Original subtitles

Easy, easy, Favourite! Sit, Marquis, good girl.

Come on.

Easy, easy!

Zhenya, do you think they know

that not just playing with them but running experiments?

I think for dogs there's no difference between experiments and pranks.

I'm ready. Let's begin.

- I think they know. - So what?

Dogs are not humans, they can suffer a bit for humanity.

- You're too cynical! - No, it's you who's too lyrical.

Pressure fluctuation, add 15 more or you'll kill them.

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 7

Have a cup of sweet tea, you must be very tired.

- How is he? - The operation went well.

He is stable. They'll soon take him out from the intensive care unit.

So, drink your tea and go home.

- I'd like to stay with him. - No, not after the operation.

He should have some rest, you'd better go now.

Come tomorrow morning.

- Comrade Bykova, sorry to disturb you - You cannot be here!

We'll just ask a couple of questions.

My name is Blaumane.

- Major Porkhomenko, military counsel. - Lieutenant Smirnov.

Were you at home when this accident happened to colonel Bykov.

Yes, I was in the next room.

Please describe the whole day up to the moment of the accident.

Was he in a good mood?

We had breakfast together

then a reporter from Pravda came to interview him.

- What was his name? - Malkin. Sergey Malkin.

After he left Alexey was going to sort out his archives and

clean his gun. We were planning to spend the evening together.

He told you he was going to clean his gun?

- Yes, what's wrong with that? - It's unusual to say that to your wife.

- Women are delicate creatures - What type of a gun?

- Service TT pistol. - I see. If you cock the shutter

before you dismantle it the cartridge can stay in the barrel.

Yes.

How did your husband react to his early discharge?

- Pardon? - To his discharge on medical grounds?

Was he angry, upset, reserved?

- No, nothing like that. - That is, he concealed this from you?

- Do you think this could make colonel - We've got

enough evidence. It was an accident.

We can dismiss the investigation.

I am sorry to disturb you.

- Save me, save me! - What's this mess about?

- I am not a mess, I am Anya Birukova. - It's Birukov's daughter.

Everyone's at the conference, I'm taking care of her.

- We're playing. - Yes, we're playing.

I see.

- And now I'll get you - No, you won't!

Look at this! Highly tendentious.

There's another one.

An article from a leading American paper called "The Loneliest Dog". It says

a poor dog spent a week flying round the Earth until it died of hunger and thirst.

They're ready to distort any facts.

Actually the dog module was overheated in the upper stratosphere,

and by the time it went into orbit Laika was dead.

Do they realize what they're doing?

Was it possible to get this dog module back to the Earth?

That was not in the design, no.

Believe me, no one loves dogs more than Korolyov,

but there's no other way to advance science.

- What do you expect of us? - Some help with the foreign press.

We're planning a flight with two dogs, and this time

they have to get back to Earth.

Of course we work in strict secrecy,

and the results will be published only if the launch is successful.

But these idiots they'll seize upon any detail.

In a nutshell, your job is to disprove all their slanderous fabrications.

- They are hunting for emotion. - My deputy, Ruta Blaumane.

Emotion make people buy their papers. We usually publish just dry facts.

In 1957 we didn't even give the dog a name before the Western press asked.

But now it's time to show that the Soviets have a big heart.

If we don't suggest people what to feel,

the Americans will do it for us.

What if the dogs die? Should we write an obituary?

Of course we should. The country must know of its heroes.

We can write the obituaries then.

Whatever the results, we must act promptly to avoid another Laika.

"They go through numerous tests.

This time they are going to experience takeoff acceleration "

OK, sit down

Here are some pencils,

some paper, draw a picture for me.

I have work to do.

No, not these papers.

Anya, stay here, wait for me.

OK?

"After successful tests in capsules the dogs started training for the flight.

There are several animals in the group, including Laika.

This container has everything necessary for life - air, water "

She doesn't know that she's not coming back to Earth.

"It's a crucial stage of the training.

No more lab tests.

"Start!"

Tell me, Arkady We went to the Foreign Relations University to be what?

To be an adviser! Eastern department.

And I was in the Western department. And it's time to remind them of this.

- Who? - Well, management, for instance.

You were assigned to be Anya's nanny?

No. Much worse. I have to write and obituary for some dogs.

