Original subtitles

April 26, 1986.

At the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, an accident occurs.

As a result of many coincidences -

and human carelessness -

the reactor core overheats during a test.

Then the first explosion occurs followed by a red flame.

Dear listeners, catastrophic events can happen -

when accidents and carelessness coincide.

Hearts are especially sensitive to this combination.

And when things start to go terribly wrong -

another explosion occurs.

Followed by a blue flame.

So. That was it.

The radioactive fallout spreads over Europe.

And an extremely radioactive cloud moves towards Finland.

Towards a certain small village.

And of course, the cloud stops right above it.

Where else?

And then it starts to rain.

Damn.

Start now.

Dear listeners, if you are afraid of A, love -

or B, nuclear explosions -

you can turn off your radios -

and leave me.

LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT

- Chernobyl... - Chernobyl!

It's quite close to us.

We have reliable...

Come in.

Hi. You must be our new student Miranda.

You were supposed to come fifteen minutes ago.

Mimi, if you don't mind. Mimi.

Yes, we can also use your nickname.

There is a free seat behind Mariia.

Take that one.

We have reached chapter five in the math book.

The homework was pages 11 and 12 in the exercise book. Let's review them.

Is she leaving already? No idea.

Hey, new girl! Give me a cigarette.

She doesn't even bother to answer. Is she religious?

No, she's probably just poor.

Damn, it's so cold.

...used as drinking water for humans or animals.

People are advised not to travel to Ukraine...

The authorities have issued new recommendations -

to avoid the health risks of the Chernobyl accident. However...

Was that the last one? What will you do if it was?

The authorities fear new fallout will reach Finland...

Damn Karate Kid. Now...!

Take mine. I don't want it.

Radioactivity is still decreasing...

It's terrible.

Children and the elderly have been exposed to radiation.

You also get radiation at the hospital.

Idiot! You're one too!

Stop it now!

You... I want to break up again.

Again?

I went there, and I saw a syringe on the ground.

So you saw it? Yes.

I picked it up. You're crazy!

I didn't know it was a syringe.

Miranda, you need to go to the principal's office.

Let's get started.

You couldn't have known.

You couldn't have known.

I've never seen a snuff syringe either.

Or a narcotic syringe. Exactly.

She probably doesn't know it was you.

It's Mariia Ovaskain.

I'm looking for the notorious snitch, Miss Ovaskainen.

Sorry, who am I speaking with?

You know. Come down to the beach.

One more step, and I shoot.

Then shoot.

Can you do me a favor? Pretend you're my friend.

Okay.

Come on.

Sorry, I'm in bad shape. I hate gym class.

Come on.

Now it calmed down.

Welcome to Villervalla!

These are my uncles, 59 and 62.

You call them numbers? Yes.

Come on. Mimi. You were supposed to wash dishes.

Look, grandma, I have a guest.

Mariia is helping me with homework. Come here.

Marie Antoinette. Your friend is as beautiful as a flower.

This is my room.

I got it, when Aunt Kyli moved downstairs.

Nice.

I haven't really had time to decorate it.

Okay.

Won't you sit down?

Sew, sews, sewed, sewn.

Win, wins, won, won.

Win, wins, won, won. Wins... Win.

Win, wins, won, won.

Work...

Why did you agree to this?

Why did you ask me? Because of grandma.

She wants me to have a friend. That's how she is.

Does she really think you're Marie Antoinette?

I just thought Mariia and Marie sounded good together.

Why did you lie about the drugs?

I don't know. That's not good enough.

It must have been the radiation from Chernobyl.

I ate sorrel that weekend and went completely crazy.

Stéphanie of Monaco 20 years ago. Let's listen...

Mariia!

Why are you so late? Hi.

The potatoes are already cold. I tried to call you.

You didn't have to cook. What did you do to your hair?

I dyed it light. Leave it.

Did you eat on the way? No. It always takes so long.

So many things for a week? Don't take the big one.

Have you lost weight? No.

But you have. It's because of the medicine.

I can take the backpack. Take this one.

Well then...

Welcome home.

I've made some changes.

You didn't get to go through them properly.

