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KOLYA
with
Sceenplay by Story by
Music by
Sound by
Film Editor
Art Director
Director of Photography
Producer
Produced by
Directed by
The Lord is my shepherd
I’ll not want
He makes me down to lie
in green pastures
And leads me. . .
. ..the quiet. . .
.. .waters by
You pig! Grow up, can’t you?
Coffee anyone?
-Franta? -No, I must dash.
Another job? You must be rolling in it.
Can you lend me a hundred till Monday? You’ll get it back
I know. Or I wouldn’t lend it
Thanks
At last!
Your car is ideal. So practical
Get yourself a Trabant
You simply can’t keep up. I’m sorry, but you can‘t.
There are plenty of lesser cellists who can play at funerals.
How much is a Trabant?
-New or second-hand? -Second-hand
You’d need a hatch-back. Twenty, twenty-five thousand
Slow down
They looked better from behind
That’s why I didn’t look round
Bills, bills!
Vultures, the lot of you
Helenka. It’s me, Louka
I suddenly felt so lonely so guess who I thought of?
You, of course
Would you be scared to spend a night in my ‘tower’?
To the theatre?
No, I’m not cross. How could I be?
Run along then. ‘Bye
Zuzi? It’s me, Louka
Zuzi, I suddenly felt so lonely so guess who I thought of?
Oh, he’s home?
Right. ‘Bye
SOCIALISM - OUR SECURITY
Czechoslovak socialism is now more democratic but unchanged in essence
Economically inefficient, it has no regard for human dignity
It’s on the point of collapse
Twenty thousand. . .
. . .for Trabant needing repair. Daylight robbery!
This is Radio Free Europe
Good morning
The lettering needs restoring, doesn’t it?
-It’s the rain -I could put it right
I restore headstones.
And it’s cheap. A gold letter costs five crowns. Silver costs three.
I recommend gold. The silver wouldn’t stand out.
How much would you charge?
There aren’t many letters
Thirty-six letters. That would be one hundred and eighty crowns
Why is it so expensive?
Because you have to use.. .
.. .real gold dust
Pity there are two T’s in his name. You’d have saved five crowns
Franta!
You won’t recognize the grave next time, Mrs Horáčková.
All in gold.
He makes me lie down
in green pastures
And leads me. . .
.. .the quiet waters by
Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?
Two years. Ever since that usherette’s funeral
-It’s awful -All that time!
No, awful that we measure time in funerals - like funeral directors
You were never married, do you?
My late father always said. ..
If you want a musical career, don’t marry
Stay single
Celibate, no kissing.
Do you always get hiccups?
Yes, always afterwards
When it’s. .. that good
Try this
Bite your little finger
It puts pressure on the hiccup points
Or try lifting your left leg at the same time as your right arm. . .
. ..so the blood drains out
First time I heard that. What’s that noise?
It’s the pigeons
Sharpening their beaks on the window sill
I must have got it wrong Lift up your left leg
That’s my right leg
The other way about then
Why did they chuck you out of the Philharmonic?
I don’t feel like talking about it
Then don’t
Guess what? It works
I told you it would
Why are they sharpening their beaks?
That’s easily explained
So they’re sharp
You are an idiot!
-Hi, comrade -God bless you too
I’ve loads of orders for you. Three in gold, two in silver
Here you are
It’s all written down
Mr Broz, a grave-digger like you brings joy to the whole cemetery
You’re doing it so well
I’m trying not to smudge it.
Mr. Louka, tell us about the concert in America.
-Which one? -The one at the hall.
-I already told you about it. -But Ladik hasn‘t heard it yet.
We played ‘‘My Country’’ in New York.
-By Dvorak. -By Smetana.
Carnegie Hall was packed.
We didn’t get much of a welcome.
We were tired after our trip, but we got a second wind.
Which races were there?
Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans. . .
I wondered what this one big black fellow
could get out of songs about places he didn’t know.
Now listen.
When we finished playing you could hear a pin drop.
-Then all hell broke loose. -Applause.
