MOSFILM studio
and the Creative Association of TV Films present
a film made to the order of GOSTELERADIO
A USUAL WONDER Part Two
Based on a play by Yevgenyi SCHWARZ of the same name
There comes a day, There strikes an hour,
There comes a moment, There comes a time,
And the connection breaks,
Granite boils, Ice catches fire,
Light down Knocks you off your feet.
What madness!
Weeds start to blossom,
And old owl sings Like a nightingale,
And even the thinnest of Threads...
Can not be cut in two
By a steel dagger!
How funny, how crazy, How untimely,
And how wonderful!
Without any reason Or meaning...
At all!
There comes a time, And it brings...
Shivers and fear, And a secret fever,
Power and delight, Laughter and pain,
Light and shadow,
And throws it all into One big fire.
What madness!
And out of a mirage, Out of nothing...
Out of my own wild fantasies
Appears someone's face,
And it acquires shape And color,
Flesh and passion,
Flesh and passion.
How funny, how crazy, How untimely,
And how wonderful!
Without any reason Or meaning...
At all!
Have you been talking to someone?
I don't know.
Maybe.
I know I'm not well.
- Can I help? - I doubt it.
- Unlock the door, I'm leaving. - That's impossible.
Do you hear how quiet it is?
I tried to go out, but I couldn't.
We're buried under the snow.
- I can't leave then? - No.
Then lock me in. I can't meet with her.
I love her.
The Princess?
- How did you know? - I just asked.
Is she in this tavern?
Yes, disguised in a man's outfit.
Now I understand how she insulted me.
- Did you hear what she said? - No, I haven't.
But I've lived a long life, and I understand everything.
I won't say another word!
I thought I was talking to a young man who looked like her.
That was a mean thing to do!
It is over now!
- Lock me in. - Here's the key.
I won't lock you in.
I wouldn't want you to break my new lock.
Good night.
Where will you find peace?
You won't.
Lock yourself in a monastery. - solitude will remind you of her.
Set up a tavern by the road. -
every knock at the door will remind you of her.
Damn! The candle keeps blowing out.
Well of course it is.
I was thinking of you.
Emily...
Well I'll be damned!
Do you recognize me?
Emil?
Yes.
That was the name of a young man whom a very mean girl forced to
flee to no-man's land.
Don't look at me like that.
My face is wind-beaten.
I see you like you were 20 years ago.
I forgot how to cry. I became mean and callous.
I smoke sailors' tobacco, devilish stuff.
That's what became of me.
You were always like that.
Stubborn and proud by nature.
It's just a new form it acquired, that's all.
That's the whole difference.
Damn!
At every crowded masquerade...
I would recognize you under any mask.
You remember?
Yes.
My lady, don't you think
The weather is better Than ever?
I will answer, my lord...
I do find...
That the weather is quite Unusual indeed.
My lady, why is it...
That this evening is so Extraordinary wonderful?
My lord, perhaps...
It is not easy to explain,
But it is probably because You are with me tonight.
Oh, my lady, When we are together,
All the flowers blossom In the meadows,
I will say this, my lord...
It is time for me to go,
But I can't hurt the feelings Of the little flowers.
I find it pleasing and Amusing,
That you like me,
And I like you even more.
That is wonderful! Ding-ding-dong!
And this is just a mask time has put on you.
Why? Oh, why?
Why were you mad at him then?
- Why? - You kissed him.
He passed away long ago.
But why did you kiss him?
Only to avenge you.
You danced with the general's daughter.
- Dancing is not a sin. - No.
You were whispering something in her ear.
I was whispering: one, two, three...
She couldn't follow the rhythm.
- Funny. - So funny I want to cry.
Can you forgive my wicked self for kissing him?
I am so happy to see you.
How stupid.
I forgot how to cry.
Let's talk about something else.
There is one important matter.
There are two young people in this house,
who will die if we don't do something.
The Princess and the young man, because of whom she ran away.
- They met? - And had a fight.
Hit the drums!
- Blow the pipes! - What pipes?
Don't pay attention, it's just a court habit.
Get your swords out! Prepare for battle!
Get up and going!
I get it.
Emily was married to the palace commandant.
Hit the drums!
Get up and going!
