Original subtitles

Kullervo, Kalervo's son, drew his sharp sword.

He looked at it, turned it, questioned it, called upon it...

He asked his blade if it wished to eat his guilty flesh, drink his wicked blood.

The blade searched his mind, sensing his intentions, and answered:

"Why would I not gladly eat thy guilty flesh, drink thy wicked blood?

"For I feast upon the righteous as well.

"And I drink the blood of the innocent."

What a heavy devil!

No! I won’t go!

I will skin you alive!

Beast!

Beast? I’m worse. Much worse.

I’m human.

KALEVALA THE STORY OF KULLERVO

It's a boy!

A son is born!

And he'll be a man as soon as I put an axe in his hand!

I'll take good care of you, my son.

I won't raise you with fists and pain, but with love.

His name is Kullervo! Son of Kalervo!

My blue-winged boy!

Did you actually find your brother

or did the forest spirits tell you tales of his plunders?

Kalervo...

...came to me...

...and showed me a secret.

A son has been born to him.

Maria... Maria bore Kalervo a son.

A king!

What does that mean?

A baby boy is a new life. A boy that will be king signifies your brother's power.

The power he stole from you.

I see silver, signifying wealth.

And the cross is a new god.

A god who comes from the east and the west.

I see that he has a new, strong god.

He wants to take over all of his father's lands hoping that you've given in.

I will never give in.

Let's call a council.

Kalervo has settled on our lands, burning our forests for fields.

Trampling our paths, breaking our traps and tearing our nets.

If you're on the trail of a deer, Kalervo has already killed it!

If you shoot a bird, he has already eaten it!

These were my father's lands.

But they were shared equally between me and Kalervo.

He should not be trespassing here.

Kalervo has the heart of a wolf. He takes more than he needs.

He is no better than a dog with no balls.

Let them live by the lake for a while.

- As long as he stays out of my way. - It will never work.

The two of you... Like night and day!

This must end!

Kullervo!

Father!

No!

Tickle, tickle, tickle!

What's that bright star?

It's the nucleus of the sky, the golden egg of the bluebill duck.

The small stars are the silver eggs of swallows,

but that is the centre of all life. The golden egg of the bluebill duck.

- What lies beyond it? - The firmament.

And beyond the firmament?

The rim of the sky. And beyond that is Tuonela.

Is that where the dead go?

The soul travels on the back of a bluebill duck to the rim of the sky.

After living there for a time,

the soul transforms to a silver egg of a swallow.

And one night, the egg breaks loose, falls back to Earth

and becomes a new human.

Who was I then? In the past, I mean?

You were my son.

Now and always.

And you are my little girl.

Dear me, brother.

You shouldn't sleep here alone. Someone might take your life.

- You've been looking for me. - I was hoping you'd already died.

I'm not dead, nor do I intend to die.

Wolves and bears die, but I will never die!

You should go back to your own land.

Father divided everything evenly. Why did you settle on my land?

Here's why.

This strong boy was born to me. The strongest of all.

And he will become the leader of this land as well. The king of Karelia!

I will exile my brother, without even a sigh. I will feel no mercy!

Let our enemy strike his iron sword back to the womb of Mother Earth!

May his knife rust in the rain. May his axe break against stone.

Exiling him is not enough.

You must take his power! You must steal his god!

- Did you hear that? - No. What is it?

Something hit the door.

It looks peaceful.

Leave the catch.

Go inside!

Hide there!

If you strike once, I strike twice!

Be gone!

Don't be afraid, this is a feud between brothers!

- Maria, where is Kalervo? - You son of a bitch!

Let go!

Wäino... Wäinö has bewitched Untamo.

Don't let them harm the children.

No!

Kullervo. Go through the fence there and run to the woods.

I'll go and find mother and Aino. Don't worry.

Good boy, now go!

Maria! Maria!

Brother.

Can we have a quick word?

Where is Maria?

Halt!

Then die, you poor bastard.

I didn't want this to happen.

You have only yourself to blame.

Burn it.

It won't budge.

Open up, we won't harm you.

Come on, damn it!

Take it easy, boy.

Let go!

- Let go! - A feisty little one!

Let go! Let go!

I'll take revenge!

You're supposed to be a man, so keep swinging!

Bastard!

Hey, let's go!

