Original subtitles

I do not blame Łęcka.

She was raised to despise people like him.

She knew no other way.

Why did he set his sights on her?

How?

When?

If he put as much energy,

as much effort

into anything else other than Łęcka,

in any given field, he would have reached...

the zenith.

The zenith.

Or maybe, in truth,

he simply longed for death.

Not for Łęcka.

And that... is what he got.

Finally.

S. WOKULSKI DEPARTMENT STORE

THE DOLL

Was it really love?

I don't know.

We had never known it before.

Love was something only the rich had time to indulge in.

I've been managing the Łęcki household for years,

so I can see clearly that your references were

purchased at the market.

It looks like they cost hardly anything.

But I'll turn a blind eye, because you cost hardly anything.

That's just fine.

We will pay you hardly anything. But you can find extra work after hours.

The former maid to Ms Łęcka chose to leave her employ

because she's so terribly demanding.

But you will cope.

I hope.

My references document my many skills, ma'am.

How would you know? Can you read?

These stairs are just for family. Not you.

You will do the bulk of the laundry once a week,

with smaller garments every other day, my girl.

The shopping too, you will do every other day.

You will do any darning and ironing as required,

and you will always keep the floors buffed.

And polish the silver every third day, else an unsightly residue will form.

Wait right here.

The house is exquisite, and you will keep it that way.

Is that clear, my girl?

Now come on.

Ms Izabela, when she wakes, needs assistance with the wash basin,

and then with getting dressed.

Then ask if she cares to have breakfast.

If she does, you ask where she would like to take it.

-What time does the lady rise? -Of course it's up to her entirely.

For instance, it's nearly noon and she still hasn't gotten up.

Oh, fuck.

We do not swear in this house. Ever.

Florcia.

What can I do for you, my most cherished cousin?

I'm bleeding.

As we all do, my dear.

As we all do.

What a relief.

It has ruined my entire week.

Help the lady put this on. Quickly.

Tell me your name.

Marianna.

-Can you not speak? -Ma'am. If it pleases you.

Why did Florentyna choose to hire you, of all people?

Well...

I am cheap to employ.

Have they delivered The Ivy?

Pardon?

Mm.

You shall always remind me of a word that I so dislike.

A word which, until recently, I'd never known.

Frugality.

THE IVY

Since we are economising now with her,

maybe I could convince you, Papa, to put in some sewers.

Everyone has plumbing, except for us.

-Hm. -We relieve ourselves like animals.

Never in my life have I heard of

an animal shitting in a chamber pot.

At Prince Czartoryski's once, a marmoset shat in the soup.

Mm.

Your mare Elektra has two legs broken.

Oh my God.

I had a carriage accident yesterday.

She will need to be terminated.

And turned into... glue, sadly.

One day, we'll all end up like that horse.

Father, you should have some vodka.

-You are far too maudlin. -No, no, I can't.

No more drinking, do you hear?

Hm. Come on. You spoke differently yesterday.

Or, sang a different tune.

Here.

I'm very sorry, but I'm...

I am not going to the Society meeting.

Because, firstly...

It's full of old, miserable pricks.

And secondly,

I have other priorities.

Understood.

Just leave it to me.

Ms Izabela Łęcka...

...daughter of Tomasz, Count Łęcki,

has petitioned our Society with, er...

...an unusual request.

Yes?

-With my father's consent. -Mm. Of course.

Naturally.

Your wish, miss, is to appoint an administrator to your estate

who will take care of it upon your father's death.

Er... so tell me, is your father presently unwell?

I worry about my future.

Oh.

And you have no intention of getting married, miss?

Your future husband, in accordance with the law,

would manage your estate.

My priest advised me of what I now require.

An administrator.

I'm shocked that the words of a man of the cloth,

who is the voice of God on Earth, are being questioned.

That's not how I was taught.

Is it true about your pater, that a carriage mishap has befallen him?

Yes.

Elektra, his horse...

Her legs were broken.

-And she has been destroyed. -Dear God!

Well, I sincerely hope your father was unharmed.

He's in mourning.

Was the carriage in good condition?

What mishap? What was the cause of the crash?

A strange coincidence, don't you think, my dear?

Are you implying that I'm plotting my father's death?

Mm...

Who hitches a carriage to an Arabian horse?

My father.

May I ask that we please put an end

to such inelegant and unpleasant remarks about riding?

Yes.

Ms Izabela, I'm surprised at your behaviour...