He didn't know who he was married to!
May his soul rest in peace.
- Did you see her? - Yes.
She must be pale and weak?
She's tanned and running around dressed like a boy.
- Is he here? - Yes.
- Still in love? - Very much so.
- Hurting? - Indeed!
He deserves it, the bastard!
Heart drops, fast!
My apprentice is not feeling well.
Give me those drops! Quick!
- He's not feeling well. - This one?
Oh really! He won't notice it if I die.
The new one! He won't eat, won't drink and won't answer questions.
It is my daughter!
Oh my god!
- Who is your daughter? - The new apprentice.
- It's the Princess in disguise. - Well I'll be damned!
I almost hit her.
Can't you tell a boy from a girl?
- And what about you? - What?
All right, enough of that.
Where's the Princess?
Hey you! Don't shout at me!
My job puts me under great pressure.
I don't like being shouted at.
If you want to show me my mistakes, compliment me first.
Scoundrel!
He's a King.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I'll forgive you later.
Where's the Princess?
Sitting at the fireplace, looking at burning coals.
Take me to her.
I always remember your stories about hunting.
Please be careful!
You have to take care of yourself for our sake!
We love you so much, Your Majesty!
She'll open fire.
The Princess said she will shoot anyone, who...
She won't shoot her own father.
I don't think so.
I doubt it she will spare even her own father.
Now he will shout at me again.
Jesus, my throat is sore!
There's no job more hazardous than the job of a courtier.
How true.
I am in terrible anguish!
I warn everyone.
She is sitting there, all sad and miserable.
There is no way I can help her.
That's how it is.
Who will dare to approach her, talk to her,
console and comfort her?
Who?
- She will open fire. - That's for sure.
So what?! You've been sentenced to death anyway.
- Who will go first? - Allow me.
That's a boy!
No, you can't!
It's better if one of her close ones went there.
For one who is in love the closest seem the most distant.
The world has changed, but they are still the same.
Gee, I haven't thought about that.
But I will not cancel my order, because I am a stubborn tyrant.
I feel the genes of my aunt awakening in me now.
She was a hopeless fool.
Give me a hat and a scrap of paper.
We shall draw lots.
we shall draw lots.
Ready.
Whoever draws the one with the cross, goes to the Princess.
She is armed.
Let me talk to the Princess.
- I know what to tell her. - My answer is "no".
I'm having one of my fits of stubbornness.
Am I a King or not?
First Minister, you draw first.
- Alas! - Thank god!
There's no cross here.
Why did you say "alas", you idiot?
Quiet!
Your turn, my lady.
- I have to go! - Congratulations!
And may your soul rest in peace.
Show me that paper.
You liar!
Look at these people!
All they know is how to cheat on their King.
Next!
- Next! - What are you shouting for?
Draw the lot!
What are you doing? Are you crazy?
Open your eyes, the hat is right here.
Alas, no cross. How unfortunate!
- Next! - Come on, show me that.
- What? - Give me that scrap of paper.
- No cross? - No.
- What's this then? - You call that a cross?
Nonsense! This is not a cross? This looks more like an "X".
No, this is not an "X", it is your lot.
Go ahead.
Your Majesty!
Be reasonable. What do you want me to risk my life for?
For a whim, for some kind of a stupid prejudice?
For love!
What love? Did you see it?
Don't be selfish and don't keep us waiting.
When a smuggler crosses a canyon clinging to a perch,
or a merchant sails across the ocean in a frail boat,
that is understandable, that is noble.
These people are making money.
But what's there for me in this?
What you call love, my lady,
can be a lot of fun and a little absurd.
- But to risk my life! - Shut up, you despicable fool!
Tell her not to abuse me.
What are you staring at me!
As if you really believe what you're saying.
I've seen enough of noble sufferers,
and the torturers of human souls.
They push the deceived fools to their sure death.
It is them who invented love!
There is no such thing as love, Your Majesty!
Trust the word of an experienced man.
All right, you said your final word.
Now go. Don't expect me to pardon you.
Go, or I'll shoot you myself.
Why did I listen to him!
Now he awakened the aunt in me.
The one who could be easily convinced by anyone.
The poor thing was married 18 times,
not to mention fleeting affairs.
