All language subtitles for Rough Treatment (1978)

ROUGH TREATMENT

screenplay

cinematography

director

it was during the war
between Honduras and El Salvador...

- I was there.
- The Football War?

- Football?
- Yes, that's what it was called.

I found myself completely alone because
all the other correspondents had left

for El Salvador. They thought the attack
would be launched from there.

It so happened that there was
only one telex and the president

of Honduras happened to be standing by it,
calling for assistance.

So I found myself in
a hopeless situation,

as I could not force him to leave

because then Honduras
would lose the war.

If I may be serious, how many times
have you been threatened with execution?

Absolutely seriously.

Four times.

- And how many revolutions have you witnessed?
- Many.

Twice in Cuba.
The first time when

Fidel took Havana.
The second was the Bay of Pigs.

Later on I was in Chile,
first during the failed coup

during president Frei's administration,
and then when Allende was killed.

Peru, Bolivia, I was in
Venezuela with the guerrillas.

Then with the Tupamaros in Uruguay.
I witnessed the revolt of

the Brazilian peasants in Nordeste.

And Africa, there were so
many coups there, at least a dozen.

What other threats, besides death,

must a journalist like you face?

I was thrown out of various
countries repeatedly

because the authorities
did not like my writing.

So what is your greatest fear?

Defeat - I have lived
through several failures.

Fortunately, I've never
experienced a true defeat.

Which I understand
as a kind of, well,

physical weakness, stillness,
being forced to give up my profession,

the life that I lead,
a general humiliation,

indignity, powerlessness.

Is there a reason why
you write about

Third World countries and
not your native country?

- That's a very good question.
- Well, I think so.

Next one, please.

Well but aren't all these
foreign travels something of

tourism, combined with extra
money and greater prestige?

Well, money.

A Chilean friend of
mine told me once

that he was a socialist all his life,
actually he never made it,

except for gaining some
underappreciated things.

He had a wife who
was his best friend

and children who were
his greatest joy.

- And what happened to him?
- He's dead.

But what does it have in
common with my question?

Well, I also have a wife and children,
and the man was my friend.

And why isn't she,
I mean your wife, here?

I'll switch it off.

- Don't, Ewunia.
- Let me quote

my favorite writer,
Michał Bałucki:

A wife is not a zoo
to be shown around.

I don't want you to watch it.

Don't be silly, I don't mind, really.

- I was born
- But that's not what I mean.

In a small town in the province of Lublin,
so I had friends with whom

- I went to school and
- So don't look.

We were real friends.
It all fell apart later on.

Today one of them is a Professor at the
institute of technology, one is a priest,

- Do you love me?
- One committed suicide.

- Do you?
- A few have farms over there.

I have to go now.

Now?

Yes, I have to call in on my mom.
I want to pick Gabcia up.

- Are you taking Gabcia?
- Yes, it'll be easier this way.

I don't think he'll
have the courage.

Well, so what is the
conclusion of these comparisons?

- You're right.
- I guess it is simply about some

point of reference.

- Tomorrow, my dear.
- There is no other truth about a time

than the truth reflected
in human biography.

What truth or what truths
were reflected in your biography?

To present a biography is
to answer simple questions:

who one is, who one wants
to be, who one can be.

In such a case, who
would you like to be?

- Who I am.
- And who could you be?

- Nobody else.
- Well, but it means that

your biography is
a complete success.

Well, it seems so.

You have told us of your ties

with your friends from the editorial board.
We'd like to show you

our TV version of the ties.

Ladies and gentlemen,
please rise.

As you can see,
the ties are very real,

they also offer a kind of safety measure,
naturally, like in mountaineering.

- Will they be able to keep upright?
- I doubt it.

What you say, what you write...

Listen, did they check the
formula of this program with you?

They did.

You must remember it.
You liked the idea very much.

Well.

I just saw it
somewhat differently.

Well, the screenplay
was rather specific.

If one lacks

this instinct, or can't
at least develop it,

one doesn't stand any
chance of doing what I do,

I mean, writing reportage.

- Because when this instinct burns out...
- And who decided to

show this Michałowski first?

He's a great journalist,
a very popular person.

Award of the Year.
Amazing book.

It's Friday, before the weekend.
People expect something else.

There will be complaints,
and rightly so.

- That's not what we talked about.
- When you read newspapers,

watch TV, you notice that
all the news about the world is

flattened, made up, undefined.

To put it in a word,
it's deceitful, actually.

A number of events
are hushed up.

And silence is

- Oh, daddy!
- A most dangerous thing.

- Well, it's daddy.
- Historians deal in, let's say,

coups, revolutions, rebellions.

But when a mother

hears silence in
her baby's room,

driven by some instinct,

she runs there, with a premonition that
something terrible must have happened.

I think that silence plays
the same role in history.

It would be most interesting to

enquire into the following issue:
to what extent the modern

- media are in the service of
- What happened?

- Real information,
- Mummy!

- And to what extent in the service of silence.
- What happened?

- I'm taking Gabcia to the airport.
- Well, I have to get her dressed.

No, leave her, Józefa will
dress her, leave her, mom.

I use the word "truth" with
caution and respect.

I decide in my conscience
what I am to write about,

and what I don't want to
or can't write about.

- You have to experience it
- Calm down, honey, calm down,

- yourself in order to be able to decide...
- don't be so nervous.

I'll bring her back in an hour.
Is it OK, mom?

- OK.
- I'm simply there,

- Just calm down.
- So I do understand

- Gabcia, let's go.
- Many things and know them better

than those who never go there.

Polish Airlines LOT
flight number 246

from Rome is arriving shortly.

Buńka.

Dear, dear Buńka.

- Daddy, you're on TV.
- What do you mean? That's impossible!

How tall you've grown.

Good afternoon.

- How are things?
- What have you brought me?

Oh, it's a surprise.

- Show me.
- Not now, at home, at home, at home.

Let's go.

Has Ola called?

Daddy, you're on TV.

- What are they doing here?
- Expanding the airport.

Great.

Ewa, what is it?

Come here for a moment.

- Jerzy, we've moved out.
- Excuse me?

Me and Gabcia have moved out.

Are you mad?

Well, we won't discuss it
in front of our child.

Don't look for me, my lawyer
will send you the divorce papers.

Polo. Polo, Polo, come on.
Drink, doggie, drink.

Mom, why are you crying?

You have a wet nose.

Be quiet!

I'm sorry, my dear.
I'm sorry, honey.

It's all right now.

Family - we've asked about
it already, only to be rebuffed.

You're always away,
always on the move.

You're constantly away,
constantly absent.

- How do they react to it?
- I'm not away, I travel.

- Does that change anything?
- I leave and I come back.

And they wait because
they know I'll be back.

Do you have a spare moment, please,
forgive me if it sounds childish,

for dreams?

- Sometimes on the plane.
- What about?

About my children
not being ashamed of

- what I do
- Excuse me?

- At the moment, what I write.
- Mom? It's Jurek.

Are you pleased with yourself?

I'd like to ask if Ewa is there?

