Aleksandra Page #3

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- Cream.

- What kind?

Face cream.

What for?

- Cream?

- Yes.

- What for?

- Nothing.

-Where are you from?

- Stavropol.

-To see someone?

- My grandson.

- How old is he?

- 27. He's an officer.

What does he do?

No idea.

Did something happen to him?

No, I missed him.

I live on my own.

What's your name?

Malika.

I'm Alexandra Nikolaevna.

It's stifling.

-The heat!

- We're used to it.

When we look

at the Russian soldiers...

They seem tiny.

Just boys...

Even if they smell like men...

They look like kids.

The Slavs really are different.

And there are so many ofyou...

Yes, but we don't understand

what happens inside, we get muddled.

Always looking for something...

Keep looking.

Who does he belong to?

Your young folk are angry.

There are all kinds.

He was nice when he was little.

He's totally changed.

He does what he likes now.

I'm afraid

they'll all get like that.

No-one's buying.

That's true.

-What are you doing?

- Putting this away.

You speak good Russian.

- I know.

All the opportunities in my life

were in Russia.

I was a teacher.

You're so tired.

Give me that bag. Yes, that one.

- Give me the jacket.

-There you are.

Let's see what you need.

- Cigarettes and 4 cookies...

- Take them.

I live nearby.

Come and have a rest at my place.

Here's Zoulai!

If anyone wants anything,

sell it to them and take the money.

I'm hot. Let's go home.

I live in an old building.

It's stifling. I hardly slept.

-What about your stall?

- It's alright.

They sell cigarettes here, too,

but they're expensive.

Not very far now.

The men just stand there, chatting!

Come on, don't worry.

This way.

Help my guest!

I'm alright.

Straight ahead. Second floor.

Careful on the stairs.Turn left.

Come in. Sit wherever you like.

I'll go get changed.

I made it at last.

You can lie down if you want.

Thank you.

Make yourself comfortable.

You must be hot in your jacket.

My God, can we, at our age...

start over?

It's a bit late.

Yes... My leg hurts.

What about your stall?

A friend and the neighbor

will keep an eye on it.

- You saw Zoulai.

- Oh yes, you told me.

That'll be OK.

It's boiling already.

Lie down.

It's incredible how hot it is.

This heat is stifling.

I won't ask any questions,

I understand that you're all alone.

Why "all alone"?

- Lie down.

-Thank you.

Let's start with painful matters...

Your shoes...

Oh, bliss!

-The pillow.

- I have an apartment, flowers...

Is your head alright?

My husband died 2 years ago.

It was hard, living with him.

He was cruel,

he shouted all the time.

Now I'm free, I lead a quiet life.

I've stopped living for others.

-The tea's not good.

- It smells good.

- What flavor is it?

- Flavor! This tea's foul!

When the officers barter it,

it's very different.

Do they barter much?

They barter everything:

uniforms, coats

with epaulettes and medals...

They're young.

You've finished. Give me your bowl.

A little more?

I told you it was bad.

What a fool I am!

Coming on this journey, with my legs!

Have you got brothers and sisters?

A very old brother.

The youngest was killed,

as were 2 of my sisters.

My youngest sister

is in the mountains with her son.

I haven't heard from her

in over a year.

You're so good to me.

"Good"...

Why be bad?

Men can be enemies,

but we're like sisters straightaway.

Do you think it's so simple?

I think I lived like that

not very long ago.

Everything's been destroyed here.

Not just the houses.

Life has been turned upside down.

Good guys collude with bad guys,

saints believe devils.

They say fine words.

They lie all the time...

Pay no attention.

Ours is a happy people.

We like to laugh.

I'd like you to see my home...

Don't worry, Alexandra.

- We don't abandon old folks here.

- I know.

I'll always have a roof.

Well, I better head off.

I promised I'd bring back

cigarettes and cookies.

-What are you looking for?

- My bag.

-There it is.

- I forgot!

Wait, I'll go get the boy next door.

What for?

-To take you back.

-There's no need.

That's how it is.

Wait just a second.

- Really...

- Be right back.

I nearly forgot my jacket.

Zoulai! Are you back?

My God...

I have a guest. Is llyas home?

He has to take Alexandra

back to the camp.

Hello.

Hello.

Come in here.

Alexandra...

This is the boy next door.

He knows a short cut.

Alright, let's go.

How can you live here?

It's bearable in summer.

We're used to it.

Give me your hand.

Not too fast.

The steps are steep. Thank you.

#Be seeing you.#

Take care of yourself, dear lady.

Goodbye.

Wait, don't go too fast.

Look where you walk.

#Up you go.#

#Let's go inside.#

Some short cut!

Where on earth are we going?

It's the quickest way.

Let's carry on, then.

- Have you ever traveled?

- No.

Where'd you like to go?

To see Mecca...

And to your Saint Petersburg.

I'll leave you to get to Mecca.

But I can help you

get to Saint Petersburg.

What are you thinking about?

I know it's not up to you,

but give us our freedom.

We're tired

and we won't last forever.

Who's "we"?

My boy...

If only it was so simple!

There are limits to one's patience.

An old Japanese woman once said to me

what you should ask God for, first.

"Ask for intelligence,"

she told me.

Strength doesn't lie in weapons

or in one's hands.

Let's go.

You want freedom...

If I had your freedom...

I can see your camp.

How about that!

-Where did you get to?

- Hello.

I missed a meal. Here I am.

It's dinnertime!

Yes, let's have dinner.

You haven't eaten?

It must be cold by now...

Let's go.

Evening.

- Andrey.

- llyas.

Raise the barrier.

I'm tired.

I got what you asked for.

That's for you.

Thank you very much.

For you.

There's this, too...

What about me?

Where did you come from?

I didn't see you.

Ask your pals.

- I was here.

- Don't lie.

Lift it up!

- Goodbye, llyas... Thank you.

- Let's go.

There was no need to buy all that.

It's never-ending.

Let's go.

That way? Alright.

Because of you,

all day, the officers...

Where's the captain?

In your tent. He must be furious:

He's been taking it out on me.

Go away! Watch it!

Alexandra Nikolaevna.

-What are they doing?

- Drying their clothes.

Watch your step.

What're you doing here?

Let's go on.

What's going on? Where's the table?

Over here.

Over here? Alright.

- Where's the table?

- What table?

Where's the guard?

Guard!

-Who are you?

- Private Katounov.

What's going on?

Where's the table? And dinner?

OK, get the table

and put it there.

- It'll be ready soon.

- Good.

Hurry up.

It should have been ready ages ago.

- What's for dinner?

- What's left.

What do you mean?

-Well, what?

- You'll see.

Can't see a thing!

Turn the light on!

Anton!

What?

Anton, hurry up and serve us.

It's cold now.

- Got the bread?

- And the salad?

Don't push me!

- I've got the flowers!

- What flowers?

Thanks for not eating everything.

It's cold.

Come on...

it's for her.

It's perfect.

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