We were in shock. It was like an avalanche.
While we were bowing I could see the black man clapping.
Tears were streaming down his face.
Music exceeds race and nationality.
I was beside myself.
And I’m finished.
Don’t touch it!
You only owe me 37,600 now
I’m doing my best but I really need a car
We could sort out the car problem
Yes, but how would I pay?
Exactly my point. I’ve a wonderful job for you
30,000 for a day’s work Straight into your pocket
Daddy, Andy has a tick
Do you have a pet at home?
No, no pets
Do you have a baby?
Nor a baby
What do you have?
Go out and play I’ll deal with the tick
I won’t beat about the bush. It’s a question of marriage
I have this old ‘aunt’
I’m not marrying Least of all an old aunt
-She’s Russian -Worse still
It’s not the aunt, it’s her niece
Not even a niece
Just a fake marriage
No, I’m against marriage in any shape or form
Cheers, cheers!
She’s visiting her aunt.. .
.. .and needs our papers to avoid being sent back
Sounds fishy. It’s not for me
In six months you get a divorce
-Is Andy here? -He has a tick
I thought I’d lost you
We’re talking business
-You know what I think -Leave us alone
A fake wedding, Mr Louka. Just pretending! For 40 grand
It was 30 before
She’d willingly pay you 40
You could buy a car and still repay me 20,000
It’s better than renovating headstones
Graves, graves
A heck of a job
You’ve lots of pets
A grave-digger has to have living things around him
Her name is Nadezda. It’s just a business deal
I can’t, Mr Broz. It’s not for me
Franta, stop that
Come to see your mother, have you?
Yes, how are you?
-Hi Fanda! -Hi! -Surprised?
They’re finished already.
-Know the name of this building? -Nope.
-Coconut. -Coconut?
Meaning ‘‘Communist church’’.
-Hi. -Hi. -Geeze. . .
Frankie!
Go home and practise. Today was too awful!
I thought you might come. Guess what I’ve made for lunch
Potato dumplings
I was in the chemist’s. I said ‘‘I’ll make him dumplings’’
That’s great
Vic has written. Look in the cupboard
It arrived yesterday. He sent beautiful photographs.
Yet you didn’t even send a postcard.
The Philharmonic was in Belgium. Were you there?
I heard about it on the radio. You can’t even drop your mom a line.
There wasn’t enough time.
The Belgians dragged us around from pillar to post.
Read it aloud
Maybe later
Sometimes I think you don’t like your brother. What did he do to you?
What he did was leave
And you hold that against him? He went with nothing. ..
. . .and now he has a good business
And I have bugger all
You’re a virtuoso player, you’ll have money again one day
Here you are. There’s lots more
Mr Holecek says we need new guttering
-New guttering? -Yes
The gutters have rusted through
He said 2,000 would cover it Materials and labour
I can’t afford it. This house has cleaned me out
I’ve had to sell my car. I’m in debt
Where am I to find the money?
Don’t talk like that
Frankie, the house is yours now you’ve bought Vic out
But for that, we’d have lost it to the state, when Vic emigrated
Would you want me to live with strangers?
We’ll finish our coffee, then we’ll play. Okay?
We haven’t played together in ages.
See you tonight!
Just don’t fall!
Still playing for corpses, Franta?
What about you? Still playing for gall-bladder patients?
Yes. Come see us. The music at the spa is more cheerful.
Bye! I’m hurrying to catch the bus. Goodbye, Mrs Loukova.
You, maestro, are going to play at the colonade.
What’s this about corpses?
That’s what we call a concert audience. ..
.. .when it’s dead and doesn’t respond
It was blocked here. Otherwise the gutters are in fairly good shape
Except for the odd spot
Well, I’ll be blowed!
How did this get here?
It’s not very valuable, Frankie
Just a piece of costume jewelry
That’s not entirely certain. How did it get there?
Where did you get it?
I found it
And what do you think it’s worth?
You tell me
I could give you five or maybe ten crowns for it
A couple are walking along your street
She says ‘‘You and this trinket can both go to hell!’’
