Professor Kosta Vujic's Hat (2012) - full transcript
The story of professor Kosta Vujic who in the mid-19th century taught an extraordinarily talented generation of gymnasium students, some of whom would go on to become prominent members of the Serbian society and eventually historically significant figures. They include Mihailo "Mika Alas" Petrovic, Stevan Stojanovic 'Mokranjac', Jovan Cvijic, and Jasa Prodanovic.
The hat on sight!
Professor Kosta Vujic,
according to his student, who was
later a famous mathematician
Mihailo Petrovic, also known
as Mika Alas (fisherman),
was the most original professor
of 19th century.
PROFESSOR VUJlC'S HAT
People from Belgrade
knew him by his hats,
seven hats, one for
each day of the week.
This eccentric,
loner and bachelor
had acquired this brick for his
eternal house a long time ago.
He didn't have his own house
so he moved every spring
taking the brick along with him
to his new home.
From landlords he asked
for something, at that
time very demanding.
A clean and arranged toilette.
Thanks to that, toilettes in Belgrade
were getting better and better.
This classmate of Branko
Radicevic in Karlovci
and at studies in Vienna,
had been teaching German
in the First male high
school for thirty years.
At his time in Serbia,
no government could be
formed without his students.
After these students of
professor Vujic's last generation,
many streets in
Belgrade were named.
What are you doing there children,
for God's sake?
We were sleeping. We're getting up.
My God!
Poor students from province.
Why here, Serbian hopes?
Why not? Neither we disturb the dead
nor do they disturb us.
The sun has warmed these
tombstones and it feels good.
l hope you are not sleeping here
in winter. - No, in winter we are
mostly at the lounge of the railway
station. We stoke fire there
and in return gendarmes let us sit
by the stove. - Good gendarmes.
There are many
good people in Belgrade.
Young Serbian hopes,
let me take you
to the inn to treat you.
Good morning professor.
Good afternoon, Mr Vujic.
- Good afternoon.
lnnkeepers are waiting for him as
if he was bringing them good luck.
To say hello to him and show some
delicious meal they were preparing.
He was the biggest gourmand
of the Serbian capital.
Mitrovic! - Good morning, teacher.
What are you doing in front of
the Minister Marinkovic's house?
l was on my way to school
when l met this interesting horse.
Now you want to write a song
about this interesting horse. A?
Hurry to school or you will be late.
This horse can't give you justification.
Hurry!
Mitrovic, wait, come here.
Who put this rose here?
- l don't know, Madam.
lt's so beautiful.
Was it her you were waiting for?
Yes.
She's pretty, very pretty.
Write her a song.
l've already published two songs
for the newspapers.
Does she know
that they are devoted to her?
No, she doesn't. - You dumb!
What are you doing people?
We're digging a hole.
- l can see it. What for?
For a momument to Prince Mihailo.
- On a horse.
ln which direction will he ride?
- ln that one.
To lstanbul? - Yes.
The First male high school was
in Kapetan Misa's building.
ln front of the building - a market.
The hat on sight!
Sit down.
The window! - Stop, don't move!
Teacher, let us see how long
he will make in that pose
of the leaning tower in Pisa.
Petrovic, you're making noise.
Go in the corner! - He's absent.
Cvijic, you go in the corner
to substitute him until he comes.
Why me, Sir? Paja Popovic is his
best friend. - Because tsar's word
is not denied and it doesn't matter
where you are reading.
Prodanovic, you're going to be
a journalist, aren't you?
Among other things.
- Now you're in the right position.
You want to spend your whole life
between the newsroom and jail.
Why do you say so? - Because
you just can't keep your mouth shut.
Donkey!
-For that, l will be a journalist.
Come in!
Come in... Petrovic. Come in..
You're late for school.
l'm not properly dressed, Sir.
- That's why you will go to the corner.
But, l'm not by myself.
l'm here with a friend.
Your friend will go to the corner too.
All right than, Djole...
Let's go to the corner.
What's that, Petrovic?
- A catfish, Sir.
Bring it over here.
What a big catfish you've caught!
You told me if l caught
a very big fish to bring it to school.
How did you take it out,
my big angler?
Don't ask. l have been
by the river all night.
l am late for school
but it was worth.
What are you going to do with it?
l don't know. Do you have an idea?
Take it over to Dardaneli inn
and tell them to put it on ice.
l'll think something out later.
You saw that?
You did well with sending him
to Dardaneli inn. - l certainly did.
Better to Dardaneli than to the corner.
lt would be crowded there.
The corner couldn't take on
so many catfish (dopes).
To the corner, Popovic,
to substitute the dope.
Sit down.
l'll show you what is what!
l believe that even sparrows
around the school are familiar with this.
Does anybody want
to solve this task?
Or somebody wants to show
how bad at maths he is.
What smells so good?
l have no idea, Sir.
Silence. What's so funny?
Well then, nobody knows
how to solve this task.
Do you want to try, Petrovic?
Well, if l have to...
You don't have to.
- ln that case, l want to.
l don't feel like writing the whole
procedure. l'll write down just the result.
Are you sure, Petrovic, check it.
- l'm completely sure. You check it, Sir.
Will you check it Sir?
- lf l have to...- You don't have to.
ln that case l want to.
You haven't put the minus.
- l don't need your help...
Where?
At the beginning.
Very good.
Here's your grade book Sir.
Plato said that mathematics
sharpens mind.
Get away from here, rowdy!
