KADR Film Group
presents
ASHES AND DIAMONDS
Screenplay based on the novel by Jerzy Andrzejewski
Starring as Maciek Chelmicki
Cast of Characters
Director of Photography
Camera Crew
Production Manager
Directed by
Who is this guy again?
Name is Szczuka.
The Communist Party's Secretary of the Province.
Could you open the chapel for me, please, sir?
It's locked, see.
Run away!
- What now? - They're coming.
I am used to waiting for bigger things.
- Hurry up! - Bloody ants!
Hurry up! Run!
Guys, hurry up! They're coming! Hurry!
- Take his papers! - He hasn't got any.
Jesus! Mary! Let's run away!
Stop!
Where are you going?
Wait!
What's this?
Two of ours have just been killed.
Came back home to die.
That's where the scoundrels shot from!
The two of us were meant to be killed, not them.
- You think so? - Naturally.
It doesn't matter.
My name is Szczuka.
So you're the Party Secretary we've been expecting.
I have a question. We all do, that is.
Tell us, how long will such men continue to be killed?
Everyone wants to live.
Haven't we lost enough people?
Smolarski lost two sons.
One in 1939, the other was shot here by the Germans in 1943.
And now it was him.
Why? Who killed him?
Poles?
How long is this going to take?
It would be wrong for a communist to console you like children.
The war is over, but our struggle is not.
The struggle for the future of our country has just begun.
Today, tomorrow or the day after any of us can be killed.
We understand you,
but what do we tell his wife?
What can we say?
as I know it was me they meant to kill,
not the two of them.
Heads up! We must do our thing as long as we live.
That's what really matters.
This is a special announcement:
of an unconditional surrender of Germany.
Keitel, Friedeburg and Stumpf.
Marshal Zhukov.
Where is he?
He should be here by now.
Where does he get the information?
The mayor. The moron is his secretary.
So he works for both sides? I hate such things.
Can he be trusted?
Look at the tanks. Not bad at all.
Polish tanks head for the battlefield...
- You're late. Did anything happen? -1 just had to change.
I'm in charge of the whole banquet, look!
Give me that.
The pictures not clear, it's too early.
No kidding?
Don't worry. I know what I am doing.
- The risk is pointless. - Stop bothering me.
- Bye. - Bye.
Good evening, sir.
Look, who's here!
- What brings you here? - Duties, Mr. Kotowicz, duties.
You'll certainly find him here.
A masterpiece! You can trust me on that!
Hello. How you doing?
I see, the end of the war. A very special moment.
A private passage to the toilet.
Thank you, sir. All quiet.
It looks fine to me.
it will taste even better.
Let's go.
- Do you see that pretty girl? - Come on.
Let's have a drink.
Good evening. Can we have something to drink?
What will you have?
Two vodkas straight will be OK.
Miss Krystyna!
Yes, sir?
Drink it up and we're off.
Two double vodkas and sodas.
A pretty bar you have here, you know?
When do you close?
At 3 a.m.
Very much.
So do I.
- Did you see them? - What?
- Then stay. - It's easy to say.
-1 don't get it. - Neither do I.
It must be our master.
Wait. It's all right.
Hello... Yes... This is Mrs. Staniewicz speaking.
I'll put you through.
Major! It's for you.
This is Andrzej speaking.
It's done and over with, sir.
Everything is in order. Yes.
No complications, none whatsoever.
Yes... yes.
Good evening.
Have you got the room for Comrade Szczuka?
It was booked by the Town Committee.
Naturally! We have for you room 18 on the 2nd floor.
Here you are.
Yes...
Yes.
A moment...
What's the matter with you? Are you there?
I don't get it.
The business fell through...
Yes, I see.
What can we do? Well, come over immediately.
- American will be fine. - Here you are.
Thank you.
Yes. Not far from here.
They have a phone. Should I call them?
Here you are.
Thank you.
This is their phone number - 1214.
Here you are, sir, your key.
Yes. The car will be waiting.
How can I help you?
- American or Hungarian? - Hungarian, they are stronger.
- Here. - Thank you very much.
No, please, keep it.
Will you smoke?
- Almost sixty. - You don't even look fifty to me.
For the time being.
A blonde?
Why not?
I am OK with a single. The more intimate the better.
- Are you from Warsaw by any chance? - Exactly.
So am I. I used to work at the Savoy.
- In Nowy Swiat St.? - Exactly.
Downtown to the last day. And you?
Without Warsaw we are not the same.
As if we missed an arm.
The chestnuts are in bloom now in the parks and avenues.
In bloom, you say?
I though I would put you up in a bedbug-ridden room on the 3th floor...
I used to have even less.
Here you are.
- My ID. - Oh, a Kenkarte.
