Zona Zamfirova (2002) - full transcript

ZAMFIR'S ZONA

G'dmorning, Master-Sremac.
- Good morning. Morning already?!

Ah, another lovely morning
in Nish! - Right, Master-Sremac.

The market and the streets are
waking up slowly. - Here come

gard'ners 'n' builders. - Yes,
here they come, in order of

their rank and standing.
- Here they go, right.

And after them, there will come
bakers and servants... - Right.

And now, in due order, craftsmen
and merchants are opening their

shops. - Look, writer, Sir, that
one's gotta shop, too!

Manasije, called Mane. Barely
over twenty, but already has

a small goldsmith's shop,
kuymcu.



But, there isn't no door to it!
How gets he in?

There's how he gets in! See?

Here come schoolmasters, with
sour faces, thinking about

the miserable status of
schoolmasters. Ah, here come

high-school professors.
Good morning, colleagues!

Good morning. Up early this
morning? - Well, yes.

Do take a seat, dear colleague.
Sotir, one more cup of coffee!

You are new in town, aren't you?
- I am, and I'm looking about me

this town of Nish - it's hardly
been a dozen years since

the Turks were driven out, but
there's a whole new world

growing here. - Yes, just look
at the professors teaching

all sorts of subjects here.
Here come history

and microscope teachers.
Good morning biologists!

And these are philosophers and
mathematicians! It must be time



to set off to school. Sotir,
put this to my account!

Hey, wow!

Hallo there!

It's harder for these poor girls
to pass here than it was for

ancient travellers to pass
between the Scylla and

Charybdis. - Hey, journalist!
Don't you put us in newspaper!

I'll buy you a drink!
Two? Deal!

A loaf o' bread and sweet
halvah. - Me first customer!

You'll bring me luck 'n' God's
blessing. - That's the lassie

with three beautiful sisters?
- Zone, how's your sister

Kostadinka? - And Rushka, what's
she doing? - Nothin'!

Of course she's doing nothing -
her father is hadji-Zamfir!

And how's the prittiest sister,
Done? - What are you to her

to ask 'bout 'er? - Me to her -
nothing! But what she's to me...

Amet, give 'er halvah for two
farthings, for Kostadinka.

Shall I help 'er,
young-master-Mane?

Ah, Zone, Zone!

Zone! Zone!
- Go away!

You take it, Manulach!
Take it home.

Mama! Papa!

Persa, here comes me son!

Jordan! Manulach is my son!
- No, he's mine!

He's my little girl! - Nop! He is
me son, my heir, my inheritor!

Enough! Quiet!

What is it, Mama's lit'le girl?
- I w's thinkin' - it's a pity

t' waste such nice halvah. Two
farthings, not a small waste!

That's papa's boy! - Papa! Mama!
Money's worth a lot t'day!

It's r e c e s s' o n!

Where from didya' get that word,
Papa's lit'le donkey?!

What w's that word 'gain, you
little scamp?! - Recess'on, Mama!

Come here! I've lived long
'nough to eat up a ton of bread,

but I haven't learnt that word -
and that li'le one, he knows it

already! C'me on, daddy's
precious, what was that word?

R e c e s s' o n.

My, my! This puppy's bound to
b'come a banker in Belgrade!

Master-hadji-Zamfir, a famous
merchant. During the Turks' rule

the Pasha's door was open for
him any time; He had influence

at the court in Constantinople.
- What is the source of his

power? - The source of his power
is his enormous wealth.

Oh, dear little nightingale,
don't sing so early,

don't wake up my dear master,

I'll wake him up myself.

He's awake!

Good afternoon, professor.
- This is his fourth daughter,

the youngest one -
little Zone master-Zamfir's.

Sisters, sweet sisters!

Ah, you, you! Take good care!

You are t'get married. B'come
a respectful housewife!

A chaste housewife! Don't lose
face! Chastity is capital.

And you, Zone,
how's your s'hool doing?

Fine, papa. - And how's
chorbaci-Jovan's lassie

doing at s'hool?
- She's quit already.

She has, has she! Ha! Her father
caught 'er with a love letter

for a clerk! You are to quit
s'hool, too, mind you!

Ah, ah!

Don't, papa! It's such a pity!
- Hush!

We could send 'er off to higher
s'hools, to Belgrade...

What for? T' learn the German
alphabet there,

an' t' write love letters t'
army officers and eng'neers!?

Not in my lifetime!

Very well.

Eh, sisters, dears.
'Ts all over for me.

Oh, you silly darling. Your
time's yet to come! We'll soon

be given away, t' marry in
Leskovac, in Pirot, in Vranje.

You alone will remain at home,
t' be Papa's lit'le precious.

You I won't give up easily.

You're my little precious.

Tashana,
where's that lit'le one?

The lit'le one?
- That lit'le lassie, Zone!

A little lassie?
A grown-up girl already!

She's got changed. I send 'er
to fetch my cigarette-holder -

she comes back with my tefter,
my account-book!

'N front of the mirror
all day long, she is!

