Za Marksa... (2012) - full transcript

CINE FANTOM and A&D STUDIO

Anatoliy Osmolovskiy,

Andrey Silbestrov, Gleb Aleinikov

present

a Svetlana Baskova film

FOR MARX...

Federal Act on Trade Unions,

their rights and guarantees.

5. Trade unions shall be independent

of executive bodies,

local authorities,

employers, and political parties.

ECONOMIC CRISIS. 2010.

Starring

Sergey PAKHOMOV

Vladimir YEPIFANTSEV

Viktor Nikolaevich SERGACHEV

Aleksandr KOVALEV

Lavrentiy SVETLICHNIY

- Hello, everyone!

- Hello!

Uncle Kolya, hi.

You'll have apples and pears.

Whatever you want.

Let's get in, little by little

- The weather is not very...

- Never mind.

We'll warm up at the factory.

Yes!

We're going now.

Getting on the bus...

We're on our way.

Everyone here?

- What's up, Uncle Kolya?

- What?

What? Nothing.

I saw a TV program.

It was about...

- Who?

- Wild animals.

They talked about bison.

- And?

- It was a show about bison.

- There are few of them left. And...

- Who?

We have to be aware of this problem.

- Few what?

- Bison.

They are almost extinct.

And they are on the Red List.

- On the Red List?

- For quite a while.

We should put you on the Red List,

as “threatened species”.

They are going extinct.

- There are only 8 of them left.

- And?

- 8?

- But why 8? There were only two.

- Two of whom?

- A male and a female.

Here we go again.

A male and a female.

Yesterday I came by our store.

The door was closed.

Guess who I saw there?

Our Uncle Kolya.

Said he needed an overall

but was there for two hours.

A male and a female.

You, old bison!

Showing her your Red List, right?

- Just 8 of them left.

- Yeah, sure, 8 of them.

- You can't take them to a hospital.

- No, you can't.

- Hello everyone.

- Hi.

Hey there. Hi.

Hi. Let me sit here.

What's up?

I wanted to have a word with you.

We set up an independent labor union

at the factory.

- Independent of whom?

- Of the management.

Independent labor unions

will never exist.

I know, nobody believes

In anything anymore.

I know managers come

to the workshops.

They ask you to agree to pay cuts.

Allegedly the only way

to survive the crisis.

But we know

there are state subsidies.

- For whom?

- The factory. To save jobs.

- They want to rip us off again?

- Exactly!

On our backs, that is.

- So do not sign these papers.

- Not sign them?

They have no right

to cut your salary

and they won't dare fire you.

That's my information.

Ok. See you later.

The ecology is lousy.

- Hi.

- Hi. What happened?

What the hell is going on?

They move us to a three-day week!

- That's outrageous!

- I know. We'll try to do something.

- We must do something.

- What's the point?

- We have to unite, you know?

- Okay, you unite us.

There are guys to turn to.

- You unite us! We'll follow you.

- Ok. We'll talk later.

It's all crap.

- Hi guys.

- Hi there.

- May I?

- Sure.

Wait a second, Uncle Kolya.

You do as agreed?

I'm talking with my men right here.

I talked to the other guys.

And wanted to talk to you, too.

You know about our independent

labor union, right?

Yes, we do.

We need to unite.

Your workmates set up the union.

It's too hot at the factory.

Constant pollution.

- The management doesn't care.

- Where is our safety engineer?

- That's what we're talking about.

- We want one on site.

Too much talking.

It's time to act!

We need to unite

and achieve our goals.

If we keep silent...

Guys, let me finish.

We need evaluation

of our work places.

It's overdue.

Don't keep silent. Help us.

Nobody will do it for us -

we need to do it ourselves

- What's the point?

- Nobody cares about our conditions.

We will talk seriously about it

with the management.

We need an independent evaluation

of our working conditions.

- Alright then.

- We can't keep silent.

I am getting off.

I'm going to the prosecutor's office.

- See you tonight at the meeting!

- Who needs this evaluation?

Just words, always just words!

We need to think of ourselves!

We're on the bus,

might as well talk.

- The bison are dying out.

- Uncle Kolya!

- But there's some medicine!

- It's not about bison.

You can die out yourself.

- This is what we are talking about.

- You're being serious.

- Ok, men.

- What air are we breathing?

And you keep talking bison.

OK, let's go.

I hope you understood.

We're here.

- Bison...

- Need to think about them.

Cut out bison talks.

Think about yourself.

Need to think

about the air we breathe.

And he keeps talking about bison.

A labor union.

Good morning.

A labor union is the only way

to protect ourselves.

I agree, but, surprisingly,

some don't understand it.

That's why we're here.

We need to explain things.

- Hello.

- Good morning.

Yesterday we had

our third film club screening.

- Many people came. They liked it.

- Good job. What did you show?

- Godard's 'Wind from the East'.

- I haven't seen it.

- Next time just stop by.

- I'll try.

Good-bye.

I did several paintings.

Come by and look at them.

Sure, when I'm done

with the paperwork.

Hello there.

Palych, how are you?

Creating masterpieces?

Why so worried?

- My father fell ill.

- Caught a cold?

In this weather...

Some guy was selling raspberry jam

on my way.

- You should have bought some.

- It's 200 rubles a jar.

- What a rip-off! Bastard!

- I'll call my aunt in Novosibirsk.

She makes jam herself.

She'll send me some.

Good idea.

Homemade stuff is the best.

We need to go.

I'll buy that guy's jam.

A parcel will take a month to arrive.

Ok. Just don't be late.

- I'll be in the smoking room.

- Ok.

- Hi. You're here already.

- Hello!

- Hello everyone!

- Hi.

So? Did you buy jam?

I thought about it.

- And?

- I wanted to buy it.

- But you changed your mind?

- Yes.

Why?

Couldn't decide

whether I need it or not.

- I'm off to the workshop.