- No, she's not.
- Did she say when she was coming back?

- Don't you know where...
- No, she didn't say anything.

Before we say goodbye, although
you defended yourself with a quote

from Michał Bałucki, and forbade
us to touch upon the subject,

our director still
prepared a movie for you,

I hope it'll be a nice surprise.
Please, turn around once more.

May I call later?

It's pointless to call,
even if she's here

she won't talk to you.
Stenia, please, change the water.

- Why?
- Because it's you who's calling.

Stenia, what is it
with you today?!

Please, concentrate and
prepare for the extraction.

I am extracting the right
upper second premolar.

- I see.
- No, you don't.

- You've horribly neglected your teeth.
- How long has this been going on?

Not even a month, I guess.

I also thought it was madness,
we even had a big fight.

I lashed out at her but she's crazy.

No, she's not thinking
straight at the moment.

Jerzy, listen, it's foolish feminine obstinacy.
I told her: think about the children,

especially about Gabcia, anyway,
you love him because he loves you.

In half a year, what am I saying,
half a year, in a month

you'll come to your senses, and
you'll regret it bitterly that for some

- spoiled kid...
- Do I know him?

- No, didn't she even tell you?
- And who is it? Don't you know?

Well, after all I am
her best friend,

I couldn't cut myself off
completely out of the blue.

How could I know she was
so serious about it?

This is the way it is when
a woman is faithful all her life.

Just a fleeting affair and
she imagines the world.

I believe, and I often told her so, that
it is sometimes healthier for a marriage

when a woman...
Well, let's get to work.

Rinse and spit.

Jerzy...

No, no, no anesthetic, I am more afraid
of that than of the extraction itself.

- You won't stand it without anesthetic.
- I will.

If only it were someone interesting
but he's a stuck up nothing in glasses.

Stenia, please, prepare coffee
for me, three spoonfuls and a little water.

- Not the dishwater you usually make.
- But you haven't said if I know him.

No, you can't know him,
he's only just arrived in Warsaw.

I don't even know what he does.
He writes, poems, I guess...

Well, nothing.

It seems to me that he is the kind of
man that a woman may look after.

It may amuse her for a while,
it's something new.

No woman with a bit of instinct of
self-preservation would fall for such a thing.

But she doesn't have the instinct,
she's simply spoiled.

She never had to
fight for anything.

Your behavior is inexplicable.

Oh! God, as one
cynic used to say,

save me from physical pain,
I can bear the spiritual kind.

Move your head.

And her complaints that when
Gabcia was born you... OK?

You left. Freedom.
She says she's after freedom.

She needs a new guy,
not any freedom.

I told her, if you
cared for freedom,

you wouldn't jump into
the arms of another guy.

Stenia, my God, when are you
going to learn to use a tray?

Don't you know what
people invented trays for?

And you were not
completely blameless either.

Well, don't worry, don't worry.

- She'll be back. OK?
- Well, OK.

You were too polite, too meek.

When a man is so polite, a woman
thinks he doesn't care for her.

Try to start a big fight,
a real full-blown argument.

Beat her up a bit. Then she'll
know she has a real man.

Every woman needs it.

Wider, come on, wider.

OK.

Calm down.

Oh, calm down!
Quiet!

Silence!

Just a moment!

It's enough if you
find some girl,

she'll feel threatened and
she'll come back right away.

Grit your teeth,
yes, that's right.

Cold compress for the night.

Hold on.

Everybody thinks
it won't happen to him.

At least, not in such a banal,
such a trivial way.

- Without getting to Płock.
- I see, I see, yes.

I'm coming to you.
Just a moment, I have a client.

Good morning.

You summoned me.

I did? I could only invite you.
What's your name?

- Jerzy Michałowski.
- Michałowski. Michałowski. Michałowski.

Just a moment.

Yes, now I know everything, sir.

- So as far as...
- Just a moment, just a moment.

Maria, may I?
Just a second.

Maria, is there a
spare typewriter? Please, here,

start from the words: it resulted in a feeling
of inferiority in the plaintiff, a sensitive,

ambitious person, right?
And so on, the whole page.

I'm done.

As far as the case about which
you did summon me is concerned,

I'd like to say that I am not
going to agree to a divorce.

I don't know what my wife told
you about our marriage.

I don't think it's any worse than others
which are considered outstanding.

- Probably even better.
- Yes, sir. Could you speak up?

I want to say that I am not
going to agree to a divorce.

- You're not?
- I don't know what my wife

told you about our marriage.

But I don't think it's any worse than
others which are considered

- outstanding, probably even better.
- Well. Worse, better, sir,

it's not what it's all about.
The thing is that

your wife simply doesn't
want to live with you.

She does not.
She believes that there never was

any real connection between
the two of you - firstly, intellectual,

secondly - emotional,
thirdly - physical.

The truth is that you are two
completely different people

who once thought
they loved each other.

And today, as a mature woman,
she's come to the conclusion that it simply

didn't make sense to continue
this routine, one might say,

- superficial life together.
- Excuse me?

- I am very sorry.
- Superficial life together. What is it?

Oh, Jesus, the defendant
abuses alcohol,

throws drinking binges in his apartment,
well, children, I am very sorry.

Have you ever heard
about the building-block theory?

No.

Building blocks - they either fit
or they don't.

And after 15 years
she wants to... the blocks...

Sir, my role is limited
to providing legal advice

to your wife who wishes
to dissolve your marriage

which she finds unsatisfactory.

Anyway, she has more
specific allegations.

What will she do
if I don't agree?

If you don't agree then,
according to procedures,

we will have to do the following: prove
an irreconcilable breakdown of the union,

- do you understand?
- I do.

Which means: sexual deficiency,
refusal to support the family, aggression,

neglecting the family, well,
many such unpleasant matters.

I'm curious how you can
prove it since it's not true.

Well, but it can be proven.

Let me be honest, sir...

Frankly speaking, I am
an avid reader of your work.

What do you need this for?
What for?

Shouldn't decent people deal
with such matters in a decent way?

Think, even if you get
the divorce in the end.

You'll leave the court so
angry that you will hate each other.

You have children to consider,
after all.

We might arrange the whole matter
quickly, peacefully, painlessly.

We would decide jointly on
the causes of the breakdown.

The problem is that
there was no breakdown.

Well, let's just get things straight:
you don't agree to decide on

- the causes of breakdown.
- No, I don't.

- Or on the content of the claim.
- No.

Or to petition for a divorce
without assigning blame.

I don't agree to
the divorce at all.

Well, I will let my client
know your opinion.

By the way, it is quite interesting
how she can prove any fault of mine.

You know, with all due respect,
even from the few years of my

practice, I must tell you that
everything can be proven.

About all of us.
And fault...

Well, my God, it is
a most flexible concept

resulting from assessment.
It was nice to meet you, sir.

Thank you very much.

Well, are there any
other suggestions?

- Where has he come from?
- He's with us now.

I must admit I am surprised
with the way of presenting

and accepting candidates here.

