Original subtitles

PRAGUE, SPRING 1977

CHARTER 77 DECLARATION

The bed, too.

- And was there any action? - He doesn't fuck.

Must be waiting for the right one.

You go, wait for me downstairs.

Yes, comrade lieutenant.

HBO EUROPE PRESENTS

THE SLEEPERS

LONDON, AUGUST 1989

DEAR V., AFTER MANY YEARS, I HAVE FOUND THE COURAGE TO WRITE YOU.

I HAVE MISSED YOU SINCE THE MOMENT YOU LEFT ME.

WHEN WILL YOU EVER COME BACK? I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR MEETING AGAIN.

- Morning. - Morning.

Budapest, Warsaw, East Berlin, all our reporters keep mentioning one thing:

that there is the smell of change in the air.

And it’s not just a feeling, it’s based on facts.

A few months ago, Solidarity won the national elections in Poland.

And every day, hundreds of people are coming from East Germany to Prague

where they're camping in the garden of the West Germany Embassy,

hoping for permission to live in the West,

Because to these people, the West means a better life

and most importantly - freedom.

It is the lack of freedom along with the lack of material goods

that’s forcing them to leave their homeland...

Oh, thanks.

...and start over again somewhere else.

It appears that the nations of Eastern Europe are finally waking up...

What time did you go to bed?

I don't know, maybe 4.

I had to finish the lecture, I can't just wing it.

Then don't be surprised you're always tired.

I'm not tired, I'm old.

You know full well I don't drink that.

One won't kill you.

Having a normal breakfast for once wouldn't kill you either.

My sister's big day is coming up.

The due date.

She's going to be a grandmother.

We could finally go for a visit.

You saw what's going on in Prague.

- Those crowds? - Those are Germans, Marie.

East Germans. Trying to get into the West German embassy.

It has nothing to do with Prague or Czechs.

The Bolsheviks still have things firmly under control there.

- Actually, I think... - Marie?

Who writes the Foreign Office analyses, you or me?

Do I lecture you about notes?

We have British citizenship.

And there's been an amnesty. They wouldn't dare to...

I'm well aware what they would or wouldn't dare.

It's quite fresh in my memory.

Maybe you've forgotten, but I haven't.

DEAR V., AFTER MANY YEARS, I HAVE FOUND THE COURAGE TO WRITE YOU.

I HAVE MISSED YOU SINCE THE MOMENT YOU LEFT ME.

WHEN WILL YOU EVER COME BACK?

I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR MEETING AGAIN. ALEXANDRA.

DESTROYS LETTER IMMEDIATELY AFTER READING

- Very nice. - Thanks.

Do you remember Gerald?

- I'm the one with the Czech mum. - Oh, good evening.

He learned his airs at the diplomatic academy.

Oh, I thought that was customary in your country.

No, it's lovely when there's a man in the room with good manners.

- See there? - Sorry?

Do you have a clean handkerchief? I forgot mine?

Thanks.

Don't thank me, just show me around Prague.

I may be joining the embassy there.

Things are going to start moving in Prague, too. It won't be boring.

So maybe I'll see you there.

- I doubt that, unfortunately. - I've heard otherwise.

- Thank you. - Excuse me, I have to go.

PRAGUE, OCTOBER 1989

I'll just go to the loo, OK? Can you wait a sec?

Sure.

Taxi?

Change money?

We're Czechs. But we haven't been here in a long time.

Here.

So let's see.

Good.

Well, it's nothing much.

Be glad we don't have to stay in a hotel.

I guess that Dusan of yours doesn't get over from Bratislava much, eh?

What a pig.

Eternal bachelor.

- What's wrong? - I don't know.

I got sudden a flash of fear or something.

- A strange feeling. - Oh, come on...

- What's this? - Nothing.

Hey, what are you up to?

That sister of mine? She pisses me off.

She promised to tend to it.

- I always envied you this. - What?

That you have a family grave.

I don't even know where my parents are lying.

I'll get some water.

...in a clinch,

That tie that I am wearing Was tied by Justice Lynch

So kick that crate already So the gentlemen don't wait

Heaven's stairway's long And I don't want to be late

I want to wet my whistle In the tavern in the sky

So give that crate a kick So I can go ahead and...

- Jana, where'd the dishcloth go? - It's hanging on the porch.

My sister.

- You’re going to be a grandmother. - I'm an old hag already anyway.

- Don't be stupid. - I'm that, too.

Oh stop, I'm all filthy.

- Hi. - Hi.

I brought you loads of clothes!

Thanks.

BALLAD OF AN UNKNOWN BOY

FOR MARIE, VIKTOR

Now you can take those records back.

Wouldn’t this be better on Jana? People would stare at me.

My belly shows in it anyway.

I can't even zip it.

Isn’t she a bit young to have a baby?

