Original subtitles

Eva Szalanczky?

Another Way

Gently

- Did your husband find you? - Yes

I hear your husband's unwell. He's unwilling to eat the prison food

And then there's the prosecutor. . .

. . .who keeps harping on a certain delicate matter

Donci keeps silent, but it's difficult to keep it secret

Oh, yes. They got away with it

Eva died, Donci's in prison and I'm staring at this rotten sunset

I'd sooner they'd killed each other

You're clever, a Party member for a century, Comrade Erdos

What can you do now?

Listen, Livia

Get used to the idea that you won't be able to live as you used to

Eva's dead. You can't live with your husband any more

You've changed, too

In a couple of years Donci will be released and Eva will be a legend

A heroine who committed suicide. A martyr

She hurled herself against the barbed wire, as she couldn't bear lies

It's only me who's rotting alive

My heart is broken

That's what hearts are for, Livia

I'm not old. I wanted to have a child

Who'll give me a child now?

What are you doing? Where are you taking me?

Pushing me aside like a sack? Leave me alone

Leave me alone! I've gone mad. I'm not normal

My brain will burst if someone grabs me and shoves me aside once again

Go out for a moment, will you?

I'll be calmer in a minute

But don't go away! Nurse, don't let him go away

I've got to talk to Comrade Erdos. It's important

My drawer is full of her letters

She threatened me. She pleaded with me. She gave me up

In the end she tried to commit suicide

It's strange, she wanted to kill me. . .

. . .and she died

I'm still alive

"The honey-cake, the walnut. . .

". . .the aubergine"

What's become of us?

What's going to happen to us, Eva?

Third floor? Same as me

Excuse me

Tell me something about yourself

Fiala praises you to heaven, but our journal deals with earthly matters

I'm a peasant girl who was told in 1945, "Study hard. . .

". . .and you can become a minister"

Study, study, study

And what's become of you?

Nothing. I'm a nonentity

- You're out of work? - I'm refused work everywhere

On what grounds?

Have you read my stuff?

"The Joke"

"An early afternoon train

"Outside it's drizzling, the sun is playing hide-and-seek

"1955

"Seated opposite me. . .

". . . is a man with a big nose and mocking eyes. He keeps dozing off

"Suddenly he wakes with a start

"Grabbing his things, he's about to jump from the moving train

"You'll break your neck," I say. "What's the next stop?" he says

"Balatonlelle"

"Would you like to hear a story till we get there?" he says

"Why not?" I say

"Well, a chap's been in solitary confinement for a year

"The cell door opens and in comes a lanky, bald man. . .

". . .dressed all in black

"I'm the executioner," he says

"Oh, so you're the hangman," says the chap

"That's the common word for it," says the man in black

"I'm going to hang you tomorrow. What do you want for your last meal?"

"Well, the chap orders the meal. . .

". . .and asks for pen and paper too, as is customary on such occasions

"Two officers come in and watch silently as he eats his meal

"The chap writes a farewell letter and a farewell poem

"Then there's a clatter of boots on the iron stairs

"Our chap's not a coward, but he stands up and grips the table

"His teeth are chattering

"The prison governor has arrived with the hangman...

"...who says to the chap...

"...I have to inform you that we played a practical joke on you

"Consider the whole matter a joke. There'll be no execution"

"The chap flops on his bunk...

"...and the hangman remarks as he turns to leave

"After all, a joke is better than the rope, isn't it?"

"Our chap just says, "You motherfucker!"

I don't remember ever having travelled in a train with you

Even so, that is your story

I told it only once, in a select company of friends

True, one or two journalists were present

I was one of them

You really don't remember, or you just. . .

You look haggard. What's happened to you lately?

I tried to stomach your story

Maybe you don't remember, but I left the gathering. . .

. . . locked myself in the bathroom and was sick and I cried

Then I kept asking you how could you bear living with stories like that?

You said, "Bury them like old photos. Maybe we'll dig them up one day"

I preferred to write it down

Still, it's my story and the day to dig it up again has not yet dawned

So there's no job for me on your journal?

I didn't say that

Why didn't you rejoin the Party?

Because if the Party's wrong again I don't want to be wrong with it

After the bitter experiences...

...what are your views on the state of affairs in this country?

This country is my homeland, whether they like it or not

Good health!

Good health!

Good morning

Good morning

They said I'd be in this room

Are you Eva?

That's your desk. What a noise outside. It drives you crazy

Doesn't it bother you?