There's no reason to leave the rooms as they were.

I said it was fine.

Dad always said we should renovate, but guess if that happened.

He and Hanna are always renovating.

I'll let you unpack in peace.

Good morning. Wake up.

You can't sleep all day. I'm on summer vacation, mom.

Aren't you supposed to do a children's disco with Satu-Siiri today?

Get up! Mom!

Did I say I have to go to work?

No. Well...

If you have to go, then you have to go.

Well... Are you okay here? The treatments make me tired, but...

They don't deserve us. No.

Hi Satu-Siiri. Hi, Mimi.

How's it going?

Last soul.

Shall we show the next generation how it's done?

They're almost as old as you.

I have to go.

Ovaskainen. It's for me.

It's for me!

Mariia.

Mimi. Come here now!

Answer honestly. Did you take money from grandma's purse?

No.

We all have our needs, but I put them aside -

to feed a certain young person.

Touch me, Lord Be quiet, mom!

Why is your mother so angry?

She doesn't want to be here.

Like all of us.

Then why are you here?

Aunt Kylli takes care of grandma.

59 and 62's home is being renovated.

My dad drove me here, because he's an asshole -

and his parents are dead.

Your family is a bit weird. They're not my family.

Except for grandma.

Stop that. I have a light brain.

Stop it now.

Shall we read?

Maybe you should go.

I don't feel like speaking Swedish right now.

How do you want your life to be?

How do you feel about your mom being sick?

How does it feel to hang your head out the window?

How does this feel?

Why did you choose me?

No, you chose me.

It's late.

Not yet. Get up.

What the hell?

Do you sleep naked? Yes.

Aren't you cold? No.

Besides, you always said that the pussy needs airing out once in a while.

I never said that. Yes, you did!

I'm going for a run.

You? Seriously?

This is Chernobyl.

We are soldiers who must clean the area.

This is our last night. We die after this.

Haven't you followed the safety instructions?

Not a single one.

They did this for their homeland.

And for their thousand daughters.

Honey, take an iodine tablet.

When were the gutters last cleaned?

I don't know. Should I climb up there?

You'd better do it right away.

The biggest problem is the chimney.

If it gets clogged, it'll be expensive.

Yes, yes. Do you have sparkling water?

Don't move. Don't hesitate.

Vanilla ice cream. Thanks.

I poured a can of pineapple in. I hope you like it.

I love desserts. Good to hear.

It's good to have a good appetite.

Did you help Miranda with her homework?

Yes, but now it's summer, so...

Yes, exactly.

The wallpaper needs to be changed.

It's barely sticking to the wall.

I'm leaving now.

So you girls can have some peace.

Four minutes. Longer than usual.

It's because of you.

Was he hungover?

Maybe a little.

Hi. Hi. Good to see my daughter.

Did you eat at Satu-Siiri's? No. I was with Mimi.

Yes, yes.

With the new girl? She's crazy.

Erkki, it's the drug girl.

The drug girl. Didn't she fail in Swedish?

Who are we talking about?

She probably smokes too. He also smoked at piano camp.

Shut up! The uncles also drink.

I know them from work. We've known them for many years.

All sorts of things have happened in that house.

Like that, also the window. No, also the window.

It's fine. A bit more over there.

Don't spray me! Wash it properly.

Wash it properly! I am.

Wait a minute...

Now I'm going to rinse you!

Yes, it's rinse time!

Hi. Hi.

Do you think dad saw you?

No.

Shall we meet at the beach from now on?

My parents are freaking out about the drug thing.

You're the one who started it. Yep.

Dear listeners.

If someone gives you a key, take it.

If someone bares their wound, press your own against it.

There you are.

A promise.

You are never alone.

A lazy thief doesn't consume much.

Have another piece.

Good morning. Good morning.

Me and dad think, you shouldn't see that girl again.

Her...

I can't handle more things right now.

Saimi. Mom!

Satu-Siiri!

Hey, there you are.

You look good. And you're blonde.

Yes.

Good to see you. It's been a while.

From mom. A little cake. Thank you very much.

Silja, come and see who's here.