Stay away from the horse.
l've been watching you for days
fawning over the wrong horse.
Let's go. - Where?
- To find your way out.
And where's my way out?
- ln Knez Mihailo Riding Club.
Why do you want to take me there?
To help you become friends
with Miss Marinkovic's horse.
You are not naive. - Let's go.
We should get some sugar first.
What do we need the sugar for?
- Horses like sugar.
You're right. - Let's go..
Listen to this choir.
l don't know you in this way, Cvijic.
Here you can see me
by my origin and inheritance.
There l am what l am supposed to be
by origin and inheritance. Let's go.
Come closer, don't be afraid,
he has smelled the sugar.
Give him a lump of sugar.
Now, whistle!
Give him a lump again and whistle.
You see, horses are very bribable.
Do you want to take a ride? - May l?
- l should ask first.
Listen to me.
Listen to me.
Ministry of our army
has sent these rifles
to the students of your school.
You can train in order to become
good soldiers for your country.
Take these rifles
and get accustomed to them.
Remember! This is Balkan.
Are the rifles real?
Why do you ask? Do you want dummy
bullets?
Take this rifle and shut up.
Silence! Order! Knock it off!
Listen! We've come here to train aiming
at a target by shooting a rifle.
Don't make me be ashamed of you
in front of Lieutenant Misic
who was in command
of a battalion as a cadet
and decorated with a gold order
for bravery.
Cvijic, l trust you.
Fire!
Well done, Cvijic.
Lieutenant Misic,
you see what hell of an eye he has.
l agree. - Well done,
Cvijic, well done.
Velimir, take the rifle and kneel down.
C'mon don't be scared. - Aim!
Velimir, don't turn your head.
Aim well and shoot the enemy.
C'mon, don't let them shout at you.
First aim and then shoot.
You'll be anything but a soldier.
Now the Austrians across the Danube
are watching us rejoiced.
Austrians! Watch this!
Don't worry for your country.
This one will not take it from you.
But l will.
Mr Vujic, have a seat, please.
Has my student brought you a catfish?
- Yes, it was ordered for one thirty.
Will it be ready? - Yes, Sir.
Good afternoon, Sir. - Good afternoon.
There's our teacher here.
We have finished our lesson
of military training
and our teacher is
in the middle of his lunch.
lt's because every lunch
of our teacher is
a gourmand tour
around inns in the town.
Good appetite, Sir.
Bastille was a fortress
with a horrible name.
lt constantly jeopardized Paris
having it at reach of its cannons.
French kings were holding
their French noblemen in that dungeon.
Through centuries it became a symbol
of tyranny in the middle of Paris.
But on July 14th 1789
people took up
arms...- Hurrah!
And made a violent assault.
- Let's do it!
l can still hear sounds
of drums and bugles.
We can also hear them.
We can hear them.
They didn't feel sorry for their lives,
they assaulted Bastille and destroyed it.
People were happy in the streets,
excited, rejoiced, hugging one another,
crying of joy...
The Bastille was down!
Hurrah! - lt was a new date,
a new great date in human history.
A new epoch had started, an epoch
of civil rights and national freedom
that once and forever the French
revolution had given to the mankind.
Long live the French revolution!
- Long live!
Teacher! - Yes, Prodanovic?
While you are inspiring us with ideas
of the French revolution,
close to here in the National theatre they
are having a final rehearsal of a play.
What play?
Pavle Popovic will tell us
more about the play.
What's it about, Poppovic? - lt's
Rabagas by Sardou.
A disgrace that muddies all possessions
of the modern revolution.
Down with Rabagas! - Down!
Who is Rabagas?
Nusic! Brana! - What's going on?
They want to perform "Rabagas"
by Sardou.
We won't allow it.
We have to stop them. - Right!
We mustn't allow this play that muddies
the French revolution. - Right!
They didn't allow this pamphlet in Paris,
Prague and.... Popovic...- Pest.
We will not let them
show it here either! - Right!
Students, let's gather tonight here
to stop it by force.
Let's do it! - Down with Rabagas!
- Down!
Police Minister Garasanin
is getting upset.
Let's go out
to set an ambush for the police.
Have you seen Branislav Nusic?
He's in the hole for the moment.
With lower grade students.
What are you doing here in the hole?
- We have set an ambush for the police.
The police are involved? - Yes, Minister
Garasanin has already sent for them.
l was under his box in the theatre
when l saw him sending for the police.
Mr Vujic!
Who is calling me?
- lt's me, principal Milosavljevic.
Come back later, l'm getting dressed.
l wouldn't disturb you if it wasn't an
urgent matter. Please.
Wait a minute, please.
Good morning, Sir.
- lt's not good at all.
You have heard what happened
at the theatre last night. - No.
You have no idea. - No. - You don't know
that your students made a scene.
My students? - Yes.
- That's impossible.
What do you mean impossible.
This newspaper writes that
your students prevented the showing
of the theatrical performance by force.
Of the "Rabagas"? - Yes. - l knew it.
lt's not a big deal. Keep calm.
How can you say that! lt's easy for you.
You are not in trouble.
lt's written here that l'd incited them to
rebel. You know what it means.
Concerning the student's
demonstrations
the decision of the legal authority is
as follows: You are not punished.
Your principle, however,
got the worst of it.
He has been dismissed.
What's this, some kind of
demonstrations?
No way. We just wanted to wish you
a warm welcome.