"All day she caressed and brushed their skin with her tongue,

And underneath her, the snow melted from the heat of her belly.

But at dusk, when the hens were roosting on the perch

There came a grim-faced master who stuffed the pups in a sack."

- What did we bet? - That he avoids any ladies

until he wins the love of our barmaid Tamara.

- I mean, what did we bet? - A wish.

- Leonid - Oh, hello!

- Nata and me - Yes, we see. Nata and you.

- We are talking - Of course you are.

- So what? - Just so.

Oh, I don't mean to distract him from work?

- It's just a small break! - It's all right, Nata.

- That suits us perfectly. - Let me explain: we made a bet

- Arkady! - We made a bet that he

that he wouldn't smoke until he crosses equator.

- Oh, round-the-world trip? - He's going at the first opportunity.

What if I changed my mind? What's the harm if I

have a smoke, right?

- You'll be at the mercy of the Queen. - You don't say!

Interesting life you have - queens, equators

- Well that's Leonid, we are not as - Arkady, isn't that Birukov's daughter?

Don't cry. Everything will be alright.

- Really? - Sure.

The dog will come back.

She'll have a walk on the Moon and then come back.

Scientists made her a special spacesuit.

I saw it in a cartoon.

I don't think she'll come back.

She burned up in space.

Anya Anya, let's go.

- We shouldn't bother Ruta Karlovna. - She's no bother at all.

Nadezhda told me your husband is in the hospital. How is he?

- Is it serious? - Yes.

And what's happened with you? Why is your kid here?

No one could stay with her.

Every year, since my childhood, it's the same - leaden clouds and sea.

At least it's not raining today.

Well, my friends, what's the plan for tonight?

I don't trust these seagulls circling and circling over our heads

- We could go to Riga. - At Kasper's they have jazz tonight.

Alik, I'd walk on the beach a bit more.

We have no sand and no sea at home.

- Sima! - What?

Let's visit an artist Zalkalns. My dad's friends are there, they'll let us in.

Visit an artist called who?

You know, Galina

If you still can pronounce that properly you haven't had enough to drink.

You know, Alik, you probably forgot that I'm a host for Central TV.

- I can say some more tricky things. - Can you?

So what is it so tricky that you can say?

Surprise us.

She sells seashells by the seashore.

That was tricky? Anyone can do it, even

- Even me. - OK. Then

Roberta ran rings around the Roman ruins.

Bravo!

Well, it's your turn.

Me? No! I can only mumble.

Never. Besides, it's not fair, Galina, I gave you an advantage

and now we'll have to chase each other.

Waiter, please

Some Brandys, please!

"Today, during the launch two dogs died".

- Did the rocket fall on them? - OK, another version

"A dog is not human, but today it took an important step

- For all humanity. - For all humanity

Yeah, that's rubbish. Where's my inspiration, I wonder?

Korneev, take a photo camera and go to the Institute.

We may need evidence that the dogs were trained in humane conditions.

Leonid, maybe you could also look for some biographical details?

- Whose? - The dogs'.

I need to make references to the deceased.

Muratov, go with Korneev, find out what is what.

Take me with you! I want to see the dogs!

They are top secret dogs. Only adults with secret documents can see them.

What's up? As soon as they finish their work I'll take you to them.

I promise. OK? Let's go.

Get out of here.

It's unfair, space dogs for you

and for me - a letter to the Chinese on the recall of Soviet specialists.

My word! Comrade Mao must have finished our guys.

Korneev! The sooner we go the sooner we are back.

Nadezhda, please prepare a some leave for Blaumane.

- Yes. - Connect me to the design office.

- Yes. - And please

- Yes? - Keep an eye on Anya for a while.

Of course. Of course I will. Shall I feed her?

- No, we had dinner. - Yes, some candy please!

- And what does she like to do? - You may ask her yourself.

OK, honey, be good.

- Here. Take it. - Thank you.

Why do you need so many buttons?

Well, this line is for internal communication.

This one is for city calls,

and this - for calls from the minister.

- Information Analysis Unit. - Connect me with Muratov, please.

He won't be here today. Would you like to leave a message?

I'll call back, thank you.

Hello! Who is this?

These two are Tsyganka and Tsypochka.