Well, better sooner than never.

Why never? Who told you that?

The doctor.

Oh, I didn't know.

- Cigarette? - No thanks, I'm not smoking,

now that Jana's in a family way.

You weren't so hard on yourself when you were expecting.

Times were different. That wasn't such a thing back then.

I was at the cemetery.

I'm sorry to say it, but I had hoped you went there from time to time.

I do go there.

I haven't had much time lately, but otherwise...

Nobody's been there in a year, so don't lie.

- That's not true! - Oh, yes, it is.

And where were you when he was bedridden?

Who wiped his bum the last half year of his life?

You're going to show up now and lecture me?

What do you take yourself for? You weren't even at the funeral.

You know full well they wouldn't give us a visa!

- Jesus, they wouldn't give you a visa? - Well they didn't!

You poor thing!

Do you know what we went through after you legged it?

How many times I was interrogated, with Jana still a baby?

Why do you think Pavel left us?

Shit life, shit job...

And they won’t let me do anything else.

Do you know what I paid the good comrades so Jana could go to college?

Who was that because of? Because of Dad and because of you.

And 12 years later you turn up

- and bring me fucking clothes! - Stop it!

Jana, no laughing.

Oh, now you've ruined it.

- ...so perfect! - I'm not perfect but...

- I came home, goddammit! - What do you mean "home"?

You're not home now, so calm yourself!

We're leaving.

Next time then.

- What were you two even... - We weren't anything.

- I was just being a bitch. - Oh, come on...

And so was she.

She even blamed me for her divorce.

- Everything's all my fault. - More like mine, isn't it?

"You had it all in the West and I had nothing!"

"Everything." Right...

I wouldn't take it too hard.

Give it a couple days, go see her, have a chat and...

- I have to go to Mimon anyway. - Why Mimon?

To see an old faculty colleague who they've sacked.

You don't know him. You'd just be bored there.

- Do you know what Jana told me? - What?

That she started playing the violin back then because of you.

Really?

So she'd be able to play with you one day.

That's nice.

PRAGUE, SPRING 1977

Now, comrades Grygar and Lebeda.

Auntie! That was lovely! Let me carry it!

It's too heavy for you. Auntie's not leaving yet anyway.

That was really something, wow! Splendid, splendid.

We'll see you later.

Comrades Grygar, Lebeda, Zajicek, Kindlova,

you prepare your next pieces. The rest of you have our thanks.

You're surprised?

Why did you bring him?

Did you see how they looked at each other when they saw him?

What were you trying to say? "Yes, comrades,"

"that's my dad, Mr Kral, the dissident."

My niece wanted to see us. What was I supposed to do?

- Say he's not allowed? - Just don't be surprised

if the only place she ever hears you play is some shitty dive bar.

Because they'll never take you anywhere else.

- Or me for that matter. - You know what?

If my family's a problem for you then you can play with someone else.

- And not just play. - You're pathetic.

- You're pathetic! - Sure.

I guess that's why they didn't take us. Because I'm pathetic.

- Hi there. - Hi.

- Well? How did it go? - We're not sure yet.

...the Helsinki Accords on Human Rights.

And do they abide by it? They do not. So Charter 77?

Dr Skala.

A big expert on the Ruskies. Russian literature, that is.

But he knows his politics, too. Very smart chap.

Vaclav Havel is still in jail because of the Charter.

Patocka's dead. Has it done any good at all?

I was just sacked for the third time.

My friends get letters saying I'm sleeping with their wives,

or to keep their kids away because I'm a paedophile.

- That can't be. - That I'm a paedophile? No, it can't.

- Nor is the thing about the wives true. - Too bad!

But I lost those friends, of course.

So please don't tell me that I don't know the cost.

I'd better get in there.

Marie?

Marie, come play us the piece you played at the audition.

It was so nice.

- How's it going? - He's still in there.

- Kral family. - It's me.

I wanted to apologize.

I just really wanted it to work out this time.

You played so wonderfully and then it got all screwed up.

I felt bad for you and I snapped.

I didn't have to be so nasty.

I shouldn't have said that about your father, I'm sorry.

Marie?

Marie, do you hear me?

Dammit, Marie, do you hear me?

Who's supposed to pick up after you every time?

- Marie, please. - Out. Out!

Go. Move. Beat it.

I said go! Get out!

If anything happened to that violin...

- Let go of her immediately! - Calm yourself.

Let's go.

- I'll take you to court for this. - If you think that's a good idea...

- Are you alright? - Yeah, I'm fine.

PRAGUE, WINTER 1977

- Hi. - Hi.

This is for you.

- What is it? - Look and see.

BALLAD OF AN UNKNOWN BOY

Thank you.

I love it.

It's not even my birthday or any other day.

That won't do.

Yeah, this won't do.

