Original subtitles

VLASIK THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS

Saying that by the end of the 30-ies Stalin had many enemies

is quite an understatement.

Yes, many people worshiped him but many hated him deeply.

The white immigrants who lost their homes,

the families of the political prisoners,

his political opponents from all around the world.

Did they think of killing him? Of course they did.

Would it have changed the world history?

Yes, very likely.

That is why Vlasik had a kind of carte blanche.

His promotion was disliked by many, including Lavrentiy Beria.

But back then Vlasik was still too tough for him.

Stalin entrusted Vlasik with his safety, and it said a lot.

But Beria was good at waiting. He’d prove it many times in the future.

Meanwhile Vlasik kept eagerly improving the National Security system.

At some point, his men started controlling all people living in the buildings

where Stalin's cortege usually passed.

His spy ring has grown unprecedentedly,

and yet, there were some failures,

and some of them almost cost Vlasik his career.

Part 7

Stop!

Get out! Right now!

Yes!

Stay in the hall! You!

You go inside! You stay at the entrance! This entrance!

- They are at home! - Check it.

A while back, they were roaming back and forth, dragging things.

- And now they are hiding. - Thank you, citizen Kolyvanova,

- We'll take it from now. Go home. - But how?

I just wanted to see how you take those ghouls to Cheka.

There is no circus for you here! March to your room!

Take this.

- Any visitors? - No.

- Show me your ID. - Just a second.

- Any visitors? - No.

Let's go. No one here.

Kolyvanova reports to the NKVD on the building dwellers all the time.

Why does she do that?

Well…

The boss himself passes us by. We can’t take tenants now,

or host the relatives.

Friends here! Zinaida Tikhonovna, open the door! That's the family.

Go to hell! My family has been long dead!

- Freeze! - Sit down! Now!

- The ID! - What’s going on?

- What's happening? - Okay, what do we have here? The IDs.

Here.

You have no right! I work at the planetarium!

You could even work in the columbarium! What do we have here?

- Citizen! - Great.

Well… Stop screaming, you!

Wow! Buying things at the market! At seven and a half per kilo!

Enough with this show.

- Four kilos here. - Citizen Frolov,

- citizen Kantorovich, let's go. - I asked you to stop screaming.

We come from Kaluga. That's our stuff that we sell.

You could come from Ryazan, I don't care. Get dressed.

- May I smoke? - Get a punch, that’s what you may.

Get dressed!

And we are confiscating this. For the benefit of...

Kolya!

Get in the bus! Now!

Yes!

Come on, hurry up!

Let’s go!

Who knew that they’d gonna make a raid?

We won’t make it! Gotta leave the place.

And come up with a new plan.

Come on!

Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us our daily bread...

There’s place for everything now.

- When do you finish with the undercovers? - Wednesday.

Damn! There isn't room to swing a cat!

I can work in a shared room.

No, that's not what I meant.

But you are right, by the way.

We have to figure out how not to bother them

while keeping close.

Well...

Where do we keep the last week data on the political suspects?

- On the other side. - Where?

The second from the top.

Say, do we know what's up with the ejected Kuibyshev street dwellers?

What do you think?

One used to live across the Kremlin, nice and quiet.

And then one wakes up one morning

at some Sviblovo, looking after goats.

Mironov, we have to work with the agents all the time.

They have to send us any data on the relocated people.

Whether they come to their old houses,

whether they keep in touch with the neighbors.

Well. Why am I teaching you now?

You know it all.

…rescue us from the evil one. Amen.

Hi, neighbors! Are you moving?

- Hello, old lady! - The old lady is in your village!

I'm comrade Kolyvanova, a house supervisor.

Where are you going?

Don't you think that it is none of your...

We're moving, my brother and I.

To the village.

To the old lady.

Right. To the old lady.

- May I? - Yes.

Kolyvanova's reporting.

From the second block of the building on Kuibyshev street, 13B,

the tenant from apartment No. 4 has just moved out.

Ageev, Kirill Afanasyevich.

Are there more people moving and leaving?

