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ANASTASIA TALYZINA, SERGEY BEZRUKOV,

AGLAYA TARASOVA, KRISTINA LAPSHINA,

ELENA LYADOVA, ANTON SHAGIN, OLEG GRINCHENKO

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - FILIPP PASTUKHOV

DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - NATALYA MAKAROVA,

KONSTANTIN POSTNIKOV, YULIYA GALOCHKINA

COMPOSER - ANDREI SUROTDINOV

Aleksey German Jr. Elena Kiseleva

DIRECTED BY ALEKSEY GERMAN JR.

Get down now!

I can't hear!

LENINGRAD FRONT, SPRING 1942.

LENINGRAD'S ONLY SUPPLY ROUTE "ROAD OF LIFE"

Get down, I said!

Mommy, Mommy...

Stay down! Take cover!

Mommy!

Children! Get away, get away!

Mommy!

AIR

LENINGRAD FRONT, AIRFIELD, SPRING 1942

Poor Zharikov. He lost sight of the flight leader.

You should've pressed it on him. It's not the first time.

I did.

But you know how much practice the Germans have had.

They've done Poland, France, England.

Our guys have had only basic training. They can only take off and land.

They haven't even done much firing in training.

Well, train them up better.

Or you'll be court-martialed. Understood?

Understood.

But they're almost all rookies. What can I do?

It's only you and me from the old regiment.

There's no telling how many people we've lost.

Girls... Why are they here? Better send them to the kitchen.

And not only pilots, but technicians too. What for?

They're supposed to be there raising children, not parading here.

This one's a useless hag.

You can just tell. Right, Timofey?

It's not like we're winning any beauty contests, Kirill.

- Second squadron... - Hello.

Now look here...

You'll do the cooking, comforting, washing and singing for us.

Lifting our spirits. And we'll do the fighting.

You wish!

- It's not like girls should fly. - Like you'd know what we should do!

You think men are better pilots? You're not.

Of course we are. Do you know this song?

Let's talk without pain...

- Can you actually carry a tune? - You certainly can't sing.

You're all big and heavy. It's hard on the planes.

- Maybe I fly no worse. - Or better.

So you're fighters?

You're only here to comfort and entertain officers in command.

Who told you that?

We are not prostitutes. We are soldiers, got it?

Watch your tongue. Typical man!

- That's how you talk to a girl? - Drama queens!

Morons.

- Wind your neck in. - No respect whatsoever.

Why did they bring in girls?

Regiment, fall in!

- Hello. - Good afternoon, Sir.

Attention!

Eyes left!

Lieutenant Colonel...

All accounted for and ready, Sir.

Captain Bondar, Sir.

Good day, squadron!

Good day, Lieutenant Colonel!

My congratulations on joining our regiment.

Hooray!

- At ease. - At ease!

In the coming days you will undergo training and study the terrain.

Upon completion, you will be assigned missions

aimed at securing Leningrad's only supply route

across Lake Ladoga.

It won't be easy.

There will be losses.

But we will stand firm.

Leningrad is under siege.

Children, women and old people are being evacuated.

The city needs food and other supplies.

As pilots and technicians, you need to demonstrate your skill,

courage...

and self-sacrifice.

I expect no tears. I really don't like tears.

No, Sir!

Infringements will be punished.

You shall be court-martialed for cowardice.

Any questions?

No, Sir!

No questions. Good. Over to you.

This will be my bed.

Maybe away from the window?

Oh, there are tables. I'll take the one on the left.

- Hi girls, and fellow fighters! - How about knocking?

You don't look like much of a fighter to me, chubby.

- So small, yet so brave! - Get him out of here.

I'm sorry about before. Let me introduce myself properly.

I'm all for girls flying planes.

- I'm Marika Dolidze. - I'm Timofey.

You Georgian? My grandad served there.

Yes, I'm Georgian.

- Timofey. - Hello.

- Timofey. - Sveta Frolova.

Anya Savelyeva.

- Timofey. - Masha.

- Zhenya Belova. - Timofey.

- Valya Chumakova. - Timofey.

- Katya. - Timofey.

Forgive us, girls.

Oh, we have some musical instruments left by third squadron.

Where are they now?

They're gone.

Good night.

Can I have my comb back?

Goodbye.

He's handsome, isn't he? And, most importantly, not malicious.

No, it's fine, I like it.

Coming through.

- What are you doing? - I want to see what works.

- Is there a clarinet? - No.

Want me to try on you? With your guidance.

Fine, take this.

But I'll watch.

You're pushing it now! So...

- You're watching too? - Yes.

Good lord...

- Does it hurt? - It's fine.

- I got through it, you can too. - It's broken.

Don't you start!

Stop it. I'll do it myself.

The trumpet is bent...

- Can we fix them? - I don't know.

- We need to check. - Get to it.

Check the radiator.

The engine's been neglected. Shame on you.

The oil pipe is the problem. Open your eyes. The oil is dripping.

I've nothing against her either.

- Then Sophocles comes out, drunk. - We'll win in 1943.

Then he praises me.

I want to get married, go to Lake Baikal, and have kids.

I couldn't stay home. I wanted to kill myself.

The men made fun of us.

I'm an optimist, you know. It's only going to get better. I'm not scared.

Masha, how was life in Moscow? Did you have your own apartment?

I did.

Long corridors, small rooms, a big kitchen with a window facing a wall.

And a big table.

As a girl I hid under it with the salt I stole.

- I stole sugar. - And I stole salt.

Sorry, is there a little book there?

- There were seven of us in one room. - Seven?

All around us was gray steppe,

with no-one and nothing on the horizon.

Oh, here it is! Thanks.

Sometimes the postman came. He was a crazy-eyed drunk.