Gentlemen, this is Mr Kozarac,
our new principal.
Let's welcome him with a big applause.
lt's okay, thank you.
You know that l'm coming
from the town of Sabac.
l helped them make order
where it was necessary.
The students are disciplined there now
and they don't need me anymore.
That's why they've sent me here. To
make the First male high school the best.
l ask for order, work,
sweat and knowledge.
Where there is order
there is knowledge.
What's your name? - Jakov Prodanovic.
Yours? - Jovan Cvijic.
Yours? - Mihailo Petrovic.
- Yours? - Pavle Popovic.
Yours? - Milorad Mitrovic.
Your names will be noted
and remembered.
Excuse me, may we know
where our names will be noted?
ln my notebook.
What did you think? ln history?
Your class has to be put in order.
l'm glad that there are many talented
and smart students in my last class.
We'll see how good they are
at their final examination.
That's not the point.
We should talk about their behaviour.
They are considered to be the least
disciplined class in your school.
You have to stop being indulgent.
l know how hard it is for you
to change your bad habits.
l don't have any bad habits.
Concerning our school, l give orders
as long as l am the principal.
Nothing, not even your stomach
can interfere.
l beg your pardon?
- Are you angry, chum?
l've got to go.
Professor Mokranjac use us to conduct
his experiments. - What do you mean?
That is his collection of songs.
He's now checking it.
What is he writing?
l don't know. He's
making some changes in the song.
We just learn the song, he changes
several notes and all over again.
A...l get it.
We serve him to fix the songs and later
he makes a collection out of them.
Let's check the song
"ln the town of Budim".
This really annoys me.
Stay calm, Dragan.
Thank you, thank you very much.
- Thanks God, Miss.
My name's Milorad Mitrovic.
The boy for whom many girls
of the female high school sigh?
Who wrote that song
About beautiful Lady Ann
from Madrid
Who has never exchanged a glance
with a man
All the girls would like to be
that lady Ann. - What do you think...
Who was in my thoughts while l
was writing that song? - l don't know.
lf you want me to confess you
that l was thinking of you
l won't do it
unless you make me do it.
l just want to thank you
for helping me.
l don't know what happened to him
suddenly. As if he wasn't mine.
He was listening to somebody else.
He's a good horse.
What are you doing?
- Giving him a lump of sugar.
l see now. You are his ward.
- May l be yours too?
l solemnly pronounce you.
Besides lady Ann in Madrid there's
knight Pedro, nice but a real don Juan
Talk, Miss, you know when you are
talking your words become kisses.
You are kissing words.
l would like to see you more often.
- Why?
You may start liking me.
Your horse likes me.
Say something.
My father approved of making a mixed
choir of the students in our school.
l will join it if you join. - Go and sing
in the choir, Sir. Goodbye.
Wait, why are you leaving?
- There comes my mother.
What's that?
lt's a winding frog. Listen to this.
- A miracle of technology.
What are we going to do with it?
- Try to confuse professor Zecevic.
And prevent him from examining us.
- That's right.
Where are you going to hide it?
- l'll think out something.
Where is this coming from? - What?
Can you here these frogs?
- What frogs, Sir?
You don't hear frogs? - No. What frogs?
What the devil is going on?
Let's talk about your students a little.
No generation has ever been
out of control as this one.
No generation has ever been
unique as this one.
They go their own way in reading,
thinking and studying. - l agree.
They read, they think, they study..
lt's a generation for the future.
To study, to think, to work...
They are such
because you indulged them too much.
Concerning my indulgence
that can be discussed
and yours that
can't be discussed ,
more and more convinced l am
that this generation
has grown up for Europe.
For Europe! Stuff and nonsense!
They go too far... they have no measure.
The world is their measure.
Each of them is one measure.
- l don't understand.
lf you knew them the way l do,
you would understand. - l know them.
Look at that Jovan Cvijic.
l'm sure that our country, Serbia
will be known worldwide thanks to him.
lt will if he doesn't fall into that hole.
He will not. - l say he will.
No, he will not.
l'm sure he will. - No, he will not.
Haven't l told you! - You were right.
Get him out of there!
You say that they know everything.
- Well, he didn't know for that hole.
There's no generation
that knows everything
They, at least, have learnt how to think.
Look at Mihailo Petrovic.
A great fisherman
among graduating pupils.
Yea, he's hell of a fisherman!
Sure he is!
Get in, why are you sneaking there?
Come in boys. Faster!
You're singing in the choir. - Yes.
You haven't taken
your places properly.
Sopranos, altos, tenors...basses,
baritones... take your places.
Get a move!
Here l am in the choir.
Mitrovic, l didn't know
that you are soprano.
Go to baritones.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a big day
for Serbian music.
You are the first mixed choir
in the Serbian history.
Do you know what it means?
For the first time in Serbia
girls and boys are singing together.
l want your best manners.
You know what it means,
especially the boys.
We've already rehearsed the song
Mirjana separately.
Let's try to sing it together.
Mitrovic, as first, you are not a soloist.
As second, just open your mouth.
Take this ball of thread.
- What for?
lt can be very dangerous
that thing with the ball.
But it's very pleasant, too.
- My mom will punish me if she notices it.
Don't worry, she won't.
What's going on?
She asked me to walk her home. - Nice.
She lives close to here.
Go step by step.
The same way a country is conquered.
What shall l say to her?
- Talk to her about things you like.
Make a date with her. - So soon?
- Quickly, go!