Maybe instead of turning our
discussion into jokes, as you do it,

we will try to present our proposals
in a precise, specific and accurate way.

- It will not be too difficult for me.
- Very well.

Let's get to the point,
gentlemen.

My, let's just say,
exaggerated reaction

to your proposal, Mr..., Mr...
with us now,

was simply caused by the fact
that I found the juxtaposition

of these books quite shocking.

Dear colleagues, it's often said that
reportage has replaced the contemporary novel.

I think that in this particular case
we are faced with such a phenomenon.

Mastecki's book is by the way something
more than a mere collection of reportage.

In my opinion, the author has managed to
show various, quite difficult aspects of

our life, I mean, personal,
professional, social, political,

in their mutual intertwining.
Well, we all know

how difficult it is.

It seems that we've been waiting
for a book like this for many years.

And not just us, because the interest
readers have in the book

is also something of
an obligation for us.

What more can I say? The truth
simply shines out of this book.

I know, truth is an over-used word,
sometimes I forget myself

what it's really
supposed to mean.

But as I was reading "A Shorter Week"
I had the impression,

which happens rather seldom,
that I am faced with a true image of

our reality and our real, I think
I may say so, literature.

While Koleba's book... there is
nothing to talk about there.

- Are you done?
- Yes.

Gralak, there is also Gralak.
"Poland for Tourists".

- Well, Gralak.
- Gralak. Precisely.

In fact we do have
another candidate.

Maybe Mr Rościszewski
would like to have a word?

Listen, let's leave it alone.
Naturally, we may vote

on both candidates,

but we know anyway what
we should think about it.

Maybe we really should vote.

Well, actually, we may.

- I'd rather...
- Let's vote.

Just a moment.

I think that, especially
in this company,

we are obliged to be honest,
truly honest.

Let's not give in to deception.

I must confess that I
read Mastecki's book

very thoroughly and attentively.

You claim that it is
an account of our reality.

Well, I am also a Pole.

I live here and now.

In our country.

I travel around Poland somewhat
more than Mr Michałowski, who

naturally visits other places.

I am absolutely convinced that the
country described in "A Shorter Week"

is a country which isn't there.
No such country exists.

And now to Kuleba's book.

It is a book written from
the heart, not with venom.

A book without mockery.
A truly courageous book.

Because it takes courage to show
what is great, sublime, and beautiful.

And not the margins,
dullness, and meaninglessness.

Thank you, I'm done.

Well, this was good.

Although I don't know
Mr Rościszewski, it seems that

we finally have among us
a true demagogue.

- Jerzy, let go of it.
- Who we so badly lacked.

Who is Mr Rościszewski?

Colleagues, I have worked in
this profession for 20 years and

I know perfectly well
how such speeches

and such books as that by Koleba
should be treated.

I believe that during all these years
I have established, well... some authority.

If you trust me at all,
you must believe me that

Mastecki's book is
the best book of the year.

What authority are you talking about?
Who gave it to you?

You're asking
who is Rościszewski?

And I am asking -
who is Michałowski?

Who gave you the right
to evaluate people?

It's time to understand that
the days of authorities from coffeehouses

are over.

You behave as if you had
the world to back you up.

But there is nothing
except the coffeehouse!

- Which coffeehouse?
- Telimena.

I am not going to enter into
a discussion with this gentleman,

because you can hardly speak here
about an exchange of views.

However, colleagues, the matter
is truly extremely important.

This book is good and
we must award it.

- This book is...
- A typical product of conformism.

- Half-courage in throwing half-truths.
- Holy shit!

If you think these are half-truths,
you must forgive me!

This is the maximum of what
may be written today!

Well!

Well!

What do you mean,
"may be written"?

You've just confirmed
my general charge

that the facts, which
the author offers to interpret,

are presented in
a typically conformist way.

May - may not.
Allowed - no allowed.

Will it or won't it be published, right?
Well, colleagues,

Koleba does not use
such criteria.

Oh yes, you are
quite right here.

Koleba uses completely
different criteria.

Let's go back then
to your reasoning

and the differentiation:
you may - you may not.

What book would you write
if you, as you expressed it,

- could?
- Let me tell you.

I would write a book about you,
unfortunately, it's impossible.

Yes, I've read it but
I must say that...

Well, that was stupid.

You could have guessed that in the current
situation Mastecki didn't stand a chance.

If you had not escalated the situation,
the award would've gone to Gralak,

and this way this whippersnapper got it.
I also think it's a shame for

the whole newspaper and
I understand you perfectly well.

OK, OK.
There is nothing to talk about.

You don't get it?

I guess you know that a man
of your talent won't be

everybody's darling.

He won't be liked in his milieu.

They are small people.

And as you like people
better than nature,

they'll be trying to
use it against you.

I don't see the point
in your passivity.

And who told you I was passive?

Listen, I can't get involved
in minor issues

because then I lose arguments
in the important ones.

Listen, you can never
commit yourself to

hopeless lost causes.

OK, will you have a drink?

Excuse me that I didn't
offer anything any sooner.

What is it?
Why are you so irritated?

Jurek, we're both much
wiser than all this talking.

The worst thing that may
happen to a man like you

is the loss of the instinct
of self-preservation.

And as for your wife -
you should be careful.

What do you mean - be careful?

Yes? Put him through, please.

I saw you on TV yesterday.

Unfortunately,
I wasn't the only one.

Yes? Listen, I have
to say goodbye now.

Call me when you
have any problems.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

And how is Ola?
In Moscow?

Yes.

Are you happy?
Is she studying well?

Thank you so much
for arranging it for me.

It's nothing, don't mention it.

- And don't eat anything for 2 hours, please.
- Yes, thank you, I know.

Hello.

Jerzy.

- Has anything happened?
- No, nothing.

It just seems to me that
I have understood everything.

Come in, please.

I've just understood, you know,
that a single conversation

with Ewa, just one
honest conversation...

- Do you really believe it?
- I'll tell you more,

I am convinced that
she believes it too.

She believes that one such
conversation would remove

all this absurdity completely.
And that is why she's afraid.

She's afraid, afraid,
afraid, afraid, afraid,

that it will turn out that
her decision was pointless.

Well, and the decision,
once made... she has to

cling to it now desperately.
I understand it perfectly well.

And I just wanted to
ask you to tell her,

that I understand everything,
that I respect it.

- Am I to tell her that?
- Excuse me?

I'm to tell her that, aren't I?
Am I to talk to her?

Don't you understand
that they've trapped her?

That they're hiding her from me?

I can't get in touch
with her in any way.

I can't find her in any way.

- Zip me up here.
- What?

- Just imagine that I for three days...
- Not here, come on...

It's OK now. I waited for
three days in front of her house.

And I didn't see her.
I wrote to her.

Several times. Naturally, I know that
she didn't receive any of my letters.

Which is why I came to you.

Why?

I know perfectly well that
you know where she is.

Don't be afraid,
you won't have to tell me.

I just want to ask you
a favor, give it to her.

Leave me alone, all of you!

One comes here to whine,
the other is crying on my shoulder.