And she tosses it into the air. That’s how I see it
Mr Broz, I think I agree
Of course. There’s no other explanation
I mean this bogus marriage. I might agree to it
You can talk to Nadezda in German
She translates from Russian into German
I’m afraid I speak neither
Oh, you Czechs, the story of your life!
First you’re allergic to Germans and then it’s Russians
It’s not that. I’ve no head for languages
Anyway, who cares how they talk together?
Every Czech knows some Russian
Every Czech speak a bit Russian
Except me
Except him?
They won’t suspect. What’s important. ..
.. .is for Maestro Louka to know there are no tricks. Divorce in six months
A fake wedding, that’s all. No hidden agenda
Nadezda has a little boy. And she’s very young
You could be her father. What would she do with you?
Tamara, tell him it has to be a real wedding
We want a real wedding
There must be a reception. ..
.. .and a wedding night. Everything like a normal wedding
A wedding night?
The first night you’ll sleep together. But in different rooms
To avoid suspicion - in case you’re followed
A deposit
Have you any idea how much it costs to fix Russian officials?
You don’t want to know
Franta, I’m amazed
Good luck
She’s a beauty, a real beauty!
Must you be everywhere?
-Hi, Eman. Louka here. -They’re blowing their horns. . .
Keep this to yourself. Huh? This is a fun place.
-There was a girl who loved him.. . -Please be quiet.
Don’t tell anyone what you saw at Vysehrad, Eman.
I don’t want anyone to know about the wedding.
-Don’t sing so loud. -It’s either all or nothing.
Keep it under wraps.
Who’d you tell?
You’re an idiot, Eman.
And with his finger on the trigger
he looks into the bushes. . .
Friends
Druzya
I like my wife, Nadezda, very much
I like my wife very much
I’ve decided. . .
. . .that Nadezda my wife and I. . .
. . .shall enjoy a truly beautiful.. .
. . .real wedding night
-What did he say? -A joke
It would be a great pity if a Czech man denied. . .
. ..his Russian wife her unde. . . undeni. . .
. . .undeniable right
-Wait, where are you going? -Frantisek, you drink a lot.
Yes, we drank a lot. ..
Fabulous, Mr Louka, but have a seat.
Because we drank so much, I now ask that the guests
such as Broz, return to their own homes
and leave the couple alone.
Come, Nadyezda.
We should all keep in mind that a wedding night. . .
You only get one wedding night.
I’d like Nadyezda Ivanovna to remember Prague for a long time.
And I promise tonight I’ll be as hot- blooded as any Russian Don Juan
Idiot!
I’ll be. ..
. ..a real Cassanova!
Mr Louka, they don’t understand your jokes. They’re terrified
Very proper
Every bride should be terrified on her wedding night
The baby’s coming. The contractions have started
Go home. Look after the children
I have to go
Nadezda!
Wife!
New, isn’t it?
Not quite
No? It looks pretty new to me
No rust anywhere
These cars never rust
Then it was a good buy
Look at all those Russians! They’re like locusts
Would you believe it? Lots of Czechs do business with them
It’s certainly cheaper - diesel, petrol, coal
But collaborating like that! Fine patriots, they are
When the Russians invaded. . .
.. .people said they wouldn’t even give them stale bread or water
And look at them now
Just as well you didn’t live to see it
I‘ve brought you coffee and chocolate.
Did you give a concert abroad? Where? I missed that.
In.. . In Switzerland.
The Swiss have always had the best chocolate.
Like a lift?
Is this your dowry?
I see people can’t keep their mouths shut
It’s a nice car
You’re better off in more ways than one
-Look, this marriage.. . -I’m not interested
I live alone Nothing has changed
I’m such an idiot, I nearly divorced because of you
Klara, let’s go to my place
Stop, I’d like to get out
I want to get out
I’ve done all your washing and ironing
Great
We’re supposed to decorate the windows
Another anniversary? I can’t keep up with them
They’re judging again for the best-decorated building
My windows are too high for them to see
Don’t you believe it. They watch us like hawks
I darned two pairs of socks for you. Should’ve seen the holes.
