Original subtitles

- Go ahead! - Yes, sir.

Is the briefing over? What did I miss?

- Everything, actually. - Damn… I'm sorry.

I was at my mother's, in the Soviet sector.

I spent an hour at the checkpoint.

So you don't know?

Last night on Bernauer Strabe a man was shot.

- We had an APB. - Any details? Who's the victim?

We're looking into it. Heinrich is going to Bernauer.

You should send me, i know the place, I grew up on Kollwitzplatz.

Did you hear what I said? I already sent Heinrich.

It's out of question. No!

- Thank you, boss. - Gabi!

Gabi! Damn you…

Hello. Officer, we'd like to cross the street.

Down with Ulbricht!

Ulbricht - murderer!

- Thank you. - Gabi Goetze.

I know you. You're a journalist.

What a pity. I wanted to try out my Saxon accent on you.

- You are from that side, aren't you? - Is it so obvious?

Yes, as well as our leader, comrade Ulbricht.

What's happening here?

- Will the border be blocked for long? - I hope not.

My girlfriend is in French sector.

- It's you who blocked it. - I wish it was so…

What?

It was an order. We received it last night.

- From who? - As usual.

Though… there was something strange.

- Damn, you startled me! - Gabi, it's not safe here!

- Blick Magazine, Klaus Einhorst. - Klaus? It's Gabi.

I'm at Bernauer Strasse. Reserve a half page for me.

I found something really strange.

Any changes in border regime are usually ordered by SED, right?

And this order to this exact block post came straight from the Soviet commandant.

I mean, they have the right to do it but haven't done it since 1948.

- Gabi? - Klaus!

It's provocation, someone's trying to stir something up.

Klaus, do you hear me? Klaus!

- Gabi! - Klaus, hello!

Listen, get away from there!

- Do you hear me? - Hello?

Gabi?

Gabi!

Gabi!

My God…

OPTIMISTS

EPISODE 13

- Who decided to dismiss the unit? - I did.

I don't believe it.

Fedotov warned me that you're playing some game.

I didn't believe, I tried to protect you, and now I see that it's true.

Nothing to say? OK, be silent.

You scared my guys, but you have no authority to remove me from my post.

I don't need any authority, you quit your post of your own will.

You left your resignation on my table, don't you remember?

You kept it?

Trust me, it's for the best.

No, it's not the real you.

What is going on here?

Ruta… I'm trying to protect you.

Don't I deserve your confidence, after all we've been through?

Can you just talk to me… like a human?

Like a man, after all.

I can't.

Fine.

You don't need to say anything,

…it's clear enough that it's a part of something bigger.

Something that the country will know very soon.

And then one day your daughter will ask you about it.

If I were you I would start making up a nice little lie.

Good.

Give me your hand.

I'll be brief. There's going to be a coup to remove Khrushchev.

Everyone who worked with me should stay away from the Ministry.

Goodness, I thought it was only in the Ministry.

No, it's everywhere. The old guard is back. There will be purges.

- Are you with them? - Not anymore.

Khrushchev is flying to Berlin, and while he's at least gone…

…they will hold an election for the First Secretary without him.

I see. So what are we to do?

Nothing.

Just breathe in the fresh air…

…admire the sky, or the view.

Don't tell me you never envied our boys and their smoke breaks here.

Leave the prancing on roofs for the kids.

- Khrushchev. - To the airport, as you said?

Do you think we can catch him?

Let's go.

No wife, no job, nowhere to live.

- At last you've become a man, brother! - I became nothing.

Birukov is right. It's all fake.

Backroom deals. The one who decides is the man in the tank.

- Then what is real? - I don't know.

Actually it's a good task - to find out.

As for me, I'm going to the north, with a geological expedition.

- To teach deer herders French? - Stop it, don't pretend you like it.

Me? I'm absolutely happy!

I am a seaman! I don't…

…don't give a damn about all that fuss. I'll ship out and hasta luego, bye-bye!

- Freedom… - Well, well! He's not even joking!

Perfect. Everyone has a plan.

Leonid - to the sea, Muratov - to the permafrost.

