Original subtitles

[theme music]

EPISODE 2

BULGARIA. PETRIC. 1996.

[melancholic music]

Enter.

Enter, my sweet.

I'm so glad you're alive.

That's nice.

I mean… I meant, it's good that you're feeling good.

You said what you said.

Never ruffle through words.

Sit down.

Thank you.

Sometimes I say the wrong things and everyone laughs at me.

I've been expecting you, dearie.

Hello.

Hi.

Baba Vanga…

I've… I haven't slept a wink all night.

Really. I wasn't scared.

What you said about my grandfather yesterday…

that he's here…

Did you actually see him?

I told you what I saw.

But wait a minute, what if it was a voice speaking to you or…

Voices do speak to me.

They do.

-My god. -First I see the person

and then I am told about him.

Your grandfather came with you though.

Oh my god.

I couldn't even have imagined anything like this…

It'd be wise not to imagine because if you do –

life will become impossible.

You must be very strong.

Maybe.

Of course you are…

I can't imagine what it's like

to live and know that you will never see again.

You were just a little girl when it happened…

[moans]

[quiet dramatic music]

[sighs]

Children grow up fast in the village.

Were you born in a village?

Uh-huh.

I came to the city for the first time when my father took me to the hospital.

Yes.

[rooster crows]

Children grow up fast in the village.

SOFIA. 1923.

Terrible. Terrible.

Come over here.

Take this.

Give me one of these.

Here have one.

Here.

-Do you like it? -Don't.

We shouldn't spend money. I ate at the hospital.

You've never had anything like this before, try it.

You've already wasted so much money on me and all for nothing.

That's true.

What does it matter now? Thank you.

It's not about the money.

I'm sad that nothing helped.

You think that just because I'm blind I won't be helping you?

That I won't be any use around the house anymore?

I'll do everything around the house! I'll help Tanka anyway I can!

That's what you say now!

But when you get married you'll forget all about us.

-No I won't! -You're saying that now.

I promise!

I'll do anything you ask!

Alright, let's go home.

We don't have time to stroll through town.

[folk music]

Careful.

Come.

Hello, Pande.

-Hello. -Did they heal your daughter?

Dad, are we home?

-Yes, we're home. It didn't help. -I'm glad we made it.

Hold on.

Here we are.

Do you recognize it?

Here we are. Tanka?

Pande?

It's us.

-Well… -Well…

How did it go, Pande?

How do you think it went?

It didn't.

-Vanga is back. -Go play, Vasil.

-How are you? -They healed me and washed my eyes.

-It doesn't hurt any more. -But can you see?

I can't see too well.

Come now, I'll feed you.

Come on, be careful.

Vanga, hand me the plate.

Just the plate? I can help you with the pitcher too.

Vanga.

-Did I break it, Tanka? -You did.

Quiet now.

Quiet now.

Goddamn it.

Where are you going?

Somewhere, anywhere.

And what are you doing?

You're blind or have you forgotten?

Don't cry, crying won't help.

When will you be back?

I'll be back.

Where would I go?

[folk music]

STRUMITSE. 1925.

Vanga, I'm hungry.

Be patient, father and mother will return and we shall eat.

Father is far away and mother is in the garden.

-I'm hungry now. -So suck it up and stop whining.

You're grown up now.

I'm hungry.

I'll make some porridge.

-We should have bread somewhere. -We don't have a lot of bread.

Bread and porridge –

the only food we know.

Father.

Pande.

Hello, daughter.

-Come in, it's time for dinner. -What did you bring, father.

Nothing much,

just some corn.

-Here you go. -Okay.

We'll boil it.

How is she?

How are you?

I'm working.

She is so helpful, I don't know what I would do without her.

Anything else?

Good girl.

Let's go into the house. Come on.

-Vanga, boil the corn in the meantime. -Yes.

See? We are going to have dinner in a minute.

Come on.

Come.

[quiet background music]

Here.

