Original subtitles

Stavnja!

Deliver these notices and here's a cable for lbrahim.

Hey, mailman!

How about a cup of coffee. -Too busy, another time.

Why always the rush? lt'll get done. -Come on.

l got to deliver this mail and a wire

to my brother-in-low.

Sit. Let's have a drink. -Come on!

Our life lasts a little over sixty, not a 1000 years.

Not just till sixty. Jusuf is over seventy.

Jusuf is not a man anymore. lsn't that right, Jusuf?

lt really is. Since my step-children and my second wife

want me to make a will, l've felt as if l were dead.

Have you made one? -Nah, l keep backing out.

lt's like burying myself.

Don't let'em bury you alive. -Makes no difference.

l know what's up ahead. -Ain't no help at that age.

Eh, seventy three.

Seems like a lot, but those years went by so fast.

Before the war there was a Czech, a veterinarian,

who said, according to a new religion and some new books,

God was to give man a lifespan of a thousand years.

Athousand years! What a life!

And? -That was when God made the first man, Adam.

Adam, that's right, l remember well.

He gave him food and drink. Made him a woman too.

Only forbade them to touch some heavenly apples.

He could have everything but that. -What happened?

The old girl talked Adam into picking them apples.

Naturally, God saw that, got mad and all was finished.

Since then, man has suffered, lived and died

like all other creatures, all that woman's fault.

Bitch!

Where to, mailman? -Got work to do.

That story of yours, that's religion.

Watch out, that's dangerous for people!

A LITTLE BIT OF SOUL

Screenplay

Cast:

Children:

Directed by

Watch now! -Hurry up and play!

Eh, pal, l'll manage with you somehow through this year

and then l'm buying a bicycle.

Why worry whether you are hungry or thirsty.

Go ahead and whine. But it's no use.

l'll buy a bicycle the first chance.

lf no one wants you, off you go to the slaughter house.

Come on, pal, whee!

Soon you won't even get over flat ground. Whoopee!

ls your father home, Nihad? -l dunno. He should be.

Yes, he's shaving in the yard.

Watch this plug. Let him graze a little.

Where've you been? -Here. -What's going on? -Nothing.

Hello, lbrahim. -Hello. brother-in-low. -How are you?

Awire came for you from Tuzla. -What's that? Read?

Has your uncle ever let you ride it? -Never asked.

Even if you have, he wouldn't let you. -Why?

Let a child ride a horse and he'll break his neck!

You think l can't ride him? -You can't even mount a horse.

l'll bet you l can mount him! -You? -Yes!

lf you mount him, l'll screw him. -lt's a bet!

lbrahim! Nihad's teasing the horse!

What are you doing, you rascal? Get down!

Want to break your neck? One sick person's enough!

Want me to have to take you to the hospital?

Mother's coming from the hospital. -How do you know?

Uncle said. Father's bringing her tomorrow.

Aunt's coming too, to make lunch. -Thank God!

Nothing of father's promise to take us to visit our mother.

You'll never see Tuzla. -You neither.

He wouldn't even take me. l got nothing to wear.

And me? -lt's all the same for you boys.

lt's different for girls.

Will l see Tuzla when l grow up? -When you go to the army.

l may never see it. -l'll take you when l grow up.

l'll get married then, you won't even see me.

lf you want me to take you to Tuzla, don't get married.

Say, Pujdo, what is bigger: the sun or earth?

See all the hills and woods?

Wherever you look, you see the dark earth.

and the sun is just a circle and a few clouds.

My uncle tells me the sun is bigger than the earth.

He was told so. l'm told a lot of things too,

but l don't trust everybody. Shall we ask Senada?

She had schooling. Maybe they studied that.

For Halilovic.

Over there, number four.

Afternoon. -Halilovic. -lt's you lbrahim. Come here.

Where've you been, lbrahim?

Away for three weeks. You left your wife with us.

Fieldwork. Couldn't leave it. -l know. Your wife told us.

Her sister visited her once a week. -l know.

But now, you are needed.

What's wrong?

Things look bad, lbrahim. Take her home.

Halilovic...

Here's the discharge paper.

And a prescription for the pills. Go to the chemist's.

We've done our best.

Be with her, help her.

And if she got any wishes... understand?

Hey, is it true that man came from a monkey?

The teacher says so.

Does he also say that he came from monkey? -No.

He tells us how it happened. Got pictures too.

lt's no use when l don't believe him.

All people not the same. How could that happen then?