It’s been a surprise for me as well, comrade Mironov, but here’s a catch.

What is it?

This very Ageev. He’s been there just for a couple of weeks

and then he moved out.

Right after we made a raid there. He moved out with his brother.

- So? - I checked him. He has no brother.

The NKVD is already looking for Ageev and his so-called brother.

We gotta look for them as well.

Report directly to me and to comrade Vlasik once he's back.

- Well, Nikolai, I am pleased to meet you. - Me too.

Is it true that you were awarded with the Cross of St. George

for capturing a German officer?

- I even have two. - Look at you!

You’ve outdone me, Georgy. I have one, for Revel operation in 1915.

Alright! Thank you very much, comrades!

Time to go! Our pilots don't enjoy waiting.

It's a pity you couldn't stay longer, Nikolai Sidorovich.

We picked the best potatoes for comrade Stalin!

- Our potatoes are just the best! - Right.

- Come on, load it. - Good horse.

Of course it is!

- Oh! Your mom’s… - What?

- You wanted to come to your mom’s grave. - Well, next time.

If I find it. Well…

- Hey, civilian! - Yes?

Show me where his mom is buried.

- We'll tidy it up. It's not far, right? - Affirmative, comrade Zhukov.

The village cemetery is across the river. I’ll show you.

He’s a good man, this Vlasik.

He’s one of ours, the Belorussian.

Viktor, what are you writing here?

- The names. - Whose names?

The names of those who died of hunger back in 1932.

I want him to know them by their names.

I don’t get how you’re gonna speak to him now.

I’ll tell you once I’m finished.

I've got a plan.

Quiet!

Look on your left.

Check the next one.

Let’s go.

There’s no one here. Let’s go.

They came for us.

You are being paranoid.

They are just inspecting abandoned buildings.

It is very close to the Kremlin after all.

There’s no place where one can relax.

There will be such place soon.

Let’s pray. Our Father in heaven…

- Have a nice day. - Goodbye.

Ivan Demyanovich! Our car was stolen!

- How come? What is it, America? - How would I know?

I just went for a minute to get a bucket of water

to wipe the headlights and then it wasn't there.

I’ve ran all around the quarter, I thought it just took off the brakes.

But I couldn't find it. What do we do now?

Slow down, I’m telling you!

- They’ll notice. - Don't be a worrywart!

Going to Blizhnyaya?

No, the Kremlin first. I’ll take my car there.

Is it a bad ride?

No, it’s a good ride. I just feel better when I drive myself.

- Did you visit the exhibition. - I did.

- And what do you say? - Nothing.

- Football is better. - Football!

I am going to one inventor tomorrow. He’s a pro with the cars.

We’ll try one trick there. Come on now.

- Do you want to join me? - I’d love to.

I’d love to, Nikolai Sidorovich.

- But who'd gonna work? - Come on!

A man of your rank shouldn’t fix his junk. Mind commander’s words, commander.

- Gotcha. - Well, thank you.

- Well, Vasily... - So I'll drop by.

I hear, you don’t get along with Vlasik.

Why does he watch over me? I am not a little boy.

Oh, really? Who are you then, my son?

Are you a man already? Then show me your rough hands.

Okay, I'll talk to Vlasik.

He's taken too much on himself lately.

- Greetings, comrade Stalin! - Thanks!

Wait…

- You are Glukhov, right? - That’s right, comrade Stalin.

Hello there, comrade Glukhov.

Well?

Comrade Marfa Peshkova doesn’t come here without a pass anymore?

Don't you remember how I ordered

to make an exception and let Marfa Peshkova through

as my daughter's visitor?

Negative, comrade Stalin. There was no such incident.

- Vlasik! - They are twin brothers, comrade Stalin.

- Really? The twins? - Affirmative, comrade Stalin.

He is Petya, I am Pasha. The Glukhovs.

Tell me, was it Vlasik who advised you to become a guard?

Affirmative. He told us to acquire some polish.

He's gonna use our resemblance later, for something big and important.

Well, keep serving.

Send regards to your brother from Stalin and comrade Marfa Peshkova.