Talked to a lad the other day!
- Who talked to a lad? - Zone!

People saw 'er. - Oh! What's to
b'come of today's girls!

Zone! Come out here f'r a
minute! D'you hear me?!

Comin', mama!
I'm changing...

Hey, Zone! Come here right away!
Your aunts want t' see you!

All Zamfir's children were
beautif'I, but this one!

Ah, ah! This one's gonna come
out prettiest!

Woe to you, Tashana! Hang
yourself! - Zone, my daughter...

you're not a child any more.
You should take care.

Listen, girl. You have us, your
aunts, to watch o'er you!

We should take 'er out, show 'er
in public, in the promenade.

Take 'er to the hammam.
- To the bath!! Me? Wow!

Why d'you always look so
messy, no hat 'n your head?

Eh, Master, I can't remember
wher' I've left it. - It's been

six months! It's time you
remembered!

Aferim! very nice!

Ahoy, Mane!
A proper shop, now, isn't it!

Look at this handicraft!

That we've made for St.
Panteleimon's Church.

Take it there, Pote.

Then we'll have lunch, here,
mother's brought it.

Good day to you, Mistress
Jevda. Your son is getting on

Very well. - So, he is,
but I have t' do the cooking for

three men now. - He might bring
you a daughter-in-law?

Look! 'The Antiquary' magazine!

Your son is a numismatist as
well, madam! - What is he?!

Calm down, it's nothing
dangerous.

Papa! Papa!
Come o'er here, quick!

Our Gigan's taken a fancy
to Pirga!

That's good, son. - That's his
skill, the cock's craftsm'nship.

And Trsha and Pirga, they bowed
their heads, like this!

All right, never mind that!

Never mind that!

Papa, who's that lass?

She can't be fr'm Nish.
- Eh, you, blind silly,

don't you know 'er?
It's Zone! - Zamfir-Zone.

Zone, Zone, is that really you?!

Wow! This's somethin' new in
Nish! - My strategy's well known.

I pass by not looking at her.
Then I pass once again and

thus look at her that her knees
start shaking. Watch me.

Excuse me.

Mane! Come here!

What is it?
- Look!

Who could this be?

Zamfir's Zone!

Don't stare at her like that!

Wrong tactics altogether!

You must look for a right match
for you'self. Keep in mind whose

daughter you are! - There's only
one chorbaci-Zamfir! - Lf there's

nob'dy for you in Nish there'll
be in Leskovac, Pirot, Vranje...

You're not to take a common
craftsman, some lowly nobody!

Sergean', Sir! This is our Czech
brother, pan-Franchishek.

Pani, I am the sole one to have
finished the conservatorium.

These other gentlemen haven't
finished the conservatory?

Ano! I've played Paganini's
Fantasy, prose pani.

What on Earth are you doing
here? - At home, we drink beer,

but here you have zhupa-wine -

hardly more expensive than
water! Let's play, gentlemen!

Ah, Mada!

Where has your beauty gone?
- Eh, Master-hadji our time's

long gone. - Youth 'n' beauty
are gone like swallows in

autumn. - Swallows come back
'gain in spring.

But your youth 'n' my beauty
- they're gone f'r good.

Papa, can I go over to the oro?
- All right, child, but don't you

join the oro. It is for the
lowly to jump 'n' dance,

but for us, chorbaci, just to
look on. - Very well, Papa.

He's changin'.
He's going out to the oro!

Oh, what a lad he is!
Not that we're partial!

When he puts on those tight
breeches! And that cotton shirt!

Move away!

Howdy t' you, aunts!

What are you doin'?

Hallo, Mancha!
Nothin', sittin', chattin'.

That watch-chain you've got,
it's silver, isn't it?

Silver it is. He made it
himself. - Women, shall we

make this lit'le donkey get
married? - No problem 't all,

when the time come. - But it's
time - yo've grown a moustache!

It's a kown rule:
Old 'nough for the moustche -

old 'nough to get married!
- Oh, I didn't know that.

Now you know!

Mama! Papa!
Eggs!

Our Tinka and Pirga laid th'm in
the neighbour's yard,

I went over 'n' fetched them!
- Wow, still warm!

Why waste them? Papa, they're as
good 's money. - Right.

Here, it's my treat,
go to the oro.

Papa, money's worth a lot today,
it's recess'on. - Fine, fine.

Recess'on, papa! - Papa's
precious, go to jump 'n' dance.

Hi, Mane. - Howdy, howdy.
- How are you?

See how she's staring at him?

God knows what
she's telling him!?

What a yob! Asana!

Don't get wrong ideas into your
head, darling. I fancy you like

me own child.

Eh, poor Jevda - you gave birth
to such a rake!

Ah, brother, let me die here!

I can't hope to climb that high,
not until I get my stripes!

Look at Manulach!

But that's moc, too much,
pan-master! - Play my song!

Prose pani. Let's play
gentl'men!

This boy is a real master! How
does he do that jingle-jangle?

Look, he's put weather-bells on
his shoes.

