Pyotr Aleksandrov
In an Aleksandr Sokurov film The Second Circle
Written by Yury Arabov
Camera by Aleksandr Burov
Production Design by Vladimir Solovyov
Sound by Vladimir Persov
He's stopped breathing. A nice kettle of fish...
You see, when I was out calling a doctor...
What about the death certificate?
Death certificates are issued at the outpatient clinic.
And where is that?
You're not a local?
Take the 35 bus. Get off at the last stop,
then ask for directions.
I am giving you our team's number.
We'll record it as a non-violent death.
You should have placed him in the hospital.
Everything would have been easier than that.
Where is your father?
Over there.
Do you have a sponge, water and soap?
There's no water. The pipes are torn.
There's snow.
What are you doing?
- What are you doing? - Help me.
Why?
- Help me. - Why?
Help. He's not heavy.
Dried up, like a mummy.
Open the door.
Open the front door.
Where are you going?
I need a doctor.
I'm a doctor.
My father has died.
Have a seat.
Did the ambulance come?
Here is the team number.
What was he ill with?
He wasn't ill with anything.
He only complained about his lower back and stuff.
And his name?
Malyanov, Alexey Dmitrievich. 6 Svetlaya Street.
Seryozha, get me his health records.
Well, did you call your doctor?
I live in another town.
He was living alone.
So...
By the look of his skin, one can say it was cancer.
Now everything is considered cancer.
Why is the clinic so empty today?
Today's Sunday.
You're lucky.
I'm quick at drawing up documents.
Because I remember that Ilyich bequeathed to us
to fight against bureaucracy.
Which Ilyich?
We had only one: Lenin.
Seryozha, did you get them?
No.
That can't be.
What file was he in?
I think a local one, as it is a district clinic.
And what was his occupation?
Military man, retired.
Well, that means he was recorded at the Ministry of Defense clinic.
No. He had quarreled with all his people.
Everything's going to be all right.
Let's call it cancer. What is the official term?
So...
- Cancer. - Cancer.
The telephone number of the undertaker is on the other side.
For now, get yourself some sleep.
The most terrible thing has been left behind.
You will face hard times.
Where?
- Did you call for an undertaker? - What?
Come in, please.
You're keeping the body at home.
Well, why is the window open?
Please, have a seat.
Thank you.
May I?
I'll sit down. Put it somewhere.
Sit down.
Okay, let's...
I can perfectly understand everything,
but unfortunately...
we need to go through all the documents.
What documents?
Yes, documents.
What documents?
The documents for the funeral.
What documents are necessary?
Passport and death certificate.
Whose passport?
Mine or my father's?
The deceased's.
By the way, floors need washing.
I haven't had time.
- How much will it cost? - I'll tell you everything.
Wait. I'll tell you everything.
Are you going to order a coffin for your father?
Of course I'm going to.
Measure him, please.
Unfortunately, I'm scared of him.
This is a meter?
One, right?
You know, I really don't know much about mechanics.
A meter and 85 centimeters.
A standard-sized coffin will fit.
It costs 44 rubles, a red one.
What year was your father born?
1926.
I see you smoke. Would you mind?
They're my father's. Please, take one.
I have nothing else to offer. Nothing else.
I have nothing else to offer.
The smell is very strong.
Want a smoke?
All funeral services are for cash only,
around 250 rubles.
I've only got two or three hundred rubles.
Yes.
Well, we can try. I won't charge you extra but...
you want a modest funeral in fact, yes?
I've only got 230 rubles.
So...
Cremation of adult, memorial service...
Are you going to order a coffin for your father?
Small hall...
Coffin, standard size, red: 44 rubles.
Does it suit you?
Do you have a white one?
White is for brides.
10 rubles more.
Do you want it?
Oh, no. 10 rubles more, no.
What about the hearse?
There and back?
I don't need it back.
I am alone and...
All right. 17 rubles, 70 kopecks.
Also cremation, urn, bag with ashes...
Is cremations really necessary?
Have you got a spot at the cemetery?
Well, I'll get one.
You know, cremation is very hygienic.
Everything left of cancer patients should be burned.