And I'm surprised, sir, by your reluctance.

The gentleman to administer my estate from now on... is Duke Rudnicki.

Yes.

He is certainly the most experienced. An asset to you all.

Presiding over every single one of you.

Yes.

Furthermore, in terms of lineage,

he is from the noblest family.

Yes.

You're not, gentlemen, going to contradict precedent, are you?

Yes.

And the Duke agrees, I see.

-Yes. -But the Duke...

Go on.

-The Duke is... -He's what?

You uphold your Society's principals, don't you?

Or is there a problem?

Can I then count on the Duke's signature?

Yes.

A wonderful performance.

Do you wish to be considered an actress, my dear?

How do you mean?

Why such theatrics?

By casting Duke Rudnicki in the role of estate administrator...

Is that a good thing?

You must have a short memory, as you wanted my estate about a year ago.

And me too, as I recall.

Tell me honestly.

For what reason did you turn me down when I asked for your hand in marriage?

Because this hand here...

wandered where it had no permission to go.

Are you not intimidated?

Time slips by.

Debutantes, younger eligible ladies, will be introduced at the Society ball.

Who, my dear, do you desire?

Why is this place always such a pigsty?

Why don't you care about it?

Mr Wokulski is coming back. Now, where's his telegram, hm?

Er, has he brought anything back with him?

That is none of your dog-arse barking business.

If I had a business like this, I wouldn't go anywhere.

Especially not to war.

Getting shot at in the snow, no, thank you.

You don't really think that Mr Wokulski actually went to the front, do you?

And fixed his bayonet?

Well, you mentioned that he went off to the war.

And this is the reason that you are here.

And why Mr Wokulski comes back here

with more money than you could ever dream of!

Now, play, play, play, play, now, now!

No, stop playing.

Now, now, now! Now, now, now!

No, stop playing, stop playing. Stop it, stop it!

Stan!

Stan!

Stan!

Stan!

Stan.

Come.

Stand away!

So where are we going? To the shop?

No.

"Women sometimes wrongly complain that they are disadvantaged in society".

"Indeed, they are overly pampered and exalted".

"It has been this way for far too long..."

The lecture's almost over, but Mrs Orzeszkowa will be here

at the same time next week, I'm sure.

That's not why I'm here, though.

Oh? Why, then?

Are you her guard?

No.

"Because it bows people's foreheads before their external beauty..."

Would you by any chance be Ms Łęcka?

Please, will you kindly not speak to me any more?

"I'm proud. I'm strong".

"This is the key that unlocks the mystery of the expression..."

'Emancipation of women'".

Ms Izabela Łęcka.

What are we to do with you?

Excuse me?

Tell me what you... want to achieve in life.

To be a writer.

In the future, perhaps to have a magazine of my own.

And to reduce the class gap.

That is admirable.

Have you the means to fund your own newspaper?

At some point in time.

For the time being though, well, I wish to know your opinion of my article.

Average.

Why so?

I don't mean to hurt you.

It just seems that you are immature.

You have limited life experience

and know little of what is happening in the world.

You, the aristocracy, have never left your manor houses,

your palaces.

And in our magazine, and what we believe is fundamental,

we demand contemplation.

Opinion.

Not descriptions of your wardrobe, your banquets, your parties.

Do you know Dr Zofia Dobska?

I don't.

She writes interesting articles for us, because her life is interesting.

Though it's not...

as pampered.

So what am I supposed to do?

Maybe...

Maybe Zofia could introduce you to the world of ideas, current thinking.

Emancipation.

I am to be her student?

This is not an operetta.

Maybe you'd be amenable to writing a travel journal from abroad, miss?

-From Italy, for example, or from France? -Good.

And Paris does have a world exhibition.

-A perfect topic for an article. -It is.

And our readers do not have the means to journey abroad.

Please give it some thought,

and let us know.

Of course.

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to talk to you both.

Hmm.

Ah! She's here now.

Your father said I would find you here.

I was getting tired of you keeping me waiting.

It's a metaphor.

And not a metaphor. Simultaneously.

Do not follow me without my consent.

-Izabela, what on earth's wrong? -Don't call me Izabela!

Florcia, I want to go home. I must go home.

-Good, let's go. -Bela, but we...

I will never be your wife, you badger dick! You are so revolting!

Bela!

-Who taught you to address me... -Who didn't?

Go on! Go.

-You'll pay for this. -But not much!

Some day, you are going to apologise!

When will this end?

I... I don't know when! But not yet!

So when?!

To be honest with you, unless my luck changes again,

then we'd only be able to live in the way we've grown accustomed for another

three, four years, and that's it!

What have you done with it all?

I invested it. It was an investment.

It was a... a business venture,

or whatever you bloody well call it.

My dowry too?

Everything.

But you know nothing about this business.

Why did you commit? It is completely insane.

The Baron also invested a substantial sum.

I am due to go on a trip abroad.

-I have to make this journey! -Jesus...

Very soon, we will start to see a return.

It can't go wrong. And then all will be well, I assure you.

I'll never trust you ever again! Never!

Enough now.

I'm going to get the money.

I don't believe you.

You'll see.

What the hell are you up to?

Papa!

Papa!

Hush.

Hush, now. Good girl.

Hush.

Good girl.

So much salt.

Mm. Exquisite. It's exquisite.

Mm!

Remember how much money I took with me when I went away?

Mm-hm. Thirty thousand roubles. All we had.

So what do you think? How much I got now?

Mm...

Forty thousand?

Mm.

Not fifty?

-Sixty? -Mm.

I've no idea. A hundred thousand roubles?

It's not? A hundred thousand?

-Thrice that. -Thrice?!

Stan! What are we...?

What will you do with that kind of money? You only need... what?

A thousand a year to live?

No, Stan, you can't...

-Mm. -No...

-Mm. -No.

No, no, no, no, no.

No, no.

Does she ever come by?

No, she doesn't.

But her cousin does, the one who runs the Łęcki household.

Stan.

Seriously. A year in the Turkish war and you still feel the same?

Just watch me. I'll marry her soon.

Had anyone told me 20 years ago

that I would be eating lunch at Hopfer's every day of the week,

I would have probably cried with unbridled joy.

And then I had a thought. Ah-ha!

-To own Mincel's. -Oh.

Oh, that would be something!

I inherited the shop, didn't I, my friend?

-Eh? -Hm?

Are we nearly there?

We're here, look.

Is it mine?

I rented it for a year! Just like you asked me to.

She turns everybody down.

Eh. She's refused better men than me.

-Er, she won't forever. -Mm.

I shall make it happen,

step by step.

-You understand? -Mm.

I understand.

But what for?

Hm?

To have a life with her.

Can't you have a life with someone else?

HABERDASHERY J. MINCEL, S. WOKULSKI

Stan... what do you think?

The counter. Feel it.

Brand new and solid.

But you may not have noticed.

Take a look at this now.

A new system for accounting that I've implemented.

Hm?

Now, let me demonstrate.

It is much more legible and tidy.

Give me the one with the debtors.

Every ledger you require is here, apart from that one,

which is in the back room.

Ah.

This letter came for you.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Let me see Łęcki.

You told me to keep their credit open,

so this isn't my responsibility.

I am not blaming you, Ignaś.

Everything is just how I want it.

If, as you say, sir, you returned with 300,000,

then why do you need even more?

-Where do you want to stop? -Erm...

That is what, er, the English refer to as "capitalism".

-Hmph. -My dear sir.

Know that I venture to Paris twice a year. Yes, twice a year,

and I have never heard the French use that word.

Mm.

Well, tell us then, what do the Russians call it?

Because it seems you profited greatly during the Russian-Turkish war.

Tell me, how can we be sure that you even have the money?

And that you are not just play-acting here,

like other, yet more impressive, bourgeois businessmen,

simply to join our company?

Mm, our nation could do with some capital.

We can do without it.

Well...

If you good gentlemen change your minds...

you know where you can find me.

In the haberdashery you inherited from your late wife.

Your wife's debt there is by no means inconsiderable.

Get out.

Leave us at once!

I am not suggesting that we deal in opium.

This is a legal business.

-Is there an issue? -No.

Everything is in order, Your Grace. Dinner will be served shortly.

SOCIETY OF POLISH NOBILITY

Mr Wokulski!

Mr Wokulski, I listened to you intently in the club.

I agree with you entirely.

I'm sorry that you kept your silence in there.

They will come to you one by one, Mr Wokulski, I assure you.

They wouldn't dare admit it, but they're ashamed.

I do not know what shames them more, their debts or their ignorance.

They know nothing about what we do.

And have you any shame?

I propose that we enter into partnership.

Even though at the current time, my capital's run out.

But that's a short-term concern,

because I have very recently invested in a joint venture with Baron Krzeszowski.

And... any day now, the proof will be in the pudding.

We will see... returns.

What is this venture?

Time will tell.

But you're aware of what you've invested in with this baron?

My dear, you've already rejected an Italian prince.

Why?

All because of his unpleasant smell.

Then there was the baron from Monaco.

Too fat.

After him, there was

Count Potocki.

What was wrong with him?

Ignorant.

Radziwiłł, you rejected too.

Tereszyński, the same thing.

Baron Krzeszowski. He was a big problem.

Correct.

So now, you have Alfred.

I will never wed him.

At your age, my dear, you cannot hope for better.

No.

A blatant waste of potential you are, girl.

Such a blatant waste of life.

Aunt, what do you mean by that?

I feel shame.

Shame that you are the last of us.

That only you can ensure that our family bloodline endures.

You're an embarrassment, dear.

And I feel shame.

Do you see this?

Tomasz, sir?

Do you see? Do you see?!

Come on!

Slow down!

Ooh!

Ooh! Mm!

-I say. -Look!

Sir...

Look!

Look! Look at it!

Here!

This!

But... but what is this?

This is success.

What is it, sir?

Ah.

You see?

What is all this?

Machines.

I am aware that they are machines.

What do they do, though?

Good question.

Good question.

They make money.

Money. Money, more money. Capital.

12 LUDNA STREET AFTER 10 PM ASK FOR MARIANNA

Enter!

Why are you so tense, Mr Wokulski?

If you want to achieve anything in our, what's the term, "aristocratic circle",

you should loosen up a little.

And cheer up. Hm?

Well, I shall teach you.

This is a strange choice of venue for a meeting.

I wanted you to meet your spy in her element.

Marianna, my good sir.

She works as a maid at the Łęckis', but she'll report to you now.

Hey.

A whore in a noble home? What are you playing at?

So you want to know what my little cousin is up to without losing your virtue.

Is that right?

Hm. How clever.

I shall leave you two alone so you can both come to an understanding.

And I would be very grateful if we could settle up your account now.

God bless you.

Shall I undress?

I'll put an end to this and pay you. Here.

For you not to have to demean yourself like this.

So you only have to work for Ms Łęcka from now on.

Understood?

What is she like?

Ms Łęcka?

Pretty.

Is she in love with anyone?

Mm... A young man comes.

Alfred.

Er... Madam Florentyna thinks he's making progress.

But in my opinion, sir, it is doomed.

Her thoughts are elsewhere.

If they told me to make a choice between all the balls this year or Paris,

I would choose Paris.

-Mmm. -And next year's balls? Still Paris.

And... balls are always so dull anyway.

Incredibly dull.

But as with every dull thing, they tend to lead to something.

Oh?

They present the opportunity for old men to ogle young girls

who'll become their daughters-in-law.

And that is ownership of some sort.

And they allow the not-so-young bachelors,

like me,

to perhaps meet their future wives.

I am just like a debutante waiting to be married off,

for money,

because I squandered it all.

"My hands find anchor at your arms".

"And my temples, throbbing with desire, I shall lay on your shoulder".

"Casually, though".

"Like a lady tired from dancing, seeking the shade".

Did your wife-to-be write that?

Mm-hm.

Her writing is profane and obscene.

Who would have thought that an old bourgeois

would have such imagination?

Luckily, while you throb with your voluptuous widow,

I will make myself a new life.

One that begins in Paris.

-Mm. -Mm.

-Izabela. -Alfred.

I... want to tell you that I'm not angry any more.

Hm. Well, that's very virtuous.

You see, love... is not sighing at the stars

Or weeping in a desolate hour

But instead, it's dynamic It has vigour, it's tormenting

Well, how nice. Pretty words to fall asleep to.

Izabela!

Go and bother someone else, Alfred.

I'll take pleasure in catching your eye,

while I introduce myself to the eligible young debutantes.

The more beautiful they are, the better!

Izabela! I thought you wouldn't be here.

Dear, are you unwell?

Do you think I look ill?

Well... your complexion's a little grey.

Remember when we were debutantes, my dearest?

I do. You were both so young. And so pretty.

Mm.

Fortunately, I no longer have to be young any more, do I, hm?

Or even pretty.

Those days are no more. My fifth child's on the way.

Now I'm just happy and fat.

And you?

How do you bear it? So many years, always on display.

-Oh, cousin! -Hm?

Ah.