Look.

They can't even hide properly.

If they wanted to hide then we wouldn't know about them.

But we're supposed to know about them.

It just keeps getting worse.

They're really capable of anything, the bastards.

And the worst is yet to come. It really won't do.

Okay. Continue.

Your dad knows a lorry driver who goes to the West.

He brings books and things in and out.

I know, and so what?

Well?

He says he might be able to get me out.

- So this is supposed to be a memento? - No, it's not like that.

I just can't ask you to do something like that.

- The border is dangerous as hell, and... - You want to get rid of me?

Marie, how can you say that? I love you.

But if I stay here I'll end up in jail. Anything can happen there.

- And your dad wouldn't want... - It doesn't matter what my dad wants.

You're not going anywhere without me, do you get that?

I'd rather just turn you in myself.

What did you think I was going to say?

What the fuck were you thinking?

CZECHOSLOVAK-AUSTRIAN BORDER, WINTER 1977

Move on.

We have to go, come on.

Leave it.

PRAGUE, AUTUMN 1989

We’ll take her off the propofol

and disconnect her,

and see how she is when she comes to.

Alright.

What did the doctor say?

He gives her half a year. Or less.

And there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

And all the while you've got to look like nothing's wrong.

One day I'll wake up, and she just won't be here anymore.

- Good afternoon. Papers, please. - Good afternoon.

Fine.

Parking is up by the hunting lodge, comrade major.

I know.

Oh, fuck.

Honour to labour, comrade deputy minister.

- Will you have one with us? - Of course.

- Here's to the hunt. - To the hunt.

Excellent.

Now show me the letter V.

Excellent, great.

Where is he? Where is Viktor? My husband.

- He was there with me. - Take it easy.

Easy, easy...

Just take it easy. There you go.

Bastard.

- Not a single shot? - Why did we even come?

Force of habit. Everything nowadays is force of habit.

If you're worn out you can request retirement any time.

Let's go.

I heard he was bullying you again at the meeting yesterday.

Hey, check it out. Is he one of ours?

No, that's comrade businessman. From Tuzex.

I hear he's richer than Gott.

But he's had a few cock-ups lately on account of his drinking,

so he might be put out to pasture soon enough.

When sheep are frightened they flock together, right?

You're wrong there, my friend. Not all of them are frightened.

They've got access to big money,

they just can't smack their lips too loudly.

They're actually praying for the party and the government to finally fuck off.

That's when they really get down to business.

I see.

Well, thank you. Goodbye.

Nothing at Bulovka either.

If he's not in any of the hospitals...

...he must be...

Maybe he wasn't injured.

He would have come to see me.

So let's recapitulate.

Two days ago you were struck by a black car.

Since that time, your husband has been missing.

Yes.

Nonetheless, we have verified

that no accident was reported in that area.

They must have driven off.

According to the paramedics' report

you were found somewhere else altogether.

Near the Sokol bar. A place with... let's say...

...a certain reputation.

I don't know what kind of reputation it has.

I've never been there, so I don't know how they could have found me there.

- Can we type this up here? - Certainly.

And you wait in the corridor.

So listen, Mrs Skalova...

- I don't have a pen. - Me neither.

Thank you, doctor.

Sign here for me.

Are you calling a search then?

Listen, since you're a citizen of a foreign state,

we're handing your case over to our colleagues.

- Colleagues? - State Security. StB.

This has nothing to do with us, does it? Some guy's got lost.

What do we care? Let the police handle it.

ACADEMIC

Let's see here...

Dr Skala.

SURVEILLANCE ORDER

Okay, it still has nothing to do with us, though.

Emigrant.

- That could be quite a fuck-up then. - I'll say.

Can you drive?

Yes, I can drive. I already feel like your chauffeur anyway.

My chauffeur can't know about this. No one can. Orders from up top.

- Only us two. - Us two?

- You haven't been in the field... - I know, dammit.

You think I'm doing it for fun? Now, of all times?

Have you got someone in tech support? Someone reliable.

How reliable?

Somebody who you've got by the balls.

We'll need the flat wiretapped. But it can't go through their boss.

Nothing on paper.

WITNESS STATEMENT

Alright then.

Berg, Dept. 2.

- Goddammit... - I'll feed them for you.

Don't give them too much.

They think I just fell down somewhere.

Drunk.

You should have stayed, you're not fit to have yourself discharged.

Are you really OK?

Could he be at someone’s house?

I've called all our old friends. No one knows anything.

And he's not at our place either, then?

His things are, though.

- Here. - Oh.

Isn't the embassy the next street over?

- Is it not? - Yeah, it is, but...

The StB is sure to photograph everybody who goes in there.

Please understand.

Shall I wait here for you?

She could've staggered over, theoretically. It's not that far.

If she was in shock she might not remember it.