He said he was a general, and I believed him.

I wanted to escape, but I couldn't.

So Masha, why are you here?

Your family is still alive and has money, unlike us.

What do you mean, "why"? So many people are dying.

My parents cried when I enlisted.

I was given a huge male uniform and big boots.

I went from high heels to army boots.

We got on the train and went off for military training, singing.

Goodbye, goodbye, my dear Moscow

I'm going away to fight the enemy

Goodbye, goodbye, my dear friend

Write to me, my darling

- Hey! Get away from it! - That's our plane! Get off it!

- Easy! Easy! Hey! - What are you doing?

The planes are now under our command as your superiors.

They're ours! Whose order was it?

- We have orders! And you? - Attention!

- Calm down. - Ask the commanding officer!

- Stop shouting at me! - Attention!

At ease. What's all this?

Why are they messing with our planes, Sir?

It was decided to temporarily give your planes

to more experienced pilots.

We're short on planes, you're not ready,

and we need more patrols.

- But they're ours. Can you do that? - Yes, I can. And enough.

You own nothing here. This is all state property.

What's up, Vasily? What happened?

We're short on planes, and we need to step up patrols.

It was decided to temporarily give them to more experienced pilots.

Whose order was that? Tell me. Don't make me angry.

The Regiment Commander? Why didn't he tell me himself?

Vasily.

Attention!

Bondar wants to take our planes. How come?

How so?

Was it your order?

You don't believe in us, do you? Or do you pity me?

Speak up!

I'm going to report you. You hear me? I'll report you.

Come here, Vasily.

I'll jail you for insubordination.

Instruct them on the terrain, and send them to fight.

What if they get shot down?

Just send him to jail. You are the commanding officer.

If they fail, they will peel potatoes in the kitchen.

We've got girls now. Why oh why?

At ease!

Why don't you believe in them?

I don't know.

They're not like you.

You're an admirable and formidable valkyrie, while they're not.

- Damn it! - Don't be so sure.

All these half-baked rookies fly into combat at low altitude.

They get hit from above. I don't have time to retrain them.

Did you hear how people are starving in Leningrad?

So many have died.

I went to visit a friend of mine.

I found his wife and two daughters dead and being eaten by rats.

And outside the city, there are the twisted bodies of soldiers.

Both young and old.

Burnt and run over by tanks.

The 2nd Army is advancing. But who knows if it will help.

Progress is slow and bloody.

Maybe they will break the siege.

I don't know.

Do you remember my friend Sveta, the doctor?

Their train was bombed. She and all the wounded died.

I don't know where my brother is.

He's either dead or taken prisoner.

I don't know anything.

Why is it like this?

Weren't the Germans supposed to have fled?

But it was us who fled.

My father joined the militia.

The next day, he got caught in the tread of a tank.

When I was a boy

his glasses made his eyes look huge, like a picture from a children's book.

Altitude 400.

200...

150...

200...

400...

- Aligning the target. - Attacking.

Evading.

Maneuvering.

250...

200...

150... 100...

Dispersing.

Aligning the target.

Maneuvering.

Attacking.

Going home.

Sometimes I dream about mice, but I'm not scared.

We're building a tall tower together, without end.

- It just keeps going up and up. - It's good to build something.

I dream about the wind tearing the leaves from the trees.

And about me dancing ballet.

And an Italian cemetery that I saw in a book.

There's no-one there. It feels like a nice place.

Zhenya, do you need love? You know, love.

Love is an arbitrary feeling.

Your parents love you.

As for others... I don't know. It's just loneliness.

That's nonsense.

- Why so? - Because it is.

It's just empty talk.

I'd like to fall in love.

Just look at them. They're hilarious.

You're right there.

Huddling together, like silly little gray birds.

- Little birds on a perch. - Chirping away.

- Am I right? - Yes.

Why are they even here?

Wait up, guys!

They'll be crying, getting scared, complaining about us.

Air raid!

Galya! Get into the service pit!

Air raid!

Take cover!

Get into the service pit!

Get down!

Get down, idiot!

Another stretcher!

Get down, I said!

Give me bandages, quick.

Press the artery.

We're losing her.

Press it here. Stronger.

Forgive me, girls.

My little stars.

It was just terrible luck.

My girls.

I feel sorry for our female technicians.

Number 4 again.

Ulrich is a machine.

He's specifically targeting people.

We'll be your technicians now.

Who is Ulrich?

A German pilot. Just a pilot.

22!

22, respond!

22, come in!

Do not engage the enemy. Do you copy?

Timofey, get out of there!

18, 20 and 24 are down.

Do not engage the enemy! Do you copy?

Do not engage the enemy.

I've 3 got Messers on my tail. Going home.

Timofey! Do you copy? Over!

- Get out of there! - Copy that. I'm out of ammo...

I'm falling.

22, respond...

- Timofey's been shot down. - What date is today?

- Goddammit. - Tuesday, April 21.

Bastard...

It's so cold.

- Reinforce it! Stretch it! - I fell asleep under the plane today.

May I, ladies?

Get up!

Get up!

Captain, are you deaf?

Quit talking!

Indeed. Are you high-strung or deaf? Why are you always shouting?

Belova, I'll report you, and put you on fatigue duty.

Forgive them, Captain Sir.

They don't realize the key role played by the army since antiquity.

- Say it again. - And louder, please.

We really like it loud. Let's scare the fascists.

It was decided to let you fly combat missions,

against my strong objections.

Did you hear me? You'll fly combat missions. Wheels up in two hours.

See? I told you.

I told you we would fly.

They let us.

It's good that we'll fly.

- Shall we get ready? - Yes, let's.

It's all just as you wanted.

You're a woman of iron will.

It's because I made a wish.