These lasses! They all rushed
into the oro, only b'cause of

that goldsmith!
- Just like geese or sheep...

There's my Gmitrach!
Can I go too? - Go on!

Me, too! Me too!

Take the popcorn, Zone.
- Thanks, Manulach.

Move aside a bit, beg you.

Now, attack! Lead the oro right
toward her!

Don't look at her!
Me!

Look at me! Now go away!

Now turn 'round and look
straight in her eyes!

'Ts not what you think, Gena.
I'm no goose!

A very well performed attack!

Just look at this giddy rake!

'Ts easy for him - no expenses
like us other smiths,

family men...
- A thoughtless yobbo!

What're you doin' here?
- Zone! She's changing!

Ah, ah, Master-Mane...
- What?

...we saw 'er changin'...
- Saw who?

Zone was changing and we were
looking on, but just a little.

Last night I saw you,
ah, ah, Zone...

Mane, she's ravishing!

A shame for our craft!
- I can put him in my newspaper.

Well, then, do, do! - I can cook
up for him such hot stew if only

you say so. - Oh, make it hot!

I'll buy you a drink! - Make that
two and it's a deal.

Stop!
Come here!

Las' night...
I saw you.

Wait, wait.

Las' night I saw you,
ah, Zone...

Saw you changin', ah, Zone...
What was that for!?

Who didya' hear that song from,
you oaf? Ha?! - From you, Kote.

Fr'm me?! Hm...

Las' night I saw you changin',
ah, ah, Zone.

Master, here she comes!

What's the haste, brother?

Take this, quick!

Now, you set off, slowly!
With dignity!

Straighten up!

A very important moment
for your tactic! You are not

a tiniest bit interested in her.
You walk by, cool.

Take my soap, aunt-Doka.

Take mine, aunt-Doka,
'ts from Vienna!

Aaa, chicks! I know this is not
for my sake! I wonder which one

'f you's gonna b'come my in-law
this autumn? Ha, chicks?

Have you noticed, Doka -
what a beauty that Zone is?

True, Persa. I just took
a better look at 'er now.

I'm gonna take 'er for
my son Manulach...

Holy Heavens! White as a lily,
her eyes like sapphire,

her face and neck like ivory!
And the mouth!

"Night in night out he smashes
up the inn. No craftsman he is,

that gambler, that dissolute
rake"...- Who's no craftsman?

It says here, read - Mane! - Ha!
Some craftsman you are yourself.

"That yo-bo is drinking and
making a mess eve-ry night"...

Ah! Not our Mane?
- "Was-ting good money on

mu-sic play-ers and dan-cers"...
- What a shame! You, bitches!

We gather'd here b'cause of that
shameful... - Without me?

Why so, pray? - This is serious
business. - So I'm not seriuos?

You aren't! You drink,
smoke... - 'nd I c'n give you

a nice cytek, I'll beat you up!
- Come, come, women, sit down.

Help you'selves. Let's put our
heads t'gether and see what we

c'n do with our little donkey.
- We should make 'im get married.

'Ts not gonna be easy, but there
are plenty of girls...

Frosina... Lenche... Done...
Kalina... Jone...

All pretty, yes. B't when I saw
her in the hammam,

that Zamfir-Zone! When I saw
her slender waist,

the white marble breasts,
like two fildzan coffee-cups.

What a way to speak!
You sh'd be ashamed!

Phew, what a way to speak!
Shame, shame on you!

Go home, you wretched woman!
- Go home?! Me?!

And when it comes t' tough
'n' rough, who fights for our

Mancha's sake? Doka does!
You don't!

Ah! Ah! Go home!

You should talk to him, Jevda,
tell 'im 'bout those lasses.

'Bout Frosina, Timche,
Dika, Lenche, Done...

Tell 'im 'bout one girl only!
'Bout Zone.

'Bout Zamfir-Zone!

All right. Go home, take a nap.
- Come to the bath with me,

to see Zone! - Right. Go now,
your feet up, take a nap.

Zamfir-Zone!!

What's going on here? What
a crowd! - It's St. John' Day -

the busiest day in Nish.
- Everybody's here!

But first of all - there are
boys and girls, both chorbaci

and lowly; there are merchants'
agents from the capital,

insurance agents, merchants from
Vienna and Constantinopole,

small-scale merchants, thin
junior clerks and fat dealers.

What village are you from,
child? - From Vrtishte.

Ah, that old bone! This might as
well be his own daughter!

Who's your mother, sweet?
- Bela. - Bela!

"Bela!" Grey hair he's got,
but still he visits his

chiftchi-women in the villages!

Ah, ah! Mane and Kalina're just
made f'r each other!

Like a blue hyacinth and
a green daffodil.

Who the hack's that?

His neighbour, Kalina.
- What do I care?

Poor people, lowly...
- I couldn't care less!

I'm goin' into the oro. - Zone!
- Don't say a word t' home.

Stop!

Come over here!

Wrong tactics altogether!

Look, she's laughing at you!

Now go over there and
talk to Kalina!

Zone, take this!