Crying?
Are you saying that she cries?

I knew it.

She cries.

This is no way to do it.

You should have
some more dignity.

You humiliate yourself and
what are you thinking about?

You think she's a saint?!

I told you what you
were to do and how to act.

No, no, no.
Ambition doesn't matter.

My ambition.

The point is to make her
understand that I bear no grudge.

To stop her from being afraid
of a conversation with me.

You know, I always thought
that there were spheres of life

where you can never
accept a compromise.

Especially in relationships.

But now I've understood that
it is actually the only sphere of life

in which compromise
is acceptable.

If she comes back,
I'll accept all her conditions.

No jealousy.

I know, I was certainly
too sure of myself,

I treated her like I owned her.

Yes, this is the way I treated her.
She understood it and...

Decided to punish me.
And she was right.

But I know that everything
we still have...

is more
important than all ambition,

big and small.

I am certain that she is...
that she shares this view.

Does it mean you won't
agree to divorce her?

- Oh no, no way.
- Well, but...

No, no, no, it's absolutely out of
the question, do you understand?

It's a very foolish tactic.

This isn't any tactic,
it's my life.

You should have more dignity.

I don't give a shit about dignity.

I beg of you, Wanda,
take it to her...

Please, Wandzia.
I beg of you, take it to her.

Well, OK, I'll try to

- see her tomorrow.
- No, no, no, not tomorrow.

Today, today, now.
I beg of you, Wanda.

I beg you, take it and go
to her right now, will you?

I'll fetch your coat.

You've lost your mind.

- But...
- Put it on. Please.

- Give me your hand.
- Well, all right.

- Go, I implore you.
- Well, but my handbag...

- So where's the handbag?!
- Stop behaving like a lunatic, my dear.

Where is your handbag?
Oh, here it is.

Take the handbag.
I beg you. Take a taxi.

- You're mad.
- Go now.

Well,

let's be frank,

the question is both
general and difficult.

- Allow me
- Turn it up.

Start from stating that the world
expects us to make a choice.

To take sides.

- You see...
- Choosing involvement...

it makes no sense at all.
They cut it all up.

Look, it lost its natural context.

- Ewa.
- This girl is a little stiff,

but you're quite all right.

You don't have to pay me
undeserved compliments.

I know it's no good.
I know it's good for nothing.

Jacuś, it was great
for a first performance.

- About the awarded book
- You don't have to take it to heart.

Jan Koleba's book entitled
"Really in Our Place".

Although the pseudo-elite circles
do not like this kind of truth.

- It may be the other way round.
- Anyway...

You remained in the countryside.
What chances do you see...

- What have you done?
- I know very well you don't want to watch it.

You don't have to force yourself.

You can watch a movie.

Jacek, I don't want
to watch a movie.

I understand, you're upset,

but why do you behave this way?

You talk of stage-fright,
being upset.

It's impossible to be frank with you.

I understand it. You're not
used to being frank.

Jacuś, what are you
babbling on about?

To your success.

You know I don't drink.

I came off like an idiot?

He speaks much better.

A TV personality.

Yes, you like it.

This cheap exhibitionism.

Disregard for people.

And at the same time
playing to the gallery.

A cheap allusion here,
a caustic remark there.

Look, how intelligent I am,
look, how honest I am.

I will toady to
those in the know.

Well, they know how to do it.
They know it very well.

Rotten goods packed up
in shiny cellophane.

- Who are you talking about?
- You know very well who I'm talking about.

But I haven't taken
classes in eloquence.

I didn't not go to the best
schools in the capital.

I didn't practice the language
of lies in coffeehouses and salons!

But, Ewunia, I will not sell myself.

Jacuś, I know.

I compromised myself and
they took advantage of it.

They are waiting for me
to take a false step.

What "they"? Jacek,
nobody watched it.

What do you mean "nobody"?
The wrong people certainly did.

- You're the best anyway.
- Do you really believe it?

I do.

Yes, because you're frank.
Because you're always right.

Because you always
get everything right.

And do you think that
people understand it?

Certainly.

Ewa, he never watches
himself on TV, does he?

- Well, it depends.
- Well.

He doesn't care. He is self-assured,
he believes in his own charm, his name.

But he'll take a wrong step.

- Wanda.
- May I?

Please, come in.
Why the flowers?

- Is Ewa home?
- Yes, she is.

Oh, Wanda.

I'd like to...
Here you are.

- Talk to you.
- Should I leave?

Yes, would you make us
some tea, please?

You could at least read it.

- What for?
- It's cowardice.

- Anyway.
- What am I to tell him?

- I don't know.
- But I have to tell him something.

Tell him whatever you want.

That I felt too well with him,
or too bad,

or that he is too interesting,

or too boring.

- Say whatever you like.
- Listen, can this Jacek

offer you any support?

Oh, it's a completely
opposite arrangement.

- Do you love him?
- I do.

- Will you marry him?
- I don't know.

So?

You see, he is completely
different from what you think.

He is helpless.

He is terribly afraid that his life
will turn out a complete failure.

- If I...
- If what?

You see, if I left him he'd
drink himself to death.

- Not a chance.
- And how can you know that?

Anyway, this is not
what it's all about.

And what is it about?

Goodbye, Jacek.
Bye.

He writes to you, doesn't he?

- Yes.
- What?

- It's not important.
- I guess I do have the right to know.

Jacek, you have no right.

Jacuś, wait. I don't read
these letters at all.

Look, they are not even opened.

- I can tear them to pieces now,
if you want me to. - Oh, no, keep them.

These must also
have come from him.

Katarzyna, what happened?
Where are my students?

Could you check the schedule, please?
I haven't been notified about anything.

- What's going on?
- Your lecture is not scheduled for this semester.

- Why?
- You asked for it to be cancelled yourself,

due to your travels.

No, I haven't cancelled anything.

They were to begin
this week and I notified

Mrs Kruszewska about it.

Maybe Mrs Kruszewska knows something about
it, I'm only responsible for the schedule.

- And I was to cancel your lectures.
- On whose order?

I received the plans from Mrs Kruszewska.
You will have to set it straight with her.

Aha, yes, I'll tell her, I know
what's going on here, naturally, yes.

Well, I'll discuss it
with the dean, goodbye.

I'm sorry, sir.

Hush, he's coming.

- Good morning, professor.
- Good morning.

- I see the whole group here.
- That's right.

- What is it about?
- We came...

Well, speak up.

- Actually, it was Piotrek.
- Piotr, where is he?

Piotrek!

- Good morning, professor.
- Good morning.

We couldn't contact you on the phone,
it's about your seminar.

It's very important for us.

Just a moment,
I thought you were notified.

That's the whole thing,
we were notified.

We heard that you were
forced to step down.

I know nothing about it.

Well, this is the way such
things are adroitly arranged.

They took away our best seminar.

We've written a petition

- and we'd like to discuss it with you.
- Excuse me?

- The petition.
- An application.

Just a moment, just a moment.
May I explain something?

The first thing is that
nobody forced me to resign.

- There was just a... well,
- Yeah.

