Original subtitles

PROLINE FILM Studio presents

Gregory HLADY

Leonid MOZGOVOY

Alexei KORTNEV

Rimma SARKISYAN

Laura PITSKHELAURI

Alexei INGELEVICH

Sergei BARKOVSKY

Olga SAMOSHINA

In a film by Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY

THE UGLY SWANS

Written by Vyacheslav RYBAKOV Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY

Based on the story by THE STRUGATSKY BROTHERS

Director of Photography Vladislav GURCHIN

Production Designer Konstantin PAKHOTIN

Mister Banev. Sorry. Mister Banev.

There you are.

As far as I remember, you asked me about changing.

- Correct? - You're right.

Excuse me. You know... what...

God knows what they're having around here.

The schedule has gone from here to hell and God knows where.

What shall I do about it?

Two kilometers from here there is...

It's all right, sir, I speak Polish.

Oh, that makes it easier for me.

All right. In about 2 kilometers there'll be a station.

You can rent a car or take a bus there.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you very much.

Not at all. Sorry again.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Directed by Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY

Mr. Pilman, I need to talk to you.

It's important.

I know you can hear and see me.

I'm a Russian writer. I write in Russian.

In recent years I've been living in America.

Tomorrow I'm flying to Russia. To Tashlinsk.

No one knows I�m here.

Mr. Pilman?

I forgot to introduce myself.

I�m Victor Banev.

Hands up!

So you speak Russian?

Yes. Put your hands up!

I�m alone, Mr. Pilman. You have nothing to be afraid of.

Do you know me?

Yes, from your photos.

Until you explain

how you found me, my finger's on the trigger.

And if I don't like your answer...

I warn you, my answer will be very strange...

Shoot!

Well... the thing is... well... uh...

I was put on the UN commission on Tashlinsk.

And I got access to the files...

The more reports I read, the less I understand what's going on.

And not only you.

Your reports were the most solid.

Especially on...

the so-called wetters.

I read that you disappeared from Tashlinsk.

Someone tried to kill you, so the precautionary measures...

Stop! You haven't answered my question. How did you find me?

Mr. Pilman, may I put my hands down?

No. No! Put them higher! Higher!

It�s some tyranny, really!

I repeat: How did you find me?

I saw your house in a dream.

The street name and number.

Believe it or not.

You may think I�m nuts. Maybe I am.

I have to admit

I�ve felt odd recently and...

Very odd.

All right then.

All right.

Come up to my study.

Thank you.

I may be the only man on earth

who can believe you, Mr. Banev.

Please sit down.

You came in a car?

No, I came by train.

Strange.

Very strange.

Have... a drink.

- Have some water. - Thanks.

- It�s hot outside. - Sure is.

Mr. Banev.

Excuse me for asking...

Why do you want to go to Tashlinsk?

I told you, I�m on the commission.

So you said.

But how did you get on it? You're a writer.

You don't seem to have anything to do with the problem.

Is it really for money?

Passion for sensations?

Oh God, what a world!

It�s always money...

Who said money? Or sensation?

It�s the only way to get to Tashlinsk.

The only one.

Actually, I have a personal reason. Do you understand? It�s personal.

Sorry, I�m not myself today... Could I have more water?

- Of course. - Thanks.

It�s all right. I understand.

Fine. Ask your questions.

So, first question:

What's really going on in Tashlinsk?

What's going on?

What's going on?

Good question.

Remember Zurzmansor?

He knew it was a dream:

burning woods, the sky black with smoke,

city pavements melting...

The planet destroyed

by an insatiable monster called 'man'.

Dr. Pilman, I have very little time.

Let's get to the point, shall we?

To the point.

Everything's fine.

Park the car by the house. Don't forget to leave the keys.

Yes.

I don't think so.

An hour and a half at most. No more.

Alright, alright.

I can't talk now.

We'll talk later.

- Have a seat. - Thanks.

Were my archives of any help?

I don't know yet.

Some whiskey?

Just a bit.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Well...

Who are they, the wetters?

- Do you have a theory? - Yes, I have.

What is it? In a nutshell.

In a nutshell, my theory is:

They're aliens.

And enemies.

- Enemies of whom? - Of our civilization.

Many analysts

believe they're at war with us.

Nonsense! What war? Oh, come on.

How many of them are there? Ten or twenty?

And how many Christians were there at first?

And against them - the Roman Empire and Nero.

And what had been left of that empire?

So there's logic in it. It�s possible.

