All language subtitles for 1746041829 pietinia-kronikas_ENG

These days you’re either a winner,
or a loser.

And I don’t wanna be no loser.

Now, everyone’s trying to divine
who they were in their past life.

Me? I played rugby.

Like in New Zealand.

I once saw the tape of a match
where Lomu was playin’.

That’s like Jordan now in hoops.

And in Šiauliai?

We had our practices
in all kinds of stadiums

that we more like grazing grounds.

They were criss-crossed with paths
that looked like game trails.

What can I do besides rugby?

Maybe somethin’, but it’s only on the pitch
that I feel like I’m doin’ what I need to do.

That I’m in my place.

Rimants, over here.

– What?
– You need a note from your moms.

Why?

You’re gonna play with the men.

A try-out.

Serious?

Yeah, serious.
But my word isn’t enough.

You need your parents’ permission.

Cut it out!

Tie your shoe!

Now get that ball!

I could see pretty quickly
that what you’re doing on the pitch

can be useful off it too.

Especially if you live in Southside.

They say Šiauliai’s a cycling city.

Maybe it was,
but the local bike companies are long gone.

Hello, girls, give us your opinion:
who rules Šiauliai these days?

Now everyone’s schemin’ the markets.
Or oppressing the ones schemin’.

But Šiauliai is really the city
of Van Dammes and Schwarzeneggers.

There’s gyms on every corner,
and those guys on their posters.

And the gym rats come outta there
thinkin’ they live in some film,

where they’re the main dude.

Check it out, you Stallones, Bruce Lees and Van Dammes!
Šiauliai!

This is where your films take place!

Ya listenin’ – Šiauliains!

Ya hear? No?

Again – Shaolins!

So you’re homies here.
Feel right at home.

My son, Rimantas Kmita…

Good day.

– This the new one?
– Yo.

Homely.

Aistė Araminaitė.

Here.

Aida Bogužytė.

Here.

– What? Your mother can’t write it for you?
– Aurimas Akšys.

She just thinks that rugby
is where people fight.

I once asked her to watch.
She said it’s frightening.

Rimantas Kmita.

He’s here.

Haven’t seen you before.

You neither.

I marked you absent for the last class.
You have an excuse?

Yeah.

Here it is.

Basketball?

Rugger.

Sports can make you forgot your diploma.

What do I need that paper for?

The papers that matter
have watermarks

Take your seat.

The theme for composition.

Gimme some paper.

Did you really have to
mouth off like that?

Everyone’s gotta suffer ‘cause of you.

30 minutes – until the end of class.

Who reads and writes – begs no bread.

Everyone begs for bread now,
just not all them gettin’ some.

What the use of school?
You study and study for what?

What are ya gonna do with all that study?

Maybe you’ll be a teacher?

Hey, look!

What? Why earings?

– Girls like ‘em.
– As if he fuckin’ knows what girls like.

Just look at the price.

The ones counting their dough these days
don’t even know how to write.

Well, OK.

But if you’re not going to teach,
why should you bother to learn?

‘Cause those who read and write,
stand last in line for bread.

Some don’t even stand in that line.

Good day, teacher.

So there’s this equation:

Authority equals the amount of dough
plus the correct use of it.

– How much for the Unlimited poster?
– Original. Twenty.

– Where’d you get the jacket?
– Moms bought it.

– Genuine or fake?
– Genuine pigskin.

– What’s so funny?
– Nothin’.

Check it out.
Why the crowd?

Just don’t cum on the cards.

Where’d they get them panties?
Our girls don’t wear those.

Whose undies you lookin’ at?

I’ve seen ‘em.

Yeah right, you saw…

Yeah, on vacation.
In the country.

Maybe you were lookin’ at your granny’s undies?

Seriously?

Whatever, you don’t know her.

So what kind of panties did she have?

You know, like granny curtains,
with strawberries.

– With strawberries?
– Yep.

And under the panties?

Now I gotta tell you everything?

You messin’ with me?

You wanna take ‘em?

As if I haven’t seen it all.

Hey, some help?

Can’t you just throw it back?

You need a massage as well?

You’re not at home, ya hear?

You want your balloon. Come and get it!

– Listen, bitch.
– Piss off!

– Chill, there’s six o’them.
– And they’re wussies.

– Bring the ball now, faggot!
– Fuck off!

– Bitch, get over here!
– What the fuck!

I yell whatever –
as long as it sounds like a war cry

and I look like some ragin’
half-soused cretin.

Sure, we could hear oaths of all kinds,
how they’ll catch us, do us in.

That we don’t know what we got ourselves into.

But it was just empty words
to make ‘em feel better.

Hello, Rimantas.

Oh, hi.

Full of himself.

What are you watching so late?

The German channel.

It’s not for grown-ups?

Well, I’m no kid.

I’m studying German.
It helps me remember the words.

Sure, a real German.

Huddle up!

You got your mom’s note?

They selected me
as the best of my age,

but age don’t matter here.

When you’re used to being a bulldozer,
here you bounce off like a wood flake.

Your sense of how hard you are
takes a hit.

As soon as you touch the ball,
you’re on the ground.

But wait, you need to get it first.

‘Cause sometimes you’re runnin’
and it’s like you’re wearing

an invisibility cloak.

There were some guys
I passed to, like it or not.

Hands shaking,
But ya gotta hold your shit, make the pass,

‘cause it seems they’re connected,

last names like
Šiaulys, Baranauskas,

maybe it’s the same dudes
that got Šiauliai shakin’ in its boots.

So, training’s good, markets‘re good,
but without a chick you’re just a kid.

And I got to thinkin’
it’s time to storm that castle

you know, like some medieval knight.

Hi. Where to? Home?

Hi.

Music school.

Hey, remember, last year, my b-day,
you gave me your photo?

I went to the photo studio too,
made a photo.

I was thinkin’, you could come over,
I’d sign it.

The ‘rents are in the country.
Want some juice?

Yeah.

You won’t tell Mindė?

Why Mindė?

Promise.

Give my tooth.

What?

What’s wrong?

This your first time?

Why you askin’?

Get dressed, quick!

Edita, get dressed!

Rimantas?

Why you sittin’ there?

– Is someone…
– Open the door!

Good Lord! Child, you’ve gone mad.

