This film was made with help from the Council of Europe.
Hungarofilm presents
STALIN'S FIANCEE
Screenplay written by: From a novel by:
Dramaturgy:
Starring:
In the role of Liza:
Producer: Co-Producers:
Music:
Sets: Costume:
Editor: Sound engineer:
Head of production:
Photography:
DIRECTED BY:
- Welcome, Comrade Dibakov. - Yes...
We put collected possessions here, cattle there...
Don't stare, I understand.
What's wrong with the clock?
It was hit by a bullet.
Back in the great times, during the civil war.
That was 15 years ago!
All right. Hurry up!
Excuse me, are you the head comrade here?
Couldn't I keep my samovar?
- Has it been registered? - Yes... but...
Then give it up!
I have some remarks about my horse... Hey, you!
There's no place for remarks.
Name, age? The horse's, I mean.
Who'll get the horse?
The revolutionary people! You should know!
I've message.
Don't hold up the line! Name, age...
3 years old, healthy, Sonatina.
What kind of name is that?
A racehorse. Can't you see?
A good horse needs a good name. Sonatina.
Next!
Well, go, you beast!
Should I give this in, too?
You can keep the rope... It's not listed.
- How are you, Simaha? - Fine, now.
My conscience is clear. My samovar is the people's.
We are all equal, bother.
We're both proletarians. We live like worms in an apple.
New music, new dance, that's the law.
The Soviet power could even caress us...
Good boys give up private property ''voluntarily''.
No house, no horse, no land.
They say you could be a useful man,
You have two hands, brains...
So do your work where you find your place.
If you can't find it, we'll find it for you.
Oh dear, this won't shut. Will that be a problem?
It would be worse if it wouldn't open.
There's no future for the horse, Zorka.
The iron horse, the tractor is here.
Let them run wild again!
And the peasant will also go wild slowly.
Remember, this is a racehorse!
I even left the saddle on, to show that!
Although I didn't have to give it in.
Don't harness her to a cart, or plough...
What we do with the horse is our business.
Don't beat her, or kick her...
We'll hit her if she deserves it.
I wouldn't do that, chum!
Didn't you hear me, fool!
Don't touch her, rotten Cossak, bloody hell!
You sod! Hit my horse, will you?
There, you trash... You filthy pig!
Look! This beast frightened the horse!
Have to give it tomorrow. It's evidence!
God be with you, Sonatina!
And that's how Parana came to us. That was her name.
Who knows how she got that name...
She turned up here and there...
People laughed at her, frightened her...
But they asked after her if she was missing...
Take us, too, Parana...
Look!
Parana!
Get away from here!
Get the heck away, you animal!
Get away, you idiot!
Good, isn't it?
Who's your fiance, Parana?
Leave me alone! Enough! Get away!
Buchilo, you're alive...
Leave him alone!
- Why should I leave him? - 'Cause he's my father!
Then love and respect him!
A grave mistake! The midday news has begun!
Don't go for me, we're preparing for a ceremony!
Dancers, recitation...
Who's your fiance, Parana?
Do you have a fiance, Parana?
You can tell me...
- Go on, don't be ashamed! - Don't oh, don't...
- Hey, where are you going? - Jesus Christ!
- Show me what's in the sack! - Where are you going?
Oh, how touchy one can't even touch her!
What has this poor soul ever done to harm you?
Why don't you ask her who her fiance is?
You're all wicked! Leave her alone!
Get way! I'll tell... Zorka Kosoy...
I'll tell Zorka...
Don't torture the poor thing!
Fellow citizens!
What I say to you is
it's only a matter of weeks,
and we'll walk right into communism.
Those who don't agree with me, raise their hands!
What's going on here?
Now you come, you big man!
Don't talk so much!
Enough of public disorder for today, Simaha!
- Is that you, Vanka? - Of course.
- Will you lock me up? - Yes.
Let's go!
Fellow citizens, I bid you farevell.
You won't see me for a while!
Yashka! Hey!
Hey, Parana! Hey!
Go to hell! Idiot!
Here I am!
I see. Wait a bit.
The reporting is in order.
Zorka Kosoy, with a record,
reported for supervision. Any changes?
No.
- Are you a night guard? - Yes.
- At the waste dump? - Yes.
What do you have to guard there at night?
The waste.
You'd be capable of more. You still don't want to join
- the collective farm? - No.
- Do you carry a knife? - Oh, no.
You'd better not!
Next time, you'll get at least 4 years...
I know.
So keep that in mind!
Is that clear?
