Original subtitles

VLASIK THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS

One’s fate.

It is often decided by a single, seemingly occasional meeting.

Only seemingly though.

In the autumn of 1927, Nikolai Vlasik, the OGPU senior representative,

could hardly imagine that soon he’d become

one of the most influential men in his country

and over the years people will call him Stalin’s shadow.

For almost thirty years Stalin and Vlasik will walk side by side.

The head of Stalin’s personal security

will see Stalin gaining huge power

while impetuously losing his friends and family

and ending up alone.

Nikolai Vlasik will accompany him along this path.

On the eve of 1953, Stalin will turn Vlasik in.

At his arrest, he will say a prophetic sentence:

“Once I am gone, Stalin is gone.” He’ll be right.

For now, the year 1927, the tenth year of the revolution, was coming to its end.

Leaving his home on that day, Vlasik couldn’t imagine

that it would be the day when his life changes its course.

Part 1

- Hold it. It is raining. - Yes, I am holding.

Good.

- What is it, Frantsevich? - It aches.

Oh, the heart.

How many times did I tell you that you gotta take care of yourself?

I’ll do that when I find myself a replacement.

Listen, I don’t understand. Whom are you protecting me from?

There is no one around.

- This is your newspaper. - Thank you.

What is she doing here in such an early hour?

She might be waiting for someone, Kolya. For you, maybe?

- I don’t need others. I have my own. - Ludka Grishina, a medical student?

And I thought she was dating this Lukin guy.

She is kind of strange. This is the third time I see her here.

- Really? - Stands here for a while and then leaves.

- Always holding this satchel. - Does she?

Come on, ask her what the heck is she doing here.

A bodyguard! No one is even able to spell the text correctly.

I have to do everything myself. Everything!

Hey, you! Get off him!

Careful!

Check on her! Is she alive?

- Hey, don’t just stand there. Help me! - Alive?

- Yes, yes. - Careful!

We are taking him to the building.

What on earth is going on?

The steps. Be careful.

Who gave you the order? Tell me, cholera!

Don’t you die! Don’t die!

Bandage him.

- Kolya! - Bandage him.

- Cholera! - Stand still or it will hurt.

It doesn’t hurt. You’ve seen this?

Such a pity.

- Almost new. - Not at all.

- It is very old. - Old? No. It is new.

It is old, I am saying.

As for the pain, we are used to it.

Our dad was beating me and my sister till the skin came off our butts.

Lyuda!

- Lyuda! - Yes?

Can I drop by tonight?

I have the tickets to the ILLUSIONE.

There’s a Douglas Fairbanks film showing.

Once you provide him the first aid,

please mind the fact that tonight

you are attending a dispute with the cultural workers.

On the behalf of our Komsomol unit.

What dispute?

- And what about the tickets? - What can I do? Let’s go together.

It is going to be very interesting. Many poets will come.

We’ll see the film next time.

How could it be more interesting than Douglas Fairbanks?

How can you compare the bourgeois actor to the cultural workers?

I am sorry, we are simple folk. Sorry! Well…

I’ll drop by tonight.

So, comrade Stalin, still wondering why you need to be protected?

For God’ sake, Ivan Frantsevich!

This woman was waiting for a guy from the military.

Her lover, probably.

Probably he broke up with her and she sought revenge.

Do you believe in what you’re saying?

This fighter is a real bull. He almost pressed me into the pavement.

He saved your life. And this chick was apparently after you.

Whatever, Yusis. One psycho girl

- won’t cause me to hire more guards. - She’s not a psycho.

- Hi! - Hi, Ivan! Joseph, you saw my book?

The first rule of security says ”Always close the door behind you!”

Or all kinds of Tatkas could enter, right?

Why you are not at the Academy, biting off the professors’ heads?

I told you, I forgot my book.

You see, Yusis, that’s our family.

Ivan Frantsevich, what happened?

Some psycho student came running to hug the Secretary General.

Right! Just to let me know that Trotsky wanted to seize power.

Quite an eye opener!

The students are nothing new. I used to be one myself.

Right.

Ivan Frantsevich, help me.

- Make my husband order a new trench coat. - Tatka!

Upon your advice, I had two great suites tailored for him

and he still wears this rubbish.

It is simply embarrassing!

Listen, Joseph. Go to the warehouse right now

- and fetch some felt. - Tatka, darling!

Don’t you see that comrade Yusis and I are busy with serious matters?

Let’s go, Frantsevich. I probably dropped the book there myself.

- Find out the name of the guy. - Got it. Sure.

- Cholera! - I’ll find it out.

- What? Three more shots? - Yes, three.

Yes! That’s the way to do it!

Vyacheslav Rudolphovich, the thing is…

He is interested. You have no choice, comrade OGPU Chairman.