I'll burn everything, but not my father.
Cremation is the best thing.
It is better to cremate.
That's my advice as a professional.
Trust me.
There's no need. No need...
No need.
There'll be a lot of trouble with the cemetery.
You'll have to go to the place. It'll take time.
Will they give me a spot in the cemetery if I ask?
I don't know.
That's beyond my control.
All right...
I can only order cremation.
Will it suit you?
Can you order it later, in case they don't give me a spot in the cemetery?
- We can re-order, at the very least. - Well, don't order now.
- What do you mean? - Don't order the cremation.
Do you need nothing at all?
What about the funeral accessories?
Of course, but no cremation.
Cover, pillow...
stockings, lace cap... 30 rubles.
What does he need stockings and a cap for?
What is that for?
Well, without a lace cap... 23 rubles, 70 kopecks.
He's a man. Why stockings?
I'm cutting them out.
An orchestra with an organ:
25 rubles.
Why an organ?
Without an organ.
Without an organ?
Without an orchestra?
Zero rubles, zero kopecks.
Red carnations: 27 rubles and 54 rubles.
I need an orchestra but I don't need an organ.
What sort are you buying? The 27 rubles kind?
The cheaper kind, of course.
All right.
Including delivery and assembly: 31 rubles.
All right. All right.
Plus embalming and morticians.
That's it.
The total is...
Well, 207 rubles...
18 kopecks.
Fine. Just a minute.
You know, I think I've been robbed.
What?
Are you taking me for a fool?
I just got sick on a bus yesterday.
Look in the closet.
Old people like to hide things in their bed clothes.
Don't. I'll do it myself.
What are you doing? Don't touch it!
I understand everything,
but I've still got five more deaths today.
Go to the other end.
Inject through the shirt.
Has the coffin been delivered?
I said has the coffin been delivered?
Did you pay with your own money?
Go get it.
Thank you.
Put it down.
Put it down!
It's dirty.
What is this?
This... What is this?
Are you an idiot? What is this?
What is it?
So what is it? And what is it?
And what is...
And this? And that?
- Thank you. - At least you dressed him.
I promise you I'll pay you back.
You're damn right, you'll pay me.
Take it.
Take this thing, take it!
Put it there. Like this.
It's okay now.
So where are the accessories?
Pillow, cover... Go get them.
Is it a cover?
Is it?
Come here.
I said come here!
Help me.
Don't you understand? Stand here!
Oh, my God.
And this.
Are you going to bury him in bare feet?
Has the man got a pair of socks?
It's a necessary thing for a man.
Put them on. Hurry up!
- Just a moment. - Let me. Go away.
Come on. Pull them up.
Are you going to move or not?
- Get away. - Hold it! I'll do it myself!
I can do it myself!
Asshole.
Hold, please!
I can do it myself!
Myself!
I can do it myself!
Asshole.
That's it.
Give me a blanket.
There. Spread it, please.
What is this for?
All right.
Take it.
Move up. There... in front.
In front!
Cover him.
Maybe...
Get the pillow.
Where is it? Where?
It's over there. Do I have to get it myself?
Lift him up.
Lift him.
Don't be afraid. It's your father.
Get the flowers.
We forgot the slippers.
Over there.
What are the slippers for?
Maybe...
Put them on. Faster.
Maybe shoes would be better?
Is he lying in a bed or going for a walk?
What are the slippers for, then?
It's the law.
Aren't people always buried in shoes?
What a smart-ass.
I can tell you have a lot of funeral experience.
What are you standing in the door for?
That's all, I guess.
Come on. Let's carry it.
Lift him. You're tipping him.
Hold on!
Turn around.
We're stuck.
Lift it higher.
Lift higher.
Higher.
He may fall out.
Yes... No, like this.
It's not working.
Bring it back!
Bring it back, I said!
Put it down.
- Is there rope? - I'll look...
Here. What shall I do?
Wrap it around.
Okay...
Vadim, help him.
Lift it up.
Okay, okay, okay.
Too high again.
Okay, you take it.
Oh, God...
Carefully.
Sorry.
Lucky are the nearest and the dearest of ours, who died before us.