Original subtitles

ON APRIL 26, 1986, REACTOR NO. 4 OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSION,

CAUSING ONE OF THE LARGEST MAN-MADE DISASTERS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND.

THIS FILM IS INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.

THE FILM'S CHARACTERS AND THEIR LIFE STORIES ARE FICTIONAL.

-Thank you. -I'll get you the change.

-No, keep it. -Thank you.

-Come with me. -I'm busy.

-Some firemen came in. Pick one. -This is not a dating agency.

You need a man.

-No, I don't. -You do, more than anyone.

There they are.

I have to go home.

But there's a huge line of customers waiting outside.

-I'm sorry, I have to go. -Girls, are you on strike or something?

Come on in.

-Where do I sit? -Over there.

Hello, Alex.

Hello, Olga.

Have you two met before?

More than ten years ago.

Just don't cut both my ears off, okay?

One will do.

I thought you were in Kiev.

And I thought you were in Kiev, too.

-You haven't changed. -Liar.

ENTRANCE

Olga…

Come ride with me, for old times' sake.

Just like that?

I could send a formal request, but it might take until winter.

-Come back in three weeks for a trim. -Olga, the bus is coming.

Move over, granny.

Dressed up like dollar prostitutes.

That's exactly what we are.

Jesus.

Close your legs, you're not at work.

What's your problem? Most women would kill for a man like that.

Open the door!

Sorry about that, everyone.

Olga.

Come with me or these passengers will be stuck here all day.

Miss, you're holding us up.

-Bye, everyone. -Good riddance.

Well, what do you want?

Nothing.

I want to hug you.

Go on then.

Like a couple of pensioners.

Hi, Olga.

Hi, Alex.

Come on, where do you want to go?

You pulled me off the bus, so let's hear your suggestions.

Let's go to a restaurant? Or how about we head into Kiev?

Remember when we had no money, we shared one ice cream between us?

-Got it. We need an ice cream. -Two ice creams.

Excuse me, I'm in a terrible rush.

-How many? -Two. Nice hair, by the way.

ICE CREAM

-Here you are. -Thank you.

Let's go for a ride on the Ferris wheel?

It won't be open until May Day.

My buddies from the local fire station did the safety inspection on it.

We can get a private test ride.

-You're just as crazy as when you were 20. -Who, me? Not at all.

This is far enough. Stop here.

Thanks for the ride.

It was a nice evening, thank you.

What about the cake we bought?

Pulling out your nuclear weapon?

Atomic power to the masses.

I'll pass.

Olga! Wait.

Alex, some other time, okay?

Greetings, fellas! What's the occasion?

Celebrating Soviet technical prowess.

You got a husband in there or something?

No, why?

I promise, no funny business.

I just don't want to say goodbye yet.

I haven't had such a good time in ages.

But you have a different life now, and so do I.

We can see each other at the hair salon sometimes.

Olga, my hair grows too slowly.

Bye.

I'm home. How's it going?

I don't like this school.

You'll make friends soon.

They're all scientists' kids,

little smartasses.

Olga?

Olga, I forgot to give you the cake.

-Olga? -Stop shouting and go away.

If you're ashamed of your apartment, I live in a dorm.

Go away.

This is my son, Alex.

Alex, this is uncle Alexey.

Please be acquainted.

Come in.

Are you sure this is a good time?

Come in.

-Howdy, namesake. -Hello.

You two boys chat here while I go and change.

Who are you?

Who am I? I'm… a sun keeper.

How's that?

Well, for 200,000 years,

people ran around naked with sticks and stones,

and then we built our own sun, and I look after it.

I see. Everyone here works at the reactor.

But only the best work in the fire service.

-But that's not working at the reactor. -Ever heard of fire inspections?

I've been over every inch of all four reactors,

and fixed lots of problems.

-What do you have in here? -Photos of our neighbors.

These ones I know.

But who's this? Is he from Kazakhstan?

That's Jackie Chan, he's from Hong Kong.

He's even tougher than Bruce Lee.

-You're into filmmaking? -This camera isn't good for that.

It was my grandpa's.

You boys got to know each other?

Can I have a word with you?

How old is he?

He's ten.

Whose is he?

He's mine.

Why didn't you tell me?

How could I tell you if I didn't even know where you were?