Put up one Russian flag and one of ours.. .
.. .so they leave me in peace
That’s 70 crowns. I’ll add it to the 200 you already owe me
You can have it right now
Right now?
I’ve no change
Keep it
How do you do?
Mr Stocklasa sent me
He did, did he? Hold this
And what was Mr Stoklasa’s message?
He wanted you to look me over
That is, he wanted you to hear me play
-You’re putting flags up? -No way. I’m too old for all that
Like a drink?
Yes, please
I play the viola but I want to play the cello
-Why. . . -Do that?
I like the size
You prefer big instruments, do you?
Play something, then
You’ve long fingers. That’s good
I feel nervous with you there
Squeeze more with your knees
Shall I play?
Like that?
Louka?
Which friend?
This minute?
Who are you?
Blanka
We must make it some other time
That’s a pity
I know
Come to the Green Tree
Come to the Green Tree!
Can I sit or do we move again?
It’s all right here
Are you a spy? Is grave-digging a hobby?
Mr Louka, we’re in deep shit
Nadezda has emigrated
Where to?
Germany
West Germany?
She went as an interpreter and stayed on
She’s got a bloke. A married businessman
She’s nuts about him. But I thought she’d have him visit her here
-Why not go straight there? -From Russia to West Germany?
They’re not allowed. Russians can come here but can’t go there
So how come she got there?
Because she has Czech papers, thanks to you
She left her son here, so she was allowed to go
Why did she go, if he’s married?
That’s her problem, Mr Louka
But the cops are bound to get curious about you
I knew it was idiotic. I felt it in my bones
I’m sorry. But you’ll be all right, you’ll see
The boy will stay with the aunt
When should I expect them?
-Who? -The cops
I’d say soon
Frantisek Louka?
Yes.
You’re this lad’s father?
We’ve the old lady he was staying with, in our ambulance
She’s had a stroke. She says you’ll take over
But I’m nobody. I’m only his stepfather
That’s your problem. Sort it out among yourselves
She says he’s to stay with you
Come on then
Don’t just stand there. Come on in
Mr Broz, do you know what’s happened?
You knew? Then come and fetch him at once
This wasn’t in the deal
We can’t solve this on the telephone
Pop by tomorrow
I can’t hear you
One night won’t kill you. Give him a bath and put him to bed
You have some slippers?
Something to wear indoors
A fine conversation this is going to be!
This is all I needed
Here they are
Slippers. Yours
Take your shoes off and put your slippers on
Look, stop snivelling. I’m not over the moon about this myself
Stick it out for one night here and then it’s off to the grave-digger’s
He got us into this mess. It’s up to him to get us out
Look what’s here
Some crayons and paper. You can draw
Why don’t you sit down and draw something?
Scribble, scribble!
Stare out of the window. What do I care?
As you’re so pig-headed, take a good look
Eat
At least drink your tea
Tea
Russian tea, what you lot drink non-stop
I’ve put sugar in it
Don’t pretend you don’t understand
You must understand something
We’re both of us Slavs
I don’t speak Russian, you don’t speak Czech. . .
. . .but you must understand the word ‘tea’. We have it, you have it
We use the same word
There you are
That’s it
Today there are 1 1 5,000 heavily-armed Soviet soldiers. ..
. . .in our country
Stop snivelling and sleep. One night won’t kill you
Be like that then
She was against the wedding
Who was?
Marush, my wife
She kept saying ‘‘You’ll get him into trouble’’
She was right there
I know. So I can’t ask her to take in a fifth child
Mr Louka, our place is a madhouse these days
Try to put up with him
I’ll let you off 2,000
Three, 4,000
Put yourself in my shoes. What am I to do with him?
Can’t that woman with gold teeth take him in?
Pasha? She’s in Leningrad
Look, his aunt will be out of hospital in a fortnight
Keep the boy. It’s in your interest
That’s why the aunt left him with you - for your own sake
Looking after your wife’s child makes your marriage look genuine
In whose eyes?