No, the only important thing is that I can work

Any desk will do for me as long as I can write on it

I haven't worked in two years

I was given this on my way here

I didn't want to go back home to leave it

- The soil is quite dry - I'll get some water

Have you got a flat?

A room

- And a husband? - No

I live alone

- And you? - I'm married

- Is he handsome? - Fairly

- Have you got a photo? - No

Time to eat

We'll be along in a moment

- Aren't you coming? - No, I've got two eggs at home

- I'll get you a lunch ticket - How much is it?

Never mind about that

Pay me when you get paid

Well, let's begin our weekly editorial meeting

Comrade Vandor was assigned to appraise our latest edition

Comrades, I have the privilege of assessing this week's edition

Dialectical criticism should consider our faults as well as our virtues

But I think we took a great step forward

The fight on two fronts

Why bring up "The fight on two fronts"?

Just outside we were saying how our articles are prevaricating, mendacious

Why not deal with that?

Don't you realise how humiliating this is?

We only talk sincerely out in the corridor. Only there

What do you mean?

Here it's work that earns you the right to criticise

When you've tried for over 30 years to speak the truth, as I have. . .

. . .you'll learn to value those talks in the corridors

You don't understand the situation

What will become of us in 10 years? Nothing's certain

- Imre Nagy was sentenced to death - Silence, please

Let Eva give us her views

I don't want to be offensive, but our task ought to be to record the truth

In my opinion there are two basic reasons why we don't

The first is that we journalists don't know life sufficiently well. . .

. . .and we never will, because those who could help us mislead us at will

I mean county Party secretaries, factory managers, cultural chiefs

As for actual work, believe me, Comrade, I long to be able to work

I've completed an article on village events in 1956

A village Party secretary says that in four months...

...1 ,500 people were forced to join the co-operative

And the result? People began to hate the Party

- That's why the revolution broke out - Counter revolution

The storm raises the dust but it helps to blow away the filth too

You'll give next week's assessment

Before that we two will discuss storms

Why did you take my panties away?

Not now

It's very hard to make sense of it

You see. . .

. . .there are feelings

And it's hard for me to...

- Hi - Hi

Excuse me for bothering you, Eva

You?

I'm sorry, but could I have a word with you?

Come in

- When were you released? - A month ago

- Was it awful? - I was often cold

A sadistic wardress kept us in our nighties, even in the depth of winter

And now you need money?

No. I work in the textile mill. They gave me a bunk in their hostel

May I have a drop of rum?

Help yourself

Just imagine, they've allocated two detectives. . .

. . .to recruit me as an informer. They're constantly on my trail

- Now? Here? - No

Don't be frightened. I gave them the slip today

- They promise me everything - What, for instance?

A flat, a job in my trade. They're blackmailing me

Not only for my political past. . .

. . . but also because I love women

I hope you didn't come for that reason

I can't get rid of them

What shall I do?

Oh, never mind

And you, how are you?

Have you got someone?

Why do you ask?

It's just that I thought that you and I . . .

. . .the two of us. . .

. . . maybe we could again. . .

Leave me alone

I don't want you, Magda, do understand

I don't love you

Help me

You can stay for the night, if you like

Pull yourself together and try to calm down, do you hear?

My train goes soon

- isn't there another train for tonight? - No

The trouble is, I have to change trains

Our village is on a branch line

- Can't you go tomorrow morning? - Impossible

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and my mother is expecting me

Pity

Do you know the bloke?

He's been here with the blonde but I haven't seen the little one before

- Another journalist? - Of course

I expect the three of them write romances together

Cheer up, girls. Christmas comes but once a year and it doesn't last long

G. B. Shaw. The sage

I like Christmas

Of course you do. You've no wife no mother-in-law, no children

You live like a wandering knight

Or like a solitary star, always solitary and uninhabited

- I won't be long. Will you wait? - Yes, but hurry

- You said you were broke - No, you shouldn't

Repay me later. You might need it tonight. Bye-bye

Two more cognacs

Has Fiala gone?

I don't know

Livia, I love you so much. You know, don't you?

I've smudged your make-up. A little more...

Do you love me a bit?

Kiss me

- Look at that! - Poor wretches

- This is awful - Awfully bad? No

No, awfully good

Police

Your identity cards, please

You're married, why get mixed up in such a thing?

That's my business

If we catch you at it again, we'll inform your husband, understand?

And your boss, too. Go home now

You're coming with us

Have you the right to treat me like this?

We're not in America. Get moving

Hello

You're in here?

Livia's changed places with me

- Why? - No idea

Haven't you got anything to do?