Come on.

Truck convoy spotted. Aligning the target, attacking.

Attack! Attack!

Attention! 900 meters to target, 800, 700...

Lord, have mercy...

Mommy!

Attacking from the right.

Work in pairs. One keep watch from above.

During the attack the other moves right and left in a pincer maneuver.

Fire at will from 200 m.

29, don't get too close to me.

We shot down a Messer!

More Germans on top of us!

Descending now.

Attention! Enemy spotted in sector 218.

Six enemy aircrafts spotted.

Engaging the enemy.

The Germans are above us!

29! Enemy at your 7 o'clock.

29! There's a Messer on your tail!

29! Bail out!

Enemy down.

Keeping the altitude! Willi, go up 200 meters and get on their tail.

Pursuing the enemy...

Got the enemy in my sight. Target hit.

I'm hit. Trying to level the plane.

Leveling it. Leveling it.

Leveling it. Leveling it.

Leveling it. Leveling it...

I see the bastard.

7 to 11: the bandit's on your tail. Go into the clouds.

Please, little one, please.

Please, my dear little plane. Please keep going, please.

Little one, please.

- This is 11. I'm hit. - Katya, I'm coming.

Thank you.

Damn it. Damn it.

This is 17! I've got a Messer! A Messer's on my tail.

Do you copy? A Messer's after me.

Son of a bitch. Damn it!

Going into the clouds.

Son of a bitch.

Attacking!

Come on! Come on!

Come on, come on...

There's a Messer on my tail! Cover me!

Oh God, oh God...

Attacking!

I'm hit! Returning to base!

All in formation!

Return to base.

The Germans are leaving. We're fine. Over.

Mommy...

I want to go home.

Mommy... Please...

I want to go home...

Well?

We're done. Cover him. Disinfect the instruments.

- Got a smoke? - No.

Don't cry.

I can't take it anymore, Lieutenant Colonel.

When they're brought here, they're all smiling, and then...

I can't take it anymore. I'm exhausted.

My boots are too tight.

- My hands are freezing. - Don't cry.

The supply officer would not stop screaming.

Get some sleep. We'll find you some boots. Hang in there.

He would not stop screaming.

- Did you boil the syringes, Valya? - Huh?

- Did you boil the syringes? - Not yet. There wasn't any hot water.

Why are you sending them to fight? They're not ready.

What can I do? It's a tough time. They keep bombing us.

And you ask why? Our losses are heavy.

It was loud today. Bastards!

When will it end? Bastards...

- Is Lobanov here? - He died yesterday.

We don't have enough pilots.

I'd give them time to prepare, not send them to fight.

How about you take charge? Come on, why not?

The road's over there, with half-dead kids and old people going one way

and supplies going the other way. Try it.

Stop it.

Why should I spare your girls and not my boys?

Tell me.

There are no boys or girls here. There are only pilots.

What are you unhappy about?

Isn't that what you wanted?

We're together, with lots of boys and girls to take care of.

That was your dream, right?

They will all die.

Rita, I have orders.

To defend this road at any cost.

Am I badly hurt?

The armor plate got hit.

Yes, you are.

We look like penguins wearing men's boxers.

Why aren't you writing to anyone?

Why do you care? I'm just not writing.

Do you have alcohol? I can't sleep. My head keeps spinning.

No, I don't.

Show me your back, Zhenya.

The bedsheet is damp. Masha, why are you always grumbling?

- Does it hurt? - Yes.

One second...

I couldn't kill that German today.

I hesitated and didn't kill him. So he kept on killing others.

I'm a bitch, am I not? Scum.

Stop it. Next time, you won't hesitate.

A German set my plane on fire. I barely landed.

My boots burned through. The plane was full of holes.

There was oil in my eyes. I couldn't see a thing.

I love kids. Do you?

Seriously, Katya?

They might be cute at first. But then it only gets worse.

Have you ever kissed anyone?

I mean a proper kiss with tongues.

Not on the cheek. Masha?

None of your business, Katya. You're so odd.

You're the odd one.

What about you, Zhenya?

Katya, go to sleep.

Let's get some sleep, girls.

- Do you have a spare blanket, Valya? - No.

Half-roll...

Moving under the target. Two bursts.

They say the Germans are burning Jews in Kyiv.

My Sima and kids are there.

Maybe they leave women and children alone?

Although there is no mention of that in Pravda or Krasnaya Zvezda.

That means it's a lie.

- Good afternoon, Sir. - Good afternoon.

Hello there.

I was so happy to hear some music.

I'm Volodya Vasilyev. Let's introduce ourselves.

I'm Pavel.

Stepanov.

- Katya. - Nice to meet you.

- Zhenya. - I'm Marika.

- Hello. - Masha.

I got transferred from the navy, and found a dog.

- What's its name? - It has no name yet. It's a good dog.

We need to think of a name.

Maybe Pierre?

Maybe Curie?

- Jelly? - All you think of is food!

Maybe Cuba?

Why Cuba?

I don't know.

Yes, Cuba is a nice name.

What?

I just remembered your youth:

how you bounced the plane while landing.

The summer's coming. It'll be hot again. Corpses will rot.

Let's go back to how it was, Rita. I can't live without you.

We could adopt an orphan. There are lots of them now.

Since it didn't work out for us. Mm?

Come on.

Please tell your boys to stop pushing my girls around. All right?

The 2nd Army is surrounded.

Our offensive failed.

The siege won't be broken.

I dream of you every night.

Like I'm flying to save you.

When I wake up I cry.

Because I couldn't find you.

Hello, Lev. This way. Take a seat.

- Thanks. Hello, Rita. - Hi.

How long has it been? Two years?

You haven't changed. Eat something.

Galya! Get him something to eat.