Zone! - I'm right here.
Take the popcorn, still warm.

Vaska, go over to... what's 'er
name? - Kalina.

Tell 'er that Zamfir-Zone wants
to speak to 'er.

Take some popcorn. - Go away,
Manulach! I don't want any!

Why did ya want t' see me, Zone?

You are poor...

If you eat f'r lunch,
there's nothin' f'r dinner.

Vaska's getting' married.
You c'n work f'r us as a maid.

I won't be a servant but
at me mama's home.

And at your husband's?

If God would let me, I'll serve
me husband too. - Mane, you mean?

You lowly nobody!

What's that you said?!

So, you will not be my maid?
- No. I'm not good enough for

your house! - But good 'nough
for the oro, you are?

Don't listen to her, Kalina,
go away.

Zone sends her greetings
to you! - Ha? Vaska, right?

What's that she said?

"Zone sends 'er greetin's"!

Mane, hey! Papa! - Mancha, eh,
you ass! He lights a cigarette

only once a year! - Only when
we make a good deal!

This looks like some
love-affair.

Zone, here he comes!

Strolling 'round vineyards all
day, the gun on his shoulder!

And all night long
Gypsies're dancin' for him.

A sweetheart in every street!
Zone, Zone!

Woe to me! She danced with him
in the oro! - Nothing happened.

He just danced next to me
in the oro. - And what was

a chorbaci-daughter doin' in
the oro? - You advised me well

the other day - to hang myself!
- Lf he were a merchant at least!

But he's a nobody! - It'd be
all right that he's poor,

if only he were a modest and
humble boy like Manulach!

Like father, like son - he's
Djordjija's blood... A rascal!

Stanika is lying sick,
oh, oh, lying in her bed

Stanika is lying sick,
oh, oh, sick with grief,

sick with love,
oh, oh, sick with love.

Vaska... I'm dying.

Hullo to you, young master-Mane.
- Oh, hallo Vaska...

Come, sit down.

Are you well? - I am...

Take it, that's for you.
- Oh, no, I couldn't...

C'me on, take it, I know you're
gettin' married. - Thank you.

And... Zone?

Zone... she's sick with grief.
- Why so?

Well, how sh'll I say...
She's cryin' all the time.

Vaska, aren't you lying t' me?
- So 'elp me God, Mane, I'm not.

She's crying and cryin'...
- Crying?

And 'bout me, what does she say?
- Don't you understand?

She's so very keen on you...

Aha! You ass!
What am I to you? Ha?

You haven't told your auntie!
- Told yo 'bout what?

'Bout the chorbaci,
about Zamfir-Zone!

Auntie, please don't let the
word leak... - Why hide it?

I couldn't ask... - Couldn't?
Why? - You know who they are!

You know who we are!
- You just drowse away here,

I'll do the job for you.
'Ts gonna be easy! - Aunt Doka!

You know your craft,
I know mine! Just sit back and

watch me work. - Doka! Woe to you
if we end up in some trouble!

Calm down, I'm not some stupid
peasant-woman.

I'll get on politely,
like a politician.

Jevda! Our Mancha knows what's
real worth. He's a goldsmith,

he knows the gold's worth!
- What gold, you sillly?!

Zamfir's gold! Mane and Zone are
in love! - Doka, you crazy woman,

stop talking nonsense!
- Ah, how 'andsome they are!

What 'andsome children they'll
have when they get married!

And you, granny, will dance th'm
on your lap! - Stop babbling.

The likes of us have no business
with the likes of them!

I'll see to that business!
- Auntie!

Don't you worry. I'll beat 'bout
the bush f'r a while,

and it'll come out neat,
like an eng'neer's plan!

Mama! She'll make a mess,
a scandal! - Crazy she is,

outright crazy!

I wonder...
nobody to call on us...

Not even Aglajica...
nor Hristina.

Not even Zujche to cast cards
for our fortune. - Strange...

Hadji-mistress, she's at home?
- Hush! She's at home,

but the hadji-master is asleep.
- So let 'im sleep!

I don't wish to see him,
but the hadji-mistress.

Didya notice how she shut the
door b'hind her? - I did!

That means she's here on
marriage business!

Eh, how d'ya know?!
- That's a custom, adet -

it means - 'May the enemies'
mouths be shut up like this'!

Howdy, howdy,
are you well?

What're you doin'?
- Nothin'. Sittin'...

Drowsin' away, you mean, like
cats by the hearth...

Eh, you're always
the same old Doka...

I wouldn't bother t' come...

...but I have a problem.
- What problem?

Why're you standin'
here like that?! Go out!

I can sip me coffee
without you!

Eh?

Why don't you give away that
little lassie, Tashana?

What little lass?
- Your Zone, that's what...

All in due time! As they say,
when you have gold, it's easy

t' find a good goldsmith. - You
silly women, that's just what

I'm talking 'bout! It's 'bout
the goldsmith I'm telling you,

'bout our Mancha. - What's that
said?! - Why don't you give 'er

to our Mancha? They are in love!
- Who told you that?!