The authorities’, when they come to interrogate you
You’ve been questioned before?
I was. Once
The first cop was a softie. The second was called Novotny
He was sharp as a razor
Mark my words, they’ll pounce
And they’ll grind you down, Mr Louka
When my old mother rocked my cradle.. .
. . .she taught me to sing.. .
Mr Louka, you didn’t put up the flags
You said you’d do it
I’ve been too busy. I’m doing concerts every day for the workers
You’re the only one who didn’t do it. All the others did
What a nice little boy. Who are you?
He’s my nephew
What’s your name?
He won’t talk, he’s terribly shy
I don’t care about the flags but you’re drawing attention to yourself
I’m a coward
Last year.. .
. . . I didn’t give a damn and it was okay
But we mustn’t upset them now we’re in the shit
Ours - yours
What was that?
Ours
Yours
So you can understand when you want to
The thing is, we put up your flag because we have to
Once we put it up in gratitude
But that was before we realised that you Russians are scoundrels
You understand? No, you don’t. You lot take up too much room
Wherever you march, you stay
But not you, you’ll go back to your aunt
The moment she’s better, I’ll pack Your chemodan and you’ll be off
Chemodan
That’s all the Russian I know because they stole mine in Moscow
You steal suitcases and territory
Ours is beautiful
What’s beautiful about it? It’s just red like your underpants
-Ours is beautiful -No, ours is
Oh, you don’t know anything
Look what I bought you
A Russian egg
Some Czech hens. . .
. . .lay Russian eggs without knowing it
Grandma!
Hello. I’ve come for my lesson
-It’s a bad day? -Not at all
It’s just that I’ve a ‘visitor’
He’s your little boy?
-A grandson? -Of course not
I’m babysitting for a colleague. The boy is Russian
Hello
-What’s your name? -Kolya
Shall I begin?
We’ll put the light on so you’re not scared
And here’s a steamboat
Ours is beautiful
So you did put the flags up after all!
Nurse, take the child out
Am I going to see Grandma?
She died yesterday. At seven a.m.
You’re her. . . what?
Nothing. Just an acquaintance
There was nobody to take her things
Dressing gown, teeth, spectacles, watch. ..
Where’s Grandma?
Grandma is asleep
We mustn’t wake her
Write to the Welfare Office and have him put into care
Say you’re his stepfather. His mother has left.. .
. . .and you can’t look after him
He can’t stay here
-Look what he’s drawn -A coffin, isn’t it?
It’s not a bad drawing
Gentlemen, the dead won’t wait
Are you his dad or his grandad?
His grandad
Fill in these forms and send them to Comrade Zubata
-And when do you think. . .? -I can’t say
I don’t understand. You say the boy is from Yugoslavia
His parents let him come to you just like that?
So he’d see the Czech countryside
And why is he called Kolya? Isn’t that a Russian name?
Kolya is the same as Nikolai in Jugoslav
Couldn’t he spend a few days here?
Who?
He’s pale
He needs fresh air and he’d be company for you
What’s the world coming to? Parents leaving their kids just anywhere
People with a career in music shouldn’t have children
Like you. It should be either music or a family
How long would it be for?
You see them? Always driving. . .
.. .back and forth
Our soldiers
No, not yours. They’re Russian
Look, the king
Russians. Russian soldiers
What’s he saying?
I don’t know. Maybe they remind him of Yugoslav soldiers
Here, Kolya, it’s almost ready
You lied to me. He’s Russian
Yes, I lied to you
How could you do it?
Mother, not all Russians are alike
We’re not at home
But he saw me come in
May we wash our hands?
-You want to wash your hands? -The water’s off
Water cut off
Water off?
Burst pipe somewhere
Never mind. Goodbye
It’s running
The water’s not off
I’m not having a Russian child here
Come along, we’ll go and see uncle Ruzicka. You’ll like it there
Fancy lying to your own mother. Vic would never do that
First you show no interest in children and then it’s a Russian!
Come and look
-What’s happening in Prague? -Same as here
There’s this soothsayer who predicts it will all collapse this year
They’ve said that for 40 years
He’s had this vision. There were Communists buying. . .
. . .rods of gold
They were rushing off in great hordes to Russia
But Gorbachev took their rods. . .
. ..and used them to flog their backsides
He said ‘‘Leave the gold here and go back home’’
But nobody wanted them any more
The young people and nurses rebelled against them
So they chased them out. . .
. . .and set up colonies for them in Albania. . .
. ..like Red Indian reservations
What a vision!
Why did the nurses rebel?
I’ve no idea
Our people?
Yes, yours
Going to Moscow?
No, they’re here to stay
They just go back and forth
Do they live here?
Unfortunately, they do
Just like me
The shows’s off. We had the Russian kids yesterday. . .
. . .but today there’s nobody
The show’s off. Come along
How big an audience do you need?
At least five. But this is a Russian film
‘Angelika’ is on tomorrow
Give me five tickets
Mr Lansky, don’t go. We’re doing a performance
Hi, Franta
Where’s my grandma?
She’s asleep
Mr Louka, registered letter for you
I signed so you wouldn’t have to go to the post office
Just fancy!
Our building came second in the decorationg competition
But for that stupid fellow Pech, we’d have been first
It’s from the police. Probably a parking ticket
Now you’ll have to go and see them, I suppose
I’m Pokorny. You’ll be Mr Louka
-How come. ..? -I couldn’t leave him
But during the interrogation. .. Comrade, take care of this child
He’ll bawl his head off
This is most unusual
-You’ve no kids? -Yes, but I don’t take them to work
Maybe I could ask Jitka. . .
Jitka, look after this boy. Use Kopecky’s office
Go and play with auntie
He won’t go with strangers
-How old is he? -Five
He only speaks Russian. Can’t he stay?
If you’ve some paper and a pencil, he’ll draw
Sit down, Mr Louka
You wouldn’t have any crayons? He prefers colours
So you decided to marry, Mr Louka?
Well, well, how surprising. A confirmed bachelor like you. ..
.. .suddenly, at fifty-five!
Yes, a man can go off the rails even at my age
Well, she’s very young and pretty
-Love works in strange ways. -You know how it is
Where did you meet?
-In a restaurant -Which one?
It was the Malostranska café
She was sitting alone and there was no other table free
-We got talking -You speak Russian?
Only a few words. From school
-Your cigarette. . . -Want one?
-No. It fell out -That’s always happening
Very nice
He draws well. That violin. . .
Cello. It has a spike
You’re right. A violinist might stab himself
My kid doesn’t draw as well
-What’s his name? -Radek, after my wife
-She has a man’s name? -No, it’s Radka really
How’s it going?
Captain Novotny, Mr Louka
My dear man, you seem to have a bad influence on your family
Your brother emigrates, your wife emigrates.. .
You didn’t live together very long, did you?
Nobody saw her at your place
We lived together for a few days. . .
. . .but she only spoke Russian and me Czech
Surely you were aware of that before the wedding?
Of course. But there were other problems as well
She kept opening the windows. She was so used to Siberian winters
So we decided we’d live apart
Okay, you’ve had your fun
Now spit it out. How much were you paid, you jerk?
Isn’t that a bit familiar?
I’ll be as familiar as I like
I call a jailbird anything I choose And that’s what you’ll be
I asked you a question
-Comrade, take this child -We tried
How did you buy a car?
I saved up and borrowed the rest
From whom?
My colleague Parizek and Mr Broz
Did Nadezda Bilyukovova tell you she planned to emigrate?
That caught me out
And her son, that caught you out too?
Absolutely
What will you do with him?
I don’t know. Maybe I’ll keep him now he’s mine in law
Look here, my dear man
This marriage was a put-up job
Tell your fairy tale about falling in love to someone else
And don’t think you’ll be playing with the Philharmonic much longer
You’ll be lucky to fiddle at funerals. We’ll make sure of that
HE DOES FUNERALS ALREADY !
