Noce i dnie (1975) - full transcript

Dedicated to
Jerzy Kawalerowicz.

Christ! A photograph
of Bogumił hanged on the wall.

I packed children's photos at
the last minute but I forgot about him.

Even now, I forgot about him.

Oh, merciful God!

If only the course of history
could stop in its tracks

and save Bogumił's photograph.

Madam Barbara!

Madam! The town hall's on fire!
Everything's on fire!

Let's run! I've paid for a hackney!
Pack, immediately!

Quick! Quick! Let's run!



Madam Barbara!

Quick! Quick!
Or we won't make it!

Madam!

Let's run! We're going to burn!

NIGHTS AND DAYS

Today's a day of blood and glory

Let it be a resurrection day

Gazing at Poland's star

The white eagle launched into the sky

Heartened by hope

He's calling us from up above

Uprise, Poland, break your chains

Today's the day of victory or death

Poles, take up your bayonets



Let freedom and let Poland live

Let this rallying cry

Ring out to our foes

Ring out to our foes

Let drums snare and cannons blast

Go on children, array in line

Freedom and glory lead the regiments

Triumph shines on sword bayonets

Fly, our eagle, way up high

Serve the glory, Poland, and the world

He who survives shall be free

He who has died already is

Poles, take up your bayonets

Let freedom and let Poland live

Let this rallying cry

Ring out to our foes

Ring out to our foes

Józef, sir!

- After the galop, the quadrille.
- Mazur first, madam!

You promised me, sir!

Daniel, after your wedding

we'll wed Terenia to her dear Kociełło!

- And then...
- And then we'll wed Basia.

- Yes.
- I've been eyeing a bachelor for her!

- Who likes what, Teresa?
- Water lilies!

Bogumił, is it your own good
and free will

to take Barbara to be your wife?

It is.

Barbara, is it your own good
and free will

to take Bogumił to be your husband?

It is.

I don't love him, Terenia!

It's impossible to love a man, who...

Dear Teresa!

Terenia, is it possible?

Is it possible
to love only one man your whole life?

I don't know,

I never truly loved.

What about Lucjan?

Lie down. Have some rest.

Have some rest.

Apparently, in Kaliniec
they say I'm engaged.

Belie these rumours, please!

When push comes to shove, I'll say: no!

I'll say: no. And it'll be done with!

Lucjan! Wake up, for God's sake!

Look what my sister is doing!

She gave up tailoring
and started tutoring in arithmetic!

- Well, what do you say?
- Good! She's back to her old ways.

You go back to your
bachelor ways too often as well.

I'm warning you that...
It might not end well!

- Don't you threaten me!
- People start shunning us.

Stop threatening me!

And please, leave me alone!

Barbara won't come
to Kaliniec for the summer.

She'll spend it in Borek.

At Ładas' estate.

Miss Barbara, everything's
provided for at Jan Łada's!

At Łada's hustle, bustle,
drinks, and dance are a must!

Ensemble!

Jan Łada provides for everything!

At Łada's hustle, bustle, dance...

Who's... Who's this young lady
over there, in this colourful dress?

Come, I'll introduce you to her.

No, no. Perhaps later.

There's no "later" at Jan Łada's.
I'll introduce you!

But why make a fuss?

Right this instance!

- Miss Barbara!
- Excuse me.

May I introduce you to our hero.

Mister Bogumił Niechcic.

I, Barbara...

take you, Bogumił...

to be my lawfully wedded husband.

I vow love...

faith...

and fidelity.

And that...

I won't leave you...

until death do us part.

- Long live Mr. Toliboski!
- Bravo, sir!

Just imagine, Basia, this Toliboski

got married to a plain-looking
but rich girl.

One Narecka. They wed in Warsaw.

The newlyweds are going to live

in Borowno, the bride's dowry,
a few miles from Kaliniec.

Hush, hush!

Do they have to saw away
like that all the time?

My head's splitting
from these screeches!

Don't make a fuss, Jan.
They need to warm up and tune up.

Couldn't they do it at home?

Why is everyone looking at me like that?

Ah, they're gazing at Niechcic.

Anyone can see his shortcomings.

Insufficient education...

and his boorishness.

No, Mr. Niechcic looks
quite well in his new outfit.

I'm surprised
that such a young, handsome man

didn't pursue
a richer and prettier girl.

If I back away now...

nobody will ever want to marry me.

Shoo! Shoo!
Go away, you ugly thing!

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Don't mind us. I just wanted to show
my fiancée around.

What's there to look at?
You'll live long enough in this manure!

Upstairs, children, off you go!

What are you gawking at? Off you go!

Whose children are those?

Oh, them! Former estate manager's.

One Winczewski. And that was his wife.

They're leaving Krępa
and we'll inherit their place.

The entire house, madam.

I'll show you the rooms, if you please.

Large, nice, bright.

No, no! Not necessarily today.
Another time, when the occasion arises.

- Some other time, sir.
- It looks awful now.

But we'll refurbish it all.

I don't have to see it today.

I know it doesn't make
the best first impression.

- Once we renovate it...
- Honestly, I really like it here...

I like this... Krępa.

You'll get the hang of everything.
Give yourself some time. Cheep, cheep!

Cheep, cheep, chickens!
I'll teach you.

Chickens need different care than ducks.

Cheep, cheep! Or guinea-hen.

One other thing is...

checking for eggs.

- Like this!
- I know, dear Ludwika.

I know that already.

- How's the work going?
- It's rough, sir!

- Potatoes are rotting!
- We can't work like that!

I'm clueless, Walenty.

The barometer is rising, but look!

Everything will rot away
if it the rain doesn't stop.

Careful or you'll bump your head!

You ought to keep lots of poultry.

And pigs! Pigs give the best returns.

What happened?

We won't get Winczewskis' house
any time soon.

They have to stay
another few months in Krępa.

I'm sorry I misled you.
I've promised you riches, but...

But I really like it here! Bogumił!

Bogumił!

- What happened?
- Why are they always howling?

- What's wrong?
- I think I'll die in labour.

Take me to Kaliniec, even tomorrow!

I want to see mom and Teresa
before it happens.

Calm down!

They're howling like all country dogs.

Oh, Christ!

No, Barbara. You and your husband
won't leave us alone.

No, I really feel quite sick.
I'd rather go back to Krępa. Bogumił!

To go back on such a day, Barbara!

We've organised everything!

Barbara, I can't sit idly at home.

I don't neglect my piano
and I keep a purebred puppy.

We have no children,
but I cultivate our abode.

Bravo, the both of you mesdames!

Hereby, all our teams
are ready to start. Bravo!

And that's my whole life, Basia.

Michasia keeps making some shady deals.

Lodgings, lotteries, buying
and selling houses. And what's that for?

Daniel, you forget yourself.
Why would Basia care for our affairs?

What's that for if she's
never there for me?

Bravo, the winning team!
Bravo, the winners!

It'd be in bad taste
not to mention on this festive day

two extraordinary women

who contributed to
the organization of today's festivities.

I'm talking about two devoted wives!

Could I not shine like they do?

After all, Stefcia and Michalina
didn't even finish school.

They've acquired good manners
by socializing with the right crowd.

Until recently, Michasia
thought Darwin was a city.

You shouldn't stay in the country.

- You can't be land stewards forever.
- That's right.

There's only one way for
the country people - the town.

Only there one can
still achieve something.

In trade, industry, or government!

There are plenty of posts to go around.

You just need some verve
to make a fortune.

We'll find a post
for Mr. Bogumił right away.

There's no future ahead of us.

No life, as long as we keep
mouldering in Krępa.

Oh, lie down, Basia.
We'll be home tomorrow.

We'll only scrape along there, for ever.

Do you know who we are to them?

Land stewards!

I've been regarded as worse.

See how they live here?
Holszańska and Michasia.

How they operate? If we moved to town

I could finally achieve
something in this life.

That's right. I knew that if you settle
here, you'd want to leave me.

Who says I want to leave you?

You do. Only those who want to leave
come up with ideas such as these.

Stop bullying me, will you?
I'm quite unhappy already.

Unhappy, why?

It's 'cause I'm ill. Can't you see that?

Oh, Christ. Why aren't you asleep yet?

About Holszańska and Michasia...
I'll show them!

I'll show them all!

And asleep again.

Always asleep!

- What's happened, Basia?
- Nothing, I came to pick you up.

Unbelievable, really?

My dearest! She came to pick me up!

Look, I've already carted
40 wagons today.

Follow me, I'll show you something!

See? Look how plentiful
oat is this year!

Look, it's pure gold!
Pelting down into our hands!

You really came to pick me up?

I can't believe it!

If I paid them by the morgen,
would they finish up harvesting faster?

How come you didn't get an education?

I thought your family
considered such things important.

Indeed, that's true.
I didn't get a proper education.

Well,

for nine years
I wandered foreign lands

among people with no tomorrow,
like myself.

When I finally left this swamp,
I came back here

only for a little while.