- Why do they need the children? - They're the future.

Whoever controls the children, controls the future.

They control them?

I don't know.

Passengers going by a special flight to Tashlinsk,

please register at counter number six.

I repeat: passengers going by a special flight to Tashlinsk,

please register at counter number six.

He's your ex! It�s the fate of your daughter we're talking about.

There he is.

Sorry I kept you waiting. The plane was delayed.

It�s all right, we just got here.

This is my husband.

- Igor. Nice to meet you. - I�m Victor.

Why are we standing? Let's sit down.

Yes.

How long are you here for?

No time at all. I fly to Tashlinsk in an hour.

Nothing will ever change here. Foreigners can do things that we can't.

I�m going to give you the key

to our apartment in Tashlinsk.

I wrote the address

in case you forgot it.

I didn't forget.

Please drop by and check it.

It might be flooded, or the windows broken by the wind, or thieves...

Ira used to check it, but I know nothing now.

Sure, I�ll see to it.

I wanted to tell you something, but maybe I shouldn't.

Igor, go get some coffee. Please.

I didn't like your tone the last time

we talked about the documents.

I don't recall.

In the first place, you have no right to judge me.

You think I got rid of our daughter handing her over to an almshouse.

You know you said so.

No, I never even thought it.

I want to tell you it's not just a boarding school.

It�s a boarding school for geniuses.

You have no idea how much I paid to get Ira in there!

And for good reason!

I said all this because I wanted to clear it up.

That's all.

That's all.

Lyuda, what's all this? Calm down.

You don't understand how it all happened. Who could have known?

I came here to join Igor and then it all began there.

We could do nothing.

No one can go there or out of there. You can't even phone.

I know how hard it is for you.

You know I had a dream

that Ira got sick and died.

There were spiders all over her,

horrible spiders with paws.

They grabbed her and wouldn't let.

They were wet and faceless.

Faceless spiders.

It�s normal, that's how spiders are.

How can you joke?

Lyuda, I didn't mean it.

Igor! We got to go.

Please call if you learn anything.

This way, please

Thank you.

Good evening.

Please.

Where's your retinal scan?

It�s enclosed in the back of my passport.

Do the scan, please.

Blood test results?

It�s all here.

- Lung analysis? - All here.

All right. It�s okay, you can go.

Welcome to Tashlinsk, Mr. Banev.

The main gate's entry signal has also been changed.

The new code for technical maintenance barges is

34-041-851-000-144.

For radiolocation support boats - 33-054-841-00-124.

Your argumentation is one of a military man.

- Mr. Banev? - Yes.

I�m Isaac Golemba.

Hello, Mr. Co-Chairman.

Just call me Isaac. Or Ike.

- Gennady! Gennady! - Yes, yes.

He's the co-chairman from Russia.

A famous scientist, Doctor of Sciences.

- How do you do. - Nice meeting you, I�m Gennady Komov.

The Commission Chairman from Russia.

This is Viktor Banev, the new member.

Go on in, we'll leave soon. I'll join you.

All right.

- How was your trip? - Fine, thanks.

- How long is this trip? - At least two hours.

Really only 40 minutes. But there's a double cordon.

The Wetters' energy barrier.

A complex control system.

This way. Please.

I see. I see.

All this takes time.

Settle in. I�ll be right back. Have to say goodbye to the military.

All right. Thanks.

Ike, what are my duties?

None anymore, I�m afraid.

What does that mean?

Don't you guess why they gathered us all in the district's center?

There was a meeting with the military at the joint chiefs of staff.

And?

That's it, it's over.

The commission will be disbanded any day now.

The military plan to take action.

What action? Against whom?

Against the climatic anomaly, I guess.

They plan mass cloud seeding

with coagulants

by the united forces of strategic aviation.

But coagulants are chemicals.

Won't that poison people?

People will be evacuated.

Children first. Isn't that your concern?

Why do you think that?

Victor, please, it was my duty to read your file.

As for your problem...

I can't help you, but I won't hinder you, either. Is it a deal?

Yes, thanks.

- So, people will be evacuated? - Yes.

Good.

And those wetters. Where will they go?

Nowhere.

But that's a chemical war against the wetters.

What's the formal reason for refusing them evacuation?

There's none.

Officially, they're sick people.

They can't be let go outside the town,

to prevent the spread of the epidemics.

As you can see, their demagoguery is down pat.

Which troubles me very much. It means they're serious.

- May I join you? - Sure.

We've been discussing the weather.