How come you're so calm?

Without Claudia, I just don't care.

Whether Shuyko, or the Virgin Lands. I won't be happy without her.

What happened with you two?

I don't know how but she knows. I'll never look her in the eyes!

What does she know?

About Tamara and I and this… equator.

- Equator? - We crossed it.

- With the Queen? - Wait a moment…

Do you understand what this means?

- Arkady wins the bet! - Not funny.

- OK, I'll shut up. But how? - Enough!

Sorry. But how!

Arkady, you take the cake!

Look, it was just once, and it was the Queen!

So you just go and offer your apologies!

You don't know her, for Claudia, it's a… We haven't even…

- Even in my flat? - Fantastic! As for Tamara, you…

All the more, Arkady, you love her! Don't be a baby!

Look her in the face and say it. Without all this mumbling,

without Yesenin and voicegrams, without a second thought.

You are the happiest of us, you don't need the sea or the north,

you have Claudia, so go to her, idiot! Now!

- Maybe we could go together? - Why not. I'll drive.

Come on!

- Hey, kid, are you lost? - Leave him alone, maybe he wants a beer.

- Leonid Korneev? - Yes.

- This is for you. - Thank you.

- Prodigal son? - Really now?

Leonid… are we going?

- Guys, I'm sorry, but I can't. - Secrets? I see.

- It's urgent! - What's her name?

Now you're trading my lifelong happiness for a one night stand!

- Come on, Andrew! - Arkady…

What is this about - a note?

In public? In front of my friends?

It was you who suggested urgency.

So, what happened?

I called you to say that you won't get anything more out of me.

I am fired! The department is dismissed.

Are these the changes you were talking about?

No, it's somewhat… unexpected.

- But it won't affect our plans. - It definitely will.

I'm not going back to Foreign Ministry. I am of no use to you now.

- You can tell it to your bosses. - No, Leonid, it's just the beginning.

On Monday you'll be a good boy and go to your office, if you don't want to have

your employment record ruined. We don't like job-hoppers in USSR.

If you want my advice - don't make us search for you.

It will just put us in a bad mood, the result will be the same.

Why are you bothering me?

Leonid, you have a great future ahead of you.

You're just not aware of it yet.

We can still turn the plane around.

If we telex to our embassy in Berlin,

the ambassador'd have time to dispatch the message to the airport.

- If he's not with any conspirators. - Of course.

But still it's only half the job.

Even if the plane turns back it must be kept secret.

We need disinformation.

How soon will Khrushchev get to Berlin?

In 3.5 hours.

I try to reach out to the plane, will you take the disinformation?

You?

Listen, if you're right, my prospects are quite bleak.

Let me face it knowing that I've done what I could.

- The level of responsibility… - Yes, I'm aware.

No, we must know for sure, we need some safeguards.

- So, is he flying or not? - Vnukovo airport confirmed departure.

What if he knows?

What if he encircles Moscow, lands in Bykovo and comes for us?

That's a good one, that is!

Well…

Kolya's right. Nikita could land in Kiev.

He has his people there.

We should track their route. Serezha, can we?

It's not easy, but…

So, comrades…

If we want to play safe then let's play it safe.

Valentin Ivanovich, what shall we do if the plane changes route?

Shall we consider perhaps even liquidation?

In a way, it would make things easier.

Hello! I want Kozhevnikov here! Now!

I'm afraid we're crossing a line.

Comrades, no one wants to have blood on his hands.

It can only be… a collective decision.

Let's vote now not to settle this subject for good.

Raise your hands to vote for.

Against?

Comrades, it just won't do.

Let's vote again. Raise your hands

for the liquidation of the plane if it changes the route?

Valentin Ivanovich, what about you?

No opinion.

Valentin Ivanovich, in this situation

there can be no abstentions.

Unanimous.

OK, she is here. Shall we wait?

Marshnova, to the office. Now!

Right, we won't wait.

Listen, Claudia, I was going to tell you something terrible

- …but now I'm here to say I'm sorry. - No, you listen to me.

I'm not the person you think I am. I am the wrong person.

