I have to search you, signor. New rules.
I see, Senor Trotsky's finally agreed to have guards.
We don't need his agreement.
We don't want him shot in our city and us to be put in the pillory.
What do you need that for?
It's just a paper-knife.
I'll keep it for now. You can have it back when you leave.
Good afternoon, Comrade Trotsky.
Don't you have any other thing to do?
It's been my work chair since I moved here.
As you noticed yesterday,
I won't either drop my ideas or break my habits,
no matter the number of assassins sent here by your idol.
Why don't you call a carpenter? It's his job to do that.
He refuses to come here.
He is afraid of the virus of violence to spill over to his house.
Ouch. Damn.
-Bastards. -Give me the hammer.
-Don't worry, I know how to handle it. -Go ahead.
You constantly call Stalin a murderer. What about you?
Aren't you a tyrant yourself? How many have you killed?
Critical situations require drastic actions.
What matters is not the number of victims, but the reason for them.
-The dead will stay dead. -So we need to care about the living.
They own the future.
The death of the past nourishes the present
and causes the future. Everyone.
All tyrants justify the sacrifices by the great purpose
and claim that contemporaries don't understand them.
I took every possibility to avoid casualties.
I did everything I could, sometimes even to my own detriment.
Gentlemen.
The Petrograd Soviet of Workers' Deputies
offers to start the general strike immediately.
Yes! Agreed! That's right.
We've seen on the January 9 what your peaceful protest's worth.
Enough!
Do you really believe the strike can deal with their bayonets?
-We need to act more radically! -What do you suggest?
The only thing a normal man can and should suggest.
Let's arm ourselves! Let's arm the workers!
We need to begin the clandestine manufacture of weapons.
We need to occupy the print shops and print leaflets
with the call for revolution!
And only then will they hear us.
And then we will speak as equals.
You walk tall, Trotsky. Don't tear up your pants.
-A radical, an extremist. -Comrades! Comrades!
Comrades!
Armed revolution is not our way.
If you still don't know it, Comrade Trotsky,
you'd better leave the Soviet.
Get out, Trotsky!
Ugh! Why does it stink here like a sour cabbage soup, doctor Gelfand?
It's the smell of the ink. I hate this smell myself.
Please tell me I haven't come to this damned city for nothing.
I'm afraid I have no good news, Herr Kobert.
As a member of the Soviet of Workers' Deputies
I can say it's a group of cripples and impotents.
I heard your pet Trotsky's come into town.
Yes, he's becoming popular among the working class.
But do we want go down this road again?
Do you know what the January revolution lacked?
The sacred sacrifice.
A person in whose name people would take down the regime.
You believe Trotsky can become this sacrifice?
Why not? You say people love him.
He's young, clever and passionate.
Why would gendarmes kill Trotsky?
Arrest and exile, as usual.
Who told you gendarmes are to kill him?
You want me to kill him?
It's impossible.
How much do you want for this job?
Here, that's your thirty pieces of silver.
Take it, don't worry. We'll do the dirty work.
Your task is to make every dog here
know about Trotsky as soon as possible.
The rest is none of your business.
We shouldn't. We should have asked for the Soviet's agreement.
The Soviet is a dirty bone thrown to us to keep us occupied,
to knock out the revolution.
Until we take it in hand, we'll get nothing.
Revolution is like a woman:
if you slow down, falter or stay cold, she'll leave.
That's why we need the force, we need armed workers.
Ours. Let's go.
Stop!
Who are you? Hands up now, so I can see them.
Search them.
Let's leave.
Leaflets!
Arrest him.
You fool!
Stop!
Gendarmes confiscated the leaflets.
One comrade got killed.
They'll post guards at every print shop now.
Don't worry. It's just the beginning.
A month ago, we had nothing.
Don't you see? Russia is like pharmaceutical scales.
It all depends on whether workers support us.
We need thousands of leaflets.
Tens of thousands. We need newspapers.
Leon, look at me.
Look at me!
I fell in love with a man that doesn't back down from challenges.
I don't intend to get disappointed.
My man doesn't give up and quit.
He always wins.
And you're my lion, and no one can stop you.
I won't take money from the Germans.
It's the victim's logic. They want to use me.
You're not a victim, Trotsky. You're an aggressor.
That's why I won't let anyone manipulate me.
Let's look at it from a different angle.
Germany will gladly catch on the fire of the Russian revolution.
They want to use you, so use them first.
Take their money and show how it's done to the German workers.
I see you still don't have any principles.
It interferes with commerce.
You need a platform, I have it all:
money, contacts, a newspaper that can provide the platform.
Deal?
I want you to know: I found you very repulsive.
I'll survive.
Meet you tomorrow morning in our newspaper office.
