Original subtitles

On commission by the Pansovietic Artistic Association

"Videofilm" Goskino U R S S

L E N F I L M Third Artistic Association

With the participation of Interpromex

Sesil' Zervukaki

and with: Robert Vaab, Aleksandr Cerednik

Vjaceslav Rogovoj, Jurij Sternin

in a film by Aleksandr SOKUROV

SAVE AND PROTECT

bla bla

Screenplay: Jurij Arabov

Cinematography: Sergej Jurizditskij

Scenography: Elena Am�inskaja

Composer: Jurij Chanin

Please.

Don't you like it?

Then I'll suggest this one.

And this.

So.

Good. Very good.

Simply wonderful.

Do you have any books? Voltaire. Pushkin.

Here.

It's nothing.

I'll take it.

Perhaps I'll take this one.

This year,

we'll have a good harvest of carrots.

Let's hope there will be no drought.

What a strange people the Japanese are.

What is it?

- Here it is. - Did you plunder a tomb?

As a sign of regard toward your family.

Nothing more?

Should there be something more?

That fool of a dealer said that in phrenology

the skull is the most important part.

As usual he spoke nonsense.

The most important organ is the heart

or the soul.

I may be leaving.

When?

Soon. I want to enrol at the university.

Amazing.

Lord, save and protect.

I couldn�t find Pushkin.

Don't care about books.

Today I was rather looking for something refined

to give as a present.

Something elegant?

- Something personal. - Personal?

Then take my dressing gown.

- But no... - I've understood.

Understood.

Do you like this?

Are you sure it's something personal?

No, not personal at all! It's a carpet.

I'll take it.

Actually I wanted something... a map of Paris.

Paris.

I can give you the map of some other foreign capital.

Don't you want a map of Moscow?

No. Where is it?

On the other side.

Paris, Paris.

Go back to work.

How much do I owe you?

Can I pay now?

What bills?

This dress belonged to the deceased countess De Moncer

and has been described by the deceased Dumas.

It stayed buried with her for a hundred years.

It has been found and dried. The stains of blood have been cleaned

and now it looks like new.

Shall we take it?

It's OK, we saw it.

Let's show her the cloak worn by Frederick the Great

Of course, he didn't wear it when he died.

Come on, take it.

Don't you like it?

Just out of curiosity,

how much would it cost?

Just a trifle.

We'll settle up later.

Give it to your friend. In person.

Where can I put it?

Wherever you want. On the window sill.

I want you to have a memory left.

You are always working.

Married women don't get bored.

I'm leaving.

I will never forget you.

Do you remember how the song goes?

"We spend the night again in the twilight

between well taut ropes.

We are two on a wonky table

and we throw each other down."

The carpet you have sent to me...

I will take it with me to the grave.

Why?

Come on, hurry up.

Come on...

So what?

Good morning, doctor. I'm your neighbour.

That man is one of my workers. I don't think it's a serious disease.

It's as if I had ants walking all over my body.

It's not ants, my dear.

You need to have a bloodletting.

Sit down.

Take the basin. Hurry up.

I told you we have all to learn from the English... physiotherapy

- We should hurry up. - ..cornflakes.

A hot bath before going to sleep.

Horse riding...

Put it there. Lower.

Here it is, my dear.

See, doctor. I shiver and people move away.

They're not wrong. You have a horrible look about you.

Don't move the table.

Understood?

The eyes are clear.

Don't stand behind me.

Don't blow smoke on me.

That's it.

It's all right.

It's really red, doctor.

- And so what? how should it be? - It's not a good sign.

He fainted again. Shut up or you�ll faint too.

Fetch vinegar.

Fast, fast. He's weak.

It stinks of blood.

And yours doesn't?

We should help her.

How is he?

He's weak.

So?

Don't worry.

It's all right.

Stupid!

What kind of a nephew are you!

For a simple phlebotomy!

What if it was a sarcoma surgery? Shame on you!

You are brave, lady.

My wife never suffered dizziness.

It's uncommon for a lady.

How much do I owe you?

Nothing. I don't take money for phlebotomies.

I can't accept it. I always pay for everything.

Since you are so conscientious,

come visit us and tell us something. My wife will love it.

With pleasure. Come on, what are you doing sitting there?

Thank you. Doctor.

It's plainly apparent that he's a nice person.

Do you know what? To me you have a slightly bent foot.

It's not severe, but it's clear.

This is for you.

To me...

To me it's valgus.

Did you see? Let's go.

Podus equinum.

You are sick and it hurts.

You are so sick that only urgent surgery can save your life.

Don't breathe.

Don't be afraid, it doesn't hurt.

It's as if a callus of yours were cut.

You've been unlucky.

Who is he?

I won't come to you anymore.

