's going on here!

Commandant, sir!

What's your problem?

Honorable captain Sforza! I'll explain.

We are fugitives from a dictatorship.

We are not criminals We have rights!

You keep us for years making us prisoners

We don't want our children to grow up here

People forget their professions!

Enough is enough! - We won't tolerate this any longer

We all know you receive 10 dollars a day per person

Our money! And you keep them

That's why you keep us here year after year!

I came here three years ago!

For me it's two... Give us our documents!

On strike! On strike!

Quiet!

We want shorter procedures better food, language lessons

A democratic country will never tolerate anarchy and chaos

I'm in power to send you back where you came from

We don't need bullies and scum

Leave the canteen at once!

Miserable basterds! You will rot here!

You owe me eight times the bet!

One more game?

Enough for today

Anyone for a game?

How much do you bet?

A hundred thousand.

It's nothing

64 times the initial bet

Alright, go!

Easy, Sashe!

We'll meet again, trust me!

The world is small You'll visit me in Chicago!

Yana, cheer up!

Sashe, listen to mum and dad but... don't overdo it!

Thank you so much! - God be with you!

We'll stay here overnight

Go back! Go back to the girl!

Introduce yourself, ask whereshe comes from! Go...

That was just a dance - Just a dance! Nonsense

The way she looked at you! Go back!

Well, I thought... - Don't think, act!

Alive and kicking! But doing what...

Go now or I'll drag you there!

I am Alex. Hi Maria.

Where you from?

I am form Germany.

And you?

I am from Hungary.

But I live in Germany

I'm off to the beach. You coming? - Sure

I don't remember anything before the crash

I can read and write, use a phone

but I don't know the people in my phone book

and I am trying to collect my memories...

What do you do?

I study ballet and teach in a salsa club

I saw you yesterday so sad and nice

I needed you to hold me...

Where are you heading now? - To Bulgaria. I was born there

We ride a tandem bike my Grandpa and me

What? You are a sight for sore eyes!

And I'm going back to Germany

It's not so bad I can't remember the past

You might as well be my first woman

Perhaps I am...

Your first and only one

And what's her name? - Maria

Bravo!

Now you made it to Paradise point the best of all!

There are two more left!

Stop there!

I was here years ago with my parents

I just want to look around

What's your name? - Alexander Georgiev

My dad was Vassil, my mum - Yana

Sashe, is that you?

I am Ivo the Chicago Don't you remember?

Look here! Tricked again!

That's two up for me

Chicago

How are your mum and dad?

They died - Don't say it!

Stoyan also died Do you remember Uncle Stoyan?

Who spoke many languages? After you left he fell seriously ill

and in six months he was gone

God rest his soul your parents' too

God rest their souls

What about you?

I never got the invitation from my brother

I tried his phones and waited...

It's clear he didn't want me He may be dead too

How do you mean - dead?

Do you think people in America don't die?

They do, like flies! Don't you watch TV?

You're sat there eating your burger having a drink

and someone in a bad mood comes in with a gun like that

and starts shooting left and right!

America is a hopeless case

I just stayed here at the camp

As a guard

I remembered the crash!

There were the three of us

Like in the past

Dad had not been living with us for the past 15 years

Mum raised me alone

Mum was ashamed from herself from her broken family

She was crying a lot...

A couple of months ago Dad just came back

They made up and decided to take a trip to Bulgaria

I said to your father years ago: "Destiny is the dice in your hand

And what happens after that depends on your luck and skill."

It's your throw, master!

Good morning- Good morning, Sashe

Where's Grandad? - On the early train to Bulgaria

He left you the backgammon box

FOR NEW BULGARIA!

Sashko!

Sashko! Sashko!

My sweetie-pie!

Sashko, my grandson.

Welcome, Sashe!

He's grown bigger than us!

Backgammon's played by those who can,

Backgammon's played by those who can't, too

One, two, three, four, five, six, six, five, four, three, two, one...

We'll see if he's Grandpa's son! - Beware, or you shall weep!

If you want to give up now is the time

No, I don't give up!

Don't give up? Ok come on.

The winner is the one who first take two games back to back!

If by sunset there's no winner, you'll throw the dice.

Whoever throws the highest number will be the king of Backgammon!

Let's see who throws first!

Tea time!

No one won two games in a row all day long

It was late. The king was to be named with a throw of the dice.

Just one throw each

the highest number to win

I had thrown a six and seven

An unseen miracle!

I have reached the king's point! The last one.

I was cured

What a feat!

The name of the new king is Sasho!

I could start dreaming again,

playing, losing, winning...

Being... Now and forever

Because as my Grandpa used to say:

The World is big and salvation lurks around the corner.

(Germany)

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

One, two, three... that's it

One, two, three...

One, two, three... turn your head

One, two, three... what is it Catherina

One, two, three...