STARMEDIA presents
Yevgeniy Tkachuk, Yelena Shamova
Aleksey Filimonov, Vadim Norshtein, Sergey Marin, Igor Artashonov
Valentin Gaft, Vsevolod Shilovsky, Aleksandr Ilyin, Rimma Markova
Anatoliy Kot, Artiom Osipov, Aleksandr Lazarev Jr., Artiom Tkachenko
Oleg Shkolnik, Irina Tokarchuk, Yekaterina Kopanova, Valeriy Bassel
in ONCE UPON A TIME IN ODESSA based on “The Odessa Tales” by I.E. Babel
Directed by Sergey Ginzburg
Written by Maksim Belozor
Music by Vladimir Davydenko
Director of photography: Eduard Moshkovich
Production designers: Nikita Chernov, Yulia Sobinova, Svetlana Litvinova
Casting by Anastasia Leonova
Postproduction producer: Artiom Yeliseyev
Produced by Yelizaveta Troitskaya
Executive producers: Vitaliy Bordachov and Vlad Ryashin
Misha!
Don't screw up your eyes. It's Barsky.
Monsieur Barsky, why are you hiding here?
Can I talk to you?
I’ve been very nervous lately. I recommend you not to be so careless too.
Has anything happened?
It depends. The police arrested you and then released. This is good.
It's so good that you think you have pockets full of luck.
Well, I don't think I have pockets full of luck.
You are right. Do you know why?
Dodik has not reached Istanbul.
How? -He has not. A man was supposed to meet him in Istanbul. But he failed.
The schooner did not arrive. It did not arrive in Odessa either.
They could have stayed too long somewhere.
They could. They could, Misha. But my heart says it is not the case.
My heart says that 100.000 is too large a sum, that can easily change its route.
When they change the route for 100.000. nobody wants an extra passenger.
Riva won't survive, Dodik was her only joy.
Wait. Nobody knew about 100 000, even Kostia saw Dodik to the schooner.
You are right. Nobody knew about that. Still somebody did know.
I'm not blaming you. God forbid me from blaming you.
But Dodik is not in Istanbul. And he will never come there.
Monsieur Barsky, don’t...
Look for a rat. I won't be Barskyis it was not for the rat.
Shark did it. He had shot at you.
You wandered around the city all night long, so he tracked you.
It could be Shark…
That’s Shark for sure. I'm telling you.
Misha, I offered to send some of the guys to you back in “Warsaw, ” didn’t I?
But you kept on gulping vodka.
Palchik, why did you push yourself to Rosie?
What?
Is it forbidden or what?
What? -Why? It’s not forbidden.
Okay, don't be mad. What can you say about Dodik?
I don't know.
I’ve already racked up my wits thinking over it.
Nobody saw me packing the money in the suitcase, except Dodik.
Mayorchik, what do you think?
I don't know. We were the only ones to know.
Barsky said we should look for the rat.
What?
Among whom? Among us? Maybe it was Barsky himself who has trumpeted it everywhere, eh?
Barsky did not. Okay. Go. Tell the guys to lay low.
‘Cause I’m having my marriage at hand.
Liova, have you made your move? -I am thinking, Solomon Yakovlevich.
About what? If you’ve been thinking for so long, then the thing must very important.
Do you think I haven't guessed what you are doing?
You are playing the game of Lasker vs Capablanca as they had it at the tournament in St. Petersburg.
I know no Lasker-Shmasker. But if you don't make your move, I am going to bed.
Grandpa, he’s dragging out again? -Hello, Osia. -Hello, Grandpa.
Osia, just stop your idiotic jokes, I’m begging you,
What jokes, Liova? Two moves only, and there will be a sure mate.
Osia, nobody knows this for sure.
Maybe, you don't. Enough sweating, we need to talk.
Solomon Yakovlevich... -What?
Will we postpone the game? We’re being intruded all the time.
Liova, we’ve been playing the game for more than a week by now, and still cannot finish it.
That’s it! I'm going to bed. Osia, will you come in?
I will, Grandpa.
So?
I need you to tell Yaponets a couple of words.
Why would I? YOU tell him.
Liova, don't go getting smart, just listen to me. When is his wedding to be?
The day after tomorrow. He has invited you, hasn’t he?
Tell him the wedding needs to be canceled.
What? -You heard me.
We canot remain idle anymore. They’ve become too brazen.