- Right. I'll go down, too.

Listen to me.

You'll work for 2-3 weeks,

look around

and learn things.

- And then we'll see.

- Ok.

- Got it.

- Melting is a serious thing.

Wait a second. Igor!

How much is left?

- Enough for two jars.

- Ok, we'll sort it out.

- You checked the temperature?

- Yes.

All right.

You will monitor loading the charge

and the melting temperature.

But you know yourself.

You finished a technical school.

Sure. The temperature

should be 1400-1500 degrees.

Perfectly right!

Go ahead!

- Are we getting new boots?

- Sure.

I can't find my coupons.

Guess I left them in the canteen.

Coupons? I'll make sure

you get new ones. Today.

In the maintenance.

You'll have your coupons.

I'll make sure

you get new boots, too.

Switch to the second one!

When is payday?

- When is payday?

- Don't you even start.

Here's the new generation.

This is your foreman.

Ask him any questions.

Don't panic!

- And also, you live nearby?

- I do.

Be here on time.

You'll get a contract today.

We start at 7 am. No coming late!

Don't worry.

He lives in my house.

Ivan Ryabov's son.

All right, I need to go.

We're almost out of 45er.

No, we still have enough.

- Igor likes to complicate things.

- Anyway.

About the salary.

When and where do I get it?

Get working first. Meet the people.

See how things are done.

You'll get your salary all right.

You'll get your contract today.

Everything will be legal.

You'll be officially employed.

No fooling around Moscow style.

The management wants to lay off

people because of the recession.

First of all those

past retirement age,

truants and rabble-rousers.

- You got me?

- Sure.

But according to the Labor Code

they have no right to dismiss people.

We have a labor union.

We'll petition the management.

No wages in three months.

How can people survive?

How can they feed their families?

This so called union of yours

is just ridiculous.

- Ridiculous?

- Sure.

What about your labor union?

Has it ever even helped one worker?

You've got nothing to say?

We try to help even those

who are not members!

And you just hassle them.

We hassle them?

Can we go ahead with loading?

Yes, we can.

The 45er is almost out.

- How much is left?

- Enough for 2 jars.

I'll call the 4th unit now.

Let them start loading.

Think about the people to dismiss.

You're a unit foreman after all.

- I will.

- And cut that union thing.

I'll think about it.

Yakov! For two!

Call Dodik.

Number Two to Guest.

- Good day.

- Sit down.

Dismissed.

I need $3 million by Tuesday.

Heard about Rodchenko, the artist?

- The avant-gardist?

- The avant-gardist.

I want to compile a collection.

In America, in Europe,

everywhere in the West

they decorate offices

with modern art.

You see my problem?

- Malevich?

- Malevich.

- 'The Black Square'.

- 'The Black Square'.

Prestige is money, learn that!

I want a collection which would make

the jaws of these Western rats drop.

Which would make them

fucking die of envy.

Got it?

There is an auction

in London next week.

I am after some of the things there.

I am going there tomorrow.

Just so you know

that I am not nuts.

At the last Sotheby's in London

a Malevich was sold for 30 million...

30 million what?

30 million pounds, not dollars.

- Wow.

- Absolutely.

So I need the money

by next Tuesday.

Ok. We just sold

another batch of metal.

But we have some minor

certification problems.

Solve your problems yourselves!

I got my own, you know!

I need the money by Tuesday.

Got it?

OK. But I need your connections here.

What do you need?

We need to get clearance

at the Murmansk port.

They demand permits and certificates,

costing us money and taking time.

- We have no permits?

- Of course not.

It's radioactive material

from the military.

Okay. I can sort it out.

If everything goes well,

the tanker will leave

two days after your call.

Two more days

to get the offshore money.

Nikolay Semyonovich,

there's a bit of work for you.

Dodik will bring you some papers.

Sign them.

We have a money problem here.

Got stuck somewhere.

We need to clean the way.

Get going!

Solved.

What other problems?

How is the factory doing?

Everything's fine.

We had to cut wages.

- As much as we could.

- Cool.

The workers fear the crisis.

But there is one small problem.

What is it?

They organized

an independent labor union

in the foundry.

They are out for trouble.

Nothing serious. We'll sort it out.

Wait a second.

What labor union?

We have our own labor union.

We pay them every month.

There should be no problems.

They quit our union

and set up their own.

We'll sort that one out, too.

Customs are our only real problem.

But we'll handle it.

Are they fucking mad?

What will I show my visitors?

How will I make money?

Have them come here and look.

An empty office, nothing to put up.

What will I show

the Germans next week?

Go to this Nikolay Semyonovich

and solve the issue.

Ok.

- We wrote the petition.

- Yes.

- We must write about the filters.

- Ok.

So, everything's fine.

Let's go over it once again.

Are you done?

Yes, I'll just talk

to the guys and go home.

You are making trouble again.

I know you. You are a great worker.

Do you really need all that?

Why this new labor union?

Why do you confuse people?

Think about your family.

Your dad is sick.

We all have families.

I want the best for you.

You know how much a worker earns?

You can't live off that.

This is hard physical work

I put a word in for you.

You'll get promoted.

You will earn more.

Thank you. But what about fairness?

Many have to quit

before retirement age.

The machinery is old, still Soviet.

Think twice.

That 'fairness thing'

won't get you anywhere.

The foreman wanted to talk to me.

Take off your coat. Sit down.

We're waiting for Egorov.

He called me

and said we can start without him.

- Ok, let's start.

- As union activists,

we need to set up a strategy.

At the last meeting

we discussed a number of issues.

We should go ahead

drafting our union's petition

to the management.

I agree. I agree.

Demanding is one thing.

Getting your demands met is

quite a different thing.

Here's a draft.

It needs editing.

We have to do outreach

to get more members.

They are scared to join us,

to quit the union

run by the management.

We need a good action plan.