- What kind of man are you? - It's your turn now!
You hide from the world.
Yet they say you have a soul...
Is this how it should be?
- May I leave? - Yes.
A little bread, Parana dear. There, Parana.
Did you like it?
Got any money, Parana?
Because if not, You can scram!
- Take your hands off me! - Don't fight, Nadka!
Why's she doing this...
What is it? Hey!
- Want some liquor? - No.
Parana, stand up, you'll get some kopeks!
- Get up, Parana! - Want some kopeks?
Get up, Parana!
That's it! Pull up your skirt! Higher! That's right!
You won't get any kopeks! Pull your skirt up!
That's good! Hey, Parana! there's your kopek!
You throw her some, too!
What's going on here?
Do something, now!
Yes, sir!
Cover yourself, and get lost!
The nice uniform: that's what got her going!
Shut up! And disperse!
Stand up, here's your money.
Trying to sway the crowd, are you, Zorka?
I'm not doing a thing.
Zorka Kosoy...
Liza!
Don't forget about me!
- Thank you. - Not at all.
- What time is it? - Half past one.
- How do you know? - Buchilo's drunk already.
- And what day is it? - Wednesday.
- And what's the date? - The 23rd.
Have I ever told you about my horse, Liza?
Her name was Sonatina.
You've told me.
She won three certificates at the show.
You've told me that, too.
The jury kept applauding, when I led her up.
I haven't heard that before.
You haven't?
No.
- Take your hand away! - What?
Take your hand away...
Parana, dear...
Let's forget... that... you know... at the school...
I didn't want to...
You're looking at him, right? That's good.
He's also watching us. See, he's watching...
If it weren't for him, we wouldn't exist.
They reported that your light is on all night long.
- Who did? - No matter. The typewriter.
- I type on it. - Which means you're writing.
That's right.
- And what do you write? - Poems.
Patriotic or love poems?
A bit of both. And satirical ones, too.
Satirical ones...
May I see them?
No.
Noo? Poems are written to be read.
A good poem elevates the people.
Hey, Parana! Here's Buchilo for you!
Get up, Buchilo, here's Parana!
Will you get up, Parana is here for you!
Buchilo is a widower.
My sweet...
Hey, Parana...
No... no... I won't go!
Parana, Parana dear...
Hey... Parana dear...
Stalin's fiancee!
- Stalin's fian... - Shut your mouth!
Stalin will protect... protect
He's mine... he'll protect me...
My wreath... he'll protect...
Stalin protects me...
Fiance... my fiance...
Fian... my fiance...
What's going on here?
Who allowed this gathering?
Get going, while I'm in a good mood!
Disperse all of you.
What's going on here, Makar?
This nitwit keeps shouting that she's Stalin's fiancee.
What?
- Comrade Stalin's? - Yes.
What are you saying? What are you?
Comrade Stalin's fiancee?
No, no Comrade Suhov.
You know this far better, at the center.
We're small fry, we catch drunkards,
arrest traffickers... That's our contribution
to the cause of socialism.
What's that you say?
No.
Unfortunately not.
We don't know her full name.
Parana.
She draws a crowd in the square.
Without a permit.
This won't end nicely.
Particularly if she goes and strokes Comrade Stalin.
Says she's his fiancee, the whole village hears is.
Really?
Yes. Of course.
I know Comrade Stalin is married.
Not me, Parana says so.
In front of the whole village.
That can't be chance! There's something behind it!
- My best officer heard it. - Savushkin!
With his own ears!
Yes, Comrade Suhov!
Understood, Comrade Suhov.
Get the prison van ready! We're arresting Parana!
Understood!
Police-Militia
Wake up, my dear!
We're in the cage now.
Want some water?
Are you thirsty, my dear?
What's your name?
Parana.
Parana? That's not a name.
- Name. - Family and Christian name?
Like Gelb Alekseievich Suhov. That's a name.
Name.
- So, what's your name? - Parana.
No, no... That would be too easy, wouldn't it?
No brains, no name...
No documents, walking about like a scarecrow.
We could even change our name. Parana here...
Pelageya in the Orlov district...
Who 'd think a nameless idiot was a saboteur!
Sending Morse signals to the enemy,
hoping to stab Bolshevik power in the back...
Fantastic! I envy your superiors!
What's this?
Knife.
You've given yourself away now!
What short of knife?
Knife.
- What does it remind you of? - Knife.
All right! ... You'll talk in the end!
I'm a patient man. A humanist, if you will.
Write down your birthday, names of friends, contacts...
