The Gulls (2015) - full transcript
"Only the wind, the sand, the reed and a desire to live not worse than the others..." - these words served as a base for the atmosphere of this story, and they are incredibly precise as a definition of the real world in these places. The Seagulls are a parable on the background of modern Kalmykia. It is about love, with the characters intuitively fulfilling forgotten traditions. Their love is silent and their sorrow is without tears - The seagulls are souls of dead fishermen, broken boats - a hope. Elza the fisherman's wife lives in a seaside town in Kalmykia. She wants to leave her husband but cannot take this step because she is afraid of uncertainty. Suddenly her husband dies. Because of his death, Elza has to think everything over and reconsider her views on life, on happiness, on liberty.
TELESTO Film Company
LADYA Film Company
Supported by the Ministry of Culture
of the Russian Federation
presents
My husband was a fisherman,
as well as my father.
Men never said
what was going on at sea.
But we knew it was dangerous there.
My husband told me:
"Just wait
and believe that I'll be back.
Your faith keeps me going."
I believed.
I waited.
He was always coming back.
THE GULLS
Go home!
What have you been doing?
Nothing.
I visited your Mother.
Gilyanka is getting married.
Mother wants to take a loan.
Who is the guy?
Is she pregnant?
No.
Pour me a cup of tea.
Make the staccato sharper.
Mind your fingers.
Do it once more and slower.
Practice it, please.
I'll be back in five minutes.
Is Sanzhiev going to play at
the concert, Elza Nikolaevna?
He isn't ready at all. I mind.
He has only one etude ready.
What about the Bach polonaise?
Yes. He played it a month
ago at the exam.
Sounded good. Think about it.
Otherwise we only have
folk instruments.
We should add
something else too.
Inna Badmaevna was asking me.
All right...
If Inna Badmaevna's said so.
Elza, could you lend me 100 rubles?
Smoked?
No.
You'd better not.
Mother won't take a loan.
I've talked to Ledzhin.
He'll lend his boat.
We'll share the rent with Batyr.
Oh, do what you want!
Preventive measures and special
operations are being carried out
within the 'Fishing Season' Campaign
to stop illegal fishing.
The pursuit of poachers ended
up with machine-gun fire
and the death of one
of the culprits.
Helicopters and machine guns
were used to stop the boats.
At first, the poachers
tried to elude pursuit,
and the warning shots didn't
bring them to their senses.
Then the border patrol opened
fire from a machine gun.
The fishing season was
closed on December 5th,
but even bad weather
can't stop the poachers.
They continue to go out to sea
through their secret channels.
- Why?
- Batyr and China are coming.
We'll celebrate the deal.
Is there any food at home?
What about the weather?
It is expected to get
warmer next week.
The ice will melt, we can go out.
Did you plot the position?
I did.
What about the border patrol?
Ledzhin pulled some strings.
So we can do it.
Hell, his wife's so cool.
I came, she laid the table
and went to her room.
Take it.
But whose is it? It was your car
the police officers stopped,
searched and found
some narcotic substance
of vegetable origin there.
Ledzhin, stop denying it.
We've been following
you for half a year.
- Your mobile is bugged.
- Cut it! I kept on the rails.
Really?
Criminal code, Article 228,
4 to 8 years in prison.
It's drug trafficking, Ledzhin.
If you own it up,
you'll get the minimum.
Let me make a call, Captain.
Hello!
Have you seen Basan?
I just needed to have
a word with him.
It's okay.
Okay. All is well.
- So?
- Wait a second.
Let's go.
Look, let's have a deal.
Okay, let's try.
There is a word
someone is going fishing?
How do I know, all right?
Okay, Article 228. Write it up.
Our chief's complaining
that we aren't working well.
We need to finish
the year on a high.
The ice is bad, it'll cut
the boat like a blade.
Let's go.
- What happened?
- The sea freezes over.
Okay, stop.
Come on!
Make your choice.
Take the Edilbai.
No way! I want the Merino.
There's one, which is earmarked.
Do you see him?
- Catch him!
- Me?
You. Come on!
Go!
- This one, right?
- Yes.
Drive him to the right.
Stop, I say!
- Come on, pretty boy!
- Get him here.
Get up.
Let's put him in the car.
Take him by the head.
His legs first. Go!
It's okay.
- As-salamu alaykum.
- Wa alaykumu s-salam.
Too many Dagestanis
in the steppe now.
Has he been here for a long time?
Since last winter.
How are you there, brother?
Not bullied by Russians?
Everything is fine.
I miss home.
May you always have tea
and food in abundance.