Indeed I have. Thanks for reminding me. I've plenty to do

Sorry, this isn't the best moment

I'm alone. Come in and let's talk

A little later. All right?

- Mara, come in for a moment, please - I'm on my way

If anyone wants me, tell them I'm with the old man

You know that nothing will happen if you don't want it to happen

Leave me alone. I'm afraid of you. I don't want to ruin my life

What are you afraid of? You start being afraid now?

Let's talk it over. We can't leave it at this

Leave me in peace, please!

It's too late. You should have thought about it before. You started it

That's not true. You wanted it

I'm certain it was you who wanted it

I've never done such a thing before

You sit in a corner like a spider waiting for the fly to get caught

You know this from experience. I don't want any of it

Captain Horvath, please. This is his wife speaking

I'll wait

Donci. . .

. . .could you come for me now? All right

We'll meet at home

Hello, darling. I'm sorry, they didn't let me go

No problem

Anything wrong at the office?

Nothing important

What about your manoeuvres which were so important?

Horrible. That lot aren't soldiers. They're pop-singers. . .

. . .step-dancers, student actors. . .

. . .a bunch of pansies. There's no getting them together for an alert

You, Napoleon

Where would you like to go for supper?

Anywhere, as long as I needn't wear a suit because my officer is in uniform

I'm not going in uniform

Then I can wear my slit skirt, can't l?

I often think I leave you on your own too much when I'm on duty

I don't know what's the matter with me. I've been so drowsy lately

Let's get ready

There

That's too strong for me

- Please take it - Thank you

Wait for me until closing time

You ought to take more care of yourself

Feeling better now?

I'd be better if things were better

And?

Bring a drop for me, too

Come on, kids

Sit down here, Livia

Tomorrow, you three go to Szolnok County

Take a little look around

- I can't go - Why not?

I've got an appointment for a medical check

- Nothing serious, I hope - I don't think so

- I hope not - What's the trouble?

Nothing. I'm getting breathless. Nothing to worry about...

Idiot

- What's the matter? - I can't sleep, I just can't

Stay here, then

- You two, go to the country - We'll publish a report?

We'll try

Hello

They're coming

- How come you chose the co-op? - The co-op chose me

You joined voluntarily and eagerly, right?

You know that the wheels of history roll on caterpillar tracks

It's best to climb aboard in good time

- Were you the only candidate? - In the village, yes

The whole district holds you in high esteem, Comrade Chairman

Come to the cowshed, there's a problem

Why did you join the co-op?

My brother's the chairman

- What did you say about the Astoria? - Nothing

- Cigarette? - That's too mild for me

No need for evening dress. We'll meet in five minutes

I'm glad you've come

So am I now

Wait

Don't you regret it?

It's so strange

Tonight I'll. . .

You're beautiful

What are you doing?

I hope you'll write nice things about us

Let's drink to the chairman's health

- I hope he won't get too conceited - No risk of that

The truth is, I was born to be a chairman

And what was your brother born to be?

A mug!

We're witnessing great times, Eva

Comrade instructor, could you tell me the Hotel Astoria story?

What Astoria?

When the men were taken to Budapest

Oh, in Budapest

Well, the comrades organised an information session. . .

. . .to win over private farmers of some importance to the co-operative

And the chairman was there, too?

Of course he was

- His brother, too? - Yes

I don't think he'll be chairman after the end of the financial year

Why not?

He got people to join. Now he can go

About 20 of us who are respected were taken there

The comrade there told us, "Well, folks. . .

". . .you can't leave the hotel, but eat and drink as much as you like"

And the political seminar?

It didn't take long. They said, "Folks. . .

". . .you won't leave until you've made up your minds"

A guard was posted outside the door

After a week, we signed

First my brother, then Beci Bikai. . .

. . .then Bandi Pozsar, then in the end I signed, too

Stop it, damn you! Bloody hell!

Comrade Chairman

Were you born to be a chairman at the Astoria?

Comrade. . . let me tell you something

Once I was a heroic Hungarian soldier at the Battle of the Don

Then I was just a bloody soldier in the POW camp

Then I was a new landholder

Then I became a kulak hireling

In 1956 I carried the national flag too

Well, I served my time for that

Now I've become a chairman, because it's my due

What's up?

I'm nervous, I can't sleep

Another cognac

"I was born to be a chairman." That's good. That's perfect

The right man, the right story, the right headline. Congratulations

- It can go to press? - No

- Then I'll go. Goodbye - No

Look, Eva

Your article is excellent and it's very important to us

But without the Hotel Astoria bit

That little episode suggests we're still in the early 50s

We aren't and we're getting farther and farther from those times

What guarantee is there of that?