Edita, get dressed and go home.

Edita, get dressed and go.

Do you have any brains at all?

How’re we supposed to visit
the Glaveckas family now?

They don’t know.

Don’t know.

You invited her?

Well, yeah. You told me to be nice to her.

I meant a nice friendship.

You could warn us before inviting her
at the beginning of a relationship.

There’s no relationship.

There isn’t?

No, there isn’t!

It was too late for moral lessons.
So the chat was a little abstract.

They told me I’m an idiot,
and I’m putting them in an awkward position.

What position?

They told me I’m an ass.
I’m tryin’ to ruin my life.

But it seems to me I was tryin’ to begin it.

They asked
how I was goin’ to raise a child,

So I have to fight for my right
to want a girl?

This’s somethin’ bad?

So what’s good then?

You can sit at home and do your homework
until you graduate.

OK, so I’ll finish school
and I’m gone that same second.

Rims, pass, pass!

Good.

– Let’s go!
– Come on, Rims, pass!

Good job!

You need a little more contact,
but super!

– You know about the Kaunas match?
– Sure.

You’re playin’ number 8.

Me?

Try it on.

For me?

You play OK, you can stay.

Thank you.

So it didn’t work out with the girl,

but it’s not like I’m gonna stay home
and jerk off.

You gotta reach for somethin’ more serious.

– Back already?
– Yeah.

What are you doing?

Listening to music.

I’ll take a look later.

Yeah, take a look…

School’s OK?

OK.

And rugby?

Well, good.

According to the Soviet scholar, A. Svedušius,

the upper vaginal vault is especially sensitive
for 19% of women.

You left your book.

I’ve already read it.

And what the heck is a vault?

Erotical arousal can also be achieved by the use
of rhythmical music, such as Ravel’s Bolero…

– What?
– Bolero.

Stravinky’s The Rite of Spring,
and look, Bizet’s ballet Carmen.

– Bizet
– [Good day.]

– [You have kielbasa?]
– [I’ve got kielbasa.]

Mindė!

[I’ll help.]

[Let’s see, come on.]

– [20, yes?]
– Yeah.

Hurry up.

Look, let’s try here?

Fool, let’s go to the real market.
They can pack us in here.

Don’t pee your pants.
Who’s gonna pack us in?

There’s always a first time.

Well, for the first time
there’s gotta be blood on the sheets.

Sure, tell me about sheets.

OK, OK.
I’ll get some change.

How much for sausages?

Five each.

From where?

The country.

What country? Chernobyl?

You got papers?

These aren’t mine. I was walkin’ by,
and my buddy asked me to stand here.

– So I’m standin’.
– Your buddy.

What’s your buddy’s name?

Papers and ID.

I left them at home.

Address and telephone.

We’ll have a chat with your mom.

Maybe don’t tell my mom?

Mom’s really sick.

Government meds
are running out,

So we gotta buy commercial,
and you know those rates.

And my dad’s an alky.

– Every cent my mom makes he drinks away.
– OK, OK.

Just think about it:
how can we get by?

I’m like a father and a mother to them.
I gotta bring home the bacon.

Fuck! You brought a cookie!

Gimme that white ass!

Rimantas Kmita. Write the address.
Write it!

– I’m gonna have a good time.
– Rimantas Kmita!

So it’s pretty clear now,

no dough, no jacket,
no boombox,

not even a decent girl,
not anytime soon, anyway.

What’re you losers lookin’ at?

OK, next. Again. Good.

That’s good.

– You choose…
– We’ll take the ball.

What side do you want?

– This one.
– Here?

OK. Good match!

– Honor the opposing team!
– Hurrah!

– 1,2,3
– Wheels!

Harder, harder!

Rimants, go, go!

Let’s go! All the way!

Come on.

The new Wheels player, R. Kmita
played well.

– He was…
– Let me…

…the highest scorer in the match.

Hi.

Hi.

It’s my b-day tomorrow.
I came to invite you.

You’ll come?

I’ll come, if nothing comes up.

What’s this?

Edita’s b-day is tomorrow.
I’m writing her a card.

Here.

This is an article about me.

My coworkers started to praise me.
Rimantas is doing well – he’s in the paper.

I called the coach, asked him
who allowed you to play.

He said, “You wrote the note.”

Were you planning to tell me?

That I won? Or I play for Wheels?

You want to end your life in a wheelchair?

And you want me to sit at home all my life?

I don’t want you getting hurt.

Play something else, just not rugby.

Well sure, but I’m no Sabonis.

If I always play with the juniors,
I’ll never get anywhere.

I don’t want you on the men’s team.

Play basketball!

Maybe I shouldn’t cross the street.

And I could choke if I eat.

If you played basketball,
we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Sure, they’ll never show us on TV.

They won’t chant, “Lithuania!”

But that means I can’t play rugby?

I can’t try to be the best I can be?

I play, Mom, ‘cause I want to achieve somethin’.

It’s not just to pass the time.
That’s the difference.

Next time you need a note,
talk to me.

Look, look, the Jordan of Šiauliai!

Look at you, bitch,
dressed all nice.

Cut the crap.

You want some Crown Royale?

You takin’ it to the Glaveckas’?

A little pick me up, with juice.

Pick you up for what?

You know, she’s got the pad.

– So.
– So?

– So.
– Whatever.

Listen, what’d you get her?

That bling we picked up in Riga.

– Seriously?
– Why? Still a whole bag left.

– What?
– Nothin’.

– Good luck and lots’a dough.
– Thanks.

– Hi.
– Hi.

– Hi.
– Have a seat.

O look, Mindė, Olivier salad!

I haven’t eaten Olivier salad
in a million years.

I’ll sit by the cookies.
I need some calories…

Oh, I took your place.
Sit, sit!

Maybe I’ll fit.
My butt’s not that big.

Are we gonna read the newspaper now?

Will Wheels win the cup
for a tenth time in a row?

Remains to be seen.

Get outta here, Jordan. Word.

Let me see!

But you’re not here.

Yeah, that’s Danny and Tommy.

They were on the bench.

– Yeah.
– Yeah.

Word. The journalists took the wrong pictures.
Rimants Kmita.

Looks like you don’t know each other.

Let’s lift a glass to our neighbor!