-How's the cake? -It conforms to state standards.

I'll have a slice, too, then.

Should we tell him?

No need to tell him anything.

Eat your cake.

Right.

What date is tomorrow? The 12th? I have a day off.

We're all going to Kiev for the day.

I'll be here at 9:00 a.m., and I'm bringing presents.

And then we'll have dinner all together at home.

All right?

-Bye. -I'm working tomorrow.

Can't you get a day off?

I guess I can switch with Marina.

With Marina…

Perfect. It's a date then.

See you at 9:00 a.m. Sharp.

I'll see myself out.

Bye, Alex.

TWO WEEKS LATER

What can I say, my dear friends.

It is with a heavy heart that I leave you.

I gave you everything I have.

My youth, wisdom, health, beauty, and my hope for a better future.

-Attention! -As you were.

You still owe me ten rubles.

A materialist like you can't be trusted with money.

I'd give it back, but you'll spend it on a soldering iron.

What will you do without me?

We'll finally put things in order.

We know the drill, Comrade Colonel. First breakfast, then lunch, then dinner.

It's a solid foundation for everything else,

unlike your flimsy structure.

Well, guys, keep your hoses dry.

Go ahead, I'm ready.

Do it!

Alex!

Come here, you!

You have no respect for your elders.

Is this Valery?

Yep, my baby brother.

-He's got a PhD, works at the reactor. -Sergey, cut it out.

Nice to meet you, Alexey.

Likewise.

Here it is.

-Where's the box? -What box? It's second-hand.

You always need to keep hold of the packaging.

Let's see.

Here, 500.

-Count it. -I'll take your word for it.

Here's the camera. In a box, as it should be.

-I gave it a good cleaning. -Much appreciated.

And here's the manual.

-Here's a bag. -Handy.

You're a good firefighter. You should've stayed on.

I'm just fed up wandering around corridors checking stuff.

That's part of the job. What do you want?

I want to see Alla Pugacheva in concert.

-She'll come here one day. -So sit here and wait for her then.

Valery, come and join us in the dormitory later.

I'm having a farewell party. It'll be fun. See you then.

See you later, Sergey.

Are you coming or not?

-But this is not Chanel. -I'm not the Czechoslovakian ambassador.

Bring it back in 24 hours.

-But you said two days. -And you said Chanel.

You're breaking my heart.

THE PARTY PLANS, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN

WALL OF HONOR

CHERNOBYL NPP

Alex!

-Hey. -Hi.

I brought you a present. Here.

-What is it? -A proper film camera.

-No way. Really? -Yes way, silly.

It's a Lomo.

-How did you get it? -With a bit of perseverance.

Wow.

Thank you.

Mom and I were waiting for you.

Sorry. I got caught up with work.

And here's the manual.

Here.

What should I tell Mom?

Just tell her that Father Christmas came early.

See you later.

I remember fire at the third reactor.

We were all sweating like pigs, could hardly keep hold of our hoses.

Well, Alex stripped down to his briefs, put his sunglasses on,

and started wetting the dry wall with buckets of water.

A rainbow above him.

All for Elena from HR, who was watching him from her window.

You're making stuff up.

The whole brigade got a bonus, and Alex was demoted to captain.

Alex, I envy you, in a good way.

I envy your freedom and your willful heart.

You're fearless, you do as you please, and you answer to nobody.

Well, keep your hose dry, buddy.

-Hurrah! -Hurrah!

Thanks, Sergey.

-Slow down, Alex. -I'll be fine.

Was that a made-up story?

I'll be right back.

-Why aren't you eating? -I'll eat later.

-Stop filming me. -Stop stopping me.

You'll have to give the camera back.

But, Mom, it's a gift.

I'll get it.

It's Father Christmas!

Alex! What's up?

Damn it, Alex, look at you!

What a little man? Just look at you.

I just can't…

Are you drunk?

I'm drunk with love.

Go play outside.

Mom, can Uncle Alexey stay for dinner?

That's none of your business. Go outside.

Not fair.

May I come in?

Fried potatoes!

Olga, please, I'm sorry.

I got very sick, so sick…

I was at death's door.

Did some nurse save you?

I'm moving to Kiev.

I can't take it here anymore.

I'm a top expert, and I have nothing to do here.