Miss Mila! - Yes, please.
l hear that you play the violin nicely.
l prefer go fishing.
- Fishing. lt must be very exciting.
Yes. That's why l spend much time
by the river, day and night,
in winter and summer. Most of all
l like fishing a catfish. - A catfish!
Yes, it's very voracious.
- Oh, it's so romantic. - Yes, it is.
lt's really romantic. - What about
you? Are you romantic? - l am.
Not as romantic as you are.
But l could become.
l'm sure you could.
Sure? How? Tell me.
Come fishing with me.
You mean the two of us alone
by the river. - lf you feel like it.
Yes, l do. - You do? - Yes.
Just keep it a secret.
- Sure. Nobody will know.
Good afternoon Sir.
Don't touch the desks and don't move
until your teacher arrives.
Quickly, quickly.
Mr Vujic, please.
Follow me, please.
What's going on here? Kosovo?
May we sit so that
you can see well?
Sit down!
What have l sinned God to send me
you to be my last generation to teach!
l won't regret to retire on pension.
What can you see, Sir?
What's to be seen?
Disorder and disrespect.
Please have a better look.
Don't you see orthographic signs for
French accents?
You can see them on the board, too.
As we were getting ready
for our French lesson,
in order to learn French accents
we put our desks in this position.
L'accent circonflexe, l'accent aigu
l'accent grave...
Cut it off, Popovic, you'll do everything
to....- To remember better.
Shut up, Popovic. - l just wanted
to clear up the situation.
The principal is right, l've indulged you
too much. Too much!
Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
Sit down, children.
Gentlemen, please.
Bravo! Bravo! - Who came to this idea?
Was it you, Popovic?
lt was me.
Let the principal
hear you all together.
Your class is extraordinary, Sir.
lt's all right. l've got to go.
Popovic, you will be punished any way
when the lesson is over.
lt's all right. l know him very well.
He is always speaking like that.
See you later.
Children, your interest
in French language and its accents
is fascinating.
l hope while l'm testing you,
you will amaze me
with your knowledge.
Petrovic, irregular verbs.
Where are we teacher? - This place is
called Viline vode.
Where are we going? - To the
stonemason to order a tombstone.
Excuse me, Sir, for whom?
For myself. Don't be surprised. This is a
neglected cemetery of court horses.
Look at this: Here lies my dear horse
Arslan, proud Arab which l got from
Sultan and which used to carry me in
hunting. Princ Mihailo Obrenovic.
l didn't know that they had
written epitaphs
and built tombstones to horses.
- Now you know.
lf these horses can have
tombstones, than l should have one too.
Am l right? - l guess you are.
Good afternoon. - Good afternoon,
professor. - You know me.
Everybody knows you.
My name's Krunoslav.
l won't ask you
what have brought you here
'cause nothing good can bring you
to my place. - But, it can be good.
How come?
- l want to order a tombstone.
That can be good, at least for me.
What kind of tombstone?
Like this one. Here's the draft.
l'd better do it my way.
lt would be easier for me.
l don't want to make it easier for you.
l will pay for that tombstone.
Here are the dimensions and it is drawn
where you should put the name, the date
and later we will see. - As you wish.
- Like this one, made of white marble.
White? - Yes. - Black granite is better.
- l don't care what is better.
l want a tombstone of white marble.
- But it's not mourning colour.
Black colour fits the dead.
Neither was l grieving for myself in
life nor will l be grieving in death.
l want to rejoice at death
since l can't escape from it.
lt will take time since l have to buy
the marble. - l'm not in a hurry.
Aren't you surprised that l want
to build a tombstone for myself?
We all grieve for someone.
l'm not going to die for long...
So you're going to grieve
for yourself for a long time.
Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Gentlemen, l 've arranged this
so we can have a rehearsal.
What are we going to sing?
- "To my pipe".
Nonsense. ln this situation?
My silver made pipe
l would smoke, but l'm broke....
O Serbia dear mother
l will always call you such
Dear country, dear home
in your heart it is always warm.
"To my pipe"...nonsense.
Get set go!
Everyone will tell you that
since the opening of this school
Kosta Vujic has truly been
the best teacher of them all.
His appearance among other things...
Sit down!
Who will get the hat?
You can't all go. We have just one hat.
We'll do it by no fear or favour.
Alphabetically. Letter...B
Branislav Rajic and V.. Vasilije Simic
Thank you Sir.
Branislav! - Yes Sir?
l've never asked you why you always
come to school barefoot?
For many reasons, Sir.
One of them is that l have no shoes.
This young man speaks rationally.
Go and don't step on some glass.
Don't worry, Sir, the soles of
my feet are thicker
than the soles of your shoes.
Prodanovic, tell us
who opened the window.
- l don't know, Sir. l didn't.
Prodanovic, you will be the monitor
for another three months.
He can't be.
What do you mean he can't? Who is the
head teacher, you or me? lmbecile!
An imbecile is considered a person who
speaks irrationally and what l said
was quite true. Since we have only one
month before the final examination,
Jakov can't be the monitor
for another three months.
All right. You are not an imbecile.
Sorry for that.
Jovan Cvijic, would you be so kind
to go to the corner.
Jakov Prodanovic, would you be so kind
to go to the corner.
Jakov shouldn't stand in the
corner. l've opened the window.
What? You've opened the window?
l thought you were already skilled that
you couldn't miss. l even took a bet.
Who did you take the bet with?