You need wine. I'm driving.

Silja, did you hear that? Hi.

Hi. My favorite godchild.

Janne goes hunting with his friends almost every weekend.

But is everything still okay?

I don't know. I can't bear to think about it right now.

Maybe he'll pull himself together. He always does.

I like Janne.

We decided to have a third child.

Yes, you did.

Satu-Siiri, Silja and Saimi Asikainen.

You're like out of a girl's book.

What will the new one be called?

Seppo, damn it.

Is it a boy? Yuck. Yes.

What about you?

Your mom told me you lost your job.

We always bump into each other at K-Market.

I think she's cool. You can't mean that.

Yes. I have no choice.

All my friends are moving away from here.

I'm here. On a visit.

I don't know.

Nonsense. You won't stay here.

You're just having a hard time right now.

What the hell?

It's my mom, The Loft.

Sit on The Loft, and we'll make you pretty.

The Loft loves to act.

Everyone always tells her: "Stop acting!"

But she does it anyway.

What does she play?

All sorts of funny stuff.

And boring.

Adult things. You know.

Like when I was seven.

We came here with mom and dad to celebrate grandma's birthday.

The adults started arguing again -

so I went out to swing.

Dad went somewhere, and mom came up here.

Mom called for me.

Just once, but loudly.

Close your eyes.

I didn't come because I wanted to swing.

And go really fast.

Then I heard my grandma shout.

"The Loft! The Loft!"

But..

It was too late.

There are things that can't be undone.

Your turn.

This is Tuula Ovaskainen.

The cancer ward's happiest little mouse.

We sit together in silence for a while.

Nothing extra.

Absolutely nothing.

Are you tired?

I just want to get out of here.

Far away. To Stockholm.

Or somewhere else with the sea.

Are you okay here? Just close the door.

One hundred kilometers, it's not that far.

It's more than one hundred kilometers.

I don't know if there's enough money for return tickets.

I shouldn't have bought those hats. We can always call your dad.

He can pick us up.

If we want to go back, that is.

To the beach, please!

Look.

Did you steal that? No. Grandma gave me travel money.

But I stole these. They wouldn't sell me cigarettes.

Come on, you lazy thief.

That's gotten cold.

Should we ask someone where the beach is?

You ask. It's you who wants to go to the sea.

Ask her. You ask.

Just ask.

Hey, Mimi...

Mimi, wait! Mimi.

There.

This is the worst nightclub ever.

You have nothing interesting here.

Just a rotten stinking stream.

Just go home, girls.

Yes, sorry. We're leaving.

Mimi... It's not over yet.

We can still hitchhike somewhere.

Come on! Someone will give us a ride.

Come on!

I love you, I love you, I love you.

Grandma, are you sleeping?

May I sleep with you?

Good day. Good day. Mimi. Or Miranda.

Mimi is my nickname. I'm in Mariia's class.

Mariia is not home.

I came to return the book.

Mariia helped me with Swedish. As much as we could manage.

Finland's summer is so short.

There's a bit of food on it. That's okay.

Mariia can wipe it off, if she wants.

She doesn't need it anymore -

because it's last year's book.

You can keep it, if you need to review.

You have a nice home.

Thank you.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Excuse me.

What's wrong?

Apart from my life being crap, and you having cancer again?

How long will you stay here?

Weren't you happy, that I came home again?

What? I want to be here and take care of you.

Did you suddenly feel compelled to come here and make porridge for me?

That's what's expected of me, to take care of my mother.

Once we led a group for alcoholic men.

One of them -

a lost man who had been drinking for 40 years, asked -

what he should do to be able to cry again.

Guess what his friend said? What?

"Try the shower, it's easier there."

Go to bed, it's late.

You sleep too little.

I need to... You want to...

Just read at your own pace. One sentence at a time.

I need to... will listen... Listen.

Yes. Just continue.

I need to... will...

...listen to...

You can't give up on the first day of school.

I'm staying.

No one drives here anymore. All the summer guests have left.

Damn bitch!

Hi. Hi.

Where have you been? What's it to you?

Are you mom's spy? Mom got really sick.