Why not try to save your skin?
Tell us who arranged the wedding
and how much you’ve got for it
This won’t be the last time we meet.
Go back home, and have a good think
Then maybe you’ll come back and see us before we send for you
Well, that’s it
That’s it. . .
. ..my dear man
Two or three more interrogations and you’ll be speaking Czech
-If it isn’t Marketa! -Mischa
Of course
-And what are you doing? -I play in a sort of ensemble
Jesus, the boy!
Excuse me
A small boy is lost on Line B. His name is.. .
Kolya. He should be taken to the guard at any station
Kolya, don’t worry and don’t run off
Stay in the metro and we’ll find you
End of message
Kolya!
What a fright you gave me
She was wailing down the telephone
-What she said? -’’Kolya, my darling baby’’
When I said her aunt was dead, she wanted to get on a train right away
But I talked the idiot out of it
I told her they’d send her straight to Siberia
-And the Red Cross? -She’s applied for the boy
And there are international agreements on mothers and kids
She sends you her greetings
Charming of her
Hello, Grandma
It’s me, Kolya
We went to see you but you were asleep
Please come back, Grandma
Come on out.
Come along
Zuzi? It’s Louka
I suddenly felt so lonely and guess who I. ..?
Can you speak? He’s in the country?
Lucky you
Oh, in the lavatory! He takes his time, doesn’t he?
Listen, I’m looking after a Russian kid
Russian. Belongs to a violinist from Leningrad. He can’t get to sleep
You teach Russian. Could you read him a story?
Anything. He’s five
Go and find something. I’ll wait
She’s a teacher
A fairy tale
‘The Eagle and the Lamb’. Fantastic! I’ll pass you over
Yes, Kolya Bilyukov
No, I’m not scared of eagles
High on a Caucasian mountain peak lived an eagle
One day he flew so high he reached a star
On that star, there was a little house
In the house, lived an old sheep and her lamb
‘‘I’ve come to visit you’’ said the eagle
‘‘I’ve come to see how you live’’
Lovely
Thanks, Zuzi
You left them here?
Black lace ones?
And you went home without them!
No, I’d have found them
I’d like to see you too, Zuzi, but I can’t right now. I’ll call you
Bye.
Hello
What’s your name?
My name’s Kolya
Do you want some bread?
Go away
Stop feeding the pigeons
And shut the window
Through pastures green. ..
.. .He leadeth me. . .
.. .the quiet waters by
What are you playing?
I’m doing your job
That’s enough
We’re up as high as the birds
As high as the birds
His mummy isn’t at home?
She’s abroad at the moment
He must have antibiotics
Every four hours. Set your alarm clock
With a quarter aspirin. You have some?
Yes
There’s a danger of meningitis
If the fever continues, apply cold compresses. You can do that?
Yes, of course
-Will your wife be away long? -Possibly
You’ll need a note for your employer
I guess.
It will feel a bit cold
Hold on, it’s going to be all right
You’ll be all right now
Klara, I’m sorry about calling you out so late
That’s okay
No, really, I mean it. Good night now
No need to say good night. I’m staying till the morning
And what will you say at home?
That an old flame of mine had a child
And he couldn’t cope
A magpie or a jay. They steal shiny things
You’re right. Nobody thought of that
It’s still beautiful, even if it has no value
When I said we couldn’t have children.. .
. . . I didn’t mean that I can’t. You must have misunderstood
When is he supposed to take his next pill?
At five. I set the alarm
You’re less selfish than I thought
I never imagined you’d worry like this about someone else’s child
Neither did I
Weren’t you afraid to make that fake marriage?
You a dissident, of all people
I am not a dissident
I’ve just been punished for my own stupidity
They used to let me go to the West
One time, the Party officer said. . .
‘‘Your brother has emigrated but we trust you’’
When I returned, I had to fill in the usual forms
One of the questions was ‘‘Did you meet an emigré?’’ I wrote yes
Then it said ‘‘State in detail what you discussed’’
I wrote ‘‘The usual shit, Comrade Blaha’’
Is that all?