Maybe love doesn't exist after all?
Maybe the Princess is suffering from a case of severe angina?
- Your Majesty. - Shut up!
You are an honorable and devout woman.
Let us listen to the young.
You...
Beat it.
For good.
May his soul rest in peace.
- She may have missed! - Never! She's my student!
Quiet! I personally am happy.
My daughter behaves like all normal people.
She's feeling low, and she starts shooting around.
She missed!
- Why are you still alive? - Because I fired that shot.
That's right.
- Who at? - At the Princess.
Oh, she's alive, don't worry.
Hey you! Get me an executioner's block and a shot of Vodka.
Vodka for me, the rest for him! Move it!
Not so fast.
Listen here, father.
The princess is my fianc�.
He's crazy.
Not in the least!
Tell me everything, or I'll kill you!
I like to tell about deals,
that worked out fine.
I go there, I open the door And wait to be shot at.
I don't want to die, just like anyone else.
So I stand there,
I stand and I think,
I think something like that: Now is my hour of death.
And life is so good, Oh, so good,
And I don't want to die, Just like anyone else.
The girl jumps up, She rushes to the door,
I grab at my gun,
And I fire a shot at her.
What was I to do?
I fire at her, At the sweet little lady,
Because of the circumstances, Not out of spite.
She didn't shake, She didn't shiver,
But instead she said In her gentle voice...
I said to myself that I will Marry anyone who comes first,
I don't really care who.
So you have come first, She said.
Yes, that's what she said To me, the sweet girl.
You are the first one I see, And I am yours forever.
And in the midst of All that fire and smoke
I planted a kiss on her tender lips.
Please stop, or I will kill you.
No problem! They already tried to kill me today.
- And look what happened! - One hell of a mess!
Look for some medicine in the first aid kit.
I nearly fainted, and all I got left is feelings.
Delicate, fragile, feelings I can't explain.
Is it music or flowers I want, or to stab someone?
I know, something strange has happened to me.
And I'm afraid to face reality.
Daddy!
- Good evening, daddy. - Good evening.
I'm getting married.
Who to, my child?
To this one.
- Give me your hand. - With great pleasure.
Don't play the fool, or I'll shoot you.
You're OK! I'm proud of you!
The wedding is to take place right now.
A wedding is always a happy occasion.
Why postpone it!
My sword!
I ask you to be my wife.
I am young and healthy. And I will make you happy.
What is this?
- Will you marry me? - Don't answer him.
You can do this, and I can't?
I swore to marry the first person that comes by.
- Me too! - I don't care.
Ladies! You will help me put on my wedding gown.
Gentlemen! You will help me set the table.
Think of a pretext and make the Princess come back.
I will bring her back by force if I have to!
I ask you to marry me.
Which one of us are you proposing to? There's two of us.
Sorry, I haven't noticed.
To come near two people in love when they're fighting
can be lethally dangerous.
- Have pity on the girl! - Does anyone have pity on me?
A couple of kind gentle words,
and you will both be happy!
Tell her you were wrong and kiss her.
- Don't be stubborn. - No!
Don't waste time!
I hear Emily's footsteps. She's bringing the Princess.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Please accept my congratulations on this happy occasion!
The wedding of the Princess and the Minister
will take place right now.
Emily, what are you saying?
That's an order!
What's gotten into you, Emily?
Don't touch me!
What's with me?
- What's with you, Emily? - Don't touch me!
I'm on duty! I'm doing my job.
What's gotten into me?
I'm only doing my job!
God damn me!
Everything's ready, Your Majesty.
As honorary Saint,
honorary Martyr,
and honorary Pope of our kingdom
I take it upon myself to perform this pleasant duty.
I ask the bride and groom
to join hands.
No!
What do you mean, "no"? Go ahead, say it.
Leave us alone, I have to talk to the Princess.
The impudent young man!
Boor!
What a boor!
Look at that boor!
Please leave, everyone.
And leave us alone.
I think we should go.
I would leave,
but I'm dying to know what he will say to her.
Please, let's do what the young man asks.
We can do that,
the more so that we can eavesdrop through the keyhole.
Let's go, gentlemen!
I will tell you the truth.
Our encounter brought us disaster.