But why?

Because my man let his blood be taken

but I wouldn't let mine.

Do you fear doctors?

Don't you fear them?

I fear nothing and no one.

Unfortunately you don't live in England.

They gossip, make conversations...

There are articles and magazines.

I don't read newspapers.

It's a pity.

I subscribed to eight publications and three catalogues.

What are searching for?

The same as you.

Happiness.

Do you think happiness exists?

Sometimes, so it seems.

There is another reason that prevents me from coming to you.

Since the first time I saw you,

your name echoes incessantly in my soul.

This is too much.

If you only knew

how much I missed you in all this time.

Good morning, doctor.

Good morning.

I'm quite glad to see you.

Your wife didn't feel well.

Don't tell me. The province wears her out, her nerves are in tatters.

But there's a solution.

Horse riding is good for the nerves.

Great idea.

But you don't have horses.

It doesn't matter, I'll give you mine.

You can congratulate me, dear.

I overcame a clubfoot.

- Really? - Can you understand?

Our caretaker, Ippolit, has a twisted foot.

Don't my encounters with him seem strange?

I don't care about it.

Pure air and health are the most important things.

You have an extraordinary husband.

A month ago he came to my stable to take a mare

and every horse ran after him.

I didn't ever notice.

Then we should return. They could become overexcited.

Then what would happen?

Then I would throw myself under your hooves

and I would let you trample upon me till death.

I learnt sacrificial spirit from Mary Stuart.

Did you read the novel?

Did you read...

"Mary Stuart"?

Did you have a nice ride?

Yes.

But I'm really tired.

It's a healthy tiredness.

Sure.

I have a lover.

A lover, a lover.

I have a lover. A lover.

A lover.

- Has the surgery already begun? - Not yet.

Not yet.

Are there many mice here?

Yes, but we poison them.

There are many in my place as well. What can be done?

Poison them.

What is there in that vessel?

- In which one? Lungs. - No, in that one.

- Here? The heart of a dwarf. - My God!

The heart of a dwarf?

- Here inside? - You can't.

- It's arsenic for mice - Arsenic for mice.

- Be careful. - Be careful.

- Close the door. - I forgot it.

Shall we go?

Little blood.

You should be on a diet. No meat.

Little blood.

No meat.

Why are you here? Are you crazy?

What do you have in the blanket?

A dagger or a gun?

A gun... In case I meet your husband.

"In case I meet your husband."

Wait a moment.

- You smell like a horse. - I rode a stallion.

- Did it he unseat you? - He did.

Why don't you write me letter?

Write and do it often.

- Won't your husband read them? - No.

He cares only about our children.

Or rather our son, Nicola.

What are you saying? What son?

The one that will be born from our wedding.

Now confess,

do you see me or do you hear me?

- Both. - Answer, please.

Don't torture me.

You know I lost my mother a long time ago.

and I've been on my own for a long time.

- You talk too much. - Wait, wait.

- Stop it. - Wait, wait...

You'd better listen to the voice of nature.

It's the world's soul shouting.

It says there's too little love in the world.

And that if we would stop loving each other,

the world's soul will die and all will go to ruin.

Swear that you love me more than your horses.

Mom!

My God!

This is my monograph on your surgery

for the association of Petersburg Medicine lovers.

- For what reason? - "Regardless of prejudices

and the unstable oil prices,

culture begins to spread amidst our remote province.

One of our eminent doctors..."

- It's too much. - Get dressed.

Get dressed.

"He undertook the hopeless task of correcting the foot

of our ex caretaker Ippolit.

Owing to this, the shoe of the corrected foot will wear out less..."

- Give it to me. - Dear, I'm proud of you.

It's too much for me.

You are crazy.

"Shoes will wear out less"! It's crazy.

Hold it. Hold the foot.

Let go.

It hurts.

Does he breath?

He doesn't.

My God!

Help me! Help me, damn you!

Look.

Confess, Ippolit. You ate meat.

You ate meat!

We warned you.

You shouldn't have eaten meat, not even meat broth.

Don't move.

Is there a doctor in our district?

There is, but he is a conservative.

- We have to write to him. - We will.

All right, I'll write to him.

Leave me, I'm tired.

Leave me.

You are a weak man! I thought you were different from the others.

A coward, too.

I just came to ask you where we could go in your opinion.

To Rome, of course.

Do you have any relatives there?

The Pope is there. He will grant me a divorce.

Sorry, dear. I don't love the Pope.

I dressed like a roman woman. Give me a cigarette.

Did you ever smoke?

No.

I think that the departure idea is a very smart one.

The Pope will be enraptured.

We first have to arrange everything, reserve a hotel room,

decide the itinerary, ask for the passports...

I want to live.

