Original subtitles

PACIFIC OCEAN, NORTH-WEST OF WAKE ISLANDS, 1960

Hello, gentlemen. You need to drink this.

- No, stop! - Why not? He's a doctor.

Don't drink!

That's an order!

- They're not ready for interrogation. - I'll be as gentle as their Mom.

Jesus Christ! I thought they were marines, but they're just kids!

- Looking good, fellas! - They don't understand English.

These men spent 49 days in the Pacific without food and water,

What's the difference in what language they speak?

Tomorrow - San Francisco.

America is waiting for you.

At least someone is waiting for us.

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 5

How could they let the Americans catch them?

They didn't even resist!

What a scandal there's going to be if they stay in the States.

Columbus, yeah right! Opened America!

We'd just as well sent them to the North Pole.

What if they are defectors, what if they start breaking?

Well, we are not making any statements.

- Got it. - No, I mean no statements from us.

As for you - you keep working.

Don't let the Western press turn it into a political scandal.

Let them write that they were poachers, they were drunk, the boat got lost.

It's easy to say "let them write"!

As much as I want to, I can't tell the Western press what to write.

You can. If you want to.

Here… Take a look.

"We don't want war. But what we want even less is peace on their terms."

Aren't these nice words yours?

It might cost you your head, Grisha.

They took a liking to your aphorism up there.

As you found a way with the German you'll find one with the Americans.

According to the sailors, on May 2 their vessel T-36…

- What's is this "vessel T-36"? - A barge, broke loose from its mooring.

Their radio station was damaged so they couldn't contact command.

We are to convince the press that the US Navy got a hold of some unlucky poachers.

Illegal fishing. Just some local guys.

OK, we'll write a statement for the Soviet embassy press-attaché.

One more thing: the USSR Foreign Ministry is staying silent on this.

Why don't we just thank the Americans for saving our sailors?

Do you really think that the Americans saved them for humane reasons?

- Why couldn't we save them? - We lost contact with them.

They had no supplies, plus the storm, so we called off the search after a week.

- We wrote them off too soon. - Who could have guessed they'd survived?

It is certainly suspicious.

Tomorrow I want to see your ideas on this case.

They spent 6 weeks in the ocean.

You've read the report - they ate their leather belts, boots, even solid oil.

Do you know what solid oil is?

- And these heroes we'll call poachers? - All that we know…

we know from one American article and we have no idea what actually happened.

OK, I get it. And what do you think?

I'm no expert. I get sea-sick.

- Just like that? - Honestly!

Damn you! These guys nearly died, and you…

- How can a Party member be so soulless… - I'm actually not a member yet.

Communism doesn't require a soul, it's only an iron will and fortitude.

You're so good at babbling.

I'd see your fortitude after 6 weeks in the ocean without food or water.

- OK, I'm off for my training. - Why don't we practice a bit too?

Go ahead.

Moral standards in the Party Programme.

Dedication to communism, love to our socialist Motherland, collectivism…

…comradeship, "one for all, all for one".

- I've forgotten… - Are you still bothered about her?

Yes. I was thinking of an apology letter…

Send her a voicegram! I used it to propose to Nelya.

- Did it work? - No. She married another man.

- I see… - Smarten up if you want to be accepted.

Don't force yourself, drink some vodka.

No, romance is romance.

What's so funny? Something stuck in my teeth?

- Don't you remember? - What?

You said it on our second date - "romance is romance", and then…

Don't you remember?

A bird took a poo on my cap, so what?

I'll never forget your face!

All right, all right...

Ruta…

Isn't it time for us to have kids?

You shouldn't have brought it up.

Enough punishing yourself. What's done cannot be undone.

You can't reproach yourself all your life.

I made this decision.

And it's my responsibility.

I no longer have the right to have children.

Thank you for dinner.

Gera, did you sail on a T-36?

- Who do you think I am? - What?

- It's not a vessel, it's an old tub. - Is it? And sailing it in the Pacific?

Don't be foolish, I'd better to swim than sail on that junk.

Really?

- Then they are heroes for sure. - Who?

I can't say. A state secret.

SAN FRANCISCO, USA, 1960

Help yourself.

- Where are you taking us? - To glory, my friends.

I'll be your interpreter. Please.

- We can't go home. They'll shoot us! - Don't panic.