The proletariat should not just call for a revolution,
but must pursue it.
One can't set a time for a revolution, like a demonstration.
No nation carried out a revolution on a signal.
But due to the inevitable increasing disaster
we need to define quickly the best positions,
to arm and inspire the masses by revolutionary words,
train them and keep them ready.
So that we can strike all along the line when the moment comes.
The revolutionary proletariat does exist.
We need the skill
to get all of them on the streets at the same time all over Russia...
WORKERS - TAKE ARMS!
...and unite them by the common call.
Period.
Animal trainers Tomson and Khodashevitch!
THE KHERSON GOVERNORATE. 1905.
Long time no see, David.
I'm not that young anymore to walk 30 miles back and forth.
I didn't want to, but my granddaughters asked to show them the city.
I'm Petrushka, do you have a grain for me?
-No. -I have one!
The arming of the working class
and revolutionary violence
will lead to the just word of equality for all.
Our motherland paid for its freedom
with the sacrifice and blood of its best sons.
Try to arm those ones.
WORKERS - TAKE ARMS!
Are we not good enough for you, dirty kike?
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine. The old Jew can go away now.
I'm talking to you!
Grandpa!
Aren't you cute little Jews.
Don't you cry. Come here.
Come, girl. You want to see your grandpa?
See, here's your grandpa.
Do you want no one to beat him, my lovely little fish? You do, good girl.
Then...
Eat it up, sweetie.
Eat up! Eat it up, you kikess.
Eat up! Eat, eat. For your grandpa.
Here it is. And more.
Then no one will beat up your grandpa.
Here it is. Good girl.
You see, no one touches your grandfather.
Come here, darling.
You like it, kike?
No!
You dirty kike!
-Leon, dear. -What?
Here.
Hello...
son.
DADDY CAME BACK
Do you want some tea?
No, I'm good...
dear.
I don't want tea either.
We'll go for a walk.
-Right now? -Why not?
The city shows its true face at nights.
You don't like my Natalia?
I came to see you, not her.
You don't even imagine what an ugly beast...
you're setting free.
It's a dark and scary force!
Before you know it, it will consume everything.
And then it'll get you.
Stop it, Father. You don't understand a thing.
Tomorrow is with us. It's not as dark as you think.
I'm your father!
Don't talk to me the way you do to them.
Don't set out the fire, son. It's hellfire. It's from the devil.
Don't fan its flames!
You know I don't believe either in God or the Devil.
The course of history is unstoppable! Unstoppable.
They almost killed your child. And you want to arm them.
I'm sorry you saw it.
Wake up, Leiba!
Look around! This new world of yours
is all the same and will never change!
You want to sacrifice your kids for these bastards?
Yes. I will.
As I will sacrifice my wife. And you. And myself.
Half of the world believe in the one that gave up his life for them.
But these people can't sacrifice even a bit of their happiness.
I can!
I'm ready for it! And I will! See?
You're not a human.
You're not my son anymore.
I curse you.
Finally, you've said it out loud.
You've cursed me back then, when I left school, right?
You never believed in me! I'll prove to you I'm right!
And no one will stop me!
I don't even know what to say.
To consider other's lives as history's building blocks is one thing.
It is immoral, but can be understood.
But being ready to willfully sacrifice your family...
An aperitif wine.
What if they offered to head the country in exchange for Natalia's life?
Natalia would be the first to propose that.
Don't look at me like that.
I've lost two children in this way, what else is there to be scared of?
-There's one more problem, Leon. -What is it?
The cook refuses to come here.
I see. Let me guess.
The virus of violence?
I see.
We'll have the aperitif next time.
Frank, do you know how to hammer the rabbits down?
-Never tried. -I was taught in my childhood.
My father taught me.
Let's go, if you're not afraid of the blood.
The strike needs to get transformed into something greater.
But the people are not ready. We've just started to stir the pot.
And the weapons, you know...
To hell with your people.
Europe's economy is falling apart, including in Germany.
We are to take urgent actions.
-Yes, but... -If something goes wrong, I promise
I'll tell your friends' revolutionaries about our deal.
Stop here.
Let's go.
I'm saying no. I can't lead the people for the bayonets now.
We've just called for workers to arm themselves.
No way, the general strike.
We might not have another chance
to get that many angry people altogether out on the streets.
Do you know how many handguns can be illegally made
during one night shift at the factory?
Three! Just three, Parvus.
And only one of them will shoot at best.
It's a drop in the ocean. We need time.
People's wrath is a dwindling reserve, Leon.
It's running out,
just like the generosity of my sponsors.
You know what?
Go to hell with your sponsors.
You can tell them that.
I'm nervous. I'm constantly worrying about you.