We shouldn't have fallen in love.
It is terrible.
We fell in love.
We fell in love...
We fell in love with each other.
If you kiss me, I will turn into a beast.
I will turn into a beast.
If I kiss you...
I will turn into a bear.
- A bear? - Yes, and I don't want that.
I couldn't bare it.
I swore that sooner I'd die than hurt you.
Forgive me.
- The moment I kiss you? - Yes.
And you will walk around the room in silence,
like in a cage?
Yes.
And you will never talk to me in a human voice?
No.
How terrible that this should end in this way!
Father!
- Father, he... - I know.
I was eavesdropping, daughter.
How terrible!
Let's leave, father.
Something's happening inside me, something frightening and kind.
It's scary!
Maybe we shouldn't send him away? Look at how others live.
After all, he's a bear, not a ferret.
We could tame him, brush his hair.
He could dance for us once in a while.
No! I love him too much for that.
Good-bye forever.
Forever.
Let's say good-bye In a soft voice,
Say good-bye in a low Voice,
Say good-bye with a light Heart.
A week or two,
And we'll get over it.
Everything will remain In the past.
Even though it is sad!
It is senseless and Meaningless!
Oh, how good it would be to Start all over again!
But that is impossible, That is unthinkable,
Don't even dream of it, Forget it.
Let's go back to our lunches,
Back to our clothes.
Fill our days with little cares.
It is easier that way,
It is much more simple, Isn't it?
And it hurts less, Isn't it?
Let's not invent ways,
Let's not count on our destiny,
It's not worth the effort, Believe me.
That's true, gentlemen.
Not ever, not in your dreams.
It will never be.
Oh, how charming,
Oh, how good it was,
It was, and it is no more.
I brought them to this hotel,
Heaped up all entrances and exits with snow.
I was so proud of my resourcefulness.
And you didn't kiss her.
Ladies and gentlemen, the hotel is closing down.
I'm leaving.
The keys! I'll lock the place myself.
Go tell the hunter to hurry. He's packing his diplomas.
How dared you not to kiss the girl?
How could you do that?
You know what that would lead to.
I don't! You don't love her.
That's not true!
You don't love her,
otherwise the power of passion would have taken over!
Who can tell what will happen,
when someone is seized with strong noble emotions?
Poor unarmed people overthrow kings!
Out of love for their fellow brothers.
Out of love for their nation soldiers defy death.
Men of wisdom rise to the sky and plunge into hell.
Out of love for Truth.
And what have you done out of love for a woman?
I gave her up.
Once in a lifetime there comes a day,
when everything lovers do, works.
You missed your chance.
So long.
I won't help you any more.
I lost interest in you.
Want to kill your 100th bear?
I will find the princess and I will kiss her.
And I will turn into a bear!
I see.
A 100th bear?
Sounds tempting!
Interesting idea.
I hate to abuse your kindness.
Don't feel awkward, I volunteered to be your victim.
- What about the Princess? - She will be happy.
Well as they say, the Art demands sacrifices.
- How true! - Thank you, my friend!
I am starting to forget that tune.
It's all right.
You wrote a bad story.
It's time to forget it.
Time will come and you will write another beautiful one!
A merry one!
No. I don't think I can.
This was my last story.
- What does the doctor say? - What does the doctor say?
That the Princess may die.
We don't believe that. That would be too much.
- You promised to forget. - All right, I will.
Coffee, please.
No use thinking about something, that can't be brought back.
We promise, we won't.
- When did he come back? - He didn't.
It was the Hunter. No one knows, where the bear is.
- Is he hunting? - Of course not!
He is busy writing a book on the theory of hunting.
- When will it come out? - No one knows.
He's only written a few chapters so far.
He's in charge of the King's Hunting.
Recently married maid of honor Amanda.
They have a daughter too. Name Bullet.
The hunter's apprentice married Orynthya. They have a boy.
They called him Target.
- Did you invite them? - Orynthya with her son?
They never wait for an invitation.
They come whenever they please. Just like you.
And feel quite at home here.
He's busy and he doesn't feel well.
And he promised, that's over.
- You understand? - I do.
But I can't do otherwise.
They can't.
And I can't do without them.
Every story has to have an end.
