So... Have you packed the tablecloths?
All of them? And the kerchiefs?
Good.
-Don’t forget the shawls and the hats. -Everything is packed and loaded.
And the leghorn?
It should be back from the repairs.
Where is it?
It’s my favorite. Where can it be?
Where would it be if you and I packed it together last night?
-I swear, we haven’t forgotten anything. -Really?
Why worry so much, Miss?
You’ll make yourself sick.
I don’t know.
I’m anxious.
All right. Frol, more flowers for the table.
For the porch, too.
Also... flower petals to shower the newly-weds with.
Don’t worry, ma’am.
Is the bride’s luggage already in their room?
They are at it, Anna Lvovna.
What are you waiting for? How can you be so slow?
Mother, Father, if you’re looking at us now,
help us to be together.
As God is my witness, I can’t live without him.
Katia.
Here, eat it, quick.
This is a hell of a day. It feels like the Judgment Day.
What’s wrong, baby?
Pavlusia, dear, I love you so much.
I thought you didn’t notice anyone but your beau anymore.
I’ve decided to stop thinking about him.
Why tear my heart apart if we aren’t meant to be together?
I’m so hungry!
Come in.
I heard the floorboards creaking, so I knew you were up.
Have you even slept for a couple hours?
Wait. Where have you been?
I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk.
I can’t see you torturing yourself.
What is it with you, son? You become grimmer every day.
-You should accept it. -Accept it?
Can I have a couple slices of bread?
I can’t believe it. Am I in heaven?
-Maybe I should bring you some kasha, too. -No, no kasha. Just the bread.
Bread? All right.
Where do you think you’re going, you fiend?
Nowhere. I just...
I packed this for...
for someone. The beggars.
I should have done it long ago.
Don’t look at me like this. It’s true!
As true as pears growing on the willow.
Do you think I’m blind...
or stupid?
When I heard about the bread, I knew you were up to no good.
Be patient, then, and don’t despair.
Maybe Anna Lvovna will come to her senses and change her mind.
The wait is a torture, Mother.
Time drags on.
I know, I know, son.
Still, be patient and pray.
Prayer can do wonders, my boy.
I’ll ask God for you two, too.
Thank you, Mother.
You are the kindest person in the world.
Come on.
Come on, my poor boy.
Don’t torture yourself.
Remember, we are here for you,
we need you, we love you.
Open the door.
Darling, just don’t be upset.
-Papa? -What is it?
Tell me what happened.
I knew a catastrophe was pending!
-Please tell me. -No catastrophe.
-I got a message from your godmother. -And?
She apologizes, she wants you and Grigoriy to come visit,
but she can’t be at the wedding because of her poor health.
Papa!
How can I get married with no one to give me away?
Well, there is someone.
Your aunt Avdotya is here.
Aunt Avdotya? Papa!
She is so old and deaf.
Besides, you told me yourself she didn’t like my mother.
Pavlusia,
I’m going to elope.
Where to?
I don’t know.
Wherever Aliosha takes me, even if it’s at the world’s end.
Oh my God.
This love of yours is driving you mad.
Have you lost your mind?
If you get caught, he’ll go to jail,
and you will be whipped by Yashka at the stake.
If it’s my destiny, so be it.
There is no place for me in this world without him.
Natalie, darling.
Aunt Avdotya is a nice old lady, and she wishes you well.
If you don’t want her,
any lady in our parish will be happy to give you away.
No way.
Let it be Aunt Avdotya. She is family at least.
I don’t want a strange woman to give me away.
Orysia, make some mint tea for Miss Natalie.
These wedding preparations are getting on your nerves.
It will be a long day for you.
I’m so distressed.
I have this sense of foreboding.
I was to the church,
I went to my mother’s grave to ask for her blessings.
Still...
I can’t shake off this bad feeling.
What are you doing? It’s a knight, not a castle.
It’s as if you’ve never played before.
I’m sorry. I was distracted. Here.
Anyway, check to the king!
I’m not in a good shape today.
I recognize my defeat.
Yes!
-Mother, I won! -Good job, son.
Marie, may I?
It sounds too sad.
This is better.
Can I play with you?
How are you going to live?
Oh God.
Being on the run for the rest of your life, knowing no peace,
scared of your own shadow.
We will be free, and we’ll be together.
What is there for me if I stay?
The masters’ good graces?