There are some potatoes.

- A drink to get warm? - No.

So, what do you say, Engineer?

We need to increase thrust.

Fritz is faster.

Our engines overheat.

Pilots keep dying. Every day.

We'll have a new engine.

- When? - Soon.

It'll overheat, but will be more powerful. We know your position.

Aha. So what do we do now?

Get married. Don't be all Shakespearean.

That's for us to decide.

The engine is weak. The plane needs work.

- A new engine is coming. - When?

Thank you, Galya.

When?

There have been too many deaths. Just tell me.

There will be a new engine. It'll be more powerful.

And in a couple of months, the Germans will get new planes.

Even more powerful ones.

We'll have to catch up with them again.

What would you have me do?

Fall on my knees before every grave?

When will we match the Germans? Be honest.

Even our radios are worse.

Please be honest, Lev. When?

It'll take years.

- Rita, get out of there! - Come in. Come in.

357, get out of there. Rita, respond.

Rita, come in. Rita!

25 and 27 are down. Engaged in combat. Unable to break off.

357, get out of there!

Engaged in combat.

Attacking. 19, cover me.

19, bail out!

357, respond. 357!

Shot down the last Red.

Sector secured.

- 357. - I'm here! Attacking! Attacking!

Unable to break off!

Bastard!

I'm hit. The plane's burning.

Almost... Almost... Attacking... attacking...

Come on. Steady. Attacking...

Attacking... attacking... attacking.

357, 357, respond.

357, come in.

357, come in, come in...

It's over.

Vasily, have you lost your mind?

What do you mean, "It's over"?

She's made of steel.

357...

Rita, get out of there!

357, 357, come in!

Come in, come in...

She was shot down in the Winter War. We thought it was over then. It wasn't.

It was winter.

She made her own way back to base,

and showed up with a flea-ridden kitten.

It pissed on all my trousers.

Come in, come in, 357...

Keep trying.

Come in, come in, 357...

This spring is really bad. Worse than winter.

- What's the date? - Tuesday, April 28.

Yeah...

Load...

Aim... Fire!

Load...

Aim...

Fire!

Load...

Aim...

Fire!

Order arms.

I remember everyone.

Bolitov. He had a big family, with four children like mine.

Measles made his youngest daughter go deaf.

Vedernikov. He worked on a tractor. His brother was a singer.

Mishin. His mother works on a collective farm near Maloyaroslavets.

We're living instead of them now.

Does loving one's country imply dying for it?

What's more important, the country or an individual?

The country.

Don't you think?

Marika wasn't afraid of mice.

All the girls were, except her.

Her father stuttered, and her mother sang badly.

Belova, come here.

Sergeant Belova, Sir.

Why didn't you fire?

Why didn't you kill that German?

I can't.

That's not an answer.

I...

I'm doing everything I was taught.

But I can't do it to real people.

I'm not afraid of death. When...

when my family died I came to terms with it.

Don't lie to me, Zhenya. Sit down.

I knew your dad.

He was a great pilot, a dandy.

A hero of the revolution, who was executed.

And so was your mom.

You disowned them.

You betrayed them.

You changed your surname and became a pilot

promising to atone for your parents' mistakes.

They are not me.

Maybe I shouldn't be here...

because I'm some girl.

But I...

I don't know how I should fly.

If you don't want to be "some girl", I can call you Vasily.

Or Onufry... Ivan... Boris...

Boris, what will you feel if I shoot a horse?

What? Don't!

Take out your gun and aim.

Or you'll be court-martialed without investigation.

Shoot. It's an order.

Go on.

Well? Go on.

Shoot.

Shoot.

I can't.

Can you look at dead children?

Can you look at the city being killed?

At your friends without eyes and arms?

Aim at the eye and shoot.

Fire.

Well done.

Well done. You'll be fine.

You're a strange but talented creature.

Broken, but talented.

Don't listen to anyone. Forget it.

Feel the air.

Feel the space around you.

From above, below, left, right. As a whole.

You'll be fine. Free yourself.

You'll fly to the partisans tomorrow.

They found a damaged plane and a dead pilot. You'll fly it to Leningrad.

Rita was supposed to do it...

But she won't.

You're free to go.

How did he land? The ground's so soggy.

- Vitya, I'm off. - All right.

Cover the plane properly.

They used to be a large group. Some went into the woods.

There are lots of former captives. Their losses are heavy.

What captives?

Zhenya, there are hundreds of thousands of captives. Our people.

And millions of casualties. You really should know by now.

Nobody told us anything about captives.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

Wait up, Vanya!

That's the bolt.

- Bang! - Exactly.

Bang-bang!

Here. Try it yourself.

How do I remove a clip?

Like that...

Are you here to fly the plane?

Yes.

We almost broke our backs to drag it here.

We'll roll it out, and you'll be on your way.

Where are you from?

From Leningrad? Were you born there?

No, I'm from Moscow.

- We got food to the city. - Yes, I heard.

So even if we all die, it wasn't for nothing.

Why will you die?

If they find us.

They found our neighbors.

And slashed the bellies of pregnant women with bayonets.

Why won't they evacuate you by plane?

Leaving no-one to fight here? Not an option.

We'll stand firm here.

The Germans brought their tanks here.

As if we care.

Aren't you cold?

No.

Why don't you go for a walk?

Go, go.

My boy is quiet. He won't bother you.

Take him to his grandma, if she's alive.

The 2nd Army is encircled. It's really bad.

What if I get shot down?

Then so be it.

Move it. Move it!

You shattered Valya's arm, jerk. Now for your punishment.

Son of a bitch!

My dad told me

some kinds of soil can preserve bodies for nearly 1000 years.

I wonder why.

Goodbye.

The composition, perhaps.

