Original subtitles

MEDETFILM

Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

with the support of the State Center for the Support of National Cinema

presents

«Historical justice demands people, especially young generation,

to know the names and great deeds of partisans

among which there were many representatives of the Kazakh nation.»

«Artists and historians should find the best melodies, words and colors

to perpetuate the memory of heroes who faced death a thousand times

and sacrificed a lot for the victory.»

Adi Sharipov

Rest! Ten minutes.

MAY 22, 1941. FIRST MONTH OF WAR

Yes!

Yes, I am listening to you!

Speak!

[radioman] Poplar! This is Birch!

- Comrade Battalion Commander, I… - Don't. No need.

Take your troop and head to the Grodno highway.

[radioman] Poplar, do you hear me?

Take up defense of the line of the Village of Khorov.

You cover the withdrawal of the regimental camp.

[radioman] This is Birch, answer me! Poplar, do you hear me?

You must hold out for a day!

[radioman] Poplar, do you hear me?

Then - head to this point.

Answer, Poplar! This is Birch!

It is a week's march from there.

This is a rendezvous point!

Understood?

[radioman] …answer me! Poplar, do you hear me?

Yes, Sir! Allow me to go!

Go!

[radioman]…answer me! This is Birch!

- Adi! - [radioman] Poplar!

[radioman] Poplar! This is Birch!

[radioman] Poplar!

[radioman] This is Birch! Do you hear me, Poplar?!

- If we don't get the rendezvous point… - [radioman] Do you hear me, Poplar?

[radioman] This is Birch! Answer me!

…act according to the situation.

[radioman] …hear me, Poplar?

Radioman!

- Made contact? - No, Sir.

Comrade Commander, we're short of ammo.

Sir?

We almost run out of ammo.

Muster.

Muster!

Radioman!

Sir!

Sir! The radio!

It is broken… Commander.

Belostok!

Sir, it seems we're besieged.

Red Army Soldiers, we've fulfilled the order of the Battalion Commander.

Now…

We will head to the rendezvous point.

Follow me!

SUMMER, 1941

It's time.

- How are you, Alyosha? - I'm fine, Sir.

Let's go then.

Granny.

Any Germans here?

No.

They left yesterday.

How come you are here?

We… were in the forest.

Granny, would you give us some water?

Oh! You might be hungry!

Go inside. I will come in a minute.

I have a fiancée near Brest.

We planned to marry in September.

Yana is her name.

She has such a delicate fingers.

Can't remember her face…

Take food.

Try on. Let's see if these fit you.

These are my husband's and sons' clothes.

They keep you warm.

Take this one. It will fit you.

- Try on. - Thank you.

The Germans took my cow.

This is day-old milk.

Don't be offended, please. This is all I have.

Eat something yourself too.

My dear!

The Germans saw my sons' picture.

Both are in the uniform of the Red Army soldiers.

The Germans shot them.

Please… help to bury them.

Granny. Thank you so much.

We will be back.

One day.

When will that day come?

It will come, Granny.

Sir, the Germans are here.

Let's go. Hurry.

Oh my God.

Take potatoes.

Get out of the car! Fall into line!

Go check the house!

Keep up.

Five kilometers up to the rendezvous point.

Pick up the pace

Abdigali… you stay here.

If something happens, leave.

Hands up!

He is here!

Stop! There is an ambush!

Let's go!

Sir, my leg! I can't go!

Rest!

Let's go!

Alyosha!

- Alyosha! - Let's go, Sir!

Grisha!

Move to the swamp!

No! We will drown there!

- Saw that? - What?

Look!

- Follow me! - Yes, Sir!

In a single line! Step by step!

We drove them into the swamp.

They won't survive.

No chances.

Let's go.

Set up a camp here.

Do yourself up.

Who did you see before?

My grandfather Qairanbai.

Perhaps, he helped us then.

I'm hungry.

Well, then get what you got, guys.

Thank you, Helmut. You set a great table.

Colonel Rankenau! Welcome to Belarus!

Yeah…

Far cry from Paris.

You are right, Sir. Please.

Take a seat.

- Here, please. - Thank you.

On the way here, we met raggedy looking Russians.

Here is a loot.

The rest escaped.

The partisans. We hang them, they shoot us.