The whole town knows that!
Now, I'm askin' you,

are you willing to give the girl
to him? - No, we aren't!

It's not for you to say -
I'm askin' Tashana! If you are

lookin' for a good match.
- You're late, we've already

found a match! - A clerk seeks a
clerk's match, and so does

an officer. Each rank seeks a
match of its own standing.

It's not proper for her to marry
Mane. - Not proper? Why? - He's

got no pants of his own! He's
hanging out with music players.

Very well! Give 'er to Manulach
that chorbaci-Jordan's fool!

But you'll be sorry when she
starts sending love-massages,

shefteli-scarves, to other lads!
- What didya say, you wretched

nobody, what?! Shame on you!
Oh, God forbid!

Quiet, women! Calm down!
Yelling's unbecoming!

Tell me, hadji, why aren't we a
proper match - aren't we of the

same Christian faith? - Come,
come, let's part in peace.

Says she "chorbaci-house,
chorbaci-daughter". Mind you,

nobody's candle c'n burn all
night long! - Enough, now!

You came here, tried to fix
Ajde a marriage, b't you failed.

Now go home - you can't
do anythin' by force.

Ah, don't we know 'bout you.
What w's your grandfather?

A trough-maker! And your father?
And now - "Chorbaci we are!"

Enough, I said!

You're climbing down the ladder,
and my Mane is climbing up yet!

Don't you say! A dog pictured
h'mself wearing breeches

'nd ran t' dance in the oro...

A dog in the breeches? You
wretched chorbaci-nobody!

Who is a dog? Just you wait
'till I take my slippers off,

I'll have them t' your head!

I'll bomb you like the Serbs
bombed Mitad-Pasha

on Vinik-hill! You wretched
trough-marker!

You are a guest in my home!
What am I to do to you?

I'll fight you in the middle
of the street f'r what you said

"a dog in the breeches"!

Oh, Lord Almighty!
- We'll have a good fight!

Zone, my daughter!

You invited this one t' my
home?! You took care of my face

Very well! You wish to b'come
related to crazy Doka!

Mane you wish to marry?
Girlfried in each street he has!

Enough! - Them he
needs for fun, and our girl

just to to get into
a chorbaci-family! - Hush, Taske!

This you shall remember! If I
hear a bad word 'bout you once

again, I'll bury you here! You
won't see daylight ever again!

Nobody in Nish will know that
hadji-Zamfir has a daughter

in his home. Und'rstood?!
- Und'rstood.

Wait a minute, Mane!

Don't be angry with me, don't
be sorry, a tiniest bit.

They didn't want t' give you
this girl - so what? There're

plenty of girls, as many girls
as you wish. - Oh, auntie!

My Mancha - a dog in the
breeches? But I told them back

a few things, I did... They will
never... - Enough now, auntie!

'Your Mane is a dog in the
breeches', said master to her.

And you, bitch, are about to get
a nice cytek!

Ah, ah!
Vaska, Vasilia, watch out!

Zone! - What d'you want of me?

That Doka, nobody sent 'er.
Don't you listen to what

she said... - So, what she said
isn't true? - No, it is true,

but she shouldn't have...
- Why are you telling me this,

why should I care?

I can't sleep...
- Ah, ah...

I'm just wandering about, like
an ox when he eats honeysuckle.

I've gone completely mad,
Zone... - Let me pass!

I'm a master-craftsman.
I can support a wife...

The town is swarming with girls.
Become a Muslim and take a dozen

wives if you wish! - But there's
only one I want! - Let me go!

I'll cover you with sterling
silver and gold, you'll shine

like Saint Mother of God, The
Three-handed! I'll work just for

you from daybreak to sunset.
- What will you eat if you don't

sell anything? - I'll do whatever
you want. When you say

'go away', I will...
- So go away. Let me go.

Zone, I know everything.

Your folks won't let you
marry me. - No.

I'll take you away by force, if
only you say 'yes'. - No!

Who are you 'fraid of?
No! - Why?

We are not a proper match for
each other... - So, you have

a better match? Manulach?
- Who knows? There are plenty...

Zone, listen!
- Leave me alone!

That's what you want?
- That's what I want!

Eh, you chorbaci-bitch.

You'll long remember your own
words - 'a dog in the breeches'!

'A dog in the breeches' -
who can that be?!

And so he was left there,
desperate like Adam driven away

from heaven, standing
in front of the Eden gate.

Didn' get a word of that!
B't sounds right!

I've heard he proposed to
Zamfir's Zona? - 'You are just

a dog in breeches', said hadji
to him. - A dog in the breeches!

Are you sorry you're getting
married? D'you grieve for your

mother Tashana? You won't sleep
at your mama's ever again...

C'me on, play some music,
don't stop!

People,
let's jump 'n' dance!

Dog in the breeches!
Dog in the breeches!

Let's hang a tendzera-pot on his
tail and set him off to run

in the streets in his breeches!

Hey, are you blind? It's not a
dog. It's Mane, the goldsmith!