Why are you still lying there in the sludge?

I'm hardening myself.

Maybe we can both harden ourselves, if you want.

I miss my mother.

I have dreams.

Violent dreams.

Burning houses, warriors in shadows.

Screams.

They've built a devil inside me.

They're just nightmares.

You are my son, Kullervo.

And one day all these lands will be yours.

I promise that your future is bright.

Not as gloomy as your mind.

Hungry again?

And I just fed you.

Either I've slept a year, or you're growing into a giant!

Untamo!

He's become a bloody strong boy.

Strong family.

Maybe so.

We need to talk.

That Kullervo...

We fear he brings the luck of the para upon us.

So that the sun will stop shining, and the moon will glow in gold no more.

There's nothing wrong with him.

- He'll be the end of us. - Why?

That sheep that was mauled in the field by a wolf...

- What about it? - It wasn't a wolf, it was a para.

- An evil spirit that haunts his journey. - Even you keep him shackled at night.

He has nightmares. Sometimes he walks in his sleep.

Some of the cattle were killed but not eaten.

We won't make it through the winter if the Devil follows the boy.

- This has never happened before. - Twice already during the same moon.

And every time on Kullervo's watch.

Or maybe a bear scared the goblins out of the forest.

Calm down. The boy is not cursed.

Tomorrow Kullervo will be branded with the family mark.

"He who goes to war for nothing, who fights without cause,

"will face defeat in battle,

"die on the sword, rot in the trenches."

These are serious matters. Now even the women are afraid of him.

The children as well.

He's a strong boy, that's all.

We need him to protect us.

We must carry it to the swamp and strike it on the head with a cudgel.

To prevent a frenzied war-slave from growing.

- We need farmers, not warriors. - No.

The village needs a chieftain.

That boy will never be our leader.

The decision is mine, not yours.

My family has ruled these lands for more than a few lifetimes.

I'll send the boy far away, to the burn-clearings, to build a fence.

He won't be able to do any damage there.

I'm giving you an easy task. You can show your strength and abilities.

Enclose this cleared area with a fence so thick

that even beasts can't see through it.

I'll make a fence so high and heavy that even birds can't fly over it.

Just make a sturdy fence and show your strengths.

I'll make a damn wall. That'll shut the villagers up.

Someone might even praise me.

Just make it sturdy.

There's alder, aspen and birch. They make a strong fence.

I'll be back in two days to check it.

Bring Kalevi too, so he can see that I don't fail at everything.

Son of a bitch!

Now the extra pieces are suitable for burning.

It is smooth, and now the fence is strong.

It looks strong, but… -I made it strong as instructed, and at night I’ll do the rest.

Pile those log pieces onto the back of the horse.

Made with this axe and these fists!

It's strong and sturdy pinewood.

No animals, not evet forest spirits can get through.

But you cut down my logs too.

Without thinking.

- Or asking. - That I did. Me and the axe.

It came out strong this way, birch is too yielding.

What is it? The fence is strong, right?

The pine trees were for the house.

We had saved them for decades.

You told me...

...to build a fence here.

And to make it strong.

So I did.

You caused serious damage, son. You chopped up the logs for my house.

There was no one here watching or yelling at me!

I tried my best, Father.

I gave it my all.

Take the horse.

And move the logs to the barn.

I'll sort this out.

Damn it!

Kullervo was seen here raging last night.

A bloody bird of ill omen he is. Go and get Kullervo.

We'll let the boys squeeze the evil out of him.

- He's in for a beating. - Leave Kullervo alone!

- Did you have the horse killed? - No.

The horse is dead!

- Did you have it killed? - No!

The doors were open and the throat was cut. You fed it to the wolves!

Let go, slave!

Who's next?

Let's go, Sampo.

Why do they call me a slave?

They’ll be worse off if they still attack.

But I managed to take down the big man pretty well.

These devils aren’t boiling.

Boil, devil, boil!

Let’s go home.

We must get rid of Kullervo.

The carnage is his doing. He's not cut out for hard work.

What will you do when he becomes a man? The boy is full of rage.

He'll take revenge if he hears the truth.

He has his father's gaze, he's like Kalervo.

These men won't let him rule them.

- We should've killed him back then. - Shut up, all of you.

Keep in mind who owns your land.

