Original subtitles

Wake up, lazy. It's after seven already.

I'm not going anywhere.

Nelly, you're a monster.

Monster?

Today I'll play Debussy for you,

your favourite one. Don't miss it.

Next exercise.

Raise your arms forward,

up,

sideways, down!

Start!

Forward!

Up!

Sideways!

Down!

Forward!

Up!

To the side!

Down!

Forward!

Up!

Sideways!

Down!

Stretch forward.

Up, higher!

Sideways, down!

Keep your back straight.

We have a lot of experience in joint ventures.

We have 'Wind from the East' with China.

We have a lot of experience in joint ventures.

We have 'Wind from the East' with China.

Have you seen it?

Have you seen it?

No.

Comrades!

Pardon. What are you doing?

Don't you see it's crooked? No?

Damn, I've forgotten my matches.

Excuse me.

Hello.

The photos are inside.

I'll hand it over.

Use the stick. You won't reach it.

You should move the ladder.

I should apologize.

I'm sorry.

A thousand apologies.

It's okay.

There are some problems.

Small ones.

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 3

So, let's begin.

Where's Muratov?

Begin without him.

Firstly, I have some bad news.

As almost all of you remember,

our unit was created to help Soviet diplomats

to speak a new, young, dynamic language.

The meeting of heads of states in Paris

was meant to be an important stage of our work.

We were developing a briefing system for it for nearly a year.

Today, I was informed representatives of SAG weren't at the delegation.

What cheapskates!

How come?

Only Shuiko's unit will communicate with the press.

Never say never, Ruta Karlovna.

Everything can change.

I envy your optimism, Grigory Vladimirovich.

Let's get down to business.

The first thing is to prepare colleagues

for the social function in the Finnish Embassy.

The USSR and Finland are preparing to sign a contract...

Ruta Karlovna, may I say something?

Comrades, it's so strange to look at you.

SAG is the department which has changed history.

So, what did we learn from that?

What did we learn from the Power case?

To sit around and complain that nobody considers our opinion?

That nobody listens to us?

Or maybe to think more bravely, to speak louder?

I'm always ready to speak louder!

We noticed.

Every day we receive a dozen of tasks.

Our objective is not only to complete them diligently,

but to find something which can really influence the situation.

So, the Finnish Embassy — There's nothing to discuss.

Ionov, do it.

Next.

The party president received a kitten as a gift in Tokyo.

Golub, make a list of potential gifts in response.

I'm sorry. Is the kitten real? Or chinaware?

Well, find out.

Okay.

Next.

The Soviet-French film 'Normandie-Neiman' will be premiered on May 9.

Well this is something here.

Grigory Vladimirovich, I don't understand your priorities.

Ruta Karlovna, let me explain.

Eisenhower, Khrushchev, de Gaulle and Macmillan

will meet in 10 days in Paris.

We know.

We need France to support us after these negotiations no matter what.

Together we'll be able to make Americans back down in West Berlin.

And what can be better than a film about heroic a French regiment

that destroyed fascists with the Soviet Army?

It's political.

Leaders make nuclear agreements for the things like that.

What can our small unit do?

I told you — speak louder!

Excuse me. The car died on Groky Street. I couldn't do anything.

Muratov, you're just in time.

What do you know about 'Normandie-Neiman'?

Some kind of Frenchmen.

They're legends.

The whole of France adored them.

Our country even gave them fighter planes.

They flew home on them.

Great, Korneev.

Oh, yeah. Right.

Let's find out who is still alive from this regiment.

Let's award certificates of honor to them.

No.

We'll bring one of them to the premiere in Moscow.

These ideas are great, comrades.

But the premiere will be held in 3 days.

Yes.

This is great. It's on May 9, Victory Day.

Indeed.

I guess Ruta Karlovna has an idea.

Yes. My husband told me they would arrange a demonstration flight

in their air force unit on May 9.

Why don't we propose such a flight to the French pilot?

In the Tushino Airdrome, for example?

Who will see him in Tushino?

It will be better if he flies over the cinema.

Well, what can be louder than that?

We can do it if you all really want to.

I'll get permission from the Central Committee.

Muratov,

contact our embassy in Paris.

So, let's do it.

Grigory Vladimirovich, what was that?

What do you mean?

Don't pretend.

I mean your young communist spirit.

OK.

Do you want to talk openly?

A week ago I promised you that I'd move to a higher position

as soon as I'd have a chance. And I'll vacate this post.