He's already been shamed enough,
you don't need to hang

a tendzera on him!
- The bitch is lying!

That is not Mane,
I am Mane, and that's a dog!!

Let's be honest - you are
thinking about her?

Ah, friend, I'm thinking 'bout
getting me revenge,

getting even with that
chorbaci-bitch!

If you need anything -
we are here for you...

Through thick and thin!

Auntie's nephie! - Auntie, you
got me into a nice fix with your

marriage-arranging. - Who, me?
- That's why you'll help me now.

If we are to fight it out -
my fists are ready!

Oh, no. This business's gonna
be crazy as you are, auntie.

Sit over here.
- Waiter-boy! A mastic-brandy!

Here's my plan...

Aferim! Great! You are...

...your auntie's nephie!
- Such a slur on their good name

won't fade 'way easily... - That
suits me fine! Chorbaci-mules!

Conspiracy! - Mastic-brandy!
- For this business

we'll have t' find a young lass,
thin and tall.

Here am I! - Not that thin.
All right, you used to be...

I bet I c'n jump over that
fence better th'n you! - Quiet!

Conspiracy! - What's
that word anyway?! - Hush!

Aha, hush-hush!

Master, a customer's waiting...
- Let 'im wait.

This is the lass. - Lass, come
sit here. - I'm no lass...

We'll also need a coachman.
- There's Stavra The Kid. I'll go

ask 'im. - I'm no lass. - Quiet!
- Aunt-Doka will fix you,

you'll come out a regular
beauty. - Mane! If you say so,

I'll take 'er away together with
all her aunts! - Hush!

Discretion, men!
- Discretion!

Waiter, where's that
mastic-brandy?

Oh, quiet, silly!

Oho! What was that?!

Hey, people, what can this be?!?

Aaahhh! Zamfir's lassie's
eloped!

Who the hack took 'er away?

Rumours, rumours!
Who could give us some facts

about the last night's event?
- I can! I saw it all!

Zone eloped with a lad! Ran away
and took all her things!

Yes, but who with, who!?

Where's your master, boys?

Hasn't showed up 't all.

Interesting! - Howdy! Good
morning! How are you?

He's stalking with a gun in his
hand! - Be careful...

...he's dangerous.

Danger is the name of my
occupation, gentlemen.

You sh'd give up your
scribbling.

'Cause you might stumble o'er
some cytek in the dark.

I thought he was a man
of the world...

Poor jackdaw!

If Zone really eloped,
look for 'er at Manulach's.

Woe to you, Taska! Why did your
Zone lose face like that? - What?

Your Zone's eloped! Why didn't
you give 'er away with blessing?

Why this shame and scandal?
- Did you see it with your

own eyes? - Plenty saw.
- Who took her away?!

Mane came with a coach,
knocked 'n the gate, she ran out

'n jumped into the carriage!
- Not only did she jump in!

She took all 'er things, too -
'er quilt, 'er pillows,

the cradle...
- Howdy to you, Taska!

Shut up, you bitch! - What's new
at your relatives'?

Anybody getting' married?
- Why squabble with a fool?

Send my regards to the
chorbaci-family!

Sir, could I speak to your son?
- 'F course, why not.

Manulach, my son, c'me out f'r a
minute! - Congratulations,

you brave young man! Can I see
the bride? - What bride, what!?

Zona, of course! I'd like a
word with her, too... - Zone?

What are you talking about, ha?
- Go away!

This is a respectful house!
Go away!

This is a respectful house!

Much water will have run under
the Nishava bridge before they

become aware of the
importance of press.

Zone!

Where's your Zone?
- She's home, why?

Is that true?

She's here, she is! Why are you
staring at me like that!?

Listen here!
This is how it happened.

We were positioned over there by
the drinking-fountain;

then we heard a loud bang and
turned round. We saw: Zone,

together with an unidentified
man, jumped into a coach and

drove off, destination unknown.
- So, Zone's eloped.

Aha! Where is your Zone, where?!

Eloped, eloped...

Is the press allowed in?

Get lost! Go away!

That's very kind of you.

Here's Zone!

You fools, haven't you heard
the rumour?!

Oh, dear me, what is it?
- That Zone eloped!

We've lost face in the whole
town! - That Zone eloped with

that rascal Mancha! - But how c'n
that be when she's at home!?

That beats me, Tashana!
- May the Lord be their judge!

Tryin' to ruin a girl's
happiness! - That crazy Doka...

...must've spread the rumour!
May she drop dead with plague!

May she be shaking in fever...

...from St Dimitrije's to
St George's Day!

Sergeant, sir, they say there's
been some shooting...

Possible...

And that hadji-Zamfir's been
wounded? - No, that's not true.

He's out in the country.
- With his chiftchi-women.

What a shame - a grandpapa!

Sergeant, sir, could that be
your 'unidentified man'?

Ah, by no means. - God forbid...

Why this mob
'n front of me gate?!

Hallo, what's new?
Who's getting' married?

Gentlemen, I have the right
heading for my paper:

"Parents, take good care of
your daughters!"