- With Ljubomir Stojanovic.
Ljubomir..
You took a bet against your favourite
poet's blood brother.
l won the bet but l truly believe
that you can hit the shelf
with the hat with the window open, but
you just are not in good mood today.
Sure l can do that.
You're completely right.
Go to the corner!
Since you are here,
let me examine you a little.
Jakov, let us hear about Schiller.
What have you learnt?
What would you like to hear - what
relates to my nature or what doesn't.
Give an example.
"Nothing but acting towards a definite aim
makes life bearable."
You see, it relates to my nature and me.
Tell me how Schiller defines a free man?
Only the morally educated man
is completely free.
Remember this Schiller's thought
as a rule of life.
Popovic!
Do you agree with Schiller?
l might agree with his quote which says
"lf every man cared for people
every individual would have a world."
Why might, Popovic?
ln youth, love has no limits.
Yes, but analyzing that thought
thoroughly, l find that
l couldn't be that kind of
philanthropist.
l think that nobody, not even our
poet Milorad Mitrovic could be that.
Don't say that, he's been very loving
these days.
Both to people and horses.
- l agree with you, but
Schiller himself didn't use
conditionals without purpose.
And conditionals are not real. Not ever.
Why do you think our poet Milorad
wouldn't find himself in that quote?
lf l searched for Schiller's thought that
relates to him, l would choose this one:
That means: "The stars of your fate
lie in your bosom."
l think that Popovic saved me from
Schiller. - Nobody can save you.
Come in.
Where have you been for so long?
-Why didn't you ask for help?
We were trying to get the hat
off the tree. - With stones.
Thank you for your help.
Put the hat on its place.
You can go to your places.
Rajic Branislav,
l will not examine you today.
Go to the widow of deceased
Minister of justice Milan Markovic,
tell her that l'm sending you
to do some chores.
She can give you some clothes in return.
- l'll do that. Thank you.
My smart alecs!
l know someone who would never go to
the town of Zemun. Am l right Velimir?
Yes Sir? - You would never go to that
rotten town, would you?
l wouldn't Sir.
You are always present at school.
- Yes, Sir.
All your marks are excellent.
- All of them,Sir.
You never go to town or inns.
- The only way l know is school-home.
lt's unbearable, Velimir. - Why Sir?
That annoys your friends, and me too.
What annoys you, Sir?
That stupid determination of yours not to
make a single mistake in your life.
Are you angry with me. Sir?
- You learn from your mistakes, son.
l don't get it.
l gave right to all of you
to make a mistake.
Only you didn't make any.
- ls that my fault, Sir?
No it's my fault. Forgive me for not
telling you in time how to change that.
My clever boy.
The hat on sight!
l see that you are surprised, Sir.
Of course l'm surprised.
You were present when the principle
allowed us to... - Do not play fool.
He allowed you to bring
some snacks to school.
But not to make a market out of them.
Should l remind you Sir
what exactly the principle said?
What exactly?
He literally said that we could bring
what we had at home.
Smart alecs!
Shame on you! Spendthrifts!
Now clear it all up. Quickly!
Shame on you!
Order, please!
Pick up your things.
Pass me the grade book.
Nobody should know for this.
ls that clear? - Yes. Okay. Order!
Where were we last time?
You are finally dressed up, a?
- l certainly am, Sir.
l have recognized the counselor's
tailcoat. He was a little shorter.
Silence, please.
Let me see your new shoes.
They are cool!
Take the coat off. You're not allowed
to wear it at school anyway.
lt only matters
that you are finally dressed.
The counselor's wife
sends you her regards
and asks you to forgive me
for being late for school.
Sit down.
Take off your hat.
You don't like my playing, Miss Mila.
l'm doing it for you.
l like it, but...
You'd better play for the fish.
To play for the fish?
Yes. You see that your fishing rods
are standing still.
l see it. The same way you are.
- l beg your pardon?
What do you want to say?
Who told you that? - You.
You want to say
that l haven't taken the bait. -Yes.
Then go to play for your fish.
They may respond to your courting.
l'm ready to any foolishness
to please you, Miss Mila.
Even to play for the fish.
lncredible.
Have they responded to your courting?
- And you?
What about you Miss Mila?
- Look! - What?
What has come over you Mr Petrovic?
- Miss Mila!
They are cooking beans....
but they must have put some rotten ribs.
Where were we in our last lesson? Now
l remember, l was examining Cvijic...
May l be excused today, Sir?
- Are you okay, Cvijic.
l don't think anybody of us should
answer about Schiller any more.
After Jasa Prodanovic and Paja
Popovic, no matter how much we know
we will get marks
under the influence of their knowledge.
lf l tried to find myself in Schiller
l would not agree with him.
"Where nature rules
mankind must disappear".
"Nature is the greatest in the smallest
things."Ancient Latins used to say.
l could also deny Schiller
with Milton's quote which says:
We can dispute Schiller
with La Martine's quote
You mean that one:
"ln his most wonderful dreams
the man could not invent anything
as beautiful as nature."
All right, Cvijic. l'll have to give you the
mark you already have.
lt's your right, Sir.
And you have an A! A!
l beg your pardon?
Smart alecs!
l'm not a smart alec, Sir. l'm just sitting
next to one. - Sit down.
l'll agree with Cvijic and we will not
discuss Schiller any more.
Who hasn't been examined in German?
Can you tell us... in your own words
how much time would it take you...
to get to town
and bring me some tripes?