An unfortunate coincidence. I was
supposed to leave for a longer period

and the dean's office
suspended our seminar.

- But why weren't we...
- Because, just a moment.

As the date of my trip changed,
another class was scheduled

in place of my seminar.
It's too late to change anything back now.

We have to wait until next year.

But we asked at
the dean's office

- and the whole thing seems fishy.
- I assure you it was a coincidence.

- Coincidence.
- What coincidence could that have been?

When a man like you is involved, it's
rather difficult to talk of coincidence.

You know, when I was
your age it also seemed to me,

that everything is the
result of some big politics.

And such incidents
are most often simply

the effect of some general mess.

- May I see it for a moment?
- Here you are.

Oh, it's been published already
and I knew nothing about it,

they didn't even send me a copy.

Could you write
a dedication for me?

- But I have nothing to write with.
- Just a sec.

Listen, if I may give
you some advice,

you should be more cautious
about any petitions.

God forbid that I would
advise prevarication,

or stop you from
speaking out in cases that

you truly care about.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

But a petition.
A petition is always a collective action.

Which is why it should be
used in a responsible way.

Which means one must be
certain that such an action will lead

to a specific aim,
it will be effective.

Which means we're screwed.

You know what?
Let's go upstairs to my place.

Come on, let's talk there,
I mean it.

It's rather cold here. I have some,
well, some alcohol there.

Come on, come on.
Don't be shy. Girls, come on.

Come on.

But it's not a problem.
Come on, let's go in.

- And what about you?
- No, no, thank you, professor.

Come on, Agata, let's go.

What is it with you? You know,
I don't understand you at all.

Why don't you listen to me?

Please, look at me.
Agata.

Let's assume that someone
was abandoned by his wife.

Has anything happened?

Nothing, it seems.

The law says it did.

Have you ever considered
why people get married?

I have always imagined that
there is such a thing as

the metaphysics of marriage.
No, it's banal.

I mean intimate relationships,
shared,

shared objects,
shared compromises,

losing shame towards each other.

Or simply the fact that we
move towards death together,

that we get old together.

Tell me what there is
to hold on to,

if there is no certainty.

If it's so, what has any value?

How can one suddenly say: I don't want
to be with you anymore, I'm leaving.

It means that everything
there was before loses meaning.

Is it really possible that the
closest person suddenly becomes

an enemy, a stranger? Am I to
be nice about it?

Understand... it seems to me that
a man should fight for certain

values he finds important, for love...
What? No one can be

forced to love?

You talked of marriage,
someone abandoned by his wife.

That you discovered no criteria,
and that you can't accept it.

You can understand that but you
didn't see the point of our petition.

And the fact that your boss may
not only push you aside,

but paint you out of the picture.

You're just waiting
for justice to happen,

for some just
criteria to appear.

It, dear sir, is both
wrong and harmful.

But these two matters
have nothing in common.

You didn't get anything
of what I was saying.

You don't even suspect how
the two matters are connected.

No, no, it's OK.

All right, boys.

Maybe they are
connected, actually.

We're going. Come on.
We're going.

Thank you, professor.

- My dear daughter... Gabuńka...
- Daddy.

Come to daddy, come on, come on.

Sit down.
What have you brought?

- What is it?
- Sir,

her mother must never learn that
I came to you with Gabcia.

I have told Gabcia as well.

I can't stay there
any longer, sir.

The old lady told me what I was to say
in court during the divorce trial.

Well, I said I would never
say a word against you.

The poor child is suffering.

You never said a single
bad word to me.

- How does Ania...
- So how am I to testify against you?

Well, you know,
I am all for you,

- I just don't know how much.
- Play with the horse a bit.

I'm sorry for Gabcia.

She keeps on asking
where her daddy is.

Has he left?
When is he coming back?

So I told her today
we should go to daddy,

but mum's the word.

You know, they say that
I turn her against Jacek,

and I know that the girl herself
can feel that he's a thief.

- Well, please, don't exaggerate.
- A thief, a thief, sir.

He came to other people's home
and spoiled everything, a con artist.

Well, well, well.

And Gabcia is afraid of it all.

You know, she's started to bite
at her fingers when she falls asleep.

Her fingertips...

She has bitten them
so hard that they bleed.

It's all because of her nerves.

We'll go now, sir.

What is it, Gabrynia?

Daddy, why don't we
live here anymore?

What?

Tell mommy, that...

Tell mommy that you don't want
to see uncle Jacek any more, will you?

And say he should never
come back again.

And tell her that you want to be
with mommy and daddy, will you?

And you will tell her today, OK?

Please, wait here, Józefa,
I will buy her something.

Don't cry, my dear,
don't cry, stop now.

Come on, stop crying, don't cry.

What is it, Gabuńka?
Calm down, now.

You can't understand
simple things.

Thirty years...

- Zosia.
- Yes, sir?

Could you come here a moment?

- Excuse me?
- Where are my "Newsweeks"?

Well, you're not getting them anymore.
According to the distribution list.

What do you mean,
I am not getting them?

Why are there two desks here?

Where are the "Sterns"?

If you need them,
maybe you can take mine?

What are you doing
here, actually?

Haven't you been notified yet?

Why are you standing
here like this?!

Zofia.

Yes, sir?

Please, make sure that
Mr Jerzy gets all the press.

- Well, but...
- Have I made myself clear?

Yes, I see.

A horrible scatterbrain.

So? Is everything OK now?

Yes, listen.

I may not be in the
best shape right now.

You know, I thought...
Well, I came here

to discuss certain things, I am
not sure if you know that Ewa...

I mean, we've split up, temporarily.

And that is why I did
not agree to go then.

You know, I thought now
that if I could leave,

I would gain some time.

It's a question of two or
three weeks, anyway.

I would... simply give her
a chance to come to her senses,

because when I'm here
I feel helpless.

I'm afraid I'm going to
do something stupid.

- Well, well.
- No, I mean, you know,

I want to avoid doing
something I can't take back.

I...

Actually, I don't even know
if I'm thinking right,

- what do you think?
- Well.

I think you really should leave.

I'll call the association immediately,
they are certain to find a

room for you in Zakopane.
You know, they won't

refuse you of all people.

What are you talking about?
I'm not talking about a rest.

Rest is precisely
the most horrible torment.

I am talking about that
invitation from the UN.

- I want to get to work finally.
- This is what it's about.

Well...

Well, I think the offer
is no longer valid.

- You gave it up yourself.
- But you kept telling me all this time

that only I can go, that I still
have time to make the decision.

You see, you're
getting upset again.

Well, some changes
have taken place.

Who's going?

No one from us.

Tell me frankly.
You were told not to let me go.

Who told you that?

And why are you
repeating stupid rumors?

You know very well that no one
would give me such an order.

And even if they did, I would be
the first to tell you about it.

You could have learned to
trust me during all these years.

Couldn't you?

Oh, excuse my coming in this way,
I thought there was nobody home.

Ewa sent me for some clothes.

The wardrobe in the hall...
Which one can it be?

Ah, this is the one.