What will you do when he grows up and finds out?

- He won't find out. - Untamo...

Believe me when I say that you no longer see who is living in your house.

The boy is a beast!

- What's that bright star? - It's the nucleus of the sky.

The golden egg of the bluebill duck.

- What lies beyond it? - The rim of the sky.

And beyond that, Tuonela.

- How do you get there? - The living have no business there.

You'll go there when the time comes.

Kullervo...

You have to go now. You beat up the sons of three families.

It's a glorious thing to die in battle.

As swords clash.

Calm your wrathful mind.

Go into the forest and kill us a deer or two for the winter.

Go now.

The last piece.

Eat the damn thing.

Father?

Wake up! Father?

Wäinö!

Open up! Wäinö!

- Who? - Kullervo! Open up!

Go away! Don’t come here, you bird of ill omen.

Father is sick. We don’t have any bread left. We need help, or father will die.

Let him die!

I won't lament your fate, but...

...I take no pleasure in this.

Believe me.

Now I will take you to your place of rest.

Oh, we wretched devils...

The cock sat at the table.

Well-clothed, strong and able.

He ate meat, he ate butter.

With his silver cutter.

He had a golden fish knife.

And an ugly cunt for a wife...

That's the missing horse over there.

What killed it? Wolves?

The throat was cut, the blood ran dry.

The big pieces of meat were cut with a knife or a sword.

It wasn't a wolf!

Let's go.

You go, I'll stay and hunt.

Untamo!

This is that damn Kullervo's doing again!

That evil is mine to bear.

I have killed my own brother, but I want to give his son a good life.

I'll say it again: no one lays a hand on the boy!

A para doesn't kill in vain, it charms bears to attack cows.

A para tortures you for so long that you want to die.

Either you and the boy, or the boy only. You decide!

In two moons Kullervo must go.

You can say your goodbyes. Then we rid ourselves of the para.

- Kullervo. Wake up! - What?

- What is it? - We have to drink booze.

- I don't drink. - Get up.

And now we start drinking. You will drink.

The cock...

...sat at the table.

Well-clothed, strong and able.

He ate meat, he ate butter.

With his silver cutter.

He had a golden fish knife...

...sweeping and scrubbing.

The cock was cooking porridge.

Father?

Father?

What is it, Father?

- The villagers want to exile us both. - Why?

Did you kill the horse?

It was winter and you were dying!

They say we are the devil's birds who bring bad luck.

They talk about a curse.

Let us go to war, let us give them hell!

Don't take the path of war.

A damn devil's bird, that's what you are.

Shut up, I'm not!

You fail at everything.

Whatever task I give, you just cause destruction.

I should send you to Russia, to save your life.

Damn it!

I'll prove you wrong!

I've tried everything to be part of this tribe!

I beg of you, son.

I'll give you money for a proper cabin and a piece of land.

- You can live in peace, as a free man. - Not another word, Father.

I'll take what's rightfully mine.

Do it for me.

This will keep you safe on your travels.

You can come back in five years...

...but no sooner.

Son...

Promise me?

Let's pull it to the shore!

That's good.

- He's leaving. - Let's make him suffer!

That devil must die!

Come on, you bastards!

We'll take him alive and burn him to death.

I want to talk to my son.

Kullervo, let's speak for a moment.

Don't come knocking here any more, Father.

What now?

We'll set fire to the ark now. It will be Kullervo's tomb.

He killed our sons. Now he dies as well.

They tried to kill Kullervo. The bastards deserved to die.

Don't try to stop us. This is for the best, believe me.

We will get rid of the curse.

Wait...

I'll do it myself.

Kullervo...

We will meet in Tuonela.

You will see your mother now.

Say something, son.

Say something...

Run away and never come back!

Kullervo!

Not even the Devil can kill him!

Wäinö.

Come in.

Take the boy to the Land of the Northern Lights.

What's going on?

I grabbed you, swinging from a tree.

Untamo bought your freedom.

Is Untamo dead?

No.

Never return to Karjala. The Russians don't know you are alive.

You won't build a church for the Russians, you're going to be Ilmarinen's slave.

Burn like a star with the northern lights!

Cool off in the snow!

Drink it for the thirst.

Let's go.

Sit down.

How did you end up as Wäinö's slave? Was your father too poor to keep you?