So, Ruta Karlovna,

There is such a chance now.

I'd like to use it.

What do you think?

Paris. Yes, Paris.

Three, seven...

Three, seven, one...

Lenya, what would you choose: women's volleyball or hockey?

Is it a date with Klava?

I'm sorry, but do you know the difference

between hockey and volleyball?

Well, a ball is bigger in volleyball.

Don't do that.

I advise you as a friend. It's not your thing.

You have other aces up your sleeve.

You should invite her to watch 'Normandie-Neiman'.

Do you think so?

A diplomat invites her to the premiere of a French film.

Any girl would melt.

The rest is a matter of technique.

What technique?

- Did you kiss her? - No.

I see.

So, you go out of the theater.

And you recite a poem.

Choose a Yesenin poem and recite it.

Look into her eyes.

Do you understand?

If she doesn't look away in 5 seconds...

Kiss her right away.

How?

French kiss, Arkady.

Count up to five again.

If the girl doesn't run away...

You move forward.

Where?

What a nasty thing, Lenya!

What do you take her for?

She's a decent girl.

I wanted to help you as a friend.

Then deal with it on your own.

I called six pilots.

And again, no.

They all refused.

Can I?

It's a pity.

What else can we do?

Andrey, you said six pilots had refused.

There are eight pilots on the list.

Ah, yes.

Duret is seriously ill.

They said there was no sense to call Chaprel.

He leads a sheltered life in Alsace,

ignored his orders, his pension, never goes anywhere.

Call him, Andrey.

Okay.

What?

You're not the only person who wants you to move to a higher post.

Are they offering you Shuiko's position?

Am I right?

Maybe.

It means you'll be able to bring my informal briefings back.

Chaprel agreed.

As soon as he heard I was from the USSR.

What should I say to him about tickets, a hotel?

I think you shouldn't go on this date.

How's that?

I mean it.

I know this high society.

If you come alone, he'll think you're easy meat.

Arkasha?

He is different.

Oh, yeah. All of them are different.

What should I do?

Can you come with me?

I don't mind.

But ask him to come with his colleague.

A diplomat.

Okay.

How about I go in this?

Definitely.

Lyosha?

What are you doing?

What?

Do you feel dizzy?

No. It's nothing.

I'm going for a check up next week.

I just want to get in shape.

How did it go?

Great.

I'm sweaty.

I don't care.

You're violating fire safety rules.

Just a little.

What's wrong?

This French pilot who we invited.

You know, all his comrades-in-arms refused.

But he agreed so quickly.

It's good, isn't it?

It is.

They say he hasn't made a public appearance for 10 years.

And there he is.

I don't know. It's all too quick really.

What's the name of this loner?

Joseph Chaprel.

Chaprel. He's a hero, Ruta.

Even aces told some stories about him.

He's an unpredictable man.

This is why he defeated fascists so effectively.

No one knew what trick he would pull on the next mission.

Chaprel.

Please, Mr. Chaprel.

Will we go to the pond with ducks?

We will.

And ice cream?

And the ice cream.

Hello.

Hi.

Ah! I know you.

You're that lady from TV.

She's my friend Galya.

Hi.

Your coat is so elegant. It's very beautiful.

Did you come here from TV?

No. I'm from home.

Today is my day off from TV.

Tonya always watches you.

Really?

Not Tonya, Antonina Ivanovna. I told you, Anya.

Galya, I'm sorry. I have very little time.

I have an important meeting. And I should take Anya home.

What's wrong?

I don't want to go home.

Anya, stop crying.

Anya!

I want to go for a walk. I don't want to go home.

You promised!

You can go to work. I can go for a walk with Anya.

I'll take her home then.

Do you want to?

Okay?

But without the crying.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Give me your hand.

Let's go.

Yes?

Lenya?

Golub, what are you doing here?

I want to apologize for yesterday.

It's okay. I've already forgotten it.

What do you want?

Listen.

Can you come with me?

I have going boxing soon.

It's not today. It's tomorrow.

Klava will come to the premiere with her friend.

So, Muratov is a family man. I can ask only you.

But I'm a vulgar and nasty person.

Lenya, please.

Okay.

So, tell me about that friend.

We'll take you from the hotel after breakfast.

They called us up to serve a hero on a day off.

And he is so sad.

Lena.

Of course, lunch.

Then, Mr. Chaprel, meetings with comrades-in-arms are planned.

And, of course, the flight.

Would you like some vodka?

No, thank you.

I have one requirement.