Some of the housemaid's stuff
and Gabcia's clothes.

Red skirt, sweater, yes, blue...

It's interesting how all men
react in such a stereotypical way

when their manly
pride is wounded.

They immediately find
some girl in order to show

the world that they deserve it,
they are still attractive.

Who is she?
What does she do?

- I don't know.
- Have you got any alcohol?

Yes, I do have some.

People say you drink a lot.

She is quite cute but...

You don't like her?

I don't know what
such girls are worth.

Have you heard...
She has quarrelled with him

and she has quarrelled with her mother.
This is the best moment

- to...
- No, no.

You see, the time when I was
trying to fight has passed.

You don't even know
what happened with me.

I... Well, it's just gone now.

I was looking at her
during the trial,

and, let me tell you,
I didn't feel either love or regret.

This probably had
to happen this way.

Are you sure you're not just
telling yourself that?

- Unfortunately, it might be so.
- Why "unfortunately"?

You see.

You know that...

Now it's...

I miss Africa so badly,
I keep dreaming about it.

Here the weather is
so undecided, I...

I can't live in such
an inconsistent climate.

Excuse me.

Jerzy, Ewa asked me to
take the dog as well.

Polo! You don't have the time
to look after it anyway.

Come, Polo, come now.
Come on, come on, my dear.

Gabcia likes it so much.
Stay safe, bye.

We're going home now.
Right now.

Ewa.

Ewa.

I'd like to talk to you,
I'd like to explain.

Actually, I wanted to apologize.
Don't hang up.

And how is Gabcia?

I miss her, I'd like
to drop by to see her.

What are you doing here?

I'm talking to you.

Get out of here.
Get out of here!

You need to get out!

Do you understand?!
You need to get out of here!

I don't want to see you here!
It belongs to my dad!

Get out!
It is my dad's carpet!

Get out!

Get... out!
Get...!

Ola!

What did you tell
them at school?

That you were sick.

And if it turns out
that I'm healthy?

- It's not important.
- Not important.

- Has mom called you?
- No.

You mean you took your passport,
took the ticket and you're here, don't you?

I am.

- Are you looking for something?
- What? No, no, no.

Dad, tell me how I can help you.

I've talked to mom.

Tomorrow we're going
for a walk together.

You have to talk to her
seriously and explain everything.

It can't be this way.

Dad, tell me, if a person
can't concentrate

on one thing only, does it
mean they're superficial?

No, it may just as well mean
that they're curious about everything.

- And you?
- What about me?

Are you really that sad there?

No, that isn't it.

I just feel as if I was asleep

and everything important in life
was going on somewhere else.

But I learned to be alone
and that's important, isn't it?

Well, very much so, it's just so
that I could never achieve this much.

Tell me how I can help you.

You know, if it is really
so hard for you there

you can always come back,
remember,

but I think that some patience
would not be out of place, would it?

- It's hard to come back.
- Certainly.

You think that time
stands still and waits for you,

but when you come back you find out
that there is no one to talk to here.

For example Kaśka.
We can't be friends any more.

You always laughed at us and
called us tattlers and gossipers.

- Who am I to come back to?
- Well, to us, to me.

Mishka wanted me to
buy him a pair of jeans.

I will give you dollars,
I still have some.

Oh, no, God knows what
he'll think.

He saw me off at the airport,
it was a major sacrifice on his part.

You know, Kaśka tried to commit
suicide in the seventh grade.

It wasn't because of love.

Stop it.

- So you took the dog after all.
- Yes, I'm sorry.

Lidka called me, you know,
our neighbour from downstairs.

I'd given her mum's phone number,
and she told me that Polo

kept howling all day long.
Anyway Gabcia also

missed him very much and...

Howling? Didn't she say
anything about me?

- No.
- Ewa.

Ola!

Oleńka, be careful, she is
still a small child, after all.

- Did you notify Ola?
- Me? No, why?

- Who did it then?
- I don't know.

I thought it was you
who wrote to her.

- Are you mad?
- Not yet.

I didn't want her to find out
until it was over.

At her age and bearing in mind
her extreme sensitivity to such matters.

She has this peculiar tendency
to exalt her own experiences.

She takes after you, by the way.

Fortunately, she is
reasonable and independent.

She takes after you, by the way.

- How is Gabcia taking it?
- What about Gabcia?

Very well, why do you ask?

Well, no reason.

You can see that
she looks very well.

She's getting stronger,
She's growing up.

- Let's talk.
- What about?

You don't want to accept
any of my proposals.

Well, yes, yes.
Have you found new work?

Yes, I managed to find
a position in the institute.

You know that I have always
wanted to work academically.

Or at least try to.

Well, now they
helped me a little.

- Who helped you?
- Girls! Ola, we're going back!

No, wait a moment, Ewa.
We have to talk.

We just have.

Well, please, speak.

Let's talk.

Not like this.

So how?

I do have some rights.

We should explain
some things to each other.

- You have no rights.
- I think I do have some rights after all.

Fortunately, I don't have
to listen to your advice

about what is good
and what is bad.

Naturally, you have
a much better teacher now.

Idiot.

Do you think I'm jealous?

That...

Mom!
She's riding on her own!

For the first time.

That I'm jealous?
No, he simply disgusts me.

I can understand that someone may
fall in love, may be crazy about someone.

But to be with
someone like him...

And who are you?
A liberal, coffeehouse oppositionist.

Who?

Darling, what did you...
What did you say?

Cafe oppositionist...

I'm taking Ola for diner to my mother's. She'll
spend the night there and leave tomorrow.

- I bought her a return ticket.
- Do you think she will go?

Obviously, she will.

I just wanted to ask you not
to make it any harder for her.

What can I do?
She is an independent girl.

Yes, but I think that
for her it will be...

- Everything OK?
- OK.

- Are you coming with us to granny's?
- I can't now, you know, I have an appointment.

- But you should come.
- Well, if I can't, I can't.

So what am I to do?

- Everything's going to be fine?
- Fine.

- Promise?
- Promise.

Goodbye, Gabcia.

- Good morning, I have an appointment.
- What's it about?

It's personal.

I've been calling you
for two weeks.

You told me to come today.

Please, sit down.

Mr Michałowski is
here to see you.

I see.

Good morning, sir.
Nice to meet you.

Please, come in.

- Excuse me, I thought...
- Is anything wrong?

- Excuse me, I thought...
- I've wanted to meet you for a long time.

So, how can I help you?

- But I was supposed to see Broński.
- Broński is on an extended sick leave.

- When will he be back?
- It's hard to say.

Yes, hard to say.
I'm filling in for him.

Well, then, what's the matter?

No, thank you,
I guess I'll come later.

And how is Ola doing?
In Moscow?

Well.

Is she studying well?
Are you satisfied?

I am terribly grateful that you

- arranged it then.
- Don't mention it.

- I came round to your office recently.
- Well, it's no longer mine, I guess.

Why didn't you let me know?

Well, you see, I was boxing...

I see.

I see.

I told you you'd be
unpleasantly surprised.