- Let's tell them we're staying. - Shut up, you coward!

Water! Get some water!

I demand taking us to the Soviet embassy, or we go on hunger strike.

Grigory Vladimirovich!

Take a look at this! The sailors refused to give interviews to the American press.

And this barge is not sea-worthy.

- It just can't go to sea. You see? - What do you want me to see?

That they are not defectors.

No one calls them defectors. They are poachers.

You call them poachers because you're afraid that they are defectors.

Korneev is right. Especially if we're going to blacken their reputation…

…they might actually stay in the USA,

…and it may look like we ourselves urged them to treason.

Muratov, situation analysis, please.

So… We don't have missions on the West Coast anymore.

They'll take the sailors to our Washington embassy, across the country.

And this makes things even more risky.

Why?

It's just a guess, but they might well be brainwashed on their way to Washington,

and even if they were not thinking of defecting, after this trip they might be.

We should let our sailors know that they are welcomed and long-awaited.

Good. And how are we going to do it?

Which one lives closest to Moscow?

Mamyshev. He's from Neverovo, it's not far from Moscow.

Good. He's a high ranking individual.

Tomorrow we'll bring his mom and let them have a phone talk. With foreign press.

They'll write that we want our sailors back, that will be enough.

If they don't come back, all the world will see

that the USA steals away our children.

- A daring plan, Ruta Karlovna. - I'd rather say, unusual.

Your plan is not to let the USSR lose,

my plan is to let the USSR win.

I can't understand it, Mura.

Just can't.

We work for the same office, in the same position.

I'm an orphan, you're an orphan. But we turn out to be different orphans.

You've got a flat, a car, I've got a bed in a hostel.

Class injustice, isn't it?

- Honestly, is it your car? - It's mine.

- How much did you pay? - The official price.

With our salaries… Probably around 5 years eating nothing?

Good boy.

You know what's eating me?

Could it be that you sold yourself to some secret service from abroad?

Did I guess right?

Where are you going?

Are we here already?

Good day!

- Natalia Renatovna… Hello. - Hello.

We are from the Foreign Ministry.

Your men came just yesterday, questioned me.

- Who came? - Yours. From Internal Affairs.

We are not from Internal Affairs. We are from the Foreign Ministry.

Sorry, I'm confused...

We would like you to come with us to Moscow tomorrow.

OK. Do I need to sign something?

No, you don't need to sign anything. Don't worry, everything's all right.

We want you to come with us and talk to your son.

Sonny…

- Is he in Moscow? Is he back? - He'll be back soon.

For now you'll just have a phone talk, and there will be some journalists.

Good. As for the journalists…

- There was one. - From what newspaper?

I don't know. Maybe Latvian.

Well-groomed man… Took a lot of photos.

- Who is that? - I'll see.

- I want to go with you! - Eat your dinner.

- Good evening, comrade Biryukov. - Hello.

A decent girl shouldn't come uninvited…

…so maybe you'd better visit me, at the Cranes Lounge. Taxi's waiting.

I'll take it as an invitation.

- Anya, eat up. - I don't want to.

- Anya, eat, please. - No.

Anya, when daddy tells you…

Behave yourself, please! Put your hands down and eat.

Let's play "rock, paper, scissors"!

For a flick on a forehead.

Rock breaks scissors, paper covers rock, but scissors cuts paper.

Rock, paper, scissors - one, two tree!

- I win! - One more.

OK. Rock, paper, scissors - one, two tree!

No!

Take it easy!

Do you want to play?

Go ahead.

Rock, paper, scissors - one, two tree!

Oh! You win!

- I want another game! - You know what?

To play this game you need to be strong.

So you'd better eat before we play.

- OK. - Come on!

Yes, thank you.

- Is Mamysheva here? - Korneev went to meet her.

- How many reporters are expected? - L'Avangardia, Le Mond photographer…

- Bill Convey from the Times is not here. - That's no good.

We need him most of all.

I met him in Paris. He writes something, and it spreads like wildfire.

I've called all the hotels, they don't recall him.

That won't do. He has to be in Moscow. Find him.

Have you ever been on the 14-th floor? You can see all of Moscow!

It's my first time in an elevator…

The main thing is that soon you will hear Marat's voice. He'll be OK.

- Where do they keep him? - He is now traveling across the USA.