Yaponets must be arrested immediately. Immediately! All the more so we have such an occasion.
You don’t believe me, eh? -I don't believe you at all.
You mean it? You don't believe me at all? Are you saying that I am a frivolous man?
You are funny and talking nonsense.
Do you think Maysky’s lying?
Sophie, come to my place and I will tell you everything about my feelings.
You’ll know everything about me then.
No way. I’ve heard lots of interesting things about you.
Interesting things? -Very interesting things.
Really? Sophie, I still have many interesting things for you.
Oh, Liova, don't be ridiculous. Let's go and dance.
Okay.
Where is that nut?
Senie, why are you dancing? You are not Jew, do you really need this?
They will trample you down.
Why? Why should they trample me down? It’s a wedding, isn’t it?
Senie, do you wish to take me for a walk?
I do. Why not? -It’s so beautiful here, don't you think so?
Yes, it is. -Will you invite me to Fankoni again?
I will, just relax. -Senie, you’re so cute that I fell like biting you. So cute!
Mary, stop pinching me please. Or my arm will all get blue.
I cannot. Look, I’ll apply some ointment to your arm, and it will recover.
Okay? Will you take me to the cinema?
Well, maybe the day after tomorrow? -You’re so cute!
Bozhko! -Here!
Now listen: everyone should change his clothes to civilian ones.
You approach them quietly, in two teams.
They are sure to have guards, so suddenness is the key.
20 men were assigned to support us; they'll join us on spot.
Keep your guns ready. If they resist, kill them. Any questions?
Colonel, sir, there will be many people there. There will be much bloodshed.
Don't shoot at the people, Bozhko. Shoot at the gangsters.
Aye, sir! Not to shoot at the people, sir.
The main thing is to arrest Vinnitsky. So, deal with him shortly.
Take him either dead or alive. Mr. Tor, you will join the first team.
Aye, sir!
How is that possible? One can’t catch them all.
Bozhko! -Aye, sir!
Why are you jawing? Why are you jawing?
Monsieur Averman, why aren't you eating? Take some fish.
I’m eating, M-me Doba, I am. I am eating everything.
I see. Take any of the chicken gizzards, whichever you like.
You know, you've got such a hawk eye,
that you see everything I eat and don’t.
It’s a habit. -Let's drink to Misha, to Misha!
Ladies and gentlemen! Folks, hold it!
Silence please! Just stop talking…!
Just hold it! You’re like wind-up toys. All right already!
Let me have a word. Dear guests. Dear Tsilie. Misha. Dear parents.
I am not a good speaker, but I feel like saying.
Misha, brother, we’ve been together since cradle.
You know that our guys and I will kill anyone for you.
And for Tsilie too, of course. We have such a grandiose feast today. Such joy!
So, if any scum wants to spoil it, may he eat dirt! Kiss the bride! -Kiss the bride!
Meet a new one.
Hey, hey! Guys, what’s up?! I am from Yaponets!
Quickly! Quickly now! Bozhko!
Here! -Bring the men to line! -Line up!
Mr. Tor, what are you waiting for? Command your men. We set out.
Why are you so slow? It's time to start.
Captain, it’s got started already.
What?
There.
What's this? What's this?
Fire. -I can see it’s no flood. Bozhko! Bring water! Put out the fire!
Misha. Misha.
I'll be right back.
What?
Look, there is such a mess out there. I started the brawl, just as you told me. They took me and brought to the prison.
I spilled kerosene on the door and on the wall too. And threw a match.
And it was such a flash! You should have seen the fire! And we... Listen! We started yelling!
The dragons started to put up the fire, but all in vain.
They let all of us go, and the folks scattered.
I stayed to watch them running with water. Come and have a look, come on.
You’re nuts! You, bandit.
Go change your clothes, ‘cause when Mum sees you, she’ll make a row.
Come on. Go, go, go.
I was sitting in my balcony alone, drinking coffee.
And suddenly I heard something sizzle.
Ah! The first thing I thought it was in the kitchen: my mum decided to fry a chicken.
Ah, and the chicken is so good when my mother fries it - it is to be eaten, not told of -
especially the skin. It’s a… I smelled again.
No, it was neither chicken, nor its skin.
I ran out in the street. Oh dear! It was on fire!
The police station was on fire!
My goodness! And those poor policemen were running about.
I almost cried. I do have a heart.
But, gentlemen, I didn't cry.
