Original subtitles

MOSFILM

THIRD CREATIVE ASSOCIATION

BASED ON YURI PAKHOMOV’S STORY FATHER-IN-LAW ARRIVED”

EPILOGUE

Listen...

I would like to be utterly honest with you.

You know, I have to speak my mind.

We have a spare day...

there's nothing to do and nowhere to hurry.

Arm yourself with patience...

and listen.

It happened long ago.

A year has passed.

I was holding it within myself for a very long time...

and now I have to share it with you, my friend.

Well, listen.

It was an ordinary evening.

Saturday...

yes, it was Saturday.

I was watching TV.

It was a telegram from my father-in-law.

Departing on the 10th. Car number... Father.

Departing on the 10th...

When does he arrive?

What's today's date?

Today is... today is...

If he departs on the 10th...

when will he arrive?

Please, help me out! I can't concentrate, so nervous.

Well, it all was at the wrong moment.

I took an unpaid leave to finish my thesis.

Lera conducted tourists to the Middle Asia.

I tried to convince her to stay

but she couldn't postpone the tour.

If I could realize how it would change my life.

In short, the following day I accompanied Lera to the airport.

My dear!

My dear, I am so happy you came! I'm glad!

Is it him? Yes, it's him.

Well, hello! Welcome.

Hello.

What's with your clothing? Are you going to the North?

Yes, I came northwards.

Thank you for meeting me.

- Is it far? - No, we're almost there.

Frankly, I didn't recognize him at once.

How long haven't we seen each other? Six years, I guess.

Right, six years.

The old man changed vastly.

Wait, where is Lera?

Sorry, she went on an errand.

Travelling with foreign tourists.

When the telegram arrived she had already left.

She will be back soon, you'll see her.

What do you have here, bricks?

That is home-made quince jam. Lera enjoyed it when she was a child.

I've got some sea-fish for you, original, dried...

You won't find it in whole Moscow.

- How should we go? - By car, it's round the corner.

Oh, Moscow, have you ever been adored as much as I adore you!”

- What were you saying... - Here it is.

- Is this luxurious limousine yours? - Yes.

Remember Vertinsky's song?

I saw you so close to me...

An automobile carried you rapidly away

ta-ta-ta-tam, in San-Francisco dens

A lilac negro helped you with your coat

Don't drop the jam, for God's sake!

I won't drop it, won't drop.

Well, let's go.

- How was your journey? - Wonderful.

I had wonderful fellow-travelers -

farmer girls from a cossack village.

All way long we were discussing fabrics...

and some special German bras.

And they stood a treat: "Grandpa, would you taste this?"

Joyful, robust, healthy girls.

Wonderful... Have a look!

Claude Monet, Rouen Cathedral.

Yeah, right, very similar.

You look exhausted, though.

- The girls were too talkative? - No, they weren't.

Before leaving I persistently engaged myself in the French syntax...

and got tired to an extreme extent.

French syntax!

Then I recalled: he knows five or six languages.

Even ancient Greek!

Ancient Greek, do you catch?

How many languages do you know?

Same here.

And he knows ancient Greek.

Why did he need this dead language?

- Where are we? - This is Tushino district.

Ah, I get it.

The Tushino thief was hiding here, False Dmitriy.

Poorly, poorly.

How much better is our land:

the road, gardens - paradise!

And along the road: guh-guh-guh!..

Geese!

What an ingenious old man! Not a dull moment.

Geese, geese, guh-guh-guh.

Humourist.

What?

Ah, well, yes.

What an ingenious old man!

How come I never noticed this in him?

Twas you, old man, who saved, I know My life, the others told me so.

Why did you this? A small leaf, torn By tempest from its branch, forlorn

I lived behind these walls of gloom. At heart a child, I had become

A cenobite at fate's command.

What man could I call father, and What woman mother?..

Good boy!

Come on in, don't be afraid.

- The dog won't bite you. - I am not afraid.

Come on in, get off your coat.

Home, at last... Let me help you.

It's fine, I'll manage it.

What's wrong? Ah, everything's clear.

Have to take a walk.

I'll show everything you need.

So, bathroom's here, towels are there...

Everything you need. Let's go.

- We'll be back soon! - Good, good.

What's that? Oh!

Enough, let's go home. We are back.

Have you washed yourself? Let's have a snack.