We're making good time.

- Here's the flooded city. - Yes.

Victor, go up on deck. It�s worth seeing.

I�m afraid we might get stuck here.

Why?

Red alert in the crossing zone.

I heard it on the radio. That's all we need.

We got a problem. Man in the zone.

That's it. Over.

Has he been there long?

Spotted him this AM, already dead.

The energy stroke was just horrible.

Who's this man?

Nobody knows. Looks like he got there on his own.

- Journalist? Looter? - No one knows.

Will you proceed?

We have to.

What if you get stuck?

The new one never crossed before. What if...

What if...

Signal we're coming.

Post Five! Signal the crossing zone.

Repeat: signal the zone.

Now Vic.

Keep calm and think positive thoughts.

We don't know their criteria to admit people.

So think about something pleasant, with no aggression.

Alright, I�ll try.

They got the signal. The bus is coming for you.

- Shall we go? - Let's go.

What's the reading?

Energy barrier on red.

We have to pull them out.

I see the bus with the commission.

But no wetter.

Have to repeat the signal.

- They'll get stuck. - Wait.

Don't panic. There he is on the right, behind the bus.

Victor, sit on my left.

Where's the radio?

- It took him long to examine you. - We've got a new member.

Controls! Do you read me?

You can take away the poor guy.

The wetter okayed it.

I'll be in room 16. Call if you need me.

Here's our new member. He'll live in the archive.

In the archive?

But that's the old building.

We've got good rooms in the new one, too.

He'll live in the archive.

And he'll work there as a member of the commission.

As you say.

Here are the keys. See which one works.

Come on, Vic, I�ll show you the way.

Recall the Shroud of Turin.

There the body changed at the atomic level.

Same with the wetters.

It should be studied. I hope you agree?

You think the wetters' genetic change is the same?..

Excuse me.

Mr. Larsen, I�ve been looking for you. I'll wait.

Okay.

Go on, please.

Are there always so many people here?

Only before a plenary.

For some reason all the commissions hold them at the same time.

- How many commissions? - Only four left.

Out of 13. Can you believe it?

I'd also like to draw your attention to one more thing.

Besides that strange genetic disease which is interesting for biologists,

some common illnesses begin to blossom that are infectious.

This is due, I think, to the constant rain

and infrared light in the sky,

the origin of which we still cannot explain.

That's why I support the view

that the climatic anomalies should be regulated.

- How? - Any way possible.

Including the chemical one?

- Yes, yes and yes. - May I?

You all know perfectly well what's going on,

but for some reason you prefer to turn a blind eye to it.

Let's call a spade a spade. It�s an invasion.

And we're attacked by not Martians or the Antichrist, but something real.

That's why I again call for a vote on

allowing laboratory studies of the Wetters

and their pupils!

Because I need to know what is attacking us,

and I�m not going to get muddled in your snivels!

Mr. Sumak, what do the pupils have to do with it?

- They're just children. - There you go again, children!

They stopped being children long ago. They probably aren't even human!

Why are you so brainless, you humanitarians?

You pity them, don't you?

Sure, they're just smart little angels.

Don't you realize they're the enemy from which we can only expect

an inevitable and complete destruction of our world and us, too!

You think if a child quotes Kant and Hegel, then he's really something!

But this child looks at you and sees a pile of crap.

And he doesn't pity you, because you are crap

according to Kant and Hegel. You're crap by definition.

For them a human soul is garbage.

A latrine of human physiology!

Try to understand they're totally different!

There's no place for us in their world. It�s them or us. It�s war.

There can be no compromises.

I demand we vote the question of allowing studies

of those mutants now!

Calm down! Let's do it in order.

What are we voting?

I demand this man be arrested!

It�s provocation!

We won't vote on that point!

Yes, we will! While they're still here, while we still can!

What do you mean, still? What are you driving at?

I mean they won't let us out of here alive.

Those mutant wetters won't!

And you know it's true, Mr. Komov.

If we don't do that secret study now,

we'll lose that chance for good.

And their brains are precious.

In short, I need a mandate for studying those creatures.

An official permission.

I demand

we put to the vote the question

of expelling Mr. Sumak from the commission.

Expelling me? On what grounds?

I�m stating my position.

Please don't shout, ladies and gentlemen! Get hold of yourselves!

- Excuse me. Are you Mr. Banev? - Yes.

- Someone wants to see you. - Who?

A boy.

A boy?

- Where is he? - Over there.

- Where? - The boy over there.