- What? - OK, here's…

Here's the truth, my bitter truth.

I left for Moscow to get on the team. I'm on the team now.

The coach noticed me, he started individual training.

- I was so happy. And so stupid… - What does the coach to do with this?

I was so stupid… I thought it was love!

Now I see how it is.

But I can't leave the team now.

Pavel Stepanovich says that he'll write to the trade union…

- Well, we'll deal with this coach. - Come on, Claudia…

You are perfect, I don't care whatever it was,

I forgive you, I…

I made mistakes myself, I…

We'll leave Moscow and start over again.

We can't leave, the coach won't let me go, he's like a father to me…

- How is it love, he's like a father… - Arkady!

- What's going on here? - Hello. We're here to take Claudia.

Where does she keep her things?

Marshanova… 3 rounds, at the double!

Stop harassing her, now!

What was that?

The last warning? Stupid diplomat…

I'm not a diplomat anymore.

Pasha, no!

Marshanova, stay!

Or what?

So…

what was that terrible thing you were going to tell me?

Oh, that… We were all fired.

Who cares?

Can I speak to Galina Volina?

- Yes? - I need to see you. Right now.

I'm at the station till 10. I'll arrange a pass for you.

It's all clear now.

- Ruta, what happened? - I need your help.

- For the sake of Alyosha. - Yes, yes.

I need to connect to Khrushchev's plane.

They'll court marshal me.

Ruta, what are you doing?

I'm asking for your help because I can't ask Alyosha anymore.

Thanks to you.

That was below the belt...

I've got no choice in this.

For the sake of Alyosha.

Sergey, good afternoon. Are you coming my way?

I am going to propose to my girlfriend.

Following the advice of Valentin Ivanovich.

Would you care to join me?

You prefer following me, then?

Fine, wait for me here.

- How do I look? - Ethereal.

Hello.

- Galina… - Yes?

Galya, can we talk?

Two minutes to air and outsiders in the studio!

- Galya, our parting was a shame. - So it was a breakup?

Galya…

Putting me off on the roadside in front of the whole house?

A breakup is a mutual process.

Cameraman, take your place. Outsiders should leave the studio!

Galya, it was ugly what I did to you.

You have the right to hate me.

But I really need you right now. It concerns very important things.

- Saving the world again? - Something like that...

Here.

- They'll fire me! - Galya…

I'm not asking for myself, I'm asking for the country.

Try to ask for yourself.

- Do it for me, please. - No.

Thank you, anyway.

Are you nuts, Volina?

Personal issues, at work, half a minute to air?

Boris Semyonovich, I am really sorry.

That will never happen again.

I got it, thanks. It's been an hour since it landed in Berlin.

Is Khrushchev still on board?

If I knew! Air defense say they have some communication problems.

I'm trying to bypass them but it takes time.

The best invention, comrades.

Hello, dear viewers, these are today's headlines.

Don't let us down, Nikita.

The people of German Democratic Republic…

heartily welcome the chairman of the USSR comrade Khrushchev.

He arrived in Berlin to have a meeting that is going to be…

And… stop it, please. Keep working.

In addition, the programme of comrade Khrushchev in the capital of the DDR

includes a speech addressed to the members of Volkskammer,

and even a visit to the famous Berlin Zoo.

What are you expecting to hear?

An urgent message.

Central Committee… kind of…

deeply regrets to inform you that the plane of the

Chairman of the Bureau, Khrushchev Nikita Sergeevich,

with him on board…

Something like that.

It won't happen.

They are nobody. So small.

They are not capable of this.

These sorts of people are more than capable.

- Kolya Chernykh… - Chernykh? I called the hospital.

- He's getting better. - Yes, he's getting better...

But he lost his son in the accident.

What? Misha?

I asked one of them to…

draw him away from me.

And they swatted him like a fly.

Was his daughter with him, or his son - no one cared!

It's my fault.

It was Kolya's revenge.

We were lovers.

- What? - Nothing.

I'm afraid… we're not meant to be together.

No matter...

And that's all.

But we can still be coworkers.

When and where?

We'll see about that tomorrow.