- Chetmicki Maciej. - Yes.
Born in Warsaw in 1921.
- Occupation: worker? - It's to fool the Krauts. Occupation: student.
Thank you.
Why do you cry? Did they tell you something in the kitchen again?
You're beautiful so they are all jealous of you.
What happened?
Which Stasiek? Who did it?
I thought I'd drop dead.
"Killed on the spot" he said.
They were killed by mistake, they were after someone else.
Have a drink. What's done can't be undone. Don't cry.
I'll give you a pair of stockings.
Why not?
Innocent people died meaninglessly after all.
Pricks of conscience...?
You think they're out of place, Major?
Who were they?
Everything clear. It was a mistake and it must be corrected.
Yes?
Is it necessary to kill Szczuka?
should know I don't have to answer such questions.
What you think is immaterial. What's your answer?
Yes.
I'm glad we're on the same page.
However, I will answer your question.
I understand your doubts. I'd be surprised to find you didn't have any.
We accept no compromise. Either they or us.
When did you join the underground?
In 1940.
You wanted to fight for the freedom of Poland, didn't you?
Did you fight for the Poland we have now?
there is only one choice: to fight.
I know.
As far as the man who caused us some trouble is concerned.
who knows exactly what he wants.
You realize what power he has as the First Secretary.
It'll make quite an impression if we remove him swiftly.
the more important now that our local situation is quite grave.
Tonight Capt. Wilk's unit was surrounded by the army and Secret Police.
We suffered great losses. Only a few units managed to retreat.
As far as I know Wilk, he will manage.
Unfortunately, the captain was killed.
Will you, please, sir?
Rather in my husband's.
He'll do all he can to get us abroad.
I have some boring, mundane business to attend.
But it is getting harder and harder to live without it.
Mrs Staniewicz will be able to visit us in our estate within a year...
How are you, Katarzyna?
You do recognize me, don't you?
I do.
It's been but a month since I returned to Poland.
I sent three.
I had nothing more to tell you.
And nothing has changed since.
By the end of 1941, friends informed me of Maria's death.
Should I've sent him to an orphanage?
I explicitly wrote that I didn't want you to bring up my son.
I did not. No letters whatsoever.
Yet even if I had, Marek would have stayed with us anyway.
You seem to forget that Maria was my sister after all.
I don't know.
Is this all you can tell me about my son?
This can't be helped now. But he's 17.
Mark my words. If he's alive, sooner or later he'll be my son.
No. It was nothing important.
Just a moment. This apartment is not safe.
- Who? - You.
Is it?
So I don't.
What should I see? The two of us hardly manage when it gets crowded.
Sure.
Come.
You're mad. This is the quietest place.
Don't you like this table? It's like dreams come true.
You see?
It'll do.
Are you leaving?
Are you crazy?
What happened? Has the major canceled everything?
Quite the opposite.
Who do you think I am?
next door to our common friend?
All right, Maciek.
That one over there.
What a stupid back.
And the face is no better.
Good evening.
Artistic success.
Superb!
You're most welcome...
Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you to our evening.
Tonight we're celebrating the end of the war.
let's see if the incomparable Hanka Lewicka can succeed.
The spirits at Ginger's.
I don't.
When was that?
Oh, but you do.
Stop fooling around.
I don't remember.
No!
Haneczka,
Wilga,
Kossobudzki,
Ginger,
Kajtek...
We are alive!
Those were the days, Andrzej.
That's another matter. But life was great.
It's not just that.
Let's say...
What a discovery! Sure.
What's the problem? We can afford it.
Stop being cynical!
What do you mean?
Not enough?
Hopelessly little.
You're exaggerating.
You don't have to take it so seriously.
stay calm, keep away from boredom.
What else is there?
Perhaps...
We must have a serious talk.
What a noisy crowd!
How will you handle the man?
Don't worry. I'll manage.
I got the order from the major.
I'll carry out the order.
What thing?
Firstly, I was told not take part in this.
Well, this is news.
And what about him?
I'm to replace him.
I see, that's another one...
You said there was no one waiting for me.
Will you take me?
You mean it?
Do I mean it? No one means anything in this country.
But I've got used to it.
If you take me along, I'm going.
Early in the morning. 4:30 am.
You have damned little time to off the man.
Let's see. The bloody wake starts about 11 p.m.
It will take some...
Three hours.
That's easy. He'll go back to bed.
See you, Maciek.
I won't. Bye.
So you've been left alone.
Unfortunately.
Your friend due at 10, isn't she?
She is.
So you could disappear at about 10:30?
You will say you have a headache or something, whatever.
Miss Krysia?
I'd like to pay.
They can wait.
I want to pay!
Suppose I do... And what's next?
I'm staying at the hotel.
First floor, Room 17.