We'll eat, I bought you some dry wine.

Wash your hands. Oh, you've already washed!

Oh, it's Cabernet!

My dear… I am moved!

I'll just wash my hands.

Ca-ber-net…

My dear, I am so moved. That is my favourite wine.

And olives!.. You are sympathetic.

So, let's drink, I suppose!

- Maybe, this one? - You are out of your mind!

- Welcome and cheers. - Cheers!

And cheers to Lera too.

Marvelous, marvelous.

I drink our southern wines only.

How wonderful are taut, touched with dove-coloured bloom...

bunches of splendid Cabernet grape.

The juice should be settled for three days along with the peel.

It gives roughness and a wonderful colour - like this one.

And in a year you may try the young wine.

It is gentle and contains carbon dioxide.

And how many sorts of grape do we have!

Shashla, Chaus, Muscat Hamburg, Aaron's Beard...

Sauvignon, Madeleine, Tavriz

One can think you are a wine-taster.

As for me, I prefer vodka to this sour wine.

I think you are wrong.

I liked to drink a shot glass of vodka with a piece of meat in jelly.

Pork should be singed upon the burning straw -

it gives the meat its special aroma.

But only a shot glass!

"A point!" - like the French say.

"Exactly!" - and that's all.

Quickly, eat something, this one is tasty... Spanish!

Ah, Spanish!

Night spreads the smell of lemons and bay-leaves"

mmm, a lemon!

What do you make of the flat?

Quite nice, modern practical style.

- Where is this rite mask from? - Africa, Guinea.

An original, I must say, not a fake.

I got used to simplicity, turned simple as Leo Tolstoy did.

What freedom of soul I gained!

No, the flat is fine, respectable but you know…

It's wife's business, I stay away from it.

That's ok, we'll make it better.

Well, one more?

Not for the sake of drunkenness but merely for the good.

Peter. - Peter who?

Peter the Great. - Right.

In general, everything is going right.

Except for the work, I am snowed under.

I took a leave to collect my thoughts, to concentrate...

to have nothing to hamper me.

If everything goes well I will run an errand to the USA.

NAUS. - What?

That's how we used to call it long ago - NAUS.

Northern American United States.

I hope in six months or so I will go there.

Yes, yes, yes, good.

I do not know your life well. Lera writes to me very seldom.

I know, you lead a rash life in Moscow.

Each minute counts.

The English would say: "The life of self-destruction"

(gives the Russian equivalent)

Yeah, every minute…

Lera would spend hours on the phone. Self-destruction, indeed.

I suddenly felt falling in a bad mood.

There was something artificial in his gestures...

in the voice of the old man.

And his eyes were sad, like dog's.

And this chatter in the car! Geese...

Came to see his daughter...

What do you know…

Tell me about your everyday life.

It's not bad.

I wake up at six o'clock and...

go to the market.

How magnificent is the southern market in the morning!

You, as a metropolitan, are unable to understand it.

Heaps of apples, flowers, most of all I enjoy asters...

big humid bunches.

"Crystal-glass sadness resided in the last asters"

And on Wednesdays they sell fish only.

Moscow markets are impressive too, sellers come from all sides.

After breakfast I devote my time to foreign languages.

I get everything I can. I read "Morning Star", "Humanite".

I also have a job.

I am invited to the polyclinic as a consultant.

My patients stay in touch with me, make visits.

I also read lectures in our wealth club.

And how's your laundry and provisions?

I don't need much.

The material side of life never bothered me.

Yes, yes...

Came to see his daughter…

yeah...

What would you say if we go to bed earlier?

As you wish, my dear.

You'll take a rest...

Which way? - This one.

And what about tomorrow?

Night brings counsel.

Come on in, make yourself comfortable.

Thank you, my dear.

I'll make the bed.

Very comfortable, very nice.

How are you there, fine?

Splendid!

Fine with me.

Let's sleep.

Work is work...

I understand, Lera couldn't postpone the errand.

Are you sleeping? Fine, I'll sleep too.

Yes, such situations do occur...

they do occur.

You can't postpone - and that's it.

Oh, what a lonely man is he.

So lonely...

Oh...

Ah, there is nothing to wonder.

In fact, it has been long...

since I got accustomed to my wife's strange family...

...without noticing.

Got accustomed.

They always talked about him in third person.