Is that all?

Why so little?

That's what the master paid me and I don't print counterfeits.

Did he trick you?

No.

That's what he paid everyone.

He said that

we did a bad job with the corn.

He is shameless.

Go tell that to him,

he'll have a laugh.

Maybe I should kill him?

Don't talk that way, Pande.

Alright.

What can we do?

Let's have dinner.

She doesn't see at all?

At all.

She won't admit it though.

She tries so hard to pretend like she's capable of everything.

Yeah.

What can you do?

[sighs]

That's a shame.

She would have been a good worker.

But…

I don't lament the worker.

I pity her.

You should pity all of us.

[sad music]

Give it here.

Come on.

[gasps]

Oh.

Vangelia.

Yes, father?

Can you really see?

Yes.

She sees everything.

Well that's a little brash.

-She's not like god is she? -Yes.

Let's see. Here.

Good job.

-Here's another. -No, that's enough.

Good job. You are wonderful, my daughter.

So mix it then.

-Wait for me by the gate. -Alright.

Vangelia, I want to speak to your father?

What about?

I want him to send you to study.

Who would take me?

Not in our school.

They opened a school for the blind in Zemuna.

It's true – some charity workers organized it.

Where is Zemuna?

It's probably far.

You won't have to travel every day.

You would live there.

In the student's dormitory.

No.

No, I won't leave the house.

You don't understand Vangelia.

It's not for you to decide.

[folk music]

Pande, you need to trust god.

I understand Father Nikodim – everything comes from god.

I understand.

We await his grace.

One should hope for grace

but one should not deny it.

-Who's denying it? -You are.

This school for the blind is a gift from god.

She will learn to read and write.

It will ease the suffering of blindness for her.

Why does she need to read and write?

I wish she learnt some simple task and worked to help.

She will be happy there, don't you understand?

She will be dressed, warm and fed –

they provide food.

Look at her now, she's so weak she might collapse any second.

-That's true… -So you do understand!

A good life may even bring back her sight!

Oh Father, I don't believe in such miracles.

Whether you believe or not – let her go.

I'll write the headmaster a letter and she will be accepted.

Pande, don't deprive her of god's grace.

Vanga, don't cry, darling.

Vanga, don't worry – everything will be okay.

Please don't throw me out.

No one is throwing you out.

There is nothing here but hard work.

I'll help you – I'll work harder.

We will manage – Vasil will be all grown up soon.

-He will help. -Stop it.

Stop all this weeping – it's bad for the road.

It's time to go.

-Are you comfortable? -Yes.

Then let's go.

Don't cry, dear.

Let's go.

Don't. Come back home.

Help your mother.

Don't cry – everything is in god's hands.

I couldn't imagine back then

that the best years of my life were in front of me.

The best.

PETRIC. 1996.

I met Olga.

I've loved her all my life.

All my life she is in my thoughts.

You are here because of her.

[calm instrumental music]

SERBIA. ZEMUN. HOUSE FOR THE BLIND. 1925.

Hold it steady.

Don't run, kids.

Be careful.

Let me clean you up.

Follow each other, children.

Hold hands.

It's a wonderful day –

the air is full of smells.

Can you feel it?

The ground, the flowers and the trees.

Each flower has its own smell.

If you learn the smells – you can imagine what they look like.

[birds chirping]

What is that?

Can you hear it?

[birds chirping]

Let's give it a listen.

[birds chirping]

What is it?

A birdie?

That's right – a birdie. But what kind?

-A sparrow? -A canary?

-Yes, it's a canary. -It's a siskin.

I don't know.

I don't see it either.

It's too small to notice.

But we can imagine what it looks like.

Isn't that right, Snezhana?

You know very well that I can't see anything.

I can't see it either but I can imagine it.

Why?

This is stupid.

You're teaching us something you don't know yourself.

-What are you saying? -You're mocking us.

Laughing behind our backs. I used to be able to see all of it.