It's an important day today -
of the formal marriage proposal.
Two people have decided
to start a family.
Seeing their well-being and
sharing their desire to marry,
we as their parents and relatives
are in great joy.
Glad to become related with you!
As the Kalmyks say
let us always look openly
at each other's eyes!
Let our relationship be so strong
that nothing and no one can
break it and separate us!
We need more water.
Sanal, bring some more water.
What?
One mo.
- Sanal?
- In a jiffy.
Hello! How are you?
Fine.
And you?
Go on!
I see.
No.
Look, stop, okay?
We have a marriage proposal here.
Okay, let's meet in an hour,
near the shop.
Sanal, are you nuts or what?
Where are you going?
- Hi!
- Hi!
- Have you arrived today?
- Yesterday.
- How are you? Speak up!
- Fine. And you?
Fine. I took several weeks off.
I moved.
Mega and I rented a two-room flat.
He moved his family.
It's okay. You remember him?
That former classmate
of Dzhiga, a fat one.
- Danarka isn't working?
- She works in a restaurant.
Their son is here with his Grandma.
Goes to the kindergarten.
I see.
Will you stay long here?
Are you tired of me?
No, I'm not.
What did Ledzhin come for?
On business, Mom.
Maybe Ulan can help us with money?
Only our bridal party is 300 people.
Plus a bedroom suite.
Mom, why Ulan?
Thank Heaven that he
doesn't ask for anything.
There will be money, Mom.
I had a bad dream.
Have you ever had a good one?
I saw Elza standing in a white dress.
My heart aches for you.
You should leave her.
Stop this, Mom!
Let's go.
They've put out today.
Here will be the nets.
At map grid 99.
Does he pay all the rent
for the boat himself?
Shares it with Batyr.
He usually goes out only
during the fishing season.
But now he needs the money.
I think they'll come back
in about four days.
They say it'll be cold afterwards.
If the sea freezes, they'll get stuck.
Elza?
Elza.
We need to talk.
Don't you want to tell me anything?
All right.
How long?
What do you mean how long?
Five weeks, probably.
I visited her and she said to take off
the crown of spinsterhood.
I'm a bit ill. You?
Of course you go.
There's no price-list as such.
Give 50 rubles, it will be okay.
- Now, wait.
- Two loaves of bread, please.
She lives downtown,
where Bolzhik lives.
Her name is Aunt Rosa.
There is also a certain Saglara
living in Rakusha. I saw her, too.
Happy New Year!
- Aunt Rosa receiving here?
- Yes.
Who is the last in the queue? Okay.
It looks like not everybody
will be received today.
Some lined up as early as 4 am.
Yes. She is a good fortuneteller.
I won't consult you. Go home.
Next one.
Fishing Control
Dzhiga.
Dzhiga!
- Hi!
- Hi!
Come on, call them!
Hello, Ledzhin! It's Elza.
Yes.
Saga has come, Batyr's wife.
Dzhiga said they would
be back tonight.
Okay. Bye.
What?
Go home.
I'll call you in the evening.
I see.
Thank you.
Ledzhin was here.
Said if they don't get
in touch today,
there will be almost no chance.
They won't be able to.
Elza...
I had a dream yesterday.
A bad dream.
Gulls were flying in circles
over the sea.
Gulls...
are souls of perished fishermen.
My husband used to say:
"Just wait and believe
I'll be back.
Your faith keeps me going."
I believed.
I waited.
He was always coming back.
You don't believe.
You are not waiting.
You have no love for him,
and that's why you
have no children.
You're empty.
You should have gone long ago -
just not to take someone
else's place.
Then my son would have come back.
Leave us.
Elza.
Hi, Elza, why are you late?
How are you?
You didn't have to come.
We understand.
Go home.
The main thing now is
to be with the family.
Hello, Inna Badmaevna.
Are you all right?
Elza?
Lord, have mercy...
Find him for me.
We will, Mom. We will.
Elza's all alone there.
Want some tea?
- Hi.
- Hi.
Happy New Year!
Are you going to keep me
standing here?
Come in.
- Tea?
- Yes.
Elza,
don't think anything bad,
all right?
You know you can
always count on me.
If you need anything, just say so.
Yes?
Okay, coming.
I got it, all right.
Okay, be brief.
I have to go to work now.
Sure.
- You want a lift?
- No, thank you.
I need to drop in to see Saga.
Okay. Bye.
Call me if you need anything,
and no ceremonies.
I saw an ad on Vkontakte
last night.
- They're raising money for Saga.
- What Saga?