Come on, Ivan Frantsevich. I am not a chairman.

Dzerzhinsky was the chairman, and I am just his follower.

So what do you think about Vlasik?

His name is Nikolai. Used to work at the field.

He’s brave. He’s smart.

A true revolutionary.

As sharp as needle.

But honestly, Ivan…

How shall I put it? He is…

- He is bearish. - Exactly. That's the word.

Bearish. Right.

And Nadezhda Sergeevna, she is very…

You know, she is quite demanding.

But she doesn’t complain about you.

It took me a lot of effort.

I know how to handle this matter.

Girls, have some flowers! Here!

- The flowers, young men! - How much?

Two rubles.

Give me those.

- It is not enough! - Come on!

What are you doing?

Comrade Vlasik!

- What? - Follow me, please!

Let’s go then.

Hi there.

- What’s the matter? - I don’t know. They called you.

- What is it, Lyuda? - Nothing.

- Looking for your Kolya? - Nonsense. He’s not mine.

Girls!

- Girls! How did you like the dispute? - I enjoyed it.

I don’t know. It was interesting but rather rough and boring.

I liked Mayakovsky this time.

- Alright, guys, I’d better go. - Lyuda! Wait!

- It is so late. I’ll walk you home. - No, I will be fine. Thank you.

Why do you keep running after her?

Look at her! What? Am I not as good as Lyuda?

Hey? Am I not as good as her?

- Yes. - Get lost!

Comrade Yusis and I think that you, Nikolai,

should take very seriously the crucial task

of protecting comrade Stalin.

Did you understand what comrade Menzhinsky just said?

Yes, comrade Yusis.

Yusis, Ivan Frantsevich. Stalin’s personal bodyguard.

- So what did you understand from… - Wait, Ivan.

Why are you so mixed-up, Nikolai?

It is not like you.

I am… Comrade Menzhinsky, I have to pick up a girl.

We had a fight, and she lives in another part of town, at her aunt’s…

- It is late, no more trams. - Right. I see.

I see.

Help!

- Hey! You stabbed her to death! - Take the scarf and let’s hit the road!

What are you doing?

Where are you going? Comrade! You can’t enter the surgery! Stop!

Stop!

Alright!

Relax.

Let’s go.

Come on.

Sit. Sit down.

Drink.

What? What happened to her?

Penetrating wound in the abdominal cavity.

We’ll do our best.

But I am afraid that she’ll be unable to give birth.

Comrade Mukhin! The surgery is ready.

Coming.

Thank you.

You know, my son,

I am collecting this money for a church.

What are you talking about, old man?

What church? All the churches have been...

There is no God, old man. No God.

An eye for an eye

may as well be a right thing to do...

...but…

…it should be done reasonably,

without pushing too hard.

Otherwise one might lose their own eyes.

Right?

Are you Martyn’s man?

I am.

- Did you bring it? - I did.

Ah. Cool.

Show me.

Here.

Okay, I’ll take it.

- Martyn says, you have a scarf, too. - A scarf?

It is not a scarf, it is a real wrap.

Show him, Scar.

Yeah! It ain’t easy for a swagger lad to grant all your wishes.

Hey, fella! What’s wrong with you?

What?

Freeze!

Stop it! Stop it at once!

Stop it!

There is no milk? No good.

Here comes the missus.

Tell me, Tatka, will we ever run this household properly?

I can’t drink from this cup.

And I can’t both study at the academy and run the household.

I’ve put children asleep.

No, Nikolai.

We should press Trotsky altogether.

After giving it a good thought.

And we have to be extremely careful.

So he wouldn’t suspect a thing before November the 7th.

Koba! Why are you looking at me like that?

I don’t get it.

This way people look at the rattlers.

God forbid, my dear! What are you talking about?

Here comes our breadwinner!

Listen, I am so hungry. These sandwiches make me sick.

Kolya, will you join us?

No. I gotta read this article. Tomorrow is the deadline.

Whatever you say.

We don’t force ourselves on people.

Frantsevich! What is your good news?

And what is your bad news?

Well, I talked to Menzhinsky.

We thought we’d better find someone else. Comrade Vlasik is not mature enough.

And what is wrong with this cholera?

You know, Joseph Vissarionovich, he started a fight.

He almost killed someone.

What “Mom”, comrade Vlasik?

In official papers, it is “mother” and “father”,

not “Mom” and “my old man”.

It is alright. Let him write “my old man”.

That’s the way you write it, comrade?

That’s right. Vlasik is our name.

I am very glad that you are joining our little family.

Because we are the family. Right, comrade Yusis?

We are, comrade Stalin.

You know, you were…

You were quite right to revenge those bastards for your woman.

You don’t let anyone in this life

get away with anything.

You just don’t.

Well, keep working.

Aye!