And now I can't and you laugh.

I want to help you.

[suspenseful music]

Let's go to the park, children.

Be careful.

[suspenseful music continues]

[suspenseful music fades out]

I would only like one look at you,

There is a void within the eye,

And without love for the past,

You still couldn't leave me for another,

For the first time when we fought,

So long ago, when women and spirit were my fancy,

I stopped drinking and dancing,

and losing my life just for nothing.

Why aren't you in class, Olga?

I…

I came to see you, Mrs. Stoyanova.

-I'm glad. -What are you glad about?

First of all, I'm glad to see you.

Second, you always see me when you have issues.

Come into my office.

Stop.

Did someone offend you?

No, no one offended me.

I was the offender.

I simply not competent…

Relax, Olga.

Relax and tell me what happened.

I took the kids out for a stroll, as usual.

I started telling them about nature.

About what the flowers and the birds…

I believe that I need to put into words the things they can't see.

Right.

Teachers need to interact with the children

and you are doing a fine job.

I am not doing a fine job at all.

One of the girls was hurt by this –

she became sad and angry and told me off.

But it's my fault, you see.

What's her name?

Snezhana Bojanova, the new girl.

See, she's the new girl – she hasn't had time to become accustomed to life here.

Plus, she only went blind recently as a result of an accident.

She still can't come to terms with her blindness.

Hold it right there.

We have arrived…

Oh look, another girl has arrived.

This is a good sign for you.

Let's go greet them.

Wow.

This is like a mansion!

-Hello! -Hello.

-Where can I find the headmistress? -Right over there.

Thank you.

Hello there!

Oh, greetings!

Hello!

This is she.

What's your name?

Vangelia.

That's a pretty name.

This will be your new home.

You will get along just fine here.

This will be your teacher – say hello.

Hello, Vangelia.

My name is Olga Vasyltsova.

I've seen you somewhere before.

[chuckles]

You must have dreamt it.

No.

Did you recognize my voice?

No, not the voice.

I just

know you.

Come off it.

Vangelia, one should be respectful to their teachers.

You hear that?

-It's okay, let's go. -I'm sorry.

It's to be expected, no reason to shame her.

Tell me, does this happen often?

What exactly?

Has she said strange things like this before?

We never noticed anything of the sort.

She is a normal girl – a hard worker, too bad she's blind.

Come with me.

Olga, take Vangelia to her quarters.

Come with me – we need to sign some documents

and you can tell me all about your daughter.

Why? What is there to say?

Vangelia, say goodbye to your father.

Yes, it's better to say goodbye now.

You might not see Vangelia later – there's far too much to do.

Come here, daughter.

Goodbye, Papa.

Alright then.

Be good.

Come now.

Daughter.

-Goodbye -Go.

-Be careful. -Come on.

Careful.

Hold on.

Careful here.

Careful.

-Hello. -Hi, Krasimira.

Hello.

Hello.

-Hello. -Hello.

Take a seat.

All right.

Sit down. Don't be afraid.

It's alright, I'm here with you.

[ambient music]

You're free to go, young lady.

Is it short?

It looks good on you.

[ambient music fades out]

Careful.

This is where you'll be studying.

Is this the school?

Yes, here is where you will listen to your teachers

and answer their questions.

-What about reading and writing? -You will learn to read and write as well.

We have wonderful teachers –

they will teach you to read with your fingers.

You will write in special textbooks.

You will learn everything.

Come, I'll show you the music room.

Alright.

Give me your hand.

[playing the piano]

This is where I spend the best years of my life.

Here is where you will study music and learn to play just as beautifully.

Me?

Yes. It's alright, don't mind us. Of course.

[playing the piano]

Sit here and listen to music

while I go find you a room.

[national folk music]

[national folk music fades out]

This will be your bed.

All right.

[mysterious music]

It's all exactly how I saw it.

Where?

Maybe in a dream.