It’s like a wolf’s friendship, as you say.
Besides, Godmother won’t have time for me anyway.
She’ll have a daughter-in-law, grandchildren.
She’ll be fine without me.
Of course.
Your mistress
is the only one who is going to miss you.
Who cares about poor Pavlina?
Who needs her?
-Pavlusia, darling! -Go on with you.
Of course I need you.
You’ll be the only one I’ll long for.
All right.
You’ll do what you’ve planned.
Perhaps it’s your destiny.
In this case,
you can’t avoid
it no matter how hard you try.
Yes.
Your clothes, sir.
It’s a tailcoat, you idiot.
“Clothes.”
Maybe you need something else.
Just tell me. I’m right here.
Just say a word, and I’ll go get it.
It’s your big day, but you seem to be not in the mood.
Get out of here.
Don’t you dare bothering me again.
You aren’t dressed yet!
Sitting on your hands while others are toiling since dawn.
Is this what they call punishment?
They should send you to the field.
What do you want?
Who asked you to spill your poison here?
I don’t want anything from you. It’s the mistress who wants to see you.
-Why? -Does she report to me?
She just sent me to get you.
Why are your eyes red like a vampire’s?
What do you care? You’ve given your message, so go.
-I don’t expect you to pity me. -Your sins won’t let you sleep.
I’m sure there was more going
on in the barn than we saw.
I’ll hit you if you don’t leave!
What? Are you crazy?
Attacking people! The perfect lady!
Anyway, go to the mistress quick,
or you’ll see your next sunrise in the field, not in this fine room.
“My dearest mother,
my heart is breaking at the very thought
of the pain and worry I’ve caused you and will cause again now.
But I can’t help it.
I’m done with waiting, asking, humiliating myself
for the right to be happy.
Every hour away from my beloved is torture for me.
This is why today Katia and I will go away together
to seek our long-awaited happiness.
I won’t tell you where we are going so that you didn’t have to lie for me.
I promise to let you know as soon as we’re settled down.
Again, please forgive me. The money enclosed with this letter
was received in an honest manner from Andrey Zhadan
as a down payment for sugar beets.
I know you will put it to good use.
Your loving son Aleksey.”
You aren’t ready yet?
The carriage will be here soon, and you’re still dolling up.
Are you here for a farewell speech before I start my own family?
Thank you and don’t bother.
Hold your tongue.
I might forget that a groom needs to look presentable at the wedding.
Papa,
can you pretend for one day
that you care about your family?
Look at this!
Such a pure diamond.
It must cost a lot.
The bride’s wedding present.
It shows that she appreciates her future husband.
Wait, Grisha, wait. Wait.
Here.
Like this.
Right... At least you know how to turn women’s heads.
What are you doing? Give it to me.
Bring the posy.
-Where is it? -Are you mocking me? Are you blind?
You clumsy giraffe!
I’ll have you flogged!
I didn’t touch it, I swear.
Run to the garden, bring me a new one.
Kitty, I’m very upset with you, but...
I hope you regret your actions.
I’m not going to punish you anymore, especially on a day like this.
Maybe I was too harsh with you. I apologize.
Not at all, Godmother.
I’m the one who should apologize.
I owe you so much.
Don’t think I don’t appreciate it.
I will always be grateful to you, and I’ll never forget your kindness.
That’s good. Wait.
You can go dress up and doll up.
-What for? -Put it there.
You’re going to the church.
My only child is getting married today.
I want you to share my joy.
We should forget all our differences for this day.
Aren’t you happy?
Of course I am.
It’s just that...
I’m not ready at all.
I might drag you down.
Hurry,
then, and we’ll make it in time.
Also, the rumors...
I mean, about Aleksey Fiodorovich.
Because of my unforgivable indiscretion, it is now the talk of the whole parish.
People will be looking at me, whispering.
I’d be embarrassed.
My poor child!
You can’t hide from people forever, though.
The worst part is that these rumors would spoil your big day for you.
Besides, I’d be of more use here.
I can look over everything, help Pavlina in the kitchen.
You’re right.
You shouldn’t go to the church.
But you’ll sit next to me at the dinner.
Whatever you say, Anna Lvovna.
Flowers from the groom arrived from Chervinka.
And the wedding chest.
Oh God.
Grisha,
you look dashing!
He’s not a pretty girl to shower him with compliments.
