Original subtitles

The history goes all wrong.

Things went wrong as it were, and turned to the worst.

In 199... there came the drill workers to the Romanovsky village

and started drilling the oil well.

The locals made a riot but they were quickly subdued.

They were shown a certificate, with 4 state seals in it.

According to it, the 13.5 thousand hectares

of the former collective farm "Fatherland",

which was now divided into minor farmsteads,

all the Romanovsky land has been sold,

to whom no one knew.

This is how this injustice, or even absurdity,

came about. Such a shame...

"THE MORNING OF THE XXI CENTURY" company

GOSKINO, RUSSIA, 1998

Directed by Petr Lutsik

THE OUTSKIRTS

Come on, drink it, come on!

Then we'll go shoot some hares and jackals!

Uncle, stop shouting. I don't like that.

It's a nice rifle. From the last war with the Germans.

A nice rifle indeed.

Only you must be really drunk, Philip Ilyich,

to talk about jackals in our parts.

And there are no hares left either. The drill workers dealt with them.

But the rifle is nice, really.

Maybe they didn't kill them all. Maybe they left one for us.

The other day I saw tracks on both sides of the river.

Come on, drink some.

Have some egg.

The blizzard is coming. Come back, or we'll freeze!

What kind of hunting is this, with all the beasts hiding...

Never mind the blizzard.

The smaller beasts hide but the bigger ones still go out.

I wish I would just freeze to death.

Uncle, the wolfs!

And you said there were no wolves left!

Here I am! Here I am, my darlings!

As big as life!

What happened to you, Fyodor?

I got chewed by the dogs, Philip Ilyich.

In my old age, I got the dogs unleashed at me.

We went to cut down dead trees next to the brook,

and they set their dogs on Daddy.

They took our horse, too, those drill workers.

The horse!

They harass the man on his own land!

Hello, woman!

Give me your son!

What for?

Starting a riot again?

Do you want my Panya killed alongside with you?

And that army of yours is not that big!

However many there is, they're all with us.

The rest of the villagers, they hope to move to the city.

What kind of farmers are they, damn it?

They wet their pants when asked to defend their own land!

Besides, I'm not going to riot. We're not bandits.

And we're not going, despite some suggestions,

to hang the drill workers upside down.

They're just subordinate to someone else.

All I want is to clear one thing out quietly.

How come our land got sold without us knowing?

And who are the smart alecs that sold it?

And we have our guns just in case.

The times are rough, you know.

You too, Evdokiya, used to have as much as 40 hectares

of pasture and meadows.

So, will you give us your son?

Or maybe you, Morozovs, are going to the city too?

To some wretched factory?

Take him. Or he'll croak on this stove-bench anyway.

Why should you need me? I'll be just a burden to you.

And what kind of help can I be?

I've been sick for 2 months already. Let me die in peace at home.

Why do we need him? He'll be nothing but trouble.

It's ok, at least he'll increase our number.

A bad sheep is better than nothing.

Don't worry, you'll die on the road!

Remember, Philip Ilyich, I'm giving you my only son!

Be strict with him but take only smart risks and don't abandon him.

Dead or alive - bring him back to me!

I promise that.

Hey! What is it?

Look, Safronov, we talked it over with my brother,

- We decided not to go. - We changed our mind.

They'll kill us all, and we've got kids, you know.

- Shall I kill them? - No.

First we'll go visit our former collective farm chairman.

I've been wondering why he moved out of the farmstead.

- So we'll ask him. - And if he chooses not to answer?

We'll keep asking then. Quietly.

We talked it over with my brother.

I'll go with you after all. In case it all works out.

- But why only one of you? - In case it doesn't work out.

At least the brother'll be home and having gone nowhere then.

The war's started.

I don't like that.

Cheer up, Lykov. We'll take care of you.

We just need to get near that house.

Listen, Vasily Ivanovich, it's me, Safronov.

Haven't you recognized me?

I've recognized you all right. And two of your pals as well.

I just can't make out the third one.

Then stop shooting. We just need to talk!

We've got nothing to talk about!

And I have the right to shoot you bandits on my private property!

And I sent my family to the city.

- So, were you waiting for us? - You, or the likes of you.

Tell me, Philip Ilyich, have I killed Lykov?

Not yet. You only wounded him.

It's a shame. 'Cause I aimed right at his heart.

Why've you stopped talking?

We're just wondering: should we tear you into pieces,

or just skin you alive

when we get you, you son-of-a-bitch.

Surrender, you bastard, or else I'll blow you up with a grenade!

How come you have a grenade?

I don't. I just wanna scare him.

Kolya, you climb the fence over there.

Panka, you go to the left,

and I'll go to the right. And you, Lykov, stay here.

You may shoot and raise your hat.

Only don't stand up yourself! You better call him all kinds of names!

As he's a spiteful man, he'll start shooting at you.

Then we'll get him from three sides at once.

And mind all of you: you can wound him,

but we need him alive.

Vasily Ivanovich, it's me!

Remember, I asked your daughter's hand!

Ah, Panya!

Why won't you talk to us?

We came to see you,

and you started shooting at us.

Can't you just talk like a man?