Look at them! The twins!

Stop!

Stop! Where are you going?

Stop! I’ll shoot!

Get them! Come on!

Move!

Come on!

Stop!

Vlasik! That's what I wanted to tell you.

For some time now, when we see each other, you...

…don’t look at me like…

Here! Hurry!

We didn't find any weapons on the dead bodies of Ageev and Grishkov.

The weapons were not found in the car either.

Grishkov held a letter that was addressed directly to comrade Stalin.

Who was on duty at the time of attempt?

Comrades Bardakov, Rogulin, Yevshukov.

And comrade Chernyavsky.

What did you just say?

Should I help you?

You called them “comrades”.

These… Counter revolutionist swines!

These bastards! These betrayers!

Who else thinks that they are the comrades?

Sit.

I am asking you, comrade Vlasik!

- Yes, comrade Commissar! - Where were you at the time of attempt?

I got back from a work trip.

- I was at the Kremlin. - What trip?

- I was at Baranovichi, comrade Commissar. - Why did you go there?

It was about the supplies.

Comrade Vlasik!

Your mission is to guard comrade Stalin and those surrounding him.

Leave the supplies to your subordinates.

How did it happen

that at the time of breakthrough through so-called checkpoint,

comrade Stalin was in the open?

Moreover, he was not alone! He was with his son!

Do you even understand the consequences of your negligence and irresponsibility?

And sloppiness! I can’t find any other words for that.

Comrade Commissar, as far as I understand, no weapon was found on them.

The weapon is not the point!

The point is, any car now can ride in the Kremlin whenever it likes,

wherever it likes and however it likes!

Yes, comrade Stalin.

I will comply.

I am on my way.

Dismissed.

Here. Look at this.

Repent, my brother Joseph, before it’s too late.

Now look, Slava.

Hundreds comrades-in-arms, professional revolutionaries...

And we know what it means.

They could… They not just could, they had to try to get to me.

- What are you talking about? - And all of them had good reasons to.

But the one that eventually got to me was some weirdo whom I never saw before.

What is it?

A sign?

Did you call me, comrade Stalin?

Everyone... Everyone who is responsible for this incident

shall be immediately arrested.

Make the most serious investigation on how it could happen in the Kremlin.

Vasya was with me at that moment. My son was there!

It is beyond any limits, comrade Ezhov!

- I've got it, comrade Stalin! - Do this and report to me!

Yes!

Yasha! Answer me! I feel so bad being here alone!

And I’ve been wondering who’s burning the lights here.

Still calling your brother? He's not here. He's probably taking a walk.

- How is that your business? - It's not.

Don’t tell me stories! I see how you are taking my measure

and how you’re looking at my father!

What are you saying, Sveta? Who’s me and who’s your father?

And I am looking at him this way because I feel sorry for him.

And for you too. You are so lonely, both of you.

Feel sorry for yourself! You found the lipstick on my table

and you took it away!

I don't search people's tables!

I don’t believe you! Keep away from me and from my father!

Or I’ll tell my brother!

Come on!

- You? - Me!

Mustache man, make a guess!

Come on!

Wait!

- Why are you even here? You? - No!

- Turn around! - One more time!

- Now it was you, for sure! - No!

You won't guess! Come on!

Ready!

Hey, make your guess, bitch!

Come on!

Good evening!

Comrades, I'd like to ask you not to use this language from now on.

I know that your bosses don't care about your culture but...

You are wrong, comrade teacher! I do care

about the culture of my staff.

The two of you! There's a potatoes sack in the car. Take it to the kitchen.

- Yes! - Yes!

- The rest of you, just go. - Yes!

Miron, wait.

And here is a piece of advice for you.

Start wearing pantalettes, shagged preferably.

It is quite cool outside the city in this time of the year, you know.

- Ha! - In the evenings.

Boor!

- Careful! - Come on.

- Drag it! - Why should I do it alone?

Alright. Just take it.

So I'm saying, give mother's belongings to her daughter.

Come on.

It's out of our control.

And who'd dare to tell him?