I used to think that something would
drag me back into the void.

Only after I met you I regained hope...

that there's still a chance for me.
That I can become a man.

I don't know where I got
this audacity from

but I felt that
something was bothering you too.

And that it'll be easier
to bear our burdens together.

I didn't want to inquire about them.

I was sure that you'd
overcome them by my side.

And that by your side
I can achieve something.

Like what?

I'm not sure, but I know
that if I have you

I can do something
of service for the people.

I thank the fate
that marrying without love

has given me this man.

How fortunate that
I've never told him I hadn't loved him.

Step aside, people!
We're carrying injured children!

Make room, people!

PIOTR NIECHCIC, DIED AGED 4

Basia, when you were ill,

when I thought
that I was going to lose you,

I made a vow

that if God spares you,
we will leave this place.

Maybe the change of surroundings
would make you reflourish.

I wrote to Teresa, in secret.

I asked her to have a look
for something of interest.

A reply arrived today.

Terenia writes that a mile from Kaliniec

there's an estate to be managed
on land stewards' own terms.

Mr. Daleniecki,
Mrs. Mioduska's plenipotentiary,

resides there temporarily, and wants
to sign the contract right away.

The estate is called Serbinów.

And what do you think?

Well, I'd miss Krępa.
When die has been cast

I got anxious. I must be growing old.

We can't bide our time forever,

and we might not get
another chance ever again.

But can we abandon the land where
momma, uncle Klemens, and Piotruś lie?

Piotruś is neither where he lies,
nor anywhere else.

Oh, Christ! There's never
been a mud like that in Krępa.

And you agreed to take it
under these conditions!

We've only just broken even,
and we're back living hand to mouth.

Don't say that!

Think what it'll look like when we
make it flourish. We're up to the task.

But in Krępa, whenever you look
there are fields, woods, meadows.

And here?
Darkness, mud, and ponds all around!

- You complained about everything there.
- Never the views!

Then come with me
into fields and meadows,

open spaces like you've never
seen in Krępa!

- And the soil, come and see!
- I don't care for walks any more.

Until the Lalicki's are here,
I simply give up.

I can't move out from here, sir!

They've rescinded the offer
from another estate.

And I don't want to be a burden
to my family.

Nothing will blossom
on these meadows, sir.

No one will uproot the couch grass
weeds out of this soil.

You'll end up leaving the estate
the same as me!

No one will make ends meet here!
No one, sir!

Old cloth, turkey feet,

chicken feet, I'm buying!

Old cloth... Whoa!

Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Niechcic!

My name's Szymszel. Szymszel from Kurza.

And this Szymszel can sense

that Serbinów
will need a wet-nurse soon!

And Szymszel will bring her!

- One or two?
- But we don't have children.

Is it so difficult to have them?

When people love each other,
they need to have some!

When good fortune
will blossom in Serbinów

and when you, the heir of Niechcic,
will repair the holes in the roof

and parget this porch.

And when you, madam,
will landscape a flower bed in this mud,

and plant flowers all around,

then Szymszel
sees children here, growing up well!

They'll be nothing but nice and sweet!

Must've been a cloudburst, sir!

- I don't know.
- Come on, hurry up!

What can I... now...

Patching up won't do the trick,
Mr. Olczak!

We need new roof linings!
These are rotten and worm-eaten.

Move all the grain to outbuilding,
coops, and the manor.

For God's sake!

It's going to flood the entire house.

Stables, barns,
pigsties, garners - all flooding!

We have to put the winnowing
machine in the moulded room.

Faster! Hasten the work, men!

Make sure to shoe my horse well!

Oh, Banasiak! Go to the field
over there, behind the meadows.

And don't wear the horses out!

Everything is falling apart.

I'll manage to weed out
the couch grass, Basia.

- It needs a few years of hard work.
- Well, of course...

For now, we need to invest,
and not to worry about the returns.

I won't write to Daleniecki.

He recently complained that previous
stewards wanted nothing but money.

We need to make small deposits
out of our funds.

- Where will you get the money from?
- A loan.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
We'll go bankrupt.

Go to sleep, my little girl.
Sleep, my birdie.

Sleep my little child

It's time for you to sleep

I shall rock in your cradle

Until your eyelids close

I shall rock in your cradle

Until your eyelids close

Why aren't you asleep?
Is it not enough that I'm not?

Don't smoke that often,
it may cause you harm.

What does it matter...

What does it all matter?

What do you mean?

This world! Our sleepless nights.

The others, and in the end, ourselves.

We are born, and then we die.
The world goes on as if were never here.

- Honourable sir...
- What do you want?

Honourable sir...

there's someone to see you, sir.

- What is it?
- My name is Roman Katelba.

I was sent here by
the honourable Mr. Daleniecki.

Ah, so you are the Katelba!

As you can see, we're harvesting!

- Mr. Olczak, back to work!
- End of break! Get to work!

The harvest's right on time!

I tend to praise the day
only after sunset, Mr. Katelba.

Yes! I like Peszke's winery, indeed.

And to play cards, as well!

I prefer seizing the day
to scouring high societies,

bending over backwards before
the governor, like our friends do!

And don't try to tell me that it was me
who ruined our marriage!

You and your ridiculous spectacle!

"I don't need your money,
I'll make my own living!"

Are you surprised?

When you reverted
to bachelor ways,

I knew you wouldn't sacrifice
your way of life for the family.

- Then, I started teaching.
- That hurt me the most.

And for that, I'll never forgive you!

What's happened, Terenia?

- Nothing.
- My dearest!

It's just that...

I'm growing old and I'm losing my nerve.

I thought I'd see you sickly and frumpy
but you look wonderful!

Wonderful!

Spend the evening with us, Basia.

I've just come to visit you
and they say you're leaving again.

I am...

Yes. I'm leaving.

I'm taking the girls to Lithuania
for the summer.

You know, I'd like to hide
somewhere in the country.

To entomb myself in a hole
where nobody can see me.

I'll come and visit you in Serbinów
tomorrow or the day after, alright?

Alright, fine.

Basia, what's the matter?

You looked at me like Piotruś used to.

He also brushed back his hair like that.

Incredible...

I noticed for the first time
that he is...

I mean, was similar to you.

To you and to Bogumił.

Why go to Lithuania,
visit us for the summer.

You promised
you'd come and stay longer.

No, I can't. I have to go to Lithuania.

Oh, Krępa...

This is where it all begun.

What has begun?

What... in Krępa?

What has begun in Krępa?

- I need to go back.
- Why so suddenly, Terenia?

There's something wrong with me.

I want to see the children.

Bogunio, I beg of you, get the horses
ready and send me off.

A lot has changed in my life.

I used to think even small things,
like laddering, won't happen to me.

Laddering?

Yes, you know, like in a pantihose.

I trusted life too much
and this has been my doom.

Oh, Bogumił!

See, I forgot about flowers for you.

It's good that Bogumił took care of it.

- But you'll suffocate in this smell.
- No, I'll leave the window open!

Visit us on Sunday,
you really need to, Basia!

- Bye!
- Bye.

Thank you, bye.

Godspeed!

- We had a lovely time, didn't we?
- I'm not talking to you.

What have I done to you, Basia?

You made a fool out of me!

You inundate her with flowers
and expect me not to react?

I just ordered some boughs to be cut.
I've done it with our other guests.

Not true! I've always
picked flowers for our guests.

It's not about flowers, anyway!
You can give them to anyone you want!

Just tell me how Teresa knew exactly

who to thank for these flowers? It looks
like there's something between you two!

- Just think about what you're saying!
- Do you love her?

Me?

I don't love Teresa!

But is it so strange
that I'm happy to see her?

Or, even, to think about her?
Nothing will come of it!

Nothing more will come of it!

By the way, I'm happy

that at least once in my lifetime
you're jealous of me!

- I'm not jealous!
- You are.

I am not jealous of you,
you don't understand!

You are, which means that you love me.

Fine, I'm jealous!

But if you think this is proof of love,

you're wrong!

Then know that the one I love
could do anything,

shower anyone with flowers

and I'd forgive it all for a mere smile!

I'm not jealous!
It's not about you or what you feel!

I can't have anyone tell me again
that a man left me for someone else!

Yes...

Now it's all clear.

Bogumił!

You've never loved me.
I knew it all along.

And I heard about that man

even before we got engaged.
The Ładas told me.

It was easier to think
that it was just daydreaming.

You've said you didn't love anyone,
and I believed you like a brat...

I didn't say that to hurt you.

I've never loved anyone apart from...

Apart from?

You.

Come back.

Just to make it
even more difficult later?

Terenia, the girls
are with me in Serbinów.

Would you like me to bring them here?

If I die...

If I die then in the dresser...

Basia!

No! Not in the dresser, no.

If...

I forgot.

If I die, Basia...

- Basia, if I die...
- But you're better now, aren't you?

- You're better now.
- In the dresser.

The doctor said you can drink
buttermilk and fresh cream.

