Original subtitles

[theme music]

EPISODE 3

BULGARIA. PETRIC. 1996.

[street noises]

We're over here!

Auntie Vanga, there is a man outside.

He says you would be interested in seeing him

once you know what he came for.

Should I let him in?

No. I'll go greet him myself.

[ambient music]

Please.

Stop.

Stop right there.

Auntie Vanga, I wanted to speak with you.

So speak.

My name is Grobovskoy

and I feel within me the power to raise the dead.

[mysterious music]

Who told you such a thing?

Perhaps it was god.

You want to tell me

that god speaks to you like he did to Moses?

And that it was god himself who told you

that you can raise the dead?

Yes, that is how it was.

God himself doesn't have that power

and you mean to tell me that you have more power that he?

Is that what you want to say?

Never! Never can that be!

Get out of here!

-Auntie Vanga! -Get out!

Get out!

Leave now.

To prison with you.

For a long time.

Speaking of deadly sins, I remembered something.

It was pride that prevailed.

Pride!

He wants to raise the dead, does he!

That's it, enough! Sit down.

-It's forgotten! -Alright, it's forgotten.

Oh how the voices in my head speak…

[moans]

Forget him…

Let me tell you how happy I was instead.

[playing the piano]

ZEMUN. 1929.

[stops playing]

Olga.

Yes.

[birds chirping]

You've changed so much since you came here, Vangelia.

Keep playing.

[playing the piano]

Stop.

Careful now.

There we are. Good boy.

One more step.

Come along.

Everything is alright.

Everything is alright.

Young lady, could you tell us how to get to the headmistress?

Me?

You need to go straight, then up the stairs

and there you will see a sign on the door.

Who is that?

A girl.

You will probably be studying together.

Thank you very much.

You are welcome.

It's so prickly.

Yes, indeed.

What happened?

Come along now.

Come on, son.

-Hello. -Greetings.

PETRIC. 1996.

Mr. Mikhalkov, as a representative of the establishment –

what would you like to ask Vanga?

I am not part of the establishment,

I am a Russian nobleman.

And the questions I will ask are my own.

Okay?

-Come in please. -Thank you.

Stop.

Alright, so we wait.

Turn it off.

Come in.

Come on now.

Hello Auntie Vanga.

Hello.

Hello.

Let her stay.

She is just like you.

What do you mean "like me"?

Go sit over there.

She is like you.

Sit down.

Well, there is a difference –

she speaks the truth while you prefer lying.

Well…

You don't want to seem different.

That's how you are, understand?

-I do. -I wasn't talking to you,

I was talking to your sister – she was asking about you.

I don't have a sister.

Yes you do. There she stands with the rest of the dead.

-I do not. -Refresh your memory.

-I used to. -Yes…

She died when she was five – I was born after all of that.

[mysterious music]

Good think you helped your friend.

Which one? I've helped many people.

The one that lived with you when you were young.

Your wife was so young.

I can't remember.

Well start remembering. Alexander was his name.

Vidensky.

Alexandr Vidensky, yes.

Who was he?

He wrote poetry for children.

I helped him out, gave him commissions.

No, no, that was later. After that.

Later he was arrested and died.

No, I mean recently.

How could it be recently if he died fifty years ago?

No, recently!

Oh yeah,

I did…

I published his poetry.

For adults this time.

Is it good poetry?

I don't know – I haven't read them.

[chuckles]

Haven't read them…

You published them but you haven't read them…

[chuckles]

I did.

You will live a long time.

A long time…

A long time…

Thank you Auntie Vanga.

What do you mean "thank you"? You wanted to ask me something else.

No, no… I'll live a long time – what else is there to say?

Alright then.

I forgive you.

Farewell.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

He is a happy one.

What are you laughing at, Auntie?

He doesn't seem funny…

Statuesque – doesn't resemble a children's poet at all.

He is a happy one.

I like it here, Auntie Vanga.

It's quiet.

Yes.

Because we are in the mountains.

