FILM 12
Revenge makes the nights longer,
but knives make them shorter.
Do you feel it?
I love you.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
After all of your stories,
I’m even more sure that Meglin’s moral compass was broken.
Do you understand what I’m saying?
Not really.
You’ve lost your frame of reference.
It’s not that you lost it. It’s that you found… a new one.
It’s not like ours.
He pitied the criminals more than the victims.
Maybe it depends on who the criminals and who the victims are.
Are you also justifying murder?
In certain cases, yes.
VLADIMIR OPERA HOUSE
I don’t understand--
Have you been to the theater before?
Of course. Once.
When I was at the orphanage, they took us to Swan Lake.
Stop, stop, stop! There. And higher!
Higher, higher, higher!
We’re losing time!
-Are you from the Saratov Theater? -Yes.
Excellent. Let’s go. I’ll explain everything on the way.
We have an urgent entrance!
It’s an aerial descent.
You’re the aristocracy of Pompeii. Is that clear?
It’s Pompeii. Our tone is tragic.
You’re the aristocracy.
It’s dawn, and then suddenly there’s such a punishment!
And the question arises: why?
It comes up in your roles.
Why?
-And I have to make it clear. -Well, of course.
Moral decadence.
By the way, I have your parts ready.
The role of Othello is coming open.
There’s been an epidemic of bronchitis, so we called you immediately.
By the way, with your looks, you could play any part.
So, as a formality, the director will see you, and that’s it.
Enter.
Come in. We’re in such a bad situation. It couldn’t be worse!
There’s been an epidemic of bronchitis.
Half of the company is sick, and right before the premiere.
You called us on account of bronchitis? That’s not our job. That’s the clinic’s.
If that were the only epidemic.
People have disappeared.
Anton Avdeyev and his wife Victoria.
He’s a very famous lawyer in the city and a member of our board.
I pulled all kinds of strings to get you here.
Unfortunately, that’s not our job either. We don’t look for missing people.
But this isn’t the first case.
The cases just weren’t tied together earlier.
I’m listening.
Igor Ignatich Sysoev went missing in January.
He’s also a member of the board.
The police said he had some business troubles,
but now it somehow looks… like something else.
Vadik, this is too much to bear! How much can I bear?
Why is my makeup artist being changed an hour before I go on?
Mikhael, I’m sorry. I called Zhanna. She was supposed to call back.
Why are you talking about Zhanna? I need the makeup artist I’ve had all year.
-Is that really unclear? -I’ll call Zhanna.
Can you introduce me? Hello.
Mikhael Ptakha, our lead tenor.
-And this is-- -A colleague of yours. From the Saratov.
I’m also a tenor.
Not as gifted as you, of course, but not everyone has it.
-Do you want to replace me? -Mikhael.
I’m joking. I’m irreplaceable.
And you aren’t really a tenor.
You’re a baritone.
You’re smoking in here. It’s not allowed.
Are you a cop or something?
Mikhael, I’m sending you the best makeup artist!
Why are you always trying to get rid of me?
-Maybe I’ll just quit the theater! -Mikhael!
It’s not our problem.
Go see Shtikh.
-Please, let us talk! -Go see Shtikh!
Excuse me.
-Shtikh-- the one and the same? -Yes, yes. The banker.
Gennady Abramych.
He’s president of the opera’s board.
He’s supported the theater for many years.
Why does your tenor hate him so much?
Go ahead and talk to the administrator. I’ll talk to the… bohemian.
What should I find out?
Find out who’s on their list of privileged guests.
Who it’s all for, basically.
And find out which dedicated attendees suddenly stopped coming to performances.
We’ll talk at lunch.
You don’t eat lunch. We’ll talk after your third glass.
You’re overestimating me. We’ll talk after my second glass.
Maybe I’m overestimating you.
-Can we take these? -Please.
Why are you standing around? Get to work.
I’m going.
Do you have a minute?
Why are you doing my brows so high?
How many times do I have to tell you? I’ll do it myself. Go.
EUGENE ONEGIN MIKHAEL PTAKHA
Come in.
Have you and Shtikh had a falling-out?