Comrade Yusis, I am sorry.

I will fix it for you.

Outside, at the backyard, I saw lots of furniture thrown out.

How can one do that?

- New things are thrown, and the rubbish… - You can go, comrade Vlasik.

Yes!

- Comrade Yusis! What happens tomorrow? - The service.

- Will that be all? - Go.

Yes!

So they carried him away.

He did it because of me.

I…

Listen, I…

I want to tell you…

If they took Nikolai…

- …then maybe… - What?

Kolya! Did you escape?

Really?

‘Cause when I found out, I…

I made a list of things to pack to go with you to penal servitude.

The coat, the scarf. What else is there?

So what, Lyuda?

Will you marry me?

I cannot have children, Kolya.

Good morning!

How did you sleep?

- Comrade Secretary! - Fine.

Except that this train has square wheels.

What brings you here so early?

- With the paper, too. - You know, Zinoviev…

Came up with another of his revelations.

I am so tired of him and Kamenev being eccentric.

It’s time to nail them, right?

We’ll figure it out next year.

I need to strengthen my ranks.

Well, where are we?

Rostov.

I like this town.

It has a real masculine character.

Rostov… Father Rostov.

What about the rest? Still snoring?

After yesterday, Budyonny is dead above the ears.

He lapped the gutter after all.

Well, let’s warm up.

We’ll do whatever Yusis says.

Isn’t he too harsh?

Soon enough we’ll have to ask his permission to take a piss.

Mironych, you are a drinking master.

Joseph Vissarionovich! Good morning!

Good morning yourself, the cavalry!

Greetings!

We are approaching the station. If you wish,

you could go out to the platform.

Rostov comrades promised to keep privacy.

Thanks!

Let’s go for a walk. Alexey Maksimovich!

Give it to me! Come on.

To your positions!

Hurry up.

Thanks.

All clear.

Joseph Vissarionovich!

Watch out.

Alexey Maksimovich…

Here.

Watch out.

Here.

Heh…

My young days…

My young days…

Where are you?

Do you understand me, comrade Stalin?

I am very happy that you joined us, Alexey Maksimovich.

Instead of spending all your time in Italy.

And our Black Sea is just as good as the Mediterranean.

I am longing to look at the sea.

I do.

There are many things I need to discuss with you,

comrade Gorky.

You know, to ask your advice.

Turns out,

I have no one to ask an advice from.

Hey, Cossacks! Stalin, in the flesh! I’d be damned!

Keep off!

Keep off!

Stalin!

Don’t let them come close!

Let’s go.

Hey, you! I’ll shoot you myself! It’s not a propaganda team!

But these are our workers!

Back to the train!

You sent us a telegram that comrade Stalin is passing by.

Then I’ll shoot your telegraph man.

Get inside! Please.

Give a signal to depart!

I…

I am ready to leave, Alexey Maksimovich.

I think…

…you just don't imagine what a bloody massacre will it be.

I do quite well.

I made the revolution with these people.

I know from my own experience

what they can do when it comes to their interests.

But what can I say?

- Hi! - Hi!

He that is not with us,

is against us.

Comrade Stalin! The ship captain has some doubts.

Regarding the endurance of his walnut-shell.

Our ship is durable. Comrade Beria chose it himself.

We gotta put to the sea to meet the outpost schedule.

But we’d better get back by cars. It is safer.

All of you here are overcautious.

Yusis! I am going by sea with comrade Gorky,

and the rest of you can do as you wish.

You could even go swimming. Alexey Maksimovich!

How did you put it?

- Up above the sea's grey flatland… - Proudly soaring the Petrel.

Tell me, Vlasik…

I asked you once before.

Do you believe in premonition?

Yes, comrade Stalin!

Yes what?

Do you believe or did I ask you before?

You asked me before, comrade Stalin. I still don’t believe.

- Move! - I do.

To the warehouse.

Danila Stepanovich!

Danila Stepanovich!

That’s me, comrade Vlasik.

You don’t have a single bedding set at the summer house of the Secretary?

And no tea cup with a holder!

And where is the official phone line?

What is it, comrade commandant of the government object? A treason?

God forbid! What are you saying, comrade Vlasik?

When comrade Stalin comes, he brings it all with him.

Danila Stepanovich, what are you saying?

Comrade Stalin has no other business but bringing along his teacups?

I’ll pick it myself, don’t worry.

Artamonov, lazy ass! Take the bucket and come.

Artamonov!

What? You didn’t sleep well again?

Tatka, when did you visit your Esculapian?

Yesterday.

And what did he say?

That I need to spend more time outside and that my headaches are genetic.

Saying that you have beautiful genes doesn’t require a medical degree.

Nice. And my parents sent you parcels to your Turukhansky imprisonment.

Hey, easy there.