Grisha, hurry up,
or the bride will have to wait for you at the church.
Papa, stop nagging me.
She’ll wait if she has to.
Your posy, sir.
This one looks even better.
All right. We’re going.
I’m ready for this wedding as never before.
Mother, that’s enough.
Let’s go.
I see you’ve cheered up.
Is it because of your fiances present?
Isn’t it beautiful?
Grandmother’s jewels.
They must be from his mother’s dowry.
-I like them. -You are well-versed in jewels.
It’s an antique item, family heirloom.
Yes. Family heirloom is right.
Lidiya Ivanovna, do you measure family values in silver or banknotes?
That’s enough, Nicolas.
We’re almost there.
Papa, so many people!
A marriage in the two most influential families
in Nezhin parish don’t occur every day.
Are you still sure about it?
-I definitely am. -Go ahead, then.
Go to your happy life.
Aleksandr Vasilyevich.
Natalya Aleksandrovna.
I’m happy to see you.
She is yours now.
Take care of her.
Happy is the worshipper of the Lord, who is walking in his ways.
You will have the fruit of the work of your hands:
happy will you be, and all will be well for you.
The servant of God Grigoriy
is betrothed to the maid of God Natalya
in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The maid of God Natalya is betrothed
to the servant of God Grigoriy
in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God...
Our Lord!
Wed them with glory and honor.
Bless this marriage,
and grant to Thy servants a peaceful life,
length of days,
chastity,
mutual love in the bond of peace.
Bless Thy servants,
the newly wed Grigoriy and Natalya,
and grant them a long life. Amen.
My husband.
My wife.
Look at them! Why are you dragging your feet as if you’re hungry?
Do I have to do everything in the kitchen myself?
Galia, take out the pies.
Katia, give me a plate.
Galia, what are you doing with those mushrooms?
They should be in the stove already.
Cover them with a towel...
so that they cooled out gradually.
-Where the hell are you going? -Where did she go?
What do you care? Are you her nanny?
Don’t you have anything to do? Cover the pies.
Stop! Help Darka to sort out the mushrooms!
She’ll be doing it until cows come home.
Let your Katia deal with the mushrooms.
Does she think she is the queen of the world
if the mistress allowed her out of her room?
Galia,
don’t provoke me,
or I’ll flog you so hard you won’t be able to sit for a month. Got it?
They are coming!
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
-Live long and be happy. -Many years! Many years!
God bless you, my children.
Have a long and happy life together.
I bless you, too.
Procreate and live in plenty.
Now, let’s not make our guests wait.
The champagne must be already in the ballroom.
-Greetings to the newlyweds! -Many years!
Greetings to the newlyweds!
Where is Katerina?
I don’t know, ma’am.
She was around.
Maybe she went to Pavlina at the kitchen.
Find her and send her to the dining room.
I told her I wanted her with me today.
If she doesn’t come, I’ll punish her.
Katia! My darling.
I didn’t think I’d see you again.
Let’s go.
Aliosha, wait.
You go to such risks because of me. Maybe we shouldn’t do it.
My Pavlina says we’ll never know any peace if we run away.
I won’t forgive myself if I make you miserable.
My darling.
I can only be happy if you’re with me.
You are my life.
When you are not around, my life is no use to me.
Whenever fate takes us, we’ll be together.
If you’re scared...
No. I’m not scared of anything when I’m with you.
I trust you like no one else.
Let’s go before they start looking.
I promise
I won’t let them take you from me.
I got papers for you.
You are Yekaterina Troyanskaya now, a free woman.
Free...
Don’t fuss!
Go slowly or you’ll break something.
Come on, quick!
Lay out the refreshments, decorate them.
You should have started long ago.
No, no! Take that one.
Marko!
Off you go.
Look at this goddamned girl!
What are you doing to these sour oranges?
-What? -Here! Here is how you lay them out.
Here. So that one could take a piece of meat easily.
Didn’t I tell you that? What is there in your empty head?
Boys and partying till dawn?
What are you talking about, Aunt Pavlina?
I know what I’m talking about.
I was just like you.
Were you a young girl, too?
No, I was born as a grown woman!
Look at her!
Weak head, strong back!
Why are you running around like crazy? Chasing the wild goose?
I’m chasing your Katia!
See?
The girl has lost her mind!
Running after Katia like a fool in hell.
Find yourself something to do.