Two months ago they flew to the upper atmosphere and successfully ejected.

And these are Zhulka and Lisichka.

- Lisichka is Korolyov's favourite. - Really?

Yes. Took part in three flights.

- What breed are they? - Moscow back-alley mongrel.

No need to be so rude. Yes, most of them are mutts.

Usually they are much stronger than pedigree dogs.

- Do you breed them here? - Yes, but first we take sausages

and lure them out of some basement.

Cyril here hasn't even sniffed his food for two weeks.

- All for the benefit of science! - It adds up.

- So which of them will fly? - Here they are, our cosmonauts.

Meet Favoritka and Markiza.

Is that the best you have? Just kidding!

Let's take them here, towards the sunlight.

Markiza, come here, sweety.

- OK, Markiza. - Good. Move her a bit

- Markiza, look to the camera! - Good girl!

What's going on here? Who gave you permission to film?

- Why are the dogs out? - Hello, we are form Foreign Ministry.

We were asked to prepare the ground for foreign press.

I see. And what are you doing at a our top secret facility?

Getting the dogs ready for world-wide fame.

The deputy director sent them here.

OK, but no photos.

The dogs are here not for the press. And not for pleasure.

I'm sorry, comrade scientist, but do have permission.

And besides, I disagree with you. Beauty is a powerful thing!

Let me take a photo of you with the dog.

One moment, please!

Great!

- Oh, that's a good shot! - Security! Intruders at the site.

- What shall we say to Birukov? - What can we say?

We were just doing our thing when some difficulties arose

Your task was filming the dogs not picking up their boss.

- I bet she'll write a report. - She won't.

I know that sort. She's all talk...

Listen, try to imagine

that you are a dog. You live in an alley, eat out of a dump,

then comes a nerd with a sausage from his special ration and - boom!

You are all alone in a rocket, bound for outer space.

It's a lot better than spend your whole life in a dump

as a nameless mongrel.

Tell me, what's the difference between humans and animals?

It was a bad idea to give you Rousseau.

No, wait. Markiza, Favoritka - do they understand anything?

Awful names! They are good for a pulp novel, but not for an obituary.

Whatever you say, but I think it's nice.

One more?

I have to get home, I'm waiting for a call.

- Hello! - Hello.

Do you feel better?

Fever's gone. But my nose is still runny.

- Will you have some dinner? - No, thanks, I've eaten.

- Did anyone call? - Somebody called.

Somebody? What did this somebody say?

Nothing. Called several times and said nothing.

Strange.

- What's this? - Dog hair.

- Where did you see a dog? - It's a state secret.

Hello?

At last!

Pushkin Museum?

Yes, of course.

At one o'clock. Absolutely.

See you tomorrow.

Everything's OK?

Yeah.

They are sending me to civilize Africans. Again.

Water

Lyosha

Did you know about the medical board?

How could you keep from me that he was discharged?

- Ruta - You know how serious he takes it!

- A friend indeed! - I gave him my word as an officer.

Do you understand that if not for your word

he wouldn't have shot himself in the head!

Hey, you ruined all the photos when you developed the film!

I can hardly see a dog here, and I have to show them to my boss!

Don't blame me if your filming is poor.

My filming is poor?

I know what proper lighting is.

Flash is 2 units brighter that daylight, exposure is fine, what's the problem?

Except for your hands of gold? OK, I'll tell you.

But it turned out that there's a problem.

All the dogs are black as your boots, you can't see them on any photo.

- We should inform the photographers - There's something else.

The dogs' names could be a real problem.

Marquis sounds bourgeois, Favorite is

- A trotter, not a dog. - You took it out of my mouth.

Sorry to interrupt, but it's Petr Prokopyevich calling,

Concerning the space program.

You may leave now.

We'll resume after lunch.

That was a lucky break

You mean that lady never wrote a report? I told you she won't.

No, I mean I can leave now. I'll be back by lunch.

These dogs, black as your boots

Stop it, Leonid.

Your boys are getting out of hand!

They infiltrated a secret facility,

upset the animals, and the scientists,

violate a top secret regime. Do you know what we call that?

- Sabotage! - What happened?

What happened? Read this.

- Rozhdelskaya? - Yes.

Head of the biomedical lab

which your boys invaded and created quite a stir.