And you will ask me, “Yonik, why didn't you cry?” And I will answer.
Because when a man has decided to get married, you should attend his wedding,
drink a glass of vodka to his happiness,
and not to be mean enough to be trying to bust him.
Because God sees everything, gentlemen.
And if anyone thinks He does not, this person is completely wrong.
That’s what I tell you.
Good evening, Your High Excellency. What will you say about this misfortune?
It’s awful.
Come, Izia, the people are in such a grief, that it is not proper to bother them.
It’s such a misfortune, such a distress!
Come, the guests are waiting.
It is absolutely clear that the fire was not accidental.
That was Yaponets's new mean deed. We had to open the cells.
Otherwise the people could have died. Thus, Your High Excellency, the most of the prisoners scattered.
We managed to extinguish the fire at the station,
but the operation to detain Vinnitsky was broken.
Is this all for today?
No, sir, there’s a visitor waiting in the reception room.
Make an apology and tell him I will receive him tomorrow.
Aleksey Nikolayevich, I beg to report he is a man sent from Kiev.
He has recommendation letters from General Altunin, Head of Counterintelligence
and Commander-in-Chief.
Is he an officer?
No, sir, a civilian, but he is quite an interesting type in a sense.
All right, invite him. -Yes, sir.
Come in, please.
Your High Excellency, I have the honor to introduce myself. I am Boris Anatolyevich Rzhevsky-Rayevsky.
What can I do for you, young man?
Your High Excellency, I think it is I who can do quite much for you.
Moreover, I dare say you cannot do without me.
You are welcome.
General Altunin writes that you have rendered invaluable assistance
to our Counterintelligence in Kiev.
Aleksandr Evgrafovich is only too kind.
But he does not provide any details.
It's because the case was quite delicate.
It is an extreme lightheartedness to trust papers.
By the way, our train was twice stopped by some stagy ragamuffins.
Though, the machineguns in their carriages looked quite convincing. Yes.
After the Germans left, the railways are a total mess.
Yes, they are. How are the things going on in Kiev?
In Kiev? The Bolshevik underground at the Arsenal factory has been liquidated.
I have heard about this operation. What is the purpose of your visit?
I offer you my assistance in introducing proper order in Odessa.
In what manner?
An utmost decisive one.
Your High Excellency, I am fully aware of the situation in Odessa.
I dare say that I will be able to liquidate the gangs within a shortest time.
Of course, if I am granted with all necessary powers.
General Altunin says you started your activity with Count Khvostov
as a personal Minister’s secret agent.
Oh, the Balkans. News from the theater of military actions, reports. Were you spying?
A bit here, a bit there. Aleksey Nikolayevich, my life is full of spectacular events.
I even thought of publishing a book, like Maksim Gorky, you know.
But I haven't had time as yet.
Mr. Rzhevsky, I don't like adventurers, but I have known General Altunin
for long and I greatly appreciate his opinion.
I will consider your offer. You may go now.
General Altunin recommends this Rocambole,
as a man devoid of any principles whatsoever; immoral, but efficient.
What do you think of this smart aleck, Captain?
Undoubtedly he is a rascal, Your High Excellency, but...
But. There is a “but”, indeed.
Now, hold on. Where are you taking this? Drop it.
Tsilia, here you are. Well, take this suitcase to my father’s room and this one…
Misha… My God, it’s so wonderful here!
Tsilia, look. This is a table. You will paint your lips here.
You don't understand. -What do I not understand?
Well... all this will end some day, and we’ll have to come back,
and things will be awful again.
Tsilia, honey, what things will be awful? Nothing will be awful.
Oh, look there. Is this not real either?
It is, but here and now. What will come afterwards?
Afterwards? Afterwards will be afterwards.
Is this all? --Yes, sir.
The rest are in town.
Yeah… Your holy host isn’t numerous. Well, heroes, are you hot?
You will be soon. Be reliable. And, brothers, start doing something useful.
Dismiss!
They don't like me. I see they don't,
but I'm not a gold coin to be liked by everyone, am I?
Stop your buffoonery.
Buffoonery? Was not it buffoonery to let the prisoners scatter to have all Odessa laugh at you?
You don’t have any right to say so. That was a forced measure.
Stop it. That was shameful. The police are not guard, of course.
It’s not your rule to shoot yourself from shame, is it?
However, I don't condemn you. You have a young wife; I can understand this.