Is it silly?
You knew the life I'm living.
It's not about you. I don't trust Parvus.
That makes sense. No one trusts him.
Yes. But the irony is that he's right.
If even I see it, the others must too.
Either revolution will fade away or the rascals like Parvus will head it.
I'm afraid to tell you that, but...
But what?
Don't give it up to them.
It's your revolution.
What's the matter? What's wrong?
Nothing.
I'm just tired.
Come here, little friend. Today is your turn.
I don't understand why you would even mention 1905.
You lost that revolution. It was worthless.
Are you trying to justify the further sacrifice?
I lost it, yes. It was the right decision.
It was painful and humiliating. But it was the only right choice.
Back then, I got stuck between a rock and a hard place.
One side wanted my physical death.
The other one was smarter, therefore more dangerous.
Allow me.
The generals are arguing about what to do with the bloody revolutionaries.
Some cry to drench the country in blood.
The others want to bargain: the economy won't stand the war.
While they're arguing, you, a governor of Saratov,
managed to calm the revolutionaries down in the city.
It's an honor for me to serve the country, Your Majesty.
You might know something my generals are not aware of.
Will you share the secret?
A wisely used whip.
Alexander Nevsky, for example, didn't attack the enemy,
but let them walk on light ice.
They drowned under the weight of the armor.
I invited you here not for talking in riddles.
Excuse me, your majesty. I meant
that we need to act the same way towards the rebels, just as Nevsky did.
Let them do what they want. Let's not shoot at them like on 9th January.
We make them spill the blood first.
It will discredit the revolution in the people's eyes forever.
What if they don't spill the blood?
We'll have our people dressed as workers in the crowd.
They'll start shooting, so the soldiers will have to shoot back.
The blame for the spilled blood will be on the rebels, but not on the court.
General strike! To the demonstration!
Let the ones that are afraid hide!
Comrades!
The laws of the criminal authority are criminal laws.
That's right!
Criminals won't tell us how to live!
Yes!
-Let them hear your voice! -Yes!
-See your force! -Yes!
-Let them shudder with fear! -Yes!
-To the demonstration! -Yes!
It's begun.
Tell the Tsar.
We must immediately call a Government meeting.
It's our turn to come into play.
Act with decision, but confidentially.
Are you scared?
It's too late to be scared. There's no turning back.
I'm afraid.
I'm scared to see people die for the first time.
The death is not scary, especially when it's justified...
by the history.
Anyway, the world won't be the same after this day.
Yes, I know.
Our children will live in a better world.
I wouldn't want it to start on blood.
Natalia. I believe you'd better leave the city.
Just in case.
I'm not leaving. No matter what, I'm staying with you.
-Natalia! -Leon, dear, don't start!
You know your eloquence doesn't work on me.
Besides, we had a deal
that I decide it all as I see fit.
OCTOBER 18, 1905
Down with the power of fat manufacturers!
Yes! Down!
Down! Down! Down!
Up with the power of workers!
Let's throw down the gendarme jackboot from workers' chests!
Down! Down! Down! Down!
Don't show your guns before it is time.
Gather the belly.
Don't dart your eyes or they'll figure you out.
And most important, don't shoot till they get to the Square.
You feel it, Trotsky? It's your day.
It's your history, your revolution!
Don't hurry. He must die in front of as many witnesses as possible.
Beware the Tsarist police.
Why have you stopped, Trotsky? Don't tell me, you're afraid.
-It'll be a bloodbath. -So what? You wanted it all along.
You tried to achieve it, are you going to stop a step away from the revolution?
Trotsky!
Let Trotsky speak!
Trotsky! Trotsky!
Trotsky! Trotsky! Trotsky!
The demonstrators came to the Palace square.
Watch Trotsky.
Not a hair must fall from his head.
Check everything once again, especially attics and roofs.
Trotsky! Trotsky! Trotsky! Trotsky!
Comrades!
We stepped on the chest of the governing pack!
They promised us freedom,
electoral rights, legislative power.
Where's all that?
Shall we believe them after that?
No!
Nicholas II started his rule
by giving thanks to the grenadiers
for the killing of the Yaroslavl workers.
Workers like you! And he started that bloody Sunday!
For him Russia is a street girl,
that can be used as he wants just for pittance.
Shall we believe him after that?
No! No! No!
Look around,
has anything changed since yesterday?
No!
Have the prison gates been opened?
No!
We still have moans and gnashing of teeth
behind these damned walls!
Have our brothers come back home from exile?
No!
Nicholas II and his rich henchmen
consider themselves to be the salt of the earth,
and you to be the dull and obedient livestock.
Just the gearwheels that drive their fat life full of benefits.