Let your Katia burn in hell for all I care.
The mistress sent me to get her.
She said if Katia didn’t come she’d be in trouble.
Where the hell is she?
How do I know?
I’m bustling here like a fly in a boiling pot.
I don’t have time for this.
Go to the cellar, bring me sour cabbage and tomatoes.
Katia will show up soon.
If you see her, tell her the mistress is looking for her,
and she’ll be really mad if Katia doesn’t come right now.
Ladies and gentlemen, on this joyous day...
a remarkable day, I’d say...
we should pay a tribute
to the most beautiful of all goddesses, Venus.
By her grace, these two young people
are doomed for mutual sympathy
and love.
Let her inexhaustible favors stay with them.
Let her grant them unquenchable passion
for each other and many years
of unrelieved love, and...
Nikifor Lukich. That’s enough. A kiss!
Of course. A kiss!
-A kiss! -A kiss!
-To Venus’s inexhaustible favors! -To the unrelieved love!
Kiss! Kiss!
You’re wearing my gift.
-Does it mean you like it? -Of course.
I see that you like my present, too.
Of course.
Was it your mother’s?
You’re absolutely right. And her mother’s before her.
It has been in our family for three generations.
Then
it is the most precious ornament in the world for me.
I’ll keep it safe until one day I pass it down to our daughter
or the girl our son falls in love with.
You deserve the best.
For me, you are above everything.
There is nothing in this world that would expel you from my thoughts
or make me leave you for even a moment.
What happened?
Ma’am, I beg your pardon.
I just wanted to say Katia is nowhere to be found.
I’ve been looking everywhere but she seems to disappear.
Go.
I’ll deal with it later. Go!
My husband, you seem upset. What’s wrong?
-You’ll have to excuse me. -What? I..
I’ll have to leave you for a while.
Please don’t worry.
I’ll be back before it’s time for our first dance.
Katia.
I’m happy, so happy
that this fine woman is now a part of our family.
My best friend’s daughter,
and now also my daughter, Natalya Aleksandrovna.
I hope that soon the Chervinskys family will get an heir
who will multiply our wealthy
and make his parents and us happy
with his obedience and wits.
I’m happy!
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
let me thank you
for sharing this joyful day with us.
Let’s go to the parlor
and resume the celebration with some music.
Where the hell is this bloody fellow, this son of yours?
Why are you so upset?
I’ll give orders about the dessert
and send someone to get him.
I hope your husband doesn’t expect you to waltz alone.
Don’t worry, Papa.
He went out for a minute for some emergency.
He said he’d be back for the waltz.
“My dearest Godmother, I beg you to deign to concede my request
to forgive me and to understand that I couldn’t do any different.
You have always taken care of me and wanted me to be happy.
I know he is the only one who can make me happy.
Aleksey Fiodorovich is my destiny, my love, and my life.
I have no reason to live without him.
Don’t be angry with him.
He has always been nothing but honest with me.
We are getting married like he promised.
The only thing torturing me
is the pain I’m going to inflict on you with my elopement.
I can only hope that you will forgive me one day.
Yours, Kitty.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
allow me to introduce
our theater’s brightest star,
an immensely gifted actress
and beautiful singer,
Larisa Yakhontova...
who graciously agreed
to bring a true pleasure
to the newlyweds
and to all of us by singing...
a lieder.
Welcome her, ladies and gentlemen.
The brazenness of him!
He has no shame.
-What is she doing here? -I don’t know.
You brought this wench to our house, to my wedding!
This is my house, and I’m paying for this wedding.
Since this is how the things stand,
I will decide whom to invite.
-Did you think about Mother’s feelings? -Never mind.
She’ll survive it.
Gentlemen!
You whiffet!
Gentlemen, stop it!
Get out of here!
-Stop it! -I’ll show you!
-You whippet. -Gentlemen!
-Everybody out. -Gentlemen!
Gentlemen, stop!
I’ll strangle you!
Ladies and gentlemen, a little surprise before the newlyweds’ dance.
Bringing his mistress to the house! In front of everyone!
What a shame.
Anna Lvovna!
It’s so easy to breathe now.
This is what freedom is about.
I could have lived my whole life without knowing how it feels
to go somewhere with whoever your heart has chosen,
Aliosha, no matter what happens next, I will always be grateful to you for this.
This is real happiness.
That’s what it is, Aliosha.