Aferim! Page #6

I see.

I thought he'd kill me.

I'll make a complaint,

curse his soul.

What can we do, sweet lady?

That's the way of the world,

the man has the right

to punish his wife.

That's our law.

Yes, since Noah's days.

Adam himself kicked Eve

in the stomach...

Oh, keep your mouth shut!

In the new law,

and even in Ipsilanti's codes,

man is asked to beat his wife,

but with kindness.

What kindness?

He broke my back.

And I'm no lowborn or slave...

As Basarab's book of law says:

"Women shall be less castigated than men,

as they are dimmer of wit

and weaker before sin"...

I'm a dean's daughter, not a...

- Did he beat you with a cane, or a sword...?

- With his fists.

Then there's nothing to do.

Had he used a cane,

I'd have taken your complaint myself.

But you have no grounds.

I'm here for the night pot.

Even the Metropolitan

would say he was right.

Being guilty of adultery...

I'm not guilty of anything.

Tell me what happened.

Carfin says it was

you who lured him...

I will not speak of that.

Merciful lady, he has a soul, too.

If the boyar beats him,

or kills him for nothing...

'Tis a great sin on your head...

Fine.

Tell the boyar it's my fault as well,

so he'll leave him be.

Many thanks.

We'll just interrogate him

and give him his fair share.

By our Christian law.

Don't be distressed,

I'll tell the boyar

to be more gentle with you.

Thank you, Carfin.

But he's a bad man.

He said he'd lock me up

in the monastery.

He only seems mean,

but he's got a heart of gold.

We'll talk to him.

We'll leave you with God.

Stay with God, lady!

Close that!

Long live our bright lord!

I have seven children, bright lord.

Look at him.

- Aferim, Costandin!

- Please, a word with you.

Take the hawk.

I was sure you wouldn't find him.

I wanted to send a posse.

We swore we'd find him!

To serve your lordship,

we'd go through fire.

Aferim, Costandin,

may you live as long as the Coltea Tower.

He who serves his master with zilos

is loved by God.

True, bright lord!

- Where had he run off to?

- Working as a craftsman's slave.

- In our county?

- No. Ionita found him.

- He shot him, too.

- Aferim, Ionita!

Good day, bright lord!

Watch this hawk well.

It's a gift for Medvedkin.

Yes, bright lord.

- They caught Carfin, bright lord!

- 'Course!

Gather the crows, the servants and the lady.

Herd all the crows here!

Bless you, bright lord!

And the chibouk.

Bright lord, how should I put this...

Right...

As agreed. Here.

Thank you!

We need a writ of receipt

for our ruler.

Of course.

Where's that feather?

- Isn't it there?

- It isn't.

- Here it was.

- You again.

Bright lord,

there's something else.

Say it.

I know that this filthy maggot

blotted your honour...

But we've learned

he's not the only one guilty.

He is,

but Lady Sultana is more at fault.

She confessed it herself.

None of your business.

Cobbler, stick to your last!

Of course.

But 'tis my duty,

if I smell trickery...

Noble lord, whip him, just don't kill him.

Are you seeking trouble?

Tired of being a lawkeeper here?

- No, bright lord.

- Well, then...

I was just thinking...

Wax!

- Take this!

- God bless you.

Your ishlik, master!

Sara, come with us!

He's a smart, hardworking slave...

- Who?

- Carfin.

Bring that dagger!

How about we write

Mahmud over in Istanbul?

- Who?

- We.

To ask him to award Carfin

the Nishan Iftikhar order,

since he's such a good Gypsy.

Or the Russians,

to give him the Saint Vladimir?

Psihi-mu, a word with you,

if I may.

What words could you have with me?

I have thoughts that

put me in great turmoil...

Iordache, please!

Shedding many a bitter tear

For her fun of yester year.

Where's that Vasile?

- He went to fetch Lady Sultana.

- Tell him to hurry!

Forgive him, master!

Take pity!

What, they forgot the water

when they christened you?

He'll be fine.

Enough whining!

May your lady and your bright children

live long and happy!

Are you pleased, agapi-mu,

for making me the town's laughingstock?

Me, your honourable spouse?

And with a Gypsy, too?!

Everyone laughs at me

like I'm an idiot.

Even the chickens laugh at me.

Even toddlers.

Get him out of the stocks!

Vasile! Grab his hands!

Carfin's, you idiot!

Get him!

Oh, Carfin!

Such a snake I raised by my manor...

Such a venomous viper...

Let him be,

it wasn't his fault!

You soiled my life,

you crow!

Forgive me, master, 'tain't my fault!

I treated you well,

like all my slaves.

I gave you food,

I gave you clothing,

I didn't beat you...

And you...

Venomous asp!

It was her fault,

not mine!

Don't kill him!

Help, kind people, he'll kill me!

Constable, help me!

Noble lord, better let him get

his punishment from the ruler,

by the law...

You shut up!

Out of my sight, worm!

Vasile! Raise his legs!

Give me the dagger!

Raise his cock, too!

Hold him!

Bright lord, try with this.

Hold him!

That'll teach him!

Let it be a lesson to you all.

If you think of doing such things here.

I'll find out.

Cut his cock too, master!

Here, kera-mu,

eat his bollocks

since you were so fond of loving...

Walk him around town,

for all to see

he's lost his bollocks,

then bring him back,

I have more to discuss with him.

Then take his wife to the fair

and trade her for another,

I will not see her here again.

Understood, bright lord.

Only the law doesn't allow

to break apart a clan of slaves...

That's your job!

Bribe someone if you must.

Let's go back home, son.

Stultus numerus infinitus...

Come on, f*** it,

don't be a rag.

Be a man, not flesh with eyes!

I'm fine, father.

He ain't your f***in' brother.

God even looks after worms

and we can't look after each other...

This world will stay as it is,

you can't change it,

try as you might.

We live as we can,

not as we want.

But you'll be fine, my boy.

I'll get you into the army,

you'll be a real man.

You'll live through a war or two,

you'll make officer, mark my words.

See?

Life will be better

and we'll have a chance to rest.

Some narrative situations and pieces of dialogue

have been taken from historical documents

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