Not much if l go by bicycle.
- Then go by bicycle.
l'll be waiting in Dardaneli inn.
- All right, Sir.
Well, let's go back to examining.
Ljubomir Stojanovic.
There are also crabs today, Sir.
Crabs? Where? - At the market.
l've seen them.
Petrovic! You will be a man one day.
- Thank you.
l'll be a man too. - Why? - l saw the
crabs, too. - Then you will be a man.
l saw the crabs, too. - Then, you will be
a man. - What about me? - You too.
You will all be men one day. - Who'll go
to the market to buy me some crabs?
Read the time Popovic. - Four minutes
and twenty-three seconds. - Not bad.
Be careful. - lt's ok.
Here are your tripes, Sir.
Very fresh.
You will be a man, son.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
C'mon, Ljuba.
l'm afraid that Jovan Cvijic is going to be
the first victim of the bicycle in Belgrade.
Be careful Cvijic, watch your step.
Riding a bicycle can be dangerous.
l agree with you, Sir.
lt isn't dangerous, Sir. We have learnt
how to ride it.
You don't remember
what you have learnt from Goethe.
Danger can't be learnt.
What does it have to do
with the bicycle?
Look Sir, his Majesty King Milan
is riding a bicycle.
What do you think now, Sir?
Nothing. Your legs are riding your ass.
Listen to this: needlewomen are needed
for sewing white linen.
Listen to this: needlewomen are needed
for sewing white linen.
Priority to those
who are good at shirt sewing.
Do you have some more?
Sorry, Sir, l was carried away
reading some speeches on nature.
That book is in English. As l know
you speak German and French.
You're just looking at pictures, a?
- No, l have learnt some English
in the last two years and professor
Andra Nikolic helped me a little.
Very good, Cvijic. Sit down. - Where
shall l sit? - Ok, don't sit.
You are a very clever boy.
You are not like those idlers.
They are always laughing.
Listen to this. A printing-shop
needs two girls for rolling.
l could hear you from far away.
Listen to this, teacher. - What?
A piano is missing. A finder who brings it
to the butcher's at Cubura
and gives it to Milos Djordjevic
will be awarded.
Take this.
Thank you.
Can l take away your cane? - No, let me
have it at hand so that l can...- Okay.
Good afternoon Sir.
My friend, this country is ruined
because of officers.
What people make, officers ruin.
Am l right, Milorad?
They're doing everything here
to repress the intelect
rather than to combat poverty.
Many people in Serbia say
they had nothing for lunch.
And for dinner
they had leftovers from lunch.
Life is not an idealistic novel.
Do you agree with me? - About what?
- That life is not an idealistic novel.
You are right. - Life can be a song, too.
"At that moment in the castle
a window suddenly opened
and a girl as pretty as angel
started to speak shyly and tremble.
Do you still love me? - he asked
Look how pale love has made me.
The girl with shame overwhelmed
threw a flower to him.
And he could feel peace again
and the night could return.
A nightingale sang about them
its song was full of tenderness."
Good afternoon, professor.
- Good afternoon. Has the war begun?
Not yet. - Why
are you wearing a panoply?
The war hasn't started yet,
but it doesn't mean that it won't.
That's why l'm here. To show our
students some military maneuvers.
Here, on the Sava?
Of course. Today or tomorrow,
they will be defending our country
maybe right here, on the Sava.
The river Sava is not just for
sunbathing. lt's a border of our country.
All of you, come here and
watch the maneuver carefully.
Come here. The teacher is calling us.
Listen to me carefully. As soldiers in a
war you can be ordered
to swim across the river wearing an
armour to reconnoiter enemy positions.
Look at me carefully.
Get down! Get down!
Don't help! Don't help! Take shelter!
Run away! Quickly!
Bloody Austrians!
We will drive you away
to the hell from this bank.
Excuse me, professor. - lt's all right.
May God save us.
How do you like the sweetbreads?
- They are great.
l hear that you are going to be
retired on pension soon. - Yes.
Cheers! - Cheers! Best wishes for your
retirement. - Thank you.
Concerning it, you'd ordered
roasted lamb in clay oven. - Yes.
What kind of clay are you going
to use? - What do you mean?
You can't roast lamb in any clay.
You'll not eat clay
but lamb roasted in it.
l want lamb roasted in the clay from
Apatin. - All right. l'll see about it.
Attention please! Attention! Look at here.
What's that? - Our history teacher's
notes. - What do you need them for?
He insists on our knowing all historical
dates, doesn't he? - Yes.
He bothers us with it.
- ls that right? - Right!
Well there, let's make him teach us
without his notes. - Right!
Get ready for the lesson.
The history teacher is coming.
Sit down.
ln our last lesson of the national history
we were talking about
the Serbian King Stefan Radoslav....
Well, the King Stefan Vladislav..
- Radoslav. - Radoslav.
Excuse me, Sir you ,said Radoslav..
- Yes, Radoslav he was the first...
Yes. Radoslav.
He was a bad king anyway.
He ruled short from 12... to...1231...
He was more interested in liturgy
problems. He didn't turn
to the patriarch of
Carigrad but to a...archbishop...
The patriarch was in Nikea? - ln damn
Nikea. l'm not going to bother you with
Radoslav. After his first wife's death
whose name was....
he married an illegitimate daughter of
Assin which cost him his life.
Saint Sava was not pleased, so at
convocation at the monastery of Zica
gave his throne to his pupil Arsenije.