We need to examine all this. It was at your request they did this.

Your task is to arrange proper articles for evening papers,

instead of upsetting scientists. You've gone too far.

How could you tolerate your officers acting so stupid?

Do you think we are playing games here?

Or a beauty contest for dogs?

Our people spend days and nights at the lab,

they are here to make history, not to take photos with puppies.

You should kick those idiots out! It's a matter of national importance!

It's matter of global importance.

For all the planet. It's only 3 years since we launched the first Sputnik

and now "Sputnik" is a word in every language.

Any American boy can draw Sputnik with his eyes closed.

And he knows that we were the first in space.

Your dogs are the next stage in the conquest of outer space.

The world must know their faces.

- Whose faces? The dogs'? - They're cosmonauts, not dogs.

The next cosmonaut is going to be human.

Let's say you have several candidates, best of the best on all counts.

Wouldn't you, with other things being equal

choose a guy with a good Russian face and a sunny smile?

What we need is not just a pilot, but a hero,

whose name will sound on all continents, whose portrait will be in all newspapers.

And what do we have?

We have this.

- What is this? - It's your Marques and Favourite.

It's filmed, mind you, by an experienced photographer in favourable conditions.

- Enough of this smooth talk! - Wait, Petr Prokopyevich

- Katya! - My God

I recognised you at once.

You are so much like dad now, I can hardly believe my eyes

Goodness

I imagine how happy mom and dad would be if they knew you're alive!

You've grown up

I want to know everything about you, your family, your wife.

Catherine!

- I have to go. - When will we meet? Tonight?

- Tonight we're leaving for Samarkand. - No

Do you remember, we used to make a wish to a shooting star when we were kids?

All these years I had only one wish - to see you again.

It came true!

On my way back to Moscow I'll have two days here,

then we can meet. I'll let you know.

- Catherine! - I must go.

- Did I wake you up? - I wasn't sleeping.

Thank you.

- How are you? - Not bad.

A little headache.

I'm sorry, I didn't want to

No, it's me who must be sorry.

I'm a bad wife.

I work and work, I don't get out with you, I don't wait for you at home

- I don't cook, I - Stop it, honey!

Stop it.

Don't say such things.

You are the best in the world.

You are my one and only. It's

It's my greatest happiness to have you in my life.

Why did you do it?

- Would you need a man like this? - Like what?

Don't tell me you don't know.

I don't know.

Pathetic.

A pilot who's not a pilot, a man who's not a man

a botched suicide.

I am really sorry, honey.

I told them you were cleaning your gun.

- Andrew - Are they in Birukov's office?

No, they left for the lab, it was something urgent.

- Did they look for me? - No.

Arkady, listen

"They were not human but this doesn't diminish their heroism.

When the two, yet nameless puppies opened their eyes

no one could even think that these eyes would see stars.

Fate decreed

that man's best friend became man's high hope in a battle for outer space.

Today two Soviet mongrels gave their lives in this battle

for science, for the future, for progress,

and their journey to the stars will dwell in the memory of Soviet people...

and of all people in the world.

Today we're looking at the stars with different eyes

with the eyes of explorers and pioneers.

On our way to the stars we'll see our dogs, not mythical, but earthly dogs,

waiting for us at the door, just the way they did it at home.

And when we come we'll be met with joyful barking".

Muratov, damn you It's a bit much.

- I'll tie it. - Keep them calm, it's stressful enough.

- Good afternoon. - Irina, would you please

show us some other candidates.

- What do you mean? - We need dogs with some different faces.

What?

- No! They're just playing you! - Hello!

And what does their appearance have to do with science?

You know, Irina, sometimes, everything.

- Can I have it? - Yes.

Here they are - Marquis, Favourite

- Can you tell me who is who? - Of course I can.

- And you? - This is Favourite

This is Marquis and that is Favourite.

You see? And you know these dogs better than anyone.

What will we see on the monitors when we send them to outer space?

Two blots?

That's what we overlooked. It's good that our friends suggested this idea.

At this stage we can't change anything! The dogs are making progress!

- But we have a backup crew - Yes, here they are

The one with spots is Strelka, the white one is Belka.

We don't care much about their names. Strelka and Belka.

Great.

Belka and Strelka. Just perfect.

