SIGLEPROLINE FILM Studio
presents
Gregory HLADY
Leonid MOZGOVOY
Alexei KORTNEV
Rimma SARKISYAN
Laura PITSKHELAURI
Alexei INGELEVICH
Sergei BARKOVSKY
Olga SAMOSHINA
In a film by
Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY
THE UGLY SWANS
Written by Vyacheslav RYBAKOV
Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY
Based on the story by
THE STRUGATSKY BROTHERS
Director of Photography
Vladislav GURCHIN
Production Designer
Konstantin PAKHOTIN
Mister Banev.
Sorry. Mister Banev.
There you are.
As far as I remember,
you asked me about changing.
- Correct?
- You're right.
Excuse me. You know... what...
God knows what they're
having around here.
The schedule has gone from here
to hell and God knows where.
What shall I do about it?
Two kilometers from here there is...
It's all right, sir,
I speak Polish.
Oh, that makes it easier for me.
All right. In about
2 kilometers there'll be a station.
You can rent a car
or take a bus there.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you very much.
Not at all.
Sorry again.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Directed by
Konstantin LOPUSHANSKY
Mr. Pilman,
I need to talk to you.
It's important.
I know
you can hear and see me.
I'm a Russian writer.
I write in Russian.
In recent years
I've been living in America.
Tomorrow I'm flying to Russia.
To Tashlinsk.
No one knows
I’m here.
Mr. Pilman?
I forgot to introduce myself.
I’m Victor Banev.
Hands up!
So you speak Russian?
Yes.
Put your hands up!
I’m alone, Mr. Pilman.
You have nothing to be afraid of.
Do you know me?
Yes, from your photos.
Until you explain
how you found me,
my finger's on the trigger.
And if I don't like your answer...
I warn you,
my answer will be very strange...
Shoot!
Well... the thing is...
well... uh...
I was put on
the UN commission on Tashlinsk.
And I got access
to the files...
The more reports I read, the less
I understand what's going on.
And not only you.
Your reports
were the most solid.
Especially on...
the so-called wetters.
I read that
you disappeared from Tashlinsk.
Someone tried to kill you,
so the precautionary measures...
Stop! You haven't answered my question.
How did you find me?
Mr. Pilman,
may I put my hands down?
No. No!
Put them higher! Higher!
It’s some tyranny, really!
I repeat:
How did you find me?
I saw your house in a dream.
The street name
and number.
Believe it or not.
You may think I’m nuts.
Maybe I am.
I have to admit
I’ve felt odd
recently and...
Very odd.
All right then.
All right.
Come up to my study.
Thank you.
I may be the only
man on earth
who can believe you,
Mr. Banev.
Please sit down.
You came in a car?
No, I came by train.
Strange.
Very strange.
Have... a drink.
- Have some water.
- Thanks.
- It’s hot outside.
- Sure is.
Mr. Banev.
Excuse me
for asking...
Why do you want
to go to Tashlinsk?
I told you,
I’m on the commission.
So you said.
But how did you get on it?
You're a writer.
You don't seem to have
anything to do with the problem.
Is it really for money?
Passion for sensations?
Oh God, what a world!
It’s always money...
Who said money?
Or sensation?
It’s the only way
to get to Tashlinsk.
The only one.
Actually, I have a personal reason.
Do you understand? It’s personal.
Sorry, I’m not myself today...
Could I have more water?
- Of course.
- Thanks.
It’s all right. I understand.
Fine.
Ask your questions.
So, first question:
What's really
going on in Tashlinsk?
What's going on?
What's going on?
Good question.
Remember Zurzmansor?
He knew it was a dream:
burning woods,
the sky black with smoke,
city pavements melting...
The planet destroyed
by an insatiable monster
called 'man'.
Dr. Pilman,
I have very little time.
Let's get to the point, shall we?
To the point.
Everything's fine.
Park the car by the house.
Don't forget to leave the keys.
Yes.
I don't think so.
An hour and a half at most.
No more.
Alright, alright.
I can't talk now.
We'll talk later.
- Have a seat.
- Thanks.