Basia, if I...

I'll go to Serbinów
for fresh buttermilk...

In the dresser, Basia...

I'm moving out to Częstochowa.

I'm building a great cement mill!

I'm sick of this indolence.

Drinking with my mates
until dawn at Peszke's...

Small and shady trade deals...

It's good for ladies such as Michalina.

Doctors prohibit me from drinking.
Fools!

They say something's not right inside.
But I'll outlive them all!

I'm certain I'll succeed.

I believe Terenia will help me.

So you believe in the afterlife?

Reason tells me there's no such thing
but I can't help...

to wonder that death... that the dead...

I believe Terenia will help me!

Because none of you know...

what losing her has meant to me.

Yes.

I should go now.

A few weeks before her trip abroad,
Terenia...

packed all her letters here.

She asked to give them
to you in case she dies.

I kindly ask you, Tadzio,

to return me the letters.

I've been writing to you over the years.

These letters must disappear
together with the memory

of our fateful, though
beautiful rendezvous.

I'm culpable when it comes to you,
Lucjan, and the children.

But this is a matter between me and God.

Terenia, look! A skylark.

Just look what the rain and hail
have done to my crops.

How can I harvest it?

That's young Krępski,
the land owner's son.

Came back from a sanatorium
a few days ago.

Isn't he beautiful?

There's nothing special about him.

Good day.

I'm so tired that...

I just dream of lying down
and sleeping like a log.

You don't like me any more?
Don't want me?

No, my goodness,
I like you, but you see...

I am so busy with the house,
children, and the rest...

It'll change, really.
I'll change, just be patient.

I beg of you.

Be patient.

I'm doing well, uncle Joachim!

Both daughters are growing
in health and I have a son now!

A son!

Well, daughters are good too, indeed...

but a son will always have

more opportunities in the world.

Look, Joachim,
what a beautiful grandson I have!

Why the long face, Lucjan?

You're not drinking.

I've been observing you for a while.

I've emptied many wine barrels
in my life.

Enough already.

- How's business?
- Great.

Going well.

But I... don't feel well.

I have to pace myself. It's exhausting.

Laugh it off! You look great,
you'll live to be a hundred.

Whoopee!

At least I feel needed here.

I should've visited you before,
silly me!

It's so nice here, so at ease.

I now see that I was born
to live in the country.

And someone's always at home.

Not like at Michalina's.
It's always empty and boarded up there.

A girl grazed a goose
Grazed the goose, grazed

From dawn till dusk the goose

- Józefka! Józefka!
- What now?

Józefka, give me your hand,
and take me home.

I'm out of breath.

Indeed, I don't want to do anything
else but serve old hags!

Should I take you filth out next?

Scram, right now! Outta here!

Pay her what's due
get her out of my sight!

- I'll take her home.
- Unbelievable!

What beautiful times they were!
I was so young, pretty...

And I was adored by...
It doesn't matter.

My favourite thing to do
was to read old romances.

We'd climb up to the attic
so that nobody could find us.

One day, when it was dark,
I tripped over a step.

And lost a couple of teeth!

I really like this room.

- Do you know why?
- No.

It reminds me of my childhood.

All your rooms
always smelled like lavender.

- And like wax!
- It was such a long time ago, Basia...

Bogumił.

Perhaps we could sing something?

- Like what?
- "Go, brothers, grab your sabres."

Go, brothers, grab your sabres

Today we shall live

We will show that Sarmatians

Can still live as free

We will show that Sarmatians

Can still live as free

Blessed Poland was asleep

The white eagle slept so long

But it awoke and remembered

That it too was free once

Before they take the body
some family are bound to arrive.

And after the funeral
we should host a dinner.

We ought to give orders in the kitchen.

If you're so detached and indifferent

that you can think
of guests and banquets...

Take care of it, then!

To me, death is too awful a thing
to care about this nonsense.

It's an excuse to gobble up and drink,
anyway!

Wait! Where are the children?

Tomaszek is playing in
the servants' room

and the girls are by the deceased,
I took them to see

how they're dressing nana.
I asked them to pick some flowers.

Let them learn, so they know
how to dress us when we die.

Dear God!

You're dragging children into this?
And in such a manner!

You've all become peasants, boors!

All your family is in the Serbinów mud!

You have no feelings, no heart!
None of you!

I remember my mother,
she was an intelligent woman

and her company was irreplaceable!

I'm dying from grief
that this life is gone!

It's obliterated,
and you're bothering me

with dinner for some guests!

Christ, why one has to
say such horrible things...

just to calm down?

- Here, on the pillow.
- Basia, look!

- And take some from Tomasz.
- Look, a letter I got today from Paris.

From Daleniecki? His letters bore me.

It's from Daleniecki but...
Please, read it!

Dearest Bogumił,
I received your transfer.

- The one for next year's beets.
- Children, go!

I am astonished and delighted.

Delighted...

Well, not because of the amount...

Not because of the amount
but because of the rich harvest.

When we gave you the fallow
that Serbinów was 11 years ago...

- It's been 11 years...
- Yes.

You've put Serbinów in exemplary order.

No other estate in the area can compare.

Sure, when one doesn't eat for
the first two years,

just weeds out couch grass,
then it's no wonder...

Why are you so embittered and angry?

You're still so young.
My God, and so pretty!

The two of us will never
reach an agreement.

Let's part ways
and go back to our duties.

Szymszel! Szymszel arrived!

- Welcome, madam!
- Good morning.

I brought you a guest. Whoa!

Hłasko. Hłasko's my name!

- Sorry, I can't see anything.
- Here they are!

- Now I can see where I am!
- Kids, wait! I have something for you.

I recognise you from a photograph.
Mrs. Niechcic, is it?

- I brought presents. From your brother.
- You know him?

Engineer Julian Ostrzeński.
I'm travelling from Petersburg.

God, I haven't seen him
in 20 years. Please, come in!

Julian is a kind soul, madam. For him,
there's nothing outside the club!

They say he even sleeps there.

But he used to build railways.

That was long ago.
Now he likes his food and drink,

plays pool, and attends
operetta and gypsy shows.

Gypsy romances are his favourites.

A vile city in a country where
everything demeans and debases.

He's a good man. This club's his family.

I don't wish such a family upon anyone.
And upon myself such a brother.

Is it a wonder, madam.
Was our father any different?

Nothing but food, drink,
antics and debauchery!

Are we any better?
Daniel's already a lost man.

And Tomaszek?
Nothing will come of him.

The family's getting weirder by the day.

In general, Poles are going to the pot.

I've been a teacher for 20 years, madam.

I spent the last 8 years
in Petersburg's Polish home.

Maybe someone around here
needs a teacher for children?

What a happy coincidence, we need one.
Don't we, Basia?

Well, you yourself said that
you won't leave for Kaliniec

unless by some miracle we find
the right teacher.

Here's your miracle!

Tomaszek!

Off the horse! Homework done?

No classes yesterday,
Mrs. Hłasko lost her glasses.

No, she didn't. You hid them!

Stupid, coarse pranks!
Get off the horse!

Mrs. Hłasko
is blind as a bat without them!

- Emilia hid them.
- Stop lying. You did it!

Spare me the lies, at least!

- Who let you ride?
- Papa.

Papa! Walk over there!

- Bogumił!
- Give me the pliers.

Is it true that you let
Tomaszek ride the horse?

- I didn't.
- Don't lie!

We've asked you, Mr. Klimecki,
to keep the child off the horse.

I can't keep
looking after master Tomasz.

He doesn't even ask,
just takes it out by himself

so that no one could notice.

Stop spinning tales, Mr. Klimecki!
A horse isn't a needle. You can see it.

You keep telling me fibs all the time!

If you see Tomasz take the horse
again, I authorise you, Mr. Klimecki,

to whip his rump.
A couple of times, so he remembers!

Don't you encourage
strangers to whip my child!

I've got enough to worry about!

Jesus Christ! You fall asleep so fast.

Agnieszka has the shivers again!

No fever, I checked.
Hands and head are cool.

She's been running around all day.

If it's not a cold, then what?

Maybe she's skittish,
you yelled at her today.

Agnieszka is never skittish.

She takes after you in that regard.
I think she's just growing up.

Or maybe it's malaria,
hence the shivers.

I wouldn't be surprised.
Everyone's constantly aching here.

So maybe it's malaria, then.

I'm telling you, it's neither.
She's got some nerve disorder.

It might develop over time.

The school starts soon.

How can one go to school,
be amongst people, with such shivers?

- Are they gone now?
- Yes.

- Is she asleep?
- She is.

Perhaps she's insane?

Our children must've
inherited some bad blood.

What?

God knows what grandpa Laurenty
brought home from France.

Good God, Basia,
do you hear yourself?

But uncle Klemens went undeniably mad.

What about
our deceased mamma's sclerosis?

And nan had melancholy! Once, she wanted
to jump into the well, take her life.

There you have it, asleep again!

I can't even talk with you!