Did you ask for me?

Are you Mr. Banev?

Yes.

I�m Weasel.

My passport says I�m Boris.

But you can call me Weasel, okay?

Boris the Weasel. Nicknamed Weasel.

All right.

It�s not a nickname, it's a way to put people off.

- I don't get it. - It�s a long story.

I�m here about something else.

We want to meet with you as a writer.

Who's "we"?

The children. At the school.

The school where your daughter is.

You know my daughter?

We're friends. Will you come?

Of course. When and where?

Tomorrow at 9 AM I'll be waiting for you right here.

Here you are!

Have a seat. We've got a break.

- Thanks. - Please.

Victor, this is Diana, my close colleague.

- Nice to meet you. - My pleasure. I�m Victor.

If she asks you for something, - and that might happen -

consider it my request.

Of course.

I got you coffee.

Thanks.

Well, who came to see you?

Young admirers of my talent

want to meet me tomorrow morning.

Those writers are so vain!

But don't delude yourself, Victor, they won't admire you, they'll dissect you.

Will they implant electrodes in my brain and run me through a maze?

Good image: a maze.

And who came?

A strange boy.

Named Weasel.

He spoke oddly...

How would you describe it?

As if a cat were laughing in my face.

Amusing.

Yes, it took them no time to get the feel of you.

Should I get prepared?

Get some sleep. Listen to the radio station.

Before that meeting, it would be helpful, and even necessary.

What radio station?

The children have a radio station at school.

It�s not very powerful, but still... It�s on round the clock.

For fallen humans like us.

Listen to it.

This is security! Stop! Stop!

What are you doing here?

It�s okay, I�ve got my ID. Here.

- All right. - Everything's okay.

How did you get here?

Were you hiding?

I wasn't here. I just dropped in.

I sensed there was someone here.

Why did you come?

I came for you.

You're strange.

Well, we'll have time to talk.

Go now.

You can hear my voice, right?

Go.

I would put it this way:

The twilight of existence thickens into ashen shadows

on the edges of austere objectivity.

Uncategorized and nameless ghosts

come close and invisibly pass through us.

It�s here, at the apex of uncertain,

unguaranteed

and undefined human existence,

that a certain clarity is first achieved

and the global night is illuminated.

The real, though horrible, meaning of our life not in a world,

but somewhere between worlds,

not in fixed reality, but in its displacement and formation,

not in the home, but in aimless wandering.

If I understood you correctly, you're saying that

truth has not been found yet,

only the Mayan veil has been turned inside out

and things can be seen from reverse,

not from the side where he consoles and comforts,

but from the side of Nothingness,

which reveals that our own existence

is merging with Nothingness.

Well, yes, that's one way of putting it.

What's that strange sound in the hall?

It�s in a room above.

They're studying hyperspace.

Hyperspace? Interesting.

- This is an unusual school. - Do you like it?

Very much.

- Here? - Yes, go in.

Thanks.

Hello.

Please sit down.

So how are you, kids?

Is everything all right? Do you miss your parents or not?

Tell me, is everything all right?

Everything is fine.

Then let's talk about literature.

Would this esteemed audience like to hear how I write?

No.

Well then...

What questions do you have?

How would you want to see us in the future?

It�s simple. Smart. Honest.

Kind.

I'd like you to love your work

and work only for the good of people.

What's "smart"?

"Smart"?

Good grief.

Maybe you'd like to ask what a "human" is?

Or what "time" is?

We know that question has no answer.

But would like to hear how you answer it.

I'll try.

So, a smart person is one

who knows that his knowledge

is imperfect and limited,

who tries to learn more and succeeds in that.

Do you agree?

No.

Why not?

Your definition is not functional.

By it any fool could call himself smart.

And a successful fool will be considered the smartest of all.

There's an old aphorism that says a fool is just a person

who thinks differently.

Or feels differently.

I don't understand.

You want us to be smart,

that is, to think and feel like you.

But I found nothing but negation in your books.

Nothing positive.

Thus a smart person like you

can feel nothing but disgust for people.

On the other hand, you want us to work for the good of people,

that is, for the good of those disgusting characters

who fill your books

and whom you negate in every line.

Can a smart person work for the good of disgusting people?

You see,

by "work for the good of people" I mean

changing them from disgusting to admirable.

This is rather banal.

It�s not a matter of what and how to change.

The point is that the objects you depict

don't wish to be changed, as you say,

from disgusting to admirable.

You really think I write only of scoundrels?