With dates, names, etc...
Well, what about it?
Are you making a fool of me?
What are you scribbling? Rotten spy!
Don't! Don't! I'll tell on you! Stalin...
I asked you what your name was!
I'll tell... He'll protect...
Fiance! Fiance!
Take her away! Pour some cold water on her!
Fiance... Stalin... He'll protect me! Spy!
- Don't cut! NO! - Keep still!
Do you remember Dibakov?
He was the head man here, but then it turned out
a dark bird was concealed behind the red feathers.
What did I say when they took him away?
He deserved it, he should be shot.
He wore glasses and a tie...
The common folk should rule,
those who don't wear ties!
And Yakov Sverdlov? The big organizer?
He wore glasses and a tie!
Listen here, you sneaking gym teacher!
You drink kvass, and sour milk...
But you're afraid of vodka?
Shut your mouth! Zorka only drinks tea, too.
I know Zorka. I don't believe in him!
And I also don't believe
this one with the tie, either...
Open your eyes, idiot! I have no tie!
I see it even if it's not there.
Look at the great Stalin!
Does he wear a tie? Or glasses? Never
Just like me!
Name your accomplices!
- Who gave you orders? - The Japanese? English?
- Who put you up to it? - Enemy! Spy!
You'll talk in the end...
Everyone talks here sooner later.
Sooner, rather than later!
Who told you to mix poison?
- Who gave you orders? - The Japanese? English?
The Japanese? The English?
What is it, little girl? Do you like it?
Vanka Dushnoy took her away.
In a cage, like some dog.
- It's no laughing matter! - I agree.
But it's not right that she simply goes up to Stalin,
kisses and touches him...
I wouldn't dare go up to Stalin!
If I could once go up to him, and greet him:
''All the best, Yosif Visarionovich...''
He'd stroke my face...
I'd die on the spot...
I'd die from happiness...
- Cry if you want. - She's crying for Parana...
Her kind used to be called Chirst's fiancee.
Poor dear... My heart breaks for her.
Don't hold back, I'm listening.
We're here because of Parana.
Our heart is filled with sorrow.
She's an idiot. What can we do?
But she's our idiot.
We thought we'd write a letter...
She's not like a feather, to be simply blown away.
Here it is. I'll read it.
First, let's clear who we'll send it to.
To him, to Stalin himself!
You can't do that, my friend. It's far away, and high up.
That's what I say, too.
The Kremlin could light a bonfire from all the letters.
It would shine right above Red Square!
That's the whole point!
What are you shouting?
That we should write to Lapitko!
Excuse me, but who is he?
- Goalkeeper of Dinamo! - Well... ah... yes... but...
An outstanding soccer player!
Yes outstanding, but why should we write to him?
He's on good terms with Comrade Stalin.
You could say he enjoys his confidence.
He'll organize a match in Red Square.
A Dinamo vs. Spartak match.
Comrade Stalin will watch from the Kremlin window.
Well that's... incredible...
You can't play ball games In the Red Square...
Why?
I've been there several times. It's on a slant.
- A slant? - Most definitely.
The ball rolls away!
Do you mean by itself?
Yes. It slants. Towards the Museum of History.
I saw on the newsreel that It slants the other way...
Maybe... maybe it slants that way, too...
This way and that...
Enough!
The slant is not our problem.
It's no problem, if Comrade Stalin so desires.
The Government's there, the police will help...
Let's not divert the issue to sports.
As our Lord, Jesus Christ...
We know he has no place among us today...
He said: They know not what they do!
Parana doesn't know what she's saying either,
when she glorifies our great leader, Stalin.
So then, those who love the father, are taken away?
A fitting place for it at last. Have to look up!
You could have thought of it earlier.
What about you, who knows everything so well...
You're responsible for culture. You'll get a medal.
No... An inner voice prompted me...
All right. Be careful, it should be in the middle.
Take the wrapping off!
Yes, take it off!
Oh my God!
Who's responsible for this?
Don't laugh or I'll have you taken away!
Get lost! You didn't see a thing!
Cover it, and find those responsible.
Cover it, will you?
''Wild, barren country, white gull,
Icy land,
Icy solitude...
The wind, the snow blows in your eyes...
The silent night encompasses you...''
Do you know the song? And who usually sings it?
- Who? - Sit down!
Those who aren't felling trees voluntarily in Siberia.
You'll soon be singing with them!
Or did you think I'd go instead of you?
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
They went over our heads.
What do you mean?
A re-examination!
Of the filthy whore you sent to me!