Let's define our demands.

No signing of revised contracts.

A ban on lay-offs.

Right to control

the evaluation of workplaces.

Outpayment of the danger bonus.

Outpayment of overtime wages for March.

Wait a second...

Hello?

I see.

Who was it? Egorov.

- And?

- He's not coming.

- Why?

- The police summoned him again.

A lot of workers are called

to the management.

I keep telling them,

"Don't go there alone".

They push and threaten you

when you are alone.

Let's work on that.

And let's mention the filters again.

They keep promising

but never install them.

Egorov is collecting

signatures in the city.

The pollution due

to the factory emissions

exceeds the norm three times.

The canteen prices have tripled.

Masha, the cook, says groceries are

well past expiration date.

The food is crap.

I got poisoned 3 times.

They treat us like animals.

Let's write this down, too.

And the rally.

All activists should be there.

I sent a request to the Mayor's

office. Let's wait for the answer

and get prepared in the meantime.

I can ignite enthusiasm.

My people will be at the rally.

We know.

You're a natural born leader.

One more thing.

Let me contact unions

in other cities

and have them come to the rally.

We really need solidarity here.

But let's stick to the plan -

no blind activism.

And also...

Still here? It's dark already.

You're wasting electricity!

Planning on going home?

We're talking about reading.

No need to worry.

I sit at the gate

and read Gogol's 'Dead Souls'.

Understandable and nice to read.

And what are you discussing so long?

I like books on history.

Have you read Kostomarov, Platonov?

You should.

I read about the troubled times

in the 17th century.

It was horrible back then.

People were robbed and killed,

villages were burnt down.

Poles, Cossacks, Swedes...

They all wanted

a bigger piece of the pie.

Biting frost, they attack a village.

They take away clothes,

food, everything.

They leave people naked

and burn the village down.

What could the villagers do?

They took to the forest,

where they died of cold and hunger.

- What's wrong?

- Nothing.

- Are you ok?

- I'm ok.

- Really ok?

- Yes.

Are you ok?

What's wrong with you?

- Is everything ok?

- I'm fine.

Oh boy.

I share Pokrovsky's view.

He sees Russia's history

as a history of class struggle.

- Haven't read him. And?

- Me neither.

It explains our times.

November 4 is the Day of National Unity.

TV tells us that

the troubled times ended in 1612

with Russia's great victory

over the foreign invaders.

That's what it was, right?

Pokrovsky sees it

as essentially a civil war

in which the classes of the Russian

society fought each other

It resulted from disputes between

noblemen, free farmers,

serfs and the Tsar.

And now - are we really one nation?

The factory owners and us!

I got carried away. Time to go.

Wait. When did Pokrovsky write that?

Pokrovsky was a historian but now

they try to make people forget him.

In the December revolt of 1905

he was a Bolshevik leader in Moscow.

We really need to go!

What a historian!

- I'd like to read him.

- You hand in our petition tomorrow.

- Will you manage on time?

- I think so.

I'll work it out

and print it in the morning.

Don't forget our stamp tomorrow.

Or else they rule

our petition invalid.

Don't worry, I'll bring it.

Let's go.

Don't panic. All will be fine.

This Pokrovsky is really interesting.

I have all his 3 books.

I'll bring them for us to read.

They help understand

how the world functions.

Every worker should read him.

To see how things are connected.

Smarzin says the money will

come in about 5 days.

Fine.

Thank you, Sergey Viktorovich.

I'm off to my brother's bank then.

Nikolay, can you do me a small favor?

It's personal.

Anna and I divorced

when my son was still small.

I asked you

to never remind me of him.

But now I want to see my son.

I need to know where he is,

his phone number.

That was long ago,

Sergey Viktorovich.

As you wish.

Anna raised the boy in a way that...

no good will come from your meeting.

- That's what I think.

- We'll see.

Hello father. Here's the money.

1.5 million rubles.

I am off to London for a few days.

Nikolay Semyonovich, already here.

- Nice seeing you.

- Nice seeing you, too.

Nikolay Semyonovich says

there're problems with customs.

The company for the money

transfer already exists.

Yury Matveevich wants to see me.

He has some problem with our loan.

Did I ask you to talk

about my problems?

Not answering my calls

won't save you from meeting me.

We made your brother

a bank president,

so we get a loan with no interest

when we need it.

That's what has to happen.

You know what I can do

to you and your brother?

Calm down.

Why be so rude?

He can't give a loan

to a company just set up.

Especially, this big one.

That's impossible.

But a civil servant like you

can have two houses in Italy

and one in London?

So you can flee there?

You don't keep your money

in Russia or in China.

You get $50,000 a month from me

just because you sign some papers.

Your brother shouldn't be afraid

to transfer the money.

but to meet me.

- Calm down.

Why so much fuss?

Now listen to me carefully.

Your father thinks

he is well connected.

But times have changed.

Nobody needs an audit.

Especially not you.

With too many new people

in the government,

we have to be careful.

We can't guarantee

our connections will always work.

Look around, crisis everywhere.

Show some modesty.

Valera took his Bentley

to the village.

He takes the subway

to his work at the ministry.

Learn the lesson.

Cut your arrogance.

The 90s are over. Stop showing off.

What's all this noise about?

I asked not to discuss

your business in my house.

Do it somewhere else.

I'm off, Sergey Viktorovich.

I'll call you.

I hope to have the information

tomorrow. Good-bye.

What about this new labor union?

The Mayor's office received

a request for a rally.

By law, Rezin has to give them

some time and place,

and guarantee public order.

Forget about those Unions.

A bunch of half-wits

stirring up trouble.

Trying to brainwash workers.

All our workers are in our own union.

A small group decided

to demand rights.

They oppose layoffs, pay cuts,

air pollution. Such bullshit.

In your place I wouldn't

take it so lightly.

Yeltsin signed the law on Unions.