So, yes?
As far as I can tell,
Gennady Abramych’s sexual preferences are of a different type.
I, of course, can’t confirm it,
but if someone could commit a murder, or arrange a murder,
then it would be Shtikh.
He doesn’t let anything get in his way,
and he has the morals of a dinosaur.
Was this epidemic also his work?
Well, I don’t think his power reaches that far.
Maybe Avdeyeva and Sysoev found out something and he got rid of them.
What would they have found out?
What, am I going to tell you everything?
You’re the hound.
You search.
I don’t ask you to sing my role for me.
Not that I could.
I’m a baritone.
Mikhael.
Excuse me. Five minutes.
-I’m sorry. I have to get ready. -Of course.
“The Muses’ service brooks no vanity.”
I’m sorry.
Bye.
I got 10 names, but there’s only one definite match so far.
Tetyokhin, the music critic, went missing a year ago.
The company was sure he’d gone to India.
-But the police have a different theory. -Which is?
His car was found outside the city with the keys in the ignition.
You know what?
I don’t know. Tell me.
Tetyokhin was a friend of Shtikh.
Now it’s time to visit this philanthropist, no?
Please.
-Gennady Abramych! -Why are you shouting?
-He’s coming down now. -All right.
-Would you like anything? -Not now, thank you.
Definitely later.
That’s Tetyokhin. The photo from the director’s office. Sorry it took me so long. Work.
Did they offer you a drink?
Of course.
Let’s not disturb them. Please.
Now maybe let’s get to business.
Well, yeah.
Was Tetyokhin, the critic, your friend?
Why “was”?
I heard he went to India. Did something happen to him?
Did he write you or keep in touch by phone?
We weren’t that close.
I have another idea.
Although…
Banker and critic.
Fire and ice. What brought you two together?
I used to sing.
Well, in a quartet.
I was no Corelli.
I decided to do what I’m better at-- making money.
I make money and I help new talent get discovered.
-Are you talking about the children now? -Yes.
For many years, I’ve been traveling around the country listening to choirs.
I look for talented children, and I help them make it.
Sometimes Tetyokhin helped me.
-And that young man there? -Five octaves.
A unique range.
What are they to you?
Excuse me?
Well, you’re their patron, but what are they to you?
-I do this-- -For the love of art. That’s clear.
Nonetheless.
Did you also help Mikhael?
Ptakha?
Ptakha, Ptakha, Ptakha.
I found him…
20 years ago
in a dying town near Vladimir
and made him who he is today.
Was he the one who tipped you off?
Tipped me off about what?
Ptakha is a small-town boy
who was elevated to great heights.
He couldn’t handle it.
The fame went to his head.
He doesn’t understand.
It could all change.
Conversation over.
Can I talk with Grisha?
I’m afraid not.
He has a voice lesson now, and they aren’t finished.
So much talent… has passed through your hands.
Are you in ancient Rome, comrade?
Listen to me, you freak.
If you make any waves…
I’ll crush you…
and feed you to the dogs.
They’re great dogs.
Great dogs. By the way.
Like this…
and checkmate.
Why’d you unzip my jacket?
It was immediately clear…
he plays for the other team.
Well… Yeah.
What do you think of him?
Did you see how big his house was? The grounds and fences? It’s beautiful. We should take a walk around.
I’m sure we’d find something to interest us.
Yes, but who’d let us do that?
He has protectors and associates in high places.
So getting in without a warrant, without any consequences, is unlikely.
-We need to break in. -What are our options?
Use my father?
Your father and I, by the way, have had a disagreement over you, to say the least.
I don’t think he’ll do it.
Yeah, I didn’t really want his help.
I talked to your father.
Shtikh has everything covered.
No one is going to give you a search warrant.
What is he, untouchable?
There aren’t any untouchables in our country.
Almost none. Yeah, and then…
You know, you have to take him down with hard evidence.
If none exists and you don’t have any…
But what if we have a witness?
A witness.
If there’s a witness…
I’ll talk to your father again.
Can I have the check, please?
Listen.
You wouldn’t want to…
forget all of that?