I underestimated you.

- Knockout?
- Oh no, no, no.

It wasn't a unanimous decision.

Three-two.

Well, at least this
much satisfaction.

Certainly.

Listen, I came to you on
very specific business.

- You probably have tails.
- Tails?

Yes, a tailcoat.
Could you lend it me for a year?

Well, what am I saying, "a year".
Half a year.

You see it all happened so fast

that I won't have the time
to have one made.

I should have one somewhere,

I haven't worn it for ages,
I don't know if it's any good.

Is it a decent place?

Shit, wait, I haven't
even unpacked yet.

- Have you got it?
- Yes, yes.

Good post, a tourist resort.

Well, it's OK.

A bit too tight.

- You can let it out.
- Give it here, a little higher.

A tailcoat should be a little tight.

It's considered chic
in the elegant world.

If your tailcoat is a little too tight,
it means you already had the time

to wear it for a while and
you're not a nouveau riche.

Tell me where you're going.

Oh, later.

You'll read about it
in the newspapers.

You see, I'm still bickering
with them a little,

because, well...
What else do I have left?

Your health, ambassador.

- Are you mad at me?
- No, why?

Well, I hurt your career
after all, didn't I?

I guess it was rather me
who did it to you.

They needed an excuse
to transfer me.

Well.

- Fuck.
- What?

- Why fuck?
- It all happened this way

- without my contribution?
- It often happens that way.

Wait, excuse me.
And what do you expect?

Do you know the
first rule of rotation?

If someone is too good at what
he does, he must be transferred.

Well, for example when someone
is an outstanding specialist in

agriculture, they transfer
him to sport,

if someone is, let's say, good
at sport, he ends up in education.

And so on.

And you have become too good.

- You're terribly embittered.
- Me? Not at all.

Look. I'm relaxed.

Do I look well in this?

You know, I find it hard to
accept this lack of all sense,

of it having no meaning.

My dear, my dear...

It's a distortion straight from
the communist youth organisation.

Let me tell you something.

You should start writing
detective novels.

Collecting stamps.

Oh, buy a house in the country.
Start working in the garden.

Or learn foreign languages.
Oh, well, you know them already...

Listen, would you give me
a few classes in French?

You know, I can manage
with English more or less,

but French...

Would you like to sleep
with me, general?

Do I have a good accent?

Ah, it's you.

I wanted to talk to you.

You know, it's a bit difficult.
Mom is asleep and so is Gabcia,

the housemaid is in the kitchen.

- Tomorrow maybe?
- No, no, now.

I beg you.

Is it something important?

- No...
- So you see.

Let's go to our place.

I mean, my place.

OK.

It's the wrong key.

Have you eaten?

No, you know, I haven't
been eating dinner recently.

But go to the kitchen.

Sit down.

No, no, not here, there.

You've prepared it very nicely.

Where did I...

- What are you looking for?
- Matches, I don't know where they are.

They're always here.

Well.

You haven't replaced the cooker?

What? No. I forgot, I'm
terribly nervous, I'm sorry.

But it could blow up
at any moment.

You should take care of it.

Well, a redecoration wouldn't
be out of place here, you know.

I don't think it makes
much sense right now.

- It will...
- Well, anyway.

I prepared it with plums,
the way you like it.

Pass me the plate.

Wait, wait, one more plum.

What big chunks.

- Oh Jesus.
- Do you like it?

It's delicious.

You know, recently we eat
almost nothing at all because of

mom's liver.
Almost nothing in fact.

- Some salad?
- No, later.

Why aren't you eating anything?

- Well, you're right.
- Eat, eat.

- I would've forgotten.
- Eat.

The pieces are so big...

I'm glad you like it.
Some more?

- Yes, just a plum.
- OK.

Oh, Jesus!

Some wine?

Look, it's so green.

I didn't have the time to notice
that it's the spring already.

Well, generally it's quite cold.
I'm freezing.

- The climate is...
- Do you remember when you came back from Ethiopia

So chilled to the bone?

You said then that the cold of
the hot countries is the worst of all.

Well, because it's true.

Excuse me.

Ewa.

Ewa, where are you?

Let's not make our lives more difficult.
Are you crazy?

The plaintiff Ewa Michałowska
is present in court.

On her behalf counsellor
Jerzy Porębowicz.

The defendant Jerzy Michałowski
is present in court.

On his behalf counsellor
Joanna Cichoń.

- Counsellor, I'm listening.
- Yes, I support the action.

- What is your position.
- I move to dismiss the complaint in its entirety.

Concerning the witnesses.

I move to hear the witnesses
indicated in the petition.

- What is your position?
- No objections.

The court decided to hear
the witnesses indicated in the petition.

Please, call the first witness.

Witness, please come forward.

Please, please. Faster, closer.
Approach the bench, please.

- What does the witness know about the case?
- Me?

Well, yes, you.

Once I could not sleep at night,
I saw the light in the study

and then I saw them, I mean
the doctor and the gentleman here.

In a, well, in an
unambiguous position.

What does the witness mean
by an unambiguous position?

So the gentleman was sitting in
an armchair and the doctor

above like...

I did not look any more because
I was afraid they could see me.

- Counsellor?
- Yes.

Did what you see
indicate intercourse

between the defendant
and the doctor?

- What?
- Intercourse.

I guess so.

The witness states in answer to
the question of the plaintiff's counsellor,

that she saw intercourse
between the defendant and doctor...

- Jakowicz Wanda.
- Wanda Jakowicz.

Excuse me, your honor, but
witness did not testify that she saw

intercourse between the
defendant and the doctor.

She testified that
it seemed like that to her.

Please, take down
the testimony precisely.

So how was it? Did you
see the intercourse or not?

Yes.

So this is what has
been taken down.

Do you have any other
questions, counsellor?

No, thank you.

Do you have any other
questions, counsellor?

- I do.
- Go ahead.

Was the plaintiff a friend
of Dr Jakowicz?

- Yes, they always...
- Does it mean that the defendant

cheated on his wife
with her best friend?

- Yes. - Thank you, thank you,
I have no further questions.

- When was...
- It's your turn now.

When did the situation
you described take place?

I don't know...

Was it after the plaintiff
moved out or before?

- Well, he told me...
- Who told you?

Thank you.

Are you sure it was
after she moved out?

- No, no, I guess before.
- Before, before she moved out.

It is thus clear that the defendant
abused his wife's trust

cheating on her with
her best friend.

The witness may leave.
Call the next witness.

- Madam...
- You should address the court as your honor.

Your honor, it's not
true that the gentleman

was bad to the lady.
They lived together very well.

I don't know, I, I,
I worked for them for 15 years

and it was always good.

The old lady told me to...
but I can't.

God would punish me.

The lady was also good,
I can't complain.

But the master was
such a good person,

he liked to tell a joke
and gave gifts...

Excuse me, did the witness receive
many gifts from the defendant?

He would always buy some things
for the lady and the children, sir,

I don't believe that
the other lady

- was important to the master.
- What other lady?

What other lady?
Who does the witness mean?

