you!
We've been waiting for you
for ages.
- Did you go to sleep?
- We've only just been relieved.
Is everything all right?
Yes. Is everything quiet here?
So far, yes.
We don't know what's in store.
- What time is it now?
- Ten past three.
Can we sit
and rest here for a bit?
No problem!
Come in, have a look...
We've left you some champagne.
- Really?
- It's symbolic.
- There's hot coffee.
- Coffee, too!
If there's any left.
- Do you want some?
- Yes, a bit.
- Champagne?
- With pleasure.
Wait... where did we put it?
We'll have a bit.
You can film our life here.
A NATO soldier would have
topped himself long ago.
Only our lads can...
- Just a drop.
- I know, I remember.
A little drop.
- Thank you for coming up here.
- God bless you.
The cameraman is cold.
Pass it round.
Have a drop, Sergei.
- Alexei, would you like a drink?
- Not now.
Not now?
Then that's it.
That's all, then.
If there were more...
Damn it!
I wonder what it'll be like,
1995?
- Is there any left?
- No.
No one wants to talk.
The day's over.
Tomorrow is another day.
We'll go through the day,
same as usual.
Then it'll be the weekend
and you'll come down.
- Is it Wednesday or Thursday?
- Tuesday.
Only Tuesday?
I've lost all count of time.
Too much salt?
No, it's all right.
I've put too much in it.
- Is there any tea?
- I don't know.
Let's make some.
There's none left.
The bowls need washing...
Any water?
No...
To wash the bowls with.
It's hot.
That's good.
One last smoke?
A very quick one.
- Come on!
- No.
If I'm not smoking,
why should other people?
It's dog eat dog
in the army.
You have to show your teeth
sometimes.
You don't have to.
I never do.
Sometimes you can't help it.
I haven't got much longer to go.
- Just a bit longer.
- Nearly there.
Nearly.
Just a bit longer.
Not much.
I'd like to go home
on Shrove Tuesday.
Or on Frontier Guard Day.
Whatever the date,
it will be a holiday.
Will you be staying till New Year?
This is the Year of the Pig.
They made a pig's ear of it,
right enough.
Wait, wait...
A leap year.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Curtain 7, Curtain 7,
Maple 1 calling.
1, 2, 3, Curtain 7,
Curtain 7,
Maple 1 calling.
Where are the strangers?
Where are they?
Hello, nose.
Good boy.
We'll be saying goodbye,
then.
- We're going down.
- Shall we come with you?
No, thanks.
Happy New Year again.
Sorry we disturbed you.
Best wishes.
We'll come again tomorrow.
Goodbye and good night.
Goodbye.
Be careful
on the way down.
Be careful.
Somehow I managed
to see the face
of my watch.
It would soon be dawn.
The year
was on its way.
I had to sleep
for at least a few hours,
and pack my things
to go back
to Russia,
to Saint Petersburg.
You won't leave me,
wlll you?
No.
Hello.
Do you remember me?
I haven't forgotten you.
That's good.
Where are you golng?
Back home.
I llve alone now.
It Isn't posslble.
Why?
Everythlng Is posslble.
God won't let
such a terrlble thlng happen.
- He does sometlmes.
- God wlll protect her.
And what If He doesn't exlst?
I'm dlshonoured.
I'm a terrlble slnner.
No, you're not.
If you are a slnner,
what am I?
Your sln and your dlshonour
are made clean
by the salntllness of your heart.
Never let anyone say
that It's better
to end one's llfe.
Do you often pray?
What would I be wlthout God?
And what does God do for you?
Nothlng...
You are too poor and lowly for Hlm.
Yes, it's time
to go back to Russia.
In Russia it is still cold.
Snow and silence.
And not a soul.
Subtitles: Alexei Jankowsky
Subtitling by TVS - TITRA FILM