For them he always was a kind of persona non grata.

Why, why should I wonder now?

In two days the old man started annoying me.

How?

Fuss, excessive rapture, the manner of speaking.

At first it amused me...

I even wanted to banter him.

But then I decided that he won't dig my jokes.

He thought that everything he says his interlocutor must enjoy.

I must say, he was raptured by strikingly simple things.

How delicious and flavoured is the bran bread.

It is very important to feel the taste of bread.

Do you understand, my dear, it's very important.

There is another kind of bran bread in shops.

It has its peculiar bitter taste...

and a marvelous bouquet.

Tell me, my dear, do you like bread?

Bread?

Naturally, like everybody does.

Damn, the conversation resembles lousy plays.

In the evenings the old man spoke on the phone...

with some unknown friends...

gesticulating and giving me a wink.

Where have I been to?

To the food shop and also to Alyosha's shop.

What racy salesmen work there!

What deep personalities!

Yes, can you imagine!

It's like I have been to the theatre!

So long, my dear friend, yes...

Thank you.

Fyodor? Thin, dull - that's a disaster!

It is necessary to change the lifestyle.

I have an intention to see Alexandrov.

How can you not remember? Professor Alexandrov.

I must do it.

I agree with you.

yes, yes, yes

Undoubtedly.

The situation seems to be desperate.

I visited the tool shop today, remarkable!

You know, I saw Mayakovsky!

Whom? - Mayakovsky.

I can't remember the exact year.

It was autumn, September.

Morning, everyone hurries to work.

I see a man on the corner.

He's obviously not in hurry – writes in his notebook.

Tall, in a grey suit and a grey cap...

a cigarette in the corner of his mouth...

a cane across his arm.

He's standing and writing something.

Like a rock raises he above the crowd...

like a rock.

Passers-by greet him and he replies without turning away.

And then I saw a shoeblack polishing his shoe...

And I was standing and watching…

standing and watching.

And when I was passing by I said: "Greetings, Vladimir Vladimirovich!"

He turned the page, looked at me, smiled and nodded.

I was walking down the street…

having a feeling that Mayakovsky is looking at me.

But I was not looking back and you know why?

- Checkmate or what? - I guess so.

Mate, mate.

- Well, thank you! - You are very welcome.

Back to work.

Do you know why...

why was not I looking back at him?

I was afraid he was not looking at me…

and I was longing for it.

Nowadays a tobacco kiosk is there.

A kiosk?

Imagine. I bought you a cigar.

Here.

- Could you get a bigger one? - No, there weren't any bigger.

Smoking cigars will suit you.

- The beard will suit you as well. - I'll think about it.

What was I?.. Yes. I distract you.

I am sorry, my dear, I am sorry.

- Hello! - Could I speak to Alexei Borisovich?

He has left the building.

- How is that? - He is out.

- Who are you, his son-in-law? - And what if I am?

- What do you actually need? - Nothing, actually.

I wanted to meet him.

I am here transiently, my train departs in an hour.

His pals gave me the number.

Hard luck!

Could I get him a message?

- I am Garbuzenko, have you heard of me? - No, didn't have the occasion.

Hasn't he ever told you about me?

We were on the war together, on the steamship "Karl Liebknecht".

Strange, indeed.

He got me from the ground. I was hit by a bomb in Gelendzhik.

If he didn't, I would be dead.

Well, alright, I'll call on my way back.

Garbuzenko said so. Period.

Goodbye.

You had a phone call.

A very self-confident gentleman. Garbuzenko, he introduced himself.

He pronounced his surname more significantly...

than a boss of a company would do it.

Garbuzenko...

What do you say...

What do you say...

Marvelous!

Garbuzenko...

What a man!

What a personality!

Broadmindedness...

imagination.

So sad I had no time to introduce you to each other.

You would be glad. - Sure.

He is a personality.

He has been everywhere.

And in 1945...

In 1945 he brought me a samurai sword from Japan.

A sword, for me! Funny, right?

Sad... - Don't get upset.

He promised to come over on his way back.

I bought some kefir. That's fine.

What, what? I see your point.

Well, let's go.

I'll walk the dog.

Who's there?

That is me!

Hi there!

What is that?

Well...

What is this? Oh, I know you, hello!

Do you have an extra ticket?

What? - A ticket.