There are a lot of mountains in the world.

No, these are special mountains.

Very special.

These mountains are felt by the birds.

-The birds? -Mm-hm.

They glorify these mountains with their calls.

They gather here into flocks.

These mountains give them strength

and they can fly forever.

[ambient music]

Like me perhaps.

Although no.

I am tired.

[ambient music fades out]

Perhaps that would be all for today?

No.

I'll remember Dimitr.

It is hard to think of him these days.

When he came

to the school –

my entire life changed forever.

[chuckles]

Attention, class!

ZEMUN. 1929.

Hello, children.

-Hello. -Hello.

You have a new classmate – Dimitr.

Hello.

-Hello. -Hi, Dimitr.

I hope you will all become friends and help him adjust to life in the school.

Who wants to sponsor Dimitr while he adjusts?

Vangelia?

Yes.

Very good.

Careful.

You will have several bonus classes to catch up with us.

In the meantime, just read with the rest of the class.

Alright.

Vangelia, share your book.

Of course.

Very well.

What was your homework?

Stoyan will tell us.

To read the story about the spring and memorize it.

Good. Start reading while the rest of you consult the book

to make sure he doesn't mess up.

Spring comes unexpectedly,

like a first love at first sight…

Where are we in the text?

It's greens flutter in the winds…

Like the first quivers…

of a loving heart…

That's enough, thank you.

What does "quivers of a loving heart" mean?

-Does anyone know? -I don't know…

In that case I should ask you, madam Vasyltsova.

Do you think she knows?

I think it's a state of happiness that only recently arrived.

Before we even really know if it's there or not.

Thank you, Miss Vasyltsova.

Stoyan, continue.

Try not to read – recite.

Everyone else – follow his progress. Start.

How beautiful is this first sunrise of life,

So much joy it promises for the future…

[ambient music]

And just as Count Andrey embraced that slender waist,

Her ethereal beauty struck in the very heart of him.

He felt reborn and rejuvenated.

He treated her delicately and spoke to her gently.

-Olga. -Yes?

Tell me – does that really happen?

Does what really happen?

Can a man love someone like that?

Yes he can, dear.

I've seen it myself.

That is how my father loved my mother.

I had never seen anything like it since they passed though.

What are you thinking about?

Nothing much.

[thump]

-What? -No, it's…

-Are you hurt? -It's nothing.

It's nothing.

Everything is fine. Don't worry.

Come here. Sit down.

-Where? -Right over here.

I'll go get my tools and fix it.

-Careful. -I'll do it myself.

Be careful, children.

Pet the goat.

-Dimitr. -Where?

Fixing the railing.

He won't manage alone – I'll go help him.

Vanga, wait!

Vanga, he is a man – he needs to do it himself.

Be careful with your fingers.

Dimitr.

What are you doing?

I broke the railing.

Now I have to fix it.

How is it working out?

It will work out.

[sad music]

Let me help.

Be careful with that.

I am.

You'll cut yourself.

I won't.

Look at that – they actually fixed it.

You fixed it.

They know how to do it.

It was you who fixed it.

Not me.

Dimitr…

Dimitr, wait.

Don't follow me.

Dimitr.

Dimitr!

[suspenseful music]

It's better not to live at all then live like this.

Vanga, can you hear me?

I can see you.

[laughs]

[eerie music]

Snezhana…

Snezhana…

Snezhana…

[eerie music fades out]

Dimitr, help!

[moans]

Vanga.

Vanga!

Dimitr…

I am here.

Are you alive?

Of course I am.

I thought you were dead.

Why would you think that, silly?

I just went for a walk.

I just saw something…

How could you see anything?

It wasn't you I saw…

It was…

Snezhana…

Remember, I told you about the girl who hung herself?

I thought that maybe you too didn't want to live.

No, Vanga…

You are having trouble adjusting to your blindness, just as she did…

I thought you might want to kill yourself as she did…

Don't worry.

You didn't see anything. It was all in your head.