We ourselves, who don't want those times to return

Do you think the people then wanted such times?

Stop this nonsense. Eva, you're a clever woman

You and I can carry on this journal and do what we have to do. . .

. . .only if we accept X clever compromises

The final value of X is all that we can argue about sensibly

- The Astoria story is excessive? - Yes

Why?

How much longer are we going to bury everything that's unpleasant?

As long as we must, as long as the situation requires it

- What situation? - You really don't sense it?

You don't sense that there's a limit to the truth that can be uttered?

Let me ask you something

You don't sense that there's a limit to the lies that can be uttered?

Don't lecture me on truthfulness

I've suffered from it more than you have

Not only have I learned when to open my mouth

I've learned when to keep it shut. . .

. . .and when is the moment to disembowel someone

Correct your piece. You've got half an hour

Bloody hell!

Thank you...

...but I can't write lies

Goodbye

Wait

I'll cut your article myself and have it set immediately

I'd like you to read it in tomorrow's edition

If you agree, the car is waiting to take you on your next assignment

You're quite someone, aren't you?

Goodbye

Where are you going?

For a stroll on Margaret Island

Or to the Three Hussars, or home to mummy

Or to Moscow, New York, the Moon

None of your business!

- A drink? - No, thanks

Is your heart still giving trouble?

Why did you summon me?

Did you see this piece?

Yes, I edited it and had it set

How could it have got published? "I was born to be a chairman"

Plain facts - we have to face them

- Could I see the manuscript? - Only upon disciplinary action

That's a long way off. Fortunately, I have a copy

"Now only village co-op members can elect their leaders

"How revolutionary it would be to extend this practice. . .

". . .to every community

"To factories, offices. . .

". . .towns, districts, counties, the country. . .

". . .so that leaders could be elected from below, by secret ballot"

The rotten Lesbian bitch! And you support her?

I didn't engage her for her work in bed, but at a desk

Besides, I cut out the words you quoted, as you can see

Luckily for you, but that's only one part of the matter

Another part is your editorial meetings

Your people speak of "October events" and the "1956 revolution". . .

. . .which I won't tolerate

I don't want to see Eva Szalanczky there any more. You'll kick her out

The Szalanczky girl, that Lesbian bitch, as you say. . .

. . . needn't be kicked out by anybody. She's left

Thank God

But in a couple of years you'll regret this

Yes, you'll sadly regret it

Because you'll be surrounded by arse lickers and spineless scribblers. . .

. . .who'll write what you want - and you'll be swept away like litter

By whom?

By me, I dare hope

Now we really must have a drink

- Have you heard something? - Things can't go on like this

What?

I had an old friend who was known for biting his nails

He couldn't kick the habit

Friends took him to a psychiatrist who cured him by hypnosis

He hypnotised my friend and kept repeating...

"Nail biting is a repulsive habit, a disgusting habit

"I'll never bite my nails again"

And wonder of wonders, he stopped biting his nails

A month passed, two months passed. . .

. . .and my friend began to twitch. What you do is just the same

What do you mean, "What you do?" Who is "you"?

Let's say what I or we do, or can do if we feel like it

True, at present we can give commands to the patient - a whole nation

We say you won't do this or that

But what will happen in five years, ten years, twenty years?

When illness returns, who will take the responsibility?

Why don't you want to understand?

Dear friend, beware of a misconception

We didn't suffer the miseries of 1956. . .

. . .to let comrades like you ruin the country again

God help the party which relies on you or the likes of you

A month ago I couldn't cope any more. I broke my silence and wrote to you

The paper burned under my pen

Such a letter was enough to bring to Iife the stone lion outside the Opera

But you could not bear replying

I began to hate you. I waited two weeks for your reply

I rang the office

They told me you were on holiday

I sat in front of your house waiting for you...

...so that I could strangle you. I sat on that bench for four days, waiting

I realised that I hated the pigeons, the postman. . .

. . .and I wished the pair of you wouId die

I wanted you to die

Christ!

What frenzy there is in me that I could even kill

I dreamt I was a child again. . .

. . .and had to dance on burning straw as a sort of punishment

I was crying and laughing. . .

. . .my face was tear stained...

...and I complained to you. It was very hot

Then I saw myself sick and feverish and I called you

I got burnt up

TeII me, what now?

What will become of us now?

Good day! Hello

Good day

My colleague from Budapest

Welcome

Doughnuts will be ready soon

I feel so small near you

You are small, little one

I weighed very little when I was born

There was hardly any life in me

On Sundays. . .