Tell the person next to you your name.

Then they have to say something
that begins with that same letter.

Maybe we should build a sand castle too?

– Hi, I’m Edita.
– Well, hi. I know that.

No, you have to say something that begins with “e”.

I’ll borrow that. Hi.

– Erotica.
– Mindė!

– Hi.
– Oh, Monika.

Monika, my pleasure.

Now let’s play another game.

Take some paper. Write your name on one,
a body part on another, an action on a third.

Then we draw them out one by one
and do those things with that person.

Take one, Edita!

– Rimants.
– I knew it.

Knew what?!

Shoulder.

Bite.

Ow, damn!

Hey, what’re you doing?
My turn.

No, mine.
Whoever gets bit gets to go.

– One at a time.
– Yeah, one. Monika.

Let’s see… ear.

Cuddle.

Can we?

OK. Here’s another game.

Let’s see who can stand longest on a sheet of paper.

Well, this is harder.

Stand.

Stand, stand.

OK, you can let go now.

Oh, Bach’s Seagull.
I just read it.

Edita, you liked it?

Not really.

I read that too.
Loved it.

– Are you serious?
– Well, yeah.

Mindė read it too.
He loved it.

Right, Mindė?

Yeah, we read it together.

Good book. Really.

Rimants, can you come
help me a bit?

I’ll help. Just a sec.

I’m going to watch the German channel..

Hold on.

Ask for Monika’s number.

Get out, you nuts?

Come on…

Ask. For yourself.

I said, that’s it.
And don’t come back.

Hold on, can you give me Monika’s number?

What?

Listen. Come on. Give it.

You, do you have any idea
how many books she reads?

– So what?
– And how many languages she knows?

And what school she goes to?

That her parents are the best doctors
in Šiauliai. Did you know?

– So what.
– So that.

That blue sky is not for you.

Whatever.

Coats go in the coatroom.

It’s not a coat.

Look, do you have this book, Seagull?

Jonathan Livingston?

Something like that.

– You have a card with us?
– No.

Why not?

We’ll register you,
then you can come more often.

One seagull really liked to fly.

The others all tell him
to worry about food,

giving him a hard time, but he
just wants to fly and do tricks in the sky.

OK, I think, so fly,
seagull, and don’t eat.

My mother also doesn’t let me play.

She tells me nothing comes from it,
no food on the table.

So why do we play?

Why does this seagull like flying so much?

We play ‘cause it’s fun.
What do I know?

It’s not b-ball. We won’t be stars,
pullin’ in the chicks.

Everyone wants us gone, like
we’re wild boars or somethin’

just tearing up the grass.

Now, if I need to write some theme for school,
I’ll write about rugby.

That’s why I’m like Jonathan Seagull.

– Hi.
– What’s up?

Came to watch.

Cool. Didn’t know you like rugby.

It’s cool you won.
Congrats.

Thank you.

There should be photos in the paper again.

What’re you doing later?

I don’t know. Nothing.

Maybe you wanna come over?

Tomorrow.

We can talk.

Maybe not a bad idea.

So I’ll swing by,
if nothing comes up.

– OK.
– OK.

If nothing comes up…

– What’re you lookin’ at?
– A happy place.

– What’s wrong?
– Nothin’.

You know who came
to my rugby match?

– Yeah?
– Monika.

The one from Edita’s birthday.

So I’m goin’ on a date with her.

Hey, can you lend me your jacket?

She came on her own.

You know, I read in this mag

that Bruce Lee wrote poems
and meditated.

– Ya hear?
– Yeah, yeah.

And all those poems and meditations
helped him be a karate star.

So I started checkin’ out
what’s up with these poems.

Isn’t this a little tight?

So Bruce, he says,
you have to be like water.

That’s not bad.

– Water?
– Yeah, ‘cause water is like the weakest.

But no one can defeat it. Get it?

Didn’t Van Damme write
you have to be like Crown Royale?

Listen, don’t cum in your pants here.

– Your moms bought this?
– Doesn’t matter.

Put it on, play some music,
and relax.

– Who’s stressed out here?
– OK, OK, Jordan!

It’s my tape inside – meditative Enigma.

OK, Bruce Lee, let’s see
if your tricks are worth anything.

What do you want?

It’s for me.

To do homework.

Hi.

– You brought the book?
– Yeah.

Rimants, Darius – my brother.

Come in.

You’re a little early.

– This’s for you.
– Thank you.

Gimme a sec’.
In here.

I’ll bring some pie.

– Who’s that clod?
– Just don’t start.

– Does Dad know who’s come crawling over?
– Chill! He’s a classmate from school.

– Yeah, for delinquents.

– What are you on? Get out!
– Yeah, I’m off.

– Where you goin’? You said you’re off!
– I’m making sure nothing leaves with the gangster.

What? Shit! Darius!

Here you are.

Something wrong?

Nothin’.

You like horses?

Stallions.

OK, stallions.

There’s a big difference.

Horses work. Stallions are free.

Like seagulls.

Why seagulls?

Well, you like that
Jonathan Livingston.

Oh, well, yeah.

Hello!

Well, what? Nothing…

– You afraid I’ll poison you?
– What?

Well, no.

So even rugby players read.

Sure, a lot.

What do you think,
we’re some kind of dodos?

You have to think strategically in rugby.
You have to get your head right.

It’s not like that American footie
where you put a helmet on your head,

and try to bash through a wall like some moron.

And the coach is always tellin’ us
that rugby will make real people out of us.

So, did it?

I don’t know yet,
but it doesn’t make us worse. That’s a fact.

Later, fuck!

So what kinds of books do you like?

All kinds. Depends on my mood.

You play guitar?

Violin, really,
but I wanna learn guitar.

Violin’s not really for me.

So why do you play it then?

My parents want me to finish music school.

So they play, sing,
do somethin’ with music?

No.

They must go to concerts.

For the New Year.

So why’re they so hot
to make you a musician?

Well, not a musician, a person.

You know, a cultured human being
is supposed to understand music.

And they say it’s good for posture.

Sure, you have to stand up straight…

And what do your parents do?

Heal people.

Especially me and Darius.

Where are they now?

In rugby, you can spend ten minutes
pushin’ and shovin’ by the try line.