Zone, my dear daughter...
See the front gate over there?

That's exactly how far you c'n
go without your elders!

C'mon now, have somethin'
to eat... - No, we can't eat.

She's eloped and she's at
home!? How c'n that be!?

Somebody framed us, fixed us up.
- But who could've done that?

Taska b'lieves it w's crazy Doka
that set the rumour going...

But, why?! - 'Cause we wouldn't
let our Zone marry Mane. - Eh!?

And for those words of yours
'a dog in the breeches'. - Eh?!

Never mind who framed us - we
can't let it go on like this.

Women, what are we t' do?
Taska, c'me on,

you can think quickest...

Tomorrow we must take
our little Zone out -

into the promenade. She
must be seen with us.

We'll take 'er to the hammam and
through all the town-streets!

We'll see what they'll say when
they see Zone.

So be it. I hope to God it turns
out right. God help us!

Zone, come sit down.

Vaska, it's all my fault...

Oh, don't say that Zone.

I acted up too proud, Vaska...
"I'll cover you with gold!

You'll shine like Saint Mother
of God, The Three-handed",

he said, and I told him off
and ran 'im down...

Eh, come, come, dear,
don't say that...

Look, that's Zone! Zone!

Look well, you short-sighted
fools! "Zone's eloped"?

You liars!

Did you call gendarmes
to bring her back?

Taska, where didya find 'er?
- Shut up, bitch!

Eloped! Who took you?

How didya manage t' bring
'er back so quick?

Eloped! Eloped!

Taska, Zone's now just like a
used stamp! - Away, bitch!

Plague on you!

Hallo to you, Manulach!
Your folks at home?

They are, aunt-Taska.

Three army officers asked for
our Zone's hand...

Three officers fr'm the acad'my
and two active ones. - Nice...

But we say, why send 'er far
away when there're honest

merchants here 't home...

What is it, Manulach,
master-Zamfir's folks came

to ask for your hand?
- Aha!

Aferim! Great!

But Taska, dear, our child's not
yet of age t' marry.

Why not, say!? - We may send him
off to study in Gratz.

He's an old horse for s'hool!

And what 'bout Mane?
Such a modest boy...

And I've heard that
he and Zone...

Mama, why?! - Nobody fr'm our
fam'ly has ever, thank God,

married an eloped girl!

Sergeant,
that case remains unsolved,

full of contradictions...
- Ah, what can we do...

Could I ask your friend a few
questions? - You'd better not.

One did yesterday
and got beaten up.

Stop!

Let's sing a new song,
about Zone!

I can't understand a word.
I'll read, you play:

Little Zamfir-Zone is sitting
at her front gate,

there comes young lad Manulach...
- But I didn't! I didn't...

"Hallo to you, Zone what are
your folks at home doing?"

"They are all fine,
all doing quite nicely,

My aunts keep calling on
to see me in my room,

Keep asking me, all day long,
Are you still at home, Zone?"

'Morrow morning we'll send 'er
to Leskovac,

she c'n stay with our son-in-law
'till the dust settles.

In Leskovac, too, already,
isn't it! - Yes, arrived before

you yourself did...

Here in Pirot, that awful song
is sung by duets, triplets,

quartets and even choirs!

I could stay at Done's in Vranje
for a while? - I told them that

you were here. But they wrote
back that you shouldn't be sent

over there, 'till some wretched
song 'bout you gets hushed down.

My poor child! It's been a whole
year! What she's been through

since she w's slandered to h've
eloped! - Her heart only knows.

She's bound to b'come
a spinster, that's for sure...

Oh, c'me on! She's only
seventeen!

In our time,
girls got married 't fifteen.

There was a nightingale,
but I wouldn't listen.

If you would allow me
just a few...

Ah, very kind of you!

Hi, cute!

Don't stand up,
keep on working...

What c'n I do for you, hadji...

This cigarette-holder -
its ring went off...

It'll be done in no time, hadji.

I'll wait here, then.

I have dozens of holders 't
home, but this one's special.

If I were to lose it, I'd quit
smokweakest altogether.

Why is that so?

It's the same with children.
One c'n have dozens,

all healthy and handsome,
but there's one...

...the smallest one,
the weakest...

...but Papa loves it
above all others.

Why should that be so?

And what are you doing?

You're wasting your youth,
Mancha...

You should get married.

Well, I will. - Have you asked
for some lass?

No. I haven't... - Who would turn
you down? Is there such

a man in Nish?!

They say - a rake,
a skirt-chaser...

Why should I ask when I know
they won't give me the girl?

Have you come to ask me to
arrange a marriage for you,

with a merchant's daughter?
You haven't!

How much?

Nothing.
- Thanks, Mancha.

And if you decide to get
married, you come to me.

Look there!

How much did you pay for that
Wertheim's safe-box?

Six hundred the big one and
two small ones - fifty each.

Eh, you have three of them!?
No button-maker are you -

you are s goldsmith, a jeweller!
And one of us!

They're playing a different
tune now! As I see it,

the business is done. - Done?
What - the hadji throws a bone,

and the dog in the breeches
jumps for it? That will not be!