- What year did it happen, Sir? - Yes?
What year? The date? - The year?
When he gave his throne to his pupil.
Yes, but when? - The date! He went to
Palestine and Egypt later.
What date? When?
- When! - When?
The most important for us to know is
how and when Radoslav was dethroned.
When was it? - lt is important.
lt is well known... the date..
lt is so interesting how well
known it is, the date, the year
when he was dethroned.
- What date? What date....
lt was on Thursday.
Thursday...4th on
Thursday...January...January 1...year..
lt is so important for us
to know the date.
He was dethroned, expelled...
he ran to Dubrovnik with his wife...
while his young brother Vladislav
had better luck.
The previous one didn't build any
monasteries, but Vladislav built
the monastery of Milesevo and he ruled
from 124...no it was 122...
My notes. They have disappeared.
My precious, irreplaceable notes.
You think that
graduating pupils took them.
Nobody but them
could have taken my notes.
lf you don't do something
l'll go to the principal.
Why would they take
your precious notes? Why?
l don't want any trouble,
l just want my notes back.
Let's not interrogate
the whole class again.
l'm not a tattletale, but if we don't solve
the case l'll have to tell the principal.
l am at a loss for words!
Sit down.
We can solve the problem just say...
Petrovic, go to the corner
and don't say a word!
But Sir...- Shut up and go to the corner.
- As you say. - l said stop talking.
l only wanted to say that l understand
you. - You keep talking. - l'll shut up.
l will not say a word
to you lest it would turn out
that you cannot
perform my command.
To speak after your command?
No way, Sir.
You have the last word.
l'm silent after you.
No way, Sir. l'm not that ill- bred.
- l'm silent after you.
l'm silent after you Sir.
- To the corner!
What happened to professor Zecevic?
Who has taken his notes? - No one.
What do you need his notes for?
- We need them... - Here you go again.
l just wanted to explain
why we needed his notes,
but if you say,
l will not talk any more.
You'd better prove your assumptions
and hypothesis when you are at college.
l've already proved them.
Nonsense!
l confirm that he has proved them.
Go to the corner, Popovic.
He has proved them, professor Vujic.
To the corner, Prodanovic.
But he has really proved them.
To the corner, Mitrovic.
You're boring.
Where are you going Cvijic?
To the corner, Sir.
Mihailo Petrovic has proved
that our history teacher does not know
a single historical date
and he asks from us to know all of them.
During our history lesson
none of the dates he said
fits to those in his notes.
Without his notes he wouldn't know
he wouldn't even know
when Bastille was destroyed.
How shall we return
your history teacher his notes?
How shall you and l apologize to him?
l think that tomorrow our history
teacher will apologize to you
'cause l'm sending him his notes from
Zemun today. - From Zemun?
As you know Zemun is abroad
and knowing professor Zecevic
he will think that his notes are a subject
of interest to military intelligence
of powerful Austria-Hungary.
- What a sharp tongue you have!
We are talking about
professor Zecevic's reputation.
This can help him candidate
for Society of learned academics.
Listen Petrovic,
l hope that one they
you will be an academic
so you will have to
weigh your words before saying them.
l will be an academic. - So, will l.
- So will l....
lt is possible.
Very much possible.
Smart alecs!
Dear God
thank you for giving them
talent and wisdom.
Milorad...
You are in love, Mirjana.
What's going on here?
lt's nine and you are still awake.
Go to sleep immediately!
Take the end of this thread ball and put it
by the window. - Why? - l'll tell you later.
C'mon, please. - Nonsense.
Now pull it and let it fall down slowly
in the garden.
lt's enough. Get back to bed.
Let's sleep. - Nonsense.
l've done the tombstone
according to your draft.
Here it is. Kosta Vujic, teacher of the
First male high school,
born in 1824, died in 18... we'll see
about it later....
He left with those who arrived.
He was cheerful
and people found him cheerful. Goethe.
What have you done, for God's sake?
- l've made a tombstone as you said.
That's not true. - Everybody who saw it
was amazed. At cemetery
nobody will pass by without looking at it.
You have set the year of my death!
No, it was you who set it.
You have set the century in which
l would die. Are you playing God?
For God's sake, no.
Why have you put the figure 8 here?
lt was not on my draft.
l thought you had omitted it, professor.
- Very generous, thanks for nothing.
Your job is to carve not to think.
How do you know that l will not live
to see the 20th century?
You wouldn't have
come to order the tombstone
if you hadn't thought of dying soon.
- You go again thinking.
l gave you another fifteen years of
living, professor. - Who do you think
you are to give me another fifteen
years of living?
lf you live longer..- Yes
l will correct the figure on the tombstone
at my own expense.
You will not correct anything.
l want another tombstone.
What?
No, there will not be
another tombstone professor.
l'm asking you for the last time. Are you
going to make another tombstone?
For the last time, l am not.
- l'll sue you!
The court will agree with me.
- We'll see about that! - l can't wait!
We will see! - Sure we will.
You just open your mouth.
What the devil is this? - Someone is
singing a serenade. lt's beautiful.
A serenade? l'll give it to them!
They'll get it!
Mother had a daughter
as beautiful as a picture
as tender as a rose
And she fell in love
with a boy....
once upon a time
there was a rose...
Rowdies! You'll see what is what!
l'll show you what's what!
- Don't make a scene.
You don't say! This is
your awesome youth!
Long live love! - You see what their
music teacher has thought them!