It looks like you’ll get it in. A meter, half.
And the ref calls for another scrum at five meters.

You go again. You push your way up.

In that mess of hands, feet, bodies
someone manages to stick the ball over the line,

but the other team gets a hand under the ball
just where it’s supposed to touch,

and the ball doesn’t end up
on the ground.

Listen, you ever read The Idiot?

The smallest gap is still a gap.

And overcoming that gap
that almost wasn’t, isn’t easy.

I returned that.
Maybe you have The Idiot?

Dostoevski?

I think so.

– What?
– Nothin’.

But he just talks on his own.
What, you think he’s not lyin’?

You think being so simple is simple?

But there’s nothin’s simple ‘bout it.

– Who?
– Prince Myshkin.

– Oh, yeah.
– Yeah.

Imagine, he’s good
because he thinks everyone else is good.

Maybe.

OK, gotta go. Math class.

Can’t miss it.

Oh, have you read The Witch and the Rain?

– Here.
– Thank you.

– Thank you.
– Dudes, not so much!

Don’t be shy. Take one,
if you want.

I don’t want any sandwiches.

– What’re you reading?
– Nothin’.

– Rimants, you comin’ or not?
– Yeah.

…the national team was made up
mostly of the Wheels starting line-up…

What are you thinking?

– Oh, it doesn’t matter.
– Why?

Because I’m in love.

Yeah? And who do you love?

Dostoevski.

And maybe you too.

Five books in a month – not bad.

So did you really read them all?

Well, yeah.

So tell me, what is Sigitas Geda’s
Green Amber Necklaces all about?

Well, those are poems.

Poems about what?

About reincarnation.
Everything happens there at one time,

and in one place, the centuries mashed together
like in some centrifuge.

Give me your grade book.

I’m ready, Friday, 11:30 by the Šiauliai Hotel.

Oh, thank you.

Listen. Does your moms
have that Bizet or Bolero?

As if.

I need some classical music, man.

So you wanna show off with that chick?

Monika.

My meditational Enigma’s
not good enough?

I think the Glaveckas girl will have it.

Sure, maybe you wanna can go ask her?

What’s wrong?

Noodles no good?

– Don’t start!
– C’mon, be a mensch!

Don’t start, ya hear! No way!

Everyone says you have to think about
something else, then you’ll last longer.

But they don’t give any examples.

In that situation,
what am I supposed to think about?

Sausages? Books?

So I never understood how you’re supposed to
take your time, be in charge of the situation.

It’s like in rugby when you’re going for the zone
and everyone’s tryin’ to take you down.

You’re so close you can feel it…

like you’re already down for a try.

Just a second more and
all that tension turns into euphoria.

It’s like there’s this other stuff
goin’ through your veins,

and for a few seconds
you feel real happiness.

Listen, you lookin’ for some work?

Yeah, somethin’ simple
wouldn’t be bad.

It’s an easy gig.
Security at the Stables club.

You put in your hours and go home.

Twenty for the night.

OK.

That’s to start.

If the registers are full, and
it’s all good at the door, maybe thirty.

So if I go every weekend,
it comes out pretty good.

New Year’s Eve with my girl is coming
and I don’t wanna mess it up.

Get some kinda gift.

You wrote pretty well.

You like Mačernis?

I don’t know.

Well, if you didn’t know you wouldn’t write so well.

Maybe it just looks that way.

You’ve been writing well, lately,
reading a lot.

Maybe you’re really interested?

Maybe not.

Ya hear, Mačernis,
10 outta 10 for content?

Wait, don’t turn the page.

Normally, I wouldn’t buy
panties for Monika,

but the ad was all:
“Ladies and Gentlemen…”

So, it’s like they’re higher class panties.
Ladylike, worth every penny.

Good evening!

– Hello.
– Hello.

Come here a bit.

– You said you’re going to Mantas’s.
– Yeah, we’re going.

– Who’s he?
– A friend.

A friend?

Good evening.

Good evening.

What school do you go to?

PS 13.

Where do you plan to study after that?

Look, can you wait outside?

Sure.

I told you never to come.

But you didn’t show up.
I thought somethin’ happened.

What do I know?
I was waiting for half an hour.

You do that again
and you’ll wait a whole lot longer.

Take it easy.

So, I didn’t manage to figure out

who was busting the balls
of Monika’s dad more:

me or some guy Mants.

But that was nothing compared to
what was waiting for me when we got there.

It was jaw-dropping, but not ‘cause
we ended up in some kinda palace,

but because I’d seen that Mants before.

He’d chased me and Mindė around Southside
with some snot-faced losers.

Bring the ball, faggot!

I stood there stunned,
and couldn’t understand a thing.

Hey, Mants, this is Rimants.

Why is he here?
Why are we here?

Hello.

Mants.

Rims.

So, they’re classmates.

But, fuck me,
I’m really in the shit.

Everything OK?

Yeah, yeah.

This is Rimants.

This Mants must’ve been
some block of wood in his past life.

He was making me sick,
with his parents’ loot,

with all his classmates,
always chatting about hoops,

about unis in Ryga and Talin,
about where they’re applyin’,

What’s it to you,
where I’m going to uni?

So tell me those stories
about how everything depends

on a person’s talent and effort,

on study and work.

Gifts in the bag, everyone.

Put one in to get one.

Enough of that shit.

Everything depends on
how much dough your parents have.

Thank you. You’re not putting anything in?

I just have this gift for you.

That’s fine.

Whoever hasn’t yet –
in the bag, in the bag.

Too strong.

Let’s exchange gifts!

– I wanna give my gift to you.
– Thanks, but I put mine in the bag.

That was the plan.

It’s just for fun.

Yeah, I get it. Hold on.

For you.

You’re really something!

My friend’s a huge basketball fan.
He sees no future without the hoops.

He plays with the gang in the hood,
but the NBA is where he wants to land.

From the moment he wakes
he thinks of the basket he makes.

His arms and his legs are all ripped
he wants to fly like Marčiulionis.

He spends all his days on the court,
his arms are burning, everything hurts.

He’s captain of his high school,
and plays junior national’s too.

After university tournaments,
he’ll be called up to the pros.

He doesn’t care about Chicago.
Because Šiauliai is his home.

Šiauliai! Šiauliai!