I�m sorry, I...

That's not the issue here.

I�m thrown off because you talk like adults.

But you're children.

And so maybe it's hard for you to understand

that this unshaven,

dirty, drunken, hysterical coot

might be a wonderful person,

someone

you feel like falling on your knees before and consider it an honor

to shake his hand,

since he went through such... hell

that it makes you shudder just to think of it, you know,

but he still remained a human being.

Excuse me for interrupting.

Mr. Banev, you just found an apt symbol.

Mankind is a hysterical, drunken coot, who went through hell.

Yes, through hell,

because, unfortunately, he doesn't deserve better,

and you know it perfectly well, yet you aver

that man is noble

but he didn't get enough goods and happiness

as he sees it,

that is, the right to trample, use and abuse others.

To sum up:

You just can't believe you're already dead,

that you created a world

that is your gravestone, and nothing more.

When I say "you", I don't mean you personally.

- I hope you understand. - Yes, of course.

I understand.

And I�m going to answer you.

To destroy the old world and build a new one is an old idea.

But it never worked.

You may not know this, but you're cruel.

Perhaps your intentions are good,

but cruelty...

is always cruelty.

And it can bring nothing but more pain,

more abuse, more deceit and...

- Sorry I�m late. - No problem.

I wanted to meet you very much.

- You can call me Zinovy. - Okay.

Please continue.

Alright, where did we stop?

If I�m not wrong, on the need for the profound

spiritual and sensual renewal of mankind.

If you're interested in my opinion, I totally agree with that.

I also see mankind at the crossroads:

Either complete intellectual degradation

or an unprecedented evolutionary leap in consciousness.

I hope all agree?

- How did you like it? - I liked it.

Are you prepared for the test?

- Goodbye, Mr. Banev. - Goodbye, children.

Thanks for coming. I thought you'd be afraid.

Why?

Never mind. I�ll tell you later.

I can't walk you out. Boris will.

- Yes. - Why Boris?

Wait, I really came to talk to you.

It�s very important.

Really? Then you'll have to wait.

- I have classes. - I�ll wait.

- I�ve got time. - All right then.

- Take this, please. - Thank you.

- This is for you. - Thank you.

I want you to move in with me at the hotel. Right now.

- Why? - It�s easier to leave from the hotel.

We have to leave under any pretext.

I, as a member of the commission, and you, as my daughter.

That's why I came here.

For what?

To take you away from here.

Take where?

What difference does it make? Anywhere.

Don't you see what's happening? Military everywhere.

A chemical warfare might start in a few days here.

Isn't the military everywhere?

Ira, don't play with words.

You know what I mean.

I have friends. I can do things.

I know your school is great.

But there're better schools elsewhere, you can believe me.

No.

Why? No to what?

No to it all.

That you can do things, the school, and leaving.

Listen. I beg you to listen.

I know I�m a bad father.

But I have the right to take you from here.

You have no right.

Go.

There's the hotel.

Go.

Open up, Victor! I can hear you're home.

Come in. It�s open.

"A locked door is free, for the price of a key. "

Wow! Nice way to greet guests. Good for you.

I�ve fixed some dinner.

- Already had some? Good. - I have. Want to join me?

Nice digs!

- Mind if I look around? - Be my guest.

Victor!

You live in style, very spacious!

Spacious. Can't get any better.

Taking baths? Good for your health.

- Will you have a drink? - Sure. Why not?

Victor, this city will do me in.

It will.

Bless you. Please sit down.

Thanks. I'd better drink while I�m still alive.

- All right. - Thanks.

Cheers!

Cheers!

How was your first contact?

What first contact?

C'mon, Victor, don't be modest.

I know the kids called you on the carpet, didn't they?

Oh, that. Yes.

It was an event.

In what way?

It�s an event because we all went through it, one way or another,

only, as an old acquaintance of mine used to say,

everyone goes through it, but not everyone passes.

It�s an event because

that Sanhedrin of minors passed the verdict to pardon you,

while they sentenced us all to death. That's a sensation.

The verdict?

What verdict?

The verdict is...

our local jargon.

We believe the kids decide which adults

are to live in the bright future, and which are not.

You might at least cover your mouth.

Good idea. Thanks.

So I was saying, isn't it clear?

Zinovy, the top wetter, thanked Golemba today

for the great idea to include a famous writer in the commission.

Did he?

And I had a feeling, on the contrary,

that they didn't approve of me.

I think those wunderkinds...

I didn't mean the wunderkinds.