But Governor-General is not that sentimental.
So from now on the whole police of the city are under my full command.
Colonel, don't be offended, let's get to work.
Hands up!
Osip Emilich, easy, easy. Calm down. Take away the revolver, or it may shoot.
And you don't need such trouble, do you? -Osia, what's going on?
Mademoiselle, let me introduce myself. I’m Boris Anatolyich Rzhevsky-Rayevsky.
By the way, I am your high commander since recently.
Tor. Osip Emilich.
Zoya.
Zoya… Nice to meet you, Zoya. Did you see how skillfully he caught me?
Osip Emilich, where did I make a mistake? Ah yes! Round the corner!
Boris Anatolyich, your coffee. Be careful, it's hot.
Thank you. Osip Emilich, your sister is wonderful, I’ve read her poems.
Have you? -This is a real poetry, sensual and ingenuous.
Thank you. I appreciate this.
I promised Almazov to change the situation within the shortest term possible.
Colonel Gelovani is surely a nice man,
but I can't say he is confident and decisive. Am I wrong?
Osip Emilich, I have made inquiries about you,
and I cannot do without such an expert in the criminal world,
but... There is one “but”.
It is tiny, however, very unpleasant. My primary task is the liquidation of Yaponets and Co.
Over there, Sophie! What’s that?
Yaponets has been doing things openly brazen lately.
We have to do something about him. And at this point a question arises
whether I can rely on you, Osip Emilich.
Osia, is the young man here to rent Soloveychik's flat?
No, Aunt Doba, not to rent the apartment.
I’m sorry, but if you wish to see Soloveychik, Khatskil has already seen his flat,
not only did he see it, but also paid an advance,
but I know for sure that Isaak Rubinchik is ready to let two rooms.
That's all. I'm really sorry.
I know your attitude to Vinnitsky And, believe me, I understand everything.
But you have to make a choice.
This is why, Osip Emilich, I need an honest answer. Are you with me or not?
I am sorry again. Osia, have you heard anything about Moisha? -No.
Moisha does not come home, and Mum is nervous all about.
You have again created much trouble to him.
Help yourself. Why, I'm asking?
You have taken everything from our house, even things you didn’t need. Tell them to stop.
They’re constantly saying: Yaponets, Yaponets, Yaponets. As if they’re mad.
I was watching them at the wedding. Tsilia was unhappy.
Why would she be happy indeed?
The couple is supposed to live no one knows where.
Aunt Doba! -Okay, I'm gone, I'm gone.
Osip Emilich, is she…
Yes.
It’s hard to work with you.
Is that all? -No, Your Ex... -Be sitting.
Two dove into the cellar. In the corridor, damn them. Captain Labudin must have met them.
Whose gang? -They are Shark's guys. There are locals, live here in Peresyp.
We’ve lost two of them.
What do you mean by “lost”?
They came out of the cellar; we didn’t expect… and they began shooting at once.
Tarasov is dead.
Shoot them.
Shoot? All of them?
These people rendered an armed resistance, a policeman was killed, and a non-commissioned officer wounded.
Maybe, you have any other suggestion? -Yes, sir. No, sir. But… all of them?
Yes. Give the order, Captain.
I cannot. Why must we do this?
I see. Bozhko!
Yes, Your Excellency.
Execute the order. Or you have a special opinion too?
Whatever you say, Your Excellency. Draw up. Fire!
There have been three busts during the night.
They boned nearly 20 people, or more.
They all are Shark's guys, It’s been in Peresyp.
And in Grecheskaya Street, at the same time, four Shark's guys were found.
Dead. All bullet-riddled, with holes even in their heads.
Gorgeous sight. Why did they get so furious all of a sudden?
I don't know. A high rank came to them from Kiev, no less.
What sort of pumpkin he is?
I don't know. We saw him in a cafe in Deribasovskaya Street,
he appears to be very important man. But he looks nothing like a detective.
And he’s guarded by two husky dragons.
Interesting things indeed. What about our guys?
Why? We are lying low, no activity.
It’s good then.
We are here to find out what to do next?
Next? We’ll do as follows: we keep on lying low,
until the cops calm down. And with this Kiev guy...
We will see. As for me, I stay here for now. I’m having a honeymoon or what?
I’ll stay quiet for five days or so, and have some swimming, unless Tsilia balks.