The team of Šiauliai!

Then it’s on to the Kaunas Arena for sport,
the legendary Lithuanian basketball court.

He’ll dunk and he’ll swish all his shots,
Until he’s crushed his opponents.

Players get famous for puttin’ on a show.
and become brand names before ya know.

When he gets offered a contract for a mill’,
then he’ll know his dream’s become the real deal.

He’ll be free to choose whatever he likes,
change his green jersey for a pair of Nikes.

– What is it?
– What?

What’s wrong?

– You’re jealous?
– No way.

So you’re not jealous?

Mantas, that’s enough.

Mantas!

Listen, faggot, who let you take it?

Anyone else have any balls?

Time for you to go.

So let’s go.

You go alone.

Where’s Mindė?

[Good day!]

– Over here!
– Who’s all this?

Remyga’s peeps.
Met them at Goldy’s.

You’re gonna barf, idiot.

Is your ‘do just like Sam’s?

No, this is my hood.
This is my courtyard.

Hands off!

You’re a real UFO.

No, no.
You’re mixing me up.

I study at the business college.

Let’s go! Let’s go!

Happy New Year!

What’re you drinking?

Awesome!

What?

So Happy New Year!

You’ll freeze.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Jurga! Take it, and scream!

Bottoms up!

Happy New Year!

– Hello.
– Good day,

– Could I talk to Monika?
– Sure, right away.

Hey bouncer, do somethin’!

Listen, we don’t allow track suits!

Whatta you talkin’ about?
Everyone’s with track suits here.

Chill out!

– Thirty.
– Thank you.

And the key.

Gimme ten.

Monika!

Monika!

– Let’s go!
– Listen, Monika!

Let’s go, Ignore him.

I tried calling Monika,
but it was like hitting a wall.

I was thinkin’ of how to buy back the guilt
in front of her and her parents,

and even her classmates.

Really, just so she wouldn’t feel ashamed.

When I finally got though to her,
I talked her into meeting,

saying, why should we waste bucks
on a hotel,

when we really just need to talk.

Then we’ll see.

Why’d you wanna meet here?

What’s wrong?

This is the Stables.

And you like horses.

Stallions.

But I wouldn’t even keep a horse here.

Maybe we can just talk.

Sure, let’s talk.

I’m off to Scotland.

Scotland?

What’s up with Scotland?

Exams, gotta get ready for English.

You already speak it fine.
What else?

Look, I’m thinkin’ about my future,
not like you.

What about me?

I’ve got a job, makin’ some dough.
Isn’t that a future?

Look, if you’re pissed about New Year’s,
I’m sorry.

I gotta go.

Just like that?

Unlock it.

So when’re you leaving?

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow?
Can’t we say goodbye a last time?

I can get that hotel if you really want.

Just unlock it.

So why Monika was leaving

was harder to understand than Dostoevski.

It all seemed so simple:

she gets accepted and she goes.

But why her? Why now?

Why Scotland?

I’d like to have some answer.

Everything was like in a fog.
I couldn’t think straight.

As soon as I remembered Monika,
her scent made my head spin.

My head spins, my mouth salivates.

I got weak just thinkin’ ‘bout Monika.

I don’t usually feel weak,

unless I’m really sick.

So Monika is my disease.

A disease I want to live with.

Then I thought,
we’re not actually breaking up.

When she comes back, we’ll be together.

We’ll live together,
raise children together.

Who would like to represent the school
in the Šiauliai literary contest?

I don’t know any loser like that
in all of Šiauliai.

Whoever agrees gets two 10s.

A great opportunity to raise your grades
before graduation.

So what do we have to write about?

What do you mean? Whatever you want.
It’s literature.

You can write poems, fiction,
a play.

So the subject is open?

Well, yes.

OK, then, I’ll do it.
When’s the deadline?

Rims, you’re full of it!

Maybe you wanna be the next Baranauskas?

Maybe I will.
What’s it to you?

If someone asks if I have a girlfriend,
of course, I’d say, yes.

She’s just out of town for a bit.

Well, I can believe Bruce Lee
wrote poems, but you…

– What’s so funny?
– Nothin’.

But when she comes back,
I have to be ready.

So she’d be amazed at how I changed.

I felt no pressure from the classics.

I wasn’t worried about influences.

I felt like I had read almost everything,
so writing didn’t seem so hard.

Besides, how long could it take?

It’s harder to memorize a poem
than write a few stanzas that rhyme.

Something is always exchanged for something else.

What’s on TV today?

Snowflakes are falling from the sky
and a silly dog is trying to eat them.

Someone is waiting for the bus
late at night, but it won’t arrive.

A woman is standing by the street,
and she can’t cross to the other side.

Life flows quietly by.
Love can be strange, at times.

In other words, I got those two 10s,

and some totally worthless books.

I thought Monika
might take me more seriously now.

I’m not just a reader now,
but a writer.

Hey, Sam’s ‘do!

– Hi.
– Hi.

– What’re you doing here?
– Nothing, checking out the gigs.

Šiauliai is the Manchester of Lithuania.

– The what?
– Manchester.

– Why Manchester?
– What why?

Manchester also has a lot of bands
that blow you away.

And museums, theaters, you know.

All in one place.

- Not bad, lots of peeps here.
- Yeah!

Let’s go closer!

Let’s go!

About you oo!

About you oo!

About you oo!

About you oo!
Na na na!

Everything was shining
with all these new colors.

I didn’t want to be different,
wanted to be like everyone else.

Though you could probably tell I was different,

that I don’t really get the talk,
the music.

Ya hear?

Look!

There’s an opening tomorrow
at the photo gallery.

Maybe you wanna come?

Sure, OK.

– Cool.
– Cool.

I can’t make it.

– Cool.
– Cool.

– You said you don’t remember.
– Now I remember.

Still no letter from Monika.

I was a little upset. Is it so hard
to write a few words once you land?

Then I thought there must be so much
going on for her over there…

Better if I take care of my stuff
and my future.

So I wasn’t too worried
about going to the opening with Jurga.

I thought Monika would really like it
that I was getting into the arts.

Do you understand anything he’s sayin’?

Not even trying.

It’s all so deep and difficult,
a normal person has no hope.