- Movie tickets? - Who mentioned movies?

Do you have an extra ticket to the Sovremennik theatre?

Was it renamed?

What? The Sovremennik theatre?

Yes, the theatre moved right there…

and you are its contemporaries.

The movie theatre "Colloseum" used to be there.

The arena of my youth, I was its faithful gladiator.

Also there was a shooting gallery...

Let's go, we're wasting our time.

Not in the mood for working?

Right.

Impossible...

to work.

Simply impossible.

I have noticed...

that you do not enjoy your work. You can't go on like this.

- Satisfaction... - Yes, that's the principal thing.

You don't like your work.

"Our work is the way it is... "

How old are you?

It's not too late to start it all over again.

You have a temporary mood breakdown.

I assure, it's temporary.

Let's look into it, why did it happen to you?

First of all, you don't go for a walk.

Walking the dog does not count.

Do not do physical exercises.

You smoke far too much.

A coffee machine - coffee all the time.

You can't go on like that. I am convinced.

Let's have an example...

Leo Tolstoy.

He cut the grass, he ploughed, he sermonized...

and what did he sermonize?

Gymnastics!

You should walk all the time during the work.

Marx trod out a carpet lane in his cabinet.

Remove all that hampers you. Take it all away.

Balzac wrote in a monastic cell.

No, not Balsac, Dumas pere.

Not in a cell...

but in a room specially appointed as a cell - ascetic, empty.

You own so many unnecessary things!

And Balsac - same as you: coffee, coffee at nights.

What's on your table! Unnecessary stuff!

Explain why you need it.

- For instance, what is that? - I have no idea.

It fills the space of your table.

And what is that? Unnecessary.

These are superficial objects.

Take it away - look, I'm doing that...

And you will feel free, do you understand?

All you need is:

several sharp pencils, glue, a brush…

a stylus, as Mayakovski said...

your favourite stylus and scissors - that's it! Nothing more.

The rest should be taken away.

What is that, for instance?

Please, explain to me: what is that?

So, more physical training...

more walking and everything unnecessary - aside!

Everything that hampers and this one also!

I am not satisfied with your scissors.

They do not cut.

I let myself abduct them…

give to a grinder…

and look at them now.

Listen, what pleasure I got watching the grinder work.

He is a real master.

The emery is whirling, bunches of sparkles.

His work is light, smart, beautiful. That's how one should work - like a grinder.

Go, I won't disturb you, I swear.

Sorry, I forgot.

I visited a library on my way home…

and here you are…

bibliography - how to organize your work.

Work hygiene, methodology - there are notes for you.

Well…

To arrange a workplace.

Write – dictate.

That’s the way the greats worked.

Extremely funny.

The grinder mistook me for a barber.

I asked him why and you know what he replied?

You handle scissors neatly... Fine, fine, I won't...

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

I would perfectly handle without you.

Didn’t want to disturb you.

I wanted it to face the window.

- That the way we set it with Lera. - For a while, for a while.

If you like it this way you are welcomed.

Facing the window.

Why are you sad, oh, prodigy of mine?”

Why should I be joyful?

The spring has come, look!

Spring is time for daring plans and unberearable desires”

Wonderful…

Spring…

What? What? What's going on? What?

Sorry for waking you up, my dear…

but you talked in sleep.

You went to bed late but still it's time to get up.

Good morning.

Why are you holding this razor?

Simply because I'm shaving.

With this?

This is inconvenient.

You see, I've been using it for more than forty years.

I got used to it.

At my age it is hard to change habits.

Who is using it nowadays?

That is nonsense and archaics.

No, dear, that is Solingen, Solingen.

Here is the trademark - two boys.

Excellent steel.

You are a "solingen" yourself, I swear.

I'm telling you, Solingen is a perfect razor.

Here is the trademark, look.

What a trifle.

There are modern razors, branded devices.

Finally, there are electric razors.

Hardly anyone would come up with idea to scrape himself with this roofing iron.

No, you are hopelessly behind the times.

Perhaps, perhaps.

But it is precious to me.

There are memories concerned with it.

Concerned…

Once I was operating for two days in a row…

without a break.

With this thing, right? Solingen?

There were many wounded men.

We took everybody we could accommodate.

Germans bombed us permanently.

There was a big tossing on our little steamboat.

Thanks God, no bomb hit us.

So, they were bombing and I was operating.

For two days I hadn't stepped from the operating table.

And what about anesthetic?

What are you talking about?

A glass of vodka and two sailors pulling hard to the table.

They were my male nurses.

And that is all we could do.

I was drinking an incredibly strong tea – to stay awake.

Everything was in gaze.

We had a nurse – she stood behind supporting me.

And a sailor, a wonderful guy

as soon as I closed my eyes he kicked me in the ribs: "Doctor, hold on!"

And a major was there…

He was responsible for the wounded and all.

He also held a lamp during the operations.

Some cried: "For the sake of motherland!"

Some simply called for mother.

And the major who used to hold the lamp...

often repeated…

Guys, don't bear it, swear, you will feel better!”

I don't know what was the major reason of tossing…

either bombs or…

I've seen many guys like them…

I've seen so many guys like them during the war…

but I clearly remember their faces.

They are standing in my memory.

I can still walking down the street and suddenly see... That's him!

And we are totally different now.

If we are all alive, of course.

I remember: our two-day transition is coming to an end.

The shore is already discernible.

Morning, mist…

The major comes to me, hugs me around the shoulders…

and takes away from the table: "Doctor, have some rest"

We will assign you for a military medal…

Order of Wartime, I promise you…

And while you don't have it, take this as a memento…

Have some sleep!" – I already had, having rushed on a bed.

I do not remember anything else.

I wouldn’t be able to do it now.

I see. And…

Have you received your Order or not?

Did the major keep his promise?

No, he couldn't.

I see, wartime…

No time for medals, who counts.

But why to shave with this thing?

Keep it as a souvenir…

and for shaving we'll find something more decent.

Here’s Schick, by the way.

The world's famous trademark…

double blades. It's absolutely safe. A present!

Is it for me? How interesting!

One-push clean.

(gives the Russian equivalent)

Unique! You are generous.

What a pleasure to look at it.

What a present, thank you!

Marvelous, marvelous.

Possess and enjoy.

Thank you.

Double blades…

Hello.

No, he is out. Yes, I surely will.

I won't forget, I promise.

Goodbye and best wishes!

That was a call from work, a message should be delivered.

Will you remember? Will you deliver it?

Well, not much.

- Hello. - I'm on my way home…

Turn on the TV.

- I'll be home soon. - One moment…

- Channel 1. - Wait a moment…

What the…

You are completely right…

In many African countries...

It's very nice of your owner…

my favourite programme – "TV Traveling Club".

The bow is ornate as well.

And concerning this mask…

It is interesting as it is very likely to be ritual.

Do you understand?

However, I have to apologize... I interrupted you, go on.

As I was saying…

My dear!

Once we were driving in Nairobi…

when an elephant calf stood in our way…

came in our way…

and until we fed him with sugar and took photos of him…

we couldn't go on our trip.

I guess this amusing incident proves…

that all kids have a sweet tooth.

I think that you took a good photo of him.

I will show this photo to the audience.

Here’s your gourmand elephant calf.

How sweet! Wonderful!

My dear, you have split in two.

Hello!

So, how was it?

You have split in two!

Why are you shy? You helped people and did it well…

if they called a kid Volodya.

You embarrass me with praise.

They just have this custom.

You are a bit shy, aren't you.

Of course I am.

They persuaded me to do this.

Everything is alright.

Thank you for coming.

You shouldn't have been so nervous. Well, you are not a professional.

Thank you very much for your story.

That's all for tonight, dear friends.

Good luck and goodbye.

See you next week.

I am jealous.

You’ve seen so much.

Come on, not so much indeed.

I was tense and shy.

My first time. No, everything was just fine.

I enjoyed it a lot. And an elephant calf!

No, everything was just fine.

And you felt how vast and queer is the world.

Well, let's have a snack and I'll go back to work.

I've already prepared the supper.

What’s that?

Oh, it's a thunderstorm!

First one this year!

Oh, how great! Great!

I'll open the window.

Thunderstorm! I like it very much but I can't explain why.

What an uncontrolled power!

Stay there, I'll take a picture. Good, one more.

Like an elephant, like an elephant.

Hurray for the thunderstorm!

Stay there and wave your hands.

Look, how powerful!

One more, that's not it.

Do you have a device to make a photo of all three of us?