- Give way! - And what if we ask Nikolai Sidorovich?

I don’t know. Don’t talk about this yet.

He really doesn’t like being reminded of the deceased.

Whether he likes it or not, the kids recall their mom every day.

In their souls.

Don't talk that much, Valentina.

'Cause I see some new ears

dangling around here.

Hold on.

- We were the ones who missed them. - Thanks.

We’ve inspected that house

- but we failed to figure them out. - How’s that?

Damn!

This Georgian princess is right, by the way.

We gotta raise our culture.

What are you staring at? I'll show you all, big time.

Once we build the club, I'll ask Stenberg

to find some culture professor for you.

Right. He can do it, that one.

He'll bring us some culture, yeah.

We'll have to go to doctors for hundred years after that.

- Don’t start it! - Okay, do whatever you need to do.

Kolya, I…

I just want to say that I am sorry.

I was unfair when I talked about Sushka.

Nadya really liked your doll.

Lilya sent you her regards.

I have some sugar there.

It is just sentiments, Sashiko.

No, Lar. I am afraid it is not.

It is a smart game by Vlasik and his Ryazan chicks.

So will you talk to the master?

Just drop the word. Like, you could give Nadezhda's things to Sveta.

- Tell him… - Aren’t you going too fast, my dear?

It’s premature to talk about that now.

Vlasik, this is your competence.

I don’t need to know what you are building there for your people.

I just wanted to invite you to celebrate it, comrade Stalin.

Caroline told me recently

that I have to find some place for the belongings of my late wife.

And I just don't know where.

Joseph Vissarionovich,

let your daughter have some of them.

She's hidden Nadezhda's hat already.

Valya Istomona saw it when she cleaned up your house.

Who is this Valya?

- Agronome’s daughter? - Affirmative, comrade Stalin.

Istomina, Valya. Her old man is an excellent agronome.

Well…

If that's the case, make an order to give Tatka's things to Svetlana.

All of them.

She'll decide what to keep.

She's a big girl now

if she started trying her mother's hats on.

Vlasik! Keep the door open.

Yes!

Sveta, honey! This color is really good on you.

But if you ask me,

you are too young to think about these adult outfits.

- I am saying it as a mom. - But you are not my mom.

My mom died with appendicitis. And I don't want any other mom.

You misunderstood me. It was just a motherly advice.

That’s all I meant.

Very good then. Educate your own children, and leave me alone.

Comrade Ezhov!

How did it happen that an NKVD officer as high-ranking as Commissar Lyushkov

ran to our fierce enemy and barks at us in some Japanese tabloids?

And Hitler is happy to read it.

I've heard, he was in good standing with you.

Affirmative, comrade Stalin. This is my fault.

Here.

In his interview to our correspondent, former Soviet Commissar Lyushkov says

that until recently he was committing great crimes

against the nation

since he's been actively collaborating with Stalin

in pursuing his policy of deception and terrorism.

There’s a minor inaccuracy, comrade Yezhov.

I’ve never employed him.

Further he says that Stalin's devilish methods

led to the fall of very hard-boiled and strong people.

Have you translated correctly?

We did our best, comrade Stalin.

This was happening due to Stalin's hysterical suspiciousness

and his determination to get rid of all the Trotskyists and right-wingers,

his political opponents who may pose a threat to him.

This bastard is right though.

It is time to finally get rid of all this Trotskyist and other scum.

Before Hitler takes them under his wing.

Am I right, comrade Beria?

Affirmative, comrade Stalin.

Let me bring to your attention some ideas on how to destroy traitor Lyushkov

at the enemy territory?

Please do, Lavrentiy. You all can go now.

- Comrade Ezhov! - Yes!

- Don't leave your office for now. - Yes!

Sit down.

What else is fraught for us with his transition to the Japanese?

Besides this shit that he throws at me in the newspaper.

Is it serious?

It is serious, comrade Stalin. Very serious.

As an undercover agent of our intelligence,

Lyushkov made it to the second division of the Kwantung Army headquarters.

This bastard was a good agent.