Leave your door open, at least!
You're always shutting it.

Here we go again! It's you
who keeps shutting yourself off.

Does Emilia have pouchy eyes again?

No, they just seem so.

In the spring, children
always go a bit pale, madam.

They ought to drink
cod-liver oil in winter.

How can you neglect them so much
as not to give them the oil?

Summer will help them
more than anything!

I see this Katelba
isn't very helpful, is he?

I'm just beginning
to set everything in motion.

You'll wear yourself out, and what for?

So that you can fill Daleniecki's
and Mioduska's coffers?

It's not about them!

You'd deprive yourself and take away
your children's food to send them more.

My dearest...

They'll die. We'll pass away too.
But the land will stay.

And that's why we have to do
everything properly there.

It's all I care for!

But I care about the rest!

If you must serve,
at least serve something great.

For me working on the land is great.

In it, I see something worthy
of servitude. I serve it!

You don't serve the land.
You serve Daleniecki.

No!

You must pace yourself.

We're growing old. To us,
life and health are not worth much,

but our children
will need us for many years to come.

A catastrophe fell upon us!

- What's happened?
- All hay is lost!

- Look at yourself. Get back!
- There's no way it stops!

- Get back, for Christ's sake!
- Dear God! Everything will rot.

The hay is lost!

So... let's dump it all
and leave this damned place!

Let's run where the universe takes us

and stop worrying
whether it's raining or not!

The children have to
go to school with other people.

Because they'll have to live among them!

Domestic teachers
are bygones of the olden times.

But only Agniesia can go to school,

Tomaszek and Emilka are too young.

And even if we sent
her off to a boarding school,

we'd need to pay for one child in town

and home-school the rest.
How are we going to afford that?

We need to get used to rising costs.

But where will we get the money from?

Can't you see we're facing a disaster?

I'll move with them to town. Me alone.

They'll go to kindergarten,
we won't need a teacher.

You want to leave me?

Because if you leave for town,
you'll never come back.

What nonsense goes through your mind!

I'll come back to you...

wherever you are.

I'll come back but you can't
blame me for longing after town life.

I don't like the other street that much.

The walls are hot.

- Here in town, life is bustling!
- Be careful, Basia!

- Where shall I park, madam?
- Park over there, round the corner.

I'll go ahead and pick up
my overcoat from Nussen's.

Be careful when crossing the road.

Alright, we will.

- Mr. Klimecki! Where's madam?
- Over here, by the shop.

Basia! Agniesia!

They have fine overcoats there,
perfect for Agniesia.

You're so capricious
when you shop, really.

I don't know if
I should've bought this overcoat.

Wait for me here!

- What have you done?
- I've bought you a brooch!

But I don't wear brooches!

I'll go back and return it, then.

It's a bit awkward.

Should I ask for my money back or
shall I get this ring for Agnieszka?

I've got enough to worry about
without my child playing with jewellery!

I'll be right back, I need to get some
balm for the horse. Come, Agniesia.

Good day to you, Mr. and Mrs. Niechcic.
Take it!

Honourable greetings
to the Niechcic family!

Mr. Daleniecki wants to sell Serbinów
behind Mr. Niechcic's back.

- How come?
- Mr. Daleniecki has his man here.

And this man is, pitifully...

- Out of the way!
- Aside! Make way!

Watch out!

Giddy up! Giddy up!

I have a valid contract for 4 years.
I'm not afraid.

Don't people like Daleniecki only care
about their own interests?

- Still, I'm not in fear!
- Alright, then.

In fear or not, with or without a spy,
Daleniecki can always sell Serbinów.

Don't slouch!

I'm stifling again.

I'm suffocating. Everything's a blur.

Bogumił!

I'm stifling.

Oh, Jesus!

- Which one?
- Give it to me, sir. Please, hold it.

I feel terrible.

What's this, valerian? I asked you
repeatedly not to give it to me!

- What's happened to mamma?
- Kids, leave mamma alone, she's ill.

Felicja, please take
the children out. Shoo, go on!

Don't worry, I'm feeling better.
Where's Agniesia? Maybe she's ill now?

- I'll send for Dr. Wettler.
- Don't you even dare!

We may lose our house,
and you want to waste money on him?

Do you want me to have
another heart attack and drop dead?

But...

It's so stuffy and dark in here!

I'll wear them out,
wake the children up.

- Basia, take this.
- I keep thinking... I can't!

- I keep thinking I'm going to die!
- Please, take this.

- Doctor...
- Awful!

And please stop bewailing.

Oh, Jesus!

Calm down, please.
Everything will turn out well.

- Klimecki will be back with drugs soon.
- Give me a cigarette.

No, it can't be a heart disease.

I think it's the stomach pressing
on the heart.

I've always thought
stomach is my main affliction.

You heard the doctor.
You must remain calm.

- You're safe.
- He knows his truth, I know mine.

What will the children become if I die?

- Don't raise them to be boors.
- Oh, stop it. I won't.

So you do believe I'm going to die.

Tell me what Wettler said to you.

Confess! What did he tell you?

He said it's me who's going to die
if you keep nagging me!

Counsellor Joachim your family's elder.
I think you should go to his funeral.

Am I mad to go on such a journey?

I can't leave children
alone for so long.

What journey?
If you go through Małocin

it'll be no more than seven miles.

- Nine, not seven.
- As usual, you know better!

I do.

Uncle Joachim was
at nan Ostrzeńska's funeral.

It's because he used to like
wandering about. All men like it, right?

Then I shall go.

You're all worth one another.
He's dead and you're arguing like fools.

You like wandering too.

We're never out in the world.
We could socialise, at least.

What world?

We don't belong with the land owners.
And thank God, they're all useless.

All worthy people
are dead or sent to hard labour.

Anyway, I don't even know...

Which world do we belong to.

Be careful on your way to Zborów.

- There's a faulty bridge...
- I know.

Sit here, or you'll get cold.

- I won't.
- You will, you will!

Tomasz, off you go! Move back.

Don't lose a wheel on the way!

- Godspeed. Shoo, quick.
- Bye-bye!

- Careful around those pits in Małocin!
- Alright.

There are awful bumps on the road there!

They've found Joachim's will
in the desk.

It says in black and white
that part of the inheritance

is to be given
to poverty-stricken relatives

who deserve a better fate.

- Well, how about that.
- So, you too inherited something.

- Who?
- You.

- Me?
- Yes.

In the name of Father, Son,
and the Holy Ghost. Have you gone mad?

You're telling me now?

I couldn't believe it myself!
It's stated clearly:

For Jadwiga and Adam
Ostrzeński's children,

eighteen thousand roubles in equal
shares. So you'll get six thousand.

Christ... You think
they won't question his will?

Of course, they will! And that'll be it.

They'll find problems, precedents,

tangle it up so that even
the devil won't untie it.

Don't even bother.

Such benevolence
is only worthy of despise!

What if it turns out that it's been
forged? They'll sue us, what then?

It's best to relinquish the will
and forget about it.

I'm pleading and warning you.

You're right, Basia.
If they pay up, that's good.

And if they don't,
we won't die of hunger.

Six thousand roubles...

Though the formalities
will be long and arduous.

What difficulty, darling?
I don't see any.

Michasia will be all over
this inheritance.

My dear... Difficulties?

She's going to make sure everything
works like a charm, you'll see.

Daleniecki can sell Serbinów now.

Cheers! My God...

God, this money
is like manna from heaven.

Go on, drink up!

If we buy a house in Kaliniec, then
only by the statue on the Main Square.

The well there has good drinking water.

I am glad, Basia,
that you'll have your own money.

Six thousand roubles!

I'm old.
I can't provide for you any more.

You know, sometimes I think that...
I started a family too late in life.

Nonsense! Your looks
haven't changed since the day I met you.

Drink up! You've always been the same!

Six thousand roubles...

Bogumił, help me get undressed, please.

So... what are we going
to do with all this money?

For once in my life, I'd like to see
a bit of the world and go to Krakow.

And if not, then where to?

Maybe with children to Ciechocinek,
to cure their cough.

And so they don't
always have swollen tonsils.

Six thousand roubles...

I'd like to meliorate the land.

Plant some fruit trees,
make an asparagus bed.

It might all be ours one day.
I have pre-emption right for Serbinów.

It'd be best to buy a house in Kaliniec.

Otherwise, how would we pay for lodging
when all our children go to school?

Once I have a house in Kaliniec,
I'll live with the children.

You'll bring me country goods.
I'll care for the home and kids.

I grew a bit tired,
I think I need to lie down.

Bogumił!

- What's the matter?
- Nothing.

- Nothing at all?
- No.

Are you sure?

Are you sure?

But...

Don't worry about anything.

It might do you harm.

Have you had heart trouble
since last time?

No.

I'm all right. I feel well.

Now Daleniecki can sell Serbinów
whenever he wants.

You know what?

Actually, I don't feel that well.

But tell me, do I ever feel well?

Each evening, I can barely walk.

It's because you don't love me.
Hence all these worries and illnesses.

It's because of what?

Am I to blame that I'm not...
that I've never been your type?

How are you going to cope when
me and the children move to Kaliniec?

I'll manage, Basia.

Bogumił, we've been so happy
together, haven't we?

Why won't you say anything?

Bogumił, talk to me!

If I knew you'd be so good
to me before you leave...

I'd like you to leave every day.

Watch the door so it won't open,
the handle's loose.

Yes, sir.

Shall I make you something to eat, sir?

It's going to be so sad
now that the lady and children are gone.

Felicja!

Felicja!

I'm coming!

Yes?

- Did you close the shutters?
- I did.

Good morning.

Good morning, dearest neighbour!

Please, take a seat next to me.

Why are you alone?

I have become a grass widower,
Mr. Woynarowski.

My wife and children
ended up in Kaliniec.

After much deliberation, I decided
it's what's best for the children.

Come to us
to play bridge tomorrow, then.

My youngest daughter's visiting now.

She's as good a player as I'm a maiden,
but we'll play with grandpa.

I'd happy to. If time allows,
I'll be glad to come.

Mr. Bogumił Niechcic,

my daughter, Ksawunia.

Holy Mother of God,
you've brought so many things!

Like for a wedding!

I thought I won't find you home,

that you'd have gone
to a party or a confectionery.

- Are the children outside in this rain?
- I don't know.

Tomaszek and Agniesia
are out all day, every day.

Tomaszek could use a man's hand.

A father's hand.

I can't get a grip on those two
on my own.

You're better off here, Basia.

In Serbinów, there's already
black autumn, mud.

Mud's not a problem
if you have good wellingtons.

So what that there's mud?
It can do me no harm.

Obviously.

But you're not here all alone?
Don't you meet with people?

You're not alone, are you?

I am...

I'm alone, as usual.

I don't care much for seeing anyone.

Especially when I think of poor Lucjan.

Do you know doctors
suspect he has cancer?

Yes, right.

Indeed.

I'd even go out sometimes,
but one needs to dress up...

Lock up the doors,
not like in the country...

Put a scarf over one's head...

and only then, go out.

I understand, Basia.

I do.

Kids only really love us in Serbinów.

We might as well not
exist outside it, me at least.

How can they possibly love us
if we don't love each other?

What do you mean?

You've always said you love me.

I do...

I do...

I just wanted to see
if the bed is made properly.

Good night.

Mr. Woynarowski asked for you
to come to Pamiętów tonight.

Aleksander, their lackey,
was here yesterday.

It's too late to go now, I guess.

I won't go there ever again.

Staying up, late-night dinners...

It's not for people
who have to get up before dawn.

Oh, I thought I'd never see you again!

Father's not home, he's gone.

Hold on.

Let's talk in peace.

Alright.

Why are you following me, sir?

We can keep our distance while we talk.

Don't worry,
I'll get out of your sight.

What? Why do you
indulge in such nonsense?

- I used to poison myself.
- When?

In Warsaw.

I've met this man there...

He used to say: You're a tragic woman.

Later, it turned out
that it was all a bet.

And that's when I poisoned myself.

My father saved me.

If you're about to leave,
then please, do it immediately.

My dear child...

What can I possibly offer you?
A new, even worse anguish?

I know these winter evenings, when
you're all alone here, aren't pleasant.

But Christmas is almost here.
I'll come for an entire fortnight.

If I were you, I'd go to Pamiętów.

Woynarowski is a very nice man.

I go there from time to time.
We sometimes play bridge.

Most often, we just end up talking.

Talking you say...

I only dream I could talk
with someone at times.

- Leave your wife.
- I can't.

Why?

We need to keep our lives separate,
you and I.

- Do you love your wife so much?
- I don't know.

I don't know...
It's always "I don't know" with you.

I'm at the end of my life,
yours just begins.

Nothing but madness
can keep us together.

A madness...

that I'll bless and you'll curse
and regret later on.

Over there!
Agniesia, look, the first star!

Mamma!
The first star's already in the sky!

Let the supper begin, then.

When Christ is born

And into the world he comes

The dark night is wading

In stellate brightness

The angels are rejoicing

And out into the heavens they sing

Gloria,

gloria,

gloria,

in excelsis Deo

I know you love me!

- And your wife doesn't!
- Let's not part ways in anger.

- Leave immediately!
- Now?

Right this instance!

- What about the departure?
- Out of my sight!

Miss Woynarowska is strange, indeed.

One could think
that she's trying to seduce you.

Shame, we could've
accompanied to the station together.

I didn't know I'd upset you.

I would've told you.
Woynarowski asked me to see her off.

Why are you gazing at me like that?

I'm wondering, Basia, about
the strength and good sense required...

to settle one's debts with life.

It seems like you're
wondering what's happened.

No! You just look a bit tired,
overworked.

- I'm worn out.
- You have to rest.

No, I don't need rest.

I must reflect upon
myself and the world.

I'm buying an estate.

A few morgens of soil.

Cultivating a garden. Building a house.

You're entombing yourself.
You call that a bliss?

I didn't get to where I wanted in life.
I'm starting all over.

- Are you staying for long?
- Unfortunately, I'm leaving today.

But you'll come to see me
once I've built it, will you?

Remember, you've made a promise.
It's really important to me.

I need to talk to you.

Staring death in the face.

This is the only fact

that everyone must gather
their wit's about and confront.

You can neither buy your way out
nor cop out of it.

I used to wonder whether the moment
when a man's body...

truly resigns itself to death,
is even possible.

It is, actually.

Because when everything hurts,

you just want it to stop.

And once you know, like I do,

that nothing can provide you
with any relief...

then you simply want to stop existing.

After Teresa's death...

you, and you alone, remained
dear to my heart.

When I was left alone in this world,

I ran away from you, Barbara.
You didn't even know.

I thought you were happy.

Because if you weren't happy...

But... You are happy, aren't you?

You're happy... Am I right?

- Yes.
- Are you happy?

Happy...

Give me this scythe!
You'd only sharpen it!

Get to work, men! Get going!

Get working, Kałużna!

Bogumił!

Bogumił! Daleniecki's coming!

- When?
- I'm sure he want to sell us off!

Any news, Roman?

Everything's fine, honourable sir.

And about this buyer,
the one you wanted me to inquire about,

one has to tread carefully.
Otherwise, everything will come out.

These damned Jews,
they'll sniff out anything!

This sale is done with.
I won't sell Serbinów.

And if I will,
I speak to Mr. Niechcic first.

Mr. Niechcic is a buyer himself now.

Buying what?

He inherited money and bought
a place in Kaliniec's square.

- Why am I finding out about this now?
- It's a recent thing.

I hope you have a plan on
what to do with the inheritance.

It's for my family... Especially
since it's my wife's money.

So you want to abandon Serbinów
in favor of your own land?

And here I was, intending to...

increase your share of profits
and give you another five-year contract!

How... how could I possibly
leave Serbinów?

I became attached to every lump of dirt.

The trees I planted are blossoming now!

Sir, I've seen this wasteland
become fertile.

If you improve our contract,
I'll be much obliged.

Caro mio!

You yourself know best what you deserve!

In a year or two
even our youngest will go to school.

You'll see, they'll be diligent.

You won't have any trouble with them.

Until they start falling in love,
running wild.

Falling in love? God forbid!

Life's full of nights and days.
Some Sundays as well.

Only not as often as the calendar says.

This time, it seems as if
a Sunday is within our reach.

When I started stewarding Serbinów
15 years ago,

I found here nothing but ashes,
ruins, empty barns, empty pigsties.

Empty stables!

It's just unbelievable that
you've been here for 15 years.

- Oh, Michasia!
- How time flies!

Agniesia, come here!
You've graduated with distinction.

- Which grade?
- Year four, auntie.

Bravo! Bravo!

And I claim that nothing grand
will threaten Europe ever again.

Revolutions, wars?
Perhaps somewhere in Asia or Africa.

We shall look upon
these events from a historical

or at least geographical distance.

But does a war or revolution
need to happen

for the world to keep spinning?

Please, sit down. Here you are.

Peaceful times, when everyone ploughs
their own furrow, are also historical!

Children, calm down.

You'll see, one day
someone will write a history

of these peaceful, assiduous times.

Well, I cleared the field,

the weather's beautiful,
I host guests in my humble abode.

I'll be sowing soon.

So maybe, in a small way,
I'm making history as well!

Michasia, are you sure
you'd left this money at our place?

It's nothing, a diddly, no big deal.

Three half-roubles
wrapped up in a babushka.

A gentlewoman with money in a headscarf!

Do I have to sit with the dog again?

Can't we put it on the yoke?

- Daniel!
- Bodzio, into the carriage!

Please visit us again,
you're cordially invited to come.

- Janusz, get in!
- Au revoir.

- Visit us on Sundays!
- As often as you can!

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Good night, mamma, it's been great.
- Good night, my girl.

Basia!

- Yes?
- Have you seen Tomaszek?

Tomaszek?

I'll look for him and find out.
Just don't get angry, I'm begging you.

You'll find out?

You're scared of your own children!

I'll either raise you
to be a good man,

or I'll whip you into line!

Who? Who let you do it?

Who allowed you
to take someone else's money?

- Who let you take what's not yours?
- Bogumił!

Christ, you'll kill him! He confessed!
What do you always want from him?

Out of my sight! Both of you!

You bandit, you! Off you go!

Off you go!

I know, son, that you didn't do it
for yourself.

You didn't take it for yourself.
You wanted to buy candy for the boys.

Come on, let's apologise to your father.

We'll apologise to your father
and on Sunday we'll go see auntie.

But mamma will tell them that I found
this money only after they'd left?

Son...

Son, my heart breaks for you.

You're good.

You have to be good.

Where are our pouches?

It's pouring down our heads
in workers' quarters!

What's the reason for this gathering?

We have a request, honourable sir,

- We'd like to talk about rewards...
- Rewards?

Did you not get your due on time?
Who are you holding a grudge against?

I'm living in the worst room
in the quarters.

The whole ceiling
has slumped due to mould.

The pigsties are in bad condition.

The roofs, though fixed before,
leak onto our noddles.

The living quarters' floors are gone.
Where they aren't, they're rotted out.

You yourself know that I've recently
inspected the cottages with Olczak

and I know best where they need fixing.

But I'm not self-governing.

And you don't need to remind me
about the quarters. I remember.

I remember about the living quarters
without anyone's injunction!

During my childhood...

I was schooled in French
but then I forgot it all.

And you know, Felicja,

that I couldn't even remember a tune

that Miss Woynarowska
used to keep singing.

Si tu m'aimes...

What does that mean?

"Ah, if only you loved me."

But then, miss helped
you understand, sir.

- Understand what?
- Well, the song.

When a man reaches a certain age,
he ought to understand

that a young, pretty girl
can't find him attractive.

Well! Her heart's still young
and wants to get out into the world.

It strives for joy
it haven't experienced before.

But maybe it's worth
to lose oneself, to live...

these couple of weeks like you want to
remember them for the rest of your life.

Are you sure that the man
you met at aunt Michalina's

was Józef Toliboski?

Of course, mamma.
Mr. Józef Toliboski from Borowno.

He knows you from the olden days.
He'll visit you tomorrow afternoon.

I said you'd be glad to see him.

Mr. Toliboski?

Paying me a visit?

What... What's gone to his head?

Fine, let him visit.
We'll talk about the olden days.

We haven't seen each other for 25 years.

Have I said something wrong?

- What does he look like?
- Very pleasant.

- He's got a long beard.
- A black one?

No, a grizzled one.

Of course.
He must've grown older as well.

- Have I never told you about him?
- No.

- Mamma!
- A gathering by the town hall!

- A demonstration!
- Yes!

We're going to Serbinów!

Julia! We're packing our things,
we're going back to Serbinów!

What about Toliboski?

It's been twenty years, he can wait.

Pack Tomaszek's things!

Basia!

Basia! Please, stop!

Basia! Basia, let me...

- We're here just for the Sunday...
- I'll explain everything.

Basia, don't do this to me.
Can you hear me?

Basia, can you hear me?
Please, stay! Basia!

Don't mind me.

I know that when I was ill,
Żarnecka died.

Why did you hide this from me?

Wettler forbade you to get riled up.

Poor old woman.

She thought she was needed,
irreplaceable...

that she was unique.

Our whole lives go by like that.

And vanishes without a trace.

With or without us,
nights and days go by imperturbable.

Why make any effort at all?

Why do we make any effort,
why do we care so much about our lives?

That Saturday, when I came here,

I was supposed to meet a man.
And I didn't do it.

I came running to you.

I've never thought
that you cared about me in that regard.

This aspect of life
has been meaningless you.

For quite a while, at least...

You ran away because you'd
been scared of yourself.

It was not because I'd been scared.

It was not out of fear.

I love you, Basia.

I don't think my love for you
could be any greater.

Even though you've been with me...

more out of fear
than for any other reason.

God, how your hair's gone grey.

So what about this Felicja?

Mikołajczyk's son, the widower,
wants to marry her.

Bogumił!

Bogumił!

Bogumił!

Basia, what's happened?

Oh, Christ!

I've had a dream about Lucjan.

Tell me, why fight death and disease?
To keep carrying the burden of life?

Such horrible thoughts
to have on a wedding day.

The wedding...

Go get the children.

They're surely dancing and breaking
out in a sweat. It's time to get back.

- Bogumilł!
- Papa!

Agnieszka has graduated
with distinction!

- Daddy.
- My dearest daughter! My joy!

Thank you!
Come, I'll show you something.

I'm building new
quarters for the workers, see?

I'm in a hurry, I don't want Daleniecki
to prohibit this.

Really, with a distinction?

Agnieszka, tell me, do you really
want to attend university?

Yes, papa, to study nature.
In Lausanne, Switzerland.

But will this nature
secure a better future, my child?

People like us, without any assets,
have to keep that in mind.

Oh, I think everything
will be fine, papa. Don't you worry.

- My fellows!
- Śniadowski hasn't finished yet...

Be quiet, please!

There comes a time...

when Polish independence
will of international importance!

A European war is hanging by a thread.

It'll start, if not today,
then soon enough.

When that happens, our disregarded
cry for independence,

forgotten by everyone,
is again going to become an asset

in the game for Europe's future! And
that's why today, from this Swiss soil

we're raising a request:

Poland, after a hundred
years of slavery,

must once again become a free,
sovereign country!

So this one letter from Paris,
from Miss Woynarowska,

has suddenly changed everything?

Ruined what's been
between us for so many months?

Agniesia, my feelings haven't changed.

I've considered this matter long closed.

Miss Woynarowska... Ksawunia!
That's how my parents used to call her.

When I was 14, I used to see her
at our family home in Serbinów.

I fell for her a little bit.
I felicitate you on your choice.

She's beautiful.

She's a poor soul.

Unhappy, I'd say.

She was here for four years.
Changed departments, never graduated.

Then, she left for Paris and...

I'm simply scared for her!

She's unstable.

Then chase after her.
Don't let her suffer.

- I won't go to Paris.
- Why?

I want to be left alone.

Mamma, I'm discovering Serbinów anew.

I'm looking for the meaning of life
in hard work.

Oh, mamma, it's so good
to work until your muscles sore.

So in the evening you fall asleep

and don't overthink it all.

Good morning, mamma!
Good morning, Agnieszka!

What about Emilka?
Christ, what's happened to Emilka?

All's well. Emilka's at school.
They've let us out early because

the headmaster got a message
that his mother's ill.

More importantly,
I'm in the fifth grade now!

There you go!

But your teacher wrote
that you won't pass this year.

No! I managed to
get my grades up.

I'll only have one fail.
I'll pass that subject after the summer.

- What about your report card?
- Report card? What do you mean?

Should I have carried it home,
so it'd get crumpled up or dirty?

Anyway, report cards aren't ready.
Not all teachers have graded us yet.

I asked them to send my report card
through Józefat.

Whose hat is this?

Ah, this silly thing...

I borrowed 5 roubles
from a friend to buy it.

I thought if I pass, you'll forgive me.

I don't condone such excess!

For a panama hat,
5 roubles is a bargain!

I don't know what to do, this friend
wants his money back now.

Papa, please,
indulge me this one last time.

I'll give you 5 roubles.

Here you are.
Send it back to your friend.

I'll double that if you bring
your report card home.

Good day to you, madam.

I brought Mr. Tomaszek's stuff
from the town.

Ostrzeński's servant, Antoniowa,

asked for Mr. Tomasz to send back

this hat of Mr. Bodzio's that he took.

- What hat?
- The one he took!

I mean, borrowed...
Panama hat, or something.

You don't have to shout
like that, Jozefat.

Who taught you to take things?

From other people's houses,
without their permission?

- Answer, or I'll whip you like a dog!
- Papa, I didn't know...

Oh, deary me! I won't do it again!

Bogumił, for God's sake,
you'll kill him!

Christ! That's all we need,
for you to call him a thief!

- No, papa! Stop!
- Bogumił!

Get out of my house, you!

I'll show you papa, you'll regret it!

Bogumił! He'll take his own life!

If he's to live as a scoundrel,
then he's better off dead!

Tomaszek!

Tomaszek!

- Tomaszek!
- Tomaszek!

I couldn't find him anywhere! Anywhere!

- Where's your father?
- In his room.

Well, of course! And he doesn't care
that his child might be dead in a ditch!

He used to say he'd kill himself
if we kept berating him!

Has it never occurred to you
that something may happen to me too?

Don't even scare me with that.
I see you keep brooding without end!

What's the matter with you?

- What?
- Mamma, I'm in love with this man...

and he loves me too,
but we won't be able to marry.

He's an idealist. He has no space
in his life for personal happiness.

So you're in love with an idealist?

And he loves you too? That's a miracle!

A miracle that I've longed for
all my life, in vain.

Do you even understand
what that entails?

If they tell him to drop a bomb,
he will. He'll sacrifice himself.

No, mamma.
Please, don't tell anyone about it.

Even father.

I... got over it, we parted ways.

My dear daughter,

do you want to be as unhappy
as your mother?

Mamma...

get changed, you're soaking wet.

Where have you been?
Where have you been all...

- Where have you been all night?
- He was up on a tree.

You rascal! How could you keep
us in the dark, you...

He'll be good from now on.
Good and wise.

You made up with father?

My son! I know you're a good person.

Good and wise.

And now, let's drink like Mr. Kałużny!

Drink up. Cheers!

A quarter of liquor
for honourable sirs, only hard!

First show me the money, Kałużny!

- Kałużny, sir!
- I'm paying!

Tomaszek, go home! Home, at once!

What's the meaning of this? Tomaszek!

- Tomaszek!
- Kałużny, leave him!

I'm not saying that you
bring shame onto us...

but how are you
not ashamed of these people!

What do you want from me again?

Everyone drinks on weddings.
And they don't reproach me!

They like me better
than any one of you here!

If you're there...

God, if you're there, if you redeem,

then deliver this child from evil.

God, if you condemn for an eternity,
then condemn me, for I am guilty.

God, don't save me any pain, any fear.

Save this child for me.

Save his lost soul for me.

You have something
I've never seen in my life.

Wherever I turn, I see and hear you.
Oh, to see you soon, or this instance!

Papa, he loves me!

He needs me... He calls for me!
I must go to Lausanne, immediately!

He loves you, you say?

A man who hasn't even bothered
to inform us of his intentions?

- Not even ask!
- But he can't come here!

He's an exile!

When you were fast asleep,
he fought, he was in prison.

Fought for what, exactly?

What you once fought for
in an uprising that now you condemn.

I don't condemn it!

I don't condemn it. But I've seen
that you loved the work, you alone.

I thought that once you graduate,
you might retrain for agriculture.

Perhaps... one day
I'll manage to buy some land

to secure your...

Poland needs other work
than planting potatoes now!

Or serving the rich just to get by!

I don't serve the rich!
I serve the land.

It's not my land... But I haven't
drunk or gambled mine away!

I serve the land...

And again, two years of our life
have slipped up on us, my daughter.

Soon, we'll finish the harvest,
and start potato-lifting.

Doctors tell me to stay in bed
but don't listen to them.

This time, the barometer
didn't let us down!

Oh, yes!

- God bless!
- God bless you.

- Back to work! I've sent carts for rye.
- How many?

- Four.
- Is that enough?

Miss Ksawunia
has come back from abroad.

Apparently, she went through
an unhappy love affair there.

Now, she's married
to one Ostrzeński from Siąszyce.

She birthed twins.

I'm happy, my daughter,
that you came to stay for longer.

A letter from Agnieszka!

In the autumn,
she'll visit the country again.

I decided to drain Serbinów. I'd built
new quarters, so now's the right time.

I'm off to Kaliniec tomorrow.

I'll go Kaliniec
and contact Baścik's irrigation office.

- What do you say?
- Do as you please.

I don't like this Baścik fella.

He must have a polyp in his nose.
His mug's always open.

Still no reply from Daleniecki?
He used to write back quickly.

Why the rush? He might deny your request
over the cost and it'll be your fault.

What do you mean, deny?
I'd like to see him try.

In that case, I'd give up Serbinów.
Let him find a replacement.

It's the first time, Basia,

I wasn't able to secure the funds.
I've been hoodwinked three times!

The trader promised
to provide the cash for crops.

Either he provides it in a week
or I'll stop trading with him.

What should I do, Basia?

I must pay Baścik the deposit tomorrow.
I gave him my word.

Why go around and beg?
If they don't want to lend, fine.

We have ours in the bank.

You'll pay Baścik
and get it back in two weeks.

You're not afraid to risk our money?

I don't want you to hinder
on the drains.

What sort of a risk
is that anyway, my dear!

Papa! A letter came from Mr. Daleniecki.

- It's on the table.
- From Paris?

Yes!

What's happened?

Bogunio, what's the matter?

Daleniecki has sold off Serbinów.

I cordially inform you
that Serbinów is sold.

Mr. Owrucki and I have already
signed a preliminary agreement.

Signed...

It's stated clearly:

"All investment expenses
over 3 thousand roubles

can be made only with the knowledge
and approval of the owner."

It's written in point three
as one of the terms.

And you've spent a huge amount
on draining that requires a mortgage!

No one needed this!

What do you mean, no one needed this?

I don't use French perfume.

I stink of dung because I work in it!
And I alone know what this land needs!

You forget that I decide
what's good here. Me and the contract.

A second, unwritten contract
between us allowed me to act freely!

Oh, but you've abused this freedom,
Mr. Niechcic.

Would you kindly suggest how you're
going to pay the nine thousand?

Because I can't see how!

I tore this 9 thousand
away from my wife and children.

I risked everything we ever had
for the sake of this land.

I'd risked it and lost it because you
trade people's fate behind their backs!

We only served a man like him
to win our daily bread.

Good manners, clever noddle...

and a boor underneath.

Good man or not, he owns Serbinów.

And to me, Serbinów
is much more than daily bread.

I... cannot imagine living
anywhere else.

Bogumił, stop it,

what are you saying?
Life is everywhere.

That's what you always used to say.
We'll keep on living.

We have to live.

My dear Mr. Bogumił,

as you know, I've been parcelling
Pamiętów for quite some time now.

Cutting it, tearing it into pieces!

And today, when we heard the news

of the wickedness of this perfumed
bastard from Paris,

Ksawunia and I
thought that we could offer you

a mansion, a garden, and the rest
of Pamiętów to acquire.

It's about three drags of land in total.

I don't want much because I know
whose hands I'm giving it into.

Twenty thousand roubles.

You pay by cash
as much as you can. As for the rest...

Ksawunia, being the heiress of Pamiętów,

agrees to split it into as many
instalments as you need.

Oleśka!

- I thought you won't make it.
- Where's Tomaszek?

Follow me to the furnace.

Give me a harlot
for the jack, let her get it!

A son of such a father!

A son of such a father, with gamblers!

Mamma, you're here?

Yes, mamma is here!
What are you glaring at?

Go home, at once!

- I haven't done anything! Leave me be.
- Right, you've never done anything!

Then why cause a stir? I'm not doing
anything? I'm here on an internship!

- His father owns quarries.
- I've just seen this internship.

Then go and find out for yourself!
I start office work tomorrow.

The office? From tomorrow?
If you want work, work by the furnace!

I see, so you want me
to be a mere worker

when I can get
a good position in the office?

I don't care who you become!
Do you understand?

Serbinów has been sold.

- Let's go together!
- I'll just go get my case.

Let's go together!

You don't believe me again, do you?
None of you do!

We'll see who lies
and who's telling the truth!

Where are you going, son?

Son, wait! My dear son!

Wait!

Why did you come after me?
I won't go back anyway.

The devil has possessed you, son!
It'll pass!

It'll pass!

Stop nagging,
I'm unhappy enough as it is!

Let's go back, son!

I just want to tell you,
I'm beside myself out of grief.

It was such a long time
and now you have to leave it behind.

It's not fair!

My Kałużna...

Serbinów will last without us too.

Bogunio, please,
tell the ones on the carts

- to ride slowly over potholes.
- I've already told them that, Basia.

Take this barometer,
it'll be safest in your cart.

Walenty!

And then order, Walenty,
this hay and mud...

Papa, I've already packed!

I'm so glad that we're finally
leaving Serbinów!

Giddy up! Giddy up!

Basia, I'll stay here for the night.

There are a few affairs to sort out.

Giddy up!

What's wrong, Bogunio?

I don't know.

I'm puzzled why I don't have the energy
I used to have.

After all, Basia,
we've got our own place at last.

We found good people,
who didn't let us suffer

and helped us stay afloat.

Well...

I must be getting old.

Or I've lost the habit of stewarding my
land and I have to get used to it again.

You know, I'll go outside
to map out the spring work schedule.

Bogunio, take your coat!

God almighty, you've been outside
for so long...

At your age...

Bogumił, take it off. What's wrong?

- It's nothing.
- My God, you're burning up with fever!

There's something in my chest.

Give me some water, it burns...

Jesus Christ,
why did you put on this coat...

I... must... go into the fields.

Holy Mother of God, it's 40 degrees.

Don't be alarmed by the fever, madam.

He's unconscious.

But it's not that bad.

Must... go... into the fields...

His condition is serious,
therefore we cannot ignore it.

But it's not life-threatening.

- The left lung...
- Pneumonia?

You must stay calm, dear madam.

You must keep a cool head.