- The partisans? - Just bandits.

I see, we're in for a good hunting…

For those partisans.

You are good in meeting guests, Major.

An order to attack on Moscow is received.

The Führer wants to enter the Kremlin in the autumn.

Large formations of troops are being moved here.

This area must be cleared of the remnants of the Russians.

Both - their armies and bandits.

- The partisans. - Yeah, the partisans.

Good hunting to us!

Good hunting!

It'd be much tastier fried with salo.

Let's make a fire to cook something.

No, it will help to locate us.

It has been a week already.

They forgot about us.

Both - the Germans… and fellows.

Soon or late, we will join our fellows.

What's up with you, Mitya?

It hurts, Sir.

Right here.

Our slackness makes me so angry!

I understand.

Do you?

Really?

Your steppe is far away. You don't have to worry.

We have the one motherland for all.

Our motherland's forgotten us!

It is time to disperse. Each back to their own hometowns.

Me, you. Everyone.

Before it's too late.

- You, coward! - Fuck off!

What's going on here?

He kept talking about leaving.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Bro?

Comrade Commander.

We have to do something.

Let's declare a deserter and shoot him.

Why should we declare him a deserter?

He keeps talking about leaving.

So what?

Don't you want to go back home?

I want to go back home.

But only when the war comes to its end.

And the scariest thing now is that we don't know when it ends.

We had the first fight together.

None of us ran away.

And Mitya is not a coward.

Don't be too quick to judge people, Abdigali.

They might just have a weak moment.

Scout plane. What does it look for?

For us?

«We respect your spirit. It is not too late to surrender.»

What do you think, Commander?

We will fight.

We do anything but fight here!

We are just wandering around in the swamp.

No, Commander, it is time go home.

Who else thinks so?

Everybody thinks that.

Am I right, guys?

We can't walk like this forever! Let's go home.

Well, it's up to you, but I'm leaving.

I'm sinking.

I'm sinking!

I'm sinking!

I'm sinking!

Help! I'm sinking!

We are the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army soldiers!

We swore the oath to the country!

What the country means to us now?

It means us!

It means our parents!

It means our brothers and sisters! Our wives and children!

Yes, we missed them. We want to hug them.

But first - we must crush the enemy.

Only then we can go home.

We lost heart.

Well.

We should go now.

Hey, where are you heading?

Back up.

Stop!

Put the things down!

Jew?

No, she is not Jew. She is from Asia.

Look at her. She is a typical Asian.

What to do with them?

Just shoot them!

Sir?

Sir, don't.

I should send her to my fiancee.

Make her a pet monkey.

Stand aside!

Go!

Sir!

Mister.

Please shoot me too.

Don't look back!

Ssh, Sir!

THIRD MONTH OF WAR

You OK?

Misha, find the radio!

Comrade Commander, it's a coffee.

Comrade Commander, I made contact!

Got an order!

«To Junior Lieutenant Adi Sharipov:

Stay in a given square and form a partisan detachment.»

«The code name is Sasha.»

My mother.

What to do with him?

Lead the group away.

Let's go.

Collect ammo!

Forgive me, brother.

Comrade Commander!

Now we are ready to fight! Hand!

Bury them all.

There is my kolkhoz nearby.

I remember the oath.

I could bring a lot of food.

It would be good to have something to eat.

And I could meet my mom...

Come in.

Colonel Rankenau!

Allow me to introduce Khomutov.

Man of courage and ideas!

Colonel Rankenau asks if you are local?

Yes, I was born here in Yepishevo.

My grandfather owned this village.

The Soviet government sent him and his family to Siberia.

But I returned home later.

Good.

That's very good.

Comrade Commander!

Rest!

There is my house.

I will meet my mom and go back immediately with some food.

OK, Grisha.

Change your clothes.

Leave your gun and documents.

Abdigali, Pavel!

Cover him.

I'm going.

Be careful.

Hey, stop! Don't move!

Come here!

Damn it.

The last thing I need now.

Come here I said!

The Germans, Sir!

Follow me!

Mom.

[in Kazakh] May the Spirits help us.

Abdigali, what do you mumble every time before a fight?

Ask the Spirits for help.

Commander.

Grisha!

Blew himself up with a grenade.

Let's go.

Can we trust you?

I swear by the rood if you want.

There is a group of the partisans headed by someone called Sasha.

The bandits.

And we are military people here.

Great Germany set a price on Sasha's head:

Five thousands Reichsmarks and a demesne land here.

You have to reveal this information to the locals.

And especially to the partisans.

Tell him about Pastor.

But above all, there is a man.

Let's call him Pastor.

This Pastor has to join Sasha's group.

This important operation… is entrusted to you.

Stop, guys!

Who's your Commander?

It's me.

[in Kazakh] Are you Kazakh?

[in Kazakh] I am.

I fought in the Civil War in your lands.

Karp Yermolaevich.

Sasha.

The partisans?

- Yeah, the partisans. - Let us join you.

- Who are they? - My daughters.

Tamara and Anyuta.

- Hello! - Hello.

Both are teachers, huh?

Look like city girls.

I see they took after mother?

Yeah, you're right. After mother.

I'm just telling this so nobody hurts them.

Don't worry.

We will protect them.

But this dress isn't suitable for forest.

And you, boy, go home.

No. I will go with you.

Aren't gonna shoot, are you?

Look at him!

Your mom will worry about you.

She was hanged.

Now I'm alone.

- Pavel. - Yes?

Where are you from?

From Polesia. Pinsk.

A place with beautiful nature. You should visit after the war.

We will.

My mother is Russian, and father is Georgian.

I am Belorusian.

It means Belorus became a second homeland for us, huh?

I am from Uman.

We moved here during the famine.

I joined a club of radio fans.

Then went to factory apprenticeship school. They had supplementary ration.

I see now, why you always try to get one more potato.

Arsenii, you've been quiet.

My father taught me: Less talk, more action.

That's right!

I mean it.

Comrade Commander?

Will you write a book about us?

Definitely.

Just let's survive.

Well, then… I hope you won't forget about me.

Come in.

A radiogram from Pastor.

Thanks.

«No group under command of Sasha in this region.»

«Maybe the wrong group.»

«Keep searching. Pastor.»

That's impossible!

Tell him to keep searching!

I fought in Uralsk during the Civil War.

My father is buried there.

We are here from all corners of our big country to protect it.

15th Month of the War

But where are the cannonry, tanks, planes?

Where are Budyonny and Voroshilov with the cavalry?

Where are them all?

Well, I understand…

Stop!

- Swarm out! - [in Kazakh] Freeze!

Who are you?

We are the Red Army soldiers! Put your weapons down or we will shoot!

[in Kazakh] He sounds like Kazakh.

He's not Russian. Speak to him in Kazakh.

[in Kazakh] Hey, who are you?

[in Kazakh] And you?

[in Kazakh] I am Kazakh.

[in Kazakh] Where are you from?

[in Kazakh] From Semei. And you?

[in Kazakh] I am from Pavlodar.

- Friends! - They are friends!

- Are there only your men in your group? - No, there are some strays too.

Which of them?

Makar!

Introduce yourself!

I'm a con, chief.

I was sent on the home front. But our column was bomb-destroyed.

So I'm here.

Why do I need a con? We are at war with Germany.

I am local.

I'm ready to die for my country.

Let me join, huh?

OK, Makar.

But there is a tight rein here. Remember.

I understand, chief.

This is war.

Who else?

- Volodya! - Yes?

- Commander? - Speak.

Vladimir Onischenko, the Red Army soldier.

I caught a packet and was captured. But I could run away.

Ah, this…

A woman gave it to me.

She said I will be look less suspicious with it for the Germans.

OK.

Two Maxim machine-guns, assault rifles, landmines and cartridge boxes.

All unused.

Where did you get this?

I found a weapons stash of our soldiers. They left it when had to withdraw.

- Browning. - Browning!

- You are a true hero, boy! - Well done!

Well done!

What's it?

We shelled a German truck.

It was full of outfit.

Vasya Zarecky offered to keep it for whatever it may be worth.

He speaks German as a native.

- Vasya! - Yes?

Come here.

- You speak German, huh? - [in German] I do, Sir!

Try it.

Why did I bring her here?

I should've left her at home.

But I decided to take her right to the borders.

Now, I'm going crazy.

Did she get home?

Where is she now?

Your wife?

Yeah.

I took her with me.

When it all started, I sent her back home.

And can't sleep since then.

Thinking about her.

I hope…

She could make it home.

But what if she couldn't?

Well...

Let's hope she's safe at home.

You know, my mom used to say:

«Be courageous in your trials,

no matter how hard they are.»

What's about your family?

Well...

My wife and children… are at home.

In Qaskelen.

I hope to see them one day.

I hope Zhamal could make it home.

[in German] Officers, I am ready!

You look just like German!

From now, Vasya, you go on reconnaissance.

Prisoners are all yours.

Yes, Sir! But… we still don't have any prisoners.

They will be, Vasya.

- Semyon! - What?

Our Commander Sasha is a really cool!

A real man! The Germans are scared of him.

- And he is respected by ours. - Yes, that's true.

Do you play chess, Major?

No, I don't.

It's a pity.

I could teach you.

OK.

Our troops are close to Moscow.

And me, an active officer, Colonel Rankenau has to sit here, in the middle of nowhere!

To deal with some dregs of society!

Come in.

Radiogram, Sir!

Pastor found Sasha.

They are heading to the Village of Sukromlya.

Klaus!

What's this?

Not a big deal.

Just ran into some fugitives on my way.

Look, they made my tank dirty!

Sorry for you.

I could've had coffee break now.

We will be happy to help! You are our saviors!

So you may set an ambush here.

You may stay in the house, without leaving it for five days.

Well, help yourself, please.

I will be back with moonshine now.

No horses there.

Just a terrible tank.

Preparing an ambush for us.

Well done!

Accordionist, wait!

- What? - Do you play waltz?

I do.

Play then!

Let's dance!

Comrade Commander, may I have a dance?

Stop!

- Who are you? - I want to see your Commander.

- Password? - I don't know your passwords!

Let me see your Commander!

I am Fedor Tsarkov.

From the village of Pryszcza.

Take the horse.

- Good night, guys! - Hello!

Good night. Have a seat, please.

You hide here in the forest,

and have no idea that the Germans will execute the villagers tomorrow.

Tell us more.

There's a village nearby.

It's called Pryszcza.

The Germans set a task to collect the bread till morning.

They will shoot us if we can't do it.

Head first, our superintendent

ordered to arrest people and collect all bread they have.

The arrestees were shot.

Without charge or trial.

The villagers sent me to find the partisans.

So, please tell me, the partisans.

What should I do? What to tell the villagers?

We will be there by morning.

And can attack immediately.

No, we can't attack in the face of day.

We will lose heavily.

I have an idea.

Forty inhabitants of the village of Pryszczyk will be executed

for disobeying orders from the German command and for liaising with the partisans.

Tomorrow morning

another forty inhabitants will be executed.

This will continue until your village…

Stop!

Who ordered to execute these Russians?

Your village's norm is 70 sacks of bread!

Stand down, Major.

I've come to put things in order here.

Go shut these ones in a barn.

I will talk to your Major at first.

The execution will continue later.

Sir!

What's your branch?

They are the partisans! They are armed!

Lay down arms!

Commander!

They set a price on Sasha's head: Five thousands Reichsmarks.

And plus demesne lands!

Want to gift us our own land!

We will be generous too.

Six feet of earth for each of them. With crosses, of course.

Vasya, where did you learn German?

My grandmother was German.

Colonel Rankenau!

Our supply group was destroyed in the village of Pryszcze.

What?

It was Sasha's group…

What the hell is going on?

I'm fed up with that Sasha!

We must kill him at any cost!

I will kill him with my own hands!

I will shoot him

Call Khomutov!

Excuse me?

Call Khomutov!

- Yes, Sir! - Hurry up!

It seems quiet.

Let's go. Maybe they have something to eat.

Down!

Let's wait for night.

Borsch. Left from yesterday…

There's nothing else I can offer you.

Have you seen my husband?

His name is Timofei Savicki.

He went to join the partisans.

Sorry, have never met him.

The partisans! You are surrounded!

Hey!

Don't shoot.

Let's give up.

Are you crazy?

What are you talking about?

It's the only option.

Think about these children.

They will kill them.

Mitya.

Our war is over.

It seems this is our fate.

We surrender!

Forgive us if you can.

May God help you.

My lucky charm.

Don't forget to give it back.

Trying to do jokes here, huh?

Son of bitch!

An order, Comrade Commander!

«To Sasha's group: Head to the Kletnyanski forests.»

«Join Korotchenko's group.»

Confirmed.

Head to a given square.

- Abdigali! - Here!

We need more carts and horses.

Call Karp Yermolaevich.

Yes, Sir!

Comrade Commander, I have a problem.

The radio's spare batteries are lost.

What?

How's that?

Hey you! With a knife!

Come out!

Oh, wanna give my knife back already?

Come out now!

Makar?

I will ask to go on reconnaissance mission.

So I would have less to worry.

To worry about him?

I will go too.

No, Anya, you can't. You are a very gentle girl.

You won't handle it.

I am just like you!

Moreover you are a city girl!

I grew up here. I know all the trails.

I will be a good scout, you will see.

I know you are obsessed with that scout with sever looks.

With sever looks?

Chattering, girls?

[Mitya] Guys!

To the camp!

[Mitya] I'm so sorry!

Time to have some fun!

The Germans!

[Mitya] Guys!

[the Germans] Here they are! We've found them!

Commander!

The Germans!

They killed Mitya!

Hold your positions!

Retreat!

Retreat, I said!

Zhylbek!

Retreat!

Go, go!

I feel bad for our camp. I felt at home there.

And now we had to leave.

25TH MONTH OF WAR

Our country is so big.

Wouldn't be surprised if we got to Sakhalin one day.

It's too much, Karp Yermolaevich!

You'd better be a good shooter than a great teller.

We would've beaten the Germans long ago.

Oh, Karp Yermolaevich.

It's like someone's following us.

Hunting us.

Commander! Sasha is here!

Thank you.

- Colonel, Sir, beg to report… - So this is you! Sasha!

Sasha!

Well, yeah… this is me.

Heard a lot about you.

Tell your people to rest.

And we… should talk.

We have a lot to discuss.

We've heard a lot about your group.

Here is my group.

Tamara!

I wanted…

To tell you something.

Since the first time we've met I can't stop thinking about you.

You're always on my mind.

When you leave on reconnaissance missions…r.

I go out of my mind with worry.

I love you.

I love you too.

Father!

Go to your father.

Father!

Comrade Commander, she says she is a messenger.

A messenger?

Who were we waiting for?

For Shura.

Shura's under surveillance. That's why she sent me.

What's your name, Messenger?

Svetlana.

Look at her!

Svetlana!

So, what did Shura tell?

Take my hair out of braids.

Tamara!

Help the girl with her braids.

Are you all right?

«Today, 12 p.m., the siding of Mostickaya train station.»

«There will be a train with captured women.»

«They are going to be sent to Germany.»

«The train will be there for three hours until a train with the equipment passes by.»

«Help to save the women.»

Sir, a radiogram from Pastor.

The siding of Mostickaya train station.

They've bought into your bait.

That's great!

Helmut! Get ready my rifles!

Yes, Sir!

Got you, Sasha!

Have you seen my husband?

Stop!

Quiet!

Be quiet I said! Understand?

Deal with lookouts quietly.

Swarm out.

Otto, get them here.

Otto, what's that?

- Don't touch! - Give it to me!

Get in the wagon! Hurry up!

[in Kazakh] May the Spirits help us.

[in Kazakh] May the Spirits… help us.

The partisans!

Calm down, girls! Let's go!

You are free! Hurry up!

You are free!

Go, go!

Hurry up!

Zhylbek?

Zhamal!

Be quick!

Let's go!

Let's go.

Hurry up!

Go, go!

Zhylbek, take them away!

We will cover you.

Your Zhamal is alive! You found her!

Pavel, follow me!

Bar the way.

Drive them into the swamp.

- Have you seen my husband? Children? - Ask around later. Now be quick!

Round them up! Ride them to the Colonel!

They are cutting off our escape.

Want to take us alive!

We will see.

- Be ready, Major. - I am, Sir.

We will see this beast now.

Yeah, we will.

Fire.

Watch out!

Let's go.

Go, pick up the pace!

Hold up.

Hold up.

Pavel?

May your soul rest in peace.

Amen

He could also take his comrade away.

And he almost killed us!

Have you seen his eyes?

Those were the eyes of the nation which cannot be defeated!

They are gone again.

Pastor is also lost.

What the hell is happening?

Sorry.

I hoped you would make it home safely.

Now you are with me. Everything will be alright.

Commander!

Tamara...

Tamara!

You are here!

We thought you were dead.

Come here

We have to talk.

- Boris! - Yes, Sir!

We ran into an ambush.

Pavel…

He died.

I think there's a traitor among us.

Who do you suspect?

I'm not sure yet.

What are you thinking about?

Timofei Petrovich?

The forest is like home.

It is hard to say goodbye.

Though death walks on our heels, it's a shame to leave the forest to the enemy.

The Germans are coming!

A lot.

With machine-guns.

- How many? - We've seen a company.

Sasha, you block them.

Lead them to the swamp.

All go to Artyomovka!

They chased us, we somehow got away.

The villagers say they arrived recently, robbing and hurting them.

They came specially to destroy the partisans.

They have machine-guns.

Comrade Commander, I don't understand.

They wear German uniforms, but they speak Russian.

A guy from the village was killed.

For nothing…

We have to go.

Where is Pavel?

Let's go! Hurry up!

Volodya!

Where are you going?

You scared me, Commander!

Just to take a piss.

What about the accordion?

To play for someone?

Well…

It is always with me. I'm used to it.

I will keep it.

You may go to take a piss.

Nah.

Don't want anymore.

Give it to me!

He that lived wickedly can hardly die honestly.

Let's get down to business.

An order from the Center.

An attack to Kursk is mustered.

New armament: Tanks Panther and Tiger.

Our task is to prepare Belinkovich and Boni stations for the arrival and deployment of regular troops.

- Troops shift? - No, stationing there.

We have to deforest the area… here.

And here.

Upgrade protection of the bridge cross the Besed River.

Tank column will pass there.

The partisans must not disrupt the armored advance.

There is a company of the Germans in Belinkovich.

About five kilometers away from the bridge.

They are going to head to the bridge very soon.

They are preparing for a shift of tank division.

We must blow up the bridge across the Besed River.

Captain, report.

We will disband.

I take my group and go to Belinkovich.

Call air strike on us.

Zhylbek, you will clear Sasha's path to the bridge.

There is a minefield with barbed wire

Then - go together.

Got it.

Sasha… you blow up the bridge.

Got it.

The signal to launch an operation - a red rocket.

The signal to retreat - the explosion of the bridge.

- Got it? - Yes, Sir!

Go ahead!

Here's a secret directive.

- A secret directive? - Yes.

We will soon be in the process of cleansing the territory of all Slavs.

We need this land empty and desolate.

Colonel Rankenau.

Major!

We will lay mines at night.

Remember.

If they shoot, stand tall. Don't bend down.

Get shot only in breast.

There is too much explosive behind us.

If they will get shot…

Everyone in Berlin will be able to see that fireball.

- Understood? - Yes, Sir!

Wait for the signal.

What was that? Someone shot.

Good luck, guys!

Blow it up!

Protect the Colonel!

This is for Pavel!

This is for my guys!

Commander, let's go.

Hurry up, guys!

Fellows!

Hold your positions!

Fight!

Close in on them!

Don't let them escape!

Hold your positions!

Vasilii, take the German away!

Go right!

Zhylbek, go left!

Be careful! They got the Colonel!

Augment the fire! Take no prisoners!

Commander!

Commander is killed!

Father...

Go Back!

Now is not your time.

Heave.

The Colonel was captured.

And we don't know what happened to the secret directive.

The partisans might get their hands on it too.

It will take a month to rebuild the bridge.

Tank divisions carrier operation was sabotaged.

Clean the office. Collect the documents.

It's dangerous to stay here. Leave.

Adi Sharipov was born on 19 December 1912 in the Village of Marinovka, East Kazakhstan.

During the Great Patriotic War, he was the leader of a partisan group

and spent 28 months in the forests of Belarus.

He wrote about the courage of partisans in his front-line novels.

Passed away on 4 November 1993, Alma-Ata.