-Come with me. -Stop it.

Olga…

come with me.

I'll buy Alex a water pistol, and we'll put fires out together.

We were waiting for you that day. I made dinner.

I lied to my colleagues.

I said I don't want to work here,

that I want to leave.

But the truth is…

I just want to be with you.

I don't want to hear any of it.

No. I made up my mind. Really.

I want a family with you.

It's not going to work between us.

Go on your own.

Stop talking nonsense.

Let's go together.

We'll rent a place for a while, and then apply to get our own apartment.

We're not going anywhere with you.

Leave us alone.

Are you telling me to abandon Alex?

We've been fine without you all this time.

Listen, I'm really going to leave,

and that'll be it.

Forever.

Just make sure this time you leave for good.

Fine.

Good luck with your life.

Leave.

This is the best spot! We can see everything from here!

Let's get closer!

Get the camera.

It's too dark for your camera to record anything.

Our folks will kill us when they find out we lied about going night fishing.

How would they find out?

We go every week.

-How is it, Alex? -We need to get closer.

Let's get out of here.

Shoot.

Wait for me!

Wait for me! Damn it!

Wait for me!

Wait!

It's no use.

-Why are you all up at 5:00 a.m.? -They took all our men away.

-And where were you? Out boozing? -What happened?

-There's a fire at the station. -And they disconnected the phones.

Damn it. Just when I got a transfer out of here…

Stop!

Guys, I need a lift. I'm a fireman.

Got a spare uniform for me?

Hey, brother, is that the reactor?

The pride and joy of the Soviet Union.

Are you from around here? Do you know why the forest has gone brown?

-Move it! -Go!

Sir, I need to join my team!

-Are you local? -Yes, sir.

I think your guys are over on the other side.

Come on!

Get one more hose over there! Hurry!

Tigran?

Pour the water here!

Tigran?

Tigran?

Tigran… where are our guys?

They're over there.

We were here first. The fire's over there.

More water!

Why are you not with the others?

They told me to go up on the roof.

The light was something unreal.

I looked right into it. It's unreal, like it's alive.

You're not making any sense.

The reactor exploded.

Are you crazy? How could it explode?

Tigran.

Hang on, buddy.

Over here! Hurry!

-We have a severe case! -Over here!

Iodine thyroid block, now!

-Careful. -And lift.

Into the ambulance, quick!

Yuri!

Get down here!

Hang on, buddy.

Lie still.

PRIPYAT

Don't get up. Help's on its way.

-Yuri, get down here! -Sergey!

Alex, we've got to go up.

Yuri's still on the roof. Let's go get him.

Hey, give me your breather.

Sergey, you okay?

Up there, the bitumen's on fire.

Stay here. I'll be back in a minute.

Yuri! Where are you? Yuri!

Yuri. Get up.

My face is all burned, right?

Get up. Come on, get up!

I got you. Now let's get out of here. Come on. Let's go.

Come on, get up.

Come on.

Sergey, you okay?

I'm fine.

You two go.

Medic! Now!

Sergey, I'm here. Come on, get up.

Breathe, Sergey, breathe!

Over here! Hurry!

Boys, we have orders to extract all the severe cases!

Who's been vomiting?

We picked men up from the third entrance--

Load them in! You get in.

Third entrance. Lots of them.

I have to get them to hospital.

Luda, hurry up.

Luda, hurry up, I have to get them to hospital. There are more, a lot more.

-Take me with you. -No, we're full!

-They are my guys. -There's no room!

Please take me with you.

I have my orders, only severe cases. Let's go!

-Need to get them to the hospital-- -Start the engine!

Take me with you.

Start the engine!

-Can you drive? Let's go! -Yes.

-But-- -Move over!

He's not breathing.

Keep going! Don't stop!

Everything's completely swollen up.

Hold his head straight.

Keep it steady!

How is he?

He's breathing.

Go. Go!

Careful!

Get up.

Put him in ward three!

-Where to? -Ward three is full.

Don't just stand there. Move on.

Kristina, get supplies ready.

-Give this one a shot. -Take your clothes off.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Kristina, diazepam.

-What's that? -A sedative to calm you down.

-Put him in ward two. -It's full.

-Ward four then. -No space there, either.

There's one now, Shinkarenko didn't make it.