But no, they're so mistaken!
You are the salt of the earth.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Arrest him.
Why did you stop? Go on!
They want us to go barehanded
to their bayonets.
They want to repeat that bloody Sunday,
they want to drown our revolution in its own blood.
But it will never happen!
Our lives belong only to us!
And we won't give it away for nothing!
We will choose another way.
And I promise you,
they will pay dearly for our brothers' blood.
Yes!
Comrades! Now let's go home.
What are you doing?
Go home.
It was a right choice.
Because there was no blood?
Because it was your choice.
The square is empty. The crowd dispersed without a gunshot.
What do you mean dispersed? What the hell!
What about Trotsky?
You said...
-Arrest him immediately! -Yes, sir!
Now!
-Sir Stolypin... -It's you.
-It's so awkward each time... -Don't bother.
I've arranged it all. The treasury will give you a check.
I hope now it's over with the German spies in St. Petersburg?
I hope so. Excuse me, I have things to do.
And one more thing.
As soon as you receive the check, get out from Russia.
My honor.
Certainly.
Leave us.
Who are you?
The person in charge of restoring order in our country.
You were ready to kill people for that?
How do you sleep at night?
I can't complain.
You see...
I'm ready to make a sacrifice but only in case of an emergency.
But there was none.
Stop lying.
Why would you switch forces to the city then?
We need to be ready for any situation.
I'm a pragmatist. The revolution will happen eventually.
I bought time.
I'll do anything possible for the revolution to be bloodless.
You miscalculated this one.
We'll come back and destroy all of you.
You don't understand one thing.
Any religion founded on blood is a monster,
which sooner or later eats its own children.
You think you'll feed us to it
and it'll settle down?
It won't.
Think about it in your spare time.
It was a pleasure to meet you in person.
Stop thinking about it, Jacson.
It's not a rabbit anymore. Just a piece of meat.
-A glass of water? -I'm fine. Let's talk about you.
As you wish.
Why did you change your mind, and didn't attack?
You may call it a sixth sense.
Come on, Trotsky. You don't believe in God.
Admit the obvious fact that you got scared.
An obvious fact:
in 1905, the people were not ready for the revolution.
We had no weapons, no strict plan,
and no support from the majority.
And I did get scared.
Not of prison or death,
but of the useless sacrifice
we've been discussing all day long.
It's just words. Facts show the opposite.
All right. Here's another fact.
If I got killed then, there would be no revolution.
Have you still not understood that the revolution is me?
-Why did we stop? -We ran out of coal.
I reported about it at the last station.
Where do I find coal? I told you to get the wood!
I see. Where do I find wood?
There's no forest. What should I do? Should I burn benches?
Burn your blockhead! Do you want to be put on trial?
Go get ready, comrade.
There will be wood soon.
Comrade Sermuks.
Tyrants!
What are you doing?
There's my son buried here! You godless people!
God will punish you! I'll kill you!
Bastards!
Finish up, let's go. We need to reach Nikolaev in two hours.
Comrade Trotsky, what shall we do with them?
Let's go.
It's hard to understand, if you have never sacrificed.
You forgot that I was at war. I know about it as well as you do.
Then why aren't you eating?
It's simple as that: we need to eat, right? I see.
That's why we killed the rabbit. That's it. It's a justified sacrifice.
It's different.
Life didn't let me be like you.
What do you mean "like me"?
A young fool craving for truth that turns away when he sees it.
The truth is cruel.
And you're a youngster still dreaming about something.
I'm tired of your insults. If it were not for your age, I'd...
It's not an insult, it's truth, Frank.
If you don't like it, go to hell and don't come back.
You proved nothing to me. In my world, truth is truth...
Natalia, show him out.
Truth is not a compromise with your conscience.
Natalia, show him out.
Father, why are you here?
Didn't you call for me?
Yes, I wanted to talk.
You haven't changed.
I remember when you were a kid
I dreamt that you'd get an education,
graduate from university and become a respectable man.
But you chose another life, took another name.
And now your heart is empty.
It's bad.
I wanted to destroy the order based on inequality.
What's bad about it?
Did you ask people whether they need it?
Did you ask me?
I've worked my entire life, son.
I grew bread, built our house.
And you devoted your life to destruction.
I wanted to build a world for the people
where justice and equality reign.
Sooner or later I'll do it and people will see.
What people?
You're a Jew, Leiba. They'll never accept you as one of them.
A kike from a small town had his mare down.
He went to a rabbi for a piece of blabber, how to make his mare work.
And the rabbi told him so: slaughter the horse, feed off her corpse.
Eyes for candles can be used, and the bowels for books.
And what it had under the tail give away to the Jewish kahal!
Farewell, Leiba.