They stayed in Denver for a night, we'll call them at the hotel.

Denver is in Colorado. Heard about the bug?

That's where it's from.

DENVER, USA, 1960

I've had enough. I'm staying.

- No, you aren't! - You can say you couldn't stop me.

It's your call.

I shouldn't have wasted my time on you back on the barge.

You are hopeless if your Motherland means nothing to you.

If I stay I'll put you in a pretty fix.

All right, Marat. I owe you one.

- Let's go. - Follow me.

Put her through, please.

Putting through.

Hello, this is the Foreign Affairs calling.

Thank you. One minute.

We might have something interesting for you.

Put me through to our embassy in Washington.

Connecting.

Hello, this is Ruta Blaumane, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I need to talk to the crew of master sergeant Marat Mamyshev.

I was told I could find them here.

I see…

Owing to technical problems we cannot talk to them now.

Please accept my apologies.

Where's my son? Is he alive?

- Yes, of course! - Why didn't they let me talk to him?

He and his fellow men are at an information session.

You mean… with the police?

Not exactly.

Good heavens, why?

He's not a traitor!

Please, help him, he's a good boy!

Do something, call somebody…

Do you have children?

Yes, a son. 3 years younger than yours.

Please, please, I beg you…

I promise you, I'll do my best to bring your son home.

Safe and sound.

Natalia Renatovna, let me take you home.

- Natalia Renatovna, we are so sorry… - No, it's not about you.

It's about these wicked photographers. What if they publish it…

- Marat will have more issues? - They can't. We won't let them.

Pushing, clicking their cameras… Not like that Latvian.

He was so polite, so understanding, asked me about my boy…

- Do you remember his name? - I do. He said he was Konev.

Latvian by the name of Konev? Maybe a foreigner?

How would I know? He was talking with an accent.

Please…

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Chernykh on the phone. - Can I see you now? It's personal.

- At the Cranes Lounge, in half an hour. - OK, in half an hour.

Ruta Karlovna…

- You've got a new plan? - I'm going to Chernykh.

- Do you mind if I go with you? - I don't think that he…

He won't refuse.

Muratov, have you heard of a foreign journalist, by the name…

- Konev. - Konev? No.

You can look for him in the accredited press book.

That's it. Kruger, Kovalski… Vasiliy Konev, USA.

He must come from the White Guard emigrant family. Works for The Times.

- The Times? - Yes, here it is.

Konev… Konev - Convey…

Could it be the same man?

Hotel National, please.

I've spent the whole day looking for him.

Foreign Ministry. Yes, again.

Did you have a guest named Vasiliy Konev, American citizen?

- Fruit? - Yes, and a bottle of…

…champagne, Brut, on ice.

- May I? Nikolai Borisovich… - Please, sit down, comrades.

- Hello. - Hello. Wait, I'll ask to bring…

- I'll do it. - OK.

I have very little time so let's go to the point.

I think you've heard of the sailors that washed ashore in the USA.

- Yes, briefly. - They were on their way to our embassy

when they were intercepted by your colleagues.

We called the foreign press to hear our boys talk about going home,

instead we had an awkward situation, and they didn't let us say a word.

How do you think I can influence the situation here?

You can, Nikolai. Of course you can.

At least give us some help - who should we contact. There's no time.

Nikolai… Borisovich,

for the Western press this story is in the limelight now,

and the Soviet Union can't afford to let things go wrong.

I get it, but it's not my jurisdiction.

They are, so to say, external men, and I happen to be an internal one.

Sorry, but I can't help.

You mean, you don't want to help?

OK, it's up to you.

If you ask me…

Even if they tell the truth, even if they never planned defection,

after the treatment they're going through now, they'll confess to anything.

They'll confess to being recruited by US secret service in preschool.

It's too late.

- Champagne… - Thank you.

I must apologise but I have a meeting… a confidential one.

Convey's visa is valid for another month.

It must be something Mamysheva said, or something he saw,

that made him fly to the USA right away. But what the hell was it?

I can tell you what. Just look at how they live.

Now Convey can write a sob-story about a poor boy from terrible Russia,

and his heroic escape to the land of fat hamburgers.

And… his photo in a Cadillac.

How it was - how it is.

- It's a catastrophe. - We have no leverage here…

About Bill Convey…

He's leaving for New-York with Mamyshev's mother's interview, it means it was useful.