Some kind of an end.
Sad, happy, funny, stupid.
Whatever. But there has to be an end.
They will all come back here, all except for the Bear.
I don't want to see him.
I erased him from my memory.
Amanda with her daughter!
Yes...
The princess is suffering, but life goes on its usual way.
Yes!
The dish here is cheaper than at home.
But beef is the same price.
What about vegetables?
The vegetables are unbelievable!
They lease pumpkins to poor families.
They live inside and they feed on them.
They tried to rent watermelons too, but they're too damp.
Let's say good-bye In a soft voice,
Let's say good-bye With a light heart.
A week or two, And we will get over it,
Everything will remain In the past,
You know very well...
What's going on. You could help us.
The Administrator became a Prince,
and he prevents the Bear from seeing the Princess.
It is not the Administrator.
- It is me! - I don't believe you.
I'm only doing it to make these lazy people do something.
What a shame.
Don't be sore with me, my lady.
It was all my fault in the first place.
A Minister's duty is to report the truth to the King.
But I was afraid to grieve His Majesty.
The King must know the truth.
Hello!
What a beautiful morning!
How is everything? How is the Princess?
All right, don't bother to answer.
I know everything's well.
There, look!
- Your Majesty... - Don't!
Farewell.
- Listen to me! - I want to sleep.
If you won't help your daughter,
than who will?
Don't you see what's going on around here?
A swindler and an impudent man without a heart and a mind
has seized power in the Kingdom.
Everything and everyone serve his purse.
His people are all around the place,
carrying bales with goods from place to place.
You have to order to oust this the Prince-Administrator,
and the Princess will feel better,
and she will no longer be threatened by this foul wedding.
- Your Majesty! - No.
- I can't do anything. - But why?
Why?
Why! Because I am degenerating!
I say, you are a fool.
You have to read books, then you'll know, you can't ask a
King more than he can do!
The Princess will die.
Let her die.
If I feel that something like that is coming on to me,
I'll kill myself.
I keep poison especially for that purpose.
I tried it on my partner just the other day.
We were playing a game of cards.
The stuff worked wonders! He died without noticing it.
Why all the shouting?!
- You needn't worry about me. - We worry about the Princess.
You're not worrying about your King?
No, Your Excellency!
- What did you call me? - Your Excellency.
You addressed the greatest of all kings by a general's title?
- That is a riot! - Yes I have raised my voice against you.
I'm standing up to you!
And you are not the greatest of all kings!
Just an outstanding one, that's all.
What, are you gonna bite me?
Outstanding, but not more!
And you're not worthy of the title "honorary Saint".
You may be a hermit, but you're no saint.
- Call the executioner! - He won't come.
He writes poems for the Administrator's newspaper.
- You're not coming? - Nope.
Call the Administrator Minister!
No respect!
But why?
For what reason?
Who dares to mistreat the ruler,
our little homely King!
They don't show me any respect, they want me to get rid of you.
The lousy plotters with their intrigues.
- They're scaring me. - What with?
They say the Princess will die of love.
What utter nonsense! Gibberish, as I call it.
Our family doctor,
mine and the King's,
examined the Princess and reported on her health condition
He found no symptoms of any love disease.
That's first. And second...
All love illnesses are a mere trifle,
and a cause for jokes,
but they're nothing lethal and easily curable.
If you don't neglect them.
- What's this talk about death? - That's what I'm saying.
The doctor knows better!
The doctor is certain, the Princess will get well soon.
- Must be the wedding fever. - As they call it.
As I call it.
- Here! - What is it?
- The doctor ran away! - That's impossible!
I went to see him about the calming drops,
and I find rooms unlocked, drawers open and wardrobe empty.
And a note on the table.
Don't show it to me. I'm afraid!
How do you like that?! No executioner, no gendarmes!
You are pigs, and disloyal at that!
Don't follow me! I won't listen to you!
I am not listening!
- Show me that note. - Read it to me.
"Only a miracle can save the princess...
"You make her suffer, but I will be the one you will blame.
"Doctors are human beings too, they want to live. Good-bye."
Damn! The traitor! How inopportunely!
Doctor!
Call him and say it is all his fault. Quick!
No, please, don't stand up, my friends.