They just took him out.

This way.

Hurry up with the sheets.

Go, I'll finish here.

Lie down.

Alexey, wake up.

Alexey, wake up.

Alexey?

Get up. Are you Alexey Karpushin?

Yes.

How long was I asleep?

Quite a while. They overdid it with the sedative.

Do you feel nauseous?

-I don't think so. -Are you feeling okay?

Yes.

Good. Very well then.

Alexey, my name is Dina, I'm a radiologist from Kiev.

We came here to see you. They'll bring you new clothes.

I'll wait in the corridor while you get dressed.

-Nikolai? -Go away.

Go away!

Nikolai!

Nikolai!

-Go away, go home! -Please step away from the window.

You could get us in trouble.

Alexey Prihodko?

-Why can't they come in? -You're contaminated.

What are we contaminated with?

Radiation. You all react differently to it.

Some die after five minutes of exposure.

Some are fine after five hours.

You got lucky, you only got 14 rem.

All the contaminated clothes go into the basement.

All of you who just arrived, leave your clothes by the entrance!

-Here's Karpushin. -Hold on a minute.

Are you Alexey Karpushin?

Yes, hello.

-From the reactor fire service? -Chief of watch, sixth brigade.

-Do you know the corridors below? -Like the back of my hand.

Have you ever scuba dived?

No, only snorkeled.

I see. You're coming with us.

Look, I left the service here and got a transfer to Kiev.

You're coming with us, and we'll discuss your transfer later.

Close the door and wait. I'll be with you shortly.

Doctor, you can stay.

Yes, hello?

The kids are all outdoors.

Comrade Stysin, we can start now.

Hello, Comrade Karpushin. I'm Mikhail, this is Ivan.

We're with a government commission responding to the incident.

Hi, Valery. Any news about Sergey?

They took him to Kiev, he's in bad shape.

Comrades, I apologize for bringing you all here with no explanation.

I shall explain now. Ivan, please turn on the video.

Between the third and fourth units is the crater left by the explosion.

The reactor core is in a sub-critical condition.

All these bright spots are clumps of burning reactor fuel.

Temperatures could increase to the point

where it melts through the floor of the reactor and the concrete below.

The coolant water reservoirs are directly underneath the reactor.

As you know, if enough fuel burns through and gets to the water,

there will be a steam explosion…

that will cause further ejection of radioactive material.

If the core reaches the reservoirs,

Kiev, Moscow… and the whole of Europe will be contaminated.

So we must get the water out of there.

Your departments have staff

who are familiar with the corridors beneath the reactor.

Comrade Kostenko, water management. Comrade Maksimov, electrical service.

Valery Goncharuk, cooling systems, and Comrade Karpushin, fire service.

Colonel Bobylin will be assisting with the operation.

We need you to recommend staff from your departments

who know the corridors under the reactor well enough to open the sluice gates.

How do you intend to do that

if the water management block is destroyed?

The control panel is under rubble.

We can go through the pipe conduit corridor

and open the drainage valve manually.

But it's all flooded with hot water.

People will be working in diving gear, and get diving instruction beforehand.

If the servo is flooded, it'll take half an hour to open the valve by hand.

Two people working together can do it in under eight minutes, we were assured.

You want us to volunteer our own people and send them to boil for eight minutes?

The volunteers will be rewarded.

We're also getting a plane ready to take them to Switzerland for treatment

in a specialist radiation clinic.

The most outstanding volunteers

will be awarded private apartments in Moscow.

The General Secretary will see to it personally.

Isn't that enough?

Well, if the servo motor isn't flooded,

can we power it up directly?

You'll need the nearest junction box, in case there are breaks in the cables.

One closest to the motor is here. I don't know how to get to it.

We only go down there once a year, with guides.

Ivan, where's the map of the corridors?

This is what we know about the radiation levels down there.

The levels in the corridors on the western side

are lower than in the conduit corridors,

and there should be less water.

There are too many unknowns.

What if the servo is flooded?

So, you'd rather send inexperienced divers to work in murky water?

Can you guarantee that your plan will work?

No.

But everyone who stays down there long enough

is guaranteed to be exposed.

We won't stay long down there.

The water temperature is 56C, bearable.

And we only have 100 meters to go.

Give us people who can show us

what valves to turn, then they can go straight back out.

It'd be safest to go via Level 7.

By the time we're done wandering around this labyrinth,

the water temperature will hit 70C, and no one will go swimming in that.

Comrade Stysin, can we go and see the pool now?

Yes, of course. Let's go.

Nikita, let's hear it.

We stayed under for 12 minutes, but the temperature right now is only 51C.

We'll now increase it to 56C.

As you were. As you can see, we're preparing thoroughly.

But without your help, we won't know which valve to open.

There are miles of pipes in murky water.

We won't have a clue what to do.

Have you ever dived in hot water before?

We know about extreme temperatures.

We're talking hot, dirty water in a confined space,

not in a clean swimming pool.

Engineers aren't trained for such conditions.

We'll train them here… in the pool.

You'll give your own guys hyperthermia right here,

and none of them will even make it to the reactor.

I can't order my people to do something like this.

They're not soldiers.

Comrades, this is not a question of can or can't.

It is a question of do or die.

I'm sorry, but my men don't know those corridors well enough.

No electricity in the station, not enough people, like you said.

I can't order my men to do this either.

If you decide to go in at Level 7…

I'll go myself.

Me too.

Boris… we'll go in at Level 7.

We have no right to risk these people's lives.

Do we have the right to risk the lives of people in Kiev

who are getting ready for the May Day parade?

Fine.

Try going in… at Level 7.

Do we have the support of the fire service?

I don't work here as of yesterday. I don't have any authority to give orders.

In any case, almost the entire local brigade is hospitalized.

I won't go in there.

Didn't you give an oath to protect your country with your own life?

Fine, let's decide on the route.

Attention, everyone.

Dear comrades,

the City Council of People's Deputies informs you that,

due to an incident

at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,

there is an adverse radioactive situation

in the town of Pripyat.

Authorities and the military

are taking all necessary measures.

Nonetheless, in order to ensure safety of the townspeople,

children being top priority,

we need to temporarily evacuate civilians…

Olga!

-Olga! -Alex got very sick.

-Hey there, Jackie Chan. -Hi.

What's wrong with him?

Same as with everyone. I don't know. We have to get out of here.

Have the doctors seen him?

No. The hospital is packed full of sick kids, all screaming and crying.

There's talk of a wave of miscarriages.

Miscarriages, understand?

The police have cordoned off the hospital.

Hey, how are you feeling?

I saw the explosion and then a glow.

Did anyone get killed?

No, it was just an ordinary fire--

Are you my dad?

No. Why do you ask?

Did Mom tell you that?

We'll talk about this later. We need to go now.

Come on, get up.

You're not a little kid.

I'm not going anywhere.

We have to go.

Come on.

We're never coming back here, right?

Of course, we'll come back.

You're lying!

-Grab our bag. -I want my camera!

I'm not going anywhere! I don't want to!

I'm not going!

Olga, let me help.

No animals allowed.

-You can't take animals with you. -But it's my dog! Dad, tell him!

Sweetie, we'll come back for him later.

-Give me the key. -Don't lock him inside.

-We have a sick child. -The doctors are over there.

Olga, follow me.

Come.

-Olga, over here. -Alex…

Olga, there's an ambulance.

Sorry, it's an emergency.

-My child is sick, please help. -Let's see his throat.

-Has he been vomiting? -He vomited yesterday.

Everyone with radiation sickness must go to Hospital No. 6 in Kiev.

He can't even stand. We need an ambulance.

You'll have to discuss that in Kiev.

He can hardly breathe!

What's your name, please?

Olga Savostina. My son is Alexey Savostin.

-Can I talk to you? -Hands off me.

Just for a second.

Hands off me. Can't you see what's going on here?

Everyone's leaving town on buses. I don't make decisions here. Name?

Alexey Savostin.

Savostin.

Get on the bus.

Let's go.

Mom, I want out of the bus.

Hang in there, sweetie.

-Mom… -Everything will be fine.

Oh, God, what's happening?

We'll be in Kiev soon, we'll get help there. Don't worry.

Stop it.

Stop promising.

Who's going to help us?

They're transporting us like cattle. Stop lying!

I'm not lying. I'm trying to help.

-I owe you that much. -You don't owe us anything. Nothing!

Mom, why are you yelling at him?

I'm sorry.

I just can't take it anymore.

Take this, it's almost 300 rubles.

I'll arrange the best treatment there is for Alex,

but now I have to go back.

Hang in there, buddy. You'll be good as new in no time.

You in charge here?

This man says he wants to volunteer,

something about pumping water.

-Alexey Karpushin, fire service. -I know you, I was at the meeting.

I want to volunteer.

Oleg, talk to Frolov for me.

Thanks, Captain, we'll take it from here.

You just missed them, they went off to the third reactor to check the route.

You can go with the second group

if the first group fails.

How can I join the first group?

-Comrade Stysin calls shots here. -I know the corridors better than anyone.

All right. Wait for them here. They'll be back in a couple of hours.

Can I join them there now?

They'll be back soon.

-Show me the route they decided on. -On the board.

-This one? -Yes.

I can't understand these blueprints. Do you have a fire evacuation diagram?

To the left.

-Like that, through Level 7? -Yes.

We can cut through here, it's closer.

-Cut through reinforced concrete? -There used to be a flight of stairs.

They took it out and covered the hole with a metal sheet.

Where?

-Here? -Yes.

Why didn't they mention it?

They've been here since the launch, but I saw the plant being built.

Take me there, I'll show you the shortest way.

Marchenko… get us a helicopter.

Comrade Stysin, there's a shorter route.

Show us.

-Hi, Valery. -Hi.

Here it is.

We can cut through it and shorten the route.

I did the calculations already, this route is 150 meters shorter.

Why isn't this in the blueprints?

The blueprints are verified, but in reality,

a lot of things were built differently

to meet deadlines.

Good news for us, though.

Comrade Stysin, we won't be taking the fireman with us.

We appreciate the tour, but down there in the dark, we'll need reliable people.

You'll come with the first group.

-Are you doing this for the reward? -What are you doing this for?

I'm doing my duty.

Are you Olga Savostina? You have a phone call from Pripyat.

-Hello? -Olga…

I found you at last. How are things?

I don't know. They took Alex away. They're not telling me how he is.

He'll be fine.

I'm making arrangements for the best treatment for him,

and then we'll all go live by the sea.

-Olga? -I can't talk to you anymore.

-Olga? Hello? -I'm sorry, I just can't.

Olga, hello?

-Comrade Stysin, I have a favor to ask. -Go ahead.

My son was exposed to radiation.

Can he go to Switzerland, too?

Comrade Tropin.

Alexey has some conditions he'd like to discuss before going under the reactor.

-What conditions? -No conditions, just a favor to ask.

My son was near the reactor when it exploded.

Would it be possible for him to go to Switzerland for treatment, too?

The passenger list will be confirmed by the General Secretary,

and only liquidators are on it.

Surely, it's easier for him to add a name to a list

than to evacuate the whole of Kiev?

You don't quite understand how the bureaucratic machine works.

Then can he go instead of me?

And you can send me to a hospital in Moscow or Kiev. Could that be done?

I think we can arrange for that.

-Excuse me. -Yes?

Would you mind showing me your credentials?

So that I can be sure.

I'm convinced.

You should be.

Here are your masks.

The water shouldn't be deep, but take them just in case.

If you run into a field of radiation, go around it.

-We'll manage. -Ivan, let's hear the drill again.

You get to mark 01, cut through the floor

and go along DU-1 to the junction box that powers the servo.

You hook up the cable and wait.

We'll power it up in exactly 20 minutes. Let's synchronize watches.

Alexey, I found out about Alex.

The boy was definitely exposed to radiation,

but with treatment in Switzerland, he should make a full recovery.

Thank you.

Just do what you have to do, and we'll take care of the rest.

-Time for you to go. -Let's roll.

Nikita, let's go.

What force are you with?

Foreign intelligence.

Holy cow! Do we have a lot of enemies out there?

Your bosses are a bit harsh.

They are okay. Keep hold of the reel.

We're here.

This is where we need to cut.

How is it?

Could be worse.

Let's go. The stairs are only two meters away.

There can't be any steam in the pipes after the accident.

So, what's this then?

Water must be getting in somewhere from above and evaporating.

The reactor is still hot as hell.

Alex, let's close these valves!

Okay.

Nikita, go for it.

Nikita, get away from there!

Let's get him up.

Sit him down.

-You need to get out. -I'll go on, Boris.

No, wait for us here. We'll be quick.

I'm fine to continue.

Don't be stupid. Wait here. We'll be back soon.

Nikita, we'll be back soon.

And lift.

What's wrong, Valery?

I'm not going any further.

I'm sorry, I'm not going any further.

But we can't do it without you.

I can't go on.

Let's talk, shall we?

Get your breath back, and then we'll have a little talk.

I can't go on!

My wife and kids in Kiev are preparing to celebrate May Day,

so stick your "can't go on" up your ass.

-I'm sorry. -Valery.

-I'm sorry. -You're having a panic attack.

-Let go of me. -Look me in the eyes.

I said let go of me!

-I'm not going! -Look at me. Breathe with me.

In and out.

Come on, breathe.

In and out.

That's it, calm down.

Do you think I'm not scared?

Do you think Yuri Gagarin wasn't scared when they shot him into space?

He pissed himself inside that spacesuit.

When we're done here, they'll take us for a lap of honor around Red Square.

Like they did with Korolev and Gagarin.

You know how many women Gagarin had?

-No. -More than you, that's for sure.

You're an idiot, Alex.

Sergey died in Kiev of radiation sickness.

Well, Valery, I am not going to die just yet.

I still have plans… and dreams.

Do you think I'm not scared of going in there?

My legs won't move.

Well, you just make them.

Come on, up you go.

It's like a sauna in here.

-Crap! -Is the cable in one piece?

Looks like it, but the reel fell down.

I feel dizzy.

How many fingers am I holding up?

Five. I think I might throw up.

Help me out.

I got you.

Boris, it's scalding hot in there.

You okay?

We have six minutes.

-Valery, get my flashlight. -Okay.

Give.

There's the junction box.

It's hot, but bearable.

This water makes you feel as if you're drunk.

Boris, you stay here and keep track of the time.

I'll carry Valery over to the junction box,

and he'll hook the cable up.

You remember the instructions?

I do.

Will you manage?

Yes.

Three minutes.

Ninety seconds, Valery!

Right. Disconnecting the breaker.

Done.

You okay?

Yeah, keep at it.

Connecting the cable to the lower contacts of the breaker.

One minute!

One…

and two.

Connecting the breaker.

Turning on the switch.

-Thirty-two. -I'm done, let's go back.

Don't carry me, I'll walk.

Come on.

It worked!

Holy crap!

-We did it! -Quiet.

-The tester's lit up. -Quiet. We should hear it.

Yes! It worked!

We did it! It worked!

Comrade Colonel, it worked! We did it!

We did it!

It didn't work. We'll have to open the valve by hand.

Maybe we can try hotwiring it again?

No, they already powered it up. It didn't work.

-Maybe the live came loose? -That's not the problem.

-Let's check the live-- -That's not the problem, Alex!

We'll have to open the valve by hand.

Let's go. We have to go down to the valve.

-Boris… -Let's go, guys.

-Boris? -No, Comrade Stysin.

-We must get Boris out. -It's so hot in here, Mom…

Boris?

Where's Nikita?

Where's Nikita?

-I left my flashlight. I'll go get it. -Nikita!

Be quick.

Almost there.

Did you hear that?

Hear what?

Water.

Over there.

Boris, take it easy.

We're getting out of here.

But this is the corridor that goes straight to the valve.

Let's go.

Boris, wait. Boris!

Wait! Boris, stop!

Alex, you okay?

-Go after him. -Boris! Damn you!

Boris!

Boris, it's too close to the reactor!

Stop! Stop right there!

It's too close to the reactor, Boris!

There's light ahead.

-Stop! Boris! -I see light!

Guys, there's light ahead!

I see light!

Stop!

Stop!

Close the door! You'll burn to death!

ENTRANCE

Easy, Boris. Hang on.

Alex!

Alex!

Quick!

There's magma there.

Magma. We have to get out.

We've got to get out.

Nikita… Where's Nikita?

Get their clothes off and get them to decontamination, now!

There's magma there. Magma.

Comrade Stysin…

Let's go back down. We need to open the valve.

There's water in the corridors.

Take it easy, Valery. You've done your job.

Call for a helicopter.

How much did Boris get?

Seven hundred rem. Perhaps more.

They're sending liquidators back in to carry on their work.

Comrade Stysin.

You'll have to come with us.

Are you taking me in?

Only for a talk.

Just stand there, and listen quietly while they dress you down.

I won't listen quietly.

Maybe your plan is better than mine.

You wanna take a bunch of people

and use them to plug the hole in the reactor.

We should've thought better when they were building the damned thing,

but we allowed it to be built so that it would blow up.

That's what I'm going to tell them.

They can cover their asses all they want.

Why don't you just mind your own business?

Who are you fighting?

The system? It's like radiation.

Invisible, ever-present, and everlasting.

Stop acting like a child.

But I am a child.

I'm a child of the Soviet regime.

WARD NO. 2

How are you feeling?

-Fine. -Get back in bed.

How's Nikita?

He's fine.

Doctor, I'd like to have five minutes with Alexey if that's okay.

-You have five minutes. -Thank you.

Is that your mother?

Why is she crying? You're alive.

I'm gonna go down to open the valve.

That's a suicide mission.

There aren't enough volunteers.

None, to be more precise.

Only soldiers. There's more than enough of them.

But they're not volunteers.

Yeah.

They don't get much choice.

Maybe they'll find another way?

They can blow a hole in it…

or pump the water out.

Maybe they'll blow a hole in it.

Maybe they won't.

If whatever they do doesn't work, it'll blow a hole in itself.

Right. I'll go back to my mom.

You're done. Call the next one in.

Hi, Olga.

Why did you leave us?

Why did you leave me back then?

Why?

I don't know what's wrong with him.

They won't let me see him.

I'm cutting hair here, so stupid…

Right now, you and I are going to go and get him.

We'll put him on a plane to Switzerland.

He'll get proper treatment there.

What? What plane?

I got him a seat on a charter flight for radiation victims.

What's wrong with him? Why Switzerland?

Their doctors are better than ours. It's the best possible option for him.

He's going to be fine.

We just have to get him…

and put him on the plane.

My boy, please forgive me.

They wouldn't let me see you.

You got to ride with flashing lights, just like Gorbachev.

Don't be scared. You're going to get better there.

Alexey Savostin?

Yes, there's our little soldier.

Please give me your little soldier's documents

and say your goodbyes.

Will there be any doctors who speak Russian over there?

I'll be there.

I love you, sweetie.

Why are you leaving me?

I'm not allowed to go with you.

Don't leave me, Mom!

Olga…

Mom!

Let's go.

Olga, sit down.

We didn't ask for the phone number.

I'll get it.

We have to call him every day.

You've done everything you could. Now relax.

When he gets back, he needs you to be strong for him.

You're right.

Thank you.

I promised to be there for you, didn't I?

I feel bad for how I treated you.

And I'm scared.

It's me who should feel bad.

Alex.

Alex.

Alex, no.

The Soviet nation celebrates this year's May Day,

full of vigor and creative energy.

Festive crowds walked along Khreschatyk,

Kiev's main thoroughfare.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the parade…

Alex?

Alex?

Olga, I'm sorry for leaving you again, but I have to go back in there.

You have the best son in the world. And you picked the best name for him!

I'm glad you volunteered.

I wish I could say the same.

Turns out I lied to you. We won't get our victory lap around Red Square.

You're an idiot, Alex.

It's a shame Boris didn't make it to see this historic moment.

It's a good thing Alex can't talk underwater.

This way.

The water's almost 60C… like they said.

Valery… since nobody can hear us here…

why did this thing really blow up?

Because of people.

Which people exactly?

Does it matter?

You ready? Let's go.

What's the matter?

I'm not scared, my hands are just shaking like crazy.

I'll open the valve myself. I can't wait any longer, it's too hot.

Wait for me.

I can't.

Ivan, the water's draining.

The water's draining. They did it.

They found him after the water drained. Everyone thought he was dead.

How do I look?

Good enough.

Why don't you take him to Kiev?

Three hours of being rattled around on the road won't do him any good.

Listen.

He's radioactive.

Keep contact to a minimum. It could be very dangerous.

ISOLATION WARD - STAFF ONLY

KEEP OUT

THREE MONTHS LATER

DEDICATED TO THE CHERNOBYL LIQUIDATORS