You were scared and you saw something in your head.

-Really? -Yes, really.

How could I not want to live when I have you?

I want to live.

I want to be with you.

[ambient music]

I love you.

[ambient music fades out]

Vanga!

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

Did Dimirt hurt you?

No, not at all.

-I felt death. -What do you mean?

I never thought that anyone could love me because I'm blind.

Vanga, don't talk that way.

You and Dimitr love each other – that's what's important.

It's the only thing that matters.

I've never had that.

Just don't be afraid and be yourself –

everything will be fine.

Yes…

Headmistress Stoyanova, did you call for me?

Yes, Olga.

Tell me – what's going on in your class?

Nothing much.

Nothing much?

I've been informed that there is a relationship

between two of your students.

Of the special kind.

You mean Vangelia and Dimitr?

See? You know of it too. So why pretend?

There is nothing special about it – two young people fell in love.

If anything – it's natural.

You need to understand

that this might result in scandal.

Who knows what you consider "normal"?

What I know, however, is that I don't want people to think

that this school is a nest of depravity.

What are you saying?

I'm saying what is

and what can be.

This is not a school for nobles and cadets –

these children come from simple families.

As far as I can remember Vangelia comes from a peasant family.

He's a Batrak – she comes from a very poor family…

Exactly!

What kind of values do you think she could have gotten from her family?

She comes from a very good family.

That's what she says.

That's what I see.

Vangelia is a kind and decent human being.

You shouldn't speak about her that way!

-Excuse me, but… -Don't get all worked up.

I trust you.

I know.

I would never have found work

or a roof over my head were it not for you…

Enough now.

I did it for you dead mother.

But we aren't talking about me or you right now –

we are talking about your love doves.

What are they going to do next?

I don't know. But it won't be anything bad.

They are pure at heart as is their relationship!

-Are you absolutely sure of that? -Yes.

So there is nothing more to it?

Yes, I am sure.

Well then.

Let's consider that you vouched for them.

[calm music]

[laughs]

Well then – this part is finished.

My mother loved these.

I don't remember my mother at all.

I was two when she died.

Olga, can I ask you something?

Sure, go ahead.

You are an orphan, aren't you?

Yes.

All alone, in a foreign land with no one to protect you,

yet you are so kind.

And your voice is always so gentle.

You know sometimes I think life is like the wind –

always trying to knock you down.

Nothing seems to be able to knock you down.

That's how I feel.

Is that true?

I've never thought about it.

What do you think about?

Oh, simple things.

The kind that need attention here and now.

Shall we get going?

Let's go.

Careful.

-Plamen. -What?

Alright.

[calm music]

Olga, tell me something.

You ever feel like someone inside

was helping you make decisions?

I don't think so…

I think that happens to me.

Is it god telling people things?

Can they hear his voice?

I don't think god talks to people through his voice.

I think he communicates with us through the heart.

That's why we need to listen to our hearts and our reason.

You have both –

you have a reasonable heart.

You've changed.

I like that.

I think life here was done you well.

Of course.

You have become like family to me.

Tell me, Olga.

What were your parents like?

They were good people.

Why don't you come over to my place?

Can I?

Of course you can! Come now.

Let's go.

That spoon was my teething present.

What's "teething"?

That's when a child starts having his first teeth

and he gets a silver spoon for a present.

That's a custom we have in Russia.

You still say "we".

Of course.

I was born there, it's my motherland.

Do you want to go back?

That's impossible at the moment.

I will be either killed or thrown in jail.

I do so hope I can go back there at some point.

I also have this book about the family three of the nobles of Tambov.

It survived by accident.

My grandmother had land in Tambov.

I was brought there every summer.

I waited to see this book like one waits to see a person.

Why is that?

Because my grandmother knew the history of every family in this book.

She would tell me stories about them. It was incredibly interesting.

The Rochmaninov's lived quite close to her.

She gave me this book as a present.

When I was leaving Russia,

I left all of my toys but took this book.