There, there child...

Either you'll be my mama
this autumn,

or I'll be lying in me grave
this spring...

Come, come,
what a thing to say...

What is it, Mama?

You are a merciless brute, you
don't fear God! - Me?! Why?

You've ruined a girl's
happiness!

Not me, mama, I haven't...
- Yes, you have. I know you

Very well. What do you want -
to get married,

and leave her cursing you?
- I'm not getting married, mama.

A slandered girl's curse -
beware son! Come to your senses!

Mane!

Don't you recognise me?
Easy! I'm no outlaw-robber!

Vaska, is that you, girl?!
- Ah, I'm not a girl any more.

I married Gmitrach,
the pott'ry-maker.

Hallo, there! - Howdy.

I have a message f'r you.

Wait!
Zone sends you her regards.

D'you hear me? She says she
can't live without you.

That I've heard before.

She fooled me once -
she won't once again.

She sent these flowers f'r you.
Not the roses of May, she says,

but neither's she what she used
t' be. - It's good this dog's got

a belt on his breeches so he c'n
put the flow'rs in it. - C'me on!

You are a dog in the breeches
'nd Zone has eloped - so what?

She could do it for real! Just
come and take 'er away.

A lowly nobody to marry a
chorbaci-daughter?!

Why are you so spiteful!?
You stubborn silly!!!

Give this to 'im, Zone said...

What is it?!

A shefteli-scarf!

Shefteli?!

Zone sent it for me!?
- Take this to him, Zone said,

and ask 'im if he's ever heard
th't a girl sent such a message

to a boy before. - You are
lying to me. - I swear I'm not.

If you b'lieve in God,
you'll understand how painfully

her soul's suff'ring.

"I'll do this", said Zone,
"and he c'n do what he pleases".

What shall I tell 'er?

You'll get a good cytek,
I promise you! - Quiet! Taska!

This business
would be finished easily,

if only some of us
went for a walk... - Doka!

Me!? Me?
- Go out!

Taska!
- Why me, now!?

Ah, now we'll have a good fight!
Away, I'll pull your hair out.

Hadji...

It's 'papa' for you...

Papa, I'm asking you to give me
your Zone's hand.

You shouldn't give her any
dowry. - Oh, not so, my son.

I'll give you a house
and five hundred gold coins!

I'll give as much.
To cover my bride with gold!

She'll shine like Saint Mother
of God, The Three-handed.

Young master-Mane!

Here's Manulach. - Your dever,
the bride's best man.

I don't want him. - Why?
- He's got no shape for a dever.

But his shape was fine when for
your bridegroom, ha?

There, there, it was just
a nightmare I had -

Manulach was your bridegroom.

C'me on, you won't be crying
fr'm now on! - Mane!

My dear dever! - Not me.
I can't be your dever. - Why now?

Papa sends me to collect money
from our debtors.

I'll buy you a golden earring,
papa's precious!

No, no, it can't be...

I'll buy you patent-leather
shoes, too! - No, it can't be.

'Cause money's worth
a lot today, it's recess'on.

A, don't you say! So, that's
that? - That's that.

Good bye to you.

This bridegroom
you dreamt for me, ha?!

Why, I dreamt of myself as a dog
in the breeches, too.

I was at your wedding, and the
dog headed the oro,

but then you shouted "Are you
blind? That's no dog,

that's Mane,
Mane the goldsmith!"

You are my dog in the breeches.

And you are my eloped girl.

Come on, play some music, men,
don't stop!

It's a wedding!
Let's all jump 'n' dance!

Will you be my kum, my groom's
best man? - And, my dever?

Kum and dever I won't be!
The bridegroom - I will!

Hey, Taska! Why are you still
angry? Look at them!

Just like a blue hyacinth
and a green daffodil!

Quiet, please! May I have
a moment of your attention.

Look here... Say 'cheese'!

Let me ask you somethin',
my son-in-law... - Yes, papa.

But, tell me the truth.
- I will, papa.

It was you, wasn't it, that
cooked up all that mess?

It wasn't me, papa.
- Neither me, hadji.

I know it wasn't you, Manulach.

Nobody could've done that
but a son of Djordjia!

I can swear I didn't do it.
- So, do swear, come on, ela...

Look over here...

...one, two, three...
Done!

Let's hear
what Mane's got to say...

I didn't do it, papa,
so help me St. Evstatie,

the hunters' patron-saint...
I didn't, on my hunter's luck.

If you don't believe me
- ask my aunt Doka!

It wasn't us, God forbid!

Ah, you scallywag!
I forgive you!

And now you can make a statement
for the public. - What?

To give this story
a happy-ending.

Mind your own business!
Get lost!

Pan Franchishek!

Play my song! I'm taking my
bride home now!

Gentlemen, let's play
"The Girls of Nish"!

What a crowd!

Everyone wishes to be an
eye-witness of Mane's victory.

A witness of an event which
will long be remembered in Nish.

But the best witness is -
a writer!