Today is such an extraordinary day!
Today whatever I try to do works.
Things, that I thought were lost, somehow appear again.
If I think about the past,
only the best comes to mind.
In this way life must be saying good-bye to me.
Did they tell you I am going to die today?
But Princess...
Yes, it's even more frightening than I thought.
Death is gross and dirty.
It comes with a sack full of loathsome instruments.
But how do you know all that, Princess?
Death came so close, that I could see it all.
But that's enough.
Talk to me as if nothing happened.
Joke, smile, tell me stories.
I just don't want to think about what's going to happen.
Who is that?
Who?!
Who is it?
Who is it?!
Do you hear it?
- Do you hear? - Yes.
I'm sorry, I was afraid of being late.
Leave, everyone, except the Princess.
How did you get here?
I isolated you.
Please leave now.
Or I will want to kill you again.
Only this time I will really do it.
He will do it.
Please leave now.
Why are you crying?
I'm crying of happiness.
Now I have a secret, with which
I wouldn't trust anyone, not even the closest friends,
only you.
I love you.
That's the truth!
I love you so much I will forgive you anything.
You want to turn into a bear? Very well.
Only don't leave me.
I couldn't bare to be alone again!
What took you so long?
No-no, don't answer.
I won't ask you.
If you didn't come, that's because you couldn't.
I will not reproach you.
I will be patient. Only don't leave me.
Today death came very close.
That's true.
But I am not afraid of it.
I am so happy, I don't know anything about death and grief.
Especially now, when you are standing so close.
No one ever came this close to me.
No one ever came this close to me,
and no one ever held me tight.
You are holding me, like you have the right to,
and I like that.
Let's go to my room.
I'll show you the room, where I spent so many hours crying.
The balcony from which I looked to see if you were coming,
A hundred books about bears.
Bears were all I could read about.
It is all my fault.
We can't do anything about that now.
Yes, it is your fault.
Why did you do that?
I warned you, didn't I?
It's the way I am.
I wanted to talk to you about love.
But I'm a magician.
Remember, what you said?
- Do you? - I remember.
So I took all these people and reshuffled them.
And they lived, so that you would laugh and cry.
I am crying.
Some of them worked better, some worse,
but I've grown used to them.
I couldn't cross them out, could I?
They're not words - they're people.
Sometimes I even let them argue with me,
and disobey me.
Sleep, darling.
Unfortunately, I am immortal.
I will have to outlive you,
and forever miss you.
But now you are with me.
Glory to the brave ones,
who have enough courage to love,
knowing that everything has to end.
Glory to the daring,
who live as though they will live forever.
- Why aren't you asleep? - Don't scare away the bear!
- Let's go back. - No.
- Let's go to your place. - I'm scared.
You're hurting me.
No, please, don't be offended.
Let it be the way you want it.
God, I'm so happy that I have decided everything!
Foolish me! I didn't know it could be that good.
let's do it your way.
Well!
I'm terribly sorry.
I don't want to interfere in your work,
but I think just now a miracle happened.
Very well could be.
Why are you surprised?
What's going on?! I was promised,
that he will turn into a bear.
- You confirmed that. - I did.
So where's the bear?
I confirmed it, because I was not too clever.
But I don't regret it now.
I found your last story very amusing.
At least it is good.
Perhaps even the best.
Let's say good-bye In a soft voice,
Let's say good-bye In a low voice,
Let's say good-bye With a light heart.
A week or two,
And we'll get over it,
And everything will remain In the past.
It is sad,
It is senseless and Meaningless.
Oh, how good it would be To start all over again.
But it is impossible to Go back to where it started.
Don't even dream about it.
It was charming, It was fun,
But it slipped away, and it Is not there any more.
Cast:
Oleg Yankovsky
Irina Kupchenko
Yevgenyi Leonov
Yevgenia Simonova
Alexander Abdulov
Ekaterina Vasilyeva
Yuri Solomin
Andrei Mironov
Ervant Arzumanyan
Vsevolod Larionov
and others
Scriptwriter and director Mark Zakharov
D.O.P. Nikolai Nemolyaev
Production Designer Lyudmila Kusakova
Music by Gennadyi Gladkov
Lyrics by Y. Mikhailov