Thank you, Olga. I'm going to take a walk in the park now.

-Let me take you. -No, don't worry.

I know all the paths around here already.

Vanga…

Tell me…

What's going on between you and Dimitr? Do you meet in private?

We do.

We take walks in the park

and talk.

I can talk to him for hours.

About anything.

Why are you scared?

Did we do something wrong?

No.

Everything is fine.

Alright, off you go now.

[sighs]

Dimitr…

[peaceful music]

Yes, Vanga.

How did you know it was me?

I felt it.

I still can't learn to do that.

Vanga.

Yes?

I wanted to tell you something.

So tell me.

Marry me.

-Dimitr. -Don't worry,

I'll learn to be better, to do everything.

It's not that.

Are you serious?

I love you.

Tell me.

Will you be my wife?

Yes.

[peaceful music fades out]

Finally, things worked out.

PETRIC. 1996.

My life didn't end on that day.

Did something happen to him?

Go.

[mysterious music]

Go, go. Call the one that's been waiting longest.

-Okay. -Go.

Here, sit down.

Thank you.

-Hello. -Leave.

-Me? -Yes.

Come back when he'd gone.

Okay.

Why do you smoke so much?

I've been smoking since I was seven. I guess that's my destiny.

Destiny…

If that was your destiny that god would have put a chimney on your head.

Destiny.

-You have two more years of smoking. -What then?

Then you will regret ever taking up the habit.

So tell me.

My wife…

It's so good Vanga speaks to you.

Why?

She is feeling better now.

Maybe she…

What?

Nothing.

People must love you, right?

Well, they feel differently about me.

What about a boyfriend?

No.

They dodge me.

Why?

My wife is innocent!

What?

Vanga says that she is faithful to me and that I shouldn't be jealous.

Go now, Vanga is waiting for you.

Congratulations.

Everything is well.

Not now.

No, no, no.

[sad music]

It's me, Alyssa.

I know.

Are you feeling well?

No.

I lied again. I couldn't bring myself up to telling him the truth.

He will die in two years so I spared him the truth.

So you don't tell people when they will die?

No. Why would I?

You can't cheat death

but you can spoil what's left of a life.

I saw.

She walked in with him.

Maybe I should go? If you're not feeling well.

No.

I'm well with you.

Alright then.

Let's go down to the arbor.

Let's.

They should be here soon.

ZEMU. 1929.

[ambient music]

Son?

Mother.

-You face looks brighter. -Go on.

Mother, father…

Hello.

I want you to meet my fiance.

Oh lord!

What?

I'm so happy, son.

Come here, child.

Don't worry, come here.

You did good, son.

She is a beauty.

Really?

Yes.

What's your name, dear.

Vangelia. Vanga.

Where do you come from? Who are your parents?

The Stubents…

I have a father and two little brothers.

What about a mother?

My mother died when I was two.

But I have a step mother.

Everything is god's will.

Don't worry, we won't harm you.

What does your father do?

He does many things…

sometimes he is a shepherd, sometimes something else.

He can do lots of work.

A Batrak.

Well…

That's not a problem – we aren't poor people.

We can feed our own.

We will take care of you, children. Anything as long as you are happy.

-Thank you. -Thank you.

Go on now, children.

Go on son.

Vangelia,

write your father a letter asking for his blessing.

Alright, I'll ask Olga – she will do everything right.

Be careful.

He stands firm on his feet. Good boy.

What are you crying about? Let's go.

I told you!

My parents are good people.

And you were afraid.

I won't be afraid every again.

Isn't it a little early for him to marry?

What are you talking about – you want him to stay single forever?

Well… she's blind.

Who else would marry a blind man?

And she isn't blind from birth.

Their children will be able to see and support them in their old age.

Let's get going – I hope we make it before sundown.

Right.

Let's go.

[playing the piano]

Could you also write that he's very kind.

That he loves me.

Or don't.

What do you mean – don't.

Father doesn't care.

That your fiance loves you?

Vanga, that's important to every father.

Or doesn't your father want you to be happy?

He does…

I thought you said that he was kind.

He is.

He's just so…

Normal, you know what I mean?

Life is so different here.

I never imagined anything like it before.

All these books, the piano…

it's not even them.

What is it then?

It's just that life here is so…

Aware… Do you know what I mean?

You can ask any girl here what mood she's in,

what she dreamt the previous night…

My father would never ask me what mood I'm in…

He would never think of it, you know?

I do.

Not just your father,

most people live day to day…

Matters of the soul aren't paramount to them.

But that's not right.

It isn't.

But you can't judge people for it.

When life is hard on you, books and music don't matter.

For it to matter one needs to have a different kind of character.

Like you?

-I have nothing to do with it. -Yes you do.

This is what's important to you –

the soul.

Vanga, don't be sad.

You have so much happiness ahead of you.

Vanga…

Anyway, what should I write next?

Write whatever you feel is necessary.

Vanga…

Ask for his blessing.

Alright.

[quiet background music]

There we are, have a listen.

Dimitr is very kind.

He loves me.

Recently he introduced me to his parents.

They took a liking to me

and promised to take care of us when we wed.

We will move into their home once that happens.

I ask you for blessing so that my marriage can be long and prosperous.

Your loving daughter, Vangelia.

What do you think?

It's good.

But I'm just so worried.

[crowd noise]

Careful.

Here are the linens.

-Good linens, come have a look. -Hello.

-Hello. -Hello.

See anything you like? Try this one.

-Or the red one. -How much are these?

50 dinaris a piece.

-We will take both. -There you go.

Take it.

Take it to the carriage, will you?

Of course.

-Let's go. -Alright.

We will make you the most beautiful dress.

[crowd noise]

[ambient music]

I think it's done.

Olga,

can I try it on?

Of course. Let me help you.

No, I want to do it myself.

[ambient music continues]

Olga,

what do you think?

It's so beautiful.

You are so pretty.

Tell me what I look like.

You…

You are glowing.

Like a firefly.

I used to love Christmas tree toys as a little girl.

We made them out of very thin paper

and placed a light inside making them glow.

That's the kind of light you have inside.

OIga,

I just thought of you.

How strange.

[mysterious music]

What's so strange?

We are talking so you thought of me…

No, this is different.

I just saw you…

But not like when I used to see…

differently.

I just understood something about you.

Yes.

What did you understand?

That you will meet a man

who will love you like Dimitr loves me.

Maybe even more.

He won't be able to live without you. You won't be able to live without him.

You will be very happy together and eventually get married.

Yes…

[mysterious music fades out]

What happened?

Did I say something wrong?

No, of course not.

It's just that it's impossible.

Why?

Vanga,

I'm an immigrant

with no dowry to offer.

I don't even have a passport.

[sad music]

Although, why am I even telling you this?

You should be thinking of your wedding…

I need to get to class.

Olga!

You really will be very happy.

I didn't know what love was.

I couldn't grasp the meaning of the word.

It wasn't even a word to me,

more like echoes…

I didn't understand

what could happen to me.

Mother and Father will take pity on you.

You won't have to do a thing around the house.

What do you mean I won't have to do anything?

I can help with anything you need.

I can sew better than most people who see.

And I can help around the house.

Alright then, you can sew.

We have servant to clean the house.

I can cook as well and set the table to be pretty.

When they taught us how to set the table I didn't drop anything.

Olga was very pleased with me.

You can have whatever you want.

I want to become a cabinetmaker.

We have a cabinetmaker in the village – Uncle Ljubomir.

Father already arranged me to become his understudy.

We will live a happy life.

[gasps]

What is it?

I saw death again.

My death.

Vanga, relax.

Vanga, what does death have to do with anything?

Wait.

Vanga.

-Wait. -Vanga.

-Vanga! -Stop!

[mysterious music]

Vanga!

Father?

Vanga, it's you!

[theme music]