So how do you know what has meaning
and what doesn’t?

After that, Jurga and I
would cruise around Šiauliai.

Everything was the same,
but I started to see things differently.

The same kiosks, marketplaces,
full of the same junk.

But in all of that,
you find a way into a different world.

– Look! Look!
– Well?

like some Alice in Wonderland.

Every spring
my soul gets dressed and goes out.

I always try to ask where it goes,
but it doesn’t know where, doesn’t know where.

– What?
– Nothin’.

This is good. An all-seeing maiden
has ritual carnal relations

with all the old gods of Samogitia.

Taken by Kęstutis on the wind-swept dunes…

– Is that your friend?
– Where?

There.
She just went by.

I probably read it funny.

You know, I also wrote some poems.

– You serious?
– Of course.

So tell me!

– Here?
– Yeah.

OK.

A mother was walking down the street with an umbrella.

When the rain came, there was nowhere to put it.

But she had an umbrella.

What?

It was like Jurga accepted the way I was.

I felt so free.

We could talk about anything,
like with a dude,

like with Mindė.

Well, Mindė found a new job,

so he got me involved.

I couldn’t say no.
I needed some relief from all the drama.

and pullin’ in some dough
is always good.

What’re you reading?

This Erlickas.

Heard of him somewhere.
What does he write?

Poems. Fiction.

Like Bruce Lee, yeah?

Sort of, yeah.

Was I thinkin’ about Monika?
Sure, I was thinkin’,

but everything was like through a fog.

Well, just think about it,

if I go outta the country
with the rugby team, and don’t even call…

Close your eyes. Don’t look!

Now you can look.

Now this is the crown
for the best poet of Šiauliai.

– Show me!
– Don’t look!

Even though I could still see before my eyes
when Monika was playin’ Metallica on the guitar,

I began to feel like
Jurga could really be

my backup girlfriend.

That’s good.

– Similar.
– Yeah?

I was used to having a Plan B.

THE BEST POET OF ŠIAULIAI
RIMANTAS KMITA

Good evening!

Tell me, where can I change money
here in Šiauliai?

Well, no one’s open at this hour.

Thanks.

What currency do you wanna change?

Dollars to Litas.

How much?

Twenty.

Hold on.

I can change it.

But at night rates.

Night rates?

For three.

It looked like my dreams were coming true.

The best things come
when you least expect them.

Like with Monika. We met, we went out,
and everything was simple and clear.

Rimants, lose that hat!

I can’t coach, earache.

You gonna play the match with that?

Well, it’s a crown, not a hat.

Uh-huh, sure.

OK, two on one.

So there’s this event in Šiauliai
called, “Best Legs Contest.”

I heard these chicks go show off
in front of the dudes.

So they can be on TV.

This is for you.

For what?

For your pretty legs.

OK,

If I win, then I’ll buy us tickets
to the Love Parade.

OK, then the hotel’s on me.

We won’t need a hotel.

A sleeping bag will do.

OK, gotta run.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!

Good evening, Šiauliai!

When Jurga decided to do this,
I was a little taken aback.

She said it was just for fun,

and for the dough.

So I understood,
but I wasn’t about to miss

seeing her without
her second-hand clothes.

Just for fun.

The most marvelous legs
for your eyes only!

And when Jurga came out,
and I saw her for the first time

without those granny shirts
and ripped jeans,

I felt the heat rise though my body.

To tell the truth, I was afraid
of when she gets down from the stage

and I would have to say
something more than “congrats.”

I stood there, my heart pumping away,

wondering about my Plan B.

Was Jurga really my Plan B?

And now, after the heated deliberations
of our committee,

let’s hear some applause
for the owner of the most marvelous legs,

Number 11, Jurga Jurgita!

How do you feel?

Good.

Would you like to say anything
to the committee or the public?

I don’t know. Thank you.

The prize will be given by the committee chairman!
Stage, please!

[500 litai for cosmetics]

Well, congrats.

Thanks. But look, no dough.

What am I gonna do with all this nonsense?

I parade myself in front of everybody like some cow,
and they can’t give me any real dough?

Everyone’s just staring at you for your legs.

Not everyone.

What’re you doing here, brat!

Hey, don’t touch him, OK?

What’re you doin’ here?

Mantas!

– This your girlfriend?

We’re going!
Mantas!

– Let go! Don’t touch ‘im!
– What? I let go!

Let’s go, quick!

Wait a sec, let’s talk.

Somewhere else, the others’ll catch up.

Fuck them.
I’m talkin’ to you.

Either you hurry up, or you can go back
and fight all you want.

I’m headin’ home.

So why didn’t you write or call?

You dyed your hair?

You look different too.

You go to discos now?

A friend invited me as a joke.

Love you.

What the fuck!

Shit, Mindė.
Listen, what happened?

Piss off.

An hour ago, some punk-ass hoodlums came
and took all the money.

How much?

Much, much. If you came on time
we could’ve fought back.

But you’re just drooling over chicks, yeah?

Shit, man, Monika came back.

Sure, and now Monika.
Stop fuckin’ with me!

Shit, we ran into each other at Rainbows.
I got no clue what’s goin’ on here.

You hear yourself? You said
you’re goin’ there with Jurga.

Now look at our losses ‘cause of you.

Yeah, I went with Jurga.
Then I ran into Monika.

She came back from Scotland.

What Scotland?

Your Monika was always in Šiauliai.

What’re you talkin’ ‘bout?

Edita told me.

What’re you fuckin’ talkin’ a’bout?

Ask her yourself.

That fuckin’ Edita’s always full of it.

OK, listen, clean this up.

I’m goin’ to call the florist.

Were you in Scotland or not?

You scared me.

– You’re acting wild.
– I’m asking, where you in Scotland?

No.

So there’s nothin’ to say.

I love you.

– Sure you do.
– You want, I’ll jump out the window.

– What window?
– You want me to?

– I’ll shave it off.
– Shave what off?

– I’ll do anything.
– What’re you talkin’ ‘bout?

Wait! Ya hear?

Let’s go to my place?

Your parents are home.

What’re you afraid of?

I’m not afraid.

You wanna meet them?

– Maybe.
– Let’s go.

Let’s go.

– This is Rimantas.
– Good day. Bon apetit.

Thank you.