What do you mean?
Everything that you saw… last time.
I want to, but I know I can’t.
You know…
Ostriches are happy--
people who simply go on with their lives.
Waiting for the vacations…
watching Wheel of Fortune with Leonid Yakubovich.
Who are we trying to protect?
And from whom?
Have you thought of that?
I’ve thought of it.
We’re protecting people from monsters.
Find some evidence or a witness.
Sorry for the disguise.
-Fans. -The burden of fame.
I understand.
By the way, it turns out Shtikh is also an ardent fan of yours.
That means you went to see him.
Well, what did he tell you?
That you hit the big time.
On his wall, he has a photo of you…
from 20 years ago.
You know everything inside and out.
Can you tell us?
Are you prepared to see it through to the end?
Which is?
Well…
if you have money, then anything is possible.
Laws are for poor people.
Shtikh has money and connections…
and he’s gone completely crazy.
So I’m asking, are you prepared to go all the way?
Are you?
I’m ready.
Then I’ll tell you this--
he’s not the only one…
who’s gone completely crazy.
Listen, maybe…
we can actually order something to drink.
I’m from an orphanage.
I grew up there.
All the guys who didn’t die
either started shooting up, drinking, or are in prison.
I’m the only one who escaped.
A patron from Moscow, Shtikh, came to visit us.
I knew that…
he took the boys he liked back to Moscow.
And I…
really… made an effort.
But he came to me within a week.
At night.
He explained how everything was going to be.
He said that, if I was a good boy, I could have anything.
But if I tried to run or said anything, then I’d…
be ripped apart by the dogs in the driveway.
And…
as strange as it sounds…
I got used to it.
I simply endured it.
Then why, in your opinion, is he making people disappear?
How can I explain?
They were all his acquaintances. They were even close.
I think that they knew-- or guessed, at least-- about his pathology.
Well, and now you see they’re electing a new chairman of the board.
It’s a prestigious position and well paid, at the end of the day.
Maybe they were squabbling over it.
Shtikh’s methods are not so elegant, in spite of his outward appearance.
Could we have an hour of your time tomorrow?
To file an official statement.
All right. Let’s do it.
Tomorrow after the premiere.
I’m afraid I can’t help you.
I’d really like to…
but that never happened.
So Ptakha made everything up?
Possibly.
Maybe he wants to have a more tragic past.
Did you love your husband?
No.
I was a beard.
I pretended to be his wife.
He didn’t like to advertise his true inclination.
What’d he give you?
An apartment, car, the store-- everything?
Yeah, we had an agreement.
Everyone got what they wanted.
Ptakha too.
Have you read how much he’s making now?
Shtikh is getting rid of anyone who can tell the truth.
Do you think that you’re safe?
Excuse me, please.
I can’t tell you anything.
-I need to… -Shoot up?
I think you were both victims…
cell mates.
Only you had the easy duties. Shtikh liked to play.
Like this.
Shooting up, snorting-- you could manage that.
That’s probably…
what you actually got.
Let’s go.
Five years ago, six people went missing under similar circumstances.
Four members of the board-- plus their wives--
one music critic, and a tenor from Bolshoi Theatre.
Why weren’t the cases tied together?
That’s a question for our valiant police force.
That’s it. I’m ready.
What time is the premiere?
Seven.
It’s time to go.
-Are you going like that? -Yes.
Are you sure? I got your suit ready.
You also need to change clothes.
-Why? -It’ll be hard to run.
I knew it!
You decided to break into Shtikh’s house during the premiere.
Genius! We can’t live without surprises!
How are we going to get inside? We’re on camera.
Let him record us.
If we find what we need…
then he’ll be praying that no one knew we were here.
Don’t breathe!
Get in the car!
I’m listening.
I convinced myself for a long time,
but you’re right, I’m guilty too.
We had an agreement with Gena.
Everything that happens in that house stays in that house.
Of course I could’ve freed Ptakha…
but what would’ve happened to me?
Did Shtikh rape him?
Yeah, and not just Shtikh.
Who else was there?
Igor Sysoev…
Misha Tetyokhin,
Avdeyev… Latsis.