Labor and trade unions are

legal entities, independent

of state authorities

and employers.

They can monitor hiring,

firing and finances of the company.

What if those cheeky bastards

find a way to monitor your finances?

You need to fix that right away.

Wait with the loans.

First calm people down.

You should know what to do.

I need to check this law.

Why did they get all these rights?!

- This is what you wanted.

- Thank you, father.

Now get going.

And so he goes down to the right.

Time to shoot!

But he doesn't!

Because he is a lousy player.

Do you know how much they earn?

That's the point.

Hi, did you see the game?

We lost the latest one.

And the last minutes,

just incredible.

Hi, can you explain it?

It's obvious. A shame.

Fire the coach. Get Gazzayev back.

Finally back in good shape

and then that... Right?

- We need a pro.

- They don't move around.

Our team must never lose.

As simple as that, they mustn't.

It's so upsetting!

Look who they lost to.

Hi guys!

Come on, we have to talk.

- Hi, how are you?

- Great!

The Mayor's office finally

agreed to the rally.

- On the 9th.

- Perfect.

- I got the papers.

- Good job.

Do you have a light?

Did you see the game last night?

No. My mother is sick,

I had to go the village.

How are things here?

Good. Make sure you don't fall ill.

You won't live to see that.

- We have no time to be ill.

- Everything will be fine.

- On the 9th, right?

- Yes.

Well... Great.

- Hi. How is it?

- Hi.

The Mayor's office allowed

the rally on the 9th.

Finally.

Let's meet after work

in the smokers' room.

- Deal?

- Deal.

- Let's do it then.

- Agreed.

Oh, it's you.

I'm cleaning up the broken glass

so no one cuts their feet.

Yeah. Clean it up.

How is your dad? Still sick?

My dad? Yeah, he is.

All because of this cold weather.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Sit down.

Now, what happened?

I don't even know where to start.

Start from the beginning.

- My father called me.

- Your father?

- Yes.

- You never spoke about him.

We parted 15 years ago.

And I don't want to meet him now.

So, tell me what happened?

I grew up

with my Grandad and my mother.

Dad came to visit,

but he had another family.

He worked for the KGB.

It was dangerous for him.

Had it become known

he'd have been in trouble.

My mother loved him very much,

it was her decision

to have his child.

My grandpa was

a high-ranking KGB general.

He took the responsibility

My father visited,

and we were in touch.

They both risked a lot.

I didn't know that back then.

And then perestroika came.

Grandpa opposed the breakup

of the Soviet Union

and supported the 1991 coup.

My dad had to back him up.

He was in touch

with regional party leaders.

The regions should have supported

the coup.

They waited for the signal

from Moscow.

My dad had to organize that.

But he betrayed everyone.

He wanted a bigger piece of the cake.

You know what happened next.

Yes, we saw that.

And now he calls me. I don't even

know how he got my phone number.

He turned 76.

He wants to see me for the last time.

I really don't know what to do!

Hi, look.

I got my aunt's parcel.

Homemade jam and warm socks.

Ok, let's go.

The rally is tomorrow.

Are the fliers set up?

It's all done. Our guys work well.

- Hello.

- Hello, everyone.

So you got a parcel?

- Yes, from my aunt.

- Congratulations.

From my aunt.

I'll put it in my locker.

Mustn't forget about it.

- Move on.

- Take care.

I'll be there right now.

See you in the factory shop.

- What about my coupons?

- For Christ's sake.

- I am sick of you and your coupons.

- To hell with the coupons.

- My clothes are absolutely worn-out.

- I have other things to care about.

He needs his coupons.

I'll stick all the coupons

down your throat.

If there is a spark somewhere

they'll catch fire in no time.

Jesus! Go get down to some work.

- You see this?

- Uncle Kolya!

What is it? Oh no.

You're like a guerrilla hiding

in the forest. You're so stubborn.

Go to hell with your boots,

pants and laces.

- What if they catch fire?

- Go and do some work. Seriously.

Enough! Go and do some work!

People like him really piss me off

He got coupons, he got everything!

Tischenko! Why were you

30 minutes late today?

- I overslept.

- It's the third time this month.

- I am sorry.

- He overslept!

It's a factory, not a circus,

you get that?

- Hi.

- How are you?

- All good.

- I need another robe.

- We'll take care of that.

- All patched-up.

We'll take care of it

today or tomorrow.

Just make sure you come

to the rally tomorrow.

We'll talk about that too. Thank you.

- Why aren't you wearing your helmet?

- I'll put it on now. No problem.

It's a factory, not a circus!

I have some visitors

from Germany tomorrow.

We should offer them

red carpet treatment.

They are investing

in new factory facilities.

Investing in our economy, that is.

So that's really cool.

Concoct an attractive

cost estimate for them,

with workers' salaries and staff.

We aren't giving them

a tour of the factory.

We'll tell them

we work for the military. But...

We need a couple of photos

of workers by a blast furnace,

Put them on a wall by the doors

into the conference hall.

So what's really going on there?

Let's solve all those issues.

Let's solve the issues

and restore order.

You asked me to study

the Independent Trade Unions Act.

Well, this act exists.

- But no one cares about it.

- There you go!

By the way, one of these

new unionists came to me yesterday.

He looked really nervous.

He brought some papers.

In a nutshell, they are planning

rallies and they want to go to court.

What is it that they want?

What do they want?

Nothing special. A pay rise.

A bonus for toxicity.

A re-evaluation of work stations.

They are also collecting signatures

to improve the ecological situation.

What assholes!

- We can charge them with extremism.

- Yes.

It's political propaganda at the workplace.

We can easily sue them.

No, that'll take a while.

Who are the activists?

I don't have any names yet.

But we can easily find them.

What assholes. They just want

their slice of the pie.

It's easier to be on strike

than to work 8 hours a day.

Maybe we should install filters.

The air is really polluted there.

What filters are you talking about?!

Let's do without this civil

commiseration.

They are planning to submit a claim

to an international ecology court.

The activists are to be removed.

You've got a week

to remove the activists.

And the workers

will disperse all by themselves.

Got it.

But...

Am I getting you right that...

The activists must be removed.

Got it.

- I'll go then, ok?

- Ok.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- Are you with us?

- Sure.

Let's have a smoke first.

Oh man. I left my cigarettes there.

- I'll be right back.

- Ok, hurry up.

- See you at the checkpoint.

- Ok.

- I am really exhausted today.

- Yeah, it's a strange day.

I got new pants.

Black ones. Not blue.

You're really lucky today,

Uncle Kolya.

Yeah, that's all good.

Why do you keep picking at me?

From early in the morning today?

- Where is the safety logbook?

- What?

The logbook I have to sign there.

Wait, Uncle Kolya.

Can you sign it tomorrow?

Why tomorrow?

I can do that today.

- Let's call it a day.

- You're really sturdy. Just go home.

Let's wait. Our youngster might

come here any second.

We're going in the same direction.

I'll talk to him before the rally.

Yeah, he has just split

with his girlfriend.

- Really?

- He's quite despondent now.

We were talking about you just now.

One shouldn't be so pussy whipped.

Look at Fedka the Molder.

He attended all the labor union

meetings before he got married.

He was socially active.

And now he never shows up

at our labor union meetings.

Just stays at home,

nibbling sunflower seeds.

- He got so fat now.

- Yes. Sometimes...

Sometimes a woman breaks

a dude's will.

She breaks him like a stick. Whack!

- In halves.

- Come on.

Feelings are some fine substance.

Ok, dudes, let's go.

Yeah, fine substance...

Hey, why droop like this?

Women like it the hard way.

We really have a lot

on our plate right now.

- That's enough!

- And who's gonna save the nation?

Enough! Let's go!

And where's our watchman?

He asked me

to watch over his checkpoint.

There's a hatch open somewhere.

He tried to explain it to me,

but I understood nothing.

By the way, we are having

a rally tomorrow morning.

Ok, let's wait a little.

I wanted to say,

20 guys from the Communist Party

will come to the rally tomorrow.

They said they prepared a speech.

We have to be there in large numbers,

so that police can't crush them.

Slava, wait a sec.

You were almost late for work today.

You have been daydreaming

all day today. Are you guys sick?

No, we just played chess

with Vasya all night.

- In the fifth game he zugzwanged me.

- I see.

Tomorrow you should

be fresh as daisies. You get that?

- Bye now.

- Bye.

- And what is a zugzwang?

- It's like this.

You work your ass off all day

and get 12,000 for that.

Yes.

Then you still work your ass off,

and suddenly get 7000.

And you sign the papers they want.

That's quite a zugzwang.

I see.

The most important thing is

to warn them and our people as well

not to say anything

against our authorities.

Or they'll put a gag

on us in no time.

Even now they are calling us

an extremist labor union.

They keep summoning me to the police.

Almost every day now.

Palych! You did a great job

with those banners.

- They look great. Really colorful.

- I am trying my best.

Tomorrow morning

I'll draw another bunch of them.

And off we go!

Don't spare the red color.

They should be bright!

- I remember that. No worries.

- And use waterproof ink.

- In case it rains.

- Ok.

He's great.

It's like this. You glue them up.

- Palych draws them.

- Well done!

I think everything is going well.

- And who'll represent the clay room?

- Ivan. He's a great speaker.

And the pensioners are coming.

I arranged the van. Slava will bring

the equipment tomorrow.

- He promised to set it up.

- That's great.

Egorov has already gathered

his people. And how are you doing?

Everything is ok.

My people are ready.

- Pashka is going to speak from us.

- Good.

I am telling my people that thousands

of them are getting the sack.

But they wouldn't budge.

Only if they're hit directly,

there will be a dust-up.

Yeah, right. Thatch your roof

before rainy weather

- Yeah, right.

- Where is he?

- Check this out!

- What is it?

- This is...

- 'Dead Souls'.

It'll take him

a while to finish it.

At school I once wrote

an essay on 'Dead Souls'.

I got an F.

And my dad lathered me. After that

I know Gogol backwards and forwards.

Belinsky said that Gogol Is

Pushkin in prose.

But when Gogol started writing

that Christian Orthodox stuff,

he published a book called

'Selected Passages

From Correspondence with Friends'

He quite unexpectedly reasoned that

'a nation is just like kids

in a family' and that

'the church should

shepherd this flock'.

After which Belinsky severely

criticized Gogol in a letter

He wrote that 'Russia's salvation

is not about mysticism or asceticism,

but the success of civilization,

enlightenment and humanity.

Russia does not

need sermons or prayers.

It needs self-respect

of common people.'

Jeez! I still remember

this quote after so many years.

I totally agree with Belinsky.

The feeling of self-respect is

just what our people need.

Yeah, that was

a decisive moment in history.

Either the nation would stand up

and move forward

or it would be illiterate

and bear the hardships forever.

I know nothing about Belinsky.

We went to Soviet schools.

We were taught superbly.

An A+ education.

Good I caught up with you.

Is this your parcel?

- Yes, it's mine. Thank you.

- See you.

They try to make you believe

a convenient theory about our past.

Progress comes when we honor

traditions and criticize the present.

You know how they teach history

at school these days.

They are distorting the truth

about the gains of our revolution!

Yeah, I know.

And what were the gains?

Well it's obvious.

Education, upward social mobility.

That's when your parents are

blue collar workers,

and you seem to be destined

to become one yourself.

But if you're really bright,

you may work in the government

And think of industrialization.

- Lots of people were killed in vain!

- Yeah, a lot of people vanished.

But the result was positive

in the long run.

It wasn't like the reign

of Ivan the Terrible,

who slaughtered thousands,

devastated Russia and also

lost a war to the Germans.

- What Germans?

- The Livonian Order. It was German.

It was the bloodiest war back then.

In the reign of Ivan the Terrible

the Tartars burnt Moscow down

for the first time

in 100 years.

And he killed his own heir.

An interesting comparison, eh?

You know what really excites me?

Nobody really raises

or educates our youth.

- Self-education is the only option.

- That's right!

So if you're naturally gifted,

you'll find a way.

But if you don't care,

you'll remain as you are...

- Good evening.

- Hi.

We decided to come earlier tomorrow.

- Maybe you'll need some help?

- Yeah, sure.

Come earlier.

What were you guys watching?

Askoldov's 'Commissar'.

What a great film!

Good job!

- Well, see you tomorrow.

- See you.

- So...

- They watch good films.

That's right. I've been

to their lectures several times now.

The cinema club guys

teach me so many things now.

They gave me some DVDs

of the French new wave of the 60s.

These guys caused a revolution

in cinematography back then.

- Revolution?

- What revolution?

Revolution is a metaphor.

Those guys were cinematographers.

And they revolutionized

the cinematography.

Wait a sec...

Hold this for me.

I took some notes.

I don't have the exact wording.

I'll tell you in my own words.

Here it is.

They were the first to use

Berthold Brecht's system in movies.

They introduced a new kind of a hero

who could perform

unmotivated actions.

Their characters would speak

while being filmed from behind.

Wait a sec... Oh, that's Egorov.

Yes? And then

they lectured me on Godard.

They had a whole lecture on him.

And here is what...

I didn't understand much,

but I took some notes.

In cinematography there are

two principal systems.

The Brecht system

and the Hollywood system.

They also refer to the latter one

as the Stanislavski system.

What is the Brecht's system?

It's the alienation

of the film from the audience.

So when I am looking into the camera,

that is alienation.

But if I...

If there's a blood bath

which makes you feel really involved,

that's Hollywood.

I didn't get a thing.

That's impressive.

I didn't understand much,

but these guys are smart.

- You should go to the cinema club.

- Wait!

According to Brecht,

when you see some action,

you switch on your brain

and you are aware

that you're audience.

With all of your problems

And Hollywood subl...

Sublimates negative energies.

Wait, I'll give you a quote.

Hollywood sublimates

negative energies

and subdues protest impulses,

so the viewer drowns in the film.

I don't get any of this.

Nothing at all.

Oh, come on.

To me it was really interesting.

I didn't get a thing.

Ok...

Now, I'll write it down for you

in a more graspable...

But I want to say again...

You know what?

Let's go there together.

You'll really like it.

It's so great to find out

about all that.

- It's all about revolution.

- Yes.

Wait for me, ok?

I'll go looking for him.

Just imagine

what he got interested in.

Yeah.

- He is a good guy.

- Yeah,

Energetic and active.

We're old. Younger ones

need to take over.

- That needs to be done properly.

- Sure, I see.

Hi, guys. I'll catch up with you.

Children of famous directors

make their own films now.

They show them on TV.

And the result?

A parody of their fathers.

No experience,

they know nothing about life.

The golden youth.

Marx said, history repeats itself.

The first time as a tragedy,

the second time as a farce.

- Exactly.

- What are you doing here?

The watchman asked us to wait.

He went to close a skylight.

Don't be late for the rally tomorrow.

Grown-up men show Russians

in their films

as beasts who are always drunk.

They shoot these films

on state money.

- Our money.

- That's right.

How long will we wait?

Let's go. What time is it?

Past 8 pm.

- There he is.

- How is it?

- No occurrences?

- No, all quiet here.

- We had no incidents.

- All right...

- And you got a parcel?

- Yes, from my aunt.

Raspberry jam.

I'll have tea with it.

No, better give it to my father.

- Tea after the rally.

- Yes?

Rally?

You just confuse people

with this rally.

Come on.

We can't go on living like that.

Do whatever you want,

but no good will come of it.

- Look at him.

- We'll see.

Ok, guys, let's go. It's late.

Let's go.

Have you read Belinsky's

letters from Salzburg?

- No.

- You should.

How long did the parcel travel?

- 2 weeks.

- 2 weeks?

Well, take care.

Will your dad come tomorrow?

He'll be there, don't worry.

- Do bring him.

- I will.

Pick me up on your way to the rally.

We'll go together.

You live next door.

They're jerks. Dealing with them -

the harsher, the better.

Remove the main bastards,

and it'll quiet down.

I'll send Dodik over.

I heard you're

spending more on prisons.

Concerts, TV sets, shops, gyms.

About to go there yourself?

Relax, I'm joking.

Say hi to your brother.

He's shitting money, ey?

Bye.

Do you know who got killed?

Are there any witnesses?

- Who was killed?

- What's going to happen now?

- How many people got killed?

- Who witnessed it?

Tell us why they were killed.

No one knows a thing.

What happened?

- No one knows a thing.

- There he is.

Let's go up to him and ask.

It happened last night.

- Tell us.

- Were you there?

Hi. What happened there?

- Tell us.

- About what?

We heard two people

were killed yesterday.

Tell us. What did you see?

- You were with them.

- What happened?

- Tell us.

- What a tragedy.

Did you see anyone?

Two of our people

were killed yesterday.

Let's gather and get going.

- Let's go and gather people.

- Two guys were killed.

I'm devastated.

But it's not about me.

- Sure you didn't see them?

- I wish I did...

- Why are we listening to him?

- We left in different directions.

Probably you saw

what they looked like.

- Did you see what they looked like?

- I did not see a thing.

- Does the management know?

- So, who was killed?

- Our guys are over there.

- Yes.

Let's get to the rally.

Any news? Tell us!

Such a young guy got killed.

Yes, he was young.

Why did you involve him?

Why do you involve young people?

We need youth,

we can't just go on Uncle Kolya!

Who's in charge now?

- What do you think?

- You know yourself.

- I just came from the police.

- And?

- Egorov informed the relatives.

- Yes.

He should be here.

Have you seen him?

No, I've just arrived.

It's really inconceivable.

Things are a bit more

complicated than it seems!

They knew

we were planning this rally.

And the guys were activists.

Let's amend the petition

for the rally.

The prosecutor has to take

the investigation in his hands.

They need to find those

who hired the killers.

My phone is ringing constantly

- I know.

- They're worried.

- I know.

- Hell will be loose.

By all means prevent provocations.

It's difficult.

We need to be calm!

I'm off.

- So, here we have posters?

- And banners.

- Are there banners too?

- Yes.

Good job!

- Our people got killed.

- Yes, we have to carry on!

- Everyone's got a poster.

- Very good.

- Everyone knows where to stand.

- Yes.

The banner 'No lay-offs!"

needs to be put by the stage.

Of course. What are you doing here?

- The press will be there.

- Great! Good job!

It needs to be loud!

The megaphone works!

We have banners.

Get ready. 5 minutes left.

Keep on working.

- 5 minutes?

- Get going!

Guys, listen to me.

One thing after the other!

The prosecutor knows what happened.

Let's go ahead with our plans.

Calm down.

- Hi.

- I just came from the police.

Guys, let him speak.

It's important.

- Go ahead.

- I talked to the investigator.

A criminal case was opened.

They found a witness.

He says three junkies did it.

One of them was arrested.

What junkies? Utter bullshit.

- Wait a minute!

- They search the whole city.

Where are the other two?

Somewhere in the city

and they are armed.

But they'll be found soon.

Calm down!

Let him finish!

The case is almost solved.

He is a good investigator.

- They are all good.

- Let's go and talk.

What does it mean 'almost'?

He says - almost solved.

Calm them down.

- It mustn't get out of hand.

- I'll calm them down.

- The cops should inform us.

- That's right.

You can say at the rally

that the crime has been solved...

- Yes, I'll say that.

And say we all want

these bastards to be found.

- Yes!

- Get going!

- I'll go to our men.

- Do that.

So, guys, here's... Let me speak!

- Who has armbands?

- We all do.

Why do you need armbands?

There may be provocations.

Once you spot provocateurs

take them behind the police line.

Why do we need to do this?

The authorities can accuse us

of extremism.

We don't need any of that.

We want to be on good terms

with the authorities.

That's all, guys!

Let's do a good job!

We need to be calm.

- What's up?

- Egorov is sick.

- Egorov? Where is he?

- On the 3rd floor.

- Where are you going?

- Egorov is on the 3rd floor.

I'll be right back.

What the hell!

- Where are you going?

- Egorov is up there.

What the hell!

Take it. I have to give it to you.

Make sure you call this number.

- He's there.

- Thank you.

I've been looking for him

for two hours.

I thought something happened.

Why are you sitting here?

You weren't at the rally.

People are looking for you.

Your father was there. Everybody's worried.

Yes, I found him. We're coming.

You should've seen that.

The people just can't take it

anymore. They are on edge.

Egorov gave a great speech!

Everyone was waiting for you.

What happened? You had a fight?

You're all smeared. What's up?

I have to tell you everything.

No. I have to tell you everything.

Everyone was at the rally.

We're ready to go on strike.

Ok, get up.

We need to talk seriously.

Let's go.

- I have to tell you.

- Yes, I'm listening.

Ok.

What about the funeral?

How did it all go?

Was it ok in the morgue?

Let's bury them first.

And then commemorate them.

We'll soon be there.

- Say some words, ok?

- Sure.

Guys, you'll carry the coffin

with me, okay?

Let me talk to him.

The strike starts at noon tomorrow.

Good, the management doesn't know.

- You think it'll work?

- It'll work.

Our flyers are handed out.

We have cameras.

We'll post reports on the web.

Create some furor.

We'll carry the coffin,

and you stay with his mom.

- Sure.

I feel sorry for the young guy.

He gets buried, too.

Yes, there they are.

Take the wreath and put the lid here.

Ok, guys. Let's do it.

Careful now. Let's get him out.

- Take it.

- Got it.

Easy.

That's his mother.

- Some guys from the plant came.

- They instigated all of it.

We laid them to rest.

Let's come up to them.

We did.

Please, accept our condolences.

Nobody thought that could happen.

Hands off!

What are you doing? Careful. Hold it.

What's that?

What kind of a suit is that?

He had no suit

and a proper one costs 3,000.

- Where would he get that money?

- Right.

He had no money, nothing.

Bring the lid! Faster!

Cover him.

- Give us the lid.

- Outrageous.

Bring the lid!

Son of a bitch!

Come on, guys.

Help to get him out.

Come on, get up!

Pass him the rope.

Come on, grab the rope.

Grab the hand!

Guys, help me!

That's it.

Get up.

Wow, what a dandy.

- What is it?

- The management pays its respects.

Come here, help me with the wreaths.

The management sent wreaths.

- He's all business.

- He's doing his best.

- Wreaths.

- Place them here.

Wreaths from the management.

Our condolences.

What is the unrest here?

A young guy, killed for nothing.

All because of your rallies.

Meetings till late at night.

You just confuse our young people.

Hush! I'm sick already,

even without your crap.

I was told to have you

speak to someone.

Here.

Talk to them.

- Yes.

- You're about to be fired.

- I see.

- Come talk to us.

- Let's go, I'll give you a lift.

- Let's go.

Relax. They'll manage without you.

Let it go.

They'll fire everyone now.

Nobody wants unrest at the factory.

- Get in.

- Unrest...

Temporary work is the future.

That's what it is.

I want them to fear dying of hunger.

Though you have a chemical factory.

Yes, with a natural fluctuation

of staff, right?

Are they really all bald? Wow.

Let them bite the dust.

What is it to you?

Ok, right now. Where?

Are you being serious?

Fuck you, man.

- Follow me.

- Thank you.

- Sit down here.

- Thank you.

Well, tell me.

Make sure you keep your mouth shut.

- Ok?

- Yes, yes.

Good day.

This is our man I told you about.

- So, you're working with him?

- Yes, he came this morning.

He said the foundry will go on strike

tomorrow at noon.

We'll declare tomorrow

a cleaning day. I'll handle it.

Ok, that's great.

Good job.

Yeah, you owe me one.

Don't forget.

Now I know. You don't worry.

You'll crow like a rooster.

Let the workers know he is a traitor.

And see what they do to him.

Ok. Let's go.

- That's all?

- Go home.

Thank you very much.

Don't worry. You won't get fired.

You might even get promoted.

As promised.

- Not an easy thing.

- Yes.

- Everything will be ok.

- Just don't tell anyone, I beg you.

You keep quiet about this, too.

- Go home.

- Thank you.

- First floor.

- Thank you.

The management is worried

about the unrest at the factory.

It was decided to close

the unit for a day.

Don't worry, you'll get paid.

Good decision.

Or they'll tear the unit apart.

More trouble every day.

I'm sick and tired of it.

Here is the plan.

You shut the gate and let no one in.

If they try to burst in,

call security. Got it?

Don't worry.

Put up a note,

tomorrow is 'Cleaning day'.

Let no one in.

We'll crush cockroaches.

- Will be done.

- Go.

What's that all about?

Cleaning day.

- What's that all about?

- They closed the gates.

What's written there?

Break it open!

Let's knock!

Hey, open up!

- Open up!

- Go and ask what's wrong.

That's something new. Cleaning day...

Why is that?

- Whose idea is that?

- Calm down!

The unit is closed today.

Cleaning day.

Go home. You'll get paid for today

You will. And now go home.

Hey! What's going on here?

- Break the door!

- Just imagine. Cleaning day.

They did it on purpose!

Let's break the door!

- Thought up a reason!

- Let's go to the gates!

Let's do it, guys!

Let's break the gates!

- Wait!

- Hello. Yes.

Stop!

If not today, then tomorrow.

- Wait!

- We need to keep working!

It's me!

Where do you hurry?

Stop it Where are you heading?

You know what you are? You are scum!

Calm down.

Stay home for a while.

- Wait! Where are you going?

- You can stay home tomorrow!

Is he breathing?

What the hell?

I think it was no accident.

Good day, Sergey Viktorovich.

For some reason...

...your men wouldn't let me in.

Have you heard? Ruzin got arrested.

My brother's bank was searched.

I had to send him to London.

The massive money transfers,

the situation with the loan.

But ok, we'll manage.

They want to sack our minister.

The cops are on him.

Someone reported on him.

I even thought

you prepared my new job,

as we had agreed.

Most importantly,

Pavel acts strange.

Some uproar at his plant again.

I'm scared, Sergey Viktorovich.

Simply scared.

I might be nailed, too.

And Pavel has all the documents.

I feel insecure.

You're my only hope.

What is it, Sergey Viktorovich?

Are you ill?

Kolya.

My son just killed my other son.

My life is over.

I don't need anything anymore.

Let it all go its way.

I am not taking part anymore.

No need to fear me.

Live in peace.

Dismissed.

- Good evening. May I?

- Get in.

What did you bring?

You're a good guy, Dodik.

You could have a long and happy life.

But you'll be made

responsible for all those things.

None of your papers were signed.

The bank gives no credit.

The previous credits are

being investigated

Who gave them, what for, how much?

Times are changing, Dodik.

Changing.

And you're entangled

in these risky things.

Basically,

it's you organizing all this.

It doesn't matter

what you'll be convicted for.

Your guys killed

Sergey Viktorovich's son.

You killed him.

No mercy for that.

- What son?

- The other one.

Pavel Sergeevich is losing his mind.

You'll be made responsible

for everything.

Who signed all the documents?

Dodik signed them all.

The police chief will dump you,

that much is clear.

He covered you up personally.

Now listen carefully.

Pavel Sergeevich has many receipts

signed by me.

You know that.

So you will...

remove Pavel Sergeevich.

You are a top notch

expert in this, right?

And then you will bring me

all these papers,

How much money?

Enough for you, Dodik.

And no stupidities.

I'll kill you, scumbag!

Now, get out of here!

Remember,

I am waiting.

For now.

- Shut the door.

- Good-bye.

The management wants to talk to you.

- Good evening.

- Thank you, you can go.

Let's go.

Luciano is perfidious.

We've seen worse

and handled them.

- We need to handle him.

- We'll manage.

This looks good. Great view.

Guys, you wait for me there.

- Call Nikolay Semyonovich for me.

- I left my phone in the office.

Go and get it. I'm waiting

Move your legs, Dodik!

Go. He is there.

Dodik, what the heck?

What the fuck are you doing?

You piece of shit! Scum!

You killed my friends.

You'll kill more.

You'll kill all our people!

You scum, you nobody!

You destroyed me!

You destroyed hundreds more!

- Guys, are you nuts?

- You're nothing.

- Fucking kill him.

- You must die!

Get the fucking ambulance! Fast!

Get me Dodik. Dead or alive.

He fucking betrayed me.

I need to know who pays him.

Asshole!

Asshole. What have you done?

Dodik, you asshole!

What have you done, motherfucker?

You are wearing no cross?

Where is the cross?

You don't believe in God?

None of you believes in God?

You wanted to take my place? Did you?

I hate you, you are cattle.

You'll always remain cattle.

I hate you all, you are rubbish!

You wanted power?

You're scum. Scum!

You wanted to take our places?

Here goes your power.

What will you do in the afterworld?

Organize your revolution

in the afterworld?