– Will you join us?
– No, we’ll be in my room.

– Maybe some dessert?
– Thank you.

Later.

– Did you take my Tetris?
– Get out of here.

Maybe we should go for a walk?

I was waiting for your letter
every day, like some dumbass.

And she’s cruising around Šiauliai
the whole time,

and I’m the only one who doesn’t know.

I was cruising between home and school.

My parents were all over me.

I know it was wrong.

But I didn’t know what do.

– Don’t be mad.
– I’m not mad.

My kitty-cat came back.

She’s different, bolder.

Even though this was her first time away,
it looks like it was for the best.

It’s good she understands
she can’t live without me,

and what she really feels for me.

I was a little worried about Jurga,
but there was nothing serious between us anyway,

so what was there to worry about?

In other words, everything was falling into place.

Ya hear?

Just a sec.

Well.

Hello.

Hello.

Shit, whore, fuck off!

What happened to your face?

– Nothing.
– Show me.

It’s nothing, Mom.

Come if your mom says so.

Good Lord, sweetie,
how did this happen?

In the bushes.

So they don’t let you practice
in the stadium anymore?

I’m not talkin’ about rugby –
the bushes.

What bushes?

I was looking for my wallet
and got scratched up.

Uh-huh, and how did that get there?

Some idiot threw it there.

Did he take your money?

No, the wallet was empty,
just my ID and a bus ticket.

It’s OK, mom.

I don’t understand how we raised you,
you can’t behave or tell the truth.

Virgis!

O God, sweetie!

Jezz.

Does it hurt?

Oh, goodness!

It doesn’t hurt, Mom.

Yeah, it’ll be 200 at least.

Now what mattered was that
Monika wouldn’t see me like this,

and that Dad wouldn’t have to hawk
his Opel Ascon for that tooth.

Did it hurt?

No, look, just like new.
An even better tooth.

I’m sorry.

What about?

– I hate ‘im.
– Who?

My bro, for that tooth.

Forget your bro. Like I said,
the tooth is even better now.

So let’s go live in Vilnius.

– Seriously?
– Yeah.

We’ll rent a little flat.

Listen,

maybe we could live together in the dorm?

What’s the difference?
The ‘rents’ll still pay.

– Yours’ll pay.
– But we’ll live together,

won’t tell anyone,
no one to bother us.

You have to figure out
where you’re applyin’.

I did.

Lithuanian.

Philology? You?

Here.

Antanas and his Records

Antanas broke all the records.

He ran the 100 meter dash.

Even in the rain.

He did the long jump.

In the fog.

But breaking things isn’t nice,
even if it’s a record.

The records broke back
over Antanas’s entire life

one beautiful, silent night.

The stars were shining up high, high.

The fish were sleeping down deep.

Is that it?

Well?

What do you think?

Well, it’s interesting.

Cool.

What’s so funny?

What does it mean?

What meaning do you need?

The stars up high, the fish down deep.

And you somewhere in the middle,
you’re toothless, broken up.

I like it.

A couple Širvenos, a couple Kunigaikščių,

and a bag.

And a Bond.

– Look, Jurga. Jurga!
– Don’t yell, dummy.

What’s up?

Nothin’, just catchin’ some rays.

Whatcha got there?

A head.

Human?

Well, yeah.

Listen, ya wanna beer?

No.

– OK, then.
– OK.

Here, hold it!

Fuck, it’s good we managed
to make some dough on the side.

Now I’ve got this new investment plan.

You and your investments.
You know how that turns out.

Oh, yeah?

Well, I think last time was all your fault.

– Is that right?
– That’s right.

So, why you tryin’ to get me involved
in all your little deals.

You don’t actually need it.

What are talkin’ about?

I just like makin’ dough.
It’s like a sport.

– How long did you know

without telling me
that Monika was in Šiauliai?

I felt sorry for you.

– What the fuck? He felt sorry…
– What the fuck what?

Look, I was sick and tired
of you and that Monika. Get it?

Just don’t barf on yourself.

So what’s the plan now?

– The plan?
– Yeah, investment.

I’m thinkin’ we take that dough
and order us some sweaters.

Then we put names on them,
you know, Ghoul instead of Gucci,

and Suck instead of Chanel.

Then we sell them in Krasnoyarsk…

As usual, Mindė was puttin’the pedal
to the metal as only he knew how.

I could understand him
lookin’ at business as a sport,

but why Krasnoyarsk dunderheads
were supposed to buy Ghoul sweaters,

only Mindė could understand that.

This wasn’t Bruce Lee’s poetry anymore,
but an art form all his own.

Just take my share
and do what you need to do.

Here, c’mon.

The time has now come,

when you finally show us
what you learned in those 12 long years.

But there’s no need to worry.

Dig into your subject.

Write in clear, short sentences.

Don’t look at your friends.

Believe in your own abilities.

Good luck to everyone.

Well, luck was a fitting subject here.

But it seemed simple enough.

I just needed to pass Lithuanian,
get into philology,

and find a dorm where I could live
in peace with my Monika.

– You won’t be cold?
– No.

I have another one.

So, you gonna read the paper?

They’re writing about your degenerate artist.

Whaddaya mean mine?

She’s just someone I know.

A real head, chopped off.

It turns out she took that head to a gallery,
did some kind of performance,

drew something or other,
then left the head in the gallery café.

Someone took it to the basement, then
someone found it and called the cops.

The buzz has started

It turns out she got that head
from the morgue.

Still, it was a dead person’s head anyway.

They were gonna throw it out eventually, right?

Come on, those artists aren’t right in the head.
It’s all nonsense.

And she’s just completely degenerate.

Maybe artists don’t have to be
like everybody else.

You’re on her side now?

I’m not on anyone’s side.

But take Bruce Lee.

Who would’ve thought
a karate guy writes poems?

– So.
– So?

So, it’s like no one thinks
a rugger can be a writer.

And that head? Maybe that’s grotesque.

But she didn’t do any harm
in taking it.

Welcome to the enttrance examination.

Just a few words.

You have received three texts,

and you have to choose one,
the one you understand, or like.

Then write your analysis.

You have exactly two hours.

Good luck.

I couldn’t remember where the prose came from,
so I had to choose the poem.

Morning comes on restless trains.