Sure, anything.

We owe you.

If you say so.

My brother Richard Chaprel was 24 in 1943.

He joined Polish bush-fighters.

They stormed Vilnius together with the Red Army.

When Russians stormed the city...

Richard was arrested immediately.

They claimed he was a Nazi collaborator. Rumor has it he was in a prison camp.

Translate, please.

Translate it!

Muratov, translate.

His brother was arrested as a Nazi collaborator.

I tried to reestablish my brother or at least find his grave for over 10 years.

My brother was never working with the Nazis.

He fought for your country, for the whole world.

And how did you repay him?

Mr. Chaprel, during the war terrible things occurred in the USSR

and around the world.

- This is why... - This is why I'm here.

I require posthumous exoneration for my brother.

You should understand we don't have such authority.

Then contact those who do.

How is it going?

My boss is here.

Mr. Chaprel, I'm Birukov Grigory Vladimirovich.

That's great.

You want the whole world to know

about this side of the Franco-Soviet friendship?

No problem.

I think you all understand what happened here.

I believe there's no sense to ask you to exclude this talk from the report.

You're right.

Mr. Chaprel!

I'm not going anywhere.

I want my dad to pick me up.

Anya, please.

You know, your dad is working.

So?

I'm not going anywhere.

Look, who's here!

Galina!

Hi.

Girls, how can I help you? Do you need a ride?

- Yes. - I won't go anywhere.

Who is this beautiful little girl?

This is Anya Birukova.

This is Ilya.

I have an idea, young lady.

What about a horse race?

Do you mean real horses?

Of course!

Why do they race?

To cheer up beautiful ladies like you.

Well? Let's go?

Then get into the car.

Are you crazy? To bring a child on the race track?

It will be like a zoo for her.

Everything will be OK. I promise.

Please.

Birukov.

Do you have a death wish?

Do you want to join Shuiko?

What's the problem with this Frenchman?

Hello, Valentin Ivanovich.

Do you understand you will push our relations with France

back to 1812 just before the meeting?

Cancel the flight and send him home.

He can give an interview there.

Grisha, you know, I won't be able to help you in this situation.

This story will be worse than the Field of Mars case.

Who decided to bring this Frenchie here?

Our unit did.

If the boss was here, your unit would be gone.

If the boss was here, Chaprel wouldn't leave that building.

This idea is not bad.

Grisha, you're not a child.

You have to calm the Frenchman down

or decide who will be responsible for this.

Is it clear?

Grigory Vladimirovich, I think

If he talks about it, it won't be so dangerous.

He knows little about his brother, it'll be easy to refute.

Let's go, Muratov.

When will we see the horses?

We'll go soon, Anya.

Pretty soon.

You've already said that.

Five-year, go!

Five-year, go! Hurry up!

It was so close!

Figures are bad. My source deserves a kick.

A consolation drink?

Yes.

Please.

Anya?

Anya!

Excuse me, did you see a little girl in a blue beret?

Why did you bring a child to the race track?

Why not a bar?

- Let's go. - Anya!

Hello.

What do you want?

Andrey.

I want you to know each other a bit better.

Andrey Muratov is one of our best specialists.

Are you kidding?

What jokes, Mr. Chaprel?

Andrey was born and grew up in France.

After the war his parents returned to the USSR.

They were put in a labor camp like your brother.

Andrey will search records and find any information about your brother.

If you tell the truth, he will be exonerated.

You have my word.

I don't believe in promises anymore.

Okay.

What if we find your brother's records?

You'll find out where he died, where his grave is.

You have 24 hours.

Otherwise I won't keep silent.

Okay.

See you tomorrow.

Goodbye.

I could have poured it.

Ruta.

Look at me.

He can talk a good game.

You didn't see his eyes.

He has a goal. He won't give up.

We have to cancel the flight.

We've already invited the press. We'll say the engine is broken.

What?

No. Don't cancel it.

In 1947, our flight was canceled.

Since that it seems as if May 9 wasn't a holiday anymore.

Neither parade, not even a day off.

You don't understand what it means for pilots.

You know that he is blackmailing us?

Do you think he will drop leaflets from the plane?

I don't know what to do.

I can talk to him.

We both are pilots.

We both fought in the war.

We both went through the same mayhem.

You'll see. I can explain it to him.

He flies not for himself. He flies for all war veterans.

Why should he punish us?

Lyosha, I don't want to involve you in this thing.

I'm ready even to put on a French beret and fly for your sake.