You are completely right Madam.
Like teachers like students.
What country we live in! Not even
ministers can have peace.
Love gives no peace, not even to
ministers. That's why l'm shouting
Long live love! - Long live love!
Mitrovic, don't stand up... tell me
the whole story. Step by step.
Well there...
l remember
it was a mild late evening
and the sky,
the sky was like blue velvet
and the moon,
the moon was full and warm
the nighter greeted him
as if they were friends....
l've already read about this summer
night's description. l want the facts.
lt was like when Branko Radicevic
and you sang to girls.
How do you know what Branko
Radicevic and l were doing in Vienna?
You told us. - l was wrong to tell you.
l was wrong. l was wrong.
You sneak up to a window
and sing Branko's song:
"A boy with black eyes
came on a horse quickly..."
The window opens, a girl throws a rose
and her mother throws
a flowerpot at you!
lt really was like that. Wait...
You want to say l taught you
to be so impudent.
But you sang Sir, didn't you?
We did. Sure we did. But we didn't sing
to minister's daughter.
Rowdies!
Come here.
What did you sing?
- We sang that song of his.
He is now our poet, like Branko.
You want to hear it? - Yes.
And he? - l sing, he..... - l write.
Nice...nice
Nice. But you were shouting in front of
the minister's house.
We only shouted: "long live love"
- Long live! - Okay.
The problem is that your principle asks
me to punish you severely.
What shall l do?
Punish us. - Yes, Petrovic?
Punish us, we won't be angry with you.
The principle will.
Sit down, Petrovic.
To punish you?
Forget it.
l'm having my last lesson anyway.
You should know Sir, that at this moment
it's not easy for us either.
Thank you, Velja. Sit down.
Have you all been examined?
- All but you, Sir.
Let me hear your questions.
What is it that
you're never going to tell us.
l will not tell you.
You have a great historical opportunity
in front of you and you have to take it.
But first, you have
to create that opportunity.
Jovan Cvijic? - Yes, Sir?
l see you moving
the boundaries of science
and defining the boundaries
of your country.
Sit down.
Mihailo Petrovic.
- Should l go to the corner?
l see you catching
great glory as a scientist.
Sit down.
Pavle Popovic. l see you
coming to this school every day,
going to the same inns l used to go,
ordering meals l used to order.
Prodanovic. - l see you....
- How?
As a prime minister...
of the government against which you
yourself stage demonstrations.
Sit down.
Mitrovic.
l see you as a poet with hard destiny
but eternal glory.
Sit down.
Ljuba Stojanovic.
l see you going up the stairs of the royal
academy with measured steps
either to a pedestal or to a scaffold.
Gentlemen, concerning my lessons,
that'll be all.
Teacher...the last bell hasn't rung yet.
l want to see you at my place at half
past three. - We will be there.
Be careful with that!
You know where to place everything?
Yes, professor,
you are not moving for the first time.
Where did you take that book from?
- From the basket with Goethe's works.
What does Goethe say?
Collection of anecdotes and proverbs.
Listen to me!
This is my spiritual will to you.
Your education is
a collection of anecdotes.
You have left
a great collection of anecdotes.
What will happen to those anecdotes
when we go further?
lf you want the anecdotes about you
to become significant and remembered,
you have to become remarkable men.
Brilliant anecdotes about insignificant
men become insignificant themselves.
Petrovic? - Yes, Sir?
Why have you put the cage with my
budgies on your head?
So that they can hear you better, Sir.
Thus they will remember all you say and
will keep repeating it to us.
Smart alecs!
Kosta Vujic, teacher at first male high
school......1824-1...
He left with those who arrived
he was cheerful and he found
this world cheerful. Goethe.
Move!
Cheerful, warm and rejoicing
Around Belgrade goes a story
lt's about Professor Vujic
And his eternal glory.
lt's about Professor Vujic
And his eternal glory.
He feels good about moving
Greeting people in the street
Since the landlord didn't please him
Another one he'd like to meet
Since the landlord didn't please him...
Pull over.. - What's now?
- Why have you pulled over?
Mr Vujic, would you please
get off the carriage?
l would, but l have to hold my tombstone.
Would you like to go with us?
You want others to see me with you?
- You are angry again.
l was going to tell you
something very nice.
For how long are you going to make
a show of with your moving?
Mr Kozarac, l will not punish them!
What do you mean?
- l just refuse to punish them.
l was teaching them German
but it's not so important.
l'm afraid that in future you and l
will be known only
for having been their teachers.
Thank you Mr Kozarac. Thank you.
Move on.
He feels good about moving
Greeting people in the street
Since the landlord didn't please him
Another one he'd like to meet
Since the landlord didn't please him
Another one he'd like to meet.
While he's sitting in the carriage
Of his moving people speak
Never misses the tradition
This professor so unique.
Never misses the tradition
This professor so unique.
You know where to place the brick.
- Under the bed. - Good.
Why do you keep it under the bed?
To get used to
its warmth and smell.
Aren't you going to make a toilet?
ln the shape of a heart.
Smart alecs!
What you are doing?
Thank you very much.
- You're welcome, teacher.
You've done this very well.
Our final exams start tomorrow.
l hope you will pass them. After that,
everybody goes their own way.
Goodbye teacher. - Goodbye.
Here's your lamb in clay oven
as you wished. Enjoy it, Sir.
Smart alecs.
l'd better do it my way.
lt would be easier for me.