Grishin, Belyaev?
You already know.
Now do you understand what happened?
He was silent about the others so we’d think it was Shtikh.
All of these board members…
Nonsense!
He’s killing them… because he’s getting revenge.
He’s getting revenge on them all.
It’s him.
It’s Ptakha.
That’s it.
You know, I’m embarrassed to ask, but…
is anyone else coming?
Or is it just you… and us? No one else?
Do you need someone else?
You know, it was a little strange that you asked us over.
Kind of unexpected.
-Is something not to your liking? -No.
Everything is really great, actually.
You have an immaculate home. Only it’s a little out of the way.
I specifically chose a house with no neighbors.
I sing.
I didn’t want to impose on anyone.
Isn’t it scary? Or do you have security?
You saw my security. I let them roam at night.
Like Shtikh did.
You remember.
And we…
Don’t be scared. They’ll like you.
Who?
Interesting. Is that thing for protection, or are you a hunting enthusiast?
I’m a weapons enthusiast.
It’s… a Phantom.
It’s the best hunting crossbow in the world.
At close range…
there’s not a chance the victim will survive.
Mikhael.
I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time.
About your past… with Shtikh,
but I never had the chance.
Even after that, I--
I didn’t realize it then.
After that, I stopped speaking to Shtikh.
Forgive me.
God forgives.
You knew everything. You knew everything, you bitch.
The victims’ cars were driven to the city, the keys left inside.
Near the first metro station, but they didn’t stay there long.
Any bodies?
Dogs were found behind the house. He poisoned them when he left.
That means the bones are here.
POLICE
Dig here.
Get a shovel and dig!
Palych, why are you so happy?
There’s a pile of bones, and he’s smiling.
I’m writing an article on dental identification.
I didn’t have enough material.
Now I’m good.
Well, I’m happy we helped you with your article.
The plan to intercept him didn’t work.
We didn’t find the car. He made it out of the perimeter.
-On the other hand, there’s a lead. -What lead?
Ptakha’s girlfriend, Anna. She came to clear up their relationship.
Of course, I knew he wasn’t normal.
But for this to happen…
Why’d you come?
I was tired of him not paying attention to me.
He was constantly busy.
It was just a farce.
I saw him on stage and fell in love immediately.
After the premiere that evening, I came back to see him.
The conversation was nice, but at night…
Honestly, he’s not really a man.
Childhood trauma or something.
It was either fast or not at all, and he’d cry the whole time.
I forgave him for everything.
Honestly, we rarely saw each other.
Performances, tours, interviews-- he was always busy.
Recently, I stopped seeing him altogether.
He couldn’t get away from the orphanage.
Which orphanage? The one he grew up in.
There was this gifted young boy there.
Mikhael said that he sings like a god.
He went there often to practice singing with him.
They went on walks, to cafés…
He even brought him to Moscow. Look, I found it in his office.
Let’s go!
TWO DAYS EARLIER
If you please!
What am I guilty of, Meglin?
All of these so-called decent people have two faces!
“Had.”
And the more decent they seemed, the more disgusting their inner beast.
They were rotten inside, every one.
I just finished them off!
They decided that if you have money, you can do anything.
And when they showed up in your life, you decided on this.
No. That’s not it at all.
Everyone has to answer for their actions. You understand? For every action!
Are you ready to answer for yours?
I’m ready.
Just give me two days, Meglin.
Do you want to save the boy, or do you want to get revenge?
Give him two days.
Two days. Mikhael!
Did you decide to have your cake and eat it too?
Kill Shtikh and get away quietly?
Someone needs to take care of the boy.
-He’s a genius. He’ll be lost without me. -He’ll manage.
Give me three minutes.
I already gave you two days.
I want to say good-bye to Egor.
Go.
Why’d you let him go?
Put your gun away.
Well, all right, Meglin…
to put it mildly, was absolutely not normal.
But you?
You could’ve prevented all of this.
What, were you afraid? You didn’t want to take a risk?
You could’ve turned to your father-- Steklov, Senior Adviser.
What?
That would’ve been insubordination.
MOSCOW