Enough for me. They never tally.
Only checks?
If you check up on me, you won't make a mistake.
So?
These violets are smelling nicer and nicer.
Room 17. First floor, 10:30 pm.
I swear I'll be waiting.
Miss!
Sir!
Your check!
Wait, wait...
Miss!
Just a sec...
Look who's here!
Excuse me. I'm here in official capacity.
The Town Hall is apparently ill-disposed to the press.
Not to my knowledge.
Excuse me. It was the mayor himself who drew the list.
The Mayor.
Me? I don't think so.
Just a minor problem...
If my colleague Swi^cki...
Sir!
If you insist... Should my former colleague go to Warsaw,
Do you know anything about it?
Pieniazek knows everything.
Two double vodkas, Miss.
That's fine, then.
Is that true then?
Not bad. I'd rather it was the Foreign Affairs department.
Will he take me along?
Sure he will. Shit will always surface.
Sure I will. To the 5-year plan!
Look, gentlemen. At last a citizen who isn't complaining.
Minister, Mr. Stomka.
Watch out, Mr. Stomka.
Gentlemen! Excellent, Mr. Stomka. Where is my secretary?
He has, Sir. Minister, that is.
Where's he? He should be here.
You want... an appetizer? No?
I want it all!
Piles of money!
Sure I will. Enough of misery.
Miss, two more!
It's me.
Were you sure, I'd come?
I was.
Do you know why I've come?
It's simple. I couldn't fall for you.
Hello?
What?
- In general. - Rather not.
- It can do it fine by itself. - Why add more trouble?
Yes?
What for?
Why not?
- And then... ? - Then we moved to Warsaw.
My mother and I. Father was immediately arrested by the Germans.
He did. In Dachau... I guess that's all.
She died in the Rising.
Luckily, I had none.
You have no family?
None.
I don't know. It seems so.
I don't think about it.
Neither do you.
Good... Come.
Have you invited me or not?
I have but not on this side.
Both sides are good.
Nonsense. You can keep changing sides.
Both sides are always good.
Sure.
Good evening, Comrade. This way.
He's a magnificent boy. Working class. I'll make him a man.
Come. You'll be a director!
Good evening.
This way, please. Over there.
Jurgieluszka...
Poland has exploded.
Hooray!
Where are the directors going?
To the banquet!
I'll lead you to a glorious vision of the future!
What is this? Where have you been?
What is this scum doing here?
Minister, that is...
Congratulations, minister. On behalf of the democratic press...
This is a scandal!
Thank you, Comrade Major.
This is Comrade Wrona, the Head of the Chief Security Bureau.
I can't look you in the eye after what happened.
We're not in the forest any longer.
Welcome, Comrade. This way, please.
I won't! Is this a democracy or not?
Comrades, please be seated.
Are you threatening?
I did.
You will be one.
The people!
So you've already drunk some.
Sure I have.
So will you too.
Hush. Hush.
I don't like this kind of fuss. It's good for the bourgeois.
I don't.
You surely will.
Silence!
Minister Swi^cki.
Comrades and citizens.
Today, May the 8th,
is a great achievement of the reborn Poland...
So how are you doing, Mrs. Jurgieluszka?
Speeches now.
The Minister himself.
Has anybody puked yet?
No, too early. Everything in its time.
Now the speeches. Then the people will start running here.
I think so too.
It must be his birthday.
An anniversary, then...
What're you babbling about? It's about Poland!
You know what?
We've known each other for a couple of hours only,
but it seems ages.
Tell me.
What kind of man you really are?
What do you mean?
You seem different now.
It doesn't matter, I guess.
Not at all?
A little.
Better anyway.
Why do you wear shades?
A souvenir of my unrequited love for homeland.
During the Rising I walked too much in the sewers.
No, no.
Why not?
I don't want it. It's pointless.
Don't you get it? You're leaving.
nothing one can leave behind.
You have your life, I have mine.
We just met, it's nice.
What else do we need?
What's up?
You can hear everything here.
Everything.
Hug me.
Have you got cigarettes?
Hungarian will do.
Here you are.
Thank you.
It is tomorrow already.
Well, you know...
Captain Wilk's unit.
That's all?
And your name?
Turn around!
A hundred.
A hundred and one.
You have to go?
I should or else Lili kills me.
Bye.
Could you give me a light?
Light? Sure.
Thank you.
What happened?
It's nothing. Stay with me for half an hour.
OK?
Sure.
It's beginning to rain.
Here. Hush, hush. Let's go.
It's just...
All right. No more thinking.
It's not reproachful.
Don't you know yet?
No.
Knock on wood!
Touch wood.
Life is dangerous.
Let's hide over there!
No, here!
Aren't you cold?
Look! What an old tombstone.