No doubts he'll write that they defected. After such an article they're done.

Poor boys…

- Which flight? - This evening, via Paris.

Well then…

You both may go, I'm going to the airport.

Why?

I'll try to stop him from writing this article.

- You said we have no leverage. - We'll find it.

Hello, how are you?

- Hi! - Buonasera.

- What language is that? - I don't understand!

Could you please move to the 4th row?

- It will be more comfortable there. - Yes, of course.

Please.

Grigory Birukov… Bill Convey.

I remember you. We had a nice time in Paris, didn't we?

We did, Vasily Stepanovich.

Vasily Stepanovich Konev, right? Jana, please…

Could you bring me and Mr Konev some brandy?

- Will you have some brandy? - I prefer whisky.

Sorry, we have just vodka, red wine, white wine…

- I have some with me. - And I'll have that brandy.

- Birukov is cool! - It won't work.

- Look, someone scratched your car. - Where?

You bought it!

Wait! You'll be my witness.

Now I'm going to win this argument about Tamara.

Nelly's parents are coming, from the North… You have 2 minutes.

You are so reckless to be alone so late, there are wolves out here, they say.

- Volunteering for community patrol? - Patrol it is.

I come to the rescue in no time. May I see you home?

What was wrong with that flower, patrol-boy?

- Maybe next time. - Good evening, Tamara Ivanovna.

Take care!

- This journey seems to be long. - Wait, - a driver?

If you only knew whose driver… See you tomorrow.

Tamara Ivanovna…

How did you like the landscapes of little towns in Moscow district?

A bit gloomy. But they have this poetry, so inherent in the Russian nature.

You shouldn't have left Moscow unescorted.

I'm afraid, they'll cancel your accreditation.

It doesn't matter anymore. The material was worth it.

- What was it? If it's not a secret. - It is.

But have my word, you'll like it. It's a bomb.

Jana, please, now we're ready to switch over to brandy.

Hello, Claudia, this is Arcady. Our last evening together I behaved like a real jerk.

To earn your forgiveness I would sail across the ocean,

with no water and food, on a boat with no motor,

I'd sail for weeks impelled only by the thought of you, Claudia.

I would withstand anything.

I'm ready to go all the way, to fight for you like a musketeer, and all I want,

all that I ask from you, Claudia, is to give me only one minute,

Thank you for listening to my message, yours faithfully, Arkady

Yes, that's it.

He's… he's very special.

I told you.

- "Gitanes", from Cuba? - No, they're French.

Well, the flat is furnished

not to my taste, though it's up to you.

But I don't see a room for a child...

- Dad! - You both seem to be healthy.

- Victor! - Why? I just worry…

It's not a big deal to keep putting it off again and again.

The flat is yours, the car is yours, you are welcome…

And still no sign of grandchildren. It hurts me to see your mother.

All her friends have heaps of kids around them and she's like a lost soul.

Nelly and I, we thought… we would take our time.

That's it, Andrew! You spend too much time on thinking!

You'd better come to the North, to Magadan, work with your hands,

- You won't feel like thinking anymore. - Victor, don't start this again.

What's wrong? We're just talking.

OK, I'll spill it. The article will be called…

"Inconvenient Sailors". Do you like it?

I like it, really.

Have a look.

I hope you won't tear or eat them…

The negatives are in my luggage.

So, what do you have here, Russia racked and ruined?

Of course Mamyshev is no defector. He's an ideal Soviet man.

Born in the village, secondary school, trade school, amateur choir.

Adores his mom, loves football, goes to Moscow to Spartak matches.

Moreover, I'm sure, the other sailors are also fine Soviet men

and your system just shrugged them off, left them dying.

And when they managed to survive by some miracle

you called them traitors and mixed with the dirt.

I'm afraid, it's a one-sided view.

My dear Mr Birukov, it's not a view it's a statement of a fact.

Dad, stop it. Let's talk about your work.

Mom said you were transferred from the Utiny mine.

It was closed down.

As well as three other mines.

Komsomol and Bilibino mines were merged into one.

That's it!

The whole industry's dying out. Work is harder to find.

The labour camps are gone our industry is gone.

- Strange times are coming. - New times are coming, Victor.

I wish they kept… something old in these new times.

- Like prisoners working in the fields? - Andrew!