- Oh God...
- When did the witness see another lady

- and where?
- I didn't see her,

she was just passing
to the bathroom.

- I don't know anything.
- When did you see

her passing to the bathroom?
When was it?

- When was...
- Well, when?

Well, when, oh God,
I can't remember anything.

I was in a camp, they
would hit me on the head.

- Leave her alone.
- I can't now.

Just a moment, was Mrs
Michałowska home at the time?

Certainly not.

No, she was not.
And who was in the apartment?

- When I came with Gabcia,
- Yes.

- There was the lady and the gentleman.
- And what? Was this lady naked?

- Oh Jesus and Mary, I don't know.
- You mean she was naked, wasn't she?

Well, when did you come with
the child to the defendant,

after you moved out
of the apartment?

It may have been so.

So was it before you
moved out or after?

Well, so.
Before, I guess.

Before you moved out.
Thank you, that will be all.

Jesus, but I didn't...

Please, don't ask any questions,
she is afraid to say

that she was at my place with the child.
Please, don't ask her anything,

- she is afraid of her.
- But she can help us.

No, she can't.

- Thank you, I have no more questions.
- The witness may go.

Please, call the next witness.

What can the witness tell us about
the relations between the parties?

Mr Michałowski is
a rather bad-tempered man,

maybe he could be more...

- Balanced, right?
- Right, oh yes,

- balanced, exactly.
- Well.

Does the defendant
abuse alcohol?

One might call it abuse.

Naturally, he shouldn't
lose his temper,

- but who of us, well...
- Ah, yes.

And what did you mean when
you mentioned the defendant's violence?

Well, one should respect
other people's opinions,

- shouldn't one?
- Yes.

Jerzy has recently, and it quite
shocked me, beaten up a colleague,

who had a different
opinion about a book,

which was to be awarded.
They were both in the jury.

Ah, and that was the reason
for the beating, was it?

- Well, yes.
- Thank you very much.

I have no questions.

Were you present when
the defendant hit his colleague?

- No, I wasn't, but...
- And do you know

what the cause
of their conflict was?

This colleague showed
everyone the bruises

and told us what it was about.

Well, Jerzy was not
too sober then.

I see and do you at least
know who was involved?

I overrule the question,
it has no bearing on the matter.

I wasn't authorized, it's true.

Are there any other questions
to the witness? No, thank you.

Please, call the next witness.

Witness Anna Łukasik,
mother of the plaintiff.

What does the witness know
about the married life of the parties?

First of all the defendant from the very
beginning disregarded the work of my daughter.

Well, but I didn't
know him then.

It was only when I learned that he
attempted to rape my younger daughter.

When did this happen and what
does the witness know about it?

Well, my daughter could
tell you about it.

One does not tell these
details to one's mother.

Well, why did your daughter
leave her husband?

I was ill then,

- Well.
- So my daughter moved in

with me to look after me.

Anyway, she would never
leave her husband.

Well, but later when
she learned that during

her absence my son-in-law
was visited by other women

- she decided not go back there again.
- Does it mean that he made use

of her absence and lived with
other women when she was

- looking after her sick mother?
- Yes.

Yes.

Did the defendant buy gifts
for his housemaid?

Naturally, he bribed her
to make her give him information.

He also bribed the children but
they still did not want

- to see him.
- Well.

Do you think that the situation
will worsen or improve

in the case of divorce?

- The situation of the children.
- It will certainly improve.

It will improve.

So were there any other reasons for quarrels
between your son-in-law and daughter?

Naturally, very many.

- Well...
- Well.

Any differences of opinion?

Ah, well, yes, naturally, I would
forget about it completely.

Naturally, there were basic
differences in political views.

My son-in-law was two-faced.
He would write one thing,

and say something else completely
at home which, naturally, had a very

bad influence on the children.

My daughter several times
tried to talk to him about it.

My son-in-law was always and
everywhere thirsty for a new sensation.

So the defendant questioned
the official version of facts.

- Did he?
- Yes.

And when did you learn that
your son-in-law attempted to rape

- your younger daughter?
- Recently.

Was it after your daughter
left her husband?

Well, I can't remember.

In what circumstances
did it happen then?

Simple, my daughter told me.

- Yes, but which one?
- Both daughters told me.

Both.

Your testimony suggests that your attitude
towards the defendant is extremely negative.

Quite the contrary,
I used to like him very much.

- Thank you.
- Are there no more questions?

The witness may leave.
Any motions?

Thank you, I have no motions.

Your honor, I move for
the proceedings to be adjourned

and for the sister of the plaintiff
to be called as a witness.

- Just a moment, the same move.
- Please, don't do it.

- But there is no reason not to, a moment.
- I beg you.

There is no reason
to adjourn since the witness

- is now in the building.
- Please, call the witness.

Your name.

- Halina Łukasik.
- Occupation?

Student.

- Age?
- 22.

- Your relation to the plaintiff?
- I'm the plaintiff's sister.

I must inform you that you have
the right to refuse to testify.

- Do you want to testify?
- Yes, I do.

The witness is obliged to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Perjury is punishable by law.

Ewa wasn't in Warsaw at that time
and the housemaid had a day off.

The defendant called me,
he said he had guests over,

foreign journalists he had had
to invite over for a drink.

- I came then and prepared sandwiches.
- But it's enough already.

- After the guests left I went to
- Quiet, please.

- The kitchen,
- Counsellor,

- please, tell your client to calm down.
- To wash up.

- Go on, please.
- Suddenly I felt the eyes

of the defendant on me.
I turned around, and I noticed

that the defendant was standing in the
doorway and staring at me in an odd manner.

He came up to me, took a plate
from my hands and started kissing me.

I was shocked and dumbfounded.
I wanted to break free,

he caught my hands in a strong grip,

led me to the living room and
threw me on the couch.

Shut up!

But she's lying.

Please, continue with
your testimony.

And it's only because I'm quite...

fit...
This is all.

- Counsellor?
- Thank you, I have no further questions.

Counsellor?

- I do have a question.
- Yes?

When did you tell your sister
about the alleged rape?

Only when she moved out.

Why only then?

I didn't want to worry her.

Had you informed your
mother about it at any time?

No, my mother knows
nothing about it.

- She does not?
- Counsellor.

- Thank you.
- Thank you, I have no further questions.

- Counsellor.
- Thank, I haven't got any questions.

You may go, thank you.

The court will hear the parties.

I'm listening.

I maintain the suit.

Please, speak louder and faster.

I meant to say that...
I must get the divorce.

The plaintiff maintains that
the charges from the petition

as true.

Would you be so kind?

What have you got to say?

Jerzy.

Excuse me!

- Jurek!
- Mrs Ewa.

Your honor, I would like
to apologise for my client,

but your honor must see
what this woman

was driven to.

It was an accident.
It must've been an accident.

He seldom left the apartment recently,
he was writing all the time.

I left only for a moment.

I kept telling him that the gas heater
in the bathroom was dangerous.

I only left for a moment.

Subtitles Diego Moraes (oakislandtk)