It’s light shines along the metal tracks.

Sky and forest and platform are all born,

where once there was just gorgeous darkness.

Well, you can’t write the poem is so perfect
that you don’t even know where to begin.

That restlessness got stuck in my head
‘cause I was just on a train like that,

and it messed with my mind.

This candy wrapper laughter.

This senseless Morse code.

The longer I sat
the less I could concentrate.

There didn’t seem to be any meaning to this.

Well, I don’t mean Radauskas’s poem.

Look, maybe this is OK.

I’ll just find a job here.

You’ll study, and I’ll work.

Next year, I’ll really get in.

OK.

OK.

You want a banana?

– O poet of Šiauliai.
– What?

– The poet.
– How’s it goin’?

– What?
– How’s it goin’?

Maybe let’s go outside to talk?

Let’s go out to chat.

Hey, you did pretty well organizing all this.

Pretty well? Come on!
It’s amazing, like somethin’ in Berlin.

Sorry I disappeared.

So where were you?

Studying.

Cool.

I heard you had some problems with that head.

Well, yeah.

Look, Jurga…

Hey, gotta light?

Maybe you wanna see my match tomorrow?

You can watch us crush Žalgiris.

You really gonna crush ‘em?

Really, you’ll see.

OK.

OK, then.

Who was crushin’ who
wasn’t so easy to see.

I couldn’t figure out
what was wrong with my game.

I was hopin’ Jurga would run up
and start cheerin’,

and everythin’ would fall into place.

But the opposite happened instead.

My legs were bucklin’, my arms heavy.

In the first half,
Jurga didn’t show.

We’ll have the wind now.
Kick it up and play in their half.

Don’t let ‘em kick!
It’s a scrum, don’t turn it!

Now the winger. Talk to each other,
stay with your man, don’t leave ‘em!

Rims, listen, don’t take the ball,
but hook in so we have more power.

Rims, listen!

Together! One, two, three! Wheels!

We never thought we would lose.

We were always men against boys.

We always won.

Not just won. Winning the league
was almost an insult,

‘cause no one was really in our league.

We were the first team,
the only team.

Then imagine the shame
when you get dumped on

like we dumped on everyone else.

No, I couldn’t imagine it.
It was beyond me.

All our earlier victories
started to seem embarrassing:

what good were they
when it’s like this now?

If each victory were important
everything would feel better,

and losing wouldn’t be
so hard to take.

Now I’m twitching around
like in some kind of rave.

Ista, ista, ista…

Look, how do you like this one?

Funereal.

You plan to graduate in a track suit?

– Mom!
– What about the red one?

Maybe the black.

You said no funeral.

OK, we’ll try this one on.

Fine, but then let’s agree – no tie.

The Lithuanian teacher tries to make you believe
that reading books helps you understand life.

But not really.

You live your life striving for something,
and then it’s all gone.

Suddenly, and with no explanation.

Now I really know: life is an idiot.

You walk up and it hits you in the teeth.

Just for fun.

But it wasn’t fun anymore,
just mud for brains,

anger and fear that you missed something.

And you did miss something,
‘cause life’s not just an idiot, but a phony,

a knock-off.

If you rewind the tape in your head,
you’ll finally understand,

all this time, you been livin’
in a world of phonies and fakes.

Maybe I was ready to accept
that everything here was fake.

Real things annoy us even more.

I could convince myself
it’s better that way.

You just make it all yourself, as you like it.

Mindė, you wanna take a pic?

Sure.

Dad!

You goin’ to Max’s today?

What, you wanna dance?

You wish.

– Thank you.
– Thank you.

– It’s too bad.
– So where’d you get in?

Law for me. Mindė’s
international relations.

Idiots.

And you?

Accounting.

– Ah, cool.
– Cool.

– Mindė.
– What?

Ah, OK, later.

Later.

What’re you lookin’ at?

Nothin’.

I wonder what panties she’s wearin’ today?

Granny curtains?
Or strawberries?

What’re you talkin’ about?

– You’re full of it.
– Forget about it.

So, you goin’ to Max’s today?

What else ya got?

My balls are all sweaty.

I’m goin’ commando.

Shit, Mindė.

By Kuršienai with sweaty balls.

We’ll soon storm their halls.

Listen, let’s make a poster:
Mindė without walls!

And Rims has no balls?

So, essentially, nothin’ happened.

I was always waitin’ for somethin’ to happen,

somethin’ to come along
and change everything.

It always seemed like I was the best
and would always win.

And now? What options did I have?

I’m off writing too.
Nothing doing there.

… It caresses my little boat,

tosses my dream to and fro.

Wherever you turn, night

covers your eyes,

covers the hope in your heart.

Hey, who do you plan to bury?

Who? Money, everything.

If they come lookin’,
there won’t be anything to take.

Put mine in too, then.

Wanna save the beer for tomorrow?

I want it now.

OK, then.

Shit, we forgot your boombox.

Consider it yours.

You can take it. I don’t need it.

– Serious?
– Yeah, serious.

I wanna live without noise.

Well, thank you.

Give it here.

Listen, how did that sweater business go
in Krasnoyarsk?

They took all the sweaters.

– Didn’t even get outta the train.
– Shit.

I’ll return your dough.

Forget it.

No, I’m serious.

I’m also serious.

I’m thinkin’ of headin’ for India.

What’re you laughin’ at?

I’m not laughin’.

Why India?

It’s interstin’.

Sit in silence.

Check out the hermits.

Study some Yoga.

Wanna go with?

Right.

I’m gonna try to get into Klaipėda,
heard they still have openings.

And what about Monika?

Monika’s in Vilnius.

So what about you?

Me – I’m Southside.

Listen, what about your Plan B?

Plan B went to the Love Parade.

Bruce Lee said you should be like water.

I was almost that.

And what of it?

Nothin’.

Everything just floated away.

Maybe you have a pen?

Forget it.

– Shit, the beer…
– Listen, listen!

I wanted it to be just us two.

But she said, “I’m through with you!”

I spun like a boat without a chart.

And hit back where it smarts.

then, she stabbed me in the heart.

So I tapped her on the shoulder

and said, “Try harder!”

With no way out, I tossed her

out to catch my breath.

And?

I don’t like death.

Yesss.