You won't get away with this!
You'll be discharged!
I'm arresting you, to make it quite clear.
Why? Perhaps I did make a mistake...
You handed someone to the political police
who professed her ardent love for Stalin!
Great, isn't it? And true!
- Give me 24 hours! - You'll get that in years!
Savushkin!
Your name's Savushkin. So what's Vanka Dushnoy?
I don't know. It just stuck to me.
- Stuck to you? - What's wrong with that?
A policeman shouldn't have a nickname.
You chase after popularity, you have no authority.
How many times have I told you to shave your beard?!
Our father Lenin also had a beard.
Do you mean to compare yourself to him?
Show me your weapon!
- You keep nails in it? - Just a piece of a lock.
I took it from Glasha, who brews liquor illegally.
I had to break the lock on her hut.
And ammunition?
Never had any. You know we just wear it as decoration.
I declare your weapon is not in order.
- You're a rotten again! - What!
You slandered a Soviet citizen!
Me...
Didn't you report Parana for slandering Stalin?
I just reported it. You were the one to...
You dare to involve me in this?
Should I sing ''Wild, barren land...'' all alone?
No, my friend! I'm arresting you!
Careful! It's loaded! This is no decoration!
I arrest you for slander, provocation...
You asked for an arrest warrant against someone
Who professed her love
for Stalin!
Get going!
Police-Militia
- Did you see that? - Yes, I did.
Taking a policeman away, who's next then?
- Better keep quiet, man. - Well!
Prisoner Ivan Savushkin handed over.
- To who? - Comrade Suhov.
- Did he say anything? - Yes sir.
He says one agent is No agent.
''One agent is no agent''?
What else in God's name does he want?
He says a real agent has accomplices.
We should look around...
Agents have flooded the Soviet homeland.
There must be some more here.
Did he say anything else?
No.
Long live socialist industrialization!
Down with world capitalism!
We'll swallow you, like a sprat!
How are things, Mitrofan dear?
Those with one leg do well, only need one boot.
You make it from pine, yet it's pink. How's that?
A business secret, dear Nadenka.
Hey, is it true Vanka Dushnoy was taken away?
Yes.
A policeman... But why?
None of your business! Get going!
But that's... Parana!
- She's got no hair! - I don't believe it!
- Get up Parana! - Where's your hair?
She won't get up. We missed you.
Parana! They swapped her!
Vanka for Parana, Parana for Vanka!
We missed you a lot...
- Get up. Let's see you! - Do you recognize us?
Where are you off to? Don't be afraid of us!
You're very quiet nowadays.
What should I say?
What goes on at the station, the tea-house...
Are there any suspicious elements...
Don't ask me, Comrade Knishov.
You should listen to what the people say.
Looking for suspicious elements...
Arrest those who the common folk talk about...
The instincts of the people are good.
It said so in today's newspaper...
- Did you hear, Silin? - Yes, Comrade Knishov.
Then you know what you have to do?
Yes sir! I serve the homeland.
And I also watch the people.
- Shall I go now? - No. We'll finish first.
Let's continue!
Parana! Parana!
Look! She's back!
- Parana! - Oh my God!
Spy Saboteur. Whore...
Whore saboteur spy.
- What's she saying... - Slept fo 3 days...
- Must've lost her mind. - Never had any...
No talking...
- What? - Leave her alone!
Girls! Get in line!
Line up girls!
Spy! Spy!
Take him away! Take him!
Spy! Take him! Murderer!
Spy! Take him away!
What? Me? A spy?
What Parana shouted can't be true...
Only the good God has no faults.
She slept for three days when they brought her back.
Things like that Leave their mark.
Who knows why she woke up like this?
There is a good enough reason for everything...
Parana is moonstruck.
That's how us folks say it.
Science is familiar with this malady.
And is able to explain those disjointed words...
Marxist medical scien...
- What's this shit smell? - Well, shit.
I hate it, get lost!
I'd argue with that theory...
There's no sense in what Parana said yesterday.
How do you know that? You're just a poet - perhaps.
We'll find out Senka has the knife. And is a traitor.
Every word has its own meaning...
- Why are you loitering here? - What's it to you?
Eavesdropping? Get lost, and quick!
- What if I don't? - Then...You're lazing around.
- What about you? - I'll report this.
So will I...
Nadka, dear... Nadenka!
Who dares to say it's an accident
If someone is just exchanged like that?
The policeman for Vanka, Vanka for Parana. Huh?
Will you decide, once and for all?
The essence is what's important!