You're so spiteful.

Let's take him to the ice-hole.

Tell us, Vasily Ivanovich,

what sort of trick did you pull with our land?

I wish I killed you, bastards!

You and me are almost relatives, so to speak.

We're both war veterans, we shed our blood for our country.

- You have two Orders of Glory. - Three!

And you must have been just a cook's apprentice!

Take him by the hair. My hands are getting numb from the cold.

Bastard! He bit off my finger!

He got away, the bastard! Gone with the current!

The gaff, get the gaff or we'll lose him!

Damn it, where am I going to get the gaff?

Perfiliev! Alive!

There is an opening in the ice over there, Philip Ilyich.

There must be a hot spring running underneath.

That Vasily Ivanovich, that stubborn devil!

Is he dead?

Don't worry, we'll resurrect him.

Some 4 years ago enterprisers from the town came to my place,

and an apparatchik with them.

We talked about cooperation. They promised fabulous profits to our farm.

They treated me to all kinds of foods and drinks for the whole week.

And I signed some kind of a paper, the idiot.

After that they sent us two old tractors,

a truckful of brick, some rusty metal beams.

They made me a personal present - a farm motorcycle.

Then their business failed and they vanished into thin air.

I don't even know the apparatchik's whereabouts.

But one enterpriser lives in the district nearby.

So I'll take you to him.

It's all my fault and I'll expiate my sin with my own blood.

It's just that I don't like the cold when I'm thawing.

I was wounded twice in the winter during the war.

I got frozen dead into the earth but was saved both times.

- How old are you? - I'm 73 according to the passport.

But I added an odd year just to get drafted in the army.

And never mind my age, Safronov.

I just came short of the ammo or you all would be dead.

But for Kolka, I'd have run away to the steppe.

Too bad about my high boots.

I'll wear them out.

Tell me frankly, Philip Ilyich.

Will you consider me as one of you who's been wounded or not?

Will you give our land back to my brother and me?

It's a bargain, pal.

You came with us and shed your blood for us.

And through that you won't be forgotten.

Make sure to keep your promise. Or I'll send my brother in my stead.

Forgive me for having wounded you, Lykov, and get better.

Once I return, I'll give you my best goose.

All right, but send me your sheep,

the breeding one, to make my own wool.

You promised in front of everybody! A wool-producing sheep!

I wish we had a couple of dogs to make it soft,

or, even better, a sofa...

This is how I see it.

Man is like animal species,

he's tired of a millennium-long life.

Both the old and the young ones are tired.

You'd think man has more food and sleep and rest now,

and the life is more sparing... But still man has lost his tenacity,

he's become weak and vulnerable.

He doesn't have the zest to be a worker or a warrior any more.

It's not true. I, for one, like war.

I wish I could fight all my life.

But fight honestly and get paid accordingly:

with lavish loot and glory. And gold coins,

or land with my own serfs.

But I won't be taken for a fool any more.

Why are you burning my feet?

Taking your revenge on me for the ice-bath?

I didn't do it on purpose.

Come back! You'll let in the cold air!

We need to air it out.

He made a hell of a stench here.

And all this because he undid his foot wrappings!

Can't you give your feet a snow-bath, you oaf!

An interesting book?

- Wow, it's poetry! - Really?

Read it out loud. Give us a dramatic reading!

Yes, Panya, please do.

'twas twilight...

On the empty road,

Under a thickish oak appeared

A horseman in a sheepskin coat.

But suddenly his mount reared,

The horsie faltered, gave a neigh.

Beneath - a streaming river lay,

And over yonder shone a light,

Its flame was shimmering and low.

And - Gee! - he urged his mare to go

No matter what - all through the night...

The rainstorm ravaged, and the beams

Of thunderlight like arrows flashed.

The wind was harsh, its heavy streams

The trees wet to the marrow lashed.

The wind was harsh, its heavy streams

The trees wet to the marrow lashed!..

Our enterpriser seems to be in a great hurry.

We've come just in time.

The rumors seem to have quick feet in the steppe.

Going on a vacation, eh?

Tamara, take the children into the house.

I must have a word with the comrades.

Your woodshed, Makhotin: its roof needs patching.

I was going to do it in the spring.

Do me a favor, Vasily Ivanovich, a personal favor.

Let my woman and kids go.

She must see her mother.

Why don't you bid us to come in?

You're welcome.

But please let my family go.

My mother-in-law is very ill and my kids are so little.

Well, let's go into the house.

He's so bull-headed, he says he knows nothing.

And that they'll kill his whole family if he talks.

Give me some room, I'll need the stove.

What a brute you are, Poluyanov, a fascist, a bandit -

to treat him like this!

Hey, pal, take your time, relax.

Do you feel bad? Did he torture you?

Here, have some. Come on.

Relax a bit.

Kolya, go and bring the kids.

Relax, stay where you are.

He won't touch you again. Let me cover you like that -

or you'll scare your own kids.

Don't worry. In fact, they're kind-hearted people.

They won't kill your husband.

They'll ask him some questions and we'll go away.

Why did they take the kids?

They just want to put him to reason,

so that he sees the kids and repents.

- Have mercy on the kids. - Are they your kids?

Yes, and they are our last ones.

My wife couldn't conceive for a long time.

I'll tell you everything, just take my kids off the stove!

You silly woman! You'll kill your own kids!

- Is everybody alive? - Yes.

- Shall I kill her? - Don't shoot!

Tamara, drop the gun. Everything is all right.

We've discussed everything and they're leaving now.

My brother sent me to you

to make sure we get our land back.

Damn it! I got wounded too.

And I hitchhiked all the way here.

It's always like this with me and my brother, it must be our fate.

As kids everyone jumped into the quarry

and just the two of us broke our legs.

I hitchhiked to get here. Didn't think I'd catch up with you.

Philip Ilyich, be sure to keep your promise about the land.

My brother and me shed our blood for it.

I draw a land plan here for you.

We have 85 hectares.

I've also added a little ravine but it's only a tiny spot of land.

We could also send our elder son on our behalf.

You better not, he may get killed accidentally.

Don't forget that plan! With the ravine!

I feel terrible. I must be dying.

Have some courage! You are not Denikin

to get from the steppe right into London. You must persevere.

You'll be all right - I just broke two of your ribs with the tongs.

You'll heal like a dog, in no time. It's your own fault anyway.

He must be insane.

I could cut his head off slowly,

but then he won't talk ever at all.

What'll we do?

Maybe we should boil him, slowly and tenderly?

I saw a cistern in the closet.

So you aren't afraid of dying, old man?

Undress and untie him.

What's on your mind?

I wanna show the infernal world to comrade Simavin.

Life after death.

It's cold down there.

- Take the knife, Kolya. - No need.

I'll gnaw on him with my own teeth, tenderly.

We'll just sit with him in the darkness for a while.

Just don't interrupt us.

So, Panya, how's life?

Life is nice, Vasily Ivanovich, really.

Never mind, we're not old at all yet.

We'll yet live to party at your wedding.

Give me a drink! I'm dead cold!

It's cold down there like in a grave.

So, the apparatchik confessed

and then died from fear.

Well, we ought to have boiled him down instead.

You didn't really have to do it this way...

I had to make sure he wasn't lying!

I hate them apparatchiks. Even the dead ones.

- Vasily, are you alright? - Not sure, I think he's dead.

Go ahead, I'll catch up with you at the station.

Help! Somebody!

Open up!

Help!

Help! They'll kill me! Open the door, you bastards!

You must be Simavin's son.

It was me who killed your father.

- How is he? - He's dying.

Here, Vasily Ivanovich, this is the man who killed you.

Amuse yourself before you die.

You grew up to be a good man.

Let me kiss you farewell.

So, farewell everybody.

- May you rest in peace. - Farewell.

Farewell, my friend, farewell.

You lived an honest life and you took an honest death.

He didn't like it when it's cold...

Your coat... It's swelling with blood.

It's all right.

It's like an Egyptian pyramid.

Can it be that very place?

It's here all right. Simavin told me the truth.

I guess our land is covered with gold but it's not for us.

The farther from home, the more expensive it gets.

We won't get that certificate.

We can't shoot everyone inside. There must be thousands of them.

We can't take the guns.

The guards will search us. I'm sure of that.

Let Philip Ilyich hide a knife in his sleeve,

they won't suspect him.

And I'll bring a razor in my mouth.

Let's have some sleep.

My jacket is all wrong.

We're just humble people,

we acknowledge your power and superiority.

Take what is yours. If needed, we can collect more and bring it to you.

You'll always have bread and meat and everything you might want.

Why should you need our land?

We plough it and grow our bread, the way we've done

for a thousand years. We know nothing else.

What can be so funny about that?

You are so funny.

You're nice, simple folks, really.

But you have sold your land.

Now everything can be bought and sold.

I bought it legally so the land is mine

for a hundred years! How can I give it away?

Should I give my land to you, I'll have to give it to everyone.

They're all good people too.

No way! I will drill an oil well on your land.

Look here - these are oil and gas samples from all my lands.

And these are from all around the world.

They haven't even been discovered yet.

Say, this is from an Arabian oil field,

not yet discovered.

And this is from the Arctic region.

And this is from China, from Sin-Tsyan.

Nobody even knows there is oil down there.

But it's rich with sulfur!

This came from American secret wells.

The oil's rather thin, really.

And this one is from your place, from the Urals.

- Do you mean we have oil? - There is oil everywhere,

and always has been.

It's like blood. The Earth has its veins everywhere.

I'll be drilling for a hundred years.

I'll drill right through the heart of the Earth.

All the Earth's blood will be mine!

As for the money you brought,

look at this desk.

It's worth more than your whole village,

with its bread and all.

Let's have a drink.

You are my compatriots, after all.

I come from the Urals too.

Do you know that there used to be tigers in the Urals?

Well, you seem to be totally right.

One can see you're a wise man.

So take our money as a token of our loyalty.

And don't forget us, humble creatures,

in your mercy.

We'll tell all the farmers about your sympathy.

And to remove all the doubts, pray, show us the certificate.

This jacket is all right!

Directed by Petr Lutsik