Dad is taking her to the hospital.

Chains of accidents.

Loneliness. Survival mechanisms.

Electricity in the air. The fireball in Chernobyl's night sky.

Mothers, who are gone and too old grandmothers.

Grandma, I'm making you a cup of tea.

It seems this story is not a survival guide.

Dear listeners.

One can try to encapsulate accidents in steel and concrete -

but something always seeps out.

Every time.

Shut up!

Kylli and the boys honor mom's memory.

I took a Diazepam. Good girl.

Dad doesn't want me.

He and Eerika are so busy right now.

I wish I had money.

I have to go.

Today was a funeral. Tomorrow life goes on.

Here comes a bit of Stéphanie.

It won't be long before we have a penthouse in New York.

And a villa on a beautiful beach.

And for breakfast, we'll have omelets and croissants.

And we can speak French.

And we have jobs in skyscrapers.

This is the best part. Listen.

Take care.

It means "receive care."

Thanks.

Aunt Kylli was there.

It's hard to imagine her dancing.

She's planning to travel.

She only came for grandma's sake.

What about you?

"Those who have kids, must take care of their kids."

So your dad should come.

Right? He's coming, isn't he?

Hey, my beautiful girl.

I think I'll just go home.

I don't want to anymore.

Take this, and go to the hills by the school.

Everyone is probably there today.

Mimi?

One more step, and I'll shoot.

You chose me. I'm saving you.

You can't.

I haven't told you this, but when Chernobyl exploded -

Kylli left a jug of juice on the table.

The next morning, she didn't give me breakfast, so I drank it secretly.

The juice glowed.

59 and 62 threw away their coats from that weekend -

but I always wear the same clothes.

I always wear the same clothes!

I can drive you home.

I'll walk. That way I'll sober up.

Are you coming to school tomorrow? I don't think so.

Bye, bye.

I don't give a damn!

Get out! I'll stay here if I want!

What the hell is going on here?

What's wrong with you?

You don't need to show everyone your ass.

Can we be serious for a moment? I always am.

Ville Niemeläinen. Vesa.

Vesa is the youngest.

How much did he win in 1976? Not much.

It was a good result...

What the hell? You took the wrong glass.

Hi.

I brought the homework again.

Come back to school.

I'm just so tired.

And tired. And tired.

You should go out.

What do you want to do?

I just want to stay here.

Hi.

What's up?

Are you okay?

Do you want painkillers? I already took some.

What can I do for you?

Why are you running? What?

I've never met a child who hated sports as much as you.

It's just a stupid movie thing.

Have I seen that movie? No, it's not that special.

Tell me, so I can think of something else.

In many movies, there's a woman who jogs.

If the woman has an internal struggle, she starts to run.

Even though she's having a hard time, she's still strong.

And not a weak lump lying on the couch.

Wow! You're out.

You look more and more like a princess.

Thanks.

Are you feeling better now?

Now I want to dance.

Take care!

Receive it!

Mom?

Think about what you believe -

the original text is about.

Write down your views as a bullet list.

Mariia Ovaskainen, come to the principal's office now.

Mariia!

I'm coming in now.

Oh my god.

Dear friend...

I left it there. Honey.

I left it for death.

It was still breathing, and I just drove away.

What are you talking about, honey?

I hit a deer one evening.

It was really bad, mom!

I couldn't do anything. I just drove away.

You couldn't have done anything.

Don't blame yourself.

You were a child.

There.

Mine is smaller than yours.

We must be careful, as everything easily becomes inflamed in the summer.

Remember to disinfect.

Okay, Doctor Ovaskainen.

I'll take care of you.

Yes, you will. Good that you found me.

I would take on half of what you've been through.

I wouldn't let you do that.

Shall we go out and swim?

It's going to be a thunderstorm. Good.

Today, Chernobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine -

close to Belarus.

There are no tourist trips to the area.

But somewhere nearby people live.

They fry potatoes and subscribe to newspapers just like us.

They and their children have survived disasters.

They intend to continue living.

They breathe God's air and radiate light, light, light...

...which is called the joy of life.

Translation: SanneD AI