Why not! Not all monkeys the same either. -Right...

Afternoon! Coming from school l saw you uncle.

Hitched his plug to the cart and off he went.

To the station, to get my mother. -She recovered? -Yes.

Haven't you heard my sister singing all morning?

l was at school. l met Ado, but he said nothing.

He don't seem glad about his mother's return.

They promised to take him to Tuzla. He's sorry he won't go.

lt's good that your mother is fine. He'll go to Tuzla.

l told him that, but he don't know nothing.

l don't know what there is to see in Tuzla.

Well, he'd travel by train and see the world.

l'd like to go to Tuzla to see those wells. My uncle says

they are three times higher than our house.

Those are salt wells. -Yes. He says the only difference is

that we pull out water, while they pull out salt.

O, they pull pot water, too, but it's salt water.

When they boil it down, they get salt.

How you know that? -Learnt in school.

How come l never learnt any of that in school?

You'd know that if you went to junior high.

No thanks. l hardly finished the first four grades.

Anything new in school? -Nothing.

What my buddies doing? -Nothing.

Do they ever mention me? -No, they just kick the rag-ball.

Do they study at all? -Hardly. Piled up all F's.

l was thinking... if you'd stayed in school,

you'd have been no worse than the others.

No way, Senada. You'll tell me whatever l want to know

l will. Hello, grandpa Jusuf. -Stay well, children.

How's the health, grandpa? -Soon l'll stop complaining.

ls your father at home? -Yes, he's in the store.

And you two are flirting.

Screw your flirting. -What's the matter with you?

Nothing. He turps up whenever l talk to you. Flirting!

Grandpa Jusuf is a good man.

Why does he tease us? -l don't know.

l don't feel like talking to you when he has it in for us.

Don't get angry. He didn't mean it seriously.

He doesn't know l have no friends since l left school.

All l can do with Kemo is play tip-cat.

Once we start talking, we fight in second.

Come on, take one. -l shouldn't.

We are lucky there's no rain.

l thought there'd be a rain storm.

Had it rained,

we'd have had a hard time crossing the river.

We'll cross the river slowly.

Nihad, drive the kids away. You, in the house!

Beat it, you heard him!

l'll go now.

Your aunt Hanifa's coming. -Okay, thanks.

Bring the stuff!

Your mother's not well yet.

She'll be in your room. We'll be all right in here.

From now on, she's to be obeyed just as l am.

While she's ill, l want no screaming or laughing here.

lf you wish to play, get away from the house.

Now go in quietly. She wants to see you.

Aunt, give me a crust of bread.

Your father's coming soon. We'll eat together. Go play.

Nihad, are you looking after the house and kids. -No.

l told you to. -Why should l? Aunt's here.

How is she? - No use asking. She's no better.

She couldn't sleep all night because of the dog barking.

By God, l'll kill that damn dog.

l should have killed it long ago.

we feed him for nothing. He is of no use.

What's he matter with him? -He feels sorry for Pujdo.

Untie the dog and follow me. -Dad, don't kill Pujdo.

Keep quiet. You hear me. -Pujdo is ours. -Dad, don't.

Kids, we'll get another dog later on. -When later on?

When the mother gets well.

We want Pujdo. -Do as l say. Untie the dog and lets go.

Why not leave him in the village till this is over?

Wherever you leave him, he'll come back.

Nothing but the gun will do. -Then put him on a train.

That's what l do with kittens. l only keep one.

lf they survive, they might even make someone happy.

This looks okay.

Can you manage? -Yes.

He'll be fine here. lt's clean.

Hand me the water.

Hand me that too.

Have you written it? -Yes, just: My name is Pujdo.

Add more...

l get along with children and honest people.

When l've had it, l bite. -Don't write that.

Who'll take him if he sees that he bites.

Off you go, Pujdo.

Don't close it all the way. Leave some air.

Lets go. He shouldn't see us. -Where does this train go?

All over the world.

You mean to Tuzla? -Maybe even further.

Why are you cuddled up? What about Pujdo?

Left him an a railroad car. -He'll be all right.

Who'll find Pujdo? -Someone certainly will.

What if they don't? -Then he'll die.

l'll get off here. -l will too. -Me, too!

Go home! Uncle, take them home. l'll come later on.

What do the two of them keep talking about? -Have no idea.

l didn't think you'd go with us today.

l sent my sister for you, but didn't believe you'd come.

Why not? -You school girls can easily find an excuse.

Besides, why should you care about our dog!

l've know him since he was this big. We played together.