The wife of Dzhiga's mate.
Goodness, she's left all
alone with three kids.
Hi.
Elza, we were talking here...
Maybe we should raise money
for you through Vkontakte,
like for Saga.
What money?
Is Saga raising money?
Not she, others are doing it for her.
Opened a bank account.
She's left with three kids.
And why do I need money?
Gee, I'm saying all the wrong things.
Sorry.
- Is Inna Badmaevna in?
- Yes.
She's resigning.
Take your time.
You can resign wherever you wish.
There are courses
starting in the city.
You go there for a week
and try to relax.
Elza...
It was clear from the beginning
that nothing would work out with her.
How about Elza staying
with us, Mom?
Why should she stay here?
She's childless, what's the reason?
She's expecting a baby.
Oh, hello! How're you doing?
Sorry.
- Hi!
- Hi!
I've made an appointment for
you for tomorrow, at 10 am.
He's a good doctor.
Put down the phone number.
Okay. Thank you very much.
I'll SMS it to you.
If you want it, we can go together.
Of course I do.
- Is anybody with you?
- I'm alone.
- Let's sit together.
- Okay.
- I'll be back in a minute.
- Okay.
- Hello.
- I'd like to deposit some money.
- The account opened in our bank?
- Yes.
- Is it in your name?
- No.
I need the full name of the account
holder and your passport.
- Goryaeva Saglara Nikolaevna.
- Thank you.
- What's the amount of the deposit?
- One hundred thousand.
You must put down your own
signature on the document.
- Can I help you with anything else?
- No. That's all.
Let's go over to the cash desk.
- Hi!
- Hi!
Having no nightmares yet, eh?
They were unlucky,
weren't they, Ledzhin?
So long.
Let's go.
It's all right. Don't worry.
I've found out everything.
My husband got in touch with
the right people from Lagan.
There's something shady going on.
It's better not to meddle in it.
You see? There's no way of
getting him back all the same.
Why shady?
I don't know.
I really don't.
I've got to go, okay?
Thank you.
You sure you want it?
Won't be sorry later?
Okay. Call me if need be.
Has Elza called?
No.
Excuse me...
Too late for termination.
Could you turn it on?
You called me?
Directed by Ella Manzheeva
Written by Ella Manzheeva
Director of Photography
Alexander Kuznetsov
Music by Anton Silaev
Production Designer Denis Bauer
Edited by Sergei Ivanov
Produced by Elena Glikman
Yaroslav Zhivov
Starring:
Evgenia Mandzhieva as Elza
Sergei Adyanov as Dzhiga
Evgeny Sangadzhiev as Ulan
Lubov Ubusheva as Mother
LADYA Film Company
Supported by the Ministry of Culture
of the Russian Federation
presents
My husband was a fisherman,
as well as my father.
Men never said
what was going on at sea.
But we knew it was dangerous there.
My husband told me:
"Just wait
and believe that I'll be back.
Your faith keeps me going."
I believed.
I waited.
He was always coming back.
THE GULLS
Go home!
What have you been doing?
Nothing.
I visited your Mother.
Gilyanka is getting married.
Mother wants to take a loan.
Who is the guy?
Is she pregnant?
No.
Pour me a cup of tea.
Make the staccato sharper.
Mind your fingers.
Do it once more and slower.
Practice it, please.
I'll be back in five minutes.
Is Sanzhiev going to play at
the concert, Elza Nikolaevna?
He isn't ready at all. I mind.
He has only one etude ready.
What about the Bach polonaise?
Yes. He played it a month
ago at the exam.
Sounded good. Think about it.
Otherwise we only have
folk instruments.
We should add
something else too.
Inna Badmaevna was asking me.
All right...
If Inna Badmaevna's said so.
Elza, could you lend me 100 rubles?
Smoked?
No.
You'd better not.
Mother won't take a loan.
I've talked to Ledzhin.
He'll lend his boat.
We'll share the rent with Batyr.
Oh, do what you want!
Preventive measures and special
operations are being carried out
within the 'Fishing Season' Campaign
to stop illegal fishing.
The pursuit of poachers ended
up with machine-gun fire
and the death of one
of the culprits.
Helicopters and machine guns
were used to stop the boats.
At first, the poachers
tried to elude pursuit,
and the warning shots didn't
bring them to their senses.
Then the border patrol opened
fire from a machine gun.
The fishing season was
closed on December 5th,
but even bad weather
can't stop the poachers.
They continue to go out to sea
through their secret channels.
- Why?
- Batyr and China are coming.
We'll celebrate the deal.