It would suit you.

One, two, three...

four, five. Ready or not, here I come.

One, two, three, four, five.

Ready or not...

Nikolai, hello.

Sorry, it's late.

It's urgent.

Come in.

Hello. Take your coat off, please.

I'll only be a minute.

Peek-a-boo!

Hi.

Mikhail.

Grigory.

Anya! Thank God!

Come with me. Hello.

Stop, lady.

How's it 'come'?

Are you a relative of the girl?

I don't know them.

I want my dad to pick me up.

Where's your mother?

My mom died.

Do you know where we found her? In a stable.

I fed the horses.

Do you understand that horses could trample her?

Comrade militiaman, please put yourself in my place.

Didn't you recognize me? I'm Galina Volina, a TV announcer.

I recognize you.

Does it mean I should let someone else's child go with you?

Call her father.

Please.

Her father is a busy man.

He's a diplomat.

I wouldn't like to bother him with such a thing.

We mustn't bother my dad.

Okay, let me go with Galya.

She'll take me home.

Do you feel it?

The taste of sherry.

It's a barrel.

Sherry was in it before. This is why the whisky has such a taste.

Kolya, I understand more about vodka.

Me too.

But he's such an Anglomaniac.

Do you remember in our fourth year you wanted to kidnap me

from our student residence on my birthday?

You were scared to climb down using bed sheets.

Do you remember that guard's face?

Maya distracted him while you...

Grisha, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Maya... She...

She was wonderful.

Such people are hard to find.

Yes, Katya, I know it.

Dad, I'm an attack aircraft.

Go to bed, attack aircraft.

Go, go. Your dad is busy. Hurry up.

Quickly! Let's go.

- Let's get to the point. - Chaprel?

I've already heard about it.

Yes, a bad story.

Who is so lucky to choose him from all the French pilots?

It's Ruta Karlovna's shot in the dark.

Blaumane?

Listen.

The thing is that the second committee knows nothing.

Now, I have the report on my table.

I can put it off, but only for a day. Will you figure it out by then?

Great.

Kolya, listen.

My guy will come to your records office tomorrow.

He needs a certain case.

Will you let him poke around?

Why not?

The drink is strange.

It takes getting used to.

You know, then I was proud of myself.

It's not your fault.

Whose fault then?

Life.

This is also your uncle's fault.

This Frenchman is ready for an international conflict

for the sake of his brother's memory.

I didn't try to find out where their graves were.

I did nothing for them.

Nothing.

Andrey.

You were a child.

I was. But I grew up.

Nelya.

I disowned them.

I disowned my own parents.

Just think...

Who and where would you be if you hadn't done that?

Galya?

What are you doing here?

Grisha, don't get mad please.

It's okay now. I just should tell you about it.

What happened?

Well, Anya and I went to a horse race track.

- I lost her there... - Where's she?

No, she's okay. She's sleeping now.

Galya.

Did you take my daughter to the race track?

Just think about what you've done!

I should probably go.

Higher! They're pilots.

Comrades, be careful. Come here.

Valera...

No, it's OK now.

No, guys, to the left.

When you see an enemy ace's face and lock on his wing

do what I do.

Wing drop.

You say, 'Copy that.'

Copy that, comrade Bykov.

Clear prop.

Copy that.

Contact.

Contact made.

Grounding for operators.

Joseph.

Good flying.

I'll take off when they bring me...

Records of your brother?

I understand.

What if they're late?

I see you're fighting for your family's honor.

I'm fighting for my family's honor.

What honor. They can fire my wife.

Or put her in jail.

But we're pilots.

We live in the sky.

We should fly.

- It's my last chance. - A chance?

The aircraft is ready, comrade pilot.

This is your chance.

Do you understand it will be your first flight over Moscow

on Victory Day for 15 years? We fought for this day.

Okay. We'll wait for records.

About time.

Here it is. The first batch.

What is it?

Cases of the camp's special prisoners.

There are 188 cases for 1946.

As you asked.

We asked for one certain case. Richard Chaprel, born in 1919.

So, find it. You're not in a library.

Aren't we late? What time is it?

They'll fly when they fly.

Leonid, being a pilot is so idyllic. Don't you agree?

The sea is really idyllic. Believe an old sailor.

So you're a sailor?

Raisa, do you like Yesenin's poems?

Please, no.

Arkasha, tell us about the French.

Yes!

They're normal people, they just snuffle.

What's the forecast? The sky is completely dark.