I guess he felt hurt
And I thought you’d done something heroic!
Bit of a let-down, isn’t it?
But you did it so nicely
I want you to have this
Lovely. And you’ve stopped drawing coffins
Story by telephone
You’d like a story?
Good. Let’s call the teacher auntie
Could I have the one about the eagle? I liked that one
It was the uncle. He’s no good at stories
We’ll have to manage alone
Once upon a time, there was a grandpa and a grandma
A grandpa and a grandma
They had a grandson who was called Budulinek
One day Grandma said ‘‘Budulinek, my dear
‘‘We’re going to the woods. You will be here on your own
‘‘Don’t open the door to anyone at all’’
Don’t open the door
That’s it. And so they left
We had otters once
What’s otters?
You keep asking ‘‘What’s that?’’
It’s an animal about this big with whiskers like me
It eats trout
What’s trout?
A fish
Fish!
But because the water is poisoned now by acid rain.. .
- you won’t understand and nor do I -
. . .the fish died
Fish kaput?
So the otters died too
The otters are kaput too?
So now you have a River Otter. ..
. . .with no otters in it
Oh, my God!
Some East German bloke is celebrating his birthday
What’s a birthday?
That’s the day he was born
And when am I going to have a birthday?
When were you born?
You’re five but when were you born?
I don’t know
Then it’s a bit difficult, isn’t it?
‘Night, Dad
‘Night
Happy birthday.. .
The main thing is you’re healthy and happy
What’s in it?
Fantastic!
Why must you live at the top?
I’m from the Department of Social Security
You sent us an application regarding this boy some time back
We’ve only just got round to it
In the meantime, we’ve sorted things out
You play at night, don’t you?
No, only during the day now
-Where does the boy sleep? -Over there
He doesn’t have his own bed?
No, but there’s enough room. . .
So it’s the boy’s birthday?
Not really. But I don’t have his papers
I wrote that application when I wasn’t coping very well
The boy is Russian?
Not now, my dear
He understands Czech now
His mother went to the West and shows no interest in the boy
That’s untrue. She applied to the Red Cross
-Look, Mr Mouka -Louka
Czech nationality by marriage. . .
.. .she is still a Russian
So the Russian authorities still have an interest in this child
The matter may well be taken out of our hands
They’ll probably put him in a home
That’s my opinion
Miss Zubata, that letter of mine. .. couldn’t it be declared void?
Why? They’ll take care of the boy
I’ll be back, Mr Mouka
Next time, I’ll bring someone from the Russian embassy.. .
. ..and they can take over
A nice little boy
Goodbye for now
Chemodan?
Yes, before Miss Zubata comes to get us
Franta! What’up?
Can you put us up?
But of course
These springs are a bit ropey. . .
. . .but, held down by this blanket, they should be all right
This is Uncle Houdek but you’ll say Goudek, I suppose
A great power, yet they can’t say the letter H!
I’ll enjoy hiding you. It’ll be my way of joining the resistance
-Will your conductor take me on? -Definitely.
Though he’ll wonder why you want to play on a bandstand
We’ll tell him. . . I know, I’ve a great idea
You’re convalescing after a gall-bladder operation
We’ll have you drinking the waters
Illegal activity. Great!
The police blocked the central streets. ..
. . .so there was no escape
Students, when faced with the riot police.. .
. . .sang the national anthemn. They were savagely attacked. . .
Franta, I think the whole thing has collapsed
Just because. ..
Shut up!
Prague’s university students call on everyone to demonstrate
It’s a pity we joined the resistance so late. It’s boiled over!
We should be there, Franta. It’s come at last
At last. At last!
Nobody wanted them any more
The young people and the nurses rebelled
They chased them out. . .
. . .and set up a reservation for them in Albania
What a vision!
There’s your mummy
Come along
I can’t thank you enough
Goodbye, Dad
Goodbye
When will you come and see us?
Goodbye