. . . I was shoved out into the yard. . .

. . .so as not to disturb Sunday dinner if I should die

But I didn't die

One can't simply not love me

You hooked me for yourself

That's not true, you hooked me

Do you know what you are? Honey cake. . .

. . .walnut, aubergine

I'd like to walk with you naked

I won't let you go from here

Love me

I'll be waiting for you. I'll wait all night

The night was dark, no father was there

The grass was wet with dew

The mire was deep and the child did weep

And away the fog flew

Yes, it's beautiful, really

But the translation isn't quite accurate

This, for instance, "vapour"

Vapour isn't fog. Mist or haze is closer to it

In Hungarian it simply means that the haze dispersed

- How can I help? - Your blouse is unbuttoned

- Does it bother you? - Yes

- Anything else? - A coffee, please

The child was wet with dew, not the grass

Excuse me

Hail to the vice squad. Be firm

When you go to see a woman, don't forget to take your whip

As for me, all I can do is to take my umbrella and my spectacles

- Livia? - Yes

Well, dear boy, in this case...

...one can't be clever enough

Livia likes to play

True, but I can play, too

And this would be a pretty hard game

And what would be my part in it?

Help us. You know us both

And how could that little louse be switched off?

That "little louse" isn't a radio. You can't even tune her down

So what can we do?

That's just what I'm asking you. What?

All we can do is pray

Tell me about this person

- Such as what? - What type of person?

- Do you think that will help us? - Has he got anyone else?

A wife, children, a parrot, I don't know

That's absolutely unimportant

I'll find out. Where does he live?

Far away

And you want to go so far away now?

Leave me alone

I'm coming with you. I'll talk to him

Wait till morning, at least. This is so sudden, I can't take it in

If you leave me now. . .

. . . I can't answer for myself

I'm not going to stay alone in this flat. I couldn't bear it

Then go somewhere else, amongst people

Stop making plans for me

You won't leave me. You won't shake me off

I love you. I haven't got anyone apart from you. . .

. . .and I will never have

I thought it over long ago. It's how I am and that's that

I've cooled down. These things aren't so complicated

They are simply facts

You won't go away

You won't run away from me. Everything will be fine, you'll see

We want to live together, understand?

What if I raped you?

Would he...

Would he want you even then?

What would you gain by raping me? It's you who would suffer

I'd see to it, don't you believe that?

Yes

I believe that. I just don't believe that you love him

You're mistaken. I need that person

More than I need you. I don't need you

And has the woman champion of truth anything to do with all this?

Let's stop play acting

I'm fed up with you pretending we're not talking about Eva. . .

. . .and I'm fed up pretending that I don't know that you know

I'm fed up with you!

Tell me, do I disgust you?

I asked if I really disgust you so much

No, you just don't interest me

All I can think of now is that she's waiting for me, I promised her

Let her rot where she is

It's very good with her. You don't count any more. I don't love you

I can't love you any more, try to understand. Leave me alone!

Take your hands off me! Go to hell, you bloody swine!

Drop dead!

Hi

Why have you come?

Shall I go away?

I don't care

Livia. . .

...tell me what I should do

You?

Yes, tell me what to do now

Go on living your life, write your little pieces

Nothing's happened to you, after all

Shall I close the window?

Close your eyes and stop staring at me

I can't close my eyes

Neither can l. I can't get a wink of sleep. . .

. . .despite all the sedatives they give me

I love you so much

And I was thinking. . .

What?

What can you still think of?

When you get out of hospital you can move in and live with me

I'll do everything for you

I couldn't live without you

Leave me alone!

I love you

Go away!

Major Blindics speaking, criminal police. Call back later, I'm busy now

Thank you

What relations did you have with Mrs Horvath?

I love Livia. It was a love affair

- Mutual? - Yes

How is that? When you look at me...

...for example, doesn't it even occur to you. . .

. . .to look at me as a man?

Of course it does. You are a man, aren't you, Major?

If, for example, you fall for a woman, what do you do?

Do you court her? Do you buy her flowers?

Excuse me, must I answer these questions?

No, not at all, you're not obliged to talk about it

I was only asking

I can't understand. . .

What can't you understand?

- Well, how you do it - How we do what?

How do you do it?

For heaven's sake, what do you want to know?

How do you do the thing to each other?

With our fingers. We stick them up there

- Yes? - Yes

One finger, two fingers, three fingers - you mother-fucker!

Stop, or I'll shoot!

Fire a warning shot

Stop, damn you!

She's over there

- Eva Szalanczky? - Yes