The pilot was dead. But there was fuel.

Wait! Wait!

Take him with you.

Please. I'm begging you. Look, he's a good boy.

I can get on my knees if need be.

- Please... - What if I get shot down?

You won't. His grandma works at the Hermitage. Find her.

What if I get shot down?!

I'm begging you. Save him!

If she's dead, take him to an orphanage.

He'll die here! Don't you see?

He'll die here! Please save him! Save him, you bitch!

Calm down. Calm down.

Don't be afraid, little one.

Don't be afraid, sweetie. You'll be loved.

Your mom didn't tell me your name.

What name would you like?

When my mom was pregnant with me

she thought I was a boy and called me Stepan.

Little Stepan.

Your name will be Stepan.

Maybe you'll become a pilot.

We could fly together.

Stepan! What's wrong? Open your eyes!

Come on! Stepan!

Stepan, sweetie, open your eyes!

LENINGRAD

I took them off.

They keep bombing.

My bones are aching.

It's strange. I've never been to the Hermitage.

But I always wanted to. Is anyone still working here?

Yes, those who are still alive.

They're mending the roof.

And I catch birds for Lidia.

I hide behind that column and throw a blanket on them.

Lidia, maybe it's time to finish your work?

I thought all the paintings were evacuated.

I'm making these copies for myself.

I'm looking for Anna. It's about a baby.

She's at the theater. Go there.

Second row.

I can give you a ticket for the seat next to her.

What theater?

Well, we're not all dead yet.

There's the Musical Comedy Theater. And there's our museum, too.

- Lidia... - Seryozha.

Anya is dead. Could you take her to the basement?

I will.

What about the baby?

He died.

She needs to bid farewell to him, bury him.

Maybe it's for the best.

- What about the ticket? - I'll bring it now.

Anna, I'm here about your grandson.

- Have we met before? - No, we haven't.

Quiet then. Let's talk later.

Later.

Enough. Do it.

Let's go. Let's go.

My father, my dear daddy.

I told him, "Spring is coming.

There will be grass and leaves. We can eat them."

And he just lay there asking for food.

But I'd already given him everything I had.

He just lay there, without getting up...

Have mercy upon the souls of those who died, forgive their sins

and on the Day of Retribution, grant them the Incorruptible Crown.

For protection, victory and salvation are found in You alone.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

STALINGRAD FRONT, EXPEDITIONARY AIRFIELD, FALL 1942

Why are you looking so sad, guys? We're going to fight.

So strange to see girls flying...

Sazonov! Stop staring at the pilot.

Check the ammunition.

You're so serious, so strict. But your eyes are kind.

The eyes don't lie.

- That's how I am. - Sit up.

Shine, shine, my star

My star of love, ever so friendly...

- Here. - Thanks.

Thank you, dear Luba.

Why do you keep looking at me?

My eyes have been hurting so much.

- Because of stress. - Yours too?

- And my neck. I'm all sweating. - And me.

But don't worry. It'll pass.

- Your porridge. - Thank you.

I couldn't sleep last night. My head wouldn't stop spinning.

Why aren't you ever going to the Volga river with us?

I never have the time.

27, stay on course for landing.

Level off. Don't sleep.

27, your descent is too steep. Level off, level off.

27, don't sleep! You're too fast! You'll crash!

Go to takeoff mode! Pull up! Circle back!

- Anya! - Anya is burning!

Anya is burning! Anya!

The worst thing is that I've begun to get used to all these deaths.

I feel nothing at all.

Some come, some go. I even forget their names. That's not right, is it?

Sir, the regiment is affected by fatigue.

They're getting no sleep. They're doing everything they can.

There are many non-combat losses.

Everyone is very tired. They can barely stand.

What can I do? Nothing.

Their life is short.

They're like butterflies.

Put the wide one on top.

That'll do.

They say there are heavy losses in Stalingrad.

I keep dreaming about my final flight.

About how I burn.

We're all gonna burn.

All of us...

Let's go away...

When it's all over...

You son of a bitch!

Come here! Come here!

- Drama queen. - Get away!

- Son of a bitch! - Stop it! Enough.

What was that for?

I've been looking for you for two hours!

Why are you chasing after me?

I can do what I want.

I told Volodya a lot of things. I told him I didn't love him.

I really don't.

Why are you being like this?

Why do you keep pestering everyone with your requests and advice?

Because you're acting like a prostitute.

If Volodya dies, what will you do then?

Do you think you're better than others? You betrayed your dad and mom.

How do you make it through the day? Do you sleep at night?

Aren't you ashamed?

What gives you the right?

Bitch! What gives you the right?

My father was a brilliant pilot. The best pilot!

He took me with him.

Do you know how he died?

He said that it was too early to use that new engine. Strange, huh?

So, they were executed.

Both him and mom.

I changed my surname to this disgusting one.

So yes, I'm a traitor. And no, I'm not better than others.

Then there was an orphanage. And a teacher there.

I was a ballet girl. Pure. Kind.

I always came to him when he called me.

He raped me.

I'm worse...

worse than all of you.

But I know that if I survive I'm gonna find and kill him.

I'll kill him.

And then I'll kill myself.

And...

- Although why wait? - Hey, Zhenya! Stop!

Don't...

Hush now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Come here.

It's all right, sweetheart. I'm so sorry.

It's all right. Calm down. Calm down. It's all right.

I won't leave you.

After the war I'll take you with me. Do you hear me?

I'll take you with me. I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Paint the star again. I'm not fighting for that sloppy work.

I've painted everyone's stars. You put me off. You're never pleased.

You're a strange one. Can't you think of something nice?

What I think is that the plane's leaking oil.

Make it stop, and then we'll talk.

- What can I do? - The engine's hot. It hurts my feet.

The oil won't leak from the new engines.

I'm one man, not a factory. This engine is crap.

- I'll report you. - Fine.

Tell them he's stealing provisions. Shame on you, Stepanov.

Why do you steal hens from villages at night?

- Villagers call you the Night Scourge. - It's a lie.

I'll report that.

- Any news? - Nothing.

I don't know what to do or who to write to.

What happened to my girls?

There is a wise rabbi in Kyiv.

Maybe he'll save them. Talk to the Germans.

What do they care about my family?

It's terrible. All this uncertainty.

Hey, Grump. Why don't you get any letters?

I've no-one left.

Zhenya, I'll marry you off after the war.

You'll have fat and lazy kids who will become tractor workers.

Don't listen to him.

I'll adopt you, and your kids will become rabbis.

Quit it already!

- Paint it again. - I will, I will.

- Hey Grump, you did the star badly! - I'll warm my hands and do it again.

Good afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel!

Why are you here this late? You got a crush on me?

No, Sir.

You're the one who said I'm Onufry.

You're always flying alone. Take me with you.

- Get ready, quick. - Yes, Sir!

- Mityushkina! Take my hat. - Yes, Sir!

- Clear! - Yes, Sir!

17, what do you dream about?

It's always the same dream.

I'm dancing. I walk out on the stage, alone.

I start doing fouette turns.

At first I'm doing well... But then my feet start bleeding, and I fall.

I get up and start turning and fall again.

- Do you dream about your parents? - Almost never. Switch to channel 9.

Done.

My dad was right.

Only now do I realize that he was right.

Everyone lied to me. Then I lied to myself.

I wanted to atone. But for what?

Your father was right.

The engine was faulty. He wrote to Moscow. They didn't believe him.

He was shot. It was a foolish mistake.

Why did they kill him?

That's a difficult question.

A human life means nothing. Reports are everything.

I don't want to die for those corrupt self-seekers.

Not everyone was like that, 17.

I've seen a lot of blood.

I saw a nobleman's house set on fire with kids inside. A church too.

I kept quiet. I didn't breathe a word.

But I'm fighting for the best in us, not the worst.

German at 10 o'clock above.

- Prepare to engage! - Yes, Sir.

Attacking.

17, finish off the German.

Drag it there... then here... Drag it here... then there...

I sealed the radiator. It didn't help. Scold me all you want.

I'll take a look.

- Please do. - Hold it.

That's because you're all thumbs.

- What's the problem? - 12 is consuming too much oil.

Give me my pliers.

- Here. - And that wrench.

Masha, are you all right?

I'm fine.

- Was it our fourth mission today? - Yes.

I kept chasing that German

even when he went into a dive, then up and to the right.

And I shot him down.

We got the Germans, girls. We all shot them down.

But the newspapers don't write about that, even though they could.

They don't want to say that women are fighting.

I doubt it. There are so few of us compared to men.

Here.

We're retreating. The Germans are in Stalingrad.

They'll write about us one day.

I keep wondering if anyone will remember us afterwards.

About how we fought.

In my memoirs, I'll be the hero.

And you'll be the regiment's tyrant.

What?!

This is 17. Forty to target.

Immediate attack on 15.- Copy that.

Copy that...

Ding-dong, ding-dong The bell is ringing...

Masha, what's with the singing?

Twenty to target. Attacking on 150.

This is 17. Let's get to work.

Three Russian aircraft at 11 o'clock!

Everyone in formation! At 11 o'clock!

Weapons free. Engage.

Approaching, approaching...

Masha, more to the left.

Circle back.

Repeat the attack.

Damn it! I lost them! I think they were Il-2s...

Come on.

Engaging.

Aligning the target, aligning the target...

I'm hit. I'm burning.

Return to base! Masha, cover Katya. I'll catch up.

Copy that!

Idiot.

Where is the plane?

Katya, do you hear me?

Katya, dear, please use the trim tabs.

Katya, do you hear me? I'm behind you.

Katya! Katya, breathe. I'm behind you.

I won't make it. I can't land. And I'm too low to bail out.

Katya, I'm behind you.

- It's going to be all right. - The controls won't respond.

Katya!

Katya, dear, please use the trim tabs. Don't give up. Come on. You'll be fine.

You'll land. Come on.

You'll be fine. Approach for landing.

Maintain course. Slow down. Level off, Katya.

Stay calm. You'll be fine.

Katya, please!

I can't land. I can't land, Zhenya.

- Holding it, holding it... - You're too low.

You're too low!

I can't land, Zhenya. I can't.

Come on, quick!

Looks like she's alive!

Come on!

Get her out!

Are you leaving?

I requested a transfer to a different regiment.

It was approved.

So, that's that.

You idiot. We love you.

Thank you.

Do you believe in God?

God exists.

I constantly want to say something, but I can't.

I told you all my family is dead.

Our home was bombed.

I'd rather you said something.

I think that our people embody the pain of this world.

And that's how we save the world.

We take on its horrors, mistakes and suffering.

There's something horrible and sublime about it.

I keep dreaming about Katya.

Bye.

- What are you...? - Take care of the dog.

Hey...

Hush, hush.

- Be careful! - Everything's fine!

Do you believe in God?

No, I don't.

Equipment exists. People exist.

The rest is just an attempt to believe there's a kind world somewhere.

It's trembling all over.

People sidestep their responsibility.

They come up with some idea of justice.

He abandoned you, didn't he?

- Let's feed it. - Let's.

- Don't tremble, sweetie. - Two of us left...

It's almost winter.

- Careful. - Give me my hat.

- Permission to speak, Colonel? - Granted.

- Come to the medical unit. - Stop it.

- You've not been checked for 3 months. - Stop it. I'm healthy.

- Please, Sir. - I'm enchanted. Enough.

No incidents while you were away, Colonel.

Captain, I mean, Lieutenant Colonel Bondar.

- Paint the star. - It will be done, Sir.

Please persuade him, Sir.

I will.

I can't fly. I can't fly.

What's with you? Hey.

I'm scared. I can't fly.

Let's report that the plane is defective. You won't fly.

Well?

We can't.

The city is burning. Kids are burning. We can't.

Clear!

I'm hit.

I'm burning.

Come on, come on.

Keep going.

Please, please, please...

I'm going down.

Bailing out.

STALINGRAD

Retreat!

Mom! Mom!

Do you have any smokes?

No.

Are you the pilot who fell?

How do you like it here on the ground?

It's not like how it is up there.

I'm dying.

Tell... tell me about Leningrad.

I have...

a daughter there, in Leningrad.

I'm worried.

Are they starving there?

They say...

everyone has died there.

No, they're not dead.

They're not starving.

It's almost not bombed.

The city is light. The streets are light.

People are happy.

The women are wearing dresses.

Your daughter is most probably happy.

Actually, she definitely is.

My parents go to work each morning. Sometimes they argue.

Then they make up. And go for a walk together.

They've got a dog. It chews on the wardrobe.

Mom's washed the windows. They can see the Neva River.

She makes meat patties. But my dad doesn't like them.

Do you hear me?

Quiet, quiet.

Come on.

Grab her!

Soldiers!

Attack!

Attack!

Charge!

Charge!

When death comes, we'll die.

Want a smoke?

Do you smoke?

I don't.

- Now you do. - Yes.

Zhenya?

What?

Come here.

How does it happen?

Almost all the guys are dead.

Yet you're alive.

They gave you a cushy role, huh?

Seems you're just here to be a pretty face.

There are no cushy roles.

You're just a shitty pilot.

Open your mouth.

I remember how I bled.

I remember my teacher.

You son of a bitch.

Go to bed.

I'll go confess soon.

They'll execute you.

It's going to be all right.

What choice did you have?

You could've shot him in the leg. Why in the head? God...

I'll tell them I did it.

What for? Don't.

Do you think my kids are still alive?

- Yes. - Well, I don't.

I walk around, I eat,

I try to remember their faces, but I'm not able to.

You're a good pilot. You'll have family, kids.

And I'm alone.

Just like Stepanov.

We're both alone.

We'll make it through.

- Let's light a match. - Uh-huh.

If it goes out on an even number, you do it. Otherwise, I will.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Sixteen.

Seventeen.

Eighteen.

Come on.

Get going.

Colonel, may I have a word with you, Sir?

Go ahead.

You could've refused to accept me.

Who would need someone like me?

I didn't though, as you can see.

Why?

I'm a nobody.

Because I didn't want to.

So you're brave?

My father was brave too.

Is it possible to love the dead? All of the dead?

It is. That would be good.

Everything's upside down. And messed up.

You're not old, you know?

A bit tattered, perhaps, but not old.

Could you fall in love with me?

But you're Vasily, or...

Was it Innokenty? Mikhail? We're comrades in arms.

I love you.

I won't tell anyone.

We're alive and free while this war lasts.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid.

No losses today.

We shot down four and lost zero. Zero losses for three days.

Good. It means they've learnt something.

Colonel, our personnel wonders if foreign music is really appropriate!

Konyakhin, I forbid you to yell.

Vivaldi is just like flying. You should study classical music.

I will certainly learn more about classical music, Sir!

I'm so drunk, everything looks purple.

Don't worry. They say the ballerina Kschessinska was never sober.

Drinking is in our culture. Just so long as the singer's sober.

- Grump, what are you smoking? - Camel-flavored smokes. I traded them.

Why do Americans like camels so much?

Traded them for what? Army rations? We should execute you.

You can't, Zhenya would be upset.

She's a formidable woman.

Zhenya, should we shoot that swindler?

Please do.

Using a girl as cover, eh?

We have plenty of camels. Go smell them.

These ones are special.

Look at the packet. It says "Ca-mel".

Must be the animal's name.

Don't be silly. Tobacco camels...

Velvet pigs, goats for perfume...

Got here almost on time.

- The sky's so clear today. - Yeah. The night will be cold.

She's so pretty!

- Will you fall out of love with me? - No, Zhenya, I would never.

Maybe you will.

For shame, a commander who's a wreck.

My heart is giving up.

How are you now? You all right?

Yes. I'm fine. Fine.

I need you to love me.

We will grow old together. Mostly you.

I will buy you a cane.

- For me? - Yes.

You'll act up, and I'll sometimes hit you for it.

Finally, you will fear me, and will only talk to me at my order.

A brilliant woman and a stupid man. How's that for a perfect couple?

I'm all in, Zhenya, just don't hit me with that cane.

Well, that's up to you.

Look at them flying in harmony.

Good job. They get it now.

So it wasn't all for nothing.

It wasn't for nothing.

Remember when I first came to you, and knew nothing about you...

or what to do...

And that horse too...

Remember?

Alexey! Alexey...

Alexey, Alexey, look at me!

Alexey, look at me.

Help!

Help!

Help! Help!

Farewell, Alexey. Farewell.

So stupid. His heart just stopped.

My soul hurts.

Everybody dies.

- Victory will still be ours. - Go. We don't need a speech.

Stepanov, get the planes ready.

He always refused to have a medical.

He laughed it off. We could do nothing.

He showed no symptoms. How could we know?

We didn't know. We really didn't know.

Don't play innocent with us.

With him, I was free like in my childhood.

It was so easy. He understood me.

And now it's like this.

We have a hard day tomorrow.