No, I don't have it.

All three of us…

along with the dog, eh?

- How good, how good. - Thank you.

I'll give you photos later.

What an uncontrolled power!

Thank you one more time.

- Thank you, maestro. - No, you, you...

The only thing left to do is to eat.

And back to work. Thank you.

Don’t trouble, please. Basically, I'm not hungry…

so think of your own meal.

It doesn't burden me at all.

Everything is ready.

I'll just have a bite.

Are you coming?

Yes, I'm coming.

What a bolt! Right above us.

Yeah, that's a big bolt.

Bloody fuses, it's happening all over again!

I should look for the candles.

Well, let's do it. How long will it last?

Is it frequent? No, but it happens sometimes.

It’s outrageous!

All over again.

God, I'm so sick of it.

We should check up the counter.

Would you hold the light, please?

What’s wrong with it?

Out of order, we should call the controller.

What flat are you from?

Fuses are damaged, fuses.

What’s that smell?

What is that smell?!

That’s our aroma candles, damn.

What flat are you from?

The situation is pretty common. Let’s go, the fridge may leak.

We should call the controller.

Where are you going?

People, where are you going?

What do you mean - "where"?

yoo-hoo!

No time for jokes.

Very silly.

Tea by candlelight!

Why did you arrange a performance?

I am afraid they did not understand you.

- Do you know your neighbours? - I don't think you...

I don't. I guess we should move the soup to the balcony.

The fridge will leak, what do you think?

I don't understand. How long have you been living here?

For two years. What don't you understand?

They are working, we are working.

Look how everything changed, everything changed.

Shadows everywhere.

Back to cave.

Romanticists wrote exclusively by candlelight.

Exclusively.

Can you imagine Hoffman with an electric desk lamp or a floor lamp?

Switch on the lamp and everything's gone. Music, imagination – everything.

In the candlelight era there was much more time for a thesis.

Fair enough.

Oh, hurray!

Thank you for the tea.

What’s the matter!

Let it be light!

Why aren't you sleeping?

Are you feeling not well?

Couldn’t be better.

Listen...

Maybe you want to go somewhere?

To visit capital theatres?

Or a conservatory?

A retrospective of the Mexican movies will begin soon.

Pampas, cactuses, passion!

I may get you a ticket.

It is so touching that you want to entertain me, thank you.

You know, I would like to visit…

I would like to go to the circus.

Circus is like childhood, you see.

Maybe it is hard to arrange. No, not at all.

Circus is wonderful.

- Tonight Y. Nikulin is working. - That is wonderful.

Sea-lions and ostriches, wonderful.

Tigers do not attack the audience as they have fasting days.

I'll do that.

I'll call and book it.

She was walking the tightwire…”

Thank you.

Ah, circus! The smell of sawdust!

Wonderful.

So, how was it? Was she walking the tightwire?

When have you got back? I didn’t notice.

But still, was she walking or not?

Frankly, I don't know.

I had a ticket to the new circus nearby the metro station "Universitet"…

whereas I went to the Tsvetnoy Bulvar.

You amaze me!

I didn’t check up the ticket.

I feel awkward, you made efforts.

I'm ok with it but how could it happen?

Somehow I neglected the fact that nowadays there are two circuses.

The old one and the new one.

I was going to the old one and was very happy…

but they didn't let me in.

Let’s drink tea.

Do you see this balcony of a building across the street?

I survey it for a long time.

An old man appears there from time to time.

I had a friend – an exceptional an a wonderful man.

He died very long ago.

But it seems to me he's the one who appears on that balcony.

Why are you looking at me like that?

My mind is undimmed.

It’s just this strange thought...

I don't understand.

Incomprehensible, incomprehensible.

No grass, no clouds…

no summer rain.

I don't understand.

Neither Tolstoy nor Shakespeare…

or Hokusai.

No, this is madness.

Neither Notre-Dame nor Saint Basil's Cathedral

Nothing.

This is incredible.

So many efforts are invested.

Is it going to turn rack and ruin?

Not a single music note.

Not a sound of real human voice.

Silence around the Earth.

No flying dandelion fuzz.

That is simply impossible.

I don't want to.

I do understand: human is mortal…

but the humanity should stay immortal.

No, you are my only hope…

just you, guys.

Who else?

We should call a master.

Would you sit with me?