Is there any food at home?
What about the weather?
It is expected to get
warmer next week.
The ice will melt, we can go out.
Did you plot the position?
I did.
What about the border patrol?
Ledzhin pulled some strings.
So we can do it.
Hell, his wife's so cool.
I came, she laid the table
and went to her room.
Take it.
But whose is it? It was your car
the police officers stopped,
searched and found
some narcotic substance
of vegetable origin there.
Ledzhin, stop denying it.
We've been following
you for half a year.
- Your mobile is bugged.
- Cut it! I kept on the rails.
Really?
Criminal code, Article 228,
4 to 8 years in prison.
It's drug trafficking, Ledzhin.
If you own it up,
you'll get the minimum.
Let me make a call, Captain.
Hello!
Have you seen Basan?
I just needed to have
a word with him.
It's okay.
Okay. All is well.
- So?
- Wait a second.
Let's go.
Look, let's have a deal.
Okay, let's try.
There is a word
someone is going fishing?
How do I know, all right?
Okay, Article 228. Write it up.
Our chief's complaining
that we aren't working well.
We need to finish
the year on a high.
The ice is bad, it'll cut
the boat like a blade.
Let's go.
- What happened?
- The sea freezes over.
Okay, stop.
Come on!
Make your choice.
Take the Edilbai.
No way! I want the Merino.
There's one, which is earmarked.
Do you see him?
- Catch him!
- Me?
You. Come on!
Go!
- This one, right?
- Yes.
Drive him to the right.
Stop, I say!
- Come on, pretty boy!
- Get him here.
Get up.
Let's put him in the car.
Take him by the head.
His legs first. Go!
It's okay.
- As-salamu alaykum.
- Wa alaykumu s-salam.
Too many Dagestanis
in the steppe now.
Has he been here for a long time?
Since last winter.
How are you there, brother?
Not bullied by Russians?
Everything is fine.
I miss home.
May you always have tea
and food in abundance.
It's an important day today -
of the formal marriage proposal.
Two people have decided
to start a family.
Seeing their well-being and
sharing their desire to marry,
we as their parents and relatives
are in great joy.
Glad to become related with you!
As the Kalmyks say
let us always look openly
at each other's eyes!
Let our relationship be so strong
that nothing and no one can
break it and separate us!
We need more water.
Sanal, bring some more water.
What?
One mo.
- Sanal?
- In a jiffy.
Hello! How are you?
Fine.
And you?
Go on!
I see.
No.
Look, stop, okay?
We have a marriage proposal here.
Okay, let's meet in an hour,
near the shop.
Sanal, are you nuts or what?
Where are you going?
- Hi!
- Hi!
- Have you arrived today?
- Yesterday.
- How are you? Speak up!
- Fine. And you?
Fine. I took several weeks off.
I moved.
Mega and I rented a two-room flat.
He moved his family.
It's okay. You remember him?
That former classmate
of Dzhiga, a fat one.
- Danarka isn't working?
- She works in a restaurant.
Their son is here with his Grandma.
Goes to the kindergarten.
I see.
Will you stay long here?
Are you tired of me?
No, I'm not.
What did Ledzhin come for?
On business, Mom.
Maybe Ulan can help us with money?
Only our bridal party is 300 people.
Plus a bedroom suite.
Mom, why Ulan?
Thank Heaven that he
doesn't ask for anything.
There will be money, Mom.
I had a bad dream.
Have you ever had a good one?
I saw Elza standing in a white dress.
My heart aches for you.
You should leave her.
Stop this, Mom!
Let's go.
They've put out today.
Here will be the nets.
At map grid 99.
Does he pay all the rent
for the boat himself?
Shares it with Batyr.
He usually goes out only
during the fishing season.
But now he needs the money.
I think they'll come back
in about four days.
They say it'll be cold afterwards.
If the sea freezes, they'll get stuck.
Elza?
Elza.
We need to talk.
Don't you want to tell me anything?
All right.
How long?
What do you mean how long?
Five weeks, probably.
I visited her and she said to take off
the crown of spinsterhood.
I'm a bit ill. You?
Of course you go.
There's no price-list as such.
Give 50 rubles, it will be okay.
- Now, wait.
- Two loaves of bread, please.
She lives downtown,
where Bolzhik lives.
Her name is Aunt Rosa.
There is also a certain Saglara
living in Rakusha. I saw her, too.
Happy New Year!
- Aunt Rosa receiving here?
- Yes.
Who is the last in the queue? Okay.
It looks like not everybody
will be received today.
Some lined up as early as 4 am.