And so, comrades… The resolution.

Due to requests addressed to the CPSU Central Committee,

concerning some fundamental ambiguity

upon the questions to be discussed…

Maybe… "unanimous"?

Ambiguity. We can't have unanimous.

It was decided to find it urgent and necessary to discuss

the resignation of comrade Khrushchev.

Paragraph 2. Given the great importance…

Let it be "vital importance"…

Given the vital importance of the forthcoming discussion,

it is considered appropriate to call to Moscow members of the Central Committee,

and members of the Central Auditing Commission of CPSU,

to report to Plenum for the outcome of this discussion at Presidium of CPSU.

We now begin voting for the resolution in the current wording.

Who is for?

8. Against?

3. Voting on this resolution…

Comrades, what's going on?

We are voting against.

- Against. - Against.

Nikita…

Go on voting, don't mind me.

I make a motion to postpone the discussion.

The ringleaders will be convicted for treason,

as for the others, raising their dirty little hands,

I will remember you.

Place under arrest the following citizens: A.V.Baryshev,

V.I.Vareinikov, N.P.Godik,

N.K. Korovin

Oh, Grisha, Grisha …

You want war? Fine, you'll have it.

I don't.

But what I want less, is your peace.

Today we're sending two young men

on a long and important journey.

- Now a kiss! - Idiot.

Thank you. Today it's Kongo, tomorrow it's Paris.

- But today it's Kongo. - Yes, Leonid.

Please forgive me, I must be going. My congratulations.

- Though a bit late. - Thank you.

How can you leave before sharing the latest news?

I've got a headache.

Today Ruta Blaumane has accepted appointment to the post of

Deputy Foreign Minister of USSR.

Second American? Second American department!

- Thank you. - Ruta Karlovna, for you!

- For you! - Wait a minute…

If Ruta Karlovna is Deputy Minister, Birukov is in the Central Committee,

- …then who's minding our shop? - It's you, Golub.

It was my recommendation, and besides, who else I can leave in charge?

- Thank you. - Arkady Iosifovich…

- Arkady Iosifovich! - Arkady!

- May I toast with you? - You may!

You're so kind, Arkady Iosifovich!

- Well, Arkady, for you! - For you!

Claudia!

Hello, dear friends. Shall we begin?

Go ahead!

- So when are you leaving? - Right after the New Year.

- I'm so happy that you made up at last! - Thank you.

Why, sure, as soon as you divorce forget about any missions abroad.

Some more champagne.

- Claudia, where is this Kongo? - In Central Africa.

- Where do you think they'll send you? - I don't think they will.

I've been sent to some other direction.

- What about your car? - I'm selling it.

To some Mosfilm cameraman.

Ruta Karlovna…

Birukov never came around and Ruta slipped away.

- Oh, it's about… - It's a terrible secret.

As a head of the department, a toast, joking apart.

For peace in Berlin, for Birukov not to fire us anymore!

For peace!

- What's that about? - A journalist was killed. A young girl.

It nearly started World War III.

Poor girl. German, but nonetheless…

- Anyway it's better than war. - That's true.

May I?

Antonina, why don't you dance?

- I can't. - What about you both?

- Arkady, would you mind… - Of course.

- Raya? - Claudia!

- Leonid? - Arkady!

Be careful, please!

- Hello! - You came earlier than usual.

I thought we'd have a walk in the park.

- Dad, buy me chess, please. - Wow!

Make no mistake, she just loved the knight.

Well, as a birthday present, maybe. Go get dressed.

Lena, I want you to know that

whenever you feel tired of taking care of such a bunch of kids,

I'd be happy to have you as Anya's nanny.

I like it when there's a bunch.

- I see. - Maybe one day…

For now you could come here more often, we could have a cup of tea.

Agreed.

- Nikita, bye! - Bye!

- Lena, bye! - Bye!

- Goodbye. - All the best.

Are you tired?

No, I'm not.

Dad, look!

This stick looks like a man.

- Wow, it does! - Look out, don't break it.

- Can I take it home? - Of course you can.

- Can I have some ice-cream? - No, you can't.