I don't know. Consider the state of her.

She must have had blood all over her face.

Somebody would've stopped for her.

Nobody gives a fuck about anybody around here.

Who called the ambulance anyway? It's not in the report.

It's not, and we couldn't care less.

You're not a crime detective anymore.

All we care about now is finding Skala.

Prague's most famous dissident dive and what do they find?

A dissident's emigre daughter lying unconscious right in front of it.

And her emigre dissident husband gone.

- Bit weird, isn't it? - Exactly.

Reception speaking. Mrs. Marie Skalova is here to see Mr. Gerald Lloyd.

Tell her to wait, I`ll take care of that.

I see... Could you please wait here a minute?

Thank you.

Mrs. Skalova?

Two days?

You were unconscious for two days.

- You`re bleeding. - Really?

Please, come with me.

Sorry.

You should have stayed in hospital.

Internal injuries can take time to show up, and...

You should go back there as soon as possible. This really isn't wise.

I can't think about what's wise.

I have to find my husband.

I need to go to the police again. Will you come with me?

Or send someone with me. They’ll take me more seriously if...

Can I be honest with you?

These are complicated times.

By now your case is probably with StB, not the police, so...

So... you're not going to help me.

Look, you're upset. I completely understand that.

Go back to hospital and leave it with us.

It`s important we handle this delicately.

Are you alright?

My husband may be lying injured somewhere and...

Give me my passport back, please.

StB might confiscate it. It'll be safe here.

Go back to hospital. Please.

I hardly smoke anymore.

It makes Vlasta sick and I'm tired of always popping out.

Thanks.

- What's it gonna be? - Call the boss for me.

- What? - The boss, call him.

- Lada! - Kveta?

- Let me handle it. - Fine.

Is there a problem, gentlemen?

Hey! You stay put.

Let's go outside.

Don't you have a beer to drink?

- So they weren't here? - Definitely not.

I'd remember her. Who are they?

Either you saw them or you didn't. It doesn't matter who it is.

You might not know this, but I'm in contact with lieutenant...

Lala, we know. So what?

Well, he probably won't be happy about this...

Lala isn't going to find out. That's the first thing.

And secondly, our grabbing you in front of people

covers your arse, you idiot.

Now at least you'll be a hero.

- What the hell was that? - I'm sick of all this shit.

What was that?

- Isn't it a bit early for that? - Nope.

I guess you were expecting someone else.

I'll have them return your passport.

You'll go back and I'll find out where Viktor is.

I'm supposed just leave without him?

Marie, understand: we're not in London. OK?

Viktor was and is a politically active person.

I'm just making sure you don't unwittingly do anything...

...anything that could complicate things even more.

This is a sensitive matter.

You're right, it's sensitive for me indeed.

You and Viktor know each other from the ministry?

Yes. He does external analyses for us. You knew that, didn't you?

They must have been pretty sensitive analyses, right?

Since everything is suddenly so sensitive.

Or is there something else I should know about?

You got him into something, didn't you?

What are you talking about?

And now that there's a cock-up, you want nothing to do with it.

- And you want to get rid of me. - That's not true.

- You couldn't care less where Viktor is. - I do care!

Viktor is my friend, I want to find him.

Well, you don't act like a friend. Or you'd tell me what's going on.

I don't know anything, Marie.

And if I did, I wouldn't be able to tell you.

You're just like the StB.

- Go, please. - Marie, listen to me.

- Your life could be at stake here, too. - Get out.

I hope you're not going to play it again.

I've almost got it memorised by now.

So Skala's an agent.

He was working for them, for the English. It's clear as day.

Maybe this guy on the tape knows fuck all, but...

Who knows?

Maybe that's why the deputy took the case off me.

- What? - He's given it to someone else.

What do you mean? Who? This is our expertise.

And you're the most experienced officer in the building, so what's up?

Leave me the recording.

The gear stays there for the new guys, just return the file to the archive.

- And that's that. - What the fuck, Vaclav?

I've got other things on my mind, Honza.

Come on, I have to get back to Vlasta.

- Shouldn't I at least say hi? - No.

She wouldn't want you seeing her like this.

Be glad you don't have anyone. Or do you?

- No. - Then be glad.

Hang in there, Vaclav. See you later.

Just lying here all the time like...

I feel like I'm in a coffin.

Coffins aren't big enough for two.

This gamey meat of yours makes me feel like an animal.

What is it anyway?

Pig.

If Vlach found out, he'd sack us both.

Unfortunately, the deputy might sack him first.

What happened? That Slovak yokel is on his back again?

If Vaclav gets forced out, and then Vlasta dies...

Everything will be fucked.

We were in the Sokol today, that pub of theirs.

Those guys are still afraid of us.

They're still afraid of us...

But now we're afraid of them, too.

Christian Falvey