- Victor, you promised… - Don't interrupt, please.

I'll answer your question, Andrew.

They brought us enough of these idiots, especially the political ones.

So many crazy ideas in their minds, your hair would stand on end!

And then a year passes by

and you see a completely different man -

working, smiling, enjoying the simple things.

Rehabilitation proved that many of the convicted were innocent.

Including my parents.

- Is that OK with you? - Andrew, please!

We were very attentive to these people. I gave all my old shoes to my tailor,

and Nelly's music teacher, he always had his plate of soup after the lesson.

Oh, come on! You're talking like they're your own workers.

I am just a mining engineer. I'm not an expert in these lofty matters.

Up there… they know better who's innocent, who's not.

You're in the MID, you should know how ambiguous things can be.

But one thing is for sure, no offense

there's no smoke without fire.

I'm going for some fresh air… before bed.

Come on, Vasily, give it to me straight!

This little article of yours… All these articles of yours…

Trying to get even with the Soviets?

Revenge for a confiscated mansion?

Yes, I admit, I still bear a grudge.

And you, Grigory, should admit too

that you don't care about these sailors.

No, not me, answer honestly to yourself.

There you are! Seasons change, but your minds remain the same.

I do care. I'm sorry for the boys.

I'm really sorry.

State security guys are working with them right now,

do you know what that means?

It means that these sailors will sign anything,

…they'll say that the Americans recruited them at school.

In other words, you say that they're tortured?

Don't tell me you never knew.

Can I refer to you in my article?

Of course. If you want me executed.

Then I'll refer to a Foreign Ministry source wishing to remain anonymous.

Sweet dreams, Grigory.

Wake up!

Wake up, we've arrived.

Do you hear me? Wake up!

What are you doing? Let me go!

Thank you, sweetie.

- Hello. - A call from Paris.

- Ruta Karlovna, it's Birukov. - Yes, hello.

- Sorry for calling so early. - It's OK, it was just a bit alarming.

God, I'm so tired, and I have to fly back now…

So, please, listen carefully and do exactly what I say.

Peter Prokopyevich…

This is a summary of an article to be published tonight in the NewYork Times.

- How did you get it, I wonder? - We have some leverage.

I'm sure you have.

Ok. And what does it say?

It says that our sailors were tortured by KGB agents.

Well…

Now heads will roll. Including ours, by the way.

What are you waiting for? Get ready to publish a disclaimer. Now!

It's already too late for that, we won't convince anyone.

But we can make this bomb explode in their own hands.

USSR EMBASSY, WASHINGTON, 1960

I beg your pardon…

Elena Evgenyevna…

Please find out the clothing sizes of our sailors.

Now!

"Inconvenient Sailors" by Bill Convey

Fantastic article. I take it you aren't going back to the USSR?

The world has enough dictatorships with better weather.

- So, it's Cuba then? - Well… Who knows.

Good afternoon.

I'd like to present an official statement of the Foreign Ministry…

I bet by the time he finishes reading the poor guys will be in Gulag.

The full text of the statement

is available at our office. But first…

We would like to express

a heartfelt thanks to the USA,

for providing aid and shelter to our brave sailors.

And now it's time to give the floor to our heroes.

Go ahead!

Hey, what's this?

Looks like the Soviets know how to make a good show.

Who would have ever thought?

You say a T-36 is an old tub?

- It's an old tub. - Is it?

And our sailors held out on it in the Pacific for 49 days!

- Really? - Read tomorrow's Pravda.

No, we didn't eat an accordion, we didn't have one.

As for the boots, yes, we ate our boots.

What do you want more than anything?

More than anything we want to get home. To our Motherland.

And the Motherland is getting ready to meet her children.

Looks like someone's going to write a serious correction.

Birukov, you son of a bitch…

- Dad, let's play rock-paper-scissors. - Let's play, let's play…

Sleep…

Sleep.

- Hello. - Hi, Ruta.

Listen, do you need a cat? My cat, she… calved?

- She kittened. - Whatever.

If I don't give them away by tomorrow I'll have to drown them. Lena said.

No, thanks.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

- OK, I'm back on my mission. - Bye.

Why did he come?

To ask about the kittens.

I'd prefer to raise a child without cats in the house.

You've made your mind up!

Sweetheart… Don't worry.

We'll keep on trying.