-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 apologize.
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 Alexis?
-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