Parana is an idiot - but useful.
She sees into the depths of the soul.
Wasn't it you who said she's an agent?
- Did I say that? - You did!
Maybe. One's brain will burst, remembering all that.
All the same, I don't believe that Genka...
He's no concern of mine...
But I say: don't believe even your own father!
Liza!
Liza, some vodka! Then the big white dog...
I know you had a horse, Sonatina...
The jury applauded.. They took your horse away...
- What time is it? - Eleven.
- What day is it? - Friday.
- And what's the date? - The 13th.
- Where is my knife? - I locked it away.
- Give it to me! - You told me to lock it up!
- Now I say give it back! - You shouldn't have a knife.
I shouldn't be without one, either.
Grab my ass rather, gut I won't give you a knife.
- Want some in it? - Of course.
Parana dear... Are you thirsty?
Have some juice!
It's good, have some! You get it free!
- What is it? - Spy! Poison! Spy!
What are you saying, you idiot? Poison, This?
Poison! Take her away!
You nitwit fiancee! You jailbird!
Poison? But the whole village drinks this!
Parana has a good nose. She knew it was poison.
Poison?
It really is poison!
When I drink it it's pink, when I vomit it's green.
Peeing here...
Can members of the Comsomol do this?
You'll pay dearly for this.
- Well, what is it? - Genka and Nadka.
- Genka and Nadka what? - Both of them.
I report that there is a well-founded case
against the two persons named.
The fruit juice vendor and the gym teacher!
Genka and Nadka...
Well, what are you staring at?
Don't push me! I'll report you!
You'll see!
Give me my hat!
Open the door!
Why don't you say something?
Will somebody help me? My hat!
I don't want to buy a goose. Let me be!
Look, you won't find another like this!
- Help me up the stairs. - There, it's yours!
I say stand at attention when talking to Parana!
She was sent from another world, to guess our secrets.
They say she might be his daughter...
- Stalin's? - Who else's?
The convoy stopped while taking the leader to exile.
He was a good-looking man by then.
The girls buzzed around him. Then wham! It was done...
Give me some vodka! Liza dear!
Some vodka!
Foolish talk! Parana is an idiot after all.
Well... she could have got more of the leather's brains.
Perhaps he was in a hurry...
They were rushed...
Maybe she's on the payroll of the authorities...
You'll see our Parana in uniform,
With commander's rank on her collar.
Bird...
Kosta, Vanka, Petka... Come home! Right now!
Mother Gubina! Mother Gubina!
Next!
I have to leave... I've got some business...
Waiting for you in the tea-house, right?
You can ask questions when you're the boss here!
I see you've got fresh bread! Give me some, please.
Have some cookies! Have some, Parana dear!
Have some. Eat some.
Give me my bread, Olga dear!
Knife! Knife! Spy! Take her away! Spy!
What's up, Parana? It's just a bread knife...
- I just... the bread... - Please give it to me...
No cinema, chess, dominos for the time being.
- No movies at all? - No.
- And why not? - Because.
He's coming!
Hello! Stock-taking!
Don't do this to us, Antip! We know there's pearl-barley.
That's right.
- So open the shop then! - I will not.
- Open it! - It's stock-taking.
You always stayed open before.
You did the stock-taking, Olga served.
Olga... don't act as if you didn't know!
Where is Olga?
Why don't you say something?
What are you doing?
I hate melon. Hate it.
I hate it!
- Zorka! - What is it?
Nikita ha disappeared too!
Liza, it's better if you don't look!
My sweet,
forgive me! I have sinned against you!
I beg your pardon!
Hey! Get away...
Parana, my dear! I love you!
Get away!
The offspring of the great leader...
Long live our wise teacher, our great leader!
The great Stalin!
Look at Parana, his offspring!
Buchilo, don't do that! Stop it!
Honoured fellow citizens!
Stalin! Parana!
How do you like it? You're no judge.
Horse...
Horse... horse...
Sonati... Sonatina...
- Do you recognize her? - Sonatina.
But I did her nose all wrong. Like a sheep.
Liza, get me the knife, I'll fix it.
Sonatina...
Zorka! Get away from here! There'll be trouble!
Don't Zorka me! Bring me the knife! Move!
Sonatina...
Knife! Spy! Spy!
Knife! Take him away!
Take him away! Knife...
I know the law...
You can't get me under paragraph 58.
I'm no tan enemy of the people. Let everyone hear!
What you can get me for is 136. Manslaughter.
Under strong provocatin!
And that's not dangerous.
Starring: