Russian Ark Page #4

I'll move ahead.

Maybe I'll meet old acquaintances.

Good luck. I'll find you later.

Mighty sovereign emperor!

The peaceful nature of persia

and the sacred union that exists...

among his majesty and the shah

were both upset by evil.

Under its power,

a frenzied tehran crowd...

committed unheard-of acts of evil.

the resulting victim was the Russian mission.

The honest heart of Fetkh-Ali-Shah...

was horrified by the idea

that a handful of wrongdoers...

might destroy our peace and union.

His majesty the shah has sent me,

his grandson...

to request that you, sovereign...

erase from memory this event.

Let the world know that,

despite this terrible event...

two wise monarchs,

with their infinite wisdom...

speak openly

and vanquish all suspicion.

With the greatest joy,

I stand before you...

your imperial majesty.

I carry out my grandfather's will...

that we strengthen peace...

between our two peoples.

His imperial majesty...

commands me

to assure your excellence...

of his pleasure

at hearing your explanation...

as well as the righteous plea...

of your sovereign.

I've been observing you.

Who let you enter?

- You have no business here.

- That's correct.

Then you must leave at once.

Off you go, sir! Away!

- I had no intention of staying.

- Away!

This ceremony will continue

for a few more hours still.

As a former diplomat,

I'm aware of that.

A terrible boredom

will set in. Terrible!

Leave me alone!

- And what is that?

- What did you say?

I adore luxury

and regal splendour.

Stasov wasn't a bad architect.

He loved discipline,

but left space for breathing.

We cannot stay here.

The ceremony will finish.

Then they will all come in.

My god!

Sevres porcelain, my weakness!

- Beautiful.

- Yes, yes!

- Inimitable!

- Beautiful.

This is the cameo service?

Yes, it is.

Not so close, please.

What gold!

Sir, it's awkward setting the table

with you here.

You can admire it later

when you are seated. Please do go away.

What pure tones!

The blue and gold are enchanting.

And the wine-sediment colour!

Always such marvellous cooks here

in the winter palace.

Do you recall the taste of food?

No, I have forgotten.

You've forgotten...

visit the other salons while waiting

for the dinner bell.

- That blue!

- Please, sir.

There's dancing. Come on.

Let's leave here.

- We're being chased away.

- Chased away...

it's so dark here.

Heavens!

I see you have never seen a Tsar...

nor grand princes

in all their magnificence.

- Monarchy is not eternal.

- As if I didn't know...

don't I have the right

to dream a little?

We are free, you and I.

Dream away.

There's someone here.

Do you hear voices?

Sir, don't you hear them?

No, I don't hear anything.

Look, someone is moving there.

Where?

Mr. Orbeli, I don't understand.

What has upset you so?

You and my father know:

No insect can harm this throne.

- It's made of silver and treated oak.

- It's not the throne.

I'm very worried.

See that velour from lyons.

It's completely worn out.

- We'll restore it. Be patient.

- You don't have the time.

You're right, Boris.

We don't have time either.

You won't ever see him again.

Speak!

He's your son.

What difficulty are they having?

They seem uncomfortable with each other.

What do you expect?

You descend from the heavens...

and no longer know how to behave.

Your son is hermitage director.

Like you and I before him.

The wars ahead... terrible wars.

But we managed to preserve all this

through the catastrophes.

I can't hear anymore.

And you?

Yes, I hear. But not very clearly.

What are they saying?

The elder piotrovsky is asking...

whether the director's telephone is

still under surveillance.

His son tells him, "forget that.

"I would prefer telling you

about the hermitage cats.

"They are still here..."

there are so many people

that I wasn't able to help.

Ten years have passed.

You know what I'm referring to.

But everyone speaks well of you.

Your books are still in print.

Those of mr. Orbeli, too.

That's particularly admirable.

The dead weep with joy

when their books are reprinted.

Especially 37 years later, Mikhail.

Is something still troubling you?

Is it the authorities?

They want acorns from oak trees.

They are not interested in knowing

how to nurture the tree of culture.

But it will be their doom

if the tree falls.

Then there will be nothing left.

Can't they understand that?

Mr. Orbeli, what awaits us?

- I'm coming!

- Speak!

- Listen, Mikhail...

- let him go.

You're completely alone.

They won't tell him anything.

I know, ask me!

I am asking you...

everyone can see the future...

but no one remembers the past.

Look how handsome they are!

Such fine young men!

Beautiful uniforms,

even if I don't like the military.

You didn't answer my question.

Nothing, you know nothing.

Sir! Wait!

He doesn't hear me.

I must apologise.

They said other things.

I could hardly hear them.

I made it all up, about orbeli...

about piotrovsky, too.

- Only god can judge you.

- I made it all up.

We are free, you and I.

You said it yourself!

Please, don't run.

Run! I can't keep up with you.

Little birds.

Children!

Anastasia, where are you going?

They are...

so light!

You're always watching me.

I have a bad feeling.

Don't be alarmed.

Pray. And I shall pray for you.

Did you hear that?

- Did you hear shots?

- Calm down. God is with you.

I think someone is following us.

calm down, Alexandra.

If only alexis could run...

doctors are good for nothing.

There is no hope.

It's my fault.

Children!

Children, behave yourselves!

Sorry, excuse us.

Come here, Anastasia.

Where were you?

I looked for you all morning.

We were playing.

Let's go.

Where is Alexei?

- Thank you, I can manage.

- Of course.

- Are you in pain?

- I'm fine, mother.

Move your chair forward.

You are late for tea.

Forgive me.

What do you think?

Shall we forgive her?

Anastasia won't do it again.

It looks like it's not your fault.

Good-bye.

Fly away, my little angels!

And here's their cage.

They're all here, of course.

There haven't been so many guests

for a long time.

Good evening.

Look at that strange fellow.

But...

where has my European gone?

Where is he?

There he is!

He doesn't see me.

I should go up to him.

Otherwise he will be offended.

Sir! He can't hear me.

But I'll see him later.

Wouldn't it be nice

to jump about like that?

You know...

aristarkh konstantinovich

is being sent to africa.

What a tiger!

He could eat anyone!

Your mother has trained

the servants well.

Don't be shy! You are doing very well.

The most important for the mazurka is...

you are doing great.

Thank you.

Saint petersburg has the best balls

in europe.

Everyone is so easygoing.

Like one big family.

There must be over 3,000 people.

Maybe less.

I've forgotten everything!

I dance so poorly!

I've forgotten everything!

But it's all coming back to me!

Good, very good!

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