He held top positions at Ezhov’s office at various times.

If we don't shut him up,

he'll give them the layouts of our defenses

at the Far East, in Siberia and in Ukraine

which this dog had access to.

Sit.

What's worse, he'll give them our radio codes.

He also can turn in to Japan the key NKVD agents in the Far East,

including General Semyonov, comrade Stalin.

But this is not the worst.

This bastard used to be the head of NKVD in Azov-Black Sea Krai.

He had Sochi and Matsesta under his control.

And now,

Lyushkov knows exactly where you take baths in Matsesta.

And he knows your personal security system.

Thanks again to Yezhov and Vlasik.

With Ezhov, it's black and white.

But Vlasik has nothing to do with it.

Lyushkov was hired by Ezhov. I remember that.

Cool down, Lavrentiy! Cool down!

Go no, have some rest.

Go!

Yes!

I've been thinking, whom do I share a pinch of salt with?

- I didn't get it, comrade Beria. - Lavrentiy Pavlovich.

We don't have to be so formal.

They say, if you want to know someone well,

you have to eat a great deal of salt with them.

- So I am looking… - For a one to start with?

I am as hungry as a wolf.

I’ve got my salary today. Let’s go to a restaurant. It’s on me!

I don’t work for free either.

Let’s make it fifty-fifty, comrade Beria.

You are tough, comrade Vlasik. Agreed.

- Where do we go? - I know this one place.

I'll finish the stage by tomorrow.

- Okay. And the bathhouse? - It is ready.

- Great. And the barrack? - Mugs!

The barrack will be ready soon. The key is to keep an ensemble.

Damn!

Hey, men! Who can tell me,

when did comrade Mironov graduate from the Architecture Academy?

I didn't have to.

I was an apprentice of Merzhanov, the architect, for a year.

He did Stalin's "dacha".

- Here? - Yes. One more time.

- Some tea? - Stop!

Enough with the tea! Sedov, you were to bring the wood!

- Did you? - It's over there!

- Under the bench. - Kuteyarov, the inventory?

- This one? - Unloading it.

Okay. Mukhin! The mattresses.

Thanks!

There they are! Sleeping.

Good job.

Nikolai Sidorovich, that's what I thought.

It's not right that you pick up those potatoes by yourself.

We'll give you a couple of comrades. They'll bring the food for comrade Stalin.

Your time should be used with higher efficiency index.

- With what? - Never mind.

- I’ll send the comrades to Blizhnaya. - Comrade Beria,

it was nice talking to you. I'm sorry, the duty calls.

Duty is duty. I won’t keep you off.

But please think about this academy.

It's only two years but you'll get great education.

Yes, I'll be in Leningrad for two years. That's a good idea, comrade Beria.

What? You made friends already?

Well done! I like it.

Lavrentiy, follow me. I need to talk to you.

Yes, comrade Stalin.

Why did you drag me to the rain?

Come on, I'll show you what Kolya did. Look!

He’s building a greenhouse.

Look at this! Kolya and a greenhouse. Well done!

Our Kolya is so practical, holy crap!

That's right! People just crap out with his projects.

You see? The soldiers are ready to drop,

and he's urging them, and he won't stop building.

He does a right thing. It'll accommodate you all,

and you’ll be close to the boss.

State Security Junior Lieutenant Borisov!

State Security Major Zakharchenko!

State Security Captain Parulava!

Let’s go.

How was your trip…

- …to Kharkov? - Madrid.

Oh yes! And your Lilya…

Your Lilya!

She didn't drop a word about you going to Spain and not to Kharkov.

She’s a true comrade-in-arms. Well…

Let's go to the bathhouse while the boss is not here.

When Kolya comes, we'll sit down at the table

and I'll tell you all I can.

Comrade Mironov! The comrades came…

State Security Major Zakharchenko! Oleg.

State Security Captain Parulava! Georgy.

We were assigned by comrade Beria to ensure food supplies.

And to solve some organizational issues.

Where is your bathhouse?

I am sorry, comrades! Until comrade Vlasik gives the order to enroll you

to Blizhnyaya security staff, you'll have to wait in the building.

To prevent any miscommunication.

We see.

Well? How was your bath?

Great…

Tukhachevsky and his people were the fifth column, Lavrentiy.

Traitors, conspirators.

Look what’s happening in Spain!

The fifth column destroyed the republicans.

I can't let something like that happen in our country.

Hitler is a smart dog, isn’t he?

You are quite right, comrade Stalin.

By eliminating the treasonous marshals headed by Tukhachevsky and other scum,

we prevented further turmoil in the country.

Right.

And now let's talk about our Kremlin affairs.

Of course, comrades Kosior, Eikhe, Rudzutaks, Postyshev

are faithful and honored Bolsheviks,

comrades-in-arms, Leninists.

These very comrades prevented a big mistake

that was almost made by us, the government.

Yes, Lavrentiy! Yes.

The government almost made a mistake

by allowing those secret alternative elections to the Supreme Council.

And these comrades,

they have warned us at the right time.

They pointed out on our hidden enemies.

But I have a feeling that they leave something unsaid.

They are hiding something.

Yes, they do send us complete lists of the public enemies

from their territories,

and it helps us to eliminate counter-revolution everywhere but...

Lavrentiy!

We have to figure out, delicately,

what they are up to. Right?

We have to

study this issue thoroughly.

And Ezhov…

Ezhov…

He is too busy with his NKVD troikas.

Comrade Ezhov is very popular with the people.

Comrade "akyn" Jambyl wrote a song about comrade Ezhov.

Here.

We saw you first in the sparkle of lightning, Ezhov.

The sharp-eyed and smart Commissar.

The great Lenin's word has raised Ezhov, the greatest warrior.

Vlasik!

Tell me…

- Lavrentiy! - Yes?

- Did you send people to Vlasik? - Affirmative, comrade Stalin.

They have already arrived to Blizhnyaya. Comrade Vlasik, keep them busy.

- They are good comrades. - Let's go!

May I come in?

What is my little boss doing here?

Hiding like a mouse in a barn.

I am just making a new outfit for my doll from some old dress.

I want to send my dolls to school. They need some outfits for that.

It is graceless otherwise.

Dad, I understand. Mom is gone. She's dead.

She didn't think about us. It's neither good nor bad.

It just happened this way.

But we don't need anyone else, do we?

What are you saying, my girl?

How can we need anyone else?

Where did you get these ideas from?

It's just... I see this Alexandra Maksimilianovna

and Valya, the cleaning girl.

They look at me as if they wanted to ask me something.

But they are afraid.

They are afraid of my Svetlanka.

They are right to be afraid of you.

If they hurt her

and her secretary finds out,

he'd be so angry, he'd just tear them all to pieces.

You…

You better throw these thoughts away.

We don't need anyone.

We… have each other.

- And that's enough. You see? - Yes, dad.

You are not mad at me for cutting mom’s dress?

Of course not! Of course not, Svetlanka!

Of course not.

It was old anyway.

Mom wanted to cut it herself.

But she never got a chance.

Cut it.

Cut it.

Your secretary is tired. I'm gonna have some rest.

Well… We have strict rules here.

But I suppose you are used to it. Right, comrades?

Affirmative, comrade Vlasik.

These are comrades Mukhin and Sedov.

They will always be with you for now so you'd settle in quickly.

Life necessities, schedules, orders... Ask them everything.

I am the one who sets the tasks. All clear?

Affirmative, comrade Vlasik.

Take comrades Zakharchenko and Purulava to the cottage.

Hey, comrades!

Hand me your weapons.

Until you are enrolled, that’s the procedure.

Miron! Keep an eye on them at all times.

And tell Kudeyarov to come here. It’s urgent.

- He's a scout, right? - Yes, and a great one.

Well, let him do what he loves.

Bitches!

- Where is Sushka? - Here, in the village.

Getting ready for the bathhouse.

Remember being mad at me for not helping his father-in-law?

Yes. Sorry, my bad. Turns out, everyone but me knew about Spain.

Well, not everyone…