Everything will be alright.

They frighten us and we are not afraid.

(inaudible)

You nearly repeated Tolstoy's phrase.

Concerning the different occasion.

You have Tolstoy everywhere.

Because he is tremendous.

Mountain.

You are very widely-read.

Tolstoy, he is a citizen of the universe.

He is equal to this unit of measurement.

- And you know... - And I am a citizen of the flat?

I don't get it.

Well, you are rather an honourable citizen of the flat.

You interrupted me. I was speaking on something important.

And you are the USSR-most-important idealist.

- The swap of cues is over? - Yes. What was I...

Mind your posture!

Why your overcoat is blue?

Change that immediately! Off!

Your Excellency, this is a degraded officer, Dolohov.

So what? Is he degraded to a field-marshal or what?

Ah, how do you like it!

Here is another one:

"Attention!"-

cried a regiment commander with an astonishing voice…

joyfully to himself, rigorously to the regiment…

and amiably to the oncoming authorities.

The regiment roused itself like a bird…

and froze.

How do you like it!

Here is another one, listen.

Coming on a bridge…

every solder took off his hat…

and crossed himself.

And seeing Sevastopol left by forces…

And seeing Sevastopol left by forces…

he sighed and threatened enemies…

with unbearable bitterness in his heart.

Stop.

I remembered.

Do you know I fought in nearly the same places…

as he did in the Crimean campaign.

As an artillery lieutenant.

Are you brother-soldiers?

Yes, if you wish.

I am talkative and agitated.

One night father-in-law came home late.

He was calm, meek, sighed childly…

paced the floor quietly.

He obviously wanted to say something…

something very important…

but couldn't bring himself to tell.

I became anxious.

There was something new in the old man…

and it was terrifying.

Maybe I somehow hurt him?

Are you feeling well?

Were you on an outing again?

I am a bit tired.

And I feel sad, my dear.

I have visited the sites of my youth.

Visited Chistoprudny park today.

But I worked duly before dinner while you were in the garage.

Did some washing.

Washing? What washing?

Underwear, yours and mine.

But why? We send it to the laundry.

- What an odd whim! - I don't like it, you know.

Negligence, squalor…

After all, it's not difficult.

Tell me, my dear…

Any news from Lera?

No.

Don’t worry…

She will show up soon.

Yes, yes…

Cruaute mentale…

What?

Don’t pay attention.

Old men have their own whims.

You know, Lera was a very affectionate child.

I remember when she was two or three years old

I called her moon pie.

Funny, right? - Yes, extremely.

Joking…

Yes, cruaute mentale.

Tell me, my dear…

Would you let me light up the pipe?

Of course, help yourself.

Oh, you have wonderful tobacco.

Look, Holland, "Clan".

the pipe tobacco with unique aroma

(gives the Russian equivalent)

Have a seat! Thank you, I will…

What a delightful aroma!

Yes, delightful.

I have never smoked but always dreamt to smoke a pipe.

I don't know why but it always seemed to me…

that smoking a pipe harbours unbelievable pleasure.

Unbelievable pleasure.

Think of pipes made of meerschaum, porcelain or briar…

of heather roots or cherry wood.

I also know various sorts of tobacco:

Virginia, Capstan, Clan, Amphora.

We had a wonderful sort before the war – «The Pearl of Russia».

Egyptian tobaccos are delightful, Turkish...

I know, I read about them...

but never had a chance to smoke.

How strange, I am 75 and I am still waiting for something.

Well...

Ah, damn it.

We remained silent for the rest of the evening.

The old man kept depressed silence.

Perhaps, he was ashamed of his monologue.

He sighed, rustled newspapers…

whereas I was thinking with cold conviction:

of course, father-in-law is an odd man.

He is a strange person, very eccentric.

It shouldn't be easy to live with him.

He’s smoking a pipe, amazing!

Somehow I felt no sympathy for him that evening.

The following day was Sunday and the old man had gone missing.

Where did he go? He never told me about his outings.

Just said he had some business and I didn't inquire.

Business is business.

I took no notice how he left.

He was - and here you are, he's gone.

My new sheepskin coat disappeared too.

It was a bit large for me. I wanted to alter or to sell it.

Had no time to do it.

My big furry hat disappeared along with the coat.

I didn't quite catch what was going on. It was strange.