- Live. Do you understand? - Me too.

- See you tomorrow, dear. - Yes, go away.

- I lost my scalpel. - This is from my master.

I'm feeling the ants on my body again.

My husband can't cure you anymore.

I heard that our neighbour has left.

He went to Rome.

Exquisite. Taste it.

Sure

It seems he has been invited by his cousin.

He got ready and left. It seems he has no intention of coming back.

Yesterday we left each other very tenderly

Finally I finished at the university.

You know, I loved you so much.

Yes, it's so.

Someone in the orchestra is out of tune.

Do you remember when you sang together:

"..Between well tightened strings".

However, someone in the orchestra is out of tune.

Maybe it's because he directs without a score.

It's a pity.

Dear, you can stay, if you want.

- Enjoy the opera. . When can she return?

She can return the day after tomorrow.

But no, really,

you'll get bored with me.

People living in the capital

usually despise provincials.

Provincial people don't perhaps have a soul

receptive to spiritual pleasure?

I thought I was to die this winter.

Were you sick?

Yes, but I don't think this would interest you.

Why not?

During the years spent studying

I've only been thinking about the peacefulness of the tomb..

"Don't you break my soul".

I love you.

I don't believe you.

I don't believe anyone anymore.

I still have only debts.

Who cares if desires and dreams have grown cold.

Maybe you are cold, but I'm still alive.

Oh, it's late. We forgot the show.

I have something very important to tell you.

I beg you, just one more meeting.

But I have to return... I have to return tomorrow.

I beg you, just one more meeting.

All right.

- Tomorrow - I'll come whenever you desire.

At 11 o'clock. In the cathedral.

It's a letter that says we should never see each other again.

Under this rough tombstone rests someone's remains.

There's no better way to represent the world's frailty

than with a sculpture of a woman crying on her knees.

She is his wife, Diana de Poitier.

Countess de Br�z�, Duchess of Valentinois.

My advice is to see the spire too.

It's 240 meters tall.

On the northern door of our temple,

you can admire the resurrection

and the judgment of sinners.

Another patient of your husband is dead.

I know everything.

He had rheumatism and I cured it as gout.

What beautiful flowers.

Yes, they are really beautiful.

Where did you buy them?

How old was your patient ?

Forty-five.

All right, dear. The dead can't be brought back to life.

Did you listen to the opera till the end?

How did it end?

Lucia fell from the stage.

- Were you sorry about it? - Yes, a little.

Most of all it made me think that I...

I'd be glad if you studied music.

It's not easy to find a music teacher here.

Why here?

Aren't there good music teachers in other cities?

But then you'll stay alone once a week.

Patience.

Yes, be patient

and everything will be all right.

I need money.

- Will you bring me my linen and money? - I have no money.

Are music lessons so expensive?

It's not your business.

Do you know how much my relations with Hong Kong cost me?

It's time to square things up.

My temples throb if I think of how much you owe me.

Do you want to ruin me?

Ruin me. Ruin me.

Don't you shout.

Then buy the morphine from me.

- You can keep it. - You don't want to.

You're not helping me. You are wrong.

I understand you very well but I have no money.

Perhaps you don't have cash but you have houses.

- You can sell them. - Which houses?

The house we are in now

and the house inherited from your respectable husband.

You can mortgage that one and sell this one.

I have four bills of exchange and one more can be forged.

I know someone. He is a fraudster, of course

but he's genius in such things.

He will deduct these bills

from your debt.

What debt?

Ah, I understand.

This will stay between us, won't it?

Where did you get all that money?

I'm enormously rich.

Rich.

- Later. - Put them on the table.

- There. - Later.

Then bring some more fruit and wine.

and leave them behind the door.

My God!

What happens? What's up?

There must have been a misunderstanding, dear.

That merchant came and showed me a bill you signed.

- One? - Yes, but one for a thousand roubles.

Considering our expenses, it's not that much.

Yes, but I haven't yet paid the fine for the mistreatment.

And then there is this thousand roubles.

Silly, borrow it from someone.

- From Igor, for example. - He has not been paid yet.

Tell me, have you any other debts?

No.

Don't you take music lessons from Teresa?

I met her and she said she doesn't know you.

She doesn't remember our surname.

Perhaps she's not the only Teresa.

I have here the bill of the lessons. If I find it I'll show it to you.

There's no need. I believe you.

I believe you, but I don't understand.

As you like it.

Open.

Open.

Open the door.

Open.

I have a hostage

A hostage? Let her go to hell.

I warn you, take care of your hat.

It's all the fault of that girl.

I wanted to be a priest, but she forced me to rob people.

I told you to take care of your hat. It serves you right!

Who suggested me to coin money?

Who lost the government securities?

No, please.

If she gets up, beat her on her hump.