Yes. She is a good fortuneteller.
I won't consult you. Go home.
Next one.
Fishing Control
Dzhiga.
Dzhiga!
- Hi!
- Hi!
Come on, call them!
Hello, Ledzhin! It's Elza.
Yes.
Saga has come, Batyr's wife.
Dzhiga said they would
be back tonight.
Okay. Bye.
What?
Go home.
I'll call you in the evening.
I see.
Thank you.
Ledzhin was here.
Said if they don't get
in touch today,
there will be almost no chance.
They won't be able to.
Elza...
I had a dream yesterday.
A bad dream.
Gulls were flying in circles
over the sea.
Gulls...
are souls of perished fishermen.
My husband used to say:
"Just wait and believe
I'll be back.
Your faith keeps me going."
I believed.
I waited.
He was always coming back.
You don't believe.
You are not waiting.
You have no love for him,
and that's why you
have no children.
You're empty.
You should have gone long ago -
just not to take someone
else's place.
Then my son would have come back.
Leave us.
Elza.
Hi, Elza, why are you late?
How are you?
You didn't have to come.
We understand.
Go home.
The main thing now is
to be with the family.
Hello, Inna Badmaevna.
Are you all right?
Elza?
Lord, have mercy...
Find him for me.
We will, Mom. We will.
Elza's all alone there.
Want some tea?
- Hi.
- Hi.
Happy New Year!
Are you going to keep me
standing here?
Come in.
- Tea?
- Yes.
Elza,
don't think anything bad,
all right?
You know you can
always count on me.
If you need anything, just say so.
Yes?
Okay, coming.
I got it, all right.
Okay, be brief.
I have to go to work now.
Sure.
- You want a lift?
- No, thank you.
I need to drop in to see Saga.
Okay. Bye.
Call me if you need anything,
and no ceremonies.
I saw an ad on Vkontakte
last night.
- They're raising money for Saga.
- What Saga?
The wife of Dzhiga's mate.
Goodness, she's left all
alone with three kids.
Hi.
Elza, we were talking here...
Maybe we should raise money
for you through Vkontakte,
like for Saga.
What money?
Is Saga raising money?
Not she, others are doing it for her.
Opened a bank account.
She's left with three kids.
And why do I need money?
Gee, I'm saying all the wrong things.
Sorry.
- Is Inna Badmaevna in?
- Yes.
She's resigning.
Take your time.
You can resign wherever you wish.
There are courses
starting in the city.
You go there for a week
and try to relax.
Elza...
It was clear from the beginning
that nothing would work out with her.
How about Elza staying
with us, Mom?
Why should she stay here?
She's childless, what's the reason?
She's expecting a baby.
Oh, hello! How're you doing?
Sorry.
- Hi!
- Hi!
I've made an appointment for
you for tomorrow, at 10 am.
He's a good doctor.
Put down the phone number.
Okay. Thank you very much.
I'll SMS it to you.
If you want it, we can go together.
Of course I do.
- Is anybody with you?
- I'm alone.
- Let's sit together.
- Okay.
- I'll be back in a minute.
- Okay.
- Hello.
- I'd like to deposit some money.
- The account opened in our bank?
- Yes.
- Is it in your name?
- No.
I need the full name of the account
holder and your passport.
- Goryaeva Saglara Nikolaevna.
- Thank you.
- What's the amount of the deposit?
- One hundred thousand.
You must put down your own
signature on the document.
- Can I help you with anything else?
- No. That's all.
Let's go over to the cash desk.
- Hi!
- Hi!
Having no nightmares yet, eh?
They were unlucky,
weren't they, Ledzhin?
So long.
Let's go.
It's all right. Don't worry.
I've found out everything.
My husband got in touch with
the right people from Lagan.
There's something shady going on.
It's better not to meddle in it.
You see? There's no way of
getting him back all the same.
Why shady?
I don't know.
I really don't.
I've got to go, okay?
Thank you.
You sure you want it?
Won't be sorry later?
Okay. Call me if need be.
Has Elza called?
No.
Excuse me...
Too late for termination.
Could you turn it on?
You called me?
Directed by Ella Manzheeva
Written by Ella Manzheeva
Director of Photography
Alexander Kuznetsov
Music by Anton Silaev
Production Designer Denis Bauer
Edited by Sergei Ivanov
Produced by Elena Glikman
Yaroslav Zhivov
Starring:
Evgenia Mandzhieva as Elza
Sergei Adyanov as Dzhiga
Evgeny Sangadzhiev as Ulan
Lubov Ubusheva as Mother