They say the front will move off.

He's coming!

Comrade Colonel, permission to speak?

Granted.

This is for you.

- Permission to carry on, sir? - Granted.

I need to get to the cinema theater.

It's a pity the flight's canceled because of this freaking rain.

Nature is cunning. You can't get along with it.

But you can with me.

Grigory Vladimirovich.

I found the Chaprel's case and sent it via courier.

This is great. Good job, Muratov.

But what's the point?

The point is that we've just avoided an international scandal.

Maybe we shouldn't.

What do you mean?

You wouldn't believe how many such French cases are there.

I started to read them, and then just counted them.

I reckoned about 7,000 during one hour.

That's not half even.

There was a special camp 188 near Tambov.

They put all of them there: Nazi collaborators, resistance fighters.

Nobody went into detail.

War isn't the best time for details.

The war was then. But now?

Excuse me, Andrey.

How are you, Ruta Karlovna?

He won't fly.

I don't know what to expect.

What if Chaprel starts talking?

What if he tells the media about his brother?

I found his brother's case. He promised to keep silent.

There are a lot of such cases.

Muratov was in the records office. There are thousands of cases.

Any of them can come to light.

How many cases are in the record office?

Igor Stepanovich.

Can I have a word with you?

If just a word.

Almost.

Listen.

Thousands of Frenchmen died in Soviet camps.

They're still considered as fascists.

Imagine it.

Just before the conference in Paris leaders of our country launch

a posthumous rehabilitation of those wrongly accused.

If we only raise the issue,

we'll come to Paris as the best friends of France.

Ruta.

It's a very sensible idea.

But you know who makes such decisions.

Do you really think I can push this forward?

I appreciate your credit, but...

Dear Comrades!

Today we're celebrating the 15th anniversary

of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

I'm glad to see guests from different countries in this hall.

Let's first applaud the creators of this film.

Thanks to hard work by Soviet filmmakers

and our French colleagues

this film, reliving feats of World War II heroes was created.

It's aimed at strengthening...

Comrades.

Please welcome...

a Hero of France,

pilot officer Joseph Chaprel!

Normandie-Niemen Fighter Regiment!

I've waited 15 years for this moment.

What should we do?

I don't know.

I enjoyed the privilege to fight together with Soviet Air Forces.

We fought together and died together.

I lost my brother in your country.

I lost him not in battle.

I've thought about it, for 15 years that I couldn't find even his grave.

But today the Soviet Government

proved true friends can admit even fatal mistakes.

Our countries' friendship unites us.

As the world saw, the sky over the USSR is closed for our enemies.

But I hope that my visit...

He called the USA 'enemy'.

Will show that this sky is always open for friends.

Thank you.

I'd like to express my appreciation to my comrade-in-arms Bykov

for his support.

Thank you.

Enjoy the film.

Well, love-birds, let's say goodbye?

Have a good night.

Don't forget.

What did he mean?

Who knows.

This is Korneev.

So...

Did you enjoy the film?

You have some risk takers in the SAG.

Igor Stepanovich.

It's me who brought Chaprel.

I'm responsible for his speech.

Did you see the French ambassador? He shed a tear.

The media goes crazy. De Gaulle will read about it tomorrow.

Bosses want us to continue discussions.

You're winners. Success is never blamed.

You're going to Paris.

Take Blaumane.

Let her hold her informal briefings as she wanted.

Gromyko will mention carefully the French camp in Tambov before the meeting.

He'll say that we're ready to launch rehabilitation for some cases.

Great.

Do you have a person who can prepare this report?

Yes. Andrey Muratov is our expert on France.

Tell him to pack his bags.

Yes, Grigory Vladimirovich.

Your small SAG is turning heads.

Keep it up.

Thank you, Igor Stepanovich.

I hope the person who will replace Shuiko won't press our unit left and right.

That depends on you.

You can have a talk with Shuiko.

He will be at work again on Monday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates smart employees.

I see.

Fall is pushed back to summer. Summer is postponed for a meeting.

The meeting — to an undetermined day.

Everything isn't constant. Nothing lasts forever.

Only we remained in this March.

We're happy, stable, unnoticeable

in an endless still frame.

Two grains are in the amber moment.

It's so wonderful, Arkasha.

- Did you write it? - No, it's by Albert Pokrovsky.

Did you like the poem?

Very much.

I'm sorry, Klava!

What a fool!

Claudia!

Plans have changed.

Tell them that I'll be in Paris soon.

Okay.