Most likely it's fake. Who knows what she hides in there.

On her hump, on her hump.

So. Still more.

Stop, stop. Victoria.

No, that's not fair.

It's against the rules.

It's all right. Come back home.

It was a nice hat.

My God!

Don't be worried.

Do you think it's illegal?

Everything's going fine.

First the foreclosure of the goods,

takings and expenses.

Then the court.

It will be me dragging you through court.

You are already behind bars.

Am I? It seems to me it's you that'll be behind bars.

It depends on the point of view.

Undress yourself and count all your bruises.

Why did you tell my husband everything to?

Yes, I told your husband about the debts.

But I did it to save your soul.

Look what I found at home.

They are all made from silver.

They are all made frome silver.

Silver. Is it enough?

These are worth 1000 roubles in your opinion?

I will take the silver.

I will take it as a pawn, as they say.

Look for the rest where you like.

We will reckon later.

I need money.

Can you pawn these?

They are made from silver.

What? This is nickel silver.

It can't be pawned? That would be embarrassing for me.

But I need money.

I need money. Do you understand?

Money, understand? Money.

Money. Money.

Stay laid down.

You would have been a beautiful woman.

Coward!

You are a coward.

- What is this? - It belonged to somone now dead.

We will not distrain it.

Leave me alone.

Don't listen to him. Go. Come on.

I would like to...

Pluck up courage.

Today's not an examination day.

What's up with you? Are you not well?

I would like...

I feel embarrassed because I have no money...

I have some business to straighten out.

I know, I know.

Yes, I understand.

I know you have many customers.

Stay next to the fire

or you'll get rheumatism.

Could you lend me some money?

Or else I'll go to jail for debts.

There's no need to borrow money.

I can teach you a simpler method.

Women have many means,

means suitable to make a profit.

Which means?

For example,

to invest one's capital.

Is it that easy?

Or else in the fire department.

You could amputate one of your legs.

I meditated about this matter

during my surgeries.

You have become hot.

Couldn't you give me some money in advance?

When I'll make some profit...

Profit?

Why don't you invest your capital

in the defence industry

or in air-raid shelter construction?

I would do that if you give me money.

Is it that difficult to shut that fraudster's mouth?

I beg you, give me 1000 roubles.

- All right. - I beg you -

All right.

We'll shut that fraudster's mouth!

What are you afraid of?

Thanks, thanks.

Wretched!

Perhaps I'm someone to pity, but I'm not for sale.

Is it you?

You are even more fascinating.

Not enough to let you stay with me.

Let's not talk about it anymore.

It's been the fault of bad luck.

I've come to you...

You know, for a matter of honour.

Maybe I behaved stupidly with you.

- Cruelly. - Yes, cruelly.

But in all this time I've not forgotten you.

My hands are dirty.

We are ruined.

I always told your husband not to cure people that way.

It is due to his lack of experience.

You came to me for advice?

- I need 1000 roubles. - What are you waiting for?

You could give me that machine.

I'd do anything for your gaze,

for a "thankyou".

Now I come to you

to offer, once again, my love to you.

But you're rejecting me

just because it would cost you some money.

This machine is worth a fortune.

A fortune!

What fortune!

It breaks constantly!

Now she needs the machine...

Yes, it's all my fault but help me.

I have don't have all the money.

The key, give me the key.

Give me the utility box room key. I need it.

But...

Come to bed.

Come.

But the door is open.

What are you doing?

It's poison.

What are you doing?

Poor little boy.

My wife.

Tell me what's happened.

Bring me some water.

I'm suffocating.

What did you say?

Bring me my daughter.

Bring her, bring her.

Come here, my little one.

Here she is.

Away. Go away.

I have come to pay my respects

to the deceased

and to your family.

I want

her to be buried with three coffins.

One oak, one ebony

and a metal one.

Oak, ebony

and metal.

Why three?

How much would it cost?

A pittance.

Bear up, my friend.

Philosophers need not fear death.

In your opinion whose is my body?

It is the property of the local hospital.

Inspired by the example of your wife,

I've made a will

to ensure I'll be of use to science even after death.

SAVE AND PROTECT

Leading actors:

Sesil' Zervudaki

Robert Vaab, Aleksandr Cerednik

Viaceslav Rogovoj, Jurij Sternin

Vladimir Svirgun, Viktor Palech

Darja Spalikova, Valentin Maslov

Screenplay: Jurij Arabov Director: Aleksandr Sokurov

Cinematography: Sergej Jurizditskij

Scenography: Elena Amsinskaja

Freely drawn from G. Flaubert novel "Madame Bovary".

As a sign of gratitude for his help

the director dedicates this film to Michail Jampol'skij

VPTO "Videofilm"

END