An inscription.
"You are as a torch blazing with flames.
burning rags fall about you flaming,
and you do not know if the fire marks freedom or the final loss.
Will all that you cherish be lost in ashes"
The letters are unclear. I can't see any more.
That's Norwid:
"Will there be among the ashes
a sparkling diamond,
the dawn of everlasting victory?"
That's nice... Will there be a sparkling diamond...
And what are we?
You? A diamond for sure.
Listen! I must tell you something.
No.
I just don't know.
Rearrange my life.
No need. I can guess a lot.
Is it so hard?
You know, I haven't given many things a thought until now.
The point was to survive.
I do.
I'd like to have a normal life, to study.
I have a high school diploma. Maybe I could enter the Technical Academy.
And you?
You promised not to say anything sad.
This is sad? Should I knock on wood again?
My God, had I known yesterday what I know now...
I wouldn't have come to you then.
I haven't known what love is. I really haven't.
My heel!
Where?
Don't worry. I have repaired bigger things.
What's this? Are you in a circus?! What's going on?
Hush.
The lady had a minor disaster. Should I look for a cobbler at night?
Shame on you. On you too, Miss.
The young these days!
You can't even respect the dead.
You think it's funny. There are two murdered people here.
Maciek, what are you doing?
Come in.
Where was that?
You don't remember?
It is.
"Alwaseta", the early days, the Spanish...
Grabowski was killed in the forest, Kubacki, in France in 1944.
Do you recall? There were 36 of us at first. Who's left alive?
Those were the days.
There'll be good times now as well.
I feel lost in all this. I'd introduce order here very fast.
The lot down there is not the whole Poland.
I know. But that's not very comforting.
I don't know how to govern.
Don't learn it, Franek. Believe me, don't learn it.
There is so much suffering, tears and wrongs here.
Everyone here carries his baggage... Learn to understand it.
What's there to understand?
German.
Have you found them?
We haven't, but we will.
There are some English as well.
At close range, it makes no difference.
It's time to bed.
It's going to be a nice day. The rain's over.
Till tomorrow. Salut.
When are you leaving?
Tomorrow, I guess.
What?
Various things.
You could?
Perhaps...
Buying yourself flowers?
I thought we already did.
So?
So what?
You see, I can't go on killing... hiding any more.
I don't have to do anything.
Are saying this as a soldier or as a friend?
You don't want to, I'd say.
In this case I can only speak as your superior officer.
You volunteered to do it.
That's your business. But If your things come first,
then it's called...
What about now? You volunteered.
But you'd like to.
You want me to say - OK, you're in love. Do as you please.
How many times have we fought together?
What if you fell in love then? Would you come to me then?
What about the Rising?
You keep forgetting you were and are one of us.
It counts, doesn't it?
You did it now. You can kiss your career good bye.
You'll sing a different tune tomorrow when the Minister gets you.
When he gets me. No matter. Life's but a house of cards.
Have a drink, sir.
Just like that?
Have no fear. Now I care about my life.
I'll be waiting for you at 4:30 am. Remember!
No.
So we must go separate ways.
I don't think we will ever meet again.
Only one of us may be proven right.
Bye.
Andrzej!
Do I? It's immaterial.
Zoska, let's go home.
Everything's in order.
Come in!
Do come in.
Do you have a son?
Marek, 17 years old.
He was with Wilk's gang.
Good. I'll wait. Thank you, Lieutenant.
Do you know Wilk's name?
What did you do in the Rising?
I shot... at Germans.
And now at Poles.
And you at sparrows.
Porter!
Our car comes any minute. Tell Comrade Szczuka when it arrives.
Szczuka? Room 18? I will.
And here it is! Let's drink to our Warsaw!
Are you leaving already?
What can I do? My wife's jealous.
Stop it! I can't take it any more!
It's time to go home, gentlemen!
Just a moment, gentlemen.
Are you artists or not?
At this hour? Sir...
I demand absolute obedience!
It won't work.
We've never played it.
Young man, please. A-Major!
Ladies and gentlemen! The last dance. A-Major!
What happened?
Right now?
So you couldn't change it all.
I couldn't.
Not a word more. No more excuses.
Don't say a word. Go!
Superb!
And now a big discovery.
Welcome of the dawn!
Ladies and gentlemen, let's have the Polonaise!
I proclaim general concord!
Aren't they having fun...
If it could be in our Warsaw not in ruins...
Thanks. Goodbye.
Hey! Give my love to Ujazdowskie Avenue.
Hi.
Come here.
Give it back.
You don't know?
You've come only because your career ended!
Maciek!
Maciek, wait!!!
Are you crazy?
He's armed.
Halt or I'll shoot!
Come!
Come on!
There he is!
THE END