The wunderkinds have nothing to do with it. But their teachers...

What teachers?

Special ones. Wetters.

Why do you all keep saying: wetters, wetters?

But no one can explain who they are!

- What is this? - Why no one? I can.

Then tell me. Because all I hear here are just some hints.

I will.

It�s thought to be a genetic illness.

Two weeks after the rain started in February, all this began.

Their hair falls out.

Their skin gets yellow and hard as rock.

There's some body transformation on the cellular level going on.

A new species. That's why they cover their faces.

Now they think it's not infectious, but back then...

they thought it was an epidemic.

Then all kinds of odd things began.

Miracles. Hence the commissions.

That you know.

It�s thought that either they have an extra gene,

or, vice versa, they're missing one.

Maybe they're not humans at all anymore.

Who then?

I don't know.

Mirages, shells.

Come on, tell me,

have you ever seen such people?

It only seems they're harmless.

Just look at that energy barrier!

True, their ethics do not allow violence.

They forbid it for now.

All right, I got to go.

I think I wanted to tell you something else, Victor...

No. Oh yes, Victor...

You've got to take sides.

Them or us.

Who are you with, master of culture?

Is it important?

It is important.

Because if you're with them, then, excuse the pathos,

it looks like you're a traitor to mankind.

No more, no less.

And mankind doesn't like traitors.

All right. Good night.

I�m going.

Oh, I forgot.

That Chinese girl, Golemba's aide, was looking for you. Diana.

It might be urgent, since it was late.

Though, it's not any of my business. Goodnight.

- Hello? - Victor? It�s Diana.

I need your help badly. Can you come down?

- Can you hear me? - Yes, I�ll be right down.

Thank you.

I see the sign. Which way now?

- I got there. I�ll call you back. - Here?

Yes.

- Is he alive? - Can't tell yet.

- Let's get him out of here. - What?

I said, we can't leave him here.

Diana, the door, quick!

Careful.

Hey, pal, what is it there?

My buddy had too much to drink. He needs some air. Just a second.

Help me.

Mr. Zakrevsky, security here. Can you come over?

Someone's being taken from the lab...

Driver, come over here.

Just a second, I�ll be right there. It�s okay, I�m coming.

- Do you hear? Come here! - I�m on my way.

How many times do I have to repeat? Halt!

Stay where you are! I'll shoot!

Where to now?

To the old train station. Do you know where it is?

Yes, I know. How is he? Alive?

He's dead. Now I�m sure.

What did they want from him?

Omnipotence, I guess.

To know the mysteries of science. To get new weapons.

Or, maybe, money. Or never-ending virility.

Human needs remain the same.

Open the door, Diana.

Victor, put him here.

Rest up.

When you leave, forget about this door, the station, and everything.

Okay, I will.

- At last. Where's he? - He's dead. We were too late.

You're not alone? You know outsiders aren't allowed here.

I'll explain everything.

This man is from the commission. He's a friend.

Victor, wait for me downstairs.

Like the Ritz during the Flood.

It�s called "Noah's Ark".

Well?

I like it here.

Me, too.

There's an example of the survival instinct for you, Victor.

The basic instinct.

- Look, a painting! - Yes.

If we assume your idea

that climatic anomalies don�t just happen,

then the wetters could be part of of the anomaly defending earth from us.

Could be.

Have you been open long?

Two days. Got to make a living.

Want to come in the kitchen? It�s warm and dry by the stove there.

No, we like it here.

As you wish. I'll bring you hot sandwiches.

Thanks.

Ike.

Do you know what this is?

Where did you get it?

Someone brought it to the hotel, said my daughter sent it.

- Did you listen to it? - Yes.

It�s like poetry, or essays. I didn't get it.

- It�s not poetry, it's something else. - What?

Hard to say.

Sometimes the wetters have children make such...

imprints of consciousness.

- Images of their sense of the world. - Images?

Yes.

Why do you think she gave it to me?

Maybe so you'd understand her?

Or at least understand anything.

As I can guess, you had a fight, right?

Ike.

Tell me the truth, please.

- Are you hiding something from me? - Like what?

Is it a genetic disease or something else?

Well, for example.

Can I get it?

Yes and no.

Ike, don�t joke with me.

No, Victor, try to understand. It�s a different principle working here.

If you don't want to, you won't get sick. That's the trick.

It takes longing.

A longing so burning that you're drawn somewhere else,

to another life, different goals, other worlds.

I had it, but it's long gone now.