We should sleep.

Are you pregnant?

I don't know. Probably.

STALINGRAD FRONT,

EXPEDITIONARY AIRFIELD, FEBRUARY 1943

Don't torture yourself. Next time.

You will have kids.

Such a cold winter.

Yes, I will. Next time it is then.

I must've been mistaken.

I don't want the world to be empty.

Konyakhin lost his voice yesterday.

His yelling was so funny, all angry and high-pitched!

He took a boot off...

And I hid it.

Zhenya! Zhenya!

Zhenya! The Germans have surrendered!

- What? - They surrendered at Stalingrad!

- How so? - Their losses were too big!

- Everything will be all right now! - We will win!

Hurray!

The Germans surrendered!

- Where? How? - At Stalingrad!

Hurrah! They've surrendered!

- Congrats! - I can't believe it!

You know, when you first came,

I thought it was ridiculous for women to fight.

- Yes. - Nobody believed in you.

- But Alexey and Rita did. - They did.

Zhenya! Zhenya, my dear, we won!

Lieutenant Colonel, get up!

BELORUSSIAN FRONT,

EXPEDITIONARY AIRFIELD, FALL 1943

How are you doing, Belova?

The bombers have responded.

You'll escort them tomorrow, not today.

Bad weather conditions.

The Germans left their supplies and everything else behind.

Tomorrow it is then.

We're about to redeploy again. We're advancing.

Advancing.

But our new planes are still not here.

How long must we wait? The 43rd regiment has them already.

You'll get your new planes.

So funny. That Kraut didn't even manage to take off.

I haven't heard from Masha.

She can't be dead. Maybe she found our guys.

Not yet.

We couldn't find her plane either.

Vasily...

Please tell them to keep looking.

They must find Masha. They must.

She's alive.

- I will, I promise. - I can't go on without her.

We have some new personnel. Let me introduce you.

After you, First Lieutenant.

Officers, meet our best fighter pilot, First Lieutenant Belova.

- Zhenya. - Farida.

- Vera. - Masha.

- Nastya. - Anya.

Marina. I read about you.

You may sit.

- Olya. - Valya.

Ksenia.

How many missions have you done?

The Germans fear you.

Many missions. I don't know how many.

They fear nothing. Don't believe the rumors.

Major, Sir.

First Lieutenant, you have visitors. Journalists from Moscow.

What do they want from me again?

Slava, I can't right now.

Can you come up with something?

First Lieutenant, I'm going to be your wingman.

Fine. What is your name?

Marina. Yatsenko.

I want to fight. I'm ready to die, if need be.

You don't need to die.

Just get a good night's sleep. That's important.

We're not here to die.

I've seen a lot of death.

I remember Katya. Guys with no eyes, no legs...

no arms.

I'd often ask myself: what's more important,

the country or an individual?

- Wanna smoke? - I don't smoke.

Masha didn't smoke either at first.

I realized they were equally important.

We are who we are.

And there is no country without us.

I lost my matches.

I fight so that other people don't die.

We have to stay human, we're not machines.

Understood.

First Lieutenant, why did you miss your medical?

There's no escaping you, is there? I'll come, I will.

I don't know...

The haircut is fine. Just comb it to the side.

- I do that. - And trim the ends.

Who did this to your hair? Let me fix it.

- Shevelko, give this to Polina. - Will do.

I found an old book.

- Show it! - What's it about?

Let's fly away somewhere. Let's disappear.

So there's only the sky around us.

And its purity.

Only you and me.

So we can go anywhere and do whatever we want.

No anger, no fear.

No anger, no fear.

Katya, Marika, Rita, Alexey, Masha.

Where are you?

How are you doing up there?

Enemy spotted! I think he's alone. Distance 900 m.

Acknowledged! Attack!

Karl! Take the right! Keep your distance!

Oh God.

Oh God...

Mommy... Daddy... I'm coming.

Alexey, I'm almost there.

Alexey.

Katya!

Mommy! Daddy!

Mom! Dad! I'm on my way.

I'm on my way...

LENINGRAD FRONT, AIRFIELD, SPRING 1944

Was it you who got into the kitchen, Grump?

I'll tell Bondar that it's you who's stealing all the food.

It's not me.

It's a lie. Pathetic people.

You call everyone pathetic.

Stop it.

- You're such a grump. - I'm not a...

Masha!

Masha! Masha...

How are you?

The plane crashed.

The women in the village hid me.

I got across the front.

I was detained and questioned.

The usual story.

My sweet girls. My dear pilots.

Come on, don't cry.

I know. I know everything.

It's war. That's how it goes.

Come on.

Enough. Don't cry.

You remember them all. And so do I.

Enough.

- Everything's gonna be all right now. - Yeah.

I miss you all so much.

We'll make it through.

It's all right.

We're gonna win soon.

- Come on, smile! - We're definitely gonna win now.

Smile, I said. Smile.

- How are things? - We've got new female pilots.

And decent new planes.

And good new radios.

The oil doesn't leak.

Wanna fly today?

The film is dedicated to all the women

who selflessly fought at the front and as part of partisan units,

who saved lives in hospitals, and worked on the home front.

Tragically, many of them had not lived to see the victory.

This film is dedicated to my family,

most of whom have experienced the hardships of war.

To my grandfather Igor Karmalita,

who died heroically at the front and whom I had never met,

to my grandmother Valentina Borshchagovskaya

who survived the hell of occupation and saved my mother,

who was a little girl then,

to Yuri German, Tatyana Rittenberg-German,

Alexander Borshchagovsky, and my parents

who were haunted by the war in their dreams for the rest of their life.

ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS FILM ARE FICTITIOUS.

ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL PERSONS IS COINCIDENTAL.

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS FILM.