No.

I had a quarrel with the villagers.

They tried to burn me as a devil's bird, but I'm a hard man to kill.

I reckon you'll have it better here.

Slavers from the east went to your village to get slaves for the priests.

- Were you their property? - We didn't share the same path.

I don't know them.

They took a few children from the neighbouring village.

They take the heathens down the river Volga to Kazan.

May I rest now?

Make a bed for the visitor in the barn.

I'd rather sleep in the smithy.

- How long have you been standing there? - For a while. The work outside is done.

I can make anything out of iron.

Even a pretty woman!

Show me your hands.

Good hands!

Should be able to hold a hammer.

You've been here long enough for us to see what else you can do, Blue Eyes.

Are you going to get hammering or just stand there?

The iron won't shape itself. You have to forge it while it's hot!

What are you doing? Strike! Strike!

Hold it! Stop!

Don't hammer it flat!

Take it easy. No need to kill it.

- How did you manage this, boy? - I forged it myself.

So you've forged a sword?

Where did you get the silver? You found some treasure?

The sword is mine, the silver is yours.

I'll pay you back.

How?

You forged this sword in my smithy using my tools, as my slave!

Does the sword not belong to me?

- You can't deceive me. - I wouldn't.

I've been treated fairly here. I forged this sword after doing all my chores.

I'm not greedy.

The blade is the reward for hard work. You'll get your sword back.

But you must forge to repay me for using my shop, -

for my teaching and for the iron.

You'll do the slave's chores and you'll sleep in the barn.

Come back here tomorrow, and we'll continue practising.

You may go.

Have you ever been on a bear hunt?

Once, with my father, but I didn't have the heart to kill them.

I do. I'll go hunting tomorrow, to test that sword of yours.

I'll return in a day or two.

May I forge while you're gone?

You may. And you may sleep there as well.

You are a good man, Kullervo.

What is it?

Take me with you...

Take me away from here.

I'm a slave...

...just like you.

I'll pay you if you help me escape.

I'll be back.

The shackles...

Ilmarinen will return in the morning.

I assure him to sell you for the Russians.

Or will you help me?

It's the Bear Mother's cabin.

Let's move on. She'll lead us astray and take revenge.

I'll just have a quick look inside.

Bear hunter...

Help me.

Save me.

Who made that sword?

I made it myself, with a slave.

I recognise the emblem on the sword.

You truly are a seer, old crone.

A big, blonde slave, savage like a hungry wolf?

He's a good man. I'll be on my way.

I have seen that emblem branded on a man's chest.

A man who killed his brother, Kalervo. Whose son now lives under great injustice.

- Do you know the name of the slave? - I do.

Kullervo.

A long time ago I was a healer and a seer in the village of Kalervola.

Betrayal had made me very evil and very cruel.

And I was driven into exile.

A bitter and bloody feud between two brothers took place back then.

Untamo killed Kalervo.

His own brother.

He burned the houses.

He took the boy, Kullervo.

He raised him as his own, but sold him as a slave.

I have seen visions of this in my sleep.

But I thought they were mere dreams of the future.

Untamo... Untamo is not my father.

It's all a lie.

I asked around in the village. The story is true.

It was a feud between brothers over land. It's true.

The story is true, but my life is a lie.

I do not know Kalervo, my father.

Did the crone tell you what became of him?

Did Untamo slay...

...my family?

I'll go to the woods to harden myself.

Then I'll forge enough swords to buy my freedom.

And then I will search for the truth. Even if it takes years.

Leave the sword!

- Give me my sword! - No!

It's mine!

I want my sword.

I want my sword!

You poor bastard knew all this and didn't tell me!

I didn't know!

You claim Wäinö didn't tell you when you bought me from him.

But you know who killed my father, my mother.

No!

You bloody liar!

My heart doesn't have the emotion or the wisdom to understand this.

My heart is full of pain!

Wäinö didn't tell me. Had I known, why would I tell you now?

You began to like me.

What have you done, slave? Be gone!

What have you done to my knife? Look at it.

It is broken.

You can't do anything with it anymore!

Get out!

Who killed my family?

Were you in on it?

Why did you do it?

Why?

I need to know.

It was Untamo!

Untamo killed his brother, Kalervo.

Your father.

Untamo killed your mother.

The whole village took part in it.

Your entire family are cowards.

Let go of the smith. We knew nothing about it here in Pohjola.

Be gone, slave!

If you mention to anyone that I know who killed my father, I'll return.

To kill you.

What is it?

I had terrible visions.

- Wäinö wants to talk with the chieftain. - Now?

It's about Kullervo.

He escaped. They don't know where he went.

- And Ilmarinen? - Alive, but doesn't know anything.

Nor does the wife. All they say is that he escaped.

He'll come here to take revenge.

He won't challenge the whole village alone.

The Tsar has authorised the capturing of 100 heathens. The Russians will take him.

Kullervo is carrying his mother's Christian medallion.

- They won't capture Christians. - A Christian?

He's a warrior of Tuonela. We have to kill him.

- He killed three good farmers. - The boy is not to be harmed any more!

Take the money to Ilmarinen and buy Kullervo's freedom.

After that, he's on his own.

If you hurt the boy, the village will see a bloodbath.

Women or children won't be spared.

Very well. Let's make a deal.

I'll give you both a piece of good hillside land, and waters

if you let the boy live.

- Do we have a deal? - It's a deal.

As long as the boy doesn't return with his curses.

Take Sampo with you. He'll make sure no one touches Kullervo.

I nearly froze my arse off!

You are now property of the Tsar. We have all the permits.

In the name of the Lord

I will root out all evil from this world.

May God’s fire consume all the pagans and turn them to ashes.

Is there anyone at home that might purchase you?

No.

- Is this man a Christian? - We didn't see that.

We do not capture Christians.

Are you a believer in God?

We shall release you if you are.

No, I'm not. The medallion is loot.

My father and I killed the owner, to get a pretty pendant for my mother.

The old man wore a cloak similar to yours.

- Do you want to come in? - No, we'll be moving on.

But we'd like to ask a few questions, if we may?

You may, but we have few answers.

Kullervo just disappeared, we don't know where he went.

Should you find him, I would like to collect my money.

Untamo wants to buy Kullervo back.

We presume that is acceptable?

The boy is in a foul mood. You'd better prepare yourselves.

In the name of God, I will root out the evil from this man!

Come on then, damn it!

May the cross guide my flail.

Is that all you've got?

He must be slain.

Is that all you've got?

We'll leave the heathen here, in God's hands.

- Kill him! - No!

Let God decide his fate. I've rooted out the evil from him.

Let God be merciful, if only for my sake.

I can't kill a man who bears the cross of Christ.

He's alive.

The boy is ice-cold. Dead.

No. He just opened his eyes.

He's alive.

- Must be a slave. - Let's leave him here.

A slave is a human being too.

We don't leave God's creations to the wolves.

He'll be safe on the church grounds.

Try to drink.

Don't let me die.

Let's rest here for a moment.

You expect me to build a man out of this mess?

Can you feel his heart beating?

Someone has been dragged this way. Clear sleigh tracks.

Blood on the ground. He must be in a bad way.

- We've found Kullervo. - The tracks are easy to follow.

Blood is dripping and the cargo is heavy.

Don't be afraid.

Drink.

Sage, dandelion and bloodwort.

Do you like it?

Where are you going? - To take a piss.

Don't forget to bring your dick!

A tiny little dick.

My hunt ends here.

I’m going back to Untamola. - You’re coming.

I didn’t set out on this journey to get killed.

I have a wife, and a child on the way.

Those Russians have some strange equipment.

And so many men, we won’t stand a chance.

Stop! Just go. - Wäinö?

Go and tell them we found the tracks and that we’re going to check out the situation.

Will you spare him if you find him? - Go.

Your wife is waiting. We’ll be back soon.

- How many moons have passed? - Five.

You saved me.

I must be on my way soon.

At least your anger has recovered.

It is sorrow, flying with the wings of hate.

- You spoke of your father in your fever. - I have no father.

Let's go outside and get you washed.

Where's my sword?

The priest takes the swords. This is holy ground.

Where is it?

Where were you held a slave?

At a smithy, by a man called Ilmarinen.

He was a good man.

But he got you into that god-awful shape?

I ran away and...

...was captured by Russian slavers.

I'm a slave too, here at the church.

As a servant. They treat me well.

Stay here for a while. I'll help you get on your feet.

I will seek my revenge soon.

You won't find those Russians any more.

Did you hear me?

Don't speak about things you know nothing about.

If you are from his village, you may go and see the boy.

Those bastards are after me. They'll kill me if they find me.

- Which way? - Towards the river.

Let's continue to the river.

The priest gave the wrong directions. Damn it!

The boy is heading towards Untamola.

Let's go.

Don't be afraid. I'll help you on your way. I promise.

There's a boat by the river. Use it to get towards the Great Lake of Karelia.

They won't look for me here, so close. I'll rest here for a while.

You're not a burned-out star that fell from the sky.

And your head is not made of rock.

But of rotten wood.

Tell me, what would you do if you could be free of your wicked mind

and live as a free man?

There was a time when I wanted a normal life.

Maybe a family, children and... more.

Kullervo, you can let your hatred go.

I will help you, because I've suffered injustice too.

Believe me.

When you let go of vengeance, your mind will run free like a stallion.

You will find peace.

The boat is downriver, one moon away. The rapids calm down close by.

Where are you going? What if came along to watch over you?

- I must go back home, to be sure that... - Yes, but where?

Untamola, down by the Great Lake.

- Is it near Kalervola? - Yes.

How did you know?

I mean... I've heard of those places by the Great Lake.

So Untamo was your father?

No.

Kalervo was my father.

You rest for a little while longer.

I'll go and fill the canteens at the marsh well. I'll be back soon.

Don't be gone for too long.

The days are short again!

Aino!

Aino!

Aino!

I was sure you would die.

Don't worry, Father.

I come from a strong family, right?

Go and rest a bit longer.

Then we have to talk.

About something important.

- Wäinö has returned. - Where did they go?

To get food from the barn.

What happened?

Where did Kullervo get all those wounds?

I'm sure you've also noticed that summer didn't come this year.

The embryos of the seed are gone.

- Kullervo has... - Shut up.

Are you accusing the boy again?

Kullervo is covered in scars. I said not to touch the boy.

We heard around town that Russian slave traders had mutilated him.

I don't believe it. - You should ask the boy himself.

Where are you? I hear you live in the village, but not among the villagers.

You look, but you don't see. You hear, but you don't listen.

Soon the people won't know who you are any more.

You have to go back to your people.

Kalervo was an outlaw, a true bandit.

Fate struck him and his family down, not you.

Marjatta told Kullervo the truth.

- Damn woman, what have you done? - Me?

- You shouldn't have told him. - I didn't!

Ilmarinen told him the whole truth.

We have a new family. Give Kullervo a chance to live in freedom.

He can't take revenge on the whole village.

Where did the boy go?

To dig up Kalervo's weapons. I told him where you buried them.

He knows everything now.

The boy isn't stupid. Enough of this secrecy!

What is it?

Kullervo is preparing to take his revenge on the whole village. I can feel it.

Kullervo!

We have to talk. The villagers know of your plans for revenge.

And now you're in battle gear.

Let us talk.

I wish no evil.

Would you kill your own son?

I've brought money.

Buy some land next to Sampo and build yourself a house.

But you have to promise me not to take revenge on the villagers.

I promise.

I swear by my father's sword, that I won't take revenge on them.

I've been waiting for this moment.

And now, when it has come, I can't even look at you.

Say it.

I will die, if that is your will.

Say it!

And when I die of your will, nothing will change...

...because you will always be my son.

Whose son?

Mine.

Whose son?

You are the son of your father, my brother, Kalervo.

But I raised you and loved you as my own.

Do me a favour and send me to my mother.

Father! Face your son!

Don't kill me.

My baby needs a father, just like you did.

One day he shall be the king of Karelia.

Pick up your sword!

Pick up your sword!

Untamo...

...I beg you.

Let me take...

...my sword with me to Tuonela.

The blade sensed the intentions of my mind.

Now it has tasted the blood of this proud boy.

My tools...

Let me take my blacksmith tools with me as well.

I want to show...

...Father and Mother what a good craftsman I became.

Kullervo...

Take my knife.

Remember me on your journeys, without hatred, my son.

We haven't lost him.

He has been given back.

The darkness has been lifted and his spirit soars through the skies

on the back of a bluebill duck.

There, he shall be reborn in bliss.