Why on earth did he need this masquerade?

Although I could get used to his oddities.

But still, but still…

Hello. - Is he home yet? - No.

Did he call? - No, he didn't.

He could leave a note, it's not late. I wouldn't have been worried.

Did you call the police?

Yes, I did call. And the emergency hotline as well.

they say they can reply only tomorrow morning.

I see.

I don't understand why he has dressed up in my coat.

Masquerade.

Maybe the occasion was important.

- Maybe he had to meet a minister. - Right, the president.

If I come up with another idea I'll call you.

Fine, call me.

Listen, what does it mean…

[croo-ah-te mean-tahl]

- What-what? - I'm not sure.

I think it's French, doesn't seem to be English.

I don't know... I'll check the dictionary. Is it urgent?

Yes, it is.

- Crucially? - Crucially.

- Right now? - Right now.

- Fine, I'll call you back. - Thank you.

Yes, hello!

Why are you yelling?

That is you… I thought that was the old man.

Isn’t he home yet? - No.

Don’t panic, he will show up.

Yes, sure.

First of all, it's not an English expression, it's French.

I made some calls, did a stiff job – appreciate my sympathy!

Well…

It means spiritual cruelty.

You owe me a bottle of cognac.

Fine, thank you.

How lovely!

How wonderful is the capital at night…

lights, motion!

People are reading on escalators in the underground!

We are the Great Reading Nation!

54% of French people do not read at all.

Are you drunk?

Just a tiny bit…

but quite a lot.

Please, don't look at me reproachfully.

Recollect Blok's lines:

"And drunkards, staring like rabbits, Exclaim: In vino veritas!”

I visited my... friends.

We were drinking cognac…

and recalling our youth: Moscow, 1925, frost, love…

and credence to the future.

Everything is wonderful, my dear.

Everything is wonderful.

I recited an adlib rhyme…

and then we sang.

I don't remember what we sang

but that's the way cliff growls

when it's falling towards the quarry

being on the road to ruin

I am leaving tomorrow, my dear. How?

By plane.

Why so unexpectedly?

I have some things to be done.

And that's no good to leave the house for long.

Do you have diamonds there or what?

In the past years I have collected rather small but unique library.

I bequeath it to you.

You don't own much books.

And they are matched... they are matched somehow hurriedly.

It would be sad if they...

But why are you rushing, Lera is about to come back.

I doubt it.

I shouldn't stay with you for long.

When is your plane?

Somewhat around twelve o’clock noon.

I have a scientific council at 11 AM. What an ill luck.

Why couldn't you inform me in advance?

Why are you in hurry all of a sudden?

No, I should go, I should.

Please, don't worry, I will be absolutely fine.

I surely will lift you up.

But...

I feel awkward.

It's awkward.

Ah, leave it…

Now it's your turn to visit my place.

I promised something to an old school teacher.

To bring her oranges from Moscow.

Instant coffee would be great too.

I wish I wouldn't forget… Will you remind me?

Be so kind! - Sure! - That's fine.

Let’s go to bed earlier.

Do you know what general De Gaulle wrote in his will?

No.

Sans fanfare, sans musique, sans sonnerie.

What does that mean?

No trumpets, no music, no peal.

An ingenious mind, right?

Time to sleep…

The morning was fussy.

I had to rush about the city…

searching for the oranges.

I also bought him two tins of instant coffee.

The day was somewhat chaotic.

The car kept on stumbling upon the red light.

Pedestrians longed to get under the wheels.

I had a wrangle with a traffic-cop, he fined me.

One trouble on top of another.

We are already here and you are still in haste.

(insignificant talk about the departure)

Sorry, doggy, sorry, darling.

I almost forgot to say goodbye to you.

How unhonourably and ungratefully of me.

We shared together so many wonderful moments.

Let me pat your ear.

As soon as I left him in a waiting room…

and made sure the plane departs on time…

I suddenly cheered up.

I bade him farewell easily…

and in half an hour I completely forgot about him.

No work for today.

I'll leave it for tomorrow.

First thing to do in the morning.

No, I should at least start it.

I should put on the gas…

to make up for lost time.

Lost...

Thank God there are several days left before wife returns.

Paradise…

CAST:

CAST: ROSTISLAV PLYATT

ANDREY MYAGKOV

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY MARLEN KHUTSIYEV