His heart is a bit worn-out but strong.

We'll give him some camphor.

This manor is more spacious
than Serbinów.

The scenery is also nicer.

And what of Woynarowski?
He's become a townie in his old age.

This man has a broken watch instead of
a heart in his chest and is still alive.

As far as I know, he should
have died 20 years ago.

- Basia! Basia!
- Yes, Bogunio?

- Yes, my love?
- Basia.

Drink up.

Am I ill?

Yes, but you're better now.
Drink this medicine.

Medicine? Was there a doctor here?

A doctor?

Yes and he said
everything is going to be alright.

Bitter.

I've caused you so much trouble...
The expense...

Don't be angry with me.

I won't let them auction me off.

I won't let them...

I won't, I won't let them auction
me off.

I cannot hide it, madam,

that the left lung's started festering.

His condition isn't hopeless
but it's serious.

Tomaszek... Tomaszek...

Stay at school.

Stay at school, my boy.

My daughter...

Sweetie, where is Agnieszka?

She's coming, papa.

I'm sure of it.

The festering process is advancing.

Be brave, dear madam.

Mamma...

Papa is asking for you.

Basia... Basia...

Yes, Bogunio?

Yes, my love?

Did Tomaszek give back the money?

What money?

Ah... he did.

He did.

My dear child, my... my son.

Basia, I'm dying.

Bogumił, don't you leave me.

Don't you leave me on my own.

- Agnieszka?
- Mamma!

- My dear child!
- My dear mamma!

My girl... I haven't heard...
I haven't heard you come in.

- What's going on?
- Just some guests.

Tomaszek and Emilka
invited some friends over.

- But we're in mourning, how could they?
- Can young people be in mourning?

I don't even blame them.
Emilka has always been unhappy

that everyone is throwing parties
except from us.

Let her, it's only for
the summer after all.

Mamma, when I come back from England,
I'll take you to Warsaw.

- We'll live there together.
- No, I must stay here.

I must keep an eye on things, or they'll
waste his work in a year, all of them.

Me too.

Don't tell your siblings.

They're so happy to be able
to live the way they want at last.

They should enjoy life.

Oh, mamma...

Emilka and that young Bartołd
are getting married on Easter.

They've told me recently
that they won't live in Pamiętów.

"I'd prefer leasing any property
to owning such land."

That's what I heard from my future
son-in-law.

So I've decided to sell Pamiętów.

And I wrote to the Marcins
to ask for their permission.

This is the reply.

I consider this grange yours.
Please, manage it as you wish, mamma.

The necessary documents
will be sent immediately.

Pamiętów is dear to us
only because of father

but his memory lives on and wherever
we go, we'll take it with us.

So, as you can see, Mr. Ludwik,
Pamiętów must be sold.

Yesterday I went for a walk in the park
and it was as if Bogumił was with me.

It's better.

It's better that you
don't consider him gone.

Gone?

I told him to take his winter coat
the last time he went out to the fields.

If he had taken his light coat, he
wouldn't have got overheated and ill.

- He'd still be alive.
- Special edition!

Archduke Ferdinand has been
assassinated in Sarajevo!

Special edition!

You know what, Julka?

This quiet life in town
doesn't agree with me.

I must start being productive.

I remember how happy I was
with Bogumił in Krępa,

after we got the manor.

The barometer shows good weather coming.

They must have begun
harvesting in Serbinów.

Right after summer I'll take care of
my son. I must work on his character.

I won't pay any of your bills!

Mamma! My dearest mamma!

It's the last time, I swear!

It's all because I'm missing Jadwinia
so much! I can't live without her!

After trade school, I'll study in France
to be close to her

and then we'll get married

and, mamma... I'll be a proper man then!

So please, mamma... pay just this once!

How much do you owe?

Well... it's this one
and a... few older debts.

Christ, son, you're tearing me apart!

How much is it in total?

I don't know...
It's several hundred roubles I think.

Several hundred roubles?!

I won't give you the estate money!

It's your father's life's work!
It's sacred to me.

But mamma, you still have some...
jewellery.

After all, you don't need
this thing any more.

You can sell it.

Basia, selling such a valuable
thing is a mistake.

- Particularly beautiful!
- There's a pressing matter

- that I need money for immediately.
- I know. Tomaszek's debts.

If I were you, I'd put an ad
in a newspaper

that I'm not liable for my son's debts.

Signed: Barbara Niechcic, full stop.

I believe I'll change his careless heart
one day.

Change your mind, come with us to
Zabłocie. It's so beautiful there!

- Sewcio has renovated it all!
- No dear, I'll stay in Kaliniec.

I feel bad leaving you alone
in this dusty town.

I have the Ostrzeńskis
and Ceglarski. It's not a wasteland!

Agnieszka is visiting in August
and I have Julka!

Take your seats, please.

- Take your seats, please!
- Au revoir.

- Goodbye!
- Goodbye! Godspeed!

- Tomaszek!
- Godspeed.

Emilka, take care of him!
He needs a lot of kindness.

Goodbye, my boy.

- Goodbye, mamma!
- Mamma! Take care!

Goodbye!

There's a war coming between France
and Germany.

Reportedly, the Russians are going to
retreat behind the Vistula River.

I heard it from one officer, a Pole.

The army leaves tonight. The patrols
will stay until dawn and go as well.

Kaliniec seems like the best place
to stay during this war.

I am curious where the first,
historic battle will take place!

Julka, maybe there won't
be a war between Russia and Germany!

Look, how they march!
It's like the manoeuvres!

It's war mobilisation!
The war's on!

- But how?
- Mobilisation!

War? And my children are so far away...

In my shop there are no cigarettes left!

Madam, what's going on?
The stores are empty!

Mobilisation! War!

We're leaving town in two days!

Madam! Madam, the war has started!

The whole town is talking!
Maybe I should stay the night?

I'll only go tell my old man
and be right back.

Mhm... My dear Julka...

I am not afraid of such things.

Anyway...

they won't kill us all, and even
if they do, you won't be of much help.

But... if your children arrive
during the night,

then I'll make tea or something.

No, I'll do it myself.
Nothing's happening.

The Russians left. The Germans
will march through and leave too.

Germans are a refined nation.

And they are not at war with us,
but with Russia.

Quick, let's go!

- Basia! Basia!
- Aunt, come with us!

- Grab whatever you can! Quick!
- Quick, Barbara!

We're leaving!
You must come with us!

Grab your things!
There's no time to lose!

Basia! For the love of God!

Germans are on the outskirts!
They'll burn the town! Burn it!

Godspeed, I'm staying! You go! I can't!

Basia, what are you doing!
You'll die here!

Then I will!
I must wait here for my children!

In Serbinów they must have started
cutting the wheat.

And the barometer is showing
a change of weather.

Bogumił would be worried.

Mrs. Barbara! I beg of you, quick!

He'll go without us! Don't leave!

Don't leave yet!

Mrs. Barbara! Quick,
get some warm clothes! Now!

- Off! We don't go any further!
- You leave us here?

- Look what's going on! The Prussians!
- Jesus Christ!

Sir, take me to Nieznanów,
to my children!

Sir, please!

Sir, please take me
to Dr. Wettler, to Nieznanów!

Sir, take me to my children!

Maybe you could take me to Nieznanów?

Bogumił, save me and our children.

Honourable Mrs. Niechcic,
don't you remember me?

It's me! Szymszel from Kurza!

- How are you doing, Szymszel?
- Well, I work as a carter, madam.

I drive to Kaliniec, to Czałbowo.
I transport goods. Or people.

How many people
have I transported lately!

But I'd prefer not to earn a single
kopeck rather than look at all this.

And now I'm ready to take you,
Mrs. Niechcic, wherever you want to go.

Five versts from here there is
the Borowno village.

Mr. Toliboski's estate is two
versts away.

No, I won't go to the manor, turn back.
Let's ask for a room among the peasants.

There will be filth and stench...
And Mr. Toliboski is a great master.

He has a lot of rooms.
It's not a manor. It's a palace!

He'll take you in with open arms,
Mrs. Niechcic. Giddy up!

Honourable Mrs. Niechcic,
do you know Master Toliboski?

Yes, I used to know him.

But it was so long ago, that today
we would hardly recognise each other.

- I heard he's a widower now?
- Indeed.

But the children inherited a fine
estate from their mother's side.

And Mr. Toliboski...

He is a real master now!

Szymszel, turn around!
You see what's going on here!

Mrs. Niechcic, this is the end of days!

This war has driven people mad.

- Turn around, please!
- People! What are you doing? Disperse!

Please don't be upset, but we really
have no more room left. Excuse me.

You must also be from Kaliniec, madam.
Father went to another grange

to put some of the people there

and told me to apologise to all of you.

But we really have no room left.

Father told me to direct everyone to
Chety and Jastrzębice. They have room.

Good, that's very convenient.
Thank you.

I happen to know Mr. Katelba
from Jastrzębice well.

Thank you very much.