Original subtitles

VLASIK THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS

On November 25, 1938,

Nikolai Vlasik was technically assigned to a new boss.

On that day, the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs

was headed by his worst enemy, Lavrentiy Beria.

Beria couldn't touch Vlasik without Stalin consent

but the mere fact of his assignment came to Vlasik as a shock.

Oddly enough, with Beria at the post,

the level of repressions started sharply declining.

Obviously, it was hardly Beria's achievement.

It came from up above.

But the purge was over, some were killed and others sent away.

By the beginning of 1939,

Stalin discouraged his enemies to even think about a plot against him.

The fact that tens of thousands of innocent people

fell under the flywheel of 1937–38 arrests,

didn’t seem to bother him much.

He was turning into a lonely sectarian,

if one can call so a leader of the great country.

Vlasik condoned his master, as he started calling Stalin,

in everything.

He didn't start thinking

before several people from his close circle were arrested.

Part 9

Kolya!

Potatoes are the best snack ever!

Miron told me, it were you who asked him to make a copy of Judith.

Come on, Kolya, sit.

Kolya, I hear, you…

You have some changes coming in your agency.

I mean, maybe…

The old cases started by… This Ezhov…

Maybe they'd be reviewed? You know...

You are still fussing about Vitkovskaya?

Volodya, I told you already. I can't even help my friend.

And you want me to risk my life and the lives of my family members

- for some damsel? - I understand, Kolya. I do.

I do understand. I am sorry.

Come on, Kolya.

That’s for our friends. No!

We better drink for our girlfriends.

Let’s chase it with potatoes.

I burnt my hand, Kolya.

What?

It’s time?

Beria…

Beria…

Beria, Beria, Beria…

Why do you all keep repeating?

Beria.

Tell me, Vlasik.

Am I…

…an idiot?

Or maybe I am soft in the head?

Negative, comrade Stalin.

So why all of you think that I just don’t see

what is going on around me?

Come here.

Come.

Here.

Here.

The head of the North Caucasus Railway

is a thief.

Reported to comrade Stalin

personally

by the deputy of this bastard.

And here…

The head of the Red Sailors Cultural Center

is a bigamist.

That’s a report from their chief accountant.

What else do we have here?

Ah!

Here, Vlasik.

Here.

A son…

…strongly recommends to take a close look…

...on his father’s activity.

The Deputy Waterways Commissar.

Half of this country are reporting on each other.

And they send their reports to me.

Vlasik!

I know everything. Everything.

But if I don't make a demand to arrest these people,

it means that I need them for some purpose.

I need Beria too.

I need him the way he is.

He’s sly, he’s smart, he’s practical, he’s tough.

And he’s greedy.

This Big Mingrel.

Come in, comrade Lukin.

The reports of comrades Parulava and Zakharchenko

from Blizhnyaya are upsetting.

Is it so bad?

- Where is Lukin? - At Beria’s.

Yes, that’s what I need.

I am taking this.

- Nikolai Sidorovich! - Masha, don’t worry.

Dugouts employing natural terrain, eight units.

Nine squares and twelve…

Well done, Vlasik!

Well done! And here…

…you missed a bit. Here we’ll take you down.

- Well done, us! - I almost forgot,

- comrade Commissar. - Yes?

Vlasik’s friend, certain Sushkov, was taken to Matveev’s department.

That’s the one who’s been with Vlasik since the World War I?

And then he served in comrade Stalin’ security?

- Who came from Spain as a hero? - Affirmative!

Comrade Commissar!

He came from Spain and turned out to be a public enemy.

Although at the interrogations…

- He didn’t say a thing? - Affirmative!

I see.

How did Vlasik react on his good friend’s arrest?

He didn’t.

I see.

You started working with Vlasik a while ago under Menzhinsky, right?

- Or I am wrong? - Affirmative!

We used to work together

but our roads have parted long time ago.

Very well, comrade Lukin. Thank you. You can go.

Misha!

I hear, your wife is an artist.

Yes, I took her right from the Arts Academy.

And what flowers does she like?

Lilies.

Why?

Never mind. You can go.

Yes!

Hi, Luka! Long time no see.

Hi!

Yes, it’s been a long time.

- Since you started working in security. - Yeah, right.

I just wanted to…

Thank you.

For what?

For the documents.

- How did you get them? - How do you mean?

You handed them to me so I could have a look.

Bitch!

I'll tell everybody that you stole them.

Hold on a bit. Wait.

Hey…

And I'll tell people that you gave them to me.

It will take them some time to figure it out.

You see, Lukin, it’s too bad. You're blocked at every turn.

What do you want?

I do want something.

Hi, Lyuda.

Why are you looking?

Just looking.

We haven’t seen each other since the last year.

How are you doing here?

Thank you. We are fine.

How are you?

I am okay.

Here is something...

…for you and Nadya.

Thank you. It came just in time.

Nadya wants new stockings and boots. She’s become such a lady.

Lyuda, I wanted to ask you…

Are you seeing someone?

You probably have to go now.

Good evening, Nikolai Sidorovich!

It is so romantic, right?

If I didn’t know you, I’d think that our Commissar just went nuts.

Inviting a man to a meeting at night. What happened?

You are reckless, comrade Vlasik.

But I know now what you can do for your friends.

Alright. I'll help your friend.

- Tomorrow. - Tonight.

Tonight.

Yes.

Affirmative, comrade Beria.

No, this bitch still doesn’t talk.

Yes.

But we’ll make him talk. We saw tougher guys singing.

Yes.

I will do that, comrade Commissar.

His wife is being transported to a remote prison.

And his daughter was sent to an orphanage.

Affirmative.

Fine, comrade.

Goodbye.

Come on.

Go! Get up!

Come on!

Come on, move!

Get up, will you?

Left turn!

March to the firing line!

Left turn!

Ready!

For Stalin…

- Target! - For country! For country!

For Stalin!

For Stalin!

For country!

For Stalin!

For country!

If he shitted his pants, clean him with the hose and bring to my office.

I hope he didn’t kick the bucket.

Come on.

- Is Lukin there? - Yes.

Who is it?

Citizen Lukin, you are under arrest.

Hand me your weapon.

Don’t touch anything.

- Take him away. - Yes!

Stop.

Sit, Lukin.

Sit!

Misha, what was it that you lacked?

- Take him out. - Yes! Go.

Greetings, comrade Commissar!

It is about Sushkov.

That’s a release order.

- You are late. - What?

The papers are good. Signed by comrade Beria.

He died, your Sushkov.

He had a heart attack. Last night, at his cell.

- What did he do? - Died with a heart attack.

Quiet, you all! Hush! We are going on. The last attempt.

The last attempt.

The one who fakes will be shot straight away.

That’s it.

Right?

- Thanks for calling me. - Yeah…

I’ve never seen him in this condition.

Kolya!

Kolya, this is…

Kolya! Kolya! This is me, Miron.

Yes.

Miron.

- Come on, Sanya, I know who you are. - Let’s go out.

I know. I am not crazy.

Here.

Sushka died.

A heart attack.

Did you know that he had a heart condition?

Neither did I.

While they did.

And Beria killed him.

Hey! You! Did you hear that?

You all!

Remember that name!

You…

Beria!

Let’s go.

I’ll pay for this later.

Vlasik ordered

to report on any inspections at his objects

initiated by comrade Beria.

Come to my office.

May I come in?

Well done, Nadar. Good job.

- I'll keep it for now. - And what about him?

He’ll stay in prison.

For his negligence. We’ll see what to do with him.

- You can go. - Yes!

Kolya, I understand how hard it is for you.

Do you hear me?

What you did was right.

You wanted to save your friend, you went to Stalin. It was right.

But life is a bitch.

It always punches in the face those who are not hiding from it.

Kolya…

No chin-chin now.

Hold on.

I am afraid for you.

I’m gonna take you out of there.

You are being stupid, Kolya. Really!

Do you hear me?

Come on…

Come on, Kolya…

First of all,

Beria will never guess that it was me who copied the papers.

And second, I am very careful.

I am a good actress.

I am not giving you to anyone. I’ll cut their throats

just to have you beside me forever.

I will be beside you.

I will always be beside you.

Do you hear me?

Kolechka! Kolya!

I will deliver your invitation to my colleagues, Ambassador.

I assure we, we'll be happy to visit your reception.

Germany is a reliable friend for the USSR.

And we are ready to prove it to everybody.

Thank you very much, Minister.

We will certainly send a personal invitation

to each government official.

Your word means a lot to us, Mr. Molotov.

And if Mister... I am sorry, comrade Stalin...

...will attend our reception, we'd be extremely honored.

I will tell this to comrade Stalin.

These Bolsheviks are so thoroughbred and delicate.

Especially in their sleep, I guess.

Did you bring what I wanted, Willie?

Yes, we can look at it now.

I’ll stand against the enemies of Russian land!

Good words.

- Stand against them. - Do it!

I like Russian cinema.

It is so…

…naive and it has a Jewish vibe to it.

Unfortunately, my grandmother was a Semite.

Don’t say nonsense!

Willie!

If someone tells you…

…that the Russians are not getting ready for a war,

do not believe them.

They are quite ready to fight.

Comrades!

We don’t have any other choice

but signing a nonaggression pact with Germany.

We just have to fulfill our five-year plan.

We'll get armed and then...

I hope that everyone in this room understands.

Very good then. Fine.

I won’t take more of your time. Go and do your jobs.

Each one in their own direction but under a shared goal.

That's it for now, comrades.

Lavrentiy!

Stay. We have to talk.

- Hello! - Hello.

How are you, Arkady Borisovich?

What is going on, Anastasia Emilievna?

- I am very glad to see you. - This have been smuggled from Germany.

- So to speak… - Thank you so much.

- You are welcome. - Oh God, I am so happy…

- Yes... - ...to have you.

One just can’t find proper contraception nowadays.

Well…

You know…

What?

- What? - Be careful.

- You know, one pill, no more. - Of course, I know.

- See you next time. Goodbye! - See you.

- Thank you very much. - Yeah.

Oh my God!

What's this world is coming to if a woman like this

has to sell her body?

Oh my God!

- How are you? - How are you?

Atta girl. You are playing well.

Thank you.

These are very good copies.

Vrubel is crazy. Kandinsky is just sick.

Benoit is feminine, Grekov is pompous, Flavitsky is divine.

Oh, Kamenev. You never told me you liked Kamenev.

I don't tell you everything, darling.

Besides, the words are so boring.

Right?

Stop it, Lara! Stop it!

- You are so jealous! - Stop it!

Oh my! The lilies.

How do you know that I love lilies? I also never told you this.

I asked one comrade.

I asked him, what flowers do artistic characters prefer.

He said, the lilies.

Lara…

Larochka…

- What? - Larochka!

I want a ride. Really. I do. Please give me a ride.

Lara, please… A ride.

You can know someone for hundred years but still you don't know them at all.

- You used to hate night rides. - I used to hate champagne too. So what?

- Please! Please! Larochka! Lara... - Okay, fine.

- I’ll make an to order about the car. - Yes!

Just don’t go anyway!

- Wait for me right here. - Lara, you are god!

Look at this.

Turns our, our Commissar

hides certain incomes from Georgia.

How smart.

How about that!

- How did you memorize all this? - I am an art historian.

And a daughter of art history academic.

I have excellent memory. You forgot.

Give me some water, please.

What is it? Are you unwell?

It prevents from unwelcome consequences.

Give me this nasty stuff.

And don't take it anymore.

I want you to give me a son, and you...

- And what if it will be a girl? - Who cares?

A boy will come next. And then another girl.

Come here.

May I come in?

From this day on, keep a close eye on Anastasia Emilievna.

Report me directly all her meetings, all her contacts.

Her manicurist, her masseur...

All of them, including the street cleaners and the clients.

Yes!

Comrade Commissar, I beg to I report.

What is it?

I’ve been watching over Anastasia Emilievna for a while.

Since she started coming to your "dacha" a lot.

I’ve appointed my man to follow her.

Well done.

- Dismissed. - Yes!

- Sergo, do you hear me? - Yes.

Say, I don’t like how you call Marfa.

- Why? - She is not Mara at all!

She is Marfa. It's like my dad that calls me Svetlanka

and Vasya that calls me Bellybutton.

And I am Svetlana, by the way.

Hi!

- Well, I am late. - As usual.

- Never mind. - I want ice-cream.

Let's go. But your shoelaces are untied.

Yasha will come to visit us soon.

With his wife and his daughter. She’s a ballerina.

His daughter? Already?

You are so stupid! Yasha's wife is a ballerina.

My dad promised to send me to Yasha's "dacha" for the whole summer.

- To Peterhof. - Great.

Enough, Lavrentiy. Get some rest.

I’ll work some more.

I’ll also finish something, comrade Stalin.

Listen… How is your son doing?

Sergo? Thanks for asking. He's doing great, comrade Stalin.

He’s already made couple of friends but he hasn’t forgot the enemies too.

He’s a man.

That's right, comrade Stalin. He is a man indeed.

- He already found himself a girlfriend. - Ah!

Marfa Peshkova.

Nino and I don't mind. It's a nice family and a nice girl.

Good for you.

You don't interfere with your son's free choice.

Good for you.

Tell me, Lavrentiy. I hear, you’re getting packages from Georgia every month.

Churchkhela, tklapi, adjika, persimmon and more.

Watch out, Lavrentiy!

Our people might think that you are taking bribes.

Comrade Stalin, what bribes? For what?

I am just kidding.

Kidding.

Go, Lavrentiy.

Yes!

You are doing great job!

- Did you come up with it yourselves? - Almost.

- Lavrentiy Pavlovich gave an idea. - How's the master?

Yes, uncle Lara said, working outside is good for us

and you'd enjoy watching us working.

Be careful with the rake.

- Dad! - What?

Can we go to the cinema tonight with the guys?

Let's live till tonight and then we'll see, Svetlanka.

Good job.

It’s a fine seedling.

Give it to me.

- Yeah. - Here.

We’ll call this seedling Yasha.

Hand me a shovel.

Look, Sergo. Here.

This side and then that side, just a bit.

And repeat.

Then pour a little and trample.

It’s fine. It will grow to be a nice apple tree, Yakov.

- Svetlanka! Be careful, I’m begging you! - I am fine, dad.

What did you think? The pact with Hitler

was signed just due to Lord Almighty and comrade Molotov?

To ensure a nice fat vacation for all of you?

If you don't know what's going on in your agencies,

why would Soviet people need you?

Don't. I can still do it myself.

Yes.

Why not?

I see.

May I?

Did you bring it? Give it to me.

Report immediately upon implementation.

Deliver it personally.

Here's the address.

- Tie it with a rope. - Yeah.

- Execute. - Yes!

So this is the layout of rocket launchers that you refined?

Affirmative, comrade Stalin.

Get on with this fast, comrade Kostikov.

Generally, you should talk with the military more often.

Here, comrade Zhukov.

He can tell you everything about your rotary mechanism,

comrades engineers.

You really failed him at Khalkhin Gol.

I’ve already read the reports on preparing gun powder and missiles.

The production goes according to the plan,

but the cartridges production is two times slower that it was planned!

It's a great picture we are getting here.

Turns out, we don’t have the due amount of ammunition.

Do you think that comrade Stalin will ask Hitler nicely

and he'll give a break for a couple of years?

That's a break for you! Here!

You've got used to the fact that comrade Stalin works for all.

Do you think it will go on forever?

Me and comrade Beria, we don't think so.

Is it right, Lavrentiy Pavlovich?

- Affirmative, comrade Stalin! - Sit down.

We have to summon up all our strength,

in a fist, just like this!

Comrades Commissars and Red Commanders.

- Prisoner 1-800… - I can see that.

- Dismissed. - Yes!

Sit.

We are transferring you today to the settlement.

Your sentence has been changed. But don't talk too much there.

Here they are.

Come in.

May I come in? Natasha Sushkova is brought in from the orphanage.

We are giving your daughter back to you.

- Bring me the papers to sign. Quickly. - Yes!

Natasha Sushkova at your service.

I can see that.

Can I have a bite?

Don’t cry… Madam.

Here, mom.