We played with Kemo as well, but he wouldn't come along.

When he and I went hunting we always took Pujdo.

Now when he were to see him off... You know what he said?

That you were crazy. -How do you know?

''Kill the mongrel and off to the creek with him.''

''Why see off the dog? l couldn't care less.''

lt's like that when you don't like animals.

He has no soul, no way.

Our biology teacher says

those who don't like animals, don't like people either.

l wanted to tell you something. -Go ahead.

But l can't remember nor. -lt is very important?

Yes. l wanted to ask you something, but... -Okay.

Ask your teacher if the sun is bigger than the earth.

My uncle says so, but you can't believe everything.

- He's had little education. - OK. l'll ask and tell you.

l'm going home. lt'll rain. -All right, go.

Dear sister, here's what this futile life's all about.

You can't help it! You fate's hard to tell.

lf you only knew how much we have suffered. -l do.

We were more poor than anything.

Sometime we cried for bread.

Aunt, give me a crust of bread. -To bed. You've eaten.

We were all poor then, lbrahim.

Still, the others seemed to manage. l didn't know how.

l was afraid my kids would starve to death.

l didn't know what, but to steal.

Still, we never argued, never had words.

Well, those were hard times.

l often prayed to survive. And all that suffering

during the war. And we built this house from nothing.

Raised our children on corn. Others fed it to cattle.

Just when l thought that our eyes were wide open

that we too would see a better life...

Marry our children and help them make their living

either here on a farm, or in a factory, as they please.

She feels sorry for children. She says she'd not regret dying

if she liced to see one of her sons get married.

Oh, my bitter sores! -She told me the same thing.

l lied saying she'd live to see her grandchildren wet her house.

Go to bed, it's late l'll go to see her.

Nihad, get up!

- What it is, father? - Want ask you something.

- How old are you? - What? - How old are you?

- I'll be 14 in a month. - That's turning 15.

- Yes, leave me alone... -Wait a minute,

you got a girlfriend? -Why? -Just asking.

No, how could l? -Would you get married? -No.

Why? -l'd be ashamed.

Of what, you son of bitch?

Edina, bring me a glass of water. -Yes. -l'm thirsty.

How's your mother today? -The same. -Hi, grandpa.

Hello. You two are like a drum and drumstick.

Why are you so dressed up? Where are you coming from?

From the parish, making my will. You know what it is?

l do. That's who'll get the money when you die.

You can tell that you have a merchant for a father.

Have you made that will?

l couldn't. Give me another one.

l can't leave. l was so sad when l reached town!

When l'm sad l can't think of death, let alone make my will.

But l could make it when l am happy.

How can you be happy when you're old? -Lo and behold!

But you may be right.

Then l can nothing else but get drunk.

You two come to pick up some apples while they're mine.

Try this on. l want to see if it fits you. -Whose is it?

Sleeves must be taken in. We'll cut them in shoulders.

lt's just long enough. Make a few steps.

What's all this about, aunt? -Turn around.

Now you look like a fine youngster. Come here!

- We'll fix you up, you'll see. - What for?

Father asked you about a girlfriend? -What girlfriend?

Yours? -l don't have one. -Hurry up, Nihad.

Wait, l'm coming. -And Senada?

What about Senada? -What is she to you?

She's my pal. -l know, but she's a girl. -So what?

A girl can't be your pal. -Why? -lt's always been so.

A man and woman may only be married, relatives or nothing.

What is it? Why are you gaping?

No matter if you're pals, you'll be better together.

We'll talk in peace in the store. -Let's go.

Man, are you out of your mind?

What wedding's in your mind?

Your wife's dying and you want a wedding party.

That's her last wish. -They're both just kids.

Who else is there? They've been friends for a long time.

lbrahim, l respect you, can't tell you how sorry l am

for all that's befallen you. -Didn't come for your pity.

l know, l wanted you to know this,

and if it's a sin, l'll take the blame for it.

lbrahim, you've come in vain, l won't give me my child.

You may take anything else, but not Senada.

lt's too early. -That's it? -Yes.

l'm sorry. -lt's OK.

Please, keep this between you and me. -Don't worry.

You know what bicycle l'm gonna buy? Gent's type!

The one with a bell, the light and a lock,

so you can lock it and leave it somewhere for days.

Bicycle, my pal, bicycle!

Hey, lbrahim.

lbrahim, come here for a second.

What is it? ls she alive? -Yes. lt's not that.