I was kidding. You have wonderful genes.

Just wonderful.

And your mom, she is…

She’s a darling. Here. Eat.

It is okay. I’ve got used to your so-called jokes.

Joseph, you have to talk to your eldest son.

What shall I talk to him about?

About life. Yasha is your own blood.

That’s the thing. Blood only.

But he is Svanidze in his nature.

Stubborn, unfocused, having no interests. There is nothing to talk about.

- Comrade Vlasik! - You fixed the phone?

Right, comrade Vlasik! A logbook has been sewn and stamped.

- I’ll check it. You can go. - Yes!

- Does the fence stand straight? - As a groom.

- Then go. - Yes!

Efremov!

Yes!

- Call the hospital, ask how is Yusis. - Yes!

Artamonov, cholera!

Put the book back. It’s not yours.

I am sorry, comrade Vlasik.

Did you sleep well?

Greetings, comrade Stalin! Welcome.

Vlasik!

What do you think you are doing? What is it?

You turned the place upside down without letting me know.

The curtains, the rugs. What is it?

- Is it your mommy’s place at the village? - All my fault.

I couldn’t let women and kids live in such a shit…

Cholera!

Well done, though. It’s a good thing you had it tidied up.

For quite a while I wanted to tell them to…

At least a bit.

But there was no time and no one to talk to.

Thank you, Vlasik.

It’s a pity…

...that the summer is almost over.

But it is alright. We’ll live to see the next one?

Will we, cholera?

Affirmative, comrade Stalin. We will.

Well, somehow I believe you.

I do.

Let’s go!

- Ordynka. - Ordynka it is.

- Get in. - Set out.

We’ll get there pretty soon and then we’ll see.

Vlasik, what kind of person are you?

You want everything to be in a proper order and registered.

Good morning to you,

Ivan Frantsevich!

Here! The boys sent you all kinds of delicacies.

I’d eat them myself if I were not so honest.

So the Major says you are doing alright.

Do you think that I just sleep and hear nothing?

No, Yusis is an old scout. I see it all, I hear it all, I know it all.

Let’s say, I know you made a scandal at the head office last Tuesday.

Ivan Frantsevich, what could I do?

I am responsible for the Secretary General,

for his wife, who’s demanding, and for his kids.

I just said: ”What kind of field survelliance is it”?

With these guys, everyone could approach.

I… Ivan Franstevich, just a sec.

Just a sec.

Look how I’d like to spread the people.

Here.

That’s the first outpost.

And this is… Careful! The second. The other way round.

One, two.

Right? Right.

That’s the summer house. The garage.

Do you remember two trees over here? That’s them.

Here, I want outposts three and four.

Great.

The Russian All-Military Union

headed by Evgeny Miller, the Lieutenant General, residing in Paris.

An old mate of mine. And who provides their financing?

They have the funds of the Russia’ Salvation Foundation.

And who supports them from our side?

That’s what we are trying to find out.

What are you saying?

That the enemy is under our very noses

and you are still trying to figure out what is his name, right?

Come in!

- May I? - Keep working, Yartsev.

But no more breakdowns and failures.

Or I will skin you alive.

Understood?

- Go now. Why are you standing here? - Yes!

Well…

What is it about?

Comrade Menzhinsky, I think that comrade Stalin cannot travel by foot.

And we need five tons of gasoline in the garage. No!

Twenty tons.

Come in.

- Meet the… - We’ve met.

Let me help you.

What,

Inga Alexandrovna?

- Didn’t the Soviets beat you? - Please sit down.

Do you have his schedule?

Yes. Here.

A lot of guards?

- Well... - Well what?

- How many people? - One.

You know what, my dear? Go to the granary and bring some vodka and food.

I am paying.

I am tired.

I’ve torn a page.

Do you know where I can buy some glue?

A torn page should be torn out, not glued.

Hello! It’s been too long.

Let’s go.

I didn’t do a thing that could have set him on alert.

But he didn’t come to sleep.

Maybe somebody killed him.

According to the reports, nobody did.

Alright.

Alright, comrade Krutko, we’ll figure it out.

What?

No, you won’t see the consequences. Don’t worry.

Wait before we need you again. Our agent will be in touch.

That’s it. Thank you. Thanks.

The identity

- of this woman is confirmed? - It is.

- Inga Kutepova, the General’s daughter. - I know whose daughter she is.

Let me explain to you whom did you miss.

Alexander Pushkarev.

His nickname is the Shooter.

One of the most orthodox members of the Russian All-Military Union.

He was caught stealing from the Union cash box.

He was sent to us with a mission

that we have no idea about, right?

You know what?

I am positive that he’ll complete the mission no matter what.

To clear himself in the eyes of his superiors.

He will do whatever is needed. Whatever.

He will do the thing we have no idea about.