The summer is passing by and we haven't started yet. Izia shall be in command of the guys.
And what about me?
You? You’ll be in command of yourself. If anything, I'm not far.
Hello, Mr. Tor. Come in.
Mr. Rzhevsky, why did I not participate in the night operation?
Osip Emilich, have a sit.
Mr. Rzhevsky, why did you conceal from me that busts were being prepared?
Why are you so angry? I have concealed. Yes, I have.
You know, I wanted to know you closer,
before incorporating you into harsh operations.
If you don't believe me, I am ready to resign.
There you are, got insulted. Osip Emilich, why do we behave like children?
Want me to be sincere?
Yes, I had some doubts. I doubted whether you'd like the methods I use in my work.
I don't like them. You can't execute people without a proper investigation and trial!
We can, Osip Emilich. We can and we should do so. These are monsters.
And mollycoddling gangsters is no part my plans. Moreover, it was only a beginning.
Almazov granted to me all powers, and I can even use army if I need to.
So, Osip Emilich, knowing your weaknesses,
I persistently recommend you to make up your mind
in the shortest term possible. This is fair, in my opinion. Don't you think so?
Shalom, uncle Meyer. -Shalom, shalom.
What about Moisha? Has he dropped by?
Uncle Meyer, you know me, don’t you? If I need to see Moisha, I need to see him on a business.
How am I supposed to know the kind of business you need to see him on?
It’s a very important business. How can I find him?
You’re a detective, and your job is to catch the ones like him.
I don’t cross with you.
I cross with him. About his being a bandit. But he still is my son.
Don't get angry. I don't know where Moisha is.
Uncle Meyer, if Moisha drops by or something like that, tell him to leave town.
It will be dangerous to stay here.
Stiopa, tell me an anecdote.
Which: a funny one or a common?
Did they give you a gun? -Do you know funny ones?
Of course I do. -Then go ahead.
Your fingers smell of sea.
And you are unshaven. -Come on. I shaved in the morning.
It is evening already. Misha, I mean it, let's leave the country.
Hello again.
Let's settle somewhere at a seacoast. Somewhere at the Bay of Biscay.
What bay?
Bay of Biscay. Doesn’t it sound beautiful?
Sounds good. Where is it?
In France. We will buy a house at a seacoast. Just like here.
Why not here?
Because! There is no revolution or war there. It is quiet and calm.
And What am I supposed to do there?
I don't know. Whatever you wish.
The most important thing is that there won't be anybody after you there.
And we will have everything.
Are you crazy? You've scared us to death. What are you doing here?
I’ve decided to come and check how you've settled here. Hello, Tsilie.
Hello, Izia.
Your father is looking for you for a tea.
Is he? I’ll go then, shall I?
Go. We stay here for a while and then join you too.
All right.
Keep an eye on Liova, so that he did not touch Sophie.
Sure.
What's up?
So, you left in time. There are busts all over town.
They’ve seized very many people. -Palchik told me.
I don't care about what Palchik told you. It is 100 times worse now.
There are three times more patrols in the streets than usual.
Any of our guys seized?
They’ve caught several. Some of them are at the station, others in the prison.
Thank God, they did not kill anyone as they did others. All of our guys are alive so far.
And the one from Kiev is in command.
His surname is Rzhevsky. -No, Rayevsky.
I am telling you, a guy from Kiev is in command
and his name is Rzhevsky, and you say it’s Rayevsky.
Because the one from Kiev is Rayevsky. -No, because the one from Kiev is Rzhevsky.
Rayevsky is the one from Kiev. -I'm telling you, he’s Rzhevsky.
He’s Rayevsky!
Ouch! He’s Rzhevsky. But it’s not the point, I am telling you what is of importance.
I’ve attended the meeting at Gersh's. Gersh wishes to see you.
Everyone gathered there: Gypsy, Five Rouble, Shark.
Shark began to blame you again for saving your skin when men are being killed.
This scum won’t calm down.
That’s not the point. He said, we should push Yaponets aside. Gersh, though, stopped him at once,
but after giving it a thought he said that Misha should come.
Did they all collude to mess my life or what? Okay, I will go there in the morning.
What about you? Will you stay for a night?
No, I should leave. I have brought Pindos and Glikberg with me. Let them stay. Just in case.
Okay, let them stay. If you stayed for a night, we’d have a swim in the morning.
No, I’m leaving.
Lechaim.
The End
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