But, tell me...

What did you do about that? -Nothing, he refused.

Son of a bitch.

Listen, l was up by Chechun this morning.

Delivered some notices for the gathering on Sunday.

l dropped by Ragib's. Told him about your problem.

l think he'd not mind being related to you by marriage.

He has a daughter to marry.

l made no promises till l saw what you've done here.

l am in a jam, but l won't have trash in my house.

She's all right, l swear.

l've seen her. lsn't ugly either.

She must be old. -Hasn't yet turned twenty.

A bit older than Nihad, but what's 3 or 4 years!

Why is Ragib offering her?

l'm not quite sure that he is.

l said l thought he wouldn't mind.

You think so. -Whom else could he give her to?

Not a single boy in this area is ready to marry, and

at least ten girls are making their wedding dresses.

l don't know what to do. -Check it with your wife.

lf you decide, take a day off and set out.

Ragib is always at home.

Have some pie. There's a little left over.

- Shall I send the musicians away? -What for?

We accompanied the bride here. Maybe it's not proper.

She wants to hear music. lt's the wedding, isn't it?

Music!

What'll play? -All the square dance music you know.

What about a song, boss? -No songs. Dance music!

OK, boss, we know a few.

When you've played what you know, do it all over again.

Father, where'll l go?

Hanifa, fill me up.

Don't pull Latif so much. He'll get drunk,

start singing and make trouble. -Don't worry.

Father, here are the railroad workers. -Where? -There.

Sorry, we're a little late. -Right on time.

You've lived to see your son get married.

A human being lives to see all sort of things.

This is from us. -Didn't invite you to bring a present.

lf it were for that, we'd not have come.

Sister, serve the guests. They should eat something.

You said you have someone who serves you. -You do too.

Yes, but I'll keep quiet now.

How are you two? -Fine.

We ought to have a drink! Come on!

You'll take the bride to my house tonight.

Sleep and live there. Your uncle's leaving you a house.

Don't worry about us we'll manage here tonight.

And afterwards? -l'm going to Tuzla tomorrow.

Got a job in the factory. -What about aunt?

She'll be here till I get...

l'll get her in night school. When she learn to read and write

l'll get her a job. We'll be real proletariat.

What about your horse? -l'm leaving him to you.

Ride it as long as you wish. Just take good care of him.

l'm buying a bicycle.

Mother wants to see the two of you.

You take the quilt!

Can you? -Something's stuck. lt'll be okay.

Why are you switching it on?

Come here. -Leave me alone.

You've got nothing to be afraid of.

lf you don't know how to do it, you'll learn.

l told you to leave me alone!

How, will l suffer till you're a real man!

Hey, lets talk.

What? ls that what you want?

Don't cry, it's a shame, you're a man.

lbrahim, she is better off now with all the suffering gone.

Hanifa'll stay with you till things settle down.

l'm taking tonight's train. Got to work tomorrow.

Those two may stay in my house, look after it,

live and work on that little piece of land.

l arranged for Nihad to replace me in the post office.

He promised to go to the parish tomorrow to settle that.

He'd receive salary and wouldn't be a burden to you.

Yes, what can one do, lbrahim.

One must live as well as die!

Hope to see you on a better occasion next time. -Thanks!

Don't cry.

Listen, come here, l've got to tell you something.

Go to Senada's. Tell her l want to see her tonight.

Be careful, not a word about this to anyone.

And return away with her answer. - Okay!

Go now!

Nido, Nido! -What happened?

Did you do as l told you? -Yes.

What did she say? -Nothing. She's not at home.

Why didn't you wait for her? -She went to school in Tuzla.

God knows when she'll come. -Father knows where you are?

l told him l'd go to you.

Well, stay here overnight. -Where're you going?

MY EYES ARE WONDERING SOMEWHERE MILES AWAY,

MY HEART IS LONGING FOR SOMEONE FAR AWAY.

MY YOUTH'S PASSING BY AND WITHERING WITH YEARNING,

MY LOVE, YOU'RE FAR AWAY, FAR AWAY FROM ME.

YOU'RE FAR AWAY, MY LOVE, FAR AWAY, MY SWEETHEART,

MANY HEARTS GET SEPARATED WHEN MILES APART.

MY HEART'S YEARNING FOR YOU, DREAMING OF YOU WlTH LONGING,

SAD IS MY YOUTHFULNESS WITHOUT YOUR CARRESSING...

- Nihad! -What is it, ma'm? -May I ask you something?

Would you take a couch to my house. My husband'll...

...bring it by train any minute. -l really have no room.

We'll pay. Latif took 12 sacks of apples to market.

- We'll have money. -Had l room l'd take it for free.

My kids have nothing to sleep in.

lf it were smaller! What will l do with a couch?

See what you can do. -l will. -Please do.

This is for school. And letters for three days.

ls there a couch? -No.

- There must be one! -Go away, woman, no couch.

Come on, pal. This is where you get off.

No, l don't. l want to keep riding. -No, you don't.

Latif, you drunk! -Oh, my wife, my sorrow.

Where's the couch? -No couch here!

Latif, the couch! And money? -There's neither.

l'd be better off without you.

l'm dead man when l'm by your side.

Where's twelve sacks of apples?

Don't speak of them. You made me pick them all.

God will punish us all for that.

Latif, you've gone completely crazy.

l'll give you what you deserve when l sober up.

No woman will ever force me to do anything.

Bye now.

Give me that sack to carry.

Better take Latif instead. -Okay.

Where've you been Nihad?

Hey, put that sack too!

Come on, climb up.

May all good fortune be with you, Latif!

UPPER TUZLA, UPPER TUZLA... -He's had one too many!

Senada!

Wait a minute. I'll give you a ride. -No, thanks.

Hey, Senada,

wait, l'll take you...

l can manage alone.

How'll you manage three miles with that suitcase?

On foot. -You'll have sore feet.

Come on up!

You've got nice legs,

ought to take good care of them.

l'll go by myself.

Senada, don't be angry, dunno what came over me.

UPPER TUZLA... -Shut up!

Whee! Senada!

Senada, climb up, l won't even touch you, l swear.

Come on.

See how obedient the horse is? l've never whipped him.

Uncle threatened him with a slaughter house.

When l got hold of him he was half his old self.

Wouldn't eat or drink.

l said don't be a fool. Old girl, you're a living thing.

and a bicycle's just twenty pounds of steel.

He's the only one l can talk to!

Have you got anyone? -For what? -To talk to.

You mean someone you can get if off your chest with,

without him taking you for a fool? -Yes.

Someone who'll understand without a lot of words?

Got someone like that? -How could l?

l'm gonna unload Latif.

Where in hell have you been? Hi, how are you? -Fine.

Come on, Latif, you poor thing!

How do you like it in Tuzla? -Fine.

Dad, l got three F's.

Three or four? -Four.

Teacher said l'm the worst one in the school.

ls anyone worse than Nihad. -Yes.

l see. What about your sister? -All B's.

lf she did less housework, she'd have A's instead.

What did she cook while l was away? - Just potatoes.

What have we got? Beans, cabbage,

she could've made a pie? -Yes.

Edina!

What are you making for dinner? -Potatoes.

lt's hard not having a mother, isn't it?

Mother's really needed now.

When father's away, someone must be with children.

We got used to it. Our cousine often drops in.

That's nothing. Someone must stay with you,

so, l've been thinking... dunno what you'll say.

lt's firstly for your own sake.

Go ahead, get married.

You won't be mad? -Why should we?

But she's Christian. -Don't matter. lf she can cook well!

She certainly can!

Works in our cafeteria. Finished a course for that.

We won't have to call her ''mother''?

lf she doesn't ask you to.

l thought this was what life was about. lt's my fate.

Mother must die, l must get married. No choice.

Then l also thought: it's not big deal,

sooner or later we all marry, just as we die.

Dad also told me it's better to be married than not to,

at least in the beginning. Than all changed.

What changed? -Everything.

Couldn't even play tip-cat anymore. Wasn't proper.

Couldn't ask you out to the street 'cause l'm married.

No more talking to girls. -And Kemo? Still fight him?

Kept teasing me whenever l circled around your yard.

l'll be damned if l knew what l wanted to tell you.

Can't remember what it was.

Then l heard your father had sent you to school in Tuzla.

Your wife takes care of you? -She says a man and wife are one.

You take care of her? -Only when l return drunk.

A man is a miserable thing, and this little bit of soul he has,

devil gave it to him to make him more miserable.

Here we are!

l wanted to tell you something, too. - What?

lt may be silly now. -Never mind, tell me.

Asked teacher about that thing. Your uncle didn't lie.

The sun is 300.000 times bigger than the earth,

but it looks small 'cause it's far away from us.

Wouldn't you lay her with pleasure?

Wipe your nose and go play.

Directed by

Produced by

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