Excuse me

- My girls! - Yes! That's it!

- We still hope to see your smile, right? - Yes, yes!

Very good.

- Have you been at Surf? - It's the best place in Riga.

The world gathers there in the evening.

Yesterday we went to Alik, what's the name?

- Jomosa. - Yes!

And we saw the composer Kowalski with Toumanova!

- The ballerina? - Yes! They say it's an affair.

Kovalski's Second symphony is incredible!

Thank you.

It's the best season in J rmala to look for inspiration.

I hate that word - inspiration!

I'm a working bee, I must get up in the morning, get to work, and write, write

Though it doesn't always happen this way, not everywhere.

I like it here, by the way.

- Really? - Yes.

Don't you think that it's a matter of company, rather than geography?

Some people make you feel easy,

and some people are like tar,

you feel like you're stuck with all your thoughts and plans.

You! You

You are unlucky in love - unbelievable!

No, that's not it. I mean, I'm that same working bee

buzzing all day long.

You are an artist, I see it.

I will steal you from all the rest,

Hide you in my bosom, Cry at the top of my voice,

For the street to shudder one by one Hear you all, she is mine!

I tried to measure my love In kilometres and miles,

My strides cut the world into pieces, While you were sleeping,

Repeating like madman, Over and over again, darling

Sima, are you alright?

- Sima! - I'm OK.

Come on, get up!

- Let me help you. - Don't.

Nelly, what is it? Something wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

How did your Africans like the Pushkin Museum?

Just imagine, big public figures from Congo staring at Monet's Water Lilies.

Did they like Michelangelo's David?

Everybody likes David.

Good evening, Ruta Karlovna.

I thought I should visit you.

Our famous Foreign Ministry meatballs.

- How are you? - Thank you, I'm fine.

- Do you need any help? - I can manage myself.

You are alone I'll come in.

- Why didn't you call me? - I've just come from the hospital.

Alexei is better. He's even talking now.

Good.

I worried about you.

What did the doctors say?

Does he need any specialists or medicine?

No, thank you.

Bykov's in a military hospital. They know what to do with such things.

Yes, naturally.

I mean military hospitals follow military regulations,

I thought you might need some other kind of help.

Psychological help. Our men can keep a secret.

It was an accident.

Of course it was.

Ruta!

- Leave me. - Ruta!

Leave right now!

Please, bring the dishes back when you come back to work.

I promised Tamara, she's a strict lady.

Take care.

What's the matter?

- It burned, burned! - What burned?

Laika! She wanted to come back to Earth, to her friends!

No, my baby! It was just a dream.

Laika is well, she's flying round the Earth,

and sending very important information to our scientists.

She likes her job

It's all right.

Hello?

Yes, a call to Magadan. Thank you.

Hello, mom

Sorry, I know it's late, or is it morning in Magadan?

No, it's OK.

No, what hotel? At the museum.

Are you sure?

Yes, I remember, it helped you and dad.

Mom, are you sure they won't fire him?

OK, mom, I'll call back, give my love to dad!

Will you come for me in the evening?

I'm afraid your grandma and grandpa won't let you go so soon.

You know, they miss you so much.

Then you'll take me on Sunday?

On Sunday grandma's making pancakes.

You could help her. And I'll come for dinner.

We could make pancakes at home!

How can we do it without grandma?

No, I'm afraid, we can't.

Maybe we can do without pancakes?

No, we can't.

Your name?

Muratova.

Nelly Victorovna.

Eighth floor, office 17.

Here it is!

Here it is!

The shot we need!

Not bad

For an amateur.

Please don't worry yourself.

You are doing right thing here.

Let's do it like this. We won't inform the party committee yet.

But we must save Andrew, and do it now!

The thing is

my husband is not just dating a woman,

he is dating a foreign woman.

Well now...

OK. I'll talk to Andrew in person.

This is one of those things that must be nipped to the bud.

Before it's too late to bring him back on the right track. Write this down.

Please.

Is it necessary to have it in writing?

Of course. I could get something wrong.

This, this and this.

And here are the obituaries. I hope you'll like it. The typists cried.

I don't think these two beauties will need obituaries.

Cuties.

Galya?

I just got off the plane.

I missed you.

This is for Anya.

It must be out of style...

Will you marry me?