Rock Film Studio With the support of
the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography
Present
Yevgeny Mironov
Yevgeny Tsiganov
Irina Pegova
Yelena Lyadova
An Alexey Uchitel Film
Screenplay: Alexander Mindadze
Director of Photography: Yuri Klimenko
Keep working!
Harder!
Extend your punch. Further!
Stop!
Change!
- Hi. - Hello.
- Time for work? - And who are you? - Horsie.
- And your real name? - Horseman. So, let's go?
Okay, Horsie. I'll turn you into a camel.
Producer: Alexey Uchitel
Come on, come on then...
Get going, come on!
- Hold still. - Who was that, Kirych?
Someone hiding he's just a step away from master.
- And that's the least of it. - He's what?
All week he played like he was a beginner.
- And you unmasked him. - I could feel it.
- What do you want, friend? - Nothing, friend.
- Wanna do it again? - Again?
You can do it with a woman. Say it right.
- Not enough for you? - Nope.
Let's spar some more.
- OK. I'll be there for sure. - I will... unmask you.
- When? - To show up? Let's go tomorrow.
- Be here. I'll be waiting. - I work. Tomorrow's my shift.
Understood.
And how about earlier?
- Like, six in the morning? - OK. That suits me.
All right then.
- What do you need this for? - I'm learning your method.
- Not enough for you? - No.
- Go again tomorrow? - Fine.
Keep beating me. At the tournament I'll kill you.
Stop screaming, Horsie!
You'll get drunk and start screaming again.
Rimka, go away! BEER!
Come here, Efim.
I love you so much.
"Only the one you love can have such beautiful eyes."
Work with your legs.
Your legs are weak, and the legs are most important.
Dance, don't stop.
You're well trained, friend. Clearly, you've been schooled.
- Where at? - Nowhere. The school of life.
- Hit. Hit. - What do you need it for?
- To stay in shape? - What for?
For military readiness if need be.
If need be what, friend?
Who knows? Say, if my country calls.
Is that possible?
That's enough. Take that dodger.
I'm not dodging. You just keep missing.
Come on, hit. Don't get mad. You'll hit me. I promise.
- So, how much more? - One more. Third time lucky.
Oh, all right.
- Hang on... - Hang on, hang on...
"If you're quiet as a mouse, you'll get further in the house."
Stop fidgeting with your rhymes. Give it here.
"You'll be running heart a thumping."
"I could scream in your ear 'Have no fear!"'
You promised to introduce me to your girl Lara. You forgot?
"You'll forget how you fled, your tail between your legs."
Bring her by. We can make some pastries together.
"You'll rack your brains. Why?"
- "You'll rack your brains..." - Hang on...
"Why you're scared again?"
Do you know how your father tested me? With pastries.
That's enough, friend.
It looks like really is it third time lucky.
You really stood up to it. I didn't expect it.
- You live in a hostel? - Where else?
I understand. You work at the docks?
- I'm a high-altitude fitter. - A Party assignment?
- No, a different kind. - What kind?
A life assignment.
You assigned yourself to this?
Exactly.
Jump on. I'll give you a ride.
You'll look around and I will do the pedaling.
Jump on.
Come on! Take a seat!
They don't call me Horsie for nothing. Let's go!
Look, friend, I just thought... Move in with me.
In the hostel it's just crazy with booze and parties.
I live just with mom. There's enough space. How about it?
Not for long though. Maybe I'll get married soon.
My Lara has a son named Valery. You understand.
You can live there meantime.
We'll move your things now. Well? Deal?
- Friend, what's up? - We're here.
Where are you going, friend?
- Hey, friend. Wait! - I'll see you at the tournament.
Haven't I met you somewhere before?
- Honey! Honey! - What do you want?
- Tea. - You'll wait.
Listen, shall we get some fresh air?
- Did you say something? - No.
Let's step outside stranger.
How long do I have to wait?
You'll wait as long as it takes. Got it?
- What the hell is this? - Get lost.
When are you going to lose some weight?
None of your business.
And I... guarded your case.
This is supposed to be tea?
Honey, make it stronger. You call this tea?
- What do you want? - Pardon me, but this is a piss test.
Keep yapping, smart-ass.
Look how everything just works together.
You did right not to follow me. Means you've got sense.
The two of us would have killed them. You know what, Horsie?
Well, next time - you go. I'll just guard the case.
Hold it. It's my turn.
Vitya, what are you doing?
We're just the volunteer patrol.
Hold him, hold!
Where's the one in the bell-bottoms?
We should have checked his documents.
Where's your pal?
- So, he's my sparring partner. - Who?
Leftie.
Suddenly I look, and he's not there.
- How's that? - Swam away. - Where to? - Don't know.
- Who swam away? - Who?
I don't know his name.
HIM.
- So, leftie swam away. And so? - That's it!
That's not enough for you?
Lara!
Larka! Lar!
- Sit down! - At the table? No way. - We have to talk.
Wait. I need advice. Like from a wife.
You need to take advice like this. We can't sit down.
- So, ask. So he swam away? - Yeah.
- And didn't come back? - Yes, didn't come back.
- It means he drowned. - No. I don't know that.
- Horsie, he's for real? - Yes. - Know what I think?
He wanted to get rid of you. You are very naive, Horsie.
- Yeah, but why? - He just got tired of you.
Lara, please, don't call me Horsie anymore.
- Never? - Please.
I won't then.
"'Come back.' Again and again I call to you. 'Come back.'
Just one word from you will bring back our love and life."
Will we see the satellite flying today? Will we, huh?
- Look, it's there! - Where?
- There it is. - Where?
Horsie. Yes, I'm Horsie.
- Let's run! - Quickly!
Border guards!
- I couldn't find my panties! - What?
- I couldn't find my panties. - No one will see!
How can I go to the restaurant without panties? How?
No one will see down there. Only I saw, but I won't tell.
Run, quickly!
Shit!
"I seek for political asylum."
Why in the hell would they need me there?
Political asylum... I speak as well as a horse.
Why don't you knock?
And why did you suddenly jump into the icy water?
I temper myself in north seas. Temper yourself like steel, see?
- In case your country calls? - Exactly. Any more questions?
You know what I thought?
Wow. She looks like Lara.
I had some God-awful thoughts. What is that?
Where are we?
- It's marked black. - Ah here. And this red line?
It's the border.
- And what's this? - Transistor radio.
May I?
I can't even pronounce it.
Phew! Words are flying.
Friend, you'd be better off studying language than boxing.
Maybe you're... What's it called? Who knows a lot of languages...?
- A polyglot. - What kind of glutton?
- Language. Can do ten at once. - Hey, what's this book?
"Phrase Book"
Can I take it? I'll return it.
Take it. Such talent shouldn't be wasted.
But here's the deal: Get me some flippers.
Ask the guys on the docks, or wherever. Just get them.
OK. They're called flippers?
Flippers make your legs like a frog's so you can swim fast.
Fast and very far away.
Put it back. I only have one.
- And now what did he say? - How should I know?
She sings like Lara.
In English though.
He tempers himself in the seas. And he's learning languages.
He has a transistor radio with foreign voices.
Kirych, he has the whole world, the globe, in his room!
He's got a map... Wow! And it's got red pencil marks all over.
- What's marked? - Where we live. Near the border!
Help me to get him flippers.
Flippers. For legs like frog's. Can you help me? No?
Why don't you ask anything? I'm telling you everything.
I'm your eyes and ears. You asked me to keep an eye on him.
Yes, and I don't regret it. Follow his example. Study. Swim.
Just don't fall behind. Where he goes, you go.
If he goes in the water, you follow. Get in shape!
It's always better than tumbling with a girl on the beach.
She still has a child at home. Am I not right? I'm right!
Hey, Kirych! Kirych!
Why don't you shave? Are you growing a moustache?
- Any objections? - No, why... No.
We'll see. If need be I'll get rid of it.
- What need? - Lf your Majesties don't like it.
- Lf something actually grows. - Where's "if need be" from?
- Maybe he's a criminal. - Who?
You know. Maybe he did his time and now...
- Tell him, sister. Tell. - Exactly.
- Why is he sticking to you? - I'm sticking to him, get it?
That's what you think. You think you're sticking to him.
Listen, maybe he's one of them. A man that's... into men.
What do you call them?
- Well? - Queers? - Yeah, right.
- I'm going to hit you, Lara. - Do it! Use one of your moves!
Get lost, or I'll smack your behinds!
Oy, it's boiling!
- Borsch and two cutlets. - Yeah, coming right up.
Put it back right now! I'll slap your hands!
And the other one. That's it.
- Horsie, just a cutlet... - Come on, please, please...
Please...
- You're at the stove all day. - You know how hungry I am?
- You're next to the frying pan. - So what? Put them back.
- Why? - Because it's next to me and it's forbidden.
Three, four... IT'S BOILING!
Lara!
Ah, my bag. Where are you off to all naked?
Come here little one. It's cold.
Get inside!
Nice...
Very nice...
I love my job.
Not "ass". It means work, Mama.
Lara, stay with us. Move in here forever.
Stay. Bring your son.
I've just retired. It's as if I sensed this.
Well, there it is. Am I right, Vitya?
- You have a nice mother. - You're nice too, Lara.
I'm not bad either.
- But nothing will work out between us. - What?
Back! Swim back!
Back!
- You still don't know what I am? - No.
Don't you get it? I'm top secret and I can't be followed?
- Not at all? - No.
I knew you had a secret mission.
- Did your trainer also know? - What?! We only talk boxing.
- Not a word. - My lips are sealed.
Where are the flippers you promised? Still haven't come in?
- I'll get them! - All right. I believe you.
- Look, what's that ship there? - It's not a sailing ship.
It's a mother ship. My Lara serves foreigners there.
- She has a pass. - What kind of foreigners?
It's where their sailors meet ours.
They let Lara on board.
Your Lara? Your waitress with the runt?
You said that badly. With a 'child.' Shame on you.
Do those foreigners come in on their own ship or get picked up?
Their own. They've got a reputation to uphold.
- So, I'm not allowed near you? - No.
- I'll come to you if need be. - Understood. Bye.
- Hey, what's your name? - Gherman...
Ah, Germany. No, my father was killed there.
- Mine, too. And your name? - Victor. - Well, not just Horsie.
He can scream at his wife, but not at me! There's this guy...
- Yeah, this guy. He's so picky. - So picky about the tea.
- We don't know what to do. - See how he gave me that look?
I saw it. I said, "Sir, look, the tea's fine."
Here, Horsie, try it. It's just normal tea.
- Please... with lemon. - Dropped in for some tea.
To take a look at you. See how you look at work.
I look like this.
Looks fine.
Where's the girl? The one you love.
- Right here. - Well, introduce us.
Come here.
Which of the two?
Which one, huh?
No, you made a mistake.
I did well to drop in for a cup of tea.
Go, Larka! Go!
Lara! Go!
Rima, go!
Well done, girls! That's something! Well done!
Gherman, come here.
Congratulations.
- Can you see the trophy? - Look at me, Horsie!
Gherman, come here.
- Hey! Where are you going? - Come on. Catch up.
- Shall we go to the park? - Let's go.
Then we have to go there.
- Girls, sit on his lap. - We're gonna fall.
I've got you. We're flying!
Lara, are you scared?
"By the town of Gorky, where the clear..."
- Rima, we're higher! - Lara, we're higher!
- We're higher! - Horsie, come on!
More!
Hurrah!
Horsie!
Lara, where are you going?
Give me your hand.
Lara!
We got you! That's it.
- Where to twister sisters? - Trying to get away from us?
What's the meaning of this?
How about coming by tonight? The whole gang.
Friend.
- Deal. - I'll be waiting.
- No visits. - What? Why?
Because... of his eyes. He's got a weird stare.
And his smile. You never know what your Gherman's thinking.
Rima's on his mind.
You! Shave that damn moustache off by tomorrow or we're done!
- What? - Nothing!
- So that's it? Just like that? - The moustache or me.
If your tea-drinker Gherman comes in again I won't serve him.
- What is it with you? - Let him just try.
- Lara, what's wrong? Huh? - Nothing.
Larka. Hey, Larka.
- Maybe we should go? - Where?
To visit him.
So, you work together with your sister at those banquets?
- Which banquets? - With foreigners. On the ship.
- You're an inseparable pair. - Separable. I go there myself.
- And why did you get picked? - I have a son at home.
- And so? - Nothing. I'm tied down.
Understood. And how do you manage the job by yourself?
I have one loader.
- Who's always drunk? - How did you know?
- As a loader myself. - Yeah.
We drag food sacks and boxes... I have to manage it by myself.
- But there is one sober loader. - There really is one? Is it you?
I'm going to become a loader. A loader.
Come here. See this red line? It's our border.
There was a banquet at the base just now.
Because some fishermen were saved.
Either ours saved Norwegians or the Norwegians ours.
When they sit at the table you can't tell who saved who.
- Hold it! Don't drop it. - OK.
Hey! The flippers have washed in.
Open up, drowned man!
Open up! Why did you lock the door? Feet like frogs.
Lara.
Why doesn't it work? Dead batteries?
Where do you get them? They're foreign?
The same place as the radio. From the sailors on the dock.
- It's sort of contraband. - Not sort of. Is.
Can't you plug it in?
It needs a different cord. This doesn't fit our sockets.
So, I'll go.
Oh, yeah... I brought you the flippers. Take them.
Good bye, my dear friends.
- Will you let me explain? - Talk.
Then look at me.
- I can't. - Hear me out, Horsie...
- Talk. - Horsie. - The cutlets are burning.
- I don't know what to say. - Say everything.
I don't know what happened. He tormented me on the dance floor.
How? Tell me!
He'd pull me in when I didn't expect and push away when I did.
He does everything backwards. And then he kissed me here...
- On the neck? - Yes, right here.
Kiss me... Kiss.
- Well... - You understand? - No.
And what then? When? Where did it happen?
- First time where we danced. - And then at his hostel?
No, that was the third time. The second was on the way.
Don't be angry. I know you'll understand.
- It's not my fault. - Then whose is it?
I don't know.
Why were you crying when I came in? Did he hurt you?
Did he hurt you?
- Horsie, he kissed me there... - Where?
There.
Right there, you get it?
Did he go crazy or what?
Rima, get out of here!
And you go away too, Horsie.
The cutlets are burned.
What are you doing, Horsie?
What's the matter?
Horsie!
It's your fault.
When I was good, you were bad.
You were drinking, and up to no good...
Now you're good and I'm the bad one.
Horsie...
Dear Horsie... My darling...
Horsie...
Look!
- What? - You see?
Do you see? A satellite. Do you see a satellite?
- No. - Over there!
- Where? - Over there!
See? Right there.
I see it.
See it.
- We saw it, Horsie. - I see it. I see.
You're so strong. I knew it.
- What is it? - What are you doing?
- You don't like it? - Who taught you such foolishness?
- That fool, of course, huh? - What? - That fool.
- Who? - You know who.
- He's not a fool. - A real one. Hopeless.
- Hopeless? - You don't get it?
No. Rima, I never met anybody smarter than Gherman.
- Maybe he taught you some more of these things? - No.
- You better watch out. - What are you talking about?
If Gherman is a fool then who's the smart one?
- You. - What?
Yes, Victor.
- Rimka. - Yes, Victor.
You're the cleverest in town and maybe the region.
That's why I chose you.
How could you choose me?
I went out with your sister. And we were really in love?
I always knew it would end like this.
I waited.
Every person has to know how to wait for their moment.
When is my moment due? Maybe it's already happened.
- Maybe this is it. - No.
- Then when? - Be patient... - Soon?
Just a little longer. I'll absolutely let you know.
Meantime just keep pedaling.
What do you want, Mama?
Vitya, do you remember when you invited the girl, the first one?
- And so what? - And she has a child. Lara.
And what? Yeah, Lara. So what?
Just asking.
Why did you suddenly remember her?
I don't know.
Mama, go. It's late. You know how late it is? Go.
Kirych, why are you smiling, huh? Why?
- I'm happy! - Why?
- They didn't let him on the mother ship! - Let who?
Who? Your pal. To those Norwegians!
How's that?
Easy. He might have already left. That's it.
- What else can he do here now? - Wait. Who didn't let him?
The people who had to do. And then see, he was Lara's loader.
Wait, Kirych! Wait!
What ship? What do you mean loader? He's a mechanic!
Exactly. What kind of loader?
That's why they didn't let him in, so there'd be no mess.
- And THAT'S why he left? - Why else?
Kirych, YOU made up the idea about the Norwegians!
"I'll go away cause it's the rule, the third one's got to go.
I'll go away cause it's the rule..."
Friend!
- You're not the third wheel, OK? - Yeah, and which one am I?
- I'm talking about us and Lara. - I get it.
Listen, everything's changed. I have another woman now.
- That was quick. - Yes. You don't have to leave.
You only talk boxing with the trainer?
- What else? - About left hooks, yeah?
About a strong defense that can be broken.
What defense do you mean?
And YOU? I'm talking about boxing.
Friend, listen. Stay. Stay. Everything will be like before.
- Well different... but the same. - How?
Like before, you know? Two sisters, two brothers.
How could you say...? Like criss-crossed. Understand?
Criss-cross. Cross-cross. Stay. Stay...
Stay...
- Friend! - Huh?
Take it.
What?
Take it.
It's for you.
You got me flippers, I'm giving you the radio.
We'll call it a trade.
Tea for you?
But make it strong, honey. Don't be stingy. With lemon.
What is this? You call this tea? Take away this piss test.
A transistor is politics...
But for your politics you'll still get charged as a criminal.
Guys, have you gone crazy?
It's me, Horsie. I'm Horsie...
I told you, friend, that I'll always come if you need.
- Need what? - Say, if they were killing you.
First they'll kill you and then they'll charge you. We know.
Where did you come from? You left, didn't you?
Yes. Well, no, as you see. That's it friend. Farewell.
Wait! Wait! How can it be? Come on. Stop!
- Stop! - You remember our agreement?
- Sure. - Then why are you following me?
You don't need to follow me. Don't do it.
- What, friend? Tell me, what? - I don't know.
Listen, friend, I don't have any secret missions. Forget it.
- I'm not top secret. - Then what are you? - Nothing.
- What, just Gherman? - Yeah.
- A worker, a sportsman, a boxer? - Yeah, but you bought it.
Uh-huh. Sure, anything you say.
OK. Listen.
There are ten of us. We're spread out around the country.
We are hidden. It's a conspiracy. Understand?
I understand.
The meeting will be in Kustanay. They're training cosmonauts there.
A commission there will choose the best one...
- And he will fly. - That's why you swim?
You guessed it. It's training. An individual program.
Can I ask you something? The best will fly in what?
- In a rocket. - Rocket?
This year they sent a satellite. Next'll be a cat or dog. Then...
A man?
Then we will fly every year just like taking on a bus.
And a man will get to the moon. He will! It will happen!
Quiet! Gherman...
You know, it will be you, Gherman!
- You think so? - I'm sure.
- One-way communication. - Surely.
- What does that mean? - It means I understand.
Wait... What about language?
What if he knows English?
That's good. There will be international crews. Absolutely.
And another language?
That's very good. Even better.
Where is he? Where is he?
- Who? - You know!
- Yes. - What "yes"?
I know.
Are you mocking me? I'm trying my best for you, fool. And you...
You have no idea who you have gotten mixed up with.
Let's go.
Stop the engine.
Here? Where?
Follow me.
- And you? - I can't.
- I led you here. - I understand. Just wait.
Go. Go. You won't miss it.
Son of a bitch!
I'm all mixed-up. I don't know what to do.
Maybe you'll sleep a little?
Go to Vitya's room and lie down in there.
I don't know.
You have such a good son.
There's no one like him in the world.
- Horsie... He writes poems. Yes. - Some call them poems.
I don't know what to do.
Horsie! Get up!
- Get up! - What? Huh?
Go to sleep.
It used to be like that with me, too.
- Friend. - Friend. I won't pour for you. Don't ask.
I don't want to drink. I need to talk.
What's with you?
I did time in Kustanay.
For nothing. They put me away for fighting.
But really for making too many wise cracks.
Listen, just lie down. Sleep quietly.
Every second guy has gone through prison. I almost went.
But one good man kept me out.
- The limping one? - He's like a father to me.
There was a guy there, Valerka. A political prisoner.
My boxing's from him. Everything's from him.
He opened my eyes.
We decided to run away together.
We'd get more jail time anyway. Might as well die with a bang.
- What then? - That's all.
No it isn't. Go on.
That's it. He took pity on me. Left on his own.
He didn't wake me.
They caught him, took him away, and shot him.
He was standing over me.
I pretended to be asleep.
He knew that I was pretending.
Give me your hand!
- Rimka! Rimka! - Why aren't you at home?
And you dragged Valerka too...
- Go into the train. - And what about him?
Vitya, it's leaving! Go. Go already.
Say hello to Moscow.
- Write me after you get there. - What?
- Write! - Huh? All right.
- Horsie! - Oh well.
I'm not going to Moscow. Who said I was going to Moscow?
- Horsie? - What? - Are you drunk? - No.
You know where I'm going? To Kustanay. To the stars!
All right, Lara. To Moscow. To Moscow.
I'll be back.
You won't be back, Horsie.
Comrade, come on! Faster!
Horsie! I'll remember nobody else but you!
I'll tell Valerka about you when he grows up.
- Valerka? - Yes. Son... Valerka...
Horsie...
What's the matter?
I haven't been drinking, if you hadn't noticed.
But I will have a drink for the occasion. To you!
I can't wait to get to Moscow.
- You'll study to be a diplomat. - That's news to me.
Yes, news to you.
You know what you'll become? An Ambassador.
- Rimka. - And you know where?
To Brazil. That's how everything will end, Victor.
What everything?
Those cutlets of yours.
I don't understand.
Remember in the woods I promised to tell you. You asked me to.
It's your moment, Victor.
Rima...
Forgive me.
Apology accepted.
- May I? - Come in. Pilot?
Just starting.
- So, everything's yet to come? - Of course.
- Quit standing. Here or there? - Here.
Come on. Look, grannies. Pastries, apples...
Rima, run and get some.
- Well? When will you fly? - I'm already flying.
Up there.
When will you take a rocket to the stars?
- Ah. What Ciolkovski predicts. - No, Gherman.
I don't know that scientist.
He's not a scientist. But he's already flown. And you? When?
Oh, please... I can't even dream of it.
I haven't even flown in a serious airplane.
I'm off to Buransk.
They posted me there. I have to change trains in the night.
Friend, wait a second.
Wait. Pastries, apples. Take them.
Give me your name, in case you go to the stars as Gherman said.
Yuri.
- And you? - Doesn't matter. I'm Horsie.
- Well, take care. - Take care.
Yuri! Your shoelace!
Shoelace!
It always does that and always the right shoe.
Thanks.
"Moscow is speaking.
All radio stations of the USSR are working."
Comrade First Secretary of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union!
I'm happy to announce that the first space flight
was made on the Soviet spaceship, Vostok,
on April 12, 1961.
All equipment on the ship worked accurately and faultlessly.
My health is excellent. I am prepared to fulfill
any other task given by our Party and Government.
Major Yuri Gagarin.
Yuri! It's me, Horsie! Do you remember?
Horsie: Yevgeny Mironov Gherman: Yevgeny Tsyganov
Lara: Irina Pegova Rima: Yelena Lyadova
Kirych: Sergey Kachanov Mother: Maria Kuznetsova
Yuri: Dmitry Mulyar Buffet lady: Yelena Galibina
Yefim: Igor Shibanov
Directed by: Alexey Uchitel Screenplay: Alexander Mindadze
Photography: Yuri Klimenko Art Director: Vera Zelinskaya
Sound: Kirill Vasilenko Costumes: Galina Deyeva
Make-up: Klavdiya Malish
1st assistant director: Inna Gorlova
Editor: Yelena Andreeva Producer: Alexey Uchitel
Ripped by: SkyFury