This is no dream –

this is your new life.

So was this new life a happy one?

Stop rushing me, will you?

You'll know everything when the time is right.

Alright.

Ho-use.

House.

Gra…

Grr…

-Vangelia – grass. -Grass.

Grass.

Grass.

Flow…

Flowers.

Vangelia, stop coming up with new sounds – it's "flowers".

-Flowers. -That's correct. Flowers.

Get a load of her – flowers, grass…

Snezhana, don't be mean.

Vangelia is new and still learning.

Do we have to listen to her mutterings?

Snezhana, this is a lesson!

She should learn alone and stop holding us back. It's disgusting.

Snezhana – get a hold of yourself.

You are all equal.

Everyone is learning – it takes longer for some.

And of course you swoop in to pontificate about equality.

At the same time you play favorites with everyone but me.

Snezhana, what made you think that I treat you differently from everyone else?

Leave me alone.

Stop it, Snezhana. Did I make you mad somehow?

Don't butt in – no one needs you here.

-Snezhana! -Leave me alone all of you!

-Snezhana, stop! -Go away!

Continue with the lesson.

[calm music]

Smell them –

do you feel it?

Vanga, is it hard for you here?

No,

it was hard on me at home.

I had to help around the house and with my brother.

I'm not talking about the work –

I mean life here in general.

-It's not hard on you, is it? -No, not at all.

It's wonderful.

I'm so happy.

You know Vanga, I'm going to tell you something and please don't laugh.

Why would I laugh?

I'll get there in a second.

I can't shake this feeling that I need to tell you something.

Even when you're not around –

we don't know each other very long. It's strange.

I know, I feel it too.

I don't know how but I just feel it.

You want to tell me

about your childhood…

Yes…

Strange.

It's weird and fantastic.

You are a fantastic girl, Vanga.

-I'm just regular. -No you are not!

You are like a wild flower.

Don't get mad,

I mean like a wonderful wild flower that grew in an endless field.

I understand what you mean.

You mean that the adversity I endured

didn't make me bitter.

Yes, exactly.

Bitterness and mean-spiritedness is like darkness.

I don't see it I just know it's there.

There and there.

There is no such thing as evil,

it is but the absence of light.

Good is…

so different.

Love

and joy.

Love and joy? Do you see them?

I don't see them but I sense them…

In others as well?

Everyone is different.

There is love in you – that's why you shine so bright.

Others…

well…

others don't have light.

Are you afraid of them?

Take Snezhana – she is good.

Truly, she is not a bad person.

But it's so hard for her to rid herself of anger.

Is it hard for you with her?

No, not at all.

You simply feel what people are like…

It's a shame people can't change.

Why not?

I don't know.

People are just the way they are.

They shouldn't be afraid of anything or anyone.

Good.

Thank you.

[crying]

[sad music]

Quiet. Shhh…

Why are you crying?

Don't be afraid…

Don't cry…

[weeps]

Quiet. You'll wake everyone.

Let's go – you need to vent a little.

Quiet.

Quiet, Snezhana.

[rattling]

[crying]

I wish they just left me in that burning building.

You shouldn't talk that way…

Mom and Dad stayed there

forever.

And now I will forever suffer like this – blind.

My face all burnt…

ugly.

But you are alive – you should be happy.

Our blindness is not darkness.

Oh yes it is…

No, it's not.

When I was little

I used to see fantastic dreams.

Then I awoke and looked at everything around me.

Now I see less of what's around me

but more of what's inside.

Maybe

it's my soul that has gained sight…

What if I don't have a soul?

Everyone has a soul.

You just need to wait a bit.

You need to get used to it.

Why does everyone try to calm me?

How can I get used to this?

I think of never being able to see again and it's like a wall.

I'll never get used to it.

Never…

Quiet. You'll wake everyone.

I had a boyfriend…

he studies in Sofia.

I was going to move there

and we would get married…

Will he ever marry me now? Like this? Of course not.

