The Big Animal (Duże zwierzę)

The Big Animal

Zygmunt, what's that by the gate?

Written by

Starring

Art Direction and Interiors

Sound

Music

Edited by

Production Manager

Director of Photography

Directed by

Sawicki, how many wives have you got?

What a fine doggie you've got!

Zygmunt, to the circus or the Camel Trophy?

Look what's coming!

A big beast.

Watch the doves!

I'd ride such in Kazakhstan. A hardworking beast.

I could buy it.

It's worth it.

Tell me how much.

Not for sale.

Come, follow me.

Move the beast away! It scares the horses!

Come, come.

Want me to shoe it, Mr. Sawicki?

Kids, keep away from it!

Spit on it!

Don't touch it!

Look how beautiful it is! Better than the circus, huh?

This is freedom, buddy.

You can stop, graze, and dump where you please.

Nobody will do you harm because you're free.

Held on a leash, that is.

Without a leash they'd sic their dogs on you. Come.

Look how beautiful it is.

Sorry, I couldn't get my act together this morning.

I used to set my watch by your arrival.

This is the first time, eh?

How beautiful it's out of town: yellow, gold, red. The smell!

One's happy to be alive!

You never spoke so beautifully.

You know how to use your noodle.

All of us know. Congratulations!

You'll make a pile, I guess.

A photo establishment, huh?

How could I cash in on it? I'm just happy to keep it.

Buyers flock around you like flies, they say.

Oh, cut the kidding, please.

Standoffish now, are you?

Climb down, sonny, will you?

Hi, Marysia.

Hi.

Marysia?

Yes?

What's this?

A muzzle.

I've borrowed it in case it bites anybody.

Oh, come on! Why?

I haven't made dinner and you've got orchestra today.

I watch it all day long, and it looks at me.

I told you not to throw apples!

Do it again and I'll tell on you in school!

You'll see!

After rehearsal.

But dinner...

Why parade around the market? Everybody gawks.

Those urchins climb the fence and throw apples.

Just look at it. How can it do any harm?

Hello Mr. Sawicki!

Good evening.

Best regards.

Hi Sawicki.

Hi.

Sorry.

We can start now. All the clarinets are in.

What happened, Mr. Sawicki?

Oh, nothing really. I've had a hard day today.

I apologize to all.

He's late because of the safari at home.

Gentlemen, concentrate. Hit it!

Take the carrot. Don't be scared.

Good camel.

Camel, on your knees! Come on, kneel down!

It can't. Make it kneel down!

Get away, mister!

Wild Africa!

Shall we go for a walk? Okay, let's go.

See how it drools?

Can you take me for a ride, sir?

Scat! Don't hang on to my fence! You hear?!

I'll only take it for an hour-long session.

On your conditions, sir.

Don't bother me, please. I can't cash in on it.

Why? Please tell me. It boggles the mind!

Just a couple of snapshots a day with the camel just standing there.

And kids would tease it.

Jump on its humps. Forget it.

It may earn you money.

Mr. Cofalik...

I'm a bank clerk. I know what money is.

Why? What would the people think? Let's go.

They will, anyway.

For me it doesn't exist. This is a serious office.

Here we work with cows, horses, dogs...

Those that start with "c": cows, calves, cats, whatever.

Why it was you who summoned me here.

'Cause you must pay the tax!

Clerks like you and I have created order,

which you can't destroy on a whim.

You must pay for something.

So maybe...

Yes?

For a horse.

A horse?

It is big enough.

But a horse is shod, whereas...

Eventually, the smallest horse tax.

You shall sign this declaration. Full name... declares to pay...

The tax on a regular basis for... Why'd you keep it?

What should I write? Go on dictating, please.

Help yourself, please.

So... I really won't cash in on it. Try to understand, please.

Besides, it would only listen to me.

Exactly. Hence we extend our offer to you.

A commercial spells a bundle.

How much?

Your man, plus camel...

Two days?

Yes.

It'll be about... $4,000.

More than my annual salary! It's immoral.

A deal, Mr. Sawicki?

What should I do?

A camel is a man's friend. It helps and works for him...

carries him across the desert and is never choosy.

What does it eat?

Meat!

No, no meat, but plants...

...dry grass.

Onion.

Onions too, carrots, twigs. And it's inured to hardships.

You know why? What's in its hump?

Milk! Water!

No, it has a kind of pantry in the hump.

With a delicious fat inside.

Now what name would you like to call it?

Pampoosh!

Okay. Let's put it down.

Pooshek!

Pooshek...

Fuzzy!

Hunchback!

Hunchback...

Next, we'll choose the best.

Repeat! The success of the Great Lottery...

...at our Town Jubilee depends on your contributions.

Each substantial donation may win you a FIAT!

The Great Jubilee of our town is only three weeks away.

We're waiting for your generous donations!

No such kiddy names. Why, it's a grand animal.

No Pampoosh or Fuzzy... But a powerful one like Ramses.

Or that... Nile.

Nile? Would rather fit a fish.

See you after the rehearsal.

The success of the Great Lottery depends on your contribution.

We're waiting for your generous donations.

Well?

Look at this...

You know what we could make?

Two overcoats at least.

Two in a year.

Keep off the flowers! You naughty camel!

Hello.

Hello, Mrs. Sawicki.

We're collecting donations for the lottery prizes.

Each above the limit can win a FIAT.

What limit? I have something.

We could shear it in a month.

Out with you!

We donate honey. Does it meet the limit?

The committee will decide.

Honey's okay. Folks donate different things.

A bike, a pedigree dog, an aquarium with fish, a parrot...

You can win a FIAT, after all.

We don't have such.

It looks so attractive.

To the backyard! Come on!

Folks just don't get it.

Too little room for this animal.

Worse still, without a checkup. May be ill with syphilis.

It takes a trick to close it!

A trick.

The Town Council has donated a FIAT, you know?

It's the main prize... They've come here too.

Did you give them honey?

I did.

They wanted to take the beast.

Did they really?

They look at it, patted it. And then slammed the gate.