-I'm sure you remember Stasia. -Of course.

If you'll forgive me, I must steal my cousin away.

-Certainly. -Mm-hm.

Is this some new custom? To attend a ball so heavy with child?

Are you worried she'll steal all your glory, Bela?

I'm worried it's all so boring. Because who is there to talk to?

A-ha!

-Is that her? -Mm-hm. My merry widow.

Ludwika.

Please meet my delightful cousin, Izabela Łęcka.

He talks about you all the time.

Far less than he talks about you, no doubt.

With my cousin, there's not much else that he talks about.

I like to talk about beauty.

A word gives expression to an idea.

If a word comes into being, there is a reason for its creation.

Know that something gave it a chance to emerge.

Well said.

And the phrase "women's emancipation"

was our way of capturing our desire for us to escape and prosper.

I completely agree.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

I am almost packed, my dear.

And for what, may I ask, have you packed?

For Paris.

Oh, that's good, very good. Truly.

Now then.

Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone else too, hm?

May I say that I hope you're already drunk?

Drunkenness shall allow the ladies to bear the fact

that they are no longer as beautiful and young

as the girls they are about to see.

And gentlemen... the same goes for you.

You can laugh. That was funny.

Come now, Zaruski. Don't cry, my dear Count.

You should just get even more drunk.

It will make it much easier to bear.

Play.

Our hostess must be completely mad to invite a man like that here, tonight.

Who is he?

Wokulski.

Bravo!

I hear it said he's a trader.

And been the talk of the town for days.

Tell me more.

And that he is a ruffian and a fraud who has profiteered from war.

And that he killed his wife for money.

They say he's surly, boorish, and a simpleton.

When I hear that high society has such a low regard for someone,

it intrigues me greatly.

Even if he is a trader.

Bela?

Bela.

Bela!

I heard a lot about you.

Izabela Łęcka.

Are you reminding me of my name?

Would it please you to dance?

-Mm... -Very odd.

You don't speak any French.

Oysters displease you. You don't dance.

Is there anything you'd enjoy?

I'd enjoy dancing with you.

Then you must ask me with a bow, Mr Wokulski.

I've been hoping that you would ask me.

Er, mm...

Forgive the interruption.

-Not right now. -It's important.

Tomasz...

If I did not know what sweat is, I would say your hands are weeping.

Why didn't you say you don't know how to dance?

I wasn't asked if I could.

So you are doing it against your will.

Excellent.

I'm sure that you will learn something from your mistake, sir.

Izabela...

Now, Ms Izabela, I...

Be gone from my sight

I shall obey at once

Be gone from my heart

The heart shall obey too

Be gone from my memory

Neither mine, nor yours Will listen to this cry

-My last, for evermore now, commandment... -Dear God!

Hey, hey, hey!

A doctor!

I am a doctor!

Gentlemen! Get the fuck off me now!

Let go of me!

Gentlemen, let me go! Fuck!

-Breathe. Breathe. Deep breaths, now. -Let's lie you down!

I think there's something wrong!

Get out of the way. Make room.

Come on, come on, let's put you here.

Lay her down. Bring boiling water, towels, and sheets.

Legs up now. Up. Yes.

Your legs up. Yes, that's it.

No men allowed in here!

Please leave!

-What shall we do? -We must settle her. Some vodka!

Breathe, Stasia. Breathe, Stasia. Take deep breaths.

-What are you doing? -I have to lift this up.

Let's get this off you now. Just keep breathing, my dear.

I know it's unpleasant.

I know, I know, my dear, I know.

You're so brave.

She's bleeding from her uterus.

We must cut.

Do you want to be useful?

Music, now!

Misia!

Where's my dog?

Where is my pet?

Misia!

Kazimierz, I want my pet!

Misia!

-Misia! -We must find one!

Someone bring a tourniquet here, now!

-Come, quickly! -Hurry up!

-Where's the vodka? Pass the vodka! -Quickly!

-Give it to me. -Hold it here.

I'm doing it!

Deep breaths, all the time.

-No, no, no! -Keep breathing, Stasia. Keep breathing.

Almost ready. Hold on. I must rip this.

No!

Bring me the medicine.

-Leave the tools there. -No!

Now, don't worry.

Stasia. Stasia!

Hey! Stasia, my dear...

Give me the cloth.

Hold on. Hold on just a bit longer.

Hold on. Just a bit longer. Just a bit longer.

Little thing. There we go.

Yes!

A little girl.