His parents would never let him marry an ugly blind girl.

I…

I don't know.

I do.

I won't have anything.

Snezhana, I don't know

what will happen.

But I know that you need to wait,

you need to be patient.

Wait for what?

I'm not strong enough.

[somber music]

I'm so tired.

[somber music fades out]

Girls, today we will learn how to set the table.

First off we need to see if it's clean.

Milena, why don't you start?

So, how is it?

It's clean.

Good job.

After checking whether or not the table is clean

you need to set the table cloth.

Try it, Tsvetana.

Take a napkin and place it in front of you.

Snezhana?

What do you want?

Why don't you join? Try to set the table.

-I don't want to. -Now comes the cutlery.

Then you place the plate in the center.

Like this. Good.

Who wants to try?

-Try to set the table… -Leave me alone, I don't need it.

Why not?

Because I won't ever need it.

Place the napkin in front of yourself.

-Like this? -Very nice.

Vangelia, why don't you try to set the table?

-Can I do it later? -Why do you mean, later?

The guests are coming – you should help out.

Don't worry – I'll help you.

Tsevetana, sit down.

Okay girls, take the napkins and place them in front of you.

Diana, pass me the knife…

Here.

Now you take the cutlery

and place it on the sides.

Why does everyone need an individual knife? Isn't one enough?

That's just how it is. That's the custom.

When you learn to use them properly

you will understand that it's convenient.

Good job.

-[Vanga gasps] -What is it?

What?

Did you cut yourself?

No… Where is Snezhana?

[eerie music]

Right here.

Can she help me, please?

Alright, let her help.

Two is better than one, isn't that right, Snezhana?

Snezhana, don't go…

[panting]

Snezhana, don't go…

Snezhana!

[eerie music stops]

Why were you so frightened, Vanga?

When?

When we were setting the table.

Because of Snezhana?

I suddenly felt as though she were…

disappearing.

-Disappearing. -That's it…

It's okay. Stop.

Careful.

Relax.

So what happened to Snezhana?

Did she find her strength?

Then…

[eerie music]

Don't go…

Snezhana… stay…

What is it with you, Vangelia?

Snezhana!

Everyone is sleeping!

Snezhana!

Be quiet, Vangelia!

She's not here!

What do you mean not here?

Where can she be?

Oh my god.

She's gone…

-She is leaving… -Oh god.

Snezhana!

-She is leaving! -Snezhana!

Help!

Snezhana!

-Snezhana! -Snezhana!

Where could she be?

[eerie music swells]

-Snezhana! -Snezhana!

-Snezhana! -Where are you?

Snezhana!

Snezhana!

Snezhana!

Oh god.

[crying]

It's all my fault!

Oh my god…

[crying]

Stop it.

Help me take her down.

[eerie music fades out]

Vanga,

what have I done?

Can you hear me?

Yes…

[crying]

Stay with her while I call the police and inform the headmistress.

Poor child.

What have you done?

[weeps]

That's the first time I've heard the voices of the dead.

I looked for you.

I looked for you so hard.

Ever since your parents died…

Mine didn't tell me the truth.

Now I know…

But it's too late…

It's not God's way.

Too late…

Forgive me…

Get going.

[sad music]

What is it? Are you well?

No. It's Snezhana…

I can see her just like that time when we were setting the table.

She is standing in front of me… She is dead…

Calm down.

Calm down Vanga.

-Let's go. -I'm so scared.

I've never been this scared in my life.

You are strong.

You will fight through it.

I knew it. I felt it.

Everything about her.

How could I have ever gotten mad at her?

I shouldn't have been mad at her.

No,

this isn't your fault.

You did everything you could.

Thank you, Olga.

[sad music fades out]

Yes…

That's when you knew that someone was bound to die?

No.

I don't understand.

Everything was blurry.

Anxiety, fear.

I didn't understand a thing.

The dead don't just let you in.

[theme music]