Too late.

About you...

I don't know.

The children still have it. That's why they're with them and not us.

You said it well - longing.

It takes a longing.

I understand it, yes.

Twice dead, living after God's death,

we seek our shadows in a stream of illusions of the sleeping world.

We live in the world of total deception, numbers and ghosts,

where words have faded and lost their meanings.

The age of the profane.

The age of unbearably Philistine existence.

The kingdom of the banal, singing praises to its emptiness.

Spirit has abandoned our world for good.

Time is shrinking.

There's no time anymore.

There's no space.

The agony of non-existence.

The spirit of barrenness hovers above the orphaned world,

doomed to ultimate loneliness.

Fear fills the soul.

Everything is finite. The last secrets have been revealed.

The wind from the abyss burns our cheeks.

Who said that?

I ask you, who?

Answer me.

All down with baggage!

The buses will leave in 20 minutes! Evacuation procedure!

Anyone here?

Anyone here? Evacuation procedure!

Emergency evacuation!

Go on, go on, to the left!

Women get in the ambulance. Men in the truck.

Victor! Victor!

Isaac, where are the children?

They were to be evacuated first, right from the school.

Get in the truck and we'll go there.

Get in the truck, quick!

Let's go.

- Where's the information center? - Over there.

- Where can I get info about children? - Ask the liaison officer.

Have the children been evacuated?

There have been no children.

- Write it down: 25 on 2nd floor. - Got you, 25.

Stop worrying. Three boats have gone already.

They may be on them.

They're not! I made inquiries.

No, not 70. 72 MPC. Do you read me? 72 MPC.

You promised us communication with the airfields.

Can you reach them?

How can I stop the operation?

The planes are in the air. One thousand of them!

But what will happen to them if they're dropped the loads on?

Is there anyone there or not?

It�s murder!

We need to connect to the coordination center. Do you read me?

- You promised! - Damn you!

- Will you get me on the line or not?! - I can't do anything!

- Something happened to the kids? - They've lost the bus with the kids.

Diana is with them. They may still be in the city.

- Can you reach Diana? - No! She hasn't called.

Gennady. Gennady, what should we do?

I don't know. Go to HQ. I�ll stay here.

- Come with us. - What if...

No. No, I need to be alone. Please go.

Gennady!

Victor, where are you going?

Where are you going, Victor? What are you up to?

Go to headquarters, Ike.

- Where are you going? - To find the kids.

You don't even know where they are. Are you crazy?

Give me your radiophone. The regular phone might not work.

I'll need updates.

- The top red button. - I know.

Victor, do you know the old train station?

Yes.

I�m almost sure they're there.

- I got you. Go now. - They're there for sure!

Bus, stop at the checkpoint. Bus 365, stop!

Call her again. Call her constantly!

All right. Diana, do you read me? Over. Don't hear you.

Look.

- What is it? - The formula for the cloud seeding.

It�s not just active. It�s monstrously active.

After its fallout, nothing living will be left. It will be a toxic desert.

I did smell a rat here!

What can we do now?

What should we do, Ike?

Ike, I read you.

Victor, do you read me? Wait, I can't hear anything!

There's no one at the station!

Yes, I copy.

They're at the school! Diana called. There's a problem there...

Go on, Ike! I�m listening.

The problem is the children refuse to leave the city.

Refuse to be evacuated. Diana's with them.

Wait, how could they refuse? What does that mean, Ike?

Tell him about the formula...

The kids see that the wetters are being killed.

They probably hope the military will stop the operation to save them.

Roger and out. I�ll call, Ike. How much time do I have?

Wait! Don't hang up! There's no time, that's the point.

The chemical fallout may start in 20 minutes.

I have the results of the last sampling. Do you understand?

Don't try to leave the city. Find a shelter. Any one.

The school will do. Find one there.

But close all the air vents.

Make sure it's hermetically sealed! Don't let anything in!

I got it, Ike. I'll call if I live.

Over.

Zinovy, what are you waiting for? You think they'll cancel the operation?

They won't, Zinovy. I know it for sure.

And what will happen?

You've chosen to die and that's your right. But the children?

Why the children? They'll die, too!

You're so brilliant, you're geniuses, you're spiritual torchbearers!

But you don't understand the simplest thing!

Why should the children die? For what?

- It�s their choice. - No!

And you know it!

If you say just one word, they'll go into the shelter

and be saved.

They only trust you.

What else do you want? A sacrifice? Then...

Take my life!

I'll stay here with you.

But the children must be saved.

The children must live. The children must live!

He's right.

That's just what I said.

This man is right. You must admit it.

If you want, I can go to the children.

- Or Arson can go. - No.

I'll go.

Do you remember me?

I met you at the school when you came to speak to the children.

Yes, of course.

I�m sorry we don't have time to talk.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask you.

But it's too late now.

There simply wasn't enough time to understand us.

You know, I�m sure we could have been understood

if the world were a bit kinder.

The children understood us. They did right away.

Do you want to know the truth? You've already lost them.

The children. Your children. They cannot go on like this.

They don't want to be the same.

He who has seen the heavens

is changed.

Forever.

Come on, kids, quick!

Move faster! Come on, quick!

- Is there another door? - Yes, but it's open!

I'll do it. Stay with the children.

Hurry up, please. Sit down, sit down.

Finally!

Victor, what's that?

Nothing, it's...

It happens sometimes.

The batteries are just low.

Why not turn the filters on? We'll get some air.

We can't.

Don't talk.

Try to breathe sparingly.

Dad, recite something.

Round the turn,

In the depth of the wood boscage,

My future lies in store

That's truer than a pledge.

You can't induce it to debate

or coax it.

It is as open as a glade,

Unfolding,

Engrossing...

It is as open as a glade,

Unfolding,

Engrossing...

Thank you.

Hello.

Just a minute, Mr. Banev. I'll get someone to escort you.

We got a visitor. From the UN commission.

Yes, of course, it's all in order. Send someone down.

- Fill this out. - Sign here?

- Your first visit to your daughter? - Yes.

Write here the number, day and time, and sign it.

Excuse me, what's this?

Fruit and chocolate.

I�m sorry, but it's not allowed. Pick it up when you leave.

Go on in.

Thanks. Hello.

Wait here.

Go in.

Go. Sit down over here.

Ira, darling.

How do you feel?

Were you sick?

Ira.

Don't you know me?

Ira, answer your dad.

You recited a poem. I remember.

A poem?

What poem?

We were in a cellar and you recited a poem.

What did you do to her? What's going on?

Tell your daddy what you do here,

what you watched on TV yesterday.

We watched a show.

You had to guess who was the worst.

And why do children watch this show?

Because we have to like what others like.

We have to be like others.

You have to force yourself.

Good girl!

You see? She's getting better.

Ira, sing the song you learned, dear.

Weren't you learning a song?

Give me your hand.

What injections have they been giving her?

You'll have to ask the doctor. They give her what she needs.

I'll ask right now!

I will! I'll ask right now!

Mr. Banev!

I have the right! It�s an emergency.

He recited a poem. I remember.

Who's there? Who's walking there?

What is it? Who are you?

How did you get in here?

I�m Victor Banev.

I�m on the UN commission!

I demand that you give me my child! Now!

So that's it. I see.

And your so-called "treatment"

will be investigated at the highest level!

Is that all? Now leave the territory of the center.

You think you can order me?!

What's going on here? Send up security!

This is madness!

On your feet! Stand, I said!

Let him go!

Let him go, I said!

I want to know

why I�m denied the right to take my child from here.

- You want to take her? - Yes, I want to take her.

All right, take Mr. Banev to the 5th Ward.

- We shouldn't do it. - Yes, we should!

He's threatening us with the UN commission.

Go on, Mr. Banev.

Fill out the papers.

Come in here where we can talk.

Don't misunderstand...

We're doing everything we can for them.

The best doctors, the best specialists analyzing the data.

If that were only enough.

Do you know the word...

"wilt"?

You move a plant to a new soil.

And no matter how much you water it, it just wilts.

It won't take root.

They're like that.

Everything in this world causes them pain.

Our world is...

endless suffering for them.

I think much time must pass

before they learn to live again among us.

I believe it's possible.

Let's hope it's possible.

Starring:

Gregory HLADY

Leonid MOZGOVOY

Alexei KORTNEV

Rimma SARKISYAN

Laura PITSKHELAURI

Sergei BARKOVSKY

Dima ISPOLATOV

Olga SAMOSHINA

Alexei INGELEVICH

Victor MIKHAILOV

et al.

Written by

Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY Vyacheslav RYBAKOV

Based on the story by THE STRUGATSKY BROTHERS

Directed by Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY

Director of Photography Vladislav GURCHIN

Production Designer Konstantin PAKHOTIN

Music by Andrei SIGLE

General Producer Andrei SIGLE